Man of the Hour [Hissori]

[Takahashi Aki]

Masashi Mako tapped her fingers on the table. She let out an annoyed huff as she was fully expecting the bar she was at to be in service. Apparently not. She had been here for seventeen minutes and she was promised that the bar would be fixed, and that the beer would be flowing. That was not happening. Not even the promise of it, not even the hint of it. Several patrons were already leaving, but not Mako. She knew someone was coming to fix the taps, and someone reliable at it too. Her very boring grandson. Mako would continue to tap on the table. "Sousuke you better get here quickly."<i></i> She grumbled. She removed her coat and placed it on the table. She placed her head against the table. The grey and purple haired woman was at times one could call and alcoholic. There was no shame in admitting that.

Two minutes later the woman's prayers were answered as her grandson would indeed emerge. The armoured crusader. Sousuke would enter the bar and not many people would make much of it. They were used to him coming armed for battle, but then again he spent most of time fighting something. What he did fight? She couldn't keep up between a supposed return of Ancients, the Sovereign Academy, demons of various shapes. She didn't say anything as she watched him get out of the blocky huge armour and went to work. He disappeared underneath the table. The proprietress looked quick happy and relieved to see Takahashi Sousuke on the job. Mako would continue to keep an eye on the woman. Sousuke was not the most handsome looking person. Katuso, who was her grand nephew, she considered to be handsome and gruffer. Sousuke had his uses. Anything mechanical he could fix. He was known throughout the village for running about and helping the lesser man without question. Sousuke had acquired alot of favours, but he never collected. Some people took advantage of this, others merely helped him out in the way they knew possible. Sousuke suspected that the proprietress would let him drink for free. The trick was ... getting him to actually drink. There was also the odd case of the proprietress trying to take her grandson home for the night. Well ... that could happen too. Sousuke could use a new girl in his life. Shouki was dead, for now, so he could now afford to have some sort of relationship in his life.

It took Sousuke a few moments to fix it, but within five minutes the beer was flowing and there was several happy patrons. Mako herself included.

MFT 411

 

[Ii Hissori]

Well, this is certainly becoming a pain; Hissori retirement had quickly turned from relaxing afternoons of reading about science and drinking the nights way. Now though it seemed like people were after him again. Somebody had come looking for the former Tsuchikage, basically ruining his retirement. Now the strawberry blonde adult had to change his whole daily schedule just to avoid being recognized.

One of those changes was going to a new bar. Like any man changing bars was certainly annoying thing to do. He had found his perfect bartender, and even the place that served island rum! He had found people who he enjoyed chatting with, and the atmosphere at the old bar was the best he had found in Sunagakure. Now all of that was taken from him. All because of some lady looking for him because apparently that stupid demon Akkuma was after him! Today, the former medical shinobi was in an area known as Sietch Zensunna looking for his new watering hole.

This place was a normal place the Tsuchikage would hang out when he was in Kirigakure or Iwagakure, but since moving to Sunagakure, the middle-aged man had been trying to stay under the radar. Dressed in an average outfit. With no hat, the man had been in a button-down t-shirt, and a baggy pair of light brown khaki’s. He had groomed himself enough that he now had a small stubble beard adorning his normal strong cheeks and chin.

“Yeah this may be a flop.” Hissori mumbled to a man that was next to him. The gruff looking man just nodded. Kinji normally Hissori’s spirit animal had recently taken to be Hissori’s body guard since Buru now was being forced to hide in the shadows. Kinji was towering over Hissori’s own tall frame, the strong muscular man having a puffy golden mane like hair, wild eyes, and a lion’s tail. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a muscle t-shirt the man would grunt.

“Give it five more minutes.” Kinji would say as he just leaned back in his chair. Kinji, and Hissori were sitting in the back of the bar, waiting for some sort of service. Within that time limit, the bar explored with applause as the Kazekage came to the rescue and fixed the taps.

“Thank God.” Hissori mumbled as the waitress came over to take an order from the pair. Hissori would get a beer and a rather fruit rum based drink. Kinji would just get a sake. Then with a wave towards the savior of the bar, Hissori bought the man a drink of whatever he wanted. It was the least the former Kage could do, right?​

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[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke received an applause and a series of hoots and hollers. Sousuke had received such things before, and most times it made him feel good about himself. Sometimes he was the receiving end of a thunderous applause and those sometimes hurt his ears. This was far more manageable. The one person not clapping was his grandmother which did not come as a surprise to him. Her expectations were probably that he should have here thirty minutes sooner, when in fact he only got the call about ten minutes ago. The old woman had some very strange and absurd expectations. Both grandson and grandmother exchanged annoyed looks at each other. The bar maid would break said glaring fight by kissing Sousuke on the cheek. More hoots and hollers came as this occurred. The residents of Sungakure had only once been shown a display of emotion from Sousuke when he kissed Yume on the forehead. It was moments like this that were rare. Sousuke upon realizing what had occurred would turn his head to the right and see the proprietress smiling and him and grazing his sharp cheek with a finger. A small momentary smile would emerge. Within seconds everything would go back to the things were supposed to be. He exhaled. Indeed. Good. Business as usual.

To Sousuke's surprise a man he did not recognize waved at him to come over. Sousuke knew the people of Sungakure like the back of his hand, and perhaps more curious was the man's companion. He was a very large beast of a man, like Kuro but his features were not that of a tiger but that of a lion. To Sousuke's surprise, the man whoever he may be, was going to order him a drink. The small purple haired man would eye the ceiling for a moment. Well. Okay. Sure. Why not? "Hmm... Would you kindly bring me a red ale. Red Scorpion. I should think."<i></i> He requested pleasantly enough. The woman would nod and go to get the drinks. Sousuke would again look to the ceiling and his eyes would seemingly be tracing something unseen by Hissori or his companion. "Good evening, and thank-you for the treat ... good sirs?"<i></i> His eyes would lower down and look to the two before him. Somewhere in Sousuke's mind it was bothering him to no end that he could not put a name to this person and his beast-man companion. Sousuke's eyes would have to shift further up to look at Kinji. "I have been told that the wings here are exquisite. Though their blue cheese and ranch which is a foreign taste seems to not have made, as some would say a big splash. I'm not sure why the word splash is a thing, but it is. The alternative would be a big hit. Not the literal sort, but a supposed metaphorical sort."<i></i> Sousuke would attempt to do this thing he considered himself to be quite poor at. Small talk.

MFT 300+

 

[Ii Hissori]

Hissori would not join in the clapping. Instead, the man would just intently watch the reaction of the other adult. He seemed to enjoy himself in the moment, but the calm collective nature of Sousuke made Hissori believe that the man was someone whom often got some sort of praise. The reaction to the kiss as well made the man seem like he got some sort of action. His connection towards the older lady at the bar was also evident as the man exchanged an annoyed look with her. When Hissori though made eye contact with Sousuke, he’d give a friendly smile and another wave.

“Well thank you for saving the night. Nothing is worse than a night when you go out and cannot drink.” Hissori told the man with a rather thick island accent. It was followed by a The strawberry blonde man looked lucid and sober as Sosuke tried to make some small talk. Hissori had to admit, the man was a bit rough at it, so Hissori knew he would have to at least try to steer the conversation.

“That sounds great man, maybe we can get some if you want, my treat!” Hissori stated as he shifted in his seat leaning over as he let the man sit down as he continued to smile his canines pointing out of his upper lip just a bit.

“Names Koroki, it is nice to meet you.” Hissori started to talk. “What are you doing here, you seem way to put together than to be a handy man? You dating that bartender?” He asked with another barking laugh as the former Tsuchikage smiled, hoping that would be enough to get the conversation going.
​

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke would shrug his shoulders, "I can think of a few worse things. Most of them involve Jashin religion and that several of them going on and on about their accursed religion."<i></i> Sousuke would muse out loud. Several times did Sousuke engage Shouki, and he had bested him twice. Sousuke suspected that there was going to be yet another fight considering the nature of time itself. Sousuke would tap his metallic fingers against the glass. His eyes would narrow and look at the floor. "I'm not going to apologize, even if you're a member of that religion."<i></i> He would add. There was a long pause. He would proceed to empty part of the glass. Sousuke would detect the dialect, or accent. It was something different, and in that it would make Sousuke concerned. He was not able to place the man's accent. He knew that it was not from anywhere in the immediate area of Wind Country. He hiked his thumb and motioned to where his grandmother was, "In the case of my grandmother? I think it might be the worst thing possible - her not being able to drink a place dry."<i></i> Mako heard the remark and flipped Sousuke the bird, for what it was worth.

Sousuke took a seat at the man's table. He would partake in this treat. Sousuke would not from the man's smile a particular sharpness in his canines. He noticed it because once upon a time he had a girlfriend that was an Inuzuka. Sousuke didn't find her teeth detractive or anything of the sort, it was just a thing Yume had even when she was not transformed. "Well. Handyman is one of my several metaphorical hats I wear. I've been described as a Samaritan at times... which is the figure in a faith-based literature, well not necessarily faith-based all the time, but the origins of the Samaritan is."<i></i> Sousuke would attempt to explain. "The bartender here is annoyed at my nature, and thus..."<i></i> He paused to think about it. Why exactly did she kiss him? Sousuke's eyes would focus on the table as he thought about it for a few moments longer. He looked up to face Hissori/Koroki in the face. "I think she's annoyed that I've come here no less than twelve times to fix the bar, be it the taps, lightning, woodworking, electrical work and never took her up on a free drink. I drink but ... I try not to make it a regular event."<i></i> He explained. He didn't answer whether or not she was his girlfriend. "If I was dating here, this place would be filled to the brim with people. She did offer me my own table once. She stated that no one would occupy it unless I was present."<i></i>

 

[Ii Hissori]

Hissori would give a barking laugh of a chuckle as he looked at him. The normal Koroki would have flipped the table, Jashinism was his former sensei’s religion. Something, the man believed with both heart and body. Something Koroki would literally die for, or at least try to die for him. “Yeah. Jashinist are interesting people. Certainly, people you need to be wary of if you do not know them.” Hissori told him as would smile and thank the waitress for his drink as she set down all the drinks for the three men. Taking the sip of his fruity drink, the man would continue to inspect Sousuke. When Sousuke pointed over his shoulder towards his mother, the older man peered over at her.

“She certainly seems like quite a lady.” Hissori chucked as he watched Sousuke get flipped off. With another drink the man would check out and the women as he would wave at her in a friendly way expecting or at least hoping a better response than the son got from his mom.

What came next from Sousuke was a long explanation of what he did as he made a way to sit down at the table. He was vague about what he did, but the man seemed important in some way. A good Samaritan for a man whom was getting his own seat still seemed a bit much. There had to be something more, and the Inuzuka would eventually get to the bottom of it, but for now Ii Hissori would continue to play this coy game that this man was playing.

“Yeah, you must be a very good Samaritan for people to want to reserve a permanent table for you. I am just a helper myself. Travelling Medic and problem solver.” The island Inuzuka said as he smiled a bit remembering fonder times. “Annoyed with you? I think she is more infatuated with you, she has been having problems keeping her eyes off of you and that kiss.” Hissori told him as he just nodded still inspecting the man was notes of his position or job.

“I am just here for a bit of a time now until I get bored. Then I shall move on again. Now just hoping to find a new bar as I was thrown out of my last one.” He told the man taking another sip of his drink already having finished half of it as he looked over at Kinji who was just sipping his beer.
​

Spoiler

MTF, 400+

 

[Takahashi Aki]

The man before him gave him his professions. He stated that he was a medic and a problem solver. Most people who were medics indeed solved a number of problems. It was nothing unexpected really. Sousuke would look to the foam in his drink. Sousuke would look from his drink back to Hissori. He placed his hands on the table. His tapped his metallic fingers against the table. "Some people take note of the number of times they've been helped, and sometimes they take action."<i></i> He spoke lowly. It was very much the truth, and that is why it led to the situation he had been presented with. Was there shame in it? That, Sousuke was unsure of himself. When Hissori had mentioned she had problems keeping her eyes off of him. He considered it for a moment, but he shook his head at it. "Infatuated is a strong word, but I do not think that it applies here."<i></i> He answered. Were people ever truly infatuated with him? Shiori counted, but she wasn't human really. She was elemental. Did she count? Sousuke had to consider it deeply. It was a difficult thing to consider for him. Love was not a natural thing for him in any form.

Sousuke's eyes widened slightly when Hissori spoke of being thrown out of bars. Just who was he drinking with to act that bad publically to have been thrown out of a bar? "What did you do to have yourself thrown out of a bar?"<i></i> He would ask Hissori. Sousuke would look to his leonine companion with a curious glance. He would motion towards him, "Was he involved with it at any point?"<i></i> He would further inquire, and he would attempt to pull the other person present into the conversation. Sousuke had a feeling he wasn't, but it was worth asking at any rate. "A bored mind is perhaps one of the roughest things to deal with. Even worse is a bored mind when one is forced to rest in the event of illness."<i></i> He would add agreeing with Hissori's earlier statement. As the three were drinking, the wings Sousuke spoke of earlier would arrive. He would motion for Hissori and Kyuji to try them first. Following that, he would take his first share. He looked at his mechanical hand. "Ah..."<i></i> He instead reached for the food with his flesh hand. "Much easier to clean a flesh hand than a mechanical one."<i></i> He explained as he proceeded to 'chow down' as some would put it.