OPEN THREAD

[majutsu_gm]

Characters: Civilians & anybody else inside Konoha
Setting: Konoha Town Square on December 31/January 01
Notes: Mostly anybody can attend... if you think your character could get away with showing up. Most likely, though, no Sound, Sand, or Rebels will be there just because it either doesn't make sense or it's too dangerous.

Summary: It is New Years

Comments

[rebel_ino]

Ino shivers slighty, as chilling breeze skims and raises goosebumps all over her skin, despite the thick fur coat that she's wrapped in. It's snowing, and Ino knows that she should be somewhere warm and comfortable and safe, instead of standing in the midst of half-frozen commoners (that can mug her anytime) and crispy white snow (she knows of a person that died from cold last winter). She tightens her grip on her coat almost protectively, as another gust of wind howls and rattles the shingles of nearby houses

[king_streetfox]

The night is bitter cold, the kind of cold that sucked into your bones, cuts through your skin, smothers you in its subtle embrace until you fall, lifeless from its touch. Living on the street, clothes only as good as what he could find, Naruto knows what cold can be, and what cold can do to you

[sir_tenten]

A fleeting shadow which had gained another one, doing its best to unobtrusively follow

[king_streetfox]

At first he thought it was paranoia, but after the second time losing and being found again, Naruto was sure he was being tailed.

Damn, he cursed inwardly. Her boyfriend? Or something worse...?

Regardless, he upped his pace. Alright; if Mister Chivalrous back there wanted to play cops and robbers, Naruto would give him a run for his money. After all, these were his streets, and he knew every nook and cranny from one end of the slums to the other.

Slowly the crowds began to thin, giving Naruto more room to maneuver, but more room to be seen as well. Still, the sickly thin moon provided little light and he ducked effortlessly into an alley as a small group chattered past, pressing himself tightly against the wall with an ear tipped open.

The game was about to begin. Time to see who he was really up against.

[sir_tenten]

She hadn't played this particular game in years. Much like neglected armor, her skills had rusted. Had this been the countryside, or even the wild lands, she would have fared better; then again, she supposed, tracking man in his natural environment was by definition more difficult. Tracking man in Court was damn near impossible.

Yet these were open streets, and as the crowds thinned, and the light did too, Tenten relied on all of her senses to stay on what she believed was the correct path. Not just the eyes, for they often lied and were mislead - not just her ears, because sounds could echo, and if you didn't know the why or relevance of that echo, you were more lost than informed.

Her quarry had slipped out of sight, and Tenten pulled her cloak tightly around her shoulders as part of the city guard moved past. The response on her part either ws a brilliant piece of luck, or some maligned God was smiling down on her, as she realized she was looking down an alley she otherwise would have skimmed over. (Too long out of the game

[king_streetfox]

Naruto was torn. On the one hand, he could bolt down the alley, forcing the knight to chase after him. On the other hand, he could go out and end it now with a good brawl; the older gent didn't look too in shape, at least. But then he had that ace up his sleeve, just in case of emergencies.

Iruka had taught him to read a while ago, and his favorite books to acquire were about combat and magic. So, when he discovered an illusion spell, he decided to...alter it.

The image fixed firmly in his mind, he began to chant softly under his breath. Slowly, he felt the powers of magic spiralling up around him, surging through his veins. Hair shifted, skin softened, even clothing changed a little.

He, now to the eyes a beautiful she, threw her hair back and strutted slowly out of the alley past the knight, smiling cutely at him.

"Good evening, sir," he said, in a voice as demure as his new appearance.

Let's see how smart the "hero" is now.

[sir_tenten]

Not smart. Just specially dumb.

Tenten was torn, so to speak. Here she was searching out a thief, and she was confronted with one of the only possible deterrents to chasing down the son of a possibly bitchy woman.

A young, unaccompanied female out at night with drunks and unscrupulous warriors around.

"Good evening, Miss. You're out late." Her disapproval was clear in her voice, as was her worry. "Where are you headed at this hour?"

[king_streetfox]

It was then that Naruto got the idea that this might have not been the best course of action to take. Ah, well, he was flexible.

"Oh, just out for a bit of a stroll on this nice New Year's Eve," he lied easily, waving his now dainty hand as if to dismiss the idea. "I'm sure a brave and talented knight such as yourself has much more important things to attend to, though."

Slowly, quietly, he started to edge away. The sooner to get away from the no-doubt self-proclaimed her, the better. After all, he hadn't really tested the length of time he could keep the illusion up...

[sir_tenten]

And he was about to begin testing, despite his own wishes. "There is no duty more driving than ensuring the safety of Konoha's citizens." And the chastity and sanctity of the women of Konoha. That was implied enough, Tenten supposed. "By the one who dubbed me Sir Ten, I can do no less than to escort you, fair maiden."

Though a part of her bemoaned allowing the thief to go free - likely, he would do no more worse tongiht, where much worse could happen to a woman of this stranger's seeming status. Tenten remember the horror stories; and had run her sword through her fair share of victimizers.

"I will be honoured to ensure your safety... m'lady." A little politeness never hurt anyone, and might just save her neck someday. She bowed briefly, straightening and allowing her hood to fall back enough that light showed the contours of her frace. She had a most serious expression on her face.

[king_streetfox]

Inwardly, Naruto was distressed; he did his best to keep that off his face, though, biting his lip gently and then throwing it away.

"Oh, but I could not ask you to devote your attention to one so...unimportant as I." It was almost painful to say, but he had to try. He looked directly into the knight's eyes, using the full power of his illusion's allure at the same time. "So, please, go back and...enjoy yourself."

If there was one thing his illusion was good for, it was it's looks. He didn't call it the Sexy Technique for nothing.

[sir_tenten]

Tenten was a more effective as an honourable Knight for many reasons; the least of which her hormones. She had never been attracted to woman; least of all women who were attractive. In her experience, they were either poison or useless, and while they garnered her goodwill, they did not do so often with her repect.

"I appreciate your modesty, m'lady; but lacking rank does not mean you lack the importance and reverance due a woman of this world." Her face was no more giving, though she offered a version of a smile. "Please, do not waste time protesting - surely you wish to be off as soon as possible."

[healers_flora]

The crisp night air was like ice in Hana's bones, and were it not for her cloak, she would have rattled and shook like there was no tomorrow. Still, she stayed out in the square, among the people, among the festivities. She'd always loved the New Year's festivals the best--there was so much energy around, and the fireworks were always a sight to behold

[king_streetfox]

Naruto's eyes widened and her turned to face the moderately familiar voice. The woman down the alley looked like someone he knew, and he scrambled to place the name, never one to look a gift-horse in the mouth. The dog, marking her as one of the crazy animal-lover Inzuka, helped.

"...Hana!" he yelled finally, dancing over in a flamboyant way, as was his tendency when he used the illusion. "Oh, I'm sorry, the time must have gotten away with me! Is mother worried?"

Please, he pleaded to any Gods that were listening, let this make the knight leave him alone. Then she smiled up at Hana, silent gratitude in her eyes.

[sir_tenten]

It almost wasn't - though Tenten was eyeing the dogs more than the other woman. The three of them were far more indicative of a fighting spirit than the woman; if she was taking the human counterpart lightly, it was out of consideration for the canine friends.

Tenten was more familiar with human opponents than animals. The two moved in distinctly different ways. "I am glad to see the maiden had good people out looking for her. You will," she asked, eyeing the dogs again, "Be safe in returning to your home for the evening? Fine dogs these seem." Appearances could be decieving.

[healers_flora]

Fierce brown eyes snapped in the knights direction, sizing him up in a way that had become habit for the healer. Below average height for a man, smaller build; it was obvious the knight had been built for speed, although the mail lowered that a bit.

The woman offered him a smile, on pretense. "We will, sir knight." She saw him glance at the dogs. "And worry not; Inuzuka dogs are trained for battle." She patted one fondly. "They'll let no one near." That includes you. The rest of the statement was left hanging, but Hana got the feeling the knight understood.

"Now, if you'll excuse us; Mother's been looking for Naruko here for hours, and we simply must be getting home." She grabbed onto Naruto's arm, tugging him away as she left.

[king_streetfox]

Naruto turned and smiled coyly at the knight again, just for fun.

"Goodbye, sir knight! Have a pleasant evening~" she cooed, blowing him a kiss to seal the deal. Then she turned to the tall Inuzuka and grinned broadly. "Thanks for the save, I guess. What do I owe ya?"

Because no one ever did anything for free; that much he'd learned on his own. It was just a question of whether they got payed in the end.