Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ayame listened carefully for the approval for her to enter. Once she heard it, she slowly opened the door, taking a step into the room. Almost on instinct, her gaze swiveled around, taking in details most people wouldn't bother to notice. She was observant, after all. Her gaze switched from the one person to the next, before she set her gaze on the Mizukage.

"I am terribly sorry for the interruption. But I was told to make sure you had a copy of my records," she said, giving a slight smile before moving forward to place the scroll on his desk gently. It had her name and rank scrawled across it in faint ink. "I'm new, if you couldn't tell," she said, laughing a bit as she waited for him to acknowledge the scroll. She wasn't nervous in the slightest. But the fact that she had most likely interrupted a conversation left her feeling a bit bad. She hated to be a bother to people, especially those she didn't know well. She ran a hand through her short hair, glancing past the Mizukage at the window, the slight odor of smoke reaching her nose. It was mostly gone, but she could barely smell it. Ayame confirmed that it must be the reason the window was propped open. It was such things that distracted her as she waited, her attention a bit scattered.

Ayame's face colored slightly as she realized her mistake. "Oh! Forgive me. It seems I left my manners at home," she said, stepping back to give a slight bow. "My name is Ayame Mizuko." She stood upright again, her cheeks their normal color as she met the gaze of the Mizukage. "Most people, however, find my name to be 'too long' and shorten it. You may call me whatever you deem worthy," she added, giving a bit of a smile. She was still a bit embarrassed, seeing as how she forgot to introduce herself to one of the most important ninja in the village. "I was a bit caught up in looking around to remember my manners. I will remember them in the future," she promised, giving him a slight nod, fighting to keep her gaze set on him instead of letting it wander. She liked to know her surroundings, but it had already cost her docked points on her first impression. She couldn't let herself get too distracted.

Ayame waited patiently as he questioned her. She tilted her head a bit, pondering her answer. It wasn't a hard answer, but still, she wanted to say what she meant. She spoke slowly, forming her answer in her head as she did so. "My loyalties have always lied within the Water country. My family used to live there before the accident. I believe that my parents knew people within the village at one point. Anyhow, they always told my brother and I what a great place the village was and how noble their shinobi had been. As I grew up, I did a bit of...research, you could say. The thought of being a ninja of the Mist fascinated me. I wanted to be able to help people within a village I knew a bit about, rather than one I had no ties to. I chose Kirigakure, and became a ninja here, to help in any way I possibly can," she finished, biting her lip a bit. She hoped she hadn't rambled on about it. It was a simply question, after all. But she wanted to attempt and explain her reasoning thoroughly.

Ayame tilted her head as she once again pondered her answer. "Fighting and helping can be the same thing and different things, depending on the views of the person the question is being asked to. I see them to be more of the same thing. You're asking me how being a shinobi, one who spills blood and fights others, could be helpful to anyone. Am I right?" she asked, waiting a moment to gather her thoughts before proceeding. "I didn't conclude it was the only way, Lord Mizukage. I felt that it would be the best way for me. You see, I am aspiring to be a Medical nin. But, that is not all I want. I want to be able to fight our enemies and keep the village and our allies safe, which is why I chose a shinobi life, while still being able to help people, who get hurt in the process of the fighting, with the medical techniques I hope to learn. If I am getting away from your question, then please let me know so, so that I may rephrase and explain," she added, taking a slight breath. Rambling wasn't an unusual thing for her, but she did it without realizing it.

Ayame nodded, meeting his gaze, before answering. "Yes. I assure you, Lord Mizukage, that if I were not sure, I would not be standing before you right now. I know what it means to be a shinobi, and I am willing to risk my own life for the good of others. If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't have even bothered joining. Sure, it will take some adjusting, but I will handle it. I am positive of that," she said, glancing past him a moment before looking to him once more. "I am confident in the path I have chosen, and I look forward to starting in my training as soon as I possibly can," she finished, giving a slight smile. She had known since the day she joined the Ninja Academy that she had wanted to be a Medical nin. And now she was determined to fulfill her desires and help the village in any way she could.

Ayame watched silently as he moved to stand up. When he bowed to her, she wasn't sure what to make of it. Surely it wasn't normal...but she would not protest. She took a step back and bowed in return, smiling a bit. "No, thank you, Lord Mizukage. It is an honor to be able to acknowledge myself as a shinobi of the Mist. I will not fail you or this village," she said softly, staying in her bowed position before slowly rising up. She gave another smile and a slight nod. Already she respected him. She had no reason not to, and respect was something she valued. It was a vital thing, especially when running a country as he had been doing. Without respect, people would try to walk over you, and that couldn't happen. It's why she was usually well-mannered and kind to all she met. Somehow, she had a feeling that most people who met the Mizukage respected him right off. It was hard not to.