The Storm Rages, the mist Endures [Saya]

Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:19 pm

The rain had abated somewhat, but even that was cold comfort.

It was clear that this would not be the proverbial storm that broke Kirigakure, but bad weather to this degree always left scars that would only be healed over time to some degree. Whether it was the natural occurrences from nature’s fury wreaking havoc across the island, or something more ‘grounded’- such as a certain ninja creating a chakra construct that likely caused some serious damage to the local road structure. Of course, she knew nothing of such persons. Definitely not. Plus, it wasn’t as though they didn’t have ninja who’s specialization was in undoing such lasting damages. It would be alright, wouldn’t it? For her own peace of mind, she would choose to believe in such principles.

In this moment, however, there was something more pressing to her. The steadily growing pit within her stomach, demanding sustenance after the stressful activities she had undertaken earlier in the day. Normally she would be eating lunch around this time, and she imagined that her family was currently doing just that- albeit slightly less comfortable than normal, like holed up in a singular room to be better protected from the storm. Still, the promise of mapo tofu would keep her spirits strong for now. She didn’t often consume such foods, but what was wrong with trying a few new things once in a while? Expanding horizons was her way of life, and there was no reason to change that mind set today.

Walking in the direction previously pointed out by her compatriot, she would keep silent as they walked- not due to unfriendliness, but more so due to a combination of the cold and the fact that she was more than likely to receive an accidental drink of water if she was to speak for too long. Hopefully their destination would have an intact roof- or better yet, a place for her to dry off.

======

[324]

Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:29 pm

The rain had let up just enough that it was no danger to the city. That was of absolutely no help to our dear sweet protagonist. With the adrenaline finally wearing off her features had softened, but now she realized just how cold it was. Worse of all, in her decision to make an epic ending to their mission that would be burned into her new teammates memory she'd decided to jump from the top of her building and down to the muddy ground below. The resulting splash had painted her in a thin sticky layer of mod.

"This... THis is the worst. Sister. Would you kindly?" With a nod the two girls moved in unison. THe Ai puppet formed several hand seals as Saya mirrored them one handed. Pouring chakra into the threads that controled the puppet they lit up once more in a vibrant line between the two before finally her jutsu was cast. As they crossed the lane heading up towards where Saya lived a large puddle to their left rose up. WIth her powerful control over suiton a great sharks head formed from the water as it ripped through the air towards the tiny terror, and with a spash her five feeding sharks jutsu washed the mud from her form and ensured there was absolutely no chance she wasn't soaked all the way through to the bone.

It took a mere minutes for the group to make it to the ruins of what was at one point a beautiful two story house. Saya took a step to enter before her eyes stopped on the destruction.

"Oh. Right. Gonna have to fix that... WELL No worries!!! old lady Shiroi is just ahead. We'll get some hot food and head towards the training facility. Quick quick! i'm getting soaked!!" And like that she was off like a rocket. before she was even in range to speak she glanced up at the elderly woman. She didn't even need to motion for an order. By the time they'd gotten fully to the stand she was holding out two plastic parcels of steaming hot containers for Saya and her new friend to enjoy.

(362)

Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:46 pm

Oh dear. It was started to tickle her nose, at this point. Kikuko would inhale once, twice, before sharply pinching her nose. A brief tremble would shake her body, the stifled sneeze having been stopped just barely. Ack. Hopefully she wouldn’t get sick, although even that wasn’t a given considering the capricious nature of the day’s weather. Once they got inside she’d be able to towel off, and by the kami did she feel she deserved it.

So Saya was talking among herself again? It was an interesting thing to observe, in her opinion. Seeing the care she treated her puppets with, and the way she manipulated them with such fine control, was a performance unto itself. For a moment, she felt a surge of worry race through her body as the ninjutsu constructs soared through the air towards her recent teammate, only to find such concerns dispelled as they harmlessly washed away all the dirt and grime from their previous activities. If she had known she was going to do that, she would have asked for the same treatment. It wasn’t as though she wasn’t dirty, and she was going to remain equally wet either way. Ah well! That was simply the way of things, it appeared.

Standing before the two story house, Kikuko would observe the destruction with observant eyes. It wasn’t likely to survive this storm, given the circumstances. Moisture applied to untreated lumber would quickly accumulate rot and mildew, and the amount of exposure it was currently receiving would mean that most if not all of the timbers would need to be replaced. Still, with the amount of damage and wear it had received, it wasn’t likely that such structural erosion would occur over the course of a few hours. How old was this building, and what had happened to it over the years? It awakened the inner detective in her, and soon she would find herself just as perky as she usually was.

Trying, and failing, to keep up with Saya was an exercise in itself. How was she so fast, anyways? Perhaps another ninja might have their pride hurt, but she was more impressed than anything else. It was clear the other Genin had more experience to draw upon, both in the way she carried herself as well as both her physical abilities and repertoire of technique. Could she reach such heights? She certainly hoped so.

Finally catching up to Saya, she would reach into her wallet-grimacing at how damp it was- before relinquishing an appropriate amount of ryo to the woman, a smile upon her face as she accepts the parcel of food. Hopefully whatever was inside was hearty, as she’d certainly need it. “Saya, do you know the way to the training facility from here?” An important question, given the weather. Right now wasn’t a good time to wander aimlessly, in case the storm decided to pick up again. Now that would certainly be a recipe for disaster.
[496]
{821 TWC}

Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:59 pm

The old woman gave her a confused look as Kiku offered her money, but waved it off. It would seem a grand gesture of kindness in the face of such adversity as the village had just faced, a real kindness to show comradery between those who were now safe from the storm. In reality Saya had paid the woman five figures to give her food whenever she wanted because she obsessed over this place in particular and didn't even consider trying new cuisine.

"Oh. That was a mistake." Pinochio commented neutrally as Kiku asked Saya if she knew the way to the training facility. Team puppet knew what was about to happen. Kiku probably did too given what had happened in their previous mission, but she hadn't had the interaction with saya yet to realize that the small girl would absolutely take this as a challenge instead of a question. Yanno like a rational person.

"Yea.... Prolly shouldn't have asked that one.." Ai confirmed the mistake shortly after Pinochio. It was amazing the way the ventrilloquism jutsu looked. With the impressive build of the Ai puppet and the strings invisible it was only having seen the strings before that would give any indication that they weren't actually sisters. Even from this distance everything about the girl looked real to life. Five threads flowed from unused fingertips of the puppetmaster, snaking around Kiku's body once more and the five were off at a break neck speed of ninety two. She wove the team in a strait line down short alley ways to and fro, dodging the few people who'd come out of their homes to see to repairs until they came upon a large house. Behind it the top of the training facility could be seen but why were they running directly towards it?! There was no way she would be crazy enough to try and scale a building at this speed. right? ........right?

"Tree walking. " This was the only call she'd let out before she lept and the team followed. It took each two steps to scale the two story building, and as they rounded to the roof she lept again, easily crossing the distance to the front door of the facility and inside. Immediately she released her new friend, and ducked into the changing rooms with intention. Ai followed, because of course the puppet who is also her sister wouldn't want to wear wet clothes. What kind of a crazy person would thing that wouldn't affect her delicate totally real skin?! Forming seals she called forth the storage displacement technique, pulling two sets of training clothes that looked exactly like the outfits they'd been wearing, Saya's white on black dress and Ai's reverse color, new tights and other accessories and undergarments, and they took to the task of drying off and finding themselves propperly attired for whatever would happen next.

As they changed pinochio stood dripping in the foyer. In his hand was a large parcel of food saya had gotten.

(TWC 864)

Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:05 pm

She didn’t need to pay? Truly, was that the case? A warm feeling bloomed in her chest, like a flower drinking in sunlight after a long and cold night. While she felt undeserving, she would accept this sort of camaraderie with a wide smile and a deep bow- nose almost touching her knees. “Thank you so much for the food! Please stay safe from the weather!”

Once again, her eyes would gravitate towards the puppets. It was incredible, the way she manipulated them with such fine control. And how lifelike they were! They were so close to humanity, so perfectly made, that for a moment she almost began to doubt their artificial nature. There was an aura about them. There was something dormant inside of them, something blossoming through the connection of puppet to master. A beautiful light, so close to a soul. Awoken by strands so thin as to be threads, like candy silk. And then the strings would wrap around her, and with a yelp she was yanked along the street.

And here it was again- that feeling of flight again as she’s dragged from place to place. The wind in hair, whipping it back and forth as she’s dragged towards a wall. She couldn’t be considering using chakra threads while running upwards, right? Apparently so, as they suddenly changed direction- going from horizontal to vertical movement. How much she practice this art, for it to be as second nature as she showed it to be? So many questions, and yet for now they would remain unanswered.

Now suddenly into the facilities proper, and still in desperate need of a new outfit, she would follow the girls into the changing rooms before promptly stripping of her old outfit and placing it into her dimensional storage. Drawing forth her ‘emergency outfit’ from the same dimensional space- a white sundress and black spats- she would re-tie her headband around her neck, consequently allowing her hair to frame her face once again. After a moment’s deliberation she would do the same with her shoes, replacing them with issue standard blue sandals. Ah, that felt much better.

“I’m surprised the storm did that much damage.” She would speak, stretching out her muscles now that she’s somewhat safer than she was previously. ”How do you manage maintenance on your tools, after that? I’d hope the one outside is waterproofed.”

======

[397]
{1218}

Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:22 pm

She pulled a comb and blow dryer from her dimensional space, plugging it into a convenient outlet to her left as she worked on her hair, brushing and primping to ensure she was at peak performance. Then she stopped, taking a moment to gaze at her new friend, after she'd finished changing of course.

"wow. You're like. actually really pretty! I mean like not oh its a surprise you're pretty just I hadn't had the time to notice yet because yanno. missions and stuff, but I adore that dress! I make my own clothes yanno. If you want I could totally make you some outfits. "Saya stumbled through the compliment, but only back tracked a couple times as she tried her best to explain her thoughts in a way that was more kind then insulting. It was a real struggle. Beside her her sister shook her head, taking the comb and working it through Saya's hair.

"She means well. My little sister is not exactly the best at words though. She does this thing where her mouth moves faster then her mind can think and by the time she realizes what she's actually said, its too late to take it back. But she really does mean well and try hard. We are. Well. We're aren't disliked that I've seen, but she can be alot to handle sometimes so i think its unsurprising that her interactions with most people are limited in duration and spread out over a period of time so that she can be more palatable. Pretty sure most people just think we're wierd." Ai took the time to really focus on Saya's hair as she explained her sisters uniqueness. After it was detangled and set down across her shoulders she turned and Saya helped. They stood in silence for several minutes before THe girl commented about her tools.

"Uh. What tools? I don't like. really use ninja tools very much. I'm not particularly strong or anything so like. They arent great for me. I'm pretty ok at ninjutsu though and my family helps defend me when its important. " At no point in this convorsation did our dear protagonist consider, even for a second, that she could be suggesting her puppets. To saya they weren't tools. They weren't even inanimate. Her unique position allowed her to split her mind, sharing bits of the vast knowlege she'd taken in in her few years among the three personalities and push them fully onto her puppets. For saya these were living people who happened to be made of wood. Each had their own joys and pains, unique flaws and personalities. To even think of them as a tool was so far from her comprehension that the clear suggestion was glossed over all together.

Meanwhile.

Pinochio was livid. While the girl's primped and preened, which he knew they were doing because saya was not going to leave that changing room looking a mess, he was stuck outside holding her lunch. Could he have simply opened the door and entered the facility to get out of the rain? well sure. Did it occur to him? Absolutely not. Instead he would stand with the coach puppet, his mamoth mits held over the parcel to ensure no water got in.

(TWC 1408)

Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:12 am

It was a shame that she hadn’t stored her own extensive hygiene materials into her dimensional space, although it probably wouldn’t have occurred to her to store so many items within it in case of emergency. Due to the nature of the ninja arts she practiced, most of that space was reserved towards ninja tools- leaving only so much space that she could leave towards comfort objects without feeling that she was misusing her space. While she wasn’t the most organized of girls, there was still always the worry that she might end up pulling out a t-shirt instead of a kunai in a crucial situation. And wouldn’t that be something?

Despite herself, a light blush would dust her face as she soaked up the complement sent her way by Saya. While Kikuko had never considered herself a vain personality, that wasn’t to say that she didn’t care about her own beauty- she simply tended to choose function over fashion most days due to the particular activities she tended to gravitate towards. Receiving such a compliment, even if offhand, was enough to make the little flame inside her grow just a little bit brighter. Even if it was clumsy, it was heartfelt. Didn’t that mean far more than an eloquent soap opera detailing every bit of her appearance?

“Well, thank you! I could say the same of yourself.” Wringing water out of her hair with a grimace, she would settle for letting the wet strands simply hang about for now. There was nothing to be done about it with her current tools, anyways. “As a matter of fact, I also do the same. My mother is a tailor, so I help her sometimes when the work piles up.”

The way that puppet and human ‘danced’ before her was beyond efficiency- it was a dance that blended reality and unreality, dead and alive. When the puppet spoke, Ai spoke. Who was Ai? Ai was Saya’s sister. Who she was, and where she came from, she only understood partially. But the idea of Ai being ‘herself’- independent of Saya- she was beginning to understand. And why shouldn’t that be possible? In a world of shinobi and the techniques they utilize, can and can’t are words that often are proved wrong. Thus she listens to her with attentive eyes, waiting until she finishes speaking before adding in her own proverbial two ryo. “It seems that her and I share a few similar traits, in that case. I’m a bit infamous down by the docks, if you ever happen towards that area for whatever reason. People say I’m a lot, you know? Frankly, I just try to be upfront with my interests and curiosities. There’s too much in this world to not be straightforward, in my opinion.”

And so the conversation would continue. Saya’s comment would confirm her deductions. Ai was not a puppet, nor was Pinnochio. They were her family, and to suggest otherwise was simply an alien concept to her. In the same way that a sword might be considered a sibling to a swordsman, or a tool to a craftsman-no. There she was again, on her old preconceptions. Saya professed a deeper bond that tools to the two, therefore she must have reached a realm beyond even that of the prior two examples. The idea excited her, intrigued her further.

“So you and your family fight together? That must be a unique fighting style.” Pulling out a few small rolls of wrappings from her old outfits pockets, she begins to cover both arms up to the elbow. It’s still somewhat chilly, after all. “How do you manage to stay in sync all the time? Is it the strings?”

=======
[617]
{1834}

Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:29 am

Finally. Saya was elated that after the intense rain and travel had stiffled convorsation, they were finally starting to get somewhere. This is where she thrived. She wasn't the most eloquent, or well spoken, or really thoughtful or competent BUT! She had charisma.

"Yea I know. It's kinda of a burden that I was born super flawless, but it has helped my goals immensely. One day I'm going to be the cosplay queen of the village hidden in the mist and people will travel far and wide to see me perform!" One by one she dropped items back into her dimensional storage. Somehow she'd managed to fit far more then should reasonably fit into the space, but for the tiny terror it was all essential items. Turning her attention back towards the door she'd head out to find a seat, shifting her hands to bring pinochio in.

"Thats lovely Kikuko. aya has always had a passion for clothing design, music, really anything artistic. Some days it's been dificult for us to get her out of the house to train because she'll get so focused on something she wants to make or perform that she can't do anything productive until it's finished. " In perfect sync Pinochio joined in on the convorsation just as the door slammed shut behind him.

"Most days honestly. Until Ai came around at least. Getting this girl to do ANYTHING has been like pulling teeth. she'd rather leave you out in the rain by yourself holding a hot container of tofu then actually do her work...." The annoyance was clearly evident in his voice as he offered the girl the parcel. He shook his body violently, trying to expell all the water that had seeped into his grain.

"OH!!!!! I think i've seen you down at the docks before.... I mean uh. Yanno. I've been there once or twice. Have you seen the gallion flying the Lavender jolly roger that always parks in the last space? It. uh. its the really big one that looks like something out of a pirate movie...." Saya was literally bursting as she made the suggestion. Pinochio rolled his eyes--or would have were they movable. Unlike Ai's they were not.

Taking a seat she popped the lid off her container immediately. Chopsticks cracked she dug in with the fury of a thousand sun--do. Do i really need to say that? I mean I know theres a script but come on guys. I know i'm just a humble third person narrator but I do have standards. a thousand suns?! what in the 200 years ago tolkin bull--(sounds of cracking wood, fighting, and a different voice comes on the mic) A THOUSAND SUNS. Yes. Our dear protagonista is quite elated at the opportunity to be able to drop this particular surprise on her new friend.

"Not very well." Pinochio answered at the final question. Our pint sized side character was in quite a foul disposition after being left both literally and metaphorically out in the cold.

"We do alright. We've worked closely for a long time. It's almost like I know what aya wants to do next and we kind of... Well. Hop into the fray to support. The strings definitely help though. I hope it wasn't too forward of Aya to move you with her threads. It can be a bit of surprise until you get used to it I'm afraid.."

(TWC 1976)

Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:20 am

“...Cosplay Queen? What’s that?” Truth be told, she had never heard the term in her life. Based off of the -play ending, it likely involved imitation to some degree. Perhaps Cosmetics? Costuming, even? To be honest, she was in the dark. Her mother would probably know, however. Watching Saya drop each item into her dimensional storage, she idly wondered how many items were stored within. Surely she was reaching her limit- although there was also the possibility that the size of each person’s space was unique to the ninja. More testing would need to be conducted before drawing any final conclusions. One thing she could draw from this moment however was that it appeared Saya had a reputation for being a polymath. An interesting trait, considering her specialty in the shinobi arts.

Watching Pinocchio walk in, she couldn’t help but wonder how exactly Saya’s understanding of her puppets worked. She considered them separate entities, and yet simultaneously didn’t balk when Pinocchio, who she assumed was male, walked into the women’s changing room. Perhaps it was due to her familial bond? Or maybe a different kind of cognitive dissonance? He appeared to represent a more aggressive self within Saya, almost as a sort of self-berating. Then again, if they were completely separate mental beings, what did that make their relationship? She would step back, barely avoiding the water that he expelled as he shook himself.

“A lavender flag with a jolly roger...perhaps? To be honest, I’m unsure. There’s a lot of ships that move through these parts, and their flags blend together after a certain point. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it in the future, though.” Gently opening her tofu container, she would sit upon a nearby bench before inhaling slowly. Spice and flavor tickled her nose, opening her sinuses and causing her eyes to water for just a moment before she mastered her self-control. She didn’t handle spice too well, but that didn’t mean she would panic and die from taking a singular bite. Snapping her chopsticks in one hand after a bit of difficulty, she would grab a bite from her container after she asked her question. Hot, but delicious. Idly, she would pick up another bite.

“No worries about the threads. I will admit that I was scared at first, but seeing how careful she was I can understand how it was her first move to attach without warning. Especially if she fights that way normally. Careful about doing that with others though.” She would pause in her eating to point her chopsticks, pointing playfully towards Saya herself. “I don’t know about you, but ‘Kunoichi Strings Up Local Girl’ would be a very embarrassing headline to be in. Shinobi are a lot more public these days, and our disagreements aren’t as private as they used to be.”

====

[472]
{2306}

Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:44 am

"Here we go." Pinochio was having none of this and left the changing room nearly immediately. The coach puppet had found his way into the building, and was standing quietly just by the door waiting for the group to come back into sight. Unlike the other two there was a unique interaction with coach. He failed to have the light behind his well crafted eyes that the other two did. Rarelly did he talk, but when he did it was in his own unique animation. Generally though, he did not share space in the girls head.

"WELL. You see there have been a few cosplay queens of old. There was rumor that before the fall of Ame there was a puppet master who was well known for her performances. She would dance about the battlefield singing and causing chaos, but her true skill was seen on the stage! I've dedicated myself to that art. I've learned to craft unique outfits, bought so many accessories and wigs to really bring my creations to life, and i've studied music tirelessly to be able to pull out a song to match basically any situation. Then I made coach. He's a puppet who is also a stage. Real convenient for when you want to like. perform but then beat people up. " The entire statement only lasted a few quick seconds. Her words followed so closely that they almost seemed to blur into one single word with no lines or spaces. Her eyes were dinner plates gazing into her new friends as she spewed everything she knew about the history of cosplay performance ninja. It was a brief history, but one that had shaped her goals in life.

"You can tell that ship from all the others cuz its THREE TIMES BIGGER!!!!! Thats my ship. won it in my first pirate duel against real actual pirates. Now i sail it from time to time yanno. to get across islands or just cuz i need the salt wind in my lungs. It's a pirate thing. You'd have to be there to truely understand." Saya's comment was followed almost immediately by her sister, who had postured to speak just before Saya herself, but could not due to the puppet master being the one to be using the voice at current and that silly rule of nature that 'you can't say more then one sentence at a time cuz anatomy'. It was a stupid rule.

"You'll recognize it quite easily by the flag under it with a picture of aya's face on it. That's usually what does it..." Where Saya's voice beamed with pride and excitment the statement that came after was more neutral. Ai wasn't impressed, but wanted to give additional information to help lead the girl towards understanding the excitment her sister felt.

As she finished the last bite of her tofu she listened to kikuko's statement about her threads. It wasn't directed at her, of course. Ai was the one who'd asked the question, but still she decided to respond instead.

"OH yea. It's a trick I use all the time. Daiko loves it. He gets to zoom around and I can keep my allies out of danger. One of these days I hope to get the dexterity to be able to move multiple people at the same time!!" She alughed at the headline. konoichi strings up local girl was the worst possible way to tell the story.

(twc 2549)

The Storm Rages, the mist Endures [Saya]

The Storm Rages, the mist Endures [Saya]

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