All Work and No Play... (OPEN, new year)

[Mikhail Rost]

It was a beautiful day in the Seireitei, barely a few clouds in the skies above, and less then a week had passed since the new year. Lanterns and streamers dangled from poles nearby, and a tall man with seemingly almost buzzcut black hair was standing near a table where various items were laid out. He hummed to himself as he gathered a few things and put them into a satchel over his shoulder, supplies for his chore but he didn't consider it all that bad. Then he turned and walked over towards a small gazebo like building and surrounding garden, next to which were a bunch of elaborately designed cages.

The man wore most of the traditional clothes of the shinigami, but also wore a light green jinbaori trimmed in black. He had a white bandage wrapped around his left hand, and a silver cloth sling over his shoulder that held his zanpakuto on his back.

Masanori wandered over and stooped down to look in one of the cages smiling at the Jigokucho within. Today it was his task to care for the jigokucho, or hell butterflies. It was a chore often given to unseated members of the court guard squads, but to him it was a fun activity. He wasn't exactly sure what it was they fed on, maybe some kind of spiritual nectuar, in any case it was interesting to watch them. Their black and maroon wings were quite beautiful. As Masanori was opening one of the cages to set up some food for them, a few fluttered their wings and the man blinked with surprise as they escaped.

"Awww, don't fly away!" His brow furrowed, he groaned as they fluttered out in front of his face and around the garden. Masanori huffed in agitation and grabbed a small net nearby, then set about trying to round up the escapees.

Meanwhile, from the edge of a building not far from Masanori, a woman curled her fingers around the corner and peered out. She had a mischievious gleam in her red eyes and clutched a small bag of party favors in her other hand. She smiled a devious little grin and crept out from her hiding spot, tiptoeing over towards Masanori who had just glanced up and spied one of the hell butterflies on the edge of the roof of the building.

Masanori put his hands on his hips and pondered the situation before pulling a ladder over. He put the net handle in his mouth then carefully started to climb up, still the Jigokucho was just out of reach so he had to shimmy over a bit in order to reach it. He took the net out of his mouth and leaned out on one foot about to catch it. Steady,... steady... Masanori was so focused on his task that he didn't notice the woman in a black and red kimono sneak up quickly, though if he should have it wouldn't have said much for her skill. Being co-third seat of the stealth forces, implied that she had better be damn good at sneaking. With a yell, Kimiko suddenly sprang up and threw a bunch of tiny poppers around and on the ladder Masanori leaned out on.

"Ha!" BANG! BANG! BANG!

Masanori yelped in surprise, "Whoa, WHOOOAAAAA!" He flailed his arms as he fell off the ladder amid a bunch of flowers, the net flying up in the air and coming down on his head. "Oooommph!" Kimiko laughed out loud, as Masanori lifted his head.

"Very funny, Kimiko,... oh?" Even funnier was that at that moment, the Jigokucho fluttered down and landed on Masanori's nose. He rolled his eyes at the situation but Kimiko just giggled more.

"Sorry, Masanori, but you're too easy. Have they got you tending the Jigokucho today?" She sighed, extending her hand so that the one on Masanori's nose could find a better perch. "Ah, this was always one of my favorite things to do ya know, we even dress alike." She joked showing off her silken black and red kimono next to that of the black and red-winged messengers.

Unlike Masanori, Kimiko didn't much care for the traditional garb of the shinigami. Aside from the black and red Kimono, she wore a gold thread obi and tended to go barefoot instead of the sandals most had. Her shoulder-length black hair was tied up with a pretty red ribbon, and onyx beaded earrings dangled from her ears.

"I don't think its quite the same, Kimiko, but I see your point. So, did you come here just to pick on me while I work?" He took the net down and stared up at her shaking his head.

"Aww, I think Hisashi is rubbing off on you. Come on, what's got you in a sour mood? It's a new year, which means new and exciting things. It's a time for celebration, you should be happy. I got these things, they're fun." She still had a bunch of the things, which when thrown against a hard surface they made a small bang, suppose it didn't take much to amuse her.

Masanori shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno, maybe it's just that. Another year and I still feel like I'm behind Hisashi and you. I know I'll catch up someday, but I don't like feeling like Hisashi's shadow."

"Trust me Masanori, you're nothing like Hisashi! Which is a good thing because I don't think I could stand two of him." She smirked and Masanori nodded in agreement. She extended a hand to help him up. "Come on, Masanori, I'll help you finish."

Kimiko returned the escapee to its home and started to help Masanori with his duty.

[Nagase Hisao]

Walking down a path Nagase Hisao was enjoying the day and felt renewed in this new year. He had vowed to excel as a shinigami and come out with a seated position before the year was out. Gripping the necklace he wore absently and humming a tune as he stepped forward there was something that caught his attention.

A few small explosive sounds removed him from his reverie. He looked toward the source of the sound. He saw a woman in a red and black kimono and a man who looked like a shinigami yet had a green belt as opposed to the standard white. Nagase moved almost robotically toward the source of the sound.

As he came closer he ceased his humming and called out to the pair “What was that noise? I suppose no one is hurt yes?” Nagase was still moving toward them with a smile on his face since he was in a good mood still. He looked for any signs that either had been hurt by whatever had caused the disruption as his inner medic took over. Seeing nothing that would denote an injury beyond some very minor scratches from where the man had fallen recently he put a smile on his face.

“Name’s Nagase Hisao by the way” he said as he finally caught up to them. He put his hand on the back of his head as he spoke out of habit. Radiance, as always, sat on his back with the gem on the end of the hilt near his ear. Ange, the zanpakuto's spirit, was watching Nagase could tell but she had nothing to say just yet. And so he waited for a response as he pondered exactly who he had run into.

[Mikhail Rost]

The pair had just about gotten the last hell butterfly back into their cages when Nagase came closer. His light humming preceeded his arrival but he stopped just shy of reaching them. Kimiko's zanpakuto spirit Uguisu (Nightingale) strained to hear the humming and pouted when it ceased. She chirped in Kimiko's mind.

~Listen, did you hear that sound?
Someone's humming quite a tune,
Maybe they will come around,
Hearing more would be a boon.~

"Oh?" Kimiko looked up an instant before Nagase called out but her head only turned when he did. He had a smile on his face and spoke with a pleasant demeanor.

"What was that noise? I suppose no one is hurt yes?"

Kimiko smiled warmly as well stepping away from the jigokucho pens. Her red eyes regarding Nagase as he neared.

She giggled lightly as she answered, "Possibly, only Masanori's pride.

Masanori had turned around as well and rubbed his head sheepishly. "I'm alright, thanks for asking though. Kimiko just caught me off guard that's all"

"It was just these," Kimiko said taking out a small pouch of harmless looking little paper wrapped...stuff. She took one and threw it down beside her as a demonstration and when it hit the ground it made a POP! sound. "They're fun."

"They're loud," Masanori said, embarressed that the sudden sound had startled him.

Kimiko smirked and playfully pushed Masanori's shoulder teasing him, "So brave and steadfast you are Masanori,... Oh no tis the dreaded poppers!"

"Alright, alright you got me, but someday I'll get you back. You won't know when or where, but my vengence will be swift and terrible." He narrowed his eyes trying to sound as menacing as possible but suddenly his friend from before found him again, the hell butterfly fluttering down to land on his head. He sighed with defeat as the jigokucho made him just look silly "Aww man..."

Kimiko laughed and turned back towards Nagase as he introduced himself. "Name's Nagase Hisai by the way."

Kimiko nodded her head politely, "Hello Nagase, my name is Kimiko Kaneko, pleased to meet you. My unshakable friend is Masanori Oshiro."

Masanori bowed as well. "Good to meet you, Nagase. How has your day been?"

[Nagase Hisao]

“Thus far my day is going well if a bit dull” he chuckled before continuing “Unfortunately for you Masanori I cannot heal a wounded ego.” He looked at the woman after a short bow to match theirs. He noted the little explosive devices and wondered where exactly this woman had procured them. He glanced at the jigokucho and was not surprised by their beauty.

“Well, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, perhaps you all were headed somewhere?” he asked with every intent of joining them if they would allow it. He had no better goal in mind for his day and figured company would be good. Besides he could not remain cooped up in a library all day without feeling like he was missing something.

Retuning a smile to the pair he heard Ange say something. “They are both rather capable shinigami I suspect, do try to get on their good side” he heard her say. She was of course referring to his running streak of happening upon other shinigami at rather inconvenient times and ways. He sighed as the memories flowed back. He was going to break that streak here today if it was the last thing he did.

“I hope for our sake you're right Hisao” Ange chimed into his thoughts again. He reassured her that he was quite socially capable thank you very much. Her only response was a short laugh and then she simply sat back.

[Mikhail Rost]

Kimiko placed a thoughtful hand alongside her face as she heard Nagase say the day was a bit dull so far. "Bored huh? How could you be bored with the New Year celebrations? Well, Masanori might have more chores to do, but I can't wait to attend the festivities."

"Actually, after I finish here I'm good to go." Masanori carefully reached up to collect the errant Jigokucho and place it back in the cage. "there."

"Alright then, Come on, Nagase? We'll help show you how to have a good time!" She smiled brightly and grabbed Nagase by the arm to lead him off towards where others were setting up for the evening.

"Hey Kimiko, wait up." Masanori said adjusting his sash and following after them.

Along the streets people had set up decorations. There were various games to play and foods out on tables, and later there was supposed to be a parade and fireworks! How exciting!

[Nagase Hisao]

Nagase was grabbed and, before he could even react, he was being taken somewhere. This was not quite how he had envisioned it going but who was he to argue at this point. A festival of sorts sounded like a good time he thought as he straightened his glasses which had been knocked off center when he was pulled by Kimiko.

“So, what are we going to do first?” Nagase asked as he looked at the various stalls and games. There were all kinds of stuff here. He had loved these types of events as a younger kid but had not really taken the time to enjoy them recently. He had the day off and he was already getting taken here so what not revel in some nostalgia with these interesting people.

Ange chuckled a bit. She might usually be a cold and distant spirit but even she had a sense of joy in the New Year. He looked at Kimiko then Masanori as he wondered what exactly he was getting into. This was going to be a fun night no matter what. He could feel it.