>>44522463
The Shinigami pauses once more. When he continues, his tone is strict, lacking even a single note of the casualness present throughout the previously cheerful evening.

"...I think you need to make your mind up about what you're gonna do with it, Ryouta. You either tell everyone that you can't feel jack shit about them and save them and yourself the trouble... or you try your damn best to pretend that you do. I'm not telling you to be an actor or some crap, to laugh at people's jokes or put up smiles of bullshit politeness - that's not what 'feeling' is about, Ryouta. I think it's about doing your best for the people that care about you more than anything else. Do you get it?"

You nod again. It's not that you necessarily 'get it', but you do understand. You're not sure how to continue the conversation from there, and Ryuu makes no effort to, silently looking around, thinking.

"...Well, let's go back in, Ryouta. It's kind of late. Mind if I stay the night here?"

There are plenty of unoccupied rooms in your large house, so there shouldn't be a problem with that.

...

>>44522482
As you prepare to go to sleep, your adoptive mother enters your room, smiling meekly.

"Ryouta? Can I sleep here tonight?" She asks. You don't really mind, but you can't help asking why. "I spilled some tea on my futon. I can't sleep on it when it's like that..."

"Why not use another futon?"

"W-well, you know how my room is, Ryouta! There are books all over the place! There's no space to fit it anywhere..." She chuckles a little bit as she heads to your closet and takes another futon out. You help her set it down on the floor. Shiori doesn't seem happy with where you place it at first, so with her guidance, you move it around until it eventually ends up near your own futon. "There! That's perfect!"

You lie down underneath the warm sheets, and, after your mother does the same, turn off the lights. After a short while, you hear something.

"Ryouta, are you asleep?" Shiori whispers. You mutter a 'no', so she continues. "I'm... really happy that you've made a friend." Her hushed tone manages to sound nearly gleeful. "He seems like a good guy, so... Well, I just wanted you to know that. Goodnight, Ryouta."

...

>"I think you should know something..."
>"...Goodnight."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>44522493
>"...Goodnight."

>>44522493
>"I think you should know something..."

>>44522493
>"I think you should know something..."

>>44522526
We can at least talk to our mom about it.

>>44522493
>"I think you should know something..."
Ryouta feels something towards his mom right? Tell her there's something wrong with us because she's the only thing that makes him feel anything

>>44522675
Yeah I'm pretty sure she's the reason why he felt strange when asked about killing the people of soul society.

>>44522675
I'll second this

If nothing else than I don't want to end up like that one autist from shitpudding

I swear if we're a displaced zanpakuto spirit or a hokioku fragment or something... Well it may be interesting, but I'll be pretty grumpy about it at first.

As long as the story's good and we have agency in the choices and can sway events one way or the other I'm game. It'll be different in the least.

Welcome back Mush, glad to be playing again!

>>44522493
Voting over, writing!

so how was everyone's new year?
Also Yoruichis birthday was yesterday.

>>44523641
Pretty good. Got nice and drunk with a few friends.

>>44522542
>>44522675
>>44522576
"I think you should know something..." You begin. As you speak up, the soft rustling of the sheets stops abruptly. You're not sure how to explain it. It should be easy enough, but for some reason, you feel hesitant.

"What is it, Ryouta?" She prompts you to continue with a worried whisper.

"I... don't really feel anything." You say. The dark room grows completely silent.

"You mean..?" Shiori mutters, sitting up in her futon and looking your way. Once again, you're not sure how to explain, but her tone makes it seem like she understands what you're talking about. "It's not that I... didn't notice it, Ryouta... You never seemed bothered by it, so I decided not to point it out... Was I wrong? I'm sorry..."

"No, you weren't wrong."

So she knew. And she isn't wrong. You were never bothered by it. It makes sense that you wouldn't be, doesn't it? Even when you were talking about it with Ryuu, it felt easier to admit that you can't feel instead of trying to pretend otherwise. But right now, it does feel... frustrating.

"It's... not really a problem for me, Ryouta. You are who you are, and... I don't mind it this way, as long as you don't. I love you for who you are. You're my son, but... I guess this isn't really about me..." She says, her voice quivering slightly. "I thought that taking care of you like any mother would... would be enough. I couldn't think of any other solution, so I... well, it looks like that wasn't the right answer..." Shiori mutters. The room grows silent again. "The truth is, I'm not sure how... something like that can be solved. I'm sorry, Ryouta. I took too long to realize that it wasn't working..."

...Did you hurt her by pointing it out?

"You weren't doing anything wrong." You say. "It really is just me."

(1/2

>>44523729
"There's nothing wrong with you, Ryouta. That's what I believe. You can't help it, so there's nothing to feel bad about, either. It's... not that you aren't trying. I can tell, I really can. And as long as you keep doing that... there's nothing wrong with you."

...You think you do feel something for her. Or perhaps this is just that same frustration coming from your inability to do precisely that. It's frustrating that you can't return her feelings despite everything.

What have you joined the Shinigami for? There was plenty of food and water here. You weren't needy, like countless people in the farthest districts are. You didn't need to do any work at all. All you had to do was read with your mother. Maybe if you really could feel something, you wouldn't leave her alone.

You joined them because you thought that it was the 'appropriate' thing to do. But that work that teaches to kill your emotions now only gets in the way of any progress you might make, doesn't it? You feel like you might only learn something by spending your time here, in Shiori's company. Of course, you're not sure if that's true.

And you can't quit being a Shinigami anymore. Even trying to might be dangerous. You're involved in someone else's affairs now. Of course, you don't think you care about yourself. But... there's someone else in your life, isn't there? You feel she might be your only link towards that 'happiness' that Ryuu has talked about.

It's frustrating, but nothing can be done about it now.

>Pick a skill to improve during the rest period.

...

>1/3 Demon Magic+
>0/3 Shunpo+
>0/3 Presence Concealment+
>0/3 Sixth Sense+

Current Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/zN2M6hxW

>>44523747
>0/3 Shunpo+

>>44523747
>1/3 Demon Magic+
Oi why didn't we tell her she's the exception

>>44523747
>0/3 Shunpo+

>>44523747
>>0/3 Shunpo+

>>44523787
Was wondering that, but i think OP was wanting either prompting or theres something else at work.


Either way, we need to maybe do some meditation or something. Next break we get should probably be a short visit to mom and then try to fix ourselves.

>>44523747
>0/3 Shunpo+
>>44523787
Yeah that was the intention behind my vote.

>>44523747
>1/3 Demon Magic+

>>44523851
Hopefully we can tell her before we leave again.

>>44523747
>1/3 Demon Magic+

Also going to pitch this out here that we should offer to investigate other squads by "infiltrating" them as a member of the 12th to get a better idea for what kinds of technology may be able to help them best. Sort of a research and observe thing that may give us a chance to develop some additional skills and maybe even form a social link other than pissing off Ryuu and his dark hadou zanpakuto.

>>44523747
Voting over, writing!

>>44523920
I wanna start focusing on contacting you ur zanpakuto spirit. Might help us understand our nature a bit better.

>>44524016
our * zanpakuto
not sure what my autocorrect is trying to do right now

>>44524016
>>44524027
It's still unborn if not totally unconcieved.
We cannot try to contact something that hasn't formed yet in any capacity, but I don't really know how that whole thing is supposed to go normally anyway. This would be one to ask Urahara about since zanpakuto awakenings are a specialty of his.

Granted we don't know that, but it would be logical to assume that a captain, especially one we are able to talk with with some regularity, may know a thing or two about how to make your ghost sword talk to you.

unless our zanpakuto is just a mute

>>44524076
Pretty sure there's a spirit when you get the blade. It's just forming a bond and increasing your own skills that let you speak to it. Since we don't do combat and stress out our best bet is meditation, something that should come easier to us than most I think.

But it's risky, since .. if I'm not mistaken we must fight the spirit and every cut we take there is a cut we receive physically. It will only recognize us if we defeat it.

>>44524076
Isent a zanpakuto a portion of your soul in essence?
I doubt its a case of not being concieved, just we havent developed in the right ways to contact it.

>>44524150
Does the fight for dominance really happen with everyone's zanpakuto?

>>44524215
Might depend, some zanpakuto might not be part hollow and trying to eat their hosts soul to have a body.

>>44524158
It imprints on you and is a blank at the start. Through constant contact and strong emotions it eventually does become a portion or reflection of your soul.

Those two clauses for making it awaken and form is what make me think that we may not even have a spirit yet since we re very akin to a blank ourselves.

>>44524215
Probably not, but it did for Ichigo (whos sword was actually a hollow and had a quincy highjack it who wanted to kill him or at least force him away from the reaper lifestyle.

So everyone uses that as a standard now.
Bankai on the other hand, while not always a fight, does require that the weilder prove themselves and overcome their zanpakuto in some capacity.

>>44523851
>>44523805
>>44523785
The next morning, you give Shiori the books you've bought for her in New York. She seems really happy to receive them, to the point of setting the book she was reading up until then aside until she goes through yours. You try to spend as much time as you can together with her, and, just like always, all that really involves is reading and discussing literature with her. There's still a lot of catching up for you to do in that area, as you've been absent for quite a while since last time.

When it comes to chores, you can't really take anything over for her or help her with anything, as the servants do all of the work, but you try your best to be convenient whenever you can.

You don't get much training done, but it probably doesn't matter. Your work doesn't involve fighting Hollows if you don't want to, so you think it's fine.

It's hard to tell, but something seems unusual. You sometimes find your mother staring at the page of an open book you gave her instead of reading it, but when you ask her about it, she denies it and gets back on track. She's been eating a lot less than she usually does. It's not a problem for her as a spirit without spiritual powers, but it's still unusual. Shiori tends to frequently snack while reading books...

It's been about three weeks. You've received a Hell Butterfly from the 12th with an order for you to return to the Seireitei. You haven't been given the precise length of your vacation, so they must have work for you to do.

"So soon..?" Shiori mutters when you tell her about it.

You gather your things, and... it's time to go. Over those three weeks, you don't think anything's changed about you.

You should say goodbye, but... why is it so difficult to pick the words?

...

>Tell Shiori goodbye. (Write-in).

>>44524266
It's still worth working on if we get a chance before our next mission. Definitely need some advice first though.

>>44524311
Thanks for always being such a great mom. One day I will return your feelings as strongly as you feel them for me. You already make me feel more than anything else in the world.

>>44524311
Maybe apologize for being difficult, and try to convey that she's the main reason we even notice what's wrong with us, and anyone else would be really grateful to have her as a mother.

>>44524393
This. Damn, these feels.

>>44524311
Anyone else worried that Shiori is nearing whatever arbitrary limit determines how long spiritually weak plusses stay in the seireitei?

>>44524311
I still love you in my own way. I'll come back as soon as I can. Please don't worry too much about me.

>>44524527
Maybe.
It'll be shit if its the case.
though i think its more likely she just in a bit of a downer since her feelings arn't being returned.

>>44524393
This. Maybe say something about how it will be nice to actually have a goal or something we want from life.

>>44524311
Voting over, writing!

>>44524393
It's almost like you want her to die a tragic death while we're on our next mission

>>44524311
"I know you've already done a lot for me, for a long time as well, but could you please not give up on me?"

>>44524266
>>44524215
>Though a Zanpakutō Spirit's personality is also influenced by the soul of their master, they possess their own thoughts, feelings, opinions, and desires, which may differ from their master's to varying degrees.

>Additionally, Zanpakutō Spirits are unwilling to teach their masters new techniques, and will engage them in battle in order to determine whether or not they are worthy

>Jinzen Sword Meditation: This method is the only way to carry on a proper conversation with one's Zanpakutō. One places their sword over their lap, takes a meditative pose, and forces their mind to become one with the Zanpakutō.

>In this form, one can call out the true form of the powers of their Zanpakutō. It has been refined over thousands of years, since the beginning of Soul Society, to allow one to commune with their Zanpakutō. This advanced form of training is far different from attaining abilities by force. In this form, one enters a state of calm to enter the inner world of the Zanpakutō and engage them there. In this state, a wielder will have to fight their Zanpakutō spirit in order to attain access to new abilities. Unwilling to teach its owner these abilities, the Zanpakutō spirit engages its wielder in a battle, the likes of which has never taken place before.

>In this meditative state, one is so deeply entranced, even sustained wounds are ignored.[40] Any form of injury sustained in the inner world while in this meditative state is reflected in the real world.

>all of the Zanpakutō Spirits shared certain personality traits and fighting styles with their masters, but ultimately had their own personality

>As stated, a Zanpakutō is a being unto itself, and tends to be highly temperamental. Its mood is determined by how it is treated by its Shinigami and its overall personality.

Seems to be common to fight your spirit then, and us not feeling anything doesn't mean we're or our sword is a blank. If anything he/she might be feisty.

>>44524709
Maybe we'll actually feel something then.

>>44524729
I'm picturing a really bubbly and dramatic zanpakuto now and it will be hilarious

>>44524753
Would be an interesting contrast if our Zanpakuto is a petite girl not unlike our mom and very, very full of life and jumpy. And it's overprotective and won't be willing to give us new abilities. Would be interesting to theorize why she's like that when she's a part of our soul.

>>44524311
>thank you for everything mother, I hope to see you again soon. Until then keep well. If there's anything I can do for you until then please send for me.

Hard to have feels or make this non awkward with out established character traits

So do you guys think we could take a break from leveling Analytical Mind for a while? Like until our lack of it places us in mortal peril?

It seems like strengthening it might deaden our emotions even more than they already are, and that just seems like it'd get irritating to play as.

>>44524954
I don't think we've become any less emotional by leveling it up. I do wanna work on other stats though.

>>44525003
I don't know, I'm a bit wary of the (analytical mind+) prompts. Like we got a plus for saying that we couldn't feel anything but was that the case for our character before we said it?

Like the last time we got that option of a bonus was when Urahara talked to us about culling the rukongai and the stat increase would be saying that we weren't uneasy at all with doing that. What I'm wondering though is that if we did vote for that option, would it have been true?

>>44525091
It is true, except for killing Shiori

>>44525106
But would that have still bothered us, or would we have killed that piece of feeling as well?

>>44524817
It would probably be something like that. Our strongest feeling is protectiveness toward Shiori and at least a desire to love her.

>>44524393
>>44524472
>>44524532
"Ryouta?" Your mother's voice knocks you out of your tense contemplation. You've been standing by the door for quite a while. She's stopped smiling and now looks concerned. Shiori approaches you and puts her palm on yoru forehead. "Are you feeling well?"

"I..." You start. Shiori steps back, her hands together as she looks up at you from her shorter stature. "I'm sorry."

Her small mouth quivers at first, but her lips stop shaking when she curves them into a smile. "Ryouta, there's really nothing you should feel sorry about-"

"I'll... do whatever it takes to return your feelings properly. That's what I want to do. And I'm... really grateful to you for making me feel that way."

The rigid smile doesn't last after hearing that. The corners of her mouth stoop down helplessly, her lower lip trembling. Shiori blinks her glistering eyes, but even so, tears still spill down her face. Feeling the futility of her efforts, she lets out a sob and steps closer, wrapping her arms around you.

"There's nothing wrong with you at all, Ryouta..." She mumbles through a sob. You wish it were true. You wonder how you could make it that way. "I love you..."

...You wish you could say the same.

Her frail body trembles in your arms. She eventually pulls back, calming down just enough to stop crying. Unfortunately, you still need to leave. You tell her that you'll be back as soon as you can, but... you don't know if that made her feel any better.

You hope it did.

...

>>44525427
But we did say we love her last time. I thought she was the only thing we really loved.

>>44525427
Urahara Kisuke gets in touch with you a few days after your return to the 12th Division barracks. He arranges a meeting at that same old room with the radars monitoring the Human World's spiritual signatures. It's not as private as his office, with researchers nearby making sure the displays are showing the correct data.

"Ah, Ryouta-kun. How was your break? Sorry for interrupting it so suddenly, but this is rather important." He says, smiling politely. "We think we've found our little demonologist. Do you remember your first mission? Whoever blocked communication back to Soul Society used Kido to do that. That's where we spotted him, someone using complicated Bakudo using physical paper in order to assist themselves."

You nod. You remember that well.

"Well, a Shinigami reports that they've found more paper tags with Kido symbols in Berlin. We're supposed to dispose of that human, but the problem is, we don't know the identity of our magician, so we've been asked to once again send you to investigate. You'll need to identify him." The blond researcher explains. His emphasis on 'they've asked' seems to imply that it's unrelated to the Hogyoku, so you ask him about it. He whispers his reply. "I'm not sure. It could be related. The human could be a Fullbringer who just happens to possess an ability similar to Kido... Or it could be an ability born from that human's desires. That, too, is for you to figure out, Ryouta-kun."

You nod again.

(2/3)

>>44525485
"It's Germany again, so that must be his general area of residence. Hopefully, he doesn't know that we're on his trail and gets no excuse to move elsewhere any time soon. So, that means that you can take your time to prepare, Ryouta-kun." He pats you on the shoulder. "But enough about that. Is everything alright with you? How goes your training? Anything you'd like to talk about?"

...

>"Everything is fine."
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
>Ask about your absence of emotions.
>Ask Urahara a different question. (Write-in).
>Other. (Write-in).

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>>44525471
>>44525427

>>44525507
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.

>>44525507
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.

>>44525507
>>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
>>Ask about your absence of emotions.

>>44525507
>>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
>>Ask about your absence of emotions.

>>44525507
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
>Ask about your absence of emotions.

>>44525507
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
>Ask about your absence of emotions.
The issues might be related

>>44525507
>Ask about your Zanpakuto.
Let's NOT talk to our boss about our emotional problems, especially since he's still really shady,

Keep that shit under the vest for now, maybe find a better audience.

>>44525604
Probably? but that's no reason to show vulnerability to everyone, especially not this guy. Besides do you really think he'll have meaningful advice?

>>44525610
It's already obvious that we're emotionless though.

>>44525638
Actually Urahara seems able to zero in on what makes us feel things, like with his moral conundrum, and that burst of fear we had earlier.

>>44525610
I can't really think of anyone else to talk to

>>44525507
Voting over, writing!

>>44525507
>ask about zanpakuto
This should be a relatively combat free mission it won't be. It's cult time but we will need to address this as soon as possible if the last few hollows we have encountered are any indication of what's to come down this path. We need a little firepower or at least the ability to run and hide better.

Also those unfeeling feels with mom.

>>44525427
Shit, I actually teared up a little bit.

>>44525913
we should use the hogyoku to gain the ability to love our mother

>>44525656
Master manipulator
Master villian
since he probably lost the fight with Aizen and is instead under his control subconsciously or something.

>>44525703
Then make effort to find someone.

"Becuase he's there" is not a good enough reason.

>>44526036
Why would you say that? Urahara is a good man, who knows our oldest friend. . .

>>44526058
I don't get your paranoia about this. Do you think he'll use our lack of emotion against us or something?

It's almost like we're an unimprinted zanpakuto spirit with a body...

>>44526140
He could decide we're psychologically unfit and remove us?

>>44526164
Sounds like we need to find someone were compatable with.

>>44526234
Being emotionless is actually a plus in our line of work. And he's known for a while that we're emotionless.

>>44526164
Then we would have imprinted on mom I'd wager.

>>44526036
you can't be a secret villian if you were the canon villian the whole time.

>>44526234
But it's a bonus... where did you pull that from?

>>44526269
Nope, she doesn't have the required spiritual power

>>44525610
>hey master ghost samurai who has achieved perfect communication with his sword, I am having trouble even talking or listening to mind. Dead on both ends. What do or did I get stuck with a still born?
At no point do we need to bring up any of our perceived problems and even if we did it wouldn't exactly be in character to say anything about it unless asked and then to simply respond with the truth.
Our emotionless state makes us top shelf at what we do. If we're so detached we can never get involved, risk the mission, or become emotionally compromised. We go at it like a robot fully analytical and to ensure the correct solution is found promptly and with as few expended resources as possible.

>>44525536
>>44525562
>>44525586
You tell the Captain about your issue.

"Really? Could have fooled me, Ryouta-kun. You do look like you react... sometimes. Though, now that I think about it some more..." He puts his hand on his chin. He then smiles, speaking in a joking tone. "Well! You almost had me, Ryouta-kun. If you can feel enough to be bothered by it, then surely you aren't as numb as you claim to be? But, at the same time... you were never one to joke around, either... So I guess you're serious."

He seems to be at a loss, too. But maybe he has a point in what he just said - you do feel frustrated at your disability; does that count? You kind of doubt it.

"I'm not sure what to tell you, Ryouta-kun. I don't think you should be written off as just a sociopath, and I'm not merely worried about the stigma attached to that diagnosis. My gut's telling me that there's more to it than that." He says, smiling cunningly again. "Do you wish to know why? Well, do you remember that blood sample I took from you a couple of years back, after your first mission? It's something special... an entirely new type of blood. And it's compatible with every other known type out there. Shinigami have no use for blood transfusions, but it's still interesting to know, isn't it?"

...It's certainly interesting to know, but it doesn't seem relevant. Is that why he believes there's something more to you? He nods at that question.

"I'd like to borrow more of your blood, if you don't mind. There are still a few tests I'd like to run. But let's take care of that later, shall we? There's a more pressing matter to take care of first." Urahara says. You nod and are about to take your leave, but he stops you. "I meant your apathy, not the mission, Ryouta-kun! Well... The only one who'd know where the root of such an issue lies would have to be your Zanpakuto. He's part of your soul, after all. You should ask him about it. It's probably your best bet."

(1/2)

>>44526615
...That's problematic, too. You explain the situation to him on that front. He frowns.

"Is that so? I was under the impression that you've already learned at least their name." Urahara mutters his assumption, and then asks you some questions to make sure that you weren't just lazing around. You meditate on a nearly daily basis to no avail, so that's not it. "Sorry, Ryouta-kun, I'm a little busy to tutor you in something like that myself."

You suppose it can't be helped.

"Well... Maybe another way could be to... Have a date with someone you really like?" He suddenly continues in a lowered tone of voice, still smiling. You're not sure where he's going with that. "Say, Ryouta-kun. You don't have anyone like that, do you? I... don't mean your mother, of course." He chuckles. Now you're at an even bigger loss. That's the only person that came to mind when he mentioned that idea, but a date with a parent doesn't sound appropriate. "What do you think about the Lieutenant?"

You shrug. You don't really feel anything towards her. On the contrary, she seems very displeased whenever she's in the company of you or any other Division member.

"Well, she's... been working for quite a while without a rest. She's too hard on herself, though in her state, I suppose it's unavoidable..." Urahara pauses for a bit. "But even so, her mental well-being is important, too. A fun distraction could help her feel a little better, don't you think? She despises me, so I don't think it'd end well if I were to ask her... but I don't think she has as strong of an opinion about you, Ryouta-kun, so maybe it'll work out. That way, both of you can be helped at the same time!"

You can't tell if he's joking.

...

>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."
>"I think I should just ask her for tips about my Zanpakuto, Captain."
>"I can't tell if you're joking, Captain."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>44526663
>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."
This is not what I was expecting.

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>>44526663
>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."

>>44526663
>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."

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>>44526663
>>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."

She's going to kick the living shit out of us.

>>44526663
>Meditate almost daily
Might have gotten the wrong impression, but doesn't it require a few days of constant meditation? At least at first? Not moving for almost a week.

>>44526663
>"I think I should just ask her for tips about my Zanpakuto, Captain."
I'm not sure I can handle the awkwardness

>>44526663
>>"If you really think that it might help, I'll ask her out on a date."
Set sail for hilarity, awkwardness, and beatings
By the end of it, Urahara will have gotten more than his money's worth of laughs out of that revenge.

>>44526802
I don't think Ryouta has the emotional intelligence required to feel shame or be beta. It's gonna be interesting for sure. also for some reason hiyori is one of my favorite bleach girls

>OPMlookofapathy.jpg
I am now more excited for this fresh hell than getting our sword active or our mission.

>>44526904
She's under appreciated to be sure, but Yoruichi still takes it for me.

Shame next update will probably be the last. Always seems that just as something gets cooking or planned it's over.

>>44526663
Voting over, writing!

>>44526780
It can take that much time when actually interacting with the spirit and trying to learn from it, but without being able to even enter your own inner world a single session doesn't need to last that long.

>>44526755
I think she'd be so unnerved by the fact we didn't care she was beating us to a pulp that she would stop.

>>44526615
>He's part of your soul, after all. You should ask him about it
Zanpakuto aren't necessarily the same gender as their wielder right? This implies he knows something about it somehow...

>>44527278
Zanpakuto can be anything
Humanoid
Devoid of gender
Giant spiders
Tiny pixies
Etc
And your inner world is much the same.

>"if I don't come back from this mission, tell my mother I said... "Hello"."

>>44527278
>>44527319
It's pretty rare for gender to diverge, I thought. Urahara has one of the rare examples.

>>44526615
I have no idea what this blood type stuff could possibly mean

>>44527655
what if kurotsuchi secretly made us just like he made nemu before he got banished?

>>44526716
>>44526755
>>44526740
"Really?" Urahara seems quite genuinely surprised by your agreement. "I'm grateful for your braver- I mean, for your kindness, Ryouta-kun. The mission can wait, you should just go to her right now, if you're... ready."

Why does he sound so ominous? There's nothing to really prepare for, you'll just have to ask the Lieutenant. Urahara smiles nervously after he explains where Hiyori might currently be, and then you take your leave.

You find the pig-tailed blonde walking down the street, alone, an apple in hand, and a scowl on her face. As you approach, you wonder if you should have bought something for her, like flowers or a box of chocolates. That's how that kind of thing usually goes, isn't it? ...Well, it's a bit late now.

"Lieutenant?" You call out, and the short girl stops, turning around. She's still chewing on her red apple, only lifting a brow as a prompt for you to continue. "Would you like to go on a date?"

With a sudden twitch, the girl closes her eyes, her jaws freezing midchew. After a short pause, she slowly swallows, and her free hand moves towards your collar, harshly clutching it and pulling you down to her height.

"Did you try ta make me choke, ya dickhead? Do you think that'd be funny or somethin', huh?!" Hiyori snarls. She reaches for her sword with her other hand, but then realizes that it's occupied by the apple. Have you said something wrong to warrant such a reaction? "Want me to teach you that it wasn't a funny fuckin' joke?"

That's not exactly the reaction you were expecting. "No, I-..."

(1/2)

>>44527719
Then we are probably fucked if he ever comes out of prison retirement.

>>44527764
You feel another pull at your collar. With a seemingly casual effort of her lone left arm, your feet leave the tiled ground, the sensation of gravity disappearing and then twirling along with your insides. Your back collides with the Seireitei's smooth floor, air violently forced out of your lungs. You think you managed to lose consciousness for a few seconds, but it's a little hard to tell. Your vision returns along with your regained grip on your center of gravity. The blonde Lieutenant is looking down at you, her apple nearly finished.

It seems that you really were out for a while, after all.

"Thought ya died. Ryouta, was it? Didn't take you for a joker." Hiyori says.

"I wasn't-" You try to speak up, but the remains of the fruit fall on your face. "...I wasn't joking."

Hearing that, the girl squats down. You're not sure if you can stand up yet, so you just stay where you are. Her brown eyes carefully examine your expression for some time. "Yeah, you don't look like you have a sense o' humor. And I'm not seein' anyone who does around here." She seems to have someone specific in mind. "...So, are you serious, Ryouta?"

You nod. She lets off a long sigh, seemingly unsure of what she should be doing next.

"I thought you were like an unfeeling robot or somethin', but I guess ya fell for me." She says, arriving at a conclusion. So she noticed, too? "...Though, you sure don't look like someone who fell for anyone, 'cept for maybe a bunch of stairs when you were a baby. Bet that's where your sense of humor went, along with some other things."

(2/3)

>>44527797
She stands up and offers you a hand, which you take as your permission to finally stand. "I can't ditch ya just as you're startin' to show a lil' bit of real human emotion, can I? It'd be depressing if ya kept on bein' a robot because of me. So... where the hell do ya wanna go? I'm doin' ya a favor here, so take me somewhere nice."

Seireitei has a lot of places to visit, though you've rarely paid them much mind. You spend most of your time working, training or resting at the barracks, and you're not entirely sure what girls like Hiyori enjoy doing in their free time.

...This choice seems somehow extremely important.

...

>Have dinner with Hiyori.
>Go to a bar with Hiyori.
>Go shopping with Hiyori.
>Go to the park with Hiyori.
>Go to a kabuki theater with Hiyori.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>44527839
>Go to the park with Hiyori.
Bring some food for a picnic. A little sake too

>>44527839
I suggest a bar come resturant. Someplace that does food and drink. Not inside the seireitei. Last thing thats going to improve her mood is other shinigami doing the chinease whispers.

After that we can take her to the theater if she's enjoying herself. Or switch the order around.

>>44527839
Hm, since she looks like a kid sill I think going to a bar could result in something that could result in pissing her off.

>>44527911
That sounds nice, but I don't know if she's the right person for that?

>>44527839
Bar seems like the most appropriate location given her personally. Theater is too boring, picnics and dinner are for squares, and shopping is too girly.
But a bar? Getting wasted and in a fist fight seems right up her ally.

Also it sets us up to meet Ryuu and co again and get them even more confused.


Oh and Urahara postponing work to troll for a laugh? 300% in character.

>>44527839
>Have dinner with Hiyori.
Fanciest place possible.

>>44527919
>Not inside the seireitei.
The Seireitei is huge! It'd take too much time to go to the Rukongai for something like this.

After all, why do you think going to Ryouta's house isn't an option?

>>44528016
I'm just afraid someone is gonna give Hiyori a hard time for seeming too short and flat to be at a bar, which would make her go berserk.

>>44528022
Just count it as a bar vote then please.

>>44528031
Im sure she would enjoy breaking someones face for fun.

>>44528031
>"what's the matter? Does the robot man like little girls? I bet that's what it is isn't it you filthy pervert. You're into that loli shit so you think that just because I'm flat and short I'm a good fit huh? I outta beat your face in you filthy pedo. Oh ho what's this? Face a little red? Getting hot under the collar of being called out? Well here I'll tell you a little secret..."
And then she throws us through several walls.

>>44527839
Voting over!

I think the general consensus seems to be a bar, or at least a place with drinks?

>>44528277
Sports bar or a decent restaurant with bar work.

This won't go well, but it may at least be good for a laugh.

>>44528277
I guess. I'd rather have a relaxed picnic so she doesn't assume we're trying to get her drunk to get in her pants or robe in this case.
>>44528299
Sports bars don't exist here I imagine

>>44528299
Bar is more her speed, any barman worth his face will know you dont NOT serve shinigami.

Anyone who makes a joke will be unwitting stress releif. All we have to do is not get in the way or try to treat her like less of a person for being short/female etc.

>>44528361
Unlikely for us to do unless it's taking something off of a shelf for her because we assume (correctly) she can't reach

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>>44528120
>face a little red

>Ryouta's fw anyone tries to talk shit about him

>>44528277
"Would you like to have a drink somewhere?" You suggest.

She snorts derisively. "Hmph! Who the heck invites a prim and proper lady to a bar on their first date? You suck at this, Ryouta." As you try to make another proposition, she shrugs and interrupts you. "But I bet this is your first date ever, so I guess I oughta go easy on ya. Let's go."

You're not exactly sure how that circling conclusion occurred, but you suppose you shouldn't argue with her too much, if at all. Maybe she actually didn't mind your suggestion? You find it kind of strange that she spoke up anyway.

You don't really know any good places, so after you point at the first bar you see and Hiyori says she doesn't like it, she takes the lead instead. You soon arrive at a rather stereotypical establishment with hardly patrons present, and the girl seems satisfied enough to sit down behind the counter and prompt you to sit next to her. You're curious about the difference between your choice of bar and the one she's settled on instead, to understand her preferences better, so you decide to ask her.

"I just felt like it. What do you care? You said ya don't give a damn." She's right. But the place you picked seemed somewhat popular, while this one is a little deserted. Does she prefer that kind of atmosphere? Hiyori's scowl deepens when you point that out. "Ya really wanna be surrounded and talked about by a buncha drunks or somethin'? Shut up about it already. Sheesh, if ya really wanted to go there, shoulda just said so. I don't really give a damn, either."

(1/2)

>>44529207
Your questions seem to be getting on her nerves, so you quiet down and order some drinks. Without a word, you chug down the first round along with your Lieutenant. The date proceeds in silence for several more rounds. Hiyori's ordering quite a lot. You eventually stop being able to keep up with her. The hour goes by in tense silence; from what you've gathered so far, conversation seems to make her angry, so you decide to wait until she starts to talk about something herself. Finally, the girl lets off an exasperated sigh and drops her pig-tailed head onto the counter.

"I'm hungry... Get me somethin' to snack on, Ryohta..." She stammers something that takes you a little time to understand. As you ask the bartender for some yakitori, Hiyori suddenly sits up straight, slowly spinning towards you on the stool. You think she's quite drunk.

"You're not into this at all, are ya? Not even tryin' ta flirt or... sayin' somethin' that young boys usually say on their first dates or... anything at all. Not that I want ya to do somethin' weird, you..." She seems to think about something mean to call you, but nothing comes to mind, so she gives up after a while. "...I'm so bored. You ain't here to date me, are ya? So whaddreya here for, Ryohta? I ain't gonna... get angry or anythin', so just come out an' say it, ya friggin' coward..."

...

>"The Captain is worried about you."
>"I do want to spend some time with you, Lieutenant."
>"I could use your advice with training."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>44529232
>"I could use your advice with training."
If we wanna get that Zanpakuto spirit thing sorted out, she /might/ be able to help.

>>44529232
Do our best attempt at flirting or compliment her or something

>>44529232
>>"I could use your advice with training."

>inb4 she's too drunk and thinks it's a sex thing

>>44529232
>"I do want to spend some time with you, Lieutenant."
>"I could use your advice with training."
If I can talk to my zanpakuto maybe our next date will be better. I wanna get in touch with my emotions that way

>>44529232
>"I could use your advice with training."

"I've been having trouble feeling things, and was told that my zanpakuto would be able to help me figure out why, but I've had no luck with it either.
Also, and I apologize if this causes offense, I'm getting the impression that both of us could use practice dealing with other people."

>>44529302
>>44529349
these

>>44529232

These
>>44529349
>>44529302

>>44529232
>"I'm trying to do something "normal people do", but it looks as if I'm failing. You said it yourself, I'm a robot... and you're not far off in that regard I suppose. I'm trying to feel something. Anything really. And I'm not sure if that's something I want to do or if it's societal pressure. I apologize for having wasted your time lieutenant. I was hoping that maybe companionship would have put you at ease. You've seemed stressed lately, but it looks like I may not be the right fit. I suppose I'll head back and attempt to make contact with my zanpakuto and prepare for the mission."

>>44529207
>>44529232
>"The Captain is worried about you."
>"I do want to spend some time with you, Lieutenant."
>"I could use your advice with training."

>>44529365
Like I don't know, short of bringing up Urahara, I feel like honesty is best.

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>>44529232
Sorry to interrupt the thread here, but it's getting really late for me! Next thread will begin with the most voted action!

Next thread will be announced on twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mushroomgami

If you have any questions or feedback, shoot them my way!

Thanks for reading!

Updated Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/JpBL1B5n

>>44529680
Figured, that seems to kind of be the trend, but the run time was pretty lengthy this time.

Any idea when you may be running next?

>>44529680
I know you don't like running on weekdays but I'm wishing the threads came more frequently

>>44529754
I'll try to run during the week to compensate for the missed friday, but if that doesn't work out, then it's next friday again as usual!

>>44529793
I'll try! Thanks for reading!

>dropped right in the middle of something
Well if you're asking for feedback, stop doing this. At least finish the initial transaction or end on a cliff hanger or something.
Stopping cold turkey like you've done is most of the other sessions is just agitating and because the thread is left off with a non-entity of an ending I often find myself having to circle back and read the last few posts of the previous thread to remind myself of what was happening, because nothing stuck in my mind.

>>44529919
I don't think it's a big deal, but I do agree with the general sentiment, like it'd be better to end a bit earlier.

>>44529837
My picnic idea would have gone way better right?

>>44530014
Or even one post later as here for instance.

>>44529919
Well here's a list of things that happened today:
>Ryuu called us out on not caring about him or anyone else
>This got us thinking and self aware
>Told mom about it
>Made her cry as we left, she seems to not be doing well
>Cap put us on a follow up mission, but paused it for a joke so we could..
>Went on a date with Lt. Loli
>She was tsundre at first, but called us on robot shit

So there we sit.

>>44529919
I'll try to find better places to end the threads on!

>>44530110
It'd be more romantic, but I'm not sure about better!

Well we depressed/ upset her further than she was before, that's for sure.
She plays the act, but in reality she was pretty excited to have someone actually interested in her.
Then it turns out he really was a robot after all and just had ulterior motives. And not even motives that a repressed and lonely person like her was maybe hoping for once she started to see the signs, no, something completely different.

She's forever alone, but she brings it upon herself with that attitude.

>>44530355
I feel like one thing we should say is that we're not having a -bad- time by any means, especially when she stopped beating her up. We're just not sure how to make her less upset.

>>44530523
I can agree with this. We may be out of touch and a sociopath or autist or whatever but Analytical Mind should let us detect she's feeling that way.

She was also cutting us off whenever we tried to talk.

protip: start linking your archives:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Shinigami%20Quest