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 Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:31 pm
On the border between Konan and Kutou, near the fork of the Shouryuu and Hijiri Rivers lies Seisen Village. Now a vast fishing village, Seisen is much larger than it was many years ago. Boasting a population of five hundred people, it is constantly getting more members due to the supply of water, which is higher than that around it.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:18 pm
The smell of seafood and crowds assaulted her nose as the young purple-haired woman strode into the village. It hardly looked like a village; the humble place had flourished since the time of the first Priestess, and now it bustled with life. Though her clothing was simple, those of keen eye would know that it was made from relatively fine material. Her large doctor's satchel, on the other hand, was as plain and common as plain and common could get, made to endure rough handling and the elements. Reaching into the sack, Xiao-Lian pulled the thin bamboo slat out, her magenta eyes flickering between the piece of wood in her hand and her surroundings as she made her way slowly through the lively streets. She'd set out early, but this was her first time in Seisen, and she worried that she'd be late for her appointment . . .
Chin up, Lian! You're a doctor, have more confidence in yourself!
With more purpose to her steps, Xiao-Lian continued her meandering search for her patient's house.
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:35 pm
The doctor passed a street corner, and a young red-haired man glanced at her, his eyebrow arched a bit as the side of his neck started to itch a bit. He turned his collar up and started to sing a song, an old one that spoke of the first group of Celestial Warriors. Hatori's voice was deep and pleasent, and several people stopped to listen, tossing small coins into his bucket.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:27 pm
The doctor's steps faltered as seemingly out of the blue, a beautiful, lilting voice reached her ears. Logically, such a sound would have been drowned out by the noise of the city, but for some reason she was drawn to it. Following the song, the purple-haired woman soon came upon a young fiery-haired youth. The song seemed to resonate with her, and for a moment she felt her chest grow warm. Startled, one of her hands flew to it, her magenta eyes reflexively looking down. In the bright afternoon sun, no one would have noticed the red glow. She was safe.
Looking back up, Xiao-Lian managed to catch the young singer's eyes (or at least, that's what she thought she'd done) and smiled. Fishing her coin purse from her satchel, she produced some coins and threw them into his bucket. With another smile (that she hoped he saw) the young doctor turned and began to walk away. She still had that house to find.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:09 am
Most people would nat have noticed the flash, but he did, probably because his mark was doing something similar. Once the song was finished, he scoope up the satchel and tucked it away, beforerunning after the purple haired woman.
"Hello, you look a bit lost, I know this area well, wuld you like some help?" He really wanted to stay near by, because of the crazy feelings he got from her. All of the sudden, his mark started glowing brightly, causing him to frown and put his hand over his neck. He tried to play it off, "I'm Hatori, pleased to meet you."
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:58 pm
Xiao-Lian jumped slightly with a squeak of surprise as she whirled around to see who had spoken. It was the entertainer, and now that he was up close, she began to notice that he was actually quite dashing. At his offer for aid, she smiled gratefully and turned around fully to face him.
"Yes, help would be greatly appreciated, Hatori," she replied. "I was looking for the Woo household . . ."
The young doctor trailed off as her chest grew warm again, and she unconsciously moved her hand to use the bamboo scroll clutched in it to cover the area. Though, technically, it wouldn't be necessary, since it was under her clothing . . . Then she noticed he'd been doing the same thing with his neck. Could it be, that I'm reacting to . . . ?
"My name is Xiao-Lian, Chou Xiao-Lian," she introduced herself, bowing slightly in polite greeting. It was clear from the way she spoke that she'd been raised with some finery. "My celestial name is Nuriko. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hatori. Or should I call you by your celestial name?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:15 pm
Hatori's lips parted a bit, obviously surprised, and he dropped his street performer persona, standing straight, and then bowing a bit to the lady. "Chiriko, madam..." He said softly, soonly she could hear. "But please use Hatori, my gift makes it difficult for me. My father, my father the honorable lord of this prefecture, is looking for me, to exploit the people here." He said the word 'honorable' with obvious disdain, it was obvious he didn't mean it at all.
"I know a song," he slipped back into his rough and tumble speech patterns again, "about a young man named Nuriko, the first, but I shouldn't sing it for you, I'm sure it would make you blush." He winked and started to walk down the street, motioning for the doctor to follow. "The Woo household his just down this street. I know them well, I beg from their table often..."
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Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:59 pm
Xiao-Lian's reaction to Hatori's reply was also one of surprise. He was nobility as she was, or at least, was by official records. The woman nodded to show that she understood his request, but her expression darkened slightly at his words of his father. She knew of no noble that the crown had appointed so far that would do that. But then again, status and power always brews some form of sin . . .
Returning the bamboo scroll into her satchel and replacing the straps on her shoulder, Xiao-Lian covered a smile as she fell in step with the fiery street performer.
"You can just call me Lian." The young woman raised an elegant eyebrow. "Blush, will I? You're a terrible man, Hatori," she mock-scolded. "And I sincerely hope you truly mean 'begging' and not 'stealing'."
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:51 pm
"Stealing is so harsh, but I do promise the lady that is don't take things that don't belong to me... unless you're talking about a few hearts that belong to some lovely ladies. I'm a lover, not a fighter." He gave her a wink and stated down the street towardthe house. "I hope you're not going to see them for anything too serious, I rather like them. They are generous, and tenderhearted." He sang the last part, almost like he was trying to start a song.
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:29 pm
Xiao-Lian covered her mouth to hide her smile, but nonetheless a small giggle slipped past her fingers. Hatori was quite amusing, and inwardly she was glad that she'd stumbled into him. A fellow Warrior, and good company. The former she'd never met, and the latter she'd been without for over a year now. She shook her head at Hatori's concern.
"From what I understood from the letter, the honourable grandmother has come down with a cold that's lasted more than two weeks. It shouldn't be anything too serious, but because she's so old, her body hasn't been able to cope well with the continued disease, and she's been bedridden. Her son worries about her."
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:00 pm
Chiriko nodded, "I worry as well, it isn't good for the old to have bad colds. She is a gentle, kind woman, I'd hate for anything bad o happen to her." He sighed a bit, keping up with Nuriko. "I'll cme along, if you'd like. I can pay my respects, and my power might come in handy." He held his hand out, and a little puddle of water formed there, it was clean and clear looking. "I can create water. Someting useful in this area, which is why I ran away. My father was charging for the water, outradgous amounts, and I didn't like that. If I'm a warrior of Suzaku, then I should be helping people for free... I can entertain them for money."
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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:11 pm
The young doctor's eyes widened slightly as she saw the water in Hatori's hand. She was born in a land of drought, and clean water was incredibly hard to come by nowadays. She felt her heart go out to the young man; he has a good soul, and strong morals. A faint, encouraging smile flickered over her features as she patted his arm in understanding.
With Hatori's lead, they found the house with much more ease than she would have had she traveled alone. A polite knock on the door was answered by a middle-aged woman holding a sleeping babe in her arms.
"I'm sorry, the traffic kept me," Xiao-Lian apologized, bowing slightly.
"Oh, you must be the doctor Chou," the mother smiled. Her eyes shifted to look behind the doctor, and her smile widened as she spotted Hatori. "And I see you brought our prodigal entertainer back as well. Hello again, Hatori. Please come in, both of you. My mother-in-law is in her room."
The mother waited for the two to enter before closing the door quietly behind her. Xiao-Lian followed the woman in, waving slightly to the two children who stared at her from around a doorway. They came to a door, where the mother knocked before opening it. An elderly woman, propped up on her bed, was the purple-haired doctor's patient. The wizened lady looked up at her approach.
"Ahhh . . ." Her voice was raspy, like rustling leaves. Xiao-Lian could hear the phlegm congealment in her throat. "Welcome, Doctor. I would wish to be more hospitable . . ."
"None to worry, Mistress Woo," the Seishi said kindly, opening up her satchel. "Tell me, is the cold causing you to lose your appetite? How is your breathing?"
"Mmm, you are indeed skillful . . ." the old woman said softly. "Yes, my appetite is withering of late. I have hacking cough fits at times . . ."
Xiao-Lian nodded solemnly. This kind of cold could lead to worse things if she didn't treat it. Glancing behind her, she noticed that the mother was still there.
"Begging your pardon, Madam . . . could you leave the room for a few moments? I want to check something," she asked.
Xiao-Lian looked to Hatori, and hoped that through her expression he'd understand that he could remain. The mother nodded, and left, stroking her child's downy head. Once the door thumped quietly shut behind her, the doctor sat down on a chair next to the grandmother's bed.
"Mistress Woo, I ask that you remain calm, and tell no one of what you are about to witness," she requested softly.
With a nodded consent, Xiao-Lian raised her right hand to hover over her patient. It began as a flicker, so faint and quick that one would have thought they imagined it. But then it grew stronger, and the soft, scarlet glow that filtered through the young woman's dress was echoed around her hand. Like gentle ruby rain minute motes drifted down to land upon the old woman's astonished features. After a few silent moments, the light faded, and as Xiao-Lian moved her hand away, Mistress Woo sat, awestruck.
"A . . . a Suzaku chosen . . ." Her voice, now free of thick phlegm, was hushed with reverence. "Please . . . Doctor . . . save our country . . ."
"Of course, Mistress Woo," Xiao-Lian said, softly. "That is my purpose."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Xiao-Lian exited the house with Hatori, leaving the mother with several bags of medicinal tea ingredients to brew for the grandmother. Though she wouldn't really need it for the cold, it would help boost the old woman's immune system to keep her healthy, at least for a while.
"Well, that's my power, in a nutshell," Xiao-Lian said, turning to Hatori. "I saw your water creation, so I felt that I should at least let you see mine. Have you any plans? I'd only come here to see Mistress Woo . . ."
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