[OPEN BY APPOINTMENT.] And no storming the gates.

[ironrule]

Characters: The Snakes and YOU
Date: Throughout the month of July; specific dates in subject headers, please!
Location: Mainly Yunxu's mansion in Central Sector, but potential for all over Keeliai; again, specific locations in subject headers, please!
Situation: A lot of the Foreigners have a bone to pick with Yunxu. (Or if they don't, they will very soon.) On top of that, Meisheng doesn't seem to be recovering from her illness, Jintou's gone missing, and the Snakes as a whole are actually leaving Foreigners well enough alone for the month unless a Foreigner approaches them first.
Warnings/Rating: None for now; will be updated as they apply.

[OOC: If your character has a bone to pick with Yunxu or is planning to approach Meisheng or any of the other Snakes, please contact me either by PMing this account or on plurk at Amaraq. This is more for mod sanity than anything else, so don't be shy about requesting a thread!]

Comments

[ironrule]

Yunxu laughed. "That's your question?"

There were several reasons, none of which were immediately relevant and none of which Yunxu felt particularly inclined to discuss. He did have to admit, however, now Heojin was forcing him to think about it, that none of them were Heojin's fault either. The only label he'd truly earned was 'Coward'.

And what sort of coward personally infiltrated Tu Yunxu's home?

He shook his head and walked to the sole window, deliberately turning his back on the man. "You had something I did not," he said quietly, pulling one of the heavy draperies back slightly to give him a limited view of the mansion's courtyard. "I begrudge anyone in a similar position."

[rawiron]

Something that Yunxu did not. What did that mean? Was he referring to Meisheng's affection, or the affection of someone special in general? Did this have to do with that childhood friend who had disappeared?

Did it matter? The answer revealed enough. Perhaps more than Yunxu had intended.

"For the sake of a childhood grudge, you cling to your dislike?" Heojin asked, and shook his head. "Perhaps you should look at what you have instead. Unless you already are." At what he could have in the future, at least. Heojin might have asked what that was, but he didn't. It wasn't his turn.

[ironrule]

"I cling to my dislike," said Yunxu, "because I'm a suspicious man, and I know nothing about you. You threaten what I have. I doubt my suspicion is going to change." He turned to look at Heojin, letting the curtain fall back into place. "If, knowing that, you're still determined to build an alliance, then I will admit to knowing less about you than I thought."

It was a question, even if it wasn't quite phrased as one. And the small smile on Yunxu's face implied that, should Heojin confirm he still wanted the alliance, Yunxu wouldn't dismiss the idea.

[rawiron]

"Holding someone about whom you know nothing at bay is the very opposite of getting to know them," Heojin pointed out. This was the first time he and Yunxu had ever truly talked; the longest conversation they'd had that Heojin could remember. "If you knew me better, perhaps you would realise that I threaten less than you believe."

If anything, he was willing to add to it. True, he would be adding to it with himself, his family, his caste, but it still was an addition. He nodded. "I am. You care about our people. So do I. Our differences are nothing in comparison."

[ironrule]

For a long moment, Yunxu didn't say anything. He watched Heojin from his position by the window, face blank of anything but the slight crinkle of suspicion around his eyes. Then he nodded, once, with a small smile. "It's a very pretty speech. But right now, Heojin, that's all it is - a speech. I will reward your questionable faith in me by allowing you to leave unharmed, and I have no doubt our conversation here tonight will bear influence on several of my decisions in the future." He nodded again. "Your unique defensive tactics are at their finest when the main force isn't aware of what they are, wouldn't you say?"

In hindsight, that was almost a concession - perhaps a little too much of one. But words couldn't be taken back once spoken, so Yunxu stood by the window and waited for the answer.

[rawiron]

"Allowing me?" Heojin smiled faintly. He could escape unharmed without that offering, if he could so easily enter, and Yunxu was smart enough to guess at that. Of course he was; he all but confirmed that with what he said next. "There is strength in misdirection, brother. If you wish to speak with me further, you know how to contact me."

Meisheng may not know where Heojin was, most of the time--but Heojin was always aware of Meisheng. He bowed and stepped back toward the door without turning, and if Yunxu didn't stop him, he would exit and close the door behind him.

[ironrule]

Contact, yes. That was the annoying part. Of course Yunxu knew how to contact Heojin. But there wasn't any strength in the knowledge alone, not when it meant relying completely on Heojin's goodwill in order to get an audience, and not when it meant Yunxu still had no idea where Heojin was. Or, more precisely, who Heojin was. There weren't many kedan who could change their appearances so perfectly.

The moment the door had closed, Yunxu followed. He strode quickly across the office and yanked the door open with perhaps more force than was necessary. Stepped out into the hall. Scanned up and down.

No one.

Yunxu frowned. The hall was too long for Heojin to have vanished without a trace so quickly. There were three guards out cold near the office door, but that was the only indication Heojin had been there at all.

Magic?

Possibly. But Yunxu couldn't do anything about it now. With one last glance over his shoulder, he went to enlist someone's help in moving the incapacitated guards over to the hospital.