mallowhallow | { o1 video / action for Orlea }

Entry tags:

{ o1 video / action for Orlea }

[The man on the feed is looking distinctly pleased with himself as he stares into the camera, a strange glint in his one visible eye and a vulpine smile playing on his lips. Eagle-eyed viewers might notice that the poster behind him appears to have been put up the wrong way round- until they realize that his scarf probably shouldn’t be sticking straight up in the air and, in actual fact, he’s the thing that’s upside-down, not the world around him.

The Ninja is perched on the ceiling of an underpass in both a boast and a cheerfully shameless “screw you” to gravity. No wonder he seems so smug; he’s showing off.]

Some of you might be content to sit around and wait for something to happen but that’s not really my style. [chuckles softly] I’d rather stay sharp and be ready for the storm to hit when it inevitably does. In the meantime, my services are available to anyone who needs them.

[It's been a few months since he was active as a shinobi before a law enforcer and, whilst it hasn't dulled his skills any, even he's surprised by how eager he is to return to that life. Trying to fit back into the role of a peacekeeper and policeman without Soldier somehow feels wrong- or maybe it's just that he doesn't quite trust himself to play nice without his influence keeping him in line.

The Ninja pauses briefly before putting his head to one side, smile broadening to a challenging grin.]

... if any of you can keep up with me, I might just be impressed.

[ooc: Additional action option! The Ninja’s going to be following people around all day ~~out of curiosity~~ for practice so if your character’s in Orlea they might find themselves with a ninja stalker.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And she's breaking his heart all over again. Stop that, kid.]

We can still talk, I just don't want you to feel pressured into answering lots of questions- there's probably a lot you're not allowed to say, isn't there? [tilts head at] It was the same for me when I was in training.

[She nods, frowning to herself again. She has probably already said too much, but...]

Promise you won't tell anyone about what I already said?

[He gives her a very serious, very sincere look in return.]

I swear on my honour as a shinobi, Rasha. I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else if you promise not to tell anyone you managed to sneak up on me.

Okay! [She nods very seriously. That sounds like a fair exchange.] I promise I won't tell anyone!

[He ruffles her hair again, not quite managing to stop himself from laughing and breaking his poker-face.] You're a good girl. Are you out running errands?

[She brightens as he calls her a good girl, almost-but-not-quite smiling and still looking pleased nonetheless. His question isn't exactly something she can answer truthfully, so this time, she lies.]

Mm-mm, I'm just exploring. I like to explore.

Good idea. You should probably get well acquainted with the place if you're going to be working here.

[He's completely sincere again- this is one professional to another, after all. Or maybe it's easier to make light of it than try and pick his way through the knee-jerk paternal tangle of feelings her potentially even being anything like he is evokes in him.

The Ninja pauses.] Hey, do you want to see a magic trick?

Uh-huh. [She agrees with a nod. She's proud of her talents, and she appreciates that he seems to be taking her seriously, so there's a hint of childish boasting in her tone when she tells him:] I'm good at remembering directions.

[When he asks if she wants to see a magic trick, though, her eyes widen, the expression she fixes him with intent and eager.]

A magic trick?

[Now that's just plain adorable. He gives another soft chuckle at her reaction, resting his forearm back on his knee for balance.]

Mmhmm. I bet I can swap our places without you moving at all.

[She nods again, the motion more forceful this time. Her hands ball up at her sides, and with the continued focus of her gaze, it seems that she intends to take this as a challenge of sorts.]

Okay! Do it.

[Calmly, he reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder. She might just catch the words- "Loyalty and Betrayal at Will"- as he mutters them in an uncharacteristic display of restraint compared to his usual theatrics and-

- and suddenly they've completely swapped positions, leaving her standing in his place as he kneels in hers.]

[brightly] Do I get a round of applause?

[Well, she doesn't applaud, but she does seem suitably impressed.]

Woah—! How did you do that?!

[It was worth it for that response; it's probably the most expressive he's seen from her so far. The Ninja laughs.]

It's a favourite of mine- someone taught it to me when I was younger and it was one of my signature techniques back home. [Keeping a low profile here has meant that he hasn't had a chance to use many of his jutsu at all, really.] But that's another secret, okay?

[She nods again when he tells her it's a secret, too, the motion excited.]

Can you teach me how to do it?!

Sorry, Rasha, the last time I taught someone else how to do that, they killed me. [Translation: "The last time I was stupid enough to let someone else figure it out, I got myself killed."] I'm not taking any chances this time, not even with a little girl like you.

[Of course, he says that but he's still not even sure what a little girl "like her" means in this case.]

Aww... [She's obviously disappointed by this, but evidently, she understands his reluctance. She can't even assure him that she'll never have to (try to) kill him.] Okay.

[...]

You died?

[He had anticipated the question from the moment he brought the topic up; even if she wasn't so inquisitive, she'd probably have asked about it. The trouble is, he's at a loss as to how to explain it.]

Mmm, a little while ago but I was lucky and got to come back. It wasn't a pleasant experience but... [wistfully] ... second chances are important.

You're a little young to worry about dying, though.

[Admittedly, there's something quietly prompting in that statement, an attempt draw something more telling out of her.]

[She nods in agreement with his comment on second chances, the gesture perhaps more emphatic than one would expect given her age and the topic.]

That's good, then. That you got to come back.

[His next comment brings her up short for a moment, however, and she frowns as though puzzled.]

...I'm really not.

[She isn't really a child, after all, and she's on her second life, too.]

[He can't tell if it's just childish enthusiasm or genuine understanding in how resolutely she nods and, in the pause that follows, The Ninja feels his smile drop just a touch. It's difficult to ignore the stirrings of overprotective concern, especially at her next comment.]

You are in comparison to me. [He gives a reluctant sigh.] ... but you know a lot for a kid. I shouldn't worry about you, should I? You're a smart girl.

[She can't really correct him, but she shakes her head anyway. She isn't young, and he doesn't need to worry.]

No. I can take care of myself.

[She seems sure of this, too.]

And I'm sure that if anything happened, "Father Kotomine" would take care of you.

[It's not a question, per se, but he does seem to be looking for some kind of reassurance of the fact.]

[That earns another one of her more enthusiastic nods. She has a lot of faith in her caretaker, apparently.]

Uh-huh!

[That comes as something of a relief. He puts his hand on her shoulder just briefly and nods.]

Good. I should probably let you get on with your exploring. [He gets to his feet, dusting off his trousers] Stay out of trouble. And if you need anything, I'll always be happy to help you out, okay?

[She doesn't mind the contact, though she keeps her attention focused entirely on the Ninja as he stands. She nods slightly when he speaks.]

Okay. Don't worry, I won't get in trouble. [And then, her head bobs more vigorously.] Uh-huh! If I have a problem, I'll ask you.

[After all, she likes him already, and he must be reliable if he's the best ninja!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ o1 video / action for Orlea }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject