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Post by blackcrow on Feb 10, 2009 12:23:24 GMT -5
The Wu family; Huang, Juning and their two sons approached the gate and the young boys made sure to stay back from their parents as a gesture of respect. Traditions and customs existed in the Fire Nation that the Flame Dancers did not follow anymore or had since eased up on and honorific respect for one's parents was one of them. Huang made his way forward with his thin, weak legs with his wife, plump Juning on his arm for support though she tried to make it appear as if he was leading her. The two love birds had fallen in love in the colonies years ago. Huang had been twenty something and Juning was just shy of nineteen. She had come to watch the Flame Dancers during the Fire Days Festival and had been entranced by the fire bender who danced with the colored fires. Ruby, Topaz, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst colored flames shot from his hands, kicked up by his feet. The way the sweat glistened on his chest, his long ebony hair (already starting to pepper with grey) whipping around his face and shoulders. She had strayed from her parents, a young girl with a round face, a shapely body, and snuck back stage. She wanted to learn the secrets of his colored fire. And in the darkness, while music played around them, laughter and song, they had fallen in love. The two had been together ever since and that was nearly thirty years ago.
Li-Wu had taken his father's art up when he had been old enough to learn and Huang was not yet crippled enough to not teach. Bai-Wu studied his father's intricate movements, flashy dancing and elaborate stances. The twins brought the art together again, spitting images of their father in his youth. The oldest twin watched the gates with bated breath as they opened, the private guards in the livery of the Yubi family approaching. He caught his hands behind his back, finding his mind worrying over the frayed ends of goldenrod ribbon at his neck, or the varying shades of scarlet on his vest from stains. He glanced over to Bai-Wu, the younger of the twins.
Bai-Wu was a nervous leaf,. but he did not show it as his face was plastered with a seemingly giddy smile that spread across his lips. He was excited. It would have been wise of him to appear more solemn and more honored, but the young man couldn't help it. He bounced a bit on his toes. Nether twin had worn shoes but both were hoping their height would distract from it. Standing at nearly 5'8, the were among the taller men in the caravan, and certainly taller than their mother.
Both their eyes went forward, across the opening of the courtyard to them. The main home was set back, leaving a entrance courtyard that was well manicured, with a path of pale cream colored gravel cutting through the sun kissed grass. There were a few trees, neither of which reached too far past the high walls. The members of the Wu family stayed a respectable distance behind their escorts, leaving the wagons behind while also, a few discrete waves from the boys invited the other Flame Dancers forward with them to meet their hosts.
Crossing the courtyard, they came to the veranda, a porch with pillars emblazoned with stylized golden flames to hold up a roof of crimson tile. The walls of the home were cream in color, accented and marked with dark wooden boards that enhanced the clean lines. Standing there, dressed in their finest was the Lord Yubi and... the Lady Yubi? His Wife? Concubine? Daughter? She was fanning herself while the Lord Yubi paced. They spoke quietly as the gypsies approached. The twin's golden eyes, a matching set right down to the dark mole under opposite eyes, looked up to the lady in red. A true Fire Nation beauty, unmarred by the harsh life of living in the caravan. Both were a second late with their bows, long and deep, a right angle at the waist. Their mother bowed as well, not as deep as her children, but much deeper than her husband whose coiled spin only allowed him the shallowest of inclinations of his shoulders.
"May Agni bless this family on behalf of we humble servants." Huang spoke softly, not knowing if he would be heard or not.
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Post by shanghuang on Feb 13, 2009 20:19:06 GMT -5
Shang’s eyes flicked back to Nim and he felt himself flush slightly. Partially, this was from the embarrassment of simply failing to describe things properly to her. She deserved to know more than he could tell her. However, part of this was also her proximity. She had leaned close enough to his ear that he could feel her breath as she spoke. He knew why, of course, as most of the caravan was silent and it wouldn’t do to be caught speaking in such a situation, but Shang was a somewhat skittish fellow.
“I think we’ll be staying on the grounds in our normal camps,” Shang guessed in a low tone, glancing around at the large chunk of land the Yubi family seemed to own. “I can’t see the family yet, though…wait, hold on, we’re moving.”
The caravan had begun moving forward again, and Shang followed them into the courtyard, sticking close to Nim. Eventually they stopped, and the matriarch and patriarch of the Flame Dancers stepped forward to introduce the caravan. In the distance, Shang could see an older man and a young woman watching them. The man had to be the head of the household, and the woman likely a daughter (though you never knew these days). Even squinting, though, it was hard to make out their mood.
“Two of them came out to greet us,” he whispered to Nim. “So I think that means their happy…I think.”
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Post by yinhe on Feb 16, 2009 5:58:19 GMT -5
Eyeing the fellow casually, Yin was not surprised by his rather weary appearance. She’d seen better examples; it seemed the Yubi’s weren’t the type to parade around their wealth in the form of their security or the like. Simple uniforms… the Corporal’s eyes fell for a moment upon the man’s Jian at his hip… simple weapons. Some nobles dressed their little guard detachments up in armor and uniforms modeled after the gear the military used standard; others had outlandish outfits tailored that would have made patrolling in the hot sun miserable and combat difficult at best. Quickly enough, Yin came to the conclusion that the Yubi’s probably had the best idea, why waste money on security when the National Guard could simply provide it for you and somewhere on the order of ten times better, for that matter.
“Ahh,” the Corporal stated simply, turning her attention to the stately pair awaiting the Gypsies, observing from the ornate veranda. Studying them for a moment, she could clearly make out the older man, likely the Lord of the estate himself, and more than likely the usual; egotistical, pompous and overstuffed with more hot air than a War Balloon. Dull, golden-brown eyes peering through her typical half-lidded gaze, Yin spied the nobleman’s female companion, giving her a brief look. Probably the usual there too; statuesque beauty, skin like porcelain, hair as black as obsidian, made up flawlessly with the disposition of a Mongooseviper one had just stepped upon. Perhaps his wife, perhaps his daughter, the Corporal could not say for certain. The briefing they’d received mentioned a daughter, but a name was not given leaving the soldiers guessing. A soft sigh issued from her nose as Yin slowly turned her attention back to the Guard Captain fellow.
“You the ones staying for extra patrolling duties around the Yubi estate?” he asked. Yin gave the man a curt nod and retrieved a small, folded up piece of paper from the small leather pouch upon her belt. Unfolding it, she held it out to the Guard Captain between two fingers. The official looking document, sporting the stamped seal of the Lun Yang Area National Guard Regional Commander, displayed Second Squad’s warranted authority over the Yubi place and clearly stated their responsibility for the security and wellbeing of the Gypsy Caravan in no uncertain terms. “Yes,” Yin began, “my comrades and I’ll be overseeing security for the duration of the Flame Dancers’ stay in the Fire Nation,” she said, with another nod. “As our home base is quite a ways from here and rotating troops would leave us at an even greater disadvantage as far as numbers go, I must inquire, are there plans in place to quarter my unit on the grounds of this estate?” the Corporal asked, rubbing her left eye with her right hand for a brief moment, taking care of a small itch.
Out of the corner of her eye, she observed the two leaders of the performing group, followed by their two sons and, likely, the rest of the bunch. Gesturing to Guard Captain, Yin moved off of the main path and onto the grass to allow Huang, Juning, and the others to pass without having to maneuver around the small group of soldiers and guards. Turning her head to look upon the passing Gypsies, she gave the bunch something of a content look, as to say ‘go ahead.’ It had seemed they had been lingering behind the Corporal and her subordinates as they’d moved along and it really didn’t matter to Yin who reached the nobles first, probably best if the guests got acquainted with their hosts. Yin’s business with the nobles could be taken care of after the ceremonial and such had been dealt with. Hopefully she’d only need to deal with the Lord of the estate briefly and the Guard Captain could take care of most matters, she would require the cooperation of his men after all, as they would be, more or less, under her command for the duration. The Duration, just how long would it be? When would Yin get the chance to sleep in her own bed, back home at the apartments? How she despised change.
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Post by nim on Feb 16, 2009 8:08:28 GMT -5
Nim was still smiling, though she was nervous that any wrong move might upset these uptight natives she was far to excited to keep that forefront in her mind. The group stumbled forwards a bit and Nim unconciously took hol of Shangs upper arm to keep steady, also to keep a friend near by, if the group started moving and she missed some sign then she would be lost in the capitol of a foriegn country; and not just any foriegn country, one that was currently at war with her people. Though Nim didn't personaly feel many effects due to the war, the peope of the Fire Nation would surely point her out as Earth Kingdom and without the protection of her fellow caravaners she would be tossed in jail and who knew when someone would notice she was missing.
She didn't realize it, but this train of thought had speed up her breathing a bit, and she was now gripping Shangs arm with both hands; not being able to see the world like others could made it very easy to disappear inside her head and be taken away by scenarios that played their. Her eyes had opened wide in fear, but she was lost in this daydream of every possible wrong turn.
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Post by blackcrow on Mar 24, 2009 12:08:28 GMT -5
((Permission granted from Nati to NPC Mingzhu and Mingzhu's Father)).
The Lord Leuisheng of the Shihong Yubi Family stood at the top of the white stairs made of stone, his form shaded under the roof that covered the wrap-around porch of stone in shadow. Elegantly carved railings and fences ran along the edge, all made from the same white stone. Massive pillars, each one the size of a small tree, were polished and stained to a scarlet hue that made the wood grain come to life. They supported the tiled and gilded roof from which hung lanterns that at night would be lit with oil lamps. He was a elder man, getting on in his years and nearing the half-point of his life. At his side was his lovely, yet cold, daughter, Mingzhu. She was like a pearl. Such a thing of beauty but with a hard shell to hide the fragile nature inside.
Both of the nobles watched as the gypsies approach. A rag tag group that under normal circumstances would never be allowed on their premises. They were once a prideful, wonderful group the tales told. Their clothes made of silk and gold, their performances legendary. That was all before they had been sent to the horrid, war-torn Earth Kingdom and forsaken by the Court of the Fire Lords. Yet, it was Lord Leuisheng's aged mother, the Lady Lawan, who had always adored the Gypsies. She was nearing 90 years old, and her mind was a fractured web. Perhaps her love for them was based on childhood memories of them in their glory that were already blurry, lost, but she had always wanted to see the group perform. It was almost a silly little obsession of hers. This was for her birthday party at the end of the week. What was going to be a small, formal reception for the well loved and respected woman had turned into a circus when her request had been made to see the glorious Flame Dancers once more.
The oldest of the bunch approached and the Lord Leuisheng had to gather himself and stop making faces. He steadied himself as he approached the edge of the porch, stepping down onto the stairs. An arm was extended, his long, ruby red sleeves draping at the tug of gravity. His arm swung out, the fabric flowing like water from his limb. “Welcome Flame Dancers. Welcome back to the Fire Nation after your long absence. My mother, the honored Lady Lawan is very happy you have accepted the invitation to perform for her 90th birthday. I am sorry that she is resting right now and can not greet you until later this day.”Huang once again bowed his head to the man, a hand rising to stroke his narrow, grey beard as the Lord Leuishen kept speaking. “You will have the south courtyard as your own for the purpose of your stay here. There is room for whatever you need, my Gypsy friends.”
Gypsy friends indeed.
The twins watched the formalities pass between their father and the Lord with little interest, their eyes drifting away. Li-Wu glanced around with his lips in a frown, looking back over his shoulder to where the others waited closer to the wagons, to Nimuta and Shang whispering among them selves. He quirked an eyebrow, never having pegged Shang as Nimuta’s type but… He narrow his golden eyes, letting his lips part with a bit of a scoffing noise. His head snapped back around , strands of dark hair clinging to his face. For a moment he entertained the idea of cutting it all off, the long hair, or wearing it back up in topknots. Could he talk Bai-wu into it though? The two twins always.. ever since they were born, had done everything together and even now, 25 years old.. they still matched together. He glanced to his brother, looking at the profile of a face that so resembled his it was like looking in a mirror.
Bai-Wu was eyeing the nobles, sizing them up as he squinted his eyes. There was the lord who had stepped out into the sun, but then someone, draped in rich luxurious and multi-layered robes who hid in the back, fanning herself. A woman. A wife? A daughter? He tilted his head to the side for a moment as he saw Li-Wu looking at him from the corner of his eyes and Bai had to offer him that quirky grin of his that just so slightly pulled at his mouth. His eyes sparkled in the sunlight as he squinted at his brother. Mentally they were sparring. They couldn’t just start punching each other’s shoulders in the presence of nobility lest they get a panning so instead they began a war through each other’s eyes and expressions, making subtle jokes between them so as to pass the time while the Lord droned on and on.
The gypsies would be moved back to the South courtyard, the one farthest from the palace, and would be placed under the Private Guard of the Yubi Family for now. Should they choose to leave the compound in small groups, they would be accompanied by a Yubi Guard unless they chose to leave as a large group, then the homeland defense forces would be requested.
Lord Leuishen finished explaining things to the silent Haung and Juning, ignoring the rest of the rag-tag group. He then dismissed them with a wave of his jeweled hand and a bellow, announcing that they would be given the afternoon to set up and that a small demonstration would be given during dinner of their acts. With his robe swaying at his ankles, the man clothes in the deep ruby and carmine stepped up onto the white porch, twin beasts of myth flanking his sides as protectors to his home. The shadow fell once more on the elite as they disappeared through the gilded doors of the multi-storied home. Personal Guards of the Yubis as well as a Man-servant clad in the finest livery with their crest, a great tiger-dog creature with a pearl in it’s jaws approaching.
He clapped his hands above his head to get their attention, his dark hair slicked back with grease and tied at the base of his neck. He had a thin mustache that decorated his upper lip, much like Dali did. He looked pretentious and stuck up, carrying his head high even though his hips had the slightest swagger. “Ladies and Gentlemen..” He sneered in voice smeared with disdain. “You will follow me to the South Courtyard. Bring the carts.. the beasts of burden are the Yubis, do not worry.” He then strutted to the Corporal of the Defense Guard, pointing at her for a moment and then allowing his wrist to go limp with an arm still existed. “You! Corporal. Your services are no longer needed, thank you. We will call again if need to schedule an escort.” And that was it. The sleazy man-servant, whose name was Zhong Fu by the way, practically pranced his way back to the gypsies, clapping again as he barked at them to hurry up.
((End of this thread?))
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