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

[bladeisme]

I KNOW!

[As he roars that out, the weight of his reiatsu flares out - and settles on Szayel, heavy and dark and crushing. His emotions are running wild, and he hasn't had anyone around for so long - he's forgotten how to properly control himself so his massive energy doesn't wipe out everything around him.

Sorry, Szayel.]

[perfeccion]

Gck--!

[the pressure is too much, and Szayel falls to his knees, forced to kneel from the sudden uptick in gravity. How many times had Aizen done this to them when Grimmjow ran his mouth? When Starrk didn't show up for meetings again? When he himself was caught doing unauthorized experiments? He grits his teeth, managing to glare at Ichigo from behind his glasses and mussed hair, speaking lowly ] J-just like Lord Aizen...

[bladeisme]

[And just like that - the energy stops, as Ichigo is snapped out of his anger at those words.

He whips his head over, seeing Szayel kneeling on the ground - and his heart drops, because he'd never wanted to do that to anyone, and even if it was Szayel, who creeps him out on the best of days...

He quickly gets to his feet, practically shunpoing over and offering a hand to help Szayel up, his face twisted in concern.]

Shit, I - I'm sorry. I let myself get too wound up. Are you alright?

[perfeccion]

[the air rushes back into Szayel's lungs and he gasps, holding his hand over his chest. He almost feels weightless after the intense pressure. He looks at Ichigo's hand and waves it away, too prideful to accept even the hand of perfection. He gets to his feet himself and fixes his hair with his fingers]

It's fine. I'll be fine. You needn't concern yourself with me, Kurosaki. [he offers his best approximation of a sympathetic look] But the Medic would be killed by such a display. I do have some devices that can limit reiatsu output, but I think you might overload them.

[bladeisme]

[Well, he figured his hand might be slapped away - so he doesn't protest, just drops it at his side and straightens up, running his other hand through his hair.]

....I can hold it in, Szayel. I'm not that bad at it, just...

....It's happening again - all of this. Another goddamn killing game, and for what?

[After all, Ichigo was a survivor of a Ritual meant to feed Sol - so he knew the pain everyone was going through right now.]

[perfeccion]

I wish I could answer that, Kurosaki-san. [he sighs, adjusting his glasses before putting both hands in his pockets] The Foundation had the Petoskey location down to an art -- or so we thought. As you know, this Resort is but a stub in our records. At least in Michigan, we kind of knew what was going on. Here... [he shakes his head. They know nothing, and it clearly agitates him] I need more data. I think I know what this place is, at least -- the Resort appears to be a living organism living in its own pocket dimension, collecting whatever comes near for sustenance. But I haven't the foggiest idea how the Mafia game and the monsters tie in with that. Is it related to the resort organism? Is it something completely different? Are the monsters Guests and the Resort is trying to provide them with what they need through this inane game? It's too soon to tell. [he's really just rambling at this point, putting his thoughts into words.]

But if you think I won't do everything in my power to escape this place, you'd be dead wrong. I certainly can't leave the ravishing Dr. O'Deorain alone with that pig Kurotsuchi.

[bladeisme]

....Do you have a crush on this O'Deorain person, or something?

[Sorry, he'll get to the rest in a second, but he had to let THAT out.]

I knew this place was a stub - it's why we were sent out here. But what I can tell you is that the staff would have never allowed guests to kill each other. As for the rest...I guess we'll find out when we get out of here. At the very least...we're the only ones able to stay in this world in ghost form.

[At the cost of never being able to return home, but details.]

[perfeccion]

Have you not met her? She's almost as beautiful as me.

[but that's not important right now. But Ichigo is right... Szayel folds his arms and tilts his head from side to side, ruminating] I wonder then, what changed? Because Guests are certainly being harmed now! [he sighs] It makes us good guinea pigs. But, ah... Kurosaki. I know... that you don't really want to talk about it. But I need as much data as I can get. I would like more details concerning your demise six months ago. Including the perpetrator.

[bladeisme]

No, I haven't. I try to keep away from creepy doctors as much as I can.

[BECAUSE HONESTLY, Mayuri pretty much tries to cut him open at every opportunity.

He scowls at Szayel's words, shaking his head (and making his hair fly around, of course) before answering.]

I don't know. The change was gradual enough for me to only notice when the rest of you came in, and they made everyone participate in this game. I'm not even sure why they aren't trying to stop me from talking to everyone.

[But when he mentions what happened six months ago...he starts to walk off without a word.]

[perfeccion]

[yes well, Mayuri is not allowed any more so NYEH.

Gradual, hm? Just more information that he's more or less already figured out for himself.

-- hey WAITAMINNIT]

Kurosaki-san, please... wait! I need to know! If we are to solve this mystery, you can't keep a critical piece of the puzzle from me.

[bladeisme]

I can, and I will.

[STILL WALKING OFF....but more aimlessly, really. He's also got a complicated expression on his face, long hair trailing after him.]

I was killed because I reacted badly to something, and he shot me and vanished. That's all anyone needs to know about it.

[perfeccion]

[he growls in his throat as he trails a short distance behind Ichigo, wringing his hands in frustration]

So... this other person was able to leave?

[bladeisme]

...I think he's still here. But that's all I know.

[perfeccion]

Hmmm... [Well, that's not the exposition Szayel was hoping for, but it will do for now. He puts a hand to his mouth, pensively, and talks more to himself than to Ichigo] Where could you be hiding...

[bladeisme]

...If you figure it out, let me know.

[And with that -

He's going to Shunpo over to another side of the hotel. He knows Szayel can feel him anyway, but - it's the principal of the thing.]

[perfeccion]

[he knows better than to follow, at least.

Besides, now he has other things to do. Namely exploring the resort from top to bottom]