Home木枯らし // Kogarashi
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木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:32 pm
A Crow perched on a thin power line, swaying in the gentle breeze that wafted through the corridors between buildings. The Flock dotted the rest of the power line, some beside and others above or below. They all looked down on the city before them, watching the saturated spiritual energy ebb and flow. Deep within their multitudes, a Crow felt the hunger. This place contained more precious food than any other the Flock saw on their flights across the oversaturated world of the living. They watched a group of three such pieces of precious food stop in front of a vending machine chatting in words a Crow was only just learning.
The feeling itself of déjà vu was somehow familiar to a Crow. Memories came easier and easier, but there were hazy interludes that hung like dark patches in the bird’s mind. Black, beady eyes dilated, focused on the meal below them. The whole Flock was focused on the three individual meals. They didn’t taste quite as delicious as the baseball quincy spirit, but desire gripped the bird nonetheless.
Memories pulled at a Crow. They thought on their encounter with a quincy and saw the same dark patches. Did a Crow ever taste the quincy spirit? What happened after they spoke together? The clunk and crash of a can of soda rolling through the machine and into the bin tripped a Crow back into the present moment.
The Flock couldn’t help but split. More timid crows lifted and fell, their great wings kicking the air below them as they flew up and up and away with an orchestral crescendo. The three souls looked up at the remaining Flock and the Flock eyed them with hunger. The humans could see something was above them, but the hollow spirits were nearly invisible to their naked eyes. The birds dove together, a Crow a part of the formation falling through the clear blue sky. Talons in sets of threes extended from every bird in the Flock; the once still air billowed downward and out into the street; the three hapless souls felt chills go up their spines moments before their death.
The feeling itself of déjà vu was somehow familiar to a Crow. Memories came easier and easier, but there were hazy interludes that hung like dark patches in the bird’s mind. Black, beady eyes dilated, focused on the meal below them. The whole Flock was focused on the three individual meals. They didn’t taste quite as delicious as the baseball quincy spirit, but desire gripped the bird nonetheless.
Memories pulled at a Crow. They thought on their encounter with a quincy and saw the same dark patches. Did a Crow ever taste the quincy spirit? What happened after they spoke together? The clunk and crash of a can of soda rolling through the machine and into the bin tripped a Crow back into the present moment.
The Flock couldn’t help but split. More timid crows lifted and fell, their great wings kicking the air below them as they flew up and up and away with an orchestral crescendo. The three souls looked up at the remaining Flock and the Flock eyed them with hunger. The humans could see something was above them, but the hollow spirits were nearly invisible to their naked eyes. The birds dove together, a Crow a part of the formation falling through the clear blue sky. Talons in sets of threes extended from every bird in the Flock; the once still air billowed downward and out into the street; the three hapless souls felt chills go up their spines moments before their death.
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:48 pm
The worst part of the job was cleaning up. Even though Hollows disintegrated, albeity slowly, into particles of spiritual energy that were lost on the wind like so much dust that didn't stop them from smearing and splattering. Gross, blackened blood and sometimes worse coating her blade, her uniform, parts of her hands and face...it stank. It stank like the compressed sin it was made of but it did her the favor of cleaning itself up.
Helena held her swords out, bracing for something more just in case it may come but she felt nothing nearly so dangerous around her. Chesting still heaving, she carefully slipped the shorter of the two blades--the wakizashi--back into its scabbard and waited for the evidence to dissolve. It was stranger the longer she thought about it, and so she paid it little mind. The other members of her detachment were doubtlessly testing her mettle, her resolve, her stamina by leaving her on her own and seeing how long it took for her to ask for help. The Fifth could be a dangerous place.
Just as she was almost done savoring the killing blow against the grotesque fox-like Hollow, her spirit pager lit up and vibrated with an automated alert; three souls nearby. 'Hmm, strange' she thought to herself, harkening back to her Academy lectures. Groups of souls were one of the telltale signs of a tragedy, accident, or potentially a Hollow attack.
Sighing through her nose, she chose to forego the rest of her budding tradition and sheathes her sword as she took off at a flat run in the direction of the alert; surely she would the spiritual energy as she got closer. Although today would not be her greatest challenge, it was her greatest test so far, and continuing to find ways to push her.
As she rounded the corners and traversed the alleyways through residential blocks the spike in Hollow energy was clear. Souls were fading while malice, hunger, were growing. Her thumb popped the katana free of its rest, leaving it at the ready, as the carnage came into view.
Helena held her swords out, bracing for something more just in case it may come but she felt nothing nearly so dangerous around her. Chesting still heaving, she carefully slipped the shorter of the two blades--the wakizashi--back into its scabbard and waited for the evidence to dissolve. It was stranger the longer she thought about it, and so she paid it little mind. The other members of her detachment were doubtlessly testing her mettle, her resolve, her stamina by leaving her on her own and seeing how long it took for her to ask for help. The Fifth could be a dangerous place.
Just as she was almost done savoring the killing blow against the grotesque fox-like Hollow, her spirit pager lit up and vibrated with an automated alert; three souls nearby. 'Hmm, strange' she thought to herself, harkening back to her Academy lectures. Groups of souls were one of the telltale signs of a tragedy, accident, or potentially a Hollow attack.
Sighing through her nose, she chose to forego the rest of her budding tradition and sheathes her sword as she took off at a flat run in the direction of the alert; surely she would the spiritual energy as she got closer. Although today would not be her greatest challenge, it was her greatest test so far, and continuing to find ways to push her.
As she rounded the corners and traversed the alleyways through residential blocks the spike in Hollow energy was clear. Souls were fading while malice, hunger, were growing. Her thumb popped the katana free of its rest, leaving it at the ready, as the carnage came into view.
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:43 am
It was over fast. Blood and viscera covered the street that a Crow alighted onto. Three bodies leaked fluids, covering the street in a dark red. The whole Flock feasted on body and soul, except one Crow. They watched with a curiosity shining in their eyes and concern shadowing their consciousness. Their head turned and cocked. Other crows were feasting, devouring the bodies in front of them, yet there was no sustenance in the simple souls for a Crow. They ate and ate, but the hollow hole within them didn’t fill.
A bucket couldn’t move the ocean.
Before they could ponder this down its existential path, a familiar, obstinate force pressed itself against a Crow’s awareness. They felt them push through the ebb and flow, splitting the grain of the world that was so nicely mixed and twirled. The sheer size of the thing agitated the Flock. They cawed and cawed, and flapped their wings. But unkempt hunger tempted them to stay. As the center of the force turned down the near empty street, fierce spiritual energy agitated the animalistic hindbrain of the simple hollow birds.
The Flock couldn’t help but scatter. Bits and pieces of their half-eaten meal were flung across the street as great wings kicked off in a crescendo of cawing and squawking. A Crow stayed despite the sudden chaos. Their black, beady eyes shining in the sun of the living as they watched the singular soul approach. This one was different than the first, but they were still just as obstinate. Curious questions filled a Crow’s mind, but all a Crow could say was, “Hello there, little fella.”
A bucket couldn’t move the ocean.
Before they could ponder this down its existential path, a familiar, obstinate force pressed itself against a Crow’s awareness. They felt them push through the ebb and flow, splitting the grain of the world that was so nicely mixed and twirled. The sheer size of the thing agitated the Flock. They cawed and cawed, and flapped their wings. But unkempt hunger tempted them to stay. As the center of the force turned down the near empty street, fierce spiritual energy agitated the animalistic hindbrain of the simple hollow birds.
The Flock couldn’t help but scatter. Bits and pieces of their half-eaten meal were flung across the street as great wings kicked off in a crescendo of cawing and squawking. A Crow stayed despite the sudden chaos. Their black, beady eyes shining in the sun of the living as they watched the singular soul approach. This one was different than the first, but they were still just as obstinate. Curious questions filled a Crow’s mind, but all a Crow could say was, “Hello there, little fella.”
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:46 pm
The bird, had cocked and beak parked, spoke in some sort of perverse imitation of speech. It's voice was strange; far weirder than the macabre display of blood and gore strewn down the street. Unfortunately, Helena's instincts--and her Soul Pager--had been correct.
Blood was something she was comfortable around. You don't live as long as she had, through so many drama-soaked nights watching men, houses, families rise and fall from power scheming against one another all the way up and all the way down. You don't live as long as she had not attending the funerals and the baby showers that reminded you all just how fucking temporary this was and how small any one of us was in comparison to the totality of the cycle. In spite of this carefully baked in lesson, her lip trembled.
Six years of training and nearly a month on the streets and all it took was three dead kids to crack that petina she had built up. The crow did her a favor, squawking at her so strangely just then.
"W-what?" She balked back. "Did you say 'Little fella'? What mockery is this?" With subconscious direction, her trailing foot shifting toward the bird and now lead as her stance changed to one of readiness. But a moment ago this courtyard was full of flappin and thrashing and chaos and hunger. What lingered behind felt...as if it touched the frayed edges of intelligence. Predatory still, yes, but something more looked down at her and she didn't like it one bit.
Blood was something she was comfortable around. You don't live as long as she had, through so many drama-soaked nights watching men, houses, families rise and fall from power scheming against one another all the way up and all the way down. You don't live as long as she had not attending the funerals and the baby showers that reminded you all just how fucking temporary this was and how small any one of us was in comparison to the totality of the cycle. In spite of this carefully baked in lesson, her lip trembled.
Six years of training and nearly a month on the streets and all it took was three dead kids to crack that petina she had built up. The crow did her a favor, squawking at her so strangely just then.
"W-what?" She balked back. "Did you say 'Little fella'? What mockery is this?" With subconscious direction, her trailing foot shifting toward the bird and now lead as her stance changed to one of readiness. But a moment ago this courtyard was full of flappin and thrashing and chaos and hunger. What lingered behind felt...as if it touched the frayed edges of intelligence. Predatory still, yes, but something more looked down at her and she didn't like it one bit.
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Sat Jun 06, 2020 10:04 am
Even as they asked and the obstinate force responded, a Crow felt the cloying rise up out of the multitude. A hunger that refused to be satiated by the simple wandering soul reached out and tasted the flavors and textures of the force. This singular soul looked different from the first, but also strikingly similar. The same black robes as the first and the same complex spiritual energy flowering from them, outward into the street in otherworldly ways. It was alien and divine. It was food.
The soul's stance changed and their body moved into what seemed a more natural position. It was as if they were built not to stand or walk, but to constantly be on the ready for the worst to happen. Unlike the last meal, this one would put up a fight. A Crow responded to their motion with kicks of their wings to reach the top of the vending machine, their three sets of claws scratching at the top layer of paint on the metal. They shook their head and flapped to right themselves before looking back at the singular soul.
A Crow didn’t notice it before, with the other, but now they saw the great weight this singular soul was made to bear. The arms reaching off of them weren’t wholly their own, but something inside of them. It was a resonance that intrigued a Crow beyond anything they’ve ever felt. Their head cocked and turned, continuing to observe the singular soul in front of them. Opening their gaping maw, they modulated their voice and mimicked, “You’re some kind of spirit, right? You’ve got some funky stuff coming off of you.”
The soul's stance changed and their body moved into what seemed a more natural position. It was as if they were built not to stand or walk, but to constantly be on the ready for the worst to happen. Unlike the last meal, this one would put up a fight. A Crow responded to their motion with kicks of their wings to reach the top of the vending machine, their three sets of claws scratching at the top layer of paint on the metal. They shook their head and flapped to right themselves before looking back at the singular soul.
A Crow didn’t notice it before, with the other, but now they saw the great weight this singular soul was made to bear. The arms reaching off of them weren’t wholly their own, but something inside of them. It was a resonance that intrigued a Crow beyond anything they’ve ever felt. Their head cocked and turned, continuing to observe the singular soul in front of them. Opening their gaping maw, they modulated their voice and mimicked, “You’re some kind of spirit, right? You’ve got some funky stuff coming off of you.”
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:49 pm
"W-what?" She mumbled to herself as the scratching, clawing crow opened its beak and massaged its gullet to make strange semi-words. It sounded...so human, but different than its last mockery. This was more sane, pointed, but still some sort of faux voice. Just how much of an animal was this thing?
Many of the creatures, monsters, Helena had studied or seen for herself looked like beasts. This was a factual norm. But Hollows were as varied and dynamic as the animal world itself. Some towered over their lessers as giant, borderline majestic gorilla-like titans. Some were small and agile like big cats on the African savannah. Regardless of this variety, there was one universal truth to them: looks meant very little. Of course there were objective hints. Wings meant flight, stingers meant poison, and so on. Form followed function. But the potence, the true strength, of any Hollow or any enemy at all lay in understanding the truth beneath the surface. What drove this things hunger? How much did it know?
Like Shinigami, Hollow could be decades or centuries old. Sometimes even older. How much had these creepy, beady eyes seen? How many Shinigami have these flocks circled, not knowing what it was they were missing out on by not feasting on their flesh? Or perhaps more importantly, what experience had this bird had to change their behavior now to one of prodding curiosity rather than distant questions.
The bird was not alone; thin filaments of energy cascaded between it and its constituents. It was a truly unique thing to observe! Each member of the flock was alone weak, isolated, outputting little energy but the whole, at least in this case, could be far more than the sum of its parts. Was this bait? One lone bird mocked the Shinigami, drawing her in, and then the flock converged to reveal its strength? Impossible to say if they were one in the same or something less. A gamble, and Helena hated games of chance.
"I am a god of death. A Shinigami. And I send souls like the ones you and your flock feast upon to their next life." Although there was no such thing as a peaceful drawing of the blade, Helena unsheathed her katana with as little flair as she could muster. The pace was deliberate and slow with a minimal scraping of steel. Using a reverse grip, she used her off-hand to pop the wakizashi out of its scabbard and let it hang at her side as well. "I can send you as well. There are many other spirits there."
Many of the creatures, monsters, Helena had studied or seen for herself looked like beasts. This was a factual norm. But Hollows were as varied and dynamic as the animal world itself. Some towered over their lessers as giant, borderline majestic gorilla-like titans. Some were small and agile like big cats on the African savannah. Regardless of this variety, there was one universal truth to them: looks meant very little. Of course there were objective hints. Wings meant flight, stingers meant poison, and so on. Form followed function. But the potence, the true strength, of any Hollow or any enemy at all lay in understanding the truth beneath the surface. What drove this things hunger? How much did it know?
Like Shinigami, Hollow could be decades or centuries old. Sometimes even older. How much had these creepy, beady eyes seen? How many Shinigami have these flocks circled, not knowing what it was they were missing out on by not feasting on their flesh? Or perhaps more importantly, what experience had this bird had to change their behavior now to one of prodding curiosity rather than distant questions.
The bird was not alone; thin filaments of energy cascaded between it and its constituents. It was a truly unique thing to observe! Each member of the flock was alone weak, isolated, outputting little energy but the whole, at least in this case, could be far more than the sum of its parts. Was this bait? One lone bird mocked the Shinigami, drawing her in, and then the flock converged to reveal its strength? Impossible to say if they were one in the same or something less. A gamble, and Helena hated games of chance.
"I am a god of death. A Shinigami. And I send souls like the ones you and your flock feast upon to their next life." Although there was no such thing as a peaceful drawing of the blade, Helena unsheathed her katana with as little flair as she could muster. The pace was deliberate and slow with a minimal scraping of steel. Using a reverse grip, she used her off-hand to pop the wakizashi out of its scabbard and let it hang at her side as well. "I can send you as well. There are many other spirits there."
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:22 am
An animalistic drive to flee shot through the thin synapses of a Crow’s peanut brain. Violence and true threats bled off the shinigami. Unlike the Flock, a Crow was some sort of rational and in control of their faculties. They flapped and hopped along the vending machine, though, buzzing with excitement. The obstinate shinigami drew two long claws with very little pomp. Head cocked, beady black eyes examined the shining blades. The first shinigami—
The rock against the stream; a streak of light and soon the bird was missing a wing.
A memory, forced to the front of the nubile brain of the beast, reflected the blade of the first shinigami slicing through the wing of a Crow. They felt it, but didn’t know the meaning of it. Somehow they stayed in the present moment and the bird’s mind didn’t break from trauma and shock. The memory or whatever it was told a Crow one thing: the blades were dangerous. A Crow’s beak opened and closed, clacking like teeth. Their claws tapped on the metal of the machine as they hopped towards the edge.
Hunger always lingered, but it rumbled forth out of the depths as the shinigami’s strange otherness reached for them. A Crow didn’t fight it this time. Instead when the unending desire to consume the cosmic energy that flowed through this shinigami started to overwhelm a Crow, they embraced the predator and kicked off the vending machine. With an unearthly speed the air ripped as a Crow cut through the air, darting towards the shinigami with claws extended. Despite themselves, a Crow shouted, “Caw!”
The rock against the stream; a streak of light and soon the bird was missing a wing.
A memory, forced to the front of the nubile brain of the beast, reflected the blade of the first shinigami slicing through the wing of a Crow. They felt it, but didn’t know the meaning of it. Somehow they stayed in the present moment and the bird’s mind didn’t break from trauma and shock. The memory or whatever it was told a Crow one thing: the blades were dangerous. A Crow’s beak opened and closed, clacking like teeth. Their claws tapped on the metal of the machine as they hopped towards the edge.
Hunger always lingered, but it rumbled forth out of the depths as the shinigami’s strange otherness reached for them. A Crow didn’t fight it this time. Instead when the unending desire to consume the cosmic energy that flowed through this shinigami started to overwhelm a Crow, they embraced the predator and kicked off the vending machine. With an unearthly speed the air ripped as a Crow cut through the air, darting towards the shinigami with claws extended. Despite themselves, a Crow shouted, “Caw!”
Last edited by The Flock on Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Tue Jun 09, 2020 10:32 am
Inhuman things had inhuman motivations. The insights of...a bird were difficult to parse. Doubly so when the bird wasn't even a bird. She knew what Hollows wanted, stupid creatures driven by instinct as they were. And she had a pretty good idea of what birds wanted, stupid creatures driven by instinct as they were. But there was something about the combination of the two inside of this...crow that unnerved her.
Those beady little eyes saw something more than she felt she could expect behind the eyes of a bird. Something more intelligent and predatory. To call it just 'its hollow nature' was dismissive to the individual and hardly fair to what might be going on. This thing was studying her, filing away some experiences, and recalling others. Learning, growing, deciding, weighing. Was it worth it to fight? Was it smarter to flee? How much was that next taste worth after whetting its appetite?
These questions lingered on the edges of her cortex as energy flared beneath black wings and the beast charged at her! Swooping low with claws extended it was on her in an instant and if not for her instincts for self-preservation the beast would have dug its uncomfortably large talons right into her chest. With a half twirl, Helena spun and her blades clashed harmlessly off of the bird's scythe-like talons. The friction, the collision, just enough to propel her to the side with a sort of swat.
She tumbled like a barrel on its side until she could gather herself, then sprang back up to her feet. The creature continued on past her and was too fast to catch, especially after being caught off guard, but she would be ready for it this time. She spread her feet apart, readying her stance, and raised her katana in readiness. She would not suffer this crow to attack her without repercussion.
Those beady little eyes saw something more than she felt she could expect behind the eyes of a bird. Something more intelligent and predatory. To call it just 'its hollow nature' was dismissive to the individual and hardly fair to what might be going on. This thing was studying her, filing away some experiences, and recalling others. Learning, growing, deciding, weighing. Was it worth it to fight? Was it smarter to flee? How much was that next taste worth after whetting its appetite?
These questions lingered on the edges of her cortex as energy flared beneath black wings and the beast charged at her! Swooping low with claws extended it was on her in an instant and if not for her instincts for self-preservation the beast would have dug its uncomfortably large talons right into her chest. With a half twirl, Helena spun and her blades clashed harmlessly off of the bird's scythe-like talons. The friction, the collision, just enough to propel her to the side with a sort of swat.
She tumbled like a barrel on its side until she could gather herself, then sprang back up to her feet. The creature continued on past her and was too fast to catch, especially after being caught off guard, but she would be ready for it this time. She spread her feet apart, readying her stance, and raised her katana in readiness. She would not suffer this crow to attack her without repercussion.
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Tue Jun 09, 2020 9:49 pm
The blades deflected a Crow’s attack, and momentum carried the bird careening past their target. The first strike was heavy, though, and the shinigami’s fierce energy tightened as it landed. They readied themselves, body and soul, for another strike, not risking an attack of their own. Heavy wings kicked the air in front of the bird and, with what seemed like no loss of momentum, they turned around and their wings kicked again.
Another rip and this time the bird looked to almost jump forward in the air from their agility with each kick. They shouted again, this time with the vigor of the quincy, ”Come on, you motherfucker!”
Their beady eyes traced the shinigami’s defensive posture, cowering like cornered prey. Unlike the quincy, the shinigami seemed limited in their range. Whereas Kevin threw balls of energy—
Strike three; a Crow arced upward and felt a taste of the energy that drove them to madness.
Another memory, shocked back into existence, reflected the pitch that shattered the spiritual bonds within the hollow’s body. They felt it even as they dove towards the shinigami. The trauma of the experience should have zapped the weak synapses and rid the bird of any rational thought, yet the consciousness maintained control. This allegiance to the hunger allowed them to tap into a deeper well of power. With their focus sharp, they barred their talons, the cawing shouts of victory echoing up into the air.
Another rip and this time the bird looked to almost jump forward in the air from their agility with each kick. They shouted again, this time with the vigor of the quincy, ”Come on, you motherfucker!”
Their beady eyes traced the shinigami’s defensive posture, cowering like cornered prey. Unlike the quincy, the shinigami seemed limited in their range. Whereas Kevin threw balls of energy—
Strike three; a Crow arced upward and felt a taste of the energy that drove them to madness.
Another memory, shocked back into existence, reflected the pitch that shattered the spiritual bonds within the hollow’s body. They felt it even as they dove towards the shinigami. The trauma of the experience should have zapped the weak synapses and rid the bird of any rational thought, yet the consciousness maintained control. This allegiance to the hunger allowed them to tap into a deeper well of power. With their focus sharp, they barred their talons, the cawing shouts of victory echoing up into the air.
Last edited by The Flock on Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Thu Jun 11, 2020 3:30 pm
As fast as the devil-bird was, sound was slightly faster and the borderline inhuman screech of the voice it was mocking trumpeted its second attack. Blades at the ready, Helena held fast against her charging, swoop, foe that had the blood of three children on its talons--and who knew just how many more.
Leading with the katana, she stepped into the second attack, bracing her parry with crossed blades. As strong as she was, the bird was coming in so fucking fast that it defied all preparation she could make, all readiness her body could store. At some point, physics caught up and the force will more energy won. With a loud crash of her steel against the impossibly sharp talons of the crow's feet, Helena was sent flying, tumbling, rolling away for her foolhardy attempt to meet the beast head on.
"Christ, that smarts..." she mumbled to herself, spitting up a wad of thickened spit and blood that had mixed in her mouth. She picked herself up quickly, chest starting to heave, and preapred for another pass however this time should nto be caught cloaked in so much pride.
As the crow readied yet again, she turned and began to run. Beasts enjoyed chasing prey, right? Looking back over her shoulder, swords at the ready each in a reverse grip, she would wait for the fiend to swoop in again and leap up with it. This time, her defense and offense marrying into one tactic that, even if it failed, would leave her better off than getting pecked to death on the streets like crusty bread.
Two voices spoke in unison, whispering into her ear.
'Flee. And go where the angels/monsters would dare to wait/hide.'
Leading with the katana, she stepped into the second attack, bracing her parry with crossed blades. As strong as she was, the bird was coming in so fucking fast that it defied all preparation she could make, all readiness her body could store. At some point, physics caught up and the force will more energy won. With a loud crash of her steel against the impossibly sharp talons of the crow's feet, Helena was sent flying, tumbling, rolling away for her foolhardy attempt to meet the beast head on.
"Christ, that smarts..." she mumbled to herself, spitting up a wad of thickened spit and blood that had mixed in her mouth. She picked herself up quickly, chest starting to heave, and preapred for another pass however this time should nto be caught cloaked in so much pride.
As the crow readied yet again, she turned and began to run. Beasts enjoyed chasing prey, right? Looking back over her shoulder, swords at the ready each in a reverse grip, she would wait for the fiend to swoop in again and leap up with it. This time, her defense and offense marrying into one tactic that, even if it failed, would leave her better off than getting pecked to death on the streets like crusty bread.
Two voices spoke in unison, whispering into her ear.
'Flee. And go where the angels/monsters would dare to wait/hide.'
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:09 pm
A Crow beat their wings and, again, turned on a dime with their unnatural speed. They hovered there with a few kicks, and watched the prey run, exposing their back to another attack. As obstinate and alien as the singular shinigami souls were, they seemed to be made of food just like every other soul in town. If a Crow got past their sharp claws, they would make a fine meal for the Flock...or just for a Crow.
Even so, as the bird dove and ripped through the air with a thrum, the few synapses still focused on rational thought started to doubt the validity of the plan. They saw the reforged memories and cried into the void of hunger. Death comes for those who fight alone. Death comes for those who fight alone. But hunger glazed the black, beady eyes of the bird, and they thought of only themselves. Memories of other dead crow didn’t matter to them.
As they curved down to strike another blow at the shinigami, a tension rose within the beast that was obvious to any onlooker. Tendrils of spiritual energy grew off of them; a texture that wasn’t there before ebbed from the bird; the minor presence within fought against the animal drives that reached out of the void. They needed to feed or lose themselves to the beast within. A selfish Crow didn’t shout until they were right above the shinigami, “Caaaaww!!”
Even so, as the bird dove and ripped through the air with a thrum, the few synapses still focused on rational thought started to doubt the validity of the plan. They saw the reforged memories and cried into the void of hunger. Death comes for those who fight alone. Death comes for those who fight alone. But hunger glazed the black, beady eyes of the bird, and they thought of only themselves. Memories of other dead crow didn’t matter to them.
As they curved down to strike another blow at the shinigami, a tension rose within the beast that was obvious to any onlooker. Tendrils of spiritual energy grew off of them; a texture that wasn’t there before ebbed from the bird; the minor presence within fought against the animal drives that reached out of the void. They needed to feed or lose themselves to the beast within. A selfish Crow didn’t shout until they were right above the shinigami, “Caaaaww!!”
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:55 pm
Something was changing. Something. Although she wasn't sure just what it was the very air itself roiled in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on. Sure, the duress of a ravenous Hollow looking to feast on her flesh while she was still alive probably factored into how much attention she had to spare, but even this diversion was a costly loss of focus.
A CAW bellowed out from far closer to on top of her than she had hoped.
"CAWWW!!"
It screeched, the shrill pierce of its unholy cry was pain. A pure and unruly pain that caused the tenders in her hands and arms to tighten and flex with subconscious discomfort. Part of her knew it was time to cut her losses and run; abandon the souls to the Hollow's rightfully earned reward. She was better than that though, or so she told herself. A greater part of her knew she needed to fight. To stand. To defy this primal fear and run far away from the scared graduate she woke up as today. Convincing herself the moment was as right as it needed to be, she sprang her plan into very literal motion.
Helena found the corner of a parked Honda and use it to push up. Two long strides and a leap and her tabi brushed the metal and plastic of its frame, yielding slightly to her petite build before kicking her a good 5 feet into the air.
As she spun counter-clockwise, bearing her clenched teeth as she flexed her strength, a pair of voices spoke to her as if they were in her ear. A flicker of motion down on the ground, almost enough to distract her but she couldn't--wouldn't--let that enter the picture right now.
'A retribution for <my/our> sins.'
'I fear for my <self/ally>.'
'We <must/could> break if we <are to/should> change.'
Feather, talon, Hollow met steel.
A CAW bellowed out from far closer to on top of her than she had hoped.
"CAWWW!!"
It screeched, the shrill pierce of its unholy cry was pain. A pure and unruly pain that caused the tenders in her hands and arms to tighten and flex with subconscious discomfort. Part of her knew it was time to cut her losses and run; abandon the souls to the Hollow's rightfully earned reward. She was better than that though, or so she told herself. A greater part of her knew she needed to fight. To stand. To defy this primal fear and run far away from the scared graduate she woke up as today. Convincing herself the moment was as right as it needed to be, she sprang her plan into very literal motion.
Helena found the corner of a parked Honda and use it to push up. Two long strides and a leap and her tabi brushed the metal and plastic of its frame, yielding slightly to her petite build before kicking her a good 5 feet into the air.
As she spun counter-clockwise, bearing her clenched teeth as she flexed her strength, a pair of voices spoke to her as if they were in her ear. A flicker of motion down on the ground, almost enough to distract her but she couldn't--wouldn't--let that enter the picture right now.
'A retribution for <my/our> sins.'
'I fear for my <self/ally>.'
'We <must/could> break if we <are to/should> change.'
Feather, talon, Hollow met steel.
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Sun Jun 14, 2020 9:38 am
The blade felt familiar somehow, like the hug of a missed friend. Even as a selfish Crow tracked their prey, their singular focus was sharp and hungry. They only cared about landing a blow on the obstinate soul, or tearing a piece off to satiate the animal drive fighting for control. So, they didn’t realize—as the creature lept and their blade glinted—anything beyond appreciation that the food came to them.
The air was heavy on the dying body as time slowed for the hollow. The funeral procession of the Flock gathered along the rooftops, reading the eulogy of the short-lived selfish bird. Again, as before, they gathered in judgement. A selfish Crow too blind from hunger to understand death comes for those who fight alone. Their vision blurred and, in the haze of what was left, the image of the Flock burned. A Crow could feel them on the edges of their perception. A homogenous ocean of intangible energy radiated with an inhuman hunger. It was alien and divine.
It struck the bird that they’ve never looked at the Flock in that way, never tasted the textures moving off of the crows within. They leaked disappointment in the same flavors that a Crow felt. Other emotions bubbled up as the body dissolved and their mind remained. They became only consciousness floating in the nether. An act of sheer will kept the synapses together. Immediately, though, the consciousness felt itself start to fade.
Despite themselves, perhaps because they lacked hunger for a few moments, a selfish, fading consciousness became clear and curious. They looked through the haze at only the Flock and asked questions. Would they die like the other crows? Would this become a dark patch? Are the dark patches memories of other crows? Or this one? The Flock stood outside the ebb and flow, just like the obstinate shinigami. They were homogenous, yet a selfish Crow was outside of it. A detached piece of the whole.
Death comes for those who fight alone.
A selfish consciousness realized the memories weren’t of other crows or past lives. They were memories of theirs. Not the singular they, but Them. The Flock. The mind focused on satiating a singular piece, themselves, and didn’t see the bigger picture. Trial and error brought them clawing to this point, past the emotion and past the hunger that drove the mind to madness. As the consciousness shifted its focus, the spiritual energy in the air moved and grew out of the gathering murder. Suddenly, the whole Flock opened their eyes at once and looked towards the shinigami.
The air was heavy on the dying body as time slowed for the hollow. The funeral procession of the Flock gathered along the rooftops, reading the eulogy of the short-lived selfish bird. Again, as before, they gathered in judgement. A selfish Crow too blind from hunger to understand death comes for those who fight alone. Their vision blurred and, in the haze of what was left, the image of the Flock burned. A Crow could feel them on the edges of their perception. A homogenous ocean of intangible energy radiated with an inhuman hunger. It was alien and divine.
It struck the bird that they’ve never looked at the Flock in that way, never tasted the textures moving off of the crows within. They leaked disappointment in the same flavors that a Crow felt. Other emotions bubbled up as the body dissolved and their mind remained. They became only consciousness floating in the nether. An act of sheer will kept the synapses together. Immediately, though, the consciousness felt itself start to fade.
Despite themselves, perhaps because they lacked hunger for a few moments, a selfish, fading consciousness became clear and curious. They looked through the haze at only the Flock and asked questions. Would they die like the other crows? Would this become a dark patch? Are the dark patches memories of other crows? Or this one? The Flock stood outside the ebb and flow, just like the obstinate shinigami. They were homogenous, yet a selfish Crow was outside of it. A detached piece of the whole.
Death comes for those who fight alone.
A selfish consciousness realized the memories weren’t of other crows or past lives. They were memories of theirs. Not the singular they, but Them. The Flock. The mind focused on satiating a singular piece, themselves, and didn’t see the bigger picture. Trial and error brought them clawing to this point, past the emotion and past the hunger that drove the mind to madness. As the consciousness shifted its focus, the spiritual energy in the air moved and grew out of the gathering murder. Suddenly, the whole Flock opened their eyes at once and looked towards the shinigami.
Last edited by The Flock on Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by Helena Akimoto Sun Jun 14, 2020 8:32 pm
Helena was an old soul. She had been around a long time; far longer than necessary to have been in more than a few scrapes over the years, especially when coupled with the 'roughness' of her origins. Mother and father worked hard and for a noble family, of course, but their legacy was not wealth: it was service. Helena was not educated alongside the children of the nobles she served, but rather by the wisdom of those that encircled and orbited her masters. The other children shared too, the wisdom of the streets keeping them safe and tucked away out of polished brass menagerie the nobility lived in.
Childhood faded and from its shell grew her adulthood. In time, the boys and girls of her rough and tumble youth became the men and women of her unscrupulous teens, twenties, thirties...The years carried on.
All of this preamble is to say that there are times when you explore new territory. Turf you're not familiar with. You're a guest on these lands or often something less formal and more a feeling that your presence is unwelcomed. Inappropriate. Tolerated but only for so long.
Once many years ago Helena and three friends had run their way into a corner bar out in the 60th district. They were a long way from home, hot and thirsty and hungry, and out of daylight. The working men and women had finished their own long days toiling away under the hot sun and just wanted a sudsy beer and some shared misery. What they didn't want was four upstarts unbalancing their peace and quiet.
Push, of course, came to shove.
One among them, Hakane, was the first target of a picked fight. His elbows got too animated on a story or something equally harmless at a glance but it offended the local. The bar went quiet, all looking at them. They had been waiting for these gaijin to get their just desserts and their faceless savior had finally arrived! Hakane tried to de-escalate with everything he could short of bribery--only because he couldn't afford to--but it wasn't enough. 'Weakness', they mocked him for trying to step down.
Helena had warned him they'd 'only respect a show of strength, so either stand and fight or get busy running'. Of course, he chose the former or there'd be no story.
Hakane dodged the first swing and decked the man. Cold. Square in the jaw and down he went, catching his head on the bar and putting a very abrupt end to his evening. In that moment, every last eye in the entire bar was affixed...transfixed...on the four of them as they stood ready. Tension, thick as beef stew. Bubbling rage held behind gritted teeth. They were one wrong word from being ripped. To. Fucking. Pieces.
She felt that again, here and now, as the flock gathered around them.
Akimoto took no solace in the sturdy blow she landed, cutting the confused creature down to size in one flourish. She counted when she had arrived, although she had to do so visually. Ten, maybe twelve maximum. She couldn't feel of course, their masses swirling together with one signature she couldn't quite make out...but it was clear now and becoming clearer by the moment that she was off by an order of magnitude.
A roiling tension beneath each of their wings.
A veiled hatred behind each of their beady eyes.
A burgeoning fear behind her own eyes.
'Wherever you <flee/reflect> there will be <death/blood>.'
Those voices again...they came once more in her ear, but this time she was unable to feel from where. All around her, within her, both somehow. Like a distant narrator watching her suffer and languish as she pivoted in a circle, blades at the ready, attempting to keep any one of these creatures from seeing her back for too long.
'There was a time before you knew my name when you would have already fled.' This voice, feminine and regal, it had an air of practiced distance and authority despite the savagery that had just been displayed.
'There will be a time before you speak my name that you look back upon as the last time you ever fled.' This voice more gruff but still feminine, a sultry baritone with private confidence and allure.
'Speak it and become <unchained/something more>.'
'We expect <independence/dependence>.'
'We <provide/tether>.'
Her lip trembled and her enemy was leaving her no choice.
Childhood faded and from its shell grew her adulthood. In time, the boys and girls of her rough and tumble youth became the men and women of her unscrupulous teens, twenties, thirties...The years carried on.
All of this preamble is to say that there are times when you explore new territory. Turf you're not familiar with. You're a guest on these lands or often something less formal and more a feeling that your presence is unwelcomed. Inappropriate. Tolerated but only for so long.
Once many years ago Helena and three friends had run their way into a corner bar out in the 60th district. They were a long way from home, hot and thirsty and hungry, and out of daylight. The working men and women had finished their own long days toiling away under the hot sun and just wanted a sudsy beer and some shared misery. What they didn't want was four upstarts unbalancing their peace and quiet.
Push, of course, came to shove.
One among them, Hakane, was the first target of a picked fight. His elbows got too animated on a story or something equally harmless at a glance but it offended the local. The bar went quiet, all looking at them. They had been waiting for these gaijin to get their just desserts and their faceless savior had finally arrived! Hakane tried to de-escalate with everything he could short of bribery--only because he couldn't afford to--but it wasn't enough. 'Weakness', they mocked him for trying to step down.
Helena had warned him they'd 'only respect a show of strength, so either stand and fight or get busy running'. Of course, he chose the former or there'd be no story.
Hakane dodged the first swing and decked the man. Cold. Square in the jaw and down he went, catching his head on the bar and putting a very abrupt end to his evening. In that moment, every last eye in the entire bar was affixed...transfixed...on the four of them as they stood ready. Tension, thick as beef stew. Bubbling rage held behind gritted teeth. They were one wrong word from being ripped. To. Fucking. Pieces.
She felt that again, here and now, as the flock gathered around them.
Akimoto took no solace in the sturdy blow she landed, cutting the confused creature down to size in one flourish. She counted when she had arrived, although she had to do so visually. Ten, maybe twelve maximum. She couldn't feel of course, their masses swirling together with one signature she couldn't quite make out...but it was clear now and becoming clearer by the moment that she was off by an order of magnitude.
A roiling tension beneath each of their wings.
A veiled hatred behind each of their beady eyes.
A burgeoning fear behind her own eyes.
'Wherever you <flee/reflect> there will be <death/blood>.'
Those voices again...they came once more in her ear, but this time she was unable to feel from where. All around her, within her, both somehow. Like a distant narrator watching her suffer and languish as she pivoted in a circle, blades at the ready, attempting to keep any one of these creatures from seeing her back for too long.
'There was a time before you knew my name when you would have already fled.' This voice, feminine and regal, it had an air of practiced distance and authority despite the savagery that had just been displayed.
'There will be a time before you speak my name that you look back upon as the last time you ever fled.' This voice more gruff but still feminine, a sultry baritone with private confidence and allure.
'Speak it and become <unchained/something more>.'
'We expect <independence/dependence>.'
'We <provide/tether>.'
Her lip trembled and her enemy was leaving her no choice.
Helena Akimoto- Posts : 28
Join date : 2020-05-29
Re: 木枯らし // Kogarashi
by La Fuerza of the Flock Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:18 pm
Everything else had been but a dream, lives lived as a single piece of the puzzle. Groggy with the haze of sleep, the Flock awoke for the first time. The multitude of eyes could see.They were truly whole for the span of a single moment. Billows of hunger gurgled within the Flock and the moment faded. The hungry void was easier to bear, but it wasn’t gone. The lurking darkness didn’t waste any time in reminding the Flock of its existence.
The meal in front of them would be an adequate sacrifice, yet a violet rage began to crash off of the obstinate force. On edge no longer, it seemed the shinigami finally decided to fight for their life instead of flee. Something was building with the storm centered on the body of the soul. The raging torrent was enough to set many in the Flock to cawing and flapping in agitation. But they were whole and the consciousness felt ready to fight.
In a wave of cascading shadows, the Flock lifted off of the rooftops and power lines above the empty street. The light danced along the concrete, over the bodies of the three insignificant snacks. Blood pooled and one of the souls rose—half-eaten—from their physical body, chain short and dangling. The Flock ignored the meal, opting to crash towards the shinigami with reckless abandon. They were every bird and each was in sync to an inhuman degree.
They descended.
As the birds overwhelmed the shinigami, the Flock noticed a change in the ebb and flow of energy in the oversaturated city. A sparkling sweet scent that resonated its taste across the concrete and glass buildings took the focus of the multitude of souls. They had no choice but to direct themselves back up into the air and towards whatever meal made itself known so far off. The Flock spread across the city like a tsunami, only the blind hungry birds remained with the shinigami. But soon more predators would come out of the shadows to feast and the obstinate force would have its hands full.
The meal in front of them would be an adequate sacrifice, yet a violet rage began to crash off of the obstinate force. On edge no longer, it seemed the shinigami finally decided to fight for their life instead of flee. Something was building with the storm centered on the body of the soul. The raging torrent was enough to set many in the Flock to cawing and flapping in agitation. But they were whole and the consciousness felt ready to fight.
In a wave of cascading shadows, the Flock lifted off of the rooftops and power lines above the empty street. The light danced along the concrete, over the bodies of the three insignificant snacks. Blood pooled and one of the souls rose—half-eaten—from their physical body, chain short and dangling. The Flock ignored the meal, opting to crash towards the shinigami with reckless abandon. They were every bird and each was in sync to an inhuman degree.
They descended.
As the birds overwhelmed the shinigami, the Flock noticed a change in the ebb and flow of energy in the oversaturated city. A sparkling sweet scent that resonated its taste across the concrete and glass buildings took the focus of the multitude of souls. They had no choice but to direct themselves back up into the air and towards whatever meal made itself known so far off. The Flock spread across the city like a tsunami, only the blind hungry birds remained with the shinigami. But soon more predators would come out of the shadows to feast and the obstinate force would have its hands full.
La Fuerza of the Flock- Posts : 71
Join date : 2020-05-26
Location : Karakura Town -
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