浮竹 十四郎 | Ukitake Jyuushirou

[The PCD turns on to show a figure wrapped up in a blanket, long white hair spilling over his shoulders.  Ukitake is on the roof, though it isn't apparent as to why, but that's not important.  All he's doing is staring out over the city, the chill in the air tinging his pale cheeks pink.  And when he speaks, whether it's to himself or an unseen person is unknown, his voice is soft, quiet.]

Just a captain without his soldiers.

[He goes silent again for a few moments, but then chuckles to himself, a hand reaching out to the sword resting beside him, his fingers lightly trailing over the scabbard.]

That's silly of me to say.  Kuchiki-san is here and others could show up any day, though I wouldn't wish this curse upon them.

[He sighs and places his palm flat against the scabbard now.]

I need a goal, Sougyo no Kotowari.  I can only sit back and watch for so much longer.

[He looks back out across the expanse before the PCD shuts off.]

[This week sees Ukitake in battle mode...at least when it comes to the snowball fight.  This is serious business, after all, folks.  He has hair pulled back in a ponytail once again, his hair tied with his red scarf.  Yes, he's announcing his team affiliation, but he has faith in himself that he can take anything you people throw at him.]

I wonder if the Animus have anything nastier up their sleeves after this.  This almost seems too carefree for them.

[He shakes his head and grins.]

But until then, let's enjoy this!  We all need to unwind, I think.

( [Private//Unhackable to Unohana] )

( [Private//Unhackable to Jr.] )

A very special occurrence is coming up in the next couple of weeks and I am asking for your help, friends of Adstringendum!  Hitsugaya Toushirou's birthday is on the 20th and after some of the events of this past year, he deserves a happy celebration.

Usually I would be one of the first to suggest anything that would more than likely embarrass him, and while I find that would be amusing in small, few increments, I believe it would be best to keep everything mostly tame.  It is his birthday, after all, not our own.

[Okay, that part's a lie.  Guess who's birthday is on the 21st~?]

Whatever ideas you may have, I'd love to hear them and start getting together a plan of action.  Thank you in advance for all of your help!

[Ukitake is walking down the stairs as he thumbs the PCD on.]

I hate to be a nag, Rinoa, but you've been gone with Angelo for a while.  I don't want you to miss din-

[And suddenly he freezes, eyes widening for a moment before he forces them closed, concentrating deeply.

A few seconds pass, and he's still completely still, save for breathing.  When he opens his eyes slowly, he's obviously worried, and is that fear in his brown eyes?

Rushing down the rest of the stairs, he nearly tosses the PCD onto the table, giving everyone watching a blurry view for a second before it settles on the ceiling of the house.  Nearby, a frantic search is going on as we hear drawers in the kitchen being haphazardly opened and closed before he finds whatever he searches for.  Some scratching is heard, as if he's writing or drawing something on paper, and then an incantation begins, one that may sound familiar to a few around here.]

Heart of the south, eye of the north, finger of the west, foot of the east, arrive with the wind and depart with the rain.

[And he waits, his breathing becoming more labored as the time passes.

Then he tries the incantation again, knowing it's fruitless, but finding that he has to be sure before he gives up.  Finally, his hand reaches over the PCD and turns it off.]


[ooc:  He used Kakushitsuijaku, or the tracking kidou to look for Rinoa.  But it obviously didn't find her.]

[Hello hello, it's your friendly neighborhood Ukitake-taichou again!]

A lot has transpired in a year's time, and yet some things stay the same.  This week last year, I met two of my dearest friends because of the Animus forcing us to room together in a dormitory.

[He raises a glass of sake in a salute.]

Here's to a year, Arashi and Jr., and the happiness we have shared in that time.

[And drinking the sake, he smiles before turning off the feed.]

[Ukitake is sitting in his garden with a blanket draped over his shoulders and his haori in his lap, long, slender fingers pulling the hem closer to his body.  The stitching has come out in some places along the bottom edge and the fabric is wearing thin in others, like the shoulders and hem.  There is a threaded needle held carefully between his lips.

The garment has gone a long time without repair.

Pulling the needle from his lips, Ukitake begins to mend, smiling peacefully as he does so.]

It is never too early to prepare for the future, as some of you have already pointed out, wisely so.

[He goes silent again and quickly stitches up a section of hem that had lost its thread.]

I have delayed far too long on you, my friend.

[Looking at the camera for the first time this entire post, Ukitake smiles.]

Yuki-san, if I may ask your assistance?  It is getting colder and I know that snowdrops commonly flower in late autumn and winter.  If you have or happen to come across any, would you please let me know?

[He studies the material for another moment before noticing another area to fix, then shuts off his PCD.]

[And now it's time for another fireside chat with Ukitake-taichou.]

I trust everyone is staying safe out there.

[We'll ignore the couple of posts that seem to tell differently for now.  No reason to worry the masses!]

It has been stressful as of late and with a new event starting, do be careful and aware.  Locking your doors is a good safety measure to take, or putting up barriers, anything of the sort.  Protect yourself!  It would be a shame to see destruction again.

( [Private to Squall//Unhackable] )

[Ukitake is ashamed.  Oh, so ashamed.  Watch, as he hangs out in a random abandoned building for a while.]

Last week was quite an experience.  If I said or did anything to offend you, I would like to offer my deepest apologies.  I regret that week very much and hope anyone I hurt can accept me again, despite everything.

( [Filtered to Rinoa, Squall, and Jr.//Unhackable] )

[Ukitake looks concerned, and even though some sunlight filters through the window to cause the affected skin to sparkle, he doesn't seem to be as intrigued as he normally would be.]

Funny.  I didn't look like this at the beginning of the week.

( [Private//Unhackable to Hitsugaya and Sasuke] )