With the Captains suffering casualties and heavy injuries on their side, all hope seemed to be lost... until Shinji Hirako appeared, along with the rest of the former Shinigami. Though the aid of the Vizards certainly helped to draw the battle in their favor, it seemed Aizen's power alone proved too much for them.
Post by Mikhail Rost on May 13, 2012 2:46:50 GMT -5
Mikhail could tell Jericho had to fight to get out that apology but it made him smirk slightly, it was a step in the right direction.
"Well, I appreicate it, but it shouldn't even be because she's a friend of mine. Everyone has a right to live peacefully, living in fear of others is no way to live. You say you're a man of honor, but what good is honor among those who live only to terrorize and consume."
It might not be something that Jericho wanted to hear but honestly, who lived by honor in Heuco Mundo? Best of all it actually looked like some of Mikhail's words were getting through to Jericho, like he was actually considering all that he'd done now. Mikhail stood up and nodded.
"Heck yeah you would be amazing, a hero. People respect a hero's power, but moreso their compassion. They protect those who dont have the power to protect themselves. Their will and fortitude to fight against evil make them a symbol of hope for all."
Okay maybe Mikhail was getting a little carried away, but who doesn't want to be the hero, the inspiration everyone looks to. He scratched his head and sighed then stooped back down with his eyes downcast at the cave floor.
"I realize that this is the last thing you want to hear from some kid, right? Even if I didn't have powers, I'd probably still do what I could to help people."
Jericho went on to talk about the Arrancar that attacked him and kinda trailed off when he was about to talk about what he was doing that day. Obviously he was doing something he didn't want to tell Mikhail about. Mikhail had to talk it out to get to the point.
"So, he came after you, because you were doing something you shouldn't have been, in order to draw someone's attention, so you could fight them? Really? All that to find a sparring partner?"
Mikhail arched an eyebrow and gave Jericho the kind of dissappointed look that a parent gives a child.
Mikhail Rost - Human - ML:S Sobek Kurokawa -Arrancar - HL:W Kimiko Kaneko - Shinigami - ML:A Ikkaku Madarame - Shinigami - HL:S Don Kan'onji - Human - LL:A
Jericho actually began to feel guilty as this kid continued. What the hell? He never felt guilty. Why should he? Its not like he was doing anything right now. Then again, he had been causing people harm for all these years and in most cases he had seen people put him in his place. Dai did it and he liked protecting others. That wolf-like arrancar did it too and he also protected people. Now this kid says he liked protecting people too. Was this some sort of sick joke or a sign? Each one being sent to inadvertently teach him a lesson? It certainly seemed like it from his stand point. Though what really angered him is when the kid called his honor into question. How dare he do that? But, deep inside Jericho knew he was right. The sour grapes were almost too much to bare. All this goody, goody talk made him want to vomit.
"I... guess your right," he said, a little venom in his voice. He didn't like being corrected. He had lived his whole life thinking the way he did, the lessons being knocked into him since he was a hollow. It was hard to accept that the way you lived by for 200 years was being flushed down the toilet. Why now? Why of all times had this had to happen now? He had been content with his old life. It was nice, violent, and exciting. Now he had some kid giving him life lessons that he hadn't originally been paying attention to from the other two. Third time was a charm eh? But, besides that he knew the kid was right. Which made him a little heated under the collar. Then this kid began talking how he would be amazing if he protected people, a possible hero.
Jericho? A hero? Seemed kinda cheesy to him but... could he really bring himself to do that. He had dreams of being an espada but... was that really the best thing? Damn... he may have to rethink his goals or at least alter them slightly... possibly be an espada who, dare he think it, cared? How... lovey dovey but... possible? He would give it some thought he guessed. After all, he used to go out of his way to destroy the weak and even put them in their place if they got to riled up. "A hero huh? I don't know about that," he smirked. It was an interesting idea alright but, was it really Jericho? Could he be a role model? Someone with compassion who protected the weak? It seemed far fetched but... not impossible he supposed. "I may need a little help learning to be... compassionate," he had to spit the word out in order to say it.
Oh god.... the accursed look!? Why was he giving him that look? What did he do wrong this time!? "Yeah all that to find a sparring partner! I wanted a strong one after all. What do you know? Its not like I couldn't have flexed my reiastu or something but I didn't want to frighten them off," He spouted off on a tangent of attitude. He wasn't really angry at Mikhail really, he just knew the grueling fact that he was right. Of course he was right! Mister goody goody himself didn't have anything on this kid. "I suppose that was wrong of me, that I should shook their hands and kissed babies," he said the guilt weighing on him more and he didn't make eye contact with the accursed look.
Post by Mikhail Rost on May 15, 2012 0:50:05 GMT -5
Mikhail could tell he was kinda starting to upset Jericho but did he deserve it, probably. Still pissing off the injured, but normally pretty powerful arrancar seemed like a bad idea. As long as Jericho got the point Mikhail felt he could let up.
"Alright Jericho, enough of that, you know I don't mean it disrepectfully, I just think, well, maybe you might feel more fulfilled. Even after a great battle how do you feel? If you win was the fight worth it? If you respect power and your enemy wasn't enough to give you the fight you wanted, it seems like an empty victory, someone just beating someone to beat them is nothing but a bully. If you fight to protect someone or something, it gives your fight meaning. Makes it all the more important that you win."
Jericho irritation increased as Mikhail went on and he admitted that it was all just so he could find a worthy sparring partner. That was kinda disappointing but Mikhail just sighed and then smirked,
"Heck if all you want is a sparring partner then I could fight ya. I may not win at first, but I'll get better and better."
Jericho sarcastically mentioned shaking hands and kissing babies and Mikhail shook his head.
"C'mon, You don't have to go that far, you know what I mean."
Mikhail smacked his leg and stood up again, "Enough of that for now, how are you feeling? Aside from the talking, I mean your injuries. If you're up to it, it might do you good to get around a little."
Mikhail had no idea how spiritual beings healed but 'Walk it off' was a oft used phrase in Gym,...whatever...
Mikhail Rost - Human - ML:S Sobek Kurokawa -Arrancar - HL:W Kimiko Kaneko - Shinigami - ML:A Ikkaku Madarame - Shinigami - HL:S Don Kan'onji - Human - LL:A
Jericho had to admit that the victory was short lived when he beat people down for sport. Mostly cause it proved that they were weaker to him, and he hated it. Why were they so weak? Most had been just trying to piss him off or fighting for sport themselves. It just didn't make sense. Yet... every time he fought someone who had a reason to fight, he lost. It was weird but, true sadly. The kid could very well be on to something. "You... right... every fight I won didn't mean that much to me for that long. In fact the fights I lost to Dai and the arrancar were much more interesting and stuck with me longer than the rest. Even the battle with my first Espada had more meaning I suppose." He said coming to a realization.
"I didn't like it either... my victories meaning nothing to me i mean," he finished his explanation. It was true... he truly hated it. Hated them for losing to him so easily... and hated himself for simply beating them. The fact of the matter was, he wanted to fight strong opponents. Maybe that's why he attacked the weak. Maybe he was just hoping for someone strong who was protecting them. Maybe... he wanted what they had. He didn't know. It just felt like... something was missing. He smirked when Mikhail said he could be his sparring partner. "Anytime, any place kid. How are you with swords and hand to hand? Cause I could certainly improve those hell, get you more prepared for fighting hollows and arrancar if the need comes." He said smiling.
Who else better to teach that than an ex hollow and a current arrancar eh? He did know what the kid meant... at least... he thought he did. Couldn't be sure, probably needed to speak to Dai or that arrancar again. He needed... to find them both. Jericho looked up when Mikhail stood up and suggested a walk. Hmm, could be more fun than simply sitting here at least. "Uh, I'm better now I guess. Sure why not?" He responded slowly getting to his feet. Walking over he gripped his zanpakuto into his hands and placed upon his back. Better not to get found injured and unarmed right? However in this process he did find he hurt... allot actually. But, he ignored the pain try ing to look cool in front of the kid most likely. "Ready?" He asked as he looked over to Mikhail.
Post by Mikhail Rost on May 26, 2012 2:49:06 GMT -5
Mikhail was thrilled to see he was getting through to Jericho. These revelations Jericho was experianing were huge. Maybe Mikhail should take this up as a occupation, though getting arrancar to lounge on a sofa while they talked about their problems seemed rather absurd. He told Jericho that if all he wanted was a sparring partner he'd have a go with him, but could possibly regret that decision.
"Anytime, any place kid. How are you with swords and hand to hand? Cause I could certainly improve those, hell, get you more prepared for fighting hollows and arrancar if the need comes."[/i] He smiled and Mikhail chuckled nervously.
"Well, swordsmanship? Probably not real great, I mean I've killed a few hollows. Hand to hand a little better, but yeah I wouldn't mind working with you some. We'll call it part of your recovery, heh, physical therapy..."
Mikhail chuckled but he wondered if he wouldn't need therapy after this. Jericho rose to his feet after Mikhail suggested they head out for a while.
"Ready?"[/i]
"Sure," Mikhail said as he rose as well. "Let's go."
Mikhail Rost - Human - ML:S Sobek Kurokawa -Arrancar - HL:W Kimiko Kaneko - Shinigami - ML:A Ikkaku Madarame - Shinigami - HL:S Don Kan'onji - Human - LL:A
Hmm, how odd, the kid seemed nervous even after he had been the one to offer to spar with him. What was wrong with him? It wasn't like he was gonna go all out on the kid, he stilled owed him his life. Besides... in this condition? As much as he hated to admit it he was severely handicapped due to his injuries. Also by how powerful the kid was, he was pretty sure he would be fine. At least, he would try to keep himself under control he mused. But, he guessed he could hold back and couple it with his injuries. Things would certainly be interesting. Besides... he had killed anyone in a sparring match... yet. At the kids little joke he chuckled out loud but, it also hurt him a bit. He didn't really like being broken. This state he was in... would be an unbearable life to life, he thought. But, at least he would eventually heal.
He also needed to find Dai and that wolf-like arrancar. For what? He was not entirely sure of. Maybe he wanted to fight them? Or maybe perhaps he wanted to talk with them. Understand there will to protect others, and maybe even discuss other things with them. It certainly couldn't hurt either way could it? So, he would help train this kid to fight his own kind. Hollows and arrancar. Things would certainly be interesting. "Well in that case let us go," he said as he began to step along slowly. Still feeling the effects of his last battle. What an exciting one that was... mermories of it played aroun in his head as he walked on... slowly and quietly...