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 Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 10:23 pm
"Good." Jianyu nodded in approval at Huang's quick assertion of his arrows. He kept his hands in place, though, and stepped a bit closer.
"However, you missed quite a few things." Jianyu said quietly. "The way the sun streaks across the skies and paints a pallate of red and orange and gold. The tree slightly to your left has several scratches down the trunk, and there is a bird's nest on the second branch. There is a small, worn path overstrewn with grass and shards of broken bamboo, and it is more muddy than usual."
Jianyu moved his hands to rest on either side of Huang's face, keeping the boy's head steady and still. He remembered his father doing the same thing to him when he was younger, remembered his father's low, rough voice whispering in his ear.
"Jianyu. Be aware of everything. One wrong move could send you to your death. Do not miss any details, Jianyu. Always be careful."
"Be aware of everything." Jianyu said softly. "It is a key characteristic of a Fighter. Keep yourself trained to notice even the smallest details. Be sensitive to your surroundings and of the people that surround you.
"Notice what others do not."
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 10:39 pm
Huang tried to focus on what he was hearing and felt Jianyu move closer and blushed yet again. Damn this was becoming a habit. he was to aware, but not what Jianyu was probably hoping for. Trying to breathe back normal, Huang did what he always did when overwhelmed and though of Yuan and everything melted away, just one thought put him back into an emotionless state.
"Then i will look harder this time." Huang said quietly as Jianyu moved his hands off his eye's and as he did so, Huang noticed everything that Jianyu described, The sun was indeed setting in the gold in read, which meant night time was upon them, The tree did have scratched, probably from an animal, the birds chirped from the nest before settling in and he looked to the side to see the path, though overgrown and full of mud, It would've been a quick escape...or a quick ambush. One mistake Huang thought.
"Then i shall focus more." Huang looked to see Jianyu, he was at ease, and took in the surroundings like he was taking in air. It was odd but he felt something slip in his facade that he called the yuan wall and knew it was attraction, like what his brother felt for his fiancee but...confusing. He frowned at Jianyu, "What else?"
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 10:49 pm
Jianyu was pleased to hear the note of determination in Huang's voice. There was something else that was carried with that determination, however. Something that even Jianyu could not tell. There was a heavy weight in Huang's words, something that the boy was caring with him. But Jianyu would not press for answers; it was not his business, though he was curious. However, it would be impolite, and it was obviously something that Huang did not feel like sharing with a stranger such as Jianyu.
He stepped back, letting his hands fall free from the younger boy's face, and moved to stand in front of him once more.
"Good." Jianyu's voice was quiet, soft in the waning twilight. "It is growing dark, so perhaps we should continue this another time. But when you return to your household, sit cross-legged on the floor in your room. Extend both of your arms. On the first day, hold one stone in each hand for five minutes. On the second day, two stones for ten minutes. On the third day, three stones for fifteen minutes. This will strengthen your arms and your hands so that you will be able to wield your weapon properly."
Jianyu pushed back the hair from his face. "I reside at the Qian Tattoo Parlor." he said. "Will you come to see me after three days?"
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 12:20 am
Huang sighed as he saw that dusk had fallen, it was time for him to head home as everyone knew what happened when night fell and the Legions went to war with Nobles. Cocking his head he listened for any movements before waiting to be released from the man's gentle hold.
"Alright Jianyu." Huang bent down to gather the first of the two stones, he would collect more when he got home anyways and stuck them into a pouch attached to his hip. Going over to where his weapons we're, he quickly put them on before waving a good bye to Jianyu, "After three days and i will show you have grown a little." Huang hesitated and gave a very small shy smile before nodding, "Three days time then Jianyu, See you." He headed down the path that led back into the city and to the section of his home where is slept, though not before he checked his brother's room to make sure he was alright.
As he returned to his room, he pulled the two stones and sat cross legged for fifteen minutes before setting them down and then crawling into his pallet and sleeping. He dreamed of arrows and tattooed eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three days from then...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Huang stood nervous in front of the tattoo parlor and fingered the pouch that carried his gloves and a few supplies before stepping into the Tattoo parlor and looking around, He was trying to find Jianyu.
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 2:02 pm
"It is too brown."
Jianyu turned his blue eyes to rest his gaze upon his older brother, frowning in exasperation.
"Junjie, there is no such thing as 'too brown.'" he said. "Besides, once the colors have set in, they will all work well together."
Junjie was shaking his head. "I don't think so."
Jianyu sighed. It was one of his few days off from training, three days after he had met with the young Legionnaire, Huang-Fu. He was sitting in one of the back rooms of the main tattoo parlor, holding a set of needles in one hand and some inks in the other. Dressed in a vibrant dark blue tunic with silver trim and black pants, Jianyu was wearing the uniform his father usually wore to greet patrons. And as of right now, his older brother was, in fact, a patron.
Or at least he was supposed to be. Junjie was being rather stubborn about getting his latest tattoo.
Sighing, Jianyu ran a hand through his hair. His sister peered around the door to the room, her eyes luminous.
"Jianyu?" she said.
"Yes, Mingzhu?" Jianyu answered patiently, setting down the inks.
"There's someone waiting for you in the hall." his sister said, before darting off. Grateful for any excuse to leave the whining Junjie behind, Jianyu stood, making his way out of the room and across the next hallway to reach the entrance. A familiar looking young man was standing a few feet inside, looking around cautiously. Jianyu smiled.
"Huang." he greeted, nodding his head in greeting. "I'm glad you came. How have you been?"
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 3:29 pm
Huang stared at Jianyu and didn't really recognize him until he looked to see the tattoo's that we're clearing Jianyu's before turning to look around the Tattoo parlor. It fit him in a way and not in a way, Huang thought before bowing his head to the fighter.
"Good Afternoon Master Jianyu." Huang bowed his head again, and then gave the man a shy smile before bring out his arm, "I have grown a little arm strength and now have ease with three stones for a longer amount of time." Huang looked around again to see what was a woman and another man, the man was in the middle of being tattooed, "This place is interesting, Do you do all the work here?" Huang looked up at Jianyu curiously.
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 4:06 pm
"There is no need for 'master.'" Jianyu said, slightly uncomfortable. "I am...not a master, nor am I worthy to be one, so calling me just by my first name will do nicely."
Glancing down at himself, Jianyu realized that he was still in his dark blue working tunic. He flushed, a tad embarrassed, and twisted his hands awkwardly on the soft fabric.
"Er." Jianyu said, turning to look at the darkened room behind him. "No, I...this is my father's place of work. I have been trained in the art of tattooing, but it is my father, Qian Liwei, who provides the patrons with the necessary services. I merely help out when assistance is needed."
As if on cue, someone wearing an outfit similar to Jianyu's came walking out of a nearby room, wiping his hands on a towel. Qian Liewei was a tall man, with lean muscles that rippled beneath the short-sleeved tunic. His black hair, streaked with silver, was pulled back into a short ponytail at the base of his neck. He stopped when he saw Jianyu standing in the entranceway.
"Hey." he said cheerfully, coming up to Huang-Fu and offering the younger man his hand. "How are you?"
"Father, this is Huang-Fu Lee." Jianyu said, nodding in their directions. "Huang, this is my father, Qian Liwei."
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 4:56 pm
"I see, then Jianyu, Good afternoon again." Huang bowed his head to the master of the home now, "It is a pleasure to meet you Master Liwei, your business is very well established." Huang shifted uncomfortable, he was not use to meeting a father, nor accustomed to know how to behave to the man. Not only was he unfamiliar with him but the man presented a very strong presence, and it intimated Huang very well, regardless of cheeriness.
"You designs are simply wonderful." Huang admired some of the patrons who had fresh clean tattoos, Huang himself had his dragon tattoo that was a lesson taught by his master, for Endurance to pain and had suffered greatly for the dragon that now crawled his arm. Staring now, He shifted again uncomfortably unsure exactly why he was here now.
"Jianyu, Are we training here then today?" Huang paled a little of thought of getting another tattoo in the name of training.
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 8:48 pm
Jianyu glanced towards his father, a slight look of unsurity on his face. He hadn't exactly meant to introduce Huang to his father, but Liwei had come out of the parlor and it had seemed unavoidable. Huang seemed quite ill at ease, his face paling visibly. Qian Liwei grinned down at the boy.
"Thank you!" he said cheerfully. "A craftsman is always glad to hear that his work is appreciated. That piece there, on your arm," he added, nodding towards the curling dragon that twisted up Huang's right arm. "It's quite impressive. I remember doing one similar to that a few years back..."
"Father." Jianyu said pointedly, knowing that his father could get quite too detailed when it came to tattoos. Liwei blinked, then smiled at his son, getting the message.
"Ah, some other time, perhaps." Liwei said. "I trust you'll have a good stay here, Huang. You're quite welcome to look around as you please."
Giving a jaunty wave, Liwei crossed the room back into the main waiting room of the tattoo parlor, leaving the two young men standing in the entrance hall. Jianyu turned to face Huang.
"Yes, we are training here." he said, and gestured for the younger boy to follow him. "Let me take you to the enclosure between the houses, where I often train."
He led him down a series of halls, well lit by flckering golden candles and clean cherry-wood detailing. Once they reached the inner sanctum, Jianyu slid open the door. Placing a hand on Haung's lower back, Jianyu gently guided the Lunarian forward.
The Qian Household was octagonal in shape, with a small, outdoor enclosure in the center of it. The sanctum, as Jianyu often called it, was clean and well kept, with lush green grass and a small pond surrounded by grey stones and multicolored flowers. A few small trees were scattered about, giving the whole place a quiet, simple air.
Jianyu turned back to Huang.
"What do you think?"
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 9:59 pm
Huang watched a little bit envious that Jianyu got so well along with his father, Huang's own father did not pay attention to him nor acknowledged him like Qian Liwei did, there was something that both father and son shared with each other that was much like what Yuan and Kaede had shared before Yuan's death.
"Your welcome Sir." Huang bowed his head to the man in a farewell, "If....When i return next then we can talk more about it Master Liwei." Huang cocked his head before the man had left the boys staring after him. Unsure of what to do exactly, Huang followed Jianyu, shifting his pouch to the other side of his body and staring at the man's back and tried to pay attention to the details of his surroundings, There we're many halls, many rooms all outlined by the rich color of cherry wood and illuminated by the soft glow of candles, which left off a very rich waxy smell.
Huang stopped though when Jianyu open the door to a outdoor enclosure, with a large enough space to move around without disturbing other people and the calm sounds of nature. Huang was too into the details that when Jianyu pushed him, he stumbled a little before regaining composure and standing straight, looking around a little suspicious.
"This place is large," Huang thought before grimacing, "I mean it is very beautiful, Who tends to it?" the more important thought was, what are we doing here? Huang instantly blushed for no reason what so ever.
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 10:28 pm
"I do." Jianyu said, in answer to Huang-Fu's question. "Well...my sisters, brothers and I. It is one of our mother's wishes, that we keep this place presentable and a sort of...sanctuary...of sorts."
Jianyu flushed slightly, then cleared his throat awkwardly as he glanced around the small enclosure. He had spent many, many hours as a youth planting the various plants and wildflowers, helping to keep the grass cut to a neat, tidy length, making sure that each and every thing was just right. And then there were the hours he had spent training with his father. The minutes, hours, days, weeks, even that he had spent learning to be a Legion, following in his father's footsteps.
"I am glad you find it beautiful." Jianyu said, turning to smile at Huang. His voice became quieter. "It is...a very meaningful place to me."
For a moment he lapsed into silence, lost in the memories. Then he said softly "Are you ready to begin our training today?"
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 7:01 pm
Huang studied the enclosure more closely, the place was filled with ripe vegetation that was obviously trimmed or kept tidy with great care, "Ahh your mother?" Huang thought of his own mother and shrugged, he knew not every mother was alike but he had no feelings of goodness towards anything called mother.
"Why wouldn't I? Even i can appreciate the natural nature beauty." Huang-Fu joked a bit before sobering, "In truth this place reminds me much of the Cherry hill, at least the feel? Its relaxing." Huang turned to stare at Jianyu, "Then i shall honor this place and what is yours Jianyu." Huang bowed his head to the enclosure and sent a prayer to the goddess for remembrance.
"I am Ready, What are we learning today?" Huang stared at Jianyu who was quiet some more.
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 7:19 pm
Jianyu shook his head briefly, as if to clear it. Then he stepped back, smiling gently at Huang-Fu. He appreciated the respect and reverence that this young man was paying to his little enclosure. It did not seem like much at first, but the meaning in it was clear.
"We are learning more on observation and learning to 'feel.'" Jianyu said. "Come, sit."
Walking over a few paces, Jianyu selected an area of the ground that was spread over with soft green grass, a few multicolored flower petals drifting around the slivers. Jianyu sat down, crossing his legs. He looked up at Huang Fu, reaching up to take his hand.
"Sit." he said again.
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 7:50 pm
Huang angled his head at Jianyu and smiled a bit shyly, He was glad that Jianyu seem to appreciate Huang being here and inside that made Huang happy himself even the rage he felt after his friends death, or the regret that he had come into the life he had now couldn't quench the happiness of acceptance from Jianyu, He may have been looking to deep into it, or maybe he wanted to but being here felt right.
Following Jianyu, he watched with curiosity before grimacing, how fun could studying things be? Now he sounded ungrateful and his master had taught him better, Although it was a bit awkward again for the moment that Huang stared down at Jianyu and then he could feel the heat in Jianyu's hand as he pulled him down.
Sitting in a kneeled position, he stared at Jianyu before looking down at the ground.
"Alright..." Huang stared at the grass uncomfortable before shifting and waiting.
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 8:04 pm
Jianyu shifted, moving to sit on his knees as well. Placing his hands in his lap he motioned for Huang to do the same.
"One of the most important things about learning to fight," Jianyu said quietly. "Is learning when not to fight. Letting your emotions get in the way only serves to make you fail, as I know from experience. Emotions cloud our judgment, make us act in rash outbreaks of anger and passion. We must learn to control our impulses, our selfish desires to exact revenge. Keeping oneself calm during a fight will be beneficial to not only to yourself, but also with whomever you are fighting with."
Reaching out, Jianyu gently rested his fingers on Huang's eyes, closing them for him and leaving his fingers resting on Huang's face.
"Breathe in." Jianyu instructed, and raised his other hand, pressing it against Huang-Fu's chest. "Very slowly. Then let it all out. Do this several times until you feel you are calmer. I can feel your heart beating irregularly fast. Calm your breathing and yourself."
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