Inquiring Minds Want To Know [Toki/Hana]

All of the more highly ranked officers in the 6th Division were busy these days, and Toki was, naturally, no exception. More interviews, compiling everything from the surveillance footage and reporting it to his superiors in a timely manner. However, he was always a man of cool demeanor, relaxed and, he'd been told on occasion, even charming. Personally, he didn't think much about anything like that, but it did cross his mind as possibly one of the reasons he was suddenly being approached about the Sixth Division.

"Hm? Yes, I've got a few minutes to spare. What questions do you have?"

He was smart enough to write down most of his thoughts, and he made a habit of not focusing on anything serious when he was in a situation that might find him suddenly distracted. A situation like this, for example, where a girl he was fairly sure he recognized in passing was asking questions. He didn't mind.

This seemed like the kind of question the Shino Academy handbook would have answered, or even just a cursory look into the records at the library. Well, not everyone thought to do that, so Toki wasn't going to belabor that particular point in his mind. He was a little surprised at the mental image she seemed to have created around the division, though.

"No, we don't have something like that. Like in any division, unseated members aren't expected to have a full grasp on the legal system or to be able to interpret the law. Obviously we only bring in those shinigami who display an aptitude and ability to follow those laws, though, and I personally think that we have one of the divisions with the highest expectations of our members."

That seemed straightforward enough, though really, he could hardly say for sure. Toki did take pride in his work, and in those beneath him, so he naturally spoke highly of them.

"As for what separates us from the other divisions, it's a matter of mission. We're expected to be able to handle the other shinigami, both in the Gotei and outside it, so in a sense there's some need to be well-rounded in all respects, and to be able to operate independently if something goes wrong."

"Fulfilling? Absolutely. It's a rewarding job to maintain the peace, though I wouldn't imagine it's for everyone. Hours are long, people may not always appreciate it, and failure on the job means potentially letting down the whole of the Seireitei."

Toki always knew that, of course. He, probably more than many in the Gotei, always bore it in mind just how severe a breach in security could be. His voice had grown just a touch more intense on that point, not necessarily louder or more aggressive, simply more severe in its tone.

"I, personally, wouldn't choose to do anything else in the Gotei than this."

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry."

Toki's expression grew a apologetic, offering a sorry smile as he gave a short bow. It wasn't any secret why he worked like he did, after all, and most people who knew anything about Toki knew about his past. But, not everyone did know him, and it was something he had to occasionally remind himself, that not everyone was so involved in reading through records and the like.

"My mother was a victim of the worst security breach in Gotei history, a century ago. I'm dedicated to making sure nothing like that happens again."

"Thank you. She was hardly alone in dealing with that, though I don't think many would argue she wasn't one of the people more impacted by it."

That, naturally, included his presence here, though considering she wasn't asking further, Toki was not hugely inclined to simply spill on the matter. Her last question felt odd to him, so he thought about it for a moment or two.

"Define 'supportive.' I'd trust most of my fellow seated officers with anything when it comes to the job. But I wouldn't say we have the kind of camaraderie you see in a division like the 1st or the 7th. If I needed something professionally, I know they'd have me without a complaint, but I wouldn't go to them for something personal. I don't think that's a problem with them, it just isn't how we run things."

That sounded about right. Most people might think he was complaining about his division, but that was how he liked it. It was work, not a social gathering.