When another ran up to Soraru, Kagerou politely took it as her cue to take her leave. She gave a brief farewell, waving her hand and giving the excuse, "I'll go ahead and meet this friend of yours that wants to learn Nemuri," before walking past him and into the library.
Finally, after many trials and tribulations, Kagerou was in the library. Man, it almost felt like a whole month. A familiar feeling, she had to admit, like that one time she was first introduced to her new room in the Sero or when she tried to take her first trip outside of the village without her parents. Ahhh. Nostalgia.
You know what was another familiar feeling? Winging the heck out of things. Only after entering the library, at which point it was far too late to turn back around and ask, did Kagerou realize she had no idea who this Hono person was or what he looked like. She stroked her chin in thought as she shuffled sideways so that she stood to the side of the entrance and looked out and about the library.
This one really tall dude quickly really attracted her attention, mostly because he was tall. Then, once she noticed he was tall, she noticed he was wearing Japanese clothes. Very nice Japanese clothes, she appraised. Yes, very well dressed. Soraru was also wearing clothes in the traditional style. Now, maybe it was just shallow to think this way, but Kagerou preferred to think of it as identifying a pattern. Indeed. Two people wearing Japanese style clothes. The only two people wearing Japanese style clothes. Perhaps they knew each other. Perhaps they were even friends. Perhaps this was even Hono. Yes. Yes. Kagerou had a good feeling about this.
Therefore, after some brief hesitation, she boldly stepped forwards and requested for the Hono-she-didn't-know-was-Hono-but-kind-of-guessed-was-Hono's attention in a hushed yet carefree tone, "Excuse me? Hi, I was wondering, do you happen to be a friend of Soraru Hiraiite, Kumogakure's eternal genin, who wants to learn the Nemuri technique?". Actually, forget about even knowing what Hono looked like. Kagerou realized she hadn't heard this friend's name either. Yes, she was owning it with this whole helping thing, but contrary to the many obstacles in her path to finding this Hono, she appeared quite at ease with the prospect of perhaps having to go up to even more random people to ask about some dude who's name she didn't know. Worst comes to worst, she ends up talking to a lot more people, and she rarely considered that a bad thing.
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 11:17 pm
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Honō was on his way through the library, heading towards the entrance in search of the fellow Kumo nin when the aisles of bookshelves did not reveal the traditionally-garbed individual. At the very least, the Hari clan member can allow his new-found friend in Chisana to return to her work as an archivist. And it wasn't an uncommon feeling of having the eyes of strangers lingering on his frame. Between the overly-rude height, the traditional clothing that didn't appear to have much standing in Konoha, and the submissive manner of composure, Honō was familiar with it. Comfortable, no. Used to it? No. But it was something Honō reacted to with a bowed head and moving on his way. Since arriving in Konoha, their shinobi had not been shy in taking in the Hokori's appearance with open curiosity. It had grown less frequent as time had gone on. But Honō did not recognise the green-haired kunoichi inspecting him, perhaps this was her first glimpse of him and - and was she approaching?!
Kagerou's sudden, bold, approach nearly startled the Kumo-nin into flinching. Instead, the white-haired Genin just tucked his chin down a little deeper, moss-green eyes staying on the floor until their vision was taken up by the lower-half of the woman. Honō blinked, eyes jumping up to her cheekbones, wide with surprise, though his head stayed slightly lowered. With their height difference, his entire face remained visible, hands clasped in front of him in a relaxed stance. Honō blinks.
"Yes, miss." Honō replies on rote, polite and calm. Loud enough to be heard but voice soft enough to not disturb any others. He doesn't say anything else, unsure of the social groundwork they were standing upon. Was this a friend of Soraru's as well? "Honō Hokori of Kumogakure." He bowed low, long, white hair slipping over his shoulders in silken slips. If they were a messenger, Honō would not interrupt their task, nor delay them by giving any unnecessary diatribe. But the mention of the Nemuri technique - had she been asked to aid him in learning this technique in lieu of the former teammate? Soraru is a strong and skilled warrior. It would not be of any surprise that he had been intercepted to instead attend to a mission.
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
This being was rather quite tall, taller than Kagerou had imagined, even though she had picked him out from the group so easily precisely because of his height. She wasn't standing overly close, but even so, she had to tilt her head up to see his face, and only when he lowered head could she see his entire face. Surprise played clearly upon his widened eyes and tensed cheeks, even though it simultaneously felt muted, as if scared that twitching the muscles of the face too loudly might disturb someone.
The voice that came from such an open yet reserved expression was a fitting match. Clearly spoken yet soft without the slightest visible effort on the other side. This was an individual used to speaking softly. The Nemuri technique would, indeed, be fitting for him.
Taking these cues and adapting herself to match this new acquaintance's pace, Kagerou's smile softened and her voice, while already hushed, also reigned in her excitement when she returned Hono's greeting after he bowed, "Greetings, Hokori-san. I'm Kagerou, of Kirigakure." It was only her eyes that didn't change, bright sparks of deep red that darted from one small detail to the next, but seemed to favor the eyes more than any other part. In fact, when Hono's eyes moved up Kagerou's after dipping all the way down low, if he bothered to study Kagerou's eyes after her cheeks, he would have seen that the curious woman had been intently wondering when his eyes would raise to meet her's after so suddenly zooming down.
She stepped back and, mimicking Hono's posture, clasped her hands primly together in front of her waist. "I ran into Soraru on my way into the library, and he mentioned you were having difficulty finding the Nemuri technique to learn," Kagerou explained, imagining that speaking too loudly could break this overly thin male in two to keep her voice hushed and soft, "I happen to know the technique, so I could assist you in learning it if you would permit."
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:08 am
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Moss-green eyes did not lift any higher than Kagerou's cheekbones, the Hari clan member's chin staying slightly tucked down in a very worn in, demure, pose. But it did not prevent Honō from instinctively feeling the roam of a gaze caressing his features, nor did it block him in picking up on the minute twitches and pulls of muscles in the Kiri-nin's face as their focus roamed over him. With their height difference, Honō did not even need to flicker his gaze to catch his new acquaintance taking on an almost completely different type of pose, as though to broadcast their intent. A more passive, supportive, intention. Even strangers feel the need to compensate. Honō bowed once again.
"Thank you for your consideration, Kagerou-san." Honō smiled, ignoring the snipe of self-deprivation thrown at him by his own mentality. "I place myself in Kagerou-san's care." He bows again, white hair again shifting over his shoulders with a soft, silken, slide. If Soraru-kun had asked this of the red-eyed shinobi, thenthere must be some level of trust. Even without iti an offer of aid was something that Honō's personality and manners ins tilled while growing up could not refuse. "Please guide me." Straightening, Honō maintains the small, polite smile as he awaits instruction.
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
Kagerou had taken the new pose with the intent to make Hono feel more comfortable. When she saw nothing that would indicate that Hono felt more relaxed around her, her smile didn't quite disappear, but she expressed concern in that little wrinkle that formed over her eyes. Perhaps she had been wrong. Then again, perhaps it simply didn't matter to the one standing before her.
Well, he at least didn't appear any more uncomfortable, even giving Kagerou a slight smile. Encouraged by the smile, Kagerou was determined to do her best. Her smile widened, and she gave a decisive nod, "En!".
Without further prompting, she dove straight into the technique description. Oh, poor Hono. He didn't know what he signed up for.
"Nemuri, translated to simply Sleep, is an enchantment class genjutsu with a range of touch and a duration of approximately 18 seconds in battle. As an enchantment, its strength is classified at B-rank, requiring a Kai of that level to release from. With a firm grip, Nemuri can be used to drop the target into a deep slumber. A lighter grip will only cause fatigue. While difficult to land by most who prefer genjutsu, as they have frail bodies that are ill-suited to the prolonged close contact required for a firm grip, it's advantages upon being landed with full effects are obvious. Because they are fast asleep, a target successfully enchanted by Nemuri cannot kai out of after succumbing to it.
"There are, in fact, multiple ways to approach the execution of the Nemuri technique. All such methods, however, end at the same spot, to alter the target's chakra and trick the brain into enter REM or at least the third stage of NREM sleep and begin releasing low voltage, erratic, and fast brain waves, REM sleep, or delta waves, deep NREM sleep. Now, the most prominent methods circulate around three branches: persuasion, physical exhaustion, and emotional manipulation..."
And so Kagerou continued for on and on and on and... One would think that she had a friend with chronic insomnia, which was true. However, lengthy as she was, all things must end. Yes, even the bad things. She wrapped up with a summary of similar techniques.
"Nemuri has a sister technique, also an enchantment, known as Temple of Nirvana. On most fronts, Temple of Nirvana, an A-rank technique, is superior to Nemuri. The requirements to place the genjutsu and the area of effect both make it much more reasonable to use in combat. However, Temple of Nirvana requires a few seconds before taking effect and also has a signature appearance whereas Nemuri occurs the instant it is cast with no warning beforehand.
"Both techniques, however, have all the inherent weaknesses of genjutsu in addition to being rather short-lived. When there is a way to deceive the target into going to sleep of their own volition, even the E-rank Maruton technique, Tanukineiri no Jutsu, translated to Feigning Sleep Technique, is superior in duration, lasting for at least three hours."
Kagerou's voice rang lively in its musical way, even when muted out of consideration for Hono, and she periodically moved her hand to indicate whatever she talked about. Maybe without the droning nature such lecture-lessons inherently took, it might have been enjoyable to watch. However, no amount of appeal would ever change that Kagerou, who had learned in this manner just fine, had released a torrent of words upon Hono without so much as giving him a chance to find a notebook.
Without a shred of doubt. Without a shred of realization that she had just given a lesson drier than the Sunagakure desert. Without a shred of irony or sarcasm. Kagerou asked, "So... would you like me to repeat any of that?"
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 9:43 pm
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Honō blinked, taking in the slight pinch around the Kirigakure nin's mouth, eyes still lowered so the wrinkle between her brow was registered in the periphery of his range of vision. He tried his best not to react to the possibly negative signal that came over the woman. It wouldn't do to incur any further issues or undesirable feelings. It seemed to be the 'correct' choice as kagerou's reactions shifted into a more positive aspect. Apparently due to the Hokori's willingness to be taught. And the Kiri-nin went into the task with great enthusiasm, energy, and many, many details.
Nemuri, 'sleep,' touch-ranged genjutsu of B-rank cost, 18-seconds in length. May be mitigated by 'Kai.' Firm touch required, otherise fatigue instilled. These facts were familiar, understandable, associatable. The information about the Rem? Nrim? And waves and... deep waves? That was a level of knowledge outside of Honō's studies. Was this... was this normal? To get so in-depth over the scientific backgrounds of a jutsu? Was this what Honō was missing in his training? Why he had fallen so far behind in so many aspects of his shinobi career? Thinking back to his short-lived time in the Academy, it made sense; the homework, the written reports breaking down their understandings of the chakra system, of theoretical queries, and questionaires...
It was also the passion he had taken to his artistic and craftsman studies. He has a bookshelf dedicated solely to his favourite crafts, each shelf reserved for only craft type so as to not favour too much in one side (but mostly to prevent him from becoming a hoarder nor spending too much of his allowance). By the end of Kagerou's seminar, the Hari clan member's face held a serious, studious air around it. Moss-green eyes were slightly pinched in concentration, lips scrunched in at one corner and pressed thin across their length. His focus was most definately turned inward, trying to summon a mental feat of memory acrobatics to retain the information presented to him by the helpful shinobi of Kirigakure. Even information regarding a low-level technique that the Hari Clan member had already learned somehow had something to contribute to this lesson. It truly made the Hokori feel even more overwhelmed and dispondent over how serious he had been taking to his duties to Kumogakure...
"Ah," Honō refocus his attention fully on the red-eyed woman before him. "My apologies." He bows low in apology. "The information regarding the science of resting. I am not familiar with such terms. Nor their function and influence on the state of seeping." He admits with a humble expression. "May I bother you further for an explenation on these aspects?"
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
Happy to oblige, the budding psychologist placed a finger upon her forehead. However, no doubt Hono's ever thoughtful eyes wouldn't miss the eyebrow she raised briefly and slightly at his question or that small way her head tilted to the side in an unsaid query. Kagerou figured she'd test her theory, and as Hono requested, she gave him an explanation on the science of sleeping, and just the science of sleeping.
"What research has shown about sleeping is that there are multiple stages to it, with most researchers agreeing to four. : three NREM, Non-REM, stages and a final REM, Rapid Eye Movement, stage. When one sleeps, they go through these stages in order, and then repeats to complete several cycles over the course of the night.
"The first stage is the lightest stage of NREM sleep. It's the stage you first feel when you close your eyes and get drowsy and is considered a transition stage from waking to sleep. Your muscles and brain proceed to relax, and it's also the stage you're in whenever you feel like you're falling in your sleep. Fun fact, while in the first stage of sleep, your eyes actually move very slowly.
"During the second stage of NREM sleep, you have truly entered sleep. While considered light sleeping, you are still not easily awakened and your eye stops moving. Your brain continues to slow down, except when it doesn't for brief moments. These short spasms of sudden activity create various discharges that are thought to help guard your brain from awakening. Meanwhile, your body also continues to shut down. Your temperature decreases and your heart rate proceeds to slow down. Of course, not to dangerous levels, but the general gist of it is, as you fall asleep, your body proceeds to use less energy. This is the stage when your memory of the day is transitioned to long-term memory and when your brain does minor rearrangements to make itself more efficient.
"The third stage is the deepest part of the sleep slumber, and the most difficult to rouse an individual from. It's considered deep sleep. You're not dreaming yet. However, sleepwalking, sleep talking, and other similar conditions are known to occur during this stage. Because your brain and body are at each others slowest and using the least amount of energy, you regain most of your energy during this stage of sleep. The delta waves released during this stage are incredibly slow brain waves. Deep sleep is integral to growth and health, by the way, as it's during this time when growth hormones are released and the immune system is restored.
"The final stage is the REM stage, where your body doesn't move at all. Like the acronym says, the closed eye moves very rapidly during this stage. Brain waves are also incredibly active during the REM stage, at times even more active than when awake. These low voltage, erratic, and fast brain waves are what form your dreams. It is actually relatively easy to wake someone in the middle of REM sleep, but the side effects of doing so are extreme grogginess and any other associated consequences of being overly sleepy.
"The first time you enter REM after falling asleep is short in duration, and its length increases over the course of the night. Generally speaking, one sleep cycle lasts 90 to 120 minutes, usually 90 minutes for the first than 100 to 120 minutes for the ones following. A typical person is supposed to go through four or five sleep cycles (but that's a rare beast in the shinobi world, I've noticed). Incidentally, you spend about 90 to 120 minutes a night in the REM stage. The rest of the 4 to 7 hours is spent in the NREM stages. Stage 2 takes up the lion's share of the sleep cycle, about 40% to 60% of the time. Compared to that, Stage 3 takes only 5% to 15% of the time asleep."
Kagerou took a deep breath once she finally finished. She was certain she left some details out. However, she had answered as thoroughly as she possibly could.
Continuing to give Hono a standard smile, Kagerou dipped her head without warning to try and catch Hono's eyes, which she had noticed never moved above her cheekbones, with her own. She would like to see herself succeed and stare into those beautiful moss green eyes to see what Hono was thinking beneath his humble demeanor and quiet requests. Even if she didn't, however, she would be satisfied with just seeing his reaction. No matter what the reaction, though, Kagerou would still ask, "Did that answer your question?" with an invested personal interest. To ask about the science of resting was slightly unusual, when the theory wasn't needed for the practical execution of the technique. The chakra formula, structure, and manipulation were all that was needed. However, then again, Kagerou would understand if perhaps Hono was just the kind of person who learned best when he had all of the building blocks in front of him to reach the answer instead of simply receiving the answer.
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:52 pm
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Moss-green eyes remained pinched in concentration, as the until-recently-not-realised-mystery-and-science-of-sleeping mystery was unravelled for Honō. To say the white-haired male was surprised by the complexity of the process of resting would be almost an understatement - though Honō would never dare verbally be so dramatic if the observation was put forward. So Rem - correction, 'REM' - stood for Rapid Eye Movement. So sleep is measured by such a physical tell? Was this how the elite shinobi and interrogators of the villages were able to initially read such a thing in their targets? And N.R.E.M was the non-rapid sections of sleeping? Sleeping turns memories into long-term memories? The regeneration of energy, health, growth, the immune system - that all seemed vaguely familiar in a of-course-it-does kind of way, but memories? That is a new titbit of knowledge for the Hokori to absorb.
Finally, the act of sleeping worked in 'cycles.' Repeating the R.E.M. and the N.R.E.M. in a pattern. A curious thing for the body to do, but Honō was no medi-nin. He was trying to tie-in the cycles and their individual duration to his memory when Kagerou suddenly ducked his head and green eyes were staring directly into red. Honō blinked, taking a shinobi's eternity of a second to recognise that feeling of 'wrong' that coated his spine like slime, heavy and shiver-inducing. Like the viscous liquid, Honō blinked slow and unsure, eyes staying on Kagerou's from the initial surprise and the notion that different culture, different rules, is looking away rude?
"Yes, ma'am." Honō chirps softly, body tensed. The muscles contracted were not those ready to spring an attack, nor to flee. They were ones that, when pulled taught, locked the individual in place, almost painfully, to prevent any quivering - though that would wear them down faster into strained shivering, he knew. "The Nemuri technique will place the target into a deep slumber and, with the aid of judging by their," A brief pause as Honō continued trying to process and apply the information while maintaining eye contact. "rapid, or non-rapid, eye movement, it can be more safely assessed if successfully applied."
"Nemuri's short duration needs to be taken seriously, and assessment of a successful application should be done without wasting time. If a lighter touch is unknowingly applied, the basic knowledge of R.E.M. and N.R.E.M. may aid in discovering a ruse of pretending to have fallen under its effects. First Stage is relaxed posture. Second Stage includes non-rapid eye movement and slowed heart rate. Third Stage may invoke sleep talking. The R.E.M. Stage is as the name states." Honō halts, awaiting assessment of his understanding and proposed planned applications of the information that had been so generously laid upon him. Indeed, this knowledge could well save a life, being able to better judge a feigned-sleeping foe from a properly unconscious one.
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
Do you know how hard it is to stop Kagerou from smiling? Do you know? Someone better be dying in a ditch to wipe that smile off of her face.
Or, as Hono just demonstrated, shaking like a newborn deer being eyed by a hungry wolf. His muscles pulled taut, entire being focused on not breaking eye contact for reasons Kagerou could not fathom, she could have probably seen his unsettled terror even with her eyes closed. That was how bad it was. What? Had she changed her form into the hunchback of notre dame without realizing it? The poor child's eyes, though so obviously locked in place, looked like they would roll back at any moment. Kagerou seriously wondered if there was any chance if he could break his bones in his currently forced stand. His muscles were pulled that taut. While his billowy outfit hid most of his body, even his hands, it was easy to see that strain his muscles were under just by looking at his exposed neck.
Luckily for Hono, it only took a moment for Kagerou to assess all of the above and immediately feel an incredible weight of guilt.
Unluckily for Hono, Kagerou was stuck in the very same dilemma Hono was. Uh... Was it polite if she suddenly averted her gaze and looked guiltily at the ground while he was in the middle of an answer? It wouldn't perhaps send anxieties and questions of self-worth running through her fragile-as-glass conversation partner? For the time being, she held her smile and position, putting forth every effort into retaining that relaxed yet amused appearance she had first given. Keeping up the act like this, she hoped to at least not embarrass Hono any further.
So like now, two people were staring at each other uncomfortably as Hono finished his explanation. He was really a really, really, really good egg. He had recited everything he had learned to Kagerou without being prompted and, though it, revealed that he had followed along with the lesson. Of course, such an opinion of Hono only made Kagerou feel even guiltier.
Once Hono finished, and with such a stellar explanation, too, Kagerou couldn't hold up for any longer, not in good conscience. Taking this as the earliest out, she broke eye contact, her head lowering and the smile slipping off of her face as she looked guiltily down at the ground. She bit her lip for all of the span of but one breath. Then she stood up straight and no longer tried to force eye contact on Hono.
A small smile was mustered forth. "En, a good answer," she praised, "I think you understand the theory behind Nemuri, so why not try practicing? I think the persuasion method might work best for you. Disrupt the chakra within the body of the target and convince their subconscious that right now is a perfectly fitting place to sleep and that they absolutely must sleep. You start by coaxing their muscles to relax then follow up by dulling the brains' responses to stimuli. Think of it as trying to simulate the first stage of NREM sleep. As for who to practice on..."
Kagerou looked back down on the ground. Again, her smile slid off guiltily and she kicked the floor a little bit. The girl, who would usually so quickly bounce back, found herself absolutely devastated by the face of devastation burned into her mind. One would think, but looking at such an expression, she had killed Hono's puppy or something. Gah. This was why looks were so powerful... If her anyone from her mother's side of the family were here, they would all say it was such a shame that this boy clearly hadn't been trained to utilize his appearance. Or perhaps he had been and he's expertly pulling kagerou around as he pleases. If so, then it was working. Evidently repenting what she had done earlier, Kagerou offered in apology, "You may practice the REM technique on me, as an apology for my earlier actions." She raised her eyes back up to Hono, and then gave a quick bow. "I am very sorry, and I hope you can forgive me. I didn't realize I would make you so uncomfortable."
BlackFruity
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 11:04 am
Toxic Interior
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Amarantha didn't even hesitate, she just hit him again, harder this time. Her teeth were so tightly grit that Yugure would be able to hear them grinding together. She was beyond the usual levels of anger with him, and into something a little closer to her true anger, "I think you of all people know that I know you far better than anyone else other than your mother. And you also know damn well that what I was saying was that it's against everything you are to be acting normally, rather than acting like yourself you ungrateful little twit!" She hissed at him, one hand falling to the hilt of her sword, more to ground herself; instead of some show of aggression. She jerked her head towards the exit, "We have a mission to prepare for, at it basically starts first thing in the morning, so lets get going before I smash your teeth through your mouth into the back of your head."
Jutsu Used: Jutsu Used: Jutsu Used:
OOC:
The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Honō felt he had missteped, the fact that Kagerou had picked up on his unsureness was a failure on his part in reading the woman enough to see what made her comfortable. Seems his nerves around new individuals was still an issue at times. "Thank you, ma'am." Honō replied, voice a little lighter than before - in both relief and joy that he had not dissapointed the red-eyed woman teaching him.
"Please do not place the burdon upon yourself, ma'am." Honō's voice,and his body posture seemed to have kicked itself into a change of gears as he bowed. He straightened before looking Kagerou in the eyes. "It was my responsibility to inquire that foreign customs did not put you into an uncomfortable experience. Please guide me in assuring your comforts are met." He bows again, words sounding familiar in his mouth, as though well-versed. But in no-way forced. They were sincere. "If you wish to entrust me with your body, I will be utterly respectful to your preferences." He bows again, for a brief moment. "How may we begin?" He asks, not wanting to ourtight ask for the hand signs so they work at Kagerou's pace.
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
Kagerou was always smiling, but hearing Hono's voice raise a pitch out of happiness had her smile growing. It seemed, to her, that they were both playing this game of trying to match their pace to the others.
In fact, Hono proceeded to admit as much. He proceeded to admit as much in an incredibly ambiguous manner. His demeanor changed. The child who was too scared to even look her in the eyes suddenly lined his eyes with her of his own volition. Of course, Kagerou took advantage of it to appreciate those beautiful, clear irises, but the sudden change did not go unnoticed by her either.
Was he the type to clam up with new people but open up easily?
Perhaps he was just trying to put up an act now, a much more convincing one now that he had some preparation, to make her feel less guilty about earlier?
In the case of the above, could the previous shyness have also been an act? Had she been fooled so thoroughly to believe this man, who could potentially rival her mother in acting ability in a few years, had no training in such matters at all?
Did Kagerou trigger some sort of alternate personality?
To answer required some knowledge of Hono's past, which Kagerou simply didn't have. Quite sensibly, she shelved the question almost as quickly as she thought of it. Though, the quizzical look in her eyes remained. To her, her reaction to Hono was the most important dilemma, to figure out the way to match Hono's pace.
Kagerou bought a bit of time to think the above by explaining, "Well, first off, Nemuri is cast with," the variou seals Nemuri used, a short string that she demonstrated with her own hands. She would repeat the hand seals again if it looked like Hono needed to see them one more time.
"Then as for what comes next," not a single gap or pause in her speech gave away that Kagerou was winging her next words. She moved gracefully with movements that seemed as practiced and natural as Hono's. However, they were not as sincere. The kunoichi meant well, but she would not be able to deny that she was also acting in this way because she was probing for answers to satiate her selfish curiosity. Moreover, she was acting conscious of the double meanings behind her own words, intentionally speaking in such a way so that she mirrored how Hono had spoken earlier.
Walking up to stand only a few inches away from Hono, comfortable as always with invading another's personal space, Kagerou held her hands behind her and arched her back slightly so she could look into Hono's lake-like eyes with an easy smile. "Foreign customs and whatnot... Kumo, Kiri, and Konoha are not all that different from each other. These are simply my personal preferences. If it is uncomfortable to meet eyes, then that is fine, don't do it. If I am too close to you right now, then feel free to step away. Don't worry too much about me. Feel free to try whatever will help you learn best. I was prepared when I offered my body," she spoke softly, voice only a small bit above a whisper.
This close, she would certainly see every indicator that crossed Hono's face. However, the same could be said of him.
༺ Honō Hokorii༻tab [ "A supplement to all others, yet weak on its own." ]tab
金繕い
Honō's attention was captured by the return to the teaching, moss-green eyes unwavering from Kagerou's hands as the signs were spoken and demonstrated. Thin lips silently repeated the handsign's sequence by name, not really aware of the action as his hands minutely twitched in wanting to repeat the necessary actions to cast the sleeping technique. His gaze turned inwards as the demonstration came to a close, lips barely moving, the tendons in his forearms bunching and relaxing unseen under the sleeves of his haori. He blinks, attention snapping back to the present as Kagerou steps up close, though no discomfort crossed his features or pose. "Thank you for your considerations, ma'am." Honō smiled gently, voice soft, giving their close space and relaxed airs an outward appearance of something intimate. Honō just didn't want to breathe on the woman's face. "Please continue to instruct me on how best to assure your comfort." And not a single inch, ounce, nor flicker of discomfort or deceit crossed the Hari Clan member's face. "Would we be practising this technique here or would it be best to relocate?" He suddenly pondered.
装 : Thigh-length, white, cotton haori has its sleeve cuffs edged in a blue strip of cotton. The hakama is cotton as well, with a gradient dye, going, top-down, white to a matching blue. The string ties, or 'himo,' are strands of glass beads, clear in colour and translucent. A matching necklace of these beads is worn around the neck. Underneath the haori, held up by a belt disguised under the tie of the hakama, are several pouches and a blade that, in any normal person's hand, would be would be described as a short sword. The hilt was clearly carved by hand, made of bone, yellowed with age. The blade bore jagged edges on the backside ( a boning edge ) while the other was razor sharp, curved wickedly at the end to act as a gutter. Stamped in the centre of the blade was a bear's paw surrounded in strangely shaped leaves. Traditional tabi, are also worn, marking this individual more of a civilian than a Kumogakure shinobi.
動 : When conversing, their eyes rarely meet the other person's, instead respectfully resting just beneath them, usually on the cheek bones. The walk with a demure air, posture relaxed and steps quiet, as though not to disturb. The hands are often clasped in front of them, as a servant does.
When there came no reaction for Hono, Kagerou had to guess that he was completely innocent. It was she who misunderstood. Hono, so studiously serious, had done no wrong.
Though, it still puzzled Kagerou how he could remain so calm now when before he had been so freaked. Not to mention... While flirtatiously said, she had been serious when telling Hono to consider himself over her. Nonetheless, what could she do about it? She wasn't about to upset some dude she just met today because he was being too nice. That didn't make any sense.
"Well, we could practice the technique right here," Kagerou answered Hono's pondering as she took a step back, head leaning one way then the next in thought, "I have confidence in my ability to judge if the technique is a success and still kai out in time, but I suppose letting you see the results will help you understand it better."
She took a few more steps back without looking before falling intentionally into a chair she remembered being placed not too far behind her. "Seated, I think I should be fine," Kagerou assured, confident in her ability to sleep while sitting up, "So please begin whenever you feel ready."
Though the mind games of earlier had stopped, Kagerou's interest in Hono hadn't waned. If anything, it grew maybe a little bit more. Back to being relaxed, her eyes freely roamed this way and that across Hono's person, trying to crack open his mysterious surface. The people of Kumo, it appeared, were quite interesting. Two out of two Kumo nin she had met, a whopping 100%, had both left her with the impression that there was much more to them than met the eye.
Yugure gritted his teeth as she punched him again, hearing the true rage of his cousin. With a sigh, he looked at her. He leaned in close to her and whispered into her ear. "You're right. I'm sorry..." He pulled away, turning his head as he did and kissed her cheek. With that, he turned to the exit and went home to prepare, get some sleep and meet up at the gate in the morning. [Exit to Gate]
Passives: Tsumetai [ Cold to the Touch ] Description: The skin of each Shinsetsu clan member is chilled; producing a refreshing, almost intoxicating aura. This aura does not stretch far from one's person, and only the Shinsetsu and those in direct contact with him/her can truly appreciate the feeling. Because of this attribute, humidity is a foreign concept to the Shinsetsu, and only the most extreme of heats will cause those within Tsumetai's effect to break a sweat. Additionally, this consistent cold has weathered their skin and innards, providing an internal and external resistance to freezing temperatures. Although not exactly topical, it should be noted that thanks to their relaxing aura, the Shinsetsu are considered some of the most desirable lovers in the world.
When another ran up to Soraru, Kagerou politely took it as her cue to take her leave. She gave a brief farewell, waving her hand and giving the excuse, "I'll go ahead and meet this friend of yours that wants to learn Nemuri," before walking past him and into the library.
