A Polite Withdrawl (Shizu & Mateo part 2)

[manic]

Following on from Legally Complicated

El Presidente #1

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Ah Switzerland, land of Alpine beauty, good chocolate, overpriced watches, political neutrality and most importantly of all: BANKS. Being a budding ruler in the Caribbean had meant that establishing some form of fund to be kept here for safe keeping was a key activity of Mateo's life before his untimely demise and in death it was a piggy bank that needed smashing as a reward for his forward planning. While these funds, bonds and treasures would not contribute to his original island in the glistening blue sea they now had a higher purpose: Serving his new nation in the sands of Hueco Mundo.

To that end Mateo Campos stepped out of the Garganta and on to the marble floor of the vaulted room, the décor looking very different than he remembered from his last visit, although they might have had a refit since then it was slightly concerning that his memory might not be enough.

What was more concerning however was once again: his choice of accomplice. Not the unreliable Orion this time, oh no, he had somehow managed to recruit the hopeless romantic of an Arrancar: Shizu, to aid in his retrieval mission. A woman who could spin her neck 270 degrees at least, devoured giant Hollows as though they were nothing and somehow thought that a trip to a pitch black (for as much as that mattered to the Arrancar) vault was somehow a romantic occasion!

"Now the deposit boxes should be here somewhere..." He mumbled, trying to focus at the task at hand.

[Smiley]

Traveling the world was exciting beyond words. In life, the sickly girl had only traveled across the pages of countless books. In death, there was nowhere she couldn’t go. No distance was too vast and no wall was too thick.

Drifting out of the garganta as silently as a hunting owl, the grim shadow followed the gentleman’s every movement. Her silhouette seemed to blend into the inky blackness... Like she belonged there...

Shizu’s heart was beating out of her chest! ...Okay, fine, the empty hole felt like it was pulsing gently. Nevertheless, she was utterly smitten. The sanctum was even darker and quieter than she had expected. It was so romantic!

The lonely ghost considered herself a lucky lady tonight. In her search for a way to bring her rough darling over to the eternal desert, she had come across a gentleman genius. The charmer had stolen her non-existent heart oh so effortlessly. Much to her delight, she had invited him to a date in the darkest depths of a long-forgotten tomb~! How could she not fall for him?

Lost in the day dream, the gloomy goth crept closer to her darling date. Her gleaming eyes were locked onto his firm, delicious... N-no, higher. Yes, there, his back. She was looking respectfully, of course.

Slowly and ever so gently, the creepy girl tried to wrap her cold arms around the gentleman... “Take your time...” Her haunting whisper slithered across the stale air. “We have all of eternity...” She only wished to hold him...

And never let go.

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Post 1
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[manic]

El Presidente #2

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All the time in the world with such a romantic soul in a location no-one would ever find them. Who could say no to that? Not El Presidente! Admittedly though any hesitance to express disapproval of the current scenario was more driven by fear than any other form of sentimentality. 

The task at hand demanded focus in the darkness, something that was hard to do as a deathly cold air wrapped itself around Mateo sending a shiver down his spine. Curse his serpentine characteristics! Whatever reptile the process of death had transformed him into was cold blooded for sure with the way the cold was so uncomfortable. Or perhaps that was Shizu's effect on everyone who didn't spurn her advances quickly enough. "Ahem," The dictator began as he pointed to a barred off area "It is likely through there." he said as his spiritual form started to move through the physical defence as though it was merely a suggestion and a velvet rope cordon.

[Smiley]

Being haunted by the gloomy goth felt a lot like standing in front of an open freezer. Her frigid presence lingered in the air, tracing its cold claws down one’s spine. Although, some unfortunate targets of her affection found that spurning her advances made her much, much colder...

Shizu, meanwhile, was over the moon. Warm pink painted her pale features. To her, this date was like something out of a fairy tale. A handsome prince was leading her deeper and deeper into darkness~! ...To be fair, she had read some grim fairy tales.

The creepy bodyguard clung to the ruler like a living shadow. Or a particularly tasteless and ill-fitting cape. She nuzzled an affectionate cheek against the dashing gentleman’s back. It was this very closeness she so desperately craved. In this realm, there weren’t many who even tolerated her presence, let alone her touch.

However, a small twinge of guilt stung the smitten ghost. Her darling date was looking for... what was it...? Ah, yes, gold. She had agreed to be his guardian on this date, but she also wished to lend a hand in other ways. After all, if they found the gold quickly, that would leave more time for lovey-dovey dating, yes? That’s how it worked, right? Right.

Letting go, the grim girl drifted over to the gentleman’s side. “Um... Y-your gold...” She started, her haunting voice scratching like nails against a tombstone. “H-how will we r-recognize it...?” Her eyes scanned the murky walls. “D-does it have your, uh, m-mark? O-or a s-signature of sorts...?” She wouldn’t want to steal someone else’s gold after all.

After some quiet consideration, the creepy lady got an idea. A wonderful idea! “Ah...! M-maybe I could simply blast everything down...? T-then, we could dig through the remains.” Incidentally, that’s also how she handled most of her meals, when she ate alone.

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Post 2
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[manic]

El Presidente #3 _{(sorry Smiley)}

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Shizu's affection was as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice down the back of El Presidente, the protective garments that concealed his hollow hole out of his own vanity not nearly enough to stop the self proclaimed political future of the Arrancar from shivering and what was worse was that the ghostly woman was making some very valid points "...Ah." Mateo let out as the issue of identification was raised. This wasn't supposed to be a robbery ...Okay it was still breaking and entering but really it was just a man's ghost coming to claim his possessions. That was fine under Swiss law, probably.

All gold was marked, but would he even recognize the mark used? It was going to be some infernal combination of numbers more difficult to remember than the phone number of the head of the  Death Squads  Intelligence Services. They certainly wouldn't have had the national crest eched into them, what if he needed the Americans to buy them? "Let us keep a strategy of destruction and reclamation as a valid plan B," He suggested as he channeled some of his Riatsu into a sickly green glow on his fingertips as though he was charging a Cero. The green light made things like numbers and labels much easier to see in the gloom, although he didn't dare turn around to see what shadows it was casting "They should be in a large individual strongbox, number... _{oh what was it in Swiss? Wait, they just use a Hexidecimal-} Ah, 0-3-0-0 (for national accounts) 7-2-3-D-0." the Dictator informed his... companion of their likely target.

[Smiley]

Much to the creepy girl’s joy, her suggestion was promoted to plan B. And a valid plan, no less. She hummed joyfully -perhaps even a little smugly- beneath her breath. “Ho hum, yesss~ As you wish, darling~” Ah, her hollow heart was fluttering...

In the ghastly green gleam, shadows stretched against the walls. The way they squirmed made them seem almost alive. One particularly large and murky blob clung jealously to a leaner one. Any smaller shades were mercilessly swallowed by the inky mass.

On a totally unrelated note, Shizu clung closely to her darling. Her curious gaze peered over his shoulder, focusing on the delicious-looking light. ...Er, beautiful. She meant beautiful. No, she wasn’t drooling! ...Much. A-anyway, the lovely light reminded her of a candle, or perhaps a lantern. Romantic, either way.

Finally, the grim goth gave the gentleman some room to breathe. “7-2-3-D-0...” She repeated to herself. “G-got it...” With a firm nod, she wandered off. The wish to help her darling... It filled her with determination!

Shizu scanned the strongboxes keenly. “Um...” Her pale finger ran slowly over the strange markings. Hexed decimations, her darling had called them? Sounded more exciting than they looked...

Nevertheless, the gloomy girl gave her best effort in trying to find the treasure. “...0-D-1-3-0...” She muttered the combinations idly, letting her voice trail through the darkness. “...D-3-4-D-0...” The right one eluded her, though. “...B-0-0-B-5...” ...What did people see in these strange combinations anyway?

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El Prez#4

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Well at least Shizu seemed to be happy with how things were progressing in the spooky vault, that was a positive. A happy mercenary Arrancar was not an Arrancar that was going to blast and/or eat El Presidente. Good.

What was also good was the ease at which he could read the identifying numbers on the mini vaults within the bank's vault in the green hue of his own Reiatsu focused on his finger tips. "Aha~" The dictator chuckled as he identified the correct target off to the side, he didn't remember his box being quite so big that it took the space of 9 regular deposit boxes but he didn't mind as that just meant he had been diligently depositing while alive "We have found it!" He cheered, not even the creepy aura of the banshee was going to be enough to put him off. Now all he had to do was reach in and...

"Huh?" Mateo let out as his ghostly hand merely bonked off the metal container. He should have been incorporeal enough to get in there, what was going on? How could machinery possibly stop a spirit? "... Shizu, can you try and put your hand through this?" He asked, trying to figure things out. It may be soon time to resort to plan B already.

[Smiley]

Snapping back to reality, Shizu quickly floated over to her beloved date’s side. “Well done, darling~” She offered a stiff congratulatory pat on the back. ...A little awkward? A little awkward.

Better yet, the request made the eerie lady’s eyes positively light up. Her hollow heart skipped a beat. Darling... N-needed her!

Without wasting a moment, the gloomy goth stepped up. “Yes, my love~!” Smiling, she drew her hand back. She threw a messy punch, less like a boxer and more like a beast. The frail frame held a surprising amount of raw strength.

A loud crack rang through the vault.

Shizu cocked her head. “Ah... It broke...” ...She was talking about her hand, which now resembled a ruined meatball. If it hurt, she certainly wasn’t showing it... Though, there was a reason for that. All of a sudden, the mangled digits started twitching. Squirming... Slowly, the broken bits began pulling themselves back together in a grim show of regeneration.

While the hand healed, the creepy girl leaned even closer. She opened her mouth and... Oh, mouths were definitely not supposed to stretch that wide. Her jaws brought a bear trap to mind. She didn’t even hesitate, biting the box with all her might. Well, trying to, at least. Her teeth scraped against it with a horrific screech, the sound of iron kissing steel.

Miraculously, the monstrous maiden didn’t chip a tooth. Stepping back, she hung her head in shame. “S-sorry... I... cannot...” Unless...? An idea sparked behind those violet eyes. And a pale, blue glow lit up behind her teeth. “Plan B...?” She asked tentatively.

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Post 4
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[manic]

El Prez #5

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Good news, bad news. The good news was that Mateo wasn't going crazy and that the metal box was impenetrable by spectral means, the bad news was that his gold was stuck in a box impenetrable by spectral means. Oh, also his assistant in this matter had mangled her own hand trying to get in but that was an easy fix, he didn't even have room to complain about the fleshy sound considering he was accustomed to ripping off his own skin if he needed a quick heal.

"I think that this-" The dictator began before the scraping of tooth against metal made him regret having ears for a brief moment, trying to rally away from the pained grimace as soon as Shizu turned back to face him "One moment." the snakelike arrancar said, pointing his finger at the vault in question and giving it a slight blast of his own. The rattle of Mateo's reiatsu removing the explosive force more customary with cero and instead decaying the target it hit, hopefully weaking the vault in preparation for "Plan B." he confirmed with a nod.

When in doubt, appeal to force.

[Smiley]

Ah, the charming man seemed to always know how to make a lady smile. The gloomy goth’s lips twisted into a horrific grin full of teeth and danger. “I like Plan B...” She hummed beneath her breath. It was her favorite plan, for it felt so natural... So right.

“Lucero...”

Following the ominous mutter, a haunting scream pierced the air. In stark contrast to El Presidente’s pistol-like precision, Shizu was closer to a firehose. Or a flamethrower. From her open maw poured forth a torrent of raw, rending energy. It went well with the toxic decay, tearing through the weakened steel.

...And everything else around it.

After several seconds, the blast finally died with a gasp. Wisps of steam danced between the ghoul’s teeth. “So tough...” Her hand tentatively brushed against the torn steel. “Perhaps I should have taken my true form...” She mused idly. Though, this vault would’ve felt quite cramped then, like a coffin. ...A tantalizing thought.

Nevertheless, the sturdy safe now resembled a birthday present five seconds after being handed to an excited kid. Chunks were missing. Steel was bent. The formerly locked door fell off its hinges and clattered to the floor like a lost hubcap.

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El Presidente #6

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Sometimes the simplest solutions were the best, and what could be more simple than overwhelming firepower? El Presidente's grin grew as Shizu's blast intensified, shredding the already weakened metal box into nothingness. That'd teach the damn safe for being so... safe. "Well done Lady Shizu." Mateo said as he reached in for his prize, glittering in the gloom. Oh how the Republic would prosper with this excess of riches as he started scooping out the solid gold, a little warm & soft from the aftermath of the blast but nothing was lost. Some things were even found "Hmm, what stock were these for?" He pondered as he pulled out some rapidly fraying certificates, disintegrating in his hand "Eh, no matter." he shrugged as the alarms blared all around the two.

"Pay them no mind my dear, there still should be more-" The dictator of the desert dismissed before a more forceful security measure was engaged: the fire sprinklers spraying the two in what should have been water but was instead something much worse "YEOOWCH!" He shrieked as the water started to burn his skin, the hell was this? Acid? Spiritual Acid like some sort of... caustic Holy Water? Did they bless the sprinkler system!?

[Smiley]

The kind praise echoed in Shizu’s ears like the golden song of wedding bells. She took those words and sealed them into the treasure vault of her soul. A goofy little smile found its way onto her lips. She squirmed in place, unable to utter anything beyond a bashful giggle.

Fortunately, a cold shower stopped the daydreams from getting too steamy. ...No, actually, the frigid water was starting to feel a little toasty. Puzzled, the gloomy goth glanced upwards at the indoor rain. She realized her mistakes rather quickly.

“HIEEEE! MY EYEEES!”

Shizu recoiled in agony. Her iron skin sizzled beneath the toxic downpour. “I-it burnsss! How can water burn?!” Something was terribly wrong. The pain bit straight into her soul. Her body wasn’t healing. Even her hazy dress flickered like a campfire in a storm.

Blinded, the banshee staggered forward. ~Boing~ Luckily, her bumpers softened the impact, as she stumbled into the gentleman. Her arms sought to wrap protectively around him. “Sir Mateo, p-please hurry...! I... I will shield you...!”

Fighting against the rain and gravity, the grim ghoul rose slightly from the floor. She clung to the sharp-dressed man, like a ghastly raincoat. Two souls, caught in a deathtrap... Her hollow heart fluttered at the romantic thought. If she dared to hope... to wish... They would die in each other’s arms tonight~!

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Post 6
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El Presidente #7

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"I do not plan to perish in my own bank!" Mateo snarled as Shizu jumped on his back, the Dictator of the desert thinking swiftly to avoid the perilous situation he found himself in. What had happened to this bank that they knew to install anti-Hollow technology. Why was that even a thing? 

"HAA!" He yelled, twisting his body so he could slash a hole in the realms above him... letting the painful liquid spray straight into the void instead of down on them. It wouldn't do a thing about the water that already clung and burned the skins of the two Arrancar like bleach, but it would prevent any more from assaulting them while he collected as much gold into the traditional method of transporting stolen wealth, a burlap sack with a dollar sign on it, wincing at every time he had to touch something that had been hit by the security measure. "Now Shizu, get us five miles north by north east of this position!" he instructed, if his knowledge of geography held, that should get them to the safety of a nearby lake. Hopefully that wasn't blessed the same way!

[Smiley]

Once again, the lovesick ghoul found her fleeting dreams crushed. Her date was, in fact, NOT ready to die again. “Ah, a pity...” Her haunting whisper slithered beneath the blaring alarms. Oh well, maybe some other time...

Fortunately, the disappointed ghost was still paying attention. When the order came, she was most eager to assist. “Y-yes, h-honey!” She let go a little reluctantly. It was a shame to leave the romantic tomb so soon.

In stark contrast to the gentleman’s skillful slash, the gloomy goth gripped the very air... And tore it apart. A hole opened to the endless void. Her method was the very same her grand kin used. Crude, old-fashioned even... But frightfully effective.

Moments later, approximately five miles north...ish, the surface of a lake rippled. The cold water roiled wildly, as it was sucked into bottomless nothingness. It stopped as quickly as it had started. Something reached out of the murky depths. A grim mess of soaked, inky hair popped to the surface.

After spitting out a mouthful of not spicy water, the drowned corpse muttered a meek apology. “S-sorry... I am... bad with directions...” As well as Garganta, Sonído, the concept of consent... Any number of things, really. But at least they got out of the deathtrap. For better or worse.

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El Presidente #8

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"GAH!" The Dictator of the Desert gasped as he breached the surface of the water. His greasy hair now extra damp from the frigid waters. At least they did the job of washing away what abomination the bank had used against the Arrancar "Do... do not worry Lady Shizu, your destination provided the relief needed." He applauded her, no need to worry his useful henchwoman over the shock both of them received when she managed to *flood* the passage between realms. That would just... probably sort itself out in time "What is important is that-" El Presidente paused as he realized that something was missing...

The whole point of this expedition was doing what heavy metals normally did when in a large body of water: sink straight down, even in the fabric of the lootbag. "One moment." He coughed politely before splashing up all the water through his Sonido, spiralling into the darkness below to try and retrieve his prize.