"One moment the world is as it is. The next, it is something entirely different. Something it has never been before."
-Anne Rice (Pandora)
Hours after her encounter with the pink-haired stranger, Ciara remained on edge. The pill she had taken earlier doing little to help keep her calm. Everywhere she looked she felt like she could see glimpses of him in the crowds; watching her. Even here in the food court, surrounded by her friends, she felt uneasy.
"Ciara?" A large hand appeared in front of her face, waving up and down to gain her attention.
Blinking the world back into focus, she looks at the owner with a confused expression. "What?" She asked, eyes darting around the table. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
"We can see that." The male laughed, his green eyes alight with amusement. "Did you know that when you space out like that, you don't blink for an abnormally long time? It's kind of creepy, to be honest."
Much like Mia, David was one of her best friends. He was a large bear of a man, and often scared everyone who didn't know him. Looking more like a rough biker than the cuddly human being he really was.
There were few people in this world she knew she could count on entirely, and David was one of them.
"Sorry," she says, waving a dismissive hand. "You know how I get when there are this many people."
David looked around at the packed food court. "These aren't even our busiest hours." He said, shoving a small handful of fries into his mouth.
"Even still.." Shrugging, Ciara sips on her drink.
Beside her, Mia poked at her own food, pouting over the guy David had promised to hook her up with. The whole reason they were here in the first place. Unfortunately, the guy hadn't shown up to work today, leaving Mia in a sour mood.
"I'm really sorry, Mia." David says for the fifth time since meeting up with them. His shift ended an hour ago, and he'd been apologizing ever since. "I swear he really is interested in you. I don't know why he didn't show up today."
"Don't worry about it." Ciara chimes in. "He's not worth your time anyway." Mia looks up from her plate to give her a dark glare. Ciara gives another half shrug, and bites into her hamburger.
"How about this," David wipes his hands and pulls out his cellphone. He takes a couple seconds to find what he was looking for and lays the device on the table. "This movie came out last week, so we should have the theater to ourselves. I say we buy a big bucket of buttery popcorn, three large caffeinated drinks and loads of sugary candy and treat ourselves."
Ciara hated going to the movies almost as much as she hated coming to the mall, but David was right. This late into the evening no one would be in the theater on a weekday. And if it made Mia happy again, she would gladly do it.
"I'm down." She says, stretching her arms above her head.
Mia rolls her eyes, though Ciara saw a brief flash of excitement in her eyes. "Ciara, you hate the movies."
"No, I hate all the people who go to the movies. But if David says it'll be empty, then I'll be happy to go." She smirks before saying, "Besides, I haven't had nearly enough caffeine for today and I'm in desperate need."
A laugh escapes her friend, though it sounded more like a disbelieving snort. "Okay, fine. Let's go, but you two are footing the bill. I'm broke."
"What?!" Ciara cries out, trying to hold in her own laugh. "If you hadn't bought all those unnecessary clothes, you'd be able to pay your share!"
David laughs, "Don't worry about it, girls, I'll pay." He points a fry at the two girls. "But you're buying next time."
"Deal!"
"Deal!"
From the farthest corner of the human shopping mall, Szayelaporro watches his target. She was currently laughing with her "friends", while discussing their continued plans for the night. Even with the distance he placed between them, and the roaring noise of the gathered humans, he could still make out everything that was being said.
He knew she could sense his presence, and could very likely "feel" his eyes on her even now. But he was a master at going unnoticed. Unless he wanted to be seen, she and all the other humans would never spot him.
For hours now he'd followed their every move. Listening, and learning, all that he could about the woman Sosuke Aizen thought to bring into their world.
On the outside she didn't look like much. In fact, she was bland compared to the female who accompanied her. Wearing all black, she seemed to prefer going unseen. Even her looks weren't anything to brag about. Straight blonde hair fell down past her shoulders, but was kept back in a messy ponytail. She was paler than others, obviously avoiding contact with the sun and she had no noticeable curves. The only interesting feature about her was her eyes.
A deep shade of blue, they seemed to darken, or lighten, with her moods. At one point, they appeared to be storm gray. It was fascinating.
But what really fascinated him was the intense spiritual energy he felt coming from her. They were powerful but uncontrolled. He'd only caught brief glimpses of her abilities, but it was enough to understand why Aizen wanted her. Should she learn to control her powers, and her emotions, she would be a formidable foe.
Better to get her now before the Shinigami discovered her. Even though they didn't currently patrol this portion of the Living World, it was only a matter of time before she lost control completely and showed up on their radar.
It was a shame that he couldn't take her for himself. He would very much like to discover how she came upon such power. Maybe when Aizen was done with her, he would be gracious enough to allow him time to further study her.
For now, he continued to watch her and her friends. When the three of them stood to leave, he silently followed; staying in the shadows. Every so often, she would pause and turn around, her blue eyes searching the crowd. A slow grin pulled at his lips every time.
Oh yes, she definitely knew he was following her.
"You sure you don't want me to stay over tonight?" Mia asks, as David stops in front of Ciara's apartment building.
He puts the vehicle in park as Ciara opens the back door and slides out. Mia is already rolling the window down as she exits the backseat and stands on the curb. Resting her chin on the door frame, she looks up at her friend.
When the three of them left the movie theater and climbed into David's beat up Chevy Impala, Ciara had finally broken down and told them how she felt like she'd been followed all night. Immediately David was ready to defend her, and nearly forced her to go to his apartment for the night. But, when Ciara explained she didn't think it was anything serious, he'd begrudgingly backed off. Mia on the other hand, continued to insist on staying the night.
"I'm fine, really." Ciara says, trying to reassure her friends. "Besides, you'll be bored and I know how you hate sleeping on my little couch."
Mia shrugs. "I'd just share the bed with you."
Ciara rolls her eyes. "My twin bed barely sleeps me, much less your big ass."
"My ass is not that big!" She cries out, faking offense. Mia's face goes serious once more. "But for real, I will stay if you want me to."
"No," Ciara shakes her head and holds up the single shopping bag that was hers. "I'm going upstairs to change and curl up with my newest book. I'd be a terrible host." She smiles, "Go home, Mia. I'll be fine."
The look in her doe eyes, were unbelieving. Still, she nods her head and leans back into the car. "Call me as soon as you wake up, okay? Promise me, Ciara Quinn."
"I promise." Ciara holds up a hand. "If you promise to call me as soon as you're both home." She says, leaning down enough to look at David as well as Mia.
When they both voiced their own promises, Ciara nodded and took a step back from the car. "I'll see you both soon. Drive safe."
As soon as the two of them were out of sight, Ciara turned towards the apartment building she called home. She inwardly sighs as she walks up the steps to the entrance. It was well after midnight and there wasn't much foot traffic in or out of the building. And the feeling that she was being stalked no longer assaulted her senses.
Shortly after they entered the theater, the feeling had disappeared entirely. For which she was thankful. Even though he wasn't a fan of the theater experience, David had been right about it being almost completely empty. Without all those people, she had actually enjoyed the movie.
Now, she was ready to get out of these clothes, shower, and curl up in her nice warm bed with the new book she'd bought. Since she didn't have any morning classes coming up, she was free to enjoy what was left of her night.
Without any warning, a heavy feeling of dread settled over her. Pausing at the top of the stairs, she looks around for the reason behind this feeling. Someone was definitely there.
Warning alarms soon began going off in her head, and the instinctive urge to run for safety flooded her. Call it a "gut feeling" or the primal urge to survive, whatever you wanted to call it, Ciara knew she was in danger standing here alone. With a tight grip on her bag, she takes off in a sprint for the apartment entrance. Unfortunately, she wouldn't make it.
Suddenly, the pink-haired man from earlier was standing in front of him, blocking her way. Skidding to a halt, she takes a single step back, before twisting and running in the opposite direction. It's as she's opening her mouth to scream for help, that something sharp pierces the back of her neck. Within seconds, her entire world goes back.
She doesn't even feel the impact when her body drops helplessly to the ground.
When Szayel entered the throne room in Las Noches, his unconscious target slung over his shoulder, he was surprised to see that every one of Aizen's elite Espada were present. Including the two Shinigami who had defected with him. Choosing to ignore the eyes of his comrades on him, he focuses his attention on the man directly before him.
Not so gently, he drops the girl to the floor, and kneels. "My Lord Aizen, I have completed my mission and brought the girl to you."
Szayel doesn't have to see the man to know that he was smirking, he could hear it in the way he spoke. "Very good, Szayelaporro and you made good timing as well. I'm impressed."
"Thank you, sir."
"Join your fellow Espada, as I decide the perfect person to assign as her guard." Aizen pauses as she waits for him to join those surrounding the throne room.
It doesn't take long before one Espada steps forward and kneels before the man. "My lord, if it pleases you, I shall be the one to watch her."
Deep brown eyes, settle on the dark haired Espada. "No Ulquiorra, I have a separate task for you. But that will be much later." Dismissing the Hollow, his eyes once more scans the crowd before him.
Of course, he already knew who he would choose, but he also enjoyed building the tension in the room. Waiting for the moment when one of them would finally snap.
When no one else stepped forward, Sosuke Aizen finally relented. Perhaps another day, then. Finding his own target among the crowd, he calls forward the only Espada he wanted for this particular assignment.
"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez," he says, tone neutral as he motions for the one among them who was the most volatile and unpredictable, to come forward. When the blue-haired Espada finally came into the light, a knowing smirk pulled at the ex captain's lips. "You will be tasked with this girl's wellbeing. Do not fail me in this, Arrancar."
From his throne, Aizen watched as a muscle ticked just below the man's blue eyes and with a great deal of reluctance, Grimmjow slowly inclines his head. Hatred burned in his eyes as he looked up at the self-proclaimed king.
"As you wish, Lord Aizen." He says, voice rough, his words forced out from behind gritted teeth.
With his plan beginning to fall into place, Aizen stands and addresses the male one last time. "I trust you will make certain that no harm falls upon our guest."
