Test Drive Post!

[sunshinemods]

Sunshineverse

Okay everyone, it's time to test some people out! The rules of the game are simple. You have a character you would like to try out as a native to the setting of this game. You want to see if this is the right setting to play said character in, right? Well, then all you have to do is drop them into this post as a top level comment with this as the header: Character name | Series (OC's just put Original here) | Planned Village Affiliation Then you comment around and play with everyone else! If you need some ideas on how to get started, you can drop your character in during the middle of a mission, have them at an eatery around their village, or maybe even just doing weapons practice. It's up to you how you want to set out, so feel free to put your characters in this version of the Naruto universe however it most seems appropriate. Just be sure to say where you put them somewhere in your post though, otherwise two people might not even be threading in the same country. One last thing! Remember that your character was born in this universe, so whatever else you decide, your character is a world native, even if they might be a tourist in the village you decided to test them out on. And that's it. Just be good to each other and have fun! Threads you do here can count toward future activity checks, so long as the person you're threading with gets in too. These threads can also be used for samples on your application. Communities♦ Main Community ♦ Missive Network ♦ OOC Community General Info♦ Premise ♦ Rules ♦ F.A.Q. World♦ Country Information ♦ Maps ♦ Sunshine Timeline ♦ Character Histories Applicants♦ Applications ♦ Character History FAQ ♦ Nationality Guide ♦ Taken

Comments

[notbalanced]

"If that is what's needed."

But Juugo was scared. Scared of dying, and what was beyond. How could he face all he'd killed? Guilt bit at him and wound around him like snakes, and it hurt to breathe, just thinking of it.

He was afraid of it more. And afraid of all the more people that would be hurt if it continued to survive and take control of him. So if that was the choice he had to make, he was so afraid, but he would.

The birds, sensing his distress, chirped and fluttered, and one did its best to provide comfort.

[teachingpeace]

"I won't do it." It was a simple, low declaration. He wouldn't help someone commit suicide again. He'd killed people, many, many people, but it was... very different to help someone die when they wished to. And even if the resemblance was passing... it made something tighten in his chest to hear that kind of sentiment from this boy.

"I can help you, but I will not be the death of you."

[notbalanced]

Help. Orochimaru had said something about helping, curing, and nothing had happened. Only--

Blood, and fighting, and nothing helped. He'd only watched Orochimaru make copies of him, and so many copies died, and others went mad as it took control, and the ones that didn't... Juugo didn't know what happened to them.

Now this man was offering help. He'd helped a little, but how long would that last? How long before it took this man over, since he was taking the chakra that made it?

"He said he would help, and cure me. He only made me fight-- Nothing helped."

[teachingpeace]

"I have no cure for you." It was a simple, clear statement of fact. "I can help, nothing more. If you fight, it will not because I force you to, save to get you to learn control."

He studied him thoughtfully. "I would probably handle that personally since you cannot do me permanent harm. In any case, who is this he who made promises he clearly didn't keep?"

[notbalanced]

How did fighting teach control? It only hurt others, and part of Juugo balked at it. But he was helping, could help, and if he was right about not being able to do him harm...maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Juugo wanted so badly not to live like this, always afraid of it coming out.

"Orochimaru."

And the experiments had been almost as bad, painful and scary, but he could have endured those, if only they had helped. This was helping, though, so maybe...

[teachingpeace]

There was immediately a look of distaste on his face when that name emerged, and he gave a light squeeze to the arm he'd been touching.

"That explains quite a bit. If that man had his way I wouldn't even be alive."

[notbalanced]

"He smiled, when they died."

Just the thought of the people Juugo had been made to fight, that Orochimaru had made sure it would be unleashed on, made tears gather in his eyes. "Good data" Orochimaru had said. People had died.

So Juugo had left. And now he was here, and didn't know what to do. He looked at the man, wondering what was next.

[teachingpeace]

He reached out, hand moving very slowly so the boy hard warning, and his touch gentle as he brushed his fingertips over his cheek.

"That doesn't surprise me at all. When I was very young he suggested killing me and my friends because we were starving. A mercy he said. You never have to worry about him taking you back to that with me, I wouldn't let him."

He shook his head, giving the boy a faint, amused smile. "Even at my weakest I was stronger than his strongest. Come. There will be no senseless killing done to you here."

[notbalanced]

The touch was unfamiliar, and touch had almost always meant pain was coming before. Pain wasn't a bad thing. Pain meant he was still here and it was not. But Juugo wasn't sure he liked pain very much, otherwise.

He went stiff and tense, but when it didn't hurt he relaxed.

"Do you promise?"

[teachingpeace]

"I do. You will make your own choices here. I may merely suggest alternative options." He pulled back, looking at him thoughtfully. He decided not to speak whatever it was that crossed his mind, instead pushing to his feet.

"You will need a hat."

[notbalanced]

Juugo nodded. He could do that. This sounded like somewhere safe, and real help, so maybe, that would be enough to keep it from ever killing again. And if it wasn't, he could just leave again. If this man wasn't lying, Juugo didn't think he would be stopped.

But the question was confusing. "A hat?"

[teachingpeace]

"My country usually doesn't stay dry as long as this conversation. You'll want the hat." He got to his feet, offering the boy a too thin hand.

[notbalanced]

Juugo looked up at the clouds. Rain sounded nice. He liked the rain. It felt nice and soothing, and being wet wasn't much of a trouble, unless it was also very cold.

"I like the rain. It's clean."

He reached out, tentative, and didn't quite grab Nagato's hand. His fingers curled a little, but twitched at the touch of another and didn't tighten into an actual grip.

[teachingpeace]

He rested the fingers of his other hand on the back of the boy's, then firmed his hold and tugged him to get up. "That's good. It rains often."

[notbalanced]

Juugo looked at the point of contact with vague wonder, and a little confusion. This was... nice, he thought?

Yes, nice. Warm. Almost like the birds, but different. The birds were very happy though, fluttering and chirping, and that made Juugo attempt a little smile. Yes, good.

But now what? He looked down again, and then up to Nagato's face. He'd said come. "Where?

[teachingpeace]

He paused his gesture with a small, wry smile. "Home. We have stew."

[notbalanced]

"Stew?" Juugo wasn't really sure what stew was, except for vague memories of when he was very small, but he was hungry, and the offer of food made him relax even more.

"Thank you."

That was said with a wealth of gratitude, deep and abiding, but still a little shyly. This man was so kind, and Juugo still worried, even if he'd been assured it was okay. What if in a moment, this man turned his back and Juugo was left alone long enough for it to come out? People could still die. But, this was much better than Orochimaru and the caves in the wild that never lasted long enough. He just had to stay close enough so that it would be caught in time.

[teachingpeace]

"Trusting in me is thanks enough." He examined the boy for a moment, then dipped his head in a small nod, shifting on his feet. "Stew is the best food really. There is nothing that's better."

[notbalanced]

"I would like to try it."

Juugo kept watching, waiting with a stillness that many his age didn't manage. He didn't know where they were going, but he would follow. There was safety and food waiting, and he was sure his friends would be safe too. The little birds were quite cheery now that Juugo was calm, twittering and singing little snatches of song back and forth at each other.

[teachingpeace]

"Then you shall. It's two hours east of here to my city." He peered at him for a moment then turned to start walking. "It would go more quickly but my fitness is not pristine."

[notbalanced]

"I don't mind waiting."

If there wasn't it to worry about, walking was pleasant. Running was only when there was something to run from. Or to. Usually not anything to run to, though.

And east was... The sun rose east, didn't it? And the sun had risen over there. Juugo turned, and looked back for confirmation. This way, right?

His question was answered when the man started walking and he fell into step. This was nice.

[teachingpeace]

He turned his head slightly, watching him as they walked. "I'll keep that in mind as well. You're a courteous one."

[notbalanced]

"I am?"

And was that a good thing? The man didn't seem upset so Juugo assumed it wasn't bad, at least. Now that he was relaxed, he could watch the land. It was nice. He'd never been so close to the village he knew was near here before. More than just people, there were ninja there, and he'd stayed away. He felt a little bit of fear, but the man would keep him safe, and no one would be hurt. At least, he so badly hoped so, and there had been no reason to distrust him.

[teachingpeace]

"You are. It's polite of you to pace me." He peered up at the sky, a soft sigh on his lips as he straightened up. "I will be glad when there is no longer a need for such considerations."

He could battle, but if there was no need, he simply wouldn't spare the extra energy.

[notbalanced]

"Oh."

That was interesting. So it was polite to keep pace with someone else. Juugo didn't mind slowly, but it sounded like the man did. Why did he have to go slow? He looked thin; maybe he was recovering from being sick? Juugo had gotten sick before, and he hadn't been able to get food so he'd gotten thinner. A little.

Maybe Juugo would get him some... but he had food. Maybe it was a sickness that just food wouldn't fix. Maybe he could find him something that would make him better. He'd look, and he'd ask the birds later.