middleofsomewhere | The Waking of Neran

The Waking of Neran

"Good morning Voidtreckers and passengers. Today is day twenty one of the month of Orchestra. We will be arriving in System #78961112094711 later today and the dressing carriage is open for your use."

It is indeed, with thick winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves in all sizes. There are also some bags suitable for carrying food, for anyone who wants to add to the festival food with more food!

They have the morning to prepare before another announcement.

"Shortly arriving in System #78961112094711. The weather is extremely cold, voidtreckers and passengers should wrap up warm and wear their SCA's at all times. Arriving in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
The train shakes as they leave the void and they will see dark skies with glowing flecks of light falling down around them. It's only a glimpse before there is rock to both sides as they enter the landing area.

The Waking of Neran

... ARRIVAL TO OSIGA

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS PULLS INTO AN OPEN HIGH-STACKED PARKING STATION, FILLED ALREADY BY A VARIETY OF VEHICLES. Darkness and the cold spills into where they pull in, lights and signs around to guide the Voidtreckers who exit the craft where they need to go, elevator and teleporting systems available to choose from.

For those turn their gaze to where the cold comes, they will see a view of the world: a landscape of mountains lit in burning bright blue. Like Christmas and city lights, they can be seen in the far distance, and the sky too glows with a shimmering, falling blue. It looks like a slow rain, while farther up, the twinkling of actual stars can be glimpsed.

This will be their view of the world for three Osiga days - 210 hours, give or take.

The lower floor widens into a train-like station, shuttles ready to take them into Osiga proper in short five minute rides. They just need to figure out they need to scan their SCAs at the turnstiles, which will beep with approval, and send a map to their SCA of the grotto.

With a handy dot to their hotel.

... THE IRUE GROTTO

HOTEL. THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOTEL IS STONY, A WALL OF UNEVEN ROCK WITH SLITS FOR WINDOWS CLIMBING UPWARD. It gives off a sparse, cold impression, but the interior is anything but. Inside the floors are smoother, a carpet in the middle of a lobby, and the walls are decorated with colourful paints and endless rugs and furs. There's seating, a roaring fire in one corner, and lighting set to a cosy mood.

There's stairs that can be taken, but also elevators. The bedrooms are much the same as the lobby, with paints and furs all around - the furs especially covering the beds, along with hand stitched quilts. In the centre is a fire pit, set with heatstones than wood or coal, and extras in a container by a wall with safety instructions of how to move them (with tongs and gloves).

Outside the rest of the grotto can be seen, a mish-mash of layers closer to a labyrinth. There's curtains for privacy, and also a screen to help blot out the sound.

FOOD & SIGHTS.

NOW, THE IRUE GROTTO CAN BE EXPLORED. The grotto is easy to get lost in, with stone stairs and archways doubling as bridges to lead to different levels, but always with something to see. Museums and art galleries fill most of the lower layers down, a few shops between of traditional trinkets and garments for those who come out interested in taking a piece of Osiga back with them. There are also day classes, with candle-making a big one on the first night.

Water runs through constructed streams, small but always in travel. They fall off into small waterfalls, eventually gathering into pools that always ensure drink is around. But there's also drinking spaces around, wall coves where servers mind the drinks, and people gather around on crouched seating. Privacy isn't a big deal in Osiga; visitors welcomed into conversation freely. The drinks favour the strong, spicy and sweet. Their traditional drinks are a fiery whisky and a sweet creamy milk drink flavoured by spices that taste very much like cinnamon and nutmeg. It is strongly alcoholic though there is a non alcoholic version as well. There are other drinks available of course from other planets but visitors are encouraged in a good natured way to try the good stuff.

And let's not forget the food. Most traditional Osigian dishes are spicy yet sweet, fatty, and largely meat. There are also food baskets all over, filled with wrapped snacks free for taking, or to add your own. Never let your neighbour go hungry. What will you find, dipping your hand in: a treat, or a mistake?

SORS PARKS, OPEN SKIES. THE FARTHER FROM THE HOTELS AND STATION VISITORS GO, THE MORE THE SKY BECOMES VISIBLE, AND WITH IT THE FALLING SNOW. Except this isn't snow, and those who venture out will figure this soon enough. There are sors parks up ahead, hard to miss for how they glow a brilliant blue, tall erratic sculptures shaped like an abstract mess. They're cold, even colder than the rest of the grotto, and near every entrance are wooden racks with coats and scarfs hanging from pegs, a bucket of heatstones to stick in pockets.

Keeping company is better than not. Anyone who goes in alone will find the chill uncomfortable to those who have someone else nearby, SCAs working stronger together. Paths somehow stay free from being covered in the icy mess, and every few yards are grit bins with small bags to put the contents in, instructions as to what to do.

And that's to throw them at the sculptures, into the air, and watch as the hardened ice disperses into a fizzle of lights. The sight is considered beautiful, and especially fun for kids and couples.

... ANAN & THE MINISTRY

It's maybe an hour or so after their arrival when a message comes through the comms on their SCA's.

boop beep boop beep / boop boop boop/ boop boop/ beep//
beep beep / boop beep//
beep beep beep boop/ boop boop boop/ beep beep/ boop beep beep / boop / beep boop beep/ beep/ boop beep boop beep/ boop beep boop/ beep/ beep boop beep/ beep beep beep//

"It didn't close the hack. I think your Voidtrecker Express likes me." Anan sounds almost triumphant. "Glad you all came. I'm at the drinking space next to the Irue Museam of Osigan Art."

For those that wish to go and meet her, they can.

... THE WAKING OF NERAN

NIGHT ONE: REMEMBERING. It's hard to tell when 'night' begins when the world is in darkness and there are more hours in the day then they are perhaps used to. But things begin to wind down a little, the art houses and museums close and the day activities are wrapped up.

People begin making their way to the main streets where the parade will go. Some people may have made candles throughout the day but there are also long candles for sale and 'fire' bearers carrying large torches to light the candles. The main lights are all turned off, plunging the streets into darkness lit only by the candles and the faint distant glow of sors.

The parade itself has large lit floats, literally floating above the ground, the lights are in intricate shapes. There are light dancers- people dressed completely in black to blend in to the night, with ribbons of light doing feats of acrobatics to music- instruments and volcaless voices weaving melodies.

After the parade passes by people move to the streams, where their floating candles that can be lit and sent on their way. There are designated areas for the tall candles to be placed- almost shrine like with areas to pray or think or sing- the helpful guides will assist anyone and are very open to the different ways people from various worlds and cultures may wish to remember their dead.

Afterwards people are encouraged to drink, eat, spend time with the living and swap stories of the dead. Dance and sing. It is upbeat, joyous and the tears are meant to be cathartic.

NIGHT TWO: PERSEVERING. After another day of activities- or resting and recovering from the excess of the night before the grotto again is ready in anticipation. The side of the grotto open to the sky is packed with people, ledges and railings packed with people. Even the buildings on this side of the grotto have opened their doors to allow people up on their roofs to watch the firework display.

Sparklers are sold, as are snacks and drinks and a voice comes through speakers throughout the space.

"NERAN! On this night you fight!" The crowd cheers. "Hear our dedication, return to us! For tonight is a night of COURAGE!"

The crowd cheers again and the fireworks begin. Loud and colourful, beautiful shapes, almost like dances in the sky. It's loud and it's busy but the atmosphere is great, throughout the night within the crowd there are marriage proposals, declarations of new jobs, decisions to travel the void. Bravery and courage abound- helped probably by the strong whisky that is flowing freely.

NIGHT THREE: UNITY. The festival continues, though it's a slightly later start on day three for many who are nursing hangovers, having a well earned sleep in preparation for the final night or just frantically trying to remember what declarations they had made the night before.

But the activities are still happening throughout the grotto- though the guides might advise any obvious voidtravellers that they may wish to nap before 'night' time, especially if they are not used to day/night cycles this long. The final night doesn't stop til sunrise after all and no one wants to miss the sun rising!

As the time comes for the party to start every square and every street is packed, music blares through speakers. Traditional Osigan music mixed with styles and music from other planets in the galexy. The traditional Osigan music has many layers, deep bass instruments that seem to make the ground itself rumble.

There is dancing, led by guides and locals. They are big circle dances, loud energetic and done in unity. There are callers who keep everyone in time and remind them of the steps but it is mostly an exercise in organised chaos.

But very fun organised chaos. There's extra chairs and benches set around for people who would rather watch or need a break from the endless swirl of dancers. There's plenty of water in large barrels for people to help themselves and other drinks are available to buy.

The party goes on for hours but eventually the music stops and there is an announcement that they have an hour left until sunrise. People begin moving out to find the best spots to watch. Up high on the cliffs people spread out rugs and blankets and settle, waiting.

The atmosphere is one of anticipation, people passing around drinks and snacks. Then there is a hush, a cry as for the first time in a month the first ray of light streaks across the sky.

Neran has awoken. The sun has returned once more.

OOC NOTES

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"With the intention of getting to know one another," perhaps he should clarify. Offering an alternative that's not up to par seemed pointless.

Though, its not like he has a lot of experience with dates either. Tobirama's been on a few but only a few. He's experienced a romantic love before, too, its just... far more rare, and fades when things that he can't provide are expected. In his time, starting a family was priority. None of this matters right now. Point is, such discoveries of one another can be done in this scenario just as well (if not better in his opinion) as it can in some dinner for two. This aside, whose to say they wont find that along the way?

"This train and its situation suits you well, I imagine." They're already getting to know one another, see. You'll have to excuse him. He's a traditional man, sure, but he's also a little unorthodox. A nice little contradiction. Nevertheless, he'll flick his gaze up to the other. "Tonight? In an hour, if this suits you."

Is he going on a real date? What is happening here? He's wondering at the situation in the most genuine of confusion. There's a faint, ragged noise in the back of his throat, just one of those sounds someone makes when they're trying to navigate a social situation.

"Well... I got a lotta issues with the train. But goin' places ain't one. We don't get a whole lot of crisis-free stops though. An hour? Yeah... yeah I can do an hour. I'll see ya then."

He slips out then, letting a truly perplexed look pass over his face as soon as he's out of sight, because 'yes' hadn't been an answer he expected even when he had proposed the deal. He'd been placing himself on the chopping block. But he is not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He's just going to go back to his room, and get in a state where he's less fumbling over himself mentally and smelling less like a man that drank a lot before and ate fried foods all day.

Edited 2021-12-25 09:32 (UTC)

He'd be lying if he claimed that this moment of throat clearing and readjusting thoughts didn't amuse him. His head tilted a little to observe the man for some time. Listens to the words and how quickly the man made his exit afterwards with something of a belated snort once Yondu is gone.

And so, exactly five minutes before the hour mark, Tobirama shows up at Yondu's door. He wears, more or less, the same coat he had found before. Hat, mitts, and so forth. Knocking on the old wood and waiting, quietly.

Yondu at least had time to gather his thoughts but not his wits, entirely, and as he scrubbed off any sign of questionable smells on him he was trying to work out exactly how a date should go. And then he decided, fuck it, he'd just spend time with him and have a look around like usual whether that was the right or wrong way to do it will rear its head at some point.

"I'm comin'!" He hollers. By the time Tobirama shows up he's dressed exactly the same but smelling more like hotel soap (nothing extra because his own nose can't handle being overwhelmed with fake smells). He doesn't sweat in the same way humans do so it's always over an Earthy sort of scent. Whether or not he's let it progress to old peat moss is the issue.

He's got on his new gloves, the ones that match his coat and with a fleece-like trim that matches the lining of his collar, though that's grayed considerably from wear, even if this coat is technically only six months old. He didn't bother putting his flight harness back on, though. He just left the few straps of leather on the bed 'cause better judgment took over and even if it's a habitual add, he doesn't really need it. He doubts a ship worth stealing will magically appear or a dogfight will break out overhead. "Alright, I'm good. Where were you thinkin' of checkin' out?"

They're basically from feudal times, Yondu. It's not like Tobirama doesn't know stink. Gods, you want to talk about stench? The armor could kill someone. Wash in the river until more advanced technology was made. Which had crossed his mind but talking about creating the infrastructure of a village is probably boring to most.

A nod as the other man came into view. Low hum, slowly turning to move while they speak, "I don't think I'm interested in a destination." Eyes glance over at the other man. "When you want to know people and culture, you simply need to experience it." So let their feet take them wherever it does. "Unless you have a preference."

It is a curse that when no one else stinks you start to notice you stink. So he's made an effort. And he might be hoping that he gets a full three shoulder pats in the span of two days if he plays his cards right. Living in luxury and being utterly spoiled.

"Actually, I got one spot I was eyeballin'. I wanted to check it out if I can weasel my way up there. But I'm game for anything."

He's talking to a ninja. He won't offend him by suggesting they slip off to somewhere where they maybe shouldn't. Honestly he doesn't guess they'd get more than a tourist scolding, but he knows a place with a good view of the lights and the sky. He had done a decent amount of snooping around before.

"I also saw some tourist booths along one of the walkways. Like a line of those tent-style things? I was meanin' to go back there 'cause they had this books bound in some kinda leathery shit- I think skin from whatever the blubber stuff comes from? -anyway, it had nice sturdy paper an' tabs an' a ledger section an' I wanted to grab one." Not that they have a lot of money to spend and the roster keeps them updated, but he has purchases to keep track of on top of his other information.

You are talking to a ninja, which means going places they shouldn't is actually entirely appropriate but perhaps the end of the night. He has some observing to do. Then again, if such a suggestion was the first thing that came to mind it did tell him something about the man. Thoughts that milled in Tobirama's mind as they opened the front door and braced the cold. Fingers hitch the fur collar up closer and exhales.

"A budgeting book is not what I imagined to pique your interest," he muses aloud, feet heading in such a direction. "For what, though? Indulge me." Eyes catch the sidelines of the Centaurian. Tone a little cheeky, "have yourself a side business in the train, do you?"

"I ran the business end of our outfit an' cut all the deals. I ain't the best at average peaceful negotiation but I was always good at bargaining. It's more a train thing." He marks shit off on his fingers. "So right now seems like we're paid arbitrarily. No one knows why we get the credit we get. But the fixed quantities in the shop ain't affected by scarcity. I can get somethin' crazy rare and expensive for the same price I could get somethin' generic an' mass-produced, unless it's a weapon. That's why I invested in gettin' machines we could use to turn raw materials into ammunition."

But he realizes, maybe, this isn't the best topic of conversation for a date. But then again, it explains something about him. "It's a habit. When I stopped just doin' whatever job came my way I started stretchin' the money where I could."

That and he legitimately enjoys it. It always took more work than anyone would ever give him credit for. Peter just not believing that 'making a few calls' couldn't actually be him working his ass off for hours trying to pull some clout with his reputation and still get decent work.

"Honestly I don't even know where the money for this place comes from. As far as I know that train's pullin' a heist an' we're makin' out like bandits an' don't even know it. But I gave my current records away to Anan so... need a new book." He shrugs, huffing dragon breath out into the cold air, though not reacting much to the shift in temperatures. Though later he'll still appreciate getting his hands around a warm drink of some kind.

Edited 2021-12-30 03:37 (UTC)

Now this intrigues him. A business man. Tobirama hums, eyes watching the crowd, observing their mannerisms, keeping Yondu in his peripherals. "Bargaining is an important part of business nonetheless," he mentions, more than happy to actually talk about this.

Maybe neither of them were good at the whole average date thing or maybe it actually didn't matter what was or wasn't suppose to be a date. He certainly didn't care about whatever 'ideal date' people thought was the proper way of doing things but he's never been someone who liked being told how and what he should do any particular thing. Besides, anyone who knew him would certainly be unsurprised that topics like this interest the man.

"I had noticed this and wondered if the train itself just lacks an understanding of supply and demand," he crosses his arms, but then again everyone's economy is structured differently he would suppose. "If its pulling from different worlds without knowledge of their worlds a baseline of "category x is y amount of money" might be based on shape or use rather than rarity.

He can't properly say, though, being he's new to the train. "You trust Anan," its more statement than question but he's open to being challenged on it. "Why give her such information, though?"

"Bargaining was more a part of business than peace. Quite a few folks would withhold very important information if I didn't get a little pushy." He starts generally leading him towards where he'd seen the strip of street vendors. Usually his preference anyway, 'cause he could dig gold out of secondhand items more often than not. It's where he'd gotten most of his gifts, from small corner stores and ramshackle stands.

Not that he had a lot of people to give them to. He has more now.

"I figure its 'cause she has some kind of ability to form the matter herself so she essentially sells us convincing duplicates. Which takes some of the fun out of it, sure, but also makes it real easy to come across crucial components ya might otherwise lack. I ain't sure but right now the shit that we buy, whether or not it's real, does basically the same as the genuine article. I got my buddy some additions to his armor that'd let him press a button an' it'd form around him instead of havin' to manually armor up. It's expensive as shit back home, but here? It's a steal."

It makes as much sense as anything else. "Don't know why she is so strange on what she pays people. My best guess was that she had some way of seein' how hard you engaged on missions, maybe through the SCA, an' her pay'd reflect that with a monthly standard."

But Anan, though? "When we was on Diagad, she was the person I called for help an' her and the other void scouts showed. She been good about bein' an ally, an' a pretty good friend, so I try to keep the relationship mutually beneficial." So he wants to trust her, but is suspicious enough that he also sees the need to maintain some sense of usefulness, equal contributors to an effort to the best of his ability. He should actually ask a suitable real date question though. "What kinda food you prefer? Seafood? Red meat? Vegetables?" So he can help look out for places to possibly stop, if Tobirama's not eaten in a while.

"Peace is never part of the business, any business I'd say. Its a goal of some businesses." You can't obtain peace by being peaceful. Not in a society, at least. Pick and choose your company or live in isolation, sure. Peace is complex. A state of existence that meant many things to many people. "This beside, those who give freely have much taken from them."

Some exceptions apply, but some people just... have that way about them. Tobirama is... not one of those people. He's guarded. Skeptical. Always watching. Even when calm seeming he's ever on alert. Ready to move. Hiding in the shadows. More interested in pulling information from others than giving any in return. Crumbs to keep someone satisfied just enough to build trust.

"You call the train a she," he points out, curious about it. He never particularly gave it a gender. Did it have one? It seemed to have some kind of conscious about it. Whether artificial or not. Though speaking of artificial... if their bodies here are technically not exactly real then it would follow that nothing they obtain from the train is exactly 'real' either. As for the explanation with Anan? A hm and something of a smile came to his lips. Though he says nothing of his observation.

"I enjoy seafood, vegetables Though I don't mind exploring first."

"Yeah, that's real true. Sure you gotta find a balance in that give an' take but I seen a lotta people get taken advantage of. It's how the Kree kept gettin' a leg up on the Xandarians for so long. Xandarians are kind folk, even with their Nova Corp bein' well trained. Kree just... think they own everything."

When they reach the line of stalls he slowls to a crawl. He's nowhere near the one he mentioned before when he sees some scarfs, and even in the outside chill pays for a simple silk one. He lifts his chin to undo the one tied around his throat, slipping it loose. It's not evident until its off that there's blood stains on it, ones, even cleaned, obviously don't match whatever darkness is in his veins. They came from someone else.

The new scarf is tucked around his neck as he speaks, scruffy chin lifted as he does so.

"Welp, she's got a female presentin' voice, an' she's not said otherwise. But that's cause I don't wanna call her an 'it' if she's thinkin'. If she corrects me that's fine, but I had a teammate that was a robot an' she woulda ripped us a superfluous asshole if we downgraded her to just an item of some kind. An' that was even after she lost her body an' we had to haul her damn head around like a briefcase."

But he smiles to himself, though. Like he's remembering fonder days, even through the troubles that came later. He's thinking of some of the best years of his life, of people that he loved the most, even as he'd hold Mainframe's head in his lap and they'd lightly sass each other. He knows what he sees as a "team" now isn't truly a team. They're just people he likes that he can fight beside. But it's the closest to that sense of belonging he's had in a long time.

It's a brief reverie and he folds the older silk up to put away in his pocket. He doesn't know what that thoughtful grunt meant, but he figures just working things out all the time is just Tobirama's way.

It is his way. That, and he wasn't one to waste words. Which did often make him seem arrogant to some, or holier-than-thou, but Tobirama saw no point in speaking unless there was a worthwhile thing to speak; something he knew about to talk about. It was a rare day that his casual chatter was actually casual.

They stop, he observes the offerings, the choice Yondu makes, the stains on his garment. Making notes, as always. His eyes sweep from the other man, the stands, the people. An exhale.

"Someone mentioned a similar perspective," he recalls the conversation, took some time to think about it but ended the conversation true to... him. Still, he doesn't come from technology. Tobirama figures there's a formula to them but perhaps they're more complicated and more like them than he has given credit. Those thoughts slide away as Yondu speaks more. "I have little experience with these things," he confesses, if it wasn't painfully obvious.

"Tell me about your team."

"Nah, it's alright. I mean... I could give you a long ass explanation to my way of thinkin' there but I don't know if it'd help all that much."

But he does look like for a moment he considered it. Instead he fumbles with straightening the collar of his jacket he wears under his overcoat.

"Well, I told ya about Stakar. He had... I dunno. Always seemed like he new a lot more than he let on, all the time. He had photonic powers an' wore these light sails on his shoulders to challenge 'em. His wife was this buckwild woman named Aletta. Real warrior woman. Then there was Mainframe who was a robot. And this hard... like... golem? Crystal man named Martinex. An eight foot Jovian named Charlie and this fishsnake lookin' man named Krugarr. Talked telepathically 'cause he didn't have a mouth."

And he realizes all of this might be really bizarre to envision. So instead he goes for a more understandable bit. Just a little story of a very average interaction. "I used to bug the shit out of Charlie for bein' so tall, then one day when I was givin' 'im shit over puttin' somethin' up too high he grabbed me and picked me up so I could reach it and I made some sounds I'm sure no species had ever made. So I stopped givin' 'im shit after that."

He grins like he doesn't really regret that it happened though. "We worked well together an' up until I messed up we got along in the best and worst ways. I didn't just get kicked out, they all refused to work together on jobs no more." He doesn't know why. Maybe doing anything reminded them of what he'd done, and they couldn't get the same enjoyment out of each other anymore.

He's coming to see that Yondu is quite the nostalgic man. Plenty of tales from the days of yore; the times before it all changed. The challenges one faces when mistakes are made and particularly large ones at that. Yet its nice to see the memories have not turned sour. They remain deeply influential in the man's life and heart and finds himself entertained by the descriptions and scenario being shared. (It's still bizarre, but he's quickly become used to bizarre)

"They respected you," is the conclusion he comes to. "If one member of a team departs the team is not the same." Hold on, he spots something -- somethings. Stopping by a market stand. A bag, and quite some impressive amounts of what simply looked like paper. Oh-- pen, ink. He'll take that, too.

"I would, too, disband rather than continue forward. Find a different pathing and honor the time that we had."

"I figure they felt guilty, too. I showed up without much of a moral compass an' just had their rules to go by. They had to teach me everything about bein' a person instead of a thing."

He's a person now because they made him one. And considering he fights with what he keeps in his heart, that sentiment is fuel for him. He stops and watches Tobirama pick out paper.

He picks up a piece and sniffs it, which may look strange to someone else, but he's making a wild guess as to what it's made out of.

"Did you mostly go it alone or did your brother'n you ever have that kinda thing together?"

He couldn't imagine what that would be like to be so broken that you lose sense of how to be a person; to be stripped so bare. He's seen it, though. In those that were damaged beyond repair after Root was shut down. Some recovered, others... did not.

A brow rose as Yondu sniffed at the paper. Might as well be Inuzuka, though surely this man had seen paper before all things considering. Given he wrote frequent enough. Still, he'll make the tease knowing full well it wasn't, "first time seeing paper?"

Tobirama paid for the items, storing them away in a pouch he also chose to pick up along the way. A breath was inhaled at the mention of his brother just as they were moving on to another booth, "it is hard to explain," he began, "if he hurt, I bled. We both had our roles to play but bickering aside we worked together in a way I've never felt since."

Yondu was, fortunately, not the first slave to become a Ravager. The Ravagers were so full of damaged people that Stakar had known what to do. But that's why being rejected by him left him with a whole new brand of damage to replace the first.

"I can smell what kinda plant it was made out of. I'm cursed with a good nose and blessed with good eyesight an' occasionally vice versa." And it never struck him for an instant that it might be weird. But he puts the topic aside for Tobirama speaking about his brother.

"People underestimate how useful a little bickerin' can be. Every once in a while you need someone to put you in your place if you trust 'em enough to have a spat and still eat at the same table with 'em." But it is hard, not feeling that... well, working on something alone is definitely not working alongside someone that can just anticipate your every move. It is a lot like what he had with his team.

But also, it's more like what he had with his son. Which he's known for a while but also not really taken the time to consider. He and Peter worked like a well-oiled machine, even if they hollered at each other half the time. Though here, it seems like there's more to it. That there might have been a reason that Mito was side-eyeing the hell out of Tobirama and reserved some pretty harsh judgment for him, even if it was subconscious, and that maybe Tobirama never needed a political marriage because as far as he was concerned he already had a commitment to more than just the dream.

It'd make sense to make people talk. But you know what? None of that's ever getting said. It's a helluva judgment to pass and if it's true then what does it say that he doesn't even care that much about it, outside of knowing a couple of people that likely lived with a lot of hurt? So he wanders somewhere safer with his words.

"Since I'm obliged to compliment ya I'll say I bet you were the better bureaucrat out of the two of ya."

Edited 2022-01-15 08:50 (UTC)

"Don't keep me in suspense then." It wasn't an important detail, probably, but Tobirama was ever curious and more than that he liked to see people's abilities in action even if they were just natural states of being for them. This aside, in typical Tobirama fashion he'd rather near about other people than speak of himself.

"Do they?" He muses, "bickering is often the primary mode of communication not just among my brother and I." When it came to putting one another in their place, though. Oh... they did a lot of that. They balanced one another. It wasn't always easy, with how opposite from each other they could be, but respect and honor was always present. Though its best not to make assumptions, or ask if you're truly curious -- their relationship wasn't anything like that.

He was... prepared to say something further but the last comment took it from him. Lips clamped tight. "You're obliged, are you?" He tips his head as they continue to weave through the crowd. A sigh, his eyes looked forward than out toward the people, "some disagree." He pauses, "my infrastructure and law made Konoha flourish, established it as a primary power, but was that what was necessary? Looking at Naruto now, the Hokage now, I wonder how we would have faired with Hashirama's kindness instead."

"The paper? Right. Somethin' low on green- makes sense considerin' the length of night. Originally had a rough woody pulp, so nothin' that grows real fast." Just an idle, useless observation.

Relationships are hard to judge when you come from a life where you've never been able to count on anyone. Tobirama's brand of intense loyalty feels utterly unfathomable to him, because in his world and experience no one is like that. It's striking. But maybe that's the difference a presence of love could make.

"Maybe," he doesn't argue with it. "Maybe not. Maybe kindness woulda meant someone found a way to fuck ya over easy. Hard to judge when your in charge of people what learned to kill first and ask questions later." Like he was. But rather than let him get too far gone in thought, he puts his hand on the strap of his bag to slow him down, not touching him directly but going about it in a sideways manner.

And he points up at the high roof of an old building, one that wasn't in the best shape, and one that would have a good view of the second day's festivities. "That's where I'm wantin' to go, by the way. I had been intendin' to get up there alone but if I got a chance for company..."

It's all blocked off and locked up, probably something they'll demolish later, but he doesn't care.

"I think that's what you're supposed to do."

That ability was a lot like his own sensing though in a different way. Very precise details. "This is part due to your connection with nature?"

It's a love, he thinks, that most don't share. He'd never truly been asked about it before Orochimaru released them from the Shinigami's belly but his gripes with the Uchiha aside, Tobirama understood them on a deeper level than most if not everyone knew. He knew that kind of love, the kind that most did not, the kind that you would give your every breath for. The type of love that was common among people, visual attraction, sexual attraction, average enjoyment often for a fleeting amount of time -- he didn't place judgement on it, but it wasn't something he understood.

"That was my thinking," he paused, "but my time, my methods, my structure is old and outdated. No longer necessary." He's not upset about it, he really isn't, and working with the newer generation has been enlightening. A gift. But his thoughts are cut off by the building Yondu pointed to.

"A good thing you have company," he speaks, "its guarded. I surmise to keep people like you out of dangers way." Though that said, Tobirama doesn't really seem to be stopping the other man. Or himself for that matter.

"Yeah. Though my fin and eyes have been more reliable in a fight. Smell's just... I dunno. A comfort or discomfort thing. Another way to take in a new place or new people. No judgin' in it. Makes little differences matter. A weird one is you kinda smell like wet forest soil and a touch of sulfur under all the normal smells. But I figure that's from however ya came back." He remembers Tobirama having mentioned he was dead at one time. It was a reasonable assumption to make.

Yondu at least knows the difference in love and pleasure. And while he'd adore to be able to one day combine the two, and frequently used paying for the latter as a way to fill the void for the former temporarily, he is aware of the differences. Each type of love, familial, friendly, romantic, as excruciating and sharp as the last in its absence.

But that story is told, at least, and Tobirama's been dutifuly warned. The former hokage knows he's an idiot, but the utter ineptitude in this case is through sheer lack of sustenance more than intelligence.

All of that aside, as he described that scent before he's been watching the building. "Well they shouldn't make a day about bein' brave if they wanted to keep people outa danger." He lets go of the strap to his bag then. "Alright well, I need to get the thing, an' then we go get food, an' then we go have a picnic with a view."

Sulfur was an interesting mix but fire was the ignition to life a lot of the time. He can't say he understands how he'd come back without some form of jutsu, though. This is what troubles him. So was there something larger at work?

"Mm," a beat, "our village was temperate in weather and plentiful in trees; wet soil makes sense -- my chakra is most attuned with water." He stops, now quite sure what 'the thing' was but having no real quarrel about either. However he must say, "a picnic atop an abandoned building. You're a strange man, Yondu Udonta."

"I get that from time to time." Normally it would have him wandering off by himself. In fact if he'd left that conversation earlier with Tobirama he probably would have still gone out there on his own with meal, sat up there in an area masked by shadow and watched the fireworks trying to convince himself to not be miserable and failing.

The "thing" was the journal, and it's leather-bound in colors that match the purple in his underjacket, with a tree scorched into the front of the book. Something quite similar to the Tree of Life, but to him it's a reminder of his new abilities and that he needs to keep up with them. Either way he gets that, and more food of the local variety because even if he'd taken the initiative to not smell like he ate a bunch earlier he figures why the fuck not, it's not like Tobirama will care. His part bound up in a little wooden lunchbox to keep it warm.

As he'd been promised there are guards, but they're not the type of guards that guard anything valuable, they're the type of guards that 'didn't want to be here tonight' and are standing around talking about the tourist activity. They don't even really need much of a distraction, though Yondu absolutely did pickpocket someone nearby and leave the wallet on a walkway where one of the bored lot would be able to see it.

Cue guy yelling about where the hell his ID went, a fresh-faced guard trying to hell down from an overhang, "It's there! It's over there! Not that left, your other left!" and making a whole shitload of noise which works out better than planned to cover the faint clattering of an old grate being moved. Then once a hidden route up is exposed, its his turn to do the careful observing, taking in the silent climbing skills and noting in the back of his mind how it's no fucking wonder humans evolved from little tree-dwelling scamblers.

Its the simple things, but the use of distraction and deception is such an incredibly important tool that so often goes uncredited. There's always going to be someone who is stronger, faster, better. If you deceive them well this strength does not matter. Not that this was what was happening at the time but you know...

While Yondu played his tricks to distract the guards who clearly did not want to be there in the first place, Tobirama seemed to walk right through them. Not literally, of course, but with the speed that the Niidaime had it was nearly impossible to detect. Light on his feet, barely a blip in someone's view. All the way to a passage closer to where the Centaurian could get.

Up the building he went. It seemed, he didn't particularly need to hold on or grapple. No, Tobirama just ran all the way up the damn building. Though with decreased speed given his chakra was now being spent more on keeping on the surface he was climbing. Up he'd hoisted himself, standing at the edge and looking down to where Yondu had nearly finished as well. An amused look on his face.

"You enjoy using distraction, I gather." A hand reaches out. "It seems natural to you."

The Waking of Neran

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And timejump

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fixing some shit 'cause I'm like that

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Keep editing shit just ignore me

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