Before Dawn [P, Yoi]

It's a dark, early morning in Kirigakure, and the Shoe Shiner Inn is quiet save for the occasional shuffling footsteps of its proprietor, David, downstairs. It isn't uncommon for the rare patrons of the inn to hear him down there during the odd hours, though he tries to stay quiet so as not to disturb them. It's insomnia, he tells them, he gets restless during the nights since his wife left.

It's unlikely that any civilian visitors will wake from the clatter of dropped bowls against the hardwood and the dull thump when David collapses against the wall, clammy, breathing shallow. He'd been feeling ill since he started preparing for the day. Now, at his age, he knows he should be looking out for cardiac symptoms. What he doesn't know is what to look out for - a heart attack is supposed to hurt an awful lot, isn't it? Mostly, he just feels all tight and sick and clammy. Can't be too serious, then, right? With a grunt, he tries to shakily pull himself to his feet, letting out a gruff "Whew."

---

"Yeah, funny-looking kid. Seemed nice, but didn't want him hoarding a room for a whole month. Didn't wanna give you lot reason to hang around too much either. Specially not so early in the morning. No disrespect meant - y'all just scare off the customers. Standing around." The young innkeeper of the Grotto waves the smoke of Mino's cigarette out of her face, pursing her lips grouchily at the woman who has shown up on her fine establishment's doorstep at four in the morning. "...This really necessary?"

"Yes," Mino lies, exhaling more smoke. In truth, she is simply peeved that she's having to follow up on their guests when that should really be the guards' job. She's eager to share her early day with the adoring public. "Which way did he head?"

"God, over to David's, probably," she says, gesturing with her head down the street. "Or wound up there eventually. He's probably the only one who'd take the kid. You done, then?"

"Thank you for your cooperation," Mino yawns. "That'll be all."

The innkeeper nods curtly, steps back - and with an immense amount of restraint, does not slam the door in Mino's face. Mino takes another drag of her cigarette, turns on her heels, and heads down the street towards the Shoe Shiner Inn.

[389]

Looks like he isn't around. Mino finishes her smoke at her spot across from the inn, and turns to depart down the street.

OOC wrote:TWC - 412
Claiming 4 stats, going into Stamina. Putting all of the words into learning Summoning Technique, which will now be at 738/1000 with the words put into it from previous threads.

Approved Josie, for future reference please link the thread where you previously trained the technique ^^