Cave's of Wonder

Altria surveyed entrance to subterranean cave for hundredth time, lingering right at the outskirt. Having arrived all ready and rearing to go her bravado deflated considerably seeing imposing entrance into the cave complex. 'You have to go in! It's Loki that's gone missing! Stop being such a scaredy-cat, what would Shiro think!One solo mission, to find missing nakama none less and you're wasting time!' Telling herself this for hundredth time didn't help any; heart beating in her throat she was still too scared to take one step in. 'Maybe I could wait a little and see if anyone else comes...' Altria knew it was a cowardly thought but she loathed to go inside alone, dark and creepy places simply freaked her out.

However her mind quickly changed when loud snarl and number of howls sounded from one of nearby sand dunes. Head whipping in that direction she could just spot number of somethings approaching, and they looked anything but something one wanted to meet under best of circumstances. "Eeep!!!" Giving frightened squeak Altria dashed into the cave without further ado. Running down the tunnel until light of entrances faded away, only then she allowed herself to slow down. Drawing flashlight with shaking fingers she turned it on, clutching close like a shield. Hearing something moving behind herself she dashed further down the tunnel.

~Somewhere in the Cave~
Miyuu was lost, truly and well lost in the sprawling maze of caverns. She came to investigate out of pure curiosity, wishing to learn their secrets. Instead, here she was; wandering for who knew how many hours now without clue to location of exit. Alert ears flicking in vain attempts to pick up some clues to way out she uttered heavy sigh. It was dark, though to her enchanted sight that was no problem, but it was also damp in this section of cavern and she disliked getting wet. Deciding on break Miyuu plopped down on dry-er patch of ground, wrapping tail around herself.

Wondering around the cavern Saeth stumbled back when someone run right into him. "Nuh??" Throwing his wings open to catch balance and remain standing his gaze fell on the person, silver eyes glowing in the dark. It was a girl, a shinigami girl...one he's seen before. 'This is..Altria was her name I believe? Yes,yes,I've seen her in that strange negative dimension place...Hn,hn,how fortunate to be meeting here with such interesting person. Time to have some fun,hnnn.' Lips lifting into charming smile he stepped closer. "Why hello there. Are you alright, fair mademoiselle?"

Armand was not in the best of moods. He was trekking through dark and damp cave maze, looking for that fool Saeth.He's warned him not to go blundering in but did the bat listen? Nooo, he just had to go in and get lost. Uttering sigh of frustration he picked up speed, sonido-ing down the tunnel.Not noticing someone sitting on the floor in his annoyed huff Armand tripped over person's legs, going tumbling to the ground in a roll and smacking against wall in heap. "#%@$$!!!!" Groaning he swore row of curses, pulling himself into sitting position, turning on whoever tripped him with scowl and angry words. "You sonovva-" Eyes widening seeing perpetrator to be someone he's come to know well years ago and haven't seen in ages his voice held disbelieve, "M-miyuu???" Silver hair, different colored eyes,it had to be her. But usual cat-like mask occupying side of her head was missing, instead he could make out cat ears and...tail? 'What the hell...?????'

"Uwaaah!!!!" Bumping into someone she backed away quickly, directing flashlight to illuminate that person hurriedly. Light showing young man, with wings, she studied his appearance carefully. 'What is he?Not a shinigami for certain...Arrancar then. But, there's something off with his spirit energy.' Taking several steps back and keeping on guard she kept wary eyes on him, one hand settling on hilt of her zanpakuto. "Hello..." Biting lower lip nervously she thought of best answer, finally settling on truth. "I'm fine. Just looking for someone." Withholding mentioning being lost Altria shifted nervously, keeping wary.

___ Somewhere deep in cave chamber ____
There was annoyingly constant insisting sound of dripping water, that's what brought him into consciousness. Opening eyes slowly Loki stared at the ceiling dotted with stalactites for a long time. 'Where?' Rubbing his head he sat up slowly, looking around. There was strange feeling of...emptiness, that he could not explain. "Where am I?" Whispered voice of confusion echoed through dark chamber. Frowning,he tried to think,to remember...but there was an empty blank.Horrible realization crept in."Wait...who am I?" Sitting in dark for long while after trying to recall anything he could not remember a thing, not even his own name. Strangely calm despite situation,feeling somehow removed from everything,Loki at last took to his feet,starting to explore the chamber.

Picking out sound of someone approaching closer she was in process of getting up when whoever it was decided to trip over her legs. Their limbs tangled and Miyuu came down with a heavy thud, right on her own tail. "Nyarrh!!!" Yelping in pain she immediately shot up, only to crash back down with stumble. Clutching throbbing tail in her hands her head whipped in direction of the offender; ready to give piece of her mind. "You clumsy oaf! Look where-" Catching sight of the person her words trailed off. "Armand?" She uttered his name at same time her own was voiced, similar disbelief coloring her tone. It was many years since she's last seen the man sitting before her now, going all the way back to her days as one of Espada. Mismatched eyes drinking in his appearance she thought he didn't change one bit. Same different colored eyes ringed with icy cool; same mask of indifference on his face that split upon recognizing her; same long blue hair that spiked out at top of his head in manner that earned him nickname 'Pineapple' from her ages ago, tamed into a long ponytail. Even his dressing manner was same, and she could make out his signature trident glinting from its place at his back. Memories of old times surged through her mind like a reel, warm feeling blooming in her chest and she smiled widely, "It is you...Armand-kun," grinning Miyuu laughed, "My Pineapple head. Is Saeth here too?" The two were always together, if Armand was here, batty himself had to be somewhere near as well. She was looking forward to seeing him already, greatly happy at this unexpected reunion, keeping drinking in Armand's appearance. At second look, he did change, appearing somehow older and more weathered.

Flashlight shining into his eyes Saeth squinted, pupils constricting into cat-like slivers of black. Noticing her hand has moved to rest on hilt of zanpakuto in defensive manner he smiled charmingly, holding his hands up in 'I mean no harm' gesture. The girl was nervous, understandably so, and he wanted to calm any fear of him she might have. A game wasn't much fun when your partner was so wary and nervous. Shifting subtly closer he spoke in calming tone, adding light sprinkle of charm his kind possessed into his voice. "In that case, may I join you, fair lady? You see, I'm quite a bit lost." Rubbing back of his head sheepishly he laughed, shrugging shoulders in gesture that translated to his wings. "I would much appreciate company in such spooky place." Taking a step closer he gently took her hand with the flashlight, turning it palm up. It felt warm and small in his bigger grasp, a fragile butterfly. Letting calming feeling transmit through skin contact, trying to make her at ease with his presence, Saeth smiled charmingly, giving a grand bow. "Saeth De La Corterra, at your service my lady." Bending over her hand he placed a light kiss on her wrist, warm lips brushing over skin. He could smell luring scent of blood pulsing through vein just under skin, a sweet smell like that of best chocolate. 'Mmm, smells so delicious I think I want a taste, but not yet.' Straightening and letting go of her arm Saeth smiled, carefully keeping his fangs concealed out of sight. "May I ask your name, fair mademoiselle?"

"Y-yeah, he's around here somewhere." Answering slowly, Armand had to shake himself from a daze. It felt unreal, seeing her after such long time, and in such appearance. Keeping staring at Miyuu for long while he suddenly propelled himself forward, enveloping her in a tight embrace. Holding her smaller body clasped close he buried face in crook of her neck, breathing in sweet, spicy scent. Just like years ago, she still smelled of wind, hot desert breeze mixed with sweet coolness of an oasis. A refreshing drink of water for one always thirsty. "I've missed you, Mew-chan," breathing words out he held her closer, not wanting to ever let go.

Strange feeling of ease settled over her as he spoke, as if it was old friend standing near and not suspiciously strange Arrancar. Looking confused as to why he took her hand to introduce himself Altria turned pink when he bent over to place a kiss, shiver going down her spine feeling his lips brushing over pulse point there, followed by feeling of being scalded with hot water; heat rising to her cheeks. Heart speeding up to hammer against her ribs Altria clutched freed arm close to her chest, murmuring her name softly. "It's Altria...Altria Mizuno." Compared to her own, his name sounded exotic, with either French or Spanish tilt, his manner of speech tilting it towards French. Looking the man over she wondered for millionth time why was it that all Arrancars were such bishonen, it simply wasn't fair.

"U-uwah!" Rocking back on her heels being suddenly glomped, she was surprised to see such open display of affection coming from him. Armand of years past was long and slow on showing any emotion at all, though that cold masked slipped when it was only three of them. Wrapping arms around him after a moment she allowed herself to be enveloped in the bear hug, brushing fingers through his hair gently. His body felt lean and strong, and cool as usual, side effect from having zanpakuto based in element of ice, but it was coolness she found pleasing. Long back, on sunny days she liked to fall asleep leaning on him, cold of his skin balancing out heat from the sun. Miyuu chuckled hearing him call her by that old nickname, invented by Saeth, and able to be used only by batty and Armand without her proceeding to dismantle your head off, though Destadi has been known to get away with it as well. "Me too, I missed you too Armand," stroking his hair she wiggled back slightly to look him in the eyes. Bright blue and deep red peered back at her, shifting one hand she lifted it to his face, brushing fingers under his eyes. There was something about different colored eyes that she always loved, perhaps because it reminded Miyuu much of her most precious person and her mismatched hues of red and amber. "How have you been all this time?" Smiling, she spoke softly, usual accent coloring her voice gone, dropped for the moment.

He leaned into her touch with content sigh, drinking up this moment and storing it into recess of memory to be treasured forever. He didn't want to let go, didn't want to speak or move. If this moment could have been frozen in ice, he would have been ever happy.

Releasing Miyuu with obvious reluctance, he kept her hand folded in his own still, maintaining that small contact. In small gestures like this, traits he absorbed from Saeth during the incident that formed his current self, showed subtly. "Living," summing up decades since their parting and myriads of events with that one simple word Armand smiled, weariness showing in his eyes. It has been a difficult time, he had no wish to delve into it now and spoil happiness of their reunion. "What of you, Miyuu? You simply disappeared one night..." His words held no accusation but sadness. Her departure was unexpected, nothing but a note stating she resigned left in fifth Espada's bedroom to explain what occurred, no excuses or explanations for the reason. Eyes drawn to the cat ears gracing her head, his brow furrowed, hand reaching to brush over the soft fur of one ear. "How did you get these? What happened to your lovely mask?" Lovely, another word picked up from his lord; he had to watch his vocabulary lest it slipped into same outlandish mannerism.

Grinning seeing girl looking him over Saeth put on full charm, unfolding his wings for grander presence, smiling in most pleasant of ways. "Altrrrrria Mizuno..." Drawing out r's he pronounced her name out like he was tasting it. "Altria," making her name sound as something incredibly soft and light in his tilting drawl of a voice Saeth smiled, his silver eyes glittering with charm. "It is most pleasant to meet you, lovely Altria," giving another gentlemanly bow he straightened out, stepping closer and linking arms with the girl in horrible invasion of space. Not that he noticed it, being perpetually oblivious to such things. "Shall we be on our way to adventure and hopefully, an exit, then?" Chuckling, he pulled her along, starting them on merry march down the tunnel. Looking down to the girl and zanpakuto at her side Saeth grinned, having found perfect thing to start finding things out from. "You are a shinigami, unless I'm horribly mistaken," chuckling at last bit he nodded to her zanpakuto, "Which division are you, if that is alright to ask?"