Castillia Del Serpiente [Open - No more than three at a time]

Alruna couldn't believe it. The one place she sought to avoid was now her new home. She had been taken in as the Decima Espada. Albeit the weakest in the army, she was still rather surprised. Against her better judgement, she accepted the invitation. She didn't know what awaited her at Las Noches, but she was sure she'd find out soon enough.

Alruna's personal castle was rather secluded from the rest of the Espada's. The gateway to her personal chambers consisted of a long hallway with double doors every fourty feet. The doors were crimson in color and had a winged serpent engraved in the center. The serpent was guilded in solid gold with rubies and emeralds decorating the wings. There were ten doors total. After passing the ten gates, one would see the atrium of her living quarters. Beautiful alabaster stone pillars and granite floors and walls were guilded with gold. The atrium split off into five corridors. The first on the far left lead to a large circular pool with crystal clear waters. The water itself was incredibly hot, almost like a hotspring. Alruna used this to keep her cold blooded body warm. The next corridor lead to a vast bathroom equipped with a large shower, bathtub, and other neccessities. The third corridor from the left lead to a large living chamber filled with victorian style furnature. Alruna used this to entertain those she deemed worthy of her time. The forth corridor from the left lead to her personal training quarters. Here, she trained alone, honing her abilities. Finally, the fifth corridor lead to Alruna's sleeping chamber. The granite floor was littered with vibrant colored feathers. In the center of the room was her bed. A large victorian style bed with a deep emerald green canopy that surrounded it. Her bed was incredibly soft. She liked it because it felt like the sands of the desert when she slept on it. Forest green, silk sheets and a crimson down comforter decorated her bed. Beneath the bed was a large throw rug with the oroboros symbol weaved in black silk in the center of the rug. Simple elegance could best describe her castillio.

Alruna sat among the steamy waters of her pool, the steam masking her presence. She was fully dressed, all but her feet, they being dipped in the warm waters. She was leaning back a little, her hands resting a few inches behind her on the alabaster floor of the pool room. She was propped up on her arms while her feet gently kicked in the water. She closed her eyes, becoming lost in the soothing feel of hot water on her feet. Pleasant. Perhaps being one of the Espada won't be so bad.... She thought to herself whilst being under the soothing trance created by the steamy sauna of a pool room. She had yet to meet the other Espada, and in truth, she feared that moment. She didn't know how they'd react to her, a lesser Espada. Alruna was peaceful to say the least, but she was sure that the others were not. Only time will tell. For now, she would relax and enjoy her new home. One much better than the Menos Forest.

It was a part of his duty to check up on the new espada it seemed, it was not the first time but recently after a certain crash with a red hot headed espada whom no longer where with them he had gotten this urge to know others, perhaps this is what it meant to have a heart? Ulquiorra shrugged at the thought as he continued to walk the hallway before he approached a set of enourmous double doors that reached up to the ceiling, Ulquiorra wondered why to go trough the trouble to have so many doors as he barehanded pushed one side of the double door open with ease he saw another set of doors and almost sighed as each of his steps echoed trough the hall...

Was the Decima so weak that she feared her fellow companions? or was she just reclusive of interacting with others that she had to shut herself in behind closed doors, he could just have used a cero to get past these doors but he was quite sure that the Decima would not appreciate having her room trashed, besides it would give a bad first impression anyway, so Ulquiorra decided to keep moving onwards until he reached the final door that seemed to open by itself Ulquiorra walked inside and was hit by a fair amount of decoration, the amount almost made him shiver due to several factors, it reminded him of something long past... he could not quite put his finger on it but this fashion was something he had seen a lot of in the past that was certainly clear.

The first room to his right and seemed to contain nothing more than the sleeping quarters, which by all means was an important room if one did not mind sleeping on the cold floor or upstraight standing.

The second corridor to his right seemed to lead to the training quarters, it was by far in the least of intrest for him, as he had no desire to train nor fight at the moment unless he would be out of choice.

The third room in front of him seemed to be the living quarters, Ulquiorra doubted he would even be allowed in there for as long as he lived, which could be nearly eternal, he could imagine...

The fourth room seemed to be a luxurious bathroom, yet it was nothing compared to his own, altrough he was unsure if it was water that she used or something else entireley.

But what attracted his attention was the final room to the left that seemed to contain a pool and a living soul no doubt the ruler of this little castle. The entire time when he stepped into this hall he had stood still scanning every bit of the castle he could see, yet somehow the precence right next to the pool had somehow been able to avoid his detection up until now, had he uncounciously tried to avoid noticing her or was it just a fluke? a miracle? perhaps if he approached could he determinate this futher...

He took a few steps forward but stopped when he heard the decima speak, appearently another female, a female weaker than the rest of the espada... after she spoke Ulquiorra decided to comment upon her spoken words ... I can ensure you, you will enjoy yourself or die trying... he spoke with a cold emotionless tone that was also very level headed and somewhat demanding... Ulquiorra decided to keep a distance of about 20 feet to the woman in case she had no desire to talk to him. do you mind?... His eyes stared at the woman briefly before he closed his eyelids awaiting her answer.

Broken silence. Splendid. Alruna seemed to perk up upon hearing a voice echoing throughout the vast pool room. Her jet black, forked tongue darted out, capturing the scent of the visitor. How could she not have sensed one so strong? A master of concealing his power, no doubt. Alruna's feet halted and dipped halfway into the heated pool, her head slowly turning glance over her right shoulder. Her emotionless emerald gazed was now fixed upon her visitor. Her tongue flicked once more before she spoke in a cold, emotionless tone. Do as you please....after all...it is apparent you have authority over one such as myself.... Her head turned back towards the crystal clear waters shrouded in a heavy fog. She sat up slightly, resting her sleeved hands in her lap, her oversized sleeves nearly dipping into the pool. She had heard rumors of the male whom had decided to visit her. She knew not his name, but knew his rank. Lord Segunda.... she muttered, her eyes still fixed upon the pool.she was quite cusious as to why one of this man's calibur would even bother wasting time greeting a lesser Espada, especially one as reclusive as Alruna. She pondered this a while as she awaited the male's actions. Would he stay, or would he go?

The reaction he got was suprising to him, it seemed like this female could actually co-exist with him. This female seemed to know better, the need to use overly insulting words or raw strength to get trough their thick heads to make them realize who was in charge here was not needed in fact he would rather avoid any of it.

He stepped forward once it was confirmed, each step echoing trough the room until he was no less than 3 feet away, still standing upstraight Ulquiorra focused his eyes at the female particulary her lips as she spoke, so she knew his rank. I must commend you for knowing my rank... Decima... he said her rank with a slightly lowered undertone.

Ulquiorra schiffer... may i know your name? he kept his arms in his pocket while looking still at her, he felt nothing bothering him with this woman, why where they so different? he decided not to ask but either way wanted to know what she thought about those lower in rank than herself... what would you do if i would not had authority over you? would you subjucate to violence or tell me to leave you alone, or perhaps... ignore me?

Alruna closed her eyes as she heard the male's footsteps echoing as he came closer. She exhaled slightly, her breath stirring the steam that enveloped her delicate frame. The exhale came out more like a serpent's hiss, soft and shallow, almost inaudible. Her eyes slowly opened as he spoke, commending her for knowing of his rank. Her head turned again, she glancing back over her right shoulder, her eyes fixed back on the looming male. He introduced himself as Ulquiorra Schiffer, then asked her name in a rather polite manner. An oddity for an Espada, or any arrancar for that matter. She chose to comply and give her name. Alruna Espinosa..... Her forked tongue darted from her mouth once again, the action happening in the blink of an eye. The male's scent was stronger, and more potent. She heard a great deal about this man from Layle. All she remembered now was his rank and his Zanpakuto.

Alruna began to slowly rise to her feet, she now turning to stand face to face to her superior. He was a great deal taller than her, yet she wasn't intimidated. She was the Espada without violent tendencies. She felt that she was far too sophisticated for such nonsense. She listened as the male spoke and bowed her head slightly, thinking of her answer. It would depend on what I thought of you....I do not waste my time with violent...blood thirsty, lustful, or angry beings....You seem sophisticated enough....perhaps I misjudged the Espada....however....not everything is what it seems... Alruna then turned her gaze back to the pool. Taking a wild leap, she decided to extend an invitation to the Segunda. Care to join me for a swim, Lord Schiffer....?

He examined the female from top to toe, noticing even the forked tongue that dissapeared in an instant, Ulquiorra raised an eye brown when she meantioned her name, but did not respond futher to it...

He still kept his arms in his pockets where he remained, as she stood up did he notice how short she was compared to himself and many other espada whom where even taller than him. As she responded to his question he was not quite that suprised by her answer... in fact judging by her calm aura did he get the feeling that his question had been answered...

However the last words on the sentence left him wondering if what she meant was about him or her? or perhaps the other espada... no she probably knew about their behavior... indeed... or read someone by the cover, the shell is usually just a cover up of their true self... ... he said with his usual tone of speech... The female though her size was small did she appear quite wise not only in her words but also in her appearence. Ulquiorra still observed the female as she stepped in the pool with her clothes and all... personally he hated to swim in the water with your clothes on... and would avoid doing that unless he was out of choices, at first he said none to her, the first thing he did however withouth saying a word was to pull his arm to his shirt and zip open his it, as his hollow hole became visible did he slow down a bit until his shirt was open entireley, then he pulled off the rest of the shirt and the number 2 was visible on the left side of his chest.

He also took off his shoes socks and pants, and stepped carefully into the warm pool, his cold skin crawling due to the warm liquid, as it reached his waist and later his shoulders did he relax for a moment staring off the female, there was no intimacy from his side as his thoughts where elsewhere and even so there where none....

He had placed his clothes neatly in a pile next to his shoes on the floor, it had become a habit, at first Ulquiorra pulled himself deep enough into the water so that his mouth was below water level and yet his nose was slightly above he blew up some bubbles from his mouth, his facial expression staying the same, he wondered what the espada had in mind? he would never have declined an invitation of this sort... he enjoyed warm bath`s too much to decline them at least when he had so little time to do it on his free time...

[OOC: Nevermind the PM, I can work with this xD]

Alruna surfaced, her body now visible from the abdomen, up. She felt oddly ashamed for her actions. She had never acted so drastically. Perhaps it was the call of the warm pool that clouded her mind, or perhaps the soothing steam. Either way, she was now weighted down by her saturated attire. She turned her attention to the ghostly white male as he entered the pool in all his nudity. Thanks to Alruna's lack of sexual attraction to anyone or anything, she did not flinch or blush. She just stood there with her typical stoic expression. She decided to get properly dressed for the large pool herself.

She pulled off her top first, revealing her upper body. Her hollow hole rested only a couple centimeters above her navel. She turned her back to the male, revealing the row of shiny, emerald green scales that covered her spine. The number ten was branded on her left shoulder blade, and a small tuft of mustard yellow feathers rested between her scapulae. She bent slightly in the water, pushing her hakama off of her body, along with her boots and stockings. She balled up the mass of wet garments and walked them to the edge of the pool where she laid them in a dripping heap. She then swam her way back towards the Segunda, letting the crystal clear waters warm her cold blooded body. She stopped a few feet in front of Ulquiorra, her emerald eyes capturing the male's. Soothing, no? I use this pool to warm my body when it gets to cold in this dismal place....judging by how swiftly you joined me, I assume you have an affinity for pools such as this. Perhaps we are kindred souls...or perhaps not. One can never tell....but I feel as though I could associate with you more than the more....primitive Espada....That is....if you do not mind the company.... Perhaps it was the steam that made Alruna speak in such a manner. It was quite unlike the reclusive serpent to consider anyone a "friend." She mused to herself at the thought, but as the weakest Espada, it would help to make friends with at least one of her higher-ups. She had a feeling that this male was her best bet.

Alruna stood back up in the water rather than just floating. The pool was approximately four feet deep where she and Ulquiorra were standing. She combed her fingers through her thick, green tresses, wringing out excess water before letting the damp hair drape over her left shoulder and cover her left breast. The tips fanned out as they dipped into the pool, after all, her hair was quite long. She really had now initial point for inviting Ulquiorra into the pool with her. She simply felt that, like her, he'd enjoy the soothing waters. She had no real intentions, other than possibly becoming aquaintences, or even...friends. Alruna doubted a man of his stature would see a lesser Espada as a friend, and Alruna had a hard enough time as it is trying to make them. She was horribly picky about the company she kept, and so far, only her Fraccion, Mateo, made the cut. Now she felt that Ulquiorra can become part of the exclusive group known as Alruna's friend circle. After all....he, in a few ways, was much like her.

OOC: you did not expect this did you? xD

IC: As he took his time to enjoy himself in the pool the best he could, while taking his time he started to wonder if this was really the place and time to be enjoying yourself, well he had been working a lot recently so he was sure no one would have minded against it, personally he found it odd that the female had even asked him to join her but had not been suprised by it at all... As Alruna surfaced and got up from the pool did Ulquiorra react as he too stood up to his full lenght so the water surface reached his hollow hole that was situated along his lower sternum.

He stared at the female briefly as she removed her top first revealing her upper body, as usual Ulquiorra did not flinch or blush for there was no reason for him to do so, the scales on Alruna`s back only confirmed his suspicions she was more of a snake than even gin had been, literally speaking off course. Apart from staring at the female did he find her, not repulsive but reminding awfully a lot of himself, at least in his release... not exactly off course or even close, but looking at her now she recembled of a beatiful beast that both intimidated its prey and charmed it, off course Ulquiorra was neither and he doubted any of the other espada would have been intimidated by her looks... charmed... perhaps, Ulquiorra stared down into the pool now reflecting back his face at him, once the reflection started to fade due to movement on the surface of the water did he turn back to stare at Alruna whom had obviously taken the rest of her clothes off and stepped into the pool now heading in his direction.

His crystal green eyes stared right back at the female, he wondered why she stared at him but said nothing as her lips parted and she spoke. "Soothing, no? I use this pool to warm my body when it gets to cold in this dismal place....judging by how swiftly you joined me, I assume you have an affinity for pools such as this. Perhaps we are kindred souls...or perhaps not. One can never tell....but I feel as though I could associate with you more than the more....primitive Espada....That is....if you do not mind the company...."

When she was done speaking Ulquiorra started to think rationally, was it normal for her to speak so openly about them as kindred souls? he certainly did not know, since he had just met her, was it normal for him to accept an invitation from a complete stranger? no probably not... was there a bond forming between them.... if so then he certainly hoped that it would last.... personally he had nothing against this woman, in fact he had hated to be lonely all for himself... his fraccion had tried to open him up but he had pushed her away so many times he was certain that she would soon give up, it was mostly because she was his fraccion... anyway Alruna was not the type to Understand others much like himself so they had a lot in common would that mean they would get along?

No... he answered with his eye lids closed, he opened his eye lids to stare at her again and responded Im perhaps not as sophisticated as you think... but i can ensure you i don`t mind your company at all... why would i even have come here if it was not for your company? he asked while i admit that i would rather avoid to resort to violence sometimes its the only option, can`t say i enjoy the Onslaught either, i will just do everything in my power to follow orders and reach my personal goals that is all... now that she meantioned it he could have declined her offer to join her in the pool, he could have gone back to his castle and enjoy himself there, was it truly her he had come for? her company, had his loneliness truly made him so desperate that he would seek out other souls to chat with... heracy... thinking back a few months he would never have accepted the offer back then... hell he would never have seeked out this woman to begin with.

No.... i did not join you because i felt the need to wash away my daily burdens, i joined you because i seek someone such as yourself to Associate myself with... ... there he said it, he did not speculate how the female would react because he already knew or at least he supposed he did so... ... i have spent a lot of my life in complete solitude, is it not normal to seek other souls despite your loneliness... unless you conciously are avoiding any contact he said the last words almost as if speaking to her... and yet speaking it in a way that would make it sound more of a question of his own than hers.