A Road Not Taken [Yoshi; FINISHED]

[Issac Verro]

The winds surrounding Nibelheim were fierce, as Issac had placed the hood from his baggy rob over his head, annoyed that it provided very little comfort from the cold. Issac could see the small fortified village off in the distance, and continued to trek forward, his fur covered legs and feet inadequately protected by by his sandals. "This is the last time I travel without knowing the area." Issac said through chattering teeth, walking up to the village gate.

"State your purpose traveler." The guard said, his voice steady and his eyes on the robbed Inu-jin. His weapon was pointed toward the sky at rest, showing Issac that although there wasn't much noise around the small town, the place was at the very least fortified.

"A place out of the cold, and somewhere to fetch some weapons if you have any." Issac said, removing his hood, showing his face as his floppy ears blew wildly in the breeze. The guard viewed the shaggy Jin with a weird eye, his imposing height and canine feathures offputing, but he appeared safe nonetheless.

"Any weapons on ya!" The guard asked, coughing as he unintentionally let loose his surprise at the appearance of the haggard traveler.

"A sword and my hands." Issac said, removing his weapon from his side to show the guard. After a glance, the guard nodded and knocked on the gate, signaling for it to open and allow Issac entry. Nodding in appreciation, Issac walked into the village, his eyes searching for a place to buy food and drink, from their he could inquire as to where to purchase armaments.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

We'll be back with Dinner! Shaohan shouted down the stairs as Yoshi fooled around with some tools in his cellar. Before he could respond, he heard the door shut. Shaking it off, he pulled the screwdrivers and wrenches he needed and slowly ascended the staircase. When he did, he came up to find that everyone left, Kyoko and Kanami, Kei and Shaohan. It had been quite a few years since this shop was THAT quiet.

The Mayor's Nieces were quite the handful at that time. So eager to learn they were. And they would follow every job with 'Is this okay Yoshi? Is this right?' Now That the girls were a little older it seemed easier to manage. The Sho brothers hadn't been here a little more than a month, already they were fitting right in like some big dysfuctional family.

Yoshi grabbed a soft cloth from a table and began cutting it into strips. After a month's work, the Baguazhang Sword was nearly finished. Just need to work on the hilt....

[Issac Verro]

Issac walked to the window pane and saw various weapons shelved behind a counter. No one was insight inside the store, but a closed sign had not been posted and there was still daylight outside, so Issac took the initiative to venture inside the store, hoping to find a weapon smith of sorts. Walking inside, the bell above his head rang rather loudly in his ears as Issac shook his head to remove the then blanket of now that covered his head and ears, looking around in further investigation.

In the air, the fragrant and savory smells permeated the small store, causing Issac to pant as he liked his lips, not having a real meal since he lift Laytor in search of a change in scenery and new armaments. Licking his lips, Issac walked closer to the counter to inspect the weapons, stopping himself from looking like an unfed mongrel, hoping the displayed steel and wooden weapons would take his mind off his hunger.

"The craftsmanship on these weapons is quite lovely I must, I hope that these show swords reflect this guys ability to handle a blade." Issac said, rubbing the hilt of his weapon, which with the help of both Zeshin and Rajah, was in need of sharpening, strengthening, and polishing if possible. "Is anyone working here?" Issac said loudly, hoping someone could hear him, having heard several voices in the direction of the source of the food he smelt.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Placing a few straps on the hilt, Yoshi heard the bell ring at the door. Figuring it was Kei and the others, he sat intently and prepared another strip for the hilt. Just then, hearing the voice call out, Yoshi hopped up and headed for the door.

Coming into the main corridor from the left, Yoshi noticed the hooded creature at his counter top. approaching, Yoshi spoke.

"Welcome to my wares shop. May I help you?"

[Issac Verro]

Removing his snow spotted hood, Issac opened his thick robe to reveal a pouch containing some sterling silver pieces, and took his sword of off his waist and set it on the counter. "I'll be needing this sword sharpened if you don't mind..." Issac said, removing the sheath to show the various wear and tear on the blade. Plucking a hair from his chin, Issac placed his hand on the handle and turned the blade upward, dropping the strand on the blade, causing it to split into two down the center. Looking at the green haired merchant Issac rubbed chin.

"It's gonna require something special to sharpen this blade, and I heard that a certain weapon-smith in Nibelhiem can do it." Issac said, thinking about the forging process and tempering of his weapon. The metals comprising his sword were rare, and notice to the mountains near his homeland, a place he hadn't thought to venture to until now, the idea of coming to terms with his past as far off as anything else at the moment.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Looking at the sword closely, Yoshi bent over and scratched his Chin. Reaching around the table for a magnifier eye-piece, he took a careful eye to the blade before drawing his conclusion. Looking up at the Jin, who seemed a little distant from the issue at hand.

"If you need a reapir, you've come to the right place." Yoshi began. " There's only one problem. This sword holds secure elements of what appears to be Orihalcon stone. I'm fresh out. But I do know where to get it."

Reaching to the left in a cabinet,Yoshi fumbled around a bit before producing a rolled-up cloth. A Map, of Niebelheim and the surrounding areas. Rolling it out on the table, Yoshi grabbed an arrow from the quiver on his leg and pointed at it.

"Just east of here, there is a small mountain range with many caves and tunnels. The Kujojido mountains. Near the rear of the center mountain, here, is a surplus of Orihalcon stone." Yoshi wavered a little as he stood, Itching as though there was action coming. "There are Orcs in that cave. But If we left now, we could make it back by morning."

Yoshi shrugged his shoulders. "That is, if you want to get the material tonight."

[Issac Verro]

Issac couldn't help but smile at the flair that the merchant showed in his display of the map. He informed the Inu-Jin that his sword couldn't be repaired until a metal similar to that of his homeland was acquired, but not without struggle as he informed Issac that Orcs inhabited the land where the metal lie in the earth.

"Lots of craggy cliffs on that range, but outside of that, the Orcs lie deep within the caves of Kujojido. The danger depends on how deep are we going in." Issac said, sheathing his sword. Issac had previous run-ins with Orcs in his past, and in hindsight, they reminded him of belligerent drunks, who wore less clothing and smelled even worse. Despite their tough and sturdy body, they were not with out their weak spots, the eyes were especially weak to bright lights, leaving them dazed and prone to self injury. "If we're going, you might want to bring some phosphorus or magnesium flares. Take out their the eyes and the rest takes care of itself, no need to dull your weapon on Orc skin and bones, you'll shatter the strongest sword on em' after a while." Issac said, placing his sword back on his waist.

Scratching his neck, Issac looked at the merchant and smiled, "I couldn't trouble you for some of the food you have here could I, I smelled it when I got here and the trek here through all that snow is murder on a mutt's stomach." Issac said, chuckling in slight embarrassment.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"We're back!" a hearty Shaohan shouted as he entered the door. He was empty handed, save his Shakujo, but Kei, Kyoko and Kanami all had multiple boxes of food. "Thanks for at least holding the door, Shaohan..." Kei muttered in disgust. "Hey!" Shaohan retorted as the girls giggled. "I was too hungry to hold anything."

Kyoko placed her boxes on the countertop and gave Yoshi a grin before turning her eyes on the large figure before her. She had only seen such figures in books, so even though she didn't utter a welp, she stood completely still. Kanami placed her boxes and smiled at the Inu-Jin. the sisters seemed always apparent in their differences in personality, just like Kei and Shaohan.

Yoshi eyed the boxes decisively while they were stacked and seeing that Kei still held his, led him to an easy desicion.

"We have plenty of food. Stay and eat with us. These are the brothers Sho and the sisters Katana. I am Tokugawa Yoshi." Looking to the the girls, Yoshi continued.
"Kyoko if you please, set the places. Kanami, prepare the Ramen." Turning his eyes back to the warrior, he continued on. "You are welcome to come and get washed up for dinner, Mr..........."

[Issac Verro]

"Issac, Issac Verro, glad to meet you." Issac said, smiling at the prospect of some food, companionship with tolerant people, and the possibility of exercises after hearing of the Orcs in the mountains caverns. Issac sensed the young women's apprehensiveness toward him and chuckled, "Don't worry, I don't bite or have fleas, thank you for the dinner invitation Yoshi, I'll go wash my hands." Issac said, showing all 10 of his fully capable and limber digits that were attached to hands and not paws.

After washing his hands, Issac found his way to the designated dining area and sat patiently at table, waiting to be served. Placed in front of him was large, fragrant bowl of noodles and chunks of moist meat, filled to the brim with broth and seasoned with an assortment of spices. Breathing deep as the steam flowed into his nose, Issac formed a cushion of Force around his hands to shield them from the heat of the bowl. Picking up the pair of chopsticks at the side of his hand, Issac broke the set in two, twirling the noodle around the sticks to grab a hearty amount, eating them in a manner that denoted some form of etiquette, mindful of his slurping.



Finishing his mouthful, Issac looked over to Yoshi, and wrapped more noodles around his chopsticks. "I take it you know the area well enough to have warned about the Orcs, anything else we should consider?" Issac said in between blowing on his food.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"Other than the darkness. Most of the path is lit by the walls of the mountain, The crystalized green moss is exteremly radiant." Yoshi twirled his chopsticks around decidedly before taking out a chunk of Ramen and scarfing it down. ""During the Day, peaks of sunlight filter through, it's really quite beautiful. "

Kei ate the last of his food and wiped his mouth slowly with the napkin that was set at his left.

"Mind if I tag along, Yoshi?" At the very instant, Shaohan jumped out of his chair. "Oh, well if Kei's going, I'm going." Yoshi rolled his neck and looked in Shaohan's direction with a frown.
"I'm sorry Shaohan, I need you to sit this one out." Kaori and Kanami looked at each other and then over to Shaohan, awaiting his response.
"What?"
"You heard me, Shaohan. I need to you stay with the girls. Marshall Law or not, I don't want them to spend the night alone." Shaohan slammed down into his chair.

Yoshi stood up and turned to Issac, placing his vermillion locks behind his ears. "I can modify the sword temporarily with Damascus Silver, it won't last forever, but it will do for tonight?"

[Issac Verro]

"Go ahead, it's all yours, I left it on he counter before I began eating, despite it's look, the blade is still very sharp, so watch yourself, or you might have to find a new profession friend." Issac said, finishing the remainder of his ramen with a slurp. Setting the bowl on the table before him Issac, Issac bowed his head in reverence to the cooks, "Thank you for the meal ladies." Issac said turning back to Yoshi. "You're friends seem enthused, your going to keep them cooped up here, they could carry our bags." Issac said chuckling, the more hot headed of the of two reminding him of Zeshin, with his enthusiasm for getting into trouble.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Yoshi hopped out of his chair and headed back to the front room. " That would only tick him off more, Issac." He said with a sly look. Make yourself comfortable, I work fast, so you've got about twenty minutes before we depart." He quickly dissapeared. Kanami got up and began to collect her dishes to wash them. Going to Issac, she placed her dishes next to his and pulled on his robe.

"Mr .Issac, what brings you to niebelheim?

[Issac Verro]

Nodding in acknowledgment to Yoshi, Issac felt the tug of his robe's sleeve by one of the young ladies that was present inside the dwelling. Smiling his doggish smile, Issac turned toward the girl and placed his hands over his lap. "Well, I needed a new sword sharpening, and I heard this was the place to come. Nobody told me it would be so annoying to get here." Issac said, scratching the top of his head. "That among other things, I like to travel little lady, so I find myself in a lot of crazy places and situations." Issac said, grabbing half of the collected dishes. "I'll help you with those." Issac said, standing to his full 7 feet of height.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

As Yoshi left the room, he approached the blade and picked up his magnifier. Seeing the fine clippings, Yoshi then lifted the heavy blade and ran down to his forge. Placing the blade in the heat, Yoshi then walked over to the rightside wall and opened a steel cabinet. After removing some miscellanious items he got to what he was looking for; Damascus Silver. Pouring some in the mold, Yoshi sat and waited for things to settle before also placing it into the fire. The blade and silver would havee to be at the perfect tempature for tempering, and Yoshi knew when the time would be so.


Meanwhile, Kei and Shaohan entered a heated discussion.
"Shaohan, I know why Yoshi asked you to stay here." Kei started.
"It's unfair Dammit," Shaohan retorted. "I Should be able to go."
" He doesn't want you to get into another reckless situation.""

[Issac Verro]

Issac listened to Kei and Shaohan bicker, and he scratched his chin in though at Shaohan's predicament. If he was indeed reckless as they claimed, he needed both an outlet for his angst and proper supervision, suppression of the type of person he was would only bode ill for what Issac deemed to be decent people. "I'll see if I can convince Yoshi to let you assist us Shaohan, if you can find me some spirits of some sort." Issac said, taking it upon himself to help the eager, even if it was to benefit himself to a degree. The smell of the forge was in Issac nose now, the scent of heated Damascus coming from and enclosed area caused the Inu-jin to follow them to the smith he had com to see in the first place.

Walkoing into the room where the smells emanated from, Issac ducked his head and entered, seeing Yoshi in front of the mold, his sword in his hand as he waited for his forge to go to the right tempreture. "Yoshi, I had one other request to make of you. Would you allow Shaohan to escort us on this expedition?" Issac asked, walking closer to the heated oven. "I know its sudden and not my business as to why he was not allowed to join us but, I think his recklessness is nothing more than restlessness to a degree. I have a student very similar to him back at home, and much like a good blade, they should be tempered if they're going to be of any use." Issac said, his stance lazy as he did not want to offend the smith, his height making him look more lanky and docile than imposing, as if he were some furry tree in the middle of the room.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Placing the sword in the forge, Yoshi turned around to the shaggy figure and scratched his head. He went to utter a word. Then put a finger on his mouth. Then he spoke."Listen, Shaohan almost killed his brother the last time I went with him anywhere, and I don't expect him to just sit and do nothing. But you know as well as I that immature and reckless behavior has no place on a trek like this. Not Yet."

Grabbing some tools, Yoshi proceeded to rotate the sword in the flame. "I don't want the girls to spend the night alone tonight. Moreover, in all fairness, Kei asked first, so he should be the one to go. Master Yin told me to look after Shaohan. And he needs to prove he can follow directions first."

[Issac Verro]

Issac hated butting into matters that did not concern himself, and most often, he was resigned to letting things go over smoothly, but this time, the matter had struck so close to home, it was unavoidable, the familiarity preventing him from backing away.

"That reminds of my pupil's first excursion into tapping into his powers, except his mother and I were to be the victims the night's altercation. His other asked me, a stranger who happened to follow the ruffians into town that night to stay and help him learn his to control his powers. It was only after I helped him realize that despite one slip or loss in control, he did not have to let his feelings of guilt eat away at him. If you let those things fester, they can become monsters that overtake the person, remember they not as calm as we tend to be..." Issac said, veering off into his own thoughts.

"I'm pretty sure Kei would understand, and have no problem watching the girls, but I can tell that I'm intruding so I won't press the issue any further, and I'll leave you to your work. I'll be ready when you return upstairs..." Issac said holding his chin, turning slowly to walk back to the stairwell.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Yoshi placed his hands against the workbench and put his head down. Issac was right, plain old right. Yoshi knew he couldn't punish Shaohan forever. But If he got reckless tonight, would they survive him??

An hour later, Shaohan exited the washroom and stretched. He had just got done washing his face, and was preparing to go to sleep, when he heard Yoshi's Voice call for him, Kei, and Issac into the main chaimber and store.

"I've made my descision. We're all going, be ready in twenty minutes."

Kei nodded, and Shaohan clenched his fist with excitement.

[Issac Verro]

Issac smiled his typical dog eared grin, his canine's present in his smile as he looked over to Shaohan and nodded approvingly. "I am all set to go, right after you hand me my weapon of course." Issac said, rolling the sleeves of his long robe down, kneeling down to prepared his feet for the trek ahead, then noticing that his sandals were in great need of attention and would not make the journey through the craggy cliff side and mountain caves. "Sorry to bother again but, you wouldn't happen to have any footwear, preferably in a size 12 or so..." Issac said, adjusting his belt so that the lower part of his robe would stay closed in their journey, protecting him from the harsh winds.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"I have an extra pair that fit pretty loosely." Shaohan cut in. He quickly ran back up the Stairs as Yoshi Presented Issac With his Sword, Still Slightly warm. Smiling Yoshi went into Detail.

"Normal SIlver doesn't normally hold and edge well, so I began to make a ion of sorts. With Damascus, it Lends a Flexibility for Deeper Cuts. I hope it Will Suffice."

Shaohan Rushed Down The Stairs and Handed Issac the Loose Greaves. "I'd Wear them over your sandals for comfort."

Yoshi, Staring at his Party Comfortably, Grabbed Ymir and Checked his equipment.

"Ready Boys?"