1st lie || Action/Voice

[sly_little_fox]

[Gin startles awake and were anyone nearby, they might've caught a flash of blue as his open eyes scanned the area.  He relaxes a moment later, not at all sure what to make of where he's found himself.]

Can't say it's what I expected.

[He stands and dusts off his pants, taking note of the book for the first time and flipping it around in his hands

Comments

[ action ]

[ashesandpearls]

[So just around the hill, out of sight? There is a familiar flare of untrained and untempered reiatsu. It's much fainter than it should be - much fainter.

But it is most definitely there.]

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[sly_little_fox]

[Well if that don't beat all. He quiets, masking his own reiatsu. It's been a long time since hers felt that way, but like a fingerprint, there's no mistaking it for anyone else. Gin checks the area for any other unfamiliar reiatsus or strange presences before following this one where it leads him.

Needless to say, it's not what he expected. It's most definitely Rangiku, but she hasn't looked like that in decades. Just what's going on? It's possible it's just another of Aizen's illusions, but he wouldn't have known about this. Some kinda warped second chance maybe?

He rubs his thin, bare arms, approaching with caution. He doesn't trust it, not just yet. But it doesn't mean he won't see for himself if ti's true.]

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[mmmpersimmons]

[It's certainly not her ability to sense reiatsu that prompts Rangiku to look up. Her ability is unrefined and untrained - and Gin is a captain. But she does, with that same sense, that same tug from the center of her spine that always lets her know when Gin is there.

Her eyes widen and then narrow a bit in suspicion. He looks an awful lot like...

She pauses and turns to face him fully, one hand still clutching the fallen twigs she's planning on using for firewood.]

[ action ]

[sly_little_fox]

[Can't hide forever, he supposes, but it's the last place he'd think to find himself. And the last way he'd think to run into her. When she notices him, he finds himself falling into all the usual mannerisms. He takes a few steps closer, slouching to get a bit nearer her level.]

Now I know I gotta be dreamin'.

[He picks up a couple of the twigs nearest him, then holds them out to her, crouching low and rest his elbows on his knees.]

[ action ]

[mmmpersimmons]

[...

...That was -- just like --

She reaches out to take the sticks, hesitantly.]

You and me both.

[If you're - who she thinks you are - why are you so BIG?]

[ action ]

[sly_little_fox]

[That's gotta be it. He's dead. Dying. Dreaming. Having those flashbacks that everyone has right before they kick it. It doesn't explain the wings, or the fact that he can still feel everything, see it, hear it, smell it, just like he ought to. This place isn't anything like Rukongai though...]

Well if that's what it is, we best make the most of it, right? You need a hand with them sticks?

[ action ]

[mmmpersimmons]

[...just. Now way.]

What's your name, Mister?

[She eyes his lack of clothes a touch warily. She'd shown up in a dress, so she's not too worried, but...]

[ action ]

[sly_little_fox]

[He scratches his head, not taking a step closer, if anything only falling into a relaxed crouch. It looks like her. Talks like her. The reiatsu has to be hers, but all the same, that's impossible, isn't it? It's as though accepting it as truth means falling into a trap. And yet...

Wasn't this little child the reason he started on this path?]

I'll give you three guesses, but I'll be real hurt now if y' don't get it in one.

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[mmmpersimmons]

[Her heart starts pounding really fast. If he's here and he's grown like this - then maybe it means that everything the people who've claimed to know her before was true too. Maybe she wasn't supposed to be little...

...or maybe he's just not supposed to be big. She frowns thoughtfully, instinctively relaxing when he shifts into a crouch that says 'Everything's okay here.']

You're too big to be who I think you are.

[...aren't you?]

[ action ]

[sly_little_fox]

[At least she's recognized him. Whether big or small, some things stay the same. But trying to explain how he got here or even where they both were was beyond him at the moment.]

If I wasn't standin' in front of you right now, I'd probably say the same thing. You can ask me anythin' you want if you don't believe it, how's that?

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[ashesandpearls]

[Her eyes narrow a bit as she thinks it over. A bunch of people here knew her name, so that wouldn't work as a test. What would be something only Gin would know?]

When's my birthday?

[Why is my birthday?]

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[sly_little_fox]

[As if he could forget. The question itself is enough to squelch any doubts about who is standing in front of him. No one else would even think to ask.]

Tsk tsk. Now that's a trick question. Ain't a soul in Rukongai that knows theirs for sure less someone tells it to 'em.

[There's a pause; not because he's forgotten or because he doesn't know, but that information... it's not something he wants just anyone hearing. It would be too easy to start putting things together... still... he promised her any question...]

But your birthday's a special one since we decided it'd be the day we met, wouldn't it?

[ action ]

[mmmpersimmons]

[There is only one person in the world who knows that.

Rangiku's eyes get very, very wide and when she speaks, her voice is very small.]

Gin?

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[sly_little_fox]

[His smile widens just a bit and he's left scratching his head.]

Grew a bit since I saw ya last, didn't I? Better hurry and start growin' or you're never gonna catch up Rangiku.

[His voice is teasing and his smile nothing like the predatory smirk he often wears, as he reaches out to ruffle her hair.]

So now that introductions are all done with, y'mind telling me where we are? Ain't like any part of Rukongai I know of.

[ action ]

[mmmpersimmons]

[She wibbles at this. Oh yes she does. And is very tempted to reach out and grab his hand - to hug him. She hasn't been acting like it, but this place is scary and Gin is still Gin no matter how he looks...

But she doesn't. She does, however, sniff rather suspiciously. And turning away, she rubs at the corner of one eyes.]

S'not Rukongai. We're not in Soul Society anymore. Can't you feel the difference?

[Even with her limited and untrained spiritual powers, she can feel the effect of the power cap.]

[ action ]

[sly_little_fox]

[He pretends not to notice, distracted by a squirrel or a leaf off in the other direction. Even if he can feel the difference, it doesn't feel like anyplace he's been to before. Not Earth, not Hueco Mundo, not Soul Society, and nowhere inbetween.]

I noticed. Not bad though right? Lookit how much greener it is. Y'wanna go explore a little? Or do you already know all the best places, hm?