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Post by zhen on Jun 12, 2008 14:06:22 GMT -5
Folk tales always were entertaining. Despite an oftentimes unrealistic basis, they frequently ended with a fine lesson to be learned. This story in particular told of true and pure love that death itself could not vanquish. If only everyone alive could find that sort of bond in their life, the world would be a happier place.
Smiling, narrow eyes slowly drifting shut, Zhen took a sip of her tea. She sounded a quiet chuckle as her teacup was placed on the table. "Ah, how grand. True love that cannot be taken away. It lasts beyond the grave to all eternity. But please, allow me to regale you with a story of my own."
Settling her hands in her lap, Zhen began the tale she had told so often. She was certain the noblewoman would identify the main character of whom she spoke.
"Many years ago in a small village, there lived a young woman. She was beautiful and intelligent with a strong will, but her dreams were shattered years before." Details were embellished for her own enjoyment, but only a fool would think she was completely serious.
"In her youth, she traveled to a faraway land in search of enlightenment. Her own ambition drove her to failure, seeking what she could not have. She was disappointed in herself, but never told anyone." Almost solemnly, she bowed her head, though that same placid demeanor never escaped her features.
"But one day, at a well in the center of her small village, she met a boy who she had known in her youth. He was handsome and charming, his hair black as midnight, his amber eyes like the glow of a flame." She paused to sip her tea. An image of that man stood firmly in her memory.
"His smile captured her heart, and the two quickly fell in love. So a year after that day they met at the well, they were wed." Her smile widened as she looked upon Mingzhu, in silent expectation the woman would know who that girl was all along. Considering the situation and company, though, Zhen felt like adding traces of humor. The petite firebender fondled the white jade pendant that suspended by her chest. "We lived happily ever after."
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Post by mingzhu on Jun 17, 2008 16:36:10 GMT -5
Mingzhu listened to the story with a lot of interest, her eyes the colour of molten gold were fixed on Zhen, and yet she felt rather relaxed. But her posture never slumped or visibly changed, the curve her neck inclined in Zhen’s direction at all times, her eyes rarely leaving Zhen’s eyes, but maybe flicking down now and then to her lips as Zhen told the story.
She sipped her tea, composed and serene, quite at home in this little house. It was quaint with a sense of harmony strong though it like strings on a harp. Mingzhu breathed in deeply, feeling her body hold back a yawn. What bad etiquette! Raising the cup swiftly to her lips, Mingzhu took a sip long enough to control the yawn. Her lips tingled from the ginger; she could taste the fire of it in her throat.
She spotted the necklace at Zhen’s throat, and quickly glimpse the symbol of longevity. Zhen had done everything to assure herself of a long and happy life, well balanced and with little worry. Her teaching had indeed given Mingzhu news ways to further master her mind, but she was not yet going to be hanging up her act. No, Mingzhu was resolved to help support the Fire Lord in the war.
A smiled graced her lips.
“And indeed it seems your life is perfect contentment.” Mingzhu stated, laying her hands neatly in her lap. “The old folk tales are charming, but they have little relevance. I would love to turn into a bird, but I have yet to meet my beloved.”
She was lying a little here, but how was Zhen to know? Jung was looking to be a good match in the family, and a young heir would soon have to be created before her father died. Her mind flashed back to her own son, and Mingzhu lowered her eyes to her cup.
“There is one boy I would sing sweetly to every night..” She whispered, to be barely heard by anyone as she drank the last of the tea.
“I have also had the pleasure of knowing you are master in more than one area.” Mingzhu with a little more abruptness than before, perhaps her poor attempt to sweep over her previous comment. “Would I have the honour of seeing a true Master’s lightning?"
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Post by zhen on Jun 26, 2008 14:29:07 GMT -5
Mingzhu seemed to hide her words, her true feelings, but Zhen heard the very essence of what the noble meant echoed in the porcelain teacup. Love would surely find the young woman in the future, but that was for another day. Right now, the women were enjoying tea, and that wasn't about to change in an instant. The moment was peaceful, enjoyed by Zhen and probably Mingzhu as well.
That was until the noble quickly changed the subject, bringing Zhen to smile at the very prospect of what she suggested. She knew it would happen sooner or later, as the ability to produce lightning was revered by many. Perhaps the ultimate move a firebender could acheive was a simple task for the woman of almost eighty years.
Settling her cup of tea on the lovely table, she raised a hand to her chest. Zhen was enthralled to be able to show off this skill, as she was at most times. "My dear Mingzhu, it would delight me greatly. Please, follow me to the courtyard once again."
Those ending words were somewhat redundant, for the wizened firebender was already halfway to the door as they were spoken.
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Post by mingzhu on Jul 10, 2008 15:41:06 GMT -5
Mingzhu placed the cup carefully down on the beautiful table, her molten gold eyes flicking up to Zhen who was already moving in a laid back manner towards the door. Pursing her a lips a little, and making sure her emotions were in tight check, Mingzhu gracefully rose up from her kneeling position. Gently slipping one knee forward, her legs tightened for a moment with the effort of a slick and elegant rise, she followed Zhen through the doorway out back onto the Veranda.
The heat of the day had been blown away by a gentle wind, a few clouds dared to linger in the sky, the air felt softer against Mingzhu’s skin, and she was left wondering if her fair pale skin had tanned at all.
“The discipline in lighting is a most difficult one to achieve.” Mingzhu stated as they walked along to the open space. “Our Crown Princess Azula has mastered the art, from what I have heard from the courts. Most impressive for a girl of her age.”
With her hands folded neatly into the sleeves of her salmon pink ‘peasant robes’, Mingzhu awaited for Zhen to perform her revered art. Mingzhu was preparing herself to be amazed. Her father, a very accomplished bender himself had not attainted the peace of mind to create lightening. Perhaps he would do to visit Zhen. The thought lingered in her mind. Maybe bring Zhen to the comfort of her large mansion, there was room enough for her.
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Post by zhen on Jul 13, 2008 15:29:10 GMT -5
Ah, now for a display most grand. Found at a time unnecessary to summon it quickly, the firebending master had ample time to slowly and carefully prepare each movement with precision. There was no need to rush, as would be if she were being attacked by a dangerous intruder. Slow and smooth, she would be.
Zhen took a breath. The air hadn't changed since the time of relaxation and peace, where they spent hours meditating on the grass and freeing their minds of stress. The temperature was the same, the breeze unchanged, the sky unaltered. Everything was as it should be, without distractions to keep her mind focused. Of course, she would keep her attention fixated even if someone tried to dash it to pieces, considering the woman's determination.
On a walkway of stone, uncovered by a roof, Zhen moved her feet to shoulder width. Index and middle fingers pointed, they touched tips delicately before her face, at least a forearm's length away from the very tip of her nose. Splitting positive and negative energies in the air, Zhen slowly brought her hands apart. Sparking trails of light flickered after each fingertip, following diligently in paths she drew in the air. As her hands moved in circles away from each other, she pivoted to the side slowly and returned them before her chest. Then, she acted as its humble guide.
Gazing and pointing upward, her hand freed a lightning bolt into the heavens. Attaining less than a fondness for destroying her personal property without reason, Zhen saw no other option but to direct the fearsome blast skyward. The bright burst of electricity from the small woman's fingers was certainly a sight to behold...
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Post by mingzhu on Aug 11, 2008 14:56:22 GMT -5
Mingzhu was ready for the spectacle, she had seen it once before at the age of eighteen or so, performed by the Fire Sages during the year her son was born. It must have been no easy task to achieve peace of mind and yet the coldness to perform such an art. Mingzhu had long since come to terms with the fact she was no bender, but she fought as well as any.
There was something very poetic the way Zhen moved her arms, in slow controlled motions, the effort of separating the chi must be no easy task. Being able to sense and control the chi flow with two different matters entirely, Mingzhu had struggled for most of her youth to attain some control over the finer points of her chi, and not quite mastered it yet.
Her lips parted in awe, her neck craning to follow the shot of lighting skyward, no doubt earning some surprised looks from the villagers. Mingzhu’s liquid amber eyes beheld all of her awe and praise. She clapped her hands only twice, anymore and it would deemed too un-lady like, and a little too eager.
“Marvellous Sifu Zhen, marvellous!” Mingzhu exclaimed coolly. “It has been a pleasure to have your tutelage on this day. The Shihong Yubi family hold you in great esteem.” She said formally, winding up their short acquaintance. She bowed, a closed fist against her open palm back dropping into a graceful curve, not as low as she had done hours earlier, but still humbled by Zhen’s presence.
“I believe I come away a bit of a better woman than when I arrived.” She smiled, almost hollow. Lang appeared in the doorway of the courtyard, an unassuming shadow, but ready to escort his mistress to the carriage that awaited a couple of streets away. Mingzhu was not all for spending the night in the town.
“I bid you good day then, and may the blessing of Angi protect you, Honoured Mother.” The title she had used earlier held a mocking tone to it, the façade of formality masking her true feelings of such titles. Rising from her bow gracefully, she inclined her head towards Zhen, and made her way out of the courtyard.
Lang followed close behind, his voice etched with some tiredness.
“Did you have a pleasant day milady?”
“Very Good Lang. Sifu Zhen knows many wisdoms.” She replied flatly, walking swiftly down the street towards her carriage, her body ached to feel soft silk cushions.
~Mingzhu has left the thread~
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Post by zhen on Aug 14, 2008 0:22:58 GMT -5
During every word, every gesture that made for Mingzhu's crescendo to an exit, Zhen stayed silent and nodded in a agreement. Whether the noble would continue on this path was beyond her grasp, unable to keep an eye on the woman and inform her of the 'good' and 'serent' way of life at every beck and call. No, Zhen knew most of her students were given a mere short boost that lead to greatness, then, to some extent, managed to fall to their past ways not long after. Many good habits would be retained, but Zhen knew by far she wasn't a miracle worker.
As she stood on her veranda, gazing off at the young noble as she and her attendant strolled away, a smile failed to come to her face. More of a placid expression touched her features as her sienna eyes took an occasional glimpse at the tile in her hand. A tile from a simple pai sho game, that of a white lotus. Ah, the symbolism. Neutrality. If only Mingzhu could learn that way without leading Zhen to exposure and a dangerous tide. Even if she was to become a more peaceful, humble woman, some things may never change. Such was the reality of things.
Slowly did her hands reach back into her sleeves, still clutching firmly that single tile in her closed hand. She would miss the young noble, rather entertaining at times, but a fine companion was made by a few of her traits. She was able to at least stay civil, not viewing Zhen as one below her despite her humble upbringings. Perhaps a reason she was respected was only because of her rise to riches. Yet another thing that was hard to change. She could only reflect on that as she saw the young woman disappear in the distant reaches of Yin Rei, the sun lowering more and more on the horizon.
"Farewell, young noble. May you have peace."
~Zhen has left (or ended...?) this thread~
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