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 Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 7:50 pm
Jianyu offered a smile to the young Legion woman who had introduced herself as "SiMa Li." She was very polite in her greeting, very formal and it was...unexpected, though not entirely unpleasant. He tilted his head and said "It is very nice to meet you, SiMa Li.
"And you did not intrude," Jianyu added warmly, casting a sidelong glance at Yue and Huang. "You are more than welcome to join us. It is always a pleasure to have more in a group, wouldn't you say?"
Turning his gaze momentarily from Li, Jianyu bowed his head in a gesture of respect towards Huang's brother and his fiancee, raising his head to say "Well met, Xiao Lee, Shu. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
His face flushed somewhat at Xiao's comments, but he laughed good-naturedly. "It is I who should be complimenting your brother to you, rather than you complimenting me. Huang-Fu is a very intelligent, impressive young man. I am proud to have him as my student."
The Festival was growing crowded as the sun rose higher in the sky. Jianyu, still holding Ligiu's hand, let his gaze move across the people that wandered by. The din of the voices were growing louder, the laughter cheerful, upbeat, mingling with the clinking of silverware from the restaurants around them, the soft treading of footsteps as people walked.
Ah, the Festival, Jianyu thought, reaching up to absently twist a bead in his hair. A curious thing...
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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:15 pm
The crowds were starting to stir. Yue felt somehow more at home in the budding chaos. She returned her attention to those who her company in time to hear the names of Huang's brother and his future wife. "Nice to meet you both, you seem so balanced," Yue said, being strange as per usual. She saw that one of their natures balanced the other out, that they had a rhythm together. "Glad that wasn't the last thing we'd remember of one another," Yue laughed, "Though you have quite the aim when it comes to food...!" Yue Lao grinned madly, referencing the food fight from the incident at the Academy. "I am, I hope! Well-known with him, that is," she elaborated, casting a quick glance to Yu, pursing her lips in thought. For a moment, something darker and warm slid across her eyes, before she focused on Huang-Fu again. "So you're a big, strong fighter now?" She teased, pretending to look him up and down.
The new girl, Li... she seemed almost rigidly polite, at first. The laughter she offered Yue in return for her kiss, however, made Yue's eyes glitter with excitement. "I can be even more generous," she answered, winking. Yue pursed her lips, thinking, a grin struggling to burst free. She rested one hand on her hip and shifted her weight to her right leg.
"Ah, sweet new acquaintance, why would you wanna know a thing like that?" Yue Lao responded, raising her eyebrows, grinning, when Li asked if they were Legion. She knew that all three of them were, but... she didn't yet know this new girl's allegiance, and it was a festival, after all. "Seems like the war is everwhere I look," Yue murmured, her eyes wandering off into the crowds. She thought again of the Noble she had killed, his blood. Of how another had stabbed Jianyu. That had brought the war so very close to her own life, it was inescapable. She had hoped, maybe, that she would be able to spend the festival without being so sombre, though. Self-conscious again, she tugged at her cheongsam.
She cast a glance up at Jianyu, again, and watched him twirl one of his beads. "HEY, Yu! Something good in dreamland?" Yue nudged him and smiled. "Speaking of dreamland, if any of you get thirsty, you should let me know," Yue added. Her othermother had extended an invitation to any of Yue's friends, should they want a cup of one of their wines, set up at a festival booth.
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:21 am
She again inclined her head to Jianyu, her posture relaxed but alert to the surrounding conversations and her current companion's familiarity. "You have my gratitude," she told the one-eyed male, falling silent thereafter to spare taking anymore of his time. He was a teacher, a mentor of some sort after all, and she was certain that the gathered would not be the last to approach him.
Which, it turned out, gave her full attention to the decidedly flirty and vivacious Yue Lao. Li lifted one of her pale brows in silent amusement at the winked retort, tilting her head but otherwise maintaining her stoic position. The small bit about the war was not lost on her, and immediately, she felt a swell of kindness for her vibrant acquaintance irregardless of whose banner she fought under. "And even where one's eyes can't reach," she agreed with a quiet somberness, her eyes just a touch less brilliant. There was not one facet of her life that had not been afflicted by the illness of war, many familiar and loved faces gone without warning or a chance for farewells - some to be a part of the war, but most a casualty of the wrong place and wrong time. It was those losses that she was here to see off - and those lost that spurred her to be where she was.
"I ask for curiosity if I'm amongst compatriots or opposites, my Lady," Li replied with a vague upward tug of her lips, her smile a bit rueful. "I do not wish to start anything and would rather be on my way if I am mistaken." Unclasping her hands, she turned her eyes inwards towards the festival, biting her bottom lip and considering making her way in. It was true she was here for a reason, and though getting a leg up with those she would be fighting side by side with would be wise, she could not shirk her duties.
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 8:14 am
Her smile brightened at his comment, perhaps pleased that she would be the first soul conduit he's crossed paths with, selfish though it may be. If they became acquaintances, perhaps even friends, then all his questions about that particular unknown would come to her and her alone. "I suppose it would be if you were not accustomed to it." Their short exchange held a note of familiarity. It brought a soft, amused noise from her.
The group in front of them, whom she assumed was Cais's family, turned a corner, and again Shin wondered if perhaps the young man would run off to join them. She kept expecting it, but he surprised her yet again by remaining at her side, even extending an invitation to her. Pale brows rose a little curiously.
"I would like that, I think." Another smile, and another sweep of restless hands along the already flawless silk of her cheongsim. "My only plans had been to wander the festival, and listen to the whispers of spirits, but I dare say a living companion will make better company." There was the tiniest thread of teasing to her voice, but the smile she gave him softened it. Of course, there was every possibility he simply wouldn't get her humor, few did.
"Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?" She may not have had any concrete destination, but he might have, and she'd gladly accompany him. It was nice, having company for such a contradictory day, specially after so much stress and sorrow. "Thank you, for extending an invitation."
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:44 pm
Cais gave a small smile in response to the humor in her statement. There was a new energy building inside of him spawned on by this new acquaintance. His curiosity had piqued finally, and he couldn't help himself. "What do spirits usually whisper to you at the Festival?"
Cais stood a bit awkwardly after voicing the question. Since she was still an acquaintance it felt strange for him to immediately question here, regardless of the question being as harmless as it was. He couldn't go against his typical curious nature though, even as hard as he tried. He looked at her soft expression and continued on.
"You're welcome." He said in response to her thank you. "Contrary to what some people think of me, I do like having company sometimes. He paused, lost in thought for a moment. "I usually head to the graveyard on the first day of the Festival. To pay respects." The young Lunarian was still confused on the idea of the Festival, but through tradition knew where it began and ended. Taking a small step in the direction towards the graveyard he kept his eyes on Shin, waiting for her reaction.
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:19 pm
Huang shifted his attention to the newer of the girls and inclined his head at her. "Lady Li, We are all of Legion alliance here, though we are not inclined to cause malice and hate amongst the nobles on a holy festival as this now." Huang nodded his head, "Even though hates runs deep among most of us, We have learned to push it aside. Tonight, Regardless of our alliance. We are Lunarians and we are celebrating the Dead." Huang blushed at his own words. Where had that come from? Did Age and the Training from Jianyu start to pull off? Or was it the meetings with the Nobles that had Huang singing a different tune?
It must've been the feel of the festival, he wanted nothing more then for one night to feel like something he so rarely did, and that was a Lunarian amongst other Lunarians.
Huang gave SiMa Li a friendly smile before quirking a brow at Yue's actions. He had always found the girl interesting, even more so now with her....what was Li said? Generous attention.
"Haha! I had forgotten that!" Huang clapped his hands together as he smirked at Yue, " I do remember a shot i took quite well at Eiji, His face was quite...." Huang laughed before sobering, "It was indeed a sight! And oh yes, I was promoted quite recently. Do you think it suits?" Huang shifted uncomfortably, he was still unused to his title and the responsibility that it brought.
"Ah Master Jianyu, You should not praise me so!" Huang instantly whipped around and flushed with his pride, He was always glad to have Jianyu praise him so, even if Xiao did the same, It meant something different to Huang. "You will give my brother the wrong idea!"
"Ah Ah, I am glad my brother is in good hands! And indeed, Huang-Fu is quite the man now." Xiao turned to look at Yue and smiled, hugging Shu close even from her mild protest, "Yes we do suit each other nicely. However, It is time for us to be on our way. We would like to enjoy the festival in more....private atmosphere." Xiao saluted the group of Lunarians, winking to Yue Lao before looking to Huang, "You my Dear brother are free of duty tonight. Like your words before, It is time for you to be a Lunarian of society. Not my shadow. At Least for tonight." Xiao patted him on the shoulder before walking with Shu away, "And do not forget, Xia and Shaoran are around as well. I am well protected Little brother! Enjoy your festival and friends!"
Huang gaped at his brother before turning to the small group, "I do not think that is well Brother," Huang mumbled to himself before speaking up, "Well if you don't mind me, I would like to accompany you through this festival...unless you have other plans?" He looked to Lady Li, Lady Yue and Master Jianyu for conformation that it was alright if he tagged along.
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Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:10 am
The blue-haired male again tugged at her attention, withdrawing her gaze from those milling about and looking to Huang with a politely neutral expression. Li began to smile then, a small but private thing, expressing her empathy with the statements made and her very slight disagreement with it. "My Lord Lee, I'd not hope to spread malice nor hate amongst Noble or Legion alliance, no matter where my loyalties would rest." Her smile warmed a little at his blush. "It is my heart's belief that we are Lunarians before we are divided by alliance. I would suffer no such disrespect during a festival to honor our loved ones."
And that was that. She had no opinion about whether or not Huang would join the other two, as she herself had no immediate plans to do that just yet. Li would not be one to deny anyone the right to celebrate the lives of those lost, and the kind, even-tempered Huang was no exception. Instead, she patiently watched the others, waiting for an indication of what their plans were - so that she might either join them or be on her way, seeing as she now knew that she was dealing with her brothers-(and sister)-in-arms.
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Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 3:23 pm
Fumbling with the scarlet ribbon, Ishtar blearily tried to tie it around her forearm. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath as she stood up. The room spun and swayed around her. The late morning sun shone through the small window to her right, illuminating the few suitcases, doubling as tables, strewn across the floor. An glass bottle lay upended on the floor, it's contents leaking out.
As Ish slipped out of her nightclothes and into her somber, darkly embellished bedlah, she couldn't help but glance at the ribbon circled forearm. The bright color contrasted with her tanned roasted-almond colored skin, and it reminded her of just how tainted her life was.
This festival is going to be different, she thought to herself. I'm not going to spend it like the others, mooning over Mother and getting angry over things I've yet to fix.
It's time I really did honor somebody's memory.
Ishtar stepped out into the street, her opaque sash drifting around her. She was late into the festivities, and still slightly muddled from the night before. But really, who would care? Today was a day she would spend alone, honoring the death of one of her most respected enemies and friends. Nil.
The crowds seemed to shrink away from the Lunarian entertainer as she walked amongst them. Her face was stormy, her pale, cherry-blossom pink glossed mouth set in a hard line as Ishtar made her way to the graves.
Her eyes were lost, however, and they seemed to pass over everybody around her. Gracefully striding, Ishtar tried to recollect her scattered thoughts.
Suddenly, the crimson ribbon around her arm came undone. It floated down to the ground and lay on the path, waiting to be trampled on. A bright red symbol of pain on the floor.
Not realizing what had just happened, Ishtar still kept on moving.
Moving and moving on.
She was never one to appreciate dwelling on past memories.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:30 pm
Though her immediate attention was still on the young man walking beside her, Shin had turned her gaze off towards the sun rise. Watching the growing light of the sun painting the sky in ribbons of alternating blues and pinks. It was beautiful, and she imagined the spirits were pleased. They deserved a lovely day for their festival.
At Cais' question she turned back to him though, pale brows arching gently. She grinned, a soft hum of laughter sounding before she spoke. "Nothing very profound, usually. A lot of them ask if I know their living relatives. Some request I deliver a message. Some just want to talk, since they don't often get the opportunity." It was easy for her to talk about the dearly beloved, for it was what she had the most experience with.
"People should not speak of what they do not know." Her voice was soft, but understanding. Curious what others might think of her. More curious on whether or not she cared.
"Then let us head there." It was kind of nice having a set destination. Usually she wandered aimlessly, following the voices and requests of the spirits around her. Behind her, Liu gave a small nod of approval. Happy to see the young miss interacting with others, having a seemingly good time.
((Omg Soooo sorry. I was at work all day yesterday and today. x.x))
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:21 pm
Dragged out of his internal musings by Yue elbowing him in the side, Jianyu looked down at his best friend and smiled at her, tucking his hands into his sleeves.
"Simply contemplating the Festival, is all." he said, and then arched one eyebrow as Yue's fingers moved to the hem of her cheongsan, pulling at it. She seemed rather flustered about it, for some odd reason. "Something the matter with your gown, Yue?"
Jianyu gave a small nod towards Li, letting her speak with Yue, and turned his attention back to his student. Huang had been speaking with her as well, but turned to look back at him when he heard his name mentioned. Jianyu let out a small laugh, shaking his head.
"My praise is only rarely awarded, Huang-Fu Lee, so accept it with grace." he said lightly, his eyes twinkling. "You of all people should know that, my dear student."
Bowing to Xiao and Shu as they left, Jianyu straightened, casting his gaze back over the few that were standing around him. Ligiu still clutched his hand, but Chuntao was walking towards them, a slightly confused expression on her face.
"Are you joining us, Jianyu?" she said, in her clear, dulcet voice that brought many flocking to her door. His sister always had many suitors, though she had chosen none of them so far, preferring to do things her own way. "Mother and Father are taking the others to get some breakfast."
"Ah," said Jianyu. "No, I am going to stay. Here, please take Ligiu and I will meet you later."
Nodding, Chuntao guided her younger sister away from the rest of the group, leaving Jianyu standing with Li, Yue, and Huang.
"Well?" he said cheerfully, beginning to walk towards the center of Main Street. "Yue, why don't you take us to your mothers' place, and we will have a dri - "
He was interrupted in his words when he ran abruptly into someone. Staggering backwards, Jianyu opened his mouth to apologize when he realized just who it was that he had collided with. Dark hair tumbled down smooth shoulders, her eyes moving rapidly as she stumbled. But there was no mistaking that face.
"...Ishtar." Jianyu said.
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:33 am
They were pushed along by the crowd, barely having time to properly enjoy the festival. By this time the sun was high up in the sky, and hot was an understatement- it was sweltering. Enlei was longing for just a bite of melon-flavoured shaved ice, but the queues were all crazily long. Clearly the other Lunarians were having problems with the heat as well. Perhaps they should have left the house earlier, before the afternoon crowd came in.
Enlei sighed, letting her eyes linger on every ice-shop they walked past. Just as she was about to suggest they join a queue, Ruishan tugged at her sleeve.
"Look," he said, pointed to a strip of cloth on the floor, red as blood. Someone's ribbon.
In memory of someone else's soul.
By the time the siblings managed to get to it, tripping over feet and eliciting curses from other Lunarians who hadn't seen them (too short), the ribbon was barely red anymore. Dark shoe-marks had dyed it a dirty, wet brown, and Enlei made a mental note to wash her hands when she next got the chance.
Looking up, she managed to just catch a glimpse of a navy-blue sash, disappearing into the crowd. Without thinking, Enlei ran after the woman, ribbon in hand, only to see her knock into someone else- a scary-looking man with dark hair.
Two things occurred to her then. Firstly, that she had accidentally let go of her brother's hand. He must be so frightened without him, and yet she could not just turn back to look for him; she had to return the ribbon, now that she was here. Secondly, that despite feeling obligated to return said ribbon, she did not know what to do next. She did not dare to approach the woman, or the large group of people she was now with.
And so the girl just stood there helplessly, in the middle of the road.
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:35 pm
She froze.
"...Ishtar."
A single voice, calm and smooth, had uttered her name. How very familiar, and yet so distant, it was.
Ishtar was brought back to earth, her fragmented thoughts condensing together again. Her skin brushed against the Lunarian's---several Lunarians---but one touch especially made her shiver.
It was unavoidable, after all, that they would meet up again. The awkwardness of meeting again was unavoidable. Wordless, Ishtar ran her options through her head, each choice flashing a picture of the result.
One: Ignore him. Walk on. He doesn't exist anymore.
But something just won't let me, Ishtar argued.
Indeed, her feet were frozen for that second.
Two: Act like you forgot who he was. Reintroduce yourself. Start over.
Impossible. Suppressing memories was the worst. She couldn't act like nothing happened, not after the horrible drama she'd caused.
Three: Smile. Exchange bland words. Walk on.
As if. Ishtar was sure that if she opened her mouth, she'd embarrass herself even more. Controlling her expression---and her temper---would be near impossible.
But still. When faced with a choice, she'd pick the lesser of the three demons. Ish realized that she didn't want the same ending as last time, her leaving in a bitter huff.
She was different now. He was different, too. Something about the way he held himself and the easy confidence, almost arrogance, that he held. Ishtar couldn't help but feel a tiny hint of envy at the way he was surrounded by people, honored and adored. Crowds formed around her at times as well, but Ishtar rarely verbally communicated with them, and they her. Jianyu seemed so relaxed now compared to when she had led him through the crowds before.
"Jianyu," she nodded slightly, coldly, her eyes quickly passing over his outfit and body as well. Had he gotten taller? Leaner?
Her burgundy eyes reached his face. Ish was relieved, and a tiny bit amused, that he seemed just as in shock as she was.
Then she saw it.
"GODS ABOVE! What on earth happened to your eye?!?"
Ish's voice was raised, and her eyebrows raised even higher.
She wanted to reach out and make sure that Jianyu's eyepatch was real, that it wasn't just a prop. Clenching her slender fist, Ishtar reassessed Jianyu. Who---what---had done that to him?
His eyes were so beautiful, she mourned. And now there's just one.
Feeling the tiniest bit annoyed at her superficiality---looks weren't everything, even though they did matter. A lot.---Ish quickly ducked her head again. That outburst was sure to cost her.
Looking at her forearm, she reached out to retie her scarlet ribbon, only to realize that it was missing.
Oh no. The one item reminding her of today's purpose was gone. The scarlet ribbon, a symbol of the promise she had made to herself, had fallen off.
Ishtar winced.
What a disrespectful, disoriented, and rude mess she must have looked like.
And in front of him, Jianyu, of all Lunarians.
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:40 pm
Cais felt a chill go down his spine as they walked, perhaps it was a spirit passing by or maybe the truth of her words washing over him, he hurried his step slightly regardless of the reason, turning the corner and continuing to head towards the graveyard. Occasionally he turned his head to gaze at her, admiring her ability that regardless of a quickened pace she managed to walk gracefully. He'd never witnessed something of that sort, at least with the people he know.
Coughing lightly he averted his gaze then looked back. "So do you live around here? I know you attend the Academy. Are you from the Noble estates?" He said, reaching up to his hat and adjusting it. Around them there was a group of Lunarians heading to the same destination. So many people up and it's still so early... He could hear distant laughing and muttering while a gentle wind came down through, ringing chimes hung over their heads from several businesses.
Cais was ignoring all of the sounds to concentrate on Shin and they're slow blossoming friendship. Though the circumstances behind it were anything but something happy, Cais ignored the blaring sight of the red ribbon tied to his sleeve and attempted to concentrate further to the task at hand.
((Small reply is small, sorry. >__<;; ))
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:05 am
Yue couldn't help but giggle, "Oh, new friend, I'm certainly not your Lady! Though if it's curiosity that makes you ask, well, curiosity is a beast to be fed and encouraged," Yue finished, winking to punctuate, trailing off as though suggesting something. What it was she was infering was likely a mystery, even to Yue. Yue did nod as Huang told Li they were Legion, and affirmed that they were setting aside their alliance for the time being.
"Here here, Huang!" Yue saluted him, grinning. "Maybe I just won't talk, I'll delegate all verbal interactions to you, and just enjoy your eloquence," she said, winking. There was no malicious intent in her statement, but rather a playful sort of amusement. She liked Huang Fu significantly more than she had the first time she'd met him, but she had been rather distracted that day. Besides, she suspected that Huang really had grown a little, and she had as well. She couldn't help but look over at Jianyu momentarily, thinking of that change.
Yue laughed as Huang reminisced with her over the food fight, and regarded him with care. She held her chin in one hand and pursed her lips, looking him over carefully, her eyes glittering. "It's definitely a good look for you, Huang," she concluded, with a wink.
"Well, Huang, I certainly don't mind," she laughed, "How could I turn down the company of such stunning lunarians? One of you a handsome fighter, the other a dashing new friend? Oh, and of course, the old cranky Yu," she gestured to each of them in turn, tipping her head to indicate Jianyu, grinning.
"If you contemplate too much you'll forget what's real and what isn't, silly," Yue teased, a little quieter, talking to Jianyu. When he asked if there was something wrong with her cheongsam, she blushed furiously. "Nothing! I just... Chichi made it, and I don't ... I don't wear a lot of gowns, Yu. It's too--" Yue cut herself off before she finished that. Short was what she was going to say. She prevented herself from tugging at it again, grateful when his attention turned elsewhere.
Yue had begun to follow him, when he bumped into an attractive female Lunarian Yue remembered from the Academy incident. Back then, she had asked for something from that other girl with the temper... She couldn't quite remember either of their names. Makeup, though; that was what the one he called Ishtar had wanted then. Yue Lao flipped her braid behind her shoulder, trying to conceal her curiosity as Ishtar seemed to find out Jianyu had lost his eye. Yue hadn't known him before that loss, so she had never really been surprised that way, except for the day he had taken his black cloth off and she had seen the flesh beneath. The scar, and his blind eye.
"Ah, speaking of that drink... Maybe this is an opportune time to go find it," Yue said to Huang and Li, taking a step back. As she shifted, she noticed a girl standing in the road, holding a ribbon, looking a little intimidated. Yue picked her out from amongst the others because of her expression. She looked like she was torn between speech and silence.
"Hey, little miss, can we help you?" Yue Lao called out to Enlei, waving, her grin fixed in place. She wasn't sure if the girl was trying to get the attention of Ishtar or Jianyu, but it seemed as though something in that direction that interested her. Yue waited to see that settled, tried to get the attention of Jianyu or Ishtar for the girl, and turned to Huang and Li.
"Reunions make me thirsty," Yue said, taking a couple steps in the direction of her mother's booth, not sure who was going where, or if she was needed to stay. "Anyone is welcome," she added, making sure to make eye contact with Li, Huang and the younger girl who had shown up rather suddenly.
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:23 am
Ishtar looked the same. After all, it had only been a few months since he had last seen her. Perhaps her hair was a bit longer, her face slightly thinner, but otherwise she was still the same - a tall, beautiful, dark-haired young woman.
And her voice - the lyrical, musical voice - that was certainly the same as well, even raised in a horrified cry. Jianyu was somewhat startled out of his internal musings by Ishtar's gasp, automatically reaching up to brush his fingers over he black cloth. He never forgot he wore it, but there were times when it grew to be so much a part of him that he oftentimes did not feel it as he had used to.
"Er..." he said, the awkward tension between them rising uncomfortably. "I...my faction was ambushed in a Noble assault, and I was blinded in my efforts to save my men."
The basics, but hopefully it would be enough. Jianyu's gaze moved across Ishtar's face, her expression not quite as calm and free feeling as it once had been. She seems...frayed, almost...rough around the edges...what happened..?
"I'm sorry, Ishtar." he blurted out, somewhat unexpectedly. His hands moved awkwardly, as if he was unsure as to what to do with them. He hadn't exactly meant to apologize (after all, what was there to apologize for?), but the words had come out before he could stop them, and they seemed right. "For...our last meeting. For what was said."
Jianyu heard Yue's voice - calm, cheerful, and light - behind him as she encouraged the others to come with her, and the sound of it soothed him, made him feel more relaxed. Turning his head, he noticed the young girl Yue had called out to. She was standing a few feet away, looking somewhat unsure, holding a dirty, trampled ribbon in one hand. Jianyu's eyes moved to Ishtar's bare arm, then back to the girl. He walked over to her slowly, tilting his head.
"Good day," he said, by way of greeting. Jianyu nodded towards the ribbon. "Could you have found that, by chance? I believe an acquaintance of mine is missing hers."
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