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 Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:34 pm
Alex snaked her arm around Lina, giving her a half hug. "No one is dying on my watch," she grinned at the girl in the crook of her arm, "and I'll do my best to return the favor." She wasn't going to say she absolutely was not going to die. If it came between her and any of these people, whether she knew them or not, well...she'd take the brunt of misfortune. More than that, she'd not go down without a fight, and she guarenteed that after all that Oz had taught her in the ship yard, she could bring down quite a few before they got a scratch on her. If one of those people did manage to hurt someone, especially those that she'd come here for...it'd take a lot more than removing organs to slow down the woman when consumed by the rage that lingered just beneath the surface.
Even so, her mind still turned over the grisly knowledge of how the people had died. There was a cold pit her in stomach; she hoped upon hope that it would not lead them to that place.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:45 pm
Lina nodded, allowing herself to be hugged. "I know," she said. "Thank you."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:01 pm
"I would say that is quite enough..." Herei had been listening quietly to the several groups that had appeared. It seemed a good thing that so many already knew each other. sometimes, missions were impossible to do with perfect strangers. Seeing RuiZhi made him smile gently to himself, since he was a good kid. But he was highly impressed by all of their strong hearts to do something that is obviously so dangerous. But Kenth's arrival and the words that poured from his mouth soured his look quickly. This was not entirely unexpected by for goodness sake.
Dressed for once in 'normal' clothing and not his usual fancy chinese style dress, he smoothly walked over to the group in general. "Doctor Kenth, I would be grateful for the help that has come. Young some may be, it never hurts to have back up. And if they're brave enough to decide to come here, then allow them to come along with us." His gaze then flicked to Dante and Irame and he inclined his head. "And I am grateful for their assistance as well. Game this is not, but going in half-cocked will not bring us the answers we seek either.
"The Headmaster is doing what he can to help now. For who knew that this could get worse instead of better?" He looked over the group assembled there. He would stop at nothing to protect them should they decide to come along on this mission.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:10 pm
Kenth cocked an eyebrow at Herei's appearance. So the advisor was already here, hidden in the crowd and hearing him talking since god knows when. Clever, very clever. Kenth lowered his head a little, kicking the ground with his feet. He gave Herei a respectful smile and nodded.
"Advisor Fang. It seems that you have come here earlier than I did. Good for you." Kenth shook his head, and looked at the people that was in front of him...people who were more or less offended by his words, kenth supposed. Stubborn bunch.
"If you say so, advisor, then I have nothing to say. They can stay under the condition that they can keep themselves safe and not be a burdern to the investigation." Kenth sighed and commented. No use in arguing with Herei, the man who could use his tongue to kill. "If advisor Fang would be kind to take on the task of protecting the students, I would appreciate it."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:26 pm
His gaze watched Kenth's movements carefully. Odd how it seemed he respected him more but it was also good he had kept silent for as long as he had. Least he has gotten to see a side of Kenth that he may not have been able to see otherwise at the school. so he alwould be best to come as soon as I could. Even with Advisor allowed a small smile to appear on his lips before he nodded to his words. "I figured it would be best to arrive as soon as I possibly could. Though Advisor Araquenosse and Lady Irame had beaten me here, it seems. But it is good to see this much support towards the finding a resolution for our task here in China."
He shifted and placed his hands into his pockets, looking out over the landscape. It even felt wrong and it made the slim hairs at the nape of his neck itch. "It would seem the others don't like the way you phrase your words of caution." There was a hint of amusement in his voice but also understanding. "I do agree that it can be very dangerous and that is something that cannot be helped. But they have decided to help us.. it is a bit rude to tell them to leave.." But Herei wasn't going to hold that against Kenth. He worked the way he worked, though it was rather.. well, very forward. And direct and cold but people were as they were. "I will do everything to protect the students here. I have no problems in doing that at all. But we do need to begin as soon as possible. The more time that passes, the higher chance we could lose some important clue.."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:34 pm
Kenth snorted. "Bah, human relations. I'll let you take over, advisor."
And with that he turned and looked around at the landscape. The place the group camped was at the shore of the Chang river, not far from where the research lab originally located. The place seemed to be eerily quiet, or, if Kenth dared to say, smelt dead. Was this part of the ruins by the Chinese natives? Most likely not, since Kenth detected no traces of stuggling or bloodshed in the area. Where, then, did all the surviving scientists go?
"I think they should be here." Kenth sighed. His eyes squinted in a careful search for any traits of human beings other than the people in the group. It was likely that the scared scientists made themselves a hiddel shelter. But where...?
After a while Kenth gave up, and looked back at Herei. "You are right advisor. We better start looking around for survivors so we can get some more information."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:38 pm
"Just how long have you been hiding there?" Dante asked, a smirk hidden in his voice. He hadn't been able to pinpoint exactly where the Chinese man had been--but he had been able to sense his movements with the sensitive ears he had.
He said nothing, his moving forward towards his fellow Advisor action enough to show he agreed with the man.
Lina, meanwhile, had run back across the field and retrieved her duffel bag, fishing out a red box from it. "Here! Take a piece," she offered, and held it out for Alex. It was a little biscuit with chocolate on top and a little bit uncovered near the bottom.
She'd share with Alex and Greg--and maybe some of the kids.
But anyone else and...she didn't want to run out, because then...she shuddered. She didn't like to think of the mood she'd be in.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:40 pm
His lips twitched with a smirk at Kenth's comment but he didn't snicker aloud, even if it amused him. Instead, he nodded his head. "As you wish, Doctor." But he was thinking a similar train of thought as the doctor at the moment. It was very strange than the remaining scientists were nowhere to be seen. Hadn't they known that they would be arriving soon? And since everyone was here now...
His brows drew together in a slim frown before he nodded. 'I agree.. they should be. This is most strange." And he didn't like that strangeness. To him, it spoke of something more forboding... but he kept his features scolled into a thoughtful mask. His thoughts were his own until he shared them with the general public. "That is the best thing. So further in we must go. Perhaps we'll come across them as we travel. If they have taken to hiding themselves because they feel in danger, maybe they'll come out if realize we're here... or we just need to find their hideout either which way..."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 1:56 pm
Alex watched the new person come up to Kenth, which seemed to ease the man from his tightly knit worries. She coughed a little when she heard Herei speak; dear sweet goodness, that was a MAN? Weiyuan was definitely at the right school! All the teachers were...pretty, and exotic. It made her feel very suddenly out of place.
"Ah, thank you," she smiled at Lina a bit, popping the treat into the corner of her cheek thoughtfully. "Mi' ath wew ta'e a wook a'woun." She snapped the sweet with a grin, busying herself by looking about the area. So this was a campsite, or was supposed to be? It was awfully barren. She lowered herself to the ground, looking for prints that were not from the group, although it was hard with the multitude of milling people. The woman lumbered a short ways away from the group, pausing as she spotted a fresh indent near some of the dying foliage. Her eyes snapped up, suddenly meeting with the gaze of someone else.
The man utter a hoarse cry and tried to bolt, but Alex was faster; she reached out and snagged the man's shoulder, pulling him through the bushes and onto the ground. "HEY, a little help here!" she called to the rest of the group as the man tried to flee.
"G-g-get away!" he practically shrieked as the woman grabbed him by the arms and glared, not all that imposing with some type of snack sticking out of her mouth.
"We aren't going to hurt you," she said with utter calmness, stunning the man for a moment. Hurry up! she thought inwardly.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:21 pm
Herei looked at Dante and seemed amused. "For awhile, actually. I just decided against a rather flashy entrance." He snickered a bit before he saw Alex wandering away from the group. He had heard about what happened beforehand and he didn't want anyone wandering about. "I would have said something sooner, advisor, but you seemed quite busy yourself and I had no wish to interrupt just yet."
A sudden commotion caused him to move towards Alex had disappeared without much thought. It was probably the cry of a voice that was definately not female that made him move. Alex's words next reached him as he arrived on the scene. His eyes took in the scene before him quickly before he reached down and took hold of an arm. "Please calm yourself, sir." he nodde din thanks to Alex before focusing on this man. "As she stated, no harm will come to you.. but you have some answers, I'm willing to believe..."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:27 pm
"Ah. I see. So you were there long enough to ascertain our 'group situatio--'"
He was cut off as well by the commotion, head snapping towards Alex. He was right next to Herei as they walked towards the man.
"Don't be so intimidating!" Lina said, and like Alex had done months ago with the Chinese child, lowered herself to the ground on her knees with a gentle smile.
"" she said in Chinese, then in English, motioning to those around her. Then she held out a piece of Pocky and grinned. "" she asked next, again in two different languages.
Food always did well for the body and soul, after all. ....Or was that just chicken soup?
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:32 pm
Alex released one arm, but stayed close by. If he tried to bolt, she wouldn't hesitate to throw him over her shoulder and tie him to a tree.
The man was a little dirty from being in the bushes, his cheeks red and his hair mussed. "D-don't kill me!" he choked out, his eyes wide with fear. He was looking at Herei as though the Chinese man were the devil come to take his soul. Nervous hands clenched and unclenched, his wild eyes roving between the native man that held him captive and the others in the group. "I j-just do-doing my job, l-leave me alone!" He made a feeble attempt to pull away from the man, fear written all over his face. He nearly leaped out of his skin as Lina spoke Chinese, prompting him to scurry backwards. "You're all--!"
The Italian woman grunted and gave him a gentle shove to remind him of where she was. "Stop it. He's not one of them, and she's offering you a snack. Have some manners, man." She'd seen that look before, when the disease ravaged the land; all those not of Chinese blood had blamed the natives.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:39 pm
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully at how he was acting. And he had almost hoped that part had been a lie. but the man's obvious fear of him only compounded his current thoughts. Anyone of Chinese blood was blamed for what was going on... that was the most common sense of reasoning there was. Didn't make it fair or logical.. but in times of fear, logic was the last thing on one's mind. Only the need for survival at any costs. "No one will kill you, sir." His voice was calm, as it usually tended to be. Well, okay, usually it held a hint of amusement but this was no laughing matter. When he tried to scurry backwards, he gently tightened his grip a bit more. This man was a survivor and knew answers. he wasn't about to let him get away just yet, even if he thought he was out to kill him.
"We mean you absolutely no harm. We wish to know what's going on around here. Where are the scientists?" He was frightened out of his mind so he was being as patient as possible. "And what is it that you mean by job?"
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:44 pm
Chrystali Alex released one arm, but stayed close by. If he tried to bolt, she wouldn't hesitate to throw him over her shoulder and tie him to a tree.
The man was a little dirty from being in the bushes, his cheeks red and his hair mussed. "D-don't kill me!" he choked out, his eyes wide with fear. He was looking at Herei as though the Chinese man were the devil come to take his soul. Nervous hands clenched and unclenched, his wild eyes roving between the native man that held him captive and the others in the group. "I j-just do-doing my job, l-leave me alone!" He made a feeble attempt to pull away from the man, fear written all over his face. He nearly leaped out of his skin as Lina spoke Chinese, prompting him to scurry backwards. "You're all--!"
The Italian woman grunted and gave him a gentle shove to remind him of where she was. "Stop it. He's not one of them, and she's offering you a snack. Have some manners, man." She'd seen that look before, when the disease ravaged the land; all those not of Chinese blood had blamed the natives.
"...." Lina's face fell slightly at the man's reaction.
She called upon whatever gentleness she had in her soul and took the other man's hand, clasping it firmly but warmly, softly.
"You poor thing...how many beloved ones have you lost? What sacrifices have you made?" She leaned forward, her emerald eyes commanding his own dark gaze. "...Believe it or not, I have lost things as well. I have seen loss here. I understand what you have been through. If you do not believe me, ask anyone here."
She took one silver bag out of her box and placed it in the man's hand, closing the fingers over it. "So please, let us try to help you before you run away...and if you must, then please take this. I don't want you to go any more hungry than you already have."....So I was right.
The girl's reaction only confirmed Dante's suspicion--and as a breeze blew past a look of disappointment and discontent settled across his features, gone when the air around them stilled.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:55 pm
"Y-you're one of THEM," the man whispered weakly, his eyes still wide. That his captives hadn't killed him had left him a little stunned, giving him a moment to calm down in the slightest and cast a cautious look around. His eyes blinked rapidly at Lina as she spoke, his jaw set in an unyielding manner, despite his fear. Rough fingers curled unwillingly around the bag, his bewildered gaze falling onto it. He was very confused, with the woman speaking Chinese and the Chinese people speaking English...was it a trick? He swallowed hard, shaking his head at Lina. She may know suffering, but there wasn't time to suffer...no, the speed of which everything fell apart left little time for mourning.
He shuddered in the Chinese man's grasp, surveying the motley crew of fair skinned, dark skinned and long-earred. Some of them didn't look like natives, but the ones who were... "What...what do you want from me?" he asked wearily. He refused to answer Herei's questions, resisting with deeply ladden fear.
Alex was starting to lose her patience, which was never a good sign. She looked languidly over the man's shoulder as she stood at his back, her eyes on Herei. If he wanted to, she'd be more than happy to hit the man over the head.
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