Rie Chou
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General [China]
Posts: 44
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Post by Rie Chou on Sept 15, 2006 9:28:06 GMT -5
Rie pulled open the fabric that hung over the mouth of the tent as Yulin slipped out. He motioned to Kamlong to exit as well, and that he himself would follow after them - though it was more a matter of usual courtesy than any ranked obligation.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Sept 15, 2006 22:34:53 GMT -5
"Thank you," Kamlong said in passing, bowing his head in gratitude. Yulin was already a few steps ahead of them, walking intently towards Akihito's tent. Watching her back, he could tell she was beginning to get impatient with the state of affairs. He smiled wearily. If he had the energy to do that, he would've been the same. It felt like he was paying this tent a visit every five minutes. "Wait up, Yulin!"
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Kwok Yulin
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Manlier Than You [China]
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Post by Kwok Yulin on Sept 15, 2006 22:37:08 GMT -5
She looked over her shoulder, pausing only long enough for the other two generals to catch up. When they reached the tent, Sze paused, but she didn't have the forbearance to waste time on trivial politeness. "We're coming in," she announced, clearly and flatly, before slipping in.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 15, 2006 22:44:37 GMT -5
Akihito didn't budge from his position, his eyes fixated on the entrance of the tent. He had kept to his promise while Naia had slept and when Yulin entered without any consideration, he winced. It was to be expected in this scenario, being that they were both captives. However, when Yulin entered he moved a little to stand in the view of Naia's sleeping-form, hoping she would not be any louder than that. Yet...the last time he saw Yulin, it meant nothing good. "...?'
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 16, 2006 1:19:24 GMT -5
He'd been dreaming something, though about what, exactly, he couldn't be sure; it was one of those dreams that leaves a deep-seated disturbance in one's psyche with no good reason why, and when he heard Yulin's voice, it took a moment to distinguish the imagined from the real. His jumbled thoughts wanted at first for her words to be the cause of this strange feeling that made his throat so tight, but the moment he realized that he was, in fact, awake, all of this worry left him, and he instinctively sat bolt-upright. Clearly, he hadn't been as relaxed as he'd seemed.
His eyes took a moment to focus, but once sleep's grip had been thrown off, he turned them on Yulin, unable to hide a rather grim tightening of his lips.
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Rie Chou
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General [China]
Posts: 44
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Post by Rie Chou on Sept 16, 2006 1:35:23 GMT -5
With a quick glance at Naia, Rie unexpectedly spoke first. "Prince - Prince Akihito," while feeling uneasy with the Japanese syllables on his lips. It was the first time he had met the prince face to face, and he looked him in the eye steadily - a habit of his that used to scare new recuits, though of course not intentionally.
"We're here assuming that you are still willing to cooperate with us in the best interest of both countries," he said, and paused to read the other's expression. "Even as how things are now, we're hoping that there is still time to avoid full-out war and minimize losses on both sides."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Sept 16, 2006 13:42:25 GMT -5
He reached out and laid a hand on Rie Chou's arm, hoping to draw the other general's line of sight away from the captives. Kamlong was familiar with exactly what Rie's intense stare was like when you weren't familiar with the man and knew he meant no harm. It had sent a few recruits into fits of trembling and stuttering the first day, after all. He was thankful, however, that the elder man was making such an effort to go with Yulin's proposed plan for now.
"We can give you passage back to Japan," he offered, but they both knew that the words were a sort of deceit - it would not be free, and the next statement only confirmed their suspicions. "But in return, you will have to help us. From what you told me, it seems that this war is largely possible because of the one man in control of your country. So, are you adverse to the notion of overthrowing your Shogun?"
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Kwok Yulin
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Post by Kwok Yulin on Sept 16, 2006 13:52:09 GMT -5
Yulin said nothing, but her eyes bore into the two Japanese outsiders, taking in their appearances. So that was the spy. He was one of Rie Chou's soldiers, wasn't he? Or posing as one, as far as she knew. As for the prince, he looked as he did the day she found him, if not a little tired and frayed at the edges. She didn't expect any less, though. He was the prince of a country who was going to war.
She hadn't been aware, however, of the fact that Akihito and the spy were so...well acquainted, however, and she raised her brows at this, but did not comment.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 16, 2006 14:15:47 GMT -5
Akihito's head bowed a little and his eyes stared back at Rie's, like he was about to snarl at the older man. He knew there was no harm in the look. When Sze moved Rie back a little his gaze focused on the General. The expression on his face took in great consideration to Sze's suggestion and he moved his right hand up to rest his fingers against his face. However, he picked up on the awakened presence and slowly turned his head to see Naia's movements.
A smile appeared on his face, one the three Generals could not see. "We are," Akihitio spoke for the both of them. Now he turned his head back to watch the Generals. "But before I agree on the terms of handing over our Shogun. There is another branch of loyal people who would be of more assistance to your notion. The request I am asking for is a letter, to inform them of the events. I would not press my luck and deceive the offer," Akihitio bowed slightly before standing up straight again.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 16, 2006 22:39:03 GMT -5
The generals' proposition almost seemed too good to be true - in any less grave of a situation, Naia might have laughed at how things were beginning to unfold - and he wondered privately if he was, perhaps, still dreaming. His face was within view of the three generals, so Naia did not return Akihito's smile, but he did meet the prince's eyes with the briefest of nods.
He stood, just behind and to the right of the prince, waiting in silence. So, they would have allies - he just hoped that the anti-shogunate factions would agree to aid China.
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Rie Chou
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General [China]
Posts: 44
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Post by Rie Chou on Sept 17, 2006 2:06:52 GMT -5
Rie took the hint from Kamlong and took a step backwards, letting the other two generals take center stage. He didn't like the way the way the prince looked back at them - so defiant, even though he was at their mercy. It wasn't like China exactly needed their so-called help. But Rie put up with it, if only because he trusted Yulin and Kamlong's judgement.
Another branch of people? Rie narrowed his eyes, not sure what he thought of it. If they really were to cooperate with Japanese dissidents - or, in any case, rebels - the operation might not be able to stay secret for long.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Sept 17, 2006 2:17:44 GMT -5
"Another branch?" Kamlong echoed, mirroring the thoughts of the other two generals at his side. His eyes narrowed, critical. "You didn't tell us about this before, when I asked you to explain everything. Is this something that close to your heart then?" He halted, withdrawing. He didn't want to fight now, especially considering the fact that they needed each other's help to see this through. "Nevermind. Please elaborate."
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Kwok Yulin
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Post by Kwok Yulin on Sept 17, 2006 2:19:24 GMT -5
Despite her wordiness back in the company of her own allies, here she stayed, for the most part, silent. Though she wanted their cooperation, she was still a little uncomfortable with the Japanese, and she didn't trust herself not to become impatient like Rie Chou if she opened her mouth.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 17, 2006 2:28:40 GMT -5
"A clan," Akihito said to better explain the branch of people he was talking about. "In a sense they are warriors that protect the Imperial family and do not place support in our Shogun. Before I came here we had mused over the thought of over throwing Akiyama but being as where I am now, that plan has put into the halt. The leader.." he trailed off, eyes wavering in the direction of Naia and back to the General. It was hard to trust any of them and he didn't want to place his friend in danger. "Ah, well, the leader which I will not name until my request is accepted - would assist you given evidence that I am still alive."
"I only say this now because this will benefit us both. Before, it it was none of the enemy's business.." he hoped that cleared any suspicions.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 17, 2006 17:23:08 GMT -5
The hostility in the air made Naia want to wince. Granted, it had been pretty bad a moment ago, but at Sze's biting inquiry and the dark looks that the other two generals wore, he started to wonder if they might ever get back to Japan at all. He almost sighed with relief when Akihito replied in a civil manner.
For some time, he'd been looking down towards the ground - there was nothing to gain, now, by being overly assertive. Although he kept an ear on the conversation at hand, his thoughts drifted to the safety of his family. If the shogun - he couldn't quite think of that man as the emperor - got wind of this...
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