To Meet a Master ft Saya, Niko

"well than I must thank you for the tools I have no doubt I shall find these incredibly useful." Niko had thought that the puppets he had made so far where of a decent quality nothing to bad or good, but I guess in the face of a master he still had a long ways to go. Still he knew that this tool set would be instrumental in the creation of his next puppet, a smirk crossed his face and if you looked close enough you could see a hint of glee. He would definitely find some way to repay her.

Niko took a little time to think on the topic of bloodlines, he had always known that clan less shinobi had a sort of crutch when it came to the shinobi arts. Such was directly said in many scrolls. But the ability to create wood, what a useful ability especially for the field of puppetry. Niko then went on to say "Once again you mention this Ita, it would be wonderful if you could introduce me to such a exquisite person"

When Niko heard the last question he really had to think, did he truly enjoy being a shinobi. Being bathed in blood for a paycheck. Thinking for a brief moment he responded with "Yes I think I truly do enjoy being a ninja, the exhilarating feel of battle the constant progression of power and skill. Though the money is a nice side, I think I much rather enjoy the preparation and battle. Even though my parents never wanted me to be a ninja I always went and studied the art even if I could not practice it under my mothers watch, after her passing the rage I felt against not only the bandits who took her life, but also the town in which she was sent to defend was in surmountable. That feeling made my decision for me, a decision which I cant find myself regretting." While pouring his heart out he looked down saw that the face of the log had already been slightly developed with the clear visual of a long nose and top attributed with the obnoxious puppet he had seen earlier.
(TWC 3726)

"Yea. It's no problem. They're pretty finely crafted, so they should increase the quality of your work exponentially. One day you'll be applying silicone adhesive to the exterior of your puppets to give them a life like look just like my sister." This was Ai's strength. Where Saya was all passion Ai was the embodiment of all of Saya's care. Unfortunately she also bore the burden of Saya's pain. It was through their link that Saya could find this never ending stream of positivity. While Saya looked at her history as points on a map, the puppet could feel the pangs of her unbeating heart as they were cast from their home for not being good enough.

"Definitely! She lives outside the village propper but her shop is actually just towards the front of town! It's called Living dolls. Bright red building with a bunch of beautiful dolls in the display window right up front. I met her for the first time when she needed an escort back to town to get supplies way before she'd gotten her shop set up. She was doing creations on commission but she was still crazy busy. Now though We can help if she has a big order, and yagami keeps pretty busy between helping me with puppets and volunteering at Ita's shop so she has time if I have something super intricate that I need done to break out the tools for some double teaming action!" While everyone she'd met so far was a shining beacon in her story, none shone brighter then the doll maker. The moment she walked through the now colapsed doors of the small home saya had taken residence in, Her smile lit up.

The last answer gave the tiny terror a pause of consideration. This boy reminded her a bit of Travin. In missions, he'd been so willing to push directly into combat, doing what needed to be done without hesitation, but Saya found it ideal to avoid methods that would end the fight quickly if it meant casualties.

"Hm. Yanno. I can't really say I've ever felt rage. What's it like? I can understand the concept of exhileration at the prospect of combat, but can't really say I feel the same there either. Sparring is nice. Its like high speed shogi, you have to maneuver yourself into a position to be able to counter your opponents techniques and keep out of their reach but every time i've actually gotten into combat myself it's been pretty stressful. I don't like the look in their eyes when they attack. It's like I've done something so cruel that the only recourse is senseless violence and despite everything I cant connect to that sensation personally. " She glossed over the passing of his mom. While it would be a normal societal response to give condolences the unique way in which Saya viewed the past created a disconnection from that reflexive action. Instead it was Ai who spoke.

"I'm sorry about your mother. It sounds like you've had a pretty dificult life. "

(TWC 5544)

"well that explains why I had not seen the shop before I have spent most of my time inside of the village. Though using silicone adhesive to mimic life is an interesting technique, in the past I usually covered my puppets in robes and masks to hide the grooves." Niko's experience with creating puppets was limited due to his lack of revenue after his last one was destroyed he vowed to keep a spare or two on hand at all times, losing ones weapons in a fight could be majorly detrimental. Though with the new blueprint he had been given and the wood that was gifted he would soon have another weapon though it would not be the same as using his own creations.

Taking note of what she had inquired he responded with, "rage is hard to understand when you have not felt it before but you would probably know the feeling if you had. Its quite similar to the human puppetry technique you showed me. Its like someone else is in control of your body, sometimes it lasts for mere seconds, others months. Though when it comes to exhilaration in a fight that is harder to explain, some would say it originates from the adrenaline or fight or flight response, but sometimes it feels like I was built that way like I was made to fight." Taking note of any reaction from either the puppet or puppeteer, he continues to work on the Pinocchio puppet.

"Sometimes violence is the only way to solve things, hell in this world it is the usual way. Most problems are solved by wars and firepower, and while some may think that is sad and hell it is, its how people like me and you live. I could only imagine living in a world without battle maybe i would be chef, or hell still a puppeteer" Niko grimaces for a few moments and idly returns back to his work.
(TWC 3052)

"Yea her shop is kinda new. Any time someone asks about my puppets i make it a point to tell them she was the catalyst to make my vision come to life so people have been flocking to see her work! SHe's kinda remarkable. " It was amazing how word of mouth could turn a comissions creator into someone with a bit of fame in the village. It hadn't even been two months since she'd never heard the womans name, but now half the kids in Kiri were carrying her creations around on walks, having tea parties, and cuddling her dolls to sleep.

"Rage doesn't sound very fun at all. Is that really what it's like when I use skillful artistry? I can't say i've ever thought of the effects that it has on my targets. It's kinda just a tool to prevent death so I use it whenever the need arrises. maybe I should start asking before I string people up..." Loss of control wasn't a feeling Saya was used to. Sure Pinochio had taken away her ability of choice when it came to whether she'd spend the day sewing or if she was going on missions, but she'd always felt in control of her body and generally the world around her. The idea that she could lose that control sent shivers down her spine.

"Why would people be built to fight? That seems counter-intuitive to survival reflex. I know for me seriously fighting is always a last resort. I'd rather try and solve the problem any other way, or even use skillful artistry with a human body to hold my opponent so they lose the will to fight. Theres definitely a rush, but its more strategical. I like being able to figure out the most eficient way to solve a conflict whether it be verbal or phsical, but with recognization that life is a gift that should neither be taken nor given freely. " The more she spoke, the more her position as a protector who would see combat disolve in rational society became clear. It was a cruel fate that they were born with an ability to learn and empathize, but the bulk of the populus would choose to forgo that tool in order to solve disputes with blood shed.

"I don't think that's true. Violence might be the easiest way people can see to solve things, but theres no way that violence is ever the only answer. It's that thought that pushes violence to the forefront of dispute solution. If one beleives that violence is the only answer they're taking the question away from the other. It's kinda selfish in my humble opinion. " She took a moment to stew in the frusteration of that ideal, before the end of his statement brought her out of her mind.

"I bet you'd be a great chef tho. Chef Niko. What would you make? Theres a shop just down the street from my house that makes the best Mappo tofu in the entire village! I bet you could make some even better."

(TWC 6055)

"There's no need to ask me, it was just incredibly scary. But now that I know what's what I should be fine." Niko disliked losing control, no more like he hated it. He had no control over his parents fates. A major part of him growing stronger is to stop that lack of control from being common.

"In my opinion humans as a species were made to fight, while we can eat plants and fruits the more filling foods are meat. So if meat is so filling to us why would our species not be built to fight and kill for our food." Niko had learnt the bare minimum of the law of the jungle and how to take care of himself as his father was not present often up until his untimely death. Though he did have to say he did enjoy cooking.

"i guess we will have to agree to disagree here, while most problems can be solved without violence I believe that some problems and situations violence is simply a must." Niko had always supported such an opinion even when he was young, he believed that such thoughts were naïve and while if such a perfect world could be composed he would be in extreme support he knew that such an outcome was extremely unlikely if not impossible. Though as said before that was the young puppeteers chosen goal and while he may have thought it to be a naïve one he would support it.

Hearing the support in him grabbing a side profession his lasting smirk, lifted into a smile which he forced to drop. If anyone asked he would deny such a thing ever happening. "Thanks for your support, if I find the time to pick up more recipes on the side, ill be sure to make some for you" Niko thought that the name Chef Niko sounded a little to right before brushing the topic aside completely.

Looking at the puppet he had slowly been creating out of the offered wood it could now be seen as a puppet though it lacked some of the features of the original. He then refocused on finally finishing his work.
(TWC 3415)

"Right right right right. I just meant like. Maybe the first time I should ask or like. Let people know hey i'm gonna take full control of your movement for a little bit to get you out of the thing so don't like. freak out about the fact that you're now zooming around or the whole can't move your limbs on your own thing sorry for the inconvenience!" Her glance was pensive as she considered the best way to explain that to someone who hadn't yet gotten used to the way that she fought. It was a tough thing to explain really. For those who weren't well versed in puppetry, how can you swiftly explain that your ability to control the world around you is not limited to wooden constructs?

"Aya... I think.. Maybe thats a little too many words to explain. By the time you get all of that out and start to grab them they'll already be beaten up. Could probably be a helpful thing to tell them before you get into combat though. Theres really not a good way to give a heads up in the spirit of the moment though. Yanno what could be great? What if you thought of a code word to use so you can swiftly let allies know they're losing their movement, and to coordinate certain things. For instance, if they need their hands together so they can cast jutsu that would be an incredible thing to be able to let you know without tipping off your enemies. " Always the optimist, Ai gently pointed out the flaw in her sister's plan, and offered solutions to make it viable. She was watching Niko's hands intently, considering if she should correct technique or give helpful advice, but so far she'd decided to just let him work. While they had a bit more practice, there were certain things you just had to learn yourself.

"Um. I mean. Have you ever even had mappo tofu?! its like SO filling! Meat is fine or whatever but I dunno if that really holds true. Also grains I would say are more filling, even if they don't have as much staying power. Did you know you can get more protein from one hundred callories of broccoli then you can from one hundred callories of beef?! in direct comparison the veg wins out! it's science." She was proud of herself. She'd learned this obscure fact from a friend of hers back home. She was the reason Saya often ended up with a meat free diet, though she wasn't against it.

"Heres the thing though. The reason why some problems can't be solved without violence isn't because it's a superior method. it's because people have the belief that violence is the only solution. It's a self fulfilling prophecy. All it takes is someone setting the ground work to change that mentality and boom. It can go from last resourt to a relic of the old times. "

"Honestly that's an ideal situation." Ai smirked as she responded to the comment about 'chef Niko'. " It would be beneficial for my little sister to have at least one meal that wasn't mappo tofu from the shop on the corner by our house. She literally eats it every meal now. Variation is vital to a ninja's diet."

(TWC 6607)

Niko did have to agree with Saya there he may have glossed over the point of here question with his response. Though instead of rectifying it with words he simply nodded his head in agreement knowledge was power on the battlefield. The ever present ai puppet had responded to the young girls response. The witty remarks from the puppet where a nice touch to the atmosphere, though Niko would not admit the fact. 

"Your umm, sister is right knowing of such a technique prior to combat would reduce shock and probably make the jutsu more helpful overall." Niko briefly looked towards the floor in what could be described as timid remembering for a mere moment what it felt to be trapped under the strings of the puppeteer. The mere thought of it was suffocating. Such strength Niko would be hard pressed to reach such a level any time soon. Maybe all the time she had supposedly spent taking life's or trying to save them. Niko had briefly remembered his first fight he had glossed over the fact that he had killed someone and when he had remembered he felt almost nothing for the life he had stolen.  Briefly grimacing he listened to her next words carefully.

" I don't think I have ever tried tofu meat has always been my go too. Though for some reason I doubt your broccoli expertise ill look into myself on my own time." Niko had always enjoyed eating meat even when he was younger, he had nothing against people who did not but such a life style was simply not meant for the man.

"You may be right in that form. Hatred and violence is a cycle that had gone on for centuries. But I don't think anyone remembers the names of great pacifists, they remember warlords and tyrants." Niko remembered the stories he had been told of and recently he had heard of the supposed tyrant leader of Kiri Xyxer. Putting that aside he realized that the puppet in his hand was nearly reaching completion, he would need to input the mechanism and add the aesthetics another time.
(TWC 3769)

"You're right. I gotta talk to daiko next time I see him and figure out some sort of code so that we can work better in unison. I wonder how other puppet masters utelized Skillful artistry with a partner to great effect...." The answer, my dear listeners, is simple for those of us who are in the know. While doing so with a jutsu user is a quite complex situation to put oneself in, if the  target were a taijutsu user the puppeteer would amplify their fighting force with very little drawbacks. Unfortunately our dear protagonist was not a taijutsu user, and none in her current circle had the specialization to give her that easy out, and so she would find a means to deal with these  problems the way she always did.

"YOU'VE NEVER HAD TOFU?! oh my gosh. Theres this little ship just across the street from where I lived--well where I used to live. I live on a boat right now because my house literally colapsed but that's a problem I'm solving so i'm not gonna worry about it-- and the old lady makes the BEST mappo tofu you've ever had in your life. I eat it all the time!!!" Saya's rant emphasized Ai's point, but Ai's correction afterwords would solidify just how obsessed she was.

"By all the time she means twice a day for the three months we've been training in the village. She discovered it at the end of her time in the academy, and  refuses to go anywhere else." Sayas eyes gleamed with excitement. She was almost salivating at the thought of going to get lunch once they were done training.

"history is told by the victor. That's why they only remember the warlords and tyrants. They wouldn't be warlords had they not won. Honestly, It doesn't matter the memory. I'd rather have caused great good and be nameless then be known for the horrors i'd caused. " At this Ai literally  craned her neck around to look at her sister. Had she really just said she would want to be nameless? It was metaphorical of course. She wanted specifically to be known around the world, but the sentiment stood none the less.

"It was really fun talking but I REEEAAALLLYYYY need to go get some lunch now. I can taste the spicy sauce and tender nuggets of tofu. Maybe i'll get a vegitable this time to appease my pushy big sister. " As quickly as she'd appeared, she'd be gone again. She gave him the time to give any goodbyes, Packing up her nearly finished cloak in the messenger bag at her side, and then she was off down the hallway at lightning speed, using skillful artistry with a human body to boost her movement so that she could get back to her home faster and obtain a container of her favorite meal. Ai gave a nod and smile. The coach puppet bowed low, tipping his weathered blue baseball cap, and then team puppet was gone.

(TWC 7109 putting 1500 towards vocal chord engagement(1500/1500), 1125 towards temporary paralysis(b also claiming c and d rank since multi rank)(1125/1125) then 2250 to master it twice(1125+1125=2250), 1125 towards humble carpenter(1125/1125) 750 towards summoning technique and 359 towards first summoning tech mastery(combat summons)(259/750) exit and topic closed after niko's exit)

Niko thought briefly on what the girl had originally said, some kind of code for communication would be helpful. He would have to create something like that, or maybe work on a technique to do so. He also took care to note the flimsy but quick mention of a Daiko, another fellow Kiri nin maybe? Brushing that aside he himself realized the strength of the skillful achievement with a human body technique if your strings could pull a stronger nin faster it would be great for physical enhancement.

Acknowledging the young ninja's rant he took the moment to consider what living on a ship was like he had only been on a ship briefly,  he could not say without lying that he had  lived or even slept upon a ship. Though in regards to tofu he might look into it, if its as good as Saya said it was it would definitely be worth his time.

"I think that victory and your morals are two sides of the same coin, if I win a battle I can enforce my laws because I will have proved that I am stronger then the opposition but in such a peaceful society how would the next generation grow to be stronger than there opposition? There in lies a question I cant find the answer to." Niko paused for a moment before continuing "I don't want or need an answer now if you can find one, take the time to dwell and think on the topic."

Niko sat there listening to the girl give her goodbyes he in the first time in what felt like forever was said to see someone go. "You have fun with that, and thanks for the help I really appreciate it maybe we will be able to do missions in the future or maybe not time will tell" Watching the tiny ball of energy disappear he then began packing up his new tools and the puppet he had nearly finished, Niko would remember this meeting and Saya.
(TWC 4106 41 stats 15 vigor, 15 chakra and 11 speed  75% word count reduction for ventriloquism and skillful achievement. 63 words into [url= https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t46609-puppet-art-ventriloquism-v7#362344]Ventriloquism[/url] 63/63, 188/188 for this Genjutsu Release,  625/625 words into Skillful Achievement, 1125/1125 for this hiding with camouflage to the b rank, and 188/188 to Fuinjutsu Breaking to the e rank, then 1900/1900 towards this [url= https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t48035-pinochio]Pinocchio[/url] and finally 17/1900 for this oni-puppet Niko leaves the thread is closed)

Jeeze guys.