Thoughtful Rain (Open to anyone)

unmatched-perception:

deceivingdancer:

pridefulsuperiority:

(OOC: Don’t worry about it Diao, my posts vary in length. I can’t always write like that. I was on a roll. x’D I know, I know. It’s heartbreaking but I just have to keep in mind, that she’s resting peacefully now.)

Lord Sima Shi walked through the crowded streets, littered with idiot soldiers who obviously didn’t have the decency to stand aside. Shi indeed carried himself proudly and highly, as he moved. The fact that the men were disobeying him..by standing around like fools, annoyed him. A soldier stood directly in front of him, staring at what had caused the commotion, that of which Shi could not see, yet. Leaning over the smaller soldier’s shoulder Shi spoke. ”Is it your duty to stand around like a fool, hmm? Or perhaps you wish to lose your head?” A smirk crossed his face, as he watched the soldier jump out of his skin.

”M-My Lord!..I will return to my duties at once!” The soldier was obviously intimidated and startled by the presence of a Sima. The fact that he could have witnessed his end from his stupidity and ignorance, made him hurry off to the side and continue his training.

Shi’s brown eyes followed the soldier, as he noticed him looking back towards him, a smirk crossed his face forcing the soldier to look away, for good. Walking towards the direction of the commotion, he couldn’t help but laugh to himself. Father..I believe you truly to be the one that has taught me a great deal, in life but..why must I lead some of these idiots. The thought crossed his mind, as he noticed the woman from afar.

Oh, Zhong Hui was dealing with this woman, was he? Perhaps he would watch from afar with a smug look upon his face, she was definitely Diao Chan, alright. His father had told him quite a few stories of this certain woman and he knew well, that she was not one to underestimate in her thinking methods. Standing with his arms behind his back, he watched to see if Zhong Hui would live up to his name and his often over-confident, spoken words of his brilliance.

The attention, though she did not respond to it, was not unnoticed. Truly, everyday life was like this. People flocked to see her, the chance to see Diao Chan’s beauty; the very same beauty that made the very moon hide in shame was a prospect many were, apparently, willing to give their life for. With shameless eyes, Diao Chan watched a man with black hair and a facial mask scold a soldier. Did that mean these peons were led by fear? That wasn’t how it was supposed to be.. People were supposed to fight because they wanted too.. not because an arrogant jerk was shouting orders. Something close to anger was visible for JUST a single moment before her blue eyes held the same calm nature they were known for.

Distracted by Sima Shi, she did not see the irritated young man that strode over towards her. Rude first words, hm? Diao Chan was silent for a deadly second, mind twirling into action. Finally, she bowed her head in respect. “Zhong Hui.. I have heard many tales of your brilliance. You surely are a force to be reckoned with.” Gazing up at him now, she fixed him with a polite part of her plush, coral colored lips. A forced smile, one none could see through..

“I was traveling..” She began, trailing off to glance knowingly towards Sima Shi. Would he make himself known, or did he plan on watching to see how one of his generals worked. “Freedom is.. something I think most of us over look. It’s really quite nice to ride alone and experience the beautiful world we live in, even if it is twisted in this chaotic stage. Some places.. if you look really hard..lack any signs of turmoil. While looking and enjoying my time alone, this terrible thunder storm hit.”

Her tone was delicate, words soft like rose petals. Standing up, Diao Chan crossed her wrists at her stomach, bowing before the man. “I would be most thankful if you could escort me to a room for the night, or at least until the storm passes by.. Is that too much to ask?” Perhaps she could make a private, individual visit to the many soldiers scattered about. If they perhaps watched her dance, maybe it would make them all much happier.

A polite response. Oh good, it looked like she had manners. On top of which, she realized his brilliance. Oh, wasn’t she a smart girl. He would give her that much. With such a gentle, respectful response, Zhong Hui leaned back with his hand still present on his hip. Pleased, he backed off physically, though his eyes were still pinned down on her suspiciously. Her explanation was sound enough… Not to say that he fell for it to say the least, but it was an excuse he could accept. No immediate flaws or loopholes—well, actually there were, but he wasn’t about to pick them out. Perhaps he was feeling a little generous…? No, that couldn’t be. Since when was Zhong Hui ever kind? Folding his arms over his chest, Zhong Hui’s eyes shifted as he glanced to the side to spy out Sima Shi. Pushing his shoulders back and lifting his nose into the air, he parted his lips in response to her request for a place to stay specifically. Not that he personally had a problem with it. She was a lady, after all, and even Zhong Hui knew that they needed to be treated respectfully—as long as he wasn’t given any lip in return, that was.

“With the approval of my lord… Of course.” His reply was a little stiff, though a smile was ever present on his lips. Hah, who wasn’t knowledgeable of his talents? His confidence and ego rose tremendously hearing of such from the renowned woman before him… Not that they needed to be, or anything. He and everyone else serving the Sima clan knew damn well how far his capabilities stretched! Was there anything that he couldn’t do?

Taking a step back, his arms unfolded from around his chest as an arm outstretched to offer an open palm towards Sima Shi—directing Diao Chan towards the silent, observing leader. If offered respect, you were given it in return. That was how Zhong Hui worked. Though if said reverence was withdrawn, then his own would be as well… And God only knew if it would ever return. First impressions were of absolute importance, for the helped craft a future relationship.

Despite his constant irritation and short temper—of which was heightened during this abrupt change of weather. Unexpected rain never did sit well with him for aforementioned reasons—Zhong Hui seemed to remain relatively tame. Impressive. Perhaps this woman had more capability than he originally believed. If she could sweet-talk him so easily, providing her polite interactions remained, then certainly her request for shelter would not be denied even by Sima Shi. As he stood amidst the rainfall—with a polite hand outstretched, feet together and perfect posture—the wheels within Zhong Hui’s mind clicked and turned in thought. If she were to be submitted to remain within their encampment as a stranger and a vagrant, just what kind of trouble would she cause, if any?

Oh, she was definitely good with her words and the use of those beautiful eyes she had been blessed with, wasn’t she? Moving his eyes not once from her face, his smirk grew a little in size as he thought back to a time, when he was just a small child.

A woman had walked by, as Shi had walked with his father. He had noticed his father’s wandering eye and the woman before them had indeed pouted in a flirtacious manner, back at his father. Now obviously Sima Shi was too young to understand the way of human attraction, at such an early age. Speaking to his father he had remarked ”Father, that woman is really pretty, isn’t she?”

His father had obviously turned away from his son, to hide the smirk upon his face and clasping a hand over his mouth to hide his laughter, at his son’s innocent response. He had replied ”If you had ever heard rumours of Lady Diao Chan, although that woman was quite beautiful..you would indeed re-think that, my son,” a somewhat cruel response to his son but Sima Yi was a cruel man at heart, even though he cherished his sons.

One could say, no wonder Sima Shi was the way he had been raised. Turning his gaze to the beautiful Diao Chan, he proudly walked forward, towards her. In fact he was not intimidated by her beauty and ways of manipulative thinking..were the Sima’s not quite the same, in their methods? Gesturing for two soldiers to move either side of her, his spoken word followed. ”You shall refer to me as Lord Sima Shi. My Father was quite right. Lady Diao Chan, I wonder as to what brings you here, hmm?” Quickly waving away an unneeded response he spoke once more. ”I shall grant your request. It is indeed rare to meet such a woman, at this present time, ” Waiting for her to move forward, he would pace himself slowly and wait for her to add anything more to the conversation, as they walked. 

(via silks-and-skirmishes)