Coffin Delivery . . .

Music In The Kijo's Head - "IndustroFunk" - RA2


The Kijo was once again listening to the music inside her head.
She was dragging an old wooden coffin in the middle of the street.
Making harsh grating sounds with the ground as she walked.

She slowly sighed as she gazed at the night above.
It was cloudy, ashen gray. kinda like the Kijo's touchy mood.

The Kijo then decided to just look down at the ground.
She was having a slight headache. Stupid spiked drink.
The Kijo muttered angrily to herself, continuing to drag the coffin along with her.

Two boots suddenly came into view.
And when she looked up, it was the face of a guard.

Only then did she finally noticed.
She was standing in front of the gates of Zhao Yue . . .

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
Not only was the guard captain's face visible for a change of pace, but so were the faces of all the guards standing before the bronze gates on that frosty day. Each visage was tainted with the emotion of pure shock. They didn't quite know how to react to the situation; here was a woman with weird colored hair and a coffin behind her. The entire street had been notified of her presence with the sound of wood scraping against cobblestone, and now that this 'misfit' was at the Administration Building, the civilians watched as they fully expected for her to get her ass kicked. Little did they know that this new administration was one of a civil breed, very unlike the one that came before it.

"Do... you... need to see someone?" the captain asked, holding back his disgust.

Music In The Kijo's Head - "Jank" - RA2


The Kijo only gave the captain a condescending smile, amusing herself at his great display of perceptiveness.

"How insightful." The Kijo replied with a tone as dry as the sand.

The Kijo didn't move from her slouching position yet somehow the air around her seemed to feel heavy.
It was like an unseen fog trying to weigh everything down.
Or was it just the weather perhaps ~?

The Kijo then decided to play the captain's game.
She ever slightly turned out her left clawed hand.
There was a crumpled piece of paper . . .

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
The guard captain practically scowled before Akki, not particularly liking this woman already, but not having enough reason to turn her away. He moved to retort smartly, but when he saw the paper withdrawn from Heaven-knows-where, he lowered his head and snatched the letter from her. Unraveling the parchment, he scanned the contents for only a spare moment before returning it to its rightful owner. "Very well. You'll need to consent to a couple searches before we let you inside. And... your coffin back there will need to stay out here. We'll look after it until you've finished with your audience."

Music In The Kijo's Head - "My Boy" - Jang Nara


The Kijo only smiled ever more sweetly at the captain.
She gave a slight chuckle as the captain read the letter, shaking her head.

The Kijo then sat at the middle of the coffin as she crossed her legs.
Squirming with boredom, flicking her clawed hands as fires sparked on and off just to pass the time.

"You can read." The Kijo said disappointedly, after the Captain finished.

"I ain't no going to get searched by YOU." The Kijo said suddenly, eyes pointing like daggers to the captain. "Nu uh, not gonna happen."

She then suddenly blinked her eyes as if seeing something changed her mind.
Clawed hands delicately scratching her neck up to her chin. Thinking.

"Hmm...let me see...maybe him, no, pockmarked face, he looks creepy.."
The Kijo gently strained her neck, muttering to herself as if she's picking what clothes to wear on her closet.

"Maybe him and that one beside him without the helm. He looks cute."
She both pointed at the two, giggling to herself, then noticed the captain looking at him.
She gave him a what-are-you-looking-at look in her eyes.

"Common, big boys. Do your job. Search."
Her clawed hands beckoning at the two like a cat hypnotizing mice with its paws.

The Kijo dropped her other leg, only to cross it over the other one.
Now resting her arms beside her, drumming at the coffin with her claws

Like a cat waiting for her dinner.
How the Kijo smiled at the idea and forgot she had a headache.

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
The captain opened his mouth, ready to announce that he could bring out a female attendant to do the job, but when Akki gave her request for two of his men to perform the search, he simply blinked. Nodding, he motioned the two (now apprehensive) guards forward, and they commenced the search. Once all malicious and suspicious items were confiscated, the captain motioned for the bronze gates to be opened. He led the strange woman to the entrance guards, who had an attendant perform another search, removing anything else he might have found that could harm anyone inside. Once this was done, the entrance patrol and the visitor were engulfed by the darkness of the archway, entering the world beyond...

The entire first floor of the complex was dedicated to audiences, what with all of the suites for exalted officials located higher up in the building. The walls were like a maze, painted with dragons and symbols and all sorts of things, though sliding doors were hidden throughout where men and women alike conducted their daily business. Eventually, they were taken to the opposite side of the floor where they were motioned to remove their shoes, the doors then sliding open to reveal a large room with plenty of decor. The room was painted a golden hue, with small statues and intricately crafted antiques dotting the perimeter. Opposite the red rug in the center of the room was a raised platform equipped with two steps. Behind this platform was a draped tapestry that had a poem woven in, speaking of a new spring and the joys that are brought with it. The focus was not on this literature, however; it was on the man sitting crosslegged on his own floor mat on this platform.

"Hello," he said flatly as a man who stood behind him shifted uneasily in his spot. "Don't mind Enxia. What can I do for you, m'lady?" the assumed Prefect asked, resting his hands on his knees with an unfaltering posture.

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
This is MTV Cribs, baby~!

Music In The Kijo's Head - "Holiday Inn" - Chingy feat. Snoop Dog & Ludacris


The Kijo only smiled while being searched by the two cuties.
Looking ahead. Looking at the high iron gates in particular.

It surrounded the courtyard as willow trees towered over the posts.
Shadows creeping across the expanse of the ground.

"Looks like Wayne's gate to me."
She muttered to herself.

"You know Wayne?"
The Kijo then asked the cute one searching on her left.

"I don't."
Answering her own question before the man could even reply.

When the search was over, and as the gates were being opened,
the Kijo looked back at her coffin and softly tsk-ed.

"Keys." She barked at the captain.
Dangling the key chain before him like he was a valet boy.
She tossed it with a blink as she passed by, taunting him once again.

The Kijo then started whistling an eerie pitched out of tune song.
One that is very disturbing to the ear as she walked beside the captain.
One look at ahead, made her stop and smile though.

She already knew what was coming.
Guessing from the feel of the place.
Guessing from the look of the guards.
A second search.

"Again? Dang, isn't this the customs or what?"
She said when they reach the entrance guards.

"Oh, wait. Search me~! Search me~! Me~! Me~!"
The Kijo waved her hands, jumping like a kid as the attendant moved towards her.

Once this was done, she and the entrance patrol were engulfed by the darkness of the archway.
Entering the world beyond...

"Ooh, welcome to the bat cave . . ."
The Kijo said with a giggle as she followed the footsteps of the guards.

"You guys don't talk much, do you, huh~?"
She asked the one to her right, raising an eyebrow.
And tried to poke him twice on the face just to see if he would react.

"Not even sign language~?
Asking the one to her left, crossing her arms as they walked.
"Nada~?"

"How about some of those innuendos~? You don't use that too, huh~?"
She asked to no one in particular.

"You know, double speak and such? You gettin' me?"
Waving her hands slightly as if to make her point.

"Fine~! Don't talk to me. Don't talk to me ever."
She declared angrily, deciding to stop badgering them as boredom took her over.
"Snobby stuck-ups."

The Kijo remained silent throughout the entire walk as if brooding.
And finally got inside a large room filled with decor.

He heard the man at the platform speak, just as she twiddled her toes at the floor.
Red carpet and yellow gold. What a combination.
Yet she didn't reply to him, just as quick.
Especially with her mood and her headache like this.
And the ambiance of the place is just making it worse.

She just looked, turning around, watching the room with utter boredom.
"Fancy place you got up here. Frugal hermit."
The Kijo said with her back turned to the man.

She then turned around to get a good look at the man, and nodded to him.
Yet the poetry on the draped tapestry behind the playform, stole her attention away.

"How I love the color of spring . . . Fills my heart with the joys it bring . . ."
Muttering to herself, barely above a whisper.
Green eyes lost as if she were reading words in a book from long ago.

Unchained Phoenix wrote:

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
haha, cribz.

The guards looked relatively pleased to finally get rid of this woman, bowing in unison before all departing in a giant hustling drove. The assumed Prefect rolled his eyes as the door slid shut behind them, their silhouettes disappearing in a matter of seconds. The elevated man's chocolate eyes moved from the door to Kijo Akki, her appearance and mannerisms capturing his interest immediately. A small smile played at the corner of his pinked lips. "Kijo Akki," he simply said, inclining his head in respect as he would to any woman who he crossed paths with. "Your surroundings are an inheritance of mine. I made no contributions to the splendor you see around you. The only thing I brought was the poem behind me, written my by mentor before I seized Shangdang."

"But enough about me," he said wistfully. "I am glad that you have come. Surely you must have questions for me? Hold nothing back."

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
I don't like poems.


Music In The Kijo's Head - "Westside Story" - The Game

The Kijo noticed the brief subtle exchange as it occured.
She merely nodded, more to herself than to the man at the platform.
So he likes rolling his eyes like that, huh?

Memories of an old friend, nudged at the back of her mind.
Her green eyes suddenly blinked as if seeing the man again for the first time.

And another strange music began once again, inside her head.
The Kijo smiled at the ceiling. Thinking.
She wondered if anyone out there was hearing what she was hearing.

The Kijo shook her head as she read the poem for a second time.
The poem was about spring. She looked at the colors.
It stung her eyes, more than it did impress her.
She sighed at all this waste of space.
Why can't he do something about it. Frugal, huh?

The Kijo casually walked towards him.
She sauntered with an air of undeniable self-possession about her.
Her head high. Her posture militant. Her demeanor unassuming.
Markings of the hard place where she grew up.
Empowered by the song in her head.

The Kijo watched "Zhao" as he talked.
His posture. The way he talked. Down to the placement of his hands.
The Kijo now halfway to the platform.

Green eyes met brown eyes.
Holding a strong gaze in a long while after the man finished.

Probing. Watching. Probing.
As if the man was being measured in a merchant's scales of some sort.

The Kijo stopped, roughly 10 feet away from the platform.
She parted a stray hair from her face, with fingers painted with nail art.
Wearing a sleek uniform of some sort with black trims at the cuffs and collars.
A forehead protector used as headband for her white hair.
Her cloak gone along with the second search.

"It was kinda hard to get here, you know." She began, scratching her cheek.
"People not really wanting to go here with the plague rumor and all that.

The Kijo remembered seeing the proclamation at the Gliding Swan Inn . . .
"Guess it wasn't just a rumor then, huh?" She ended, dropping her hand.

The Kijo continued, this time talking her thoughts loud,
"As for thinking why you want me to come here.."
She then glanced at the man behind "Zhao," then back to him.
"Seems to me that someone has already taken over the first."

"So that leaves the other two possible reasons . . ."
She trailed off, placing hands on hips.

Green eyes met brown eyes.
Probing. Watching. Probing.
And the feeling of being weighed came once again . . .

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
"I don't know how you mean," Zhao Yue replied rather warily. He knew this woman was an odd one, but simply talking to her increased his suspicions. Regardless, he knew how to keep his face tight and his head steady, keeping in control of the conversation per usual. "But I invited you here to become my top bodyguard, with a pay deserving of such a position. If you think I have any ulterior motives, then discard your preoccupations. I am interested in acquiring a great power to protect me from my assailants, and overall threaten them. Interested?" he asked.

Unchained Phoenix wrote:
You're weird. Join me!


Music In The Kijo's Head - "Death Note" - Yoshihisa Arano and Hideki Taneiuchi

The Kijo's blood boiled within, as the man's words reached her ears.
Like a bell of doom being struck, it hummed with resonance.

And for a moment, the Kijo felt her heart stop as something stirred within from its slumber.

Like big bubbles of evil in a swamp, it moved.
And the Kijo gritted her teeth at the pain.
Out of breath. Her very life, hanging in the balance.
And The Kijo hated herself for being caught off guard.

Her heart started beating again as it came to life.
But this time, it was not alone.

The Xiamo smiled . . .

She felt it clawing at the back of her mind.
Trying to get loose. Trying to get free.
Burning with eagerness.
Eagerness to kill.
Anything. Anyone.

The Xiamo caught a glimpse from the Kijo's eyes.
This one . . .

The Kijo closed her eyes shut.
And the Xiamo chuckled.

Her shoulders suddenly felt heavy and tired.
As if a fully grown man was standing on them.
A sign of the Xiamo's dormancy coming to a near end.
And to think that it was only half-awake.

The Kijo's mind raced as the Xiamo begun a low chant.

"Yes...we...I am very interested."
She suddenly said in a rich voice so different than her own.
Like the sound of cool chimes in an air of spring.
It was fluently speaking in Chinese better than she ever could.

The Kijo almost gasped but caught herself.
It felt unnatural. Foreign.
Someone else . . .

"But surely you would want some proof."
The calm voice continued using her mouth.
The Kijo felt herself shuddering just by listening to it.
And the Xiamo continued its chanting in her head, more loudly than ever.

"After all, you wouldn't just base your decision on just...rumors."
The voice taunted with a perfect smile showing teeth.
Green eyes glanced at the man behind "Zhao" then back to him.
Her mouth smiled on its own as her hand cross themselves under her bosom.

Her eyes blinked on its own.

And the Kijo found herself in a great darkness.
Looking at pair of mirrors.
It was the man at the platform.

She was looking right through her eyes.
On a pair of mirrors.

The Kijo felt a clawed hand touch her shoulder.
She gasped and held her breath.

It was chanting.
It was the Xiamo.

She wouldn't dare look behind her.
And the Xiamo continued on chanting.

The Kijo covered her mouth and cried in fear.
She must do something. Anything.
Or she would be trapped here.
Forever.

Only then did the Kijo heard what the Xiamo was chanting.
"Kill... Kill... Kill... Kill... Kill...Kill... Kill..."

And the Kijo screamed at the darkness . . .

Unchained Phoenix wrote:

"Yes, I suppose making my decision based off of rumors would be a foolish venture, but of course I--" the Prefect began, but then he noticed the stiff change in the air as a blank face stared at him for a few uncomfortable moments. Then an ear-splitting shriek ripped through the air, throwing the Prefect completely off guard as he tipped dangerously backwards, but he managed to maintain his composure as his guest apparently lost her mind. Immediately, guards in the hall stormed into the room, swords unsheathed as Kijo battled her inner demons. Laoxin raised his hand to prevent them from striking the woman, observing her as it became obvious that she was dealing with some mental issues. Perhaps she wasn't the best woman to employ now that it was obvious that she had some serious problems, but everyone had their strange quirks.

"L... Lady Kijo," the Prefect said apprehensively, "are you alright? Do you need anything?" he asked, hoping he wouldn't incite another screaming bout.

Music In The Kijo's Head - "What's Up People" - Death Note Opening 2

The Kijo blinked her eyes and she was back in the room.

The man at the platform.
An upraised hand.
Guards at the room with unsheathed swords.

Damn . . .
It happened again.
What happened anyway?

It was like waking up from a bad nightmare.
Only to find out that the nightmare was real..

All of them were looking at her, making her think hard to guess what could've happened.
She stood her ground though, her back stiffening up to glare back at them.

The Kijo then wiped the tears off her cheeks, half of the time wondering why did she cried.

No one's dead. No signs of blood. No mangled bodies.

Yet.

Well, whatever occurred back then, it surely made the guards come rushing to the room.

"No, of course I'm not alright."
She said to the Prefect in a blunt tone.
"I didn't know you cared.."
The Kijo said in a dry tone, coming back to her old self, whichever one of them.

"Well? I'm waiting."
She said, urging the Prefect to go on with whatever he was supposed to do.
Whatever that is.

The Kijo need only take one look at the guards, looking forward to stick their swords at her.
So jumpy, eager to please and touchy.
Yep, from the feel of them, he surely do need a bodyguard, alright.
That was the first thing she deduced from the letter.

What was his name again?

The Kijo only smiled at the Prefect as both dream and memory began seeping into one . . .

The Blind Devil Comes . . .

Music In The Kijo's Head - "Organ Donor" - DJ Shadow
(wait for the sounds before you start reading each line very slowly lo~ ;p)


Dark alleyway . . .

A bell ringing in the night . . .

The echo of footsteps . . .

Heavy breathing . . .

The howling sound of the wind . . . .

The deafening silence . . . . . . .

A shadow darker than the night . . . .

A creaking sound of a door opens . . . .

And a strange music in the Kijo's head begins . . . . . . . . .


The tall stranger moved like a shadow in the alleyways.
A black ghost hovering through the air with its ebony cloak.

It moved with great frenzied strides that covered great distances.

And the shadow reached the foot of the gates.
It then spoke in a whispering tone, as if hungry, both unholy and less than human . . .


Tall Stranger: "Xia Gongzhu, I am here . . ."


And the tall stranger smiled a vampiric fanged smile, and started giggling with demonic delight . . .

Ruffryder wrote:
The guards were slightly fazed at the arrival of this person...

Another one seeking the Lady Xia? Now, usually, any princess would have a bunch of dashing young suitors visit her home, but in the Lady Xia's case, it was nothing but gruff warrior, after gruff warrior.

And now scary warrior too. But, the head guard had gotten used to that now...

Shrugging, he nods, and says,

"You wish to meet the Lady Xia, sir? Very well...follow me..."

And soon, he was brought to the Lady, who was training in a small courtyard, a bead of sweat dripping down her fair face as she executed a complex series of maneuvers with her chakram axes... Catching them neatly, she turned to face her latest observers and was immediately unnerved...

Shrugging off the feeling, she asked the guard,

"Umm, who is this you've brought?"

The guard, finding himself flustered, had forgoten to ask, and he apologized,

"Actually, I forgot to ask... State your name to the princess, sir."

Voices Speaking Over and Over In The Kijo's Head - "Satanic Mantra" - Cradle of Filth




Guard: "Actually, I forgot to ask . . ."


And as the guard was just about to turn, a body bag was thrown high up in the air, whirling as it opened.
It was the bag of the tall stranger. And also, the prison of a degenerate man, who lost against the blind devil's wager.
The imprisoned man dropped to the ground on his bruised knees, wearing bloody clothes, hands bounded in chains.
He blinked his eyes and was just about to speak yet a long arm suddenly slammed to his chest with a force of such brutality.
Clawed metal gloves piercing through armor, flesh, bone and all.

The tall stranger tilted its head to the side, demonic green eyes watching the man's fruitless struggles with a smile.
A low growl escaped in its lips as it worked its claws through the man's chest with a practiced effort of one so used to doing this.

The claws slowly wormed their way to the gaps between the ribs, making sure that the man would suffer a slow, painful death.
It chuckled with such amusement, taking delight in the agonizing pain and mounting fear of this man, as if it was feeding on them.

The tall stranger hugged the man close, wrapping its other arm around him, tighter than a true love's embrace.
It was now whispering something to the man's ears, its voice hissing like snakes, dripping both with venom and lies.

The tall stranger's fanged mouth spoke things of unspeakable evil.
Blasphemous things that defied both Heaven and Earth.
The mere knowledge of which, would take the very heart of even the bravest of souls.

The tall stranger then glanced at the princess as it whispered.
Its clawed arms suddenly snapped the man's two upper ribs with such cruelty.
It then gave the man a one final kiss to his cheek, as it let him drop to the ground.
Lifeless and unmoving.

The tall stranger casted the two broken ribs to the side without so much as a care.
For it was now holding in its bloody claws, the living heart of the now dead man.

A chalice of made of human flesh.
Filled with the blood of an innocent.
Tinged with both fear and terror.

The fanged smile disappeared as it now greedily drank the warm blood from the heart.
Spills came, brushing the tall stranger's cheeks and painted them red.

Such was the extent of the fulfillment of its perverted pleasure that it roared out a guttural roar ~!
Both raw and primal. Reveling with glorious ecstasy in this.

Yet the tall stranger's vision suddenly blurred, dropping the empty heart.
Its whole body now convulsing, aching, and burning in the fires of extreme pain and maddening agony.

The tall stranger died within and was no more, as it slowly became something else.
Something more, something less than human.

Whatever it was, the purpose of why it came here was now lost and forgotten.
Its frenzied eyes sought out for something, anything, a someone, to turn its burning hatred to.
Eyes all white, for it is now literally blinded with unholy rage and demonic fury.

Its nose and ears then caught the whiff and sound of something in the air.
A bead of sweat. And a living heart. Pumping strong.
And could that be the slight smell of fear?

It suddenly hissed with its fanged mouth and bloody cheeks.
With blinding speed, the thing moved towards its next target.
Long reaching claws clenched themselves twice mechanically as fires suddenly spring forth.
An unholy marriage of hellish flames and black steel.

Howling a maniacal laugh in the air, the thing was now running towards the princess . . .





The Xiāmó (瞎魔)

The Blind Devil challenges the Xia Gongzhu in a friendly duel lo~!
Tactics will be sent to whomever Ruffryder chooses lo~

Galagros wrote:
While the strange man was being chopped to pieces, the horrified guard screamed and began yelling for reinforcements. He drew his sword and held it ready. "Stay back, demon! Keep away from our Lord's daughter!" By the time Kijo Akki could begin to charge Xià Liangyu, four more guards had responded to the calls for help. Each man was running toward the corpse and bloodied man with spears leveled. Two more guards could be heard racing to the scene, but were not yet in sight.

The guard, emboldened by visible aid, spoke again. "Stay back or you will perish here and now!"


This is a plot situation. I need tactics from all parties involved for actions. Either party may speak without sending it to me, however.

RuffRydeR wrote:
Liangyu found herself being approached by...Whatever that was...Readying herself, weapons being drawn, she stuttered,

"Who...who...what are you!?"

A guard informed her, apprehensively,

"You invited that...that thing, ma'am!"

"Ugh, well, whatever it is, I'm stopping it!"

She gripped her blades, and prepared to defend herself, shrieking,

"Well, if it wants a fight, then I'll give it one! Then, we'll figure out this whole body bag thing..."

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
The Mountain Cliffs At Yan
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

There is no glory, nor fulfillment, in being this.
No use loving what cannot be loved.
Loneliness, self paralyzing. Denial, self blinding.
The sickening stench of it filled the air.

Is there anyone . . . someone . . . worthy of loving, at all ~?
A great sadness overcame his heart and filled it with disappointment.
Inside, the Gray felt empty, hollow and without purpose.





∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
The Courtyard At Yin
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

There is no glory, nor fulfillment, in winning this.
No use fighting what cannot be defeated.
Cowardice, self degrading. Fear, self defeating.
The sickening stench of it filled the air.

Is there anyone . . . someone . . . worthy of fighting, at all ~?
A great sadness overcame her heart and filled it with disappointment.
Inside, the Kijo felt empty, hollow and without purpose.

Is there . . .
. . . . anyone
anyone . . . .
. . . . . . . . someone
someone . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . worthy of
worthy of . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . loving
fighting . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . at all
at all . . . . . . . .


A single moment then spun itself into existence outside the boundaries of time.
Near became far. And far became near.
It lasted a heartbeat. And lasted forever.
The path of two souls intertwined, forged as if one.





∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
? ? ?
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

The Kijo slowly opened her eyes.
And found herself lying in the courtyard.

The Gray slowly opened his eyes.
And found herself lying in the cliffs.

Yet where the courtyard bricks ended, the mountain cliffs began.
It was as if the two places collided, divided by a thin, sinuous line.
The sky above was dark and endlessly black.
And a strange feeling looms in the air, as if all were hanging upside down.
No sense of direction at all.
If there is even such a thing in this . . . whatever this place is . . .

Raising up on her burning clawed hands, the Kijo watched the Gray from a distance with curiosity.
He was looking back at her too.
Watching.

His face is plain and expressionless, with dark circles around his eyes.
His short black hair cut in a fashion of pointed daggers.
Wearing a sneering perverted smile that cannot be trusted.

With a gaze as if they were the eyes of a man who knew he was already dead and accepted it.
Cold and disturbing yet at the same time burning with something else.
Burning with an all consuming passion.
Growing with every second with all this watching.

The Kijo noticed a ominous massive axe at his side.
The very sight of it, awesome, terrifying to behold.
No one would survive if that wicked serrated blade ever went the wrong way.

And all things suddenly made sense in her mind.
No matter what this place is, the purpose was obvious.
The Kijo asked for this and something . . . someone . . . answered back.

An answer. A chance. A fight.
Isn't this what she always wanted ~?
The Kijo felt goosebumps spreading like wildfire in her arms.

And with the natural order of things, curiosity manifested to questions.


The Gray: "What is this p. . who are you . . . ?"

The Kijo: "I am Kijo Akki. And I'm here to fight you . . . *looks at the massive wicked looking axe as if tranced*"

The Gray: "Fight me? *eyebrow raised* Heh, any chance . . . we can talk . . . normally. . . know each other perhaps. . . ? *evil grin*"

The Kijo: "Not a chance in hell . . ."


The Gray only sneered a with a dog-like smile as he bent to pick up his massive two-handed axe, four feet tall.


The Gray: "Guess I have to ask my questions along the way . . . shall we dance?"

The Kijo: "With pleasure. *fanged smile*"


The Kijo then charged low and aimed high.
Hellish flames spring forth from clawed metal hands.
Literally burning with magnificence.
Green eyes smiling. Heart aching for this great battle.
And for the first time in her young life, the Kijo was truly happy.

The Gray only sneered with a mocking laugh,
A hand resting in his waist. The other clutching the massive axe in his shoulder.
Literally breathing with arrogance.
Gray eyes filmed with sarcasm. Mind filled with contempt.
Yet for the first time in his young life, the Gray was truly afraid.



∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Back at the Courtyard at Yin
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

The Xiāmó suddenly stopped in its tracks, breaking bricks along its path.
Fire and oil started to surround it, its cloak now starting to burn.
Only serving to amplify the horrifying sight of this aberration of nature.

And for the first time, the Xiāmó dominated this body uninhibited.
It was as if it was suddenly free. The mortal chains broken and gone.

It growled and reveled at its sudden freedom.
The Xiāmó could perfectly hear the rush of guards in the vicinity of the courtyard.
Strangely, it waited for more to come. It really wished that every soldier would come.
It waited sixteen years for a chance like this, certainly it could wait a few moments more.
The Xiāmó could not help itself but chuckle.
Its voice deep, like the sound of a multitude.
The Xiāmó was many. The Xiāmó was one.

The Xia Gongzhu found herself being approached by...Whatever that was...Readying herself, weapons being drawn, she stuttered,

"Who...who...what are you!?"

A guard informed her, apprehensively,

"You invited that...that thing, ma'am!"

The Xiāmó: "I am Kijo Akki. And I'm here to fight you . . ."

"Ugh, well, whatever it is, I'm stopping it!"

The Xiāmó: "Not a chance in hell . . ."

The Xia Gongzhu gripped her blades, and prepared to defend herself, shrieking,

"Well, if it wants a fight, then I'll give it one! Then, we'll figure out this whole body bag thing..."

The Xiāmó: "With pleasure."

The Xiāmó could not help itself but snarl to the woman at the open challenge.
This mortal. This young girl talking as if able.
The Xiāmó would break her. Make her wish she was dead.
Surrounded by these pathetic weaklings.
Only the coward would find strength in numbers.
They would never know the gift of true strength, found through the self.

The Xiāmó smiled, as it crawled on all fours towards the princess.
And the Xiāmó's world burned . . .


Kijo Akki will fight with the Gray lo~!
The Xiāmó will fight the Xia Gongzhu lo~!
Duel Tactics for a FRIENDLY DUEL sent to Galagros lo~

The Tall Stranger at the River Docks . . .

Rumour wrote:
- A dreaded ghost ship has been spotted on moonlit nights sailing down the Yellow river. Several reputable captains have claimed that it's been sinking vessels on the river along the banks of Liang, Chu, Yin, and Henan. Authorities in both Henan and Chu deny the wild claims.

Post Theme Song - "Castlevania" - Symphony X

The silence of the moonlit midnight was interrupted, as a whistling song,
very disturbing and so much out of tune, seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere as the sound of footsteps followed the tall stranger's shadow.
Black metal gloves flickered a gold coin now and then between its fingers, dancing in "tune" with the out of tune whistling song.
The flowing long hooded cloak glided like a black ghost through each step.

The tall stranger's every stride was slow and swaggering, as each booted feet lazily touched the wooden planks of the river docks.
Wondering, the tall stranger unceremoniously dropped a large bag to its side, producing a yelping sound from within as something squirmed as if wanting to get out.
Giving no attention whatsoever to the squirming bag, the tall stranger placed its booted feet on top of it as green eyes searched around the docks, wondering where to start investigating about this wild rumor . . .

Silly Narrator wrote:
The docks Kijo Akki stood on were not particularly busy. There were three trading vessels and two barges, the fishing fleet being out on the river plying their trade. Two of the trading vessels were in the midst of being unloaded, but the other three were moored and inactive. Their crews were most likely scattered through the three wine houses that were nearby.

Post Theme Song - "Echo" - Incubus

The tall stranger licked its lips as it took in the sight of the cargoes being unloaded from the two trading vessels. Like a predator watching its prey, the tall stranger continued its disturbing whistling song as it carefully observed the order and manner of which things are going with the trading vessels. The tall stranger meticulously noted how many cargo men were there at the docks doing their jobs, and the number of guards on duty, and the manner of their weapons and equipment as well.
Like a tiger biding for its time, The tall stranger smiled with its fangs in anticipation.

Surely, with the rumors of this dreaded "ghost" ship hanging around, the merchants would invest more on protecting their investments. It would not be surprising if the number of guards were doubled than the usual.
But then again, some people don't take rumors of ghostly things very lightly, even try to avoid it if possible in some cases.
Especially ghostly rumors that sinks real vessels.

After taking some time watching from a distance, the tall stranger stopped its pretentious cover of walking to and fro as if very undecided.
It then picked up the large bag with its right hand, sighed a lungful of air and swung it around at its back as it strode towards the direction of the wine houses.
The large bag seems to be muttering something low and sarcastic to itself.

Upon reaching the front of the three wine houses, the tall stranger looked around for someone who looks like that can be bugged around with its questions.
It would then stop its out of tune whistling and speak in a husky voice, one too deep for a woman, with a particular accent that is unused to speaking in Chinese. . .


Tall Stranger: "Uhm, uhm, can I bug you for a second? Is-is the... captain around...I mean, inside...? I-I'm looking for... work. Guard duty, you know?"


The tall stranger would then try to look imposing and "impressive" by tapping a left boot on the floor, with its shapely legs and long legged feet but at the same time, try not to send out any unwanted false messages . . .
The tall stranger attempts to use its Mgt+Cha stat to get information lo~!

((If there were none to ask questions to, the tall stranger would knock on the door of the wine house on the left or any of the three doors that its Jdg stat can figure for itself as to where the captain is . . .))

Silly Narrator wrote:
There were three sailors standing outside the wine houses, though the sounds of a great many more came from the open doors of the buildings. Two of the soldiers outside were sharing a big wine jug and squinted up at the stranger with bleary eyes when he spoke. The smell coming off of them was vile, and one of them simply burped in response. The third sailer, who was looking at the two drunken men with irritation on his face turned to the stranger and looked him up and down.

"Guard duty? Always looking for men who can handle themselves in a fight - but you'd need to know how to row or sail to be on my ship."
He aimed a vicious kick at one of the drunken men, and when his foot landed, the man vomited all over the man's feet.

Cursing, he glowered at the two men, and then looked back at the stranger. "If you can do that, you can have one of these useless bastards places on my ship."

Music In The Kijo's Head - "Because I Got High" - Afroman

The tall stranger only gave half a smile as the drunken guard only burped in response, for it was now already listening to the music it always hated to hear, whenever there are drunken men around.
The tall stranger hated all men to begin with. It hated stupid men who acted like dogs, more. But it really hated drunken men, above all.

The tall stranger was looking at the drunk who burped at it, looking down from its hood at the man with green cat-like eyes, both with a look of silent menace and cold-blooded hostility.
Its mind already wondering how to torture this wretched man using wine, including the other one too, just for the sole reason of drinking with his stupid friend on duty.


Guard 3: "Guard duty? Always looking for men who can handle themselves in a fight - but you'd need to know how to row or sail to be on my ship."


The tall stranger noticed the presence of a third guard, as he answered the question with the tone of one who has some measure of authority.
It stopped its cold glare at the two drunken men and silently watched with a tilted head at the third guard, who was now looking up and down at it, as if measuring its worth.
The tall stranger only gave a short nod at the man, now finding someone who is worth the time to ask questions to.

The tall stranger was just about to answer yet the third guard, aimed a vicious kick at one of the drunken men, and when his foot landed, the man vomited all over the man's feet.
Some of it sprayed over the ground in front of the tall stranger, a tiny bit reaching on its boots. Just a tiny bit. Yet it was all that the tall stranger needed to mark the faces of the two, as two dead men walking.
Oh, how the tall stranger gritted its teeth with a derisive fanged smile.


Guard 3: "If you can do that, you can have one of these useless bastards places on my ship."


The tall stranger put down its hood back so as to show its face, white hair waving like living snakes in the calm breeze, held back by a forehead protector.
Clawed metal gloves parted some stray hair away from its face.
The tall stranger was a slim, tall girl in cloak standing at 5'10" and started speaking in a calm voice that sounded like cool chimes . . .


Tall Stranger: "I worked six months on a passenger ship at the great sea to the east, I think I can handle sailing in a river. Is that fair enough?"


Some of the tall stranger's old dreaded memories seemed to break loose on its own, causing a slight headache that only fueled its rising anger.
Yet in truth, the tall stranger was a "six months" passenger, one who did more than just watch the boys who worked the ropes and swept the floors.

The tall stranger, was indeed, only telling the truth.
Six months lost at sea, and as extreme hunger turned civilized men and women into mere cannibalistic animals, everybody just started eating everybody.
It was man against man, a brutal free for all, where only the strong survives.
For six months, the tall stranger "worked" at sea. It worked pretty damn fine, all right . . .

The tall stranger began to ask the third guard, as if half-dazed, part of its mind already floating back to those memories of frenzied flesh-eating nightmare . . .


Tall Stranger: "Your boys seemed to be taking their time enjoying themselves, so I take it that the ships aren't going to leave soon? I know an old friend gambling in a tavern nearby, do you need another one?"


The tall stranger's tone was cold, derisive and indifferent. Green eyes glazed and staring with disgust at the two pathetic men, as if it was looking at worms.
It didn't care if the two drunk men heard its open intention to replace them both.
In truth, part of the the tall stranger's mind was waiting if the two drunken men would react with violence, for it would then have a valid reason to put them out of their misery.

The tall stranger would then stand in a casual standing position, leaning its weight on its left foot, the bag held dangling at its back with its clawed right hand.
It then casually glanced back at the third guard, as if she was merely discussing about replacing old livestock and inefficient cattle.

The tall stranger gave a simple fanged smile that can only be described as dangerously beautiful . . .

Silly Narrator wrote:
The man looked Kijo up and down, and it was clear now that he must be either a captain or first mate of the ship he was talking about, "No, my ship is leaving late this afternoon. Which is my problem. These two worthless, " he kicked the nearest man again, "sacks of donkey guts are supposed to be helping load my ship right now."

The man who vomited simply burped again, and then slumped over against the wine jug, snoring. The other one, however, rose shakily to his feet, and stumbled towards Kijo, stopping just short of the odd looking man and swaying there drunkenly, "Yer a . . . freak. And yer not takin' my spot on the ship. Freak."

He tried to poke Kijo in the chest with a finger, but missed and got him in the shoulder instead.

Post Theme Song - "Anna Molly" - Incubus

The tall stranger's eyes widened for a moment.
The drunk tried to poke her in the chest with a finger, but missed and got her in the shoulder instead.

She retaliated by attempting to catch his hand.
Quickly twist it in such a way that the drunk would end up with his back turned against her, both hand and balance, at the mercy of her left hand.


Tall Stranger: "I'm not a freak. I am Kijo Akki and your captain has just replaced you, boy. Deal with it. Whine all you want and drink yourself to death~!"


The Kijo would then do more than brutally try to break his right hand.
Every single finger, bones and all, hit him at at the back of his head with a carefully placed blow.
One meant to knock him out, and then slam his back with the bag in hand towards his sleeping friend.
The bag would mumble a stifled groan at the same time it made contact.
As if it was used to being used as a weapon. Very handy.

She came here to investigate, not to kill.
She would not let a drunk get the better..the worst.. of her temper.
So, the ship would leave late this afternoon . . .
No time to call that gambling friend.

The Kijo would then mutter in her native language about dogs and whining.
Narrowing her eyes as she took in a breath to calm her rising anger down.
Shaking her head while crossing her arms, tapping the floor with her boots.
Like a mother giving the man a no-nonsense look after spanking her children.


Kijo Akki: "Uhm, I guess you are Captain ...uhm.. I think I haven't got your name yet.
Anyway, you mentioned loading your ships... where should I start? So we can all be done with it.."


The Kijo groaned at the very thought of lifting heavy cargoes.
But if she had to bloody drag every flamin' box out of those bloody wine houses just to get these flamin' ships to sail, she bloody would.

Scratching her left cheek, she glanced at the nearest ship, figuring out where the man would place her, keeping an eye out on the two drunken men.

That bloody ghost ship better flamin show up today, or else it would be the bloody one sinking down in the flamin' river . . .


((Uh, uhm, is it daytime lo~?
I think I remember coming at the docks at night lo~
'Cause Akki rarely ever goes out during the day lo~ . . .))

Silly Narrator wrote:
The sailor screamed as Kijo broke the bones of his hand and then sent him sprawling over his drunken companion, who barely stirred at all.

The Captain raised an eyebrow, but narrowed his eyes and watched Kijo with new interest. "A girl, eh. Well, you know how to fight, that's for sure, and that's always useful. You can call me Captain Zhang. I'm known as Black Zhang around here. Come with me."

Black Zhang led Kijo to one of the three vessels on the water, a long, wide craft with a fairly shallow draft, and a complete deck, useful for fighting off boarders. Other men, a real hard-bitten rough-looking lot, had already gathered, about a dozen in all, and were loading crates onto the ship and lots of rope. Kijo noticed that the rope was thinner than that used for the sail rigging, and that they seemed to be loading up quite a bit of it.

Black Zhang pointed to the crates and rope and growled. "Help get those aboard, then come see me. We're sailing an hour before sunset. And get rid of whatever is in that bag. No animals on my ship. Other than my men at least."

Music In The Kijo's Head - "I'm Broken" - Pantera


The Kijo slowly nodded at him when the man introduced himself as if she was really listening attentively.
Giving him a sweet daughterly smile just like those noble brats would do.
Only to completely drop it all off, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
As she sticked her tongue out when the Captain turned his back.

Black Zhang . . .
She wondered how did the Captain ever ended up with such a name.
Looks more like Eyebrow Zhang.
Batting his big eyes like that at her.
Watching her as if she suddenly grew wings.

The Kijo nodded along with the sounds in her head as she followed the captain.
Watching the men and the boats, she then noticed the thinner than usual "rigging" ropes.

Scratching her cheek, she was just about to ask the captain when he suddenly spoke, pointing to the crates, growling with instructions.
Talking about getting rid of the "animal" in her bag.
Talking about seeing him after too. What the heck does that mean?

The Kijo slightly pondered about this for a short while.
Clawed hands delicately scratching her neck up to her chin. Thinking.

"Fine. At least, this little thief learned a thing or two about real discipline."
She said to the captain, complying with a finality in her tone.
Dropping the little bag to the side like if it really just slipped.
It gave a squeak, surprised at being dropped like that.

The Kijo then covered her mouth with a finger, mouthing an "Oops."
And as she opened the bag, a small kid in ragged peasant clothes suddenly came out.

It was ugliest kid any mother could ever want to have.
His ears were big, with a little pudgy nose and a smile that shined yellow as if golden.
He would never grow anything close to handsome.

The ugly kid rubbed his eyes, and gasped at the sight of the tall Kijo beside her.
She was smiling. She looks like she wants to eat him.

"If I ever see you inside the shop again . . ."
The Kijo trailed off, letting her fanged smile finish it for her.

The ugly kid just ran, screaming as he bumped the captain.
Not even stopping until he was out of the docks. Back into town.

The Kijo found the ugly kid robbing the same shop as she was.
It annoyed her that he was right beside her the whole time.
And she didn't even notice.

The ugly kid deciding to scare her with a boo just for the fun of it.
Not knowing that the Kijo would not only scare him, but place him inside her bag as well.

"No animals allowed."
She declared as she dangled the empty bag in the air beside her.
"An hour before sunset, huh? Fair enough."
She muttered as she passed the captain before he could even reply.

The Kijo would then slowly approach the biggest box, try to move it along side, just to judge its weight, before trying to lift it with all her strength.
The Kijo would lift it in such a way that it would end up on her back, both supported by her clawed hands to the side.

She would then slowly but surely walk towards the boats, avoiding any slippery wet grounds along the way.

She would then ask anyone whoever blocks her way to the ships in a pleasant way.
"Excuse me. Get the heck out of my way. Please . . ?"
Never let it be said that the Kijo cannot be polite when she needs to be.
Letting out a smile, so that they would not be offended.
Baring a fanged smile. As meek as a sheep.

The Tall Stranger at Jiujang . . .

The tall stranger walked lazily as if drunk across the street. Coming out of a dark alleyway, its black hooded cloak billowing too as if half-asleep. It was a clear night and stars filled the dark sky. Yet the sound of the tall stranger's soft-padded boots made no sound with each sluggish step. And it seemed as if the tall stranger was carrying a big bag, muffled sounds coming from the inside, something wriggling and struggling to get out, as it now moved towards the front of the gates.

Upon reaching the gates, the tall stranger stopped completely, straightening now to its full height as it dropped the bag to its side without so much a care for the yelping sound it made. Reaching down from its hooded cloak, the tall stranger moved and felt for its pockets as if it forgot something, searching as it rested its booted feet on top of the bag as if it was a rock. The bag moved and wriggled with its muffled angry sounds yet the tall stranger just whispered fiercely at it to shut up and stay still.

As the tall stranger heard the sound of the guards at the front of the gates, it opened its mouth as if to say some ritual password, only to realize that this particular gate was not the one that the tall stranger had intended to request entrance in the first place~! A cold bead of sweat suddenly streaked down the tall stranger's cheek . . .

Yet the tall stranger covered up quickly by clearing its throat as its spoke now in a husky tone, with a voice too deep for a woman . . .

Tall Stranger: I have a letter...? *gulp*

Numinous wrote:
The guards watching the gate leading the audience hall of Yi Lian crossed their spears habitually at the approach of the suspicious stranger, while the middle-aged captain of the gate in his armor appeared to greet the man. "Who goes there? You've a letter of introduction from the Prefect?" he queried in a gruff tone, eying the rather large bag on the visitor's back that he could've sworn was moving a second ago...

The tall stranger's instinctively scratched its left cheek, an old habit it does when things are not going the way they are supposed to.
It then licked its lips as it looked around for a moment to get its bearings, thinking of something to get out of this without trouble.
And as it turned its head back to the middle-aged captain, it smiled an amused smile, one that showed with great confidence.

Tall Stranger: "I had a letter..."

Smiling, the tall stranger took the middle-aged captain's long silence as its cue.
After a small bow towards the captain, a gesture of respect for his age,
the tall stranger simply muttered something soft in the air about wrong letters and wrong gates and slowly bent down to pick up its large bag.
The tall stranger gave a sigh of relief as it stood up, barely escaping this one, of many things.
The night is still young and with a shrug at the soldiers, the tall stranger began to walk its long legged strides, whistling an out of tune song that seems to be a funeral song for the doomed.


((Being ignored, the tall stranger will calmly walk away from the gate back towards the dark alleyway where it came from . . .))

Kimche wrote:
The guards who had a moment of brief daydream saw that the man was leaving, he called out, "Wait! Sorry about that!" He said. "If you want to see the lady, you can see her after a brief search?"

The tall stranger stopped for a moment to smile at its continuing streak of bad luck.
Turning around, the tall stranger slowly breathed a lungful of air as it walked towards the gates again "unwillingly".
Dropping the bag casually as it whispered something soft in the air in some unknown language,
the tall stranger stood up once again with its full towering height, amplified by the long hooded cloak on its head.

Tall Stranger: "Sure, if the lady would have me . . ."

The tall stranger complied to the search as it began whistling an out of tune song for the doomed, and smiled with sarcasm for itself . . .

Kimche wrote:
"And what is your name?" The guard asked as he searched and removed all of the things that can be used as weapons.

The tall stranger stopped whistling for a moment to answer the guard who asked the question. How it really dreaded the question.
Yet the tall stranger still smiled that knowing smile as it then quickly tossed its hood to the back so that the guards could see her face clearly.

Tall Stranger: "I am Kijo Akki . . ."

Akki continued her disturbing little smile as her short white shock of hair, reaching up to her cheeks, slithered down lazily like snakes, partly kept in place by her forehead protector, with the symbol of a red cloud.
Her long arms were still stretched to both sides, as still like a scarecrow, yet they ended up in clawed metal gloves, not moving an inch yet seemingly imposing to strike at anyone, should there anything go on beside the search.
She would not try to resist if they removed it as well.

If the guards had been keeping tabs on the local news going around the small towns, then they would surely recognize her name as one of the most wanted and notorious criminals in Jiujang.
From kidnapping children of rich merchants, poisoning village wells and murdering old people, even torturing lost cattle and livestock, to robbing warehouses and granaries in broad daylight:
Kijo Akki's small reputation had been nothing but infamous and the people named her the Xiāmó (Blind Devil - 瞎魔).

Both an efficient bounty hunter and a cold-blooded assassin, the young girl seemed to be purposely throwing herself and her now rumored newly founded guild of thieves, "The Jinkotsu", into endless troubles as if seeking death itself.
Why, only last month, she was reported to have hunted down and killed all the four membered band of horse thieves led by a a bald man, singlehandedly, who unfortunately preyed upon her horse.

Only a thin dagger was found from her from the search, hidden beneath the side of her right boot.
Akki made a casual passing glance to each and everyone in front of her yet avoided eye contact.
She then spoke in a neutral calm tone, her disturbing smile now gone . . .

Kijo Akki: "Am I clear now?"

JCH wrote:
After the search and disarming of all dangerous things, Kijio Akki is escorted inside. Bao Deng is taking audiences. There are guards inside.

Bao Deng: Hello there. I am Bao Deng. I understand that you had a letter from our administration. Who might have written you?

The Kijo started whistling out of tune again as she was escorted by the guards inside.
Being disarmed didn't bother her at all, for she hardly uses them anyway. She wished she wouldn't regret losing them this night.
She took her own time walking as casually as she can, darting glances here and there at any hallways and passages they passed by.

And if the guards didn't take her bag along with her weapons, she would be holding it at her back, firmly held by her right hand.
Ignoring the little squirms inside the bag, the Kijo idly wondered as to who she would get to meet here this night so full of bad luck.

Upon being escorted inside, the Kijo quickly noted the number of guards, their position and the manner of their equipment.
She also noted a man taking audiences. The Kijo only gave a soft sigh of disappointment.
And she berated her silly self for thinking she would get to see the Marquis, herself. Bah~! You must be dreaming, girl~!

At first glance, the Kijo didn't like the man's face at all. Not at all. Nu uh.
It's like one of those weird situations when you meet people and didn't like them for no logical reason at all.
You just don't like them, And you don't trust them. Period.

Yet she noticed, those sharp, intelligent eyes that gazed back at her.
And somehow at the back of her mind, the man's name, as he introduced himself, seemed familiar. Very familiar.


Bao Deng: "Hello there. I am Bao Deng. I understand that you had a letter from our administration. Who might have written you?"


"Hello yourself" was the first thing that came to the Kijo's mind for an answer.
And with that, she made a sly, sneering grin before she could stop herself, as she bit her lower lip with a smile.
The Kijo cleared her throat once, then twice, as if hinting at the escort beside to introduce her name.
And if the guard beside her failed to grab what she was obviously doing, the Kijo would then roll her eyes and simply introduce her name with her husky, slithering voice that sounded like the hiss of snakes . . .


Kijo Akki: "I am Kijo Akki. I think I may have heard your name somewhere . . . something about the battle of Xuyi, perhaps ~?"


The Kijo purposely ignored the question, stalling the man and buying some time to think of a name, any name at all, that could be an officer of the Marquis Yi.
But no~! Her silly mind really have to deny to give her any names that could help her, does it ~? Bah~!

Parting a stray hair from her face with a finger, she looked at the nearest chair, if there were any, then to Bao Deng, then back to the chair.
The Kijo then spoked in a mumbling voice, as dry as the sand . . .


Kijo Akki: "Nice chair . . ."


"Wish I could sit on it, >.>" was the next comment that she spoke on her mind.
And if there were any people in the audience beside her, that Bao Deng is in charge of:
The Kijo would first openly watch them, listen to what they are talking about, with a bored expression on her face, before she would speak any of these dialogues to Bao Deng.


((OOC: Please don't take offense, /me is just rping Akki lo~))

JCH wrote:
Bao Deng was surprised that this woman knew his name from just one battle. It gave him a sense of satisfaction to say the least.

Bao Deng: Yes, I was part of the Xuyi invasion force. It will most likely be the only bright shining day of my life, but I'm content. Now, to the topic, why are you here?

Music Playing in the Kijo's Head - "Sadness" - Lee Hyori


Bao Deng: "Yes, I was part of the Xuyi invasion force. It will most likely be the only bright shining day of my life, but I'm content. Now, to the topic, why are you here?"


"Shining day my foot, why don't you let me sit first?" was the answer in the Kijo's mind.

Yet the Kijo only gave a sweet smile for an answer, something so sweet and beguiling, yet in reality, she was simply gritting her teeth.
Gritting her teeth in slight anger, causing a sweet fanged smile, half-wanting to bash the man's head with the bag she is carrying behind her.

The Kijo wondered if the man was as "gracious" a host like this to all the audiences he held.
Only then she noticed that she felt thirsty, and that her feet were sore and the bag behind her was getting heavier by every second she remained standing.

The Kijo didn't really care about the guards around the man, for whatever they are really worth.
If the Kijo would like to bash the man's head, she would really jump towards him and do more than bashing it.
Yet she tried to suppress her rising urge to bash someone by listening to the "music" she is "hearing" from her head.
It was calming yet the lyrics she heard were so sad, depressing and so lonely. Stupid men. And their stupid love. Dogs.


Kijo Akki: ". . ."


For a very long moment, the Kijo's mind drifted as all the sounds around her became lost and forgotten and the music inside her head was the only thing she paid attention to.
Leaning her weight on one feet, she stood there, staring at the chair, with lost eyes, as if it was made of gold or perhaps she really wants to take a sit?
The Kijo slowly closes her eyes for just a short moment and then opens them slowly just as well. Rinse and repeat.

--After some time being ignored . . .


For a very long moment, the Kijo stood there like a bamboo tree.
Waiting if the man would ever break out of his silence.

"Uhm..looks like you're..busy." She said, scratching her cheek.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not supposed to be here."
The Kijo muttered to herself with a smile before she made a small bow.
Making some gestures of respect and all that, backing out of the room.

She just shook her head, sighing.
But not for loss. But for relief.
Relief that she would be able to get out of this place.

The Kijo would then talk to the guards to escort her back to the entrance.
She would also ask for her things that they took from the search.

The Kijo would then leave with her bag, looking back at the gates.
How close a call it was from getting arrested.
The Kijo smiled as she went to her next destination.

She would do all this, unless stopped.

The Tall Stranger at the Town . . .

It was a dark night filled with lightning and thunder. The rain was pouring very hard, drumming like mad hammers on the roof tiles of the town and on the streets, people were hurrying back towards their homes as peddlers tried to cover their fruits and wares as they pushed their wooden carts along.

In a small alleyway, the splash of running footsteps were heard as a bald man cried for help, stumbling in the dark of the shadows, followed by a loud crash of broken empty crates. The bald man, now laying dizzy on his back while clutching a nasty welt on his right temple with his gnarled, hairy hands, continued to helplessly shout for help to anyone, anyone at all, who can hear him in the moaning rainy wind.

Suddenly, a leather boot appeared from the darkness beside and kicked him to his side, producing a loud grunt and a stifled yelp of pain. Another boot came in hard just as fast, this time placing a well-aimed jabbing kick below his chin and two yellow teeth hastily flew out of the bald man's mouth and made a clinking sound at the ground. Another boot came in. Another. And another. And it was as if the bald man was being kicked by ten men, producing more grunts and shouts of terror from the bald man. It seemed a lifetime has passed after the torrent of merciless kicks, and to the bald man's credit, he was still conscious and alive, much to his great dismay. A toothy smile slowly crept in the face of the tall stranger. A smile that told great pleasure in causing pain to this man above all.

Black gloves gripped the side of the man's tattered shirt and with a practiced effort, threw the bald man up in the air, to the baldie's great surprise. And just as sudden was the throw, just as slow was the time for the tall stranger, for everything was now moving slow, much too slow to the stranger's eyes. It was as if time itself slowed its pace for the stranger's great perception.

Sweeping the floor with it's long feet, the stranger prepared the stance of "Tower of Morning" - A quick, vertical slash of its long feet, starting low and ending high, right in the middle of the bald man's chest. Yet another kick was coming in as the tall stranger perfectly went with the flow of its lithe body, now literally head over heels and floating in the air, as its left boot now timed for "Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind" - A short-range jumping spin-swipe, used for beheading, the stranger using the spin of its body as the main force behind the finishing kick.

The sickening sound of boot-to-skull was heard ten feet away as the bald man's neck cracked, and gave way, dropping mangled to the ground, lifeless and miserable. And for a short time there was only silence. Silence and the sound of heavy raindrops, now mixing in with the splattered blood on the ground. How the stranger smiled a toothy vampiric smile as it looked at the man's eyes. And how great was the feeling of exhilaration now rushing through its blood. The feeling of dominance and control over the life of this wretched creature before the tall stranger. Yet it was short-lived. Already, the rush was dissipating and along with it the memory of seeing the life of the bald man slowly fade away from its eyes. And so was the smile.

The tall stranger narrowed its eyes as if hungry for more. After emptying the bald man of his pockets for gold, the stranger only found fifty Yuans. Spitting at the face of the bald man with utter disgust and contempt, the tall stranger slowly stood and simply began to turn its head as if hearing something at a distance. The dead man's face looked at the tall stranger as if begging for forgiveness. A very high price to pay for stealing the stranger's horse. A price the bald man paid for with his very own life. The tall stranger walked away ever so casually in a lazy swaggering way back into the darkness of the alleyway as if nothing of note happened. A letter came in just this day and the matter of wasting precious time burned the stranger. Oh how it burned the stranger above all. But at the very least, the stranger can have a warm bowl of ramen this night . . .

jiangbao wrote:
((The ever so scary Vampire!))
Jing rolled his eyes followed the man, his people behind him, and said, "Are you gonna answer me, or just sit there." Why did he always meet troublemakers or weirdos, it was not often he met normal people. Jing then said in a louder tone, "What gave you the right to kill him? Are you just a deranged sociopath? Or did he cross you?"

The tall stranger suddenly stopped in its tracks. Perhaps ticked at something that the noisy man had blabbered perhaps? It looked up at the sky as if waiting for something, or was it just recalling some old memories ? Yet the tall stranger's halt lasted only but for a short moment, and it was as if time, yet again, slowed for just an instant to the tall stranger's perception, as it now quickly turned around its body, only to nimbly jump backwards as soon as its long clawed hands worked in a crazy blur, meticulously flipping each and every single coin from the stolen purse in the air before the group of men.

The coins, end over end, so marvelously revolving in mid-air as if dancing with the fall of raindrops, singing their way to the pleasant tune of an unheard song. So slow, so wonderful. Yet time righteously aligned itself back to its normal pace, creaking with great anger at the tall stranger as everything now moved with normal speed. Thunder and lightning stroked the rainy sky, bathing them all with both sound and great light, The coins caught the lightning's glimmer and multiplied it tenfold, producing a flash bang that would blind the eyes of those who dared to watch its beauty.

And just as sudden was the flash of light, just as quick was the sound of running footsteps in the rain, as the tall stranger took the moment to escape, its cackling laughter both mocking and inviting . . .