Another day without Food [OPEN]

[Nara Shizukesa]

“Hey Kid Stop! Get Back here!”

The noises of the man chasing him down the winding and twisting streets of Konaha food district resonated to the very core of Nobu. Turning round another corner and taking another twist on his escape journey he managed to find himself creating distance from the man, until the next turn. Coming full stop into the back of some woman minding her own business, falling backwards and onto his ass he growled slightly as felt his arms go down to support the fall that was coming his way.

“Shit”

The words escaping his mouth as he watched the precious dumplings roll across the floor and out of the grasp that he had them in. Starting to rise to his feet he felt the adult size hand wrap around his collar as he was dragged up onto his feet. Kicking and swinging widely at the person who had got hold of him. Unable to see as the man held him from behind.

“Get off me!”

“Stop stealing from us, we warned you about this before you little brat!”

The warning didn’t quite stop at the usual slap on the wrist that he got, instead the fist to the gut that ripped wind from his lungs and sent him spluttering into a ball on the cobble floor as spittle escaped his lips. It wasn’t left unanswered as he grabbed at the man's ankle, using the only weapon he had he sunk his teeth into the man's leg.

“Damn street scum”

The man reeled back from the bite only to land boot after boot into the boy's body, raining the thunders blows down, after what could have been considered an eternity it stopped, blood dripping from his nose onto the floor.

Slowly using the wall as help he hauled himself up, his clothes had seen better days, and his hair now a mixture of dirt from the ground. As he stumbled out of the alleyway his arm around his stomach which throbbed from pain but more from hunger, it has been over three days since he had last eaten and he knew that he needed to get something in him soon.

“Almost had a taste of what real food is, next time”

[MFT: 374]

 

[Shion]

Rummaging through his own little stash of food and supplies he started to hear a sound that was all too well known to him. "...?" Tilting his head to the side he started to pack up his little sack of wares and move towards the corner of the alley. He knew the sounds too well and saw a child getting beaten up in the middle of the streets. His eyes went towards the ground and she slunk against the wall down till he sat. He was waiting till this show of beating was over.

He had to remain where he was until this was over before he would gain the same treatment. Yet he looked up as the commotion died down, his purple grey shifted to the corners as he saw the other get up. 'The same..?' he questioned himself as he too started to get up, slowly walking towards the male and wanted to offer support. The way he let this known was to tap on his own shoulder and his arm widens up. The reason why he didn't speak was that he had old bandages around his jaw and neck. Showcasing like he was wounded on his lower face part, yet the fact was more that he tried to hide something.

If the other did accept his little help of walking around, he would try to move him to an alley to hopefully be able to sit him down, if he had refused his offer then he would remain near and follow him till they were more out of the open. Opening his little sack of wares he offered a mandarin to the other. It certainly had seen an exploration day, but at least it still would hold some nutrition. The other things that were in there were a piece of dried-out bread and a bottle of water. He had a source found where he could get water... But that was about it, for now, it was clean water. There was another rolled up bandage and bandaids in the sack.

MFT: 342

 

[Zatoru]

'Pit. Pat. Pit. Pat.'

Steps on cobblestone pathways were taken, and a truth of a fractured youth would soon be taken. Much to the demise of mankind was the lying eyes of the few in the dead of night, they tended to rise at about this time. Suffering in the pestilence of despair, rocking the souls of mankind behind the abyss' chair. All along seemed to grind, like the teeth behind those lying eyes. Za found himself again alone, the orphanage seemed to be his only home. And as he would begin to arise, an angry man leaving the scene of a crime. Meddle in the workings of a man's shop and 'stealing' was the crime? Za would quickly remember that it was not so simple to steal, but it was more simple even still to see what a few dumplings would do for a starving kid on the street.

Bloodied. Bruised. Za had been there, not long ago, even his stitches were still healing along his chest and stomach, but he didnt want to do or say anything just yet, standing back and watching things unfold would be the best bet. Along the stone he would feel the rolling bumps under his feet, almost as if he had no soles underneath him. Had he worn out these shoes already? Or were they worn because he had been the third generation to wear them? Questions seemed to bring no answers to three children alone in this dark alleyway. Was it fate? No. This was a disaster, to see a nation of wealth and prosperity done so devilishly dank in what they gave to the slums and poor. Za had everything just months ago. But to throw it away to learn how to defend himself would be the price he paid...

The price of knowledge was one the rich seemed to push down on the necks of the poor. Giving them scraps, or in the case of this boy, not even.

HIs footsteps silently stopped infront of the boys. Standing next to them without saying a word he would pull out some viands for the boy, a simple piece of bread from one to the next. "Here." The kids in this realm had to stick together, no one made a future for them, and no one helped them to their feet when things got dusty... Who would they seek to rescue them? Maybe those heros in the books he read were myths... who knew... who knew.

WC = 414

 

[Uchiha Mizuki]

Sumiko walked through the streets of the Leaf, her maid by her side holding an umbrella over the young girl's head to keep her sheltered from the weather. She hated the maid, she hated this place, her hatred twisted like a knife in her gut, in her mind she thought of the way that she would torment her once they had returned to her home and giggled to herself.

"Your father will be cross if we don't get you back to the mansion soon, you have been out too long already" The voice of the women was sweet and motherly and made the girl feel nauseous.

"It wouldn't it be a shame if I got sick, I am sure that my father would have you beaten, or worse" Sumiko looked into her maid's eyes, there was cold darkness in them that made the women shiver "I may even tell him that you deliberately got me sick, I wonder what he would do to you then?,"

In the distance over the sound of the rain and thunder, she heard shouting, it was two voice one an older man and the other a younger boy, it was long under until whatever it was that they were bickering about to spill onto the streets before her causing her and her chaperon to halt in place the young was thin clearly from malnutrition with an unruly mop of orange hair sprouting out in every which way direction. She watched almost with glee as he struggled and wrestled with the old man before biting him on the leg before taking a pretty serious beating, the display of violence pleased her and feed the monster at least for the meantime.

"Come, young miss, you shouldn't be witness to such deeds." Her maid puller at Sumiko's hand a little encouraging her to walk away, this was met by the girl digging her thumbnail into the woman's palm, the sudden pain causing her to take a sharp intake of breath and dropped her hold on the girl's hand Sumiko instantly walked into the direction that the boy had gone finding that he was now joined by two others both of them as scruffy-looking like the other. They had both handed him some food and something to drink, she made her that she was wearing the sweetest of faces as she approached them.

"That was wrong of him to beat you like that, clearly he could see that you just needed something to eat," She handed the boy a silk handkerchief to wipe the blood from his face. "I have money if you need some, get yourself cleaned up and get a proper meal, I am happy to pay for all of you, looks like you need one?"

[Topic Entered]
[MFT: 458]

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun strolled through the streets, looking around for the shop his father requested he visit while Shuichi was at work. He was about to stop and ask for help when some commotion down the street caught his attention. Shun hadn't seen this level of inhumanity before; his entire upbringing had been so protected up until his mother went missing and his father's mental strength began to fade. Shun couldn't believe people would treat a child like this, especially when it was over something as simple as a bite to eat.

Shun made his way over to the group of children, opening his pack and pulling out a little healing salve and pouches of berries he had harvested that morning to take as a snack on his journey. He had plenty at home, no need to be selfish. Reijun raised him better than that.

"Ah, hope I'm not interrupting anything...but I saw what just happened down the street in passing. I have a healing salve here made from herbs grown in Mother's garden," he offered, holding out the salve to the boy who had bandages in his bag in assumption that he was familiar with medical acts and could apply it if needed.

He then looked to the boy who seemed a bit beat up, smiling softly and offering a pouch of berries to him. "Fresh from the garden too. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries." Hopefully he didn't come off as pitying; Shun knew that was the last thing any of them needed. He viewed himself as an equal to them all, despite how happy his world had been.

He offered the remaining few pouches to anyone else who wanted one, putting any unclaimed back into the bag resting against his hip. He looked at the door to the shop, wanting nothing more than to head up to the owner and give him a stern talking to. Might tell Dad about it...he would know how to handle it properly.

WC: 326
[MFT]
[Topic Entered]

Shun speech
Shun thoughts

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

It seemed that the, unfortunately, series of events that had happened to Nobu had actually managed to gather him a group, the first one that turned up offering him water. Looking at the weird bandages on the boy's face he pondered what could have caused them. Wiping the blood from his nose onto the arm of his coat he moved his jaw slightly, feeling the loose tooth he reached in and pulled it out before tossing it to the gutter, watching as it vanished from existence. Weird how much that resembled how easy it would be for all of them to just go missing. As he allowed a small break in his anger to happen he glanced back towards the newcomer before taking the fruit that was offered. Hunger eating away at his stomach, not even thinking about removing the skin he begun to take bites from it. Devouring the fruit, he didn't even think about the taste, how it had gone off instead just scoffing it down. He had forgotten what food had ever tasted. Before he knew it it was gone, licking at his lips for the last parts of juice that the fruit offered he looked to the other kid.

"Thanks, you got a name at all?"

The silly question he realized after he asked it from the bandages, before realizing what had happened another boy had turned up, though from the look of him it was obvious that he was from the streets or at least had no home to call his own. His shoes and clothes showed as much after all, the approaching boy seemed to offer him as he looked at it and looked around the crowded street, he offered his thanks to the newcomer. This one at least talking a little bit more unlike the last one, they both had that same look in their eyes. Suffering, he had seen it so many times and knew it so well now that it was impossible not to see when you knew what you were looking for.

"Thank you, it seems we all know the pain of...."

He was interrupted before that sentence could be finished it seemed that someone who had an education was now approaching, and from the silk handkerchief, she handed as well she probably came from one of the wealthier families inside of the Leaf. Her words instantly talked about money. Of course, it did, that was always the case with these families, thinking that throw enough money at a problem and it would go away, sure one meal, then they leave and forget that kids lived in this shit hole day in and day out. While a wall kept them so safe from the truth of it all. It made his blood boil, to see people brought up this way, never knowing suffering or pain.

Waiting to get speaking once more he was stopped again. 'Frack me' the thought trailed inside of his mind as he was stopped yet again before he had a chance to speak. I mean starting a sentence with I hope I'm not interrupting anything was always a bad sign of the fact that you were, to put it mildly. Listening to the offer of fresh fruit he instantly spat a reply at both of them, his hand knocking off the handkerchief from the girl as he stepped away one step keeping close to the other two that had helped him earlier.

"Must be nice for both of you, one with all the money in the world to throw at their stupid problems. The other able to pick fruit that we have to beg and steal from the little ivory house they live in, bet you even pay some old man to come and landscape it for you. What happens when you leave, forget about us, forget the life that is here and is hell for children. Is that what you're expecting just one meal, one fruit, and what your seeing right now stops?"

He couldn't help it, the smell of real fresh fruit caused his drool to come down his cheek, whipping it away he looked at the other two wondering how long it had been since they really had a proper meal. Sighing slightly he looked at the others, almost knowing the pain that they were experiencing, and for that moment something inside him wanted to break, take the offers, take the handouts, and just give in to this status quo that everyone seemed ok with.

"Maybe we could sit down and actually talk about the issues, but only if these two agree first"

Determination not to accept food unless the others did, but god part of him was praying they would, three days without food and even the rats that came out at night started to look tasty.

 

[Shion]

As he offered the goods he was happy to see at least someone would be feeling better. As the other asked for his name he closed his eyes, but was smiling underneath the bandages. He would start to write in the dirt below them. ' S - H - I --' That was when they were interrupted by another fella. He offered bread to the guy and he himself sat down on the ground. Waiting to see what would be unfolding further.

A rather odd person came along, her hairs were white as snow and she held a hankerchief to the red haired guy who had a bloodnose still... Even Shion was a little suprised to see how he denied that and rubbed it off basically. Tilting his head to the other he was almost trying to say just don't sweat it... but then another came with grapes... and so much started to happen at the same time... That was actually started to feel in the way at this point.

He looked around, a red haired who just got beaten up, a food god with a piece of bread who seemed to look the same as they did... Probably from the streets too. Then a white haired person who seemed high in status, unsure what her meddle was... But she was offering a rather... unique thing. Then the last guy with long hair almost like a female... offering something salve..? I was a medical salve, yet Shion saw little to no use in that as he wasn't hurt.

He shook his head in reply and didn't take the salve from the black haired individual. Then he heard the beaten up guy talk once more and he himself was included. His body language straighten a little as he sat more upwards and his eyes widen a little... A good meal would be something amazing... maybe he would eat it else where so he would be sure no one would take it too... He would slowly nod on that even if it was a little bit hestitant. How was he going to eat it wihtout everyone showing those odd markings and scare them off like everyone else?

 

[Zatoru]

Imagine, the world where those who worked hard enough got the spoils of the rich, and lived a life lavish with splendor. That was Za's life before his father attempted to take his life. However, something in him kept him alive. Like an undying spirit that yearned for revenge, to avenge the sins that his father completed. He would also go about killing each of his siblings, one by one... Or rather he would hope that they would die one by one. To be able to see it happen, would be the day. Maybe he would be able to die with joy in his heart? Who knew. Now though he would look to the stirring of children all around that would come from the woodwork like cockroaches around a morsel of food in the darkness. One pretty boy had berries... Za would visibly scoff but would take some berries because he wasnt a fool. As well as the girl with the money... how did these people obtain such things on their own? However, the kid that had gotten beaten down was now talking... and something in Za felt compelled to listen, and drag on his every word.

The power, and malice within him... Za felt that. That same feeling, but he never spoke it. He never gave into the power of that darkness. Maybe he woul-... No that was evil. Za was not evil. He was a good kid... just had a string of bad, awful luck. Right? Standing up fully Za would look to the ground from which the bandaged boy was writing something down. 'S H I' 'Shi? Hm, a mute maybe? Or maybe he's got a screw loose... but interesting.' smirking to Shion, though not yet knowing his name, he would nod to him before looking to the other kids.

"Sure."

Simple. He wouldnt talk more than he had to... nothing more nothing less.

 

[Uchiha Mizuki]

Sumiko almost let her mask slip, no-one had ever talked to her like that, no-one would even dare talk to her like that.

Who does this piece of trash think that he is having to gall to address me in such a manner Internally she clenched her fists and thought of all the ways that she could inflict pain on the boy, her outwards appearance remained as a sweet smile, even as the boy knocked her handkerchief to the ground, she had to stop herself recoiling in disgust as his skin brushed against hers.

"I meant no offense to any of you or any of you, I just simply wanted to help where I could, I know that I am not the same as you and I couldn't begin to understand the suffering that you have been through, I am not trying to make your problems go away by throwing money at it. I just wanted to help, that's all" She searched through her internal collection of faces to select which was the best fit this situation, she even managed to conjure up a few tears for good measure. Sumiko listened as the scruffy redhead continued declaring that he would only accept her offer if the others were invited, she hadn't intended to allow all of them to join as the others hadn't really done anything to remotely interest her but she would for now concede to his will. "But of course my invitation extends to the others as well." She smiles sweetly at the group, "I just want to do all I can to help all of you, I know that I am in a position that you are not,"

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun couldn't help but feel a bit hurt by the rudeness in the boy's tone as he was addressed, having wanted nothing more than to offer what he had with him. He never lived the lifestyle they did, he was aware. His parents loved him and protected him from all harm up until now, but he was always taught to lend a helping hand. He got an idea to help out those like these three, deciding to work twice as hard in the garden and grow extra goods to be able to give out for free.

Shun took the salve back from the bandaged boy, eyeing the letters written on the ground as he put the pouch back in his bag. Shi? Or did he have more to finish writing...I'll just call him ShiShi!

When the concept of a treated meal came into the picture, Shun decided it was probably best he try to pitch in. He looked to the girl who was offering to pay, giving a polite bow. "I would love to join you all, and I will help you cover the costs if you would like."

He didn't want to steal her thunder, but paying for three people would definitely be a lot for his little family. He would have been quicker to invite them to his house for a home cooked meal than out to a restaurant because of their costs of living. It was to the point that Shun was prepared to start selling the things he grew in the garden if it would help lower the stress his father endured to keep a roof over their heads.

Shun looked around the group, smiling a bit brighter. "My name is Ashikawa Shun, and it is a pleasure to meet you all." He looked back to the white haired boy who he had dubbed ShiShi for himself, not yet knowing if the name was complete but finding the nickname fitting for his (hopefully) new friend.

WC: 330

Shun speech
Shun thoughts

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

Sighing to himself he kicked a rock across the ground as he considered his actions, maybe snapping like that wasn't needed but he did just take a good kicking in. As he looked at the others he sighed to himself slightly it seemed like the other two were full of hunger as well as he sighed to himself and looked up to the clouds. It seemed that life was not going to get any easier on each of them and even he had that sense to grasp what was given with a free hand, he didn't consider it a favor. In Nobu's mind, this was what should happen, those with everything should help those with nothing climb free from the gutter that they had been washed down into.

"I guess it's decided then, lead the way and we will follow. Though to give fair warning the dumpling shop, Sushi shop, oh and the vegetable stand are all off the limits, kinda don't wanna go near them without taking another few kicks in for returning."

He waited for the group the decide where to go, though honestly, he knew that he had probably just destroyed the prospect of half of the options for cheap food as he stole from them. But he needed to survive somehow and right now stealing was his way of surviving so you give anyone that looks down on them the finger and get on with life. It was a harsh statement but it had kept him alive this long and he still planned on living a little bit longer. Nobu looked at the group that surrounded them, it seemed that each of them had a history and only a few with the same as him. Maybe this meal would bring to light something new about each of them and he could try to get a better understanding of what each of them stood for in this world.

"Nobu is the name"

He didn't give his surname here, not to them, that was his secret for now, after all, you couldn't be sure who you were really talking to nowadays, and it was better to protect your identity than just give it out so freely. He had learned that lesson the hard way and probably knew the others had as well. He would pick up their names and save them to memory at least he had some connections starting to spread out with the web that he would use to create the future he stood for.

 

[Shion]

Profile Demonic Speech Speech Safeword Speech Speech Thought​

As he wrote his name in the dirt he stopped after three out of five letters, but it was fine like this. They knew at least what to call him. He heard a sure from one side of his, the other red-haired.. Then the one that offered it started to talk once more. 'If she really wanted to help... she would have split her money over the rest living on the streets...' Were thoughts running through Shion's head who started to draw random circles in the dirt as the group was picking out their mind on who what and or where. 'I know that I am in a position that you are not, blah blah blah...' He moved his left from lef to right as he went over those words and he started to frown a little more. 'I will help cover the cost because I am so good... They all just take pity tomorrow they all forgot just like Nobu said..' he broke the stick as he placed the part he had in his hand down. He kept looking calm, however, but he was listening to everyone. 'No dumpling, sushi, or veggie stand...' At this, he started to tilt his head. This didn't leave for that many options. Placing his cheek in his hand he started to think. Almost like you could hear gears turning in his head. What would be a good route to go there without causing that group of brutes a big problem if they were to pass through... He picked up the broken stick again and he would draw in the dirt while they were talking. He would try to draw, the best as he could, ramen stand by drawing a stand and a bowl with chopsticks. "Tuna Tuna..." He said softly as if he was but at the same time wasn't taking the attention or trying to take the attention of the group.

N/A Spoiler: Translations N/A. Spoiler: Safewords !!! At this point, no one knows what these mean. (Kelp): Means: "Hello." (Salmon): Use for affirmation. (Bonito flakes): Use for negation. (Leaf mustard): Means "Are you OK?" (Chopped katsuobushi): Means: "Idiot." (Tuna Tuna): Means: "Look." (Tuna Mayo): Means: "Beware." use for a warning.

 

[Zatoru]

Things were definitely going smoothly, for such a slew of low lives such as himself and Nobu. The others seemed to have something deeper going on. This Shun boy seemed to be carefully plotted, maybe he was hiding some darkness of his own, someone so nice could not be without his own skeletons...such was a thing that Za felt he'd learned alot over the last year of his life. He'd lost his mother, his family, his wealth, the life that he'd known. Though, they didnt know that, something that he would definitely not say. He wanted to handle, and tie those loose ends on his own accord. One day at a time though... maybe he wouldnt even live to see that day. If he continued to go without food, shelter, and resources to move forward... he might not make it to another week. His frail body always shuddered under the dampness of the rain and dew that many people didnt experience because of their nice homes and fireplaces...

Za would follow, the eerie pearl haired girl seemed to be nice in her own right, but he reserved himself to be the standard barer for conversation. Keeping quit until he had anything to speak up on something that needed his attention. He'd learned from his father that he would definitely not have the opportunity to speak often, and to speak ones mind could cost them their life. So, Za bided his time... especially around such calloused souls. "I'm Za." he spoke after Nobu, looking to Shion and tilting his head. 'Tuna Tuna... Hm, Weird kid... But, He's better than some others...' nodding to Shion, but he wasnt sure what he was attempting to do? Maybe he saw some tuna?

"...I could go for some tuna... Where's the fish kid?" Za'd look and wait for Shion to direct him, but maybe there was something else going on here? Za didnt know, but Nobu and Shion, the latter he had no clue what his name was, were the first two people he'd met where he felt comfort with... to a certain degree at least. Shun seemed cool, but sheltered. The Creepy Gal had money, and maybe if he was a worse human being he'd try to use her for the money she would be willing to give up to resituate himself. However, Za hadnt gotten to that level of desperate, yet. If things continued... He'd do anything.

For now, he'd follow the group, but more importantly, Shion's call for tuna made his stomach growl.

 

[Uchiha Mizuki]

Sumiko sighed to herself, changing her face to a smile as the Nobu boy change his tone, she knew he would, after all, what animal could resist the thought of a meal after starving. The thought of having to spend any longer than she had with the lesser lifeforms made her skin crawl but if she wanted to maintain the appearance of a normal girl she knew she needed to make...friends.

"Oh, how rude of me, my name is Yusada Sumiko," She bowed a little to the group, ]color=peachpuff]"It is a pleasure to meet all of you, now that we are all in agreement I know a really good ramen place, it's not that far from here if you all feel that you are up for the walk?"[/color] She allowed her mask to form a look of concern as she looked at the other pieces of street trash and the boy that had joined not long after she did. "They do the best ramen in Leaf, they also do the most amazing rice balls, I will ask to get some boxed up for you so you have enough to last you all a few days if you want that is, I would hate you to think of you as a charity case," She turned and started to walk towards the exit of the alley hoping that the rest will follow.

 

[Ashikawa Shun]

Shun followed along without hesitation, storing all the other received names in his memory for future use. He didn't exactly feel like he fit the dynamic of the group, but hopefully with a little bit of time they could open up to each other and become pretty good friends.

Shun adjusted his braid to rest over his shoulder rather than letting it swing freely down his back. When they reached the restaurant that Sumiko was leading them to, he thought for a moment about whether or not he should even eat; his father was likely making them dinner, as he usually did after work.

Shun knew it would probably seem a bit rude for him to invite himself only to avoid eating. Maybe he could just get something little so he could eat later with his father. Or he could bring Shuichi something home, like a nice little dessert.

It wouldn't be rude to the others if he got something for his father, would it? Shun didn't want to come off as flaunting of his money, even if he didn't have much. Then again, overthinking the situation probably wasn't the best idea either. He sighed softly, fidgeting with his braid.

WC: 200

 

[Shion]

He had tried his best to make an accurate drawing in the dirt below him, but it seemed they all, still, didn't understand him. He placed the stick down and he had given up at this point. "...I could go for some tuna... Where's the fish kid?" it seemed Za was one that somehow got the idea he meant fish... He looked back once more to his drawing, was the ramen that difficult to draw perhaps? Yet the other person who was paying already had an idea about how to go somewhere. Shaking a no towards Za and point to the rich girl that had started to walk along. He would start to walk behind the others having an eye over his shoulder from time to time as you could never be careful enough.

He tried to memorize the names he had gotten so far, pigtail braid was Shun... Dollface was Sumiko... Red hair toothless was Nobu, red hair spunky was Za... As he tried to walk as the last person, he would try to make the best out of it by watching the group and just listening to their chatters.

It was when they were getting close and the smell of fresh-made food would really hit the air, that the male started to place a hand over his stomach. But the loud sounds were already coming from them and Shion himself looked to the side and gained a healthy set of rose-colored cheeks. It really was embarrassing when it made noises like that when everyone could hear them.

WC: 256 MFT

 

[Momo]

A Rainbow Yugi​

“Another round please!” Stretched before the ramen vendor was an arm wielding an near empty bowl that balanced a pair of used chopsticks. A rather large smile, almost ear to ear, could be seen just past the empty ramen bowl. A very spirited blue haired child was beginning to wave it impatiently as the vender’s eyes laid squint unsure as to how such a small child could eat so much. “Kid... that’s the fourth bowl. Where the hell are you putting it? And you better have enough money to pay for all of it!” “Chill old dude, you know I’m good for it.” “How the hell would I know that? I’ve never seen you before.” The man would snatch the bowl from the blue haired girl and begin preparing another bowl. The man’s frustration would seem unwarranted at first glance, however, Yugi was ordering ramen faster than the man could finish the orders of the other customers. It was just the dinner rush hour and along came Yugi ordering ramen almost in bulk. The vendors eyes were currently tearing from the onions as he diced away... or perhaps it was the work load. Yugi simply sat at her stool with her legs dangling about. That’s when she noticed a group of kids around her age coming up the street. A motley crew for sure and one seemed all beat up. With a huge smile she’d wave them over as if they were long time pals. She certainly stood out from the crowd as she was very colorful. Blue hair, dressed in bright variants of purple and pink, Yugi wore a cropped tank top fasten by a combat belt at her upper abdomen, another combat belt across the hip, stripped shorts, and rock star like combat boots. Her purple eyes were as flamboyant as her outward appearance and the girl had a tattoo sleeve that stretched down to her side. It was of colorful clouds raining ammunition. She’d continue to wave the gang of kids over to her. “Hey hey, over here!”

[Topic Entered]
[wc 300+]​

 

[Nara Shizukesa]

Nobu and the group seemed to be heading off to the ramen shop here. Though he had to admit he had never been somewhere like his before. As they made their way to the shop he did admit that the smell of it alone was so good he couldn't help but allow a smile to escape his lips as he looked forward to eating the food. He wondered just how someone even managed to afford to eat at a place like this, and of course, right now he didn't really mind that someone else was paying for it after all. As the group closed to the door Nobu stepped forward and opened the small door, this place has actually built up from what it used to be over the years, from a booth on the dirty sidewalk to a full-blown restaurant now.

"Hello, how can we help today?"

It seemed that this place even had people waiting at the door to greet them when they entered, what a surprise it was indeed to be greeted. Even with the current state and smell of them, he could only imagine what it was like, but right now he didn't complain as he decided to respond to the woman that welcomed him into the food place.

"There are six of us, not sure if you have enough seating for all of us if that is possible for you?"

The woman gestured to one of the tables, not too far away from a kid that was sitting there eating it did seem like the chief was getting slightly annoyed from the kid but he didn't want to ask questions instead of taking a seat at the tablet hat they had been given, before menu's where they set out to them. His attention was drawn to him from all of the shoutings that were being given to the group but instead, he decided to take a look at the menu, noise was something that he never really understand, and causing a scene wasn't something he was going to entertain.

"I am just checking the menu to see what items I need to order, please can you give us a few minutes to all decided what we are having then we will call you back and make an order, probably the easiest way to do this"

He had hung around restaurants and food stalls to know that this was the best way to speak to them, after all, it was polite and allowed them time to actually consider what they wanted to order from the menu. Nobu looked to the others wondering what they would get before looking at it himself, he had almost forgotten what normal food was.

 

[Moyasu]

He truly hated this and everything regarding it as he carried a small satchel filled that was filled with an assortment of valuable items. Some were older than three generations of katai put together, small items and trinkets that had been passed down from father to son, mother to daughter now nothing more than bargaining chips. Even his own families trinkets had long ago been part of the deal, with each having to give up something with each cycle of the season. Lucky enough this time it wasn't his families draw but that is exactly why he was the one being the carrier. It was a rule that whichever families turn it is, that no member in that family be the one to transport. This was naturally due to the fact that someone attached to the item was less likely to go through with it. Still, these were his heritage and these all held a symbolism that was worth more than any amount of cash. A shame that his people had come to this point, where their treasures was what kept them afloat. After all, living wasn't free and in a village like this there was very few ways to actually acquire money. As he walked, his eyes were focused on the ground with thoughts steeped in options. What could he do about all this and how much he wanted to not do this. Grinding his teeth, he'd stand before an unsuspecting building and after knocking a defined amount of times would flare his nostrils. Time would run for a few minutes of silence before the door would open and an old man would stand in the doorway. He hated this guy, his facial expression smug and long while he moved his fingers in such a way it was screaming to Moyasu to give him the satchel. He'd try his best to hide the disdain in his face while handing over the bag, the man looking inside and even producing one of the items in his hand. Looking over it in the sunlight, Moyasu's eyes remained focused on the ground feeling a sense of anger and shame. The man, feeling this would move quickly, striking Moyasu against the side of the head with an open palm slap that caught him off guard. Forced to take a step back while holding the side of his face his expression was blank because he knew where this was going. "Looks like you've got another season....though you should learn to hide your face better and show gratitude. After all...where would you go without me?", his voice sounding like poison to his ears but Moyasu sucked up whatever pride had been on his face that made him get hit and reprimanded. Only tightening his jaws.....after all their situation didn't allow him the ability to speak how he truly felt. The man almost reveled in being able to do this, chuckling before slamming the door in Moyasu's face after telling him quite audibly, "Now go back and enjoy my hospitality while i'm in a good mood." This was what they'd become in this age, scavengers on their own land thanks to snake like wit and devious intentions. If he'd of been paying more attention to things around him he might have noticed others but this wasn't one of those situations. Instead he pocketed both palms, frustration almost to a boiling point and began to walk away. "Tch.....paying tribute for our own land....living off meager scraps. Craps gotta change else----", he shook his head at that thought before it even manifested. He couldn't do that...the Katai weren't like that. He'd take deep breaths, walking away while his body heat spiked.... But that's exactly why they were in this predicament in the first place. [Topic Entered/Left] [Run Time of 1 hour unless Stopped]

 

[Zatoru]

[Apologies on my late posting]

Za would find himself slinking into the background of conversation however, he did make his way to sit next to or close to Nobu. Almost like protection. He was a stalwart in that way. Knowing that anything and everything that could happen would happen in such a situation. It was best to be near strong individuals... those that he felt were stronger than he... But then again who knew? Who cared? They were kids at a restaurant. Though something that would throw Za for a loop was the girl with the blue hair that seemed to be loud and obnoxious, but it wasnt annoying....

It was...

Endearing? Maybe that wasnt the word for it but it was something that he would wonder about. He was on the early stages of his pubescence, and there was no one to teach him on how these things would go, but that was a talk for another time. He watched her with a side eye glance though, before looking back to Shun and Nobu and a copper skinned boy that seemed to pass them by.

So many people. So little time to meet them all. Who knew what would come of anything that was talked about today. Za just wanted some food for his belly and maybe some clean water? Was that too much to ask of the child? Maybe so... Maybe so, but he wasnt going to complain about it. He had to act, while he felt like he had the energy to do anything about it. For now... He'd wait. Setting himself near Nobu for the time being until something else happened....