[Festival] All The Bright Places

[Heavenly Fabled]

Speed was a providence of its own. From its inherent nature, anyone could easily dip their foot in and test its waters. But for some, speed was a force of confound light that could be channeled into a source of power unlike anything the world had seen before. The Chairman's forte clung to this aspect of life, many shinobi over the years had claimed to be the fastest in the world, but for a samurai like Caliban, he was the first to amount to such a title. A blanket of night laid over the sky like ink to paper over the land of pebbles. Since Caliban and his cohort had entered the festival, the locals and natives had never seemed more kind. But to fully get the experience out of the event, Caliban sought someone that would hold his interests. Confetti poured into the air as townspeople cheered, Caliban was brandishing a bamboo umbrella as he walked down the streets of the festive ground. A warming smile came across his lips as his eyes met with a beautiful Oiran. The tone of her giggle, the flutter of her lashes and the beautiful kimono she wore was a sight to behold. In this moment it just so happened the Oiran loosened her ribbon in her hair, enough for it to bellow in the wind and be spirited away. That brief moment was all that it took for the air surrounding the samurai to become nonexistent. Not a single sound emanated from his lunge, his steps came as a tinder touch to the ground as though cherry leaves along a subtle breeze. Most would be unaware of his presence at first glance, but for some it was a refreshing rush of wind that came every now and then. "Careful milady, this almost got away from you." The warrior's kosher tone announced, having revealed he clutched her stray ribbon between the fold of his index and middle finger. It was only an instant he had vanished in such a way, not even the guards supporting the Oiran's float noticed the feat. The snap of a wooden fan unfolding would come next and spread in front of the woman's face with a flashy gesture. "Oi! I'll see that you're rewarded traveler." She replied, a glitter from her rhinestones aligned her brows sparkling. Unbeknownst the samurai, someone did in fact witness the disturbance of inertia. A different breed of man all together, someone who had tested the metal of man many times and was a savior amongst the shinobi people. No one other than a ... Kage.

[Taiga]

Another day, another international event. Sitting upon a balcony at a restaurant a man with caramel skin and brilliant white hair looked down to his empty cup of sake before his eyes found their way glancing between the four beautiful woman sat to his side. Letting a sigh of boredom escape his lips, the sigh soon found itself evolving into a full blown yawn signaling to the man that it was time for a stretch. Standing he made his way to the edge of the balcony and put his elbows on the rail, his head resting gently on his palms as he looked out to the streets below. They were busy with people packing the streets and enjoying the food from the stalls below.

He was the Emperor of Lightning and thus was forced to sit at stuffy restaurants entertaining the dignitaries of a hundreds lands… but his heart pulled him to the streets. He wanted to eat the yakitori off a small cart; sing with a beer in hand as he slapped the back of blacksmith. Play darts with the samurai and sing with the beautiful “night workers” waiting for the sky to darken more and their jobs to start… for while Hayate was an Emperor he was no noble. Turning back the group he leaned agains the rail, his elbows and lower back set aside it. Raising his head to the sky he let out a whistle before he stumbled his way back to the table.

”My lord?” Yukiko asked. The other three of the “Four Limbs of the Raikage” looked to him. They were known as his elite personal guard. The truth was they were more like his students. People who he felt had great potential… after all, he didn’t need the protection even if the council demanded it.

”Your nights on me- enjoy girls.” he said as he procured a large bag of coin and dropped it onto the table. Haruka instantly sprung up, angered by the Raiakge’s actions. She was rigid and strict… not easy going as the rest of the group and a slave to her undying sense of duty. The Raikage let out a small chuckle as Yuko stood and placed her hands on the younger guards shoulder.

”Hayate’ll be fine, let him clear his mind.” she said gently as the other girl stood down. The Raikage would bow his head in acknowledgement as he removed his garb and hat and set it aside. With that, he lept of the balcony with a swiftness that caused the winds themselves to pick up in the air. As he landed, he would notice something peculiar… someone who reacted with an uncanny speed not too dissimilar to his own. Seemingly a samurai, Hayate’s interest had piqued. Procuring a flask from his robes he took a sip as he would begin to tail the interesting warrior.

[Heavenly Fabled]

To all the bright places there were, Caliban had seen them all in almost every kind of way imaginable. But there was one place that he couldn't deny overwhelmed the very idea. Hideyoshi was a being of many delights, always cloaked to many as a vibrant display of intense light. No mortal had ever seen his true form, a benevolent stature no less. It was the samurai who showed the spirit warrior there was hope for mankind yet. A pale face came into existence, unfolding reality away as though it was a motion picture to him. ("Are these mortals unaware of the scourged ones presence? It has intoxicated the very air they breathe.") Hideyoshi's voice came to Caliban in the moments of the exchange. ("They do not see as I do Hideyoshi. Most would die if they ever got a glimpse.") The samurai replied as the view would expand to the length of the entirety of pebble country. Almost without a doubt the primordial spirits known only as Genma, eclipsed the samurai territory.

Why so many were here was beyond the samurai, it gave him a bad taste in his mouth but the amount of kosher restraint the warrior held was shown through his divergent nature. To carry on the burden of the unseen world was a price Caliban was going to take to his grave. But just as the thought was fleeting, the universe came in kind by showing just what it meant when so much power impacted an area. When the Raikage made his landing it was a stunning sight, after all he was amongst the samurai populace and there were many who were aware he was a shinobi, rivaled warriors from what seemed like eternity. "What the fuck are your kind doing here?! Ninja! We don't want you here" Someone said aloud while a crowd began to brew, scuffing up dirt as they did. Behind the Oiran's float came to her aid samurai sentries, royal guards to dispatch anyone who dare offend the high courtesan. Through Caliban's eyes he seen all their hatred blooming a cloud of wraith. A wraith that spread throughout every citizen in the proximate area like a contagious virus. The protagonist's gaze slowly danced over to a robed individual. His hue of aura radiating what could only be described as a cast of stars in the night. As he raised his bamboo umbrella in wonder who the man was that was gathering such attention. It didn't take the samurai long for his eyes to deduce the sort of calamity that was going to occur.

It happened quicker this time, Caliban hadn't the slightest thought to second guess his conviction to do what was right, his body just sort of compelled to the cause that was the lesser evil. The samurai's frame had lunged and seemingly rippled away, expanding the visual of his body into a disperse of spotted dots that made up his physical mass. Caliban had fractured the basis of speed before but nothing like this, his very existence moved across the matrix of inertia as though they coincided with one another and made one persona. "You shame your ancestors who tilled the land and scribed Bushido!" Hideyoshi and Caliban's voice came in unison as it became more apparent that the Samurai's voice emerged from the same area the Raikage stood in. There lied the warrior in a ceremonial stance, his grip on his sacred katana's handle and a few strands of hair Infront of his face. The movement was astounding, not a beat of a second had passed without someone actually noticing Caliban's characteristics vanish from one point of the street and shape back into existence as though he had been always standing just a few meters before the Raikage. The chairman held a single mudra on his fingers as the realization of his presence unhinged the pebble folk. That one sentence owned the atmosphere a moment later, one in which wasn't so pleasant. "Bring me their heads"

[Taiga]

Hayate scratched his head quizzically as he watched the scene before him unfold, curious to who this Oiran and his gang of goons were. In a few seconds since he leapt down into the streets to talk to the interesting samurai he had spotted from the balcony, someone else had demanded his head... the head of the Emperor of Lightning Country, and tried to stir an angry crowd. It wasn't just a bad idea politically; but it was also suicide one way or another. If the Pebble guards who watched over the festivities with a laser-like focus didn't make short work of them first, they'd incinerate themselves up against the might of the Raikage. Letting out a sigh he was pleasantly surprised when the noble samurai before him spun round, his hand on his sword.

The man reprimanded the others.

Interesting.

He wouldn't need to draw his blade or fight however because moments later the guards would move from their positions, shields raised and spears pointed outwards as they stepped in-between the crowds, stalwart and unwavering in their stance. The Captain of the guard would speak up. He cleared his throat.

"Ye can have your squabbles once you leave the festival and our territory- but we won't be having any international mishaps here today, do I make myself clear?" he said as he raised his hand in a single-snapping motion. The entire guard tightened their formation to a shield wall. His fingers snapped shut, forming a tightly ball fist held high in the air.

Like a wave the guards banged on their shields, lowered the stance, and raised their spears. The area had become far too hot and far too much of a problem for the Raikage, who despite being in plainclothes had been spotted fairly quickly. It was unfortunate. He would bow his head to Caliban in thanks, and put his hand out to the air signalling he could relax.

"I certainly have no desire to spoil the fun good sirs." he said as he nodded to the Captian, thank him for his service. "If you would be willing to, I'd like to buy 6 kegs to fill this street with drink for every man an' woman, even the one asking for my head. And for this one here-" he said as he pointed to Caliban. "Your finest sake. Put it on the tab of the Lightning Empire emissary." he would say before bowing once and making his exit.

The Captain would open his fist and lower his arm, relinquishing the guards to a relaxed state, though ever vigilant. The nearby shop keepers would roll out the kegs and begin to tap them, and just as quick as he had come, like the wind itself Hayate would disappear into the city streets.

Trouble wasn't worth it when fun could be found all over the city. Perhaps the interesting samurai and him would cross paths again at some point during the event.

[Heavenly Fabled]

In the back of Caliban’s mind scratched to the surface his original destination. Ordeals like this shouldn’t have concerned him but he could not turn a blind eye to an omen manifesting in proximity to him. The mere discord the scourged ones entailed proved to encumber the minds of his fellow samurai and that alone would move his hand. Laido came naturally to Caliban, whether he knew it or not his reflexes were precedent over his resolve. The fair warrior would extend an imperceivable swing of his blade, crossing its stride to slash the air. A wave of energy would present itself, blossoming a mandela effect from its serrated edge. The only sound that echoed was the click of Hideyoshi returning to its scabbard while the influence that once overtook the crowd, soon disappeared without a trace of hostility.
As the moment carried on, the warrior’s antics would prove to be unnoticed. The Raikage’s rebuttal was expected and once again Caliban would be the unsung hero that was unwanted. Slowly descending came his umbrella from the air while the warrior collected himself. Using the portrayal of speed he'd often left his clothing in an awkward manner, one in which came with an annoyance. Caliban’s kimono briefly slouched beneath his arm, revealing the sleeve of tattoos that decorated it. The warrior was a ghost amidst the people, if it weren’t for the courtesan noticing him before, the very image of the samurai would fade into the background.

The voice of the captain came next, ”Which man?” he replied to the Raikage under his breath as it seemingly showed that there was no-one in the direction he motioned to. Perhaps it was better this way their paths hadn’t collided, there was too much evil in the world to completely deal with but the warrior could just tally this up to a saving grace. A brief moment in his life where he prevented an atrocity from taking place.

Caliban was found walking amidst a meadow next, his garbs flailed in the breeze that came as a small voice ensured and welcomed his arrival. ”Is everything okay my patron?” Aurayumi’s voice announced as she appeared to be laying on a quilt waiting for him. She had been with him long enough to see the toll that humanity had taken on him. ”It's nothing, shhh, the show is about to begin” the warrior replied, playfully squinting his eyes and dismissing her question by shielding his hands over her eyes.

”Let us marvel at the heavens and embrace the ancestors gift to us.” The samurai’s words came next as pearlescent chakra poured across the sky like paint to a canvas. Illustrating a fluorescent meteor shower across its surface. Aurayumi stood in awe, never before seeing such an event unfold, the probability ever being so slight.~