#xvandrelystx

[biskael]

" YOU HARDLY LOOK as if you've ever held a bow before . AGAIN , if you please , whelpling . "

@x-vandrelyst-x

[za-baransu]

There were not only a few people that had attempted to stop him when only passing through the halls of Silbern at a pace that was not in line with his current appearance. One could say that the mere lack of reaction from the Grandmaster's side towards the grizzly scene he presented would be enough to install shock in those yet unfamiliar with the way he handled any occurrence out of the norm.

Streaks resembling gnarly scars adorning otherwise unmarred face and features, ready to be healed at a moment's notice if Jugram even cared for this to happen. His minor excursions towards Hueco Mundo only really had two goals possible for him to follow: to either meet up with his fellow Sternritter sent to round up an army of the discardable. Or to exert his powers where that burning feeling inside of him could eat alive whoever came too close. It was not like he couldn't control it to a degree of perfection haunting in all its might, it was more or less that His Majesty had told him to not do so to such a degree that it could turn into a living bomb.

" If you are going to comment on my 'predicament' and the 'pain' I am supposedly in, then don't. I have heard that at least a dozen times since my return. "

Unneeded, unwanted, this happenstance of eradicating whole stretches of land was all the more that - a happenstance [ rejuvenating does it still feel? ]. Yet the girl had followed him for the last stretch of winding corridors, even though he had not tried to get her to lose him, even if he could, Jugram knows well enough she would have at least questions. Yhwach had allowed her into their holy place [ allowed? ]; he could at least humour a thought of surprise within that unwillingness shining through in his gaze, quickly stamped out when he turned to face her. Reveal the 'damage' done, the ridges and edges freshly torn open maybe two hours prior, now forcing themselves to a close even without him aiding in doing so. If at all, knitting together of flesh and skin was a welcome tingling sensation amongst the dull sense.

" Or do you have anything else to say I am not yet aware of? " || @x-vandrelyst-x ♡ starter call

[despairforme]

It was awful overcast that evening. Eyes risen towards the darkening sky with a small frown rested across her lips. A little alarmed at the fact she hadn't thought to bring any sort of raincoat! Not that it really bothered her much, in truth.

As she dropped her gaze with hands clung to a couple full bags of groceries, she would pause on a figure just ahead of where she stood. Eyes blink in surprise, attempting to chase away anything that could be causing her eyes to see something unfamiliar. But no. He was still there prompting brows to gently lift curiously towards the white-clad man.

Should she say something? Should she just.. leave? Maybe it was a bad idea to have gone out so late into the evening. Even with her training, bad things could still happen.

[ From x-vandrelyst-x ]

      It was rare that he ventured to the World of the Living. For one, he was SHIT at opening Garganta, so he never ended up where he WANTED. Second - he didn't belong there. It was not a world for monsters. The lack of reishi in the air made it hard to breathe. Nnoitra dealt enough with that in his inner world. However, 900 years in Hueco Mundo had made him grow bored of white sand. He found beauty in the black, starless sky with the crescent moon, but that didn't mean he didn't want a change of scenery from time to time. So it was that he had gone to the World of the Living today. Or, rather - tonight.

       There weren't any stars here either, he had noticed. The lights from the city blocked them out. He hadn't wanted to come here. Nnoitra liked NATURE. Green grass. Thick leaves. Humid air. Flowers. Yeah, so why the fuck had he ended up in this concrete jungle? Just his luck, wasn't it? He knew he should've gotten Tesla to open a Garganta for him instead. He suppressed his reiatsu as best he could, otherwise he'd alert about a million Shinigami to his location. They would show up sooner or later - there was no way a MONSTER like him could walk through this world unnoticed.

      It was rather late at night, he guessed ( there was no night or day in Hueco Mundo, only the fake one Aizen had created ). There were no humans out on the streets. Lucky for them, he thought. They couldn't survive in his presence after all. It was peaceful. And COLD. Nnoitra dragged his Zanpakuto along, creating a deep rift in the pavement behind him. He stopped when he registered movement ahead. The person - the woman - also stopped. They looked at each other for a moment, standing a "safe" distance apart. Nnoitra expected her to fall to her knees from his reiatsu ( even while he suppressed it ), but she didn't. It appeared she could even SEE him. Impressive. He was bored enough to make even this little detail interest him.

      ❝ Ain’t ya gonna RUN? ❞ He asked, lazily. His voice as always deep and raspy. Why wasn’t she running from him? Wasn’t she scared? / @x-vandrelyst-x . 

[obsidiennes]

@x-vandrelyst-x wrote:

Should she be surprised to find her like this? Even if its a little surprising, the young Quincy can't help but to smile, "You may want to take a break." She offered gently, extending an arm to steady the other if there were any signs the older woman might show signs of losing balance - or passing out.

"Thish ishn't nothin'," Bambietta opined with a drawl. Having said that, she wasn't actually making any effort to drink any more and also didn't make any move to brush River's arm off of herself. "Ya shoulda sheen tha party bhack ihn—Ah? Nehw Girl! Whatcha doin' here!?" The question was asked with sudden seeming clarity, but it'd been years since they'd met now, which didn't bode well for much besides her facial recognition...

[obsidiennes]

"You really must be starving," Bambietta observed, her tone slightly disbelieving and deadpan, but still playful, before she gave a little laugh back. She sure didn't give off any reservations about being casual. Everyone else seemed to be ignoring them, perhaps a little too studiously. It appeared that either Sternritter weren't typically seen among the Soldat, or something else was at play...

Bambietta seemed unperturbed by the matter. While River took stock of what was available, she grabbed a plate and made a beeline for the pasta Bolognese. She got some salad to go with it, as well as several pieces of garlic bread, though her plate was only modestly filled. Whether she simply wasn't that hungry or wasn't a big eater was left an open question, though the truth was somewhere in between.

With her meal assembled, and seeing that River hadn't finished making her selections, she got them two trays, double the silverware, two napkins, and two glasses of water before walking back over. "I picked up stuff for you too. Take as much time as you like."

She had the feeling that the more River ate now, the less emotional she'd be thereafter—even she knew that not eating made people cranky. Certainly explained Liltotto... Anyway, she was actually kinda curious what River picked out.

A curious look shadowed the partial glance back towards her with an eyebrow heightened slightly in interest. Soldat canteen? She's immediately imagining strictly arranged metal tables and rows of men and women picking food off metal trays. More stagnant like the white halls they're passing through. Perhaps she's overthinking it, though. With so many people there's bound to be interesting things to see and discover! "I don't mind walking." She offered politely with a small smile. "A little fresh air would be nice but -- I-I'm not picky." She is. She really is. Fresh air would be a blessing right now, but she's not apt to push that sentiment presently.

Arriving was surely a sight to see. Less so for the furniture and more for how the masses seemed to immediately respond to Bambietta. She was gauging them; their faces, body language, and everything she could pick up with a trained eye. You can learn a lot about someone in those first few moments. But you can learn a great deal more about someone, by how everyone reacts to their arrival.

Was this how all Sternritter were treated? Stood swift and attentive. And how quickly they might react to her prompting them to return to whatever they had been doing. She's rather awed by the Sternritter woman. And perhaps reminded just how ... could she say lucky.. she is, to not be on the receiving end of the woman's ire.

It was however, upon seeing the buffet that the young Quincy felt a sense of familiarity against the backdrop of so much rigid order. It left her smile growing and cheeks warming just a bit at the sudden groan permeating her belly. Embarrassed at how vocal it had become upon peeking through one of the sneeze guards. Oh and the timing - so perfectly in line with Bambietta's remark about Lutefisk.

"Even Lutefisk sounds tasty right now." River joked with a shy laugh. Was it okay to be this casual with a Sternritter in front of so many others? She quickly glanced towards the woman, then back around her briefly to assess how her behavior may be received by everyone - including her current company. Hopeful that she's not out of line.

@obsidiennes

[biskael]

(From x-vandrelyst-x since she's a secondary blog)

"Um." A touch of timidness resided warm upon her voice. Lips pulled into a polite smile, and a gentle bow offered to show respect in traditional Japanese manner, "Excuse me. " The young woman began, "I seem to be lost. Could you tell me which direction um.. " Her Japanese isn't perfect, but she's certainly trying, "--Don-buri.. is?"

@x-vandrelyst-x ( @soulxfragments )

JUST HIS LUCK FOR HIS HUSBAND to wander off a moment , leaving him at the mercy of whoever might address him so . his japanese was passable , at best . usable in conversation & understanding , reading and translation . that german accent never quite left him , however , even in all of the years of quilge's various studies .

quilge gave an unseen roll of his eyes behind his colored glasses . he wasn't really in any mood to speak to strangers . usually , when visiting japan , he would let his husband guide him . now , the man was off looking at suitable collars . however , it seemed that the girl was a foreigner , just as he was . and the weight of her own soul , faint as it was , read only as something familiar to him .

what are the chances ? the hunter bemused to himself , before clearing his throat to speak in the passing of the crowds .

" donburi , " he repeated , and thankfully knew what she was referring to . " that's ... a dish one would get at a restaurant . you must be looking for a place to eat , then ? i ... do not know this place well enough . but i can read a few of the signs . "

[biskael]

"what is it that you intend ?" [ for x-vandrelyst-x ]

" AS IF SUCH A THING WOULD BE SO EASY TO PRY FROM ME , WHELPLING . " his eyes , well hidden behind his crimson shades , flickered across her for only a moment . as if sparing her any longer a stare would sicken him , perhaps . so far , she was far too quiet , too gentle for his liking . then again , what quilge wanted in a soldier was few & far between , splicing battlethirst with fanaticism , and a willingness to push through all pain and fear .

not something so easily crafted into a soldier . that was something that was taught . willed into the body as a blade would be .

the jaegermeister turns from her , and approaches another quincy . his soldier hands him a long , sharpened spear , so greedily pointed at its end . " attack me , " quilge states aloud , his voice like a whip's crack in the cold air . " attack me once , and we shall continue this conversation ! hurry along , now ! i'm a busy man , you know ! "

@x-vandrelyst-x

[biskael]

A new recruit just brought into the Wandenreich. She was timid. Kept her head down. Didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. It was inevitable that she would eventually bump into a particularly terrifying Sternritter. Her gaze risen quick when confronted by his presence. Ice blue eyes wide, "Ah-s-sorry--" she managed. [ x-vandrelyst-x. Pre TYBW :3 ]

HE HAD GROWN USED to the soldat coming and going . every admittance lead to another question : how would they prove themselves to His Majesty ? how would they react in the face of an enemy ? and what would they give for a Kingdom ? it flowed as wine into a goblet , these questions , such wonders to imbibe upon .

“ do watch where you’re going , “ And instead of advice , instead of camaraderie , it sounded more like a gritting threat . that anyone beneath him had been only meat , and he was the butcher that held the cleaver . she didn’t look all that impressive . but , as he’d supposed , many of their talents were latent . perhaps his Majesty had yet to peer into her soul ; flaying it with his own powers . setting her upon a mighty scale , on which judgement is to be had . only time would tell .

" you should treat the first captain of his Majesty's jagdarmee with far more respect than that ."

@x-vandrelyst-x

[biskael]

Off in the distance wherever the spear may land, there's a sudden shriek. Moments later, the image of the young Quincy would appear briefly at the arc of the landscape. River lingers for a moment, then quietly turns and walks away. Originally she had intended on confronting the spear thrower - until she realized it was the psychotic Quincy. Best she not tempt fate with that one. [ from x-vandrelyst-x ]

HE HAD MADE SURE TO HAVE THROWN IT as far as he possibly could . a notion not even in contest , but merely for sport . his own satisfaction , and how lucky would he be if it'd impaled anyone ! when he'd heard a distant cry , aloft on the desert air , quilge was quite pleased . something had happened , maybe the tip snagged through someone's foot . he could only hope such recklessness ended in violence , deranged as he was .

... and , wings carrying him far , he was disappointed when it hadn't . the hunter's face quickly lost its sadistic joy . river , young and inexperienced in the art of war . a least favorite among any of the more recent quincy recruited to their army . not a drop of blood was shed .

" oh , frau værnes , " the hunter's disdain apparent , even as he hauls the weapon forth from the sands . effortlessly , in a swift motion . " wandering around the desert , are you ? there isn't much to see here , you know . "

for @x-vandrelyst-x .

[obsidiennes]

The admission caused Bambietta's head to incline and turn back toward River, almost as though she was looking over her shoulder, although not quite to the extent that she actually looked backward—or so it seemed anyway. She gave a single chuckle before straightening out again. "It'd be nice to go out into the city, but..." she kind of waved a hand dismissively, "If you've already got an appetite, walking is really just kind of torture." Plus the city was... "So we're going to one of the Soldat canteens instead."

While the Sternritter had access to higher-quality meals with more care taken in preparing them, they were as a result rather more programmed out; besides, partaking of them meant potentially interacting with other Sternritter, which Bambietta simply didn't want right now—certainly not with River in tow. The selection of food for Wandenreich's common soldiery was quite varied by comparison, and more or less à la carte.

It didn't take an age before they'd arrived. Bambietta's presence caused the whole room to start rising to their feet in a rolling cascade, and she was already dramatically waving a hand for them to sit back down. "As you were, as you were!" She didn't halt at all and guided River to what looked like a large but fairly typical and mundane buffet setup, complete with sneeze guards. All kinds of foods were represented.

"It's not exactly world-class dining, but there must be something here that you'd like." She suddenly remembered a little factoid. "Unless you were really wanting Lutefisk." Despite the joke, she gestured for River to take a look at what was on offer.

Warmth rose against her cheeks lightly at the prolonged touch. Contact that was more gentle than she expected, yet her heart had picked up beats in anticipation of what this woman may be capable of. It was all intimidating to some degree. She, so new to everything, trying to settle to adapt. Forced to conform to something she would have been happier never knowing about.

Bambietta was disarming the tension roused in her shoulders. Calming the quickened pace of her pulse. She's studying the older Quincy with less uncertainty and more curiosity the longer she's around her. Maybe.. she really could find a friend in this woman. Maybe she wasn't as cold, or vicious as some of the others. There was something soft in the way she swept the fringes of tears from River's eyes with that soft smile imprinting itself firmly within the young woman's mind.

The words that left Bambietta caused brows to furrow. Lingering hesitation suddenly waned under the weight of concern. She did indeed recognize it, staring bewildered that this woman would be so bold to make it. Particularly since the two were apparently being observed. Or had been.. Did she really mean it? Did she hate this place as much as River? Having wanted to ask further, she goes to speak. However words were snuffed swiftly at the sound of the sigh. Brows knitted high, but soon fell into a more understanding look. A small nod to follow. Silently accepting that this was best left without further mention. For both of their sake.

"Okay." She offered, trailing the woman at the Sternritter's chosen pace. A lot more calm than previously. More eased perhaps, but the notion of belonging to something within this white prison. Perhaps Bambietta would be a blessing. Someone who would treat her like a person rather than a task. Or -- as with Quilge's perception of her, something that was weak. Didn't belong..

"I am kind of hungry." she offered with a lighter tone, and a warm smile.

[obsidiennes]

Whether Bambietta believed River's assertion or not was unclear as her gaze searched one eye and then the other, ticking between them like a slow metronome. It was a mirror of and yet also an opposite to how the younger Quincy's eyes had already nervously shifted between her own.

Soon enough she silently drew in a breath through her nose before letting it back out audibly, glancing aside and pursing her lips. Her fingers shifted slightly as she realized her hands had probably been on River's face overly long. Looking back, she offered a soft smile and used her thumbs to lightly brush at the outer corners of the young woman's eyes before giving her cheeks a gentle pat and letting go. "I get it. Well, I think do anyway. I hate it here too. It sucks," she opined.

She turned away from River but didn't yet start moving again, apparently providing the other Quincy with a moment of privacy to collect herself. When next she spoke, her voice was quieter, solemner—almost sullen, really: "I'd blow this whole place sky high if I could."

The remark lingered in the quiet thereafter as though to underscore the nature of what she just said. She was suggesting treason after all. She hoped River might recognize the gravity of such a confession and what it meant in terms of extending trust. And if not, well...

Bambietta sighed and shrugged again. "Anyway, no sense dwelling on that now! Maybe you don't feel like eating, but you won't have actually lost your appetite." She beckoned for River to follow but set off at a slower pace than before, and this time she didn't look back.

She didn't look up until it was apparent the other was closing the distance. It was an unease rise of her gaze, met with the closeness of the other stirred discomfort in her gut. Cheeks warmed at the nearness both a mix of surprise and uncertainty worn heavily in her gaze. Evenly met, though maintaining it would prove something of a challenge for the young Quincy. Brows lifted slowly, pinched together like she were anticipating repercussions again.

Ice kissed eyes; like the blue found in frozen sheets well into the arctic circle, flick between those of the Sternritter before her. Dancing helplessly between the brown orbs of the other all while fighting to not turn her own down and away again. A helpless shudder followed the sensation of touch. Tension released in jerks and twitches coiled tight within her breath. Fear. Pulling and twisting her ambitions and strengths and tearing them down, trying to rebuild them to suit this new life.

She was told not to start with the waterworks, wasn't she? They're glistening softly in her gaze. Tremors of polished emotion threatening to cascade into tears. But she's holding them up. A forced smile presented to hide the anguish flooding through her like lava tearing through stone.

The urge to speak about her feelings was stifled by the resounding unease in her gut. It wasn't just Bambietta. It was everyone. This place. This stifling, unfriendly, white walled prison..

When she finally spoke, she continued to smile, "Yes, I understand."

[obsidiennes]

Having heard the momentary halt and sensing the shift in mood underlying that reply, Bambietta looked back again, before stopping and turning around to once more appraise River for a second. She seemed so meek now. With a silent sigh she closed the distance and got right up into the other woman's personal space such that their faces were only maybe a half-dozen centimeters apart, making direct eye contact.

When she spoke, her voice was hushed, just barely above a whisper. "I wasn't just saying you look new here. I can tell you're young. You haven't seen a whole lot yet, so this is all already wearing on you, isn't it? Let me give you some advice. I'm sure you went to high school, right?" It was something she'd only heard tell of and seen in some media. "Wandenreich is like being back in high school but worse. Eyes and ears everywhere are always looking for weakness." A gloved thumb gestured upward to link that statement with where she'd shot at—it had been no mere intimidation move.

Her thumb went down before both hands raised and cupped River's cheeks with surprising gentleness. Although her gloves looked like they were made of leather, they would strangely feel rather more like velvet. They were also pleasantly warm. "You might think that being inconspicuous means you'll be passed over and ignored, but really it just makes you look like an easy mark. You have to be strong here, and there's no strength like being part of a group. You can be in mine, but you'll have to grow beyond this. Understand?"

Intrigue rested upon her warm features at the mention of the Holy Roman Empire. Everyone here must be incredibly old if this woman was referencing back to that particular turn of the century. It made her consider her life, and the stories of the Nordic 'witches' that still existed while Christianity took root in her ancestral lands. To be honest she had only a little exposure to those stories growing up. Enough to have shaped some imagery of what life must have been like for her ancestors. All of them proud people who were very protective of their beliefs.

"I wasn't much for geography and world history growing up." She admitted a bit sheepishly. "But -- maybe.. if there's some books, it'll give me something to do." She'd been dwelling far too heavily on what she had lost to focus on what she may have gained by coming here. It had made it unimaginably difficult considering how she had come into this place. How she met Jugram. How she had been forced into this world. A whole entire race of people she'd never even known existed until very recently.

The way it was handled felt stifling.

A sensation that - upon the sudden explosion, would only reinforce this fact. It was a military. It was a race that far exceeded her own understanding, and capabilities because she is still untrained. A study buddy? It felt more like she was being choked suddenly. Her steps fell still as she stared from the spot that had exploded - a mere gesture from this woman, to the woman herself. Heavy bags had immediately deepened under her eyes. Lips slightly parted as her heart began to race. How could she possibly hope to survive a place like this when people like this woman existed? With powers well beyond her understanding?

"Y-yes..." she's speaking quieter now. Arms firmly pulled around her trying to be smaller. Less worth noticing. Dropping her gaze quickly to the side. Her chin dipped down uneasily.

[obsidiennes]

Bambietta's brows had knitted together at the employment of Norwegian; it was near enough to German in some ways to not sound totally alien, but rather just wrong. She was no linguist, however, nor despite her polyglot nature particularly interested in languages for their own sake, and didn't dwell on the matter.

With River behind her, the sad smile went unseen, though her head did tilt some to one side at the mention of Norway and Svalbard. She was at least passingly familiar with a modern map of Europe, though her recall wasn't fantastic. She knew enough to know Norway went way up, so Svalbard must be...

Whatever she might've said was lost as the topic shifted to herself. "Hmm, you'd call it northern Italy, but that wasn't a thing until 250 years after I was born. Then it was the Sacrum Imperium Romanum—the Holy Roman Empire." She waved a hand kind of dismissively despite the little bit of theater, as though to say 'old news'. "Practically every valley in Tyrol has its own accent. My ancestors picked one up while heading south. It's been hard to get rid of because I get a lot less practice at English than German." She turned her head to regard River.

"I guess you can be my study-buddy." As she spoke, her left arm extended, index finger outstretched to point at some point high up above—which promptly exploded! Bambietta seemed to think nothing of it and returned her arm to her side, stride unbroken. "This place sucks and being able to be less readily understood is actually good. Maybe I'll even learn some of what you were speaking earlier. I'm guessing that was Norwegian?"

To say she was.. unsettled.. at the idea of following any of the Sternritter (even Jugram who at this point, was still the kidnapper that forced her into this life against her wishes) was an understatement. However - she would comply with the expectation to do so. A look with parted lips and lifted brows followed after the white-clad woman. Was this what she was supposed to be? What was expected of her? Alike the one she now trailed like a shadow? Initially, she hesitated. The unknown was both compelling, and terrifying. Would she find herself in a situation where she's being told to attack someone?

Breathing out a sigh, River cast her gaze across the empty spaces. White against white it felt like a cold, endless hospital hallway with nothing to accent the looming glare of absolute staleness buried in the paint of these walls.

Mention of languages called attention back to the woman in front of her. Brows knitted up, and lips brought into a soft O shape. River really wasn't very good at German, but -- practice was never a bad thing, either! The transition from German to Italian draws out a confused look, then -- Japanese. She knew that. A small smile, and a light laugh follows. That wasn't as bad as the young Quincy's German, but it wasn't as good as her English either.

"Or this--" she offered, speaking gently in her native tongue; Norwegian. But would quickly swap to English, allowing the tiniest hint of her own Norwegian accent to slip through, "I was born in Norway on the northern most Island of my home country, Svalbard." The smile takes on a light sadness. A homesick look, longing to step foot in the land she originated from.

"May I ask where you're from? You have an interesting accent."

[obsidiennes]

The question drew a nod from Bambietta which, while perhaps not exactly vigorous, was certain, a little rapid, and not exactly discreet. But she didn't immediately say anything, instead listening. It worked great for the first sentence and maybe like 2 or 3 seconds after that, until River started to halt and trail off.

She blinked her big brown eyes, then both her brows rose slightly, before one climbed notably higher, and next they came back down as they scrunched and she frowned, until finally her look shifted into one of at least mild alarm. She rapidly glanced around for just a half second before starting to advance across the short distance between herself and River, waving her gloved hands in front of herself.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah!" she interjected, making a classic time-out T-shaped gesture as she stopped right in front of River, close enough that there was scarcely a half foot between them. "Time out, time out! Just forget I asked."

She was taking in River's face from up close now, though it wasn't really an objectifying look or anything. "River. You're not gonna start the waterworks, right? Ah, never mind that. Do you like to eat? Well, most people do... Are you hungry? When's the last time you ate? You want to go get something?"

It was a bit surprising to find herself meeting someone who wasn't so.. volatile. Ice blue would drink in the appearance of the other woman with brows furrowed in light curiosity. To say the least - this was actually a bit refreshing. She seemed nice outwardly, and River hoped she really was actually this approachable.

A polite smile would draw upon soft lips, "Is it that obvious?" She joked lightly. Of course it was. She probably stood out like a rainbow in the midst of a storm.

"I'm River." she offered. The smile fading when asked about her story.. "I.. don't really have one." There was certainly one worth telling but.. it was all still quite overwhelming. "I was found.. and.. " there it goes completely. Vanished with an air of sadness to replace the warmth from barely a moment ago, "..brought back here."

@obsidiennes