YSS Aeon
Bridge
If only Shina had asked, Tsuruko would have made it pretty clear that the only thing lining her boots was pure, unadulterated Yamataian grit, and maybe the unflinching nerves typical of a Budoka [1].
“Hai, Ittô Heisho.”
Hands joined behind her back, the blonde-haired Neko stood in front of the Bridge’s entrance for however long it took, entirely unmoving save for a terribly slow, controlled rise and fall of her chest. When the call came, she had to fight the instinctual urge to breach and clear.
“Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu, [2]" the Santô Hei reminded herself under her breath. Perhaps slightly moot, given she was foreseeing no casualties, but an efficient reality check regardless.
Plus, you never know, when meeting your superior officer.
The press of a button later, Tsuruko stepped into the Bridge, face twisted into a dead-serious scowl. In other words, her natural, relaxed expression.
She used the few steps between the door and the Command station to adjust the collar of her coat, perhaps the only part of it that was not immaculate.
The muffled thwump of the heel of her boot impacting the carpet preannounced a deep, prolonged bow.
"Santô Hei Heihachiro Tsuruko reporting," she began, eyes fixated upon the Taisa, "as ordered."
[1] - Martial Artist.
[2] - “If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub.”