to stray from the right path [Juuinjutsu Quest][c]

[Gally G6]

The morning, like most, was frigid, a rarity in the blistering country of earth. Practically unbearably so. Words spoken turned to ice, veins ran cold, and hearts grew black. I could tell something was upon me. A demon? A ghost? A god? I knew nor could I tell what lay ahead.

The light was gone, stolen from the land. Unjust, it was, and fairness and justice needed to be restored, returned. I was simply one of many trying to restore the land to its former glory. "Your body is your greatest weapon," one of the elders once told me, departing her wisdom as a final farewell. "However, it is also your greatest weakness. With it, you are everything. Without it, you are nothing."[/i][/color]

It seemed as if the world was against my quest, the idea of healing time where it had been rent asunder. I traveled the about the wastelands, searching for the light. It seemed the scattered souls of Hell continually batttered my body and molested my mind with horrors even I could not imagine. For the longest time I thought it was okay to be ignorant. All the stories the elders told us about the beasts which we feared and revered as guardians against the malicious Samurai, they all kept us entertained and happy.

We never had to struggle with these foreign concepts of war, destruction...murder. Everything was explained, and that which could not was given a story. These stories, fabricated by senile minds wishing to keep safe a new and tender generation, told of things which dwelled in the world. Not animals, or plants, or even a specific place in the world.

I remember the elders called these beings, said to have transcended our plain of existance to that of happiness and wonder, beautiful. I never understood it while I remained awake, yet as my eyes closed, the realm of innocence claimed me. These beings I imagined to be wrapped in a cloak of silky gold, barring the faces of the heavens. I was told that a creature, in my case a monster, dwelled within in me. I couldn't help but laugh at their ignorant ways, as I had been enlightened...perhaps I was wrong.[/font]

[marvolous.]

GM!

This land was.... strange.

It was so mundane, and just so downright boring! I don't know why I was ordering to come out this far, especially when she knew I never felt well during this time of the month. But I obliged regardless, pouncing forward at the opportunity to make me appear better in her book. It wasn't like I had a choice in the matter either way, if I had said no I would simply been killed; had I been to excited to please her I would have been killed as well. As such, I had to remain blithe in her presence. I needed to be emotionless, souless, and stoic - the perfect soiler.

... But even that wasn't enough to stop me from taking a break, y'know? Using such reasoning I found myself wandering the country side, the only thing distinctive about my person being my extreme fondness of the color black, and even, if it counted, my umbrella. It wasn't raining right now but I carried it upon me just in case, the sunlight from above barely visible amongst the clouds that shielded it. I wasn't a weather man - well, weather woman - but it did not take a genius to realize that it would rain soon I had to be prepared!

"HI!" I'd shriek enthusiastically, almost appearing out of nowhere. All that walking I had done had led me to a dead man, or at least that was what he looked like sprawled along the grass with his eyes closed! As I yelled I moved my face so it hovered over his own, curiosity masking my rather childish countenance. "Are you dead? Huh? Wake up!" Though I was now sitting upon the grass on my knees, my arm still remained high in the air as it held my umbrella. How foreboding everything seems.

"HELLO?!"

[Gally G6]

As I lay upon the ground, trying to keep myself warm against the frigid air, I layed my arms to the side and turned onto my stomach. My legs were sprawled out, spread apart enough for both to lay flat on the ground. Closing my eyes, I imagine myself on the stage again, the hot sun my spotlight. There I was, standing a soloist, bass at hand. Easily half a meter tall than me, I loved how it boasted a subtle power, one which was overlooked on many occassions.

I saw a woman in the crowd, blending in with her radiance a feat indeed. I spotted her glowing hair instantly, a soft golden sunshine. Perhaps she was a Beautiful as I had long wished to meet such a being. She looked at me, her chin lifted upward as my instrument, inquiring me to play something. I held my bow with a gentle dexterity before churning out a slow melody.

As I placed the bow on the string, instantly the resounding vibration was felt before heard, resonating throughout the ground's reach. It was strange, the way her face suddenly twisted into something awkward, baring an expression seemingly come out of nowhere. "HI! Are you dead? Huh? Wake up! HELLO?!" It was at this moment, my left eyelid slowly opened, searching for the perpatraitor of my disturbed slumber. I only had to look upwards to see a pleasant face staring down at me, rather uncomfortably I might add.

I gave a slight sigh before answering, my words laced with my dreariness. "Depends, dear,"[/i][/color] I would say kindly, looking at her with one eye full of good intention. "Is the world still a hellhole of careless violence and ignorance?"[/i][/color] I wished more than anything for her to answer the affirmative, yet I knew before I even asked my question what the answer would likely be. "Perhaps I am dead. If this is what heaven is like, I'd rather just dream.[/i][/color][/font]

[marvolous.]

GM!

"Perhaps I am dead. If this is what heaven is like, I'd rather just dream."

Truthfully, I had no idea what he was saying! It was weird being addressed as 'dear', especially considering it was what my father used to refer to me by. Everything seemed so foreboding and nostalgic - I hate it, and I definitely hated my father. As such, I gave him a look of disgust as he spoke to me, still maintaining the closeness that our faces had to each other as I giggled. "Oooooh, so cryptic. Two can play at that game--" I humored, my demeanor changing suddenly to a much more serious and stale side of me. "If you are in heaven, would that make me god? Would that mean that you had died without completing you endeavors to the best of your ability?"

I giggled again, unable to keep such a thing up after my words. I did not know who this man was, but he seemed quite interesting. He looked interesting too, not in a really attractive or cute way, but in a dark and mysterious sense. Just my type. "Whats ya' name stranger?" Realizing how close I was getting to him even with him looking at me, I leaned back in embarrassment. "Sorry! She always scolds me for always getting too close." Whoops. "My mother, I mean."

I was a bad liar, would he catch onto that? Would he question me as to what I meant? I hoped not!

[Gally G6]

I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose in annoyance at the girl's sudden change of expression. While she could not physicall see my face, I would flash her a smile, entirely fake, trying to show her a little facial snarl wasn't going to deter me from sleeping. "Put off by my body?" This girl was already beginning to give me a headache, despite her attempt at friendly chatter. It's not that hard a question to answer. How have Iza let such a twit get by so long...Shaking the mean thought away, I looked away as she spoke another question.

I was unsure how to answer her at first, shifting air to my cheeks back and forth to form a response. "It seems you are the only sane creature left on this earth. Perhaps that question can't be answered yet. Maybe there is still hope for humanity. In the district where I was born, a legend long told by the elders spoke of creatures known as Beautifuls who were said to have brought us to salvation. Perhaps you are one of these wonderful beings, to help me on some trip."[/i] I looked at her, my eyes filled with uncertainty as to what would happen next, or where she might go to.

As she mentioned my endeavors, I couldn't help but repress a bitter laugh. "My endeavors? Well, those are...not exactly...finished. So yes, I have failed. I...have not been able to achieve fully what I needed, but I'm not sure if that will ever happen, even if I get another chance."[/color] I propped myself slowly on my elbows, turning to look her in the eyes again. I hesitated in telling her my real name in case she used it against me later, instead deciding to use the title the pariah were given in Svalbard.

"Muu, Monster-prince of the pariah, at your service." I bowed my head, as I felt was customary addressing a lady. "I might also inquire your name name, miss. If only for politeness sake."[/b][/color]. I paused, taking a breath to calm my fervantly shaking hands. "Do...you know of a way in which my...efforts for a second chance might come about? I would be forever in your debt."[/color]. I wasn't quite sure what she meant when referring her mother, though it seemed as if she was not someone to trifle with. I pushed it aside for now, where I would ask her later when time had better suited us.[/font]

[marvolous.]

"Put off by my body?"

Well, I wouldn't say that exactly. Sure, he did look like a zombie with all those bandages all over his body; however, it was nothing that different from all that I was used to, y'know? It was just that... I liked being close to people. I liked being able to feel their breath along my face as they talked, but apparently, according to her, such a thing was frowned upon in most cultures. "No no no! You look good-- fine, even." I offered a curt laugh, the awkwardness of it bringing crimson to my otherwise ghostly white countenance. I liked talking to people and I liked the closeness of it all, but I still wasn't entirely good at it.

As he looked away from me I couldn't help but giggle to myself, the whole mysterious nature about him catching me and holding me in a hold of curiosity. And the way he talked too-- it was like reading Shakespeare, very different. "Does that mean you think I'm beautiful?" It was the only thing I got from his monotone speech, the prospect of another finding me good looking bringing that same red tint to my cheeks. "You haven't failed if you're still alive mister, you'll have as many chances as you like as long as you're still breathing!"

I looked at him intently as he stared into my eyes whilst propped on one elbow, the weight and pressure of my body forcing me to sit back after a couple moments. "Monster-prince? Thats so unfitting y'know. You seem more like a 'Muu, Mummy-prince' to me." I laughed again, looking away - almost as if checking to see if someone was around - when he asked me my name. Should I be truthful, or should I lie? She probably wouldn't condone this, but she also wasn't here right now. "Ringo. Call me Ringo the Monster-princess!" A pause. I used the moment to ponder his question, spurting out the first thing that came to mind.

"Start a family. Children have been known to rewrite life's failures."

[Gally G6]

I sighed deeply, wishing this girl could know why that was not such an easy task to accomplish. I smiled at her giddiness over misinterpreation of my comment, but I followed along anyway. "Yes, you are indeed a very attractive woman,"[/i][/color] I said, my smile completely genuine. I was slightly surprised by her reaction towards me. She didn't seem put off my...unique choice of clothing.

"Well...I'm not quite sure you could say that,"[/i][/color] I stated, refering to my though about failure. A heavy sigh escaped my mouth, partially angry, yet none of it directed at her. I might have many chances, but who knows what will become of me if I am unable to get to the end as in the past. My failures...are deeper than what you might be thinking of. It does not involve a person so much as it does a goal."[/i][/b] I debated telling her my true reason for failure, but I figured a little insight would not hurt.

I closed my eyes, preparing myself as if I were to face a horrible final judgement. "You see...there is a...monster inside of me. Not like the Bijuu who have roamed these countries for so long. I speak of a monster of the mind, one which dwells within my body, a seperate, individual will."[/b][/i] Seeing her other responses, I wondered if she would question me further or dwell on the story. Regardless, I continued on with one final detail.

"This monster, it tells me things, dark things, which I have tried to block out. Until now, I have began to listen to it and have learned more about myself through it. I don't want to be a weak, bg-boned shinobi inable of fulfilling his born duty."[/i] I looked at her, a fierce intensity in my eyes, one which suggested I wished her help. "You know what they say, a prince always needs a princess to walk in tandem."[/i][/color] With this last statement, I looked directly at Ringo, wondering how she would react, something I hoped would be positive.[/font]