A Spiritual Arrival

Takahashi Aki · Dec 7, 2013

Usually one puts on their best face to meet others. In the case of Sousuke, there was no face merely metal. The Steward resided between his ebony armour as his eyes focused upon the elevator platform. Someone was coming down, someone who Sousuke was not exactly sure how to deal with. Some of his advisors told him she was a witch. Some told him that she was a demoness who devoured the souls of others through her eyes. Other reports was that she was a simple hermit who was well versed with the old word. Others said that she was a relation to Al'Haquish, the shadow priest. Some stated she could read minds, and figure you out before you could figure her out.

Well. It would be soon time enough to figure out just who this mystery woman was. Sousuke's eyes narrowed as he continued to trace the elevator's descent. Sousuke tensed for a moment. As Steward it was his job to welcome travelers, and should they prove to be of noble intent ... to house them and provide them with hospitality. He was not armed, but he could easily do that at the speed of a thought. His ebon armour certainly gave him a more serious battle ready-look. That was in no doubt due to the spikes on the cauldrons, and the fore arms. Worry not Sousuke. Worry not. I am sure she is not even half of the things people have told you. Shade had tried his hand at giving Sousuke some form of comfort, or to make him relax. If anything I think you are going to make a most ... personable first impression. After all you don't even use this armour in front of Okibi. I suppose this is your attempt at putting the best foot forward? Mentally Sousuke shook his head. The Shade let out a small mental chuckle of sorts. I best make myself scarce then. Call upon me if you require me. With that, Shade made his return to the space between spaces.

The elevator was coming down, and with it the visitor...

Okibi · Dec 7, 2013

(Entered with iNPC)

The descending platform moved at a steady rate for the woman, who stood in the center with her staff made of bones. She tapped it to a rhythm only she could hear, as she looked around the vast cavern that housed the village of Sunagakure. It'd been a while since she came to visit, a few years actually. Things had changed obviously. In the distance she could she the spot where the hospital used to be, and a new one being built up. With her left eye she saw the leftover spiritual residue that remained from whatever demolished the place. It was almost evaporated, but she could tell that whatever did it had been quite the nasty piece of work.

She hummed to herself as she glanced over the rest of the village while she was still high enough to do so. From a distance, she couldnt see anything of notable interest; she'd picked a good time to pop in.

The platform made it to the bottom, and landed with a quiet thud. The 'witch', as some people liked to call her (and she didnt mind really), stepped down and silently made her way down the stairs of the high rise. When she got to the bottom, she was almost surprised to find a large, dark shadow waiting for her. Well, she would have been surprised if she didnt see shadows everywhere she went. But, she came up short when she realized it in fact wasnt something spiritual, but physical. She blinked her eyes - the right one brown and the left one gray - behind her shattered skull mask, and then grinned as she looked him - and yes she could tell - over. She closed her left eye for a moment, so she could just take a look at the outside without being distracted. Big, dark, scary by normal human's standards. It made her smile.

Then she switched eyes, and cocked her head to the side, confused by what she saw. The soul within the big black body was not at all what she thought it was . . . it was small, or rather, seemed to be missing something. A big piece of something. It was in decent shape but . . . She had to wonder how a person who was missing a piece of their soul could function.

"Very strange." She said as she opened her other eye and leaned against her staff, cocking a hip. Her voice came out with an odd accent, one that rolled the r's slightly. She looked him over again, starting with the bottom and working her way to the top. "The contents don't match the container." She grinned as she tipped her mask up onto her head. "Tell me Mr. Giant Scary Thing, why is that?"

Takahashi Aki · Dec 7, 2013

Beneath his ebon armour, Sousuke merely stared. He couldn't help it. The so called witch was ... not what he had entirely expected. Furthermore she seemed to know that Sousuke was ... not quite himself either. In the sense that his armour didn't quite match his true physical fleshy exterior. "Too often do people not match brains and brawns. Usually one has more brains or more brawns, what you will find, it something of a match here. Not exceptional on the brawns, slightly more exceptional on the brains part." Sousuke explained.

While Sousuke's interpretation took a literal level, Shade observed the more spiritual interpretation. She... may know. The Shade did not alert Sousuke of his presence, but merely kept himself on standby. Very few knew about Sousuke's condition, and those that knew kept quiet about the matter. What intrigued the Shade was that she looked at him, giving him a thorough observation... what else could she see?

Sousuke couldn't help but continue to stare back. Why was she smiling? "I must admit. When people see me in my armour, they are not all smiles, but you are. Why is that?" The Steward would inquire as it was something most unexpected. The face mask would slowly begin to dissemble itself and Sousuke's gold and silver eyes would come into sight. Those eyes would merely at the Witch, unblinking eyes with an intense stare. Sousuke was trying to read what he could from the woman, but her dialect was foreign, her mannerisms, everything was unique. "How was your travels Hakumei of the ... well I'm not quite sure what order or placement you are of." Sousuke would merely bow his head slightly giving her the formalities as required. "..." Well. That was Sousuke's attempt at small talk. Usually he had prior knowledge of one's house or of their clan's history. This was not the case for Hakumei. Sousuke knew very little about her. He trusted that in turn she knew little of him, but ... usually people had a way of finding things out.

Okibi · Dec 8, 2013

She laughed out loud at the big dark things answer to her question. Apparently, someone didnt understand what she meant. Not that that was surprising; not many people understood her to begin with. When her laughter died down, she wiped some moisture from the corners of her eyes and stood up straight. "Right. Brains and brawn. Totally what I was getting at."

When he addressed the way she was smiling, her grin only grew. He was expecting her to be afraid of his appearance most likely; he probably got that kind of reaction all the time. But, Hakumei had seen things much scarier than big shadows with spikes on their shoulders in her time. She was surprised, however, when the darkness of his face started melting away to show that there was a human face beneath it. Her eyes widened slightly, and she had to step forward to get a closer look. She could honestly say she hadnt expected the big black thing to be a shell.

She stopped in front of Sousuke and turned her head this way and that. "Hmm." She hummed, as he greeted her. His loss for how to address her properly made her chuckle and she started walking around him slowly, trying to see past the . . . whatever you called the thing encasing him. It seemed her initial assessment was true in more ways than one. When she came back to his front side, she reached for his face and placed her fingers lightly against one of his cheeks so she could turn his head to the side. "You can just call me Hakumei, Mr. Steward." And yes, she did know who he was now that she could see his face. That purple hair was hard to mistake. She couldnt, however, recall his name.

Stepping back once more, she crossed her arms under her bust, her staff dangling to one side. "Why dont you take the rest of that off so I can take a proper look at you? It isnt every day a girl is greeted at the gates by the village leader. Show some decorum man." Her lips took on a certain sort of tilt as her eyes roved over him again. "I'm sure you're much better looking under all that anyway. What was your name again?"

Takahashi Aki · Dec 8, 2013

Sousuke's eyes narrowed. "Well, when you say that, then obviously I have missed something then. Most ... unfortunate. It seems I still have a way to go in my understanding of the nature of words." It seemed that he had surprised her when he decided to have to the faceplate dissemble itself. For a moment he wondered if she thought he wasn't a human. "This is armour, by the way, my own creation for my personal use." He explained clarifying the matter for her as she no doubt had questions. People always had questions about his armour ... but oddly enough Hakumei didn't seem to have any. Still though, better to be ready than not to be.

She circled him, when people usually did this it sort of unnerved him. To divert his attention Sousuke conjured a blue orb made of chakra and held it in his hand. He merely held the orb and began poking at it when his free hand. As he did so various things about the orb changed. some of the lines connecting the orb vanished, others changed colour, and some of them changed shape entirely into swirls and yings. For a moment Sousuke worked about with imaginary numbers trying to solve a math equation. It took him moments to solve, it and by that time Hakumei had made a full rotation around the Steward. "If that is your wish then you shall be simply known to me as Hakumei." Following that she made a simple request. That the Steward simply remove his armour so she could get a better look at him. Sousuke's face contorted from a neutral expression into that of a frown. Should he? Would he was the more important question.

With great hesitancy the armour proceeded to deconstruct itself. Some of it was phasing out, other parts slipping into the sleeves of the Steward. Behind the Steward was a wheel chair. He began to walk toward it at his chest and arms armour receded entirely, and by the time the leg plates were gone too he was seated in the wheel chair. Doubt crossed the mind of the Steward as he wondered at Hakumei's intentions, whether or not they were pure. If they were not ... well conjuring back the mark I would be done quickly and easily enough at the speed of a thought. By the time all the transformation was complete was sat before Hakumei was a sickly smaller looking man. "Not quite the decorum you were looking for, and quite disappointing if I do say so myself." The Steward wheeled himself closer to her. From here on out he would have to look up instead of vice versa. "I would be here regardless if I was Steward-Kazekage or not. It is a Steward's duty to oversee a guest's arrival. A Sunahoshi may not attend you, but his Steward would." When she asked him for his name he paused for a moment, "I was christened by the Mother Suna pilgrims to be Takahashi Sousuke the third. I mainly go by Sousuke of course, with the exception of ... well I'm not going into that."

(MFT 524)

Okibi · Dec 9, 2013

"Armor you say," Hakumei commented lightly as she watched Sousuke shed his 'skin'. Her grin widened as his form shrank, leaving behind a much smaller human man, in comparison to the black monstrosity he was wearing. She was surprised once more when he turned from her and walked to a wheelchair; she hadnt noticed that before. Why did he need the use of a wheelchair when he was standing not moments ago? She frowned thoughtfully as the Steward wheeled closer to her, propping her chin up on a fist as she looked him over. "Interesting."

Indeed, she was a little disappointed, but not for the reasons the man seemed to think. He demeaned himself because he was unable to walk? Such mannerisms bespoke of a frail and insecure soul, one which apparently wasnt whole. But then he spoke of his duty, and she saw then that despite being handicapped, in more ways than one, he made due with what he had, and thrived. Oh, she wanted to play with him.

"Dont be silly. This is much better than that black monstrosity. Much cuter." She said, her grin returning as she reached out and flicked a bit of his purple hair. "Personally I think those large and muscley sorts are very inconvenient. Have you tried snuggling with a muscle bound brute? It isnt very comfortable you know. Your size is much more preferable."

She set her staff in his lap and walked around to his back, where she put her hands on the chair's handles. The bangles and beads that covered her arms and legs jingled with every little movement she made. Grinning, she leaned over the Stewards shoulder, her long brown hair brushing it. "Taka, is it?" She asked rhetorically, clinging to the first part of his family name. "Well then, my Wee Falcon, did you come to greet me with plans? Or are we going to wing it? Surely you didnt just come to say hello."

[MFT]

Takahashi Aki · Dec 9, 2013

"Yes. Armour. I suppose you could consider your clothing or mask armour. Very light armour it wouldn't protect you from much but maybe a paper cut." Sousuke explained as he held out his hand and the ebon armour would begin to fade in covering up his arm. After his demonstration he rested his arm. "I injured myself recently, and while I am on the mend, I am using this wheel chair. I can still walk, but if only in my armour." He wheel himself a bit in a general direction of towards the village. During that time Hakumei spoke of how his fleshy and fragile form was cuter, and better than his armoured self. "I have to disagree. Sometimes things need to be answered with force than tact and charm. For instance ... bandits and water elementals. A show of power and an understanding of force led to them bending the knee to me. That is to say... yes while they may be water elementals, they had made the ... ... ceremonious action of acknowledging me as their superior. Granted that was not my original plan. I just wanted them to stop fighting with the bandits, and to stop them from becoming blood elementals and ruining our water supply." Sousuke detailed. He looked up to Hakumei and as he did she started playing with his hair. Usually people didn't do this upon their first meeting. Maybe it was better if he just resided in his armour.

Sousuke coughed when she spoke of snuggling. "I wouldn't know..." He then tried picturing trying to hug Shizune. That was a difficult image to conjure up but the Steward did it. "I have no experience in snuggling, but I picture it to be slightly difficult." Sousuke spoke in a low voice. The two continued on, until she called him Taka. Sousuke stopped rolling the wheels, and looked up. "Taka? ... Is this your name for me?" Then she followed up and called him a wee Falcon. Sousuke blinked. "My family sigil is a horse, not a bird." She then asked him what they were going to do next. He stroked his chin. "Well. To be honest, I expected you to dictate to me certain particulars, like show me your home, or ... show me my accommodations, I expect only the best. Some ... or most of the high nobles are like this, and I had originally suspected that you may be the same. I think we're winging it as you just said, pre-supposing that I am using the word correctly... as in we're making this up as we go along."

Okibi · Dec 9, 2013

"Taka, as in Falcon." Hakumei chirped as they wheeled on towards the village. "I do like the sound of it, my Wee Falcon. You look nothing like a horse. Falcon suits you much better."

She considered what he said, and laughed at the prospect of 'dictating him. "Me? Tell you what to do my Lord Steward? I am a but a humble witch." She danced in front of him, bowing as she walked backwards. "Who am I to tell you to do anything?" With a laugh, she turned around to walk properly, plucking her staff back off his lap since he seemed well enough to push himself in his chair. For a few moments, she thought of the way he said he was bound to it because he'd been injured. Her curious nature demanded she learn how.

"I live in a simple cave out in the desert you know. Throw me under one of your rocks and I would be happy." Her gaze turned sideways, eyeing the young Steward sideways. "But if you had other idea's for where to put me up, I wouldnt be against seeing them. I dont suppose I'd have the honor of sleeping in your bed would I, my Wee Falcon?" Her last question came our smooth and silk like, obviously a flirt. She bat her eyes at him for a moment, but only to be obnoxious. He was obviously not the type to fall for such feminine trickery.

"So, how did you hurt yourself Little Bird? Did you trip over a stick?" She asked with a grin, twirling her staff in her left hand. Despite the way she sounded teasing, she was honestly curious.

Takahashi Aki · Dec 9, 2013

The concept of him being a Falcon was throwing him off. Sousuke pictured a falcon for a moment. The features of one, and it confused him. He wasn't free like a bird, he was bound to his rank and to serve. "Why is that you have me designated as a falcon? I don't have any avian features." Sousuke looked down at his hands. He curled his fingers into fists and formed two black armoured gauntlets. He looked them over. No not even his armour had avian features to it. He looked up to see her dancing now and striding about. "The ancient rules of hospitality dictate that while you are under my house, drink and eat of my food, and that you bear no ill will, that you are to be protected." Sousuke tried to picture Hakumei living in a simple cave, but he pictured said cave to have walls of painted creatures such as these falcons she referred to him as. When she spoke of sleeping in his bed, the Steward's brows furrowed. "Ah no. I sleep in a single bed, and if that was the case I would be sleeping on the couch or elsewhere. My personal quarters are nothing special... and they are mine and mine alone. If you were to occupy them then, they would be yours and not mine. I'm adaptable you see, but my privacy does not."

Sousuke continued to wheel himself along. "No I did not trip over a stick. I engaged in combat with a ... mutual-nemesis of sorts. She tapped into a power that altered her personality, as did it mine. I was able to cast it aside, and she did not. We battled each other, and I destroyed the power source, doing so she broke my legs . She stabbed my armour with a crystal and that crystal did not ... well to make a long story short. That crystal had an effect on my armour changing it to something darker. Fortunately it has not changed my personality." He shrugged his shoulders. "I made a tactical mistake, but I'm still here so I did not commit a critical error." He looked up again. "You referred to yourself as a humble witch. Were you being sarcastic or honest? Usually the term isn't spoken with in the same sentence with the word humble. Quite a strange use of paired words."

Okibi · Dec 9, 2013

Sighing, Hakumei stopped twirling her staff and tapped Sousuke very lightly on the head; barely touched him really.
"I just told you, Taka, as in Falcon. It's in your name you ninny." She looked at him sideways, her face thought as she looked over his. "And sure you do. You have a sharp nose, an angular chin." She poked at these parts of his face as she mentioned them, obviously having no interest for keeping their personal bubbles personal. "And your plumage is quite lovely." She flicked his hair again. "A very interesting color; quite at odds with your soul though."

She turned around after saying that, as though it meant nothing more than her mentioning the weather. "You make it sound as though you do intend to keep me in your home, if not your own bed." She grinned as she looked at him then. "And that part was called flirting my Wee Falcon. You know, amorous behaviour without any serious intentions?" She chuckled as she looked up, taking notice of the large crystal that shone down on the village, like their own personal sun. "I'll sneak my way under your covers somehow. How could a female resist such a lovely specimen." And, once more, she flicked his hair. She didnt know why, but she was particularly drawn to its color.

Hakumei's face twisted with distaste as Sousuke started relating to her how he'd injured himself. Fighting? Blegh. She was much to delicate for such things. Her attention caught on the crystals he mentioned, and how they'd 'changed' his armor. She'd never come across any such crystals before, and in her profession, she dealt with quite a few. Minerals from the earth were known for being viable containers for spiritual energy. She wanted to see them for herself.

"Confrontations. Augh." Was all she had to say on the matter of him and his nemesis, but when he went on to ask her about how she'd referred to herself, she sighed again. His ineptitude when it came to social cues was endearing, but getting just a wee bit annoying. Plastering on a smile, she answered him. "I was being quite literal Little Bird. I am a witch," She snapped off a bead from one of the dangling bits on her staff and crushed it in her palm. When she opened it, she blew the dust into the air, and watched with pleasure as the swirling dust motes formed into the shape of a small rabbit that hopped through the air around Sousukes head before disappearing shortly after. "And I come from very humble origins." She didnt share anymore on the matter. "But if it's my personality you're asking about, well, that would require different terms entirely."

She stopped at a corner of a street, and admired the homes that surrounded them. The last time she was here, she didnt get the chance to stroll through the residential districts - she'd been much too busy in the bars and clubs. "So which way is this home youre putting me up in? My journey across the desert was rather taxing, and I could really use a drink."

Takahashi Aki · Dec 12, 2013

"No it's not it's Takahashi not Taka--" Obviously Sousuke wasn't going to win this battle. The Steward didn't beleive in shortening his name and then deriving... "This is one of those pun things isn't it? ... ... ... No don't answer that question." Sousuke rubbed his forehead. Yes. This was going to be a thing. How much of a thing was it going to be? When she spoke of his features and poked at them, Sousuke touched his own nose and chin. "W-what?" Then she made the poke at his soul. Sousuke's eyes narrowed. He wasn't fully educated on the concept of a soul. It was a person's spiritual part. He heard of people being soul sick, which was a concept that was certainly beyond him.

When Sousuke's soul was mentioned, the Shade reformed but kept himself distanced. The black shadowy form simply waited and listened. She is dangerous... The Shade simply said. If more conversation of Sousuke's soul was to come up, he would have to intervene. The Shade was very much aware of Sousuke's lack of knowledge of his own damaged soul. Hrmmm... The Shade would merely continue to be present, but distant. The Shade observed Sousuke in turn when Hakumei continued to flirt. Hrmph... humans... It amused the Shade to see Sousuke blink several times. He seemed to be quite confused.

"You do this quite a bit don't you?" Sousuke would inquire as the two continued travelling. "Rrrighhht.... that totally did not happen." As a smoky bunny rabbit ran circles around his head. The Steward looked up at the foreign woman looking quite confused as to why she actually did that, but more importantly how. He would then pause for a moment when she asked him where she was going to say. "There are sleeping facilities at Keystone Prime, and the Kazekage tower... ... errh ... why did you make a rabbit run laps around my head? I didn't doubt your powers if you think that I'm of some sort of unbelieving individual... I believe in a higher power. I am a believer that my ancestors guide me in some manner." He asserted. "Right then. So. Keystone Prime is a research developmental facility and the Kazekage tower is where I conduct most of office work. There are some hotels in the Diamond District, but those are quite ... expensive and I ... to be honest don't think the merchants there would..." Sousuke was trying to be delicate with the matter. Hakumei would be thrown out, followed by 'we don't serve your kind' referring to her foreign and exotic ways. "I do not think they could take your most exceptional abilities easily.... which is quite pitiful really. They could learn a thing or two."

Okibi · Dec 13, 2013

As a black shadow formed near Sousuke, Hakumei watched with fascination. This one actually was a shadow, but seemed entirely separate from the Steward himself, although it somehow lived inside the man. She leaned against her bone staff and waved at it with a smile before moving along. "Is that your pet?" She asked lightning, laughing.

At the mention of the R&D facility, the tower, and hotels, Hakumei made a face. First he makes it sound like he's going to put her up in his personal home, then he goes and says otherwise? What a tease. "How disappointing. Here I was thinking it would be easier to sneak into your bed. Now I have to travel across the village to do so?" She sighed dramatically. "You obviously have no idea how to treat a lady, my Wee Falcon." Not that she was much of a lady; truthfully, she might actually be the furthest thing from one.

Smirking now, she looked back at Sousuke and conjured up a tiny totem pole made of dirt. It came to life with a flash of red in its three sets of eyes and started to waddle-dance around Sousuke's chair. "I'm just demonstrating for you Little Bird. Whether you believe me or not was not my concern. Maybe I just wanted to throw you for a small loop."

Suddenly, there was a loud squawk behind them, and Hakumei turned with a curious expression to see what it was. She laughed when a Pied Crow swooped down at her head and started to playfully claw at her hair before landing on her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek. Hakumei chuckled throatily and scratched the bird on the head. "This is MY pet, Wee Falcon." She said, glancing at the shadow that followed them, then back again. "Did you sneak into the village you naughty boy?" The crow just squawked again and nibbled at her hair.

Smiling with fondness, she introduced the bird. "His name is Jerry." She said, though with her accent it came out sounding like 'Jer-reh', with the R's magnificently rolled. "Jerry, Wee Falcon and pet." She said to the bird, waving at the handicapped Steward and his shadow.

Mikaboshi · Dec 13, 2013

"That is a petty imitation of someone much greater." Growled the darkness in response to Hakumei's playful question. Clearly the speaker did not share Sousuke's innocent tolerance of her word-play. "And I assure you, I am no one's pet."

The first thing visible of Mikaboshi as the shadows of the Maw disgorged him onto the scene were of course his eyes. Appearing from the black like a pair of low-burning candles and announcing his arrival, the rest of the enigmatic Sennin arrived presently even though he remained mostly enshrouded by the long coat which he wore over his ANBU armor. With his arms folded across his chest it would not have been a hard assumption to assume that Mikaboshi was displeased by something-- especially when his tone of speaking was factored in. But really, something was almost always displeasing the ill-tempered "man". He despised most things about the life he was being forced to lead by the terms of the pact he'd signed with Sousuke and that frustration came out on those around him fairly regularly. Tossing a glare over Sousuke's shoulder at the specter that impersonated him, Mikaboshi resisted the urge to lash out at it. He wasn't sure exactly what it was or why it had foolishly chosen to steal his appearance but he tolerated only in-so-far as Sousuke forced him to. The Steward-Kazekage apparently was fond of the spectral doppelganger even if Mikaboshi himself was not.

"You complain much to a man that has taken you into his house. A guest should have more respect for her host." He chided. He didn't like that Sousuke had brought a spiritually attuned individual into the village without so much as informing him it would happen. That was something that Sousuke would likely pick up on his own from the empathic link they shared through the Black Blade belted at the Steward's waist but he could not possibly know the reason. The ANBU Sennin was a spiritual predator; a wolf among sheep in Sunagakure. A reality that he... indulged on a regular basis when the Steward's back was turned-- a fact that he had gone to great lengths to hide from his lord for he knew that Sousuke would certainly not approve. Someone who was spiritually aware could make that... complicated. It was one of the few pleasures he still enjoyed in this prison of an existence and he intended to keep it that way. Offering Sousuke a bow of greeting and respect as was due before speaking, Mikaboshi cast his gaze upon the Steward as he fell into step with his lord's wheelchair, "You should tell me when you are venturing to the gates, Lord Takahashi. They have been dangerous as of late."

[Trying out some new BBcode for my posts-- please tell me if it's too hard to read!]

Takahashi Aki · Dec 14, 2013

Sousuke didn't detect Shade initially, but when Hakumei mentioned him he paused. Yes. He was indeed around. "Ah-- no he's not a pet... he's a frie-" Sousuke was then interrupted as Shade's other part came about. Mikaboshi had phased in. The two of them didn't seem to get along as dirty looks shifted between the two. Sousuke looked at the two Mikaboshis. Shade merely mirrored Mikaboshi's movements and folded his arms as well. Not even Sousuke could explain how there were two of them. They were the same person right? Shouldn't one cause the other to disperse in the form of a temporal phase occurrence?

Two parts of a whole we are. Shade asserted. Or perhaps two brothers.

To make light of the situation Hakumei spoke up of needing to travel across the village to sneak into his bed. Sousuke blinked. Yes. This was that thing again ... that flirting thing. "What are you so obsessed with my bed? I sleep there. Sometimes I read there. I don't spend my entire day there unless I'm ill." Sousuke looked at the totem. He blinked again when it became alive. "Fascinating..." Sousuke reached out to it to touch it as it ran around him. Sousuke put his hands on it and by that time a Crow had come down. Sousuke looked at the creature while holding onto the totem intently. "Nice to meet you too Jer-reh. Is he real, or is he an automaton? He doesn't seem affected by the storm." He wasn't going to let go of it so easily. During this time Mikaboshi was having words with Hakumei about how she should be respecting him more as he was the host. Sousuke would feel the ancient's disdain for the woman. He couldn't understand why of course.

Still though Mikaboshi paid him his respect with a bow. "Ah... I suppose it have been dangerous, but I needed to attend my guest. Hakumei please met Mikaboshi, Mikaboshi this is Hakumei. Oh, and Shade he is ... well he's Mikaboshi too, but he's not nearly as material-like in terms of his shadow-matter." She spoke introducing the three. Shade would make a bowing motion of sorts. Unlike Mikaboshi, Shade merely wore a great black shroud and hood. "Speaking of dangers. Did you have that section sealed near the Starlit Lake due to the encounter, we had some time ago? Or did you merely root out the problem entirely?" The Steward inquired of his sennin and mentor.

Okibi · Dec 15, 2013

Hakumei clued in to the change in atmosphere a few seconds before it happened. Jerry's feathers fluffed out with his apprehension, sensing the approach of something dangerous. She glanced at the bird for just a moment, and not a second later . . . he phased out of the shadows. A throbbing pain lanced through Hakumei's left eye; she squeezed it shut and slapped a hand over it with a wince. Just a glance at . . . whatever he was threw her 'special' eye for such a loop that she actually had to stop looking at him with it. With her right eye, the one that saw the physical world, she could only see the shell which housed him. Average height, face shrouded in shadows, eyes of blazing gold.

She tried opening her left eye again.

Once more, pain shot through her eye, but she forced it to stay open for just a few seconds longer. She wasnt entirely sure, but whatever he was . . . was old. Older than her eye could gauge; also quite dark. Somehow, his presence dredged up memories of stories her grandmother told her as a child; of ancient beings with incomparable power . . .

A shiver raced up her spine as the weight of his malevolence settled upon her senses. Whatever he was . . . it wasnt nice. It straight up scared her.

Frowning, and trying to hide the discomfort that the new arrival inspired in her, Hakumei pulled her skull mask down just enough so that it covered her left eye. That way she wouldn't have to keep it shut, or covered with her hand the entire time. She took a few subtle steps away from Sousuke and the manifested shadows - Mikaboshi he said? - and tried not to hold onto her staff too tightly. She decided not to respond to the chastising he gave her for being rude - it wasnt like she didnt know she was being so; she was going to avoid interacting with him as much as she could.

Hakumei knew how to choose her battles, and this was one she knew she didnt want any part of.

"You just cant make this easy for me, can you Little Bird." She said, her voice sounding audibly more strained than before. The lightness that came with her flirting had fled, and she found herself clamming up. It was strange for someone like her, who rarely didnt have something to say. Jerry flapped his wings and squawked loudly in Sousuke and Mikaboshi's direction, also uncomfortable.

She turned her gaze forward, her lips turning down further. Even looking in his direction with her normal eye was a little too much after a while.

(C'mon Reiko! Make her more uncomfortable! 8D)

Mikaboshi · Dec 15, 2013

Mikaboshi narrowed his eyes in rage at Shade as the specter claimed to be his "other half". Though he said nothing and made no gestures with his hands the darkness around the group gave a shudder as Mikaboshi pressed down on Shade's incorporeal form with his will in an attempt to suppress and disrupt it for the time being. The ANBU Sennin recognized that they were connected to some level-- if they weren't he wouldn't have any ability to express his malcontent over the spirit with his energy in the way he did. When he'd first appeared Shade had been a subject of interest for Mikaboshi but he had rapidly evolved into a massive annoyance. It was like having one's conscience spiritually manifest and gain the ability to give lectures. How droll.

Far more interesting was Sousuke's companion. She was spiritually aware in a large way, even more than he'd believed, that much was readily apparent about her. Most human beings neglected their spiritual senses by nature. It had been hundreds of years since humanity as a whole required such things to prevent being prayed upon by the supernatural. These days many of them, even the shinobi which claimed they were powerful, ignored such things and relied on others with natural talent to protect them from threats which otherwise would go undetected. It was why Mikaboshi was able to do the things he did. So few in Sunagakure had the training and talent necessary to catch wind of him. But this one... yes she was something special.

But more than that, she was afraid. She'd recognized not only that Mikaboshi was a spirit wearing a flesh mask but also what sort of spirit he was. His hands metaphorically dripped in the murdered blood of others which he reckoned likely made him quite the vision for someone with a fully opened spiritual sight to behold. It gave him an... unkind idea. He considered removing his mask and letting the corked up residual pressure that it held within the flesh of his body out but he knew immediately that it would only result in a lecture from Sousuke. The mask had been a precaution to prevent Mikaboshi's presence from harming those with too much spiritual awareness-- not unlike Hakumei --and the Sennin knew that it would only result in a punishment from the Steward.

"The situation did not warrant my direct attention. It seems the elements have been sufficient coerced into subservience for now." Remarked Mikaboshi with his typical casual disinterest. "Your friend seems to have found her manners. That is well. If she keeps them I expect we shall get along famously." He then shifted his eyes away from Sousuke and to Hakumei who for the life of her was doing her best not to look in Mikaboshi's direction. With a decidedly wicked grin hidden behind his mask, Mikaboshi gestured and Hakumei would feel the tickle of corporeal shadows at her chin ever-so-lightly attempting to turn her face to look at him. "Do not shy from me girl. Look at me and let me take your measure. Spiritually attuned humans are so rare these days."

Takahashi Aki · Dec 16, 2013

Sousuke was slightly concerned for Hakumei but slightly confused. Granted Mikaboshi had a way of introducing himself and asserting himself, but Sousuke had observed Hakumei as she seemed to be struggling. She shifted her mask in such a way to cover up her eye, but not the other. Most curious. When she spoke she seemed to not be herself. For a moment Sousuke was speechless as he was trying to think of something to do for her. This woman who was so bright and playful took a completely different turn. What was it? Was it Mikaboshi himself that had formed? Sousuke knew that Mikaboshi would transform and be seen entirely differently when he removed his mask, but that had yet to occur. That only occurred during dire times, like when the Djinn appeared. The Steward was quite thankful that the ancient had contained himself during that time, but then again even Mikaboshi was pushed to his limits against such a creature.

"The elements are not subservient to me. They recognized what I was trying to do. To them and to you I suppose most humans look all the same. Bags of meat and blood. Some such as myself are frail and broken." Sousuke's expression seemed to grow harsh for a moment as he referred to himself. He had worked so hard to become superior, but here he was inferior. These feelings expressed themselves as Sousuke's spiritual form thrashed about for a moment. A quarter of a whole his soul was, or perhaps even less. The spiritual form unknown to the Steward expressed himself better than he shell could. Not that there was a big difference. The spirit usually showed little expression except at this moment in time. It was violent and like an injured beast. While injured it was still dangerous. While Hakumei still had her eye closed it was probably still detectable.

Sousuke brooded while he sat there and then he seemed to come back when Mikaboshi spoke of how he and Hakumei would get along famously. The term friend seemed to give him a slight pause. He would turn to Hakumei, and attempt a grin. "Now I would stay away from his bed and covers." Sousuke would attempt to joke. He would place his hand on the left side of his lips and speak quietly. "He's not too good about getting up in the morning and being pleasant. He does enjoy a good long nap that can go on for days." Sousuke would lower his hand and nod his head.

"Now then." Sousuke would clap his hands together. "Now that we're all friendly with one another. Let's get to know each other better, and have a non-alcoholic drink. Though I suppose in the case of Mikaboshi... he could have a glass of mead. He is seasoned and quite experienced, which is most valuable to me. I remember him being slightly partial to the ancient drink."

Okibi · Dec 16, 2013

They say that when a person is faced with something dangerous, something that ignites fear, their body goes through a rapid change. Their heart starts to pound, their limbs start to shake, they may sweat and in a lot of cases adrenaline rushes through their body. The body's natural fight or flight reaction prepares it to do one or the other. Sometimes, the fear changes into thrill, such as when a first timer rides a roller coaster, or a person watches a scary thriller for the first time.

When the tendrils of cold shadow curled under her chin and pulled, Hakumei wasnt sure which kind of fear she was feeling. Her eyes widened ever so slightly as her face turned against her wishes, and then slammed shut before she could look at Mikaboshi directly. The chill of the shadows that touched her sent that strange thrill up her spine; she was afraid, yes, but there was also something strangely . . . titillating about being touched by something so powerful, if even only by an extension of him.

She wanted to expressly deny him when he 'requested' she look at him. Shy? There was nothing shy about not wanting to have her brain explode because she couldnt handle gazing upon his spiritual enormity. Then again, what if she offended him? Would the barely-there shadows under her chin become hostile?

Perhaps she shouldnt risk it.

After slowly tugging her chin away from the shadows, Hakumei turned her face to Mikaboshi of her own volition, and opened both her eyes while lifting her mask. Immediately she winced, but the pain was just a little less than what it was when he first arrived. Perhaps she was becoming accustomed to it. She blinked rapidly for a moment, then trained her gaze on Mikaboshi's shrouded mask, and the glowing eyes behind them.

Between them, Hakumei sensed a turn in Sousuke's emotions - though they barely seemed to be there to begin with. Something had made him angry, but since she hadnt been paying much attention to the men's conversation, she couldnt say what it was. She wanted to reach out and flick a piece of his hair - maybe distract him from the negative emotions - but she didnt dare take her attention of the shadow fiend she faced. He wanted to take her measure? She would give him ample time to do so.

But then, in a strange turn of events, Sousuke attempted to ease the pressure of the situation by . . . making a joke? Even if she didnt know him anywhere near well yet, somehow Hakumei had the feeling he didnt make jokes easily. The fact that he was missing a large part of his soul seemed to play into his lack of emotions, so the fact that he'd mustered anything at all was interesting. Hakumei finally cracked a smile again, and looked away from Mikaboshi when she felt he'd had enough 'measuring'. She looked at Sousuke with that flirtatious glint in her eye again, and did as she wanted to earlier, and reached for a piece of his hair to play with. "I think I'll take your advice about that, my Wee Falcon. I have a feeling that if I even attempted to sneak into his bed . . ." She glanced at Mikaboshi without turning her head, her smile vanishing for a moment, "I would wake up without a soul." Her tone came out sounding playful, like it was just a joke, but in truth Hakumei would not have been surprised at all if such an outcome came about while around the masked man. His energy was just that heinous.

Her smile returned when Sousuke suggested drinks, and she pulled her hand away from his hair so she could shift her staff. "That I'll take you up on, but I dont know about this no alcohol nonsense. I think I'm going to need a few shots of something to regain my footing here." And no, the irony of her statement was not lost on her. Regain her footing by getting tipsy? Aye, but it was just what she would need to do so. Alcohol had always had the uncanny ability to dull her spiritual senses as well as her physical ones. Such a luxury would be welcome if Mikaboshi was going to continue with them. She turned her gaze forward once more and waved her hand grandly. "Lead on, my Lord Steward."

[MFT]

Mikaboshi · Dec 17, 2013

It came as no surprise to Mikaboshi that Hakumei was reticent to look in his direction again. After all, he could expect nothing more from a human. She did not physically struggle against the caress of shadow that guided her gaze towards him but shut her eyes and looked away to refuse him what he'd wanted from her which only cemented his satisfaction in making her uncomfortable. Satisfied that he had tormented her enough, Mikaboshi prepared to withdraw his attentions from her if only to avoid being scolded by Sousuke for his bullying and found it was him who was caught off guard by what she did next.

Fascinating was Mikaboshi's only thought as Hakumei independently shrugged away the appendage herself and fixed her eyes on his despite-- or perhaps even in spite --of the fear that she had apparently held of him only moments before and it was in that moment that hung between them in the air that Mikaboshi did as he had claimed he would do and took the measure of the woman that stood before him. It still hurt for her to look directly at him, that much was easily discernible as she did her best to blink away the sensation. Still, despite that pain she continued to hold his gaze with defiance in her eyes. Sousuke said something but Mikaboshi did not immediately hear it given how wrapped up he was in his contest of... what? Wills? Pride? There was nothing on the line here. She was no threat to him and he certainly could do nothing to her with Sousuke immediately present.

Even still, Mikaboshi would not be the first between them to look away.

Finally, Hakumei smiled and then broke the stare between them leaving Mikaboshi with more than a passing interest in her. He had not been lying when he'd said that spiritually aware humans were rare in the modern age. Commonly they were idiots who lucked into their awareness by being born with a natural talent for such things and never bothered to actually train their awareness. Others were charlatans which claimed to have the sight but lacked any real ability. But Hakumei was apparently the genuine article and despite her youth possessed enough pride and conviction to hold the gaze of a former Ancient Lord for several seconds. That alone made her of interest to him. Hearing Hakumei's words to Sousuke, he recalled his statement for the first time since he'd spoke it as Hakumei cast a single glance his way without turning her head once more.

"Perhaps so." Mikaboshi replied cryptically before shrugging non-commitally and adding with a brief return glance; "but then, perhaps not."

Sousuke suggested drinks. Drinks? Sousuke knew that Mikaboshi's body did not require things such as that. The body was sustained entirely off of the spiritual energy of his presence energizing the black blood flowing in his veins. Still, his master had made the invitation and even the proud Mikaboshi had to admit that he was interested in this new person that Sousuke had brought into his village. Clasping his hands behind his back as he was wont to do as he walked, Mikaboshi waited for the Steward to lead on.

"By your leave, my Lord."

Takahashi Aki · Dec 18, 2013

Sousuke would exchange glances at Mikaboshi when she spoke of her soul being taken. There came times when Mikaboshi had to take care of things with particular abilities, like the Djinn. The Steward trusted Mikaboshi to deal with things appropriately as with proper discretion. Mikaboshi in turn answered her with neither a yes or a no, it was a neutral answer. One that Sousuke knew Mikaboshi would naturally say. "There may come a time when people must answer for what they have done in kind. Utter annihilation is the sometimes the only answer that is appropriate. The man who passes the sentence should swing the blade." Sousuke would pause for a moment. "That is to say ... I do not think you've done anything to receive such in kind." Sousuke would finally bring the topic to a close. Too grim perhaps? Perhaps so, but perhaps not. Sousuke's gaze shifted to the ground. He was silent for a time until Hakumei spoke up about the no alcoholic drinks.

"Moderation in all things." Sousuke would merely say. He turned to Mikaboshi expecting him to correct him in his attempted jest. Perhaps he should have grinned or something to make the nature of the remark more obvious. "Well." He paused as he was trying to think of what to do as the host here. "Let us be on our way." Sousuke wheeled himself along and during his time on the move, he spoke up. " Perhaps Lord Mikaboshi, may I suggest a more homely appearance? Hakumei was so good as to give you a second look, maybe you should give her a second look as well?" Sousuke was hinting at the Anbu Sennin to change forms. His human form wasn't nearly so recognizable, and more over it didn't nearly draw as much attention. "I finished reading a Short History of Shadows. Most fascinating if I do say so myself. From the ... expert himself, how accurately do you think Inu is about the nature of shadows? He goes on about how the Shadows were an answer to the light. There was something else ... I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I think he once referred to some of your progenies. How goes that by the way? I've always wondered ... seeing as how you relate to them differently than most fathers." Sousuke would speak. Mikaboshi was always a fascinating entity to study. To learn he had a lineage was of great surprise.

"Ah. Here we are. Will this suffice?" Sousuke stopped finally before a longue with flashing neon lights. Sousuke strained his eyes. Slightly too bright for him. It took him a moment to realize that this establishment was somewhat shady. "Maybe another establishment."

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