Too Nice A Day

[Night Walk Calm(Argent Tournament OST) - David Arkenstone]

For all the chaos that Soul Society experienced anymore, there were quiet days once in a while. Quiet of course is a subjective term in this case; Soul Society was on stand-by for war, as was always the case anymore. At any time Soul Society or Earth could come under attack again, and each day the attack didn’t come was another day everyone held their breath. Thus the members of the Gotei 13 were kept on standby for the inevitable conflict that was to come. Add on the strange incidents of conflict in Rukongai, or people challenging a certain Captain to combat that resulted in a (not) minor amount of collateral damage. Strange disappearances, the constant risk of enemy spies, sneak attacks, and the normal business of hollow slaying; all that adds up. The point? A day without chaotic events taking places was a great thing indeed.

Such a day should not be utterly wasted by staying inside and doing something as bothersome and repetitive as paperwork, or so went the thought process of a certain Sixth Division Vice-Captain. It was also this thought process that eventually led Joshua Jehanna to leave his post, his paperwork only half done, and head outside; not just outside his office either, since if he stayed within his divisional barracks or even Seireitei there was a distinctly high chance that a certain Captain would show up to chastise him about his lack of work ethic, punctuality, pride, so on and so forth. So instead he headed out of Seireitei; this of course had nothing to do with an interest in some gambling. Not at all.

So yeah, gambling happened. Joshua made no effort to disguise his appearance after he exited his division’s boundaries. His garb was typical of the crimson hair Vice-Captain; his strange coat and hat. At his side hung his Zanpaku-tou; his sword in the shape of a katana that still felt strange to him, even hundreds of years later. Yet you would not see him travel anywhere without that blade by his side; even within the walls of Seireitei under its new security procedures it was foolish to travel unarmed these days, and Joshua was not as much a fool as he acted like. He stopped only once for a few minutes at the western gate to chat with the guardian there, with whom he had a good rapport with; generally Joshua had a good rapport with just about everyone due to his outgoing nature. After a little banter he bid farewell and continued onto one of the tavern-style establishments that littered Rukongai; a place where drinks were cheap and people liked a game of cards. Joshua was decently well known and liked in this part of Rukongai, something surprisingly few Shinigami could actually say. He entered the tavern to a round of smiles, which had nothing to do with the round of drinks he immediately bought the house. Not at all. He took a seat at one of the tables where a game of cards was underway and bought in.

It is “unfortunate” that Lady Luck did not decided to sit at Joshua’s side this day, at least were cards were concerned, and Joshua didn’t feel like “making his own luck” this day. So after he had “lost” enough money for one day he excused himself. Afterall, today was too nice a day to stay inside, and too nice a day to let his mood be ruined by such events. So Joshua contented himself with a pleasant stroll through Rukongai’s inner districts as people shopped and laughed, cried and lived. Maybe at some point he’d find a quieter place for a nap? Who knew.

Life Is Just Luck, Innit It?

[Dwarven Tavern Music - ????(World of Warcraft Soundtrack)]

Well, it had been Joshua's intent to excuse himself and make a quiet exit but it seemed that too was not in the cards. As he turned to leave he came face-to-face with another Shinigami. That in and of itself was only slightly odd out here in Rukongai, but most certainly not unheard of. However, not many actually went into individual buildings without a reason. At the moment the woman who had followed him in seemed to have no purpose other than...to make fun of him? He took a moment to size up this person; she looked vaguely familiar which meant that he had seen her at least in the background once or twice. She certainly had an attractive enough figure to get noticed, but something in his head said that wasn't the reason why. He didn't really ponder on it a great deal. Several other people were looking at him, some with a little shock on their faces; Joshua did not publicize his rank in the Gotei if he could help it you see, quite the contrary to many who loved to try and use their rank to get what they wanted. Maybe this was because he didn't like his rank, but who knew?

Anyway, back to the little miss ahead of him; little because he stood a good few inches taller than her. His reaction to her calling him out about how badly he had just “lost” his game of cards? He cracked a smile at her.
“So you were following me huh?” he said, an eyebrow raised for a moment as he left all the implications hang in the air; it was usually best to make a comment that suggested more and let their minds fill in all the blanks.
”You obviously don't know who I am if you think all the Lieutenants are serious workaholics. Yet you know I'm a lieutenant; now how would you know that...unless you've been following me for a long time?” He took a slightly exaggerated step back, looking at her as if she may suddenly be dangerous complete with a wary facial expression; he managed to do this for all of three seconds before his composure cracked and he smiled again, and even chuckled slightly.

A slight move on his part, and his exaggerated step back turned into the perfect set-up for a bow to her; the reverse of what some certain stuck-up types might have felt was appropriate what with him being a Vice-Captain and her a third seat. Sure, maybe they were right in that the show of respect should have been reversed, but she was a lady and he Joshua. As he bowed, he made an actual introduction.
”Joshua, at your service. And who might you be, miss?” he said, standing back up with his carefree attitude. By now, several of the surrounding residents had turned back to their own important things; it no longer looked as thought something interesting was going to come of these two Shinigmai appearing in their midst. Well, nothing for them anyway. Someone stepped into Joshua's spot for the game, so he couldn't step back into that. Granted, he had no intention of doing so, even before an interesting and pretty woman had appeared.

He shifted slightly as she gave her response to his question; it had grown subtly stuffy in this room and his coat was suddenly feeling like less of a good idea. His disdain for the typical shinigami attire did have its drawbacks from time to time, but it didn't bother him as much as some others. After she had made her response he'd give another smile.
”And could I get you a drink? If you've been following me you must have worked up a thirst.”

Life Is Just Luck, Innit It?