Guard the gates?

The mission:

A day had passed since their patrol through the wealthy neighborhood in the village and the rain had hardly stopped. So it was that they were once again handed a mission slip. Another C rank mission but this time it was to guard the gate. Of course Tadara suspected that this one was more of a work shift than anything. Checking paperwork and matching it up to cargo. Creating an alarm but not engaging if anything were to transpire. There of course would be a jounin nearby should anything go just awful but Tadara idly wondered if the two of them could escape if someone was strong enough a jounin was needed. Typically if one could flee from an opponent it meant one of two things. Option one was that they were simply strong enough to escape and therefore by that logic also strong enough to engage. However the second option was the one Tadara would almost always assume. The enemy was letting them escape. Having no need to worry about them because of the difference in their strength. In truth mere pawns on a board that the village was moving. Tadara couldn't say he disagreed. But that wouldn't be a permanent status for him.

Still he had the presence of mind the night before to dry his rain gear and clean it. So he at least looked the part of a professional and he wasn't having to put on wet rain gear. Defeating the purpose of putting it on in the first place. Still the streets were muddy and not many people were out in a downpour like this. Luckily the guard station was indoors just within the gate. Travelers would be expected to stop there and present their paper work. A large window slid open with an overhang outside to let them interact with those passing by. Tadara would slip inside after wiping his boots on the welcome mat and take over the shift. Katsumi would likely arrive soon after. The two of them being assigned together this often was likely to build up some repour. To get two individuals working together and comfortable with each other so when real missions... combat missions became something they were able to handle they would be already working in tandem. Able to have an idea what the other was thinking and work around it. A more fluid team. At least that was what Tadara assumed their theory was.

Once more Tadara was unsure of what to say when he saw Katsumi enter the room. His black eyes watching the young man as a moment. He commented on how the rain could be a real drag. Tadara would nod but one of his bees would beat its wings against his ear. He would pause a second before he decided to try something at least. He would raise his right hand and awkwardly wave once before he would speak. His throat felt dry and he couldn't bring himself to blink. Were his lips chapped? Why did people choose to speak? Was anything really being communicated by a simple statement like this? "Hello again Katsumi." It was a brief greeting but outside of work required and almost technical talk when they worked together as teachers this was one of the first times Tadara had not spoken matter of fact like. Still he felt like it sounded odd and quickly moved away from the conversation to check in a new arrival. He didn't like social interactions. What did one say? Wasn't it inefficient to just say hello if you weren't looking to talk? But Tadara had wanted to say hi hadn't he?

Tadara would take over double checking the paper work as people came and went. It would be Katsumi's job to check cargo for illegal contraband. This suited each of them more as Katsumi was good or at least better with people and looking through someones things was awkward. Tadara though could process the lay out of a legal document and correct any errors like a computer. He surmised if he needed to he could even spot or make a fake. Most of the next couple of hours was just common work checking everyone in and out and when it was done all of it was filed away. They were excused from their post and thanked for their hard work. Tadara rather liked paper work. Still his black eyes would shift to Katsumi a moment as they stepped back out into the rain. Water pitter pattering off their protective gear. Tadara would just stare blankly for a moment before the bee buzzed again. "It was good to work with you again." was all Tadara would say before turning on his heel and heading back home. He was a social catastrophe but it was clear he was putting in the effort at least.

Exit thread
2 posts = 40 exp
mission complete = 65 exp