An Untimely Meeting or A Show

Zunair had just left the hospital after work, what seemed, all day. He was tired but not, almost like mentally drained from cutting open a body to find out why the patient died. The mint-eyed Hyuuga sighed as he looked towards the sky. The late-night sun had decided to hide behind the peak of the mountain, making the overcast skies bathe the world in a soft blueish-grey with the mixture of oranges and yellows. Although Zunair quite enjoyed times like these, he did enjoy the rain more. Without an umbrella, however, he was content with only the muting of Konohagakure's usually vibrant colors. Since it was getting later, all the nightlights had come on. Even though it was colder, the nightlife made it seem warmer.

A nice, peaceful day, perfect for leisure activities. Activities that Zunair typically didn't partake in, well, he never really had the chance. Still, it was a nice day, and Zunair decided to eat out for once and maybe meet some people instead of going straight home after his mission. There was a wonderful eatery in the village, after all. Once upon a time, it was a very small ramen stand, but over the generations of various important people eating there, it expanded and grew. There was still the old ramen bar, but there were plenty of tables and chairs to sit and eat as well. Zunair even helped the old man when he first started doing missions.

Entering Ichiraku, Zunair was surprised, and relieved, to find the place was mostly empty, except for the few scattered groups around the room. His ears were filled with loud calls to the chef with the background noise of the few groups of people talking. He looked around the room and decided on where he was gonna sit, well, since he wanted to meet some people he decided the best thing was to sit at the bar. Maybe some sake will get him out of his comfort zone and make him talk-ish. He took a seat at one of the barstools next to the window, looking out into the sunrise.

“I’ll just have a bottle of sake and some beef ramen,” Zunair said, the chef nodded and then handed him the bottle and started making his order. Zunair hoped this stuff was good, as he then took his first drink of alcohol, ever. Well, it burned as Zunair started coughing, hoping no one noticed as he then looked around the room to see if anyone was watching him. From what he could tell, no one was.

WC: 427

"Kaaaanpaaaaai!!!" Comes from across the bar. A young blonde man and the bartender tossing back two canned beverages as the young one orders another round. A few finished plates of food already around his spot on the bar. From his foreign clothing to the way he's spending his money it's clear he's probably not from around here. Despite that though he seems content to enjoy himself. Ordering cutlets, noodles, and a good bunch of alcohol for himself. The red flush strewn across his cheeks making it clear he didn't plan on stopping any time soon.

To shunro right now is a dream come true. Months on the road and finally a good meal. He was gonna make the most of anything. Honestly he was wondering what fire country cuisine was like but at this point he could order whatever! Taking on village missions gave way more money than odd jobs on the road. Though as he was considering what next to order he heard a young woman wondering what to order. Aaaand seeing the way she walked in he could probably recognize the look of someone that's broke. Considering he had a few thousand yen he figured why not.

With a quick and sharp whistle to get her attention he'd toss her one of the canned beers he ordered for himself, a golden star emblazoned on the front. "Here! Try before you buy"
Little acts of kindness. Maybe it'd get him somethin in the future. Either way he'd likely go back to his noodles and meat as he kept drinking. Idly scribbling away in a notepad beside his food.

[WC: 280]

Ryō sighed with relief as he flopped onto the ground and wiped his brow with a towel. Like most other days he didn't indulge in the trivialities of traditional genin missions, Ryō spent his time out on the old training grounds. He had taken to spending a great deal of time out on the rocky grounds ever since he had had those nightmares some weeks ago. Something in him changed in those few nights, and he found himself consumed with an all-new purpose and drive. As much as he enjoyed the fruits of his endeavors, there was no getting around just how much work it was for him. 

Looking up and seeing that the sun had just about disappeared behind the Hokage Monument, casting long shadows over the faces of past Hokage. It gave a stark contrast to their features, making them all the more otherworldly, inspiring, and perhaps even a touch intimidating. Still, with the sun almost down, that could only mean one thing; he had finished his training for the day. Gathering his things and giving his shaggy brown hair a patting down to dry from a quick dip in some water, Ryō left the fields and began to wander the streets of Konoha.

Things had been slowly improving since his return; not that he himself was any significant motivating factor in that. It was still heartening to see some semblance of life and joy return to the village. People were staying out later and socializing, kids were being left to wander and chase each other through the streets while animals were happily enjoying more attention and opportunities for scraps. The atmosphere of the village had certainly improved as well, as that constant pressure of anxiety and fear seemed to lessen a little more each day. 

An abrupt noise from his stomach caused the Senju to stop and clap a hand over his middle. He hadn't thought to make himself a lunch box to take with him and breakfast hadn't been nearly large enough to get him through the day with as much physical exertion as he had put himself under. Deciding then and there that he was gonna grab something to eat, it wasn't hard for Ryō to decide on what. There was one place close enough to home that he could tell the moment they opened up for the day just by the aromas that wafted in through his window. 

Stepping into Ichiraku after leaving his stuff back at his place, Ryō was glad to see that things weren't too crazy. Some of the usuals were in their corners but the place was largely still free. A brief moment of respite from the din of the shop let one question cut right through to him. He approached the bar where a few others were assembled and sat in a chair next to a girl who seemed to be unsure of what to order and another figure who seemed to be in the midst of a coughing fit, though more out of his choice of drink than any illness. 

"I always start with some korokke. Who doesn't love some fried potatoes to start a meal off with, right?" Ryō felt himself beaming for some reason he never could quite gather for himself. He always enjoyed meeting new people and helping in whatever way he could. It was just in his nature, perhaps, to be friendly with folks, regardless of station or walk of life. "But then again, that does mean less room for ramen." His smile never left as he quickly turned and ordered himself the aforementioned croquettes before turning back to the girl. His eyes briefly ran over her attire, which seemed significant somehow but its exact meaning eluded him. "I'm Ryō. First time in Ichiraku's?

-----

WC: 606
TWC: 606

Tag:
@Zunair Hyuuga
@Miki Satow

“Here you go, Zunair!” The elderly chef laughed as he served up a big bowel of beef ramen to Zunair, who promptly dug in. He wasn’t blind to his surroundings, and of course noticed the sweet young lady who stepped oh so carefully through the shop. The young Hyuuga side-eyed the girl as she took a seat off her cloak, folding it and then sitting on it, right next to him. He felt her gaze drift from him, to his bottle and then the chef.

Zunair slightly giggled as she as asked the man what he would recommend and her face turned flush with color. He looked at her, almost studying her. She seemed to be almost the same size as him so she has to be around his age. Beautiful too.

Zunair smirked and then turned his attention to his sake as he downed another drink feeling the burn but not as much as his first shot he did. The mint-eyed Hyuuga saw another male whistled at his new female friend and tossed her a beer. The unknown male then went back to his writing, from what he could tell. Weird. He could of had least came over and introduced himself. He guess to each their own.

“Well, I would recommend the beef ramen, it’s my favorite, but any of the chef’s ramen is excellent.” He smiled towards the girl after she got her seemingly free beer.

“Oh, would you like some Sake too?” He asked since he did notice that she was eyeing his bottle earlier. He then turned towards the server who was walking behind the counter.

“Can I have two shot-glasses please.” He asked her. Regardless of whatever the new girls answer was, he wasn’t gonna take no for an answer. Well, almost like a repeat cycle, another boy walks up to us and sits next to the female. He had almost a ruggish look about him, in contrast of Zunair. Although he was handsome, well, maybe that was the alcohol talking. The ruggish looking male started talking to the female next to him, introducing himself as Ryō and asking her if she’s been here before.

“Can I have another glass,” Zunair asked the server so he can pour our the new comer a drink as well. After he finished pouring the glasses he slid one down to Ryo and the other to the girl.

The hyuuga smiled at them, “bottoms up,” he said as he took his shot, regardless if they did or not.
[WC:419]
[TWC:846]

With the woman coming by he stows away the paper he was writing upon into his coat. Had she been still clear headed she might be able to catch the seal written on the note. Or was it a drawing? Too close to really guess. Though he plays it off like nothing, his attention caught by the girl sitting at his table and the two followers behind her.c

When she asks him her question though he stifles back a little laugh "Never had a beer before? Cmon you're a grown woman, you should know by now." He says it jokingly. Leaning back in his seat as he takes another of his own. "Pop the tab" He demonstrates with his own. A cracking sound coming from the can "And enjoy. No need for all the giving and gestures and such with serving sake and all that" His mind though recalls a few seconds earlier with her coughing from the shot "Thouuuugh I'm gonna guess you don't drink much in the first place, right?"

With her seeming fairly out of it or at least getting a buzz coming on he turns his attention to the other two. He snerks at the small one though. A little young to be drinking wouldn't he be? Maybe the place was more lax with its laws than back home though seeing the kid chucking back a shot was a funny little image. As for the other one the headband had him worry just the tiniest bit. But he reassures himself same as he did in the gates. The city had bigger problems. "Guessing you two probably don't neeed any refreshers like her?"
Ryo, Zunair, and Miki. He makes a mental note of the names as he keeps drinking. A little voice in his head saying it's probably gonna be a funny night.

TWC: 602

(Moving on since it's been 48 hours)

Zunair smiled as Miki started coughing as she followed suit, taking the shot and coughing and then asking for the beef ramen. "Excellent choice," Zunair said almost hyperactive. That's when he noticed stated motioning him to come with her as she said they should go sit at the table. Zunair finished his meal, hoping off the barstool. Noticing that Miki was the same height, compared to others they might be considered midgets. "On my way," the mint-eyed Hyuuga said as he followed Miki, unaware if Ryo followed behind.

As Zunair was following Miki, he saw out of the corner of his, someone he thought he recognized but he wasn't for sure. So, he continued until they met the thin-blonde male that gave Miki her beer. Speaking of beer, Zunair realized he had just forgotten his bottle of sake, "I'll be right back," the Hyuuga said as he took off almost sprinting back to the area that he was sitting at. As he approached his sake, he saw the man that seemed familiar to him. The dark clothes, shaggy hair, hidden face, all while smoking a cigar. It had to be Ash, Zunair thought as he grabbed his sake and then proceeded to approach the older shinobi. They had been on a couple missing together, but he seemed serious at the time. Wonder how he would think about him drinking like this.

"Ash, how are you!" Zunair excitedly said, as he arrived and seemingly poked his shoulder. The turquoise-tipped hair Hyuuga looked down at his glass. "So, it seems you are drinking too. Why don't you join me and some others? It will be fun," Zunair smiled to the dark-haired genin, as he lightly pulled on his baggy shirt and waved his arm over his hard, trying to get him to come. Zunair then headed back to where Miki and the blonde were, only hoping that Ash would follow.

Zunair immediately sat in front of the blonde, adjacent to Miki as he heard the blond asking that she doesn't drink much. "Well, if she's anything like me, this is my first time," Zunair said as he could tell his cheeks were pink with color. "I think I can handle the sake alone, however, I don't know if that is good or bad," Zunair chuckled.

Zunair realized he never got the blonde's name, "What's your name," he asked. Whether he answers or not, he turned his gaze on the beautiful Miki, "care to take a shot with me again," he questioned her.

[WC: 420]
[TWC:1,266]