Have a bite...or six [Shuu/Sousuke/Open]

Uri · Jan 28, 2014

Sunagakure was many things. It was a marvel of modern metalworking and architecture. It was cradled in the depths of giant-worm carved hollows. What it wasn't however was luxurious. That didn't stop people from bringing it to Sunagakure in someway shape or form. The Desert Crown was created by a large group of wealthy business-owners, organization leaders, and those who thought living in a cave was the next big thing and would spent millions to make it so. While Uri had always lived a simple life, wanting for not, he could appreciate what those with resources could produce. The Desert Crown was like walking through a masterpiece artwork of gleaming metal and polished stone. While it did create a schism between the normal villagers, it also provided inspiration for those seeking greater aspirations, a glimpse of what a different life could look like if she decided to chase after riches.

Uri just liked visiting to partake in their imported food.

Shuu, Sousuke, and Uri had made their way to the Crown, led by the white-haired chuunin who stopped and described different important areas they passed through. Talking about the greater structures off in the distance; the kage's tower and palais amongst them. The various districts and what was best within them, from shopping to places to eat to services rendered. Uri particularly pressed on the quality of handmade products within Sunagakure, giving a brief narrative on how miraculous craftsman had essentially fought for their ancestor's freedom and founded the village.

Nearing their destination, Uri spun, bowed low enough for them to see over him, and flourished his hands, "And this is the Desert Lily. One of my favorite establishments in all of Sunagakure because they import ingredients that are otherwise non-existent in Wind Country for their dishes." The smell of freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, and the aroma of floral teas wafted outward, enticing them inward.

As they moved toward the etched metal fence that surrounded their outside sitting area, someone was already approaching, menus in hand. Being a regular, they knew Uri's face and after his last visit, their Steward's as well. The same waitress that had served them was the one greeting them now, "Uri-san, Steward Takahashi, it's so wonderful to see you yet again, and with another guest! Please, this way." As she guided them towards their table, it was easy to see the decadence of the establishment, an unusual mirror to the more industrial-look of Sand. The waitress stopped at a large round table and set the menus down, pulling two chairs out, and calling for a busboy to remove one for the Steward.

"Have a seat and I'll bring you some tea and something to nibble on while you decide what you want." Her tone was bubbly, and it was obvious she was working hard for the future tip.

Uri didn't really have to decide on anything since he always knew what he wanted, and as such didn't rush to sit down. Instead he waited for Shuu to finish pushing Sousuke and helped seat her. Manners were a rare commodity these days; it never hurt to do a little extra. Once everyone else was sat, he moved over to his own chair and plopped down into it, turning to the visitor, "Order anything you want. There isn't a bad thing here. I'm probably going to get some chef-sepcial tamagoyaki. It's like pockets of poached eggs filled with cured boar meat and potato hash covered in this creamy sauce." He stopped and wiped his mouth, faking drool, "I reckon they may even have some cuisine native to Kirigakure. They like to borrow recipes from all around. I even brought some back to them when I returned!"

Takahashi Aki · Jan 28, 2014

Sousuke wasn't used to be pushed about in his wheelchair. It was something that he was adamant about as it was an attempt to gain physical strength. Granted his arms did tire out from time to time, but that meant he was building up his stamina. "I am capable of pushing myself along... but I suppose there is a first time for all things. It's like... well it's like the time Kitchy tried bacon. She hated it and coughed it up. She's still used to her old diet of nuts and bolts, so she's not quite used to an organic diet. You wouldn't think it but she used to be more self-sufficient self-operating mechanical automaton in nature except she was subjected to a freak accident which converted her metallic ancient lizard-like form to that of a canine. Her mental make up was always that of a canine ... which confused most people when she would bark instead of hiss at people." The husky had kept up with the group. The husky would turn her head to face Shuu and proceeded to nod her head and let out a woof which was probably a form of validation for what Sousuke had said.

As they made their way in Sousuke was parked at the table, the Steward with his hands clicked in the wheels and awaited for Shuu to have a seat. The Steward listened to what Uri was ordering and nodded his head when Uri spoke of ordering anything he wanted. Sousuke wasn't a wealthy individual by any means. The Takashi were a modest household when compared to House Toraono and some of the Uchiha houses. The Steward looked up from his menu. "I would presume that Kirigakure cuisine to have quite a bit of fruit in it given the tropical climate. I've never had kiwis or permissions before..." Sousuke's eyes would return back to the menu as he looked over the items. "My mother has made pineapple cake before, but I'm not a fan of it. Father adores it though, and ... will fight people over it. He agreed to having a truce with Number seven over them sharing the cake, but no one else is permitted to dive in without permission." A slight pause came over the Steward. "I'm thinking of trying their omelets... with a side of hash browns. I'll stick to what I know."

Kendori Shuu · Jan 30, 2014

Shuu entered pushing the wheelchair with a relaxed grin. Uri had a unique ability to put her at ease fairly easily, as she guessed was the case with a lot of people, and even Sousuke's unique personality had her more interested than concerned or upset. While the trip to Suna had been a bit grueling for the civilians, Shuu hadn't pushed herself very hard and so exhaustion wasn't an issue; if anything it was her hunger that was doing her in. Luckily that was their first stop. As Sousuke spoke on his dog Shuu couldn't help but be amused. It seemed that Sousuke had a knack for metalwork, and did it quite often, including the creation of automatons, which was impressive...though apparently made flesh by some random act of chance. She let out a deep chuckle as Sousuke described the odd behaviors of the not-quite-canine. As she positioned him at the table and seated herself, she smiled congenially to the waitress as she arrived. When they discussed Kiri's local cuisine, Shuu offered a shrug.

"Our primary diet consisted of fish and fruit mostly, regular meats are a bit more rare except for those who had money...I was lucky, my clan kept us never wanting for anything, and frequently hosted exotic cuisine too. Our local cuisine is delicious too, however, and I tend to have a weak spot for sweets and fruit but...who is number seven?" She glanced at the menu, humming and hawing, and then just grinned.

"But classics seem like the way to go for me today. I'll go with beef ramen and a large beer." As the waitress gathered up the menus and shuffled off to take the order, Shuu leaned back in her seat, folding her hands behind her head, and stretching. The Violet Sage was enjoying relaxing a bit after the parched desert, but she had to admit a part of her was still antsy to know how her people were doing, but odds were they were only still being stabilized and assessed. Instead, she tried to focus on those who she was with. She knew she ran a chance of growing emotional if she focused too much on her home and family now that they were in a place where she could afford to put any time and thought into it, so she worked instead on focusing on those in front of her, and learning more about Suna.

"So tell me Uri-boya, Sousuke-kun...how is the city split up? Where's the juicy places to visit, and where's the stuffy and boring places? Where do the Sunaan shinobi hang out and where do they avoid? What places are considered dangerous and where is considered newbie- and student-friendly?" She wanted to get a feel for Suna as quickly as possible; it would be necessary for her to memorize and adapt with lightning speed, which meant learning all the ins and outs of the city, no matter how minor. She prioritized Suna since she would have time to get to know the people, but knowledge of the city was paramount as she'd need it to perform in this massive undercity that was her new home, however temporary.

Uri · Feb 2, 2014

A lot of people in life enjoyed being in the forefront of things. Sousuke was the steward to the village, a leader for the people of Sunagakure to follow, and a genius at the forge capable of creating marvels that most would never fathom possible. Shuu had a life wrought responsibility, constant death, and subsequent relaxation; a medical professional of such skill that being away from it for too long would cause a mental itch. Uri was a different kind of character the world's scheme. He was a sugar-loving, happy-go-lucky, smile addict that loved to be around people of all shapes and sizes, but he was also something much more that few people would ever realize. The white-haired chuunin was a manipulator of fate. Millions upon millions of strings tied the universe together. Cutting one, mending one, or adding one could drastically alter how life flowed. On a cosmic level it was something a lot of people wouldn't think about, but on a smaller, more down-to-earth perspective it was nothing more than a few choice actions at any given moment.

To adjust one's thoughts as to put them toward greatness only takes a conversation over tea, or an idle observation muttered in passing. Down the road, when that person had achieved greatness they wouldn't even remember that fleeting moment in time. Occasionally, though there would be that one person who would remember the white-haired stranger they met that had forever changed their life.

As the waitress left with their menus, orders submitted, Uri looked to Shuu with a half-smile, the other half filled with not-so-obvious surprise, "Starting the day early, I see. Probably want to have a few sips of water at some point lest you look like a hungover fool when you end up in the hospital from dehydration." Clearly he was ribbing her. As shinobi that were both adept in elemental ninjutsu, they knew that a hang over was easy to avoid with a little applied water chakra, "Joking aside, the meal will be awesome, and we should be getting some-"

Before he could finish the thought a waitress stopped at the table with their honey-buttered drizzled rolls and a pot of tea, "There it is."

Peeling off his gloves, he pressed a flat palm against the table. White lines grew outward and soon the numerous dishes that were placed before them grew multiple legs. They each made rounds about the table, serving the three sitting there, making sure everyone got two rolls and a cup of tea and upon their completion unceremoniously dropped back to the table with a clink of ceramic. Uri wasted no time biting into the warm, flaky pastry sitting before him, making short work of it. Licking his fingers clean, he nodded in satisfaction, "Right, so, Sunagakure." Brushing his hands together to rid them of any excessive bits of roll, he cleared a space in the center of the table and pressed his hand back against its flat surface. This time the marble began to bubble and shift, appearing almost liquid in form. Soon it began to grow in height, shapes becoming more prominent. Soon it would be a clear representation of a city, more accurately, Sunagakure.

"Tadaa~" He would announce cheerfully. If one watched, he would use his free hand and place the tips of his fingers on the table. As his moved individual digits, the mini-replica would spin, some part of it would shrink, others of it would grow. This was a unique talent Uri had that made him excellent at building planning, but also made a good trick at parties too, "So. A few places of note are the Grand Palais," A twist of the fingers and parts of the village shrank away, a large cube-like structure growing and becoming more prominent, "Was that big glow box you probably saw on the ride down. It's a marvel in itself, but is also home to Sand's more colorful folks. If you want some high-stake, high-risk gambling, to find something illegal, or are looking for a fight, this is a swell place to go. Most Suna-nin aren't welcome there, but that doesn't mean we haven't poked our noses in on occasion." Another shift of stone and movement of his fingers and the cube minimized and another section of Suna enlarged, "This is the Desert Crown, where we are now. If you want something fancy, wish to have a day shopping, or are looking for something more exotic, this is the place to be." Another finger slide and change in size later and a larger building built into the side of a wall appeared, "This is the Omni Prime Medical Facility, let me just..." Putting everything back to the normal sizes, veins of dark marbled took over the shape of the medical building like an infection amongst the white mineral and too soon took over the Desert Crown, "Just to give you an idea of where it is."

Uri continued to do this for a few minutes more, going over governmental buildings, the different areas of the academy, talking about the Obsidian Palace a bit and the mysteries surrounding it, all the while using his miniature Sunagakure replica to give Shuu an idea of how the village was laid out, "And since you've been walking around some, you have an idea of how big this place is. I'll be sure to take you with me one morning on a few maintenance runs and show you a few shortcuts and places to eat." Turning to Sousuke, with a slightly ashamed smile, he gestured towards Shuu with his free hand, purposefully keeping the other pressed against the table to maintain his three-dimensional map, "Anything you'd like to add? Surely our Steward knows of a few places of interest in our great home."

Takahashi Aki · Feb 2, 2014

The Steward seemed to be on the mark on a part of their diet, but he didn't account for fish. He wasn't sure why he didn't account for it as it did make sense. Sousuke chewed on the honey roll as he listened. Kiri like Suna had to have imports, naturally, and it seemed that meat was one of their more expensive imports. The former medical sennin then inquire who Number Seven was, the Steward finished chewing on the honey roll and swallowed it. He held up his index finger for a moment to indicate to give him a second as talking with your mouth open was quite rude and disgusting. "Mmm... Number Seven is a canine, in particular he is my ward's Inuzuka famaliar. He was once a black Doberman with some metallic parts and artificial red eyes. He reincarnated into a white Doberman with far less ... cruel machinations done unto him. He was experimented on but not by my hands nor the hands of this village." Sousuke explained. At the mention of Number Seven Kitchy closed her eyes and seemed to dreamily think of the canine. Very awkwardly hearts would seem to visibly appear around the dog's head denoting a most endearing emotion towards aforementioned canine. Sousuke raise an eyebrow as he too saw these hearts. "It's happening again..." He would lowly mutter to himself.

Sousuke after hearing Shuu's request for beer and beef ramen, blinked several times. He looked over at the clock which read 10:56am. "Drinking. Drinking in the morning... a classic? I understand having the beef ramen, as I too enjoy instant meals in the morning ... provided my kettle doesn't wish to malfunction or explode on me... but ..." Sousuke watched as the food and drinks came to the table. Uri using his unique skill set had each of the items delivered to their proper owner. Uri then spoke of how Shuu should have some water before being subjected to a hangover. Sousuke too was subjected to a hangover too in the past few weeks. "This... this is really happening isn't it? Most unique. How refreshing." He would say as he watched Uri next set up the map. Uri did most of the explaining. Leaving only a few places left for him to explain. "There's Keystone Prime, which is our R&D facility. I am there daily. There is the Kazekage tower... and the four pyramids that surround it... and..." Sousuke paused. The restaurant had a television the tele ticker was going through the news headlines. 'RING MASTA still at large and exceedingly dangerous'. The news flash would explain how Suna had apprehended most of the Psycho Circus but some of their members were still out there. "I would avoid Black Bazaar in the Grand Palais. Not so nice a place there... especially with criminals such as him out there." The Steward paused for a moment. "Oh. Yes. Toraono Dojo. A good place to practice and home to one of the older clans in Suna the Toraono. Somewhat rooted in a more divine and demonic heritage but nothing to worry about. Kuro, who will someday inherit it all, is a bit of an older brother to me." Sousuke explained. The television would then swap to telling the news about a new species in sand being the Lyrons. The footage then shifted to Sousuke in his Mk I Black armour (which he greeted Shuu in) battling large metallic looking red lions. The footage illustrated him being batted by a paw, and then him man-handling the Lyron by throwing it to the side. The footage continued as Sousuke was being bitten on the forearm and him bashing the beast in the head with the pommel of the ebon blade, and then blasting it back with a plasma shot from his palm. The Steward gave the television a bored look. "I asked them nicely not to reveal that footage... they're not all that dangerous, their previous handler was a violent vile man who commanded them with a whip." Sousuke paused for a moment thinking of Uri's giant panda cub. "How is that bear I asked you to ... acquire? I sent Uri-boya, as you call him, to safely retrieve a very large bear cub from harmful individuals." Sousuke again paused, "Oh and yes before you ask the Lyrons are at my house. They will not leave me alone. I think they've grown attached to me... Mother won't let them inside because of their weight. The first time Maximus entered the house he broke through the floorboards. He didn't hurt himself, but... my house does have to remain in one piece. Zero is expecting cubs and ... " At the news of this Kitchy let out a small grumble bark. Yes. Everyone was fighting to gain the attention of the Steward. "... and yes I did name they after mathematical terms. Okibi doesn't seem to like it one bit." He turned back to Shuu, "I don't live in the Diamond District, I live in the residential zone. We Takahashi aren't ... well we're comfortable not rich. You wouldn't think it but I've had to scrape by sometimes or make certain sacrifices ... such as having the same lab coat for three years. That is to say I've had to make some sacrifices, like for instance ... I don't wear designer's clothing, or ... eat expensive brands of foods. I have a monthly budget, and I work within that to sustain myself and others."

MFT 865

Kendori Shuu · Feb 26, 2014

At mention of the dogs Shuu chuckled, especially at the not-so-metaphorical signals that Kitchy seemed to be displaying.

"It seems your pup has a crush, Sousuke-kun," she ribbed. Honestly she thought it was adorable and endearing, in spite of the oddness of actual hearts appearing above the canine's cranium. As both of them commented on her drinking she looked to them each with a wan, half-hearted smile. Her tone was not stern or angry, but more sardonic and slightly cynical than anything else.

"No offense to either of you fine fellows, but come talk to me when everyone you know, love, and cherish along with the only home you've ever known is turned into a gathering of unlivable husks leaving you alone and grasping at anything to keep yourself going, then you can waggle your fingers at me and look down your noses. I'm not getting sloshed, I just need something to take the edge off that I've been fighting for the better part of a week, as in my defense, it's been a hell of a week. I'm too wired and have too much to do to sleep, but at the same time if I keep dancing on pins and needles I'm going to collapse. A girl has to have a chance to take a breath, boys." She offered a low, slightly bitter chuckle but let it go. She couldn't afford to grow hateful and bitter. She just had to deal with the circumstances as best she could and move forward anyway she could find with her years of knowledge, training, and wisdom as her guide.

"And you, Sousuke-kun....Instant noodles are a disgrace to real ramen. They pass only barely as food, much less as ramen one might find here. If I hear you ever compare the two realistically again I'm liable to bop you on the nose," she playfully threatened. As Uri shifted discussion with his handywork, She grinned and lifted a slim purple brow.

"Nice parlour trick, Boya. I bet they love you at dinner parties...assuming you're not skipping out on them to find a lost puppy to return to it's owner." Uri was sickeningly sweet, but that was part of his charm and they both knew it. She observed his words, dedicating the mini-map to memory, and absorbed his words like a sponge. When Sousuke mentioned criminals still at large, Shuu's eyebrow shot up.

"My services as a shinobi are at your disposal as well, Sousuke-kun, so long as it doesn't necessitate betraying my home or people in any fashion, so I'd be delighted to help round up anyone you've got causing problems. I might not look it but I'm a mean-as-hell fighter," she grinned. When the footage changed, while Sousuke revealed other locales on the map to take not of, she paused for a moment as she saw him battling lions. It looked rather impressive, to be honest, although as a top-notch kunoichi Shuu knew that it wasn't really as difficult as most civilians might think, especially for someone of their level. As he described his other pets, rattling one off after the other--but not missing the part where Uri had a bear cub--she tried to track them all, though the number was really making it quite confusing. When he spoke of hard times though, she nodded sympathetically.

"I know what that's like, Sousuke-kun. My family was not insanely wealthy, but we were better off than the vast majority of Kiri. I never wanted for much of anything as a child, as my family held a very high level of influence." She leaned back, snatching one of the rolls and sampling it, being appreciative as she had a fondness for sweet things, and pondered the family and home she'd lost.

"But that's all gone now..." she trailed off, as if trying to recall some far-off dream. In a way she was, but she would survive. she always did. Snapping to she smiled gently and apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make this about me. I know everyone endures loss, and I'm just one person in a grand list of survivors of casualties. I'll try not to force you to walk on eggshells around me, I promise," she grinned, this time a bit more lively. She glanced over to Sousuke. Most morally-inclined people would take issue with the idea formulating in her mind, but she suspected Sousuke's direct link to logic over emotion and morality would make him more amenable to her idea than someone who stood by a staunch and strict moral code...but that was getting ahead of herself. First she had a lot to learn about her new home, however temporary it was...but by the sound of things, it was not going to be very temporary at all. She looked to them each, thoughtful.

"How would one go about acquiring a house? I'm going to need a domicile while I'm here for me and my people...what do I need to do to go about procuring one? quality is not an issue, so long as it provides shelter and relative safety." She took a long slow sip of her tea then whistled, as it was the first time she'd tried it.

"Pretty superior stuff....good call on the location, Uri-boya. If I'm not careful I might get addicted to the stuff. If nothing else I know where to go to get some amazing tea." She followed it up with another bite from the honey roll. The flavors really did complement each other well, Uri had done well to chose this cafe. She glanced to Uri, finding this the perfect window to bring it up, and crossed her arms, her expression screaming 'This aughtta be a good one', and she asked Uri in a very obviously loaded voice,

"So Boya...tell me about this bear cub?"

((OOC: Again, so sorry about the delay! Hopefully the quality makes up for how long it too to get one!))

Uri · Feb 28, 2014

"Reality is pretty cheap in the Palais, that's where I live with my mothe-" Uri stopped and stared Shuu square in the face, closed his eyes and let out a half-huff. While Uri may have understood where she was going with her comment -and it didn't bother him at all-, it was the intent to use the double-meaning to confuse Sousuke. Which would mean having to explain to him the context. Normally Uri was fine with most circumstances, but this one could be a bit awkward. As far as the chuunin knew, even the Steward had a sense for things awkward.

Hands off the table, allowing it to fall back into its normal state of marbled stone, he wagged a finger at the mist sennin, "Oooooooooh noooo you don't, Dori." He took a moment to procure another roll and bite into it before continuing, "A Circus Bear-" He stopped, "One covered in fur-" He stopped again and huffed hard, "I give up. I rescued a bear cub from a criminal organization and from its original owners. It currently resides in on Toraono land where its being cared for." In the end it just was easily to explain what he had actually done and it played less to Shuu's game, but the damage had been done. What was worse is that Sousuke would probably still ask for an explanation as to why Uri had originally been so exasperated.

Not too long after the waitress arrived with a large serving tray and a stand for it to rest on as she distributed the meals. Elegantly she placed each order down and went about the next with a level of grace that came to someone who was a seasoned professional in the field; almost like a dancer. Uri looked at her figure again. She could have been a dancer at one point, and not the fine arts performance-type either. Uri stuffed the remainder of his roll into his mouth and swallowed it only after a chew or two, preparing himself for the actual meal. The aroma's from all three dishes carried around, making his mouth water.

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" Uri cast his gaze to the others and shook his head in response, "Okay! Enjoy!"

Cloth napkin in hand, he wiped away the sticky residue of the honey butter and picked up his tea cup, raising it into the air, "To a better and brighter future, and to good friends in times good and bad! Cheers." He would wait for the acknowledgement, take a sip, and reach for his silverware, "Glad to have you around, Dori. I was getting a little to complacent for my own good down here."

Takahashi Aki · Feb 28, 2014

Sousuke chewed quietly. He hadn't taken offense to what Shuu had said, but drinking so early in the day was an experience he had yet to have. "Ah... well... I'll have to have you introduced to Lord Nobu or my Grandmother. Both of them drink early in the AM consistently, I suppose it is a classic to them then... especially my grandmother because she is very fond of a certain kind of brandy. Lord Nobu on the other hand ... I don't think I've ever seen him without drink in hand." He explained. Sousuke then imagined both Shuu and his grandmother Mako in the same room breaking their fast, and both of them drinking peach snaps or orange juice with vodka in it. It was remarkable really. He took another bite of the honey roll, but rolled himself back a bit when Shuu threatened to bop him on the nose. Sousuke turned his head to Uri and looked to him for some pointers on how to deal with this threat.

When Shuu offered her skills as a shinobi with some conditions to it, Sousuke stopped chewing his food. Thinking about it, "I will consider the offer of your services... and I certainly wouldn't ask you to do something to betray your homeland. I've also learned not to take people's appearance at face value. Granted there are certain limitations that one had to adhere by even if they're going to employ a transformed state. That is to say ... if you were to become hulking and green, your form had to obey certain rules within the forty-sixth Cruxial Atma Positional Discordial Rhythm of the Ninth Line. That is to say ... people have limits, and I am very much aware of them."

For a time it would seem that Shuu would grow down hearted. She explained that doing so was not her intentions. Sousuke deep in thought it was time to attempt some good humor to try and help her bounce back to so speak. Sousuke's expression seemed to twitch a bit. He grin slightly, and as he did so it seemed as if his face was going to crack open like a porcelain doll. As usual most expressions on his face seemed quite out of place. Sousuke would raise his hand to the side of his face and speak to Uri in a lower voice, to Shuu it would be audible, "Can she transform into a sensational hulking green six foot four battle maiden? A She-Hulk so to speak? I ... only said green because it seemed to fit at the time... if she can that would be absolutely fascinating." Well. It wasn't probably the best worded attempt to be funny, but Sousuke at the very least tried.

As Shuu inquired about the house, Uri answered her quickly enough. "I do have a couple of spare rooms at the Kazekage tower ... but yes Uri is quite right." Then something strange would occur. Shuu would inquire about the bear cub. It didn't seem like a strange request, but then Uri seemed to grow very flustered. Uri wagged his finger at the sennin and then explained the situation. To Sousuke it sounded fine, but it was how he was wording it with certainly emphasis on certain words. Sousuke scratched the back of his head as this was all very confusing to him. "This is quite strange. Did you two in your ... healthy extended loving relationship ... have some sort of awkward moment with a bear? Some sort of drunken escapade with a bear? Or maybe Shuu is just fond of bears, and Uri got batted by a bear's paw?" Sousuke paused. Uri seemed to pause initially at the word mother. "Does this somehow involve your mother Uri? Is she even aware of your adventures with bears, with Shuu?"

Mikaboshi · Mar 1, 2014

[A new challenger approaches!]

Masashi Katsuo

As the table's server returned to the kitchen, loud voices exploded out of the door leading into the back room. The voices being raised were difficult to hear but it was clear there was some kind of commotion going on in the kitchen of the restaurant. A few moments passed and a tall man with lime green hair came walking out of the kitchen side-by-side with the restaurant's manager on duty who had on his face an increasingly distressed look on his face. Green-haired gentleman however wore an expression of total relaxation despite what seemed to be a [strange, tarantula-like creature] sitting atop his head nestled into his hair. Wearing a long white coat and a dark green tank top underneath that complete with long white pants, the man seemed clearly out of place to some level even without considering his height or his muscular frame.

"Look, just kill it already and get it out of here." Urged the manager in a voice clearly louder than he'd intended as he dabbed the sweat from the kitchen off of his brow with a hand cloth taken from inside of his light suit coat that he wore. "That's why we hired you, isn't it?"

"There's no reason to kill it. It's perfectly fine." Responded the tall man with a laugh, reaching up to his head and running two fingers across the top of his passenger's shell in a petting motion.

"But it attacked one of my staff. What if it comes back?"

"That's because your staff tried to smash it with a spoon." The tall man chided patiently, his large smile still on his face as his hand returned to his side. "It's just scared. I'll take it someplace else and you'll never see it again. Don't--" Breaking off in mid sentence, the green-haired man managed to catch sight of Sousuke and-- if it was even possible --his smile got a little bit wider just then. "I've gotta go. Listen, keep your money. I'll hang on to this guy and we'll call it square, OK? Great."

Giving the manager of the restaurant a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Masashi Katsuo gave him a nod in parting along with a small wave before placing his hands into the pockets of his large white coat that he wore and making his way over the table where Sousuke, Shuu and Uri were sitting. Dressed as he was when he'd first met the Steward-Kazekage, it seemed that their conversation before which had been of an extremely serious nature did not have any lingering negative effects on the Sunahoshi-in-hiding. He'd made it clear that he didn't want the throne and that would be that. Still, he considered the meeting with Sousuke a resounding success if only because he got to meet an extremely interesting member of his extended family and got to learn a bit more about his father's history which had been one of the reasons he'd come to Sand in the first place.

"Sousuke!" He announced as he reached the table, giving the Steward-Kazekage a playfully light slug in the shoulder as he approached. "Didn't think I'd run into you here. How are you?"

Before letting Sousuke respond, it seemed to dawn on him all of a sudden that he was clearly interrupting some kind of get together. Pulling his right hand from his coat pocket and rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment as he chuckled a bit, Katsuo bowed a little bit in apology though he was careful not to bow enough as to knock the strange spider perched upon his head from where it was. It shuffled itself slightly around in his hair before making a strange chirping noise in complaint and seemingly settling back in.

"Jeez, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just noticed my cousin over here and had to come by to say 'hey'. I'm Masashi Katsuo."

Kendori Shuu · Mar 15, 2014

((OOC: Sorry for the delay. I should have time weekly from here on out to post.))

"I don't always make a point of drinking in the morning, today just seems to call for it," she sighed. "I would however be happy to meet anyone you wish to introduce me to, you and your ilk seem like an interesting bunch."

When the steward then made a joke, she couldn't help but smile just a bit. Even awkward people at senses of humor. Inept though it was, she appreciated his attempt at levity, The truth be told she found his fumbling attempts more awkwardly charming and funny, not that she had any designs on the man.

"I am afraid that such a transformation is a talent I do not possess, but if you really want as a doctor and scientist I can look into it for you," she teased.

The realization that Uri lived with his mother was not quite as dramatic as one might have thought. After all it was just the kind of guy who lives with his mother to help make sure she was take care of. What did surprise her however was the offer from the steward to take them in at the tower for the time being. She offered Sousuke a gentle smile inclining her head.

"I may take you up on that offer, at least until I can find a place for me and my people more permanently." Then...then hilarity ensued. She watched in utter amusement as Uri tried to talk his way out of the verbal deathtrap he'd actually set for himself. As he tried to navigate the social landmines without further alerting Sousuke that something was up she simply watched him, amused, chewing on a roll with quiet dignity and amusement.

"So the cursed Toraono bloodline watches over it then? If they are everything you say, then I imagine their nature gives them a unique perspective allowing them to care for such a creature. Good thing you have ones such as they." She spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world and Uri hadn't just fallen over himself in explanation, committing the verbal equivalent of a drunken stagger. When she noticed him checking out the waitress, however, she gave him a not-so-gentle kick under the table.

"Don't be rude. It's not polite to ogle like a horny schoolboy." He recovered quickly though with a toast, to which she raised her beer mug and grinned. "Glad to be here!" Not precisely true, but given that Mist wasn't a choice, there really wasn't anywhere else she could imagine being. "Itadakimasu!" She snapped her wooden chopsticks apart and began to slowly suck down a bite of ramen, savoring the fluffy noodles as much as the rich but dense broth that flavored it. Only once her slurp was done did she speak.

"Actually, Sousuke-kun, yes. You see, there was this large polar bear. How he wound up in the tropics was beyond me. During our night of drunken disorderly conduct part of our fun involved liberating the poor animal from the rich fatcat merchant who held it's iron collar. The bear didn't understand we were trying to free it, and poor Uri-boya, lover of all things that he is, transformed into one to guide him out. Of course, in the process the bear mistook our Boya for its mate and tried to impregnate him. Ever since then, Uri-boya hasn't been able to stand the sight of a bearskin rug." It was all a huge lie, of course. She was as much poking fun at Sousuke back for the She-Hulk comment as she was at Uri for his obvious discomfort just because it was fun to poke Uri with a stick. Her eyes never left Uri during all of this, slowly eating bites of her ramen, enjoying it as though it were the finest meal she'd ever had. Truth be told it ranked up there pretty high, but probably not the absolute best. Not that anyone would know the way she was savoring it. Of course, that wasn't all she was savoring. She hadn't had time to just poke fun at people in quite a while, it was doing wonders for her letting off steam.

And that was when Katsuo entered the scene. When Shuu turned to look at him her first instinct was that he was quite charming and handsome, and her second was that he seemed just generally nice and congenial. Of course, anyone who punched the Steward of Sand, playfully or otherwise, had better either be on very good terms or ready for it to be answered in kind, so she raised a thin purple eyebrow as she watched the exchange, then grinned at him when he introduced himself.

"Not a problem, Masashi-san, you're of course welcome to join us. The more the merrier. I am Kendori Shuu, former Medical Sennin of Kirigakure." If he knew about Kiri he would probably not mention it, if he didn't then there was no need to trouble a stranger with trifling details at this point. Instead she tucked an errand strand of violet hair behind her ear and offered a wider smile.

"I'm probably gonna be sticking around a bit, and Sousuke-kun here is a very interesting character, so I imagine I'll probably be hanging around a bit teasing him and poking at him with a stick, so if you're about you might see me a bit. No harm in getting to know eachother in that case. Pull up a chair! Go ahead and order something. Uri-boya here is treating!" She hitched a thumb at the chuunin to designate who she meant--though there was only one other person at the table to be fair--then glanced to him and offered a shrug and a wink. No harm in having some more eye candy at the table. If Uri could ogle, so could she. It was only fair, right?

Uri · Mar 17, 2014

((OOC: Just realized this was my go xD))

While before Uri had issues of maintaining his composure with the conversation, he was heavily focused on his meal at hand, letting most of Shuu's insane story roll off of him. He did however offer a polite laugh, as if he was just humoring her anecdote; similar to how someone would humor an idiot trying to make a point about something they knew nothing about. This kind of teasing, back and forth social patter was the cornerstone of their relationship. Admittedly, the chuunin was much more open and loud with some alcohol in him, and more so when his Kage wasn't about. Fork and knife in hand, Uri attended to his meal like a surgeon opening up a chest cavity. Deliberately taking his time, he punctured the egg poach, allowing the perfectly cooked yolk to ooze out and into the contents. His first bite took time to compose, getting a little bit of everything into one bite before actually indulging. Despite his earlier lack of manners concerning the rolls, here he seemed like a different person, evidence that he did have some level of refinement tucked away in the happy-go-lucky demeanor of his.

At the commotion and sudden arrival of another face, Uri looked up with a smile on his features as he held his fork at chest level, delaying his gratification a few moments more.

"Kuroda Uri, average Sunan shinobi! Pleasure!"

The chuunin returned to stare at his fork again, wanting to take his prepared bite before being engaged once more, but at the mention of Shuu's invitation, he set the fork down and accepted he wouldn't be able to have his peace until everyone was seated. Sticking out his hand, palm towards the group, he brought it forward, closing his extended fingers until he created a fist and in that same fluid motion, a chair was brought to the table, the very ground it rest on moving like a small wave to carry the seat to them, "There's that darned seat Dori-chan was talking about!" He briefly bumped his fist against the table and the plate with the rolls leaped into the air and with deft hand caught it, presenting it to the Masashi, "Even the rolls want you to eat them. I don't think you can argue with that! C'mon. This meal won't bankrupt me, I swear." There was a faked nervous laugh that followed, but it was for their own good. Uri was actually someone who wanted for not and had a talent for managing money well. While he lived in the Palais, an area considered for lower-class citizens, he did indulge in a few areas; food being one of them.

"So, where are you and your little friend from?"

[mft]

Takahashi Aki · Mar 18, 2014

Sousuke before taking up a knife to his omlet inclined his head forward slightly. As Shuu declared Itadakimasu, the Steward spoke quietly. "I give thanks to the One King, the Mother Suna pilgrims, the Sunahoshi and to Uri for this meal." It was a short prayer, but it was something the Steward always said before eating a meal. Before the Steward could dig in his cousin made his appearance. Katsuo slugged him in the shoulder. It took a moment for Sousuke to register that this was one of those greeting gestures. "Ah. Salutations Katuso..." His cousin was a taller man, and given Sousuke being in his wheel chair he had to look up. Up. Up. Up. His eyes fixated upon the spider that was sitting upon his head. The Steward then looked down at his meal, and then back at the spider. Sousuke's eyes shifted from Shuu to Uri. Shuu seemed to be ... not fixated on the spider, but his cousin instead. Uri on the other hand noticed the spider, but didn't seem to question it ... in regard to the concept that the spider may have ... come from the restaurant. Mentally Sousuke was making a note to file a health and safety inspection on the place, but he wasn't going to say so in front of Uri. Sure. They had been here before, and there were no spiders. Here and now though was a slightly different situation. The introductions were made, "Uri is being modest. He's not average really, he's exceptional. Shuu is ... well, she explained herself, so she too is exceptional. Really I suppose the average one here would be ... me really. Given that the three of you have had such ... adventurous and daring lives." Sousuke this time was fighting the urge, but as he was speaking his eyes were shifting back and forth from his company being Uri and Shuu to Katsuo's head. There was a sort of child-like glee in Sousuke's eyes as he finally gave in to curosity. "Is... is that an Electronid? Or is it a Spidunder?? I can't tell unless I see the legs properly... the Electronid has a certain type of ... hook in the legs that will reveal themselves if stroked in a certain manner. It could be neither ... I've never seen live ones ... so ... can I hold him or her?" Kitchy let out a whine as the spider made her slightly nervous. The canine unlike Sousuke didn't let her eyes leave the spider for a moment.

The Steward's mind backtracked. Now would be a very good time to try and re-establish proper conversation instead of pointing out the awkward spider on Katsuo's head. The Steward thought of bringing up the topic of the bear again, but then again Uri did that laughter which ... from what Sousuke understood was a pleasant version of discrediting Shuu. The Steward seemed to be at a sort of loss. He looked down at his omlet, and proceeded to cut it in half. "Here Katsuo have some of my favourite." He slid part of the omlet onto the plate and shifted it over to his cousin. Given what Uri did, Sousuke's brows furrowed as he didn't quite understand that Uri was jesting. The Steward was still stuck for new topics to bring up... "So. Kautso, you know grandmother, Mako, enjoys her brandy quite early. Shall I expect you to be ordering a brandy too? There is that saying ... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I wonder why it's a tree of all things. Certainly Katsuo doesn't have the same hair colour I, my mother, and my grandmother have but ... both Grandmother and Katsuo are fighters. Sometimes grandmother thinks she needs to have her remaining arm tied behind her back because people need such an advantage in combat against her." He turned to Uri, "She made a scene of sorts at my birthday party remember? She ... and mother nearly got into a fight because she gave me a zippo. Mother is afraid of me acquiring her dirty habit of smoking... grandmother seems to think it would be fine." Sousuke reached into his pockets and produced said zippo. It was silver in colour and it had the Masashi symbol of the Eye engraved upon it.

Mikaboshi · Mar 22, 2014

"I'm new to these parts myself. Just recently came to the city in the last few weeks." Explained Katsuo, seemingly unfazed by the mention of Kirigakure. Truthfully, he was more than interested to meet Shuu if only because of his limited experience with proper shinobi. Ninja were rare on the frontier to begin with, especially foreign ones. Shuu marked one of the only ninja trained in another country that Katsuo had ever known the name of, much less met personally. He couldn't possibly know about the small-scale apocalypse which had consumed the entirety of Water Country. Not know it for fact, at least. Rumors flew every year about disasters in this land or that land. Men and women out in the winds thrived on tall tales. "If I'll be seeing you around then I think I found a good reason to hang around myself."

Katsuo would have been lying if he said that Shuu hadn't caught his eye the moment he'd become aware that he'd barged into a lunch meeting by accident. She was striking in all the ways that typically stood out to men but for a man like Katsuo who spent his life on the road and in battle it was the shine in her eyes that caught his attention the most. She'd said she was a former Medical Sennin but she was anything but a former fighter. He teeth showed brightly as he took the seat offered to him and Uri introduced himself. Sitting down, the strange golden spider in his hair shifted itself around a little but with it's bright eyes blinking from person to person and it observed the others sitting at the table.

"Well met to both of you, thanks for letting me join you." He said as he snatched a roll from the plate offered to him by Uri and bit into it generously without taking the time to properly butter or prepare it. A man of simplicity, Katsuo didn't need things like that to enjoy his food. The roll was simply of such a higher quality than what he typically ate on the road that he enjoyed the taste of it was it was. "I'm not really "from" any place, I guess. Anywhere's always been as good a home as any. My people are nomads, see. As for my buddy here," Katsuo looked up slightly at the creature riding the top of his head. "Only he knows. He's a desert spirit. He's probably older than all of us put together."

Katsuo blinked blankly at Sousuke listed off some names of creatures that he'd never heard of. Wind Country was amazing in the sense that despite it's desolate appearance and climate hundreds of species of animals and plants not only lived but thrived in it's environs. Many scholars on the subject believed that humanity would never even come close to cataloging all of them. The spirit shifted a little nervously at the top of his head as Sousuke stared at it following his request to hold it.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. It has a little trust for me because I almost literally pulled it's little butt out of the fire just now but I think it's probably a little wary of humans just now thanks to a particularly over zealous kitchen hand and her wooden spoon." His grin seemed to fade to a look of concerned seriousness for a moment before being subsumed once more into what seemed to be an irrepressible urge to smile."Maybe later when we're outside though. I'll be taking him out of the village after I've enjoyed this fine meal with fine company." He couldn't help but steal a glance at Shuu as he finished his sentence before looking back to Sousuke as the Steward began to shove food on to his plate which Katsuo heartily began to tuck into without regard as to what it was. "Eggs! I haven't had eggs in months!"

[Getting into character for Katsuo is challenging. Sorry for the delay!]

Kendori Shuu · Mar 24, 2014

Uri's lack of response was a bit disappointing, but it was what it was. When the steward gave thanks Shuu listened intently. It was a very nice ritual, and when he spoke of the One King it got her thinking. Frowning she spoke up to Sousuke, turning serious for a moment.

"Sousuke-kun, if it's too private I completely understand, but do you think I could be granted special access to your scroll library? I'd like to study Sunaan histories...though that may require me to learn the ancient language of the Sunaan people. Again, if I'm asking too much please let me know, I'll completely understand." Truth be told the ancient tales of the First Men and the One King had her curious, and she was hoping to learn more about Sunaan history in her spare time. It had her curious and wanting to know more about Sunaan beliefs. When Sousuke spoke to Katsuo and claimed to be average Shuu spoke up with a smirk.

"Come now, Sousuke-kun, you are far from average, and everyone here knows it, same as Uri-boya." When Katsuo said he found a good reason to hang around in her she offered him an indulgent smile, taking a moment more to eye his form appreciatively. He was clearly a well-toned and muscled individual. Rugged form with signs that it had seen combat regularly. A fighter perhaps? It seemed that the piqued curiosity was not one-sided. Katsuo was strong and clearly a fair bit charismatic. When he spoke on desert spirits, it only made her more curious and reinforced her desire to read on Sunaan history, giving her another subject to study up on. He clearly had a way with them, almost shamanistic, if they were indeed spirits. His grin made him even more attractive, though when the smile faded she noticed. An instant later it sprung back into place, and when he glanced her way, she definitely noticed. She tucked a strand of purple hair behind her ear and met his gaze playfully, offering an appreciative smile when he pointedly suggested that she was the fine company he was enjoying. It seemed that her mild attraction and curiosity was not one-sided. Oh yes, she foresaw a very interesting dance between the two of them over the time to come. How interesting that dance became was really up to him.

To Katsuo, after giving him a playful glance, considering his nomad way of life, she spoke, her words directed at him.

"So a nomad...must be a hard life in the desert. Are you lucky enough to have shinobi training to back your lifestyle, or do you make do without the use of chakra molding and survival skills learned at the academy and beyond?" If he was without shinobi skills that honestly made him even more impressive, but owning the skills did not necessarily cheapen his lifestyle, either. It was admirable, but made for an unreliable life, and that lack of stability made for a stressful life. Glancing back to Sousuke, she just found herself all the more impressed by him, trapped in his own frail body which was stressful in its own right. Uri, on the other hand, was being very good-natured about everything. She looked to him and mouthed the words 'thank you', wanting to him, appreciating his willingness to be adaptable. He was a good man, and she appreciated him.

"Uri-boya...nice parlor trick. Where did you learn that bit?" It made her curious, she'd only had experience with the five basic elements, she'd never learned any of the more complicated and advanced ones...perhaps it was time to do so to distract herself from what happened to her home land...all the more reason to gain access to the jscroll library if there's any information on advanced elements there.

It might even help Suna in the end.

Uri · Mar 26, 2014

Once everything was said and done Uri was able to pick his fork back up and indulge in the first bite of food he had so painstakingly prepared. There was a verbal and visual exchange around the table that was hard to miss. The advantage to being so finely tuned a shinobi was that the senses too became keen; so little things like the exchanges of glances or subtle adjustments in one's facial structure spoke more than their lips did. While many of them at the table were seasoned, Sousuke being the youngest among them, it seemed they all had a moment of youthful exuberance. While Uri himself was a playful person, ate candy on a more regular basis than a pair of fat siblings skipping through the woods, and often times enjoyed a good prank he felt a lot older on the inside than he actually was.

The chuunin listened and ate. Alternating bites of his meal with sips from his still hot cup of tea. Pleasantly, the conversation had flowed around him like a rock jutting out in a river, leaving him to partake in his meal. There was an unnerving quality to Uri was he was quiet and focused, even if it was just a plate of food. There was an oddity to his existence. That people tended to find connections amongst one another, but Uri had a tendency to sever himself by proxy. It played well into his understanding of fate and how the web everyone's lives created crissed and crossed with others. Strangely, he existed outside of it or chose to so that he could continue helping people move forward.

A rush of memory hit him and he was reminded of Mio, the lonely soul of a kunoichi he had met who took her life. The letter she had sent him had put the grown man into tears. Despite only having been acquaintances, she had divulged in her last will and testament that he had been the closest thing to a friend she had. Even though she had existed within the confines of Sunagakure for so long and had been put through numerous terrible trials, no one had come to her rescue. Okibi has been through similar ordeals and countless people had come running to her. Uri had stumbled upon them both, and he had only managed to save one of them. It was just another life in Uri's life that the blasted cave had claimed. Lost amongst his thoughts, he had stopped eating just long enough to reach into his shirt and grasp the small obsidian ring of double snakes he wore around his neck. The ever-warm stone calmed his mind and he snapped out of his reverie long enough to catch Shuu addressing him. The Uri-patented smile returned, banishing all traces of the dullness that had encapsulated him during his momentary slip into darker times.

"Oh," He set down his fork and looked to the pathway he had dragged the chair across, as if trying to remember exactly what she was inquiring about, "I dunno. Just kinda know how to do it, y'know? I've always been good with chakra....well, energy," That was when he realized he hadn't ever put his gloves back on and shrugged as he turned his palms over to reveal the symbols branded into his skin, "These have something to do with it. When I was growing up and training in the academy I was always terribly mediocre. Had a hard time molding chakra and being able to do much of anything ninja-like. I managed to graduate and climb just through being book-smart which eventually afforded me the chance to travel when I was younger. Out in the great wide world I learned of a lot about how the world worked. For instance, 'Chakra' is a relative term to us shinobi, but a lot of other cultures have their own versions of life force manipulation and have different names for their techniques." The chuunin purposefully left out the details relating to the seals or what exactly it was they did, but he did stand up from his chair, setting his napkin down after wiping his mouth, "Everything eventually breaks down to some simple principle. That's why anyone who can bend chakra can breath fire." He stepped away and picked up a small pebble near their table and put it into the center of his bare palm, "Everything is created from some essence of life energy, and so if you know how to manipulate it, you can turn it into anything else."

A soft light grew outward from the markings burned into his hand. The small pebble changed into the shape of a sharp pyramid, then to became transparent as it became aqueous in nature, as if by magic sparked and became a fireball, and at last resolved into a metal sphere. Carefully, he rolled it between his fingers, appearing almost as if it were alive and he set it down in front of Shuu, "And that's just the basic premise, really." He brushed off his hands and rested them on his hips as he looked around, as if expecting to find some great clarity amongst all the restaurant goers. There was a renewed energy to Uri as he spoke, a fervor of that hadn't been there before. As he looked outward to the road his smile grew wider and he nodded in affirmation of his choice.

Working his way around the table he strode out to the finely paved road and looked down the length of it. His soft brown eyes expertly gazed, as if looking for some imperfection. A small rotation and he faced back towards the cafe, flourishing his hands to either side of him, "Fine ladies and gentleman of Sunagakure and beyond, may I steal your attention away from your lovely meal for but a second?" Everyone that had been eating outside had stopped what they were doing and were now staring at the white-haired chuunin; even a few people inside stepped outside to observe; staff and customers alike, "Our days are just starting up and I wish to offer you a chance to have a moment of whimsical childish joy. Take a piece or paper or your napkin or anything you can write on and jot down your favorite animal. When you have done so, hold it up into the air for me."

The Desert Crown was home to people who were always looking for something more in their lives, whether it be a new outfit or a random antique from another land. Even though shinobi were a way of life for some, it was not too often the talents wherein were used to show-off, but Uri knew a display of power did not have to be devastating to be impressive. Once everyone had gone about writing something down, numerous scraps of paper and napkins were held aloft. Those with sharp vision would notice the dull glowing of Uri's palms as he went about his trick. Miming an invisible rope, he whirled it about his head and cast it outwards. There was a very real moment of shock when people felt their hands tugged at and as Uri pulled more, the numerous notes came loose and floated through the air towards the ninja. They all wafted into his out-stretched hand and he carefully thumbed through them with deft fingers, lip curled and nodding as if reading an important memo at work.

"Okay!" He tossed them into the air over his head and they exploded with a POP showering him with vividly colored sparks, "There were some interesting requests, but luckily for most everyone here, I am an individual with a love of animals! Without any further ado!" His hands came together into a single snake seal as he let the tension build for a moment. As he slid his hands apart from one another, there was a visible shutter of air. Hands pressed against the stonework beneath him, there seemed to be a great shifting of the environment, and before anyone knew it a great many creatures were seen crawling out of the pavement around him, as if they were attempting to escape a tar pit.

There were animals small and large, from domestic ones to foreign ones and they all appeared to be real. If one were to study the creation closer they would notice an impeccably fine attention to detail that made mineral seem like fur and skin, glass to make eyes gleam when looked into, and a thousand other minute details that brought these inanimate beings to life. Then there was the fact that they actually appeared alive. Their behavior was that of their respective animals. Birds flew about, perching on comfortable spots about the cafe. Various felines made their way underneath table, rubbing past legs of customers, and there was even a giraffe that stood with its long neck arched low to give attention to the woman who had asked for it. The sole difference was that they were not running wild. In the back of Uri's mind he knew how these beings acted and had them act as such, but kept them on a metaphysical leash that made them the ultimate entertainment piece.

The owner of the establishment wouldn't be too happy, but he could tolerate it at least for the moment. Everyone thoroughly distracted, he hopped over the ironwork fence and walked behind Shuu, patting her on the shoulder, "Probably a longer explanation than you wanted, but proof that anything can be made from nothing; an absence into life." Taking up his seat once more, he happily dove back into his meal, smile plastered across his face. There were moments when Uri had an abundance of energy he needed to expend and it was why he could often be seen doing random things like the display he had just put on. Most of which could be taught with the right disciplines. Most of it.

((OOC: That got longer than I intended <_< Feel free to toss in an animal of your own and have it meander about the topic.))

Takahashi Aki · Mar 28, 2014

Sousuke was hard pressed to believe that his cousin's friend was a spirit. The Steward blinked several times as he watched the insect shuffle in Katsuo's hair. The Steward reached into his coat and removed a pair of sun shades. The colour of the shades were green. When the Steward was in his armour it was alot easier to use the lenses to see spiritual begins. Shifting though to the lenses without being in the armour was a strain at times, so the Steward had condensed the lenses work into glasses. Sousuke would put on the stylish sun glasses despite being inside and he would look at the spider spirit. "Hrmmm..." The Steward's eyes wouldn't leave the creature for a moment while he was studying it. "Fascinating. It has a spiritual skeletal frame. The skeletal structure doesn't quite match the outside appearance... and thus what the form it is taking now is ... hrm. Most curious... " Sousuke would remove the glasses and place them on his head. Katsuo spoke of how the creature had trust issues and that now would not be the time for him to hold it. The Steward almost had a sour defeated expression on his face, but then when Katsuo said maybe later, the Steward tapped his fingers together showing a form of delight.

It was then that Katsuo dug in, and began to devour the omelet Sousuke had put out for him. "I'm in no way to be blames for his lack of egg consumption. First and foremost." The Steward was paying attention to the eye contact going back and forth between his cousin and Shuu. There was a lot of eyeing going on, but Shuu would then inquire if she could have access to the library. The Steward fell silent for a moment. A foreigner going over the histories? It wasn't unheard of. Still though. Certain items of interest needed to be kept secret. "I'll provide you with a list of recommended reading." Sousuke would say at first. "Your visits would need to be supervised. We'll work out the details later." That conversation was put on ice as Uri though brought the room alive with his jutsu. Animals of all sorts and shapes appeared. Last but not least Sousuke had signed his napkin, and a horse would appear on his side. Sousuke was certainly fond of the animal that was his family sigil. The horse was significantly larger than usual oes and she would have bent its head forward slightly, and Sousuke would be petting it. "You know Uri. One of these days you'll draw attention to yourself, and not in a good way." Sousuke warned. "Although ... I'm not going to be dishonest. This is actually quite a thrill to be honest. If only the real Rolling Thunder would be this affectionate... well she's moody most days. I'm not sure if it because she's quite possibly centuries old ... or she just doesn't like me much." Sousuke turned his head to face Shuu and Uri. "We Takahashi are horsemen, beleive it not. It's our family's sigil. Does your house have a sigil Ms. Shuu?"

Mikaboshi · Apr 4, 2014

[So despite my belief that I'd posted here a couple of days ago, Sousuke just pointed out to me earlier that my browser ate my post and I did not in fact get something up. I'm a little short on energy right now but I will get something up tomorrow when I get home from work. Many apologies for the wait!]

Mikaboshi · Apr 5, 2014

Catching Shuu's reaction to his compliment, Katsuo considered the question she asked him about his shinobi training. Or rather, his lack thereof. The Masashi were well known as demon hunters and exorcists in the Wind Country and it was true they held close ties to Sunagakure and it's history but they weren't what could be considered a traditional shinobi clan. They rarely, if ever, sent their young men and women to the Sunagakure academy as it was tradition in their clan to raise and train them specifically in their own ways before allowing them to be introduced to anything else. In many ways the Masashi and shinobi mirrored some teachings such as the study of Genjutsu and Ninjutsu but as they held high their mission of advancing the cause of humanity in the Wind Country they did not wish to see their hunters be corrupted by potential political machinations out of Sunagakure. They knew well that Sand was a city of courts, nobles and politics and wanted nothing of any of it. Those things were the purview of the Takahashi and for generations the Masashi trusted their cousins to fulfill their obligations without aid from the frontier.

"I'm not trained in the way that they teach students here in Sand, no." Katsuo explained, zero shame in his voice as he did. He was proud of the teachings that he carried with him and did not feel in any way embarrassed by his lack of formal shinobi teachings. In his mind, he did not need them to consider himself a warrior. "But I can handle myself in a fight well enough. Wind Country is a quick teacher."

And that was really the truth of it. Life and death weren't moral philosophies to be pondered on out in the winds; they were simple facets of every day existence. You either learned fast or died ugly. After responding to Shuu, Katsuo went back to finishing the remainder of what Sousuke had given him. He'd forgotten how much he liked the taste of eggs. Well prepared food was a luxury that Katsuo rarely got to enjoy. It was common for him that his meals consisted of things that he could either catch in the wilderness or from supplies made to last during long travels by kind hearted folk which he'd helped out. That meant a lot of things like dried meat and nuts, sometimes roast lizard if he could catch one. It was possible that he'd sampled most of Wind Country's various forms of fauna at one point or another despite it's amazing variety. Admittedly, he'd always wondered what a sandworm might taste like. Looking to Uri as he explained his talents, Katsuo listened quietly as he stuffed his face with delicious yellow goodness. Uri had claimed he was only an average shinobi but Katsuo found it surprising that someone who was self-proclaimed to be average understood one of the finer concepts of chakra manipulation; culture differences. Katsuo was certainly not an expert in the areas of Ninjutsu or Genjutsu considering he could barely cast any techniques in either schools of skill but he did understand quite well that words like "chakra" and "jutsu" really were just the vernacular of shinobi. There were plenty in the Wind Country that still used words like "magic" and "mana" despite their archaic roots. In the end, everything could be boiled down to simple energy and willpower. And despite his lack of technical skill where Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were concerned, energy and willpower were two topics that Katsuo could be considered well studied on.

"That's amazing." Proclaimed Katsuo, delight plain on his face as Uri brought animal after animal to life out of the inanimate stone of the ground. "Average indeed my friend, you have sold yourself short!"

Kendori Shuu · Apr 20, 2014

When he spoke, Shuu chuckled to Katsuo and offered a mild shrug.

"I never doubted your ability to handle yourself in a fight." She could read between the lines easily enough; it wasn't hard to understand that he had some schooling in the same arts that shinobi used, but he was not schooled as traditional shinobi, which was quite understandable. There were many foils in the world to shinobi training, some of which mirrored their skills and abilities fairly closely, in form if not in composition. It would not be fair to say one took from the other, more that it was two schools of thought raised in parallel, keeping each other properly paced and drawing from each other equally. He was clearly a natural born fighter, though, that much was obvious from his frame and his body conditioning.

As Sousuke examined the composition of the animal Katsuo had acquired, she glanced and watched his analytical mind at work. She hadn't missed the way he had processed herself and Katsuo exchanging mild flirtations. Her eyes on him were more a courtesy than anything else; she'd gotten used to an almost complete three-sixty field of vision over the years, but many found it unnerving when you observed them or spoke to them without looking at them. She'd had normal vision for the longest time so turning her eyes to gaze at the one she was focused on was still habit, even if it was an unnecessary one. If nothing else it sold that her eyes were normal, though only a few people in all the world knew otherwise...and there was no guarantee how many of them had survived Mist's freeze...to her knowledge she was the only one. The quantity of eggs that Katsuo consumed was commented upon by the Steward, which caused Shuu to titter in amusement. It was not the delicate 'teehee' that many associated with innocent young girls, but the throaty chuckle a grown and wizened woman made when she noticed something particularly clever about the nature of those around her. Katsuo was clearly the alpha-male type, but a kind one; where the Steward, though higher on the country's scale of importance, was clearly more of the beta type. He did not have the charismatic and domineering personality that Katsuo exuded, and yet to some degree Katsuo, despite his alpha-male affinity, in many ways looked to Sousuke for the lead. It was fascinating. When the Steward spoke on her ability to visit the library she inclined her head appreciatively.

"Of course, Sousuke-kun. I expected nothing less...just some sensitive and usually guarded subject matter that I am interested in reading up on, no village secrets or the like." And then Uri's parlour tricks escalated, stealing the show despite his claim to humility and mediocrity. She first picked up the metal sphere he'd placed in front of her, and with a slight smirk she simply tucked it into a pouch, a lovely little keepsake as she considered the nature of energy and chakra that he spoke on at length, though he clearly held her undivided attention...and that of most of the people present. Even she wrote down a word on a napkin, holding her own as she observed his hands begin to glow. Rather than flashing through handseals as most ninja did, Uri seemed to use his palms' arcane scrals as focii for his act, molding them through ritual in a similar fashion to handseals, just through a different medium. A single seal was used, but it was likely more for the act of drawing the chakra for molding than it was the act of molding it. It was absolutely fascinating to watch, especially for one such as she who could see both expelled chakra and chakra within the body as a physical thing rather than a presumed or merely felt presence.

What had emerged and found its way to her was actually a baby T-Rex. Long ago her Great Uncle, Kendori Rashoumon, had in his travels come across an unearthed skeleton from a creature that could not be identified. Though there were many unknown things in the world, it had not been recognized as any living creature. Further invesigation proved that it was indeed an extinct animal; a species of giant and ancient monster that once roamed the world. The research papers were now well-known, and her Great Uncle had not by any means been the only one to make the discovery, but ever since he returned to speak with her about them and speculate about them Shuu had been nothing but fascinated with the idea. That Uri had read up on the extinct creatures spoke to his knowledge of the world and how well read he was. She was amused as it let out a tiny growl and prowled around the room, sniffing people and nudging and nuzzling them. She let out a tiny squeal of delight as she watched the scaled beast move around. When Uri returned his attention to her she just offered him an unabashed smile.

"Not at all, it was fanatic, Uri-boya, thank you. Definitely a well-earned smile on your part." She inclined her head in appreciation--it had been a long day, so getting a noise of childish glee from her was no easy feat--and yet his final words rang hollow in her ears.

'Proof that anything can be made from nothing; an absence into life'...that would be a handy trick to use in Kiri right about now...bring the absolute of the freezing and breaking through to provide life where none seemed to flourish previously. But from that death I must make life, if not for myself than for those I labored so hard to save. She took a deep breath, pulling herself away from the perilous edge of depression that threatened to overcome her. She would not lose to her emotions, she was too skilled to make that mistake. She'd seen it on Uri's face a moment earlier, now she too had only barely recovered from the precipice of darkness in their pasts...only Shuu's had been that same week, and fresher still in her mind.

When Sousuke spoke on family sigils, Shuu smiled gently, turning around, and pulling her long purple hair away from the nape of her neck where a small invisible tattoo had been worked into her skin by Mist, the original color all but faded as when she'd retired the tattoo and its color had been hidden, though with the mild application of her own chakra it flashed multi-colored for a moment before vanishing again.

"Not many know this but when Kiri was functional its method of identification of its shinobi was actually through a chakra mark, branded into one's skin through careful application by the senior officers of Mist. General color and color intensity noted your branch and rank within that branch. Color is removed for Kages and retirees. I was retired before Mist fell, so I have the honor of mine being mostly gone. My family's sigil, though very generic was that of the yin-yang...but that is because my family was Mist's balancers. We were the ones that helped maintain order; the utterly neutral in all the pushing and pulling and jockeying done in the village. We negotiated treaties, handled feuds, and brokered peace among any who threatened to upset it." She leaned back then looked over to Katsuo as he commented on Uri's impressiveness. She grinned slightly and muttered quietly,

"I know there's an inappropriate joke in there, but due to polite company I'm going to go ahead and leave that one alone," she decided quietly, to any who listened--though to such a statement it would probably be better that it were no one. Realizing she'd almost completely forgotten about her food she returned to her beer and ramen, slurping noisily--a custom that in Kiri denoted appreciation of delicious food that was being thoroughly enjoyed. For the moment to stone puppetwork and the curious conversation enthralled Shuu to the point where she really didn't mind being more fly on the wall than anything else, curious to see how everything here panned out.

Uri · Apr 21, 2014

Uri had noted Sousuke's concern and appreciated the thought, but was more than aware of the potential consequences showing off could bring to his doorstep. In many situations, he would downplay his skills and stick to more simple demonstrations like he had with the metallic sphere, but his physiology demanded more from him on occasion. Uri's chakra system was an unstable one, producing vast amounts of energy that if left unchecked would cause him to become terribly ill. The sickness had only ever over-taken him once when he was in his early twenties, but ever since he had the ability to out-pour the gathered abundance of force he was fine. Whether it was a genetic abnormality or if something unholy had grabbed onto his soul, Uri didn't know, but he learned to deal with it. Being exuberant and showy was not only a way to make those around him enjoy themselves, it was how he tolerated living. Without his constant energetic entertainment or activity he would slowly become consumed by the greater burden tied to him.

The conversation shifted over to family and their symbols. Uri's meal was quickly vanishing and he used the time to listen and watch as Sousuke and Shuu spoke of theirs. While Sousuke referred to all families in Sunagakure as Houses or Clans, Uri knew that his was next to non-existent. He had grown up poor, in a small two bedroom hovel in the Palais with both of his parents. His father had been a stone worker, a man who enjoyed the work more than the money. A man whose aspirations and work revealed something greater that never had the chance to rise from the darkness and into the light. Even though Uri's father had never gone on to be a rich merchant lord or a leader to the village, he had inspired people with the elegant pieces of mineral he carved for them using his bare hands. His smile and outlook brightened even the darkest corners of the Palais; even the criminals had grown to respect him so much that they left the tiny family alone.

Before the maelstorm and the plague wars drove them underground, his reach throughout the village had been immense. Small gestures that left his mark everywhere. The buildings that had been lowered into the earth, that predated the great descent had small markings etched into them where his father had once worked on them, helping to maintain the village because he wanted to see it prosper.

In times when Uri was but a young child, his father would tell him stories of The First Men, great tales of heroic deeds and ancestors that helped free them from the grips of the oppressive ancients. Those myths helped Uri grow into the man he was today, adventuring to faraway lands in hopes of being able to change the world through his actions.

Meal thoroughly finished, he pushed the plate forward a bit and sat back in his chair. Idly, he started to speak, "Sousuke makes it sound like my family has some important spot in the village, but as far as I know we're just stoneworkers." He stated, almost disappointed to have to say it out loud, "I was down in the archives beneath the tower not that long ago doing research for the village and stuck my nose looking around for my family line and found out it only goes back two generations. Almost like someone ripped out the pages." Then he yanked on a silver chain resting around his neck and fished out a polished black ring. It was a pair of coiled serpents and had expertly crafted details, "My father gave this to me before he passed away and said it came from the time of The First Men, from our ancestors. So you can imagine how upset I was when there wasn't a trace of us in the annuals of Suna."

His fingers played with the dark mineral jewelry and he stared at it wondering if his father, a man of unflappable integrity, had lied to him or if his ancestors had done something so wretched that they need be stricken from history.

Have a bite...or six [Shuu/Sousuke/Open]

Active Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Ninja

Active Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Ninja

Active Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Ninja

Active Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Ninja

Active Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Faithful Ninja

Ninja

Active Ninja