First Impressions [Junichiro / Erica ]

"That would be wonderful, I'd love that!" June responded, offering a few more tentative bows in thanks, so much relief just rolling off of his shoulders after this chance encounter. His reluctance and nerves were being turned into excitement by the second. It wasn't until she started talking about her own Zanpakuto and the difficulties she was facing that he felt a true sense of belonging, some semblance of someone empathizing with issues he himself was struggling with. Up until now he had felt like a failure of a shinigami, one of the cornerstones of their entire being is their reflection in their blade. He not only felt lost when it came to his sword spirit, but opposed, butting heads even. His eyes seemed to light up as he listened to her talk, glancing down to her sheathed blade then to his own hanging at his hip.

"That's funny... I completely understand the feeling. So far this whole Zanpakuto thing has proven to be quite difficult.." He chose his words carefully, feigning a grin but inevitably letting out a sigh. "I'm not sure I'll ever learn its name at this point.. or if its even worth it..." He mumbled, immediately feeling some tinge of regret or sacrilege from even uttering those words as a shinigami. It was embarrassing, to say the least, but it was nice to know that he wasn't the only one struggling with it. Even if his journey was still unique in its hardships, he found solace in knowing others struggled along their own paths same as him.

June let out a relieved sigh as Erica sympathized with the strife that came with building a relationship with one's Zanpakuto, nodding at the encouragement with another sheepish grin. "I will definitely keep trying, Erica, thank you for the kind words." Even as he spoke, he knew he didn't believe the words parting from his lips, another tinge of pain building in his chest as his heart started thumping. Every beat reminded him of those war drums that hammered his head whenever his inner spirit fought for attention. Junichiro's grin slowly turned into more of gritting teeth as he tried his best to keep himself together.

It wasn't until she had brought up Kido that everything else seemed to fall away, his eyes lighting up, nodding his head alittle more enthusiastically. "Ah yes, Kido is definitely a budding passion of mine. It is like art come to life, brush strokes of power that can paint the world around you. I find it as beautiful as it is powerful. I graduated top of my class at the Academy for Kido, one of the only saving graces it seemed. I was not exactly too keen on Zanjutsu and Hakuda..." He admitted, less so with shame, and more so with careful probing as not to offend someone he wanted to desperately to be friends with. Personally, he thought it was brutish and bloodthirsty work, the blade and the fists, and the people that relished it gave him the creepy crawlies. But as much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew he was in the minority with those opinions. It was hard to look down on swordsmen when you are indoctrinating yourself into their camp. It would all be a learning curve, some things were just harder to grapple with. Literally and figuratively.

"Seems to be your calling then Erica, wonderful you've found your home here." June chimed in response, hearing this woman talk about finding her place here where she was able to practice her talents and passions. He himself was fairly comfortable in the Kaido as much as he was the other forms of Kido, finding little difficulty with his studies in the academy. But he was sure the little bit of skill that he had claimed would pale in comparison to the masters that walked these halls. Instead of spurning a sense of overwhelming or dejectedness, it simply stirred passion in his core. Study from the masters, learn from the experts, he couldn't wait. As they made their way through the barracks, he almost couldn't take it all in, he was distracted by nearly everything along the way. Bright faces, glowing hands, these elegant halls were feeling more and more like home by the passing moment.

His ears perked up at the description of a fellow artist, eyes glittering as his full attention was on Erica as she described her encounter. "Really...? I'd love to meet her, she sounds lovely. There have been few things that truly hold the same beauty of some Kido spells. Light that pushes back the darkness, yknow?"

As Erica talked more about this woman, June's lilac eyes glittered with excitement. She sounded like someone from a storybook. He had an interest in Kido sure, but this woman sounded like she had a deep love for the magical arts. But, as the story went on, June began to feel a chill run down his spine. A recluse.. that left the Gotei... unapproved trainings...

Then he heard what he needed to hear, Lieutenant Momo. A tragic story, to say the least, one that was no secret to anyone affiliated with the Gotei in one way or another. A star pupil fallen from grace during the fallout caused by that wretched monster Aizen. He was not intimately familiar with the details of what exactly happened to her, but he understood the connotations that followed the aftermath of her leaving. He had barely started in the Gotei and even just listening to this was mounting a pressure on his shoulders that made him feel like he was skirting on something he shouldn't. June's hands clutched at his shihakusho as he tried his best to keep his glowing expression from sinking into a grimace. "A-Ah... I see! Former Lieutenant Momo, Junrinan, noted. I will have to keep her in mind!" he said sheepishly, feigning a grin again and not so subtly changing the subject. "You said Ranma? I'm unfamiliar with them, another friend of yours..?"

"I know I will be in good hands here at the 2nd" June chimed, offering up a genuine smile once again to Erica. His heart nearly fluttered with the excitement that so many new opportunities laid before him, so many chances to learn new things about the world around him as well as himself and what lied within. Finding his place, and finding himself.

June's lilac eyes nearly glittered at the love story spun before him as Erica described Ranma, fated souls intertwined through happenstance. A wounded spirit healed by a kind soul, bonded forever and ever. His hands clasped together unconsciously as he hung on her every word, nodding and sighing. "That is wonderful, Erica. Like out of a storybook! He sounds like quite the catch, I can't wait to meet him." He replied extatically. Definitely a great person to be acquainted with, and not the soon to be bane of his existence. Ignorance truly was bliss.