Mercy on you all

"Trust your family, no matter what. I was forced to turn my blade upon my brother, I do not wish the same for you."

[divinevoicetiki]

The Girlfriends | Tiki + Say'ri

[divinevoicetiki]

"Wonderful!" Tiki smiled, taking another bite of her apple. "Well… We should plan an outing, then. Right?"

Just then, the manakete came up with an idea. Her face lit up as she turned to smile even wider in Say’ri’s direction.

"Have you ever wanted to fly, Say’ri? We could fly over the mountains to the south tomorrow if we have the time."

[princessofchonshin]

It was just how absolutely happy Tiki looked that made Say'ri stop her running thoughts for a moment. Her next proposition caused a larger smile to spread across her lips, but this time, one that lacked sadness.

"Aye, ever since I was young, 'twas a dream of mine to see above the clouds. It must be a wonderful feeling, is it not? To be able to see everything from a perspective. What is it like for you, My Lady?"

[divinevoicetiki]

The Girlfriends | Tiki + Say'ri

[divinevoicetiki]

Tiki looked down to the apple, raising it to her lips and taking a bite with a smile that widened as she chewed. “You are right!”

She took another bite, chuckling quietly. “Say’ri… Why do we not spend more time together like this?” Tiki lowered the apple, holding it in a hand rested on her lap.

"I want us to be the closest of friends… Do you feel the same? You do not have to fear for my future. Though I will miss you when you are gone, I will cherish our memories for the rest of my life."

[princessofchonshin]

"I .. apologize, for lately I have been preoccupied with training, My Lady. Please forgive me."

Her question almost caught Say'ri off guard again, cursing her cheeks for betraying her. The heat in her face almost seemed so unbearable that she had to turn away to avoid looking at her. "I-I .. I too, feel the same. For your friendship is one I value greatly in my life." 

Say'ri folded her hands in her lap, closing her eyes. It was true, that she considered Tiki to be a person she cherished greatly, next to her brother. It pained her to imagine losing another person that meant a lot to her. "Aye. So shall I."

She smiled sadly, feeling her heart squeeze a bit at the thought. 

[divinevoicetiki]

The Girlfriends | Tiki + Say'ri

[divinevoicetiki]

"Forgive me, Say’ri. I do not mean to put you through so much… I am grateful for all you do for me."

Tiki showed Say’ri a warm smile before looking down at the apple she held in her hands. She unwrapped a knife that she had carried with her to the market and back, slicing off a piece of the apple and holding it up in front of Say’ri’s face. She had grown to enjoy feeding her friend like this.

[princessofchonshin]

Hearing Tiki's kind words caused her cheeks to turn a darker shade of red. ".. 'Tis no burden on me, My Lady .."

Slowly, she learned forward, her lips closing around the slice to take a bite. To her surprise, the apple was much sweeter than she expected it to be. Say'ri chewed the piece of fruit, savoring its flavor. "The fruit this season appears to be quite rich. You should try it as well, My Lady." She gestured to the apple in Tiki's hand with a small smile.

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

Giving a short nod of thanks, Lon’qu took off in the direction of the camp. Never being one for dillydallying, he was soon dressed in a new tunic and pair of pants and heading back to the river. Luckily nobody saw him in his sopping state.

Lon’qu paused at the bank and watched Say’ri fish. The fluid motion of her long, poised body as she pulled fish from the water was at once entrancing and unsettling to the swordsman. Say’ri’s femininity was something that still put him on-edge, but he admired her strength and skill and considered her to be a friend, even if he didn’t quite show it.

Lon’qu knelt on the riverside and began forming a circle of stones. “I may not be able to fish,” he said, a touch of humor in his otherwise dry voice, “But I at least can start the fire.”

[princessofchonshin]

"Welcome back," Say'ri turned back towards Lon'qu upon his arrival, already making her way back towards the riverbank. From the looks of it, since he left, she had fished more than enough to keep them full until dinner.

"You must feel better now that you are no longer in wet wear, yes?" She stepped back onto the grassy surface, the coolness of the greenery underneath causing her to sigh. Say'ri couldn't help but appreciate just how lovely the weather the weather was and how the surroundings they were in was so full of .. life and nature. It was very relaxing, and reminded her of home, in a way.

Kneeling down, she placed the two fish she just caught with the rest of them."Ah .. only if it pleases you. I give you my thanks for your help." Her eyes flickered up to meet his own. 

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

Lon’qu sputtered, cheeks turning red as Say’ri approached. “D-Do not mock me, woman!”

Awkwardly he stood back up, trying his best to avoid physical contact with Say’ri even though she offered her hand. Water streamed down his face; it pulled down on his hair and clothes, making him look less like a fearsome swordsman and more like a half-drowned fool. 

"I… I would much appreciate the opportunity to change my clothes."

[princessofchonshin]

"Fie, I merely jest, dearest Lon'qu."

Noticing his refusal, she lowered her hand so that it rested at her side once more. The amusement did not fade from her face or her tone of voice, but she did feel a bit bad, now that he was drenched in water.

"You can take as much time that pleases you. I shall remain here and try to fetch more fish for lunch."

[divinevoicetiki]

The Girlfriends | Tiki + Say'ri

[divinevoicetiki]

Say’ri was hardly mid-sentence when Tiki reached over and took her hand. Up to her usual antics was right; the Manakete seemed totally unphazed by her friend’s threats of a harsher response. She instead led her over to a nice grassy spot in camp where she had set her bags.

"I bought plenty of apples this time." She smiled at Say’ri as she sat, pulling her friend down to sit with her. "I thought maybe you would like to share them with me?"

[princessofchonshin]

"--!!" 

Say'ri's cheeks lit up in a pink color. The woman turned her head away, trying to keep her composure. 

"M-my Lady! I-I ask that you not interrupt me as I speak, please .." One would've found it amusing at how easily Tiki caused Say'ri to become flustered by just grabbing onto her hand, considering how calm she was most of the time.

Without another word, she sat down like Tiki asked, but not before shooting her a strained look. " .. If .. you insist, My Lady." She sighed. There really was no point in arguing with her. Tiki, somehow, always won these battles with Say'ri. 

[divinevoicetiki]

The Girlfriends | Tiki + Say'ri

"Noon already?"  Tiki looked to the sky, trying to determine the hour of day. Unfortunately that was never one of her prominent skills. She turned her attention back to Say’ri, deciding to take her word for it.

"My apologies, my friend. I did not see you around at the time… But next time I will go out of my way to find you before hand. Is that acceptable?”

[princessofchonshin]

" ... " Say'ri sighed, turning her head away. She was still very upset with Tiki's usual antics, but she supposed she could let her off the hook this time.

" .. Alright, I suppise, this time, I shall be merciful. The next time, however, I am not so sure. My apologies, my lady. I merely show concern for you and .. feel more comfortable about you venturing out only if I am by your side."

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

Lon’qu’s eyes widened a bit. He hadn’t expected Say’ri to catch a fish so quickly - a certain competitiveness that the myrmidon kept hidden began to stir.

I am not to be bested, he thought, allowing himself to even grin. Something pulled on his rod and he yanked it back…only for the end of his tunic to come loose and entangle his feet, causing him to fall over.

"B-Blast!" he cried, unable to utter anything else before plunging into the cold water, most likely scattering any fish that were nearby.

[princessofchonshin]

Say'ri allowed a snort to escape her, almost failing to cover her amusement by covering her mouth with the back of her hand. My, it seemed like Lon'qu was enjoying himself.

She quickly made her way through the water, to where her fallen companion sat in the mostly shallow water. "Care for assistance, my friend? It seems like you are, how they say, having a blast." 

[chonsindynast]

"Hmm… The volume of their voices has created a challenge in meditating indeed… I see no option other than leaving camp for the time."

[princessofchonshin]

" .. Brother, allow me to accompany you .. perhaps I require a meditation session as well .. my head begins to ache .. " 

[chonsindynast]

princessofchonshin replied to your post:"…Enough. I beg you."

"Brother .. I .. ??"

"Shield your eyes, sister."

[princessofchonshin]

"The confusion I feel is concerning, brother .. the camp is lively as usual .. too lively .. " 

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

Lon’qu cast his line as well, exhaling slowly as he assumed his position on the water. The river tugged at his knees and the rocks were cool against the bottoms of his feet; if he concentrated on the water hard enough, he hardly even noticed that a woman was standing not five feet from him.

If there was anybody who knew how to be calm and patient, it was Lon’qu. Years and years of training had sharpened not only his blade but also his mind - his breathing stilled and he became but a statue. Briefly he dared to glance at Say’ri, and saw that she was doing the same.

"Your…stillness is admirable," he ventured to say, not quite looking at her.

[princessofchonshin]

Say'ri held up her hand for a second, signaling for him to be quiet. " ... " Suddenly, she yanked at her rod. What came with it was a decently sized trout. "Ha!" 

She turned around, holding the fish by her line with a smile. "My apologies. I shall hold your compliment given to me to my heart, dearest Lon'qu. For with patience comes with rewards." She gestured to her catch, then nodded at his own rod.

"Be sure to keep focus as well." Her tone was a bit teasing. 

[princessofchonshin]

[OPEN]

"Hm .. " 

The brunette woman slowly lowered the paintbrush that was in her hands, gazing thoughtfully at her work in front of her. She couldn't place her finger on it, but she felt as though something were missing.

Say'ri let out a small sigh. It wasn't unusual for her to be painting on her free time. At this point, she considered it a hobby. Her works usually consisted of scenery that reminded her of her homeland. 

This time, on the canvas, was a cherry tree. She had used strokes of pink, white and all the colors that she could vividly remember from the last time she had seen one in Chon'sin. 

And, usually, when she painted, she preferred to do it alone. But when she heard the flap of her tent be pushed aside and felt someone enter, she turned her body around in surprise.

"Oh, 'tis you. You startled me .. "

[princessofchonshin]

the-divine-dragon:

Tiki looked up at Say’ri with a small frown. “No, I have stayed within the camp’s perimeter all afternoon. I have been meditating for most of the hour…”

Say'ri bowed her head. "Fie .. my apologies for so wrongly accusing you, my lady. I simply am concerned for your safety."

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

Lon’qu nodded curtly. He knew Say’ri to be a strong, dependable woman. She seemed the type to take her training very seriously.

He watched Say’ri step into the river, looking away uncomfortably when she bared her legs. He hurriedly did the same as her, leaving his coat on the bank so that its long backing wouldn’t drag in the water. 

The pebbles were smooth against the bottoms of his feet and the water was a pleasant temperature. Lon’qu couldn’t deny that being out here was actually somewhat nice - his stern expression had softened the slightest bit.

"… Now what?"

[princessofchonshin]

"Now, we wait." Say'ri simply replied. She held out a fishing rod to Lon'qu, waiting for him to take it from her.

Once it was out of her hand, she tied bait she had brought with her to the end of the rod. Soon enough, she had stretched her arms back and cast her line. The bait landed a few feet away, gently bobbing just beneath the water's surface.

Her eyes were focused on where her line had landed, though her stance wasn't rigid, despite her concentration. Say'ri knew it was best to stay calm and be patient.

[chonsindynast]

Chon'sin Tradition // Yen'fay and Say'ri

[chonsindynast]

Startled by the sudden familiar voice of his sister, Yen’fay fumbled with the wooden spoon in his hand, nearly dropping it to the floor. Keeping a slowly steadying hand on the bowl before him, he turned to meet her eyes.

"Fie, Say’ri… Were your steps any quieter, you would surely be the death of me with how often your sudden appearances might jump my heart…" 

Smiling softly he wiped his hands on the small apron he wore and hoped no one would see him wearing. “It was to be a secret… But I fear there’s no hiding it from you now. Might I wish you a happy birthday? I would hug you if not for this flower all over me.”

[princessofchonshin]

" ... " She blinked, staring at him for a few moments before giggling. Say'ri had to stifle her laughter by covering her mouth with her hand. It was so out of character to see him standing there in such a cute apron.

"Aye, brother. My gratitude is dedicated towards you." Stepping forward, despite any protest from Yen'fay, she wrapped her arms around him, her head resting on his chest. The younger sibling didn't seem to care at all about the powder.

"Thank you, Yen'fay. 'Tis one of the sweetest gestures in all the realm. Truth be told, I did not expect this from you. But thank you." She paused. '.. Thank you for being the most precious of things to me in all of the lands'

[princessofchonshin]

I've had my samur-eye on you! How have you been Say'ri! Staying SHARP?

"Aye, 'tis my duty to stay alert. And how do you do, Henry?"

[feroxiblade]

I'll Drown || Say'ri & Lon'qu

[feroxiblade]

"What I do every morning," Lon’qu said gruffly, keeping his eyes trained on the path before him, "Awake before the sun, train, break my fast, sharpen my sword." A long pause. "And… and yourself?"

He wasn’t cut out for small talk.

[princessofchonshin]

"Aye, tending to your weapons and keeping them in good conditions is always a good priority. I do the same as you, actually."

Say'ri straightened up once the river was in sight, making her way to the riverside. Slowly, she began to roll up her pant legs to avoid getting them wet, placing her swords down as well as the fishing rods she brought with them.

"Best to eat lunch in dry clothing," She joked lightly, motioning for Lon'qu to do the same.