Purple Sword [Erika, Shishiyuki]

With only a brief interruption to her journey. She finally arrived with weary eyes to the Koizumi Estate. It looked like it had seen better days, even in the aftermath it was apparent to her keen senses. Regardless, her announcement had been abrupt and her appointment wasn't scheduled in any capacity. Would the noblewoman even make herself available in anticipation?

She would hope that the shared connection to Murasaki would be enough to give her some leverage but the power was entirely in her court here. That was the very reason why she waited outside the gates until she was sent for.

At the word that Masamune had arrived at the estate, Shishiyuki made it a top priority to greet her accordingly. Even with the Gotei having been disbanded, Shishiyuki respected her niece's vision, and as such Masamune's arrival as retainer to Murasaki, rather than as acting Captain Commander, was given no less respect than would be merited. Opening the front gate of the estate herself, Shishiyuki offered a polite bow of greeting, her demeanor a bit less harsh here among her own family.

"Lady Masamune. I wish I were welcoming you under better circumstances, but even so, you are certainly welcome here among the Koizumi."

She gestured inside the gate, intent on treating Masamune as an equal rather than subordinate or superior. While Shishiyuki had no qualms about continuing to act as if she were still acting Captain Commander, she also doubted that Masamune would particularly wish for that to still be maintained. Similarly, however, she understood that she was ultimately retainer to Murasaki, who had always acted separately from the Koizumi; she had no inclination to overstep that particular bound.

"An unfortunate turn of events, but perhaps expected."

She was glad that this went over smoothly, in her head she had thought through how this could go if it came down to it. If she had to she would've taken dogeza to Shishiyuki for the benefit of Murasaki and what she stood for.

"It is the will of Central 46, there was no other option to protect what my master stood for without staining it with bloodshed."

Despite the fact she had made a display of it. Erika did have honour and integrity to stand by. She said she was Murasaki's retainer and until she came back and relieved her of that position, she would respect what it meant in full.

"Until she returns I am at your disposal, though I must ask if you would be willing to sponsor shinigami that support what Murasaki stand for."

She did understand that was quite a bit to ask of Shishiyuki but her loyalty was absolute and she was shameless when it came to standing for her friend's interests. The worst outcome that could be received was that she'd be declined, right? The worst action would be silent to protect her own security.

"Of course. The Koizumi did not support Kuchiki's grab for power; we will continue not to support it. Whatever Central 46 believes, I will support the shinigami who are still loyal to our Captain Commander. Even if such a title is now tarnished, I know that she had sought it for a long while. I will continue to treat her as such, until such time that she herself chooses to no longer bear it."

That could have been an eternity, for all Shishiyuki knew; but if that were the case, then she would not change her stance. She had sworn to serve under her niece, an act both of penance and of earnest love, and there was nothing that the weak-willed politicians of Central 46 could do which might shift her position.

"I will of course treat you as any other retainer of our house, particularly one of my own immediate family line. With that in mind, and as my former superior, I ought to share with you my vision of the coming days, so that you can best prepare."

Shishiyuki stopped for a moment as they entered one of the courtyards; her hand moved briefly to her face, as she recalled what had happened in this place.

"The nobility have proven, time and again, that they are incapable of truly maintaining their own authority. They keep it only through the weight of blood, through wealth for which they have never once worked. I intend to demonstrate this weakness to them, and to subjugate those houses which are unable to stop me from doing so. In that, at least, I will remove some of those who have caused this grave failure."

"If that is what you wish to do, I have no intention to get in the way of that Lady Koizumi. My loyalty has always been to Murasaki and what she stood for. My priorities remain with that as her retainer. Since you are sponsoring me I will help you as required."

She had condemned the man who succeeded her for spending all that time arguing politics rather than doing anything productive. He didn't want to fix things. He wanted to rebuild them in his own vision. If he wanted to fix things then Kuchiki would've just helped out but the loops to acquire power spoke leagues as to where his time was dedicated.

Now it came down to how she intended to spend hers and it was not enjoying the luxury of being a retainer to a noblewoman sponsored by her family.

"By your leave I would like to assist Kuchiki Rukia with the injured when we are done here. There's still many injured and those shinigami served under Murasaki, just because the Gotei United is no more does that mean I intend to abandon them when they still might have faith in her."

"I appreciate that, Lady Masamune, but I would not ask you to assist in such a task. It is not something I believe that Murasaki herself would work toward, and so I will not ask that you do so, either. I simply wished that you be aware of the upcoming state of affairs."

Shishiyuki wasn't the sort to have any real sense of satisfaction at being treated like a superior. As far as she was concerned, one's respect for others, the merit of their word and their convictions, was decided by how willing they were to defend those convictions. Erika had proven that she believed in Murasaki's Gotei, and that she would protect it at any cost.

"Of course, you may assist in whatever way you wish. I have no intention of holding you here to do my bidding. Should you ever require my assistance in your support of Murasaki's vision, please inform me. I will do whatever I can."