Anti-Hero

A long hard fought ensues as Harune fought the man. Marabelle’s angle of approach become hard as it lasted longer and longer and even with her sensory abilities helping keep track of the situation, an opportunity was not presenting as soon as she had hoped. In her method to let the antidote take effect and hopefully allow a better opening, the man was a beats unto himself. Proving to be a harder fight for Harune, it was an exposure to her that she had much to learn and do in these situations. This exposing the weakness in her own resolve in some ways. Marabelle’s determination was shown in peak moments of this fight and as much as her time in the village had shown the potential to have impact, she was aware of her own failings.

Thankfully an opportunity arose without much further issues to be worried about or concerned with. The man’s obsession with Harune kept his focus on her even while Marabelle slinked around the place waiting for her chance to get a clean strike in. The back and forth provided by Harune proved insurmountable to the man as it was a ticking time bomb between the two. It was when Marabelle realized Harune was injured she knew she had to take a more proactive approach to handling the situation. Moving in closer it was time to act as Harune stumbled and slinked, accepting the fate of the injury she had received. It was then when Marabelle got closer that her invisibility shimmered and revealed herself as her mystical palm technique reached out and snagged the man in his tracks looking over her. Harune who has looked accepting of the defeat rose to the challenge and a sparked ignited in the woman as she unleashed the fury of a sun upon the rather grotesque man.

To Marabelle’s surprise it really was a 180 in the timid or hesitant woman that she had seen earlier today versus this very moment. The flurry of attacks did not let up as Harune made it very clear she was one hundred percent, not interested in any of what was being said or sold to her. With an affirmative confirmation of the man’s disposition, the mission was done and the two would be able to wrap up and be done with the whole mess. For Marabelle this was now a chance to lockdown what happened beyond their initial formation of thoughts as the man’s commentary about the small settlement indicated it was all a rouse to the outside and formation of his own creation. The deific attitude gave a lot of concern to the Everbloom as that was alarming of a revelation to the village as the other mission was also likely a setup for the man’s plan. “I’m glad it’s all over. We ought to see what else we can find so let me look real quick.” Marabelle added, hoping to pull Harune’s attention away from the mess of the combat that transpired.

Investigating the grounds of what remained a structure from the fight, Marabelle was keen on finding one of the few missing items at minimum to be able to produce more evidence the events were constructed, produced, orchestrated, etcetera. There was rubble and more rubble except she found a small doll, something she remembered that a small girl was looking for in the group of people who were running away with her mother’s hand pulling her away from the mayhem that ensued. Grimacing at the thought, the older kunoichi picked it up and placed it in her satchel, “Let’s get you home.” She said soft and gentle patting her bag as if making a promise to the small doll. Now it was time to return with Harune back to the settlement proper. While they made it back to the makeshift clinic, it was time to wrap up.

After reviewing and closing up the small makeshift clinic Marabelle setup, a weight was heavy on her shoulders after what happened. Harune became a lot more rigid but it was to be expected. The rather generic responses that Harune had revealed a much more tragic backstory behind the golden appearance of the young beauty of Harune. Marabelle walked behind her on the way back to the authorities, a look of sadness that there was not much else to do. She knew the burden was a heavy one to bear for those who suffered and sometimes it may not be fixable or remedied through simple words alone. With the body being dropped off, there was a few moments after on their way back to Otogakure that occurred that helped lift Marabelle’s spirit after such a tumultuous encounter. Marabelle’s personality shined in the dark grim reality the two walked through as much as it could.

On their journey back Marabelle made what little small talk she could with Harune though it seemed like it might be best to let her stew on what transpired over her own rather upbeat thoughts on the matter. As rough of a right it was, Harune was the hero, Marabelle the savior. Their work together allowed the two to success where one would have fallen. The fear of failure was not one of reprimands but of one of death. Mortality was a grave concern especially when it became more apparent and actively out to end. Eventually they caught up and passed some of villagers who were making their way to Otogakure. At which point, Marabelle sought after the little girl to return the stolen doll back to its original owner.

Upon arrival back to Otogakure, Marabelle bade Harune goodbye and was glad for their encounter. “Thank you for allowing me to join you on the missions Harune-san. I hope you fair well and learned much as I too have much to do to grow and learn still. It has been a great benefit to me too and I’m sure Otogakure is proud of the result we have gained.” With the simple words she went on her way, back to learning and growing within the village hidden by Sound.

[Exit]

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WC: 1,018, TWC: 4,020 | TMWC: 11,680/5,000

Using Strawberry Cake acquired from here. Total WC Claim amount 8,020.

Mission Rewards wrote:+ 10,000 Ryo
+ 50 AP

WC Claims wrote:8,020 WC
+ 320 AP (4 X 8,000) to Strength of a Hundred Skill (0/600 is now 320/600)
20 WC Leftover and Discarded

approved