tampered | Log; Complete

Having spent the evening with Ranmaru and Lawr, Subaru still felt the thrill of the fireworks and the energy of the people gathering to celebrate. Despite his concerns, which ran deeper than one night of enjoyment could clear away, he had slipped out of the apartment with relative high spirits, seeking to think positive about the lingering look of guarded pain he had seen on Ranmaru's face.

Hurrying through the streets, he arrived at the city center and noticed the lone figure by the fountain. His steps slowed as he was caught with a fleeting feeling of shyness, but aware of how such a reaction might be taken, he ran over with a smile.

"Ah. T.. thank you for meeting with me, Junyi-san. I realize it is rather late and perhaps you would rather be celebrating with everyone else, so.. I very much appreciate it."

"It is no inconvenience," Zhang He replied with a smile in return, before he gestured with a fluid motion towards the direction of his own apartment. "Come, let us not linger in the cold."

He gave Subaru an encouraging look, and then began to walk, keeping a languid pace so that it would be easy for the other to keep in step.

"In my land, fireworks are used on the first day of the first month, to frighten away evil spirits for the coming year," he said thoughtfully, before he asked, "Did you enjoy tonight's display?"

It would do well to put Subaru at ease before they discussed the matter at hand, and what better way was there than idle conversation?

"Oh yes, very much." Smiling as he walked along beside, Subaru looked back on the evening and the event--the moon, and the lights, and the shadows that played on everyone's faces. "I've seen them a few times during my travels, but it was very nice to see them tonight with those I care about."

"Did you see them? I should have asked you to join us, but I hadn't known about them until right before the started." He knew little about the event itself--something political, about freedom--but the excuse to be relax and be happy was always welcome.

"I did. Such a spectacle is hard to miss, and one should always try to enjoy festivities... even when one does not quite understand their cultural importance."

It did not take long to reach the apartment building, and once inside, it was not far to go; Zhang He made sure to hold the doors for Subaru on the way, and soon he came to a stop by a particular door.

"Ah, here we are. It is a little empty, but..." he trailed off with look of amusement, and opened the door for Subaru to step inside.

The interior was decorated in a traditional chinese style; rich colours and intricate carvings were prominent, and upon the walls hung a few silk paintings and tapestries. Hints of the modern were there, of course, but in comparison, they were not easily noticable. "...I hope it is not found too wanting."

"Thank you for having me in your home.. " Subaru murmured, feeling it only polite to tread carefully and respectfully in someone else's space. He wondered faintly if he should remove his shoes, as Ranmaru had set up the tradition in their own space, but he left the question unanswered as he stood on the threshold and viewed the room.

"Oh.. no. It's beautiful." The style and decorations lept forth and recalled memories he had seen in other worlds--similar colors, or patterns, that helped him make a clearer image of where Zhang He had come from. Colorful, yet tasteful, the apartment put to shame his own almost spartan little bedroom. "Really. It's quite lovely.."

"I am honoured you think so." Zhang He stepped in himself and closed the door, before he moved further in and motioned for Subaru to follow; he came to stop at a small table, and offered his guest a seat.

"By all means, make yourself comfortable while I prepare our tea."

With one last smile the Wei General briefly disappeared into the kitchen, returning with all the necessary items; once the cups and pot of tea were placed upon the table, he took a seat himself. "You mustn't speak of what troubles you until you are comfortable with doing so, Subaru," he began gently, "please do not feel there is any rush because it is late. I will gladly play host for as long as you need."

Subaru settled almost nervously, by no means uncomfortable in the other's presence, but still concerned about his manners and remaining in good graces. Besides, asking such a favor from someone he didn't know very well had him worried over shifting the burden.

"Oh.. well, I uhm.." His mind had been so removed from the troubles surrounding Ranmaru that he was having trouble formulating thoughts, but he did not like to stray too far from the subject, now that it had been brought up. "I just.. well you see... I.."

Zhang He did not rush things as Subaru struggled to word his thoughts -- instead he quietly waited. It would have been rude to interrupt, after all, and worse still to dismiss it. At the same time, he did not wish to put extra pressure on Subaru and so he did not simply stare; he took the chance to check on the tea, and once he was sure it had brewed properly he wordlessly poured some for them both.

Taking a moment to accept the tea with a soft word of thanks, Subaru wrapped his hands around the warm cup, warming his skin as he thought over what to say. He supposed that it would be best to start from the beginning. He did not know how much to say, but some was better than nothing, especially if he was asking for advice.

"I don't know.. how much you know about Ranmaru-san. But you may know that.. he's involved with Subaru-san. The.. ah.. other me. And certain things about Subaru-san and I are surprisingly consistent. So I'm.. in a position where I understand perhaps.. both sides of their sorrow well... and have no means with which to help."

He paused, wanting to give Zhang He one more chance to perhaps do away with him, before he plunged into the entire problem of it all.

Zhang He listened thoughtfully as Subaru spoke. So this was the nature of the sorrow that Subaru and Ranmaru bore? Vague as the details were, it was obviously a terrible situation to suffer for all who were involved. It seemed his concern had been well justified.

"A tragic place to be," he said calmly, "it must be hard upon your spirits."

As much as the affairs of Ranmaru's heart were not his business, he wasn't cruel enough to turn Subaru away. This was about offering support and guidance to the one stuck in the middle -- not about meddling in the dissent between lovers.

He nodded slightly, fidgeting for a moment before continuing. "Subaru-san.. died. He died in part to help Ranmaru.. But also in part.. Because he.. " And here he sighed, closing his eyes, knowing if he voiced what he knew to be true for Subaru-san, then he would be admitting what he knew to be true in his own heart. "He died because Seishirou-san... will always come first. And Ranmaru-san knows that now.. despite Subaru-san.. trying his hardest to care for him."

Subaru looked down at his tea cup for a moment, recalling Ranmaru's tears and his anger, Subaru-san's face when he asked of Seishirou-san, even the cheerful atmosphere of the apartment that meant Ranmaru-san was hiding his pain very deep. "And so I know.. that he must feel... unwanted. Second best... And I have tried to assure him... that his happiness is so very important to me--to us all. But I'm afraid words.. can only say so much."

Shaking himself out of his own sorrow, he lifted his eyes and bit his lip for a moment. Now it seemed quite silly to ask for advice, when he had no idea how to proceed. "T.. the reason I asked for your time was that.. Because you are from Ranmaru-san's world--although, of course, from a different culture...--I thought.. perhaps you might know of some way.. something I could do that could help him. The dance, I think, really meant a lot to him.. so I just.. well I..thought.. " He faltered, losing confidence and blushing slightly as he fell silent.

For a moment, Zhang He was silent as he considered this all, and he brought his cup to his lips and took a sip of his tea. Once he lowered it, he inclined his head ever-so-slightly. "You wish for a beautiful gesture that will allow him to understand the depth of your love for him." he surmised, and a smile touched the corners of his lips as he placed his cup on the table. "There is a ritual between my people that may serve you, if that is your purpose."

At that, Zhang He stood up and folded one arm around his waist, lifting the other to rest the fingers of one hand against his cheek. "An oath, to be precise. But it is a binding promise made to the very Heavens... you must be certain you wish for it."

Then, with an elegant flourish of an arm, and a bow of his head, the Wei General said, "I will teach it to you, and then you may decide if it is appropriate."

An oath. Yes, perhaps that would be something of meaning.. Subaru had such little luck with words, but perhaps something stronger.. something from Ranmaru's own place. Something Subaru could do for him, that would last forever.

"Could you? I would be most grateful. You have taught me so much already but.. I think perhaps.. it could be something of meaning."

"I trust there is a place that holds meaning for you both? This is the best location to make your oath." as he spoke, Zhang He walked across the room to pluck a pair of flowers from a vase; he then returned to the table and in a fluid, artful motion, passed one to Subaru.

"In your hand you must each hold an item -- your weapons, or perhaps a small, blossoming branch -- like so. It must be held high, towards the Heavens," with his free hand he gently positioned the arm in which Subaru held the flower, to demonstrate what was necessary.

"It is then that Ranmaru should recognise an oath is to be made. Make your vow," he moved his own flower so that the stems of both crossed, "but remember, these must be crossed for the oath to be completed. This is how you will know he accepts the devotion you have offered."

He then stepped back, and placed his flower upon the table. "Your vow is as such: 'We two, though of different ancestry, swear brotherhood. Born on different days, we hope to die at the same year, the same month and the same day. May Heaven be our witness.'"

"There is no bond more sacred or beautiful than that of brotherhood. In accepting this oath, he will be in turn swearing the same devotion to you."

With it all explained, Zhang He returned to his seat, and awaited a response.

Subaru listened with wide eyes, watching the flowers as they crossed, and despite it being nothing more than a demonstration, his heart quickened at the gesture and the words. It was not something to be taken lightly. His bond of brotherhood to Kamui had been one of blood, but what was blood to a vampire? Perhaps it was something like this that they had lacked, and now they were apart...

"And.. if he doesn't accept the oath?" Subaru turned his eyes to Zhang He for a moment, keeping his thoughts in check for the time being. It was not that he did not trust in Ranmaru's heart, or think him coarse or ungiving. It was merely that he did not wish to take for granted the other's motivations, and would not push upon him something he did not desire.

A calm smile was given in response, before Zhang He said gently, "Then he will know you were willing to form such a bond, and he will always remember it."

It was simple as that; one didn't make such gestures lightly, nor did one forget such gestures easily.

With that, he picked up his tea.

Nodding simply, Subaru sat down, his decision already made long before he had even known what gesture to make. He could not, perhaps, offer all of his treacherous heart, but his life, his blood, his love? He could, and would, without regret.

"Then I will learn this. And I will offer it to him. And--"

But Subaru stopped in mid sentence, as the lavish apartment disappeared in one moment and became the hollow of two giant, moss grown trees in the next. Gone were the night sounds of the city--people returning home late, shops closing, bars opening. They had been replaced with the dark silence of a forest, the far away cries of birds, and the rustle of animals in the dark. He looked about with slight panic as his eyes adjusted and for a moment he thought himself alone.

"Zh.. Zhang He-san??"

[ooc; I hope you don't mind? But I thought that with the emotional goo done it could be forest tiems!]

It was difficult to catch Zhang He off-guard, but the sudden change did just that. Surprise was an understatement, for he hadn't seen a curse transform the City so drastically in his time here, and it took a moment for him to recover some composure. When he did, it was the composure of a General on the battlefield.

"I am here, Subaru." he responded, though he was careful not to speak too loudly, as caution set in. "Please remain still."

The darkness made things considerably harder, and his warrior instinct meant that Zhang He first thought of how to defend himself in this suddenly hostile environment; he crouched down and very carefully felt around his immediate vicinity for a branch that could serve as a makeshift weapon. He wasn't inexperienced with staves, but he certainly did not favour them -- claws and spearcraft were his expertise. It would have to suffice for now. When he found something promising he took ahold of it, and straightened up.

"How is your vision?" he queried, in an attempt to assess their options; it would do no good to wander blindly and step on a snake, or to accidentally walk into any beasts that lurked in the night, and his own eyes could see little in the oppressing darkness.

((OOC; Yay forest tiems!))

As the seconds flowed by, Subaru began to adjust, and by the time Zhang He had found a blade, he could make out his form in the darkness, and that of their surroundings.

"I can see you now.." he said carefully with a smile, wondering if he too should bare his weapons. It would be dangerous if Zhang He himself could not see and Subaru some how injured him, so he decided against it. "I have fairly good eyes for the dark."

Reaching out carefully, but making no effort to quiet his movements, he touched his companion firmly on the shoulder. "I'm right here."

"Wonderful," the Wei General replied thoughtfully, as he twisted slightly to better face Subaru. "I can see only far enough to defend myself should the need arise, so I will trust in your magnificent eyes. How secure are our surroundings?"

It wouldn't do to spend the night in a location that had no defenses; with Subaru able to see it meant that it would be a problem that could be resolved.

"Ah, well.." Subaru peered into the darkness around them, listening for sounds of approaching danger or other life. It was fairly quiet, but he was now beginning to feel the heat from the trees and the canopy. "It's fairly dense around us. I can't see any.. any animals or anything, but one could be behind a tree and I'd never know."

Turning about, he tried to remember which direction would leave them to the center of the city, or better yet, the ocean. "It might be best to move somewhere a little more open. Or find others.."

"We do not know where to find others, nor can we predict the nature of their intentions," Zhang He remarked, as he considered their location -- he obviously favoured the former suggestion.

"If the entirety of the City has suffered this magic, then perhaps we should not head into its centre. If one assumes the shape of the land has not changed..." he paused to calculate the direction his apartment had faced, before he elegantly gestured with an arm. "...ah, this is the way I believe we should travel. Do you agree?"

As he waited for Subaru's input, Zhang He balanced his makeshift staff against his shoulder, lifted a hand to his head, and carefully pulled one of his hairpins from his hair; this particular one had a long drape of pretty material attached.

"May I have your hand, Subaru?" he requested, as the hints of a smile curled the corners of his mouth.

While he wasn't exactly sure where the direction Zhang He had mentioned would lead them, it seemed as good as anything else. As long as it led to open ground and a chance for the moon to shine, he had no objections. "That sounds good to me. The City has changed a few times since I've been here, but usually only to reflect different cultures. I've never seen it so.. overrun." He opened his mouth to continue, but stopped short and looked over quickly.

"My--? Ah.. er.. Y.. yes. Of course." Taking a moment to dust off his palms, he shyly held out his hand, hoping the darkness covered the deep flush across his cheeks.

With one hand Zhang He gently cupped the back of Subaru's hand and turned it palm-up, before he let go. He then pressed the tail end of the material into Subaru's palm, wrapped it around once, and softly closed the other's fingers over it.

With that done he carefully twined the other end round his own hand, before he took hold of his staff in his other, once again. "I will follow your lead. Should you see any sign of danger, do not speak; instead, drop your end of this, and I will know, without further attention being drawn to us."

"That's very clever.." Subaru said softly, knowing he would have never thought of something so simple yet effective. The blush still lingering on his cheeks, he refocused his thoughts and looked toward the small gap between the trees.

"Alright. Shall we?" Making his way carefully forward, he paused occasionally to pick out the best path, finding the way over roots and around giant trunks. While he was confident the general could follow, he still glanced over his shoulder occasionally, smiling slightly. "I'm sure you must have spent a great deal of time outdoors yourself."

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