"Godon Bennett, where the Ding Dong Bell am I?"

In his storming rage, Sikes had gotten lost in the fog. Where was he? He didn't know. Where was Biru? He certainly did not know that. He had taken a wrong bearing.

"Nothing to do but ta Jane Fonda..."

And so he wandered, wandering in circles, aimlessly through the fog, til his foot met something...something that let out a high pitched squeal.

"Ach! Sorry! Didn't see you there, are you two OK?"

An affirmative peep came from Yumi, though she still seemed cautious.

"Nah, don't worry, I'm not going to harm ya. I've got three kids of my own, see? Tell ya what, I'll lead. That way I can't get a sneak attack on ya when yous ain't looking? Fair enough?"

Yumi agreed to this, and helped Lard to her feet, if she were willing. If not, and she remained in shock, he would have no choice but to carry her, through the mist....which seemed to be lighter in one area. He took that path, it offered more visibility.

Waiting for some sort of response after he sent up his flare, Biru made sure to keep his guard up. After all, he had no idea if there was something other than the rest of the group lurking out there. Giving a sigh of relief when he heard the messages of two other flares, Biru hoped that they would manage to make it over soon. The sooner all of them could meet together, the sooner they could work together and get back home.

Seeing the woman from earlier who had asked about some of his devices, Biru smiled when he saw that at least one of them had managed to find him. "One found, seven more to go." Biru thought to himself as his flare died out. "Hello. Pleased to see you were able to find me. I'm going to send up another flare to try and help assemble everyone else." Biru said.

As he began to conjure up another flare, Biru double checked what Kabelja's sign was so he could get the message right. Biru found himself distracted by the sudden appearance of a trail in the woods. Figuring that it had something to do with claiming the prize, Biru decided to ignore it for the moment.

However just as he was about to go back to creating his flare, Biru came upon an alarming revelation. Ariande hadn't sent up a flare. Knowing that as a Rukon Citizen, she should be able to create one, Biru grew worried that she had been injured. Making some adjustments to his message, Biru completed the creation of the flare and sent it up into the air to replace the old one.

"The Noblewoman is here. A path seems to have been made but I want us all to meet first. Ariande, if you can hear this I need you to send up a flare to confirm that you are alright." 

Repeating itself three times, the flare would once again light up the area as Biru waited for some sort of response from the others (or better yet for the others to find them).

She came across a man, a man with the same attire and voice as one of the first chefs she had observed that day. This is not the one she was looking for.

"He must have moved," she thought to herself. "As such, he must be close...."

Kabelja kept quiet as Biru talked away, only casually covering her ears as the flare went off. That done, she introduced herself to Biru, the faux accent gone.

"Kabelja Watson, First Division, Nineteenth Seat. I apologise, however I was following the flare of the one branded the Farmer. He appears to have moved since relaying his last position. That, or the fog is potentially scrambling the locational information given. Space itself may be manipulated. As such, meeting up based on sending flares may not work." 

She stood there, awaiting his next move. It was unlikely that she was going to be able to convince him to move down the path.

Readouts were negative, his staff was not within twenty metres, and he couldn't get a bead on it in his random wanderings either. What he did find was a blonde Shinigami flailing around aimlessly, stumbling about like a headless chicken. Or cow, since the theme was beef.

"Woah there! Steady on!" He desperately tried to calm down Yashimaru. He really didn't him running off back into the fog. He may never find him again. A boom was heard in the distance, as Biru's flare went off.

"Yeah, I suppose I should do the same...."

He grabbed the sign around Yashimaru's neck. He had not checked out the signs beforehand. He did not know that Biru had his sister. Indeed, he thought that the noblewoman was Mai. After all, she was the Soutaichou's daughter.

"This is Yoshiya Watson, "The Farmer." Taichou Hitoshi, if you can hear me, I have one of your men here," The judgement was based on his uniform. "Blonde hair, sign says "The Prince". He's in a panic, will try to calm him down."

Calming down may require some drastic measures....Yoshiya forcibly grabbed Kobiya by the shoulders. If he didn't calm down, and fast, Yoshiya would have to put him down. The Rukon channelled a red glow, tendrils seeping down his frame. If the Shinigami calmed down, he would be released before the tendrils took hold. If not, then Yoshiya would have to bully the blubber into compliance...

For everything that went wrong for the time, at least he and Mai did not spend too much time finding each other in the thick fog. As they moved closer to each other, Harupia caught her in a quick, requiring embrace, before saying "Glad to see a familiar face... now if only we can find out what this is all about...and who decided that we needed some kind of tags..." he mused, watching at the thing around her neck. Princess...fitting most likely...still, it was bizarre in a way.

After that comment he said "Now we need to figure out our next steps..." while somewhat cursing his lack of attention earlier, as he heard the loud, almost booming voices from the sky...perhaps some of the Rukongai folk were using their skills to communicate...Before he could formulate some kind of plan, the world around them changed again, a way forming in between the fog, a light at the end of it. A promising perspective...if not for the fact probably the same forces behind it forced them all to be in this situation in the first place.

Still, soon another interruption as created, flares being sent up by some of the Rukongai men, both of which he had a recognition of. Hmm...this technique was quite useful it seems. It would be nice to have such a technique under his belt...Regardless, watching towards the flare sent by the elderly farmer, he would say "It seems Yoshiya-san bumped into Koba-kun...I think it would be wise to reach them before doing anything else... I have a weird feeling that Yoshiya's attempts might only distraught our friend even more..."

He would add on after a second "I guess we'll need to had into the fog again...remember, we don’t know what to expect there. We have to stick together so nothing surprises us..." with a small pause, extending his hand slowly towards Mai saying "Its best we keep in contact all the way. Of course, you could always put you hand on my shoulder if you prefer" he would say, a bit of hesitance in his voice. He didn’t want to look to immature or forward, but he just...well, he couldn’t help himself but to offer holding her hand. Regardless of what she chose, he would lead her through the trek into he misty woods... not the vest place for a stroll, admittedly.

Gratefully, Mai accepted Harupia's hand and made her way into the fog with him, holding tightly. She, too, was eager to find Yashimaru and keep him away from the foul beast he found himself subjected to; Yoshiya would find himself suddenly exhausted as he prepared to slam the terrified boy into submission, the reiatsu the farmer leaked in preparation having drained whatever energy he could muster.

Soon after that, the flares would begin to sputter and die out, or erupt in a large siren. A thick cackle would then emanate from the pulsating fog as the methods of communication were cut off. There was no need for a large grouping to come and claim the cup, after all, as he had specified pairs...a pair was two, and two would be crowned victor. Not all.

Lard refused to move on grounds of the fog terrorizing her; it move too much like smoke, and Yumi was an idiot for trying to go in there--each time the young shinigami threatened, or attempted, to grab hold of the young girl, she would be met with teeth and feet until she was left well alone in the disaster. Lard would not be moved.



The pairs that refused to move onward were suddenly surrounding by large, dark shadows looming from the fog. They were indiscernible in shape, though heavy-sounding, and the more a grouping lagged behind, the more the stamping shapes approached. Harupia and Mai, were directed northern, with Sikes and Yumi moving north-eastern, provided they had left Lard behind; Yoshiya and Yashimaru, provided the elder man had regained his strength enough to move (Yashimaru could not carry the poor man on his own, as evident by his repeated ejaculations on the matter) were guided on a southwestern angle, while the final pair of Biru and Kabelja were sent east. All the while, the center of it all, the gilded trophy pulsated on, drawing them to its glorious, shiny haunch.

sorry for the terrible post; have a sick dog and a disasterzone for a house ><

"Yeeowww!"

A high-pitched screech was heard from Yumi, as the poor dame was thrown backwards by the Kid. Instinctively, her mind sent signals to her body, to contort her frame in order to best cushion her landing. It didn't respond.

"Oh poop." 

She just remembered that her muscles weren't that responsive any-more in time to feel the ground smack against her derrière.

"Owww...." she whined, rubbing the afflicted area. Yet she was OK. It was her pride which had taken the greatest hit.

Done rubbing, the pirate looked up to see...something. A dark looming beast, a shadow forming in the mist, something not of this world, but something with big feet. The shock broke her out of her slight pity, and to her feet.

The lass cast away her eye-patch and walking stick and stood upright, defiant against the dark shadows. Her dagger, now drawn, glinted even in the low-light of the thick fog.

"I am Shinigami. A millennium ago, my people formed a pact to protect the citizens of the Rukongai. Today, I play my part in the pact. Shark, Kid, run to safety, I'll hold them off."

Her few years under Kabelja had taught her the importance of duty, but not logic. Kabelja would have evaluated that she was better off in her office than sacrificing herself for two others. Or at least one other. If Lard had moved, Sikes would have probably have gone with them. But she hadn't. Indeed, logically she would probably be unable to defeat the beasts. Her most promising outcome would be to hold them back for a few seconds. Lard probably would not move in this time. If anything, it would only compel Ebenezer to stay. If Yumi had ran, Sikes would have been more likely to follow. Her fleeing would most likely result in two survivors. Her staying would leave three dead.

She had intended it to be a heroic sacrifice.

It was a vain sacrifice.

Thinking about what Kabelja had stated, Biru had to admit that it was a possible theory. It would also fit with how the thing had teleported them. "I think it's definitely possible that the fog might be serving to manipulate space. So i don't think that we should count that out yet. Though I think it's more likely that the Farmer moved instead. Although now that I think about it, this might just be the result of an illusion of some sort. It would be more feasible for something to put a group of people in an illusion than it would be to constantly manipulate space. Plus it seems to be relying a lot on misdirection which fits with how an illusionist would operate." Biru theorized as he put some more thought into their predicament. Looking up to one of the other flares, Biru's expression soon adopted a look of horror when both his flare and the other one sputtered out and were replaced by approach of large shadowy figures and cackling.

"Okay, need to think." Biru said as he motioned for Kabelja to stay close. "Being able to cancel out the flare means that it has reiatsu negating abilities. Though such a power wouldn't let it move as around like this. So there may be a second being working with it." Biru muttered as he summoned forth a second defensive turret and brought his other two turrets close to him. "Though that doesn't explain why it didn't go after my turrets. Spatial manipulation wouldn't be able to cause the flares to fizzle out. But an illusion would be able to block out the flare and the noise. So if they are illusions then this may be a scare tactic so we can't regroup." Biru continued to mutter as he came to a conclusion. Looking at how close the shadows were, Biru had to admit that if it was a scare tactic it was an effective one.

"Miss Watson, I'm going to see if these things are illusory or not. If it seems like they aren't then I'll make a barrier and we'll use to fly. So stay close, be ready and watch my back." Biru warned Kabelja. Speaking into his hand, Biru then formed another flare and sent it straight towards the nearest shadow (where it would hopefully function normally).

"MONSTER."

The flare blared out as it illuminated the area around the nearest shadow. Watching for any changes in the beast's behavior such as irritation from the sudden source of light and sound, Biru then fired off three blasts from his offensive turret. Having the first shot hit the ground in front of the nearest shadow, Biru used that to kick up dirt that might drive the beast back (assuming it was real) and so he could have an easier time gauging the distance of the other two shots. However the other two shots would go straight towards the nearest shadow in order to show its true nature.

"If it react's we'll have to run...I really hope it doesn't react." Biru thought to himself as he observed the shadow's reaction to his attacks.

"Oh no you don't!"

Yumi was standing there, focused on the shaping shadows with singular determination. Completely open. Completely open for Sikes to grab her small frame and give her a fireman's lift. Having lived many more years, he was not as impulsive as the pirate kid.

Oh sure, she screamed, and she wriggled, but Sikes was strong, and jogged down the path. Eventually she gave in, and sat there somewhat dejected, slumped over his shoulder, hand on her chin.

"Kid, if you want to live, for Pete's sake, get up and run."

He had given her an ultimatum. Lard's existence was in her hands. They had offered assistance. They would continue to offer it, if she accepted it. But she had to take that step.

"Whilst he almost certainly did move, that would not be sufficient to compensate," she mused to Biru. "Under standard search protocol, in the time it took me to reach Yoshiya's position, he wouldn't have moved more than 20 metres. At the bearing and distance travelled, it is highly improbable that I would have arrived at your position. It is not logically so."

She adjusted her hat as the dark shadows appeared. Surrounding them. His resulting techno-babble made little sense to her, beyond her scientific understanding. She made a note to research reiatsu nullification when this was all over. All she was aware of was Seki-Seki, and it was doubtful the mist was composed of it.

Before he launched his assault though she had a few words to relay to Biru.

"It is almost certainly a scare tactic. That doesn't mean that they don't pose a threat. Compliance does appear to be the preferable course of action. I should also inform you that I am unarmed, and thus shall be ineffective come combat. Our best chance of escape is at a bearing of eighty-seven."

As she spoke the lady pulled her dress up, exposing her legs, well maintained but unattractive. She wasn't the most mobile creature, and she certainly wasn't dressed for running either. Her shoulders covered her ears, protecting them from the noise of the flare.

"Ready."

"Ahhhhhh! Not...now....."

Though this was something different. His reiatsu wasn't behaving erraticly, it was being drained, being taken from him. In a way, having less of it made it easier to control. In a way he felt some relief...if he had any energy, and dark beasts were not crowding around him...

He stood there, feeling weak. Despite his reiatsu being drained, his physical energy still appeared to be intact though. He could still run.

"I'll...be Ok. Run...take the lead. If I fall behind, don't stop. No point...in us both being taken up by this...."

He kept moving. Admittedly his movements were ungainly, but he kept moving, moving South-West.

It all happened much too fast; first, they were surrounded by cows, of all things, in the thickness of the fog. Then a loud explosion racked through the entire area, followed by a blinding white light. Once the brightness subsided, the grouping found themselves where the whole thing had started: the green in the Third District of the Rukongai.

Each of them was in the position they had taken upon the explosion: Yashimaru half-carrying the debilitated Yoshiya, Biru looking puzzled at a partially undressed Kabelja, Yumi more or less presenting her sword to an empty station with Ariadne hunched and Sikes preparing to haul the kid off against her will, and Mai and Harupia hand in hand, about to collide into a second, empty station. The Imp stood atop the gilded trophy behind his station, hands on his hips in a matronly way.

As the group he'd chosen as his play thing stopped and looked around, he pursed his lips in a frown and tsked at them. "Really, you guys are no fun!" it whined, stamping its hoof against the metal haunch. "It's no fun when you break the rules!" He sighed dramatically, turning his back on them and jumping onto the table where he'd prepared the majority of his spell. "Bicker back and forth, bah! Follow regulations, bahAH!" He was muttering under his breath, busying himself and packing up his materials. "Science, HAH!"

He turned around one last time, beady eyes glaring at the now-confounded group. "Can't give you what you haven't earned!" he suddenly shrieked, clapping his hands together and vanishing in a cloud of glittering smoke. The clap echoed before expanding in a shockwave, taking back all that had happened in the last few minutes and sending them back in time.



The smells were delicious. Her mouth was watering. The line was long, far too long for her liking, but it trudged onward patiently, taking her and everyone else, from booth to booth to booth, getting a sample and dish from each. Once they all had their meals, they returned to the tables for an afternoon of glorious feasting and merriment; anything odd that had happened was forgotten upon the imp's departure (even the arrival of the golden haired dwarf), as though a dream upon waking.

[exit]

"We're going to be late, come on!" Yashimaru exclaimed, tugging gently on the girl's arm as she struggled to match his long stride. "You said this year I could take you wherever I wanted, and I want to take you to this cooking thing! My Pa went last year, and it was a real blast!" Without waiting, rather, listening to her response, the blond man raced forward, dragging the bewildered daughter in his trail toward the festival.

Along the way, due south from the Second Division where they had met up, Yashimaru regaled the young Tanaka with stories of his time spent at this cook-off. He'd only been there twice, once as a kid and full if wonder, and then only a few years ago because his mother's corn had been a featured item. But he'd never been a spectator like today, and his excitement was palpable. "Beef, Mai! They have real beef!"

"But," she panted, forcing the word out through clenched teeth as the pair raced along the cobbled road toward the third district green. "I don't eat meat!"

"Yes! Real meat!"

She pulled back, jerking her arm from his grip, the only surefire way to ensure that his full attention was on her. "Kobayashimaru! I do not eat meat!" Her face worked itself into a painfully patient expression, the only way she could explain anything to him.

But he would not have it; he was far too excited, and he just jumped into the line as it made its way around the arena, taking a hearty sampling of each dish offered. Exasperated, Mai sighed and followed him, politely taking a small helping of each dish offered. Harupia's station was especially difficult for her, as she wanted to please him (did her fingers tingle slightly at his smile?), but she could allow herself to eat the flesh of another creature; Yashimaru would eat it for her.

[exit if not engaged in conversation]

Giving Kabelja a somewhat confused look at her preparation, Biru had no time to react before an explosion engulfed the forest. Blinking in surprise as he found himself in front of the imp along with the others, Biru gave a sigh of relief upon seeing that everyone was alright. Giving the imp a glare of contempt as it acted self righteous with all of them for not following it's rules, Biru could at least content himself with knowing that he had helped anger the creature. "It isn't much fun being kidnapped and thrown into a forest either." Biru quipped back to the imp as it complained.

However before he could have much of an opportunity to try and subdue the imp, Biru would find himself back at his station cooking with no memory of what had just occurred. Realizing that the beef he was cooking needed to be tended to, Biru quickly checked the food to make sure that nothing was burnt. After spending a little while longer making the food, Biru's meal was ready and he began serving it to the guests (surprisingly it wasn't awful).


[Exit]

Yoshiya smiled as the boy drank up the broth, his spoon but a blur in his hand. He was transported back a millennium and a half, to a time before the great split, a kitchen where a Shinigami made such a stew for her twins.

Does one really die? We each have a legacy. Through our lives we influence people, we change people. In some way, we are the product of our experiences, the influence of those who touched us, who are influenced by those who touched them.

This simple stew was in part her legacy. Yet she had a bigger one, in the form of her children. Two people who carried the life of her and her husband upon them. One may have gone astray, but he still had his parents' training within him. He was still their legacy. Though neither of the twins had families of their own, even if they died childless, the line would not truly end. For as long as one who had known a Watson, or knew someone who had known a Watson, then the family would go on.

A small crowd tasted the stew that day, and were reminded of time past, a blend of Yoshiya's experiences and their own.

This was what good cooking was about.

[EXIT]

THREE HOURS LATER

A loud, shrill peep was heard over the now mostly abandoned green. The tables had been packed away, the various booths had been dissembled and most importantly, many bellies had been fed.

"Scouts! Fall in!"

Her troop assembled in front of her. Yumi parraded up and down the line, inspecting the troops.

"All present and accounted for, good good. Now! Report!"

Each squadron gave out a report of the day's activities, speaking on how many people they had served. The number came to 748.

"Good job all! We've had a long day, but you should all be proud of yourselves. Hold your heads high as we march back to base. On my whistle!"

Another peep was heard, travelling through the immediate area, then the gentle clomp of numerous young feet, on their journey back to Seireitei.

[EXIT]

TEN HOURS LATER

"I'm proud of you."

Belle Sikes kissed her husband on the cheek. It was a quiet night. The ticking of a clock on the wall, the crackle of logs on the fire.

She then settled into the crook of his arm, a free hand stroking her hair.

"I love you, Belle."

"I love you too Ebenezer. I honestly didn't think you could pull it off, but you did."

She nuzzled her husband's chest. They lay there for a moment, all snuggled up, until she stood up and faced her husband, a devilish glint in her eyes, a mischievous smirk upon her lips.

"It's getting late. I'm headed up to bed. You coming?"

Ebenezer gave a little chuckle.

"I'm coming all right."

His wife took his hand, taking her husband upstairs. Though he had a long day, it took him a while to get to sleep that night.

[[EXIT]]

AN EXTRACTFROM THE REPORT OF
KABELJA WATSON, FIRST DIVISION, NINETEENTH SEAT.

...Of particular note was the work of a certain Rukon Citizen, Biru Nie. His cooking approach involves the use of various devices of unknown purpose. Whilst in my time observing him I was unable to fully ascertain the nature of the aforementioned devices, however I believe that further investigation is warranted to improve the methodology of our culinary delivery, in conjunction with the recipes mentioned both prior in my report and in the reports of my fellow investigators....

[EXIT]

Stampeding cows, explosions, evil imps up to their old tricks, and in the midst of it all, a Princess and A doctor together...that could make a nice little play if someone put some mind to it...if anyone remember what had happened.

However, that was not the case, which no one could really mind all things considered. Harupia was quite glad at how his meal came out in the end. Tasted a bit burnt to him, but it was really tasty nevertheless. He was quite glad to see all the people come to take a bite of his cuisine, including his Division members. He chuckled a bit at Kobayashi and Mai, understanding she didn’t enjoy eating meat. He was glad to just see them there. One thing that made him wonder...his hand felt a bit warm. He didn’t remember burning it on the meal or anything...still, it felt a bit warmer than usual. Still, it was a nice feeling all things considered.

(Exit)

Thread Ended and locked, points awarded and allocated as follows:
One point per page;
One point per applicable post per character;

Distribution:

Lard - 4 + 11;; 15
Y. Watson - 4 + 10; 14
K. Watson - 4 + 11; 15
E. Sikes - 4 + 11; 15
Y. Konno - 4 + 11; 15
B. Nie - 4 + 11; 15
H. Hitoshi - 4 + 8; 12
M. Tanaka - 4 + 6; 10
Y. Kobaiya - 4 + 6; 10