New Years Celebration (open, NK)

Yasumi was nodding over at the buffet as he asked for chocolate: "Well we do have chocolate fondue over there if you want to just dig in I heard it is healthy for heart and soul." She would point her finger at the happily blubbering fountain of sweet sensations. But then something happened and the door swung open as someone else entered. Seemed as if at least one other person cared to join them and she was happy about that. As it seemed he and Max were already friends which was why Max took it upon him to introduce her. She would then get up from her chair and make a light bow to him and extended her left hand to shake his: "I am honoured to meet a friend of Max, please feel free to call me Yasu." Originally she would want to point towards her brother as someone else entered.
Now it was getting lively in here and she could not wait to see if anyone else she knew already would show up as well. "Happy Holidays to you too!", she would reply with Max in a kind of unison and then wait a short moment: "Please come in and enjoy yourself. We have snacks over there", she would point at the buffet. "My brother Neza will gladly provide you with drinks", she would gesture over at the lightly waving male behind the bar already pulling two more glasses from the shelf. Then she would sit down on her chair again sighing with a joyful expression on her face.
While she did Max would say something about weird gifts or packages and she would get curious about it listening into what he said: "I have not... well maybe because I am too new to this town", she chuckled and looked at the others, would give them a chance to state their view on this before she asked: "What was inside that box?" Her eyes would rest upon Max now again to hear what he had to tell her.

WC: 340
WC: 1787

Sakana would shake the hand of the girl he know knew to be Yasu. It was nice to see another friendly face around town, someone who didn’t want to kill him. “Same to you, Yasu.” After that, the door flew open and Renji the Hyuuga genin would enter, the Meijin hadn’t seen him in a while. Even so, Sakana would give him a head nod and wave in acknowledgment. Once he sat down Yasu would pull glasses and tell them that her brother will pour drinks for them. “Just water for me please, I don’t drink alcohol.” Then Sakana would pull out a chair and sit at the table with his friends, listening to Max talk about some weird Christmas gifts. Yasu said she hadn’t received anything and Sakana would follow him with “I think there are some packages at my house, maybe it’s something like that. I haven’t opened them yet though, I haven’t been feeling too well lately.” The chuunin would listen intently to wait for Max to tell him the contents of the ‘weird’ box.
 

WC: 527

As Renji walks over towards Max, A smile would run a cross the young hyugas face as Max and a girl that Renji had never seen before both answer in unison, Renji was happy to see that everyone was in the holiday spirits. Turning to the girl Renji would say “hey are you new to town, can’t say that we have met. But, any friend of Max’s is a friend of mine. My names Renji Hyuga, and it’s nice to meet ya!” once he had finished introducing himself Renji would hold his hand out to shake the girls hand if she decided to accept.

“did you say snacks?” Renji’s eyes would light up upon hearing that there was food here. He had not eaten all day, and trekking through the snow was super draining. Renji would graciously thank the girl as he makes an immediate B-line for the buffet table.  Looking at all the food on the table Renji would grab a plate and fills it up with an assortment of different foods. He does this again two more times filling up three plates in total. Taking one plate in either hand, and the third in his mouth, Renji would turn to eyeball a seat near sakana. Barely making it to his seat somehow with out spilling any food from his plate.

As Renji is Listening to Max speak about gifts, it would cause Renji’s train of thought to shift to the empty house that was waiting for him at home. With both parents dead and his brother being out of town for over a tear now, knew that he had no gifts waiting for him at home. But he would not want to dampen the mood, so he would lie out of embarrassment,  saying “yea, I got a bunch of stuff at home, I can’t wait to open it all.” Putting on his best fake smile as he does so.

“what do you mean Trinkets?” Renji was curious as to what Max had gotten in his delivery and would put the chicken bone in his hand down and looks up to listen closely to what the little boy had to say.

WC 361.

Max would pull out some of the things that he had gotten from his gift, though he hadn't a clue who had left them. "There was a box of candy canes, and a big bag that is much larger inside than it would appear from the outside. I also got this strange little thing, too." Max would say, pulling out the Christmas cracker that he found. 

"I don't know what it is or what it is for, but it seems neat. I hope your gifts were as neat as this, Sakana." Max would say with a small grin, happy to have his friends here. "Oh wow, Renji! That is quite the appetite you have. The food all looks very tasty, but I will be right back. I seek sweets."

Max would walk over to the chocolate fondue and proceed to dip various other small snacks into the chocolate and put it all on a place in a neat little pile. When he walked back over with his treats, he would have his cheeks puffed, filled with various chocolate dipped treats. If asked anything else, Max would make his best attempt to answer, though it would likely come out garbled because of his full mouth. 

"So, what are everyone's resolutions? Mine is to grow strong enough to be promoted to Jounin and find the answers I seek." Max would say with a smile on his face, hiding the fact that he had one more resolution, and that was to seek vengeance on those responsible for what happened to Senshi. Such a statement felt a little out of place at such a happy event, and he wasn't going to say anything to sour peoples moods.

"Oh don't worry we have juices and Soda too, I considered that there would be under aged people coming so least of what my brother is serving contains alcohol", she reassured Sakana. Still her brother was already on his way bringing over a glass of water handing her some red juice mixed with sparkly water. Then she would turn towards Renji ad smile: "Yes I am new, Yasumi Sora pleased to meet you", she would shake his hand and smile at him, "I have already met some other man with that Name, Hyuuga are you related to Komon Hyuuga in any way? Or is that just a common name?"[/b][/color], she would ask and as he looked for the snacks point him towards the buffet sitting down once again.
"Well then I hope you are better now Sakana-san", she would eye him carefully seemingly concerned that he was not well. But at least it looked like he was fine for now. Max's words would make her eye Kenji who was balancing three plates of food at once which made her chuckle a little as the sight of it was quite delightful to see this and then Max fill his plate with chocolate. She would smile as the room was getting livelier by the minute. Now she was getting hungry and excused herself with a small bow and went to the buffet as well. It took a little to fill her plate but after that she returned and looked at what Max hat brought to the table this all looked quite unique and not like something she would have seen before. "Those look almost pretty for weapons", she would point at the candy canes and then taking a bit out of a sandwich. "My new year's resolution", she would poke at her nose, "become a Genin and then build my first puppets." She would take a sip out of her glass and then look into the round of them to see what they might say.

WC: 333
WC: 2120

The new girl seemed nice, she was offering food and drinks for everyone. Sakana wondered if she was paid to be that nice or if it was just her personality. Normal people wouldn’t think about such things but Sakana wasn’t normal. “Thanks for the offer but only really drink water. We are made of it after all, some more than others.” The Meijin would think about his deep connection with water and his friend Komori being made of water. It was then that Yasumi’s brother came over with the glass of water. Sakana would nod in thanks as he prepared to listen to Max’s explanation of the weird presents he’s been getting. Candy canes, bags and crackers. It was all strange to say the least. What was it with all the weird stuff that surrounded Sakana and his friends? It would all calm down eventually.
 
All these people around him talking and laughing felt on one hand so weird, but on the other, so normal Part of him wanted to go home and just sleep, escape from all of this social interaction. Maybe an island away from all of civilization would be good for him after all. Conflicting him was the other part, the part that enjoyed being here, around people.
 
Sakana would look distant to anyone around him as he was deep in though. He would be yanked back to reality once he heard Max ask about New Year’s resolutions. Max wanted to be a chuunin and find answers. Yasumi wanted to become genin and build puppets. Both answers having to do with ranks, is that all their goals were? They just wanted more fancy titles?  Did they want it for the honor’s sake or the money? No, probably not the money, he knew Max better than that and it seemed like the girl was a good person. The Meijin knew it was his turn to contribute but what to say? He wasn’t concerned with ranks but that could be an answer. He did want to make nice with the bjuu but he couldn’t exactly tell everyone that. Top secret information and all. Instead he would say “I want to make a difference, doesn’t matter how big or small.” He hoped Renji would go right after him so he wouldn’t be questioned on specifics.  
 

WC: 921

“Haha you’ve meet Komon, have you met his brother too?, they are both super cool, but, no, we are not related. Hyuga is just a popular sur name. But you never know I guess.” Renji would say in response to Yas, see seemed super cool and she also knew big bro Komon too with was a plus in Renji’s book, this girl is alright by me, Renji would think to himself.

. Renji’s sweat tooth would begin to itch as he hears about all the nice candy that max had received for the holidays. They sounded really amazing, and Renji’s wished that he had gotten some. “that sounds delicious Max I hope you enjoy all of that!” Renji’s would say in reply to Max, chuckling a little bit as he sees the boys cheeks filled with food.

Renji would begin to nervously stuff his face with food as everyone began stating their new years resolutions. He had not given much though to it and did not want to embarrass himself.  Max’s resolution of wanting to make jounin was very admirable, but what did he mean by find the answers he was looking for, Renji would ponder to himself. Renji would have to remember to ask Max later what he meant, the party probably wasn’t the best place to go into such a deep conversation.

Renji’s new friend Yas, was hoping to make Genin, which was Renji’s resolution last year. She seemed strong and Renji knew that she would easily make her resolution a reality.  Renji would also note that she was a puppet user just like Max. “that’s cool Max will have someone to help him work on his puppets with…if he let’s her help him.” Renji would be reminded of the time he offered to help Max with Napa and how quickly he turned him down.

And then there was Sakana, who wanted to make a difference, Renji did not quite understand what he had meant, but judging by how fast he answered the question, it seemed as if he was not trying to go to much into details.

And then it was finally Renji’s turn, still having not given it much thought, Renji would just open his mouth and speaks the first thing that comes to mind “well my resolution for this year, is quite simply to go on more adventures with my team and friends, I want to see the world and I want to take all of my friends along. Wouldn’t that be cool, like on a big adventure to see every corner of the world. Climb to the highest mountain top, and cross the biggest oceans and meet new people!” Renji would become excited halfway through his little speech and stands up, using the chicken bone as a prop to help him to as he narrates.

WC
471

Hearing Renji speak about Yasu being a puppeteer and able to help Max with his puppets the young blonde would simply shake his head. “I typically work on my own puppets alone, as my methods are my own. I am willing to help others, should they seek my assistance in building something, but I don’t allow others to work on my puppets. My puppets are too personal to me for that. They are my friends after all. Plus, I can’t have anybody else stealing any of my clan secrets, now can I?” Max would give off a slight chuckle at this last statement. He really didn’t have many clan secrets, but those that he did have were things that he didn’t give out lightly. Most probably didn’t even know of his minor clan, and since they were all but wiped out the chances were even more slim.

 
Max would listen to each of the other answers, holding on to each word as it was spoken. Most of them seemed like understandable resolutions. Yasu wanted to reach the rank of Genin, which was well within her grasp. She was fairly capable for one so early in their training, at least her chakra seemed rather potent. Then it came to his pal Sakana’s turn. Sakana was surprisingly… off. Max wasn’t quite sure what his friend had been going through, but something didn’t sit right with Max. He hoped that his friend was alright, as he hadn’t seen him much since the trip to Hoshi ended. In fact, this is the first time that he had seen Sakana at all now that they were back home.
 
Renji’s resolution hit hard though, as he mentioned that he wanted to do things with his team and friends around the world. Renji didn’t know… nobody seemed to. The details of such information was only given to the highest of ranked shinobi, as even Kyson hadn’t known anything and he was a Jounin, at least as far as Max knew. Max was going to have to be the one to break it to folks… but how? How do you tell everyone that someone so important to the village was gone? Max would shift his smile, not becoming a frown but clearly showing a bit of discomfort at the thought of it all.
 
“I am sure that you will become a Genin, Yasu. And Sakana, you make a difference each and every day in the lives of those that care about you. People never seem to know how much that difference means to them until it is too late. Know that your friendship means a lot to me, and for that I thank you. And Renji, I am sure that you will manage to see the world, though circumstances and responsibilities may keep us all from exploring as soon as you would like. Being a shinobi is a good enough job, but one often forgets the sacrifices one makes for this life. Just know that I consider you all friends, some old," Max would say as he looked over at Sakana and Renji. He would then shift his gaze over to Yasu, “and some new. Thank you.” Max’s mind would wander again, thinking about what he needed to do. He had to tell them, and he needed to give Senshi the funeral he deserves.
 
Max would finish his food and stand up, shifting around and trying to walk his thoughts away. “I… I have to take a walk. I may come back if it isn’t too late afterwards. It was good seeing you all.”
 
 
Max would step over to the door, and if not stopped for some reason he would trek out into the cold for a walk to clear his head. Once outside, he would activate his Telepathy Seal and speak to those linked. “If you are available, meet me at my house tomorrow at dawn. I have some important news I must pass along. If unable to make it tomorrow, please set up a good time to meet.”

---Exit, unless stopped---

TWC: 2246
Claims: 
Yasumi's Chakra signature (2000/2000 needed WC with the person)
Mind Reading will get +1276 WC (3000/3000 WC with 25% discout since none of the WC was used for AP)


Spirit Schism will get the remaining 970 WC (1664/6000) [none of the wc used for this was for AP]

Approved unless interupted.

Yasumi would look at Renji and slightly shake her head: "Only Komon so far but well maybe I will meet all the others too as soon as I really start working for this village. That would be a lot of fun to me." She would stretch out a little and one could hear it slightly crack in her back as she did and then she would listen to the other ones resolutions. They were partly so different. Sakana was first and she would look at him with a cheerful smile as he said he wanted to make a difference. With this at heart she was quite sure he would meet his resolution quite easy so he might not need to worry.
Renjis was a little bit more difficult since she knew Shinobi did not really get a lot time to travel, it was rarely seen that they went where they wanted and much less often they did it with the people they choose. But seen that Renji might mean his team with his friends that was maybe at least partial achievable. Something that bothered her about it was that this resolution seemed to kind of upset Max in a way she did not quite understand why. Her eyes displayed worry when he suddenly stood up and excused himself for a walk.
"But it is not...", she would stop herself from talking further and dull it down to an, "Be careful Max, see you later maybe." It was most definite that she would now be sitting here till morning come and longer. Slowly she was looking at the Zombie hanging around. Kind of sad that she could not have kept him from whatever hurt him now and she could not make it pass ether. Good that she did not make helping her friends be happy a resolution, because she would have already failed at it miserably.

"And coming towards the puppets it is more Max helping me with mine, than it is me helping with his", she would gently rub the back of her head and look down. "I am kind of not so good at it but with his help I will surly become grate at it", she nods a little more confident eating food from her plate till it was empty.

WC: 382
TWC: 2502