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 Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:31 pm
 
In which Jianyu finds a woman who looks suspiciously like Bataar...
Setting:
Main Street, near the Artisan's Path.
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:42 pm
It was nearing midday when Jianyu left the Artisan's Path. He had been searching for a set of miniature daggers to practice his aim with, and after searching for quite a bit, he managed to secure a set of twelve at a small stand outside of the Ichi-Koi Inn and Bar. They had been made by the same woman who often made Jianyu's arrows. Adiba was a tough woman to barter with, but after a long bit of haggling he had managed to get her price down to a reasonable amount.
Making his way through the throngs of people milling around Main Street, Jianyu was preoccupied with his thoughts and looking down when he bumped into something very solid. He stumbled backwards, reaching up to rub his nose.
"My apologies." he said, glancing up. "I was not looking..."
Jianyu's voice trailed off. The person standing in front of him was tall, with a cascading head of dark ringlets, perfectly curled and decorated with a series of ribbons and pastel colored bows. Powders and rouges were smeared expertly across the chiseled, attractive face, and there was a beaded necklace resting on their chest. Jianyu stared. Then said -
"Well. You certainly look like Bataar. Although...I am not quite sure that you are Bataar, seeing as you dressed like a female."
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:51 am
The situation was almost too much to bear. He was walking around like this, hoping that no one would see him or detect his presence. Unfortunately for Bataar, he wasn’t any sort of ninja, and people were turning to give him long, drawn-out looks. Many assumed he certainly could not be a man with that kind of style, but others shook their heads and moved on. For them, Bat was unmistakable, due to his physique and his ridiculous height. Whatever the case with what others thought, the maroon Lunarian was hating every second of his torture. Because the stylists had won, and because that meant that he was pretty much dressed like a woman and roaming the streets of Lunaria.
This was about as far from pleasant as things could generally get. But to top things off, someone ran into him. How was he supposed to go about threatening to sell them into slavery now that he looked like some manly woman? Everyday tasks were ruined by his hair and his makeup! He was absolutely screwed! Bat glared reluctantly down only to find a familiar face; the one face he hadn’t wanted to see while looking this damned ridiculous. It was Jianyu.
The shove came without any preceding wave of thought, and he glared grumpily. ”I will sell you into slavery.” the Mongol hissed, clearly moody as can be as he regarded the other man. He knew he was acting like a child, but it hardly mattered! It wasn’t fair that he had to be seen like this by Jianyu of all people! Clearly, Bataar would never hear the end of it, and he’d never survive the barrage of insults that he was sure would soon assail him. All-in-all, this was the part where he probably should have pretended to be his long-lost twin sister and run away.
Of course, that strategy would no longer work.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:00 pm
"Oh, dear Lunaria." Jianyu said. "It is you, Bataar!"
There was no mistaking the deep voice that rumbled from the she-man's chest. Not to mention Jianyu would recognize the Mongol anyway; he was not exactly inconspicuous. After knowing Bataar for several years now and dating for several months, it was not that hard to distinguish Bataar from the others that milled around the crowded street - even if he was dressed like a female and looked somewhat ridiculous.
Also the threat to sell him into slavery was so characteristic of Bataar's personality that it was unmistakable. In fact, it was that very statement in a situation quite similar to the one he was in right now (though without the hair and makeup) that had brought him to Bataar in the first place - running into the Mongol on Main Street and the Mongol attempting to sell him into slavery.
This was quite the predicament. The Mongol was wearing a most horrendous expression on his face, unhappy and irritated, and Jianyu could not stop the laughter that threatened to rise. He covered his mouth with his hand, hiding the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Dear goodness, what happened to you?" Jianyu asked, his voice muffled. "You look...I mean, you are..."
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:15 pm
His identity wasn’t exactly inconspicuous, and he knew it. Bataar stared at Jianyu, and then surveyed his surroundings, looking quite displeased. This was one time where he actually wanted a bath. Anything to fix this horror story of a hairstyle, not to mention the makeup carefully smeared on. As attractive as Bat thought himself to be no matter what, this was just a little too much. He simply couldn’t endure it! It was hard enough to be spotted by strangers, but by the guy he was dating? That was just wrong! He grimaced, looking about ready to knock Jianyu out and run off, but he realized that that plan might not work so well.
After all, the possibility of killing someone when purposely knocking them out was far too high! ”I… you…” he looked quite confounded as he struggled for words, trying to prove Jianyu wrong in some way. That was quite impossible, however, because it was most certainly himself standing just before the legionnaire. The only issue was that he didn’t quite look like he did every other day. Surprisingly, though, all the decorations, curls, and makeup didn’t serve to make him effeminate in the slightest. He was as manly as ever, even dressed up as a female.
Oh, no. Bataar was not about to take Jianyu’s crap about this! ”I got attacked. And you’d better watch out, because you might get killed!” He was livid with dislike as he glared flatly down at the other man. This was not his idea of fair! He hadn’t wanted Jianyu to find him at all until he’d run to Yuudai’s ryokan and taken a bath of his own will!
Besides, it wasn’t fair that the legionnaire should be amused by this situation at all. ”I know what you’re thinking, and I’m sorry you’re sad, Jianyu.” he murmured, doing his best to play the role of a compassionate boyfriend. ”You’re worried because, even while I’m dressed like this, you’re still a lot more girly than I am.”
He’d learned a thing or two about good insults lately.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:27 pm
"I do not need to worry about being attacked." Jianyu said, still suppressing his laughter, his hand pressed firmly against his mouth to try and conceal his smile. "Somehow you are not quite as intimidating when you look like - what the hell, Bataar?!"
The last part of his sentence had come out rather like an indignant screech, his face flushing red. Jianyu glared at Bataar, dropping his hand as he took in the jibe. It was not true. He was not feminine, and he certainly was not worried about something as trivial as what Bataar had just implied.
"That powder on your face has obviously gotten to your head." Jianyu said testily, eyeing the reddish colored rouge on the Mongol's lips. Reaching out, he ran a finger down Bataar's cheek, a dusty pink powder coating his skin as he pulled it away. "Obviously you are lightheaded from all of the fumes of this...stuff that you are wearing.
"I might also add that you look quite lovely." Jianyu added peevishly, giving the Mongol a sidelong glance as he arched one dark eyebrow. "That color is quite possibly made for you.
"However," He paused, weighing any and all possible outcomes of the situation. Then he said, with a sigh, "Would you like me to help you take all of that off?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:42 pm
He knew his insult had hit home, and for a moment Jianyu didn’t have to worry about being attacked. That was because Bataar was entirely too amused to use violence at the moment. He’d hit at a soft spot, he felt, and he liked the gratification he got out of knowing just how offended Jianyu was. In fact, Bat was happy to see that, for the moment, the legionnaire had forgotten to make fun of his own situation. Of course, when the other Lunarian hit back, he hit back hard. He certainly was skilled at pissing the Mongolian man off, wasn’t he?
Light-headed? He really didn’t think so. ”I know a girl at heart when I see one, Jianyu.” Bat taunted, grinding his teeth as the next insult flew. Two could play at this! ”And here I was thinking only a woman would notice how nice these colors go together. I think we’ve found your niche!” He was torn between being pissed off and wildly amused at the same exact time—angry at Jianyu’s insult, and yet absolutely pleased with his retort. He had come a long way since he’d started dating Jianyu, and it was showing very clearly.
But beyond that, he wanted to take this idiotic clothing off, along with the makeup. ”Yes, if you’ll hurry up.” he huffed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. It was possible that they’d never quite get along in the way a couple was expected to.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:53 pm
"I am not a woman." Jianyu growled, irritation flooding through him. When the Mongol wanted to insult, he knew just where to poke a sharp stick; quite a difference from the awkward, stubborn, not-so-intelligent comebacks he had often thrown at him when they were younger, in the Academy.
...although not different by much. Jianyu scowled.
"Your judgment has obviously been impeded by that flower sticking too tightly to your head." he retorted. "However, I am willing to...put aside your idiocy at the current moment in order to help you get rid of whatever it is that s on your face."
Reaching out, Jianyu took ahold of Bataar's hand and began towing him down the street, ignoring the questioning, slightly startled gazes from the people as he passed by. After a few moments he reached their destination - a large fountain in the center of a small street; namely the same fountain he had Bataar had once fought in so long ago. Jianyu sat down on the edge, and then undid the cloth tied around his waist, dipping it into the cool water. He raised it to Bataar's face, starting to wipe off the dusty rose color.
"Honestly, Bataar." Jianyu said exasperatedly as he worked. "How do you get in these situations?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:17 pm
Bataar knew from Jianyu’s desperate sort of denial that he’d hit just where it hurt. He was quite pleased with himself for doing so, too. A few years before, or maybe even a few months before, he wouldn’t have been able to come up with anything decent. Now he was able to create instant retorts around every corner with Jianyu. It was all quite empowering, in Bat’s opinion, and he liked it almost better than a good fist-fight. Except, of course, when he got insulted back. Bataar made a face as he regarded Jianyu, although he had to agree that some of the flowers clipped in his hair did hurt quite a lot.
Anything to get this crap off! ”Good! It’s itchy as hell!” He allowed Jianyu to lead him down the street, and did his best to make eye contact with no one. He hoped no one but Jianyu had recognized him, although it tended to be hard to miss a man as bulky and well-known as Bataar. He was mainly infamous for his idiocy, as well as his smell, and he could have sworn he spotted a few smirks as he trotted along down the street. Hmph! Only a real man could rock a costume like this!
He sat down on the edge of the fountain once they’d gotten there and allowed Jianyu to clean his face off. ”Well, obviously, I don’t try.” he muttered in an attempt to defend himself, hoping that all of the odd powders were being wiped off of his face in the process. He thought he looked quite nice without all of that ridiculous makeup, after all! He suspected all women must be ugly if they had to wear that much freaking makeup all the time. It was too much effort, just like bathing!
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:32 pm
"You idiot." Jianyu admonished, swiping the towel over Bataar's forehead. He kept up his work as he spoke, but the powders were rubbed in deep and it was taking quite a bit of effort to get any of it off. Jianyu dipped the cloth back into the water again, ignoring the small cloud of color that floated in the clear liquid and brought it back up to the Mongol's face, working on getting the pinkish color from his cheeks.
"Obviously you must have done somethingto even get in this situation." he said, using his thumb to wipe off the red rouge on Bataar's lips. It took several tries before he got most of it off. "Whoever did this to you either held a grudge against you for one reason or another - not surprising - or they just thought you needed to be more...feminine. Which is not all that unusual, I might add."
The Mongol had a habit of rubbing people the wrong way; that was not a surprise. He had gotten himself into more scrapes and bruises and scrambled fights than any man Jianyu had ever met before, mostly because he tended to be a little on the dense side and a lot on the obnoxious side (though, to be honest, that was somewhat of the appeal of Bataar). Either way, Jianyu had known him long enough to be unsurprised by things such as these.
"Idiot." he said again.
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Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:47 am
He was not an idiot! Or, that was Bat’s own opinion on the matter. He was frustrated with just how long it was taking Jianyu to cleanse his face of the makeup, and he made no secret of it. The impatient man’s lips twisted, hinting at his supposed agony as he endured the washing. There couldn’t have been that much powder on his face! Actually, he was beginning to grow suspicious of the legionnaire’s actions now, thinking that he was taking way more time than he should have. The truth of the matter was just that Bataar wasn’t used to having makeup removed, and probably never would be.
He didn’t get how he might have provoked anyone into torturing him this thoroughly. It didn’t quite seem fair that he should be the target of one of two seriously angry ladies on any given day. Bat just seemed to provoke people without consciously trying! It was as if his general filth and disposition invited people to try their hand at bathing him. It was uncalled for!
”Neither of those makes any sense!” Bat shouted, looking nothing short of grumpy and outraged. He’d never seen those ladies before in his life, not to mention the fact that his manliness was absolutely perfect! He didn’t need to be at all feminine, especially judging by a few of Jianyu’s ruder comments that he was girly. The logical bits and pieces of Bat’s brain knew that that was far from true, but he couldn’t help but feel pressured by the comments. If he were indeed as effeminate as many hinted, he was in trouble! ”That is unusual.” he huffed moodily.
His temper had been undeniably rising as of late, too. That was why Jianyu’s last comment through him over the edge. ”Don’t call me an idiot!” he roared, standing abruptly in order to push the legionnaire right into the fountain, looking gratified at the pronounced splash that followed.
It served him right!
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