niceguypose | Tenth Gate [Voice/Action]

[What connects the phrases "Rock Lee" and "dislocated knee", aside from the fact that they rhyme? Well, the two things are part of the same person after Rock Lee tried to fight off the droids when the time came to come to the moon. And why did he feel so compelled to resist them? Well, such a pain in his heart comes out soon enough. Once he finds that the journal is still on his person and is still working, he shouts into it the reason:]

[Voice]

GAI-SENSEI AND TENTEN... THEY'VE GONE HOME!

Feel free to weep. Gai-Sensei never saw shame in shedding tears of youth, after all, and I am sure that they will be missed dearly. At home, they will fight on bravely.

In addition to our current predicament, I understand that it is almost Halloween. Many worlds refer to it as the 'holiday of disguise'. A very appropriate holiday for the ninja, don't you think? Furthermore... I shall honor Gai-Sensei by disguising myself as him.

[Action: Throughout Event]

[It's odd. Lee does not feel alone, as he expected to. But he feels afraid of the very possibility of feeling that. So, there's less attention to personal space than ever - and he's seeking out friends new and old as he travels through Malnosso World. You may even find him towing around a reluctant NPC friend. He's the least impaired by the power cap as well, since all of his strength and speed is from personal training. He makes regular lap around the area in search of more companions, while constantly ignoring his knee's pain. And if you catch him on Halloween, you'll certainly find him dressed as Maito Gai. Which... does not look very different.

In Cartoon Land, he trains! What better way to make use of the complete lack of physics than to perform impossible feats and absurd spars with them? Beware as he challenges passersby into battles that will often take place in fight clouds!

In Bubble Land, he examines the surroundings and takes notes! Not to mention that he winds up going on the love-paddle rides. In fact, it almost becomes like an addiction because of the way it puts his fear at ease.

In Casino Land, he takes his hand at games of chance! With spectacular failure. And he may just need to be held back whenever he tries attacking a machine in frustration. He has better luck at the food court, where he collects all the curried dishes for himself - including all of the weirdest ones. He spends more time here after the Halloween incident.

In Junior Land, it's time to relive the most youthly part of youth! He checks out most of the attractions but focuses on the bumper cars, sparing no mercy towards his rivals. He spends time in Thrill Land and Halloween Land as well. Trying out all the death-defying rides! Being the most impatient youth in line! Murder mysteries!

He spends his offtime at a villa inhabited by Usopp, Shikamaru and Luke Triton. He may feel the need to camp out in some of their rooms on different nights, and it all builds up to the Halloween Incident: when Usopp brings him sake, the result is a drunken Lee who wrecks the villa.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I see. I am sure that with time, they could have. I believe in that.

It's entirely possible. For the moment, though, I am more concerned with you.

[He is one of the Konoha shinobi who's actively reached out to her, and he's a very nice boy. The loss of a sensei he idolized and a teammate must have hit him hard.]

You... you are? You truly are, for me? [He was really, truly afraid that these thoughts were mistaken - that Konan really didn't care for him and would rather leave him alone.]

Of course, Lee. I'm not one to express concern that I don't actually feel. Are you all right?

Such honesty... I am currently - I am alone. What is your current location?

Casino land. Where are you?

[Where better to make use of sleight of hand than to play some of these games? And no one's harmed in the end.]

I am by the villas. I... I shall come to find you there!

Very well. I'll make sure to keep myself easily visible, then.

[She's not exactly a paragon of comfort, but if her company will help, she'll make herself available.]

I thank you excessively!

[And he'll be turning up at Casino Land as soon as possible on the lookout for her.]

[Excessively? That seems a little off, even given Lee's quirks. Still, he did lose a teammate and a sensei all in one go.

Konan is at a blackjack table, and she's doing quite well. Mostly because she's excellent at the sleight of hand necessary. Most shinobi would be, but for one who utilizes paper as one's primary weapon, she's particularly adept at keeping things up her sleeve.

She raises her hand in a slight wave when she spots lee, but otherwise keeps her eyes on the game.]

Konan-san!

[And he is very quickly... right at her side, eyes watery already.]

You truly did wait for me!

[It's a true relief. He had been so afraid that she would have left him alone.]

It would have been cruel to lie. It seems like a bad idea for you to be on your own right now.

[As she speaks, she's still keeping her eye on the game and watching for the perfect opportunity to cheat and also to see if anyone else is trying to do the same.]

That is... among the most touching sentiments!

[And one that helps to sway his fear.]

I am glad to be around you, Konan-san!

[Oh Lee, you are too sweet. Konan doesn't know quite what to say to that, so instead she addresses the direct situation.]

Would you like to join in the card game for the next round, Lee?

Konan-san... I would be so honored!

Are you familiar with the game?

[It won't be fun for him to play if he doesn't at least know the basics.]

I am only vaguely familiar! [Konoha boys play cards sometime. But he's not sure if they've played this particular one.] I will observe you acutely.

[For his benefit, Konan explains the basic gist of it.]

The point of this game is to try to get two cards that total up to a value of twenty one, or as close as possible to that without going over that number. As with any card game, bluffing is acceptable when placing bets.

I see! It certainly sounds exciting and invigorating. I cannot wait to play!

[Konan has been alternating between cheating, bluffing, and playing honestly. She's not going to outright tell Lee to cheat, since it's something that's not officially allowed, so much as quietly tolerated because others at the table are cheating, too.

At the moment, she's bluffing with a deadpan expression. ~~Can't read her, can't read her, can't read her poker face~~

She addresses the dealer, putting in a couple of chips.]

I will hold and raise the bet to fifty.

[It's a total bluff. She has a terrible hand, but there's a lot of risk in taking another card at this point. She lets Lee see her cards very briefly.]

[So of course, Lee declares at his normal indoor voice.]

Konan-san, is that truly a wise move?!

[Well, now it's not a wise move... Konan isn't angry, though. It's not as if she's going to lose anything of importance. A couple of the other people playing at the table look mildly amused and another raises the bet up to seventy-five.

Since he gave her away anyway, Konan just moves on as if this was all part of her plan.]

I was trying to demonstrate how to bluff effectively while playing this game, Lee. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear.

[She motions for him to come closer so she can whisper to him.]

[And he moves closer.]

I apologize. As a shinobi... I should have been able to pinpoint the art of deception in motion.

[Konan speaks quietly, with her hand blocking her mouth from the view of everyone else at the table in case there are any lip-readers present.

It's probably best to get this explanation out of the way and to frame it in a particular way so that Lee will be able to have some fun with this and won't be distressed if he sees anyone, including her, cheating.]

This is a game of deception, and some may even employ sleight of hand to sneak in cards that will let them win. Officially, the rules don't allow for cheating, but I've seen at least three people do just that and no one is losing out on any real money. Think of this game as a harmless training exercise.

[Lee quietly nods along.]

I understand. I shall definitely employ it in such a fashion!

Tenth Gate [Voice/Action]

GAI-SENSEI AND TENTEN... THEY'VE GONE HOME!

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