Wish You Well [Katori, Igendai]

"Hm? There's something wrong with my speech?" She'd tilt her head, uncertain of what her friend was trying to say, though the subject quickly slung back to Zanpakutos. Ah, Igen...

She'd smile and shrug, "Yeah, I suppose we do get along pretty well. Though, they aren't extremely talkative; i've always assumed they're shy." was a friendly way of sugarcoating the true ominous nature of her sword, "It's hard to guess what yours may look like.. It could be anything. Maybe it'll be something on the stubborn side, or full of conviction, or pretty, or pink. Something like that!"

Katori would smile widely as she tried to give some words of endearment to her friend, "Just keep on top of your jinzen and treat your sword well! I'm sure it'll speak back eventually... Don't think you have too much going on for it to be incredibly difficult to form."

A slight bit of worry trickled into her smile as Igen put more focus on her tone and how she spoke to people. There was a problem with it? To no one's knowledge, she had spent several years rehearsing the personality she portrayed to others, polite and proper, stressing for other's success and wellbeing and the like. It definitely had gotten her through years of the academy and into her work up into 13th seat, even if a lot of her interactions were either work related or shallow. She was content with that thin pool until recently, she felt she had to take more responsibility as one in a higher position, especially if she was ever going to make it into the higher seats.

"I'm always sincere?" She'd reply with that worry dripping into her words, "My intent is simply to bring up others around me and understand what they're going through, how could that be condescending or hard to read?"

Though her tone remained soft and light, she did seem a bit more insistent than a moment prior, "It's my responsibility to be looking out for everyone, how could that be misconstrued as wrong or unpleasant?"

She seemed mildly surprised at Igen's surprise; was what he was seeing truly so noticeable? She'd hear him out, only giving an even more confused expression with his explanation, "Rehearsed? Well, that can't be right..." Of course she was feigning ignorance - those hours in front of the mirror couldn't simply be disregarded, but there was no reason for Igen to be privy to that level of her, none in the slightest.

Igen's little mock presentation of how she came across certainly was accurate - that was exactly the impression she was going for. She didn't appear bothered or even upset by his example; it was her intended pattern - kind, helpful, aware of one's troubles, a happy face to those in need. She couldn't be tripping over herself in her role, she needed to be the exception, the example, the dependable. She couldn't just fall apart.

"That's very sweet of you, Igendai," She'd begin after short contemplation; she couldn't just turn down his offering - it would do poorly for their friendship to outright deny him, "I am quite normal, I feel though; I haven't been in any fights and I get along with everyone rather well. You're a dear friend for being concerned for me, though, I don't mind trying your idea if it will make you feel better about this."

Katori seemed visibly taken aback with Igen's sudden indignation, her perfect expression changing to a half smile and wide eyes. She kept quiet as Igen spoke to her of her issue, turning down her attempt at compromise, and overall seemed to be in a hurry to go. This wasn't the Igen she knew prior; he would often go through their conversations without much concern of how she was coming across, at least that was what she wanted herself to believe.

"..Have a good day, Igen." Her voice had dropped from it's cheerful tones to more of a neutral one as she walked out of the office and off on her own.

Reaching a quieter place with none around, she would take her zanpakuto onto her crossed lap, her fingers touching the blade as she'd meditate, the uncomfortable creep of thorny vines crawling across her flesh as those orchids snaked to meet her ears,

"How long can you keep this up?" Their layered, cold voice hissed with amusement, "Watching you squirm with that mask upon your face is getting boring. You recall our exchange, yes? Boring is very bad for you."

She didn't respond, her gaze having darkened from that sunshine-spewing look, her smile nowhere to be found.

"Why not just cut it out? Are you scared of throwing it away, after using it as a crutch for so long? I wonder if there's even anything underneath it at this point... Or... Perhaps you're scared of what others would see? How dull. What happened to that starved girl who ran bloodied screaming for her freedom and convictions? Have you grown complacent?"

Her fingers tightened on the sharp edge, drawing blood. Yokudansui only squeezed her flesh harder like a constricting snake.

"Well, get a grip. If you really want to keep that boy around, you figure yourself out right fast. Otherwise, this will be the death of you, and that is certainly not good for me."