Return of the Coffee Sage [Req. Entrance]

[Shieo]

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I felt the cold crunch of dirt against my padded footwear. It wasn't quite winter anymore, plus- It's been slightly over a years time since I originally departed the village. Although to make claim that it was 'summer' is a bit of a stretch for Kumogakure's locale, there was always an air of cold touching the skin- unless the sun was directly on you. Ultimately, such were the woes of the life of mountaineers.

However, as I inhale deeply along my trek. I can feel my lungs intake something that one can only best describe as summer; it had a warmth akin to home. Or perhaps, it was just my mind convinced in its nostalgia. It wasn't long until my eyes set on the Dragon Tooth Pass in the distance, a monolithic formation that served as a natural barrier and entryway into my home-village.

But a thought ultimately crossed my mind. "Will they recognize me? And if so-- Have they deemed me missing? Siu and Shizuka sometime ago didn't lend confidence in this..." I didn't let myself dwell too long on the idea, there really was only one way to find out.

---

Upon arriving to the gates, I ensured that my presence was known and that I wasn't hiding my appearance or persons by any means. The last thing I needed was the Death-Watch raining all sorts of problems down on me- but it didn't stop me from keeping those posted within' my peripheral vision. You just never know.

Upon crossing the boundary that marked as the entry to the gates, I stopped my tracks and awaited the attention of someone to confirm my identity and grant me entry-- My identity... Crap.
While I know who I am, was and will be- mostly. My passport is a year old, and I would be a liar to say I looked even remotely the same. Now garbed in heavy leathers, some furs and alabaster scales that served as make-shift armor on some points of my body like the pauldrons or thigh guards. But even outside of attire; my hair was much longer, shaggier and I acquired a bit of a sun-touch from my adventures... And a new facial feature- a large scar that has since make its appearance painfully obvious.
Beyond that, I've aged some; sharpened my features and my usual aloof look had become albeit more hardened.

I yielded to a sigh, as I fished out my passport. Hopefully the individual who was tasked to check me was understanding- Or capable of getting the details out of two rather stark differences in appearances.

Requesting Entrance

 

[Santaru Ayanasu]

If there was one thing Ayanasu hated about being a shinobi, it was that he was occasionally expected to do pointless tasks for the sake of duty. A prime example was how it was currently his turn to watch the gates. He had spent the last three hours bored out of his mind, and if he had to listen to one more merchant blather about how he’d lost his papers but how it was so important for him to get into the village he was going to start throwing around lightning.

“Honestly, you’d think they’d just throw the mongrels at this job…” Ayanasu muttered under his breath. “I could be blowing up a bandit camp or killing strays, but they have me watching the gates and catering to a bunch of civilians. It’s almost insulting..” Shaking his head in irritation, the Santaru leaned back against the gate with a huff and continued watching the pass. After a few minutes, he noticed another traveler approaching and raised a brow. This one looked like a savage dressed in leather and furs, and his face and hair only made him look even more unkempt. The scar suggested he was no stranger to fighting though, which was slightly interesting. Maybe a shinobi? Perhaps he’d get lucky and things would turn hostile. Raiden knew he could use a fight right now.

He had a feeling he wouldn’t be that lucky though.

“Time to get back to work I suppose.” Ayanasu sighed. “At least it’s not another merchant…”

Pushing himself off the gates, he dusted off his uniform and approached the stranger with a smirk on his face. “Welcome to Kumogakure.” Ayanasu said, condescension coloring his voice. “State your name and purpose, and present your papers.” The Santaru continued, and stretched out his right hand to take the passport when it was offered.

[Topic Entered]

 

[Shieo]

As I approached, out came a fairly young man; adorned with golden hair and stark green eyes. It was quite the contrast to the average shinobi, let alone the vast majority of denizens of the country we reside in. As I walked closer in line with him walking towards me- It became apparent that even despite his youthful appearance, his height and physique all suggested someone of a younger age. I did however, notice an air of confidence; not that it shifted my atypical dour expression and droll tone of voice. I figured my rather ... Rough appearance would be soon justified from my papers; and if he came to notice the insignia of Kumogakure on my attire. It was embroidered and of course, a bit harder to see in comparison to a headband.

Upon hearing the request of my information; and passport. I offered the booklet that detailed who I am. And with my last registered departure, with a written reason.</GLOW>

Name: Redacted, Shieo
Birthday: June 17th
Gender: Male
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 186cm/6'-01"
Weight: 65.7kg/145lbs
Blood Type: AB+
Occupation: Academy Senior-Instructor
Shinobi Rank: Chūnin

Travel Log
- Business Travel ~ Fire Country (3 month leave) ~ Sanctioned By: Kogami, Ayumu [2017]
- Extended Vacation ~ Bear Country/Marsh Country (Time Decisive by: Shieo) ~ Sanctioned By: Kagetsu, Yuii [2018]

<GLOW glow="#2E8B57">

While my documentation all were quite detailed on who I am, and why I was gone. I figured my purpose was fairly clear too; I still obliged the young man. "Name; Shieo. Purpose: Returning from vacation." Quick, concise; to be frank I was feeling a bit tired from the past experiences... It was be foolish to really call what I went through a vacation. But I digress- It was such on paper, so that's what it was-- Is.

I figured he was just as disinterested in the formalities as I am; but he was certainly going to go through the process of confirmation. So I adjusted my hands to my hips and shifted my weight to my left side as I awaited the following.


[MFT; Kek]

 

[Santaru Ayanasu]

Taking the offered passport from the man, Ayanasu opened it with a flick of his hand and scanned it’s contents. “Shieo, huh?” He said in reply, scrutinizing the document as the Chuunin provided with the requested information. The name wasn’t familiar to him, but he rarely bothered to pay much attention to the nameless riff-raff that made up the bulk of the village’s shinobi, so it wasn’t surprising.

Regardless, everything seemed to be in order. The picture in the passport was obviously dated, but his features matched and it was understandable given the length of the time he had apparently been gone. A lot could happen in a year, after all. Snapping the passport shut, he handed it back to Shieo and signaled to the others to open the gate. All in all, this had proven to be as mundane as he’d expected.

How disappointing.

“You’re clear.” Ayanasu said with a sigh, waving Shieo forward. Waiting for the man to head through the gates, the Santaru returned to his post to continue the rest of his shift. At this rate, he’d need to find some way to amuse himself if he was going to make it to the end. He could always try making things unpleasant for the next person who rolled in. Maybe he’d remove a bolt or two from a cart, and see how things went…

He shook his head, banishing the thought. The last thing he needed was one of his superiors breathing down his neck about harassing civilians and sticking him with something even more pointless as a punishment. Knowing his luck, they’d send him to mind children at the Academy or have him escort Genin on one of the chores they called missions. He had to resist the urge to shudder.

Ayanasu crossed his arms and sighed, leaning back against the cold stone of the Pass.

This was going to be a long day.

[Entrance Granted]
[Topic Left]

 

[Shieo]

As my passport was handed back to my, I turned my attention to the staffed Deathwatch that were posted high above. Merely a means for me to pass the time of awaiting for the gates themselves to open wide. I had taken a moment to slip my passport back into my persons.

Turning my attention to Ayanasu, I nodded once and began walking towards the gate entryway. My hands casually slipped into my pant pockets; my mind set on what I was going to go back to in the village. Originally a senior instructor and rumor of being the head of the academics was circulating; that was all before the departure, all the fame was exhausting from being a champion of Kumo. And to teach on top of all that.

I let out a drained sigh. Not that the departure served much as a relaxation- It developed new things for me, and gave me experiences I wouldn't obtain in the village; but they weren't exactly pleasant either. It was then the gates opened enough for me to enter. Taking my first step forward; and my life within' walls resumed...


[Village Entered]
[Thread Exited]