A meeting of Heros (Ma Chao and Yuan Shu)

[Zhang Liao]

Zhang Liao has come along way and was looking for some people to discuss their views of the land and maybe practice their skills in hand to hand combat. in other words to improve.

He came to this walled city, he got in by telling them he was visiting family, for some reason that always works with the guards. He rode in on his White Horse, Yin.

He has been riding for a couple days so he decided to get a decent meal at a restaurant in town, when he went inside he saw that there was hardly anyone there, so he grabs a seat and the waiter asked what I would have, I told him, I would like some tea and a rice cake please, the man bows and goes to get his order

[Yuan Shu]

During Yuan Shu's journey to Nan Pi, he stops at Xu Chang, and then proceeds to search for a restaurant in town. He finds a nice one, then enters.

The commoners stare at him with envy as he enters. Yuan Shu orders something to eat, and looks around, scanning for a decent seat. He spots a valiant-looking warrior he believes he has seen before.

Shu approaches the knight.

"Greetings, I am Yuan Shu, stylized Gonglu, of Wan; Governor of Ru Nan. Who might you be, sir?"

Yuan Shu waited for an answer. He was short on time, but felt like he wanted to meet him.

Approaching the man, suddenly, prying him out of his possibly comfortable state, meant little to Shu.

[link]

Xu Chang.

Ma Chao was a traveler. He may now be associated with Liu Bei and his army, but he was still a traveler nonetheless. Accompanied by none, he had ventured into the Han city of Xu Chang. Cao Cao's hand hadn't reached up to here, as he believed, or at least hoped, though who knew how one man's influence flew this way and that? His white stallion escorted to, groomed, and well fed by the city's servants at the local stables, Ma Chao enjoyed the luxuries of being an officer technically aligned with the Han as he made his way down the road of the city.

The tavern? No... The last time he went into one, it wasn't really pretty, and he ended up in more than what one might call a casual half hour of drowning some spirits. And anyway, the place wasn't too familiar to him, and possibly causing himself to be placed in some drunken state wasn't really the wisest of ideas. Attempting to avoid any troublesome situations at this point, Ma Chao immediately turned toward the restaurant situated along the main road. Pushing the door open, he stepped into the rather well-lighted place, a nice clean form, filled with tables and silent conversation. Finally, the higher class.

Not that he considered himself one of the nobles at any rate. But that wasn't the thing on his mind at the moment. Upon entry, he immediately noticed the single man sitting there in front of a tray holding a cup of tea and a plate of rice cakes. His armor was astoundingly... conspicuous, very conspicuous. Gleaming full-body plate armor, from head to toe, with double halberds as his accompanying weapons, he was surely an intimidating sight to most men. But then, Ma Chao wasn't a casual sight either; donned in well-polished armor and a tiger head helmet, with Stallion Fury strapped tight onto his back, he himself was one standing out of the crowd.

Not that the nobles cared, that is.

Stepping up to the table where the armored man sat across from yet another noble, but then again dressed more... luxuriously than most, Ma Chao pulled a wooden chair to the seating before placing himself in it, facing the other two.

"Greetings, sirs. You don't mind if I join you for a talk? I am Ma Chao, styled Mengqi, of Xi Liang, son of Ma Teng."

[Zhang Liao]

Zhang Liao puts down his cup of tea and looks up, he sees what appears to be a noble dressed in luxury type clothes and next to him was a man with polished armor and a tiger head helmet.

He points to his rice cakes, gentlemen please help yourself to some rice cakes, I hear that they are really good here, he tells, them and he hears them introduce themselves, Lords Yuan Shu and Ma Chao, I am Zhang Liao of Mayi, styled Wenyuan. He notices the Yuan Shu is standing, please Lord Yuan Shu take a sit. I asked as I took a bit out of one of the rice cakes

[Yuan Shu]

(OOC: Nice post Ma Chao ;D)

After Gonglu had spoken, he waited, patiently for a response from the other man.

"Patiently" A word almost never used in describing Yuan Shu. Though today seemed a good day for Shu, he was in a decent mood. He came to the restaurant looking for some conversation - Something he could never get with his common troops. Then, the Warrior had responded, now identifying himself as Zhang Liao. Of course! Shu thought. He had seen him at Luo Yang... He wondered if this was the same warrior...

"Thank you, sir." Shu said as he took a rice cake for himself.

As he ate, He thought about his land, No, not his homeland, not the place where he was born and raised.. Where he ruled. His land. He controlled the peasants and they respected him. Something that he made a silent smirk about.

As Shu was thinking, he was interrupted and broken out of his thoughts by another knight. This man said he was the son of Ma Teng. Gonglu knew of Ma Teng, one of the most powerful leaders of the land, He thought.

"It is nice to have your acquaintance, sir. I am Yuan Shu, stylized Gonglu, of Wan and Ru Nan. I have heard of your valiance and am surprised to see you at this small establishment."

He then turned towards Zhang Liao, " You, as well. What brings you two here, if I may ask?"

Gonglu waited for a response. He had time and was enjoying himself. He took another bite of the rice cake.

[link]

"Thank you, sir," Ma Chao responded with a hearty voice, immediately reaching out and picking up a rice cake, which he quickly plopped in his mouth and took a large bit out of. Mm. These things never lost their taste, especially for Ma Chao. He never found the personal luxury like these nobles to try himself some exquisite delicacies, but he still knew what of the common food was the best, and who made the best of the best. And as he listened to the nobleman, Ma Chao was indeed quite frankly surprised that he was in fact none other than Yuan Shu himself.

"I too have heard many things of you, Lord Yuan... as a ruler somewhere near our lands of Xinye, am I not correct?

"And, of course, Master Zhang. I have heard many years ago that you had been a good general in the ranks of Wu, and I believe you are still prospering in the mainlands as a talented and renowned officer?"

Taking a second bite out of his rice cake, Ma Chao responded first to Yuan Shu's question.

"I've simply found the time to look around these parts of the Han Empire further, and well, I happened to make my way to Xu Chang. I've only recently joined my Lord Liu Bei, and moving into the mainlands from the west is certainly a sudden and new action on my part. Just dropped by the restaurant here, and to my good fortune at that as well, as I've run into you two by what one might call lucky coincidence."

[Nohime]

Yet another new place for Nohime to visit. This was some place called Xu Chang and again, she knew little to nothing about it. She couldn't believe how many bandits she encountered on the way here, either. There had to have been at least seven that she was obligated to eliminate. Slaying bandits was amusing, but she wanted a sort of change of pace. Soon she arrived in the walled city and couldn't help but immediately feel incredibly lost.

She looked around for a bit, trying to get her bearings, but to no avail. Soon she located a restaurant. Quickly she made her way to the inside. Little did she know of just who had also sought for this restaurant for a bit of R&R. She walked in a bit further, trying to find a seat somewhere. She practically couldn't concentrate. This place was simply much different than places she had already been to.

[Zhang Liao]

Zhang Liao saw the women walk in and knew her instantly, Well if it isn't my old friend Lady Noh, I said loud enough for her to hear it.

He turns to Ma Chao, yes I did serve in Wu, but I left for personal reasons, but I think It was for the best, he said and took a sip of his tea.

He then faces Yuan Shu, Nice to meet you Lord Yuan Shu I have heard of you before but never had the honor to met you. I am here to do some scouting a find some people to join me and my new lord.

He puts his tea down and says, So what brings Yuan Shu to Xu Chang. Lord Ma Chao why aren't you with your father?, I asked both of them questions and I wait for their answers

[Yuan Shu]

Yuan Shu listened, carefully to Ma Chao. He had not heard from Ma Teng in some time, and, quite frankly, his son seemed an all-round better person than he.

"Yes. I govern the land of Ru Nan, in this region. Not far from here, in fact. I am on my way to meet with my brother, Yuan Shao, leader of the lands in He Bei."[/i] Shu said, with a slight grin on his face. One thing he enjoyed was talking about himself, particularly, bragging.

Ma Chao then proceeded to talk to him about why he was in this particular city, so close to Gonglu's own land.

"Ahh, scouting the area. I see you are much more of a free spirit then your siblings, and your father before you." Shu has heard much of the Ma family. Nearly as famous as the Yuans, although, not nearly as important.

He then heard Ma Chao speak of joining Liu Bei, an incompetent and weak ruler in Yuan Shu's opinion. Despite this, he decided to keep quiet on his negative opinions, had this been any other day, he would likely say what's on his mind. Not today, however.

"Ahh, yes, I have heard of Lord Liu Bei. A well-made ruler, he is." Shu said, cunningly, concealing his sarcasm quite well. As Gonglu was known, a brilliant man. A great strategist. "Yes, That would be a sudden move, indeed, and meeting you valiant warriors here was luck on my part as well."

As Shu finished his speech, Zhang Liao yelled to a stunning woman who had just entered the Restaurant. Shu wondered how Liao knew her. Had Liao not brought attention to her, it is unlikely Shu would have even noticed the woman.

Then, Liao continued talking to Yuan Shu, hearing compliments, Shu smirking, but then he heard about Zhang Liao's new lord. Gonglu wondered who his lord was.

"Who is your new lord, Sir Liao?"[/b] Yuan Shu said, as he took another rice cake.

He heard Liao's other question, Why was Gonglu in Xu Chang, but decided to ignore it. Then he thought of the beautiful woman who just entered the restauraunt... "Will that woman be joining us?" He asked Liao.

[Nohime]

Nohime immediately heard Zhang Liao's familiar voice. She smirked to herself as she slowly made her way to his table. He was accompanied by two other men. She didn't know who they were, of course, but she was interested nonetheless. It was then she heard Yuan Shu ask Liao if she was going to join them. At that moment, she sat down in an empty seat at their table and looked to Yuan Shu.

"Does this answer your question, handsome?" she teased. "So, Zhang Liao, you've certainly traveled a long way, haven't you?"

[Zhang Liao]

He looks at Yuan Shu when he saw Noh sat down and laughed, I suppose that answered your question.

He then looked at Noh, ah Lady Noh, beautiful as ever, I have traveled a long distance but worth it for my family, I replied as I took a sip of my tea, where are my manners, to your right is lord Ma Chao, and to your left standing is lord Yuan Shu. I said as I put my tea down.

He then turns to Yuan Shu, I believe you have meet my new lord, his is the Demon of War Lu Bu, I said as I afford Noh a rice cake

[link]

"Alas, Master Zhang, I must say that my family has been ruthlessly massacred by the villainous Cao Cao, and it is only I and my cousin Ma Dai that remain to be confirmed as alive and well. As for my father, I have not heard of him since the incident. I can only hope that he is living in hiding somewhere in the northern areas, waiting and preparing for a day of revenge and a new rising, upon which I am intending to support him. However, my loyalty will forevermore belong to Liu Bei from here on."

Placing the last of the rice cake in his mouth, Ma Chao chomped down on it and gently dusted his hands on the floor of any crumbs that might have collected on his fingers in that dusty substance usually formed from the delicate yet crispy food. And it was then that Ma Chao turned around himself to look at whoever Zhang Liao had addressed as Lady Noh. Hmm. A lady indeed, quite beautiful and outstanding in her charms, yet a sort of cold air about her at the same time. A bit of a foreign look at that as well...

"Greetings, My Lady," Ma Chao said as the woman joined them at the table.

[Zhang Liao]

When I heard that Ma Chao's family was killed my smile instantly went away, I turned to him, Do you know who did this horrible act toward your noble family, I asked thinking that I might now who must of done it.

I ordered some more tea and rice cakes for the group and a couple min. later more food come and the waiter put them on the table

[Yuan Shu]

Yuan Shu had been speaking, and after he finished, the beautiful woman from before came and complimented Shu, but in a sort of way he was unaccustomed to. He was not used to anyone being so laid back around him, as this woman was. He sort of, liked it in a way.

"Ah, Welcome, My lady, please, take a seat. We'd be glad if you would join us." Gonglu said with a grin on his face.

As he spoke, Zhang Liao began talking, Yuan Shu turned towards Liao, "How do you know this stunning woman?" Shu began. "I have not seen her in all of my travels and conquests." he said. Liao had introduced Shu and Chao.

Ma Chao than came back and began speaking with Zhang Liao once again. He would let them alone while they speak.

He turned towards the woman, "So, may I know your name?" Gonglu said.

[Nohime]

Nohime nodded to Ma Chao after he greeted her. She listened to Zhang Liao say something, but it was relatively drowned out by Yuan Shu speaking to her next. She nodded as he greeted her and allowed her to sit at their table, though she wouldn't take no for an answer anyway. When he asked Zhang Liao where he met her, she decided to answer for him. "We met in Wu, I spotted him looking at a few of the horses in the stables. He chose the most beautiful one, I must say. Also you wouldn't know me from your travels as I am from Japan. My name is Nohime."