[ video ] ► five

[maelstroms]

[ It looks as though Ukitake has finally decided to join us, today! The Forge sits atop a desk a fair distance away, capturing much of the darkened room within its lens, and a great deal less of the man himself. Intentional? Of course. No one wants to glimpse at those hideous, hideous panda eyes of his, now do they? ]I was wondering if, perhaps,

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[video]

[transitorychild]

I can fix it! It might hurt a little at first though, but only for a moment then there's no pain at all.

[...or breathing, or anything else for that matter, since people can't do much when they're a box full of goop.]

[video]

[maelstroms]

Ah? It is within your power, to do such a thing?

[ And his interest is piqued, considerably. ]

Would you mind terribly if I were to ask how?

[video | privateohgod ><]

[transitorychild]

Ah... it's a little hard to explain.

[He chews on his thumbnail in thought, puzzling out how to do this properly, brief flashes of memory flitting through his slightly skewed and mostly rewritten brain. A man with silver hair on his knees, begging to see how it's done. Such a sloppy mess he made, and violent crimes like that were bad for his image... but he fixed that. Made him into what he so desperately tried to imitate...]

Let me see if I can find one...

[And he's gone momentarily, returning with a rat.]

You do it... like this.

[The Forge drops to the floor as his body seems to morph from a solid to some sort of bluish gel-like substance that surrounds the squeaking rat. Twisting. Elongating. Compressing. Crunching.

When it's all over, he dusts himself off and picks up the Forge again, all bright smiles.]

Like that!

[As for the rat, he turns the camera toward it...]

[video | privateohgod ><]

[maelstroms]

[ Ukitake looks as if he is going to be sick. Not because he is a man of little composure (far from, far from) but because the sound of crunching bone strikes him in such a profound way that it makes his stomach churn and his head spin.

That ability is...

He raises a hand to cover his mouth, closing his eyes to keep a surge of nausea at bay. ]

You... must never show that to anyone else. Nor are you to attempt it on a person.

[ And he grimaces at the thought. ]

Promise me that.

video;

[buryindecadence]

Well, when we were fortunate enough to find some tack bacon, I'd suggest a greasy spoon breakfast. Bacon, eggs... that kind of stuff.

Water helps, but generally a bit of 'hair from the dog that bit you' takes the edge off... you know, if you don't have any amphetamines handy.

video;

[maelstroms]

Unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to stomach any form of liquor for quite some time. Amphetamines, though...

Maybe a trip to the clinic is in order.

I'd like to thank you properly for your suggestions, but I don't believe I know your name-

video;

[buryindecadence]

Cas. Just call me Cas.

Try not to overdo it... those things can get a bit habit forming. You can build a tolerance to the stuff, so use in moderation.

video;

[maelstroms]

Cas, then. You have my thanks, warning and all.

Though... I think the circumstances do warrant something of a drastic approach. Four days, lost to this absurdity, I-

[ A pause. ]

I haven't introduced myself, forgive me. [ A slightly forced smile. ]

Juushirou Ukitake. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.

[Video]

[maelstroms]

Rukia.

[ He smiles, a little, though it does not entirely mask his discomfort. And so, a joke, to make light of it all - ]

I would... very much like it if you could take care to remind me of this day when I next choose to pick up a bottle of liquor.

There needn't be a repeat of this foolishness.

[Video]

[maelstroms]

Still, though, it would be practical not to risk another occurrence. These oddities are unpredictable at best, and are seemingly indiscriminate as well.

I would not be surprised to hear that the market is still recovering from the past weekend's traffic.

[ A pause before he lifts his hands to his temples, as though attempting to will his hangover away. ]

Ah. If you've time enough to spare, perhaps you could pay me a visit? I did put together a handful of treats for your new rabbit, but in light of the recent events, I've failed to deliver them...

[ And he'd really hate to see those go to waste. c: ]