Crimson Wings

same lmao i'm just winging it and hoping for the best. seems pretty quiet tho, but that's understandable too ;v;

“Yeah, but… If I go and steal from Cao Prissy Pants Pi, I could get shot at…. Stabbed…. Injured…dead. Ling Tong is a garunteed punch in the face, but he can’t kill me~”

“WELL! That is an exaggeration if I’ve ever heard one. Surely it can’t be that many. Why, I only robbed him twice this week, to go buy wines and then there was the time he caught me sneaking around in the palace.”

Tagged by: @boldxvirtue​ {thank you friendo!} Tagging: whoever wants to choose their muse’s fate O:

“How beautiful…” Lu Xun gazes up with a childlike wonder normally hidden from public view. The aurora shimmers above in shades of green and gold, the occasional red peeking through the display. Xun read that red appeared only in areas of high solar activity, and while he doesn’t completely understand, he feels little need to question it. Beside him stands an equally mesmerized Ling Tong, eyes focusing toward the sky. While most of the troops were asleep, the two agreed to meet here for a moment’s peace, just in time for the lights to appear.

Despite the cold, Xun feels warm. Ling Tong’s scarf helps, of course, but it’s a warmth that radiates through his soul. The older man made it a habit to loan him his scarf during northern expeditions. It seemed only fair for Xun to return the favor.

“Is the scarf warm enough? You have given me yours so many times, and I--”

“It’s perfect, don’t worry about it,” Tong reassures, resting his head upon Xun’s as he gazes toward the veils of light. He proudly wears the strategist’s gift: a crimson scarf with tapered ends reminiscent of a swallow’s tail. Even the gold embroidery mimics the patterns of his own - always paying attention to detail, that one. Smiling as Xun leans against him in response, they remain close to fend off the cold.

“Do you think they are watching?” Xun murmurs after the calm silence, feeling Tong’s head lift.

“Pfft, they’re probably fighting over the last wine barrel right about now. That idiot.” It’s been quiet lately. Once the kind of silence Ling Tong craved, he admittedly misses something about those bells. The sound helped ring in the festivities and morale among the troops.

“I fear Master Lü Meng will never give in,” Xun chuckles as the visual enters his mind. While they had their differences, they put their personal gripes aside for the kingdom’s sake. It was something Lu Xun understood quite well. “Though, I have others in mind, as well…”

Ling Tong recognizes Xun’s nervous fidget; it’s either his hair or the scarf. He’s done it during their long talks beside the firelight and atop the castle walls.

“You’ve been thinking about them, huh?”

“Yes,” Xun continues to fidget, yet feels relief when Tong pieces it together. “Usually, those memories remain in the back of my mind, but nights like these bring them forth.”

“It must be hard sometimes,” Tong rubs Xun’s back with gentle, circular motions. Over time, the strategist taught him how to listen more and fight less. He’s used to sarcastic retorts, yet knows that Xun sees through the facade. It’s hard not to appreciate what’s Xun done for him, even if he doesn’t realize it.

“Very much so, but some days are better than others. I have found strength with my family here, so I think I will be okay.” There’s a resolve in Xun’s voice, a burning passion beneath his gentle features.

“Heh, I can drink to that.” With the strategist’s support, Tong copes with his losses more effectively. Less blind anger and more of a constructive approach, as Lu Xun calls it. “When my father gave me his scarf, I’d wear the thing everywhere, thinking it’d keep me safe. Now I know that I’m the one actually keeping me safe, but what’s a kid to do?”

“So, it is as you protect me during those long journeys,” Xun smiles, brushing against the soft fabric with care. “I have never sustained any serious wounds during those times.”

“No serious ones, huh? Guess I gotta do better so you’re practically invincible.” There’s a teasing tone in his voice, yet his heart fills with warmth. “I appreciate that. You know you can rely on me for most things. I’ll try my best.”

“Thank you, Gongji. I can feel the tension leave me when I’m with you.” Xun chuckles as Tong, seemingly on cue, places his hands upon the other’s shoulders for a massage.

continued   from   ✖

 ❛   pretty   much   most   of   it   —   there   were   no   training   sessions   planned   for   today   ,   so   i   thought   i’d   make   myself   useful.   please   eat   up   ,   there’s   PLENTY   more   !   ❜   she’d   deemed   it   her   personal   duty   to   feed   the   hungry   ranks   of   wu   ,   &&   what   better   person   to   start   with   than   lord   lu   xun   ?   he’d   spent   hours   meticulously   scrutinizing   the   latest   battle   strategies   ,   &&   the   fatigue   tugging   at   his   features   is   highly   apparent   ,   so   surely   he’d   benefit   from   a   full   stomach   of   freshly   cooked   food.   taking   care   of   oneself   outside   of   battle   was   extremely   IMPORTANT   ,   as   neglecting   basic   care   would   surely   only   cause   problems   in   the   long   run.   ❛   when   you’ve   finished   ,   i’ve   made   a   dish   special   for   the   kingdom   of   wu   —   i   call   it   虎   芋煮   !   i’m   not   having   anyone   going   hungry   ,   not   after   you’ve   all   fought   so   hard   !   ❜   ❪   avianflame.   ❫

     “All of that work, yet you still cooked a special dish? You are much too generous,” Xun displays awe at her kindness (and especially her cooking). With the bowl’s contents nearly empty, the weary strategist intends on taking up Kai’s offer. His tendency to overwork leaves little time to socialize outside of business matters, yet Wu’s alliance with the Hōjō clan motivates him to befriend new people. 

     Glancing toward the chaos strewn across his desk, he finally admits defeat.

                   ❛❛No, not at all.❜❜Lu Xun was a commander in this camp, right ? So why was he speaking to Katsuie as though the two of them were equals ? Lu Xun could enter and exit the tents whenever he liked, and without any prior warning. Besides, the green samurai was an outsider. Lu Xun had no reason to trust him and give him privacy.

                   ❛❛Warriors who have set aside their differences ? What do you mean… ?❜❜It sounded like many warriors with different affiliations fighting together under one banner. But…how was that possible ? Even the Land of the Rising Sun had never been united by one leader. The Mikado may have once ruled over them all…but not everyone had wished to serve him. How stable was this supposed alliance ?

                   ❛❛I see. I…may speak with him later, once my condition improves. Although…why does he call himself ‘Gan Ning of the Bells’ ? Is there some significance behind the bells which he carries ?❜❜Brash and reckless…those were not words which Katsuie would use to describe Toshiie as he was now. However, he could imagine that Toshiie had once been such as a youth. The green samurai glanced away from Lu Xun as he continued to speak, though.❛❛No. I believe that the results of my actions were too minuscule to save your life. If anything…it was my survival that was the result of your efforts. I suppose that I should thank you for that. Although…yes. I appear to be healing at a reasonable rate.❜❜

     “Ah, my choice of words simplifies matters, though I only wish they were simple. While most have chosen to work together, some grudges withstood the bending of time. Others have continued their tyrannical ways with little regard for our cause. Quite a pity, truly…” Xun brushed aside the words in favor of cautious optimism (mainly for his sake).

     “There is no need to thank me - I am glad you are here with us,” the strategist smiled whether or not his ally noticed it. “Once you recover, you can find him by listening for these bells,” Xun confirmed Katsuie’s inquiry. “Back in my homeland, Master Gan Ning and his men wore them to warn enemies of their impending doom. He compensates for his lack of stealth with brute strength, making him a valuable asset to our forces. I appreciate his action when my mind stalls.” Sharing details of his comrade reminded Xun of his harrowing experience as one of the last remnants of Wu. Stationed at Hefei, news about his kingdom gradually dwindled, and he assumed the worst. He last witnessed that strange army in blue overwhelm his forces before he succumbed to darkness. Whatever powers these mystics held, he was grateful to reunite with his second family.