Captain greetings!(Rei/Rose)

"There is an unfamiliarity to death, is there not? We are the reapers of souls and yet even still we do not have mastery over it. But do you think they would want you to dwell on your misgivings, those comrades or family of yours that fell at your side? Remember them, treasure those fond memories that you shared, and do not let that end tarnish all that came before it.”

A sombre look of understanding lingered behind those lilac eyes, the gaze of a man that had lost as much as Rei had and more. Yet still he wore an easy smile, there was a dry confidence to the Captain that persisted even as it seemed she was nearly succumbing to tears. Rose did not want her to cry, that was the natural reaction, but he was not going to tell her that she should bottle all those feelings up. That unhealthy behaviour was not something to be encouraged, after all, and he leaned down to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You are more than a sum of your failures. They thought so, I think so. But you have to accept what has happened if you ever want to move forwards again."

He squeezed softly, enough to let her know that he was here and offering a shoulder to lean on. That was his duty, and if she did not start soon then it would drive him to tears of his own.

"You gave it your all. Then you have already done right by them, for they could truly expect no more."

Though his words were spoken tenderly, they were equally blunt. There was a merit to taking a measured approach, slowly guiding them towards a path of revelation, but this was not the purpose of Rei's tale. It was a footnote, and the sooner she realised that and rose above it, the sooner she would overcome the barriers that plagued her progress. Rose could feel it, like the static in the air before one strummed that first chord and blasted it out of the amp.

"It is the nature of things that we cannot truly foresee the future, no matter the precautions taken there are no such oracles. Tragedy befalls many, misery is not a thing that we can simply wipe from existence, no. You are here still, suffering, but here all the same. Take solace in that small comfort, for there are surely many that are glad that you are, myself amongst them."

"Aha, you need not offer me thanks for simply doing my duty. Go, rest, and be ready to do yours in turn. That is all I ask."

Releasing his grip on her shoulder, Rose could feel a sense of lightness in the air that he found much more tolerable than the dark clouds that had been circling before he approached. Perhaps Rei had come to an inner revelation, a step towards accepting who she was, or maybe his words had just struck the right chord. Regardless, he had done all that he could and all that was needed so mission accomplished.

"You can swing by my office if you need any further assistance."