Crossing Paths [ Tento | Kalara]

It was mid morning, and though the sun had not yet reached its zenith, heat permeated the air. It shimmered off the ground like a suspended mist, distorting the thick, green, foliage that hemmed in this small village. It would soon be time for the villagers and the Shinigamis working within the village to retire for a few hours, until the temperature began to drop. A slight wind blew in from the northeast, filling the air with a soft, rustling sound as laden branches scratched along each other. It was the only thing that made the humidity bearable, and even then Kalara could feel her Shihakuso sticking to her skin. Even worse, the heat made her scars itch like woolen sleeves.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Kalara glanced towards the remaining crates that she was moving towards what had become her home for the past two years. She wouldn’t have to patrol until the night, so Kalara was busying herself with other tasks. ‘But did there really have to be so many?’ She asked herself, casting a glance around at the supplies piled against the outpost wall. It was then that Kalara felt a prickle across her skin.

The stranger’s arrival was met with an exchange of glances amongst the Shinigami of the village. There was tension in the air. Hands straying close to weapons. They had heard the news and… well, there was reason enough to worry about who exactly it was that was stepping through. ‘If he wasn’t wearing a Shikakuso, I don’t think the others would even bother to hear him out,’ Kalara judged as she leaned on the pile of crates next to her. She wasn’t exactly subtle so maybe it would be best for the others if she got this over with.

“Going fine, thank you. We were just about to stop for noon. What brings you out all this way, stranger?”

So, the stranger knew his arrival was a disruption. Kalara could see it in the way he tried to rein in his presence and remain calm. Kalara listened to his self introduction curiously. His formal manner earned him a quirk of her brow, and Kalara forced herself to stop slouching on the boxes and stand to full height. After all, if he was going to be that polite, it demanded a response.

“Kalara Suika. Eighth Division, Tenth Seat,” she said, before adopting Tento’s manner of speech, “…Formerly, anyway.” Jaded green eyes swept across the surrounding Shinigami as many of them dispersed near immediately. With the perception of threat Tento’s arrival had caused dissipating, the Shinigami simply picked up where they had left off, carrying on as if Tento was not there. “Sorry, I think you won’t find many willing to leave here, friend. Though… if it is as bad as you say… I should check on my home. I’m one of the few who still has family over there,” Kalara responded.

Dragging her fingers over the numbed skin of her scarred forearms, Kalara chuckled as Tento mentioned the challenges of working under such conditions. “It’s not so bad. It’s got upsides too. Easy enough to defend a small town but yeah. There have been a couple communication issues lately,” Kalara said, waving a hand over her shoulder as she started to walk down the gravel lined road that bisected the small town. “You drink tea, outsi- Tento? There’s a nice place near here and well, we’ll be out of this damned heat.” Kalara said.

Kalara’s gaze followed Tento as he approached her, leading to her staring down at him when he finally stood before him. She listened quietly to his words, tilting her head to one side in contemplation. Her short, spiky mane drifted onto one shoulder as scarred, numb fingers scratched her head. “I would hardly call it a quick decision. I mean, we have had a fair bit of time to think about this. And I’ve already mentioned that most of the others don’t have any family left,” she said. Straightening up, she turned on her heel and waved a hand over her shoulder. Since he had accepted her offer, she beckoned him to follow her out of the heat.

The gravel crunched beneath their feet as Kalara led Tento up a short path towards the center of town. Climbing a set of alleyways hewn into the sloping hill, and squeezing past the encroaching walls, Kalara pointed to one of the buildings secluded behind a small orchid wall. The loosely hanging sign of a teapot and iris flower easily identified it as their destination. Tento’s offer to transport her home had earned another perk of her brows.

And yet, Kalara remained silent on the matter. Even as a middling noble of somewhat ill-reputed reputation, she had learned to be quite cautious. It was truly astounding what some individuals did for the slightest chance to curry favor. ‘And he offers to bring me anywhere I’d like? Unprompted? Yeah, right,’ Kalara thought to herself. Outwardly however, she simply smiled thinly and said, “…that’s quite a kind offer, Tento.”

Kalara slid the door to the tea house open and immediately sighed as a wave of cool air wafted over her. The smoothed, hardwood floors creaked under her weight as she stepped in to the dimly lit interior. She was met with a soft yelp from the hostess manning the stand. Kalara felt the faintest bit of heat touch her cheeks as she lifted a hand reassuringly. “…I’ll be having tea. You can stop worrying,” she said, silently cursing the hostess for causing a scene. Why didn’t she just air all of Kalara’s dirty laundry whilst she was at it?

Sunlight, muted by thin screens, filtered in and made the mahogany surfaces of the floors and tables shine with polished lacquer. Incense and the faint smell of irises present at ever table wafted through the air. Throughly mollified, Kalara dropped into one of the cushioned seats at the nearest booth. Her gaze flicked to Tento as he explained the communication issues were caused by the Senkaimon’s destruction.

“I mean, I figured. What with all of the reports I was making ending up transmitting static. But, I meant in the world of the living as well. Speaking of…,” Kalara said, and reached into her top to withdraw a small recording device. She flicked it over to Tento before continuing, “I don’t know if the eight division has any surviving members. But, could you pass that along for me?”

With his assent, Kalara had led them to the tea house she preferred. It was a good thing too as when the simple, cloth screen door had slid shut behind them, Kalara breathed a sigh of relief as the shadows of the filtered sunlight stole some of the heat. The sudden coolness, at least compared to before, created a stark enough contrast that she was suddenly intimately aware of the sweat percolating over her skin. Sitting now at one of the tables, Kalara fanned herself idly as she watched Tento pick up on the tension between herself and the hostess.

‘Nope. Not explaining that,’ Kalara thought to herself and hurriedly slid a menu over towards Tento. Whilst humble, Kalara hoped the shop’s penchant for refreshing drinks might distract Tento from his immediate curiosity. The menu itself reflected the humble origins of the small teahouse, considering the simplistic array of its items. There were small sections for hot and cold teas, refreshers, and even basic sandwiches if one was feeling peckish, For her part, Kalara merely glanced up towards the hostess who rolled her eyes and nodded before disappearing into the back room. ‘Guess I won’t shake the impression of being a regular, but whatever…’

Kalara absorbed the news that Tento offered with a quiet solemnity. She hadn’t known the individuals he had mentioned for long, since she had been posted to this operation soon after joining. That said, she knew of them and they were her squad-mates. She couldn’t help the briefest flash of concern from flitting over her face at the information that two of them were hospitalized with grievous injuries. “I see,” Kalara replied, failing to come up with a suitable response.

When the hostess reappeared, she was carrying a small tray between her hands. On it, was a pinkish-orange, cold tea with hints of pomegranate, honey, and fennel coupled with a small sandwich of avocado and egg. Kalara snatched it eagerly, dwarfing the sandwich between her scarred hands. The hostess shot her a disdainful look to which Kalara shrugged, before turning a pleasant smile towards Tento, “And what will you be having, sir?”

When Tento had received his food, and Kalara had devoured most of her sandwich, she sobered up. Setting aside the pieces she had yet to nibble on, she posed a question to Tento. “Have you… been having communication issues when you’ve visited the living world elsewhere, Tento?”