Spooky Scary Skeletons (HFE)

Missions 1-3:

Silence

and

stars.

The night air brought a crisp chillness that Amaterasu had found herself unused to. This was nothing like the boiling summers of Volcano Country nor the dry heat of Sunagakure. Millions of stars twinkled above, providing the only illumination that she really needed. The teen tilted her head. She was supposed to rendezvous with a couple other strangers who would be completing these missions together- personally, she preferred to do things by herself, but natural introverted tendencies aside, perhaps she could make some useful friends or allies out of this.

...Probably not.

The Meijin took in a steady breath. She had arrived a bit early, and was dressed simply in black leggings and a sweatshirt. No need to wear her usual eye-catching outfit if she had no idea what the missions would entail. Plus, these were easier to move around in. She tucked a short strand of hair behind an ear.

Supposedly, she was hired to look for a door of some sort. It'd be difficult to see exactly where it was in the dense undergrowth, but since there were no artificial constructions for quite a ways away it'd stick out like a sore thumb. Amaterasu leaned her head forwards in contemplation, revealing a few nasty scars on her face, neck, and shoulders. During the Suna invasion, she had been caught beneath some falling rubble from the Hokage's attack, and ended up having to cauterize herself with her own jutsu. She shivered. It was not an experience she wished to repeat, but to be honest, the scars were kind of cool. Weren't ninja supposed to be intimidating or something?

The eccentric young woman nodded to herself. Worse comes to worse, she could try and find Kenshin to heal them, but she doubted he'd care. She'd been trapped for a few weeks, after all- it wouldn't surprise her if he thought she was dead. Inhale. Exhale.

She hoped her mission partners would be here soon.

The cool chill of the night air felt much crisper and cleaner than the stuffy black market. His typical robes and striped scarf provided ample enough warmth for the weather. He carried with him only his simple guitar, slung over his back.

The monk had only recently come to terms with the need for money out in the world. It opened up all sorts of opportunities that he did not have access to at the monastery. Running errands for Maku and making enough to get by was all well and good, but the desires of the flesh ate at the boy. He wanted better instruments, he wanted to eat better meals and be able to buy a bar a double round and not have to worry. For that he would need to take on some actual paying jobs. Hence why he was walking through the woods in the dark, only starlight guiding his path.

This particular job required Eliwood to work with a group of strangers. The anticipation of meeting these unknown people filled the monk with excitement. He loved meeting new people and making friends. He only hoped that they were agreeable people.

Ahead of him he spotted a girl. She did not wear the garb of what Eliwood would expect from hired mercenaries, however neither did he. Careful not to startle the stranger Eliwood purposely stepped on a fallen stick, making a loud cracking noise in the process. Hoping that would be enough to make his presence clearly known he would then call out to her as he walked closer.

"Hello there. Are you also here about the job?" He would ask politely.

(WC 275)

A dark starlit night within the country of waterfalls gave a sense of peace to most as they moved through the thick forestry of the country. Provided they were able to navigate the terrain of course. Calin of course could walk on trees and any other surface really so the jungle posed no real threat or obstacle to him. He had been hired by a client who wished his name to remain unknown. This was fine to him, confidentiality was important in the mercenary work he entailed. His mission was to work with a couple of other shinobi to find some kind of hidden door. An odd mission to be sure, but one he would do regardless. Who knows, maybe his partners would be interesting.

As he traveled through the canopy, he would soon reach the rendezvous point. Of course said point would be on the ground and not a hundred or so meters high in the trees, but that was simply a matter of letting gravity do its job. So he would allow the flow of his chakra within his soles to cease and allow gravity to pull him down. Falling through the trees, avoiding branches as he did. He would arrive quickly to the ground of the jungle. His eyes would be open and looking for any knee jerk reactions from amateurs who acted before they thought. His eyes would fall to a young girl, at least half his age, in a black sweatshirt and leggings. Another, a bit off, and walking carefully, wore robes and had a guitar slung over his back. Calin would land, 10 meters on the other side of the young girl than their other partner.

He wore his customary leather gear, a red and silver trimmed leather coat, open at the chest. Black leather pants covered his legs and at the waist he wore a thick, adorned belt. Black boots upon his feet, matching the colour of his shoulder length hair and eyes, finish the look. He was rather warm in chilly night. The fusing of the fires of Amaterasu with his chakra network keeping him constantly warm to the touch. It was handy in cold weather on in situations where he couldn’t afford to sleep with a blanket.

It was not handy when he had to deal with snakes, he liked the creatures enough but he stood out like a sore thumb to them, and it was annoying at times. However tonight should no such obstacle. He would land at this point, using the surface walking on the tree the last few ten meters or so to slow his descent. When he stepped upon the ground of the forest he snapped no twigs, or leaves, ensuring the noise he made was quiet. He walked with a relaxed, languid stride to stand five meters from the girl. “I assume you two are my associates for this mission? My name is Calin. Recite our mission’s parameters so I know you’re who I assume to be, or I’ll incinerate you both and continue on.” He said simply, his tone calm, with no real inflection upon it when it came to the idea of killing.

His statement of two partners for the mission would prove his own identity of one of the people on it. His own question was to confirm they themselves were the ones he was looking for. It was a simple enough test. Now that he could see the girl closer he could see some nasty scars on her face, shoulders, and neck. He could take care of those for a price. He’d probably offer too, so long as she really was meant to be his mission partner and wasn’t there dead within the next few minutes.

WC: 624

The sound of crunching leaves and branches filled her ears. She turned to the green haired stranger, tilting her head and taking him in. She would not respond to his question for a few seconds before slowly nodding her head. Almost immediately afterwards, a movement caught her eye- a larger man had landed about ten meters off. She listened as he spoke before nodding. Good- he was serious. "We've been assigned three missions- find the door to christmas town, attend the halloween town festivities, and if possible, defend the door from any suspected hostiles. Success will open opportunities for future employment." she spoke calmly. A pause. "The immediate area shows no signs of the door, but I suspect it to be within a mile or two." Inhale. Exhale. "I've found a few peppermints on the forest floor, so we must be close."

A pause. "Would you prefer to spread out or stay close?" honestly, she didn't care which one they chose- she'd mostly keep to herself either way. She didn't care too much for idle chatter or banter, mostly preferring solitude. Her lack of understanding of social norms and interactions had mostly resulted in indifference. She titled her head as she awaited their answer. She'd work with them, though, as long as it suited her goals. Mostly, she just wanted to get paid and book it back home.

The girl before Eliwood nodded in confirmation that he was indeed in the correct place. There would be another joining them and they did not have to wait long before he showed up. Landing with no noise though he fell from such a height. Eliwood was impressed with the gracefulness at which the man must have moved through the trees without them hearing.

"Exactly as uhh.. well I do not know her name but as she said; locate the door, attend a party, and keep the door safe from harm." The man looked quite serious about burning him to a crisp and also appeared capable of doing so. He did not want to get on this man's bad side.

"I think, since we do not know nor trust each other yet, we stick together. At least until we locate the door." He would say kneeling down to pick up one of the peppermints on the ground. "After all, we must already be close to it."

He popped the mint into his mouth and extended a hand in earnest to Calin, "Names Eliwood, pleasure to meet you." He hoped his gesture would not seem threatening in any way.

Both of them seemed to have a serious demeanor, so the monk knew he'd have to err on the side of caution with how he acted.

(WC 223)
(TWC 498)

Calin would nod at his now confirmed associates. “Very good then, we should begin to search.” He would say before turning to the now introduced Eliwood, his hand sticking out in ernest to shake. “Word of advice, never shake hands. I could turn you to ashes with a touch if I wanted, and I doubt I’m the worst in the world kid. Hell, almost any shinobi could.” He would say, his voice cool, as he carefully made no move to shake hands. At this point he would activate his eyes, the unique spiral of a Mangekyo Sharingan coming into the world as the finest of details came into view. He would proceed to scan the surrounding area, particularly the floor. If there were peppermints and other such things around them then they might make a trail of some kind. One that they could follow to the door. “I’m searching for a trail of some kind.” He would say, simply stating his actions to his temporary companions. He wasn’t worried about them seeing his eyes. They probably wouldn’t even know what in the world they were and besides, they gave him a much higher degree of visual prowess.

Sure enough, within a few moments he would find the trail. “Got it, it’s this way.” He would say, pointing toward their north and beginning to walk. It would take only a few moments before a door in the side of a large tree would be visible. It would be an odd sight, but the mission itself was odd. Calin only really took it because he figured if he had associates he might be able to rob them as a consolation prize. However it turned out that wouldn’t be necessary as the unlikely reality of the mission would make a consolation prize moot. Upon reaching the door, he would carefully check it for chakra. His Mangekyo Sharingan coming in useful here as well before finding none and simply opening the door and stepping through. Once inside, he would look around, looking for something to bring back to the mission requester. ‘Proof we stepped through? What a weirdo’ Calin would think as he walked around a bit. There was a village around them, decorated in a festive fashion with people milling about happily as they went about their business.

Nearby, he would see a wreath, decorated with multiple small ornaments and hanging on a nearby wall to a building. Shrugging to himself, Calin would reach up and take the wreath. Expecting his temporary comrades to find items of themselves to take back to their benefactor. He wouldn’t say a work, lest those around noticed them and decided they should not be there. However he would quietly step back out of the door, and hold it open for his two companions to get what they needed and slip out as well. Provided they did as such, he would then quietly close the door before turning and nodding. “Right then, back to our benefactor, together then?” He would ask, curiosity touching his tone. He didn’t care one way or the other.

WC: 515
TWC: 1139

AP: 1000 - 20

980 remaining

Blindness counters: 2, no visual degradation as of yet.

She nodded firmly as the stranger announced that they would begin the search. He seemed strong, and like that he knew what he was doing- two positives in her book. Amaterasu would follow his lead for now. She noted with amusement about the hand shaking anecdote- that was something she could do after all- and then noted the unique pattern of his eyes. She'd seen similar doujutsu before, such as the sharingan, but this seemed different. Was it, perhaps, an offshoot bloodline? Maybe she'd ask Kenshin later. Once he located the door, she would await outside until he returned with the wreath. After a moment, she went through herself, grabbed a bough of holly off of the nearest fence, and quickly made to follow. She nodded at his statement.

"Agreed. Let's head back," she stated simply, making no excuses for idle chatter. They had something more important to do, after all. "We're getting paid to attend the festivities, after all. Might as well show up."

Of course, once the trio made their way to the festivities, should they agree to go, she would make a point to stand off to the side. She was never quite comfortable with stuff like this, often preferring to stick to herself. Indeed, from a young age, this crucial lack of understanding of other people had eventually led to parental abandonment on her end, but honestly, she found herself indifferent in the here and now. She'd play along with whatever games her employer had intended for them, collect her pay, and go home. She had a large variety of things she needed to do before she'd be able to survive on her own, of course, and this was merely step one. Now that her injuries were largely gone, leaving naught but the cauterized scars that ran up and down her left side, she could resume her training in earnest.

She eyed the festivities as they continued before tilting her head forwards. Sure, to some, Jack Skellington was the ideal host, but the young Meijin truly couldn't care less. She vaguely found herself wondering about the time- surely the next phase of their mission would start eventually. Hopefully it'd be sooner rather than later- Amaterasu found herself getting a little stir crazy.

[WC: 376]
[Total WC: 931]

Eliwood pulled his hand back and rubbed the back of his head with it, "You make a good point there. Scary world and all." Hed say in response to Calin.

As they searched for the trail and subsequently followed it Eliwood noted to himself that he was not among a chatty crowd. They were however, effective at their job and easily located the door. Once Calin had basically okayed the area Eliwood would follow his female compatriot in to grab some proof of entrance. He saw some interestingly shaped, colored lightbulbs and unscrewed a couple. Those would suffice for him. As quick as he slipped in he would slip out and follow his makeshift teammates to their next location. A party of some sorts.

The party was actually livelier than the young monk had anticipated. Loud music was playing and people of all shapes and sizes, literally, were mingling and dancing.

"Well if I do recall we were tasked with attending this shindig and so attend I will. Excuse me." Hed say to the other two before spinning with a flourish of his scarf and bee lining for the nearest server holding a tray of alcohol.

He did not care what it was, Eliwood just needed something to calm his nerves. Calin's harsh suspicion and evaluation of him was palpable and frankly, the young monk was a little scared of the man.

The other was not so much scary as distant. She immediately made her way away from the people and off to a secluded area. Eliwood thought about going to break the ice with her, but he did not want to push his luck with mercenaries. If she had a temper she could probably kill him in an instant.

'What a scary world we live in' he thought, drink now in hand and already half gone.

(WC 307)
(TWC 805)

And so travel to their benefactor they did. When they arrived, the party was in full swing and it was one they were being paid to go to. This automatically made Calin suspicious, especially when they were given no ulterior motive. It was fortunate that his natural stride and relaxed manner tended to look like he was content with the world. Otherwise he might have given offense to their host who was moving through the crowd and and mingling with the guests, a flute of some kind of alcoholic beverage in one hand. Eyes of swirling red designs would take note of all things, not wanting to let his guard down. The mercenary would move toward his employer, wreath in hand and within a moment the man would notice him and come over. Without a word Calin would show the wreath to Jack Skellington. “As requested, my partners each have something as well if you need them to show you. I’m sure we can find them, what’s next?” He would ask as the man smiled and took the wreath, setting it upon an empty platter of a server moving by. “Why, enjoy the night sir, it’s a party. Relax, I wish you’d brought costumes but we can live without that.” He would say a charming smile upon his lips and Calin would give a hesitant nod. “Indeed sir, you’re paying us to enjoy a party? No protection detail? No hidden agenda?” He would ask, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

“Nothing like that good man, simply enjoy yourselves, now excuse me.” He would say before moving away to mingle more. Calin would frown, it didn’t make sense to pay people to enjoy your party. This caused the man to feel somewhat paranoid. So his eyes would stay on, and alcohol would remain out of his system. He could burn it out if he needed to, but doing so took a moment of time and chakra. Two things he’d rather not waste if he could help it and his eyes cost enough as it was. Eliwood would already be halfway down with his first drink. Amaterasu was off to the side, uniquely conspicuous, although he himself was no better at the moment. He decided to go with the flow, but be ready, if anyone asked him then his eyes would be unique contacts and his pale skin and long hair could pass as him simply dressed as a vampire. It was a reason to keep them on, and that was all he needed to give into his worries.

As the festivities went on into the night eventually Calin would see Mr. Skellington again, looking concerned as a man spoke to him. He would catch their hosts eye and their client would motion for him to come to him. Calin would do so immediately, eyes scanning the crowd for threats. Their host had been so relaxed before and now seemed concerned. Something was wrong and it was time to earn their pay. As moved easily through the crowd but made no attempt to hide himself. There wasn’t much point anyway, he was so tall and broad he wouldn’t have been able to. Besides, his associates would see him moving toward their client and potentially know something had happened. When Calin arrived, with or without his partners, Jack would, an edge of worry in his tone. “Remember that door you went into? It’s going to be under attack soon, I had some men watch it when you left. I have plans for that door and I need it protected. However the one launching the attack is forcing those involved in the attack. I don’t want you to maim or kill them. I have my own plans for them too, do this and I’ll pay you all even more.” He would say, his voice pitched so only they could hear.

“Very well” Calin would say before moving toward the exit. His companions could join him, or not, he would go. He was a mercenary after all and the job was straight forward enough. Protect the door and don’t do anything permanent to the attackers. His stride would quicken and soon he’d be moving through the forest swiftly, making their way to the door. It would be a few minutes before they arrived and he made sure to keep his stride slow enough to allow his allies to keep pace. Separating yourself from allies, temporary or not, was stupid in most cases. He didn’t know how strong the attackers would be after all.

WC: 757
TWC: 1896

MS Counters: 4

AP:

980 - 20 (MS) = 960 remaining

Silently, she followed Calin's swift pace back to the forest after she had been notified of the gate's attackers. She had been instructed not to maim or permanently injure-- but surely scaring them around a bit was allowed. She stood a short distance from the tree door, and figured that they'd divide themselves amongst the attackers. As they approached, however, she came to a startling conclusion. These were children.

A pause. She supposed that meant the scaring part got a lot easier... Amaterasu punched her hand downwards, watching a small blue firestorm appear between her and the nearest kid. It was too far from them to actually impact anyone on the mission team or the kids alike, but instead served to shroud her in a fiery aura which no doubt would at least startle the people in front of her. "Scram!" She growled, One of them looked a little more frightened than the others- good. She supposed her two temporary comrades could handle the other ones on their own. She slowly raised an open palm, igniting it with blue cinders. "See this scar right here?" she gestured to her eyes. "If you don't get out of here in three seconds, I can and will give you one to match. Three, two..." she clenched her fingers and the blaze flared. He was gone before she had to get to one- good.

After her comrades would be finished, she would return to Halloween town to accept her pay. She had no intention of sticking around this place longer than she needed to- her comrade back in Sand would likely need her back as soon as possible. Inhale. Exhale.

She made her exit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Exit)

Jutsu used: Mastered Phoenix Flower

[WC: 280]
[Total WC: 1,211]

Claiming: 3 stats, 3,500 ryo, 8 ap, 700 wc which i am spending right now or whatever

1,000 words towards http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42125-hiding-in-fire#334848
211 + 700 words towards http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42137-blistering-web#334915