tampered | (no subject)

WINTER GALA IS OPEN ~ !

Seen the sign? It’s everywhere.

And every little corner, and every little street, strident and glistening and snow everywhere. Statue here, statue there – North, South, East, West – they do call it the Square. There’s word they’re war heroes, or troubled hallows, or nothing of the sort. That might be ice they’re sculpted in – or the sliver in some champagne glass, because giants drink too, and the City knows things. The City doesn’t tell.

But the tap those statues once or twice, and tap them strong, and tap them well, and they’ll whisper a secret. The little Elf army scuttling about has seen better days for wear (mostly Thursdays), but they’re only three feet tall, and the silver powder on their cheek’s both rigidly applied, and rented. Kick’em. They’re fluent in seven languages, you know. They have a degree. Naghladi’gjamarai got a Nobel nomination last year; no one knows. The human reporter didn’t look down to his knee when he was interviewing. Humans, so damned righteous.

Like the lights everywhere can never go out.

Like they’re the first ones here, dancing all too merry.

Like it’s their celebration.

Like it’s not all coming out of their City taxes.

Idiots.

[ooc: OK, kids, as per Jesse instructions: please title your comment + replies in such a way that you mention if they're directed at anyone in particular. Free-for-all ball, enjoy ~ ! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Excellent," Niko replied as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "I hope no one will mind that we're fraternizing with the enemy." He didn't so much as glance at the refreshments: too much sugar, not enough celery sticks and tofu. "You're very good. Where did you learn?" What little he'd seen of Kakashi's style during the snowball fight wasn't like that of any martial artist Niko had ever met.

The sugary pastries and cakes at the table weren't given a second glance from either, especially since Kakashi preferred strawberries and miso with eggplant. The ninja tucked his free hand into his pocket much the same way Niko did and right around the same moment, too.

"Well, just like any ninja, I learned from training with others. Especially my father when I was very young. Since I've been doing what I've been trained to do for pretty much my whole life, those skills don't ever get rusty." Though this was true for all of his skills, Kakashi assumed Niko was most interested in the taijutsu area.

Niko raised an eyebrow in curiosity. There wasn't much call for professional ninja in his own world, the little monster-fighting and bodyguard gigs he and his brother lived off of aside. Niko's skills were a conglomeration of whatever training he'd been able to acquire over the years and the desperate need to keep himself and Cal alive when auphe and boggles and trolls were trying to remove their limbs for them.

"So it's something of a family business for you."

"More of a village business. Konoha is a ninja village and aside from the civilians, we're all trained to be Shinobi to protect our homeland. There are different ranks based on skill and the higher your rank, the more dangerous are the missions you're assigned. Is there any particular system where you're from?"

"Numerous systems, but for the most part, people in my area practice martial arts as a form of fitness and recreation. Your level of proficiency has more bearing on your standing in organized competition or competency to instruct others than on your ability in the field." He shrugged. "It might save your life, but the majority of people will never find themselves in an applicable situation."

"Sou ka. It always helps that we don't have firearms in my world. Not that an apt ninja couldn't handle it, but it saves trouble. You come from a dangerous place?" he asked, leaning back against the table.

Niko nodded as he surveyed the crowd. "By some standards. There are creatures there that enjoy live human for supper, others that kill only for the fun of it, and if you live a life free of the supernatural, there are more than enough human threats willing to take advantage of you." He shrugged. "It's New York City. Everyone expects murders and missing persons. It's just that no one expects the culprits to be monsters out of fairytales."

"Ah. I would suggest moving somewhere else but it looks like The City already took care of that for you, ne? I suppose monsters aren't hard to find no matter what world we happen to come from," he said with a weary sigh. "There were some pretty nightmarish creatures from my world too. And unfortunately, some of them are right here in this city.."

He turned to look at Niko. "Saa, what is it you do here?"

"I think there will always be monsters of one sort or another, wherever you go." Niko shook off thoughts of everything he and Cal had already done to avoid monsters, the number of shabby apartments and low wage jobs left behind in haste when the creatures they most worried about had gotten too close. "I've been thinking of starting a small business. There's not much work of the sort I'm used to here, and I don't want to leave my little brother to support both of us."

"Oh? What kind of small business?" Kakashi was curious. It would be nice to have a steady income of his own, but working in shops and being too sedentary did not at all appeal to him, especially if not being on time could get him fired.

"A dojo, after a fashion." Office and shop work weren't really Niko's style, either. He prefered work that challenged him, either mentally or physically, preferably both. "Of course, that requires obtaining an appropriate space and clientele."

Pique of interest. "A dojo, ne? If that's what you decide to do, I could offer my services if you'd like. I've been looking for something to do, myself."

"I'd welcome the help." Niko only had so much to offer as an instructor, after all, and he could only be in one place at a time.

"I'd welcome the income." The ninja laughed quietly. "And the challenge of the job of course. I wouldn't want to be stuck behind some desk or counter all day. I wish you luck on your business, whatever you choose it to be."