Auditory Experiments

[gamuzadeclares]

Who: Nelliel and Ulquiorra
When: Afternoon
Where: The mall
Summary: Two Espada visit a music store in their attempts to learn more about human culture. They are assisted by someone who says "Dude" a lot.
Warning: Probably no more than PG-13 (depending on what music lyrics they encounter)

Comments

[cero_oscuras]

To say he was uncomfortable was an understatement. The ensemble that Nelliel had pieced together for him to wear had far too many layers. One would think that a single shirt and coat would have sufficed for proper attire, apparently, two shirts made the man or espada in this case. He did not vocalize his issues with the clothing. They had been acquired for him at a very small cost and he could not deny that they accomplished their intended purpose. Hardly anyone seemed to take notice of him as they walked the streets. Only a small handful of humans even noticed his pale complexion, bone helm, and the sword that was attached at his hip.

When they arrived at the music store, Ulquiorra held the door for Nelliel and followed her in. His initial opinion of the store was typical. Trash. It not only smelt of a horrible combination of patchouli and something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but the staff on duty appeared as if they hadn't had lost a fight with a box of markers and a metal fence

[cero_oscuras]

"Perhaps another time," he dismisses the thought of buying equipment he can not really afford at this point in time, but if the prices were fair he had no problem in returning to the store again in the future.

As for River, it was like the man had tingly senses that alerted him to whenever someone was talking about something music related in the store. Odd was a nice way of putting it. Ulquiorra watches him work on gathering up the CD and lingers close to Nelliel's side.

He takes his CD's from the Trecera when they are offered and he slowly begins the process of inspecting the CD and their cases carefully. He looks up once he is satisfied and nods to show that he agrees, "They will do nicely."

[gamuzadeclares]

"Okay, I'll ring you two up over here as soon as you're ready," said River, motioning to the cash register. He began walking over there, leaving his two customers to browse or discuss amongst themselves.

Nelliel browsed for a minute longer. She was pleased to see that Ulquiorra found things he liked. He'd have to enjoy it in the living room for the time being, but with Szayel and Luppi both employed, there was a better chance of Ulquiorra being able to enjoy the music in private.

She eyed some of the posters on display before deciding she had enough to keep her occupied.

"So, which ones were your favourite songs?" she had to ask.

[cero_oscuras]

"I believe my favorite tracks included songs by a composer by the name of Johannes Brahms." He holds up the middle CD in the pile, it is collection of tracks mostly by him and a few other composers of the time. He shifts the CDs after Nelliel has had more than enough time to browse the song selection and then holds up another. "This group, Trading Yesterday have an interesting quality to their music."

[gamuzadeclares]

"Let's listen to them at home," suggested Nelliel. "...well, after figuring out how to play the CDs on the DVD player, anyhow."

She didn't think it would be too difficult, and she doubted Luppi would be foolish enough to say anything inappropriate with both Tercera and Cuatra in the room. Luppi had enough of a sense of self-preservation to know when to keep his urges to bother people under control.

[cero_oscuras]

That much could be said about the other Espada and for the most part they all kept to themselves. It was one of the few perks of living in a city as large and not bound of Hueco Mundo's harsh laws of survival of the fittest they were all allowed the chance to find some enjoyment.

He nods as he leads the way to the register and waits to pay for his purchase and then for Nel to do the same. He gives River a bit of a nod in thanks before he heads for the door of the shop so he can hold for Nel as she makes her exit.

"Do you want to stop anywhere else before we head home?" It's rare for him to ask, but they are out and it seems like it might be a waste to head home only to discover there was something they missed.

[gamuzadeclares]

Nelliel took a moment to think about that. They didn't need anything in particular. Quixote still had enough food. Unless Luppi or Szayel had gone on a binge fest for some reason, there would still be enough food on the fridge when she felt like having something for the taste rather than for the nutritional factor. Then she thought of the plants in the greenhouse, and remembered some of the advice Michael Xavier had shared with her regarding plants.

"I would like to pick up a few larger pots to transfer some of the plants into," she said, finally settling on something she should probably buy sooner rather than later. "A few of them are growing too large for their current pots."

Since Ivy's disappearance from the Port, Nelliel had been taking care of the plants. She didn't have Ivy's natural touch for them, but she found she usually didn't mind the effort to maintain them. She liked how the air smelled in the greenhouse.

[cero_oscuras]

"You've been taking care of the green house?" He sounds surprised. Mostly because he is familiar with Ivy's plants at Nueva Las Noches, and most of them have a mind of their own. He supposes that, should Ivy every return, she will be thankful someone tended to their needs while she was gone.

Mentioning flowers, causes his mind to drift to Minako though ... she's been missing from the city for some time now. Ulquiorra's never really one to bring things up, but he knows her fate ... much like his own if he ever went back. Nothing. She deserved better, he thought to himself before his gaze drifted back towards Nel. This was what it meant to be lucky ... to still be here to experience things? He can only assume, though part of him isn't entirely sure.

As he leads the way away from the music shop, he reaches out to take Nel's hand without so much as even thinking about it.

[gamuzadeclares]

"It's not too difficult," said Nelliel. "Usually the plants only need water now and then. The greenhouse gives them the sunlight they need, and the plants are good at eliminating pests that might try to eat them."

Admittedly, some of the reason she went in there was because she liked the scent of the air and being amongst all the greenery. It was a complete contrast to Hueco Mundo and she was one of the few people whom Ivy had given permission to enter the greenhouse whenever she liked. The plants accepted her presence there because of that, and because their mistress was absent.

She was a little surprised when Ulquiorra reached for her hand, but she gave it a gentle squeeze before continuing along with him, hand in hand.

[cero_oscuras]

"If they tolerate your presence than it is best," Ulquiorra said as he begun to lead the way out of the mall and back up into the streets. His fingers remained laced with the Trecera's tightly as they begin to mix with the crowd of people. His attention remains ahead as he causes the crowd to part for them.

"There is a place called Siren's Flowers. I believe they will have what you require." As the name passes his lips, his fingers curl reflexively tighter.

[gamuzadeclares]

"All right, we can go there," said Nelliel. She wondered what it was about Siren's Flowers that prompted that reaction, but had no idea how to ask. If he wanted to share the information, he would. If not, that was fine. She would stay with him, and they could go home and listen to their newly purchased music.

[cero_oscuras]

"It's on the way back to Sector 7," he explained as they continued on down the road. The main street grew less and less crowded as they left the shops and Underground Mall behind, and when it was just the two of them left on the concrete path he slowed his steps to match Nelliel's pace and continued to walk besides her.

It wasn't until they neared the corner where the different sectors met that he paused just a few feet away from the shop entirely and stared. He had helped briefly with getting the shop fixed up and it looked just like he last saw it.

Two minutes actually pass, before he bothers to blink and turn his face. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he knows it was enough that might draw concern from the Trecera. His hand is drawn away as every muscle in him stiffens, a reflex as he does his best to bury the feelings of attachment that are attempting to surface.

[gamuzadeclares]

Nelliel paused when Ulquiorra did. At first, she thought he might be looking for something or someone in particular. After thirty seconds of being paused there, she began studying his features and wondering just what it was that was making him act this way.

"Are you all right?" she asked at last. "We don't have to go in. I can come back later."

[cero_oscuras]

"I am being foolish, you have my apologies." It was hardly like Ulquiorra to show any emotion, let alone appear apprehensive or afraid of a flower shop of all things.

[gamuzadeclares]

"Something must have prompted that reaction," said Nelliel, pushing a little. "What is it?"

If he didn't want to talk about it, she would drop the subject. For the moment, she was more than a little curious about what would have such an effect on him.

[cero_oscuras]

"This business used to be owned by someone I knew. They are gone now," he says without missing a beat, but if his actions are any indication, he is bothered more than he would vocally admit.