minato-fortnite

[minato-fortnite]

[ He doesn't reply to her counter but her next words give him pause and it's visible on his face as he mulls over the thought. Honor is decided by the giver. ]

[ His eyes drift away from her and the portal for the first time to gaze south before returning to her. ]

I hope I get the chance to learn what honor I might have in their eyes, from her own mouth.

[ He bows, low and traditional as can be, to express that he will heed the warning behind her words. ]

I will, Empress. Thank you for the peace. I hope...Kendo will find some peace himself in the prayers I give, even if it is not much. Peace overall, really. I only knew his family as a little boy so I don't know what's changed, I'm relieved to see the siblings haven't drifted.

[ Minato straightens and picks up his bag before slipping on his mask, golden cracks glittering in the light of the portal. With the swiftness of a typhoon blade he's gone, over the courtyard wall yet again and a race in his pulse. ]

[ That went horrifically wrong. ]

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ The order does very little to actually calm him but his shaking stops as he tries to get back into the mindset he was most comfortable with: Pure indifference. ]

[ It does very little to actually soothe him as the Empress' words soak into his skin like lotion and larva. They prove to both humble and make him shamefully bitter, in a way only a man like him could be. He brings dishonor either way, he knows this, dishonor for not doing all he could as a slayer to save a human or dishonor for trying and failing. ]

And on one of the many hands of Guanyin, I go in and become as lost as her.

[ Minato is very aware how selfish he is in this moment, how selfish he's always been. Running away from being a proper priest, from the club, from his responsibilities and again from the repercussions of disappearing even if it became a choice not his own. Yet, here he sits anyways. He sits here cowering at the feet of an empress, pleading with her to not tell someone about his appearance here before he runs off to hide in the silent confines of a shop across the island. ]

[ He sighs, heavy and like he holds the weight of the world as he finally places the offerings on one of the jagged posts of the portal. He lets his fingers graze the portal, easily slipping in before he pulls it away. ]

But it is not about me. Her family holds no honor in my name, no family does and even my own has their wavering pride in me. But it's not about me.

I'm sorry, Empress, for entering as I did. I'll think about what you've said to me, I...hold a heavy respect for you despite my actions. If...you ever call for me for any reason, I'll come. I promise.

[ Minato Hakaru does not lie, it's against his morals, and for once he is sticking to them. ]

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ His shoulders shake as he tries to continue his work, the prayer slipping from his mouth like a plea as if trying to drown out her question. Of course, his mumbling does no good and he let's out a shaky sigh. ]

I...I can go through but I only know this by sticking my hand, my limbs through the portals.

[ He gulps. ]

I do not wish to go back. I don't know if I'd be able to find my way out again.

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

It's his enthusiasm that is the issue...

[ He murmurs his reply as he dutifully bows to her approval of his request. Crouching down to grab the ofuda, a slip of paper inked with a wish and paint made from the wisteria of the forest. Minato ties it to the beads, wooden and dipped with a jade green stain. ]

[ He presses the ofuda and beads between his fingers and opens his mouth to begin his prayer when Mizuki's words stop him in his tracks, every part of his body going rigid and hackles raising. His teeth grind together as he answers. ]

I told you, I understand Jade's plight.

[ It's the best he can manage, eyes frozen ahead of him to the shrine stone as if her very question froze him to his core. ]

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ He can't held the downturn of his lip when she presses the subject, petulant but ultimately a sheep to his ideals and that includes a deep respect for the woman in front of him. He sighs heavily. ]

I am no friend of his, never have been. I was a friend of Jade's for a short time but that's all. I...understand the plight she's in right now and simply wanted to leave a set of prayer beads and an ofuda for him if it was true that he was here.

I do not want it to spread that I'm around is all. I guess...I worried he'd run his mouth.

[ Okay, terrible way to word that Minato. ]

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ Minutely his shoulders relax when her blade is removed from the equation but he's still tense. He's a fool in many aspects but knowing whether or not he's in danger is not one of those aspects. Though his even expression twitches when he flinches just so at her own truths, that he very much ruined her thoughts on him from the get-go. Ouch. ]

Of course, Empress Mizuki. I will keep that in mind if a next time is in the future.

[ He says nothing about how he knew the waters were watching him, instead he finds himself fidgeting with the silk of his belt and the many strings tied to it. ]

Like I've said, I do not like to be seen. And, I knew Kendo and his sister when we were children. That's why I wanted to see if he was here, that's all.

[ It's technically not a lie if you just avoid the question, right? ]

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ He's not one for listening to authority but it's clear he sees Mizuki differently when he smoothly turns and looks at her, eyes dull but not concealed in a fake expression. ]

I'm Minato Hakaru. I...did not want to be seen, I didn't mean any harm. I apologize greatly.

[ He bows, proper and prim. Demure, even. ]

I have no business with Kendo, I simply heard something and wanted to confirm it for myself. I...would prefer if he didn't know I was here at all.

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

[ He inhales sharply, the mere presence of the blade close enough to make him aware of what it is. Minato slowly reaches a hand up to grab the sticks from his mouth and he drops them and his bag. ]

Forgive me, Empress Mizuki, I didn't mean to harm that guard. It was an accident.

[ Beads clink together just so in his other hand and he doesn't once spare her a glance, not out of disrespect but because he hadn't been told he could look at her. ]

I wished to pay my respects to the Lake and, I was told Kendo was here. I had wanted to see for myself if that was true.

[ Minato held a heavy respect for Lost Lake despite the portal settled in its belly, yet he had no second thoughts as he scaled one of the court walls. Promptly lunging over it he slammed his steel-soled shoes into the back of a guard, knocking them unconscious. ]

Oh, shit.

[ Which, was a complete accident. Quickly situating the guard into an upright position he checked their head before continuing onward, making everything more difficult than it needs to be by slinking his way in through a side window until he felt the squish of moss under his feet and the glow of the shrine stone on his face. ]

[ He'd make proper apologies later for sneaking in and past any guards but he hates being seen by people other than who he wants to see. ]

[ Plus he knew it'd get the water's attention, something he's only slightly smug for as he slings his bag from his shoulder and begins rummaging through it, moving to hold two incense sticks with his teeth. ]

- @minato-fortnite

[The edge of a Typhoon Blade hovers at the side of the intruder's neck before he ever realizes someone else stands behind him.]

State your business quickly, interloper. I do not mind guests, but I do not tolerate those who attack my own.

[The Empress had seen every second of his intrusion, and for once she thanked her recent insomnia.]

[minato-fortnite]

Lord of the Rings

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

Lord of the Rings: Would your muse prefer to literally live on forever, or achieve immortality through the stories their loved ones share after they have gone? What sort of stories do you think your muse’s loved ones would tell about them?

Living on forever is a torment, a punishment, it's worse then hell itself. Immortality is a punishment for greed, obsession. Anyone who wishes for it is damned long before death.

I'm here to do a job and then I die. I don't know if any stories will be told of me. I'd lie and say I don't care but lying isn't something I like to do. Bad karma.

[minato-fortnite]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Has your muse ever faced any kind of discrimination or oppression for an aspect of themselves that they cannot change? How has this experience shaped their attitude toward that aspect of themselves? Have they ever perpetuated any kind of discrimination or oppression against others, whether unintentionally or deliberately?

Aside from the usual from tourists and people making fun of my choices for my religion uh, I'm not sure. I try not to think about it too hard because then I ruin my mood and that ruins my patrols which then ruin--

Well. Whatever.

If you had to put a word to it I discriminate against vampires and Oni...I suppose.

[minato-fortnite]

Moby Dick

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

Moby Dick: Has your muse ever desired revenge? Has your muse ever taken a quest for vengeance too far? How did it turn out in the end?

I wouldn't call my slaying any sort of revenge or vengeance but I can see why others would.

My only example of real revenge is fairly childish, threw a textbook at the face of one of my classmates and then prayed over his bleeding nose that he'd grow a big enough brain to not harass the girl to his left who clearly was uncomfortable.

Father found it hilarious, mom did not.

[minato-fortnite]

pride and prejudice: has your muse ever allowed their pride to get in their way? have they ever been too proud to accept or pursue something they secretly wanted?

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

...There are a lot of things I don't pursue because of my pride. People I don't pursue because of it. Ironically enough I'm not proud of that particular habit but I find myself repeating it constantly.

It is what it is.

:/

[minato-fortnite]

the brothers karamazov: does your muse hold any religious beliefs? why do they hold these beliefs? have they ever faced a trial or hardship wherein these beliefs were tested?

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

I'm Buddhist, as is my family obviously. My father's a temple priest afterall and I've been raised to become a full priest myself, my faith is absolute.

I...do struggle with my religion at times, Buddhism prides itself on no killing which obviously conflicts with the whole...slaying thing. I suppose I forgive myself by praying after each kill. And that I don't kill humans.

I think I can be forgiven for that but I know Nirvana is not in my future anyways.

I think I can live with that, mostly because I wasn't forced to be a monk. I don't want to shave my head. :/

[minato-fortnite]

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Has your muse ever felt torn between what their society / culture expects from them and their moral values? What did they decide to do about it?

It's...complicated? Society I care little for, it changes so often that trying to understand how to make "it" happy is like rolling a giant rock up a hill only to watch it fall again. My culture is a different story.

I wouldn't say I've ever felt torn about it but my family was petrified when I said I wanted to pick up slaying, said that was no way for me to live and that I wouldn't be able to settle down to take over the temple like that. You get the picture.

That was rough to stand up against but I feel at home with a blade in my hand, stake in the other so, eventually we all got over it. I can do both, I'm sure.

[minato-fortnite]

A Christmas Carol

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

A Christmas Carol: Has your muse ever rejected or pushed away the well-intentioned invitations of another? Why?

Depends on your definition of well-intentioned.

I rejected a lot of girls in school and academy, a few guys. I'm sure that counts as well-intentioned invitations to...date or whatever but I've never been too into it. Not that I could be into it anyways, slaying and all, I hardly spent any time away from the club or the temple during breaks.

I'm sure I've pushed away plenty of people, well-intentioned or otherwise.

[minato-fortnite]

The Little Prince: Describe your muse’s childhood. What did their home look like? What were their parents like? How have they changed as a person in the intervening years?

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

My childhood was nice, no complaints. I'm an only child but I played with the other village kids and some of the kids that would cross through during the tourist seasons. We lived in the temple quarters, safest place to be is right in the place of worship afterall.

My mom's a craftsmen, loves to carve things from anything she can get her hands on. One time she found a boulder she liked and had dad and I haul it all the way back home so she could chisel it. It made for a pretty good garden stool.

Father's a priest with a generational temple, I'm still technically a Junior Priest as I've been training and took the vow at age twelve but I focus on slaying moreso. It's an older part of my family's history, I'm the only one alive who's taken up the blade again.

I'd like to say I haven't changed much since then and now but, at the least I don't think I've gotten any less determined in my goals.

[minato-fortnite]

The Catcher in the Rye: Has your muse ever misjudged someone? Did they ever realize they had done so? What did they do to make amends?

"Mastery of the blade includes mastery of the mind." [ Accepting! ]

I've been told I can be...judgy. I don't really agree but I can't deny that much when it's been told to me enough times to get the point. So, I guess I've misjudged plenty of people but I don't exactly bother to make any amends if proven otherwise. Seems a bit...moot.

My only real amendment made was towards Helsie when I first met her. I didn't believe she could even hold a training sword and was swiftly proven wrong with an axe splitting our club table in half.

That was a "fun" deduction to my allowance but I did spend what I had left of it buying her something from this shop she liked as an apology. So.

I guess that counts?