Comments | heartbetween: IC Contact

heartbetween

IC Contact

Nov 28, 2009 22:14

[Fumbling noises as he tries to set up this inbox]

Hello, you've reached Kaien Shiba. Thanks for calling! I may or may not be available, since...I'm having a little trouble figuring this thing out, but please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

[Beep]

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[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 13 2010, 07:57:06 UTC

Kaien Shiba.

You will explain yourself.

[ voice ] heartbetween June 13 2010, 08:29:27 UTC

Explain--?

I--oh. [Pause.]

Just for a few days. Get back my nerve a bit before I go back into the mist.

[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 13 2010, 08:36:50 UTC

Unacceptable.

It was a mere illusion. You have nothing to recover. I will not permit your request.

[ voice ] heartbetween June 13 2010, 08:46:41 UTC

I know.

[...]

[Another few moments of silence]

I know, okay? I know I'm being a coward doing this...

But at this point, I'd be nothing but a burden to you if something dangerous attacked us. I'm...not ready to go back into the mist.

I'm sorry.

[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 13 2010, 08:50:42 UTC

You are being a burden now by thrusting your duty on another.

Shinigami have no fears. You have no right to be a coward.

[ voice ] heartbetween June 13 2010, 09:02:53 UTC

I already said I was sorry, dammit!

What the hell do you mean, I don't have a right to be? That doesn't make any sense. I know it's wrong to feel this way...but I do. I can't help it.

I can't pretend like I don't.

[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 13 2010, 09:19:56 UTC

It is as I've said. You have no right to fear what every shinigami will face. You have no right to fear what is your duty to your captain and subordinates.

I will say it once more; I will not accept your selfish request.

[ voice ] heartbetween June 13 2010, 09:24:58 UTC

Well that's funny, because I don't remember you being made the leader of the Patrol.

I know it's selfish and I'm sorry, but I'm not going for a few days. You planning to drag me out, Byakuya?

[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 13 2010, 09:28:44 UTC

My orders carry more weight than that of the Patrol Leader.

I will do what I must, Shiba. Do you intend to give me reason?

[ voice ] heartbetween June 13 2010, 23:54:53 UTC

[Six months ago, Kaien would have promptly told Byakuya he wasn't his captain. Today, his response isn't nearly that defiant. He actually sounds a bit subdued.]

Listen, I wouldn't be saying any of this if I wasn't serious about it, and about following through. I struggled for months just to win a sliver of respect from you and I know I'm basically throwing it away. I know exactly how stupid I'm being, Byakuya. You don't have to tell me.

But I'm not going. You can try to find me, if you want.

[ voice ] xnoble_reasonx June 15 2010, 14:33:55 UTC

No.

[It's curt, like everything else, but there's an extra bite. Hadn't Kaien been the one to seek his approval? And now... now he backs down, does what he could not see Renji doing. How could Kaien not be replaced if he was this unreliable?]

Do as you will. I have no more need for someone as unreliable as you.

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