bridges06: journey without dead ends

A somber expression fell upon the young doctor as she seemed distant. Teal eyes attempted to focus upon those who spoke, shifting to the various persons vocalizing their opinions and questions of the events that had unfolded up to this point. Despite her efforts, the young noblewoman couldn't help but feel distracted, her thoughts upon the very experience those before her, it seemed, would soon be facing. The mysterious man had announced vaguely the dangers of their mission and their minimal chance of survival. Death was never something the young woman would admit fearing; in fact, at times, it seemed she preferred the path. Either that, or merely the path of seclusion and self-harm.

A fluttered, rapid blinking of her eyes awakened her to the situation around her in a more fuller sense as those around her began to literally strip themselves not only of their division representations, but of all their clothing. She had kept up with the conversation, for the most part, and hastily recalled the spoken dialog in a more focused, analytical sense. It seemed those around here were to face what she had mere hours ago, and despite having succeeded in her own battle, she couldn't help feeling a bit apprehensive over the ordeal. Surely, she herself knew partially of what she was to face when the mysterious man appeared within her chambers the night prior. Having faced the infectious entity within herself for nearly a century, she was more prepared mentally and spiritually than those before her... nevertheless, she could have never anticipated the psychological endeavor that developed within the deepest parts of her own psyche.

With a light breath escaping parted lips, Kawa calmed herself, opting not to speak a verbal warning to those venturing off to face their own inner demons. It mattered not her words of caution, as nothing could have prepared her for what she had faced. As such, Kawa remained silent; no words of warning, not even a 'good luck on your journey' trailed from her lips, nor her thoughts.

Instead, Kawa merely lifted the haori that had been draped over her forearm. It was truly a strange sensation she felt at that very moment. Since becoming a Captain, she had never really understood the importance of a mere piece of cloth signifying one's position, nor the pride of wearing such. The position itself mattered little to her, it was merely a means to an end, the end being the ability to continue working as she liked, added with a bit more responsibility and ability to delegate her work to suit her own desires. Now, however, as the long robe, unfolded, fluttered in the wind before her, she couldn't help but feel a bit of sadness, mixed with disappointment, as those around her either easily discarded their cloth, or reluctantly so.

It mattered not to her in the past, so why now? With that single thought, her grip upon the cloth loosened, allowing the haori to flutter briefly along with the wind, before trailing over the cliff's edge, following those leaping to their impending doom below...