Working Lunch [Tauro/Closed]

Sand cracked beneath the boots of the Arrancar as he moved through the desert of Hueco Mundo, were many might have seen nothing but an endless wasteland Tauro saw endless potential. The birthplace of his people. He truly loved this world and had missed it during his self-imposed exile following his demotion from Espada.

Now he had returned and he would wear the once hated title of Privaron with pride until better opportunities came along. He had returned not only for his own good but because his brethren needed strong leadership especially at a time like this following such turmoil. His people needed inspirational figureheads, powerful and trustworthy comrades in the eternal battle against the Soul Society.

Indeed his reasons for travelling beyond the borders of Las Noches were linked to all of this. Firstly he simply needed to get away for a while after his meeting with the Queen...he required time to process everything after the audience with his new leader.

'The leadership of all Hollow-Kind falling into the hands of a Half-Breed Shinigami and a reptilian Gillian. How the mighty have fallen.' he thought to himself with wariness unable to even summon the usual frustration he would feel at such concerns.

Turning his thoughts back to the other, more immediate, reason that Tauro had ventured out was to fulfil the second need of Las Noches. Soldiers. Sure they had the innumerable but even though they too were his brethren they...lacked certain qualities to tip the balance of power in a favourable way. For that they needed to fill out the ranks of the Numeros, Hollow with not only strength but intelligence that had evolved beyond their bestial origins.

To this end Tauro had travelled around the desert using his Pesquisa to seek out above average Spiritual Pressures. He had found a few that had seemed promising from a distance but once getting close they had become nothing but disappointments.

He sighed regretfully 'I do so hate killing my own kind without reason.'

Closing his eyes and sinking into a meditative state the Arrancar sent out another pulse of power and frowned at the results...only....one? Yes one response worth investigating.

'That power is almost as great as my own. Better than half the occupants of Las Noches.'

With a hopeful smile Tauro flickered away with a soft sonic boom as he shot across the desert towards his target whilst suppressing his own power. It took mere moments to find the one he had sensed earlier and keeping at a distance he observed the Hollow as it hunted down a lesser member of it's kind. The observer remained in silence as the focus of his attention consumed it's prey.

'Hmm...interesting shape, I don't think I've ever seen one in a form like that before. From it's size probably an Adjuchas Class Menos and from it's Spiritual Power one that could be off great use to the Kingdom...even more so if it would shatter that mask.' he paused in his thoughts to frown faintly 'Best not to get my hopes up too much...I should gauge it's intelligence first.'

Another short Sonido brought Tauro within visual range of the Adjuchas Hollow but kept a respectful distance so as to not startle the stranger, after all one was rarely relaxed in a place like this.

Waiting for a moment so that his presence would register on the other Hollow's senses he cleared his throat before speaking "Hail brother." he greeted informally although in his usual cold, if cultured, voice and despite his friendliness his expression remained in it's default state of vague annoyance.

"May I ask if you come from the Capital?" he questioned. After all there was no point in trying to recruit a person if they were already an affiliate.

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WC: 636
Total WC: 636

Slowly, but surely, the Adjuchas would begin to bring his feeding session to a stop. Someone was here and, tensing his muscles, ready for a fight, he would otherwise remain still, not wishing to give away clearly that he was aware of the other person's presence. Holding the body of his defeated prey in his grasp, but no longer feasting on it, perhaps it would be safe to say that he was being cautious also, in the face of a possible threat. Any sudden movements on his part might be dangerous. He'd relax slightly, when the other being spoke, and turning his head, he'd get a look at the person.

Before him he'd perceive something strange. While it wasn't true to say he'd never seen a person of this shape in this world before, having seen, long ago now, a young Shinigami woman in the forest of the Menos, it was a rare sight to him. Of course, he'd heard all about Arrancars before, but until now he'd managed to at least stay clear of them, and never before had they come in pursuit of him. They had always, before now, been a distant threat, something to stick clear of. A part of him was telling him to leave now, to get away, but there was a curiosity here to explore. He would see for himself what this creature was like.

It would only be from observing this new person, and matching it with some of the general descriptions he'd heard in the past, that he would come to the conclusion that this person was an Arrancar. That said, he would feel slightly uncertain on this point, feeling some need to confirm this. He narrowed his eyes at the man.

"The Capital...?"

He'd allow the word to hang in the air for a moment or two, pondering it.

"... I take it that you are referring to the Castle of Los Noches?"

There was a slight pause as he continued to eye up the target, trying to gauge their reaction. He considered exactly what the best response would be, what was safe. However, with no way of knowing, he'd have to respond the only way he could, honestly.

"No..."

And now what? Well, there would be no way of his examining this target closer if he remained so distant. Quite suddenly, Eurynomos relaxed, and dropping the remains of the creature in his hands, he would perk up.

"But, where are my manners? Eurynomos is my name, and yourself?"

He'd remain some distance away still, but now he'd allow himself to stand more openly, friendly and approachable.

Word Count (Total): 435 (864)
Total GP: 17

The Arrancar was pleasantly surprised that the Adjuchas not only showed a high enough level of intelligence to converse with him but also the wisdom to not do anything foolish. After meeting a pathetic example of a King, getting absolutely trashed by a Quincy and then finally discovering the King was replaced by a Shinigami Queen it had been a very disappointing week. Finally a little ray of sunshine to give Tauro a little hope.

"Indeed Las Noches." he confirmed.

When the man said no a small smile touched the Tauro's lips as he was glad to learn this wasn't a total waste of time. Etching the Menos' name down in his memory, after all it would be disrespectful to forget such a simple fact, the Hollow-Breed was happy to get the conversation going.

"I am Rufino Tauro, Privaron Espada #107, a servant of Las Noches and the Queen of Hueco Mundo." he responded politely with a slight bow of his head. As much as he might have disliked the idea of a non-Hollow leading his people there was nothing he could do about it right now and showing displeasure publicly would only lead to instability which his people couldn't afford.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Eurynomos. I am always glad to meet my Hollow brethren." he added honestly.

The Arrancar clasped his hands behind his back as he looked the Hollow up and down before continuing "I am going to be honest with you about why I'm here Eurynomos. I was looking for you or rather any like you amongst our Kingdom." he stretched his arms out to the side in a gesture that suggested he was referring to all of Hueco Mundo.

"I don't know how much you've been aware of what has happened lately." he be diplomatically not wishing to assume that this Adjuchas knew much about the goings on of this kingdom, hell Tauro himself hadn't knew much until his recent return to Las Noches. "But our people, your people are in scattered and lost. Hollow-kind everywhere has lost it's purpose, it's focus and  we've become disorganised. In that disorganisation we have lost unity with one another and that leaves us alone, weakened and at the mercy of the Shinigami Tyrants."

Tauro looked away for a moment as his cold expression shifted into one of sadness for a few moments before refocusing on the other Hollow and smiling faintly. "This is why I am searching for promising members of our race. Together we are strong. Together we are powerful. Together we are safe. With the combined power of the Hollow Race we could annihilate those hateful Shinigami.  But for such a community to thrive it needs an leaders, officers and talented soldiers thus my search."

He gestured at Eurynomos "You are one such individual. The first test was simply seeking out power, not too rare unfortunately that strength is often pared with either stupidity or arrogance. In you I have found one not only with a respectable level of power but also with an evolved intellect."

The man reached out a hand in a beckoning gesture "And so I make you an offer. Come with me to Las Noches and join our forces. Not only will you be able to help your Hollow brethren but the chances at personal advancement, at evolving into so much more will be yours for the taking."

Pulling his hand back to fold his arms across his chest the man nodded "What do you say Eurynomos?"

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WC: 586
Total WC: 1222

{Interesting...}

He thought to himself as the Arrancar began to speak. They spoke heartily, and with a certain enthusiasm. Frankly though, he was already somewhat sceptical and put off the moment the creature referred to him as, for the second time, having overlooked the first time, 'brother' or 'brethren' in this case. Nonetheless, Eurynomos would maintain his friendly attitude, feigned, keeping that smile on his face and even peaking his brow and nodding his head in interest at those moments of 'intrigue' in the newcomer's little speech. What a bizarre creature this thing was. It spoke of Hollows being some sort of unified race, a people, who had been somehow divided. However, as far as Eurynomos was concerned, they has always been creatures in competition with one another. Hell, even as this thing spoke, Eurynomos still visibly had around the edges of the mouth of his mask the blood of his latest meal and 'brethren'. Mentioning the 'Shinigami Tyrants' was of little help either. Eurynomos had never really come across their kind all that much, and while there'd been a few cases, here and there, over the years, in which they'd proven an 'irritation', he'd never really formed much of a hate for them.

As the person's speech came to an end, it concluded pretty much as Eurynomos had expected by the content of his words so far. Really? This was the first time he'd encountered, really encountered and spoken to an Arrancar, and this was the result, a recruitment drive? It was actually quite amusing, though in some ways it'd remind him of something long ago, almost a distant memory now. At one time, back when he'd been alive, he'd fallen victim to the words of someone much like this, bought what they'd been selling. Having been peddled all of the usual stuff at the time, he'd signed up to join the army and become a soldier. It really was quite funny that this was apparently happening again, and another 'kingdom' no less. What he'd said about furthering his own personal 'evolution' had struck a cord however. It reminded him of Persephone, how she had, once ago, back when she was still alive, gone on about seeking that 'growth' and 'transcendence' to the next level. He still couldn't say that he felt any particular need or desire to do so himself, but he supposed, with all of his research, he might come to such a thing eventually.

"Really?!"

He'd speak with a delight at having been chosen for such a 'privilege'.

"Well, I have to say, it's an honour to be considered for such a thing. 'Evolved intelligence', you say? Really, you flatter me too much. Unfortunately I'd have to say that I don't find myself all that interested. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it'd be amazing, such a thing, to be considered among the Capital's finest. However, I have my own path, my own research, which I pursue in my own way, and I'd hate to have to leave all that behind. It was a fine speech you just made, and I'm sure you'll find someone out here, eventually, who'll take you up on such a prestigious offer. If you don't mind though..."

Picking up and beginning to drag with him the remains of his latest victims, the left overs he still had to eat, Eurynomos would turn and begin to leave, staying on guard, obviously being very careful in turning his back to this stranger.

Word Count (Total): 579 (1443)
Total GP: 28

 

Tauro lifted an eyebrow behind his mask at the Hollow's response, or more accurately at it's tone, he had rarely heard one of his kind being so...blissfully cheery sounding. The Arrancar remained with his arms folded as the Adjuchas began to move away. He sighed. Disappointed but not surprised, this member of his race might have been strong and showed heightened intellect but it was apparently ignorant and naive.

'Oh well.' he thought to himself.

Unfolding his arms so they hung at his side Tauro vanished in a flicker of movement as he used Sonido to appear a few feet in front of Eurynomos wearing a blank expression.

"I understand." he replied calmly as if he had not just cut the other being off. "You lack perspective, understandable in your current state trapped in your limited existence. Such things change when ones horizons are broadened and they will, so long as you survive, once I was like you." he stated calmly. He cared for his brethren especially ones like this who had yet to realise either their potential or the dangers that lay in store for them once they began to grow.

"You have your commitments." he accepted with a slight nod "Your research for example. I have known those amongst the Espada who had laboratories and the like set up to further their scholarly pursuits. I have to admit though I have never heard of a Menos doing such things."

He cared for them but he also recognised that there was those amongst them who were of a lesser status such as this Adjuchas was to an Arrancar. A mere breaking of his mask could set him free...or it would kill him, as with all things Hollow it would be decided by strength. Unfortunately this Hollow likely had yet to realise how much greater he could become if he just rid himself of his mask.

The Privaron itched to draw his blade, to use the universal language of the Hollow-Breeds to convey Eurynomos' inferiority but he didn't want to attack...well not yet anyway. Instead he would test the bestial Hollow's ability at logic and would simply stand in his way. Such confrontational behaviour usually went poorly with the monstrous full masks.

Tauro smiled at Eurynomos. This time it was not a pleasant expression.

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WC: 387
Total WC: 1609

As the Arrancar moved with a startling speed, appearing before Eurynomos, the Adjuchas would end up with an odd mixture of feigned friendliness, charm and openness, but also caution and suspicion. It was almost as one would expect when a person looks sideways to a friend that'd just made a somewhat strange and sketchy proposal, one you wouldn't quite get, but you might be willing to hear some sort of explanation or elaboration of. However, when the man put up an explanation for Eurynomos having declined him, a speculation as to the inadequacies of Eurynomos, he'd naturally begin to grow colder in the face of such insult. He'd finally respond, curtly, but only to their last statement though.

"I've only known of one other besides myself and She... Was... a creature of exquisite beauty. A truly..."

There'd be a slightly longer than might be expected pause as he tried to find a word that would do Persephone justice. He's put an emphasis on 'She' and 'Was' allowing a little gap between each word to allow him to stress each individual word, and the importance of each. In the end he couldn't come up with one single word, so he had to settle on something that felt inadequate to him.

"...'special' individual."

It seemed a little off to him, not quite the sort of thing to bring up, even if he was only to hint at the matter. However, since she was 'gone' now, he felt that he needed to at least acknowledge her. He couldn't let it be said that he was unique, unlike any other, and deny her existence. She'd been as he was, a researcher, obsessed with her growth and development, as he now was in learning new things, more so, perhaps. As much as he was annoyed with this creature now, his first priority would be that, to speak of someone else he'd once known that'd been like him. Though Eurynomos would manage quite well to express his coldness towards the Arrancar now as well. Facial expressions were hard to read with Hollows such as Eurynomos. While masks have limited movement and expressive ability, if any of those at all, there would be other ways to see and sense a Hollow's mood. The eyes were an important part to read and now, Eurynomos's looked downward. He'd sunken to a solemness, on the borderline of more openly shown grief. Then, as was often the case with Eurynomos, whenever he'd allowed the mood to sink, and for his troubles to air, he'd have it jump and cast it all aside.

"But, hey!"

While he went straight back to the joyful and energetic mode that he'd displayed before, there was something evidently 'twisted' in his next proposal. His intent was obvious, he was goading the man.

"There's no reason we can't be civilised towards one another. Would you care to join me? I've eaten enough of my full, but there's plenty meat still on the remains." 

He'd bring forth before him, as an offering, what was left of the creature he'd just hunted down.

"I don't mean to offer you my left-overs, but there's still plenty of our 'brethren' here, that needs to be eaten up."

Word Count (Total): 532 (1975)
Total GP: 39

The Arrancar kept his expression the same but watched with pleasure as the Hollow grew less pleased with his words and mentally urged the other creature to attack him. To show him his Hollow Pride! To throw himself against the aggressor! To show some damned spine! But as with everything else in his life lately Tauro was to be disappointed.

Instead the Hollow began talking about another of his kind and Tauro listened with apparent interest, honest interest, for despite how he was trying to rile the other one up it was all for his own good. So when this strange Adjuchas started to earnestly talk about about another Hollow, one he had obviously cared about that wasn't around anymore the Arrancar felt pity for the creature.

'We might be a race who have lost our hearts but that doesn't mean that we don't care about one another.'

He watched for some change in the other Hollow when he spoke but the Eurynomos masterfully avoided his gaze making him hard to read by staring at the ground. Instead Tauro turned into trying to read the Hollow's Reiatsu instead but aside from some fluctuation that he couldn't determine the meaning behind there was nothing.

'He could just be skilled at controlling his power...an unusual trait in the Hollow without logic.'

The sudden cheer the creature expressed a few moments later confirmed Tauro's earlier suspicions. That this creature was masking, excuse the pun, his true feelings and beliefs. Unfortunate.

Keeping the unpleasant smile on his face he watched as the other Hollow invited him to consume the rest of his prey. The Arrancar considered as he didn't eat as often as he had since the eternal hunger had vanished along with the majority of his mask it wasn't necessary.

He nodded slightly not breaking eye contact with Eurynomos as his yellow eyes gleamed at the prospect, hidden by his mask remnants, before speaking "What an interesting proposal. I can't say I've ever had a Hollow, or even heard of one, offering a meal to an Arrancar...although I have seen them become food for my kind." he stated.

He took another moment as he considered. "Very well I will accept my dear Eurynomos, it is an honour to share this meal with you." he finally replied.

He laid a hand on the corpse and chuckled softly "In this way none of our brethren ever truly die. The weak are simply made part of the greater as their souls are consumed and become a part of the whole, a portion of the multitude."

A simple fact but one that many Hollow either forgot or simply never realised. Each Hollow was a being made of hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions of souls. Those souls were subservient to the dominant one although it was always possible for a strong soul that was consumed to rip control from the current dominant personality. Although as far as Tauro was aware an Arrancar couldn't fall prey to such things, another benefit to the shattering of the mask.

Lifting up the remains he chuckled softly. "Cheers."

Opening his mouth wider than any human could, despite the Arrancar's form, he took a colossal bite out of the offered meal and with the crunching of bone and tearing of flesh bit a huge chunk free.

He chewed on it before swallowing as his cold smile shifted into one of appreciation.

"Ah delicious."

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WC: 572
Total WC: 2181

Watching this creature with a calm fascination, placed behind a simple and unwavering smile, Eurynomos would not move or say much of a word after offering the food up to the Arrancar. There'd be no warning signs, no reason why the other person might want to be suspicious of Eurynomos. He would just sit there and watch with a genuine fascination as the Arrancar took a hearty bite out of the meat. As the man finished chewing his first bite and spoke, Eurynomos would only spread his smile further, allowing his own friendliness and charm to disarm his opponent.

"Oh, I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I'm also so glad to see that the Arrancar from the Capital still have such gusto and courage. I mean, here I am... I've already told you that I'm a researcher of sorts, with access to who knows what sort of chemicals that'd allow me to get the advantage over you... but you just went right on ahead. Who was to say what I might have put in the food?"

He'd pause, allowing that locked and fixed expression of his, that calm simple smile that exists without wavering, to stay in place. It was a simple ploy, a subtle little trick on Eurynomos's part, something to unnerve and throw his opponent off balance. This man had come to him, offered to give him the chance to join Las Noches. He was telling Eurynomos how things were and what Eurynomos wanted to be doing right now. This Arrancar, had come into Eurynomos's presence and had tried to tell him what to do. He'd remain all smiles and stay friendly enough, but truth was, this man had already annoyed Eurynomos. Quickly, but not too quickly, he'd speak up again, to reassure the Arrancar before he could worry too much, assuming Eurynomos had been successful in getting that response.

"But I'm sure you could tell, simply by looking at me, that I wouldn't ever do anything like that. Haha, don't worry, there's no need to fret. I would never resort to using a roofie on a man on the first date, nor would I ever need to."

Another calculated move to try to throw the man off balance.

"Ce qui est à moi est le vôtre, what's mine is yours, or Bon Appétit, as may be a more familiar term to you."

Taking a careful bite from what meat of his he'd kept to himself, Eurynomos would reassure his target that the food was indeed, untainted. He's quick to move on to the next topic, keeping the conversation in his control, not allowing any bubbling resentment or embarrassment on the other person's behalf turn into anything violent.

"I'd not heard of there being research ongoing at the Capital though, your offer is sounding more intriguing the more I hear. Please, tell me more. This 'Queen' of yours for example, what do you think of her? Is she pretty?"

If all was well, he could get all the information he wanted out of this pathetic second rate sale-spokesman.

Word Count (Total): 511 (2486)
Total GP: 49

Tauro's lips quirked up into a smile as Eurynomos began talking about poisoning. Implying that he was not a trustworthy being, something the Arrancar filed away for later, although he could be joking it would not be incorrect to say that those who often make jest about having certain vices do end up having them.

'That's cute, this little creature seems to think that he's a threat. As if I've never been poisoned before.' he thought dismissively 

The friendliness and smiles of the Hollow almost caused Tauro to roll his eyes, it was clear the lesser Hollow has no oratory experience...indeed aside from the particular Hollow he mentioned having been with before it was probably that it lacked social experiences in general. The constantly shifting mannerisms of  Eurynomos only put Tauro more on edge although he retained his calm outer exterior. In was a situation he'd been in many times before when attempting to teach his lesser brethren about the benefits of unity.

'Such shame.' he thought to himself sadly 'They lack the logic of the Arrancar and can not see what is best for them. This was why their kind has to be guided, and sometimes forced, towards a better future by us.'

Despite the other creatures foolishness and it's apparent desperation to seem conversational, perhaps wishing to define itself as more intelligent than many of the beasts in the deserts, Tauro was patient. He allowed the being to blather away and simply nodded while setting down the remains of the creature that he wasn't going to consume.

Everything was fine until he mentioned the Queen causing a flash of rage in the Arrancar's mind which burned away all of his remaining patience. He simply shook his his head and smiled in response. "Oh my friend." he said looking the other Hollow-Breed in the eyes as his mind went back to the first question the creature had asked, the thinly veiled threat.

"Why would I worry about the food? Why would I fear you in any way?" he asked.

The words were spoken with such calm friendliness, with such a pleasant tone, that his next act was no doubt a surprise. The Arrancar flickered and vanished with a sonic boom as he used sonido to move with all his speed to appear behind the Adjuchas. Once at the other Hollow's rear he performed a draw cut aimed at slashing open his target's back.

Tauro wouldn't kill this Hollow, oh no that would be needlessly cruel and he hated killing his own people, instead he would teach him. Teach him that for all the cleverness he seemed to think he perceived that the Hollow was a small fish in a terrifyingly vast ocean. 

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WC: 454
Total WC: 2635


Actions:
- Sonido - Journeyman & Speed 30: Used to get behind the target.
- Iaijutsu (Zanjutsu) - Journeyman & Strength 30: Used to attack with a draw cut aimed at slashing open target's back.

"Fear? Oh, my apologies. I do so hope you didn't take my little joke ser-"

Eurynomos was slightly startled, though not completely when his guest's movements turned somewhat more hostile. If anything though, he was somewhat disappointed. He'd have thought that an Arrancar would be more sophisticated than this. His opponent was fast, faster than he was really capable of dealing with. However, Eurynomos was quick to notice via his Reiatsu Perception where they had moved to. Turning to face his enemy, too slow to be there to actually see the attack with his own eyes, he'd instinctively lash out with one of his tendrils that'd rapidly unfurl out and rise out from the rest of the coiled mass, with which he surrounded the rest of his body. Flesh struck out and slammed against the sharp edge of a blade, but the impact was enough to force the enemy's strike back, making the cut a shallow one. Reacting to the wound, Eurynomos would pull back away from his attacker, while completing his turn to face. Black blood dripped from the tentacle where a slice now ruined, to some degree, the otherwise handsome black and white pattern of stripes.

"Woah! Come now, this hardly seems an adequate response, here I was just beginning to show an interest in your offer."

Despite that, Eurynomos was now dropping down into a stance with which he was more ready to fight. His flesh seemed to writhe in the most peculiar manner, like a horde of snakes sliding over a person's body. He seemed to shrink, very slightly, as he tightens the tendrils in some places here and loosen them in other places there, all to give him a bit more room to move. He'd start to extend outwards with his tentacles, some freed up entirely from making up the rest of his form, ready to be sent out on the offensive, some with just a bit more excess and space over at the ends, still mostly wrapped around his body, but with the last meter or so loose, still close to the rest of his body, but available and ready to defend. A number of his octopus like limbs would begin to swell up now, becoming more like arms in their thickness, for Eurynomos this was much like clenching his fists, but the overall visual effect was apparent enough. Eurynomos was all riled up and ready for a fight.

"Do all Arrancar's start fights like this at the dinner table, and with someone who offered you their hospitality no less? I wouldn't have expected you to be so crude, without culture or manners, but I get it. My mistake for bringing up her Majesty. You must be very protective. After all she really must be quite the looker to be Queen. I mean seriously, all else aside, just between us two, do you think so?"

He knew that, despite his words, he likely couldn't bring this person back down from their aggressive combat stance. He suspected that, once the sword had been drawn, that had been it. No matter what, Eurynomos was going to have to fight. However, given the way his powers worked, a bit more taunting was in order. If he could have his opponent rattled, then it should be all the easier for him to get the advantage, plus people often tended to slip up in those circumstances, and a moment should be all Eurynomos needed.

Word Count (Total): 575 (3061)
Total GP: 61

Tauro slashed his blade through the air, using the swift movement to remove the Hollow's blood from his sword leaving a trail of black liquid splattered across the ground. The Arrancar shook his head slightly in a mixture of confusion and annoyance. This Eurynomos had shown some promise in his instinctive defensive response against the attack, he'd received an injury but one far less than it would have been had the Hollow reacted a few moments slower. Then he immediately ruined the positive impression he'd made by his series of moronic responses. Tauro slammed his blade back into the sheath at his waist and shook his head in response, his disappointment evident on his face.

"Are you sure you're a Hollow Eurynomas? 'adequate response', 'fights at the dinner table'. 'crude, without culture or manners'" he spoke the words with a sneer, mockery thick in his voice. "I must ask are you sure you are not a mortal in disguise?"

The level of disgust he was showing towards the Hollow was not entirely true, although large amounts did not have to be feigned, he understood the use of manners and politeness. He used them himself within the walls of Las Noches however out here in the desert it was Hollow eat Hollow and Tauro would never deign to use such mannerisms as a form of self-defence. If the Adjuchas had been expecting the words to calm him then unfortunately for him the reaction was the opposite.

Glaring at the other Hollow-Breed from behind his broken mask the Arrancar shook his head once more. "You may be intelligent Eurynomas, despite how you behave but I'm afraid you're quite unwise."

The Arrancar's fingers slipped around the hilt of his sword once more. "The Queen is the Queen. That is enough." he responded causing the man to shudder internally at the thought of a Hollow considering a Shinigami to be attractive. His grip on the sword became more firm. Well enough talking, things could only end one way now.

"I am still feeling a little peckish." he informed the other Hollow calmly.

Tauro leapt towards his opponent, his left hand flicked out crackling with power as he loosed a Bala at the ground between them throwing sand and dust into the air, it was a manoeuvre he had used many times to great success. As the dust cloud obscured the two combatants from one another sight the Arrancar used sonido to move through the cloud at great speed and to reappear at Eurynomos' side where his blade flashed out in a horizontal cut to slash towards the Adjuchas' neck.

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WC: 435
Total WC: 3070

His eyes narrow, but there's no response besides that, not rising to the Arrancar's rebukes. The response to questions regarding the Queen was interesting though. Needless to say, such a reaction was hardly going to escape his notice. It seemed that he'd managed to hit a nerve there. Perfect, it was exactly what Eurynomos was aiming for. He'd have to dig further on that point, however, right now, he would have to deal with the Arrancar's current movements.

"Feel free to have seconds."

The smokescreen was fairly obvious, what other reason would one have to attack the ground? Reacting to it wouldn't be easy though. Instinctively, he'd take a half step and bring a tendril up to shield his eyes. Fortunately, he was used to operating blind, well enough. Almost as if in response to his dialogue, as much as Tauro's actions, Eurynomos would swing around with the half carcass in his grip and use it to make a crude counter attack towards his opponent's strike. The blade would obviously slice through the corpse, as if it were so much damp tissue paper, before hitting the much harder slithering mess that made up the palm and hand of one of his 'arms'. A slight hiss would escape between his teeth as he felt the sting of that blade again, but he wouldn't allow it to slow him down in his retaliation.

"Interesting though..."

He'd allow the various tendrils that made up that particular limb to loosen and begin a hasty squirm and writhe, now aiming to envelop and take hold of the Arrancar's blade and sword arm. With the body of that Hollow from earlier just swung and spilled open by blade, Eurynomos would have just showered his opponent is a spray of gore, mostly black, but a few sickly lumps of green and red, most of which Eurynomos probably could have identified. As such, it seemed the best time to be striking now. Continuing the momentum with which he'd turned to face his opponent and swung one limb set out to meet his opponent, he follows up with an attack of his own. Swinging it down with a heavy force, that would likely do to bone what a swung hammer could do to a pile of loose roof tiles, a long bulked up tentacle would come diagonally down towards Tauro's head, not to mention his back and a few meters of sand on the ground behind him, thus was the excess length on this whip.

"... and not enough at all. When it comes to speaking 'fondly' of your illustrious leader, I'd expect much more than your lackluster response from someone on a recruitment drive. I may be a little... odd, but at least I'm not.. Domesticated."

His voice drops now to more of a snarl.

"Needless to say, you're not the only one who's disappointed. Going out to try and find others to expand an army under the rule of someone you can't stand? I've owned my share of whipped dog, so I'm going to tell you now, as a mercy... you're going to lose."

Word Count (Total): 516 (3577)
Total GP: 71

Tauro's slid to a stop as his attack was, at least partially, stopped by the Hollow's quick thinking as it used the small remains of the corpse of it's earlier prey. The Arrancar was splattered in blood, although it didn't bother him in the least, as crimson eyes stared coldly from beneath his mask. The creature's tentacles twisted together until they resembled some sort of single large, disgusting, limb. It swing down hard like a hammer toward's the former Espada's head.

Perhaps the Adjuchas assumed him defenceless since it had grasped his blade?

Tauro pushed off to some side and dropped low as the bulked up tentacle swung through the air above him, narrowly missing the fragile Arrancar's head, and as he moved the man twisted the Zanpakutō while dragging the hilt down and close to his body. The deft swift movement of his hands combined with his movement dragged the blade free causing it to slash against any part of Eurynomos that tried to hold on to it.

As soon as he was free the man used a Sonído to put distance between them with a boom. As he came to a stop he flicked his blade performing Chiburui to remove loose blood and gore from his sword.

"Domesticated." Tauro sneered at the word "You're an animal. I had hoped you'd evolved beyond your petty origins but it would seem you're no better than the basest of our kind. It is unfortunate...pathetic...but inevitable for the limited amongst our people."

The Arrancar shook his head "You ask your moronic, foolish, brainless questions. All you need to know of her Majesty is that she is powerful and more than willing to use her power. That should be enough for any self-respecting Hollow."

Tauro spun his blade before slamming it into it's sheath, his frustration clear in both his voice and expression. "Expand an army under the rule of someone I can't stand? How limited are you? How utterly incapable are you of seeing beyond the most base desires? It has nothing to do with me. It has nothing to do with how I feel. Her Majesty rules our people. Las Noches is being rebuilt, driven forward thanks to her strength."

The Arrancar shook his head, visibly disappointed to the point of almost seeming sad at what he had seen "I have no desire to recruit you anymore little Hollow. You aren't even worth killing. Stay here. Pathetic. Alone. Insignificant.  Mindlessly wander this desert until you become fuel for a more worthy Hollow."

Without another word Tauro turned and began to walk away. "I have more important works to be undertaking."

Within a few steps the militaristic Arrancar had already wiped Eurynomos from his mind. He had to find soldiers and citizens for Las Noches, to help protect and grow the Hollow-Breeds of Hueco Mundo. He didn't have time for the selfish desires of a single soul.

---------------------------

WC: 4567
Total WC: 3527
Total GP: 70



//This will be Tauro's Thread Exist unless he's stopped