Cosmos Quest (Naruto/Lupin III)

[Aranfan]

[X] "Dad said I can only move on to more advanced seals if I get instruction from a seal master first. Can you write me a note or something?"

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

All good choices. Very pleased with how this turned out, and how we broke Jiraiya's mind.

Honestly, Jiraiya seems like he might be a good fit as a teacher for Ino. In some regards at least. Honestly, mostly in personality. They seem like the type that will get on like a house on fire when Ino hits puberty. Loud, unavoidable, and if left unchecked will leave no survivors.

 

[R.A.G.]

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."

then later:

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

[X] "Dad said I can only move on to more advanced seals if I get instruction from a seal master first. Can you write me a note or something?"

 

[nightblade]

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

 

[Balatro Philologus]

Arg, All the choices look so tempting can't pick so i'm going to try to guess what kind of response they will get so i can contribute
Not a vote{
[] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.
(lets him know she thinks he's cool. leave on a friendly note?)

[] "Dad said I can only move on to more advanced seals if I get instruction from a seal master first. Can you write me a note or something?"
(rush headlong into learning seals, lets him know we have more than passing interest. might get him as a teacher or might get us another lecture)

[] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."
(FURTHER BRAINBREAKAGE, Troll Route? Possibly, depends on how he responds to learning that another 8-7 year old reads his books)
}
These are just guesses so if anybody has a better read on this.

 

[Guile]

>"Congratulations, ko-musume, you won the genetic lottery."
"Well, obviously. How could looking this good be anything but?"

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."
Come on man, just a couple minutes and one signature. You can even decide where to write it~ (I mean, Ami has a couple of different Icha Ichas...)

 

[Selias]

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."

 

[Ardion Prosili]

Oh mah gawd we gotta Pops!

 

[useless101]

[X] "Dad said I can only move on to more advanced seals if I get instruction from a seal master first. Can you write me a note or something?"

A note probably won't help us, but Inoichi's reaction to us bringing him one would be worthwhile. Really though, letting Jiraiya know we're pretty serious about this wouldn't be a bad thing.

Very tempted to drop the Ami bomb on him, but there is trolling, and then there is traumatizing him so badly he starts crying and has trouble writing later. We're scarily intelligent, and he can justify it to himself that we're an exception, but Ami is a relatively normal child who is using his books as the basis of how she looks at the world.

Edit:

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

I totally do want to see Jiraiya again.

 

[Jans]

Very tempted to drop the Ami bomb on him, but there is trolling, and then there is traumatizing him so badly he starts crying and has trouble writing later. We're scarily intelligent, and he can justify it to himself that we're an exception, but Ami is a relatively normal child who is using his books as the basis of how she looks at the world.

Click to shrink...

This actually makes me want to vote Ami more than get the note. xD Can we do both?

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

I really want to drop Ami on him, but if we troll him that badly he'll be jumpy around Ino for the rest of his life. Cause seriously, that's some impressive head-fuckery, siccing Ami on him.

I reeeeeeeally wanna do it.

But ultimately, I think he'd be a good adult(ish) friend for Ino to have, and he comes with a spy network.

 

[Scia]

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."

then later:

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

 

[FurikoMaru]

But ultimately, I think he'd be a good adult(ish) friend for Ino to have, and he comes with a spy network.

Click to shrink...

If you had taken the ring route, you wouldn't have met him until years from now, working for the Konoha spy network. If at all.

 

[Guile]

I admit I don't see the connection between Interpol and Jiraiya peeping.

 

[FurikoMaru]

It's not a connection between them, it's a connection between you finding that ring instead of your mom, and her subsequently actually being in the baths when you get there.

 

[Vindictus]

I admit I don't see the connection between Interpol and Jiraiya peeping.

Click to shrink...

IT'S TOO SUBTLE FOR YOU~

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Actually, I think it'd be better to ask if Ino will see Jiraiya around sometime first, and THEN bring him to Ami. At least then when Jiraiya makes a break for it, we'll have already somewhat nailed him down. And we have better chances of having it both ways before we troll the ever-living fuck outta him.

Again.

 

[Felius]

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

 

[Guile]

It's not a connection between them, it's a connection between you finding that ring instead of your mom, and her subsequently actually being in the baths when you get there.

Click to shrink...

She's not, now?

I thought there was that option to tell Jiraiya mom would end him with her hissatsu momkra technique.

Although if she was in the baths, it would be weird she didn't notice Ino getting Sannin-napped through the hole in the fence.

 

[Jiven]

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."

 

[R.A.G.]

It's not a connection between them, it's a connection between you finding that ring instead of your mom, and her subsequently actually being in the baths when you get there.

Click to shrink...

...We are the cops descendant aren't we. -_-;

 

[FurikoMaru]

She's not, now?

Click to shrink...

Nope. But in character you don't know that because the baths are massive; she could be anywhere.

...We are the cops descendant aren't we. -_-;

Click to shrink...

Better. 8)

 

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Annnnnnd we're descended from the cop via our mother?

Or is out mother from a more crooked side, and therefore would attach greater meaning to the ring?

 

[crazyfoxdemon]

[X] "In my room there's a lovely violet-haired lady who's one of your biggest fans. She'd kill me if I met you and didn't bring you around to say hello."

then later:

[X] "... will I see you around sometime?" He's a dork, but he's kinda fun. And he knows stuff.

[X] "Dad said I can only move on to more advanced seals if I get instruction from a seal master first. Can you write me a note or something?"

Click to shrink...

[X] This

There's no reason we can't do more than one option xD

 

[FurikoMaru]

Annnnnnd we're descended from the cop via our mother?

Or is out mother from a more crooked side, and therefore would attach greater meaning to the ring?

Click to shrink...

Better.

 

[Jans]

Mom IS a cop, and recognizes the Interpol pin.

No, wait. They discussed the Game.

Holy crap is Mom a crook?

 

[FurikoMaru]

... why does her recognizing the ring lead you to suspect she recognized the Interpol pin?

And, well, as to whether she's a crook or not... you do know she's a poison expert, right? That means she's been an accessory to murder countless times.

 

[FurikoMaru]

[X] A Visit From Saint Nicholas

You never noticed before (probably because she only pulls it out for Sasuke) but Ami's little squee of surprised happiness is adorable.

"Tottsan, this is Ami. Ami, as you can see, I got you your birthday present like a year early, so be grateful."

The six-foot mountain bows awkwardly, one hand behind his head. "Um, nice t'meetcha, ojou-chan."

Wow, she's actually speechless. Time to savour the moment, you know this ain't gonna last.

"Ami is a chakra-reinforcement prodigy," you brag. "She can take any crappy school-kunai and make it as sharp and balanced as the Kusanagi."

"I'mverypleasedtomakeyouracquaintanceJiraiya-sama!" Ami finally manages to blurt out, bowing her deepest and most formal. "Um, I, please feel free to make yourself at home! I think I still have some cookies from earlier today let me just get those!"

Jiraiya, meanwhile, decides this is the best time to have a minor breakdown in the corner of woe.

D : "How many little girls have been buying my books all this time?! :'( Oh god, I'm contributing to the lolikon epidemic! I'm a disgrace to respectable perverts everywhere! I am unclean~!" ;_____ ;

"If it makes you feel any better, as far as I know, it's just Ami, and she only used 'em to learn how to read," you say, patting him on the head. Hee. He's fluffy like Tora. :3

"On what planet would that make me feel better?!"

He's quiet for a moment, glancing over at her as she prepares tea. "She an orphan?"

You laugh bleakly. "Don't we all wish. Nah, it's her and her dad."

"Mm. Interesting," he says. "What's his name?"

"Kuwabara Rei," you reply, "why?"

"It's ready!" Ami says, pouring three glasses.

._.; "I can only stay for a minute, to tell the truth-"

^_^ "Speaking of the truth, what d'you want me to tell my Mom when she asks how we met?"

And thus it is that you and Ami end up having a tea party with a Sannin.

You pester him for stories about international diplomacy, and Ami cuts in every now and then to ask questions about Icha Icha's plot, which surprises you, since aside from slap-slap-kiss and the occasional onset of lesbian yearnings you weren't aware that it had a plot.

Jiraiya's... well... actually pretty gallant, all things considered. He pays attention when you guys talk, chews with his mouth closed, even stops you from poking fun at Ami's Sasuke obsession when it comes up, with musings to the effect that the heart wants what it wants. Ami eats that shit up sparklyeyed, of course, but he did manage to express such hackneyed sentiments in a way you hadn't heard before. Maybe he's actually a good writer, in addition to a master porn-peddler.

It's weird how the right circumstances can conspire with or against a person; back in the hot springs he was just some old geek, but stick 'im next to a girly girl who's nadeshiko'ing as hard as she can and he seems sorta cool.

You wonder if that's why traditional ladies like Mom are damn-near universally considered the hottest; there're more lame guys in the world than awesome ones, after all. Not everyone can handle a tsundere or a charismatic lady like yourself. 8)

Eventually, after about an hour, the party breaks up.

"Will I see you around the village any time soon?" you ask. You can't help it; you've never had this much fun talking to an adult before. Plus he actually taught you a C-rank jutsu! Usually responsible authority figures are trying to keep you from learning those.

He shakes his head. "Sorry, ko-musume. Can't play all the time, and work keeps me out of the village two years out of three."

Ami and you both make disappointed noises. After a moment, though, you brighten up. "That's okay, I guess. I can always just go into espionage if I wanna see you again; that'd make you my boss, right?"

He stares at you in silence for a moment, before laughing under his breath. He ruffles your hair, ignoring your squawk of protest. "You're really a scary girl, you know that, kid?"

You just smile innocently.

Ami elbows you in the ribs. Oh, right, Sannin, formality, all that crap. The pair of you bow. "Thank you for gracing us with the pleasure of your company," she murmurs a trifle siffly.

He waves the pair of you off with a cheesy grin. "What're you saying? I'm the one who got to have tea with two pretty girls."

Ami blushes, and clutches her newly-autographed uchiwa in both hands like a talisman; if she squeezes any harder she'll break the handle.

"Travel safe, tottsan," you call with a not-wave, as Jiraiya heads back down the hall.

"Stop callin' me pops, you twisted brat!"

Ami waits until he has rounded the corner, then turns to you. "Ino," she says solemnly, "I have given it some thought, and have decided that in recompense for tonight, when I am Sasuke's wife, you shall have exclusive mistressing rights."

=

Ami and Mom both sleep so late that it's 1 pm before you get to the castle. The three of you have fun looking at the miraculously intact jewellery collection of Eboshi, first and last daimyo of the shortlived Gold Country, late mistress of this fortress.

As always when viewing jewellery under glass, you feel a stab of pity for the gems. They were made what they are to bring joy to a wearer, and now before they've even worn out, here they are, in a box, where they'll never be worn again. It sounds terribly lonely.

And, if a particular blind spot you noticed in the security coverage is now short a pair of emerald earrings, a diamond choker, and a white jade engagement pendant from the Warring Clan era, well... there's a reason it's called a blind spot. ^_^;

The bus ride back to the dropoff point is a little sad, not least because you know you'll have to carry all this stuff back to town on a rented bike once you get there, but you buy some ice cream before boarding and try to make the most of one of the very last days of summer sun.

When you arrive in Konoha, it's almost sundown, and all your muscles ache from the added weight. You almost forget to say goodbye to Ami when she parts ways with you at the turn to her apartment, you're so tired.

The best part of the whole day is when you finally stumble upstairs after dinner, fall into your own bed, and get a good night's sleep.

----------

Projects for the months ahead (pick three and add a memory-palace boost to one):

[X] Refine Shikoku Fuuin! Use it on toast, for god's sake!

[X] Expand your sensing range.

[X] Improve your sewing and mask-making. Hey, if you wanna work in infiltration, you need to be the best.

[X] Practice Art of the Harmonious Spirit with Ami and Menka - let's see how it holds up against chakra-reinforcement.

[X] Tessen.

[X] Learn more about the Takazono.

Outside of training, who do you hang with most?

[X] Shikamaru

[X] Chouji

[X] Menka

[X] Ami

[X] Sasuke

[X] Hinata

[X] Kiba (isn't it sad, Kitchen?)

 

[Jiven]

*laugh*

Ami and Jiraiya are absolutely great, thanks you for this update.

Projects for the months ahead (pick three and add a memory-palace boost to one):
[X] Expand your sensing range.
[X] Improve your sewing and mask-making. Hey, if you wanna work in infiltration, you need to be the best. (<- Boost)
[X] Tessen.

Outside of training, who do you hang with most?
[X] Shikamaru

 

[Felius]

I get the feeling Ami's father is in for a bad time in the near future...

What's Takazono again? And The Art of the Harmonious Spirit?

Tentatively:
[X]Sensing Range
[X] Harmonious Spirit (the name sounds nice. )
[X] Torn between Mask and Tessen.

[X] Menka, he needs to be scratched behind the ears.