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NPC Sozin Hallstrom

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Sozin's eyes glanced over at the letter between Kai's fingers, then offered Yukiko a kind smile when she spoke. "That's very kind-- of both of you-- to have visited." He spoke, his intent half-determined to put some distance away from their previous conversation. The life of a shinobi wasn't all sorrow and gloom, after all. Not in this country. It was also a life of duty, and discipline, and the comrades made in the practice of it. Comrades who would gladly make time to visit you in the hospital when you're injured. Point being: there were often good times to go with the bad. And, the struggle shinobi go through on a daily basis often proves to be worth it, for friends like these. A fact that may have, very well, saved him through the War.

During the prolonged pause that followed, however, the grey-eyed Jounin's thoughts mulled over the confirmation of Gunjin's new squad leader. He had predicted this would happen. He had been told it would. And, if this new squad leader had been anyone else in the ranks of Kumogakure no Sato's elite, he would have paid no mind to it. Just because he's been benched, after all, it doesn't warrant keeping Yukiko and Kai from advancing in their careers. But the operative that had been chosen, for some incomprehensible reason, wasn't exactly what the Nara descendant had in mind. "I've heard rumors of the person they've chosen to lead Gunjin." He speaks, gunmetal grey gaze peering out the window, and towards the great blue sky.

"And, they're not exactly... friendly."

Turning back to his students, he continues, his raspy tone serious and straight to the point. "Whoever this person is, they've managed to create a reputation for themselves within our ranks. A reputation as the 'Spectre' of Kumogakure no Sato. No one can really confirm what this person looks like, or where they come from, but one thing is common amongst all the rumors: wherever they go on assignment, they tend to leave death in their wake." A beat, eyes shifting between both of the young ones, his latest statement slowly sinking in. "I want you both to be cautious... and try not to do anything you'll regret later... even if it goes against following the orders of higher ranking personnel." He didn't, of course, mean violence. But, conviction.

For Sozin, suspicion of this strange-- and practically nonexistent (at least, on paper)-- individual was high. He wasn't comfortable with the thought of having such sleuths in their government. And, if the rumors were true, he struggled to imagine how his comrade (the Nidaime Raikage) could accept having such a ruthless killer call this place home. As soon as he was checked out of this place, he was determined to pay the fellow veteran a visit. But for now, he offered his trusted comrades this warning. Should this person ask them to do something horrible, and expect them to do it out of regulation, he hoped they had the sense to stand against it. "I truly care for you both." He suddenly continues, yet another smile gracing his countenance. "And, I know you'll both be alright... you'd better be."

He adds with a taunting, 'older brother' smirk.

N A R R A T O R

With the dragon's bust placed right at the center of the pool, there is no way you can place the molars back without stepping over the dark waters below. But, as you soon find, the pool isn't as deep as you would have imagine. In fact, the water seems to only rise a few inches above the ground-- barely enough to even wet your footgear. It only takes you a few steps, however, before you are within arm's length of the carved porcelain figure. And only a second before you take notice of the empty grooves at the back of the dragon king's mouth-- carved with unique and intricate precision.

Realizing these strangely carved grooves are ideal for placing your acquired teeth into, you begin the process of fitting them in. As you do so, your orange-winged companion proceeds to laying herself down, right beside the very skeletal figure that startled you earlier. She eyes the long deceased corpse with her trademark insouciance, her nostrils exhaling small poofs of cold air. But, she then turns at the sound of a deep rumble in the earth-- caused by your latest action. With the teeth placed firmly within the dragon bust's mouth, it is clear something has been unlocked.

The very shrine seems to tremble as something beneath you quakes. Then, before you know it, the pool of dark water surrounding the porcelain pillar begins to sink, seeping into the newly formed crevices that appear to be spreading open by the second. Something is opening, and it is best that you back away from the porcelain bust, before you are captured within the process. If you do, you'll see that the teeth you inserted back into the dragon's mouth caused a chain reaction: one that created and revealed a set of spiraling stone stairs around the gleaming ivory pillar.

It leads straight underground.

With the last of the water dropping down into these stairs, their dripping rippling throughout the circular room in echoes, Fusa lifts herself up slowly. Her eyes appear to betray a sense of impression. But, having barely met her today, it was hard to identify any subtle expressiosn of hers just yet. Sauntering over to the newly formed stairs, she takes the lead, casually walking down into the darkness below. "Do not forget the teeth, Odkiir." She suggests. "They are yours to keep. As this place is yours to inhabit, whenever you'd wish. Or, so the Dovahkiin has said."

N A R R A T O R

Even as the dragon walks beside you, into the moisture-laden air of that shrine, she makes certain to listen to every word you have to say about her Dovahkiin's past. Its interest wasn't built off of some malevolent purpose, or to find some way to undermine the man, no. But, rather, it was formed through an almost child-like sense of curiosity. Who was that man, the new companion she'd made all those weeks ago? Where did he come from? What made him the way he was? And, what compelled him to be a man of secrets? There was so much mystery in him, Fusa couldn't help but wonder.

She would then voice her opinion on your statements, but only after you released a startled cry, frightened by the sight of the skeleton. To this, Fusa could only offer a deep chuckle, accompanied with an almost shark-like smile as she walked ahead of you. "You seem to know plenty about him. More so than I." She begins, swiveling her head towards Yukiko's direction. "He must trust you deeply, ja? As it is known: the weight of secrets can bring down nations. And, the Dovahkiin tends to keep his share." Sauntering over to the dark pool surrounding the dragon bust, her tongue laps at the water, ripples of miniature waves spreading with the action.

When you present the realization that the teeth entrusted to you are somehow related to the sculpture, however, she pauses from her drinking. Her snout finds the aforementioned teeth on the ground after you've laid them out, and she takes a few sniffs, eyeing the ivory-shaded items with an unconcerned mien. "It is predicted." She answers, in response to your inquiry. "These teeth appear to be molars-- the teeth at the back of a Dovah's mouth, used to fasten our jaws into the flesh of our prey." She turns to the porcelain dragon bust, depicting a rather convincing portrayal of Sahrotsahviing, and seems to point at it with her snout. "The Dovahjun appears to bear no molars. Perhaps you can return them, eh, Odkiir?"

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

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Listening to Kai's explanation, the grey-eyed Jounin's expression remained nonchalant, his gaze unrevealing to the thoughts that roiled within his mind. This solemn glance was then directed towards Yukiko as she spoke, his seated form still, as a cold breeze of air swept through the window softly. When they both finished speaking, Sozin took a brief pause. He looked at his hands, wrapped in white gauze, and laid upon his lap. Then, he spoke, saving Yukiko's inquiry for later. "Can any of you tell me... the main priority?"

Another moment of silence. And, before any of them could answer, he continued once more. "The main priority? Of our assignment? The task we were expected to complete at all costs-- the task I spoke of prior to us leaving the boundaries of Kumogakure no Sato." His ragged (almost monstrous) voice wasn't built with a purposely harsh tone. But, rather, with a tinge of regret. He should have reminded them when they'd reached the shanty town. But... he hadn't expected all of that sheer destruction.

Finally, his eyes turning briefly to the serene scenery outside his window, he answered his own question. "The main priority... was the discovery and extraction of our captured civilians. Innocents-- belonging to our village, tortured, and now... burned, with the rest of them." His eyes narrowed, his mind yet again captured in thought. "I would have gladly bled out to death, in exchange for their lives..." With that powerful statement, he turns his eyes back to his students. "I'm not casting the blame on any one of you." He assures. "We are a squad, after all. And, the blame is therefore on all of us."

His eyes seem to see through the veil of their expressions.

Piercing, and sharp.

"But I want you both to remember that day. To never forget those sacrifices. The mistakes we made. And, to keep their families in your hearts, until you reach the grave yourself." He manages a sigh, bringing a single hand up to his face, and pinching the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. They messed up, all three of them. And, the worst that could have happened, had. But, at least he could take solace in the fact that Yukiko was still alive. That the shinobi force of Kumogakure no Sato still accepted them, despite the massacre of innocent folk in the mountains far beyond their village.

"They say this is the life of a shinobi, built upon senseless deaths, and means to an end. But, I need to know that there is still hope. That you've both learned from this ordeal. That you'll strive to never let this happen again. And that the death of those separate from our conflicts will not become a habit."

Theme: "The Unclouded Day" - Audra Mae & The Forest Rangers.

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Chuckling at the reminder of her preference to work alone, I lightly shook my head. "You're absolutely right." I agreed, with a smile as playful as her tone. "I don't know how that slipped my mind." Captured in a brief train of thought, I realized that I'd primarily dealt with squads of medical professionals throughout my life. Medic's were often close-knit like that, traveling together, even amongst the throes of war. But, seldom had I met "solo acts" like Blanche. Even Mal, who had been quite the solitary person to begin with, had Chaima by his side during the more precarious surgeries. Such a professional companionship, however, never seemed to have suited the blue-eyed belle before me. And, in that aspect, I was reminded of Vera, who had also preferred to practice medicine alone.

The talks she and Blanche could be having today...

I had no doubt they'd have lasted for hours.

They would have been great friends. But, alas... such a future never came to be. And Vera's death was still as real as the rain drops that pecked at my face, sliding down the surface of my cheeks as frigid drops of water. Returning the entirety of my awareness to what Blanche had to say next, I nodded to her prompt request, confirming the willingness of those few I had assembled. "They're loyal. And, they've volunteered, understanding the risks." Shifting my gloved hands into the front pockets of my coat, I raised a single, amused brow. "It's nice to see you've warmed up to the idea, however. Of having assistants. Even if it's just for their chakra." My tone did not, in fact, take upon a satirical mien-- but, rather, a doting one. More chakra meant less of a risk for her, and the baby. And, it helped ease my worry.

With words of farewell escaping her lips, I smiled, knowing with inexplicable certainty that this was not going to be the last time we saw each other. Knowing that I could finally be there for her, at any moment (and anywhere) she would require my assistance, was an insight that brought me closer to a peace I'd been searching for all my life. We were never-- truly-- safe, of course. Shinobi. There would always be threats around the corner as long as we practiced this life of espionage and murder. But, after years of many misfortunes, some of us learned how to cope with them as best we could. Why choose to see a glass half empty, when you could just as easily see it half full? Briefly turning my eyes to the clouded skies above, I knew we'd pull through. There were plenty of unclouded days ahead-- waiting.

We just needed to stay strong through the storm.

My verdant green gaze admired the sight of her one last time, eyes softening yet again as they glanced at her slightly protruding abdomen. I hadn't seen her in so long, and to see her like this-- with this radiant glow of pregnancy-- it was almost overwhelmingly surreal. It had certainly managed to take my mind off of Eiichiro, for the time being. And, the plethora of questions I had yet to ask her. Many of which I planned on voicing sometime during (or after) the surgery she'd perform. I wouldn't push this impromptu reunion any further, however, as she required a good night's rest for her travels tomorrow. So, with a warm smile present amongst the cold drizzle, I spoke. "Take care, Birdie." Before abruptly disappearing at the blink of an eye.

-- Exit.

N A R R A T O R

When you ask her whether Sahrotsahviing was the dragon entombed beneath the temple, Fusa simply nods. "Geh." She answers, her snout swiveling towards the right, preceding yet another turn around the next corner. Your own footsteps emit a slight tap with each step they take. But, as you soon come to notice, the dragon accompanying you is barely making any noise with her footsteps. The slightly padded surface of her paws, as rough with musculature as they were when she placed them upon your shoulders, are virtually soundless against the stone floor of this temple. Without a doubt, she is a natural born predator.

Although intimidating at times, Fusa seems to have a soft side to her personality as well. A soft side you are almost certain she keeps hidden away from the rest of the world throughout a majority of her interactions with others. Why has she warmed up (even a little bit) to your presence? It may cross your mind that it is thanks to her relation to your older brother. Inquiring after the origins of such a relation, you are met with a brief silence as she continues to navigate through the dark, ancient passageways. Then, in a slightly hushed tone, she answers-- a contemplative gleam in her eyes.

"My family fought zohungaar¹ beside the Dovahkiin during the First Shinobi War." She answered, her form crawling over a dark mound of rubble, then proceeding forwards as though there were no obstacle at all. "My brothers-- Oodama, Tate, and the honorable king Oyabun-- were some of his most trusted Grah-Zeymahzin². And, together, they experienced many zindro³ on the battlefield." She turned another corner and, right after, the hallways seemed to grow wider. You seemed to be making some progress. "But, alas, that time did come to an end. The world seemed to have been consumed by fire, and there was no human to fight beside."

Hieroglyphics started appearing on the walls, and lit torches that you passed provided orbs of illumination that aided in your exploration of this haven. Tripping over some form of rubble, and injuring yourself in some manner, would prove to be quite unfortunate. "It was not until recently that your kin remembered." She continues, uncertain whether she should be the one telling you this. "He called upon my family to aid him against a grand terror attacking his home. I was not there... but we were reintroduced shortly thereafter. The Dovahkiin, you see, had met me before. But I'd only been a mere hatchling then."

SPOILER: Click to show

¹ Heroically.

² Allies (lit. Brothers in Honor).

³ Triumphs.

NOTIFICATION

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In adherence to the "Double EXP Promotion" created in February 2013, I'm putting the contents of this thread forward, and therefore looking to cash in on the benefits. For the staff member who looks over this, below are two links that will answer any inquiries about the specifications of this promotion:

-- Progress!
-- Promotion Sign-Up.

That being said, this thread is eligible for the 10,000 RYO bonus (as I RP'ed with another PC). Thanks for the assistance!