[Log] 23 - Change of Pace
Date: 11-19-08
Characters: Orihime, Ulquiorra
Summary: Orihime is given a chance to leave the room, if but for a brief walk.
Life in Hueco Mundo...is..........dull. Orihime supposes that's because she's the only one here who's actually alive. Should the statement be amended to 'death in Hueco Mundo is dull'? It doesn't really matter.
She's lost track of the days, seeing nothing but that same moon high in the sky, unchanging, the square of barred light forever stationary upon her floor. It's something to look at, she supposes, and she does sort of like having a little brightness around her.
At first she'd tried daydreaming to pass the time, but in the end, all it did was make her sad. There were too many remembrances of those she'd left behind...those she'd never see again.
Orihime sighs. Not for the first time, not for the last. It's a little eerie, she thinks to herself, that she actually finds herself looking forward to Ulquiorra's brief, if rather silent, visits. At least it's a change in routine, and if she's really lucky, he'll have something to say. She's pretty starved for conversation, and as long as it isn't coming from a certain cutlery-loving Espada, anything will do. Even if it's just to be told 'WOMAN EAT YOUR FOOD.'
And so that time comes around again, and who's to say whether or not Ulquiorra has grown tired of the same routine day after day- or is it night after night? None can tell by the lack of real expressions on the pale face that might as well be chiseled from stone with eyes of icy emerald to match.
The knock comes, that brief introduction to his usual words of greeting: "I'm entering." The tall, white door opens then to admit the much smaller Espada, his hand sliding back into pocket, having completed its duty for the time-being. His coattails flap lazily at his heels as he crosses the threshold, entering the room. Green eyes do not even bother to glance around, already knowing there is nothing more to see that his senses have not already scanned and verified all to be the same, if not dull, order. Instead, his gaze locks upon the girl, the only addition of color to the room for her hair and her fair skin, as if the whites trimmed in black that they have provided for her to wear struggle a nightly battle in trying to win her over to the monochromatic scheme of things and fail.
"......" It's actually a little earlier than when he usually comes by to announce the girl's meal, but with the lack of clocks and the ever stationary moon hanging in the eternal night sky, who can tell?
Oh! Orihime blinks, turning her head away from the moon to regard the Espada just as pale and cold. He's knocking now, she notices. Probably because he got tired of Orihime getting startled when he just spoke up while she was busy staring blankly up and out of the window.
He's early, too. Who knows how Orihime can tell, she just can.
"Ulquiorra-san...?" She tips to the side for a glimpse of the hallway beyond him, possibly looking for the meal-cart and whichever Arrancar he drafted to wheel it in. It's more the hallway beyond that holds her interest than anything else, though she's quite aware there's no freedom down that way. Just Hollows that might like to eat her. "...How was your day?" Might as well try something new.
If he cared to, he would probably scoff at the question. There really is nothing worth answering, for the days are just as slow outside of this room as they could possibly be within. It all depends on the residents of Las Noches, how ill the temperament of the more belligerent tended to be at the time and whose paths they crossed. They have been wise in keeping to themselves or taking their restlessness outside of the white walls for fear of their master's disapproval, but even Aizen has been aware of the ever present bloodlust of his children. Ulquiorra just tends to keep himself in check better than his brethren.
"...." The question is pointedly ignored, his eyes sliding to the side as far back as he can glance without having to turn his head, but he knows what Orihime seeks and can practically sense her curiosity for what lies beyond the doors. There really isn't much else to be seen, but then anything might seem preferable to being locked away in the same room forever. "...come. We'll take a walk." As usual it's not a request or an inquiry. The half-helmed Espada turns to walk back towards the doorway, coattails floating behind him, fully expecting to be followed by the girl.
No answer... Orihime's hopeful expression falters, and her eyes once more seek the rug upon which she stands. Well, she hadn't really expected him to talk much. In fact, that probably would have surprised her greatly. But even so, she /had/ hoped...
...Wait, what? Orihime lifts her head sharply, her eyes widening. "You...you mean...?" She looks from Ulquiorra to the hall, then back again. Immediately she darts forward to catch up to Ulquiorra, as though she were afraid he might decide to change his mind and shut the door in her face should she hesitate for too long. A walk! Now she knows how her friend's dog feels. That's a little embarrassing to think about (especially considering how Nnoitra continually refers to her as the 'pet'), but just the same! Walking! Being not in the room! She can scarcely contain her excitement, but contain it she does, clasping her hands politely in front of her. "Th--thank you, Ulquiorra-san!"
There's no response to that, only a brief glance cast over his shoulder before he passes through the doorway. It's given but a light nudge to have it begin to close after her, and already Ulquiorra continues down the hallway. "Don't fall behind. I won't be responsible if you get lost or run into one of the others." The halls are as plain and white as they have always been, but it's at least a slight change of scenery and certainly more spacious.
"I won't!" Orihime promises. Unless he decides to use his sonido to lose her, of course, but she doesn't think he'd do that to her. One of the others, maybe. But he takes his job too seriously to play such a mean trick, particularly where it might leave her in danger.
It's not easy trying to remain poised and dignified as they walk. Her eyes move to take in every detail, absorbing it into her memory. Every now and again her curiosity takes control and she turns her head, half-expecting to see something unusual, but in the end it's just a figment of a bored and restless imagination.
When it becomes clear that there's nothing fascinating in the hall, Orihime glances up at Ulquiorra as subtly as she can out of the corner of her eye from beneath her lashes. She's not entirely sure why he allowed her this kindness. She'd LIKE to know, but supposing he found the question distasteful? He might never allow it again. And it just feels so /good/ to finally stretch her legs and walk without having to turn to accommodate for furniture and walls...!
A prisoner is a prisoner, and the walls of her cell are only further extended in this case. Her room is her safe haven, this much Orihime is likely aware of. It would be unthinkable for her to be allowed to wander about Las Noches alone, and for what trouble would they have gone to bring her here if the but let her be mauled by the other arrancar that dwelled these halls?
"Don't get used to this. It is merely to ensure that you don't wither away in a single room." Ulquiorra doesn't look back as he speaks, his voice carrying just loud enough to be heard by the girl that follows him. "You are to go with no one else, but then no one else is supposed to take you from your room, regardless." He pauses, as though considering. "...unless of course, it is Aizen-sama or one of the other two." The shinigami traitors, perhaps.
They eventually come to the end of the hall, and Ulquiorra turns to head down the right corridor that it branches into.
Orihime nods. She's not entirely sure she'd feel safe with anyone else. They're all fairly scary, and if it weren't for Ulquiorra's calm, measured tones that border on a complete void of emotions, she'd be frightened of walking about with him as well.
Ah, the end of the corridor. Orihime's steps slow for a moment, hoping they won't just stop and turn back now that they'd walked the equivalent of several blocks. To her relief, they turn instead, and gazes ahead eagerly for signs of something new, even if it's just a black and white tapestry she'd never seen before.
Again her gaze strays to Ulquiorra. How did he know? She didn't think she showed any outward indication of her quiet melancholic decline. Maybe those eyes see much deeper than she knows. "...I'm grateful," she admits after a moment. "I think I really needed this." She doesn't smile, since that seems somehow sacreligious around Ulquiorra. But her gratitude is sincere enough.
As usual, her words are met with silence. A pensive silence, as even though Ulquiorra remains silent, his mind is always working.
Even now, even after being imprisoned here for so long, she still remains the same as she has been. Her will is unbroken. A strong woman, this human girl...
"Even we who are not restricted to a single room are restless. This is only a small courtesy offered you." It's still within the walls, but it's as much a taste of freedom as the girl has had for the time she's been here. The hall that stretches before them is nothing unlike the hall they'd just gone down. It's no wonder Yammy gets lost, but then that may also be due to mischievous controllers at the hall panel consoles.
Whoa. They're actually /conversing/. Orihime would remark on that, if she didn't think it would somehow irk him into silence forever. Being as he's the only one who would talk to her, Orihime doesn't want to risk losing that.
"Then...what do you do when you're not looking after me?" Orihime ventures. She's fairly certain that he's engaged on missions to and from the living world, observing things here and there as that seems to be his specialty. But then again, who knows?
Perhaps he enjoys knitting.
It's the closest thing to a smile Orihime's had since she came here, the corners of her mouth twitching imperceptibly. Oh she /does/ wish he'd say 'knitting'!
Knitting is hardly something an arrancar, much less an Espada, would ever dare to take up, even in the depths of boredom. Besides, where would they get the yarn for it?
Ulquiorra snorts lightly at the question, figuring it should be obvious enough. "Restless we may be, but that does not mean we are all idle, woman," he says, keeping his gaze ahead, his steps even. There's a notable absence of reiatsu from the other arrancar here, or at least nothing that would be cause for concern for faintness in proximity, but likely they are all elsewhere in the fortress.
"What I do is none of your concern." He answers, if vaguely. Does Orihime truly expect anything more of him, though?
Expect, no. But hope, yes! Once again, the conversation hits a brick wall. Darn it! What could she talk to him about, then? What would he actually like talking about that wouldn't make her feel creepy or sad? "Sorry. I just wanted to talk," she admits, bowing her head again in seeming submissiveness. Whether or not she truly feels it is anyone's guess.
"...I suppose that is understandable," he comments with hardly two seconds spacing her words and his. "It's a wonder you humans don't die from simple overuse of oxygen for your love of conversation." Ulquiorra pauses for a moment, turning his head slightly to eye a crack in the wall, apparently yet to be fixed, and one of many that probably litter the walls and steps here and there within Las Noches. He remembers what had led to the result of this one, as he can remember each incident for all the scars borne of a certain Quinta Espada's ill temperament.
Orihime blinks, somewhat surprised by the statement. But...wasn't he human once, too? Doesn't he remember what it was like, and how nice it could be to just sit and talk with someone to know them better?
Hrm. Orihime pushes her thumb to her lip and glances away thoughtfully. Maybe he was lonely as a human and didn't have anyone at all to talk to. It would explain his reticence. Who would she be, then, to criticize him for his remark. "I'm sturdier than that..." she murmurs absently, also looking at a crack in curiosity.
His former life has long been pushed away, sealed behind doors long rusted shut for the wear of being a hollow, and then to have evolved from mindless violence and devouring of souls... into something once again with a mentality for reasoning... It's not something he allows himself to think about for very long, if and when it does come up. Ulquiorra finally turns away from the wall to resume his pace down the long corridor.
"Endurance for words wasted is hardly anything to keep you alive here. Know that you yet breathe only because Aizen-sama has use for you. The others are not allowed to do a thing to you- unless you act out first." The half-helmeted Espada looks back at her then, green eyes punctuating that point. On they walk until they reach another turn in the hall.
Another turn. She wonders if they're making a square? If that's the case, then the walk is halfway over by now. "I know," she replies quietly. Maybe she shouldn't bother trying to talk with him; it's just making her feel depressed. It's not exactly happy times, knowing that Aizen means to use her for some purpose, presumably that of going against her friends. For now, however, there's little she can do but observe and keep her head down so as not to attract trouble.
She's a bit surprised that they haven't encountered any others as of yet, but then again, maybe Ulquiorra knew the halls would be empty and, therefore, safe. She probably wouldn't have been allowed to leave the room if there were others lingering about.
The halls had been manipulated especially for the outing- not that Ulquiorra thinks the girl will dare to try going anywhere on her own. One hall may as well be another for the lack of differences in them, but that there have been no other walls marred with a large crack, it is safe to assume they haven't been going down the same hall more than once.
The girl's silence is something that Ulquiorra notes, and not without some satisfaction. He doesn't think that it's enough to have completely dampened her spirits, however. In fact, he would be quite disappointed if Orihime allowed such a thing to do so, after so long. Then again, perhaps it could just be the final straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. He does not say anything further, continuing to lead the way that will eventually return to the hall of her quarters.
Orihime holds her silence for a long while. Her fingers graze over the wall, as though to seek out anything really interesting like a secret passage or a hidden touch-panel. LIFE IS A DISAPPOINTMENT! She finds neither, and is only aware of the sound of their footsteps upon the ground. The silence is much harder to cope with when she KNOWS someone is there, but they're just not willing to voice anything.
Orihime holds in her sigh. She shouldn't complain. At least she got to leave her room for a little while. "Do Arrancar sleep?" she asks out of the blue, holding her hands in front of her.
Case in point.
Ulquiorra does not wince, but although his back is to her that she wouldn't be able to see it, he glances out of the corner of his eye towards her as she dares speak up again. What is it, amusement? Irritation? He does not dwell on the matter. "....some choose to. Others find better things to do with their time." Sleep isn't a necessity for souls, but perhaps the practice of it is something not completely shed from their previous lives, or in the cases of some Espada, a thing adhered to their personality.
"Oh, I see..." No need to ask if Ulquiorra sleeps, then. The disdainful choice of words indicates that he doesn't see any merit in it. She'd wondered, since her room had a couch rather than a bed. And if all rooms were like that, well...
She tips her head up, realizing she hadn't yet examined the ceiling for anything usual. All she finds is monochrome disappointment. "What about eating, or drinking? I'm not the only one who eats, am I?"
"You should be familiar with Hollows to know what the answer should be," he replies, and it's hard to tell whether all the questions are trying his patience or not. Then again, this is Ulquiorra, whereas if Orihime had deigned to ask someone like Nnoitra or Grimmjow she likely wouldn't even be standing where she was. "...Aizen-sama occasionally prepares tea." This additional reply comes after some consideration. "Aside from that, you are the only one that really partakes of any substantial nourishment."
Orihime seems surprised by the answer. "I guess...well you aren't exactly a Hollow anymore, so I wondered. The Vizard eat a /lot/, so I thought maybe it was the same for the other method." She isn't sure why she's explaining. Maybe it's just borne of a need not to appear stupid to him.
Of course, this opens up a whole bunch of question-doors. Orihime considers asking him if she could ask some more questions, but either he'll say no (which is BAD END), or he'll write off such a request as more pointless chatter when she could just cut straight to the chase (NOT SO GOOD END). "Who cooks it?" she asks, regarding him curiously. "I didn't know Hollows knew how to cook. Or is it just picked up at a convenience store in town when no one is looking?" Somehow, the thought of eating stolen food is kind of exciting!
"Vizard..." Ulquiorra murmurs the word under his breath, but says nothing more on it, not giving any definite hint as to whether it is a term he is familiar with or not. He continues on for another several steps before he even considers answering the girl's question. Or maybe he's considering not answering them.
"...Aizen-sama has some of the lesser arrancar prepare it for you. I don't make it my business to do much more than see that it reaches you, and if you're concerned about being poisoned, note that the arrancar under Aizen-sama's employ are not so foolish as to do anything that would gain them his wrath." Especially those in lower a position than even the Fraccíon.
"Poisoned? Oh, no, I wasn't worried about that!" she exclaims hastily. There are much less complex ways to kill her, she doesn't think that kind of method would be employed. Not by a Hollow, anyway. They pretty much thrive off of violence. "I was just curious is all. Does that mean you have a kitchen?" The way she turns her head would probably indicate that she's searching for its location. It's been so long since she cooked something. It's highly unlikely that they'd ever allow such a thing, but to mess around with Hollow-obtained ingredients would certainly be interesting. Orihime lays her fingertips together, glancing left and right, as though this kitchen might be trying to hide.
Humoring her by responding to her questions only prove to prompt more. When it becomes evident that the girl isn't going to shut up, Ulquiorra decides perhaps he should do so instead, and maybe then the girl would get the idea. They come to yet another turn in the hall, and even then, the half-helmeted Espada says nothing. What point would it make if he does or not? Whether they have a kitchen or whether they don't, the girl won't get the chance to see it. She's not a guest here, she's their prisoner. Hardly should she forget such an important detail.
Not even a nod...? Orihime begins to lag, still waiting for a response. When it becomes clear there isn't going to be one, she walks forward once again. That's a third turn...so only one more until they reach her room again. She doesn't really want it to be over, but at least he was gracious enough to grant her this time.
~I wonder why he doesn't say much. Am I irritating to him? Does talking hurt the hole in his throat? Maybe I'm boring...~ It's the last one that causes the most distress. Then again, being boring in this place isn't necessarily a bad thing if drawing attention is likely to get her eaten.
It's strange how tense the silence has become. Ulquiorra knows Orihime probably has loads more to ask and say, but perhaps she is finally learning. He wonders just how long that will last. This continues for a good minute more, this heavy silence. Once they reach halfway down the hall, he stops, the long tails of his coat settling around the wide legs of his hakama. The dark-haired Espada turns his head to glance over his shoulder at the girl, the first time he's looked at her directly ever since they'd left the room for their impromptu walk.
The importance of this sudden appraisal goes unnoticed. Orihime's looking at the floor, her eyes searching the carpet as she sorts through her thoughts and questions. Her mind never was satisfied to retain a blank spot of any sort, and if she doesn't know the answers, then her brain will just have to make up its own to satisfy her undying curiosity.
Suddenly she can't walk forward anymore. Orihime blinks, taking a step back in surprise. That was no wall; while Ulquiorra isn't exactly soft or yielding, there's a big difference between running into a person and running into plaster. And to her even greater surprise, she notes that he's looking straight at her. Probably has been for a while. They're stopping?
Her lips part, shaped to form a question before she restrains herself and examines the hallway around them more sharply. No sense asking a question if the answer is readily apparent. But...she doesn't see anything that might elicit a pause, nor does she feel any unusually strong reiatsu outside of Ulquiorra's. "Um...sorry..." she gives his shoulder a pat as though to erase any wrinkles she might have caused. Just one, though. He doesn't look like the sort who wants to be touched. "Is something the matter?"
"....." Nothing. His green eyes lock on hers for all of several seconds, not a twitch nor a flinch in regards to her inability to halt in time. He is mildly surprised at the gesture by her, so absent as it is done out of reflex that he isn't quite sure what to think of it. The arch of his brow is subtle as he continues to look at her, but he does not turn away until another moment later, slow and as though nothing has happened. The silence has been broken, and by watching her alone Ulquiorra has been able to note that she's hardly let her guard down completely. No, never one to give everything up. What does she hope for, though? Pity? Praise? Acceptance or release? They are questions he does not overly concern himself with. What matters in the end is that things go as Aizen plans.
Did he just...? Orihime's eyes widen faintly. He did! He /did/! HIS EYEBROW TOTALLY ARCHED! Even if it was just for a moment, and very very faintly done, she saw it. And while it's awfully tempting to see if she could elicit anything further, Orihime's not an idiot. Surprise was only registered because he wasn't expecting it. He might very well grab her by the throat and give her a vigorous shake if she tried that again all for the sake of satisfying curiosity.
Orihime shivers, her fingers subconsciously brushing over her throat once he turns away. What warranted that look, though? Was it because she'd been so quiet? Was he actually worried for her? ...No, that couldn't be right. He's not walking forward, though. Just looking away. "Ahhhhm...nothing's wrong, then?" she asks, tugging at the ends of a lock of hair somewhat uneasily. Maybe he doesn't want to go back just yet either.
It's like hitting a reset button, and there she is again. Apparently satisfied with whatever reason it had been that he'd halted, Ulquiorra resumes his walk down the white hall. Once again he refrains from saying anything, not that he thinks there is anything to be said. To indulge the girl in an answer would be opening the door for conversation again. Just one more turn should put them back down the corridor to her room, unless Gin is being funny with the controls again.
How confusing! Normally Orihime's the one who baffles everybody. Ulquiorra is a completely different kind of enigma. It still feels like he was checking up on her somehow. Maybe she'd been so quiet, he was concerned that she'd tried to sneak off, or run away. She wouldn't, even if the opportunity presented herself. Just where was she supposed to go if that happened? There was no magic door back to the world of the living; she was stuck here as long as they decided to keep her.
She heaves a quiet sigh, her boots making soft whisks over the carpet as she trails along behind Ulquiorra once again. She still wants to know why he looked at her like that, and for such a long time too.
She'll have to remain wondering because the Espada isn't going to indulge her with an explanation any time soon, if ever. The end of the hall is in sight, and soon they will round it in and be heading towards the door to Orihime's prison. He can already sense the approach of the usual arrancar servant, right on time too. This means that the connections to the halls have been restored, and once they return to her room, the girl will be given her dinner. Hopefully the walk will have built up at least some small amount of an appetite that she won't make a fuss about having to eat again.
Orihime's footsteps subconsciously begin to drag. The room again... If the furniture weren't so abnormally large and heavy, she'd rearrange everything just to effect some sort of change. A girl can only take so much monotony before it becomes overwhelming. Thankfully for Ulquiorra and herself, the walk through the corridors will probably be enough to keep her from getting restless for a few days at the very least, maybe moreso if dinner isn't bland.
Her gaze strays to the back of Ulquiorra's head once more. It feels weird to be walking behind someone like this, rather than at their side. But that usually signifies some sort of emotional connection, and that's not something they seem to have.
Emotions are things he's apparently discarded with his mask, and the only real emotions that any of the Hollows or Arrancar seem to possess are of rage and hatred. Negative things. It's what lies at the core of their becoming a Hollow in the first place.
Ulquiorra looks down the hall as they make their final approach towards Orihime's room, his head canting but the slightest of angles in acknowledgment to the arrancar bearing the dinner cart. Once they come to the girl's door, the Espada stops and turns to face it, pushing it open easily. He then looks towards Orihime again, expectantly.
Orihime's head turns to look at the room for a moment, then back to Ulquiorra. So. This is it. If she thought it might actually get a laugh, she'd make an end-of-date joke right about now. No sense playing to an audience that hates listening to you talk, though, is there? So, instead she just inclines her head. "Thank you again for the walk. It was a nice change."
It seems clear that he's not about to follow her in. Or maybe he was? He could have suspected that she might lock the door after him and take off running and laughing if he went in first. ...At least her imagination is starting to fire up with entertaining pictures again! She'll laugh about it after he leaves. Maybe.
She certainly takes her sweet time, but then Ulquiorra supposes it is because she's once again expected to stay in confinement. At least she's not stupid to try being anything more than polite, and for that the Espada nods his head at her, a gesture that is obviously done because it is expected of him, no change in the coolness of his gaze nor the set expression of his black-rimmed lips.
Orihime would be right to guess that Ulquiorra will not follow her in. The arrancar will wheel in the cart for her and no direction will be given since the girl knows what is expected of her by now. Her company will not linger long, and Ulquiorra remains by the door until that task is done, a final glance directed Orihime's way before he closes the door.
Orihime eats the Hot Pockets in solitude.
Characters: Orihime, Ulquiorra
Summary: Orihime is given a chance to leave the room, if but for a brief walk.
Life in Hueco Mundo...is..........dull. Orihime supposes that's because she's the only one here who's actually alive. Should the statement be amended to 'death in Hueco Mundo is dull'? It doesn't really matter.
She's lost track of the days, seeing nothing but that same moon high in the sky, unchanging, the square of barred light forever stationary upon her floor. It's something to look at, she supposes, and she does sort of like having a little brightness around her.
At first she'd tried daydreaming to pass the time, but in the end, all it did was make her sad. There were too many remembrances of those she'd left behind...those she'd never see again.
Orihime sighs. Not for the first time, not for the last. It's a little eerie, she thinks to herself, that she actually finds herself looking forward to Ulquiorra's brief, if rather silent, visits. At least it's a change in routine, and if she's really lucky, he'll have something to say. She's pretty starved for conversation, and as long as it isn't coming from a certain cutlery-loving Espada, anything will do. Even if it's just to be told 'WOMAN EAT YOUR FOOD.'
And so that time comes around again, and who's to say whether or not Ulquiorra has grown tired of the same routine day after day- or is it night after night? None can tell by the lack of real expressions on the pale face that might as well be chiseled from stone with eyes of icy emerald to match.
The knock comes, that brief introduction to his usual words of greeting: "I'm entering." The tall, white door opens then to admit the much smaller Espada, his hand sliding back into pocket, having completed its duty for the time-being. His coattails flap lazily at his heels as he crosses the threshold, entering the room. Green eyes do not even bother to glance around, already knowing there is nothing more to see that his senses have not already scanned and verified all to be the same, if not dull, order. Instead, his gaze locks upon the girl, the only addition of color to the room for her hair and her fair skin, as if the whites trimmed in black that they have provided for her to wear struggle a nightly battle in trying to win her over to the monochromatic scheme of things and fail.
"......" It's actually a little earlier than when he usually comes by to announce the girl's meal, but with the lack of clocks and the ever stationary moon hanging in the eternal night sky, who can tell?
Oh! Orihime blinks, turning her head away from the moon to regard the Espada just as pale and cold. He's knocking now, she notices. Probably because he got tired of Orihime getting startled when he just spoke up while she was busy staring blankly up and out of the window.
He's early, too. Who knows how Orihime can tell, she just can.
"Ulquiorra-san...?" She tips to the side for a glimpse of the hallway beyond him, possibly looking for the meal-cart and whichever Arrancar he drafted to wheel it in. It's more the hallway beyond that holds her interest than anything else, though she's quite aware there's no freedom down that way. Just Hollows that might like to eat her. "...How was your day?" Might as well try something new.
If he cared to, he would probably scoff at the question. There really is nothing worth answering, for the days are just as slow outside of this room as they could possibly be within. It all depends on the residents of Las Noches, how ill the temperament of the more belligerent tended to be at the time and whose paths they crossed. They have been wise in keeping to themselves or taking their restlessness outside of the white walls for fear of their master's disapproval, but even Aizen has been aware of the ever present bloodlust of his children. Ulquiorra just tends to keep himself in check better than his brethren.
"...." The question is pointedly ignored, his eyes sliding to the side as far back as he can glance without having to turn his head, but he knows what Orihime seeks and can practically sense her curiosity for what lies beyond the doors. There really isn't much else to be seen, but then anything might seem preferable to being locked away in the same room forever. "...come. We'll take a walk." As usual it's not a request or an inquiry. The half-helmed Espada turns to walk back towards the doorway, coattails floating behind him, fully expecting to be followed by the girl.
No answer... Orihime's hopeful expression falters, and her eyes once more seek the rug upon which she stands. Well, she hadn't really expected him to talk much. In fact, that probably would have surprised her greatly. But even so, she /had/ hoped...
...Wait, what? Orihime lifts her head sharply, her eyes widening. "You...you mean...?" She looks from Ulquiorra to the hall, then back again. Immediately she darts forward to catch up to Ulquiorra, as though she were afraid he might decide to change his mind and shut the door in her face should she hesitate for too long. A walk! Now she knows how her friend's dog feels. That's a little embarrassing to think about (especially considering how Nnoitra continually refers to her as the 'pet'), but just the same! Walking! Being not in the room! She can scarcely contain her excitement, but contain it she does, clasping her hands politely in front of her. "Th--thank you, Ulquiorra-san!"
There's no response to that, only a brief glance cast over his shoulder before he passes through the doorway. It's given but a light nudge to have it begin to close after her, and already Ulquiorra continues down the hallway. "Don't fall behind. I won't be responsible if you get lost or run into one of the others." The halls are as plain and white as they have always been, but it's at least a slight change of scenery and certainly more spacious.
"I won't!" Orihime promises. Unless he decides to use his sonido to lose her, of course, but she doesn't think he'd do that to her. One of the others, maybe. But he takes his job too seriously to play such a mean trick, particularly where it might leave her in danger.
It's not easy trying to remain poised and dignified as they walk. Her eyes move to take in every detail, absorbing it into her memory. Every now and again her curiosity takes control and she turns her head, half-expecting to see something unusual, but in the end it's just a figment of a bored and restless imagination.
When it becomes clear that there's nothing fascinating in the hall, Orihime glances up at Ulquiorra as subtly as she can out of the corner of her eye from beneath her lashes. She's not entirely sure why he allowed her this kindness. She'd LIKE to know, but supposing he found the question distasteful? He might never allow it again. And it just feels so /good/ to finally stretch her legs and walk without having to turn to accommodate for furniture and walls...!
A prisoner is a prisoner, and the walls of her cell are only further extended in this case. Her room is her safe haven, this much Orihime is likely aware of. It would be unthinkable for her to be allowed to wander about Las Noches alone, and for what trouble would they have gone to bring her here if the but let her be mauled by the other arrancar that dwelled these halls?
"Don't get used to this. It is merely to ensure that you don't wither away in a single room." Ulquiorra doesn't look back as he speaks, his voice carrying just loud enough to be heard by the girl that follows him. "You are to go with no one else, but then no one else is supposed to take you from your room, regardless." He pauses, as though considering. "...unless of course, it is Aizen-sama or one of the other two." The shinigami traitors, perhaps.
They eventually come to the end of the hall, and Ulquiorra turns to head down the right corridor that it branches into.
Orihime nods. She's not entirely sure she'd feel safe with anyone else. They're all fairly scary, and if it weren't for Ulquiorra's calm, measured tones that border on a complete void of emotions, she'd be frightened of walking about with him as well.
Ah, the end of the corridor. Orihime's steps slow for a moment, hoping they won't just stop and turn back now that they'd walked the equivalent of several blocks. To her relief, they turn instead, and gazes ahead eagerly for signs of something new, even if it's just a black and white tapestry she'd never seen before.
Again her gaze strays to Ulquiorra. How did he know? She didn't think she showed any outward indication of her quiet melancholic decline. Maybe those eyes see much deeper than she knows. "...I'm grateful," she admits after a moment. "I think I really needed this." She doesn't smile, since that seems somehow sacreligious around Ulquiorra. But her gratitude is sincere enough.
As usual, her words are met with silence. A pensive silence, as even though Ulquiorra remains silent, his mind is always working.
Even now, even after being imprisoned here for so long, she still remains the same as she has been. Her will is unbroken. A strong woman, this human girl...
"Even we who are not restricted to a single room are restless. This is only a small courtesy offered you." It's still within the walls, but it's as much a taste of freedom as the girl has had for the time she's been here. The hall that stretches before them is nothing unlike the hall they'd just gone down. It's no wonder Yammy gets lost, but then that may also be due to mischievous controllers at the hall panel consoles.
Whoa. They're actually /conversing/. Orihime would remark on that, if she didn't think it would somehow irk him into silence forever. Being as he's the only one who would talk to her, Orihime doesn't want to risk losing that.
"Then...what do you do when you're not looking after me?" Orihime ventures. She's fairly certain that he's engaged on missions to and from the living world, observing things here and there as that seems to be his specialty. But then again, who knows?
Perhaps he enjoys knitting.
It's the closest thing to a smile Orihime's had since she came here, the corners of her mouth twitching imperceptibly. Oh she /does/ wish he'd say 'knitting'!
Knitting is hardly something an arrancar, much less an Espada, would ever dare to take up, even in the depths of boredom. Besides, where would they get the yarn for it?
Ulquiorra snorts lightly at the question, figuring it should be obvious enough. "Restless we may be, but that does not mean we are all idle, woman," he says, keeping his gaze ahead, his steps even. There's a notable absence of reiatsu from the other arrancar here, or at least nothing that would be cause for concern for faintness in proximity, but likely they are all elsewhere in the fortress.
"What I do is none of your concern." He answers, if vaguely. Does Orihime truly expect anything more of him, though?
Expect, no. But hope, yes! Once again, the conversation hits a brick wall. Darn it! What could she talk to him about, then? What would he actually like talking about that wouldn't make her feel creepy or sad? "Sorry. I just wanted to talk," she admits, bowing her head again in seeming submissiveness. Whether or not she truly feels it is anyone's guess.
"...I suppose that is understandable," he comments with hardly two seconds spacing her words and his. "It's a wonder you humans don't die from simple overuse of oxygen for your love of conversation." Ulquiorra pauses for a moment, turning his head slightly to eye a crack in the wall, apparently yet to be fixed, and one of many that probably litter the walls and steps here and there within Las Noches. He remembers what had led to the result of this one, as he can remember each incident for all the scars borne of a certain Quinta Espada's ill temperament.
Orihime blinks, somewhat surprised by the statement. But...wasn't he human once, too? Doesn't he remember what it was like, and how nice it could be to just sit and talk with someone to know them better?
Hrm. Orihime pushes her thumb to her lip and glances away thoughtfully. Maybe he was lonely as a human and didn't have anyone at all to talk to. It would explain his reticence. Who would she be, then, to criticize him for his remark. "I'm sturdier than that..." she murmurs absently, also looking at a crack in curiosity.
His former life has long been pushed away, sealed behind doors long rusted shut for the wear of being a hollow, and then to have evolved from mindless violence and devouring of souls... into something once again with a mentality for reasoning... It's not something he allows himself to think about for very long, if and when it does come up. Ulquiorra finally turns away from the wall to resume his pace down the long corridor.
"Endurance for words wasted is hardly anything to keep you alive here. Know that you yet breathe only because Aizen-sama has use for you. The others are not allowed to do a thing to you- unless you act out first." The half-helmeted Espada looks back at her then, green eyes punctuating that point. On they walk until they reach another turn in the hall.
Another turn. She wonders if they're making a square? If that's the case, then the walk is halfway over by now. "I know," she replies quietly. Maybe she shouldn't bother trying to talk with him; it's just making her feel depressed. It's not exactly happy times, knowing that Aizen means to use her for some purpose, presumably that of going against her friends. For now, however, there's little she can do but observe and keep her head down so as not to attract trouble.
She's a bit surprised that they haven't encountered any others as of yet, but then again, maybe Ulquiorra knew the halls would be empty and, therefore, safe. She probably wouldn't have been allowed to leave the room if there were others lingering about.
The halls had been manipulated especially for the outing- not that Ulquiorra thinks the girl will dare to try going anywhere on her own. One hall may as well be another for the lack of differences in them, but that there have been no other walls marred with a large crack, it is safe to assume they haven't been going down the same hall more than once.
The girl's silence is something that Ulquiorra notes, and not without some satisfaction. He doesn't think that it's enough to have completely dampened her spirits, however. In fact, he would be quite disappointed if Orihime allowed such a thing to do so, after so long. Then again, perhaps it could just be the final straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. He does not say anything further, continuing to lead the way that will eventually return to the hall of her quarters.
Orihime holds her silence for a long while. Her fingers graze over the wall, as though to seek out anything really interesting like a secret passage or a hidden touch-panel. LIFE IS A DISAPPOINTMENT! She finds neither, and is only aware of the sound of their footsteps upon the ground. The silence is much harder to cope with when she KNOWS someone is there, but they're just not willing to voice anything.
Orihime holds in her sigh. She shouldn't complain. At least she got to leave her room for a little while. "Do Arrancar sleep?" she asks out of the blue, holding her hands in front of her.
Case in point.
Ulquiorra does not wince, but although his back is to her that she wouldn't be able to see it, he glances out of the corner of his eye towards her as she dares speak up again. What is it, amusement? Irritation? He does not dwell on the matter. "....some choose to. Others find better things to do with their time." Sleep isn't a necessity for souls, but perhaps the practice of it is something not completely shed from their previous lives, or in the cases of some Espada, a thing adhered to their personality.
"Oh, I see..." No need to ask if Ulquiorra sleeps, then. The disdainful choice of words indicates that he doesn't see any merit in it. She'd wondered, since her room had a couch rather than a bed. And if all rooms were like that, well...
She tips her head up, realizing she hadn't yet examined the ceiling for anything usual. All she finds is monochrome disappointment. "What about eating, or drinking? I'm not the only one who eats, am I?"
"You should be familiar with Hollows to know what the answer should be," he replies, and it's hard to tell whether all the questions are trying his patience or not. Then again, this is Ulquiorra, whereas if Orihime had deigned to ask someone like Nnoitra or Grimmjow she likely wouldn't even be standing where she was. "...Aizen-sama occasionally prepares tea." This additional reply comes after some consideration. "Aside from that, you are the only one that really partakes of any substantial nourishment."
Orihime seems surprised by the answer. "I guess...well you aren't exactly a Hollow anymore, so I wondered. The Vizard eat a /lot/, so I thought maybe it was the same for the other method." She isn't sure why she's explaining. Maybe it's just borne of a need not to appear stupid to him.
Of course, this opens up a whole bunch of question-doors. Orihime considers asking him if she could ask some more questions, but either he'll say no (which is BAD END), or he'll write off such a request as more pointless chatter when she could just cut straight to the chase (NOT SO GOOD END). "Who cooks it?" she asks, regarding him curiously. "I didn't know Hollows knew how to cook. Or is it just picked up at a convenience store in town when no one is looking?" Somehow, the thought of eating stolen food is kind of exciting!
"Vizard..." Ulquiorra murmurs the word under his breath, but says nothing more on it, not giving any definite hint as to whether it is a term he is familiar with or not. He continues on for another several steps before he even considers answering the girl's question. Or maybe he's considering not answering them.
"...Aizen-sama has some of the lesser arrancar prepare it for you. I don't make it my business to do much more than see that it reaches you, and if you're concerned about being poisoned, note that the arrancar under Aizen-sama's employ are not so foolish as to do anything that would gain them his wrath." Especially those in lower a position than even the Fraccíon.
"Poisoned? Oh, no, I wasn't worried about that!" she exclaims hastily. There are much less complex ways to kill her, she doesn't think that kind of method would be employed. Not by a Hollow, anyway. They pretty much thrive off of violence. "I was just curious is all. Does that mean you have a kitchen?" The way she turns her head would probably indicate that she's searching for its location. It's been so long since she cooked something. It's highly unlikely that they'd ever allow such a thing, but to mess around with Hollow-obtained ingredients would certainly be interesting. Orihime lays her fingertips together, glancing left and right, as though this kitchen might be trying to hide.
Humoring her by responding to her questions only prove to prompt more. When it becomes evident that the girl isn't going to shut up, Ulquiorra decides perhaps he should do so instead, and maybe then the girl would get the idea. They come to yet another turn in the hall, and even then, the half-helmeted Espada says nothing. What point would it make if he does or not? Whether they have a kitchen or whether they don't, the girl won't get the chance to see it. She's not a guest here, she's their prisoner. Hardly should she forget such an important detail.
Not even a nod...? Orihime begins to lag, still waiting for a response. When it becomes clear there isn't going to be one, she walks forward once again. That's a third turn...so only one more until they reach her room again. She doesn't really want it to be over, but at least he was gracious enough to grant her this time.
~I wonder why he doesn't say much. Am I irritating to him? Does talking hurt the hole in his throat? Maybe I'm boring...~ It's the last one that causes the most distress. Then again, being boring in this place isn't necessarily a bad thing if drawing attention is likely to get her eaten.
It's strange how tense the silence has become. Ulquiorra knows Orihime probably has loads more to ask and say, but perhaps she is finally learning. He wonders just how long that will last. This continues for a good minute more, this heavy silence. Once they reach halfway down the hall, he stops, the long tails of his coat settling around the wide legs of his hakama. The dark-haired Espada turns his head to glance over his shoulder at the girl, the first time he's looked at her directly ever since they'd left the room for their impromptu walk.
The importance of this sudden appraisal goes unnoticed. Orihime's looking at the floor, her eyes searching the carpet as she sorts through her thoughts and questions. Her mind never was satisfied to retain a blank spot of any sort, and if she doesn't know the answers, then her brain will just have to make up its own to satisfy her undying curiosity.
Suddenly she can't walk forward anymore. Orihime blinks, taking a step back in surprise. That was no wall; while Ulquiorra isn't exactly soft or yielding, there's a big difference between running into a person and running into plaster. And to her even greater surprise, she notes that he's looking straight at her. Probably has been for a while. They're stopping?
Her lips part, shaped to form a question before she restrains herself and examines the hallway around them more sharply. No sense asking a question if the answer is readily apparent. But...she doesn't see anything that might elicit a pause, nor does she feel any unusually strong reiatsu outside of Ulquiorra's. "Um...sorry..." she gives his shoulder a pat as though to erase any wrinkles she might have caused. Just one, though. He doesn't look like the sort who wants to be touched. "Is something the matter?"
"....." Nothing. His green eyes lock on hers for all of several seconds, not a twitch nor a flinch in regards to her inability to halt in time. He is mildly surprised at the gesture by her, so absent as it is done out of reflex that he isn't quite sure what to think of it. The arch of his brow is subtle as he continues to look at her, but he does not turn away until another moment later, slow and as though nothing has happened. The silence has been broken, and by watching her alone Ulquiorra has been able to note that she's hardly let her guard down completely. No, never one to give everything up. What does she hope for, though? Pity? Praise? Acceptance or release? They are questions he does not overly concern himself with. What matters in the end is that things go as Aizen plans.
Did he just...? Orihime's eyes widen faintly. He did! He /did/! HIS EYEBROW TOTALLY ARCHED! Even if it was just for a moment, and very very faintly done, she saw it. And while it's awfully tempting to see if she could elicit anything further, Orihime's not an idiot. Surprise was only registered because he wasn't expecting it. He might very well grab her by the throat and give her a vigorous shake if she tried that again all for the sake of satisfying curiosity.
Orihime shivers, her fingers subconsciously brushing over her throat once he turns away. What warranted that look, though? Was it because she'd been so quiet? Was he actually worried for her? ...No, that couldn't be right. He's not walking forward, though. Just looking away. "Ahhhhm...nothing's wrong, then?" she asks, tugging at the ends of a lock of hair somewhat uneasily. Maybe he doesn't want to go back just yet either.
It's like hitting a reset button, and there she is again. Apparently satisfied with whatever reason it had been that he'd halted, Ulquiorra resumes his walk down the white hall. Once again he refrains from saying anything, not that he thinks there is anything to be said. To indulge the girl in an answer would be opening the door for conversation again. Just one more turn should put them back down the corridor to her room, unless Gin is being funny with the controls again.
How confusing! Normally Orihime's the one who baffles everybody. Ulquiorra is a completely different kind of enigma. It still feels like he was checking up on her somehow. Maybe she'd been so quiet, he was concerned that she'd tried to sneak off, or run away. She wouldn't, even if the opportunity presented herself. Just where was she supposed to go if that happened? There was no magic door back to the world of the living; she was stuck here as long as they decided to keep her.
She heaves a quiet sigh, her boots making soft whisks over the carpet as she trails along behind Ulquiorra once again. She still wants to know why he looked at her like that, and for such a long time too.
She'll have to remain wondering because the Espada isn't going to indulge her with an explanation any time soon, if ever. The end of the hall is in sight, and soon they will round it in and be heading towards the door to Orihime's prison. He can already sense the approach of the usual arrancar servant, right on time too. This means that the connections to the halls have been restored, and once they return to her room, the girl will be given her dinner. Hopefully the walk will have built up at least some small amount of an appetite that she won't make a fuss about having to eat again.
Orihime's footsteps subconsciously begin to drag. The room again... If the furniture weren't so abnormally large and heavy, she'd rearrange everything just to effect some sort of change. A girl can only take so much monotony before it becomes overwhelming. Thankfully for Ulquiorra and herself, the walk through the corridors will probably be enough to keep her from getting restless for a few days at the very least, maybe moreso if dinner isn't bland.
Her gaze strays to the back of Ulquiorra's head once more. It feels weird to be walking behind someone like this, rather than at their side. But that usually signifies some sort of emotional connection, and that's not something they seem to have.
Emotions are things he's apparently discarded with his mask, and the only real emotions that any of the Hollows or Arrancar seem to possess are of rage and hatred. Negative things. It's what lies at the core of their becoming a Hollow in the first place.
Ulquiorra looks down the hall as they make their final approach towards Orihime's room, his head canting but the slightest of angles in acknowledgment to the arrancar bearing the dinner cart. Once they come to the girl's door, the Espada stops and turns to face it, pushing it open easily. He then looks towards Orihime again, expectantly.
Orihime's head turns to look at the room for a moment, then back to Ulquiorra. So. This is it. If she thought it might actually get a laugh, she'd make an end-of-date joke right about now. No sense playing to an audience that hates listening to you talk, though, is there? So, instead she just inclines her head. "Thank you again for the walk. It was a nice change."
It seems clear that he's not about to follow her in. Or maybe he was? He could have suspected that she might lock the door after him and take off running and laughing if he went in first. ...At least her imagination is starting to fire up with entertaining pictures again! She'll laugh about it after he leaves. Maybe.
She certainly takes her sweet time, but then Ulquiorra supposes it is because she's once again expected to stay in confinement. At least she's not stupid to try being anything more than polite, and for that the Espada nods his head at her, a gesture that is obviously done because it is expected of him, no change in the coolness of his gaze nor the set expression of his black-rimmed lips.
Orihime would be right to guess that Ulquiorra will not follow her in. The arrancar will wheel in the cart for her and no direction will be given since the girl knows what is expected of her by now. Her company will not linger long, and Ulquiorra remains by the door until that task is done, a final glance directed Orihime's way before he closes the door.
Orihime eats the Hot Pockets in solitude.