Passing Lights [IO]

Spoiler:

Night fell over the town of Falhalt. Millions of Stars shined above, and the moon's light illuminated the backwater settlement's many streets and back alleys. All the street vendors had closed and cleared out, and everything was peaceful. Tokito much preferred this to the days of Falhalt. Even though the daylight was often blinding to the orphan, it could be hard to hear one's thoughts amidst the chaos of the settlement during the bright hours.

If ever there was a night flyer, Tokito was it. It should be a relaxing night, he thought to himself. The inn was snug, safe and secure within the town’s walls; there was little chance of outside interference. But today, the mission location was at the outer ring of the wall and what was considered the more "dangerous" areas of Falhalt. There were even reports of human sacrifice taking there, and it escalated to the point that somebody put a request on the mission board for a mercenary to investigate. 

He started walking the paths towards the location of the wine warehouse. Haven Country was scorching by day, but he knew how quickly that heat could change to cold by nightfall. Here in the village, though, that was no longer a concern. He made it as far as the main streets would take him before he had to turn on the more narrow and dimly lit alleyways to get to his destination. 

The paths were in a state of disrepair. Most of them were falling apart or had seemingly turned into a dustbin. Some sections were entirely devoid of lighting, and Tokito couldn't help but think they would make a great place to set an ambush for the unprepared. As he moved through them, he was on guard, listening and watching intently. Some homeless or down on their luck citizens leaned against the walls as he moved. To those people, the boy gave them a few ryo each.

“Hooded man.” A beggar said and pointed a bony hand behind Tokito. A cold chill ran down his spine as he saw someone with the corner of his eye. The boy reached for the katana on his hip turned around. The alleyway behind him was empty. Tokito squeezed his shut and opened them again. “Damn you, old man.” He cursed at the beggar and continued on his way.

Finally, he reached the place where this silly investigation was to take place. It was an old warehouse, in a similar state of abandonment as the alleys he had walked through to get there. Around the building was a perimeter of street lanterns spaced at intervals. The light did much to illuminate the surroundings, and it helped the warehouse stick out from the darkened corner of town.

Hopefully, Yami and Satoshi would not take too long to arrive.

WC: 469

Nightfall… Falhalt had character, that much was true whilst the sun was honoring those below. It wasn’t until the moon took shift that those who inhabitant the town saw just how enigmatic that character truly was. Alas, such mystery was always accepting to the orphan known as Satoshi. He walked the shadow clung alleyways as if he was born in darkness. A smile on his face as he emerged from the obscurity to join the unveiled humans. 

The sound of subtle notes could be heard — soothing to the ears as he trekked the streets. Mostly abandoned of all maturity, replaced by adolescence of two to one. The notes that he played from his strange apparatus made him an obvious, immediate target for its source. Eyes would stick to him, observing him in both enchantment and dire. His long flowing hair would dance within the night air wind’s breeze alongside the red ribbon that tied it. 

There were rumors that cancer these thoroughfare. Rumors that one might dismiss because of the seasonal settings. Yet, someone like Satoshi knew that even the most absurd of stories are founded on some form of true events. 

The sound of a rock erroneously jolted came from his flank. His notes ceased and his eyes flashed abaft of him. The sound of choked breath was the response to his leer. “S-sorry if I startled you, it’s just that your melody was alluring.” Confessed the stranger — a music lover? Satoshi would have to speculate. “It is quite alright, you wouldn’t be the first to find my songs soothing. Please, come forth, would you?” The orphan requested. His want was fulfilled as the stranger appeared to be nothing more than a boney old man. Homely and destitute. 

Single raised brow came from Satoshi as his eyes situated on the man. Why was he out so late? It was sure to get cold soon and those of this town know how harsh the air could be when that happened. “Do you have nowhere to go, old man? It is quite late.” The poor elder lift and held out his hands, anxiously so. “Could you spare an old man some coin?” Satoshi paused for a few moments, even though it was only seconds it seemed like an eternity. Reaching into his kimono top he would pull out a few pieces to hand over to the man long and cracked hands. “This should be more than enough for you to find someplace warm for the night, and to fill you stomach with food and drink.” The old man clutched the ryo and smiled illiberally. 

His coal-like eyes would stare deeply into the eyes of the orphan. Satoshi nearly assumed that what he gave was not quite enough, but the old man cocked his head to the left and smiled ever so shockingly. With a single blink the man was no more. This left an uneasiness within the pit of Satoshi’s stomach. What was that just now? Was he just imagining it?

A sharp shake of his head would return his senses to him. He would continue to play his flute as he head towards the rendezvous spot to link with his brothers. As he draw near his song would be heard, assuredly recognize by the ears of his kin. The closer he got the more clearly he saw his younger brother. His tunes would stop completely. “Ah, Tokito, why am I not surprised to find you here before myself? Is it the howling that keeps you so restless…still?” He would inquire as she stored his flute within his upper attire folding, close to his chest. Standing a meter from his younger brother, his eyes tenderly sat upon him awaiting his answer. 

He would noticed that not even Yami, his other brother, was not there yet, but knew it wouldn’t be too long before he joined them here. After all, it was his idea meetup here. 

[WC: 656]

Finishing the last page of the book he was reading before closing it and putting the piece of literature back on the nightstand next to his bed Yami prepared to set out and go on a little investigation with the other two River orphans he came to town with. For better or worse it had been a while since his Yuumei last invaded his thoughts in an attempt to corrupt his mind, if the Shinkou didn't know better he would think he started to miss her. "What am I even thinking about" the boy would tell himself as he put on his black cloak in order to step out and head to the meeting point everyone had decided on. 

As night finally began to fall over Falhalt the young swordsman couldn't help but wonder if songs were ever written about the place, and if so, what they were about. The silent night, the plethora of beggars wandering the streets looking to make some coin or simply the peaceful yet spooky atmosphere hanging over the village. "Wait, I don't remember this much mist when we arrived here" the Shinkou thought out loud, his ashen hair blending in perfectly with the current scenery of the town. Perhaps the River boy was simply too absorbed in his books that he failed to even notice the smallest of details.

Having gathered his thoughts back together again Yami was about to arrive at the agreed meeting point. It was there where he'd find both Tokito and Satoshi standing side by side, most likely waiting for him to show up so they could begin their little investigation regarding the rumors of human sacrifices. As he spotted both of his sworn brothers in the distance the Shinkou was about to call out to them when he suddenly noticed the mist from earlier joining the scene once more, agressively engulfing each of the three River boys before they could even react. "Tokito! Satoshi!". He didn't know why but for some reason Yami had a feeling they would be brought to the same place. 

(Exit)

(TWC: 345)
Claims:
- 250/250 Genjutsu Release
- Mission rewards, save for tickets, doubled thanks to Beloved Presence (4000 ryo + 400 D-Rank bonus, 20 AP, 4 tickets)

Music, the sweet melody of a flute, began to travel in the night air. Tokito did not need his eyes to recognize the piper. Two had been his brothers, and only one of them could play that instrument so sadly. “Satoshi.” Said Tokito, not turning around as he heard footsteps behind him and his brother's reassuring voice. “The howling never stops in my dreams,” Satoshi’s movement had come to a halt about two meters away from him. 

“I’ve never been a morning person. Yet tonight, the darkness has an edge I dislike.” He turned around. “You are playing the flute, and that sharpens it even more-“ It was then that he realized that Satoshi’s hands were empty. The instrument was hidden away in the chest pocket of his tunic. Yet Tokito could still hear the sound of the flute.

“What the?” Another voice pierced the air like a sword thrust. He recognized Yamis's voice yelling out his name too late. The gates of the warehouse burst open with a scream of rusty iron hinges. A thick grey mist came out of it, dancing like a living thing as it surrounded them in fragments of seconds. Tokito's last thoughts were of his mother. He wished he could have saved her.


WC: 209
TWC: 678

WC Claims: 
Lightness Skill [678/750]

Loot claims:
 Mission rewards, save for tickets, doubled from  Beloved Presence (4000 ryo + 400 D-Rank bonus, 20 AP, four tickets)

“I see.” Satoshi responded with after hearing his younger brother’s answer. It pained him so to see how overworked Yokito was, yet slumber was never going to be a remedy for his restlessness. Not while the howling persists. His tender gaze was reneged as he saw the confusion on his sibling’s face, replaced with unease as he too would noticed the voice of their brother yelling out to them. 

The dew as broad as fur would engulf them. Sounds of crashing open gates and shattering glass echoed around the orphans. Satoshi, being the brother that he was — the oldest of the three would find his eyes revolutionized. “What is this? Some sort of jutsu?” He would ask along as he could see that the events around them were indeed heavily influenced by a mixture of some form of chakra. 

“Genjutsu? No, that’s not quite it. This is too complexed and raw to be something close….. this is a-“ His words were curtailed as he was suffocated by the mist. In that moment what he wished for was to see the last of his family, to protect them. 

[Exit]
[WC: 188]
[Total WC: 844]

Mission Claims-
Beloved Presence: Mission rewards are doubled, excluding tickets
4000 + 400 Bonus, 20 AP, 4 Tickets

Jutsu Claims-
Glass Shard Swing 750


Dropping remaining WC. 

Approved