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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
| + | #REDIRECT [[ADanceOfAngels]] |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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| − | == Crimson Words ==
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| − | The Lotus of Endless Flame...
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| − | On one of the upper floors of the large pagoda, she waits, knelt on the ground in front of the table...
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| − | The sake is in front of her, but she does not touch it, in deep meditation, back against the moonlight... all around her, scrolls of martial wisdom, kanji not unlike burning blood, and fiery ashes. Two paintings show great masters of the past, and a battle against a creature made of the night, with moon and stars within it, and riding a spider-mare. There, clad in a light rose, almost white kimono that contrasts with her dark skin so much, she waits...
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' On another night, he would dazzle and outshine the stars. For another woman, he would wrap himself in mystery and romance, wreathed in darkness like the sky. With another reason to be there, he might gird himself for battle in raiment of silk and star-steel, weapons of sharpened tongue and cutting glances at his command. But this is none of those.
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| − | A loose jacket displays perfect skin, as of yet unbroken by her proxies, only by her. Simple midnight blue pants fail to hide sinous movements, grace untouched by nerves. His only ornamentation, a perfect white smile and sapphire eyes. Deep red roses with large, serrated thorns are clasped in a hand, a bouqet trailing perfume through the air as he sets them before her.
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| − | "For you. You'd be surprised what grows on some of your old battlefields, sifu."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' She does not smile. She only holds her hand out and picks the roses, either avoiding the thorns or not feeling them. She brushes her dark hair, dark as her own skin, and few white strands shine in it, earrings that echo garda birds tingling. "Good evening, Gennadi, and thank you. This is a nice choice." She says, very neutrally.
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Swords sheathed? Or not quite yet?" He kneels, almost like a serpent coiling before her. Still, even he cannot completely ignore the pleasantries, speaking quietly. "Good evening, and thank you for the dinner, sifu. It is an honor and a privelege."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' "Never fuly sheathed for you. Not that it makes any difference, does it? You bring your art even if one has sword out and shining in the wind." She nods, getting up and picking a little jar to place the roses on. She does so standing sideways, never showing her back to him as if he was some sort of dangerous animal.
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| − | * Gennadi has his teeth bared, just like one... though it's such a pretty smile. "I never disrespect a blade, dear Cara. I have been taught better than that. It is just that the wielder is often the weak point."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' "The wielder is a blade, Gennadi. Even without chains, you should be. And when in the stance for war, one is a blade, unsheathed, ready to cut through scores of foes. Your own flesh is the sharpest of all blades, remember." She says, scholarly, as she walks back and kneels down, making a sign of the Hawayin. It was safe to eat now. "I hope you enjoy the meal."
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| − | * Gennadi bows his head slightly, taking up the first piece of bread and breaking it, placing a third for her and a third for respect. He bites quietly into it before speaking, one eyebrow raised. "I speak not of the wielder's body, but of the wielder. Of the many ways the intent to victory may be subsumed. Effortless effort is more than a study on Endings, dear sifu." He smiles then and laughs, shaking his head as he relaxes. "I apologize, Cara. We have taken too much business into this night of pleasure."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' "You are in the middle of your training, looking foward to Mars tomorrow, Jupiter if you can still walk. Bussiness... is nessessary. This is a test as well, you know. To know if I can trust you with pleasure." She almost smiles, picking her bread. "But yes, I see what you mean. It is still... underhanded."
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| − | * Gennadi shakes his head. "Silly woman... I have said it once, I have said it ten thousand times. Nobody can trust me completely." He winks at her before spearing a choice morsel, chewing and swallowing. "Speaking of underhanded... what's your game, Cara?"
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' She tilts her head to one side, eyes the color of blood looking at Gennadi amusedly. The marks on her left eye, like tears, appear to shine as she says so... ".. you expect me to play with all my cards turned to face you, Gennadi? Now, you are not that naive."
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Obviously not, if I am being selected for the honor of teaching so early. A genius to surpass all others, your greatest student, Gennadi Ilkov." He sips at the sake. "After all, why else would one wager such a prize, one of only a hundred."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' She giggles, pouring some sake for herself... "Aria's assignament got to you, hmmm?"
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| − | * Gennadi shakes his head in admiration. "And I thought I was a serpent. The student has yet to surpass the master there... I just don't understand it. You break all the rules to either set me up to fail, a cataclysmic fall that can only shame all those involved at a time none can afford it... or your revenge is a ploy, a falsehood, designed only to deliver me a student." He makes weighing motions and decides the hand with the sake wins.
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' "It is all set so, if you fail, you shall be the only one shamed - too many people have signed it for it to be our problem - clearly, you pretend to be that good, but were unable to live up to those standards. And maybe I trust you truly are one of the few able to cheer Aria up, who knows?"
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| − | * Gennadi wags his finger at her, a slow almost taunting tick-tock. "Nara-O. Who also seems to be expressing an interest. Many interesting words to express as well."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' She drinks the sake with mischievous eyes... "Nara-O? Now, now, that is interesting... she is one of those who wrote it down. She is one of those who made sure Aria got to your hand. I never expected her to appear to you, however..."
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Veiled like a harem dancer, alas." He shakes his head. "You and your plans... and to deliver a Secrets unto me, that my hand should guide her. You know whom I shall be pointing her at."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' She lets the sake down and opens the wood plate with the meat, picking it... the flames hanging from her ear chiming. "... do I? Who would you point her to?" She asks, curious, before munching a bit... "And I expect you to teach her life, Gennadi, more than anything."
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Life, eh? I must say, dear sifu, Cara... you have misread me if you think I know anything of it." He strikes out suddenly, an almost murderous intent as his motions blur through the air, left humming in his wake... and he spears a piece of meat. He tastes it, grins, and then is suddenly pressed against her, hand slipping through her kimono to rest against the naked skin of her hip, lips pressed tight to hers as once more he bends her back.
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' Her flesh is too warm. It is as if the woman was the southern deserts herself. Touching her almost burns on Gennadi's hand... and her lips, not ready enough, are played by his lips like a musical instrument. For a moment, he feels her melt... and he feels the heat increase almost to the point where he could not touch her. But then, she has move away... and '''''Slap''''', his face is punished for the indistcretion. "... you."
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| − | * Gennadi 's smile is slightly crimson, a bead of blood trickling down from his lip. He is still relentlessly cheerful, and his eyes remain on hers, sapphire seas untouched by the strike. "Me. I almost had you again, Cara... and make no mistake, you can move heaven and earth... and I will still have you again." He stands and bows to her, chewing on the bit of meat at the end of the skewer he holds in his hand. "I thank you for the dinner, but I believe I will retire to my room. It is clear the stress of the testing has made me unsuitable company."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' The tears shine. They shine brightly-colored mote of red stardust, and become liquid tears, dripping into her hand and becoming a chain of essence, rushing to strike at the wall close to Gennadi... if her face was not so dark, it would be now, in her anger... "'''''You. Will. Not! '''''"
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| − | She pants... "... this I swear..."
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| − | * Gennadi kisses the chain, smearing the drop of blood along it as he steps by and under her arm. "Don't wear yourself out, sifu. You'll be too tired for me."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: '''The chain returns to her hand, becoming a crimson chrysantemum of pure essence... as her face contorts in anger, eyes narrowed at the Joybringer... "... is that all you ever think about?"
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "The test is tomorrow. I can't believe you've forgotten!" He runs his hand through his hair. "Of course, we could skip it..."
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| − | '''Carmine Tears: ''' "... oh." She looks almost... embarassed, now.
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| − | "Paint it red, if you will."
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| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "For you, darling? Anything." He closes the door behind him.
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| − | ----
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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