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 Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:36 pm
Shen-ru had been taking his time with everything for the past weeks, giving his hand time to heal and learning how to function with fingers missing. His writing had become more confident, though definitely not up-to-par with how it was before. He did not have the same poise and balance just yet with his hands. But he was learning again.
The poet sighed quietly as he carefully dipped his brush, took in a steady breath as he considered his words, before performing his basic practice moves - his own name, followed by Ghazan's, then those of his friends, carefully writing out the symbols to the names as a way to relearn the new balance and weight of his hands. Once finished, he pushed the paper aside, drawing up another piece of less-expensive paper to continue his practices.
But he paused now, setting down his brush and blinking slowly as he looked around his room, feeling the pressing silence suddenly. He hated it when it was so quiet in the estate...
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:18 pm
Of course, it wasn't quiet for long. Ghazan had a way of making the entire estate more lively, just by arriving on property. As he passed through the entrance hall, followed by several assistants, he casually dispatched each of them with a parting word or two.
Only two were left with him when he spotted Shen-ru, a small smile lighting his face in greeting. It was good to see the poet writing again. He was also coming out of his depression, albeit at a slow pace, which was reasonable.
"Li Yan, tell her grace we will indeed be at her dinner." The servant nodded, bowing his head and exiting the room, and Ghazan gestured to the last, dismissing him. "In my office is the list of supplies for this weeks sojourn."
Turning at last, he moved to the boy's side, a large hand gently squeezing Shen-ru's shoulder. "You improve every day." A laugh. "Even injured, you are far surperior to the scratch I like to call my own caligraphy."
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:22 pm
The sounds that began to slowly liven the estate told Shen-ru of Ghazan's arrival long before the man found him. He turned in his chair to watch the other as he dealt with the two remaining servants, the faintest of smiles on his face as he waited patiently for his turn to speak to the man.
As Ghazan approached, he bowed his head politely in greeting, then chuckled quietly as he looked over at his papers. "I still struggle with some strokes, but I'm definitely adjusting to the new ways I must write... Thank you, though," he said, lifting a hand to brush soft, ink-stained fingers over the other's hand. "Who's dinner are you attending, Ghazan?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:30 pm
"We," A grin and Ghazan rewarded the younger male's touch with another shoulder squeeze, before straightening and pulling away. "One of our neighbors, a rather important Earth Kingdom diplomat, is hosting a dinner party, and has invited myself and a guest from my estate. I hear she misses the poetry of her homeland."
A pause as Ghazan thoughtfully rubbed his jaw. "It will be good for you to get out of the estate, to mingle with persons of status. There will be good food, company, and dancing, and a chance for me to show off my favorite prize." Another smile, indicating that said prize was Shen-ru.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:35 pm
Shen-ru smiled a bit more at the second squeeze, before carefully getting to his feet, only to look up at the older man in surprise. "We?" he echoed, as though suddenly realizing what had been said, blinking several times as things were explained. This certainly was... not at all how he expected to spend his time. Not that he was complaining. It would be more than pleasant to get out of the estate...
A pleasant flush appeared on the poet's cheeks when it was insinuated that he was a prize, and he smiled faintly, lifting his uninjured hand to play shyly with his braid. "Dancing?" he asked, though, eyebrows lifting. "I... never had a chance to learn."
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:38 pm
"Well, I'll be!" Ghazan looked extremely amused, even pleased, and shook his head. "You seem to be good at near everything, Shen-ru, so I must admit, I'm pleased to find something to teach you in return for the wonderful words you've written me."
The tall man headed for the door of the small study, intending to go to his private quarters. "Come." It took them only a minute to arrive and as he shut the door behind the boy, he reached out a callused hand.
"We will start simply." No music, just Ghazan's instructions.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:42 pm
Shen looked a bit embarrassed, laughing quietly, and when Ghazan commanded him follow, there was little he could do but obey. He trailed after the older man, stepping lightly when they went into Ghazan's private quarters. This seemed like... such an intimate place. He was not entirely sure how to act here.
"Now?" he asked, even as he placed his hand in Ghazan's, blinking up at the man. "When do we leave? It must be soon, if you plan on starting now..."
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:54 pm
"Actually, the dinner is next week." An almost mischevious glint in the eye. "However, you are overdue for a lesson or two, it seems." His larger hand gently squeezed Shen's, and he led him a bit further into the room before turning to face him once more.
"Now then, I'm going to count out a simple step for you, and you just need to follow my movements." He started slowly, a step back, to the side, forward. "One, twothree, one, twothree."
Once he thought Shen-ru had begun to count in his head, he took the opportunity to have a bit of conversation. "You are well, poet?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:59 pm
Shen followed Ghazan into the room, facing the other man and blinking slowly. Being so close made him feel oddly warm, but he did his best to focus more on the steps that the man was counting for him. His lips moved in silence as he counted to himself.
When Ghazan spoke to him, he looked up at the other, blinking slowly. "I'm well, yes... call me by my name? Poet is... is a profession, like, like if I called you Advisor, or... what is you do again?" he asked, to keep himself from stammering. There was something intimidating about being this close to the other man.
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