"Neither was mine, but I learned out of necessity," Tachibana returned with a faint, wry smile. He was a researcher by profession, and only a fighter out of chance. And not the best one at that. But he had conquered his fears-- by experiencing the worst thing that could have happened. With little else left to lose, what did he have left to be afraid of?

"Far less risk for me than for most," he assured. "Between my armor and... other skills I've gotten Traveling, there's not much that can cause any lasting injury."

Physically, anyway.