Where in the World is Raikutsune no Miko? [Liana/Tomoe]

"Igarashi-san, your voice can be heard from the training grounds."

Liana rounded the corner to admonish the seated officer. Though she had her own fair share of scolding performed, she was never the type to favour raising your voice to do so. She actively discouraged it in her division as well, though that didn't mean everyone would obey at every moment. Emotions were a bit fickle of a thing, after all.

"Captain! Forgive me."

Igarashi gave a bow and began explaining the circumstances.

"I see. Well? Asahina-san, correct?"

This was a new recruit to the division. Well, perhaps not a recruit, but a returning member. It wasn't necessarily uncommon to find people returning to the Gotei; Liana had done it herself. A whole plenty of shinigami, or part-shinigami at least. To her knowledge, as she did her best to keep up with information for the Gotei and even--within her appropriate means and jurisdiction--other divisions, the amount of shinigami rejoining the Gotei after World War Four slowed dramatically. It was a curious trend, but it also made it easier to recognise these individuals.

"Is there a purpose to your zanpakuto not being at your side?"

Liana's face was inquisitive, not quite interrogative. But, her eyes certainly gave a perspicacious feeling. Like they would see through anything said. Perhaps that was just by matter of her position of authority and experience in this circumstance.

Liana had some thoughts from the get-go on what the girl was saying, but she reserved her judgement and response for once she was finished. It was important to hear the whole thing from someone first, after all. While Tomoe kept talking, another person rounded the corner, though they had no disruptions to make. They looked at the involved parties, inferred what was happening, and beckoned the seated officer over so as to not interrupt. Igarashi bowed to the captain to be excused, and left the rest up to Liana. He had his own work to do, after all.

"I see. Well, try not to be discouraged, Asahina-san. To achieve shikai is very impressive. I suppose, in your journeys away from the Gotei, you found your own path and managed communicate with your zanpakuto, which is a milestone all shinigami wish to achieve. Be proud of yourself in that."

It was her honest thoughts, and Liana spoke them warmly, comfortingly. Liana herself could relate rather fundamentally; she struggled with her own zanpakuto spirits for a good while, and only during her pilgrimage on Earth was she able to overcome her bankai.

"However, being frustrated on your lack of control over your zanpakuto spirit is one thing."

Her tone grew colder. She didn't raise her voice, but the clarity and impact of her words had weight to them.

"The zanpakuto is an important part of a shinigami, as a weapon and as a companion. It is not her blade, it is your blade; a zanpakuto is a part of you. To allow it to leave your side, on your duties, is grossly inappropriate. The uniform of the shinigami is important; though the attire may have grown relaxed, keeping your weapon at your side has been a mainstay."

The roundabout manner in which Tomoe approached her explanation was, lightly said, irksome. She may be a patient woman, but moreso than that Liana was direct. She didn't need the Eyes of Truth to understand there was something underlying here.

Liana had responsibilities as a leader--and therefore caretaker of those in her division that were troubled, not to mention a curiosity towards what might lead one of those division members to maintain a sort of mystique with her zanpakuto. More than that, a genuine suspiciousness to it, especially on that last part. Something that might merit considerable concern, even.

"If they are forces beyond your command and control, then it's in your duty to relay these difficulties to your superiors. It is then your superior's duties to aid you.

But, as you've said, you believe this is a circumstance in which I, as a captain, am unable to overcome. That's quite a level of severity, Asahina-san. Is this, then, a difficulty insurmountable for the greater Gotei?"

Liana squinted and held her tongue for a moment. Perhaps Tomoe was exaggerating, but on some level, she genuinely felt that way. That there was something she knew and was burdened with that felt beyond the reach and strength of the Gotei. There were a few things that could pose such a threat, but Liana's mind only went to one idea.

Abruptly, Liana's energy spread out to envelope her division member. It was frigid, a terribly biting cold, invasive even. Like a thousand eyes were looking at Tomoe, like her whole being was placed on the scales of judgement that read her every word and move.

"Forgive me, Asahina-san. I had to make sure."

She didn't offer much more explanation beyond that, but Liana's energy receded. From personal experience, she knew very well what demonic energy could feel like. Tomoe was not afflicted with any.

The captain continued listening to her subordinates explanation, the coldness of their surroundings replaced with a gentle warmth. Liana remained cautious of the circumstance, worried even, but she felt more at ease knowing that Shadow Fall--or whatever remnants of it existed in this day and age, were probably not involved.

That said, Tomoe's explanation gave no additional confidence in the situation. Whatever she was dealing with, none of it became much clearer. At the very least, Liana could understand a very genuine effort being put in to try and explain it, to the best of her ability. Whether this came down to Tomoe's inability to articulate herself, or there was some other variable preventing her from doing so, the captain understood well that this prying was going nowhere.

Perhaps it was better to move on from this, or at least find some other approach. First thing came first, however; Tomoe was out of uniform. If having her zanpakuto on her truly was without possibility, they needed to find some other way to take care of this absence.

"Alright. I understand. At least, I will try to understand. In the meantime, follow me, Asahina-san."

Liana began walking off towards the division's supply building.

"Without much explanation, it'll be hard to justify assigning an additional asauchi to you. So, for now you're going to be assigned a basic weapon so that you might at least be equipped with something." As she walked, Liana turned her head back towards Tomoe behind her with a chiding smile. "Also, a shinigami should never rely on simply one means of combat. Even I, as the captain of the Kido Division, I cannot say my ability with kido is sufficient to cover all bases. Battle is unforgiving. It isn't uncommon for someone to regret their lack of preparedness when it's already too late."

The supply building wasn't far off from where they were. Only a few buildings down. As usual, the grounds of the Second Division were pleasantly calm. The shouts of kido practitioners casting in unison resounded from a distance, alongside it the noises of animals rustling, chirping, and squeaking in the orderly flora. Perhaps to a person of Tomoe's disposition, the tranquility of the division might've even been boring.

"Hello, Tanaka-san. Paperwork for a katana, please."

The divisional supply manager bowed and greeted Liana in turn from behind the desk of the supply office. A few moments later, they put some papers out for Tomoe to fill out. Once done, one of the assisting supply clerks handed the shinigami a sheathed, basic katana. Alongside it, some amenities, branded "Clean and Care Kit". The product was produced by a small business in a relatively far rukongai district.

"Make sure that weapon is a proper fit for you; these are the sorts of things to be certain of."

Liana once more beckoned Tomoe to follow along, leading her to an adjacent room to the supply. This room was recently installed after a request for an immediate practice room beside the armoury for the very sake of testing equipment. A series of dummies were lined up along a far wall, clearly steeped in several orders of defensive kido. They had enough density to withstand the powerful strikes and spells of even the tenth seated member of the division.

"Go ahead and use the dummy to practice your swings; if you want something more dynamic, there are mobile dummies that can offer basic movements, attacking, defending, and even counterning.

That aside, since you spoke of great confidence in your kido ability, if you don't Asahina-san I would love to see what you were capable of."

Tomoe would've been tested upon application and entrance into the kido division in several areas, a part of the quality guarantee rather than just going off a Shino Academy diploma. However, Liana wasn't the one to directly monitor each test and qualifying applicant, simply approve based on the reviews of the member assigned to proctor.