Stargazing [M]

[N A T S U M I]

//Enter It was around midday. The sun’s angle in the sky was directly overhead which signified noon. The question of why Iwagakure wanted dragon eggs was still foremost in my mind as I entered into the countryside. Birds chirped, singing a song only they knew. The winds were reasonably high today, whisking up leaves and swirling them around in makeshift tornados. Was I heading into a dangerous environment outside of the village? Absolutely. But where in the world would I find a pack of dragons? My long ice blonde hair was tied back into a regular ponytail while my headband hung loosely around my neck. Amber eyes shone feverishly in the sunlight and were ringed with a thick black eyeliner. A few inches above, located in the centre of my forehead was a black rhombus. My lush lips were coated with a plum-purple lipstick which enhanced my ivory coloured skin. Today, I had worn a mauve coloured corset over top a pair of black jeans. My stilettos were wedges rather than razor sharp picks this time while a black cloak covered my slender figure. Inside the cloak I had ten knives, while beneath the cloak I wore a chest rig knife harness fully equipped with ten kunai. Around my waist, I had a butt bag filled with four fragmentation grenades, two ice elemental grenades, fifteen blood clot pills and another six kunai. This bag was attached to the right side of my waist while my left side had a double scroll sized pouch filled with two empty medium sized scrolls. Over top of the cloak was a medium sized field back which was filled with sixteen fifty mill vials, and a pair of binoculars. Also strapped to my back was my shield (heavy) and fan (oversized). In my hands was a map of the known world in which I am currently reading. According to the slip, I had to travel to Mizu no Kuni to search for a group of dragons. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, the mere intake of breath had caused me to feel the slight drain of my chakra as it flowed ever so slowly toward the rhombus in my forehead. That storage would soon grow and grow until I have need of it. I pressed forward, hoping that the direction that I took would lead me toward Mizu. I had no compass, so I walked mainly on blind luck. But was luck with me today? Move to Ame no Kuni please IIC: 66 Byakugō no In charges: 13 SPOILER: Click to show Name: Shooting Stars Rank: B IIC Length: 2 days IC Length: 3 weeks Difficulty: Hard Objective: Follow and retrieve offspring Description: Follow the shooting stars(aka dragons) at night back to their nests and steal a offspring from the nests and bring it back to Stone alive. They seen heading back towards the east where the Land of Water resides. It is unknown where the nests or resting places of the animals are. It is also helpful if one speaks the dragon tongue, but its not required. Reward: 15,000 Ryo (7,500 Ryo to treasury) Limit: can be repeated up to two times Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

Your travel would go uneventful until landing yourself in the land of rain, shear dumb luck finding your way here of all places. The unmistakable downpour, flooded lands, and the obvious amount of rain and gloom to the outsider is highly apparent in these lands. However as you travel through there is a town in the distance, but there is also a very primed up trail that can bypass said town. The choice is yours to make whether taking the straight and narrow or long and treacherous routes be your decision to make. The rain however had no other choice than to rain on you, soaking you as rain naturally did to all who had no umbrella here.

OOC: No RE, moved to Ame no Kuni. First post from me here isn't all that great, should get better though.

[N A T S U M I]

The trip itself was reasonably long, too long actually. And with my companion being only myself; I continued to glance toward my sides for signs of Dusk when I remembered that I had left her the village. Perhaps that was a mistake, Dusk was never alone without me for long periods of time. But at the sudden specks of rain coming my hair, I glance up to find greying clouds in the sky. They darkened as I continued along this path until I realized that I was venturing straight into a storm. Unstrapping the shield from my back, I place it above my head, allowing the inside of the shield to balance upon my head to shield me from the rain. My stride would increase quickly while the map remained unrolled and within my line of sight. I wanted to find out where I was, but no one appeared to be in sight. Was this Mizu no Kuni? I had been walking in what I felt was the right direction, but perhaps I had strayed into Ame no Kuni? It was raining after all. However, lifting my gaze I spot the rim of a few houses in the distance. There wasn’t much to say about them for the fact that they were far away. But houses did mean people, and people meant someone who could tell me where I was. The pathway I was currently walking on appeared to lead to and around the small town, but I wanted to venture into it in hopes of speaking with someone. Maybe even asking for some directions. So as a result, I turn toward the town and quickly make haste. IIC: 67 Byakugō no In charges: 13 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

As you continue walking towards the city, there are sounds of children playing in the rain and the many adults who attended this birthday party just chuckling to themselves. Across the street from this merry moment was an old couple on rocking chairs just passing time away. Not really doing much else but reminiscing about old memories. On up the street some more was the tavern, a good place for any local gossip or information about. The buildings were that of the usual downtown area with inhabitants across the board. The many all moving and enjoying each other’s time even in the bleak rain storm that was underway, perhaps something wasn’t right with this picture after all…

[N A T S U M I]

It had taken me a short amount of time to reach this small town. Children played harmlessly in the rain, celebrating something that looked vaguely like a birthday. I take a moment’s pause to watch the children, but otherwise did nothing else. The adults observing the children were chatting and doing what adults did at parties. But the sound of creaking drew my attention away from the party to see an elderly couple rocking on a pair of chairs together. I smile toward them should they glance my way, but does not approach either of them with an enquiry. Despite the storm overhead, this village acted as if there was nothing wrong at all. Could this weather be that normal for the citizens of this small town? I decide to press further into the street, observing whatever that lay in my path. But a pub of some kind loomed overhead just toward the edge of the street. Joyous sounds came from it which suggested that something interesting was going on. Approaching the pub itself, I simply stare in through the window and attach the shield to my back as I did so. People were chatting about regular things and didn’t seem to be arguing about anything. If I recall correctly, pubs are the number one place where fights usually begin in. I decide to enter the pub and approach the counter with a polite smile. Should no one interrupt my passage toward the bar, I would take a seat on one of the stools and wait for the barman to approach me. Should he approach, I would lean forward slightly. "Can you tell me what country I am in, and where might I come across a dragon's nest please?" My tone would sound uninterested as my fingers begin drumming on the bar's surface in a lazy pattern. IIC: 68 Byakugō no In charges: 13 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

The pub was bouncier with activity inside than actually appeared outside. The tables danced upon, liquors poured left and right while so much was going on. There was even a band playing some upbeat song with a bit of a technological beat to it, slurred singing all abound this little tavern. Yet when the doors were opened the patrons all took a glance at the pale skinned and white haired girl entering before going back to their shenanigans. The bar tender, a blind black man just rubbing at a glass was merely paying attention to the many noises that surrounded him.

Yet the girl approached and he knew by her scent she wasn’t from here. When she asked it was clarified just how much she wasn’t from this place of rain and booze. “You are in the Rain Country lass. As for some dragon, there be no dragon here for a millennia, no sight or smell of news for one in the past few ages either. Last dragon hunter rumored to have died down in the marshes a few weeks ago. If you were to find something out, best head south east to the Land of Rivers and check out the marshes there.” He said all he could without being paid any coin, or having any booze bought so he tight lipped and went a cleaning again.

[N A T S U M I]

The thing about entering pubs is the moment when you walk through the front door, everyone stops their current task to lay eyes upon you. Sure, I had stopped momentarily to take in the room, and all the eyes staring at me; but by the time I had reached the bar, the bartender was extremely helpful in giving me the information I had come here for. Raising my head, my amber eyes regarded the bartender thoughtfully. So I had taken a wrong turn at some point and had ended in a total different country instead. “Kawa no Kuni?” I repeated, digging into my butt bag hidden beneath my cloak. I place 100 Ryo upon the counter and push it toward the man. “Thank you very much for the info, spend it as you wish.” I then say, standing as I did so. The man had said to head south east to the marsh to search for this so-called dragon hunter. But what I really needed was a compass. Turning swiftly on the tip of my boot, I head toward the entrance of the pub and enters into the street in search for a weapon shop. //Exit for a few mins IIC: 69 Byakugō no In charges: 13

[N A T S U M I]

//Enter It had not taken long to locate the weapon shop. I had even gone as far as to purchase some programmes for my binoculars which now sat in my field pack strapped my back, hidden by my shield and fan. With the lensatic compass in my right hand and the world map in my left, I was now able to see exactly which direction I wanted to take before turning heel and heading there. With the bartender’s words floating around my mind, I decided to head south east to Kawa no Kuni. Turning around at least 80 degrees, I begin walking in the direction of where the compass was pointing. Now, I know I will make sure to reach the right country to make up time lost.. OOC: Shittiest post ever! Move to Kawa no Kuni please. IIC: 72 Byakugō no In charges: 14 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

It wouldn’t take long to find the right area of the marsh lands for the Land of Rivers, question was that now that all these marshes were here just what was there to get from a man secluded here? Yet just off in the distance was a single individual, seemingly someone was cooking over a small fire but the question of what was cooking only seemed rather… gross. This individual was the only one to see for miles upon miles of marsh. With a scar over his eyebrow, a ruffle of red hair, and surprisingly he was that of a teen age group yet living out in the marshes with… squid hanging from his mouth. This youngster mostly ignored what was around him, cooking up something of an interesting combination. Peanut butter and squid, curious as it were it had an obscene purple hue to it, almost like the squid tentacles could molest the taster of such inadequate of a recipe.

The question however, is do you approach or attempt to find someone else around these lifeless marshes?

• Moved to Kawa no Kuni
  
• No RE
  
• Sorry for shortness, just trying to build something up. There being no RE for it really dampens things LOL (you are surprisingly lucky).
  

[N A T S U M I]

Just when things couldn’t get any weirder. As I passed out of Ame no Kuni, I glance down at my map again, using the compass to navigate my way through these lands to find the one I in fact, needed. Kawa no Kuni was a rather desolate place with thick brushes and grounds that threatened to swallow a person whole if they so much as tip-toe upon their surfaces. I glance around the country cautiously, using my heightened hearing to pick up any kind of sound that didn’t belong to this land. I was grateful for having a Jaguar as a companion. The things I have learned from her. The ability to see more clearly in the dark, and the ability to listen to sounds almost as good as a jaguar itself can. And all of it with just a short burst of chakra and a thin layer to coat the respective organs. Immediately sounds began flooding my ears as I ventured further into the swampy marsh, but I didn’t need my superior hearing to know that I had company. My gaze fell upon a lone person beside a fire cooking… God knows what. I stand roughly 20 meters away from them. Not close enough to distinguish any features, but close enough to hear the embers spitting as the meal was cooked. A dark purple coloured smoke wafted from the fire, suggesting that it was more putrid over there than here. I swallow before gradually approaching the person only to find out that it was a teenaged man with a scar on his eye. What looked like a sea creature was being cooked and eaten. Bile rose up in my mouth as I fought the urge to vomit the ramen I ate prior to leaving the village for this mission. “Hello, sir. Perhaps you can help me with something?” I call out, knowing that the distance of 8 meters would require me to yell. I stop once I reach the 6 meter mark and await for a reply, ensuring that my chakra still flowed slightly through my ears to pick up on any neighbouring sounds. SPOILER: Click to show Ikimono Bouchou (Animal Hearing) [10] Rank: "C" Skill: Skill/NinJutsu Effect: A Shinobi, or a warrior is capable of gaining the capability of that of the animal kind when it comes to the sudden sense of hearing. The sense of hearing is quite different as the user must be with the animal kind in question for a period amount of time before this is capable of occuring. The user must concentrate along their inner ears by using their chakra. By doing so their hearing becomes more, defined, but not close to that of an animal. Just think of it where the user is capable of hearing better. There is no other way to explain this however other then their hearing is more defined, they can not use this to see however. Special: --- Drawback: The user is only capable of going into this depending on what type of animal helper they have. Depending on the animal companion the sense of hearing may become unbareable depending on the type of creature it is. Also hearing that is that of a bat, or any other animal that enables a user the capability of helping them see through hearing does not occur within the user. Description: --- Limit: This technique must be known multiple times. The user however must have a Helper that is according to the correct scent of hearing. What this means is if the user has an animal Helper of the Canine breed, then they are capable of having the sense of hearing in similar form towards that type. Must learn Animal Friendship, Control, Understanding, and Teamwork. Must also have at least have fifty training points with the partner Past that of the Friendship, Understanding, and Teamwork before learning. IIC: 73 Byakugō no In charges: 14 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

The boy looked up and smiled with a chuckle, clearly he could read her face and the urging not to vomit was one he knew all too well. “Hello there, what can I do ya for?” His accent taking hold as being something of a more suburban or perhaps further away kind of one for what it was, perhaps aquan. In any case he spoke in common for the girl as that was what was spoken to him and he only smiled while waiting for an answer yet he pulled out a container and put the cooked masterpiece into it and offered it with an outreached smile, “I believe it is done now, would you care for some after all it is rude to intrude in another individuals kitchen to refuse what he or she be cooking you know?” There might be good to being on his good side but again the question posed and stood was the chance to being horrified by peanut butter tentacles to eat. Such vile as it were, it held a quandary to it that actually caused the boy to cook it in the beginning. His smile of innocence all being what he used for now to add to the guilt trip he attempted to pull on the girl.

[N A T S U M I]

So the boy noticed my approach and had asked me how he could be of service. I stared at the creature he was offering me and took note of the strange accent he used. He was clearly not from a village I knew of. But the more I stared at that creature, the more I wanted to turn heel and bolt in the other direction. Seeing that he had offered the thing to me straight from the fire, I felt sure that it wasn’t poisoned. I cross the 6 meters and stop once I reached 1.9 meters away. “I was hoping you would be able to help me search for someone who specialises in Dragons, please.” I speak casually, my tone gentle. I stare at the creature again as he held it out to me and turned his words about being rude to intrude in on someone while their cooking over in my head. He had a point considering I just asked him for help. Swallowing, I accept the container, a bit red faced. Fortunately there were multiple stumps surrounding the fire, so I sit down on the stump 50 centimetres away from the boy and enjoy the fire dancing in front of me. I knew my amber eyes would be glowing in the firelight, but they stared down at the creature in the container sitting upon my lap. The smell was revolting. What was that, peanut butter? I swallow again and breaks a piece of it off with a kunai from my chest rig before shoving it into my mouth as quickly as I could. Chew, Rory.. Chew.. Chew and swallow… Chew and swallow.. Jesus this was bad! I managed to get it down, but now I wanted a drink. IIC: 74 Byakugō no In charges: 14 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

He only smiled, appreciating the fact that she was enjoying the cooking to such an extent that the sour face brought joy to his and he clapped his hands delightfully. “It is my most disgusting dish yet isn't it, but no matter it is going to get better.” He spoke before pulling out some more ingredients from seemingly nowhere before opening up a little hatch to an underground kitchen where after just a few moments came up with a sparkling dish of fried rice but on top of the fried rice was pan fried ofu with delicious spicy sauce. His smile only showing itself as he also offered plenty of water. “Have at this now to cleanse that palette and I can tell you all you need to know about dragons if you like.” He smiled in kind and kindred form, only exposing himself that much better in a more delightful tone with the accent that was odd for even himself.

[N A T S U M I]

Was it me or did this guy enjoy the fact that I was choking on his.. creation? I stare down at the squid mixed with God know what and gently set the plate down upon the ground just in front of the fire. “I do not mean to be rude, but that is just awful.” I said, agreeing with him despite feeling uncomfortable in doing so. But upon seeing the underground makeshift kitchen popping into view, I could not help but to lean forward to see. What he bought out from the hole-in-the-ground kitchen, my eyes widened. Sitting on a place was a normal looking dish with a normal smell added to it. In fact it made my mouth water. The pleasure that this kid wore had me almost punching him for making me eat that garbage while there was a genuine, real and nice looking meal hidden beneath the ground. In fact, after seeing this, my suspicions had elevated slightly. I just happened to arrive into this country, spot this kid who appeared to cooking monster for lunch, then being dared to eat said monster only to find that he had a proper dish hidden beneath the ground? Was this a coincidence? Did he know I was coming and had thought to test or trick me or perhaps poison me? He did not eat the food yet I had. I watch as he offers the water as well. A water that I suddenly didn’t want to drink, even if it would wash the horrid taste of monster and peanut butter out of my mouth. “Hmm, how about you just tell me what I would like to know please. I have pushed my schedule long and far enough.” I said, my tone suggesting that I was no longer in a polite and respectful mood. IIC: 77 Byakugō no In charges: 15 Template Not Mine

[Father 'Suke]

The child merely shrugged, chuckling to himself with how his recipient and taste tester acted. She was all serious and no play it seemed and he only shook his head with a slight feeling of misfortune as to only chuckle to himself. “You are no fun you know that. I've had fans die for a taste of my spicy tofu but you are taking it for granted. Oh well, what is it you'd like to know by chance?” His words came out with more strict resolution to them, not to mention the accent of a country bumpkin was gone as well. Perhaps all a ploy of acting but he only smiled and sat down on a stump while waiting for the questions while soon asking one of his own.

“Hope you don't mind me asking but if you are wanting to know about dragons, you certainly don't have a persuasion effort for it. You just ask direct questions and the like and never really take charge in the asking of more opinionated questions or the like. That won't do. If you are wanting to get close to these magnificent creatures you need to have more wit.” He chuckled, putting another dried squid tentacle to his lips and munched on it lightly while waiting. He had enough patience to do that at least so he paid attention and made good and well to listen while answering what he could.

[N A T S U M I]

For an outback dweller, this guy really was a cheerful person. But something about his behaviour seemed somewhat insidious to me. But the next time he spoke, the accent wasn’t present. So he was acting after all. “I would like to know if there are any dragons in the area, or any person who may have seen a dragon in the area.” I said, my posture straight-backed. I was growing somewhat impatient with this teenager, and from the way he wants to know about why I want these dragons, I can tell he is reluctant in producing the information. The question and statement had annoyed me to the point when I stand from my seated position opposite him. “My business is my own, sir. But if you are concerned for the dragons’ safety, you need not worry for I do not wish to harm them. I merely wish to.. observe. You know, see if the legends are true.” It was a half-truth. I did want to observe them so I can in fact, steal one of their eggs. Why Iwagakure wanted these eggs was beyond me, but sending me on missions that are somewhat time-wasters was irritating. “So, kind sir, are you willing to help me as I am a little short on time.” I then said, readjusting my shield upon my back. IIC: 78 Byakugō no In charges: 15 Template Not Mine