Dango and Cash [SL/Lang]

[Jett Kuroi]

The day after his last mission with Rael, Jett was going to keep his promise. He promised they would take some time to relax from missions, and finish the conversation they always seemed to stir up when they headed out on duty. Jett was not usually one to share his past, mainly because his past was so horrid, he would not think anyone would want to hear of such horrors. It was true, this world was filled with war, and as such, there was no shortage of sad tales, but still, why go out in search of those sad tales? Whatever the reasons, Jett owed Rael some explanations, he felt, and so he would keep his promise.

He told Rael to meet him, at one of the little restaurants in the village, to have a little snack and talk in relative privacy. He had a feeling he would be doing most of the talking, and less of the listening, but perhaps they would have had similar experiences and it might actually bond them closer. He hoped he would not have to reveal too much though, still holding the urge to hide the most important bits of his past aside, because he did not know if Rael would react in the way Jett feared the village as a whole would react.

Once at the Dango shop, Jett would specifically choose a small table in a corner, to wait for Rael. He would flag down one of the workers, and order some Black Tea for himself, then order two orders of Nikudango and two of Mitarashi Dango. If there was a specfic kind that Rael liked, he didn't know, but he was sure there'd be no problem with this order for now. It would be on him, since he was the one that suggested it on their last mission together.

Once the order was placed, Jett would settle down into a seat, and await the arrival of his ... friend? companion? comrade? He wasn't sure what the ties were between the two just yet, they didn't really know much about each other, and had only been on three or so missions together. In time they would know, but right now, Jett was clueless. He sat quietly, sipping his tea and waiting for his ... company.

[Lang]

Locking the door behind him after bidding his parents farewell, Rael quietly descended the stairs leading to his apartment suite, emerging onto the busy streets as he scanned left and right, trying to recall the proper route. The restaurant that Jett mentioned where they would be meeting was somewhat familiar to him, having passed by it numerous times before, but never dining there himself. If not for the older Genin's invitation, he would likely never set foot inside its premises. The iryou-nin couldn't recall the last time someone had offered; far be it for him to deny their...hospitality.

It was sad, really, that he seemed to be spending more time lately with the teen than his own group members. The remainder of his time was spent either working at the hospital, or alone with his scrolls at home. Some days while reminiscing, he could almost see himself going back to his old way, to a time before caring for the infirm and treating patients was his priority. Back then, the only thing that mattered was completing the mission; he couldn't have cared less about people in general, much less waste the effort on ensuring they were alright.

But he'd changed; for better or for worse, he was no longer the same 'Hiraiyomi Rael' from just months ago. Perhaps it was the influence of his Jounin-sensei, or his teammates, or even those he came to view as acquaintances over the past while. Rael did not relish or embrace 'change', but he could see the subtle improvements in himself over time, not just with regards to his abilities, but to his character as well. The lost child, always wondering which way to follow, not knowing where the breeze will take him.

Arriving at the dango shop, the white-haired youth poked his head through the curtain flaps blocking the entryway, locating his fellow Genin at the small table situated in the corner. Making his way over, he eyed the nikudango appreciatively, resisted the inclination to scowl at their sweeter counterpart, before greeting the seated teen.

"Ohayo, Yogiri-san. Thank you for inviting me here today."

[Jett Kuroi]

"Ohayo, Hiraiyomi-san." he said quietly in response. "Don't mention it. I owed this to you. Would you like some tea?" Jett would wave an arm for the worker again, so Rael could order something to drink as well.

Once such was taken care of, he would settle back into his sear. Even now, in this more private setting, Jett still wore that full ninja set up; black dogi with blue tabi, gloves, and vest, and not to mention, that blue mask over his face, covering his nose and mouth. How was he going to eat with that mask in place? That was a very good question! Well, Rael wasn't around in Kirigakure for very long. Jett felt he hadn't been around long enough to really get to know the criminal world in and around the village, and as such, would more than likely not recognize who he was simply from seeing his face. So, once the worked had delivered whatever beverage Rael wished to enjoy, Jett would tug the mask down, and snag one of the skewers of Mitarashi Dango, snatching one off the skewer with his teeth.

He'd chew in silence for a moment, before bringing his eyes back to Rael. The hardest part of this conversation was the fact that he usually never had this conversation. He did not know where to begin. He thought about it in silence, his cheeks getting a slight tinge of red as he became embarrassed. He had invited Rael to talk, and now... he wasn't talking.

After some time, Jett folded his arms on the table, holding the dango skewer slightly off his arm, so as to not stain his clothes. His eyes focused on the table, and he would eventually break the silence. "I know it may sound ... cliche, in these times but... my childhood was not a happy thing. I try to avoid talking about it, because for the most part, I don't want to stir up those feelings again. I work very hard to get over it." He went silent again, still having no clue how to start, but hopefully with that bit of clarification, Rael would understand why it was taking Jett a while.

[Lang]

Taking the seat opposite to Jett, the younger Genin waited patiently as they flagged down a passing server, shaking his head before ordering a glass of milk as it were completely normal. He did not seem particularly bothered by the fact his company chose to keep their face covered, despite how it little sense it made if they were going to be eating. When his cold drink finally came, Rael thanked their server, hands clasped together with his arms resting on the table, eyes not straying from the others' as Jett lowered the bit of fabric and commenced eating.

Despite his deceptively intense stare, Rael was not at all pressuring his companion to begin divulging information. Considering the teen was already treating him in this case, the medic considered himself quite fortunate to be privy to anything they chose to share. Of course, the only thing they were 'sharing' right now was the repetitive sound of chewing as Jett ate from his dango skewer. At least Jett didn't talk with his mouth open; that might have convinced him to leave then and there.

He was only partially correct, though, as Jett proclaimed that his early childhood was cliché in bringing up painful memories. Cliché perhaps in the eyes of those around them, who had seen such scenarios innumerable over the course of their lifetime. However, to the individual that actually lived through it, they could not possibly compare others' experiences to their own. No matter how much Jett's situation might resemble the countless others in the world, his story would always be his and his alone; no two lives could ever be the same.

"You do not have to force yourself to speak, Yogiri-san, if it continues to trouble you. I understand."

[Jett Kuroi]

He had come to this get-together, prepared to divulge information. And yet, now that they were there, and ready to do so, he found himself incapable. He wasn't quite sure what notion he had that he would be capable of doing this, when he had spent nearly a decade hiding his true identity. He snagged another sweet globe from his skewer, and munched away in relative silence, as his eyes remained focused on the table. As he chewed his mind was, as it almost always was, a mess of thought and debate.

What made myself think I would be able to unload the truth on someone I barely know?

I know the answer to that. You're an idiot. So it was merely your own consistent moronic thinking that made you believe that.

Jett's eyes grew even more distant, as he caved into this inner conflict.

Yes yes, I'm an idiot, I'm a fool, now for an answer that doesn't sound like a childish jab...

Oh I'm sorry, but do I need to cite examples, Mr I'm gonna go toe-to-toe with a 700 pound bear!?

Pain reflected in his eyes, and a bit of sadness.

...The bear is dead now.

Mr I'm gonna try and block the fist of the guy who suddenly tripled his speed 4 meters away from you.

Anger was beginning to brew, slowly washing away the sadness.

...Shut up...

Mr I'm gonna let a kid half my age decide what our course of action should be because I'm too stupid to think of a plan on my own.

All sadness was gone, in an instant. His teeth gnashed together, his voice growled out, almost like a dog about to bark, and...

"Shut up!!"

Silence for a moment, and then chuckling echoed in his mind. Jett's eyes focused once more, and lifted from the table, looking around the shop to notice everyone in the place looking at him with a very confused, and almost afraid look. His eyes eventually fell on Rael, almost afraid to do so, for surely he'd be giving Jett the same kind of look. Jett dropped his half touched skewer to the plate, and folded his arms before him on the table. His eyes became even more distant, and he'd bow his head to his arms, in a manner as if he were trying to hide himself. After a moment, he'd speak softly.

"With absolute certainty, and no need to keep myself from saying so ... it's conflicting." It was vague again, and had no manner of clarity behind it. If anything, he would simply make Rael even more confused with that statement.

[Lang]

Rael watched as his companion grew more and more agitated, despite the latter trying to hide it under that thin veneer of composure, and failing marvelously. Teal eyes remained nonjudgmental as the boy took a sip from his glass of milk hm, skimmed, observing all the little signs Jett gave off, announcing the teen's facade was about to crack any minute second now. He was not disappointed. The young iryou-nin was calmly selecting which skewer of nikudango to take, his fingers just shy of reaching out and snagging one with less of the pork meatballs, when the Raiton user blew his top.

The entire restaurant, while not overly loud or busy to begin with, instantly fell silent. Patrons and servers alike turned to glance at Jett, some a little fearfully, before turning their attention on the one who presumably caused him such distress. Instead of throwing odd or dirty looks towards the older Genin, their contempt seemed to fall on the white-haired youth instead. After all, the former seemed perfectly all right until shortly after he came in. Rael paid none of this any mind as he took the skewer he wanted without pause, bringing it to his mouth and taking a sampling bite.

Not bad.

Either Rael kept his feelings regarding the teen and his predicament perfectly reined in, or he was entirely oblivious to Jett's conflicting anxieties. Slowly munching on the remaining dango still attached to the skewer he held, he finally shook his head before taking another drink. Setting down his own half-eaten spit, he rested both forearms on the table, eyes betraying nothing as he finally took stock of his comrade's mood, before speaking.

"Why don't you start from the beginning then."

[Jett Kuroi]

The attention acquired from his little outburst was not so easily lost. All eyes in the shop were still on the pair. Despite Rael's expert act of ignoring the stares, the stares were still there. At first, yes they would look accusingly at the white haired young lad, assuming he had been the one to make Jett distraught, and cause his outcry. However, after Jett's less than angered actions afterwards, confusing wiped away the frustrations in the room.

Despite Jett's distant stare into the nothingness around him, he was aware of their stares. He frowned. Well, he for sure could not tell Rael the full truth now. Too many people were listening. What could he get away with? Could he get away with anything now, without being forced to go into great detail. As he thought it over, he came to the conclusion that if he simply did not mention names, or specifics, he could still reveal the story while keeping the necessary secrets ... secret.

"Fear, Anger, Hatred, and Doubt. These are powerful emotions. Emotions that are, more commonly than not, linked together. As far as I know, you are here in Kirigakure on your own, right?" he questioned, with a slight uplift in tone, and a slight uplift in his eyes, as those emerald hues focused upon Rael. "Perhaps you can relate to this, in some degree. I..." Hesitation, seemed almost instinctual at this point.

However, despite his hesitation, and his desire to clam up, he would continue, in a quieter tone. "I was born into an unloving home. My family consisted of myself, an older sister, three older brothers, and our parents. Now, one might ask, if the home was unloving, why did the parents try having so many kids?" He grew silent again, and was fidgeting for a moment, actually having to think over the words he just said, and his willingness regarding them. He heaved a sigh in time, closed his eyes, and shook his head. "Well, I don't know. There's much I still don't know. I don't know anything about my mother, for instance. For within the span of a minute, maybe a little more, though I doubt it, I was born and she ... died."

This time, his pause had not been planned. His pause was a result of a large number of gasps stirring from his "audience". That green gaze settled on those within the shop, for only a moment, before he turned his head away, and muttered something to quietly to be deciphered. As he muttered, he fidgeted more and more, till eventually he would reach out and pick up his skewer again. He'd pop both remaining sweetened orbs into his mouth, and munched on them in momentary silence.

[Lang]

Little by little, the other restaurant patrons seemed to be gravitating towards their corner table; a sharp look from the young medic temporarily kept one or two of them from getting too fresh, as they seemed on the verge of taking a chair right next to the two Genin. He tuned back in on Jett's story, and did nothing to refute the latter's comparison between their situations, regardless of how far off the mark it was. Knowing he was finally going to hear an explanation to satisfy his concerns stopped the boy from interrupting.

Rael had no answer to the teen's rhetorical question, and he could only surmise where Jett was going with this. In many poorer regions, especially those where farmers and peasants were dominant in number, families often produced multiple offspring in order to have more working hands on the field later on, as well as someone to take care of them in their senior years; a high child mortality rate in these parts may have also factored into it. However, this method of thought made little sense once actually put into practice. Children raised in this sort of environment, already given the barest of necessities to survive, did not grow to be healthy, and actually contributed little physical work in the long run. Those that left their poverty-stricken villages to pursue a life in greener pastures often forgot about their hometowns, and never went back.

That was just one of many possible scenarios which could explain Jett's circumstances. Too farfetched, most likely, but probably more believable than, say, Jett's parents let their healthy sex life get out of hand. Pushing that particular train of thought out his mind, not really wanting to dwell on it, he listened attentively to the rest of what the teen had to say for now. Unfortunately, once again, they were disturbed by the interference of their unwanted audience, causing Jett to withdraw into himself yet again.

Rael said nothing, and simply reached into his satchel, pulling out a explosive note and kunai which he proceeded to wrap the volatile piece of paper around. Not everyone around them was a shinobi, but those that were instantly recognized the lethal combo, and, dragging their civilian compatriots with them, dashed out of the restaurant as fast as they could, some without even paying for their meals. The server that tended to them earlier scowled heavily at the white-haired youth, who answered by slapping down several hundred ryō notes next to him on the table, before looking impassively back towards his fellow Kiri nin.

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that last bit?"

[Jett Kuroi]

In silence, Jett chewed on those last two dango from his first skewer. When he finished, he would look back around the room. Rael's display scared off many, others having to be dragged off. The departure of their "audience" would definitely serve to aide him in continuing his tale, however, Rael's manner in which to disperse the crowd led him to those thoughts concerning Rael's past again. His thoughts would have kept him busy for some time, but Rael asked him to repeat his last statement. Considering it had been about their audience, whom was no longer there, he let that statement go, and instead posed a new statement, as if he had said that a moment ago instead.

"I've always wondered how my parents got together. After my birth, and my mother's death, my father treated me poorly. He blamed me for her death. I always wondered if my mother could truly have cared for someone like him."

Jett dropped the now bare skewer to the plate, and reached out to pick up another. However, before eating any more he would stare forward, contemplating what he had just said. He would simply hold the skewer in one hand, as he thought it all over for the hundredth time.

She couldn't have loved a man like that. But if she didn't, why were they together in the first place? Why would they have had five kids? Was he different before she died? Was her death the reason he turned into a colossal ass? Or was she equally as cruel?

He shook his head of those thoughts. He had nothing to work out his thoughts, and discern any measure of knowledge from them. He kept his frown as he continued the tale. "Father called me killer, and treated me like trash. My brothers always sought to gain his approval, and joined in on such. My sister, who was never any good with taijutsu, or their forms of ninjutsu, was treated poorly as well. She treated me well, and was in a way taking the role of mother upon herself for me. By the time I was 8, that all changed. My sister and I were on our own, father and our brothers died in a ... huge accident."

A piece of dango was snatched, and he chewed. Reflecting on these past events, and telling the story, was giving him vivid pictures in his mind of those days. He did his best to remain calm. As he waiting for a response from Rael, he plucked up his tea, and took a sip.

[Lang]

With the cacophony of noises no longer a disturbance, Rael peeled away the unarmed exploding note, paying no mind to his Genin counterpart's concern about his previous act before stowing them away. Jett had already seen firsthand during their last mission together what lengths the young medic could go in order to get a job done. If he didn't get rebuked for blowing up seven miscreants, practically mocking them with their dead acquaintance before doing so, Rael doubted the teen would raise a stink over him simply frightening off a few pests. After all, results were what counted.

Jett's story was nothing exactly new to the white-haired medic, but that did nothing to dissuade him from listening with 100% attention. Okay, maybe it dropped two or three percent each time he seized another nikudango off the skewer with his teeth. He thought it was unfair how Jett's father held him responsible for the death of his wife, despite how common such sentiments were with husbands over labor complications; it wasn't as though any newborn infant wanted to be bereft of a mother upon birth. Furthermore, having to grow up without knowing maternal love must have been just as difficult for his companion, as it was for the teen's father, if not more so.

For a minute, Rael thought of his own parents, and the extenuating circumstances that led to them fleeing from the frozen north, eventually finding refuge in the Elemental Nations. Obviously they were very much in love, remaining together through trial and tribulation despite the worst Fate had to throw at them. Would his father have shown him the same resentment, if after everything he and his spouse had endured, their newborn child took away the one person he cared most about? Rael didn't know, and even if he were to ask his father now, he was unlikely to receive an answer.

At the very least, Jett had an older sibling, sister, that cared about him; he was not entirely alone. However, the news of an accident claiming the lives of father and sons, those responsible for treating a young boy as filth, caused an eyebrow to arch. There was no concrete evidence to support his budding thought, but he was sure the older Genin would enlighten him on the matter.

Did he...?

Rael merely inclined his head, a subtle gesture for the other male to continue.

[Jett Kuroi]

That was the beginning part. It was hard enough to explain, without mentioning the criminal world around him in those days, or who his family really was. But that wasn't the hardest part, the hardest part was the next eight years of his life. Between 8 and 16, he was surrounded in battle against his father's family and mother's family, and at the end of that part of his tale, his sister vanished. Or at least, that was what he had hoped happened...

"My sister was treated poorly because she could not master her skills. I never even got training from my father or brothers. You asked me on our last mission when and why I decided to become a ninja. What I said then still holds true." He picked up his cup of tea, and took another drink. He stretched the act out. Was he buying himself time? Or was he trying to figure out how to say it?

"I watched my father. I hated him, and knew I could not beat him. Every time I voiced my displeasure with how he treated me, with how he treated my sister, I was merely beaten along side her. I watched, and I practiced on my own, whenever they decided to leave me alone. Did I choose it? If my father had not been cruel would he have taught me on his own? Or perhaps would I have lived a different life? I do not know. All I know is, I practiced on my own, so that I could one day take him down myself. I was much braver in thought than in practice, for after a certain time, I stopped voicing my displeasure. I took the beatings I could not avoid, and shut myself up to avoid the ones I could. My sister had no such luck, which infuriated me, but I couldn't do anything about it."

He paused then, and reflected on what he had said. He spoke a whole lot more than he had planned to, and now, he wondered if he had planted seeds of curiosity. He wondered if more questions would arise, and if he would still be able to hide the truth behind the truth. He thought frantically, on how to close this up.

"Well umm... I felt ashamed at how I had basically abandoned my sister to her punishment, and doing nothing to stop it. I vowed I'd protect her from that day on, and we searched for ways to learn. Eventually, that led to here, Kirigakure, but when I was 16, my sister mysteriously disappeared. I have no idea where she is now, and... well, now I wish to become stronger not just to protect her, but to scour the world for her. I need information and strength, to find her and protect her."

With that, he went silent again, and would sip at his tea till it was finished. That was the whole story, or at least the summarized version that did not include any truths about who any of the people in the story were. He never mentioned a name, and of course, he never mentioned that his family were criminals.

[Lang]

Finishing the single skewer he'd been snacking on over the entirety of this conversation, Rael set it down next to his now-empty glass of milk, looking off to the side while thinking about Jett's predicament. Seeking strength in order to protect a loved one was as a good reason as any, especially given the teen's family history. His fellow Kiri-nin left out many details, especially those concerning what he and his sibling went through following the rest of his family's...unexpected demise. The dark-haired Genin said he was ashamed at being unable to do anything to prevent his sister's punishment, but obviously he had done something in the end. Based on the wording, Rael assumed the day Jett swore to protect his sister was immediately after he took vengeance against his father and older brothers.

However, some things didn't add up, and Rael sought to sort them all out in his head. Jett came to this just under a year ago, so he should have already been at least sixteen at the time. Did that mean his sister disappeared shortly after they arrived in Kirigakure, or just before the teen made it here? Furthermore, given the likelihood that his companion most likely murdered all of his nearest kin save one, was a convicted felon elsewhere beyond the village? Could his past actions some day reemerge to affect the present?

Regardless of whatever history Jett had, or affiliations he bore perhaps even to this day, none of that mattered. In a hidden village, trying to judge someone's past actions was a ludicrous and frankly stupid concept. No one's hands were clean, not even the kindest nurses working in the hospital. And while he was not obligated to help Jett in any way, even if he could, there was the simple fact the two of them wore the same headband; well, his was missing, but close enough. Assisting a fellow Kiri-nin in plight was only natural, even if the amount he could contribute was small. The older teen was now seeking information, something Rael might be able to provide in the near future. A medic learned many things in their travels, and not just through patients.

"...any leads?"

[Jett Kuroi]

Could he answer that question? He had not revealed any names for his family, and as such, his one lone lead did mention a name. His mother, Katsumi Shiroi. If there was any common knowledge about the criminal familys where Jett was from, it was the name conventions they used. Jett's father was Kosuke. Jett's brother's were Mosuke, Hidesuke, and Kensuke. And of course, Jett's real name was Daisuke. The one girl in the family was named Kiyomi. The Shiroi family was run by the women in it, and so the name convention was used only with the women, for they would lead. The Kuroi family was the opposite. Revealing his mother's name, mentioned on the note he picked up while on guard duty, and attacked by Katsuo's daughter, Terumi, would only bring about more questions. That was, at least, what Jett was sure of.

After a longer pause than was probably helpful to his case, Jett smiled lightly, and shook his head. "None. I'm a failure that hasn't found out a thing in nearly a year." The server came by, and cleaned the table. As she took the empty plates and mugs away, Jett paid the bill. Despite the money the younger boy had slapped down for sending off so many people without paying their bills, Jett wanted to make sure he was actually paying for the 'treat' he had offered him in the first place.

Well, it is about time you admit that you're a failure.

Jett did his best to ignore the taunts in his head, and keep that smile going for Rael. Rael may have been younger, but he clearly did not need Jett posturing, to put on a display of strength. Rael was clearly not a child in mind, even though he was still very young. Regardless, Jett could not help himself. Eventually, he would push things to a close. "Well, that's my sad story." There was much more to it, and he was sure Rael would figure that out. However, Jett would be hopeful that it would never become a topic of research or further inquiry, because he did not wish to drag anyone into the horrible life he was forced to live.

[Lang]

Jett's hesitation was answer enough; there was something there, but even after divulging the bare bones of his story, the teen did not trust him enough yet to provide any specific details. No names of people, locations, or even a specific timeframe in which key events may have occurred. And yet, despite everything Jett told him being little more than a brief summary, like the synopsis on the back of a cheap paperback, Rael was content he'd managed to share even that much. There would be more chances in the future for them to build a stronger rapport.

As a different server came by and took their bill, still shooting the younger boy an odd look, Rael shrugged offhandedly at Jett's casual dismissal of himself, but said nothing to refute his comment. What could he say, that nothing could have happened in the year's time their sibling had gone missing? He wasn't exactly the pessimistic type, not anymore, but only a gullible fool would believe aside from their ideal outcome, no other possibilities existed. Three hundred and sixty-five days was a long time, too long for anything to be sure.

For some reason, Rael was beginning to find the fake smile plastered on Jett's face rather irritating; did he honestly think such an expression achieved anything. "An unfinished story then," he murmured, as the server returned once more, this time holding out a smaller wad of ryō; the excessive amount left after covering the other diners' bills. Shaking his head for them to keep it, the Genin returned his attention to the teen, sensing this conversation was soon coming to a closure. Much still remained a mystery concerning his comrade, but at least now he had a lead.

"Where will you go from here?"

[Jett Kuroi]

Unfinished story. That was the optimistic view of things. It was also simply the true view of things. However, Jett could not help the thought that while his story was technically incomplete, that it was still not going to veer away from its pattern after all these years. The idea of it just magically getting better after all the hardships he and his sister had endured was too foreign a concept, it was simply absurd in his eyes. And what if it should get better? It would not erase the hardships, or make forgetting them any easier. In fact, the better life, a happy life, would no doubt simply remind them of their hardships each and every day. And yet, despite all the pessimism, Jett still wanted that better life. He was sure that simply with his sister at his side again, he could put the hardships behind them, and conquer the rage inside him.

How to do it? What would come first? It was a good question. One Jett did not have a real answer to. Of course, he had leads, ideas, and goals, but how those preceding plans fit into the end goal, he wasn't sure just yet. In short, he had a lot of training left, yet. He would not be hunting down his sister soon, and to get answers for himself, he would need to continue his training. "First things first, I need to continue training, and perform to my utmost capability in the Chunin exams. Once I'm a Chunin, I'll start looking for answers." Why did he have to wait? Well, that was simple. He needed to go out of the village for answers, he was sure. The family had never been a part of Kirigakure, and while the village may have had altercations with, and issues with, his family, Jett was sure there would not be any specific information within the village concerning his sister's whereabouts.

To become a Chunin, he needed to do more missions. Whether they were with Rael or not, was uncertain, but no matter what, he needed to finish more missions, test his skills and push his limits day in and day out. He really couldn't afford to take time away like he was in this moment, chatting with Rael. Jett stood from the table, and stretched, ushering forth popping noises from his neck, shoulders, and other various areas. "Well, I suppose I should get back to my training."