awashlogs | Event Ten.

[ Here's hoping that their color coordination doesn't have others mistaking them as residents of this somewhat colorless town. Especially since neither of them know much about this place

If Nico seems nervous to have this man behind him, it doesn't show. He just traipses close enough to be able to read the signs. Which aren't really signs but just pieces of paper stuck to the wooden board. A bulletin board.

While there's plenty of stuff on the board, it doesn't really tell them a whole lot of information. The map at least gives them a name to the town... which Nico has never heard of before. ]

The real question here is are they native to this town or are they others like us?

[Carefully, Sasuke gives a studious squint at the sheet of paper with the people and the list of abilities on it. None of the names are anyone he recognizes. No Naruto, none of their children, no Sakura, Hinata, Konohamaru, Gaara, anyone.]

Stay here. I'll be right back.

[The cloak flares gently as he turns, but his feet don't even lift off the ground before he suddenly vanishes. It's not teleportation, only an immense showcase of speed. The image of him blurs, and then he's gone.

If Nico looks, he can be spotted when he pauses before a nearby building only to vanish between there and the rooftops. Then he disappears once more.

He's missing for ten minutes at most before, surprisingly, returning to the board to see if Nico had hung around. Coming back has less unintentional flare: he jumps down from one of the roofs and walks the rest of the way to the center at a steady, sure gait. He doesn't seem roughed up--that's good.]

[ There aren't any names Nico recognizes either but it doesn't mean someone isn't there. Demigods don't exactly go around advertising their abilities even if it looks like a lot of others are doing it. Though he's sure that if Will was here, he would absolutely have his healing ability listed. ]

Hm.

[ It's about the only response Sasuke gets before the man is suddenly just gone. He catches sight of the other briefly before the other is gone entirely.

While he doesn't idly hang around the board the entire ten minutes, Nico doesn't wander very far. He goes back to the well to make sure no one else needs help out and also roaming the surrounding area in hopes of getting a feel for the place.

In the time Sasuke is away, Nico can't sense anything. No restless spirits or bodies in the vicinity - which could be both good or bad. Certainly he won't be getting any answers from the dead around here.

Then when the man starts heading back, he returns to the sign. ]

You look intact, though that could mean either you didn't get attacked or you're just good enough to avoid getting hit.

[They meet in the middle by the board, ending how they began. Sasuke nods quickly and gently in greeting.]

A ninja is never seen. [There's no smile on his face, but there's a bit of humor in his voice.] The rest of the people here are like us, from what I can tell.

I haven't seen anyone I recognize. The few people I saw resembled us. The well could possibly be a dimensional technique... but it would require a great deal of power to transfer so many.

[ While he hadn't been entirely sure that Sasuke would be back, it's nice to see that he did exactly that he said he would. ]

Huh, I should've trained to be a ninja instead. [ Instead of what, Nico doesn't elaborate. ] Don't know if I should be glad that we're not alone here.

Even if they resemble us, they could still be natives. [ Since Sasuke didn't see anyone familiar and neither has Nico, it's hard to tell. He turns to look back at the well with a thoughtful expession. ] I know a few beings powerful enough to pull it off but somehow I doubt it was them. They usually give us some vague prophecy we're supposed to fulfill before sending us out to potentially die.

I doubt they're natives. There's color, unlike the rest of this place.

[To which Sasuke raises his visible eye and peers out across the circle of the center of town. Splotches of color dotted the areas he searched briefly. He can't exactly tell if the color is returning or leaving, but based on the size of the monochrome, he's going to guess it must be returning.

His gaze falls back to Nico at the mention of beings with such strength. Hm.]

"Prophecy"? You work for these beings?

[ For a moment there's just silence and staring... then Nico looks over Sasuke before glancing down at himself. Yeaaah, that doesn't help much. ]

So basically if anyone's going to get mistaken for colorless natives, it's us?

[ The humor is so dry that it's practically brittle, but it's there in the faint upward curve of his lips. ] I guess this is what I get for turning down the bright orange t-shirts that were being handed out back home.

[ This time the sarcasm is more tangible, because there absolutely was orange t-shirts and Nico was not about to start going around wearing them. Way too bright for his tastes.

A heavy, somewhat weary sigh. ]

When the options are to work for them or stand back and let the world end, yeah I choose to align myself with the powerful beings who gives us cryptic messages to work with. [ Nico looks away from Sasuke. ] Doesn't help that my dad is one of those beings.

[Very slowly and deliberately, Sasuke looks down at himself. What? Hm. Is it really so bad he prefers a lot of black and grey or white and very muted purples? Let him live his best goth dad life, Nico. Damn.

The corners of his lips twitch, but he doesn’t smile exactly when he glances back up. The humor dies away after a moment, and he instead frowns gently at Nico’s explanation.]

It must be hard. [He sounds sincere rather than patronizing.] Is he a shadow being? Your abilities utilized shadows like a clan I know from home. They aren’t powerful beings, though. Just ninja.

[ Look, Nico can't exactly judge Sasuke's wardrobe choices considering he has even less color... no muted purple for this kid. He'd try to go the rest of his life without wearing a bunch of color if possible.

When he shrugs, it's clear there's a tension in his shoulders that states it isn't as easy as he might make it sound. A tightness in his jaw as he thinks of the past fights they've been in and the people they've lost. Nico has seen three wars in his fifteen years - perhaps not all exactly on a grand world-wide scale and come out the other side alive. ]

We get by. [ Brief thoughtful silence as he debates how much he wants to tell Sasuke. Obviously the man is not an ordinary human... or even an average ninja. Perhaps more like one out of a comic book or fairytale. ] He's not a shadow being -- more like a god. A few thousand years ago he became the god of the Underworld... the afterlife.

[ Not everyone would recognize the term Underworld. ] My shadow abilities are just part of a larger skill set.

[If this news surprises Sasuke in any way, he makes no indication of it. He doesn't appear to be shocked or bewildered--he must be use to gods, or either things resembling gods, beings with a lot of power and prestige.

And maybe even kids with a large skill set.] I see.

I don't know you, and I'm not familiar with your world. Our afterlife is called the Pure Land. With that in mind, I'm not sure why I would be here if it was your gods tampering with your life and duty.

What was the last thing you were doing before coming here?

[ The lack of reaction from Sasuke is either because he's not thrown off by what Nico just said - that maybe he's used to pretty powerful beings or just trained to not react. Hard to say considering he knows the man is a ninja.

He also doesn't ask about other aspects of Nico's abilities. ]

Something tells me this isn't the work of one of my gods, they don't tend to involve mortals in their problems. Not to this extent anyway.

[ Normally the gods just get their kids to do the dirty work for them. ]

I was at camp, waiting to hear about the team that got sent out to deal with the problem we were having and cleaning up after the last disaster that dropped into our laps. Normal stuff.

[His and Nico's last standing don't appear to have any correlation as far as he can tell. He's not sure if this is good or bad.]

It seems we should focus less on how we got here and more on how to leave even if they may turn out to be the same both ways.

[It'll save them the trouble of sitting around postulating, he thinks. His dark eye settles on Nico momentarily.] You were exploring. Did you find anything? [The town seems rather devoid of much except what it seems others have gathered or built.]

[ Nico doesn't ask the last thing Sasuke was doing because it probably isn't why they were brought here. ]

We should also focus on surviving in this place until we do find out how to leave. Who knows what dangers might be around.

[ It won't do either of them any good if they die before finding a way home. ] Does a feeling to go that way count as finding something? [ Nico motions to where there's a series of red (and gray) brick houses away from the water. ]

[Sasuke seems surprised by Nico's declaration, but pleasantly so. When he left to search, he felt it too, stronger. Going over the roof of the buildings, it swelled inside of him, called him. He hadn't ever felt much like it, honestly, and it was both strange and worrying.

But hearing Nico claim the same... Maybe it's something affecting all of them.

Lifting his head, Sasuke follows Nico's indication toward the houses. The string piercing him through the center isn't tugged in that direction.] It does. [He looks at Nico again.]

If you want to explore, I'll go with you. I feel it, too, but not in that direction.

[ Honestly, Nico is just hoping that following this urge doesn't land him in the middle of some sort of dangerous situation. Already things here are weird and put him on edge. Only the knowledge that Sasuke had been in the well too is enough for him to not be completely wary of the man.

As much as he likes to claim that he can look after himself even if someone or something did attack, he's reluctant to go into what's clearly the town alone.

Going together would be smarter even if he has no idea what sort of skills this man has... or even what the man's name is yet. Nico could shadow-travel away from danger but won't be in any shape to protect himself after making a second jump in a single day. ]

We should stick together until we know the town's relatively safe. Or that the feeling isn't leading us into a trap. [ Maybe the feeling is trying to separate them and honestly, Nico dislikes just going along with that very thought. ]

[It's funny, Nico reminds him a lot of himself when he was the same age. The corners of his lips just barely rise.] No rushing off into danger with nothing but your fists and your determination?

No trusting the feeling of a mysterious town because it may be leading you to answers or riches? [A little teasing is all.] Not bad. [Sasuke's right arm breeches the cloak and motions in the direction Nico indicated, as if to say for Nico to lead the way.]

I'll be right behind you.

[ Clearly Sasuke knows someone who would do those exact things and so does Nico. Quite a few someones, actually. He looks at the man with a curious look before raising his shoulders in a casual shrug. ] My dad may be the god of the Underworld but I'm not eager to become a permanent resident there yet.

If you're looking for one those idiot heroes who rush into potential danger with no plan, I'll introduce you to some of my friends if they ever show up. [ While Nico has done stupid dangerous things, he does try to be more careful than others. Fortunately this is one of the situations where he can avoid risking his life. But with the knowledge that the man is coming along, the demigod turns towards the Ruga district and starts heading in. ]

I suppose we should do the social thing and introduce ourselves. [ There's voice urging him to be polite and it sounds an awful lot like Will. ] My name is Nico di Angelo.

You don't have to introduce me. [Nico goes, and Sasuke falls in behind to follow along, pace steady and easy.] I know a bunch of heroic morons, but one of them, by far, is enough to make a hundred put together.

[His eye settles on Nico carefully, gaze considering and clinical. Studying. Nico isn't an average teenager. Sasuke could already tell solely from the energy. Different. Pieces of it... ancient. But being the son of a god?

Definitely not average.] Sasuke Uchiha. [The way Nico sets it up--familiar. He knows what it's like to be shit at pleasantries, and he doesn't suffer Nico for it.]

[ If Nico seems worried to have Sasuke at his back, it doesn't show in his body language. Instead he focuses on the conversation and following the feeling that's leading him further away from the well. ] Babysitting them must be a full-time job at times.

[ As they walk and Nico is eyed from behind, his own gaze is moving around their surroundings. Making sure that nothing darts out in front of them maybe or perhaps searching for something else entirely. He can't sense anything out of ordinary about this particular place; no overwhelming amounts of restless dead to indicate that there was a war here. Not unusual for the middle of a town. ]

Nice to meet you, I guess. Not sure if creepy, colorless town is supposed to count as a good meeting situation but it could be worse.

Mm. [Maybe he actually has two. Boruto's not much better in the rush-in-without-thinking department. The apple never falls far from the tree, does it? Sasuke isn't sure whether dutiful teaching will ever trump hard genetics.

Boruto should have a little tact by the end, however. Hopefully.] I think we have a long road ahead of us, not to discourage you. [His eye finally leaves Nico, and he also scans the area as they walk. The only difference is he activates the sharingan, using both it and the rinnegan to see what's visible.

Illusions, traps, unnatural chakra. Everything is--normal? If this place could be called normal at all.]

Do you sense anything?

[ If anyone is the sort to rush in, it would be both Percy and Jason. Luckily they also have girlfriends who attempt to slow them down and make them think it through. So far they've managed to survive even if only by the skin of their teeth at times.

A thoughtful hum. ] Story of my life, honestly. Even if the road isn't long, it tends to be filled with things wanting to kill us. [ True enough for any demigod. As long as Nico makes it back in time to help out with whatever world-ending events are happening, he won't complain too much.

Their wandering leads them to a brick structure that's actually colored and Nico stops outside of it. Stares up at the building with intense scrutiny. ]

It seems like my trail ends here. [ There's no one in it currently though it is occupied by one individual. ]

I'm of the opinion being hunted to the death is a right of passage.

[A--joke, he's sorry. His jokes are very dry and shitty. Rest in peace, Nico. He had a long childhood of running from danger, running into danger, and fighting to the death.

The last true battle he had as a teenager was to the death.

Briefly, Sasuke lifts his head as they stop in front of the house, surveying what he can of the outside. Colored. Interesting. It seems more inviting than the others, the colorless ones. But he isn't going to take any chances.

Without waiting or announcing, he steps to the side and around Nico, moving ahead. The right side of the cloak lifts, peels back over his shoulder and out of the way. He shifts the sheathe behind him and pulls the sword up out of it underhanded, motion fluid and swift. The handle spits blue electricity, and the sound of it is like the muffled cry of birds.

The electricity bounces up his arm and around his shoulder, then down again. Rather than use the other arm to open the door, he uses his open-toed boot. Weird, until it's apparent there is no other arm at all. He doesn't hesitate, but goes inside, sparking.]

Someone should have put an expiration date on how long a right of passage lasts.

[ It's okay, Nico kind of finds it funny. And absolutely true. Most demigods face many horrors before reaching the safety of camp and not even camp is all that safe. Even their "games" tend to be pretty deadly.

Throw in some quests and it's a little surprising there are any demigods at all.

They both take the place in and while red would not Nico's choice of color in a house, it is better than the colorless ones. Even for a son of Hades, they're a bit creepy. Almost abandoned looking.

Then Sasuke is moving around him towards the door of the building, pulling out a sword as if expecting someone to pop out with a weapon at them. Nico's own hand moves to his sword but he doesn't get the opportunity to draw it because Sasuke's got some weird thing going on.

It looks like lightning... or at least a small version of it and he's briefly reminded of his friend Jason. Or Zeus but that's a less pleasant thought. Surely this guy isn't a god in disguise, right?

As much as Nico wants to follow the man into the building, he keeps watch on the street instead. Ready to draw his own weapon should trouble erupt. Sasuke may be able to discern that at least one person lives there already but is otherwise vacant. There are two laptops set up though. ]

[Nico isn't told to stay or come. Sasuke allows the boy the freedom to do as wanted. But regardless, he continues on through the house, giving it a good inspection with both his wits and his eyes.

Hm. No one is there. True, it seems as if another occupant stays here--two laptops? They aren't in the same place, or even the same room. And technology? In a place with architecture like this? Weird.] Mm. [Chidori fades, and he returns to the front door at a telling, easy gait.

In one motion, he slides the sword back into the sheathe, and it clicks as he steps outside.] It's clear.

Someone else lives here, I believe. How do you feel? Now that you've found it.

[ If this is a trap for Nico alone, it wouldn't help if they both crowded into the building. At least this way one of them will escape it and have the possibility of helping the other out.

So Nico waits for something to happen and idly hopes that the thing that does happen is Sasuke reappears without encountering any danger. He'd feel bad if the man got hurt on his account but it seems the ninja is capable of taking care of himself from what little Nico has seen already.

When Sasuke does come back, his hand falls away from his own sword and while he's glad to be given the "all clear" does frown at the knowledge of someone else living there. Part of him hopes it's Hazel and this is some kind of makeshift building for the kids of Hades but deems that unlikely.

He focuses on the sensation that had been drawing him here since he stepped out of the well. ] The feeling is gone completely. I suppose whoever brought us here had to find some way to tell us where we're staying for the time being.

[ Is he happy about the prospect of living with a complete stranger? No. But Nico figures it's better than living alone. ]

There's no sign that whoever lives here is going to murder me in my sleep, right? [ That's a joke. Mostly. ]

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