Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain]

498 Posts

Reiatsu137 Defense40 Strength14 Speed33 Spirit50 ApplicationYou did not break me ThreadsI'm still fighting for peace

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 11, 2017 18:44:11 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 11, 2017 18:44:11 GMT -5

Few things are more frustrating than when one is trying to accomplish something that you have the knowledge to do, but lack the appropriate technical skills to accomplish. Sparks flared and fizzed at the Songbird's hands as she worked the spell protecting whatever lay beyond the door. She'd found it some time ago, though she couldn't remember exactly when. With Shigure's duties as acting captain seemingly taking a backseat to his duties as the head medic, Mirabelle thought it only right she properly take the reigns of the division in his stead. Whatever was beyond the barrier before her, and subsequently the door beyond, was a legacy no doubt from one of those who'd come before her.

Someone had gone to great lengths to protect whatever was sealed away. High levels of magic protected the room and in spite of her skill in the demon arts, she failed time and time again to unwind the magical mechanism. There was little else she could do but conclude that there was a piece of the puzzle that she was missing. Every technique she conjured up failed. Magic fizzled away from her hands as she turned away from the door. It was innocuous enough to be left alone. There hadn't been too many members wandering the halls lately. Even if there had been she'd walked by it for how many years and only just took note.

Halls passed for endless minutes as she mulled over her thoughts. There was only so much she could do on her own, she knew. At this point opening the door was a matter of personal pride more than anything, plus, it would be something she could demonstrate to the division. A sort of 'look what I did' demonstration of leadership. Most of the division could be won over easily enough but the few who couldn't should be won over with that at least. As she entered the cafeteria, she scanned the familiar faces.

They were a sort of family. They helped each other out when things got rough and had each other's backs when they were in a pinch. Camaraderie washed over her ears and eyes in waves as she took them in and a sense of pride filled her heart, displacing her irritation at her own shortcomings if only for a moment.

Catching a glimpse of one of the newer members, she began making her way through the crowds of shinigami. She found herself receiving a few pats on the back as she passed those she'd served alongside before she found herself at a rather lonely table. At it sat a man who, as far as she knew, hadn't yet made any close acquaintances within the division. "Hello Alain."

He would be the perfect choice to help her with her mission. He had few connections to tell, and fewer still reasons to tell anyone anything.

[WC: 478][TWC: 478]

Mirabelle's speech/'thoughts'

Beldame's speech/'thoughts'

"Sadako's Speech"

Alain Merrick

Third Division

582 Posts

Reiatsu300 Defense90 Strength120 Speed30 Spirit60 ApplicationSeeker of Knowledge ThreadsThe Journey

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 11, 2017 22:27:00 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 11, 2017 22:27:00 GMT -5

Merrick sat alone in the corner of the commissary at a two person table with his back to a wall. As was often the case, he used his mealtime to multitask. An open medical text sat atop the table and next to it, an empty plate of food. He wasn’t fond of eating at the Division’s cafeteria, but the food was free and he was cheap. The main drawback was his fellow Shinigami. Dealing with them at the hospital was bad enough, but this was his personal time and he hated being bothered. In order to mitigate the annoyance, he tried to have early breakfasts, late dinners, and avoided lunch altogether. For the most part, this worked well. It had taken little more than a two or three months into his tenure at Third Division before his peers had learned to give him a wide berth. Unfortunately, there were always a few bad apples that couldn’t or wouldn’t take the hint.

Looking up from his nearly empty cup of coffee, he knew that his morning was about to be disrupted. I really do not need this so soon after my shift. One of the advantages of a corner seat was that he had a clear view of the entire room. Likewise, there was really nothing between himself and an approaching individual. Thus, their destination was always obvious. So when the fiery haired officer began moving in his direction, he closed his book and rested his elbows on the chair arms with steepled fingers. Look at them all with their inane banter. A number of Shinigami attempted to speak with Mira while she walked through the cafeteria. Merrick silently hoped that his colleagues would keep her away from him, but to no avail. A few minutes later and she was standing at his table.

“Officer Bonnet.” He was nearly one hundred percent certain that this wasn’t a social visit. The two didn’t have that kind of relationship. In fact, Alain didn’t have that kind of relationship with anyone. If a person sought him out, then it was professional business. “I can only surmise that you have some manner of job for me.” He wanted to ask about the specifics of the mission and if he had the right to refuse, but both questions would have made him seem too anxious. As such, he opted to wait and hear what the woman had to say. However, he didn’t ask her to sit. Merrick had been about to leave prior to her arrival, so he didn’t want to do anything which might extend the exchange beyond what was absolutely necessary. Please let the task be a quick one . . . or at least interesting.

449/449

Last Edit: Oct 11, 2017 22:27:13 GMT -5 by Alain Merrick

Mirabelle Bonnet

498 Posts

Reiatsu137 Defense40 Strength14 Speed33 Spirit50 ApplicationYou did not break me ThreadsI'm still fighting for peace

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 18, 2017 10:42:07 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 18, 2017 10:42:07 GMT -5

"Clever." her response was a bit terse as she eyed the surrounding members of the Third. None were listening too carefully but she knew one could never be too sure. "Follow me, if you would."

Ensuring he'd follow, she quickly snagged the book he'd left on the table as well as the empty plate of food next to it. The later part of her response had been less request and more demand. With him, hopefully, in tow she made quick work of the room. This time her comrades seemed to part for her, though as she glanced back at Alain Mirabelle second guessed herself. Perhaps, instead, they were giving the man the berth he seemed to need. There was no doubt that there were going to be questions as to why he was accompanying the Haganji. Pausing at the cafeteria's entrance the shinigami pursed her lips. That was a problem but it was one for another time.

While she waited for her companion to catch up, she absentmindedly dumped the scraps of food into the garbage bin next to the door. It helped the illusion that she was helping the man instead of goading him into following her with the text still in her hand. That is, she supposed, as long as he actually valued it. Turning the book over she found that it was a simple medical text. From what she knew Alain still served in the hospital, it would make sense that the book was something he'd have somewhere in his position. Hopefully he valued whatever was inside its pages enough to follow.

"Sorry." she called over her shoulder as she stepped through into the mostly empty hall. Holding the book out in the direction of the man while she scanned the faces of those around, her apology seemed less than halfhearted. "I needed to make sure you'd come with. I don't want to go around throwing orders to and fro in front of everyone."

That much was true. She'd seen too often how overly assertive captains made for disgruntled soldiers. It was also true she wasn't a captain in the traditional sense but she thought of herself as the division's leader. After accomplishing the task she had set out for herself, and now Alain too, she sought to stake her claim as the acting captain at the very least. Shigure's time in the hospital, while great for the hospital, was making the rest of the division crumble. Too many unseated officers had already come to her with gripes about the way things were run.

"You are to tell no one of what we do today, understood?" this was the first time she'd actually ordered another shinigami around. The feeling was not as unpleasant as she thought it'd be. "That said, I hope you're up for a challenge."

Hoping to have piqued his interest, the Songbird turned on her heel and began making her way through the halls toward the door she'd left not moments ago.

[WC: 498][TWC: 976]

Mirabelle's speech/'thoughts'

Beldame's speech/'thoughts'

"Sadako's Speech"

Alain Merrick

Third Division

582 Posts

Reiatsu300 Defense90 Strength120 Speed30 Spirit60 ApplicationSeeker of Knowledge ThreadsThe Journey

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 18, 2017 13:07:26 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 18, 2017 13:07:26 GMT -5

Clever? Yes, Alain did consider himself an intelligent individual. It was one of his strengths and although modest, he was appreciative of the talent. Next, the woman picked up his book and plate. The former was annoying, the latter not so much. He wondered if she thought that it was a necessary act in order to obtain his acquiescence. It was hardly necessary. Merrick understood the command structure of the division and while he may not have liked it, he wouldn’t rock the boat. However, if this had been a mere unseated individual like himself, he would have snatched the book and been on his way. Also, despite his own proclivities, he disliked being kept waiting and beating around the bush. The woman should speak her mind and be done with it. He wanted to shrug at the entire ordeal, but it wasn’t in him to show the emotion. Instead, he sidestepped around his table and followed along, letting left hand rest atop the hilt of his zanpakuto.

“Why apologize? You are a superior as far as I know and orders are part of the package. It makes sense to utilize them as you see fit.” While he wouldn’t relish the duty of a superior himself, he would certainly use the position to order others to leave him alone. Promotion was going to be his way to further personal goals. Merely having increased status meant next to nothing. After the brief apology was out of the way, she returned the psychology text. I wonder what she would have done if I had not followed. She should have simply given an order. Lifting his hand from the sword hilt, he took the book and held it beneath his left arm. “Orders are simple and provide clarity. I can appreciate that.” Did she take the hint? At present, things were very unclear.

Eventually, she got to the crux of the matter. She wanted his silence for some reason. Of the many things which she could have said, this was going to be easy ask for him. He never really spoke to anyone so he would have no one to tell. “I believe I always act in accordance with the rule of law.” He didn’t state that his silence was guaranteed because it wasn’t. If someone superior to Mira asked him about the day’s activities, then he would have to follow those orders as well. Otherwise, she could be assured with his silence. “As for the other, it depends on the challenge.” If the challenge was in an area which interested him, then he would be on board. But if this was going to be a combat related challenge for instance, he would be very displeased. “You should tell me more.”

458/907

Last Edit: Oct 28, 2017 12:02:17 GMT -5 by Alain Merrick

Mirabelle Bonnet

498 Posts

Reiatsu137 Defense40 Strength14 Speed33 Spirit50 ApplicationYou did not break me ThreadsI'm still fighting for peace

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 28, 2017 9:50:22 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 28, 2017 9:50:22 GMT -5

"I can't say too much here, just follow me." she turned, a few steps away from the man. Between her expression and tone, she thought there was no room for him to argue. She supposed the response she'd gotten from him was the best she could hope for and turned back to the hallway. Her steps away from the cafeteria were quick as she was certain that Alain was now behind her.

The hallway that lead from the cafeteria lead to another one that was much the same. That one lead to another, and that to another, and so on until the pair found themselves almost lost in the labyrinth of halls. Almost. Mirabelle had spent far too long in the Third to loose her way that easily, though her early days in the division had left her lost for a couple hours at least. Her companion, she knew, was too smart to get lost that easily too. If he hadn't already had the floor plan of the division memorized, he likely memorized the turns they'd taken.

What lay ahead of the Songbird as she stopped was a door. On the surface, it was unremarkable. "I've been a part of this division for years."

"Yet, I've only just found this." she turned from the door back toward Alain, gesturing vaguely at the door. Her hand, then, rose to try the handle. Knowing better than to try bare handed, she gathered a small amount of reiryoku in the tips of her fingers just before they made contact with the handle. The hall lit up with a bright orange light as her fingers met the barrier, a small spark fading from her hand as it drafted back to her side. "I can't seem to find a record of this room. It's not listed as a lab, we're too far from the barracks for it to be a private quarters, and there are no seated members listed as having this room as their own. As it stands, we don't even have a captain to claim this as their own 'off the books.'"

"I intend to find out what's behind this door." her eyes wandered over where she'd mapped the edges of the barrier to be. It should have been so simple. "But I can't do it alone. I've tried blasting it with any spell I can think of. I've tried loading it with loose reiryoku, I've tried damn near everything I can think of to get the barrier protecting it open. I need a new set of eyes. That's where you come in. I need you to help me with this, and for you to keep whatever is behind this door between us."

[WC: 450][TWC: 1,426]

Mirabelle's speech/'thoughts'

Beldame's speech/'thoughts'

"Sadako's Speech"

Alain Merrick

Third Division

582 Posts

Reiatsu300 Defense90 Strength120 Speed30 Spirit60 ApplicationSeeker of Knowledge ThreadsThe Journey

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Oct 28, 2017 13:19:01 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 28, 2017 13:19:01 GMT -5

The woman didn’t want to provide further details amongst even the limited crowd of the cafeteria. Alain could relate to this. He also preferred one on one interaction which could avoid the interference and prying eyes of others. Any extra scrutiny towards him was unneeded. So as he was led around from one building to the next and through a variety of corridors, he waited patiently for the private moment when everything would be made clear. Eventually, the Third Division officer stopped at a closed door and found her voice again. She stated she had been in the division for years, but had only just stumbled on this door. Mention of her duration of service was irrelevant. He couldn’t have cared less. However, her apparent interest in the obstruction was curious. It seemed like an insignificant matter for her, maybe even a waste of time. “Why the interest? Things are often kept a secret for good reason. Does it not seem more likely that if access was intended for us, then we would already know the method of entry?” Alain wanted to give her something to think about so that her attention wasn’t squarely on him. Though he had to admit that the unknown on the other side was intriguing.

Merrick leaned on the wall opposite the door. He let the book drop to the floor while his right hand rose to his mouth, index finger tapping his lips in thought. “Have you truly thrown every spell in your repertoire at the door? Seems like that would have had some rather destructive results to this entire wing if you had. It probably would not have gone unnoticed by our peers either if that was and remains your intention. We still stand in the middle of a public corridor after all.” Observing the barrier from his modest distance, it was quite the piece of handiwork. Until Mira had touched the handle, he hadn’t really been aware of its existence. He suspected that it had been specifically designed to go unnoticed. Maybe it elicited a momentary odd feeling upon passing or the sense of something seen out of the corner of the eye, but both were quickly dismissed as nothing. Now he knew different. Interesting. This looks exactly like what I want in order to protect my safe.

“What makes you think that I am able to help?” He probably could, but he would need to make a more thorough analysis of its structure before he could say anything with certainty. He pondered for a few minutes more. “In any case, should I gain access, may I assume I will be given free reign to use anything that we find?” This was hardly going to be worth the effort if he was going to be denied things which could aid his personal endeavors. Obviously, he was going to help regardless because she was a superior, but there was no harm in pushing for a tit-for-tat understanding.

494/1401

Last Edit: Nov 7, 2017 10:41:13 GMT -5 by Alain Merrick

Mirabelle Bonnet

498 Posts

Reiatsu137 Defense40 Strength14 Speed33 Spirit50 ApplicationYou did not break me ThreadsI'm still fighting for peace

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Nov 6, 2017 13:22:51 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Nov 6, 2017 13:22:51 GMT -5

"I'm fine with some things being kept a secret. I understand the value in things remaining hidden." angry coals burned the insides of her throat as she struggled to keep her voice calm. "But not here. We are not the Fourth. Everything we do is for the sake of the Seireitei, for the betterment of our fellow shinigami. We do not, or should not, withhold any of our findings."

She let herself calm down some as she reasoned that Alain wasn't the person she was angry with. It wasn't him who'd wasted years of her life. It wasn't him that had destroyed what could have been a beautiful relationship. That was all on Her. His inquiries and fondness for being overly literal were annoying but no where near on the scale that the Witch was. "No, I didn't literally throw every spell I had at it. The building would have gone up in flames if I had, and like you said, it would have attracted a lot of attention. I have done all that I can with my more subtle spells though, and nothing has worked."

"Even if you can't help, and that's not my saying you can't, a new set of eyes to look at the problem is what I really need. Even if i had all of what I needed to get it open I just might not be looking at it in the right way to make things work." she eyed the man who, at one point, was a sort of student. She hadn't heard much chatter from the others about him, or ready many, if any reports at all about him. While he seemed to have grown some, he still very much seemed like nothing about him had changed. Almost like he was the same recruit she'd assisted a short time after he'd joined the division. "I can assure you, I will not give you free reign of whatever might be behind the door. I can't comfortably say that I'll let you take away anything without having any kind of clue as to what we could be walking in to."

"However, assuming it's nothing too dangerous or anything I feel like you can't handle, I don't see the harm in you taking away something. I'd just like to know you wouldn't be leaving with something that could injure you or others." turning herself back to examining the edges of the barrier, she called back over her shoulder "I'm sure you can understand my worries. I can't have the division falling to ruin before I can officially get the haori."

The Songbird smirked to herself as she busied her hands with the finer points of the barrier. She didn't see the harm with letting it slip that she was planning on officially getting the captaincy at some point. He may be surprised, she supposed, but hopefully knowing that she may one day be a legitimate captain may lead him to lend himself even more in hopes of getting in her favor.

[WC: 503][TWC: 1,927]

Mirabelle's speech/'thoughts'

Beldame's speech/'thoughts'

"Sadako's Speech"

Alain Merrick

Third Division

582 Posts

Reiatsu300 Defense90 Strength120 Speed30 Spirit60 ApplicationSeeker of Knowledge ThreadsThe Journey

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain] Nov 7, 2017 12:37:45 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Nov 7, 2017 12:37:45 GMT -5

“Well, I will not say that you are wrong. I merely tend to find that secrets are more about who the information needs to be kept from rather than the information itself. If everyone could keep their mouths shut and understand the importance of said knowledge, then there would be no need for secrets. Alas, most people are rarely so discreet. Nevertheless, I still think that you maintain an idealized view of Seireitei and our fellow Shinigami. It does not exist. The Gotei is not as altruistic as you seem to believe.” Merrick pushed himself away from the far wall, quickly crossing the distance to stand only a few feet before the door. His eyes moved along the perimeter as he recalled the orange spark which lit up the hallway when Mira’s hand touched the handle.

Unsurprisingly, his superior hadn’t used every hado at her disposal on the door. It was only logical. As he studied the door, he suspected that even if one destroyed the area around the barrier with a higher tier spell, it would have remained standing and unaffected. The construction really was quite impressive to behold. Her next comment about a fresh set of eyes was curious. Merrick never relied on others if he could avoid it. Not to sound immodest, but if he was incapable of solving something, then it was highly probable that his peers wouldn't succeed in his place. So the idea of having someone else examine the same problem, never really occurred to him as something to pursue most of the time. Was there any validity to the concept? Alain wasn’t sure. It was a topic which he would need to ponder at a later time. “A lack of free reign? Hmm . . . in that case, I might as well get started.” Withholding his assistance was never going to be an option. That would have resulted in consequences which needed to be avoided. Nonetheless, the attempt had to be made. If anything truly important caught his eye, he was certain that they could come to some arrangement. We shall cross that bridge when we come to it as they say.

Like Mira, he infused his the palms of both hands with a thin layer of reiryoku. However, when he placed them upon the barrier, he utilized almost no pressure whatsoever. He wanted to avoid lighting up the hallway if possible while he continued his analysis. “Your concern does not make much sense to me . . . logically. I am perfectly capable of injuring others and yet I will be departing afterwards. So absconding with some trinket which could do the same seems rather insignificant.” It was akin to trying to place a Band-Aid on a problem, ineffective and failing to address the real issue. Though he could understand her concerns. The majority of people couldn’t be trusted with anything important. But Alain was a different sort altogether, not some run of the mill Shinigami incapable of handling sensitive materials. If he hadn’t been, then she wouldn’t have come to him for assistance in the first place.

With her final statement, Merrick began to think that Mira possessed an inflated sense of her own importance. Nothing that she did was going to affect the division much, positively or negatively. Fall to ruin? Really? He had never been prone to such hyperbole, but did she truly believe her words? Alain’s opinion was that Seireitei’s Spellcasting Elite would exist long after them, just as it had before them. Did we really even need a Captain? He had known one during his time in the division as well as a few others who had held the position in a temporary capacity. None of them had been helpful. Who would even want such a position? If not for the ability to avoid bureaucratic nonsense, his own interest would have been nil, but that was a topic for another time.

Merrick let his hands roam across the surface of the impediment, mostly along the perimeter. After completing his more in-depth analysis, he wondered if Mira would have figured it out. In time perhaps, but he had none to waste. I really need to meet the creator of this barrier. The owner employed a technique or style which he likely never would have considered before seeing it in action. Basically, the idea was to use two schools of kido. The bakudo portion was a simple barrier and could have been deconstructed easily by anyone with enough skill in the art. The true genius arose from an intentionally inserted flaw in the design. He called it a flaw, but could anything intentional really be considered a flaw. No, rather than a flaw, this individual had added in what was essentially a wound with more medical origins. So removing the barrier required him to use Soushuji with his right hand while unweaving the bakudo elements with his left in near simultaneous fashion. In truth, the kaido segments proved to be the less skillful of the two, but the idea alone was enough to get Merrick thinking. How much further could he take the technique? He could envision himself making much stronger versions. Even highly protective healing barriers weren't off the table at this point.

868/2269

Last Edit: Jan 12, 2018 22:28:21 GMT -5 by Alain Merrick

Bleach Gotei

Between a Rock and a Hard Case [Closed | Alain]

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 11, 2017 18:44:11 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 11, 2017 22:27:00 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 18, 2017 10:42:07 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 18, 2017 13:07:26 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Oct 28, 2017 9:50:22 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Oct 28, 2017 13:19:01 GMT -5

Post by Mirabelle Bonnet on Nov 6, 2017 13:22:51 GMT -5

Post by Alain Merrick on Nov 7, 2017 12:37:45 GMT -5

Welcome!