Old Relics... [Open]

[Flower]

Valerys spent some time walking among the buildings of the Sand Village before passing into a more reclusive area of the city. Even six years later it appeared that this part of town had no residents. After walking for some time, Valerys would find that the buildings and homes of Sunagakure were becoming small in the distance. After a walk of about fifteen minutes, Valerys would come upon the usual (for her, but it was rather unusual) sight of several metal discs standing straight up in the ground -- one after the other like a mirror. They looked as if they had been portals at one time, but as for what they were now who knew? Birds such as crows and buzzards had come to roost on the hot metal, making them seem rather undignified despite the intricate sigil on the top of each loop. The sand threatened to cover them up slowly over time, but it seemed that they had been anchored far in the ground. Valerys remembered this place from many years ago, and although she had never known what it was for she often came out here to sit and think among the sand and sun. Today was an unusually cool day for the Land of Wind. Valerys relished it while it lasted.

"Everything changes and everything stays the same," Victoria (Valerys) whispered, using the appearance of a blonde hair girl with yellow eyes for her contemplations. She wore a white dress with blue lining around the edges, and blue goves that covered her hands except for the bottom of her palm and fingertips. One butt bag was strapped to the right side of her butt, underneath the dress and tied to her waist, which held 100 senbon, a spring razor, and an LED flashlight. An average-sized polearm was strapped to her back as well, the blade glistening red in the sunlight like blood. Her Sand Village headband dangled around her neck, strapped like a necklace. The birds made some strange noises as she walked into their territory, but did not leave the old metal rings that seemed to dangle in front of her.

She had been looking at them longingly for some time, remembering so many of her old memories, before looking around. She felt as if there was a reason to be here, as if fate had called her to this spot. She had learned to trust her gut, usually it never led her astray, but just to be safe she had come in the form of one of her benevolent personalities. We've been so nice today," Victoria thought. Indeed, they had. Valerys' bloodlust may have been shooting off at about 60 mph after having never been satisfied, but Victoria was more comfortable. Although, at the end of the day they were the same ball of flesh and cells. Victoria looked into the sky, the sun beaming off her golden pupils, and wondered at what it all meant.

In the distance lay the urban developments of the Sand Village from where she had come, and a little further on she knew that the land would become much more rural and populated with small cabins and abandoned houses. Many of them washed away by the sands of time. In the case that fate did smile upon her and provide her with something interesting, there were many options to choose from. It had been so long since she had been back in her home, and she was eager to take advantage of it while she could.

[Hamura]

Passing through the village for the first time after the Chuunin Exams had come to an end, he was feeling a mixed sensation of both happiness and annoyance. On the one hand, he had managed to pass the exams by coming in at second place, having more points than all of the other contestants from the Hidden Sand, even if the difference wasn't all that big. But on the other hand, the fact that the Kazekage was sick and therefore absent meant that he was still a Genin, at least until that whole situation was either resolved or a new Kazekage got elected. As such, there was no telling whether or not he would actually be promoted any time soon, or if the next Kazekage would even think his skills to be worthy of the title.

Since there was very little that he could do at this point that would further his career as a Shinobi, he felt more or less stuck in his role as a Genin, and that did not do a lot of good for his mood. In so doing, he had more or less been spending the better part of his morning by getting better with his wind release, using concussive blasts to shatter boulders and use slicing waves to rip smaller rocks that he tossed up in the air to shreds. By the time he was finally done training, it was already mid day, so he prepared himself some food in the form of a Donburi bowl. As per usual, he made everything himself using fresh ingredients, just like his grandfather had taught him a year ago. He could hear him saying even up to this day how "fresh and homemade" was always better than take-out.

Aside from the Donburi with cooked rice, spring onions, slices of beef and soy sauce, he also made a variation of Tonkotsu Ramen, using beef to substitute for the pork meat that was traditionally used. Adding what spring onion he had left into the soup, he also tossed in some cut up red onion and garlic for the flavoring. Knowing himself to be quite the cook, he had some of his own work at home while placing the last of it into a container and putting the Donburi and Ramen into his backpack. Since he planned on training throughout most of the afternoon, it seemed like a wise plan to bring plenty of food with him. Also filling up his tengu drinking jug again after nearly depleting it in the morning, having fresh water on hand when out in the desert was at least as clever as bringing food.

And so he set out again, his Tanto tied to his upper left leg, quick loaders hanging at the bottom of his wrist guards for quick and easy access, various loaders with Kunai and Shuriken attached to his belt and his backpack hanging loosely on his back. Wearing white shorts and a black shirt, most of what he was wearing was concealed under a long, brown and grey cloak that he wore whenever he went out into the sun. Protection from the sun's rays was advised when heading out into the desert, as he had experienced in his first few weeks of being a citizen of the Hidden Sand. Not long after leaving the confines of his room did he find himself in the white sands surrounding the village. From here, he usually went straight to his training spot by the black rocks located quite far from here.

This time though, he figured he'd go in the other direction. Knowing that going to the black rocks got him closer and closer to the site of a dead volcano, there was really no telling what he might find once he went into the other direction. And so that was where he'd go, heading out to explore more of the desert knowing that the sun would keep the food at a warm temperature no matter where he went. After a bit of time had passed, he encountered something peculiar up in the distance. The closer he got, the more they seemed like some kind of metallic rings located in a row, though he could not make out what those were for. When he saw that he was not the only person out here, he instantly put his guard up, not knowing whether this person was from the Sand or some kind of raider that wanted to sell them for scrap metal. Drawing ever closer, he figured it was up to him to open up a conversation.

"Hey you, what are you doing all the way out here. Also, what are these things, they look odd.".

[Flower]

[OOC: Note Victoria is not wearing any armor like last image. Here is pic without armor.]

Victoria had been looking up at the metal rings and the birds as she heard a voice from behind her. It didn't sound like a particularly powerful voice, and when she turned around Victoria found herself staring at a lean, young boy with black hair down to his shoulders adored with certain items that she was surprised to see carried by a boy so young. Immediately she could feel the sweet satisfaction of having met an innocent soul to taint -- how tasty a morsel a young boy could be to a charming temptress like herself. Such younth and so many things could happen over the course of one's life, one small change and who knew where this young boy could be? Victoria glanced up him, intuitively aware of her polearm in case he was brash with his equipment and said, "Well, well, what are you doing out here? A bit dangerous for a young boy. As for these things," Victoria would turn around and examine them closely letting the boy know that she had no mistrust for him and was willing to look away (not exactly true, she had no trust for anybody but why convey that with body language?), "I don't know what they were originally here for. I doubt anyone in this village has been alive that long... but who knows? It's a powerful spot. I've often liked to come here and think."

Victoria would give the boy her most pleasant smile, not hard for a woman of her caliber. She had created this body for its pleasantness and sexual appeal, although she doubted that mattered to a boy of his age. Still, she had a motherly appearance as well -- for the two often went hand-in-hand. She wondered to herself how much he had actually seen in his life. Why was he out her alone? As Victoria had turned around her Sand Village headband would be readily apparent.

She wanted to say more to the boy, but held her tongue. It would be better if he gave her a response before she made any assumptions. Who knew, there were young ninja throughout the village? Although she doubted any of them were worth their weight in salt -- in what mattered. And although Valerys had never been the best teacher, she knew enough to pass the torch along. These were the things she pondered, fantasized, as she knew nothing of the situation. Who know? She had never killed a child before, but if the opportunity called for it who knew? It'd be nice to add that to the list if this whole thing didn't work out.

[Hamura]

"I'm plenty strong you know, I've been a Shinobi for a year now, and I passed the Chuunin exams with the highest grade out of all the other ninja that participated from the village. Some where my age, though some of them were like… twenty."

With that said, he took a moment to look around and inspect the woman, though he would not make it too obvious. Once he saw that she was wearing a headband from the Hidden Sand, he figured that he could lower his guard a little bit, but not enough for him to be caught at a moment he might not expect. That simply wasn't the kind of person that he was, for even when it seemed like he wasn't paying attention, his senses were pretty much always at their peak and ready to sound the alarm whenever he heard, saw or even smelled something that was out of the ordinary. Maybe that was why people like Shiki and Ryutatsu had taken an interest in him at some point, though that did not really matter right now.

Doing as the woman did, he took a moment to inspect the strange circular constructs, but could not exactly find anything of interest to him. That said, if he were to actually investigate the thing as well as he could, using what knowledge he had, he just might figure out a thing or two about it. But as things were right now, they were rather low on his list of priorities. Right now, he was more focused on the woman and what she was sharing with him. Even as he inspected the circles, she was talking about how she had no idea what they were, and that she doubted that anyone in the village had been around long enough to know. Truth be told, that alone peaked his interests, so he just might return at some point to do some more truth finding of his own.

"They look rather dumb, not like any weapon or construct I've ever seen before, so it's probably some kind of monument or work of art. But what about you, what made you need to come out here to think. Are you plotting something?"

Being rather straight forward, he hadn't ever really bothered with pretending to be this tactful person when he could just be a straight shooter. In his experience, it either made conversations not last very long, or it opened up to more interesting levels more quickly. Regardless of the outcome, it did not really matter much to him, seeing as he had really only come here to explore some more and get a better feel of what he might encounter out here in the desert. If the Kazekage were to get better any time soon, his goal of becoming a member of the Anbu was something that could send him just about anywhere, so keeping track of things and knowing what could be found where was on the list of things he could do in preparation.

[Flower]

Victoria laughed as the boy asked her if she was out her plotting, she couldn't help herself. He told her that he had passed the Chuunin Exams, truly a rewarding event for such a young man, and indeed he had seemed to be more knowledgable than his years -- and rather blunt to boot. Victoria appreciated bluntness. He didn't seem particularly interested in the metal loops, however, which Victoria thought showed how much more he had to learn. Strange things could always reveal quite a bit if one took the time to investigate. "I'm always plotting something," she joked with the boy, "And you've passed the Chuunin Exams? How about that. You must either be very special or the Chuunin Exams have gotten easier since I heard about them." She didn't mean to be disrespectful, but spoke with a degree of joviality to lighten the air. But her jokes were often taken the wrong way.

As the two of them were speaking some of the birds would fly off into the air, lighting a few rings down the line to make distance between them and the people. The wind seemed to blow tiny gusts of sand through the area, brushing against the metal loops. Valerys wondered if they would ever decay given enough time. "Tell me then," Victoria would say, "How did you pass? What skills do you possess that got you so far? As a fellow Sand ninja, I'd be very interested to know." Very interested indeed. Valerys was always happy to learn about new techniques and abilities, preparing herself for upcoming combats and situations that she did not expect. After asking, as if to show her good-nature (not at all in fact the truth) Victoria walked up to one of the metal rings and said, "Normally I could look into the past and find where these objects came from -- but objects of this age... It's useless."

Victoria tried to give the boy smiles as she spoke, hoping that this would disarm him. He was clearly a skeptical person, rushing to conclusions about her plotting, but she hoped that would change. She liked to think that she had a rather charming demeanor. She also waited to see how he would respond to her ability to see into the past, would he know what it was or be impressed? People often were, but this was no average boy apparently. If the boy continued to be skeptical with her then she would have no choice but to lure him in with some of her better tactics, but he could understand and appreciate her power -- well then, perhaps they could benefit one another. Victoria did love symbiotic relationships.

Or, you know, parasatic ones were nice too.

[Hamura]

As things were now, the young Shinobi was having some trouble figuring out the person that he was dealing with and whether she was being sincere or not. Most people wouldn't just admit to plotting something, though it felt like those that were more open about it were also the ones that would actually see things through. That said, not all plotting was inherently bad, even though the name "plotting" always made it sound like someone was up to something sketchy and shady. Luckily for him, he had always taken to walking the grey areas of the world, moving between the black and the white in order to reach conclusions of his own without too much input from what was deemed right or wrong, or good or evil. All those things were determined in the eye of the beholder after all.

"I wouldn't say they were easy, or I would have come in first place for sure. They just asked us to do a bunch of things of their choosing, and we had to do our best to do what they asked of us as well as possible. In the end, that's what we were judged for."

Bringing up the Chuunin Exams, he wondered about the things they had been made to do, and how the others from the village had seemingly either done badly along the way or managed to fail part of the test. Luckily for him, that was not the kind of thing he had to worry about, seeing as he had been placed in a group with a girl who managed to pass every single test due to being in a physical shape and level of skill beyond his own. Still, the overall difference in points they had scored had only been four points apart, meaning the judges had at the very least determined that he was a good Shinobi in his own right. His train of thought was broken however when the woman asked him about what his particular skills where that allowed him to pass the exams, which felt like somewhat of an odd thing to ask for a Shinobi.

"Well, I can do a lot of things really well, and I'm good at a lot of other stuff too. I'm not really sure which was the reason for it, but something made the people here ask me to come and stay in the land of Wind instead of the land of Lightning."

While not really divulging anything regarding what his skills were and what other stuff he was good at, he didn't really lie. There was a lot of stuff that he was really good at, like using his sword and controlling things like wind, water and ice, though his skillset did not end there as he also had a lot of other stuff that he was good at. Languages, tracking animals and people, navigating and a variety of other things that had anything to do with the natural world. While there was still plenty for him to learn, he felt like he already knew more than the average person did, which at times made him come across like a know-it-all that people considered to be rather cocky. But he didn't really care about what other people thought of him, it wasn't his problem, and he wasn't about to make it his problem if they couldn't handle being told what was right and what was wrong by a kid.

"You know, for a sand ninja, you talk a lot about these rings and about me, though you haven't told me who you are and why you'd want to know. So to start things off, my name is Hamura, what's yours?"

[Flower]

Victoria listened to the boy speak and was surprised by how mature he seemed. Although, not one to play around that was for sure. He was honorable, this much was clear. As he said, "we had to do our best," (Valerys often found it easier to do the worst) Victoria thought she understood who this man was. A good man. A humble man. Well, that was okay. She had fun with men who stood too high on the rungs of the ethical ladder. As he suggested that he had come from the Land of Lightning, Victoria realized that he must have been one of the shinobis that Shiki brought from the Cloud Village. He had mentioned so during their meeting. Victoria pondered at the fact that not only had the Kazekage's assistatnt brought his own army to the Sand Village, but had eyes everywhere... How intriguing.

Victoria giggled at his last statement. "Oh my, where are my manners? My name is Victoria, and excuse me for my rudeness. It's not everyday you meet a child who has passed the Chuunin Exams. I suppose I was just curious." She smoothed out her dress, trying to seem appealing, and would continue by saying, "I've lived here in the Sand Village for many years. Even longer in the Land of Wind. I can't help but notice that I've been seeing a lot of new faces around, but I suppose that is the nature of being social. If you want to know anymore than that about me, Hamura, then you are going to need to let down your guard and come over here and sit. We'd be fools to keep standing in the sun." If Hamura was agreeable, then she would take him over near the metal rings to sit. As they'd get closer, the two would notice that the metal gave off quite a bit of residual heat.

As she was speaking to the boy, she noted that this was going to be an in-depth interaction. She would begin to alter her body using the taijutsu techniques of her bloodlimit. Given enough time, she would alter her body to make it difficult to tell details of her personality and whether she was lying. These were not combative techniques, but rather a tactic that Victoria usually performed despite whatever body she was in. If the boy and her did move to sit down, then she'd wait for him to speak. She had already given much about her own life and wanted to hear more about him. If the two of them did sit down then Victoria would go into a cross-legged seating position.

As the two of them were speaking, Valerys also thought about how the times had changed. How different the Sand Village's relationship with others had become. Victoria made a mental note to ask about this later, so she could have a clear understanding of who could be trusted in the outside world. But then again, no one could really be trusted she had found. Although she hoped that convincing the boy to sit with her in the sand, and revealing part of her own history, would make him more agreeable toward her. "You seem so stiff," Victoria would say if he would sit down. "Lighten up a little. It's okay to be a little... playful."

SPOILER: Click to show

Body Of lies
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Lie detecting skills and abilities do not work well on the user.
Special: ---
Drawback: Complex movements and techniques, usually of the "A-ranked" and "S-ranked" nature will break the concentration needed for this technique. Movement enhancement techniques (IE: Chakra gates) will cause this technique to end.
Description: This technique is often used to control the body in such a manner, as to deceive others attempting to peer into the body or read some kind of bodily function from the user for the purposes of lie detecting. If the heart rate, temperature, smooth muscle movement and breathing are being read to detect lying, the user can fool on lookers by maintaining consistencies within these automatic body functions. Rather than sweating, breathing heavily or having your heart race, the user can maintain a normal base line within all body functions, which fools on lookers. Control over these autonomic functions can be overridden by the user's cellular control nature. With this, the user may appear as if they are telling the truth, with no inclination of lying. If die rolls are used, the opponent automatically lose 50% on all die rolls. If a ranking system is used, then the user is considered a user one rank above their opponents. Animals are affected by this technique in the same manner. It takes 1 post to alter and maintain consistent body functions.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line.

False intentions
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Reading the alignment or nature or the user is harder.
Special: ---
Drawback: Same drawbacks as "Body Of lies". Only hides outward presentation. Literally mind reading, or physical contact that produces the same end results as mind reading cannot be deceived.
Description: The deceptive qualities of the Kedōin are so powerful, it even influences how the mind and body functions in terms of outward emotional presentation. Common reflexive manners, the physical appearance of emotions (such as fist clenching in anger, or relaxed shoulders in elation), and even how the neurons fire during certain emotional states can be overridden by the user's cellular manipulation abilities. "Micro expression", the involuntary facial expression shown on the face of humans according to emotions experienced can even be controlled by a conscious Kedōin, which are often the expressions pick up by animals. Animals and users with the abilities to read these emotional states will view the user as the way the Kedōin desire. For example, a evil killing intent and anger can be hidden behind a smile, which can normally be sensed by animals. The user's alignment is hidden as well, matching the current presentation they desire. When a murderous Kedōin is trying to portray a chivalrous hero, it is very difficult to tell the user is putting on an act. It takes 1 post to alter and maintain consistent body functions.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Body Of lies"

[Hamura]

Though part of him wanted to use his newfound abilities to get a better read on the woman, he felt it rude to use his Shinobi gifts on someone who hailed from his new village. Though trust among Shinobi was not really advised, he figured that he could trust the woman for the time being, at least enough for him to not openly show his distrust and relieve some of the tension that was hanging in the air. Truth be told, it was for reasons such as those that he had gone to the Chuunin exams. Not so much for the title, but so that he could become a member of the Anbu and go around investigating people, places and things in his spare time and while on the job. Investigating things was, after all, one of his many skills.

"I don't mind it when people forget their manners, and I don't really consider it rude when people ask questions without at least sharing their name. It just gives me a reason to be rude too and deny them answers, which is fair don't you think?"

At that point, he showed the first smile of the day, and this time it wasn't even at a meal he had cooked but at an actual person. Listening to her as she claimed that she had been living in the land of wind for a long period of time before she had come to live in the Hidden Sand, it made him wonder where she had come from. So far, he had heard of a place called Tam Korre, a large mushroom tower, been to three smaller fishing communities located along the southern shores and had been to an abandoned settlement in which he had to fight for his life just to get out and make an attempt at getting his hands on the treasure found within. As such, he wondered just how many other places were scattered across the land of Wind.

"Eh… I don't like letting my guard down around people I've just met, though I guess it's fine for now considering you're from the Sand too. But don't go trying anything shady, or I'll show you why I was allowed to become a Chuunin!"

Bringing up the last part of that sentence with a bit of bravado rather than aggression, he showed a bit of pride in his skill as a Shinobi, and that a jury from a foreign nation had seen fit in awarding him with the next rank. All that really remained at this point was for the Kazekage to get better and give him the title in some sort of ceremony. Loosening up a bit, he sat down somewhere out of the sun like the woman had instructed, taking his backpack off of his back and placing it in the sand directly next to the ring so that the sun could keep its focus on it, keeping the contents nice and hot. Once he sat himself down, the woman stated that it was fine to be less stiff and be a bit more playful, though he hadn't ever been playful up until now. And if he was, he couldn't really remember it.

"So when you said that you've been living in the land of Wind longer than in the Hidden Sand, does that mean that you've lived in some smaller community before? Also, do you know what kind of people left these rings behind?"

SPOILER: Click to show

Inquiring about the rings to see if it could help set up something, seeing as Hamura might be able to figure out more about them using one of his languages.

-- Abyssal (125)(+15)
-- Dimple Runes (125)(+15)
-- Draconic (125)(+15)
-- Infernal (125)(+15)
-- Necril (125)(+15)
-- Serusan (125)(+15)
-- Sign Language (125)(+15)
-- Tengu (125)(+15)

I figured it might help if you had anything in mind with those things, like if they had writing on them in some kind of language Ham could understand for some kind of plot driven thing. If not, we'll just continue as is

[Flower]

Victoria had succeeded in at least getting this stiff young boy to sit down in the sand, underneath the beauty of the metal rings which she always saw as standing for stability and power. Some of the birds still sat above them. Victoria wondered at them -- in some cultures bird represented transcending limitations and being able to reach other worlds. Flight was, after all, so beneficial. The boy indicated that he wouldn't stand for anything shady in the Valerys deep inside of her wanted to burst out laughing. Try anything shady? Oh, then we'd never have a conversation. However, Vicotria maintained her composure and her False Intentions technique shielded her body language from revealing her intentions. She didn't want to harm this young boy -- no. He would be much more valuable as an ally (as she had already dissected).

As Hamura studied the rings he would notice that inscriptions had been made over the outside of the metal, in all sorts of different languages. What had been able to inscribe these symbols was unknown, but he could tell a few of the words with his knowledge of languages. Written in Infernal, on this first ring at least, were the words, "Material Plane, Dimension 3a4.7" In Abyssal was written the words, "Earth World." Various other sections of the rings were also inscribed in Inernal and Abyssal, seeming to indicate some sort of scripture verses. "Call of C'thalpa, Book 3 Verse 3:33" had been written in Abyssal several times. What it all meant was anyone's guess however?

"No I have no idea," Victoria said, "I can't even read the inscriptions." This was true, although she knew the Shadowtongue, she knew very little of other languages. "As for where I come from -- I came from a home near the coast here in the Land of Wind near the base of Mt. Agaria. But I've been a shinobi for many years." Valerys thought back, to when she had been a young girl and had abandoned her parents in order to become a ninja. She felt no pity for them -- such useless people, although she did want to seek them out one day. Had they changed? "Although, never became a Chuunin like yourself. Been hearing about it a lot lately, suppose I should consider it." Valerys would lean closer to Hamura and look at him.

She could only think of one excuse to touch him and make Hamura a bit more complacent. "Tell me, Hamura, have you experienced any discomforts lately? If you're in need of healing of some sort of a disease or even mental ailment let me know. There might be something I could do for you." Victoria was not really skilled at healing, but Dian Xue Shu was second nature to her by now and found that doing something nice for a person could get one quite farther than being mean. Especially when it came to honorable individuals. Not to mention how much rapport could be built between by a simple touch of the arm or the neck. Victoria would give him a disarming smile. "Don't worry about being uptight," she said, "You've got nothing to worry about as long as I'm around." 

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies and False Intentions

[Hamura]

As he sat there, he listened as the woman proclaimed that she had no idea as she could not read what was on the rings at all. Whereas he hadn't really tried himself, he was more occupied with other things than the metallic constructs. He was still busy figuring out whether he could trust the woman or not, finding that she was about the first person actually from the Sand village that he had met aside from Titania. And he didn't consider that as meeting someone since that had been on a Shinobi basis, while this was more of a social visit if he were to dub it as something. Continuing to listen on as she explained to him where she had come from, he could honestly say that he had never heard of such a place.

But that was to be expected really, all he had really been doing since he had gotten to the land of Wind was explore, train and study. He hadn't done a single mission yet, nor had he done anything to really get himself acquainted with the populace. But that was the path he had chosen, and the path he would continue to choose. It was as he had told Shiki a year ago during his few month long stay in the land of Fang, his aim was not to be the kind of hero that people knew by name. He didn't aim to actively protect people in the light, for his aim was to protect the people without them knowing that they were even being saved from harm in the first place. While lonelier and a lot less rewarding, that was the path of the Anbu, and the path he felt worked out best for him.

"I don't really know. Sometimes my muscles hurt, but that's because I sometimes overdo it when training myself. My grandfather always said that one had to go and find their limits before they could surpass them, and that it would sometimes hurt afterwards. But in the end, it was supposed to be worth it, and so far it has been."

When he thought about it, a great deal of things he knew had initially been passed down to him by his grandfather. Though they had been changed from what they were originally meant to be, he could not imagine that the old man would have picked the darkness filled path of the Anbu for his grandson, though that was the road he walked these days. That said, he was feeling slightly uncomfortable when the woman leaned in to have a closer look at him. Holding out for a little while, he eventually jolted up from his seat and into an upright position. As someone who had never really been used to physical contact and had been without any actual affection for over a year now, mixed with the fact that he had no actual recollection of his parents made things like that a rather touchy subject.

"Uhm… I can read what's on these stones I think. Yeah… they seem to be a mixture of two different languages, though the underlying subject seems rather clear. Part of it speaks about the material plane… as well as dimension followed by a bunch of numbers and characters… 3a4.7. I'm not sure what any of that means though."

[Flower]

Victoria listened to Hamura tell her that his muscles were sore. He went into a discussion about his grandfather, implying that like many she had met he felt connected to this family. He probably had great love for them. Victoria made a mental note to remember that in case she ever needed to use it to her advantage, and thought about which points she knew throughout the meridian systems of the body which might help fatigued muscles. She knew many. Victoria looked at the boy and with her knowledge of Dian Xue Shue it was as if she could see fragments of his Qi network running throughout his body -- centralizing in particular points. She would got on her knees from the cross legged position, demenstrating some control over the flexiblity or her legs, and moved closer to Hamura so that she could put her hands on him if he would allow her.

"I know a thing or two about the human body," Victoria said, "If you trust me enough to let me touch you, then I could help your tense muscles." If Hamura would allow Victoria to do so, she would begin a sort of acupuncture massage aimed at manipulating his Qi to fix the pain and tension. She wasn't as good at healing as killing, but had gotten good at it as a means of manipulating people. She'd begin by pressing the ninth lung meridian point on the wrist, relieving any pain in his right and left arms and wrists. She'd then move her hands down pressing between the thumb and the forefinger on both sides of his body. This would help the circulation of his blood and key, alleviating pain throughout the body. She rubbed the spot tenderly noting the fourth point of the colon meridian, in addition to the third point as well to increase blood circulation. Part of good acupressure was knowing how to soothe the patient so she took great care to make sure it felt good. Then she'd move up the arm, to the seventh point in the colon meridian, which would help stop any stagnation of Qi in the shoulders, elbows, and wrist. By the time she was done, Victoria hoped that he would feel like a new man. She hoped that all that she had done for him would serve to sway his emotions, making him less skeptical of her.

"And that's not even all I know," Victoria would beam with a smile. "As for the writing, it sounds eerily similar to things I have been hearing too much about lately. Would you believe me that people have been telling me that there are ancient cults within the Land of Wind? Ha!" Although, Victoria thought it was no joke and longed to find them. She didn't know exactly where they were or how to find them, but hoped that one day they may stumble upon her. She wasn't a particularly religious person, but the opportunity to use religion as a tool -- that interested her quite a bit. She waited to see what Hamura would think of the matter, however, and if he had any answers. The great illusive goal which she was always seeking.

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    Body of Lies and False Intentions

LU 9: Taiyuan (Great Abyss or Bigger Deep Hole)
Rank: "C" - Always 30 TP no matter the class
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: All the transverse crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery. At the lateral aspect of the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis muscle and the medial aspect of the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus muscle.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This is a great Qi drainage point. It is an earth, yuan, and shu point and a special meeting point of pulse such as the arteries and veins. This point must be struck right on the point so it is not a point that one would use in a tight situation, although it works quite well as a set up point causing great local pain and Qi drainage. It will cause respiration to become erratic causing the recipient to think he is going to be suffocated. Medical Purposes - As a precaution Avoid Artery. Used to Tonify Lung Qi and Yin - cough, asthma, wheezing, SOB, chronic runny nose w/watery discharge. Palpitations. Used against wrist pain, arm pain along meridian. Hui Meeting Point of the Vessls - circulation issues, clarifying an indescernible pulse (for diagnosis).
Limit: Must know Meridian Location "Lung Meridian".

CO 4: Hegu (Adjoining Valleys)
Rank: "C" - Always 30 TP no matter the class
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: Between the first and second metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial side. Roughly between the second metacarpal bone and the end of the crease created when the thumb is adducted, in the dorsal interroseus muscle, in it's deep position, in the transverse head of the abductor hallcis muscle.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This point does some damage in Qi drainage and local pain. It can be used as a set up point to a LU 1: Zhong Fu (Central Residence) shot or to a LIV 14: Qimen (Expectation's Door) shot. Struck right on the point with a smaller weapon such as a one-knuckle punch, this point will cause confusion in the brain. This technique makes an opponent uneasy and makes them unable to perform handseals for an amount of three rounds. However, it is not easy to strike as that strike must be very accurate. Medical Purposes: As precautions no Moxa involved as well as no needle in pregnancy. Releases the exterior for wind-cold or wind-heat syndromes. Strengthens the wei qi, improves immunity. Regulates the sweat glands, for excessive sweating tonify CO 4: Hegu (Adjoining Valleys) then disperse KD 7: Fujiu (Returning Column / Current) and vice versa. Also used for any problem on the face - sense organs, mouth, teeth, jaw, toothache, allergies, rhinitis, hay fever, acne, eye problems, etc. Headache, especially frontal a/or sinus (yangming area) as well as Chronic Pain. Influence the circulation of Qi and Blood - Use the four gates, CO 4: Hegu (Adjoining Valleys) & CO 3: Sanjian (Between Three) to strongly move the Qi and Blood in the body clearing stagnation and alleviating pain. And finally Promote labor or for retained placenta.
Limit: Must know Meridian Location "Colon Meridian".

CO 7: Wenliu (Warm Slide)
Rank: "C" - Always 30 TP no matter the class
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: When a fist is made with the ulna side downwards and the elbow flexed, the point is five cun above CO 5: Yangxi (Adjoining Valley) .
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This is a xi-cleft point meaning that it is an accumulation point. A strike here will cause local pain and Qi drainage. It will cause pain along the whole channel and if struck hard enough can cause a knock out. Used with any of the neurological shut down points in particular No. 1 across the jaw, will cause knock out even with a mild blow. This is an excellent set up point for a CO 11: Quchi (Crooked Pool) shot. Medical Purposes: Xi Cleft Point useful for pain due to stagnation along the meridian in the shoulders, elbows and wrist. Classically noted with CO 5: Yangxi (Adjoining Valley) for "seeing ghosts," may be useful in manic conditions.
Limit: Must know Meridian Location "Colon Meridian".

[Hamura]

While not entirely his will, part of him felt like the woman was actually trying to help him, which was more than he could say about the majority of people he had met up until now. So far, it had usually been him who needed to help others, or people doing something for him just so he would need to help them out too. Truth be told, Hamura did not care a whole lot for the average human being, considering that he knew what was in their nature all too well. Even at his age, he had seen that humans were capable of great love towards others, possessing the will to help those other than themselves and otherwise act selflessly. On the other hand, he also knew all too well of their capacity to hate others, destroy the things they hated or did not understand and the things they would do out of self preservation.

The same went for their constant need for expansion, having to increase and extend their reach beyond their boundaries so that they could increase their wealth and power, more often than not at the expense of nature. He had seen how hunters treated animals, both in the wilderness and during the hunting competition he had been a part of in order to test his tracking skills. More so, he felt it detestable that people would hire exterminators and hunters to get rid of entire families of animals that moved into a basement or a backyard when they had actually been walking around in those spots mere months or years ago when it was still part of a forest. Things like those were the reason he preferred the company of animals over people, though that might also have been because people considered him odd, rude and generally unkind.

"…If you're sure, I'll allow it just this once."

With that, he sat himself back down and allowed the woman to do whatever she was going to do, figuring that she wouldn't intentionally hurt him. By the time she started going about her business, she started poking and prodding at certain parts of his body. Though initially not overly pleasant, he quickly adjusted himself to the point where it did not really bother him as much anymore. As she applied pressure to certain parts of his body, he listened to her as she spoke about how she had actually heard more about the things he named with regards to the rings. Apparently, there were ancient cults within the desert nation, or so she claimed. Given the things he had learned when studying the two aforementioned languages, he had also learned a thing or two about what they were about. Based on that, he could imagine why stupid people might worship such ideas.

"It was once said that religion was to be regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. If there were to be a religious cult that actively worships demons or devils, it might be worth looking into, seeing as human casualties might not be far away.."

[Flower]

Victoria would finish up her acupuncture massage and look over Hamura, who now appeared to be doing better from his fatigue. Or at least he was a little more talkitive. She was pleased that he had allowed her to help him, to gain his trust of course but also to show him her worth. She found that people were more willing to talk open if they thought you had power and strength. The heat from the ancient rings seemed to be fueling her with life, and the sun felt good after so much time spent away from home. Hamura seemed a smart enough individual, giving his take on religion and the situations. He said that human casualties might not be far away.

"Oh? And what is your business with human casualties?" Victoria asked, "Do you plan on saving them?" She said this with a kind of gleam in her eye, as if she was admiring his bravery. Really, however, she was just curious as to how good this man really was. It was clear that he had some honor, but was he truly incorruptible? "Personally, I've found human suffering to be a problem for many of us. It is sad that such beautiful things may come to an end and perish at the hands of man." Lies. But hey, when in the company of good-aligned people?

From some other world it seemed, Victoria seemed to be able to hear Valerys laughing inside of her colored with a red light. She looked over Hamura and wondered about him, and what use she could make out of the boy. If he said that he was good after listening to her words, then she would say, "Ah, then would it not be to our benefit to train or spar together? Perhaps we could teach one another things about our respective fighting styles and use them to our advantage?" Victoria hoped that thanks to her bloodline abilities and her previous goal of healing Hamura that he would agree to the deal. She did so badly want to learn as much as possible. Yes these rings had with them certain secrets and unknown knowledge, but so did the young prodigy sitting in front of her. If it was true that he was as good as he claimed, then why? And what did he know?

Some of the remaining birds from one of the rings cawed, causing many of them to respond in a sort of mirror-like fashion.

SPOILER: Click to show

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    Body of Lies and False Intentions

[Hamura]

By the time the woman was done poking and prodding at him, he got up from his seat and moved his joints around a bit to see how well it all went. From what he could feel, he could tell that his body felt a lot less strained, which was really a good thing considering the plans he had set in motion regarding leaving the village for an undetermined amount of time to go and train at Sōjōgatani. Doing his best to take in what she told and asked him regarding what his business was with the casualties and whether or not he planned on saving them or not, he raised his brow a bit. Finding it an odd question to ask a Shinobi, it made him wonder if she herself was just acting to be kind and couldn't actually understand why someone would even care.

"I don't particularly care for them, humans have been running rampant at the cost of the natural world for far too long already. That said, it is part of my job as a Shinobi to do something when lives are endangered or ended, especially over something as unsightly as a religion."

Making it rather clear that he held no love for humans in general, he just didn't enjoy it when anyone suffered. Being particularly true for animals since he hated how people were generally removing more and more of nature so they could expand and show just how big and powerful they could get. Humanity as a whole was disgusting to him in that regard, because people always needed bigger, better things and as many of them as possible, not caring about who or what it hurt in the process. But as a Shinobi, he had to do his best to keep people safe and alive, mostly because not everyone was a big shot that was responsible for making life worse for others.

"I'm not very good at sparring. That's not exactly how my skills are best put to use or executed, because all I can do is hurt and kill people, so I don't think that's a good idea."

[Flower]

It seemed to Victoria that Hamura's life would be better suited as a hermit than a shinobi, except for his desire to protect people (which he saw as the mission of a shinobi). Victoria saw it very differently, but kept her mouth shut and her techniques continued to make her seem to be a good girl. She stood up with Hamura as he was testing out his joints and muscles, and she seemed content to stand there still and assured. When he told her that she wasn't very good at sparring Victoria thought that it was such a shame. She would have enjoyed a good match, it had been so long. But oh well, not everyone was cut out for such battles for personal sport.

"Ah I see, well, not all combat is bad Hamura. I've sure you've fought to protect people, not just to hurt and kill them, but I respect your methods. You are just a young boy though, Hamura, remember that there is still much to learn. Even for me at my age. Perhaps we could still teach one another, and if not through sparring then some other method? If a mission arises, I will certainly put down your name if you would allow me..."

This then seemed the second best idea to her. If the two of them could work together to solve something, then perhaps he would trust Victoria more and it would serve to quench her thirst for blood and power. She just hoped that Hamura wouldn't be too suspecting of her as they spent time together. But who knew? In an ideal world this young boy would discover the great evil that could live inside of him -- and the power that it could bring him. But good had a strange quality of changing people beyond repair and Victoria had little hope in this endeavor. Although, she was not completely hopeless...

"I'm sure that fate will one day take me back to these runes and these words. When that happens, maybe you'll be involved as well. It has been nice to meet you. I'm sure that we will one day see one another around the village."

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies and False Intentions

[Hamura]

"You're right, there is always more to learn, and I don't intend on stopping to improve myself any time soon."

It was rather true that there was still plenty for him to learn, which was exactly why he had been doing a lot of research up until now that would allow him to go to Sōjōgatani in search of one of the legendary Daitengu. If the stories were anything more than fiction, Hamura was going to find the place and receive the training he yearned for. He was aware of the stories and strange phenomena that surrounded the Tengu, such as invisible rocks being thrown around and hitting people, yet leaving no physical mark or remnant of the rock itself, as well as the sound of trees getting chopped down and crashing into the ground, tents and cottages being shaken, only to find no evidence of anything.

These were just events tied to the Tengu, saying nothing about the horrid acts committed by the actual lesser Tengu known as the Kotengu. These Kotengu were known for defiling religious sites, taking children and tying them up at the highest branches of a tree where no one could get to them while all would hear their screams, picking up people and flying them off into the air, dropping them to their deaths from great heights and even kidnapping people, raping them and feeding them feces until they eventually lost their minds and went insane. While dangerous, they paled in comparison with the Daitengu, who, while more intelligent and far less violent, could incite hurricanes, floods, avalanches and more when they were angered.

"That sounds good to me, I can't really remember the last time I even applied for a mission. I'm pretty sure I haven't done a single one since I joined the Sand, so it's about time. I'll see you when you do."

Saying nothing about his intended journey in search of a place that might not even exist, he did not want to worry anyone or give anyone the feeling that he was planning on leaving the village for an undetermined amount of time. Since he was a Chuunin now, people would not worry about it as much as if he were a Genin, though other suspicions might still arise concerning potential defection. Figuring he really wouldn't need to worry about such things if people even remotely trusted him and his judgement, he would stick around a bit longer before going on his way. Only time would tell if the mission would come before or after his departure.

[End of Thread]

[Flower]

Valerys watched the boy leave, and took a moment for herself after he had done so. She looked once more at the runes and the birds and wondered on the boy she had just met. A prodigy, perhaps, Valerys thought to herself, A powerful ninja, no doubt. She knew that it would be useful to have him on her side, and with all of the missions she was getting from Shiki she didn't think that it would be difficult finding one to have him take her on. He was a Chuunin after all. He could be... quite useful for her purposes, and dreams of becoming an Anbu under Shiki. A dream she had never quite thought about until just now.

"Alright then," Valerys said through Victoria's mouth, "It's about that time I suppose." She gathered all of her things and prepared to head out -- giving one lasting look at her former hang out spot. She knew that she would be back. Nobody stayed gone forever.

[exit.]