http://sciencedaughter.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
sciencedaughter.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tampered2007-02-18 02:32 am
sciencedaughter.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-02-18 02:32 am
Log; Complete
When; Friday, Feb 16th, afternoon
Rating; G
Characters; Nemu {![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sciencedaughter} & Ulquiorra {eyezen_sama}
Summary; Ulquiorra requests Nemu's company on a stroll concerning his latest experiment.
Log;
Nemu would have to admit curiosity if anyone had asked her at that moment why she was waiting outside her apartment building, standing straight, and hands folded in front of her and eyes casting about periodically. Because, to be honest, she wasn’t quite sure herself. Ulquiorra had never before initiated something like this, asking to have her accompany him on a walk. And seeming confused when she asked about the experiment he wanted her cooperation in? Most strange. But she supposed she would know sooner or later, and of course, she had already formulated several theories. The creation idly brushed the long locks of black hair in the front of her face behind her shoulder, taking a moment to look up at the sky. … Interesting.
Strolling out of the door of his small apartment, Ulquiorra's mouth straightened into a line as he slipped his hands into his pockets. He was treading on a narrow ledge; if he was too obvious, too quick with his words, then he would be suspected. But if it was too subtle, then it would not work quickly enough. He was adverse, as well, to telling her straight out. It would ruin the effect if she knew suddenly, if it was too planned. And besides it all, he had no idea how to go about being emotional. It did not come to him naturally.
Rounding a corner, he spotted her waiting and sighed softly. They were in public now, and he would have to be careful.
She caught sight of him easily enough. Not only because his reiatsu was impressive, even in check, but also his appearance, pale and white amid a sea of color. And she his antithesis, clad in black tones. Nemu did not show any indication she had or was particularly anticipating the Arrancar, waiting until he had approached closer to dip her head slightly in greeting. “Ulquiorra.” She said softly, eyes searching quietly for the reason behind this… unexpected visit. Sure, they had spent a considerable amount of time in each others company on the lust curse day, but they had done such things before and they were usually followed by a brief period in which neither saw the other, not by such an invitation.
Ulquiorra nodded slightly, looking about to see if there were others in the area. He would have to be careful, be particular with his actions and words. "You seem well." His expression remained neutral; he knew not how to change it. He also had little idea as to how to go about this whole situation, now that he was standing here with her. Blinking slightly, he started down the road with a slight raise of his brows as if to invite her along.
“I am.” Nemu answered softly, head tilted curiously, but not yet ready to probe. She wanted to see where this would be headed, and was afraid any unexpected reaction from her would disrupt something. She had to resist shrugging slightly at the motion to follow, falling into step beside and slightly behind the shorter man, hands still folded demurely in front of her. “You wished to speak with me on something, Ulquiorra?” She finally spoke, keeping things vague for now.
"In particular? No." He frowned, choosing a perhaps scenic route towards the gardens. There were bound to be eyes and ears there, perhaps enough that he would not have to try too hard. "Though I am curious about your thoughts on recent events."
The shinigami noted the scenery chosen with interest, but put it in the back of her mind. This was “a walk”, after all. Though they never did speak of things associated with “walks”. Things such as light-hearted topics. “Which? For there have been quite a few. Have you an order preference?”
"What would you consider to be the most...important?" He glanced back at her with some curiosity. Despite the experiment he was playing, he still considered her input to be of use. "There indeed have been quite a lot of happenings."
“It would seem to me some of the more perturbing things concern the Sexta Espada.” Nemu spoke slowly, mulling over the information in her mind. “The fact that he was killed, and that he also interrupted the fight between Hinamori Momo and Wonderwyce Margera, and his newfound status as an Ex-Espada, and a…” What was the word he’s used? The creation nearly stumbled over the unfamiliar feel of the word. “… Slacan.” But a thought then occurred to her, and it was with a small twitch of her lips that she added something that mildly amused her. “Though, of recent events also concern, Kotetsu Isane is still quite embarrassed you tried to initiate a non-conventional sexual encounter between the three of us.”
Ulquiorra's frown deepened, at all things mentioned. "I have no desire to speak about the events of that day," he murmured. But perhaps more troubling than his own rather embarrassing conduct was Grimmjow. "I'm sure you and yours are rather... relieved that one of ours has betrayed us."
“Of course not.” Nemu soothed that issue over quickly. He never did like to speak about their sexual encounters, as if he pretended they never happened. But that did not really matter, in the end. “I cannot speak for the others…” She had thought long and hard about many issues of late, and to be honest, she had been fairly relieved she had been able to sit with Cal and watch another “video”. It had calmed her nerves, though even when she was in a panic, it did not really show. “But I know myself that I hold no strong opinion either way. I am more concerned that one of the deities, who have previously shown no familial interest in us, seems keen on… interaction. The change is potentially disturbing.”
Blinking, Ulquiorra rose as brow in a slight expression of surprise. He had not even thought much about that. True he had noticed, especially in the case of Grimmjow, but it had not seemed very important. Perhaps he should spend more time thinking over such things. "Why they took interest in him is beyond my comprehension. It is disgusting, that's what it is. I wonder if a god would cry if I destroyed him." The thought was more pleasant than it should have been.
“Perhaps.” Nemu paused, ceased walking and simply stared down at a flower by the path. It was one she had never before seen and had no knowledge of, so she wished to look at it, storing the appearance in her mind for future reference. Delicate white petals that fanned from a pink center, with a stem lone and thin, almost too thin to support the bud head. … Curious, this place. “I would not presume to know of true gods, or whatever sort of gods these are. But I know it is said by others that…” The shinigami paused to word what she had heard correctly. “It is very sad, if you die and no one would cry for you.”
Flowers was another thing Ulquiorra knew little about. But it seemed to interest her. He paused as well, watching her for a moment. "I care little if someone were to cry over me. I would prefer that not to happen. I suppose he would want the girl to cry over him or something like such." Keeping from rolling his eyes, he took a moment to catalogue the moment. This was going to be harder than he thought. Was he supposed to act just like his traitorous brother? Not knowing what more to say, he leaned down to pick the flower and hand it to her. She seemed to like it, and didn't people give things to others in order to show their affection?
Now… she was confused. Nemu stared at the flower for a moment, brain whirring. … What was this purpose? Was he aiding her in research, or was this to be taken as the romantic gesture in which humans and some of her colleagues viewed things. After all, Rangiku had given flowers on the day of the Saint Valentine… Surely it could not be that? Unbidden, a slight flush rose to her cheeks at the very thought, it was so… strange. And foreign, to imagine this man doing something like that. Of course she was mistaken and clearly stupid for even thinking for a moment it would carry the more obvious intent. The shinigami accept the flower, taking it delicately in one hand. “… Thank you, Ulquiorra.” She finally spoke, unwilling to voice the other thing that came unbidden to mind, considering the secret she had voiced on the curse day pertaining to speaking such things unbidden. The woman shifted, now at a loss for words.
Frowning at her, as if he could remind her of what he had made clear only a few days earlier, Ulquiorra stepped back. Perhaps he should have told her from the beginning. Casting a glance around to insure that they were alone, he simply nodded and murmured "Remember what I told you," before turning to walk again.
Automatically she fell back into pace behind him, so used to the simple motion of following behind others, never leading. The flower she still held carefully, suddenly falling silent, a thoughtful expression claiming her face as she recalled his exact words, at least, the ones she assumed he referred to. I am without this thing called a heart and therefore devoid of any feelings of love, passion, hate or sadness. Remember that well, for I will not continue to say such things in the future. But this it the truth that I put down here… What was this then? Nemu had immediately dismissed the part about not feeling emotion, which had been dashed as a truth long ago. … Then this was… Her voice low, barely audible even to the man whose ear was closest, the creation spoke. “… Your experiment?” It had been one of the theories she had entertained, but this made it seem more plausible.
"Indeed." he murmured, casting a glance back towards her. He wondered faintly if she was some how emotionaly put off by it. It would not do well if he had an unwilling participant. If she was indeed hurt over it, then he would make do, but he did not want to have to re do all his plans. "To see how others will take it."
"Others as in your comrades?" Nemu asked, nodding slightly. That would explain things, and did a good job of clearing through her momentary confusion. She had been torn between wondering whether he was researching the responses of others, or the response from herself.
"Yes. Particularly...." Stopping himself, Ulquiorra returned his gaze up ahead. There were certain things he could share with her, and certain things he could not. Even if he had forced her to keep it a secret, it did not stand well for any Shinigami to know that the Arrancar were losing more and more faith in their creator. What they could tell from the signs were bad enough. "Grimmjow has always been quick to anger, so while unnerving, his display of the more gentle of emotions is not entirely surprising. I, however, am quite different and I am curious as to how they would take such a display from myself."
"You wish to test their... tolerance, then?" The pause before naming who was the target of this endeavor was duly noted and recorded in the artificial shinigami's mind for later review and comparison with what he had told her previously. "How do you expect them to react?" When doing an experiment, one must have a hypothesis.
"Negatively. I.. perhaps am too optimistic in thinking that they will react very negatively." His frown deepend as they crossed by a grove of flowering trees. For all he knew, Aizen would ignore it, or applaud this degrading display of emotions. Ulquiorra was finding that he would prefer the shameful act of being punished more than the alternative. While a completely weakened and changed Aizen would allow for his own plans, it still was an unsettling thought. Dispite all, Aizen was his creator. That should be something one put faith in. "Grimmjow took quite a bit of abuse. But he ran away from it. They will need a new toy."
The scenery really was nice, Nemu did notice idly. She did not often come into the gardens, usually sticking to her own residence, alone with the sullen tick-tock of a clock, which, she enjoyed at the moment, no such noise in Ulquiorra's company. "So..." Her voice was soft and even, no different from usual and the further knowledge she was now an accomplice, a pawn in a scheme, a variable in an experiment. "... You do this to see their reactions, to see if a relation between us seemingly based on..." She paused before one of the words that confused her most of all, "love... will be tolerated, as was the case between Grimmjow Jaggerjack and Hinamori Momo."
He nodded once. "Two of my fellows are aware." It would perhaps only be correct that she knew all the players in the game.
"Which?" In case they approached her, and that she would no to examine their words closely, Nemu did need to know.
"Cirucci. She will create enough rumors for this to move smoothly." He paused, almost sighing. He did not know what to do about the other. "And Zarea-Polo will know enough so that he does not become medlesome."
Nemu could not stop the twitch in her lips at the very thought. She was sure she would hear quite a lot from the female Arrancar, who had already been interested enough in her sexual escapades. "She will indeed, I am sure. ... Should I let some things slip for her to use?" At the thought of the other Arrancar she paused, however. "You expect him to do so?"
"That would be useful." Circcui would know how to turn information and spread it wisely. That was perhaps one of her more impressive abilities. "He is more calculating than myself. I do not trust him to screw the whole thing up." After a moment, he added with a sigh. "He will surely know I am not being honest. He sees through a great deal and I am not well versed in the art of expression."
She herself had to admit a failing in that department as well, expression. She would have to think what sort of hints to drop the Thunderwitch, considering she herself was mildly interested in the results of this experiment. That Aizen Sousuke's hold on his Arrancar weakened had not escaped her, and to not wonder on it would have been out of place for her. "I shall be wary of that one, then." She remarked on the other male Espada, who had also once questioned her on her intent with Ulquiorra, and she had answered truthfully in that she felt fond of him, but did not love him. "... An idea occurs to me, if you wish it to appear as if we are seeing each other in a more romantic sense."
"And what would that be?" He stopped, looking back at her. He could sense others near by and decided to wait, to see if their eyes would be enough to send more rumors.
Her motion stopped as well, and spotting a bench underneath the flowering trees by the path, she took his hand, noting that he had noted others, and led him to sit beside her, leaning in close to speak. If he wished to give such an impression, she was not averse. "There is a small creature that takes photographs of those in..." Her brow furrowed as she tried to mimic the childish way of speaking. "... 'love-love'. If we were to allow ourselves be seen by her, everyone would see, she posts them on the network, and it attracts attention."
"Ah, I had noticed that." He mulled over the idea, glancing at the hand closed over his, forcing himself to settle on the bench without protest. The strange creature's obession with taking pictures might come in hand, though it was a bit more attention than he truely wanted. "I suppose.. in small doses, it would be useful."
"I shall see about arranging a... rendezvous, then." Nemu smiled as she spoke, though the words required no such emotion, her hand still holding his. She knew how to present a facade, if she knew what it required her do. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
He glanced at her for a long moment, waying the pros and cons of telling her his other bit of information. "It is unrelated."
"Then do you wish to continue this appearance, or end our walk?" Nemu said with a small smile, laughing a little as she leaned closer. "Also, smile more."
"I do not smile," he continued to frown at her. "If I did such, it would be most unnatural." Her change in mannor was quite unsettling, but he knew it was for the experiment. He did not know if he was going to be able to survive it himself. At an attempt to find stable ground, he merely said. "I will be fighting one of your captains."
"You should probably try it." Nemu suggested with another small smile, reaching up to briefly touch the tip of her finger against the corner of his mouth. "Nothing too expressive, that would be exceedingly out of character, but a small show of contentment would be expected in what you wish to portray." Nodding slightly, she did not let her face show her grave concern. "Who?"
He sighed, forcing himself not to pull away from her invasion of his personal space. He was going to have to start drawing lines. "Captain Ukitake." he said, watching for her expression.
Nemu knew Ulquiorra did not like being touched, well, with the exception of the curse days that dealt in sexual stimulus, which made her wonder how he expected to convey a sense of intimacy between them that went beyond the cursed day physical. "... Interesting choice." Her smile did not slip, but her eyes betrayed her concern. "Opportunity, or power?" She inquired as to the motivation for the selection.
"Opportunity. He suggested it." Suggest was perhaps a strong word for it, but the man must have known what he was getting into. "He is a fool."
"He is one of our strongest." Nemu ignored the insult, it was not for her to refute. "Or, he was, before he sickened. Now he is not as strong, but still powerful." She patted the Arrancar's hand gently. "It would be equally foolish to underestimate his zanpakutou."
"I do not underestimate his zanpakutou. I underestimate his wit." That the Captain could hold such sentiments toward Aizen, and even toward the Arrancar... Foolish. Incredibly so. "He will underestimate me. And I will destroy him."
"You will not kill him." Nemu said with a soft sigh that seemed of contentment. "That would be unwise. As for underestimating you, I doubt that is what he does. Ukitake-taichou takes such matters extremely seriously, despite his way of seeming oblivious at times."
"I realize it would cause problems to kill him. I will refrain." He looked at her for a moment before sighing. He did not want to discuss such matters with her. She gathered information rather well, and while usually he would only tell her enough so that he would get information in return, this was not something Ulquiorra was sure she needed to know about. He doubted she would do something, but he did not want anyone to interfere. "However, I will defeat him."
"You are free to do that, if it happens that way." Nemu shrugged a bit, nodding. It had been one of their factions' tentative agreements, to allow such things, and she was sure Ukitake-taichou knew what he was doing. It was not her place to do any more. "Now, Ulquiorra, do you wish to continue this display, or end our walk?"
"End it." he said, glancing at her sideways. He did not trust himself to be able to keep the facade of casual, romantic conversation much longer. Though he was aware this was probably not to be considered the most romantic of conversations. He was going to have to become more convincing, even though the thought troubled him. "I have to prepare."
"Very well." Nemu withdrew her hand from his and retreated, now a suitable distance from the Arrancar that it could appear they were merely sitting on the same bench, and not sitting together. Folding her hands in her lap, the flower from earlier between her fingers, she looked up, watching the sky filtered through the overhanging branches of the flowering tree. "I will stay here a while longer and enjoy the sight. When you wish to arrange another display, do tell me."
Raising a brow, Ulquiorra stood, wondering her reasons for staying behind. "Very well. I will contact you soon." He took a few steps before pausing, a thought crossing his mind. "And if any other Arrancar speak to you, tell me."
Nemu smiled, eyes closing and face still tilted upwards. "With the exceptions of those mentioned, yes, I will see to it to inform you, then." The sun was... warm. ... It had been a nice day for a walk. One eye opened slowly. "Anything else?"
"... No." Nodding ever so slightly, he turned and walked back toward his lodging, thinking slowly over what events may come.
The shinigami simply sat, eventually opening both her eyes to stare down at the delicate flower in her hands, fingers gently examining. ... When she had finished merely looking, her gaze narrowed in thought, fingers unconsciously bruising the soft white plant fibers. ... This would prove most interesting.
Rating; G
Characters; Nemu {
sciencedaughter} & Ulquiorra {eyezen_sama} Summary; Ulquiorra requests Nemu's company on a stroll concerning his latest experiment.
Log;
Nemu would have to admit curiosity if anyone had asked her at that moment why she was waiting outside her apartment building, standing straight, and hands folded in front of her and eyes casting about periodically. Because, to be honest, she wasn’t quite sure herself. Ulquiorra had never before initiated something like this, asking to have her accompany him on a walk. And seeming confused when she asked about the experiment he wanted her cooperation in? Most strange. But she supposed she would know sooner or later, and of course, she had already formulated several theories. The creation idly brushed the long locks of black hair in the front of her face behind her shoulder, taking a moment to look up at the sky. … Interesting.
Strolling out of the door of his small apartment, Ulquiorra's mouth straightened into a line as he slipped his hands into his pockets. He was treading on a narrow ledge; if he was too obvious, too quick with his words, then he would be suspected. But if it was too subtle, then it would not work quickly enough. He was adverse, as well, to telling her straight out. It would ruin the effect if she knew suddenly, if it was too planned. And besides it all, he had no idea how to go about being emotional. It did not come to him naturally.
Rounding a corner, he spotted her waiting and sighed softly. They were in public now, and he would have to be careful.
She caught sight of him easily enough. Not only because his reiatsu was impressive, even in check, but also his appearance, pale and white amid a sea of color. And she his antithesis, clad in black tones. Nemu did not show any indication she had or was particularly anticipating the Arrancar, waiting until he had approached closer to dip her head slightly in greeting. “Ulquiorra.” She said softly, eyes searching quietly for the reason behind this… unexpected visit. Sure, they had spent a considerable amount of time in each others company on the lust curse day, but they had done such things before and they were usually followed by a brief period in which neither saw the other, not by such an invitation.
Ulquiorra nodded slightly, looking about to see if there were others in the area. He would have to be careful, be particular with his actions and words. "You seem well." His expression remained neutral; he knew not how to change it. He also had little idea as to how to go about this whole situation, now that he was standing here with her. Blinking slightly, he started down the road with a slight raise of his brows as if to invite her along.
“I am.” Nemu answered softly, head tilted curiously, but not yet ready to probe. She wanted to see where this would be headed, and was afraid any unexpected reaction from her would disrupt something. She had to resist shrugging slightly at the motion to follow, falling into step beside and slightly behind the shorter man, hands still folded demurely in front of her. “You wished to speak with me on something, Ulquiorra?” She finally spoke, keeping things vague for now.
"In particular? No." He frowned, choosing a perhaps scenic route towards the gardens. There were bound to be eyes and ears there, perhaps enough that he would not have to try too hard. "Though I am curious about your thoughts on recent events."
The shinigami noted the scenery chosen with interest, but put it in the back of her mind. This was “a walk”, after all. Though they never did speak of things associated with “walks”. Things such as light-hearted topics. “Which? For there have been quite a few. Have you an order preference?”
"What would you consider to be the most...important?" He glanced back at her with some curiosity. Despite the experiment he was playing, he still considered her input to be of use. "There indeed have been quite a lot of happenings."
“It would seem to me some of the more perturbing things concern the Sexta Espada.” Nemu spoke slowly, mulling over the information in her mind. “The fact that he was killed, and that he also interrupted the fight between Hinamori Momo and Wonderwyce Margera, and his newfound status as an Ex-Espada, and a…” What was the word he’s used? The creation nearly stumbled over the unfamiliar feel of the word. “… Slacan.” But a thought then occurred to her, and it was with a small twitch of her lips that she added something that mildly amused her. “Though, of recent events also concern, Kotetsu Isane is still quite embarrassed you tried to initiate a non-conventional sexual encounter between the three of us.”
Ulquiorra's frown deepened, at all things mentioned. "I have no desire to speak about the events of that day," he murmured. But perhaps more troubling than his own rather embarrassing conduct was Grimmjow. "I'm sure you and yours are rather... relieved that one of ours has betrayed us."
“Of course not.” Nemu soothed that issue over quickly. He never did like to speak about their sexual encounters, as if he pretended they never happened. But that did not really matter, in the end. “I cannot speak for the others…” She had thought long and hard about many issues of late, and to be honest, she had been fairly relieved she had been able to sit with Cal and watch another “video”. It had calmed her nerves, though even when she was in a panic, it did not really show. “But I know myself that I hold no strong opinion either way. I am more concerned that one of the deities, who have previously shown no familial interest in us, seems keen on… interaction. The change is potentially disturbing.”
Blinking, Ulquiorra rose as brow in a slight expression of surprise. He had not even thought much about that. True he had noticed, especially in the case of Grimmjow, but it had not seemed very important. Perhaps he should spend more time thinking over such things. "Why they took interest in him is beyond my comprehension. It is disgusting, that's what it is. I wonder if a god would cry if I destroyed him." The thought was more pleasant than it should have been.
“Perhaps.” Nemu paused, ceased walking and simply stared down at a flower by the path. It was one she had never before seen and had no knowledge of, so she wished to look at it, storing the appearance in her mind for future reference. Delicate white petals that fanned from a pink center, with a stem lone and thin, almost too thin to support the bud head. … Curious, this place. “I would not presume to know of true gods, or whatever sort of gods these are. But I know it is said by others that…” The shinigami paused to word what she had heard correctly. “It is very sad, if you die and no one would cry for you.”
Flowers was another thing Ulquiorra knew little about. But it seemed to interest her. He paused as well, watching her for a moment. "I care little if someone were to cry over me. I would prefer that not to happen. I suppose he would want the girl to cry over him or something like such." Keeping from rolling his eyes, he took a moment to catalogue the moment. This was going to be harder than he thought. Was he supposed to act just like his traitorous brother? Not knowing what more to say, he leaned down to pick the flower and hand it to her. She seemed to like it, and didn't people give things to others in order to show their affection?
Now… she was confused. Nemu stared at the flower for a moment, brain whirring. … What was this purpose? Was he aiding her in research, or was this to be taken as the romantic gesture in which humans and some of her colleagues viewed things. After all, Rangiku had given flowers on the day of the Saint Valentine… Surely it could not be that? Unbidden, a slight flush rose to her cheeks at the very thought, it was so… strange. And foreign, to imagine this man doing something like that. Of course she was mistaken and clearly stupid for even thinking for a moment it would carry the more obvious intent. The shinigami accept the flower, taking it delicately in one hand. “… Thank you, Ulquiorra.” She finally spoke, unwilling to voice the other thing that came unbidden to mind, considering the secret she had voiced on the curse day pertaining to speaking such things unbidden. The woman shifted, now at a loss for words.
Frowning at her, as if he could remind her of what he had made clear only a few days earlier, Ulquiorra stepped back. Perhaps he should have told her from the beginning. Casting a glance around to insure that they were alone, he simply nodded and murmured "Remember what I told you," before turning to walk again.
Automatically she fell back into pace behind him, so used to the simple motion of following behind others, never leading. The flower she still held carefully, suddenly falling silent, a thoughtful expression claiming her face as she recalled his exact words, at least, the ones she assumed he referred to. I am without this thing called a heart and therefore devoid of any feelings of love, passion, hate or sadness. Remember that well, for I will not continue to say such things in the future. But this it the truth that I put down here… What was this then? Nemu had immediately dismissed the part about not feeling emotion, which had been dashed as a truth long ago. … Then this was… Her voice low, barely audible even to the man whose ear was closest, the creation spoke. “… Your experiment?” It had been one of the theories she had entertained, but this made it seem more plausible.
"Indeed." he murmured, casting a glance back towards her. He wondered faintly if she was some how emotionaly put off by it. It would not do well if he had an unwilling participant. If she was indeed hurt over it, then he would make do, but he did not want to have to re do all his plans. "To see how others will take it."
"Others as in your comrades?" Nemu asked, nodding slightly. That would explain things, and did a good job of clearing through her momentary confusion. She had been torn between wondering whether he was researching the responses of others, or the response from herself.
"Yes. Particularly...." Stopping himself, Ulquiorra returned his gaze up ahead. There were certain things he could share with her, and certain things he could not. Even if he had forced her to keep it a secret, it did not stand well for any Shinigami to know that the Arrancar were losing more and more faith in their creator. What they could tell from the signs were bad enough. "Grimmjow has always been quick to anger, so while unnerving, his display of the more gentle of emotions is not entirely surprising. I, however, am quite different and I am curious as to how they would take such a display from myself."
"You wish to test their... tolerance, then?" The pause before naming who was the target of this endeavor was duly noted and recorded in the artificial shinigami's mind for later review and comparison with what he had told her previously. "How do you expect them to react?" When doing an experiment, one must have a hypothesis.
"Negatively. I.. perhaps am too optimistic in thinking that they will react very negatively." His frown deepend as they crossed by a grove of flowering trees. For all he knew, Aizen would ignore it, or applaud this degrading display of emotions. Ulquiorra was finding that he would prefer the shameful act of being punished more than the alternative. While a completely weakened and changed Aizen would allow for his own plans, it still was an unsettling thought. Dispite all, Aizen was his creator. That should be something one put faith in. "Grimmjow took quite a bit of abuse. But he ran away from it. They will need a new toy."
The scenery really was nice, Nemu did notice idly. She did not often come into the gardens, usually sticking to her own residence, alone with the sullen tick-tock of a clock, which, she enjoyed at the moment, no such noise in Ulquiorra's company. "So..." Her voice was soft and even, no different from usual and the further knowledge she was now an accomplice, a pawn in a scheme, a variable in an experiment. "... You do this to see their reactions, to see if a relation between us seemingly based on..." She paused before one of the words that confused her most of all, "love... will be tolerated, as was the case between Grimmjow Jaggerjack and Hinamori Momo."
He nodded once. "Two of my fellows are aware." It would perhaps only be correct that she knew all the players in the game.
"Which?" In case they approached her, and that she would no to examine their words closely, Nemu did need to know.
"Cirucci. She will create enough rumors for this to move smoothly." He paused, almost sighing. He did not know what to do about the other. "And Zarea-Polo will know enough so that he does not become medlesome."
Nemu could not stop the twitch in her lips at the very thought. She was sure she would hear quite a lot from the female Arrancar, who had already been interested enough in her sexual escapades. "She will indeed, I am sure. ... Should I let some things slip for her to use?" At the thought of the other Arrancar she paused, however. "You expect him to do so?"
"That would be useful." Circcui would know how to turn information and spread it wisely. That was perhaps one of her more impressive abilities. "He is more calculating than myself. I do not trust him to screw the whole thing up." After a moment, he added with a sigh. "He will surely know I am not being honest. He sees through a great deal and I am not well versed in the art of expression."
She herself had to admit a failing in that department as well, expression. She would have to think what sort of hints to drop the Thunderwitch, considering she herself was mildly interested in the results of this experiment. That Aizen Sousuke's hold on his Arrancar weakened had not escaped her, and to not wonder on it would have been out of place for her. "I shall be wary of that one, then." She remarked on the other male Espada, who had also once questioned her on her intent with Ulquiorra, and she had answered truthfully in that she felt fond of him, but did not love him. "... An idea occurs to me, if you wish it to appear as if we are seeing each other in a more romantic sense."
"And what would that be?" He stopped, looking back at her. He could sense others near by and decided to wait, to see if their eyes would be enough to send more rumors.
Her motion stopped as well, and spotting a bench underneath the flowering trees by the path, she took his hand, noting that he had noted others, and led him to sit beside her, leaning in close to speak. If he wished to give such an impression, she was not averse. "There is a small creature that takes photographs of those in..." Her brow furrowed as she tried to mimic the childish way of speaking. "... 'love-love'. If we were to allow ourselves be seen by her, everyone would see, she posts them on the network, and it attracts attention."
"Ah, I had noticed that." He mulled over the idea, glancing at the hand closed over his, forcing himself to settle on the bench without protest. The strange creature's obession with taking pictures might come in hand, though it was a bit more attention than he truely wanted. "I suppose.. in small doses, it would be useful."
"I shall see about arranging a... rendezvous, then." Nemu smiled as she spoke, though the words required no such emotion, her hand still holding his. She knew how to present a facade, if she knew what it required her do. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
He glanced at her for a long moment, waying the pros and cons of telling her his other bit of information. "It is unrelated."
"Then do you wish to continue this appearance, or end our walk?" Nemu said with a small smile, laughing a little as she leaned closer. "Also, smile more."
"I do not smile," he continued to frown at her. "If I did such, it would be most unnatural." Her change in mannor was quite unsettling, but he knew it was for the experiment. He did not know if he was going to be able to survive it himself. At an attempt to find stable ground, he merely said. "I will be fighting one of your captains."
"You should probably try it." Nemu suggested with another small smile, reaching up to briefly touch the tip of her finger against the corner of his mouth. "Nothing too expressive, that would be exceedingly out of character, but a small show of contentment would be expected in what you wish to portray." Nodding slightly, she did not let her face show her grave concern. "Who?"
He sighed, forcing himself not to pull away from her invasion of his personal space. He was going to have to start drawing lines. "Captain Ukitake." he said, watching for her expression.
Nemu knew Ulquiorra did not like being touched, well, with the exception of the curse days that dealt in sexual stimulus, which made her wonder how he expected to convey a sense of intimacy between them that went beyond the cursed day physical. "... Interesting choice." Her smile did not slip, but her eyes betrayed her concern. "Opportunity, or power?" She inquired as to the motivation for the selection.
"Opportunity. He suggested it." Suggest was perhaps a strong word for it, but the man must have known what he was getting into. "He is a fool."
"He is one of our strongest." Nemu ignored the insult, it was not for her to refute. "Or, he was, before he sickened. Now he is not as strong, but still powerful." She patted the Arrancar's hand gently. "It would be equally foolish to underestimate his zanpakutou."
"I do not underestimate his zanpakutou. I underestimate his wit." That the Captain could hold such sentiments toward Aizen, and even toward the Arrancar... Foolish. Incredibly so. "He will underestimate me. And I will destroy him."
"You will not kill him." Nemu said with a soft sigh that seemed of contentment. "That would be unwise. As for underestimating you, I doubt that is what he does. Ukitake-taichou takes such matters extremely seriously, despite his way of seeming oblivious at times."
"I realize it would cause problems to kill him. I will refrain." He looked at her for a moment before sighing. He did not want to discuss such matters with her. She gathered information rather well, and while usually he would only tell her enough so that he would get information in return, this was not something Ulquiorra was sure she needed to know about. He doubted she would do something, but he did not want anyone to interfere. "However, I will defeat him."
"You are free to do that, if it happens that way." Nemu shrugged a bit, nodding. It had been one of their factions' tentative agreements, to allow such things, and she was sure Ukitake-taichou knew what he was doing. It was not her place to do any more. "Now, Ulquiorra, do you wish to continue this display, or end our walk?"
"End it." he said, glancing at her sideways. He did not trust himself to be able to keep the facade of casual, romantic conversation much longer. Though he was aware this was probably not to be considered the most romantic of conversations. He was going to have to become more convincing, even though the thought troubled him. "I have to prepare."
"Very well." Nemu withdrew her hand from his and retreated, now a suitable distance from the Arrancar that it could appear they were merely sitting on the same bench, and not sitting together. Folding her hands in her lap, the flower from earlier between her fingers, she looked up, watching the sky filtered through the overhanging branches of the flowering tree. "I will stay here a while longer and enjoy the sight. When you wish to arrange another display, do tell me."
Raising a brow, Ulquiorra stood, wondering her reasons for staying behind. "Very well. I will contact you soon." He took a few steps before pausing, a thought crossing his mind. "And if any other Arrancar speak to you, tell me."
Nemu smiled, eyes closing and face still tilted upwards. "With the exceptions of those mentioned, yes, I will see to it to inform you, then." The sun was... warm. ... It had been a nice day for a walk. One eye opened slowly. "Anything else?"
"... No." Nodding ever so slightly, he turned and walked back toward his lodging, thinking slowly over what events may come.
The shinigami simply sat, eventually opening both her eyes to stare down at the delicate flower in her hands, fingers gently examining. ... When she had finished merely looking, her gaze narrowed in thought, fingers unconsciously bruising the soft white plant fibers. ... This would prove most interesting.