Fourth Gate [Action/Video]

[niceguypose]

[Action]

[Lee is back in action on a brand new day. In the morning, before performing his usual workouts, he takes some time to prepare curried chicken soup to deliver to Rapunzel, assuming she still has her cold. And afterwards, amongst his jogs around the village and general intense workout routines, he takes some more time to prepare for his and Sora's Christmas plan.

Ever since that talk with Sora, Lee has set a new goal for himself and has started undergoing preparations. He doubts that this "Santa" will show up here in Luceti; so he plots to become Santa. He stops at the library and reads several books to get ideas of what different worlds and cultures think of this man, who must be nothing other than a Hokage-class ninja. Maybe even more powerful... His other stops include the item and clothing shops to collect accessories associated with this holiday, often with not-so-subtle attempts to be covert. He may spend some time people watching for signs of actions both benevolent or dubious. And finally, he spends some time running along the beach to collect as many seashells as he can carry to help Sora make them into what he calls "wayfinders".

But even so, he feels uneasy about this plan. What if there are key parts of Santa's legacy he is missing? How is he supposed to determine the difference between nice and naughty? And what if they want something other than seashells? So he decides to take to the journals, without playing his hand.]

[Video]

Rock Lee here! Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! And I come with good news for this holiday season. I have it on good authority that the one known as "Santa" shall be arriving for the beloved Christmas holiday! And - and I am doing my best to act as his ears, eyes, mouth and every other body part! So, I will accept any intelligence that you have freely. For example, the sleeping schedules of yourselves and others, and who you would classify as "nice" or "naughty", including your own honest assessment of yourself. Finally, what would your ideal Christmas present be? I can communicate all of your wishes to the mighty Santa-sama all in due time!

Comments

[hollower]

[Sleeping...schedules? What on Earth would anyone want with that?! That's really, really creepy! And Perona usually likes creepy things! Wh-Whatever, she'll just answer the part about gifts and not bother with the other, weirder questions.]

...I want money, for starters. A mountain of riches, or at least a million berri! Or if not that, then some elegant clothing, or a cute little bat! Maybe a big, fuzzy spider, too! Ah, or a bag filled with my favorite sweets and candy!

[niceguypose]

Those are all good options! I shall be sure to record them for Santa-sama's sake! Perhaps you can receive some combination? Excuse me if I am rude, but you must have quite the appetite for berries...

However! I must also know. Are you nice, or naughty?

[hollower]

Eeh? [Appetite for--oh! Pfft. That's right, different worlds, different currency.] Ah, no, you misunderstand. Berri - it's my world's currency, not actual berries. It's really metal and paper money - just like any other form of payment, the name is just...a bit strange, I suppose, now that I think on it.

As for being naughty or nice... [She smirks, and leans back in her seat, leaning her cheek on her hand.] I've been a little of both, but...isn't that how all people are? Horohorohoro...

[niceguypose]

Oh... I see! I apologize for my misunderstanding! That is a most unique name for one's currency. Are you against the taste of berries in turn?

Ah - that could be argued, but for the sake of Christmas, one side must be determined. It is the only way to know if one is worthy of a gift!

[hollower]

Mm, no, I like the taste of most berries...though if I were to eat a million, I think I'd die. [And totally not like the taste of them and not fit into any of her clothes ever. 8|a And Perona sighs after a second - she's got to choose, hm? Well, of course she's going to lie. No one would genuinely say they were naughty.]

I've been nice enough, I think. Deserving of what I want, certainly.

[niceguypose]

I choose to believe you, Miss. And I believe that Santa-sama would, too. May I ask your name?

[hollower]

Perona. ...It's Perona. And might you be, that's so invested in the goings-on of Santa Claus?

[niceguypose]

I am Rock Lee. Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! It is an honor to meet you, Peron-san!

[hollower]

[Oh, god, not another Wild Beast. Perona mentally cringes at the memories that title along brings up and momentarily makes a face of pure disgust. She really does, absently, wonder what ever happened to Absalom and Hogback - more the latter than the former - but only for curiosity's sake. She really doesn't care much for her old crew. It's in the past, and she was never very fond of them that much. They never were nakama, but...crewmates. People she traveled with, sometimes an annoyance, really.]

Likewise, Lee-kun. ...Good luck, with what you're doing.

[niceguypose]

Thank you! And good luck with maintaining an appropriate level of niceness!