[TEXT] UN: STOPMESSAGES

[eyeforaneye]

A number of things.

First, I want to know how many people are familiar with ninja and the shinobi world.

Second, I’m interested in increasing my knowledge when it comes to the technology on the ship.

Third, in connection with the second point, is there a way to stop others from being able to send messages to your communicator? Stopping all of them temporarily would also be acceptable.

[ That's it, Sasuke's first message, no name attached and no hint of an introduction in sight. Still, it's downright personable for him. ]

Comments

text | un: artsy

[angele]

Are you talking like actual ninjas? It's not my thing, my friend Simon probably would have known more.

What are you wanting to learn about the technology specifically? That topics a little broad...

Also, not really sure how to do that last part on these devices. They're similar but not quite the same as phones in my world. Has someone else been able to help you with that?

[shenunigans]

do you have a problem with that grandma

[finethanks]

Mm, are you thinking that I might retaliate if you say something mean? Even despite seeing my frail body, it flatters me that you'd think of my feelings or reactions in a situation like this.

[Mostly he's just teasing and having fun, yet again. But with another chuckle, he moves on his way and looks to make sure Sasuke is following. As expected, he walks like a spoiled rich boy and it's clear from his movements that his body is in fact frail and weak. He's got no tricks up his sleeve, even if his eyes might give away his real feelings from time to time. Even if he always keeps this calm and proper smile, sometimes his eyes light up like a child's, excited and mischievous.]

I assume you've already brought your tokens with you?

[eyeforaneye]

No? In life or with you?

[eyeforaneye]

[ It's a lot of words to provide no answers, the asshole in him wants to respond, but amazingly -- and to his extremely limited credit -- he manages to hold himself back. It's a red letter day. ]

What other type of ninja would it be?

It's broad because the pool of knowledge is broad. Already this communicator is unlike anything I've seen. And help's been sporadic but it seems resolved.

[eyeforaneye]

Which grandma?

[eyeforaneye]

I'm thinking about a possible headache before it arises. [ Which is the truth even if it's said quietly; there aren't many situations wherein he could be convinced to avoid being "mean" for its own sake. Self-censorship is a social grace that has flown right over his head for many, many years. Help him. ]

I have, all six. [ Yes. Six. Not seven.

Sasuke keeps a close eye on him as they walk, blessed with an incredibly sharp gaze that he uses to analyze every nuance in his movement. Which foot he steps with just a little bit more firmly, evidence of whether he's right- or left-handed. How confident his gait is. How rigid his posture is. Most of the time he gains a better understanding of people through physicality than through words; it's why he and Naruto fought instead of debated in order to communicate. ]

[finethanks]

[He's left-handed, prim and proper and wears false confidence like a mask. As relaxed as he might seem, it's largely in part to him trying not to overexert himself, because even a simple task like walking can get to be too much if he does too much of it.

Despite all of that, there's clear determination in everything he does, and that certainly includes putting up with Sasuke's cruel words. They're nothing, really, compared to other things he's heard or seen. In a way, he thinks he can understand them, too, so they don't bother him very much at all. He has other things to focus on.]

Fufu, but did you know there are actually seven? I suppose that means there's one district we're limited from visiting, but it's not one I intended to take you to, anyway.

You're not very talkative, are you? Well, that's fine. There are others that I've met who speak even less than you, and I admire them a great amount. If you'd prefer to be silent, then I can do all of the talking. Leave it to me~.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Even the hint of a disturbance outside has his eyes instinctively lightening to red before Suigetsu's fingers ever seep up beneath the entryway, viewing a consciously controlled blob of water as amorphous glowing chakra instead. He'd tried to describe it to Suigetsu once when the far chattier ninja had asked, taking a break out beneath stars that they're now more intimately surrounded by, but rustles of other shinobi in the distance had interrupted his attempt and cut him short. They always had to keep moving.

Now everything's so still. ]

As I said it'd be. And I'm always busy. [ Consciously he deactivates the sharingan before glancing back over, even setting the communicator down altogether when blades begin to overtake his mattress. ]

... I don't believe you lifted this much without being noticed. Didn't I say to be subtle?

[hellshot]

Oh. You can. I know you can.

And it doesn't make a difference, one way or the other. I am only familiar with the youngest son of the clan, and he's been estranged for reasons that really aren't my business.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Could, would, should. The first message does nothing to make him actually believe in it as a real option, not with how it's worded. Sasuke knows his brother to be a man who makes promises he can't keep, bold in his language and his lies, rather than as someone who'd shield a potential outcome in soft language.

It's why the knock following the second text doesn't surprise him, but it does cause his entire body to tense. He'd heard the footsteps early enough to be up off the bed in advance of it, crossing the room with more confidence than he actually feels, hand outstretched to the automatic door's trigger. There's still a second's pause before he pushes it, the last barrier between them hissing away.

There he is, unscathed, frozen at an age he'll never surpass, eye no longer blinded. A healthier version of his brother, one that still makes him want to avert his eyes. The contrast with his own body, a loose sleeve knotted high beneath his left shoulder, is marked. ]

So it is you. [ The active sharingan in his eyes confirms that much; this is no illusion. However, contrary to at least one of Itachi's expectations, Sasuke makes no move to attack him. Even further from that, his eyes purposefully darken as he deactivates that last safeguard after Itachi passes his test. ] ... you can come inside, if you want. [ It's an offer that sounds clumsy to his own ears but what the hell should he say? ]

Better that than talking in the hall.

[genice]

( Because Figure Skaters Are Dangerous, clearly )

Okay, okay!

First, no idea about a world! All I know are that ninjas are from Japan, and there's a fake ninja house in Hasetsu!

Second, I can help with some of what's functional, but it's been a learning experience for me, too.

Third, yes, and everyone's answered that already. Very kind of them!

[eyeforaneye]

It's good this way. You're keeping him entertained.

At least you allow others their privacy. Perhaps if any arrive you can point them out for my sake.

1/2

[eyeforaneye]

[ ................. ]

2/2

[eyeforaneye]

Too many exclamation points. [ Let's take it down a few notches. ]

Yes, I am a ninja. Now, can you explain the different components of this ship's engine and its primary fuel sources?

[eyeforaneye]

[ It's entirely tempting to say nothing. Really, it is. It's practically been welcomed.

But to be silent would be to forfeit his right to judge, and potentially to complain about something he finds unnecessary and idiotic. He will never give that up. ]

I know about it already. Luxuria, was it? The sex district. I have no interest... regardless of needlessly imposed age restrictions. [ Romance. His greatest skill. ]

I've been talking too much today as it is already, anyway.

[genice]

Ask an engineer or one of the ship's mechanics! They're the ones who'll know, and sadly, all the ones who know this ship best won't talk to us. Too busy! The ones who know other engines, ah, they'll chat... if you buy them a few drinks first.

Anyway, Mr. Ninja, what's your name? This is so exciting!

( yes he's totally going to stop using exclamation points as he sees fit.

not. )

1/3

[eyeforaneye]

2/3

[eyeforaneye]

3/3

[eyeforaneye]

So you don't know anything about any of it.

[liquidate]

(after the many times he's walked in on the sharingan active and glowing at him in the dark room of inns, or waking up at a smouldering campfire to them pointing out into the trees, suigetsu's unbothered now. desensitized.)

Don't underestimate me, I got each different kind from separate shops.

(keeping his sword at his hip with kusanagi on the other, not exactly wanting to place it on the bed with the rest of the items. his hands find the bags and places each individual item in a small spread.) After that, when you get noticed, no one really wants to fight someone with two swords and a whole bunch of scary looking wire. But that was only by a passerby who made clicks instead of words.

(motions to the daggers and the wire.)

These are all yours, I don't need any now that I've got a sword. They didn't have any of our kunai or shuriken, so these ones are the closest I could find that had a similar balance and weight. (mindlessly fusses with the layout as he speaks, thumbing the paracord wrapping the hilt of one dagger.) Lastly, the wire's conductible in the way you like. According to the guy selling it...

I don't really trust them to know, so you should try it out first to check.

[finethanks]

It's true that there's nothing so interesting there but trouble, but I had thought you might be the type who would want something out of reach. How curious.

[Eichi is very used to quiet people his age indeed, though, and he has no trouble carrying conversation all the way down to the planet. He's not overly obnoxious, thankfully— just talkative in a way that seems like he's simply saying thoughts aloud. As it turns out, that's pretty much what he's doing.

He reaches into his pocket at the center of all of the districts and flashes a blue token at Sasuke.] We'll need this one. Some might have thought the orange token to be more suited for this journey, but that's a dangerous district indeed. Rather than focusing on quality and flavor, that district is full of foods of all types that you won't be able to stop eating. It's dangerous for me to consume certain foods in great quantities, so I have to limit myself there.

The district of Acedia is relaxing, so it's much easier to find small shops with food that makes you comfortable. That's where the specific one I mentioned is located.

1/2

[genice]

Wow, shut down for even a normal, polite social exchange of names... what must it be like, to be a ninja and assume someone on this network would be a high level engineer with access to information that would help explain these anomalies or what might be manipulated to send us elsewhere?

2/2 | encrypted to dis ninja

[genice]

Specifying what you want help with at the start helps. Anyway, this comm network is accessible to everyone on ship, though for some reason only those of us relatively new, since oh... let me see. This is March, by my ship calendar, so since December? Three months ago. Those of us arriving since about three months ago are the most consistent users of the communicators.

Strange, but true!

[hellshot]

Why does it sound like you're just foisting him off onto me?

And I'm too old to nose into other peoples' business. I'm not a gossip and I'm not interested in business that's not my own.

All I know is the Shimada clan deal with Dragons. From what I know, they can control these... giant spirit forces, but I haven't ever seen it for myself. If they show up here, I'll let you know.