Cuarenta (Voice, backdated to Thursday)

[foundtheheart]

*Ulquiorra is trying to keep his voice as flat and melancholy as usual, but observant people who know him well should be able to tell that the question he's asking has been eating at him for a while

Comments

[marsfireignite]

I know they can.

They're just dreams.

Voice?

[foundtheheart]

Hmph...we'll find out at the end of the week.

*Because he's trying hard not to consider the possibility that he'd only stop dreaming about it because he'd convinced himself that the 'visions' would go away Sunday morning.*

aah, yes, sorry!

[marsfireignite]

We find out now. They're not real, Ulquiorra.

[foundtheheart]

Can you provide proof?

[mere_shopkeeper]

No.

[Yet there's a gentle smile as Urahara says that.]

But that doesn't mean hollows cannot feel.

[foundtheheart]

*He's on the roof of the Last Homely House with a carefully neutral expression.*

Then can any bonds we form be considered real?

[mere_shopkeeper]

Of course! The heart that matters when it comes to the bonds we form and the people we care for is not here-- [He touches his own chest, right above where his heart is.] But rather here...

[That hand moves into the air between Urahara and the PCD, between him and Ulquiorra, forming a fist. He was friends with Kaien, okay?]

Between those that have been linked together by memories and experiences, fights and alliances, strife and joy. And that heart... That is the heart that truly matters.

[foundtheheart]

*He turns his gaze to the fingers of his free hand with a thoughtful frown.*

Hmph...what she taught me, if this is real.

[foundtheheart]

Feeling.

[foundtheheart]

Or simply curious.

[Offline] Icon keywords for the lulz.

[argentimperator]

[They've been spending a lot of time just quietly being in each other's presence on the roof anyway, so Sephiroth just heads up instead of using the PCD.] Regardless of Hollows in general, the specific position of your hole obviates the possibility of a heart.

[All the literal, Ulquiorra. All of it.]

[Offline] Ulqui goes B|

[foundtheheart]

*He sensed Seph coming, so he's managed to get his expression as neutral as he can. Which means Sephiroth can probably tell he's bothered, but it's not obvious.*

I meant the abstract concept.

[Offline] He does that at me a lot.

[argentimperator]

[Sephiroth moves to stand near Ulquiorra, though still far enough away that they both have their space. It's one of those things that has always simply been understood. Even now, when they need each other's presence as an assurance that they are there and real, they still need their space.]

I do not believe it is possible to exist as a consciousness without feeling. Even an animal knows emotions such as fear and pleasure. I know too well that She is capable of feeling at least anger. I see no reason Hollows should be an exception.

[bunny_flower]

You know they do not, Ulquiorra-san. If they ahd a heart, they would not be Hollow.

[She's not trying to be cruel, just ... reminding him of solid fact, hoping it helps.]

[foundtheheart]

Then what do a Hollow's bonds mean?

[bunny_flower]

Just because they physically lack a heart does not mean they cannot feel, Ulquiorra-san.

If anything, they would feel a lot. They are, after all, human souls who have succumbed to some very strong feelings, through no fault of their own.

[foundtheheart]

*He...honestly doesn't remember initially becoming a Hollow, so he doesn't know if he became one naturally due to grief and anger or fell victim to another Hollow.*

Hollows are ordinarily creatures of instinct, not emotion.