House of Horrors [IO]

Tue Jun 26, 2018 4:54 pm

A soft breeze cut around the mountainous village, stretching out past Shien and Kay with a hint of the spring flowers that bloomed there. It was a subtle scent that flared the Doku’s nostrils, coaxing a toothy grin out of him - an aroma like freshly done laundry, probably lavender. It was a welcomed part of the day, as everything else seemed rather dreary. The sun and blue sky had been replaced with large, dark clouds that extended beyond even the height of the mountains for which Kumogakure was named. It was a rare occurence, the village, or at least this part of it, sitting comfortably above most storms. This was different, however.

Despite the drab, Shien was in good company. Kay had, for some reason, tagged along with him today, much to the Doku’s confusion. He didn’t think that she thought much of him, instead preferring to hang out with Ikigai despite how awkward he had made the situation between them. It was, of course, a joke, but it really didn’t seem to have much of any effect on either, particularly Kay. It was for the best. Shien hadn’t wanted to separate the two permanently - just something of a tease to make their mission less… boring. Nothing like a bit of romance drama, right?

Shien took a bite of his rice ball, offering the other to Kay with a stuffed face, the rice stinking his teeth together. “Wan de utter one?” he’d ask. It was a genuine question, though likely hard to understand given the food clasping his jaw shut. Should she accept, Shien would gleefully hand it over, and if not, perhaps offer another chance before shrugging and moving on.

The air, despite the smell, was fairly chilly today. Considerably so, actually. Shien was of course wearing layers, but he still hadn’t adapted to the thin and icy mountain air. His stamina had even taken something of a hit, and this was especially difficult to manage in combat, especially with something as physically demanding as bladework.

“So,” Shien would say, chewing his rice like bubblegum. “How’s things going at the academy for you? Anyone you like? Just as a friend?” He’d answer his own question before Kay got the opportunity, praising Boru for his cooking skill, despite how demanding he was in the kitchen. “You know, I almost think sparring is easier than working with food. Boru-Sensei’s a big ‘ol softy, but he scares me sometimes,” the genin said, chuckling as bits of rice left his mouth, carried by his breath. He’d reach out with his hand, shutting his jagged mouth before cackling louder through clenched teeth. “He actually told me this really funny thing Ikigai did, turns out he found Iky eating,” Shien started, smiling. His expression suddenly changed shifting into one of concern. His nostrils flared once more, though this time they were followed by a look of disgust, prompting a gag from the green-skinned man.

“Do you smell that?” Shien said. He knew the smell well. It burned his nose hairs, as if he had just took in a deep breath of chemical fumes. The genin gagged, choking. Wind carried the stench far from its source, but it was much closer than wear the vomit-inducing smell usually came from. The sheer distance between the village borders and where Shien lived was enough to stave off the smell - make it tolerable or even have it disappear entirely. This was something else, but it was definitely the same smell.

“Come on,” Shien said, dropping what was left of his rice ball onto the streets. He couldn’t eat anymore. The mere thought of food beckoned acid from his stomach to his throat. “It’s close by,” he said, begrudgingly turning his nose up. Water almost came from his eyes, but never tears. Instead, his thin pupils were glossed with liquid.

WC: 640

Wed Jul 25, 2018 12:59 am

Romance is lame and overrated. Getting stronger is where it’s at. Kay was not too sure of what she wanted to do in life, as everything had seemed to be planned out for her to do. A tedious list of jobs and tasks to perform for an abusive father that was incapable of caring less for her. Instead, now she was faced with an abundance of options, which was borderline overwhelming for her. There was so much to do, she seemed to have shut down a bit, so she sought to do anything that might get her out of her funk.

Even if it meant spending time with Shien.

She walked as he ate, her stomach rumbling slightly at the sight. That is, until he offered her one, causing her eyes to light up. She eagerly snatched it from his hands and held it up to her mouth, taking a bite with ferocity, keeping the ball nearby. The moment she swallowed her first bite, she took another, with no breaks in between. Which was convenient, as Shien asked her a question before breaking off into a self absorbed barrage of words about somebody she had maybe met once or twice. She did not bother to interrupt him, however. He had given her free food, so the two were friends as far as she was concerned. She was not particularly concerned with talking at the moment, anyways, instead, remaining infatuated with her food with occasional glances at Shien as a way to let him know she was listening, before she would take another bite.

But alas, she was forced to stop as lizard boi cut himself off, thank God. Some people never knew when to stop talking. Just wish it was for a better reason. The smell assaulted her senses as well, making her momentarily stop eating. She frowned as she looked down towards the remnants of her rice ball. The sensation of taste is primarily based on smell, so the wafting stench of death had a tendency to soil one’s appetite. Kay begrudgingly allowed for her unfinished meal fall to the ground, bouncing lightly before coming to a stop. At least it had been free. “You really want to go towards that?” the girl said, her facial features scrunching up in recoil. Despite her words, she found herself following him anyways.

WC: 394

House of Horrors [IO]

House of Horrors [IO]

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