Matsuri

Iquenos: In Nomine Domini

Isn't there only one Terra character?

@Lemons

Not sure if there are any other applicants for a Terra character (aside from the first applicant), but I'm currently in the proccess of making one myself :)

a character dump

Clara

C L A R A R O B L E S

“No matter what happens, I'll always protect you.”

N A M E

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Clara Robles

A G E

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29

O R I G I N

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V I S A G E

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Both hollow in visage and gaunt in frame, the past thirteen years have drained much of Clara's vitality. The lustre of her deep copper skin has dulled, its texture roughened over years spent on the road. Coarse waves of deep brown hair fall just below her mid back, held in place by an old kerchief wrapped over her head. The rest of her figure is concealed by a tattered, moss-coloured mantle, her brown kirtle and faded green overdress just barely visible underneath. The robes are held in place by a tasselled shawl around her waist, which can serve as an extra layer for Clara during the colder months.

In spite of her rather haggard appearance, Clara's soft smile and gentle gaze barely hint at the misfortunes that have since plagued her life. In fact, it seems her expressions rarely see much variation beyond that, almost always fixed in some sort of calm, placid smile. However, there is a common saying that the eyes are windows to the soul, and as proficient as Clara is in maintaining a cheerful face, there's no hiding the melancholy that clouds her eyes the moment she believes she's alone.

P E R S O N A L I T Y T R A I T S

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A charming and easy-going woman on the outset, many would consider the mild-mannered Clara as good company. Offering a warm smile or a courteous nod to whomever may look her way, her presence can be a calming, and even comforting one, herself rarely perturbed by the eccentricities of her surroundings. Years of wandering across towns, cities and everything in between has both mellowed Clara's temperament and sharpened her wit; coupled with her age and the wisdom accumulated over her travels, she comes across as a person that can be easily depended on. Like a pillar of support for those more vulnerable to the world and its adversities.

Yet such a convincing facade and her habitual insistence that she's all well and fine can only do so much to hide the insecurities buried beneath. Always vague with her words and subtle in her deflections, Clara politely keeps everyone at arms length, her kind gestures and pleasantries built like a shield to conceal the self-loathing hidden within her heart. A cheerful distraction from the burdens she's carried since the day she fled her home, and one she strives to maintain lest she succumbs to the grief she's spent years trying to ignore.

But though the world has not been kind to her, it would be wrong to assume that Clara's compassion is all an act. However much she tries to hide it, however much she tries to keep her distance, a part of her simply cannot help but worry and care for others. Even if it's from afar, Clara will always put others before herself, regardless of the consequences that may befall her in the aftermath.

L I F E E X P E R I E N C E S

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The day Clara's mother rose up against the Status Eccelsiae was the day that set in motion the direction of Clara's entire life. Once a semi-prominent mage and a descendant of the tribes of old, Valeria Salvius and her guild of scholars and archivists came under conquest from the inquisitors after their refusal to embrace the new order. Rallying a number of influential guilds in the city-state, Valeria soon found herself at the head of the rebellion; a shortlived, but violent rebellion, one that resulted in her near death and the deaths of those she'd cherished most.

Narrowly escaping in the chaos to her lover's home on the outskirts, Valeria assumed the identity of a scholar's daughter who'd lost her home in the recent conflict. After some time settling into a new life working in the man's humble apothecary, she'd soon marry and start a new family of her own. But Valeria, now posing as Rosina Sentiero, would never truly recover from all the things she'd seen and done all those years ago.

As Valeria's firstborn, Clara's childhood was one without the luxury of quiet moments. As the eldest out of four children and with her mother's health steadily declining, many responsibilities were thrust upon her from an early age. Keeping her rowdy brothers out of trouble was one of Clara's regular grievances, and even as they matured with age there was rarely a day gone by without Clara having to yell some sense into one or all of them at least once. A chaotic undertaking indeed, but a duty she was willing to fulfill to protect her siblings.

But everything would change on one outing to the local forest, a place she frequented alongside her father to gather medicinal plants. A wild boar had wandered too close to where the forest met the town, and it was during its vicious attack against the pair that Clara's fear manifested into tree roots, shooting through the boar's underside. However frightened she'd been before the magic had activated was nothing compared to the dread she felt realising it was her own. Clara had always been surrounded by the animosity the older townsfolk held for magic and magi, and now it appeared that she was one of them.

Only her parents were privy to what happened that fateful day, and Clara's mother didn't know what to make of it at first. Was it a sign of something greater, or a foretelling of worse things to come? Whatever would happen, Valeria's only option was to train her daughter so that such an instance wouldn't happen again, and to keep their true identities a secret. Yet a small part of her saw it as a blessing, a sign that her lineage could continue, an opportunity to restore what she had lost. For Clara, it was a curse, the burden of secrecy gradually estranging her from many of her childhood friends.

But it was a secret well kept for the rest of her adolescence, however much it pained Clara to keep her closest friends and own siblings at a distance. She'd also learned much about her family's history during those years; they were the last descendants of a mystical forest warden from the age of tribes, whose tales of their many battles against fearsome beasts had been carried by the songs of their successors. Tales and histories and centuries-old artefacts now lost to time, lost to the fire that reduced Valeria's old guild to ash. Things Clara could tell no one, lest her family meet the same fate.

And though she uttered not even a whisper of her ancient lineage to anyone, Clara's worst fears would later become a reality. She was on the cusp of adulthood now, brimming with hope as she strove to follow in her father's footsteps as a doctor. Hope that was torn away from her the evening inquisitors came knocking on her door, the sizeable contingent sent to crush the last remnant of the old rebellion — Clara's mother.

But it was her father who fought back first, to protect his wife and to protect his children. Thus, he was the first one to die, an accidental and unnecessary casuality that stunned the inquisitors outside the home into silence. The ensuing chaos amongst them was then cut short as Clara, in her blind terror and rage, decimated the immediate area with an eruption of her magic. A new and unexpected threat in addition to the one the inquisitors came for.

Though it pains her mind to make a full picture of what happened that night, the rest of her body remembers: the wailings of injured inquisitors and the smell of smoke penetrating the air. The sting of a bullet cutting across her skin, and the sounds of her brothers' footsteps fading into the gunfire. Her mother's whispers of forbidden ancient magic and the sound of roots erupting from flesh, the last Clara ever saw of her mother as her new form strangled the life out of the contingent. The hammering of her heart as Clara retreated into the forest, now ever clearer as the trees swallowed up the distant screams. And the abyssal emptiness that emerged in her gut when she realised that she was all alone.

And that's all Clara's been doing since then, now a woman just short of thirty, alone and on the run. And not just from the inquisitors set on catching the daughter of a revolutionary, but from the very heritage her mother had treasured so dearly, from all the rage and disgust and condemnation towards herself and the Eccelsiae. How else was she supposed to move on otherwise? Now little remains of it under the reserved persona of Clara Robles, her troubled past and true name buried beneath an identity forged from fear.

E L E M E N T A L A F F I N I T Y

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Terra

A T T R I B U T E S

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Prodigium Magium - Sanguis Arboris

A brand of ancient magic that only emerges every other generation, Sanguis Arboris allows Clara to produce tree roots as tough as steel from either the ground or from her own skin. Unbreakable through physical means, they are only capable of being damaged by another person's magic. The durability of the roots, as well as how much can be generated at a given time, depends on three things: the amount of ether Clara uses to perform the spell, the experience she's accumulated through regular training and usage, and the strength of her own resolve.

Furentem Arborem - By channeling her ether through the ground, Clara can summon tree roots to either bind or pierce her opponent. These roots can vary in size depending on its usage and Clara's ether output.

Amplexam Arborem - A defensive alternative of the previous spell, the roots sprout from the earth to form a shield around Clara. The roots can either form a partial dome or a fully enclosed barrier depending on what the situation calls for.

Obstinatam Arborem - Small tree roots emerge from Clara's skin, either to form a protective layer around parts of her body or to temporarily seal wounds inflicted upon her.

Flentem Arborem - With a wave of her hand, Clara can manifest a whirling mass of leaves in the air. Though it's a physically harmless spell, it serves as an effective distraction and deterrent from incoming attackers, and will follow whichever direction Clara's arm directs it.

Healing - Once the next in line to inherit her family's apothecary as well as her father's position as a local doctor, Clara's knowledge surrounding anatomy, medicinal plants, and other general healing practices extend further than the average person. Although she was never able to pursue a higher education as her father had done in his late teens, Clara's spent more than a decade developing her practice amongst the lower rungs of society, able to work around many of the limitations that come with a wanderer's lifestyle. As a result, she can be very resourceful and composed even under high stress, or at the very least has gotten much better at hiding any semblance of anxiety she may feel in the moment. Her most essential medicines and tools are kept on the many pouches and jars that line the belt on her waist, with her heftier supplies kept safe inside her leather satchel.

Foraging - Clara's knowledge and usage of wild plants and flora extend beyond purely medicinal, often foraging for wild nuts, berries and mushrooms whenever she finds herself in a forested area. They make for especially useful provisions during her longer journeys between populated settlements.

Crafting - Clara is adept at a number of domestic handicrafts such as sewing and embroidery, but is particularly skilled at wood carving, a pastime learned from her deceased mother. Although it is rare to find time for such leisurely activities, Clara likes to spend those short instances whittling small pieces of wood into decorative sculptures and figurines. She even keeps such an ornament hidden beneath her robes, hung by a black string around her neck. An heirloom of sorts, and perhaps the only physical remnant of Clara's mother and her heritage.

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“I will find my people, and I will take back my name.”

N A M E

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Clara Robles

A G E

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25

O R I G I N

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Within the state of Thlecia

V I S A G E

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Clara is a gaunt young woman of 5'9, with a dark complexion that has been well acquainted with sunlight. Her shoulders are very slender and broad, and she often carries herself with a relaxed posture. Clara's long face has always looked quite skinny, and even more so now that daily meals aren't as frequent as she'd like. Her sharp brown eyes have a keen shimmer to them, but also a warmth that feels welcoming and friendly. Strong sunny days keeps Clara's hair under her striped shawl, otherwise it's worn over her shoulders.

P E R S O N A L I T Y T R A I T S

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It's easy to find comfort in the presence of the easygoing Clara, whose charisma and charm allows her to befriend most people without much effort. While age and experience has since mellowed the woman, there are still remnants of the once intrepid teenager within her, evident in the glint of youthful curiosity in her cheerful eyes. Though generally popular in social gatherings, Clara's daring wit can be her downfall when she spices up a conversation to limits that are best left untouched. Cheeky sarcasm and occasional mischief have pulled her into some bad situations, and it seems to be the one thing she can never learn to control.

But Clara believes that she is able to keep her innermost feelings and instincts under control, trying to keep the recklessness and trauma of her adolescence buried deep within. Behind a headstrong facade is a paranoid and uneasy woman who's ready to abandon, deceive and distrust. While quick to make acquaintances, Clara keeps no one close, with the face of a civilian, an Inquisitor or a magi being no different from each other. It pains her that the scars of her past has made her this way, and she detests the Status Eccelsiae for it. However, there are moments were Clara cracks and her true self begins to unveil, even if she's quick to fix up and keep herself calm and her composure strong.

Yet Clara has hope that she will live long enough to see the day she's freed from the Eccelsiae's oppressive grip. But she knows that the path to freedom is a dangerous one, and is no stranger to fighting for her life when things get serious. She knows that if she has the spirit and determination to achieve her goals, one day she will live again.

L I F E E X P E R I E N C E S

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Clara's childhood was one without the luxury of quiet moments. Growing up in a family of eight who lived in a poor but cosy cottage in a small town on Thlecia's outskirts, Clara's limited living space was a chaotic one. But as exuberant as her family was, with her three younger brothers and two younger sisters, and a mother and father who's witty tongues could cut through stone, she always appreciated how this liveliness brought her family together.

But at an early age, Clara (and soon her siblings) would come to learn that their family heritage was not so simple, a truth forced into secrecy from fear under the Status Eccelsiae's influence. Through her mother, Clara was a descendant of the Rubruna people, a group of once prominent magi tribes that had began to dwindle over its thousand year existence. Fearing the remaining families would be exterminated as many groups of magi like them had, most families emigrated as far as they could out of Thlecia, though Clara's clearly hadn't gotten very far. Names were changed and the remaining Rubruna agreed to keep quiet to ensure the safety and protection of the later generations.

But whether it was reckless pride or the purpose of preserving their rich history and culture, Clara would later be be taught how to use her magical Terra abilities. It was her family's way – perhaps, the way of other lost Rubruna also – of not letting themselves be completely silenced in the face of unjust rulers. Clara dreamt of the day where things would change, where she could be alongside distant relatives, and express the beauty her magic had to offer without fear.

She lived a double life, keeping her lineage and training a secret. But with her parents usually busy with work, these times were rare. Perhaps one or two nights a month would be devoted to either practising magic in the faraway desert cliffs or a long history lesson in the comfort of her blanket. But these vital moments were so infrequent that Clara could still maintain her friendships and socialise without much care, and so she retained her usual childish antics. Many years passed, and Clara lived out an unassuming life; she looked after her siblings, worked with her parents, got into all sorts of trouble an even fell in love along the way. This was how Clara thought she'd live for the rest of her life.

But somewhere further down the line, someone made a mistake. There had been a slip up somewhere, somehow, but that wasn't on Clara's mind when Inquisitors came to her town to confront her family. Her parents knew immediately why they were here and that inprisonment wasn't the only thing in store for all of them. Running away and going into hiding was their only option, but they had trained themselves for situations like this.

Still, they got separated. In their chase across the desert the Inquisitors had quickly caught up, and after escaping the magical bombardments in a blind panic, Clara never saw her family again. Suddenly alone in the wild to roam at just seventeen, she saw no other choice but to flee Thlecia for good, with only a handwoven bag, three sets of clothes, a pouch of food and a sheepskin water bottle to last her a week. Little did she know she would be wandering the lands of Iquenos for many years to come, discarding some of her morals in order to fend for herself and even her own name to hide from the Eccelsiae.

It's been a difficult eight years since that night. Clara has experienced starvation, slept in the wilderness, contracted fatal illnesses and been chased out of towns for petty theft. Efforts to find her family while surviving on so little drained the hope out of Clara with each passing year, and soon she thought of just giving up her near decade long search altogether. But recent events have since motivated her to start her search again, fuelling her with the determination to find her family and the tribe that was lost many years ago. One day she will find her people, and take back the name the Status Eccelsiae had stolen.

E L E M E N T A L A F F I N I T Y

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Terra

A T T R I B U T E S

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Prodigium Magium: Praesidium Terrae - Protection of the Earth
Praesidium Terrae is the Rubruna people's ability to conjure a lightweight, brilliant scarlet coloured crystal that can be used for a variety of purposes. Unbreakable through physical means, varying magic spells are the only thing capable of destroying it. Its durability is dependent on the amount of ether the magi uses to generate the crystal, as well as the type of Praesidium Terrae spell used. The capabilities of each spell is determined by the magi's experience and devotion to regular training.

Out of the six main spells of her tribe's Prodigium Magium, Clara was only able to learn three before losing contact with a Rubruna mentor; Florentes Gemmae, Loricatorum Vallis, and Vernantium Flosculorum, which all have their own unique functions. Although Praesidium Terrae spells can be used without the reliance of ether from the earth beneath, its true potential strength can really only be accessed through the absorption of that type of ether specifically, often working to its optimum ability when the user is barefoot.

Praesidium Terrae - Florentes Gemmae
With a touch of her hand, Clara is able to thinly cover any solid surface in her red crystal. This can make a sheet of paper tough enough to break a steel sword, or a stick hard enough to cave somebody's skull in. As of now it can only be used on one surface at a time.

Praesidium Terrae - Loricatorum Vallis
This spell allows Clara to cover parts of her skin - legs, arms and torso - in crystal by will. Although it doesn't hinder her usual speed, the spell requires great concentration to maintain. As of now Clara is only able to harden two areas of her body at a time, so she often uses it for quick offensive jabs and defence against melee weapons; she is unable to keep any part of her body hardened for more than a minute.

Praesidium Terrae - Vernantium Flosculorum
This spell is feared amongst the Rubruna not only for its destructive capability, but it is surprising ease to perform. A magi simply absorbs as much ether as their bodies can take from the earth beneath their feet, and, coupled with all of their own ether, releases it back into the ground all at once. Giant crystal spikes emerge from the ground, often on a large scale, with the intent of total annihilation. The magi is rendered temporarily unconscious after putting so much strain on the body, but the amount of time they are out for depends from person to person and the amount of ether they gathered into their body.

Adapting - Eight years of travelling alone has taught the woman that a mind in a state of panic is just as good as having no mind at all; forced to live through some unbearable living conditions and the odd back alley brawl for the past near decade, remaining calm and adapting to a dire situation has found itself woven into her natural instinct. Stay calm, keep a cool head, retain your seriousness. Survival is key, and that must be clear to her at all times.

Running - Being basically homeless and often living on whatever pennies she could find scattered over a busy market square, public transport is a luxury. But mostly walking to get her way around has strengthened her legs to a notable degree. Clara has a lot of power in her legs, and coupled with her just about decent stamina for a woman her age, her sprinting ability is quite frightening.

Sneaking - Sneaking around to prank unsuspecting town kids was fun as a child, but as she grew into adulthood it was this particular skill that had allowed Clara to quietly escape the more dangerous situations she found herself in. Often able to move with little sound and extreme caution, it's an unusual talent Clara is grateful to have, especially when she's in need of a decent meal when there are no coins in her pocket.

The Dagger - Achieved from one of her more violent encounters with an intoxicated man in a shady alleyway, Clara is in possession of a rather nice looking dagger. She has yet to use for purposes other than to threaten, keeping it hidden inside the sash around her waist.

RP: Iquenos: In Nomine Domini

Saisei: The Crimson Dawn

Sorry for the huge delay, new ideas, writer's block and time constraints are being a total pain.

Saisei: The Crimson Dawn

Huh, never knew there was a Kohaku clan xD

I'm going to be adjusting and changing things with Kohaku's CS so it's probably going to be a few days before I post her up.

Saisei: The Crimson Dawn

@Gowi I was kinda conflicted to either start with a new character or continue with Kohaku, but if it wouldn't be a hassle (seeing as we didn't get that far in the other RP) then I would actually prefer to start anew with Kohaku. I just think there's more opportunity for development considering her would be age and current occupation.

Naruto: Years of Winter - an Alternate Universe

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As Haitani gave his instructions, Kohaku stretched a bit as she listened in. It was going to take quite some time to reach the Daimyou's place, and she didn't want to have any stiff and aching limbs along the way.

Facing the forest ahead, Kohaku closed her eyes then inhaled then exhaled, calming herself down and increasing her focus. She wasn't going to be in a protected area for a good few hours, so she had to be on guard. No more chatting or silly disruptions; she knew well enough that this was serious business.

Okay, all set and ready to go. As long as I keep my ears open and my mouth shut, I don't think there'll be anymore trouble today.

Steadying her breathing and keeping a straight face, Kohaku opened her eyes.

"Break."

Alongside the rest of her teammates, Kohaku took off into the forest.

♪

For the first few hours nothing unusual had popped up, much to Kohaku's relief. Every half an hour she would put her sensory abilities to good use, though other than the now thundering footsteps and booming heartbeats of her teammates, Kohaku hadn't heard anything much else. At least in this mostly silent woodland she could hear clearer.

An hour later she began to listen again, trying not to let her own footsteps disturb her. A few hours of peaceful silence was usually something Kohaku cherished once in a while, but beyond the gates of Konohagakure, a more eerie feel had been evoked. Every now and then she could feel the goosebumps rising up on her arms, or a cold shiver run down her spine. Perhaps it was just her instinct as a ninja. Kohaku didn't want to get shaken up about something like this but she hoped if she did hear something within range, she would be prepared for it.

If someone were to mess up, the whole team would fall.

@Gowi @Kal-El @Weird Tales

Naruto: Years of Winter - an Alternate Universe

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"Izo, calm down. You both are jumping at the mission without a thought of preparation. Kohaku is allowed to prepare herself shortly. Rush into this mission and die because we are unprepared is an outcome I would like to avoid."

After Izo's quick telling off, Kohaku could feel a strange sense of triumph. Sure, she didn't want to have too much of a bitter relationship with anyone on her team nor antagonize them, but out of Inori and Izo it was the Kirigakure boy Kohaku found herself to have a slightly stronger distaste for. She always constantly reminded herself to keep an open mind about things, people especially, but sometimes she wished that someone would just smack the sour arrogance right out of him. If Kohaku could recall, it was Haitani who was to be their temporary squad leader.

"You have 20 minutes. Meet me at the front of the village. Now go," was Haitani's final instructions to Kohaku.

"Yeah. Cool. I can do twenty minutes no problem! I'll see you guys soon, yeah? Promise I'll be there on time!"

♪

"Grandpa!" Kohaku shouted, bursting through her apartment door. As she scrambled towards her bedroom she slammed her foot into a box of books in the narrow hallway, though her pumping adrenaline after sprinting for five minutes straight kept her focused. Kohaku knew where she kept her stash of ninja tools, and thank goodness she was orderly enough to organize her things beforehand for future use; when you lived in such a small home, it was either you let things pile up and risk smashing into things or actually sweep stuff to the side and get organizing. Kohaku preferred the latter.

"Jeez, you all right Kohaku? What's with the rush?" her granddad asked, peeping his head out from the kitchen door.

"Well in short, if I'm late for this new mission your granddaughter is gonna have both feet in the grave and it's not gonna be because she bravely fought on the front lines for the sake of her village! And didn't you say you weren't gonna store our stock in the hallway anymore?"

"Well since no one's buying 'em, gotta put 'em somewhere, right? I don't want customers trippin' over boxes of books like I heard ya just did back there, Kohaku," the elderly man chuckled, sipping on his tea. "Also, got anything to tell me about this new mission o' yours?"

After attatching her kunai holster and pulling on a new shirt, Kohaku ran into the kitchen. "So we're basically escorting the Fire Daimyou's daughter to some place down south and if our team screws up I think her father is gonna have our heads. And if I'm late to the rendezvous point then my team will have my head. They weren't lookin' so bright today so I don't wanna make any trouble for 'em by being even a second late."

"Well, that sure sounds like busy day," Noboru replied in a wheezy laugh. "D'ya know when you'll be back?"

"No clue but I'm guessing a couple of hours," Kohaku said, sinking her teeth into her nutritious lunch for the day — an apple.

"Well I better run off now 'cause I do not wanna be late!" she shouted as she ran for the door.

"You got everything?"

"Yeah!"

"Listen to your sensei, yeah?"

"Got'cha!"

"And take care of yourself, Kohaku."

"You too Grandpa!"

♪

Jogging managed to get Kohaku to her destination quick enough; she didn't want to start this mission all sweaty and exhausted before anything had even started. Plus, she didn't want to look any more flustered than she did twenty minutes ago in front of her team again. Unsurprisingly, her two other teammates were at the gate, Izo having just arrived from a different route.

"I guess we are once again stuck waiting for Kohaku to arrive," she heard Izo say. Letting out a small sigh before stepping out of the shadows, Kohaku jogged towards her squad.

"Not quite!" she interrupted, her flashing a bright smile. "I'm all packed and ready to go. And uh, Izo? Is that a twig in your hair? D'ya run into a bush on your way here or somethin'?"

@Gowi @Kal-El @Weird Tales

Naruto: Years of Winter - an Alternate Universe

Currently working on a post.

Naruto: Years of Winter - an Alternate Universe

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“I guess it would be easy for you to forget that this is the day of our assignment while they figure out what to do with us following the loss of sensei. If you ask me it’s just busy work— but it’s still important enough to remember it!”

"Well, I, uh-"

"In Kirigakure Kohaku, we get badly punished for slacking off and being late normally means a lot more exhausting training done. Next time try to understand the importance of being able to remember."

"Eh..."

She wasn't even going to make an excuse. Especially after being scolded by both of her teammates, Kohaku probably didn't deserve to. Inori wasn't looking too happy in the first place, Izo's face expression wasn't the brightest; but nevertheless, Kohaku would have to put up with it. It would only stir up more trouble if Kohaku were to make a comeback with some sassy, uncalled for complaint. Their former sensei had worked hard to get this team to at least function well, so she wasn't going to let everything fall apart for some silly mistake. Besides, it wasn't her style at all.

"Look... I'm sorry guys. Trust me though, it's happened once, so I'm not gonna let it happen a second time, I guarantee ya!"

As if on cue, another ninja - most likely a messenger - came walking towards the group, scroll in hand. It seemed the team's next mission would be focused on escorting someone to some place. In more accurate terms, they were to escort the daughter of Daimyo Hidematsu himself to an area down south in the Land of Fire. At first, it sounded like a simple task to Kohaku. But considering this was the Daimyo's daughter they were meant to guard, certain... scenes began to play out in Kohaku's head. If she were to mess up somewhere along the line, then a small 'sorry' certainly wouldn't be enough if as much of a finger was laid on the girl. Now Kohaku was nervous; but the fact that something so important was laying in her hands brought a weird sense of joy and responsibility to her.

"Welp you heard the man. We can leave now or meet me in one hour at the front gate. Your choice," Haitani said.

“Why would we wait on this?— outside of preparing our tools and supplies, I don’t think we should wait. I don’t even need an hour. Give me fifteen minutes," was Inori's quick response. Fifteen minutes? It would take Kohaku ten just to walk back to her house and another ten to prepare everything she needed. It wasn't like she carried around a pouch of shurkien everywhere she went, or a holster of kunai when she went grocery shopping.

"I... I know I shouldn't be one to say this right now, but c'mon, at least half an hour should be good enough. I don't think the Daimyou would appreciate a sweaty girl at his doorstep, let alone one that's been soaked head to toe in water. Still, I'm kinda excited for this! Ya better lead us to victory, Haitani!"

@Gowi @Kal-El @Weird Tales

Naruto: Years of Winter - an Alternate Universe

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"Ah, who would've known such a gem was hiding in grandpa's store? I finally get back into some fiction novels and this great one decided to pop up. Just my luck!"

Sometimes it was nice to escape from the world from time to time, and Kohaku found that the occasional fantasy book did that well for her. She was fortunate to find Konoha in warm, bright weather today, and sitting outside with her oh so exciting novel just enhanced the whole atmosphere of it. The store had been much busier than usual last week, and Kohaku found herself in some extreme taijutsu training sessions with her grandfather for three days straight. She felt that she at least deserved a bit of rest today.

Sitting on a high tree branch with a book in hand, and being sheltered by its leaves had always been Kohaku's strange idea of a 'rest day'.

"Damn, half way already? Never realised the book was this short."

She swung her legs over the tree branch, humming to herself as she flipped the dusty pages. A few minutes later, a grey-haired bear of a man would appear underneath her suspended feet, his eyebrow raised and his large arms crossed. Looking down from behind the leaves, Kohaku pushed away the smaller branches and responded with a similar expression.

"So... you just gonna stay up there for the rest of the day Kohaku?" the man bellowed, cupping his hands around his mouth so his voice could reach the heights Kohaku had climbed. He really didn't need to, though.

"Well, that was my original plan," she responded, shutting her book with a chuckle. "But if something's gotta be done, I'm all ears. I mean, it's been a long week, shouldn't ya be getting some rest today grandpa?"

"Nah, nothin' like that," he chortled. "I was just surprised to find ya here after you'd told me about that thing you were supposed to be at today."

"What thing?"

"You know, the thing."

"What, today?"

"Yeah. Like, a team meeting or somethin' like that. You asked me last night to remind you if you ever forgot."

"Team meeting... team meeting..." she repeated under her breath. Kohaku could recite over thirty species of birds found in the Land of Fire, yet she couldn't even remember what it was she was supposed to be attending to today.

"...team meeting... oh. Oh. Oh no..."

Clambering down the tree and tightening the black hoodie around her waist, Kohaku threw her book into her granddad's arms, taking off in a sprint away from the park. "Page 133 somewhere in the middle of it. Don't wanna lose my page or sentence so could ya please remember it? Cool, thanks, bye! See ya at dinner or somethin' don't know when I'm coming home exactly! Damn it, I just hope Inori doesn't kick my ass all the way to Kumogakure or somethin'."

One thing that Kohaku hadn't taken from her grandfather was that awfully quick speech pattern of hers. Right now, Kohaku was in a terrible rush, and so were her words.

"I... did not get any of that."

♪

By the time Kohaku had reached her original meeting point, she thought her legs were going to collapse in on themselves; her starting place was not as near to this specific training ground as she would have liked, and now her recently washed burgundy shirt was soaked in nasty sweat. Looking up, she saw her three other teammates, punctual, on time. What needed an explanation other than her own lateness however was the war zone of a training field behind them. Well, perhaps if someone placed her teammate Inori right in front of her, then she would easily be able to make sense of the destruction of Training Field 5.

"Sorry guys got a bit sidetracked today, sometimes my memory refuses to work when I want it too, but it wasn't like I was gonna slack off or anything 'cause it has been a busy week and I thought I could get a bit of rest today, but still if somethin's gotta be done I'm all ears! I'll say that I'm just about ready for anything 'cause I can't exactly remember why we're all supposed to be here!"

@Kal-El @Gowi @Weird Tales