Post by Suigintou on Jun 1, 2010 2:45:36 GMT -5
Okay! I'm going to be taking over the interviewing today, and this time, it's Hachibantai's Hamasaki Masaharu that gets to take time off from his shinigami duties to answer some questions. First of all, Masa, how about your opinion of Hachibantai? What's it like?
Ah~ Thank you for having me here~ *Smiles and bows*
Let's see... that's a good question. Hachibantai is very pleasant~ It's a relaxing atmosphere most of the time. Kyouraku-taichou even throws a drinking party every once in a while. ....Though none of the men are invited... Just as well. I could never get Rikkun to go to such a thing with me. And what fun would that be? n.n
Yes, Kyouraku-taichou's relaxed demeanor is famous throughout Seireitei. Does it cause you a lot of trouble? What about Ise-fukutaichou, what do you think of her?
It doesn't affect me personally. It keeps things pretty mellow here. We have our own duties to fulfill, and I keep a routine schedule for training. n.n
Hmm.. I don't see Ise-fukutaichou very often, but we get along fine. She's a nice woman, a bit strict though. She must have her hands quite full with Kyouraku-taichou~
You mentioned "Rikkun" earlier. What about your friends and other relationships in the Gotei 13, could you go into a little bit of detail about those?
Hai, hai. Well, Kouyama-kun is my best friend, obviously, though I get along with everyone. We have many friends within each of the Gotei 13 squads. Somehow we are able to get together when we have the time. It makes life within Seireitei much more pleasant with friends, don't you agree~? n.n
Definitely, being a shinigami isn't an easy life, is it? Which brings me to the next question...battles. What runs through your mind when you have to fight? Is it hard for you?
Mmm... that's a difficult question. It would depend on the battle, really. If I am unfamiliar with the enemy, I take my time to analyze the situation. I try to plan every move and counter with precision. It wouldn't do to leap headfirst into battle. n.n I've had my share of tough fights. You learn through experience, which makes things easier. You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger~!
A strategic approach is often the best one. But, as you said, you have close friends who are shinigami. You aren't concerned when you see them on the battlefield, you focus more on yourself?
Of course I worry when my close friends are on the battlefield. Any decent person would. But we are shinigami of the Gotei 13, we were well trained to be able to handle ourselves. If you focus too much on your friends, you get distracted. And that in itself can be fatal. It's important to put all of yourself in battle, if your friend or team mate can't handle what is presented to them, they should not be on the battle field.
If I didn't have confidence in their abilities, I wouldn't be able to think of myself as a good friend. We can only hope for the best for our friends and fellow shinigami. Each of us hold a certain pride in our abilities. It would be belittling to doubt them.
....Though.. it doesn't hurt to be there for one another should they need back-up. Everyone needs a helping hand every once in a while. n.n
So it's because you're close that you have to trust each other. On a similar subject, what about your zanpakutou, could you share a little bit about it?
You want to know about Benisuzume? Ah, it's true that we have a close relationship with our zanpakutou. It's necessary to trust it, as it is essential to improving your strength. It's a part of you, after all. n.n
Benisuzume... Well, she is sometimes intransigent. We don't see eye to eye sometimes. Benisuzume and I have a special circumstance in which our way of doing things clash... Though when the time comes we are able to work quite well together! I suppose it's only a matter of time before we will be able to accept each other fully. n.n
Don't see eye to eye? Any chance of elaborating on what kinds of disagreements you have?
Ahh... That's a secret~
If you won't go into detail about that, how about sharing one secret about yourself?
A secret? Ahh, but it would cease to be a secret then, wouldn't it~
Hmm... well. I suppose there is something I can share. When I was still alive, I had spiritual power. Because of this~ I was enrolled and able to progress through the academy in just two years. n.n
Spiritual power when you were alive, hmm? Interesting, but I'm sure you'd rather not elaborate just now, so I'll leave it at that. Moving on, you said you graduated the academy in two years. Do you feel like having such a short stay lessened the experience for you, compared to someone who takes longer to graduate?
Aha, you have good intuition~ Yes. It did seem a bit fast. I still had to learn from the basics, I only had a good headstart with ability. With textbook learning, I retained excellently. Since I excelled at a much faster pace, I didn't have time to make any lasting friendships; not until I entered the Gotei 13.
There are times I feel out of place when I hear my comrades chatting about their memories at the academy.
But even if you had some previous experience with spiritual power, you wouldn't have been able to graduate so quickly without considerable talent. Being such an obviously capable shinigami, would you like to eventually advance into a taichou or fukutaichou position yourself?
Mmm.. I haven't thought about it. I suppose it could be a possibility. At this rate with Benisuzume though, I might never make Bankai. At least anytime soon. *laughs*
Well, good luck with that! Taking the questions in a slightly different direction, what is the most difficult thing for you about being a shinigami?
.... Hmm. The most difficult.
...I suppose for me, it's the fact that I still feel human at times. I didn't spend barely any time in Rukongai, enrolling in the academy at first chance. So in all.. I've only been here in Soul Society for a few years. It simply feels like I'm off at a Shinigami college. Every once in a while I will think of the family I left behind.
Being a shinigami, I have the oportunity to enter the world of the living. It's hard sometimes, being so close to home, yet light-years away. But I remember I have a new life, a new home, new priorities. I've accepted it.
You said that you had spiritual powers as a human. Does anyone else in your family, and do they know that you're now a shinigami?
Ah, I wonder~
Another vague answer. To conclude the interview, then, a couple of member questions. The first is from Stasi. Being the closest to Kouyama Riku, is it still difficult for him to open up to you?
Haha, Rikkun doesn't open up to anybody~ I think the only reason he puts up with me is because I'm so persistant. If I let him be like everyone else does, Riku-kun would be very lonely indeed. And that would be unacceptable. n.n
So you do whatever you can for him, even if he doesn't particularly want it. Next, then: if you were sent to the human world for a day-long vacation, what would you do with your time?
Mhmm~ ..A day long vacation, hm? Oh I don't know. Visit the zoo, perhaps. Or an aquarium. There's none of those in Soul Society~
So you like animals? That leads right into the next member question: what is your favorite animal?
My favorite? My, my. I like a lot of animals~ I'm partial to all different kinds of beautiful birds. And Red Pandas. They're adorable. n.n
One more member question for you, then, and it's kind of a strange one. What is your sexuality?
My-? My, we have some strange individuals~ Why the curiosity, hmm? Well, I suppose I still have to answer regardless of the reason..
...You know, ever since becoming a shinigami I've noticed there aren't many couples. What with being so busy and on the field there's not much time to think about romance.
And with the potential loss of your significant other... well, I find it easier to just surround yourself with good friends. Then there's no need to find a partner. So it doesn't matter to me, really~ n.n
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like to say before we finish?
Hai~ To everyone looking to join the Gotei 13, please make lots of friends! And try your best to succeed. Have pride in all of your accomplishments! That will make us a better unit. n.n
*Bows* Thank you for having me, this interview was quite fun! I must be going now. Sayonara~!
Ah~ Thank you for having me here~ *Smiles and bows*
Let's see... that's a good question. Hachibantai is very pleasant~ It's a relaxing atmosphere most of the time. Kyouraku-taichou even throws a drinking party every once in a while. ....Though none of the men are invited... Just as well. I could never get Rikkun to go to such a thing with me. And what fun would that be? n.n
Yes, Kyouraku-taichou's relaxed demeanor is famous throughout Seireitei. Does it cause you a lot of trouble? What about Ise-fukutaichou, what do you think of her?
It doesn't affect me personally. It keeps things pretty mellow here. We have our own duties to fulfill, and I keep a routine schedule for training. n.n
Hmm.. I don't see Ise-fukutaichou very often, but we get along fine. She's a nice woman, a bit strict though. She must have her hands quite full with Kyouraku-taichou~
You mentioned "Rikkun" earlier. What about your friends and other relationships in the Gotei 13, could you go into a little bit of detail about those?
Hai, hai. Well, Kouyama-kun is my best friend, obviously, though I get along with everyone. We have many friends within each of the Gotei 13 squads. Somehow we are able to get together when we have the time. It makes life within Seireitei much more pleasant with friends, don't you agree~? n.n
Definitely, being a shinigami isn't an easy life, is it? Which brings me to the next question...battles. What runs through your mind when you have to fight? Is it hard for you?
Mmm... that's a difficult question. It would depend on the battle, really. If I am unfamiliar with the enemy, I take my time to analyze the situation. I try to plan every move and counter with precision. It wouldn't do to leap headfirst into battle. n.n I've had my share of tough fights. You learn through experience, which makes things easier. You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger~!
A strategic approach is often the best one. But, as you said, you have close friends who are shinigami. You aren't concerned when you see them on the battlefield, you focus more on yourself?
Of course I worry when my close friends are on the battlefield. Any decent person would. But we are shinigami of the Gotei 13, we were well trained to be able to handle ourselves. If you focus too much on your friends, you get distracted. And that in itself can be fatal. It's important to put all of yourself in battle, if your friend or team mate can't handle what is presented to them, they should not be on the battle field.
If I didn't have confidence in their abilities, I wouldn't be able to think of myself as a good friend. We can only hope for the best for our friends and fellow shinigami. Each of us hold a certain pride in our abilities. It would be belittling to doubt them.
....Though.. it doesn't hurt to be there for one another should they need back-up. Everyone needs a helping hand every once in a while. n.n
So it's because you're close that you have to trust each other. On a similar subject, what about your zanpakutou, could you share a little bit about it?
You want to know about Benisuzume? Ah, it's true that we have a close relationship with our zanpakutou. It's necessary to trust it, as it is essential to improving your strength. It's a part of you, after all. n.n
Benisuzume... Well, she is sometimes intransigent. We don't see eye to eye sometimes. Benisuzume and I have a special circumstance in which our way of doing things clash... Though when the time comes we are able to work quite well together! I suppose it's only a matter of time before we will be able to accept each other fully. n.n
Don't see eye to eye? Any chance of elaborating on what kinds of disagreements you have?
Ahh... That's a secret~
If you won't go into detail about that, how about sharing one secret about yourself?
A secret? Ahh, but it would cease to be a secret then, wouldn't it~
Hmm... well. I suppose there is something I can share. When I was still alive, I had spiritual power. Because of this~ I was enrolled and able to progress through the academy in just two years. n.n
Spiritual power when you were alive, hmm? Interesting, but I'm sure you'd rather not elaborate just now, so I'll leave it at that. Moving on, you said you graduated the academy in two years. Do you feel like having such a short stay lessened the experience for you, compared to someone who takes longer to graduate?
Aha, you have good intuition~ Yes. It did seem a bit fast. I still had to learn from the basics, I only had a good headstart with ability. With textbook learning, I retained excellently. Since I excelled at a much faster pace, I didn't have time to make any lasting friendships; not until I entered the Gotei 13.
There are times I feel out of place when I hear my comrades chatting about their memories at the academy.
But even if you had some previous experience with spiritual power, you wouldn't have been able to graduate so quickly without considerable talent. Being such an obviously capable shinigami, would you like to eventually advance into a taichou or fukutaichou position yourself?
Mmm.. I haven't thought about it. I suppose it could be a possibility. At this rate with Benisuzume though, I might never make Bankai. At least anytime soon. *laughs*
Well, good luck with that! Taking the questions in a slightly different direction, what is the most difficult thing for you about being a shinigami?
.... Hmm. The most difficult.
...I suppose for me, it's the fact that I still feel human at times. I didn't spend barely any time in Rukongai, enrolling in the academy at first chance. So in all.. I've only been here in Soul Society for a few years. It simply feels like I'm off at a Shinigami college. Every once in a while I will think of the family I left behind.
Being a shinigami, I have the oportunity to enter the world of the living. It's hard sometimes, being so close to home, yet light-years away. But I remember I have a new life, a new home, new priorities. I've accepted it.
You said that you had spiritual powers as a human. Does anyone else in your family, and do they know that you're now a shinigami?
Ah, I wonder~
Another vague answer. To conclude the interview, then, a couple of member questions. The first is from Stasi. Being the closest to Kouyama Riku, is it still difficult for him to open up to you?
Haha, Rikkun doesn't open up to anybody~ I think the only reason he puts up with me is because I'm so persistant. If I let him be like everyone else does, Riku-kun would be very lonely indeed. And that would be unacceptable. n.n
So you do whatever you can for him, even if he doesn't particularly want it. Next, then: if you were sent to the human world for a day-long vacation, what would you do with your time?
Mhmm~ ..A day long vacation, hm? Oh I don't know. Visit the zoo, perhaps. Or an aquarium. There's none of those in Soul Society~
So you like animals? That leads right into the next member question: what is your favorite animal?
My favorite? My, my. I like a lot of animals~ I'm partial to all different kinds of beautiful birds. And Red Pandas. They're adorable. n.n
One more member question for you, then, and it's kind of a strange one. What is your sexuality?
My-? My, we have some strange individuals~ Why the curiosity, hmm? Well, I suppose I still have to answer regardless of the reason..
...You know, ever since becoming a shinigami I've noticed there aren't many couples. What with being so busy and on the field there's not much time to think about romance.
And with the potential loss of your significant other... well, I find it easier to just surround yourself with good friends. Then there's no need to find a partner. So it doesn't matter to me, really~ n.n
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like to say before we finish?
Hai~ To everyone looking to join the Gotei 13, please make lots of friends! And try your best to succeed. Have pride in all of your accomplishments! That will make us a better unit. n.n
*Bows* Thank you for having me, this interview was quite fun! I must be going now. Sayonara~!