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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 20:19:57 GMT -5
Zhong Xue wandered in aimless circles around the compound, watching the other recruits filter back to their tents. He knew most of them were probably ready to collapse; he was exhausted, too, to some extent, but the training had given him too much adrenaline to want to sit down just yet.
He frowned in the direction of his tent at the sound of raised voices, another good reason not to go back. Xiao had still not forgiven Shikang for the night before, and Shikang seemed less inclined to apologize to him. Xue had hoped the two might forget all about it with training on their minds, but he quickly found that wasn't the case at all.
Lost in his musing, Xue didn't even notice the man walking towards him before they collided.
Stumbling, Xue barely managed to keep his balance, looking at the older recruit in utter horror. "I'm s-s-s-s-so sorry! Are you okay?"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 20:39:55 GMT -5
Naia was pleased. He'd been a Chinese soldier for almost a day, now, with no mishaps to speak of. With his first session of training completed and no strange looks or suspicious questions, he was slightly more at ease. Far from complacent, of course, but ready to get to work. The military-issue armor was an abrupt change from his usual choice of clothing, but he noted with some pleasure that he wasn't the only one wearing it a bit awkwardly. He'd blend in well with the rest of the new recruits.
He had enjoyed being able to move again after three days crammed into a box (there has got to be a better way to run the blockades, he thought), but many of those around him looked like practice had exhausted them; it wouldn't do for his physical condition - not top, by any means, but better than your standard military fresh meat - to be obvious, so he let one shoulder hang as if it pained him slightly and let his eyelids droop just a bit.
He'd been assigned a tent by his general; now, where was it--
Naia came very close to cursing in Japanese, but somehow managed to bite his tongue before any incriminating words could slip out. The young man he'd inadvertently walked into looked like he might pass out, which wouldn't have done at all.
"I'm fine," he stammered, widening his eyes. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Not hurt, are you?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 20:53:53 GMT -5
"N-N-No, I'm not hurt!" Xue shook his head rapidly, all the blood rushing to his cheeks. "I'm so sorry... I-I wasn't looking at all... can I m-make it up to you somehow?"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 21:04:24 GMT -5
"Oh, my." The kid seemed pretty young, definitely one of the youngest on the field that Naia had seen, but he was tall enough that Naia had to look up to meet his eyes. "Please don't worry. I'll live."
This kid, on the other hand, looks like he's about to have a brain aneurism. Naia bowed, breaking eye contact. "I'm Xie Jun. You are?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 21:13:02 GMT -5
"M-My name?" Quickly, Xue bowed low, narrowly avoiding crashing into Naia again in the process. "Zhong Xue! I-It's nice to meet you. Forgive me for my rudeness before."
As he noticed Naia looking around as if confused, he smiled weakly. "Oh... are you lost? This is where General Sze's recruits stay. Which general are you assigned to?"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 21:23:12 GMT -5
"Not at all! It's a pleasure to meet you." Naia stepped nimbly back a few inches as Xue bowed, meeting his eyes again when he had returned to a standing position. With an awkward grin, Naia scratched the back of his neck. "Lost? I suppose I am," he replied. "I've been assigned to General Rie. I'd hate to trouble you, but could you show me where his tents are?"
Naia suspected that Xue would do as he asked; he seemed like the kind of person who liked being useful and maybe even feared causing others displeasure. Gaining his trust would be a step in the right direction.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 21:29:07 GMT -5
"It's no trouble! I was going to go for a walk anyway." Xue tilted his head, frowning in thought. "Um... General Rie... I think I remember where his recruits are, I was there yesterday. B-But if you want someone else to take you over there, Xiao... my tentmate, that is... was assigned to General Rie before, so I can get him--"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 21:39:42 GMT -5
"Oh, no, I'd hate to be more of an inconvenience than necessary." Smiling again, Naia watched the young man's lips purse as he thought. "I'm sure you'll get me there just fine. I appreciate your help.
"Tentmate, hm?" Naia fell into step behind Xue, casting his eyes around and taking note of what the other recruits were doing. "You two get along?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 21:48:30 GMT -5
"Ahh... you're right, Xiao's probably tired." Xue nodded to himself, turning back to Naia with a smile. "It's not that far... I'm pretty sure I remember where it is, so don't worry. You'll have two or three people living with you, but the tents are pretty big!"
"Get along?" Xue nodded as they began to walk across the compund. "Yeah, we get along! He kinda talks a lot... but he's really nice!" For a moment, he looked troubled. "I wish he'd get along with Shikang, too..."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 21:58:03 GMT -5
Naia nodded as Xue spoke. Living with that many, hm? His wakizashi and dagger, currently nestled in the bedroll he carried with him... those might be difficult to hide. He hoped there'd be a convenient place to stash them, perhaps in nearby vegetation. If he got a moment alone, he could wrap them in cloth and bury them somewhere where disturbed ground wouldn't be obvious...
"Xiao doesn't get along with your other tentmate?" Naia latched onto that troubled expression immediately. He hid a tiny smile. "That must be pretty difficult for you."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 22:01:30 GMT -5
"Mm... it is, somewhat." Xue stared at the ground as they walked, as if embarrassed to be telling Naia this. "I mean... I-I haven't really talked to Shikang that much, but he seems nice, too... and we're going to be together most of the time, so they could at least try to--" He stopped, looking at Naia nervously. "I'm sorry! You don't want to hear all this."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 22:10:24 GMT -5
His eyebrows drawn in a sympathetic manner, Naia stepped so he was walking next to Xue instead of behind him. When the young man came to a halt and apologized, the shinobi let his eyebrows fly upwards. "Oh, not at all! If it's something you're concerned about, it always helps to talk to someone." He pressed his lips in a thin line and looked pensively ahead of him. "It must be stressful for all three of you. I wish I could help somehow."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 22:16:15 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine... nothing to worry yourself over. They'll probably realize it's not worth it," Xue laughed. "They'd probably think even less of me if they knew I was babbling like this... less than they already do, anyway. I haven't given them much reason to respect me."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Jul 18, 2006 22:34:33 GMT -5
"Well, I won't tell them," Naia grinned, keeping in step. "I doubt they dislike you. You've been so helpful, even after I walked right into you. I'm sure you have some very proud family back at home."
I almost feel bad taking advantage of this guy, he mused through his grin. Seems like he's the kind that always gets stepped on... Unfortunately, he also seemed the type that probably didn't know many military secrets.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Jul 18, 2006 22:43:54 GMT -5
"Proud?" Xue flushed a bit, but shrugged off the compliment. "Well, I try not to disappoint them... but really, it's not a problem! I mean, we're all in the same boat, here, it shouldn't have to be any more confusing then it already is."
Wow... this guy's really polite, even though he's a recruit, Xue thought, giving Naia a sidelong glance. Maybe he comes from a really good family?
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