A break from waiting (T and O)

[zarak729]

Just across the street from the Taki no Kuni Embassy was a quaint little Japanese restaurant. Upon making his way inside Zakari was greeted by a cute, petite server in a kimono who ushered him into a booth next to window. Thankfully he had had the foresight to wear his cloak over the kimono, otherwise she would be treating him as a member of the same sex. Added to that would be the number of young (in most cases) males who would attempt to buy him a drink and/or flirt with him in a very obvious attempt to get into his pants (kimono). After providing him with a menu filled with the names of dishes he hadn't even heard of, she went away to tend to slightly disheveled and intoxicated man who had just entered. By the coherency of his words and the way he walked, he wasn't drunk enough to be 'escorted' outside by the patron of this fine establishment. 

Zakari turned back to the menu, scanning the columns for anything that he would have eaten back at home, in the Leaf Village. In doing so he noticed the fancy font used to add a refined touch in addition to the color scheme of gold and silver, along the borders of the pages. These features had the effect of making him feel that the slightly high prices of the dishes were worth their cost, a common trick used by many establishments such as this. However Zakari did not mind, he had brought Ryo enough to indulge any of his cravings. Putting the menu away he diverted his attention to the decor instead. The tables were made out of polished blackwood. Smooth and no evidence of misuse present on its surface. Which was odd. Leaning down and giving the table a sniff, detecting a hint of walnuts. Of course, walnut oil was used to treat scratches so well that it could eliminate them completely, and by eliminate he meant make it extremely hard to notice.

The sound a gasp disrupted Zakari's train of thought. It was certainly a feminine gasp, it had that underlying shrillness that males could not produce so easily. He didn't need to look up to tell that the person, gasping in question, was the very same server who had shown him to his seat, not so long ago. No detective work involved, she had been the only female inside this quite empty restaurant when he had entered and since then no one else had entered, aside the man of questionable mental state. Speaking of him it seemed that this very individual had attempted an act of a perverted nature on the server, who was blushing and stammering out an apology for nothing that was of her fault. The man had now reached a level of intoxication that was not tolerated, evidenced by the few bottles of beer he had polished off in the short time he had been here. And now he was acting most unsuited for a gentleman towards a rather distressed server who didn't know who to turn for help.

A smile crept up on his face, as wide as it was sudden . . .

SPOILER: Click to show

Observation

Rank: "E"

Skill: Skill

Effect: This skill focuses certain powers of observation - sight, smell, hearing, and touch.

Special: ---

Drawback: ---

Description: Can be learned by an Animal. A failed check indicates that the character is oblivious until the thing is pointed out to him. This skill is important for ferreting out advancing enemies or ambushes, generally real-time events and actions occurring, versus scrutiny, which covers static objects or areas. A Game Master may roll an Observation skill check for a Character any time there is an NPC, monster, event or happening that a character might notice, even if he did not specifically state that he is monitoring his surroundings. Characters are capable of noticing any event within their perception. Observation reveals only facts, not motivation. Each time learned user gets 1 die roll to increase the skill. If you are Schooled in Anthropology you gain a +10% synergy bonus with Observation checks that involve noticing disguise checks.

Limit: ---

0/5 TP 15/125 SP

[Father 'Suke]

+5 TP
+5 SP
20|125

[zarak729]

((Thanks...now another C rank *shudders*))

Phantasm Perception

Rank: "C"

Skill: GenJutsu

Effect: Jutsu allows the user to perform Phantasm Perceptions.

Special: ---

Drawback: ---

Description: Phantasms can only be perceived by the user and target, unlike the previous 3 Perceptions. The impression created by a Phantasm exists only in the mind and is personalized for everyone perceiving it. All phantasms are therefore, Mind-Affecting Jutsus. Nightmare is a good example of such a Phantasm. If you want to keep your actions secret from everyone but your subjects, Phantasm is a good choice, whether you want to frighten or to deliver a message.

Limit: ---

00/30 TP

Genjutsu . . . The art of illusions . . . One of the best forte's a shinobi could possess . . . And he had supposedly inherited a 'talent' for this . . .

There were many branches of Genjutsu, each which had different effects of the victims they were cast on. From making their worst nightmares unfold between their very eyes to invoking feelings of love and hate to causing pain of the most unimaginable kind, Genjutsu was an art not to be taken lightly. Phantasms were a branch of Genjutsu that affected only those he selected, unlike Pattern Genjutsus which could be observed by everyone in the area. Right now the object of his irk was a lone drunk, pervert, not the girl he was attempting to feel up. Perfect, no need for her to get involved in what he was about to do . . .

Phantasms affected the mind of the victims, causing them to see and feel things that weren't there. Fear. He wanted to put fear into this uncouth man for attempting such dishonorable acts. Bringing his hands together, the index and middle fingers vertical and the thumb pointing in the opposite direction, while he folded the ring and pinky finger inside, he formed a seal. The seal was not a requirement, however they helped him focus and concentrate while allowing for the most effective chakra control. That was one of the core fundamentals behind Genjutsu, chakra control.

Keeping his gaze locked on the back of the drunks head Zakari let the irritation and anger he felt towards him ebb away. There was no room in casting Genjutsu for emotion. Keeping a cool and clear mind allowed him greater grasp over his chakra system. Slow and deep breaths, minor movement, blocking out all distractions such as the hubbub from the busy street outside, all were done one by one, all outside interference had to be eliminated for his first time. Over time he would learn how to cast Genjutsu by merely forming the required handseals. However right now he was taking his first step into this skill so for now it would be a cumbersome process.

Chakra, he could feel it running throughout his system, unbridled and unrestricted. More finesse was required, still. His hands shifted from their previous seal to form a new one, fingers interlaced between each other, palms together forming a ball, left thumb resting atop the right one. The former seal was one he used to eliminate external distractions and allow him to get a feel of his chakra system, this one was exclusively meant for control over the chakra system. And right now he needed the chakra racing through his body to slow down, making it easier to manipulate. 

It was a strange feeling, he was not used to his chakra system moving at a pace that matched his slow and steady breathing and heartbeat. But now he could proceed to the next step, identifying the recipient of his technique. The method behind casting Genjutsu was to manipulate and affect the chakra system of the victim in a way which would allow him to see, hear and feel things that weren't there. No need for sensor techniques, the man was sitting a few tables away, right in front of his. A visual on him was good enough for something of this level. The server had retreated back into the kitchen so there was no risk of collateral damage.

Almost there. Now he needed to program his chakra to deliver a set of instructions that he would transmit to the drunks system. The nerves, specifically the ones in the brain would start reacting in such a way upon the senses to produce the desired effect. The effect he was going for was fear, so that was the feeling he had to input. He isolated the feeling, having felt fear before (who hadn't) and expanded on it, and imbuing his chakra with the feeling, making sure not to let it affect him at all or he would be the target of his own Genjutsu. After the emotion was saturated within his chakra it was time to dish it out. Keeping the drunk in his view he commanded his chakra to surge again, building it up and releasing it as a stream, which was heading straight for the drunk . . . 

[zarak729]

((Second post))

The chakra traveled through the air, from Zakari's chakra system to the drunks, altering the flow of chakra in his body, which would in turn affect the nerves in the brain to produce the desired result. It was not going to be an instantaneous process however. Zakari had been sending his chakra in small, intermittent packets rather than one continuous stream. Chakra was never transmitted from one point to another at a 100 percent efficiency, some was always lost to the surroundings. Seeing as chakra was a form of energy it would follow some of the basic rules as other forms of energy such as heat and sound. These 'packets' were concentrated 'balls' of chakra, with the greatest amount located in the middle of each 'ball'/'packet'. 

Their small shape made it easier and quicker for the transmission to occur, which was ideal for their purpose. However this meant that he would have to target the drunk with a consecutive stream of individual 'packets', as a few 'packets' on their own were not enough to take control over the mans chakra system. Also despite the fact that this man was clearly no ninja and didn't have a fully developed chakra system as ninjas did, he had to take into account the mans intoxicated state of mind. Alcohol fogged the mind and made it harder to influence from external methods, therefore it was a buffer against his attempt at Genjutsu against him. However it wouldn't protect him for long.

Just as Zakari could feel himself resorting to scouring up the dregs of chakra that were left in his system, for the next wave of, he noticed something. The incoherent ramblings that the drunk man had been spewing to himself not so long ago had quietened down. As the drunk was sitting with his back to him Zakari couldn't gauge his expression, however he could see the man was holding his current bottle of beer in both his hands. Possibly he was lost in thought. It was impossible to tell. Had his attempt at invoking fear succeeded or not? Would he have to try again? And as if to answer his question the chime of the bell sounded, signalling that another customer had entered the restaurant. But that was not caught Zakari's attention.

At the very instant the metallic ring of the bell had resonated throughout the establishment the drunk had given a small jump and then turned his head towards to source of the noise with astonishing speed. Zakari took note of his face which had betrayed the fear he felt inside his mind. There was a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, his pupils were dilated, face had fallen pale and by the movements of his chest it was apparent that he was breathing heavily. All the common signs and symptoms of someone who was soon to wet themselves. But he did not go so far, after seeing the origin of the stimuli, his face relaxed as did his body and mannerisms. A few seconds later, the downing of beer bottles could be heard. The fear was short lived, not near enough to the level he wished to inspire within this man.

So Zakari leaned back and sighed, the exhaustion of his efforts washing over him, threatening to drive him into taking a nap. That urge for rest washed away as the drunk made a very rude and filthy comment to the server girl as she had appeared to usher this new guest. The glowing red blush which had spread on her cheeks was accompanied with an expression of discomfort, and not being able to do anything about it. His strength, mental and physical, were renewed with the will to reattempt and succeed in his efforts. Also, the next way to proceed had been made clear, it was rather simple though it would be a bother. But no risk, no gain.

"Hey. Mind if I join you?" The drunk had no say in the matter as Zakari slid into seat, across his table. Abandoning the cloak and now in his kimono, also adding the fact that the man was slightly hammered, Zakari would seem like a viable candidate to hit on. No doubt his presence would be appreciated by the drunk. However he was not here to listen to his exaggerated stories of his wealth and looks. No, a closer seat, which was as close he was getting to this slob, meant less distance for his chakra to travel before reaching the man. Therefore more chakra to be used on his Genjutsu effects. The difference was astronomical and perhaps he may have to dial down his attempts, didn't want to scare this man into a heart attack. As the drunk fool slurred his words together, weaving unintelligible tapestries to tempt this pretty thing into accompany him home, Zakari allowed his words to wash over him, his irritation and rage melting away once more as he prepared for one more attempt . . .

[Father 'Suke]

C-ranks aren't all that bad Z.

+20

[zarak729]

"And then . . . I showed him why I-I'm da bosss . . ."

One would wonder how Zakari managed to keep his head cool, calm and collected as this vain drunk went on and on about himself, alternating between downing bottles and sprouting out rubbish in a drunken haze. It took a Herculean amount of concentration, as Zakari kept a straight face, while making going through the before mentioned process of blocking out distractions and controlling his chakra. The handseals he performed under the table, knowing that it would give him away if he did them in plain sight. Yet it still look him twice as longer than last time, before he was in any state to cast Genjutsu again. The smile that he had worn to keep the drunk off track was threatening to let loose a stream of profanities and his hands tempted to make their way around his neck and squeeze. It was safe to say that Zakari wasn't going to hold back this time.

It was time to input the feelings and emotions he wanted to invoke into his chakra. Fear wasn't enough this time, he had to be more specific. Why not bring in his other senses as well? First, the sense of sight. It was too complicated to bring up a wasteland this ass deserved to belonged in so perhaps something different was in order. Why not make himself the object of his fears? Yes that would do nicely. Zakari was more than acquainted with the details of his own face, having created it from scratch. First the eyes, why not cry crimson tears out of them each time he blinked? The skin would turn chalk white and slowly start to rot and fall away, leaving the exposed flesh to turn rancid. The hair turn white and wither away into dust, leaving a bald head behind, covered in scabs so life like one could puke.

He would have an incentive to smile wider, seeing as his teeth would no longer be white but rather yellow fangs with bits of red in between, remnants of a recent meal. A hollow voice would emanate whenever he spoke, that would echo. As Zakari imagined each new feature the drunk would sure to see, he imbibed each one with a sense of fear and dread. The entire transformation was mapped out in his mind, step by step, like a short movie. Instead of a simple command to produce fear this time he would have a face to go with it. However now there was a new problem, he couldn't transmit this new Genjutsu in 'packets' like before, breaking it down into separate pieces would ruin all his efforts. One way left, he would have to transmit the entire thing all at once, as one would a proper Genjutsu technique.

Zakari took a deep breath and relaxed himself, gathering up all his chakra into one 'ball'. Hands shaking as he concentrated, gathering up all his chakra, down to very last dregs, and compressed it into one proper 'ball' to transmit. Visibly trembling from the effort he suddenly released all the pent up chakra and it surged from his into the drunk sitting directly across him. Though there were no physical indications that he had just attempted a Genjutsu on this man the change in atmosphere around the table was apparent. Unlike last time the effect was almost instantaneous as well. The pin drop silence that had been brought about by the drunk getting overwhelmed by the throes of his technique, was broken by the sound of a beer bottle shattering as it hit the floor.

Mouth agape and flesh turning pale, he stared as Zakari's visage melted away into that of a rotting corpse demon with fangs. His very being causing waves of fear to wash over him, threatening to loosen his sphincter and soil himself. No doubt his heart was pounding so hard his chest was threatening to give way. The man, extremely sober now, was wheezing, straining to get away from the fearsome beast that sat before him. Though what he was seeing was not really as fearsome as he thought it to be, his brain couldn't stop sending him messages that it was the scariest thing he had ever laid eyes on. Zakari leaned forward to deliver his final gift upon this monster . . .

"Boo . . . "

The words came out eerie and hollow, unlike with the childlike indifference they were spoken in real. However that didn't stop the drunk from scrambling out of his seat, screaming at the top of his lungs, running out the door without being so kind as to pay for the drinks he had purchased. The noise attracted the server, who was surprised and confused to see the lecherous ass make like a banana and split, as if the hounds of hell were hot on his trail. It didn't take her long to realize that Zakari was responsible, he was sitting at the very table the drunk himself had been at not many seconds ago. Yet she didn't question it, in fact she seemed rather grateful for his assistance as she collected the empty unpaid bottles the man had left behind in his hasty departure. Zakari smiled as he picked up the menu once again, more exhausted from his efforts than before, and instead lay his head down on the table to take a short nap, knowing that none would disturb him for a while . . .

[Nekomata Minh]

So...uncanny

+10 Learned

[zarak729]

Zakari got up from his seat, making his way out of the restaurant, the server giving him a wistful glance which he returned to the best of his knowledge. It was time to go home . . .

(Exit thread. Both Rp and training)