Arrival [O]

[Mao]

The venture over had been, thankfully, relatively painless. Then again, it almost always was, unless one was unfortunate enough to not have a jigokuchou to guide them… but rarely was such a foolish mistake ever recorded. With their duty fulfilled, the winged insects vanished from sight, the gate closing behind them, and leaving the two Shinigami to their duty. Personally, Mao preferred to arrive in less populated areas of the city. It decreased the chances of spiritually aware beings spotting them, which just made everything easier in the end. Unfortunately, this place was… rather busy. It didn’t contain the hustle and bustle of an afternoon city street, but with a fair number of individuals enjoying the scenery before the sun set completely, she was sure that at least two or three of them could see their kimono-clad figures.

The medic as well had fallen victim to the pleasing views the park had to offer. She’d taken to standing on the railing of a nearby bridge, looking down at the flowing water. “I’m not sure where they are exactly, which means we’ll have to do a bit of searching,” she spoke, glancing over her shoulder towards Zoumotsu. It was probably a departure he was looking forward to, since, ant least to her, he didn’t seem like the type to pick flowers and frolic through nature. “But we can probably pin-point them via reiatsu if we keep our senses sharp… if they have any left to sense…”

Her last few words were murmured, trying to mask the foul possibility. As difficult as it was becoming, she had to stay positive.

[— M α t s u]

"Hm.."

The Shinigami muttered to himself as he wandered the grassy park without his shoes on. He'd lost them somewhere, that much was apparent by the confused look on his face. He'd taken them off when he was down by the river, just before he'd has his nap on the bench. Such a puzzling mystery could only lead back to small children playing tricks on him or perhaps another Shinigami with a score to settle had decided to make off with his shoes back to Soul Society. "Ah shit. Of course I get hassled today of all days. So tired.." he yawned as he came to an abrupt stop. What was that? His eyes did not fail him as they drifted over the form of a Kimono clad woman on the bridge.

"A Shinigami in the park..? Is there a Hollow nearby?" he wondered to himself as he pulled the brown trench coat over his torso. He had been completely unaware that there was anything here, perhaps she felt something that he had yet to feel. Yawning once more he'd fish into his pockets for a cigarette and a lighter, bringing the poison to his lips and igniting it with a simple click. Walking loudly upon the pavement, he'd make sure his approach was known as his feet now made a soft slapping sound against the planks of the bridge. He wouldn't make it known he could see her at first, regardless of wether or not she was possibly aware of his spiritual abilities.

Stopping just next to her, it'd seem like he wasn't aware of her presence at all as he leaned over the railing now. His single blue orb would be transfixed upon the waters surface as he cleared his throat only after a few moments to speak. "Pretty busy spot, ne?" he'd ask with a chuckle under his breath as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. "What brings you here? There something in the park I'm missin'?" he'd ask with a sarcastic tone, feeling like he was lame if there was something going on here under his nose. "Ichijou." he'd state bluntly, offering his last name rather then his first.

[Mao]

{I’m so sorry for the wait >: I was waiting for Evi to post, but… }

“Hn…?” If the noise of the approaching individual hadn’t been enough to get her attention the burning aroma of some foreign toxin certainly had. The girl’s nose wrinkled, but her lips remain sealed. Perhaps the humans couldn’t see nor hear the souls of the dead, but something about talking poorly of another’s habits so openly made her feel bad about herself. She spared the male a glance, and though Mao was sure he would pass on his own, the medics eyes did not follow his figure to make sure he did such. Instead, her head turned the opposite direction, perhaps waiting for him to pass, or it may have simply been to get a deep breath of uncorrupt air.

Interestingly enough, he never appeared within her adjusted field of vision. Instead, his steps came to cease beside her, the males figure leaning casually upon the wooden railing she had taken as her pedestal. Was it just luck that he’d missed leaning directly on her by a few inches, or was he actually capable of seeing her? Softly, the Shinigami sighed. The white haired female had desperately hoped that their brief arrival here would go unnoticed by spiritually aware humans, but there was little she could do now, save for sending Zou a brief, apologetic look. Silently, she hoped luck would be on her side once more, and the youth would simply be on his way.

But no; he spoke. “Ah- … uh?” She blinked, caught off guard by the casual tone in his voice. It would seem as if conversation with spirits was something he partook in often. “Yes,” the shinigami replied, “busy indeed.” The ask of her business in the park caused a single ivory brow to arch. It was hard to say how much she could reveal, but in her opinion, the less he knew, the better. “Not here necessarily… but close.” And finally, a name. Well, at least he had the decency to introduce himself. Good manners were harder and harder to find these days. With a small smile, the girl bowed her head. No harm in introductions, was there? “I’m Mao. Nice to meet you.”

[— M α t s u]

"Kind of makes you wonder.."

He started without finishing his sentence, he'd exhale another large cloud of smoke as he jumped up onto the rail and had a seat. Dangling his bare feet, he'd continue speaking. "..spirits here in the park make me wonder if perhaps you simply died here, or you're here for something else." he spoke softly as he was not entirely sure if she was a Shinigami or not. She didn't seem like the other spirits though, the ones he'd normally encounter through out the city, she seemed a bit more collected and secretive.. or at least vague. He couldn't tell if she was keeping secrets, being vague, or she just wasn't sure where this "close" was. "Something going on nearby huh..?"

Staring blankly at the water, he'd lose himself in thought for a moment. It had been quite sometime since he'd actually fought a Hollow, what if this something close was one of those? Shaking his head he'd laugh, he was over thinking things, like a woman he'd say however he'd always been slapped for doing so as well. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have seen a pair of shoes around here? I think some of the kids are giving me crap again.." he sighed as he placed a hand on his forehead and ran his fingers through his bangs. "It's like they think I'm the park Hobo, I guess I sorta give off that aura." he chuckled as he made that statement, he was always seen as that weird guy wandering around town.

"You've got better manners then most spirits Mao, tell me, how'd you die?" he asked without seemingly a care as to how it'd make the spirit feel to be asked such a question. It couldn't have been in a very violent way if she was indeed a spirit, she seemed too kind and at peace with what she was if it was true. Unlike the others she didn't seem confused or even angry.