The captain Commander's Judgement

Two days after being taken in by Aki, two days of being locked in a cell, and Ariel was still quietly accepting her fate. It didn't take long for Aki to summon a meeting with the captains and captain commander, and bring her infront of them. Atleast he'd let her wash and clean herself up before she had to go before all the people she had hurt through her actions. But she accepted it. She wouldn't beg. What ever they decided to do with her, she would accept, because she had given up trying to fight.

In chains, against Aki's wishes, she was brought before Captain commander Grainne. Jensen Reinhart flanked her, aki on the opposite side. She'd seen the look in Jensen's eyes, the rage barely contained. He wanted her dead, probably because of what she'd done to parius. She would have goaded Jensen into kill her, but she'd promised Aki she'd try his way. She accepted it. It was up to Aki to fight her case.

Gráinne watched as Ariel was escorted into the room. The red-haired Vizard was flanked by Aki and Jensen, and they remained there. Gráinne reminded herself of the crimes Ariel had committed. She had single-handedly caused a great many deaths, including those of the entire Central 46, as well as Parius Ryokutei. In earnest, though Gráinne did not in any way condone killing unnecessarily, the end of Central 46 had allowed her greater freedom in making Soul Society a much better place for all, something she had not forgotten. The 46's rigid and outdated rule had stifled Soul Society and prevented any kind of progress. Though the original 46 had been killed by Aizen, the newest iteration of the 46 were no better. Gráinne acknowledged these facts privately, and remained stony-faced. When she looked at Ariel, she did not see a cold killer, she just saw a woman wanting simply a place in the world to belong.

When Ariel was ready, Gráinne stepped up to Ariel and looked into her eyes. "This is a divisive situation. I understand that you seek to find absolution, either within our ranks or in death. I empathise with this struggle, but we cannot overlook your past deeds. You've caused a lot of death, Ariel Venasha. This we cannot forget." Gráinne looked to Aki and Jensen. "Captains, what are your views on this situation?"

Aki gave a sideways glance at Jensen, but decided to start. Though he needed to be honest as well. "I'm going to start by saying I'm slightly biased. It doesn't help my case, but I also need to be honest. Her situation is a similar one as Rena. Where she was brainwashed, however, Ariel was threatened with the death of Parius's daughter by Darkmoon. Who is technically still in Los Noches, but a shut-in since his death. If we can forgive someone who kicked us out of our home, surely can forgive Ariel as well. She did kill Parius, but on Darkmoon's orders. And she's since regretted it. You know where I found her? In a bar, drowning her sorrows. It should also be noted that she did rid us of a very troublesome part of our government. Allowing us to make as much progress as we have.

Of course, someone should also be right there, as with Rena. Only after she proves herself should she be allowed free access to anywhere. Whether it's me or Jensen, that's up to you to decide should you allow her a chance." It was Jensen's turn to give his opinion. Aki said his piece. Whether or not it was enough was up to her.

Jensen let Aki speak first, and shot a glare back. He was not at all happy about this. "Absolutely not. This is straight up madness. Not only did she kill one of my best freinds in cold blood, she went berserk. Remember how she was sealed away in the maggots nest? She lost it. What the hell do you expect me to say Aki? We turned away Reno, for being disrespectful. What the hell is he going to think if we let a psychopath walk around loose! I say we throw her in back in the nest where she belongs. Only for the fact that you seem to value her life, she's even still alive." Oh his blood was boiling.

"Similar to Rena, sure. But Rena was good before she was brainwashed. this one is twisted. For all you know, that little "Drowning her sorrows" stunt was for your sake. Trick you into trusting her again, to get close to Grainne." Jensen said. He clenched his fists. Took a deep breath, and let his temper cool slightly. He loosened his hands, and spoke a bit more calmly. "This is a terrible idea.. I can't even fathom how you could think it was a good one. It would have been better if you'd left her in that town, because i will not agree to letting her walk around free, whether she's tethered to me or you or both of us."

Ariel was completely silent throughout his angry tirade, and slightly calmer refusal to agree to Aki's plan. She silently agreed with everything he'd said. This was a bad idea. She'd do it for Aki's sake, do her best if she was given the chance, but trusting her was about as good an idea as trusting Dynamite not to explode when thrown in a fire. She didn't trust herself. She didn't even like herself.

Gráinne listened as Aki spoke first. The former Captain-Commander spoke in Ariel's defence, highlighting the fact that most if not all of her most questionable acts were orders from Azazael, which she had no choice but to follow. He explained the regret Ariel had for what happened to Parius, as well as reminding her that Ariel had disposed of Central 46, which meant that Ariel had inadvertently helped Gráinne to implement some real change in Soul Society. When Aki had finished, Gráinne gave her response to his statement. "What you say could well be true, but I must balance out that statement by mentioning a few things. While I appreciate the fact that she at least regrets her actions against Parius, it does not change what happened and her regret is scant comfort for those Parius left behind. Also, while even I will admit that without Central 46 interfering I have been able to make a lot more positive changes, let us not forget that the original 46 that imprisoned Ariel was already eliminated by Aizen all those years ago. So if your motivation was purely revenge, your aim was misplaced somewhat. Captain Jensen, your take on this?"

Gráinne then listened to Jensen, whose view was starkly different to that of Aki. The usually unflappable Captain was visibly angry, but Gráinne couldn't really blame him. Parius Ryukotei was one of Jensen's closest friends, and he had been slain by Ariel, albeit on the threat of the death of Parius' daughter Kagura, at least according to Aki. Jensen brought up their recent meeting with Reno Kitsugi, and questioned the sincerity of Ariel's grief. Jensen started to calm down eventually, and stated plainly that he thought it was a bad idea, and that if Gráinne decided to go through with it anyway that Ariel would have to be closely shackled. Jensen finished, and Gráinne gazed thoughtfully at nothing in particular when she spoke. "I see where you're coming from Jensen. But I will say that the difference between Reno Kitsugi and Ariel here is that it was obvious that he had no intention of adhering to any restrictions we placed on him. That kind of blatant disregard for our rules was far too dangerous in my eyes. But this is different." Gráinne stepped up to Ariel and peered into her eyes. In the solemn gaze of Ariel's Hollowfied eyes, Gráinne saw only grief, along with a nihilistic despair.

"I think Ariel would be a lot more cooperative on that front. In fact, I can see very little resistance at all. Ariel, what are you thinking right now? Is it death you seek, or redemption?" Gráinne looked calmly into the dead gaze of Ariel Venasha, and awaited her reply.

Jensen stayed quiet as Grainne approached Ariel. He kept a firm grip on the handle of his weapon. Ariel could feel him watching her, waiting for even an ounce of threat. If she attecked Grainne, he would behead her. She could end it all right then. But she didn't move as the captain commander stopped before her. Grainne asked her a question, and she slowly raised her eyes to Grainne."I don't care. I'm only here for Aki." She said quietly.

"I gave him my word. He want's to help me, like he tried to when I was first imprisoned. I will adhere to your rules, and you decision. I just ask that if you do decide to put me back, do not punish Aki for speaking in my defense." Ariel said, before lowering her head again.

Gráinne studied Ariel for long moments, after the red-haired Vizard answered Gráinne's question with indifference. The Captain-Commander knew that the safest option was to have Ariel put to death for her crimes and be done with it. However, there was something in the world-weary stoop and forlorn expression that she saw on Ariel's face, something that gave her pause. Gráinne stepped back and folded her hands behind her back. "Ariel Venasha, after careful deliberation I have reached a decision. You will not be executed. However, you will be put to work in the Vizard Corps with immediate effect. You will report to Clara Firestorm for orders as soon as she returns. You will be under the direct supervision of Captain Iyou. You are not to go anywhere without his permission. This will be the deal until I am satisfied that you won't try and murder anybody again." Gráinne turned to Aki then and stared directly into the Captain's eyes.

"Captain Iyou, this is of course your choice. If you do not wish to take responsibility for Ariel, then she will simply be imprisoned again. If you do wish for Ariel to be free, it is in your hands. She will be your complete responsibility, and if she strays it will be on your head. Now, you should make your choice now." Gráinne bowed and waited patiently for Aki's decision.

"I agree with it. She goes free with both myself and Captain Firestorm supervising her." He'd allowed Ariel to speak for herself. He offered her an olive branch, she took it. And took the chance with Captain-Commander Grainne. Who could easily turn Ariel into ash, so he wondered what Jensen was on when he accused her of earning his trust just to assassinate Grainne. He couldn't help but think maybe his judgement was warped somehow...that he was being overprotective of Grainne. He wanted to call him out on it...but maybe now wasn't the right time and maybe it wasn't his place.

There wasn't much else for him to say or do, beyond unshackling her and escorting her out.

(Exit thread)