Megaversal Remix

Marrowlight · Last edited by Marrowlight on Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:37 pm; edited 1 time in total

I've decided to spend a brief amount of time in your home shadows. As such, I allow you to set your own initial scene. Once you've done so, I shall step in from there.

Tian, you're up fourth. Time, day, month, year, location, and whatever else you feel necessary to tell us about. What're you up to?

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian Ming entered the room on soft feet, as was proper. She bowed deeply to Lady Shun, the took her seat on a low stool near the door, as befited her rank. Soon, Tian to earn a place for herself that would not require such obeisance to be made. The room was full of girls ranging from just barely into their teens, to nearly twenty. All wore simple, yet rich gowns of cotton satin in bright colors. They reminded Tian of spring flowers, ready for plucking.

Lady Shun continued on as if Tian had not interrupted. The higher ranking woman was not unkind to her, but neither did she take especial notice of her. A future Empress could be in this room and Lady Shun would pay her no more attention than she would a chair or table. Everyone was to serve a purpose. Tian ceased her random thoughts and tried to focus on Shun's words.

"Your families have given you up, their most precious daughters, to the Empire." Tian allowed herself a small, inward smile at that. Her family had been glad to be rid of her. The weren't wealthy enough to afford a dowry for her and her sisters. An opportunity to send her to Chonqing was an unexpected gift. "You will repay their generosity by making yourselves most useful servants of the Imperial family by amusing the Emperor's sons and by bearing their children. It is an honor to serve this way."

Tian kept her face schooled to stillness, but allowed her mind to wander again. She had heard this lecture before. Unlike the other girls, who had excellent prospects for marriage, she had none. Having a member of the Imperial court take her as a concubine was her only way to avoid being sent back to her family, a disgraced servant for her brothers' wives. While the other girls needed reminders, she felt time ticking away from her with every beat of her heart.

At sixteen, she was not quite the oldest of the girls sent to train at the Imperial court, but that didn't matter. If she failed to attract interest soon, she would be sent away, no matter her age. Tian needed the attention of a powerful and wealthy man to be allowed to stay. A prince wasn't necessary, she would be content with one of the generals. Several of them didn't seem too old or ugly to her eye. There would be a party tonight, one of the Emperor's sons, Yu Yong had just turned twenty. There would be many men of the court there, several of whom acted quite smitten with Tian at other gatherings. She had opportunity.

Marrowlight · Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Sure. I'm just making it up as I go anyways.

Marrowlight · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:32 am Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian found herself that evening seated on a plush cushion in a group surrounding Zhi Liu, a very elderly man. Zhi had been a member of the General Staff many years ago, under the current Emperor's father. He was far too old for her tastes, though many girls had spoken highly of marrying a sickly man, too senile to notice a dalliance with young, virile horseman or two. The advantage to such a match was clear, but Tian valued loyalty more than the chance to become a wealthy widow before her twentith birthday.

She glanced over, with downcast eyes, at the center of the party. Yu Yong sat at the center of a group of his father's best generals and most loyal men. The prince was handsome and strong. He was a skilled warrior and accomplished poet. Tonight, he was deep in his cups, reciting verse after verse to Jiang Ning, a ravishing beauty with blue black hair and skin like finest porcelain, while his companions laughed. Jiang was a year younger than Tian and from a far more significant lineage. There were no wives at this party. Just the young, unclaimed women that stayed in the House of Blossoms and received Lady Shun's tutelage. Tian spared a moment of envy for Jiang and the attention she was receiving, while she doted on a man old enough to be her grandfather.

But still, Zhi was kind hearted and told bawdy jokes. She would be happy to give him her company tonight for no reason but that. However, there was another reason she had settled herself in his group. His son, Jiao, was an extreme example of filial piety, staying near his elderly father, despite the distractions of pretty girls and strong drink elsewhere. Tian had set her sights on Jiao two months ago as being a suitable match. Jioa's friends, and the girls attracted to them, joined them, so her preference wasn't remarked upon.

Jiao was married, of course, to a woman Tian had never met. This did not matter to her in the least. Ning Li would tend his estates on the coast and bear his heirs. Tian could tend to his interests at court for him the rest of the year and see to his entertainment. He would spend most of his time with his armies anyways, leaving both of them free to do as they wished. It was a highly practical and common arrangement for men of his rank.

The rub now, was convincing him of the wisdom of this plan. Tian had never managed to get him to invite her to walk alone together through the gardens and proper decorum did not allow her to be so bold as to make the invitation herself. Jiao always had his friends, or his father nearby, and it simply wasn't suitable to discuss such things in company. With a slight wrinkle of her mouth, the most exasperation she would show at her circumstances, she offered Zhi more wine.

Marrowlight · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

As Zhi sipped on the wine, he spent a few minutes telling more of his famous bawdy jokes which earned a collection of demure blushes from the assembled ladies. However, before he finished the punchline of his latest joke, this one involving one of those filthy islanders to the east and their cannibalistic ways, His face drained of color and his eyes turned a violent shade of red. "P...Poi...son..." and then he fell forward hard, his body spasming as his vomited up the day's festivities and a third of the blood in his body. Before the screams had even truly begun a small force of guards had descended on the group, escorting away the men and the women they'd brought, leaving behind only Tian and the few others that had been there for Zhi (or Jiao, covertly).

The guards take you by the arm, and begin to forcefully lead you away -- perhaps off for Questioning? Lady Shun seems intent on following you all, though a well dressed guard, garbed from head to toe in expensive yellow silks over his yellow armor, makes it quite clear that she is to stay behind with the remaining guests.

Will you let yourself be taken, Tian?

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian raised a hand at her chaperon. "It is fine, Lady Shun. I'll be just fine." She hoped she spoke the truth. She was barely maintaining her practiced composure as it was. There had been so much blood... Some of it stained the hem of her gown, turning the rich green almost black. Her hands shook slightly as she put her cup down, barely tasted. She took a deep breath and stood on her own.

"There is no need to force me. I will make no trouble." Tian said softly, hoping it hid the slight tremor she felt. Ancestors! If suspicion fell on her, it would destroy everything she'd worked for. She had done nothing wrong. A servant had brought the wine and they all drank it. Surely someone would vouch for her?

Marrowlight · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:10 am Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

That was enough to finally shatter Tian's carefully practiced composure. She halted, jerking the guardsman to a stop. "You? You murdered Zhi? But why?" Tian looked at the guardsman, his face hidden inside his helmet. "And why tell me?"

Marrowlight · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

She resisted the urge to recoil from his touch. How dare he! Becoming a royal concubine was not at all like...like what this man was seemed to propose. Still...he was correct about her prospects. the funeral would disrupt things for months, not to mention the investigation. Social opportunities would be curtailed, along with her chances to advance. Tian weighed her options. "Exactly what do you have in mind?"

Marrowlight · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:53 am Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian didn't touch it. "What does it do? I won't be a party to her murder or disfigurement." Shun had never been cruel to her or any of the other girls in the House of Blossoms. She had no wish to harm her.

Marrowlight · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:11 am Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian looked away. From what this man said, she stood accused of murder. Her questioning would not easy and they were unlikely to believe her innocence. Her execution would be swift and merciless.

Lady Shun... It was impossible to believe that Lady Shun had earned herself an implacable enemy like this. However, the older woman had been at court for many years. Even the most unassuming and careful of women could earn animosity here.

Tian carefully considered her options. They weren't good. She swallowed hard. "I'll do it." she said, her hand hovering over the necklace and vial "But what do I get in exchange? You made a mention of power?"

Marrowlight · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:49 am Post subject:

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Reluctantly, Tian accepted the vial. She couldn't see the man's face, shrouded as it was, but she thought she saw a pleased smile cross his eyes before he turned and left her in the corridor abruptly.

She tucked the necklace and vial into a pocket of her gown. Tian carefully made her way back to the House of Blossoms, avoiding areas of the palace she knew to be occupied. If she met someone who had seen her arrest... Well, she had no idea what excuse she'd give. No one would believe she had been released so soon.

She managed to reach the House of Blossoms without incident and found the door unlocked. Tian frowned. That was very unusual. Lady Shun was very diligent about making sure her charges were secured at night. She pushed the door open slowly, hoping that it wouldn't squeak.

Marrowlight · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:43 am Post subject:

The door squeaks, but there are no cries in response to the sound. In fact, everything looks quite deserted, as if none of the girls had yet returned from tonight's festivities. Though there are hints of a light, glowing from the center of the house. Perhaps the Lady is home, though with none of her charges?

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian debating creeping into the house, as quietly as she could. If she could get to bed, perhaps she could pretend this entire night had been some sort of terrible dream? But the evening's events had her wary and unwilling to endure another surprise.

"Hello." she called out, hoping her voice sounded firmer than it felt. "Is anyone here?" Clutching the necklace in her pocket like a talisman, Tian moved towards the lighted rooms.

Marrowlight · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:00 am Post subject:

Silence was your only response, then as you moved towards the light the faint sound of glass clinking on glass. A door, partly open, revealed a puzzling scene. The Lady Shun, several glasses containing remnants of their drink, working on her fourth round of a strange honey colored liquid you've never seen before. Given the uncharacteristic flush to her cheeks, the substance had to be quite potent. She seems completely oblivious to you, or anything beyond the glass bottle and its golden joy.

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

"Lady Shun?" Tian stepped into the room, lit by several dancing candle flames. Normally, she would never address her caretaker first, but this no longer seemed like a night for proper reserve and decorum. She touched the vial in her pocket briefly, mostly to assure herself it was still there. "Lady Shun, what is the meaning of all this? Where are the others?" Tian reached out and took the now empty glass from Shun and fixed her with a level gaze.

Marrowlight · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:07 am Post subject:

"You." There is rage in her eyes, though directed at you personally, or simply because you took away her glass, is not obvious.

Then she sweeps her arm across the table, sending the other glasses flying around the room, each shattering upon impact, sending hundreds of shards of glass everywhere. "I should have refused to take you in, you'll be the death of us all! Murderer!"

Kathana · Morlock Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 109

Tian was taken aback by the suddenness of Shun's rage. She threw up her hands reflexively against the flying glass, shielding her face from the onslaught. Miraculously, none seemed to strike her. "Lady Shun!" Tian gasped. "You have to believe me! I had nothing to do with the General's death. I am innocent!" Even as she spoke, she realized that it was futile. If Shun, who had known her since she first arrived at court, a wide eyed girl from countryside, thought her capable of casual murder, then no one would believe her innocence.

Marrowlight · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: