Heading Due... That way!

[Deleted]

(enter)
Shiki was wearing his new cloak made from the giant monster he had slain and was moving an assault pack of things he was supposed to be hauling to the next city for sale. Shiki paused for a moment as he set down the heavy barrel. He had made a make shift cart of sorts that his dire wolves were assisting in pulling around. The two direwolves seemed unburdened using their massive framed to move the cart along. 

Shiki pulled his new cloak of protection around his neck to keep the sun off his neck. He looked down at his compass. Judging by how strong the magnetic pull was. She was nearby. Shiki gave a smile and scratched behind Fangs ears as they kept moving. His longsword was hung to his sides and his metal gauntlets were off and hung on his waist. It was getting hot Shiki thought. Perhaps he would stop and find one of these hot springs everyone was so keen about down here.

[Madame Loki]

{enter}

"Well... well... well. What do we have here? I had heard reports that someone strange was wondering suspiciously close to my Palace. I didn't think it would be you... interesting. Shiki... wasn't it?" Shiki would here a voice echoing from the shadows. Soon afterwards Loki would emerge from out of the shadows of a nearby tree. However, she didn't look much like the Loki that Shiki had met. Loki liked to keep people on their toes. Her hair was long and platinum blonde, and in the most elegant of styles as it flowed down the side of her body. She wore a rather flamboyant dress meant for a queen As she came form behind the tree her extravagant dress flowed behind her. She had a crown adorned on her head, completing her queenly look. However this dress, and all of it's many jewelry and finery was nothing more but an illusion, an illusion, that Loki used constantly, she merely changed the design from time to time.

She leaned against the tree and then looked at Dire wolves that the boy had with him this time. Loki tilted her head to the side and then said, "You look stronger than the last time we meant... If you're worried about Fumiko, and Junko... don't. They are doing just fine assure." Loki then got up off the tree, "If that's all you came for... I would ask that you leave. I do not let many outsiders into the Palace grounds."

[Deleted]

Shiki gave a small frown. "So there is no chance I could see them?" Shiki asked aloud letting his emotion show through. He caught himself hopefully trying not to make it clear just how worried he was about the two of them. He looked at her... "I guess that doesn't matter. Your place your rules." He said with a twinge of disappointment. 

His eyes grew rather steely. "I just want you to promise me that they are safe and not being held against their will here." Shiki knew this woman could strike him down in a heartbeat. But what type or person wouldn't at least try to keep his friends safe. Over his time here Shiki realized he had grown rather good at getting a read on someone if they were lying or not. At the very least he could try to see if this worked. 

If Shiki found that she wasn't lying he would smile and set down the bag full of vials and flasks. There would be a tumble as a flask of radiant coatl blood would roll out of his bag on accident. Thankfully it was sealed properly and not a drop was spilled. Quickly scooping up the flask he would put it back in his bag trying not to make to much of a commotion. "Well... before I get going. I don't suppose you know any decent smiths around here do you?" Shiki would pullout his longsword that was obviously in a state of disrepair. It was chipped in some places and although still sharpened Shiki was obviously in need of new blade.


Tech used.

SPOILER: Click to show

Discern Lies
Rank: "B"
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: The Venatores are known to tell if a person is lieing.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Each round, the Venator concentrate on 1 target, who must be within the range of 7 meters plus 6 meters per Class Level. The user will know if the target deliberately and knowingly speaks a lie by discerning disturbances in its aura caused by lying. The Jutsu does not reveal the truth, uncover unintentional inaccuracies, or necessarily reveal evasions. Each round, the user may concentrate on a different target. User may concentrate on 2 targets per Class level higher than "D" Class. User is only able to perform this technique 4 times per Class Level a day.
Limit: Must be a Venator.

[Madame Loki]

"They are perfectly safe... and free to live when every they please. Although I don't know why anyone would want to leave my Palace... it's... lovely." Loki smiled for a moment. She had no reason to lie to the boy, she was not keeping the twins prisoner. They made the decision to come on their own, and the were free to do as they pleased. Loki saw how sad the boy was and smiled gently, "I never said there was no way you couldn't see them. There are several very simple ways that I will allow you onto the grounds. The only question is... how far are you willingly to go to see them?" Loki smirked at Shiki, because her offer sounded FAR more devious then it actually was. But she would need to test he resolve.

"A smith you say? Well this is an odd day indeed. There aren't many if any smiths more skilled than me. I also like to add in a bit of magic. If you're looking for Someone to craft you a weapon, then I'm sure we can come to some arrangement." Loki then folded her arms as she looked over at the Dire wolves once more. Loki then made a kissy face at both of them, finding the wolves to be rather adorable.

[Deleted]

Fang and Frostbite stared at the woman making a weird face at them. They raised their ears in curiosity and Fang stepped away from the cart and stepped towards her in a small trot. His tongue was hanging out of his mouth and he was eager to see who Shiki was talking too. Frostbite was a little bit more reserved and stayed back with hear ears up and alert.

Shiki paid them no mind. "I'm not afraid...What would I have to do." Shiki's sapphire eyes flashed in excitement as Shiki squared his shoulders. There was a long blast of wind that blew the long fields of grass around him. For a brief moment, Shiki was captivated how the waving grass looked like waves on the ocean. 

[Madame Loki]

Loki watched as Fang came over, he was a large creature. She smiled at him and then reached out to pet him before she heard Shiki's response. She then pulled away from Fang and then focused her attention on Shiki. he seemed to forget all about the weaponry at the sound of him being able to the twin again. Loki smirked and then said, "You have 1 of 3 choices. I let you enter into the Palace as a guest, however... you must swear on your life to never reveal it's location to anyone. And I mean anyone. Your best friend, your wife... your Kage. You are to tell no one, if I find out that you have shared our location. I'll kill you." Loki then held up 2 finger with a smile on her face.

"Option #2: You can come inside, but after you leave, I wipe your memory scrub it clean. And just to be through I'll wipe any memory of the twins from your mind, so this little situation won't evver happen again. Then there's option 3... my personal favorite." Loki chuckled a little bit and then shrugged her shoulders. She then sighed and continued, "You become a part of the coven. Now before you say anything, I'm not saying you're a witch, because you're not. But you can become part of it in a supportive role. You can become a familiar... a being that works closely with a witch of their choosing, even one or both of the twins if you desire. Your only real job is protecting said witch. Or you can work with us via trade. You seemed, skilled at training Animals, I"m guessing you should be just as skilled with tracking them down. There are so many things I can use that are found in the bodies of Animals. Of course the second route will grant you very limited and restricted access. While a familiar will have full run of the place"

Loki then leaned back against a tree as the wind blew through the area. She wondered what he's decision was going to be? How deep was he willing to dive to stay close to them? Or just to have the ability to see them whenever he wanted? She was interested to find out.

[Deleted]

Shiki pondered the questions for a moment. He decided to speak out loud to help her understand his thought. "Junko and her sister are precious to me. Keeping them safe is very important to me. I'd fight to keep them safe... But I am a man of my word. I have sworn an Oath to my village. In the event I am ordered by my Kage or for the honor of my village. Such an occurrence might force me to break these promises of secrecy. Likewise, In the event of a war my hands are also tied."

"Meeting the twins was a wonderful moment. I would not like you altering my memories of them nor would I be so quick to trust my very consciousness in your hands. It's nothing personal, but my mind is sacred to me." Shiki considered the questions further. "As for working for the coven, I am in the need of a vendor who is interested in buying some of my wares from the monsters I hunt."

Shiki paused for a moment. "I'm not sure how to give you a straight forward answer. What I can promise you is that I do not wish to cause you any harm or hardship nor will I ever do so of my own free will. The only circumstances I'd ever act against you or the coven would be under orders from my Kage or if I was morally obligated to intervene. I would fight and die to protect the twins... But them being agents of a village at war with the world puts me in a delicate position. If they were to be attacked by anyone my actions could spark an international incident."

Shiki paused and tried to collect his thoughts for a moment.

"Well... I can't betray my oath to my village. I can't take another oath which might make me betray my village. Nor would I just want to lie to you to get what I want. I personally mean you no harm, but I am bound to the political affiliations of Kumogakure. If there was some way you could overlook or accept this fact then we might be able to work something out." 

[Madame Loki]

Loki was really only half paying attention to what Shiki was rambling on about. All these ninja were always so serious. Loki in the mean time was petting the Dire Wolf fang. She love animals, and she always found wolves to be quite beautiful. SO these big things were marvelous to her. When Shiki was done talking Loki turned around and looked at him with a smile saying, "Good enough... come this way." Loki didn't really care if he joined the coven or not, or even if he wanted to provided them any help. She just wanted to know what kind of person he was. He was a man of honor, and passion. As Loki turned her back towards him to lead him to the Palace, she smirk. I man like him was one that could easily be manipulated.

"Luckily for you, our Coven does not get involved with international affairs, or at lest as a Coven we try to avoid them. Wars between villages, and nations do not concern us at all. I do not ask any of my witches to betray the villages in which they are from. In fact I wish to work with each village, that is the only way for us to do our sacred job unimpeded. It will also allow me me the position of fostering peace as in intermediary in-between villages. If wars get to out of control, they can threaten the balance of this world. And I would prefer to not have to end wars to stop the destruction of balance,  with more destruction." Loki then smiled as she stood in front of a shear cliff face, that was covered in moss. She placed her hand on the cliff side and then a secrete door opened up. It would be impossible to see with all the moss and vegetation in the area. The only way that one would be able to find it, would be them already knowing where to look. Loki walked into the pathway and then said, "Also Luckily for you... there is no ninja in this world that I fear. And anyone who would dare take on a Witch, in her Place of Power, is a fool unfit for this world. I just wanted to see where your head was at, lover boy."

{exit}

[Deleted]

Getting pet was a new experience to Fang. Creatures really didn't 'pet' other creatures in the wild. Fang was loving the affection and would rub his massive head into Loki's leg trying to return some of the affection back. He wasn't sure if he was doing it right. 

Frostbite would eventually walk up too. Her glossy grey coat and bright yellow eyes would stare up quizzically at Loki. She didn't look or act like the other Humans that she had met. She didn't carry the metal teeth and stingers that the others did. But she was strong... She looked over at Fang and saw him hamming it up on the floor like some sort of lap dog. 

Shiki let Loki finish and would follow behind here with a scowl on his face. "Lover boy?" he would finally ask after a few moments of silence. 

(exit)