To The Island(Fumei, Open)

The rain beat town on the city of London, an unceasing drizzle that when coupled with the cold wore away at the willpower of those who dared stay outside, motivating most individuals to go in and enjoy the heat of their homes. It was the third day of this particular storm, and night was on the horizon.

Down on the streets below, Ishpaleum sat outside an Italian restaurant, enjoying the cover of an umbrella over his seat. He was dressed in a black v-neck shirt, with a white coat over it. He had decided to blend in today, even going so far as to repress his spiritual pressure to that of a normal human.

He had come to London, England after meeting one of his fellow Captains, a girl named Alice who had claimed to have lived here in the 1800's. He had told her that he had not visited this place before, but that wasn't entirely true. While he had been alive it was true that he had failed to find the shores of this place, but he had come here a few times as a Shinigami, to collect the souls of those who resonated with him. Heroes, they are called..

For some reason, he seemed cursed to be sent to free the souls of those who had ascended beyond mere humanity. His mind wandered back through the years, to the one he had been most proud to meet. Another king like himself, Arthur had been the most interesting soul he had ever met, and they had fought for many hours before he had finally finished the job, taking an oath from Arthur beforehand.

Shaking his head, Ishpaleum looked around, feeling the presence of another being nearby with a distinctly non-human pressure. He sighed, hoping it would pass by without bothering him. After all, he had come here for a vacation, not to be interrupted by either a Hollow or one of the squad members that no doubt had dared to try to seek him out.

Fumei, covered by her paracel, walked above the water level with her traditional 5 inch high sandals. The paracel was low, to her black geisha styled hair. She was very unhappy. The tobacco growers in the area had such bland flavor and rough on the lungs. It wasn't new news. England has always styled theirs this way. To make it worse it was raining like the end of days. Really? With all her traditional makeup this was NOT ok.

Never the less, Lady Fumei held her head high with a stoic beauty upon her face. She may have been unhappy, but there was no reason to look cross and lose her beauty that attracted so much business. You never know who you may meet along your way.

Her dress had a tasteful amount of cleavage showing, and a slit up her thigh. Her red Obi tied tightly to her thin waist. Her deep blue silk kimono was shining against the lit up street lights, and reflected in the puddles below her high standing sandals. Finally, a sign lit up, with a sign of being shelter. Some sort of Italian Restuarant.

She tilted the paracel back to see the establishment. Seemed pretty empty. Just one man sitting alone at an outside table. They had umbrellas, so it was doable, but she still questioned the motive. Mostly men explain themselves when she looks at them with curiosity rather than simply looking at him judgmentally.

Fumei lightly smiled at the man, and tilted her head to the side, exposing a large amount of her neck and raised her eyebrow with interest.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ish saw a woman appear. Completely out of place in this city, she looked almost like the Geisha of Japan. She had a beauty to her that surpassed all others around her, and a clear spiritual pressure. She's no mortal, that's for sure... He tried to ignore her, hoping she would pass by, but to his disdain she stopped, looking at him with what appeared to be curiosity. After a moment he allowed his eyes to move to her.

He froze for a moment. Her makeup was pale, showing off the exceptional features of her face. Her dress had a slit up to her thigh, revealing skin that made Ish feel warm, and her Kimono was tied in such a way that it left just enough to the imagination to be taunting. For the first time in a thousand years, Ish felt desire build inside him. This could be a major issue... Still, as she tilted her head he knew he could not ignore her.

A few seconds passed before Ish opened his mouth. "Would you like to join me?" He said it calmly, pulling out a chair. At the very least, this should make for an interesting conversation. He kept his pressure concealed, so that she might think he was a sensitive human, as he wasn't sure whether the woman was a threat or not. After all, beautiful women had been his undoing before, and he was not going to make the same mistake twice.

Lady Fumei's smile widened, showing her pearl white teeth as she was invited by the man to sit beside him. She seemed to glide across the distance between them into the open seat across from him. As she sat, she closed her parasol, and shook it out, now protected by the umbrella above.

Her alluring eyes slowly traced back to the man. "It would bring me great pleasure to give you some company." She sat forward, very attentive to her conversation partner. " On such a dreadful day, no one should add to such misery by sitting alone." Very voice was soft like velvet, drawn in, with its almost quiet nature. Her left hand slid up her right sleeve, taking hold and pulling out her long drain pipe. " Do you mind?" She asked while moving her head forward and back slightly, like a snake zooming in on its pray.

Somethin about this man was not that of your average human. Unlike most in the afterlife, Lady Fumei spent an exceptionally large amount of time with humans. She had a very successful human business that often transcended to those not so human, but was indeed mostly attended by humans. She was even quite the renowned human drug lord.

Ishpaleum watched the woman as she seemed to glide over to him, taking the seat next to him. As she put her parasol away, he couldn't help but look at her cleavage for a moment, looking away. The way she spoke was very formal and practiced, which put him on guard. She's used to manipulating others. I must stay on my guard with this woman.

She pulled a pipe from her sleeve, which seemed to be filled with tobacco if the smell was anything to go by. He certainly was not opposed, as he had been known to smoke once or twice himself. He shrugged, reaching under the table to materialize a matchbook. He passed it to her, smiling. "Not at all, allow me to light it for you."

Her head moved back in forth as he spoke, like a serpent about to strike. It sent a chill up his spine, and for a moment his mind flew back, a new memory flashing through his mind. It had been a long quest. Enkidu and I had fought beasts sent by the gods themselves to steal a potion to grant true immortality to myself, and after having obtained it, I had realized how worthless it truly was. After all, all of the world's treasures were mine already, so there was no need for such a potion. I had discarded it, and a serpent came to drink there. It was an old snake, on the verge of death, but as it drank something miraculous happened: its skin began to pull from its body. Since then, snakes have always shed their skins as they aged.

She smiled and took the matches, placing the pipe to her red lips and filled it with the lit flame. She took in a breath and slowly released it, almost sensually to the man before her. With her pointer finger she slid the match book back to its owner. "Thanks, today has been far too long" She returned his smile, now still.

She leaned back, putting the hand holding the pipe and had the elbow hang over the back of the seat. She made sure to make her breasts still very visible. Even the smallest glance to her breasts would be caught this veteran in the art of seduction. " You strike me as a visitor as well, may I ask what brings you to such a dreadful place?" Her voice expressing her true dislike for the age old Island. It was never worth the trip as far as business was concerned, no matter how many years she waited. This makes a solid 50 since expanding her business.

Everything the woman did reeked of sex and sensuality. This woman clearly was a temptress, used to men falling over her. Ishpaleum did not intend to be the next notch on her list. He picked up the match book, storing it inside his coat. She explained that she had had a long day, as he put it away. He smiled, nodding. "I understand, a beautiful woman like yourself no doubt attracts all kinds of attention, especially so far from Japan."

He could not help but see her breasts again as she re-positioned herself, and he couldn't help but notice that she seemed to enjoy the attention. She mentioned that she was a visitor, asking him if he was one as well. A visitor perhaps, but no stranger. She clearly knew her way around London, since she had shown no hesitation like many of the people who came here on vacation.

Her voice carried a disdain, she clearly hated being in the city. Ish wondered what could bring a woman like this out to this place, since she clearly was independent. He smiled, gesturing to the table. "I am a visitor, this is where I decided to take my vacation. You have clearly been here before, given the voice you take when speaking of this place. Tell me, what brings you here? May I buy you a drink?" He was already mentally combing through his treasury, thinking of which beverages might be best to release from his holdings.

His mention of the attention she gets made her wonder what kind of carrier she held, exactly. Not that she could blame him, she was displaying herself quite openly. He didn't seem so easy to attract using feminine features, so she would have to use her other skills for seduction.

' I would love a drink!" She said happily with enthusiasm before responding to the other questions. Years of her industry have built a strong tolerance to alcohol, but her new sweet companion didn't know that. "I am here on business. I own a famous Ochaya in Japan, and bring imported tobaccos for my guests to sample and buy in my Hookah room. I never seem to find quality flavor in this area, but am often offered, and if they are paying my way I see no reason to swing by, even if I have yet to find one on this Island I enjoy." She shrugs and leans back forward to display interest. She took in another breath of tobacco and turned to the side, showing neck to the man, while blowing out the smoke. The physical aspect of her seduction may not be working, but it good to keep up the expectation.

" So tell me, She began, sweet as sugar. "What makes an attractive man travel to such a lonely place by himself?" She concluded with a sweet smile. In honestly the man was handsome, and should be wed by now. Visiting fun locations, not such cold and sad ones as this.

Ishpaleum smiled at the compliment, since it appeared to be sincere in nature. She seemed to have stopped attempting to act seductive outright, and was acting much more subtle than before. He preferred this, and materialized his some of his best, most potent wine. This should be interesting... even the gods themselves are said to have been torn asunder by this drink. Even his formidable tolerance was tested by a single cup of the wine he had produced, but the woman before him seemed to be the type to have built a tolerance, given the confidence she showed when dealing with a man like himself.

He put two golden cups on the table, pouring as she told him of why she had come. She said she ran an Ochaya back in Japan, which he knew to be a tobacco supply, though he suspected that other things might flow through as well. She leaned forward as she spoke, revealing her neck once again, which caught his eye, though he tried not to react to it. She truly is beautiful, but this is a game to her, that much is for certain.. I will play, and see where it goes.

She asked him why he had traveled to England, as though she had expected to see him elsewhere, calling London a lonely place. Looking around, he could see why. In the rain, it hardly seemed a place for romance, much less one for a vacation. He responded with a laugh, passing her cup to her. "Would you believe that I'm here on vacation? I came on the recommendation of a friend, and obviously it was an excellent decision. The view here is quite beautiful." He leaned back as he finished, taking a sip of the wine. It truly is powerful, but the taste is incomparable. "I do not believe I have caught your name?"

Fumei pulled the offered cup closer to herself. A smile crossed her lips, as if she was awaiting this moment. She dipped one of her long and point nails into the red liquid, swirling it for a moment before lifting into her lips. It is as divine as the stories tell. She was now well aware of who he was. Before she was thinking, but the gold cups and fine drink confirmed it. A Lady such as herself had intel of what was happening in the Soul Society, and that included all the new Captains, such as this one.

Her eyes lifted to the city skyline, being the assumed view he spoke of. I guess such things lose their luster after being to so many cities and to the same one more than a few times. It was so hard to stop one's self from becoming bored with living after so many years. Wealth, beauty, intelligence... None of these things seem to keep it interesting anymore. She closed her eye with a soft sigh, returning the pipe to her lips. Her head turned off to the side, as she exhaled. Her eyes glazed over by almost a depression of the reality of how bored she was. Not say with the conversation, but in general. A drug lord, infamous, beautiful, parties every night... it almost made her want to fall asleep at this point.

Her gaze was still distant, but her voice still soft and sweet, as it had been trained for years. "My name is Lady Fumei. I too once was a captain, Letting it be clear she was fully aware of who he was, despite his suppressed energy and change in attire. "I now live in the human world and for the most part stay out of SS affairs." Her eyes slowly moved back to the 11th Captain.

Ishpaleum smiled as she took her drink in hand, seeming to savor it even before it touched her lips. The look on her face was pleasing enough to warrant the loss of an urn, so he did not feel bad. Her flashed as she drank from the cup, and recognition appeared in her eyes. Perhaps I tipped my hand too readily... I believe I may have been discovered.

Her eyes seemed to glaze over after she tasted it, like an intense boredom have overwhelmed her, and that it was dragging her into the depths of her own mind. Ishpaleum knew the feeling. After all, he owned all the world's treasures, so where is there to go from here? He knew that he was at best stalling time by working with the Soul Society, but time was truly all he had as an immortal spirit. I passed on immortality once, who knew I would be burdened with it after death?

Her next words confirmed his suspicions, as she told him that she was an Ex-captain as well, and revealed that she knew his identity. Come to think of it, I remember hearing about Lady Fumei now.. Interesting. He shrugged, dropping his head to his chest. "Recognized me after all then? I guess I can't be helped now..." He sighed, then looked at her with his ruby eyes. "I am Squad 11 Captain Ishpaleum Shinnok, as you well know I'm sure. So what made you decide to retire to the human world?" The last part seemed to carry a bit of envy, it was true that Ish missed his mortal life, the people he had known, defeating gods and goddesses, it had been one enough to inspire stories for eons, which it had, though he had not realized it.

Fumei's finger dipped back in and swirled around in the cup as the captain spoke. She listened, keeping intense eye contact, now back in focus. The question was a fair one, not that her answer would be completely honest, but no one would be able to sense a lie through those trained lips.

She deep a deep breath and released it in the form of a sigh. "I grew tired of the constant war. As dark and confusing as the situation I currently reside, it is so simple to control. money and a bit of violence that as a shinigami I have no threat from humans in that aspect. There will always be another war or enemy as a Shinigami in the Soul Society. I decided to go here and enjoy the life I never completed when I was human, and I love the choice I made to leave."

A soft smile crossed her lips expressing her sincere thoughts of her current position of a successful business woman among the humans. It was easy, and never truly boring. It was simply hard to fill all the time you have in the afterlife.

Her eyes had returned to focus as he spoke, as if she was returning from within her own mind. She allowed her finger to move around the cup, which Ish believed meant that she was contemplating her words before she spoke. He wasn't certain he could trust the words of this woman, but as a king he felt compelled to give her the benefit of the doubt.

She sighed before she spoke, speaking of the wars that had once engulfed both the spiritual and mortal world. He understood her desire for peace, and if he was honest with himself the truth was that he would like nothing more than to do the same, to return to the Human world and live out his immortality amongst the humans that he still saw has his subjects.

For a moment his mind betrayed him, giving him an image of himself as a human again, leaving his sword behind for a flower. It took him a moment to realize that the image that he saw was not merely a construct of his mind, but another memory intruding upon his consciousness. He shook his head, remembering the vow he took when he gave himself his name. I have a duty to fulfill, I cannot indulge such fantasies..

After a moment, he turned to Fumei. She truly did look happy, with the soft smile that graced her lips growing as she seemed to think. "I see, so you chose the flower over the sword... if only it were that simple for the rest of us. Still, I imagine it must get lonely at times to be an immortal living amongst humans." He paused for a moment, taking a sip of his cup before continuing. "Of course, there may not always be a war in our worlds... I believe peace is possible, and even if it requires the greatest sacrifice it is our duty to seek it. Tell me, if all enemies were defeated, would you return to the Soul Society or remain here?"

"No." She said quickly, not even stopping to think. "I have built a life here, and see no point in returning to a system like the one there. Captains, Commander, vice captains..." She narrowed her eyes.

Please, that place is sickening with it's constant power struggle and silent rage in the ranks. Lady Fumei would never crawl back to such a society. In her ranks everyone was valued and had their victories.

Ishpaleum nodded, stirring his cup before setting it down. He understood what she meant by valuing others, as he himself didn't particularly enjoy the system by which the Shinigami seemed to value its soldiers. However, he also understood that they were a military institution, and as such a clear chain of command was needed to be able to enforce order. Still, this woman was not a warrior, of that he was certain. She was strong, but she was not meant for the battlefield. Contrary to what his first impression had told him, he believed that she was too compassionate to be forced into such a harsh environment.

"It is true, we are a military organization, and so we do judge others by rank... Personally, I do not like it, but it is the most efficient method for creating a clear chain of command. Without it, many more lives would be lost, and that is what we exist for... of course, if we did achieve a lasting peace, we would have no need for such things, and we could throw away our previous titles, and perhaps live in peace as you do." He smiled at this thought, his military nature momentarily giving way to the dream he held so dear.

She shook her head slowly. "So tell me, why do you value your leader? What has she done for you? Why has she granted her power?" She rose her eyebrow with certainty he could not answer. "I do not disagree with order. I disagree with following blindly. Following one who probably will never know your name, or care to."

In her mind there was a correct and an incorrect way to raise ranks like a militant group. There is one where each member felt like they were a part of something grander, and one where it was just another body to be thrown before a monarch. In her eyes, the Shinigami had lost their value and were now just bodies lined for the defense of someone who will never know them. Such a shame of ones who could be so talented.

"I know the name of every person who works for me. I know the struggles they have. I have helped their families. I have sent them to rehabs, counselors, and even spas. I value every last member. May it be a farmer, merchant, or even a maid. Does your leader?" With this, sh stood. Hoping to leave a lasting impression, and to free this man's mind of the hold the militant life had on it.