teachingpeace | 1 Jutsu: [Action]

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1 Jutsu: [Action]

[When Nagato woke up, he was more than a bit confused, especially with the way sunlight was filtering through the window off to his right and shining down into his face. There were multiple reasons why this was confusing.

First, last he'd checked he'd been outside. Second, he was on something squishy, which indicated a bed or futon, most likely. Third, not even a moment ago he'd been returning to being dead. Somehow, the last seemed to be the most glaring of these points, and he finally cracked open his eyes, squinting against the light before pushing himself to a seated position.

The gesture was more than enough to alert him to the tug of something on his back, and looking over his shoulder to see the bright crimson wings... It almost made him laugh, because Konan was the angel, not him. He was just the idiot who mucked everything up trying to be a god. Something in the universe clearly had a sense of humor.

A look around found him his clothes, which he was admittedly reluctant to pull on given that they'd been what he'd been wearing while revived, but he finally tugged on the dark cloak and got off the bed, peeking around doorways before heading out into the communal hall to make his way outside.

If this was the afterlife, then he intended to explore!]

(OOC: Feel free to catch him anywhere from his room to outside somewhere, he'll be using the stairs in the first apartment building to head out.)

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[She may be telling him he didn't need to apologize... but he knew better. Of the two of them she'd forgiven him so much without him having actually apologized...

He'd make it up to her, somehow. He wouldn't be that oblivious person anymore.]

I woke on this floor too. [He indicated a door nearby, then wrapped that arm back around the bag he was holding.] In that apartment, actually.

[He shifted on his feet, then nodded to her, waiting to see where she indicated as her place of residence... and not even trying to resist the curiosity welling up in him as he leaned up on his toes to see if her wings were visible. What would her real angel wings look like?]

[Konan glances at the door he's indicated, and her eyebrows raise with mild surprise.]

Right next to mine.

[That's unexpectedly fitting. She turns to unlock her door, revealing her wings - white with blue tips. When she opens the door, a small all white cat mews from the opposite side of the room, as if asking where she's been and when it's time for supper.]

[The proximity was a relief. She was closer than he'd thought she'd be, and as he had no intention of keeping her from his space if she ever decided to visit with him, or in any other way be around him this... worked well.

He really had no idea as to the rules of housing here, and he certainly wouldn't have invited himself into her dwelling, close friend or not. Especially when he had no idea what her life had been like here. No, that was something that was up to her, and he wouldn't even bring it up if she didn't first.

In fact, he suspected he would be doing quite a lot of that with her for a little while, given that he really had no idea what to do with himself. He knew he needed to sort that out, and quickly, because he was quickly finding that he didn't like being nervous around her. He hadn't expected to find himself without confidence in her presence after all. That hadn't happened since they were children, and he was floundering at no longer having easy, well settled roles to fall into.

During the entire thought process, his gaze rested on her wings, fitting wings that matched her, in his opinion, and it was the cat that filly pulled him from his over thinking as he turned his attention down to it.]

You have a kitten. What's its name?

[For just a brief moment, Konan is able to show a faint hint of the sense of humour she once had when they were children.

The name had been chosen unironically at the time. She'd been given the kitten when the Malnosso's experimentation sent her home and temporarily brought her here as a child, instead. The kitten had been a gift from Itachi and Law, and she named it after something she considered beautiful and held in high regard.]

Her name is Angel.

[His eyes darted back to her, and he couldn't help the smile that flit over his lips, almost shy and definitely a bit amused.]

It suits. Angels sticking together, right? [It was a murmur, and he looked sideways at her, seeing how she'd feel about the comment. He never once doubted she deserved the title, after all, even now.]

[Konan returns the shyly amused smile. She can't even begin to express how nice it is to be able to make small jokes together like they would when they were younger. She would have stuck by Nagato's side regardless of what timeline he came from, but this is still very pleasant. It's one of those rare things she can actually be grateful to the Malnosso for.]

I thought the expression was that birds of a feather flock together. I didn't know it applied to angels, too.

[She is fond of her little furry pet, though.]

Have you had the chance to read the information in the guide here? If not, I'll explain as much as I possibly can.

No, not yet. I... planned to do so after I found you. I had heard you were here. [And he had his priorities, after all. Here... here there was no pressing 'everyone else' to take care of.

Well, not yet anyway, there was just Konan, and a small handful of people who actually were happy to see him, as well as a few who probably... really weren't. He'd turn over those conversations when he had a moment though. For now, this one deserved all his focus.]

Ah... after figuring out where the clothing place was that is. Since I was already out. [He was still a bit embarrassed by the fact he was wearing something that clearly screamed 'I was dead recently' after all and hadn't actually... intended to have Konan see him dressed this way. Even if she might not recognize it for what it was.]

[She's more focused on having him here than on anything that he's wearing. She already knows what the New Feather clothing looks like, and has been here long enough to know that it's what everyone starts off wearing. Of course, the fact that it's white doesn't help people from worlds where white is associated with death. Especially in cases where they've died and know that they've died in their own worlds. She'd honestly believed at the time that this was the afterlife, but there were people who were alive and well in their own worlds, here.]

We can go together to the shop, if you would like.

[She's not a fashion obsessed person, and she'd even kept the New Feather dress in case she ever needed to pretend she'd just been brought here by the Malnosso.]

I'll just have to put a few things away.

[The perishables, specifically.]

[If it had just been the standard white, that probably would have been better, but the cloak slung around his shoulders was definitely not that of Akatsuki, and that actually bothered him. He almost wished he'd just roamed around in the pants only. Almost.]

I would actually like that very much... I haven't exactly varied my wardrobe in quite some time.

[He's also just... going to watch you put stuff away so he knows where everything goes. For future reference.]

[It's the most blessedly ordinary thing, just going clothing shopping together. And yet, she's grateful for the opportunity all the same.

As Konan puts things away, she wonders what Nagato will think of Art Club. She doesn't doubt that he'll support her interest in it, but she wonders nonetheless. It's been so long since they were able to simply enjoy things, relatively free of danger and obligation to the original Akatsuki's followers.]

The clothing shop has a decent variety, particularly since people from many different worlds are brought here. There is a large handful of Konoha shinobi here, though.

[That's about the best way she can phrase it. It's not a massive group, but there is still a good number of them, and from what she can tell, they're all from points in time that would remember the attack on Konoha.]

I know. I've spoken to a few of them. [He let out a soft breath and shook his head.]

So far the reception hasn't been bad, which surprises me. Though, given I was on good terms with two and had only just met the third, perhaps that's not so shocking?

[An art club? That... would actually be something he'd be curious out, and definitely supportive of. After all, Konan deserved nice things, and had never gotten enough of them.]

I can only guess that two of the three were Naruto and Itachi...who was the third?

[Some of the Konoha shinobi were cool-headed enough to have a civil meeting, especially since Shikamaru had known about her pledging Ame's support to Konoha and made the other Konoha ninjas in Luceti aware that she wasn't an enemy.]

You would be guessing correctly, and the last was named Shikamaru, I'm guessing you've met?

[Don't mind him as he peeks here and there in the room, curious how she'd set it up.]

We have. Shikamaru was the first person from Konoha aside from Itachi to speak to me. Naruto only arrived about two months ago.

[There are a few especially elaborate origami pieces on shelves, and some pressed flowers in picture frames on the wall. Aside from those, a couple of boxes containing a go and a shogi set, and a few tell-tale pet supplies, there's very little indication that anyone actually lives here.

This apartment does not look well lived in, even after ten months. Konan has been prepared to ditch the apartment on short notice since she arrived.]

[He wished he could say that the setup surprised him... but it really didn't. In many ways, it just heightened the sense that Konan shouldn't be here. She should be living her life.

Still, a selfish thought came to him that he was glad she was here anyway, because she was with him, here. As she should be.

He decided not to dwell on that.]

He seemed very tolerant. I take it you've made inroads in the time you've been here?

A little. Shikamaru was the first to approach me and Rock Lee took the phrase "extending the olive branch" literally and gave me an olive branch around the end of December. Most of the others here have avoided me and I've left them alone.

[Then there was Naruto's parents... She's on better terms with Kushina than with Minato. Much like her son, Kushina has tremendous capacity for forgiveness.]

Most of the people I've befriended here are from other worlds.

I... will take that policy to heart as well. I would still like to extend the hand of friendship to those here in any case however. [Because he was an optimist and wanted everyone to not need to avoid each other, sure did.]

I am open to their friendship...but I had no wish to impose.

[It did not go well when she attempted to have a civil conversation with someone who didn't approach her first. There were people who were still extremely wary of her, even with all the time she'd spent not being a threat to anyone.]

Hinata Hyuuga shares my interest in flower pressing, so I'm going to meet with her and with a woman named Saori for an afternoon.

[She might as well tell Nagato about the positive things around here. They've both experienced enough terrible things to last a lifetime.]

This is a peaceful community with plenty of time for hobbies. I joined the Art Club and even taught a seminar on origami there, once.

[He listened intently, not interrupting her, and a smile touched his lips when she mentioned that she was, essentially, making friends who shared her hobbies.

That made him so happy!

...Though... Wasn't Hinata that girl he'd almost killed and hadn't?

....

That could be problematic.

He brushed the thought aside for now though, and instead just inclined his head to Konan.]

I'm glad you can finally share those interests with others.

This place isn't without its flaws, but there are plenty of positive aspects of being here, too.

[Especially now that Nagato is here with her. She's so grateful to have him not only back, but healthy and with his memories in tact.]

I'll have to introduce you to the friends I've met after you have the chance to get settled in. I imagine you'll meet Ikki and Rapunzel soon enough. Ikki is an energetic little girl and Rapunzel is a sweet natured teenager. Both are extremely sociable.

[She has faith that those two will make Nagato welcome. So will...most people not from their world, at least.]

[He immediately smiled at her, inclining his head.]

I'll be more than happy to meet them. Anyone worthy of your friendship has to be special.

[He's thought that way for a very, very long time Konan... he just... usually isn't so vocal about it.

You should encourage his return to being more awkward while he's still trying it more.]

[Things like this are a reminder of just how sweet a person Nagato really is. She knew that, but she's also seen his harsher, uncompromising side and it's such a stark contrast with this side of him. She cares deeply for him regardless of what side he's showing, but she hopes the people here in Luceti will be able to see and appreciate his kind nature, and understand why he's so dar to her heart.]

I've been teaching a few people basic self-defense, too. One of the only downsides to this place is that the Malnosso occasionally draft people for combat and they don't always draft people with actual combat experience or training.

[She won't mention that even children can be drafted just yet. She doesn't want to ruin their happy reunion with too many negative details, but it's important to mention at least this much.]

[The words sobered him, bringing to mind things from when they were young, and he nodded once, suddenly understanding the downside in this place.]

I see.

....

I would be happy to help you with that I think. [It had been too long since he'd actually tried to personally help those around him, and perhaps he should... fix that now that he was seeing the world from a closer perspective.]

It's rewarding to watch their progress, knowing that what I've taught them might help them protect themselves later.

[Even if one hopes for peace, it's important to be prepared for the possibility of war. Much as she wishes everyone could enjoy peaceful lives, she knows there's no guarantee. So there's a small sense of pride in knowing that she's making at least a small difference in enabling people to protect themselves. She wonders if this was what Jiraiya felt when he taught them once upon a time in Ame. It's a mix of nostalgic and depressing to think about, so she doesn't bring it up.]

I'm certain that together, we could think of some very useful training exercises.

[He nodded, looking thoughtful.] And see what personal strengths of your students I had something to help to...

I'm aware my own learning curve was... unusual.

1 Jutsu: [Action]

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