The sky was covered by a slight overcast, leaving the weather quite pleasant. Warm winds occasionally brushed through the flat and empty patch of land where Rie sat. Her zanpakutō was laid across her lap as she remained quietly in Jinzen, meditating.
Hidden to the eyes of all but her and her zanpakutō, Rie was in her inner world, talking to the spirit of her weapon.
“I mean, I know you have more to offer me than one simple, albeit useful, trick,” said Rie to the spirit that sat cross-legged, floating in the air.
A spotlight that came from nowhere illuminated the beautiful being, “I most certainly do, but it’s a bit too early to show you, besides, I need to keep some secrets so that you stay interested in me.”
“Very funny, Hōrō-tan,” replied Rie as she sat on one of the moon shaped ornaments, her legs kicking in the air in front of her as she looked down with an aerial view. The mobile began to move, lifting the part she was sitting on up with the loud sound of machinery coming from somewhere in the distance.
The spirit clicked her tongue “I’d prefer you not shorten my name like that, Rie.”
“Oh come on, it rolls off the tongue way better than ‘Hōrōtenshi’ does.”
With the soft sound of jingling bells, the spirit disappeared momentarily and reappeared behind Rie, who had grown used to this habit of her zanpakutō’s. Hōrōtenshi draped her arms over Rie’s shoulders crossing them over her chest as she hugged her from behind, floating in the air outstretched and parallel to the ground as her hair and clothes appeared to be moved by a calm breeze.
“Pretty please,” the spirit whispered into her ear.
Rie seemed unamused, but the warmth of her zanpakutō’s spirit was very comforting. She however continued to stoically look off into the distance, raising one arm to hold onto Hōrōtenshi’s hands.
“Fine but you need to promise to show me something new.”
“You've got a deal, but only after you really master what you already know.”
“Always a catch, huh?”
The spirit simply giggled lightly, releasing her grip as she slowly floated out of sight.
Rie opened her eyes, observing the area around her, she didn't see much more than a barren plane, much less colourful than her inner world. She yawned and stretched her arms up, over her head, and after she was done pandiculating, she stood up and put her sword back to her side.
She left the clearing and headed to a bulletin board in the main square and put up a poster, written on a standard sheet of paper.
Looking to spar? Great, come to the clearing 4 Ri East of here for some one on one training!
-Rie Minori
P.S.: There will be snacks.
[Out of Character: A Ri is 500m.]
Rie returned to the clearing, quite excited and carrying a cooler full of drinks and homemade snacks, before waiting patiently for someone to come.
[Out of Character: Come spar with Rie!]