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Post by kunitsu on Nov 28, 2008 15:33:19 GMT -5
The rickshaw pulled up aside of Kuni Tsu as he climbed in. As he sat in the cab, he noticed that he didn’t bring his swords with him. Being the Captain of a Cavalry Division, he must always have his weapons on hand at all times. Luckily, he remembered that they were still in his bedroom. He remembered putting them on the bed before he went into the tub to bathe. He sighed in relief, now knowing that he didn’t forget them somewhere.
The rickshaw went on it’s way to Spirit Hands tailor shop. He looked upon Ravi and Azar happily. Due to his position, he never really talked to the civilians much. With spending time with the civilians, he can finally ease up and don’t have to worry about protocols and chain of commands or any of that nonsense. He was just happy to finally talk to people that are normal.
“So Azar, you don’t talk much, do you?” he asked him, looking into his eyes to see how he would react and to see if he is honest.
“And Ravi, how long have you two known each other? You two seem to talk to each other like you have a special bond with each other, like you were both brothers or something to that nature. I must know.”
He always enjoyed a little gossip and chit chatter among people. It’s a good way to figure out what people are really like on the inside. Sure, appearances are nice, but looks could be deceiving. It’s the inside that tells you about “you”, and what kind of person you are.
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Post by ravi on Dec 3, 2008 15:00:38 GMT -5
Laughing Ravi flicked his long hair over his shoulders as he the rickshaw pulled him down the streets of Hokage, he squeezed Azar’s hand as he moped on the way to Spirit Hands. With his captivating smile he was looking forward to new clothes. And if Tsu was any proof, the store would have the best taste. And best of all, he won’t have to worry about running into his father. This would finally be lovely undisturbed day shopping.
“And Ravi, how long have you two known each other? You two seem to talk to each other like you have a special bond with each other, like you were both brothers or something to that nature. I must know.”
With that same charming grin, Ravi responded back. “Oh…Azar? Well if you can keep a secret Lieutenant Tsu.” Ravi glanced at Azar gently with a soft smirk. And bent down low. He could trust Tsu for some reason. He knew he would be open enough to accept him, if not be of the same preference. “Azar is my beloved. We’ve been courting for a few months, we’re here in Hokage to see his parents.” But he places long finger to his lips. “Gotta keep that under your robes.”
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Post by azar on Dec 4, 2008 1:27:31 GMT -5
If Azar was even remotely mad at Ravi before, he'd definitely had felt some turn for the worse when Ravi seemed to blurt out their secret right after Tsu stated something that Azar felt ranged halfway on the scale of 'obvious' and 'kill me now'. A loud and conspicuous slap on his own forehead signalled a release from his formerly sullen state, but Azar was on a whole new level now. He really just wanted to leave, and quickly. A military officer of rank and importance like Tsu would surely have them committed by now. Deciding there was nowhere left to turn now that he and Ravi would surely be chained and shackled, Azar had to butt in.
"Ravi, what the hell are you doing? You just told him? For no reason?" He took a moment to pull his lover off to the side, staring him in the face sternly and digging his fingertips rather sharply into Ravi's lean biceps. Hushing his voice to a bitter and low hiss, he seemed to unwittingly channel all his anger from the previous day, anger at himself, even further into Ravi as his hands started to tremble slightly. "I can't believe you sometimes!"
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Post by ravi on Dec 4, 2008 1:59:49 GMT -5
Azar's expression and mood was to be expected after Ravi was fully aware of the consequnces. But also felt Tsu will not judge them. Ravi was more angry at Azar's behavoir than the situation and how Azar was handling it. He also did not like the way Azar was gripping him. That set him off.
"First. I he asked what our relation was. I told him the truth. that is my reason. You actually blurted it out and threw a tantrum. At least I am doing this aware of the conquences and fully able to handle them. I am excuting this tastfully and maturely. You did not."
Ravi eyes were dangerous as he twisted Azar off his arms and responded in naturally cool and sharp manner. "I can't believe you either Azar for the last couple of days I am doubting myself. I am wondering what I am to you. You're behavior is attrocious and if you continue to make bigger ass and hypocrite out of yourself. I will have to reconsider a lot of things." Then in display of unseen and unknown rage he said to Azar his voice bitter, "And you man handle me again Azar I will leave you here. I am not your bitch to be abused, do I make myself clear?"
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Post by kunitsu on Dec 4, 2008 14:11:38 GMT -5
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, there’s no need to fight,” Kuni Tsu interrupted, I understand why you wish this to be kept a secret. I understand completely.”
He put his hand on Azar’s and gently pulled it away from Ravi’s bicep, “I understand why. I know, I’ve had my share of prejudice as well. Sure, it wasn’t easy, but people learn to deal with it.”
He leaned back onto his seat with his legs crossed over, paying attention to both of their expressions.
“When I was younger, I was picked on by bullies on my “feminine” nature. I learned to deal with it for a while. One time, my big brother decided to look out for me. In the end, let’s just say he got into a lot of trouble. After that, I’ve learned to fight my own battles.”
Mentioning his big brother cast a sad aura around Tsu. He missed his big brother, and he would go search for him by now if not for his punishment.
“Anyways, you both don’t need to fight. All it does is start trouble between yourself and your spouse, and you two look too cute together to be earning each other’s ire.”
He turned away and looked outside where the sun was shining, “Besides Ravi, there are no consequences to be gained here from your secret. Besides, that secret is pretty common around here. Last month, a male couple married each other near the coast, as well as a female couple married at a cliff near the coast two months before. Pretty much, it’s no longer as taboo as it was before. However, one should know who to talk to about it and who to avoid,” Tsu smiled.
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Post by azar on Dec 6, 2008 19:00:02 GMT -5
Azar couldn't believe his ears. It was almost like the government had sent some weird parodiacal buffoon to tell them such off-the-wall news that he pretty much earned the right to be pointed and laughed at for a good five minutes. Tsu had told him what was perhaps the most ridiculous news Azar had heard since he left home, but it oddly wasn't going to be received well. The fact that he was so calm and unconcerned in admitting these things only made it seem worse to the sanxian expert.
"Bull."
As if in one instantaneous swoop, Azar crossed his arms and stepped up to Tsu, looking down at him. With his chest held out confidently and his hands on his broad hips, Azar seemed to be flaunting the fact that he was two inches taller and easily about eighty pounds heavier. Even if he was an armyman, the musician knew he could take him if things got rough. If he was going to joke about same-sex marriage being free and open, he'd get the brunt of Azar's anger. He was rearing up to give him hell as they stood there.
"Sh-t."
Huffing through his flared nostrils, warm silvery eyes aglow with ire, Azar's reaction hid no feelings directly on his face; and of course, taking the most direct reason to be offended, he never once realized said 'marriages' were probably by no means official in the eyes of the law and the Fire Lord. In a turn that proved Ravi had his positive effect on him, Azar remained remarkably calm despire his red face. "Give me one good reason why Ravi and I shouldn't pound your face in. You got five seconds."
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Post by ravi on Dec 6, 2008 20:57:50 GMT -5
Ravi had seen many moods and sides of Azar. In the morning he was greeted with sleepy Azar, while working, Azar was cranky or bored. While Ravi danced, Azar was fascinated. He had seen angry and annoyed Azar, however, seeing him thoroughly offended and pissed to all ends was something that frankly scared Ravi. Ravi’s own ire about Azar’s physical aggression on him, evaporated when Tsu spoke. His words were kind; however he could plainly see why Azar was angered.
Tsu was speaking nonsense. Same-sex marriage was a pipe-dream, something to fantasize, but not to obtain. As much as Ravi liked Tsu, he disliked the fact that he had to either lie, or speak half-truths to calm Azar down, which only backfired. He didn’t know how different the culture of Hokage was to the capital. He imagined that city-states would have different social laws, but not too varied from Lun Yang’s. Gods know his father was a guard and studied the law himself. He recited passages from doctrine and decrees to Ravi occasion. In Lun Yang, same-sex relationships are not exactly taboo, but nobody broadcasts about them. Nor are they always accepted in the public eye. He knew that most male and male relationships, is not about love but dominance and power. Older or higher ranking officials would often sleep with younger officials or nobles. It was an act of status not love. For Ravi to fall in love with man, it was considered a waste of linage and frowned on heavily
He didn’t know how same-sex was treated her in Hokage, from Azar’s temperament it was probably seen as a taboo or even illegal. Which made the fact there was same-sex marriages preformed here more of an insult. Ravi spoke up in calm and reasonable matter, he was secretly proud that Azar didn’t raise his voice, not to please at the threat but never the less he agreed with him.
“Why should speak fallacies like this Tsu? I am well versed in the Fire Nation laws, never had same-relationships ever had equal status at least not in the capital why would it be different in the city-states? There is no reason for it further more; the only point of marriage is for procreation and binding of contracts. Same-sex marriage contra productive at least in the legal sense that is, and as much as I admire that you are dispelling conflict between me and my beloved. But unless are mistaken, there is no such thing as a legal ‘same sex marriage’, most likely they are unofficial ceremonies.”
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Post by kunitsu on Dec 6, 2008 21:20:30 GMT -5
This reaction was quite surprising. The one called Azar got offended by what Tsu had to say. He didn't want to start any fights, but he never needed to back down from them before. However, today isn't one of them days.
Tsu stood before Azar, looking at him straight in the eyes with one hand balled up into a fist. He looked into the eyes of a man that even though was gay, felt some sort of remorse and, at some point, anguish. He didn't know what to think of it. Ravi, his spouse, backed up Azar and almost seemed to try to calm him down.
"Try to be strong in front of your lover. Good," he exclaimed. The rickshaw driver turned his head to see what was going on only to see an insinuating conflict. Tsu raised his hand and the rickshaw driver halted the ride.
"Don't always assume the laws around here," Tsu warned, "There are officials that can easily turn the other way." Grabbing his straw hat, he stepped off the rickshaw and continued to look at Azar.
"If you ever wish for a scuffle Azar, let me know. I'll be happy to accommodate." Tsu then turned his attention to Ravi, which his expression of boldness turned to sorrow, "I'm sorry it had to be that way Ravi. I'll go to the tailor shop by foot. I shall meet the both of you there, if you wish."
He turned to the rickshaw driver and gave him the money that would pay for the ride with an extra tip for the inconvenience. He took off with the other two still on as Kuni Tsu waved them good bye, for now at least, of he had a feeling that they will meet soon enough, maybe even sooner.
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Post by azar on Dec 9, 2008 1:46:49 GMT -5
Well, he certainly showed that guy. Phooey on him for making up lies just to try and appease Azar and Ravi, then oddly reacting without any traceable anger or offense, but rather some sort of encouragement to 'try to be strong' - taken aback slightly, Azar wondered just what that could have truly meant when he examined it from every angle. Truly the man seemed to harbor no ill will (and at that, didn't seem to be lying either), but the rickshaw stopped and Tsu stepped off not long after.
Not like Azar was going to apologize anyway, as he felt there was no need whatsoever. It was profound that Azar didn't send Tsu's sorry ass packing when he opened the slightest window of opportunity to deny their meeting at the tailor. Turthfully, he just wasn't in much of a mood to say anything; not now, not earlier, and probably not later.
It was just a 'go with the flow and grumble all about it' kind of day. However, to make sure they were distanced from Tsu for the time being, Azar kicked the inward side of the rickshaw's wall and caught the pilot's attention. "Keep it moving, nothing's wrong." After that, he slumped down in his seat and sighed angrily. There was no silver lining when he felt so tense.
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Post by ravi on Dec 9, 2008 11:27:17 GMT -5
And that was the end of that discussion.
Tsu was still polite and calm even after when Azar blew up at him, and even when Ravi challenged him. With being all said and done, Tsu paid the rickshaw drive still kept the invitation to Spirit Hands, which Ravi still wanted to go. He wanted Tsu's friendship, he was polite and serene and did at all raise his voice. He could definetly enjoy his company, especially after Azar's temper tantrums.
The rickshaw was moving again as Ravi sat oppisit from Azar. His face was down looking at the ground, face and eyes disconnected from Azar. He withdrew into himself. He left quiet and shy and maybe hurt a little. Why did he and Azar have to blow up on the man? Why did he have to challenge him? Ravi didn't make noise not even a sight. It was clear as day that the dancer was distraught and unhappy, and even, aprehensive, wondering if Azar would turn his anger at him
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Post by kunitsu on Dec 9, 2008 18:20:38 GMT -5
A few minutes went by since the “confrontation” at the rickshaw. Kuni Tsu was walking down the street as usual with the straw hat blocking out the sun. He couldn’t remove from his mind about what Azar said to him. “Bull $#!+” is what he said, and with such venom in his voice. It kept echoing inside.
Even with the echoing, he could heard the two guards following him from before. Tsu stopped for a brief minute and waited for them to catch up. He sighed as the two came up to him and proceeded with Tsu as he walked as well.
“Stubborn as usual,” Tsu hissed. “We only care for your safety sir,” one guard spoke.
Tsu stopped for a minute and the guards followed suit. Tsu turned to one of them with a questioned look on his face.
“Shang, when you married Ching, was it official?” Tsu asked. Then question actually caught him off guard. “Well sir, the papers did make it official. Why do you ask? You were there as a witness. What made you curious about it?” “I had a few acquaintances that questioned the issue of same-sex marriages,” Tsu continued, “But you married Ching, and he is male as well. Therefore, there must be a way to show that it exists.” “No sir,” other guard interrupted, “Shang and I are married, but it came with a high price.” “High price? What kind of price?” “First off,” Shang said, “We would not tell anyone about our marriage under pain of death by the court officials. It was even against the order to have you witness the marriage sir.” “Also sir,” Ching intervened, “Since we are under a taboo marriage, our taxes were doubled in order for our marriage to be official.” “If you had such penalties stacked against you, why did you two marry in the first place?” Ching then changed his expression with a smile. “Because sir,” Ching told, “The fact is, I love Shang, and Shang loves me. Officials and the general populace might not like it, but the spirits are willing to let our love be shown. I will die with him, and I will protect him with all my heart and soul.” Shang nodded his head in appreciation from what Ching had said. Tsu was a little perturbed from what he heard, for such injustice was kept nested in the courts. He closed his eyes and let their words sink into his mind. A tear ran from his eye, a tear of pain that he felt for their hidden love. Shang patted Tsu on the shoulder as they continued to walk. Their armor moving with a sound of chinking as the plates impact with each other with every step.
“Come sir, we don’t want you to be too late with your acquaintances waiting at the tailor shop, do we?”
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Post by azar on Dec 10, 2008 2:43:28 GMT -5
Uncomfortable silences weren't worth the trouble this time around, since Azar wasn't quite fond of keeping his mouth shut when so many things deserved to be badmouthed. Tsu wasn't even on his highest list of concerns anymore - no, things had elevated to new levels. Just whatever it was Azar felt, whether it was the chance he may have been wrong about feeling wrong in the first place.
It would have saved him so much grief and tension in his teenage years (not to mention a few other details) to know he could have confided in someone and sought a meaningful, 'normal' path in life like everyone else instead of stewing in his own anger and following a longterm lie. If that was the case, as Tsu presented almost casually, Azar had wasted a whole lot of time and became the sort of bitter, resentful person he was for no reason. That alone made him doubt Tsu's words with the highest certainty. Tsu was wrong.
Looking up and across at Ravi, fist pressed against his soft cheek as he leaned apathetically, his anger was switching targets faster than he could think, before coming to a stop at something very clear and definite. However, he seemed to be unable to say anything very original, instead of sounding like the angsty teenager he never really ceased to be. "I hate the world...I hate people." Cliché alert!
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Post by ravi on Dec 10, 2008 11:23:17 GMT -5
Watching his love sulk in front of him was like watching a repetition of yesterday. He will never change from that. But Ravi wished he would, he wished Azar would just grow up a little. Just a little.
"Your misanthropy is quite apparent dear." Ravi's voice was non-chalant and even a bit bitter.
Ravi yawned covering his mouth before sighing and feeling more and more perturb by Azar display and more so at his own reaction to Tsu's declaration. Now rethinking, Ravi realized that Tsu could be right. What if Hokage had legal unions that had diffrent rules attached to them than normal marriages? Ravi sat back no longer looking at the floor but out the window wishing he access to court house so he could do a little research. He hate assuming and he did with Tsu, declaring he was lying. Relizing he only did it so his own mate would be pleased at him for sticking by him. Ravi chided himself for not being more netural and even stay out of the argument until he had done his homework.
"Damnit." Cursed Ravi outwardly and no longer leaned out the window and then asked Azar. "Are we going to the Spirit Hands to met with Tsu." Ravi tried to sound deapan or neutrual, hiding the hope from his voice. Hope that he could ask Tsu if what he said was really true.
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Post by azar on Dec 12, 2008 13:06:15 GMT -5
Azar was slightly amazed when Ravi asked if they still were going to the tailor, but since their rickshaw was already moving once again, he saw no point in insisting they stop and change course - either that, or he was too apathetic to care. Yeah, that seemed more likely.
If they were going to spend the day with that liar, Azar wasn't going to fight it. He'd no doubt stay in the background while Tsu and Ravi gabbed like schoolgirls, probably rolling his eyes and sighing at every mention of his name, but not growing inclined to much else. In the meantime, he'd probably die a few times over inside. That day he had no zeal, no motivation.
"I don't care," what he said next, summed up his feelings perfectly and in so few words. He really didn't care one way or another, but would at least allow Ravi to enjoy himself in the presence of that Tsu fellow. If Ravi wanted to hear more half-truths about same-sex marriage being legal in Hokage, so be it! Azar just didn't want to go ahead with anything that would get them arrested.
Azar would remain quiet, but their rickshaw reached Spirit Hands before he could gripe about a lengthy rickshaw ride. Now if only he could survive the rest of the day...
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Post by ravi on Dec 12, 2008 14:04:20 GMT -5
Azar’s apathy was wearing thin on Ravi. But it was far better than the rage he had previously. He only hoped that after all of this he would get better treatment than being ignored. He knew that once at home, Azar will find some spot in Lei Lei’s house and sulk like he was going to at the tailor shop. Ravi wondered if he should involve Azar at all, in the shopping.
Reaching the tailor shop, Ravi stepped out of the rickshaw and bowed at the man in thanks walking inside he smiled at the variety of colors, shades and patterns. Oh this reminded him of Lun Yang’s shop he frequented. He looked around for Tsu as he meandered around the shop he found a wonderful silk fabric in rich carmine that would make a fantastic Shen yi. He though about getting trousers done in lighter color, to match but as his mind wandered he saw Tsu and waved. “We’ve arrived, Tsu.” Ravi bowed trying to remain respectful. He looked at Azar, eyes pleading him to remain polite while they were here
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