Need of a Friend [Alex / Niji]

Things had been running smoothly since Alexander got set up in his new Office a few weeks ago now. Settling into his new role as the Fourth Seat of Second Division, since learning to delegate a number of tasks to his moderate sized staff, Alexander had found himself with plenty of time on his hands. When there came a strange and unexpected buzzing from one of the lower drawers of Alexander's desk, he at first had no idea what it was. However, he would soon find the source of the noise as he explored and located a device of his that, whilst he'd hardly ever used it, a much simpler old model kept with his Gigai, was something he'd kept close at hand. The experimental Denreishinki device, apparently modeled after some of the more modern 'phones' used on Earth now, part of the reason why Alexander hadn't gotten much use out of it was because of his slight inability and discomfort when it came to trying to figure out such a new and advanced piece of technology.

Putting the mostly idle feeling and not particularly important work of his aside, Alexander would fish the device out of his drawer and place it squarely on the desk in front of him. Eventually figuring out what he was meant to do, he'd open the 'phone' and would find himself able to view the message he'd received. Not many people having this particular number, he wasn't too surprised to see that it was from Niji, though in truth he hadn't heard from her in a while, aware that she'd been submitted to hospital, but only keeping a partial eye out through reports and occasional calls to the Third Division, after the initial couple of visits to his friend.  He could recall that they'd had lunch plans, but that'd just been something that hadn't panned out. No, the last time he'd really had the chance to speak to her was when...

***


Alexander would probably be a bit taken aback when Niji suddenly transformed before him, unused to encountering someone with such an ability, but would probably remain rather calm, just a little confused at first, but ultimately cool with it.
When she apologises once more, he simply gives a little forgiving gesture.


"It's fine, one meets all kinds in my line of work. To be honest, I could probably be a bit more..."

He searches for a word.

"... forthcoming, myself. Though, I have to say, I don't think I've ever met anyone who can change forms like that, is it just your hair?'


When she explains, oddly enough, there is a brief look of 'embarrassment?', with Alexander's brain momentarily pondering and churning out various thoughts regarding a beautiful woman who can literally be whatever shape a person would want. However, his more stern, professional and in some ways mature, aspects kick back in and he gives a slight cough, quickly resuming a more relaxed and neutral expression.

"Well, that's... er... quite a talent to possess. I imagine it has any number of uses..."



There's was a little bit of an awkward silence that Alexander could have possibly just imagined, but had nonetheless had felt the need to fill.

"So... was there anything else that needed to be done? You mentioned something about some sort of tea machine, and I imagine all other kinds of wonderful inventions. I have to admit, I'm curious, but if there's still work to be done..."



She would kindly explain that that was it, speaking quite casually with a little smile.


"Right..."



For someone who kept an impeccable track of time, work and many other a thing, it was unusual for Alexander to be suddenly surprised by their being nothing more that needed to be done. Knowing that he'd had someone coming in to work with him, he'd arranged with his superior to have this and this alone on his desk to work on. While they'd been working for some time, at least, on the work that Niji needed to hand in, it'd all been a lot quicker and easier than expected. Now Alexander was at a loss, what were they supposed to do now?



"...well."



As Niji took to her drink, quietly taking a sip, Alexander would follow suit, relaxing into his chair also and toying with the last of his favoured beverage. There's a bit of a pause, as Alexander's thoughts turn once more to his Zanpakutou resting near by.



"Soo... what do you think they're doing in there, your Zanpakutou and mine. I have to say, the whole thing is a rather new and unusual situation for me, on the other hand, I'm aware that I'm somewhat unique amongst that other people who work here in this department, seeing as I actually have a Zanpakutou who is... well... awakened, I guess would be the term."


Niji's response was informative, and Alexander's expression became quite contemplative, only being able to imagine what sort of thing Bla Nord would desire. At the very least, he knew that if there was alcohol involved, Bla Nord would most likely be partaking, if not making it a drinking contest. For a moment or two he had to consider what it would mean to have a drunk Zanpakutou. When Niji suddenly changed subject, the change in Alex was almost one of panic, with him caught off guard, his face certainly becoming flushed, and his speech stumbling and rapid.



"Ah! That's... I mean... that really wasn't your fault or anything and, well... er... it's kind of you to offer, but... Well, if I'm honest, it has been a while..."



There's a brief pause as he contemplates that particular point. He'd not dated anyone since before he'd come to the Seireitei, now that he thought about it. The Spectacled Shinigami seems to calm, but his words are still fairly hesitant.



"... but it's just... well... I've always felt that that's something that I should be able to do by myself, you know, finding people to go out with and... well, I mean, having lunch with you sometime sounds great, and it really shouldn't be a matter of one being a gentleman or anything. If you say that you're... you know... more of a... that way inclined. I mean, it's not that I don't find you attractive. I mean... er... that... perfectly reasonable, even if that's not... if I'm not your type."



Even for someone like Alexander it was clear that he was starting to babble...



"But, yes... Lunch!"



"Yes!"



"That sounds great."



"Er... sorry."



It would only occur to Alexander later that those last barked out, mostly single word statement would be the only parts of the conversation that would really be heard by the surrounding clerks, who would be certain to have a slight smirk at having witnessed such a thing, though also some small amount of jealousy, having two eyes and being able to see Niji themselves.

***

Despite the somewhat embarassing nature of their last encounter, Alexander fairly certain that he'd become a somewhat more confident and steady individual since then, the prospect of meeting up with Niji again seemed appeasing. It would be good to catch up again, maybe have that lunch they'd never been able to have, which had been unfair given the embarrassment he'd had to suffer amidst all the congratulatory jostling and sly 'know what I mean?' nudges he have gotten from his co-workers soon after this. Free to leave and go about whenever he pleased, no longer limited by strict work hours and lunch breaks, Alexander would begin to work on a reply. Taking a few minutes to figure out how to even do it, the early 20th century Shinigami would soon be tapping away one letter at a time on that tiny keyboard on the screen, tongue sticking out slightly as he had to give the thing his entire focus, needing a moment or two to find each individual key. After what felt like half an hour (though probably less than that in actuality), he would find himself increasingly frustrated and, after another lengthy haul, he'd find a way to turn off the 'predictive scripting', allowing him to actually get his reply written and, when he finally figured that out too, sent.

~ Sounds great. I'm available now to meet if you want. Come by the reception area and I'll come out to meet you. It'll be great to catch up again, and I know the perfect place for good tea and soft, puffy gyoza. ~

Word Count: 1416
Total GP: 28

Niji was sitting in the reception area waiting for Alexander. It was odd having gotten a weird look when she said she was in Fourth Division, but not being in the registry of the division. Her not getting paid over the last few months was one of the few things that struck her as weird since leaving the hospital. A lot of people she knew simply didn't exist any more, either no notice of where they were, such as Shinpei. Any signs of them existing, or simply have disappeared off the face of Soul Society, like Hajime. But it was just one of many weird occurrences. Like no one she'd spoken to recently having any idea who Obsession was nor of the Hollow army attacking Soul Society. That was disconcerting. Her messages and media deleted from her servers. That raised some red flags. Or her isolation and contact blackout. That was, on top of all the above mentioned things worried her. 

But being told she 'basically didn't exist' made her feel like the walking dead within Seireitei. A Ghost in the machine that made her beyond expendable, but something she could use to her advantage. But first, she needed to talk to her friend that could make it all possible. Preventing a war, and assuaging Frey in one fell swoop. And since she technically didn't exist, the Seireitei was in a prime situation to deny her existence if things went south. Or simply say her life taken by Frey's hand was payment for them taking the life of her children. Balancing the scales if things went to their worst possible outcome when contact was made.

When she looked at Alexander walking towards her. She noticed the difference in his stride, how his posture seemed much more assured, and he looked much more mature than she remembered seeing him. Standing up she handed him the Super Tea Maker and added lamely, "Hey ... you're looking much more mature than when we last me. It suits you," rubbing the back of her head she lightly chuckled, "I brought you the Super Tea Maker I promised."

_______________

CWC: 1,279 (927+352)

CGP: 25