The Time Has Come [Harupia]

[Kaen]

Tiny tufts of dust wafted behind him as Kaen trudged onward towards the library. It was not a place he traveled to often until most recently, he personally felt he was adept enough to do without the nigh endless supply of knowledge a place like this could hold. In the past he was a firm believer that the things written in books were to easily accepted as truth when in fact most often the case it was the victors who decided what history would proclaim to the world. But this line of thinking grew out of an innate distrusting outlook towards others not in his 'circle of trust'. And for a very long time the only other person inside that circle was Kasen. But as time went on and the years past after the Shinku's arrival in Sunagakure his point of view and general perspectives changed and adapted to his new definition of truth. Not everyone here was out to get him or his sister, in fact their personal history was so far in the past it was, at times, almost forgettable. Almost...

His goal, today, was to find any material or sources that could indicate Shiori's whereabouts. At this point he was getting desperate, hence his arrival at Suna's library. He already had so many questions from the moment their paths crossed and then she simply vanished leaving him to his own devices with only one mission. Feed and grow stronger. He had done so, until recently. His dealings with Lord Sousuke had put a damper on this extra curricular activities, at least within the bounds of the village and surrounding areas. But still his questions remained, including new ones that had arose when he met his son, Hato. What was Hato compared to him, was he destined to be shunned by Wind Countrie's populace as he and his kin have been for so many years, would he need to mask his true identity as Kaen has for so long? And what of this Dominus and the blight he brings along with him? Surely she would have the power to stop him, or at least give him the knowledge of how best to combat this equally ancient being.

As he entered the building an unforgettable aroma of dusty, old books invaded his senses. It was pungent at first, but dulled after his nose forgot what fresh air smelled like. He approached an empty counter, unassumingly the librarian's desk. A small dish of mints were displayed with a tiny sign that said please take one. Taking one from the dish he would promptly toss it into his mouth while he scanned the immediate area. A few people sat at desks or tables with their heads buried in books, others were perusing the various books, pulling some out and flipping through the pages to see if it's what they were seeking. He hoped he wouldn't have to do the same and spend any more time than he needed to in this place. With no attendant in sight he looked around the desk for anything that might call for their attention, yet he found none. So he opted for a more obtuse method.

"HELLO? I'm looking for information on Ancient mythology, earth elementals and related items!" Almost instantaneously, and seemingly in tandem the majority of browsers glared at him while raising a single finger to their mouths with a unified "SShhhhhh!" With a recoiling flinch he would retreat away from the desk and started heading down aisles instead. Maybe the librarian was at lunch or something, in any case he would just have to start looking himself. Starting half way down one of the corridors of books he would pull out a random book. "101 uses for Dune Bugs... I think I'm in the wrong section. Ugh, this is going to take forever." With a lamenting sigh he would shove the book back into place and proceed towards another aisle.

 

[Sunaku Harupia]

Harupia hummed to himself as he wrapped another scroll he just finished inspecting, putting it aside in a somewhat haphazardous pile next to him. Looking at the books and scrolls he gathers he sighed laughing at himself. One good thing about doing a reading in public was having to maintain a bit of order... Though being not messy in his house was still struggle with all the practice he was getting.

He started slowly gathering the bits he didn't feel he would need anymore to put them back in their place, moving with silence between the shelves. It sometimes felt bizarre how familiar he got with the layout of the library. Not that he ever disliked reading but it was more of a lighter hobby, something to do when nothing else was available. And usually, it wasn't tom,e of history and geography. A lot has changed since he became an Oracle...which was also something he never did imagine happening.

While initially selfish in his goal of seeking knowledge about his clan and whatever dealings they may have during the war with the ancients, it was an interesting journey as an oracle, taking a peek into the more...secretive bits of history. And having people to discuss it with, even if it was under an oath of anonymity and secrecy. He still wasn't quite sure how close he was to the answer he needed...but he was enjoying the process of finding it. The only uncertain thing was how much time he had to research...

As he mused like this, rubbing his left arm on instinct, he jumped slightly hearing someone exclaim loudly from what sounded like near the front desk, followed by the barrage of Shushing you'd normally hear. Huh, either the person had an urgent need or was...well, loud by nature. Also, what he was looking for did peak Harupia interest. They were things he was to some degree interested in as well. Ever the curious, after putting back his own selections he made his way towards the front.

He tried to think about whether he could place the voice to a face. It did seem familiar but only vaguely. Like someone, he heard a few times but never quite spoke wit face to face. After a moment he found a certain red-haired figure looking disapprovingly at a book about..Dune Bugs. Well, this was someone who fell under his assumption quite well. Someone who faces he recalled seeing back and forth for years, but never actually...talking with. With his usual cheerful demeanor, he approached him, speaking in a tone quite enough not o disturb anyone else but hopefully loud enough to hear "To think of all places we bump into each other here. Well met Lord Kaen. I assume you were the one...requesting assistance a second ago?" giving a respectful bow to the man as he spoke It was strange to think about. He remembers fighting alongside him against the corpse of Barnyx so long ago and yet they never spoke much... What better time than now to amend that.

MFT

 

[Kaen]

Only a few brief moments after returning the book on Dune Bugs back to its rightful place among the shelves a man approached him. A natural Sunan by the looks of his complexion, but this could have just been a quick assumption on Kaen's part. If there would be any type of person with knowledge of what he was seeking it could very well lie within the mind of someone who has actually lived here for the majority of their life. What's even better is that librarian had finally arrived. Though he was puzzled by the introduction.

Yes, Kaen was being quite daft today as he was mistaking Harupia for the attendant that should have been at the desk earlier. With a single brow raised in slight confusion he would turn to face the voice. 'Of all places? It's the library, this is where the guy worked right? Also how the hell does this guy know my name?' These thoughts coursed through his head as he scrambled to come up with a reply that wasn't both loud, or aggressive. In all honesty, Kaen really should have remembered who this was. But sadly their interactions have been so far and few between that he had misplaced this man in his memory. Surely this would be remedied soon, but for now...

"Ahem, yes. I was looking for any material on earth based elementals, more specifically..." Kaen would peer out from behind the man's visage to be sure nobody else was paying attention. Kaen had yet to feel comfortable about his own nature despite Lord Sousuke's affirmation that all would be well and the people would warm up to him even though he was Ancient. Hybrid or not, an Ancient was all the same to these native Sunans. He could only pray that this man was not among them that would recoil at the word. "Ancients. Specifically the Earthen being revered as Mother Suna." He of course knew her true name, but it was unlikely it would have been recorded, at least in this basic library. If only he knew someone from the Oracle Order. Surely their personal library was astounding and far better than this petty, public book storage room.


[OOC MFT]

 

[Sunaku Harupia]

Kaen raised eyebrow was met by Harupia's own as the two-man started at each other in silence for a while. The red-haired lord seemed to be regarding him carefully, slightly confused apparently. Was he to forward? Did he not remember something they talked about during the celebration? He did have a bit...much to drink so maybe something fell out of his head.

After a few moments, the silence was broken by the men in question, though in a rather...matter of fact way. Not even a hello. May he had to have offended him greatly or something and he didn't even know how! Not the first time something like that happened but usually, it was in his more...personal endeavors. He could be a bit of a lousy boyfriend sometimes... He pushed his usual inner rambling aside as Kaen made his request. he at least could try and help him in his knowledge seeking.

Which would be simpler if he hadn't thrown him such a curveball. Ancients...a strange topic for Suanans indeed, especially the general populous. The Oracle archives had a bit more meat into the topic. But this was the public section. And while he couldn't be sure he could imagine a Shinobi such as Kaen had a bit more of an agenda seeking this knowledge rather than pure curiosity...than again maybe the cold shoulder he received was rubbing off on him.

After a moment he replied "Well, as much as some might disdain the ancients it would be a bit too on the nose to put that information in the wildlife section...Though that is a fine lecture in itself. My father mentioned quite often how he bearly survived a few desert excursion feeding on Dune bugs..." he paused with a slight shudder, remembering some of his father's tales. "Most of our texts on Mother Suna are leaning towards the religious side, Seeing how after the wars she was still an object of Worship. Information about the other courts is a bit more scattered...If you would follow me" he said, giving a courteous bow as he started to move between the bookshelves towards a different section of the library.

"I can direct you a bit more specifically thought I'd need to know what are you looking for specifically? Trivia on how the ancients were represented in the past? Trying to glean the history of our conflict with them? Trying to compare the methods they used than to...whats going on now?" he spoke as they walked. Some of the questions may have been a bit direct, but he figured with two somewhat decorated Shinobi talking to one another, he could afford a bit of directness. It's not like he was some nosy random librarian now was he?

MFT

 

[Kaen]

Kaen chuckled lightly in response to the notion of Ancients essentially being wild animals, or at least that's what he gathered from that exchange. The statement was true, in a sense, but also not. The whole thing was just generally confusing. Some may consider him a wild animal, others a refined war machine. As Harupia continued he mentioned Shiori in the context of being a religious idol of sorts, a goddess if you will. Which he whole heartily agreed upon and would nod along before trailing his coat tails to wherever he was wanting to lead him to, he was in the wrong section after all.

"I can direct you a bit more specifically thought I'd need to know what are you looking for specifically? Trivia on how the ancients were represented in the past? Trying to glean the history of our conflict with them? Trying to compare the methods they used than to...whats going on now?" One may have thought themselves too forward, but this was the sort of exchange he preferred. Often times beating around the bush was more annoying than playful, Kaen preferred the direct approach and just calling it like it is. Though he still felt he needed to be wary and would word it in a way that wasn't blatantly obvious as to his origins and true purpose for this research. Truthfully Kaen was looking for any sort of clue as to where she may be hiding out, no piece of information could be afforded to be overlooked. As he followed the "librarian" he would give a little more information to help expedite the searching process. "I would be interested in the religious texts, but I'm also searching for archaeological research and findings, hidden temples or other locations this being has been spotted. Perhaps a biography of sorts from first hand accounts by other Sunans?" He didn't fully expect to find exactly what he was looking for, be he couldn't afford to simply ignore something that appeared mundane. Shiori seemed the type to hide in plain sight, he wouldn't even be surprised if she was in the village watching over them all right now, you never really knew with that woman.

 

[Sunaku Harupia]

Ah yes, humor, the great equalizer, the mender of bridges! Not that there was that much of a brunt bridge to Fix...he hoped. He honestly couldn't remember if he did something that bad to make Kaen give him the cold shoulder. And it would be a bit presumptuous to assume Kaen didn't recognize him. Not to toot his own horn but just as he knew of the red-haired Shinobi flames he could imagine his sands would be hard to forget.

He did seem to be keen on talking more directly about his goal here. So t least his gut was right on that account. As Kaen spoke he was a bit surprised to hear the religious text is included, but it became apparent it was more. Seemed he was intent on finding whatever he could about her. Humming to himself for a second he said "Well, we're gonna need to walk around a bit. Even though we're talking about one entity those are separate categories...some would still cling to the hope of the actual mother Suna being a different entity all together..."

As they walked they were the closest tot he archeological section where Harupia pointed at some of the books and scrolls "This book here is a compendium of the general archeological research done to Ancient settlements and temples associated with them, and this here has the records of the best-preserved temple to Mother Suna herself...these scrolls here have the layouts of the most well-explored temples. There are more accounts but from lesser temples and perhaps not as detailed, the first book can be a compendium of sorts...Ah, sorry, I'm starting to blabber too much" he paused with a bit of a laugh while picking out the intended tomes and scrolls, absentmindedly creating a small floating disk of sand pon which to carry them "Don't worry, there won't be any sandy grains or anything in your books, I keep the elements in check as best I can" he nodded with a smile. Some people raised their brow as his method of transportation but he mostly did it with tomes in good shape. And he was confident about being able to wipe out any stray grain of sand that would try to sneak in between the pages.

MFT

 

[Kaen]

Following along with the man he listened as he rattled on about the various documents and tomes he was plucking from the shelves. Initially he thought he was going to be handed the books but the man simply tossed them backwards. Thinking the man a mad lad he lurched to catch the first book but found himself grasping at air. Blinking in disbelief and confusion he quickly realized the literature had not simply vanished into thin air, but had been suspended in air in a most interesting way.

A few grains of sand floated calmly past his eyes as the swirled together with an amassing grouping of earth, more sand to be specific. Kaen was not so dull as to be taken completely aback, this was a shinobi village after all and there were all sorts of curiosities here. Such manipulation of the elements were not unheard of and were far more common than one would think. The particular skillset the man was showcasing did give Kaen pause for consideration, the puzzle pieces slowly falling into place. He had seen this once, no... twice before. But the first time was so many years ago it was a vague and distant memory now. He just couldn't put his finger on it, he would need to press the man further if he wished to come to any sort of conclusion about his identity, or at the very least where he had seen him before.

"Ah, sorry, I'm starting to blabber too much" Kaen was still enamored by the display of the precise and controlled display of ability before him, he had almost not even heard the man. "I, uh... No you're fine. I want you to be... thorough." The man, not yet identified as Harupia of the Sunaku clan, noticed Kaen's focused gaze with his sandy creation as the mark. "Don't worry, there won't be any sandy grains or anything in your books, I keep the elements in check as best I can" This statement shook him from his, for lack of a better term, stupor and brought his attention back towards Harupia. "No, no. You're fine. You seem to have a great deal of control over it." To be honest Kaen was a little impressed, not even he had such precise control over his own element to the point of such meticulous and fine manipulation. But he wouldn't admit that out loud, not yet anyway. Seizing the opportunity he would briefly change the subject.

"I imagine you must hail from the Sunaku clan? Or perhaps a branch of it?" The only other option was far more unlikely, but it grew increasingly more difficult to really say for sure who came from who. This minute thought in the back of his mind gave weight to the idea of this man being one of Mother Suna's. But it was merely and inkling of a thought. "You didn't happen to have any family that fought off the swarm a while back, did you?" There were many, many people that fended off the Horde that fateful night, it was entirely possible there were more than a few sand-benders that had participated. But there was one particular sand user he seemed to recall that stood out, at least enough for it to stick in his mind even to this faintest degree.

[OOC MFT]