[Open] I may see you, I may tell you to run

[tuishou]

Who: Neji Hyuga tuishou & OPEN
When: IC 6.10- early morning 6.14
Where: Residental and Pleasure Districts
What: Neji decides to make a flying leap when adapting to his new surroundings.
Rating/Warning: nudity in the last prompt, but it's mild. keep an eye on this tho.

---

I : IC 6.10-11 Residential District
[No open log would be complete without the 'find him anywhere' option, so here it is. There's nothing particularly interesting going on-- but then again, that's what you can expect when you're looking at Neji Hyuga to keep you entertained. He's already somewhat explored the neighboring districts and gotten himself a decent change of clothes- white shirt with long, loose sleeves and some nearly-black pants. But he notes he hasn't quite explored the residential district so thoroughly yet, and sets out to do just that. Afternoons, you might find him studying an anatomy book in some bench in the garden or navigating the sky bridges. Evenings, Neji will look off somewhat wistfully towards the Research Tower. Or towards you, near-white, pupil-less eyes just following movement.

It's not on purpose, he promises.]

II : IC 6.10-13 Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting
[In the early mornings, Neji will either be at the Gym or the dojo. He's in all-black attire, hair set in a rare high ponytail. He first stays back and observes if there's anybody else around- curiously, if someone is training with a weapon he's unfamiliar with. Otherwise, he's finding a relatively quiet and lonesome place to practice.

No weapons- Gentle Fist style is worked empty-handed. Some other-world variation of Baguazhang to those who'll want to peg a name to it. And though frustration leaks through as Neji does the occasional set (a tensing in his shoulders, a loud sigh, taking a break when he really had no reason to), he still performs as if the techniques are second nature. They are. They're controlled and effortless- his full range of movement in use as he shifts low into his wide guarding stance. When he moves to strike the training dummy, his open palm might glow faintly blue-- but the aura's shut off the instant before he hits.

No explosions here. Move along.

Or interrupt, if you can get past the bitch face.]

III : IC 6.13-6.14 The Pleasure District
[Neji could say he hadn't wanted to end up here in the first place. It'd be a damned lie, but it might just be easier to explain why he's now standing awkwardly, too patiently, in front of Porta Caelestis with someone trying to coax him inside and not taking 'no' for an answer. Or maybe the same scene is playing out elsewhere- in front of a Fantasy Hub, because Neji decided to keep trying to find his way to his destination rather than turn back. Maybe he's trying (and repeatedly failing) to convince a worker that petting his hair and trying to corral him into Mundus Caelestis is a no-go, that wasn't what he was here for. Thanks. Bye. No? Nope.

He locks eyes with the person who happens to be walking across the street, face perfectly impassive save for the very slight downcurve of his lips. As if willpower and a frown alone will communicate exactly what he's desperately hoping for.

Save him. Please.]

IV : IC 6.14 Why Are You Even Here
[To hell with all of this. He's found the CERES Spa and of course it would be open at all hours of the day. night. There's not a clock in sight and Neji thinks it's the opposite of a good business strategy, but then he wonders why he's thinking of business strategies at 2? 3? in the morning. He's led to the bathhouse and the lockers and monotonously undresses- Hyuga weren't shy sorts (most of them, anyway) even if he's sporting three large, messy scars on his body, back and front. His hair is soon tied high and Neji's resting shoulder-high in the ridiculously calming water, his head back and his eyes closed.

Why even come here if he was going to fight falling asleep in the first five minutes, you ask?

Because he was a sore loser, and he couldn't live with himself if he didn't at least attempt to turn this misadventure into a Win. Warmth. Relaxation. Isolation. Yeah, the day was slowly turning into less of a spectacular failure.

Ruin it for him. Is the bath co-ed? Will you be charged for literally everything you do when in the bathhouse- breathing, blinking, etc? Is there a very convincing worker trying to offer you a very special service? Or just be boring alongside him.]

Comments

IV, just because

[saudadist]

[ A coed bath isn't a deal-breaker for Lucy; it just means she has to go at night when no one else is around. Too many humans crowd the place during the daytime, she saw that firsthand earlier. Being naked isn't really that big of an issue. A body's a body's a body, and when you've committed atrocities in the buff, having someone see you in so benign a setting as a bathhouse doesn't even faze a body. All she's worried about is being alone to enjoy some relaxation.

Well, there goes that idea.

It's really kind of funny to her to see a familiar face in the bath, considering what happened in their first encounter. She's not exactly laughing her ass off, but it does get a chuckle out of her. Just one. ]

Still thirsty...?

[ She's not good at jokes. Sue her. ]

lucy will single-handedly turn him off of water forever

[tuishou]

[He'd heard the footsteps. He just didn't (or couldn't, with his mind a haze and his resolve to focus on nothing) think much of them. Sure, there was a twinge of irritation at knowing he'd be having company but Neji had been in public baths before and he wouldn't mind it if only the other man kept down the small talk. Curiosity ate away at him though, and he straightened up to peer at whoever it was approaching.

Curiosity soon turned to alarm.

It was a woman. And not just any woman, it was--

well, Neji quickly turns his head. Stares intently at one side of the room with a treacherous blush across his cheeks either because of the insult or the. Other thing. Or both. 'Shut up' he wants to mutter but all he can muster is a small] Hmn.

[Laugh it up. He can--] What are you doing here? [He asks the wall.]

so...sponge baths for Neji from now on?

[saudadist]

Taking a bath. [ She doesn't say "duh" but she might as well have for her tone. And though his gaze was only fleeting, she's certain he must've noticed her hair is wet from rinsing off before. ] It's too crowded in the day.

[ She spares him anymore discomfort by slipping into the water at least two arms' lengths away. Well, it's really more for her not wanting to be right next to him than thinking of his comfort, really. ]

we'll figure it out eventually....

[tuishou]

[His turn to snort- and promptly lower himself in deeper so that the water's coming up to his chin, and so that he has an extra reminder to not open his mouth to snark because there are more important things to do. Like attempt to keep from seeming like too much of a prude, all the while fending off feelings of hypocrisy. He feels the small ripples of water as she _'she' enters the bath and counts to five, then takes a breath and turns to her. Okay, well, if he kept his eyes on her face he can probably pretend she's

ha. No, he really can't.] There had to have been another bath for you to go to... [Or he could up and go but. A...nyway.] --I've been perfectly well. Thanks for the concern.

[saudadist]

[ He raises a good point. There were other baths, but then, this one seemed nice. And she didn't think he'd be in this one so whoops.

Though that was sure a leap of subjects. She can't help snorting in amusement, and even smirks over at him like she's figured out why he might be unnerved having someone else in the bath. ]

Never seen any in the flesh, I guess. [ By which she means her boobs. ]

[tuishou]

[Oh, that blush just grows deeper and you get three guesses as to who's taking the time to look away again. Relaxing. This was supposed to have been relaxing.]

What does it matter if I have or have not? [Had he, or is he bluffing? It's a mystery. One Neji feels it's suddenly his duty to protect.] It isn't-- [Decent. To be in a bath with her. He'll just let that trail off, and narrow his eyes in annoyance. Peace. Quiet. Denial. Let him have it.

He can't get out because then he'd be-- absolutely exposed. In front of her, at least until he wraps the towel around himself again. And he can't do that.] Like you, I just wanted to be alone. [Yes that is exactly why he had spent the night trekking through this district.]

[saudadist]

[ She rolls her eyes, and part of her is really tempted to make fun of him further by drawing more attention to her chest. But, effort. And he seems plenty upset already. ]

Then relax. No sense getting riled up in the bath.

[ Really, he's just lucky Nyuu's matured more than she used to be. She'd have jumped into the bath and made things hellaciously worse without hesitation. ]

iii; awwwww, wait til hinata hears about this one!

[vindicavi]

[ He's really starting to wish that his employer's third party would agree to meet for payment anywhere else but here. Okay, so it's only the second time he's had to come to the Pleasure District, but the way those who work in and frequent the area eye any new faces that venture down the street makes his skin crawl. Why are the people he's stuck having to deal with always either perverse or creepy? It's like there isn't any sort of middle ground!

And he's almost grateful for the poor fool that's being petted by a worker because it's one less person to try and lure hi-- Wait, isn't that--?

Please excuse him while he has to stop and cough. Or maybe that's actually a snicker that he's trying valiantly to stifle, because there's something oddly amusing about seeing the Hyuga look like he desperately wants to escape and being unable to do so. His response to that frown? A slow shake of his head and another 'cough'. ]

You should give them a chance.

[ This is absolutely hysterical to him. ]

I'm sure they'll gladly give you whatever you want, [ Trying not to laugh is so damn hard. ] and you won't even have to make an offer!

whispers do and die

[tuishou]

[He'd kill him.

He'd destroy that Uchiha bastard.

What made his stomach churn was the fact that, for a second time, he had met the other while his hands were tied. Figuratively, but Neji wouldn't put it past the all too-amused workers to do something with that idea if he ever breathed a word of it. As it was, one of them already eagerly trotted away (and Neji thought he could slip away-- nope, nope) but was quickly replaced by a. _{'Of course why didn't we figure this out before'} Dark-haired, dark-eyed man. Saying something about Sasuke being right, this was a perfect, safe way to

get his blood pumping. And pumping it was. The red on his face wasn't a furious blush, it was from fighting back the horror. Strategy: Hunger Games redux. Get the monster's attention on the other while he makes a run for it.]

You were so eager to lend me a hand last time _{[he'd rather be d e a d believe it]} I thought you could come over here and let me know what you recommend, seeing as you're far more familiar with this type of business than I am. [Look at him, keeping that poker face strong. Ibiki would be proud.] Besides, you did promise to pay.

[Many pairs of eyes shift to Sasuke.

Now suffer.]

but she might be so proud of him!

[vindicavi]

[ Leave it to Neji to take all the amusement out of the situation and leave it a smoldering ruin. He could have brushed off the other's words... had it not been for the whole part about him recommending something. That part made his eyes widen ever so slightly, annoyance written across his face. What was worse, however, was the comment about him promising to pay.

Because that brought all eyes down on him. Hard. ]

I helped you last time because you were practically begging... [ Okay, not entirely true, but it's not like anybody but the two of them know that. As for the rest, he probably should've kept his mouth shut. ] ...and I'm only here to collect a paycheck, not work on my day off. [ Because right now, Sasuke really wants to kill him for this. ]

hizashi rolls in his grave

[tuishou]

[Where is the amusement? Is it in the fact that now Sasuke's got a foot in this too, that there's now someone giggling and asking 'Where do you work, sweetie? I haven't seen you in this street before!'? Because Neji supposes he can see some amusement in that, judging by the way there's now a glint in his eye.] A paycheck, here? I wouldn't have thought you were the type to share your usefulness with others.

[It's soon lost, though and Neji moves to dodge a hand on his shoulder. Notouchy. He could almost swear there were now more bodies around him than at the start-- but at least now there were a few milling around Sasuke too. Talking about low rates and

detailing how to make a man beg but

Neji tried not to pay any attention to those. He was thinking of how to cut off his own tongue, later.]

it's ok, sasuke's whole clan is probably doing the same. he's such an embarrassment.

[vindicavi]

[ If there was ever a time when he wished that he had left and not Naruto, this is it. The blond would've run with this, not wanted so badly to run away from it, and now he's got someone getting too close up in his face reminiscent of Karin and it's all he can do not to electrocute them. How did he manage to get himself into this mess? Oh. Right. Neji.

...but at least Neji's comment is a stab at his employment and not something about reviving his clan? ]

I'm not. [ At least, not in the way these people are thinking. And oh hell, why won't they go away already? He really doesn't care about how to make men beg, unless it's their lives they're begging for, and even then, he'd prefer they just not see it coming. Instead, he's stuck trying to twist out of the reach of grabby hands that keep trying to touch when they should be keeping their hands to themselves. ] You're the one of us that's used to taking whatever's given to you, regardless of the cost and challenge, not me.

the most babyfaced of black sheep

[tuishou]

[Kind of a relief, to know Sasuke hasn't gone and killed the people just because they were annoying too. What's an even bigger relief is that, since Sasuke seems keen on only directing his words to Neji, he is getting swarmed by the workers who used to be hanging off of the Hyuga.

Okay 'swarmed' is an exaggeration- there were like four persistent parties left, tops. But Neji knew how to identify a crisis when he saw one. He'll just revel in the fact that it seems to no longer be his, for a second.

If the snake wants to keep spitting venom-- oh, his expression's hardly changed but Neji's words come with a new edge, too.] If there's any one of us that's survived so long because of special treatment, it's you. Don't go around thinking it's because of your own efforts.

[...really, no use obscuring the truth just because of what's playing out in the background.]

II

[cresthopes]

[Takeru's gotta admit. With his brother here, it's probably going to be a little difficult learning how to use new found skills as an archer. Not everyday you can go running around and say to your older brother that you're learning a potentially dangerous weapon.

But alas, one day he will be able to up and talk to him. But until then? It was a lot harder than he thought getting everything set up. Without Angelo telling him what to do? Well, all the poor boy could was just struggle as he tries to hit the target before him and....

....Failing badly.]

[tuishou]

[To be honest, he hadn't stopped to watch because it was a child setting up to use the bow. Children in his Hidden Village would be much, much younger when they first began to train with tools, train to become ninja-- or at least, the noble clans began their career so early. At least, his noble clan did. And while bows and arrows weren't common tools in the least (they were cumbersome, difficult to replace, not at all discreet, the exact opposite of what ninja strove to be), Neji only supposed Takeru had some sort of lineage tying back to the weapon's use.

So he supposed Takeru would be at least decent with it.

Oh, how wrong he was. Spoiled by Tenten, Neji couldn't keep from frowning and.] Don't you have an instructor to be waiting for?

[cresthopes]

[After a few tries, the boy seemed like he was just ready to give up. Whatever Angelo told him, it seemed to have escaped him because he just couldn't remember anything! While he managed to get the bow on right, the arrow just kept flinging everywhere! And even nearly hitting a few people too!

But when he heard someone nearby?]

Well...no, I don't but I don't want to call Angelo-san so suddenly when I wanted to train.

[tuishou]

[Neji's brow furrows halfway in concern. He quietly puts down the drawstring bag he'd been carrying over his shoulders and he wanders nearer still. Along the way, he'll deviate a little to go and pick up an arrow that had flown a very short distance away.] Still, there must be others you can ask for help.

[Because he doesn't know who Angelo is, and he doesn't know why the kid wouldn't want to call him up. Mostly because, let's be real, the boy's a danger if he's going to be flinging arrows everywhere.] How long have you been training with the bow?

[cresthopes]

[With Neji coming closer, the boy just kept on mumbling to himself. Maybe he was right, he really should have asked Angelo for help instead of doing this on his own. But still...]

I don't know how else knows how to use the bow. And it seems like Angelo-san has been busy as of late too!

[Especially with how busy the bars must be with the day after the festival and cleaning everything up.]

But I've been training for....2 weeks now? [Take that what you will!]

[tuishou]

['Don't mutter', he thinks to mutter. Instead Neji's holding out that stray arrow he'd picked up for Takeru to get. He looks off to where the targets are sitting. They're really not that far away. Any decent kid in the Academy could have hit it with a throwing star or kunai.] He'd be proud to learn you've been training on your own, though.

[Maybe? Two weeks...

Takeru why. Neji just nods because, well, he can't say that aloud.] Want to try again outside? [There's less people to potentially injure.] We may be able to move targets closer, there, without having to interrupt anybody.

iii

[drinkscola]

[ and marco has been watching this unfold for a few minutes now — at first, incidentally, what with his perusal of the area — and then it somehow became entertainment. ... okay, marco's not that sadistic; after locking eyes with the poor fellow, he takes pity.

he approaches at an easy stroll, stopping at comfortable earshot. really, he's fortunate himself to not have anyone instantly latch onto him— gotta try to look cool while he still can. ]

You're going to have to be a bit more aggressive than just "no", I'm afraid.

[tuishou]

[Thanks for the insight. But Neji really doesn't want to kill people just because they're being annoying. And what do you mean there's a middle ground between trying to brush off over-eager workers in an entirely too formal and polite manner (which, honestly, Neji would be better off without- considering he might be left alone if he looked as uneasy as he really was, instead of looking like he did have something in mind and only the people around him hadn't quite guessed What yet) and suggesting going in for the kill?

Neji sighs-- entirely too long-suffering. He knows that too.] I already tried. [Did he though.] I've said repeatedly that there's nothing they can offer here that's of any interest to me. [--oh, that didn't help. Now he's getting some very creative suggestions for. well. Fantasy Hub settings. Way to go, Marco, hope you like listening to them too. Something about-- tails? Marco. Marco help.]

[drinkscola]

[ ... yeah, he thinks neji may want to work on his... vernacular, there. but it looks like it's his turn to give this a go, isn't it. first things first, he's going to bat that worker's hand away from petting this unfortunate soul's hair. ... and if that doesn't stop them, then he's resigned to being a bit more forthcoming. ]

Hey, look. No means no— He's seriously uninterested, all right?

[ it's a fairly commanding tone; there's nothing tentative about it. ... except for maybe the questioning glance he throws neji at the end of that line. ]

[ you are seriously uninterested, right, bro ]

[tuishou]

[--okay, that was unnecessary; Neji could have totally defended his hair's right to be left alone on his own. But then the big guy's (look, Hyuga weren't large men- Marco's taller anyhow) talking and

Neji's honestly a little miffed, because it seems his words got through to the clowns well enough. Neji's too relieved to be annoyed, sure, but then Marco sends him that sideways look and.

No, yeah, he's annoyed--] I just said I was. [Was. Wasn't. What's even--] I want to be left alone, that's all. [The workers are all but dispersed. That's good right?]

[drinkscola]

[ phew, that did work?! marco's relieved— he really didn't want have to do more than that. unfortunately, he's too busy enjoying this momentary(?) respite that he doesn't notice neji's annoyance with him... ... or he doesn't pay it mind.

after taking a moment to watch them leave, he's turning back to his acquaintance, running a hand through his hair. ]

Ah, geez. [ he doesn't want to sound nosy, or insinuate neji looks like the kind of guy that's... uninterested (that's been made clear, anyway), but the situation begs the question: ] What are you doing in a place like this, anyway?

[tuishou]

[Miracle, right? And one that should be savored, because here came a herd of drunk-looking androids out of the building, beeping something about low batteries. However, they're harmless and easily side-stepped.

Neji only briefly keeps his gaze on them, because apparently there's something puzzling this guy and Neji's left feeling like the sore thumb he is. But Neji's not sheepish, instead he's still entirely too composed and he's still talking as if he hadn't just had to be rescued-] I was looking for work.

[CAN YOU HEAR THE RECORD SCRATCH

it's..... a loud one.] In a spa. Not here.