dull life (o)

[Arcadia]

"You're unbelievable, you do know that, right?"

He didn't answer, of course; he rarely ever does. But he knew that I was right. I was sitting atop the roof of some random residential building, hopefully not making too much noise for whatever tenants resided beneath me. With whom was I sharing my company? Eleven, of course. Dad says it's weird that I spend so much time with my puppet, and he probably thinks that it's even weirder that I share discussions with it -- him -- but I don't really mind. In some ways, I prefer Eleven over a real person. He's a great listener, though not much of a talker.

Especially not with my hand down his throat.

Wrench in hand, I worked diligently to tweak  my dear friends neck joint -- it had slipped into an awful habit of squeaking recently and I would not stand for it. With one final turn I pulled my hand out and wiped the sweat from my forehead. Despite the overcast cloud cover, it was still oddly hot. Or maybe I'd been working too hard. The latter was more appealing, admittedly.

"Alright, hold still..." I placed the wrench at my side and slightly elevated my hand, holding it just over Elevens face. A thin, barely visible thread of chakra fell from one of my fingertips and vanished down the puppets throat. I bit my lip and furrowed my brow as I flicked my wrist, ever so slightly tugging on the thread. Initially, I could only hear the wind, birds chirping, and the incoherent babble of a couple of people on the street below. And then there was a squeak.

I groaned loudly.

( this thread is open for casual interactions )

[daisy]

shiawase ni narou ♥

While I wouldn't quite call it hiding, I was certainly avoiding my return, either to my opulent mansion or to the council chambers, both locations were I would doubtlessly be found and reprimanded. As such, I was travelling by rooftop, slinging my silken threads to carry me above the citizens and streets below. Landing lightly upon an outcrop of stone, I spotted a couple sat high up on my next destination. Oh, it would be cruel to interrupt, but I was in quite the flighty mood. I hurled a single, glimmering thread on high, and threw myself from the outcrop, swinging through the air before rapidly pulling myself upwards, to land neatly before the girl and her companion - who was rather less alive than I had expected.

A puppeteer, though! The art seemed to be failing in popularity, and I hadn't seen one in combat in a long time.
"How is he?" I asked, leaning over to peer at the girl and her puppet, as she gave him something of a check up. Though she was sitting down, it was apparent how small she was, my towering heels only serving to increase the already almost comical gap between two women.

Was she simply fixing the puppet for somebody else? Or could she be one of my shinobi? Such a delicate thing, it was difficult to imagine her spilling blood, but then, some of us took advantage of our misleading appearances to great effect.

"Did you make him? He's entirely charming!"

[Arcadia]

I had hoped to stay hidden a little longer.

Admittedly, I was not the most social creature; puppets and plants were about the only things I ever felt comfortable enough around to open up to. I chose to places like rooftops or caverns or back alleys because they were, more often than not, secluded. I didn't enjoy company, but company always seemed to find me. I ignored the footfall of whoever had stumbled upon my makeshift workshop -- I thought, perhaps, that they might ceased to exist if I pretended that they didn't. It was probably dad; he had a knack for finding me. It was a parent thing, I figured.

I couldn't have been more far off.

Words fell through the air and pierced all of my expectations. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the truth rose through me like the sun breaking dawn. Where dads voice was hoarse and tired and, well, annoying, this voice was composed and sharp and kind. More importantly, it was a familiar. I knew this voice -- everyone did. I looked up and my mouth fell ajar. I'd only ever seen her from a distance, a passing glance at best. It hadn't done her justice.

"M-m-m-m..!" I struggled to speak, embarrassingly so. The odds of being found by the Tsuchikage herself were astronomically improbable. I had not prepared for this, not in the slightest. She spoke again and I fought my unyielding awe of the situation in order to hear her words. For a moment, I was confused. Make who? Who's charming? I pulled my gaze away from her face to see what she was looking at. "O-Oh! Oh, yes, I d-did!" I said perhaps a little too enthusiastically, obviously trying to make up for my previous lack of speaking ability. I nervously pushed my hair behind my ear; I was turning red, I could feel it. My brain stopped working, presumably flattened to a fine, useless paste under the weight of my embarrassment. Speak, stupid, she's your commander-in-chief.

"You're th-the Tsuchikage..!"

Nice.

[daisy]

sunshine girl ♥

I covered my mouth, unable to suppress a laugh at her reaction to my appearance. How at odds her skill and her personality seemed! Though, I had to confess, encountering somebody who still had a degree of respect for me was rather refreshing after all my recent social outings.
"Correct! Mitzy Valentine, nice to meet you. You must be a shinobi then, yes? A genin, perhaps?" It was an assumption based both on her apparent age, and the fact that I was unaware of her, having at least made an effort to learn the names and faces of those higher ranked shinobi. 

Still, what a curious little girl. I knew it was bad form to make assumptions about her so soon, but I truly couldn't imagine her in combat. Could she still be an academy student? It was difficult to tell how old she was, beyond her being very young. In a strange way, it was quite a relief, meeting her. One forms a rather generic image of shinobi, spending all day filling out paperwork on their behalf, and talking to them only solidified it. I had quite forgotten Iwagakure wasn't populated only by angry, disgruntled young men. And she was so cute! 

"Puppetry's quite the specialist art, I'm told. I'm glad it's not entirely forgotten here." Truthfully, I was interested in her skill level. A puppeteer would be invaluable in many situations, both covert and in more open combat. But could I really send someone like her on a dangerous mission? It was her duty, I supposed, and mine too, but it didn't sit quite comfortably with me...

[Arcadia]

It was all very surreal, really.

I didn't wake up that morning thinking that I was going to run into the Tsuchikage. Yet, somehow, fate threw me into her path. It felt like that -- like I had been thrown into this situation; unorganized, inarticulate, lost. Lady Tsuchikage, contrastingly, seemed exceptionally calm and alright with the present circumstances. Then again, why wouldn't she be? She didn't have to worry about whatever impression she made on me. I, on the other hand, had to make this count. So I shoved my shit back and gave milady confident nod.

"Yes, ma'am, I am a Genin. I'm Etsuko Honoka and the pleasure is mine." I was curt and polite, like I was generally known to be. With my initial shock beginning to wear off I felt less like the annoying fangirl that I honestly was, and more like the proud puppeteer that I occasionally felt I could be some day, possibly. Maybe. In a perfect world. I suppressed the urge to blush when she commented on puppetry being something special, and instead I smiled brightly at her which, admittedly, was just as dumb. I stood then, hoisting Eleven up mostly through the use of chakra strings. I stood at full height and allowed my chakra threads to bring Eleven to an attentive, upright stance beside me.

"My dad says that Kugutsu users are few and far between these days." I looked up at my dear puppet, who stood a good few feet taller than me, and lifted my hand toward him. The puppets hand rose to meet mine in an interlaced hold, almost human-like. "It's not an easy skill to acquire. Your chakra control has to be perfect, just like with Medics or Genjutsu users."

I wondered if it was obvious that I was trying to make myself sound impressive.

[daisy]

delicate ♥

Her smile was quite wonderful, speaking to me of innocence and youth incarnate. Would that fade? Would war and bloodshed turn her cold and sharp? Still, as she spoke of her skill with the puppet, and gave me a minor demonstration, it was apparent she truly was a shinobi, in ability at least. It was the chakra strings that had always fascinated me. She spoke of chakra control, comparing it to the genjutsu I was so familiar with, and I thought perhaps she was right. It would require such finesse, to manipulate a puppet with the smallest finger movements, it was a small wonder there were not more shinobi who practiced the art.

I frowned, raising a hand and letting my own brand of threads fly free, these entirely tangible, unlike the ones of pure energy she used. I wondered which were stronger? Could I control a puppet with my silk? I supposed it was rather different, but the art certainly interested me. I stepped backwards, until I was at the edge of the roof, before reaching into my handbag and tossing five senbon into the air, snatching each with one of my threads, until the five weapons hovered before me, each with a glimmering trail back to my fingertips.

"It is perhaps not quite the same, but it should serve. I would love to see him in action, darling," I did hope I wasn't scaring the poor child, but I was eager to observe her puppetry. In such a battle, she was in no danger, and I could scarcely damage her puppet with mere senbon. Of course, there was no true target for her to attack, but watching her creation in motion, and how she controlled it would be enough for me.

"Shall we?" And all five senbon rushed to strike her puppet.

SPOILER: Click to show

{jutsu}Kumo Kenshi (Spider Silk Thread) [50]
Rank: B
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m), Mid (5m ~ 10m)
Type: Supplementary
Handseals: -
Chakra Consumption: Low per thread

Although the Sasanagi may spit their threads at an opponent, there are more uses to the creation than simply that. With this technique, the Sasanagi clan member can create lengths of thread for any purpose, and these may also be produced under the Sasanagi's fingernails (for a total of ten threads). Lengths of thread may be used for their sticky properties to subdue opponents, or expelled at heights to ascend quickly; the possibilities are limitless, aside from the range.

Note: These threads are tethers that are roughly the size of an average person’s finger; they’re very visible in broad daylight. These threads possess a reasonable amount of force (capable of lifting and restraining a fully grown man effortlessly). This technique also allows the user to manipulate objects that their webs have wrapped around (such as picking up and throwing objects, or making a person move if they’ve been restrained).

It should be noted that if thread is cut or destroyed in any way, it will become immobile and thusly unable to be used. The user can then “severe” it at their fingernail, and emit another in its place.

Only other Sasanagi techniques may be cast while the user has threads capable of being manipulated active. This technique was created by Daisy.

[Arcadia]

My mouth fell ajar as I watched threads emerge from miladys fingertips. I very nearly mistook them for chakra threads, not unlike the the very ones that connected me to Eleven, but it quickly dawned on me that they were not. Whatever they were, they were too thick to be chakra threads, to tangible. Regardless, worry began to fester and grow within me, not so much because of the strange threads but more so  because the Tsuchikage started to back away.

I could think of very few reasons that she might decide to put some distance between us, and even fewer to justify her drawing out senbon needles. My mind began to race and instinctively I moved Eleven closer to me, a defensive measure. Her words struck me like a bolt of lightning, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and for a moment my heart dropped. I felt that she just wanted to test me; I was confident about that assumption. Still, I was afraid.  All that I could muster as a response was a shaky "Y-Yes ma'am!"

She flung the needles at me with what I assumed would be masterful precision. I didn't have a plan; I had not prepared for this in the slightest. It was probably the worst possible time to be using Eleven for combat as I had only just finished a days worth of modifications. I felt my knees trembled as I swung my arm horizontally from right to left. Eleven's mechanisms reacted instantaneously, which was a relief. The puppet turned on the spot, and in the same motion did I allow it's tail to extend and whip toward the incoming projectiles. I prayed for a successful deflection, and that Eleven's head stayed screwed in.

___

Kugutsu no Jutsu 

[daisy]

metal sliver ♥

Mmm, the response was quick. Of course, it had to be, if puppets were to be a viable option in combat. It followed that - should they not be able to act at the same speed as a typical shinobi, they would be at an inherent disadvantage, but I supposed without the necessity to actually move along the ground, instead mostly suspended through the use of chakra threads, they wouldn't suffer any in the maneuverability department. As the tail intercepted all five senbon in one sweeping arc, I pulled them back slightly, to hover about before it.

The tail was perhaps the most obvious adjustment in her puppet's mostly human form, and I saw now that it had its uses. Whether in making whiplash attacks, or serving as the defence with the most reach, it certainly gave her more options. Did she use a thread at its very tip, to ensure complete accuracy? Unlike Honoka, I did not have to move my arm or hand to launch my attacks, as my threads moved through my chakra control.

The five senbon spun in the air, before making their next assault, two aimed at the puppet's head, one at each arm, and the final one directed to fly past its shoulder, homing in on the girl behind it. It was only a small test, I had no doubt in her reflexes. Besides, our medics were very capable.
"Your hand movements," I called, as my senbon flew true, "could they not give away your puppet's movements?" Truly, I wasn't sure.

Perhaps to one familiar with the motions of controlling such a creation, clues could be gained, and when she had intercepted my last attack, the gesture was one that made sense in relation to her puppet's movements. I was learning something new, if nothing else. Perhaps there was a lesson in that, somewhere - the tiny Genin educating her Tsuchikage.

SPOILER: Click to show

{jutsu}Kumo Kenshi (Spider Silk Thread)

[Arcadia]

It appeared that whatever jutsu she used with her senbon needles was somewhat similar to Kugutsu, at a glance, at least. My deflection of the needles was successful, but it seemed that the assault would not end there. After Eleven's tail swatted the needles, milady withdrew them only slightly with the use of her jutsu. It was then that I realized a potential flaw in her assault -- not unlike a flaw that I, myself, had when it came to puppetry arts. I felt confident in spite of my short analysis and I felt that my next move would prove to be as successful as the last.

With a corkscrew twist of my hand and an arc-like wave I spun Eleven once more, this time allowing his tail to extend to full (4m) length. Unlike before, the target was not the senbon themselves, but the threads she tethered to them. I wanted to sever them, at best, to completely remove the senbon from play. I wasn't sure of how strong the Tsuchikage's threads were but I figured that, if nothing else, I could change the trajectory of the needles. If uninterrupted, I had a response for the woman's question.

"Possibly, but I think it's best to focus less on the puppeteer and more on the puppet."

___

Kugutsu no Jutsu

[daisy]

an oversight ♥

Perhaps she was right. With the puppet in play, and undoubtedly deadly, it could be as much a mistake to observe the puppeteer themselves as it would be a benefit. I observed it first hand, as with a sweep of its tail - extending rather further than I had anticipated - it caught all my threads, pulling them all to the side and dragging my senbon off course with them. I couldn't help laughing.
"Oh, of course, how foolish of me!" I withdrew my threads, each slipping away again beneath my fingernails, leaving the five senbon in my hand. Would a puppeteer face the same problem? I knew nothing in my own arsenal could sever chakra strings, but there were certainly jutsu in existence that would.

Slipping the senbon back into my handbag, I bowed lightly to the girl.
"Consider me enlightened, Honoka. You have my thanks for showing me your skill, though I am sure it was but a fraction," It was true, really. I hadn't seen a puppet in operation first hand for a long time, and previously it had been used by an enemy, and I scarcely had the leisure of observation and questions. It would have been charming to remain a while longer, but there was far too much to do. Having avoided reporting to the council in any way, they would doubtless be getting more and more annoyed with me, and I could no longer excuse my absence.

"I am to have a rather busy few days, I think. Please continue to work hard, for Iwagakure," It was perhaps a rather cryptic message, but I had a vague idea of days to come, and it was not optimistic. Would she fight? Perhaps not as I... Well. We would have to wait and see.

"Don't tell anybody you saw me, okay darling?" I winked at the girl, before stepping lightly off the edge of the roof, and disappearing below.

/exit

[Arcadia]

Was it over already?

Milady withdrew her threads and senbon, this time entirely rather than just hovering them about. Unsure of what was to happen next, I drew Eleven closer to me, a precaution to what was surely to be another assault. Though my nerves still ate me alive, I felt somewhat exhilarated; I had thwarted two attacks from the Tsuchikage herself. I knew that she had been holding back, as had I, but even so I felt that it was something to be proud of. If nothing else, I had at least shown my worth as a shinobi.

As she spoke and bowed, I bowed as well. I felt my face burning red at her words; honored didn't even begin to describe it. Then, however, something seemed to change in her voice. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I sensed a somberness in her words, quite unlike what I'd experienced in her demeanor prior. Worry swelled within me for this woman who I hardly knew.

"Don't tell anybody you saw me, okay darling?"

I didn't understand. Was she hiding from something? From someone? I froze, having no clue what to say to the woman as she departed. By the time I spoke, she was already gone.

"Yes, ma'am."

___

Exit.

[rib]

+43 Yahiko
+41 Daisy