With the peaceful scenery of a public hot-springs, laying in the pool of heated water while looking like she was almost asleep in the water but that wasn't anything like what Shikigami was doing. Maybe she could fall asleep but that was unlikely, she was just enjoying the serenity that came with this warm environment without a care in the world. No one was really there to bother her so it only contributed to the experience.

"You know. I encourage the use of hot springs during the healing process. Did you know hot springs increase circulation?" Mei would speak softly, yet cheerfully as she found herself in the company of her eldest daughter. It wasn't often that Mei found herself visited by her girls, so the time she spent with them she attempted to make special. However, this occasion was completely by accident, since she wasn't aware Shikigami would be in such a place.

Her smile was bright and welcoming as she found herself with her legs encased in the mineral filled liquid. She wasn't sure how she would be accepted in this light. She wasn't sure why it was her daughter wanted to be her Vice Captain. She wasn't sure if she would take this time to question her or if she would let it be. Her children were always so mysterious.

"Hmm?"

Being disturbed from her peaceful state she opened her eyes and met her mother's gaze even though her face remained pretty static and neutral. Blank almost. Given that at times like this Shiki's zanpakuto spirit personality was more prone to come out she nodded gently, probably giving the illusion that she did know that before she actually spoke, the nod being nothing more than her reaffirming to herself the answer.

"No. Why does it do that?"

Turning her head now and slightly shifting her position the shinigami looked at the more educated woman on the matter. It might be a little surprising since Shiki wouldn't normally ask questions but the curiousity wasn't really her own interest now but the spirit that didn't get to see things as much and always intent on learning.

She was such a strange child, but she wasn't all that surprised considering who her parents were. She was more dull and withdrawn. It was hard to guess what she may be thinking or what she may do next. It was difficult to understand where it was she was coming from at times, since she didn't ever seem to be coming from anywhere. She was dull, flat, drab, but.. she was unpredictable. Perhaps, that's the way she liked it to be.

"Water is a mysterious force, almost as if it has a mind, heart, and soul of its own. Hot spring waters are more.. clean," Mei would say looking down into the clear liquid as she wondered if clean was actually the word to use. "No. Natural. They're overflowing with minerals and elements that we couldn't possibly understand. When the body soaks in these natural wonders, oxygen increases, which results in increased blood circulation. They do more than just that though. Relaxation, decreased muscle pain, promoted sleep, improved skin condition, congestion relief, and on the list goes. It's like... miracle water," Mei would speak teasingly knowing full and well it wasn't miracle water. Perhaps, for humankind it could be, but for Shinigami there didn't seem to be many miracles.

Mei would look to her daughter with a smile on her face, as always, but she wouldn't continue on about water. "What makes you so interested? You've decided to be my Vice Captain, which I would have never expected. You're actually asking about something you're probably not all too interested in. So, why?" Mei didn't want to drive the girl away, but she didn't understand what was going through her mind.

While she idly sat in the warm pool with her mother she listened to her so enthusiastically describe the philosophy of water along with the many benefits that Mukushiki once again slowly nodded to herself in affirmation of this information. Seemingly satisfied by the answer and even smiling - a truly rare occasion for one to see on her features.

After that though and Mei brought up another point and the young woman's demeanour changed, at first it was a small thoughtful expression on her features while she took a minute to re-orientate herself from her zanpakuto spirit's personality and took a minute to figure what she was asking which was troublesome. It wasn't so much her own decision and influenced by Mukushiki's concepts of balance, simply put she had made a game out of killing and taking life, she had to equalise that by trying to save life which was quite unappealing to the misanthrope that found the idea still being like she was having to eat her brussel sprouts.

"Because I'm only good at killing people... and I so I have to balance it out by healing people. So that's why I asked to be your vice-captain..."

It seemed that in this moment, Shikigami was hesitating to answer her question. It didn't seem to be out of fear, since neither of her girls feared her even in the slightest. Mei was normally very kind and open towards people's thoughts along with their feelings, so it wasn't a matter of whether she would be disappointed. It didn't seem that she was confused or didn't have an answer. She seemed more to be organising herself, her thoughts, and her words. She didn't necessarily understand what went through the mind of her child, but she knew she was much more complex than she let on.

Finally, her answer would be set free from her lips causing Mei to look at her with a bit of concern. Then, a smile would cross her lips, but it was one of comfort and sorrow. She always tried to be a mother that was worth it, however her children only ever seemed to suffer. Her oldest was currently struggling right here before her and Emiko had been turned into an android just to save her life. Well, there lives were never boring, at least.

"I don't believe you. I think you have more talent than you realize, you just haven't utilized them as frequently. I'll make sure to teach you well and help ease your mind. I have no worries that you won't be but the best at saving lives," Mei would make sure she was looking straight at her girl hoping she would meet Shikigami's eyes. She wanted her to know that Mei was going to do everything she could to help. After she would speak, she would look away as she would take a deep breath. "Do you know what it is that makes a good healer? Take a guess." Her eyes would be directed towards the water as she listened for her answer.

She meet her mother's gaze with a neutral expression, she looked away at the mention of having natural talent at saving lives tucked away somewhere. Even if that were true she didn't like anyway. The idea of helping people was an alien feeling to her, she didn't tend to do it or even feel orientated towards it really. This felt like work to her and a burden. Standing up to change her position to something more comfortable and sit near Mei, Shiki looked down at her hands as she contemplated the question of what made a good healer.

"Empathy, Compassion, Optimism."

She spoke random words that she associated with her mother, she was a good healer after all right? So why did she not see any of those traits in herself. It left her a little disappointed while she ran her thumbs over her calloused palms gloomily.