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05:38, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

First Steps.

Posted by WujiFor group 0
Mei Hua
player, 7 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 00:21
  • msg #3

First Steps

Mei Hua was no less excited to be in the city, but then her fascination with bigger cities was not exactly unknown. She grew up in agrarian area of a backwater planet. While space might be too big for her, she wasn't shy about enjoying her time in the city when they weren't raising blades to keep ruffians at bay. Mei offered a bright smile at the server and requested green tea and a spicy tofu dish.

To Jia, she responded, "Oh, I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't interested in doing a little shopping. I, well, its been a while since I'd seen any official news of the Emperor's forces on the move..." Mei Hua didn't like to fangirl too much around the others, especially outside the safety of the monastery and on a job, but her interests weren't unknown. "But I just like spending my time with you two most of all. What about you, Xiao, is there something you'd like to do?"

Mei Hua was hoping she'd have a chance to get these two to finally talk to each other straight, especially after last mission. There was some tension between them, but Mei Hua was certain the two bravest girls she knew could fight their way through it.
Xiao Hu
player, 5 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 13:59
  • msg #4

First Steps

"Meat!" Xiao Hu yelled at the waitress and slapped the table hard enough to send the chopsticks tumbling a little, her loud voice and boorish demeanor a sharp contrast to her petite stature and baby face. "I want large, red meat!" after so many years with the sword maidens, the tigress already knew more than enough about human civilization and its customs; she just couldn't be bothered with it most of the time. "And booze!"

"Well, what's fun around here?" she answered her companions' question with one of her own. "I'd say we shoulda get into some fights, but beating up some random drunks in a tavern ain't much fun." she said aloud what she knew some of them must be thinking.
Jia Li
player, 10 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 19:17
  • msg #5

First Steps

Jia Li gave the waitress as comforting a smile as she could as the girl scurried off after Xiao Hu's order. She was remined unpleasantly of the night when she had seen the tigress lose her temper, and a shiver ran up her spine at the memory, though she did her best to hide her reaction.

She forced a smile onto her lips when Mei Hua suggested that the three of them should stay together. So much for some time alone with her. She considered where they could go. One of the ship's crew had told her about a park not far away, with cherry blossoms falling and the music of flutes and zithers filling the air. She'd hoped to take Mei Hua there, but if Xiao Hu was coming too, then that idea would have to be scraped.

"I enjoy a fight as much as the next girl," she replied to Xiao Hu. "And we could all do with some excitement. But you're right, drunks in a tavern would be no challenge." She patted the blade that hung over her shoulder. "I doubt we'll find anyone to test our skills in this town, unless we fight the constables. And I think we all know how badly that would sit with the headmistress."

She glanced at the waitress as she collected plates from another table before turning back. "If Mei Hua wants to go shopping, perhaps we should do that. What sort of things were you looking to buy? A necklace to complement your beautiful eyes, maybe?"
Wuji
GM, 15 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 03:19
  • msg #6

First Steps

The waitress flinched as Little Tiger abused the table like that. The petite porcelain skinned girl stared at the uncouth swordswoman with starry eyes before remembering her place and scurrying off, slightly flustered. The officials grew quiet, even suspicious, some of them turning their heads to see who dared to disturb the Imperial Peace. Then again, they weren't likely to intervene against a trio of swordswomen - not without both hefty reason and considerable reinforcements. So things continued to stay quiet.

At least until a tall, wiry Turuk woman entered. Her clothes had seen many better years, and she was in need of a bath as well. The handle of her war knife was well worn, matching calluses on her hands signifying she had no dearth of practice. The officials frowned at first, but knew better than to challenge her - for the same reasons they didn't react to Little Tiger's antics. A horde of rats might challenge a cat, but a lioness was far too much for them.

The woman spent a short moment looking around before spotting our three heroines. Without any hesitation at all, she approached their table and slammed the scabbard of her knife down on it, dislodging the few chopsticks that had weathered Little Tiger's assault.

"How much do you want for it? I know it's on that slave-ship and that you are protecting it." The thick Turuk accent and sultry voice made her words almost unrecognizable. Smells of salt, wine and blood were wreathed like a protective aura around her. "The Horse Spirit Cleaver doesn't belong to your people anyways. I'll pay whatever you want for it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:40, Mon 21 Dec 2020.
Mei Hua
player, 9 posts
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 12:29
  • msg #7

First Steps

Mei Hua grinned at Xiao's show of exuberance, knowing it for more excitement than an intentional show of aggression. No one doubted Xiao's fervor when it was actually raised.

She blushed and was trying to figure out how to respond to Jia - was Mei's appearance not in keeping with their group's standards, what an embarrassment - when the Turuk woman came over and accosted their poor table.

Less flustered and more wary of her fellow Maiden's reaction than of the rough, rude woman at the table, Mei Hua responded quickly, her tone clipped and far more formal than usual. "Ma'am, we are here to eat in peace. You've already stated your business. However, you have not so much as introduced us to who you are and how you know who you think we are." Her questions were implicit, but sharp and focused.
Xiao Hu
player, 7 posts
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 13:53
  • msg #8

First Steps

"What the heck is a Horse Spirit Cleaver?" Xiao Hu asked bluntly, genuinely confused and curious. "Like, is it a cleaver blessed by the spirit of a horse, or a cleaver for cleaving the spirits of horses?" she didn't mind the Turuk woman's bluntness at all, in fact she quite appreciated it, so she returned it in kind: "Neither sounds all that useful, if I'm being totally honest. Have you tried just using a regular cleaver?"
Jia Li
player, 12 posts
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 15:06
  • msg #9

First Steps

Jia Liu swallowed the watermelon seeds that she'd been chewing as she contemplated the stranger, wrinkling her nose at the smell. She was definitely a less welcome visitor to their table that the waitress. But she looked like she knew how to use the knife before them.

"I think you've got the wrong people. Our ship isn't carrying slaves or your cleaver, it's carrying -" What was it carrying? She couldn't remember if she'd ever been told. "- something else. So why don't you turn your scrawny arse around and take your smelly little knife away from my nostrils."

She kept a close eye on their visitor, trying to see how she reacted to her. That might give away just who she was or why she was bothering them.

15:05, Today: Jia Li rolled 2 using 1d6-1.  Figure out a person. – 2
15:07, Today: Jia Li rolled 5 using 1d6.  Figure out a person (somehow I only rolled one die the first time). – 5

That's just a success with a total of 6, so I'll ask:

What do you hope to get from us?
How could I get you to leave us alone?

This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Mon 21 Dec 2020.
Wuji
GM, 17 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 16:27
  • msg #10

First Steps



Jia Li's answer was obviously unconvincing. She wasn't even certain of what cargo the ship had loaded, let alone whether there was a particular blade on board. And the blade indeed seemed to be the only thing on the woman's mind right now. So the weapon probably held deeper meaning. There was and absurd number of weapons holding special status for this or that reason, from having amazing properties to merely having being used once by the Emperor. From the name of the weapon, one could infer that it came from Turuk stars, because proper Han usually don't name things after horses. (So how come this star was named Eight Horses? But don't let the storyteller digress too far off topic...)

So, the answers to the questions seemed almost self-evident. The woman was almost certainly a member of some Wulin sect; judging from her bearing either a heretical one, or coming from outside, probably the Khagnate. She was here for the blade, and the only way she'd leave was with the blade, or wit a promise that the blade will be delivered.

The small, jade-skinned waitress brought a large platter with the food the three had ordered. Black tea and roast duck, red meat and a small jug of wine, spicy tofu and green tea. The Turuk woman took the platter; a second later the waitress was running, a fierce blush on her pale cheeks. From close up it was obvious that the sabre wielding woman had copped a feel of the serving girl's modest breasts while taking the platter.

She set the food down on the table, took the wine jug, ripped off the wax seal, lifted the jug high, and poured herself a mouthful. Her lips never touched the bottle, as was the custom of the Turuk.

"You haven't even invited me to sit, so why the fuck should I tell you my name? I know all about you that I need to know. And it is a slave ship." She motioned at the ship moored outside. "Maybe it isn't carrying slaves now, but last time it took three hundred young women of the Eight Horse tribes to be slaves at the Imperial Court! The parents that protested were killed! So it is a slave ship!" She washed the foul taste and memories off with another mouthful of wine.

"I am sure that the cleaver is on your ship. It is a big blade, made from meteorite steel and quenched in horse blood. It's special to my tribe. Ask that fat son of a bitch that masquerades as the ship's master about it and watch him sweat. Tell him you met Burcu, and she's asking for her blade back. You can do so much for me, no? I'll pay you for the favor."
Mei Hua
player, 11 posts
Tue 22 Dec 2020
at 12:14
  • msg #11

First Steps

Mei Hua's calm sharpened as she slipped into what she'd imagined military discipline and calm of the army - so far and distant from this Black Crow City. She still had a warmness to her tone, but it had gotten further clipped, the remains of her accent long gone. "Burcu, either by name or by whom you are in service to. You proclaim such things as truth without evidence. Your fervor is well noted and we may decide to investigate the claims you have so accused."

She paused, "Did you know any of the women taken aboard the ship? Is this more than just about the cleaver itself? Or did the owner of the Bright Orange Jewel personally incur your fervor for other reasons? Take a seat, if you have the time to talk about it, but please don't bother our server." The warmth in her voice never wavered, Meu Hua having been accused of being too kindly in the past. She didn't necessarily believe this woman, but it was clear she didn't speak from the dispassion of business dealings, but of personal matters of the heart.


OoC:

Mei Hua is attempting to use empathy to get our visitor to calm down and provide a little more  information without confrontation.
- Gain insight from the GM about an obstacle facing one of you

06:13, Today: Mei Hua rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((5,2)).

Wuji
GM, 20 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Sat 26 Dec 2020
at 09:58
  • msg #12

First Steps

The serving girl didn't mind that little bit of attention too much - this Turuk woman was very safe compared to those minor officials seated all around. But that's another story...

The thin Turuk woman looked at Mei Hua with disdain. The continous questioning and nagging seemed to have eroded her taste for wine, and she set the jug down on the table.

"Only the Han would even consider lying about something like that. A Turuk's word is as weighty as the mountains." There's unconcealed pain in her voice. "My name is Burcu, and it was my own sister on that ship. I lost my parents that year as well. I was away training at the time. Came back home far too late."

Mei Hua knew that this woman conformed to the Turuk stereotype. In general, they were undisciplined but freedom loving, uncultured but honorable. Blood debts were observed with only slightly less fanaticism than words of the Gods themselves. There was almost no possibility for a Turuk lying about his own family. Finally, the probing and prodding from those questions caused the woman's mood to darken considerably, from jovial but pushy, to melancholic and just a spark away from violence.

"The cleaver is a hereditary weapon. My mother used it to buy some hope from the captain of that ship. He promised he'd look after my sister in exchange for the most valuable treasure in the family." She spat on the floor. "My mother ended up dead for showing trust to a Han. My sister is in a red house on the Imperial star. The blade is still on the ship. He couldn't find a buyer, probably."

Burcu sat down on a chair, heavily, and rubbed her eyes with the backs of her hands before looking at our heroines again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:59, Sat 26 Dec 2020.
Xiao Hu
player, 10 posts
Sat 26 Dec 2020
at 14:15
  • msg #13

First Steps

"I mean, it couldn't hurt to check it out, now can it?" Xiao Hu glared at Burcu when the Turuk woman took the jug, but she seemed satisfied when she saw that her food was safe. "If we find the cleaver on the boat, we can ask the captain about it; if not, it won't take us much time anyways." the tigress said, surprisingly reasonably. Part of her had grown fond of the Turuk ways of the woman, and another part was really just itching for trouble. "And if it's true, well...then we have some skulls to bash in." she grinned at that, an expression that looked more like a predatory beast than human.
Jia Li
player, 14 posts
Sat 26 Dec 2020
at 18:22
  • msg #14

First Steps

Jia Li nodded to Xiao Hu's words. "I guess we have little else to do, so why not check on your story? But could you describe this cleaver? I wouldn't want to get it confused with the cook's cleaver. Where would it be on the boat? That seems the easiest part of your tale to check. If it's there, we'll ask the captain how he acquired it. That should clear things up before we continue our journey."

She nibbled on a snack before also adding, "And your sister. What is her name? What does she look like? I'd hate to think that we'd investigate this and end up going all that way and bringing you back the wrong woman. Do you have a picture of her?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Sun 27 Dec 2020.
Mei Hua
player, 12 posts
Sun 27 Dec 2020
at 21:08
  • msg #15

First Steps

Mei drank her tea and let the others ask better questions than she could alone. It was better than the shouting and throwing of threats before even finishing a meal, and she wasn't certain they'd be still welcome to eat if they shed blood at first meeting. As much as she knew the Turuk were no friend to the empire or the military, the world was unjust to anyone at the individual level.

She was not, wholly, convinced as the others that they should try to regain this cleaver offhand, but was willing to entertain the idea. It was the slavery that bothered her most.
Wuji
GM, 21 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 00:46
  • msg #16

First Steps

"What does her past name matter? She's working in a red house now. Even if you could find her, there's nothing left to rescue, just a shell that used to be her body. I don't even want to know where she is. I don't want to think about what happens to her. Just... no."

She balanced a watermelon seed on the back of her hand while talking. This was enough to distract her.

"The cleaver has a blade of five handspans long and a handspan wide. The quenching left horse-like blemishes on both blade faces. Its tip is squared off. The handle is made of old wood, long enough for two hands and ending in horsehaed-shaped pommel. The handle wrapping is horsetail cord. You can't mistake this weapon for anything else."

She popped the seed into her mouth, suckled the salt off, spat it back out.

While the idea of slavery was repugnant to our heroines, it was a fact of life here in the Black Tortoise Realm. After all, how else could the vast pleasure houses of the Imperial Stars have been filled with young girls? Where else could the Empire have found the vast amount of workers for dangerous environments? The Empire's citizens tended not to think about these things.

Their employer might have dabbled in slave trade and similar distasteful things, but the heroines really shouldn't have seriously considered openly acting against him. After all, integrity and loyalty to the employer counted as rather important when building up one's reputation. Even the Imperial army is sometimes forced into morally grey actions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:17, Tue 29 Dec 2020.
Jia Li
player, 15 posts
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 12:55
  • msg #17

First Steps

Jia Li nodded as she took her meal and placed it before herself.

"So this cleaver, it matters more to you than your own flesh and blood? Very well. When you first arrived, Burcu, you asked what we wanted for this knife. It seems to be very valuable to you. If we're to go searching the boat and risking getting into trouble, why don't you let us know just how much you are prepared to pay for its return?"

She took a mouthful of roast duck, feeling how succulent it was. While she did so, she glanced about the room, wondering how much of a scene they were making. This little mission really wasn't how she'd envisaged her shore leave panning out.
Xiao Hu
player, 11 posts
Tue 29 Dec 2020
at 16:01
  • msg #18

First Steps

"You're just gonna turn your back on a cub from your pack?" Xiao Hu frowned and took a large bite out of her red meat, her disapproval plain in her exaggerated chewing. "Not cool, man, not cool." she gulped her fleshy meal down and took another bite, leaving a deep mark on the bones with her teeth. "Maybe she wouldn't be where she is if you're not such a big whiny baby, have you thought about that?" she growled at Burcu with an expression that's halfway between a sneer and a grimace. "Maybe nothing bad would have happened if her pack wasn't filled with useless and cowardly little chickenshits."

OOC: I feel like this is enough to increase her Feral to 2. I'm also going to have her commit to saving Burcu's sister with tenacious purpose.
Mei Hua
player, 14 posts
Wed 30 Dec 2020
at 15:47
  • msg #19

First Steps

Mei Hua seemed as skeptical as the others, more on Xiao's side of things, but less hotly offended. "So the blade is ancestral but the blood is not? Is it not tarnished by the hands that wield it?" She shook her head, "I know myself the value of a family weapon," she patted the blade on her hip, "but it is not the blade itself that carries my family legacy, but myself."

"We are being paid to protect the contents of the cargo of that ship, but not to conceal the location of it's previous shipments, nor its future customers. Why should we worry when all you want is an heirloom without heirs?" On that last point, she wasn't quite as certain, but she was trying to get Burcu either change the direction of her intent or make it clear why the blade was more important, and worth their trouble. '


OoC: Not entirely certain there's a  move set that matches my need here. I am happy to re-roll or for the GM to dismiss the action all together.

Mei is trying to Direct Burcu's Heart (or some other cute name for the move) using logic and wit. The roll was bad, but the intent hopefully makes sense.

09:46, Today: Mei Hua rolled 4 using 2d6+1.  Change of Heart (Wit).

Xiao Hu
player, 12 posts
Thu 31 Dec 2020
at 12:56
  • msg #20

First Steps

OOC: Xiao Hu rolled 9 using 2d6+2. Fight! I'm going to choose to get a String and inflict a Condition.
Wuji
GM, 24 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 18:10
  • msg #21

First Steps

Little Tiger's Feral is 2. She'll use her words to make Burcu feel Guilty. Burcu gains a String on Little Tiger.
Mei Hua's roll is a Down Beat, so she gets to mark XP. First XP gained achievement unlocked! Yay! Also, down beats may trigger events! More fun!
The heroines showed no intent to help Burcu, so we enter the next npc...


Various expressions distorted Burcu's face. Those words our heroines flung about so haphazardly and inconsiderately rained like hammer-blows on her soul. As if her own nightmares hadn't been enough, now these girls have to stir all the guilt from the bottom of her heart?

She stretched out a faintly trembling forefinger.

"Big words from heroes protecting a slave trader. While you sit on your fat asses and gobble down delicacies, the man paying your wages might be taking another load of daughters and wives to Hell! Just like he did my own! And you ridicule me for trying to get a tiny bit of consolation? Is that the Dao of your school? Act righteous and protect the evildoers? A fine way to follow! Very honorable! Very compassionate! May your generosity be repaid a thousandfold!"


She grabbed her scabbard and stood.

"I was a fool to think you'd help me. No, after all... the burden on my soul is too much. The Heavens have no compassion."

Just as Burcu was wallowing in self-pity, there was a crash. Sounds of heavy steps reverberated off the porcelain and glass in the restaurant as a full squad of Yamen troops stormed up the stairs and into the restaurant. The petite serving girl had the presence of mind to duck into the kitchen and warn the rest of the staff. Dozens of armed troops made all the subdued and humble minor officials sit up straight and become at least two notches more arrogant. The very air in the room changed, from fragrant and filled with soft guqin notes to oppressively silent with an overpowering stench of rust. One look at the troops revealed that these were used to handling simple peasants and the occasional drunk soldier. A glint of annoyance flashed in Burcu's eyes.

"Have you come to arrest me... again?"

The gaggle of troops spread like the sea before a boat to reveal their richly-garbed officer standing in the backmost row. He pointed an ornate fan towards Burcu and shouted in a shrill, effeminate voice:

"Infernal woman! Submit to the Imperial Mercy so that you might find forgiveness!"

Burcu answered by drawing her saber out. In turn, this made the troops close their ranks and advance towards the woman. There was a flash, the sound of rattan shields being split apart by a sharp blade, and Burcu leaping over the troops to the windows... and out, gracefully dropping into the streets below, using the wall to slow her fall. This took much less time than actually describing it.

Half of the troops stormed down the stairs, apparently in an attempt to catch the light-footed Turuk woman. Their chances of catching up to her were non-existent, of course. The other troops parted again, to allow the official to saunter close to our heroines' table. It was a thin man in his early twenties, with a pale face that looked out of place on a male. He stopped a polite distance away from their table, clasped his hands and put on a fake smile. This made his suspicious eyes narrow even more.

"I am very sorry to disturb you." An obvious lie - but being polite is important, right? His voice is as pleasing as glass-grinding, or perhaps blackboard-scratching. Some of the nearby officials trembled involuntarily upon hearing it. He continued to speak in a needlessly flowery fashion. "May this lowly official inquire about what your connection to that woman is?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Sun 03 Jan 2021.
Jia Li
player, 17 posts
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 20:20
  • msg #22

First Steps

Jia Li listened to Burcu's rant, guiltily accepting that she wasn't doing anything to investigate the allegations. Then she looked on bemused as the Turuk escaped through the window, before considering the new official standing before them. She bowed her head in greeting, rising slightly from her chair, before answering his questions.

"That woman has no connection to us. We'd never seen her before she entered this restaurant and began interrupting our meal."

She leant forwards and lowered her voice as though to share a big secret.

"She said my arse was fat." Jia Li looked down as though checking whether that was true. "Can you believe that?"

She sat back, returning her attention to the official.

"I must thank you, sir, for driving her off and leaving us to have our meal in peace. Please, do me the honour of telling me the name of the man who relieved us from such a bothersome woman."

As if an afterthought, she added, "Oh, and that woman mentioned that she'd been arrested before. What is she wanted for, and how did a Turuk get away from custody?"

Apparently uninterested, she nibbled on more of her meal.

OOC:

While talking to the official, Jai Li will try to Figure Out Person on him.

20:16, Today: Jia Li rolled 2 using 2d6-1.  Figure out a person. – 2

I guess that's an XP then.

Wuji
GM, 26 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Tue 5 Jan 2021
at 13:28
  • msg #23

First Steps

"This little official begs forgiveness for being so uncouth!"

He smiled even while checking whether Jia Li's ass really appeared fat. Hmmm... no. It wasn't fat - but one couldn't have called it skinny either. Just the right amount of something to grab firmly, he decided. Some of that shrillness evaporated from his voice, transforming it into something almost bearable. In addition, Jia Li's cultured words piqued his attention. If she only wasn't a sword maiden...

"You can refer to this little official as Feng Ye, if it pleases you. Burcu eluded justice for entirely too long. Unfortunately the information of her whereabouts is still too fresh, or more adequate troops would be here."

He spared the guards a cold look.

"Burcu is a well-known troublemaker. She has already been whipped publicly twice, but no corrective measures seem to bear fruit with her. Hmmm. I wonder if you can help me with recapturing her? She might visit you again, and this provides a good opportunity for you to assist Imperial justice. Or perhaps you know why she visited the port? Any information would be welcome."

(a shiny XP for the character who pushes Burcu into Feng Ye's direction, and one more if they do it themselves)
Jia Li
player, 18 posts
Wed 6 Jan 2021
at 21:29
  • msg #24

First Steps

"As I told you, Feng Ye, we do not know the woman. But if she should contact us again, we will know to seek you out. Though if she has escaped you twice, then got away again - well, maybe you should whip your troops next time instead of her. That may make them take their jobs more seriously."

She took a sip of her tea, then looked up quizzically.

"How did you know to seek her here? It seems that one of your men must have enough sense to be able to track her. Or were you the one to show such intelligence, captain?"

If they were to get involved in this matter, it wouldn't do to help Burcu and then find themselves in trouble with the authorities. Perhaps a little buttering up of Feng Ye would let them know just how close these troops were on the trail.

"And you didn't answer my question. Why is she in trouble with the authorities? Why is a single lowly Turuk so hunted by the empire's finest? Has she performed acts of subversion? Or is she in possession of something - or some knowledge - that makes her dangerous?"

She knew she was skating on thin ice by asking that. But she wanted to know if there was a kernel of truth to the story of slaves.
Mei Hua
player, 15 posts
Fri 8 Jan 2021
at 12:55
  • msg #25

First Steps

Mei Hua watched the unfolding with increasing dismay, having hoped to at least make clear what choice would best guide them on their way. She was not shocked to see how angry Xiao was, nor the woman, but as much as she had faith that most Imperial soldiers meant well, this was not an opportune time for them to interrupt.

Silent at first as the official approached, Mei Hua eventually did speak up, not wanting to ouright interrupt Jia Li's trail of questioning, "I am sure that your soldiers would be more than adequate on a level playing field. She's the advantage of mobility, and she certainly isn't for lacking in determination. She seemed very confident, regardless of her desire. She seemed to be seeking something that she thought we could provide, though her words and attitude did not quite align." Mei Hua was still not certain that it was just the cleaver that Bercu wanted, but revenge in more personal terms. Mei Hua could understand that motive, certainly.

She did make a mental note to reassure Jia Li that she always did an amazing job of filling her pants and skirts. She was pretty sure that there was more than one fight Jia had won because their foe was too distracted by her body to watch the sword.
Wuji
GM, 27 posts
Action through inaction
Separating the Universe
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 09:55
  • msg #26

First Steps

"You don't know her? A pity, a pity. I was hoping for some more solid leads."

He tapped his fan lightly against the table.

"She's from a particularly barbarous alliance of Turuk tribes. They keep belittling our efforts to bring some semblance of civilization to their lands. Their nomadic ways are benign enough, so we officials let them follow their old ways for centuries. Lately, however, a storm has been brewing, with talk of rebellion and worse. Burcu is one of the chief agitators in this area. She had promised to cease her trouble-making last year, but it seems she's back. Never mind."

Not too far away, the woman in question leapt from one boat to the next, slowly traversing the boat-town. Her lightness technique made her landings soundless, and her leaps graceful. Here or there people stared at her, but no one was quite willing enough to challenge her. Informants, on the other hand, were present aplenty. The initial plan of asking the sword-maidens for help had failed, and the noose the local law enforcement had around her neck was tightening slowly. There was just a little bit of time left before she'd be forced to leave the city again. The cleaver might never again appear on this planet... A look of determination flickered on her face as she made her way towards the docks servicing large ships.

Back in the restaurant, one of the guards approached to whisper something in Feng Ye's ear. The official nodded, smiled wolfishly, and stood up.

"It always pays to be prepared. This little official learned that Burcu is traveling towards the big-ship docks nearby as we speak. With some haste, a nice welcoming party might be organized for her. And organizing parties it this little official's field of expertise. So sorry to leave so suddenly - I'll be sure to entertain the swordmaidens properly next time. Please, there's no need to see me out."

With that, he whirled around and hurriedly left, hurling orders at the guards.
Jia Li
player, 19 posts
Thu 21 Jan 2021
at 23:00
  • msg #27

First Steps

Jia Li patted her lips with a napkin.

"We should really stay out of this. It is official business after all. But -" she glanced around conspiratorially, " - if she's caught we'll probably never get to the bottom of this business about the cleaver and the slaves. What do you ladies say to taking a stroll down to the big-ship docks and having a little fun? We deserve some after this boring trip. Unless you're both too scared to step outside the law a teeny tiny bit."

OOC:

Jia Li is using the Heat of the Moment move on her companions to taunt them into doing something they think is unwise but that they want to do (assuming that that is their view of interfering).

For Mei Hua:

22:46, Today: Jia Li rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Heat of the moment. – 9

I'll have Jia Li become smitten with her in order to change that to a 10+ result. That means that Mei Hua gets XP if she agrees to do it and marks a condition if not.

For Xiao Hu:

422:52, Today: Jia Li rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  Heat of the moment. – 5

So no effect there, but I get an XP for failing.

Finally:

To Love and Lose: When you become Smitten with someone, say why, give them a String, and answer this question:

Why would your romance never last?

Jia Li is smitten with Mei Hua because she has a seriousness and purpose that Jia Li can't match, but wishes she could be a part of, and she knows that Mei Hu is a good person (as beautiful). The romance would never last because Mei Hua has a purpose beyond Jia Li, and Jia Li is too self-centred to ever play second fiddle to anyone or anything else.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Thu 21 Jan 2021.
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