My Kingdom For A Spork!

[Tsedas]

Clouds streaked across the bright cerulean skies over the surprisingly balmy weather of Sunagakure. The desert wind brought with a refreshing breeze that swept through the shaded portions of the village and even time in the sun felt almost invigorating for a change. Stepping through the streets, garbed in darker color pants and a long sleeve shirt, Ryousei Genkaku was moving through the streets, his eyes peering out from behind the animal shaped mask upon his face. As he walked the tassels hanging from the sides of the serpent shaped mask softly tinked against the material as his eyes scanned the path ahead. His goal wasn't to watch for threats but to find the best path to avoid making as much contact with another person as possible.

He didn't normally care about avoiding people nor did he detest interacting with others, but there were some days where one wanted to just do their shopping quickly and go home. Plus he was working on a fresh batch of things at home that had his creative mind abuzz only to be blue balled by the sudden shortage of materials. He cursed the existence of supply and demand. He yearned for a future where he could just wish for something from the comfort of his workshop and have it delivered instantly. It would be quite the dream come true for sure. He would probably call it something pithy like.... whatever those warriors from the forest jungles were called. Either way, he saw his path and continued on, shortly arriving in an even more crowded street and sighed as he pushed up the sleeves on his arms and took a bracing deep breath.

The bazaar was teeming with life, people coming and going as they shopped for various things to fill their needs. As Genkaku's eyes scanned the various stalls, he could see a plethora of food stuffs and sundries. Every turn of his head to browse the wares caused his braided ponytail to sway and flip a bit as he moved. As he moved, he seemed to be on the hunt for something in particular but his mask hid his facial expression as he seemed to be earnestly searching the stalls.

[Kabu]

Koyuki hummed cheerfully to herself as she walked through the market with a basket slung over each arm, each one gradually being filled with a variety of meats and fruits and vegetables. Today was her mother's birthday and while dad had taken her out on a date to distract her Koyuki had gone to get some shopping done. It was a special day and she loved cooking so she had taken on the role of making dinner. Her brother had gone out to grab a cake from a bakery that they knew mom liked so she didn't have to worry about that. That left her with plenty of time to finish her shopping and get dinner started.

As she thought and walked she greeted each vendor as she passed by, most of them being highly familiar with her presence and greeting her in return. She was a regular around these parts and so the sight of a masked man gave her pause, her head tilting at the sight. What a strange person... She wondered what was up with his choice of attire but more importantly he appeared to be looking for something.

Before she could even think too much about the matter she swiftly approached the man. "Hello there, I am Shinsen Koyuki. May I be able to offer up some assistance?"

[Tsedas]

Genkaku was shifting his head, looking left and right for the stalls that suited his needs. So far it was mostly food or sundries and while it did remind him that he needed to grab a few things for the house, he was here on a mission! He needed to find the materials required to work on his next project, not shop for snacks and possibly whatever was going to be lunch... '... Wait, what time was it? Is it closer to dinner time? What day was it?!' Genkaku furrowed his brow under his mask as he'd been truly engrossed in his research and development that he'd forgotten simple things like days of the week and what time it was. He was about to take a step forward an continue on his search when a voice graced his ears and he halted himself. Turning on the ball of his foot, he did a partial turn as his masked visage directed itself in the voices direction.

Behind his mask, beady green eyes examined the girls face. 'Who is this? I mean, they obviously said their name but I don't recognize them. Looks to be mid to late teens. Still, if they can point me in the right direction, I won't complain.' He thought to himself before shifting one of his dark hands up and cupping the chin of his mask. "Ryousei Genkaku, I'm searching for the stalls that had shinobi tools and equipment. I find myself in short supply for my current development project." He stated coolly in a voice loud enough to be heard through the mask and above the din of the crowd.

Looking back out at the long street and the remaining stalls, it was easy to see how one might lose track of the prize at the end of the maze of people. Releasing the chin of his mask, that same hand flourished out to gesture to the street, careful not to whack anyone in the head while doing so. "Doesn't help that the place is brimming with so many... people..." A shut in work-a-holic like Genkaku wasn't prepared for such a quest.

[Kabu]

Koyuki tilted her head as Genkaku spoke, watching him and taking in his mannerisms. He doesn't get out much, does he? He mentioned a development project so maybe he just spends a lot of time working? Honestly sounds like an awful way to live. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at her own thoughts, mentally shuddering at the thought of working all day every day. She enjoyed her work as a shinobi and she enjoyed doing the chores at home but she would just die without having any free time to just laze around.

However she wasn't about to say any of that out loud. She had been told that she didn't have much of a filter but she wasn't quite that rude. "It is quite easy to get lost among the crowds if you're unfamiliar with the area." she said instead, turning to look at the crowds gathered through the market. It had been growing gradually busier as time passed. She didn't particularly mind crowds but she couldn't say that she loved them either. If it got too busy then there would be all kinds of lines and the potential of shoving and she just wanted none of that.

"No worries though, I can take you there. I was needing to drop by anyways." she spoke once more with a smile, turning her head slightly to briefly look towards Genkaku. "So, shall we go?" Without waiting to see if the man was following she walked away. Whether he took her up on her offer or not was up to him. She was the helpful sort but she wasn't about to push herself onto others. All she could do was offer her assistance and see what would happen from there.

[Tsedas]

The masked man was glad for his facial covering. It kept the dismayed and at times disgusted expression on his face hidden. Every turn of his head caused the tassels on the sides of his mask to jostle and softly clatter against the material of the mask. When Koyuki spoke to him again, his head tilted, looking at her from a sideways glance. The mask seemed to shift and look towards her like a viper eyeing an object that caught it's attention by moving suddenly. "It feels like every time I come here, the stalls are in different places. A labyrinth to trap shoppers and tempt them with things they don't need..."

He said this as he immediately turned back and found his own body had been on autopilot and bought some snacks as he handed ryo over to the person behind the stall. Holding a small bag of foodstuffs, he quickly backed away from the stall until he was next to Koyuki, "There is a horrible genjutsu placed here, it compels people to buy things!" He practically hissed under his breath while trying to resist the urge to buy anything else than what he came for. As she stated her need for things where he wanted to go, she offered to lead him and he followed, keeping a close eye on her and not letting his eyes wander to the stalls. The cursed stalls holding all the temptations his body could want. Fresh fruits, meat, spices, luxury items, bathing supplies. Nay! He won't give in! His project supplies come first! "I'm right behind you!"

[Kabu]

"Not a fan of shopping I take it? Trust me, I get it." Koyuki thoughtfully smiled as Genkaku voiced his gripes, smirking as he even briefly gave in to the allure of the market. More and more it seemed as if her earlier thoughts had been confirmed. He truly did seem like a shut-in or someone who didn't get out very often.

"I admit, I'm not much for all the flash and flare myself. I much prefer to quickly get in, grab what I need, and get out. Luckily I had Mom to teach me from an early age how to keep hold of my wallet and its contents. she spoke as she began walking, mentally checking her list of tasks all the while. She had everything for the main course and her brother was on cake duty... She had made sure to buy Mom's birthday gift like a week ago so that was fine. Right then, that meant she would be able to finish her escort duty and get home with plenty of time. If she wanted she could even stop for tea before going home and still have plenty of time.

"So... are you a Shinobi? I'm a Chuunin myself, promoted only very recently." she spoke once she had broken out of her mental trance. "If you don't mind me saying, you just strike me as someone who... isn't very used to other people."

[Tsedas]

"Not a fan of packed markets really. And... the temptation to buy all manner of things is very much a present issue. Like these snacks." Genkaku stated while plucking something from his bag of food stuffs and slipping it under his mask. Still, if he ever wanted to brave these markets, he would need to make a habit of getting out more. But on the other hand he would need to leave his workshop more and that meant less time spent building his next puppet or upgrading Sabimaru.

As she spoke again, he could only nod at her statement. Get in, grab the target, get out. Maybe if he treated shopping like a mission or an on duty assignment he might fare better against the unnecessary spending temptations that were all aroun-'Is that a lemonade stand? No! Focus!' Genkaku turned his gaze back to Koyuki as she asked him if he was a shinobi. Reaching into his bag, he plucked out a small wrapped piece of candy and his finger tips glowed before he tossed it over the Chuunin's head and made it hover before her face by two feet. Shifting his fingers, he made the treat dance about in figure eights through the air before zipping past her head and making it hang below his fingertips like a marionette. If she bothered to look back, she'd see the display of kugutsu string work in action.

"Yes, I'm a Jounin but I tend to confine myself to my workshop when I'm not on duty or out gathering supplies. I've been labeled a work-a-holic by others in the past. But working with my hands to make puppets is not just work related but a hobby as well. I've gotten quite adept at woodworking and wood carving. I've made more than my share of trinkets and toys and such for others." He stated rather matter-of-factly. "I suppose it won't surprise you I also don't know many people or have many friends."

[Kabu]

Koyuki silently listened to Genkaku speak even as she found herself suddenly looking back, entranced by the sudden display of puppetry. While she had never felt a desire to take up the art herself she had always been quite impressed by skilled puppeteers.

In any case it seemed she had been right about him being a work-a-holic and a shut-in but it seemed that there was much more to him than that. With that said, there was a particular bit of what he had said a moment ago that had caught her attention. "Hmm... You're a creative?" she asked with very sincere interest, turning around to face forwards once more. "I've always enjoyed cooking, baking in particular, but that's the cloest I've ever come to making anything with my own hands." she admitted, pursing her lips as she fell into thought. Perhaps it was in some part a result of Janesisu's influence but of late some part of her had been feeling that maybe that wasn't quite enough. That she should be doing more with her talents.

Suddenly after a moment of silence... "Say... would you be willing to teach me a few crafting essentials sometime? It doesn't have to be indepth but I would like to learn how to make more things with my own two hands."

[Tsedas]

Amidst the noise of the crowds and vendors about them masking their conversation from all but themselves, the masked shinobi shifted his head as if looking away and at the ground to one side for a moment. His silence told of a contemplative mind thinking through the prospect of teaching someone else a craft or hobby that he held a liking for. Curling his fingers, he pulled his chakra strings up until her could grip the wrapped piece of candy and tossed it to her. "I suppose I could try to teach you, I know nothing of baking so I can't tell how solid of a comparison that is to wood working."

Releasing the chakra, the glow around his fingertips faded and he adjusted the small bag of treats now cradled in his arm as he tilted his head. Bringing a hand up, her began to rub his chin in thought as he pondered what would make the best learning experiencing before shaking his head at a few preliminary ideas, the tassels on his mask clanking softly against the porcelain surface. "Don't worry about needing to bring any tools, I can provide them and as we find out what things you desire to make I can make recommendations from there." Focusing on talking to the young woman before him, he glanced down at her hands before pointing at them. "Might I see your palms for a moment?"

If she held them out, he'd reach out and take hold of her hand in order to run his thumb across the surface of her fingers and palm. A simple examination to see how developed her fingers and hands were to gauge how delicate he could go with suggesting starting projects and the like. Should she refuse, then he'd merely shrug it off.

[Kabu]

While tilting her head in confusion Koyuki nonetheless did as she was told, holding out her palms for Genkaku to inspect. She wasn't really totally comfortable with it but she wasn't about to start complaining. It would have been rude to refuse after asking that he help her out. Besides, it wasn't like she wasn't curious about where this would end up leading towards.

"I've always been told that I physically come across as... rather soft and delicate. I admit I'm never quite sure whether to be offended. It feels patronizing but all the same I can kind of see it myself. Maybe I could stand to exercise a little more than I have been." she idly spoke after a moment, staring at her own soft palm as she did. She had to admit that while there had been some developments thanks to her training, her skin did seem softer and less calussed than even her mother's. And as a girl who took some pride in her appearance, being a bit on the softer side was certainly preferable to the alternative...

It was with that thought that she looked up and stared into Genkaku's masked face, having begun to wonder... What was Genkaku's face like under his mask? Was there a reason he wore it? Perhaps he was just shy or perhaps it was something deeper... Either way she wasn't about to pry but she just couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.

[Tsedas]

Koyuki extending a hand allowed him to run his thumb across the surface of her palm and fingertips. When she spoke of coming across as soft and delicate, the masked man gave a laugh. A strange sound to be heard form those that knew him as he didn't do that often. He laughed more from the irony that she must have thought he wanted to see rough course skin and calluses aplenty. Holding her hand she would notice something about the man, his fingers were soft and smooth, his movements delicate and measured. Genkaku's hands were those of an artisan and not a melee combatant. However if she looked at his hands she would see scars and marks that were numerous and healed, many of which were fading from his life long dedication to his craft. "Your hands are plenty soft, which is good. Thicker skin and calluses can interrupt the nerve signals of touch that allow you to feel what you're doing with delicate precision. This isn't like wielding a weapon, while you can get some build up here," Genkaku ran a soft fingertip across her palm where one would normally build calluses from training or fighting with weapons, "You don't tend to build heavy calluses and the like."

Genkaku released her hand and shifted his gaze to Koyuki only to find her staring at his mask. "Something the matter?" He asked, tilting his head and causing the tassels to shift and move once more. As they stood staring at one another, the man couldn't help be think he was forgetting something as his hands shifted on their own. Looking down he saw a hand giving him change and he was not holding a pair of kebabs. "GAH! The accursed place can control your body like puppetry!" He exclaimed, not even realizing he was buying a pair of kebab skewers before grimacing as he was hungry but he didn't really need two of the damn things. When did they even move closer to the vendor selling the things? This place was cursed with which craft! Holding one of the skewers out, Genkaku offered the second one of Koyuki. "Here, I don't even know how or why I bought this. I was wanting a snack but the curse this place has on my purse strings made me buy two."

[Kabu]

Koyuki wasn't sure at what point she had begun to stare or for how long before Genkaku snapped her out of her reverie. Oops, it seemed at some point she had lapsed into deep thought as she had tried to visualise the man's face. Unfortunately she hadn't gotten any closer than when she had started. Oh well.. Perhaps it had been an impossibility. She struggled to recall faces that she already knew, there was no way that she would be able to imagine one that she had never seen.

In any case... "Oh I uh... Pffff." she began to respond as he asked her what was up, only to interrupted by a fit of giggles, hand over her mouth in an attempt to suppress them. It seemed that she wasn't the only one that had had a momentary lapse in focus. "You just have to get out more. Over time you build up a resistance to the allure of sales magic." she spoke, wearing a cheeky smile as she accepted the kebab skewer. Her brother had reacted very similarly as Genkaku the last time they had gone out together. She however had grown accustsomed enough to the markets that she was able to keep a much tighter hold on her purse strings.

"So shall we go finish our errand? Before you lose more money on things that you don't need." she spoke with a light giggle, taking a bite out of her skewer as she turned to lead the way. "Before I forget though, what kind of projects do you think may suit me best?"

[Tsedas]

Genkaku watched Koyuki break into a fit of giggles at the sudden offer of the magically appearing meat on a stick. Her suggestion made his face twist in unease at the idea of getting out more into a setting like this. His face relaxed behind the mask as he noticed her taking the offered kebab. With her next suggestion, she began to make headway into the crowd and Genkaku followed behind. As they walked, him trailing close behind as she acted like a trailblazer through the swarm of people, the puppet user adjusted his snack parcel so he was cradling it in the crook of his arm against his body. Raising his free hand up, he let his fingertips grip the bottom of his mask and shift it forward enough to poke the kebab underneath. Taking a bite, he pulled the treat away and let the mask move back into place as she asked what kind of projects would best suit her.

After chewing and thinking, the man swallowed as he hummed thoughtfully. "Your hands a pretty soft and appear to have the capacity to be trained for more intricate work with practice. If you're asking what starter projects you could do. You could try simple wood working. If wood isn't for you and then clay sculpting is also an option. It really depends on what kind of craft you desire making as the desire for the project must come from you. I can make better recommendations once I know what you'd be interested in trying. When you think of crafts, sculpting, carving; what do you see in your mind? What do you feel in your heart?"