When the comforts of civilization begin to dull our senses, we must never forget that in the beginning, there was war. And war. And more war. Long before there were empires, there were humans consumed with greed and the hunger for power. Resources, territories, information—these were the forms of sustenance upon which we preyed. Today, we call such habits vices. Oh, how arrogant we have become! Are we not still impelled by those primordial emotions? Is the advent of war so far-fetched? But alas, for you to truly understand, we must dive deeper into this land’s half-forgotten past.
There was a time when might was the only law that humankind knew. Fearsome clans roamed throughout the land, seeking amenable grounds within which they could take root and opposing forces against whom they could test their mettle. Given the irregularity of nature’s bounty, certain regions appealed more than others, and dominion over such coveted territories became the spark that ignited the earliest inter-clan wars. These fierce, internecine affairs tended to conclude only when one side had decimated their competition into oblivion, and many clans of story were rendered extinct during this period.
The victors of war, having claimed their territories, often made truces with surrounding locals, offering protection in exchange for access to the yields of agriculture. Over time, certain communities emerged as more dominant than others, either due to numbers or sheer talent, and their rapid expansion would force smaller, neighboring communities to either collapse into their fold or be devastated. When the dust settled, humankind found itself divided into the five major territories that we are familiar with today. And was the bloodshed over? With our lands obtained and our bellies filled, were we finally content?
06/01/2023 June is for Juggin
We made it y’all, another month of OTA, and fresh off the press we have another promotion ready. Leaving behind the opening bonus sadly, we welcome the jugggggg! June is for juggin AKA working hard, so we are making it a double rewards month for every mission completed! Yes we said it's double rewards, now you all can really get into the thick of those builds if you work hard enough. And who knows what you might uncover in the process. AND all jobs are free to enroll no quest EXCEPT ANBU(Black Ops) roles.
There had been much strife in Honoka's life lately, and she couldn't even remember the last time she had a moment to herself. Training and missions were a constant and, though they helped advance her goals, every so often she needed to take a break and enjoy what life had to offer. Give herself a taste of what awaits her at the end of her long, arduous journey. Strapping her boots on, she threw her cloak over top of her outfit and headed outside. Surprisingly, as if someone had read her thoughts, it seemed as if an impromptu festival was being thrown. Several stalls were being mved and put up, with tarps or blankets being thrown on top of it.
Some stalls featured games, such as throwing a ring around a bottle, while others were renting yukata, and the best were serving food. The smell of delectable treats wafted through the streets and Honoka began mapping out her quest. Immediately, she ran back inside and removed her cloak before flying to the yukata rental. Changing, in nearly the blink of an eye, she had gone for a subdued white with several bright flowers all over and the obi a hot pink.
Making her way down the street, she couldn't decide if she should play first or eat first and that's when she saw it. Down to her right side, nearly four stalls away, they were selling the wonderfully delicious, the amazing -- takoyaki! There were very few foods that Honoka could find herself enjoying, she loved desserts way more, but one of them had appeared and smelled just too wonderful.
"I'll take 2, no 3 orders!" she screamed over the soft hum of the crowd, though still loudly enough that it made her blush in embarrassment over her overzealous ordering. She quickly looked around to ensure no one else had noticed as her pink locks swayed side-to-side.
Post by You Banned Retard on May 30, 2023 8:48:24 GMT -6
Kaori had heard that there would be a festival in Konoha, and she had been excited to join in on the open mic karaoke, something that would surely earn her some recognition; she'd practically rushed out of her apartment after getting dressed, although she'd still stopped and spent maybe an hour making sure her make-up and outfit were on perfectly. She left her ninjato and her other ninja tools, though; no need to bring them along just to the festival. Her two-tone hair is done up in an upswept ponytail, with a bright golden kimono with navy blue floral patterns all over it, as well as a dark blue obi to match the darker shade of her hair, and she had to admit, she really felt like she pulled it off. Her shoes might have been made of plain wood, but at least the thongs that held them to her feet were also a matching dark blue. With her eyeliner, dark blue lipstick, and purple eye shadow, she gave herself a wink and called herself drop-dead gorgeous before slipping from the house and straight into the festival.
She weaves herself deftly enough through the crowd, giggling with delight at every show and watching people play the games; she knew they were probably a kind of scam with no real strategy for winning, so she wouldn't participate herself, but that didn't mean she couldn't have fun watching other people lose out. She does try her hand at the ring bottle game, though, and she figures that the best method is to aim for the center and to toss the ring in as flat as possible; it may have taken her several tries, but she manages to win herself a tall teddy bear that she has to carry out piggyback style.
On her way through the festival, she catches the scent of one of her favorite foods ever, the savory and salty scent of seafood mixed with the smokey and sweet smell of the sauce that was often paired with the octopus ball. She goes straight across, only to see someone already there making a call for three orders of takoyaki. Her pink and white outfit was bright and dazzling, somewhat contrasting her own dark blue outfit, and she stood next to the lovely pink-haired woman to call out her own orders for takoyaki.
"I'll take another three orders of takoyaki, too! Hey, hot stuff, you've got good taste."
Kaori giggles and gives the stranger next to her a wink, though she wonders momentarily how she's going to continue carrying her teddy bear prize and eat her takoyaki at the same time.
Right to the side of Honoka another female voice rang out, her request almost the same as her own and it shocked her. Looking over, immediately, she noted the two different colors that adorned her head. The blonde danced with the blue in beautiful harmony, enough that it made her jealous over her own 'plain' pink locks. While Honoka was a host to waves, this woman's hair was rather unkempt and thrown into a high pony tail. Her yukata was just as dazzling, if not more so than her own. The gold mixing with the navy blue was something that most people had taken notice of, and praised as they walked around. All in all, this woman exuded confidence in both her stature and appearance and Honoka could definitely appreciate it, in more ways than one.
After ordering, she turned to speak to Honoka and referred to her as 'hot stuff' eliciting a shy smile and slight blush to spread. She was used to dealing with her family, and puppets. Though quick witted and fairly intelligent, she still had little to no interactions with others her own age and it caused her to be a bit socially inept.
"Well, I could say the same to you! There's nothing better than takoyaki during a festival, and you look great in that yukata!" she fought through her growing embarrassment in order to converse with a fellow villager and return a compliment as well. Sliding a lock of hair behind her ear, she grabbed the small cardboard container that held her skewers covered in sauce.
Giving it a large whiff as she was appreciating the various, mingling aromas the excitement filled her up once again! Great food on a great day, what more could she ask for?! Before it could get cold, forgetting that she was supposed to be courteously conversing, she took a quick bite and managed to snag two of the round spheres in one go. Softly munching, in love with how the outside was crisp and juicy while the inside was soft and rich, she looked over to the beauty beside her.
"This, this is so amazing! The flavors, the atmosphere! Is it rude to order more already?" she innocently questioned, genuinely concerned with whether or not such an action was uncouth or not.
Post by You Banned Retard on May 31, 2023 6:18:21 GMT -6
Kaori gives her new pink companion a quick up-and-down look and instantly decides that "hot stuff" is definitely an accurate description for her, because she was certainly very pretty. She gives the stranger a confident smile when she sees her cheeks turning a pink to match the rest of her. Kaori still has to struggle a bit awkwardly when the man with the food stall tried to hand her the takoyaki, but she's still giving her giant teddy a piggyback ride. She probably hadn't fully thought this through before letting her stomach decide how to do things. She sighs and finally sits the teddy bear's butt on the dirt in front of her. She'd just have to remember to give it a wash before she brings it to her bed with the rest of her collection of soft things. Speaking of soft things in bed...
Kaori's gaze returns to the woman next to her while she's eating her own takoyaki, enjoying the compliment to her yukata for a moment before she returns with a compliment of her own.
"Yours is really nice, too!~ I bet yours was tailor made, it fits your body really well!"
Was that too forward? Maybe, but Kaori often got away with being a little bit more forward than what was normally socially acceptable. She pauses in the conversation to eat another ball of takoyaki, letting the flavors dance on her tongue while she enjoys her new friend's bubbly and excitable personality. She was already fun to have around, and she munches on her third takoyaki ball when the pink-haired cutie asks such an adorable wuestion that it nearly makes Kaori giggle, but she suppresses it at least long enough to finish her own snack before she gets to respond, finally letting her giggle free behind one hand.
"If it's rude, then call me impolite! Oi oi! We'll each have three more takoyaki, my treat!"
While the first sentence was directed to the stranger, she gave the food stall owner a wave to let him know she was directing her order to him for six more takoyaki balls. Then she returns her attention fully to the other woman with her.
"But let me be at least a little bit polite and ask you your name, instead of just calling you Miss Pretty In Pink in my head.~ It is a 'Miss', right?~"
Kaori makes sure to give her new friend a half-lidded look with her eyes, making it clear that she's being maybe a little bit flirtatious and forward on purpose, through both tone and body language.
Though she hadn't noticed before, being more concerned with the food before her and analyzing the woman, but she was toting around a large, rather adorable teddy bear. It seemed like she was going to put it on the ground, much to Honoka's horror. She preferred cleanliness and order and that was neither, she quickly used her chakra strings to wrap it up in a makeshift sling and flicked it over her shoulders. It wasn't perfect but it would be much better than getting it filthy.
The woman kindly returned her compliment, causing her to glow once more but this time with a playful smile. She was caught off guard the first time around, not like her to become so meek, so now she would reveal her barbarous tongue. As soon as she could get over the rich taste exploding in cascades upon her tongue, it was still incredibly hot which made it even more delicious!
"Thanks! I know you noticed, given the way you've kept eyeing me down," she mentioned, casually and playfully, giving her a wink as she ordered them some more takoyaki.
"Well that was awfully sweet of you, but know that I'm not a cheap date!" she giggled, before polishing off the rest of the takoyaki that she had gotten beforehand.
The festival was in full swing at this point, the streets that had scattered customers here and there now became much more hectic and chaotic. Moving through the crowds would take immeasurable skill so Honoka was more than glad that they were currently seated at a bench and spared from such things. At some point, however, they would have to get up and begin their navigation. After ordering, she looked over and asked what she should be called and the pink-haired woman let out a hearty laugh, clearly entertained.. There were multiple facets to their interaction that had indicated the flirtation, but it wasn't as if the young woman minded. She was open when it came to liking men and women, and it had been so long since she had actually cut loose and had fun.
"It is miss and my name is Honoka. Honoka Minamino," she began as she introduced herself, sure to always include her family's name as well. "And I have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of a Miss...? Other than cute and flirty, of course!" she would ask, before winking at the beauty before her.
Post by You Banned Retard on Jun 3, 2023 10:25:19 GMT -6
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Kaori Shikiri
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THE UPSTART ━━━━━━━━━
Kaori herself is relieved when her new friend manages to make chakra strings that allow her to wear her giant teddy bear rather more like a backpack, rather than having to keep it over her in a piggyback position. She gives her thanks to Honoka in the form of a radiant smile, while also thinking silently to herself.
Mmmmmm, some skill like that could prove very useful indeed...
She raises an eyebrow when it also seems this other woman came with her own playfulness after all, bringing a bit of redness to her own cheeks even as she eats some seconds of her takoyaki. This time she does speak up after Honoka explains that she's not a cheap date and she introduces herself, while at the same time flirting back and even winking, ensuring that the color stays flushed on her cheeks. Kaori finishes off the food she already has in her mouth before she does finally answer, one corner of her mouth turned up in a somewhat naughty smirk.
"I'm Kaori Shikiri. But you can still call me cute and flirty if you want, as long as you don't mind me asking you what kind of a date you are.~"
She felt pretty smooth, at least, so she moves in a bit closer to let her leg lightly and only momentarily brush against Honoka's, and she makes sure to act surprised, as though Kaori wasn't, in fact, trying to at least make a little bit of skin contact with the other woman. She had to admit that the other woman was completely adorable, and the shinobi finds her blue eyes gazing into Honoka's own scarlet irises, finding them quite mesmerizing to look at while she ignores her previous interest in going to the karaoke booth, although she's not sure where Honoka had been going. So instead, she makes a suggestion, perhaps testing the waters to see if she could convince the gorgeous pink woman to a little bit of a date.
"What do you say we do a few games, Honoka?~ Most of them are probably scams, but I think they'd be a lot of fun with you around.~ As long as we come back here to watch the fireworks..."
Though she didn't verbally thank Honoka she didn't need it, she saw the gleaming smile that her actions had elicited and that was enough for her. She didn't necessarily need the gratitude yet it was a nice feeling all the same. Their time devouring takoyaki was fun, and the conversation was witty and flirty which definitely wasn't something that she had been expecting when she came outside to join the festivities. The greatest victory, of the moment, came when Honoka was able to reciprocate the effect that had formerly plagued her in the form of an embarrassed blush.
"Success!" she cried out, happy that she was successful. After introducing herself, they both spent another moment devouring the delicious seafood balls before she was greeted by an uplifted, naughty smile playing upon the other woman's lips as she identified herself as Kaori and inquired what date she was if not cheap. This caused her to laugh in response, entertained that she could keep up the quick conversation with her.
"Well, I guess you'd just have to find out sometime, huh?" she answered, playing at her innocence while the other woman shifted her leg closer to hers lightly brushing. She was sure it was accidental, given Kaori's surprised reaction, but the skin contact had of course surprised Honoka as well and caused that crimson hue to remain on her cheeks. Making the situation more intense was staring into her eyes, causing her to stand up and avert her gaze as she asked if she wanted to explore the various games around. Thankful for the change of conversation, she gathered her thoughts and recollected herself.
"Yeah, let's go have some fun Kaori!" Running by and grabbing her hand as she went, she smiled as she answered while moving.
Post by You Banned Retard on Jun 7, 2023 9:54:01 GMT -6
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Kaori Shikiri
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THE UPSTART ━━━━━━━━━
Kaori puts her hand in front of her mouth when Honoka cries out her own success, but she doesn't comment on it just yet, at least not verbally. Her eyebrows raise a little bit at the sudden outburst, but she decides not to ask, as it might make her more self-conscious, and that's certainly not something Kaori really wants, since she finds that she enjoys it when Honoka acts so carefree. It was certainly a change from Kaori's much more stuffy parents, tutors, and teachers that she mostly grew up with as a prodigy, so she rarely had the chance to talk or interact with her peers for most of her life. Perhaps she was just acting out a bit, but she did enjoy her more flamboyant appearance and personality compared to how her parents made her dress while she was still growing up. Being a ninja meant that she was free of the expectations of her parents, who ironically had much higher standards than Konohagakure seemed to have for its genin. But she needed to stop thinking about her past or her mood would be ruined, so she refocuses on Honoka for now.
Goodness gracious, she's adorable!
She's glad when it seems like Honoka is also somewhat transfixed by eye contact with Kaori, at least as much as she was enjoying looking right in the other woman's eyes. Goodness, it wouldn't do to get interested in another woman too soon! Although she had to admit that both of them finding each other attractive certainly would go a long way with her enjoyment of their fun together. She can't help but to make a little bit of a squeaking noise when her hand is suddenly grabbed and Honoka both lifts her off the bench and makes her follow after, but the surprised squeak turns to giggling laughter as she follows along, her face already growing more flushed because they're holding hands and pretty much going on a date already. She points out one booth with a jar full of marbles with an entertainer asking people to guess the number. The prizes on offer were fairly impressive, but it didn't seem like many people were walking away with one, maybe even less than how many are walking away from the other booths.
"Let's give this one a try! It ought to be easy..."
The day with Kaori was going completely unexpected, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. She didn't often make any connections and talking and flirting like this had reminded her of pursuits she had long abandoned during her quest to restore the Minamino. But why was there any reason she had to undertake that alone? Surely, on the side, she could begin to pursue romantic interests? She shook her head to literally whip the thoughts away, not wanting to dig too deep into something that was uncertain. She had to enjoy what was going on at the moment, as the girls giggled and headed further into the event.
Further down from the takoyaki stand there was a stand with a large glass jar of marbles where the participants had to guess how many were inside of it. It was a good game to start off with and she stared intently into the glass jar, trying as hard as she could to count the number. After a few moments she gave up, it was much harder than she anticipated.
"Ah, god damn it. Uh, five hundred forty-two! Kaori, Kaori you guess!" she screamed out a random number that popped up into her head, before inviting her new friend to guess along with her in the hopes that one of them would hit the magic number or close enough that they could win a decent prize to walk away with.
Thinking of that had brought an idea to her mind, causing her to gasp in excitement now that the chance had made itself available. She had heard of games at festivals that won you small fish to take home and, for some reason, the idea dazzled her. If here were two of them, they couldn;t definitely manage to win!
"Oooh and next let's go win a goldfish!" she would cry out and give the other beautiful woman her best begging look coupled with a pouting lip.
Post by You Banned Retard on Jun 8, 2023 10:00:58 GMT -6
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Kaori Shikiri
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THE UPSTART ━━━━━━━━━
Kaori can't help but to smile, nearly grin as Honoka seems to take quite a while to guess, and then spits out a number that might seem random, but wasn't actually the worst guess. She's even cute when she curses! She can't help but to find it absolutely adorable, even for a young woman like Honoka. Even so, Kaori is a bit surprised when Honoka suddenly turns to her to tell her to take a guess as well. Kaori herself asks to look at the jar, and then, using some basic measurements using her own hands for a moment, simply hands back the jar to the festival worker, smirking knowingly now that she's compared the volume of the the jar with the size of the marbles. She feels pretty clever for doing a bit of quick math and then giving out a slightly different number, though hers was a little less.
"It's gotta be five hundred and ninety.~"
She smiles as the festival worker's smile falters just a bit, but he provides her with a choice of the top row of larger stuffed animals, and since Honoka was so close, she gets a choice from the second row. Kaori shrugs when she sees that the top row is so full of animals too big for her to carry when she's already carrying one like a backpack, thanks to Honoka's ability with chakra strings. She picks the big bubblegum pink mouse mascot, then turns to give Honoka a grin as she holds it out to her.
"Well, no matter what, I won this for you anyways! It kind of reminds me of you.~"
Then Kaori gets a bit of a surprise at the suggestion that they go and win a goldfish, and her eyes seem to get wide with excitement, her heart nearly melting with how cute Honoka looks when she's begging with a pouting lip; she even considers trying to buy the goldfish, because she wasn't sure she herself had enough skill with the fake fishing game. But that would ruin the fun! She takes a moment to weigh her small coin purse, but she knows she has plenty of ryo for several tries, and how hard can the goldfish game be?
"Hell yeah!~ Let's win ourselves a goldfish!~"
It's her turn to grab hold of Honoka's hand, once she's determined her prize, and pull her along to the fishing game, having seen it on her way over to the takoyaki stand from where she'd entered the festival grounds. Though seeing how low the sun was starting to get, this would probably be the last game of their date before the fireworks show, and she thought she might want a secluded spot to watch that show with Honoka...
Shoot, I don't even know how to take care of a goldfish...
