A Third's First

[Tala Selao]

Tala Selao stood amidst the tranquil training grounds, the cool breeze gently rustling the sakura leaves that adorned the landscape. The familiar scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, a calming presence that contrasted with the intensity of recent battles. The scars of his confrontation with Hoshi had healed, but the mark on his shoulder served as a visible reminder of the struggle within the inferno.

As he awaited, Tala found solace in the serenity of the training grounds. The rhythmic chirping of unseen crickets provided a natural melody, and the distant murmur of flowing water added to the symphony of nature. Tala's gaze wandered across the landscape, appreciating the beauty that often went unnoticed in the hustle of the Seireitei.

His thoughts, however, were not solely occupied by the aesthetics of the surroundings. Tala's mind reflected on the responsibility that came with his recent promotion to the position of Third Seat. The weight of leadership rested on his shoulders, and he felt a mixture of pride and uncertainty. The transition from a frontline warrior to a mentor held its challenges, and Tala was determined to approach it with the same fervor that fueled his battles.

As his eyes shifted to the sakura trees, Tala pondered the cyclical nature of life and growth. The blossoms that adorned the branches were a testament to renewal and resilience, a theme that resonated with his recent experiences in the Forge of Resilience. The flames within him burned with newfound vigor, and he carried the wisdom gained from the trials into his role as Third Seat.

Word had spread that Tala was open to providing guidance, and Schala Alexandria, a shinigami from Squad 10, had expressed interests in taking up his offer. As Schala approached, Tala welcomed her with a nod. "Good to see you," Tala greeted warmly. "I'm glad you're here and eager to learn. We've got the whole training grounds at our disposal. What aspect of your skills are you looking to improve today?"

[Schala Alexandria]

<sub>The wind was calm and so gentle. The spiraling of Sakura leaves decorate the twisting dance that the woman was blessed to witness, twirling from the ground and up into the blue sky. A serene moment that were often looked over when carrying out ones duty, in service to those that required their aid. A Shinigami is never not without somewhere to be, or something to do. To be lingering about with little to do was a sign of laziness. Idle chit-chat and time to herself was an entirely different reason. It was not that she sought it out by the means to remove herself from her duties, but to rest a weary soul and body. This was the purpose for what one who was to idle was to be. Schala was not one of such individuals as was it before her end in the physical realm.

Bits of memory linger, yet feel more reluctant. Perhaps a dream? What the woman felt as she made her way through the open halls of the barracks was akin to that of a lucid dream. Moments that would appear that she was awake in a world that she knew she could not reside in, yet all too familiar. A place that was out of her reach and yet so close in tangent. Lifting her arm, the Shinigamis finger brushed the loose bang that fell out of place from behind her ear. A quick nudge of its length tucked it back, and away from her sights as her feet met with nature than man-made. Still, what made the woman realize from each of those moments of lucidity were of both pain and happiness. The two coursed together that only made one thing clear to her; justice.

A life once lived in the past that was filled with tranquil moments due to the order that justice had brought. The smiles she can vaguely remember, with much of their faces eroded by time. The pleasant emotions she held deep inside that made her feel warm, kept together by achieving the duty that she and many others were entrusted with. Strength, discipline, honor, and integrity. These three words working together brought upon harmony and enforced the justice that treated all equally. These were what Schala believed in, and can occur once more within the Seireitei. All that was required was for her to become stronger. You should aquaint yourself with Tala. He is the new Seated Officer of our Division. Words to be investigated as a fellow teammate.

Someone to be guided by, and taught about how she can excel, this was how the woman was to be stronger than her current self. At the moment, what Schala had concern with was that of her reiatsu. A simple feat for most Shinigami, regardless of its strength, Shinigami are to be capable of focusing and harnessing for many of their abilities. A simple idea again, yet, why did Schala had such a difficult time with it? The girl pondered as the grass now nestled against her feet, transitioning once again to a different terrain. Open space that was surrounded by structures some distance away. Not easily made out as their design were all similar, but encompassed the large area with life that could be sensed. The woman had no issue with detecting life, only with harnessing her own. She sighed.

The sheath of the Zanpakutou clicked several times upon the womans approach up hill. The once gentle breeze shifted into subtle gusts, brushing the brunette strands away from their resting place. The braided lock that kept her long hair in place beneath on figited with a twitch with the woman lifting her hand to brace the remainder. Its cool air lasped around the slender legs that were kept bare, flowing up to the center of the small climb towards her meeting with her acquaintence. "Good to see you, I'm glad you're here and eager to learn. We've got the whole training grounds at our disposal. What aspect of your skills are you looking to improve today?" The man spoke before the woman could muster a word, blinking astonishly at the scarred figure that remained poised.

Schala regained her composure before starting, "Thank you for your time, sir. I am Schala Alexandria, and here to make your acquaintence. I will try to not to dissapoint you." The woman returned the greeting with a formal dip in her stance, bending at the hips to bow before the man in respect. Locks of her hair dangled down before locking her serene blue eyes back on the man in pondry of his question. There was much she needed to learn. "That may be a difficult question to answer, sir. But if I must be specific, then it will have to be my focus." she stated.</sub>