“Finally ditched them. Now, where can I find some tasty green tea pudding?”</I><i></i>
Suika hastily dashed toward the Susukino District with her village map wide open. Along her speedy stroll, she stuck to the more shadowy areas of the trail to avoid any unwanted attention. Suika wasn't necessarily in hiding, but she was actively avoiding being found by her excruciatingly peppy Kumogakure tour guides. Since being recently recruited into Cloud Village's shinobi academy after one of her performances last week, she's felt smothered and bombarded by all the information shoved down her throat by Kumo's shinobi. She's met so many people during this small time duration and had to memorize so many names, probably more than she ever had to in the entirety of her life. “And at least it was easier in troupe. Everyone was named after a fruit.” And that wasn't even the worst of it.
<I>“They had to assign me the literal incarnations of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Those two won't let me breathe."<i></i> Her tour guides were two very excitable citizens of Kumogakure who felt the need to escort Suika everywhere she went and give her an in-depth history lesson about the several sites in the village. Every twig and branch in this damn village had a story – literally everything. She had to escape them before her ears bled out. Being sold to essentially become a soldier for a militaristic nation was one thing. Having to endure their constant banter was another. After several minor attempts, she was able to slip away from the pair as they engulfed themselves in lore about some statue or fountain named Aion. She didn't know the importance – she honestly didn't care. She just wanted green tea pudding. “Green tea pudding. After all I've endured, that isn't too much to ask for, right?”<i></i> she thought to herself as she shook her head irritably.
Having lived as a nomad for most her life, she was proficient at navigating through the unknown. The fact that she had a map made it all the better. “Finally here.”<i></i> Suika's eyes brightened as she saw the radiance and vastness of the district. It was evening by the time she reached the square, so the lights gleamed beautifully over the marketplace and gave it an indescribable type of life. She wasn't really a people's person, so was instantly turned off by how crowded Susukino's District was – but she was in awe of how pretty and grand it all appeared. Her troupe mostly performed on the outskirts of towns in Lightning Country, so she never had the opportunity to experience the aesthetics of the night life. “Focus, Suika. You're on a mission.”<i></i> She tippy-toed and scanned the area. Which shop would sell green tea pudding? Do they even sell that here? Suddenly, her eyes became fixated on a flamboyantly colorful sign. It kind of reminded her of her troupe, Ringo's Emporium of Flavorful Fruits, and their advertisement sign. What set this apart, however, was the picture of pudding on it. This had to be it. Without a moment's hesitation, she darted toward the stand. It was show time.
“Excuse me, mister.”</B><i></i> she cutely sang as she leaned toward the small, bald-headed man at the pudding stand. “You wouldn't happen to sell green tea pudding here, right?”<i></i> The man, without too much expression, nodded and answered plainly. “We do sell green tea pudding. Are you intending to buy a cup?”
“A cup of your finest green tea pudding? Why ye-!”<i></i> She almost choked. Suika was so focused on getting away from the Tweedles and retrieving dessert that she forgot one crucial component to the success of this mission – money! Her tour guides were entrusted with her funds as of now. Without them, she couldn't purchase much of anything. “Sir...”<i></i> she laughed nervously while twirling her braid, “...I'm actual flat-out broke.”<i></i>
“Broke? Then beat it, kid! Being a cute girl doesn't give you a free ticket to puddingville. Come back with some form of acceptable currency, or don't bother.” Suika nearly fell over – he was so harsh! She was half tempted to bring out her dagger and give him a piece of her mind. But no, now was not the time. The young gypsy was still in the act and the show wasn't over quite yet. “I am so sorry, sir!” she bowed apologetically, although she was truly not. “How about if I earn my pudding?”
“Go on.” he answered as an odd smirk grew on his face. Suika was no stranger to this look and knew exactly where his depraved mind was going. It pissed her off and her fists tightened in reaction; however, Suika's own cheery expression remained. “I was a dancer and I can give an artsy, fun show to draw people to your business. Will this be an acceptable payment?”<i></i> She knew the man was disgusting, but she needed green tea pudding. It was for the sake of her present sanity. His smirk widened. “Sure. Give it your best show.” Perfect. Suika did what she did best for survival; the dark-skinned gypsy girl began to dance. The Magenta Twirler was back in business! “Gather 'round! Gather 'round! Come get the best pudding in town!”<i></i> she grabbed a few cups and juggled them rhythmically within her dance. She even added a few acrobatics to the mix. Her improv routine wasn't too flashy, but she was amused by how quick-witted her jingles were. <B>“Chocolate, caramel, and green tea – can't choose a flavor? Why not all three!”
[Marked for training]
Suika hastily dashed toward the Susukino District with her village map wide open. Along her speedy stroll, she stuck to the more shadowy areas of the trail to avoid any unwanted attention. Suika wasn't necessarily in hiding, but she was actively avoiding being found by her excruciatingly peppy Kumogakure tour guides. Since being recently recruited into Cloud Village's shinobi academy after one of her performances last week, she's felt smothered and bombarded by all the information shoved down her throat by Kumo's shinobi. She's met so many people during this small time duration and had to memorize so many names, probably more than she ever had to in the entirety of her life. “And at least it was easier in troupe. Everyone was named after a fruit.” And that wasn't even the worst of it.
<I>“They had to assign me the literal incarnations of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Those two won't let me breathe."<i></i> Her tour guides were two very excitable citizens of Kumogakure who felt the need to escort Suika everywhere she went and give her an in-depth history lesson about the several sites in the village. Every twig and branch in this damn village had a story – literally everything. She had to escape them before her ears bled out. Being sold to essentially become a soldier for a militaristic nation was one thing. Having to endure their constant banter was another. After several minor attempts, she was able to slip away from the pair as they engulfed themselves in lore about some statue or fountain named Aion. She didn't know the importance – she honestly didn't care. She just wanted green tea pudding. “Green tea pudding. After all I've endured, that isn't too much to ask for, right?”<i></i> she thought to herself as she shook her head irritably.
Having lived as a nomad for most her life, she was proficient at navigating through the unknown. The fact that she had a map made it all the better. “Finally here.”<i></i> Suika's eyes brightened as she saw the radiance and vastness of the district. It was evening by the time she reached the square, so the lights gleamed beautifully over the marketplace and gave it an indescribable type of life. She wasn't really a people's person, so was instantly turned off by how crowded Susukino's District was – but she was in awe of how pretty and grand it all appeared. Her troupe mostly performed on the outskirts of towns in Lightning Country, so she never had the opportunity to experience the aesthetics of the night life. “Focus, Suika. You're on a mission.”<i></i> She tippy-toed and scanned the area. Which shop would sell green tea pudding? Do they even sell that here? Suddenly, her eyes became fixated on a flamboyantly colorful sign. It kind of reminded her of her troupe, Ringo's Emporium of Flavorful Fruits, and their advertisement sign. What set this apart, however, was the picture of pudding on it. This had to be it. Without a moment's hesitation, she darted toward the stand. It was show time.
“Excuse me, mister.”</B><i></i> she cutely sang as she leaned toward the small, bald-headed man at the pudding stand. “You wouldn't happen to sell green tea pudding here, right?”<i></i> The man, without too much expression, nodded and answered plainly. “We do sell green tea pudding. Are you intending to buy a cup?”
“A cup of your finest green tea pudding? Why ye-!”<i></i> She almost choked. Suika was so focused on getting away from the Tweedles and retrieving dessert that she forgot one crucial component to the success of this mission – money! Her tour guides were entrusted with her funds as of now. Without them, she couldn't purchase much of anything. “Sir...”<i></i> she laughed nervously while twirling her braid, “...I'm actual flat-out broke.”<i></i>
“Broke? Then beat it, kid! Being a cute girl doesn't give you a free ticket to puddingville. Come back with some form of acceptable currency, or don't bother.” Suika nearly fell over – he was so harsh! She was half tempted to bring out her dagger and give him a piece of her mind. But no, now was not the time. The young gypsy was still in the act and the show wasn't over quite yet. “I am so sorry, sir!” she bowed apologetically, although she was truly not. “How about if I earn my pudding?”
“Go on.” he answered as an odd smirk grew on his face. Suika was no stranger to this look and knew exactly where his depraved mind was going. It pissed her off and her fists tightened in reaction; however, Suika's own cheery expression remained. “I was a dancer and I can give an artsy, fun show to draw people to your business. Will this be an acceptable payment?”<i></i> She knew the man was disgusting, but she needed green tea pudding. It was for the sake of her present sanity. His smirk widened. “Sure. Give it your best show.” Perfect. Suika did what she did best for survival; the dark-skinned gypsy girl began to dance. The Magenta Twirler was back in business! “Gather 'round! Gather 'round! Come get the best pudding in town!”<i></i> she grabbed a few cups and juggled them rhythmically within her dance. She even added a few acrobatics to the mix. Her improv routine wasn't too flashy, but she was amused by how quick-witted her jingles were. <B>“Chocolate, caramel, and green tea – can't choose a flavor? Why not all three!”
[Marked for training]
