Chu Provincial Roleplay

[Jin Shi]

Mat

Ma Su grinned at his friend's display of sword prowess. Su obviously used a sword, but he had always preferred spears. The range and flexibility of it suited him better. When Ziyang presented it back to Su, he gave it a tap from the bottom so it spun in the air and he caught it, chuckling a little.

"You should teach me your tricks sometime, and I'll teach you how to put force behind your tricks."

He listened to Ziyang's somewhat silly and self-deprecating explanation of his worth, twirling the sword between his fingers as he listened, and after Ziyang had finished Su replied

"I will not be able to open my mind to you completely until I am sure of your fidelity. And that can only be proved by an oath."

Su said rather bluntly. He looked into Ziyang's eyes with a very serious expression. Ziyang had seen this expression only a few times before, and Su stared at him for a few more moments.

"We are very different and very alike, you and I. If you agree to this, we will be a great team I think. What say you?"

He withdrew a knife hidden in the back of his tunic, and held it up against his hand.


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Rue

Ma Su smirked.

"Tea is always good, but wine and tea sounds like a grand idea. Let's go."

Ma Su led the way, not exactly knowing where he was going but leading nonetheless. As they walked through the city streets, Su said

"So, Jang, you said you wanted to advance in rank. How do you plan on doing that? And do you plan on ever going into battle for our King?"

[Rue Goung]

Ma Su smirked.

"Tea is always good, but wine and tea sounds like a grand idea. Let's go."

Ma Su led the way, not exactly knowing where he was going but leading nonetheless. As they walked through the city streets, Su said

"So, Jang, you said you wanted to advance in rank. How do you plan on doing that? And do you plan on ever going into battle for our King?"

letting the man lead the way jang smiled as they went in all kinds off odd directions, even at one point passing the same bench they walked by just a few moments beforehand. casual jang would point in a direction that the tea house was in. jang listened to the man ask the question, taking a moment he tugged on his beard as he thought about what the amn asked.

"hmmm, well master Ma Su."

just then, before jang could speak they finely arrived at the tea house. nodding to his comrade jang swung out his arm , inviting the man to go first. as soon as they entered there combined appearance garnered much attention form the establishment employees. one lovely waitress rushed foreword to the two men and bowing to them both she lead the duo to a table where there tea and wine will be served to them. taken his seat, jang dusted off his robe then began to answer the question.

"well i suppose deciding the fate of criminals and whose pig is whose as well as one in a while giving advice to men such as yourself who ignore me anyway was not really my dream. possibly just like those upstarts i mentioned i too long for a brighter future. the difference would most likely be that i dont want to cause the deaths of countless souls stuck in my flames of my desire to die needlessly. but then again im not sure what i would desire to do anyway. i would like to lead an army into battle, at the head gloriously fighting in the name of our emperor and king. hahah what ideal dreams we men weave hahaha. well i study heavily in my free time and plan on taking some courses in the near future to see if i can be more court appropriate to help in getting noticed more around here. but that's sufficient insight about me, what about you master Ma Su? you content in being an officer in the military? you strive to be a Supreme commander? or maybe even more? perhaps a viceroy in the kings name?"

just then the young waitress came back and placed on the table a platter of cups and kettles. she placed one cup in front of each man and started to pour wine into ma su's and tea into Jangs.

[Jin Shi]

Ma Su winked at the waitress as she poured wine for him. She seemed more scared then anything, shaking a little bit and almost spilling the wine as she scurried away. He chuckled and adjusted himself in his seat. He took a sip, then looked at Jang.

"It sounds like you should not pursue anything with too much zeal, as you don't sound like you have a solid direction of where you want to go yet. Studying will help you find your calling I suppose."

He took another drink from the cup and observed his surroundings as he thought of how he should reply. There were a group of young thug types sitting at the bar, and he continued observing them as he continued his response.

"I am happy with my station, but I know I would be happier with more. More power, more respect. I have confidence in myself, and I think I can do great things for this kingdom if they let me. I have led men in combat before, and I can tell you it is... exciting."

He paused briefly as one of the young men turned around and looked back at him. The two men stared at each other until the young man broke his gaze and turned away. Su only smirked, and turned back to Jang.

"Have you always been stationed in Chu?"

[Radical Dreamer]

Softening somewhat, Ji Bu stroked his beard for a brief moment before responding. "Don't go wandering off to places you shouldn't be," he stated in a somewhat friendlier tone. Gesturing towards the guardsmen training, the scarred mercenary spoke continued in a derogatory tone. "These men here were trained originally by Song Yi . . . and over the years since that benighted waste of a man died, they haven't improved an iota. You would expect Imperial Guardsmen to be at least more competent when it came to their duties, but these men are an awful ceremonial lot. They wouldn't last a minute on the battlefield against actual soldiers."

"I see," Ranzhen neutrally replied. "Still, Master, even if they are but for ceremony they are better than the common man. They also benefit from having a General such as yourself drilling them." He smiled pleasantly, finally returning to standing upright. "I am positive they will be up to snuff in no time."

"Forgive me, though, Sir. I have been quite remiss in my introductions. May I have the honor of your name?"

[Seewichai]

[暗兵] - Darkness Descending

Qian Yen led her small but strongest members from her bandit stronghold in the Northeastern mountains, crossing the lands in search of opportunities. Her escorting members are part of an elite team 'The Shadows' [暗兵] that she had formed back at the stronghold. They were known by their code names rather than their given names. Nalan Yuchun was known as 'Qian Yen - Thousand Eyes', her members including the lightning fighter 'Shan Dian', the blind demon, 'Xia Mo', the twilight general, 'Xun Jiang' & the destroyer 'Po Huai'. She had left instructions back at the stronghold that any members who wish to join them, will be regrouping at Chu.

Stopping at one of the open air inn, Qian Yen instructed her members to take a rest and have a discussion of their next plans. "Xiong Di Men (Brothers), we had made good progression so far, traveling many miles to the province of Chu, where the known Hegemon General Xiang Yu's strong base is. If anyone of you here who wish to back out from this..." Qian Yen pauses before continuing, ".... May return to my father's stronghold." At this moment one of the waiters came and asked for orders, Qian Yen instructed for good cuts of muttons and several vases of wine.

[Li Dao Wen]

"Turn back? There is no turning back."

One of Qian's followers, the one known as Xun Jiang, muttered over to himself in a firm but harsh voice. This man, an enormous physical presence in the group, sat at the tail-end of the long table which they chose to gather round in. His face was blank and utterly plain, with a long gash lining the side of his right cheek. A mighty halberd, over 7 chi tall, was propped like a steel beam in one armored hand towards the sky, the decorated gold handle mashing beautifully with the exquisite black armor he wore. A gilded black helmet with a single eagle feather also adorned the top of his head, hiding a short, but disheveled bun of hair underneath.

A pair of sharp, merciless eyes were the only indication of what he truly was. Both of them roved over the faces of his peers and 'brothers', trying to discern how they would react, even though he already know what each and everyone was going to say.

[Kakirot83]

"Boy... To end up here of all places."

Liang Zhuwen frowned. As usual, he had simply wandered the land without a sense of direction and had ended up back in Chu. He was a former soldier of Xiang Yu, having fought quite a few battles. It was fun for the time, a good way to pass the time, and the attention he had received as a soldier from the women was a bonus as well. But things had somewhat quieted down, and bored, Zhuwen had left Chu's services. He had only reached lieutenant status, nothing too big that anyone would care about or miss. Of course, his skills were far more sharper than the average soldier, Zhuwen simply was too lazy to work for a highter status.

But now he was back in Chu. Yawning, he decided he would hit the local tavern, get drunk, and find another maiden for the night. Hopefully one he had not already... "had relationships" with before and had ditched. As he made his way to the local tavern, his sharp eyes however caught a woman. A woman more beautiful than the average. And then Zhuwen's goal for the day was set.

"Excuse me miss," he said in his usual charming voice. "You look troubled, may I help you? I am Liang Zhuwen by the way."

Tai stared at the new man in front of her, appraising him, and then she covered one of her eyes. Without speaking she began to circle the man, and upon finishing a full round about him, she stopped and smiled.

"Very purple, it's good to know." She looked him up and down now, continuing to smile at him. "You speak words but no intentions. Garbled in the lack of sound. Are you sure it is not I that may help you?" She stopped for a moment then moved very close to the man, and drew her face near his neck, and began to smell him. She drew back to an acceptable distance, and looked at the man. "You smell of red, red like blood. My name is Tai Ju Li, and it is good to meet you Red like Blood." She bowed a little bit, but not so formal as one might expect in court.

She stared around at the people in the streets, then her smile faded.

"The people here don't look right, lost in thought, lost in time. I wonder how much time until they're found?" She snapped back to the man before her, her smile returning. "So what is it I can do for you sir Red?" She tilted her head still smiling.

[Seewichai]

[暗兵]- Darkness Descending

Qian Yen grinned silently upon hearing from Xun Jiang's comment. As always, he is one of her outspoken lieutenants and had been supportive to her first before her foster father who is the leader of the bandit stronghold. She had remembered once there was a general meeting back then, one of her father's advisors spoke out against Qian Yen for her ruthlessness and apparently lack of respect for the elders. The actual reasons is because this particular advisor had siphoned the stronghold's monies and undercut their profits. Qian Yen had led her [暗兵] to root out the undercutting operations masterminded by this advisor. In retaliation, this advisor tried to undermined her influence and closed down 'The Shadows'. Without a second word, Xun Jiang drew out his halberd and slammed it on the table where the advisor is. Xun Jiang did not speak any words but waiting for Qian Yen to give him an order, regardless of whether there are many other leaders around.

Luckily, the chief had known of this advisor's undercutting ways and turned a blind eye out of consideration of the many years of service rendered. However, this time round, the chief ordered all evidence of this advisor's wrongdoings to be brought out. The advisor was shaken for betraying of the stronghold amounting to execution. However, the chief ordered the advisor and never to return. Unknown to the chief, while on the way down the mountains, the advisor swore to led the government officials to destroy the stronghold, just then, Xun Jiang appeared and cut off the advisor's head. He left the head stuck on a pike as a sign for betray. Xun Jiang would never allows anyone to betray the organisation.

Qian Yen snorted at the memories and looked around at the rest of her lieutenants to see what they have to say.

[Patricoo]

Deep in the Chu province there is a village abound with gossip of excited villagers. An old dilapidated home was thought to be forever abandoned on it's hill, left to rot and collapse in the coming years. Without warning, however, a dozen men came to the home and began reconstructing the outer wall, restoring the inside and creating a fresh garden. What once became a broken house grew into a study estate in what seemed like overnight. This came to be quite the surprise to the townsfolk who curiously spent their free time examining what new arrival could be held responsible.

For three days many peered over the wall or through the gate for some answers. It was only until a carriage appeared at the estate until it was revealed. Out of which stepped the one most beautiful women in the whole of China dressed in the most ornately crafted clothing which only the hands of the Heavens could create. Cai Rui, using perfect posture to glide from ride to gate, felt the gaze of curious eyes and turned to meet those who watched. With a playful smile, Rui met their looks and bowed her head. Immediately the men slinked a way, flushed with embarrassment. What was such a treasure doing in a shanty place like this!

In fact, Cai Rui was not a country bumpkin and seemed forced to remain in such an out-of-the-way place. She very much enjoyed taking numerous trips to the city using her networking and astounding charm to worm her way into high class banquets and special rooms for cultured members of society. There was little she enjoyed more then to mingle with the most noble of people and they paid their respects in return. Being a charming young lady in this age was quite the wedge in the door and young Rui knew how to harness this advantage.

Of course, despite knowing how to reach the edge inner circles was different from being included in them. The truly powerful people were the ones arranging such banquets and owning the venues, not the ones attending. It was her goal in this attempt to gain reputation to be amiable and welcoming to those who had an elevated public standing. Be it at her house or in a noble's gathering she would openly take the time to meet and discuss the world around them.

Open RP (potentially for more then one person at different times.)

[Luo Xiao]

"A Changha battle maiden, eh? I must confess to having a certain fascination with strong-spirited women. Plus, you and I have never been much good with a bow. We could use the help on our hunts, little brother," Xiao half said, half chuckled.

"There's a good chance the King will send us somewhere if he grants us troops. I'm not sure how feasible it is to request a locationi, but if the situation permits it I might mention Changsha. We can secure the area and pick up wives in the same go. Not all spoils of war are fashioned with smith hammers, after all."