It's good to be home

[Tyro]

Akio had family. Everyone at one point had family, even though his only extended to his mother, and father. Both were Samurai. Prestigious ones too, top class, but retired. Perhaps a luxury among Samurai, they operated much like military servicemen. They enlisted, served their time, for however long, and retired. Old Samurai were rare to come by, but almost always the highest in the profession. It wasn't quite like the ninja system. Samurai had "tours" of duty. Leaving the compound for extended periods, and returning home. To family, to friends, and to comrades to boast of the experience.

Akio's family ended with his mother and father. He had visited them just after informing the council of the Sanbi. They had much the same reaction, silence. Revered silence. They were intelligent, bursting with foresight. Akio was in danger now more than ever, and destined to be hunted. Confidence however, never wavered. They allowed him to life, as he was, though tears blemished his mothers eyes as they embraced one more time before he pardoned himself to continue on.

Home was good. Almost ever facet of the compound was geared to an art: scholarly, strategically, militarily. The Samurai younglings themselves operated for what could be their futures, and so as Akio passed by the facilities he used as a child, he found them as useable in his adult hood.

Most of the compound was dedicated to the cause: smiths made weapons and armor, and men held meetings. But a fair sized chuck rested to recreation, all work and no play dulled a Samurai's blade. This is where Akio went. The Samurai very much catered the Genin during the days of Chuunin Exams that they sometimes hosted, and fitted them within the most illustrious of bars and impressive of hotels. He came here, to the Three Wolves River, one of the more upscale reststops for some time away from it all.

He wasn't looking for an extravagant time or setting. But he was perhaps spoiling himself as he sat at the bar, and orders the smallest of alcoholic beverages. Samurai did not drink often, and even more rarely out of the village as the had been instructed of the poisons carried unnoticed in drinks. But within the village, they were safe. Safe to lower theirs shields. At least halfway...

maybe.

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[Rui]

Three Wolves River had been exactly how he remembered it, having both gorgeous décor, and beautiful women to match. Kansei, arriving back from Sunagakure no Sato after defending its village from attackers, would make this his first stop. All of the battling in the desert, along with the journey back to his home, and other minor things, had left him exhausted. Right now, his focus had been getting inside the building, and ordering up some drinks.

It was not often that samurai has to enjoy themselves, as missions to other countries had far extended months. He would take advantage of the situation. The night was right, a full moon remaining stationary in the cloudless sky, and all he could think about is what had transpired. He had tried his hardest to protect those he hated the most, but failed miserably, and at the cost of a life. At the door, he removed his armor, hanging it on a rack.

Heading over to the counter, where a busty brown hair brown eyed worked, he situated himself down upon one of the many revolving stools, sliding his money across its surface to order himself two shots of sake. He did not speak, instead, pointing at which ones he wanted. It had been his favorite, and every time he came here, he made sure to indulge himself. Downing the first one, he looked out the window, but to his left, he also saw a man, probably the only other one in the bar.

“Who are you?”

[Tyro]

Akio's drink was slid to him from the barkeeps position. A precise and tender motion onto the wooden counter in front of him caught the drink, and eased it to a smooth stop so that the foam hardly vibrated. The foam was his favorite part of alcohol. Bubbles were carefree, nice spontaneous jolly little creatures, and decoration was always nice. He had studied art, as many of his brethren had, but the arrangement of foods never were grasped in his mind. His skills rewarded him survival instead, eating what game he could in his travels though most lately being spoiled with more "gourmet" tavern stops for food cooked at another's hand. He never fully trusted outside food, which made the experience another battle. But here, the Samurai were much safer.

He had nearly forgotten to remove his helmet, else the beverage would never make it to his mouth. Luckily for him the arrival of another signaled him to remember, as that new occupant unbound himself from his armor and placed it neatly on a sophisticated clothing hanger. Interesting inventions, when a full set hung to them they resembled a human figure even without their soul embodiment. It made Akio feel that the inner shell of the Samurai was the soul. The outside armor a pseudo-skin of their ancestors guiding them. It may have been falsehood. Or a cleverly plotted morale device thought up by generals. Either or it would make a fascinating story. Even a good read.

He removed the helmet and laid it upon his lap, not wishing to make the trek to the hangers. His damaged skin was much more visible now, the wrinkles that denied his age, and the few thin, defeated hairs that willowed upon his head. Testimony to his being a Samurai, on a faithful day at Iwagakure's gates. The closest he was to death. He could see heaven.

The sip of the poison from his cold glassware wove its way through his lips and his system. Persistent froth clung to his upper lip which was happily licked off when the voice to his right spoke up. Akio knew he was being talked to. Either him or the barkeep, as they were the only ones available for conversation, but he nonetheless glanced to the appearance of the voice where the other Samurai spoke.

"Akio Akira. Pleased to meet your acquaintance."

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As he held his drink up just slightly to his comrade:

SPOILER: Click to show

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[Rui]

“I’m Kansei. And it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said calmly. He could feel the soothing taste of sake plastered upon the back of his tongue as he gulped his last shot, handing both of them to the lady serving them. Wiping away trickles of leftover liquid with the sleeve of his garments, he placed his head in his arms, and relaxed it against the counter. A deep breath from him sighing deeply could be faintly heard within the almost empty room, the faces of his two enemies lingering in his mind.

“Are you from around here?” he inquired, lifting his head from their bed in a tittering fashion. He had been drunk already, barely able to sit up without falling back off the stool, and onto the floor. Jerking his sides to maneuver his lower body, he turned to face Akio. He stared deep within his eyes, observing him intently. They shifted to around the room, him now surveying the entire area. Everything had an unusual glow to it.

[Tyro]

Akio nodded, affirmation to his new friend. Always a pleasure to become familiar with an ally even when they would be called to under any circumstances defend each other's lives.

"Kan...sei."

He repeated, letting the name roll through the mouth, so he was familiar with it and what may soon be its meaning to his life. Afterwards, a sip was again tossed back of the beer. The question that came next brought the glass down from his face and to the table as he smoothly positioned himself to face the man. Out of respect of course, since he too had turned.

"Lived in Tetsu my entire life. Career Samurai".

The latter half of his response referred to the small amount of former ninja who joined their cause, instead of those who were born Samurai. The pure bloods, so to speak. He continued to speak after a small pause:

"Just returning from a station in the Leaf Village, and then Mizu no Kuni. Back here."

He said, continuing to make small conversation.

[Rui]

Kansei’s eyes widened as he wondered what the man had been doing while on his journey. It was traditional for samurai to exchange their stories with each other. He would be sure to let him go first, showing common courtesy to an ally. Signaling the waitress, who had been cleaning empty cups out, to give him two more shots of sake, once she sat his drinks down upon the counter, he began guzzling them down like the last.

“What happened while you were gone?”

[Tyro]

What had happened to him while he was gone....He lifted his head for a moment, sighing long and staring into the distance of the bar's shelf. Looking nowhere in particular, just thinking of the experience.

"Leaf held no real entertainment. However I received a dispatch from the generals about a masked man appearing at the most recent Kage Summit. He...released a Tailed Beast into Mizu no Kuni. We captured that Beast."

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He said fluidly, going through the experience in general, sparing most details. He knew the one which mattered most that he had forgotten.

"I apologize, that is not completely true. I've captured the Sanbi."

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He finished. Looking the other Samurai directly into the eyes, implying his seriousness, his honesty.
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[Rui]

“Y-Y-You did what?” he queried, stuttering as he spoke to Akio, shocked at the news he had just heard. One of his own men, a samurai from Tetsu no Kuni, had managed to capture a tailed beast, and Sanbi at that. From what he knew about them, their power had been determined by how many tails they have. If he had Sanbi, which would mean that he has the 3rd strongest beast living within him. Trembling nervously as he sat his two cups down, rubbing his eyes, he raised his eyebrows before speaking again.

“Haha, that’s certainly interesting,” he said, displaying a sudden smile of happiness, and giggling at the thought of this man obtaining something that many had sought. Although the samurai were supposed to capture them when they appeared, he never expected something like this to happen. This was something he could drink to, signaling the bartender again to give him two more refills. Downing them quickly, it was his turn.

“Well, I fought in a war between Iwa and Suna,” he continued, the visage of his enemies, once more, coursing throughout his mind, leaving him uneasy as he envisioned the sight of the shinobi they killed in his head. He would be sure the repay them by entering their names into the most wanted list, branding them both as international criminals. Their village would also suffer for the naïve actions of their leader.

[Tyro]

Akio couldn't help but smile humbly as the Samurai praised his achievement. He was sure it was at least partially caused by the vigorous tips of alcohol, but he appreciated it altogether, and if there was anywhere a Samurai could be forgiven for losing themselves, the smartest decision would be in here anyway. It was comical watching him roll around in fascination. Akio would continue humble few nods to reciprocate the man's good mood. He seemed almost too jolly. Not realizing yet the clear and present danger than Akio held not only for the rest of the Samurai faction but for himself.

Soon however, after the man doused his next coupled drinks, he spoke again, and the smile and accepting humor in Akio's visage changed to one stone and hardy. Iwa and Suna, at war? The implications were vast, and he was sure repercussions would be in order from the Samurai. Ugh...ninja...back to violence to bring more violence, he thought.

"The generals, have they been informed?"

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Akio said, very determined now. They would carry the next actions on their shoulders. Just then, his mind flashed to back at the beaches in Mizu no Kuni.

"Wait...the Kages were present at the Sanbi's location. They seemed to press animosity towards one another, certainly. Iwa and Suna. Kusa and Mizu. An Iwa ninja in fact killed a Suna ninja at that location," he paused. "Kansei...the generals need be aware."
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[Rui]

“No, I haven’t told them, but you’re right,” he said, almost leaping from his chair, remembering what he originally planned to do. He had been sidetracked, coming to the bar for relaxation, and even though it benefited him well, gaining knowledge about the Sanbi host, he still had plenty of things to be done. Standing up, he headed for the door, grabbing his armor, and dressing himself before leaving, hoping that the man would follow behind.

---

/exit

[Tyro]

A single hasty nod, and Akio followed in pursuit of Kansei.

[KEITH]

+30 @ both.
30 x 4 = 120 EXP

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