Howl Jenkin's Arrival

Following the events of Howl’s Springtime Adventure, Howl had awoken just as he had when he had arrived in the Eastertide Fairgrounds. However, this time, there were no sounds of flags from the Circus tent flapping in the wind or songs being played on a crude instrument by the jolly bard. No- Howl was alone again and had awoken in another strange place. Despite the unfamiliarity of his surroundings, something about this reality seemed real, as he looked down and examined his hands. Had he not actually died? His hand rose to his head, and he pulled a piece of his straight, flaxen blond hair into view. The color of his hair caught his eye and he dropped it. Howl stood up quickly and gathered his belongings that were sprawled out around him. Now consolidated, Howl’s head spun around and took in his surroundings further. It was quiet minus the sounds of some birds that were nearby. Listening intently, Howl could hear running water.
 
Howl’s slender legs spun around, and he began wading through the tall grass towards the sound of water. After a short walk, Howl would emerge from the tall grass to find a large body of water. The mid-sun hung high in the clear, springtime sky, and reflected off the waters uneven surface, causing it to sparkle. A few meters in front of Howl, from the water’s edge, a pair of fish with red, lustrous scales broke the water’s surface and soared through the air a few feet before resubmerging. Overlooking the bay was a village that was built into a 110-meter slope which was now looming over Howl. He stood for a moment, his crystal-clear blue eyes gazing at the spectacle of the village. What was this place? Howl thought to himself, not familiar with the village before him. He had never seen such a village in any book or magazine nor ever heard of a village that was built into a mountain before. Without wasting anymore time, Howl had made up his mind about venturing to the village so that he could figure out where he was.
 
Howl navigated along the coast of the bay until arriving at the base of the slope where an established path was located which led to the gates of the village. Upon arrival, Howl waited patiently to be attended to. Howl is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and has straight, shoulder length flaxen blond hair. His skin complexion is light and his face soft. Upon his face are two piercing blue eyes, that sparkle with curiosity. Howl is currently wearing a white blouse that is tucked into black pants and resting on his shoulders is a red coat with black, checkered diamonds and gold threading. As he waited, Howl replayed the events which had lead up to this very moment, creating an aloof expression on his face as he lingered.

WC: 481

“Oye!!”  Giichi Ito would shout coming up from behind the new comer after he had waited but for a few moments.  “Yer lookin awful fancy!”  He’d say, his long strides bringing him to stand parallel with the man in relation to the village gates.  Next to him was a fit white mare, hair blowing in the wind somehow reminding one of royalty without having to even say anything.  From the looks of it, one would think the man had taken the horse out of the village to go for some exercise, for he did not ride on it.  Currently Giichi wore a white tank top, and shorts.  His perspiration and heaviness tk his breath indicating he had been out jogging.  Around his neck a loose Tanbogakure headband moved rhythmically with his chest.  

“Giichi Ito, it’s a pleasure!”  He would say shoving his hand out aggressively.  Though his words and gesticulations all seemed aggressive and forceful, his smile and eyes were kind and sincere.  This was the opposite of the horse who seemed annoyed at the entire situation.  “Haven’t they gotten to you yet?  You a merchant?”  He’d ask, gesturing that they could walk forward.  

Giichi would lead the man and horse to the gate house before shouting “oye Granny,  we got a man out here ain’t ya see um?”  He proceeded to have a loud conversation with a rather elderly woman for a few moments Howl seemingly forgotten, except by the eyes of the horse.  It unnervingly watched him close, as though it’s mind was not that of a normal horses.  

After several moments Giichi would return, a towel a cross his shoulders, and a downcast look having been scolded for yelling at the old woman.  “Ummm anyway….I need you to errr fill this out…..if you wanna come in ya know?”  He would say a little of his prior gusto taken away.  This would be the first time Giichi would have stopped talking long enough to give Howl a chance to get a word in edgewise.  

Giichi Ito
Princess Ivy Bluemoon

The sound of a man shouting from behind him would cause Howl to naturally turnaround. A large, burly chested man was now heading straight towards him! For a moment, Howl contemplated the man’s intentions, deciding whether or not he was going to need to make a run for it. Howl decided to stay, as the gentle, but firm expression on the male’s face did not seem presently alarming. He also decided to stay because he was uncertain he could outrun the man if he needed to. In tow of the large man was a beautiful white horse. Howl eyed the horse curiously as they finished their approach. The man made a comment on Howl’s appearance which caught him off guard. He was right, his current fashion was a bit flashier compared to what he was used to, but it was all he currently had. Howl’s eyes then bounced off the man’s chest and to the headband which hung loosely around his neck. A village shinobi? Howl eyed the symbol curiously. The symbol was unfamiliar to him. Next thing Howl knew, the large man was clutching Howl’s entire hand aggressively. His grip was firm and encompassing. Howl smiled weakly in response to his introduction. “Howl Jenkins” Howl would say confidently, feeling slightly strange at referring to himself by this new name. “No- not a merchant.” Howl said in response to Giichi’s assumption. What was he? Howl thought to himself. He had been the Hokage and then a deserter, but now that he had been blessed with a new opportunity at life, what was his purpose? Now that his appearance had changed, was he still considered a traitor? Was he even really himself anymore? The thoughts left as soon as they had come and Howl turned his attention once more to the spectacle of a man who was now leading the horse and Howl closer to a house near the gate.

The man disappeared from site into the gate house leaving Howl alone. However, he wasn’t entirely a alone, as the white horses large eyes were now bearing down on him. Howl had an uneasy feeling that the horse was almost wishing that Howl would do something so that it could burry two large hooves into Howl’s new chest. Howl smiled at the horse and neared it slowly holding his hand out gingerly to see whether or not the horse would do him the honor of greeting him. Moments later, Giichi returned with a towel across his shoulders as though he had just finished working out. Howl wouldn’t have been surprised if Giichi had done a few push-ups during his brief visit to the gate house.

“Thank you, sir.” Howl said to Giichi as he retrieved the admission forms from him. The paperwork was slightly crumbled due to Giichi’s large hands. Howl filled out the paperwork quickly, signing all the required signature areas with his name, “Howl Jenkins”. For the time being, Howl decided to leave out his affiliation to Konoha and instead, listed that he was a scholar from the land of fire visiting this village for academic research and work. Howl completed the paperwork, gave it a quick look over, and then returned the paperwork to Giichi promptly.

WC: 538
TWC: 1019

As Howl approached Princess Ivy Bluemoon the horse would continue its intense stare down.  As he reached forward however she would reach forward as well taking a bite out of the air narrowly missing his finger tips.  Should he flinch or jump back the horse would seemingly laugh, it’s oddly human intellect eyes still looking into the man.  

Shortly enough however, rude animals aside, the majority of the business was done.  Giichi took the filled out clipboard and read over the documents, his mouth moving as his finger traces each line.  “A scholar huh…”. Giichi would say.  His brow wrinkling up.  “I never got much of them book smarts, I learned on the farm!” He would say bringing one arm up and flexing.  He’d laugh and clap Howl roughly on the back in a jovial sort of way before taking the paperwork back to the guard house.  The horse playing watchdog.

He’d return however with a passport of sorts with information that Howl had provided.  His name, his reasoning for being here and a photo of which no one quite knew how they’d got.  “Alright mate, you should be good.  Just know any trouble and yu’ll be outts on yer ass.  We may be small and country, but we tough.  Biggest rules is don’t cause troubles.  We gotta couple inns up thattaway.”  He’d say turning and pointing.  “Okada castle is where the scholars study, but ya need permission to get in ther.  I’m sure you’ll do fine, you seem a nice guy.”  He’d said a bit naively.

Perhaps it was lucky for Howl but the real boss of the gate guards wasn’t currently in or the whole ordeal could have been a bit more intensive than what Giichi was prepared to provide.  “O almost fergot.  Granny said since this here says scholar you gotta check in with the boss, so he can decide what yer researchin before ya do to much.  He can meet ya later though.  He’s one of them there sensory types, seems to know where people are don’t ya know.  So I’m sure he’ll find ya!”  He’d give another hard clap on the back.  “Yer free to go!”  With thag he’d move towards the gate house removing his shirt and yelling at someone that he was getting in uniform now.    

The horse who seemed to just go about on its own volition gave a short bray and tossed its head before turning away form Howl.  It gave off a peculiar air of boredom.  It would then simple walk through the streets towards a large castle off in the distance, the people paying it no mind.  Howl was in.

(The paperwork contains your village passport.  You may come in and out, however it specifically states to stay in these good graces should you leave the country you must let someone know first)

TWC - 810
Exit

Claims
+7 vigor to princess Ivy Bluemoon
+1 speed to the same 
810 words towards Swamp underworld

The horse had not taken kindly to Howl’s hang gesture and chose to snap near his hand. Howl did not flinch at this behavior or move for that matter, leaving his hand in place for her to chomp if she so desired, but he knew that she wouldn’t. Howl waited patiently while Giichi reviewed Howl documents that he had just submitted. He watched intently as Giichi’s brow began to wrinkle. Howl laughed. “I’ll teach you sometime my friend, it’s easier than it looks.” Howl responded sincerely. Howl now gleamed at the man’s huge muscles, wondering why he hadn’t been reborn with such toned arms. Next thing Howl knew, the large man’s hand was coming down hard on his back, firmly making contact. Howl could feel the strength of the man reverberate through his sternum causing him to cough slightly. Despite the force behind Giichi’s hand,  Howl knew that this was a kind gesture meaning that he would be accepted into the village. Giichi then disappeared once more into the gate house with Howl’s paperwork, leaving Howl alone with the white horse once again.

This time, Howl did not put his hand out towards the horse, but instead crossed his arms and gazed into her eyes curiously. Giichi returned once more, this time bearing a small booklet which he handed over to Howl. The blond male opened the passport of sorts and saw his name, reason for being, and a photo that was sketchily secured, on the inside. Howl did not recall Giichi taking his picture, as he googled at the poorly taken picture of himself with a frown. After handing over Howl his new passport, Giichi offered the village’s newcomer a few words of advice to remain in good standings within the village and pointed him towards some inns. He also pointed out a castle which was nestled atop the hill where the scholars studied, but Howl would need to get permission if he wanted to enter.

Just when Howl thought he was good to go, Giichi mentioned to Howl something that he had almost forgotten. Howl, a scholar, would need to check in with the “boss” so that they could know what kind of research Howl intended to conduct whilst in their village. Howl glossed over the words briefly, knowing very well that he wasn’t a real scholar, but he did plan on doing some research. He then mentioned that the boss was a sensory type and that he would seek Howl out sooner than later. Following these words, another solid hand of Giichi came down hard on Howl’s back, causing Howl to stumble forward slightly towards the village. Feeling a tad embarrassed, Howl did his best to turn his stumble into a forward stride and as he made his departure from the gate house, Howl would wave over his shoulder. “Thanks Giichi, it was nice meeting you!” Howl was unsure if he heard him or not as there were not sounds of struggle coming from behind him, but Howl didn’t turn to see what the commotion was.

WC: 509
TWC: 1528

[Enter village]

15 Stats towards vigor. 68 + 15 = 83 New Vigor total.

Natuure Chakra Proficiency 1528/2000

Exit claims approved for both Howl and Asahi!