Julius had finally been granted free passage around the village without having to show papers to every guard he came across. His description had been passed around as one of the accepted low ranking mercenaries the village utilized. Seeing as he was roughly between the power of a genin and chunnin though at best likely a strong genin. They didn't view him as a threat. Especially since he had registered as a defensive barrier specialist. His sister however was still under review due to her...nature. She was always one step away from a murder scene. They didn't mind it when she was around Julius but Cleo was simply a wild fire and dangerous. Far more so than himself. Truth be told they seemed to have failed thus far to realize that together they were far more dangerous than any chunnin. Together they could create combinations roughly around that of a Jounin level. However that was their little secret for now. A mercenary needed a trump card if they were to survive. Theirs just happened to be potent. As was their affiliation to the wind element. Not that Julius had any interest in being considered powerful. Low risk missions with decent pay outs were his go to.

Still his dark black boots would carry him across the cobblestone of the streets of Kumogakure. Each step echoing slightly down the way as he seemed to walk relatively alone. It was just one street over from the main street but it was rather cold out. Aside from the shops not many had a reason to be out and about. His own sister was content with the heat of the furnace within the ship burning. Rather than doing a run for pleasures to the village. The snow had already built up in a few specs in his dark hair. He didn't seem to mind though as he continued with a steady and comfortable pace. His coat was lined with fur on the inside now anyway. Even as his breath misted against the cold as he walked he was kept rather warm. The white coat blending in with the snow even though it had patches of green with blue and black lines. The coat ending just above his knee's and buttoned up the front. On the back of the coat was his coat of arms. The crest his family was partially responsible for creating. The mercenary corporation known as the Iron Falls.

The crest was rather simple. In a shield shape on the back of the coat was a sword crossed with three arrows. He found it ironic to begin with. Seeing as he was a shield and his sister was both the sword and the arrows. Cutting through their enemies with a battle cry while he might as well be sitting around reading. Not that much could get through his barriers. Still as for the rest of his outfit, a button up shirt and tie were under the coat. A deep blue shirt with a thin black tie. Tucked into slacks that were tucked over polished boots. His very stature was that of regalia and yet his sky blue eyes seemed to reflect some sort of lazy nature. Still there was one passion of his which held the words of an author. Adventures of fiction that were not meant to learn from as history but rather to involve himself in a world of magic and mystery. So his steps had brought him into the village and straight to the main library. Perhaps now that he had access freely to the village they wouldn't mind him spending his afternoon with a good book.

Still he would move up the stone steps leading up to the library before stepping through the rotating doors. It was notably warmer within. A fairly comfortable two story establishment with bookshelves lining every wall. Steps leading up to the second floor and ladders on rails for climbing the shelves. What interested him the most was the source of the warmth. They had an actual fire place with a lounging area in front of it. Chairs and tables and even a couch in front of a brick fire place crackling with life. Normally he would have assumed they would have avoided a fire in a place filled with paper but it was awfully tempting. Still he finished stepping inside and on the welcome rug he would stomp his boots twice to knock off the clinging snow before brushing some out of his hair and off his shoulders. There was no tenant that he could see with his sky blue eyes available so he would glance around the institution for anything else of interest. The place was rather empty due to most not wishing to leave the comfort of their homes but he wasn't beyond the idea of conversation to be had.

816

Tomohiro had spent his time mostly around his younger siblings today. He was glad that he was able to get a brief brake from the two of them. Sometimes they would run him ragged. His heart had finally returned to a normal rate. It seemed like he had been taken laps around the village. The young Nakir took a deep breath exhaling his warm breath into cold air. He wore his traditional black body suit with his poncho to keep him relatively warm. The air seemed a bit too humid for his liking which made it seem a bit colder than usual. Tomohiro tilted his kasa forward to knock off the flakes of snow that started accumulating. His headband sat around his neck today as his little sister had pulled it down and he just didn't bother with it. It was a good day for a trip to the library. The weather was definitely ripe for a good book. Plus, he could try to do some research on other clans in the area. The clan name Kinoshita didn't really ring a bell with him. His distant cousin had a very strange name and he wondered where it originated.

The streets seemed to lack a lot of people today. One of the vendors that he frequented waved. Tomohiro returned the wave with a slow lift of his hand. He scratched his chin as he started to drift into his thoughts. There was a lot to consider as far as what he should really be spending his time doing. Tomohiro made a mental note to try and see what he could find on ancient sword techniques while he was at it. He wanted to train, but was a bit too tuckered out at the moment. The library hadn't failed him yet and he hoped it wouldn't today. He preferred to learn as much as he could from his clansmen, but most of them were either out on missions or working the mines. The young shinobi didn't mind being alone, but he was quite bored after the run around with his siblings.

He opened the door to library and rubbed his boots against the entrance mat. Tomohiro's violet eyes fell upon a crest that he hadn't recognized before. It was pretty simplistic in design. The fact that he didn't recognize it probably meant that he was either an outsider or from one of the many small clan. He wasn't sure which or if either was even true at all. The village normally had tourist that were here to see the scenic views. Tomohiro looked around and noticed the emptiness of the library. Not even the usual tenants were to be seen. Well, he would decided to wait around to see if any one would return. There was specific information he wanted, but couldn't think of where to find it.

He took a deep breath before trying to approach the taller gentlemen. Tomohiro wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't like he was the one to normally strike up conversations. The feeling in his gut made him uneasy to speak, so he just let it out the best he could.

“Excuse...me. Do you need some help? I may be able to help you.” he asked with almost a monotone voice. His face was unchanging like he wasn't truly concerned about the question he asked.

WC: 574 words

Julius had hardly made it very far into the library. The lack of tenants brought him to wonder if there was more than a custodial role to be filled by the employee's of the establishment. His mind focused as he listened a moment. Closing his eyes and forcing his one sense to become dominant. His sense of hearing tightening as he turned his head slightly. At first there was only the soft crackle and pop of the fire place but as he listened further a small shuffle could be heard in the back behind the only counter in the entire library. A room in the back likely for the tenants. So there was at least one person there running the counter. With the snow having kept most indoors it wasn't surprising there was a skeleton crew. Still he had little need for them at the moment. He had curiosities about the village authors that might not have stretched beyond the borders but it wasn't something he was willing to disturb a stranger for. Still it was a comfort to know that he wouldn't need to explain his presence there without a librarian. He hated troublesome things and having to identify himself with a reason would fall under such a category.

Still there was something else he noticed before he opened his eyes. A scent underlying beneath the smell of the wood burning in the fireplace. A softer scent of lavender. His feet carried him from in front of the door towards the scent next to the lounge area. It appeared there was hot tea prepared with paper cups next to it. He of course preferred coffee but as he picked up an empty package from the table he noted it was oolong tea. A dark tea that was good for the health and closer to coffee than most tea. He had only just begun to examine this however when the door shifted once more. His sky blue eyes would take in the appearance of a young man with a glance over his shoulder. Slightly shorter than himself but with similar dark hair and blue eyes. If he hadn't known otherwise he might of considered this individual a possible relative. What truly drew the eye though was the mans garb. Of course he was wearing something over it to keep the warmth in but it was plain the man was dressed as a shinobi.

What was more Julius noted was that he was wearing a headband. Though it wasn't until he approached rather calmly that the dim light was willing to reveal it had the symbol for Kumo upon it. Still with a very monotone voice the young man made an inquiry of if there was something he might help Julius with. Fairly polite about it at that. So there were manners among the shinobi here eh? He would smile a tiny twitch of the lips before he would reach down with his hands to separate one paper cup from the stack of them. Turning it around and placing it under the nozzle before pulling a lever. Letting hot liquid fill the cup with a tiny bit of steam rising. Turning fully to the young man as he would step to the side should he wish for some of his own having seen Julius take some. One might not have even noticed the tea at first but he had witnessed the young man come in from the cold. A hot drink was just the thing many found charming after being in the freezing weather. Still Julius would hold off on sipping it to prevent scalding his lips. Instead he would bow his head slightly. Speaking in a tone that matched the lack of life in his expression and his eyes.

"I suppose perhaps in a short time I may. However this is my first visit in this library and I had a very long walk to get here. I am eager to sit before the fire. Forgive my manners though, I am Julius Midas. Mercenary and trader. You yourself are a shinobi of this village yes?"

1507

Tomohiro just noticing the hot liquid mad him feel a bit parched. After the taller man, stepped out of the way of the he grabbed a paper cup and began filling it up. He glanced down at the empty package that had oolong tea written on it. It wasn't his favorite, but it would do for the time being. The man then responded to his inquiry. At first, he thought that he may have not heard. Tomohiro had gotten that a lot. Not many people would expect him to try and start a conversation. He took no disrespect from what seemed like a delayed response. Upon studying the man's features, he looked a bit like his father in the face. Everything else was a bit different. His eyes were blue and seemed cold to him. He figured that if he touched them that his fingers would probably get frostbite.

Unlike the man whom introduced himself as Julius Midas, Tomohiro took a sip of the hot liquid almost not really being fazed by it too much. The warm liquid was quite good and caused him to relax a little bit. It was nothing a hot cup of tea during the day. He kind of wished that he saw it sooner. The tea made helped him focus his thoughts before he manage to say anything else. The man was a foreigner after all. The word mercenary stood out to him more than trader did. It made him wonder what his fighting style was, but didn't want to be blunt about it.

“Yes, I am a genin. Welcome to Kumo's most intricate place to be on a cold day. I am Tomohiro Nakir. My clan run a good number of the mines here. I won't hinder you from relaxing. Is there anything particular that you're looking for? I may be able to find a librarian if I can't give you an answer.”

He normally kept information about his clan to a minimum. Not many people outside of the clan knew about the secrets of why the Nakir clan were mostly miners. It wasn't that they were just for mining coal and other minerals. They were warriors that spent many generations shaping caverns and creating corridors. If you didn't know some of the mines layouts, you could easily lose yourself within them. Tomohiro prided himself in his clan, but didn't let it show. The fact that he brought them up was a bit strange.

WC: 420

Julius would study the man before him as his own tea would cool. Steam rising in a swirl off of it. He could feel the warmth of the fire closer now behind him. It would certainly be cozy in the chair nearby it. Though he cared little for the the magazines on the table around it. Fashion and home making. He might take a couple back to his sister for her enjoyment but other than that it was all just culture research to him. Still as the other would fill his own tea and drink from the warm liquid without hesitation Julius would not go unchallenged. It was a small matter of manliness and perhaps he didn't realize it himself since he found most alpha games tiresome and unevolved but he would blow on his own tea once before taking a slightly longer sip himself. Having had the opportunity to let his cool down a little. The immediate surprise scald to his lips was mild in comparison to what he expected. The flavor was both sweet and bitter at the same time. The true blessing the liquid gave however was as he swallowed. A warmth spread through his throat and chest. Warming his body quickly. Ahh tea. Such a wonderful thing.

Still the young man across from him would speak. Certainly a clan name he hadn't recognized. Not that he really would. He had yet to memorize the clans in the area. Only that some of the most potent lightning users were from this general area. It was the land of lightning after all. Still there was another part of the boys speech that interested him. His clan ran a great many of the mines? Well if that didn't land on a more personal note than the other may have expected. Or perhaps this meeting wasn't by chance? Was it possible this young man had discovered his fallen flying ship on his lands and now wanted to barter for it remaining? Of course with the hot air balloon damaged the ship was unable to move as a whole. However he didn't doubt a land owner wouldn't mind taking it off their land piece by piece. How odd it must be for a ship to be found so high up in the mountains. Having come from the opposite direction of Kumogakures ports. Still he would reply to the young mans inquiry once more of what he might be looking for. His voice calm and as collected as his ice blue eyes.

"If anything I am interested in the local authors of adventure fiction. Along with that a book on local medical herbs may be nice for a study subject as well. However that can wait. The library attendant is merely in a back room right now. I can hear them shuffling about. For now won't you join me by the fire?"

It was a polite request with his hand directed to the chairs in front of the fire. With that said Julius had already collected himself and his tea and moved to a dark leather high backed chair. Its left side closest to the fire as it seemed to dance at his approach. As if something about Julius fanned the flames ever so slightly. He would settle into the chair and place his tea on a coaster on the small end table to his right. Crossing his right ankle over his left knee as he would allow himself to sit back into the chair. A regal man but still comfortable. His own hands resting on the arms of the chair casually as he enjoyed the heat of the fires washing over him. It seemed clear by the way he sat and his clothes being too tight to truly conceal anything he was entirely unarmed. Still if the other should join him he would make an inquiry of his own. Out of both curiosity and personal discovery.

"You mentioned running several mines. Or rather owning? Please excuse the bluntness of the question if your clan might consider it a personal pain but does that include the abandoned and rumored to be haunted mine?"

2205

He nodded in acceptance head to the invite to join Julius next to the fire. The young shinobi sat down in a quite comfortable chair right across the fire, but not too close. The tea which he took occasional short sips kept him warm enough as he held it in his hands.  Tomohiro wasn't disturbed by the fact that Julius was able to pin point the location of the library attendant. This guy was skilled at least. His perception wasn't as accurate as Julius and he was a bit jealous. It was a fact that he needed to improve his skills in various areas of the shinobi arts. Tomohiro thought the man was probably way more skilled than he was. Tomohiro leaned back in his chair and sunk down in it trying to get comfortable as possible.

The bluntness of the Julius's statement made Tomohiro think that the man was trying to purchase the mines or strike some kind of deal. That was until the mercenary mentioned about the haunted mine and apologized for any personal offense. The genin wasn't really sure about the status of the haunted mine. There were some shinobi that bragged about going into the mine and trying to find ghost or spirits. Other than rumors, he knew nothing about the specifics. He may have heard a couple of his clansmen mentioned about some other clan used own it or something. Tomohiro hadn't been to the mine personally and couldn't give much details about it.

“To answer your question, I don't know much about it other than what you probably already heard on the streets. A few members of my clan pretty much consider it cursed from what I heard. Some of them probably being superstitious. I may be mistaken. I haven't visited the mine myself and can't give much details other than it's location. I think my grandfather mentioned about it was said to have been run by a rival group or clan or something like that. It's extremely old. I apologize that I couldn't provide more information,” he responded as his eyes drifted toward the fire.

Tomohiro took another small sip of the warm tea and enjoyed the smoothness as it eased down his throat. The man made Julius quite curious. He started thinking through a host of questions that he wanted to ask the mercenary, but weren't sure how to form most of those into words. It was almost if he were in a state of mental disarray. Bracing himself up a little bit, his mouth slightly twisted as he tried to choose his words carefully.

“If you don't mind me asking, where did you learn your skills. You did say you were a mercenary. Was there someone who helped trained you?” he said a bit up beat as he found interest in the man's fighting, “What's being a mercenary like? I'm sorry for being so direct. I'm just a bit curious.”

WC: 507

Julius would sip from his own tea a moment as the other would settle into his own chair. While Julius would lean back himself his back was mostly straight as if he was brought up to always appear regal. His ice blue eyes would study the man across from him. Not that he had any ill intentions towards the man. Simply put he was studying someone of interest to him. Someone that held more in common with him than he yet realized. Nor that Julius would reveal as of yet. Not many knew exactly where his sister and himself called home. His own personal preferences on that. Though that one woman that had talked down to them had found them when they came crashing down. Still he would listen as the other spoke. The tea soft in his mouth as a soothing sensation settled in his throat. The combination of the tea and the fire was rather pleasant. Though truth be told he was happy to be in a place that wasn't on the verge of being lit on fire because his darling sister was cold once more. A few times now she had requested they burn the forest down. Each time met openly with his own objections. Besides his compromise had been fairly simple. No one seemed to care for the coal within the abandoned mine. Entire stacks of the resource that seemed to fill again each morning with no workers coming or going. It had proven useful for keeping the inside of the ship a blazing level of warmth.

Still it was a bit of a comfort that this clan that held so much influence over the mines didn't even care to know who owned the abandoned one. If they didn't hold any interest he doubted many did. If there had been money to be made from it still than surely they would know. A rival clan long since fallen from glory though? He would certainly need to look into that. For now the conversation had done nothing if not ease him of his concerns. Still the other was content with sipping his tea for a moment as he too stared at the fire. It was a moment before Julius would finish his tea as he felt the thirst of the day leaving him. The travel had built up a bit of a dry spot in his throat. Still it was only a moment before the other would speak once more. Hesitant as he was concerned with his words. Bringing up interesting questions with some merit. He was curious as to what kind of training the man before him had. Julius was familiar with the study material of the academies and how they managed. However his own upbringing had branched off from that type of schooling to something more focused. So Julius would take in a breath as he seemed to study his cup a moment. At least there was one benefit to his questions. Curiosity abounded within the young man.

Still Julius would speak. His words were calm as he listened and a glance would let him study the reaction of the other. It was good after all to spread word of his organization. So his words were followed behind a thin smile. "We were brought up within the Iron Falls Mercenary corporation. Or rather whatever mercenary group it was before it all formed officially. Brought up from childhood to be as trained as any academy student and then given a role. Always sent out in teams of two if sent somewhere officially though certain individuals prefer working alone. I myself am the support member of our team of two. However should you wish to see how our training compares, perhaps a wager?"

2834

Tomohiro mulled over the words that Julius spoke to him. He had never heard of the Iron Falls Mercenary corporation. There were a quite a few mercenary organizations that would frequent the area. Though, he wasn't sure why though. In his mind, it would make more sense to send in shinobi from the village to take on missions. Tomohiro was a bit unfamiliar how mercenaries actually worked and didn't put too much thought into it. Mercenaries for sure were a different breed from that of the traditional sense of shinobi from what he understood. Julius seemed like an alright kind of guy enough at least. The man was kind enough to sit down and talk with the young shinobi. That was a positive in his book. Tomohiro had done a lot more talking than he normally would. He wasn't much for words, but wanted to at least feed his curiosity when it aroused.

A wager? He wasn't sure exactly what Julius had intended or what he wanted. Tomohiro was a bit of a sucker for training. It wouldn't take him long to mentally agree with the man. The idea of training made him feel a bit ecstatic. His insides churned at the thought of having a new training partner. The wager shouldn't make that much of a difference. As long as Julius was willing to help him improve his abilities, he wouldn't mind too much on the details of the wager. Tomohiro's eyes lit up as he turned to attempt to make eye contact with the blue-eyed man.

Tomohiro nodded in agreement before reaching down and taking a sip of tea, “Aye, I'll accept your wager. What are your terms for this wager? I wouldn't mind testing my mettle against another combatant. You seem honorable enough to keep any deal you make. So it seems, anyway. What do you expect of me?”

He finished his cup of tea after he gave his response. The young shinobi seemed to be on the edge of his seat. The excitement felt like it was overflowing. His adrenaline started to pump. Thoughts of him going to head to head with a mercenary would be his first. Tomohiro hoped that he wouldn't regret whatever Julius's terms were. Maybe spending time with Julius would help him discover something else about himself. Possibly, he may even find his own limits and surpass them. Whatever it was he was definitely hoping to himself that it was worthwhile. It wasn't everyday you got to fight a mercenary. Today was seeming to turn out quite well after all.

Tomohiro graced a small hint of excitement on his face. All this time, he had mostly fought his clansmen and rigorously adjusted to their techniques. He wasn't too fond of having new experiences. There was a strict way he liked to do things, but he would make an exception this time. His grandfather had always warned him about taking bets before knowing the details. Tomohiro was just into his emotions that he disregarded the warnings. Maybe spending time with his younger siblings made him a bit soft today. It wasn't really like him to communicate this much with anyone outside of his clan. Today was just one of those awkward days where he just did things differently than you would normally do. This was truly out of character.

WC: 572

Julius would smile as he set his cup to the side. His attention Now drawn to the young man as he would lean forward. Placing his elbows on his knee's as he looked into the daring young mans eyes. His own blue eyes were interested in this now. He had accepted the wager. One Julius knew he already had the advantage of. So he would hold up three fingers as he began to explain. "In two days I will meet you in the training grounds. During that time I will only take ten seconds to prepare once we are ready. After that you have a full minute to use up to any three techniques to touch me once. If you can't, You will have to go on a C rank mission with me and should we do well, report a suggestion for my promotion to your council included in the mission report. If you can, I pay you three hundred ryo and go about my business." He would smile before noting the librarian returning. With that he rose and bowed his head before going to collect a specific book and heading out into the snow. Heading back to his ship to prepare.

3000+/3000
1500/1500 rushed placement wind barrier
1500/1500 Breeze of the coming storm barrier
Exit thread

After hearing the offer, Tomohiro couldn't help, but smirk evilly. This would help him out indeed. If all Julius wanted was to get a promotion from the village council, it was more than a done deal. The deal would benefit both of them. Tomohiro couldn't wait to finally get his hands on a C-Rank mission. He even thought about losing on purpose. Though, he didn't want to disappoint the man too mcuh and would try and give it his all.

“I'll meet you at the training ground in two days, then. I'll try not to disappoint,” he replied as he watched Julius intently.

He wasn't sure what he would do for the next to days. The fact that he came to the library to do research almost eluded him. Tomohiro waved as Julius exited and began looking for a librarian to try and locate a book on Kumo's clans. It made his day that he was able to find someone to train with. He just hoped that it wouldn't come back to bite him later on. Tomohiro was a man of his word. The adrenaline that was pumping through his veins would be quelled in the next couple of days. He thought to himself that maybe their relationship would be permanent. The young shinobi wasn't too much on making friends, but didn't mind new associates. The idea of a new friend kind of squandered with him for a moment. He hadn't really talked to any of his old friends in a number of years. Maybe, it was time to make some new ones.

[EXIT THREAD]
WC: 275
Total Thread Count: 2348

Stats Trained:
Strength:
325/325 [D-0 -> D-1]

Speed:
325/325 [D-0 -> D-1]
400/400 [D-1 -> D-2]

Reaction:
325/325 [D-0 -> D-1]
400/400 [D-1 -> D-2]
450/450 [D-2 -> D-3]


WC Used for Stat Training:
2225/2348

123 unused