Where oh where is the oasis?

Okane finished a meeting with several business representatives from his shops. Having fully invested in all four of them he found them far more profitable and had established that each crafter now could make high quality equipment in each shop. With that output ability he could keep up with virtually any order load. It would take a nations payroll to take up all his crafting time capabilities. Still it was important to meet with them occasionally to check shop inventory and sales. With the new agreement with the Kazekage they would need to establish a considerable work load just arming her village. Documents and spread sheets had been observed and went over with all of them before expectations were set. No one argued with Okane as they had chosen to work under him for a reason. Not a single crafter in that room could dream to match his prowess. Each of them respectable in their own field but he was better than all of them combined and they knew it. However he was also elegant and fair. He didn't lord his power over them but rather encouraged some workable business practices to increase their company worth. Nothing negative was reviewed in the meeting for more than a minute. All of them got praise though individually.

As the men exited Okane would shake each of their hands and give them unique farewells by name based on their personalities. He was incredibly observant and each one of them was treated uniquely in a way that brought them closer to him. He was observant and impossibly intelligent. Not the smartest in the world but the way he manipulated it around him seemed to always go according to his plan. As far as anyone knew they had never truly seen him flustered. Even his meeting with the worlds strongest had gone swimmingly he thought. Still for the day business was done and the sun was just beginning to set. So he would collect his coat and leave the room once they were all gone. He was wearing polished, pointed black dress shoes with custom fitted black slacks. His belt had a golden belt buckle with the stag symbol imprinted into it. A very dark purple dress shirt with a midnight blue tie were tucked in smoothly without wrinkles under a dark purple dress vest. His coat was a simple black fur coat that went down to his knee's.

Okane would move to the back of the diplomacy center and exit out the back doors as he shifted to pull a flat metal square with the king of spades on the front from his vest pocket. Pulling out a custom made cigarette brand he would click the case closed and the one B ranked security guard would step forward. With a snap of his fingers the end of Okane's smoke would burst into a tiny flame. Okane would inhale before using his hand to brush his chest length jet black hair from his face. Revealing glowing green eyes in the darkening light. The lamps overhead flickering on signaling the coming of nightfall. He gazed out over the flying market as he thought to himself. He had announced to the world he was recruiting for Suna now. Which meant people looking for work would soon be coming to him looking for Suna. He would need to begin vetting them as each person he sent represented his good will to the land of wind. If he were to send the wrong kind of person....well he hoped that would not happen in any significant way but no doubt Ei was already wary.

Hot...thirsty...dehydrated...hungry...starving...With little to her name except a rather valuable puppet blueprint, her clothes, some travel food and a now empty waterskin, Mikazuki was in an understandably dangerous position. She stumbled and shuffled over the sandy dunes, grateful that her cloak protected her from the worst of the sun but….but...but….but but but but….! Three days! She had been walking for three days! Then that damn sandstorm hit, her horse had run off and the tracks she had been following got buried by the storm!

“Grrr…!” She lashed out at a nearby termite mound, kicking clean through the structure and removing her leg free before the angry insects within took to taking vengeance upon her. She stormed off angrily, heading in the direction that she had been walking for the past few hours. She should have arrived at Suna by now. That was where those disgusting, vile, selfish, greedy, treacherous meat bag thieves had gone, and she had been following them there but then...that storm...that damn storm….!

However, that was when a shadow blocked out the burning rays of the sun and as she looked up, her gaze coming to rest upon the underside of a...what? Some sort of flying thing? She stopped, eyes blinking in cold apathy towards the vessel. The strangeness of the sight was enough to make her forget about her thirst, especially when the vessel stopped and dropped a ladder down for her.

“Hey! You need a hand?” A voice yelled down from the hovering vessel, originating from a stubbled teen clambering halfway down the ladder to meet her. Without bothering to answer Mikazuki took a hold of the ladder and clambered up, help offered by the young man but ultimately refused. Se

That was the story of how she found herself upon the Heavenly Emporium, quenching her thirst and searching for a way to make her way to Suna. A map, a guide or a caravan she could trade labour for a free trip on. Anything! She needed to get to Suna or she would be dying of dehydration before she even got that. It was pure luck that allowed her to stumble upon this centre of commerce and as Mikazuki’s recent days had proven, her luck was not something to bank on.

However, it was as she was searching for a way to travel to her destination that Mikazuki was informed one “Okane” (whoever the hell that was) was in fact recruiting for the village and so, following a bit of a frustrating search, had been informed as to their current location. She made her way through the crowds, sliding past them as a wraith before finally reaching the diplomacy district. She slammed upon the door with her only remaining arm, face cold and devoid of emotion.

The pounding at the door would draw the attention of one of the staff. An employee of the Stag emporium but not one of the crafters. They were wearing a black uniform with gold colored trim and buttons. If anything the uniforms looked almost military formal. They would quickly move to the door and open it to see the cold and emotionless person standing outside. They would hesitate as the persons appearance made them nervous. Clearly taken aback. Still they would greet her quietly. "Oh um...welcome to the Emporiums diplomacy district...how may I be of service?" If she responded about wishing to see Okane he would glance behind himself down the hall to the back area where Okane was and then back to her. Clearly nervous about just handing out the information to anyone especially someone so hard to read. He would swallow to himself before taking a breath and steadying his emotions. He would bow his head and indicate with an open palm facing upwards in the direction of the back patio. "The prince is having a quiet break around back. If you follow that hall straight back you will find him just outside. If there was nothing else please have a wonderful day.

If she followed instructions it would quickly become apparent the diplomacy building she was in was basically just a dome with multiple levels. Each level holding large conference rooms and there was even a cafeteria. However the straight shot back to the patio went up some stairs until she would reach the top floor. Only about five stories but after her adventures it might feel like a bit much. It was there if she went outside that she would find him. Standing there with his security guard off to the side looking over the small city and the stag tower rising into the sky in the distance. He was smoking a cigarette that smelled more sweet than bitter. Like cherries in the air. Okane would turn his attention to her and smile softly. His green eyes glowing as the sun set behind him casting a glow around him. He was tall and well built but something was off. There wasn't a single blemish on his hands or face that could be seen. Almost perfect moon light skin in a climate such as this was unheard of. Yet he looked fairly comfortable. Even in the fur coat. When he spoke his voice was almost hypnotic. Like a lullaby to lure people into a sense of security around him. A practiced tone to use.

"My my I can certainly say I wasn't expecting to meet anyone else out here today. Most negotiations have concluded for the day in favor of a warm dinner. Somehow I don't get the sense that you are here to represent any one company or nation though. Oh forgive my rudeness. I am Okane. The prince of Iron, the Grand merchant, whatever title you prefer but mostly I just go by Okane. Whom might you be and what can I do for you?" He would say before flicking the ash off the end of his smoke.

When the man in military style garb answered the door Mikazuki would only scowl, an expression of frustrated neutrality painting her features. She despised talking to people. It was exhausting, frustrating and just generally a waste of her energy. They were so slow, so irrational, so inefficient. She swallowed her frustrations, burying it deep down inside herself as her expression drained of its annoyance. However, despite that she only continued to stare at the guard before her just long enough for it to be a little unsettling.

“Okane. Where?” It was a direct and curt answer, so restrained in its dialogue than perhaps it presented the amputee as a one who generally had a very limited vocabulary. Regardless, her questioning got her the information she needed and so, without a single glance or word of gratitude for the guard, Mikazuki walked past him. She followed the directions given, scowling at anyone who cast her missing arm curious looks or just looked at her in general. She detested it when they stared. It made her feel like a goddamn circus animal and as such, it took a great deal of effort for her not to fly off into a homicidal fury.

Eventually, she made her way out to the balcony that one Okane was using as a retreat from the day’s affairs, smoke drifting away from the cigarette that was held in his hand. Flattery and charm was not something that would ever really work on Mikazuki and so she ignored everything he had to say. She already knew his name and outside of that, only cared for whether he could get her to Sunagakure. His title, his business and efforts at forming a positive rapport were unnecessary details that she had no need for.

“Mikazuki Hajime. Sunagakure. Can you get me there?” Direct and to the point were her words, a thrusting dagger aimed right at the jugular of the matter. All she wanted was to get to her destination, slaughter those who had double crossed her and take back her stolen property. It was a materialistic desire and nothing more but those were the only desires Mikazuki had. Friends, family, emotional connections. These things were meaningless baggage to her.

Okane would make eye contact with her and for a moment he would consider his options. She felt off. Those eyes....he had seen them before with warriors he had crafted blades for. The look in their eye that suggested killing another man no longer haunted them. Even this close to her he felt a reflex to step back. Pushing it down as he recognized it and choosing to take a calm drag of his smoke. Green eyes studying her. She was blunt to the point of being rude. However out here in the desert in his experience most people were. The desert was a hard place run mostly by hardened people. If you didn't live with means the desert was a consistent struggle for survival. From the heat, to the lack of water in most of it. Beyond just the basic needs for survival there were sand storms and venomous things crawling everywhere. Not to mention criminals waiting to take what they could for a better life. Her eyes suggested she knew struggle and had no patience for what surrounded her. However he could not allow himself to be intimidated into something. There was a process before he sent potentially dangerous and capable individuals to Sunagakure.

"I can. However there is a vetting that must be done first. You must be capable. Both as a potential shinobi and as a person. If you are determined to incapable or dangerous, than it would be irresponsible for me to so much as hint at the village location. However if you meet what we are looking for a map will be provided and a meeting with the Kazekage arranged. You're profile sent ahead to her. As a bonus for patiently enduring our vetting process though a weapon of your choosing made out of Dune glass will be crafted for you. If this is agreeable we will begin immediately. If not, we will give you provisions and send you on your way."  

He did offer provisions but he wasn't about to be a push over. He would blow some smoke off to the side as he tiled his head. His free hand tucking into his coat pocket. Was he reaching for something or just remaining comfortable. It was hard to tell. However he made no move and gave off no threatening intent to those who were experienced in combat. He was full of openings and didn't seem to have adopted anything useful for combat. His center of gravity was off as he leaned idly back against the railing and both hands were occupied so no hand seals. The only thing about him that suggested he was more than the average man aside from his striking features and expensive tastes were those glowing green eyes. Those eyes that seemed to see everything. As if nothing could be hidden from him long. Still he was smiling the entire time he spoke. A smile that didn't meet those eyes. He had a low tolerance for those without manners after all. Perhaps it was due to his immense pride.

“Being dangerous is in a competent Shinobi’s skill set.” Yet despite having said that, it was not issued with an antagonistic tone of voice. Mikazuki had simply stated it as a matter of fact. She did still feel, no she KNEW, that what this prince meant by “dangerous” was “threat.” She did not like this Okane. From this brief interaction the self-proclaimed Prince of Iron (He could have been the prince of knock off third brand trash for all she knew) struck her as a man used to getting what he wanted when he wanted. A man used to wealth, power and acclaim. A man used to a cushy life in this floating city. She hated it. She hated him.

“If that is necessary.” She had no interest in anything this prince offered. All she wanted was ideally transport to Sunagakure or failing that, directions. She cared not for the weapon offered nor even the meeting with the Kazekage. All she wanted was to find the ones who had stolen from her and if this Okane was going to get in the way of that, then he was her enemy. Already she was subconsciously viewing him as an enemy, her mind identifying weakness. His off-balance stance, exposed arms, vulnerable head but this was not the ideal battleground.

“Let us get this over with.” As blunt and direct as she had been throughout this entire exchange, the wanderer from the sands made her stance on the matter clear. She wished to undergo this vetting process. She had no desire to meet the Kazekage, but upon considering the matter she realised it may assist in her search, and no real desire to remain within the village for an elongated period. In fact, what would she be doing with her life after reclaiming her property? That question caused her stoic mask to falter for a few seconds, confusion briefly flashing across her features before her stoic nature reasserted itself.

Okane would take another drag of his smoke before flicking it to the side and letting it bounce off the wall to hit the ground. Left there to die and be cleaned up at a later time. Some staff would be out at some point to sweep the balcony. His green eyes would watch her a moment. She had dangerous eyes to meet that antisocial attitude. Much like how Ei had been during the beginning of their meeting. He would consider Ei considerably more of a conversationalist though. Still though he would touch his pocket watch and let his finger run along the smooth surface. It was a habit when he felt like he could use more security. Still she would comply with the requests. However Okane didn't pull out a notepad or anything. Nothing to jot down notes nor did his bodyguard. Instead he would begin in short order. One hand resting in his pants pocket while the other toyed with that pocket watch in his vest pocket. She was unique was what pulled through his mind. Like Kensai she was void of emotion by the look of her. Or at least How Kensai had started. Perhaps she would grow in time.

"Well then. To start us off lets get you're full name, age and background. Anything you are willing to share. Do keep in mind though anything you hide that comes out in the future, Suna will have questions about. From what I understand they don't tend to ask nicely so honesty is the best policy."

He would hear her out and remain quiet as he memorized every word. A part of him considering developing a seal that revealed any lies when told. Ei had a memory reading technique so it was within the realm of possibility. Still his guard would walk to the furthest side of the balcony and form a tiger seal. Once done a body of water would seem to peel off of him and form another him. With that done the water clone would stand still. The body guard would return the ten meters to them and stand by Okane before Okane would nod to him. Once the girl was finished with whatever she chose to share Okane would smile before taking the hand that was stroking the pocket watch and indicate the clone.

"Now, A demonstration on your abilities if you please. This will help the Kazekage place you and find work for you. After which if you have a weapon or armor design in mind please share it in detail. I can craft anything so feel free to be creative."

“Mikazuki Hajime. Twenty. I’m from a travelling group of merchants who were set upon by bandits. They killed everyone, burned the tents and stole everything, everything except one of my puppet blueprints. The remainder were stolen and I want them back.” Whatever one may have been expecting from such an irritated and anti-social individual, what she offered was the requested answers. It did little to sooth the puppeteer’s frustrations or her expression. Then came the rest of Okane’s entry test and it seemed he had the totally wrong idea of why Mikazuki wished to visit Sunagakure.

Her gaze’s focus turned from this prince of Iron to the water clone that had been summoned, the full wrath of her scowl focused upon it. She still had zero reason to remain in Sunagakure on a permanent basis once her objective there had been achieved however neither was she foolish enough to simply reveal that. Mikazuki was impatient and not so stupid as to reveal anything that would harm her efforts to get into the village. Deceit was a natural element of a Shinobi’s skillset after all.

Chakra spread throughout Mikazuki’s body, a cold and unrelenting mass of energy tore along her circuits with the fury of an avalanche. It flowed around and around, building up and up, growing stronger and stronger until with a single tap of right foot, the water clone would find themselves buried alive, crushed by the ground beneath them swirling like a whirlpool. She would then redirect and reform the chakra, employing a separate jutsu to turn the earth into a muddy liquid into which she would dive to hide.

“Is that sufficient? I am also a puppeteer and sealing jutsu user.” She rose from the muddy liquid to the side of Okane, mere centimetres away from the prince's body. A part of her considered turning her jutsu on him but... well, the pragmatic side of her screamed that it was worthless and very foolish.

used jutsu and current chakra:

Okane would watch quietly for a moment. She went over her age and purpose. So there were still bandits active in Suna. Likely word of a new person in power had not reached everyone. Or Ei's effective reach wasn't as far as he had hoped it would be yet. Suna had always been known as a lawless place. A desert full of scum and villainy. That was to be expected in such an environment. After all there were very few places in the land of wind where one could find both water and food. Though people still chose to live there. He suspected though that the word choice was a strong word to use. Most likely couldn't survive the trek to get out of the nation. Or were afraid of those roaming the deserts that had a tendency to murder as this girls group had ran into. It was unfortunate but he wondered idly what her goals would be after she found these men. Would she have nothing left planned for her life? Few people though passed their vengeance. It consumed them as he suspected it did her. She may have been a nice girl before she lost her friends.

She would turn and with a surge of energy she would drop the clone in an alarming moment of speed and clarity. It was swallowed into the ground in the blink of an eye. Ahh a doton user. Similar to his own ability but a poor choice against him. After all he had the ability to change the earth around him as well. Though his changed the composition of it. When she moved into the earth though he would glance to his side when she surfaced. He couldn't help but think of how filthy that technique must be. Mud getting everywhere. Still she was being cooperative and forthcoming. She even mentioned puppetry and seals as her other capabilities. Ninjutsu, puppetry, Sealing and a doton affinity. He couldn't deny how potent a combination that was. He would note that she had impressive technique speed and lethality as well in his notes later. His guard however was clearly taken back by how quickly his clone had been wiped out. A bead of sweat moving down his face. Okane seemed far less alarmed for having her so close. If anything his green eyes would look down to meet hers as he spoke in return.

"Suna is a good place for a puppeteer. The Kage there is also one. I assume she will be eager to help locate and punish those who wronged you." He would push off the railing and stretch a little as he moved towards the doors. Yawning idly and popping a couple of joints. It had been a long day. Still he would stop at the door as he glanced back at the girl. A smile on his face. She seemed anti social but he figured she would be eager to get on her way. However despite her hostile demeanor he found her impressive. "I will forward this information to her. She will be expecting you. We will put you up for the night here and give you a map in the morning. Did you have any other questions for me?" He doubted she would. Likely she was eager to be on her way but the desert alone at night was no place to be for anyone. Withholding the location from her until morning was likely the only way to keep her from going. Besides if he sent the information tonight Ei would have time to prepare before she arrived.

“I neither require nor desire assistance in reclaiming my property.” Fiercely independent and more concerned with ensuring her property was hers and hers ALONE Mikazuki was quite frankly uninterested in any notion of justice. She simply wanted her property back and to maybe tie up any loose ends from her arrangement with those treasonous bandits. It was why she had no real desire to remain in Sunagakure for any extended period of time and no plans to, not unless one gave her a reason. She released her jutsu, the ground returning to normal.

“No. Give me the map and let me go on my way. Time is a resource not on my side. I have lived in this desert my entire life and am more than capable of looking after myself.” Had she not made it clear that she needed to hurry? That every wasted breath, every wasted second, every damn moment she spent here was another moment her prey had to put distance between them. She stepped away from Okane and began to make her way away from the balcony, intending to exit the building. She stopped only to address the Prince of Iron.

“I will await you at the place where your flying things dock.” Unless stopped she would force her way past the guard and advance unrelentingly to the dock, impatiently awaiting for what she arrogantly assumed the prince would simply agree to. The scowling glare in her eyes, the sheer frustration boiling up within them and the strained vein on her forehead made it clear she would neither tolerate nor brook no interruption.

Okane would smile as she denied his proposal. Demanding things of him as she began to walk by. Being sure to scowl as was her usual method it seemed. She seemed intent on giving even him demands. Truly she was an interesting woman. Still he would smirk a little as he didn't bar her path. Still she would begin to pass him as he spoke.

"If you wish to leave here a map will be provided but as dusk sets it is too dangerous for our aircraft to land at night. I am sure someone as talented as you could make it the hundred and twenty meters to the ground if you wished. However you did not mention sensory as one of your abilities. Tell me, once you make it to Suna how do you intend to track down those who wronged you? After all before now you were found wandering aimlessly in the desert with hardly any supplies to speak of. Leaving your tracking capabilities to be questioned. Of course we will provide you with a map if you insist on making your way from the island tonight. But no one will be flying to the ground until morning and no supplies for the journey will be provided."

If this caught her attention he would look to her. Likely this would anger her but he didn't seem to be very concerned. His guard was visibly nervous though. He was pushing buttons on a dangerous woman. If she did not stop a map would be provided to her at the docks as promised but nothing more. If she did have a retort he would cut her off. He wasn't about to let someone else dictate him on his own island.

"Suna is filled and surrounded by men the likes of which you are hunting. By yourself you may kill a great many of them but you may never find your property. Chances are it's already being unloaded, traded or even sent out of the country to be fenced somewhere that doesn't care where it came from. If you insist on remaining alone the desert will likely eventually consume you. You are powerful but the enemy is everywhere. Agree to go in the morning and a meeting will be arranged with the current Kazekage. The time lost for a night of rest made up for with the assistance of a village far more familiar with your target and considerably more capable of tracking them down."

“That is none of your concern and as for that, I had been following the prints of the thief’s horses until a sandstorm forced me to shelter for days and bury their tracks. That will no longer happen now that I have your map.” She clenched her only hand, nails pressing against the skin of her palm. This arrogant, jumped up little maggot of a prince acting as if he could blackmail her into doing things her way. Her patience had finally been exhausted and she turned back to face Okane. There was murder in Mikazune’s twitching eyes, veins bulging and her teeth gnashing against themselves in unrestrained fury.

“Yes and if I do things your way and my property is gone what will you do to compensate me? I do not work for you.” Bloodlust and malice seeped from her words, a symptom of the fury she was genuinely struggling to keep in track. Her vision was starting to go red, being clouded by her anger and spent patience. She had entertained this fool for long enough. What did this prince from a land far away from the desert know? He had not been born here. He had not grown up here. He had not been kissed by the sands or assaulted by the winds.

“I have no desire to meet the Kazekage and if you wish to keep me here until tomorrow you will need to forcibly restrain me.” And just like that she left the building and made her way down to the merchant district. After a bit of haggling she would spend what little money she had left on a..giant piece of cloth? She grasped it firmly in her only hand, employing her chakra strings to connect to each corner of the piece of fabric. Once she received her map, and unless one stopped her, she would stow the map somewhere secure then leap from the edge of the floating city.

It was fortunate that she had the cloth for once she had free fallen a great distance, the cloth would catch the wind and turn into an improvised parachute, allowing her to float freely down to the sands below. Of course it was entirely possible somebody would tackle her to the ground or stop her from jumping but...

[Attempted exit]

Okane would raise a brow at her anger. Perhaps he had struck a nerve. However once she was supplied with a map he would have no urge to restrain her further. He didn't respond to her as he had no desire to argue either. He had his information and she had her map. Beyond that he held no responsibility for her. The map had her going through the Oasis anyway so she would most certainly not die unless she encountered something stronger than her. Still it would be considerably more uncomfortable without supplies. His guard would step forward at the hint of a threat to Okane's person but a hand would be held up to stop him. She stormed off and he would watch her leave. Only once she was gone would he speak to his guard. Quietly so as to not be overheard.

"Have her observed until she has left the emporium. Do not keep her from purchasing any supplies but be sure no violence is conducted on the premises. Once she is gone send a messenger bird to the Kazekage's office. Include the name she gave, a description of her general appearance along with her displayed and spoken of abilities. Be sure to include her history she spoke of. Label her as possibly hostile and extremely dangerous but beyond that mention nothing of what was said to me. I doubt she will be able to enter the village undetected and Ei will likely wish to speak with her. To that I wish her the best of luck. Oh and have one of our shops craft something made of dune glass. A weapon I think will do. Have it delivered to Ei to negotiate with the girl. She may need it."

With that Okane waved the man off and pulled another smoke from his tin. An amused smile crossing his face. Well that was an interesting way to end the day. Certainly more exciting than the business meetings had gone. For a moment he wondered if she was going to attempt violence on his sacred grounds. To be honest he wasn't certain he could take her. He would need to hire someone soon to teach him combat techniques. He lacked training and if he was going to be effective...welll that remained to be seen for another day. She would be allowed to purchase supplies if she wished of course and no one would stop her from leaving. Okane had other things to do.

exit thread
7 posts x 10 exp = 70 exp