A Matter of Matter [Requesting Head Journeyman]

Takahashi Matsu · Jul 18, 2017

[col]Matsu had that sort of twisted look on his face like he had just crapped his pants and was disappointed in himself. What he was about to do, in his mind, was a very similar experience. Not that someone would know by looking at him. He wore his standard hunting gear. One might think he was actually a ranger or otherwise given what he did, but the truth was that he was a craftsman like many in his family. He had actively avoided even coming to this place due to his cousin being far higher in the organization than he was. Or at least that is what he thought. That may not, in fact, be the truth. Regardless, it bothered him. He was an excellent artisan in his own right, but he always felt overshadowed. Perhaps it was because he made what he considered to be functional art and his cousin made artistic function. Pushing these unfortunate feelings aside, Matsu entered the hall and made his way to whatever sort of reception might be available to him.

"I...I am looking for the Head Journeyman. I would like to put my application in." He placed a document on the table which was exceptionally old. It was inviting him to join the organization. He sighed and stared at whoever he was handing the paper to. They would likely be aghast he was even there.

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Takahashi Aki · Jul 19, 2017

Perhaps not to Matsu's surprise, he would find his cousin being just who he was looking for. Sousuke as per usual when confused, made that sound of one hand clapping. The Kazekage had been summoned and was present quicker than usual, which was to say Matsu was not left waiting at all for long, not even mere seconds. Matsu was slightly taller than Sousuke and he looked at the paper, back to his cousin, then back to the paper. Sousuke sucked his teeth. He looked over the application, and it held everything that was expected of his cousin. One or two items made him raise an eyebrow. Sousuke would say nothing as the cat got his tongue. He made a hand gesture of sorts for one moment please. He would then wave his hand saying 'done', and then he would motion for cousin Matsu to follow him.

The two would pass by several men and women who were working hard at the forges. The sounds of hammers almost seemed musical. "Sorry. Words are not so easily spoken when in a state of shock of sorts." He revealed, "Rumors are not nice things to go by, word suggested you were going to be a Ranger. Not that I would have been upset, but since Father has gone AWOL ... I was hoping to bounce ideas off of you for some designs. Truthfully with your tattoo palor and your private business I did not want to be ... wasting your time."Matsu was the black sheep of the family, but Sousuke treated him equally enough. There were some rogue stares at the two as they made their way down the hall. Yes. Two Takahashi present in the Hall of Hammers. Whereas Matsu may have felt overshadowed by Sousuke, there was this strange feeling of the same. Matsu had the ability to say as he wanted, do as he wanted, and not care about what was expected of him. Sousuke was very much caged by that and in a strange way he admired Matsu for it.

Sousuke would motion for Matsu to the hammers that awaited him. "The hammer chooses the Journeyman. Sometimes they impart visions of the past, and some of them impart wisdom. No two Journeymen have the same experience or visions." He awaited for his cousin to be chosen, it was always an odd experience too. Sometimes a hammer glowed, others moved on their own accord, some resisted the call by proving too heavy.

Takahashi Matsu · Jul 19, 2017

[col]Matsu would remove his mask as he followed his cousin. His face would relax, but it would be obvious that he was uncomfortable with everything that was going on. "No apologies needed. I am hoping to mend...the problems we've experienced. I have been unhappy with many things that have occurred, but I am trying to be better? Better would be the best word I suppose." He made a hand wave motion as if he really didn't know. He frowned a bit as he was lost in thought. "I am here to my duty as a Takahashi as well as to stop shirking my responsibilities. While I might be an amazing hunter, those skills are dwarfed by my craft. It is now time that I bring my talents to the aid of our country and our people. I've been a selfish prick and I am...sorry. I'm the one who is sorry." He looked down as they walked and he was escorted to the hammers. He tilted his head up to them as they spoke. It was an interesting space. He had only been once when he was younger, as was the privilege of Takahashi, but he had not set foot for a long time.

"You would not be wasting my time. Simply my patience if it was before today. It takes a weak man to be angry and blame others. I am here to change that." He unsheathed his blade and held it tightly in his left hand for a moment. Then, like a pitcher throwing their best fast ball, his sword was flung forward and bounced into the wall and the hammers. With a resounding of metal and the amazing material of the sword clattering to the floor, only one hammer came loose and fell from wall and hit the sword perfectly causing it shatter. He smiled. That was the right hammer after all. The sword had been forged in those times and it was time to be remade. It was a dark thing that took and took and took. That would be the case no longer. He sighed deeply and pointed at it. It was rather larger and would require most to swing it with two hands. This would not be the case for Matsu. "Do I just take it? Do we talk now? I am sure there is so much to catch up on..."
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Takahashi Aki · Jul 23, 2017

Sousuke listened to his cousin talk. Just talk. It seemed like his cousin was going to do as he had tried to do several years ago: become a superior version of himself. It was a life long goal, and sometimes one faltered but one had to get back up and go back at it once again. The Kazekage would hold his hands behind his back as the two walked. He watched as his cousin reacted in a curious manner to the hammers that awaited all future Journeymen. All of them had a different way of reacting to it. Cousin Matsu threw the sword at the hammer. It was a fine sword, and Sousuke had seen it in action against Taro of the Sovereign. Sousuke watched as the sword bounced about for a time and then it struck one of the hammers. The hammer broke the sword. Sousuke's eyebrows raise ever so slightly. To each's own and more importantly Matsu had found what he needed, a hammer to match him in every single regard. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Wholly.

"Please do." Sousuke would answer his cousin when he asked him if he should indeed take the blade. Upon placing his hands upon the blade Matsu would indeed be granted a vision by the hammer that chose him. The hammer would impart knowledge upon him how to further make his broken sword stronger than before. It imparted him with the knowledge to make the weapon truly indestructible and how to furthermore use the weapon to a potential not dreamed by him before. Indeed he had sliced into Taro before and wounded the man, but the hammer took that history and reformed it. Matsu would see a shadow blade in his hands, as the hammer did not impart him with a vision for the appearance just yet. His mind, if it allowed it, would be given knowledge of how to truly injure such a man to the point where agony was not so much as a word or meaning but something truly fulfilling. All techniques of the blade, and all weaponry for that would be almost second nature for the man now. The knowledge of it, but not the actual physical action of it.

Yet that was a small inkling. The hammer seemed to glow blue for a moment. It seemed to know that Matsu wanted something else from it. Redemption? Power? Faith? It seemed uncertain of itself, and Matsu would feel a bit of an itch in the back of his mind. A question, and a willingness of sorts to comply with the design in question. The silence that was very much deafening, and time seemed to slow for a moment, but it picked right back up. "Did you want a view for your workshop and vault?" Sousuke could be heard speaking, as if it were right where he left off.

Takahashi Matsu · Jul 25, 2017

[col]Matsu's face would make a visible frown as he picked up the shards of his blade. A connection to reforge as it were. The hammer similarly tried to give him an idea of the future. A thought on how to make his blade into an idea that was never ending. Matsu disregarded the concerns as he lifted the larger than average hammer up with one hand. It was definitely the kind of weapon that would typically be wielded with two hands, but Matsu cared not for such conventions. It was a massive hammer that one could a weapon in its own right. He would shake his head a bit as he forced the thoughts out of his mind. He didn't want to deal with it right now. The voices spewing their nonsense from his blade were quiet now. Silence. Peace and quiet. What a wonderful feeling. Was this what clarity was truly like? "I would like to be able to work while basking in the sun. Shall we proceed to a place we can talk about your ideas as well? I am curious what it is that you might have in mind...about whatever." Matsu's voice seemed sincere about wanting to understand what was potentially running through his cousin's mind.

He would extend his hand as if to indicate he wanted Sousuke to proceed. Matsu would end up following him wherever it was they were intending to go. He didn't particularly care to look around in the space or observe anything anyone else was working on. His mind would wander to other notions unrelated to crafting necessarily. Art, mostly, would be what filled his mind. To be fair, most of this would involve crafting of some kind, but it wasn't the purpose. The purpose was the end goal which was to craete something beautiful and lasting. Something that stood beyond just existing. Something that simply was known upon viewing.
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Takahashi Aki · Jul 30, 2017

Matsu's request for accommodations for his working place was a different one, but it was not hard one to comply with. He would stop at a doorway and he would enter the room. He tapped the walls and part of it would peel itself away to reveal the glorious sun that Matsu so very much desired. Sousuke would step back slightly as sunlight was coming into the room. "Will this suffice?" He inquired as the sun would continue to come in. Ultimately Sousuke would too be bathed in the light. Sousuke, the owner of the Black Blade, or perhaps because of his upbringing was far more used to shadows than the light. He seemed slightly uncomfortable but he was slowly adjusting bit by bit. He never quite understood his obsession with the sun, but for him to ask for it showed a certain dedication to it. Usually Matsu would partake in a ritual sitting and basking in the sun. He would give the man his needed time to do what he needed to do.

Sousuke relaxed a bit and leaned on the wall. "Ooogami Taro." The name he spoke, it belonged to the man they had fought against. "He had tattoos or seals upon him that acted as an armour of sorts... but yes of course he was a Kirishii who are a naturally hearty and durable people." He would begin, "I had a theory about tattoos and seals as a whole. Once could inscribe a seal upon themselves for defensive and offensive measures for a time." There was a pause, "A tattoo is permanent for the most part unless of course if one uses plasma to remove it. Perhaps there is a way to condense the defensive aspects and strength of armour into these markings. One would be able to maintain their speed and dexterity without being weighed down by armour."

MFT 312

Takahashi Matsu · Aug 3, 2017

[col]Matsu would smile a bit as the sun was able to cascade across his body. He had thought that he might be forsaken by the sun, but it seemed that would not be the case for now. He would heft the hammer up upon his shoulder as he tossed his sword's shards next to the anvil where it would later be reforged if he felt the need. He did not desire the screaming to return to his mind. He would continue to smile a bit as he kicked his heels out and began to stride around the room keeping some distance from his cousin. Often they were similar enough that they could be brothers, but their minds were likely alien to one another. Matsu never understood Sousuke and he felt that his cousin might have similar thoughts. He would stop for a moment and his frown would return.

"Yes. It is perfect. Now, on to business: Oogami Taro should be killed. He is far too dangerous to be kept alive and whatever we have to learn is outweighed by him getting free." He would spit on the floor as he positioned himself so that the anvil would be between himself and his cousin. His eyes would narrow and he'd lick his lips before proceeding. "That said, yes. One can do that with seals and tattoos. I am a testament to this so I suspect there is more you are curious about. What is your aim cousin? You are speculating on things that are known. I know you are not unintelligent. Or, perhaps, you were completely unaware that my seals did such a thing even by seeing it in that fight. What is it that you want to accomplish?"

His hand would choke up on the haft of the hammer and it would come off his shoulder to his side. If a fight were to break out it would be interesting at the very least. He would be disadvantaged to an extent, but he wanted no such thing to happen. "Despite my attempts for forgiveness, I will go and choke the life out of that monster with my bare hands if he is not killed. You understand this."
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Takahashi Aki · Aug 10, 2017

Cousin asserted what he already said in the past. He would indeed nod his head. "Dangerous yes. You arrived on scene after but prior to fighting him we fought a resurrected Barnyx. There is a link between who resurrected that old terror which damaged the old part of the village and why he was there. The sandworm brood could have been of Barnyx spawn. Would prefer not having to fight an entire brood, but what you said does have value and will be taken into consideration." He would answer him, and indeed he would file it in his mind palace. Cousin Matsu while blunt always had a point. "You're not unwell or still recovering from that battle are you?" Cousin never did visit the hospital, and nor did Sousuke unless he was forced to by his team mates. "The whole ripping and tearing thing. Inspirational really. In the primal sort of way." He spoke quietly.

As Matsu finished speaking a suit of armour would walk itself into the room. It was one of the larger designs. Sousuke was controlling it through psionics. The suit of armour would take its helmet and reveal nothing underneath. "I want to push the envelope. I want to make the system evolve." He answered as to what Matsu asked him in what he wanted to accomplish. "I want the crush room for impact present in the armour, but if the seal is in the flesh you don't have such a thing." Sousuke like Matsu had black scalera, and indeed they could have been brothers. Hair colour aside of course. Sousuke's irises were golden or yellow depending on who you were arguing the point with. Matsu's were black. It was said that the Takahashi had iron for bones. The family was so deeply rooted with metals of various kinds. "We created the armour of Primus. I have created several different suits but ... there is always room for improvement. Seals on the flesh could strengthen the armour and vice versa. Which do you think should come first? I am naturally inclined to think of the former of the two."

Takahashi Matsu · Aug 10, 2017

[col]Matsu shook his head as the hammer came down upon the anvil with a horrid sound. "The only sickness I harbor is that you continue to not listen to me. Two people betrayed your trust and neither were me! And yet I am still ignored!" He snarled as he left the haft of the hammer hit the ground and he turned his back on his cousin. His body shook for a moment as he tensed up. Sounds of popping and cracking could be heard. He was beyond agitated and his left hand lifted towards the door. "I would suggest that Taro dying comes first. That is how you will get my help. Take that into consideration."

If his cousin left then nothing would come of it. He was beyond pissed at this point. Even now, after everything else, his cousin continued to rebuke him. If his cousin stayed, however, Matsu would begin to unload on him with his words. "I am the reason we are alive! Your beloved 'friends' almost got us killed by not doing anything! They actively betrayed us and you listen to them over me! I can't even understand this. It is beyond my comprehension. And now you want my expertise on something so meaningless and empty? What you want I taught myself in my early twenties! But no, no. I matter when it helps you get something you want. So about this cousin, since you're so keen on letting people betray you: I am leaving this country. You're going to let me leave too or you're a fucking hypocrite, because you let people almost kill you, myself, and neophyte so that the person killing us could be captured! By their recommendation, mind you. Did that sink into your oh-so-analytical brain?!" He would growl with his back continuing to be turned to his cousin. Would he attack him through his venting? Would he try anything or would he simply have left to let Matsu rage to an empty room by himself, cursing his family.
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Takahashi Aki · Aug 15, 2017

Sousuke would quietly drink in the rant that his cousin was delivering. When a man was so focused on a particular concept it would be rude to interrupt him. It was best to stand and wait. Stand and wait while he were to speak at length about the matter. It went on for a solid three to four minutes. Sousuke lost track of time. He would think about the final part of what Matsu had said. Leaving the country. Suffice it to say, Sousuke had a long history of people in his family vanishing. It happened with Jin'ichi before which was something that bothered him greatly considering he thought had a fairly decent relationship with him. Sousuke would inhale and then exhale. "As I have said, I will take what you said into consideration. Should you wish to leave, then be my guest." If Matsu left Wind, then that would be the best scenario. It would take him out of the equation as someone to be used against him in terms of the brewing war with Soragakure. "Avoid Sora. Avoid Tea. Avoid Sound. They are all in Wind." He counseled. "We are not the only ninja nation and not all of them are as ... cast in the sun as we are." Matsu loved his sun and the sunlight. While cousin Matsu might be difficult at times, he was still a Takahashi and he was still loved in some fashion. Love? Respect? Well sometimes they were the same. Sometimes they were not. "If you listen great, I would like to think that information will offer some form of ... safety, in light of what you may believe." He need not remind Matsu of what happened in Mist which resided in water country.

"For the record the original objective was to see what was down there. It was not to capture Taro, that was the end result. A very powerful necromancer had raised Barnyx. I did not expect to find Taro down there. I did not know what to expect, let alone the concept that Barnyx in such a short time was capable of laying a clutch of eggs. Sandsorms? Likely but Barnyx was known for devouring other sandworms. We happened to fight Taro as a result, and he was captured before and not after he fell. One might be independent of the other. I do not know." It was a slight correction of sorts. "Even if the end result was to out front kill Taro we would have been in danger at any rate."

Takahashi Matsu · Aug 15, 2017

[col]"I appreciate that you still ignore that fact you've got two traitors in your midst and a danger to your people chained up. Unbelieveable. Best of luck finding someone with my skills. Maybe I'll take your advisement. Maybe I'll go join one of them and come back for your head. Not like you're using it anymore." Matsu would spit as his muscles tensed. He would just wave his hand for his cousin to leave. Even now he wouldn't listen. "I had really hoped that for once, just once, you'd know I was right. You're not a Takahashi as far as I'm concerned and neither am I. We don't deserve the name." He would lift his hammer and push the fragments of his former blade to the side. He would make his way over to a desk and set the hammer down as he removed pen and parchment to begin writing materials he would need. It would be the beginning of a very arduous process. He might even miss the war given how long he planned to be sequestered. His plans would take somewhere in the ballpark of ten years. If left to his own devices he'd be locked away for that long, never leaving his forge. It was common for Matsu to just remove himself from a situation. It was enough. His cousin wasn't going to listen.

"I do wish you the best. Perhaps I am arrogant, but you're lost. Regardless, consider this my personal excision from our name. From now on I can just be Matsu the Crazed. I'm the one people think insane, and yet you don't see what is right in front of you. Your 'friends' actively left us to die. They'll do it again and you won't be the only one suffering. All of our people will suffer. The people you seem unwilling to listen to." He frowned from his desk as he removed his upper leathers exposing his effectively mutilated skin. While he had healed, Taro had caused deep wounds to scar along his body. Proof that he took the brunt of the damage for them all. He began tapping at portions of his pectorals as well as his biceps with his pen before tapping his pen back upon the parchment and writing some more. His frown would be ever present. "I don't care. Either way, you may go. For someone so fixated on facts and logic, you're an idiot." He would wave his hand once more if his cousin hadn't left. It was likely he didn't leave. He didn't even care if he struck him. While his cousin would be focused on calculations, he would be focused on himself. Reforging himself into a proper weapon that would likely one day come for his cousin's head. He was no longer fit for leadership. Matsu knew when he was being tossed out. It was a common cycle that Matsu was always in the middle of. Perhaps he was the problem or perhaps those around him simply didn't care.
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[Topic Left / Ending? Barring Sousuke's actions]|

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Takahashi Aki · Aug 23, 2017

Sousuke quietly drank in his cousin's comments as per usual. This was the nature of the beast and how it would be for perhaps the longest of times. "We will see. Perhaps Taro will be dead soon enough. Perhaps he won't be." He would not admit that his cousin was completely right or wrong. That much he was willing to give. "As to not being a Takahashi. That I doubt. I am learning more and more than I am my father's son, and like his father before him." Sousuke doubted if Matsu were Steward-Kazekage that he would have given up the title like he tried to do on some many occasions. Matsu would go to reveal his injuries. Seeing them made him reconsider the workings of what he had on his mind. Yes Matsu had taken severe damage, but so had Sousuke.

All what Matsu said did not go unnoticed by Sousuke. All the threats. All the remarks everything. Matsu had said that he may leave. Yet the funny thing in all of this? It was Sousuke who brought him here, gave him this space, and gave him what he wanted. The sun of all things. The room for a moment seemed to grow darkened ever so slightly. His final remarks were perhaps said no to no one as Sousuke was no longer there. Threats and words did not go unheard, they would be remembered. Matsu like many others underestimated Sousuke, and doing so was a very dangerous thing. Sousuke had kept the realm going for several years, alot longer than when he decided to return from where he came from. The Daimyo's men underestimated Sousuke, and paid a price for it. Demons underestimated Sousuke and paid a price for it. The Cabal underestimated Sousuke and paid a price for it. Sousuke was indeed at times the smartest man in the room, and it was people like Matsu who failed to realize it. That was folly.

[Topic ended]

A Matter of Matter [Requesting Head Journeyman]

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member

Takahashi Matsu

Member

Takahashi Aki

Well-Known Member