[ open ]

[transcendens]

DATE: July 18
INVOLVED: transcendens and anyone who wants to run into him
ACTIVITY: After being struck blind for no reason, Aizen goes to Ten-ji to get away from Iki.
RATING: TBD

Comments

[alkahestry]

[Since Edward left to speak with Kiyoha and Aya he's lost track of time. He spent a few hours trying to scour the library for any information he can on how to possibly reverse the strange condition that was plaguing his brother and so many others.

It wasn't until his stomach had begun to make it's need of food known that he packed up the books he was reading and left the library and out into the district. He's got a small allowance to work with now, enough he figures to find himself something to eat lunch with now that the morning hours have come to an end.

When he spots Aizen, Alphonse stops in his tracks and stares for a moment. They had only spoken on the network the devices shared so far, and needing to meet in person eventually, Al saw no reason to not walk his way up towards the bench to do so.]

Good afternoon, Mr. Aizen.

[alkahestry]

Ten-ji.

[The forgien word rolls off his tongue slowly, but he manages not to butcher the word like Edward might.]

Does the name mean anything?

[transcendens]

To be honest, I'm not entirely certain. There is a word in the Japanese language that refers to the process of gathering information and presenting it in compelling ways that could, perhaps, be applied to the visual appeal of a garden.

[ He shrugs, admitting to his own ignorance without qualm. ]

I've also heard the pagoda referred to as the pagoda of Ten, so it's possible that the philosophical aspect is nonexistent.

[alkahestry]

I don't know much about keeping a garden or flowers myself.

[The thought to check the library on it some time is tucked into the back of his head. For some reason he thought if May was here (not that he wanted that) she would know.]

It's kind of fascinating though ... this world, it's so different from mine, probably yours too? [It's hard to keep his curiosity down for long, but he blinks and lifts his hands upward and shakes. Not that Aizen can see, but still.] You don't have to tell me about it, if you don't want to.

[transcendens]

I don't mind.

[ Sousuke waves away the assurance. ]

There are actually quite a few similarities between this place and Soul Society. The style of buildings and the manner of dress of most of its citizens, for one thing. The lack of prevalent technology. The communication devices. Much of the superficial aspects are the same.

Soul Society is, however, the world to which most of the souls of mortals go when their bodies die. While money does exist, it isn't the focus of society, and though there are many who engage in relationships, whether serious or casual, it isn't like this.

[alkahestry]

But if you continue to live after you die ...

[Well, that did spark quite the thought process in his head.]

...it doesn't make death sound like sad thing or bad. Though I'm sure it doesn't work like that in other worlds.

So if it's just the soul that survives... what's it like them with no body? Can they even eat or sleep?

[And the last part is said under breath.]

Can they even feel?

[transcendens]

From what I've observed, their lives in Soul Society are much like their lives in the living world. They eat and sleep, sort themselves into family units, engage in hobbies and recreational activities.

[ He shrugs slightly and shakes his head. ]

I've always been a shinigami, so my life has been a bit different from theirs. On a basic level, however, I suspect we're much the same. And when we die in Soul Society, shinigami or ordinary soul, we are reborn in the living world to new lives there, and new identities.

[alkahestry]

Sorry! You must think all these questions are weird. It's just interesting how in your world the soul can survive without a body after death. We always assumed the two remained together, even inside the gate. It was different for me, when I died.

[transcendens]

Not at all. I'm just as curious about worlds other than those I know as everyone else.

[ Al has Sousuke's full attention with that comment, proof of the veracity of his words. ]

What was it like for you? Provided, of course, that it's a topic about which you feel comfortable speaking. If not, I'll not press further.

[alkahestry]

Not like here ... though I suppose if what I know of Xing is true, this place, it could be similar. Xing is a country to my home's eastern borders, across a vast desert. I was on my way there before I arrived there, to study an alternate form of Alchemy known as Alkahestry.

We have trains... and the rich drive things known as automobiles. I suppose besides Alchemy my home world is also known for Automail. Mechanical limbs that are used by amputee's and the injured to replace limbs when lost. Ed has two actually ... though they're a bit outdated compared to what he usually has.

[transcendens]

Alkahestry?

[ It's a term with which he's unfamiliar, and therefore immediately something of interest. ]

How does it differ from alchemy? Does Equivalent Exchange still hold true, or are the laws governing its application different?

[ The questions are no sooner out of his mouth than he's nodding, for Al's brought up another topic about which he's curious. ]

Ed briefly showed me his hand, and mentioned something about it being less than what he's accustomed to using. What are the current models like?

[alkahestry]

Yes for the most part, though I only learned recently that alchemy works a little differently ... at least for me than it does Ed.

[He gives a small fidget, realizing that it must sound weird, but he isn't sure if Ed has explained the finer details of their situation. The part where he's not even the Al that Ed is used to, and that Ed isn't the Ed that he grew up besides.]

You see ... alkahestry was developed in the country known as Xing and it operates at least under the same premises of alchemy. The energy needed to accomplish transmutations comes from something known as Dragon's Pulse a force that is apparently every living thing on Earth, even the mountains and rivers. It's known to have medicinal applications in Xing and you can also transmute over greater distances using multiple arrays. My knowledge is limited at best, but that's the best description I can give really.

[transcendens]

[ He's an attentive listener, soaking up every detail Al provides, and when he's done, Sousuke makes the only connection available to him. ]

Life energy? Souls?

[ The prospect is interesting. More than interesting, it's fascinating. There would be a great deal of power there. And even more danger. ]

Is that what it is? This Dragon's Pulse?

[alkahestry]

Or at least they may have a connection - souls and this energy - the Pulse - that is found in all living life and matter. If a friend of mine was here, she'd be able to explain it a little better, she's quite skilled with alkahestry and I know at times when the ability to use alchemy was cut off, she was still able use alkahestry without being hindered.

[transcendens]

Shinigami have become quite adept at manipulating the energy of the soul. Perhaps they are similar. In any case, it sounds like a useful skill to learn, for there is rarely ever a place in which such energy is not readily available.

[alkahestry]

I wonder how different things would have been if I had been able to come by powers like yours when my body and soul were separated. However, we thought the same ... Brother and I thought that if we could learn more about alkahestry that we could find a way to combine it with the alchemy from our country to help improve things for the future.