Expatriate (Open)

[Kawakami Hotaru]

Years of expatriation, her blade swung gently against her hip, fingers wrapped gently against the leads of her mule pulling him along as the poor boy slowed to a trudge. He had been a good animal, alas the old boy wasn't long for this world, Suzume had bought the mule two years prior from a dirt farmer down in the low-lands and even then he had far too many years and miles heaved upon his back, they had caught up now. Feeling a shift in his momentum Suzume released the leads from her grasp, and within a matter of seconds the poor boy fell to his side, his duty was now done.

With a heavy sigh her fawn eyes peered down toward her pack-animal, the last movements of his chest ended as the air was sucked from his lungs and dispersed into the lands, she took a moment to look down at her possessions strapped to the animal, half of which were trapped underneath the poor beast. Rubbing her brow for a slight moment the woman looked toward her destination, the gates of Kumogakure only a kilometer away if that, why couldn't he have lasted a few more minutes? Now she stood there stuck with damn near a million Yen that she would inevitably be stuck carrying to the village, and on top of this her other possessions which would mean, at the very least, another trip back and forth. In a moment of sullen silence she prodded her jenny with her foot, perhaps in hope that he would miraculously spring back to life at her touch, though nothing of the sort happened. Seemed she would be carrying her pack to the village, joy oh joy.


Suzume's fingers darted through the bindings of her equipment and personal affects, deftly untying each from the body of her deceased nag, carefully laying them down upon the ground beside her, leaving what she couldn't carry on her first trip still attached to the animal in hopes that it would deter any would-be thieves in the time it would take her to carry her wealth to somewhere that it would be safe. It was times like these she wished she had invested in some of those scrolls for transporting your equipment as opposed to the more traditional method of transferring goods around, of course she had expected her jenny to live to the gates. Didn't matter now.

Hefting her pack onto her back she began to make her way toward the gate, normally it would have been apt to expend some energy and get there in a few seconds, though she assumed the guards likely wouldn't take too terribly kindly to some unknown mercenary spontaneously appearing at their door step, so it seemed she would be walking for now.


[MFT - 465]

 

[Ryu Hime]

Hakuren is very skilled when it comes to manipulating her spirit. Often she imbues a small piece of her soul into elements of nature and thus creates a golem. A golem can have a variety of skills and an array of uses. Golems can come in all shapes and forms and though they often remain silent, they have other ways of expressing their personality. One of these golems was wandering the area outside of the village. This golem is different than the others for it has a strong bond with its creator; so much so that it can share what it sees with its maker. It is actually not surprising this golem would have such a strong connection with its owner for it was made from Hakuren’s own shadow.

Kage, Hakuren likes to call it, carefully explored the area. Kage hid against walls and trees as it spied the surrounding area. Kage continues to travels aimlessly until it comes across a dead equine that seemed to have been used as a pack animal. From how the animal laid on the ground it seems like it was heading towards the village. Quickly Kage heads back and along the way stumbles upon a woman carrying some supplies. Kage was curious about this person and wonders if she was the owner of the mule. The flat figure follows the woman and attempts to mimic her movements. Hopefully the woman would not notice she has two shadows coming off from her in opposite directions.

 

[Kawakami Hotaru]

With a heavy sigh she readjusted her pack, pins and needles moved throughout her fingers as a strange feeling moved through the pit of her stomach. Stopping she looked about, ironically everywhere save for down where she should have been checking, unable to shake the feeling that something wasn't as it was before. It felt as if something was there with her, perhaps one of the locals decided to check on the lone woman cantering toward their gates, or perhaps it was simple the idle feeling of paranoia from being in a new place. Either way she doubted her safety was in issue for the moment, far too close to the village for some up-jump rogue to think of giving her trouble. The bronzed woman's palm rested on the haft of her blade regardless, for a few brief seconds she thought that she was being a bit too paranoid, but of course she soon came to her senses remembering that there was no such thing as 'too much paranoia', especially while hefting about a small fortune on her back.


Without further thought she continued her long walk toward the village, Suzume's lips pursed tightly as she began to think that today would mark the start of the rest of her life, only to be interrupted as a singular silver tael found it's way from her pack down to the sodden dirt beneath her feet, clicking and bouncing twice before settling beside her left foot. Letting out a small yet petulant sigh Suzume let her hand from her blade crouching down to retrieve her coin, idly she twirled the coin between her fingers noticing that her paranoia hadn't been unfounded after all. Leering toward the anomaly that was her double-shadow she remained crouched in quiet repose as her suspicions had been confirmed, "Come now, no need to be shy." she remarked half toward the anomaly itself and half to whoever was likely controlling it.

[MFT 324]

 

[Ryu Hime]

While the woman was watched by the shadow, Hakuren sent another golem outside the gates with specific orders. Through her crystal eye jutsu, Kage, she notice the dead mule was still carrying some supplies. This new golem was sent to retrieve such goods so the woman would not have to make a second trip. Kage waves at Suzume as it realizes it has been found out. Suzume would not be able to say more for not long after talking to the anomaly it disappears for the jutsu was not long being maintain. However she would not be alone for long as a wooden beast enters into view. It was a wolf made out of twigs, leaves and sticks. The creature carries the woman’s stuff on its back like the mule did and walks up to Suzume. It then kneels down as if to offer Suzume a ride the rest of the way.

 

[Kawakami Hotaru]

With a quick wave it seemed her new friend had been dispelled, leaving her to wonder who was out her spying on her as she made her way toward the village, never a fan of being watched without her consent, though she decided it in her best interest to avoid making a stink about it. Yet once again she found her fingers tracing the haft of her blade as the familiar sound of twigs rustling caught her attention, spying another apparition this time in the form of a wolf made of wood, and one that seemed to be hauling the rest of her traveling accouterments at that. Her fingers tensed for but a moment drawing only a quarter inch of folded steel, clearly the beast had been sent to help her but she had always been rather overprotective of her gear, someone had commanded the beast to move her equipment without her permission, and while outwardly she donned a coy smile resheathing her katana with a loud click, Suzume was quite displeased. Standing and removing her hand from the weapon she stared toward the kindling wolf, watching intently as it lowered itself, presumably to offer her a ride.


"While the offer is appreciated I'd rather walk." Her intent was to avoid garnering unnecessary attention, though her plan seemed to have failed already with the company of the wolf, there was little point in denying it the opportunity of carrying the rest of her pack as it's owner clearly knew of her whereabouts and where she had come from, something else which perturbed her a bit assuming that whoever had been watching her since the death of her mule. Of course she refrained from voicing any sense of displeasure over the matter, it was better to allow the beast her company rather than possibly spurn it's owner. Clicking her tongue she set her eyes back upon the village, perhaps she would meet the one controlling the beast further down the road or perhaps not, though it seemed unlikely whoever that may be was hiding out in the forest, she had enough faith in her ability to at least determine their whereabouts. Then again it was a possibility that whoever this was helping her was no where close, miles away even. It didn't particularly matter in the end as she continued her walk deciding to make idle chit-chat with the beast on the off-chance someone was listening.

"I suppose introductions are in order, though you will have me at a disadvantage my kindling-made friend. I am Suzume of the Moon, emigrant and hopeful expat to the village of Kumogakure. I've traveled across the lands of Sand, Stone, and Fire; made my wealth by way of the blade, and today I seek to settle." Her gaze occasionally moved from the road ahead of her back to the wolf who had taken the place of her mule, making sure it didn't stray from the road and attempt to draw her away from her path.


[MFT-504]

 

[Ryu Hime]

The wooden wolf eyes the woman noticing her fingers gripping the handle to her weapon. It ears twitched as the sound of the sword being sheathed rang out. It was obvious to the golem that the woman was quite protective about her gear. The creature wonders if its presents was unwelcomed. With the woman’s declining of the wolf’s offer, the creature gets up and says, “Suit yourself.” The voice seems to emanate from the beast. It did not open its mouth, but its eyes appears to flicker with each syllable. The voice was that of an adult female like the woman herself, but it was also ruff and scratchy like a person losing their voice. If that was not enough to suggest a gender there was a plum blossom in full bloom just behind it’s left ear.

The wolf stretches out his forepaw and lets out and big yawn with its jaws open wide. It then continues to walk besides the woman as she introduces herself to the creature. “There is no need to draw a sword on me my dear. My bark is worse than my bite.” The wolf then proceeds to bellow out a hearty laugh at its own pun; likely show far too much amusement with its own jokes. “I am Yuichiri. Companion of Hakuren. I live in the village you are currently walking towards.”

 

[Kawakami Hotaru]

It's voice reminded her a bit of those late-in-life smokers beginning to lose their voice from prolonged damage, it was both sweet and fickle in it's own way, her fingers tapped against her side watching the beast intently, though the quaint smile remained pressed upon her supple lips as if trying to deescalate from the fact that she could have just attacked the poor thing if she had the inclination to. Her new travelling companion seemed benevolent enough, thus Suzume decided to allow the kindling wolf to travel with her for the time being, though she did remain somewhat cautious around the new face.


Humoring the golem she gave a halfhearted chuckle as the beast laughed at their own little quip, listening intently as it introduced itself to her still somewhat surprised it was able to speak at all. "Yuichiri. Companion of Hakuren." She repeated in the back of her mind making note of the first two names she had come across near the Kumogakure proper. Suzume had a knack for names and faces one that, to her knowledge, had never failed her over the last twenty five years, having found it always tantamount to remember the unimportant as much as the important. "So Yuichiri, I take it your companion sent you out here to help me, am I off base? If not, I assume this Hakuren is in the business of helping wayward travelers, risky business that. Not to say the help isn't appreciated, of course." It had been Suzume's personal experience that helping the grifters and the destitute that traveled upon the roads was rarely a good idea, and thus rarely did so herself. Of course this whole meeting could be a bit of a vetting process before she entered the village of the Clouds, it was obvious she was no vagabond and it was as nearly as obvious she wasn't an average sell-sword, then again she was likely overthinking the whole situation.

Clearing her throat the young woman continued small talk with her new found friend, trying to pass the time as best she could "So, were you and your companion born in Kumogakure? I must admit I've never set foot near the village before today, though I have dealt with a few of their bureaucrats out near the marshlands, seems a nice enough place to settle down. Certainly less desolate than Sand, prettier landscape than Stone as well. Though I must admit I do miss being able to smell the sea every morn' like when I lived back on the Moon island. Doubt they burn incense in the streets like they do in Tsukigakure here, but I suppose I'll get used to it in time." for a moment she almost sounded homesick, though she didn't have to worry about the government kidnapping her during the night in Kumogakure, or at least she thought as much.


[MFT - 484]

 

[Ryu Hime]

Yuichiri laughs at the woman’s comment for she finds it cute that someone would use the term born with her. Yuichiri was quite obviously a construct of some sort and thus was created not born. However the gesture was appreciated. “You’re to kind, but yes I was made in the village. As for my master no. While she is of Kumogakure and was considered a citizen all her life, she was born out in the open sea.” Hakuren’s mother was a sailor and thus hence the reason for the pirate themed bar. While it was her father that had the talent for making the drinks, it was her mother that marketed it. “The burning of incense is not that common, but as for the daily aroma of the salty sea area is quite possible. I travel to the port on a weekly bases myself.” Yuichiri is very used to playing pack mule.

 

[Kawakami Hotaru]

The village was coming ever closer from the distance, Suzume's eyes laid transfixed upon her new home as Yuichiri spoke of how her master was born at sea, and how they sometimes went out to port to watch the distant waves. "Suppose I'll have to burn my own incense then." She remarked halfheartedly, looking back once again to the kindling wolf. Standing sullen and still for a moment she admired the gates of the village, jostling the pack on her back ever so slightly, seemed they had made it. "Suppose I'll take it from here, thank you for the assistance my friend. No need for you to get caught up in the bureaucracy of me going through my passports, talking with the guards, and all that." Smiling her sickly sweet smile Suzume gave a curt wave to her new found friend taking the remainder of her equipment in hand able to carry it for the minuscule distance into the village and her inn, "Perhaps I'll meet your master one of these days, until then." she waved a final time and made her way toward the guards.


[Exit]