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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 23:05:23 GMT -5
Watching the transaction, he had thought everything was going to turn out just fine. Although Sze sprung up the fact that they were, in fact, going to war on the account of the embargo and because of the Prince with them now. He tried to mask the horror in his expression, gaze sinking to the ground.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 19, 2006 23:05:28 GMT -5
Akihito took the letter from Sze's grasp, looking down at the Chinese. He didn't just read it once, but he read it twice before letting his arm drop down to his side. Suddenly, his expression turned serious and his gaze rose to watch the General's face. "Right now that is not my decision; the power has most likely been given to the Shogunate, leader of the military in Japan. I am sure at this moment they're addressing him as Emperor," slowly, he held out the letter to Sze.
"But there is a solution, if I can return to Japan I'll be able to intercept Akiyama's forces and call off the declaration of war. I am not sure what type of connection you have with Emperor Kamying, but I'll believe we'll work on that after the first issue is resolved."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 23:10:54 GMT -5
He took the letter when it was returned to him, detesting the piece of paper already. "I only carry out the Emperor's orders," he returned, maybe a little quicker than normal, though that could've just been because of his muddled state of mind. "You can no longer catch a ship back to Japan," he told Akihito. "The one you came in was the last flank before the embargo officially took place. There are no longer any ships that go to your country."
"I will write to the capital to inform you that you are actually here, but I cannot guarantee that anything will be done. And I don't know if news of your wellbeing will reach your country in time, considering the delays now that war has begun. If the first strike occurs before it can make it, it will be difficult to stop the momentum."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 19, 2006 23:20:46 GMT -5
He gave Sze a long and hard look, almost clenching his teeth when he repeated those varied words of loyalty. That's one thing he hated about Imperial families, there was no questioning to it. Everyone just went with the flow, never spoke up - thus, all those little problems were never fixed. Although he couldn't accept that there were no ships, he knew of the routes which came in and out. They had other countries to trade with, as it was their foreign policy.
"You make it sound like every ship here has sunk into the sea," he mumbled at Sze, his kind exterior suddenly fading. "Now I understand why words get no where, when nobody bothers to listen. This is very deaf, General Sze. I do not agree with Akiyama's orders, nor do I disagree with China's defense. But this whole ordeal is not worth fighting for. If you're not going to help, then release me - I can't sit here any longer."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 23:30:32 GMT -5
The words were true, he knew, and so did many others. They were reasonable, rational, understandable. Sze looked up as he heard the nice act dissipating, and frowned. "Prince or not, you alone are not enough to stop the force of a country, let alone two. Words cannot hold against spilled blood. And I cannot let you go until the emperor allows it."
He drew his sword and pointed it at Akihito. "Right now, you really are an enemy, remember this." The words were bitter in his mouth, tasted like hypocrisy and arrogance. He hated it.
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 19, 2006 23:44:50 GMT -5
Shen's gaze finally lifted, noticing the General's weapon pointed at the Prince. He suddenly paled and stepped back away from the two, trying to dismiss himself from tent. For once he was confused about Sze's words, and about the Prince's. They both made sense, but they were also so contradicting. Apparently, he wasn't taking a liking to the way reality was and he thought it. For once, he doubted everything.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 19, 2006 23:44:52 GMT -5
His gaze did not waver from the General, instead it only intensed. "How can I be an enemy, if I am dead?" The question was there, wanting to let the other know that there were other ways around the system without anyone actually knowing. But this General, was far too loyal and perhaps even blind to see anything done otherwise. "Oh, but that's right. We all bleed the same, and one day a child will lose his or her father. A wife a husband, and for what? An embargo, and over my name just because I am supposedly dead on the account of China?"
"I am not a God and I never had the ability to save everyone's lives, but you're good as throwing his life away with this, too," suddenly his eyes flickered to Shen and then back at Sze. "Sure, go ahead and kill me and make Akiyama's presumptions true!" He was obviously furious.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 19, 2006 23:57:13 GMT -5
Sze's eyes narrowed at the mention of Shen's life, and he clenched his teeth together to keep himself from biting out anything inappropriate. "Don't jump to conclusions. I won't do anything as rash as to kill you and destroy what leverage in the conflict we have remaining," he snapped. It was rare that he came even close to losing his temper, but tensions and pressure had only built up over the last few weeks, and he hadn't needed the extra provocation.
"People will die because people perish in war, and yes, over an embargo and over a name that unfortunately means much more than the actual head it was placed on. There have been skirmishes over littller, more insignificant things, and right now there is nothing you nor I can do." He thrust his sword arm forward, as if to nullify his previous words, but the blade embedded itself in the center pole, close to Akihito, but not close enough to break skin.
"You are an enemy only because you are Japanese," he answered. "Sadly, that is enough."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 20, 2006 0:11:19 GMT -5
He didn't budge nor did he flinch when the blade came close to his face. Instead his gaze slightly wavered and he took a slight breath in. Sure, he was raised to take everything in a civilized matter but whenever his thoughts of Akiyama rose, the anger seemed to come with it. Giving little to no movement until his head craned to the side, almost resting against the blade, the lids of his eyes lowered. "I am sorry," now his eyes lifted and he gave the General a more kindly stare, although his expression was pained - even almost to tears. Fighting, in words or in physical shape never really had a good outcome.
"Then.. I hope your Emperor is a good person.."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 20, 2006 0:23:29 GMT -5
Sze blinked, letting go of his sword and letting it hang from where it was stuck. That was a change in tactic he definitely hadn't expected, and wordlessly he took a step back, still staring. It took him a moment for the impact of his own actions to catch up to him, and he sighed, falling back and frowning. "I also apologize," he murmured, raising one hand to rub his brow. "I shouldn't have jumped to violence. That was shameful of me."
He gently ushered the prince away from the pole so that he could remove the blade. The task was carried out in silence, and when it was completed, he turned to go, catching Shen's line of sight and nodding towards the door. "Please stay here for now," he said, standing alone at the threshold after Shen had gone. "The Emperor..." he began, his expression pained, "...he is a good person. I know that he is."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Aug 20, 2006 0:32:19 GMT -5
Akihito stepped aside when Sze went to retrieve his blade, he also watched Shen leave before glancing to the General. He was now, a little shaken and he gave the other a meek smile. "No, it was my fault to assume anyone can go against their emperor, when I myself, should not even question loyalty," slowly he moved his right arm up to try and wipe at his eyes, but he hesitated. "I am just concerned because Japan is not in a good person's hands; I hope you understand.."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Aug 20, 2006 0:47:15 GMT -5
"I do," Sze said with a nod, ironically noting that it was empathy, not sympathy, considering the actual corresponding likeness of their positions. "I also hope that things will work out. Please excuse me for now."
Shen was waiting for him outside, and the Lieutenant General was visibly shaken. Sze supposed that he and Akihito looked no different. The news and their helplessness shoved in their faces did no favors for any of their minds. "Sorry," he apologized to Shen, for both the state of affairs and for the fact that he had to witness that display of lack of control. "For now, let us just inform Chang'An of what has happened here, and wait their reply. In the meantime, we'll have to pick up the pace of training and inform the men that it is official."
He paused, looking away. "If..." he began, voice fading into silence as if he had no plans to continue the sentence, except he fixed his attention on Shen and suddenly continued. "If I do not measure up to be worthy enough for you to place your life in my trust, you don't have to follow, Shen." His life was one thing, determined and set out for him ever since birth, but those of his friends were something else entirely. "I don't want to lead you to your death."
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Post by Shen Rui on Aug 20, 2006 0:58:34 GMT -5
Shen found some sort of haven with the ground, keeping his gaze there even when the General made his appearance. For the first time he didn't really acknowledge the other, as though he was a stranger or any other soldier out there. He wasn't used to seeing his friend angry or upset, and it came as a surprise. Sure, he could go off and do his normal routine work by helping the others set up camp, but something in him wanted to stay as close to Sze as possible. No, he wasn't upset with Sze; rather, he was upset with himself. He didn't know the other's true feelings on it, and the actions and words explained it all.
Slowly, he turned his head and his eyes to Sze. The other had just given him permission to drop out of this ordeal? To throw away memories of training, his whole life, because Sze might've been 'unworthy' to die for. It took a lot for a General to say that, but he also knew Sze couldn't grant that escape to everyone. Reaching his left hand out he reached for Sze's right hand to grasp onto it tightly. He squeezed Sze's hand tightly. Finally releasing it he took a few steps towards the camp's left sector, but before he went he flashed the other a wide smile. "You have no idea," he said, laughing under his breath, "...you really don't. In every life I am given - I would die for you each time. Take care, General." He didn't want to hear anymore; he just wanted Sze to know.
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