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 Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:22 pm
[ private roleplay ]   This is a private RP between Jianyu [Kuro-Mizuki] and Zhongxian [Kanove].- - - - - - - - - -
The smell of bitter-sweet aromas filled the streets as curious townspeople navigated Main Street. The street between the buildings was choked with businesses of all shapes and colors delivering every good imaginable to those who dared enter their abodes.
One in particular, stuffed perfectly in between two large, towering businesses was a tea house. The Guo Tea House was a treat to the city and had been rumored to serve the best old-fashioned tea around. Every tea leaf was collected by the family farmers and shipped into town each week, keeping supplies fresh and handy. It was unheard of the company not having any flavor of tea.
One Guo child would go on preparing the tea another would serve it as the parents wondered around- greeting various parties of their guests. No member of the family disagreed with such a routine and so the shop became founded as a true family business. One boy, Zhongxian, was a respectful and studious man who found his place preparing the tea in a back room of the house. He rarely showed his face and more often hid behind the shelves that separated the ovens from the rest of the shop.
No one objected to this, for the boy dis-tasted most of the shops visitors- Nobles of every descent. They were loud and barbaric men with expensive and extravagant tastes unlike the normal occupants of this side of town. Zhongxian growled under his breath and dared to spit in their tea every so often but the calming notion of his sister relaxed him.
One cool, cloudy day the town was singing with the upcoming festivities of the new year and every Lunarian business seemed to be decorating. The Guo Tea House was no exception. Their restaurant was opened up to the outside and the wide front wall was completely opened as decorations and shelves of items faced to the streets.
Zhongxian had been relieved that day and had somehow found himself exploring the various stands throughout the city before he choose to return to the academy. The school was bustling with activity but Zhongxian found himself drawn to his normal hiding spot on the third floor balcony.
When he reached the normal place he found a few lunarians here and there but otherwise ignored the people and made his way over to the balcony edge where he overlooked the bustling decoration and mini-festivals that were taking place.
"I wonder when something is going to happen around here." he whispered to himself as he laid his chin onto his hand.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:28 pm
It was only mid-morning, and already Jianyu was bored with being at the Academy.
Sitting at his desk, his head in his hands, Jianyu glanced around the room. All around people were talking, laughing, bustling around as they discussed the upcoming Lunar Festival. The classes were momentarily on break, giving the students free time to do as they liked and to get some sustenance to eat. Jianyu had already eaten the rather elaborate lunch his mother's manservant had prepared for him, and he now he was simply sitting, staring out the nearest window. He had forgotten the book he was reading at home, and the thought irritated him.
Standing, Jianyu stood, wanting to stretch his legs. Making his way across the room, he wandered around the second floor of the Academy, and finally he went up another floor, looking around for any familiar faces. He did not see any of them (his siblings must have been cutting school - again), but the upper floor held a few miscellaneous students standing around talking. However, there was one standing alone at the balcony, looking out across the town.
"Oh." Jianyu said, frowning a bit. "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:57 pm
Zhongxian had been in his own world, and, if it hadn't been for the slam of the metal door against a concrete wall. he probably wouldn't have come out of it. Turning towards the newcomer he nodded approvingly. "You are no burden, welcome friend." he bowed. "What brings you up to the balcony?" he asked as a gentle hand extended towards the other for a handshake.
"If you'd please, let me introduce myself. I am Zhongxian, a Warrior in training here at the academy." Zhongxian continued to smile. It wasn't until the eruption of a firecracker below distracted him. Instantly the smile ceased and a questionable face spread his cheeks. "I do like these festivals, but they tend to cause such a ruckus in preparation. Don't you think so?" he asked.
Messing with the beads around his waist Zhongxian looked around at the sunny skies. "I hope the opening events tonight will be beautiful, I haven't seen them before."
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 1:04 pm
Jianyu frowned slightly, unsure as he stepped forward to offer his hand to the young man on the balcony.
"My name is Jianyu." he said quietly. "I'm a student here at the Academy as well. I am in training to become a warrior of the Legion."
His tone sounded awkward, too formal. Jianyu bit his lip, following the young man - Zhongxian, was it? - as he looked out across the town. Below them the city was bustling around busily, their voices raised in excitement and anticipation as they prepared for the night's festivities.
"They should be quite nice tonight." Jianyu said, in answer to Zhongxian's comment. "I have seen them a few times, and each time they are more impressive than previous years."
Leaning against the railing of the balcony, Jianyu let the breeze blow through his shoulder-length hair, the dark strands brushing against his face as he spoke.
"What..." he said, then stopped, feeling unsure and more awkward. He was not used to talking to people, especially ones his own age. His siblings were hardly talkative people.
He switched topics. "How do you like your studies at the Academy so far?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:23 pm
Zhong was caught off guard. Questions about his academics normally didn't come up in any of the conversations he had. Then again, conversations were far and in between with his family- especially during the day. Pulling at his clothes uneasily he looked thoughtfully at a dance practice below. "Perhaps we could change the subject?" he asked. The Academy wasn't a place where he truly wished to be, not around the 'nobles'.
When moving on felt futile Zhongxian sighed. "At least you fight for a cause that I do. I enjoy my classes and my place as an strategic warrior at this Academy, however, I could do without all of the rich kids snooping around and putting their nose into other peoples business." Zhongxian didn't resist admitting himself to the other and otherwise he turned around and faced the rooftop.
"You are an upperclassman here, correct? Almost out of this place?" he asked, messing with the beads around his waist, "What do you plan to do when you leave? Return home?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:31 pm
Jianyu twisted the braid he had threaded through his hair, unsure as to what to answer. It was obvious from the way that the other young man spoke that he was uncomfortable with the subject of the academy, but Jianyu was not certain as to the reasoning behind that.
"I-I am sorry." he said quietly, his fingers smoothing over the beads in his hair again; a nervous habit brought on whenever he felt awkward. "I do not know what you mean by 'snooping,' exactly, but I know...I know the feeling of not liking people in my 'business,' as you put it."
Jianyu let go of his hair, turning around to lean his back against the balcony rail, his arms folded over his chest. "I...yes, I am almost finished with my schooling." he answered in response to Zhongxian's question. "Though I admit, I am not...quite sure...what I will be doing exactly. But I will be fighting for the Legion, that much I do know."
Jianyu stopped talking, still feeling awkward. He did not know what else to say, what else to comment on. This was exactly why he did not have many friends; mainly because he never could think of what there was to say to them.
I feel stupid, Jianyu thought miserably to himself. Quite...stupid.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:35 pm
Zhongxian lifted his hand from the concrete wall and ruffled his hair a bit in the blowing breeze. "Perhaps, the Legion is the better side for the both of us. Why do you choose to go such a direction?" he asked curiously. If the other didn't want to divulge the information it caused him no deal of harm but perhaps learning more about another individual would bring him closer- after all he hadn't found many like him in this academic institution.
Looking down again Zhongxian lifted his body onto the wall and gently leaned over it. "The breeze feels nice," he commented to himself as he spread his arms like they were wings. "I've always wanted to go diving, mother wasn't too fond of the idea- ever." he said to no one in particular.
Returning his gaze to Jainyu he looked at the other with a smile. Turning his own head back to the ground he spotted a haystack right below him and he smiled."I wonder if I could land in there without killing myself..."he mused. It would be fun, a leap for faith off of the third floor.
Zhongxian knew he would land himself in a lot of trouble- if anyone say. "I want to do it..."
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:28 pm
Jianyu ran a hand through his dark, shoulder length hair, twisting his fingers in the brown strands uncomfortably.
"I, er...chose the Legion for a myriad of reasons." he said awkwardly, and leaned against the banister beside Zhongxian. He didn't know why he was divulging such facts towards the young man that he had barely met. Not that he was hiding them, but it just wasn't something that he did normally.
"My father's business makes it so that we are quite...well off." Jianyu answered. He put his arms against the rail and rested his chin on his hands. "He was never a warrior, but he always implied that I should do what I thought was best. I've weighed all the options and I believe that fighting for the Legion is the most sensible decision."
Glancing down at the crowds, Jianyu bit his lip. He still felt awkward and unsure talking with someone his own age who wasn't a relative, and he felt uncomfortably formal.
"I have...a feeling that attempting to dive from this balcony would not be the most intelligent idea at the moment." he said, frowning a bit. "So I would not attempt it if I were you."
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:42 pm
"If you say so," Zhongxian smiled as he pushed himself away from the balcony, "However, I think it would be most fun." The Lunarian gave the other a wide grin and stepped back a few steps before he paused. "By the way, you said your father was in business. As there aren't many things around here- what does he own, or trade in?" Zhongxian asked.
Normally well-to-do individuals in this town owned or specialized in a trade of some sort. Though that wasn't true for all individuals. Zhongxian's own family was moderately well off and peaceful in the place where they resided. It was rare for a family with the Guo status to own a place on such a busy street, but they lived within their means and managed owning the Tea House perfectly.
"Forget jumping off, would you do well in joining me for some tea?"Zhongxian asked as his mouth slowly filled with a sudden desire for black tea. The student wanted something strong, and tea would be a perfect compliment to this frigid conversation they were happening.
"Jianyu right?" he asked, making his way to the stairwell. "What's your weapon of choice?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:26 pm
"Ah..." Jianyu said as he followed Zhongxian over towards the stairwell. The young man seemed to change subjects at rapid movement, and Jianyu was doing his best to keep up.
"My father is a tattoo artist." he said, in answer to Zhongxian's earlier question. "He has been performing these arts for quite a few years, since my grandfather owned the business, and it has turned into quite a profitable occupation for him. Though his clientele can be a little bit...interesting, to say the least."
It was an understatement, of course. The tattoo business ranged from young men to young women to heads of houses to heads of gangs and more. Everyone knew of Qian Lianwei''s tattoo house, and everyone came to it, sooner or later, whether to observe or to purchase.
"Ah, yes, Jianyu." he said automatically as the pair descended the stairs. "I fight with a bow and arrow. I suppose it's pretty simple, especially in comparison with other weapons, but I find it quite suitable for my own personal well-being.
"And yourself?" he added, trying to sway the conversation. "What of yourself? What do you fight with?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:08 am
Zhongxian hadn't ever fought with anything other than his fists, but when he did he choose security in a few smaller weapons. He had been trained in agility and tactics, not strength, so anything involving constant up-close combat was not his forte. "I choose to wield throwing knives and a dagger- for emergency purposes only-," he replied, "I have fought with various spears, swords, and more." The lunarian wasn't fond of fighting up close, it was a weakness and was normally drawn out by either side not choosing to attack.
So all-in-all, he considered it a great deal of time. "You said a bow and arrow correct? In all my tactics classes I've never been asked to use one. I haven't a clue how- really." he commented, his hand laying fondly on the scabbard of his dagger.
"Could you show me the basics?" he asked, his hand dropping to his side.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:28 pm
Jinayu followed Zhongxian into one of the wide-spaced practice rooms, listening as the young man beside him spoke. He folded his arms across his chest, one hand reaching up to twist the beads in his braid again.
"Er..." he said frowning slightly, not wanting to seem rude, but he had never before taught anyone his bow and arrow. It was his specialty, the one place where he felt the most comfortable, the most safe. It was the place he went when he wanted to concentrate, to get away from everything else in his life. To reveal that secret to someone else was quite...unpleasant.
"I...I'm sorry." Jianyu said awkwardly, twisting the braid. "But I...cannot teach you even the basics. The bow is connected to my very being, and to reveal it to you would be a trespass to myself, as...as strange as that may sound. I am very sorry."
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 5:42 pm
A frown ceased to bend the soft skin on Zhongxian's face. The strategist understood perfectly what the other one was saying, and with a nod he signified that he was not at all disrupted by the comment. "There is no reason to apologize."Zhong nodded, offering an appreciating nod to the other.
"Perhaps, we talk about something else. You choose the topic this time,"Zhong offered,"I've done my share of talking." He was in the mood to get the other to speak more than minor sentences or responses, Zhong felt like a burden upon the other, especially with the conversation progressing as it was.
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:39 pm
Jianyu could sense that the conversation between them was dying. He felt awkward, unsure of how to proceed. Perhaps it was just one of those acquaintances that could never progress into an actual friendship becacuse of differences in personalities. Either way, Jianyu was feeling quite uncomfortable standing there with Zhongxian, like he had to say something worthwhile.
Nothing immediately came to mind, and Jianyu scrabbled around a bit in his thoughts until he said quietly "Perhaps...perhaps you could tell me a bit more about yourself..? I am...not familiar with almost anyone in this school."
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Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:36 pm
He hadn't been asked to talk about himself ever in his life, normally it was to speak for others, with others, and sometimes against others. No, but he couldn't let a hopeful friendship wilt, he had to keep the conversation going. So Zhongxian attempted to take a stab at it.
"Well- my name is Zhongxian, as you know." he smirked, stopping short on a staircase that led down into a courtyard, "I am from a normal family, we own a small tea shop on the edge of Main Street. It is a nice thing really, not much to intervene with our comings and goings. I have a little sister, nothing more. Both of my parents live with in their means, speaking nothing much more than the general business talk." He shrugged, his life was boring. Nothing ever happened in it.
"I did meet this fellow, a week ago, with a rough and angry personality. Got all upset after a little accident. It caused me some pain for a couple of days- but I got over it, in time." he nodded. "Bataar."
The name was sour on his lips, and tasted biter even after he said it. The battle between them hadn't been a nice one, and after leaving it Zhong had continued to be reminded of it whenever he saw or heard something similar. "Perhaps, avoiding the topic of fights would be the best," he smiled.
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