Small Beginnings {P}

Overcast, the past week or so had been nothing but overcast skies. Threatening to rain, but never raining. A few hours during the day the sun would tease the denizens of the Volcano riddled island by showing its fickle face before quickly disappearing behind a thick veil of clouds. It was here under a clouded sky that Lucian Nazar sat. Sitting on the deck of the main Nazar manor the boy kept his eyes on the work in front of him. It was the late afternoon, so the boy had finished all his required meditation and chores around the manor, which left him with a bit of time to himself.

Normally, the boy devoted his personal time to studies or completing more hours of meditation and on rare occasions physical conditioning. However, today was different, because as he sat cross legged on the wooden deck he had a basket of small metal spikes to his left. The basket itself was comparable to two gallon bucket with an elaborate weave. Another, almost identical basket save for the woven patterns, sat on his right, but it sat empty.

Picturing the construct he saw in his mind, Lucian removed a single spike from the basket to his left. Closing his  left hand around the spike he allowed two natures of chakra to flow through his body, fire and earth. As the two chakra elements snaked up Lucian's arm they became married into a single element, steel. That newly formed chakra flowed into the small inch long spike with ease. Now came the difficult part: shaping the spike, honing its point and sharpening its edge. He pictured the small blade in his mind in all its glory. In his mind it looked perfect. Opening his clenched hand he looked upon his work.

In the hand that once held a small spike there now sat a small blade. It shone ever so slightly and felt cool to the touch. Unfortunately this first creation was only one of many hundred if not thousand of blades he had to make. Earlier in the week he had spent his time planning a new puppet the likes of which he had never attempted to build. What spurned on such a project? Simply put he was preparing for his eventual coming of age journey. Sure he preferred to remain peaceful, but sometimes force was a needed evil. Thus, he worked on the creation of a puppet for battle, not entertainment.

Tossing the blade he had made into the basket to his right the boy sighed ever so slightly. This process was going to take quite a while, but hopefully it would be worth it. Picking up another spike in his hand he repeated the same process. It all became very mechanical. Pick up, mold, and repeat. Soon enough Lucian could do the whole process without looking. When he reached such a point he cast his gaze out to the horizon. As chance would have it his gaze would also rest on the road to the clan's manor. From where he sat he could see anyone approaching the compound. Of course, the Nazar clan did not often get many visitors, welcome visitors anyway.

Several days had passed, and it was only now that he truly felt himself again. To save himself and Lucian he had tapped that demon that rested within his body.  Giving it limited control of his body he unlocked strength he couldn't achieve on his own.  It did however not go without consequences.  Perhaps he was one of the few jinn who could come out of the Version two manifesto on if the chakra cloak, and only because of how often he had called upon its powers.  That and the sin cells working to make his body stronger than any normal man.

Despite appearing as normal as possible when he had emerged to Lucian, such a thing did take its toll on not only his body but his psyche as well.  Allowing the demon of chakra o run rampant, it wasn't something he knew he should make a habit of, and it was only a last resort or when he felt it must happen for emphasis.  Meditation, the hunt, the kills, all these things brought his mind back to clarity, and resolve.  He had tempered not only his body, but his mind these last couple days, and now it was time to do something with it.

In the time since he had left Lucian his armor had been forged, truly a master work the likes the Volcano had never produced.  His blade now hung from his back, even taller than he himself.  The great pendulum blade he had labeled The Bloody Moon.  Both pieces of steel forged with his own blood, the furnace fire had come from his own belly.  They were as much he as his arm.  Deadly tools to be used, scythes to the crop of man.  As if was, as it will always be....Taios was a weapon.  However a weapon with no purpose succumbs to rust.  To remain against the whetstone that was why he made his way out.

He had known in general were the Nazar called home, and he had decided it time to call upon the man known as Lucian.  Man....he had sold against odd, while maybe not gaining the blood and glory Taios so approved of he had lived.  He hadn't backed down, and he had followed orders.  Taios respected that, and wished to break bread, or boar, with the man again.  Hear him out and how his genin exam had went.  So with that in mind he crossed the long walk to the mansion, and walked the long road.

Upon seeing Lucian he would walk up and stand once again towering as he always did.  His armor only covered his waist down, he special properties allowing him to hear it to a liquid form and manipulate it.  In this way from his belt line down was covered in hard twisted blackened steel, wicked spikes pointing this way and that.  His torso remained bare, and his long hair braid bouncing against his back.  His bear still unruly.  The Bloody Moon, stepped to his back, bounced and clanged slightly as the shaft struck his armored legs.

"Hard at work I see....how went the village?"  He would say.  His idea of formal greeting a and manners probably could use polish, but they were not things hat generally came up.  Instead he often cut to the root of the conversation, voicing his questions as they arose instead of oretendingn to care about idle chat.  Waiting to see what the boy would say, his eyes already began to examin his work in the buckets.  "What are you doing ?"  Well.....he couldn't hold his tongue.  It seemed an odd chore and he wanted to know.

Clink, clink, clink, clink clink...

The shrill staccato sound of metal hitting metal was all Lucian heard. There were no birds, no working clan members nor even the slight whistle of the wind could be heard. Nothing more than metal on metal. It was an almost hypnotic sound, which lulled Lucian into what the Nazar clan would call a meditative trance and what an outsider may mistake for spacing out. As his body switched onto autopilot his mind began to dance to and fro. The vast expanse of porous lava rock that stretched out before Lucian's vision melted away. In its place he saw the blueprint he had drawn up.

Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, his hands continued to work as his mind wandered.

A giant figure, yes, that would be the frame. The inspiration for the frame of the puppet was drawn from a single man, Taios. Large, intimidating, almost brutish. The puppet he saw in his mind's eye would be everything Taios looked like and more. A automaton made of steel made to dance at the whim of his fingers. However, the frame itself would be the last part made. Before he got to the large frame he had to make parts of the varying mechanisms that fit within the frame. So, far the boy had formulated three mechanisms: a hide made of blades,spring loaded limbs and the ability to launch canisters of sorts. The three mechanisms were very simple, nothing over the top, but they were a start nonetheless. The Nazar clansman still had a bit of room in the puppet for more mechanisms, but for now he planned to work on the three he had down on paper.

Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink his hands continued work on the first of three mechanisms, the hide of blades.  

Shaken from his internal musings by movement in his field of vision, Lucian unconsciously straightened his back and tightened hos muscles. Ever since the run in with the cannibal tribe he had been a bit on edge, as if he were not safe even here in the Nazar Manor. Squinting at the horizon he spied a single figure moving towards the manor. It hit him instantly that the figure was quite tall and the loping stride looked quite familiar. It took only a matter of moments for him to conclude that the man drawing ever nearer was his new acquaintance, Taios.

Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, as Taios drew nearer Lucian's hand continued their mechanical waltz back and forth between the two baskets.

As Taios drew nearer, Lucian's eyes were greeted by a rather different figure than he had met a few days prior. Sure, his physique was the same, but the man now wore pants that almost looked to be scrap metal shards knit into clothes. Very clearly it was actually armor, but it was not the likes of which Lucian had ever seen before. Further, strapped to the large man's back was an even larger sword. The new attire did not really seem to change Taios' style, no, rather it complimented and highlighted it. It was all quite fitting, almost natural like both the armor and weapon were a part of the man.

Clink, clink, clin----The smooth sound of metal ceased when at last Taios got close enough to speak. Terse as ever, Taios' inquiry reminded Lucian of a major social transgression. He had not thanked the man who saved his life. Nor had he even bothered to inform him of how his genin exam had gone. Mentally scolding himself, he sought to amend his mister with a few words.

"Ah, see for yourself," Pulling back his collar a bit Lucian revealed the still shiny luster of his new headband signifying his promotion to genin. "Thank you for the other day by the way. I would have wandered around the village forever had I not had your help. And god only knows how what may have become of me wandering around those streets."

At this point Taios asked about the odd activity he was performing. A reasonable question. After all what would one do with small inch long blades anyway?

"Well, see there is a local colony of ants and I figured I'd arm them..." Picking up one of the completed blades he held it up in front of him and continued speaking. "All joking aside, as you can see these are small blades. Ultimately they will make up the skin of a puppet I am creating." Replacing the completed blade in the proper basket he shrugged ever so slightly. "Puppetry has always been a fascination of mine and with my coming of age journey fast approaching I figured I would need some form of protection. Thus, I am working on a puppet for defense."

Picking up a dull metal bar from the raw pile of steel he continued the same process.

Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink....

Upon seeing the head band a grin spread across his lips.  Pleased that Lucian had been promoted and the training had been for nothing, he was once again satisfied that he had seen something in him.  It had been a wise choice to quell whatever turmoil had gone through his soul at not embracing his most based urges.  The grin while normally would be something of praise always looked a bit sinister on Taios.  Through no fault of his own of course, the fact his cabin teeth had been elongated when he had inadvertently drawn upon so much of the Yonbi's chakra was not something he could have helped, he had essentially been dead after all.

As the boy explained more and more about what he was doing he began to have mixed feelings.  A true warrior, a gladiator even met the enemy head on.  The hot breath of each embraced in mortal warfare felt cleanly on the other.  The blood intermingling, forces unhindered by distance.  These were how he saw protection, how he saw as the true way to fight.  However......he knew better than to say it was the only way.  If one proved efficiency than whatever style they took upon could be seen as good.  So, in this way he accepted puppetry as a live and let live style.  Not something he would do, but if the wielded proved themselves, then at least it was something he could respect.

"No thanks necessary.  In the future you will pay me back..::in one way or another we will find." He would say with a bark.  The most intresting portion of what Lucian had said however was his comment of a coming of age journey.  Thinking on this, he began to rationalize how he could get a traveling companion and get out to scout the other villages with ease.

"What sort of journey did you say?"  The question was mostly to garner further details on the subject:  to discern precisely what the journey would involve and if it would suit his own needs.  It would be the perfect opportunity to train Lucian further as well, away from the volcano and away from his clan.  The village while his home, Taios held no misconceptions of the place.  Where a man could be killed at a whim.

"Ah, I suppose not many outsiders would know of our traditions." Pausing for a moment he considered how best to describe a coming of age journey. "Basically, upon turning eighteen every Nazar member goes on a journey. Journeys last anywhere from a year to one's entire life and can span as far as the closest village to the furthest one. The main idea behind them is to find one's self. Find a goal, a reason to live. To find meaning in one's life. And when and if you do return to the village you are considered a full adult member of the clan and life goes on."

Flashing a quick and easy smile he continued speaking. Perhaps it was the lack of human contact for the past couple hours or something else, but he felt like talking, not working. "So, yeah, that's a coming of age journey in a neat nutshell. For example, I leave for my journey in naught, but a week and a half. I am leaving a bit early to avoid the stormy season, which, as you no doubt know, can complicate travel off of this rock." Now, on a roll with his words the young man continued the seemingly unending torrent. "Personally my first stop will be Kumogakure, the village hidden in the clouds. I was told by a traveler that the village was a sight to behold. Any chance you have been there?"

Finally stopping his barrage of words a quizzical look passed over the Nazar's face as he waited for a response from the behemoth of a man. After all, surely Taios knew more than just the small island nation. In the brief break from conversation Lucian's hands moved as if possessed back to their monotonous job. Back and forth between baskets they moved making sure to mold each blade perfectly. Thus, the familiar sound began once again... Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink.

"I know only what the scrolls of the village can tell me.  I know roughly were it is located, but essentially that is where my knowledge of it comes to a close."  He had heard of the place and briefly considered going there.  However, he hadn't the skills or rather the bodies to go the last time.  He would not step into a village such as that alone.  He was a killer, a weapon, ruthless, but not stupid.  He contained a monster of chakra within, he knew enough of the world that that automatically out a target on his back.  Without someone of decent stock to watch it, then we'll some risks would have to be avoided.

Now however it seemed this was to be rectificied.  This coming to age journey was a good reason to tag along as he had already conceived.  And now learning more on the subject it just affirmed in his mind that this was the right thing to do.  

"I will come with you."  Again, his manners lacked, and the brutish tone and straight to the point way of his conversation skills could be seen as rude to some.  Seen as rude, but uasully not voiced.  "I traveled for a time outside the country, but my travel was limited to the smallest of places.  To see the other villages, this is something I would like very much.  Besides......we are Funkagakure Nin, we should protect one another."

A week and a half, plenty of time to prepare.  Actually to much time, everything on him was all he needed.  He didn't need to eat, or drink.  He didn't need to rest, all he needed was the blade on his back and the armor on his Body.  Everything else, was optional.  It also never occurred to him that he would be turned down by Lucian.  He had previously remarked that Lucian owed him one, well this could count for that well enough.

"Puppets aye...."  He said reaching in and holding one of the blades.  "I look forward to seeing your finesse."

Lucian listened in silence. Was it odd that Taios wanted to tag along? For sure. Was Lucian too polite deny the hulk? Indeed. However, these facts did not mean that he did not wish Taios to travel with him. It would be pleasant to have someone so different than himself to travel with. Sure, as Taios said they were both shinobi of the volcano village. Though, Lucian was convinced that after that their list of similarities was quite short. Perhaps traveling with his polar opposite would be more enlightening than traveling alone. He honestly couldn't be sure at this juncture. The only real way to find out was to jump in head first. What was the worst that could happen?

"Well, then I suppose we will both be in the same boat, literally." Pausing for comedic effect Lucian hoped that Taios got the poor pun. "I'll be at the docks in the early morning before the sun rises. We will set sail with the tides, which will hopefully allow us to make good time."

"As for my skill with puppets, well, that remains to be seen. To be completely honest with you I haven't had much experience with complicated puppets with various mechanisms. So far my practice has been confined to smaller puppets. As for the one I am creating, well, it will be something quite different. In fact..." Standing up and taking a break from his task Lucian judged Taios' actual height before speaking up again. "The puppet should ultimately be just a wee bit taller than you. We shall see how it turns out."

Shrugging unconsciously, Lucian reached out his hand to shake Taios' hand. Hopefully the Taios wasn't the kind of guy to leave someone hanging.

"To safe travels?" Lucian asked with his hand still extended.

Sadly, he would be unable to get much work in on the puppet before he had to leave as it had to be easily transported with him. Until the puppet was complete he would probably be pinned to the first village he arrived at. In this case it would be Kumogakure. Surely that would not be too bad, right? No way Kumogakure could be any worse than the Volcano village.

The joke wasn't lost, but it also wasn't acknowledged. Taios heard it, laughed internally then moved on. It was just how he was. "Well we will see your skills tempered then I have no doubt. I look forward to seeing it, as for your puppet I can't wait to go up against it." He said with a bark of a laugh. The prospect of fighting a true puppet master was intresting. He had seen his bitch f a sister do it but hers had been trash and weak. He hoped Lucian was a bit better.

Taking the mans hand in his own he gave it a shake. His own hand many degrees warmer than Lucians. Perhaps a side effect of such an affinity with fire and lava. "Safe travels and many rewards among them." He said. "I shall meet you at the docks then. I've simply had a camp site I've been staying at, so shouldn't be a problem to arrive at he appointed time. I look forward to our Journey Lucian."

Before Lucian could respond in kind to Taios' farewell the dull sound of a gong filled the air. It was time for for evening meditation. Still standing, Lucian abbreviated his farewell. Coming up from a short bow he spoke quickly.

"Until we meet again, I wish you the best." 

With that the Nazar gathered the two baskets in his arms and gave a curt nod to Taios before disappearing into the manor. Sure, he could have been a little more formal. However, one was never late to a meditation session. It was simply not done. On the bright side he had gotten quite a few blades done as his depleted chakra reserves would indicate.

{Word count 2160 towards completing Delito. Also, +10 stats as chakra is being used to construct the puppet itself. Exit Lucian stage left.}

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