Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 11, 2009 23:09:31 GMT -5
"It's fine," Akihiko said with a shrug, obviously too easygoing to make a big fuss over something that was obviously an accident. "You're not lost, are you? Maybe I can help." Takeo ducked and dodged between people as he went about his errands in the chaotic ninja administration building. In all honesty, though, "chaotic" was far too much of an understatement. The only reason he was getting around so well was that the crowded hallways and pressing masses of workers gave him a perfect opportunity to practice using the Sharingan to avoid getting hit. It was tiring work, though, and using so much chakra made things worse. Hopefully they'd let him go soon, and he could go take a good long rest. In the meantime, though, there was a new Hokage to swear in, and the village was far from ready. If he could help just by being an errand boy, then he would. Ayaka sighed, slumping down onto a bench on the side of the street. Was no one in this village hiring? To be fair, though, a good number of places had closed, and some of those didn't look like they would be re-opening anytime soon. Ayaka couldn't really blame them; who would want to open up shop right after a war? But that did mean that the selection of places that were open could be quite random. Like a shop stelling stuffed animals. It would be fun looking around and seeing what there was to see, if she weren't so pressed to get a job and make herself useful. Those tents wouldn't be there forever, and she doubted the village would let all the refugees stay for free for the rest of their lives. The sooner she made herself self-sufficient, the better. But it was hard to keep going when you were a stranger in a new world, and everywhere you turned you were met with refusal. The whole thing made her want to go back to the tent and go back to sleep. In the meantime, though, maybe just a little break on this bench would make her feel better.
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 13, 2009 0:34:21 GMT -5
"N-no...not lost...just...trying to make my way back...to the refugee tents...I am...not very good with directions, and I've not been here long.." Utsuro explained quietly, not wanting to be rude or risk offending the man. "My my...this just will not do, now will it?" A soft, smooth voice stated rhetorically, hands coming to rest at the back of the bench. Chilling blue eyes peered over the delicate rim of his glasses. Those eyes were the entire reason he was standing there, really. At least initially, that is. He HAD been on his way home to resupply his paints before returning to work applying artistic bandages to buildings. Then those accursed eyes of his had to become distracted, as often they did, by the rather spectacular hue of hair on this young lady before him. "Why the aura of grief, my dear?" Far be it from Hitsuatsu Ryuurei to leave a lady with a dour aura about her.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 14, 2009 0:36:38 GMT -5
"Oh! Is that all?" Akihiko asked. "Yeah, it makes sense that you'd have trouble getting around here if you're new. The carpenters are always asking around for directions, so don't think you're only one. Want me to show you the way?" "My my...this just will not do, now will it?"Ayaka, having been lost in quasi-thought (but mostly just staring off into space at this point), had failed to realize there was anyone behind her - well, she was in a village full of ninjas, after all - and thus was yanked rather jarringly back into reality. "Why the aura of grief, my dear?" the voice asked as Ayaka simultaneously jumped nearly out of her skin, leaned forward (and thus away from the voice right behind her), and tried to spin around on the spot in order to get a look at whoever was speaking to her. Unfortunately, that meant that Ayaka, in her haste, accidentally threw herself off the bench entirely. Oops.
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 14, 2009 1:17:00 GMT -5
"It...would get me there sooner...but...I do not wish to impose.." Utsuro stated quietly, shifting his weight a little, nervously. "S-surely you've b-better things to do....and...I will never learn if I keep relying on others.." Oh dear. The war was still fresh in his body as well as his mind, it seemed. The poor thing must not have heard him coming. Pushing against the top of the bench, flipping up and over was the easy part. Doing it swiftly enough and gaining enough height not to crash into the poor girl..well, thankfully he was well trained. Landing soundly without a split second to spare, his arms wrapped around her gently, halting her descent to the ground. "I do apologize.." Ryuurei intoned with a warm, charming smile. "I did not mean to give you a start."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 14, 2009 18:25:12 GMT -5
Akihiko shrugged. "That's true," he agreed, "but don't be afraid to ask for help if you really need it. And watch out for the demolition zones; those can get dangerous even for experts." Ayaka blinked up at the strange person who had caught her. From what she had glimpsed before sending herself flying, he appeared to be the same person who had startled her in the first place, and the voice sounded the same. But why did everyone here have to appear in such strange ways? And why was picking her up such a popular thing to do? It was tempting to see if someone had stuck a "hold me" sign on her back, especially after years of little to no physical contact with anyone. ...... and how had this person gotten around the bench so quickly in the first place? That jaunting thing, maybe? "Are... you all right?" she asked him doubtfully after a moment's thought. "You're acting weird."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 14, 2009 19:51:22 GMT -5
" but don't be afraid to ask for help if you really need it. And watch out for the demolition zones; those can get dangerous even for experts." If only you knew.."I...should be fine...I...usually do not make...the same mistake twice." The Tsutomegi boy explained softly. "I...appreciate the concern, though...getting myself blown up...." He began to mumble. "..what a way...to waste seven years.." A warm smile dissolved into a bemused chuckle. "Shouldn't I be asking you that, Miss? After all, you were the one who needed catching, not I." A smooth transition to standing straight, and both were back on their feet again. "Now then, shall we try this again? What seems to be troubling you? Other than strangers scaring you out of your skin, that is." Ryuurei asked with a grin.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 14, 2009 20:02:11 GMT -5
That... was an odd thing to say. But then, growing up in a ninja village, Akihiko had seen some very strange things. "Indeed," he replied with a nod as though it were perfectly normal to talk about blowing oneself up. "Well, take care then. And enjoy your time in Konoha!" "It's... nothing..." Ayaka mumbled, idly tugging on her sleeve as she tried - unsuccessfully - to hide her obvious discomfort. Years in her old village had taught her that anything she tried would usually fail if other people found out about it, so she had decided to keep it a secret. "I'm just... new here," she finished rather pathetically. "Everything's so different."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 14, 2009 20:40:11 GMT -5
"T-thank you..Sorry for the trouble..have a nice day.." Stammering quietly but quickly, he bowed sharply and was off down the street, back on his way to the tents. Surprisingly, the way was a bit clearer in his head now. Well. Fear did tend to sharpen the senses. "Ahhh~..New to the village. That explains why I did not recognize you." Ryuurei stated casually, adjusting his shoulder bag and tucking a few brushes that had come loose back inside. The girl was lying, of course, that was as plain as the hair on her head. But she was just as clearly nervous and uncomfortable as well. Perhaps he could get her talking though. Lifting his bag slightly as he moved to sit down on the bench, he reached inside for a small sketchpad and pencil. Eying the spot next to him nonchalantly, he flipped past a few prior concept sketches to a blank page and began to work. "So what's so different about this village? Something in particular giving you a hard time?"
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 14, 2009 20:48:42 GMT -5
"Yeah, you too," Aikihiko told the retreating figure of the odd boy before turning to head back to his own tasks. What an interesting character... "It's big," was the first thing that popped to Ayaka's mind. "And... it's hard finding my way around." She edged forward cautiously, but remained standing for now. "People here are nice enough" - nicer than the ones back home, that was for sure - "but I don't feel like I.... and why am I telling you this?" she suddenly asked herself. She never talked about herself to other people, but ever since getting to the village, she couldn't stop! And with complete strangers, no less!
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 14, 2009 21:09:44 GMT -5
Pillows are an amazing thing. This was an absolute and undeniable truth to Tsutomegi Utsuro. After seven years of nearly nonstop travelling, sleeping outside if at all sometimes, a simple cot and pillow was a substantial increase in his quality of life. This was half the reason why he immediately buried his face in said pillow upon arriving back at tent 7....... Utsuro chuckled to the empty tent. Seven years of travel...and he winds up in tent number seven of a war-torn village. You're a weird kid, y'know that?He just nodded, and went about putting his things away in the massive bundle in his corner. Ryuurei nodded softly as she spoke. A small village girl, then. That made a bit more sense. Konoha was rather sizable as far as 'normal' villages went. He could understand why she would feel out of place. At least, that was what he assumed she was leading towards saying when she cut off abruptly. " but I don't feel like I.... and why am I telling you this?" "Because you clearly wish to speak, and I am listening. In cases such as this, I would assume it is something you're not accustomed to people doing?" The artist looked up at her over the rim of his glasses for a moment as he asked this rhetorically. He did not look for long, not that he needed to, nor did he wish to unnerve her. Focusing back on the page before him, a figure was beginning to take shape from the lines he laid down.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 14, 2009 21:24:45 GMT -5
Ayaka shook her head. Whether this person actually cared about her or was just pretending, it was having such behavior directed at her that caught her off guard. It was almost a little unnerving. And what was with the drawing all of a sudden? Did people here always draw pictures while talking to strangers? Then again, she herself had taken to talking to giant bugs, so she couldn't really be too judgmental of other people's habits. At last she sat down at the other end of the bench and drew her legs up in front of her, resting her arms on her knees and watching with interest as the man next to her drew.... whatever it was he was drawing.
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 15, 2009 20:43:16 GMT -5
That was a bit better. Something of an old trick, but Ryuurei had long ago found an open and active sketchpad to be an invaluable tool in disarming an overly nervous individual. He'd actually yet to meet someone who could resist 'taking a peek' so to speak. And so he'd continue sketching. The slowly shaping figure grew a curtain of hair, and found herself sitting along a tree branch, overlooking....something. A village, perhaps? There did seem to be buildings taking shape with each pass of the pencil. A mountain range grew behind the village, a lazy sun appearing just above it. Was it rising, or setting? The buildings were starting to look familiar, at least...and there were faces now along the mountain. The artist smiled softly to himself, glancing over briefly at his captive audience.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 15, 2009 20:52:07 GMT -5
Ayaka shifted nervously, not really sure whether she should say anything or not. She was a little unnerved by her sudden inability to keep things to herself, but the silence was beginning to feel awkward. Perhaps just a little question, then. Something to keep her mind off talking about herself. "Is that fun?" she asked after a few minutes, nodding toward the sketchbook to clarify her meaning. She was curious to see what the stranger next to her was drawing so intently, but it really wasn't any of her business, so she couldn't just slide over and peek.
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 15, 2009 21:18:05 GMT -5
And she speaks. Ryuurei avoided grinning bemusedly. Never fails.." Is that fun?" The girl inquired curiously, breaking the silence. While it did nothing to answer his previous concerns, she was speaking again, and that was a start. And so he nodded, smiling all the more. "I love the arts. I've been painting ever since I could get my fingers in the stuff. My whole clan is composed of artists of all types...guess you could say it's..in my blood." The latter was almost the truth, though she didn't really need to know that. "There's just something....magical about capturing a moment...a feeling..and preserving it on a canvas." The pencil continued to work as he spoke, flipping back and forth from point to end, polishing the lines, shading, adding appropriate folds to the now-familiar girl's baggy clothes, her gray-shaded eyes gazing out from beneath the curtain at the village below. Turning the sketchpad towards his nameless companion, he smiled. "Well, what do you think? I call it 'A New Day'. "
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 15, 2009 21:28:40 GMT -5
Ayaka's breath caught. "It's... me..." she breathed, reaching out as though to touch the picture but stopping her hand before making actual contact, lest she smudge it and ruin all that hard work. Just how on earth had this man created something so amazing in such a short amount of time? The figure in the picture could only be Ameno Ayaka, and she was sure she had seen some of the buildings in the village during her wanderings. And, of course, there was no mistaking the mountain with the faces carved in it. She still wasn't sure what it was or meant, but it seemed important. Part of her wanted to say something more, but the words just wouldn't come. And so she sat transfixed, staring in awe at the picture in front of her.
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