Of Booze and Bars (IO)

He'd smile down at Jun but only for a moment.  For about the time he was going to convince her to come up and try a song she was whisked away by Kitsu.  The poor lad was always being bossed around by Ren, not for the first time Takeshiyama pondered what power Ren had over the lad.  He doubted it could just be a matter of position, it seemed like something else.  Something stronger, and perhaps more intiment.  Still, those where sober thoughts and these were drinking nights.  So, with that he'd watch the two trail way to exit the bar, taking some of the excitement with them.  Turning he'd talk to Daiki some about the bar, before he took another large thing of sake, and laid down more than enough ryo to cover it and tip.  With that, and not having much to do with the group he'd retire closer to the stage.  It wasn't that he had anything against any of them, he simply did not know them as well, and without that connection that had been Jun, there was just less appeal to spend the time talking, and now much mroe appeal in spending the night drinking and singing.  

So with that he would return to a table near the stage and watch as several people would come and go on stage.  Every so often he would get up, perform a song of his own before lumbering back to his seat and waiting for the next time the muse struck him.  He would spend the majority of the night in this way, and he found it enjoyable.  perhaps one of the perks of being on the road for so long, you were able to keep yourself company even when those you came with had long gone.  

Once closing time came, he would leave the bar and stumble home.  Vaguely aware that within the area large shipments of materials had seemed to come in overnight.  Shaking his head he wondered how long in fact he had actually been drinking.  It almost seemed like an entire new vilalge had set up over the course of his time in the bar.  Shaking his head to clear such thoughts he would finally make it home and crash into bed.  Wiggly-woo would slither off of him and perch itself in the window, whispering chastisments into the big mans dreams for nearly squishing him

Exit

TWC - 2008

+20 str for Wiggly-woo
1.5k towards Transparent escape
500 towards https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t46819-eye-mind-reading-v7?highlight=eye+mind

Jun Tsukiko wrote:

(EXIT)

WC:125
Total WC: 2312

Reserving WC for later

Approved

Takeshiyama wrote:
Exit

TWC - 2008

+20 str for Wiggly-woo
1.5k towards Transparent escape
500 towards https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t46819-eye-mind-reading-v7?highlight=eye+mind

Approved

As his friends made their way out of the bar, he started to clean up for the night.

WC:18
TWC:304
[Exit]
Claims:
+3 Chakra
+300 to 3 Tomoe Sharingan. Precious progress from Here. 4,485/6,000

With the room now emptied of all but a lingering presence, Azuki finds himself under the spotlight, not as the warrior known for his battles and prowess, but as a man grappling with emotions as tumultuous as any conflict he has faced. He sits down, guitar in hand, the instrument a vessel for the torrent of feelings he's yet to fully comprehend or accept. The song he chooses to sing tonight is not just a melody but a confession, a catharsis of the attraction he's been wrestling with, especially after their last encounter.


As Azuki Shinoda settles into the moment, his fingers poised above the strings of his guitar, there's a palpable shift in the air—a quiet anticipation that fills the space between notes yet to be played. The guitar, an instrument of both melody and memory, feels like an extension of his very essence as he prepares to express the turmoil that words alone fail to capture.

With the first gentle strum, a connection forms, not just between Azuki and the guitar, but between his tumultuous inner world and the external expression of music. Each note, tenderly plucked, resonates with a part of him that's often shrouded in the stoicism of the warrior's path. The delicate fingerpicking is more than a technique; it's a dialogue, a way of traversing the landscape of his emotions, touching upon the peaks of joy and the valleys of sorrow.

"Everything you do is so damn perfect, even when you're killing me," he sings, his voice carrying the weight of admiration and the sting of conflict. The melody weaves a tale of attraction, of being drawn to someone who embodies danger as much as desire. "I love the way you look with bloodstained lips, so sexy," he continues, the imagery vivid, a raw acknowledgment of the allure he finds in the very things that shouldn't. But the expression helped to melt away any burdens.

Azuki's soft yet supple voice accompanies the melody, a sonic embodiment of vulnerability. Singing allows him to navigate the complex web of feelings that has ensnared him—attraction, denial, longing, and the reluctant acceptance of emotions he'd rather not confront. The act of performing, of letting his guard down in front of an audience, is both liberating and daunting. In revealing his softer side, he steps into uncharted territory, a place where his identity as a fearsome warrior is momentarily set aside for something far more intimate.

As he immerses himself in the music, Azuki grapples with the dichotomy of his nature. The song becomes a mirror, reflecting the internal struggle between the person he has always been and the person he is becoming. It's a dance of light and shadow, where the very act of playing and singing serves as a catharsis, a release of the bottled-up emotions that swirl within him.

The vibration of the strings under his fingertips, the resonance of the guitar's body against his own, the way his voice fills the room—all of it draws him deeper into a state of introspection. The melody that flows from him is a poignant exploration of the heart, a journey through the complex emotions inspired by someone who has become an unexpected focal point of his thoughts and feelings.

With each note, Azuki surrenders a piece of himself to the music, to the moment. The performance is a declaration, not of love or desire, but of his own humanity, his ability to feel deeply and passionately. It's an acknowledgment of the pain and beauty that comes with allowing oneself to truly care, to be vulnerable.

As the last note fades into silence, Azuki is left with the echo of his own emotions, the reverberation of a song that has exposed the depth of his heart. The experience, though draining, is cathartic. In sharing his music, he shares a part of his soul, offering a glimpse into the complexity of his being—a warrior, yes, but also a man capable of profound emotion and tenderness.

In this moment of artistic expression, Azuki finds a semblance of peace, a temporary respite from the internal battles he faces. The guitar, once a mere instrument, has become a confidant, a means through which he can explore and express the intricate tapestry of his emotions. And as he steps away from the spotlight, he carries with him the knowledge that through music, he has discovered a new avenue for understanding and expressing the depths of his soul.

As Azuki finishes his performance, the air, thick with the residue of his emotions, suddenly shifts with the sound of unexpected applause. The room, once a silent witness to his vulnerability, now resonates with the warm approval of those who had been captivated by his heartfelt expression. Rising from his seated position, Azuki is momentarily taken aback by the response, a smirk playing across his lips—a visible sign of his surprise and gratification.

This applause, this acknowledgment from the audience, serves as a poignant reminder of the transformation he's undergoing. The curse that once shaped his existence, that colored his every interaction with a shade of darkness, is no longer a part of him. In its absence, Azuki finds himself stepping away from the shadows that once defined him, moving towards a lightness of being he hadn't known was possible.

Bowing to the audience, a gesture of gratitude for their reception, Azuki feels a sense of relief wash over him. It's not just the release from the performance but a deeper, more profound liberation from the chains of his past. The applause echoes not just in the room but within him, affirming his journey away from the isolation of his curse and towards a newfound connection with those around him.

As he bows out for the night, the weight on his heart feels lighter, the path ahead clearer. The transformation within Azuki is palpable, not just in the softening of his edges but in the opening of his heart. The journey from being an "edgelord" to finding a balance, a harmony within himself, is underway, marked by this night of music, vulnerability, and the unexpected warmth of communal appreciation.

Leaving the bar, Azuki carries with him a sense of accomplishment and a heart that, for the first time in a long while, feels unburdened. The applause has served as a catalyst, accelerating his understanding of the person he is without the curse—a person capable of touching and being touched by others, not with the cold edge of a blade but with the gentle strings of a guitar.

WC: 1095 TWC:1,609 [Exit]

CLAIMING 25% Discount

Derangement Palm C rank WC: 750
Healing Hands C Rank WC:750
Thousand Years Of Death WC:109/250

Ayato Hyuuga wrote:

Jun Tsukiko wrote:

(EXIT)

WC:125
Total WC: 2312

Reserving WC for later

Approved

WC Claims:
+23 Vigor
2500/2500 Mystical Palm
2142/4000 Ketsurugan Developed

It seemed the bar was quickly draining. He was sad that he didn't get the chance to sing his song, but he would leave solemnly anyway. There was more for him to do outside. He would leave without paying his tab once again. As he entered the night time air, he was exhilarrated with what he would do for the rest of the night. He thought of Jun, and how she was whisked away by that strange man that seemed to hate the very world that surrounded him. What a horrid existence that would be, to have to deal with such sadness. But then again, he didn't have to worry about him as he moved on with his night. With a bit of a high, and a bit of drink in his belly, it was a beautiful night that it would be certainly.

EXIT
WC:143
TWC: 1315

WC Claims:
+159 words Pheasant Hunter (Complete) (Previous Progress)
+1125 towards Searing Migraine (Complete)
Dumping remaining WC