A Friendly Face (IO)

Junko was a bit taken aback by the harshness displayed by Azuki. Where he felt disgusted by the drunken man now lying at their feet, she felt pity. There must have been a reason behind him being in his current predicament, but it wasn't her job or place to attempt to help the man. She pulled a small canister of water from her bag, knelt down beside him, then poured some of the liquid on her hands and rubbed some of the dirt off of the man's face. Holding his head in between her hands she examined his facial features for a few moments. She nodded up to Azuki confirming they had the correct man.

"Its him, please be a bit gentler while handling him, not for his sake but his mother's. She may not be happy with us if she found out we dragged him around."

She stood, dusted herself off, and turned to apologize to the bartender, leaving some ryo on the counter for his troubles. Bending down she tried to lift the man up to his feet but unfortunately, strength wasn't her strong point so she struggled as she attempted to hold the man's body upwards.

199 wc
TOTAL WC 1,191

"He's drunk and passed out he's fine." Azuki waited as she washed his face and sighed before giving in to her request. As she would attempt to lift him up Azuki would put a hand on her shoulder before taking over. Using one hand he picked the man up before putting him on his shoulder. "Out of respect for your food and kindness I will be gentle." Azuki would say before walking back towards the clients house. He would walk slow until she caught up to his side. He personally didn't care but for her sake he gave in to her words to show the man kindness.

I'm getting soft he thought to himself a scowl on his face because of the vomit smell  and alcohol reeking from his body. If you hate it so much then kill him welcome them to Jashin. Yes welcome him into death bring the girl with you too. Azuki sighed as the voices from his curse were acting up. They always tried to entice him when his anger was out of control but he was use to their thoughts. But the urge was welling inside of him. He would need to kill bandits again soon he couldn't risk them overwhelming him again not now. His face became sunken before he sighed and instilled himself with fortitude.


WC: 222 TWC: 1,405

She let out a sigh of relief as the weight of the man was lifted from her shoulders. She was extremely happy that he had come with her on the mission. Then she flashed Azuki a thankful smile and followed him out the door towards the old couple's home. She couldn't help but think it'd be nice if he'd stick around. There were a lot of people here looking for workers, so he'd never have to go hungry if he put in the work. As they walked Junko thanked him for his help profusely and said...

"I honestly don't know how I would have gotten back home if you weren't here, so thank you. I hope his parents can get him some help, or he seeks it out himself at some point. My mother was similar to him, so I always feel a bit of pity toward people in his situation."

Junko seemed to zone out and be a bit lost in thought as the words trailed out from under her breath. Looking at her chakra one would notice it shift from a lilac purple color that seemed to have the texture like a light mist surrounding her, to a darker purple that was similar to a dense fog. For the rest of the walk, Junko remained rather silent unlike previously.

Soon they approached the cozy little cottage and politely knocked on the door. They waited for a few moments and a little old woman, presumably the man's mother, opened the door. She looked relieved to see her son home, and unharmed. She quickly ushered both Junko and Azuki inside, leading them to a rather dirty bedroom and motioned for Azuki to place him on the bed.

WC 287
TOTAL WC 1478

"He's just enjoying youth." Azuki says a small smirk comes and goes as he felt the change in the girls chakra for a moment. He didn't pry too much and left it be. Supernatural forces and abilities was not a reason to pry. As the two made their way back to the hut Azuki promptly laid the man down on his bed. And even for the fun of it tucked him nicely. Before heading to the front of the house to stand next to Junko and the Old woman.

"He's put away in bed now." Azuki dust off his shoulder as the stench left isn't stained but still lingering. He would nod Junko to speak to the woman as she was familiar with the town. It would be more peaceful that way then him and his abrasiveness. Besides he was busy holding off the urge of his curse. His body ordering him to kill the voices teasing him with lust of death. But as always he resisted but not for much longer. He needed to kill unfortunately before it became out of hand for him.

A mission for bandits he would need to ask Junko but... He had to deny her help somehow at least for the meantime. She doesn't seem the type to hurt anyone even in battle it seems. Everyone he ever knew only saw him as cursed bastard. It was the only reason for traveling alone. He could not trust himself or others. He was simply a cursed bastard doomed to wander on his own. One day he would lose the damn curse he thought as he waited for Junko to proceed. If they attempted to speak to Azuki he would be out of it as he closed his eyes. Almost seemingly asleep. Visions of the past battles flooded his mind the blood the carnage the chaos. It was hard to deny he enjoyed it but the issue he finds.... Was it truly him or the effects of the curse. His red aura of chakra for those who could see or even fill would become cold. A cold dull flame as he repressed everything in this one small moment.

WC: 362 TWC: 1,767

Junko let out a little chuckle as Azuki tucked the man into bed and gave the man a little head pat. Turning to his mother they began exchanging pleasantries. The mother thanked both Azuki and Junko for getting her boy home safely and promised to recommend their services to others around the village. After the conversation came to a close, and final goodbyes were said the old woman handed both of them a small pouch with Ryo in it and escorted the two of them out of her home.

As the door shut behind them, Junko pocketed the pouch and began taking a few steps forward hoping Azuki would follow behind her. Once away from the cottage, she would turn to look at him with a happy smile plastered across her face. She seemed to look him over for a moment, thinking of how to say what she wanted to. Finally, she spoke in a friendly tone to him, saying...

"Do you have a place to stay for the night? I know you probably don't think it smart to stay with somebody you don't know but I have a whole home with multiple rooms you could lock yourself in if you don't feel safe. I don't want to brag but I also make some pretty good food. In all honesty, there's not a lot of people like us around here, and I think it'd do the surrounding towns some good to have at least a little bit of protection against bandits or whatever that may come through here. Also if there's anything you need assistance with, I'd love to help. I know I don't look like I'd fare well in a fight but I promise I have more going on than you think."

After she finished speaking she gave him a playful wink and waited for his response. She had been rather lonely doing a bunch of work around the island herself and knew she'd enjoy having another person around to work with. However, she knew that it was unlikely that he'd agree, just due to the nature of being a vagabond.

WC:352
TWC: 1,830

Azuki gave the elderly lady a nod. He accepted the purse with respect placing a hand on the bottom and top of her hand and bowing. Azuki followed Junko as they were walked outside. A final bow to her as the door was shut before walking away. Seeing Junko walk the opposite way he sighed and followed after her instead. As she turned he halted taken aback by her bright smile. Too bright...he wondered if this is what it was like to have a sister? She begin what seemed to be an offer of the lifetime. Food ,shelter, water it would be a dream come tree.

The perfect chance to welcome her to Jashin no Azuki? Her smile will be welcomed by Jashined. IMAGINE the glory her blood give to our lord. You can not fight us for long child you will falter as you always do.Fun.fun..fun hail Jashin the voices sang in his head a symphony of demonic terror. The silence of the air was maddening and deafening compared to his head.

Considering the past few weeks being in the wilderness but however he knew better. No matter how much his heart throbbed for all those things. He couldn't not with his blood lust like this he needed isolation. Even now the roaring demons screamed in his head. His face told no stories."I must decline. We can work in the future however. Thank you for the offer and the food." He gave Junko a full bow out of respect to her generosity.  With that Azuki turned on his heel and walked back towards the beach he came from. He had built a shelter isolated from others. If the voices did one thing it was hold him accountable. It would be unwise to be around others when his curse is  so volatile. His chakra was a bloody murky red yet a quiet calm. As he was as he came as he lived the cursed wanderer.

[Exit]

WC:325  TWC: 2,092

She had hopped he would have taken her up on the offter but she didn't want to come off as too pushy. However she understood his reasoning behind his decision and took no offense, she quickly gave him some rough directions to her home and told him that the offer still stood if he needed. She gave him a deep bow in response, and a quick wave good bye before also pivoting and wandering back to her quaint home. She was geninunly ingtrigued by the man and wished to work with him again soon. She often fuond herself isolated aswell but as of late, due to the aid of the people around her she's been able to spread her wings a bit more. She wished for Azuki to find the same, and hoped to maybe help him out a bit on the way. Obviously she knew not what his past was, but a vagabonds life can be a lonely one.

As she laid down for sleep that night she couldn't help but think of things they could do for the community. She knew bandit attacks were happening all too frequently, and that there would be no way of just her making an impact in their numbers. Until she eventually fell asleep she tried to think of a plan to disrupt some of the more criminal activity in the area.
(EXIT)

WC:229
Total WC: 2059

Mission Rewards
1000 Ryo

5 AP
Ryo and AP Doubled by Beloved Presence
Total: 2,000 Ryo and 10 AP

WC: Claims

Amount: 2059
(25% reduction cost from max stats)
1500/1500 Earth Element
559/1875 Genjutsu Clone

Junko Tsukiko wrote:Mission Rewards
1000 Ryo

5 AP
Ryo and AP Doubled by Beloved Presence
Total: 2,000 Ryo and 10 AP

WC: Claims

Amount: 2059
(25% reduction cost from max stats)
1500/1500 Earth Element
559/1875 Genjutsu Clone

Approved

Missions Rewards
Reward :1000 Ryo / 5 AP

TWC: 2,092
AP TO WC 4ap per 100 :    83 Ap