Introductions and Interactions

The woman had approached Manjiro and was looking over the Praying Mantis offering her own words and insight on the topic. The world would probably be an easier place if people accepted the harsh reality of the world instead of trying to cover it up with various beliefs and hopes. Now that she was closer Manjiro could give more attention to this mysterious woman who had seemingly appeared from nowhere. She had black hair that even when put up seemed to wish to be freed, she seemed like someone frozen in time for better or worse, there was an air around her that fed into Manjiro’s first impression of this woman not being some lost and wandering individual.
 
Very few people just simply came near the temple, especially with its reputation and rumors. So only those of a certain kind tended to freely move around here, the faithful, the crazy or the morally deranged. The woman told Manjiro how she had no plans to get revenge on anyone and was just curious by the appearance of someone close to their home. That piqued Manjiro’s Interest, not many people lived near the temple, there were villages not far away but no one could claim to live near the temple in the way she was. It felt like there was just something more in the area that Manjiro hadn’t come across yet. Now she was asking questions which he expected.
 
“I don’t believe this little guy is the most interesting thing in the area, just simply the most interesting so far.” He offered as he let the Praying mantis go into the grass back to its life. “Thank you for your warm welcome Mizuki Ohta, I am Manjiro Chinoike.” He offered back as he turned to face the woman fully and the newly visible companions. “I follow Lord Jashin in his teachings and have since birth, I am here to learn and spread his teachings. Or at the end of the day I simply follow what interests me the most.” He offered as he watched each person come from the woods not far from them. First a man with brown curly hair and a red travel coat who simply showed himself and took a spot by Mizuki but offered no words or introduction so Manjiro offered no words to him as his interest quickly dwindled.
 
The next to appear from their hiding spot was another young man wearing darker colors and burgundy gloves, this one was clearly not impressed at this interaction as he had his arms folded. It was clear this one was one of those types that feels owed something even if others don’t know it. Another lack of interest of these appearing individuals. So far it seemed that the only one that would be worth conversating with would be Mizuki, then the last of the group came from the trees. Now this one was dressed up with the clear intent of a bodyguard, someone that had something worth Manjiro’s Interest. And this one, though his voice strange sounding as if something was muffling it or changing it introduced himself as Arantima, offering words that questioned but also curiosity. He too asked about him being here at the temple. Though Manjiro was sure he had heard him answer Mizuki prior but deemed since this one had offered his name he could repeat himself.
 
“Don’t worry Arantima, I understand being ready at a moment’s notice for battle. I welcome you to the Temple’s Land.” Manjiro offered to the warrior, “As I said prior to Mizuki, I am Manjiro Chinoike. I have been apart of the Jashinist Faith since I was born and have come to the temple to learn and spread Lord Jashin’s Teachings to those who would listen.” He finished returning to Mizuki as the clear leader of this “family” as she called it.
 
“I hope you will forgive me for not meeting some of your eyes especially those with their faces covered or hidden. Never know who has one of those pesky set of eyes.” He offered as the only people who he would look in the eye would be Mizuki and Kinko as they weren’t wearing anything to block their eyes or face from his own sight.

WC: 709
TWC: 1358

They emerged from the trees of their own accord and in their own styles but she had eyes only for the strange man in front of her. She noted the closeness of Yazui at her right, silent as ever but seething in his own observance it was almost palpable. The praying mantis would be released onto the grass, going about its business at it would whether a group stood in its wake or not; living in its own microcosm as most people do. Her eyebrows would raise in subjective intrigue as his surname hit her ears - the only other Chinoike she can bring to memory being Guren; and their relationship was a sunken ship at best.

As the boy turned to face her fully he got a good look at his face, blond hair pulled up at the center, with hair framing his face to sharpen his features. His declaration of Jashin teaching almost caused an eruption of laughter from the Kyuketsuki but she managed to pull it back to an amused smile. Arantima’s questions seemed to come as a repeat but she knew he was simply being thorough - at least he wasn’t being his usual aggressive self. It was Manjio’s comment about welcoming Arantima to the lands of Jashin that caused the glint of disapproval to shine in her eyes.

Though her disapproval at his welcoming them to their own land was still simmering in her eyes she cooled it instantly and placed a placid mask over her expression - taking in his words as if under water. His disrespect was something she could look over in most cases but she was beginning to feel the creeping of a fit. “Smart honestly, those with eyes can be something unsettling can’t they?” The comment was sharper, as she was an owner of a version of the eye he spoke of. “So you are a monk at best, and lost at worst. As a Chinoike I was hoping for something more but it seems that you are a peddler of a word that died decades ago.”

Her entire demeanor was shifting as her words folded one over the other, almost growing in stature as she pulled her shoulders back to stand tall and sneer at the boy. “As someone born from those Jashin blessings and teachings you live by let me be a first hand account. Jashin will lead you nowhere you wish to go. All he brings is sacrifice and hardship, an erasure of humanity. That thing thinks blessings are born from an inescapable thirst for blood and longevity far outreaching any mortal life. So forgive me, if we are not active listeners of this teaching.” The last sentence was almost spit out as her eyes sharpened, canines growing a few centimeters as her disgust took her. Shaking her head her interest in him breaks - almost as quickly as her mood as the anger subsides and she recedes back to composure. Holding her gaze from his she heaves a big sigh and motions for her family, “If you are of a mind to see a different perspective you are welcome to join us… blindfolded, but that is your choice. Otherwise…”, the pause tests her resolve - eyebrows furrowing into the distance. “, we will have to part ways here.”

EXIT - depending on response from Manjiro

Yazui would watch as the young man responded to Mizuki and Arantima. His attention on Yazui himself and Kinko, the two silent ones, didn’t seem to last very long. It looked like he was the type to reply to stimuli, his attention focused on whoever managed to draw it. Typical of a teenager. Yazui didn’t mind. He liked to stay beneath notice from time to time. If the stranger decided to stick around longer, there would be more than enough time for him and Yazui to get down to talking.

The back-and-forth between him, Mizuki and Arantima about Jashin caused Yazui to raise an eyebrow. He had heard of this mysterious deity in relation to his Kyuketsuki partners, but for him this was a first in seeing someone from outside the clan who was affiliated with him. “Damnit.” The Tenka felt stupid for his ignorance on the matter. When given the chance, he would ask Mizuki or Kinko about Jashin and his role in the world. If he was working for the Kyuketsuki, he needed to know their beliefs.

Interestingly, it was Mizuki who seemed uninterested in discussing the subject, dismissing it as something unworthy of her time. Already seeing the signs that this conversation was over, Yazui was already turned half-away, exposing his side to Manjiro. It was the missing-nin in a nutshell; always impatient. The second Manjiro stopped being someone who could contribute to his designs in one way or the other, Yazui moved on. As far as he was concerned, Manjiro could either get on board or watch the train pass by.

Exit depending on Manjiro's response

---

265/960

Kinko watched as Tima joined their from the treeline, clad in armor. This was one of the few times that Kinko felt uneasy around these lands. There was something about this boy that Kinko thought odd. Anyone could see his intrigue as his arms were crossed and clasped, with an eyebrow raised. Almost like an interrogator as he awaited the response from Tima's questions. Kinko did not give a lot in his body language but a smirk came out as the boy exclaimed his faith for Jashin. Kinko could almost immediately feel the disdain as the tribe seemingly found a member of a rival neighboring tribe. 'Manji.' The boy's name rang in his head, to make sure he remembered it. Kinko figured that spreading the word of Jashin at his temple is a weird place to start.

Kinko accepted the challenge passed by Manjiro and looked at him directly in the eyes, to see if Manjiro had a set of those pesky little eyes, or if he would dare us them. Kinko's turquoise eyes glared through to Manjiro, offering to make eye contact, should the 5 foot 4 inch boy accept the gaze. Kinko oddly took the challenge as a dare to his ego, he had no fear of this boy and he would show it by making eye contact. Something about this boy. Kinko got a sense that Yazui was getting a similar taste of disgust.

The young Kyuketsuki could see the writing on the wall. This meeting was going to be over. He would follow Mizuki's steps out, making sure he was close to cover his teammates if needed. Kinko knew that they were going to keep an eye on the Chinoike around here, at least this one. Kinko was not entirely sure what to expect from this meeting but he knew business here was not over.

[WC:309/1189]
[Exit - Contingent upon Responses]

A smile seemingly holding back laughter, a look of disapproval to his words quickly returned to disinterest and neutral, like that of a beast bored of their food. Words with a sharp undertone, a clear dislike of Manjiro’s proclamation of being a spreader of the Jashinist Faith. A sneer and the prior welcoming and curious woman was now just another face among the crowd who looked down on people of his faith. Mizuki claimed to be a born of the Jashin blessing and teachings, mentioning the inescapable thrist of blood and long life. This made Manjiro believe she was one of the few still remaining Kyuketsuki, the rival clan to his own Chinoike, those that devoured his own clansmen generations ago and were blessed with their own gifts different from his own clans but shared similarities like the ability to manipulate blood.

Mizuki’s own disgust with Manjiro’s background was clear with her words and body language and just like that it was done and gone. An offer to join them for some kind of journey to some place for some new perspective.

Arantima spoke, a kinder option and choice of dialogue. A mention of understanding about avoidance, taking his own mask off an audible sound of something depressurizing and a change in his voice to what must be his actual one. A ramble of words, carrying tones of unknown and mystic. A new offer one of simply journey no hiding, one of genuine adventure. A tease of interest from a source already on his own mind. “A journey to see something new is always a decision I’m willing to undergo.” Manjiro smiled seemingly matching Arantima’s own. Though one of more mischievous chaos, his smile inviting and engaging while the stare of his own spoke of ambitious discovery. A desire to devour that which interests him till its presence bored him.

“I leave our journey in your hands Arantima, for better or worse.” Manjiro said as he offered a bow to Mizuki deciding that the worse that could happen was his death walking into a very open trap by those who don’t care for his own people, or the possibility of furthering his own dreams and desires. After all learning more about this world was always a benefit no matter the source. He would take Arantima’s hand and offer a mock bow as if he was asking for a dance.

[Exit giving permission to Arantima to TP to wherever he wishes with Manjiro in tow]

WC: 399
TWC: 1757

Claims: Using Max Stat discount for below
+750 WC to Devouring Sphere B-rank to A-rank: 1125/1875 > 1875/1875
+1007 WC to Stage 3 of Ketsuryugan 0/4500 > 1007/4500

Approved

TWC: 906
Claims: Using max stat discount

Zanshin - Finishing Mind - 768 (1023-25%) words remaining from previous training

Spending remaining 128 words on Demonic Illusion - Flower Garden, 862 words remaining

Exit claims :
TWC 1560
Using 25% full stat discount
1500 words to learn Suiton: Wild Water Wave A rank
1560 words to learning Manjiro's chakra signature