002 :: Written

[lifeandpride]

Hello? I have been reading some of this book, and I think I understand a bit more of how it works.

Since it appears I may be staying a while, I would like to introduce myself. I am Ukitake Juushirou, and I am pleased to meet you all. I hope to have the good fortune to meet some of you in person as well.

[He stops here a moment, as if to consider what else he should write.]

I have noticed a lot of children and youth here. Is anyone responsible for their well-being?

Things in this journal always seem so lively, so hopefully some of you will be getting back to me shortly.

[short pause]

...or else I have just written something very silly!


Father Abel,

Please forgive me for not getting back to you sooner. As you can imagine, I've been spending some time adjusting, and looking for a way back to my own world.

You had mentioned that there was more to tell me about this place, and I think it would be good if I listened. Perhaps we should meet again soon.

-Ukitake Juushirou.

Comments

[peacockherald]

Thank you, and the same to you, Ukitake.

_{[Another whicker from behind him, a quiet pause.]}

Yfandes says if you like you should come to the stables. She would enjoy meeting you.

[lifeandpride]

Oh my, I don't think I know where the stables are yet... though I don't think I can refuse my first invitation from a horse.

[peacockherald]

Companion. And it is not far. You can see the stable from the front of the castle entrance.

[lifeandpride]

Perhaps if it's a short visit. I'm expecting company later. I'll be on my way soon.

[peacockherald]

As you will.

_{[He looked to Yfandes, who shook her head. As always, she was eager to meet anyone Vanyel got on with in this world.]}

action?

[lifeandpride]

[It takes him a few minutes to make it down to the stables, at first going the wrong way. In retrospect, he probably should have asked Vanyel for a description, but how many people would be down at the stables, anyway?]

...Er...Hello?

Re: action?

[peacockherald]

_{[A young-ish man with black raven hair streaked with silver over one temple appeared, dressed in soft blues and white. He smiled when he saw the other.]}

Ukitake?

[lifeandpride]

[He locates the sound of the voice and turns towards it. He is still dressed in his normal black and white shinigami attire.]

Yes, that's me. You're... Ashkevron, was it?

[peacockherald]

Ah yes, that is my last name. Vanyel is my first.

_{[He approached hand out to shake.]}

He motioned to a stall with no door where a pristine white mare with blue-violet eyes was watching them.]

That would be Yfandes.

[lifeandpride]

Which would you prefer I call you?

[It takes him a moment to remember what the hand was for. He takes it with a gentle, possibly un-manly like shake... but then, that's not how he usually would greet someone. He looks over to the white mare and smiles.]

Oh my, I'm... pleased to meet you.

[He looked to Vanyel to see if addressing the horse... sorry, companion... directly was all right.]

[peacockherald]

<sub>[Yfandes bobbed her head in a single, human-like nod to him, letting out a snort of greeting.

Vanyel chuckled.]

She appreciates you treating her like she can understand you - which she can. And Vanyel is fine. Lord Ashkevron... is to formal. And I have not used that title in years.</sub>

[lifeandpride]

Well, you seemed to be able to communicate with her while we were speaking earlier. I would not want to insult her.

[There were shinigami who weren't exactly human, anyway, so it wasn't a much of a stretch.]

Very well, Vanyel, it's good to meet you both in person.

[peacockherald]

The same. And you are right, I can speak to her and she to me. She is as smart as you or me - smarter, sometimes, even.

_{[A proud cant of her head and a toss of her mane followed that statement.]}

[lifeandpride]

[He chuckles.]

I don't doubt it! ...and beautiful as well.

[He begins to reach out, as if wanting to touch her mane, but stops himself.]

...I suppose I should ask first.

[peacockherald]

_{[Vanyel nods at Yfandes.]}

Ask her. She decides. Some days even I cannot touch her.

_{[He held his hands up helplessly.]}

[lifeandpride]

[He nods to Vanyel, then faces her again, and gives a bow.]

...It would be an honor, Miss, if I could say hello more informally?

[peacockherald]

_{[Her ears pricked forward and she bobbed her head, pressing her mouth gently into his hand, breathing through her nostrils.]}

[lifeandpride]

[Ukitake gives a very gentle pat and smiles before withdrawing his hand.]

...Thank you. I'm honored to meet you.

[peacockherald]

_{[She bobs her head and Vanyel smiles.]}

She says the same. She appreciates it when people so quickly grasp she is not a mere animal.

[lifeandpride]

While I can't say I've ever met anyone quite like her before, where I come from it's a rare possibility.

[He smiles, remembering Komamura.]

...One of my fellow captains is part dog, after all. At least, I think so. I can't recall if he ever came out and said it, but the fur is quite obvious.

[peacockherald]

_{[He blinked, taken aback.]}

Half? How... odd. I have never heard of anyone being part animal, though stories say the Griffins, like Yfandes, were as intelligent as any man...

[lifeandpride]

[He's glad he didn't ask about the whole 'captain' thing. Perhaps that was for the best.]

In any case, I've learned to not always assume things are as they appear.