Jian - Captain Backfire

[21:16] <@Deedles> Rujin studied the robe for a moment, before she smiled faintly "One boon coming up..." she said as she raised two fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle. As the sounded faded the cool evening air was left undisturbed for a few short moments, until Jian could see small, white figures, moving towards the cave. There was at least a dozen of them, and they barely reached his ankle.
[21:16] <Jian> ...Jian raises an eyebrow, turning to look at Rujin. "Lesser spirits?"
[21:25] <@Deedles> "Yeah..." She looked towards the small figures with an affectionate expression. They crowded around the swordsman, before a few of them began climbing up along his robes, Jian hearing a soft chattering between them, which sounded almost like to sticks gently being clacked together.
[21:30] <@Deedles> As Jian studied the small creatures he felt energy, upon closer inspection he'd realize that it was wood chi that they consisted of, a chi that was connected to his surroundings, to the ancient forest itself. It was at this point that it would probably occure to him that these were forest spirits. Said to be curious, but timid creatures, and are completely harmless.
[21:31] <Jian> Jian smiles at the little creatures, watching them work in subdued amazement. He speaks softly to them. "Hello there, little friends... I am pleased to meet you."
[21:38] <@Deedles> They ran their hands along the cut in his robe, chattering amongst each other as they looked up at him when he spoke to them. The soft sound continued as they looked at each other again, and then began pulling the hole close, stitches starting to appear along it as they did.
[21:39] <Jian> He pauses, and then asks. "...My little friends, could you do me a greater favour? I do not just want these clothes mended... But made anew. A truer form, for a new quest. A guise to hide me, and then protect me, and then to name me... I am Jian, Priest of the Sword, the Yin-Yang Blade."
[21:44] <@Deedles> The little spirits looked up at him again, with their big, round, black eyes and then turned them towards Rujin, who looked back at them with an amused smile. She clicked her tongue a few times as she leaned her head back against the cave wall, after which the creatures got to work again, doing just as Jian had requested.
[21:47] <Jian> He smiles and even laughs as they work, almost forgetting his wounds as he watches the industrious little spirits work around him. "I owe you, my friends... And I swear on my blades I will repay that debt."
[22:02] <@Deedles> The little spirits worked diligently, following any further instructions he had until they were done, all of them jumping down onto the cave floor and moving away from him once they were.
[22:05] <Jian> Jian gives them a bow, deep and sincere, before rising and looking at himself. The fabric is still fine, but the flowing robes are gone. Replacing them is a ragged patchwork of the fine material, with many folds and edges and obvious lines of thread. Still, it feels warm, and comfortable, and gives him a range of movement... And it still has nice billowy sleeves. He turns to Rujin, offering
[22:05] <Jian> her a martial salute, hands held out together before him. "I go now, Rujin, Daughter of Baihu. I will not return until I have found the way to save your father."
[22:14] <@Deedles> Rujin slowly opened her eyes to look up at him "Good luck out there, Jian of the Sword." she replied as she studied him from head to toe. "Thank you, and be careful."
[22:16] <Jian> He bows again... And squeezes his left hand. A single drop of fresh, red blood falls to the floor of the cave. "...This blood is bound to my Chi. If it ever dries, know that I have failed, and I beg your forgiveness. While it remains... Know I am still fighting, on behalf of you, your father, and all and the people and spirits of this land." His expression is determined, his voice clear, as
[22:16] <Jian> he turns to leave.
[22:22] <@Deedles> Rujin's eyes settle on the drop of blood, peering down at it. "I'll keep an eye on it." she promised, before she suppressed a yawn, slowly laying down on her side. "If you guys need me, don't come looking for me, I move my home every other day to give Taihu little chance of finding me. I'll find you instead."
[22:23] <Jian> He smiles. "Perhaps one day I will be wise enough to find you, even so... But it is not today, nor is it tomorrow. We will trust in you, Rujin." With that, he begins his journey forth...
[22:30] <@Deedles> Like the others it took the better part of an hour for Jian to reach the village, met by much the same sight as the others. There were fewer people in the streets by now, but there were still some, and guards still patrolled.
[22:32] <Jian> Jian has had some time to think, on his journey... Perhaps it is foolish, but he will be distinctive anyway... It is time to see how the other half lives. He leaves his Yin-Yang blade outside the town, commanding it to bury itself before he strides forward. He holds his head high, and lets his bloody red hand show freely, signs of blood also shimmering through his robes. A wild man of blood
[22:32] <Jian> and violence... Someone who could very well be an Agent of Corruption.
[22:35] <@Deedles> The first person to spot Jian approaching the village was a young woman with long, black, hair. Her eyes widened as she spotted him, looking unsure on how to react, but her actions caught the attention of some of the guards who quickly headed to their side. "Is everything alright, ma'am?" the female guard asked, while the male followed the direction of the woman's gaze, his coming to settle on Jian too.
[22:37] <Jian> Jian continues towards them at an easy pace, unhurried nor chastened by the pair he approached. "You there! Where can I find the captains of the guard?"
[22:41] <@Deedles> The male guard held his staff in front of himself as his eyes narrowed at the stranger, studying him carefully. "What's it to you, stranger?" he retorted, while his fellow guard gently ushered the black-haired woman along.
[22:47] <@Deedles> The swordsman only senses normal chi in the male guard, not much larger than what you'd expect to find in a normal person. The female guard also only holds normal chi, though in her core is the faintest trace of uncultivated Earth chi.
[22:48] <Jian> Jian glances between the two of them and waves dismissively. "I come from Jinlong, and I wish to spend as little time in this tepid backwater as possible. Now point me towards the people who matter and get out of my way."
[22:55] <@Deedles> The male guard glared at him "I don't like your tone, and I don't like you. We don't like trouble-makers in our town, and I'm not about to take you to our captain." he stated sternly "Now I suggest you shape up your attitude, or leave."
[22:58] <Jian> He lets out a pained sounding growl under his breath. "Worthless ingrates. Are you so weak you can't even see one of your betters when he stands in front of you?" He raises his left hand, dipping his middle finger into the wound... And then flicking it towards the guard. A tiny fleck of blood blurs forth, striking the man in the chest with far more force than should be possible. He turns to
[22:58] <Jian> the woman before her partner hits the ground. "He is alive. He will remain so if you take me to your captains, Now."
[23:04] <@Deedles> The male guard uttered a strangled cry as he suddenly found himself flying back through the air and landing roughly, his armour causing a loud crash. "Muro!" The female guard called out as she watched him get flung back, spinning towards Jian as she raised her own spear in front of her, placing herself between the swordsman and the downed guard. "No." she hissed at him.
[23:04] <@Deedles> In the mean time the few people present on the street first stood in shock at what happened, but then ran, some of them crying out to the guards as they did.
[23:07] <Jian> Jian gestures... The drop of blood being joined by others, pouring forth from the wound in his hand and the others on his body to form a crimson blade hanging above the guards recumbant form, tip resting against his neck. "Yes. We all serve the same ultimate master, The Emperor. My business is important, and you are not. Pray do not delay me further."
[23:09] <@Deedles> The female guard froze as the blade appeared by her partner. "The Emperor?" The male guard scoffed hoarsely "The Emperor has done nothing while our home and loved ones have been attacked!" he shouted at Jian from where he laid, careful to not make the blade cut him.
[23:10] <Jian> "Well now he has. I am here. Take me to your captains."
[23:10] <Jian> He gives the female guard an extremely sarcastic bow, barely inclining his head. "Please."
[23:12] <@Deedles> As he spoke he would hear the sound of rapid footfalls from several sets of feet, quiclky followed by a group of 5 guards coming into view. "Hey you!" the one in the front, who was an older man, called out to Jian. "Stand down."
[23:21] <@Deedles> The group held normal chi much like the two other guards he'd become aquainted to, a couple of them only held normal chi, while there was one holding the potential for Water chi, another for Fire, and, finally, the man who had called out to Jian, held a very small pool of Wood chi.
[23:23] <Jian> Jian sneers at the man at the head of the group. "I suppose you'll do." He dismisses the sword... Letting the blood fall upon the poor fallen guard, and walking past the female guards spear with total disregard. "I come from Jinlong and it is my irritating duty to help out this mess of hovels that you call a town. Now Please, take me to your Captains. If you like, you can pretend you've
[23:23] <Jian> arrested me, Mm?"
[23:44] <@Deedles> "There isn't going to be any pretending." The older guard growled, and that was the cue they were waiting for, the group of guards all charging at Jian.
[23:46] <Jian> Jian... Raises his hands above his head. Still, his voice retains it's sarcastic tone. "I surrender. I am unarmed, and will come quietly... To wherever your Captains are."
[23:49] <@Deedles> The older guard placed the edge of his halberd against the side of Jian's throat "That ain't happening. You got two choices, either you can come with us and spend your time in a nice and cozy cell, or you can leave our town and never return." he stated as he glared at the young swordsman.
[23:50] <Jian> "Your cells couldn't hold me. But, if it makes you feel better, I'll spend the night. I needed a bed, anyway."
[23:52] <@Deedles> "If our cells cannot hold you then you better turn around and walk out of our town again." The older guard told him coolly. "I will not ask you twice." he warned.
[23:53] <Jian> "I will promise you that I will not break out... But bring me your captains tomorrow morning." He yawns. "I've had a bad few weeks. My temper may be improved by then."
[23:54] <@Deedles> "No." the guard shifted his halberd, using the staff to shove Jian back towards the path he'd come from.
[23:55] <Jian> He sighs. "Fine..." He flicks a foot at the ground, soaring up and backwards with a wave. "I'll be seeing you all very soon! And your captains will be Very upset!"
[23:57] <@Deedles> "Our Captain hates Jinlong, so I highly doubt that." THe older guard growled and spat on the ground.
[23:58] <Jian> Jian internally curses... A suspicious pair from the Capitol, but they claimed no allegiance to it? He'd find another way in... Another day.
[00:03] <Jian> He decides to try a different tack... One still in line with the hideous persona he currently wears. Leaping from shadowed rooftop to shadowed rooftop, he lets his senses extend far from his body as he surveys the unusual town... He was hoping to appeal to the allies of evil as a friend, but doing that meant finding them, first.
[00:07] <Jian> Frustrated and tired... Jian just finds a moderately well covered rooftop to rest up for the night. How the bad mannered ex-Dancing Sword Clan member was sent on a fools errand by the Black Lotus to spite him... If he found the right people, they might well be amused enough by the story to believe it. He sighs, and makes do with cold tiles and shadow...