Leaving One's Mark

[C-Rank] Break Up or Break Down
[C-Rank] Bulk Trash Day

Total Ryo Reward: 8,000 Ryo
Total AP Reward: 40 AP
WC Requirement: 4,000 WC

Quinn arose that day with a couple of missions that needed taking care of. Some menial labor to get through the day as business around the winter time always was a mess. Sometimes more things would need to be forged over others but it was always fickle this time of year for business. The multitude of customers they began to receive attention from had helped the business flourish alongside Otogakure's expansion as a village. They were quite pleased with the overall affair and knew that there would be a good source of income for the forge for a while. On the docket beyond putting some more funds back into the business, Quinn had a small list of two tasks that were to be accomplished. There was a couple that needed some mediating or breaking alongside some landfill woes that needed to be cleaned up. Both were rather rudimentary tasks but considering one dealt with a shinobi and the other a giant mess, it was something a bit more substantial than the normal missions of the day-to-day of the village. A light sigh escaped the Forgemaster's lips as they departed from their family's forge and went towards the village's center.

When they had signed up it was noted that likely others would have joined them once the day had come and to meet them presently in the center of the village before the affairs of the day were to start. Quinn was curious since almost everyone else in the village seemed occupied or busy with the time of year so they were happy to see others would likely be joining them. It was always something moving around the village be it clan-work or general assistance with the academy. The village was still in its infancy and Quinn was doing their best to support it in what ways they could. There was never really something that stood out to them beyond the capacity of people simply being busy and unavailable. Such was the life of a shinobi, Quinn began to understand and learn. They too were in the infancy of their newest occupation as compared to their time as a blacksmith. Hopefully, with regard to the missions they were set to complete today, they could bang out some kinks of the couple and clean up whatever mess was going on in the Landfill. Thus, Quinn simply waited there for others to show.

WC: 400, TWC: 400 | TMWC: 400 / 4,000

Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off. Moving his hips in a way they didn't lie, Sebastian practiced to increase both flexibility and body movement. Finishing the last couple of stretches, the former mercenary reminded himself of that day's planning. "Two missions, they better pay me well" the Tau thought out loud, preparing to set out and head to the village center. As usual, he didn't really bother reading up on any of the tasks they were supposed to carry out, assuming whoever joined would simply tell him anyway. Without wasting anymore time, the once Black Guard Commander made his way to the meeting point.

After a handful of minutes had passed, Sebastian was finally about to arrive at the location described in the mission description. Doing so, everyone's favorite Tau suddenly spotted a familiar face. "Aha, experiment number two" the Berserker grinned, having already tested it on Guren once before. Wearing his Iron Sand Cloak, one of Otogakure's Masters slowly approached the target, or should he say partner? "You!" he dramatically pointed at Quinn, pulling his finger back as to motion her to walk towards him. Assuming the woman recognized who called out and understood what was expected of her, she would eventually join the misfit at his position.

If the kunoichi did in fact approach Sebastian, he would greet her and inquire about the mission details. "So, what are we doing?". Charming as ever, but what else did they expect?

(WC: 243)

As they were about to begin they heard a familiar voice chime out towards themselves as they followed up with dramatically pointing and declaring 'You!' towards the Otogakuran Blacksmith. Quinn returned the gesture with a wave approaching Sebastian. They had undergone a mission once before with one of the renowned Masters of the village and were pleased to see they would be joining them on two more missions. When prompted with what they were doing, Quinn would pull out the missions' debrief before offering them to Sebastian as the Forgemaster began explaining the general synopsis for the day of the two tasks. "Pleased to see you. Should be easy day. Two tasks in total. One dealing with relationships. Another with the landfill." They explained.

Looking towards the direction of the first mission, Quinn would wait and delay to see the general disposition of Sebastian before proceeding forward. "I know you're busy. If this is too much. Feel free to let me finish. Would be no trouble to me." Quinn added in before indicating they were to head towards the first of the two tasks which was being a mediator for a couple of workaholics. As one themselves, Quinn felt it was going to be a wonderful time with the enjoyment that was Sebastian. Diligent and quirky as they wont to be in such matters, Quinn thought of Sebastian as a wonderful person to work with and learn more of the joy of life to be around. This was after all, due to the fact that his hips did not lie. Quinn had their battle bat strapped to their back should the need arise to use it but you never know when one might need to destroy some balls in today's age. Once Sebastian confirmed to proceed, Quinn would begin walking.

WC: 300, TWC: 700 | TMWC: 943 / 4,000

Witnessing how the village's blacksmith approached and handed him the mission details, Sebastian couldn't help but feel glad someone recognized both his importance and intellect. "That's right, I can totally read" the gullible Berserker voiced proudly. The topic of literature aside, the Tau listened as Quinn explained things in her own and unique way. "Yes, I see" he replied in a similar tone, performing the robot while doing so. From what he could understand, which often wasn't that much, it seemed they would be dealing with a couple of lovebirds first and some cleaning duty later. "Relationships and taking care of trash, my specialties". That being said, the most handsome of Otogakure's Masters was interested to work with the owner of Foster's Forge and someone who was considered as one of the most promising Sound shinobi.

Wasting little to no time, Sebastian confirmed that he would be joining Quinn on today's missions. "Too much and my name in one sentence, those two things don't go together". Or do they? Nevertheless, as one of its founding members the Tau had to make sure the village of Otogakure continued to progress and grow further, meaning that even a couple of arduous tasks could contribute in the end. "Alright, lead the way". Although, on second thought .. As he was about to follow behind, a brilliant idea suddenly struck him. Quickly forming the Snake hand seal the Berserker then called out to the kunoichi. "Ahem, Quinn, look over here". Assuming the female blacksmith turned around, the Tau would suddenly plant his palm on her face, effectively slapping the woman's forehead.

Waiting a couple of minutes to find out the result of his experiment, the Tau stared in front of him. "Notice anything different yet?". If things went according to plan, Quinn would have successfully received the village's secret Curse Mark.

(WC: 306, TWC: 549)

- 100 AP Blight of the Heavens

Turning to see what Sebastian had in store for them, Quinn simply moved in accordance with what was natural. That was until the moment Sebastian's hand landed on their face. A surge of chakra entered Quinn's body as it suddenly began to tense up. They felt the foreign chakra fighting against their reserves that they had built up as a sheer battle of will against this suddenness occurred internally. Externally, Quinn was frozen in place as the mark signifying the Blight of the Heavens formed over their left eye. As the chakra fought within them, the circle formed before lines marking the triangle encompassed their face. The angle of Sebastian's hand had one of the triangle points pointing down towards the ground.

As the battle raged within their body, chakra flare-ups around them etching its way around as the chakra took on a visible light green hue that cloaked their shoulders before reaching down below towards the Forgemaster's feet. Standing still for a moment or two more, the internal battle raged and took quite a bit of energy from the Forgemaster. Once back in better conscious form, Quinn coughed a little spitting up some blood as they bit their tongue. They felt the chaotic energy within them stir as it kept their chakra occupied. Unsure what this was, Quinn only assumed this was Sebastian's doing with reference to the experiment comment he made the other day. They won their battle of wills with this chakra entity that now resided within them, but at what cost and what would occur if they could not conquer it quickly?

"I feel a burn. A blight inside me now." Quinn indicated as they coiled back from Sebastian's placement, the curse mark taking hold and placing itself onto the blacksmith of Otogakure no Sato. "We should finish missions. Before anything else occurs." From there Quinn could not help but feel that chakra inside of them fighting back against their own. It was as if something had infected their system and it was raging war inside. Whatever the case was, hopefully, once the missions were completed they could speak to Sebastian and get a clearer picture. Unsure of what was expected as a result, Quinn moved unphased by the sudden shift, choosing to focus on the work at hand that was being requested of them as they walked to the rocky couple's home waiting for Sebastian.

WC: 400, TWC: 1,100 | TMWC: 1,649 / 4,000

[Curse Mark Application of Blight of the Heavens. Willpower Check {Vigor 20 * 4 + Strength 130 * 3 + Chakra 20 * 2 + Speed 130} = 640 Willpower. Resulting Penalty of -400 Bonus AP. New Bonus AP Total is now 600/1,000.]

Mid-Thread Claims wrote:Curse Mark application of Blight of the Heavens.
New Bonus AP Total is now 600/1,000 due to CM Application penalty.

Well, they were still alive so he supposed that was a win? Even though Quinn hardly described any effects she was currently experiencing or changes her body could possibly be undergoing, Sebastian at least had somewhat of an idea of what the woman would be going through. Comparing the current situation to the one where they applied the Blight to Guren, the Tau determined this time would be a success as well. "Right, the mission". Almost forgetting the initial reason and purpose of their meeting, Otogakure's Berserker joined the blacksmith as they made their way to the location of the first task.

Doing so, the two of them eventually arrived at the house of the arguing lovebirds. "Let's see what they have to sing, I mean say" the Tau voiced while simultaneously knocking on the front door. The thought of simply erasing it from existence after having to wait a while did cross his mind but for everyone's sake he was able to hold back his intrusive thoughts. "Yes yes, I know you're happy to see me, now let us in" the Master almost ordered as the man finally opened, hardly relieved when he found out they had decided to send Sebastian of all people.

Signaling the owner of Foster's Forge to follow behind, the Tau entered and set foot inside of the house. Nonchalantly greeting both husband and wife he then made his way to the kitchen where he opened the fridge to see what the place had to offer. Having found what he was looking for Sebastian took out a plate with some leftover cake before joining the others. "Worry not. In front of you are Otogakure's most emotionally stable individuals" the misfit comforted the couple while smiling and pointing at Quinn. Taking a big bite assuming the blacksmith would confirm his words the Berserker looked around him, almost inspecting the place.

Regardless of Quinn saying a couple of words herself or not, Sebastian would speak up once more and try to get to the bottom of things. "So, who cheated on who?". Finishing the sentence he then licked his fingers, not leaving a single piece of cake left. Awkwardly staring at the two lovebirds as if he expected them to answer the Tau then motioned to Quinn and urged her to ask some questions of her own, hoping to be done with the whole situation rather sooner than later, not wanting to waste more time than needed. After all, they still needed to take out some trash.

(WC: 420, TWC: 969)

Handling the flowing chakra that was inside of them, it was a battle to concentrate on the mission at hand for one reason or another. Thankfully Otogakure's Berserker was steadfast in his approach and conviction, giving Otogakure's Forgemaster the strength to muster onward and forward. The was a sensation of burning and over-stimulation from the chakra as the sounds they could hear, echoed internally as their perception seemed to indicate either more acute awareness or just a simple byproduct of the Blight of the Heaven's mark on their face. Adrenaline was coursing through their system too due to the suddenness of its application but they proceeded as if nothing was wrong as that was the job of the shinobi of the village. Presuming this was a test run of whatever procedure from Sebastian, Quinn took it upon themselves to maintain their composure.

Once they arrived, the Tau took the first step forward into the home with Quinn following after when given the signal to proceed. The house was relatively simple and plain, Sebastian took it upon himself to raid the dysfunctional couple's fridge for a slice of cake. It was a simple case of having one's cake and eating it too Quinn guessed as he spoke before taking a bite of it. Quinn gave a firm nod in agreement. "We are here now. Ready to listen." They added in without missing a beat from Seb's lead. Without pulling any punches the couple watched as Sebastian finished up the cake before them and sent a heavy left hook to the two. Stunned by the sheer forwardness of Otogakure's Master, they sat across from the man before Quinn spoke up.

"Cheating is two ways. One on the other. One on oneself." They added in trying to see if there was something that Sebastian noticed that they themselves had not. Being urged to ask questions of their own, the couple looked between the two and then at each other. Flabbergasted by the audacity of the two's comments. Their problem was not that one was cheating or another but sheer work volume and being pillars of the community at large. Before they could speak in protest to the man's comment, Quinn held up a hand. "Cheating is not inherent to sex." They simply put forth for the two to consider. Beat flushed faces from the couple could be described as red as Quinn's hair at that moment. They were dumbfounded but it was quick that the Forgemaster's comment rang into their heads bringing them back to the reality they faced.

"Look at each other. Who is pulling the weight? Who is pushing the other away? Who is working for themselves? Who is alone?" Quinn rapid-fired the questions towards the couple, their red faces were now met with sullen looks as they stared down at the table. It was clear the two dug themselves into work and put work before the horse as it were. Giving a firm nod and looking towards Sebastian, Quinn gave a thumbs up before moving their thumb towards the door indicating their work was done. The couple got a healthy dose of humbling for each other without much difficulty as the two most emotionally stable individuals of the village were swift in recourse for the couple had a lot to talk and discuss and it did not require their assistance any further.

Waiting to see the Berserker's reaction, Quinn added in before they departed. "Best to talk. Communication is key." They said before stretching their neck, popping multiple pockets of air within their neck as they left the home of the couple, leaving them in a stupor of reality. A job well done for the duo. Looking back to Sebastian as they left, Quinn gave a raised eyebrow at him before speaking up, "How was the cake?" They simply asked Otogakure's finest shinobi as they made their way now toward the landfill for their second mission of the day. It was a clear sunny day overhead for them to do manual labor but thankfully Quinn's strength would likely make the remaining part of the mission finished before they even got there. The Forgemaster focused forward ignoring the torrent within them.

WC: 700, TWC: 1,800 | TMWC: 2,769 / 4,000