[P] Ah, the Lovely People (Part II)

[Naka]

It was a new day, and I had just finished eating the most delicious lunch. Tasty fried won-tons with a sweet sauce, and fresh grilled vegetables all topped of with a bowl of freshly steamed rice.

Ahh, the simple pleasures in life are the best!

I spoke to the air around me. I crossed through the main center of the market, weaving my way through the crowds. It didn't seem quite as packed today as it had been yesterday, and as I walked I wondered why that might be. Shrugging my shoulders a bit, I realized that it was but a trivial detail, with no influence on my life. I chuckled quietly to myself and shook my head. My thoughts are so odd when I let my mind wander!

Making my way to the meeting place, I left the marketplace sounds and sights behind me and found the bench we had occupied only the day before. It seemed that I was the first to arrive, which was fine with me. I could wait a bit. After all, it was a lovely day.

As I sat down and enjoyed the peaceful midday air, I thought about the topics we had discussed the day before, and what new things might come up this day. I had become more and more anxious as time had passed since we had departed, wanting to learn more about these 'advent humans'. I doubted that I would need to wait long, as the noon deadline was rapidly approaching.

[Kharashi]

I had woken up rather early, as I had been a bit anxious after having scheduled a meeting with Naka. I had decided to head to the market earlier than our meeting was scheduled, and began walking about. It always entertained me, for whatever reason, to simply walk about the market, watching the people and finding interesting items to be bought.

Still, I never really had much money to buy anything except food, with a few treats here and there. Like last night. I held one of the pomegranates in my hand, broken in half, as I picked out the red ruby seeds and popped them into my mouth. This went on for a bit, simply walking about and eating my pomegranate. I was content with just that, myself. Simple things were the greatest things.

Looking up at the blue sky, covered in wispy, thin clouds and lit up by the massive ball of fire in the sky, I sighed a bit. The clouds reminded me a bit of breath in the winter, soft and light. Then I realized as I was wrapped up in the beauty of nature, that the sun was nearly at the center of the sky.

"Shit," I cursed. I had gotten a bit too into walking about the market, and I was nearly late for my meeting. I began a quick pace toward the bench I had found myself on the night before, dodging the people on the way. Fortunately, there wasn't as many as the night before. I began to close in on the meeting location, and noticed that Naka was already there. My pace slowed as I neared the bench. I waved to Naka, grinning as I did so.

"Hey, how are you this morning?"

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[Naka]

As I sat back and enjoyed the warm air and sun, I thought to begin formulating questions for my new friend. I would have to endeavor to learn as much as I could about him while providing him with information about me, in an equal exchange of sorts. I stared forth into the area of the market, a glimmer of reiatsu alerting me to his presence before I could even see him. Shortly he strode from the crowds, seeming to hurry a bit. Coming up to me he waved and called out to me.

"Hey, how are you this morning?"

"I'm good, but its not exactly morning anymore is it?"

I responded in kind, my words obviously spoken in a joking manner, and accompanied by a good-natured grin. In fact, if one were to look at a watch it was in fact a minute or two past noon, but I was only trying to create humor, not to chastise my companion. I chuckled lightly and beckoned for him to join me on the bench.

"You have eaten already, I hope. I am full to the brim myself, but oh was it tasty!"

I was in a good mood today, and I allowed my emotions to reveal themselves easily. As I awaited his response I thought about all the things I wanted to ask him, and how I might be able to continue learning about his kind. It was interesting that after all my training and knowledge gained from my foster father, there was still so much I did not know. Perhaps we could share about our abilities a bit later on, it would be a simple matter to demonstrate the power of the Quincy, and he had hinted at some sort of skill last time we had met. Well, perhaps only time would truly tell.

[Kharashi]

I chuckled a bit at his response, "True, true, not quite morning."

I nodded firmly, "Yes, I did. Well, I still am, as well." I looked down at the pomegranate in my hands, ripped into two halves. Nearly all of the seeds on one half were gone, and I grinned a bit guiltily. I moved towards him and sat myself on the bench next to him, placing one half of the fruit in my lap so that I might use my hand to pluck out the remaining seeds of the other half.

After swallowing one ruby red seed, I got to business, "So where do we start, then? I apologize in advance--I don't know that much about Advents. Not to say I know nothing, but . . ." I trailed off, to show that I wasn't very confident in my knowledge. I would certainly aim to answer any questions he had, however, there might not be much I could.

"So, how exactly do Quincy force themselves to develop a high reiatsu? Is there some sort of training technique that can boost reiatsu levels?" I was eager to know--I doubted there was some magical way that would instantaneously make me stronger, but, still.

I had many questions on my mind, but I decided to start simply. We would work into my other questions as he asked his own, and as I developed a sense for exactly how much he knew.

[Naka]

He nodded at my comment about lunch, and responded.

"Yes, I did. Well, I still am, as well."

It was then that I noticed a quite unusual fruit that he carried in his hands. As I watched he moved to sit beside me and placed half of it in his lap. I looked at the half he still held in his hands and saw that it had a most curious layout, with an apparently inedible shell protecting an abundance of small, plump, bright red seeds. It seemed that the true meat of the fruit, and its juices originated form the red area covering eat seed. I watched in unabashed fascination as he picked out a seed and tossed it in his mouth, chewing happily.

"What a curious fruit you have there!" I blurted out, "What does it taste like? It looks really good!"

But it seemed that my question had interrupted him, and so I motioned for him to continue, apologizing for my outburst.

"So where do we start, then? I apologize in advance--I don't know that much about Advents. Not to say I know nothing, but . . ."

I simply motioned to him in response, indicating that he should ask away first, and that I would be content to wait to ask my questions. After all, scheduling this meeting at midday meant we should have plenty of time to talk. After a moment he continued.

"So, how exactly do Quincy force themselves to develop a high reiatsu? Is there some sort of training technique that can boost reiatsu levels?"

He appeared to done for the moment, awaiting an answer and looking at me with interest. Taking a moment to think, I formulated an appropriate response, attempting to explain something even I knew not much about.

"Well, I suppose we both started out as what might be called 'spiritually aware' humans. Meaning that we could see spirits, including shinigami and hollows. Gaining such a 'high reiatsu level' as you call it, has just been a result of years and years of training my powers as a Quincy. I was tutored by my foster father in the Quincy art for 8 years or so before I was ready to go out on my own. My powers and abilities are a simple result of that training, just as I will witness continued results as I continue to train."

[Kharashi]

I held out the second half of my fruit, motioning for him to take it, "I'm full, you can have the rest, if you like." I grinned a bit, waiting for him to take it before he went on with his explanation.

I nodded as he spoke to show I understood. So he was originally an Advent, as well. An interesting concept--instead of being awakened by a Shinigami or Hollow, he was instead awakened by a Quincy--or, rather, trained by one.

"So you're saying you weren't raised as a Quincy, but instead trained as one by your foster father?" This brought new questions to mind, "So, if you had been left alone, you might have developed an Advent power, rather than Quincy weaponry and such?"

Perhaps new questions weren't the best things to develop, but they had nonetheless. I had never thought of an Advent being taken in by a Quincy--the concept had eluded me entirely. Perhaps because I was an Advent, it sparked my interest even more than it might have someone else.

"Oh, but I don't mean to be rude. If you have questions for me, then please go ahead." I had nearly forgotten. I didn't want to ask too many questions, nor did I wish to take over the conversation with my questions.

[Naka]

"I'm full, you can have the rest, if you like."

I nodded in thanks, holding back reservations about being full, or the fact that I had only wanted to try it, in favor of allowing him to continue. After his words came forth and I offered my explanation, he continued to ask questions.

"So you're saying you weren't raised as a Quincy, but instead trained as one by your foster father? So, if you had been left alone, you might have developed an Advent power, rather than Quincy weaponry and such?"

I ate a couple of the juicy seeds as I pondered his question. They were so tasty! I would have to remember this juicy fruit for the future. Anyways, back to his questions. Well they seemed fairly straightforwards for now.

"Yes, that's correct," I said in response to his first question. "I suppose that's possible, but I've never really thought of it that way. Of course, I only have a limited knowledge of advents and their 'powers', but you are correct in assuming that being raised by a Quincy caused me to follow that path myself."

I paused, trying to think if there was anything else I wanted to add at this juncture. But Aspel butted in again, using the opportunity to speak again.

"Oh, but I don't mean to be rude. If you have questions for me, then please go ahead."

I nodded. I had wanted to try and satisfy all of his questions before I began mine, but I guess it couldn't hurt to get a word in edgewise here and there. Besides, his previous line of questioning had led me to a question of my own.

"Sure, I do have one quick question for now, and then you can continue. You keep talking about advent powers, but im not really sure what that's all about. Can you explain it for me? How do you aquire this 'power' and what is it like?"

[Kharashi]

I handed over the fruit, delighted to see that he seemed to enjoy it. I was glad to see that my understanding of his words was correct, but found it odd he had never thought of it in such a way. If I had been taken by a Quincy, I would think of what my powers might have been almost all the time. I suppose I'm a curious creature.

I nodded, chewing on my last mouthful of pomegranate rubies as he asked his question. I had expected this question and, fortunately, actually had a decent answer. Swallowing, I went on, "Right. Well, Advents are simply Humans with large amounts of reiatsu, compared to other Humans. They see ghosts and such, much like you did. They are awakened by one of three things, as I understand it. Quincy, like you, Hollows, like me, and Shinigami. When an Advent is awoken by a Shinigami or a Hollow, their powers manifest in a similar manner," It was a long explanation, but I continued on seamlessly, "From what I've been taught, an Advent awakened by a Hollow focuses their power through themselves or a body part, and they attain powers in a fashion similar to a Hollow's abilities. A Shinigami-awoken Advent focuses their newfound abilities through some sort of item, much like a Shinigami's zanpaktou. The powers attained are apparently different for everyone, like a Shinigami's released zanpaktou."

It didn't seem like so much to say until I actually said it. I was surprised that I seemed to know that much, and I scratched the back of my head and grinned, hoping that he followed along the entire time. He seemed intelligent enough, I didn't really have any doubts that he would.

"So, then, I have a question about Hollows for you," I went on, "I've heard that sometimes they retain personalities, or develop them. Do you know anything about that?"

[Naka]

His answer was a bit more more long-winded than expected, but I was able to follow his words intently, nodding from time to time as understanding washed over my mind.

"Right. Well, Advents are simply Humans with large amounts of reiatsu, compared to other Humans. They see ghosts and such, much like you did. They are awakened by one of three things, as I understand it. Quincy, like you, Hollows, like me, and Shinigami. When an Advent is awoken by a Shinigami or a Hollow, their powers manifest in a similar manner. From what I've been taught, an Advent awakened by a Hollow focuses their power through themselves or a body part, and they attain powers in a fashion similar to a Hollow's abilities. A Shinigami-awoken Advent focuses their newfound abilities through some sort of item, much like a Shinigami's zanpaktou. The powers attained are apparently different for everyone, like a Shinigami's released zanpaktou."

"Interesting." I would reply. "So does your power come from encountering a hollow or a shinigami? How does that manifest as an ability or whatever?"

After awaiting his response I would endeavor to answer his next question as well.

""So, then, I have a question about Hollows for you. I've heard that sometimes they retain personalities, or develop them. Do you know anything about that?"

I took a moment to think, contemplating the nature of the hollow and seeking back in my memories to recall what Mr. Yumi had taught me about hollows all those years ago.

"Well my understanding of hollows is this. Hollows generally tend to be fairly mindless creatures, focused only on eating souls. Now this is the most basic type of hollow. However, some hollow survive over a period to time, some for hundreds of years. These are the more dangerous types, the ones you see trying to eat actual humans rather then just dead souls, or the ones that might purposely seek out someone like us because they can sense our heightened levels of reiatsu. These hollows also tend to have one or more special traits or abilities, much like you have i might imagine. This makes them even more dangerous and often adds to their crafty nature."

I would pause for a moment to make sure he was keeping up with my explanation, and then I would continue again.

"So now to get to your actual question." I grinned a bit and then continued. "I have never heard of a hollow retaining memories of its former life, although I suppose it could be possible. However, for those hollows that live longer than most and develop powers and such, I know that they often move beyond the mindless killing, and choose targets with rational thinking and purpose. In this sense they gain what you might call a 'personality'."

[Kharashi]

"Mine? Well, I was awakened by a Hollow, so I focus my power through my own body as opposed to an object. I can call upon my power at any time that way. Mine deals with the manipulation of light," I said, raising my hands all around me, "Like I said, it manifests through my body, kind of like a Hollow's ability or a Shinigami's released zanaptkou."

That was the best way I could explain it. Anything more than that and I didn't even really know myself. I knew that I could control my powers, and that I could activate them, but that seemed to me to be natural. Like being able to move a leg or something.

At any rate, Naka's explanation of Hollows and such was more than satisfactory. I nodded a couple times afterward, digesting all of the information he had given me. It helped me understand my enemies a lot more, actually, which I was thankful for.

"I can't help but wonder, if there's an Order of Quincy, how have I never encountered any others?" I asked, curiously. It seemed odd to me, to never encounter any Quincy other than Naka. I suppose he could have been different, after all, he wasn't born Quincy, but instead trained after maturing. His foster father, however, had to come out to the real world, and I assumed he was trained from birth . . .

It was all a bit confusing, and I hoped Naka's answer would clear things up for me.

[Naka]

After asking my question in the middle of his dialog, he paused long enough to answer me.

"Mine? Well, I was awakened by a Hollow, so I focus my power through my own body as opposed to an object. I can call upon my power at any time that way. Mine deals with the manipulation of light. Like I said, it manifests through my body, kind of like a Hollow's ability or a Shinigami's released zanaptkou."

Interesting indeed. Powers activated by a hollow? Such a statement set off my danger sensors for a moment, before I thought about it rationally and calmed down. It would seem that a human that had been 'awakened' by a hollow might be somehow dangerous, or influenced by the instincts and desires of a hollow. But as I forced myself to focus back on the present, it was easy to displace that line of thinking, seeing as how this human acted. He did not seem influenced at all, as I had first feared, but appeared normal enough, just like any other human.

I continued with my explaination after that, hoping to satisfy his questions about hollows. When I had finished I waited for a bit. He seemed satisfied with my explanation and nodded several times, seeming to contemplate his next question. When his next words spoke forth I was actually surprised, and had to think to formulate an answer.

"I can't help but wonder, if there's an Order of Quincy, how have I never encountered any others?"

"You know, I have really not given that too much thought," I said. "My foster father belonged to the old order of Quincy, which has mostly died out due to several great wars and then a decline in training. I consider myself part of the Order of old just because I was brought up in their traditions, although if you want to be technical, I would be called a Neo Quincy. I have heard that there are others of these newer Quincy running around, but to be honest I have yet to encounter one either.

[Kharashi]

I waited for him to fully explain everything. It was rather curious that even he hadn't run into many other Quincy. Perhaps they were just rare. If they old order died out due to wars, then that would make sense. But what about these Neo Quincy?

"Hm . . ." I pondered for a moment, "Then is it just because they're simply rare? Still, I'd imagine running into Quincy far more than Advents." It seemed logical, that there would be more Quincy than Advent Humans, what with their organized training and such. That, and some Advent Humans were apparently converted into Quincy, which would dwindle the Advent numbers as well.

"What are the Quincy's intentions, then? Are they like Shinigami, in that they just want to be rid of Hollows?" I asked. It was possible that they had some sort of goal besides that, but I really couldn't imagine any other reason to be trained in the ways of the Spiritual World. There didn't seem to be much use for any of these abilities and such except to prevent Hollows from wreaking havoc.

I sighed and leaned back a bit, slouching as I waited for his response. My gray orbs drifted from Naka and to the sky above me.

[Naka]

I finished my explanation, and he pondered the information for a moment or two before responding.

"Hm . . . Then is it just because they're simply rare? Still, I'd imagine running into Quincy far more than Advents."

Although a question in form, it seeded more like something he was thinking on, and not something that I should answer at that juncture. In addition, he appeared to only be pausing for a moment, not really waiting for an answer. So I kept my mouth shut and allowed him to continue with his questions. I chucked a bit on the inside, the emotion showing outwardly in a grin. Such an inquisitive boy!

"What are the Quincy's intentions, then? Are they like Shinigami, in that they just want to be rid of Hollows?"

This question was an easy one.

"Yes, you are correct. Our core purpose is to protect humanity from the evil spirits that would invade this world. The Order of the Quincy has had this goal for over a millennium, whereas 'Advent Humans' have only began to come about in this world with the recent influx of hollows, especially the stronger ones. However, comparing us to the Shinigami would be... insulting? to some. Myself, I have not formed any particular bias one way or the other, but my foster father, for example, has a vehement hatred for them."

He sighed a bit and leaned back, looking into the sky as he listened to my explanation. The day was clearing up nicely, from the troublesome clouds that had shown themselves only a bit earlier this morning. I enjoyed some more of the pomegranate seeds while I waited for his next question. When it was not forthcoming I decided that I might as well ask another question in this moment in time, since it seemed an appropriate opportunity.

"I suppose this might be an obvious question, but I was wondering something. You said your power involves manipulating light. Have you ever tried to use it in the dark? Or with less light around?"

[Kharashi]

Naka was full of useful information. He'd answered all of my questions so far very satisfactory, the last included. I continued to stare at the sky as he finished his explanation, and went on to ask his own question. I was glad he did so, as I was worried I would take up all of our time asking questions, and never let him ask any. Sometimes I got carried away.

I turned to meet his gaze and nodded, "Yup. Unfortunately, that's a huge weakness for me. If there's no light around, I can't manipulate it and therefore my powers are useless. The less light the less I have to manipulate, so I can either choose to create many weak things, or a few normal things. Either way, its a disadvantage." I shrugged, I didn't like to admit it, but it was true. I didn't like the darkness, it weakened me terribly.

"Artificial light can work just as fine, however." I continued on, "So if I carry some sort of light with me, I can at least have something."

I remained silent afterwards, in case he had any questions, and if he had none, or once he finished his next question, I would ask one of my own. "Can you make any kind of weapon, then, or do you specialize in one thing? If you do, is everyone's different?" I was so curious. It was all very exciting, actually, to be learning so much. The Spiritual World was full of wonders.

[Naka]

He turned to face me as I asked my question. Even as I asked it I realized that asking such a thing might be not the best idea... I hoped I had not offended him. But as he responded easily I realized my concerns were for naught. Perhaps he did not enjoy giving up such information, but at the same time he seemed to treat it as an everyday fact rather than some big secret.

"Yup. Unfortunately, that's a huge weakness for me. If there's no light around, I can't manipulate it and therefore my powers are useless. The less light the less I have to manipulate, so I can either choose to create many weak things, or a few normal things. Either way, its a disadvantage."

He shrugged, considering his next words. Despite his attitude, the words were certainly revealing, probably more so that he would have liked. I was honored that he would share something so personal with me. We were becoming friends quite quickly, I think.

"Artificial light can work just as fine, however." I continued on, "So if I carry some sort of light with me, I can at least have something."

He paused, seeming to be waiting for a question, or perhaps a comments. So I obliged.

"Carry the sun in your pocket, ehh?" I chuckled.

After a little longer he posed yet another question to me. Its a good think I set aside so much time for this today, I thought. This is a good long conversation.

"Can you make any kind of weapon, then, or do you specialize in one thing? If you do, is everyone's different?"

"Excellent question! There have been a select few instances where some masters of the Quincy arts had gained the use of more than one, apparently. But for everyone else, each person specializes in one kind of weapon, what we call Reiiro. Then over time we can develop different forms of that weapon to use, called Reibuki. Although some people certainly share the same types of weapons and even sometimes weapon forms, for the most part its a very individual thing.

[Kharashi]

How interesting! It seemed my powers were in actuality a bit similar to Naka's own, though I had a few advantages and disadvantages he did not. Still, it was interesting that we could be so different, but very similar.

I thought for a moment afterwards, giving him time to ask any questions he had. If he asked, I would answer before asking my next question, but I needed a bit of time to think about it. I had to find a way that I hoped wouldn't be rude, but I was very curious and decided to simply ask bluntly, with an apology attached.

"I don't mean to sound rude, so please don't take this the wrong way, but your reiatsu doesn't feel quite Human. It's different than a normal Human with a high reiatsu, like me, its distinctly . . . Quincy. Do you know why that is? It's almost as if you're an entirely different race, but not."

Perhaps the last bit was unneeded or was the most rude, but I couldn't help it much. It was just that I wanted to fully explain my questions and thoughts, to give him a better understanding, as I truly wanted to learn what I could from him. It puzzled me--Quincy were born Human, and if left alone would likely just be a normal Human, not even spiritually aware. Yet, once trained in the Quincy arts, their reiatsu turned . . . for lack of a better word, inhuman.

[Naka]

I had expected another question right away, but he just continued to simply sit there. Perhaps he was just taking a long time to ponder my answer, or maybe.... maybe he was waiting for me to take my turn and ask a question. I didn't really have something prepared, so I would have to think about it was well. So although we both waited, it would be with us both in thought for the entirety of that span of time. I considered what I might ask of him, thinking back to what I had asked already. I already knew much about the world, being taught by my paternal figure, and so my knowledge only lacked particularly in the area of the advent.

I had just come to grasp the next idea I wanted to discuss when it appeared he was preparing to speak. So I held my tongue for the moment, allowing his next question to ring forth.

"I don't mean to sound rude, so please don't take this the wrong way, but your reiatsu doesn't feel quite Human. It's different than a normal Human with a high reiatsu, like me, its distinctly . . . Quincy. Do you know why that is? It's almost as if you're an entirely different race, but not."

With his statement beginning with an apology I was wary of what might be said, but after hearing the query in full it was not so much offensive to me as perhaps he thought it might be. However, on the same note, he might not like my answer either. Such a can of worms he was opening up with this question, but not troublesome for me, oh no. He would have to find it in himself to deal with the results of his deep thinking.

"All beings are completely unique, from physical features down to their very souls. And within that soul each person has a unique 'spiritual pressure', for lack of a better term. Normal humans have rather plain and undeveloped spiritual pressure, and seem rather 'Human' as you say. Any other being, including yourself, is going to have a different spiritual pressure than those normal humans. You say the Quincy are like a different race, and although we are very much human, our spiritual pressure is distinctly not, which is why you can identify me as a Quincy by looking at that part of my soul. In that sense, yes we could be called a different race from humans. In the same way, you are not human either, along with all advents. If you truly examine yourself, focusing internally and comparing your spirit to that of a human, you will find it to be fundamentally different on a significant scale. Although you have a reiatsu that seems to be human at first glance, it is 'tainted' by the stench of a hollow."

I paused, realizing I had said too much. Why had I allowed my hatred for hollows to invade this conversation? Stupid.

" I-I apologize. That was completely unnecessary. I have a rather strong hatred of the hollow spirits, and I allowed it to spoil our nice conversation. Forgive me."

I hung my head as I asked for his forgiveness. It was a harsh truth that he would eventually have to come to terms with, but I had certainly laid it on far to thickly. Yes, what I had spoken was true, in a sense, but there had been no need to say it in that manner.

[Kharashi]

I received a rather long winded answer, but an informative one, as usual. It was all true, I found, if I searched hard enough, everything he said. In fact, I knew it to be true, and I hadn't even thought of his last comment in any sort of offensive way until he apologized. Even then I found the apology was unnecessary--of all spiritually aware beings, not including Hollows, who didn't hate them? And it wasn't a lie to say my soul was tainted--it was. I hadn't thought of it as such, and the thought was a bit disturbing, admittedly, but I took no offense.

I laughed a bit as he finished his apology and seemed to show his apology even physically. When my laughter calmed I was finally able to speak, "Oh, it's alright," I chuckled a bit more, "What can I say, I hate them, too. I took no offense at all." I beamed at him to reinforce my statement, I really didn't want him feeling like he had done me wrong, or something.

My mind wandered elsewhere afterwards, almost as if avoiding what he had said. Unlike any of the other times, I didn't take even a little bit of time to digest the information immediately--I wanted to leave that for later, at least for this specific piece of information.

Tainted . . .I couldn't help but think, though I showed no signs of such thoughts physically. I turned to Naka and said, "So, you looked like you had another question for me."

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[Naka]

It seemed my worries were for naught, as his laughter rang forth following my statement of apology. I looked up in puzzlement, confusion flitting temporarily across my face. Laughter was not the reaction I had expected... perhaps he did not understand the implications of what I had said? Or maybe the laughter was a cover, something designed to shift his thoughts from the facts I had brought to light.

"Oh, it's alright,"

He chuckled some more. There seemed to be a lot of humor he somehow saw in the situation, although it was difficult for me to understand it.

"What can I say, I hate them, too. I took no offense at all."

He smiled at me, probably attempting to make me feel better for the insult? It appeared that he did in fact understand the implications behind my words, or he had simply come upon the correct response by chance. He sat for a good while at this juncture, and it seemed that he was thinking on my words after all. So his laughter was a cover then. Interesting. I allowed him to rest in that fashion for some time, not wanting to break his focus. After a time he turned to me and spoke.

"So, you looked like you had another question for me."

Quite interesting, it seemed he was intuitive as well. I did in fact have a question prepared,

"Fair enough. I was just thinking that it would be interesting to know more about your power, if you would like to share. Along the same lines, if you have encountered and other advents I would be interested in learning about their powers as well. You say your power was 'awakened' by a hollow, but how is that different from being awakened by say a shinigami?"

[Kharashi]

He seemed rather interested in my powers. I suppose it could have been due to the fact that it was somewhat similar to his own, or simple curiosity. Either way, I was glad to inform him of anything he wished to know.

"I've only encountered one other Advent, but I was never able to learn about his powers. We don't have a very . . . good relationship," I said, remembering Jin and stopping myself from scowling at the thought, "My powers, though. I feel that I'm underdeveloped, and that I'll gain many more abilities later on, but as of now, my Advent is truly active when the light is condensed into a set of armor around me. It's weightless, but strong, since its condensed using my reiatsu. I'm able to change the color of anything I create out of the light, since it is, after all, light." I pondered for a moment anything I had left out, "Oh, right, and I can create physical objects out of the light, but they must physically be condensed on my body. Afterward, I can control them within approximately a 30 meter radius with my mind."

I shrugged, that's all there was to it. Still, I respected it as a rather formidable ability and counted myself lucky to be the bearer of it. I continued on to answer the last part of his question, "My Advent is focused through my body--for me, in particular, my heart. An Advent awakened by a Hollow does just that--focuses their power through a body part. An Advent awakened by a Shinigami, however, focuses their Advent through an item, such as gloves or a ball or . . . something."