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 Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:43 pm
 Shin-Mu stared from where she had come to a stop at eh base of the hill, pale eyes wide with shock and perhaps even the touch of grief at the sight that lay before her. Not just the blackened ruin of the tree, though that did hit her hard, but the remains. She couldn't see them, not from where she stood, and perhaps not at all, but she knew they were there. Word had spread fast throughout the city, and the Xia family had been made aware. Even her parents had dropped their busy schedules to venture into the city out of curiosity and alarm. Nothing, not a single event in all the history Shin had researched, touched on what she was witnessing now, and this was merely the aftermath of something far worst.
She was a hardened young woman, bitter and cold, but she couldn't deny the moisture that stung at her eyes and stained her cheeks. The violence, the destruction, it was senseless. She didn't understand the necessity of this. They were in a war, she was well aware of this, but this went beyond.
Her throat felt hot as she climbed the hill towards the growing crowd at the bass of the tree, one dark hand raising to brush at the falling tears that clung to the delicate point of her chin. It was worst closer, but she knew it would be. The stench of burnt wood and worst permeated the air, and she had to swallow back a gag.
A familiar and welcome figure was there among the others, and Shin-Mu was grateful for the sight of a friend in that moment. "Cais." She moved to his side immediately, her hand coming up to rest lightly on at his elbow before she pretense faded and she simply curled her arms around his and clung to him.
There were others there, one she recognized, the others she did not, and one who's voice was enough to make her tense, fingertips digging against Cais' arm. Of course luck would place them there, or some twisted parody of fate. She cast the Legionaire a cold glance, snowy brows narrowing in ever present anger, and bit back the spiteful words that came instantly to tongue at his presence. Now was not the time. Her rage at Huang-fu was nothing int eh face of the tragedy before them ,and she had more grace then to sully the memory of those that had died with her petty words.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:07 pm
Ling-Gui winced from behind his bangs upon receiving retaliation from the sea-green haired Lunarian . Nervously, he toyed with a chousan stick concealed in his sleeve, and nodded slowly in dull agreement. He sensed that his intuition was not something that the others found necessary, but he saw little point in commenting on the fallen either. For a brief moment, he considered what being a dead man was like again. As a ghost, it was a common thought, one addressed daily and approached wisely. He was usually a spirited Lunarian somewhat, who spoke of the arcane mystery or the art of war. Death was something he saw little of firsthand but wrote about on many accounts. Now that he considered his, he decided that his actions were admittedly, unfair. The three fallen wretches were more deserving narratives than his feigned ones. He allowed the heavy silence to sink in, feeling its weight upon him before he released it once more when he spoke.
To both the male and female Lunarians that addressed him before, he morosely said: "I whole-heartedly agree, but none of us seem to be aware of their identity. Do either of you have plans on how to alert their families in such taboo? It is also unfortunate that I can't seem to deduce any marks or indicators of who or whom their malefactors were. Perhaps the two of you have a clearer concept?"
He realized he'd been quite rude and horribly inarticulate before (in comparison to the usual Ling tradition of greeting others).
"I am Ling-Gui of the Ling Strategians, I apologize if I came off rude earlier in my language, I mean nothing short of good intention. Of course, none of that matters now. We should devise a plan while all of us are still gathered."
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Legend of Lunaria Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:16 pm
"This is a mistake."
"Please, my Lord; I would not be so hasty to assume such a thing."
The sound of something jingling can be heard as two figures quietly make their way through the crowds of devastated people congregating around the broken, horrifying scene at the top of Cherry Tree Hill. They are dressed inconspicuously, loose wrappings around their heads, fins protruding from the cloths that shield their faces from the sun - or perhaps something else.
They are silent for a moment. The first speaks.
"What now?"
"The meeting, my Lord. It will begin soon."
[ OOC: There is nothing special about these two people - they are just more people in the mass that has surrounded the beloved tree of Lunaria. Perhaps they are vaguely noticed, but otherwise they are relatively unassuming ]
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:58 pm
Though the smoke had begun to fade, Cais still felt the sting of ash fill his lungs. There was something unnerving about the whole thing, but nothing he had the capacity to deal with considering the circumstances. With another look back to the pale Lunarian he opened his mouth to respond, but was waylaid by the sight of something familiar cresting over the hill. "Shin." he put simply, watching her move closer to him.
He could see it on her and feel it in the air, the sense of sorrow, of loss... At the touch and embrace he was only inclined to return them, feeling her dig into him at the uncomfortable sight of Huang. An eyebrow lifted on his face in reflex, though his entire being was encompassed in her arrival. "I'm sure you've already heard." Cais put into soft words. Shin brought out the calmness in him even in the face of the raging hurricane of emotion sweeping through him.
After a moment passed between them he turned back to the now introduced Ling-Gui. A nod moved between them while his bright eyes remained focused on the pale Lunarian. "Word will get to them, if not through us someone will know." The fighter said, standing as tall as he could. "That will start them on the path to retribution." He went on, sweeping a glance over again.
Cais wanted desperately to say it, to immediately place blame as he often had, which generally seemed to be the case. For once, the Fighter was more uncertain than he ever had been before. Surely the Legion wouldn't dare defile the tree, even to prove a point? A knot tightened harder in his stomach. But someone did.
Looking back to Ling-Gui he managed a quick shake of the head.
"Don't worry yourself with formalities, I think everyone will be a little "on edge" today." He muttered in an attempt to take the apology as best as he knew how. In a louder voice for anyone else to hear, including a few newcomers to the congregation. "Well, what DO we do now?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:33 pm
Huang pulled the young female girl out of the tree, keeping her close to his side as she weeped a little for the dead. The pure act had hurt more then she was willing to let other's see and so he used her body to hide the slight tears, patting her head. "There, Li." He didn't really know how to comfort, as he stared blankly at the bodies on the ground. To say that he was cold to them, was the truth.
He aimed a look at the newcomer before nodding somberly. The Man was correct in what he said, even though it was put as frankly as it was. Blunt honesty though, was what Huang appreciated in this time. He looked again to Cais before sighing, this was not a time to bring up the war that separated them. He could feel the anger and blame being put on him by Cais and shrugged. He was not so inhumane to leave his prey in the middle of a important spot to be seen, nor was he so brave to light fire to something he loved more dearly in his heart then anything else.
It was then he felt her presence, the one who he had shared memories of and his body stiffened automatically. Shin-Mu, pretty and delicate stood among the ash and debris like she belonged. In a way, It was true. Of them all, the one's that probably had the most tie was Herself and Huang. He didn't speak though as she came up, as this was the time for Noble's grief. He had many words he wanted to say to her but...it was best to leave them inside him.
He continued to hold Li away as he looked over at Ling-Gui, the newcomer who had been so honest before and nodded his head at the man. "It's a unusual place to meet but I am Huang-Fu Lee." Huang regarded the man as he talked to the nobles of this small gathering. "If the one's who did this we're smart, then there would be no proof of identity on these men. The only thing that seem's clear is that they are of the Nobles." Huang looked over as he felt a eerie presence of something foreboding before pushing it away. It had to be the scenery and devastation that made him paranoid.
"This attack though..." Huang looked at the tree and frowned, "It seems so odd that any of our kind would defile such a powerful Landmark." He spoke of course of Lunarians as a whole before looking over at Li, "Lady Li, Perhaps we will set about looking for the culprit?" He wasn't sure but he wanted to find who did this. If so, he was going to need help. He resolutely looked at the other Lunarians, more directly at Cais. "What will you do? For the Men of your Alliance?" Huang looked them over, "If you, as members of their alliance want, I can have the bodies returned to camps. Though I am a Legion, I do not have any issues with further encouraging this sort of attack on hearts."
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:53 pm
Very briefly Shin glanced up at the Pale young man with thick bangs. She had missed whatever he'd said that seemed to have ruffled Cais, but she listened now as he responded, dark lips pursing thoughtfully. He was mostly right, the identities of the dead still remained a secret, but that didn't mean they couldn't find out. Did she dare speak up and pull judgement as well as attention from those around her? In this special case, she would.
"I can feel them." Her voice was soft, but she was a cultured lass, and that soft sound carried. "They are not yet.. Aware, but I can feel their presence." She didn't dare label who, as if it should be obvious. Shin-Mu had always had an unusual tie to the dead, they flocked to her like mice to piper, and she welcomed their company. These were not yet 'sentient', and there was a good chance they'd all pass on quietly. But if one among the dead remained bitter then perhaps they couldn't simply ask what had happened, and by whom.
Delicate fingers tightened along Cais' arm, sliding down until she could circle his wrist with one dainty hand. Clinging to him while a flood of emotions washed over her. Huang's presence was unexpected and unwelcome, and on top of the shock of what had happened, it was leaving the poor Noble overwhelmed. She nearly forgot her manners.
"Ling-Gui, I am Xia Shin-Mu." A well known name amongst the Nobles, least those that dealt in anyway in the politics of their faction.
She quieted again at Huang's question to Cais, pale brows arching gently as she looked between the two before finally settling on the Legionaire. "No, I would think not, Huang-fu Lee. You have made that abundantly clear in the past." So much for remaining civil. She regretted the words at once, but she wouldn't take them back. It might not have been his meaning in this case, but Shin knew well he had no qualms with attacking the heart.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:13 pm
"Nor should it go unpunished," she agreed quietly with Cais, not holding the venom that he did but holding a deeper sense of betrayal. Those gathered would see their black and whites, but Li would be just fine in her sea of greys. To the Lunarian who introduced himself - Ling-Gui - she merely bowed her head in acknowledgement. "SiMa Li. A pleasure, were our circumstance not so bleak." Not straying far from Huang, she turned her crystalline gaze over the bodies, shaking her head slowly as she bit her bottom lip. She didn't know them; even if she did, there was no way to find any recognizable features. "I would return them to the Retainers," she said simply, "let them do as they must. I doubt they'd want anyone else to get their hands on them, lest we'd miss something they might be aware of."
The 'we' business was slightly more encouraging, prompting Li to regard Cais once again. "What can we do?" It wasn't rhetorical; it was an honest question. She didn't know where to go from here, as she saw no obvious leads and with all the attention the fallen were garnering, any evidence that might have been left behind would be trampled or otherwise easily missed. In this instance, she trusted Huang's instincts and training, which were far superior to her own meager Academics; but it seemed he, for some reason, was a little rigid towards Cais and and the one that introduced herself as Shin-Mu. Nodding once to Huang - not knowing what aid should could provide, but willing and able to do her best - she was interested to know what the Nobles planned to do with their brethren. It was then that Shin-Mu decided to speak up beyond being helpful, earning a dubious look from the reserved Li. At least there was no question which side she was on. Such statements seemed unnecessary in such a battleground, but she had anticipated the Nobles to be quick to point fingers.
Sighing quietly to herself, she again wiped the back of her hand over her eyes, ignoring the soot that smeared over her dark cheeks. Letting the other four hash out whatever manners and old grudges they wanted to, she chose to simply look around, observing both the stage of the atrocity and those gathered.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:28 pm
Cais felt Shin shift in her stance as they stood apart from Huang. Whatever civility he had was wearing thin, the last bit remaining only maintaining through the presence of Shin. As she spoke Cais instinctively looked around despite his inability to feel what she could sense. "Let's hope if they choose not to linger that they pass swiftly." He mumbled towards her. He was unaware of what souls went through after death occurred, but he could speculate.
As she went on to introduce herself Cais's gaze met Huang's and a jolt of tension between them. A rush of warmth went through his face and he gnashed his teeth silently before finding a retort. "Well, these are violent times." He put simply, before a dark expression kept back over him. "Noble blood was spilled, then Nobles will take care of their own. Word will get back, the proper actions will be taken - without invoking any debt of the Legion." He said, stiffening under the words.
Cais felt Shin stiffen as well as she spoke and moved a hand over hers in a comforting way. "You're right in one thing, Huang, the culprits need to be found." He said, his eyes shining in an almost taunting way back to the other. Abruptly he moved his eyes back to Li and he felt some of the anger dissipate. "We'll do anything we can." He added, allowing the rest of the tension he had building up let itself out with a sigh.
They weren't getting anywhere.
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:49 pm
Bao let the tears flow for the Lunarians that had suffered the fate of being hanged and burned like rubbish. She needed to get all of her emotion out right now. It would do no good for her to be constantly overwhelmed with sorrow and anger. She cared very little for what those standing around her thought of her display of emotion. If no one else would do it, she would mourn for them.
The others were right though. These Lunarians needed to be moved. They needed to find out who from the noble retainers was missing. She already knew the one that lay before her. Though the remains were charred so as to render the body almost unrecognizable, there was one thing that remained. It was an gold armband that still remained on the charred arm, a gift from her own father. She spoke up then, "I know who this is and can contact his family." Her voice was flat and almost devoid of emotion. She felt very numb after crying.
She turned to Cais and nodded at what he had said. "Yes, we'll take care of our own. It won't be long before the families of these victims figure out who is missing of theirs." The last sentence held heat to it. Whoever did this would pay. She looked up at the one she met by the pond, Ling Gui, and dipped her head in greeting. He didn't have his death tag on. She appreciated that he took it off. It would not have been a welcome sight with what happened.
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:28 pm
From behind his veil of rectitude, the light-skinned Lunarian managed a slow smile. Discussion was in its intercourse, and the suggestions that were offered. He bowed curtly to Xia Shin-Mu, having heard of the said Lunarian's family himself. Her statement of foreboding chilled him slightly, but it was nothing new in context of all his learnings as a Ling. He suppressed a frown when Huang spoke of the malefactor's intelligence. From his studies, Ling-Gui was conscious that both Noble and Legion members had great capacity to commit homicide "purely" without leaving visible prints. A deductive Lunarian might be able to seek more enlightenment upon studying the scene, and Bao sufficed. He wanted to kneel beside everyone to make himself feel more at a common ease, but as Cais said, nobody was truly at an ease, so there was no purpose in seeking it. Instead, he continued to stand.
"A sufficient plan, Cais, I'll do what I can as well." Ling-Gui commented softly. The Lunarian seemed very capable to the Ling strategian; Ling-Gui managed a strong opinion about him in his head. He felt incompetent in the sense that the gathered Lunarians didn't seem to be able to offer much assistance to the dead, but they were making the best of their efforts to keep off the position as spectators.
To SiMa Li, he added: "A good point to be considered. The Retainers' help would be appreciated in this prospect."
While he did agree with her that the Retainers would be helpful under the grisly tree, they were not available on-scene, and it seemed to him as if everyone felt equally dissatisfied with their progress. He couldn't blame them; they did not choose to be incompetent and were doing everything in their power to avoid its status. Limitations were of many, and though all the Lunarians on-scene had thoughtful suggestions, authority did not.
An awful sentiment.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:50 am
Huang nodded at Bao and Cais, clearly understand that the line of what they we're getting at. Nobles would take care of their own for now, and as a Legion fighter, on his way to being a captain, he didn't blame them for turning down his offer.
"Wise words Cais." His voice remained devoid of emotion, clearly again ignoring the imagined blame from the boy's eyes on him. It didn't bother him that of the four present nobles, two of him we're sending him glares invoking rage and death.
He winced though at Shin's words though. He didn't particularly like the thought that the dead we're around them and was very couinse that because of Shin's spiritual connection would cause her to speak. It was also saddening thought to know that she was had to hear what the dead said. If anyone less stronger then herself had the ability well...He didn't know. He was haunted by only the living now. The dead had no more meaning to him then what it was death. He learned that lesson the day he took his mother's life.
His hand tugged on Li's outfit. "It is odd how the past can come back to haunt you Shin, even when your realize how young and foolish war can make you. One does change when given time and the proper encouragement." His face remained stoic though he took the emotional stab at the reminder that he had caused heartache to the girl. and yet, he let her have her words and her hate because he deserved it. "This scene has been very eye opening but as the Nobles have more... attachment at the moment, I will make myself sparse." To this he turned to Li and showed her a small smile. "If you wish to stay you may, or I can escort you to another location?...." He left it hanging, if Li had things she wanted to say or do while still here, he completely understood and would find another course of action. He had heard of happenings in the rice fields and at the main street. One of the two may hold more answers.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:56 am
A pain shot through him as Cais listened to Bao's words which caused him to wince as he looked back to her. "I'm sorry for your loss." The condolence felt strange as it was spoken, though he did mean the words behind him. He knew the pain of loss, but not when done in such a horrific manner. However, as he was ignorant of comforting techniques, he made no movement towards her. Rather he continued to stare with a solemn look. "If we have one name it can't be long before the other two come." Cais said quietly while listening to the determined infliction of her voice. And we will take care of the culprits too. He thought, biting at his lip in an annoyed manner.
Churning his head back to face the mysterious Ling-Gui he felt his grip on Shin grow slightly tighter. "I doubt standing here further is helping much." He muttered towards him, giving him a civil nod before looking back to the growing number of Lunarians. How do we even go about this? Though determined, the Fighter had little in the way of an actual plan aside from the vague suggestions he'd come up with.
The absence of any higher ranking Nobleman was disturbing him with each passing minute, though he would not voice that concern aloud. With a jerk of his head he made a "Hmph." back towards Huang. Ignoring his words towards Shin, he managed to stroke her arm in a small sense of comfort despite his loss of knowledge on exactly what was passing between them.
"Perhaps that would be best." He uttered impatiently, "Though I doubt this is all that's happened today, from the sound of things." From afar he could hear faint noises of cries from across the city and he felt a light shudder move through him. Just what was going on?
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:47 am
Li sighed quietly, trying not to show her disappointment. Speaking clearly and with neutral tone, she offered to all available, "Whether or not this is an act of war and one to start pointing fingers at opposing sides, it is disrespectful to the fallen. Grant them their vengeance all you please - and I would gladly stand by your side in such an endeavor - but drawing lines and making this another battleground does not find the monsters that did this. If ever there was a time you could put aside your hatred for a greater good, I would hope the peace of your brethren would be it. Do not let your ire and vendettas sully their passing." Giving Cais a long look - knowing now what side he stood on and slightly saddened by it - she also glanced to Shin-Mu, though her animosity seemed to be more personal. Still, such ill feelings should not be around the deceased. She hoped that Shin-Mu, the one who could speak to those passed, would keep a neutral opinion in whatever happened next.
And then the vibrant woman said our own. Lunaria's grace, were they surrounded by Nobles? Li would have thought that the presence of a Legionnaire - even if her own status wasn't outwardly known yet, Huang's was - would have been more a comfort than an upset, to see that the Assassin was as much at a loss for what happened as the others were. Moving over to Bao, she almost rested her hands gingerly on the woman's shoulders before she remembered how dirty they were and instead bowing politely. Still a stranger to her, she knew there was little comfort she could impart aside from the truth. "Rest assured they will be found, my Lady," she offered softly, "and they will pay for their brutality." Offering a gentle smile, she withdrew from the Noblewoman and dipped her head to Ling-Gui. "Should the departed need tending, I hope you'll be considered." And that was all she could offer, as the gathered made it clear that they would handle the situation -- even if it was standing around and pointing fingers needlessly.
The tug on her garments brought her back to Huang, resting a hand on his forearm in an attempt at comfort without being too forward or friendly. "We can let them mourn and hurt," she agreed without condescension or insult, "you and I can be better help elsewhere. Perhaps we should check the city to see if any saw any suspicious characters after the fire started -- or the farmers, if the culprits intended to make a hasty retreat." Someone had to have seen something. With everyone looking to assume the person next to them was going to stab them in the back, Li found it hard to believe that such an event would go so unnoticed.
With an opening for Huang to join her in departure, she brushed her soot-covered hands off, feeling only a slight bitter taste in her mouth that the Nobles would never know a Legionnaire cut their dead down with tears in her eyes. Such was the price of war. "Cais." Bidding farewell to the only Lunarian she knew previously, she bowed her head politely to each of the gathered. "Until we meet again - under more favorable circumstance." And with that, she took her leave, swallowing down the heavy feeling in her gut that told her that the heritage tree and the fallen Retainers were part of something bigger, a thread in a larger tapestry.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:59 pm
A startled glance was turned to Bao, and she felt a small pang for the girl for having known one of the deceased. It made her wonder if dear Veryuu was among those that had fallen, and the thought was enough to make her chest tight, and she clutched at Cais' arm as he tried to comfort her. She said a silent prayer to the goddess to watch over those small few she cared for more then any other, and her chest rose in a cleansing breath, pale eyes returning to meet familiar magenta and narrowing automatically. Petty or not, she simply couldn't look upon the fighter with anything close to neutrality.
She would school her tongue though, and any venom that may have leaked into her last comment to Huang-fu was gone. "I sincerely hope you are genuine in your words," She hoped his deeds haunted him, she truly did, because they certainly haunted her.
The girl on his arm was spared a critical look, not unfriendly or hostile, but curious. She didn't know her, not by sight or rumor. It was a matter to worry over another day though. If she wanted to believe Shin suspected the Legioniare, then let her, the lady didn't care.
In truth the dark noble found it quite unlikely Huang had anything to do with the deaths. He was a b*****d, and a killer, but there was still some honor to him. Whoever had brought death and destruction among them had none of that to boast. It was debatable if they would even have a soul.
As the two moved away, Shin turned back to Cais, leaning against his side as she shifted her grip on his arm, hugging it against her. He'd gotten taller as of late. Not impressively so, but enough that Shin would notice even in the midst of her grief and helplessness. His shoulder wasn't quite where she remembered it being, and it was easy now for the girl to rest her chin there. "If they do not pass peacefully on I could simply ask them their names." There was still nothing from the bodies but a sense of something beyond life, but they were still too new.. "Or even who has done this to them." If they'd even know.. She wasn't sure.
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Legend of Lunaria Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:38 pm
"I told you this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. My Lord, if we just went back to the P - "
"Hold your tongue."
Angry voices rose over the din of the people surrounding the defiled Cherry Tree. Two figures stood glaring at each other in the low light of the watery sun, neither of which seemed ready to give in to the other. At long last - and entirely through mere looks at each other - they seemed to come to some sort of conclusion, though neither had said anything.
The first figure turned, his gaze dark. He seemed, perhaps, in his mid-thirties. Not slender or muscular, but somewhere in between, stocky and tall, with a slightly lined face and eyes that had seen much more than the people he stood with.
"I require the assistance of whoever can give it to me," he said, in a loud, clear voice.
"My Lord - " began the other, but a glare from the first made him stop, clearly disgruntled.
"Who here is willing to set right this wrong?"
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