Who doesn't love food? (Souji)

Mission specs:

Stat page:

Change. An occurence inevitable for most people and this was no different for Sebastian. Not that he would complain, ever since he arrived in Sunagakure it was exactly one of the things he had been looking for and perhaps the main reason why he joined the ranks as a shinobi of the village. In his search for power, identity and humanity, the young Tau was finally able to settle down. So to say there had been a couple of changes would be quite the understatement. His hair had grown longer, he gained another powerful bloodline which he acquired from Kenshin Uzumaki, but perhaps the biggest change could be found in the fact that he was on his way to do .. grocery shopping. Not for himself, no. Aware of the fact that he was in dire need of some extra cash, Sebastian decided to accept a mission. Yes, a mission. Who would have thought he'd be out doing something for someone other than himself? Certainly not the misfit himself. 

So there he was, Mister Sunshine in all his glory carrying a list with everything needed by his client. His old companions would laugh themselves to death if they'd see him now. The former mercenary, once getting his hands dirty regardless of the task, now running around looking for food. Oh how times could change. 

(WC: 223)

1/6 Nature Stacks

Souji's Stats:

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

The sound bypassed the empty space from the front of his new home to enter his room to wake him. The boy heard the knocking, but laid in his bed in wait for Mizuki to answer. That's when it registered to him, she was now the village Kazekeage and she was not home too frequently as she used to be. This of course would leave him in the home alone for most mornings. He would not fret over it, understanding that Mizuki was always important to the village and its peoples, her new role only made it more vivid. The boy would toss the covers from his body as he erect himself to a sitting position. His hair very messy and his eyes still shut, he would outstretch his arms and release the stiffness and drowsiness from his person. "Yuuuuargh..." A yawn to signify his full waking.  

Standing to his feet, the boy's body was bare, all except his shorts. The scars that coated his flesh from stomach, chest to back and legs were all visible. The branding that his cruel and twisted father gave him sat ugly on the left of his back. What's more the boy's birthday was yesterday and he enjoyed the company of Mizuki and even Zaine came by. It was nice, the first time he ever experienced it. Now that he was fourteen he was a true teenager. His eyes would find the door to his room as his feet guided him to it. Using his left hand to pull the door open he would walk into the hallway to see the front door to the home. His stride was somewhat different than usual... the room itself looked to be a bit...lower? That can't be right. Looking around he would shake it off as he needed to hurry to answer the door, could be important - by that hinting something for Mizuki. Approaching the door he would open it to find a shinobj wearing the Suna headband and glasses. The man would hand him a letter. "Inside you will find the content detailing your mission. For your eyes alone, for the Kazekage!" Souji staring that man in his eyes directly would furrow his brows from confusion. "W-What?" The Genin would extend the letter further for the Hyuuga to take it. Upon do just that he would flicker away. Souji standing in the doorway for a moment he would noticed once again that something was not adding up.  

"...Just now, I was looking that guy right in the eyes. Strange..." Closing the door he would motion over the the U-Shape couch and sit. Opening the letter to read its content. His eyes would slightly narrow as he found that this was indeed in Mizuki's handwriting and he was assigned a mission along with another.  He would sigh, just his luck another errand. First it was the text mission, then it was the recon mission, and now....shopping? Within the letter a small piece of paper flapped out and fell to the side. Picking it up only to find that it was a list for the client. Now he was doing the lowest of the low... Rolling his lilac eyes he would only assume there was some lesson in this. He wouldn't be assigned to help out if there wasn't one.  

Standing to his feet he would make his way over to his room, but still that odd feeling hovered over him. Entering his room he would reach collect his clothing and look at himself in his tall mirror. He would then notice...his body, his muscles were more toned and his hair grew a bit longer. His legs...his legs were longer? Eyes widen he would immediately look over to the tall shelf were most of his books were located and run over to it. Extended his hand to the highest level of the shelves he would find that he could reach them with no effort. "The hell?!? Did I get...taller??" Confusion washed over him, but as he looked around he could see that his assumption was true. The room looked lower, but only because he was standing taller. The boy was once five feet even, and now stood at five feet, six inches. A whole six inch growth spurt. This put a smile on his face. He was finally at a taller height and no more short jokes and embarrassing moments trying to reach the top of things.  

As he glanced over at the time he would need to hurry. His legs were wrapped in wrapping to cover his scars from ankle to thighs. His shorts fit almost the same, perhaps a bit snug. His loose fitting black shirt would not fit well on him, also displaying his physique printing beneath with certain movements. His hair was way too much to deal with and he couldn't shake it to his liking. Deciding to leave it be he would simply shrug and walk out of the room. Grabbing an apple and a bottle of water as he left his home, locking up behind himself.  

The day was young, the sun beaming and the birds singing. The people of the village were up and about and the flow of the foundation was working like a smooth machine. As he stride through the walking paths to navigate to the meeting place, the grocery store. There he would find his mission partner. Upon arriving he would stop at rhe threshold of the store and lazily look about its interior. He wasn't at all sure of whom he was looking for, or rather what the person was suppose to have to stand out. He signs as he was beginning to grow irritated with this mission and looked at the list in his hand. The thought of abandoning this mission crossed his mind, but the stern expression of his Mizuki would burn into existence in his mind, causing him to grow nervous and disregard the thought of ditching. Shaking his head once he would slide the list within the depths of his pocket, left pocket.  

His attention was grapsed by a man who was studying a list in his hand. Perhaps pondering over it or maybe...familiarizing himself? The man was massive in size length, this would have been somewhat intimidating to Souji had he not undergone his own height upgrade. His appearance was imposing. The Hyuuga would tilt his head to the left slightly before calling out. "You there...! You should pick your head up when you're walking, even giants need to watch where they are going." Not the best way to speak to someone, but Souji was not good at making friends, or new acquaintances. That never bothered him, he didn't trust people after all, beside for Mizuki and now Zaine - though he is still a work in progress. He would wait for the man to face him to learn more.

[WC: 1,158]

Having gathered about half of what's on his shopping list, Sebastian wondered just how much longer it would take before he got everything the client needed. The running around was one thing, smiling at everyone in a friendly manner and saying "thank you" was another. Or at least something he wasn't used to. Only rarely had he experienced those few occasions where it required the young misfit to utter those specific words, let alone show his gratitude. But then again, Sebastian was now a changed man. One that was in the process of learning to be more empathic for and around others. Part of said process consisted of trying his hardest to get along with people. The Tau had quite the long road ahead of him, but he knew he could only take it step by step.

As would often be the case when one was walking on a road, you might encounter several bumps. Only in Sebastian's case it wasn't a literal bump, but an actual person. How it happened, no clue. But for some reason he heard an annoying voice call out to him, followed by some remark about a giant. Well whoever it was, their eyes as well as their judgment must have been great considering the creature he got compared to made a lot of sense. Where Sebastian was lacking in social skills, he made up for in physical presence. It would be quite the understatement to say he towered over most people and had a rather intimidating appearance. The moment he looked to see whoever called for him, he noticed it was a .. kid? 

He'd scratch his hair, looking to the left and right in case he was mistaken and someone else called for him. Unfortunately that didn't seem to be the case and chances were that the young boy was actually the one who addressed him earlier. "Ehm, are you looking for your parents or something?" Things got rather busy on the streets of Sunagakure, so perhaps the boy lost sight of his parents. Sebastian then noticed the list in his hand which caused him to perform the following action. "Ah, you're shopping as well? Great, come with me kid" he said as he placed his arm around the boy and dragged him along. "So, what do you need?" 

(WC: 385, TWC: 608)

2/6 Nature Stacks

How odd, it would appear that Souji was mistaken for some child, noted by the way the man called him "Kid." That word did not necessarily phase him in the slightest, he was quite use to people looking down on him as such and treating him like that because of his former height. However, he was no longer that size and his mindset never changed, if anything it has improved if only slightly. The boy was fairly serious at all times, this was even witnessed by his Mizuki. He does not take well to others, let alone to them touching him.  

What did we have here...? This monstrosity of a man was outreaching his arm, simultaneously closing in - in an attempt to... invade Souji's personal space? His brows would furrow as those lilac eyes would seem to trace and predict the path of this man's aim. Almost at the very last second his reflexes would kick in stacking with his full speed as his left foot slide one foot behind his right and his body jerked out of the man's motion causing him to miss his intended arm over the shoulder. Souji would then retrieve his right foot as he would then slide around the tall man and now have his back facing him, whilst he glares over at him from the right of his shoulder. "I did not give you permission to touch me, you idiot... I didn't know ogres were so friendly... or was it Neanderthals? I tend to get the too mixed up." His tone was one of annoyance as his glare turned into a condescending one.  

This was the second times someone from this village attempted to touch him without his consent and it was rather irritating to him. His body would turn to face the man, in the midst of this the shoppers were all looking at the two as if they were about to cause some serious trouble. Souji already noted this and simply placed both of his hands within the depths of his pockets. His left hand emerged with that same list that was in the man's hand. "If I am to guess, you are on the same mission as me for some old hag. Shopping, correct?" Waving the list between his middle and index finger. By this time the shoppers went back to shopping assuming the spike in conflict was over, as too did the workers. "Let's get this over with, and don't call me a kid again or I'll leave you sterile for the rest of your hideous life." He would smirk as he was actually enjoying this little scene. Its been a while since he could act out and let lose of his rebellious side.  

The sudden thought of Mizuki would then burn back into his memory and his face would turn flustered, blinking twice before looking over to the bottom left. Standing one meter and a half before the man he would look over to him and raise his right hand. "Uh... What did you collect so far? Oh, and the name is Souji." His eyes would fall to the list that was now properly in his left hand. Reading over it and looking at what the man had in his possession he would noticed that he already collected all but three of the items.  

Souji would wait for the man's response as he observed and analyzed him closely. 

[WC: 570]
[Total WC: 1,728]

It seemed like the young boy didn't appreciate Sebastian's gesture considering he shifted his body as fast as he kept spouting off some more insults. "Ogre? Oh well, I've been called worse" he simply replied while rubbing his thumb over his bottom lip, all the while sporting a mischievous smile. However, what he failed to understand was why this child rejected his earlier attempt at a somewhat friendly approach. Perhaps there had been less pleasant experiences for the boy where someone tried to pull the same stunt as the Tau tried to do. But then, dense as he was, it finally came to Sebastian. When he though about it, it did make sense that it would look rather suspicous that a grown man was trying to grab a mere child with him. So all things considered, the young boy's reaction wasn't all that strange.

The both of them seemed to have caused a ruckus as those standing around them were looking almost as if something was to go down. Although Sebastian wouldn't mind returning to his darker days of bloodshed and becoming the monster he once was before, he decided all of his change up til now would have been for naught if he gave in again. So he remained calm, allowing the child in front of him to get whatever it was out of his system before bringing up both of their lists. "Oh yes indeed. For some reason they thought it was a good idea to send someone like me out for grocery shopping." The misfit checked his list and the things he hadn't crossed out yet and still needed to gather before he'd continue. "Hm, so far I got milk, eggs, rice. Not sure what she plans on making for dinner but the customer is always right I guess." Sebastian only hoped he'd have enough time left to do his own grocery shopping. 

He wasn't all too sure but it looked like the boy, Souji as he introduced himself some moments ago, was still empty handed. "What about you? Anything you still need from the list? And the name's Sebastian, not ogre by the way" he said with a big grin on his face.

(WC: 367, TWC: 975)

3/6 Nature Stacks

It would seem that the two were now on the same page. The man, Sebastian had already collected quite a few things from the list of items required to complete their mission. He even had made a valid point about why there was two completing this. Souji also questioned that from the beginning, but felt that it was probably purposeful as he ready himself to response to Sebastian. "As of right now, I have nothing. Just got here to be honest. Seeing as you have already collected a few things I'm going to go gather the rest. I'll meet you at the checkout in fifteen minutes." Unbeknownst to him, he was providing the Tau the time he wanted to get some personal shopping done. 

Turning to take off he would walk down each individual aisle to until he found the remaining three times on the list. A combination of seasonings, dried seaweed and some sort of meat. During his collection he had to 'play nice' with fellow shoppers and the workers. He did not mind that at all. He learned to be more quiet and simply nod instead of exchanging words. Though he would still need to work on his facial expressions. He tend to give stern stares or annoyed presentations every single time.  

Now that he was completely done with what was on the list he would meet with Sebastian to collect what he had in his possession to purchase and bag. "Seeing how you were here first and got a jump on the gathering I will finish it off by delivering the goods to the old hag....wouldn't want her killing over at the sight of you...but then again...no, wouldn't be good. You can carry on with the rest of your day after you fill out the report to collect your earnings." Instead of saying farewell he would raise his right hand as he walks out of the store. Slipping it back into the depths of his pocket he would stride down a path to deliver the goods.  

Coming to a home not so different in appearance than the rest he would knock on the door. After a few moments he was greeted by an elderly woman. She had bug eyes and looked as if she was on something to keep her going. Souji furrowed his brows as he hands her the bag. Not wishing to trade words with her he would turn and leave her property immediately. 

[WC: 412]
[Total WC: 2,140]

[Exit - Mission Complete]
Claiming the following - 
1 AP
500 ryo
+100 ryo (D rank bonus for missions)

Personal Claims -
42 AP
Adding 698 WC to bank of 1052 to learn Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Burst V7 [1750/1750]
1442 WC towards learning Eight Trigrams: Mountain Crusher [1442/2500]

Approved @ Souji

Just as Sebastian expected, the boy going by the name of Souji confirmed his earlier thoughts by mentioning he didn't gathered anything yet. To make up for the difference between both of their lists, Souji decided to collect the rest of what their client needed, leaving Sebastian alone for a couple of minutes. Time that the young Tau would use to find himself some stuff for his own dinner so he'd have something to fill his belly with in the evening. Ogres had to eat after all. The monster of a man walked passed most shops which were at the market, purchasing some meat, some vegetables. "Got to get that health" he figured.

Fifteen minutes had passed and Souji would finally meet up with Sebastian again as it seemed he had gathered the remaining things on their list. Considering he was the last to arrive he suggested to be the one delivering everything to their client. Not a bad idea, it would allow Sebastian to get home a bit earlier than expected, time he could use to begin cooking his own food before the evening'd fall. "Well, if you insist. Then I'll finish and fill out the report before going home." The two of them would see each other off, followed by making their own way back. 

(Exit)

(TWC: 1191)
Claims:
- 22 AP using max stat discount
- 1191/2000 towards Nature Chakra Proficiency (don't need to meet the bonus requirements thanks to Jugo transplant)
- Mission rewards (1 AP, 500 + 100 ryo)

Approved @Sebastian