Impressionism [Valeiru]

Staying in Yugure was peaceful, if a bit creepy. What she had learned in the past week or so had Saya lowering and throwing up her guard all the time. In the beginning, she had distrusted anyone and everyone that she had come across. Mizuki had been the dominant villain in the short horror stories being generated in her head; she was always the mastermind and puppeteer when it came to her imagined deaths. Kinko was a close second. But after meeting the rest of the primary residents of Yugure and being given the chance to observe their training, she felt like she wasn’t in danger as much. Don’t get her wrong, Saya still felt like she was going to get murdered sooner or later.

The one or ones that were most likely to shank her in her sleep, however, would be the other people. Devoted worshippers of Jashin or to Mizuki or vampires. She wasn’t entirely sure of the whole religion and beliefs the people had, but that was none of her business. It only concerned her when they started to question her presence in Yugure. More when it became clear that some of those citizens (was it right to call them that?) began to follow her every move and watched her from afar.

Stalking her did not last very long as Saya’s patience had run out, and she confronted anyone she could see and sense around her. Most of the time they fled quickly, either in distress, panic, or with a sneer, but other times Saya would start walking away when they would berate her or try to run her off with rude comments.

Unfortunately for the woman, this was one of those times that she was attempting to walk away from a stalker. She tried to be understanding of their circumstances and their thoughts, but goodness gracious. This particular person - this woman - was one of those really determined and focused hecklers. And she dogged on Saya’s retreat, questioning her motives and why she had been allowed into the village and were they going to turn her?

”Hey! Don’t you dare turn your back on me. I’m talking to you!” Saya had to roll her eyes at the clichéd phrases. What was she - an unlikeable stock character? It wouldn’t surprise her if she was, but that usually meant that she, an unwilling target, would have to do the whole turn-around-hair-whipping-protagonistic deal.

Pause. Stop.

Saya took a moment to steel herself for this encounter. Cue protagonist heel pivot, complete with flowing tresses in the conveniently timed soft breeze. Annnd…

Cut!

There was an intruder on the scene. A new guy that had yet to make an appearance in Saya’s days in Yugure.

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WORD COUNT: 456
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 456

He called to her.

She blinked. What? How did this stranger know her name? Unlike the other servants this guy was different. With his hood and the pale skin that she could see, she knew it. ”That’s me,” Saya took a step back from his figure, wary of his appearance and apparent knowledge of her person. ”Who…?” Her voice trailed off, an obvious question in the air that would be answered immediately.

Valeiru, Arantima’s… something. Link, he said. Saya recognized the name and the image of that man’s face flashed in her head. He had been welcoming and non-aggressive. A dangerous one, she remembered thinking, because it was those that you never think to be bad were actually the worst ones. Nonetheless, she nodded to Valeiru, confirming that she recalled that instance. Arantima did not stay long or didn’t follow into the training, leaving her in a state of curiosity.

”Oh, I see.” That was all she could say, hand reaching forward slowly. It had been more than a few days since her arrival and she had yet to be treated horribly from what she assumed to be the core group Yugure. They allowed her to stay and do whatever she desired within reason in their territory so there was no reason for her to be completely put off by Valeiru. The demeanor he was presenting was very similar to Arantima.

His hand was surprisingly warm. Saya barely kept her hand on top of his as she moved to stand next to her new acquaintance. Sister? It was at this time that her status as “guest” began to sink in. A weight lifted off of her. Perhaps her demise is far away, for now.

The woman, who had been harassing her, and some of the other people that began to slink behind when they saw the two girls speed walking through the area all stopped in their tracks. Whispers and murmurings began as they shuffled in place, unsure of what to do. At least, until the Valeiru told them of the consequences. They scattered at his cold stare.

”Uhm, yeah. Sure, I could walk with you,” she said, uncertainty creeping into her voice. The way Valeiru was able to switch his poise from threatening to sunshine warmth screamed “danger” at her instincts. Despite the prickling at the back of her neck, she continued to be polite and ever pleasant, ”Thanks for the help. That girl just wouldn’t stop. Kept hammering on and clinging to me like an annoying fly. Just, you know - ”

With her free hand she pinched her forefinger and thumb together with a small space between, and began to weave it through the air like the insect she had just named. ”Bzzz! Zzzzz! Zzz!” Saya stopped abruptly, becoming aware that she probably looked like a child with her imitation. She faked a cough and cleared her throat, ”Ahem! Sorry. Dust. Got in my throat. So! You said you saw me through Arantima? I didn’t see you though.” Belatedly she realized what she just said and he had said. They were linked. It didn’t mean that Valeiru had actually been there. She really should keep her mouth shut.

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WORD COUNT: 531
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 456 + 531 = 987

A living clone. That’s what he was. Saya blinked and nodded, somewhat understanding the details of his existence. It was a possibility of technique that she wasn’t even aware could happen, and the curiosity of how began to take root in her mind. Were there any materials involved? How was the chakra molded? On and on until Saya put a clamp on that particular thought process. ”Oh, well. That does make sense then.” She replied as he raked his relatively long hair with a clawed hand, though his original persona had longer tresses. ”With you, uh, knowing who I am and all.”

And she supposed that him telling her how he knew who she was did put her at ease. Valeiru was not one of those impassioned stalkers. He continued to console her when he mentioned that the Humes wouldn’t bother her as they had earlier, but only to question her needs and wants. Thinking about that made Saya feel somewhat odd and icky. Ever since she was a child, she had been self-sufficient as she grew up with only a single parent and that parent had been absent due to work (and eventually defecting from Kumogakure).

An instant refusal was on her lips, ”I see. That’s nice and all, but I’m sure I can manage on my own.” Saya didn’t even want their respectful manners. If anything, she would prefer their open hostility as opposed to their forced obedience and deference to her. Hoping that he got the message, she quickly latched onto something else that caught her attention. ”Former Janshinists, huh?” That was a religion that she was unfamiliar with. Of course, she had heard of their cult from time to time, and how… enthusiastic their followers could be. Connecting those people with the ones in Yugure, it was not so hard for the woman to see the transition.

At the man’s signal she began to step with him, only to stutter-step so that she ended up half a step behind. Valeiru, even with his “clone” status, was a part of Arantima, a person of power and importance. So, knowing that, Saya made sure that he was only slightly ahead. ”He did?” She questioned him, confusion apparent on her visage.

The memory of her interrupting the conversation between him and Mizuki left her reddening at her cheeks and her hand came up to rub at the side of her face in embarrassment. It was absolutely baffling that Arantima would take an interest in her, even if it was related to their training and why she had only chosen to observe rather than participate. She let out a strained laugh at his wink, unsure of how to take it.

Just as before, she was sure that Valeiru was being friendly and welcoming to the new person in the area. Or a sacrifice. You never know. Were her unbidden thoughts, the one part of her that was determined that the higher ups of Yugure were simply using her as entertainment before off-ing her the moment they were bored of her.

Saya kept pace with Valeiru, completely unaware of how his gait and elegance lacked compared to that of Arantima. She had only met both men once each, and had not spent enough time with them to respectfully take note of their mannerisms. ”Ah, hope I’m not being rude, but where are we heading to?” With Valeiru taking the lead, Saya slowly began to notice that their surroundings were not familiar to her.

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WORD COUNT: 582
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 987 + 582 = 1,569

Wisdom flowed effortlessly from this strange man. Saya struggled for a split moment. There were sense in his words. If those people were there to be of service of their own accord then she should be okay to accept their help. A guest, that’s what she was. It had been verbalized. Though internalizing it was taking some time. Despite attempting to come to terms with the whole situation, it simply felt wrong. Whether it was her pride or being used to loneliness, the idea of receiving help had her gritting her teeth together and clenching her fists.

In the end the woman could only nod and settle with, ”I suppose you are right. I will think more about it then.” And she would. It was another thing that she had been working on for years - accepting help. When it came to battle or missions or work in the hospital, the concept was absolutely necessary. Except when it came to doing mundane or day to day activities. It was as if “help” was taboo for Saya.

Nevertheless, she followed Valeiru, allowing him to lead her to a new area that she had yet to explore. Listening to him gave her a little bit more of a glimpse of how she’s perceived by this Arantima. She was “interesting” because the lady that brought her in did not have anything in mind for her purpose. Saya shivered at that implication. There it was. There was always something to be given and taken whenever something happened. Not that Saya was completely unaware of that possibility. She was offered a place to stay. For how long? Even she had not been sure. Was she overstaying her welcome? Or, once again, was she there for entertainment? The thought would not leave her.

Even more so when Saya's ears perked up at a change of intonation in his voice. It felt like he was teasing her, in a way. Smirking with the manner in which he spoke his words. ”Hahaha! I doubt I would even resist,” Saya replied with a laugh, the energy underneath her skin sending goosebumps at the prospect of being trained and training again. The pace of her heart quickened with that notion. ”Anyways, I am a commoner. A retired kunoichi, but still a commoner.”

A pause. ”A civilian.”

There was a slight emphasis on the word, almost as if it was a reminder to herself rather than telling her escort. Saya left it at that once a building loomed over the pair and she was ushered in. She had seen the curious red waves from a distance, unsure of what it was until they drew nearer. It was liquid. Water? Valeiru called it the Sanguine Baths. Saya knew that she should follow the man’s actions, but water has always been her element. It tempted her. Splashing against the edges of its container.

”It is indeed quite warm,” Saya commented as she, almost in a trance, picked up the ends of her kimono and kicked off her sandals to step into the heated waters.

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WORD COUNT: 511
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1,569 + 511 = 2, 080

The sounds of water as she moved about was a balm to her soul. She sighed in pleasure, half-listening to Valeiru comment on her status. He was right. Though her life was spent meandering the lands as a wanderer, there was no denying that she could still utilize the flow of chakra or as he had mentioned - crush an actual ordinary person’s bones to bits. Saya chose not to reply verbally, feeling as if that was the end of the line for that topic. Still, she shrugged her shoulders to convey a nonchalant, ‘What else can I say?’

As she closed her eyes and tried to heighten her other senses, the dark-haired woman could discern the swish of clothing and a body settling onto a surface. It was an obvious “educational” guess that the man had taken to reclining on one of the many lounge chairs that had been provided for use. There was even an interesting note of a fan opening. It was something she was quite familiar with as it was included in the kunoichi arts as well as experiencing it first hand when dealing with noble civilians. What else could she perceive…? At this point Saya had relaxed her hands, unwittingly dropping her kimono and soaking it.

”Shit.” Her amethyst orbs flew open the moment Valeiru called forth a servant by knocking a nearby gong. Automatically, she turned toward the ringing and was surprised to see someone - a young lady - already serving the silver-haired man with a bowl of curious red spheres and a tea set. Another sigh was exhaled as Saya walked out of the baths, movement slightly hindered as the water dragged at her clothing.

”Not standard food… Well, I’ll have you know that I don’t mind trying something new.” As soon as she was out of the red tinged waters Saya was trying to wring out as much liquid from her kimono as possible before carefully settling at the juncture of a lounge chair next to Valeiru’s. She flapped the damp edges, but gave up soon after. It would take a while for it to dry and Saya knew she had to deal with how uncomfortable it would be.

Eyeing the familiar red pill, Saya was tempted to pop one into her mouth. Though the color was different, it looked just like a soldier pill to help replenish energy during long journeys or a long fight. However, she did heed his warning and simply reached over to take one of the cups of tea, blowing on across its top before taking a sip. It did warm her, adding more to the heat that the environment was already producing.

The question of coming out of retirement made her pause on her second sip. Sharp eyes cutting towards his languid figure just a few feet away. A firm and resounding “no” was on her lips, but it did not yet pass. She continued to hear him out, though her mind was in a fog from his intrusive question. For a few moments she could only establish eye contact with him, her eyes peering into his own and almost mirroring the despair and sorrow.

”No.” Her voice cracked. She cleared her throat, her tone more polite and monotonous than he had ever heard her since their meeting. ”It’s not something that I would do or think of doing. I’ve… I - The decision has been made and I do not regret it.” Her heartbeat slowed by a beat, an ache shooting through her chest by her declaration.

Another clearing of her throat as she drank her tea. Hoping to change topics, Saya leaned over and picked up one of the red balls to examine it. ”You said they’re not standard food. If they’re not soldier pills then what are they? I remembered that a couple of the other people from the training room consumed them.” She brought it closer to inspect its texture before sniffing at it.

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WORD COUNT: 663
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 2,080 + 663 = 2,743