[Thread] Anticipation

[fire_cadence]

Characters: OU Hao Asakura, OPEN
Where: The park
When: After his 'announcement' over the messenger; a day after the mod!plot imagined deaths
Summary: Hao wishes to meet with those who claim to be strong, in hopes of furthering his objective.
Warnings: Hao can read minds (so note beforehand if you character has some ability that prevents mind-reading)

Comments

[lady_bounty]

Faye wasn't sure what the poster of the message had meant by "strong"... she certainly didn't think of herself as weak, although she didn't have any of the hinted-at "abilities" that presumably others in the compound had. Mostly she showed up because she wanted to keep her options open. She still wanted to escape, although she had seen that person die in the attempt. If this person had something to say that might be of interest, she wanted to know about it.

As she approached the park, she saw Hao waiting, motionless. She stopped when she was several yards away from him, just close enough that they could hold a conversation without raising their voices. "You again," she commented, crossing her arms. "That was your message?"

She eyed him in silence for a few seconds, as if she thought she could divine his intentions by just looking. After this short pause, she continued. "So, I'm curious. What are you planning?"

[fire_cadence]

Hao sensed the first person to arrive almost instantly, such was the vast extent of his reishi. Soon, the sound of footsteps, crunching softly against leaves, filled his ears, and it was shortly followed by the appearance of a young woman.

Faye. That who it was. The ever so amusing lady who interested him some days ago.

A small smile spread across his lips as she finally reached him. "Yes," he nodded, in response to her question. "How pleasant to see you again, Faye." There was silence for a few moments, before she spoke again.

"What I am planning?" he repeated, giving a small chuckle. "First of all, I am searching for those who would be competent enough in devising a plan against these Entropi." He stopped there, waiting to see her reaction to this, hoping that she'd start explaining what abilities she held.

[lady_bounty]

"Hao," she replied, by way of greeting.

Faye listened to Hao, narrowing her eyes slightly as she thought over his words. "Well, I already told you I don't do magic tricks," she replied after a moment. "I haven't the faintest clue what use I could be against an Entropi. But I'm a woman who's kept herself alive in a rough solar system, so take from that what you want. ...I'll be frank with you. I still want to escape from this place. But I don't want to do it if I don't think I can survive the experience. You're not the only one to have this idea. I'm just trying to find out if any of you are likely to succeed."

[fire_cadence]

So that's why she was here. She was quite clever, although he had already presumed as much when she had first behaved sweetly when he lifted her during their first encounter. However, her notion of his objective was a little off. "Well, the choice of whether you wish to aid me or not, is entirely up to you," he stated, smoothly. "However, it is true that the problem is whether or not you'll be able to survive." He gazed away from her, letting his gaze land on the bushes within the area.

"I will succeed eventually. I make the most of my time and my powers are quite numerous. And..." He glanced back at her. "...I only take the strongest, in both intelligence and strength. Even those with potential. In this way, a plan will easily be contrived."

[threeyedflame]

Hiei pretty much lived in the park now. She hardly ever went back to the apartment that she had been assigned to when she first arrived. She smirked when she woke up to find the cuff gone. This meant that she could use the demon fire that she had spent so much time learning to tame and control. She jumped out of the tree and looked around. It didn't take her long to spot Hao waiting for people to show up.

"I saw your announcement." She said simply. She didn't hide the demonic power that she had. She never did.

[fire_cadence]

Turning to face the demon, Hao smiled warmly. "Lovely." He tilted his head to the side questioningly. "You are the one who had the powers of fire, I believe you mentioned before?"

[threeyedflame]

She nodded. "I am. My name is Hiei." She said, unwrapping the bindings on her arm and then showing the writhing black dragon on her arm. "I have mastered the use of the fires of the demon world." She said, letting her arm drop to her side as she smirked. "No one else from my world has been able to do such a thing." She didn't mention that it nearly cost her that arm, after all, it didn't need to be mentioned.

[fire_cadence]

A demon world - so there was another demon within Econtra. It was surprising how many the Warden's machine could draw. However, it was a fact he found rather pleasant. Nodding with acknowledgement, Hao inquired, "So what do you think about humans? Or, rather, those who are weak and useless?" His final word had slight emphasis, as if to give a hint towards what his goal was.

[nolongeraditz]

Orihime was scared. She didn't really know what Hao was planning, but she went back to her own apartment and changed into her Shinigami Academy robes. She debated on not going to the park, but she wasn't sure just what else she could do. He would be able to find her no matter where she was in the compound and she didn't want to have to deal with that. She knew that her strength was no where near his.

She should probably talk to Uryuu before she left...but she decided to leave the Quincy alone for now and see what Hao was planning herself. Gathering up her courage and her Zanpakuto, she headed out to the park.

[fire_cadence]

Inoue was coming. He could sense her fear before she had even presented herself a few moments later. Offering her a warm, innocuous smile, he hoped it would ebb away some of the anxiety she felt. Although it seemed like a kind gesture - something he rarely expressed - he actually hated that sensation of horror creeping through his skin.

"Hello, Inoue," he greeted, sounding as cheerful as he looked. "I'm surprised to know that you were willing to come."

[nolongeraditz]

She nodded to Hao. "Hello." She said, giving him a slight smile. She tried to calm herself down as she held her sword in her hand. She could feel the power that it could unleash, if only she could find out it's name. She didn't know how to find out it's name, but she was determined to find it out eventually. She knew it could take hundreds of years and she was willing to train for that long if she had to.

[fire_cadence]

Determination. That was a refreshing difference from the previous - and current - anxiety running through her. Not to mention, it was still rather admirable to see just what courage she held. It even reminded him of Anna a little, with the exception that he was able to pick up her emotions and thoughts.

"Out of curiousity," he began, cordially, "why do you think I have asked the strongest to gather together here?"

[transparentdark]

Hearing the call for the 'strong' to meet in the park (and having nothing to do after a long day of being a cadaver), Hades found attending whatever sort of meeting this was to be a productive way to spend the afternoon. Physically, he wasn't anything too amazing, but an immunity to almost every weapon and prodigious intelligence- on top of his more dark skills- made him a formidable man to stand against regardless. Losing the cuffs only gave him more reign over them, allowing how strongly he could push his will on others and making his lies even more deceitful.

Even if his abilities weren't what Hao was seeking, it didn't hurt to stand and see which of the residents claimed they were powerful.

He made his way over to the shaman at an even pace, in no rush to be there or be gone. This was simply something to pass the time with, nothing more. Acheron might have come off as lazy or disinterested, but all the better. No one would think to suspect anything of him, and he liked it that way.

[fire_cadence]

At the faint crunch of leaves against the ground, Hao tilted his head up, swiftly scanning the area for the next person. His eyes soon landed upon the older, dark-haired man whom was slowly making his way forward. He seemed to be in no rush - quite like his dear brother, the thought of which brought a rather warm smile to his lips.

As the man finally reached him, Hao greeted, "Hello. I am Hao Asakura. And you are?" His smile widened partially as he awaited his response.

To a stranger, his smile made him appear innocently cordial. An utterly, harmless young man. However, to those who knew him, it was a mere facade. Or perhaps it was not. He never made it quite clear as to what he was feeling. The only aspect evident, was that he was almost never as innocuous as his smile.

[transparentdark]

He knew better than to trust a smile. Guilty until proven innocent was the key, as criminals never made themselves look like criminals unless they were amateurs, and they were easily dealt with. Acheron met Hao's smile with one as simple and assuming as a smile could be.

"Acheron Hades. A pleasure, I'm sure." He extended a hand calmly to the shaman, though whether he took it or not was his choice. It didn't matter much to Hades. Simply a formality, manners.

For all it mattered, he could have glared and snarled down at him and the likelihood of anyone later remembering his face or expression as more than a neutral blur was highly unlikely. Yet, where was the fun in that? He enjoyed putting on a different face, a different air. It wasn't as though it was anything difficult. So he smiled, ever the gentleman.

[fire_cadence]

Hao smoothly reached forward to take Hades's hand for a brief handshake. Being polite was something he had grown accustomed to behaving, the only exception being when he was pushed to the limits of a fight, which was a moment seen rarely. Of course, this experience was interesting, as it wasn't often he met someone who wasn't quivering in fear or having a completely submissive demeanor.

Then again, most of the individuals of Econtra treated him in the complete opposite manner, but that was primarily because they did not know him. And if they had, it was when he still had the cuff to restrain him. It was a wonder as to what the others would think about him now that he was freed from the manacle.

"So what abilities do you hold?" he inquired, deciding there was no point in making small talk when there was a more essential matter to complete.

[hero_of_dark]

Juudai had seen the request for "strong" people over the communicators, yes, but hadn't felt it was necessary for him to participate in such a thing. He did want to protect the weak, of course, but he'd gotten a rather bad vibe from the one who'd posted it.

Considering that, it was sheer coincidence that he passed by the very same boy who'd made the announcement in the park, and he couldn't help but turn his head to look at him out of instinctive curiosity, slowing down a bit to watch him without stopping entirely.

((OOC: Juudai has really, really powerful mind protection from Yubel AND his own Haou powers that would probably protect his mind being read or his thoughts being heard. That and he's... pretty powerful in a spectral sense, so... thought I'd note that. ^^;))

[fire_cadence]

This was rare - a boy whose mind he could not read. Although he did not halt by him, he caught his eyes locked onto his figure as his stride slowed. Either he was curious or he wasn't sure if the shaman was the one who had posted the entry. Regardless, Hao did not require another incentive to approach him.

Smiling pleasantly, he shifted towards him, taking a step closer as he greeted, warmly, "Hello. Are you here in regards to the announcement I made over the messenger?"

[hero_of_dark]

Juudai halted, blinking. He hadn't expected him to approach him.

"Well... I read it, but I can't say I was particularly interested; I was actually just passing by out of curiosity... though, what were you gathering 'strong' people for in the first place?" he inquired, trying to be polite while still being honest at the same time. He hadn't paid too much attention to it, truthfully; attempts like these to band together had failed many times in the past, and he wasn't about to take part in another destined for failure. The details seemed fuzzy, as well, but he figured that was partially because he hadn't really placed much interest in the post... enough to read the comments, anyway.

[fire_cadence]

"To see just who is competent against the Entropi," Hao replied, smiling still, "as well as to destroy those who are malicious." He paused there to see his reaction.

Ever since coming to the compound, people had been asking him just what was his goal. He had been so used to those in his own world being aware of it, that he hadn't realized that he ought to elaborate more over the messenger, Thus, after reiterating the same answer over a dozen times, he decided to change it a little, to see how one would react to a response worded rather sweetly.