Retrieval [Q]
Apr 9, 2013 9:16:13 GMT -8
Post by Apple on Apr 9, 2013 9:16:13 GMT -8
Sitting close to the bar, I'd come to notice that I was being quite obviously ignored by the barkeep and his few assistants, despite having just come in to the establishment with what appeared to be a desire to purchase something from their limited choice of drink. However, it wasn't as if I particularly cared. It was all a ruse; whilst I'd come to enjoy the taste of fine sake, I was here for one thing and one thing only - and if I did give in to temptation and taste some of the wares available within the inn, I questioned whether or not I'd be able to work my best on this quest for the fabled blade. I'd promised not only little Yuuchiro, but Kouketsu too, that I'd be back as soon as I could, may it take weeks, days or months. But one thing was for sure; I wasn't going to allow myself to get distracted when there was so much at stake. Leaning my elbows on the countertop before me, its surface sticky from tipped drinks, I kept them there regardless, my eyes gazing over the stained mirror before me that spanned the majority of the wall where the bar itself was located. Of course; it was dusty, dirty and faded, but - I could faintly see the figures of those behind me in it, drunken men laughing together in groups, a few more intimate meetings between couples, and the odd stranger lurking in the back of the inn, drinking to themselves. Myself, I stuck out like a sore thumb, but, wearing a black cloak atop of my clothing, it allowed me some ability to blend in with the rest of the populace, if not much, but a little at least. However, my monochrome clothing and weapons could be somewhat seen beneath them, signalling my status as a shinobi, or, a fighter. I'd since removed my shinobi headband for certain purposes, it hiding elsewhere in my arsenal. I didn't doubt that I was amongst many warriors here tonight; but perhaps I was the most.. clean out of all of them, even the wool cloak that I wore being spotless. It had always been in my nature to be tidy, and looking about at the rest of the people in the bar, I couldn't help but remember when I hadn't been all that different to them.
The first world war had destroyed each and every one of us, I was sure. I could remember all that had happened back then; all that I'd done. There had been a time where I'd been the very person sitting alone at the back of inns, running up large tabs. It seemed such a long time ago, now, but merely being here reminded me of that time. I wasn't sure that I'd been here -- in fact, I was sure that I hadn't, but I'd seen so many inns across my life that I wasn't even sure which ones I had been to - there were countless names, countless faces and countless locations that I could recall, and to be honest, it was better to merely forget. It tended to make things all the more interesting. "....." with my eyes still blankly staring in to the mirror, I could loosely see the image of another person who seemed slightly.. different - an old woman, from what I could see, quite short compared to the other people here, her appearance almost stereotypical for a woman of her age. If anything, she reminded me of one of my grandmothers - but such memories were gone, now, lost in the dust and ruins that Kusagakure had become several years ago, the ruins that I had built my empire on. However; with my ears listening in for any words that could link me to the tale of the sword that I was interested in, I soon, almost as if my wishes had been answered, heard word of not any relic; but the one I was searching for. Kusanagi. It was then that I focused my entire attention on the conversation that happened between the both of them, my eyes hidden somewhat under the hood of my cloak as I watched their reflections in the mirror.“Granny Che, I know you heard something about that fabled blade of Kusa no Kuni being stolen from its previous wilder.”
I listened silently as his tone grow steadily louder, almost as if he was irritated by the woman and her rejection of his curiosity, my eyes still peering in to the reflections in the glass. It wasn't until the loud slam of a cup against a countertop distracted my gaze as I found myself now peering directly at the both of them rather than the stained reflections they cast, listening as he then went on to threaten her. Having seen enough, I rose from my seat, and travelled the incredibly short distance between myself and the two of them, my form tall, even when pitted against the men in the inn. Standing statuesque, I stood behind him, with the hood still shielding my face in a dark shadow, the bottom of my nose and soft, plump lips visible. Placing a gloved hand on his shoulder, I sought to grab his attention, my hand soon being retracted soon thereafter, just in case he chose to react violently to my movement. Since I'd left my chair, it seemed as if the elder woman had spoken, continuing to reject him; and I assumed it was for the best; as I was determined that I would be the one to gather the information that she reportedly had.
"..That's enough."
I commanded, my voice notably feminine, but nonetheless threatening. My blue eyes gleamed wildly beneath my hood, and I awaited his response.
"..Return to your seat, now."
And just like that, I waited, my hands ready to react to any backlash that I may recieve from him - or anyone around me, at that. Was I so unjust as to want to prevent an elderly woman from getting grief from a tipsy man twice the size of her? Of course - I could be completely off, and she could perhaps be stronge than he and I put together, but - I was merely working off what I could see. And if what I could see was correct, then perhaps if my act of kindness paid off, I could finally leave this place with the information that I needed.
If he chose to leave, as I'd asked, leaving me partly alone with the woman, I'd begin to speak, continuing to stand tall as I looked down at her, asking her the following words, my hood still masking my countenance;
"..Are you alright?"1 Infuin stack gained.
