Freeform Wuxia RP!

Even though the dead walked the Earth and the world around it was collapsing, the Imperial City of Shenzen was celebrating.

Thousands of little paper lamps hung from every corner on the streets, there were fireworks, and people danced and drank everywhere. A thousand-man-long blue paper dragon made its way through the major boulevards, cheered on by a large band.

It was Lamp Festival at Shenzen, and the Empress fully intended to make it a huge event: The people were restless and scared... This was an excellent occasion to prop morale up.

Perhaps most interestingly, Empress Hui Zong had announced a contest: Open to every warrior at Shenzen, male or female, the victor would be crowned Champion and would earn a small fortune: Also, it was no secret that Hui Zong herself would be watching the combats... And probably offering careers to promising mercenaries. In front of the palace, three masked guards in full battle armor took sign-ups for the contest.

edited 5th Sep '11 7:55:37 AM by SavageHeathen

"Fan Sung practitioner of the Tiger Style Kung Fu. I simply must participate in this tournament so I'll require you to sign me up immediately" demanded a slightly short young lady of one of the armored guards taking note of all participants.

Finally a proper stage to hone her skills while properly showing off the techniques her revered Master taught her. There was no way anything would get in her way today that she wouldn't tear to shreds.

"Fan Sung, Tiger style.", the guard scribe annotated. "The contest begins at nightfall.", he said.

A hulking giant of a man, bald and bearded, approached the registrar. He wore strange clothes: Similar to those of the Japanese, but not quite. He carried the largest non-ceremonial sword Fan Sung had ever seen, and he moved in a ponderous, deliberate, fluid way.

"Tachibana Akihi.", he said. Unlike most martial artists, it appeared that the man had little intention of promoting his mentors: He didn't say a single word about his style.

edited 5th Sep '11 7:56:04 AM by SavageHeathen

Hwan Song stood in the line waiting for his turn to register. He tapped his foot impatiently, however when Fan Sung caught his eye he stopped and decided to eye up the girl instead. "Well, ain't she cute?" He thought to himself before examining the man in front of him and especially his sword

"Hmmg..."

Fan Sung looked only momentarily to the large man at her side. She was kind of hoping he would be her opponent. Fan did like to fight big people like him, most of the time her speed and agility worked wonders when put together with her unexpected chi derived strength. Though something that did give her a little pause was the sword the guy carried. Either he was an idiot with a bigger is better complex or he would be a frightening beast with monstrous range.

Either way her curiosity was picked a little. Now with her name registered for the fight she was able to finally get out of the line. She walked away to a less crowded space, her steps light and graceful like those of a feline as she lazily lifted her arms to stretch.

Yue addressed one of the guards taking signups. "Yue Feng, Rabbit style." She said, looking around at her competition. She saw a large, heavily tattooed man with a thick beard, possibly Nanman or Ainu. He had the look of a fierce competitor about him. He was definitely someone to watch.

edited 5th Sep '11 11:58:25 AM by Shadowbell

Another warrior, an old man, hobbled up to the signups. He was short, and compact, and his simple green robe combined with his walking stick and beard gave him more the impression of a beggar than a warrior. But he was more than that, this old man had something to prove.

"An Xhu. Judo." he said simply. He smiled. "Yes, the An Xhu, the man who lives on Xiao Da mountain, the secretive master, has come to grace your tournament."

Once Xhu's name was in the sheet, he walked up to the man named Akihi and looked him up and down. He extended a hand. "Sir, it will be a pleasure to defeat you in combat."

Ninja'd :D One sec. Yay, done :D

Huá Yì Fei stood in line, staring at the fireworks, a half-opened grin on her face. They were so colourful, so much more exciting than any of the fireworks she had seen in the Northern Capital. They were a more militaristic state, of course, but that was no excuse. And the lanterns! She had almost stolen one, when she heard the crash cymbals announcing the approach of the dragon and she ran off, trying to jump onto the cloth and ride with the dragon like she had done when she was a child; of course, the men under the cloth were less accepting of a twenty-something year old than a five year old kid.

The sharp pop and snap of firecrackers as the dancing dragon started to turn into another street almost made her want to follow, but she stayed. She wasn't even sure why now, especially when she could join the festivities, as opposed to being part of one, despite being in a more conscious state than usual.

She stretched and yawned unceremoniously loud, eyes running lazily over her fellow contestants, only several catching her notice. A little in front of her, a young man (or an old kid, either definition was accurate) with his back turned to her, hair brushing against torn sleeves. At the front of a line, two figures were leaving the line, an old man who she almost recognised as someone she should know, especially from the robes (green green?) and what she though was a boy when she paused and squinted. Girl. It was a girl. She giggled, trying to keep quiet but the giggles stopped easily when she caught sight of the huge, muscular man who had just finished signing up.

I wonder if he drew some of those muscles, she thought, now almost apprehensive. But she calmed herself. She would deal with it as it came.

A little to his right, another girl, shoulder-length black hair with loose, breezy clothing and a step that reminded her of cats. She was trotting lightly away from the line, stretching slim arms in the air.

Tiger Style, possibly. But so far south?

Well, what was she to judge? She was from the North, anyone could tell from her shirt.

She shrugged and cocked her head at the front of the line. If you squinted from a different angle, she really did look like a boy. No matter. She hissed on her hands, the warm air directed by her teeth and tongue hitting her fingers like a puff of steam. Huh. The training was getting to her.

edited 5th Sep '11 2:00:59 PM by Aralyn

When it was his turn Hwan approached the booth where he signed up "Hwan Song. Taekwondo.... With various other arts mixed into it."

edited 5th Sep '11 2:01:30 PM by Clawthewolf

Taekwondo?

She blinked dazedly and approached the scribe, "Huá Yì Fei of the North," she smiled vacantly, "Put me down, please."

Ri Feng, a young man whose brightly coloured clothes seemed to befit the occasion, had been quietly waiting in line, his hands clasped behind his back. He was trying his best to ignore the enthusiastic celebrations going on all around him, and his willpower was being sorely tested by the abundance of alcohol, something which he had not had for a few days now. Despite his best efforts, he found his gaze slyly shifting toward the nearest stand selling such drinks, and matters weren't helped by his thoughts.

C'mon, it'll only take a few minutes... all you have to do is nip out of the line, get some liquor, and then sneak back in. It's not that difficult. You know you want to...

Shaking his head, he remembered his master's face as he told him to set off on this journey: the mixture of hope, pride and fear etched upon each and every wrinkled crevice of his wisened old head. Ri wasn't sure why, but that usually stopped him from thinking of such foolish things, perhaps a show of his great respect toward the man*

Of course, he was going to enter a tournament which his master would have strictly disapproved of, so maybe it wasn't such an effective deterrant after all. Deep down, Ri knew he was doing it because he wanted to prove his fighting prowess, but he justified it to his conscience by telling himself that he was going to bring honour and recognition to the small monastic order he belonged to by winning the competiton. Then, they might receive more students and prosper. Wouldn't that be a good way to honour his master?

Stretching slightly and forgetting his thoughts for now, he looked at the other potential competitors. There was a heavyset, powerful man, who could probably smash Ri into tiny pieces with a single swipe. Hopefully, what he had been taught would carry the day. There was also a woman who seemed to carry herself in a confident manner - she'd be one to look out for. There was also a man who, while not as musclebound as the huge guy with the sword, looked quite strong. Again, Ri would have to be careful about him. An older man also signed up - he didn't look like much, but if Ri's own master was any indication, then he was a lot more talented than he seemed. A pale woman was slightly further ahead in the line than him, but he couldn't tell much about her for now. Finally, there was another woman who was wearing a fairly nice looking jacket that simply had the legend "Yue" on it. She looked as though she wasn't afraid to prove a point if she wanted to, but at least if he fought her things might be on a more even footing.

They all listed off different fighting styles, some of which he was familiar with, others less so.

Ri sighed. He was overthinking things again. Whatever happened would happen, and there was nothing he could do about that. He'd just have to hope that fate would smile on him. He waited patiently for his turn, and when it came up he said, "Ri Feng, Rooster Talon. I'm here on behalf of the Order of the Silent Wanderers. You probably haven't heard of them."

edited 5th Sep '11 3:03:01 PM by Flanker66

"Dang. Just not my kinda day" Cong Beihou muttered to himself as the fighters passed by. "Since when did people who actually look like they can kick my ass start looking so wealthy?" He rose up from his resting place at the gutter of a nearby road and quickly glided through the largest crowds up to the front of the palace, emptying pockets along the the way. In the event that he recieved one too many fists to the face to even be considered for this prize, or even a worthwhile job, he'd have a good bit of wealth to fall back on.

"Hey there!" Cong Beihou shouted as he strided towards the gaurds at the palace's front. He halted his run for a moment to brush the dirt of the seat of his pants, and then walked the rest of the way towards them (as not to let his private items make too much noise.) "Hǎorén is the name!" he proclaimed bodly. "Fights in the Rat's style. I'd like to enter this competition!"

Akihi took a look at both young women, scratching his chin. He smirked slightly, but he didn't say a word. Whatever he thought, he kept for himself. He looked at the Judo master: "I'm honored by your challenge. Thwarting you will be a pleasure, Xhu-kyoshi.", he said, making a deep bow.

The guard Scribe loudly announced each and every of the sign-ups, pronouncing them as a public challenge: Those who did not show up would lose their honor.

A few hours remained until the contest would start... But then again, there was plenty of stuff to do during Lamp Festival in Shenzen.

edited 6th Sep '11 3:30:49 PM by SavageHeathen

A Cheng Jia wandered about through the streets of the festival, eying every source of food available to paying customers. So much good food... what can I actually AFFORD though...?

Jia gave his coin bag a small jiggle. There was a distinct lack of sound that resulted from it. ...I can afford to window shop, but that's all...

He sighed. Despite the festivities around him, he could hear his stomach growl. What to do, what to do...

...

The monk gave his donation box a shake. The sound of coins could be heard bouncing against the wood. ...well, I won't be able to provide any cash for my order if I starve to death...

For some reason, it appeared the bald monks were hoarding all the alms: When it came to long-haired, hatted monks... Well, people suddenly grew a lot less generous.

A teenage girl carrying a jian and attired in a studded leather armor watched him with mild amusement. "A monk with fashion sense: Funny.", she said, chuckling. Then she dropped a gold coin on his box.

edited 5th Sep '11 6:23:22 PM by SavageHeathen

Cong Beihou had decided to ensure that he'd not wake up a poor man. This was a special occasion, after all! There was no need to wast his talents on the common folk. None whatsoever! He crawled, climbed, and jumped his way onto a nearby roof that gave him a view of the most crowded streets. "Send me a rich idiot" he muttered to the sky. "If not that, any idiot will do!"

After a few minutes of roof-hopping, it seemed as if Cong Beihou's prayer was answered. By a monk, no less! Or at least a man pretending to be a monk. The guy looked a tad fidgety for a religious type, not to mention the whole 'not bald' bit. "And whats this?" Cong Beihou inquired, as he spotted the warrior-girl. "A little girl? Armed and armoured? Giving to this obvious fake?" He didnt need to see anything more. He bolted across the roofs until he he was right above them. "No point trying to pick armor, leather or no." he said. He promptly took a handful of golden coins (fakes, of course) from his person, and tossed them to the streets below. "Just gotta yank and run."

Fei gazed around the street, smiling as she heard another wave of firecrackers go off. She walked around the street, arms half held up, walking like a tight-roper following a fly's trail. She liked the feeling of being unbalanced; it almost felt like flying.

edited 5th Sep '11 7:29:17 PM by Aralyn

Well now it would be some time before the fights started. It was quite a bother to prolong her eventual victory that long but it wasn't like she didn't expect it.

Now, as to how to spend her time... Fan Sung thought of a couple of things. She could find a peaceful pond to sit down nearby and meditate, a forest of bamboo to practice her balance in by jumping from one trunk to the other, something as simple as practicing her form on a park or maybe even...

Sniff, Sniff

The young tiger's train of thought was inevitably derailed by a certain smell floating right into her sharp nose. Her gifted eyes looked around the festival only to lock down on the source of the alluring scent that completely caught her attention. Some mystic capable of glancing into the spiritual realm, where the shape of a person had everything to do with their psyche could probably see a pair of feline ears on the young woman perked straight up..

Because right in front of her eyes there was a stand of food selling the most beautiful pieces of chicken on sweet and sour sauce she had ever seen. The mere sight was more than enough to drive anyone with a shred of good taste to begin drooling in anticipation.

If the proud warrior Fan Sung actually had her discipline overcame by this wondrous sight of pure heaven is something better speculated about.

But, the sad fact was that Fan Sung didn't have a single coin to her name. This drove her to stand around for a little while more looking with the ultimate sorrow at the wonders that could never be hers.

edited 5th Sep '11 9:44:13 PM by daltar

Fei tottered on the edge of a tile and circled her arms in half panic, catching sight of the tiger-girl gazing at the meat stand. She lowered her arms, waited for the girl to go buy a peice (wonder if she eats like a tiger as well) but green slacks didn't, instead remaining where she stood.

Oh. She can't afford it.

She felt in her pockets. She had a enough coins left to cup in her hand from her last quest, and she'd have coin enough when she won this contest.

Her mind had already half receded into the clouds by the time she approached the tiger-girl, "Do you want some?" she asked with a glassy eyed smile.

edited 5th Sep '11 11:57:14 PM by Aralyn

"Hmmgg...!"

The tiger girl was more than a little startled by having someone break into her little chicken induced contemplations. Furthermore the sight of the young woman who approached her irked her in some strange and primal way... She looked normal enough though she could feel that the woman was not normal at all. Her eyes were strangely glassy like someone who wasn't really there... which was clearly suspicious.

The little Tiger treaded with care, her subconscious perceiving the presence of her rival the Dragon even though her conscious mind couldn't immediately recognize it.

Indeed, the most likely path this encounter would take is for Fan Sung to declare a challenge which would bring about one of the fiercest battles in the realm of human history...

That is, only if Fei had not just offered to treat her to some of the godly chicken from the heavenly stand. As it stood the moment that offer reached her feline ears Fan instantly dismissed almost all of her initial judgments on the older girl only for them to be replaced with a bubbly and bright feeling that this was an extremely good person deserving of all her trust.

However the tiger must remain with some degree of dignity no matter if she was standing before Buddha and all the Immortal men and woman from history!

"R-Really? Y-You want to eat with me?" The young tiger asked a little awkwardly, her inner feelings a confused mix of pure joy, dismissed suspicion and some token amount of pride.

The fake coins fell all around the monk and the girl. She didn't even flinch: Scrambling for coins was beneath her: She could afford not to.

She looked at the monk: "My name's Mei. I'm going to fight in the contest. What about you?", she asked.

edited 6th Sep '11 7:54:25 AM by SavageHeathen

"Jia. Cheng Jia. I'm trying to raise money for my monastic order."

Pause.

"Or maybe they just wanted to get rid of me. I'm not exactly their best pupil..."

Turning his head to the roof, the monk casually waved at the fellow who threw down coins from up above.

"If you want to make a donation, it'd be better if you just come down here!"

Python hobbled past a beggar monk, no doubt trying to earn money just as he once did. An felt pity towards the man... "Ah, a fellow monk. Well, I suppose I can spare you something; it's not like I'll be short on cash once I win the tournament anyway."

He dropped a few coins into Jia's lap. "Don't spend it all in one place! Keh heh heh!"

And then Python looked at this Mei woman. "And you're entering the tournament? Keh heh heh heh!! Easy pickings!"

edited 6th Sep '11 2:47:27 PM by Taco

The instant the tiger looked at her and she saw the fire in the girl's heart she truly woke up for the first time in her life. The dragon chi stirred and looked through her eyes in tired suspicion and almost smiled as he saw his old foe, tiger (or tigress as it may be). She felt her body tense, fists clench behind her back as if it were anticipating a fight, and in her current state she probably would've picked one if the girl hadn't spoken.

"R-Really? Y-You want to eat with me?"

That cut through her reaction easily and the old dragon settled down, already sleeping. There was time enough for fighting later.

"Why wouldn't I?" though the answer was clear to the both of them, she reached out to grab the girl's wrist and pulled her to the stand.

"Three peices, please," she said to the old man dreamily; why she was being so generous, she wasn't sure, but street-food was always cheap.

edited 6th Sep '11 2:52:18 PM by Aralyn

"Damn." Cong Beihou quipped to himself. " I wasnt expecting much money-grubbing from that strange girl, but not even the common folk went for it! I'll try this again once more drink has flown." These gambles were gonna be things of the past once that prize money was flowing. From then on it was the duck sauce train on dumpling wheels!

After a few more moments of daydreaming, he noticed that he was, well, noticed. With a friendly "Hi there!" he hopped off the ceiling to the street below. Better play this kindly. "Hǎorén's the name! And from my experience, I can safely telling you that your'e doing this all wrong! If your not even gonna try and look like an actual monk, you might as well try your luck fighting like one. There's a tournement sign up nearby. A few gold coins, and I'll take you right there!"