✩ 082

[howls_at_stars]

Comments

[Private to Abarai]

[fearnotdeceit]

What is it?

[Private]

[howls_at_stars]

Got a minute? I think I found something that might interest you.

[Private]

[fearnotdeceit]

Yeah, I'm free. Where are you?

[Private]

[howls_at_stars]

My quarters. I can come to you, though. Whatever works.

[Captain and Vice-Captain Filter]

[calm_tempest]

I am glad that you exercised as much caution as you could on this venture, Abarai-taichou. But would the destruction of the Octava's laboratory not be considered suspicious in itself, especially around the time of his demise?

[Captain and Vice-Captain Filter]

[howls_at_stars]

I guess it could be considered suspicious, but there'd be no proof that there was anyone there but the Octava himself. He was kind of...insane anyway, so I'm hoping it'll just be written off. This wasn't something we had the luxury of taking in stages, unfortunately. Destroying the Octava and his lab had to be done at the same time, or else it would have been more suspicious, I think. And I wasn't about to leave all his data intact.

[Captain and Vice-Captain Filter]

[calm_tempest]

I understand this. It is wise, however, to be aware of all of the risks involved now that this event has taken place. It will allow us to better decide how we will proceed from here.

[Captain and Vice-Captain Filter]

[howls_at_stars]

Of course. I didn't mean to cause backlash. Since Aizen has used his subordinates as fodder before, I honestly don't believe he'll bat an eye over the Octava's destruction. And since there's no body, he may not even realize he's dead for a while. Either way, I made certain to leave no trace of reiatsu behind, and I burned the lab pretty well, so any blood on the premises would have been destroyed as well.

Despite my track record for recklessness, I did think this through. Szayel has kindapped and experimented on many of our comrades, including a captain, and we had so far been mostly powerless to stop him. I found a plan I felt would work, and seized the opportunity to rid us of a dangerous opponent.

[Captain+Vice-Captain filter]

[noble_reasoning]

...
I do not advocate that you persist with so erratic a fidelity to your position as Captain of the Fifth, Renji. However, we have previously discussed that.

I have nothing further to say on this matter.

[Although he'll (probably) never admit it, Byakuya is impressed that Renji had such a tactful plan and that it seems to have gone off well. The Octava being dead is a great boon to the Gotei, and indeed everyone.

He'll also get bonus points once he finds out that he brought Hitsugaya-taichou's pin back (for reasons far too 'sentimental' to ever mention).]

[Captain+Vice-Captain filter]

[howls_at_stars]

My fidelity to my division's just fine, sir. Figured we'd best take him out before he decided to help himself to any more captains is all.

[Private to Renji]

[lady_of_books]

Please bring them to my office, then, Abarai-san. I am in any case in the middle of devising a new safe for any sensitive records, for all that it may be after the fact.

They should be turned over to Captain-Commander Ukitake in due course, I agree, but I would like to see if there's anything useful to be gleaned from them. Have you mentioned them to Urahara-san?

[Private]

[howls_at_stars]

I haven't mentioned them to Urahara-san yet, no; figured once I gave them to him we might never get them back. But I'll bring them by your office later today, if that's okay.

[Private]

[lady_of_books]

That may be the best course of action. Perhaps we should deliver copies to him instead, unless the amount of records is very large.

You are, of course, aware that what you did was supremely reckless, Abarai-san. You do not need me to tell you this. I only hope we are able to weather the storm.

[shiba_explosion]

Oh, don't you worry Abarai. Next kidou lesson, you'll be lucky to stand up on your own after I'm done with you.