[ To their credit and for her mercy, they adjust the supportive grip the moment she whites out from pain. Misjudged, should've expected that the shoulders would be bad too, ugh. They're rusty at this. The Head would be lecturing them by now-

-the thought is carefully killed before it can finish, the corpse packed back away. Not today. ]

You chose well then, Nogi-san. He can refine his technique over time, but something like that cannot be taught. I hope it keeps your people safe.

[ And they mean that, more then they can put into simple platitudes, even as they escort Wakaba in the chosen direction. Their frustration extends to her and her alone; this place deserves whatever safety it can claim in such a tumultuous time. A sanctuary like this is a precious thing, wonderful and so painfully rare.

The grimace, however, is ignored with a lifetime's worth of practice. It's familiar, all right. That's why it won't work on them.

But nothing can prepare them for the sight of said gardens, and it's the first thing to stop Lion dead in their tracks since arriving. Something about the near-endless beds of roses is too raw on their heart, right now. ]

A-ah. Is there anywhere shaded, out here? The sunlight is, um, rather strong without the fog.