Starting Anew [Social; Albin]

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Pain. Nothing but sheer agony. That was what Seiji remembered, the flash of bright blue skies above as he fell, the sight of blood dripping from far too many places on his own body before the harsh stinging began. Like floating on a cloud, as if he were nothing but a ball of sheer suffering brought upon by the hand of a hellion who did not give a single damn, at the very least the last thing he'd seen hadn't been that fool's expression. Instead he recalled nothing else prior to that, the odd comment, he had been so confident. So very sure of himself and his abilities, that mocking laughter had returned as he'd fell. Crashing down to the ground below and surely breaking something he couldn't name, all but shoved back into the dirt over and over until everything went blank. Nothing had been the same since, and he supposed that may have been the point the hellion sought to make. A difference in power, leagues ahead, and what playing with fire got you. Agony, apparently.

Not that he would know, for the past five days the Shinigami had done nothing but sleep. Even if it was forcefully so, kept under to treat his wounds and see if there was anything else to be done to fix things, and as he would eventually come to learn. There wasn't. So instead he slept, caught between a state of unconsciousness and dreaming, the faint sound of hissing lingering at the back of his mind. A very upset spirit, plenty to say no doubt, but while he remained out cold there was nothing to be done about it. Almost a week had passed before Seiji finally had begun to wake, an ache still across his whole form but barely present. No, what seeped into his bones was tiredness even as his mind started to stir and work through things. He hoped for the best, that he had been injured yes he knew that, but that things were better. That after more recuperation he could leave just as well as he was prior to that disastrous encounter.

When he sucked in a slow breath and made to open his eyes fully, a golden hue staring at the ceiling above, only to find nothing but darkness still. A weight settled into his chest that he couldn't be rid of, of frustration at himself, of fear for not being able to see the world around him. To read people as well as he used to, maybe even forced to trust others to aid with things he had always insisted on doing alone. His pitiful sensing abilities were of no help, reiatsu from what he could feel inwardly was still dangerously low so anything he tried would be akin to an academy student attempting to act like a Captain. In other words, he was useless until his reiatsu levels fully returned to normal. A faint feeling of power along each limbs, healing Kaido used most likely. Physically he felt fine, minus the lack of sight, even pushing himself to half sit up. No one nearby that he could hear, so few bothered him. That was good.

"Fuck."

Scant few first words offered out into the void, a brief curse of ongoing annoyance. Luckily as he felt around his bed, the telltale carved edges of Soyoukaze's sheath met his grasp and he relaxed a little upon gripping it. Thin fingers clutching it a little tighter than he would usually, reassured by the presence of his own Zanpakuto, that was something positive to take from this. The hellion had not made off with a part of his soul and sunk into the deepest pits of Hell itself to keep it out of his grasp, a silver lining to this whole mess some would say. Wound up shoulders falling slightly as he sat there, the distant sound of people walking by, likely working in another part of the hospital. Birdsong evident outside the window, not that he could tell from where exactly, off to his left? He couldn't be sure. Either way, for a short while the emerald haired Shinigami simply sat there, listening and wondering just how he would get around from now on.

"Finally awake then Seiji, about time. You are lucky that creature did not shatter me in two." A soft and distinct hissing voice reached his ears, the familiar sound of Kaze speaking. Despite the harsh jabs directed at his own inabilities, he knew the spirit worried in some way, even if it came out as harsh criticism. They were both glad to be alive after that. A careful hand reaching up to rub at his eyes, slowly as if that would suddenly fix his sight, it did not but it made him feel marginally better. Shutting his eyes completely once again, no reason to keep them open for all to see when nothing changed for him, instead he took that concentration inward. To his inner world, to a place where he could see. The city streets damaged but the sky above for once relatively clear, no storms or total darkness clouding the sky. In here, he could see, a fact that caused a smile. A real one, before that expression turned to nothingness as his snake-like spirit curled around his shoulders from seemingly nowhere.

"Couldn't be stayin' asleep forever could I? Thought I'd come say hello after... what happened. I'm stuck like that, out there, aren't I? Even if I can see just fine in here." No use beating around the bush or tip-toeing around the very obvious issue. While he was utterly and completely himself here, no broad grin required, beyond the safety of his own soul? His world was now akin to the void, no light, nothing but darkness and sounds as his company. For a moment, the pair simply stood there within the dust filled streets that looked like home, soft fur brushing against his shoulder as scales lingered against his back, an odd combination for a spirit he thought. But now was not the time to begin questioning the nature of his own soul. "You are yes, there is nothing I can do to fix that, but I can make it easier." An answer he expected, and something else still that confused him, a light patter of rain starting to fall as he began to wander aimlessly, Kaze for once being cooperative. That kind of day he supposed, a rare one.

Even as rain splashed from the heavens above and eventually began drenching his hair and clothes alike, the elder did not bother to seek shelter, it was his own inner world. He was safe here, if nowhere else. Though the mentioned suggestion to make his life easier beyond the comfort of this city still puzzled him, enough that after a few minutes Kaze grew impatient, tongue slithering out to taste at the air and dampness of the atmosphere. "Think upon what happens when you release Seiji, what it feels like." Searching his memory for such a sensation wasn't difficult, and although air bowed to his will it was his own reiatsu that guided such power. A thought became a realization that left the emerald haired Shinigami groaning in frustration. "Way ta make me feel stupid Kaze, but... it should help, thanks." Admittance was a challenge, especially when it resulted in a cackling like laugh coming from the small spirit at his eventual understanding. It wasn't like he'd been told this ahead of time.

"You are stupid Seiji, not intellectually but, I am part of you after all. You lack experience, but that shouldn't be a problem after what happened, now should it?" To anyone else, it might sound like a threat and it almost was. In reality, Seiji had made his mind up the moment he'd shut his eyes and stepped inside the drenched city. Staying as he had, continuing like before? No, that would only hurt him in the end. Nothing could possibly change, nor he doubted would Kaze help him further, if he maintained the mindset he'd held when fighting that hellion. Seconds before he realized he'd been overwhelmed entirely that was, reality had come crashing down with a vengeance, a lesson he wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon. He'd become, no matter how briefly, like those cocky few he'd hated and mocked for centuries on end in Rukongai. Not again, never again. "No, it won't be. It won't happen again." Calm, reassured and stepping inside a building to dry off, shaking his head to dry out strands of hair. Only to vanish, a pleased hiss the last sound he'd heard in the depths of his soul.

Waking up a second time was not nearly as disconcerting as the first, Seiji did not bother to open his eyes save for their usual amount, typical of what others expected of him. Though he found a dampness against his cheek and raising a hand to be rid of it, steadier now, he understood why. So that was why it had rained so quickly in his inner world. No wonder. Nevertheless, he was still alive and that counted for plenty, enough to carry on. To not fall as Shin did, he would not be one to foolishly rush ahead like that again, certainly not alone. As it happened however, he was not left to his thoughts for much longer, as it seemed someone finally noticed his reiatsu fluctuating rather than remaining still as he slept. It was still awful yes, he knew that much, but now he could feel it was stable. Not wavering like before, he would recover in due time. After that? Well, then the real work would begin. Learning anew.

For a while, he simply wasn't left alone, those from the fourth division barely giving him a few minutes to himself to think. For the most part, his wounds had healed though he was instructed not to try walking around just yet, lest he re-open them and spend even longer stuck in this place. Despite some complaining on his part, he complied, the last thing he needed to feel the sting of blood again and this time not see it. An unknown, a fact that he would have to live with, even if it made him rather uncomfortable. Most who visited to keep an eye on him were at least decent people, though very rarely were any present there for more than a few minutes, he was just an unseated fool after all. Beyond that, within the Kidō Corps as well, those aligned more with Central 46 than the Gotei 13. So frankly speaking, the emerald haired Shinigami was just glad they had treated him whatsoever. Rather then leave him to bleed out and die.

Throughout it all, over the following few days, he was not allowed to have anyone to visit him. Not that he assumed anyone would, plenty were still busy repairing things and going through hordes of paperwork left behind by the hundreds - at his best guess - that were now deceased. As much as he wished to move about, the sooner he did, the sooner he would be forced to return to work. To try and attempt any kind of form was not something he would enjoy, certainly not when he could not see them, a valid excuse he supposed until something else could be figured out. In the meantime, Seiji spent much of the free time he had simply conversing with Kaze every so often, it was not as if he could read to pass the time. So many of his own hobbies, now utterly unable to be picked up without aid. Help he would not ask for, he would find his own way to manage. No matter how long that took him or what lengths he might have to go to.

With days filled by nothing but sheer unending boredom and adjusting to his new reality, by the time they allowed him to go on short walks? he had nearly flung himself out of bed the first time, only to walk into a door that had only been half opened, they'd forgotten and he'd been left with a small bruise for it that had disappeared the following day thankfully. Stretching his senses to listen and slowly move his way around had been a challenge, but his sensing abilities as a result had slowly improved and with Kaze help once he was outside in the fresh air, it did wonders. Though he had carried his Zanpakuto with him, they'd forbid him from releasing just yet, lest he put too much strain on his still recovering reserves. But what those in the fourth didn't know wouldn't hurt them. "Fall, Soyoukaze." He had whispered, ensuring he was as far from any other living being as he could get before doing so. Though he winced as that familiar power surged forth, testing his recovering power was right. Still, he endured.

Such persistence granted the Shinigami an understanding of what Kaze had spoken of days before, of aiding him in various different ways beyond the comfort brought to him within his inner world. As if he could feel the very air itself, each spec of being that held some kind of spiritual energy he could see it, and within the Soul Society? That was everything. The ground beneath his feet, the buildings nearby and even the air around him utterly saturated with reshi. Sheathed blade still in hand, he let out a slow breath, all before that release faded as he fell into unconsciousness. The fading noise of Soyoukaze calling to him in his mind the last sound he heard, reiatsu levels still too unstable to maintain his Shikai, let alone him moving about so much. The crash of his limp form and clang of his blade hitting the ground enough to alert those nearby and before he knew it, he was back in bed under strict orders not to do so again until he was discharged. What a pain.

Luckily, they decided that taking his own Zanpakuto away from him would likely only sour his mood further, so at the very least he still had that familiar presence beside him. Yet by the sixth day after half a day of rest, the elder was starting to feel as if he were going stir crazy. Never, minus when he had been horribly ill in his childhood, had he been one to sit still for this long. Truthfully, sitting still wasn't the issue, he could do that for hours. It was the fact that he was doing nothing that irked Seiji the most. But by such a day, they were allowing visitors of which only one showed up and that was fine. One from the Kidō Corps to update him on what had happened since, including a few more that they had lost in the days since from their wounds. Unable to be saved. Putting more of a burden of those left behind and now he had gone and gotten himself bedridden and blinded atop that. It was such a mess. One he assured that he would try to fix upon his return before waving them away.

By the seventh day, the boredom had well and truly set in completely. Still carefully watched to ensure he did not go wandering anymore, Seiji was confined to listening to the idle conversations of those that passed by his room, a rarity really. Or speaking with Soyoukaze, not that he minded that too much, but even they were starting to tire of him constantly showing up. Similarity grumpy as he was, that neither of them could go anywhere and leave this room. In the days since his collapse, as far as he had been told, his reiatsu had begun to properly stabilize, with any luck? He could be out of here in a day or two more, provided he could walk around without walking into walls constantly. A task easier said then done, but unlike before he could trust at least when in battle, he would manage, to see in a different way now. Even if he could no longer use other's expressions to determine the best approach, he would adapt. As everyone in Rukongai had to, he'd gotten pretty good at it, this would just be another test of that. Or so he told himself.

With his reiatsu at least back enough that he felt a little more like himself, the Fourth Division had granted that he was allowed visitors. Those beyond the few within the Kido Corps dropping by to provide him updates as they had yesterday. Frankly, he expected no one and that for Seiji would have been perfectly fine. Even if his mind was starting to loop thoughts and ideas in circles with the lack of well, anything for him to do. Instead he was informed one of the Thirteenth Division had come to visit him, Albin, now that was a surprise. Already sitting up a short while before, the only indication of someone approaching was the sound of footsteps echoing, quicker than expected, and the quiet hiss of Kaze telling him that this spiritual pressure was indeed Albin's, not that he couldn't tell that much for himself, even if it was hazy. Smile in place, even as the younger entered. "Well ain' this nice, comin' ta visit even if yer busy, hopefully ya ain't here ta mock me fer bein' stupid. Had 'nough of that already."

[Deleted]

Twenty three days. Albin had been out of Soul Society for twenty three days, thanks to some stupid mission he'd been sent on. Given his spot as the acting Vice-Captain of the Squad under Ludwig, missions were absolutely a priority for him. Any opportunity he could get his hands on in order to continue to build that renown; that reputation not just within his Squad, but within Soul Society in general was more than warranted for him, all things considered. Though, that wasn't to say that those situations found themselves backfiring every now and again. For example; being informed of a friend ending up seriously injured? Yeah, that might've been something worth being there for.

---

Stretching his arms, and walking through the Senkaimon, Albin took a deep breath. Breathing in the Seireitei air, and hearing the busying movement of people all over the place was a rather wonderful experience; something he'd quickly realized that he'd missed while out in the World of the Living. Given he was looking to do what he could in order to build good relations with groups in the Human World - namely, Uzaki Enterprises - he found himself heading there rather often. Any information he could pass them without fearing for his own neck within the Seireitei was more than warranted, given the end goals he had in mind. If Soul Society was going to be a better place for everyone involved, he needed to start somewhere.

"Man," he said aloud, throwing his arms behind his head, "I am beat." Sighing softly to himself, Albin closed his eyes and started to walk toward the barracks. As he did, it seemed his Zanpakuto spirit seemed to have something to say on the matter. "Albin," Kōsei's voice echoed, his deep tones making themselves distinctly audible to the Shinigami alone, "you ought to open your eyes when walking about. Be courteous to those around you, will you?" With another soft sigh, Albin simply nodded, and did exactly that. Even despite the brighter lights of the daytime streets, it still beat walking into folks when it frankly wasn't needed.

"Sorry 'bout that," he said, chuckling over the situation at hand, "guess I'm still feeling a bit tired after everything that's happened as of late, y'know? Last few weeks haven't exactly been the most... enjoyable." A similar laugh echoed through Albin's mind once more. "It's quite all right, young Shinigami. We've been through much over these last few days. A rest would be well-warranted, would it not?" Smiling, Albin nodded his head. "I'd like to think so, if nothing else."

As the two of them continued to make their way back toward the Thirteenth's Barracks, Albin continued to talk to his Zanpakuto spirit. "Say," he started, "what do you suppose takes precedence when we get back home?" Kōsei simply pondered this question, almost lost in audible thought for a few short moments. After a very short period of silence, he spoke up. "I suppose reporting to your Captain first would be a strong contender for-" the Spirit cut himself off. "...Something is off." Those words immediately brought the Shinigami's tracks to a halt. Something was off? What on earth did that mean?

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Albin forced out, "are you in the middle of a reading or something?" "That is the case, yes. Do not get yourself overly-involved in anything for a short while. I'm afraid something might be amiss." What the hell was that supposed to mean? Something was amiss? Ever since learning about the truth regarding his Zanpakuto, things have just gotten so much more complex when dealing with his weapon's Spirit. "Fair enough, I suppose. I'll keep an ear out. Can you at least let me known what was drawn?" With another semi-annoyed grunt, Kōsei spoke up. "The Tower; upright."

As one could expect, those words didn't exactly work to settle Albin's nerves. Quite the opposite, in-fact. As he slowly walked through his Squad's Barracks, many a concerned glance toward him wasn't uncommon. Still, he did what he could to pay them no mind. He needed to try to keep his thoughts clear; be prepared for anything. "Well," he spoke, after a long period of silence between him and Kōsei, "if nothing else, that doesn't mean whatever's going to happen is inherently bad, right?" Whether or not his Spirit responded was of little concern to Albin. He was more so just speaking aloud to reassure himself on the matter; something that would quickly prove to be fruitless.

As he made his way toward his own bunk, a smaller girl he recognized tapped him on the back rather forcefully. "Hey!" He exclaimed, "What're you-" turning around, he looked the smaller girl in the eyes. He'd seen her before. Though, she wasn't someone from his own Squad. No, she was from- "Are you Albin Landry?" the girl's words dragged him from thought. "...Yeeees?" he asked, somewhat confused, "That'd be me. Might I ask what you're looking for me for?" He made note of the panicked expression on her face.

"I'm from the Kido Corps, and…"

---

In any other circumstance, Albin would've remained calm. He would've kept his head, and did what he could in order to keep himself thinking straight. In any other circumstance, things would've been different. Instead, Albin found himself barreling down the streets of the Seireitei, making his way to the far other side of the southern areas of Soul Society, wiping the tears from his cheek. Just what the hell had happened? What on earth had been so bad, that someone was sent over to him like this? He didn't know, and frankly, wasn't sure he wanted to know. He didn't know if he could stomach what he was about to learn.

Regardless, though, he needed to push on. He wasn't just going to ignore his friend after something had happened like that; something that left his friend permanently injured. Clenching his fists, Albin continued to sprint on, throwing himself inside of the Squad 4 Barracks nothing more than an out-of-breath mess. Once again wiping his cheeks and eyes, he proceeded to check himself in. He needed to see his friend first chance he got, and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to take the opportunity now in order to do so.

Taking the opportunity to slow his breathing, Albin tried to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to walk into. Standing outside of the room currently labeled with his friend's name by the entrance, Albin unintentionally allowed his own spiritual pressure to start to almost leak. Not to a detrimental point, but enough to where any form of self-restraint was quickly beginning to erode. Nonetheless, he took a deep breath, and entered the room. Almost as soon as he did, he was met with a familiar voice.

"Well ain' this nice, comin' ta visit even if yer busy, hopefully ya ain't here ta mock me fer bein' stupid. Had 'nough of that already."

Those words alone were almost enough to send him into another emotional fit. But, he couldn't. He couldn't do that to his friend; not when he was the one currently suffering. Not when he was the one currently going through all sorts of hell. "I'm..." he started, his voice faltering, "I'm not here to mock you. I'm not here to poke fun at you, joke about what happened, or any of that. I only just got news of what happened." Slowly moving over to a visitor's seat near Seiji's bed, Albin sat down and took a slow, deep breath. "I wanted to make sure you were all right. Or, at least the closest thing we can get to all right."

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Rushing steps were the first indication that something within the building was off, or rather just the ward he'd been placed within, so few passed through these halls. Each step usually slow and methodical. As if each movement was being counted, ensured to be as efficient as possible, presumably to get to those who needed aid without wasting time nor energy. Not this one though, whomever it was, well they sounded to be near enough sprinting. Were it not for being indoors or the harsh and critical looks of the Fourth Division to stop someone, it might even be that whomever it was would've gone into Shunpo just to reach their destination just a little bit faster. Seiji of course, simply assumed something had happened to one of the others here, not considering just who it may be. Such noise while annoying to some, was actually quite the distraction for someone who had been all but chained to this bed for over a week now. Damn medics.

Even as Kaze informed him that one of the reiatsu signatures present was indeed that of Albin as he'd been told of the younger visiting at some point today about an hour prior, he did not assume such a raise in volume had been caused by him. Or perhaps it just felt loud to him, his hearing trying to compensate for his now lack of vision. Either way the emerald haired Shinigami remained frustratingly still within the bed, he could walk fine but they were insistent he not rush or strain himself nor his reiatsu until he was discharged. Which, if he was lucky would be in a few days, as long as he did not pull a stunt as he had before. Well he'd certainly considered doing so, just for a little bit of freedom. To see if he could control it this time, stabilize his reiatsu enough to maintain his Shikai to see the world as Soyoukaze had truly intended. Instead he had, for once, followed orders. Better that then to end up falling on his face again.

A quiet sigh pushed between a contemplative mouth before the edges turned upwards into a smile, his usual expression, better that then to not be and freak the other out even further. He had not truly gotten a chance to see nor speak to his friend since the invasion. Some would put that down to paperwork, to their rising duties, or things forcibly asked of him rather. Others would say the pair simply weren't trying enough to find time to just sit down and exist, without the duties of a Shinigami hanging ever-present over their heads like a guillotine about to fall. Whatever the real reason behind it was, frankly Seiji was simply glad to see another person, one that wasn't looking over his charts worriedly nor berating him for trying to do things too quickly. Or just here to provide him with more bad news and things he suspected others would want him to sort upon his return either. Albin seemed to be here just because he wanted to be, and that was a strange notion to someone like him.

Idle limbs moving, each finger tapping in a repeating slow pattern against the sheath close to his grasp, barely making a sound, but the contact helped. Reassuring and continuing even as he spoke up. Though he couldn't see the other anymore, he recalled what the younger looked like and judging by his breathing, he had been trying to calm it down before coming in here. Just what had he been doing to sound so labored? Regardless, with the door now shut, the fact that once again he only had a vague idea of the layout of this room and where things were - given some of the medics looking after him did keep moving things around even if they thought he didn't notice - irked him to no end. Even with Soyoukaze in recent days, after he had recovered from his collapse, talking him through what he had been doing wrong in terms of his sensing abilities. Though she had been rather harsh about it all, they had gotten some results, enough that he could tell who was in the room and who was closeby, but little more than that. Nevertheless, knowing that the one present in the room wasn't an illusion created to fuck with him was a nice change.

Shifting a little so he was better sitting up, head leaning back against a mound of pillows that had been all but forced upon him as he listened. At first, it was fine, he wasn't going to be mocked or seen as foolish by one person in the Soul Society at least. That was something. But what followed sent alarm bells ringing slightly in his mind. He'd been told what happened? When, and how much of it had been truth rather than what others might have heard from rumors. "Calm down fool, he will have been told little, that is for you to do. Breathe." The frustrated hiss of his Zanpakuto resounded in his mind, teeth catching the inside of his cheek briefly. A slight sting of pain to bring him back to his senses, he'd spent too long here, overthinking and worrying clearly. He needed to fix that once he was discharged, preferably by getting the lay of the land again as it were, he could still fight. This stupid setback wasn't about to beat him now.

"Alright fine, I'm fine, just keep quiet would'ya?" In truth, he was far from 'fine', but that did not mean he wouldn't pretend to be. A smile still affixed as he listened to the younger, as he heard the scrape of a chair close to his bedside and the stillness of the air around them as Albin sat down. "Maaa.. nice o' ya ta visit, but I'm fine, as ya can see. Should be able ta leave in the next few days too, yer worriyin' too much 'bout lil' ol' me." An acceptance of the visit, yet otherwise a dismissal. Not to leave, but of the care, he was sure the other had far better things to be doing then checking up on him. Besides, he was fine, would be fine as soon as he could actually get out of this place. Indulge in some fresh air and figure things out without being stuffed inside a singular room that which he knew the walls were nothing but white and plain. Utterly sterile in every possible sense of the word. This place was hardly meant to soothe, only to care for those unfortunate or unlucky enough to end up within it.

Rather then sit there motionless in one position and feel much like a coma patient as he almost had been for those first few days, he shifted. One hand gripping the edge as he shifted himself forward, Zanpakuto brought with him by a quick sweeping motion of his left hand and settled into his lap. Legs now folded beneath him in the center of the bed, almost as if he were about to enter Jinzen. He wasn't, but this was far more comfortable than laying there. An elbow resting on one thigh, chin in hand as he looked in the younger's general direction, though likely not directly at him. Something again, that he'd have to get used to, what a pain. There was nothing to be done about it, nothing he knew of that would aid him. He would just have to grow better at focusing on where another's voice was coming from, and judge from there. Not impossible, but hardly a fun thing to have to learn either.

"Ya said ya jus' got the news right? Ya wanna tell me how much they told ya, or who even? Ain't many even in the Kido Corps that know 'bout it yet, 'cept the few that keep comin' here ta give me reports." He explained with a casual wave of one hand, better to find out first before he delved into details and his own recollections of the event in question. Those that new already, were the few that had come to ask important questions and the one poor soul that had found him lying broken in the dirt out in Rukongai. Would've been a fitting way to end for one born into such a place, some would say, he wouldn't disagree with that either. Even if he knew Albin was not the type to hold such prejudices, at least not from what he'd seen of the young man. Hopefully his judgement were right, because for all intents and purposes, Seiji knew he looked just as he had before. What might the younger assume had happened to him, he wondered?

[Camila Adaronde]

(OOC: Given Albin still exists, I'll be finishing this Social on this account.)

As he was told not to worry, Albin did little more than let out a sigh. How could he not worry when his friend had just barely survived a near-lethal encounter. He'd been lucky to be alive, from what he'd heard. The absolute last thing that Albin was going to do was take a calm approach to all of this! "I'll... I'll try," he started, "but after what happened, don't expect too much 'calm' from me, y'hear?"

Crossing his arms while keeping close by, the Shinigami did what he could to focus his attention toward Seiji. Nothing but a swimming mix of emotions plagued his thoughts, and he couldn't quite fathom why that was the case. Well, he knew a bit as to why that might've been; after all, his friend had just taken quite the beating. If he had the opportunity to get his hands on the person that did this to him... there would absolutely be hell to pay. That much, he'd make sure of.

Though, there was a bit more to touch upon first, as asked by his friend; predominantly, what he knew and who let him know what happened. Albin took a moment to breathe, trying to collect his thoughts, and sat back in the chair he was in. "A woman from the corps came by not too long ago to let me know what had happened. I guess word got around that you n' I were close? Not quite sure. Regardless of that though, she stopped by a bit before I left to let me knw what was going on, and that you'd taken some pretty substantial damages. The moment I found out, I rushed right over."

He had to do what he could to hold back any tears or heavy-handed emotional displays. He... wasn't quite sure if he could help. That was a thought that simultaneously confused, frustrated, and upset Albin all at once. There was so much that he wished he could do - even through utilizing Kōsei in order to heal Seiji quicker seemed like an impossibility at this very moment. If even Squad 4's greatest healers couldn't do much, what on earth did he think that he could do?? Gods, this was all so angering! Though, he didn't dare show it to Seiji if he could help it.

"If... you don't mind my asking," he started, taking a deep breath to calm himself down, "who did this to you? What happened that caused any of this? If you give me a name, I'll do what I can to make sure something like this never happens again." Balling up his fists, Albin let a bit of his rage seep from his words. "I just... I don't want to bring up any trauma or hurt points if you don't want to talk about it, so don't feel obligated to do so."

And, in all honesty? That was the truth. The last thing that Albin wanted to make Seiji do was relive any kind of experience that he'd just been through. Especially if this kind of damage wasn't something that was going to be fixed any time soon. Everything about this whole thing seemed to spark an anger in the Shinigami that he hadn't been privy to in quite a number of years. His energy quickly began to flare about, tapering off every now and again as he tried to keep himself cool. The last thing he wanted was to explode on his friend, no matter how upset he felt about this whole thing.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

"I hear ya."

Really it was the only answer he could've given to that. A furrowed brow for just a moment as he replied, a curiosity, sure they were friends in a loose sense of the word. But this level of concerned seemed a little much towards someone like him, he had survived by some miracle, or rather by that bastard thinking him amusing enough not to finish off despite his own best attempts to rip the Hellion's head off with a swift blade. The memory clear as day in his mind, as if he could truly see like before, nothing but pretend. After such a pathetic display, who was he to deserve such kindness? He hadn't exactly been the nicest towards Albin either, not that he was to anyone truly, better than most others perhaps. But even still, just how many had he scared off with that smile and flickering back and forth between words of mocking and playfulness that left so many confused. The sound of a quiet sigh told him of frustration, but of what sort, perhaps of having to come here so quickly?

While he could not see the younger, watch and witness expressions shift from one to the next, blooming emotions in brightly painted colors for him to view as easily as he would've once read a pleasing novel. Nor observe his body language as he did with everyone, to see what the other might try to hide, thoughts and wonders that were now locked away from him likely forevermore. Sure he was sitting up, comfortable enough in the jinzen position, but his body still ached after resting for what was in his opinion far too long. A strain on his reiatsu had caused it, or so the nurses had informed him, a fault of his own creation done by releasing Soyoukaze. Frankly he thought it amazing that he'd been permitted to keep his Zanpakuto anywhere near his person. Perhaps they knew instinctively that he might try to fight them if they dared to remove her from his grasp at the moment, his one tether to sensing the outside world now. At least for the moment.

Though he could roughly pin-point where Albin's voice came from, just slightly off to his right and non-dominant side, likely sitting down still given he hadn't heard the other move. Only the slightest shifting of fabric as he presumably settled in, intending to ask questions then, well he would have to at one point or another. He supposed this was better than some random stranger. A quirk of his lips, ever-present, thinned slightly at the declaration. 'Rushed right over', why? He did not doubt that some of the newer unseated members of the Kido Corps had been gossiping a bit, little better to do when kept on standby now the invasion had ended and things had settled somewhat. It was no secret within those walls that excluded those from the Gotei 13, that those he were even remotely friendly with were few and far between. Luckily they were not overly observant as he was, but the lighter haired male had been an obvious one. What a pain.

"What did ya do that fer? Ain' no reason ta be rushin' fer me."

For once it was an honest statement, followed only by a reluctant half shrug of one shoulder, as if the response didn't truly matter to him. It did. That insistent need to know, to understand remained despite a lack of sight. Such a factor was what had drawn him to Kido in the first place, though learning might be a lot more difficult from now on. As he questioned such intentions, he only half looked in the other's direction, it wasn't like he could accurately look at him anyways now. Left hand idly thrumming along the handle of Soyoukaze as he thought about it. As questions were asked of him about the events that had led almost to his demise, there was nothing to be done now really. The only way he'd ever be able to tell to pay that fucker back now, would be from his Reiatsu signature. It was something he'd thought on a great deal, wiling away the endless hours by himself gave the emerald haired Shinigami time to plan, to better understand his own failures in combat and how to ensure it would never occur again.

A slight stutter, a deep breathe and hints of rage in his tone. Why? The other was not the one who had been so badly harmed, he somewhat understood wanting to keep an eye on others. On those you worked with to ensure they didn't kick the bucket and he hadn't, so why? On his behalf, no that couldn't possibly be right, he hadn't told anyone he'd been sent here on purpose. Hell the only reason he had been forced into others in the Kido Corps knowing, was purely because Squad Four had informed his superiors while he had still been floating in unconsciousness at the time. The last thing he wanted was anyone's pity, not a friend or even a colleague, even more so one who's expression he could imagine within his mind with crystal like clarity.

"Ya ain' bringin' up no trauma, I fucked up Al-kun, plain an' simple. Can't give ya no name he didn't bother givin' one before starin' to fling me inta walls. Just that it weren't ya regular Hellion, though don't go tellin' the nurses that. Told 'em it was a Hollow." Admittance of a lie was a rare experience for the unseated Shinigami, but it was easier then trying to explain his little outpouring of Hollow reiatsu. He knew why now, he had time enough to think, that damn delusion had been anything but and Kaze days before had cackled at him and slapped him on the back when he'd finally stepped back into his inner world. Clearly she had been waiting for him to figure it out, rather then telling him, the damn sadist that she was. Though such power had concerned even her, control of such a bastard growing stronger. He'd have to talk with that asshole, just not now. "Didn' even tell 'em mine, didn't have to... said I looked too similar ta Shin that it was obvious."

The mention was enough for his body to tense a little, he'd discovered what he'd been searching for. It wasn't the one that Ludwig had spoken of, another had seemingly slipped in after to finish the job. A shame he couldn't tell the Captain of that fact and ask him to aid him in searching somehow, no chance of that anymore. But it only took a moment before Seiji realized that Albin likely had no fucking clue as to who he was talking about. Understandable. He never mentioned his sibling unless he absolutely had to and thus far? He hadn't. "Ah, ya won't know who that is, will ya? Shin is... was my twin, older by a lil' bit, jus' think o' like me but... nicer ta people. Real knight in shinin' armor type, couldn' be more different really. He was killed years ago, went an' sacrificed himself ta make sure everyone else got out. Nice ta know who killed 'em now I suppose." Words calm to begin with, slow and far quieter than his regular pitch, but knowing gave him another purpose. A target to aim for and obliterate as soon as he was powerful enough. Voice almost a hiss as he finished speaking, oh that Hellion would pay and pay dearly in due course, after all what was time to a Shiniagmi? Nothing at all.

[Camila Adaronde]

Hearing Seiji speak those three, simple words did nothing more but prompt a frustrated sigh from Albin. He really didn't know how to make heads or tails out of the situation. Everything regarding this situation was nothing but angering! He wasn't usually the type to find himself this frustrated - at least, not since the "split" a couple years back - but this was certainly an exception. He'd found himself very quickly livid over everything that had been going on, and couldn't quite explain why.

Though, this wasn't the time for thinking like that. Instead, he needed to focus his attention back toward his injured friend. Continuing through with what was originally planned, and asking his questions where appropriate, Albin listened carefully to anything and everything that Seiji had said. Namely, his words about not needing to make his way over. "What're you talking about?" He asked, furrowing his brow softly, "how could I not rush over? I'm not just going to leave you to deal with something like this on your own, you know; I'm here for you to count on if you need anything. Honest."

In truth? Albin had meant that. The last thing that he wanted from Seiji was for the Shinigami to worry about really anything. At least, not until he was recovered. For the time being however, he was glad to do what he could in order to help Seiji! "I've got your back," he started, gently placing a hand onto the bed where Seiji had been resting, "you've my word on that. Anything you might be going through, anything that might happen in the future, I'll be in your corner!" Nodding his head in affirmation, Albin let his convictions be known.

As the conversation continued on, and Seiji began to speak of just what had happened, Albin felt his heart sink almost immediately. After the recent attack that had happened, Seiji had encountered a Hellion?? Just how frequently were these things popping up!? "How on earth did that happen?" he asked, "what on earth prompted an attack from a Hellion??" While he asked that, it seemed that his question would be answered shortly thereafter by the Shinigami.

As he went on to explain his story, sharing information about his brother, about this mysterious Hellion that fought both of them, and whatnot, Albin found himself sinking back in his seat. Once again, his heart felt heavy. "Seiji I'm..." Holding his hands to his chest, he couldn't quite think of the words to say for the time. To lose someone so close that you cared about so much had to have been nothing short of heartbreaking. There really wasn't anything he could say that might've done a thing to fix the situation. Still, he needed to say something.

"...I'm sorry."

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Another sigh.

Like waiting for a whip to crack, to something to snap and break between them, but nothing had as of yet. Was it his own doing or the frustration Albin was creating all for himself inside his own head? As much as he used to pretend that he could slip between the cracks of people, find out what made them tick and exploit it oh so expertly until he got what he needed from them, he could not read minds. Few, if any at all, could do such a thing. Waiting was tiring his patience, that much the emerald-haired shinigami was already long aware of. Days spent in what felt like endless solitude, the experience much resembled solitary confinement to Seiji, rather than anything that was supposed to be remotely healing. Soyoukaze had helped some, in her own way, of course. But the company of one so intrinsically apart of him and no other had begun to be grating even for him, added to that his new found... problem as it were, and the shinigami surprised himself that he had not tried to leave once more.

What he expected - an attempt to reassure or some such - was never what he got with Albin. The younger seemed to defy what he expected of a reaction, far stronger than he deserved in his own opinion. How could he not? How could he do so to begin with? What suddenly made him worth the effort now, and why the fuck did some unseated go and find the other in the first place. No one had given such an order that he'd heard. Dealing with things on his own was always how he'd lived his life, how he had coped after his brother's passing and even before that when he had willingly stayed in Rukongai alone. A mistake yes, but one he had learnt from, a street rat that slithered about and used everything to his advantage he possibly could to survive. It was as much a part of him as Kaze was, a fact of his nature and now this determined fool seemed to insist upon offering him help. Regardless of what he asked? Was he that much of a fool?

Instead of answering, he shifted. Limbs and form manipulating themselves slowly into a more comfortable position, no longer sat in a jinzen style, it wouldn't help now. Instead he sat on the precipice of the thin mattress that held such a bed together, low enough that he easily touched the floor. The thinness in his limbs shown to an even greater extend then many ever witness, now that the robes that cling to him no longer drape over his form. Not so thin as to be sickly, but lithe and quick, they hadn't allowed him to change back into his uniform after his most recent wander about. The bastards. So he was left in a simple yukata, and despite lacking sight, he knew it probably looked terribly. Cotton pressing and rubbing harshly against his skin every so often, clearly a washed and repeatedly used garment given to many a patient and he hated it, much like every other little inconvenience in this place. It would be so easy to just get up and go, but he stayed.

The slight dip in the mattress caught his attention, as while he could not see it, hyper aware of changes so close to him as he had now become - he could feel it. At least partially. "Well ain' that different. Last time someone went tellin' me I could trust 'em, they tried stabbin' me in the back six months later, so what're ya after hm?" A calm that built, sarcasm kept like echoing drops of water upon every word that fell from smiling lips, even if he was facing Albin he still did not quite have the awareness to ensure he was looking at the other directly. So he didn't bother at all. A question of what he is after, of the boy's intentions, because everyone always had some. Even if they wouldn't admit it to themselves, a subtle hiss as he finishes. Spindle like fingers drum against the saya of his blade to his left, not a threat, but it could be depending on his response. Beaten or not, he'd still fight if he had to.

It is not frustration at the other that builds as their conversation continues, but at his openness, his declaration to so easily help. It makes him want to grab Albin and shake him, ask him why the fuck now? What had changed to suddenly inspire such a devoted mindset, because he'd been hurt, because of his little sob story with his twin? What did he want? To get under his skin as he had others, to gain something from him or ask for favors if he gave in and accepted whatever the heck this was supposed to be at face value? Even his apology unneeded as it was, sounded awfully damn genuine and he could not even check his body language to ensure it was completely honest and that silently infuriated him. "Ain' nothin' ta be sorry 'bout. Was a long ol' time ago." Though he had heard movement, he had not heard the boy get him and frankly by now he could not tell if that was a good thing or not.

"It will not kill you to be open with someone Seiji, thus far he has done nothing but help. You know being alone does you no good."

"If I wanted your advice Kaze, I'd ask for it."

No more than a split second conversation, a snap and slight venom to the words echoed within his mind. Burying the truth of the matter, a poison in place of what he did not want to willingly admit. He had thought about it plenty, about that day and that being beyond Kaze that whispered in his head, he had been uncertain but a clear mind had been enough. Blinded by his own grief and instead of more of the same, he'd found an inner hollow dwelling within his soul, compounded pain that only seemed to make the damn creature bolder. Spider like hands press together, twisting this way and that for a moment as he thinks, even if his smile doesn't move a single inch from his expression. Finally he found words that he could voice again. "Wasn' just beatin' the crap outta me fer fun tho. Nah that wasn' all he took," a breath in, a moment's hesitation and hands locked at his sides with a white knuckled grip on the flimsy excuse of a mattress.

"... got my sight too. All of it."

[Camila Adaronde]

As Seiji had asked that rather noteworthy question, Albin felt... hurt. If nothing else, he'd felt like some sort of nerve had been struck with the injured Shinigami, and that there wasn't much he could do about it. He felt as though he'd made a misstep somewhere with his words, with no real way to take those back. Gods, why had this whole situation been so confusing?

"I don't want anything," Albin spoke, "I'd like to make sure you're all right above anything else. Is that difficult to grasp?" More than anything, Albin looked hurt. Despite Seiji's inability to see this, he still felt hurt, if nothing else. Just what had Seiji meant by those words? He didn't know, though wasn't exactly looking to figure that out at the moment. There were more pressing matters for the time, and that was going to be touched upon first.

As the conversation continued, Albin let out another soft sigh. "I understand it's not something to be sorry about, but that doesn't make me any less sympathetic. I've... lost someone close to me as well, as a result of some asshole Hellion. Something I eventually seek to rectify, despite the... level of difficulty behind that at the moment. Regardless, I know how you feel on the matter. I'm always going to be here to talk about it if you need a shoulder to lean on, Seiji. And I do, genuinely mean that; it's not just some words to set up for something later."

Once again, the conversation continued on. And, it seemed that Seiji had spoken about something that seemed to cause Albin's voice to catch. "Wh-" he started, "your sight is gone? N-no matter! We can get that fixed! I can heal you through my Zanpakutō and everything'll-" the Shinigami found his words cut off as he was thrown into a state of panic. "Enough, Albin," Kosei spoke within the Shinigami's Inner World, "even if there was something I could do in this situation, it's far too late. Time has left me unable to do much of anything for this poor individual."

As those words were spoken, he felt his world almost crash down. Just what had happened that brought this situation upon the two like this? This couldn't be happening. As his breathing picked up slowly, and then considerably, Albin began to panic. Just what were the two to do? Leaning forward in his chair, Albin couldn't put together the words necessary in order to truly process just what had been going on.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

How easily anger returned and sparked to life, smothering over that aching hurt that thrummed deep in his chest, so heavy it was as if he'd had no rest at all. Anger not that left him shaking, -- but seeped into his blood like an explosive force, like how he unsheathed it and wielded Soyoukaze in white-hot heat and hate prior, against the being that caused this. Seiji had to stop himself from instinctively punching Albin. Fists clenched together at his side. Punching was easier than finding the right words to say to convey just how shaken in anger he felt, just how hurt he truly was. But his mouth moved -- eventually, with that briefest pause the equivalent of the eye of a hurricane passing overhead. Soon, the storm continued at ripping speeds. Unabated by the one that tried to offer comfort, the barest flicker of sympathy for the attempt but it was not nearly enough, belittled by the Hellion and beaten down. What more could he do then lash out?

He moved, faster than quick-silver in that moment, up and reaching out. Even without sight, he knew where to aim, where to grab the other by the front of his uniform and yank him up forcibly. Long almost spider like limbs holding more strength in now unconstrained rage then ever before. "Bullshit! I ain' never asked fer yer fuckin' pity an' I sure as fuck ain't gonna start now! Like hell ya don' want nothin'! Everyone does- I don't..." Unlike him in every conceivable notion, no one had witnessed him like this save family, and as he continued? Well he quickly realized that, his throat felt raw, too warm even as his fingers loosened in their grip and let go as he all but collapsed back down onto the edge of the bed. Deflated and defeated, hands in his lap and as much as he tried to hide the subtle tremors that wracked his form again and again, he suspected it would be of little use. "I don't - I don't want to be hurt again." Smaller now, a soft pause as he drew in a breath, voice barely above a whisper and without the accent that either confused or creeped out many an individual. He felt raw.

Like a wound ripped open too soon, torn apart and pressed against a scaling hot-poker that was his frayed mental and emotional state. His head stayed bowed for a few moments, if he had the capability he'd be staring at his own lap, but there was nothing but darkness and as the conversation diverted he kept silent. Even his Zanpakuto, the part of his soul that Kaze was, held no snarky comment this time to his outburst. Seiji kept his head bowed down nonetheless, a hunched position akin to a wounded animal. Cornered. Shaking. A sharp inhale, he knew Albin would see, as the emerald haired Shinigami seemed to forcibly put himself back together one bit at a time. Or attempted to, head lifting and the fainest of smiles there - not genuine in the least and for once easy to see as fake. It was as good of a start as any. "Thanks an' I'm sorry... for that." Quiet but sure, the sentiment was appreciated even if he himself wasn't sure how to respond to it.

Of course then he had to mention about his loss of sight, and Albin's own seeming panic or something akin to that in his tone of voice, gave the elder something to focus on besides his own despair. "You can't Albin. Stop. Even the yonbantai-taichou tried when I first got here, there's nothing to be done about it. Just.. how things are now." He saw no need to keep up the pretense, to pretend he was incapable of speaking as if he had been anywhere other than the slums of Rukongai, doing so just set people on edge and that was exactly what he needed. Gave them automatic expectations of him, underestimated as nothing but a child of the streets, and that to him at least -- was far better then sheer honesty. The trembling for the moment seemed to cease with those words, a reassurance and acceptance towards the other, rather then the opposite. Despairing now wouldn't get him anywhere. It wouldn't change the facts.

"Very sweet of you to try though, it'll just take some getting used to I guess." Wasn't that the understatement of the goddamn century. Were it that he could see, Seiji likely expected that most in such a situation would try to offer some kind of physical comfort or reassurance, so simply sitting there to inform the other of that felt rather -- lackluster? There was little he could do without floundering about looking like he had no idea of the space around him, as if he had not already walked into one of the curtains a few times, and the door on his way out, and a wall... twice. Naturally he'd like to avoid mentioning such issues he'd already experienced, before he'd even been discharged at that! Thankfully a distraction came almost perfectly, a knock on the door, though who exactly this was he couldn't be sure. "Ya can come in." But given the room did not suddenly smell like disinfectant upon their entry, Seiji was willing to bet it was someone from the Kido Corps, and as Albin would see he was right. It was a rather young woman holding a small box within one arm.

[Camila Adaronde]

As his friend lashed out in aggression toward him, Albin simply didn't say a word. He couldn't. He wasn't frozen with fear or anything, but he sure as hell wasn't going to interrupt a friend that was very evidently hurting. He couldn't bring himself to do something like that. Instead, he'd hear him out. As Seiji's voice eventually died down, Albin let out a soft breath. If nothing else, he was glad to hear that he'd calmed a bit.

"I understand where you're coming from," Albin spoke, "you've no need to apologize. I can only imagine how many times you've been wronged in the past, and I resent the fact that I couldn't have done something about it back when it happened. But, times are a little different now, y'know?" Before they'd continue, Albin gently placed his hand overtop Seiji's own as a way to way 'I'm here'. As a way to show that he wasn't going to take anything from the Shinigami.

"Though, there is one thing I'd like, and that's to be there with you when you get that bastard back for everything that's been done to you. I won't even intervene if you'd rather I didn't; that fight is yours, Seiji. All I ask is that you don't forget that you've someone in your corner when that time comes, though. S'what friends're for, yeah?"

Chuckling softly to himself, Albin took another moment to pause and simply ponder over everything that had happened thus far. It... it had been a rather humbling experience to see that someone so close to him had been effectively crippled. Damaged seemingly beyond repair, and he couldn't even do anything about it! It frustrated him to no end. He had to find a way in order to heal his friend, but how could he have done-

He had an idea. One that likely wasn't going to work, but something he'd try nonetheless. Though, that was focus for another time. Before anything else, the goal here was to make sure that his friend was all right, and okay. "Doesn't mean that I'm not going to continue to try," he spoke, before finding his words were cut short by a knocking on the door. Taking a seat once more as Seiji welcomed the individual inside, they simply sat by and waited for that individual's introduction.

They hadn't recognized them; that much should've been obvious, given their rather minimal exposure to the Kidō Corps in general aside from Seiji. Though, perhaps they'd known of Albin? It was difficult to say, and they certainly weren't going to pry or anything, but they were most definitely interested in the situation at hand. Regardless of that though, they were to stay silent. This wasn't their visitor; they were Seiji's.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

How pathetic he felt to lose his cool so easily. Seiji had always prided himself on holding at least a moderate amount of control when it came to his emotions and general feelings towards any individual. Yet his had snapped as easily as the sun rose and fall, it wasn't just frustration at his own actions, but guilt as well that lingered beneath the surface. Perhaps that was why the spark of anger left him as quickly as it came, like a flame that burnt too bright at both ends, quickly snuffed out. Not even Kaze dared speak a word about his actions, and rightly so, he did not need nor want her sarcastic observations at the moment. Though for a moment he almost thought himself lucky, blessed that he couldn't see Albin's expression, witnessing his reaction to all this would have only made it worse. So slowly and ever so carefully - as if he may break apart and shatter otherwise - he let go and stepped back. Returning to where he had once sat, marginally calmer then before.

Words that were offered to him gently, without a lick of malice, ill-intentions or even sarcasm directed towards him. Nothing but a genuine want to understand, to provide comfort and present whatever verbal aid he could. No hidden motives, no plan he could tell from tone alone, not the sight of his own weakness that could be used against him for present or even future blackmail. There was none of that. Just honesty and that more than most things he had experienced within the last few months, scared down to the core of his being far more than it should. "Ya know, might be right though I wouldn't be callin' recent events jus' a little different." Understatement of the century right there. So much had happened so quickly half the time it was hard to keep up, now it would be even more a struggle but he'd manage, eventually. He'd always been the stubborn one out of his family, and this was no different, be it paperwork or a life-altering event? There would always be some way he could find to make it work.

What he hadn't expected to be physically touched. Most of the time when people did, it was to grab him in a fight, or even as a way to intimidate when dealing with some none to legal individuals that just had to get their own way using whatever methods they felt like were the least hassle for them. When was the last time someone had reached out him with neither situation being their intention? He couldn't remember. Albin would feel would be the slightest tremble through his arm at such contact, though Seiji did not dare to move an inch. Flickers of memories from when moving meant punishment, but he wasn't there and the younger Shinigami wasn't like that, he knew that. Gradually, ever so slowly his form relaxed and the tremble stilled and faded into nothingness, now just relaxed and if the other wished to keep his hand there. To offer comfort in such a way, he wouldn't say a single word against it.

"Seems ta be yeah, wouldn't know much 'bout that myself," It came as no more than a mumble, an automatic response at the professed question. Still the thought of having someone back him up when he did finally get to deal with that utter fucking bastard of a Hellion did sound rather appealing, if only from a supportive perspective, or heck having someone he trusted to bounce off of during a fight could come in handy as well. After taking a moment to think such an option and it's possibilities through from various angles, the Kido Corps officer simply nodded a little in agreement. "I mean I ain't gonna turn away the extra help ta deal with something like 'em Al. Sure, ya won't hafta stand there doin' nothing though. I sure as heck won't stop ya fightin' if you wanna. Just, let me be the one ta kill 'em and we'll be fine." Oh, and kill he most certainly would. Mercilessly and with ruthless efficiency.

Even as silence swept between the two for a moment, it wasn't strange or awkward, only a moment to reflect. More for Albin then him, he had been 'gifted' oh so many hours of time to lay back in this stuffy room and think all by himself. Frankly he was glad of the company and while the younger hadn't been silent since entering the room, far from it in fact, Seiji wouldn't have minded if he had been. Knowing someone was around, heck that someone even wanted to visit, was more than enough of an incentive. Though he wasn't sure if anyone had told his friend about his little trip outside of the ward he'd spent the past damn week in, perhaps not, given he hadn't come here to scold him like seemingly everyone working in the Yonbantai had. Best not to mention such things until he was well clear of being confined to this hospital and back to an almost normal, he didn't need others poking their noses in and making things worse.

Albin had wanted to try to fix things, that had been evident in his tone of voice, that slightest flicker of what seemed like despair. Knowing he would keep trying was both terribly amusing and... rather touching. Even knowing those far stronger then the both of them combined had attempted to fix his sight and come away empty handed, the boy still intended to attempt to find a solution? It was a strange thing to witness, determination in the face of something not even the presumed best in Soul Society could achieve, well if nothing else he supposed he had to respect such spirit... and kindness too. "You don't gotta, ya know but, thanks." He'd been saying that a lot today, maybe it was the influence of another individual that had brought it on. Someone that wasn't just here to ensure he wasn't about to dart off out of the ward to test out his Zanpakuto again. Not that he would, but the temptation was still there.

Before he could think on such things much further, or perhaps even attempt to explain why he had been in this place quite so long as opposed to being released already. As he should have been. Instead, they were both distracted by a knock at the door and while he could not see them even as he called for whomever it was to enter, without the smell he'd come to associate those working for the Fourth, it could only really be someone from his own Division. Not that he'd really told any of them what had happened yet, only that he'd been injured. Ah well, he'd get to it eventually. "Ah, I'm sorry for bothering you while you're still recovering Ishikawa-san, but a representative from Central 46 was very insistent I give this to you as soon as possible. They've already told everyone else about it... for when you're discharged." The young woman was a slender girl, deep onyx hair and a slight frame, though her eyes darted to Albin for a moment as she spoke, perhaps concerned if someone from beyond the Kido Corps should be hearing this. Yet said no more, only moving forward to place the box within Seiji's grasp before bowing slightly.

"I'll leave you be now to rest, congratulations Ishikawa-san." And with that she was going, leaving Seiji himself rather puzzled at all this. What would Central want with him? He was just an unseated member, no one of importance even if the upper seats did used to keep shoving him their paperwork. But that was neither here nor there right now and frankly without his sight, he could only hazard random guesses as to the context of the box, dammit. Slipping a hand beneath the lid of the box, what he first felt was a little, pulled out and set beside him, he wouldn't be able to read it anyways. The other item was significantly larger in scope, soft cloth, strange and something harsher but clearly well made in quality. It was only after a moment of testing it's shape, that he removed it from the box, and finally realized what it may be as he set the container aside. "Hey Al, tell me that ain't what I think it might be."

A lieutenant's badge.