Congratulations Are in Order [Abalia, Shuten]

Strange... To be a captain, in such an unceremonious way, was quite odd to Shuten; frankly, just being a captain in general is what caused most of that odd feeling. Even Shuten still did feel the desire to become a captain; to be the leaders of the Gotei. Even if the reasons why the position was open were less than satisfactory; Shuten could at least be glad with the reason for the promotion. Even if she was promoted because of Henrex's dismissal and Kuro's disappearance; Shuten at least tried to feel her position was earned due to recent circumstances. Such reasons were why Shuten sat at her desk without moving more than to drink from her sake dish; endlessly contemplating everything. A captain... Albeit one without the proper look of it all.

Such reasons are why Shuten was quiet as she heard a knock upon her door; and the unmistakable voice of her head captain at the door. A visit from Abalia certainly caused Shuten a small bit of disquiet; for what reason was she here? After everything that happened in Vastime, Shuten had believed Abalia would need some time alone; time to mourn her loss. However, not all people were like that. Which was why Shuten quietly set her sake dish aside; gazing towards the door in those few moments of silence that followed Abalia's words.

"Of course, Head Captain; please, come in."

Perhaps the purple eyes of Shuten Suika appeared more tired than her body gave away; after all, recent events could be quite tiring, coupled with the tireless need to do paperwork. After all, Shuten was basically running a one woman show; without a lieutenant to assist her. However, despite all of that, she was quite interested to know why Abalia had come to visit her. After all, it wasn't every day your head captain came to your office for a visit.

As Abalia made to enter, starting with a polite bow, Shuten stood up from her desk; returning the small bow with a polite nod. Shuten wasn't really one for bowing... she knew respect and kindness, but the woman was tired enough that some formalities had indeed been thrown out the window. However, she was still respectful of her captain; she knew the kind of woman she was. She knew the loss Abalia had recently suffered. And, indeed, it was difficult for Shuten to mask how tired she was. She was, after all, holding up her squad on her own at this point; even if her body did not show it, it was impossible to hide the look in her eyes. However, such thoughts were shoved aside when Abalia started to speak, commanding the new captain's attention.

As Shuten's Head Captain spoke, her eyes did not veer away from the woman; however, she could not help but notice the Haori that had been tucked under Abalia's arm now that they were so close. She wished to apologize for the tardiness of this notion of her promotion. Abalia also spoke as to why Shuten was promoted. It was some comfort to hear such a promotion was not because of the vacant seat; it was because Abalia honestly, genuinely, believed in her. As tired as Shuten was, it was hard to resist the flare of pride in her chest; thankful for Abalia's words. Then, carefully, quietly, Abalia extended the Haori towards Shuten. It was probably a new one, otherwise it wouldn't properly fit her; but it was impossible for the Suika's fingers not to shake as she took the Haori from Abalia just as carefully as the woman had extended it.

She stared at the white, decorated with black patterns and her Squad's symbol, article of clothing in her hands; such a simple thing, yet it meant so much. She quietly ran a hand across the symbol that represented her division before Abalia's words snapped Shuten to reality. Those purple eyes stole towards Abalia's own reddish eyes; listening to her words. She offered the Suika any assistance necessary. Despite everything, despite the fact that Shuten briefly felt the urge to request Magnolia, she gave Abalia a warm smile and nodded at her head captain.

"Thank you, Head Captain Abalia... For this, and for what you have said."

Shuten gave her another smile, took a tentative step away from her chair, and let the Haori in her hands fall to its full length. With a bit of an accidental flourish, she swung the Haori around and slipped it on. She gently ran her fingers over the material as it covered her other clothes somewhat; looking down at herself. For the first time since she was made a Captain, it truly felt real... And yet, the Haori both did and did not fit her. It was an odd feeling, truthfully; but she was determined to grow into her Haori. She was determined to do Abalia proud; and to not disappoint Abalia either. However, she was a brand new captain... she was bound to make mistakes. That would not stop her from making her Head Captain Proud; it wouldn't stop her from making the Suika family proud either. With another warm smile towards her head Captain, and a proper, respectful bow; Shuten gave her thanks once more with such a silent gesture.

"Some... Some help with the paperwork would be nice, if you don't mind sparing the men, Head Captain Abalia. There's a reasonable back log from, well, the previous captain; and my own backlog from attempting to catch up. Any help you can spare would be greatly appreciated, Head Captain Abalia."

Even if Shuten was so obviously tired, since she was having a bit of a hard time holding her façade of toughness, it was hard to deny some of the sparkle in her purple eyes. Shuten Suika, sister of Ibiki Suika, was now a captain of her own squad. The sensations were still rather mixed up in a torrent of emotions, because she was still unsure how to feel about it all; but it was hard for even herself to deny the bits of joy that were slowly seeping through her being. Frankly speaking, she was happy, excited even; but there was still much to do... She was a lone captain without a lieutenant. The help of her head captain was an amazing boon, but even so, Shuten would still have a great deal of work to do until she had a vice captain of some form to aid her. Which was why, Shuten's face was split by a grateful smile when Abalia said she would be more than willing to send some people to assist. Indeed, once Shuten was caught up to that mountain of paperwork, she honestly believed it would lessen the load a great deal.

However, as Shuten gave her head captain another bow as thanks, and had straightened shortly after, what Shuten heard next made the woman involuntarily flinch. It wasn't the bad kind of flinch, per se; it was more akin to how a worker would flinch when their boss found out they were dating someone who also worked there. Shuten blinked a few times, comprehending what Abalia said, and couldn't help but feel her face heat up; likely producing a small blush.

It would be a lie to say that Shuten didn't want to see Magnolia more during the day... But, could Shuten work properly when Magnolia was here? That doubt was the reason why Shuten hadn't out and asked for Magnolia by name; she wanted to get work done, not the opposite. Shuten had to stand there for a good few moments, staring past Abalia before she gently shook her head, nervously touched one of her horns, and then let out a small, defeated, sigh. Clearly, Abalia had found out about their relationship. She didn't sound angry, no, more supportive; attempting to give Shuten an option in which to relax some during the day. However...

"Thank you Ma'am... But, as much as I may want to see Magnolia for more hours of the day, I am unsure if it would be wise, for my sake, that she comes to visit when I am working on paperwork. I'm afraid I would get distracted and complete less work than I should."

Shuten once more nervously fixed her hair, and then rubbed her left arm with her right hand. It felt odd, to talk to a commanding officer on such a situation as this; especially when said commanding officer knew about the relationship shared between Magnolia and Shuten. However, despite Shuten not wanting to compromise her own ability to work; it was difficult to refuse the opportunity to relax a little bit during her day, even if it was a brief period.

"Head Captain... If you could spare her at times where I am not working as much; I would be grateful for the company. Not every day, perhaps just... every now and then. I don't want to fall behind on work, of course."

Shuten smiled sheepishly, looking at her head captain with a tiny bit of apprehension. Indeed, Shuten spent all evening, night, and morning with Magnolia; but seeing her more would not be horrible. However, she knew Magnolia likely would want to keep work, and their love-life, separate. It was Shuten understood well, which was why she asked if Magnolia could visit sometimes. Every now and then would be better so that Shuten could maintain her focus; she wanted to do her head Captain proud. After all, she was given this position because of her aptitude; not out of necessity. All Shuten could think about for a bit was how excited she was to tell Magnolia. At least, before her mind returned to the situation and she gave Abalia another bow.

"Thank you again, Ma'am; truly. It means a lot."

Honesty was always the best policy; even when you grew up on the streets of Rukongai, in some of the worst places, it was never a good idea to lie. It was never a good idea, in life, to take on more than you could handle. And Shuten, even if she was capable, knew herself well enough that it was best to keep work and her relationship with Magnolia separate when possible. Of course, Shuten would love nothing more than to see her girlfriend for more hours of the day; but she was supposed to be working, after all.

Which was why, even if Shuten felt a little embarrassed, the Suika silently nodded at Abalia when she thanked Shuten for her honesty. Even if there could be some disappointment on Abalia's end, in some abstract way, Shuten may not have noticed it; especially because her Head Captain quickly moved on after her initial point, speaking of what Shuten had asked for in relation to Magnolia.

There was no way for Shuten to hide the smile that broke across her face when Abalia said she would allow Magnolia to visit when time permits. Afterwards, Shuten gathered herself and gave Abalia another bow in thanks; nodding in understanding. Perhaps she did not need to say such a thing to Shuten about her and Magnolia's personal time... but it was still reassuring nonetheless. And indeed, Shuten's mood had been lifted. Despite how tired she was, it was difficult for her not to be happy with the prospect of being able to see Magnolia more during the day. It may not be much, and they likely couldn't do much more than talk and sit close; but that still served to brighten Shuten's mood as she once more gave Abalia a bow of gratitude.

"Thank you, Ma'am. I will make sure to remember that when I require more of your assistance..."

Shuten straightened, peering into those red eyes of Abalia's... Such intensity laid behind them, enough to make any man or woman feel a shiver steal down their spine. However, right now, Shuten felt not much more than gratitude for her head captain. Afterwards, however, fell a moment of awkward silence in which Shuten could not help but feel such awkwardness build up in her very being. However, she didn't pay it too much attention and, instead, the new Stealth Division Captain smiled at her head captain.

"Is there anything else you might need, Head Captain Abalia?"