[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b]KUROZUMI HAKU[/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]


Moving through the twilight hours, Haku shifted slightly as the clothes he was in, fluttered against the night wind.

Choosing a dress and looking like a traveling woman was questionable for anyone in the Marines but this was not the first time he had done this and nor would it be the last. Besides it was the best way to get people's guard down.

So in he went into the town’s bar, lively and bright, as he straightened his long flowing hair and wrinkle in his clothing.

[color=fff200][i]Oh dear.[/i][/color] Haku got more attention than he expected as nearly everyone stopped what they were doing the moment he entered. 

Taking a few calming and slow steps, he nonetheless continued on and sat on one of the chairs in front of the bar. 

[color=fff200]“One beer please, and a side dish.”[/color] Smiling to one of the barmaids, Haku cordially ordered as he took some time to look around the place.

It was furnished as well as it could, not much patchwork though not of a high quality either. The most sturdy thing here was the bar counter he sat in front, no doubt it was to allow the owner to protect themselves should anything happens.

“I didn’t see you here before, got a name, pretty lady?”

[color=fff200]“Haley, I just got here.”[/color]

“So what's someone like you doing in our village?”

[color=fff200]“Traveling, and delivering supplies to the closest Marine base. I just got off an off day for the job well done.”[/color]

“You’re from the Marines?” The Bartender eyes lit up in recognition, one that Haku spied seemed honest. Still, better to play his cards on the safe side.

[color=fff200]“Non-commissioned, I simply work on the ships delivering the goods. I was recommended to come here in fact, that the food and scenery here is great.”[/color]

“Oh ho, you heard right then! We have the best seafood and beer here! I’ll serve you our special in fact, freshly caught this morning!”

“And here’s your dear, darling.” The barmaid returned and gave a winked, making Haku nodded with his own smile and thanked her as he raised the barrel looking mug to his mouth.

Taking a sip at first, it didn’t seemed poison nor drugged. At least, one he can taste. So down the hatched it went, emptying in one take, letting out a contented sigh and handing it to the barmaid again.[color=fff200] “One more!”[/color]

The beer was decent at least, Cadog might actually enjoy it. Perhaps he can ask for a barrel to be sold to them?

For now, he had a job to do.

—

Hours later, with most patrons getting swept up as other drank deeply, Haku felt a little flush of his face but he got some information at least.

[color=fff200]“-So, there was a storm breaking out of late?”[/color]

“Yes, the weather’s been terrible. Sometimes the storm just hits out of nowhere, and it’s been hitting our village hard.”

[color=fff200]“My condolence, any injured?”[/color]

“Injured, yes, but thankfully, no fatalities.” The barmaid as she cleaned the barrel mugs away. “But we’ve been lacking good catch. You’re lucky since today was a good haul, usually, there’s less.”

[color=fff200][i]That also explains the price.[/i][/color] Haku quietly thought, it wasn’t exactly cheap for that amount given.

[color=fff200]“But it seems everything alright so far? I mean, food aside, the village looks fine.”[/color]

“Mainly because our Mayor has been working hard to get everything running.” The Bartender commented as he wiped a barrel mug clean before giving her a plate of small hardtacks. 

[color=fff200]“Thank you.” [/color]Haku politely said before feigning to miss the biscuit once and then twice, before placing a hand on his head. [color=fff200]“I think I might have taken a bit too much-”[/color]

“Oh, how about you stay the night? We do run an inn business as well.” The barmaid followed up quickly, and Haku agreed to it as he picked a hardtack, broke it into a small piece and munched on it.

[color=fff200]“Sure, lead the way. I’ll pay tomorrow morning.”[/color]

So with that, Haku was led upstairs and into a nice single room. No doubt, used for occasions when there are plenty of tourists.

Haku stumbled a step as the door was opened for him, unsteadily thanking the barmaid and then locking the door before finally landing on the bed.

He remained motionlessly there for a full minute before hearing the light footsteps and creak of the stairs before silence reigned, only then did Haku open his eyes and inspected the room.

The door lock was inside, and a latch rather than a doorknob.

No faint blood scent nor any traces of it at the ceiling.

Nor are there any hidden compartments or entrances.

[color=fff200][i]Just a normal room.[/i][/color] Haku declared as he turned towards the wooden blinds covering the windows and cracked it open slightly. There was still a few patrons, moving in and out but those are far in between. Only the occasional night lamps kept the area lit.

Haku stayed in the room however, he’ll have to move out later on, once he’s sure everyone below had gone to sleep.

Reviewing so far, there didn’t seem to be any lead beyond the weird weather and Mayor.

He was no navigator, so he can’t tell if such weather was just normal or a coincidence. The Mayor able to keep things together was also a suspect, but that could be a red herring.

Think, who stands to benefit the most from the deficient supplies?

Food was one, and so was contraband like smoke, medicine, or alcohol.

Well, he had his work cut out for him as he cracked his fingers together. He’ll have to drop by the other haunts and see what else was missing from the picture.

Thus, with nothing else, he sat crosslegged and meditate. One that was taught to him by his father and mother, to better focused themselves.

—

With night at its apex as all shops finally closed and inhabitants retired for rest. A window opened silently before a shadowy figure crept out of it silently and almost defying gravity, crawled upwards. Leaving not even a creak of sound as they stood at the top of the rooftop.

Haku looked from atop, dressed much differently as he was fully clothed this time, head to toe, with something that look far more casual yet also making his figure much harder to figure out from a glance.

Then to complete it, he wore a white mask to cover his face with a black marking on it.

No one here would recognize it, but even if people did, he would still wear it proudly. 

Pushing that aside, he decided to move around and patrol the area first to familiarize himself. It also doubled to find out if there are any people that snuck around for any underground business.

Jumping and pushing off gently but strong enough to race to another building in a single leap, Haku moved and traversed around quickly.

Come morning, barely anyone noticed the soft thudding throughout the entire village.

—