Roran Hawkins

The Irregulars -- An Art Improvement Group

Ooh, I like this. Can I be signed up again so I can bug you with my horrible anatomy once more? :3

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

A cup of tea with nobility.
Meisa's request to Suzume.
One that ends bad for one of them.

A collab between Roran Hawkins and Lesli.

Summary :
Suzume Hanamoto is being invited to meet with Meisa, the Yondaime Hokage assistant. It seems that the woman wishes to meet and speak with the young Hanamoto, saying in the message that has been send to the young girl that Meisa has a request for her.

Meisa

The 18 year old woman made her way through the circular building that was the Hokage's Office. Manouvring through the hallways with grace and elegance she finally found the door to the office of the Hokage's Assistant. Knocking on the door she announced her presence and flicked a single fan out of her long sleeves, blowing herself some fresh air inside the hot building. Despite that it was rather early in the year, the Hokage's Office building's halls were hot.

Meisa was staring at a painting. She had bought it recently. It was a painting of the almost endless woods that surrounded Konohagakure. Putting her left hand at her chin, the woman almost didn't hear the knocking on the door, even while she was a master at the art of Silent Killing. At least, she called it an art. Sighing, Meisa walked to her desk as she called out. ''Please enter.'' Taking her place in the comfortable chair behind the desk, she would smile after seeing who would enter the office. It wasn't that big as the Hokage's, but it had a cozy and yet nice atmosphere in it. At least that was what Meisa was aiming for with the room.

Entering and closing the door behind her, she bowed as she greeted the woman sitting on the deskchair, studying a beautiful impression of the woods around Konoha. "Good afternoon, Meisa-sama." She said, before glancing around the office and making her way towards the desk, where a chair for visitors awaited her. She didn't sit down yet, but instead announced her reasons for coming here, which Meisa obviously knew already. "You summoned me, Meisa-sama?"

''Yes I have. I am glad you came to honor me with your presence of nobility, Suzume-san.'' Meisa said with her almost ever present smile. ''I hope that my invite wasn't bothering you or brought any interuption in any plans of yours. I would be most displeased if I was one to cause you some discomfort!'' Meisa talked with a very friendly tone. As like they were friends for quite some time or like they were going to chatter about something that wouldn't be too serious. ''Would you like some tea? I have made it myself.'' Meisa said, raising her right hand to snap her fingers. A moment later, a man with a plate would enter the room to place the plate on the desk. There was a teapot, cups and a small plate with biscuits on it.

She was impressed by the assistant's politeness and spontanity in what was considered 'haute' language in the Courts of the different lands, but she suspected that there was also some sarcasm hiding in those friendly and inviting words, like venomous snakes in the undergrowth. "The honour is entirely mine, Meisa-sama, I am grateful to be invited by the Hokage's Assistant in person. You needn't worry about my plans, for I am sure that they would bleach in importance when compared to yours."The fact that she still hadn't invited her to sit either meant she didn't know as much of noble ettiquette as she wanted to make her believe or intended to offend her in a polite and subtle way. She suspected the first, since most people simply didn't bother with similar manners because it was too much of an effort, something she entirely understood. Sitting down regardless and accepting a cup of tea, letting the hot aroma fill her nostrils as she smelled it. "I am most grateful, Meisa-sama, thank you." She responded before tasting it. It wasn't at all her favourite tea, in fact, she hated this kind, but she made a pleased sound anyways, as if she completely loved it.

''I didn't ask or invited you to sit, did I now?'' The woman said, the friendly tone and manner of speaking wasn't present anymore. It was replaced by a rather cold one. Meisa had her eyes half open, as the smile on her lips was different. It like there was some change. It was all said after the younger woman had taken a taste of the tea. ''I normally first make a idle chatter and be most polite to my.. guests. But I will cut to the chase. Hanamoto.'' It was like Meisa spit out the last word with distaste. That the word it self was a dirty thing that left a nasty aftertaste in her mouth. ''I have invited you here simply for my own plans. I don't like your clan. Not in the slightest. It is the courtesy of the Leaf that I am not permitted to end your life here and now. Then again,'' The whole cold look and tone of Meisa vanished for a moment. ''I do like it that you had the grace to be polite back. Most unexpected from you, as you come from a clan that is nothing than pure filth.'' Taking a cup, Meisa took a sip out of it as she nodded. ''Tastes rather good, doesn't it? The secret ingredient is however not that healthy. So please, stay put.'' Meisa continued, a light giggle escaping her lips.

Returning a very kind smile as she put down the tea she answered the lady in front of her. "You served tea before offering me to sit down, which is an insult of equal graveness, if not more, should you attempt to adhere the courtly rules. I do appreciate however that you have the respect for me to speak your opinion directly, and not hide behind fancy words." Crossing her hands on her lap as she listened the Meisa's words her friendly smile remained on her face, regardless of the continuous insults. "You would not be in the position you are now should you not have your own agenda. This is nothing new to me. Yes, the tea is magnicifent, but if you truly like dangerous tea, I have once heard of a tea rumoured to be drunk in the mountains East of the land of Iron where they use fermented venom in the tea, which would add a bitter yet rich flavour." She replied in the same polite tone. It was far from the first time her House was insulted, after all, Naomi Hanaomoto had nearly killed the Third Hokage not so long ago, and the fact that Meisa hinted at the tea being poisoned, she did not care. If the assistant was good at her job she would know that Suzume was a master at using poison. After all, poison is a woman's weapon, and at court it was much more useful than a sword or dagger.

Meisa listened to the young woman and smiled again. ''Of course I had. Do you expect me to treat you like some noble lady? Please.'' Meisa waved with her left hand as she let out a short laugh. ''I care little for the rules and guidelines the nobility has. Nothing more but trying to hide lies and plots. Something I as a commoner have mastered before you were walking around.'' Meisa paused as she was eyeing the woman in front of her. ''But I wish this to be over soon. Like I made it very clear, I hold a despise for people like you. I remember Kanajiro Hanamoto very well. It is a sad fat that it wasn't my hand he died at. It would have served him right for not behaving like a proper jounin. Not to mention his other errors, but I will suspect that is probably because your clan holds nothing more than some fat pig on the Daimyo's place. Oh wait!'' Meisa raised her left hand in front of her mouth as she looked surprised. Lowering the hand, the more wicked looking smirk was back.

''You don't have anybody sitting more on that position. That can be called a shame.'' Meisa giggled. ''I would love to kill a Hanamoto the represent his clan. As a fat defenceless pig.''

Listening carefully as if Meisa was telling an interesting story, she unwaveringly kept up her polite expression. Sipping from the tea once more, she waited untill the assistant was done with talking. "I applaud you for your knowledge of how the world works, Meisa-sama. I would love to learn more about what you know about Kanajiro Hanamoto aswell, but alas, I do not think that that is the reason why you summoned me here. It is true that the Hanamoto do not hold much power in the court of the Fire Daimyo anymore, as our main branch has fallen with the disappearance of Naomi Hanamoto, but that is none of my concerns." Surpressing a yawn she held her hand in front of her mouth in a polite gesture before folding them in her lap again, offering Meisa the same respectful and friendly expression as she had shown her during the entire conversation untill now, something she planned on doing as long as necessary,something that especially she had not problem with.

Taking a sip of her tea, Meisa kept her gaze focused on Suzume. Waiting a moment before she responded back, Meisa nodded slightly. ''I have indeed a better reason than to announce my opinion on your clan. I have requested you to come here, cause you're going to be a pawn. Nothing more and nothing less.'' Meisa told Suzume. The friendly and honeyed tone was back, but the look on the woman's face clearly gave the impression Meisa was anything but having any friendly feelings towards Suzume. ''I have read that you hail from the lands of Iron. Even more that you have some connections there. The Fire Union isn't looking to take in more land and vassals, but a trade would be most helpful to us. That having said, the seal will kick in any moment now.'' Meisa said, taking another sip of her tea. The last sentence would seem out of place as there was no hint of what seal she meant, but Suzume would however start to feel her body becoming numb. ''It is very interesting to also notice that I have been trying to hunt down this other Hanamoto. Quite cute if you ask me. Seeing one running around for months, thinking he has so far outsmarted the forces of the Leaf.'' Then the pain would kick in. A burning sensation, as if the veins of Suzume turned into fire, would cause a most discomfortable feeling. A pain that would likely keep an animal of elephant size in place. Meisa's expression turned to a curious one as she would silently examine how the girl would react to the sudden tremendous pain.

Carefully listening she nodded positively as she mentionned her ties with the land of Iron. However, she should realize that her ties there should have been weakening for years, eversince bothof her parents had died in an unfortunate 'accident'. She kept up her mask with nigh-perfect ability, even when she heard Meisa mention the seal. On the outside she still was the beautiful charming and polite lady, while on the inside all alarms would be blaring. As her body turned numb she knew that it was too late to protect herself from whatever seal she was trapped in, as she was sure that it hadn't been poison. Then the pain came. She had always prided herself on her ability to remain polite and courtly at all occasions, her skill in subtly using the most lethal jutsu unnoticed, her knowledge of poisons and gasses, but alas, pain resistance was never one of her strong points.

The pain envelopped her entire being untill there was nothing in her consciousness anymore but her and the pain that threatened the consume her very being, her very identity. If she wouldn't have been paralyzed by the numbing effect, she would have screamed out and flailed on her way towards the ground, but now that reaction was reduced to a pitiful groan as she fell from the chair, hardly conscious of her surroundings.

''Sad. That is all what you are. Nothing more than a little bit of pitiful scraps hold together.'' Meisa said as she placed down her teacup on the table. Rising up from her chair, she walked calmly around her desk. Glaring down on the girl, Meisa placed her hands on her back as she sighed. ''I thought after reading your profile you would have been more cautious. More of a challenge. But you walked right into a simple trap of mine. Wasn't it not clear? The offering of tea, but not a seat? The polite manners, but the fact we never met?'' Meisa asked. Not that Suzume was in the position to talk back if she even could. Raising her left foot, Meisa suddenly kicked Suzume. It was to make the girl lay on her back. ''Really sad. I was looking forward to this. A bit of a struggle, but you're not fun at all. Just like those others of your clan.'' Slowl kneeling down, the woman smiled. ''Painful isn't it? The trap seal I know can be everywhere. It just take some time to prepare it and then. Poof!'' Meisa gently ticked with her right index finger at Suzume's forehead. Though such a gesture wouldn't cause any harm, Suzume would feel another tremendous wave of pain through her body. ''You know, it is funny. Your clan was all about vengeance, but yet only one of your clan has ever been succesfull. What kind of failure are you people?~''

Meisa seemed to take fun in torturing the girl like this. Both with words as the pain the girl was in. ''The seal is probably forming inside your body. Quite the work if I say so. It will hide in your body and not easy to remove. Unless you can last without a heart until somebody can find how to uncover the seal. Not to forget that there are some ways that the seal will make your body stop to function if you do some.... bad things, lady Hanamoto~.'' Meisa paused. ''Don't get knocked out, I am not done with you.'' Another time, Meisa ticked her right indexfinger gently on Suzume's forehead. Causing another wave of pain through the body of the girl.

Words echoed through her head without any meaning attached to them as she fought the pain. Wave after wave of renewed pain strangled her consciousness inside the pitch-black environment of her mind as the seal settled in. Vaguely conscious her body registered being kicked violently onto her back only to be nearly completely subdued once more by new sources of pain. Somewhere in her minds she registered more words, but they passed meaninglessly through her besieged consciousness as she endured Meisa's amusement.

Rising up, Meisa placed her hands on her back as she walked back to the painting that hang on the wall. ''This might take a bit. Normally it should be over by now, but I thought that seeing you,'' Meisa made a gesture with her left hand in the air. ''Hail from a clan of vengeance it would be okay if I would bring some vengeance upon you. Think you should be even glad. I give you what your clan stands for. Sweet, bitter sweet vengeance.'' Meisa said, still staring at the painting. The pain would very slowly fade away. Leaving a numbness behind. ''I hope you did heard what I said before. Doing naughty things or spoilering secrets would be most unhealthy. Not that anybody would believe you. People tend to see me as a....'' Turning around, Meisa smiled with a rather warm and pleasant looking one on her lips. ''As a nice person. Respected and loved. Can't be said the same for most of your clan.''

After a while the pain seemed to lessen in intensity, allowing her cautious mind to take a-control of her body again. The stream words that had resonated through her head before now gained meaning as she slowly started moving again. Still heavily panting, curled up in a ball, sweating like crazy, she managed to move her head far enough to look at Meisa's feet. A nice person eh? Apparently she was. Alas, as she just hinted herself, it was only a rumor, a reputation she had. Things like that tended to change, as Meisa might discover sooner or later. A few wispered words in the right ears could yield a lot of effect. Yes, vengeance, as her mind slowly remembered. Vengeance would be an interesting thing. As more words gained their meaning now she recovered from the pain, she immediately reasoned that she was under a seal that would restrict her from doing certain things. She'd find out soon enough what the exact qualities of this seal were, because there was one thing she knew; the seal was not a living being, and as a result could not respond to subtle technicalities that did not override its restrictions. Something Meisa might find out the hard way.

''Aaah, seems like you're doing better now. Now, like I have said, the seal will keep you from doing anything naughty. It will register your chakra flow. Seems not that bad, does it?'' Meisa giggled briefly. She then walked back towards Suzume. ''But it is.'' The cold tone was back. The only warning before Meisa's foot was stomped on Suzume. ''Cause if you are planning to do what your foul clan always have in mind, I wouldn't even think of it. It is not smart to go against some people, Hanamoto.'' Pressing more weight down on Suzume, Meisa scoffed. ''The seal will simply keep you in place. Uttering a word about this, in what ever kind of fashion will set the seal off. The chakra flow will be the first thing to go down. Did you know that it many things are connected to your chakra flow? Even telling a lie is connected to it. But I doubt you are experienced in seals to cause an interesting talk with. And I am not interested in talking with thrash.'' Meisa removed her foot from Suzume as she went back to the chair behind her desk. ''So, unless you don't want to have your heart stop beating, I suggest you do what you're being told. You will be placed in Team 9 and just be a very good kunoichi for the Leaf. Put any plans of vengeance out of your system and you're good. I will soon enough brief you in when I see a proper use of you.''

"Most... Interesting." She managed as she flinched under Meisa's boot. She expected the cruel lady to continue talking and spewing insults at her in her victorious monologue, and that she only needed some encouragement to continue talking. ''Indeed. Now just recover and think about this. Though you can try to sneak out of the influence of the seal, I doubt you will be any succesful. If you think you aren't watched, you're more stupid than I even think of you now.'' Meisa replied. She took out a few papers from a drawer of her desk. Putting the reports on the table, the woman also took out a pen. ''I would say you're free to leave, but that would be nice. Though, if you wish to feel what true vengeance is, then please be my guest for a bit more.''

First step was crawling on all fours, then came walking, then came running. Slowly standing up using the wall for support, she sent the woman across the room an unveiled glare like only she could send someone. It was a combination of anger, hate and resentment, but also of respect and honour. She had been trapped, and Meisa had managed to break her steel facade of politeness. She had also managed to ruin her mood and get her pissed off quite nicely, and despite that what she was doing now wasn't exactly ladylike, rolling on the floor, writhing in pain wasn't either.

"I'm listening."

''I think you're not. You're free to leave or free to stay and be the test of more seals. I still have some up my sleeve if you want to test them out. After all, I could also put one in place that could make your head explode. But that is a lot less subtle than the one that is now in place.'' Meisa told the girl. Not unfazed by the glare, Meisa seemed to smile. ''And like I told you before. Any thing that seems wrong or spoken out in a wrong manner and you will be punished for it. Either by the seal or any other way that would be most convenient.''

"Don't worry about me, it'll take a lot more than that to break me. I'm not as fragile as my name might suggest. You invited me to stay here a bit longer and enjoy your tea, and I have decided to accept that offer." She stubbornly insisted, and managed to step towards the chair again, using it as support now she couldn't lean against the wall anymore, before sitting down on it, and taking a sip from the tea as if nothing was going on, ignoring her heavily shaking hands.

''That is just sad. You always act like you know how to act, but now that you have been beaten by somebody who is smarter in this kind of game, you forgot several important details.'' Meisa calmly said. She leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and with folding her hands together, she looked like she was interested again in Suzume. ''I can still put that seal that makes your head explode inside you. I can even give a special timer to it. Would be maybe a good idea to scare some other people. Or a good joke against your clan. So, want more tea?'' Meisa offered, her voice honeyed again.

"Yes please." She answered, holding out her cup. She would find it entertaining to play as Meisa's puppet in the future. As long as it would be useful she would continue to do so and make use of her new situation, and possibly status. Anything that would help her further her own agenda was nice. However, once her position as pawn would be too obstructive of her own goals, she would break free, and she would find a way how.

''Seems you wish to have it. I am fine with it.'' Rising up, Meisa would walk around the desk. Weaving several handsignals, the look on her face shifted again. ''I would say sit still, but I guess that is a given.'' Meisa said as she would flex the fingers of her right hand while approaching Suzume. For a moment the woman was briefly pondering on what she was going to do. She had need of Suzume in a way she hadn't revealed yet, so making a timebomb in her would be most unpleasant for the plans. Then again..

"Well then? What are you waiting for? Please blow up my head spectacularly, killing your only skilled spy that has both the knowledge and abilities to infilitrate the Land of Iron's Court aswell as the position and status to. I always loved firework." She replied, aware that adrenaline was still heavily influencing what she said and did. Regardless, Meisa was not spent on formalities, and Suzume in her current position especially not. There was a reason Meisa needed her, and she definately had no lack of spies, so it had to be something along those lines.

That was it? She thought that she was the only spy? Meisa suddenly laughed as she shook her head. Her right hand shot forward and grabbed the head of the girl, as the chakra from Meisa's hand poured from it. It would try to force its way into the skin of Suzume, quite a painful process. ''You're quite arrogant, not something I am surprised with. But also very blind. Something that makes you even more sad.'' The woman kept pouring the new seal's chakra into the body of the girl, but it wouldn't be that painful as the previous one. ''This one is just to make your time limited. It won't override the other seal, as this is just only inside your head. Within three weeks, it will go off. Causing a most unpleasant scene. Most likely a bit of a headache over time. But I assure you.'' Removing her hand from Suzume's head, Meisa took a step backwards. ''It will over when the time is up.''

Enduring yet another source of pain she had to put effort into not passing out when Meisa was finally done. "Nice, then I'll get used to having headaches. At least having my period won't irk me that much anymore." She replied while panting. "Now, where is this tea you were offering me? I would absolutely love some more mud-flavoured water." She continued, lifting her empty teacup. Her parents would probably lock her in her room for at least a month for talking like this, but they were dead, and the dead didn't have much to say.

Heading back to her chair, behind the desk, Meisa frowned at the words of the girl. Taking a seat, Meisa scoffed. ''Sorry, but if you thought I would offer more to a Hanamoto, then you're gravely mistaken.'' Meisa replied. She was now getting a bit annoyed that the girl thought she could have such an attitude. Who did she thought she was? Meisa decided to ask the girl another question. ''I can else it end it now. You think you have some value, seeing how you act, but I can continue my plans without you. Just say so and I can end it myself.'' The woman said, a clear threat as her voice lowered.

"Well you said earlier that this seal takes some time to set up, and that probably means more than a few hours. If you do your job well as an assistant you know probably everything there is to know about me. If you take the time to scout me completely, then set up such an elaborate trap to force my hand, then you need me. However much you might want to kill my miserable hide, all you can do is hurt me. You can't hurt me too much lest you intend to break me and make me useless. You have a certain task laid away for me and I don't think you want to go through the entire effort of finding someone suitable for it again, if there is someone like that at all. No, you won't end me." She replied, leaving her empty cup on the desk. "You will probably kill me afterwards though, once I've 'outlived my usefulness' or something similar. Probably a training accident or a mission went wrong."

She paused and took the time to catch a breath, as her body was still recovering from the previous assaults on its health. "So yeah, if you are anywhere near as smart as I think you are, you won't kill me now. Please don't hesitate to prove me wrong though." She added, wiping her hair out of her face in an exhausted movement.

It became silent as Meisa took in the words of the girl. Closing her eyes, she sighed out loud, clearly not happy with the current situation. ''This is really not what I had expected. I even kind of hoped you would be different. Not that I blame you after what you just went through.'' Meisa began as she seemed to reach out for something. She held up a kunai later. ''You know, it is really sad as I said before. This might let you think I am not even as smart as I first sounded like. Not that I care much for the opinions of others, but it is always nice to have people look up to you.'' Meisa stared at the kunai she was kind of playing with. The weapon seemed rather harmless by the way the hands and fingers of the woman were moving with it. ''Though I have no respect for your clan, I will allow to do a last request. See it as your last wish. I will try to see some of it is being done. In my own way of course.''

Sensing the change of mood in the person in front of her she realized her strategy had failed. It seemed this woman was beyond reasoning with, and that was sad. Not that she died, she always knew she would die young due to some or other plot eventually, but the fact that it was right now. She finally had found some useful information about her goals, and it was downright depressing to die at this moment. Sadly, she did realize she could not defend herself from this woman, which only added insult to the injury. However, if Meisa expected her to be beaten already, she was wrong. Already making handseals hidden in her sleeves, she prepared for what would undoubtedly be a grand finale. A parting gift. "As a matter of fact, I do have a last request, if you wish to call it like that."

Meisa raised her eyebrows upon the words of Suzume. Returning her eyes at the girl, the woman was already preparing herself for what was to come. In Meisa's thoughts she already was expecting something that had to do with vengeance. Not that she was preparing for that. ''I hope it has nothing to do with vengeance as that would be a rather pity to your death.'' Meisa friendly answered while holding the kunai now at the handle in a reversed position.Executing the air prison jutsu around Meisa, a rather simple technique that probably would not hold the woman for more than a moment, she grabbed both fans and fired a corssfire of poisoned senbon at her while spewing out all harmfull gasses stored in the fans aswell. It only made it more hilarious that the gasses were highly flammable when mixed together when she added her last words. "Bear these with pride."

Meisa was first surprised and caught off guard by the technique. By the time however that Suzume grabbed her fans and fired a crossfire of senbon, it wouldn't hit Meisa. Instead, they pierced the painting of what Meisa had been staring at. The Body Replacement technique. Now with being on the side of the girl's back, Meisa didn't waver or took any time to reply back. With a fast stab, she aimed for the neck of the girl, without making any sound to it. The place the kunai was aimed at would sever the nerves that would allow movement, meaning that Meisa was slamming all she had with the strike.

As the knife entered her neck her body went numb and she realized she was dead. How entertaining. The senbon however clashed into eachother when flying through Meisa's previous position, creating several sparks that lighted up the compressed air that served as a means to hold Meisa in position, which in turn lighted up the mix of gasses that had filled the room. The closed door and window only served to amplify the explosion that now occured, and erased Suzume's conscious in a blinding flash. Fireworks.

After the flash, the room was almost only compromised of rubble. The explosion had quite damaged the interior of it. ''Devious bitch.'' Meisa mumbled as she felt the stinging pain and hearing the irritating high pitched sound in her ears. Pushing what was on top of her, off her, she felt quite some pain at her left. Burns were covering her left arm and some of her side. Gritting her teeth, she tried to flex her arm. Like she expected, it wasn't that gravely wounded. But it wasn't pleasant at all. If she wouldn't let it be checked, it would most likely get infected and then the only solution would be to sever her limb. Focusing however on standing up, Meisa looked with a more bland look around. Her office wasn't in the best state. All that was standing was some of the more sturdy furniture. Not that she would have much use of them anymore. Walking to her desk, Meisa placed her right hand on it. The desk literally crumbled and fell apart in two. ''This is exactly why I hate Hanamoto's.'' Meisa mumbled underneath her breath. Turning around, she had a rather annoyed look on her face. ''And in one... two...three.'' Three people barged into her room. The explosion wouldn't go unnoticed and it was painfully clear that something had happened.

One of the persons that had ran into the room, looked worried at Meisa. ''Lady Meisa, what happened? Wait, are you wounded?'' Irritated by the rather obvious and stupid question, Meisa almost snapped at the man. ''Just get a medic here. And warn the Hokage. Damn bitch tried to assassinate me.'' Meisa said. The lie was quickly made up and as she would be taken out of the room, Meisa gained an idea. This might prove handy. While being supported by an ANBU, she would head to the hospital, already thinking on how she and Hisoka could use this in advantage against the Land of Iron.

World in Revolution: 1861

The Nexerus said
Belgium hasn't been alive very long to begin with, as it's only 1864. There are Flemish independence movements to this day, so I don't think it's unreasonable for many of the people of Flanders to support Dutch reunification in this time period.

Yes I'm from Belgium and no I'm not complaining, but I'm just giving my input, don't worry ;)

Afaik at that time the poorer folks spoke mostly Dutch and might welcome rejoining the Dutch, but especially the French-speaking elite who owned and controlled much of the Belgian industrial landscape will resist heavily against Dutch rule. As shown before their protests/rebellion had incited the entire populance to rebel against the Dutch, and I think that just because of their relatively short-lived independance a quasi-seamless reconquest will go unopposed.

I understand that the Dutch intend to restore the 'Industrial South, Trading North' program of before the Belgian Independance, but I don't think that that will have much succes unless you force the French-speaking elite out of their rich positions, which will undoubtedly create a lot of bad blood in other bourgeosie elites in all of Europe.

Unless ofcourse I'm not getting the point of what the Dutch are doing atm.

World in Revolution: 1861

Catching up with everything as a reader I love it except that Belgium died. I am reluctant to believe that there'd be as much public support for the Dutch conquerors as currently displayed, but that might just be me. Also, what happened to everyone guaranteeing our independence? ;___;

Looking forward for more.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Konoha Team 7
Kensuke Nimatsu

Arriving at Trainingfield 2 where Kiyomi had decided to gather Team 2 and Team 7, he noticed Hayate Hyuzu sitting on the ground, probably meditating. Dragging himself towards the boy he couldn't help thinking of the countless times he had arrived first at a trainingfield like this, waiting for his squad, team 4, to arrive. Sadly, those days were over. It was an unlucky coincidence that this new mission followed immediately after the previous one, but more importantly, the news of his team's death. The 3 other shinobi that had been his best and only real friends for his entire life inside Konoha. It was a bit of an ironic coincidence. While he was doing his first mission of teaching youngsters of the importance of working together, fighting in such a way that your teammates and friends would not get harmed, his old team was wiped from existance, despite their nigh flawless teamwork.

"Good morning Hayate-san."

Kensuke greeted the boy before leaning against a tree. Only visible to the rare few people still alive that knew him very well his eyes had gotten a weary and tired look. It was a minor detail, and hidden very well in a steel facade of calmness, but it was there nonetheless. He had refused to fall into the depression again he had fought, his friends had fought so hard to get him out, to continue living as his friends would have wanted him to, but he still felt as if a part had been ripped out of him. Looking at the arena of nature surrounding them, he kept trying to keep his thoughts from wandering on the painful subject of his friends, an impossible task.

Naruto : The Rise of The New Generations

Konoha Team 7
Kensuke Nimatsu - Hisoka Uchiha

Politely knocking on the door as he arrived at the Hokage's Office, he sighed. His first official mission as a Jounin team leader. Practically a disaster. The only one who escaped unscathed was himself. All of his genin had gotten themselves wounded one way or another, and they even had to carry one of them back to the village. He ignored the commotion around him as he set his mind on calmly reporting what had happened during this mission, irrelevant of the recent attack on the Konoha hospital. He admitted to himself he wasn't in the right mood for this right now, but he'd just have to deal with it.

From the behind the door came a short and almost snappy "Enter."

Carefully opening the door and closing it behind his back, he entered the Office. He had been here so many times now, and it never ceased to inspire him with a sort of respect, this room. As if he had to do everything extra careful and make sure he'd do nothing wrong. "Lord Hokage, I'm here to report about Team 7's mission, concerning the prisoner execution." He said, as ever impressed by the mountains of paperwork awaiting the Hokage's attention, and decided that he didn't want to waste Hisoka's time, especially with the entire ruckus around the attack on the hospital taking most of the Hokage's time.

Hisoka knew it was Kensuke who would enter his room before the boy had even set a foot inside and he felt bad. No, he felt guilty. Guilty for what he was going to tell the boy in a minute. Guilty because he would be lying about something that had hurt him just as much as it would hurt Kensuke now. But, it was for Konoha and for Konoha he was prepared to do everything. Kensuke was here to report about the mission and while Hisoka wanted to hear everything about the Genin there was simply no time for that now. He had things to do of greater importance, but this was something he had to tell Kensuke personally and he had to tell him now.

"Sit down." He said as he took a seat himself: "please."

Kensuke nodded and took a seat on the chair in front of the desk, making sure he wouldn't knock over the towers of paperwork with the sheath of his katana as he did. He had knocked over a cup of hot chocolate milk at home that way once, and both the emotional and physical pain had been a good way to remind him to be careful for the rest of his life. "The mission is a succes, all prisoners are executed. However, ... We suffered-"



Hisoka interrupted him by raising his hand. The boy fell silent immediately and for a split second Hisoka was slightly amazed by the respect Kensuke seemed to have for him. the way he listened to what he said. And he would betray that respect, but Kensuke would never know. "I have something to tell you. Something that comes before a mission report and I fear... It is not good news." He said. He did not avert his eyes from the shinobi before him, but gave him a steady unwavering look. He could not mess this up now. This had to be done. Kensuke was going to lose his friends.

"While you were away another team was on a mission as well. A team consisting of Tsubasa Kokoro, Katsuko Moto, Yumi Hasegawa and... Ryo Katsu." He paused for a second and forced air into his lungs. "Their mission was not succesful and... unfortunately... none of them made it back to Konoha." Hisoka closed his eyes for a second and his hands curled into fists.

Blinking his eyes and shaking his head as the Hokage told him his old friends, his only real friends, had died on a mission. Surely there was a misunderstanding somewhere, right? Katsuko, Ryo and Tsubasa, yes, even that sadistic bitch Yumi, they were all like weed. You just couldn't get rid of them. Team 4 had faced impossible odds time over time and had proven every single time they were not to be eradicated. They were that stubborn group of shinobi who just refused to die. As the Hokage kept staring at him, awaiting an answer, and judging on how the man looked, truly sorry for what he was saying, he knew that this was real.

"What? Are you sure? Have they found any bodies? Are they really confirmed ... dead?" He asked with a rising desperation that consumed everything going on in his mind. The entire farce of a mission, a stain on his carreer, was meaningless compared to this. His friends... No, this wasn't possible. Right? Right?!

Hisoka could see Kensuke's bewilderment, his desperation and he could feel it too because he knew those feelings. It was the disbelief that the people close to you were just... gone and you would never see them again. Hisoka's friends had been burried under that bridge, but with Kensuke... He would never know their true faith. How could he be so cruel? Was this what Konoha made him do? Was this... Hisoka shook himself awake. It was done. It was over either way. "I am sure." He only said. "They... died serving Konoha."

It felt like a physical fist in his guts when the Hokage confirmed it. He wanted to ask further after the details of their deaths, but he knew damn well that the man infront of him wouldn't tell more details anymore. They had been classified as an ANBU team after all, and their business were often less proper. Thereby, Hisoka probably didn't want Kensuke to get revenge for his former teammates, but Kensuke didn't feel like he wanted revenge at all. He had carried the vessel of hate and vengeance with him once already, and once he had killed the one person he hated so much, he didn't feel any better. His eyes searched the Hokage one last time for a small light of hope, but only found cold compassion. His shoulders dropped a few inches and he needed to support his head with his hand as the news finally got through to him. Katsuko Moto, Ryo Katsu, Tsubasa Kokoro... His only real friends in Konoha. The three people who had made living here worthwile, who had given his life as a hostage a purpose here in Konoha, ... All dead. He would never see them again. Never. Again.

Without realizing he let out a deep sigh, and closed his eyes. It seemed that every time he was on a mission without the people he cared about, that they'd have horrible things happen to them. He should have... Why was... If only... If only he could have been there, to protect them. It was just like that time when Matsuri went rogue. He had been on a mission without anyone he knew, and Matsuri had fled the village and became a hunted criminal. Another unconscious sigh followed the first one, as he thought about how he could have done more to prevent this. They were his only friends. One by one, those he cared about were dying. Who would be next? Kaori? Kiyomi? ... Noone else... Wow. He really had no other friends. All the others were dead. He cou-. No. He had promised he would not start blaming himself again. He wouldn't. He couldn't. Not after all his friends had done to him to stop him from blaming himself. He couldn't do this to them. Blaming himself for their deaths now would be an insult to their legacy, if their young lives had even left any. He sighed once more. He would live on. He would make sure they had a legacy. Just like all his other friends that had died. He would make sure their will would live on.

Standing up from the chair he politely bowed to Hisoka, his Hokage. "Thank you for informing me of this, lord Hokage." He said with a voice that was devoid of any emotion, and life, before turning around and leaving the office. Somehow he was even more careful than when he had entered, making sure the chair would make no noise when he slid it back into place, and that the door wouldn't even make a sound as it was closed again. Soullesly he walked through the circular halls of the Hokage's Office building towards the exit, ignoring everything around him. The friendly guard that had given him a friendly nod, the sweet elderly lady he had met along the way that had said him hello, they didn't seem to exist anymore.

His friends were dead.

Back in the office Hisoka still sat unmoving. His eyes were pinned on the door that was now closed, pulled shut by Kensuke as he shut the barriers around him. Hisoka could see it. Suddenly he got up and almost rushed to his window to see the young shinobi leave the building. He saw him walk, he saw him disappear both physically and mentally, he saw him freeze inside. There were a thousand things he could have told Kensuke, but none of them would have made any difference. Only Kensuke could take the next step, whatever that step might be.

Hisoka's hands were resting on the window still. He burried them so far in the wood that it hurt, but he didn't look away. He had just doomed someone to his own faith, to his own pain, his own problems. He could only hope that Kensuke would not go down the same road as he had. He could only pray that Kensuke would keep walking, would find peace and courage in new places, in new people.

But for now his friends were dead. And it was Hisoka's fault.

Lords, Ladies and Lies of the Court

"Non, je ne veux pas l'autre." He said with a calm voice as he inspected his clothing in the mirror. He never really liked the life of a courtier much, and fancy clothing never interested him beyond being able to mingle with his fellow nobles in them. Inspecting his rather simple blue clothing for any irregularities before putting on a black overcloth signifying his grief for the fallen King Henry VIII, who ironically bore the same name as himself, albeit with a different numeral. He realized that his position in this court would be destabilized by the King's recent death in a campaign against the French, a campaign in which he had been called to fight on the French side. As a result his blue clothing might be seen as provocative, but he did not care. He was proud to be French, proud of his House in Montpellier, despite that his family had no love for him, nor his fellow countrymen. He would wear his family's colours with pride, and he would not let himself be intimidated into an even worse position. With the old and stubborn king dead, he would have a chance to aim his words of reform to ears who might show interest in his words, and noone would stop him from that. He could even reason that his obvious French roots would only prove that he did not wish to insult the English court, as his Protestant faith was obviously unwanted in France, and he would represent the repressed Huguenot Protestants in the English Court, signifying their support to the young Queen.

Nodding at his servants he made his way to the Great Hall, which was already being filled by all kinds of nobles, some of which offered him friendly nods, some of which offered him angry glares. Most of them however ignored his arrival, as he had suspected. He had not entered the foreground eversince his rather unspectacular arrival at the court, and unless he required to do so, he was content as a rather unknown factor here. Seeking out a similar-minded English noble, he began a short banter with the lan as they mobed to the sides of the Hall. Henri was no dancer, despite that he was able to, and didn't feel the need to join the celebratory festivities going on in the middle of the Hall.

The Shadows of Aeios

I'm on vacation, dunno about the others. We'll see :P

Lords, Ladies and Lies of the Court

/me is on vacation and hardly availible.

Lords, Ladies and Lies of the Court

Are we going to have some fun? I do think so, regardless of this RP starts or not... >:)