The more Souls the Merrier(Open)

[Agudo]

When Agudo had been a human he had been an old man, he wouldn’t have admitted it then, but now... now he had no problem with the claim. He had been in his 60’s and long past his prime. As a hollow, he was ageless, he could live to be ancient and still be in the condition he was in now... at least that was how he understood it.

Either way, as an old human or an immortal hollow he had no use for the pleasures of the flesh. So when he killed the woman before him he didn’t feel any remorse at her death, or regret at would could have been. She was a prostitute. Something that at one time would have intrigued him, at another would have disgusted him, but now it held little relevance to him except that she was easy prey that he could take his time with.

He savoured her soul as he she bled out. But by the time he was finished he already wanted more. Wanted to take another human soul. He was so hungry. He abandoned the woman where she was. He exited the alley and faced the public. NO one saw him of course, but that mattered little, the blood dripping off of him was enough to elicit some confusion before someone screamed and ran.

It was more fun when they ran. He oh so enjoyed the chase... even if mere humans didn’t provide much of one. He was on her in seconds. To the other humans it appeared as if her back had suddenly erupted in a spray of blood as Agudo ripped into her with the tops of his fingers.

It was blood and mayhem, something that gave Agudo great pleasure.

[Shinzu]

Midnight had already descended onto Karakura town, consuming most of the sky with a shade of black. Though the darkness of the night was absolute, the one thing it could not touch was the rebellious light of the full moon, setting the stage for the busy world bellow with its luminous gaze. Though this was the time that most humans retreated back to their homes to slumber till the day, it was equally true that this was also the time small groups of humans appeared all over the city, hiding amidst the shadows to do their business.

Regardless of their motives, Arturo cared not in the slightest and rather seemed to be more focused on something else in particular. Escaping from his portal; Garganta, the giant descended onto the streets below, landing with a ‘thud’ whilst causing a slight quake to echo in his wake. The process of doing so seemed to set off several car alarms in a rhythmic series of beeps, a slight annoyance to be truthful, however they seemed to serve their purpose of killing the awkward silence nicely.

“Where…” Muttered the titanic figure in an almost robotic tone. Though the beast was slightly shorter than the rows of buildings surrounding the area, his stature was still respectable, giving full right for humans to label him as a giant, assuming they could see him in the first place. At that moment Arturo set off, squeezing himself into a narrow alleyway, the act of doing so causing a nearby building to collapse in a flurry of bricks and debris.

With his presence now likely known to most in the area, Arturo no longer bothered suppressing his reiatsu after that little blunder as he walked toward a wider location. Upon reaching this area which at last provided enough room to allow the giant to walk in a manner bearing slightly more dignity than previously, he came across a rather strange looking hollow. "How disappointing. I was expecting someone slightly. Stronger.” Grinned the Gillian, not bothering to waste an opportunity to mock the miniscule hollow before beginning to glare at him, almost as if expecting a response.

[Agudo]

Agudo, leapt away from the body he had been playing with as he heard the nearby building collapse. Without even thinking he was backed up in a corner, his legs bent in preparation to leap away, fight or flight. Before the spider like hollow had any time to think the source of the destruction allowed it’s cloak on it’s reiatsu to drop. It was a hollow, much more powerful than Agudo himself, and therefore... to be treated with at least a facsimile of respect. He wasn’t sure how to react, escaping was out of the question... he was in the same situation he always was with stronger hollows. He was to bow down and accept whatever humiliation this monstrosity decided to heap apon him. Already the insults were coming... Then again, at the moment the slight that Agudo was weak was nothing more than the truth... but that would change.

“I would not think that one such as I would draw the attention of one such as yourself! I am but a mere pawn compared to a chess master such as yourself. It is true that I am no match for your power, it humbles me to be in your presence.” He crouched down, in a half bow. Offering this repulsive creature the same performance he had offered the other powerful hollow who thought to name himself Agudo’s master. He would kneel down to anyone if he thought it would get him a step closer to power.

“What brings my presence to your attention? I had not meant to encroach on your territory, I had only meant to take in a few souls and be on my way. If my actions have offended I humbly ask forgiveness for a sin I did not know I had committed.” He didn’t raise himself from his abeyance he merely raised his head slightly in an effort to get a better view of the creature before him. It was large... but that meant little... what counted was the force of the reiatsu flowing from it. More reiatsu than he could generate and that was all that really counted.

[Shinzu]

Arturo chuckled as he noticed the disfigured corpse of a women on the ground, her flesh seemingly ripped into as she remained lifeless on the cold tarmac, oozing a pool of red. Picking her up gently, the Gillian began tossing her about in the palm of his hand, treating the corpse no different than a child would a toy. Though it was amusing watching what little of her blood that remained splatter and dye the giants own hand red each time he caught her, he soon became bored of this little game a proceeded to clench his arm tightly into a closed fist.

Little else except a gruesome noise followed by silence appeared at that moment. Not willing to look at the contents of his hand, Arturo proceeded by slamming his fist into a building, emptying the crushed corpse inside before attempting to dust off any debris or flesh for that matter that remained glued onto his finger tips. “You see that? Explain to me why that should not have been you.” Questioned the Gillian as the lesser hollow bowed down.

Though it appeared to be a sign of respect, or perhaps a simple act in order to prevent himself from enraging the giant, either way Arturo took no notice of this. Though he had no intentions of devouring the tiny hollow as of yet, the prospect of figuring out just how much of what had been said was an act or not seemed like a interesting ordeal or at the very least, a good way to pass the time until day break. “Rather good aren’t you. At pretending to be submissive that is.” Stated the Gillian in an attempt to enrage the victim of his glaring. “Speaking of which. Your name. What is it?”

[Agudo]

The Gillian was a monster plain and simple, of course possessing the power of speech... but it had no class, or sophistication. Its tones were strong and harsh, with apparently no attempt to soften them. The creature was violent and vicious. It attempted to use violence and fear as a weapon against Agudo... and to an extent, it worked. It was one thing to play with a body for your own satisfaction, feeding on its soul... it was entirely another to use it as a threat. Agudo figured if the creature was as great as it apparently believed it was... it wouldn’t need such petty gestures.

Still, Agudo flinched when Arturo crushed the body, letting his true reaction show because it was expected. He didn’t think he would end up like that body... at least not any time soon. If the Gillian had intended to kill him, the monster probably would have done so by now. So... at least for the moment Agudo would be fine, as long as he kept talking and continued to convince the stronger hollow that Agudo was a subservient and willing slave.

Because so much rode on his facade remained intact, Agudo winced inwardly at the Hollows entirely correct accusations... He didn’t however let it show outwardly. If spending his human life in a corporate environment was good for anything, it was keeping his emotions in check when he had to. Without a face to betray such things... it was a little easier than it would have been in a human body. “I would not pretend at this. I am nothing compared to you and if it was your wish you could indeed crush me as easily as you did the human. So it is only by your grace that I live, only a fool would do anything other than submit to you. This one is not a fool, this one’s name is Agudo.”

[Shinzu]

Arturo grimaced slightly. His plans to enrage the hollow seemed to have failed, though the reason for this was still a mystery. Perhaps the tiny hollow planned on keeping up his facade, or perhaps he simply saw sense in not picking any unnecessary fights. Either way, his reluctance to fight was clearly shown through his eyes, and the fear they held for the giant. Whatever the case however, the Gillian seemed intrigued by this creature that had just revealed himself as Agudo.

“I see. It appears you wish to submit to me. Or at least. That is assuming your words reflect your true intentions.” Spoke Arturo, his eyes constantly remaining fixed onto the smaller hollow. “How many times I wonder. Have you said these very same words to other hollows that have crossed your path?” Clearly the Gillian was hinting at the fact that he knew Agudo was playing innocent, this however was no longer his concern. Rather than forcing the hollow into a situation in which he would be forced to drop his guise, the giant’s intentions had now shifted upon coming to the realization of something.

It was faint, almost untraceable but it was there. Perhaps it was because of it that Arturo was drawn to this area in particular. Either way is was now clear and could no longer be ignored; this hollow had met with Feng-Xian, the evidence being in the way that Agudo’s body contained faint traces of Feng’s spirit particles. “Indeed. Truly you must have made a pact with him too. Have you not?” Asked the giant, assuming that the hollow would understand who he meant by ‘him’.

Though the Gillian craved an answer, the fact soon became obvious to him that if Agudo had met Feng-Xian and had survived, then surely he must have accepted his proposition, the very same one that was offered to Arturo himself. “I suppose he tricked you into becoming his ally too. Did he not?”

[Agudo]

Agudo didn’t move... sudden movements might attract a blow of some sort... and if this Gillian was as senselessly violent as Feng, Agudo didn’t want to invite the opportunity. Apparently the larger hollow suspected Agudo’s sincerity... which was to b e expected because even a monster would have the sense to realise that if Agudo was alive now, it was because he had avoided pissing off those that could crush him with a flick of their hands... or whatever passed for a hand.

Some of these creatures were truly repulsive! A repugnant sort, with bulging limbs and a complete lack of refined form. Agudo attributed his sleek appearance to his own mental attributes. He had no real idea of how Hollows took their shape, but he was certain that this body suited him. Even though he was currently small enough and weak enough to be destroyed with ease, that would change... and then his form would aid him in his exploits.

For the moment though, he had to survive. “Of course I must prostrate myself before those who can do me harm. And I have indeed said similar words to another, but in truth I submit to the most powerfull. And you are clearly the strongest hollow I have met. When I say that I am easily killed I mean it... and only by pleasing the other Gillian I have met have I survived.” He figured that if this Hollow knew so much... then lying to him would be dangerous... at least lying about anything obviouswould be.

“And I would not say that he tricked me into becoming his ally... more like he ensured that becoming his subordinate was my only option.” He straightened his posture... but only a tad. “I am quite certain that I do not trust the hollow. So I wouldn’t think that I had been tricked.”

[Shinzu]

Arturo took note of the hollows stiffness, refusing to budge in the slightest unless it was to reply. Clearly Agudo wasn’t the talkative type, only replying when it was to answer, never even giving his own opinion of things and rather only justifying himself. At this point it was hard to tell whether or not this was part of his warped personality or rather more likely, a false guise taken in order to survive. Whichever the case, the Gillian was starting to find this extremely irritating. A fact he could no longer hide.

“I must insist you stop with this little ‘act’ of yours. It is becoming rather boring. To say the very least.” Groaned Arturo as he grinned to reveal the rows of jagged teeth his mouth bore. Though such idle threats weren’t usually something he bothered with, the Gillian thought it best to first force Agudo out of his shell before discussing the true business at hand. “Let me say this. Hollow. I have no intention of devouring you whatever your response may be. However at the same time. I find the idea of conversing with your current self pointless.”

Though his words were blunt, they did have meaning. After all, Arturo saw no sense in forming an alliance with a weak creature that would create a new persona for himself simply to avoid falling prey to a hunter. What the Gillian needed were strong hollows, strong enough to make it a one sided battle should the time come in which Feng-Xian needed to be killed.

Though it could just be simple paranoia, the fact that Feng had already recruited this hollow to his cause only served to show that he could be plotting something far more than the giant had initially speculated. Whatever the case, turning as many allies as he could against the other Gillian could only serve to aid him in the future. “Well. What is your answer? Continue this facade of yours and I shall leave you be. However. You will be forced to live out the rest of your days as his puppet. Is that truly what you wish for?”

[Agudo]

Act? There was a difference between putting on an act and trying to survive. His objective at the moment was survival... and no matter how liberal this Gillian thought Agudo would be... there was little change the weaker hollow would make it out of this confrontation alive if he said what he was actually thinking. The revulsion he felt for the creature before him was hard to put into words... but to say the least... his vocabulary was vast enough to make certain that his point would get across. Besides... he wasn’t putting on an act, he was using good sense. He fully intended to submit to whoever had the most power... at least until he managed to wrest some of that power away.

“I am sorry that you find my attitude displeasing, I would do what it takes to please you... but unfortunately this act you accuse me of displaying before you is in truth an honest portrayal of my intentions. A small an weak hollow such as this one has no use for anything other than submission. In a world such as this only the strong... and those the strong favour, survive.” He still didn’t move, relaxing would give too much away... an idle twitch or casual gesture could imply something that Agudo had no intention of giving away.

He remained submissive and meek. He had spent years kissing ass to get to the top of the business world... he could do the same here. Even if he didn’t quite remember everything about his life as a human... he remembered his success and how he had achieved it, worshiping his superiors while plotting their downfall.

[Shinzu]

Arturo looked away for a moment, shutting his eyes to drown out the outside world. “I see.” It appeared that the hollow truly had no intentions of revealing his true personality. Whatever the case, it seemed that this facade of his was part of his personality, a natural instinct or a mental trigger that would turn on when endangered, something the Gillian could only laugh at. Such could only be proof of Agudo’s strength, a fact the giant frowned upon.

Power certainly is an interesting concept. In whatever sense of the word, the Gillian had always been gifted with power, even back in his human days. Power was never something he craved but rather, something that was presented to him. Arturo never sought power; he had always just simply had it, making Agudo a truly repulsive being. For the life of him it was just simply impossible, the giant just could not work out the need for the hollows guise, such being impossible for a creature much like himself who had never been forced to degrade himself in front of others for pity.

In a way, one could interpret Agudo’s will for survival as being the pinnacle of his strength, allowing him to live out his days without a single conflict at the cost of his pride. In the same way, the hollow could also be called a coward by some, though Arturo on the other hand had no idea what kind of label to place on him. Cowardice or intellect, it didn’t matter which one fuelled the hollows actions; either way the Gillian had no need for someone who would resort to such things.

“Very well. If being a puppet is what you seek. Then our time to converse has but reached an end.” Opening his eyes to reveal his pale yellow pupils, Arturo turned his back on the hollow, refusing to even look at him as he began walking away. After a few steps, the Gillian would slide his index finger along the open area, causing a series of cracks to bleed out from their motion before expanding to reveal a dark and twisted portal into a abyss; Garganta. “Farewell. Hollow. Till the day in which I decide to cut your strings.”

-Exit