Birthday, Exchange Program [Event]

[Titan of Stone]

Atomos the Devourer

As the sound of crashing water filtered through the valley the mocha neko laid in the water her violet hair spread around her like an aurora in the water while she waited. She had been told to come meet a shinobi from Rain who wanted to work on some things together. Ultimately Krystal didn't mind entertaining the notion, she was typically bored nowadays anyway. Her body stretched naked on the water's surface completely immune to the chill of the water while she hummed and purred content for the moment. However her ears would flick hearing someone and as her gold eyes raked across the shoreline she saw someone and rose from the water as her hair slipped around her body forming a near-black leotard as she floated above the water.

"Rain?"

[Atomos the Devourer]

It was a surprise to be assigned to a foreign exchange so soon after becoming a Ninja. Atomos didn't believe that it had done anything in particular to stand out. Actually, there was that encounter with the crab monster, but even then its contribution to the battle was minimal. It had mostly just defended against the heavily armored limbs and waited for more backup.

But it didn't mind going, so there was no reason to refuse. Reaching the designated area both on foot and in secret was a slow task though. But that was also fine. It stuck to largely safe sectors of travel, and it didn't feel as weak as it had previously. Its chakra density had increased drastically, and it thought it probably ranked as a low B on the threat scale now. Something like a journey from point A to point B should be easy. Afterwards it would, for a time, serve at the pleasure of the Stone Village's leader, as if it were one of their own Ninja.

Those were the conditions. In other words, go to the appointed location, await further instructions, and follow them to the best of its abilities.

Golden eyes met yellow, and a question was asked and answered.

"Yup. Rain."

That was the response of Atomos, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Politics were beyond its comprehension, so if a different sort of behavior was expected, it didn't know to do so.

It was of course, in its human form, so it had the appearance of a young...boy? girl? could go either way. With its glossy blue hair and nearly translucent, flawless skin it would be considered quite attractive by certain standards, if strikingly abnormal. Those standards stood quite in contrast to the tall, dark, and buxom woman it stood opposite.

So too did their choice of attire stand in stark difference, the female garbed in a revealing dark leotard while the slime wore a huge blue coat with a furred collar and cuffs, long pants, and a flowing white scarf. Though these weren't actually clothes, but part of Atomos's body sculpted by precise control over the water pressure and pigmentation inside its body. The only "real" thing about it was the simple katana it wore behind its waist.

[neko bo beko]

Name: Gross!
Rank: "D"
IIC Length: 3 Posts Minimum (each) 
Difficulty: --
Description: It might attack before you even know it's coming! A huge centipede is on the loose and it's shockingly bloodthirsty! Go for the head.
Objective: Kill the Huge Centipede (Common), 80%
Reward: 16,000 Ryo

SPOILER: Click to show

Centipede, Huge
Rank: ""
Type: Common, Fine, Vermin
Effect: Similar to its larger cousin, only smaller in size. Can deliver a poisonous bite.
Special: Preparation: ---; Duration: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Giant Centipedes are loathsome, crawling arthropods that arouse almost universal disgust from all intelligent creatures, save trolls. Its long worm-like body is divided into many segments from which protrude many tiny feet. Hence the name "centipede" or "worm with many feet." The body is covered with a chitinous shell and it moves with a slight undulating motion. The colors of the Centipede will match its terrain and function as camouflage. When hunting, Centipedes use their natural coloration to remain unseen until they can drop on their prey from above, or crawl up their pant leg or into a sleeping bag at night. Apparently not bothered by their confusing name, "Huge" Centipedes have weaker poison that immobilizes targets for 1-6 hours. They make their saving throws at -2. A Giant Centipede makes all saves at -1 due to its small size. Centipedes will fight independently of each other lacking the instinct to coordinate their actions in battle. Like most insects, Centipedes rove from place to place in search of food. They must eat once a day to supply their lengthy bodies with enough nutrition to move., and sometimes resort to cannibalism to survive. Many a horrified adventurer has encountered Centipedes just as they are about to square off and fight to the death for a meal. These Centipedes are identical to Giant Centipedes but only half as long.
Yields: The weak poison may be extracted from centipedes.
Class Points: 1; Diet: Carnivore; Intelligence: Non; Activity: Any; Alignment: Neutral; Organization: Nil; Number Appearing: 5-20; Region: Forest/Underworld; Identification: Easy; Cultivation: Easy; Skills: ---; Innate Abilities: Darkvision 20 meters. Poison.
Limit: Must know Creature Lore for Forest/Underworld Regions. 80% chance in finding.
Cost:

---

( ENTER ) Destined to disturb the bore of diplomacy and polite introductions, a pink comet whistles in from the clouds. Carving a crater into the earth between a goop of nonhuman being and a familiar provocative kenomimi, Harue rises as the dust settles with an annoyed cough. Looking no more disheveled than usual, she was only slightly inconvenienced by the crash landing, dusting herself off as she rises prettily into the sky, fluttering a few inches lower than the Tsuchikage.

Three red eyes glow, peering wide beneath a mop of shamelessly wild pink hair which tumbles long all around Harue's lithe frame. Black dress billows in sheets of iridescence, glimpses of her pale skin peaking out here and there. A blade glitters against her thigh somewhere hidden within all the silk. Blinking, two eyes scan the distance while the horizontal third at the center of her forehead observes the amalgam standing in the shape of a young human. Their nucleus reminded Harue of an old friend. Warmly, she smiles, glowering crimson fading to normal scarlet irises. Immediately her expression stones again despite her pleasant aura, and she turns away. 

Ignoring the smoldering Harue-shaped dent in the beautiful scenery, Harue twists in the air to fly up towards Krystal. Completely oblivious to whatever might be going on, she addresses the Tsuchikage incredibly informally. The pink witch had been hibernating for so long that she was only concerned with seeing an old friend. "Krystal," her voice is a warm cruel drawl, vaguely hoarse. Embracing Krystal in a quick hug, maneuvering as if the half naked presentation was nothing more than orthodox. As she pulls away from the hug, Harue searches Krstyal's face, but the third at her forehead rolls restlessly in its socket. "I'm looking for Ōmo. Apologies for the crashed party, but I'm certain he's around here... Somewhere." Her third eye stills long enough to glow red, but sputters dead. Harue winces.

token ticker: 1

[Titan of Stone]

The Tsuchikage blinked and tilted her head her body shifting into a sitting position her chin on her hand and her elbow on her knee as her gold eyes pierced the non-human curiously taking note of the uniform structure and the blob in the center, also the lack of bones while her ears couldn't hear a heartbeat.

"Hm squishy, one of my girls is like you, but wind rather than water~" She hummed politely unbothered after finding the core of it. "You can ease up if that form makes you uncomfortable."

However Krystal's ears twitched upon hearing a sharp whistling sound coming toward them and if it seemed too close she would blink away unharmed, she figured the water kid could reassimilate like Kahimi. However as it made land fall Krystal was a moment away from locking the being in an earth cage before she saw a familiar pink hue that made her eyes widen.

"Krys-" Like a bolt from the blue Krystal tackled Harue back into her crater purring loud as she nuzzles into her bestest friend giggling before sitting up straddling her hips while her tail flicked excitedly, the neko noticeably more built compared to the last time they had met, and the black stripe tattoos covering her body, and the small crown of horns hidden beneath her hair. She noted the third random eye rolling around glowing red and the Tsuchikage had an urge to smack it and catch the red light before it came to a stop ending her urge.

"Is everything okay? I don't mind helping out." The neko hummed carefree before she looked up at the the edge of crater-Harue. "Hey squishy do you mind tagging along? There's probably some experience in it."

[Sabo]

”C” Rank: These missions are usually assigned to Chūnin, or in some cases, Genin. Assignments include bodyguard duty and hunting wild animals, all of which will likely pose some risk to the Ninja.
Reward for Non-Ninja: 17,500 Ryo to 35,000 Ryo per person.
Reward for Ninja: 19,250 to 38,500 per person.

You're being underpaid...

Also if you don't know Creature Lore for Forest/Underworld Regions, then you cant search for the Centipede.
Better train it now, but only auto mastering.

Also for anyone who forgot, with Luck your rolls get better. For every 2 Points applied to Luck, +2% to Search Rolls.

[neko bo beko]

Name: Gross!
Rank: "D"
IIC Length: 3 Posts Minimum (each)
Difficulty: --
Description: It might attack before you even know it's coming! A huge centipede is on the loose and it's shockingly bloodthirsty! Go for the head.
Objective: Kill the Huge Centipede (Common), 80%
Reward: 19,000 Ryo

//ooc: mmmhmmmm. it's a d rank, but upped the price anyway <3

[Sabo]

Mission Approved.

[Atomos the Devourer]

Tokens: 2


Atomos's "face" remained steadily neutral, but its thoughts were a whirl of confusion.

They could tell so casually, so easily. How was this possible? Was there a flaw in the transformation? Was it dripping? It was frustrated, and more than a little angry. What was even the point of trying to fit in with Humans if this was going to be the result?

But then again, neither the apparent leader of the Stone Village, nor this third party were doing anything to conceal their strength. They were both walking absurdities, ranking above S on the threat scale, a position reserved for only great heroes and apocalyptically powerful monsters. Atomos had zero doubt that either of them alone could level a city as easily as breathing.

Perhaps it was being so much weaker than them that left them so relaxed around it. So long as it did its best to stay on their good side, everything would probably be fine.

"I don't mind. I wasn't told anything more specific than to just be available for whatever this is all just a part of that. I think. Probably. Maybe."

[neko bo beko]

Really, Harue should have anticipated a particularly impatient Krystal, leaving the pink goddess nearly no time to speak her arrival. Despite attempts to cut her words short however, a floating Harue remained overhead as Krystal phased through her. Knocking a second Harue out of the sky but not the words from her lungs, Harue's voice mingles twice now. Managing a short laugh from beneath the towering woman engulfing her in embrace, it speaks as the other finishes. "Everything is something, at least." 

Sitting up a little, a steadying hand soothing over her throbbing skull, Harue's third eye twitches and rolls painfully. "Okay is subjective however. Just a bit... foggy, I suppose. Thank you." An understatement. After hibernating for nearly 2 years, the allseer was feeling more than a little blocked. The Harue still floating overhead was silent, eyes a dull glow as she scans for her pink steed. The third eye convulsed and twitched, straining, the past and future overlapping the present and the realms a blinding dizzy. Her haunting cackles from somewhere but she cannot see him. Annoying. She could not see.

The more interactive Harue beneath Krystal floats up from the crater, blending past Krystal and picking the ton of woman up breezily without touch to set her safely upon the grass beside her as she too steps down to face Squishy. Harue gestures vaguely, her slender fingers appearing and disappearing in her long black garbs. "Told?" She parrots, curious. "So fate is not the catalyst. Perhaps we were all summoned against the odds for.. something." 

An annoyed and perplexed expression wrinkles the woman's face, something behind her third eye screaming deja vu. She could not place it. Too blocked. But she was sure... this was familiar. Cosmic, even. And nearly culturally recurring.

token ticker: 2

---

Searching for Huge Centipede, 80% (+2%) Chance to Find
Qi4tKxNN1-100

1-100

[Titan of Stone]

Hearing the duality in her voice Krystal looked back up to see another Harue blinking softly as the other one hugged her back before they floated out of the crater and onto the grass. Al though she blinked looking between them as the conversation turned into some fate metaphysical meaning thing that made Krystal's focus zone out before she got up and stretched.

"Well thanks for the help~ I don't really get all that greater purpose stuff, I'm me and that's all I can be~" The Tsuchikage hummed with a smile, much more spirited than a minute ago as she glanced up at the other Harue as well.

"Alright I'll try something if he's around I think he'll come." Krystal surmised before floating up into the air past the other Harue and ran her chakra through her body burning some of her calories to make her body expand rapidly in the sky until the floating titan bathed the valley in shadow.

"OMO!!! HARUE IS HERE!!!" Krystal called out probably covering a large swath of the mountains and the wilderness surrounding them. Once she had exhausted her breath she popped back down to normal falling towards the earth lazily and slowing to a hover by the floating Harue glancing back and forth. "Now we wait?~"

[Atomos the Devourer]

Tokens: 3
Mission Progress: 2/3

Go with the flow.

That, in short, was the policy Atomos was going to be following for the time being. Mostly, perhaps, because it had absolutely no idea what was happening anymore. Really it felt like a bit of a third wheel here. Maybe introductions were in order? It manipulated the water pressure in its facial region to twist its expression into a bright smile.


"I'm Atomos Juryoku, representing Rain."

Just let the moment wash over you, accepting it all and moving beyond. Yes. This is the perfect way to handle things.

It could always reassess things if the situation spiraled too far out of control.

[neko bo beko]

If Harue's brain throbbed before, it was certainly a piercing resonance of mush rattling around in her skull now. Both Harues seem to take the pain, wincing. The one Krystal floats beside shoots her a look, caught somewhere between amused and astonished. Not only had what anything she said gone over her head, but she also greatly underestimated the pink beast's threshold for inconvenience. "If only it were so easy, tennen..."

"Atomos Juryoku of Ame, excuse me. I am..." The Harue of the ground smiles as sweetly as she can, but the witch only ever looks cruel. She offers a hand to shake, but her third eye flashes wild and stares down at Atomos momentarily before rolling around and shooting in one direction, fixated somewhere over the kid's shoulder. "Hmm.. postpone the introductions actually. Incoming..."

Something in the distance, though she could not make it out quite yet through the fading astral planes, was surely on the move. Far enough away that perhaps it would not prove threatening quite yet, but it required at least some focus. Both Harues look pointedly towards it, two hands in unison finding the hilt of her katana beneath her fabrics.

token ticker: 3

[Titan of Stone]

"Tennen?" The neko tilts her head innocently noting the pain but not necessarily her vulnerability to sound. Her attention then returned to squishy and the brighter Harue as it introduced itself to them. Granted as Harue was beginning to return the gesture she paused and the cat watched her attention shift before they reached for their blades. With a soft pout the neko floated down to the ground before her feet touched the grass and she started to stretch popping her neck while her eyes and ears focused again while her presence spread through the earth underfoot.

Black smoke slowly began to drift off the Tsuchikage and the black stripes along her skin seemed to waver like fire as she stood at the point ready to tank for her friend and companion.

[Atomos the Devourer]

Tokens 4
Mission Progress: 3/3

Atomos needed to improve its threat detection. It needed to improve many things, but that was just another thing to add to the list. The evidence: its companions had already begun preparing for combat against an as yet unseen foe.

Following their lead, it drew its sword and took up a defensive posture - two-handed grip, blade centered to the body, held low and out with the tip pointing slightly forward. Its legs were spread on both the x and z axis, allowing for a redistribution of weight to propel itself in any direction as needed. Assuming the enemy came from the direction the group was facing, it should have no difficulties reacting to any initial attack, though after that the situation was less clear.

Adjusting the water pressure and chakra in its body, it prepared to launch a counterattack of its own. As soon as a target was made apparent, it could briefly take one hand off the hilt of the slim weapon and launch a slicing projectile of water laced with a paralytic substance. The brief opening that could provide should be more than enough to ensure a clean strike for the humanoid natural disasters it found itself accompanying.

[neko bo beko]

Forming a triangle of sorts, the second Harue floating overhead with red flickering eyes, Harue was silently fed information about the formation's surroundings without having to look through the Tasukeru herself. After only a few moments of their shared combat-ready stances, the floating Harue's lips part around a quiet gasp. The Tasukeru unnaturally difficult to navigate, she had almost missed it.

The skittering of a great many legs thrummed through the area, sending Harue into an epiphany flashback of mountains and towers manifested of scorpions. Her skin bristles. This was what it was! It was the thing! The cosmic occurrence that spanned across different realities, an overlap between the second and third and fourth dimensions! How could she have forgotten? Tokens, candies, rewards! Bizarre. Her third eye strains to see again after the realization.

Strangled for time and comprehension, the witch berates herself for her delay. "Below us!" Harue bellows moments before the earth explodes upwards, sending rock and debris and a mist of water skyward. It breaks up from directly beneath Harue and she disappears in a lackluster seeping of pink, leaving only the fluttering doppleganger behind.

token ticker: 4

[Titan of Stone]

She felt it enter her area but before she could lock down the earth the bug broke through sending them up into the air, while it did little to rattle the cat her eyes narrowed and her shadow seemed to peel off of her becoming a wraith in the air along side the Tsuchikage. A quick look around confirmed the other's locations before she focused back on the bug that had broke free from the earth she had dominion over.

Without that old bravado or show off attitude she had years ago, Krystal and the wraith twisted their bodies and dove down merging into a powerful black drill that would crush the bug if it didn't get splattered everywhere around them and carving a more impressive cavern in her wake.

//ooc: heaven twin fang

[Sabo]

Mission Completed.

Ryo has been awarded.

[Atomos the Devourer]

Name: Gross!
Rank: "D"
IIC Length: 3 Posts Minimum (each)
Difficulty: --
Description: It might attack before you even know it's coming! A huge centipede is on the loose and it's shockingly bloodthirsty! Go for the head.
Objective: Kill the Huge Centipede (Common), 80%
Reward: 19,000 Ryo

Centipede, Huge
Rank: ""
Type: Common, Fine, Vermin
Effect: Similar to its larger cousin, only smaller in size. Can deliver a poisonous bite.
Special: Preparation: ---; Duration: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Giant Centipedes are loathsome, crawling arthropods that arouse almost universal disgust from all intelligent creatures, save trolls. Its long worm-like body is divided into many segments from which protrude many tiny feet. Hence the name "centipede" or "worm with many feet." The body is covered with a chitinous shell and it moves with a slight undulating motion. The colors of the Centipede will match its terrain and function as camouflage. When hunting, Centipedes use their natural coloration to remain unseen until they can drop on their prey from above, or crawl up their pant leg or into a sleeping bag at night. Apparently not bothered by their confusing name, "Huge" Centipedes have weaker poison that immobilizes targets for 1-6 hours. They make their saving throws at -2. A Giant Centipede makes all saves at -1 due to its small size. Centipedes will fight independently of each other lacking the instinct to coordinate their actions in battle. Like most insects, Centipedes rove from place to place in search of food. They must eat once a day to supply their lengthy bodies with enough nutrition to move., and sometimes resort to cannibalism to survive. Many a horrified adventurer has encountered Centipedes just as they are about to square off and fight to the death for a meal. These Centipedes are identical to Giant Centipedes but only half as long.
Yields: The weak poison may be extracted from centipedes.
Class Points: 1; Diet: Carnivore; Intelligence: Non; Activity: Any; Alignment: Neutral; Organization: Nil; Number Appearing: 5-20; Region: Forest/Underworld; Identification: Easy; Cultivation: Easy; Skills: ---; Innate Abilities: Darkvision 20 meters. Poison.
Limit: Must know Creature Lore for Forest/Underworld Regions. 80% chance in finding.
Cost:

Tokens: 12
Mission Progress: 1/3

The enemy came not from the front as expected based on the reactions of its allies, but from below. Was it really possible to catch even people on that level off guard like this?

It ended up not mattering. The dark, chesty woman shredded the giant centipede as if it wasn't even there. These creatures should learn how to assess a threat before attacking next time. If it was just Atomos alone, it might have stood a chance, but against heroes of the caliber that could reshape the environment with pure force, something as weak as this had no right to act aggressively.

Atomos tapped the shattered corpse lightly with its "foot", shrugging bemusedly. "And that's why you shouldn't go after prey stronger than yourself, dumbass.

"Anyway, as agreed, I'll be at your service for a while. What do you want to do?"

[neko bo beko]

"Apologies," Harue murmurs, the glow of all three eyes fizzling weakly as she descends, singular again with a hand to her forehead. "I am not used to being so blind." It's not until Atomos gloats aggressively over it does Harue pay much mind to the destroyed critter, finding herself a little surprised by the words spoken by such a fragile nuclei. Her eyes fix on it, and then its molded face, eyesets blinking out of sync. "Prey often lashes out against predator, provoke or frighten it enough."

While the third begins to dart wildly around again, Harue sweeps her orthodox gaze casually along as Atomos mutters on. This was not her arrangement, not her party; she was only the crasher, so she found it impolite to give him orders involving any type of service. Instead she glides waywardly towards Krystal, comforted by their familiarity where she felt lonely without her pink beast. Whenever she'd responded to the Ame ninja, Harue addressed her solely. "Thank you, by the way. Surely Ōmo heard you, call or obliteration." She referred to Krystal's display of prowess with warmth, but she was still transparently distracted. Regardless, she managed a smile of gratitude and brief eye contact.

token ticker: 12

---

Searching for Huge Centipede, 80% (+2%) Chance to Find
rk9jE4p51-100

1-100

[Titan of Stone]

Thanks to the centrifugal force Krystal was left with nary a hair out of place as she flew back up through the carcass and cavern returning to the other two to see squishy kicking it. "Ignorance is bliss, you don't know what'll kill you until it does."

The neko mutters for a moment a faint red tinge in her gold eyes like blood on a coin as her attention flicked between them and a smile came back across her face like nothing happened. "Well on the plus side, I had requests coming in to cull the aggressive animals in the area so you both can get some money out of this while we wait for Omo to show up, they probably think a dinner bell was ringing."