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Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 14, 2006 22:28:37 GMT -5
Kamlong looked at Xue sympathetically. Well, there was no helping it now. With the way things had played out, the boy would no doubt be teased and bullied by the others. They would just have to keep a special eye out for him, he supposed. "There was no disrespect construed, Soldier," he said levelly, resisting the urge to sigh. Maybe time and practice would ease the boy's jitters, or so he hoped. He prayed that at the very least he wasn't this indecisive on the battlefield.
"Will you help me sort them to their tents?" he asked Shen, still observing the newest batch. He took careful note of their tiniest mannerisms, because even those showed a man's character. He would have to place them according to these initial observations, to ensure that fighting or unfair treatment could be kept at a minimum. Keep the ones that get along together, and the ones that quarrel apart.
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Post by Shen Rui on Jul 14, 2006 22:36:40 GMT -5
Shen eyed Xue carefully, almost giving the same sympathetic thought Sze did. However, he slowly moved towards the boy, his face tight and eyes positioned into a glare. "Get a hold of yourself, ok? You're about to venture into a war where you'll go farther than disrespecting someone. Also, your talent will be offered to us - with your attitude you'll be eaten alive by your own allies," his voice was low to keep it only ear-shot of Sze and Xue. Finally, he eased and gave the kid a smile, stepping back to allow some space. Someone had to say it.
"Ah! Of course I'll help," his looked from the corner of his eyes to Sze, hoping that it wasn't too disruptive for stepping in on one of the General's men. Shen never meant any harm by it.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 14, 2006 22:47:07 GMT -5
"... yes sir," Xue managed, stepping back. "Thank you, sir."
He bit down hard on his lower lip, as if the action would keep any more unwanted words from spilling out. He wanted to explain that he wasn't as incompetant as he must have seemed now, that he could handle himself with a sword, if nothing else, but at that moment, it wouldn't have done him any good. He'd just have to prove it later.
He stared at the ground, trying to sink away from notice, but the damage was already done: his fellow recruits' eyes kept flickering back to him, and several smirked, whispering to each other. Shen's comment about the others eating him alive wouldn't be too far off the mark if he continued like this.
Attempting a nonchalant expression, Xue resolved to keep his mouth shut. He wasn't going to embarass himself further, especially not in front of Kamlong and Shen.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 14, 2006 22:54:46 GMT -5
To be honest, Kamlong was surprised by the fact that Shen would go out of his way for the sake of a recruit, and a new one at that. They had known each other for years, but even then the quiet youth only involved himself when it he was needed. Granted, his position had forced him to partake in others' affairs more often, but this was still a rare occurrence. "Ah...thank you," he said, blinking a few times before going back to the task at hand. Well, maybe this draft wasn't all that bad after all.
Their army built camp in the shape of a triangle - one vertex for each general. In the center, where they stood, was a wide, open space where small-scale training, meals, or in their case, roll calls, took place in. The ground was already stamped flat by trodding feet. Everybody passed the area, regardless of destination. Kamlong led the group through the clearing and into the northernmost corner. "This is where we are currently staying. The other sections belong to the other generals."
He assigned tents cautiously, keeping his observations in mind. Of course, there weren't really 'tents' awaiting the soldiers - only canvas material, poles and ropes. There were four men assigned to a space, and they would have to construct their camp area by themselves. It was both a test to see how well they could cooperate, and a lesson for a skill they would certainly need to know later on. "Ah," said Kamlong, brows furrowing. The number recruited had been uneven, and Zhong Xue stood alone, without partners.
"......Hmm," he murmured, a little unhappy with himself to not have done a head count earlier, "this is quite a dilemma."
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Post by Shen Rui on Jul 14, 2006 23:07:06 GMT -5
Once the men had been separated, his eyes glanced over the area to watch the men work together. Some were fumbling with the task of the rope while one person stood aside and instructed the rest of the men. So far he didn't see any problems with the groups, each one also looked like they were in the same age range. Shen was waiting for the pole-task, everyone fought over the placement of those damn things. After double-checking the groups and the tents, he turned around on his foot to see that Xue was standing alone near to Sze.
If Sze had a plan with the groups, one could tell it was flawed. He didn't want to end up handling Xue with gloves, but if it came to that for the best performance down to their last men - so be it. Approaching the two once more he glanced over to Xue and then to stare at Sze. Shen was searching for eye contact, wanting his suggestions to be heard or considered. "Well, you could stick him in one group - one would be uneven. Otherwise, he could always work with you," the last suggestion had some malice to it. He didn't like the fact that one solider would be honored in the graces of a General, and above all, Sze. That was Shen's roll after all, perhaps it was selfish to think he could be replaced by a new recruit.
"Or he could work with me," he had to make up for the last suggestion. Even if Shen had his small-group to deal with, he was still directly under Kamlong's command.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 14, 2006 23:16:07 GMT -5
Xue felt himself reddening, but he restrained himself from another outburst. His progress would be slower than everyone else's if he worked by himself, but he didn't want Kamlong or Shen to think that they'd have to hold his hand every step of the way. And besides, Xue was sure that neither man wanted to waste his time with a recruit.
"Ahh, it's n-not a problem," Xue managed. "I'll do whatever you want me to, sir."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 14, 2006 23:22:49 GMT -5
"Ah, there'll be no need for that. You've done enough to help me already by staying behind," answered Kamlong, smiling at Shen gratefully. Anyway, he knew well enough himself that helping Xue now would only be a further handicap to the boy, and while Shen's words were sincere, he knew his Lieutenant General well enough to figure out that he was more than a little reluctant to fulfill that offer.
"Ah, since we split it evenly, General Kwok and General Rie are probably going to have one extra person as well. Why don't we go and collect them and form your team like that? It'll be an even three." This would leave a great deal to chance - the other 'leftovers' might not exactly be compatible with each other, but there really wasn't another alternative as logical. "Come with me. Shen, please go assist your group. Thank you, again."
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Post by Shen Rui on Jul 14, 2006 23:29:04 GMT -5
"Any time," Shen said quietly, glancing at Xue and then back to Sze. He didn't want to leave them alone but the General had given him an order. Looking back to Kamlong with a lingering stare, he softly smiled and dismissed himself to go back to his roughly group. Sigh.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 14, 2006 23:35:45 GMT -5
Xue looked after Shen with a bit of confusion. He could've sworn that the Lieutenant General looked faintly disappointed, but he was probably just imagining things.
On the other hand, it seemed like he was going to get a group after all; he wouldn't say it out loud, but he was a bit relieved he wasn't stuck working by himself, or having someone help him. Smiling gratefully, he trailed after Kamlong. He'd just have to make sure the other two generals didn't see what a mess he was.
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Kwok Yulin
Full Member
General
Manlier Than You [China]
Posts: 148
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Post by Kwok Yulin on Jul 14, 2006 23:38:12 GMT -5
"Oh, what's this?" said Yulin, by means of a greeting. She had already deduced the situation for herself, and behind her stood a tall, thin, but not unkind-looking young man. "So you've come to pay me a visit then, Boya?" She smiled, eyes moving down to rest on the person following her friend. "And little Chickadee too, I see."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 14, 2006 23:40:02 GMT -5
"Ah, yes. Miscalculation on my part, you'll have to forgive me," said Kamlong, a little sheepishly. "I'll take them to my camp, since it was my mistake." He beckoned for the other soldier to follow them. The man approached slowly, eying Xue calculatingly. "You two will be in the same work group from now on, so I suggest you get along. We'll be retrieving the last person now. Follow me."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 14, 2006 23:47:40 GMT -5
'Chickadee'? Xue couldn't help but squirm a little at that, hoping the nickname wouldn't stick, but he inclined his head respectfully to Yulin as they passed, nonetheless. He was sure that she meant well, but something about that smile made him nervous. More than usual, anyway.
Xue smiled at his new companion, not trusting himself to speak just yet, and the pair followed Kamlong towards the third general.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 14, 2006 23:55:59 GMT -5
Rie Chou was not quite as relenting as Yulin. He noticed them approaching a few feet away, and fixed Kamlong with a stern glare. While they weren't on bad terms with each other, and while the older general still answered to Sze, he did still act as a mentor figure sometimes. Kamlong appreciated it - a voice of authority so that he didn't always have to second-guess his own decisions, to make sure they were correct. In a similar way, he was glad Yulin was there too. "Hmph, so you figured it out."
"Ah, yes, sorry about it, Rie Chou," apologized Kamlong, smiling. "It won't happen again." The third member of the leftover team had obviously been informed of the situation, or had figured it out himself. He straightened as the others approached, and stepped forward without the need for command, bowing to the other two. Kamlong was pleased. They didn't seem like the rowdy bunch; he was sure they would fare just fine. "Thank you then, I'll bring them to my camp, so I'll leave you with your men for now."
After a bow, he led the three back to the northern corner and turned around. Most of the other groups were already on their way to building their tents, having put any squabbling over procedure and method behind them. These three would be a little behind, but no matter - it was not a race. "Alright. For the two that came from General Rie and General Kwok's ranks, first accept my apology for having that mishap. For now, I will be acting as your commander. If you have any problems, please report to me. Your space will be over there."
He nodded off to a remaining empty lot, where an unbuilt tent awaited.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 15, 2006 0:01:30 GMT -5
Well, Rie Chou didn't seem eccentric, at least. Feeling a great deal more at ease, Xue acknowledged his group members with a nod and an awkward smile, and turned back to the general.
"T-Thank you, General Sze..." Xue mumbled, addressing Kamlong's feet. "We'll start working right away, so don't worry about it. S-Sorry for all the trouble..."
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Ma Shikang
Full Member
. . . . .? [China]
Posts: 100
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Post by Ma Shikang on Jul 15, 2006 0:30:10 GMT -5
"Let's go then." Shikang had not said a word since joining their ragtag group in General Rie's camp. While the other soldier from General Kwok's group had been almost overly social, he had been utterly taciturn. He bowed politely at the waist - a quick and curt action, not an inch deeper than what was required, and walked off to their space, leaving the others to move at their own pace.
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