Out in the Open (Captain Meeting thread)

The sound of ruffling papers greeted the young man as he knocked politely on the door of the Captain-Commander's office, and was promptly admitted inside. The raven-haired young girl sat at her desk, shuffling through papers. She looked up at him as he entered, her gaze warm but also guarded. The young man bowed before speaking. "Captain-Commander, it is time for the meeting. The captains are beginning to arrive." Gráinne nodded. She stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the Seireitei. "Thank you. Tell them I will be down momentarily." The young man bowed once more. "Yes, ma'am." He then left. Gráinne sidled over to her cabinet and changed into her uniform. She then picked up her papers and headed downstairs.

Upon arriving to the conference room, Gráinne saw that no-one had arrived yet. The room was quiet. She headed to her chair at the top of the table and began to arrange her papers. There were a number of things to discuss, mainly the shifting of power in Hueco Mundo, as well as the deteriorating situation in the Living World. There was also one other matter. Gráinne felt a familiar presence nearby. Someone was hiding but weren't doing a very good job. Gráinne smiled knowingly. "Elayne, don't hide. It's gonna be fine."

Grainne entered the room, and instantly discovered Elayne and told her to come out of hiding. "I'm not hiding.." The silver haired girl who wore a white jacket with black trim, white skirt with black lace and white boots said from under the table. "I seen a ladybird.. And followed it to see what it was doing.." She said, though it was an obvious lie. She climbed out from under the table and starred at all the chairs.

"Where do i sit?" She asked, concerned. She didn't want to sit away from grainne but she also didn't want to offend anyone by taking their chair. She danced on the spot and looked between Grainne and the table. Then the door opened, and Jensen arrived. He went to sit next to Grainne, as her advisor, and noticed Elanye. With a grin he sat one chair down and let her take his seat. "Good afternoon Grainne. How are you feeling, Elayne?" The stalwart warrior asked them as they waited for the rest of the captains and advisors to arrive.

It wasn't long before Diath arrived, hugged Grainne, and sat on the opposite side of her without hesitating. The confident shinigami smiled at Elayne and Jensen and greeted them. That was four down for the meeting, and now they were waiting on Aki, Riku, Rena and possibly forsaken. Who scared Elanye. And had gone rushing into Hueco mundo to fight Azazael like it was no big deal, and lived to tell about it.

Riku came it shortly after Jensen. Nodding to everyone, he sat next to his friend. The blond was confused about the arrancar...he swore he felt her a few times, but didn't think anything of it since it was gone pretty quickly. Either way, most anyone saw was his head tilting curiously at her.

Then came Akihiko Iyou. Smiles and all. Until he saw the arrancar. Then he frowned, but didn't say anything. Since she was here, something had to have been up. The former captain commander took his seat next to Diath. He could already tell this was gonna be interesting.

Raiden Arashi showed up some time later. Wearing a short sleeved, teal colored button up shirt with a bright, neon orange tie, a lime green bucket hat on top of his head, his nails painted black, temporary pony tattoos on his cheeks, and cyan shorts...let's not forget the polka dotted head of dirty blond, white, orange, yellow, blue, red and green. He also wore sandals, one with a block of wood glued on the bottom of it. Aki was struggling not to laugh. Riku was perplexed at the vizard's outfit. The five foot tall abomination saw Elayne and started to literally bounce off the walls, leaving afterimages in his wake and tackling her into a hug. "Layney! I KNEW YOU WERE TOO BADASS TO DIE SO EASILY I KNEW IT I DON'TEVENCAREYOURNOTAVIZARDNOMOREBUTANARRANCARISTILLLOVEYOUSISSYDEAREST!" Kissing her cheeks he went to an open seat and sat in it like L from Death Note. Bouncing on his feet. It was clear he was high off of sugar. If one went down the halls and into the streets...you'll see why...pixie sticks...pixie sticks everywhere.

Raiden! She was following his trail of pixie sticks as she headed to the meeting spot while dragging forsaken unhappily behind her. She heard him being overly hyper and happier as she arrived and noticed why when she walked through the door and tossed Forsaken around herself to land her in an empty chair. Forsaken was very unhappy to be here because of some reasons but she kept her mouth shut for the moment and just pouted as she sat there.

Rena walked right up to Raiden and smacked him in the back of the head, most likely knocking him off his chair and into the floor in the process, "Do you realize who they are going to make clean those damn floors you littered with candy wrappings!? ME! They'll tell ME to do it because I'm still on a leash! RAIDEN!" She was furious but she was also already patting his head. Dummy.

"Anyways.. I'm here now Captain Commander Xios. I brought Forsaken as promised as well Jensen." She then took a seat near or next to Forsaken, assuming next to was possible, and waited before talking more because with all the faces present, considering the recent turmoil soul society had been in, this must have been of utmost importance. Especially since officially Rena was not high ranked enough to be present for this meeting and yet she had been requested to appear.

Gráinne smiled at Elayne's explanation for her hiding under the table. "Indeed? You know, you're kinda cute when you're flustered." Gráinne blushed and looked away suddenly, realising what she had said. Thankfully, Jensen arrived to break the awkwardness. She bowed politely to the tall and handsome Captain. "Good evening Jensen. Thank you for coming." Diath soon arrived and hugged her sister. Gráinne returned the hug. "Diath, good to see you." Gráinne took her seat and Diath immediately sat on one side of her. The other side was usually where Jensen sat, but he was as perceptive as ever and noticed Elayne's discomfort, ceding the seat to her and sitting at the next seat.

Next to arrive was Captain Riku Tomoshibi, who nodded respectfully to them all. He sat down next to Jensen and eyed Elayne with curiosity. Captain Akihiko Iyou, Gráinne's predecessor as Captain-Commander, arrived then. He smiled at everyone until he saw Elayne. The smile melted and was replaced with a quizzical frown. Gráinne gave Elayne a reassuring glance to try and settle any nerves that were creeping in. But it wasn't necessary in the end. Elayne's twin brother Raiden Arashi announced himself with his usual flamboyance and hyperactivity. Gráinne winced when the boy took off like a malfunctioning firework, his trajectories eccentric and random as he jumped around the room. He wrapped Elayne up in a tight and violent hug, yelling his joy at seeing her again. As Raiden went and sat in the seat next to Riku, Gráinne guessed he was going through one of his sugar eyes. Gráinne sighed to herself. If that kid wasn't a spiritual being, his teeth would have dissolved already.

The last to arrive was Rena, with Forsaken in tow. Rena deposited Forsaken in a seat, where the latter sat with a sulk. Rena then admonished Raiden loudly and violently. Gráinne exchanged a significant look with Jensen, but said nothing. Rena finally finished her lecture to Raiden and took her seat beside Forsaken. Gráinne nodded respectfully. Then, the Captain-Commander stood upand swished her hair, signalling that it was time to get down to business. She spoke softly but loudly enough for them all to hear.

"Thank you all for coming. Given current events, I thought it wise to call this meeting to clarify everything that has been going on and formulate a plan of action. I am hesitant to risk more lives so soon after reclaiming our home, but I believe we have recovered enough to turn our attention to the matters outside of Soul Society." She cleared her throat and swished her hair again before continuing. "As you may or may not be aware, Hueco Mundo is now under the leadership of Azazael Darkmoon. While Arngrim was never a true ally, he at least had the honour to respect a truce. There was a mutual respect between him and I that kept him from moving against us. That safety net is now gone. While Darkmoon has agreed to a fragile ceasefire while we hunt the Coalition target known as Alexei Romanov, we must be prepared for anything." She paused to allow input from the rest of the attendees.

Elayne knew, the moment she seen Raiden, that he was high on sugar. And also didn't hate her. But she was to busy sliding across the room in her chair, which tipped over, because he moved so fast she couldn't keep up any more, and hadn't the time to react. She hugged her little brother, little being an ironic word in this situation since they were twins, and held back tears. She'd known how much he hated hollow, but he'd still looked past that for her. It mate her feel better about everything that happened, and also like a moron for not coming to visit him sooner.

Jensen nodded to forsaken and Rena. "Thanks. Don't look so uncomfortable Forsaken. You have some input on this matter. I'm sure the other captains would like to hear about your visit to Hueco mundo. Which I do not condone." He said with a frown. His voice lightened a little though. "I'm pleased your alright though." Then grainne began speaking and bringing up one of the main things they were here to discuss. Azazael.

Jensen spoke first. "Based on Forsaken's report, he has, as expected, allot of power. He only went as far as ressurection and she never seen anything beyond an alarming ability that absorbed her own, before firing back something twice as strong. I'm hoping we can learn more of his powers when He and Grainne fight Alexai. But as it is, he's a wild card. I'm expecting something Akin to Arngrim's power set, but we cant be sure." He said.

"Beyond Liv and a few others leaving hueco mundo, it does not appear the change of leadership has bothered the arrancar and hollow much. We wont catch a break in terms of their forces being divided." He continued. "I know this is off topic, but I would like to put forward the idea that Rena be promoted to captain of the research and kido division. If she's willing to take it. Either way I'm satisfied your not going to turn on us again."

Rai got smacked out of his chair by Rena. A superpowered Rena. He bounced off the walls again and tackle hugged her too. "RENAOMGYOU'REBADASSAGAINOHHAPPYDAYSNICETOSEEYOUTOOWEGOTSTODOSOMETHINGLATER!!" Then he went back to his seat and bounced.

Aki added onto Jensen's tidbit about Darkmoon. "Didn't Kai mention that there was an entity that they knew also made up a part of him? Knowing what he could do would also give a good idea. But otherwise, I agree with Jensen, when Alexei comes out of hiding, pay attention to him as well. Otherwise, we can start redeployment whenever and do more to assist Riku in regaining his powers.

As to Captain Reinhart's off topic bit...I think at this point we can be assured of that by now." Aki held his tongue about the arrancar in the room. He'd address that when it is made and brought up. Not before. Riku just sat and listened like he had been doing in the past meetings.

Raiden was happier than happiness from a happy pill during happy year, but he say back down...sorta of..eventually. Forsaken humphed in disgruntlement as Jensen spoke to her but otherwise remained quiet for the moment. Rena and her listened to Kai and Jensen respectively give their reports. However when that was over Forsaken did start talking.

"He may not have been in his resurreccion at the time.. but I alone was sufficient enough to damage him forcing him to release that form in order to heal the mentioned damage.. This means as strong as he may be he can certainly be defeated if struck quickly enough or hard enough after he releases to avoid his self healing from said release.. Just not by one lone captain class fighter. My gravity abilities however did not seem to do anything to slow him down. So his physical prowess is certainly something to be wary of. Spiritual abilities aside. If you can't take the hits You won't survive the fight even if you can match his power."

She remained quiet again after that.  Rena nodded in approval of the statement but said nothing because her bit on the matter was already known. Arngrim was known to be even more pure power based than Rena..while  this new entity was said to be slightly stronger and more diverse or better than Arngrim was.. meaning Rena had no hope of single fighting this man and winning. Anyone who couldn't take the damage was going to be killed in that fight. Plain and simple.

Jensen brought up Rena's promotion, which made sense to her as to why she was invited now, and she listened to Aki agree to the proposal..though it would be Grainne's decision ultimately, however when Jensen asked if Rena was okay with it she did nod. Grainne had already asked her to be the kidou instructor..so being the captain of the kidou corps only made sense.. or at the least being a part of it on an official capacity.

Gráinne listened to Jensen's analysis followed by Aki's input. She nodded sagely. "Agreed. I will hopefully be able to scout his powers out during the Alexei confrontation. I want to begin preparations on mobilising our forces again. We need to be ready if and when the time comes. I will not lose our home again." She then listened to Forsaken's report. Forsaken had at least come back unscathed from her ill-advised sojourn in Hueco Mundo. Azazael's power was terrifying, but it was slightly relieving to know even his power had its limits.

Gráinne swished her hair when Jensen suggested Rena taking over the Kidou Corps captaincy. Aki agreed too. Gráinne looked at Rena. "I agree. Your work with the academy has been impressive. If you are willing, your promotion will be effective immediately. The Kidou Corps has been without a leader for too long now. This will only strengthen our hand." She folded her hands in her lap. Everyone seemed to be on the same page, which gave Gráinne confidence in herself.

"Jensen and Aki, I will leave the task of mobilizing and preparing our forces in your hands. I trust you both implicitly. I will provide you both with whatever info I gather during my dealings with him." Gráinne took out a new stack of notes and activated a holographic projector in the centre of the table. The projection showed a map of the world, with a couple of locations marked in red. Gráinne shuffled the notes until she reached the ones she needed. "Are there any questions before we move on?"

Jensen spoke up when aki mentioned it. "Yeah that would be Sen. I've met that particular vasto lorde before when he was trying to kill Clara's daughter Olivia. His powers were primarily energy and he faught unarmed." Jensen said. Then Diath spoke. "I've been assisting captain Riku with that. Its going well." she said with a smile.

Jensen nodded. "I'll see to it. We should get some scouts into hueco mundo to monitor activity. Even if your going to be fighting with him, I don't think this Azazael is going to waste time preparing to assualt." Jensen said. He glanced at Elayne and smiled slightly. No doubt People were starting to wonder why she was here. But he left it to grainne to deal with that.

Riku couldn't help but smile shyly at Diath. That has been true, and they've made some progress in that. Aki shook his head at Jensen. "No, it wasn't Sen, someone by the name of Kain Lasdren. A human that was then killed by a clone of Alexei." He nodded at Jensen at everything else though. They were the most experienced, aside from maybe Rena. "I'll have Raiden and the Vizard Corps. be on high alert in Karakura and come up with some offensive plans if Jensen will come up with some defensive plans."

Then Grainne asked about any other questions. Aki looked around before leveling his eyes on Elayne Arashi. "I have one. But before I ask it, let me say I realize she helped us retake our home and has since become a friend to you. However, a race change can drastically alter one's personality. So forgive me if this sounds offensive, but why is Elayne, now an arrancar, here? I can't help but be more than a little suspicious." He'd take the scolding that was likely to come like a champ. He was used to them after all...although they were mostly from stupid old men too set in their ways and not a cute girl that was his boss and can actually be scary when she wanted to be.

Rena nodded in agreement with her promotion. While she wasn't entirely focused on Kidou itself.. her control of it and her spiritual power made it easier for her to teach beginners than most other Kidou users. She then listened Jensen, Diath, Jensen again and then Aki.. Who mentioned the elephant in the room.. The now arrancar and former vizard.. Elayne.

Forsaken was openly boiling at the fact that an arrancar had been present at the meeting in the first place so as soon as Aki mentioned it she shook her blindfolded head and growled, "Even if she isn't evil she shouldn't be within Soul Society.. it has always been our sworn duty to put Hollow of all forms to their proper rest.."

However Rena whapped her in the back of the head and sighed softly, "She was very very important during the incident that ruined Soul Society from what I heard.. while YOU were off playing wonder woman within Hueco Mundo I might add.. So let her have her peace.. With this many captain class fighters present if she was a threat she would be immediately neutralized anyways.."

"Regardless.. I am at least curious.. It wouldn't hurt to bring everyone up to the same page on this particular matter would it?"

(OOC - Ok so it's a shitty post but considering everything that hates me I figured I needed to at the least move my threads along!)

Gráinne nodded in affirmation at Jensen's recommendation, but the mood changed when Elayne's presence was brought up. She observed everyone's reactions to the Vizard-turned-Arrancar when Aki asked the question. The feeling was... mixed, to say the least. Jensen reacted approvingly, smiling warmly. Aki himself was respectful, but suspicious. Forsaken immediately registered her objections, though Rena was quick to mitigate that, but she then calmly asked for more information. Gráinne nodded understandingly. When she spoke, she was firm but calm.

"That is fair. I understand your objections, and after recent events there is even more cause to be cautious. However, much like my motivation behind the integration of the Kishimasuku into the Gotei, I do not believe in punishing or exiling those who have had unfortunate experiences with Hollow-kind. Elayne has, along with her brother, contributed far too much to the safety of Soul Society to simply cast away when she is in need. It is not in the fabric of my being to make such a decision." Gráinne looked at each of the people in the room. "That is the situation. With the state of the world as it is, we need all of the help we can get these days. Elayne is my responsibility, and I will help her." She waited for any others to speak. The meeting was slowly reaching its conclusion.

Jensen glared at Forsaken and gave Rena a nod of thanks for sorting her out. "Elayne and Raiden owed us nothing. The gotei kicked both of them out of their home becuase they became vizards, and yet Elayne came willingly to Grainne and offered her help in reclaiming that home. It doesn't even matter that without both of them we might be still be in Kurakara town or dead, they volenteered to put their lives on the line for us. We don't owe them a favor, we owe them our lives, the lives of our soldiers, my wife and child, and everyone here that means something to us.

If Elayne wants to live here peacefully, I don't see a problem. We could force her to leave, make her go to hueco mundo or earth. Then what? If she dies, its our fault, not to mention we've just tossed away a treasured Ally like a dirty rag, because she's not the same as us. I believe we're better than that. I hope I'm not wrong." Jensen said. With his piece said,

Diath spoke next. "Forsaken, It's been a long time since the arrancar were created. There is evil ones, but there are also countless examples of good ones. Olivia firestorm and to a lesser degree her father. I can't say that Arngrim was all good but he treated Grainne with honor and respect. My point is, hollow might be wild beasts who need to be put to rest, but Arrancar are not just hollow. they're people too. If they're bad people, then you kill them. But we should leave the good ones alone. The ones who want to just live in peace."

Aki listened. All very reasonable so far. Though one part of the speeches bothered him. "This was probably more towards Forsaken, but I never said to cast her out. Good arrancar and hollow are few and far between. So forgive me if I still have some reservations until such a time that she proves she hasn't changed one bit." That earned him a glare from Raiden, who quickly hopped to Elayne's side and hugged her.

Riku just observed the entire thing. He was anxious to go out and continue training...to get his powers back. It seemed he needed to as quickly as possible, with everything going to shit.

Rena nodded to what the others have said, "It seems we are somewhat agreed then? She stays as she seems to wish as long as she doesn't cause the more cautious of us any cause for concern?" She looked around and didn't seem to see any negative body language besides Forsaken, but she couldn't blame her. Forsaken was a traditionalist. She wanted to do the duty she was trained to do to the full extent even if it killed her.

Forsaken merely huffed and nodded before spitting out somewhat calmly her last piece, "I won't attack her. But I refuse to leave her on her own. If she is to stay I want her placed under a captain's squad. Which may or may not have been already thought of and possibly even arranged before I mentioned it."