The Blades Sing a Tragedy (Peter!!)

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

It was a hot day in Moriyama. Scratch that. It was humid and Tian-Zhen was not appreciating that at all. She looked around the streets and was not surprised that some looked at her with anxious faces. So, they saw her eyes. Of course that had been a given and she should have been used to it already. The stares should not have bothered her, but it did and she reluctantly dropped her gaze to the cobbled stone path.

her swords clinked against each other as she strode from one end of the street to the other. Tian-Zhen, when she felt a large empty space surround her, let her eyes look back up from the ground to observe her new surroundings. Not bad for a lumbering town. Her blank expression ended up scaring a child away but she let it go. What she needed to do was find a place to stay, but no one was willing to get near her.

[Peter Endless]

Despite the sweltering heat of the day Peter kept his usual attire of the double layered robes. It was heavy on his body and it did not help him keep cool. But nevertheless, he persevered with the uncomfortable setting. As he is the Holy One, it was his duty to suffer for and by the people. It was a command that he cannot forgo. And while he had debated on staying inside his room at the inn, something compelled him to take a leisurely stroll out under the sun. Peter’s nose scrunched up in distaste and his lips pulled thin as he seemingly floated through the streets.

Everyone had shed their long-sleeved tops and opted for more fitting shorts. Peter almost wanted to gag at how some women and little girls relentlessly showed their skin. Provocative devils were they. It did not affect him, not in the slightest bit. Women who threw themselves out there are not worth his time. It was then that Peter found himself curious with the figure just a few meters away. No one went near her and it looked like they did not want to. Yes, very curious.

”Hello there Miss,” his voice called out with a sense of friendliness. Another play, another act. But this time it was an impromptu - the best way to test how fast his thinking and wit was. ”I can’t help but notice that you are a bit lost. Would you like some help?” By the time Peter had closed the distance between them he noticed how she was a bit... off.

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

she had heard his footsteps the moment he entered the space around her. even though the noise of the town rose and declined, Tian-Zhen had heard the stranger's quite and distinctly clear. Should she go ahead and let him near her? Tian-Zhen wanted to let him near but a thought struck her. Wasn't it weird for someone to approach her when it was obvious that everyone else wants to avoid her? But by the time she reached her decision the person was already talking to her and offering his help.

"I am not lost," Tian-Zhen replied, turning her head towards the stranger. He was... very bright. Not in a sense of intelligence because she thought it was quite stupid of him to approach her after the evidence of the people who were using extra energy just to give them a wide berth of space. "I am looking for something. a place."

she wondered then, if she should take him up on his offer. It wouldn't hurt to prevent an entire day wasted. Tian-Zhen, her swords moving easily with her, turned her entire body to face him "I wish to stay at an inn but all the houses here the same." Her statements were always blunt and straight to the point. but they were also monotonous so that she sounded a bit like a robot with smooth communication skills.

[Peter Endless]

Peter let out a smile when he heard that she was looking for an inn. Oh, now wasn't that just convenient. He had just left the inn and was now given the opportunity to return and avoid spending any more time outside. It was as if the universe was making things work for him. "An inn? Well, you're in luck today." He jutted a thumb over his shoulder and said, "I just came from the inn. Would you like me to accompany you?"

He refrained from speaking anymore lest he come off as a creep. As he waited for her to reply, his silver-white orbs raked over her frame to see what was it that was just so abnormal about her. So far the girl looked normal and human. He kept searching. Normally, it would have taken him long to find what he was looking for but the answer was almost non-existent. "Almost" being the keyword.

OOC:

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

"you're very..." Tian-Zhen trailed off as if she wasn't sure the word she was thinking of was appropriate. but that wasn't true. it's a very good word. In fact, it compliments him so she should say it. She decided not to though because he was weird. It felt wrong to be near him, or rather his presence itself was wrong. He should not be near her. Her, the girl who drove everyone away. Her, the one who had demon-like eyes. Her, who was inhuman and nothing like everyone else.

Instead Tian-Zhen said, "Why are you talking to me? Why help me?" Taking a page from his book, Tian-Zhen threw her thumb over shoulder, gesturing to the people passing by them like they were scared. "it should have been obvious to stay away from me but you didn't. Why?"

[Peter Endless]

The girl's response had been unexpected. It was not going the way he had predicted. Not at all. This did not deter nor slow Peter down at all, however. He was simply amused now. The entire situation was interesting and the girl had managed to state the sole reason why he had spent his precious time on her. Why are the citizens avoiding her? From what I've observed so far, she has nothing abnormal about her. Well, except maybe her eyes, but that can easily be attributed to an albino's trait. It might be a genetic trait or mutation. He kept quiet for a bit, letting the silence between them stifle the air.

"Why, you ask." Peter kept up his mask without fail. "You looked so alone and lost. I would never call myself a proper gentleman if I had left you to your devices. But that is an interesting point you made." He took one step closer to her. His eyes couldn't help but let out a malicious glint. "Why do they avoid you? What is it about you that they're afraid of? Or maybe they're not afraid at all. Simply, disgusted with you, perhaps?" Another step. And Peter was on a roll. "But what's so horrendous about you, Miss? Is it your eyes. Your expression?"

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

every hair on her body stood straight up. This man was dangerous. Tian-Zhen could feel her instincts going haywire and telling her to get out, or at least put some distance between them. But she couldn't. It was as if her entire body had frozen and this man had was the reason why. Her usual blank expression broke as she began to shake a bit. This was an odd feeling. She was usually the one who intimated others, not the other way around. Tian-Zhen didn't even notice that she took a step back just as he stepped forward.

"That is none of your business!" She suddenly growled. Tian-Zhen felt an anger in her that she never thought she was capable of feeling. Indignation flushed throughout her body too as the guy had the audacity to poke fun at her. "Nothing is "horrendous" about me and I'm perfectly normal."

This was not going the way she wanted it too. She was losing control.

"I'm a normal human!"

Tian-Zhen's eyes widened. In her bout of inexplicable temper, she had just spewed out what she had always wanted to be. Or the underlying worry in this case... what she was afraid of not being.

[Peter Endless]

The girl continued to exceed his expectations. Here he was, a young man since birth was considered a gift from the gods and revered as one of the King's most trusted council, and he was being being shouted at. No one had ever dared to raise their voice at him with the exception of his foster father, Yami, but he was a special case. Peter had to keep himself in check for he was quite confused in how he was feeling. On one hand he was appalled at having some no name girl yell at him, showing absolute disrespect towards him as well as acting in such an undesirable way. She didn't even seem to have any lady-like qualities despite her soft features.

"I did not say you were," Peter said. To the people around them, those who have been called by the girl's loud lungs, it was astounding to see him act so calm and collected. It was as if they believed that he should lose his cool and retaliate right back with his own risen voice, but Peter was anything but rash. "It was a simple speculation and prediction on what others might be thinking.

The amount of people stopping a few meters away did not escape Peter's notice. No doubt their odd argument was attracting an audience. Really. Of course she was human. Just as a Peter caught a glimpse of the uniform of a guard heading towards them he quickly closed in on the girl. He spoke quietly but harshly, trying to convey the urgency into his tone. "Come. Your loud outburst has given us a problem and it would be advisable to follow me." Without waiting, Peter began walking towards the market area of Moriyama.

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

Tian-Zhen was surprised that she hadn't even seen the clumps of people stopping to stare at them. she flinched under their gazes as if ashamed though she really didn't have any reason to be. Maybe the guy was right. Maybe there was something horrendous about her. She was disgusting. Tian-Zhen shook her head. No. That wasn't true. Her old village had treated her normally and kindly. she was the same as them, the humans. but then why was she calling everyone else 'human' as if she wasn't? this was all beginning to get a bit confusing to her. Her head was starting to throb, trying to make sense of what was happening and what was she suppose to think.

it was all that boy's fault. The one talking to her right now. The one telling her what to do. Did he really expect her to follow him without a word? Tian-Zhen set a frown to her lips and was about to retort when she too saw a man going towards them with a miffed expression on his face. Instead of heading another way from where the boy was going to, Tian-Zhen followed him, which annoyed her to no end. She was not a follower! She usually took charge of things when situations come up.

"Do not think that you are free to order me around like that," she told him when they started to near the bazaar. "And why are we heading here? I thought you had wanted to speak alone. Or take me to the hotel so I can get myself a room."

[Peter Endless]

"I am beginning to have little faith in your intelligence Miss," Peter stated when the girl with swords had finally caught up with him. "What I had said was not meant to be quite as demanding as you make it sound. Furthermore, our chance to escape is undoubtedly higher here than in an open space. Even with our unique appearances we can easily blend with the crowd and lose the guard." Peter then swiftly turned on a tight corner, going deeper into the market streets. "Rest assured that I will be escorting you to the hotel soon."

His gait was as graceful as ever like the fluidity of a gentle stream making its way down the mountainside to join a larger body of river. Even as he merged with the flow of the crowd Peter's movement was not at all hindered. He continued to pass through the mass as if he was as transparent as a ghost, walking through inanimate objects, or like a leaf in the wind, smoothly following the movement of people. For split second Peter slowed his pace to glance out of the corner of his eye, looking to see the strange girl's reaction to his words. He had not meant to sound so demeaning nor rude in his haste to leave.

He almost clicked his tongue in annoyance. Perhaps doing an impromptu performance had not been the best choice. Then again, it is the way of life. Nothing ever goes the way a person plans it. Too many factors and situations to consider for a single outcome when there are and will always be more than one. Hearing the sounds of protesting citizens and a bit of scuffling behind them, Peter immediately grabbed the girl's wrist and tugged her into an alley.

Permission Granted:

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

"excuse me?" her question choked and a bit indignant.

sure, she didn't know much about the world and its workings outside of the village she lived in, but she liked to think that was due to her memory loss. even then her grand-papa had done his absolute best to educate her. tian-zhen ground her teeth together and bit back an angry retort, choosing to keep quiet lest she say something embarrassing and lose her sense of calm. but the boy's explanation had merit and reason. tian-zhen kept up with him fairly easily as they made a turn into another street of the market.

the crowds were thicker and the flow of people were harder to maneuver around. her pseudo companion, however, was still as graceful as ever. not that she wasn't graceful herself; tian-zhen weaved through the throngs of people with ease. just then the silver-haired boy took hold of her and dragged her into an alley. she resisted at first but after catching the obvious noise of people being pushed out the way and things being broken and thrown to the ground she ceased any resistance and let him pull her into an alley.

once out of sight (for how long, she didn't know) tian-zhen yanked her wrist from his grip and took a look around. the alley was not too wide; only about the width of four to maybe five feet so it was a bit cramped. tian-zhen noted that the alley was both shrouded in darkness yet light enough to give detail. large garbage bins were piled together and old rickety boxes were at the end of the alley - a dead end. it was another side of the building that blocked their path, effectively trapping them if the guard catches up to them.

"now we are trapped. how do you propose we get out of here?" tian-zhen asked. she was feeling a bit agitated with no way out.

[Peter Endless]

Peter shook his head at how the girl seemed to be so closed-minded. "It may only seem as if we are trapped, Miss. But it is not so." He gestured for her to accompany him further down the alley. Peter closed off his emotions the moment he spotted the dirt and grime shimmering all over the cobbled ground. The focus of his eyes were dead straight to a point on the building's wall. He did not want to see the mold clinging and sticking itself to the vertical surfaces. It reminded him too much of his time as a "Street Rat." His pace was not at all hurried as before and Peter walked as if he was roaming through the most sanitary halls in the castle.

When they reached the towering wall of the building, Peter was pleased to see a rusted door that had not been visible from opening of the alley. He turned to the girl and made sure that she was watching him before placing a hand on the door's surface and activating one of his spells. His finger tips barely touched the peeling paint before they turned to shadow, effectively creating a puddle-like shadow on the surface. As he pushed his hand into the surface, it disappeared as if it was going to another dimension. "Stay here and hide behind the boxes until I open the door." Not even seconds later his entire body was gone and a small click resounded from the silver knob. The door creaked open.

[Long Tian-Zhen]

There can never be those kinds of memories... Because, deep within my heart, I will continue to yearn for them. No matter what kind they are.

her almost non-existent temper was flaring just hearing the guy talk. tian-zhen wasn't one to judge the way a person spoke since she, herself, had problems with how she talked, but doesn't this guy know that no one talked like the way he did? she shook her head and tried to reason with herself again. maybe from where he came from they talked like that. so it would be natural for him.

"alright, what are you trying to do now?" she kept her voice just barely above a whisper. there was no one looking into the alley but tian-zhen didn't want to attract any curious bystanders; especially since she could still hear the guard trying to push past the thick crowd. her eyes narrowed in suspicion, however, when a black hole appeared on the rusted door and his body was melting into it. when it was just his head sticking out, tian-zhen sighed and went to hide behind the boxes though that had been stupid and useless. the door creaked open when she was only two steps away from hiding.

she entered through the door silently and heard the door click back to lock. "do you even know where we are? and how to get out?" her eyes adjusted to the almost pitch black room.

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