There and Back Again

Potok

Damar was about to give an (admittedly, abridged) version of the truth - after all, the various goons HAD provoked the shoot-out, when Bardock stepped in, and gave his little cover story. The Cardassian glanced at the Saiyan, his eyes widening.

You have no idea how much I hope you know what you're doing... he thought.

Kocsma Tavern

Ahriman nodded as Tetra informed him of this latest development.

"I'll inform the others." he began. He was almost certain that Jibril heard it, but just to be sure, he turned to tell her what Tetra had told him. "Well now, Jibril..." he began. "There've been reports of some monsters in the local woods tonight. It seems that you might be able to sate your battle-lust after all." He then telepathically sent Jake roughly the same message, only reminding him to make sure Alastor came too. As much as the demon annoyed him, he'd much rather have him within sight than out of it. Besides, he was good in a fight.

"Now, as for your question regarding our plans to rescue Mollymauk..." Ahriman began. "It seems that only Alice, Leah, and Nyssa are staying behind, though I could be mistaken."

Edited by MasterOfAntics on Feb 6th 2021 at 9:21:03 AM

Tavern

"Tch... how typical for the rabble to be suspicious of that which they do not comprehend."

Shaking his head at the ignorance of this mere mortal announcer, Gundham's attention is drawn to Shantae's words.

"A pirate, you say? Hm, now things are getting interesting. What business do you have with a marauder of the seven seas?"

Haise hadn’t taken part in the fight in the fight in the ally, instead opting to hide in the shadows of the room that held many...corpses. The assorted types of people that he had met in this adventure were outside being harassed by some    human.    This was where a ghoul investigator would prove useful if not for the fact that he was literally radiating with dark energy. The instead, Haise silently    watched    the others as they dealt with the threat.

Usalia - Potok

Usalia was surprised as the sudden lies out of nowhere. She didn't really have anything to hide about this situation, they were the ones going around kidnapping and attempted murder. She flung out her hands in a wide gesture, "They came out of nowhere! They were pretty dangerous trying to kidnap or kill us!"

Jibril - Pluck

Jibril just shrugged at Ahriman's suggestion. "I do not expect much from random monsters near a human town. If they were strong this town would not be here. You could just leave it to me, I can see to it that whatever is out there is put down while you all rest. I do not sleep, so it will give me something to do."

Edited by StephanReiken on Feb 7th 2021 at 5:49:02 AM

Tavern

"She's a big jerkface who-"

Gundham will notice one of Shantae's pointed ears twitch in Jibril's direction at the mention of the word "monsters." With nearly supersonic speed, she's right next to her, looking rather eager◊.

"Did you say monsters? The town's got a monster problem? Hey, I'm a guardian genie, monsters are kinda my thing! I can help!"

...This girl is the source of the magic you've been sensing?! Quite an impressive amount of it, but still!

"Name's Shantae, Guardian Genie of Scuttle Town, at your service! I'd give you a business card but I...never thought to actually get any! Or where I would anyways! I do dancing, magic, monster extermination, pirate fighting and infuriating minigames."

Woods

The green-haired woman cocked an eyebrow as Caitlin moved hastily away, but shrugged, not caring enough to press the question. At Gandalf's continued admonishment, however, her expression soured to a sort of scowl-pout. "You know I only treat people with respect if they've earned it," she protested, "and obviously, the Hyuuga girl has earned it in spite of her heritage, so I'll treat her as such. As for the rest, I know nothing about them at all, so I shall make no such promises."

Then the aforementioned girl shot a smile at her, which she caught and sent back with a catlike twist. "See?" she added to the old-timer, "No hard feelings! We're friends already!" Luckily, the little man, Octu, saved her from further (immediate) scolding by instigating quite a commotion about a four-leafed clover or the like.

Hoh? Impressive. It's been a while since I've seen one of those.

Once the teen in question had ducked back behind the safety of her pseudo-adopted brother, the more experienced adventurer decided the mystery had promulgated itself long enough.

"Ne, Hyuuga-hime," she called out to the kunoichi, "Anta no na wa nani ka? Genin ka, soretomo Chuunin ka?"^note "Hey, Princess Hyuuga, what's your name? Are you a Genin, or a Chuunin?"

Pluck, Kocsma Tavern

The White Witch floated backwards as Christie flailed and the mug and its contents went flying, neatly avoiding getting splashed, though perhaps the merchant and her fellow patrons were not so lucky.

"Ah... Oh dear! Christie, are you alright?" she asked, stooping to offer the other woman a hand up. "I'm ever so sorry, my dear! It wasn't my intention to startle you... Well, I mean, I did mean to surprise you, but in a good way! That is to say, a pleasant surprise, rather than one that would cause you to um, fall over and spill your drink. I know you weren't expecting me to follow you here, and it is rather a long story, but it occurred to me that I ought to come with you as a representative to meet the King you spoke of, so that he could have an idea of the sort of lands you were telling him about, and I thought it might be fun for us to travel together, and... please forgive me, Christie!"

By the time she finished, the spellcaster's right arm was folded across her chest as she gripped her left with one hand and fidgeted with the hem of her cape with the other.

Edited by darksidevoid on Feb 8th 2021 at 1:26:10 PM

Gandalf

Gandalf nodded at her words. He was not sure if she could be trusted to behave, but he concluded that admonishing her further would likely be counterproductive. Instead he watched the scene with Hinata and the little folk with some curiosity. He was not familiar with Octu's gift and idly wondered how exactly it would work, as he continued to follow them.

Edited by Tarana on Feb 8th 2021 at 8:32:35 AM

Hinata – The Woods

“...G-Genin...” Hinata whispered in reply to C.C, cheeks flushing bright red at her respectful address towards her as she shyly ducked behind Shoto again. “...W-Watashi wa... genindesu...”

After taking a deep breath to compose herself, she decided to elaborate for those not familiar with the language; as she was hardly comfortable excluding the others from this conversation.

“...e-eto... I... I'm making it my goal to become chūnin very soon. I-I don't want to give up again like I did last time...” she quietly said, glancing between the others before electing to explain more. “A-A chūnin is a middle-ranking ninja. I-I'm still a low-ranking genin at the moment... b-but come next exams... I-I hope to catch up...!”

Pluck, Kocsma Tavern

Tetra took a deep breath through her nose to keep her temper down while Ahriman, Jibril, and now this self-proclaimed genie Shantae veered off topic. "We are not hunting a monster." she said, her voice calm but her eyes annoyed. "We're leaving now so we don't have to fight the monster. There are already men from Atlantis who've come down to deal with it. Specialists, if I understood it right. The town will be fine."

Not that anyone had brought up the safety of the town. Tetra hurried on before anyone could question her unprovoked reassurance. "Ahriman, which rooms will Jake and Alice be in? I'll let them know that we're heading off while you, Jibril, and Glaurung prepare yourselves."

Woods

"I also asked for you name," the caped woman repeated, in the common tongue this time, "Or would you rather I keep calling you just Hyuuga-hime? And don't Genin usually take missions in teams of three along with a Jounin instructor? Where are the rest of them? Or have they changed how they do things in Konohagakure?"

Hinata – The Woods

“...Just Hinata, please...” the young kunoichi weakly said, her gaze lowering and shoulders slumping as C.C. asked her further questions. “A-Ah... h-hai. I-I have a team... Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, and Kurenai as our sensei... but... I-I'm lost...”

She fumbled with her fingertips, flushing a deep red with shame as she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

“M-Me and some members of my clan were venturing out... a-a diplomatic mission, outside of Konoha. W-We were going to introduce ourselves to some of the other kingdoms, in a discreet way... clan by clan. B-But... I-I failed to keep up. I lost sight of my squad a week or two ago... a-and I ended up stumbling into everyone here instead eventually. I-I just hope they're all alright... I-I imagine they might've sent some search parties by now...”

Heiress or not... would Father even risk the clan's mission in that way just to find me? I hope I'm not a burden...

Woods

"I see," the woman replied, in a way that said 'now I understand everything', "So your plan was to wait at the nearest town so you could be more easily found by the search parties, but you realized you needed money to live in the meantime and were too proud to resort to begging, so you took up a job helping these folk. Fair enough."

"My name is C.C., by the way," she imparted, pronouncing it see-two, "I guess we'll be working together for a while, at least as long as the old man is with you."

Hinata – The Woods

“I... I didn't think that far...” Hinata whispered, looking borderline tearful before she shook herself out of it. “B-But that sounds smart... I-I should've thought of that. I-I did try and stay in a few towns and villages... b-but I was terrified there'd be missing-nin around who'd recognize my eyes...”

It sounded stupid the more she thought back on it, and she cursed herself inwardly. She was supposed to be a ninja. Not a snivelling, clueless child.

“I-I don't consider this a job, either. I-I just needed some friendly people to stick with...” Hinata frowned, seemingly thoughtful. “...Maybe if we do nice things... th-then we'll start getting recognized... a-and maybe my clan can find me easier...”

...

She didn't want to admit it, but this faulty logic was purposeful. In fact, deep down, she never wanted to be found again.

She'd much rather the other Hyūga simply forget about her, and perhaps she could sneak back to the village in peace without them knowing. Just to pick up valuables, and say goodbye...

...no.

She was being a coward again. She took in a deep breath, and forced here elf to stay composed. She was overthinking things, and she hardly wanted to leave the village.

“...I-I'll be honest with you... I-I want to stay here. W-With you people. For a little while...” she swallowed, electing to just admit the truth instead of utilizing her awful attempts at lying. “A-At least... at least until I'm strong enough to... to face Father again...”

The constant reminders of Hinata's clan made something stick in Shoto's mind. He had to figure out why he remembered hearing it, or he'd go crazy at some point. Later, though. He still wasn't happy about C.C. talking to her and needed to look out.

"That squad of yours must not be very good," he commented, "to lose someone for an entire week. I've been on my own for a while now by choice, but staying with a group so far has been much better."

He paused briefly, jaw clenched as she mentioned her father, but shook it off quickly enough. They'd handle that if it came up, they weren't going to just leave her with someone that would hurt her.

Woods

"I wouldn't sell Konoha's shinobi so short if I were you," C.C. cautioned the scarred boy, "Depending on things like the weather, it can easily be nearly impossible to track someone through unfamiliar terrain, even for people with special talents."

"Hinata, I can imagine what reasons you might have for being unable to face your father. My mother related his... qualities to me in detail, and although he may have changed somewhat since she met him, I can't imagine the boy who was next in line to be head of the clan deviating too much from what she described. But that aside," she continued, tilting her head at the mousy ninja girl, "wouldn't it be best for all involved if you return to Konoha as quickly as possible? Even if you're just a genin, you'll still be labeled a nukenin if they think you've deserted, yes?"

Edited by darksidevoid on Feb 8th 2021 at 6:50:36 AM

Hinata – The Woods

“...”

Hinata merely sighed a little at this, head hanging low as she tightly shut her eyes again. C.C. was right; at the very least she might end up being put in the bingo-book if she was considered a deserter. The very kind of missing-nin she feared encountering...

“...P-Perhaps...” she eventually conceded, the pain of the thought audible in her voice. “...Then... maybe... when possible, sh-should we steer towards Konoha? Or at least try and intercept a search party...”

She felt tears falling from her eyes, even to her own surprise, and her breathing began to pick up all of a sudden; losing focus of what she was looking at as she rapidly shook her head in response to an incoming panic attack.

”...I-I... th-they'll take me back... I-I can't go back! I don't want to!! I'm not ready... I'm not ready yet...!”

There was something raw in her voice, as if she were speaking things she'd never spoken before—things that ripped their way out from her vocal cords in sheer desperation to be heard, as she'd never once before thought of speaking out of line.

“...I... I won't... I won't go back!!”

Why does that... feel good...?

Woods

C.C.'s expression melted into something flat and dispassionate. When she spoke, it was with neither gentleness nor cruelty, but in a matter of fact tone. "Think carefully, Hinata. Are you prepared for the consequences of your choice? Whether you are ready to go back is immaterial to the fact that you will become a nukenin if you do not. Neither Konoha nor the Hyuuga will allow the existence of the Byakugan outside of their control. Therefore, if you become a nukenin, your execution will be a high priority for the village's ninja, and they will never stop hunting for you until they have retrieved your eyes, even after you die."

"There is no need to answer immediately, but there is also no telling whether or how soon we may encounter your compatriots. You should come to a considered decision and solidify your resolve before then, so you will have no regrets or hesitation. Gandalf and I will be here to listen and guide you, if you so wish. I wouldn't be opposed to taking the long way back to Konoha, either. I suppose the village is on its Fourth Hokage now, so any sway I would have held with Hiruzen is meaningless, but I can still provide an explanation as someone known by the village if we do go that route."

Hinata – The Woods

“I said I'm not ready. Not that I'll become a nukenin,” Hinata countered; her frustration leaving her now that it'd finally been expressed and leaving her with a sense of calm. “I-I'm not that stupid... I'll f-follow your suggestion. The long way around. But I don't want this... looming over my head anymore. I've had enough.”

It'd shaken her, how resolute her voice had become in that moment. For a brief time one might've forgotten she was only 12 years of age, for she'd momentarily gained the courage and power of a determined woman at least twice her age. But it eventually left her just as her frustration had—and though her shy countenance returned as a result, that sense of newfound serenity in place of her prior anxiousness now remained with her.

“I-If it comes to it... y-you might all have to pretend like you've kidnapped me. I-If it were the Hokage... o-or perhaps even an ANBU or other Jōnin... th-they might at least understand, even if they had to still take me back. But... i-if it's a Hyūga search party... I-I'm concerned they won't be as willing to listen...”

That was the source of the fear in her, not the concept of Konoha itself. Though rejecting the idea of becoming a nukenin out of clear disgust and fright at the thought, it wasn't an eventuality that shook her as much as the thought of whatever discipline she'd undergo from her family. If not anything physical, then merely through looks and words. She'd had enough cold stares and unforgiving strikes in supposed practice bouts.

She wanted—no, she needed a break.

“I don't want to make trouble out of this, but if I'm to return, then... I-I will be stronger than I am now.”

Edited by Enirboreh on Feb 9th 2021 at 12:33:44 PM

Well, that's over with. That'll teach them to mess with him and his property.

Before he had a chance to speak, some person came out of nowhere and asked them what happened. If this was another usurper to his land, oh they will be consequences. Lots and lots of consequences.

"Why yes, these damn usurpers tried to bring us harm! Will you make them suffer the price of betrayal? I hope so!"

....Big Green? You know, that sounds like a respectable title there! He'll take it and add it to his many ranks!

"So I'm stuck babysitting him? Great." Jake grumbled as Ahriman told him to keep an eye on Alastor. Once he went down the tavern while making sure Alastor wasn't doing any silly tricks to get away from sight, he approached the conversation between Ahriman, Tetra and...a Genie girl? Oh wow. Only one he saw was the evil one he had to face before. Atleast it's good to see one that's nice...hopefully.

He glanced at Shantae with curiosity for a moment, before he returned his attention back at Tetra when she asked them to get ready, giving her a grin. "I'm ready to go whenever, Tetra. I'm sure the people in this town can handle themselves from whatever trouble they have!"

My copy's gonna be over here ready to help with whatever nasty stuff comes up in here, A.A. So don't worry about that! Jake mentally said to Ahriman when he sent him a message about there being trouble over here. He's got this covered on both sides. Gramps would be proud!

Edited by Darkomega245 on Feb 8th 2021 at 10:31:34 AM

Shaggy and Scooby Doo-Woods

The scene of Hinata recieving a reward from Muzstardy's family was really sweet, but before Shaggy and Scooby knew what was happening, the moment was ruined when the green haired lady-C.C- had prompted Hinata to share some of her background, and it was super distressing. The two stood in stunned silence as Hinata told the group of her current dilemma and almost started breaking down.

"Like, this is some heavy stuff, Scoob..." Shaggy whispered worriedly to Scooby, who nodded his head sadly. The two then looked at each other, and in the span of about ten seconds held a very animated conversation with only their eyes-complete with many exaggerated brow wiggling, pointed looks at just about everything, and what might have been them blinking morse code. Eventually the two reached a decision, and both nodded their heads in unison. Cowards though they were, there was no way they could run out on a kid who needed help.

Scooby then padded his way over to Hinata, before giving her a giant slobbery lick in an attempt to help cheer her up. "Re rink you're ruper rave, Rinata."

"Like, yeah." Shaggy agreed. "It sounds like you've been dealing with a lot, so like, you can count on our help however you need it, kid. Even if we'd rather not get into a fight with deadly ninja." And here Shaggy gave a nervous chuckle at the thought of actually encountering ninja out to kill. Like, hopefully it never came to that. Like, please let it not come to that.

Pluck, Kocsma Tavern (Shantae)

"The townspeople are just minor secondary characters, they can't fight monsters on their own! Even with help!"

What is she even talking about...?

"...Tell you guys what. My side quest calendar's completely free! I'll help with the monsters here, while you guys...do...whatever it is you're talking about! If there's one thing I know about townsfolk, it's that they're kinda useless during monster attacks. And pirate attacks. And militia attacks. And...unjust prosecution. Long story. I know we...literally just met but I can at least help out!"

Potok

Percy looked at the people Bardock pointed at. One by one, she heard what the others have to said. She briefly looked back at Bardock. He looks quite badly injured, yet he seems to brush it off somehow.

She looked to the general direction of the others. "From the sounds of it, this fight is in self-defense, is it not?" She asked.

As Shaggy and Scoob extended their sympathies, the little folk patted her legs and gave 'there there' smiles as well. Most of them, anyway, Uncle Pieprz kept his arms folded, doing his level best to stay aloof and grumpy, before finally clearing his throat and saying "Well, we're gettin' close to the trail. We'd best be on our way soon."

"Ah yes, quiet right," said Octu. "Good luck and safe passage on your travels to all you tall folk. Mind you don't get into too much danger on the roads. Oh! Ah, one more thing... You wouldn't happen to be headed inland, towards the mountains, would you?"

As Christie was helped to her feet again, she found herself taken aback by Cassiopea's apologetic babbling. Christie had to remind herself that this was not the same person from before, from the week she had washed up on distant shores, looking to make money in the West Kumaries. This was not the almighty and fearsome witch whose imperious voice had echoed from the heavens above. This was not the witch whose spell had cast dark clouds turned humble tribesmen into bestial living dead. This was not the ancient evil in a cloak of stars whose very image had reduced Christie to a quivering wreck while two young men and three little children had shown more courage than she'd ever had in her life-

...No. This was the benevolent young queen who'd come down from her castle in the sky to bring flowers to the tribes of an uncharted land, and make reparations for all her wicked ways. The one who'd planted the seed of a thought that if even an ancient evil can change, then, well...maybe a wrongheaded money-grubbing merchant should make the effort as well. With this in mind, Christie composed herself, shook the mead buzz out of her head, and set her emptied flagon down on the counter.

"It's alright...you're quite forgiven already," she said. "I was just...startled. Amazed, even, that you're suddenly here. You found your way back to my lands- well, not my lands, b-but you're at my continent! I never expected to see you, at least not for months or years, yet you found your way here so quickly, all by yourself?"

Hinata – The Woods

“I-I... a-ah–!” Hinata squeaked as she received the big slobbery dog-kiss courtesy of Scooby, covering her face with embarrassment that only intensifies once she felt the encouraging pats from their smaller charges. With her face so bright a red that it was practically glowing, she barely acknowledged the question delivered to them regarding the mountains—instead moving to hug Shoto from behind and burying her face into his back in an effort to hide herself.

Well, hide them from her. Either way, the sheer embarrassment was clear, and even if she had the available brain capacity to notice, she would've likely been unable to answer the question anyhow.

Well, Hinata was apparently discovering things about herself. To be put in a situation like hers at such a young age. It was very different from Shoto's, but he could sympathize.

The conversation did just make the little voice in the back of his head even more annoying, because he was sure he'd heard of all these things before. Someone had mentioned these things at some point. Or something.

Before he could ask, though, Hinata was getting a slobbery reassurance from Scooby, and was suddenly burying her face in his back. Which meant all of the slobber was on his back, too.

It was gross, especially since he still hadn't washed off the mud he'd fallen into earlier, but he reached around to pat Hinata on the head. Just to give her reassurance that wasn't quite so gross.