[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ got a feeling in your stomach.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
etsumi finally stops frowning, surprise fading as he now adjusts to the familiar face before him. he needed to be more wary of his surroundings, plenty of people had told him that, if he wanted to learn how to defend himself.[break][break]
i forgot that someone so loud could also be so quiet, he laughs, shaking his head to help dry his hair. but, gauma was right, at least he hadn’t been under the water - even if sumi felt more comfortable submerged these days. [break][break]
it’s perfect, he agrees, busying himself with stepping into his trousers, i don’t think i’ll ever get used to the humidity- how did i not hear you? damn. he can’t have been that far away from him - was he alone? he glances around to check, briefly nervous before telling himself that he was probably just being paranoid. [break][break]
not hiding from anyone or anything …? it was best to double check. now he didn’t want to walk back to the village alone.
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
etsumi collapses, falling back to land safely on the couch tengfei had already gotten comfortable on - or had he been there watching all this time? he couldn’t tell. couldn’t focus. couldn’t really breathe. he sniffs, the wisps of white cigarette smoke invisible under the stench of what had just occurred. sumi holds up his hands, wet and sticky with blood - still trembling - and tries to swallow as the elder nonchalantly describes how they’d often dispose of remains. instead of taking the offered cigarette he retches. and again. and once more - throat dry and sore - before he frantically wipes his fingers on his stained pants. [break][break]
then he takes it. only because he’s worried he’s disobeyed yet another instruction. listening wasn’t his strong suit, even at the best of the times. [break][break]
baby batter. acid. boats. the words go over his head and he finds himself staring at the sword he must’ve let fall to the floor, now being handed over to her rightful owner by one of the men in charge of clean-up. [break] he answers with a shake of his head, i don’t think i even know how to hold one correctly, but- maybe he would like his own. smaller. hm. without being surrounded by death and decapitated heads the idea of learning how to fight did interest him.[break][break]
it’s the first time i’ve felt strong- are you going to teach me?[break][break]
it didn’t seem right that someone of tengfei’s status - that, alongside the fact he had a lot of other stuff on his plate - would sacrifice precious time to teach a small runaway bukijutsu. he shuffles back, body slumping against the plump leather back of the couch and watches the deranged smile on his boss’ face - the look sending a shiver through his entire body. and yet, etsumi was still here - fascinated.[break][break]
wait, s-so, did you just promote me?[break][break]
the bruising to the side of his face was irrelevant at this point. if he wasn’t so traumatised sumi would’ve probably laughed. [break][break]
please, zǒng, don’t send me out to collect fingers... he whispers, finally twisting to face the other, can i go and wash up? a change of clothes, a bath, a toilet seat to hug-- something to calm his stomach, clear his head. fresh air.
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ got a feeling in your stomach.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
sumi seemed to spend most of his spare time these days lounging by the small lake - whether it was sat on the edge, basking in the last remaining minutes of late summer heat, despite the fog, with his toes dipped in or sat submerged, seeing how long he was able to stay without needing a breath. it still wasn’t particularly long but it still felt like he was getting somewhere. [break][break]
it was hard to train alone for most, etsumi figured, but for him especially, considering he’d never really had any guidance at all - perhaps that’s why he grew attached to others far too quickly. a dangerous vulnerability. [break][break]
he pushes his wet hair back from his face, stubborn blue-green strands still clinging to his pale cheeks, as he steps out of the water and heads back to the boulder he’d laid out his clothes. [break][break] it’s not until his arms are above his head, entangled in the sleeves of his thin, tattered sweater that he hears something - someone. it’s too loud to be a rabbit, the gentle rustle against the untamed bushes surely the outcome of someone entering the small clearing. [break][break]
h-hey, if this is some ruse to push me back in again, don’t even think about it- it’s not funny! he’s bold to assume it’s someone he knows, possibly one of the others had followed him here to make sure he was staying on task (not that he was currently assigned with a specific task). [break][break]
he struggles - a laugh for the other, most probably - to get his arms through and finally, when his head is free and he can finally see, he frowns.[break] [break] what do you want? you scared me!
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
etsumi stands in disbelief, the remaining colour left in his face now drained white - beneath the fresh blood splatters that had painted his pale forehead, of course - as tengfei swiftly, and with an uncomfortable ease, pulls the sword out from the stranger's neck. way to make him suffer more, dumbass, he thought grimly, now surprisingly guilty that he hadn’t been able to showcase any manner of grace.[break] [break]
he finally takes a step backwards as he watches fei finish the task he’d been unable to complete, a shaky hand pushing blood soaked hair away from his face so his vision wasn’t obscured. as tengfei talks, bargains- teases the last man standing he shuffles further away, eyes trained on the back of his palms (as if it’d stop them trembling) instead of the exchange happening in front. it wasn’t his job to pry. he just did as he was told - or … tried to at the best of times. [break][break]
the sword still feels foreign as it’s pressed roughly into his small hands again but he nods, taking a long, deep breath before looking up. can’t help but get distracted by the large men wheeling two human carcasses out of the room - they made it look effortless, almost, like they were bag of potatoes about to be served for lunch. [break][break]
pierce not shove- no, shove is to pierce- what?[break][break]
etsumi couldn’t risk panicking again. another, less shaky this time, deep breath and he regains his position - this time in front of another unknown man. having no idea who they were made this all better - weirdly. or the fact that the guy, who’d previously kicked him in the groin, had accepted his unfortunate fate. [break][break] the weapon still feels heavy but sumi perseveres, the sharp end of the blade now millimetres away from the mans larynx - did he need to go lower? he glances at the door, at tengfei, for clearer instructions, piercing the skin with the tip effortlessly, only pushing deeper after clearly reading the look in the boss's fierce eyes. another life lost - sumi stumbles - why did it feel like he was going to faint? [break][break] dramatic. [break][break] was this … training? or punishment.[break] it felt like it.[break][break]
c-can- w-where are they taking them? what about me?
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
the instant he’s pulled to his feet he feels it - the fear he’d brushed off as irrelevant. not his. didn’t involve him- well, it had involved him and now it definitely did. etsumi swallows dryly, unsure or unable to find the correct way to respond. hands felt sweaty as tengfei forcefully places the sword - heavier than he’d imagined, weak arms wavering as he tried to steady his stance. [break][break]
days of hiding in the background, relying on his wit or others to get him out of tricky situations suddenly felt behind him. and he hadn’t even had a choice. [break][break] if he wanted to survive.[break][break]
tightens his grip around the weapons handle - not because he knows what he’s doing, because if he didn’t he would most likely lose the little composure he had left. or drop it. large doe eyes look even larger now, pupils dilated from fright, memories of the first few meetings with vajrakīlaya members clouding his mind - judgement skewed. [break][break] everything felt eerily quiet - the only sounds the desperate cries for life, sobs of pain, etsumi’s trembling, drops of- blood? a brief thought of how possible it would be to manipulate the sticky liquid coating the walls made himself frown, disturbed but intrigued. blood is thicker than water, they say, but how much so? [break][break]
he’s stalling. risking a long towards tengfei - knowing then he had no time left to hesitate. or ask questions. sumi turns to face the injured young man, crumpled on the floor already, and takes four brisk paces forward, sweaty hands clenching the hilt tightly. it takes all of his energy to lift the thing alone, unaware he screams too as he plunge it forwards into the side of the strangers neck with as much force as he could summon - letting go within seconds, leaving it half wedged - clumsy, unskilled.
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
one word, one blink and etsumi could feel the fear. didn’t consume him this time - he’d learnt by now when he needed to be afraid or not, showed some control when it led to controlling his emotions around certain others. he wasn’t in trouble this time and despite wide eyes and a brief pang of shock he felt … mildly indifferent to the blood that’d most likely stain the floor. what a shame. [break][break]
sumi blinks again, daring himself to keep looking ahead and not shy away from the violence he’d grown accustomed to. he’d used to think that everyone deserved compassion but as he watched the last beg for his life, desperately apologising, scrambling, wailing whilst the blood soaked his hair, his skin- well, it made him feel a little sick. and it wasn’t the stench. [break][break]
he flicks the coin again, hesitant for just one second this time holding it out for tengfei to see - heads.
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
”where's your proof!" pft. yeah, because he’d willingly punch himself in the face just to see them punished. [break] [break]
looking back maybe sumi had only encouraged the group - muttered remarks, sharp responses, cocksure smirks - wasn’t about to stand back and take a hit to his pretty, little face without a single word. hadn’t started it though, merely ushered into a dimly lit room that’d already felt tense. maybe the timing was wrong, stumbling into an already mess of communication with even more instructions. he huffs quietly again - grateful there’d been no weapons involved. yet. [break][break]
now he stays quiet, the brief brush against his messed up hair cooling his boiling anger in one quick tap. and then sumi’s back to nursing his face, index finger circling over where he knew - for the time being only - would mark whilst he flits focus from tengfei to eisen. eisen to tengfei. [break]
sumi scrambles in his pocket for loose change, twirling the old coin found in his fingers a few times before slapping it up into the air, catching it on his palm clumsily - hm, so what does heads mean?
[attr="class","bolo-grid-subtitle]― ❝ before you know it, it's done.
[attr="class","bolo-body]
etsumi’s anger often flew under the radar - he was very good at disguising his distaste for the world. for the most part his boyish intensity and impetuous comments were quenched by his boyish charm and softer exterior - his wavering lack of confidence also helping too - but when it came to it, he could hold his own. or at least try.[break][break]
currently he’s sat like a petulant child, legs crossed and brow furrowed as he nursed the side of his face - wasn’t going to admit it stung like a bitch or the fact he felt disgustingly embarrassed to have let himself get pinned against a wall before he’d even had the chance to deliver on the one thing he’d been sent out for.[break][break]
and he had blood under his nails now, ew. atleast, with yukio’s skill, his jaw wouldn’t be left bruised.[break][break]
sumi sighs dramatically, angry eyes staring straight back at the tallest of the three men before them, then leisurely lifts a finger to point - i wanted to break his nose.
however powerful you feel your ninjutsu is, it’s meek compared to most. apprentice or not. perhaps it’s because you compare yourself to others too freely - forgetting you excel in your own way and do not have to mimic those who tutored- tutor you. [break][break]
you can produce small, yet effective, droplets of water - leaving your fingertips like you’re a tap itself - currently it’s hard to upkeep for long periods of time and you still need to be closeby to a water source - or another (shinobi) that’s stronger. forming bubbles, perfectly spherical and sometimes resembling what could possible be … jellyfish? no? - harmless, unfortunately - is something you’ve recently learned. a party trick at best - one you hope to find intent for with more guidance. [break][break]
the ability to control and manipulate your elemental chakra isn’t an easy task and yet in some cases you excel effortlessly. your technique needs work - and you practice. consistently. constantly. leaning on others when you need it most is what helps - keenly appreciating those around you that can utilise multiple elemental types. one day, perhaps, you’ll be able to do the same. if it’s not too late.
medical ninjutsu ▬ (rookie)
with the combination of your ninjutsu skills you’ve begun to show promising signs in the medical (healing) field. your techniques lack polish - and efficient training, of course - but the potential is there and with the right guidance from the talented shinobi around you, it’s blossoming slowly. you’re able to quickly analyse when a wound needs assistance - not yet skilled enough to treat everything but your knowledge is helpful and you learn best from watching and quietly assisting those who are superior. [break][break]
recently you’ve been attempting to incorporate your elemental prowess (however limited it may be at the moment) with what you know - forming small, gentle droplets - if close to a river or anything of the sort - to help coat infected cuts as a protective barrier (“tadpole band-aids”), disinfect and sterilize wounds and cool or neutralise minor burns.
hopefully with the help of those around you your knowledge will continue to expand. [break][break]
there’s just so much to learn.
underwater adaptation
maybe you were born with it.[break] maybe it came from the years you forget as a child.[break][break] now it’s seen more as a gift. no longer a genetic malfunction - something useful. one day perhaps powerful. the ability to swim faster than you can walk, sometimes (if you push yourself hard enough) faster than you can run, is a joy only you felt until you met the others. there was no longer reason to hide your natural talent. leisurely fun - being able to out-do fellow children when you were younger and always come out on top - now fuels your competitive side. and the side of you that wants to use it for something bigger. now, years later, having the lake at your fingertips and the comfort of being able to hide, even within deep waters, from anything is something you’ll never take for granted.
[attr="class","ping-jutsu]
「 summary 」
at one with the water. always. [break] it’s where you felt the safest. [break] a warm hug- no, a wet hug. comfort from something when it’s never been from someone.
you grew up different to your family. different, in this instance, meaning normal. trained to be secretive and follow the norm - in a way it’s led to your naivety. but also your unyielded curiosity. [break] abandoned at five years old and left to an elderly couple in the village - friends of your father; an estranged chunin. they never told you how he passed so you assumed the worst, instinct telling you it was under negative circumstances. deliberate. unjust. every time his name was mentioned - hushed whispers after sun down - it felt like he was the bad guy.[break][break]
at worst you were shielded, taught to keep your head low and help out your ‘grandparents’ with all you could - improving your natural talents was forbidden. it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. things were fine. comfortable. you weren't showered with affection but you were taught to be grateful, shown fairness. but you were always itching for more - a chance to explore. [break][break] but then, at fourteen, you were alone. again. the chance to experience life outside of the norm had opened up to you so suddenly. it felt wrong. [break] yet, learning was all you craved. and now there were no limitations. eventually the guilt slipped away, just as easy as you could underwater. [break][break]
the last few years of your life have been the most prominent. important. you've found comfort,companionship, accomplishment in like-minded companions. it's like you're a completely different person.
[attr="class","ping-face"]genshin impact[break]etsumi hayashi looks like venti.
