soul_logs | [ OPEN ] August 2012 Introduction Log

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[ OPEN ] August 2012 Introduction Log

Characters: OPEN to new arrivals and NPCS.
Where: En route to Casualty Communal
Rating: Gen
Time: March 12 onwards
Description: Welcome to Death City!

It had been a little over a week since the sandstorm, and thus a little over a week since the last batch of newcomers. When the readings indicated that BREW was activating again so quickly, it was a bit of a scramble to get everything prepared. The last time it activated before then was early February, so this really was a small time frame. It had been some time since that happened.

But everyone dutifully prepared just in time for the first arrivals. It was also a relatively good day despite the past few rain showers. At least things were much calmer now.

[ooc: Player characters will also be joining the log. Everything after the sub thread Soul Perception is open to all characters.

Quick navigation: Kishin Chamber | Around/Outside Shibusen | Around Death City | Casualty Communal | Soul Perception | Open Thread]

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Talking cats. Hardly the strangest thing he'd seen today; at least this one didn't explode like the last animal that gave him directions. (That would explain why he winced at the puff of smoke, anyway.)

Still, he couldn't help but stare as that cat took a human form. And, perhaps surprisingly, his gaze wasn't fixed solely upon her... assets.

He soon became aware of his own gaze; one way or another, it was rude to stare. "Beg pardons, madam; I was unaware there were witches in the employ of Death city."

Since Miss Blaire was currently dealing with a more snappish newcomer, Lee stepped up and offered the young man a bright grin.

"Hello there, sir! I am Rock Lee! I would like to help as Blaire-san is currently taking care of another's needs." He nodded to the shape-shifter and Akiha, then cringed. Threatening them with pumpkin attacks could hardly be seen as "taking care" of them. The green-clad ninja scratched at his head, turning back to the young man with a chuckle. "She is not a witch, though! Do not be fooled by her fashion sense or magical prowess! She is simply... a cat!"

He cleared his throat, then made a sweeping gesture to the city streets. "Is there anything or anywhere you may have questions about? I will gladly be of service to you!"

((ooc: If you'd rather have Blaire respond, just shoot me a pm and I can delete my response! ^-^b))

((Honestly I'd love both; I'll take all the CR I can get!))

"...You would call it that?" Ramza, of course, was no more convinced that pumpkin-bombardment was any sort of... behavior for a tour guide. By now, he was willing to simply accept it as another fluke of Death City. "...It would make as much sense as calling her a cat," he muttered. Nonetheless, this spritely youth's good will was enough to return Ramza's thoughts to his offer.

"Oh, you have my thanks." Ramza extended his hand. "I'm Ramza. And... start with whatever you wish; I wouldn't know where to begin."

Blair quickly transformed back into a cat to increase her speed. She darted towards Lee and the new guy and then jumped onto the guest's head. "Takin' the cute ones, huh, Lee?" The black cat purred and settled comfortably on top of Ramza's head. "Witches are scary and not quite as good looking at me." She playfully pawed at his hair. "That's how you can tell!"

And he was soon drawn from his propriety and would-be handshake as a black cat settled onto his head. "I... see." Thinking about it, those sorcerers he'd fought in the past had that blood-chilling air about them. But Blair here, settling comfortably onto his forehead, or the way she stood practically beckoning before him before-...

Well, suffice to say, 'chilling' wasn't a word he could use to describe her. She really did have the demeanor of a c--

"...Wait, 'the cute ones'?"

This was starting to hurt his neck. Ramza peeled Blair from his head, holding her in front of himself as he regarded her. "Very well, where would you have us go?"

"Meowha!" Blair giggled and booped the new stranger on the nose. "Yep, Blair likes cute boys and you're my next victim!" Of course, there was nothing to truly fear. That is, unless, Ramza had a severe aversion to busty breasts and sexy outfits. "I can take you to the mall!" She happily purred. "Or if you want, you can come over to my place and we can take a nice warm bubble bath together. What do you say?~"

He was momentarily grateful that Blair was not, in fact, among the witches he would be facing. Even apart from the fact that he'd almost certainly be dead, Ramza was sure he'd never want to be staring down more than one of... her.

It was almost enough to make him miss the compliment she'd buried in there. Almost. It struck him eventually. Ramza was seldom caught off-guard, but her request was more forward than the point of any sword.

"I-- should we not-- might we begin instead with drinks together or--"

Gods have mercy, why was he debating this with a cat?

He took a moment, taking a deep breath and rubbing the bridge of his nose as he regained his composure. "Of course. Let us start with the mall."

"It's that way!" Blair pointed in the general direction of the mall. She couldn't leave her post quite yet, as she had other guests to attend to. "But heya, if you wanna wait till later, you can take me out for drinks and lingerie." She winked and purred loudly.

He had to admit, he wasn't exactly used to getting... hit on. He wasn't sure he ever would be. And Ramza could only pray that said lingerie wasn't intended for use with her feline form. But he had to concede that it would only do him good to find friendship so soon... he could do worse than find himself with company for drinks, couldn't he?

"...mayhap another time, then."

Having Blair as a friend is a good strategy indeed! Ramza will have to get boobs shoved in his face every now and again, but she certainly knows how to take care of her friends.

The black cat purred loudly and began a figure eight dance around his legs. "Nyaa, is it a date, then?"

"I suppose it is." Ramza gingerly stepped over the feline's motions, lest he knock off her hat or trod upon her tail. But, Blair being a cat and Ramza being a human being, he couldn't get away with not giving her a pat or two. He could use the excuse to get his mind away from the onslaught of worries and information he'd endured over his first few hours here.

"Then perhaps I should begin by asking where you live... I would hope you're not a stray."

".... Not generally..." His voice had lost it's optimism on that end, but he wouldn't be Rock Lee if he let that simple mistake get him down!

He rolled his eyes at Blaire's "cute ones" comment but was primarily amused. Sure, Ramza wasn't necessarily hard to look at, but Lee had more eclectic tastes when it came to what was cute. Or handsome. But that was beside the point. Lee allowed Blaire to show the young man what he meant about a cat, and gave her free reign to explain what she wished. He moved on to the important areas. What he considered important, anyway.

"Then we should start with the Watch office!" Lee gave a general sweep of his arms towards the giant staircase. "At the foot of Shibusen lies the office headquarters of the Watch, the general patrol force of the city run by the many guest current residing here! I myself am a patrolman for the Red Light District."

"Passing strange," He muttered, giving a last passing glance at Blair before returning to his conversation with the young self-described guide, either ignoring or simply not noticing his eye-roll at the compliment. He was more attentive to Lee's words.

A Watch-house was a straightforward enough place to start, as well. Even if Ramza wasn't quite certain what Lee had meant by 'Red Light District,' he gave a thoughtful nod and a hum of consideration; someone would need to play overseer to city full of weapons and warriors. Though, admittedly, this brought about a follow-up question of his own...

"Are kishin so bold as to attack the city...?"

Lee led the way while walking backwards, all the while maintaining his balance even when the roads dipped oddly.

"In fact, they are, but typically a raid would still be considered a very risky move on the Witches' part," Lee said, his face very serious. His mind traveled to the little bits and pieces Neji had revealed of his captivity. It wasn't pleasant.

"They even took captives at the time, so it is imperative to find out who you resonate with quickly and keep in close contact with them." The shinobi smiled encouragingly at Ramza. "But that is not the main focus of the Watch, Ramza-san. It is to keep the general peace of the city. Witch hunting and Kishin Egg capture are up to Weapon and Meister pairs who cooperate with Shibusen."

"...and the watch safeguards the city," he mused as he followed Lee's words. Ramza nodded once more. "I'd held a similar station when I was still a student of warfare." He'd also left his station for several days to follow a lead. Perhaps that was a job he was better off not holding again...

Especially when Lee spoke of such urgency for his weapon training. So much for his notion of settling in before heading right back to martial matters.

Small wonder about the kishin attacks, though. He wouldn't have wished it on anyone, of course, but Death City hardly seemed like a castle built for battle; the most daunting obstacle to entry was that staircase.

Speaking of, he'd been delaying that question for long enough. "...Are those stairs the only route to Shibusen and back?"

"Then perhaps it would be suitable as a job, should you wish to take one!" There were, of course, plenty of residents who could support themselves on the monthly stipend from Shibusen and supplement the rest through rewards from completing missions. But jobs were almost essential to anyone who didn't want to get bored between training and missions.

"Yes! The stairs are an integral part of training, don't you think?" He grinned at Ramza, completely serious.

Those stairs would certainly be a good exercise for anyone who lived in this city, but... Ramza broke away from that befuddled look eventually. Surely he japes, he thought to himself. ...no, another glance confirmed that that grin was in earnest, not in jest.

He'd given too much thought to it already. "I would think I'd grow accustomed ere long." Ramza hurried through the topic and onto his next question. "But I had thought our jobs were to hunt Kishin... or are we to find our own coin elsewhere?"

Lee nods enthusiastically, certain it would only be a matter of time. Everyone who lived her got used to them. Or else they forwent visiting Shibusen after their arrival.

"It is! But not all who come here are suited to that work, or find that they have spare time and do not wish to remain idle." The latter was Lee's problem, which was why he currently held two jobs outside of missions. He cocked his head to the side, considering.

"... And of course, some people just enjoy having more money to spend on luxuries."

"Sage enough means to that end." It brought a little pang of worry to the back of Ramza's mind; he'd spent many years in that academy and the past few years as a sellsword that such comparatively 'peaceful' jobs felt nearly out of reach. Though now was perhaps a good time to start. "What other jobs might newcomers take?"

"Hmmm," Lee hummed thoughtfully, placing a finger at his chin to tap. He tilted his head.

"It depends on your area of expertise!" Lee was a fighter, a warrior of stealth, so he made his money through the Watch, missions, and also some bouncer duties. While Ramza also had the feel of a warrior to him, that didn't necessarily mean he felt cut-out for the same jobs Lee did. "What are you looking for? Work with people? Or with animals? There are a great many places to start! I can help you if I have an idea on what you are thinking of."

"My expertise..." He had to admit, 'warrior' wasn't the worst description for him. Though Ramza was sure he'd be filling that role enough in his work hunting kishin eggs. And the thought of entrusting any more lives to his own care-- well, he had to admit his track record was hardly stellar.

"...Truth be told, I've seen little work other than as a sellsword," he finally admitted. "And I would see enough of such work as a weapon."

After a while, he'd finally found words adequate enough. "...Perhaps something quiet."

"I see..." Lee had no problem with mercenaries. In all honesty, a shinobi was a mercenary, but one loyal to his country and village before the customer. He nodded, and began going through a mental list of all he knew. Quiet was not Lee's strong suit, but it was definitely a description he could work with.

"There are several quieter jobs if you are not one who wishes to pick up a dangerous job besides missions." Lee always assumed the residents here would be taking missions, whether they were fighting types or not. "There is a park, book store, as well as several eateries around. Not to mention desk work if you think that would be suitable."

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[ OPEN ] August 2012 Introduction Log

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