[ video ] ► three

[maelstroms]

[ Sunset finds Ukitake to be settled upon a rooftop (is it one you happen to recognize, perchance?), sitting in seiza as the heat of the day wanes, brown eyes diligently overlooking the city. In light of recent events, he has forgone wearing both captain's haori and shihakusho in favor of donning a white, button-up shirt and dark dress slacks, his

Comments

/TROLL

[infidus]

Ah. Toasting to your missing friend, are you? How sentimental. Although I suppose that's hardly surprising, is it?

I expect he would approve of your manner of celebration.

[maelstroms]

Alas though, I cannot say for certain that he would. The nihonshu here may not quite measure up to his standards.

[ A pause, a sip. His tone of voice is guarded, but in no way bitter - ]

I would also not say that he is 'missing'. Kyouraku-taichou is precisely where he need be, and perhaps we are the ones that are not.

[infidus]

[...and Aizen's tone is entirely honey and razors. And deceptively casual. As always.]

A reasonable point, yes. Although It seems wherever we might be, we haven't been missed from our place of origin. This applies equally across the experiences of all of those here, all worlds, all times. I find that quite curious.

Still. He was here, for a time, before vanishing without any apparent cause. That, in itself, makes him missing, in a sense.

[maelstroms]

I've no doubt you do. It would also be unsurprising to find that you've researched the matter to some great extent, for either your own purposes or the good of the majority.

[ Glancing down, a moment passes before he repeats: ] In a sense.

[ He thinks of the memorial, of the picture Yachiru drew with her crayons. ]

That man is really too good at leaving his mark behind.

video

[inpiecesofcloud]

Is it Shun-Shun's birthday, Ukki?

video

[maelstroms]

Indeed, it is.

When you're as old as Kyouraku-taichou and I, birthdays tend to sneak up on you. Moreso, when time flows differently, as it does in this place.

I nearly forgot it, myself!

[ But he didn't, in the end! And that's what counts, right? ]

video

[inpiecesofcloud]

You are pretty old, huh Ukki!

[Ah, kids. So... tactless. Not that she means to offend.]

video

[maelstroms]

About as old as you are young.

[ Don't you worry, 'Chiru. Ukitake can deal. ]

And nowhere near as old as Kyouraku-taichou.

[ Though that very well may be slander, judging by the glint in his eyes. ]

[video]

[fivepetals]

The protests... were a little unsettling, but other than that I'm fine!

Is it really okay, to be drinking by yourself?

[video]

[maelstroms]

Yes and no. Drinking is something done best socially, or in pairs. However -

[ He looks down at his glass then, hair partially obscuring his eyes. ]

- this is a special occasion, and the nihonshu is sweet.

Don't take it to heart, what the protesters have said. They only wished to return to normalcy, and don't we wish for the very same? Their methods though, were not the best.

[video]

[fivepetals]

Special occasion...? [ oh, duh. ] Kyouraku-taichou's birthday is today, isn't it?

You must miss him.

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ A nod, in response to both the question and the statement. ]

I do. More than I should, it's likely.

[ Then, teasing - ] It's also regrettable, that I'm unable to poke fun at his new-found seniority.

[video]

[sonvisage]

Unprecedented.

[A hint of a smile, followed by something ...else.]

I heard the screaming as I passed. But as to what happened, I'm afraid I couldn't say.

[What she doesn't say is that it's because she hadn't bothered to turn back to see what was happening at all. Just a blind eye and a not quite deaf ear was all she had to offer.]

[video]

[maelstroms]

Was, perhaps, my phrasing too tasteful?

[ Unpleasantries, he's never been good with handling them. ]

You were in the vicinity, then, yet you remain unscathed. And while I'm grateful for it...

[ It confirms the natives were targeted with specific intent, a child's motivation: "this isn't fun anymore." ]

Maybe it's for the best, that you didn't see.

[video]

[sonvisage]

[She's a little too good at handling them lately. :l]

Not at all. It's a fitting choice.

[...]

Is it? [She ponders this just a bit, recalling the cries, and the sound of her steps on stone.] You might be right.

[If she'd looked - if she'd seen - it's a thing she's still wondering - if she would have smiled. Somewhere this thought is horrifying, but that place is far away at the moment.]

But it's good to see you unscathed as well. And you honor your friend.

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ He fears worse. Fears that, if she'd seen, she may have met with a fate akin to that of the protesters. He is no stranger to abilities that rely upon an individual's sight to operate; abilities that prey upon the senses.

And if that is the case... ]

We are both well versed in taking care of ourselves, it seems.

[ A beat. ]

It is the least one friend can do for another, to honor them.

[video]

[bakudan_shounen]

Oi. Old man. If you keep drinking on that roof, you're going to fall off.

[Fuck no, he's not concerned. Everyone has gone through a lot and PERSONALLY he knows what falling off a roof feels like.]

[video]

[maelstroms]

Oh. Somehow I doubt that particular fate will come to pass.

[ And Ukitake is all smiles, because, hey, it isn't as though he's clumsy enough to take a dive off of the roof himself. Most unlike certain individuals, hm? ]

Thank you for the warning, though. I appreciate it!

Re: [video]

[bakudan_shounen]

[Sudden seizing stomach-pains are not the same as general clumsiness. Gokudera glares and scoffs at Ukitake's dismissal.]

Why's that? Shouldn't you be drinking where your footing could be better? [Nevermind this guy could like... teleport.]

[maelstroms]

[ As though he were about to share an incredibly profound secret, he leans in closer to the Forge, a hand lifted to his mouth in order to 'muffle' his words: ]

Despite my age, I'm remarkably agile. Even if I were to fall, I'm sure I'd still manage to land on my feet.

[ Like a cat. Or somesuch.

Teleportation isn't really the exact deal here, but it's close enough. Someday, Gokudera, he might take care to explain it to you. ]