Warlords: Three Kingdoms

Jin Shi wrote: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?"

Kakirot83 wrote:
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.

Patricoo wrote: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.)

OneEyedDrgn wrote:At first, Zhuwen believed that the woman had deciphered his intentions and was observing him to see if she wanted him. That would make things much easier, and Zhuwen was quite confident in his looks. Though probably not able to catch the eyes of all women, Zhuwen was indeed good looking, something that made his perverseness quite easier to live with. It was than that the woman began to act and speak rather strangely, at least in Zhuwen's opinions. Looking at the woman, he blinked a few times, not having ever met such an individual and not sure how to reply.

"I... smell like blood?" he asked, scratching his chin with one finger. "I haven't killed anyone for a while, and I take regular bathes. You must be some superhuman to be able to sniff me out like that. Or maybe you're just a puppy, a cute adorable puppy."

Zhuwen of course did not believe that the woman had the capabilities to smell blood on hm. She probably was able to tell he was a warrior by his attire. But Zhuwen decided he would humor the woman. Looking at her face and scanning her down, he could see that she was even more beautiful up close.

"I don't know about the people here," Zhuwen replied, not really caring to know what she meant. "But how about you and I go for a nice walk, have a nice dinner, and find a nice comfortable inn? All the treat of Sir Red of course."

• JIN KAZAMA!
  
  Zhou Yuan laughed slightly at Ma Su’s comments concerning the impressiveness of his sword skills, it was nice to be complimented by a warrior, even if the warriors following statement was a little harsh. Ziyang was by no means a weakling, not anymore, but he understood where Su was coming from. Perhaps one day, after rigorous training and mentoring from his childhood friend, combined with experience on the battlefield, Ziyang could back the flashy tricks up with raw power. Smiling he nodded in response to Ma’s statement, indicating that he agreed with his observations. As the conversation continued Zhou found himself feeling rather nervous around his old friend. Ma Su had never listened to him as intently as he did now; it rather felt like he was in an interrogation and as Ma Su voiced concerns over Ziyang’s loyalty, the young commander to began to feel rather hurt. They had known each other for more years than he could remember and now they had a chance to make something of themselves Ma was unwilling to share in the glory. Biting his bottom lip he contemplated Ma’s words.
  
  So they were to pledge their lives to each other? Become the one body before Ma could divulge his plans and ambitions to him. Ziyang’s eyes followed Ma’s daggers path, from its secret hiding place all the way to his right hand. Sighing Zhou allowed his mind to wander, they had been in this position before, many years ago, before Ma Su had left for the capital. Ziyang had not been ready for such a huge commitment back then, but now, he agreed with Su. Only if they joined their souls in brotherhood could they fulfil their ambitions, they could not achieve success alone, Su needed Ziyang and Ziyang needed Su. Delving into his long, black flowing robes, Zhou withdrew his own ceremonial dagger. It had belonged to his father and other than the farm, it was the only possession of note that the man had left to him. It had sealed an oath before, long before he was born between his father and his mothers brother, that was probably the last time it had been used. The silver blade gleamed as the candle lights caught the blade, revealing ancient characters etched into its side. Grasping the handle tightly in his left hand Ziyang brought the blade to his right, pressing it against the skin of his right palm. Gazing up at Ma, Ziyang spoke, Su’s determined gaze met with one of similar intensity:
  
  “You and I have always been brothers in my heart, from the moment we met on the outskirts of our small village, to the day that you left Wei in pursuit of glory, till the day that I make my journey to the nine springs. If a simple oath is all that you require from me to have you feel the same way then I would gladly make it one hundred times over.”
  
  Ziyang’s eyes narrowed as his blade slowly began to cut through the skin of his right palm, small droplets of blood dripping down his hand as he continued to speak. All the while his eyes never left Ma Su’s:
  
  “Let the gods be our witnesses, that today on this night, Zhou Yuan Ziyang and Ma Su, although we do not share the same bloodline, wish to be joined together in brotherhood. Let our souls be one and give us the strength to achieve whatever it is we pursue. Together we can protect those whom we love and only when we are together will the other be whole. Let I, Zhou Yuan Ziyang of Wei, be struck down dead if I betray my brothers trust. Let me feel heavens wrath should I ever be tempted to abandon my brother, Ma Su....”
  
  With one quick movement, Ziyang brought the ceremonial blade down quickly, slicing open his right hand. Blood flowed freely but the young man seemed unfazed by it. Clenching his right hand into a fist, Ziyang continued:
  
  “Though we are from humble beginnings and have no animals of note to sacrifice in heavens honour, let this sacrifice of blood seal our oath....”
  
  Ziyang sheathed his dagger, wiping it on a white silk handkerchief before concealing it in his robes. Once the oath was sealed there was no going back. Zhou gazed at Ma intently, his full attention given to the man whom he now considered a brother.

OneEyedDrgn wrote:All Zhuwen needed to know about Cai Rui was that she was one of the most beautiful woman around the area, maybe even the whole land, and Zhuwen quickly made it his goal to journey to the small village of nowhere. Dressed in simple clothing with light armor, there wasn't any assurance that he would be permitted to see this woman. Yet, what kind of man would he be if he didn't try? He had conquered a few women before that people deemed impossible, and even almost paid with his life when he slept with daughters and wives of nobles. He had made it a goal in his life: to never give up on a beautiful woman until everything was tried. In short, Zhuwen was a damn pervert.

Asking around the small village, it was quite easy to gain the directions to the whereabouts of Cai Rui as she seemed to be quite famous. Finding the location, Zhuwen walked in front of the guards and greeted them with a smile.

"Yo, can I see Lady Cai Rui?"

Luo Xiao wrote:"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."

Kakirot83 wrote: Tai looked at him somewhat confused. She often wondered why people couldn't just speak plainly what they saw in people before them. this man before her seemed ahead of himself as well, or was it behind?

"People always get confused, not sure of what they hear. You assume I smell blood on you, as if it were lingering on your person. I could tell nothing from your person, but more from your soul."

She returned to cricling him, but much more slowly than before, almost seductively, bobbing a little in and out, closer to him, whispering little things here and there.

"A walk we could take.............and food does sound good.........but for a night in the inn, I must be honest, I am more interested in the man you could become, than I am in the man you are."

She did run her fingers down his arm as she passed back in front of him. Her back was still to him, as if something had caught her attention in the street the way she'd come from.

"People look behind them, hoping to learn something. I find it funny, all I see is another path ahead of me." She shook her head at the idea. "Silly little rabbits, lost in the cabbage patch." She mused to herself, but had yet to turn back to face this man.

Patricoo wrote: In fact, there were no guards at the estate and the only people Zhuwen had spoken to were a few nosy young men trying to peer in the gate for a look. They were surprised to be addressed and, embarrassed, fled from the scene making quite a bit of noise.

This clatter came to the attention of Rui, who went the door herself. Perhaps one day she would have the money and influence to have larger estate in the city. One with guard, servants and handmaids who did all the work and upkeep for her. Alas they were all just dreams for now and it was up to her alone to open the door.

While observing the plainly dressed Liang, she offered him a polite smile. "Are you from the village here? May I help you?"