Captain's Office

The Captain's Office is located within the barracks. Inside it looks like any other Captain's office. It's of medium size with a desk, a couch, a nice window view. The chair behind the desk looks very comfortable. In addition there is a small round cherrywood table with flowers on it and two matching chairs. The room is decorated with several scrolls that have famous haikus and the like calligraphied onto them. A bonsai tree sits in the corner of Ryouta's desk.

There is also a secret passage in the room that leads directly to the Captain's private lab.

Nick walked into the 12th squad captains office, and smiled he couldn't wait. He had always wanted to join the twelfth squad since it suited him so well. He loved being so curious that he thought that a place where curiosity is encouraged would be the place for him to expand. He approached the office and placed his application on the desk in front of the captain. "Hello, my name is Nickolas Sane, a newly graduated academy student interested in joining your squad. Please allow me to be apart of this very squad. No other could satisfy my needs as a squad." He bowed as the captain opened up the application and looked at it. He stayed bowed waiting for hopefully the man who was to become his captain to speak.

Character Name:Nickolas Sane
UserName:Nickolas
Rank:1
Current Squad: N/A
New Squad: 12
Previous Seat: N/A
New Seat: 11

To be perfectly honest, Ryouta wasn't really taking in all the words on the man's paper application. In fact, he was actually using his engineering goggles (which gave him a very eccentric and crazy appearance) to examine the man for any illnesses, physical or otherwise, as well as seeing if he had any knickknacks on him that might be interesting, or would point to his interests. He seemed healthy enough. And he was carrying a violin.

"A fellow patron of the arts, are you? We'll have to have a long chat about your favorite form and style of music later." Ryouta smiled. "Well I am not sure if I can offer you a seated position as of yet...I need to see a demonstration of your abilities. After all, seated officers need to have some proficiency in combat- that's why they're officers. We're a bit more lax about that here...but it is regulation. I like what I see so far though. Why don't we take this outside?"

*they move outside* ooc: continue to post here though

"All right, attack me. Let's see what you can do. Don't hold back."

Nick followed the Captain out of the office and out onto the field, he was so excited that he almost felt crazy, and his face started to twitch as he pulled the sword from his violin. When the Captain told him to come at him with everything he got his smile widened he knew this was his way into the twelfth squad and he was going to fight until he couldn't anymore. He took his violinist fighting stance and pointed his finger towards the other, and jumped into the air. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat! Bakudo 9 Horin!" As he finished the incantation an orange hued tendril with spiraling yellow patterns began to erupt from Nicks hand and he had attempted to trap the captain in it. He knew that it wouldn't be that effective so he used the bakudo as a distraction. As he brought the rope down while he landed he made a dash around the other shooting multiple Byakurai towards his opponent. As he fired them off he began to think of the things he could do. Anything was worth a shot, and he planned on using the extent of his abilities to do the best he could.

Ryouta waited patiently for...Nickolas? Yes, that was it, Nickolas, to finish reciting the incantation for the Bakudo. He watched with interest as Nickolas leaped into the air. As the orange hued tendril exploded toward him, Ryouta countered with a lightly spoken, "Bakudo no Hachi: Seki." He lifted his left arm, over which a small barrier appeared, which he used to swat away the tendril. Ryouta then used the barrier to deflect all of the incoming Byakurai harmlessly into the ground in front of him as he pivoted to follow Nickolas with his eyes.

"This isn't working," he called out cheerfully. "Try something else; remember 12th Division looks for the innovative. Show me something I haven't seen before." Ryouta smiled in what was supposed to be a benevolent smile...but could be taken as mocking. As Captain of the 12th Division, Ryouta was not particularly known for his social ability. Sure, he could tell you the psychology and physiology behind what people did, but that was all in theory. In practice, he was woefully inadequate in that area.

Nick saw as his attempts were shot down literally, but it was sure that kido wasn't his strong suit. He put his zanpaktou in his mouth and continued to circle his opponent. He stopped and dashed toward the Captain. Nick lashed out another Horin and threw it into the ground causing dirt to raise from the ground. Nick used that and made a couple of moves to turn himself onto his hands and threw a succession of kicks at him. He knew that he needed to get as close as he could to further analyze his opponents movements. He kept increasing his momentum trying to increase the speed and power of his movements, all that was left to do was see what else the Captain had in store.

Ryouta watched with even more interest as the Shinigami put his sword into his mouth. Perhaps this new tactic would be something nobody had ever tried before? Another Horin, but this time aimed at the ground, presumably so that Ryouta would be blinded by the dust that it picked up. However, one did not get to be a Captain by being totally reliant on eyesight.

Ryouta extended his hands to block Nick's sharp kicks with his forearms, parrying each one with a carefully calculated movement. "This is impressive and all...but I am not the 2nd Division Captain. While Hakuda is an interesting talent to have, I think maybe you should try a different approach." Given that the young Shinigami had already tried Kido, and now Hakuda, Ryouta figured that he had two options- Shunpo, which he wasn't sure that a Shinigami this young could do yet, or attacking him with his sword.

To be honest, Ryouta hoped it would be the latter. He did not want to have to deal with a strained ankle or something from Nick trying to use Shunpo.

Nick listened to the Captain's words and felt slightly discouraged, and now all he need was to truly impress the Captain. Nick continued with the kicks, but this time he was going to try a multiple assault. While kicking he bent his elbows pushed off the ground toward the captain, as he spun through the air still throwing kicks going from lower to higher with quite a bit of speed. Even though he had yet to achieve shunpo he practiced increasing his attack speed. He brought the blade across to his opponent, still secured in his mouth, he knew it would be to obvious so as he landed on ground after intentionally missing he now faced his opponents back landing in a flip to where he was now horizontal using his hands as support he aimed himself at the opponents back and launched as he flew through the air toward his opponent he spit his zanpaktou into his left hand to increase the length of his attack. As his blade drew closer he began to point his right hand readying a kido.

Ryouta continued to fend off Nick's kicks easily enough- it was not particularly difficult for him to read Nick's movements. He was a little surprised, but hardly overwhelmed when Nick pushed off the ground and rained kicks down on him for a second, but easily compensated and continued to parry the blows. Ryouta stepped backward a little to avoid the crossing blade.

Then Nick had swirled behind him, coming in with a strike at his back. Ryouta spun with him, placing his hand on his sword, unsheathing it halfway so it met the strike. As for the kido spell- Ryouta punched at Nick's shoulder with surprising speed; but then again, he had been 2nd squad as a Vice-Captain. His intent was to send Nick's spell spinning harmlessly off in another direction- or distract him from casting the spell at all.

Nick could feel the hits coming in at his shoulder just as planned, as his kido hand aimed slightly passed the captain he shot the Horin, and he continued to maneuver it around the captains back and latched itself on to Nicks leg, and he pulled it in so that a kick was coming towards the captains shoulder leaving the captain in a surrounded state with the horin practically wrapped around the back side of the to Nicks leg, and attached to Nicks hand. While Nick applied pressure to his sword, as it met with the captains sword. So Nicks body blocked the front, with the kido surrounding the back, and the captain with one free hand that had punched at Nick, but one thing Nick was capable of was taking a hit. One last thing he needed to do. Nick pressed his finger against the blade of his zanpaktou "Hado No.4 Byakurai!" The electric current moving through his blade which was connected to the captains. He smiled at the Captain even with the pain he felt in his shoulder. He hoped that this may have been impressive in the captain's eyes, as this was the first time he had ever tried something like this.

Ryouta was impressed; this Shinigami was very resourceful, and wasn't afraid to back down even against a vastly more powerful opponent. In fact, had Ryouta not been wearing his goggles, this attack of his would probably have had some kind of negative effect. Unfortunately, Ryouta was wearing his goggles, which allowed him to understand the nature of Nick's lightning attack almost instantaneously, including its charge, voltage, and current. For him, it was child's play to mutter "Tsuzuri Raiden" and send an equal charge along his own blade to negate the electricity.

That being done, Ryouta smiled. "I think you've proved yourself. Welcome to Squad 12. I will send a message down the line to have a dorm prepared for you. Congratulations."

Nick broke the Horin kido, and bowed to the Captain. "Thank you." Nick gripped his shoulder as the full extent of the pain shot through it. He smiled and was proud that he was able to impress his captain. Nick was also impressed with his captain the way he negated the kido was amazing, but he knew that it was a captain he was fighting against. To be able to clash with his captain so early was in fact an honor. Finally he had a spot in the 12th squad, he was closer to getting his goal. He could sense that even his Zanpaktou was impressed. "I will await for the dorm. Um...What of my seat?" he asked lifting his view to the captain.

(my investigations reveal that you're currently rank 1- which isn't high enough for a seat. rank up and we'll talk )

A seat? I don't think you're quite ready for that kind of responsibility yet. Why don't you take some time to make the Division your home before you start thinking about ways to improve it?

Ryouta smiled kindly, and then turned to head back to his office.

Arawn stood in front of the door, his hands shaking. This was what he wanted and yet couldn't bring himself to open the door. He began to pace in front of it. After much time he had taken it upon himself to find the squad barracks, and now he was going to see the captain. He tried to prepare himself mentally, and knocked on the door. There was no response, but he slowly opened the door.

The room is well decorated, completely unlike what Arawn had expected. Since this was the squad known for research and development, he was looking for test tubes and burner. Instead it felt like he had walked into the principal’s office. The flowers and bonsai just didn’t seem to fit to him. But he figured it was an office and meant to be a welcoming environment. Decorations aside the room was completely empty. Was the captain might be away on business. It was probably best to wait for his return. He closed the door behind him and sat down on the couch. It was rather comfy, as the sunlight came in through the window he felt himself get drowsy and slowly nodded off.

Ryouta walked back into his office humming to himself. It was nice to know that one's squad was attracting new recruits. He took a seat behind his desk and put his feet up, which brought his attention to the sleeping individual that was currently occupying Ryouta's couch. Another new recruit, perhaps?

Ryouta cleared his throat noisily. Can I help you?

Arawn jumps up "SIR!" He tries to straighten his robes. "Sorry.... I was just waiting!" He bows his head in shame. "Arawn Dan'Shir, sir. Applying for squad membership." There are bad impressions, and then there was this situation. Arawn was caught by the captain sleeping, in his office no less. That wasn't something one forgot, he would have to make a stronger case. But as a new graduate he didn't have much to offer the squad than his inquisitive nature and innovation.

"Arawn...hmm..." Ryouta revealed a hidden console (similar to an iPad) hidden in the center of his desk. He made a few movements and taps, which presumably brought up a file on the individual in front of him. "Uh huh...everything seems to check out for the preliminary screening."

"Tell me, what exactly do you see yourself doing in my squad?" If Ryouta was at all perturbed by Arawn napping, he did not show it.

He recovered from the initial embarrassment. "Well sir I was told you division is responsible for most the technology that Soul Society uses." It seemed an odd statement since Soul Society had such an old style architecture. Things like the training field dummies, and the gates that transported them to the human world had fascinated him. "I lack ability to use kido properly, I want to make devices that can emulate kido techniques. Not just weaponry, but things to help the people in Rukongai." It did sound abit idealistic once he said it out loud, but he figured speaking truthfully was the best approach.

"Hmm...interesting. Very interesting..." Ryouta clicked a few spots on his console, which caused the rug on the floor to slide away, as well as a panel on the ceiling. They formed a pair of holographic projectors so a 3D image could be projected into the space between them. An image of what appeared to be some form of sentry gun appeared. It had twin barrels that appeared to be from a gatling gun. "I'm currently designing sentries like these to be placed around Soul Society to be used if Hollows ever get in. But I'm also working on a portable version, though I'm having trouble coming up with a viable power source for them...you say this sort of thing interests you?"

He hit a few more keys and brought up several more schematics. One was of a gauntlet that covered the forearm- apparently used to create a shield against attacks. Another served an offensive purpose and was apparently a Shakkaho Shooter. The last one was a set of engineering goggles. The ones Ryouta was wearing around his forehead right now. "Tell me...what would you do with these? And what ideas do you have to contribute?"

He looked from item to item. "Well for I don't know the goggles true purpose, but they remind me of something called 'night vision goggles." Arawn recalled they were special glasses that amplified low light in near darkness. "Is it possible for reiryoku to be rendered visible? As such spiritual glasses to help with the tracking of hollows in the field even if they suppress their power." Sensing and pinpointing spiritual energies was beyond Arawn at the moment. He then quietly looked over the gauntlet schematics. Although he couldn't fully comprehend them he understood the premise. He stroked his chin. "If it's possible to create a portable shield, it could also be possible to make a projection field. That in turn could be used to confine a target or protect a wider area. The power output might prove troublesome though. Too little power supply would mean a short duration or low strength. If it could be augmented by the user somehow." It was only an idea, so he couldn't fully think how implement such a thing. Only trial and error, or more learning under an experienced person.

"You're more or less correct," Ryouta grinned. "These goggles are far more than they appear to be. First off, they're made of a molybdenum steel alloy that's very hard to break. They give me some of the standard stuff like x-ray and infrared vision, but what I really like is the abilities I designed it for. It has access to all 12th Division files including my private ones, and...it allows me to see and analyze reiatsu particles. Nifty, huh?"

"For the weapon stuff, yes, I have been having trouble thinking of a suitable power source- at the moment, these items would only be of use to Captains and Vice-Captains who could power it with their own reiatsu," Ryouta continued. "This is a shot in the dark, but do you have any ideas for power sources? I'm trying to miniaturize fuel cells or perhaps even a nuclear power source, but so far I've been unable to come up with a safe, reliable, and efficient design. Or do you have ideas for devices of your own?"

The idea of lugging around a nuclear powered weapon didn't sit well with Arawn. But he figured the captain had the means to make it safe enough. Did it have to be an internal power source? Why not something external? Solar power was an option, but then the weapon/item would be useless at night. Man had even learned to harness the wind to produce a power source. What other options could be found? "If we are only speaking theory I might have something sir." he spoke after much thought. "While at the academy we touched rather briefly on the Quincy movement. I do mean touched as it wasn't even enough to fill two pages. Still I checked within the library and found not much else to reference. That aside the Quincy ability is what intrigued me. Rather than utilize their own spiritual energies, they relied heavily on the energy around them. They used the ambient spiritual energy with their own power as a catalyst to create weapons and spells." He paused. "While we shinigami are unable to fully harness such environmental power completely, why not create weapons that do such?" It seemed like a bold idea. "Should we employ such a technique it would give us an inexhaustible power supply.

"Still it is only in theory, but it could also mean any energy used during a fight would be then used to recharge the weapon. There would be no worry of long fights and running low on ammo." It was abit of speculation, but it had some truth. During a fight of spiritual beings things like reiatsu would contribute to the amount of ambient reiryoku and reishi. "The true challenge would be to gather vast quantities of it quickly. I can only figure it would be like a kinetic engine; energy gained from motion of reishi.” Arawn saw a crude image of a turbine like object with light particles circling within his head. He stood up and started to pace. “And there would be no need to process the energy, we could have it fire pure reiryoku. Kido can create various effects such as fire or lightning, but at the same time enemies have resistances and affinities to certain elements. By using pure unaltered energy in an attack, it’s guaranteed to do some damage. It would be a completely neutral weapon.” The turbine engine became connected to metallic harness that funneled to a barrel. “But there are several disadvantages to such a thing. The application of the energy blasts is quite limited. It would be a full cannon burst or a small beam. The distance would be limited too since the energy would scatter over great distances. And the user themselves is a factor as well. The person using this would have to very little spiritual power or suppress it greatly. The process of gathering particles for use would be undermined by the user’s own powers.” Arawn rethought it over; the weapon was essentially creating a pseudo Quincy of a shinigami. But it would only be effective for those with little power to handle kido. The force of the weapon provided could augment those of higher power to some extent, but with little benefit. It would be a great tool for empowering weaker units.

“My other idea of was for collapsed weapons/items.” He gestured to his blade across his back. “Most shinigami carry a weapon, but why not carry more? Simple answer is that it would be too awkward. I remember when I was a child of these toy pellets that when you added water grew to bigger shapes. Some were dinosaurs, others were jungle animals. I though we could do the same with an asauchi. Not necessarily a ball or pellet, but maybe something the size of the handle and hilt only. The blade would collapse fully making it more portable.” Arawn pictured his sword without a blade. “The user would only have to use abit of their spiritual power to make the blade extend again. We would need to employ a material that could be malleable, but then retain it’s true form when energized. Anyone with a little bit reiryoku control could use it.” Arawn frowned. “But the extension time could prove fatal in a life or death battle, not only that, but making the weapon portable might make it weaker overall. Still it’s only to be a back up weapon. But if successful it could be used for other items as well; shields, poles, you name it.” He loses his train of thought and suddenly realizes he’s been pacing the floor while rambling on. He quickly composes himself and sits down. “Something along those lines sir.”

"Well according to your file, you are industrious as well as intelligent. I believe my squad could use an invested individual like yourself. Tell you what: I will accept you as a basic member of my squad. If and when you feel you are ready to accept the responsibility of a seated position, let me know, and we will talk about it." Ryouta leaned back in his chair, sighing expansively.

"As a member of my squad, the labs are open to your use. I will have someone set up a room for you in the barracks...I expect nothing more from you besides two loyalties- loyalty to the pursuit of knowledge, and loyalty to Soul Society. In that order. And when I say Soul Society, I do not necessarily mean me. I mean the ideal of Soul Society. Unless you have any other questions, you may go." Ryouta began typing into his console; he was sending an e-mail to one of his seated officers to get Arawn a room.

Arawn hesitates for a moment then speaks up. "I do have a question and partial request." he thought back to his trip to Rukongai not long ago. "I was wondering if we could preform more testing for spiritually aware beings in Rukongai." he begins "As of late the people in surrounding districts distrust shinigami, I figure if testing is successful more people from the districts would enter our ranks and better our reputation and connection with the community. At the same time we increase our manpower." It seemed a bold idea after saying it aloud. He figured the head of the research division might have a way to make it work.

"That's a thought...well, given the widespread distrust of us already, I wonder what our reception would be like should we do something like that. People might choose not to attend these tests, or might turn outright violent, especially in the outer districts. I think before we implement more tests, we should show the people of Rukongai what we are capable of," said Ryouta. He placed his fingertips together, and closed his eyes.

"I don't mean a demonstration of power. They know what some of us are capable of. Rather, I mean community service projects. Perhaps we could set up funds to better the infrastructure in the poorer districts. Build homes for the homeless. That kind of thing. Then when the people trust us, love us, I would say that is when we would be wise to swell our ranks. This might take a while...but as Shinigami, we have nothing but time..." mused Ryouta.