Episode #2
Day: Sunday
Time: 18:49
Location: Somewhere between the Toraono Dojo & The Desert Expanse
The approaching winter solstice was signaled by the shortening of days. Darkness had swallowed the desert sky ravenously after evening's descent. While the heat had subsided, humidity lingered thickly and clouds blotted out any possibility of a starry night. A rhythmic shifting of sands beneath the weight of a traveler's boots was all that broke the silence. It was like the wildlife had abandoned that particular stretch of the badlands, its surrounding habitation unfit for life as it transformed into a vast desert. Junnan wasn't exactly an astronomer, but he knew if the moon hadn't entered its new phase, then the foreboding clouds obscured its luminosity... Blackening all below.Day: Sunday
Time: 18:49
Location: Somewhere between the Toraono Dojo & The Desert Expanse
The newly conscripted Genin's shadowed form could be identified hiking up the steep side of a dune. In the darkness, his wild hair and lithe frame seemed beastly, even more so whilst his bony fingers dug into the sands before him for support. By the time he'd reach the peak of the mound, his all-white eyes would reflect the lights of small villages, scattered off in the distance of The Desert Expanse. When he crouched down, his joints creaked as the probably dry bones grated against one another. Elbows covered in the rolled up sleeves of his leather jacket rested atop his knees, and his eyes narrowed in observation. It wouldn't be long before he reached his destination, that much was clear.
After having been conscripted and getting acquainted with a comrade or two, Junnan returned to the Kazekage Tower for assignment. Some would say that the Hidden Sand Village was being lax, forcefully recruiting an anomalous agent, and then sending him off without a handler. Junnan considered the same, but then a latter thought sat all its weight at the forefront of his cranium. The thought that he was being followed and monitored, somehow from some distance by some unseen means. It was that latter thought that was the most likely, a scenario that would see the evaluation of his aptitude for work in the field.
With acknowledgement of his peculiar circumstances, the council saw it fit to allow Junnan to work with unbridled freedom within the country... So long as he didn't attempt to leave its borders without permission. It wouldn't be required for him to reside within the village, but simply meet with an agent periodically to relay information and progress. Although now officially a member of the village's armed forces, he'd bear no emblem. His past record allowed for him to be expendable in the worst case scenarios, and any ties to the village were carefully managed. He liked it that way, having felt out of place in the bustling military state.
His new employers sent him off to investigate disturbances in the settlements of the Desert Expanse, the first of which was still several miles off. Their last words being, "We'll contact you." in ominous fashion. The region itself was fundamentally plagued. It was home to treacherous brigands, carried rumors of cannibalistic tribes, and savage beasts with the same intentions as the rumored latter. The Hidden Sand Village was incapable of handling everything, and after their successive tragedies in recent times, the number of shinobi at their disposal was barely enough to remain operational. A disposable asset such as Junnan himself was a blessing in disguise, another pair of hands to rake in finances for the resurrection of the village's lost glory. His complacent but almost indentured state of servitude saw that he only need be provided the bare essentials until his loyalty was proven, saving the village a small fortune.
Using the small stipend handed to him prior to departure, he grabbed the basics. A large bag of beef jerky and two medium sized tokkuri, deceptively filled with clean water, were appropriate rations. The rest of his money gathered warmth the pocket of his leather jacket, waiting to be spent at some necessary time. There were some paper bills as well as coins, metallic chips that clanks as he finally decided to stand up in a sudden jerking motion. At the same time, a low growling grew louder from behind him, and held him still. His left hand held the rope of the dangling tokkuri over his shoulder, while his right slid under his jacket to reach for something sharp. Upon turning to face what lurked in the darkness, half of his face remained lit by the faint lights in the distance, giving him a supernatural glow.
Without another word, but not too suddenly, he pulled out the bag of jerk. After raising it to his chapped lips, he'd bit into three large pieces simultaneously. What was left in the bag was still the greater quantity, but without a care Junnan tossed it towards the old lone wolf. Not waiting to see whether or not the food would be accepted, he began to trod down the other half of the mound and continue on. It was best for him to travel at night, when he wouldn't be easily noticed or dehydrate himself in the sunlight. He still had a ways to go if he wanted to find place to shack up before sunrise...
[Using one Discovery of Contract of Your Choice card, purchased here.]
[Requesting the Kami Contract.]
WC: 986[Requesting the Kami Contract.]
Notes: Information on the "Sand Wolf" can be found in the Setting Information [Flora/Fauna] thread.