sunshine_ooc | Test Drive Post!

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Test Drive Post!

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Travelling through Fire country > The border of Uzushio

Splitting the clan had been advantageous in the beginning, but Houou still missed the branches of his family; longing strangely for the years on the road and the closeness of his council. But time marched on and their numbers swelled and it had been time to look to the future of their young ones and the generations that would lead them forward, once he finally tired of the life his bloodline provided.

Settling in one place was still an act of great restraint that Houou did not quite yet possess, but visiting he could do; checking in with each Maniwa outpost and assuring himself of the health and safety of each precious member with his own eyes and affording him a comfort that letters simply couldn't offer.

Fire country was a cool joy to travel in the spring time and he walked the paths with an easy gate that belayed none of the skill he possessed as a long lived and exceptionally train shinobi. Houou was simply a brightly coloured and obnoxiously regal looking tumbler, a performer of tricks and reciter of tales and nothing more to the casual observer. Only his fellow Maniwa would understand the markings; slashes of red across his eyes and nose that distinguished him among them, despite the years and changes that he might have to enact in the mean time.

Time marched on and so did he, soon to see his strays again, if only the day stayed clear and the road to Uzushio smooth.

Nori had just left Konoha proper that morning, waving a cheeky goodbye to the guards at the gate as he sailed through the doors and into the great, vast world outside those walls. Village visits were a nice bit of downtime, but Nori could never stand it for longer than a week or two without starting to get twitchy. No, he belonged on the road, feet carrying him wherever he so chose.

At the moment, that direction was a small town in the northwest corner of the country, where wind of a unique job had reached him. A day and a half's travel at a leisurely pace. For all his wanderings, he rarely expected to happen across acquaintances unless he had reason to seek them out or vice-versa, and wasn't particularly fond of the latter.

He didn't really believe in coincidence, but the sight of that obnoxious form wasn't an unwelcome one. Nori greeted him with his trademark sharp smile.

"Lookin' like ya might be lost there." If only because Houou was alone, and maybe it wasn't a coincidence.

"Now what makes you say that, Akio-san?"

Houou had paused in his stroll one hand to his chest and the other resting at his back as he inclined his head in an amicable bow. It had been some years since he'd last set eyes on this particular fellow; knowing him in the stretch of time simply by the hasty marks of a pen, in a series of notes that saw the light of a flame more than they did the light of day.

Still it was a pleasant surprise and his mouth stretched in the smile of the self satisfied, as if the world was continuing to roll in his favor in a steady streak of luck.

Nori swept an assessing gaze over the man and decided he didn't look much different. It had only been a few years, around the time he'd dropped that alias in favor of his current one. That had been a good time in his life, a nice five years of sliding in and out of the band. He'd even stayed with them for that first year as Akio- the longest he'd ever stayed among any one group of people.

Good sort they were.

"Can't help but notice you're missin' a couple o' fings." People, to be more specific. "Thought you lot always traveled in a pack."

Edited 2015-03-24 00:21 (UTC)

"The times change around us. My troupe has settled far and wide, too large now to travel as we did I'm afraid."

His voice was light, even if it did secretly pain him to admit the fact out loud, but it was for the greater good for now and Houou reminded himself, once again, that it would not be forever.

"Some are settled in Uzushio as we speak and that is my destination. After all..someone must keep to the road and collect the strays and it requires a certain knack."

Akio was unchanged besides a few more braids and the odd line to his face here and there and it was good to see; the man continued to be an asset to the clan and maintained his honorary Maniwa status even with time and distance between them all still.

"Downsides of success, eh?" Nori's smile wanes. "Shame that."

And it really was. That kind of whimsical freedom to be among a friendly group of people that understood the need to wander made up some of his best memories. But nothing could last forever and his smile returned easily enough as he shifted into the casual stance of friendly conversation.

Woe betide anyone that tried to ambush them.

"Well since you're still wanderin' around, I'm sure you'll get word to everyone, draggin' wayward brats in along the way o' course. I might even stop by an visit sometime."

The smile flickered, mutual understanding flitting between them at a way of life lost. Of all the cycles of his years, that time of travel and performance was his most dear, but plans took time and clan survival was his focus now; they needed grounding and training that the old ways simply could not provide.

A flash of teeth, sly and keen as ever at the mention of his habits. "A shepherd is still a shepherd, even without his flock close at hand.. Feel free to send those of interest along the paths to find us as always."

A circular flick of his hand, encompassing the whole world in such a small gesture of fingers, gloved and sharply clawed as it was.

"And as ever you are welcome among us. You are known to the others and our settlements number in the dozen now, make use of them as you will. The little ones will delight in your tricks I am sure."

Nori lifted a braided brow. "A dozen? Musta been busy after I left." Sure the troupe had been growing, but a dozen settlements? "Well now I'll definitely have to meet the new faces."

And yes, entertain the young ones. He'd taken to performances with ease. His natural sleight of hand a good a trick as any, and he'd even learned to play the flute with acceptable proficiency. He'd played a tune to a delighted Ori once during a visit home. Sometimes he wished he could usher his brothers out into the world, and now that the Maniwa were settling.. but no. They needed to be safe, and that was trusting way too much. He still hadn't told any of them his true name, but no one outside his brothers was ever likely to.

"I'm workin a job at the moment, but I'll be sure t' drop by when I can. Lemme know if there's anyfin' you guys need. No guarantees o' course. Trade's been hard, but I'll do what I can. An' you know I'm always good for intel."

"Small and inconspicuous as possible. The safest option we could all agree upon, given the changing climate.."

Houou didn't need to elaborate further, he knew Akio would understand. Conflict was on the horizon and such an obvious troupe, grown large, would struggle without some sort of permanence and until that could be offered within the clan, alliances and covers were better forged now.

A wry smile curved his mouth once again at the offer though and he bowed his head in thanks "As always, knowledge is your most valuable commodity and I will see you paid through the usual channels for that to continue."

It was a concept Nori could easily identify with, given he did the same thing for basically the same reasons. Anonymity was invaluable, and with the hostilities flaring up between borders.. well, best to wait out the storm sometimes.

"'Preciate that." It's a good deal they had going between them. Good intel for good pay. "I'll send Gilroy t' find you after this then."

Gilroy isn't actually the name of his red fox messenger, but it caught on before he could do much to correct it, and he was forced to admit the moniker worked well enough as a code name.

He'd been making his way in roundabout fashion toward Uzushio, having become aware of the recent chaos and wishing to check on the welfare of the girl he'd been taking such pains to protect from her own devotion. He had been worrying increasingly about her, and he had detoured into a village to pick up a few supplies, ever traveling the long way.

Still, a familiar fall of cloth caught his eye, and instead of hunting up a shop, he veered off the path, making his way over on quick, silent feet to slip up beside the older, and by far taller, man. "Ou-sama! Hello."

He was known to only one person by that name and oh, wasn't it a pleasant thing to find souls that survived in such times. Houou tilted his chin, the only indication that he was regarding Peter at all, and carried on without missing a beat in his step.

"What brings you to Uzushio, Peter-kun?"

The young man was broader, taller certainly since he had last laid eyes on him and seemed to be healthy enough. He'd slipped out of sight of even the Maniwa's information strangle hold, but it was of no particular worry to Houou; death was simply a part of the cycle, but it gave him some small pleasure to see the young fellow alive and set on a path of Peters own choosing.

His cheeks colored at the question, and he gave him a slightly sheepish smile. He was not hard to fluster, admittedly, but a genuine blush was far less common than an affected one. This was definitely the former. "I'm going to check on my girlfriend, actually. She was caught up in the midst of the chaos that happened recently and I want to be sure she's well."

He peeked up at him. "And you? I didn't know this area was part of your wander route."

"A paramour? My my, how you've grown."

There was a teasing lilt to his voice as always, but it was over layed with genuine pride at seeing a young one he'd taken a shine to, grow and become someone who cared for those he held dear, it was a trait he admired greatly.

"Ah! Some of my kin have settled here and it appears our objectives are similar. I'm hoping to find them unaffected by what has happened within the village and the surroundings.."

"Ah..." he gave him a sheepish smile. "It sort of fell into place given how long it was since I'd seen her when I ran into her last year."

Shaking his head, he picked up his step. "I'm around here from time to time, she lives in Uzushio now so I come by when I can. I can always peek in on the others when I'm around if you like?"

No one had any real idea if he would even pass by, let alone any actual sort of time others would consider official. That didn't really stop the small group that had settled in Uzushio from putting an ear to the ground and making connections in regards to certain travelers roaming the lands to have an idea.

It was why Pengin found himself in that gray area that was the border of Fire and Whirlpool in hopes that what had been speculated on the most likely route was correct and he could greet him before other matters and such would take up Houou-sama's time and thus make certain he didn't become a bother during such while the older members discussed clan business he was just not old enough to fully understand or be part of.

Houou kept to his own schedule, travelling where the rumors would lead him and keeping to a patternless meander between the settlements. He rarely sent word ahead, choosing to keep his dear clan guessing when he would descend upon each group in a flurry of feathers and fine silks. It kept things interesting and kept potential enemies and curious folk guessing and on both counts it suited Houou exactly.

It was exactly this practice that made the small figure and bright eyes that greeted him, all the more remarkable for their presence. A broad smile curved his features, revealing a sliver of golden irises and pulling gently at the markings above his eyes. Houou was never keen to play favorites among the clan, but this young one was dearer than most and he swept forward to greet him.

"Astute as ever I see. How goes it, Pengin?"

There had been no real worry or fear in regards to the welfare of the other, but it was still happy to see him unchanged and well.

"Ah, Houou-sama. E-everything is as calm as it can be. H-how has the road been?"

He wouldn't really admit that he had perked up when he had been greeted. He had been one of many in his generation that he tended to get lost in the crowd when the whole clan was together. So to know that Houou-sama recognized and remembered his name was a shocking, but pleasant surprise.

"Long and oddly solitary for this time of year, but nothing of note to report."

It was good to find another one of their outposts quiet and trouble free; his biggest concern with settling had been leaving each group to defend themselves away from the rest of the clan but, so far, his fears had been unfounded.
His smile settled to something more comfortably pleased and Houou drew along side his smaller companion, settling a clawed hand at the back of the downy ruff Pengin wore in an encouraging pat.

"An escort is not required, but the welcome is appreciated nether the less. How fair your studies?"

He didn't realize he was ducking himself into said ruff and tilting his head so the brim of his hat hid his face as he tried not to let his embarrassment and pleased feelings show too much.

"I-i wasn't asked...I-i wanted t-to say hello when i-it seemed you were heading t-this way."

He barely looks up after admitting that so his next statement is a bit muffled as it's spoken into his neck ruff.

"I-i'm a genin now a-and Juukyuu isn't as hard to use now Houou-sama."

The words reached him regardless.

"Is this so? Excellent work, Pengin! And the others fair just a well? I worry that the elders may miss the old ways and the open road.."

The emotion was thinly veiled in his voice and Houou maintained the light point of contact, not dropping his hand and matching Pengin's shorter stride with his own easy pace. Perhaps it was projection on his part; missing the close bonds of the clan during his travels, but he was sure of true answer from this one and used that fact to his advantage.

There was a moment where his arms did a bit of a flapping flail motion in embarrassment at the praise. As he was uncertain of what exactly to do or say to such. Though he calmed down quickly at the question and worry.

"...Those i-in the academy are doing well, a lot of the adults find a lot of reasons to roam, even if just for a day."

He doesn't mention how empty the compound can be at times and thus how Umigame keeps sending him out on errands or to meet people so he wouldn't be there alone or with certain others.

Ah, as he'd feared. Well, their situation would change again just as quickly. He just hoped the others would keep themselves together until then..

"So go such changes, but there is no permanence to this.. The clan will be together once again, soon enough."

Houou wasn't entirely sure who the reassurance was for more- himself or Pengin- but sharing such information and knowing it would find it's way around, was a strange comfort all of it's own.

"I intent to impose upon you all for the next week; there is business nearby that I must attend to. Is Umigame-san present at the moment?"

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Test Drive Post!

Houou Maniwa | Katanagatari | Maniwa Clan/Uzushiogakure??/TBD

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