Children of Blood (open)

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

Lifen was not going to go against his little rule, only because she personally agreed. If she left one live, he would run and get a larger group. Watching as Lu Xiang made short work of the animal and a man, she pulled out her rope dart, so she was going to have to kill more that day.

She swung the dart over her head, throwing it, it stabbed right into the mans shoulder, coming out the other end. Tugging hard, the man came flying at her. Running towards him, she grabbed him by the neck and snapped it quickly making short work of him. Turning to look back she saw the guy had mounted his horse. She didn't have time to take out the dart. Reaching to her side, she unsheathed her 'fan' which was actually a tanto. Throwing the blade, it hit the made square in the head, the horse coming to an abrupt stop.

Walking over to the horse, she caressed it's side and pulled the man down, letting him drop to the ground. Pulling out her tanto, she cleaned it on the mans shirt and doing the same with her dart. She didn't look at Lu Xiang as she pushed her skirt back and wrapped the rope dart around her leg again, letting it snake up her leg. "Shall we continue?" she meant walking, they were done here now.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang smiled, removing the remanants of flesh and blood from his blade before covering the bodies in soil along the roadside. He didn't really explain this method, but it was something to do with decomposing quicker beneath the ground. Plus it concealed them to avoid further more conflicts. They were still visable because he didn't have much time.

"The heavens grant us good favour with these horses; we should not spend our luck. A dead mans horse is a living mans blessing."

He laughed, stroking a completely black steed. It was calm and at ease now. Even after the passing of his owner. His new owner would be of a higher standard clearly. The horse bowed its head to Lu Xiang before allowing him to mount.

"How I have missed the pounding of dark hooves upon the plains, I applaud your skill at removing them weaklings. You possess some talent."

Lu Xiang laughs before smiling before kicking the horse gently, speaking now words. Natural ability and presence was enough to move this beast. It wasted no time and kicked off. The sound of steel upon the hard ground from the horseshoes was like music to Xiang's ears. He had longed for the return to his glory.

"So where are you heading? I doubt you are much of a wanderer."

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

The horse she stroked early stood their unmoving. As Lu Xiang took care of the bodies she stood their taking care of the horses. Walking to the one she first pet she stroked it's bright white mane. "You are in good hands." it was only for the horse to hear, and Lu Xiang was probably out of earshot anyways.

Mounting the horse, she turned to Lu Xiang. "As you said, they were only weaklings." she kicked off with the horse, not having to be rough with it. It galloped forward, just behind Lu Xiang. She hadn't been on a horse for so long and with the long journey ahead of her it would be very useful.

His question brought her back to the real world, she paused before answering. "I am going down south." she didn't have to tell him why, or the fact that she planned on joining Sun Jian. For all she knew, he probably didn't know what was down south. There was no need to go into details, the bare minimum was enough.

[Lu Xiang]

The thing about Lu Xiang was he could see between the lines, he laughed. The south could mean a number of things. Clearly she was remaining in China and therefore a warrior of her standard would be assisting in the upcoming wars. The south could only mean a few things though, it depending how far south she was going. Directly south laid Sun Jian clearly. A man who didn't care much morals other than pride for his own clan. Obviously other warlords laid south as well as the pirates. She didn't look much of a swashbuckler nor did she seem a puppet of Liu Biao or a vagrant of Liu Bei.

"South?..."

He muttered beneath his breath, sighing and not really caring. It was her funeral at the end of the day. So futile that she would sink to a weak and pathetic ruler. Nevertheless, choking the life out of him could be more fun when she was around.

He said before slowing down his horse and signalling for the woman to do the same, before dismounting. Simple etiquette for the rider of a horse. Part of a responsibility for having such an animal. They apporached a small settlement. Where Lu Xiang would lay low for a while; their paths would cross again for their paths clashed. Infact everyones path clashed with Lu Xiang.

"I think it'd be wise to sit this night out, theres a thick fog arising in the air. I wouldn't ride too far south tonight. I will buy you a drink instead? Afterall I owe you one."

He laughed tying his horse up in the stables, before raising his eye brow at the stable boy who looked at him for a tip, before tossing the kid a little treasure he had taken from one of his victims. His entire jaw launching into the childs hands. Before laughing maniacly.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

He didn't ask her why south nor for any detail so she kept silent about that. South with Sun Jian was close to the seas and being too far from any form of a body of water would make her home sick. She didn't catch his mutter, but she heard the sound he made.

Her horse came to a stop and she tied it up. He owed her nothing, but she couldn't refuse a drink. While women drinking in taverns was usually reserved for lowly prostitutes and whores, Yu Lifen still did it. While it did pain a target on her head, she was able to deal with the grotesque men. Besides, with Lu Xiang she doubted anyone would approach her.

Watching Lu Xiang throw the jaw to the kid, the little boy dropped it to the ground horrified. Yu Lifen went to the kid and nealt down to his height. "I guess you're used to it by now" she whispered to him. The kid looked up at her, she rummaged in the pouch tied to her skirt and handed him a large gold coin. It was not their current currency coin, but one of the things she got during her days as a pirate. The coin was old, but gold was gold. "Get yourself something nice." she winked and the kid nodded. Following Lu Xiang, she knew she could take this opportunity to mend her outfit and hide her arm.

The settlement was tiny, reminded her of the tiny villages her family would stay the night in before moving again. It was quiet, calm, there was a street with a bustling market and the people seemed generally happy here. Of course that could be just on the outside, she had only just got here.

[Lu Xiang]

Nothing was what it seemed, a lesson everyone would soon learn. It was hard being taught as a child literally and then evolving and understanding that things were alot different from just a simple idea. But now was no time to get complex, now was a time to indulge and enjoy their victories over the cruel world. Lu Xiang didn't pay any attention to the womans goodwill to the child, infact if he had have done his complete view upon the woman would've probably been in tatters.

It was true, nobody challenged Lu Xiang; unless they were drunk themselves. He was a fearsome man. Most probably due to his nature or his physical appearace. He leaked a thick sludge of hatred and disgust. Everything about him was so revolting that it was almost attractive. His charred bonned and his rotting flesh concealed beneath his own humanoid beauty.

The tavern door was bashed open as the whole tavern glanced at the noise as the man made his entrance, a disgusted look upon his face. Swine. He cursed, looking away. They didn't deserve his glorious eyes to look down on them. He laughed before swooping his cape and sitting down on a terrible table lit merely by a candle. Not to his suiting but everywhere else was taken up. His hands didn't really feel like strangling a man for his seat right now.

"What could I get a lady like yourself?"

He said laughing as the waiter appeared bowing his head only to be ignored by Lu Xiang completely. Dishonouring him completely.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

As they walked to what she presumed would be a tavern, Yu Lifen made sure to pay attention the the place, she could buy a few thing to take with her. As they entered the tavern, she made sure to keep her eye on the number of people and how they looked.

They all stared at Lu Xiang, the man was good with theatrics and knew how to grab attention. As many averted their eyes from Lu Xiang, some glanced up to see who was behind him. Yu Lifen ignored some of the looks she was getting, glancing momentarily at the owner almost telling him to send a waiter right away. Lu Xiang was not a patient man, that was obvious and Yu Lifen had already had enough battling for now.

Sitting herself down, she waited for the waiter to come, the young man bowed down and was ignored by Lu Xiang. "Give me the strongest thing you've got. Maybe rum." the man raised a brow quite confused, women asked for light wines and simple alcoholic beverages, but that stuff didn't affect Yu Lifen at all, she would have to have a whole barrel before the alcohol would take affect. The waiter waited then turned to Lu Xiang, head still bowed afraid. If this was the future of Han, then they would have a weak one. These men would be forced to join a military, and if they feared one man in a tavern, how would they be able to battle in wars with fearsome warriors much like Lu Xiang.

She turned to Lu Xiang as well, waiting for him to order.

[Lu Xiang]

It wasn't allow about be the strongest, at the end of the day. The bigger they were; the harder they fell. Lu Xiang understood every theory in his book. The eyes scolded on him, several dozen if not more but he relished in the fact the since his entrance had been made the heart beat of the structure had risen by several hundred a minute. Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats. Unwilling to trust of let their guards down. Only Lu Xiang and his company sat quietly. It was his domain and his tavern.

"The lady already has the strongest in the tavern clearly, no man here is even worthy of laying a finger on me. However; the Rum does sound pleasing. Bring me also a jug of your strongest Japanese sake. Also, take your own life before you even consider letting me down. "No" and "Sorry" are not works in my vocabulary. I'd rather see your head in my jug then your weak pathetic alcohols."

He said, before laughing out loud and rolling a blood stained coin into his wrist before placing it in the mans hand, before releasing a gust of cold, black stained death from his mouth. He was a walking graveyard. No way to please him.

"I apologise for the roaches around this place, they stare because they fear. Do not pay attention to them; but witness the power of power itself."

He said laughing, rolling some sort of bracelet in his hand to soothe his impatience. In company with another meant he had to control himself to some extent. By now we would've forced himself into the private quarters and massacred the whole staff for their insolence.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

The men in the tavern had returned to their drinks, shooting looks at herself and Lu Xiang, but not daring to do anymore than that. It was still fairly early, so they were not all drunk, if it had been later, the idiots would have been fighting and challenging each other.

The waiter shocked by Lu Xiang's words bowed and hurried off. He seemed dead set on fulfilling their orders perfectly especially since he was beind the bar with the owner checking and double checking the drinks. Yu Lifen was fairly amused by the young mans actions. Turning to Lu Xiang, she didn't to be fazed by the way he acted. Lu Xiang faintly reminded her of her former crew mates who were a bunch of pirates. The only difference was that they weren't as bitter a significant difference in the two's personalities.

His apology made her shrug. "I am used to insignificant men like these. They don't faze me." she barely glanced at them anymore, she only looked because she was the type of person who was alert of her surroundings when it came to places like taverns. Sometimes officials hid out here and liked to stir up trouble.

The waiter came back not to long after, placing their drinks down. He had composed himself. After telling them that they could call if they needed anything else, he made his way back tot he bar, keeping an eye of Lu Xiang and herself so that if they needed anything he would respond. She supposed Xiang scared the man in a very useful manner. Taking her drink, she took a whiff off it. Smelled strong, bring the glass to her lips, she took a large swing of it, downing a fourth of her large glass. She didn't flinch at the taste, her tongue already used to powerful alcohol like this. If anything Lifen was pleased with her drink. Turning to the waiter, she lifted it up, the man relaxed a little and now was fully focused on Lu Xiang probably mentally praying that itwas pleasing.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang laughed, taking the small cup and filling it up with the sake. One of the strongest alcohols that had ever violated his lips. Drinking was a terrible habit and he had always been against allowing such things to murk and slip into his mind. But his morals were long gone, there was nothing that could repair his broken dislocated heart but the alcohol sure did hit the spot.

"Life gives us so many choices does it not? Litters my pathway everyday. Sometimes I decide to take the easy options, other times I decide to mix it up a bit."

He said before fluxing the liquid down his throat and then presenting his opinion upon his drink, out of earshot of the waiter and his boss left a good impression. Lu Xiang smiled relaxing them, but he was completely unpredictable and in all honesty a smile only meant the worst.

"This is probably the best sake i've tasted in a while, perhaps ever. Now this gives me the decision to restore the balance. With such a treasure beneath these poor men; they could create a buisness or grand stucture with a product that traditional isn't theirs. They are stealing their own glory. Normally I would drink my drink and allow the drink to decide the fate of the staff who prepared it. But I think I will allow the grand designer of life and death - Yourself decide."

He said smuggly. To see what sort of person she really was. The man had produced grand drinks clearly, but behind it all. All he had done was removed a liquid from a glass or a jar.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

She took another swing of her drink, the burning liquid ran down her throat. She placed the large glass down, making an audible sound from it's weight. Using her thumb rub right at her lips, she savored the liquid. The only thing missing was the sound of drunken pirates singing and the salty smell of the sea.

Life. Yes there were many choices, she made the choice to walk the path of a loner, until recently had she changed. Lifen chose to slaughter those men rather than turn them into officials. There were things she could have done so differently, but she regretted nothing and that was all that mattered to her.

What Lu Xiang said next made her raised her brow. Was he testing her? Was he curious? Whatever it was, she was going to answer in the simplest was possible. "They do me no good dead or alive. I have nothing against the workers of this tavern and if you want to keep them around, then I might come another day just to have more of this." and with that she raised the glass to her lips and took another swing, only a fourth left in her glass. That was probably the most Lifen had said to anyone.

Raising her hand to the waiter she pointed to her glass. "Bring a large bottle." she said loudly. The waiter nodded and rand behind the counter, getting a large bottle of whatever it was he gave her and came hurrying to them placing the bottle in front of her. Taking out another one of those gold coins she had given the child she placed it in the waiters hand. His eye widened slightly at the odd looking gold. His eyes then traveled up her arm and settled on the drawing there. He scurried off and went to stand behind the counter still keeping an eye on them. "Would you like to try some?" she asked Lu Xiang.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang laughed, life or death. Was living really dying or dying really living? Who could say? Who could say Lu Xiang was the wrong man in this situation. The afterlife could be a better place. He could merely be the vassal passing these people into a great place. He never sought answers within himself but always questioned others. For himself he was all he could be, nobody would ever understand him, complete him, exorcize him or end him.

"They live to see another day.. it would be seem."

He laughed, a playful smirk upon his face. The art of murder was a brilliant thing; the suffering of others was like music to his ears. The blood over his hands was like a sailor to the seas. He laughed, finishing his own glass before taking up the womans offer. There was nothing wrong with "trying".

"My ego refuses me to say no."

He laughed, his ego refused him alot of things infact. Even a man so heartless and uncaring seemed to care about himself and opinions about him. If people weren't scared of him, it almost made him insecure. Obviously he could smell the fear, the feint in their knees, shivering, sweating.. obviously signs from the body. It was hard to hide things from Lu Xiang. Mostly weaknesses infact.

"A drinker, I see? and a heavy one at that.. yet you trust me? Not the murder you like the rest."

He laughed, before drinking the rum she had offered. A traditional southern remedy for hurt. Sailors, pirates and others alike hauled the stuff like water. Maybe she wasn't turning to Wu? or maybe she was originally a woman of the ship and sail. He pondered such concepts.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

Well, if they lived it meant she could take more of this stuff for the road before she left the little settlement. He seemed to enjoy the idea of killing, like it was a sport to him. Yu Lifen killed only when it was necessary, but this guy seemed to enjoy it. Yu Lifen wondered why he didn't attempt to kill her? Probably didn't feel like her death would do him any good. Well... that was convenient for her.

Pouring him from her drink and then filling up her own glass, she raised it to her lips and took a small gulp, wanting to savor the taste. "It's not a matter of trust, for all I know you could have a dagger pointed at me from beneath this table, but that doesn't seem to be your style." she paused to drink deeply before wiping at her mouth. "If you were to attack me, you'd have done so a long time ago." but here she was, alive and attempting to get drunk, but the alcohol was going to take a while to affect her. "I lived a life full of alcohol. This is just everyday life." and she took another swing of her drink downing it in one fast gulp.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang smiled, he indeed could've taken her life at any given time. Infact their was little reason why he shouldn't. Allowing someone so close was weakness. She knew too much about him and had witnessed him murderering on several occassions.. not only that but disrespected his murderous traits several times - saving several lives. But something else refused him even just the touch of the sharp edged silver blade.

"Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong. You run the risk of spending time with a monster like I."

He laughed, she was completely safe. He had little intention of killing her; if the knife refused it. He looked around before glugging down his last bulk of liquid.

"This is far from everyday, my dear."

He laughed, he doubted she would leave a man to die and bleed in a tavern before killing two horsemen miltia and then come to a pub with a man so evil that even hell spat him back out again before enjoying a drink only several feet away from him. A series of unfortunate events? He laughed. Every question he asked her opened up an envelope of ten more. He held his tongue before paying more attention to her physically.

[Yu Lifen (Harley)]

Her own life was of very little value. She came from a family of peasant travelers and the only name she ever made for herself was the one pirates and bandits had called her for her ruthless ways of slaughtering her enemies. It was risky to be sitting so close to the man, but it was a risk she was willing to take and she didn't feel fear when around him, just intrigue.

She took a swing of her drink, finishing the rest of it. It was so strong, but it was too good, she would take a momentary break before finishing the rest. "What is everyday get's boring after a while." she said, pausing for her eyes to scan around the tavern. Lifen should have her attention fully on Lu Xiang, but couldn't bring herself to be afraid of him. Turning back to Lu Xiang she kept her focus on him, she may have had a lot of alcohol, but that would not waver her concentration, the man could strike her at any moment even if she didn't sense any danger.

Lifen wanted to ask Lu Xiang questions as well, but she felt that she wouldn't need to, the man spoke freely and the little bits of information she wanted would be eventually given to her in tiny quantities. He didn't shy away and unlike herself, he spoke as much as he wanted to. It was quite amusing in her opinion.