The time is now!

[abileunaspada]

Who: Adela Milani (abileunaspada) & OPEN
When: August 1st
Where: Konohagakure
What: Adela has reached the end date of her leave, and an important decision has come during the time off. Whether it is with a curious friend or with the Hokage himself, Adela is going to announce her plans and take the first true step towards her goals.

It was... Strange. She felt so calm then, more sure of herself than she suspected she ever had in her life. There wasn't anything special about that day, apart from it being ridiculously hot out (though that was normal for Konoha's summers). The exams were done, and although she had heard whispers about tensions rising between the ninja nations, there was something she knew she could do about it. The question was how the Hokage himself would take it.

At some point she stopped to get some iced coffee, sighing at the slightly bitter beverage as she shaded herself from the sun. The meeting with the Hokage wouldn't happen for a little while yet, so she could afford the stop, but... What would everyone think of her new goal? Of the ambition she had given herself to keep going, when she had failed so much before?

No. It was because she had failed so much before that she felt she could do this now. She could at least start, and find her strength her own way. Even so, there were probably a few people she'd have to talk to first - about everything.

Comments

[thebestuchiha]

When she finally came to him, Obito was surprised, but pleased, to see her. He'd thought she might be a bit longer, if he was honest with himself, but it really looked like the break might have done her good. "Adela-san. You're looking better."

[abileunaspada]

"I'm feeling better... Mostly."

It wasn't a lie in the least -- she'd been talking to one of the Yamanaka clan as instructed, and with her messages to her cousin and seeing what life was like around the village from a citizen's point of view more recently, she'd been given a lot of time to think. Through it, it felt like she could finally start... She could start again.

"... Hokage-Sama. I dunno how you're going to take what answers I've come to, but it's only right that you know."

[thebestuchiha]

He waved for her to continue, settling back in his chair and looking at her with interest. So far, this wasn't seeming all that ominous, so he could afford to relax. Even if he was prepared for some bad news.

[abileunaspada]

"... I've decided to try to become Hokage -- your successor."

She swallowed thickly after speaking, clenching her pant legs in her hands as she looked him straight in the eye. She'd watch carefully for Obito's reaction, nervous about what his reaction would be. Would he take it poorly, like she was trying to steal his position or power? Who knew with Obito, but she had to make her feelings know.

[thebestuchiha]

He blinked a few times, then leaned forward, planting his elbows on his desk as he met her gaze and evaluated her. "You mean that? Like, from the bottom of your heart, no hesitation mean that?"

[abileunaspada]

"I mean it. It feels like that's the path I need to take, for my own sake and for the sake of the village and its people - its ninja."

Adela steeled her gaze then, calmly looking him over as she waited for him to answer her further.

[thebestuchiha]

"And what about the civilians?" He tilted his head and held her gaze, not looking away. It seemed that she had his attention, though there wasn't any tell on his opinion about it yet.

[abileunaspada]

The question startled her and she blinked, speaking entirely without thought as an answer, "Of course they're important too. They're a vital part of the economy and deserve our protection as much as anyone else in the village, if not more because they can't fight at the same level of combat as ninja can."

[thebestuchiha]

"And exactly what is a Hokage in your opinion?"

[gentledheart]

Now released from the hospital Hinata had settled nicely on a bench near the market. She may be healed, but there was still some limitations on what she could and couldn't do, and strenuous activity or long periods standing were two things on that list.

Still Hinata was happy just to be out in the fresh air where the sunshine could reach her. People watching was an entirely acceptable activity for her today, which is how she ended up with her gaze on Adela. She waved at the girl awkwardly. It's been a while since they last spoke to one another, maybe now would be a good time to make another overture for friendship?

"Hello Milani-san." She called when Adela was within earshot of her.

[abileunaspada]

"Hyuuga-San," Although it was nearing hesitant, Adela did respond to the other girl with a nod as she made herself more comfortable in the seat. What was Hinata doing there? She didn't know, but it felt a little awkward. But... Why did she even care anymore? It wasn't like Senpai felt that way about her, so who cared if he liked Hinata or not?

She glanced down at her coffee after a beat, absently letting her mind wander back to the meeting with the Hokage she had in a bit. Just how would everyone react to it...

[gentledheart]

Oh. Her smile falters, perhaps it wasn't the right time to reach out again after all. She might not understand why, but it was clear that she felt at least a little awkward to be around her.

"Milani-san are you feeling alright?" She asks after the silence stretches out a while too long for it to be considered comfortable by anyone watching.

[abileunaspada]

"Just... A lot's been going on, and there's a lot on my mind," She shook her head at that, still looking down at her drink with consideration.

"... Sorry. Guess you and him'll be really happy together, won't you? Don't lemme stop you."

[gentledheart]

"I don't understand." Leaning forward she tries to catch Adela's gaze. Her brows furrowed quizzically. Who is she supposed to be dating now?

"I'm very much not dating anyone currently."

[abileunaspada]

"... I've heard stuff about you and Senpai," She blinked hard at Hinata, confused at the statement. Just what was Hinata saying, then? That they weren't...?

[gentledheart]

She blinks and pulls back, wincing slightly at how it sent a jolt of pain through her abdomen. They really need to do something about those rumors. "Sasuke and I aren't involved." She says it firmly, giving Adela a sympathetic look as a thought crosses her mind.

"We're really more like siblings to each other." Hopefully that will help explain away a decent chunk of their behavior.

[abileunaspada]

"... Huh. Seems like half the village thinks you're dating," She shrugged, going a little pink as she glanced determinedly at her drink. Okay that topic was getting more than a little embarrassing then, and she'd rather... Drop it.

Besides, that was far from the only thing she had to worry about...

[thelittleprincess]

Ami wasn't one for coffee, but the shop also served iced milk tea, with plenty of sugar. Ami caught sight of Adela as she waited for her own order, but opted to wait for her nice, cold drink before approaching her. She had been training all day, getting a feel for her vastly increased range of weaponry, and had the type of understated, delighted glow about her that those who truly knew her understood was as close to skipping-with-joy as she got.

When she approached Adela, the redhead might notice a certain...expert quality to the various blades holstered around her hips, even if the rest are carefully tucked away in sleeves and folds. They are not just Milan work—they're Sephiroth's work.

"Good afternoon, Senpai," Ami greeted respectfully, sighing in content as she sipped at her beverage.

[abileunaspada]

"Good afternoon, Ami," Adela returned the greeting, blinking at her as she snapped out of her thoughts. Seeing her after such a long time was, comforting. For some reason Ami looked more cheerful, and it was such a stark contrast to how she had seen her on that mission. In spite of herself she smiled a little, letting her shoulders slump and relax as she gestured for the other girl take a seat, "If you have time you can sit with me for a bit, if you want."

Huh, those knives looked really nice... Maybe she should've asked her uncle if he commissioned something for Ami recently. Maybe Ami would let her take a look...

[thelittleprincess]

After a brief moment of consideration, Ami bobbed her head in agreement and set her drink down so that the could heave herself onto the bench. She settled herself and smoothed down her dress, once more hiding a few sheathed blades that had been unsettled before picking her drink back up.

"I want summer to be over," Ami declared, in a good enough mood that a little petulance actually slipped into her voice. Looking at her, it wasn't hard to see why. She was pale, with more hair than some adult kunoichi. Her clothes were at least the right material to keep her cool, but all in all the summer months were no great friend to her.

[abileunaspada]

"I know what you mean. It's hell on my skin, especially when I forget sunscreen. It gets super muggy too," A sigh left her and she shook her head, taking a long sip of her coffee before she looked over at Ami.

"Those're some really nice knives you have, Ami. Did you get them commissioned from the forge recently?" The conversation was casual, and she was looking over them with interest. Huh, maybe her folks helped her with the cost...

[thelittleprincess]

Ami did a strange thing, then. Something that most, if not all of her Academy classmates might have claimed was impossible. Adela, who had seen her weak and bawling as she clutched at her instructor, however, likely found it less surreal.

She beamed.

Well, it wasn't a huge grin, but it was a smile, sweet and bright and altogether prettier than her normal blank glare of careful disinterest. "They were a gift," she said, dropping one hand to trace over the leather holsters her uncle had helped her design for the blades. "From...from a friend. Outside the village." She sighed in a decidedly happy way. "I love them."

[abileunaspada]

"Outside the..."

She paused, blinking hard at the girl and then at the blades. They really had made Ami happy, but from out of the village? But they looked almost like...

She really didn't know how to feel then. Adela was hesitant, the smile having left her face as she thought about it, "... Do you mind if I inspect one, Ami? They look like Uncle's craftsmanship but you said they were from out of the village. I'm curious."

[thelittleprincess]

Ami hesitated, briefly, before pulling one of the smallest ones from her sleeve. It was sized just for her, reaching from the heel of her hand to the tip of her middle finger in length. "...okay," she agreed. "Just..." Just what? Don't break it? That sounded ridiculous even in her head. It was a blade.

"Just for a minute," Ami finished instead. They were all made of the same dark metal, and none of them were wrapped around the hilt. Ami had been torn between two different fabrics; luckily, they were easy to grip even without the extra measure, so she had time to deliberate.

[abileunaspada]

With ginger reverence she took the knife, running her fingers gently along its flats and edges as she felt it - and there it was. A Milani chakra signature, one from... The only work she had ever seen it in was her own blades. But this was better, more refined than that. What in the world...

That was when it came to her. Her entire body stiffened and she stared at it, unsure of how to take her new revelation. That was before she handed it back, hilt first, and breathed out a question, "Did Sephiroth give these to you? Answer me honestly, Ami."