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A large building located in the center of the 13th Squad grounds, is home to the Captain's Office.

The building has several divisions. Some are for storing old files and documents, others for the storage of weapons and several materials. There is also a lobby and a waiting room, and of course, the Captain's Office inside.

You enter the building through the lobby. It's decorated in a feudal Japan theme. With several ancient tapestries, samurai weapons and armors, and a couple of andons with haiku poems. Large windows allow the air and light to freely enter this division.

A doorway leads to the small waiting room, this one less refined. Regular couches and coffee tables furnish these room. There also several magazines on the tables.

Through the waiting room one can access all the storage areas - which are locked, and the keys kept in the Captain's office - as well as the Captain's Office.

-- The Captain's Office --

The Office is located on the back of the building. This room has a single desk and a couple of chairs - on each side of it. The desk and chairs are western style. Half of the division's floor is covered with four tatami panels. This section of the room has a tokonoma at a corner, decorated with a beautiful bonsai in the center and a pictorial scroll hanging on the wall, depicting a waterfall. In the left corner of it there's an okimono resembling a kitsune and on the right Daven's old tea set.

On the center of the tatami area there's a chabudai and several zabuton for people to sit around the table. Only one of these cushions has an armrest - the one that Mock sits on.

On the opposite side of the room, there are several cabinets to store all kinds of things. A tachi and a kodachi are in display, on the wall above the cabinets.

Come in. The Captain's voice could be heard through the door.

((Sorry for the short post. Just to keep things flowing. ))

...Making his way though the barracks of the 13th Squad, which were finally freed from the retched Hollows. Amatsu's thoughts fell back to the Espada. There was clearly something between Mock and her, but what it was he himself didn't know. Entering the Office Building, Amatsu glanced around from side to side. The place seemed a little bare if you wanted to know the truth. Was Mock really that non-emotional? Amatsu hadn't really spoken with anyone of the squad since he joined the squad in the middle of the 'war'. Seeing the door that was clearly labeled Captain's Office. Amatsu didn't know if he should knock or wait. Thinking the latter of the two was better, Amatsu took the seat closest to the door. He heard more than one voice from inside. Either Mock was speaking to himself in different tones or there were two people in there. Amatsu brushed his fringe that was over his left eye behind his ear. It was no use since it just fell right back down...

...Sitting patiently, Amatsu began to think of what there was fun to do. Mostly he'd be training; not preparing to fight, but preparing to defend. A shinigami wasn't suppose fight, they were meant to defend. Justice was what was needed, but Amatsu didn't really think of himself for the job. Sitting patiently, Amatsu continued to wait...

Mock was behind his desk, smoking from his kiseru. The open window behind him allowed for a cool and comfortable breeze to invade the room.
The Captain had been busy with paperwork. Several papers and documents were scattered on the desk, giving it a rather disorganized look - unlike the remaining of his office.

Nero-kun? What brings you to my office? the Captain inquired, but was rather surprised when the feeling of dejá vu struck him. You knew Hogosha? Don't tell me that you're also... Sensing another spirit presence in the adjacent room, Mock halted his speech.

You can join us. he spoke, loud enough for Amatsu to hear on the other side. You don't mind if another Shinigami join us, do you? If you what you have to say requires privacy, then I'll grant it. he said to Nero.

You can come in as well, Hatsu-chan. Mock said as the sneaky kitsune was peering inside the office.
Why don't we all have some matcha? Mock offered as he got up and walked to the low table in the center of the tatami floor. A tea set full of matcha was already prepared there. I was going to have a break anyways, since I'm tired of taking care of all this paperwork. Come and join me.

(( Sorry for taking so long to post. I just lost a game of poker btw. sweatdrop ))

(( I'm bored, so I'm going to post without waiting for Hatsu or Asuma. Please just work it into your own posts. Thanks. ))

As a good host, only after Nero and Hatsume had taken their seats as well, did Mock sat on his favored side of the chabudai, resting his left arm on the armrest of his zabuton and leaning his body to that side, while holding the kiseru on his right hand.

Well, aren't you an eager one? he replied to Amatsu. What was your name again? This question might have seemed rude, but Mock was simply blunt and also had a bad memory for names.
Before I answer your question though, I want you to answer one from me. We haven't had the pleasure of conversing since you've joined, due to being exiled on Earth at the time.

Why did you joined the 13th Division to begin with, and what do you consider to be its purpose? He inhaled some tobacco smoke after making the question to Amatsu.

(( Don't worry. I'll make the announcement for the seating tournament pretty soon. Hopefully, everyone will have a seat after that. ))

I see... Mock began. But now I want you to go deeper than that. What is a protector? Simply one who defends? If so, defends who or what?

Why do you call yourself a protector? He paused to puff some smoke and to add some effect, allowing the question to hang in the air. Did you not? You said this Squad better fitted your own personality.
Then tell me, what is it that grants you the right to self-proclaim yourself as such?

Pouring tea into each bowl, Mock placed them in front of each person sitting around the table. Oh! And stop with the "sir", Parara-kun. There's no need for that. Just call me Mock.

((Mock most of the times makes up nicknames for everyone. xp ))

I can understand your feelings. Though you failed to answer my true question, so I'll rephrase it. Mock's kiseru was almost burnt-out, so he placed it on top of the table and took a sip of his tea before continuing. Protecting someone makes you as much as a protector, as jumping from a cliff makes you an eagle. Do you understand where I'm getting at?

In a way, throughout our lives, we always protect something or someone if even for a brief instant. Feeble minded Shinigamis don't belong on this Squad. Not that I'm accusing you of being one, I'm just saying it.
We have a role to fulfill. My question is, what distinguishes us from the remaining Squads?

After finishing those last words, the smoke had completely died out on the pipe placed on the corner of the low table, and Mock frowned as he said And call me Mock, Parara-kun.

(( A trojan commercial with a mime? ROFL. That can baffle anyone!!! xp ))

Mock smiled. It's fine, I'll explain to you what I meant. Hatsu-chan, pay attention as well. he said to the kitsune while directing his gaze at her for a brief instant. I can accept that answer in relation to the question about our purpose. We are the last line of defense. If everything else fails, we have to protect this place and what it stands for, not to mention its people. For what would the Sereitei be without its people?

Pausing to take another sip of matcha, Mock watched intrigued at the way Amatsu was looking at him. Clearly the young man was having reminiscences. But why do we do it? What defines us? Is it our work? The answer to this question is simple. No. It's not what a man does that defines his nature.

That was my main point.

So, simply because you belong to a Squad specialized in defending - and thus preserve - the Shinigami creed, that doesn't make you a defender.

The answer to what is a protector is actually quite plain and simple. We place our own lives in the line, in order to save something, that we held as superior to our own existence and identity.
That my friends, is what a guardian is. That, is what we are.