Post by Jasper Aizawa on Mar 4, 2014 17:06:45 GMT -5
Jasper held the copy of the orders in his hand, yet did not dare read it again. Instead, he simply stared out the window in front of him, the bright sunlight flooding into the small barracks room.
It was done. All of his schemes and plans no longer needed. He had gotten everything he wanted and more before he had even truly acted, but that's not what surprised him. "Everyone gets everything he wants." Jasper mused to himself. What surprised him?
He was in control again.
In a single wave, he realized that it was not truly him who had been in control. The being that controlled him was tricky--it let him think he was in control after his moment of weakness when he had given up everything, even though Jasper didn't realize it. When he had let it speak for him, he was done, and it was in control. Of course Minerva was able to take over. Jasper was infinitely weaker compared to her, restricted by some semblance of morality. But it was clear that she didn't want to take him over fully, no. She just wanted to show him that she, not it, was there, and she would take any chance to take over. This was a warning, mixed with something that would benefit them both: power.
Then the feelings that had been suppressed began to flood back in: the guilt of having manipulated so many people to get back here, what he had done to that poor human, the newly produced anger from having been so stupid. But that warning had served its purpose despite its consequences. He knew that he could never let this happen again.
"Jasper?" he heard the familiar voice of Fabianus ask. Oh god, it had been so long since they had spoke. His voice sounded so hoarse and tired.
"Fabianus, I-" Jasper thought quietly, before he was interrupted by him again. "Fight it. You must break through her, no matter what. When I can, I will give you my power, but you must reach me first. Go now, go-" Fabianus became silent again. Jasper was afraid. He had seen what Minerva had done during that fight in his inner world. Fabianus was likely still trapped, despite Jasper being able to subjugate her enough to claim her mask as his own. The fight was clearly now far from order.
"Lieutenant Aizawa, sir?"
Jasper was shocked out of his introspective haze by the recruit who had once been his equal. He remembered this person--Katsu, his name was? Minerva didn't care too much for him. But Jasper remembered how he was more or less a cheerful person, open with his comrades. But now, his attitude was obviously servile. Is this what a simple title did for people? Changed their total attitude?
"A message from Captain Kiriko. She wishes to see you before your re-assignment." the recruit said.
"Thanks, Katsu." Jasper said. Katsu bowed without making eye contact, and left. Jasper jumped off his cot, grabbing his--was it his?---Zanpakuto, and leaving the barracks for good, grabbing a black case with all of his paperwork and his few possessions here. He doubted he would ever see these barracks again, and he didn't much want to. They were a reminder of a dark time.
Jasper walked quietly towards the Captain's office, nodding at the people who bowed at him, remembering clearly those who would spit insults at him before. He decided it would not be politic for him as the newest captain to call them out on their hypocrisy. He just kept walking.
Approaching the Command Annex, now occupied by only one officer, Jasper had no idea what to expect. Perhaps they would speak for some time before he left, or perhaps he would be killed because she found him a threat in this new capacity of his.
Now in the Annex, Jasper approached the Captain's office, and knocked three times promptly on the door, waiting outside of it. He was ready for whatever may come.
669