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Arrows (X 4 PACKS)
Rank: D-Rank
Type: Secondary, Melee/Range
Special: 10 Arrows / Pack
Description: Arrows can come in multiple shapes and sizes, depending upon the user's choice. The average length of an arrow from tip to fletching is 27''
Cost: 500 Ryo / Pack

Kunai (Throwing Knife)
Rank: D
Type: Secondary / Melee + Ranged
Special: 2 per Pack.
Description: This throwing knife is one of the common weapons of a ninja. It is often kept in a holster on the leg in a pouch attached to the belt. What makes it so versatile and universal is the fact the Kunai can be used in conjunction with explosive tags and other weapons to form deadly combos out of simple, easily accessible items.
Cost: 100 Ryo per Pack

Retractable Shield
Rank: C, B, A
Dimensions: 20 inch diameter / Circular
Description: A slightly more advanced Protectorate, the retractable shield is a gauntlet-based weapon, proving shielding defense through a sudden shield fanning open from the very gauntlet. Snapping out within seconds, this shield, although small, is excellent in hosting secret defense, as well blocking off standard weaponry.
Cost: 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 Ryo

Please deduct 7100 from my sidebar. Thanks!

OOC: It's all good. I've had a few of those myself.

---

"I'm one of the many orphans of the First World War."

He answered blatantly, speaking as though he were reading the words out of some boring textbook. He'd long since, after all, gotten past feeling sorry for himself-- or having others feel sorry for him. But that didn't mean he'd completely lost all the drive to make their deaths mean something. He just did a very good job at hiding it. "So no family to speak of. Not biological, anyway." The dark-eyed agent continued. "Yet, I've managed to lead a rather a fulfilling life without them anyway. First as a shinobi of Kumogakure, and now as a member of CROW."

Watching her blow tufts of frosty air made him unconsciously smile. But he could see she was ready. So, gently, he'd lean to one side, slowly swinging the metallic cabin door open with one hand, then hanging off the side of the train as held onto the steel bar. With his free hand, he'd politely gesture for Jun to enter the train's cabin first. "Needless to say, in all the haste to excel, I haven't found the time for marriage. Nor do I plan to anytime soon. But I can't say I don't have my eye on someone." He teased, waiting for her to enter, before entering himself.

The interior of this cabin was perhaps the last thing they would have expected seeing in this place. It was a once mobile suite, built with dark wood paneling and heavy padded furniture, emanating a warm inviting glow. Everything that could be polished, the metal and glass and woodwork, had been polished vigorously, and it all glistened under the electric lights like a politician's grin. At the end of this luxurious cabin, beyond the leather couches and the long dark mahogany coffee table, was an addition that immediately piqued the masked operative's interest.

"No shit-- is that a bar?"

He beamed, closing the cabin's metal door behind him. Turning his masked countenance towards Jun, he pointed towards the treasure trove of liquor. "Do you mind? I've picked up a bit of a chill this morning-- and I'm not just talking about the weather." So, with an easy stride, he made his way towards the bar, lifted a bottle of scotch, and thumbed the cap off. His back turned to the raven-haired gal, he'd pour himself a splash in an 8 ounce glass as he spoke. "Oh, and could you open the blinds covering the windows? We'll want to see our guests as they arrive." He'd edge his mask to the side with a single hand as she did so, downing the glass of scotch in one fluid motion thereafter.

After enjoying its relaxing burn, he'd bring his mask back down over his face, turning around as he crossed his arms, and then leaning on the bar's counter behind him as he observed Jun's progress with those blinds.

The blue-eyed man followed the trajectory of her pointed finger during the brief moment she had issued it, casually offering the object(s) of interest a glance, before returning his attention to her as she spoke. Furrowing his brow with a slightly amused mien, he answered, thumbing towards the wall of masks behind him. "That? I honestly have no idea what's behind that." He half-whispered, feigning as though the culprit behind their unusual find was eavesdropping on them now.

"Locals at the village down south say some old ghost is behind it. Not sure if I believe all the superstition." The young man continued, dark blue eyes filled with a light sense of spooked, albeit acted, awe. He could tell Naiya probably wasn't the kind of person to concern herself with such folk tales. There was definitely something about her that screamed 'no nonsense'. But, as clumsy as he was interacting with individuals of the female variety, he knew better than to assume that she completely lacked a sense of humor. Everyone had a sweet spot.

Regardless of whether she was amused by the statements of the locals or not, he had other things to attend to. An empty stomach, for one. "Well, anyways," He began, his small smile ever-present. "I've got to make my run before the day slips by. Deer should be out aplenty around this hour." Black booted footfalls strode him to one side of the room, stopping once he reached the chair that held his belongings. There, still waiting for him, was his dark brown rucksack and black bow.

First, he'd sling his rucksack's strap over his shoulder, adjusting its medium-sized pouch comfortably to his side. Then, he'd reach for his bow, doing the same with its custom fitted shoulder sling, until the light weapon was positioned properly against his back-- and, most importantly, ready to be equipped at a moment's notice. Whilst he adjusted the length of his rucksack's strap, gently tightening its grip across his upper chest, he'd turn his cloaked body back to the amber-eyed beauty.

"You know... I could use the company, if you'd like." He muttered, unsure-- and timid-- of how she'd respond to such a declaration. "But I completely understand if you're not up for it. I mean, girls don't like that sort of thing... right? Like, hunting, I mean." He paused-- then palmed one side of his face in slight embarrassment. "That wasn't what I-- I didn't mean to..." He sighed, dropping his hand. "That sounded a bit sexist, didn't it? ... Sorry."

Although she couldn't see it, the humor in her latest statement brought an inch-long smile to his face. But she would most likely hear it in his voice as he spoke, his suave tone paced and direct. "I'm afraid so." He answered with a tinge of lament. "The weather's shitty, but it's better than being knee-deep in sand on some lifeless desert-- trust me on that." He'd let the lighthearted suggestion sink in, before pivoting around, gesturing for her to follow with a nod of his head, then ambling towards the wheeled metal monstrosities on the other side of the station.

As soon as he was walking side by side with Jun, he'd speak once more, eyeing the dead trains ahead of them with slight intrigue. "Location aside," He'd begin. "We've been asked to attend a rendezvous on behalf of CROW. Nothing too dangerous, I'd wager. Just a routine information retrieval." Or, at the very least, that's what his superior had told him. The young man had long since abandoned ever feeling 'safe'. It never ended up well in his line of business. "I'm also here to evaluate your abilities. Though I have to say, you do look pretty... capable." He'd admit, casting a brief, and admiring, glance at her.

By now, they'd be halfway across the room, approaching the deserted boarding station ahead.

The metal door at the corner of the large room squeaked open, and the young woman beyond it walked in, rousing the masked man's attention. She offered him a wave as the door closed behind her, its sound echoing throughout the waiting room, and to the dormant trains beyond. "Welcome to the Tesler, Jun." The masked operative answered, dropping his arms to his sides, as he eased himself off the wall he was leaning on. "My name's Cobalt."

He paused for a moment, his hidden gaze focused on her in a vague, but brief, silence. Then he spoke, his voice nonchalant and smooth, even behind the acoustics of his mask. "And, yes. I'm the Sentinel they sent to test you. I'm guessing they haven't filled you in on the details of our assignment?" The seasoned CROW agent inquired, his focus briefly diverted towards the rest of the train station. "The higher-ups do have a habit of being unnecessarily discreet."

Note: Thread is private. Set after the timeskip.

---

The train station is empty. Abandoned. Void of the factory workers and soldiers that had once commuted across the vast winter wonderland known as Yuki no Kuni. From its exterior, the building appears as nothing more than a slate-gray factory compound. Its only windows, thin rectangular panels lining the sides of the rooftop, are now scarred with blossoms of frost. The metal gates that once allowed a train to enter and exit the building (from the west and east side, respectively), have been slid shut and locked. And all the entrances, except for one employee back door, have been boarded shut with wooden planks.

The train tracks that once ran straight through this station have been buried beneath leagues of snow for a good while now, unattended to and forgotten. The building now stands alone amongst hills of white and mountains of ice, hidden from all but the few that dare explore these empty and remote lands. In fact, it's safe to say that only those who know of its existence can find it. Scattered around the vicinity of this train station, within a diameter of fifty meters, are mysterious junk parts of various origin and type. Most, if not all, of them are half-buried within the snow.

The train station's interior is made up of two distinct sections: a waiting area, and a boarding area. The entire building is fifty by fifty meters. Its southern half (the waiting area) contains a now empty ticket booth on one side, an arrival/departure board on another, and rows upon rows of seats at its middle. All of them are now rusted with age. The building's northern half (the boarding area) withholds two antique trains, locked within this frosty tomb for an unknown number of years. These trains have cabins, but appear to be permanently out of order.

"Kaguya... Naiya, huh?" I answered, a single brow raised in curiosity. I'd heard the surname before, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I took a moment to speculate, my arms remaining crossed, as my pensive gaze narrowed. Kaguya-- I could have sworn I'd seen that surname listed in a history book somewhere. But, with yet another inquiry from the amber-eyed gal, I'd turn my attention back to her in an instant. Sure enough, she wanted proof. Proof that I was a part of this clan, proof that I had a valid reason to be here. How could she know that I was speaking the truth? "I guess you can't." I smiled, dark blue eyes brightening with cheer. "You'd just have to trust me, I suppose. Or find another Uzu no Kuni native willing to confirm it."

I looked her over once more, the silence between us raw, then I tossed a nod towards the masks behind me. "I could also give you one hell of a history lesson, if you'd like. Unless that sounds too boring." I continued with a doubtful gleam. My people were long gone, but they had not left behind a "boring" legacy. Caught between the wars and skirmishes of other countries, Uzu no Kuni had always been a recluse ripe with legends, exploits, miracles, and story. Their history was not known by many, and I was particularly proud to be one of the few to know of it. So, if Naiya had an interest in the ancient, I was more than happy to indulge her. After all, I was in her country. And it'd be rude not to offer her some insight on this otherwise mysterious shrine.

Standing, remaining to see whether she took me up on my offer, I'd wait.