Chores, made easy (open)

The land was full and rich and filled with so much life. It was a step up from the wet and muddy land he'd travel from. And hoping a meal would come easier seeing as he dared to venture toward a much bigger target. A town with easily over a hundred bodies. He could hide better and take his time. Maybe stick around if he could handle his hunger and spread out his meal times.

Usually the spider was careful about making his way through the trails but he found himself much more enraptured by something else. The one he had met back in the rainy village.

They were all around him before he noticed them. Their laughing faces and innocent humor. Children had spotted him and trying to run would most lily get himself put under suspicion. It was too early to let that happen. It was only when one of them opened their mouths did he realize something.... depressing. "What pretty robes you have lady."

Naka walked around with a camera and a grin. It was such a great day out; the sun was shining, birds were singing and children laughing. Ooh, children! The sight of them melted her heart. She loved kids. The were adorable, so innocent, so sweet. She came over and snapped a photo of them and a lady, cloaked. She smiled and waved. "I hope you don't mind, Miss. I just like taking photos of things." When the kids commented on her robes, she giggled as well. Being robed in the ninja world wasn't new, but this? In full heat?

Its almost to hot for my jacket, how can you be wearing the robe Xeno said as he walked up next to Naka. He put his hand on her head. Enjoying the sights sister

Recluse gave them all a deadpan stare under his robes. Not only once but twice he had been mistaken for a woman in the span of five minutes. Sure his features were delicate looking and his clothing were... elegant... but still! And with all this attention he knew running for sure would just make things difficult in the long run. In a last minute maneuver he created enough silk in his mouth to coat his ebony teeth using his tongue to sculpt it properly. Since he was out of battle and not so much threatened his fangs were seal enough to pass for just larger then average incisors. But his skin complexion and dark violet eyes were still as exotic as ever.

He'd pull his hood back once he felt he was ready. "Oh its much cooler then it looks." Some of his long white hair spilling out. Even his voice seemed too feminine. It came with the mixed genetics. "It doesn't bother me." He could withstand heat much better then cold any day. And his own handwoven silk was lighter and breathed better then modern cotton.

((A two line post, that's short! xD And here is the character I'll be using in my posts! Ignore my avatar... o3o https://narutorp.niceboard.com/t1825-ozias ))


Ozias had followed Recluse since the last incident near the small village of Rain. Both have decided to move up to a much more peaceful village. Once inside both had split up to better explore this place... and maybe find themselves something to eat... thing is they didn’t had a dime on them. So either they would need to steal something or resolve to hunt animals around the village... or ninjas if things were really getting desperate. Not that he would mind that much anyway...

Getting in the village was rather easy, there weren’t many guards around... and the few one weren’t even ninjas; more like armed villagers with basic outfits than anything. No real threats or “eagle eyes” that could see trough his disguise, which was his dark green, almost black hooded monk robe.

Looking at a few stalls with fresh fruits, other with some fish and assorted vegetables, his mouth dripping ooze... his long tongue of his almost came out, a habit of his but managed to control himself and hold it inside. Turning himself around, Ozias saw Recluse apparently busy talking with two others...was he in trouble? He doubted it... But he would go check out... just to be sure.

Getting closer, making sure for them not to saw trough his disguise as he kept his hands tucked into his pockets and his hood low, he then looked through the shade and glared at the two strangers.

-Hello... is there a problem?

He simply asked...

Xeno's lack of trust in people was beaming. No problem at all. I was simply asking a question to this robed woman, unless thats against this villages law. Xeno smirked. Great, now two people here I can't trust. I was hoping the keep Naka away from violence. Xeno put his hand on his sword. Its starge how she could stand this heat like that. Xeno turned to Naka and whispered Stay behind me if this turns bad.

Recluse could feel the tension rising. Not looking forward to be chased away. Looking as apologetic as possible. Smiling as sweetly as ever, sincere as possible. "Please I...-"

"Miss, hey miss, can you help us?" The children that had gathered seemed unaffected by the two, unfazed really. It was two boys and a girl. No more then seven years in age. The little girl the one tugging. ""We lost our dog, can you help us find him?" They looked pleadingly, well she did. The two boys, still thinking Recluse a woman, just stared.

The spider looked up at the man who looked ready to attack them. "Seems I have business to attend to." Feeling rather smug.

"Xeno-san, don't worry. We'll just run away if something goes wrong," she assured Xeno. She squeezed his hand and then watched the children come. "OH! Let's help them. The more people searching for him, then the faster we find the doggy, right?" she asked cheerfully. Naka grinned and tugged on Xeno's hand, indirectly asking him to come help as well. Besides, she loved animals of all kinds. And the kids looked so adorable, too.

Ozias's eye instantly narrowed when this guy had his hand on his sword's handle. Putting his right hand, which was covered by his sleeve over Recluse's shoulder as he pushed him back, the ooze creature taking a step forward to interpose himself between the two. Apparently there was a problem, after all. This ninja had to cautious...if he swung that sword of his on his cloaked body... he'd found himself in a rather... sticky situation.

-So you're about to draw a sword on him just because of what he's wearing in summer time? Do you want me to give you a real good reason to draw that toothpick of yours, you-Miss, hey miss, can you help us? We lost our dog, can you help us find him?

The robe-wearing being turned his sight on whoever this might be. Some kids were tugging on Recluse's silk clothing, mistaking him for a girl again. He wasn't Recluse himself and already people mistaking him for a girl were thicking him off... his hybrid friend had some serious patience...

"OH! Let's help them. The more people searching for him, then the faster we find the doggy, right?"

Ozias raised an eyebrow at this... finding a dog? Really? Hmm... well if he laid his gooey hands on it first that meant a free lunch! Suddenly going on a dog chase seemed more appealing to him for some reasons...

-I guess you're right! Let's find that dog...

The sludge lizard looked at the kids trough his hood's shade and asked them...

-What's his name?

Don't mind the sword, its a bad habit Xeno smirked. His watched the movements of the two standing infront of him. Somethings wrong with them. Why do I feel like they will be painfully annoying later on. Xeno bowed his head as a sign of apology. I'm very sorry. Xeno lied. He knew better then to trust these two. Hey, maybe we can help find the dog as well

The recluse knew full well that these strangers would be keeping a very close eye on them from now on. He'd have to tell Ozias to keep a low profile during their stay here. And as for the spiders patience it just came naturally. Even if all the female comments made him irate he didn't say a word on it. In all honesty people could trust a pretty female over a pretty male. Inclining his head toward Xeno. "It would be a pleasure if you would join us. In the hunt."

Now the children, spurred by the talk from the adults, lead the way. The girl leading Recluse while the boys went to Nana's side. After finding out the spider was vet much a guy they lost interest fairly quick. That and they seemed to be slightly spooked around the man who still didn't show his face. But they answered his question anyway. "His name is Leone. He's big, and fluffy! Big ears and curly tail. And a huuuge mane like a lion!"

Now their story was sounding farfetched. But Recluse shrugged and carried on with them. Better then being followed by Xeno. And there wasn't any worry. He wouldnt eat them.

"Big and fluffy? Oooh I hope it's a german shepherd... I always did like the big bear-y ones." Naka spoke this in her mind, she didn't want to scare the others with her irrational babbling. When they found out the man was a man, not a woman, Naka had taken some convincing. She only believed when they showed that he had no boobs. "What color is the doggy's fur? Does he like to play?" she asked the cute girl in front of her.

Naka, you sure know how to release your inner child, don't you. Xeno teased the girl who he called his sister. He took a few steps closer to the strange man in the robe. I am very so... Xeno cut his sentence short. I smell blood on this man, and not just human blood either. What is he? Uhhh... I mean, sorry for all the female comments. I knew i couldn't trust him.

Big and fluffy with a lion's mane? Hmm... Ozias could've sworn he had already saw such dog in his past... what were they called again? The slime creature brought his hand to his chin, stroking it a fair bit as he tried to remember... Ah yes, those were called Chow Chows... All that fur of those would taste horrid if had had to absorb one of those... darn. Now he couldn't back away since he already said he would help them. Great. Maybe he could burn off the excess fur before he'd engulf it?

Lost in his thoughts, the ooze creature didn't quite listened to their conversation, however, he did caught the dog's name. Leone. Looking down at the kids as he followed them and Recluse, Ozias asked them a question.

-So where was the last time you saw it?

The description of the dog made the hybrid cringe. He didn't like big dogs and they didn't like him. Being lead without much resistance. Keeping all his smiles to a bare minimum so he wouldn't alarm anyone. The kids all seeming hyped up for an adventure with the girl taking the lead. The two boys taking their time and asking Naka all sorts of questions and seeming to fight for her attention. Ozias and Zeno were seeming left out.

One of the boys, a shaggy haired blond, spoke up. "Leone likes to play hide and seek. But he's mean and chases the neighborhood cats around. One time he got stuck up a tree! It was so funny!" Recluse look up at Ozias, almost as if he was apologizing for getting them stuck in this... he'd make it up to him but selling some of his silk for food money.


(Ooc: the kids will be leading them around the city for awhile, dogs not that easy to find! )

Xeno smelt the air again. No its coming from both of them. The smell of blood. Xeno walked upp next to Naka and whispered Don't trust those two. Keep your distance. I'm going to be watching them for anything strange, and I suggest you do the same. in her ear. One of the small boys nugged Xeno's leg. You don't mind if I talk to my sister do you. Xeno smiled and said to the boy.

"Xeno-san, relaaaaax. You'll get grey hairs if you worry so much. If anything happens, we just save the kids and run away. Chill out, man." She pat his back in a brotherly way and brought him with her. "I love big doggies, don't you?" Naka was chirpy and full of energy.

It looked like the four of them were stuck together until they found this mangy beast. Guessing he should take a crack at being a friendly to disarm the two strangers distrust of them. "Well since we will be taking part in this mission we should know one another's name." Flashing a smile. "I am called Al." Giving up his real name didn't seem smart nor his usual penname. "It would be a honor to know yours." He would let Ozias come up with his own greeting and name.

The children chirped up, wanting to share their names along with the grownups. "Xue. Denji. Jenkei." leading them into the heart of the town. At this time of day it was busy and crowded and felt like a maze.

What got to the spider really riled up was the smell of food. It was around lunch time and businesses were preparing for customers. And Recluse didn't have a dime on him. And he doubted his friend did too.

(Xeno, please read Ozias's bio carefully before saying he smells of blood... He smells of black marker ink and his body doesn't keep any odors of his previous victims... xD )

Ozias raised an eyebrow as Recluse pulled out his "name"... Was there a reason why he lied about it? The sludge creature wasn't sure, maybe there was but he haven't figured out yet... he was dense like that sometimes. The hooded being simply decided that he'd go along and invent himself a name... But which one? He couldn't go too random or they might suspect something... Nor take too much time to think...

-Matthew...

This should work... hopefully. The slimy being then followed Recluse as the kids led the way, now going trough the city center... where it was crowded with people... he hated crowded places with a burning passion... they had this way of making him feel VERY uncomfortable... people watching him, he had this feeling his cover was blown even if it wasn't... If he could hyper ventilate, he would've. Ozias was so nervous right now that he didn't notice that guy that was walking right toward him.

Hitting him accidentally, Ozias nearly lost balance as the delivery guy span on himself, nearly falling too. The sudden impact made the the slime creature's monk robe neck button to become undone, revealing only a small section of what could possibly be hiding inside for a brief second before he immediately pulled it back together and reattached the button... Good thing no one in the crowd saw anything... the slime creature then made a quick apology to the stranger before following the group again... which hopefully didn't saw anything either. They had their back turned on him when it all happened... so probably not...

I don't know how strong these two are, and I don't want to find out the hard way. Xeno thought as he walked. I'm serious, they are up to no good, and I have no idea if I can protect all of the kids, you and myself if we get in a fight. Xeno whispered to Naka, who was too hyped up over the lost dog to understand Xeno's concern. Xeno looked back at the two strangers following them. What are you two? And what can i do for food? Xeno's stomach softly growled.

"Mou...you guys...hm..." Naka ran off fnr a while and came back with a huge bqown bag. She gave the kids candy apples, Xeno a set of takoyaki and Matthew and Al too. They had seemed hungry, so she had bought some for them. They couldn't eat ramen standing up, so...

( Sorry if my posts are short. I'm posting from my phone)

"O-... Mathew! Are you ok?" The spider hadn't seen the inccident but he had seen the end results. Turning and willing to help his partner. But seeing as he had it under control he smiling some, true genuine worry on his face for those few worrisome seconds.

Recluse blinked quickly, not expecting Naka to run off nor return with something that looked so delicious. His rumbling stomach thanking her as he simply bowed to her and began eating. Of course the kids were more then delighted to stop in their journey and enjoy the sweet treats. They had actually began to consider stopping for something to eat too. Hoping the grownups would be willing to offer up some change for them.

Ozias's ears perked up under his hood slightly as Recluse seemed concern about him... obviously not for him getting himself hurt... they both knew that was out of the question considering he wasn't really... solid, but rather if anyone might've saw trough his cover... which wasn't the case, happily. The hooded creature nodded back at Recluse as he ten spoke a few words...

-Yeah, I'm alright, don't worry. I just wasn't looking where I was... going.

He told him as he moved next to Alaric... then looked down at Naka who brought them all food... takoyaki no less... he couldn't recall the last time he actually ate that. Those were actually made with octopus if he remembered correctly... tasted like shrimp somewhat. The ooze creature reached for it as he grabbed it with his hand covered with his sleeve as he thanked her...

-Why thank you, young lady... I was getting quite... hungry.

The cloaked being then simply brought the food up to his hidden oozing maw, the slime sticking to the small dumplings and puling out the stick out with nothing left on it but a few drips of green sludge. The food had already began to sank within him as his body absorbed it. It tasted quite... delicious actually.

Yay sis. Xeno said and started eating. He was more hungry then he thought, and was glad to have the meal. Atleast he wouldn't have to steal food anymore since he met Naka. As he ate, he remember the time they first met, in the marketplace in the leaf village. A complete accident, but one that almost turned Xeno's view of the world upside down. Xeno smiled at the happy memories and the bowl of food he was still eating. Thanks Naka Xeno said as he finished his bowl of food, along with the rest of the group, and they continued walking on their hunt of the missing dog. I wish we knew where this dog went so we can get some distance from those two. Xeno thought as he reminded himself of the two others he was walking with.

Naka smiled, she was happy everyone was filling their tummies. But would some mere takoyaki and apples fill them up? The three of them were full-grown men and the kids, she knew, looked underfed that day. "Anoo....Can we stop by somewhere to eat? I know finding the dog is important and all, but we shouldn't do it on empty stomachs. Plus, we'd be in better moods if we were full...right? Um...my treat?" she suggested meekly. She was pretty sure the kids would agree but it was the adults that worried her. There was tension between all of them, and Xeno was especially hostile. She wanted him to relax 'He' wasn't there to try and kill them all, and she was 70% positive neither Al nor Matthew was one of 'his' henchmen.