Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra]

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

Regardless of rank there was always work to be done within the village. With every village damaged, with people still recovering from old wounds, there were a lot of missions going out and that meant the Shinobi were being injured too. It was one of Seiko's off-call days meaning she wasn't going to be called out to assist with any missions, instead she had some work back at base to be doing. She hummed out a small five note rhythm as she adjusted the tools on a table and stepped over to fix the coverings on the examination chair.

With that done she stepped over to the desk and rattled open a drawer, subtly pulling it to the right so that it didn't stick. She pulled out a notebook and then opened it up to check her schedule. It was all check ups today, Shinobi out doing missions, some of them doing a lot of missions... It was possible they had picked up infections, diseases, lingering wounds that they hadn't had treated, perhaps out of stupidity, perhaps out of duty. That wasn't for her to decide, only to treat.

She snapped the book shut and closed the drawer before stepping out of the examination room. Her shoes clicked gently against the tiled floor as she walked to the waiting room and took a look around. She wore a simple white shirt and light blue vest today with a white trenchcoat over the top and blue fingerless gloves. A pleated skirt and knee high socks finished her look, with her hair pulled back into a single braid and tied at the bottom with a blue bow. "Indra Erlang-Taki?" She called out, waiting to see if her next patient had arrived yet or if she'd have to send a letter to the higher ups that they were avoiding appointments.

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 14th July 2022, 3:31 pm

Indra sat in a chair that was at least as old as him, the back of his head resting on the wall behind him. He closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to look at what could only be described as beige vomit coating the walls. Not that he could see the actual color beige itself. Instead, this was just another shade of grey in a world of grey, but he had been taught by his parents the various shades of greys and their names long ago before any of this madness had started. He hated going to the clinic for medical issues. In the past, his father had simply bandaged him up or signed off on his check-up papers. It was simply easier that way and saved a slot for someone who really needed it. Indra hadn't seen his father in nearly a week though. Sure, he had come home, but it was frequently late at night when Indra had already gone to bed and by the time the boy woke up each morning, his old man was gone again. They no longer lived together, simply dwelled together.

He opened one eye at the sound of his name being called and found a young looking doctor standing in the doorway to the examination rooms. He raised an eyebrow, surprised to find that the girl couldn't have been much older than him. Indra raised his hand, jumping from the chair, Yeah, doc, that's me. Nice to meet you. He said, following her back to the examination area.
Sorry for wasting your time, we can probably get this done pretty quick. My father is a Med-Nin here actually, maybe you know him. He usually handles my checkups at home so we don't take someone else's spot, but he's just been so busy lately and... Indra trailed off, realizing no one actually wanted to hear this. This woman- this girl just wanted to do her job and go home like anyone else. He sighed, How's your day been? Busy? He asked, trying to make small talk.

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

"A pleasure to see you again Indra, I remember examining your record for the Chunin Exams so that I could understand my competition." Seiko replied simply and turned on her heel, leading Indra along to the examination room and letting him in. She stepped in behind him and shut the door before moving to the desk and up onto a small stepping stool as she wasn't quite tall enough yet to reach all of the desk while on the ground. "My name is Seiko Rikigaku, I will be giving you your check-up today." She pulled out an information sheet and clipped it to a clipboard before hopping down and then sitting in a chair. "Please take a seat on the examination couch, I just want to confirm some details before I continue." She told him, pointing towards the couch with the end of her pen.

She then made a few notes on the paper before nodding. "I appreciate your father's efforts however undocumented exams like that are becoming somewhat of a problem. It's very easy for paperwork to get mixed up or lost and it means that the village no longer has an accurate record of who is mission capable and who requires rest. That is the primary purpose of the check up today. You have been on several missions now and I've been tasked to ensure that both your physical and mental health is stable for you to continue such. Your work for the village is greatly appreciated but if you work yourself to death then your contribution to the village becomes zero... Which is..." She paused for a moment, pursing her lips. "...Inefficient." She finished before looking at the paper again. "To continue, please confirm the following information. Your name is Indra Erlang-Taki, you are a known member of both the Taki and Erlang Clan, you haven't been exiled, you identify as male, you are fourteen years of age, stand at five feet and five inches in height and weigh around one-hundred and ten pounds?" She waited for a confirm before continuing.

"My day has been... Quiet and I dislike it. There are always wounds, there are always things to deal with, when things grow quiet it means that someone has either missed something or there is something bigger coming." Her lips curled into a frown as she remembered the Bijuu attack and her own efforts against it. There was an awful amount of blood that day. "I continue to work however, as I must. So tell me, are you dealing with any physical or mental issues that you wish to talk about? So many missions in a short time could be seen as working to forget something, though I do not jump to such conclusions. Are you working towards an exam or is there something deeper? I should mention that I am fully capable of assessing and assisting with mental health needs, the body cannot function without a fine mind behind it, after all." She gave her best reassuring smile, though it never quite reached her eyes.

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 15th July 2022, 7:17 am

Ooookay. Indra said, raising his eyebrows at the mention of Seiko having studied him before the exams. Was that even allowed? She didn't strike him as the type to cheat, but then again he hardly knew her. Oh that's right, I think I remember you now. You were a monster in those exams. He said, stepping into the room and taking a seat on the couch she had indicated. Realizing what he had said and how it may have come off he added, Er, sorry. I mean that in a good way. Didn't they jump you in ranks straight to Med-nin? I regretfully wasn't as prepared for those exams as I would have liked to be, but it was a good learning experience. He looked about the room and felt odd. It was as if they had looked at the standard examination room, with its sanitized walls and furniture, harsh overhead lights, and crinkly paper coverings, and decided to try to remodel it as a living room. It hadn't worked. It was like painting dog shit. Sure, from a distance the turd was a nice bright pink, but upon even the mildest of inspection, one could immediately see that it was still in fact a turd.

Indra glanced down at his hands when Seiko mentioned his several missions. They were forming calluses now, though some still blistered from the back-breaking work of digging graves a few days earlier. He cocked his head when she paused for a moment at the mention of becoming inefficient. A very strange way to describe actual people and what they could accomplish or contribute. Then again, she was clearly some sort of genius to advance through the ranks so quickly at such a young age and that generally came with a bit of strangeness. As she rattled off the list of facts about him, Indra either nodded or responded with a, "Yes" to each one, until she got to his height and weight. Er, actually I think I went through a bit of a growth spurt since that last report. I think I'm closer to 5'8 and 130 pounds now. My father said it's common for large growth spurts to happen around this age, at least with my human side. He's not as well versed with...the other. He trailed off for a moment, I'm sure we could get an accurate measurement for those before I leave though, just to be sure.

His eyes went a bit wide at Seiko's questioning of any mental or emotional issues. That was a bit personal, considering that they had only just met. He had to remind himself that she was a doctor...of some kind...and this was normal during any other examination for any other person. Still, the way she spoke was off-putting in a way he couldn't quite explain. Something deeper? Indra asked, picking at the scabs and cracked skin on his hands, but not making eye contact with Seiko. His mind momentarily wandered to his mother, her abandonment of the village -of him - only a few short weeks ago. Indra knew some of the other Erlang, the Denkou they were calling themselves, had gone with her and now wondered whether or not word had reached the higher-ups in the village. Historically, the Erlang clan was rather efficient at only releasing information they wanted to be released to the general public.

He shook his head, No, sorry doc. Nothing quite that interesting going on. I might need some ointment for my hands, most of them have calloused over, but I still have a few active blisters. He held up his hands to show her. I am getting ready for the Tokubetsu Jonin exams though. My outing at the Chunin Exams was...less than stellar, so I want to make up for it. The village needs to see I'm more capable than I showed them almost a year ago.

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

"I was promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin and seconded to the Logistics and Support Department. The paperwork went well with my mindset but I wished to be more useful. A few weeks of hard studying, of both books and people, and a creation of a few new tools and I sat my Medical Exams," A confident smile lit up her face, this one causing a glint in her eyes, "Of course I went all in. I do not live by half measures. My prowess and my teamwork allowed me to gain a Probationary promotion to Combat Medical Ninja. I'm now one of the upper echelons of the Medical Department. If you're wondering why I'm here? This is what counts as a day off for me, some light work and training in between appointments, it's peaceful, though quiet." She waved that off afterwards and then noted something down on the information paper that she had, making sure to cross off the old height and weight measurements. She'd need to get more up to date ones and get a new sheet to note it down cleanly.

She put the clipboard down for a moment and hopped up, moving over to the scales and stadiometer. She had to give the old scales a kick or two to get them to start properly registering weight and let out a sigh as she done so. The sub-par equipment and workspace was starting to bother her and no matter how much she disinfected the place it still felt grimey. She needed to start working on budgets and equipment for the Medical department, how was anyone supposed to survive and fight for the village if she could barely find one clean scalpel in thirty. As she got sorted she made sure to continue talking however, she still wanted to get a gauge of Indra. "By deeper I mean hidden motives. Some people are working towards things, some are trying to hunt down specific groups, some people..." She paused and turned to look at him, adjusting her glasses slightly. "...Have a deathwish. Having a goal is good, killing yourself to achieve it is pointless. It's good to hear that you are working towards your Tokubetsu Jonin exams, the Republic can always use more capable Shinobi in ranks that allow them to make the most of their talents." With that done she pulled on a pair of gloves and walked over to Indra.

"This will take only a few moments, just need to give you a once over and then I can heal over the current blisters and give you some ointment to stop it from being so severe next time." With a quick double blink, circuitry grew out of Seiko's eyes and along her temples, her pupils turning diamond shaped and narrowing in sharply while small arcs of electricity ran through her irises. She reached out with one hand to gently take Indra's chin, nudging his head slightly to the side before looking down across him and then nodding and stepping back. "Slight pain, surface bruising in the hands, reserves full, no internal injuries, mental faculties seem to be fine. Excellent." She nodded once more, seemingly satisfied and then reached out, placing the tips of two fingers of both hands onto Indra's palms, with a small flare of chakra the blisters and scuffing would heal over easily.

The Medic then moved to her desk, removing her gloves and tossing them aside, and opened a drawer before pulling out a small squeeze tube and handing it to Indra. "Twice a day use this, usually before rigorous exercise and before you sleep, should ease up any issues. If you could also step over to the scales for me. Now unfortunately I have some other questions as part of the Village itself and recent events. Have you heard of any dissent recently or possible anti-Village behaviors. General discontent is both understandable and not what I am looking for. I personally dealt with rogue Shinobi during the Bijuu attack and the Republic is looking to get more information on such."

Techs:

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 15th July 2022, 2:20 pm

Indra raised an eyebrow, initially surprised that someone could consider this work to be "a day off." He realized though that many of his "days off" were spent at the training grounds or simply picking up an extra mission. He hadn't actually dedicated himself to a day off in weeks. He could understand Seiko's thought process, even if the way she described it put him off a bit. Still, there was a certain kinship there between them. He whistled, Wow, that's impressive. You'll have to show me how you did that. I wouldn't mind skipping ahead a rank or two. He watched Seiko pull her gloves on, No, no death wish. At least not one I'm aware of. He paused, considering if he should proceed, There is someone I need to find, but that can wait. There are more pressing matters to attend to first.

Her analysis of him was unnerving, to say the least. The way the bio-metal seemed to just emerge from her skin and the effect it had on her eyes made him involuntarily wince, but he stayed as steady as possible while she conducted her exam. Thanks. He said, taking the tube of ointment and looking it over while she explained the directions. It seemed straightforward enough. He rose from the examination table and approached the scales, waiting for them to balance while Seiko recorded his height. Dissent? Hmm. I've encountered bandits just outside the village, some seemed to be refugees of the village even. I was on an escort mission with food and supplies through the village streets when we were attacked by two men posing as village officers. That could have just been your average organized gang though. Times are certainly tough and people are falling away from civility and into survival. It's...less than pretty. He trailed off, staring at one of the walls while he considered any other instances. He resolved not to mention anything about his mother or the other Denkou who had deserted. That was the Erlang clan's issue to deal with and he wasn't going to get hauled in front of the elder for running his mouth.

What about you? He asked, changing the subject and stepping from the scale. What's your end game, Seiko Rikigaku? You've blown through career steps in about a year when it takes a normal shinobi around twenty times that. What's left to do? Aspirations to take over as Kage by sixteen? He asked with a smile, somewhat joking but in all actuality wouldn't have been surprised at all if she confirmed that's exactly what she planned to do.

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

Seiko let out a small laugh after Indra's whistle and a proper laugh at that, warmth seemingly seeping in from nowhere. She gently shook her head and then turned to look at him before motioning for him to step onto the scales. "If it was something I could teach, Indra then I would certainly do so. It's more a case of knowing your own abilities, knowing what you can do best in a situation. The key to success is confidence." She smiled at him and gave the scales another small kick until they actually read properly. With that done she then motioned him to step to the side so that she could measure his height.

In order to do so however she had to walk away and pick up her stepping stool and bring it over, being that she was about a foot shorter than Indra was. "The people are coming together, slowly but rebuilding will take time. We have never been more vulnerable than we are now and I know that there are elements creeping in that seek to destroy not just Kohaigakure but the Republic as a whole. I cannot allow such things to exist." She paused for a few moments as she stepped up and adjusted the stadiometer. "Call me what you wish but the Republic brings safety and order. Those things are important to me. Does it make the right choices at all times? Of course not, it never could. Does it at least wish to keep people safe and alive? Yes and that's why I have to protect it."

She hopped down and went back to her desk, making a few more notes. "For my aspirations however? I don't want to be a Kage, I'm not a people person... Though I imagine that's somewhat obvious..." Her smile was wry as she turned back to Indra and gave a shrug. "My goals are simple; I want to protect people, I want to protect those I love and I want to ensure that the Republic becomes a force of stability, order and good in the world. The world is dangerous but together, all of us, we can change that. What about yourself, Indra? What do you want to be?" She then tilted her head slightly before adding another sentence to the end of her last question "And are you open to assisting me? Of course with the understanding that I will assist you in turn."

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 19th July 2022, 4:21 pm

It wasn't lost on Indra how strange it was for a doctor to need a step stool just to measure him, but then again his doctor was also at least a year younger than him so the height thing was pretty negligible at this point. He was impressed with her recognition of the Republic's failings. It was something he himself had thought about many times, but never really voiced to anyone else. He didn't expect the Republic to be perfect, it was run by people after all and people were always fallible. It was in their nature and honestly, one of the things that made life worth living. Still, it could always be better. I wouldn't worry too much about being a people person. We're talking just fine and honestly, people are overrated. You find a few gems once in a while, but on the whole, it's best to just continue about your day without them.

He considered his own goals while Seiko spoke. Her goals were noble and respectable and he of course felt a similar way, but judging by how confidently Seiko spoke, he doubted he felt it on the same level. He wanted to hunt down his mother. To find her, to- to- he didn't know what. What did he want to do once- if he could find her? Did he want to kill her? She had caused him so much pain during his short life but she had also taught him so much. Did he want to bring her back to the village? To answer for her crimes? Had she even committed any real crimes? Indra pondered this and remembered her eyes on the night she left. Those red, red eyes. Yes, a crime had clearly been committed.

Her stirred himself from his thoughts, realizing he had been quiet for a little too long and said, I'm not really sure of my goals just yet. I guess I'm still figuring all that out. For now it's just the generic 'be the best that I can' sort of thing, you know? My parents have been training me hard from a young age, so I'm sure they expect a pretty heavy level of achievement from me at some point. He stepped away from the stadiometer, assuming Seiko had completed her measurements. Hmm I'm always happy to help when needed, but please excuse me if I don't immediately agree to something without a little bit more information. What did you have in mind?

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

There was definitely something lurking in Indra's mind, that much was obvious to Seiko. She stepped away from the stadiometer and made the last of her notes before sitting on her chair once more and turning it to face Indra. "I hope that you do become the best that you can, the Republic could do with a warrior of your potential." She said simply before steepling her fingers and leaning back in her chair slightly. Could he actually be trusted to assist her? What would he be looking for in return? Her eyes narrowed slightly and she gave a small nod, he was capable and hiding demons of his own, he wasn't a paragon of justice and that was good, she needed him not to be.

"There are two things. One more medical in nature, the other more personal. The first is that I am going to begin trialing a new series of Rikigaku technology designed for rehabilitation and enhancement of currently existing Shinobi. I've made a lot of leaps when it comes to the fusion of flesh and technology..." She did carefully leave out just how far that fusion had went "...And due to this I am seeking to eliminate a common problem amongst Shinobi. A lot of shinobi retire due to losing limbs or senses, puppet prostheses can fix the former issue though they are somewhat unwieldy and prone to difficult to fix damage. I am creating cybernetic technology that will be able to replace limbs or even enhance already existing features within the body, perhaps as far as regulating adrenaline for bursts of physical strength, limited use internal chakra buffers or even additional optical mountings. I need some people to consent to trials so that I can advance the technology and roll it out to the Shinobi populace as a whole." She watched him carefully for a few moments to gauge his reaction before she continued.

"My personal matter loosely ties into this. If you were to consent you would be under my studious gaze for all of your medical purposes, you wouldn't have to pay for any of it or any other medical treatment, you would receive top of the line cybernetics with enhancements of your choice and gain my assistance on missions in order to gauge the effectiveness of the augmentations in person. In return, you would understand that this technology is currently experimental and there may be a few technical glitches to work out, though from all of my preliminary tests, none of it is life threatening. Additionally, I would be asking for your assistance with a personal matter, simply a few errands and people of... Specific lineages and distinguishements that I need to find. I can't go into too many details due to it being secret technology but I will say that the people I need must be traitors to the Republic or Missing Nin in general, what I am doing I cannot morally do to people of the Republic." Her voice was level and calm as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. They had betrayed the Republic, betrayed stability... Betrayed her in a sense, so there was no remorse in doing to them what she had to in order to strengthen her own position. "If you have any questions, ask them and I shall do my best to answer. I can tell more if you give me your word that you will assist me."

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 5th August 2022, 7:37 am

Feeling that the physical exam portion of this "examination" was over, Indra had opted for the seat in the corner rather than the examination table. He settled in comfortably, listening to Seiko's proposition intently. What she spoke of sounded wonderful. Helping those that had been harmed or lost something in the line of duty? He thought of all the injured, both shinobi and civilians, who still wandered the village after the bijuu attack. The hospitals had been overrun, so once those people were stable they had been sent away in favor of those with life-threatening injuries. It had been cold and harsh to send them out onto the streets, but no one in the medical community of the Republic had time to fit them for prosthetics when there were literal hordes of people bleeding out or dying of rampant infection just outside the hospital doors. However, something still nagged at Indra's mind as Seiko continued to speak. Cybernetic enhancements were a dangerous territory. He knew little about artificial intelligence or honestly anything related to cybernetics, but knew enough to be concerned about someone else being a part of his...body, a part of his very self. It made his skin crawl.

I don't have a problem with helping you, so long as its criminals we study, Indra finally spoke up after Seiko had finished, I might even be interested in these enhancements you're offering. He paused, looking past Seiko for a moment, mulling over his next words. Finally, with a sigh he returned his attention to Seiko, My concern is with what happens when we truly get into the thick of this? What if I have accepted some of these 'enhancements' as you say and at some point realize this is too much for me? Or maybe I simply begin to disagree with your methodology? He stared at Seiko, searching for any indication, any tell of an effect his questions had had on her. Then, more quietly, barely above a whisper in fact, he added, Once I go down this path with you, will I ever be able to leave?

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

There were a few long moments of silence with Seiko staring intently at Indra. Her face betrayed nothing, her expression completely neutral. After a small period of time she frowned slightly and reached up, taking off her glasses and putting them on the desk beside her. She closed her eyes and reached up, rubbing her eyes with her thumb and index finger. She really needed to learn how to apply some proper empathy to her words, she truly meant these to be a good thing but perhaps she was still failing at modulating her voice properly? She sighed and opened her eyes.

"Indra, take this as a small psychological reading, but you must harbour some lingering worried thoughts about me as a person. At no point did I say that you would be unable to withdraw your consent nor did I say that you must go along with everything I say. My secondary, more personal objective, is one I would ask you to keep secret if I told you simply because it's somewhat unsavoury. However I planned these cybernetics to help people. To allow people who have had their lives ruined to return to some semblance of normalcy. The way you speak makes it seem like I have some ulterior motive to rolling these out. If I had that, surely I would find people on death's door who had no option but to accept my aid, no? Instead I come to an entirely healthy and able Shinobi whom I believe cares for the good of the republic." She pursed her lips and raised a hand to forestall any words of Indra's before she continued. "I won't even ask you to make the choice right now. Think about it, I am fairly easy to contact these days. I'd be in your debt if you assisted me but I wouldn't push you past your own limits and while some of the planned cybernetics are... Irreversible, not all of them are, and I would make it clear which is which before I operate." She told him plainly before slipping her glasses back on and hopping to her feet. She picked up the paperwork and walked over to Indra, handing it over alongside a pen.

"Please sign these documents to say you were happy with today's assessment, there is a feedback section if you wish and also double check the measurements and personal information to ensure it's all correct so I can enter it back into the database." She smiled at him and stepped back to let him finish and to hear if he had anything else to say.

Subject: Re: Links In The Chain [Seiko/Indra] 6th August 2022, 6:47 am

Indra shook his head, now realizing what he had implied with his questions, No, no, it's not that exactly. It's not anything personal that I worry about with you alone Ms. Seiko, though in truth I hardly know you, I have been keeping up with what you've done. You were a true hero during the Bijuu attack and on your own probably saved hundreds of lives. It's just... He trailed off, thinking about his mother and the countless stories she told him of the history of the Republic, of this continent, even of the continents unknown to him and shrouded in mystery, This world has a bloody history with leaders who sometimes had kind, altruistic intentions and others who simply did not. Yet, from what I've read it all ended the same.

He sat silent for a moment while Seiko handed him the clipboard and went over the various forms and information she needed before he left. It's not you I fear, Ms. Seiko, it's the unknown of what these experiments will bring about. I... He trailed off and thought of his mother, the night she left, her red eyes and dismissive turn about, am scared to put my faith into someone again. He put his head down, finishing the paperwork with some comments of excellent, thorough service and made sure the information was correct. He handed the clipboard back to Seiko and turned for the door. On his way out, he looked back and nodded to her, I enjoyed our talk, Ms. Seiko. Thank you for your help today and I'll be in touch.

[/exit]

Posts : 3780 Join date : 2012-05-06

"Take care of yourself, Indra, and remember to use the ointment I gave you." She called out warmly after him as he left before leaning against her desk. Faith... What a strange word. There were obvious trust issues within him, something had shaken his resolve though not in a way that seemed to impact his work. "Hm... I'll need to wait and see if he contacts me again, I won't do anything overly fancy to begin with. My Heavensward project might have to wait until I have him fully on board but that's fine... Perfection takes time." She murmured to herself before clearing up the loose documentation and folding it away in a drawer.

She pulled out the file of her next appointment and nodded. Faith was indeed strange but she was sure she could foster it or at least its weaker sibling; trust. If she couldn't well... There were always other promising shinobi that she could approach, surely one of them would align with her beliefs... She wasn't too far gone after all... Not yet.

[Exit]

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» Indra T. Erlang
» Indra Kukinorite

Road Trip

With the first round of classes complete and the students already acclimated to life at the academy. The school has organized a field trip in order to give the students a taste of what …

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