Wu Xiaoszi
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Screeches Like A Girl [China]
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Post by Wu Xiaoszi on Sept 9, 2006 1:35:05 GMT -5
He looked back to the ground, letting his eyes slide spinelessly back to a subject less demanding and more incapable of rationality - not that he would've chosen Shikang's monster face over a patch of dirt any day. "Yeah," he agreed, quietly and unhappily, even if he punctuated it with a small laugh, "Yeah, maybe."
Truthfully, he didn't know any way that he could've responded without somehow being a disappointment. He wasn't Shikang by a long shot (thank the heavens for that), but for a moment he wished he had the other soldier's calm and cool exterior. Even if he hadn't given Xue the cold shoulder, he doubted the Medic would've approved of him collaring Xue and yelling into the patient's ear.
The first thing that had crossed his mind when he heard Jiaming's account was, Thank goodness he's okay, but the second one was definitely, I told him so! He had wanted to shout the words into the other boy's face, but the will had suddenly left him once they reached their destination. "Weren't you scared, though, Shikang?" he said softly. "I didn't know what to say."
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Ma Shikang
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Post by Ma Shikang on Sept 9, 2006 1:52:33 GMT -5
Coming to a pause in his movements, he listened to the other's words and slowly turned to look over his shoulder. Obviously Xiao had felt some guilt about his behavior, explaining why he was out here pondering quietly to himself. Turning around to face the other more completely, he took a few strides forward so that he was standing in front of his team mate. "I have a sister," he made it sound like he was admitting to a lie, "My father believes she is the cause for my mother's death - as though she's cursed. It would be easier to blame someone for something so devastating as that, yes? Even I wanted to fall to the hatred, although.. I could never care for her any less."
Suddenly, he lifted his right hand and placed it on Xiao's shoulder in consultation. "This is the military and when you joined I am sure you aware that there would be many losses, Xue is not one of those numbers. We should be grateful." To make sure he had Xiao's attention he moved his free hand to take a hold of the other's throat, a gesture someone would do to choke a victim. "We must trust everyone until we are given a reason to trust no longer. Xiao, I see you as a friend. And if suddenly you discovered I was a liar, would you be brave enough to confront me?"
There was silence from Shikang, the hand on the other's throat suddenly slithering away. "I .. honestly think I would not be able to muster enough bravery to call out on a friend, with death at my throat..."
"..and yes, I fear."
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Wu Xiaoszi
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Screeches Like A Girl [China]
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Post by Wu Xiaoszi on Sept 9, 2006 2:04:25 GMT -5
He curled his hands around his neck as soon as he was free. In theory, their actions were the same, but it felt so much more frightening and suffocating when it was Shikang's fingers pressing into his throat. Perhaps the words, so uncommon from the more stoic soldier, were binding - even more so than the grip. "I'd get you," Xiao answered, looking up at Shikang with fierce determination. "I'd get you, if not for betraying the country, then for betraying me."
"Though I don't think that I'm like Xue. So while I'd do it because I was angry or spiteful, he might've done it out of something less bitter." He dropped his hand, looking back at the tent, as if he could see through the canvas covering. "I might be worse off than you in that regard."
"I'm not angry right now because of that, though!" he protested suddenly, whipping back. "I was angry because he didn't watch out! He didn't listen! And...and..." Because I was frightened. He trailed off, expression still urgent and strained, sure that somehow, even without saying, Shikang understood. After all, he wasn't the only one worried. They had different ways of reacting to it, but the root was the same.
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Ma Shikang
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Post by Ma Shikang on Sept 9, 2006 2:11:34 GMT -5
He wanted to smile at Xiao's sudden realization of deceit and Xue's actions were similar to everyone's. Defending something dear always motivated a character. Whether it would be pride, friends, family or even for one self. "Sometimes.. it would be better off to not know the truth at all. I believe, in context, what would you would've done and what Xue did have a relation. You both cared and protected something."
Seeing as Xiao started to drift off with his words, he nodded his head in understanding. Everything because of emotions. "Instead, we should thank him," he concluded, "for possibly saving everyone's lives."
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Post by Su Tanrui on Sept 9, 2006 6:03:21 GMT -5
Ordinarily, Tanrui would have shooed the uninjured ones from his tent as quickly as possible, but as they seemed to be friends of his single patient (judging by the awkwardness, at least) and as there was no one else to disturb, he retreated to the back of the tent to arrange a few stacks of books until the two soldiers took it upon themselves to exit.
"Once the adrenaline wears off, it may become more painful," Tanrui spoke up after a few moments. "Please let me know if you would like an analgesic."
Discussing the night's events were likely only to distress the young man further, so the surgeon let the subject drop. He assumed he could get a better report from General Sze, and made a note to himself to ask when morning came and the general had a free moment.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Sept 9, 2006 10:33:36 GMT -5
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt," Xue said distractedly, staring at the ceiling, listening to the muffled voices outside that he knew belonged to his friends. He could understand Xiao's anger, but what had he done to upset Shikang? His oldest teammate seemed quite sympathetic, until...
Because it's cowardly, he thought. To accept defeat like that. To be so lazy that all I can do is sulk and blame myself.
And right then, he knew exactly what it was that he wanted to do.
He turned to the medic and smiled. "Excuse me for a moment, sir," and he clambered out of bed. He was slightly unsteady at first, but as he strode out of the tent, he managed to regain his balance. Pushing the tent flap aside he faced his friends, back straight. "Wait a minute!"
When they turned to him, his resolve wavered a little, but resisted the impulse to stare at the ground. "I... I wanted to ask you something."
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Wu Xiaoszi
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Screeches Like A Girl [China]
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Post by Wu Xiaoszi on Sept 9, 2006 12:58:25 GMT -5
"EH?!" Xiao jumped, spinning around. He flushed, hoping that the smaller boy hadn't heard any of that embarrassing conversation, and masked the chagrin by taking the already unsteady soldier by the shoulders. "What are you doing here?!" he snapped, eyeing the multiple layers of bandages under Xue's collar. "You're an injured man, why're you hoppin' around out here?! Get back inside!"
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Ma Shikang
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Post by Ma Shikang on Sept 9, 2006 13:43:41 GMT -5
Shikang glanced over when he heard Xue's voice. Of course he also hoped that his team mate didn't hear the sentimental conversation, considering he wanted to express his gratitude by his own standards. However, Xiao jumped in and was already scolding Xue. "A question?" he intervened through Xiao's talking. "What?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Sept 9, 2006 14:12:18 GMT -5
"A-Ah?" Xue stammered, caught off guard as Xiao pushed him back into the tent, masking his relief with an apologetic smile at his friends, then Tanrui. "Sorry. I forgot."
"Well... ah..." Xue sank onto the edge of the bed, in the hopes of placating the still-glaring Xiao. "I guess... I was careless earlier, and got really lucky, and... that's probably not gonna happen again, huh." He took a breath. "But I'm sure if I get better than J... than that spy, I can pull my weight on the team instead of... of this."
He ducked his head a little to glance at the floor, too nervous to utter the last part to their faces. "But I might need a little help with that."
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Wu Xiaoszi
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Screeches Like A Girl [China]
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Post by Wu Xiaoszi on Sept 9, 2006 14:21:13 GMT -5
Xiao blinked, straining to hear the rest of Xue's speech, because as he spoke, his voice grew softer, as if he were losing confidence in himself with each passing second. "...Eh," Xiao shrugged, rubbing at the back of his neck again, as he shared a knowing look with Shikang. He reached out, thumb over middle finger, and flicked their teammate's forehead until he had no choice but to face them.
"You're...you're doin' fine pullin' yourself, squirt," he admitted, looking away. It was way too embarrassing to say such sentimental words to his face.
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Ma Shikang
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Post by Ma Shikang on Sept 9, 2006 14:28:47 GMT -5
Shikang nodded to Xiao's words, however, he wasn't so sure if that was what Xue was requesting. "You're not alone, we're here when ever you need us," he said nonchalantly, though the very words would make up for that. "You were brave, Xue, it's very admirable."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Sept 9, 2006 14:42:59 GMT -5
Xue looked up at his teammates, surprised. Maybe he was starting to hallucinate from blood loss or something, but... did his teammates just compliment him? In succession?
"... really?" he said, a bit hoarsely.
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Wu Xiaoszi
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Screeches Like A Girl [China]
Posts: 179
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Post by Wu Xiaoszi on Sept 9, 2006 15:08:12 GMT -5
"...We...uh. What are you doing still up?! You should be in bed, resting! Get in there and close your eyes!" Xiao ordered, masking whatever speechlessness he had with loud rambling. He all but shoved Xue into bed and nodded to the medic with a bow. "Please take good care of him!" he said respectfully, and then pushed Shikang out the door with him before either of them could protest.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Sept 9, 2006 15:34:17 GMT -5
Xue lay completely frozen for a moment, still trying to process what exactly had just happened. At length, he noticed Tanrui staring at him, and turning to the medic, he grinned sheepishly. "My friends're... um... interesting people." He wasn't completely sure what they meant, but... somehow, their words made him inexplicably happy.
"Will you be letting me out tomorrow?" he asked, the question punctuated by a yawn as he sank back onto the pillows.
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Post by Huang Jiaming on Sept 9, 2006 17:53:19 GMT -5
What a load of saps.
Jiaming had sort-of followed Shikang and Xiao back, just out of curiosity, and because it was to late to even think of trying to sleep. She propped herself up against a tree and listened from a distance, rolling her eyes a bit at intervals.
That's what you get for getting so close to people in times like this, dummy, she thought darkly. Then she blinked. Why the hell do I even care what they do?
"Tch." She kicked at a twig before getting up and turning around. Buncha girls...
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