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 Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:49 pm
 
This is a private RP between Jianyu [Kuro-Mizuki] and Kyung [Koco Pelli].
Setting:
The Archery Fields at the Academy.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:06 pm
The arrow was made of a rich chestnut wood, the tip razor sharp from hours spent shaving it down so it was just right. Jianyu's fingers slid along the smooth wood.
Reaching into his pocket, Jianyu extracted his shooting glove. He slipped it onto his hand and widened his stance, raising his arm to position the arrow neatly into the notch on the longbow he held in his left hand. Fingers gripping the thin string he pulled back carefully, holding the bow and arrow beside his face. Eyes narrowed, he took in the target twenty feet away, and closing one eye, he let the string go.
The arrow whistled past his face, landing with a thwack off to the side of the crudely drawn paper target nailed to the large oak tree. Jianyu swore, irritated with himself for missing, and went to get another arrow from the bundle he had left sitting a few feet away.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:24 pm
They were jeering at him again. He could feel their piercing gazes through the back of his head and it didn't help much that Tian Bao found it necessary to repeat their comments. The dead soul of his former nurse let out a vicious hiss into his ear as she repeated the most recent comment, one from a Lunarian with silvery fins that happened to particularly hateful towards him.
Though he couldn't see his dead companions, he could most certainly feel the chill that permeated the air. It was the one downside to having the dead for company. Or rather, one of many downsides that had to do with even being able to hear and speak to the dead. Of course, the pros outweighed the cons and that was why Kyung kept close with him four dead souls.
"That galls of that lowly commoner to even look at my child! Surely you agree with me Murasaki! And then to dare sully my lord's name! Why I curse him under the name of Buddha!"
For the briefest second, Kyung's upper lip twitched into an amused smile. Yes... Tian Bao was certainly the most energetic of his entourage. It was amusing at times. As he exhaled, he whispered under his breath.
"It is fine Tian Bao. Do not let their comments get your fins in a flare. For it is as Inden says: 'Those who do not know but comment nonetheless only make fools of themselves.' And furthermore, I am not a 'lord.' I am just my father's burden. Now then, that aside, let us head towards the archery range. It has been a while since I have picked up the bow."
Ignoring the nurse's stream of interjections, he made his way towards the archery range. Dressed in a formal silk blue robe with long sleeves, his raiment was hardly proper for the field. Approaching the span of land, Kyung paused when he saw a figure present. He could make out what appeared to be the long sleek arch of a bow and upon hearing the characteristic twang of the string being released, his guess was confirmed. His eyes moved from the archer to the white blot, it was impossible to make out the arrow from this distance.
Since he wasn't dressed properly, he might as well sit and watch. This one seemed to be an experienced archer. Taking long, dignified steps, Kyung approached the other and watched in silence as he prepared for the next shot.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:56 pm
Pulling the bowstring back a second time, Jianyu closed one eye, training his gaze to the small target. He breathed slowly, deeply, controlling his movements carefully so as not to disrupt the flow of the arrow. When he was confident of his stance, Jianyu's fingers lifted, and the arrow zipped past his face, rifling his hair slightly as it hissed through the air. With a resounding crack the arrow landed dead center in the target, splitting the bark of the tree.
Satisfied, Jianyu lowered the longbow in his hands. It was only then that he noticed the figure standing a few yards away, watching him. Startled, Jianyu took an involuntary step back. It was a young man around his own age, dressed in an elegant blue silk gown that seemed quite out of place on the rugged archery field. His long black hair was blowing lightly around his slender face, almost too effeminate to be a male's.
"Who are you?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:02 pm
Watching the second arrow, Kyung nodded knowingly when it struck with dead accuracy towards its target. When the other turned and looked at him, Kyung couldn't help but applaud for the archer. A small fox-like smile crossed his countenance as he placed a delicate hand over his chest to introduce himself.
"It is customary to introduce oneself first before asking for another's name. However, in the case of such an excellent shot, I shall make an exception. My name is Tae Kyung, you may call me Kyung. May I inquire for your name?"
Beside him, Tian Bao gave her usual commentary. Though it was not quite as flattering as the one Kyung himself had said.
"Hmph. No where near fine as my own Kyung had that wicked woman not poisoned you and ruined your fine body."
A mild look of annoyance flashed across his face. In a soft whisper that hopefully Jianyu would not hear, he reprimanded his late nurse.
"Tian Bao, you are being rude. He is a finer shot than I even if my body were in its best condition. Now refrain from such comments lest I become angry with you."
"I apologize young master. But for an old woman such as myself, old habits die hard. And you must admit, he is nowhere near as beautiful as you are."
Bah. Beautiful. Of course. Even his father tended to confuse him with his late mother when sick. But... one couldn't deny the fact that his face rivaled if not overcame several of the other young flowers within the noble hierarchy in terms of grace, elegance and of course, beauty.
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:41 pm
Jianyu bowed slightly at the introduction; a small inclination of his head to indicate an honor.
"I am Qián Jianyu." he said. "Son of Qián Liwei. I am honored that you think my archery exemplary, though it took me a few shots this morning already to meet the target's center."
The flash of annoyance that crossed Kyung's face briefly was not missed by Jianyu's sharp eyes, though he did not understand it. Nor did he understand the barely audible whisper that he spoke in to someone that Jianyu could not see.
He frowned slightly, his fingers gripping the bow a tiny bit more tightly than he had before.
"My apologies." Jianyu said. "Did you say something?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:40 pm
Kyung nodded. Qián Liwei... what a familiar name. Of course. His father had told him the story of a rather successful man by the name of Qián Liwei who had built his fortune around a tattoo shop. Certainly a unique way to become rich, but impressive nonetheless. While the black marks on Jianyu led Kyung to believe he was thinking of the right Qián Liwei, he couldn't help but ask to make sure.
"No relation to the Qián Liwei the famous tattoo artist?"
Kyung observed the male carefully and made sure to keep his confusion at Jianyu's frown from showing. His fingers curling around the bow more tightly, was he wry of Kyung's presence...? When Jianyu asked him a question Kyung understood immediately. Perhaps his comment to Tian Bao wasn't as private as he would have liked. Jianyu must have spotted the momentary look of annoyance on his face.
"Not at all."
Kyung gave the other another fox-like smile as he attempted the convince the archer otherwise.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:16 pm
Jianyu smiled briefly; just a quick upwards turn of his lips that was just barely a change of expression.
"Yes, my father is Qián Liwei, the tattoo artist." he answered. Traipsing back to where his quiver was, Jianyu carefully set the longbow down, his fingers trailing along the comforting solidness of the oak, and then he stripped his other hand of the shooting glove, twisting it between his hands as he looked questioning at Kyung. He had thought that he was absolutely certain about hearing the other man speak, but maybe he had made a mistake...? The way that Kyung was smiling innocently at him had Jianyu frown slightly, his eyebrows drawing together.
"My apologies, then." he said quietly, and his gaze raked the other man up and down as if examining him. "Perhaps I was mistaken."
Jianyu turned back to his bow and arrows, beginning to pack them up.
"At any rate," he said, crouching on the dewey grass to make sure things were neat and tidy in his satchel. "What brings you to the archery field at this time of day? You are obviously not an archer yourself. Are you looking for someone, perhaps?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:29 pm
Jianyu was very perceptive. Kyung couldn't help but admire the others sharp eye for detail. Such individuals were rare and most preferred during intellectual discussions. Alas, it was a shame he only had intellectual discussions with Inden and his father.
"I am not seeking someone. I merely came to watch the archers at practice. While I myself am not a practitioner of the art, I am impressed by the amount of practice and dedication it takes."
One of his half brothers was a rather accomplished archer, but only after years of back breaking practice. For three to five hours a day, Gang-In would practice his posture and shots. While Kyung did not particularly like his older half brother, his dedication towards the sport and the elegance he exuded when holding a bow had swayed the young Lunarian into have some respect.
"And now, I feel bad for deterring you from your practice."
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Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:33 pm
His eyebrows drawing together, Jianyu frowned, casting a sidelong glance at the young man standing a few feet away from him. It was difficult to interpret this Lunarian, this...Tae Kyung, and he found it hard to read his expressions. Jianyu had trained himself over the years to be able to read minute facial expressions so that he could understand how they fought. It was necessary for an archer to be able to "read" his opponent; find out his strengths and weaknesses so that he could target them when necessary. But this Tae Kyung was extraordinarily difficult to read, and though Jianyu was still learning, it frustrated him slightly.
"I was finished with my practice, actually." he said, in answer to Kyung's comment. "I was planning on going to get some tea and some breakfast. If I may ask...what is your alliance?"
The question had been burning at the back of his mind since the other Lunarian had started speaking with him, but Jianyu had thought it rude to just come out and ask. Though his question now had been quite abrupt, he supposed, but he needed to at least know the answer.
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:56 pm
Ah... the age old question on Lunaria. What is your alliance? It was amazing to know that such a small question dictated such a large portion of Lunarian society. It made and broke friendships, tore apart families and built political relationships. So much power in so few words.
Letting out a slight sigh, Kyung made a hesitant response.
"I am a retainer of the nobles..."
It was not his decision to be of such political origins. Truth be told, Kyung could care less about affiliations and whatnot. He was only interested in knowledge. The only reason he had chosen to side the nobles was that his father had decided to be obstinate in throwing out anyone in the Geum estates who supported the emperor.
"May I inquire as to what your alliance is?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:54 pm
Jianyu arched an eyebrow at the response. Somehow it had not surprised him that this lithe, effeminate man standing before him was under the influence of the Noble retainers. It seemed to him that this Tae Kyung was of no incredible physical strength, given the size and weight of his body, and Jianyu was under the impression that most of the Legions were at least somewhat physically strong.
Though Jianyu himself did not even fit into that category, as he did not do well with close, hand-to-hand combat. He shrugged, wrapping some cloth around the arrows bundled in his hands.
"I am a follower of the Legion." he said lightly, and stowed the arows into his bag. "It does not bother me so much if you are of the Nobles, though I have to admit that I have not always had the best experiences with them. Though you seem to me as if you are not one to suddenly attack me, so perhaps I am safe in asking you if you would care to join me for an early breakfast?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:24 pm
Kyung chuckled just the slightest at Jianyu's last words. An assumption that was correct and yet foolish at the same time. Did not the other consider the idea that perhaps his slight and defenseless appearance was to lower another's guard? That perhaps Kyung had immaculate skills in poisoning others as he saw fit? While none of those applied to Kyung, it certainly did bothered and relieved him that this one was so lax around him. After having so many bad experiences with other Legionnaires, Kyung had taken to being unnecessarily wary of unusually buff or even just fit Lunarians. Given that he wasn't accompanied by one of the guards his father liked to shove on him.
"I also am impartial towards a Lunarian's alliance but my past experiences with the Legion has left me quite wary of them. And, I will gladly accept your invitation for breakfast."
Placing his hands inside his sleeves, Kyung waited patiently for Jianyu. He wasn't all that hungry, in general he ate very little and prior to coming to the academy Tian Bao had seen to it that he had eaten breakfast. Mostly by nagging in his ear and refusing to become quiet until he ate something.
Kyung could care less of about the food, he was more so interested in the conversation that could come out of this meal. This Jianyu, if his impression was correct, there was much to this person than what was on the surface.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:32 pm
Jianyu picked up his bag and slung it over one shoulder. He kept his expression as neutral as always, though he felt as if someone were watching him, like he always did. His mother had a most irritating habit of providing her sons and daughters with needless bodyguards because of her ridiculous paranoia that they would someday be ambushed, and Jianyu was no exception to that rule. He very much resented this particular interference in his life, and because of this, he had had little to no interaction with those around his own age, other than his brothers and sisters.
Hence his invitation for this Tae Kyung to attend to breakfast with him. Besides the Noble's obvious calm and collected nature that interested him somewhat, Jianyu was certain that there was something more to Tae Kyung than first glance. He seemed almost too confident, too calm. All of the Nobles that Jianyu had come to meet had been brash, outspoken, clearly fighting for their cause, yet this Tae Kyung seemed almost indifferent.
"I am merely heading to a stand on Main Street." Jianyu said as he started walking. "It is down towards the beginning of the street, and there are places to sit, if you wish to talk more."
He supposed the invitation was a little awkward, but Jianyu did not know quite what to say to the other. He stood there waiting at the edge of the archery field for Kyung wished to follow him.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:35 pm
He had never eaten at such stands before. He'd certainly seen them multiple times when he used to walk around with his father. Alas, his body prevented him consuming greasy food without puking up his insides and then lying ill for several days at a time. Nevertheless, he would accompany this archer there. For observation, because Jianyu's stoic behavior intrigued him.
On several levels the two were similar and at the same time, different as day and night. Pushing his hands into his sleeves and rubbing Nemu's smooth scales, Kyung gave Jianyu a small nod and followed after him. Long, elegant steps that easily gave away Kyung's better blood.
Kyung was curious to know what he would find out about this young man and the Legionnaires. If he found anything at all even. Of course, one would never know unless one tried. Brushing away his silky bangs out of his eyes, Kyung stared at the bow slung across Jianyu's back. Maybe even gain a benefit out of this... relation.
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