Wake in chaos [ Tento | Lerna ]

Tento walked through the bustling district. This had quickly become one of the few things he could find himself being able to do in these trying times after he received the news about the acting Captain Commander's order. Hunt hollows, open gargantas for movement, and help rebuild in what ways he could. On and on repetition with diligence putting on a bright smile and cheery tone. Trying to be strong. Trying to keep perspective and dim the darkness in people's eyes even just a little bit.

Tento's tall frame casted a long shadow in the late afternoon sun. The air was thick with the scent of sfood vendors and the chatter of people trying to go about their daily lives despite the recent chaos. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face. He felt her spiritual energy in some distance when he reached the far outskirts but it was off. And if the full details of what he heard was true, he could get why. It felt like a weak hollow was present here but it wasn't like the typical signature.

The mixed energy, in addition to that striking blonde Hair and curvaceous figure. Would be hard for Tento of all people to miss. He had no idea what she would be up to now that the Gotei was disbanded and their Captain Commander's status unknown. The uncertainty and fear he could only imagine she was going through right now. If it was still fresh like the wound he expected it was then Tento knew there was a lot of pain she was trying to deal with and others she was trying to hide. The disbandment of their organization had left many, likely including Lerna, adrift and without purpose.

As Tento walked deeper into the district, he could feel the weight of the community's despair. People moved with a sense of aimlessness, their eyes reflecting the uncertainty of their future. Tento's heart ached for them, but his focus remained on finding Lerna. He needed to see her, to offer his support and remind her that she wasn't alone.
He finally spotted her sitting in meditation. A mix of sensation in the air. The vibrant energy that usually surrounded her was gone, replaced by a heavy aura of sorrow. Tento approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her. "Hey, Lerna," he called softly, his voice filled with concern.

This…was far more than he could imagine or anything people could tell him. He knew she had been out since the Gotei's disbandment. And likely still had people observing her. But the amount of damage here, it almost made him think it matched the invasions. The burner marks are somehow mixed with the moist humidity air. Black marks that he wasn't sure was poison residue or burnt flames dead.

Tento's eyes went wide slightly before taking a step back. The sudden rush of energy was far from what he expected from calling her name. Was..that…those…snakes? He waited keeping that short distance she made as she gathered herself. Her voice going from a strained pant to more of a harsh breathing to his ears.

He rubbed the back of his head and gave a sheepish chuckle. “Sorry sorry. Didn't mean to..”, trailed off. “I see you are doing just as bad as people said. I…just wanted to check up on ya. What…what happened, Lerna?”.

As soon as Tento did felt his face slip into a wave of shock at the sight. He regretted it. Unsettling at it was what he did and showed could play a piece in the mental scale Lerna was on. As shocked and real as his reaction was, Lerna was Lerna. Right?

“I figured that but…”, Tento said straighting his stance. Fixing the recoiln his face and physical disposition. He watched as she took a breath and closed her etimeshe was gathering herself and in the m3an time Tento took the opportunity to take a quick observation of the surrounds. The still water surrounded by turmoil. a zanpakuto placed in as if it was a sword in a stone waiting to be pulled by someone worthy. Far away from where Lerna was now. Was the zanpakuto a part of the struggle in her mind, or was this rather a trial to aid in her control??

“I also, came out here for a reason. I've been looking for you, Lerna”, he said in a voice filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. He had heard this state had been caused by a hollow she fought. “You're energy isn't feeling stable. It's, hollow. Much more than normal and fighting with itself”, Tento said in a calm voice. An act to not say she was lying to him, but that he could tell something more had transpired. “Normal poision…doesn't do something like that Lerna”.

“Hurting yourself is included in that too. If you are concerned about hurting someone, then its something not to tackle alone. Wouldn't you say?”. He said watching her walk a few steps away in her dismissively voice at the matter. A shy away call to his ears.

Tento approached cautiously, his eyes never leaving hers. "Lerna, what happened, after?" he asked, his tone gentle yet firm. He could see the turmoil in her eyes, the struggle she was facing. “Is it, something with your hollow soul??”.

He wanted to take a step forward. He wanted to reach out. Butbhe stood there, still as he heard that hmph for her. Heh even right now, Lerna had sass in her. He knew she was hollow like. She told him as much last time and finally made it clear why her energy felt so similar to them. But that was not why he brought it up after all. It felt MORE hollow like. Less of a mod soul, or even shinigami like. He watched her wince all the same and was still as he listened to her. Eyeing her hand shake as he wondered What was the cause. Fear? Anger? The sick feeling of the hollow piece within her soul energy this chaos?

When she let a piece of her wall down and began to explain he simply stood there and listened. At this point. He saw this as a part of therapeutic venting. She had a lot to get out. Maybe some she needed to hear. Along the way he picked up bits and pieces of details that stuck out to him. Instincts that were kept in check. A skinny little white-haired gremlin arrancar. The only one Tento knew of who matched that description was the one that fought alongside Amaranta against himself and Kaminari in Africa. He had a strange power that hung in the air, but the specifics of his abilities he could only get in briefs from Kaminari's paperwork. Just what was he to be the root of this….change?

Tento's gaze softened as he watched Lerna struggle with the weight of her past and the instincts that threatened to consume her. Her words stung and held a deep fear. A hollow inside was a battle of the spirit and more. Each time he felt his inner hollow grow stronger. With each delve into understanding its power, he felt control become more and more of a challenge. A challenge he had managed to not lose yet due to his will and aid of Shiomaru. But there was always a possibility. Of being a harm to his comrades. Of being frozen and a hindrance like with Kaminari. Or worse. He understood the torment she felt, being a vizard himself. He took a step closer, his presence calm and steady.

"Lerna," he began, his voice firm yet gentle, "I see the battle you're fighting, and I respect your strength in facing it head-on." He paused, allowing her words to sink in to him fully. Regardless of what he said next, the road before her would be hard and long. "Your honesty takes real courage, and I admire that. You’re out here because you want to protect others, even from yourself. That’s commendable. But remember, you're not alone in this."

Tento took a deep breath, his own spiritual pressure flaring briefly as a sign of solidarity. "I've walked a similar path. The constant struggle with hollow instincts, the fear of losing control. It's a heavy burden, but it’s one we can bear together. That's why I am here. I want to help you learn to control it. Allow me to take the place of the 5th division”. His voice calm in the wake of sensing that intent.

He offered her a reassuring smile, despite the tension in the air. "As for the Fourth Division, their remnants can manage for now. They are doing better than you would think. Right now, my place is here, ensuring you get the support you need. We’ll find a way to keep those instincts in check. Together." Tento knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to help her regain control and find her place in the world once more. That was a thing comrades were made for, right?

Tento's eyes softened as he listened to Lerna's outburst, understanding the depth of her pain and frustration. At least he hoped he did as he thought so. His demons were his own, and hers was her own. No coin face was the same but there was a likeness in the path they had. There was an empathy he could form as she battled to hold her pride and self identity. The shame and regret. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before responding as he heard her plea. "Lerna, I hear you. I know it's not the same, and I can't pretend to fully understand what you're going through. But I do know that you're not alone in this. It is not everything but I know something about what you're going through".

He stepped closer, his voice calm and unwavering. "You have every right to feel the way you do. The anger, the guilt, the struggle, it's all valid. But pushing me away won't make it easier. Making yourself be isolated won't change anything if that is all you do. I'm here because I care about you, and I want to help you find a way through this”. Tento's gaze was steady, filled with a quiet determination.

"You don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me be here for you, even if it's just to listen or to stand by your side. We can face this together, one step at a time”. The Gotei may have been named but its spirit lived on. Their members were still alive. The ideology had breath. As long as it was true, Tento would be one of many reminders that even in the darkest moments, there was someone willing to stand by her side.

He paused, giving her a moment to absorb his words. "Take the time you need to get your head on right. But know that I'm not leaving you alone. When you're ready, I'll be here, ready to help you in any way I can." With that Tento slowly turned giving a nod before flashing away a flash step.