When life gives you lemons; er, apples

[--Megumi--]

SPOILER: Click to show

AN OLD FAMILY TRADITION
RANK: D
DESCRIPTION: The Kikiyoda family have been known around the village for the succulent apples that they grow for generations. Over the first and second world war the orchard was of course effected greatly and production had to stop, but coming back in to peacetime, the eldest female in the family, Chiyo, has chosen to re-start the business that her own family used back when she was young. The family now owns a fully grown apple orchard, and despite its perhaps slightly small size, with Chiyo’s sons and grandchildren being more interested in shinobi games and technology rather than tradition, she’s requesting the help of willing shinobi to help pick the apples for her. Make sure you don’t give her any rotten or worm-infested ones!
OBJECTIVE: Pick the apples from the orchard!
PAY: 25 EXP and 500 Ryo.

Upon arrival to the Kikiyoda family apple orchard I could not help but stand back and revel in the beauty it had. Mind you, it was a particular kind of beauty, one that could easily be ever lasting if taken care of properly. It was like my beauty. After all, I certainly planned on taking the necessary steps to keep myself as well taken care of as this place. Why would I not? A Queen must be not only have power, but beauty as well. It’s like holding the weak down with an iron fist; only in my case I will possess two. How delicious the thought was. I could almost imagine the plush cushion that would sit pretty at the center of a glorious throne made of the most expensive white gold and ivory.

I deserved it.

Shaking my head, then tucking the few stray locks of my perfectly tamed hair back behind my ears, I stole my gaze from the horizon of pink blossoms and swollen, red fruit in order to meet with the elderly woman who ran such an establishment. Normally such old and feeble people I would wrinkle my nose to. What use were they? A trove of knowledge can only last so long before it runs dry. However Mrs. Kikiyoda was different. I found myself respecting her. Her will and sheer strength was enough to be awe inspiring. She seemed as though her flow of knowledge had not quite run dry yet.

I could use her to my advantage by the time I finished this mission. Lovely.

Finally reaching the quaint little home of the elderly woman, I stretch my arm out, fist prepped to knock. However I could not help but eye my nails briefly. They needed a new coating of polish. Sighing, I finished what I had originally intended to do and gingerly rapped on the door twice, paused, then two more times. I waited patiently, hearing a bit of rustling behind the closed door before it finally opened. The poor crone before me was somewhat hunched forward and much shorter than I. Her clothes were as nice as an orchard owner could be, I supposed, but regardless she still had a smile on her face. It was quite admirable.

“Ah! You must be the young one come to help me. Bless you child, I didn’t think they would ever send someone!”

I smiled and could not help but bow my head slightly, simply out of respect. Again, I seemed to have found an immediate respect for the woman. How odd. I curled my lips into a smile in response to such kind words and merely nodded my head once before speaking. “Thank you miss, but I could not think of anything more important than helping you.”

Mrs. Kikiyoda seemed to enjoy my response. The withered grin she gave only proved to confirm that. From there on I knew that I could wrap her around my finger. I would run dry whatever knowledge she had left and would use to my own advantage later. With a hand gesture, her movement brought me from my slight daze of power and glory as she began to move passed me, the door already closed. We were heading into the orchard no doubt, which meant my work would begin. How I loathed the word. However work I must. It was the only way to bring my dreams, no, my future, come true.

One step at a time.