When the dust settles upon thine eyelashes and the air stagnates.

[Hyuma]

There is a certain art to being lazy and not falling behind, it's an art of creating shortcuts and being smart... or at least that's what Hyuma liked to think there were plenty of times he could recall his antics creating more hassle for him than benefit. That said, he couldn't seem to bring himself to change his life, it was simply too comfortable. in his day to day life in the sunless world that was his home each day lit by the glimmer of dark lanterns, it made him wonder what it would be like to be like to live under the sun. It wasn't perhaps a bog deal but it felt like something he wanted... though it seemed like a pain to sneak off just to see the surface, especially with the trouble he could get in under the current situation the village was in.

Contenting himself with another boring afternoon Hyuma debated training but couldn't bring himself to practice on his own when he could literally do anything else, or... not literally actually he decided there were many maaaany things he could not do. like go to the surface... or... sleep more than 24 hours in a day. If there was one thing he appreciated more than sunlight it was naps he mused, idly twirling an ink pen between his fingers he tossed it into the air and caught it with his opposite hand and repeated the process back and forth while keeping his eyes closed. he didn't feel like he lacked ability, he didn't feel like he needed to show off either, he was neither the smartest or the lowest in his class, in most aspects he ranked average and didn't stand out. He wasn't the fastest or the slowest or the most accurate, in nearly all regards he strove to find the middle ground and thus be invisible. He had at one point gotten odd looks for his choice in garb and feminine hobbies but been those too were forgotten in the wake of his boring aura. with such he was happy, he was an orphan destined to be alone, live and die... alone... the thought was lonely... but he'd accepted it too... he didn't have the energy to change who he was and didn't have anyone in his life interested in changing him.

Perhaps he'd go back to his room he had a book on the history of the Konohagakure that he'd wanted to finish, and an interesting novel on bloodlines as well to read, but for the moment he was content to loiter in the empty classroom. the day had ended and the other students were filtering out to enjoy their few hours of freedom. A time that was wasted on him. he dozed in class just as easily as he dozed out of it.

 

[Kitetsu Kurikara]

Kiyoko found herself wandering the halls after coming back from a private tutoring. She had eaten a decent meal about an hour back and was feeling refreshed, despite the slowly forming bruise on her cheek. She wasn't exactly sure where she would end up next, however. She had yet to actually join a class, and she didn't know anyone but the two she had previously been with. Her small smile was still present though. She was thinking about calling it a day and heading home to eat dinner with her mother, maybe even work on an art piece as she loved to do so much. As she heard children walking in the opposite direction she was heading in, she ducked her head to not catch their attention. She really wasn't one for socializing with large groups of people, so she tended to avoid them as much as possible.

As she passed by a classroom the other children were leaving, she noticed that there was still one person inside. He didn't seem to be doing much, either, and her curiosity was raised. Her blue eyes scanned over him for a moment before she entered the classroom and cleared her throat softly to speak. "H-Hello," she began quietly, not even sure if she would be heard due to her nervous and soft-spoken nature. She stepped a bit closer and tried again this time. "Hello, I am Mizuki Kiyoko." She bowed respectfully upon their first meeting. "Do you know where a class will be that I should attend? This is my first time at the academy," she spoke up. Her fingers threaded together as she looked down a bit, not wanting to be rude by staring at the person she had just met. Her nerves were through the roof, though she attempted not to show it by keeping her breaths even and quiet.

She wasn't sure what had brought her to introduce herself to the boy; after all, it wasn't what she believed would be in her nature to do so. She usually waited until she was spoken to before she would speak. But, the introductions had to be started by someone, right? If this boy wasn't heading out of the classroom with his friends, then he either wasn't in the same class as them, didn't have any plans with them, or didn't have many friends in the first place. Therefore she might be able to make a friend since he seemed like he had free time. Though, her occasional sneaked glances at his appearance told her he was older than her. He might not want to socialize with her young, frail, shy self.

 

[Hyuma]

Perhaps a perk... if you could call it that, of being solitary is that those who seek you out, and create conversations with you allow you to enjoy the interactions more. Hyuma liked people, or at least told himself he did so when the girl approached him he didn't acknowledge her unduly only glancing in her direction with heavily lidded eyes only perking his head up when she began to speak to him. Looking her over Hyuma noted that she shared his pale complexion, another child of the underground like himself, at least he'd already found some common ground. Pondering how to best answer her questions he chewed his words slowly before finally opening his eyes and looking at her.

"Hyuma... My name."

"This class would be one for... unranked students... I'm guessing your lack of a headband says you're the same rank as me. However, if you were planning to start today... it's too late. class already let out... you'll have to come... early tomorrow. Welcome... I guess you wanted to be a ninja? Is that why you joined?"

Cocking his head to the side he looked at her questioningly, he was curious about why she came. if he'd never seen her before he doubted she was an orphan he knew most of them... so if you weren't an orphan raised to be a soldier for the city, you came voluntarily or had some other reason. Either way, he was curious. If he'd been given the choice he wouldn't have become a ninja he'd have lived a boring life... cooking? Building? it didn't really matter. but... if the girl came voluntarily he wanted to find out why... he couldn't think of an reasons to become a ninja willingly.

"oh... Nice to meet you"

 

[Kitetsu Kurikara]

Kiyoko's nerves settled as soon as she heard the boy's name. Given that she hadn't asked, she guessed he didn't mind talking to her since he had taken the time to introduce himself. "I like your name," she complimented once she learned it, making sure to save it mentally in case they were to ever meet again. That is, if they didn't decide to be friends of some sort today. She listened as he continued to speak, a bit disappointed in herself since she had already missed her first class. She would have to let her mother know that she was late, something she was sure to be punished for. But at least she had met someone!

"Nice to meet you, too!" she said a bit brighter, a joyful smile gracing her lips. It softened however, when she began to answer his previous question. "As for my reason to join... My father worked as a tradesman. He was traveling on one of the trade routes through the desert when he and his coworkers were ambushed and killed. He was never brought back, and my mother hasn't been the same since. She isn't exactly...in the right mind to protect our family," Kiyo explained, straightening her back a bit as she continued. "So I decided to train to be a ninja so I can protect her." It was her only reason to be a ninja; she was sure her father never expected her to do so. It was an unpressured decision of her own accord, and she was proud of it, no matter what struggle she might have to go through to succeed.

She let her shoulders fall, however, when she remembered she had already messed up. "I can't believe I missed a class on the first day." She let out a small sigh, looking up at the slightly taller male before her. "Why are you studying at the academy?" she then asked. She was just as curious herself, wondering what others' reasons may be since she didn't know a ninja personally. It wasn't like she had many friends, and of those, none had decided to train for the ninja lifestyle. She hadn't seen them since her father died anyway.

 

[Hyuma]

Hyuma listened quietly putting together what the girl deciding that while he couldn't relate he couldn't fault her for her decision it was responsible.. or seemed to be any way to do what she was doing. Though it seemed that she liked him was pulled beyond strings that she didn't control.

Tilting his head Hyuma pulled the corners of his mouth up in a half smile, it felt unnatural on his face but he felt like the girl deserved the gesture after answering him so honestly. Perhaps she being a little younger was still not one to keep secrets, or didn't have any she yet felt like keeping, either way, it was a fair bit he'd already learned from her.

Shaking his head softly in refute to her seeming sadness over missing a day of school Hyuma smiled a big more genuinely at the thought of getting to miss school if he could get away with skipping he'd do so. Though it probably wouldn't be wise to voice such a thought so he decided to keep that one quiet.

"Hmm, i wouldn't worry, nothing too important was covered today, just a lesson on the strengths and weaknesses of various elements.... if you want I can explain it to you later...."

He didn't care terribly much for the idea but he didn't like the idea of letting someone be sad if he had the ability to change it. But he also had to answer the question she'd returned to him.

"My.. parents were ninjas. who died defending the city before i could remember them. so I was raised by the academy... being a Ninja was the only option Iv'e ever had. I mean... I will probably be like them too. So... being a ninja was... kind of my birthright i guess... I don't think about it much..."

That last bit was a lie... he thought about his fate a lot, but he didn't feel like burdening the girl with his apathy she seemed to be at least a little more cheery than himself.

"wha do you think is the most important? A strong mind? Or a strong body? Or... even a strong soul?"

 

[Kitetsu Kurikara]

Kiyoko listened to his story and felt a bit saddened for him. Her young mind couldn't handle losing one parent, but imagining losing her mother as well was painful in its own right. She would be devastated to lose both. Since Hyuma didn't seem to have the best life without his parents, she thought about inviting him to meet her mother. She felt as though it might be nice for him. But, given he was too young to remember his own, it may not effect him at all, or it may darken his view on his own life since he never got the chance to experience it for himself. However, these thoughts were pushed aside when she received another question from him.

She began to think, wondering indeed what was the most important. Her brows knitted together faintly as her eyes focused somewhere else and her an expression that would soon be recognizable as one she used quite often. After giving her answer much thought, she began to speak. "In my opinion, all three are important. But I feel that it isn't possible to be the best in everything. I think it depends on the person." Feeling that she didn't answer thoroughly, she continued as she began to explain her answer.

"One person may have a strong soul, which I believe is better represented as will, but their strength may not be the greatest. They would be the solid rock that continued to lift up those around them.

"Another may be strong physically, though they lack proper skills in strategy or aren't confident in the abilities they have. They could serve as the muscle while their spirits are lifted.

"One might have amazing skills in planning for the best outcome in a battle or in everyday life, but their strength is weak or their soul is darkened by their deep thoughts all the time. They would be the strategy of the team, protecting their people as well as possible."

Her brows would then unfurrow as a small smile would meet her lips once more. "Sorry...I didn't mean to ramble," she apologized, though she was still confident in her words. She looked up at him once more. "I'm sure I'm one of few who think like that as well." She didn't think about it often; her answer was cliché in her opinion. Then her previous thought returned, and she felt she should try and give him an experience he would enjoy. "Hey, Hyuma-sama, would you like to eat dinner with me and my mother? It's my turn to cook this week. I can cook almost any simple meal, if you have one you like specifically."

 

[Hyuma]

He listened to her answer though he didn't glean much from it, it was perhaps logical what she said if disappointing, she didn't have a better answer than he'd had when the question had been posed to him, he'd finally decided that balance was key, he didn't care to be exemplary in any aspects, and as such he decided that the answer was, that there was no answer, none could exist without the others. Though then again he could be wrong, he didn't care too terribly much either way. In the end she'd at least admitted that it was impossible to master them all, but she'd gone the route of specializing, to him, specializing might be good if you were able to have someone that made up for your faults, but for a loner like him... he'd decided being well rounded beat being special. Though he kept his mouth shut he listened to the girl and kept his thoughts private.

Then she invited him to dine with her, and that was perhaps the first unexpected thing she'd done, she was more outgoing than he'd pinned her for, sure she'd approached him but he didn't feel he had an intimidating aura. but he also didn't think so highly as himself as to expect a sudden invitation from a stranger, the kindnesses of outsiders... or at least those who've yet to become cynical are unique and appreciated, or at least he felt so.

"I'm sure that I would enjoy anything you'd cook Mizuki san, though Sama i'm afraid is wasted on me, I doubt I'm any stronger than you are. But if you'll have me, I think... not eating the dorm food for a change would be.. refreshing."

He didn't know if she was stronger than him or not, he didn't doubt his strength and he felt it was within his ability to take on someone younger than himself, but as was his nature he cared not for people thinking highly of him, he was hardly special. But a chance to enjoy a rare home cooked meal was something he didn't care to pass up. Talking with the girl had woken him up a fair bit, a rarity for him to give anyone full attention, but she was new enough that he didn't mind being coherent for her. He just hoped she wouldn't expect him to be awake all the time in future interactions. A thought that made him chuckle slightly.

"I suppose you should lead the way?"

deciding to keep the conversation going he posed another question to the girl.

"what other things do you like? I mean... I'm assuming since you're new you don't spend all your time training right?"

 

[Kitetsu Kurikara]

Kiyoko looked Hyuma over once more, noting his relaxed stature and somewhat tired expression. Whether or not he would acknowledge his own strength, she could see more muscle on him than she knew she had on herself especially with her unhealthy habits of the last couple years. “I apologize, Hyuma..san,” she said, realizing he had used the same honorific for her. If he viewed them as equals, then she would respect his decision. She was also a bit excited he had agreed to come back with her. She simply hoped her mother wouldn’t come to embarrass her in front of her first new friend. That is, if Hyuma accepted her introducing of him. “And you can call me by my first name if you would like. Kiyoko, or anything you’d like to use.” At the suggestion of her leading him back, she nodded. “Of course! I don’t feel like it’s too far.” She began to lead him away from the classroom, knowing she remembered the way back to her house well enough.

When a new conversational topic was brought up, she realized she wouldn’t be as quiet around him as she had thought. “I like art,” she said softly, remembering the first time she had witnessed her mother drawing a piece. She had taken a seat and watched her mother for hours, her eyes drifting between the peaceful yet focused expression her face to the way her hand would pull the pencil across the smoothed wood canvas she would use. Once she had seen the finished picture of a beautiful wooden home within a field of flowers, Kiyo knew she wanted to learn this talent. “I'm not the best at it,” she assured, letting out a small laugh. “But my mother and I often work on our own pieces together. She shows me new ways to create different effects with the pencil, and I give her new ideas for art pieces from time to time.” Her smile faded just slightly. “Art is an emotional hobby, though. Whatever you’re feeling inside can effect what you create.”

She knew this from both observing her mother and her own personal experience. Most of her mother’s pieces were getting darker and darker, something Kiyo knew was an expression of her mother’s struggle with losing the love of her life. Kiyo also allowed her sadness to show, from the smiles on people’s faces being smaller to more visibly sad material, like her most recent image of a young girl burying a bird. It was an expression of what she wished she could do for her father. The image had made her mother start to cry, so she did those sorts of pieces in privacy now, keeping the pieces pleasant in the time she spent with her mother.

Kiyoko pulled herself from her thoughts as the started out of the actual academy. “What about you, Hyuma-san? Everyone has at least one hobby, whether or not we excel at them,” she mused, looking up at him as they walked.

[OOC: Topic left due to inactivity.]