The Deceptive Nature of Names [Kasha, Murasaki]

"Well, you're not wrong about that. I think people are weird everywhere, if I'm bein' real honest. Normal people are pretty common no matter where ya go, but weird people stick out just as much. But I don't think it's unfair to say that a lot of people in the Seireitei are a little weird compared to the people out in the Rukongai. You're right about me, though. I'm definitely weird."

Murasaki didn't mind being called weird at all, honestly. She'd sort of gotten used to it as an insult, and if just speaking more generally, she knew that her personality was probably considered abnormal for someone of her age. Oh well, that wasn't other people's business, was it?

"I guess I'm not too surprised if ya haven't left Soul Society, though. You're still in the Academy after all, even I didn't go down to Earth 'til after I graduated. Ought to see if we can get you signed up for a practical assignment with me down there some time, see what things are like. It'd be fun, call it family bonding time."

He seemed awful shy, didn't he? Well, maybe that wasn't so surprising. Mom had kinda told her when she was younger that their family was a little strict, and that was why they'd even needed to leave in the first place. It was sorta weird to think about, though. Murasaki really had to wonder what Kasha might have been like if he'd grown up outside the Koizumi.

"Well don't sound too excited, now. Aunt Shishiyuki and I have been talkin' now and again, so I guess if all that goes well I'll probably be coming by to visit now and again. Should I expect a warm welcome?"

There was a bit of a cheerfully sarcastic tone to her voice that made it clear she understood the actual dynamic between the two of them at present. After all, even if they were related, it wasn't as though they knew each other at all. Murasaki was perfectly alright with being close to her family, but at the same time, she was the sort of person who considered family to be more about the people you cared about than just who you're related to.

"Darn, no words of encouragement, huh? You really are cold, I bet you could be a real lady killer if ya tried."

Murasaki wasn't one to stay on more negative topics of conversation for long, almost entirely on account of the fact that the memories of darker times were still pretty fresh in her head. It was better to just shift things to a lighthearted topic, especially if she was trying to make friends.

"Well, either way I'll be seein' ya around, right? You're still taking classes and all that, even if we weren't related. You got put with the Fifth Division, didn'tcha? How're you liking it there?"

"Nah, women don't mind a guy who can look as pretty as they do. Girls might, but you don't really seem like you're the sorta guy who likes to hang around immature types, if I had to guess."

Of course, Murasaki had to agree with his overall assessment, but she wouldn't say that so directly. The average woman did definitely see someone prettier as a sort of competition, consciously or not, like how guys were with people stronger or taller or whatever. Just sorta worked out that way.

"Just alright, huh? Got any divisions you think you'd have more fun in? You do get to choose when ya graduate, ya know. Don't have to pick that one just because it's the one that seems most obvious. Lotta people in my division might seem like they'd be better in other ones, but they like it in 7th. Nothing wrong with thinking about what you wanna do."

Obviously, Murasaki lacked the deeper understanding of his situation that would come with an upbringing in the Koizumi. Her knowledge of the family's traditions and insular nature were relatively slim, only what she had been told by her mom growing up. But she had a pretty firm suspicion that Kasha might want to try something else out in life.

He didn't seem super confident in that answer, huh? Well, maybe that wasn't totally fair of her to say, it wasn't like he seemed unsure or anything. More like he just didn't wanna talk about it. Well, there were plenty of reasons Murasaki could think of why that might've been, but she wasn't gonna press him on any of 'em. That was Kasha's business, after all.

"A healer, huh? I like that. I don't think enough people try and go after that. Too many people obsessed with bein' the strongest or the best fighter or whatever."

It occurred to Murasaki that she fell into that category herself, of course, that her nature as a sword did ultimately still feed into her goals in life and her pursuits. Even if dad told her not to think that way, it still was a part of her.

"Well, I know I can't really tell ya what to do or not to do. I know the household's not the most friendly to doin' whatever ya want, if what mom told me's true. But I'll support ya if you try to go that route, at least."