Gone with the wind [Division 4, open]

"According to the witnesses we have already spoken with on the matter, Elyss simply put forward an open challenge for training purposes. The young Mr. Kuchiki was, per most accounts, seemingly throwing himself at her even after it was clear that he was outmatched."

Giving a grateful bow to Hanako, Abalia accepted the cup of tea and sipped it politely, though the intensity of her presence did not change even in such a relaxed action. Everything she did was calculated, sure. Despite being decidedly the weakest woman in the room, her confidence alone made it seem as though that were far from the case.

"There were several members of your division present prior to the fatal duel. It was Kobayashi who had them sent away, however. Some witnesses indicate that it was for the purpose of escorting Koyo Kuchiki to medical attention, but others express doubt that so many would have been required for that. It seems to have been wholly intentional on his behalf that all members of his division were sent away, but there is no way to say for certain."

Hanako's appraisal was correct, and Abalia was not the type of woman who quashed critical thinking by her subordinates. She simply nodded, taking another warming sip of the tea in her hands. It was pleasant.

"I am not willing to make any judgement on the validity of this as a duel of succession until a more sufficient picture of the events has been painted. It is an unusual situation, I know. I am only sorry that I do not have more sufficient answers for you at this time. Rest assured that I am personally overseeing this investigation, and I will have results for you."

The Big Woman

Amon's exclamation was as always without any regard to protocol. But also as always it was right on the money. Hanako felt exactly as he did. This whole situation was just messed up. She understood where the traditions came from, as far as she knew them. However, it didn't mean that she liked it.

Hanako shot Amon a glance, but it was with her typical reduced, crooked smile.

"In a nutshell…" she agreed.

Before she could respond to anything the Captain Commander had said, Saera came over and set her cup down. Hanako could see the light shimmer of frost that had formed on the sides. She looked up and saw confirmed what she assumed it meant in Saera's eyes. She held Saera's gaze for a moment, then she nodded, releasing Saera and telling her she understood in that one gesture.

"I'll talk to you later."

After Saera had left there were a few moments when everyone was silent and sipped their tea, if they had some. Hana did so as well, clinging to the pleasant taste that unfolded on her tongue, as well as to the comforting memories it brought. It helped calm her down, although it was really hard to keep her calm exterior.

Hana still tried. She watched Abalia from the corner of her eye. The presence this woman had…
She had heard that Abalia's actual power was barely above that of a mortal, if at all. But it was hard to believe. She carried herself with such confidence and sovereignty that no one dared to challenge her. Or, at least, Hanako wouldn't dare to, even if she wanted. Only that it was the farthest thing from her mind. Quite the opposite. She wanted to learn to gain a presence and confidence like the Captain Commander. One day be a leader others could look up to the way she did to Abalia now.

Somehow that train of thought brought Hanako back to the matter at hand.

"What was he thinking?" Hanako asked out loud, meaning Koyo as well as Captain Kobayashi.

The young Kuchiki was powerful for an academy student. He was probably more than a match for most of his peers. However, going against a fully trained and experienced Shinigami…
She could understand why her Captain had stepped in. But why did he send the squad away? And more importantly, why did he lose. Elyss was strong, no question. But stronger than a Captain? Did Kobayashi let his guard down?

" 'An unusual situation' is a mild paraphrase." Hanako finally said.
"Captain Kobayashi worked hard for this Division. I think he could have done a lot for the Gotei in the future. He has done a lot for his people. For me."

Suddenly a wave of sadness washed over all the frustration and anger in Hanako. It hit her completely unprepared and she couldn't prevent a small sigh escaping her. She suddenly realised that now she would never be able to repay Kobayashi for what he had done for her.

"I am sorry, Kyoraku-Hayden-sama, I didn't mean to imply anything. I am very grateful that you yourself have come to deliver the news. It is just...kind of a shock. We will have to adapt. In the meantime I will lead the Division to the best of my abilities."

"His service was admirable, yes. His life was one of exceptional tumult, to put things lightly, but few offer themselves so totally to penance for past crimes. His efforts as a Captain will not go forgotten."

Of course, Abalia knew that he likely could have done more, but that much was true of anyone. Regardless of her emotional distance from others, she was more than capable of maneuvering basic social etiquette. To actually express such a musing would be outright unthinkable.

"I have no doubt that you will lead in an entirely satisfactory manner, Vice Captain. I would not think to entrust you with the duty if I did not have the fullest confidence in your ability to meet all expectations. I am naturally familiar with your own work, and while I of course will give any assistance that you may require, I expect you will not need it."

Abalia gave her the very slightest of supportive smiles, so small as to be nearly imperceptible. But, even so, it was still there all the same.

The Big Woman

Hanako leaned heavily on her desk, lost in thought for a moment. She was still trying to process it all. Meanwhile Amon started to say something but stopped himself.

“What is it?” she asked friendly, although her voice was pressed. “If you have any thoughts on the matter…”

She left the sentence hanging in the air, tumbling around the room for a moment. Amon might not be the Shinigami with the finest manners, but he was thinking along similar lines as Hanako did. When he said earlier that Shinigami killing each other off was a damn waste and weakened all of the Gotei, she herself hadn’t even sorted her own turbulent thoughts enough to put it into words. But it was exactly what she thought. Thinking about the stupidity of all this fueled her anger again. This time the jasmine tea didn’t help as much as she had hoped.

Abalia’s words made Hanako think. She actually didn’t know that much of her Captain...former Captain’s past.

“I actually don’t know all that much about the Captain’s past. I met him relatively shortly before he got adopted by the Kobayashi family and became Captain of the Division. We spent a lot of time training and even more working through the chaos that this division had been when we took over. After he asked me to be his Vice Captain...I think I have never been so tired before in my life.”

She smiled her half-smile at Abalia. The Captain Commander might see it was a small joke, to lighten the mood a bit. But actually it was Hanako, realising she just had made a joke at her own expense. Even after the bits and pieces she had recovered, most of her past was still a void. A statement like her last was nothing more than pure speculation at this point.

“But I also felt a sense of purpose. Like I suddenly knew how I could put everything I have learned in the First Division and from Everfrost-san to good use.”

She remembered it quite vividly. It seemed as if she just had found a home for herself in the First Division, finding role models and goals to strive for. The decision to transfer out of there had not been easy. But then again, there had been her chance to make an impression, to show what she could do. So she took it. Curious...back then it was almost unthinkable that she could feel at home here in this office.

“T...thank you, Sir.” Hanako said, surprised by the clear vote of confidence from Abalia.
“I won’t disappoint you.”

The other woman probably had no idea how much it meant to Hanako. The smile also, which Hanako could very well see, since she observed Abalia as closely as etiquette allowed. Maybe it was a natural consequence that Hanako, who strived to be a strong and powerful woman, kind of fangirled over the most powerful woman in the Gotei, but she tried to hide it the best she could. Still, Abalia probably could see the slight hint of red on Hanako’s cheeks.

“Ah...I am very grateful. It is very comforting to know I can count on your support, should the need arise. Although I will try to not demand too much of your time.”

"Of that I am certain, Vice Captain Yamada. You speak of duty in the proper way, as something to be seen as a reward for its own sake rather than something for which we ought to be rewarded. I will do everything that I can for both your sake and your division's."

Abalia of course knew that there was quite a personal side to this matter, but in truth, she simply did not know if she was even properly equipped to handle that. What was she to say? There was no particular grief in her mind for the death of Jaeden Crow, only for the fact that she had lost someone who had earnestly wished to improve.

If nothing else, she supposed that she did owe it to this woman to dedicate all of her time possible to her investigation. It was the least that she could do.

"I am pleased to know that your time with the Gotei has done you such service, and I am grateful that you have served it so well in turn."

Setting down her empty teacup, Abalia readied herself to leave, though she did not go just yet.

"I will keep you up to date on all matters pertaining to the investigation, and I will of course ensure that it is seen through as expediently as possible. For now, I will not hold up any more of your time, unless there is anything I may do for you now."

The Big Woman

Abalia would have expected any number of small requests from a woman in this position, but Hanako asked none of them. In a sense, it was admirable, though at the same time she did still suspect that she would hear those requests at a later time, when the more mundane realities of this situation had finally set in. Nevertheless, she nodded in response to the simple request.

"I will delay the formal announcement until tomorrow, then. In the meantime, I will continue having my investigators bring what information they can. This will be handled quickly."

It was said as something resembling a reassuring word, though Abalia wasn't exactly the sort to give such emotional support in any significant way. But still, it was something, and she knew that it was her duty as the Captain Commander to support all of those below her. It would be a failing to do anything less.

"If that is all, then I will be off. Please feel free to request any assistance that you need should some issue arise."

"Thank you." Hanako said and bowed.

There was nothing more to say she could think of. And although she would have liked nothing better than to get to know the most powerful woman of the Gotei a bit better, this really wasn't the time for it. So, since the conversation had come to an end, the Captain Commander took her leave.

It was a few minutes before Hanako realised how tense she was. It wasn't only that the leader of her entire organisation had paid her a personal visit, but the whole freaking situation. Tension and strain in battle was one thing and manageable for her but this was a whole new level of screwed.

Hanako walked behind her desk and collapsed into her chair, where she remained still for a while, brooding. Her eyes seemed to look through her desk into some realm between all worlds.
She had lost her Captain. He had died without his Lieutenant at his side. Not only would she have to live with that, she was also now the Lieutenant of a leaderless Division.
No, stop, that wasn't right. For now...she was the leader of this division. She had to be. They had worked too hard to get the Fighting Fourth up to it's feet again.

She suddenly looked up and at Amon. Her eyes were cold and hard and gleaming with determination.

"This will be a hard time. Can I count on you?"

It wasn't meant as a challenge, as her questioning Amon's loyalty. She thought she knew him well enough to tell that loyalty wouldn't be the issue. But she needed to know if he was willing to pull his weight and maybe a little bit more. As he himself had said, they all were severely weakened by the Captain's death. She let the question float around the room for a moment, until she continued.

"I already know pretty well how Saera feels about this." She said and remembered the half-frozen cup.
"But what do you think about this all, now that you know as much as you know? Please be completely honest, I want to know what you really think. And don't worry, so far I completely agree with you."