2011-12-09 - One of Our Kind


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The last week had been... interesting. Relatively few people knew just how close the SuiKyoshan Captain had come to death, and fewer knew about the internal meetings going on between him and what would probably be seen as his 'senior council'. Since the loss of Liu Feng as General, there were two newcomers sharing that seat of power: An older, grizzeled warrior who had always been the silent type, and Chao Ling - who had stepped up to take on a role as a warrior officially, leaving behind his tool belt.

The others who shared these meetings included leaders from the other larger groups onboard. A pair of representatives selected from the original Laoshians, as well as another pair selected from the humans who had come on board since then. The last was an older male from one of the beastmen tribes, who - like his General counterpart - spoke little and mostly responded to the things being said in growls. At the very least, there didn't seem to be major objections to the changes Xiang had planned, even if there were some outspoken views. The beastmen deligate dispised Zaibach and the Crusaders in turn, making it clear that he disagreed with taking their side in almost any manner. Ling had suggested further recruitment to the armed forces as well as purchasing further parts to expand the Gunman fleet. And it went on and on... and on.

Sometimes the talks went late into the night, leaving little time for other persuits. In addition to all of this, there was a steady unrest within one particular population onboard. Like with many of the newcomers, the beastmen banded together in one area of the ship, claiming it as their own. However, there were wolves, cats, leopards, dogs - all of different clans and customs. They had some rooted beliefs and rituals that held them together as a people, but finding common ground is not easy. More-so, their numbers seemed to be increasing. Xiang would feel it, even if his archivist hadn't quite caught up with the new numbers. The last reported claim of sixty seemed too small for the number of minds that the SuiKyosha could touch.

Even then, the way that they think is different enough that the god-ship has trouble with them. They weren't human, and they didn't think like humans - with the exception of Sinya, perhaps. So, when things started to get a bit strained amongst them, even the ship could lend little information. With Xiang busy, Sinya had volunteered to go among her people to sort out the issue. And that's where she's been for the past few days - she and Yu Zhi Wu, who both seem to have taken on this task of settling whatever is troubling the beastmen.

That is where Xiang would find her, when he finally had time to come looking. His XO is nowhere to be seen, but her presence is always lingering - even if her own thoughts don't seem to give any hint of what this pair has discovered. The main square of the beastmen village is full of motion. There are hides stretched in the old ways across tanning racks, artisans crafting small tools outside of homes that may be SuiKyoshan in birth but have been decorated with pelts and bones like the more tribal villages. A group of small children are being taught in the old way - by stories. And Sinya is sitting amongst a group of others - of all beastmen species, discussing something in an animated voice.

Mixed together, the voices of all of these seem like the chatter of animals, growls and purrs and undertones that are entirely inhuman. She seems to be explaining something, and a few nod their heads as if in agreement. It's hard to tell exactly what they are talking about, but the consensus of their thoughts seems to be the Captain. Something about him is what has them so riled. There is one black cat in the group who has other thoughts, he seems to be watching Sinya and her alone.

"So when will he come?" Demands a wolf, "We cannot stay as things are. It is not our way." Sinya lowers her hands, trying to placate him. "He's a busy man, you know that. He'll come." In fact, she knew well enough that he would be coming.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Indeed, a lot was going on for the man, but when he had a feeling of being needed, he knew that he was needed. He'd been busy with trying to arrange the equipment which Ling had suggested to purchase, but has had no time yet to try and hire more crewmembers. Of course, the SuiKyosha was a massive ship, and could easily accept thousands of more crewmembers. After all, the people were mostly close to the main plazas of the ship on the multiple floors it had. There were entire stretches of the ship that were desolate and with not a single person living there.

But what truly had him even more busy... might be surprising.

When then man arrives, he arrives right besides that very black cat who has so much attention for Sinya, and lets out the slightest of sounds to announce his presence. He had a way with moving softly, and it was hard to know he was there sometimes. "Escuse me." He mumbles to said black cat, and then moves past to stand amongst the group.

Sitting on his shoulder... is a leviathan. A tiny little thing, its tail wrapped around his shoulder and underneath his armpit, and hiding its head within his hair. It's trembling a little, and tries to keep its wings close to it. Now and again, it dares to peek its head out from the long braid of hair, before disappearing within again.

"I am here. My appologies for having taken so long." As of late, as much as he is the emperor, he's lowered himself a little to be more among the common people. His stern face has softened a little, and it's gotten good reactions amongst the others on board the ship - short of some of the warriors, who aren't sure what to think about it.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The poor black cat is so startled by the sudden sound that his tail puffs up and he jumps slightly, having to catch himself on his white-tipped paws. He's a young one - possibly only just having reached adulthood, and he stares up at Xiang, "Moves like a ghost." He mutters under his breath, and the arrival sends a murmur around the group as well. Only Sinya seems unsurprised. She offers the Captain a small smile and a bow of her head - which was customary for one of his rank.

"Ahh, so you come." It's the wolf this time, pushing himself to his feet. The others seem to rise with him, but haphazardly - at different times - dusting themselves off. Some take note of the tiny lizard, but most wouldn't recognise it for what it is. It's Sinya who gives a tiny clicking sound, holding out her arm slightly and offering the winged serpant a place to land if it wished.

"Are you prepared?" The wolf walks strait up to Xiang, seeming to demand this as he looks down at him, teeth slightly bared. It's not a threatening look - not truly - or at least it isn't the intention. The wolves always tended to look that way. "It is time for you to face your trial." He chuckles ominously.

Again, it's Sinya who pushes past him, nudging the far larger and stronger wolf out of the way. "Calm yourself, Roran." Strange how someone so small could seemingly have such weight among these people at times, but the wolf backs off with only a flash of his teeth. "Captain." Her eyes find him, looking serious. "Do you... feel well?" The question seems a bit odd, but the undertones he'd get from her mind spell it out. She's asking if he's healed, if he's healthy, if he's ready for whatever it is that these beastmen have planned for him.

Behind them, the black cat bristles slightly, tail twitching. It's clear that he doesn't like the closeness between the Captain and Sinya. His mind radiates his longing and his intention. It's the silly sort of jealousy that comes from someone who doesn't even have the object of their affections - and it isn't just aimed at Xiang, but all of the others around them. At least he has the sense not to vocalize it, though.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Of course, Xiang has no idea what is going on. With the SuiKyosha having such trouble decyphering their thoughts, it means that Xiang stands before something he has rarely stood before in his life on this ship. A situation where he cannot be his mysterious self and tell them what they want from him. Still, the murmers are more than enough to tell him that he is apparently quite involved in this mess. He looks around for a moment, while touching his hands' fingers together and leaving them near his belly. He's looking for his XO, but he doesn't see her.

Finally, his gaze shifts back to Sinya, who seems to be clicking at the winged serpent. He shows a slight smile. "I am well, miss Leland. I'm sorry to trouble you." He tells her, and moves towards her position with that ghostly movement of his, before he then reaches towards his hair and rubs the head of the serpent. It takes a little moment, but it finally lets go of his shoulder. It's obvious why it is with him now. One of its wings seems wounded. "Please, be careful with him." He tells her, offering it to her, and taking a moment for it to cling to Sinya. She has more hair to hide in at least.

He then finally turns around, bowing his head towards the wolf, and asks; "Please, sir Roran. You will have to excuse me, for I am not entirely familiar with your ways - and I mean you no disrespect in any way. But can you please explain to me what my trial is, and why-for I face one?" Xiang seems incredibly calm before all of this, but his mind is already touching the thought that had been created by Sinya. To be healthy - to feel well.

He then turns his head towards the black cat for a moment, and then turns back to the wolf. He doesn't need SuiKyosha to realize what that young one wants. However, he doesn't react. He understands being jealous, he understands wanting Sinya. After all... she is quite amazing.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

As the tiny serpent moves over onto her, Sinya reaches up to stroke it's small head, offering it a purr. Since that time in the grotto, she had a certain affection for the tiny creatures who could grow into such huge beasts. They were one of those hidden wonders of the SuiKyosha that had drawn her to this place, heart and soul. "I'll be careful." She replies, although her gaze seems wary when she looks towards the wolf.

Roran just grins, although it looks more like a snarl. "Ahh, but that would ruin the fun, now wouldn't it." He looks towards Sinya, narrowing his eyes. It's clear that there's a power struggle between these two - and the wolf isn't the one to win it most of the time. Still, he thinks that this time he has an edge. "Come now, Siniyana. Do you have such little faith in this human you hold in so high regard? Is he so weak he cannot stand before the people? Too frail to prove his worth." The wolf's eyes come back to Xiang, and that feral grin shows again.

"Shut your gaping yap, Roran." Sinya replies, her voice not without strength to it. The wolf snarls, but he doesn't advance on her, staring at the smaller catgirl. "He will stand, but when he's ready." The wolf snorts, and looks to Xiang. "And you let a female speak for you?" Surprisingly, before Xiang or Sinya can do anything, it's the black cat who steps between them, hissing at the wolf. "Don't you dare speak to her like that! Humans may not always value their females, but we do. So don't lower yourself like one of them."

The blue-eyed cat looks over his shoulder, as if he were checking that Sinya is okay. She just nods, which is as much of a show of thanks as she can manage, her fingers sliding over the leviathan's small head. What just happened is clear - Roran had been trying to get Xiang to dismiss Sinya's words, which would have put him in a bad light amongst the people. A test - but a cruel one. Sinya reaches a hand out and lays it on the black cat's shoulder, and he offers her a purr before stepping to the side.

"We don't play games like that, Roran. Let him face the trials as any youngblood. Judge his heart, not his skin." Her eyes look to Xiang then, knowing full well that the choice is in his hands.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Xiang remains perfectly silent, and waits patiently for Roran to finish speaking. Since the problems with Feng, he's learned not to go in on everything that is said, and at the same time tries to learn of what is going on through the conversation between Sinya and Roran. And his gaze remains upon Roran this entire time, unmoving, showing no sign of his emotions moving behind that mask. Of course, he gets annoyed when Roran insults Sinya, but it's not enough for him to break that show of silence. And when he's just about to speak, the black cat is too fast for him. He smiles a little.

Sinya isn't the only one who reaches out towards the blue-eyed cat. Xiang's strong hand lands on his other should, and he does tell him; "I value those around me who are female. I have a female XO, miss Yu Zhi Wu, and many others of my crew are female as well." He then takes a step forwards to the wolf and lowers his voice a slight bit. "Sir Roran. Please. Tell me what you need from me, bring me your trial, if you so wish for me to face this trial. I will take it. I will allow you your moment of 'fun', if you must have it."

The man then turns his head for a moment, and looks at the two cats who are now behind him, and nods patiently at them, before turning towards Roran once more. Behind him, in the meantime, the little serpent lets out a little creening sound in response to the stroking of its head. It flutters its healthy wing a little, but the unhealthy one really... 'flaps' more, and gets stuck in her hair.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

"Shh, shh. Easy little one." Sinya murmurs, slowly disentangling the creature from her hair but being quite gentle with it. "You mustn't use that wing until it's healed." Perhaps it can understand her, perhaps not, but she seems to be quite careful with it, even if the tiny leviathan serves as a bit of a distraction.

The black cat puffs himself up slightly, folding his arms and looking at Roran as if he were going 'See? Stupid wolf.' Hrmph. Roran, on the other hand, just continues that grin and then chuckles to himself. He steps back from the circle gathered and raises a hand, letting out a howl.

This draws the attention of the community. It seems like so many eyes latch onto Xiang all at once, and it just might be a bit unnerving, even for him. Even the children stop their lesson to look. "He will stand!" The wolf announces, and his voice carries. There is a murmur amongst them, and then a flurry of motion.

Beastmen disappear right and left, down alleyways and into houses. This includes those who had been clustered around Sinya and Xiang, including Roran. It takes barely a minute and the entire square is empty.

Sinya sighs, and rubs at her forehead, then looks at Xiang with a sheepish expression. "Come on." She reaches out a hand to take his, leading him towards one of the buildings which has been left open nearby. "You kind of walked into that one, love." She chuckles in a soft voice, but strangely, there is no real worry from the catgirl. Perhaps that is a comfort. She obviously knows what is going on.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

The 'little one' understands. After all, the little things /are/ telepathic. It calms down when Sinya tells it to ease down, and stops flapping its wings, accepting the safety of Sinya's gentle fingers.

The man remains patient, and watches with that straight face of his when Roran finally announces that he will 'stand trial', while mentally wondering just what is going on. A little time passes, and the beastmen around him have finally disappeared. The man moves a hand up towards his head and tucks a single wayward hair behind his ear, before looking at Sinya.

That sheepish grin and the rubbing of the girl's forehead gives him a pang of irritation. This whole 'being in the dark' thing is a slight bit annoying, and the girl obviously knows what is going on, but hasn't told him what yet. "I do hope that this isn't one big game of tag." He warns, before shaking his head. Wait, did Sinya just call him 'love' in public? Well, guess nobody is near enough to hear them... but Beastmen have good ears.

Still, he lets himself be lead towards said building. What the heck is going on? The things he does to get accepted...


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

No, the beastmen are far too busy doing other things to be listening in to their conversation, Sinya knows this much. It's a moment of relative privacy in the whole of the ship. In fact, things around them are almost eerily quiet, doors closed, windows drawn, and the only place that remains open is that one doorway.

She leads him in to a small room which seems as if it has been prepared. There is a set of tribal clothing - a belt and loincloth plus a bit of cloth that goes over one shoulder as well as a few bits of jewelry - all laid out across a table. It's the sort of thing he might have seen that beastmen council member of his wear, but few of the beastmen he encountered bothered with such elaborate costumes.

There is a chair set in the middle, surround by a few pillows. Sinya closes the door after them. She takes one of the pillows and lifts the tiny creature, seting it onto it. "I'm afraid you'll have to stay here, little one. You'll be safe." She kisses the leviathan on the nose, and then motions Xiang towards the chair.

"You're going to laugh." Sinya folds her arms, looking at him with a wry grin on her face. "But I need you to strip." Strange customs these beastmen have.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Xiang looks around the room when he enters it, then turns his attention towards the clothing. Still, nobody is telling him anything. Being the emperor, this isn't behavior he is used to - and were he anything like the previous emperor, he wouldn't have /tolerated/ this. But Xiang is patience embodied sometimes, and decides to just accept Sinya's silence and raises an eyebrow at her when she tells him that he needs to strip.

"I presume in order to put on the clothing over there?" He nudges his head towards it, before shaking his head a little and moving a hand up to his face, and pinches the bridge of his nose between index-finger and thumb. Within moments, he has dropped his arms from the robes and lets it drop from his waist, and moments after that the man stands bare. He then turns towards Sinya again, giving her that questioning look.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

Sinya's expression is understanding, picking up on the confusion and frustration in his mind. "Put yourself at ease, love." She mururs, keeping her voice quiet this time. They might be alone, but better safe than sorry. "I know it's hard not knowing what's going on." She steps forward, reaching a hand up to touch his face in a soft, tender fashion. "You have to follow this through. Come on." She lets her hand slide down his arm, twining fingers with him for a moment before leading him over towards the chair.

"Sit." It is a command, but it's offered kindly. She releases his hand and steps back, moving towards that table and picking up what appears to be a long, shallow box filled with small bowls of different colored liquids. "I'll try to explain what I can, but some of it you just have to face yourself." She lowers herself to the ground, setting the box next to her.

"In this ritual, I'm what my people would call the scribe." Sinya looks down to the bowls, letting her fingers hover over them. "The scribe is someone close to a youngblood, someone who knows their heart. It's their job to mark them. To prepare them to stand before the clan." She laughs softly, looking up at him with her ears tipped back a little. "Normally, it's just a few lines and circles, or an image of some great deed, but with you, it's a little more... complex." Afterall, Xiang didn't come with those natural markings the beastmen did.

"Give me your arm." She asks, and then looks down to the bowls, plucking out one that seems a murky charcoal gray, and another in white. They give off a strange smell - like flowers and spice. She dips two fingers into the white liquid first, then turns his arm over, tracing her fingers down along his forearm and then tracing the color out onto the bottoms of each of his fingers. When she draws them back, the liquid seems to dry almost instantly, leaving his skin shaded that color.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

It's difficult to be at ease, especially when Sinya seems to be behaving... oddly in a way. Sure, there's the tender touches she offers him, and he follows her willingly of course. And during that moment of holding hands, a smile breaks to his face... only to disappear when she speaks that command. No please, just... sit. Sure, her tone was a kind one, but it still raises Xiang's heckles. It's probably the young one that lies behind that mask of his, hiding far and deep, feeling slighted somehow.

He lets go of the girl, and while she works on getting the box, he reaches over to pet the Leviathan. He doesn't feel too comfortable with leaving it alone here. He hadn't expected to leave it alone, and he feels 'protective' of it. His head comes back up from looking at the flying serpent and the man sits back, trying to relax himself. He knows this kind of ritual. He knows of things such as a scribe as Sinya explains it. Yu Zhi Wu had once told him of another section in La Gias who held a similar tradition... but that was one of war.

When spoken to, he raises his arm as asked for. "Be careful what you write, Sinya." He then whispers. "You know much of me, perhaps more than I've told you in words, if you ever concentrate on my thoughts." He's hinting towards the events surrounding his own people... his love for Sinya... and the fact that he can read the people's minds. His eye of course follow her starting to draw on him, before he catches the scent, and decides to keep looking at what she plans to do - so he can see the process on this... living canvas that is now his body.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

In truth, Sinya hadn't exactly planned for him to agree to all this today. She would have liked to give him a bit more warning. "It'll be fine here. No one will come except for your guide, and you can come back afterwards." It's easy for her to pick up on his worry, and perhaps the fact that he felt a bit slighted by the way she's acting.

With a sigh, she looks up at him, "I'm sorry." She turns his arm over, coloring the back of it with that charcoal gray to give the impression of two tones much like Sinya's own coloration, but darker. "I meant to have a chance to explain all this, but ... there's not much time now." She lets her fingers hover over his hand, then takes the other to repeat the process to his other side.

"To the people of the Laoshians, you're their Emperor, by right of choice. They follow you because of their traditions." As she explains, Sinya continues to apply the coloring to his body, leaving his legs entirely dark except for a trail of white over one foot. "To my people, you're an outsider. They have no leader. For them to follow you, they need to believe you're one of them. You have to become one of them."

She rises up slightly, crouching and balancing on her toes as she traces white and black onto his chest with her fingers, giving the impression of a pale underbelly against dark fur. Her movements against his chest are gentle, and intimate, and certainly such a touch would have felt strange coming from any other. "So you have to stand before them and be accepted by the clans. After that..." She lets out a breath. "You'll have to prove your strength."

This seems to be the part she worries over. "They don't fight to the death, but you'll have to face the strongest among them to earn your place as leader." Her gaze looks into his eyes, then, heeding his words about just what she writes with her careful fingers. "Don't worry so much." She leans in and kisses his nose. "I'll do my job well."

She has him stand up then, completing the coloration over his back before coming around to his face again, "Close your eyes." Again, it is not a request, but is kindly said, and when he does, he would feel the cold of her fingers as they traced over his features. "Now stay still." He would hear the sound of her moving around him and feel the touch of her fingers along his arms, his back, his legs. Each one seems fleeting, like a feather touch that traces lines along over the colors already painted there. When she comes again to his face, she touches his forehead, and then drags light claws over his cheeks.

"There." She whispers, and steps back, taking just a moment to release his long hair behind him. When he'd open his eyes, there would be a mirror there against the wall where the striking image might just catch his eye. If one didn't know that it was Xiang Yuan beneath the paint, it would be hard to tell. Against the black that covers him, and the white that highlights it, two shades of blue have been mixed into stripes that line his body. Light and dark, they seem to stand out against the rest of his skin as if they were glowing like the biolumensence just below the water.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

"Who will be my guide?" Xiang asks, looking down at her when she says sorry, and shows her another one of those minor smiles that normally don't peek out too much when he has his mask on. Clearly, he doesn't know whether or not the other beastsmen are close or not, so he's not entirely comfortable with giving in entirely. It's strange, just how careful and uncomfortable this man can be... when compared to the powerful presence he has and the normally almost unmoving face. He chuckles though and touches her head with his fingers, playing with his fingertips against her cheek. "I'll be fine, I'm sure. I've always been good at proving my strength."

Still, he wasn't feel too sure. Unlike a beastman, he had no natural weapons. No claws. No long teeth. The only weapons he had were his fists, his feet... his muscles. And from what he can tell, what Sinya had suggested, he would need that strength. "I know that you would have told me, if you'd had a chance." One of the reasons he still assumes that other beastman are close, is because Sinya still hadn't told him exactly what was going to happen - even though they were 'alone' now.

"But I felt that... it would be disrespecting their honor, and slighting you, if I stepped back." But there was something else. That other beastman, who had an eye for Sinya. He knows that Sinya must realize that the blue-eyed one has his eyes set on her too.

Speaking of eyes, the man's continue to follow Sinya everywhere she touches him until she 'commands' him to close his eyes. It's a strange feeling, to have his body painted. Slowly, the full picture comes to be, and after a long enough time, he's finally done. "There," He repeats Sinya's words, and feels his hair being released. His poor braid. It's rare for him to let his braid of undone before the night is done, and it feels strange to him.

Still, he looks at that mirror, and smiles. Slowly, he stands up, tensing his muscles, and looking at himself in that object of glass against black. The paint didn't thin, and remained set on his body. He moves his hands a bit, further playing with his arm-muscles. He looked... strong. Exotic and strong.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

Sinya steps back slightly, looking at the job she'd done as she dips her hands into a clear liquid which seems little more than water, but probably has something else mixed into it. Her fingers come out clean, and she wipes them off onto a towel. "You're beautiful. Just like you always are in my eyes." And that, was the job of the scribe. She had painted him as she sees him - beautiful and strong. As simple a task as it might seem, it's clear that she was the only one who could have filled this role.

There is a knock at the door, and this seems to draw her attention away from him. Sinya walks past the table, gathers up the loincloth and tosses it at him. "Get dressed. Your guide will have to walk you through the rest." She takes the moment, what little time she has, and steps to him, leaning up and placing a kiss onto his lips. It's soft, tender and quick. "I have to get ready, myself. I'll see you there."

And then she walks to the door, allowing another to enter as she slips out. Beyond the doorway, there is a sound of people moving. In the distance, a horn sounds. Whatever is going on outside, it's attracting attention, too. He might sense that there are more than just beastmen nearby, although the human minds seem to be keeping a respectable distance from the festivities - if you could consider them that.

The woman who enters might be one of those faces he recognises. She is the eldest of the females who came to live on the SuiKyosha. Even so, she would be barely considered middle age, even if a few strands of white linger in her golden hair. She's a leopardess, with golden fur and two-colored rosettes. The woman is clothed in what seem to be another tribal outfit, red cloth criss-crossing over her chest and then forming into a skirt that hangs down from her his.

"Hmm. She did a fine job." Kia says with an appraising look in a set of feirce yellow eyes. "Come now, youngblood. Dress. They will be waiting." In the distance, there is a sound of drumbeats.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Xiang wraps his arms around Sinya when she lays that kiss to his lips, and touches her back for a moment. He replies in kind to that kiss of course, and when she pulls away, he nods. "I will see you there." He replies, before he moves past her and lays the clothing he just caught onto the chair. He didn't expect the guide to come in imediately. He freezes for a moment, before relaxing again and turning his back onto Kia. "Yes... that she did." He answers with that deep voice of his. Putting on the loincloth and belt doesn't take too long, but putting on the jewelry requires him to make use of that mirror.

When done, the man kneels down besides the leviathan, and pets its head for a moment. "I won't be long little one. You just stay here. And if bad men try to take you... light their asses on fire." Though really, a young one like this might not be able to do that so well - with one wing broken. Still, it creens at him to show its understanding. "Good."

The man then stands up and looks Kia over for a moment. She's beautiful in her own respect, in a more... adult manner. Less cute than Sinya, but more... full. Still, it is not in Xiang's nature to look too long, or even ponder her appearance. "I am ready." He then says, straightening his back that slight bit more to look stronger, and looks out over the head of Kia when he approaches the door. "I admit, I do not know what to expect... so... guide me well."


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The older catwoman regards him, her eyes never leaving him as he readies himself. "It is a strange thing, for a human, but you are not the first." Her tail twitches, the white tip moving behind her as she strokes her chin thoughtfully. "Choosing the scribe is ever more important for your kind than ours. We are born with our marks, you... you must earn them."

She steps forward, not seeming to worry for what most consider intimate space. The set of his belt is adjusted, the cloth over his shoulder, the straps attaching jewelry, each thing done carefully to make sure it has the most effect. Then, she steps back again, looking him over. "Decent." This is probably high praise from the older catwoman.

She allows him that moment with the little creature, her ear trained on the door. The sound of drumbeats continues, others adding to it. "No one will enter here. It will be safe." Outside, there is a rumble of sound, people moving in the square. Howls and roars sound off, as if they were working to some sort of fever pitch.

Kia turns her eyes to him, canting her head. "You will be presented to the clans as you are. As your scribe has written your heart to be. Then... they will call for those of the blood to vouch for you." This, is perhaps the part Xiang might dread the most. Just how many beastmen actually knew him well enough to step forth in his name? Sinya, certainly, but... were there others who trusted him enough to do that?

"Normally that is enough, but you... youngblood who seeks to be lord, you must prove more than just allegences. You must show strength." She reaches out and grasps his bicep, squeezing it lightly, but then drawing her hand back, aiming a finger at him. "But remember, strength is not just muscle. It comes here, and here." She pokes him once in the chest, and again right in the forehead.

"Come." She turns, and as she opens the door, there is a roar of sound that seems to come from every direction.

The square is filled with beastmen in traditional tribal garb. Certainly more than the sixty claimed to be living on the ship - no, there's closer to a hundred. It's nearly impossible to pick out faces, and there's no sign of Sinya as he steps into the crowd. Drumbeats follow, even as the beastmen make way for them, continuing hoots and shouts and yells.

Elsewhere, the humans on board are probably thinking that the beastmen have gone nuts.

Once they reach the center of the square, Kia holds up one hand and calls out in a commanding voice, "Silence!" And in an instant, every last voice goes quiet. There is a shuffling of feet, the sound of many bodies, and all the eyes of a hundred men, woman, and children all lock onto Xiang.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

He isn't the first. That is something that really strikes Xiang. He isn't the first to try and become chief over beastmen like this? Or? This clan? Another clan? He isn't sure, but it would show why these had trusted a human, and had taken to the safety of this ship - away from Zaibach. "I believe I could not have wished for a better scribe." Xiang says, while Kia gets into his personal space and starts adjusting his clothing - makeing him look more proper. When she finally utters that he looks 'decent', he gets a sense of this 'praise' from her.

He moves closer to the door, and nods his head. "To vouch for me." He repeats her, and ponders this for a moment. Yu Zhi Wu. She must have been in a situation like this once before, he thinks. She'd lived for a long time with a clan of beastmen. She'd tried to become mates with one... only to be betrayed by the madness of that one. If she was here... this must be extremely emotional for her. But how many beastmen, other than Sinya, would truly come here for him? How many would be enough?

He decides to trust fate. He looks at the woman as she grasps his tight biceps, and smiles when she squeezes it. His head then bows when she pokes him in the chest, and then moves back when she pokes his forehead. "I am aware. If I was a man to believe merely in muscle... then I would make for an awful Emperor." And the people certainly would not be happy under him.

Then finally, those doors are opened for him, and he steps out into the square, filled with those beastmen. How many were there here? He turns his gaze and tips his mouth open just a bit in amazement at the quantiful and colorful... unique creatures around him. The tribal sense, the howls and drumbeats, he feels himself be drawn into it. He wonders for a moment... when he'd fight... if he should fight like the coldhearted fighter... or expose his heart to them by fighting like the hotblooded man he is?

Then suddenly, all their sights are set on him, and he gulps for a moment, raises his head, and then slowly lets air escape.

All for the greater good.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The next voice who speaks is one that would be familiar to Xiang. Deep, basal, and commanding, the form of the beastmen representative on the council steps through the crowd to join the two. The others back up slightly, giving space around them. "Welcome brothers and sisters." He calls, and as his voice carries, it is perhaps clear why he was chosen to represent them.

He is dressed in robes, looking more like a priest than anything else. If Xiang were to look, he might be able to pick out different tribes patterns, different castes, too - the farmers, hunters, the warriors, the elders - each with different styles of dress. "It is a rare thing when one from the outside comes to us and wishes to join one of the clans." He starts, walking in a circle around Xiang. Kia seems to meld into the group, her job seemingly done for the time being. "And ever more rare for that outsider to seek leadership."

A murmur runs through the group, like a wave, but it's hard to tell if it's positive or not. The emotions are chaotic, mixed up, and nearly unreadable. "We are one from many. Different clans and peoples come together. Our many customs and cultures make us strong." He clenches his hand as he comes around the circle, as if trying to bolster their spirits. "But we have not had one to lead us. Today we will decide."

He stops then, and turns towards Xiang. "You who are outsider come to us as youngblood. You come to us to ask for acceptance into the clan. Speak." Even without being told, Xiang could probably figure that this is not the time for grand speeches, or even talk of leadership. Now is the time to convince them that he wants to be part of the clan.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Xiang moves forwards to the ring, before he knows to stop and lets himself be gazed upon further. His eyes make the smallest shifts in order to take in the many colors and dresses around him. He's been around long enough to recognize what dress indicates what part of the group they have. It's not so much a hierarchy, as a division of labor, short of the elders. The elders, some of which he recognizes, and some which he does not. When did so many board this place? Had he really been /this/ lax in his security!? Sure, he'd never seen the beastmen as a threat, but if he didn't watch it - he could start to understand Feng's sense of paranoia. For them to just 'appear from out of nowhere', especially to someone like him, who has so much control on this ship, would be sure to create suspicion.

He listens. He's always listens, but now he truly makes sure to weigh every word as he is spoken to. His fingers, spread out, touch against the opposite hands' with their fingertips, and remain before the loincloth. A sign of respect and patience to his kind, and something he does unconsciously. He knew that there had been no unified leadership amongst these clans, but he'd not thought it had needed one. But of course, being on his ship, and himself being the leader of this ship... it means that in a ways, he's been forcing his leadership on them without having asked them to accept it. Without being one of them. He thinks back of Feng again, had he not claimed that he'd taken lead without being 'one of the people'?

The crowd gets another glance, before his gaze returns to the leader himself, and inclines his head lightly, and takes but one step forwards and goes through one knee and bows before them. He is taking a bow before them, before standing up again and lifting his voice for them to hear. "I am aware that I am an outsider to you. Some of you may have grown to know me, and some of you may have merely heard of me. Yet here I stand before you today, stripped of my former self. The man who stands before you here, right now, is stripped of the cloth of an emperor." He raises his hands, to show that he wears their clothing. That of a youngblood.

"I am but a simple man. I am a man who does not yet have the knowledge of your traditions, bearing some exceptions. Yet, I am also a man... who wishes to learn." He takes a long breath, and looks around, reading the impact of his words. He is trying to be humble. To let them know the truth. He refuses to lie. He refuses to make a huge play out of this, and doesn't try to convince just the elders. He turns his body around now and again, so he may face all the beastmen here - all the classes. He lowers his hands a little, as if he was holding something - palms up. The man then continues to explain that he wishes to become part of the clan, a continued play on his readiness to learn, and a desire to truly know what it is to be one of them.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The elder waits until Xiang has finished speaking and then looks to the crowd once more. "You have heard the outsider speak." His eyes seem to rake over all those assembled, as if this were something he were quite used to. In truth, acceptance of the young as full members of the clan rarely attracted so many. Usually family spoke for the youngster, or a mentor or teacher, and only those close to them came. This was more than simply an initiation rite, though. This was their future being decided.

"There are no family to speak in his name, so I turn it to you." He holds his hands out towards them. "I ask if any here would step forward and place their lives in his claws." Sure, Xiang doesn't /have/ claws, but why change tradition now?

There is a brief pause, and then one voice answers. The owner of that voice would come as little surprise to most, and certainly not to Xiang. The crowd parts, allowing Sinya through. What might come as a surprise to him, though, is the way she's dressed. Like so many of the others, the catgirl is wearing traditional clothing, but hers is of the hunter caste. A thin strappess top covers just her chest while a loincloth is split up the front and back to show the length of her legs. Her hair is braided and laced with feathers, her arms adorned with golden jewelry. At her side is a staff, etched with the the images of animals that aren't of this world, but of some other. She looks like a different person all-together, and it's clear by the marks that interlace over her skin in the shade of deepest red that she is of high honor.

"I will speak for him." Sinya's voice carries, and it might be one of the first times that she shows some regal bearing. Among her own people, she is respected, and she has some measure of power. Another voice chimes in, "I will speak for him." Again, it would be all too familiar, but perhaps a surprise to hear Yu Zhi Wu speak from amongst the beastmen. She is dressed differently than Sinya, wearing the paler robes of someone of the healer's caste. Even more-so than the catgirl's markings, Yu Zhi Wu is graced with the white and pale orange of a golden tabby tiger.

It does not end with these two who know him so well, though. The next to step forward is a young male who had been on the squad that Xiang had protected when he had nearly been killed. After him, a young female who had seen the way he'd fought to save Sinya's life when she had drown. Then an older male who was there when he stood up against Liu Feng and his hatred of their kind. One by one, faces would step out of the crowd - more, perhaps, then he would have expected. These people remembered the things he had done for them. The way he had given them a home.

After a time, the elder raises his hand as the circle around he and Xiang has the last space filled. That is when his eyes turn to him instead. "Xiang Yuan. You have done much for our people. We honor you, and welcome you among us. May your claws always be sharp and your heart strong." From within one fold of his robes, the elder removes a leather band bearing a single feather which he loops over the Captain's neck.

Around him, a cheer goes up, hoots, hollars, yells... celebration. But it isn't to last. The elder raises his hand and all goes silent again.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

To see the Emperor truly smile is a rare thing. But when Sinya steps out of the crowd in that amazing dress, he cannot help but do so. She looks absolutely beautiful. A tribal sense of power and grace, a fetching appearance and amazing markings, it all comes together into creating a Sinya he'd never seen... yet had always known. 'Sinya'. He thinks, letting the thought resonate into the girl. 'You look beautiful'. But as much as that is his thought, there is also a sense of great gratitude to him. When Yu Zhi Wu then follows, he can't help but dim that smile.

No, it isn't that the smile falters, but more that there is a sense of respect to her. He wonders how much has changed in her since the last time she's been in contact with a clan like this. How long has it been since the betrayal, and her inevitable fear of the living and the flesh. The reason that her love for the metalic had come to be, was deeply bound to these very people. What must go through her mind at this moment? Xiang dares not peek at her mind's surface to find out.

His heart skips as another one then stands up though. He recognizes her, for he recognizes all who are in the squads, and he bows his head. The ones that follow are less and less familiar to him, yet they seem to look at him with more recognition than he'd ever have expected. Of course, he'd known that he'd changed the lives of many of those on board this ship, but never had he thought long about the impact on Sinya's kind, short of simply wishing to protect them and do the right thing. He feels humbled.

The man keeps his head bowed after the last one joins him. That smile has grown wider, and there's a sense of life in his eyes. He flexes his fingers when claws are mentioned, and then watches as the leather band is removed from the elder's robes. He hears the cheering as that piece of jewelry comes around his neck, and he himself moves his hands up to get his hair out of the way, so it may lay properly around his neck. Strange, how warm a single feather can make his heart. A sense of... belonging. How amusing that that very sense was actually so rare to the very Emperor of this ship.

Then, things go silent again, and the man turns his head upright and looks the elder in the eyes. What came next... the fight?


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

There is a twitch at the edge of Sinya's mouth, and a faint bit of color that rises in her cheeks as she stands as part of the circle. His thought had reached her, but she tries not to show it too much. A slight movement of her ears, a twitch of her tail, and mostly her eyes as she watches all those who take their place in the circle. Even Yu Zhi Wu had joined this ritual by choice - whatever pain her past had brought her, she seemed to hold no ill will to these beastmen. They weren't the ones who had hurt her.

In the silence, the elder bows to those in the circle. As if this were a command, all those present step backwards. Sinya ends up standing next to Zhi Wu, and the two share a look for a moment before the catgirl leans in and nuzzles the human woman's cheek. What came next was the dangerous part, they both knew that, and as those who actually cared for Xiang Yuan, it would be hard to keep their hearts from getting involved.

"We have let those who wished to fight, fight. We have found the strongest of us. Let him come forward. Minas." Again, the crowd parts, but this time they are moving ever further backwards from the center of the square. From within their ranks comes a bulky looking male - a canine, but not a wolf. His ears are drawn back slightly, and he's taller and more well built than Xiang. As he steps forward, he inclines his head to the Captain. "Well met." His voice is surprisingly soft for one his size, and there is a keen intelligence behind those eyes.

Almost as if the elder had turned into ring-master, he stands between them. "We fight until one yields. No claws or teeth. Use your body and your wits alone." When he steps back, it seems to be the signal that fighting can begin. Minas raises his fists but doesn't move in to strike first. He bobs a little on his feet, seeming quite quick for all his size. Around them, the sounds of the crowd begin to roar to life again.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

The heart, the mind, and the muscle. Yes, his master had always claimed that those belonged together in unison, and without combining them... things held little reason. Xiang takes a step forwards as Minas steps out of the group, and bows his head towards Minas - even going so far as to move his hands in an oriental greeting. "Well met, sir Minas." The youngblood says, and then moves upright again, before looking back towards Sinya and the others for a moment. He gives them a calm look, and nods his head.

"I thank you for your trust in me. Let me show you now, once more, that your trust is warranted." He lays his hand to his chest at that moment, to show that he is speaking from his heart, before finally getting into a stance and facing forwards. It is rude to look away from the one that he must fight, so he nods his head one more time. "I am ready now." He explains, and digs his feet in. Unlike this Minas, Xiang isn't particularly fast, so he has to compensate. He raises his hands and goes into somewhat of a modified tiger stance, his fingers 'clawed'. He has no claws. He doesn't have to worry about harming the intelligent creature before him like that.

But most of all, he's amazed in a way - and feels guilty for feeling that way - for the biggest and best fighter to finally be someone smart. He breathes in... and then breathes out again. This it the first time he'll have a proper fight since the battle against Feng. "Teach me, Minas." He then whispers to the one before him. "Teach me your balance." And he then moves forwards and swings his both arms around, trying to slap his both hands against Minas' sides. It's a test for his defenses, but it's one that's hard to evade as the attack comes from two sides - the moment one looks at one hand... the other is lost outside of its periphery.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The dog-man growls faintly. It's a flash of teeth to show that he's serious. The leadership of his people is just as important to him as it may be to Xiang. "Learn by beating me then, pup." His lip curls and the dog-man charges in, extending a kick out to try and catch Xiang squarely in the chest. It's a move that, however powerful it might be, leaves him open for that first attack.

Minas winces as he's struck, but shows no other sign of weakness. He lands back on his feet and gives a snarl, which sends a cheer up from those around him. Well, perhaps not /all/ of them. There are at least one, if not two female voices that rallied the hit that Xiang had scored.

With another deeper growl, Minas charges forward, trying to back the black and white colored human against the wall of people behind him. It would, in theory, keep him from having too much mobility. Besides, if he can manage to all out tackle him, all the more good for him. Rar.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

"Very well." Xiang accepts the challenge and indeed runs into the kick. However, his movement was faster and forward. He stops the kick half-way, not letting it extend and blocking it with the strong muscles on his chest. This creature might be experienced, but Xiang had something else. He had a certain level of intelligence about battle as well. He knew the muscles that moved, he knew where impacts were heaviest. These are all things he didn't have when fighting in a Gunmen.

When Minas is forced back and winces, he takes a quick defensive stance and waits for Minas to come for him again. But to see him charge like that cause a wry look on his face. Yes, it showed intelligence, to push him to the wall of people behind him... but it felt dishonorable. Xiang quickly moves out the the way, puts his hands to the ground, and sweeps his legs in a wide circle around to try and sweep Minas off of his feet before he accidentally runs into the group that had been behind him, and then moves to the middle of the circle.

More importantly, this puts him in a unique position. Remaining low to the ground, he descends into a stalking stance and touches his hands to the ground for a moment. For these people, he believes, he wants to show them that he can be a beast as well. That he can be one with nature. That as human as he is, and as proud he is of his heritage, that he is willing to forfeit all of that in a battle for honor and leadership over them.

This time, he lunges his hands out again, but he tries to grab this time. The tries to grab for the dog-man's legs, to pull him out to the ground rapidly, and to then punch him to the chest.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The dog-man manages to leap out of the way when his feet are lashed out at, skidding to a halt that causes a few people to move backwards, shoving against the crowd. He turns, ending up in a crouch not all that dissimular to Xiang's own, prowling forward on all-fours as his tail swats the air behind him. "Quick one. You move like one of us, but can you fight like one of us?" The dog-man's voice is no longer soft, but a deep, basal growl.

Even so, the dog seems to follow his movement back towards the center of the open area, prowling and snapping his jaws. The display of force seems popular with some, even if Xiang's own sort of tactics seemed to resonate with others. It's about even - if one could make out what people are actually yelling at them. When Xiang comes in towards him, Minas responds by allowing a grazing hit against chest, then responds with a combination of his own, lashing one hand down low, trying to catch the human in the legs before bringing the other one up above and trying to smash it down onto his head.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Unlike the dog-man, Xiang isn't as natural on all fours like this. "You haven't shown me how you fight yet." Xiang whispers back to Minos. He then speeds forwards and rushes in while Minas goes for his dropping kick. Xiang takes it, head-on, and practically headbutts the leg while he moves forwards and tries to pin-down Minos at the same time. Still, his head had been hit, and by more force than he'd expected. One of the scars on his body ruptures and blood starts coming from his shoulder... but he keeps going.

He keeps going forwards, plants his hands towards Minos shoulders and grabs on while trying to get incredibly close into his personal space. He hooks one leg around the other leg that is still up, tries to trap the upwards foot between his head and shoulder, and then twists his body, moving his hands towards the bottom of Minos' armputs and sweeps at Minos' foot that remains on the floor. He's going for quite the throw, that will likely land Minos quite uncomfortably, because has has to let go mid-throw. There's no clothing to hold onto to help Minos break the fall. Still, he doesn't trap his arms either. A proper martial artist, when doing a move like this, never takes away the ability to break one's fall.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The dog nearly barks a laugh when his attack strikes home against the smaller fighter. That is, until he's nearly tumbled head over heels and ends up having to scramble to keep from landing too awkwardly. He doesn't succeed. The entire throw catches him off-guard and he ends up sprawled on the ground, dazed for a moment before shaking his shaggy head and pushing back into a crouch. "Heh. Caught me off-guard, did you? I see the fighter in you. Show me what you can do."

This time, Minas sweeps in low, trying to catch one of Xiang's feet with his hand and yank it forward. The real purpose, though, is to knock him to his back where a hard sweep of the dog's other hand is already prepared to slam down right into the man's chest - or the floor, whichever.


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

"A true warrior is never caught off-guard." Xiang replies with a harsh voice, like he was somehow Minos' master. "Come!" He waits for Minos to come to him again, and sees the man dive low. Good! However, the dog-creature contains a lot more strenght than he'd expected, and he finds himself knocked down for the first time in quite a long time. The first thought that goes through his mind when he is falling, is that he must still be weak since the battle against Feng. The second... that this warrior is actually quite strong! Had he underestimated him? No... no estimations had been made.

Xiang can't help but smile when he finallys lands onto the ground, and Minas lets his hand come down hard on his chest. BAM! The sound rings through the house when that fist comes down, and the force rings through Xiang's body to the ground. A quick exhelation of air follows from Xiang... before he quickly recovers - much faster than one might expect from someone who'd just been struck in the chest. But surely, Minos would have felt it. As if he had just hit a wall of brick. Xiang's chestmuscles are one of the strongest in his body, and he'd expelled his air to let his muscles tense further. It had not been an accidental. The gasp that follows on the other hand, sounds desperate.

That hurt. No matter how much Xiang had prepared for that hit, it hurt! His hands quickly move out however, and he grabs onto that fist before Minos can pull back. He then brings his both legs up, curling his body and placing his feet against the beastman, and kicks off! It's a good thing that this place is as tall of a place as it is, for if Minos doesn't dodge, he's going for quite the flight.

And the moment he goes flying, Xiang literally jumps up and gets into a crouched stance. For a moment, his body is enveloped in... an aura. It must not be forgotten that Xiang isn't 'just' a Martial Artist. He is a Martial Artist from La Gias. He is a Martial Artist from the badlands. And more-so, he is the captain of an elemental /god/ ship. The aura leaks out, and for that moment, the shape of a beautiful blue dragon is reflected over his body. Flowing energy, a rumbling power that resonates deeply within all of those around him.

His gaze shoots up, following Minos, and he smirks. No claws. No teeth. No magic. All pure will. Ki. Ki that flows so deeply through him. He grounds his feet, digging in, lowering himself further for a moment. The blue aura 'tail' sways far along the crowd, incredibly long, lashing about like a whip. Dragon-eyes stare up into the air while his right fist tightens. He knows it. He'd felt it when he'd touched Minos. This is a man who can take this kind of punishment, and it would be a /disgrace/ if he didn't truly go all out. This... is for the first man who had truly floored him while he'd tried to stand like the rock within water.

He doesn't even pronounce the name of this attack. He isn't in his Gunmen. He just waits for Minos to get close enough, and then, with all his might, he punches for his belly and lets his might explode - the blue aura suddenly rushing up and slithering through the air like a dragon rising and disappearing through the ceiling above. One single attack, aimed to get rid of all of Minos' stamina.


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The sight of that aura seems to cause the dog-man's eyes to go wide. This isn't the sort of fighting anyone he has ever faced could muster. Even the crowd seems to go quiet, watching the display. The only one not awed is Sinya, who is watching him with a worried expression, her ears drawn downward. She'd seen the blow to his chest and knew just how badly he'd been hurt before - at this moment, she's not hiding her worry.

Minas, on the other hand, rises from the ground where he'd been thrown and seems to steady himself, ready to take on the full force of whatever Xiang can throw at him. It is an amazing feat. The beastmen simply stands there, taking the force of the blow against his hard stomach. At first, it seems to do nothing at all, but then his eyes narrow.

The dog takes a breath, and then drops to one knee, folding a hand over his stomach. The fact that he's on his feet at all is probably a sign of just how strong a fighter he actually is. Panting for breath, the canine bows his head, groaning slightly. "I yield." He coughs, and the crowd around them goes deathly silent.

Then, everything erupts in another of those deafening roars. Over all of this though, he might get that feeling of pride, and if he were to look towards Sinya, she'd be smiling, clapping her hands softly. He was /her/ mate, and he had shown the strength of his heart to /all/ of them today.

The elder raises his hands, trying to quiet them again. He lays a hand to Minas's shoulder, but the dog remains kneeling. "A battle well fought. A battle well won. We welcome you as one of us, Xiang Yuan, and we ask you lead us with wisdom and strength for all the days you draw breath."


 * Xiang Yuan has posed:

Xiang can 'hear' that worry from Sinya, and in the middle of the attack, it had increased his own worry for the beastman before him. But it had not lightened his blow. No, certainly not. He had not held back. So when Minas stands still, and then finally drops simply to one knee, Xiang is amazed. He wants this man... he wants this man to become one of his generals if at all possible. There's a certain understanding between warriors of this calibre gained through eachothers' fists, and he'd understood Minos.

And while everyone suddenly erupts around him, after Minas claims himself to yield, it isn't Sinya he looks at first. Instead, he stands before him and places the very fist with which he'd hit him on his shoulders. Only then does he look around himself and shows his content, smiling at them all, and finding both Sinya and Yu Zhi Wu in the crowd. He nods his head at the two of them, and it meant a lot to him to be able to make them proud. But truly, he was proud of himself as well.

When the elder raises his hands and shushes the people, and joins Xiang in laying a hand to Minas' shoulder, he bows his head towards the elder again. "Thank you, elder." Xiang says, and then draws his hand away from Minas and takes a hand back. "I will do the best I can to be there, to lead you with my wisdom and strength. So please, lend me your voice. Lend me your minds and strength. I will lead you, and I promise you, I will try my best to never steer you wrong." He then bows for a moment, before turning towards Minas again.

"You are one of the most amazing warriors I've ever fought, Minos. It has been my absolute honor to fight against you." He then offers a hand to the man. "Please, stand." He knows this man can. "Please, stand by me, at my side. I would have you as my general."


 * Sinya Leland has posed:

The dog-man keeps his head bowed at first, knowing full well that he couldn't continue to fight. A good warrior knows the point where he is beaten and doesn't risk his own life if he doesn't have to. However, when that hand comes to his shoulder, he looks up. Slowly, the warrior stands, even if it pains him to do so. Like Xiang, he had his pride, and he would not let the injuries show in front of his own people. "It would be an honor I would not refuse."

In truth, there were many capable fighters among the beastmen, and this is just the first to join the ranks. In the days to come, others would step forward as well. The beastmen, who had been a people apart, would begin - if slowly - to integrate and find a place among the other peoples of the SuiKyosha. Today is just a start.

The sounds of voices come around them as the crowd comes back in. "Pppparrrrtty!" Shouts one over enthusiastic beastmen, which has even the elder laughing. "Yes, celebrate, for this is a time of joy and brotherhood." The push of the crowd has Sinya nudged up against Xiang, and she looks up with a shy sort of smile. She'd have time to speak to him later about all this, but it seems that everyone else wanted his attention now.

There were congratulations, talk of the fight, then the food was brought out and there was wine, dancing, stories by firelight. A spark had been lit again within these people who had come together. They had a leader - they had a home. And for her part, Sinya watched from the sidelines that night as the girls sought for his attention, dragging him to dance with them. Someday, at some other festival, she'd be the one at his side, but not tonight. Tonight, Zhi Wu and Sinya sat together on the sidelines, letting him be passed from partner to partner until the late hours while they drank enjoyed the music and company.