solum : 01 / slum lord

[luneth]

[STYLE=margin: 0px 80px 0px 80px; text-align: justify;font-family: times;font-size: 14px;]

[ prelusion ]
____________________________

[/style][STYLE=margin: 0px 75px 20px 75px; text-align: justify;font-family: times;font-size: 13px;]“Hmm..?” the expression echoed softly in my emergence. Preoccupied facilities stirred to behold my calm approach, a cryptic smile forming at the mutter's origin, “ah, Izumi.. you’re early. One moment, please.”

An oval-shaped room harbored our conference, a marble-dressed walkway, its shade reminiscent of azure skies, separating a guarded entrance from the center I soon ingressed. Surrounding me in every direction were the elevated stares of Kumo’s high council, each member situated in regal seats outlining the chamber. I faced its longer side, a reposeful stare angled toward my immediate north, fixed on the face that had addressed my entry.

His elderly gaze peered down at a set of scrolls retrieved priorly, seconds of silence following as he hovered over the text. Inklings of curiosity and discontent existed in my wait; in reminiscence of our past appointments, I could almost foresee what the gist of our current would be.

They enjoyed using me – my abilities, the title of infokumo, even the positive standing I held among the citizens of Kumogakure. Beyond the application of my notorious bloodline, I spied for them, even killed, and while there was always compensation, my noble dignity forced feelings of abhorrence at the situation's entirety. We weren't on good terms, to say the least, though I'm certain they viewed me in a much better light.

The seconds of quiescence had dragged into a full minute by now, the silence accompanied by my ever-rising anticipation, and withheld detest. It would be a while more before words were voiced.

“Well then Kira, how have you been? it's been a few we-.”

“-no. Explain the reason I was called here.”

[STYLE=margin: 0px 50px 0px 75px; text-align: justify;font-family: times;font-size: 13px;]“Mind yourself, Izumi!”[/style]
“Right, then,” he sharply replied, his tone more grave than before, reminding me of former discoursing. What would it be? It was a big wonder in the frail moments preceding his next words. The assassination of another noble threatening their agenda, ransacking an outlying village for their rumored fortune.. I wasn’t looking forward to the imminent briefing, regardless.

“It’s not a usual request, in view of our past meetings.. much more simple. To be candid, there have been a mere surplus in missions as of late, a higher demand in lower-ranking ninja than we have available. We know you’re capable - you’ll be tasked with completing these, all of them.”

“There is a deadline, however, ” he’d halt, flicking the cluster of open parchment he’d been looking over in my direction. They cut through the air and directly into my hands, details on the plethora of assignments, “we trust that you won't disappoint us. don't. you’re dismissed.”

My hands were forced; I knew full well that any attempt I could make to revolt against these requests would be viewed as treason in their eyes. Even speaking with Eiichiro about it was off limits, their informants unknown, though undoubtedly existing in every crevice of the village.

I'd admit it as a relief, nonetheless; it wasn't what I had expected, considerably better, in fact. No morbid duties, only menial tasks, albeit a perturbing amount, their like usually given to our village's seasoned Genin. With these in hand, and a final nod in the council's direction, I left. [/style]

[luneth]

[STYLE=margin: 0px 80px 0px 80px; text-align: justify;font-family: times;font-size: 14px;]

[ slum lord ] : [ 01 ]
____________________________

[/style][STYLE=margin: 0px 75px 20px 75px; text-align: justify;font-family: times;font-size: 13px;]Gone from their audience, I escaped the distasteful chamber and threshold gating the outdoors in a brood of curt motion. The few of my features that were exposed lit to their usual pallid tone, meeting daylight, as well a chilled morning breeze, its gentle current willfully carrying dense yet silky tendrils of pale-blond hair unbound by my relaxed ponytail.

I was forced to squint at first – removed from a torch-lit corridor and out into the vivid morning light – regaining my ocularity as I felt the sudden and faintly familiar dropping of a wide stone stairway. The stretch of it’s full width would be occupied by shinobi akin to myself, no doubt preparing for tasks shoveled out from the nearby mission compound. I carried my own, gently gripping the upwards of twenty thick sheets of intel at my right.

They'd monopolize days, even a week or weeks worth of time with dull labor, depending on their individual intricities and deadlines.

tch..

I partially wondered, eyeing the parchment I’d been bound to, if any of what they had said was actually true. It was concerning; they were a conniving group, by now I was certain of that much, and with such a drastic change in circumstances, compared to what they'd always called me for, questions were justifiably raised. An insurmountable influx in mission requests, I didn't believe that possible, considering our ever-increasing populace of ninja even younger than myself; even if, to think there weren’t others to ask?

I had my own plans, with word that I’d be allowed to partake in the soon-to-come Jounin examination, my time should have been spent in preparation, not completing such a substantial amount of pointless work. Perhaps that was their motive, though I couldn’t pinpoint any viable reason to interpret why; if anything, I suspected that my promotion could only further their own intentions, as unappetizing as that may be.

All I was capable of doing now was remaining watchful, nonetheless, and continue in the manner they had ordered. As such, clear from the cloud shinobi’s bulk, I finally allowed myself to study the collection of vapid errands, flipping through the first couple as the thin soles of my narrow tabi’s padded softly down the remaining stone steps. [/style]