[Log] 04 - A Penny For Your Thoughts
Date: 02-29-08
Characters: Halibel, Ulquiorra
Summary:Their paths cross this night, and Halibel decides to make conversation with her fellow Espada concerning their comrades.
-=[La Espina - Las Noches]=-----------------------------------------------------
The spine of Las Noches runs straight and true through her core, at the very center of which not even hallways can be shifted and moved about. Floors here are like polished white marble, glassy and pristine. Decoration is limited, and what is present is extremely minimalistic and often simple carving etched into the stone walls or pillars. This area also tends to be somewhat busy, as the personal rooms, apartments, palaces, towers, and homes of the Espada are here, located in hallways that branch out to the East and to the West, as well as the living spaces of Hueco Mundo's Rey de Reyes....
It's rather late at night, but the halls of Las Noches are brightly lit as ever. Halibel is walking down the hall without her Fraccíon, towards her own quarters. Despite the hour she doesn't look tired at all, as her green eyes move to look here and there over her tall collar. She walks quietly, but it's completely silent, so her footfalls make soft clicks on the stone with each measured step.
It isn't unusual for the natives to be restless here, and indeed, the tall female Espada is not the only one up and about. Although providing much less of a contrast against the white washed walls and ceilings of the long corridors, Ulquiorra's vibrant gaze if not his mere presence is something that cannot be so easily dismissed as he walks the hall. He comes from the opposite way as Halibel, his head lifting slightly as he takes note of Halibel's approach, and to his fellow Espada, he gives but a nod of acknowledgment.
"Ulquiorra," Halibel says. "May I walk with you?" It's said more as a statement than a question, and the female Arrancar switches directions to follow in the direction the other Espada is going. "I have been meaning to speak with you, given your loyalty to Aizen-sama above all." She glances around once up and down the hall, despite being able to sense others with her reiatsu. "What do you think of Grimmjow?" Her tone is calm and her eyes unflinching as she surveys him.
An odd request, perhaps, but one neither denied nor approved of. It seems as though Ulquiorra does not care either way as he says nothing once his footsteps are joined by Halibel's. The half-helmed Espada remains silent for a time as they walk, but the quiet is broken only by the sound of their progress down the hall and Halibel's inquiry. Green eyes flicking sidewise to the female Espada, Ulquiorra doesn't immediately respond, even as he returns his gaze frontwards.
"...and what has happened regarding him that prompts such a question?" he finally replies, although not so much of an answer that might be expected. "...or is it for mere speculation?"
Under her long lashes, the female's eyes are inscrutable. If she thinks his response rude, she does not call him up for it. After he is done speaking she simply looks forward and walks for a length, before saying casually, "It is speculation only. That which compels me to ask is simply a gesture of my trust in your discretion." Her answer, while a little more to the point than his own, is not greatly satisfying. And she has yet to give her own say on the matter.
If Ulquiorra had come off as rude, then it was not intentional. Again, those green eyes flick in Halibel's direction although his head remains facing forwards.
"It is dangerous for him to remain in such an idle setting for long. You were there during that meeting when Yammy and I gave our report. You saw Grimmjow's reaction." What he offers is nothing new, and he isn't one given to gossiping about his fellow Espada. Yet it is for the former reason that he mentions as much as he does- it is safer to remain along the lines of the general consensus than to offer any incite that might speak too much of one's personal opinion. And as much as Grimmjow has grated on much of Ulquiorra's standings and decisions, the raven haired Espada has chosen to deal with it. Little as he cared for Sexta, they were all working under the same authority.
Some consideration is given during the lack of words that he lacks to follow with, perhaps indicating that is all the answer he will give unless given better reason. "...have you asked anyone else about this? Why has such a concern only roused your curiosity now?"
"I have not asked anyone else," Halibel says clearly. "Though it has been my concern for some time." She glances over to Ulquiorra and says, "I only ask now because you are one of those who does not freely gossip. I delight in my Fraccíon, but their discretion has not always been their strongest point." She does have a certain warmth in her voice, but it's restrained and steady. "And to clarify, I ask only out of curiosity, not concern." That might not be entirely true, but the Espada's tone is perfectly neutral.
"Concern, when put through a sieve is made up of a small portion of curiosity." Ulquiorra does not smirk, but his tone might bear a hint of one even though the expression itself never touches his black-rimmed lips. He meets Halibel's gaze briefly before looking back down the long stretch of white before them, their steps although not particularly loud, still enough to resound off the close walls what with the considerable lack of noise. This place was always quiet though, but then for good reason, since it leads not only to the Espadas' respective wings, but to the residence of their lord.
Halibel blinks at that. "Or more than a small portion, to be sure," Halibel says, not quite airily, but just a touch. "But perhaps I am concerned. We are brethren, the Espada, but united only because of our physical strength, not our mutual friendship. Each Espada's motives vary from one another, from a little to a great deal. It has led to blows in the past." From her, this is a long winded speech, and after it is done she is silent and contemplative, looking forward but nowhere in particular.
Ulquiorra cants his head slightly to acknowledge the point made. True, Halibel speaks very little when they do convene to discuss matters with the others, but when she does, her words are not wasted. Likewise is he with what he cares to impart, and on the subject the other Espada has brought up, Ulquiorra knows her to be no fool.
"That is all that needs to be realized to understand where someone like Grimmjow stands. It is enough to know how an inquiry of the sort will be responded to."
He does not feel the need to impart personal feelings on the matter, but what he is good at offering is fact. "...but as I mentioned before, there is a tension that grows the longer there is no call for his claws to be unsheathed." And that makes it a dangerous situation. It isn't only Grimmjow however, there were certain other Espada that paced these walls with the same anxiety.
Halibel closes her eyes for a moment, and then says to the Cuatro carefully, "And I'm sure Aizen-sama has made note of this." There's the hint of a question in her tone that's difficult to miss for one observant as Ulquiorra. It's well known that few if any Arrancar are more taken into Aizen's confidence than Ulquiorra. Halibel doesn't sound jealous, but she is looking at the Espada as if he were a worthwhile companion, despite his lower rank.
Others look down on Ulquiorra for that very same reason, that of the trust Aizen seems to place in the pale-faced Espada. Ulquiorra has looked away from Halibel by then, but his nod in response is so faint it might even be missed. He knows that Halibel won't though. Using that as a lead-in to what he decides to say next, Ulquiorra continues.
"Likely that you're aware of Stark's confrontation with the Shinigami. He had succeeded in removing two from the battlefield." He waits long enough for confirmation or comment before going on. "Grimmjow was given permission to draw out and attack what Shinigami would come." This is all Ulquiorra offers. Unlike Yammy, he knows that Halibel needs no one to fill in the blanks as to whom gave such orders and the reasons therefore.
Halibel says nothing to confirm or deny that she'd heard of it. She doesn't thank Ulquiorra for the information. Her eyes lower in though for a second. "I understand," she says quietly. "I am returning to my quarters now." She pauses there and says, "But.." Her eyes are fixed on Ulquiorra. "You're the only Espada I've yet to see smile. For your own sake, I hope that is because you do so from within. Perhaps you should get some Fraccíon for company, Ulquiorra?" Then she turns and leaves the opposite way. Halibel has never smiled, or even hinted at it; it'd be hard to tell besides, with her face half hidden. But that statement implies as much.
His steps slow to a stop not two seconds after Halibel has parted company with him, and for once he turns his head so that he can look over his shoulder after the female Espada as she heads down the other end of the hall again. There's no hint of any emotion in those eyes, and whether there's any confusion or amusement at the suggestion from the other is kept solely to himself.
"......."
Finally, Ulquiorra turns again, and as if the previous conversation had not taken place, he resumes walking towards his own destination.
Characters: Halibel, Ulquiorra
Summary:Their paths cross this night, and Halibel decides to make conversation with her fellow Espada concerning their comrades.
-=[La Espina - Las Noches]=-----------------------------------------------------
The spine of Las Noches runs straight and true through her core, at the very center of which not even hallways can be shifted and moved about. Floors here are like polished white marble, glassy and pristine. Decoration is limited, and what is present is extremely minimalistic and often simple carving etched into the stone walls or pillars. This area also tends to be somewhat busy, as the personal rooms, apartments, palaces, towers, and homes of the Espada are here, located in hallways that branch out to the East and to the West, as well as the living spaces of Hueco Mundo's Rey de Reyes....
It's rather late at night, but the halls of Las Noches are brightly lit as ever. Halibel is walking down the hall without her Fraccíon, towards her own quarters. Despite the hour she doesn't look tired at all, as her green eyes move to look here and there over her tall collar. She walks quietly, but it's completely silent, so her footfalls make soft clicks on the stone with each measured step.
It isn't unusual for the natives to be restless here, and indeed, the tall female Espada is not the only one up and about. Although providing much less of a contrast against the white washed walls and ceilings of the long corridors, Ulquiorra's vibrant gaze if not his mere presence is something that cannot be so easily dismissed as he walks the hall. He comes from the opposite way as Halibel, his head lifting slightly as he takes note of Halibel's approach, and to his fellow Espada, he gives but a nod of acknowledgment.
"Ulquiorra," Halibel says. "May I walk with you?" It's said more as a statement than a question, and the female Arrancar switches directions to follow in the direction the other Espada is going. "I have been meaning to speak with you, given your loyalty to Aizen-sama above all." She glances around once up and down the hall, despite being able to sense others with her reiatsu. "What do you think of Grimmjow?" Her tone is calm and her eyes unflinching as she surveys him.
An odd request, perhaps, but one neither denied nor approved of. It seems as though Ulquiorra does not care either way as he says nothing once his footsteps are joined by Halibel's. The half-helmed Espada remains silent for a time as they walk, but the quiet is broken only by the sound of their progress down the hall and Halibel's inquiry. Green eyes flicking sidewise to the female Espada, Ulquiorra doesn't immediately respond, even as he returns his gaze frontwards.
"...and what has happened regarding him that prompts such a question?" he finally replies, although not so much of an answer that might be expected. "...or is it for mere speculation?"
Under her long lashes, the female's eyes are inscrutable. If she thinks his response rude, she does not call him up for it. After he is done speaking she simply looks forward and walks for a length, before saying casually, "It is speculation only. That which compels me to ask is simply a gesture of my trust in your discretion." Her answer, while a little more to the point than his own, is not greatly satisfying. And she has yet to give her own say on the matter.
If Ulquiorra had come off as rude, then it was not intentional. Again, those green eyes flick in Halibel's direction although his head remains facing forwards.
"It is dangerous for him to remain in such an idle setting for long. You were there during that meeting when Yammy and I gave our report. You saw Grimmjow's reaction." What he offers is nothing new, and he isn't one given to gossiping about his fellow Espada. Yet it is for the former reason that he mentions as much as he does- it is safer to remain along the lines of the general consensus than to offer any incite that might speak too much of one's personal opinion. And as much as Grimmjow has grated on much of Ulquiorra's standings and decisions, the raven haired Espada has chosen to deal with it. Little as he cared for Sexta, they were all working under the same authority.
Some consideration is given during the lack of words that he lacks to follow with, perhaps indicating that is all the answer he will give unless given better reason. "...have you asked anyone else about this? Why has such a concern only roused your curiosity now?"
"I have not asked anyone else," Halibel says clearly. "Though it has been my concern for some time." She glances over to Ulquiorra and says, "I only ask now because you are one of those who does not freely gossip. I delight in my Fraccíon, but their discretion has not always been their strongest point." She does have a certain warmth in her voice, but it's restrained and steady. "And to clarify, I ask only out of curiosity, not concern." That might not be entirely true, but the Espada's tone is perfectly neutral.
"Concern, when put through a sieve is made up of a small portion of curiosity." Ulquiorra does not smirk, but his tone might bear a hint of one even though the expression itself never touches his black-rimmed lips. He meets Halibel's gaze briefly before looking back down the long stretch of white before them, their steps although not particularly loud, still enough to resound off the close walls what with the considerable lack of noise. This place was always quiet though, but then for good reason, since it leads not only to the Espadas' respective wings, but to the residence of their lord.
Halibel blinks at that. "Or more than a small portion, to be sure," Halibel says, not quite airily, but just a touch. "But perhaps I am concerned. We are brethren, the Espada, but united only because of our physical strength, not our mutual friendship. Each Espada's motives vary from one another, from a little to a great deal. It has led to blows in the past." From her, this is a long winded speech, and after it is done she is silent and contemplative, looking forward but nowhere in particular.
Ulquiorra cants his head slightly to acknowledge the point made. True, Halibel speaks very little when they do convene to discuss matters with the others, but when she does, her words are not wasted. Likewise is he with what he cares to impart, and on the subject the other Espada has brought up, Ulquiorra knows her to be no fool.
"That is all that needs to be realized to understand where someone like Grimmjow stands. It is enough to know how an inquiry of the sort will be responded to."
He does not feel the need to impart personal feelings on the matter, but what he is good at offering is fact. "...but as I mentioned before, there is a tension that grows the longer there is no call for his claws to be unsheathed." And that makes it a dangerous situation. It isn't only Grimmjow however, there were certain other Espada that paced these walls with the same anxiety.
Halibel closes her eyes for a moment, and then says to the Cuatro carefully, "And I'm sure Aizen-sama has made note of this." There's the hint of a question in her tone that's difficult to miss for one observant as Ulquiorra. It's well known that few if any Arrancar are more taken into Aizen's confidence than Ulquiorra. Halibel doesn't sound jealous, but she is looking at the Espada as if he were a worthwhile companion, despite his lower rank.
Others look down on Ulquiorra for that very same reason, that of the trust Aizen seems to place in the pale-faced Espada. Ulquiorra has looked away from Halibel by then, but his nod in response is so faint it might even be missed. He knows that Halibel won't though. Using that as a lead-in to what he decides to say next, Ulquiorra continues.
"Likely that you're aware of Stark's confrontation with the Shinigami. He had succeeded in removing two from the battlefield." He waits long enough for confirmation or comment before going on. "Grimmjow was given permission to draw out and attack what Shinigami would come." This is all Ulquiorra offers. Unlike Yammy, he knows that Halibel needs no one to fill in the blanks as to whom gave such orders and the reasons therefore.
Halibel says nothing to confirm or deny that she'd heard of it. She doesn't thank Ulquiorra for the information. Her eyes lower in though for a second. "I understand," she says quietly. "I am returning to my quarters now." She pauses there and says, "But.." Her eyes are fixed on Ulquiorra. "You're the only Espada I've yet to see smile. For your own sake, I hope that is because you do so from within. Perhaps you should get some Fraccíon for company, Ulquiorra?" Then she turns and leaves the opposite way. Halibel has never smiled, or even hinted at it; it'd be hard to tell besides, with her face half hidden. But that statement implies as much.
His steps slow to a stop not two seconds after Halibel has parted company with him, and for once he turns his head so that he can look over his shoulder after the female Espada as she heads down the other end of the hall again. There's no hint of any emotion in those eyes, and whether there's any confusion or amusement at the suggestion from the other is kept solely to himself.
"......."
Finally, Ulquiorra turns again, and as if the previous conversation had not taken place, he resumes walking towards his own destination.