The morning was bright and crisp with not a single cloud in the sky. The dome of the heavens was a multihued beauty with a line of blood-red light gracing the eastern horizon, and a dark purple staining the west. The moon stood its ground in a losing battle against the dawn with a single star to give it company. Silver mist rose up from the cobbled streets and blades of grass as the impending morning began warming the dew. Each morning had been getting cooler, each night a little more brisk. Fall settled upon the village of Kumogakure like a single fallen leaf gently descending to earth; a quiet precursor to the storm that was brewing. Winter was coming.
Jo dressed as he had all summer; his normal attire of black leather steel-toed boots, denim blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a tan suede jacket being cool enough for the summer heat if he removed the jacket, and warm enough for autumns brisk winds. Over his shoulder was slung a large duffle bag; its contents, the gear he had selected from the Legation to prepare for the mission at hand. He approached the gates at a brick walk, stopping when he reached them and waiting for the rest of the team. Pulling a plain looking brass pocket watch from an inside jacket pocket, he depressed the latch at the top and gazed at the clear crystal face; his eyes adjusting so he could see the numerals around its edge rather than focusing on the intricate gear system within.
0617 hours.
’Good,’ he thought, closing the watch with a click and placing it back in his pocket. He liked to be at least fifteen minutes early for everything. One of his senseis at the Academy had beaten the concept of punctuality into him with a cane switch and the phrase: “On time is late! Fifteen minutes early is on time!” Needless to say, Jo had never been late to that class again. While he waited for his team to arrive, he prepared his documentation so as to make the exiting of the village as quick and smooth as possible.
{Req. Exit for Mission}
Jo dressed as he had all summer; his normal attire of black leather steel-toed boots, denim blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a tan suede jacket being cool enough for the summer heat if he removed the jacket, and warm enough for autumns brisk winds. Over his shoulder was slung a large duffle bag; its contents, the gear he had selected from the Legation to prepare for the mission at hand. He approached the gates at a brick walk, stopping when he reached them and waiting for the rest of the team. Pulling a plain looking brass pocket watch from an inside jacket pocket, he depressed the latch at the top and gazed at the clear crystal face; his eyes adjusting so he could see the numerals around its edge rather than focusing on the intricate gear system within.
0617 hours.
’Good,’ he thought, closing the watch with a click and placing it back in his pocket. He liked to be at least fifteen minutes early for everything. One of his senseis at the Academy had beaten the concept of punctuality into him with a cane switch and the phrase: “On time is late! Fifteen minutes early is on time!” Needless to say, Jo had never been late to that class again. While he waited for his team to arrive, he prepared his documentation so as to make the exiting of the village as quick and smooth as possible.
{Req. Exit for Mission}
