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Post by Jeremy Amari on May 25, 2019 9:00:55 GMT
The night was quiet out in the sleepy town of Red Ridge, the hussle of the city life a distant event in the outskirt of rural farmland. Jeremy had taken perch on a disused water tower further out, where once great steam trains rolled through and refueled, taking away carts full of silver off to another part of the country. Now it was just another memory of another time.
The Order of the Silver Sword had sent them deal with one of those old, abandoned mines, which news had risen of strange sounds coming from deep within. It sounded like someone was mining. At first it didn’t seem like anything worth mentioning, just another tall tale or publicity stunt for a small town to attract paranormal sightseer and other weirdos. That was until stories of mutilated animals joined these strange rumors.
Now they were here, taking up residence in a rented out farmhouse with equipment littering the rooms. There was certainly something that moved through these lands, their spirit pressure making a dent on the land. Preliminary scans over the rocky hills gave no sign of hollows, but if there was something here everything pointed to the mines themselves. Jeremy sighed. He’d hate to resort to hunting through tight tunnels, and if they were lucky whatever was down there could be drawn out.
The only good side was having cornbread and gravy for dinner two days in a row, and seeing Remilia and Lionel’s general disgust.
“I found another spider” Remilia complained over the comms, giving another reason for Jeremy to smile.
“You know, spiders are actually quite helpful for reducing harmful insects like flys and misqui-” Jeremy started but was quickly cut off as Remilia gave a cat like hiss in displeasure to his unasked for trivia. He just chuckles and looks over to the horizon to see the sun setting “Everything set up yet?”
“Almost,” Lionel answers back, sounding much happier now that his room has been air conditioned and sterilized, “a few crucial elements and we’ll be in full operation”
“He’s making sure his clamps aren’t touching his scalpels.” Remilia added in a bored, droning voice.
“I have a system!” Lionel yelled back in indignation “Life and death can be the difference of fumbling for the tweezers.”
“Suuuuuure,” Remilia remarked, “that’s why it took you twenty minutes to adjust the TV stand just right.”
“As fascinating as this is, I’m going on patrol.” Jeremy interrupted the two, standing up to fill high and jumped down to the old train platform. “I’ll be back… whenever.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get yourself killed, or Granny Kaida will kill you” Remila responded, and Jeremy responded with a chuckle. He bounded off into the hills, scanning into the reaching shadows of the night.
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Post by Vayle Cameo on May 25, 2019 9:22:05 GMT
Vayle frowned as she stepped through the senkaimon, the world penetration gate, putting two sandaled shoes down onto the pavement with an irritated expression. The wooden gates snapped behind her with a 'thud', as her hell butterfly wandered off to enjoy the night for the moment.
"Sigh... I'm starting to wonder if these assignments are meant to be some elaborate joke secretly planned by Captain Iba that I just don't understand." Vayle whined, brushing the hair out of her eyes. "That, or he dislikes me."
"Oooor maybe he trusts you to do these kinds of assignments."
Vayle frowned. "right. okay. alright. but counter-point" Vayle would respond, holding up a small spirit lantern that she had pinned to her belt. "...I do not want to go trompsing around some abandoned mine for a hollow survey. Bare minimum this is going to be a boring few days. If I'm notlucky - it's going to be some horrifying and tough fights.
"and that's why you brought your favorite sword to watch your back for you."
"...You just refuse to let me stay mad, don't you?"
Mahoutsukai's response was a giggling fit, as Vayle continued towards the mines. It wasn't long before something unexpected entered her mind.
"...Hold on. Why is there... humans?" Vayle would ask. Taking a deep breath, she planted her feet and held out her hands. after a moment, a violet glow suffused the ground, before pulling up several white threads.
"...1,2,3... plus my own." Vayle would note, looking between the ribbons. "Hopefully, this isn't some terrorist group or a quincy, or something... Either way, looks like my job's been made a little more difficult."
Vayle took a deep breath, letting her energy turn loose as she grew nearer to the town. She wanted to meet them, so there was no point hiding like some rat.
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Post by Jeremy Amari on May 25, 2019 10:36:45 GMT
With the moon his only companion for the moment, Jeremy kept a close eye to his surroundings. He gripped his shotgun at his side, his arms and legs tight like spring ready to aim him toward whatever appeared. But beyond the occasional false alarm from an owl, he was alone. It was pleasant, actually, and beside getting away from the two dorks back at the farm house he was hoping this patrol would let him take in the cold night. He let out a sigh, grateful for this moment.
Then he felt it. An immense energy came into the world, piercing the calm of the night. It displaced his sense, like a heavy blanket covering him. It was stronger than any hollow he had ever since he joined the Silver Swords. He had not felt anything this powerful since he could peer into the supernatural. Just like…
Jeremy felt a wave of hatred wash over him, his knuckles turning white as he thought about that day.
“Remilia, Lional-”
“Yeah, we felt it.” Remilia interrupted, worried and uncharacteristically serious.
“We should wait for back-up. Alex and Kaida will be back soon and-”
“No” Jeremy shot him down as fury took him. “If this thing is a threat, then I’m the closest one who can stop it. I’ll report as soon as it see it.” There was a pause, everything’s mind thinking over what could possibly be happening. But they knew their duty came first.
“Don’t be stupid, Jeremy” Remilia replied. Jeremy didn’t answer as he rushed off.
He moved through the terrain like lightning, guided by purpose. Was this a powerful hollow finally showing itself? Was this the one he swore to kill? Or maybe something else. He made it to an outcrop, looking over a road into town. He pulled his pistol out, looking through its scope to spy down on where the source of pressure was coming from.
The human was left stunned by what he saw. Not some horrid monster, but rather a girl. Black hair framed a striking face, dressed in a black kimono with what looked to be a katana at her belt. She stood out so much from the western land around her. And yet she was certainly the power he felt.
Jeremy lowered his weapon as he laid low to cover, thinking back to what he was told by Kaida. Was this a ferryman of the dead? A Shinigami? And what was one doing here?
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Post by Vayle Cameo on May 25, 2019 11:21:37 GMT
Vayle looked around, as she felt something nearby. It had taken her this long to find it, but it was a relatively strong presence, for a human - very similar to Estrella's, when the two had first met. High-spec, for certain. Still, Vayle wasn't the best at sensing, and so was forced to look around for her target. Sighing, she'd look around. "Could you come out-I don't have time actually." Vayle corrected herself, scratching her head. Then, the death god disappeared in a blur, ping-ponging around the area at high speeds before stopping, right behind the new target she was looking for.
A skull-masked man dressed in black armor and covered in bullets and equipment. Vayle's first thoughts went to Revenant, and his gear, and her left hand instinctively brushed Mahoutsukai's hilt. The confusion lasted only a second, though. The man's reiatsu was similarly devoid of shinigami energy, but it lacked the all-consuming rage and hatred that flowed through Revenant's. Moreover, Revenant's was - Vayle hated to say bigger, exactly, but much more violent and uncontrolled. Like a typhoon.
Vayle moved her hand away from her Kodachi's hilt, and sat down, behind the human.
"You can see me, then." Vayle would finally say. "...Let's talk. I'd like to know what a human is doing investigating a deserted mining town, dressed with enough gear to kill off a hollow."
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Post by Jeremy Amari on May 25, 2019 11:52:51 GMT
As the shinigami seemingly teleported around, Jeremy was floored. This was stronger than anything he has faced before. He swung around, trying to find her again under the scope again until he heard her voice behind him. He frozen solid, dread overtaking him and a sense of hopelessness dragging at him. He knew he would not win, a single twitch in the wrong direction and he’d be cut down. Could he wound her? Maybe, but to what end? He sighed, and slowly holstered the weapon in his hand.
He turned over to the woman, who commanded the scene despite her size. Stern and fierce. Rather cute, but not really his type. At least she seemed reasonable, otherwise he’d be dead right now.
Jeremy reached slowly for the edge of his helmet, pressing a button that turned the comms on before sliding it off to reveal his face. At least, the others will hear their conversation.
“You’ve figured out yourself. I’m here to hunt down hollow. There’s been strange rumors about sounds coming down those mines. I was going to look into it, until you showed up.” He answered mostly truthfully. He tried to look stoic, but he couldn’t help but look to away.
“The name’s Jeremy. I figure you’d want to know that too.”
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Post by Vayle Cameo on May 25, 2019 12:47:32 GMT
Vayle pressed two fingers against her forehead for a moment, breathing in and out. "You came here to hunt down hollows too. And you got here first, despite using only human tools. What the hell is the SRDI doing?"
Then, after a couple seconds, she took stock of the man in front of her. He was definitely strong for a human, but she imagined he might have trouble if there was more than a few hollows down there. still... she couldn't say she wouldn't appreciate the back-up. At least, assuming he wasn't going to be a liability. On the other hand, humans were strong-willed, impulsive beings. she'd rather bring him along then prevent his progress, only to find him as an obstacle or even an enemy later down the line. At the least, if he got in trouble together with him...
Oh, come on, Vayle, 'humans are impulsive.' Cameo. You'd do the same thing in his position and you know it." Mahoutsukai whispered.
Vayle chose to extend a hand rather than approach the comment. not because she didn't have a rebuttal. Because Jeremy's statement deserved an answer. for sure.
"The name's Vayle. Vayle Cameo. I'm a death god assigned to the same assignment. If you want to clear that mine, it'd be best if you did it with me. assuming there really are hollows down there."
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Post by Jeremy Amari on May 26, 2019 6:16:28 GMT
Jeremy gave a small smirk as it seemed like the death god was looking annoyed with the fact that he and his team had arrived here before she did. Although his knowledge on the afterlife’s capabilities was limited to Kaida’s whimsy, the matriarch of Blue Team was cryptic about the after-life even at the best of time. But he could guess that these death gods vastly underestimated humans and their capabilities, and in honesty he liked it that way.
This did lead to the question of if she could be trusted to meet the others. He didn’t like the idea of showing his hand, but Vayle seems sincere. There was something about the look on her face, those unwavering eyes, that spoke of honesty. Having her at their side would be a great boon. And if this was a trick, well…
He put his hand on his hip as he looked at the hand, as if looking for a buzzer, then enthusiastically grabs for the hand and shakes it. “Sounds like a good offer to me. Just need to introduce you to the team, and we’ll be good. I’m sure Lionel would love to show off what humans can do”
He then quickly changed the handshake to a very chummy side hug, holding Vayle obnoxiously close and walking towards the farmhouse. Better to slip a hidden tracker onto the death god’s uniform. “‘Sides, I think you’ll like them. Are you a fan of chili? I think we still have a bowl left in the fridge. I was going to eat it myself but that wouldn't be neighborly of me now would it?" he babbled as he drags her off.
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Post by Vayle Cameo on May 26, 2019 11:48:58 GMT
Vayle would raise an eyebrow and grin as Jeremy gave her a look of distrust. She was happy to see that her handshake was taken so readily.
"Introduce me to the team, huh? Those'd be the other human signatures I sensed on the way here." Vayle would say, scratching lazily at the side of her head, before taking a deep breath. At once, violet energy was drawn back into her body, as Vayle's reishi shifted, lowering to roughly Jeremy's own. "...Alright then. By all means, lead me where ya wanna go." she'd add, making sure to hold that reishi down. it wasn't necessarily the easiest task for her - her reiatsu had shot up quite a bit recently, and learning to suppress a bunch of new power all at once took some doing - but she should be all right for what they were doing so far.
Hopefully, his team wasn't waiting with some clubs and axes behind the door, or something.
"...Actually, I've only ever had chili once. I'd be interested in trying another bit of it while I'm in the living world." Vayle would reply cheerfully. "...So, uhhh... This might be a bit insensitive to ask, but are you disfigured under that helmet and it's a statement, or something?" She'd ask, looking over the odd skull design. "looks kinda like a hollow at a passing glance, though..."
Vayle would shrug, thinking of the Revenant with a sigh of irritation. "...I guess you could have worse armor on."
At the same time, Vayle was very watchful as the odd man decided to go with a very close hug as he walked. hopefully, this guy was just weird - I mean, the only other high spec human she knew was Estrella, and while she was probably one of her best friends, the human was definitely weird. Alternately...
"He'll notice you checking, but he won't notice me~" Mahoutsukai stated with a cheerful tone. "I'll make sure he doesn't plant anything dangerous."
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Post by Jeremy Amari on May 27, 2019 6:37:59 GMT
Jeremy grows a little quiet as Vayle asks about the skull helmet and its purpose. Although his face was untouched, at the mention of disfigurement he felt a sudden itch at his chest. Where a acid bolt hit him all those years ago. He scratched at his black armor instinctively for a moment, then pulled away as he realised what he was doing.
“Disfigured, not so much” He say, letting go of the death god’s shoulders for a moment. “Humans can’t see Hollow normally, other than people like me. Can’t sense them at all, unless they literally touch them. And by then it's too late. If a Hollow attacks a populated area, most people won’t know they might still be in danger.” He looks at the skull, the malice it it’s eyes still clear even without the glowing lights. “And sending in plain soldiers brings raises questions in the public that might jeopardize our mission.”
“But as this,” he plants a thumb to his armor, “people can see this and they know to run. They can connect the danger to the monster, even if it’s only a facsimile. We can fight the hollow in peace, and if there is anyone that sees us then it’s not obvious it’s human in costumes. Although it does have its drawbacks…” He rolls his eyes back in as he remembers one plucky shopkeep getting him with a twelve gauge.
Other than that, this Vayle girl seems alright. Of course, the hope was the others would like her too.
----
A pleasant walk back to the house lead the two to the rustic porch, Jeremy looking a little nervous as he peaks through the windows. Dusty rooms with simple furniture and chipping paint. No Lionel or Remilia in sight, and since the van wasn’t here neither Alex nor Granny Kaida had returned yet.
“I should go in first.” the human announces a little louder than needed, knocks on the door, and walks in. Once inside he looks around to see the two younger members peeking down from the stairs, looking nervous. Although Remilia was holding on to Alex’s large hammer, he knew that if she really wanted to fight she would have done so in her armor with her sniper rifle.
“Well?” the blue haired teen asked. “We felt the presence go away, but you were talking to someone over the radio”
“She’s outside” Jeremy thumbed behind him. “I think she’s on the level.”
“Hmmph!” Lionel grunts as he crosses his arm, bravely marching down the stairs as if he owned the place. “Even if she is, I wouldn’t want to deal with her. If she thinks she can look so lowly on us, then she can rightly get-” Any words the child doctor had died as he saw Vayle on the other side of the door frame, freezing in place, turn blush, giving a few stammers of what he was going to say, then bolts. Jeremy is left confused, even after a cry of “I left something in the lab!” follows a few seconds after.
”Well then,” Remilia comes down, looking as regal as she always tries, flipping her blue hair and giving a smile to the death god “A pleasure to meet you, I assure you”
“Right then” Jeremy finally recovers “Lets gets you situated.”
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Post by Vayle Cameo on May 27, 2019 14:18:53 GMT
Vayle studied Jeremy's face intently as he explained his reasoning. Compared to Estrella, the only other human she'd really met, this man was... a lot more thoughtful. a lot more reflective. It was interesting to see his methodology, and his thought process. It also gave her relief. This man was no monster - he was someone honestly trying to do the right thing and protect people from hollows. he didn't fight to kill hollows, he fought to save them.
Vayle gave him a smile. In a world filled with so many people that seemed to fight hollow for sport, or raw emotions, or just as another problematic part of their job...
It was nice to see someone that seemed to be in it for altruistic reasons.
---
"So, you called these guys your team, right?" Vayle would ask, looking to the group as she walked in, one holding onto a large hammer. For some reason, Vayle felt an odd desire to grasp onto it, hold it for a little...
"vayle if you cheat on me with that hammer we are getting a divorce." Mahoutsukai piped up.
"We're not married, dummy."
"We are together till death do us part, though!"
Vayle put a hand on her chest and did her best to ignore the gentle fluttering that went through it and focus on the team around her. Overall, none of them felt quite abnormal, which was... actually pretty abnormal for her. they gave off the impression of being powerful humans, but that really was about all. And they were definitely a bunch of jokers, except...
Well, she couldn't figure out what was up with the Lionel kid. One moment, she was having to deal with a confrontation. The next, he just disappeared with a quick exit to the conversation.
"The name's Vayle. Vayle Cameo." The shinigami explained. "20th seat Squad member of the 7th division of the 13 court guard squads. Death god, for short." Vayle would give a short formal bow. "I'm suppressing that power for the moment - it's not too difficult for anyone with a little training in how to control energy to do the same, even humans. I'd be willing to show you later, if you're unfamiliar with the skill."
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