Open Noisy

[Shion]

It was a lot better than it was in the haven, to stand around in this place. There was noise all around them, but at the same time, Shion was getting trouble staying focused. It was a whole lot more than what they had inside the leaf village when he was younger, but also this place was a lot bigger than the streets he was from. Even the casino his clan held, wasn't as noisy as here. ' It's giving me a headache...' he thought towards himself as he started to get through the crowd to find a bit more of a silent spot.

'do I see that correctly..? Is that an old timer ramen shop?' He pushed aside the small curtains before sitting down at the table. As soon as the person behind the counter turned around, Shion made his order. It was good to see something old as this still exists. Sometimes he wondered how the future would change, and what the world does with those changes.

[topic entered]
[Small starter as I am bad with them]

 

[Kanmuri]

Despite his forward facing eyes, Kanmuri’s attention was everywhere but ahead of him. With each step, Kanmuri’s ears would catch the conversations of those around him. From complaints of the heat to discussions of Soon’s Haven business deals, there seemed to be an endless sea of topics…and information. The white-coated man, despite his blank, ominously permanent stare, seemed to not draw any attention. Maybe it was due to his lack of attention-grabbing characteristics. However, one would think that a white-haired man in a snow-white coat and gloves would turn heads in the blazing desert heat. But in a town where demons roamed, Unbent swarmed, and robots held positions of power…maybe it wasn’t all that “out of the ordinary.” Or maybe, it was due in fact to Kanmuri’s shorter than average height. With clans regularly hosting 7 foot individuals, it could have been that the 5’8 Kanmuri was just too far below eye-level of the surrounding crowd to be of note. Whatever the reason, Kanmuri would seemingly phase through the crowd unnoticed like a ghost.

In the distance ahead, there would be a ramen shop with its name brightly blazing on its banner. Despite the chaos surrounding it, the people seated seemed to be filled with such serenity and stillness that not even a rampaging sandworm could disturb them. The sight made the white-coated man stop in his steps—much to the protest of those behind him. Despite his frozen face and outward look, the fierce beating of his heart was causing the inner sheets of his composure to crack. Kanmuri’s temperature dropped as sweat dripped down his face. His eyes scanned the perimeter, but it was to no avail. There was nothing wrong. Nothing amiss.

There was no reason to be suspicious.

With a sigh mixed with annoyance and relief, Kanmuri would continue his walk towards the ramen bar before taking a seat next to an individual dressed in dress clothes and a fedora. With a nod to them, Kanmuri would take his seat. Interlacing his fingers and placing them on his mouth, Kanmuri would close his eyes and deeply inhale. Making eye contact with the server, Kanmuri would say,

“A glass of water, please.”

With his eyes closed, his ears would open.

It was time to listen.

 

[Shion]

The smell of the ramen was something he loved to smell every day. It did remind him of home and odd to say. He kinda missed it. 'Maybe also since I don't know the area around here...' he thought towards himself as he would simply shrug it off and compliment the cheff. He tried his best to do it in sunan. But he failed quite badly at it. Leaving the cook shaking his head and trying to teach Shion the word for thank you. After a whole lot of tries, he got somewhat close and they both agreed it was good enough of an effort.

"Ha?" He questioned the stranger that had joined inside and he was surprised that someone would come in here for just a glass of water. "This place is amazing to eat! I have been to a few places so far. Water is like... how do you say it..." And he would take a good mouth full of noodles, eating it before continuing his sentence. "Almost an insult to the man here. Please take ramen on my costs but don't be such a game breaker." He would try to encourage him to buy some ramen from this place to help out.

 

[Kanmuri]

It was, almost immediately, after his order that Kanmuri would be addressed by a neighboring customer. In a shocked tone, the dressed man he sat next to would voice his dissatisfaction.

“Ha? This place is amazing to eat! I have been to a few places so far. Water is like... how do you say it...Almost an insult to the man here. Please take ramen on my costs but don't be such a game breaker.”

Shocked by such the immediate response, Kanmuri would instinctively raise his hood over his head to block the sight of nearby watchers—though the man next to him could still see his face. By this point, Kanmuri’s beating heart was now thumping into overdrive as his eyes darted around the ramen shop and peripheral areas.

Good…no one’s paying attention to me.

Kanmuri thought to himself with a sigh of relief. His gloved hands were resting on the table after removing his hood. But now, he would place his left hand into his pocket and direct his body, and attention, towards the man who called him out. With a slight, apologetic bow, Kanmuri would say,

“Sir, I’m deeply sorry for the misunderstanding. By no means did I intend to insult the chef.” He’d then look to the chef and bow before continue back to the finely dressed individual. “I was simply very drained from a long walk here and my priority was to rest my legs and sitting down and drinking some water.”

Kanmuri would then slightly smile.

“Though, if you’re offering to pay, then I have no choice but to take you up on the offer. I’d lose face otherwise.”

Kanmuri would then face the chef and say, “Please, your best ramen on this fine gentleman here.”

With a nod, the chef would acknowledge Kanmuri’s order, and thus, leave the white coated man with the black suited individual.

“So, what’s your favorite meal, here? Clearly you’re a fan of this man’s work.”

Despite looking at the man head-on, Kanmuri’s attention was distant and surrounding. His left hand rhythmically tapped against his upper thigh, and his foot pedaled against the chair. Of course, it looked nothing more than a nervous tick, but it still begged the question.

Just what was on this man’s mind?

 

[Shion]

Shion told the man regards of his idea of the water. So it was soon that the man took motion. His hood was pulled further, but he was still able to see. 'One would say you would need a bigger hoodie for that to work optimal...' Shion thought towards himself as he then noticed this man smiling. Curious as to what this man was saying by losing face... Was he someone important around these parts? "Can't say I know what you are talking about." He spoke honestly. "What do you mean by losing face..? Are you someone fancy and I kind of insult almost an nobleman..?" That being said out loud, Shion did feel like he had gotten himself into trouble today. He was hoping that he wasn't true on that part.

"The one I really like about this place is the Tonkotsu. Tonkotsu is a viscous, creamy, and complex ramen made from simmered pork bones. The bones break down and release collagen while cooking, meaning that tonkotsu can be so thick that it coats the back of a spoon. Tonkotsu shokunin often fortify their already rich broth with pork or chicken fat." He said and noticed he rambled on a bit. "Sorry... the others that are really strong are Shoyu and Shio.. They are good too. But Tonkotsu reminds me of home the most. But even my past home place never could make them this brilliant." He grinned and the man nodded proudly at such a compliment.

"Are... you perhaps nervous..?" Shion questioned later as he noticed the nervous ticks. "Sorry if I am making you uncomfortable. I once said I talk a lot and with the way I am open also. It sometimes doesn't match with others. So... erm.. Enough of me rattling, what are you up to around?"

 

[Kanmuri]

With almost no tact, the dressed man would say, “Are you someone fancy and I kind of insult almost a nobleman..?”

Kanmuri wanted to dash away. His tapping immediately stopped, and his cold sweat resumed. Reaching for his glass of water, Kanmuri would think.

What in Primus’ name is wrong with this guy? Is he here to set me up?

It was as if Kanmuri's heartbeat was in his hand. With every sip of water, the glass shook slightly. Luckily, his hand would steady as the man next to him would begin to ramble about the ramen. Unsure about his intentions, Kanmuri scanned the room once more.

Why is he talking so long about the ramen? Maybe he’s not an enemy but is just an idiot…which is arguably worse.

The thought worried him, and the tapping of his foot would continue as he noticed some in the restaurant direct their attention towards him. It wasn’t anything obvious—they weren’t staring. Just watching him ever so slightly. It unsettled him.

And just when the Kanmuri thought he found peace in the man’s silence. He would continue talking once more.

“Are... you perhaps nervous..?”

Go on! Why not ask any louder, you idiot! Of course I’m nervous. Who wouldn’t be under my circumstances.

Is what Kanmuri wanted to say, but instead chose to reserve to his mind. As much as he wanted to lash out at this man, he’d respond with composure and respond softly.

“Sir. Let’s assume I was nervous. Instead of apologizing, change your actions. We’re in an intimate and still setting, yet you’re yapping about for the whole shop to hear.”

He’d pause his words to let the silence of the shop set in.

“You see? You asked earlier if I was a nobleman, which is a crime to ask here. If I were, your actions, well words, would put me in danger. Not only that, you amplified the situation by asking loudly if I’m nervous. Are you trying to put a target on my back?”

It was rhetorical, so at the end of his question, Kanmuri would stand up.

“I’m not your Lord, so talk how you like, but if you insist on conversing with me, then you’ll need to exercise a little more tact. What will it be?”

 

[Shion]

“Sir. Let’s assume I was nervous. Instead of apologizing, change your actions. We’re in an intimate and still setting, yet you’re yapping about for the whole shop to hear.” Yikes... It seemed like Shion indeed had been stepping on someones toes today. Wait... perhaps he was misunderstanding the whole ordeal that was around them. In Konoha you could just cheer and eat while chatting. It seemed like this was all strict and keep your head low for buisness only. As he heard the other speak a moment later regards to nobleman and crimes... he couldn't help bit smile awkward. " What... This is such a strange place... It is really such a crime to speak about them?" he questioned as he then probably figured out some explanation was needed. "As... you may or may not figure out, I am not from here. As I am from another continent." he simply said. " where I am from, there is always laughter, banter, joy and sometimes a fight." He spoke and would slowly tilt his head to the side.

" I am not familiar with your way of living or anything near here, as I am simply passing through as a tourist. They spoke a lot about this place and where I am from Ramen are amazing to eat. I was surprised to see that you all have this here to. Seeing you take up on my offer I thought you also knew a thing or two. I will pardon myself if I stepped on toes..." He would like to chatter more, but it seemed almost like this man would be out for blood if he continued to talk..

 

[Kanmuri]

The man would reply in a disorganized manner—clearly shocked and pressured from the intensity of the situation. Kanmuri would shake his head and sigh. After a quick glance of the shop, Kanmuri would look at the man.

“It wasn’t a good idea to come to The Bazaar of all places.”

The chef would finally arrive with the steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen. Despite being prepared to leave, Kanmuri’s salivating mouth quickly changed his decision. Taking a seat, Kanmuri would pick up his utensils and twirl and examine his bowl of food. After a sniff and a nod, he’d begin to dig in.

Between slurps, he’d turn his attention back to the dressed man. “You’ve already made a couple of mistakes, so I’ll let you know what you’re in for. Consider it a ‘thanks’ for the food.”

He’d then take a couple mouthfuls before continuing.

“The Bazaar is the marketplace of Soon’s Haven. It’s beautiful isn’t it? That’s the point. It’s a tourist trap, and you’ve fallen for it.” He’d reach for a sip of water before continuing. “Without boring you too much, you need to race for the inner part of Soon’s Haven. The Black Bazaar is the home of vendors who prey on tourists. Once they identify a tourist, they’ll do everything in their power to sell to you. The more noble or unaware you are, the more relentless they are.”

He’d take a final slurp before thanking the chef for the meal and standing up once more.

“You’ve already labelled yourself as both unaware and a tourist. A.K.A, the freshest of meat.”

Kanmuri would pitifully chuckle a little bit.

“The people here may not be showing it now, but as soon as you leave, they’ll be on your trails trying to sell anything they can. And as more people tail you, the more of you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. It’s a terrible, cascading event where tourists are followed by a stampede of hungry vendors looking to survive in this impoverished part of town.”

Kanmuri would place his hands in his pocket, and ask the chef for the check.

“There’s an extreme wealth gap in Soon’s Haven, so the vendors here are only trying to make a living. Unfortunately, you’re now just part of the equation for them.”

Heading towards the door, he’d say his parting words. “That information should be enough for you. Good luck out there, but” he’d gesture to the check the chef had just brought out.

“Don’t forget to pay before you leave.”

[Topic left unless stopped]

 

[Shion]

He acted surprised at the words he got. "A mistake?" he asked out loud before he would eat and listened to the man talking. "I see..." He would make mental notes of the information given so easily for a simple meal and play stupid.

Hearing about all the things, he would have to play dumb. He thought about that one rubber ducky he had bought the other day to give to Nobu... As a tease as that thing had a high hat and a staff under the wing. "Fresh meat huh... So that is why I got that rubber ducky... Even though it was cheap... I did notice more people asking me to sell stuff after." 'Until I beat the hell out of one and was left alone, but that is better to leave left unsaid.' He thought those words after as he looked away eating the last part of his ramen.

'So this place really is rotten to the core... huh... Fall for one little thing and you will be haunted for the remainder of your time if you get out alive. Sharing some Ramen was indeed one of the better things today.' The words left his mind as he stood up to pay the check that had gotten to him. "Thank you for your advise, I will take them to heart!" He called out before the other actually had left the place and after he had paid he would walk outside, slowly walking to where he was staying to write all the gained information.

[MFT]
[Topic left]
[Thank you! I enjoyed the topic!]