GRAVEYARD

[foundationmods]

[On the instant of your death, you're suddenly outside of your body - probably staring down at the remains it's become.

Yet, you're not alone. For all of you (except Szayel), a young man appears from behind you, his face set into a firm, yet sad, scowl. His shaggy strawberry blonde hair is pretty eye-catching, along with the black and white Shihakusho he wears and the large sword on his back, even as he gently tries to lead you back into the lobby and away from what was once your body. You can still clearly hear and see the living, if you want to try - but they can't see or hear you.

'Welcome to the world of the dead in this Resort,' he says, quietly. 'Looks like you're stuck here with the rest of us.'

He hands you a tablet, just like the one you had before. "You'll need this if you want to keep talking to them,' he explains, looking sad.

It looks like you've passed on, and yet...You still feel like you have a role to play in all of this.]

Comments

[perfeccion]

[he pushes his glasses up]

You don't think I'm trying to keep you all alive and well out of the goodness of my heart, do you? I'm a Hollow, boy. I have no heart. If I manage to bring you all back with your souls in one piece and ripe for new gigai, it will look amazing on my record. My promotion to B-class will be all but assured!

1/?

[moonlightbeast]

[moonlightbeast]

[moonlightbeast]

[moonlightbeast]

ok done

[moonlightbeast]

[JUST

ATTEMPTING TO PUNCH SZAYEL IN THE FUCKING FACE]

[perfeccion]

[you may be fast for a human, Atsushi.

But you're still just human.

Szayel's hand is in front of his face in a mere instant, grabbing the young man's fist in his hand. His grip is like iron, and just as cold. He bends it backwards at the wrist until something pops]

Temper, temper. You're surprised at my ruthlessness? You shouldn't be.

[moonlightbeast]

[Yeah okay, that hurts. It hurts enough to get him to scream, even. Or maybe that's the sheer anger he feels? Maybe both. Both is good.

And then he grabs for the hand holding onto his hand, to at least have his free hand on something here.]

They're not numbers! They're people! They're people and they deserve better than being just 'your statistics'!

[perfeccion]

[This time, his hand starts to glow pink as he infuses it with enough reiatsu to burn Atushi should he keep touching him.

He frowns, a look in his eye that's almost sad. Almost... human.]

That's not how the Foundation sees us. You're a statistic. I'm a statistic. Hell. Even the people from their own universe. Fodder in the march for progress. To 'protect the greater good'.

[he lets go, and removes himself from Atsushi, turning his back to him]

I play the game, and I play to win. Maybe centuries ago, I was as optimistic as you.

[moonlightbeast]

[It does burn like hell, but he doesn't let go, not until Szayel lets go a few moments after.

And for a bit, he just hisses in pain as he nurses his hurt hands. He really, really doesn't like pain. But at the same time, there's still more to be said.]

Even an asshole like you isn't a statistic. You may not be human, but you're still a person.

[perfeccion]

[his shoulders shudder a bit. Tears? Sobbing?

No.

Laughing.

Bitter and cold, yet still manic]

Amazing. Truly amazing, the resiliency of the human spirit.

[moonlightbeast]

[Wow rude.]

You're doing this because you don't understand, huh? Because you don't have a heart, you don't understand. Just like how Yoshi-kun doesn't understand that his life has value.

[Now that he's calming down a bit, though, he's starting to get it, maybe.]

You need someone to be your conscience, then.

[perfeccion]

[he turns to face Atsushi again, his countenance back to its usual affect of calm collection, his fingers laced behind his back]

Mm, I suppose I don't have a conscience. I don't ever remember having one... They seem like troublesome things, Mr. Nakajima.

[moonlightbeast]

Maybe, but there's worth in having a voice that tells you 'hey, maybe you shouldn't do that, because it would hurt someone else'.

[perfeccion]

[he tilts his head]

Why?

[moonlightbeast]

[...okay. Some stirring speech about humanity and valuing life probably won't work here. So he goes another route, and thinks 'what would I say to Dazai in this situation?']

Because if you keep going as you are now, eventually you will come across someone stronger than who who doesn't like your abrasive personality.

If for no other reason, you should be nice to others so that they don't stab you in the back later.

[perfeccion]

[good call, Atsushi]

Ah, well, my solution to those problems are simple -- I suck up to them if they're stronger.

[moonlightbeast]

Is that why you suck up to Kurosaki?

[perfeccion]

[he just offers a pleasant, knowing smile]

[moonlightbeast]

[Hi fucker, get a pleasant, knowing smile in return.

This is Fine.]

Maybe I should help you for a while. Because if you're sucking up to Kurosaki, then I will probably see you a lot, and I can appreciate how hard it is to do good things intrinsically.

[perfeccion]

[ :)!! ]

Ugh. Why? Because you two are "seeing one another"? [complete with air-quotes] And what are YOU getting out of this?

[moonlightbeast]

Mmm, no, it's because he's going to try to teach me how to control the tiger.

[He had said 'no' to the offer before, but. Well. After today, he can't really say no anymore.]

[perfeccion]

Hmm... I suppose his relationship with his Zanpakutou is similar, in some ways, to you and your beast. [he checks a small computer screen from his pocket] ... On the other hand. I think I have enough data here that I could remove it from you completely.

[moonlightbeast]

[That. Actually gets a confused look from him.]

It's an ability, how would you even remove something like that? I've had it since I was born.

[perfeccion]

Oh, severing the ties between you and that entity would be simple enough, I think... Based on my data, it seems to be a bit like possession. I'm not sure if either of you would survive without the other, though... I need to do more tests. [he presses a few buttons, then puts the tablet away] Either way, I'll be installing a neural mod on your new gigai that will allow those with the proper clearance to render your cortically blind at the press of a switch. There will be no more full moon incidents if you can't see it.