strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Nov 19, 2009 23:39:24 GMT -5
"It's a little off the beaten path....a bit on the smaller side......and quiet. Bit of a haven for those of us more comfortable with our own thoughts." He explained with a smile, turning down a street. "You'll see. Not to far away, actually."
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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 21, 2009 18:24:37 GMT -5
Ayaka nodded. A quiet place sounded nice; she liked Konoha so far, but the noise and the sheer size of the place could be overwhelming at best. Such a place would likely be more comfortable than the businesses she'd been looking into, which were - for the most part - located on main roads. .... but was it just her, or were these surroundings beginning to look a little familiar....?
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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 21, 2009 19:03:02 GMT -5
Well now THAT was curious. Ryuurei paused in their travel to examine a stretch of fence that was damaged. Granted, this wouldn't be all that uncommon considering the current circumstances, but this particular stretch of fence was NOT damaged the other day when he passed by. And certainly not in this fashion. Not only were several planks of wood that had been shattered, but the points of impact seemed to be scorched as well. "Curious...what kind of thug could have done this?"
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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 21, 2009 19:10:13 GMT -5
"Not a thug," Ayaka corrected quietly, surveying the pieces of scattered fence. So they hadn't cleaned up around here yet; well, it had been only yesterday that everything had happened. "Not a thug," she repeated, "just a very energetic person. Sometimes he... gets a little excited, I guess. He can actually be very kind when he calms down."
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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 21, 2009 19:27:31 GMT -5
"Hmm?" Blinking in confusion, Ryuurei looked down to her. "You know the person responsible for this?" "Huuchu!" You alright? Yes...that was strange..Maybe it was just nerves. He had managed to find his way back to the Administration Building Takeo had shown him the day before. It had taken awhile, but it was no less swarming with people today than it had been then. "Maybe...this is a bad idea..She's probably very busy...They'd probably laugh at me for wanting to speak with 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
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Nov 21, 2009 19:38:25 GMT -5
Ayaka nodded. "He's a... friend... of mine," she explained, though she sounded more amazed to be even using the word than she did comfortable or even confident in its usage. "Normally he's really quiet and always acts really polite, but then yesterday something weird happened, and now he's back to normal." All of this was spoken as though it were perfectly normal for one's friends to experience random and drastic changes in personality... and even identity. Kaori sighed to herself, brushing a bit of stray hair out of her face before getting back to work. She was in one of the spare offices - as she had not yet been sworn in as Hokage, and with her predecessor's funeral not even begun yet, simply moving into the office that would be hers very soon just did not seem right at the moment - sorting through the Ninth's paperwork. Records, contracts, recommendations from the elders, and every other sort of document imaginable were stacked around the room in file boxes, though a few crates held various scrolls and an immense stack of reference books sat within reach of her seat behind a simple but sturdy writing desk. At one side of the room, Akina sat at her own table, sorting various documents so that Kaori would be able to view the most important ones first. The woman was a lifesaver; there was no other word for it. If not for Akina's superb organizational skills, this room would likely have been one gigantic mountain of paper by now. Of course, there were always people bustling in and out, bringing in more boxes or asking her input on some job or another, but for the most part, Kaori was lost in her work. There was so much to do, and all of it needed to be done yesterday. Would they never get back on track?
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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 21, 2009 20:10:12 GMT -5
"Sounds like quite the character. Perhaps he had a high fever or something? That's been known to make people act strange...though..I'm no doctor." Ryuurei chuckled softly..there HAD been one time, several years back... Clearing his throat slightly, he continued. "Well. As a friend, I suggest you inform him that he should try and maintain his polite behavior. It's much more accepted around here than causing more work for the carpenters. Shall we continue?" Making a sweeping gesture, he made a mental note of the information. The new Hokage might want to hear about that, after all. Heading down the road, it was not too long before the small cafe, Help Wanted sign still in the window, came into view, restoring the casual smile to his face. If you don't do it, y'know I will..hehe..Utsuro began to shuffle purposefully towards the building, weaving as best he could through the throng of people. For once, his perpetual drawn-in posture proved to be useful. The doors loomed ahead, heart pounding in his ears. Go to the front desk. Ask a simple question. "I can do this.."
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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 21, 2009 20:41:50 GMT -5
Ayaka nodded. "I already did," she explained quite calmly. "I threw one of those planks at him. He stopped after that." She still couldn't believe she had done that. A few moments later, and they were approaching a very familiar-looking cafe. "Ah!" she exclaimed, eyes going wide. "This place is...!" Takeo yawned, stepping out of a side corridor and making his way into the main lobby. He'd only just now been dismissed for lunch, and he was starving! Of course, with all this work to do, it wasn't like he could take a very long break. He'd have to eat quick and --- And ask why the heck Tsutomegi was shuffling towards the lobby! Whatever he wanted here, he wasn't likely to get past the front desk; things were so busy right now, only the most important issues would make it past the lobby and maybe and errand runner. And so Takeo did the only thing he could think of: he waited for his friend to reach the doors, then grabbed the other boy by the arm as soon as he stepped inside and hauled him off to the side. "Tsutomegi! What are you doing here?" he asked, surprise clear on his face.
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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 21, 2009 21:01:43 GMT -5
"You are...a very interesting person, Miss Ayaka." Chuckling, he nudged the spectacles back up his nose slightly after a brisk shake of the head. There was no way she could have been lying about that. The statement was said with too much conviction and a casual tone. Besides that, she really had no reason to lie to him, now did she? "Oh, you're familiar with the place? I've always been rather fond of it. The atmosphere is very relaxed and quiet, perfect for when one wishes to enjoy a good cup of tea and silent introspection." With a smile, he pushed the door open and waited for his young companion to step inside. "Uwah!" Stumbling slightly, the Tsutomegi boy was surprised to be hastily pulled aside the moment he entered the building. Here we go! Or-"Oh...T-takeo-sama...it's you.." Saaaouuunnova.... Tch. Next time for sure."I was.....just...going to see...that is....I wanted to inquire...." He stammered, trying to calm himself back down. "W-what I had to do....to speak with the new Hokage.....in the near future..that is...Surely she is too busy with..m-more important matters of course..."
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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 21, 2009 21:25:10 GMT -5
"We came here yesterday," Ayaka explained, "after the medics let us leave the tent. The people here are really nice, but we couldn't stay very long." ... wait... ... had that been.... a sign in the window? How could she have not noticed that before!? "Ah, Ryuurei-kun!" a friendly, familiar woman's voice said from the back of the cafe. When Ayaka looked, the kind, grandmotherly woman from last night was stepping out from behind the counter with a pair of menus in hand. "How can I help you?""Are you kidding?" Takeo asked. "The people in this building are crazy. The way you look down all the time, you'll probably get run over, and most people's requests don't make it past the first floor anyways." Not that that would mean anything to anyone who didn't know the layout of the building. "Listen," he sighed, "I can get you upstairs without getting run over, but it's up to you what you do once I tell you where the office is. I'm actually on a really short break, so I have to get back soon, but you're not likely to get in trouble unless you go trying to break into sealed rooms or something."
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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 22, 2009 20:07:35 GMT -5
"Ahh~, Oba-chan! As ever, you are a lovely oasis in the harshest of deserts!" Ryuurei grinned, sweeping close to the elderly woman and pulling her into a hug. "Are you ready to ditch Oji-san and run away with me yet?" "But today, it is not about what you can do for me, it is what I can do for you!" The flamboyant artist continued with a pointed finger. Sliding back over to his companion, his hands gently resting on her shoulders as he moved her forward a bit. "For you, my dear, are in need of assistance, and I just happen to have a lovely young lady in need of a job~." "Why...would it matter what...floor we were on? And.. I do not wish to take up your break...surely you have been working hard.." Utsuro mumbled, slightly flustered. Besides that, why was he not 'likely' to get in trouble?? Was Takeo trying to do something he wasn't supposed to?! "But..I do not....like getting run over.."
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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 22, 2009 20:20:47 GMT -5
Ayaka barely took notice of the kind woman laughing and rolling her eyes at this Ryuurei-san's behavior before she found herself being pushed forward. Instinct screamed at her to hide, but in his grip as she was, the best she could do was to draw in on herself and look at the floor, causing even more of her hair to slip forward to hide her face. How embarrassing! "Oh, let go," the grandmotherly woman's voice said from the other side of that red-orange curtain, and Ayaka could vaguely see her form moving closer. "Look at the poor dear; she's terrified. Come on, have a seat, the both of you, and let's have a little chat. Can I get you anything?""Exactly," Takeo agreed with a nod, totally ignoring Tsutomegi's protests, before taking hold of his arm again and leading him through the lobby to what appeared to be a side door, which seemed to be relatively unnoticed. "C'mon, I'll take you upstairs. She's not in the Hokage's office, but I ran a couple things up there earlier, so I know where she is working." He pulled the door open, revealing what appeared to be some sort of back staircase, possibly of the kind used by maintenance workers for easy access, and shut it again as soon as they were both inside. "A few of us have been going up and down this way," he explained as he began heading up, "since the main stairs are pretty dangerous with all the people. For some reason, not many people think to use these back ways. This'll get us upstairs really quickly, and a lot safer."
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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 22, 2009 20:41:54 GMT -5
"Of course, of course. Do forgive me, you know I'm excitable." Grinning, he pulled out a chair at one of the nearby tables for Ayaka. "Some tea would be wonderful, though. Anything for you, Ayaka-chan?" "I...I see..." Nodding, he really had no choice but to follow along. Safe was good, though. Utsuro liked 'safe'. A lot. "Sometimes....people...do not always see the easiest paths in front of them...because they are so busy running around looking for it.." The odd young man commented as he followed his sudden escort up the stairs. He could not help but feel a little bad...surely there was someone else down in the lobby who was better deserving of this shortcut through the madness.
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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 22, 2009 20:50:11 GMT -5
"Uhm... maybe... some water, please," Ayaka replied softly, doing her best to sink into the booth. To her surprise, though, the elderly woman's hand reached out and took a gentle-yet-firm grip on her wrist, and Ayaka could hear her make a very displeased sound. "I noticed this when you came in last night," she sighed, seeming slightly outraged at.... something (though Ayaka wasn't sure what). "You're far too skinny, dear. Have you had lunch yet?""Well, no," Ayaka began, "But I don't ha--" "Well, we'll just have to get some real food into you then, now won't we? Now you two dears just sit tight, and I'll be right back."And the woman was gone, menus still in hand, and Ayaka could only blink after her. What on earth had just happened? Takeo nodded. "Very true," he agreed. "Of course, there are also people who don't even bother looking because they're so busy doing what they've always done. I think most of those crazy people out there are the second kind. So why do you want to talk to the Hokage so soon? Is this about the Academy?"
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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 22, 2009 21:04:34 GMT -5
Ryuurei just chuckled softly, having a seat himself. "Oba-chan is sharp as a tack, you'd be surprised what she picks up on. Half the reason this place came to mind, really. Someone to work for, and someone who'd have your best interests in mind as well." "The Academy...yes...and...the village too...I would.....have to be living here officially...before they would even consider letting me in the Academy, after all..and...time is important.." He finished somewhat cryptically as they scaled the stairs. "But I will understand...if she does not have the time.."
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