[It's early in the evening. Though with the eternally stormy weather in Chu- lin, it's rather hard to tell. The sky is overcast, black, bleak as always, lit only by the flashes that streak the sky.] [Over the large capital city of Chu-in lies the chambers of the Emperor. Inside his domain, he is king (well, obviously since he's emperor). But some news disturbs him this night, brought earlier by Shan. He paces in front of his window, musing over what she just told him. His face shows wear from the years, although he is not yet even middle-aged. His greying goatee hangs nobly off his chin. And his brow is furrowed in worry.] [Intro Start.] * Emperor stops by the window and looks outside of it past the draperies, just to catch a passing flash. "It cannot be. You say it will become worse than this?" * Shan nods slowly. "I know it is hard to comprehend, but if my research is accurate, it will. And at an alarmingly fast rate." * Emperor scowls and whips around towards Shan. "Why has no one else caught this before? Are our scientists and astrologers all so misinformed?" * Shan bows. "Forgive me, majesty, it is not my place to say. I can only report what I myself have observed." ( 'Sides, they're not misinformed so much as stupid :P ) (It's good to be honest.) * Emperor remembers himself and relaxes his posture a little. "No. It is I who should apologize. You are simply reporting your findings as you see fit. Although the country is in dire enough straits as it is. Do you have any idea how to prevent this...occurance?" * Shan shakes her head. "I have done what I could, but so far, I've found no answers. This leads me to one conclusion: If there is an answer, it lies abroad." Very well... * Emperor walks slowly over to a shelf in the corner. Books are stacked high along the length of it and halfway down it juts out with a hutch underneath. The emperor kneels down and takes out a small key to unlock it. * Shan watches, without looking like she is, 'cause that'd be rude. * Emperor takes out a small box out of the hutch, gently lifting it as he rises regally, his back to Shan as he speaks. "You do understand, Dian Biao, that you are the only one to have come up with this research in years. We cannot simply ignore it. However, I am hard pressed to empty the coffers of Chu-lin on what may very well be a futile search." * Shan nods. "I understand." ( "Gimme money, creepy old man." ) ( *doubletakes* Augh! It's The Emperor! Take him down! ) (::passes the popcorn::) * Emperor opens the box and takes out a calligraphy set, slipping a piece of paper out next to it. "Our ships may be able to take you as far as Port Rio. However, from there, you are on your own, Dian Biao. Do you understand?" * Shan nods. I cannot guarentee you success in this endeavor. Chu-lin has not involved itself in the world for a long time. There may still be some who are...bitter from our arrival. * Emperor starts grinding some ink slowly, back still to Shan I am prepared to face that if I must. I pray that you are. Perhaps the Trade Council may have heard of something. Although their tendency to hire mercenaries is suspect. * Emperor starts writing up a letter, dabbing the brush in the ink with a fine motion. ( Mercenary? ;_; ) * Shan nods again. "I shall check with them." * Emperor pulls up the paper and blows on it to dry the ink before turning towards Shan. "This will get you on the ship. May the gods watch over you in your journey." * Shan takes the paper and bows. "Thank you, your majesty. I will do all that I can." * Emperor turns back towards the window and waves Shan off as a sign of dismissal. * Shan bows again and backs out of the room. [Shan goes back into the fairly empty hallway leading to the emperor's chambers. There are guards posted at the entrance, but beyond that, the corridor leading out is empty except for the ornate decorations.] * Shan exhales. Being in his majesty's preseance is scawwy. She walks down the coridor. ( And DISAPPEARS! ) [Shan walks down the corridor and out of the palace. The town lies ahead, the capital city of Chu-in down below. The dark sky flashes once more as the lightning sparks and hits the rods built on the fortifications surrounding the city. The whole capital is light up with the white light.] [A coach is waiting to take her away from the palace. The assistant who brought her there is holding open the door and looking at her with a worried expression. "How did it go?"] * Shan gets steps into the coach. She doesn't have to bow because she's higher rank. Nyah nyah! "It went... I suppose it went well, compared to the council's reaction. The emperor has given me charge of the situation." * Assistant walks in the coach as well. "Given you charge?!? What a heavy task to put on your shoulders, Miss Dian Biao!" It is my duty to do all I can for my country. I accept this task in hope that my efforts will not proove futile. [The coach starts moving. Hyah!] * Assistant looks down slightly and starts thinking. "But...where will you start?" * Shan looks down for a minute. "I'm not entirely sure... I suppose I will take His Majesty's suggestion, and visit the Trade Council." * Assistant looks at Shan curiously. "Trade Council? I haven't heard of such a thing in Chu-lin. Where is that?" That's... I suppose it must be in Port Rio. * Shan gives the assistant a questioning look. "Maybe?" * Assistant tilts his head to the side. "Port Rio? In foreign lands?" Hmm... I... am not entirely sure. * Assistant balls a small fist and tips his head down as he sinks deep into thought. "I've never heard of such a thing myself that I can recall. Perhaps it'd be a good place to start. I have not travelled much in foreign lands." * Shan shakes her head. "Nor have I." ( ...Shan is gonna be Fanfan. Only without the swords, maybe. o_o) (I have the bladed weapon things! Yay!) ( But I know Kung Fu ) [Over the rattling of the coach, Shan can hear a couple people talking. It's in peasant gossip so it's somewhat crude in demeanor. "...and then they say that she tried to draw a sword and fight off the guards single-handed." "No way. Foreigners have no manners. What's one of them doing in the capital?" "No one knows where she came from really...but she fought like a demon before they finally caught her. Took out a good deal of them first, though."] ( /me ignores it! Guess someone else will have to get in the game after all :P ) (The coach loses a wheel and crashes into the ocean then.) * Shan blinks a bit at that. She looks out the window at the peasants. Without looking like that's what she's doing, of course. [The two peasants look rather peasanty. They're standing in a rice field. One of them even has a sprout in his mouth. "I'm tellin' ya, that's just a rumor. There's no one foolish enough to just waltz into Chu-in like that." The other peasant seems insistant. "Well, that's what they say anyways."] * Shan considers that. She looks over at the assistant. "Tell the driver I would like to stop by the jail." ( Or should I say dungeon? :P ) * Assistant looks at Shan curiously. "You've come up with an idea?" ( The thing where they keeps the bad peoples. ) (That place! With the prisoners!) (Big stone building...bars on the windows...) [Shan misses the rest of the convo. Who cares though. They're just peasants.] * Shan nods. "I believe so." ( Stupid peasants. You exist to pay taxes and make food! ) (And provide minor plot points when no one else will) ( That too ) ( And stand in fields holding strings attached to water buffalo. [/2 pts] ) (Pratchett is not 2 points) (::gives Pshary a longer piece of string and goes back to watching the show::) [The assistant directs the driver to change course and pretty soon, Shan arrives at the jail. It's big and stony and jail-like. There's some torch light providing psuedo-brightness to the cavernous atmosphere.] ( Sometimes it is. ;-; ) [The jailer is sitting behind a desk and looks rather annoyed at his two prisoners. One is asleep though, so by process of elimination, he must be annoyed at the well-tanned woman in the cell.] ( I bet I could find a 2-point Pratchett. ) [The assistant follows cautiously in behind Shan. Seems he doesn't care much for jail cells.] * Shan walks into the cavernous jail calmly. * Nasira is in her cell, on the straw that passes for bedding. It looks rather uncomfortable, but just *might* be better than sleeping on the floor. She talks at the jailer, "So, I've never been to Chu-Lin before. Is this how you treat all foreigners? Insult them and then toss them in jail when they don't wanna take that kind of thing? I've gotta say I'm surprised. Hey, I could use more water. Mind gettin' that for me?" * Nasira sounds perfectly cheerful, all considered. (...if Nasira is Naoki, I am going to cry. ;-; ) (You'll see. ^_^) * Jailer sighs and tries not to open his eyes to look at Nasira. "You aren't much in a position to demand anything." I'm not demanding. I'm asking. Maybe I should say please. Pleeeeease? How long's my stay, anyway? I'm gonna get really bored in a few weeks, and that's no fun for you. Me, either, but mostly you. Trust me on this. ( ... Nasira isn't clueless enough to be Naoki. >_> ) (*snicker*) ( Point. ) ( She's Leena. <.< ) ( ... You're right. ) * Assistant whispers to Shan in Chu-lin. "Are you sure this is wise, Lady Dian Biao?" Look around you. This is a jail. I do not take orders from prisoners. There you go again, assuming I'm ordering you around! Really. I don't order people around. Especially not big bad jailers who can threaten my life. * Shan walks in, arms folded into the wide sleeves of her green robe. She smiles and bows politely. She's a rather pretty woman, with silk-white skin and exotic, almost slanted, violet eyes. She's wearing a tall, elaborate hat. She motions for her assistant to be quiet as she approaches the jail. (::updates the eyes list::) * Assistant quiets down but can't hide his frown at the spectacle before him. * Jailer snorts. "Then what would you call it? After you attacked the guards as you did, you are lucky to still be alive to even ask for water." He notices Shan and snaps out of his chair, giving a quick, if a little stiff, bow. ( ... wait. Nasira is Jason! ) (Nasira's Nasira. Now hush :P) * Nasira just now notices Shan, turning her head so her one glittering, nearly black eye can see her. "Hello, company! Welcome to my pathetic hovel. I'd offer you a place to sit, but all I have is the floor or that chamber pot over there." She points with a grin. * Shan smiles nicely at the jailer and then turns her attention to Nasira. "It's not meant to be a grand hotel, I'm afraid." Yeah, well, it's not as though I'd expect one. If your people decided to set me in a grand hotel for doing what I did, I'd be shocked, amazed, and think you're all idiots. Figure I'm getting off pretty light, actually. I've even got my own personal jailer to torment- er, chat with. * Shan snickers. "Are you suggesting we make your sentence greater?" * Nasira folds her hands behind her head as she thinks about that one. Her hair's very long, thick, and a deep black, tied into a multi-sectioned ponytail. She only has one eye because, well, the other is covered with an eyepatch. She looks to be in her mid-twenties, all told, and a warrior, if the lean yet well- muscled frame were to give anything away. Attire is loose, comfortable, and light-colored, with Chu-Lin slippers. Nah. I wouldn't do a thing like that. So, what brings someone like you here? Actually, I think I *may* recognize you from somewhere... hm. * Nasira removes one deeply tanned hand from the back of her head, pointing at the ceiling. "A government official." * Shan nods. "Correct." How was the hangover? * Shan is taken completely off guard with that one. "Ah..." She coughs and clears her throat. "If you're finding your accomidations to be uncomfortable, I have a proposition for you." Oh? Let's talk business. Have a seat. Maybe Jailer Boy can offer you one. I'd say step into my office, but they're probably afraid I'd strangle you with my bare hands or something. Those crazy foreigners and all. To be fair, you DID brandish a weapon at a civilian. * Assistant shakes his head and steps back. Rude foreigners. But hopefully Lady Shan knows what she's doing. Not hardly! He was a government official, too! And one not nearly as drunk as you, though about five hundred times more rude. So it wasn't just *any* civilian. But... You DID brandish a weapon at a civilian. * Nasira snorts. "I wasn't gonna hurt him." * Jailer looks over at the cell, still standing at attention. "I believe she fails to realize the seriousness of the charges." It would appear so. Nono, see, I fully understand. There's no reason to downplay it. I threatened a government official. Government officiaaaaaal. That's the real reason I'm locked up here. Had I waved a sword at a peasant, charges wouldn't be half so severe. By the way, how are the crops growing this time of year? * Shan looks over at the Jailer. "It would appear very much so." * Nasira sighs, almost looking disappointed. "And talked around, too." * Jailer sighs. "I've no idea how to deal with foreigners. It isn't as if we get many here in the capital." Irregardless, as I've said, I have a proposition for you. Unless you'd like to remain here indeffinately? I don't know. It's almost comfortable here. Let's see what you've got to say. Do you want to sit, or should I stand? * Shan finds a chair and sits down. There we go. Comfortable? Comfortable enough. * Jailer sits down in a chair to and just watches the two of them, ready to act in case there's trouble. * Nasira pushes herself off the wall, sitting Indian-style. "Good enough." She keeps grinning. "Now, here's how we do things in my country. We each introduce ourselves, then we talk business. It doesn't do any good to talk with strangers; you've gotta do it with acquaintances, or friends." Her eye gleams. "I'll start." We are not in your country. Nonsense. This little cell is my country. You knew you were walking into another country when you stepped foot into that jailhouse, willing to talk with someone from a land you've likely never been to. I don't make deals with strangers. ... No, this jailhouse and that cell are apart of Chu Lin. * Nasira keeps grinning. "I'm afraid I am not." You are. I can produce documents to prove it if you really think it's necessary. What, I'm property now? When did this happen? I didn't think your people were so barbaric as to practice slavery. * Shan rubs her face. Perhaps I should come back tomorrow. Maybe then you'll be more willing to listen. Oh no, I'm willing to listen to *you*. I just want to know if you're willing to listen to me. You may think I'm a lowly prisoner, worth only some straw on the floor or a bucket in the corner. But I deserve some courtesy and respect. I didn't kill anyone, and it was completely within my capabilities to have. Now. I shall introduce myself, and we'll see if you're willing to do the same. As long as you are in that cell, you are a lowly prisoner. And if you want courtesy and respect I strongly suggest you start paying it to other people first, before you accidently insult the emperor and have yourself hanged! ( Wow, this looks really complicated. *falls asleep* ) * Nasira smiles, and her eye glitters. "Temper. I'm not going to talk to the emperor if you people have any say in it." She gets to her feet, towering over the others at just a couple inches under six feet tall, and executes a surprisingly graceful Chu-Lin style bow. And the fact that you didn't kill anyone when you could have does NOT entitle you to admiration! That is how you should act naturally to begin with. My name is Nasira Zehil, daughter of Kamil and Hala Zehil, student of Mirza Saleh, and my ear- okay, you just ruined it. Now how do you feel? * Assistant whispers to Shan, trying not to glare at Nasira as he speaks, concentrating on her. "Lady Dian Biao, I fear we're wasting our time here." I feel particularly angry, which in itself is unusual, because I try not to be prone to anger. You come in here demanding respect when you CLEARLY do not respect our culture or traditions, and as my assistant says, I fear you are wasting my time. I came here because I had a proposition for you, but it's becoming quite clear than I would be better off finding someone else. * Nasira shrugs. "I wouldn't have learned that bow in such a short amount of time, had I had absolutely no respect for your traditions. All I ask is you respect mine." * Assistant frowns at that response and is silent. Very well. I shall listen to what you have to say, and if you make me any angrier I shall order the guards to brandish weapons at you, because that is what you do when you are angry. I furthermore declare the world to belong to me because I am in it, and you are therefore tresspassing. * Nasira laughs. Don't let your emperor hear that. He might get territorial. May I have your name and profession? I am quite sure you will pay me the utmost respect, because I am not ordering you to be killed, when I am quite capable of doing so. * Shan rubs her forehead. "My name is Shan Dian Biao. I am an Imperial Minister." * Nasira hmms and nods. "Yes, you have a very good point there. What's an imperial minister? I can't say I've ever heard of that one." * Shan leans forward. "That means I'm on the Imperial Council. THAT means I play a very large part in running this country." Ah, interesting. And that would be why you can get me out of here. So, why do it? I currently am on an assignment requiring me to travel abroad. However, I have very little knowledge of the world at large, outside of Chu Lin. In short, I need a guide. * Nasira raises an eyebrow. "And you came to me? Travelers must be hard to find in these lands." They tend to be, yes. I can't say the weather is a big draw. Some lightning once in a while looks nice, but I'd rather not be hit by it. So, you'll let me out if I promise to be your guide to wherever we may be going. How do you know I won't turn on you the moment we leave? ( Good point. I don't. Goodbye! *leaves* ) Three reasons. * Shan holds up one finger. "First, because since your release will be what is essentially your payment for your services, I have nothing to lose." * Shan holds up two fingers. "Second, because you don't strike me as the type who would turn traitor so easily. You'll note that I am placing trust that your people repay their debts." * Shan holds up three fingers, "And third, even if you do go against me..." * Shan clenches her fist, and lightning crackles around it very briefly. "I think you'll find that I, too, am more than capable of defending myself if necessary." * Nasira catches note of that and chuckles. "Oh, very nice. I'm impressed, Shan Dian Biao. I didn't think you had it in you." * Shan smiles wryly. "There is always more to any one person than what they show you on the surface." And I find myself in absolute agreement. Stunning. * Nasira grins and spreads her hands. "My services are yours. I'll pledge my sword to you, as a guard and a guide, for as long as this assignment takes. This isn't to say I'm offering myself in slavery or blind servitude, but I will do my best to protect you and see that you get where you need to go." I'd, ah, suggest sealing this as many merchants from my homeland seal their deals, but I doubt you'd want to do it that way. So we can just leave it at that. Er... Nevermind, I'm not going to ask. * Shan stands up. "And incidently, Chu Lin has never participated in the slave trade." * Nasira grins. "Good, don't. Maybe you could arrange for me to get my possessions back?" I will do so. * Nasira bows again, Chu-Lin style. "Thank you. It's very much appreciated." * Assistant eyes Nasira cautiously and skeptically. * Shan bows back. "Then I shall have the necessary paperwork drawn up." * Nasira favors the assistant with a bright-eyed smile. It'd be nice if she weren't some tall warrior woman who took down however many guards on her own. * Assistant greets Nasira back with a slight sneer and heads back for the coach. * Shan heads back too, to do whatever it is she needs to. [And thus the pact was made. And official and guard sailed their way towards Malta.] [Session End.]