Refuge [Requesting Entrance]

Kendori Shuu · Jan 14, 2014

Most of them were headed to Sand. That was all she knew originally; that most of the survivors were headed to Sunagakure to seek shelter. She was moving with a small group of eight. Most of the ninja she had been traveling with hadn't made it or gave up and fled, for which Shuu could not blame them, so the remainder were civilians relying on her to get them somewhere safe. She remembered her encounter with Uri just before finding out Kiri was no more. One good thing came out of it, though. She finally heard what exactly had happened. The village had been crystallized. Frozen by sub-zero temperatures, the island village was no longer habitable. Many had died of frostbite, hypothermia, or even something as simple as untreated asthma. Any number of related issues had frozen over some of the citizens, leaving them immortalized in frozen terror. Everything they knew was gone, so the would have to make a new life somewhere.

As they approached the Maw of Barnyx, Shuu remembered what Uri had told her if she was ever on her way to Suna, and avoided the Diamond Storm while seeking the slab of earth that acted as a gate. Luckily, with Shuu's eyes, she was able to find those details without much legwork, saving the citizens from much effort. As they made their way towards the Maw, she sighed as the small group moved. Eight civilians who sought refuge and would have died in the wilds without her. As much as she wanted to go back to Kiri to observe the aftermath and try and fix it, there wasn't much she could do about that right now. Instead her focus needed to be on helping the people right in front of her; that was what she'd always been taught. She wondered, idly, how her family fared, or how Kyoko had managed. Did they survive? Or were they crystallized in the chill, immortalized for all time in whatever action they were attempting? Her father would have been organizing the evacuation, and Kyoko would have been tending to the wounded.

If all that was true, though, where then did that leave her? True she was not really a Kiri shinobi anymore even before the freeze, she had been relegated to the reserve ranks, but now she had no home and no future. She was not one to throw a pity party, however, So refused to get lost in the details of it. Shuu was naturally an upbeat person--not sickly sweet like Kyoko, but someone who felt feeling sorry for oneself earned them nothing--and so she was always striving to go forward. Some might call that the mark of a true leader, and why she'd made Sennin previously, But Shuu never gave it much thought; simply considered it the way she should live.

When they arrived at the gate, Shuu held her hands up and walked up to the gates ahead of the civilians--though technically she was a civilian now too--and called out to whomever was on guard.

"Greetings to the Shinobi of Sunagakure. I am a refugee from Kiri with some civilians, one of which will not survive without shinobi-level medical attention. My name is Kendori Shuu. I'm a former Sennin of Kirigakure and I seek safe harbor and medical attention for my friends within your walls. Kirigakure is no more, so you were all we could turn to." She fell quiet for a moment, before deciding it was an ace she had to play. There was no better time than now, she just hoped she wasn't imposing.

"I am friends with a Sunaan; Uri. If he is within your walls, he can vouch for me."

Takahashi Aki · Jan 14, 2014

The ground around Shuu and her refugees shook for a moment. Was it an earthquake? Sandworms approaching? No. It was the activate of the lift. The ground would begin to lower itself as Shuu and company would find themselves going down, down into the depths. Surrounded by bones of a beast long dead but not forgotten they would be. As the lift continued to go down eventually they would be ceased being encased by bone, and would see a view of Sungakure. In the distance the Kazekage Tower surrounded by four pyramids, the newly reconstructed medical facility, Keystone Prime the famed research facility, the Grand Palasis. All of it underground deep within the depths.

As the lift came to a stop at the very bottom Shuu would come to see a solitary figure. A shadow perhaps? No. The figure stepped into the light. The individual was armoured in pitch black with some spikes. The armour appeared to be of military grading. A pair of white eyes focused upon her intently and her refugees. The type of gaze presented was for a time not discernible. The figure would then begin to walk towards them. A monotone voice came out of the armoured individual. More machine-like than human. "Shuu of the House Kendori, I am Takahashi Sousuke the Third, the Steward of the Realm." His eyes focused in drawing in all the details. He had heard stories of Kirigakure and the Mist. He had never seen one from the Mist before. They came from a tropical setting. The Steward had somewhat come to expect these people to be different from the First Men. Why he could not say, perhaps it was their stories. "Attend to them. A goodly host does not turn away those who are injured." As Sousuke finished his sentence several medical staff members emerged with beds and supplies. "A friend of House Kuroda is a friend of mine. " It seemed as if beneath the faceplate a smile should have been there, but conveying emotion was always difficult for Sousuke. "I have summoned Uri... he would be glad to see you I am most certain."

He made a welcoming gesture of sorts. "There are many dark terrors upon our surface. The Diamond Maelstrom, and as of late ... creatures of humanoid shapes hunt upon the surface lands. To hear that your homeland is no more is ... most troubling and disturbing. I offer you my condolences..." The white eyes seemed to soften a bit. Destruction of one's homeland? Utter devastation? Suna knew of this before hand, but to say one's land was no more was something else entirely.

Kendori Shuu · Jan 15, 2014

As she stood before the man in complete military-level armor, Shuu was unphased. She'd actually met men who cut more impressive figures than even Sousuke, and the armor she found to be a bit over the top. She herself was in a black corset with black tight pants, a belt around her waist with a few dangling pouches, a white labcoat over the top of it, with black speed sandals covering her feet. Even though she did not boast as impressive an outfit as he, she stood her ground well at 5'10", her hands lowering to rest on her curvaceous hips. As the various medical personnel came out to attend to the refugees Shuu's wary expression softened, and she offered an appreciative smile.

"Than I am in your debt, Takahashi-dono, and thank you for accepting myself and my comrades within your walls. They are civilians, and know nothing of combat nor even wilderness survival. I truly believe at least the injured man, if not more, would not have lasted the night. For that you have my deepest thanks." The man before her seemed very formal in intonation, as though he wasn't sure how to approach people, and his tone sounded stiff, despite his courtesy. Not out of being put off...more like feelings were not a common point of expression, his voice and tone kept carefully neutral in all things. Were that the case than the armor seemed that much more appropriate; a wall between the man and the outside world. She suspected that if the armor were stripped down to bare skin, he would still have a mask he hid behind, only this one would be metaphorical. Having a real one just made it easier and made him seem less cold, ironically enough.

"I haven't seen Uri-kun in a few months. I hope he's doing well. As for my home..." Her tone and expression sobered a moment, Her delicately thin violet brows furrowing. "It's a messy thing. I wasn't there to physically witness it myself, but from what I understand from the few people I've gotten a hold of, the village has been encased in ice. Completely crystalized in subzero and totally unlivable, to the point that my people were forced to relocate just to survive. I don't know what's going on or why, but I suspect I may not be the last of the refugees from Kirigakure you see." She took a long, slow deep breath. Now was no the time to worry over her family...but truth be told, she didn't have even the foggiest idea on where to go from here. Research what happened to Kiri? Look for a new home? Wander more to see if she could find others from Kiri. It was hard to know exactly what was the right move, but what she did know was at the very least she needed a few days of rest and relaxation, and perhaps she could pitch in with their medical services in the mean time while she figured out her next move. She would not be an ungracious freeloader, she believed in earning her keep if she could.

"Sunagakure no Sato is truly an underground marvel. You and your people appear to have prospered quite well despite the devastation on the surface. I am not an ungrateful person, and would be happy to offer my medical expertise and assistance for the duration of my stay here in exchange for the safe harbor you have graciously offered us without thought of recompense." It was true, Shuu hated to be in the debt of another, and felt that kindness deserved kindness in return. As they entered she caught sight of the message board and wondered idly if the Worm Virus was still getting passed around. Perhaps she could see about curing that pesky illness for them. She was, after all, one of the most skilled medical practitioners in all the lands. Medicine had been much of her life, and a large percentage of her skills and abilities were focused in the realm of medicine and the human body. She had not earned the nickname of the Violet Sage of Mist without reason, after all.

Uri · Jan 15, 2014

Uri's life had been an uneventful one since he settled back into the village hidden beneath the diamond sands. He had returned on the eve of a supernatural attack that had devastated the medical facilities and claimed the lives of hundreds; all of which were brought back to life as if magic mightier than what the village's ninja wielded. Since then he has been busy helping rebuild, acting as an architect for the village and erecting new buildings on a regular basis, repairing homes and businesses, and helping as much as he could to set people's lives back to normal. On that extensive list of structures included being the foreman to the newly finished Omni Prime Medical Facility, and from there he set to being the person the village could look to for general maintenance. It wasn't unusually for him to be seen wearing a set of coveralls and lugging around heavy tool bags. Even Soon's had called him for aid in constructing two new landmarks that would see a lot of use in the foreseeable future. Then there were ghosts, cannibals, supernatural animals, and even shades. A lot of people would consider this exciting, but after Uri had been out in the world for so long, it had become tame and he longed for a new adventure.

Today was no different for Uri, waking up to have breakfast with his mother, heading out dressed in his usual worn-in attire and spent the better part of the day working at general upkeep of the village. Uri always smiled, big and bright, so that other people would too. Sometimes down in the cave, despite the artificial sky and the ingenious lighting fixtures, people would remember what life in the sun was like and lose their luster for the present. A smile helped restore their hope that they would return to the surface one day, and if the chuunin could help it, he would make sure it happened.

He wasn't sure how he'd raise a village out of the darkness. Not yet.

But he would find a way.

A dust of his hands removed the excess grime clinging to them, and stopped as he looked through the numerous glass panels of the Grand Palais. The system of glass panels and chakra crystals was quite the spectacle. Through the many layers he could see the grand lift descending from the gate. Commotion was always interesting. No sooner did he receive a hail by radio to rendezvous there. One moment he was there and next he wasn't. It was a rare circumstance when someone used the main gates, and if he was being summoned it was for some purpose of importance, especially if it was Sousuke. A short while later he appeared in a cloud of dust. Even though his attitude was all business, his attire was a little less so intense as Sousuke's. The dusty darkblue coveralls were unzipped at tied at his waist, a dark green t-shirt adorned his chest, and he wore the same boots he had last seen Shuu with; a good pair of boots lasted a long time. Slung over one should was a familiar-looking satchel, something Uri never went anywhere without, and another, larger leather tool bag. As he approached, his stride firm and strong as he observed the medical personnel attending to some of the unknown party's members. Sousuke's form did well to hide Shuu from the chuunin's vision, but as he neared and caught site of her, his infamous grin spread across his lips, threatening to split skin it was so broad.

The purple-haired gambler had been one of the many friends he had made during his trip, but she was among the most recent and with their drunken exploits had become close in all their shenanigans. While he knew her presence here with wounded couldn't be good, he didn't care. Both heavy loads slid from his shoulder and he moved forward and embraced the older woman, squeezing tight. After a long moment, what some might consider awkward, he released and pushed back from her, still smiling bright, "Dori-chan, how wonderful to see you!" Then he looked about at those with here, his happy features dropping a degree in intensity, "And how awful to see you. What happened? Why are you here in Sunagakure?"

[Topic Entered]

Takahashi Aki · Jan 16, 2014

The Steward would merely nod his head at her thanks. The white eyes simply locked onto her giving his full attention. "Uri shall be with us momentarily, he is functioning at optimal levels, but I don't think he knows anything else than optimal." The words spoken were cold and calculated. Yet when the med nin spoke of him that her home was crystallized in subzero conditions images flooded the mind of the Steward. The desert was cold at night, but he had some difficultly in picturing things being encased in great ice crystals. Palm trees frozen completely. "Relocating can be difficult. We have lived in these subterranean depths for ... over twenty years. I was a small child then and my father was Steward then." Sousuke paused for a moment longer. Soon enough Uri had joined them, and with Uri came Sousuke's husky: Kitchy. The grey husky rushed towards Shuu and wagged her tail happily. The husky was always ready to meet new strange people, and with that she was there to push Sousuke out from his shell. "Salutations Uri. Good to see you. I see that you are operating at no less than optimal levels. I would suspect that you have had your second or third breakfast already...?" If it wasn't pocky, it was some sugary snack that he had on his person in the event he didn't have a second or third breakfast.

It would seem that Uri knew Shuu quite well. Such was evidenced by the hug and the use of a nickname. "Ah. The usage of a nickname. It would seem that the two of you are ... quite close." There was a slightly awkward pause as ... the Steward wasn't quite sure what to do. He allowed the two to have what would be a tender moment perhaps? When Uri inquired as to what happened to Kirigakure, the Steward held out his hand palm up. Through the use of plasma chakra he created a plasma star and then warped it into a globe showing areas of the world that was known to him at least. The globe he knew perhaps needed updating. The image span around for a moment and then stopped. "Kirigakure has encountered a level ten cataclysmic state of natural disrepair. Your friend has informed me that their state has been frozen in crystal ice." The plasma star deconstructed itself and reformed itself into a large crystal. Sousuke stroked his chin. The cogs were turning within Sousuke's head. Perhaps too quickly. "An ice age perhaps? Could be the most fitting term to be applied here."

When Shuu spoke of her skills being put to good use, Kitchy turned her head and let out a series of woofs. The husky then approached her owner and with her head rubbed the back of Sousuke's amour encased legs. Sousuke's legs were still being ... treated. He could have perhaps had them mended immediately, but the Steward allowed himself to be reminded of his own mistakes through allowing the injury to be healed naturally. "I did not think of having you be put to work for staying here ... but your skills would be accepted." He would merely say. The Steward hoped that Kitchy's actions would not lead to Uri speaking of his injury, or the fact that Shuu would gather the facts too.

Kendori Shuu · Jan 17, 2014

As Uri ran up to her and hugged her tight, she offered a wide grin herself and returned the hug tightly, a momentary distraction from the rather depressing circumstances that had her taking Uri up on his offer to come visit so soon.

"Uri-boya! You're doing well I see!"

As Sousuke spoke on their relationship and closeness, seemingly a bit awkward, Shuu chose to overlook that awkwardness and offered the Steward a mischievous smile.

"Uri-boya and I just went on a drunken gambling and troublemaking spree. Had to show the boy the ropes, but he's a quick learner, this one." She offered a private grin to Uri before the subject turned more somber; her reason for her presence. Before she could speak Sousuke spoke for her about what had happened. He manipulated the plasma energy, which to Shuu's unique eyes were a brilliant flash of chakra. She nodded silently. He had accurately described the situation. As far as Kitchy was concerned, Shuu found a dog rubbing against it's owners legs not unusual at all, so she said nothing in that regard. Uri seemed pretty well connected, obviously close friends with the man who runs the village.

"With Kiri unlivable, this was the only place I could think to go on short notice, and as you heard Takahashi-dono say, I came seeking shelter and plan on earning my keep while I figure out what to do next." She turned to Sousuke and inclined her head with a grin, trying to be respectful towards her benefactor.

"Takahashi-dono, that you expected no such recompense only makes you more deserving of it. Who is in charge of your medical staff? We might want to clear it up with them as well before I randomly show up bossing people around," she smirked, glancing to Uri with a 'what can you do?' face. "I'd hate to cause a ruckus with your Medical Sennin or whoever you guys have here to fill that medical leadership role."

Uri · Jan 18, 2014

As per usual Sousuke was always odd in social situations, but Uri could tell he was improving dramatically. Part of it was learning people well enough to understand habits and mannerisms as to understand it wasn't normal for some others. Uri discovered in all his time in this waking world, that strong bonds were often forged in the hottest of fires. Knowing someone for ten years, but never doing anything, never really experiencing life together meant that there wasn't a more implicit trust. Whereas Uri had spent such a short time with Shuu, partaking in all manner of shenanigans and doing all kinds of things that most would consider rude or vulgar and it tied them closer together.

"Plenty fed, Sousuke-san!" And as Shuu explained why they were so close, Uri smiled sheepishly and nodded, "Part of learning is not being afraid to try something new and Shuu-san showed me a lot." For someone who was normally so well-mannered, the implications that were being laid forth were almost unbelievable, but there were a few establishments that would have an all too vivid memory of Uri. While the thought of good times were nice, the steward shared with Uri the state of Kirigakure and his smiled became a flat line. The most paramount goal that the chuunin had learned out of everything he had seen was that there was a natural flow to life, how energy manipulated the world, and how, in rare instances, something catastrophic could occur out of the normal cycel. While he had been in Water Country, in the warmth and sun shine he hadn't sensed a changing of energy to indicate such an event. Maybe had he stayed a little longer he could have foreseen whatever happened and helped prevent it.

His brown eyes came back into focus and he looked back up to Shuu and Sousuke after his brief moment dazed. A smile quickly graced his features once more and he shook Shuu with one arm wrapped around her shoulders, "Well, you're welcome to stay in Sunagakure for as long as you need and I am at your service."

As they spoke of work, Uri thought to chime in, but paused as Shuu delved in a little deeper. The village was in an interesting state of affairs as people had gone missing, and their medical facilities were only recently rebuilt. Amidst the chaos, they hadn't appointed a new sennin, and all the while working on the building, Uri hadn't really seen anyone capable of bearing the title either; none having come of age to be near the qualifications such a vaunted title warranted. That did pose an interesting setting for the newly homeless retired medical sennin, "There's currently a senior chief that's overseeing the medical facility. Since I've been back, there hasn't been a sennin, though."

Even though the situation wasn't exactly normal, Uri had to admit how much the armor changed Sousuke's presence. After having seen him so much out of the armor, it was almost unusual to see him toting a suit around again. If scared villagers were going to be coming in, the last thing they needed was to see a dark figure overseeing them like some taskmaster, "Sousukkun," Uri started, purposely using the nickname to grab his attention, "How about greeting our guests with a little less menace? You have to remember, not everyone is used to seeing you clad from head-to-toe in armor, and it may be intimidating for the new folks." It also did wonder to know that their leader was human too. The metal and masks could be a little overwhelming at times.

Takahashi Aki · Jan 18, 2014

More nicknames. Even Shuu had one for Uri. Uri-boya? The Steward's gaze shifted from Uri to Shuu, then back to Uri, and then back to Shuu. "Your relationship is reciprocal. I may not give people nick-names ... but ... I am respectful of the Mother Suna pilgrims and what names they give us upon our worldly presentation shortly after the time of our birth. It's become such a habit for me that is natural. Perhaps someday in the distant future I should try giving people nicknames ... I once tried to name my Ward's newly acquiring puppies and I was told I was quite terrible at naming them. I wonder though how Kirigakure names are given... but I shall inquire at another day and time." It was then that Sousuke had stopped talking. It was ... well suffice to say it was quite probable that he had lost both Shuu and Uri somewhere in his overly long and drawn out explanation.

Sousuke's eyes widened slightly as Shuu next spoke of the two having a drunken, gambling, and troublemaking spree. Sousuke rubbed the back his head with his hand. Yes. That had to have been 'fun', losing your good senses and now being able to use your mind properly. "I am adept at probability and so ... most times I am banned from playing such games. Though people do oftentimes acquire for my expertise, like my grandmother who does enjoy her cards. Drunkness though would disrupt one's abilities to be observant and able to determine the probability... but yes Uri is quite a quick learner." He added at the end giving Uri some praise. Uri then chimed in that he was quite well fed, and that learning requiring one to be fearless, and thus Shuu here had showed him quite alot. "An applied learning does go along way. I'm more of a theory type... but I have had some education in an applied setting..." Sousuke would not speak of his own drunken adventure which was ... something. Well it wasn't so much an adventure. It was more of an experience really. Not one Sousuke wanted to try again, anytime in the near future, which so much alcohol placed before him and the expectation of it to be all drank.

The discussion of the medical situation was one that Sousuke was somewhat hesitant to go over. "I'll inform the med team staff to expect you. We did have a sennin but ... she ... decided to be burdened with child and then to go homeless instead of inquiring for my assistance. She hasn't been heard from since ... which is troubling. Her replacement who aided in the construct of our new facility hasn't been seen or heard of in several months. I think the position may be cursed? A silly concept yes, but my observations have led to such a conclusion. I am not very fond of the situation myself." Another long and drawn out explanation coming from Sousuke. Again Sousuke hoped that Shuu by the end of it was quite awake. Uri then made the suggestion that he revert to an armourless form. Sousuke raised his hand slightly as if he was going to say something. He didn't though. Well. Yes. He did have a point, but... his grandmother always suggested that a strong first appearance mattered most.

By this time Kitchy was nudging his wheel chair towards him. Sousuke turned around and gave thanks to his pet by petting her head. The Steward's black armour began shifting and displacing itself. He turned his back to Shuu and Uri as the metallic plates sank back into flesh. Not always a pretty sight to those not used to it. Sousuke's chakra seemed sickly but more importantly it didn't seem personable. It lacked a soulful quality to it. Sousuke sat himself in his wheel chair before his leg plates vanished entirely. The Steward once in his wheel chair brought himself over to Uri and Shuu. Sousuke's dark eyes looked up and the two. He was slightly frail, but there was evidence aside from his legs that he did take care of himself. Well he did have two facial scars nearly forming a cross on the side of his face. "It would seem that your wish to aid us regardless. I suppose ... a good mind should not go to waste as boredom is the most deplorable state of existence. Like I said I will make the necessary arrangements."

Kendori Shuu · Jan 20, 2014

It was true that Uri had learned a lot under her tutelage; from how to order a proper drink to how to best run away to evade arrest when facing a 'drunk and disorderly' charge. To Sousuke she offered a smile that suggested she should feel mildly sheepish for corrupting one of Suna's promising youths--but didn't--and said without any great amount of concern for repercussion,

"I too am skilled at calculating probability. It's hard to shut off that part of my brain and just have fun. The best way to do that is with some alcohol in my system. The entire point is to disrupt my observational skill and keep my rational mind from getting in the way of doing something wild and crazy and fun. To some people that loss of control might seem frightening. To me it's actually rather enjoyable, so long as it's kept reasonable, because it's tiring being so logical and analytical all the time. It's hard to shut that part of me off. The alcohol helps me do that and keeps me from counting cards and manipulating probability, and instead just doing what everyone else does and running on pure luck and chance." Then she traced back to something Sousuke said that caused her to doubletake.

"Takahashi-dono...do you....." she frowned at first, then was grinning broadly. "Do you help your grandmother count cards? That's basically cheating for her. That's a dangerous pasttime, Takahashi-dono..." She heard Uri refer to him much more familiarly, but she herself had not yet earned that right, that much she knew for certain. It was something that either grew with familiarity, or when one was invited to do so. Until then she would treat her host with the utmost of respect...which led to another idea. His social awkwardness probably meant he was unfamiliar with protocol and that as host, he held the upper hand in regards to formality. So she figured she would start things down the less formal road, since she suspected she and he would see a fair amount of eachother.

"Takahashi-dono...you are welcome to call me Shuu. Most people do, except this idot here," she hitched a thumb at Uri, the comment made deadpan but to those who understood her humor like Uri--and probably not Sousuke--they would know she was not being intentionally insulting, but that it was a fond ribbing. "For some stupid reason he's taken to nicknaming me based on my family name. Some people are so wierd when it comes to nicknames." As the discussion turned more sober, her grin dropped and she became more serious, her features darkening except her brilliant blue eyes that seemed almost to glow as she addressed her response to Uri mostly.

"All I have to go off of is hearsay, as I needed to get an injured man to help as soon as I could and so didn't get the chance to double back and check it out for myself, but by all accounts Kiri is in pretty vicious condition. Thank you for your offer, Uri-boya, I expect I'll make good on it, but I'll be damned if I just become a mooching freeloader. You might have been comfortable riding my coat tails to riches on my gambling spree but I can't see myself doing the same, especially under such dire circumstances." she was clearly attempting levity, but in the face of losing everything she knew as familiar, it was not a very convincing attempt. She was obviously rattled, and that wasn't an easy thing to do to the Violet Sage. She addressed Sosuke once more.

"I appreciate Suna's hospitality, and as I said, I would be happy to help out in the new medical center. I doubt the Sennin spot is cursed, but I can claim first hand it's a very stressful position, and one not everyone is ready for. Some people might think they are; and they might look by all accounts to be, but when the time comes they fall short. It's not just a matter of medical skill, but one also has to know people, and how to be an administrator not just to the patients but to the hospital itself, as it's rather like a business in many ways." She realized she was getting ahead of herself, and in an effort to prevent bumping heads she looked to Sousuke and asked with curiosity,

"I'm not looking to become a Sunaan longterm or anything, I'm just curious, and I don't mean to rush you, it's just important and I want to see to my man as soon as I can in your medical building, which means I'll probably jump right into helping at your hospital right away...what will be my official role, and who will I report to? It's important to know so I don't step on the wrong toes. Running a medical branch is almost as much ambassadorial as it is administrative, after all, I quickly learned that protocol tends to be very important to a lot of people, especially people in power who aren't quite sure in what they're doing." Sousuke might think his tendency to give drawn out explainations would be boring, but to Shuu it couldn't be more the opposite. She loved learning those tidbits about people, because it meant she learned more about the person. She loved getting to know and understand people; knowing what made them tick was part of why she loved medicine as much as she did, and that was as much a psychological and socio-emotional aspect as anything else.

When his armor sank into his flesh she found it unexpected, but was not disgusted as many might be. Instead she found it curious and fascinating. As someone who could see chakra as a physical thing with her Hakumei Byakugan, she noticed how his chakra seemed unwell. Unhealthy chakra was a sign of an unhealthy person. Without realizing that her words might be offensive to the man--by everything she'd gathered she actually was fairly certain that it was in fact borderline-impossible to offend him specifically because he lacked the social mannerisms that so many used on a regular basis, and was willing to bet on that fact with her words--she spoke to him in a much quieter and more intimate fashion, as someone who had respect for the man's ailing condition.

"Takahashi-dono...I have spent years of my life studying every kind of medicine I could get my hands on. I'm familiar with treatments that would probably be obscure or unknown here, and I have a near-encyclopedic knowledge of just about every medical jutsu there is to know in my homeland. I don't mean to pry, and if I tresspass on something personal forgive me, but I could look into healing you, if you wished. Not just your sickness, even your scars. If they bother you...it would take some time and some reasearch, but I suspect I could make you whole again, Takahashi-dono." He'd not said anything, but his demeanor and appearance suggested something obvious when it came to power roles; a concept not just he but most leaders were familiar with.

"I know a strong first impression is important, even moreso as a leader. Weakness could be percieved as an opportunity to strike, afterall. Borrowed strength, however, is no more than that. Armor is useful,but it is a tool. Not strength. True strength comes from oneself, and rather than presenting a strong facade, is it not logical to instead demonstrate true strength?" She did not seek to appeal to his pride, as he was not governed by that. By what interaction they had she knew he was governed instead by logic, and so used that instead as her basis.

Uri · Jan 23, 2014

Even though Shuu took to mock-chastising Sousuke, Uri laughed a bit at the two interacting. Someone who was a social butterfly and someone who was a social void didn't clash as much as he'd think. Despite Sousuke's lack of emotions he was good at handling diplomatic relations all the same, but Shuu was indeed throwing a few curve balls that would warrant non-Sousuke responses from the Steward. Luckily for him he was there to buffer and translate when necessary. Absentmindedly, as the two exchanged words, he peeled away the plastic wrapper from a colorful lollipop and took to enjoying the treat when Shuu mentioned him and his need to nickname people, "That's because, if you stick around long enough for them to accept it then you would have been memorable and left an impression. Big or small, it changed that person's life. Call me funny like that."

Uri did have this philosophy about affecting the world through ripples. What happened to Kirigakure was more akin to a tsunami, but smaller, more personal interactions between people were small enough to affect other areas if pried into just right. Being such a selfless optimist while he spent time out in the great, wide world hopefully left a positive mark on it somehow. Even if tiny, a little bit of good could go a long way. The chuunin waved a hand at Shuu as she mentioned his riding her coat tails upon their last adventure. While she had done a good deal of the gambling, and to great success, Uri had been the entertainer and made their outing that much more exciting. As they moved back onto the medical leadership positions and how a large majority of them were empty, Uri scratched at the back of his head.

"While I do agree with you, Dori-chan, and not many people are cut out for it, but stranger things have happened here in Suna. You'll find Wind Country is home to a larger supernatural basis of beings than most other countries; from what I experienced anyway. We have records of curses, hexes, sealings, you name it. We're a weird bunch."

After that Uri went back to the sidelines of the conversation as it reached areas that were out of his personal influence. As versed as he was in medical protocol, techniques, and herbal alchemic remedies, he was no doctor nor was he a leader of any sort. As it went about the paces, Uri keeping to himself and his sugary snack, his ears perked up at the mention of Sousuke's 'condition'. A trait that Uri had forgotten about had been Shuu's unique 'observational' skills, of which came with her advanced genetics. To be honest, even Uri didn't know what Sousuke's state of well-being was like. He was one of the most brilliant minds in the village and their leader for a reason. However, from the outside looking in, as Shuu was doing, she had a point that hit home. Sousuke was diminished and relied on his armor to maintain his physical prowess. Doing so in the long term would only further weaken him when his armor failed, like it had in the maelstrom so many months ago. On the other hand, Sousuke also wasn't a fool and would know full well the implications without having someone tell him. Unique chakra signatures weren't completely uncommon either. Uri's was unique too. Unstable, bright, ever-changing and radiating, but it didn't make him sick.

There was a moment Uri wished to interject on the Steward's behalf, but thought better of it. Sousuke could speak for himself and would surely. Moments like these would challenge him and force him to speak; it would help evolve him further and perhaps push him towards the edge where whispers of emotion could permeate him.

Takahashi Aki · Jan 23, 2014

Sousuke merely shrugged his shoulders, "People see, but they do not observe. It's not counting, it's observing. I could observe a person's facial features and have a good chance and figuring out what is going on at their end. People twitch, grin, furrow brows, they all do this for a reason. The tricky part is differentiating a double bluff. " He explained. The Steward's brows furrowed when she was grinning wildly. He wasn't quite sure what was going on here, things then took a turn for the worse as she called Uri an idiot. Sousuke then very slowly turned his head to face his friend. The insult did not bounce off of him, he didn't seem to notice it. "Erhm... Uri isn't an idiot. He's an architectural genius..." The Steward would say in defense of his friend. Well, it seemed that they were friends right? Sousuke wasn't a friend of Shuu, but by proxy to Uri he was right?

Shuu spoke next of how he should use a first name basis when speaking with her. That would take some adjusting but it was an undertaking he could succeed in doing. Then she asked who she would report to at the new med center. "Well... there is Sagasu Yume. She's not quite running things per say but she is a regular there. You will find her resourceful, modest, and ... just as diplomatic as I hope to have shown unto you. I would be aware though of my cousin, Shiori, or rather adopted cousin. She is ... most exceptional in her choice of clothing, and may be prone to ... acting younger than she should be. She is in fact older than I am. I think she acts younger because she wants to attract a young man." It was hard to say with dear Shiori, but ... well Sousuke had quite a lot to thank her for. Perhaps someday he would make her a fine match in terms of men.

The conversation took a turn towards something ill. Sousuke exchanged glances between Uri and Shuu when she spoke of his conditions and how she perceived that his armour was 'borrowing of power' and how it could be understood by some as weakness. She did offer her help, but Sousuke's condition was ... most complex. The Steward let out a sigh after some length of time that was at least a full three minutes of pure silence. "I'm not good at these sorts of discussions first and foremost... mainly because most people all have their own theories about me. If I were to tell you that my machinations were more lively and fuller looking than I, what would you say then? Laughter, joy, sadness. These things don't come easily to me. It's only after having worked at being social for several years, and then being verbally assaulted ... that I have come to ... to ... to grasp a goal of self-superiority. That is not to say a superiority over others, but to be a superior Takahashi Sousuke. I have made some success in this, and my wounds across my face have ... ... my grandmother says suffering builds character, and I guess this is true given my small advancements. I'm not a masochist my any means." He paused for a moment. Yes. Kitani swore and cursed at him several months ago now. Her abusive behaviour bore unexpected fruits. "You wouldn't think it but I do work out to build my muscles. Unfortunately ... I can't seem to become hulking like my nemesis... who comes by it due to her heritage? Or like a member of house Toraono who ... is blessed with being demonic in heritage. I come from a heritage of puppet users and craftsmen. We use tools but ... more importantly we build these tools not only for our use, but for the usage of my village." Another pause Sousuke looked up at Shuu, his dark eyes focused intently upon her. He wasn't blinking but he gave her a sort of blank look, the Steward was oftentimes said to be a difficult man to read due to the lack of his expression. "I am the first Takahashi in a long time to not be able to properly conjure and make working chakra strings. My father is said to have the ability to bring hundreds of puppets together to battle others... he isn't feared, he is respected. He is using tools, but he uses them with such ... skill and heart that it ... it speaks for itself I suppose? My strength may not be in puppetry but I am a man of marshal weaponry. I have traded sword strokes of unearthly metals and molten steel with a foe who brought our hospital quite low. I have been devoured by the earth only to tear myself out of it. I have battled men who are of a morally insane disposition, who take great displeasure in sheer destruction and death for the sake of it. My armour is part of me... I forged it on my own. We Takahashi understand the riddle of steel... the power of both steel and flesh comes from one's beliefs. Flesh is stronger than steel, but steel is only as strong as the flesh that makes it. To us they are oftentimes the same. The more difficult one's trials and tribulations are the stronger they will become." Sousuke would shake his head. "It perhaps means ... very little to you as it comes from a man who is bound to a wheel chair for the time being. You may find me a hypocrite even, and for that I would be most shameful that I have disappointed you." Another pause, "You are ... welcome though to solve the enigma before you... but this isn't borrowed power. At least I don't think it is, being that I have crafted it. I have taken materials from the earth, yes this is true, but Takahashi-fire forged steel is ... empowered not quite borrowed. I am trained to smelt and make frigid-steel. Thunderanium is malleable if you know how to strike it upon the anvil." He detailed his strength in his craft. "I... apologize. I seem to have ... perhaps missed the point of all of this, or have perhaps I have merely ... begun to ramble. Heh... yes ... quite. Ms. Shuu you can call me Sousuke... Takahashi-dono is ... is ... well ... I'm not used to being called that to be honest. People refer to me as their Steward if they want to speak to me in a formal setting, but ... I then have them refer to me as Sousuke. You being not of Sunan origin are not subjected to that of course." Sure. She said it was okay to call her Shuu, but she was quite a bit older than the Steward.

Kendori Shuu · Jan 24, 2014

"You are funny...but you're also a good guy, so we can look past all that,' she grinned playfully to Uri. As Sousuke spoke she inclined her head. She was familiar with the concept. Poker was one of the few forms of gambling where one did not play odds, nor even the hand they were dealt, they played their opponent. Hyper-observation could allow one to read their opponents and comprehend their tells with the greatest of ease. Shuu did similarly. The alcohol numbed that reflex. And when Sousuke defended Uri Shuu offered a gentle smile. She put her arm on Sousuke's shoulder and offered a reassuring look.

"I meant it affectionately, Sousuke-kun. I was not insulting Uri-boya, and he knows this. I promise I would never knowingly and willfully attack him verbally. It's part of a social ritual known as 'teasing', though the kind between friends is generally done so in an un-aggressive and lighthearted fashion."

As the conversation turned to the Medical branch she listened curiously. Sagasu Yume was a regular who was kind and respectful, just as Sousuke was, but by no means in charge. Add to that the adoptive cousin of Shiori who acted younger than she was for the sake of snaring a young fellow, He wasn't sure why Shiroi mattered much unless she was part of the medical branch and so needed referencing. As far as Shuu could tell, though, Yume was not in charge, just a good reference. Based on how Sousuke was describing it no one had truly taken command of the medical branch. They were floating adrift with no clear leadership, only that they were barely being held together. While it wasn't her right, she was already debating what she could do to come in and help give the branch direction, even if she had to basically take over as a civilian director. She was not swapping sigils from Mist to Sand, but she was hiring herself out as a consultant who could help make it run smoother by running the show if they needed her to.

As Sousuke continued to speak at length about himself, Shuu listened respectfully. He gave her a lot of detail about his own past and while she was surprised that he was so forthcoming about himself, she realized that it made sense that he might do that. He clearly did not adhere to the social norms, so it made sense he would act outside the expected social standards.She sifted through the heavy amount of information he'd unloaded on her and nodded slowly.

"I can understand that connection to your self-forged armor. Knowing that I understand it's much more than a tool. It reinforces you and tells a bit about who you are just as much as a bloodline limit might. It makes sense, and I do not find you a hypocrite. That doesn't change the fact that I want to try and repair your body and chakra as soon as possible, Sousuke-kun." Shuu looked over to Uri and offered him a smile.

"I hope to get the full tour from you, Uri-boya, so I can get familiar with the village. I'll need to know the fastest routes through so I can handle emergency medical calls easier...plus it's always good to know the right places to get a good drink and play a good round of cards." She glanced back to Sousuke with a mild smirk.

"Sousuke-kun...I can see us becoming good friends...whether you like it or not. Be prepared to deal with me regularly, because I don't see myself leaving you alone. You're just too much fun. Even if I have to take over the entire medical branch to make it happen," she only half-joked.

Uri · Jan 26, 2014

Despite the momentary tension, and Sousuke's inability to properly process all the social queues in the moment, it all seemed to just drift away thanks to Shuu's easy-going demeanor and get-it-done attitude. Uri was honestly at a loss of words for the situation considering how quickly it defused itself, but it also provided him with some decent insight into the steward and how exactly he observed certain social interactions. Would he ever become normal or would the part of himself that has no emotions stay locked away? If Uri stayed around long enough, he would find out, but if things didn't change soon he couldn't even be sure how long that would be.

"Every nook, cranny, and tunnel, Dori-chan." Elbow propped onto her shoulder, leaning ever so slightly, he grinned, "And for a good drink and high-stakes cards we'll have to go to some of the more colorful areas of Suna." The word eluded to much more dangerous and less law-enforced areas, "And of course all the better places to eat. Oh, and there's this bakery we'll stop at on the way to the hospital. Get you some proper nourishment after all that travel in the desert. Then once you've seen to your people I'll show you a place you can stay at for the duration you're here. We don't have anything as fancy as the resorts you're used to, but I think you'll find our less extravagant village charming."

Sunagakure was a village forged of sweat, blood, earth, and metal. The village survived underground because everyone understood that we could only help ourselves. The economy was fragile, and heavily relied on Soon's in order to survive, but the businesses that didn't have the financial backing of the more high-end stores worked together to maintain. Only together would Sunagakure survive. Few people knew what it was like to spend money on the lavishness of gambling for fun and being able to return to a happy home-life. People who carried that sin in Suna lost everything to the syndicates in the lower levels.

"I think we've done enough dawdling. Lets get on that tour, shall we?" He looked to the Steward, "Would you like to join us, Sousuke?"

Takahashi Aki · Jan 26, 2014

Shuu explained the fact that calling Uri an idiot was something done not to truly insult, but it was done affectionately. She further explained that it was part of teasing which Sousuke was familiar with it. He did not like being teased, but there was little he could do to stop it. Hesitantly the Steward would bring up another concept that needed to be clarified. "This is not an application of one of those you hurt who you love moments is it? I inquire because this concept is one that I am ... not sure how it works... as it is slightly hypocritical in nature." Surely this insult bounced off of Uri as he didn't even bring it up, he merely went to discuss how he was going to show Shuu the place, and ultimately that they would go to a colourful area to have a drink and to play cards. Then Uri mentioned going to a particular bakery. "Is... that the bakery we visited with Maji after my truly early morning investigation? That bakery is excellent in the extreme. Olgav is certainly a master of his craft." He would further add to heighten the reputation of said bakery.

Shuu would assert that she would try to repair him. Sousuke had the feeling that he had become a subject of interest to Shuu, but then again he was always a subject of interest to many. "Well. I will warn you now. My condition will vary. I am the working Steward. I don't just sit behind a desk, I solve crimes, I smith weapons and armour, and ... sometimes I engage in more physically violent confrontations ... like I mentioned earlier." Sousuke merely shrugged. Then Shuu brought up the fact that Sousuke was just too much fun. The Steward's mind merely malfunctioned for a moment as he would picture Shuu with a different hair colour being a brownish green, white make up all over her face, and red lip stick forming a great big grin. The Steward would systematically blink and then look skyward for a moment as if he realized that he was subjected to something not at his own will, but at something greater than him which dictated his every move. His eyes would narrow as if he found the thing that was doing this to him. Sousuke would then shake his head and turn his head back down. He would then turn his head to face Uri, "Why do women constantly say this about me? That I am just too much fun? I don't think I'm an exciting individual."

Uri decided it was time to begin the tour, Sousuke was then given an invitation to join them. He looked to Uri and then to Shuu. Again that hesitancy to answer was visible. "I ... think ... I think I may take you up on that offer."

Kendori Shuu · Jan 26, 2014

"Much appreciated. You might not look it, Uri-boya, but you're quite the gentleman!" She offered a playful wink, glancing to Sousuke. He was a social anomaly; a textbook example of alexithymia. Odds of his alexithymia having a comorbidity with a deeper underlying problem was high; so much so that it was generally considered a trait rather than a true disorder on its own as very often another medical or psychological condition tended to be the cause, although there was medical arguments that it was more a personality trait than part of some psycholgical distress. Still, there was an abnormally high correlation between people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or the varying severities of Autism and Asperger's suffering from alexithymia.Of the two types she wondered if this one was state-dependant and could change after some type of overruling psychological circumstance, or if it was more of an enduring psycholgical trait. Only time would tell, along with her attempts to heal him, as odds were that his frailty and damage was interralted to his alexithymia. The real question that might be a huge clue was if he had been like this all his life, or if this was just a development along the way and he'd adhered to societal norms at some point previously in his psycho-emotional development. If so, the problem might be as much neurological as it was psychological.

All of this was whizzing through the mind of the medic as she observed and interacted with him, curious to further observe and learn of him. She found him personally to be a rather enjoyable person to be around so long as one knew what to expect--and in the shinobi business there was plenty of PTSD, which meant there was a good handful of patients she'd seen exhibiting alexithymia in her years, but none to the extent that Sousuke seemed to present. That experience, luckily, had taught her how to handle people who presented with it, so handling Sousuke was more a matter of altering expectations and approach rather than anything complex.

"No, Sousuke-kun. The principle of hurting the ones you love implies that with a deep emotional connection shared between those who love eachother--even platonically--allows for a bond that acts as a double-edged sword. One can feel strongly in a positive fashion for someone, but one can also feel strongly in a negative fashion. The statement itself is hypocritical but the concept is not, it merely reinforces the idea that for people to be so close to someone that there is an emotional bond identified as love usually also implies that the capacity to emotionally wound through said bond is just as strong." It might seem that she was talking down to Sousuke, but it was in-fact the opposite; she was explaining through logic a concept that he couldn't understand through emotion. It was simply an alternative way to relate to him, as emotional interpersonal relationships was currently a statistical unliklihood, her next best option was to help him understand and assess from his rational standpoint how to come to terms with various emotional responses and expressions. Then she tured to Uri, who had in a backwards way implied that they had a rough life while Shuu had been living the easy life. If one did not understand Uri as she did, one might even mistake a bit of resentment in there, but she knew he was not the type of person to harbor such feelings, especially over such an uncontrollable aspect as where one was born and raised.

"I don't need extravegance; I tended to not know what to do with myself when I was in Mist, especially retired, so I wound up burning away a decent line of credit at my clan's expense at a few different hotspots throughout Mizu no Kuni. Getting back in the saddle and helping people will be a huge relief for me." It paid to bear in mind that she did not have her father's line of credit here, so saying 'my family will pay you back' wasn't nearly as effective here as it might have been before Mist's catastrophe. Perhaps she would need to change her gambling ways...unless of course she won, and could use her winnings to buy herself a legitimate home in Sand for the time being, and if things smoothed over at Kirigakure, her family could always use it as a summer home. Or...she could try a new approach, and simply take over the underworld here. Every shinobi village had one, and for one of her power and skill it would be relatively easy to simply force the local shady folk to submit to her, and use that control to the benefit of Suna and Mist both. Previously in Mist her family influence had allowed her a relatively respectable level of control over such dealings but here she had no such influence, so she would need to take it. She was getting ahead of herself, though, and first needed to get herself and her people settled. As Sousuke mentioned his varied lines of work and interest, she simply chuckled.

"I wouldn't expect you to remain sedentary, Sousuke-kun, that would make it a bit too simple and would invalidate your worthiness of being Steward and Kage. 'A good leader leads by example within their own lives, otherwise they are little more than a bossy hypocrite', my father used to say." She had a tinge of regret at the mention of her father, whose fate was currently unknown to her. If she'd been home rather than galavanting around burning away family money, she might have been able to help more people escape and see to her family's safety. Or, she might have wound up another casualty encapsuled in ice like so many others. It was hard to tell, and though she held no true regret in her life up to that point, she did wish that she had been able to make more of an impact when her home needed her most.

"You might not find yourself exciting, Sousuke-kun, but I assure you that one thing most women despise is a man who is boring, and you are definately one of the most interesting men I've come across in the past few decades. Now, shall we go?" She smiled to Uri, appreciative of his presence and support. A familiar face was exactly what she'd needed when he'd arrived, and already she'd felt much of the tension of the past several days ebb out of her body, though she knew she was nowhere near done. Instead it had a revitalizing effect on her, and gave her a second wind. She gave him a smile that communicated all of this to him, though she had no idea if he truly understood it all or not, and stood behind the wheelchair automatically, and began to push.

"With me pushing Sousuke-kun and himself in a wheelchair, I'm afraid you'll have to lead the way, Uri-boya....but that was the idea from the beginning, was it not?" She strolled towards the undercity proper, wondering just how vastly different her life had just become, but it was made miles easier by having people she knew and liked around her. Uri was a constant companion, always a friendly and helpful individual, and Sousuke...well, he took some work to understand, but he in no way struck her as someone she could not trust, instead quite the opposite. He seemed quite transparent in motive and communicativity.

If nothing else, she was sure the next little while during her stay in Suna was going to be very interesting.

[Topic Left w/ Sousuke and Uri; Village Entered]

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