A Certain Fluid Stability [Toki, Nao]

"I don't think anyone's ever compared me to Kyo before, Nao. Maybe you'd like to borrow my glasses?"

In truth, though, Toki could see some similarity between them, despite his teasing. He knew how fervently Kyo believed in his family, and the drive with which he pursued his work as a shinigami. He knew, too, that Kyo would likely have acted much the same way as he had on the day his mother had been slandered.

"I appreciate your faith in me, but like I said, I'm not in any rush to get married."

The slap to his back was pretty astoundingly painful, so Toki had to take a few steps to stop from tumbling to the ground. Ow. If he hadn't grown up spending untold time in the Sawachika estate, then he doubted he could have withstood that so casually.

"You could say that, though I don't think that's the only time I come here, you know."

Toki appreciated Nao's straightforward approach to things, even in these circumstances. It helped center him, seeing as he was always one to get too caught up in his own thoughts.

"I'm worried about the state of the Seireitei. Mother seems a bit more restless than usual lately, and a friend of mine has found herself caught up in a thoroughly unpleasant affair. That combined with some of the more unsavory sorts who live here leaves me a bit wary of the future."