damned_institute | Day 25: Sun Room (Fourth Shift)

The concept of gardening in the greenhouse was not one that Hitsugaya was particularly fond of. It was likely exceptionally warm inside, whereas the young captain had a preference for cold climates. He also needed to make himself available for anyone who happened to want to speak with him. The sun room overall seemed the best choice.

As a warm and cheerful nurse led him into the sunroom, he glanced around. At the moment he was the first one there, which was good, as it meant he could keep an eye out for one of the many individuals who had expressed curiosity about the 'arts and crafts' division. It also meant he could watch out for Omi or this Hellsing woman. He excused himself from the nurse and proceeded to a seat that gave him a good view of the entrance. If not for the fact that he was being held here against his will, he might have felt happy. Real rice. He hadn't had time to eat as much as he had hoped, what with his meeting with Mustang, but he still ate a lot more than he'd had the opportunity previously. Even Momo seemed to be acting more like normal.

As unpleasant as the day had begun, it was turning out to be a good day.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fox quickly went through his limited japanese vocabularity in an attempt to identify the word 'zanpakuto', but didn't come up with anything. It was probably something unique to whatever world Hitsugaya came from.

"I spoke with Renji the other night, he said that guns and modern weapons are used in your world, but gave me the impression that you don't often encounter opponents that use them," There were a few other things that Renji had said that made Fox curious.

"He also said that the weapons you used in your world..." Fox searched for a moment for an appropriate word, before deciding on a different tactic.

"When I-" He almost said 'when I was alive', but quickly changed words, "was at home, I used something called a High Frequency Blade, it's made of metal, but it's far superior to any other type of blade. I doubt that what you use is similar to that, but I'm curious what these zanpakuto are if they're that different from a normal weapon forged from metal," He was always looking for ways to improve his own technique, and always willing to learn about other styles of fighting.

Guns and modern weapons might be used in the human world, but in soul society they were worthless. No bullet made could pierce a Hollow's hide, despite the 12th division's best efforts. "Abarai-fukutaicho was correct," Hitsugaya answered. "While they exist, they aren't very effective in our line of work." Not to mention the simple fact that only a zanpakuto could cleanse a Hollow of its impurities.

Of course, his question about the zanpakuto was a little more direct, and there wasn't an easy way around it. "Zanpakuto are..." he paused for a moment, trying to find the words that would be believable. "Metals aren't used in the forging of a zanpakuto. A zanpakuto isn't something you're likely to make or find in any other world, because it's unique to my organization. It's made from reiatsu...the power of a shinigami's spirit essence."

He remained silent then, waiting for Fox to respond. He didn't want to press too deeply into the nature of his sword, not because he didn't want to share what he was, but because he missed it terribly. The thought of its absence tore at him softly, and the lack of the heavy frigid weight on his back left him feeling naked.

Fox wondered what sort of line of work he was in that guns and modern weapons were of no use, but the later explanations began to make sense. Spirit essence.

"Spirit essence..." with the mention of 'spirit' he did manage think of something that couldn't be hurt by bullets. Ghosts.

"What is a shinigami?" This was all very interesting to Fox, and he was sure that Para-medic would have had a field day over this. It was strange the way he was becoming increasingly nostalgic for the original members of FOXHOUND, and the people he had known before then.

Talking about shinigami was less painful than talking about zanpakuto. "Shinigami very roughly translates into english as 'Death God.' Our duty is to protect the balance between the realm of the living and the dead, usually by cleansing evil spirits called 'Hollows' and bringing bringing good spirits from the living world to the world of spirits." Again, he wished Rukia were here. It would be easier to explain with her ungodly awful drawings.

Fox just calmly absorbed that for a moment. "From what I've heard about my own world, such things aren't a problem. There was a soldier who could supposedly speak with the ghosts of soldiers, they aided him in battle during the second world war. But very few people believe in ghosts," He couldn't help but give Hitsugaya a slightly morbid grin. For the longest time Fox had lived with the policy that since death smiled at everyone, he might as well smile back.

"What is the 'world of spirits' like?" Fox was curious, perhaps more so than he would have been before two failed attempts at reaching the after life.

He listened to the man's example with a small measure of pleasure. It meant, if nothing else, that he would likely be believed. "In my world, the only ghosts that would linger were either those who are bound to some object or person that keeps them there, or the Hollows...and hollows live only to devour strong souls. If this soldier could speak to ghosts, he had to have strong spiritual power." The grin was a little morbid, but nothing worse than Kenpachi's creepy battle-hungry grin. And the humor of the moment struck him, as well. He smirked slightly, one of the few near-smiles he'd made since arriving at landel's.

"The world of spirits is a lot like the living world," he said in an almost ho-hum fashion. "Although most technology is a few centuries behind the living world. Some people have been dead long enough to be very...behind the times." He shrugged slightly at this. "I was only alive for a year at most, and very rarely spend time there now. As a captain, I only go in matters of dire urgency. Kuchiki Rukia would likely be the best to give you a comparison. Of all of us, she's spent the most time among the humans."

He noted Matsumoto's smile and wave. He really did need to get her report from her. That and Sora's, if he happened to have a chance. There were far too many people he needed to talk to.

"I hate to cut this short, but I'm still missing a report from last night's activities, and the leader of that team is currently available." He stood and bowed respectfully to Fox. "Fox-san, I appreciate your efforts. Thank you."

"It sounds like an interesting place, I've always believed the afterlife in my world to be similar, but never actually managed to get there. Thank you," It was nice to know that, at least in one world, there was a nice afterlife to look forward too.

Fox got up as well and returned the bow.

[Moving here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/143962.html?thread=9717850#t9717850)]

Day 25: Sun Room (Fourth Shift)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject