Invited: Verdandi, Sero

Leaving the female baths through one hallway, Haka's bare feet stepped lightly over the flooring of the manor as she still attempted to mimic the quiet step she had seen Sero perform. Though she had improved somewhat, she was far from reaching the gliding walk he sported but was not about to give up just yet. One day, she'd float through the hallways as if she was made of mist herself. Guiding Verdandi out of the female's section, she returned to the hallway and entered the hallway to the right, moving in quietude until they almost reached the end of the hallway.

Reaching the armoury, Haka blinked when she noticed the door was open. Usually, it was locked, meaning someone was currently inside. Quietly stepping inside, she looked about the room and spotted a familiar man with similar long, white hair as hers. Sero, her Creator, was actually here in this room. As she beckoned Verdandi to come inside the armoury, she addressed the man otherwise known as the Lord of the Manor and the very island they were currently walking on, the right-hand man of the Mizukage, and a power known and feared by many.

"Haka brings a guest who likes weapons."

She took a brief glance at Verdandi before returning her gaze towards Sero. She couldn't say what he would do with Verdandi, but not waiting for him to tell that she wandered off to walk through the armoury by her own, keeping an ear open just in case Sero wanted to tell her something. If not, she'd quietly overlook the armoury to see if there were any new weapons he had brought in, weapons that she didn't know nor understood. Perhaps she could bring it to Verdandi, see if she was able to use it properly. If not, she'd ask the girl to do so with all the other weapons anyway sooner or later as that had been the initial plan of the spider-nin, after all. But with Sero being around, she was just as wanting to know what he did with all the guests that came over, what he talked about or what he promised them.

---

369

Verdandi followed Haka down the various hallways. She'd come to adore the kimono she had borrowed. The fabrics were quite fancy... uhhh she loved fancy things, didn't she? The curious oddball would glare into the rooms as they passed by. Servant's seemed to linger in various places going after their duties. Dandi was hoping to see either of them doing something evil or exciting. To eventually step onto the dark and dirty secret of the manor. She was just about to ask Haka where they were hiding their corpses in a joking way as her judgement got the better of her and she realized she didn't really want an answer to this. Like, at all.

Stumbling through a few more corridors proved to lead them to Haka's desired location. Verd would watch her spider friend tug on a rather sturdy looking door. Entering into a room that could only be made of dreams come true. Shiny weapons adorned pretty much every wall and the amount of wooden display cases would only be overwhelmed by the number of weapons that barely fit into all of them.

"I can touch them, right?" she asked in a childish voice as she already had some funky looking kunai in her hands. Their odd shape and spikey surface didn't seem very practical but certainly deadly if wielded correctly... Seeing some sort of training dummy at the centre of the hall she didn't hesitate to pick up the fanciest looking senbon she had ever seen and toss them in direction of the dummy. They would hit on the frontal arteries on the throat. Giving of a content smirk she knew that, if this was a real target, he'd be dead now. Almost overly proud of her victory against the soulless dummy, she grabbed on some of the weird looking shuriken nearby. Tossing them one by one at the dummy. Celebrating as they hit face, lung, liver and heart without complications.

"That's some good quality stuff you got there.... almost no air resistance... very easy to aim!" she chattered idly about as she was making her way to a bow and some neat looking steel arrows.... Being more of a Kenjutsu person she yet was not ignorant to the fine art of archery or the traditions of Kyudo. Having learned a thing or two from her father, Verd would do the usual polite gestures that were elementary within the Kyudo stance, until lifting the wooden longbow properly into her palm. Sliding the arrow in it's proper position. Adjusting her fingers to slide into the correct balance. She could feel the steel arrows were perfectly balanced. Whoever was creating these weapons didn't screw around. Pulling on the feathery end she first lifted and then lowered the bow close to her chest. Stretching her arms apart until she could properly aim at the dummy. Inhaling. No breathing. Eyes on target. With a nice slashing noise the arrow would be sent off towards the dummy and hit it with a force that would leave the arrow stuck in it's forehead.

"Hmmm beautiful... I could stay here for a looooong time...." she assured her spidey friend. Certainly overjoyed by the amount of ‘toys’ that were lingering in these halls. But Haka stumbled further into the main room of the armory. Having found the door unlocked as to hint for someone to be inside. Placing the bow back in it display case, Verd would follow after her guide. She didn't see the man yet as she squeezed herself past the door. Curious as to whom he is and how he'd turn out to be like. Seeing the mans frame from behind for now Verd would just give away a polite bow and start off easy. "Pleased to meet you. Verdandi Yuki"


640

Sero was within the main chamber of the arsenal. A place of seclusion where one could work with their weapons. A place not many used other than himself and yet he had taken a liking to it. The chamber was a small square of plain stone with no windows. Lanterns hung in all four corners burning a dull blue. Yet the room seemed significantly lit by them if not stained a darker color than intended. The floor was covered in a paper mat as if to be like the ones in a dojo while in the center of the room was a single rectangle table. The room itself was 3 meters long by 3 meters wide and 3 meters high. A perfect cube. The table was one meter wide while being two meters long. Polished dark wood from the island itself. Upon it were polishes and cloths for the weapon with a small vase of water. Those were always there. However today there where two other items placed upon it. Set to be cleaned before they were to be received by the weapons smiths. Famous for their work within Kiri. They had accepted a commission for this work to be done to improve these weapons with chakra. So Sero was cleaning them to show he had pride in his weapons.

Sero stood within in grey robes with silver trim. Over only his right shoulder was a single line of thick white fur while on his left was an armored shoulder plate. His long snow white hair hung loosely around his back. Nearly down to his waist. His feet were in padded sandals. His long fingers danced along the length of his Yari (spear) and then down to touch the now polished length of the Sansetsukon (Three section staff). Both were prime weapons in the kind of condition and blacksmith would take pride in. However they were soon to be made better. Beyond the limits of the common man. Weapons to suit his power. Perhaps he was spoiling himself a little. A slight noise in the room behind the one he was in though drew his attention. His signet ring on his left pinky finger clicking idly against the weapon as he settled his hands. Someone was using his things. Slowly he would close his eyes and let himself feel outside of the room. A cold aura like his own was present there. One of the Unmei, Haka no doubt. She did enjoy the room after all. However there was another there. Someone with a cold sensation to their chakra. It wasn't as prominent as Ayakashi...who might it be?

Soon the door would open. Haka entering first of course. His back to them as he waited. A tall but slender frame standing straight and noble. A guest who likes weapons. Very much so he would surmise. His nostrils flared as he inhaled and smelled the scent of them. Freshly bathed enough so that Haka did not have the smell of metal or polish about her. The other did though. Mixed in with the scents of the bath. She was brash to toy around the manor before even having been introduced to him. She knew little of his ways. For now he would open his eyes. Turning to gaze upon them both. The heavy door seeming to creep closed behind them. The light of day fading with it until they were plunged into a much dimmer room. However it seemed that the flames would produce less and less light by the second. Darkness enveloping him in the eyes of the young girls until only those dull grey eyes could be seen. Filled with an empty lack of emotion. Like the dead come to life they seemed to stare with no regards to human reactions. He did not blink, did not shift or threaten. One thing was clear though, while Haka had a frightening sense of dread about her she had but inherited it from this man. The flames flickered with a spark and the chakra pressure receded. Drawing them back into a dimly lit room that was somehow quieter than when it had been dark. Almost as if the darkness had been whispering ever so faintly. His hands folded in front of him. His wide sleeves sliding over them. He spoke and when he did it was like a hollow echo. The dead speaking when the dead should not speak.

"Welcome to the Osada manor. I am captain Osada Sero. Did you enjoy yourself in my armory youngling?"

758

So intrigued by the collection of weapons the armoury offered, Verdandi was already trailing off to get her hands on a few of them before she even faced Sero. To the spider, it didn't matter as she was not familiar with such things as politeness or respect, but she knew quite well by now that Sero was not the sort to leave roaming freely before he knew who they were. Quietly, she waited for Verdandi to have slaked her curiosity, watching her father as he was preoccupied with his own business. Verdandi returned, bowing and presenting herself, upon which Sero's attention met theirs.

Indeed, the attention of a predatory aura much more powerful than hers had discovered new prey to toy with, its presence apparent as the light diminished to complete darkness enshrouding the very creator of the Unmei. Much like her own, his eyes betrayed no emotion, void of any empathy towards the humane. The oppressive nature of his monstrous aura, the apathy he harboured a severe grade higher than Haka's, if such a grading was even possible. To Haka, this was like homecoming, like a father wrapping his arms around his daughter in recognition, even if such a thing was far from being the case between her Creator and herself. Spiders did not hug, they dominated. The question was, how would the human react in that brief moment this nightmarish manifestation brought total despair?

When the dim light returned, Sero addressed Verdandi with a voice like the dead, upon which Haka moved to lean against the wall as she'd watch the interaction between the two.

---

271
Total: 640

Having not realized that Sero was in the central chamber at first, Verd felt a little sorry to have touched his weapons like that. But He apparently seemed to mind too much so Dandi would just let it go. The ice princess glared into the cubic room and enjoyed it's clean and symmetric properties. Maybe Sero too found a certain joy in silly details as soothing as the perfection within simple architecture or alike. Taking a look at the weapons in the main room at least gave away that he wasn't completely ignorant to design over function. Dandi having sort of a weak spot for pretty and shiny things had already fallen in love with a few of the creations lingering about. Some of the weapons giving off an odd noisy feel of chakra. Being a youngster of sorts, Verds knowledge about enchantments were very limited. Her dull katana blade hanging idly in its leather sheath certainly looked kind of pretty but it's properties were so bad that pretty much any knife she had seen around the armoury had far sharper properties. Then again Verd was barely more than a gifted student for now, having an actually sharp blade fit for combat was, under normal circumstances, not really necessary.

They way his palms would glide over the weapon he seemed to be working on... seemed to give away at least a similar kind of fetish for weapons as Dandi would have to admit to find herself with. Gazing onto both spear and staff as they remained on the table, Verd was primarily interested in their aesthetic design. They seemed to be embodied with various lines and markings. Dandi would certainly feel curious as to if those markings already had an enchantment to them or of Sero simply adored pretty detail work just as herself.

As the door closed behind them in an utmost creepy way, Verd felt certainly glad that she wasn't here alone. Haka's warm presence, as much as it may lack a properly defined breath of humanity, felt yet kind of warm. Verdandi didn't think of it as trust or friendship. It'd be silly to think that far. Her nature of persona was far more instinct based. But somehow you could say... that she was 'used to' Verdandi and was emitting this calm feeling in a way that Verd could take it as a soothing warmth in the suddenly cold and darkening room.

Uncaring of either Haka being aware that her presence comforted the young ice princess or not, Sero would put her glare on Dandi in a way that left her swallow once or twice empty. His hair was snowy and reminded her instinctively of her own clan. She seemed to be familiar with her blood too. Ignorant towards how her clan had been acting within Kiri, Verd was yet not unused to be in the presence of warriors far beyond her own strength. This, if anything, was the last thing that would bother her. She wasn't the kind to be easily intimidated by raw power. She did have a talent for escaping like a slippery fish after all... but what disturbed her more was that her empathy would barely give any reactions at all. Verd felt like she was trying to read a stone wall, asking them how it'd possible feel like to be all stone and stuff.

His presence was similar to Hakas in nature, certainly stronger, certainly one of the things that would intimidate the princess. But she had this thing going where pretending to be all determined and self-secure might eventually cause a psychosomatic effect and ultimately turned the pretentions into real attitude. Verdandi exhaled her natural cool breath towards the tall man and bowed once more in a more proper fashion.

"I did... very much so. I hope you don't mind I got a little excited there..." she blushes again. Mother would lecture her about touching peoples stuff like that. "You must be Haka's fa... mentor. If I stand correctly." the word father certainly seemed unfitting, but so did 'creator' as much as Verd was down to earth, in her own fairy-tale of existence she still believed in much more good in this world as there probably is. Seeking warmth and love even in an environment between a seemingly dead man and a spider morphling that expressed multiple times that, under certain circumstances, Verdandi could still be considered as food for her.

The more bizarre the situation came to be the more it yet made her smile in an awkward way. She should be crying if she would take life too seriously at this point. Finding some irony and fun within the odd situation she found herself in, was at least soothing her own stiff and scared body a bit.

"You do seem to have a keen eye for quality and taste if I might say. You know Aya-senpai by chance?" she wondered how her aunt was involved with him. Haka had made comments that could hint away that he and auntie knew each other. Also, he did introduce himself as captain. So unless Verd had found the very boss of all Kiri renegades here, he should probably be in service under aunties command. Maybe. Hopefully so. It'd make things at least a tiny bit less scary.



900 / 1540

Sero would let his eyes slowly shift to Haka as she would move and place herself against the wall. Watching her a moment and considering what was on her mind. One for learning at any time. Eager to gain power and to overcome what she feared in her life before she discovered her power. Already he could feel it. Her power was growing. She had achieved a mastery of her chakra enough to unlock her first chakra nature. Suiton by the feel of it. Flowing through her as a dull tide as she seemed to let it flow freely. Untapped for now but capable. She was fascinated with weapons and humans so it was only to be expected that she would bring him both. However his attention was drawn back to the other as she spoke. Excusing herself for toying with his things as quickly as she spoke her first words. Suggesting after for a moment that he was the father of Haka. Father...what a strange word. He had never known one so he knew not what it entailed. In his books a father figure was either not present or tragically killed off. Almost always. Still he supposed in a way he was.

He would step and it would seem like he floated across the dim floor. Like a specter he would almost glide over to Haka. Choosing to apply just enough force that his feet didn't have to touch the ground between point A and point B but not enough to launch himself across the room. It was methodical and graceful in an unsettling way. Still his pale hand would reach out to attempt to catch Haka with his fingers under her chin to tilt her head up to look at him. Glancing down at her as he considered the words. Was he a father? She took on enough of his traits that it could be believed. However even as he studied her he would speak. "I am the lord of the manor. Haka is an Unmei and thus of my chakra. Not of my blood but perhaps as close as one can be of me. If she chooses to be called my daughter that is her choice. It wouldn't be inaccurate so much as it wouldn't be by conventional means." He would release her chin and study her a moment longer. She was growing indeed. Still his attention would be drawn by the new childs next words.

Abbreviations were not new to him though in his mind they were simply a lazy way of going about someones name. However he was almost certain they were thinking of the same woman. that cold feeling almost assured it. His attention would turn back to the other girl before he stepped again. Floating over to her as his robes didn't even seem to rustle with the movement. He would seem to tower over her as he circled her. Inhaling through his nose before he spoke again. "You have her scent. The Mizukage. It is different but similar enough. I am the captain of the seven swordsman and her right hand in Kiri. You must be her kin. Let us see what kind of weapon her kin bares." With that he would flick his hand down and already he had ripped her sword from its scabbard and was standing in the center of the room again. As if he had simply faded into mist next to her and reformed in his original position. Leaving the mind to question if he had ever moved. His speed simply too quick for their eyes to track.

Even with the frail weapon in his hand there was a certain sensation around the room. As if he could end them both in an instant with it. Like the pressure of the tip of the blade being pressed against the stomach already. Still he would study it with a frown. Rusted and warped. He would let it go as it would hover in front of him. Briefly it shook as the cracked wooden handle would come off and the guard would slide away. The two halves of the handle, the blade and the guard hovering before him. He would seem to mule it over before suddenly he would hold up his right hand. Palm out facing the weapon before suddenly there would be a burst of light as fire flew from his palm for several seconds. When it was gone it would take a moment for the eyes to adjust back to the dark. When they did the entire weapon would be gone. Not even a puddle of molten metal on the ground. Instead Sero would look to the girl and speak. "Such a thing is not a weapon. It is a worn piece of metal not suited for the trash bin. While you are here you may use what you can from my armory. However should you leave the manor and choose not to return, the weapon will return home without you. Understand child?"

Hands resting against the cool stone, Haka quietly watched the two converse among each other. To her, it was a rare occasion to be with the man that was her Creator and as such she was mostly observing him in hopes to understand more of who and what he was exactly. She had yet to figure out if he was human or spider, or how he was related to Momma. Where the Unmei nor the Spider Clan were much of a secret to her these days, Sero was still like an unopened book written in a foreign language to her. She had only been able to read the title, and perhaps the first page.

His eyes shifted towards hers, as if he had heard the thoughts in her mind, questioning the essence that made him. He moved, and her eyes instantly shifted towards his feet as she still, even today, tried to figure out how exactly he moved without moving. She still wanted to know how to replicate that quiet step, but all she could see was him floating about until he stood before her. His hand reached out, held her chin, and made her look up, amber eyes locked into his dull grey eyes. It felt strange being this close to him, the empty pools of apathy that were his eyes seemingly voiding the very thought of trying to stab him once more just to see what would happen.

No, her ears were momentarily set on the topic at hand... Father was a strange word, indeed. The spider-nin had no idea what it actually meant. It was a word that Haka herself never used when referring to Sero, as she did not know what it entailed nor what it meant. Miyu seemed to know, however. She called herself 'Miyu Osada, daughter of Sero', so when Sero mentioned that she too could call herself as such, Haka blinked briefly as her mind suddenly felt the need to restructure her entire existence. This revelation meant her name was no longer Haka, but Haka Osada, a strange addition with which the spider had no idea what to do with. Sero's reputation, sought and feared by many, was not hers. She was Haka of the Unmei... But perhaps she could experiment with the name to see how humans reacted to it when she was using it.

As Sero released his grip, Haka's eyes kept following him, and especially his gliding step. This time, she spotted the brief take off, but still didn't get how he could move so slowly without the slightest of movement when logic dictated he either would have to move faster or stop floating shortly after. The movement making no sense at all annoyed her, but she would not give up until she had figured it out.

The topic shifting to the Mizukage, another name that Haka was not quite familiar with, only knowing she was related to Sero (or vice versa), was of lesser interest, but what followed with the weapon was something the spider-nin wanted to see. With the exception of Sero having shown her the kunai she still held today, she had yet to see him use anything else. Within the blink of an eye he had Verdandi's weapon in his hands, a rusty and ugly piece that didn't fit in with the quality Haka was used to see in the armoury, and saw it fall apart as if it was made of paper. What followed up was a brief, bright flare of fire chakra, forcing Haka to narrow her mind for a moment before her mind registered what Sero had just done - fire. The man had used fire as if it was his own.

Recalling the words of a minute ago where he stated the Unmei were created out of his chakra, Haka's logic mind dictated that she, too, should have the innate ability to wield the flame much like she had taken control over the waters in the healing baths. It was just a matter of figuring out how as this time there were no flames to pour her chakra in, neither had she seen any hand seal being formed that she could try copying. The air was too chilly, fog to dominant. Then... how? As her mind tried to discover the secret behind the sudden fire release, Haka continued observing the conversation.

---

736
Total: 1376

Verdandi watched the father and daughter interaction and felt like she had poked a bear here as they suddenly fell into the very philosophy about Verdandi's question. Sero certainly made Haka as what she was today. But thinking of the many experiences they already had together, Verdandi was wondering if he was aware of how incomplete his weapon yet was. Verdandi had been trying to teach her friend what it means to be human. But it was a difficult task at hand. Haka was certainly still more of a weapon than a human. As Verd's eyes roamed into the room and back into the previous one she yet had to admit that Sero certainly had a thing for weapons. So maybe making Haka one was intentional from the start? The train of thought she was having made her feel uncomfortable. Apart from most shinobi she had met, Verd came from a family without tragedy or horrors in their latest history. Verd's grandpa, or well... Aya's father seemed to be the last one to fall with an ill fate. The little ice princess herself was as happily spoiled as she could be. Maybe this lack of terror in her life was the very essence that was being poured of her into this conversation.

Sero seemed to be of chaotic nature. He emitted a somewhat sadistic and destructive aura. Yet it seemed controlled for the most parts. Someone who would have known of fear, sadness and terror in their life, would probably bend under the pressure of his expelled bloodlust. Causing flashbacks and mental pain to them. But apart from some dead bad-guys Verdandi had no ill feels inside her to tap on. A blissful ignorance one could say and while Sero was examining her she would feel the odd nature of the princess while she herself expelled a warm, calm and almost disgusting strong happiness. Considering that she was in a mansion that was home to the spider clan and subject to this... unholy creature of a man before her. It wasn't them that was to be considered odd. They belonged here. Verdandi was the oddball here. Her warm and giggly personality was defying any rules and standards in this place. But maybe, just maybe a person like Sero could see a use for this kind of human travelling with his... daughter. Who knows what his ultimate goals would be in the end.

Sero explained his relation to aunt Aya. His nostrils flared for a second there, his eyes scanned Verd's physical attributes. He could easily see the white locks beneath the dark green hair dye, he could feel the frosty nature of the girl’s chakra. He could feel the cold breath that Verd’s lips were naturally exhaling, he realized that her body temperature was far below standards while yet, she felt perfectly fine. He could smell her bloods scent that gave away a clear picture of the Yuki Clan. What a creepy man. Verdandi was completely and utterly amazed by his skills and her sparkling shiny eyes were yet only disturbed by the fact the he seemed, as usual, more so interested in Verd's weapon than into Dandi herself.

With ease and finesse his palm had snatched Verd's training weapon. She had bought it with her very first pocket money to practice her Kenjutsu skills. The blade was worn from months of training, dull from hitting wood and stone, chipped from being used far past it's supposed capacities and even stained with the smell of blood as this blade had already eaten some minor souls.

Verdandi felt like she could hear the screams of the ones she had wounded or killed with this blade one more time as it slowly dissolved before her eyes. Verd wasn't sure if Sero just destroyed it because he was disgusted by the presence of such a bad and unworthy weapon or if he could have felt the voices of the life’s that were taken by this, insultingly bad weapon. The moment he offered Verd to roam and take what she desired from his armoury was like a free pass to a child to get whatever toy she wanted. The joy exhaled in Verdandi's chest was so unbearably strong she didn't dare to shine it for too long on her two darker minded companions in the room.

Having not said that utterly much, Verdandi yet was sure that he had felt any answer he was looking for. Giving away his thoughts about his relation to his daughter, implying his knowledge about Verd's connection to Aya, revealing his disgust for the weapon and eventually offering a new one to Verd.... All of it were statements. Nothing a question. He seemed to know everything already. Making it easy for Verd to leave the conversation without having to participate all too deeply within it. Verdandi bowed once more deeply to his final question. "Thank you Master Sero, I will treat your weapons with the respect they deserve and make sure they are put to good use." implying, that they will taste blood as well, sooner or later. Which should however amuse the train of thought for a man like Sero.

Verdandi's politeness as a princess were unmatched in this mansion. So while bowing she would slowly retreat from the room. If Sero would require her further, Verd was sure he'd find a way to crash in on her one creepy way or another. Making her way to the weapons she had already defiled with her fingers before, she quickly set her eyes on a series of Tanto, Wakizashi, Katana, Zanbato. Beautiful. A dream comes true. She wondered which of them she would decide for and hence as she started to toy with them and test their grip, she allowed Haka and Sero to have another father and daughter moment. Which was, setting the cruel nature of their personalities aside, actually kind of cute.



1000 / 2540

Sero would watch the girl bow as a few ashes floated slowly to the floor around him. On contact with the stone they faded to nothing. His cold grey eyes would watch as she bowed and he would show no reaction as she bowed and backed out the door. It was certainly formal but he was familiar with it. In return she simply gained a nod of acknowledgment. Still His eyes would watch as she moved into the other room. A young lady that stood cheerfully despite her surroundings. He had his doubts she had ever known what made them the way they were. The island was ruled by the strong. The weak either fled or died. Haka was near the top of the food chain around the manor and the island. As she had demonstrated during the walk into the island. He knew the whispers among the spiders about how dangerous she was. Fear was a form of respect. This new child Haka had brought home. He wondered just how little of the strife in this world she knew. Would someone from a lush lifestyle be able to contend with someone bred and designed for war? There was only one way to find out.

"Haka, to my side."

He would speak softly but it was clear he expected to be obeyed. His right hand shifted to be held open at his side. Signaling for her to stand there. By his side as a child of his should be. He recognized her. More so than simply a creation of his among the masses but one who would stand next to him. To eventually perhaps inherit the manor and his responsibilities. Already all of it went to the Unmei, the manor, the armory, the wealth. All of it went to the Unmei when he passed. He could only hope one of them would rise up to take control of the clan before that time came. Perhaps Haka or Miyu. He was looking forward to seeing which one. For now he would wait for Haka to join him before resting his pale hand on her shoulder. For her it would feel almost uncomfortably warm. Which would seem odd since the hand lacked any color or hint of warmth in appearance. Still his grey eyes would stay fixed on their guest as he spoke to Haka. His tone low and hushed as it was for her ears only. As such it was in the speech of the Unmei. Something he had been practicing.

"The history of your friends ancestors and our own is highly similar. Both your ancestors and her own were dotted with Mizukage through out the years. My father before her clan member Ayakashi. I wish for you to help with an experiment. At your leisure I want you to test her in combat as you see fit. Short of actually killing. She won't likely take kindly to this, most humans don't. Report back to me after with your evaluation of yourself and her. At her level, I hypothesize she will be a good match for you to learn of the weapons of man. Do this for me Haka, and I will buy you a pony to feast upon."

The conversation took a strange turn when it slowly died out. Verdandi bowed, which meant she politely suggested a leave if Haka was understanding human rituals well. A moment's notice later, confirmation followed as Verdandi left the main room, two pair of eyes following the human. Haka brushed her white hair away, when she heard Sero call for her and so she moved over to his side to stand there where his hand directed her. Feeling his hand on her shoulder, strangely warm and quite uncomfortable, but also... humane, his hand felt like Nova's petting. She was not sure what to make of it, but to stand next to the one whom had created her rather than opposite to him was... equally strange. An acknowledgement of something she already knew, or maybe he meant to share a vision she was not aware of just yet.

Sero then spoke in a language she was most familiar with. A language that he hadn't spoken the first time they met, expecting her to speak the human's vile words, but one that she certainly could appreciate more and assured her that he was one of arachnids despite his looks. He spoke of experiments. Of combat. She was to fight the human at her leisure, but she couldn't kill it, and oddly placed Verdandi equal in prowess to that of herself. She disliked that notion. Yet here he was, telling Haka she was a good match. What was it that he saw she didn't?

"Very well.", she acknowledged his request without a hint of doubt, more so out of the desire to join in said experiment and further observe a different aspect of humans than their excessive talking and strange rituals, instead of being intrigued by the promise of the pony. How did pony taste like anyway? While she believed it had to be something exquisite if Sero was willing to give that as a reward for her devotion she also considered that it would mean she'd have to fight off any other spider trying to take it away from her. Oh, how wise her Creator's decisions were as it would be twice-fold a reward, for sure.

Now all that remained was to figure out what the Unmei had to do with the history of their ancestors. To begin with, 'ancestors' was an odd term in the eyes of the spider for she traced her lineage back to still living creatures walking the earth this very day - Sero and Momma. Haka didn't relate herself to anything or anyone that came before these two as it was not Sero's lineage, as far as she even knew about its existence, who had made the Unmei but the man standing next to her himself. Yet he spoke of ancestors both among the Yuki and the Osada having carried the coveted title of Mizukage - a title bestowed upon the one that ruled Kirigakure like a sort of broodmother, so she had come to understand. Despite not carrying the title of Mizukage, Haka knew that Sero watched over Kirigakure as if it was his own web, whereas the Unmei functioned like the extension of his desire to preserve it. They were a bleak shadow of his power, his eyes when he wasn't around. But to achieve what goals?

"Will you become Mizukage too?", she asked him then, deducting by rigid logic that if being Mizukage ran within the lineage of the Yuki and Osada, it would make sense that her Creator would be the next in line to take the title for his own. With his answer, perhaps the spider would come to understand the future he had in mind for the Unmei, how he intended to use them for his plans and which direction Kirigakure would evolve.

---

640
Total: 2016

Verdandi had made her way into the part of the armoury where she had found the shinier kind of swords before. Mostly ignorant to both the nasty auras that were echoing from the main room as well as the potentially insane person who seemed to own this place. Verdandi tried to figure why she couldn't really read this guy. It happened before. Specifically, around Aya there were situations where she couldn't get one emotion out of her 'target' but it probably was a common thing that the stronger ninja of the realm would be able to shield their emotions and thoughts. Then again, he behaved like he didn't have any at all. Or seemed as empty as Haka at times. Certainly, feeling that kind of connection between them. A dark duo of sorts. She couldn't help but giggle thinking that they indeed deserved each other.

Putting aside the strange inhabitants of the mansion. Verdandi's sharp eyes ogled the pretty weapons. Sero mentioned that she would be allowed to play with a few. Dandi picked up a myriad of wakizashi. Slicing with them a few times through the thin air to measure each one’s weight. She didn't like heavy weapons. She preferred the kind that would be as light as a feather even though they might not have the durability or force of the heavy ones. Once she could decide on the small weapon, she'd make her way back to the katana. There were some oddly coloured ones but encased in thin glass. Touching the glass would send ripples over its surface like it was some sort of water. Verdandi didn't dare to try and see what would happen if one tried to put an arm past the weird glass.

She wasn't here to get her hands on those unique weapons. Actually, she wasn't here to get her hands on any weapons in the first place. It was Sero who had offered them to her. Finding herself a normal sized katana of lower weight. Thin blade. Not very strong in pure force but it could certainly cut. Sliding both weapons into her belt she felt like she wanted to test them. The dummies seemed yet more to take stance against throwing weapons. Slicing against them wouldn't make much sense. While Verdandi was wondering, one of the servants she had seen earlier in the baths made her way to bow politely to the princess. Giving her a nod and reminding her ultimately that she just had a similar moment with Sero. Chuckling at the display of the food chain at hand.

The maid implied for Verd to step forth into one of the neighbouring training rooms. How nice of her. As if they knew that Dandi desired to test what she had been gifted. Reaching the room, she would see that multiple barrels were filled with bamboo sticks. The maid took her leave and closed the door behind Verd. So nice of her to give Dandi some privacy. Verd didn't really hear hot the doors lock shut behind her as well. Taking a few bamboo sticks and starting to place them in their respective wooden pressuring devices, would make the stiff and crushing their lower part to stay properly in place. Allowing Verdandi to get into her Kenjutsu stance. Drawing her new Katana from its sheath and quickly slicing the bamboo in one strong and rapid motion.

The blade was sharp, certainly so. Its weight was balanced and allowed Verd to get a good one-handed grip. Moving into a different stance she tried the two-handed application. The grip was long enough to support her tiny palms easily. The weight was still nicely even. Verdandi sliced once more and another block from the bamboo would fall chopped to the floor. She'd keep herself busy until she either had to face the locked door behind her or maybe an uninvited guest to her practice.


666 / 3206

She would acknowledge his orders as if there was no reason to question anything. She was already designed to be a good soldier so he had no reason to doubt she would. Still his eyes would remain on the other girl. Would this be too much for Haka? Even if it was she would learn the dangers of the fangs and claws of man first hand. Learn from experience without the threat of death. Did he care if she died? He hadn't considered it yet. For a moment he thought on it. If someone were to harm one of his children...he knew the answer in a split second. He would destroy entire hidden villages for that transgression if he had to. Just to cut down the man that dared to kill one of his. His grip would tighten slightly at the thought. He was familiar with the emotion. He had known anger before but this was controlled. Just considering a possible situation. Still his grip would loosen as she asked the question on if he would be Mizukage one day. Slowly he would shake his head no. Perhaps a surprising answer. However his hollow words would fill the room. No longer a whisper or the clicks of the spider speak.

"A leader must consider the people. My duty is to avenge the village when someone trespasses on the laws. I am feared and loathed. These things I mind very little though. My art is death and my canvas is Kiri. The people need to believe in their leader. Not a place for a slayer. Perhaps you may follow in my foot steps. Or, you may yet create your own path. Perhaps even one day doing as I can not and becoming the Mizukage yourself."

The other girl would select a weapon and look around before one of the serving staff would direct her to another training room. Most training was done outside. For now though she was yet unaware of the dangers of the island. Perhaps indoors was best. The spider servants keeping behind closed doors for now to keep guests comfortable. Still Sero would guide Haka lightly with a push to the door. Not really a shove but insistent on her movement. After all he had been taking part in an activity of his own before her arrival. He would speak still as she stood on the other side of the doorway. His grey eyes on her now.

"For now your only task is to grow. Survive and learn. Study your new found acquaintance. There is plenty to be learned there. I have to attend to my own needs for now."

With that the door would close between them. Unable to be opened again by any amount of force Haka could produce without a jutsu. Sero turning back to his attendance of the weapons in the room. Preparing them for the delivery to the smiths that would have work cut out for them. Contemplating just how that match between the two would go.

Exit thread

Sero's notion that he was an avenger rather than a ruler was an interesting one even though the spider couldn't understand in full why a being as powerful as him didn't bother to rule Kirigakure instead. It would be his rightful place considering the might he had, would it not? It made her wonder why a 'slayer' couldn't be a 'ruler'. Surely the strongest members of the Spider clan killed as much as anyone else so what exactly held her Creator back to do so? As she had expected, his vision eluded her.

'Art' was another of such things that occupied her mind. Sero considered death his art and Kiri his canvas. She wondered what he had meant by that as the concept of 'art' was too humane for her to grasp. Spiders didn't dabble in art. They hunted, they wove webs, they killed. Very basic necessities. As an Unmei, this had remained the same throughout most of her life, only her higher intellect and chakra changing how she perceived the world. How much bigger it was than Spider Island. Her intellect had mostly changed her perspectives in her own life, and had throughout her growth only continued to do so. And yet, time and time again there were strange concepts washing ashore, urging her mind to understand its mysteries.

Art.

What exactly was art? As Sero nudged her towards the door, she knew he would not be available to answer her question. Moving to the next room as he wanted her to do, she left Sero to his own occupations, and entered the nearby room where Verdandi was having her fun with the arsenal of the armoury, slicing bamboo stick to pieces like it was a blast. Should she ask the human what art was exactly? Probably so, as it was something humane, but not before she would observe the kenjutsu stance and the way she wielded the katana for a brief while so she could determine the advantage of taking on such a position.

"Death is an art. What is yours?"

---

348
Total: 2364

Verdandi kept her motion steady. The bond between father and daughter was something precious to her. But seeing Sero and Haka having it in their very unique way made her wonder, once more, if she was yet only one of few still blessed with a normal childhood and somewhat... acceptable parents. Being of royal blood in a poor and destructed country, meant to have the respect of the people but not necessarily money. It seemed like Sero had more property then Verd's family. More influence and power, even without the need of a title such as feudal lord. It intrigued her. He did claim the title of the captain of the 7 swordsmen with pride. Maybe as it was the only construct of rank that seemed of any importance or use for him.

Verd shook her head. She'd probably have to face his persona again if she kept hoping to become one of the 7 someday. But for now, she could simply linger. Testing the swords given to her with joy and pride. Enjoying their sharpness. Certainly, different in comparison to the dull training weapon she used to wield up until now. She could hear Haka step into the room. She seemed troubled with thoughts. Verd’s empathy skill allowed her the insight of her worries. But it didn’t go any further. She couldn’t tell what exactly was troubling her. She seemed a little confused. As if she was facing a multitude of new questions to her existence. Which in hindsight was nothing new coming from Haka.

Verd chuckled. She finished her training by slicing the bamboo in front of her in such quick succession that it’d be turned into 6 pieces but they wouldn’t crumble before she had finished the last of her slices. To perfectly aim a very sharp sword and guide it with perfection through it’s target to the point where even the severed matter needs time to realize it’s physical separation… Hmmm there was a certain beauty in that concept. Facing Haka she would smile at her question. Wondering where it was coming from.

“My art you ask? I dance Haka. As a pinnacle of motions. The purpose of a dance must be strange to you. But it is what I like. To create beauty from skill and motion.” She smiled, remembering the many times where she used to practice her sword dances for her family. The one royal requirement she never disliked.

[EXIT] – (Moving on to the spar as planned)

420 / Total wc: 3626

Training:

Dancing. A pinnacle of motions. To create beauty from skill and motion.

The spider had no idea what that was supposed to mean. If she thought about it, she was skilled in webbing things and hunting quietly. Was it a dance when she combined those two? She didn't think so, feeling that some detail was missing within the entire structure of that 'art' to comprehend it in full. The word on its own was not so unfamiliar, however, as she had heard it before in reference to certain places where humans gathered to 'dance'. These people wore strange outfits, their hair reworked in an odd way, wearing all kinds of little trinkets such as 'pretty earrings', 'beautiful necklaces' and 'kinky chokers'. All kinds of ornaments that would only make it harder for them to remain safe during combat. And yet, when a human wore such shinies, dressed up and joined the dancing, they attracted other people who felt the need to join them.

Haka had not been able to enter a dancing so far. The burly men that stood in front of the building had stopped her on the account of being 'too young'. An odd statement to make considering she was old enough to walk, talk and kill like an adult, but it seemed the men on guard duty saw it otherwise. She would have to become older first, which she assumed meant that she'd have to shape up a body which looked older rather than her being older. She was two years old. For a spider that was easily double what most of the arachnids achieved in their life. She was a veteran in the brutal spider world, but a kid in the human world.

But really... to find beauty in motion. Would that mean there was beauty in the way she spit webs and hunted down her prey? She couldn't say. To her rigid mind such things were just bare necessities. A spider needed to hunt or weave a web. An Unmei could do both. There was nothing beautiful about survival in the eyes of the spider. Humans didn't find such things beautiful either. They usually screamed in terror or tried to find some weapon to beat her up with. Sticks, swords, newspapers. Just anything would do.

It made her remember her conversation with Fuyuko. She liked cooking, music, something called a piano, and doing things, whatever that was supposed to be. Cooking looked much like a sort of magic, turning mere ingredients into something completely not alike that provided sustenance to the human kind. Had that been an art? Beauty from skill and motion? She didn't recall Fuyuko calling it as such, and neither had she bothered to search for 'music' or the piano she talked about. Perhaps she should do so, as she tried to shape her physique into something older than she was. Then she could all together check out the dancing, see what that was all about.

Her plans made for the future, the spider-nin eyed the still training swordswoman. She had trained with a single sword this time, but the spider knew she could wield two. She had a kunai herself, some techniques, but she had mostly been focusing on techniques that improved hunting and her status within the Spider Clan. Fighting a human who efficiently could wield swords was a totally different matter as she had no immediately means to consistently deal with it in the case a human would decide to attack her. She would have to find a means to do so, but as it stood, the only way to learn what the true strengths and weaknesses were of human weapons, she would have to challenge Verdandi like Sero had asked her to do.

"Choose your weapons. We fight.", she said, as she took out her own obsidian kunai, her voice calm and monotone, but distinctly hinting that she would not take a 'no' for an answer.

---

[EXIT]

664
Total: 3028

Training: