[ text ; audio ; video ] ► one

[maelstroms]

[ text ]

Hello . . . ?|

[ there's a burst of white noise as the Forge's setting is abruptly switched from text to audio, but the man behind the transmission doesn't seem to be entirely satisfied with the output format. he mumbles to himself as he investigates further, some bits and phrases more audible than others -'should take care not to lose

Comments

[reaction] 1/2 I think

[heartbetween]

[Kaien is careful to keep any of his initial reaction off the Forge, putting it out of reach as soon as he hears that familiar voice. His captain had barely finished his first sentence before Kaien knew he didn't remember his past stay in Anatole, which meant...

Not for the first time, Kaien wonders--however fleetingly--if it would be better if he didn't respond at all. Just as with Rukia...he knows the moment he shows his face on the screen he'll be hurting Ukitake, and there's nothing he can do about that. As much as he missed the elder shinigami, he hates the fact that the man will suffer because of him--has suffered--and again, not for the first time, he wishes he could be that other Kaien that had taken his place for ten days, the one that had managed to fix everything before it could happen.

Kaien knows he can't--and won't--hide himself from Ukitake, though. To do so would be to only hurt him further. But for the first several minutes after his captain's broadcast, he's not sure what to say.]

[ text -> video ]

[heartbetween]

[The first thing that comes your way is a text link. Then the video comes on, showing Kaien--a weak, hesitant smile on his face.]

...Welcome to Anatole, taichou.

I know this must be a shock. I'm sorry. This city messes with time...the last time I was in Soul Society, I was still very much alive. And that was a year and a half ago, for me.

[ video ] 1/3

[maelstroms]

[ The text link is a meager distraction, one that hardly serves as a buffer for the instant when the video flickers on, and Kaien's visage fills the entirety of the screen. In a way, the image is picturesque, as though it were plucked straight from a memory. Instead of welcoming him to a strange place, a foreign city by the name of Anatole, his lieutenant could be apologizing for spilled tea with that same, tentative smile; he could have just returned from a combat mission in the Living World, and looked as he does now. Everything about the other man - his manner of speech, his voice, the honesty in his eyes - is so intrinsically Kaien that it hurts, that it

[ video ]

[maelstroms]

A year and a half...?

[ Visibly, he falters, struggling for words. Ukitake has never been one for concealing his emotions, and it is no different now. His brows are furrowed, his eyes are downcast, and his face is wrought with the lines of sadness and grief that shock has left behind in its wake. Should he apologize, to this man who he allowed to die on his watch? Should he say that he has never regretted any decision more profoundly in his life?

Should he confess that not a single day has passed where he hasn't thought of Kaien; that never once has Kaien stopped being his lieutenant?

No, those are selfish luxuries he isn't entitled to. Rukia, Kaien's family, the rest of the division - those were the people who were worthy of such things. For now, there's only... ]

So much time has passed, since I saw you last. And you were...

[ Bloodied. Broken. Dead.

Ukitakes closes his eyes, banishing the thought. Kaien had been proud, when he died; he'd defended his honor, and left his heart with his comrades. ]You're the same. You haven't

[Video]

[maelstroms]

Rukia.

[ Her presence here is a relief, though that much goes unsaid. With a wave of his hand, he greets her fondly. ]

Similarly, I've gathered as much. Between the intricacies of this city, and the disturbances in time it creates... I hope you've been faring well.

[Video]

[maelstroms]

[ He relaxes as she speaks, confirming what he has both suspected and felt. Certain names are enough to invoke nostalgia, while others tie a knot of apprehension in his stomach: Aizen and Ichimaru, she's said with a certain amount of hesitation, but without the urgency of fear. On some level, the situation must already be contained. ]

I see, thank you. Before arriving in Anatole, I was engaged in battle against the Primera Espada with Shunsui-taicho. [ Two against two, it'd been a fair fight until... He sighs. ] Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder if everyone present here is chronologically askew.

[video]

[inpiecesofcloud]

[Waving her arms and bouncing to get your attention here, even though she knows the video is transmitting directly to your Forge.]

I'm here! I'm here, Ukki!

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ Well, she's certainly succeeded in securing herself a captive audience! Ukitake is smiling warmly, and lifts a hand to his mouth to stifle a chuckle. What a pleasant surprise. ]

Ah. So you are, Kusajishi-fukutaicho. I don't suppose that you could help me...?

[video]

[inpiecesofcloud]

Sure sure, Ukki! I bet you wanna know where you are! You're in Anatole! You were here before but I guess you don't remember! We're stuck here and there's mist that does funny things and monsters and lots of people from lots of places we never even heard of! And me and Yen-Yen and Byakushi and Icchi and Pencil and Shi-Shi and Ruki-chan are here too!

... and Aizen and Ichimaru.

[video] 1/2

[maelstroms]

[ Give him a moment to process all those nicknames, Yachiru. Mentally (and perhaps futilely), he attempts to pair them with the roster Rukia composed for him not ten minutes before.

Then, after a brief pause, he nods his head sharply in approval. ]

Thank you for your report, I appreciate the effort you put into it. [ And he means that sincerely! ] Though, you needn't worry about the last two names you've mentioned.

Voice;

[turquoice]

[Hmmm, it seems he's heard some of the hard news already] Ukitake.

Voice;

[maelstroms]

[ He pauses; here's yet another voice which he'd rather hear under a different set of circumstances. ]

Hitsugaya-taicho. Is there a particular reason why you've favored audio over video when contacting me?

[ The question is half lighthearted, half concerned - he's always favored talking face-to-face; anything else is disorienting. ]

Grudging video;

[turquoice]

[ Look, Ukitake, he's falling into the habit, because people tend to judge him by his pint size life less if they talk to them before they see him 8| But FINE, he'll flick on video. ]

Is that better?

don't be that way, baby. video;

[maelstroms]

Much.

[ You've managed to make an old man smile, Toshiro, the skin at the corner of his eyes crinkling with the expression. By now, you should know that Ukitake doesn't judge...! He just fathers. And he's glad to see that less than amused face - everything is as it should be. ]

You've been fairing well, I trust?

[ voice ]

[swordofmiltia]

Forgive me for overhearing, but I'm curious about a certain term you've used.

'Shinigami'?

[ voice ]

[maelstroms]

Ah, you're unfamiliar with the concept of Shinigami?

[ There is the faint sound of Ukitake tapping his fingers against his chin. Hm, how to proceed... ]

I'd liken us to 'psychopomps', if you're familiar with classic literature. Beings responsible for guiding the souls of humans to the afterlife.

[ voice ]

[swordofmiltia]

It's more its usage rather than its concept. I remember reading about them in an old text.

Though I don't think I've read a version quite like you.

[ voice ]

[maelstroms]

[ Quite like him? Now, what in the blazes could that possibly mean? ]

Oh? I'll admit, I'm curious: how are Shinigami traditionally depicted in your culture?

[ And then, a small afterthought. He's somewhat familiar with the stories: ] I should hope it's nothing too dreadful.