Lumberjacks for hire [NJ]

With a light zephyr, quietly humming through the air. Pink petals, fall down from the trees that they were once sitting upon, emulating a light rainfall of flowers. The sun was at it's highest point currently, emulating the fact that it was somewhere around 2, not 12; which is something that most people would think.

But, Hiko, wasn't like most people. Having survived in the wilderness or traveling through the desolate, winding roads which led through them, he picked up a few tricks here and there. One of which, was telling time based on the positioning of the sun and other celestial bodies. This theory was tested out one day, and confirmed, the details extremely straightforward. He simply looked at a clock one day while in a village, and then looked at the sky, thus proving it right.

Almost starting to daze off, the newly found partners voice started speaking from behind. It was only a matter of time until the question got posed. "I left my village to find out who I truly was." Voice gruff, there was a particular cadence which punched and accentuated certain words within each phrase. He'd continue on by saying "The girl I was traveling with, we patted ways in Snow Country. She left it to me as a token of remembrance for what I learned on that path. And you should be warned." His feet would come to an abrupt halt in their movements, head jolting backwards to face the man with a side profile and a crazed eye. "My clan is that of the Tau, and we aren't to be trifled with." It was up to the tattooed dude to decide on how to take this, as a light warning or a threat.

After they would start walking again, they would do so for about another 20 minutes until they reached a clearing that had 7 large stones all set up within a circle. In the center of all these, was another one, about a quarter of the height, which appeared to be a table or altar of sorts. "This must be the place." Hiko would say, showing that the point on the map was showing this spot. While it had slipped his own notice, if the other shinobi had decent ears, he'd hear the sound of wood clacking together; unlike that of branches when they would occasionally touch. It was much different, more mechanical in nature.

WC: 403

Even though there was this intensity within the air as the two had carried on their conversation, there wasn't any full on hostility which had arisen from it. Thankfully the guy didn't take it to heart. It was more surprising how he was getting caught up over the scar. It was an amazing piece of artistry, sure. It added an edge to things. Both to inspire fear and tell a sad story. The juxtaposition of two opposing sides was, Hiko's story after all.

Either way, once the two had arrived at this place, young Hiko being not at all afraid of these sorts of things immediately started to inspect the place. Looking at each stone, while slowly and precisely walking around to the other side of the slab. Once there he'd turn to face his partner. Words once again left his lips, saying "Don't get it twisted. I chose this scar, because of my lineage." After speaking this aloud, the rogue would begin to sense something. It was as if there was a more potent feel within the air, or there was just something...off about it. Almost like a sentient nature about it. There was a feeling like being watched, but no one was around. The more this feeling had begun to arise, the more quickly it would elevate.

With this in mind, this is the moment he heard the noise from earlier. It was coming toward this location. Rapidly. Coming from where they just came from. Peering over the lad's shoulder, Hiko would notice something starting to emerge from out of the treeline. "Shall I give you a demonstration of my lineage?" Eyes darting back to the man's own. While locked within this staring match, face completely locked in a dead pan expression, the runaway raised his right arm out from the cloak. From there, the hand would split from the stitching around the wrist and fly forward, directed by the black threads within his body. It would fly over the guy's left shoulder, until it would reach 9 meters from Hiko himself.

There, within the kid's grasp being held up by the neck against a tree, was a puppet that was currently clacking away; a mechanism in it's arm was produced and a blade was about to find itself lodged in this guy's head had the scorpion not stepped in.

WC: 389
TWC: 792

Judging from how the fellow was taking what was being said, the two wouldn't have a problem with each other. It was clear that the nameless man could tell an actual threat from a scare tactic; if one could even call it that. Also, the look on his face made it clear that this other nin surely hadn't heard of the clan before, which had it's own benefits thankfully. Alas, someone who didn't shed judgement over it, or the physical violence.

Starting to get content with the firm grasp around the wooden constructs neck, Hiko's cocky side came out to play, responding "Indeed, I shall teach this thing a very valuable lesson." Saying that, his grasp began to tighten, but the puppet had a few more tricks up it's sleeves.

In response to this choke maneuver, the puppet's mouth would then open up, a pair of kunai being pushed out on a metal rod. Once this mechanism was out of it's body, the kunai would snap into place so that way one was facing to the right, and the other to the left. After this, they would then proceed to spin around rapidly in a circle, as it's neck began to turn downward aiming to cut the threads. Seeing this, the Tau would promptly and swiftly chuck the puppet back in a way to where it crashed into the slab. "But this thing wants a show apparently. So let's give it one."

WC: 240
TWC: 1032

Grinning like a maniac, the scene which had begun to unfold and unfurl before his very eyes was much to his amusement. To get to witness this other dude's might was something else. Taking into account of everything, it was a really good thing that Hiko managed to not piss this guy off because in the off chance that said scenario did happen, it certainly wouldn't end well on his side of things. But some things such as that, were best left untold. So instead, his eyes would light up while watching as this man knocked the puppets head off, literally. And a maniacal grin would reach from ear to ear, hearing that it was his queue to go again. "With pleasure." The Tau would say in response to his partner's quick quip.

Seeing the body of this thing without it's head, Hiko would manage to wrap the black threads around it's waist before the thing could turn into a spindly, spider like creature which would try to crawl away swiftly on all fours. But Hiko had other plans for it. With one hand now fully locked onto it's body, he would yank it again towards the altar, knocking it back into the stone to deal some damage to it. Clearly, the wooden construct was still able to move and retained some sentience within it, so after doing that, he would hoist the being up onto the altar-like table.

Retreating the one hand towards it's left arm, the miscreant would then do the same with his other hand, letting it deattach from his body to spring forward and grab the other arm. "Let's have some fun!" He said through clenched teeth. The boy would then proceed to yank at the two appendices simultaneously, the extenuating force upon it's body seemingly enough to break the limbs free from it; which revealed that each arm was held into it's socket by more hidden swords. This allowed for the perfect improvisational moment. Now, with an arm in each hand, Hiko would then slam the blades down into the torso of the puppet which they used to belong to, cracking what would be it's ribs into two. The power behind it, was enough to splinter it open. But wait, there was more.

It was still twitching around somehow, but now more chaotic. Infuriated by the fact that this puppet just didn't wanna seem to give up, the scar faced kid with auburn hair would then take both of his hands and grab onto where the crack had formed; one on each side of the opening. Pulling with all his might, the puppet would be finally torn in two after a moment of brief silence, the sound of breaking wood, and the wind heavily picking up ringing out. Hopefully, this meant that it was over. Once it was finished, he would look over to his new comrade. "That finishes that. Let's go."

Thread Exit

WC: 484
TWC: 1562

Claims:

Mission- 
4000 Ryo
20 AP
Thread Exit

Skills/Techs-
1562 to Clan Pureblood (1562/2000)

Stats-
5 to Speed
5 to Vigor
5 to Strength

Claiming 4k ryo and 20 ap + 26 ap due to max stats bonus, using 1300 words towards this