From One Vizard to Another

Laskt blinked once, then cocked his head at the woman as Ulv stated she could move the very clouds themselves if she wished it. He almost felt like she was joking with him, but there was no sign of lying in her voice. “You must be very strong zen Miss, I’ve never heard of anyone doing such a zing just because zey didn’t like ze weazer." Laskt said honestly, shuddering inwardly at the sheer power that such a feat would require. If what she was telling the truth, then the rumors passed around Soul Society over alcohol in the dead of night certainly had some validity to them, which was more then Laskt had dared hoped for, and dreaded in equal measure.

For the third time in a minute, Laskt was surprised once again as Ulv broke into his mother tongue, answering his request with a question of her own. He shuddered at the ancient memories of that horrible time when he had fist awoken from his infection, his Hollow driving him to kill, main, conquer! “Un vrai demon madame” He whispered, his voice and eyes haunted by long forgotten memories. The former knight hadn’t thought about those events in centuries, suppressing them much like he had his Hollow in order to keep both his sanity, and what small scraps of pride he had remaining, intact.

He barely reacted as Ulv slapped him upside his head, even when a bruise began to form due to her immense strength, even when holding back. The former Knight was far too distracted by her words rather then her actions. Almost without really thinking about it he began to speak quickly, everything pouring out in a flood. “Ze first time I regained consciousness after having been infected by my Hollow. he immediately tried to compel me to slaughter everyone in ze medical ward, as well as trying to take over my body.” Laskt continued in that same haunted, self-loathing tone his eyes far way, “I never got ze chance to do what you said, my choices were eizer to lock him away or be destroyed for all eternity.” He finished.

The Honorable Vizard wasn’t sure why he was spilling his guts to this woman after so many centuries of keeping this whole thing to himself. Perhaps it was the Hollow within tearing away at his subconscious, releasing memories long since suppressed. Maybe it was the relief at having someone to talk to who was experienced with such matters and wouldn’t avoid him out of fear of contamination. Perhaps it was Ulv’s challenge of his honor and character. Perhaps it was a combination of all three, or none of them Laskt wasn’t sure. After all, the Shinigami barely understood himself in this moment, his psyche so far removed from the controlled, self-contained mask he usually wore.

He looked pleadingly up at Ulv, “I’ve sacrificed everyzing to keep him suppressed, but he is breaking zrough. I don’t mean to beg madame but what do I do?” Laskt asked desperately.