It had been a long time, too long since Anon had been in the slums of Sunagakure no sato. Or rather, not long enough. He'd hated this place when he'd lived here, and couldn't think of why he'd come other than the fact that he'd needed something to keep himself occupied and the city was always sleeping, save for the slums. There was always something going on in the slums and whether it was good or bad, there was something to do. Anon had slipped quietly into his black clothing: netted shirt, shinobi gi vest and cloth hand wraps, shinobi tights and black tabi with soft step sandals. The only non-black part of his clothing was the violet mask upon his face, covering the bottom half that matched the hue of his hair almost too perfectly. The male had his hitai-ate plate attached to his belt stylishly, while on the left side of his front the belt had a tool pouch attached containing five scrolls, one containing shuriken and a kunai sealed within. On the back of his belt were sheathes for short swords, one being shorter than the other. The swords were in the sheathes currently, the shorter of the two on the left side of the male, and they were positioned to be easily drawn from this position.

Nothing will happen.. Probably.

He had brought the swords for the reason that if ANYTHING did happen he'd be ready. He didn't want to be caught without his swords should something happen that turned him to become hostile or become defensive. Having his weapons always made him feel better when traveling in the slums. It was quite the dangerous place as he knew too well from his time here as a young ninja. He'd spent a couple years here learning how to make it on his own, working in questionable places and with questionable people  to further his way forward in life. This didn't leave him without his own share of bad experiences, and while his skin was unaffected by it, his emotions and mind were not unfettered, He'd dealt with a lot since becoming a ninja and the experience he had from the slums were not pleasant in the least, leaving emotional and mental scars if not physical ones. True, his skin was perfect and unblemished, but his mind was nearly broken. It took him a long time to prepare himself for the world and when he arrived here it had been shattered, as it seemed he wasn't ready enough. Due to what he'd gone through though he was a lot stronger for it and thicker skinned.

It wasn't so bad, was it? Becoming strong almost makes it worth it.

Did it? He reminisced back to running drugs for one of the gangs. Upon reaching the location of where he was to be delivering, he'd seen the leader torturing someone who had fell behind on payments for protection. When he'd noticed Anon he made an example of the man he'd been torturing, telling him that failing to pay or play ball was a good way to end up just like the man he'd seen die. He told Anon his place was in the slums with the rest of the trash and that he needed to be appreciative of the opportunity given to him, to where he could get more than what most would have access to. He was to be thankful that he was above others in the slums simply because he worked for them as a delivery boy, but that wouldn't save him if he decided to betray them. Anon didn't wish to betray them, but he also didn't wish to be stuck in the slums with them for the rest of his life. He had greater aspirations and goals for his life that couldn't be reached within the confines of this broken down section of the village. It was that day Anon had decided to leave and so he saved every ryo he earned until he could buy his way out of the slums into the place he had now.

You know that if they find you, you're dead. Why did you have to leave?

He had to leave because there was nothing there for him anymore. He had tried to play ball with them but they were the type of people he couldn't succeed with. His life was his own to do something with and they would only drag him down inevitably. Or kill him more like. Anon was so lost in though as he walked he barely noticed when he smelled an odor of smoke and burning tobacco. He turned to the left, stopping to have his hazel hues scan over the form of a male smoking a cigarette. The male looked about his age and couldn't be much younger if he wasn't. Anon looked him over, noting that he was wearing a hoodie, which to him was strange for anyone in sunagakure. Thought shinobi were known to be eccentric and wear strange clothing from time to time, could this man be a ninja of the sand as well? Or simply a civilian with an eccentric taste in clothing? Anon usually hated going out of his way to talk to anyone but as he didn't have anything better to do he approached the other male, looking up at the size difference, meeting the others' eyes. Quietly he stared before he spoke to the other, his voice like fine silk, molesting a cool breeze. Calm, almost monotonous, yet fluid and charming.

"Yo. What's up?"

Anon wasn't very good at starting conversations. Hated it, in fact. The only person he found it easy to talk to was Sutaka, but that was because he'd known the other male for quite a long time and they weren't currently standing alone in the night time in the most dangerous area of the village.

WC: 1,015

The sound of another approaching would fill his ears on a short while before a silken toned voice. 'would the shanobi following assist if I were attacked...' His head would tilt a touch over to the side drawing a tad more of his face into view, raising a brow as his pale mint green orb washed over the one that had spoke, thin wisps of smoke littered upwards into the air twisting past his gaze before vanishing in the cool breeze. 'doubtful, I'm sure they feel me more of a nuisance than a commodity.' Pushing back the simple thoughts he would take in the details of the male as he approached. The lad's hair and mask standing out against his chosen dark attire, however it were the male's weapons that he would for a short moment take his attention. A hitai-ate, this man were a shinobi and around his age, 'could this be a ruse?' He did recognize the male, yet how and from where at the moment illuded him.

Exhaling the rest of the smoke he would turn to face the male flashing his usual smile that could only ever be classed as charming, drawing his pearly whites into view, slightly raising his hand in a greeting, keeping his cigarette clutched in the grip of his fingers, keeping his other hand in his pocket. Allowing his tongue to graze pase his lips coating them to no avail with a thin layer of saliva before responding, "Sup, just enjoying a bit of freedom... and you?" His luxuriously deep, and somewhat raspy voice would raise almost like a soothing hum, his tone a clearly relaxed one. His hand would raise absentmindedly as he indulged so often in his bad habit, placing the cigarette back between his lips drawing in a breath forcing the smoke into his lung to nere capacity before removing the cigarette again, as he inhaled the smoke subtle little grey lines would litter along the visible skin of his lightly scared throat and chest, intrikate like a map of veins, yet not following the correct correlation of true veins, only for it to fade as quickly as it arose. Inhaling a little more air he would trap the smoke within his lungs, using the same hand he held the cigarette in to indicate to the males mid section, such an action drawing his jacket sleeve up a touch to expose part of the restraint still clamped tightly around his wrist. As he spoke, the trapped smoke giving his tone an even deeper touch "ya pretty armed tonight, expecting trouble?" He would swallow again before tilting his head back, slightly off to one side, a touch exhaling the  smoke over his shoulder as to not filly the males space with the smoke, a simple attempt at being polite. Lux himself bore no weapon's, especially non compared to the lad's before him. 'is he expecting trouble?' He would resist taking a look around them, instead keeping his attention on the male. 'the slums are still pretty dangerous then, I guess.' Holding back a short chuckle at his own evaluation of the situation, he couldn’t help but assess the situation, even if the male didn't know how to use the swords, the sight of them would be enough to put some off yet on the other hand could quite easily have the reverse effect and be the cause of confrontation. He himself felt quite at ease here, weather it be the torturous time he had spent at the institute or simply a euphoric feeling to be back home, either way it didn't matter.

The Kage's inauguration... He were quite sure that's where he'd seen the purple hair bloke before. His gaze would drift back to the other males hair again, purple being quite different to the norm. A sight he enjoyed. Grazing the tip of his thumb against the bud of the cigarette, giving it a small flick, he'd remove the ash allowing it to float down into the sand as small embers flickered from it. His shoulders would hunch forwards slightly, covering the light scarring around his throat, stepping on the embers of his ash as his hand rose to place the cigarette to his lips again, this time releasing his grip to place his hand down, noticing that it had come into view at some point. Only now noticing there were a small difference in height. Withdrawing his other hand he would tug the sleeve back over the restraint, covering it before placing that hand into his pocket leaving the other out to tend to his bad habit, yet instead of reaching for the cigarette his hand would simply shift to the back of his neck, curling his fingers around to find a relaxed position.

Enjoying freedom? Was it that much of a commodity to the other male? Anon's mind tried to wrap around this bit of conversation before he realized that a question was reciprocated. What was he doing here? He hadn't really thought of it, other than the fact that there was really nothing else to do. Anon actually hated the slums more than anything but he often found himself coming out here strolling down memory lane though it was pretty dangerous for him. There were quite a few people who wanted to see him come to harm and quite possibly kill him. He sighed before he tried to think up an answer only to hear the male mention that he was quite armed for a night stroll and was he expecting trouble? Well, in the ninja world one would always have to expect trouble and see enemies in every shadow, but this place was different. He knew he had enemies here and wanted to be ready for it.

"Well, really I'm just here because there was nothing else to do. I used to live here a couple years back and did a few questionable things, but nothing too drastic. I always hated this place, but I always come back. Guess it's in me now, huh? As for the weapons, as a ninja you always have to be prepared for danger and see enemies in every shadow, of which I do seem to have many. At least here I do. As I said I used to do questionable things when I lived here to get by, and well did it for questionable people. Those same people live here in these slums and would love the chance to bring misfortune and pain upon me, if not more than that. So if need be, I will be ready to defend myself."

It was then he noticed that the smoking male's words of enjoying freedom meant more than he seemed. His eyes hadn't strayed from the other and it seemed Anon was being watched just as closely. When the other man had then stomped out a small ember that had departed his cigarette, his sleeve had come up a bit, showing a restraint of some sort around the wrist of the other. He could only see it for a second before the man then covered it back up with his sleeve, the cigarette going back to his mouth and his hand coming back to rest comfortable on his neck. Anon watched this man with a bit more interest than he had before. So, this was what he meant by enjoying a bit of freedom? Interesting. There were quite a few questions the young Mitarashi wanted to ask but he thought it rude to do so and didn't bother with it. No, he'd have to make sure to ask at a later date if they became close friends, but asking a stranger questions about their life, and such personal ones like this was likely to be met with discourse. At this point Anon thought back to his meeting with Rokumaru who had questioned him as such about his history through life and realized that would probably have seemed rude.

"Why are you standing here alone, if you don't mind my asking? You seem to be enjoying the night as is, but would you prefer some company and a stroll through the slums? It would be nice to have a companion to walk with tonight and possibly learn more about each other. If not become friends, then quite possibly allies. It's something every ninja of the sand should do to promote unity under our new Kazekage. If you're scared, I can protect you with my swords."

At this, Anon let out a gracious chuckle, matching his fluid and charming voice almost too perfectly. It seemed artificial, but was rather genuine. He had quite the beautiful laughter, at least he thought so. All in all, the joke was nice but he really did like the idea of having a companion for the night. Less chance of the gangs attacking, more interesting conversation, learning about the ninja of the village and possibly having an ally for any future endeavors. Quite possibly, nothing but good things could come out of this night should the two spend the time together. He could always use more friends if nothing else and this would be his opportunity to learn more about the other male. Possibly why he wore a restraint and tried to hide it. Or what he meant by just enjoying his freedoms, seemingly while he could. It was all he could do to contain his questions and keep what excitement he felt to himself. He didn't want to put it all on the table just yet but he did want to know a bit more about the person standing in front of him.

WC: 823 + 1,015 = 1,838

At the mention of ' a few questionable things' his brow would arch only tugging the corner of his lips up a sleight touch more than it had been previously, simultainiously allowing the other side to lower a touch, forming a light smirk, like smile. 'Questionable things and hating here...  an odd combination yet, it works.' His head would tilt down a touch before drawing the top of his head over forming a small angle, only to tilt it rectasing his pale mint green gaze on the male once more as he spoke "You'll always be apart of the dunes' this were your base, and a reason to better yourself." Though small sections of his words were hindered by him keeping his cigarette trapped between his lips, his voice were still clear and crisp in the air. His hand would slowly shift from it's resting place behind his neck, shifting to take the cigarette from his lips as he continued to speak "It seems like you enjoy walking on the more dangerous side of things friend." Turning to face the male his smirk like smile would soften back into a more relaxed version of his previous smile. "though true enough, everyone should be prepared. Weather their ninja or not."  

'He's quite loose with his words, such valuable information disclosed without knowing me? I could have been a lackey of his enemy's...' For a short moment his mind would wonder noticing the male's close observation. 'Cautious? Hn if so, good.' As the other spoke up again his attention would draw back fully, drawing his cigarette to his lips to take in a simple, small drag, leaving it to linger in his lungs causing his Kyoni to twist beneath the skin of his chest and throat causing his skin to visibly crawl. Yet only for a brief moment. Pressing the pad of his thumb against the bud of his cigarette, he picked his reply to the males questions carefully, drawing his chin up a few millimeters, 'let's see where this goes... he could have information as to what has happened here.'
 
"I were simply enjoying myself, I've been gone for a while... so Im a bit behind the times of whats happened here. I figured whilst I can I may as well have a wonder, having a look see." Reviewing the males words quickly, a short soundless chuckle would rattle his words "a little company wouldn’t hurt, I also agree the ninja should stick together but you took me for one?" His voice would twist a touch giving his wording the edge of questioning only to smirk at the male's last comment, causing his charming grin to return as he struggled to hold back a hearty chuckle placing a hand to the center of his chest, taking a light grasp before patting it as his moment of the unison laughter; the sound of his against the male's own could only compliment one another, in sound at the very least, raising into the air like liquid silk. As the moment passed over them he would take a moment before continuing to speak himself, "Feel free, feel free I wouldn't mind watching ya work some magic with ya swords, if something were to happen, yet I'm not quite sure you'd want to protect me." His tone holding an oddly charming and playful touch as he replied. The male didn't seem all too bad, Lux were happy at the fact the male at least he could have a laugh. How lucky were he, freedom and a funny walking buddy?
 
Placing the cigarette back to his lips he would turn indicator for the male to follow as his right arm dipped back into his pocket leaving his somewhat bulky left arm to tend to his favorite bad habit. "If you're gonna walk with me, I think you should know I've been followed. Talking to me could get you in trouble... and not the kind where your swords could help you." Speaking as he began to walk the cheerful tone of his previous words had dulled for a moment, though not stripping anything from his baritone honeyed voice only for his cheerful tone to quickly return as he continued, pausing to look over  his shoulder as he waited to see if the male would indeed follow, "as for being scared, there's far worse things about than those that lurk in the slums." He would reach up slowly drawing the cigarette from his lips exhaling the smoke before allowing his tongue to graze along his bottom lip coating it in a thin layer of moisture as he waited.

Anon pondered the male's words as he talked, taking everything in as he did. There were so many things that brought questions to his mind but he didn't speak on them, not yet at least. He didn't wish to seem rude and that would probably be rude to ask of one's personal life without them offering the information. He made a joke saying he'd like to see Anon work some magic with his swords and that was something the ninja laughed at. So this other guy decided that he'd make a joke as well? This was going to be a good time for the two of them if Anon was any judge. He watched as the unnamed man placed the cigarette back between his lips and turned, indicating for Anon to follow suit as he began a leisurely stroll. This was all he needed and so Anon made after the other male, chuckling to himself as he did so. This was quite the adventure and knowing that this sort of thing would happen upon their first meeting, Anon hoped that the two could become good friends to do this more often. It was always nice to have someone he could laugh and walk with, even in one of the most dangerous places at night. He did have questions, however.

"So, you say that I mistook you for a ninja, if you're not one what are you? And I also wanted to know who is following you and why, if that isn't too much to ask of you. It's not often I make the acquaintance of someone who has more people out for them than I do in this part of the village, and I gotta say: I feel a bit outdone. I made my way out of this place and got enemies but it seems you have them watching your every move. What's your secret?"

Anon chuckled after asking his questions, watching the road as they walked. He kept his hands at his sides, swinging leisurely and with purpose as they walked. Should anything happen, he'd have his hands in a position to pull the swords from the sheathes at the back of his belt, and ready for action. He wasn't one to be found unready for any situation and that was not going to change tonight, regardless of how much these swords wouldn't help him. It would not stop him from trying to fight over whatever, or whomever, would make their presence known as hostile to the two taking their walk. Anon walked as they talked, his mind taking in everything said, as well as everything he was contemplating at this point. There was so much on his mind from just one person and it was bothering him not knowing some of the details he sought. He didn't want to intrude upon the man's life without knowing him all that well and he was sure the man got tired of being asked things like that, so he tried to keep his intrusion to a minimum.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Anon Brier, of clan Mitarashi. I didn't ask yours yet and it seems rude to me now to have invited you on this walk without getting to know each other. I have many questions about what I've seen and heard so far, but it would be rude to be so intrusive. So I suppose I'll start with your name and clan, maybe your age?" He smiled behind his mask, trying to seem genuinely friendly to the other. While he was sure his smile was not able to be seen, he was doing his best at this moment. He wasn't good with making new friends or being polite, as he found with Kei, but nonetheless he wanted to make up for that one bad impression with a good one and learning the name of his walking partner was a great start to that. Hopefully much more information would be shared between the two, but one could never know.

WC: 689 + 1,838 = 2,527

As the other followed along, seemingly carefree, his gaze would shift ahead of them as he continued to stroll along, simply following the familiar walkway. Coming rather close to retracing the steps of his memories, from his last night in the village before he had been taken. However the other male's voice would draw him from his thought's. Slipping the cigarette back between his lip's, he would cast his pale mint green gaze back to the male, merely seeming to watch him speak, a polite notion, in a way, as he listened. Once the male had finished reeling off his question's and analysis, a short and slightly stifled chuckle would rattle his chest. Before replying his hand would raise to take the cigarette from his lip's, the action causing strain on the sleeve of his jacket, as it struggled to keep the chunky restraint. "I were just surprised you took me for a ninja and not a civilian, when I have no hitai-ate on display, not like yourself after all. Yet in the same breath I don’t yet know what I would be classed as, I don’t know if the higher up's of the village would want the villages name or image tarnished further by calling me one of their ninja... though you never do know." Pausing he would graze his thumb over his bottom lip, the movement oddly smooth, before taking another drag from his bad habit, then removing it again. Continuing to speak with the smoke trapped within his lungs, giving his already luxuriously deep voice a thicker touch, "I'm sure I'll find out soon enough." Tilting his head off to the side, away from the male to exhale the smoke, just in case he were the type to not partake in the pleasure, though oddly enough the scent of the cigarette were faint as though the scent were only coming from the lit cigarette itself and not the smoke he exhaled. Turning back to his new walking companion, taking the chance to glance over his shoulder in the process, his voice taking on a rather nonchalant touch, thinking 'what the hell, why not... let's see how he reacts.' His tongue would glide over his bottom lip before speaking "I'm being watched by the villages ninja. I guess they believe I may be a danger to the public. So to put a finer point on the matter, It's your allies following." Flashing the male a charming smile he would continue, "So, no need to feel outdone."  His charming smile would remain as he waited on the male reaction to the information he provided, his voice now taking his more usual euphonious tone "So, this should go without saying, if they do come, however doubtful I am of that. Side with them and don’t question it." As he spoke even his body seemed relaxed enough for him to be classed as quite impavid over all.

Feeling heat bare up against his knuckle's and finger's signaling coming to the end of his bad habit, had they gotten smaller during his time away? His pale mint green hues would shift to the cigarette before placing it back to his lips, taking a moment to enjoy the last drag. His pale hues would close, holding the smoke in enough for his Kyoni to writhe a touch, making his skin squirm slightly, visibly so. Continuing to walk, instead of dropping and stubbing out the nub, he would press his thumb and index finger together, crushing the ember's, effectively snuffing them out. The sound and slight scent of searing flesh would raise from his hand, his other hand would remove an old, very worn tin from his trouser pocket to place the nub inside, its contents a graveyard for the remains of what he had smoked, closing it before placing it back into his trouser pocket.

His attention would return to the male as he spoke, raising the hand he had used to snuff out the embers of the nub, showing that the flesh were pristine and undamaged, not even holding a discoloured tint, in order to dismiss the males apology as though it wasn't needed, before grazing his thumb over his bottom lip. Dropping his hand again as he listened whilst the male continued to speak, he would place his hand's into his pockets. 'Hn, inquizitive... a good thing I guess, though curiosity apparently killed the cat.' A simple thought, but one of the many that passed through Lux's mind as he listened o the male before speaking in turn, his voice holding the very same euphonious touch, "Well Anon Brier of the Mitarashi clan, a pleasure I'm sure." He would offer up his fist in sign of a greeting as he continued, "The name's Lux..." His hand would lower weather or not the lad bumped first's with him, with a smirk forming along his lips, "As for the clan I hail from, I have no claim to their lineage, I am disowned and dishonored, of this I am sure." The smirk would fade, his pace slowing as his brow creased, apparently thinking. Casting his mind back just a week or so, to his journey back to Sunagakure No Sat, to a calendar hanging on the wall of a bath house before speaking again, "That would make me twenty-one …" Speaking more to himself than Anon at that point before snapping from his thought's to speak up. "Twenty-one... so, what about yourself?" His pace would return to normal once more as he tugged a half empty cigarette packet from his jacket pocket, withdrawing and palming his lighter in the process. It were going to take him a little time to get back to his old self. Mulling over the information Anon had given, using his thumb and index finger to grip at the bud of a fresh cigarette guiding it up, before raisin the packet to his lip's to take the bad habit before shifting his arm to offer the other on, pausing to see the other's reaction.

Anon quietly listened to the man, contemplating what he said as he said it. True, there was no hitai-ate on display, but that didn't mean he wasn't a ninja. He could be hiding the hitai-ate somewhere or just forgotten to wear it. There was no way that Anon could know whether or not this guy was a ninja and it was usually easier to assume that someone was a ninja than not. Specifically large men like his chum here, who looked as though they had a knack for the art of deception. Deception was the key element to the ninja world, and any ninja worth their salt was able to deceive others into believing whatever they wanted. Why would this guy be any different? Just because he said he was no ninja, didn't exactly do anything for Anon. He could be discharged currently, or just on leave, but in the books of Sunagakure no sato he was probably still a ninja. There was something rather ominous about the way he said 'I'll find out soon enough' though, that made Anon wonder just how much of what he was saying was the truth. This would be left for another time, however as they continued walking, the other man would continue speaking.

Anon's companion tilted his head away from Anon's direction to breath out his smoke, possibly because he believed that it would bother Anon. While this was polite, Anon himself had actually been used to the smell after travelling through the slums for years and didn't mind it. There was a time in his life when he'd partaken in the tobacco product, and enjoyed the sweet burn of the smoke filling his lungs. It was just unbecoming of a ninja to run out of breath during exercise or in the middle of battle and if one smoked that made such things a reality. Unless they kept up on their cardio more than anything else, but most smokers that Anon knew had been pretty lazy and not worth their salt as ninja. Who was to say though? This man looked rather beefy to Anon and maybe he could actually handle his smoking and keep up with his exercise so that it wouldn't be detrimental to him. Time would tell, but Anon didn't think he'd actually get the chance to see such.

To the subject at hand, the man began to talk again,  this time he reeled off about how he was being watched by the village ninja, as though he were a danger to the public. He then went on further to tell Anon that it was the allies of the sand shinobi that were doing the following. Which was a bit obvious, to Anon. If the man he walked with was being followed by anyone it wouldn't be his own allies, they'd have made themselves known as soon as Anon approached. The only other reason Anon could think of anyone following the man with him, other than the restraint he saw earlier, was that maybe a few kids were good at being stealthy and were waiting for a chance to swipe his cigarettes. This was the most crime-addled part of Sunagakure no sato after all, and kids often started smoking at a very early age. He didn't want to be incredulous with his theories, but Anon thought that this theory would be as good as any other in this situation. He flashed a smile to which Anon would flash one back, his mask covering his however and then was told by the larger male he strolled with that if they came to side with them without asking any questions. Syekren shrugged, not really reacting much at this point, keeping his emotions and thoughts to himself.

I don't see the point, either way I don't plan to stay in the village much longer.

Anon let his hazel hues glance over as the two men walked, noticing that the other's cigarette was near the end of its life. He was about to mention so to the other male before he apparently noticed it too and took his last drag from the dying embers and then crushed it between his forefinger and thumb. There was a smell of singed flesh coming from it and Anon though he saw the male's skin move a bit, but this could simply be a trick on his eyes. The other man then withdrew a tin from his pocket, opening it to show a graveyard of sorts for other butts of the cigarettes he'd smoked and put this one in there with it. Altogether the burnt, ashy smell from those butts was a bit overpowering but Anon made no mention of this as the man closed and pocketed the tin for later use, or for other reasons known only to him.

While they walked, the man lifted his hand to wave off the apology Anon brought forth, showing that even though he'd just put out a cigarette with his fingers, there was no burn or discoloration to speak of. It was quite amazing to say the least, but there could be more to this man than meets the eye. He said it was a pleasure, most likely the pleasure of meeting one another formally and held up a fist to show in greeting, instead of one of threatening posture. Anon returned the fist with his own, giving the man a bump as they walked and the man continued to talk, identifying himself as Lux, before allowing his fist to fall back down to his side. He then went on to say that he claimed no lineage to the clan he hailed from as he was dishonored and disowned to his knowledge. Which, was not very far from what Anon himself had been through, as his clan was rather keen on keeping his mother from being in his life. He slowed his pace, to which Anon matched, noticing the thinking coming from Lux, due to his furrowing brow. He said it would make him twenty-one, apparently having counted day and he resumed his pace from before, Anon following suit. He then reaffirmed he was twenty-one then went on to ask Anon's age.

"Well, Lux, I'm actually twenty-two. I'll be twenty-three come the seventh month's twenty-third day. It all worked out pretty well, I'd say."

He chuckled as they continued walking, leading to a fork in the road, the left leading to a part deeper in the slums, the right leading out of the slums and back into the market district of Sunagakure no sato. He looked from one direction to another, thinking quietly. Right about now he could go for a drink but he didn't trust anything the slums could have as he was sure that he would be poisoned. Mainly because a few of the gangs he was trying to get away from owned the places he knew of and any tavern or bar he didn't know of was sure to be much more dangerous than the ones owned by the gangs. The man thought quietly, trying to decide the best course of action for the two, who had been walking together for a good moment now, rather unsure of the best course of action he could take. He looked over to Lux, the male he'd had the company of, before he decided to speak.

"I'm not sure about you, but I could go for a drink and sleep right about now. I'm unsure if you can leave the slums, but if you can you're welcome to join me for that drink. I think otherwise this would be where our paths diverge. In either case, I appreciate you walking with a stranger and the chance to learn about each other."

WC: 1,330 + 2,527 = 3,857

As the other spoke his arm would recoil to place the cigarette packet into his pocket before reaching up to take the cigarette from between his lips opting for the time being to  place it behind his ear, on the right side. 'twenty-two... and his date of birth. Hn.' Brushing the information just off to the side of his mind with the possibility of looking back at it at a later time along with the rest the Mitarashi had given, simply to get a better view on the male if needed. Taking up the moment of silence his right hand would dip into the pocket of his jacket, grazing his fingers over the contents briefly.  

As they approached a fork in the road he would naturally veer off towards the left, such path only leading further into the slums themselves. His mind leisurely wondering along the trails almost out of instinct, his body would simply follow such a pull. As the male spoke up drawing him from his quiet state, shifting his attention back to the male, shifting his pale mint green gaze to the Mitarashi's own hazel hues, taking the time to listen. The offer of going for a drink would usually be easy enough to entice him, for relaxing were a pass time he wouldn’t often want to part with yet this night his mind had more been set on enjoying being home, quite simply just being about the slums filled him with enough euphoria, the smoke to fill his lungs a luxury to boot. He were quite content spending his first night back in the streets he had missed for so many years. His hand would shift from his jacket pocket to the covered restraint grazing his thumb over it before replying, "The offer is tempting, if it were given any other night I more than likely would have accepted, however tonight I will have to decline, but thanks all the same." As he spoke his body would shift enough to face the other as he stepped back drawing himself further towards the left fork in the path as he continued to speak, "learning about each other on our little walk has been fun, take care of ya' self Anon of the Mitarashi." His tone would still hold its usual luxuriously deep euphonious tone, his almost devilishly charming smile curling back to his lip's again.

With that his hand would raise in a simple signal of goodbye before turning to face the path he had chosen, an odd mimic of the path he had chosen years past. His mind for the time being would remain in the hear and now as he slipped his bad habit back to his lips raising his lighter to ignite it before picking up his pace again as he strolled away, rolling up the sleeve of his left arm to expose the restraint keeping his arm in front of his body. Beginning to fiddle with it as he stepped off again to the left following another street out of view. His intent to simply continue his walk and at some point to remove the damn restraint, more reluctant to do it the same way he had rid his other arm of its shackle.

---

Anon watched the back of his walking companion as he took off in the opposite direction. So he had decided to stay in the slums for the night instead of coming with? Still it was nice to meet the guy and learn a few things about him. Lux. Well, if Anon and Lux ever met again, Anon would have a few more questions for him. For now, the young member of Mitarashi yawned and quietly pushed his hands into his pockets. There would be plenty of time to cement relationships with people later. For now, he was going to go ahead and go get a drink, maybe head home afterwards so that he could  get a drink and then sleep for training in the morning. There was no way he was going to quit training until he was strong enough to have people look up to him and fix places like this in the world. It was all he could do to see this place in such a state and not be able to do anything about it at the moment. With a sigh, the ninja continued on his own way, out of the slums to continue on his journey.

"Till next time, Lux."

WC: 204 + 3,857 = 4,061

EXIT

OOC: Just need 4k

Training: