A Cool Breeze through Orchids [Ryouko, Lerna]

Third Division.
How many times had she found herself happening to cross through here. Intentionally or otherwise. There was always some sense of tension whenever she came to the place. But now that she was almost through her first proper section of the Academy, she was starting to think about where to go next. She was actually performing rather well compared to her classmates. While she wasn't quite some insane prodigy, she was doing well enough that the idea of an early graduation had crossed her mind. And she began to wonder a bit about where she would wind up. Earth Affiliation certainly made the most sense, but ...... the memories she had of this place were something that nagged her.

And that's how she wound up making her way into the division offices, looking around for someone present. And also where she spotted Ryouko, a brief moment of recognition. Wait, she seemed familiar. She made her way over and offered a light smile and a wave to get the woman's attention. She didn't seem particularly busy.

"Hello there! I had a few questions if you don't mind."

Lerna couldn't help but smile just a little as she put on a nervous chuckle and realized what had happened. Frankly this happened rather often, and with a sheepish look, Lerna promptly waved dismissively at the woman's sudden jarring surprise. "Ahah... sorry about that no. My name is Lerna, I'm one of the substitutes currently at the Shino Academy. But ahah... yea I've heard we look a lot alike. Sorry for any confusion, uh, do you need to see my Student ID?" She ventured. It was a simple system in place that allowed the academy students to go around and mingle with the gotei to a limited degree. Not quite the same permissions as a full member, though Lerna herself had a substitute's ID, as a full member of the Seventh Division she had a bit more leeway for being out and about in the Sereitei. But that aside, i also identified that she was not, indeed Magnolia. Something she'd had to refute in the past.

"I was actually hoping to ask you a few questions about Third Division." She pointed out, trying to redirect the conversation a little. People could get a little stuck in the whirlpool of just how similar she looked to the Once Vice-Captain of the First Division. Just a little guidance into another topic usually was the trick to keep things moving.

Well, most of the time.

Lerna couldn't help but smile a little as she recognized the look on the woman's face, as se seemed to try and recover. That said, it was suddenly abundantly apparent WERE she knew this girl from. This was the girl that Ryoku wouldn't shut up about for a week or so. She smirked, recalling the description of the guy's encounter with a member of third division which Lerna was rapidly beginning to think was this exact same woman. A little amused at how spot on the description had been. Her 'cute little freakouts'.

"Heh, I know what you mean. But hey, I'm an unseated too. I just wanted to get a bit of a word in from someone who has a position I'd probably wind up in if I joined. I'm not exactly officer material myself." She chuckled. "I honestly was curious what kind of work goes on around here these days. I uh... have a bit of a history with this place. From a long time ago." She turned her Id over, showing Ryouko the additional information. Which included her being identified as a Mod Soul. Even now, knowing that Murasaki had ensured that she wouldn't be treated like materials. There was no small part of her that got nervous. THIS, in fact, was why she had looked for someone that didn't seem like an officer. Some small part of her was afraid. But she pushed through that.

"So really I just wanted to know what it's been like for you in the division. What made you pick this squad. Stuff like that."

Lerna BALKED slightly when she heard that, her eyes widening in sudden alarm at the notion of people joining the division...EXPLICITLY to be experimented on?! The very idea sent a chill up her spine and she briefly had to calm herself, her spiritual pressure didn't spike, but there was the faintest tremble in it. A slight fluctuation that would barely be felt as she was..... a bit rattled by that. "I....I see." She murmured. "No, I definitely am not here for that." She added, clearly still a bit ...thrown off. Who would willingly.... ugh. She shook her head and refocused. Trying to ignore the itching in her skull at such an idea.

Still. She was glad now more than ever that she'd went to this woman rather than an officer, seeing as she seemed not too keen on those that joined for those reasons as well. She was glad it wasn't a sentiment she alone felt. Even so, she tilted her head. "No combat huh. Doesn't the division do field work? Tests? Materials Retrieval. That kinda thing?" She ventured. In truth, she'd only ever been a subject before. She had no idea what things were like outside of that sphere.

Lerna was quickly getting a better picture of the woman before her. She'd certainly met a good number of Shinigami like her. And yet, not quite. A good number in the academy who didn't have grand aspirations or bravery, or well....false bravery instilled by greed or ambition. No, this woman seemed quite comfortable with where she was. All the same, the question had her smile and let out a chuckle.

"Well, at the moment All I really do is field work. I'm a substitute Shinigami but I'm attached to Seventh Division as a result. I think you can imagine that's pretty much all we do. One of the reasons I was actually thinking of Third Division as a potential change of pace." among other things. But well, she kept those things close to the chest. "It's work for sure. But well, It's been pretty much All I've been doing for a while now.So if you don't mind me asking. What is it that got you into Third Division? Did you intern? Get Scouted?" She ventured. She'd seen evidence of both of those for certain, but she didn't hear a lot from people going for third Division.