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 Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:36 pm
"It's nice to meet you as well, Enlei," Kiran said, though the circumstances of their meeting was hardly a good one. He glanced in the direction of the ruckus and frowned. This festival was supposed to be a time of celebration. Even he was making the effort to behave himself and not start a commotion.
His mind wouldn't have gone in that direction if he had lost track of his sister. Something like that was possible, but he wouldn't want to think of it happening to his sister, even if bullies did have a habit of targeting her. "I'm sure he's all right," he said, trying to cheer her up. "He could be looking for you right now. You just haven't crossed paths when him yet."
Kiran blinked at Enlei when he heard the growl of her stomach. He made no comment about it. "Sure," he said, offering his free arm out of habit. She could decide to take or not. He wouldn't be offended either way. "Are there any shops in particular that he might be drawn to? We should check those ones first."
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:09 pm
"I guess so," Enlei smiled at Kiran, grateful for his reassurance. After that incident with the legions, it was refreshing to talk to someone who seemed saner and a lot more helpful. Then again, she'd been pretty rude herself. The girl smiled wryly, pushing those memories to the back of her mind.
When he offered her his arm, she hesitated for a while, then took it. It wasn't as if he'd forcibly grabbed her hand or something, and she appreciated it.
"I don't know if he'd go anywhere specific," she answered, "though there's this one shop that we usually go to for sweets that's near here.." Honestly, she didn't have any idea anymore, and thinking was starting to get tiring, especially while she was hungry. Briefly she considered just getting a snack, but how could she eat anything while Shan was still missing? She imagined him cold and hungry and huddled up somewhere (despite the fact that it wasn't cold at this time of the year, at all), and sighed.
Looking around, she spotted the shop and pointed to it.
"I guess that's as good a starting place as any?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:33 pm
Kiran nodded. "Sounds like a good place to start looking," he agreed. And with any luck, the boy might actually be there. It might be a long shot, but he thought it better to think positively in this type of situation. Worrying about "what if" would only drive a person crazy.
He glanced to his side where Enlei held onto his arm. From the growl of her stomach, she sounded pretty hungry as well. He wondered if he would have enough money to buy them all some treats. Once they found Enlei's brother.
As they reached the shop, Kiran took a look about the area. "Dark hair, you said?" he asked, spotting a boy of that description that looked about the right age. He wasn't certain that it was Enlei's brother. He couldn't see the boy's face as the boy had his back to them. But the boy seemed to be looking about anxiously for someone.
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:06 pm
"Yep, dark blue. He's wearing dark blue, too," she laughs wryly, "so I imagine it'd be difficult to find him once it's dark." Pricking up her ears (fins?), Enlei looked at Kiran. "Did you see something?"
---
Mama had said many, many times to stay put if you were lost; it made being found easier. But Ruishan couldn't help it, he was hungry, and he'd been swept along by the crowd after his sister left to chase after the lady. He hoped the lady had gotten her ribbon back; later, he'd offer a prayer for whoever the lady was remembering.
In any case he thought he'd head towards the side, where people weren't moving so much, and stand there. After the crowd cleared, he would probably be pretty visible. The little boy glanced towards the food items on display, then back towards the crowd. Enlei was probably frantic, and scaring herself silly. His sister had a tendency to do that, though she'd never admit it.
Then something caught his eye- a flash of light blue. The little boy blinked, not sure if he'd seen right. He followed the blue, running ahead until he finally got a clear view of her.
"Jiejie!" Ruishan called out, waving at her in an attempt to get her attention. She was with an older boy and another girl; it surprised her that she was holding onto his arm, but he didn't think too much about it.
Now, he wasn't sure whether to run after her, or just stand here. He didn't want to get lost in the crowd again.
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:17 pm
Sakn listened (which was a shock within itself) to the dark-haired man, his eyes never leaving the others. He listened because he was formulating a good response, not because he cared though. And when Ran finished lecturing him as if Sakn was a tadpole instead of a full-grown man (WHICH HE WAS!), the redhead quickly opened his mouth, eyes bright and ready to say something rude, uncouth and (hopefully) something that would start a fight.
Instead, all that came out a strangled gargling squawk as his scarf was yanked roughly, pulling his face closer to a woman who surely hadn't been there a second ago. His anger doubled. No one yanked Sakngea around! Not no one, not no how! He raised his fist, ready to give the grabby witch a good hook in the stomach, but halted because of several things:
One. Xiu was now frantically attempting to calm down the situation, and while Sakngea was always eager to fight, he could tell that this was distressing his small friend, which made him feel bad (but only slightly).
And two.
Jianyu.
His eyes narrowed, and if he was a dog, his hackles would be rising with each second that passed. He did not stop in his attack to hit the grabby lady because he respected Jianyu. No, he stopped because hitting Jianyu would be much more pleasant and worthwhile then hitting his courtesan (because, in Sakn's mind, that was what he figured the witch was).
And thirdly, he completely and entirely halted because Xiu was talking to Jianyu. Almost as if he respected the rude legionnaire.
"I shov'd'm cuz dey was in my way," he said to Xiu, voice tinged with rage, before finishing with a glare that moved from Ishtar to Ran, "And I ain't sorry for none of it. Maybe y'city folk sh'ud learn t'move when people need to get through, yeah?" and finally landed on Jianyu.
His rival.
His rival who was seeing Sakn in a sarong.
His rival who Xiu seemed to know quiet well. (Rage.)
"Jianyu," he growled out. Though, already he was feeling less like fighting. Xiu was frantic and uncomfortable(which made him slightly less willing to fight), and while Sakngea was certain he could take all three of the glaring jerks before him(easily!), he very much doubted his mother would be pleased.
And his mother would know. She always knew. He may not fear these strangers, but he feared his mother. (The thought even sent a shudder through out his body.)
"I ain't apoligizin'," he finished darkly, glumly and lamely, adjusting his tugged and too-tight krama till it was loose again.
He hated Festival.
(looool faylun. im so glad people are enjoyin' him. and its so fun to write. C: i think sakn is pmsing as well.
sakn: >:V I AIN'T PMSIN'! IMMA MAN! /rage)
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:19 pm
Kiran pointed toward where he saw the little boy with dark hair. "Maybe?" he replied in uncertainty. Just because the boy had the right description of hair color didn't mean it would be him in the end. He could only follow the description that Enlei gave him and point out any boy that fit the right appearance.
He hoped, at least, that it was her brother who he spotted. He wanted to reunite the siblings and end their worrying. It was the right thing to do, and Xiuying would be disappointed in him if he didn't try to help them.
"Is that him over there?" Kiran asked Enlei. If he was wrong, he would just have to keep searching for other boys of similar appearance to her brother.
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:53 pm
Oh, he was ready to get mad again. He was ready to open his mouth and say something related to how the man was a fool and obviously knew nothing of respect and the like, but he was easily derailed by the appearance of the exotic woman.
His face screwed up in confusion and wonder. Furry man? Was he supposed to be offended or flattered that he was apparently being identified by the fur he wore so proudly? It didn't sound like a compliment. It wasn't phrased like a compliment.
It probably wasn't a compliment.
He chose not to complain about something as petty as names, but huffed out a breath at the mention of 'city boy'. He was certainly not a city boy, but something told him it would be pointless to argue about it. The man was obviously stubborn as a mule and lacked any sort of manners, something quite opposite of what he was used to.
"Ah -- Jianyu?" He turned his head suddenly, eyes widening a bit in surprise. A bit of hope trickled through his name; as if, perhaps, the appearance of the more distinguished man would prevent any trouble. He knew he would royally screw up any attempt at rectifying the situation, himself, but if Jianyu were truly here, then...
He smiled briefly when he finally saw who the woman's companion was. Indeed, it was Jianyu. He closed his eyes long enough to decide on a few, choice words, then turned back to Sakn, gesturing toward Ishtar and Jianyu.
"Not only have you shoved me, and who knows who else, but you have just shoved this woman right in front of my eyes. And yet you still refuse to apologize? Is your own strength as tremendous and smothering as your foolish pride?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:56 pm
Enlei squeaked (and then blushed, because squeaks were inappropriate) the moment she saw who Kiran was pointing at; it seemed he'd found her as well, as he was waving, though she couldn't hear what he was saying. She couldn't help tearing up again as she gave Kiran a quick hug, hoping he'd heard her whisper "Thank you" before dashing off through the crowd to snatch Ruishan up and cuddle him. She buried her face in his changshan, trying to hide her tears (though of course he could feel them, his clothes were getting wet).
"I'm so sorry, Shan," Enlei bawled, hugging him so tightly it probably hurt. In return the little boy patted her awkwardly.
"It's okay," he replied. "Did the lady get her ribbon back?"
Ah, right, the ribbon- now she felt silly. She'd snapped at Ishtar for losing a ribbon, when she'd lost her own brother. Well, her words then had been uncalled for, and if she met Ishtar again someday, she would try to make amends for that.
"She did, don't worry." Standing up, Enlei tried to dry her tears as surreptitiously as she could, wishing she'd worn something with sleeves. She made sure to hold her brother's hand tightly as she made her way back to where Kiran and Xiuying were standing.
"Thank you so much, Kiran and Xiuying. Is there some way I could thank you? Perhaps we could have dinner together?"
She wasn't sure exactly why she'd asked that; they probably had to meet their parents- for that matter, she and Shan probably had to go looking for their parents, too. But she felt like she had to thank them somehow, and if she was hungry, they probably were as well.. right?
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:26 am
Shin gave a small nod as Cais confirmed her thoughts, and she smiled. Oddly glad that it was indeed his family that made the lovely bottles she collected. She smiled, gave his shoulder a little squeeze, then withdrew her hand. Palms sweeping along her abdomen, smoothing pale silk. Now wasn't the time to be talking of peddled wares or job skills, so she didn't further comment on the shop, but instead turned her attention to the name of the grave he was looking for.
"I do know that name. We shared classes, though I did not know her as a friend." She didn't many many of her classmates as friends. "I would guess she lies either with her family, or in the wing of the graveyard where the recently departed rest." She rolled her gaze along the endless rows of tombstones. "Where would you like to start?"
Voice not far from then were beginning to nag at her. Familiar voices, and one she could have sworn must have been Huang, but when she looked around them she saw only the newly appointed captain and a couple girls. One of which was the magenta topped brewer she'd fought with not long ago. Frowning, she pressed her hand to Cais' back, giving him a gentle nudge forward as she began to walk. She had no desire to fall into a riddled conversation with Yue again. The other girl did nothing but irritate her.
It was a day for remembrance and honor, not petty arguments or bickering. She would avoid those select few that did nothing but enrage her.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:58 am
Huojin's mouse was nervous. There were plenty of people here and lots of noise, and to make it worse, it was trapped in Huojin's hands. Its eyes rotated wildly in its head, and just when it thought if couldn't get any more nervous, it smelled cat.
There! Staring at him! The mouse squeaked more desperately and scrabbled out of Huojin's hand, hiding in his hair. Its head peeked out, nose twitching.
"What now?" Huojin asked, seemingly talking to himself. "Are you going to just ride on my head all throughout the festival? I can't bow to the ancestors like this." He looked around for what was keeping the mouse on his head and saw the cat looking at him. "Is that all? It's not even coming over he-"
At that moment, something grabbed his leg. "Aiya, what's this? Another cat?" He looked down and shook his leg to get it off, but then his eyes bulged.
"That is a tiger," he informed no one in particular. As it sank in, he leapt backward and cried out, "Tiger! Tiger, help!" He felt ridiculous, but there the tiger was, real as rockets! Even if it was a little one, he hated cats, and tigers were mega-cats. He reached in his pockets, closing his hands around the firecrackers that he always carried with him, thinking he would frighten it off, but released his grip. He couldn't use his fireworks until the celebration, using them now would just be asking for angry spirits.
Of course, if the spirits had sent a tiger to torment him, they were probably already pretty annoyed.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:28 am
Jianyu felt a small, unexpected smile tug at the corners of his lips. He reached a hand up, twisting the beads in his hair absently as he tilted his head to the side, eyeing Ishtar.
"Empathetic?" he repeated. "I have been called many things - some less pleasant than others - but empathetic has never been one of them."
Ishtar was looking at him with an unreadable expression. Jianyu's face softened and he reached out, resting a hand on the top of her head briefly. "I'm glad to hear that I am also not replaced." he said quietly before dropping his hand. "No one likes to hear that their friend has found another to take their place."
Someone staggered into Ishtar from behind, and she stumbled forwards. Jianyu's hands shot out automatically, grabbing her upper arms to keep her from colliding with him, his brows drawing together in confusion and irritation.
"What the - Xiu?"
He had not expected to see the younger Noble standing a few feet away from him, a slightly panicked expression on his face. He was standing with two others, one of which...it was that one boy. The one that Jianyu had accidentally pushed into the pond that one day.
And he was wearing a skirt. Jianyu felt his lips twitch, and he raised a hand, concealing a smile.
"Sakngea." he said lightly, raising an eyebrow. "Well, if it isn't the pigtailed Noble. I see you're already causing trouble, aren't you, Sakng...Ran?"
The other man Sakngea was standing with was none other than the one who had saved Jianyu from that unfortunate incident with the bear; quiet, stoic, and somewhat blunt Ran, whom Jianyu held a great deal of respect for. He smiled at the other man, leaning forward in a small bow.
"Ah, Ran, it is good to see you again." he said, though his expression flickered slightly when it was obvious of Ran's irritation. He glanced over at Sakngea, shaking his head as he slid an arm around Ishtar; a small warning to keep her from reacting much further.
"My my, Sakngea." Jianyu said. "As stubborn as ever, I see."
He had a feeling he was just being obnoxious, but there was something about the Noble fisherman that irked Jianyu.
Perhaps it was because Sakngea had already called him a girl. And spit at him.
[[ OOC :: Moving the ending date for the first day to tonight, so make sure you wrap things up. The second day will begin at midnight CST or earlier, if everyone gets their posts in. ]]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:07 pm
Kiran smiled happily, glad that Enlei had found her brother. He doubted he would have been able to enjoy the rest of the festival knowing that there was a lost little boy somewhere in the crowd. Watching the scene of the reunited siblings, Kiran remained standing in front of the shop with his sister.
He was a little surprised when Enlei returned to them. He didn't feel like he had done much to warrant a second thank you. "I don't know that that's necessary," Kiran admitted. A slight tug on his yukata's sleeve caught his attention, and he glanced at his sister.
I am kind of hungry, Xiuying explained with quick hand signals. Her gaze was cast downward like she was embarrassed to admit it.
"Though I guess dinner couldn't hurt," Kiran said with a chuckle. "Any place you had in mind? I think I can managed to pay for all of us."
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:32 pm
A snarl was on the edge of her lips.
Her attention turned toward the man dressed in furs. Ran, apparently, was his name, and he seemed every bit as angry at Sakn as Ish was. A confused expression ran across his face as he realized Ishtar had referred to him; she smiled reassuringly at him.
She felt a little more at ease as she realized that Jianyu, her, and Ran could easily take on the blundering country boy and the small monk.
Ah, the short-statured little monk. He doesn't seem like a fighter. Ishtar watched in amusement as Xiu looked at her in alarm as her fingers released Sakngea's clothing. He was desperately trying to pacify the groups, his startled blue eyes pleading. Nonetheless, Xiu's attempt to try to get Jianyu to calm Ish down was successful.
Jianyu's arm relaxing around her shoulders was the only thing keeping Ishtar from scratching Sakngea's eyes out. The Legion Captain's firm grip on her and the warning look he gave her made Ish realize that these people were dangerous. Jianyu had obviously met these people before, and while some may have been his friends, Sakngea certainly did not seem so.
Ishtar returned the nasty look the red-haired Lunarian gave her, and wrapped her arm around Jianyu's waist, not so much a territorial action as a reply to his warning glance. As much as she wanted to scratch Sakngea's eyes out, today was meant for quiet and respect.
Tomorrow, however...
"Hmmmph. You----" Pausing, Ishtar realized that if she let out her full, colorful, vocabulary, this situation would get infinitely worse. Right now, all she wanted was to visit Nil's grave in peace, with maybe Jianyu beside her. The afternoon sun was already heading towards the hroizon---soon it would be night.
He was hers already, at least for this day. The confident arm draped around her and his warm body told Ish that if she wanted to leave, right now, he would come with her.
The problem was that the furious Sakn would too. He didn't seem like he would leave without a fight.
"Tomorrow. Here's a vow that if we see you tomorrow, you brute, we will teach you a lesson about pride." We. She hadn't used that word in such a long time. Jianyu and her.
How ironic. Ishtar was nursing her own hurt pride as she realized that Jianyu had leashed her in as easily and efficiently as a trained panther. And she was, above all, a bit annoyed at this. Where on earth had her ferocity gone?
Still, she mused, this might just be the price I pay with Jianyu; his love in return for my submission.
But Ishtar's namesake wasn't just the patronness of love, but war and conflict as well.
Narrowing her dark eyes, Ishtar corrected herself.
"No, let me rephrase that. Sakngea the farmer boy, tomorrow I will hunt you down and teach you some manners."
As she stated this, Ishtar felt Jianyu's hold on her tighten to the point of disomfort. Ish didn't care---if he wanted to support her, they could. She had a reputation to protect, and she wasn't a wispy little dancer, at least not anymore.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:49 pm
The feeling of drowning underneath his own gloomy disposition was slowly receding, something the young Lunarian was grateful for while he looked to his companion. "I think she would be with the family, more than likely. We can start there?"
He was starting to feel at ease when something stabbed at his thoughts from behind as he heard a voice. His voice. Cais cast a glance back with a frown as they caught the sight of a familiar fighter. Wait, he looks different. He squinted to catch a glimpse of him. Captain? He turned his head in disgust, feeling a flare of his temper rise. This was quickly dispensed as he felt the pressure of Shin's hand on his back, quickening their pace into the rows of gravestones.
He was thankful for it. The last thing he wanted during the Festival was to start a fight. One thing he did agree with his mother on when it came to the Festival was that the spirits day should not be tainted. I'm not going to do that today. I'm not going to ruin her memory like that He uttered a mumbled "Thanks" Shin's way, though didn't feel like explaining the why of it.
Rather, he continued along the rows in the graveyard, carefully treading between the rows so not to step over a grave. He was keeping close to Shin, following what he could read from her body movements while they moved further into the graveyard.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 2:23 pm
That woman was insane! Xiu’s nose wrinkled. She looked pretty enough but she seemed uncouth, especially since she was all but hanging all over Jianyu! What self respecting woman did that? Now she was insulting Sakngea as well, only adding to the growing tension of the group. At least the purple Lunarian wasn’t being a loudmouth!
Xiu nearly opened his mouth to contest the woman’s threatening words, but held his tongue. She was intimidating and Xiu didn’t want to make matters worse. His hope that Jianyu would be able to help calm things down, died then as well. The male seemed to dislike Sakgnea. Xiu knew he shouldn’t have been surprised, but he was! He’d seen Jianyu as so mature, above petty dislikes, but Xiu knew he was an idiot thinking such a thing. Jianyu was mortal just like everyone else.
At a complete and utter loss now, Xiu just tugged on Sakn harder. “C’mon Sakn, please. Let’s just go.” The red head looked like he was ready to pound all three people. Would they really try and find Sakn again tomorrow? Worriedly, Xiu silently prayed that such an event wouldn’t occur.
“Sakngea.” He tried again, giving another desperate tug. He just wanted to go home.
----
Bai Hu ignored the thrashing of the Lunarian. That mouse was his! The leg shaking dislodged him and he flopped to the ground before jumping to his feet with a high growl. Bai decided just then that this person was an idiot. What was with all his crying and thrashing about. What a baby.
The cub sat back on his haunches and yawned, eyeing the male and his mouse. Should the Lunarian try to escape, Bai would follow him. He never lost in a hunt and he wasn’t about to start now. Master Xiu would just have to miss him tonight.
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