Altered Tundra

Reaching out to old friends.

Welcome back to the Guild!

Men vs. Women Race to 1000: Version 2.0

-122

Sentaku

Shimo Jiren

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_{“Risks are meant to be taken if one is to achieve their goals in life.”}

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Personal

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_{N A M E}

Shimo, Jiren
"Ren is fine."

_{A G E}

Fourteen

_{C L A N}

Shimo Clain, namesake of Shimogakure, formerly known as “The Village Hidden in Frost”, though now it simply exists as a barren wasteland within the Land of Snow.

_{S E X U A L I T Y}

Heterosexual

_{B L O O D T Y P E}

AB+

Characterization

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_{H E I G H T}

4’5

_{E Y E S}

Sapphire blue

_{H A I R}

Ren’s hair is silver in color and is styled in a wavy, free-falling style. It comes down just a few inches past his ears.

_{H E A D B A N D P L A C E M E N T}

Around the neck.

_{C H A K R A N A T U R E}

Fūton | Wind (Affinity)
Suiton | Water (Not yet unlocked)

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

Dedicated → Hard-working → Supportive → Friendly → Independent → Stubborn → Frequently dismissive → Deceitful → Risk-taker → Selfish → Prone to impulsive tendencies

though he may come off a little strong upon first meeting or even second and third meetings, once the layers are pulled back, Ren will reveal himself to be someone to count on. Not only through his skills but his dedication to the mission. There is and always will be young man willing to go above the call of duty for his teammates and fellow shinobi. Sometimes this will involve him taking some unneccessary risks that could put his squad in danger but if his actions can help further the mission and reduce the risk of lives lost, he firmly believes that justifies his actions.

Though do not be mistaken: he will do things his way if he thinks it is the quickest way to do it and often will fight whomever he has to so that his way is the decided trajectory any plan or mission goes. He also will act first and face punishment later. Maybe it works out in his favor and maybe he’ll die because of it. But what is success without a little risk?

_{P E R S O N A L H I S T O R Y}

Born to the endangered clan of Shimo, Jiren came to be as a refugee from the war that rocked his homeland. They called it the War of Ice, for all those who had any kind of ice-based Kekkei Genkai or advanced chakra nature, whether they were of Yuki or some distant relative, they were brutally hunted and killed for their uniqueness. It was a war that, when compared to the actual great ninja wars of old, it would be considered a petty squabble among bickering clans and not worth the time and effort from the great nations.

And it was this one act of neglect that led to the ruin of the Land of Snow and the near extinction of those who bore the bloodline of the Ice Release.

As time passed and those remaining of the Shimo Clan had to travel far and wide to seek sanctuary within the nations, some split apart from the total number of fifty, while others found comfort in unsettled land. By the time the small group reached the land of fire, only seven of them remained and of those seven, only three made it to Konoha. It was here, though the intervention of the Hokage and under the welcoming nature the village had, these three were allowed entry and the only members of the Shimo clan within Konoha found a peaceful life. Hokori and Oda Shimo fund employment as Shinobi and both climbed up the ladder of ranks, earning jonin ranks. And their only child, Jiren, followed in their footsteps by going to the academy and soon becoming a shinobi himself as he graduated to become a genin at the age of twelve.

During his time in the academy, Ren was what some would call an over-achiever. To his instructors, he had a bit of an axe to grind. This wasn’t necessarily trouble for him or them but when it came to jlectures, it was always as though his head was somewhere else, as though he was focused on just the training and not the lessons being taught. Now, he aced nearly every jutsu exam he was given. It wasn’t prodigy levels of good but he outshined the majority of his class every time.

_{C H A R A C T E R D E V E L O P M E N T}

Ren would be an interesting character for me to develop because of his personality and impulsive nature. He has something about him that strives to be better than he was an hour ago. He wants to get stronger and thinks he’s always right. There’s something fundamentally, not to mention morally gray with him. He’s not bad but I don't think he’s good. He also has a lot of anger within him and as he matures, that’ll only intensify. So I would love to explore that. Toss him into a situation where his pride is tested and patience is also tested. I want to see where he can go and where this initial need to be the best will throw him.

I don’t know if he’ll end up being a villain, a hero with a serious attitude problem, or somewhere in the middle. All I know is I find him to be intriguing because he doesn’t have a straight and narrow moral compass.

Attributes

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_{T A L E N T S}

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• Kenjutsu — Being a member of a clan that specializes in bladed ninjutsu, it stands to reason that Ren is quite adept at using a blade. Though he himself specializes in dual-wielding, he has the ability to be quite proficient with any blade with a handle. Whether that's a kunai knife, his signature twin kodachi blades, or even a full length katana, he can use it and cut down foes with swift precision as well as defend with effortless ease (at least when it comes to the upper genin level of strength).
• Above Average Chakra Control — Most members of the Shimo clan has excellent chakra control. Of course, it comes in varying forms. Where one might be able to utilize chakra control exclusively through defensive means, one might be able to do the reverse with offense. In Ren's case, his control of his chakra comes through an extension of his blades, like when he utilizes Chakra Flow. Since his main style of fighting involves flowing his chakra into his blades, it is paramout that he esxecute precise control. Too much and shit goes boom and too little and it'll be very ineffective.
• Cold Resistant — Put simply, along with his family, Ren's kekkei genkai has afforded him the benefit of being quite resistant to extremely low temperatures. This doesn't mean he is completely immune to it. He will get frostbite with prolonged exposure but there is something to be said about how long he can last in frigid areas. This makes him ideal for missions that might involve going to the frozen tundras of the world.
• Excellent Motivator — As someone who refuses to give up, Ren is practically the resident motivational speaker for his team. Should any of them get to the point of being full of doubts, Ren is the man to step up and assure them that they got this. He'll either do positive assurance or take up a leadership role if the sensei isn't up for the task. Might be a bit risky and might be foolish in some regard, but it is certainly a quality his squad is grateful for him to have. One might even say he's quite skilled at it, too.
• Poor Taijutsu and Genjutsu skills — And by poor, what it really means is hand to hand combat, as well as the art of mind games, fall flat on him. This isn't to say he can't handle himself when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. He can certainly protect himself should the need arise, but it's not his main strength. But he is definitely not the type to do any sort of genjutsu. He is knowledgable of it but in no way is he able to do a single genjutsu technique -- not even the simple breaking of a genjutsu.

_{T O O L S}

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• Standard Shinobi tools (Kunai, Shiraken, etc)
• Two Kodachi swords.

_{T E C H N I Q U E S}

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_{C R A N K}

• Gale Palm

_{D R A N K}

• Chakra Flow (wind chakra)
• Peacock Whirlwind (weakened down to D-rank strength)

Other

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_{K E K K A I G E N K A I}

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_{N A M E}

• Ice Release Kenjutsu

_{A B I L I T I E S}

• In addition to the usage of ice chakra and the shaping of chakra into outer layers of hardened ice over the steel blade/tools, users of Ice Release Kenjutsu can freely construct virtually anything that is within their power (up until a point and within a reasonable distance).

It either will come in the form of ninjutsu done through a kenjutsu-led thrust or slice or using the tools as the foundation for the ninjutsu that keeps the user stationary (or mostly stationary in some cases).

_{A P P E A R A N C E}

• Hyoton Kenjutsu, or commonly known as "The Ice Release Sword Art", is an off-branch of the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai made famous by the Yuki Clan, but through innovation and generations of training, the Shimoclan of the Village Hidden Among Snow adapted it as their own. When manipulated through any ninja tool (although the preferred tool is a sword of somekind), ice chakra wraps around the user the blade in their hand, allowing them to do virtually anything within their power.

For the future
_{S U M M O N I N G J U T S U}

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_{A N I M A L}

• Varying arctic wild cats of Kosetsu Peak, a mountain located in the coldest and most frigid of mountains within the known shinobi world. Only those with a summoning pack with the cats of this land have a chance of finding it, much less surviving it.

_{N A M E}

• Official summon: Yorokobi, a preteen-aged snow leopard whose spots have yet to come in.
Has access to (though not full control of): Shiro, Yoro's father. Though technically the summon of Ren's own father, there has been times where Shiro will listen to him if the situation was dire enough or if Ren gave him enough beef. Shiro is a sucker for beef burned so bad that it's blacker than death itself.

_{A P P E A R A N C E}

• Yorokobi is a white, spotless leopard who wears a neck garb with the leaf emblem engraved on it and a single nodachi on its back for combat. It wears four leather boots on its paw for protection and comfort.

Shiro is a large snow leopard with a blue and white fur shine, black spots, and a tail that has a special radating color of violet and blue. It bears the same garb as his son, though in a full set and a lot more studier and worn out as proof of its age and experience of battle. It bears a large scar down its body as proof that not all damage fully heals.

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Himura, Natsumi

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_{“They're not ready for this! I'm Mira, the future Crismon Flash!”}

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Personal

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_{N A M E}

Himura, Natsumi _{(緋村 夏美)}
"Mira. It's cute, isn't it?"

_{A G E}

13

_{C L A N}

Himura

_{S E X U A L I T Y}

Bisexual

_{B L O O D T Y P E}

O-

Characterization

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_{H E I G H T}

5'0"

_{E Y E S}

Sky blue

_{H A I R}

Auburn hair that appears to be a scarlett red when under light. It is styled straight and comes past her face and almost as long as her head.

_{H E A D B A N D P L A C E M E N T}

Mira wears her headband as an accessory around her waist with a light pink cloth so it matches her outfit.

_{C H A K R A N A T U R E}

Raiton | Lightning (Affinity)
Fūton | Wind (After timeskip)
Jinton | Swift (Kekkei Genkai and without Raiton amplification)

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

Energetic → Quick-witted → Courageous → Somewhat Lax → Naive → Impulsive → Gets carried away

Mira is a lot like her clan's kekkei genkai, Jinton. Just as she is fast whilst using Jinton, she's also fast when it comes to her first impressions. She's quick-witted in every way that would apply: her comebacks, ability to talk someone's ear off, and her overall energy as in she's chalk full of it. She also has the tendency to rush into things, which might not make her the ideal teammate but with her abilities, sometimes it works in her favor. Mira seems to think second and act first, not really exercising any form of tactics. If she gets hit, then to her that means she just has to be quicker than her opponent. As for first impressions, she's definitely got that "you'll either find her extremely adorable or extremely annoying" vibe about her.

In a nutshell, Mira is a lot to handle but an eternal friend if you'll let her.

_{P E R S O N A L H I S T O R Y}

Growing up for Natsumi Himura wasn't exactly what one would call a normal experience. Normal began and ended with her having parents and siblings, but that's where her life gets a little bizarre.

You've probably heard about her clan: The Himura Clan, masters of Swift Release, and chakra manipulation. They didn't invent Jinton but those within the clan have all, in their own way, made Jinton their own by incorporating the shared trait of being able to manipulate chakra that is unique and specific to each individual member. There's Hana the Whispering Wind, Raito the Blur, Suiken the Flowing Rapture, and Kage the Shadow who have been shining examples of the clan's legacy, each with their own style and able to set an example for the clan. On top of everything else, almost every single Himura has become elite Jounins and even a couple made their names known by being part of the 12 Guardian Shinobi who protect the Land of Fire Feudal Lord.

But despite all of the great success, easily the most powerful as well as the most famous lies within the bloodline of the current head of the Himura Clan, Hayate Himura, a former Jounin commander who now happily sits on his makeshift throne in the Himura Manor. Hayate is known for his valor and pride. He is known simply as the Unexpected Terror of the Leaf. And also as Mira's father.

Mira grew up under his and her siblings' shadows, under her mother's excellence, and her father's sometimes tyrannical fist. Maybe it was just her, but at some point, she thought he put her through the unrealistic training regimes that forced her out of bed before the sun did and forced her to run five miles every day.

She was five when this started.

But this was a normal thing in the Himura clan. Kana went through it, Raito did, Suiken, and Yami. All of her four siblings, whom she loved dearly, were just as insane as her father was. High energy and with no filter. It's no wonder Mira ended up the way she is now. Her saving grace growing up was definitely her mother, Sakura Himura, who most called the Blossoming Beauty of the Himura clan. But even growing up in that environment put a lot of things into perspective. None of the outrageous family dinners or ways that her father would suddenly punch her two brothers, Raito and Raito out of nowhere, or how the sounds of Jinton which often sounded like a quick wind blowing over strands of grass, always filled the manor -- none of that ever bothered her. When she looked deep down into her soul and she looked back on it, those were the memories she went to in order to make herself feel better whenever she was feeling down.

And deep down, Mira knew she was just as bonkers as they were, if not more so than all of them combined.

_{C H A R A C T E R D E V E L O P M E N T}

At the core of Mira's journey would be for her to learn humility and to not always go forward into battle impulsively. While it's true she might exhibit overconfident tendencies, I firmly believe she's not above growing and I would love to see her lose a lot of battles so she can learn that her way isn't going to achieve anything for her -- at least, not until she learns some strategy.

As for power upgrades wise, my hope is to focus on her speed and help her achieve Minato levels of speed (eventually). And a lot of nintai combo attacks. I want her to eventually be a master of swift release but her overconfidence, again, will limit her ability to plan ahead and I think that'll remain even after powerups. But at the end of it, she'll become the Crimson Flash...regardless how long it takes her.

Attributes

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_{T A L E N T S}

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• Taijutsu
_{JinTaijutsu — The Himura Clan-exclusive Taijutsu style is a multi-purposed, chakra-friendly taijutsu style that hold a lot of clan-exclusive similarities to that of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist style. Although its origins could potentially be learned by those outside of the Himura Clan, it would be extremely difficult as it is founded with the presence of Jinton chakra at its core. This is due to the high speeds one moves at. Though the precision and chakra control could be learned and movements may be copied, the Dragon Flash is very specific to the Himura Clan because they are born with Jinton chakra inside them and the innate characteristics of one faster than the average shinobi. It is ideal for them because their Jinton chakra makes it so.}
• Strong reflexes
_{All members of the Himura clan possess some form of enhanced physical condition that range all across the board, but for Mira specifically, her specialization is centered in having reflexes that appear to have the potential of being superhuman and being able to react as though it was second-natured to her. Her years of training with her family, being taught how to fight and what to do in fights has allowed her with advanced skills that would technically place her on chunin levels as far as how quick her physical offensive and defensive capabilities extend.}
• Chakra Control
_{Another layer of the Himura Clan and Mira by extension is their amazing chakra control. Like her family, Mira displays an uncanny and, of those within the clan in her age group, unmatched ability to control and distribute her chakra like she would breathing. This all comes back to taijutsu training and knowing that one strike can make or break a fight. She has mastered all beginner and has made excellent progress in intermediate levels of her chakra control training.}

_{T O O L S}

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• Specialized shoes and gloves — Crafted by a blacksmith in the village, the pink and black gloves and boots that Mira wears is made by a special cloth that works in the same way that chakra blades do. They absorb any chakra thrown into them to give Mira the fighting edge. Plus, they are just so darn cute!
• Standard Shinobi Tools — Mainly kunai knives and shuriken.

_{T E C H N I Q U E S}

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_{C R A N K}

_{D R A N K}

Chakra Flow (Lightning only for now)
Rolling Heel Kick — By utilizing Chakra Flow, Mira concentrates her lightning chakra into her boots and jumps into the air, spinning her body halfway, and kicking her opponents with her heel.
Spinning Back Fist Combo — Same as With her Rolling Heel Kick, Mira utilizes a combo of a sequence of four punches and one roundhouse kick: straight right, straight left, straight right, spinning back fist, and spinning roundhouse kick

Other

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_{K E K K A I G E N K A I}

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_{N A M E}

Swift Release (迅遁, Jinton)

_{A B I L I T I E S}

Users of Swift release are capable of moving faster than most. With both wind and lightning chakra natures amplifying their movements, not only will their taijutsu be stronger, faster and more precise than those without it, they can recover faster than most. Their reaction time is amplified by both chakra natures. If level one is simply swift release without the addition of other chakras, then level two would be with one of the two, and the top tier is when both wind and lightning work together in unison with the innate swift chakra.

Mira is at level one, so it is not quite up to par with the elite users of Jinton.

•Swift Release: Shadowless Flight Jutsu is taxing after three uses. Each use is a quarter less effective the more it's used
• Swift Release: Vacuum Kick An series of two kicks (one upward and one downward) that slices the air in front of it, creating a powerful vacuum in its wake. Deflected air rushes back one second later in the place of the opponent.
•Swift Release: Sonic Boom A barrage of kicks delivered with such intense speed and precision that each kick creates a condensed, if not thin, sickle. When any form of physical contact is made (human or object), a shockwave of pure chakra explodes wherever it makes contact. Mira uses this ability as a cover for vacuum kick by aiming for the ground as a form of cover.

_{A P P E A R A N C E}

Swift Release is a Kekkei Genkai that allows users to move at incredible speeds, appearing as a blur when in motion. It is a mixture of wind and lightning chakra, which both enhance the speed and precision of its user. WIthin the Himura Clan, each have their specific appearance and colored-blur as it were. Since Mira mainly wears pink, though her speeds aren't quite up to the blur level, her fast movements create half-blurs of pink, white, and black.

Rosefell High.

Ricky had spent the majority of the first week trying to tell himself all of it was worth it; that the time spent wasn’t just pointless. He did this so he didn’t skip during the first week, but that didn’t work because not even two days in, Ricky was basically absent from school from second period -- his free period for those who didn’t know -- and this eventually caught up to him. He knew he was fucked for several reasons. These reasons were irrelevant only because when he came in front of his house and saw his aunt’s department-issued car still parked in front of their house on Franklin Avenue at a time when he knew she was supposed to be out patrolling or doing some police work.

As soon as he opened the door and closed it behind him, a Dr. Pepper can in his hand and casually sipping it, right off the bat he saw a certain someone sitting in the recliner chair in the front room as if she was waiting for him. He sipped the soda once more and sighed. He belched as only one could when they have just consumed half of a can of Dr. Pepper and he took a seat.

“Oh hey, Mona. What are you doing home? Aren’t you supposed to be protecting us from killers and rapists?“ He casually joked, chuckling at his own wit.

The older redheaded woman sighed. She was still in her officer uniform and she did not look happy. “Yes, I would love to be out there doing my job, but hard to protect and serve the people out there when my nephew is already causing me trouble in here.”

Ricky didn’t look up at her. “Oh no. Do I have a cousin somewhere my useless parents forgot to tell me about?” Ricky, again, joked, making light of a potentially dire situation for him.

Suddenly, he heard her hand slam on the table next to the recliner she was sitting in, causing the lamp on it to fall over. “This isn’t a game, Patrick!” Her voice echoed loudly within the thin, white walls that barely had anything on them. “Henderson called me, saying you failed to show up for any of your classes today.”

“Oh no, not Henderson. Anyone but Mr.Henderson!” Ricky feigned a distressed tone and then returned to his unphased state a moment later. “He doesn’t scare me,” he stated, sipping his soda.

“Patrick Hunter Quinn!” She shouted, causing him to perk up and look at her with slanted eyes. “You can’t be doing this. I’m not sure if you ever realized this but skipping school causes people to look our way and when certain people pay attention to us, this living situation you and I have might be compromised. So I need you to meet me halfway.”

Truth be told, Ricky wasn’t sure what a few partial days skipped would do. It’s not like social services were going to come knocking on his door because he skipped some classes and, of all times, during the first week. Even if he had missed some important lessons, he didn’t think much of it because, again, it was only the first week. Nothing important happens during the first week.

“And another thing--” Ramona noticed Ricky wasn’t paying attention to her, so she slammed her hand on the arm of the couch he was sitting on. “Ricky!” She shouted, again forcing him to glance her way.

“Aunt Ramona!” he said her name in a cheeky tone and greeted her with a cheeky grin.

“We have to be on the same--”

As she spoke, Ramona was about to repeat herself, but then she heard her radio go off.

“We’ve got shots fired on the corner of Redwood and Langley,” Dispatch said.

A smile came to his face as he realized where this call would place her. Redwood and Langley were about seven miles south of where they lived, but more importantly, it would place her in a busy situation and save him from her nagging. “You better get that, Auntie.” Ricky teased her (much to her annoyance).

She sighed. “Copy that, Dispatch. 23 en route to location, over.”

“Roger that, 23.”

Though he was happy to be free of her consistent whining, watching Ramona get ready to leave, Ricky couldn’t help but feel worried. It wasn’t like him to show emotion, but no matter how big of a pain in his ass she was, she was the closest thing he had to a parent. It was clear that as he stood when she did, there was a show of respect and compassion for the older woman.

“Say, Aunt Mona..” Ricky spoke up just as she had one foot out the door.

She paused and glanced back at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back before long. Just,” she paused, smiling at him. “Just don’t get too wild at that party, all right?”

As Ricky nodded, Ramona was soon out the door, sirens going off as they became less and less close by.

About an hour later when Ricky’s uber arrived, he got a ride to the lakefront, which took a good while and allowed him the time to think. While he had a lot on his mind, the one thing -- well, a person more like -- that came to mind was, in fact, his aunt. She had practically raised him since he was a little boy. She stepped up where nobody else would. She got a job she probably hated but did it to support him. And how did he thank her? By being a burden.

From the time he was an edgy preteen to, well now, Ricky gave her nothing but grief and trouble. Sometimes he wondered why she put up with him and didn’t toss him back into the foster system. It sure as hell would be a lot easier on her and maybe she could get her life back and enjoy what little remained of her young life. Maybe she could finally get married or do something other than worry about him.

“Yeah, like I’m not worried about her right now,” Ricky murmured, seeing the party come into view.

He said his farewells to his Uber driver and found himself at the party, though he stood a good distance away.

Ricky wasn’t exactly dressed for a lakefront party. Honestly? He wore the same thing that he usually wore. He had his leather jacket, a dark-colored tank, a pair of denim jean shorts that came to his mid-shin, and dirty shoes. He might be one for the party scene but Ricky never dressed to impress nor was he someone who would sacrifice his ideals just to look fashionable.

After a few moments of remaining away, Ricky decided to join the party, regardless of how reluctant he was about it. His legs carried him to the lakeside and closer to where the vertical bonfire and music was more ‘in your face’. He glanced around, trying to see if anyone was around but there wasn’t much to choose from. Henderson’s little bitch photographer, Alex was chit-chatting away with another little bitch and, well that was pretty much it.

“Man this is lame,” Ricky groaned.

He considered what to do. He could just as easily stay where he was at, enjoy the music, and stay away from bitch center, or he could have some fun with the paparazzi to entertain himself until Jenna or someone else caught his attention. And he considered other options that weren’t even directly tied to that.

Soon, as his legs started carrying him in a specific direction, his decision was made clear.

Ricky smiled at Alex and ignored Jordan. “So, Alex, how does it feel to have a direct line to Henderson’s vapid asshole?” He asked the photographer, again ignoring Jordan, which was easy for him to do because he couldn’t stand the little gossip queen.

Shuffle your music player and post the first 10 songs

_{I Wasted You — Flora Cash — Press
Miracles — CHVRCHES — Love is Dead
The Three of Us — Streetlight Manifesto — The Hands that Thieve
You Can Be So Cruel — Royal Blood — Royal Blood
This Woman’s Work — Greg Laswell — Covers
Sentient — Perturbator (feat. Hayley Stewart) — The Uncanny Valley
Hunger — Florence + The Machine — Hunger
Sunset — The Midnight — Sunset
Savage — Lights — Skin and Earth
Loser — Falling in Reverse — Coming Home (Deluxe Edition)}

Sentaku

Shimo Jiren

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_{“Risks are meant to be taken if one is to achieve their goals in life.”}

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Personal

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_{N A M E}

Shimo, Jiren
"Ren is fine."

_{A G E}

Fourteen

_{C L A N}

Shimo Clain, namesake of Shimogakure, formerly known as “The Village Hidden in Frost”, though now it simply exists as a barren wasteland within the Land of Snow.

_{S E X U A L I T Y}

Heterosexual

_{B L O O D T Y P E}

AB+

Characterization

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_{H E I G H T}

4’5

_{E Y E S}

Sapphire blue

_{H A I R}

Ren’s hair is silver in color and is styled in a wavy, free-falling style. It comes down just a few inches past his ears.

_{H E A D B A N D P L A C E M E N T}

Around the neck.

_{C H A K R A N A T U R E}

Fūton | Wind (Affinity)
Suiton | Water (Not yet unlocked)

_{P E R S O N A L I T Y}

Dedicated → Hard-working → Supportive → Friendly → Independent → Stubborn → Frequently dismissive → Deceitful → Risk-taker → Selfish → Prone to impulsive tendencies

though he may come off a little strong upon first meeting or even second and third meetings, once the layers are pulled back, Ren will reveal himself to be someone to count on. Not only through his skills but his dedication to the mission. There is and always will be young man willing to go above the call of duty for his teammates and fellow shinobi. Sometimes this will involve him taking some unneccessary risks that could put his squad in danger but if his actions can help further the mission and reduce the risk of lives lost, he firmly believes that justifies his actions.

Though do not be mistaken: he will do things his way if he thinks it is the quickest way to do it and often will fight whomever he has to so that his way is the decided trajectory any plan or mission goes. He also will act first and face punishment later. Maybe it works out in his favor and maybe he’ll die because of it. But what is success without a little risk?

_{P E R S O N A L H I S T O R Y}

Born to the endangered clan of Shimo, Jiren came to be as a refugee from the war that rocked his homeland. They called it the War of Ice, for all those who had any kind of ice-based Kekkei Genkai or advanced chakra nature, whether they were of Yuki or some distant relative, they were brutally hunted and killed for their uniqueness. It was a war that, when compared to the actual great ninja wars of old, it would be considered a petty squabble among bickering clans and not worth the time and effort from the great nations.

And it was this one act of neglect that led to the ruin of the Land of Snow and the near extinction of those who bore the bloodline of the Ice Release.

As time passed and those remaining of the Shimo Clan had to travel far and wide to seek sanctuary within the nations, some split apart from the total number of fifty, while others found comfort in unsettled land. By the time the small group reached the land of fire, only seven of them remained and of those seven, only three made it to Konoha. It was here, though the intervention of the Hokage and under the welcoming nature the village had, these three were allowed entry and the only members of the Shimo clan within Konoha found a peaceful life. Hokori and Oda Shimo fund employment as Shinobi and both climbed up the ladder of ranks, earning jonin ranks. And their only child, Jiren, followed in their footsteps by going to the academy and soon becoming a shinobi himself as he graduated to become a genin at the age of twelve.

During his time in the academy, Ren was what some would call an over-achiever. To his instructors, he had a bit of an axe to grind. This wasn’t necessarily trouble for him or them but when it came to jlectures, it was always as though his head was somewhere else, as though he was focused on just the training and not the lessons being taught. Now, he aced nearly every jutsu exam he was given. It wasn’t prodigy levels of good but he outshined the majority of his class every time.

_{C H A R A C T E R D E V E L O P M E N T}

Ren would be an interesting character for me to develop because of his personality and impulsive nature. He has something about him that strives to be better than he was an hour ago. He wants to get stronger and thinks he’s always right. There’s something fundamentally, not to mention morally gray with him. He’s not bad but I don't think he’s good. He also has a lot of anger within him and as he matures, that’ll only intensify. So I would love to explore that. Toss him into a situation where his pride is tested and patience is also tested. I want to see where he can go and where this initial need to be the best will throw him.

I don’t know if he’ll end up being a villain, a hero with a serious attitude problem, or somewhere in the middle. All I know is I find him to be intriguing because he doesn’t have a straight and narrow moral compass.

Attributes

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_{T A L E N T S}

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• Kenjutsu — Being a member of a clan that specializes in bladed ninjutsu, it stands to reason that Ren is quite adept at using a blade. Though he himself specializes in dual-wielding, he has the ability to be quite proficient with any blade with a handle. Whether that's a kunai knife, his signature twin kodachi blades, or even a full length katana, he can use it and cut down foes with swift precision as well as defend with effortless ease (at least when it comes to the upper genin level of strength).
• Above Average Chakra Control — Most members of the Shimo clan has excellent chakra control. Of course, it comes in varying forms. Where one might be able to utilize chakra control exclusively through defensive means, one might be able to do the reverse with offense. In Ren's case, his control of his chakra comes through an extension of his blades, like when he utilizes Chakra Flow. Since his main style of fighting involves flowing his chakra into his blades, it is paramout that he esxecute precise control. Too much and shit goes boom and too little and it'll be very ineffective.
• Cold Resistant — Put simply, along with his family, Ren's kekkei genkai has afforded him the benefit of being quite resistant to extremely low temperatures. This doesn't mean he is completely immune to it. He will get frostbite with prolonged exposure but there is something to be said about how long he can last in frigid areas. This makes him ideal for missions that might involve going to the frozen tundras of the world.
• Excellent Motivator — As someone who refuses to give up, Ren is practically the resident motivational speaker for his team. Should any of them get to the point of being full of doubts, Ren is the man to step up and assure them that they got this. He'll either do positive assurance or take up a leadership role if the sensei isn't up for the task. Might be a bit risky and might be foolish in some regard, but it is certainly a quality his squad is grateful for him to have. One might even say he's quite skilled at it, too.
• Poor Taijutsu and Genjutsu skills — And by poor, what it really means is hand to hand combat, as well as the art of mind games, fall flat on him. This isn't to say he can't handle himself when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. He can certainly protect himself should the need arise, but it's not his main strength. But he is definitely not the type to do any sort of genjutsu. He is knowledgable of it but in no way is he able to do a single genjutsu technique -- not even the simple breaking of a genjutsu.

_{T O O L S}

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• Standard Shinobi tools (Kunai, Shiraken, etc)
• Two Kodachi swords.

_{T E C H N I Q U E S}

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_{C R A N K}

• Gale Palm

_{D R A N K}

• Chakra Flow (wind chakra)
• Peacock Whirlwind (weakened down to D-rank strength)

Other

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_{K E K K A I G E N K A I}

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_{N A M E}

• Ice Release Kenjutsu

_{A B I L I T I E S}

• In addition to the usage of ice chakra and the shaping of chakra into outer layers of hardened ice over the steel blade/tools, users of Ice Release Kenjutsu can freely construct virtually anything that is within their power (up until a point and within a reasonable distance).

It either will come in the form of ninjutsu done through a kenjutsu-led thrust or slice or using the tools as the foundation for the ninjutsu that keeps the user stationary (or mostly stationary in some cases).

_{A P P E A R A N C E}

• Hyoton Kenjutsu, or commonly known as "The Ice Release Sword Art", is an off-branch of the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai made famous by the Yuki Clan, but through innovation and generations of training, the Shimoclan of the Village Hidden Among Snow adapted it as their own. When manipulated through any ninja tool (although the preferred tool is a sword of somekind), ice chakra wraps around the user the blade in their hand, allowing them to do virtually anything within their power.

For the future
_{S U M M O N I N G J U T S U}

---

_{A N I M A L}

• Varying arctic wild cats of Kosetsu Peak, a mountain located in the coldest and most frigid of mountains within the known shinobi world. Only those with a summoning pack with the cats of this land have a chance of finding it, much less surviving it.

_{N A M E}

• Official summon: Yorokobi, a preteen-aged snow leopard whose spots have yet to come in.
Has access to (though not full control of): Shiro, Yoro's father. Though technically the summon of Ren's own father, there has been times where Shiro will listen to him if the situation was dire enough or if Ren gave him enough beef. Shiro is a sucker for beef burned so bad that it's blacker than death itself.

_{A P P E A R A N C E}

• Yorokobi is a white, spotless leopard who wears a neck garb with the leaf emblem engraved on it and a single nodachi on its back for combat. It wears four leather boots on its paw for protection and comfort.

Shiro is a large snow leopard with a blue and white fur shine, black spots, and a tail that has a special radating color of violet and blue. It bears the same garb as his son, though in a full set and a lot more studier and worn out as proof of its age and experience of battle. It bears a large scar down its body as proof that not all damage fully heals.

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

Stella’s vacation in Paris has been nothing short of heaven on Earth. When she flew in nearly three weeks ago, she was overwhelmed. There was so much to do, so many places she wanted to see and with so little time on her side, there was only a handful of places she could go to and activities she could take part in. But if there was one thing being in France during this winter break had done anything to Stella, it showed her that Aladdin’s words to Jasmine really were true.

She has been exposed to a whole new world. A byproduct of that is a new Stella.

At the core, she remained the same: compassionate, selectively carefree, and a star that lit up every room she walked into, but there was something else. Her experiences had created layers and confidence within her came with that. For the first time in her entire life, Stella was feeling more sure about herself than she had ever been. She was still softly spoken and ditzy, but now she was a little more assertive than she was before winter break.

During the past three weeks, Stella gradually knocked off things off her bucket list. She saw landmarks that were almost as famous as the city itself, she indulged in the best French cuisine that money could buy, and she went to the best stores and looked the part of a French woman while basking in the glory of the most romantic city in the world. In a sense, Stella found herself at home. Paris France felt like home.

But nearly at the end and she had yet to cross one item off her bucket list.

As she sat in her room that overlooked the Lambert villa property, ever the daydreamer, she gazed out into space, looking at the green fields, the hills of the countryside. The window itself was closed and she couldn’t help but think back to last summer when she had grasped onto that one thing she had longed to hold in her arms again and for her to be held in his. The man she nearly escaped reality with for one magical night. He smelled of honey and lavender and was the most beautiful creature she had laid her eyes on.

She sighed hopelessly, stepping away from her window. As she turned, her cousin stood, leaning against the wall, causing the brunette to jump in her seat.. “Lori, how long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to hear you talk about him,” Lori, short for Lourdes, revealed, walking into Stella’s room and took a seat in a chair across from Stella’s. “I don’t understand why you don’t just go talk to him.”

“How are you even sure he wants to see me?” Stella asked, feeling very pessimistic right now.

Lori took in a breath and sighed. “I don’t, but you can’t honestly think Marcel has forgotten about you.” Lori looked at her cousin’s unconvinced face. “What’s wrong, honey? Are you seriously that uncertain?” She asked her pointblank.

The teen could only shrug. She didn’t know what was what anymore, especially when it came to Marcel, not after what happened last summer and especially not how she practically left him hanging. It was not only a time she didn’t like to talk about, but Stella also had, for the most part, blocked it out of her mind and tried to forget about it. As much as Lori and her family had tried to console her in her time of need, there was just something about the whole situation that made that completely impossible.

“Estelle Lenore Lambert!”

Stella perked up when Lori used her full name. “What!?”

Lori didn’t respond with words but rather standing up and tugging at her arm. Though she was taken by surprise, a wave of curiosity passed through her. So much so that she let Lori lead her to wherever she was walking, which wasn’t as straightforward as Stella had initially thought.

As she was led by Lori into her car, Stella rode in the passenger side and under the guise that her relatives were told they were going to have coffee at a cafe, Stella couldn’t help but wonder what exactly Lori was up to and just where they were heading. About halfway through the trip, Stella had asked but Lori only said she’d know when they got there.

So, Stella remained in the dark, running the potential scenarios through her head. She couldn’t grasp on where Lori was driving her. It only took an hour for Lori to drive into Paris and they stopped in front of a fancy apartment building that was expensive. She knew this just from how glossy the exterior design was. That and it had its own doorman.

“What is this place, Lori?” Stella asked, hoping to finally get an answer out of her.

And just like before, Lori gave her a nonanswer: “Just follow me.”

They were helped out of the Audi with the help of a couple of men in uniforms. As they walked, they passed the doorman, who greeted them with a smile as he spoke something in the native French language. Stella could only make out a part of the phrase. Not long after, the door opened and Lori again led her blindly. They walked into an elevator and rode it to the highest floor. Immediately, Stella found herself overwhelmed.

The design of the top floor was probably the most expensive interior design she had seen thus far. And given that her family who lived in France was richer than her parents were, the level of quality she was exposed to right now threw her for a loop.

She walked a little slower as Lori stopped, causing Stella to bump into her. “Sorry. This is just..so much,” Stella commented, eyes full of amazement as she looked around at the walls and ceiling of the halls.

“Stella, take this,” Lori said, handing her a cardkey.

“What’s this for?” She asked, looking at it.

“It’s for this room. On the other side of this door is the reason why I’ve kidnapped you and taken you here.” Lori informed her as she would proceed to walk away.

“Wait,” Stella beckoned her, “where are you going?”

“I’m going to see some friends in town. I’ll be back in a few hours. I’m sure you’ll use that time wisely.”

Before she could get another word in, Lori said her temporary goodbyes, leaving Stella to her confusion and, yet at the same time, her own curiosity about who was at the other side of the door she stood in front of. Puzzled, the girl tried to decide the best way to handle this tricky situation. She could easily walk away and forget about this entire thing. She could do that and wait in the lobby until Lori returned. But if she did that, she knew in her gut the aspect of not knowing would eat her alive from the inside.

Frustrated, Stella paced back and forth for almost five minutes until she threw her hands up in defeat. “Ah, to hell with it!”

In an uncharacteristic move, Stella threw caution into the wind and slid the cardkey into the card-shaped mechanism. A sound alerted her that it worked and she slowly pushed the door open. As the tension in the air increased to a point where she felt her heart threatened to burst from out of her chest, Stella slowly entered, closing the door behind her.

She took small steps but she eventually made her way past the doorway and into the room. Aside from the spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower and elaborate (not to mention expensive) decor, Stella saw nobody, which she found weird. Why would Lori drive her to this place, build up some grand reveal only for it to be completely empty.

“What was the point?” She murmured to herself, sighing outwardly as she was in the middle of deciding if being here really was worth it. “Maybe I should--” Stella stopped mid-thought as she heard a noise originate from behind her. So, naturally, she went to investigate.

Stella was in front of the back room, which was where she deduced the noise came from. She stood in front of the door, inches and seconds away from turning the doorknob, but just as her hand was a single inch away from touching it, the knob started to twist. It was thrust open and before she had time to get away, the door opened in the opposite way that she thought. Before she even knew it, the door had smacked her right in the face. She just knew in that moment that pain was incoming.

And then she yelped and staggered back until she tripped over her own clumsiness, resulting in her falling flat on her ass. “Ouch!” She whined, holding her nose and eyes widened when she saw blood drip onto her leg.

Stella was in full panic mode. She was in so much pain and couldn’t think straight. She desperately tried to stop the bleeding with her hands but it was coming out too fast for her hands to contain all of it as it dripped through her fingers.

“Here you go,”a man said, handing her a roll of toilet paper.

Without thinking, Stella took it and took a few pieces of the soft paper to help in her efforts. “Thank you,” Stella said, showing gratitude as she spoke as though her nose was clogged. It was only a short moment later that it dawned on her what put her in the current situation she was in, causing her to look up.

And wouldn’t ya know it? There he was.

Tall, somewhat tanned, and handsome. He had that same deceiving smile that made her crazy one way or the other. That kind of smile that said “I know it drives you crazy and I like it”, but at the same time, it was the same smug grin that had such an effect on her. There was a sweetness about it — a kindness that only someone who read between the lines could see. He was everything she could dream of. He was the epitome of what her dream guy. The kind of person who, if she had three wishes given to her, she’d wish for him plus two eternities with him.

Stella was lost as she had always been when a dreamy boy gave her the time of day, but she collected herself and then corrected her posture. She had to keep her wits about her because he always knew how to twist her words in a way that made her feel embarrassed and laugh in the way that made her look silly. “I wasn’t sure about it before, but I guess you really are back, aren’t you Marcel?”

The older male smiled. “Only for the day,” he admitted, helping Stella to her feet by grabbing her hand and wrist. He tugged her up with such force it not only lifted her up, but she bounced off of his firm chest. “I fly back to Cairo tomorrow.” He lamented upon that confession.

“Cairo?” She repeated back to him. “Why Cairo?” She asked him, seeking an answer within his gaze.

Marcel laughed, patting Stella on the shoulders. “For college,” he revealed, “I start my second year at the University of Cairo.”

“Oh wow! That’s amazing, Marcel!” She quickly hugged him, showing how happy she was for him. After a moment, she realized just how close they were and she immediately pulled away, embarrassed and blushing.

Ever the teaser, Marcel kept his grin, which only brought a deeper awkwardness from Stella, causing her to enter her usual mini-panic mode. She was trying to hold it together, but everything that seemed to be happening, was, in fact, happening in succession of each other and her inner-superstitious spirit was starting to take root. So she started to walk away from Marcel.

As she stood out on the balcony, Stella had to get some semblance of control back. She didn’t know why this was happening to her. Around Marcel, she was weak. He had some control over her, but it wasn’t a negative feeling when she was near him. She cared for him deeply, but there was ...something about this day in particular that made her feel uneasy. She couldn’t put her finger on it but it was like some force was pulling her away from the guy who, for the longest time, she had a huge crush on.

“It’s a nice view, huh?” He asked, leaning against the ledge as he stood next to Stella.

Marcel startled her again but this time she didn’t jump, though she shook her head at him and laughed. “It’s breathtaking,” she admitted, turning her head slightly to face him. She saw he was smiling. “What?” She asked, curious.

There was a moment of silence from Marcel, which struck Stella as odd. She remembered he always had something to say, regardless if she wanted him to or not.

“It’s nothing..”

“Marcel, tell me. What’s on your mind?” Stella urged him.

“I’m just thinking about the last time we were next to each other like this and how I was an idiot.”

“Yeah, I remember that night,” Stella spoke, recalling it like it was yesterday. “You went above and beyond to make my final day in France one to remember, taking me to all of the usual spots any first-time visitor should see. And seeing the Eiffel Tower at night is a moment I’ll always remember.” She looked at him, smiling.

She remembered that summer night. It had been the first time she was with anyone in any kind of romantic way since Jasper and even then, she and Jasper never did anything, nor did she do anything with Marcel. But that night was magical in other ways. It was her first time visiting Paris and he had just graduated from secondary school and she was vacationing with family. His family, the Dupontes, had a lot of history with the Lamberts and that’s how she knew him. Marcel was only two years older than she was, so it wasn’t strange for there to be an attraction between them.

As their gaze lingered, their hands slowly moved closer to each other and their pinky fingers made contact, which only intensified the quiet stillness and the heart-pumping tension.

Stella felt that feeling in her gut again. It was as though reminiscing with Marcel and thinking of a love that could have been wasn’t at all what the angels on her shoulders were trying to pull her towards. The feeling deep in her gut that was rising like a boiling pot was betrayal. And before she had time to think about it, Marcel leaned in for a kiss.

With lips meeting lips, she didn’t pull away. In fact, Stella gave into it and for a few moments that felt like an eternity, everything in her was saying to give into temptation. Live out what you regretted and let him take you and lay you on his bed so he can give you what the two of you know you want, but then the pit in her stomach grew deeper. Unlike previous times, Stella’s backbone grew into a spear and she pulled away, surprising not only Marcel but herself too.

“I’m sorry..” Stella apologized, looking away from Marcel’s direct gaze.

“No, you didn’t do anything. I shouldn’t have--”

“Marcel, no,” she cut him off, clearing her dry mouth with a cough. “I want to, I really do but..” She paused, uncertain if she actually knew what she wanted to say.

“Are you okay, Stella?” He asked her, sounding concerned about her.

She hated this with everything that she had. Marcel Duponte, the boy who captured her heart after Jasper Fray and the one who she could have seen herself with for the long term, was right in front of her. He made the move she couldn’t because she wasn’t that kind of girl. Even when she thought she wanted the same thing, she pulled away, so maybe not? And she didn’t understand.

She looked at him again. “Marcel,” she said his name, smiling. “You’re so amazing and I swear to you that I care for you in ways that I don’t really understand myself. And, maybe if things were different, I think ...this could really work, but I can’t do this with you -- not right now.”

As he just looked at her, Stella could feel the staggering gut-wrenching feeling in her stomach grow larger. “Whoever they are, I hope they know they’re lucky.” His smile broke the tension.

And suddenly, it stopped, though she felt the drop happen all at once. “What do you mean?”

“I mean the person who got to your heart before I did,” he further clarified.

“That’s not what I--I mean, I didn’t say someone had--”

“Stella,” he cut her off. “I’ve known you nearly my entire life and I know it when you’re smitten with someone. I’m a little jealous. I wish it was me who had your attention, but I won’t stand in the way.”

She knew he was telling the truth. Even if his blunt admission came as more than a simple shock to her, Stella couldn’t help but feel as though she was the lucky one here. It was obvious to her that Marcel loved her. She wasn’t so naive as to think that he didn’t. Maybe that was the guilt she felt earlier? That she had eyes for someone else while unknowingly taking advantage of him? She wasn’t that kind of person, but stranger things have happened. Regardless, she didn’t know what to think right now.

“Marcel..” Their eyes met again and hands touched. “I’m sorry I can’t be there for you in ways that I know you want me to. Maybe, if things were different, we could explore this further. I just hope you find someone worth your big heart -- and who doesn’t clobber you for that teasing thing you like to do,” she laughed and got one from him as well.

“Oh, so you got jokes now, huh?” He laughed.

She punched his arm with her other hand. “And there it is!” Stella giggled, turning to face the spectacular view of Paris and smiled off into the distance.

She and Marcel just remained like that, watching the sky slowly fade from a clear blue to the wonders of the sun setting. She knew this wasn’t what Lori had in mind when she dropped her off, but Stella couldn’t imagine any other way to close the book on her forbidden love with Marcel Duponte. She loved him but he would live worlds away from her. She couldn’t be his girl, not when Carter Newton Jr has captured her attention in ways she didn’t predict.

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

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There must be something in the water
'Cause every day, it's getting colder
And if only I could hold ya
You'd keep my head from going under
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The entirety of Kavi’s Christmas/Winter Break had been spent wallowing in his own despair. Despite how he was being poised to enjoy himself as much as he could, despite how he was going to fly to Los Angeles to be with some of his western family, plans changed. It wasn’t any of his doing, but there was a massive falling out between some of his relatives and his father. The specifics didn’t come across the dinner table, but Kavi figured out yesterday that it wasn’t going to happen. Adding insult to injury, that meant he wasn’t going anywhere for the remainder of the break. And this meant one thing: Kavi’s claims of living a better break than Ariel was, as it always was with him, all talk.

It was pretty dark out on the night before Christmas. Kavi was driving in the BMW that his grandfather gave him as an early Christmas present. It had also been something to make up for how his children were being childish. Being eighteen, Kavi’s parents couldn’t deny him the luxurious gift Nikora gave him. Still, he didn’t put it to use -- at least not in the sense that April Foster would. Instead, Kavi casually drove down every street a few times. Everyone knew that Kavi had a new car so that was why the cops weren’t called.

The sound of the BMW passed every house a few times and it got to the point where Kavi didn’t know why he kept driving, but maybe he did? Deep down the teen had an idea why but he probably didn’t want to admit it because there was a part of him that didn’t want to face the music that he, Kavi Salvador, the one who never felt regret for anything he did to anyone, was feeling just that. There was a deep regret for everything. He had a lot of time to think about his actions and there was only one thing that kept popping into every thought.

“Ariel.”

As he spoke her name, his stomach tightened up in the same way it did when he knew he fucked up. It was the same way when he and Ariel had that fight at his Halloween party. It happened at Winter Formal when he tried making her jealous of Mac. And now, as he stopped a few yards away from her house and saw her through her window, it was tightening up as he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

When he saw her, Kavi almost drove away. He should drive away. There wasn’t any possible reason that made sense to him. She made it clear that there was no reason for them to talk if they weren’t paired up in projects. Kavi understood and agreed to stay away, but here he was, not even a month later, he sat in his comfortable, leather seat, warm heat cozying his ass, and he was thinking of doing the exact opposite of what he promised. And why was he going to do this? Because Kavi couldn’t stop thinking about her. Whether it was regret and him needing to fix things to where they got everything out in the open or what, Kavi had to talk to her.

Good thing he knew her father’s schedule thanks to a friend of his who interns for Tristen. He wasn’t due back home until way late, which meant Ariel would be home alone. This also meant Kavi had plenty of time to endure any verbal assault she might have in store for him.

As he pulled up to her house, Kavi made his way to the front door and gave it three decent knocks.

Since the Halloween party, Ariel had a lot more time to do whatever she wanted. Said things included doing more live streams, dancing practices, and writing. She had her bedroom window open, letting the smell of the ocean add to the calming state of mind she was in.

Her room was caught somewhere between messy and clean. Her webcam gear was strewn across her desk, the TV turned to some random channel. The bed was a mess of blankets, various notebooks, and pens. This was what usually happened when Ariel was in the mood to write things. The cars going up and down the street didn’t help her creative process at all. Ariel had nearly given up on writing anything when she heard someone knocking at the door.

She climbed off her bed and quickly went downstairs. It couldn’t be her father. He was working late. Maybe someone had broken down? She had just got done hanging out with Marisol earlier. Maybe it was her again? All of her ponderings didn’t prepare her for the sight waiting for her behind the mahogany door.

The clicking of the door unlocking and opening greeted Kavi to the Grey residence as Ariel met his gaze. In that brief moment, she didn’t know what she felt - nor did she know what to say. The only reaction her body produced was attempting to close the door in the young man's face.

He put his hand between the door and the lock, urgently using his superior strength to prevent it from closing. As Kavi did this, he saw the desperate urge Ariel had to close the door before he had a chance to say what he needed to say, but Kavi wasn’t going to let this happen again. He wasn’t going to allow what needed to be said to be disguised as intentional silence. He had too much time to think in the past weeks about what he really wanted and Ariel needed to know this.

“Just wait!” He pleaded, propping the door open with his hand as he watched her walk away. “Please, Ariel! I promise it won't be like before.”

”So you aren’t here to rub anything in my face again? You don’t have some girl behind the door with you ready to smash your faces together? None of your friends laugh at me this time when I get angry? And please, for the love of God, let’s not try and pretend like my reactions or feelings are invalid Kavi,” she blurted out, turning around to face him.

Angry tears already threatening to come forth, she was determined to just send him away. But as the cruel fates above would have it, it started to rain outside. The last thing Ariel wanted right now was for Kavi to catch pneumonia and be able to blame her for it on his deathbed.
Ariel groaned. ”Come in, I guess.”

Dripping, Kavi’s feet squished across the foyer and he followed Ariel wherever it was that she was walking. In silence. He knew what he wanted to say and he also knew exactly how he wanted to say it, yet when they came to a stop in the kitchen and Kavi froze in front of a turned around Ariel, nothing but a gasp and an appreciation of how beautiful she was. Despite the hell he put her through and all of the shitty things he said to her, especially invalidating how she felt on the night of his party, she was just as, well hot, as she had always been.

Kavi coughed, breaking the silence. “I’m...I mean, it’s good to see you again.” Kavi said, smiling at Ariel.

”Please just spit it out,” Ariel said, rolling her eyes. She was not about to turn into a pile of mush again. ”Better yet - go to my room. I’ll bring you a towel. You’re like… dripping everywhere. It’s annoying.”

Stopping by the bathroom to grab a towel, it occurred to her that Kavi didn’t know where her bedroom was. The simple fact was reinforced when she found Kavi looking confused at the top of the stairs.

”Second door on the right,” she said, handing him the towel.

He took the towel and followed her down the hall. They entered her room and he immediately felt strange. It was always that Kavi had invited girls to his parents’ house and they immediately went to his room for some wholesome fun, but he wasn’t the sort of boy who was invited. He was a fish out of water when he entered her room and his dripping feet further cemented this comparison.

“Wow, nice room.” He said as his eyes wandered around. It was then he noticed the excessive amount of posters of various musicians and bands. “Oh wow,” he laughed, shaking his head in slight disbelief.

”What?” Ariel asked slightly confused. She followed his gaze to the left wall. ”What’s wrong with my posters?”

Kavi laughed again. “No, nothing’s wrong with them,” he said, shaking his head again. “It’s just, I didn’t expect--” He paused as he took an extra moment to consider his next words carefully. Ariel was known for her explosive temper and him being here was probably pushing it “--I guess I didn’t expect you to have so many of them. But, I guess it also fits?” it wasn’t that he wasn’t unsure but he was unprepared for a few reasons.

”I guess that’s fair,” she said, shrugging her shoulders as she plopped down on her bed. ”I’d offer you a seat, but you’re kinda… dripping. I don’t want everything in my room to be… mildew-y.” Ariel took a deep breath. ”So why are you here, exactly?”

Despite the towel helping, Kavi couldn’t help but notice a puddle had formed around him. Oh, what a lovely gift Mother Nature has given him on this eve of Christmas. “I was hoping to do this not standing up, but I guess it can’t be helped.” Kavi sighed, once more glancing around.

His stomach was producing high amounts of anxiety unlike which he hadn’t felt in a while, or maybe it was his last meal not agreeing with him. Either way, the teen took in a deep breath and spoke when he exhaled. “The last time we were alone together was in similar circumstances: you not wanting to talk to me and me dripping wet. Things haven’t really changed, but one thing did change.” Kavi paused as the realization of what he wanted to say is more difficult to tell her than it was saying it in his head finally set in. “I mean--fuck, I’m not really good at this, Ari,” he admitted, sighing. “Look, I don’t know what to really say but to just say it: I miss you, Grey. I miss us!”

How could anyone blame her for not wanting to talk in either situation? While that wasn’t what Kavi was doing, it did make her think for a moment. Ariel had a habit of shutting down and shutting people out when she felt something strongly - and now was one of those times.

”Kavi, I -” she clenched her jaw, trying to figure out how to say what she needed to get out. ”I miss you too. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t given us another thought. But I have. I’ve given us a lot of thoughts.” She sighed, situating herself so that she was sitting cross-legged. ”But… it doesn’t change anything. Not for me.”

“It can, though!” Kavi blurted out.

He made the half-attempt of stepping closer to her but he stopped himself. He knew it was one, not that easy and two, not about what he wanted right now. He could do what he wanted and by doing that, he’d go close to her, take Ariel into his arms, and kiss her -- but it wasn’t the time for that. What he wanted versus what he needed to do were two completely different things, and he would take a deep breath as he contemplated his next words carefully.

A few moments later, he looked at Ariel, a pair of brown eyes that saw clarity had met her gaze. Kavi then sat on the ground, crisscrossing his legs as though he was in kindergarten again. “Then tell me what needs to change.” He said as seriously as he could. If she needed things to change, Kavi Salvador was going to do the one thing he never did when he was with her the first time around: listen to what she wanted.

”What?” she asked incredulously. Since when did Kavi Salvador change for anyone or anything? Was this some existential crisis he was having? Did he get hit by a car? Or was there a chance that he knew and understood the words he was saying? ”Are you actually being serious, or is this another one of those times where you act serious, be a better person for like a week and then go back to being Supreme Overlord Douche bag?”

Kavi didn’t do anything but keep his eyes on her and his face as expressionless as he could. “I'm sitting on your floor, dripping like a loose faucet. I am as serious as I have ever been, Ariel. No games, no ulterior motives. I want to hear what you have to say. So, please if you wouldn’t mind..” He gestured his arms towards her before returning them to his lap.

It took every single bit of will power Ariel had to keep her from groaning. It was Christmas Eve. She wanted to relax - but no. Kavi was here. ”Step one - don’t always assume I’m overreacting, or make it out to me or anyone else like I am. I’m screwed up. Certain things make me react differently than it would other people. Just because I am crazy sometimes, doesn’t mean that I need you to tell me I’m acting crazy. Most of the time if you just let me act like a freak and get it out of my system, I’ll be fine. I know I’m a handful, and I’m sorry. Step two - try to be there for me on my bad days. It won’t be easy. I won’t want to talk. I won’t want to do things. But knowing that you care helps a little. Step three - when I say no, it means no. I know that you’ve gone through life being a pusher and no one’s ever really taught you that it’s not okay or anything. You’re used to getting your way. But when I say no, I have reasons. And you have to respect those reasons. Not go off and kiss another girl. Not text one of your friends to let them know that your ‘bitch is back on her bullshit.’” She sighed again. ”There’s a lot of little stuff that I could go on about for hours, Kavi, but the main thing I need from you is respect and patience. I know I have my faults. I’ve been trying to work on them. It’s not always easy, but…”

“I understand.” Kavi said that only so that he could start processing everything she said.

He wasn’t going to lie to himself and say that what she said didn’t hit him hard. These past couple of months -- particularly from the night of his Halloween party and right now -- Kavi had been doing a lot of soul searching. He ventured to lands of not giving a damn about anyone or anything by listening to the devil on his shoulder who took the form of Mac to ignoring all of his wrongs that he had committed -- and he knew there were a lot of them. Ariel aside, he had hurt a lot of people. Those people weren’t just the girls he dated and tossed aside but those who were victims of his tormenting abuse. Elijah was at the top of that list. He gave that guy hell and none of it was deserved. Kavi would apologize, but he heard that the Abrams moved to Virginia during Thanksgiving break.

So he couldn’t necessarily do that, now could he? Next on the list was Nadia and in time, he was able to apologize to her. Whether or not she actually believed his sincerity was genuine wasn’t clear. Kavi knew it was authentic but he couldn’t very well ask her. That would be too much for the redhead, so he never followed up on it. It wasn’t like Vic would allow him near her. Vic had only allowed Kavi to say what he needed to say provided he never speak to her sister ever again. So he was grateful for the opportunity even if he left a few things unsaid.

So, who did that leave? Ariel, of course. The best for last and the one he wronged the most. Not only that but she was the one he had felt the most guilty in how he treated her. On multiple occasions, even before they got together in the official capacity, he embarrassed her, called her names, belittled her in front of a stranger, minimized her struggles to a disparaging word or two, made her feel less than what she saw herself as , but none of that even came close to her finding out he cheated on her -- even if it only lasted for a moment -- through a fucking Instagram post.

As he sat there in silence, pondering and contemplating his next words, Kavi wasn’t exactly sure what to say. First and foremost, what could he say right now that wouldn’t be a repeat of last time? Well, he wasn’t blaming her so maybe that was an improvement. What was getting to him is he wanted to be open to change -- he was open to change -- but hearing what Ariel had to say and knowing exactly what was on her mind and what the problems were, Kavi found himself overwhelmed, but surprisingly, it was in a good way. In a direct response to what she had said, he smiled at her and clapped twice.

“Okay!” His tone was positive, though not overtly so because, again, Kavi didn’t want to make a repeat of last time. “I get it now, Ariel. Two freaking months later and I finally get it. What was happening wasn’t about me--” He paused, knowing that was the wrong way to phrase it. “--wait no, it was about me but not in the way I thought, right? You wanted me to be considerate of what you might be going through and not think you had to be the one to give-give-give. Equal footing for equal benefits.” The more he spoke, the more Kavi was starting to piece the puzzle together.

”I guess so, yeah” she said, shrugging her shoulders. ”I don’t expect you to always have to deal with my mood swings and stuff in the perfect way, and I’m not saying that you didn’t at times just…” She sighed, thinking for a moment. ”There’s a lot of stuff that I think we both could have handled better. There’s a lot of stuff that we both need to work on.”

As he stood there, he scratched his head, trying to figure out what he should say next. He had come to her with nothing left to gain and his heart open to anything and everything, but when he heard what she had to say and just everything was unloaded, even in the middle of him saying what he said, Kavi wasn’t even focused on not sounding like a total idiot. He bore it all out there for her and, from how she responded, it wasn’t terrible. She didn’t hit him, so he called that progress.

He attempted to take a step forward but stopped. “Ariel…” His voice fell flat as his brown eyes locked dead-center on hers, a rare sight of Kavi at a loss for words. “I’ve hated these two months without you. And, I know it’s a longshot and if you don’t think now’s the time, then I’ll take my wet ass out of here and we can resume things as they have been, but if you think there might be a chance,” he paused, taking one step for man and another giant step towards Ariel with his soaking mop of hair ignoring her previous orders, but he kept at least two feet away from her. “Truth is Ariel, while I’ve had dates since we broke up and tried to fill the void my idiotic actions created, none of them have been the same. They never challenged me like you did. They were all obedient nobodies who just did whatever I told them to do. I used to like that, but not anymore, not since you and I were together, I mean. It was only two weeks, I know, but you have to know -- and maybe even felt it yourself -- those two weeks were amazing.”

Kavi took just a few moments to breathe. He felt his heartbeat increase its rhythm with every word he spoke and it was made apparent to him when his whole body decided to go warm. It was a strange feeling but it was one that brought a slight smile to his face. “You said we have things we both need to work on, didn’t you? We might as well do that together.” He didn’t move but his gaze sold his point enough for him to be confident enough to say it without any underhanded comment or distracting tactic like he usually did.

”Fine. But the first time you show a red flag, I’m out, got it? I won’t stand by while you make me look like a complete idiot again.” She sighed. ”And while we’re on the subject, I’m sorry that I overreacted those few times. I know that I tend to do that a lot, so it’s kind of the first thing on my list that I’ve been trying to fix. Or at least one down.”

Kavi laughed. He knew he shouldn’t and he knew it was inappropriate, but the way she made her actions sound was funny to him because she was overselling them. At the time, it was without a doubt an overreaction because he wasn’t expecting her to react to his touch like she did, or break his nose, or break most of his belongings. The truth was Kavi never expected any of that to come from Ariel just like he never expected to feel so intensely for her. It was true they probably weren’t right for each other, but it felt so wrong being away from her that he saw no other place but beside her.

Sentaku

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