|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 8, 2006 23:14:46 GMT -5
He didn't say anthing, letting his gaze fall from Shen's face. He could feel, more than see, the palms against his trembling just slightly. Without having his smile waver, he pulled their hands down until they were at his eye level, and patiently untangled their hands. The Lieutenant General's fingers came away easily, but didn't slip until Kamlong physically removed them, like a resigned, but steadfast determination.
He stood up, and now he had to look down to see his friend's face. "A confession?" he half-teased. "Before I waste any more of my breath, answer me this: are you going to let me stop you, no matter what I say?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 8, 2006 23:24:03 GMT -5
"No matter what you say, I am going with you," Shen repeated, like an omen. His gaze was focused on the other's torso area before he craned his head back to stare at his friend's face. "Did you want a confession?" he asked, a little too plainly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 8, 2006 23:43:40 GMT -5
Kamlong raised his brows. It was uncommon for the young man to be so forward. "You're willing to put your life on the line and throw yourself into an enemy country with me, I can't really ask any more of you than that, now can I?" he asked, answering the question plainly enough to just stop short of actually giving an answer.
On the other hand, he didn't want Shen to think he was dismissing the unsaid declaration as if it were smalltalk either. The question Shen had asked was one Kamlong was unable to answer with things as they were now, so while it had been neither an acceptance nor a rejection, this was neither the time and place for it.
He leaned forward and pulled Shen to him by the wrist at the same time. "Thank you," he said, barely more than a whisper, but his head was hovering close enough over the other's shoulder for the words to be easily heard. "Thank you, Shen."
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 8, 2006 23:57:55 GMT -5
Shen was going to say something to follow up on Kamlong's question, but was cut short when he couldn't think of something possibly more complex. However, he was caught by surprise when Kamlong hoisted him up by the wrist. To catch himself from stumbling he placed his right hand on top of Kamlong's shoulder. Now that he had configured he would be going with Kamlong he felt a bit at ease but Shen would refuse to let his guard down until they would return safely home. Instead of letting his friend back off completely he moved his arms up to wrap them around Kamlong's neck, tightening the hug. "No, thank you," he said, making sure to remove his arms just as quickly as they came. There was no reason to suffocate Kamlong any further.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 0:41:06 GMT -5
"We'll be leaving tomorrow evening, since there's no time to waste," he began explaining, while withdrawing. "Of course, we can't let everyone know about this sort of mission, but similarly we cannot just disappear without a word. Yulin suggested that we fake our deaths. It'll cause the least complications - if we fail then it's of no consequence, and if we do return, by then we will be safe enough to explain everything. Pack only what you are able to carry and what is utterly necessary."
He nodded and made a step as if to leave then, but stopped short, and turned back around. "Ah, one more thing. Could you do me a favor, Shen?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 9, 2006 0:53:26 GMT -5
He nodded his head when Sze gave the instructions, baffled that Kamlong had decided this.. what, only today? Shen already had in mind what he wanted to pack, the essentials and nothing more. Shen watched as Kamlong turned to go and he was about to start preparing for the journey, though when Sze halted - he halted. "Yes, of course," his brow rose, curious.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 0:58:28 GMT -5
"Here," he instructed, unsheathing the shortest of his three blades and handing it to Shen. "The style yours is in is much more convenient, and I suppose that traditionally I should do something like this anyway," Kamlong said idly, reaching up until the tips of his fingers found the string tie that held his hair in place. "If I do it myself I'm sure I'll end up lopsided or half bald, so if you don't mind...?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 9, 2006 1:05:26 GMT -5
Shen held the blade lightly, glancing down at it before looking up to Kamlong again. Was his friend serious about this? The last time he had seen his friend with short hair was during the training days. It was just hair after all. He wasn't nervous about doing his friend's hair inaccurately either, having done his over the years of his life. "I don't mind," his eyes shifted towards the tie, "if you kneel down I can guarantee a better outcome, though." There was a slight laugh in his voice. A bald Sze would be quite disturbing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 1:24:37 GMT -5
Kamlong nodded, pulling the last of the tie out and letting the strands loose. He brushed it out of his eyes and away from his face, before slowly kneeling down, facing away from Shen. "About here," he said, motioning to a spot a little lower from where his neck met his shoulders, "should be good."
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 9, 2006 1:32:14 GMT -5
Shen marveled at the length of Kamlong's hair, only seeing it down at least once or twice. "All right, hold still," he said quietly, moving the blade to the pointed spot. With his free hand he held the hair that framed Kamlong's face before gracefully motioning the blade around Sze's head. In no time Kamlong's hair was cut perfectly in a line, though it looked layered for some reason. The excessive hair was now in Shen's clenched palm as he stepped back. He couldn't really see it since Kamlong was kneeling away from him so he stepped around and glanced down. Shen was speechless.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 1:37:11 GMT -5
Kamlong looked up, already feeling the difference. His head felt a great deal lighter, and though it had long since grown into an accustomed feeling, the tension of the strands being pulled back into the tie and the weight of the ends against his back was missing. The look on Shen's face, however, was a little worrysome. "...Does it...look that bad?" he tried, while getting to his feet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 9, 2006 1:41:11 GMT -5
Shen stared at Kamlong before shaking his head no. Instead of worrying his friend about what he looked like he discarded the excessive hair in the bag of discarded goods while reaching over to grab a metal plate. When he got back to his friend's side he held it up for his friend to see, holding Kamlong's blade back out for him to take. "Like the day I met you," he said, unable to hide the awe.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 1:50:33 GMT -5
Kamlong laughed, amused as he looked at the familiar yet strange image in the makeshift mirror. "You're right," he said, tilting his head as he resheathed his sword. "You cut it just like back then. Yulin's going to laugh." He nodded at Shen. "Thank you. I knew I could trust you with this."
|
|
|
|
Post by Shen Rui on Oct 9, 2006 1:58:04 GMT -5
"It's.. really no problem," he finally spoke up, stepping off to the side to allow Kamlong to leave. Sure, he'd have to get used to it. Idly, he tossed the plate to the side. "But! quit wasting your time here and get some rest," he said this, knowing he didn't have to worry about seeing Kamlong off tomorrow and instead got to go worth. "Plus I have to prepare.."
|
|
|
|
Post by Sze Kamlong on Oct 9, 2006 2:01:26 GMT -5
He nodded, all too well-versed with Shen's well-meaning nags. "I will. You should too, Shen. And, I suppose you could easily figure it yourself, but be sure to stay somewhat scarce until tomorrow." He headed towards the door, running a hand through the choppy edges of his hair. It still felt a little strange. "Thank you," he said once more for everything, before slipping outside.
|
|
