|
644 posts
|
3 likes
|
The dice holds no love for me...
|
|
Member
|
Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Aug 2, 2016 18:32:21 GMT
FIRE Day 14 XXXX AA
It was early morning in Luoyang, the Imperial City of Huaxia, as travelers and merchants entered through the Xing Gates along the city's walls. By oxen, horse, carrige, wagons, boats, ships and even by their own two feet people comes to the imperial city to sell their wares, find a fame, or seek their fortune. In any case, people comes to the city for a chance of happiness they cold not otherwise find outside in the wide expanses of Huaxia. Five such travelers have entered separately through the Xing Gates. Some of them having travel for several days. For others an uncomfortable night or two along the roads.
The sky brightens with the wakening day but the sun remains hidden behind the clouds and frost continue to cover the earth.
White breath from shop owners and fishers fill the edge of the streets and waterways as they prepare for another day's earning. Any question for directions was met mostly with grumbles and the rare smile before the five would arrive at the designated meeting point and, amazingly, on time.
The meeting place was a large stone bridge known as the Little Garados bridge, so named for the Garados that made up the bridge's sturdy railings. The occasional fishermen and merchant pass beneath the bridge towards what you assume was the water market. A verity of Pokémons fill the streets, some you've never seen near the temple or where as familiar as the Pokémons in your hometown. All of the known elements were represented by the Pokémons in the city. A Purrloin there, a Growlith hear and there, and the ever popular Lilpup. The majority of the locals do not seem overly concern or aware of the Pokémons living beside them. As it stands, it seems mostly children interact with the Pokémons.
No sooner have you arrived at the bridge and settled in for a wait did you realize there where four other humans each seeming to be waiting for something or some one as well.
(Meet and greet people. From what you can tell with the sun tucked away it's still early till the meeting time. By the luck of fortune you were all able to arrive early.)
|
|
|
382 posts
|
0 likes
|
I've gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, make sure I don't steal my identity.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Boolprop on Aug 2, 2016 23:35:27 GMT
Standing on the midpoint of Little Gyarados Bridge is a man with youthful and handsome features. Dressed in a tawny beige long robe with black, silver, and earthy yellow trimmings, the youthful man looks across the waterway. Shu An Wei observes the sky, land, and people before observing one end of the bridge to the other. He then picks a spot by the railing and leans slightly against it, staying out of other people's path as they cross the bridge.
An Wei crosses his arms below his chest, with one hand held onto a black scabbard with intricate design made with jasmine tincture. He brings the scabbard that held his jian closer to his body, holding onto it between his arms. He looks across from where he stands, the front ends of his silky smooth and glossy black hair sways placidly with the wind, as if it's swimming with the current of air. Swaying with the wind is a silver tassel that hung from a metallic charm, which is attached to the sash around his waist.
He closes his eyes and reflects back on the past few days. It was sudden, but Shifu Zhèng told An Wei to visit Luoyang, the Imperial City of Huaxia. He was given a sealed scroll of introduction and was sent along his way. If he didn't know better, An Wei would have thought Shifu Zhèng was happy to get rid of him. Despite the master's eccentric personality, An Wei knew the old man cared in his own quirky way.
Opening his eyes, An Wei marveled at how the Imperial City is designed. There is a difference when compared to other cities he had visited in the past. And if comparing to his former home in the slums, the difference was like comparing heaven and earth. Well, he have come to Luoyang, and it seems he is early as he doesn't recognize anyone that he is suppose to meet. Then again Shifu Zhèng have always spoke in riddles, preferring others to come up with the answers to the questions he put forth rather than answering them himself.
Looking around, An Wei notices four other individuals whom seems to be waiting for someone, or something. The first individual he takes notice is a foreigner. The man happens to be dressed more provocatively then any Huaxian native. "Definitely not a Huaxian native. I wonder where he's from."
The next person An Wei notices is a towering man with an imposing figure. If he didn't knew better, An Wei would have thought the man to be a thug. But the queue, simple clothing and prayer beads spoke otherwise. "Well, Shifu Zhèng always said 'Do not judge by appearance; a rich heart may be under a poor coat.'" Well it's the meaning behind his master's words, not what he said literally.
Next is a short skinny man who has various scars across his body. If he were one to judge a person by their looks, this one seems to be the type to pick fights. But An Wei isn't the type to judge a person based on their looks. After all, he knows personally from experience. "He do look like a martial art practitioner... Given his scars, I wonder what style he uses."
Lastly is the alluring woman in beautiful clothes. An Wei had seen beautiful ladies before, but he can count the number of beautiful ladies that was a cut above the rest on one hand. Given her looks, An Wei thought she almost look like the dolls rich families would buy for their little girls. "From the look of it, it seems like she is traveling alone. I wonder how ma-" He cuts his thoughts short, not wanting to finish them as it may be rude, or taken as a complement.
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Aug 3, 2016 4:58:17 GMT
Duan Cuifen leaned against the rail of the bridge, bored out of her mind. Sure, the Imperial City was a city unlike any other, but after growing up in a palace her entire life it seemed normal at best. She was used to crowd places with little privacy, but the assorted commonfolk in crowded passageways was something she had never gotten used to. Absentmindedly she pulled out one of her fans, a delightful red fan made to match her fine, silken dress. If this summons was as important as it had been made to seem, a good impression was important, and nothing sold an impression like clothes. Besides, she never wore anything that wasn't incredibly fine anyways, it wasn't her style.
As she sat, absentmindedly fanning herself, she found her attention being drawn to a man. Or rather, she found a man's attention being drawn to her, staring at her. While she had already received plenty of looks while she was waiting here, this one seemed special. She caught his gaze with her own, the corner of her lip curling up into a coy, sly smile. With a loud snap that cracked through the air, she closed her fan, very slowly stalking her way over to the man, gliding through the crowds. She leans up against the railing next to him, fingers delicately rapping against the solid stone of the railing. Staring him straight in the eye, she speaks up in a soft voice. "Be careful about staring at a woman so intently, you may end up giving her the wrong impression..."
|
|
|
41 posts
|
0 likes
|
Jan 29, 2021 21:48:46 GMT
|
New Member
|
Post by Mithias on Aug 3, 2016 15:58:43 GMT
Xiu Mai settled in for the wait, taking a seat under a nearby tree. His clothes were plain, as usual, but comfortable, and didn't restrict his movements. If he was going to have to wait, may as well wait comfortably. He let his eyes wonder casually over the others here, but didn't linger to long, nor put much thought into it besides remembering their faces for later. Sheathed at his side was a long, curved dagger. It's hilt was plain, bronze with a simple black leather wrap that lead to a similarly plain, but well made, and functional blade. The sheath was a bit more fancy, with an intricate pattern of bronze, and silver weaving through it, but all and all, they were plain by the standards of the courts and temples. Much like Xui Mai actually, while he knew of the protocols and etiquette, he cared little for it outside of being respectful to those of higher station, so he dressed plainly, and didn't wear anything to flashy, or attention grabbing, unlike some of the others gathered here at this bridge.
That mattered little, so long as he was able to do what he needed to do, and didn't embarrass himself or his temple, no one who mattered would care either.....probably. Shaking those thoughts out of his head, Mai leaned back against the tree, fixed his gaze on the sky, and relaxed, just waiting to see what would happen.
|
|
|
382 posts
|
0 likes
|
I've gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, make sure I don't steal my identity.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Boolprop on Aug 3, 2016 16:39:36 GMT
Lost in his own thoughts, An Wei absentmindedly fixed his eyes on the alluring woman. Before he knew it, the lady was already besides him, her words breaking him from his thoughts. "P-Pardon me Miss. I didn't meant to be rude. I was lost in my thoughts after seeing your beauty." He nearly stuttered with his apology, his voice containing surprise as he admits to his inappropriate gaze upon her. He wants to shifts his eyes away, but thought it'll be ruder now since the two are speaking. "I was thinking why is an beautiful maiden all by herself." He admitted to what his thoughts where. After a second, he realizes what he had said may be taken as him hitting on her.
|
|
|
310 posts
|
6 likes
|
Lots and lots of free time.
|
May 14, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Elyander on Aug 4, 2016 2:03:32 GMT
The cold air brushed Goutte's skin, but he was so thrilled that he didn't even notice. The trip had been long, but finding the bridge felt even longer, as his wide smile was mostly received by grunts and half-words. Despite that, he was almost skipping his way towards the meeting point, barely paying attention to the city. He had visited it before, after all, as it was part of Moonlight Circus' tour. Beautiful, ceratinly, but not something that could distract him in his special day.
Arriving at the bridge, he quickly scans around before leaping onto the railing. The river below looked very attractive, but he couldn't get wet right before his comeback, preferring to let his legs hang above the water as he waits for whoever he was supposed to meet. His mind travels quickly, watching the fishers and workers starting their day, before his attention is stolen by the smooth voice of a woman and the stuttering voice of a man, making him look over his shoulder. The situation was surprisingly entertaining, but seeing the boy stumble onto his own words was a bit too embarassing for Goutte.
"Well," he speaks loudly in a joking tone, "it's not like those clothes weren't made to draw eyes, is it?" Goutte turns towards the duo and sits in a relaxed pose, "I mean, you're by far the most beautiful view around, so it's no surprise one would stare. We can't really blame him," he finishes with a wide smile.
|
|
|
545 posts
|
6 likes
|
Feb 27, 2016 16:58:12 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by twilightkiwi on Aug 4, 2016 3:23:29 GMT
Maku had seen much of Luoyang in his youth, from the tightly-packed slums to the bustling merchant districts to the quiet, perfectly manicured gardens of its upper levels. Even in his previous life he'd spared little concern for aesthetics, only caring about finery in that it displayed his status to others. Thus the sights of the city's architecture and the fashion of its more cultured people did little to impress him. Not that he was bored or resentful of being called to the capital, or being made to wait here. The weather was comfortable - to a man who had often endured its extremes, at least - and Maku had allowed himself to fall into a slight meditative trance while he waited, standing near one end of the bridge with his hands clasped around one of his prayer beads. His eyes were open but unfocused, the commotion of the city going about its morning routine fading to white noise in the background as he made his mind empty.
It was these moments, when he made himself quiet and immovable as a stone, that the Earth spoke to him.
Here, in the city, it spoke of Stone hewed and hammered by strong arms, carved by expert hands, polished and worn by generations of shuffling feet. The Earth here had a very lived-in feel, very much a part of the populace it supported. The Earth was the City, and the City was its People. It was a different sense than Maku got from a lonely, isolated mountain, or the shifting dunes of the Great Desert, but the world's Qi was just as strong here as it was in those natural places.
Eventually, however, Maku found his attention drifting, and realized his senses were alerting him to nearby commotion. It seemed that a number of people were waiting on the Little Gyarados now, and he had no doubt it was for the same reason he was here. Three of them had gathered together and were conversing, but one other waited closer to Maku himself, seated under a tree that like many in the city had been trimmed and grown into what he assumed was meant to be an aesthetically pleasing shape. Uninterested in the group, who appeared to be vying for the attentions of a courtesan, Maku quietly approached the tree and with a somewhat heavy drop assumed a cross-legged seat in its shade, giving a slight nod of greeting to the man there before resuming his meditation.
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Aug 5, 2016 5:33:03 GMT
As she watches the boy stumbling over his words she chuckles very lightly, drawing a hand up to her mouth to cover it. Seems this one was easy to fluster. Before she could respond to him though, a new voice rung out, and she turned her head to look towards him. Sitting on the rail of the bridge, he certainly didn't seem to be very respectful of the city. Most likely one of those young males who thought themselves a little bit too impervious for their own good. She allows the flattery wash over her without so much as a blink, appraising the newest young man. "I would argue that the view of the city around is far more beautiful than any one person could be."
She pauses a moment, opening up her fan and beginning to fan herself once more, looking over the water. Without turning to look at him, she then addresses An Wei's question. "And as for why I'm here by myself, I believe that's my business, not yours. Although if you were worried for me, I appreciate the sentiment."
|
|
|
41 posts
|
0 likes
|
Jan 29, 2021 21:48:46 GMT
|
New Member
|
Post by Mithias on Aug 5, 2016 18:15:58 GMT
Mai raised an eyebrow at the new comer, waited a moment, then shrugged, and got to his feet, stretching and popping his neck.
Man, it's becoming a hot mess over there, to interesting to not get involved with."
Mai approached the group, and leaned against the rail not far from them, simply watching the mess that was going on before him. You would never catch him admitting he have ever tripped over his speech like that, he had a bit more......charm than that now, though many shied away from him when they saw him because of his scars. Also the knife, openly carrying a weapon, and being so scarred had made many people jump to conclusions on who exactly he was. He didn't let it bother him, people would be people, didn't mean that they couldn't be interesting though.
|
|
|
382 posts
|
0 likes
|
I've gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, make sure I don't steal my identity.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Boolprop on Aug 5, 2016 19:02:16 GMT
Closing his eyes and sighing inwardly, An Wei takes a breather. He pauses briefly to feel the cool air breezing through. While he waited here, he would had like to bask in the chilly air before the sun emerges in the sky. But with his current predicament, it seems he wouldn't be able to enjoy such activity. Especially since he was caught off guard due to seeing the splendor of Luoyang. Thus seemly easy to fluster, despite only stuttering the first word he said. With composure, he calms himself and reopens his eyes. "You are right. I'm sorry prying Miss."
|
|
|
310 posts
|
6 likes
|
Lots and lots of free time.
|
May 14, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Elyander on Aug 5, 2016 20:19:54 GMT
Goutte laughs loudly, clearly amused by the situation. "You know, I don't think you pried, though," he says, once again meddling with the stranger's conversation, "I mean, the lady was the one to ask first, am I right?"
His smile is sincere, as always, as he claps the man on his back. "I'm glad you guys worked it out. Such a nice chat!" he comments, before leaping onto the railing to look down the road, muttering to himself "Now, I wonder if I got here too early..."
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Aug 6, 2016 6:16:37 GMT
At his mention of being too early, Cuifen immediately looks at the boy again, sizing him up, judging him. It only took her a few moments, but she quickly decided that she didn't like him. It was obvious that he wanted attention to be drawn to himself, by the way he dressed, by the strange way he acted, by his constant need to interject in someone else's conversation. However, he was doing it all wrong. To draw attention by trying for it so blatantly, by begging and pleading for it was the fools way. The true way to draw attention was through a healthy mix of subtlety and manipulation. You didn't beg eyes to look at you, you made it so that they couldn't look away, even if they tried. His way turned as many eyes as it drew. It felt quite amateurish and desperate to her. However, because of his comment, he couldn't be ignored. If he was at this specific place for a meeting, as she was, it was most likely for the same meeting.
With a sigh, Cuifen slowly turns around, leaning against the railing and fanning herself, staring blankly off in the distance, taking her time before responding to the obnoxious one. "You didn't. I very purposefully arrived exactly on time, but it seems our summoners care less about being precise than I do."
|
|
|
545 posts
|
6 likes
|
Feb 27, 2016 16:58:12 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by twilightkiwi on Aug 6, 2016 16:08:25 GMT
Another man might have felt miffed that the stranger decided to leave as soon as Maku sat down, but few things offended the Earth Monk. If the man preferred the company of the other three making a scene to his own, that was his prerogative. Maku certainly didn't mind solitude. And while the commotion bore little interest to him, he could understand why it might be more entertaining to some than silent meditation.
Still, Maku also had no particular antisocial inclinations, and there was little doubt now that they were here for a common purpose. With a grunt he was on his feet again, and in a moment his quiet presence was suddenly looming over the other four. He didn't interject into their conversation, simply giving a slight incline of his head as if to say, Carry on.
|
|
|
644 posts
|
3 likes
|
The dice holds no love for me...
|
|
Member
|
Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Aug 6, 2016 20:33:58 GMT
A lull in the conversation was suddenly filled by a new arrival. "Ahem, pardon me." A voice call from the other side of the bridge from where Goutte stood. A look over the railing reveals a tall muscular man, almost as tall as Maku and before him a much shorter young man, wearing what looks like wires and glasses across the bridge of his nose, in the middle of a large city boat. "Pardon me for the interruption, but I am correct in assuming that the five of you are the one summoned by the heads of the Taiji and Wuji Temple, yes? Let's see..." The young man pause to pull a small scroll from the sleeve of his black robe. "Shu An Wei, Duan Cuifen, Kibato Maku, Xiu Mai, and Gho- Shuidi?" The young man quickly corrected himself at the end of his list of names then swiftly tuck the scroll back into the sleeve of his robe. "If that's everyone, please come on board and present to me your letters of summons. Master Long Jing is waiting for you all at the Wuji Temple along with Master Pu Erh."
Each of you recognize the names, Long Jing being, the head of the Taiji Temple, and Pu Erh, the head of the Wuji Temple. The young man before you, however, looked nothing like a monk but more like a scholar. The tall looming man behind him however looks every bit a warrior. The giant have done little but watch the five atop the bridge carefully and hold the boat in it place beside the stairs connecting the regular walkways with that of the water. Both of the men were wearing conical straw hats that hid their hair and were dressed in charcoal black robes with slacks and shoes of the same color. The only difference between the two was, while the shorter had long sleeves the taller had no sleeves at all leaving his muscular arms bare to the morning's chill.
(Goutte, make a focus roll. Everyone is also free to make or forgo making a intuition roll in response to these new arrivals. Or any other relevant rolls for that matter)
|
|
|
310 posts
|
6 likes
|
Lots and lots of free time.
|
May 14, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Elyander on Aug 8, 2016 19:54:16 GMT
Goutte was about to answer the woman when the new voice catches him by surprise. Smiling widely once again, he walks towards the opposite raling to wave at the newcomers, before speaking in his friendly voice. "Goutte here!" he says, stressing the foreign name so they don't repeat his name once again. He quickly analyze the men, noticing the commom attire before focusing on the larger man. "I didn't know we'd have more company, but I'm glad for it. 'The more, the merrier', I've heard somewhere."Goutte then looks at the other summoned ones, evaluating them mentally. "Five of us? I know none of them, so they might be from diff... Oh, one for each Temple!" he deduces, smiling at the other monks. "So, it seems we're all here for the same reason. Last one down there introduces first?", he asks, casually leaping over the railing to board the boat, one hand casually retrieving the letter while the other looms over his closed chakram. Rolls Acrobatics Check to leap and board: 17 Focus Check as required: 8 Intuition Check to figure these guys out: 11
|
|
|
644 posts
|
3 likes
|
The dice holds no love for me...
|
|
Member
|
Post by Rhewlif_Dewdrop on Aug 8, 2016 20:55:50 GMT
Goutte was easily able to jump down to the boat. As he did so the shorter of the two newcomer looked up surprised yet, from what Goutte could tell in that split second, was somewhat expecting the performer to jump.
Wether the young man was expecting it or not, Goutte's jump onto the boat cause the man to stumble and fall backward on to his seat. The conical hat he wore slid off the back of his head with his fall revealing a mop of brown hair, cut in a bowl shape, and a vaguely familiar grimace. The man glance up over the brim of his glasses at Goutte, then sighed as if he was disappointed in himself or maybe in Goutte? The other man, held steady and kept the boat mostly still. He made no other motion other than to tilt his slightly down and continue to watch Goutte carefully.
Meanwhile, the shorter man took a moment to take his glasses off and then pinch the bridge of his nose as if fighting off a headache. He motioned casually for Goutte's summons with his freehand still griping his glasses between his thumb and forefinger. "Let's see it then..."
Just then Goutte realized who the man was; the nose pinching, the grimace, the irritated death-glare all brought to mind of that one other disciple that nobody seemed to like back at the Water Temple. His name... His name was Duck Feet. Yes, you were pretty sure that was his name.
|
|
|
310 posts
|
6 likes
|
Lots and lots of free time.
|
May 14, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Elyander on Aug 8, 2016 23:18:48 GMT
Just as the short man is almost taking the letter, Goutte suddenly raises it out of reach, looking at the man with wide eyes and a grin. "Wait, I know you!" he says, in a playful voice, "You're from the Water Temple, right? Duck... Face? No, Duck Feet!" he says, sitting on the boat's railing this time. The water behind him was tranquilizing, as he wasn't sure why a Water Initiate would have come get them.
"Wow, didn't know you were involved with Taiji and Wuji," he says in his relaxed stance, curiosity in his voice, "How did that happen?"
|
|
|
545 posts
|
6 likes
|
Feb 27, 2016 16:58:12 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by twilightkiwi on Aug 9, 2016 0:56:15 GMT
Maku arched an eyebrow at the bubblingly friendly man who was apparently a Water acolyte as he did an acrobatic pirouette off the bridge, to the stuffy newcomer's consternation. Forgoing any fancy flourish, Maku simply vaulted over the railing to land solidly in the boat in a wide stance, his weight distributed enough that it barely rocked. With a searching glance he sized the larger man up, then nodded in greeting before withdrawing his own summons from a small pouch at his belt. With a respectful bow, he presented it to... 'Duck Feet?' Either this Goutte had a feeble memory for names, or the unfortunate man had cruel parents. Then again, 'Goutte' sounded like the noise a duck might make choking on its own feet. Athletics 43AbP0ky4d6 to jump the distance. Intuition 2d6 to consider what's what. Charm 3d6 for a decent first impression! 4d6·2d6·3d6
|
|
|
382 posts
|
0 likes
|
I've gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, make sure I don't steal my identity.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Boolprop on Aug 9, 2016 1:52:00 GMT
With his matter settled, An Wei returns to waiting for the appointed time. It wasn't long before he heard a voice calling out from below the other side of the bridge. Hearing his name, An Wei walks over to the railing to see the man. But not before politely bowing slightly at the woman standing besides him, signifying an 'excuse me'. He sees the height distance from where he stood and where the boat is. Before he can do anything else, the provocatively dressed foreigner quickly leaps over the railing. He was soon followed by the towering man from earlier. An Wei looked back at the boat, noticing the boat haven't sunk under the giant's weight. With his scabbard in hand, An Wei vaults over the railing, towards the boat. Landing on the boat, An Wei seizes the two men, before taking out a sealed scroll out from the inner folds of his robe. He heard the conversation between Goutte, and the man called Duck Feet. He patiently waits for his turn to hand in his summons. An Wei respectfully bows and hands over sealed scroll to the scholarly dressed man known as Duck Feet. Intuition: mWcrImpm2d6 Splash to jump the distance or Acrobatics?: 3d6+2 Charm: 4d6+2; to make a good first impression
2d6·3d6+2·4d6+2
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Aug 9, 2016 4:28:52 GMT
Watching the three men leap over the railing and into the boat, Cuifen can only passively watch, shaking her head in disdain. These were the representatives of the other temples? They were little more than foolish children, more interested in showing off than anything else. It was a competition of ego, and nothing more. She would somewhat expect it from the untalented disciples newly admitted to a monastery, but not from the most skilled representatives from each temple. How disappointing. She looked at the last outstanding individual on the bridge and shook her head in disappointment, as if to let him know that she wasn't impressed by the others antics, and she was letting him in on this little secret. Then, she quietly walked down the stairs to where the boat was docked, presenting her summons and holding out a hand expectantly for someone to aid her into the boat. If none was offered, she would eventually step into the boat herself with a look of passive disdain on her face. The disdain would be only mildly less if one of the men in the boat decided to aid her. Intuition~. 0frLHKG83d63d6
|
|