>>4613892
Whooo spirit friends!
We do need to find a shrine of the wind sometime soon

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Wind, earth, and water. You sense at least one of each kind of sprite nearby. Both the wind and water sprites seem to be playing around if the floating and splashing were any indication. However, the earth sprite seemed to be busy doing something else. From the faint emotions you can feel the small creature was more busy with some kind of task or duty than deriving any enjoyment from rooting around the ruines. Still wary of what might happen if you reach out too far, you tentatively reach out for the most familiar presence, that of the wind sprite. The wind sprite seems both curious and overjoyed to be contacted. It playfully floats down near you, falling through the air like a leaf in the wind before simply coming to a stop.

"Old friend!" The sprites shouts cheerfully. "Too long! It's been too long!"

You stare at the sprite a bit confused. Had word of your inabilty to speak with the spirits somehow manged to spread to the spirit realm? "Yes...it has been too long, small one." You reply deciding not to think about it too hard. "How have you been?"

"This one has been enjoying the winds of their father." The sprite says floating around happily. "Fresh winds of the spring times flow freely. Soon the smells of the forests and oceans will flow once more."

"The smells?" You ask. "Yes, I suppose spring does allow the smell of flowers and fresh fruits to come forth. But winter is not without it's own."

The sprite bounces jubilantly. It seems you said something it liked. "Wintery smells. Of Pines, and frost, and warm wood smoke." It sings. "Old friend has good taste but spring time is much better with festivals and fireworks and children playing games."

"You are right. The springtime is more lively. Nature flourishes once more and the people begin to venture out once more from their homes to join in the new year. New years is right around the corner as well. There will be many celebrations and festivals going on. Many offerings will be given at shrines as well."

"This one and it's friends will have so much fun! We shall help by ringing the chimes and making the colorful sparks fly everywhere!" The sprite continues. "So many foods and sweets as well! Lots of incense and offerings!"

You watch the sprite dance around in glee, remembering how much you missed the presence of the small if not curious creatures.

>What do you say?
>Ask the do sprites about offerings. What do they prefer?
>Ask the sprite if you two have met before. You don't think you've ever met this one then again all sprites seem the same.
>Ask something else. (What do you want to ask it?)
>Write in.

>>4613933
>ask what sort of incence it prefers
>Ask if we have met before

I think that the spirtes may have a collective understanding. What one knows, they all know

>>4613945
Very slow day today. That's fair. I just put up the new thread. Really should cut the thread earlier than letting it auto archive. I'll take the vote and write.

>>4614086
Aye, putting a link to the new thread in a tail of the old moves things along.

They see the update then, no questions

>>4613933
>Ask it what it was doing before, it seemed to have been focused on something.

>>4613933
>Ask the do sprites about offerings. What do they prefer?
>Ask the sprite if you two have met before. You don't think you've ever met this one then again all sprites seem the same.
I may be late, but I'm here now.

>>4614092
>>4614110
Saw these and I'm counting them as well don't worry.

“What kinds of incense do wind sprites like?” You ask. “One asked for some to be placed in a shrine.”

The wind sprite spins in the air. “This one enjoys the scents of oranges and dragon fruit. Others enjoy more sweet smells. Some like the smells of spices. All sprites enjoy scents of the winds.” You tilt your head a bit. Perhaps sprites had more individuality that you expected though they all seem somewhat similar in most regards. As the sprites swoops around and looks over the shoulders of Ming and Renshu, you can sense them shift a bit. Ming flicks her ear as if trying to keep away a fly but you can feel Renshu more clearly and can sense him rotate his ears along with the movement of the sprite before returning back to their regular position. Sensing your friends, you feel inclined to ask. “Have we met before?” The sprite bobs back to answer.

“All sprites know of father’s friends! But this one met old friend at the beginning. Back in the old master’s hut! Just when old friend was starting their journey!” The sprite claims rather proudly. You sit there, slightly stunned. This little sprite, now bobbing around happily, was one you remember cowering inside Oogway’s old hut.

You smile and say, “It’s good to see you again little one. What brings you around here? You seemed to be rather focused on something.”

“This one has been following you since your adventures in Eureka!” The small sprite continues proudly. “So many stories to tell! So many adventures! Honored Maiden always enjoys this one’s stories. So this one hops in and out to watch. Often times, this one needs to search long and hard. You are very fast and don’t sit still just like the wind!”

>What do you say?
>Tell the sprite that it doesn’t need to follow you. Once you have the chance you’ll gladly head into Eureka to tell your tales.
>Ask how many times have the two of you spoken. Perhaps this small sprite has been doing favors for you for who knows how long.
>Ask if it is ok for them to be doing that. There might be tasks it needs to do as well.
>Write in.

>>4614149
>Ask how many times have the two of you spoken. Perhaps this small sprite has been doing favors for you for who knows how long.

>>4614149
>How many times have we spoken then
>Ask if it has a name, or if it would like one.
>Have they been enjoying our stories? which was it's favorite?

We should, if we are actually able, try to distinguish between the various spirits we meet. It's just a bit hard at the start but I'm sure we can learn to do it.

>>4614157
It certainly is possible. There is one or two people in universe that can actually tell individual sprites and spirits apart.

>>4614160
I'm assuming spirits and dragons aren't counted in that tally.

My bet is on Bao aaaaaaaaand some wise priest sitting on a mountain under a peach tree somewhere

>>4614166
Peach trees are key for all Kung Fu.

>>4614156
>>4614157
Asking how long we've had out little fan and if it wants a name as welp as its favorite adventure. Writing.

>>4614183
One master tried orange trees, he just never could get some of the more advanced moves right.

>>4614187
And what about pears? They got to give something good other than the fruit.

>>4614190
Pears are the beginner fruit or would that be apples?

>>4614191
Apples will either teach you about sin or gravity, no other options.

>>4614190
The pears always left your styles slightly lopsided and unbalanced.

>>4614191
Apples are the beginner fruits, they are like peaches but sturdy enough to survive a few knocks without bruising.

>>4614195
And thus the lore of Kung Fu panda's fruits expands.

>>4614197
How would you teach the philosophy of kung fu without fruit trees?

That's why Tai Lung turned out badly you know, he was stuck in a training room and never sat under a fruit tree

>>4614202
Its funny you say that because TL has mention here and there that he solely focused on the martial area of Kung Fu and eschewed the more philosophical parts and thats probably one of the reasons he ended up the way he did.

>>4614215
I remember, I won't claim to remember everything about the quest but I like to think I remember the important character stuff.

His foray into mediation was new for him and quite strange for him, given the purely forceful world he is used to

“How often have we spoken?” You ask. “It seems as though you’ve been following me for some time and I’ve spoken to a few sprites during my time after leaving Eureka.” The sprite seems to think for a moment which doesn’t surprise you considering how different mortals and spirits view things such as time. Eventually, the sprite speaks up.

“3 times.” They say, almost proud of the fact. “This has been quite helpful! This one has spied on the long eared one over there for you. Though he is not as sad as before.” You can feel Renshu’s ear quickly turn towards you after that comment though almost immediately you can remember that the sprite’s helpfulness involved telling Renshu about you back when you wanted discreet information on him. “Then this one also went looking with the others for friends when you and the scary one were swimming in the ocean with the water children.”

“I see…” You say slightly confused. “Well, I welcome and am thankful for your help small one. If we speak so often, then what is your name? Or would you like me to give you one?” Now it was the sprite’s turn to be confused. Their floating seems to slow as they ponder what you have said.
“It...is what things are called.” You say struggling to explain the meaning. “Like how oranges are oranges.”

“Ah so then this one’s name is Wind Sprite! And the long eared one is a Renshu.” The sprite claims.

“N-not exactly.” You say. “You’re a wind sprite, yes but can also have a name. Renshu is a rabbit. He’s a rabbit named Renshu.”

“And this one is Wind Sprite. A Child of the Wind. And you are a Tai Lung. Friend of the Wind.” The sprite continues.

“Yes...of course.” You conclude, deciding that perhaps the small sprite was a bit too much like his element to understand the concepts. “In any case, which story was your favorite?”

“This one loved the tale of the two friends and the angry woman who shouted a lot.” The sprite says. “You were very fun to watch as you made the woman louder and louder and jump higher with just words. The Guang’s tavern held so many flavors, not all of them nice but this one enjoyed the time trying them all. Then there is the story in the city. As you ran around to save everyone from the big scary Tigress.”

“Actually...that was two different people but yes I did save the city from a large tiger.” You say somewhat amused. “He was indeed a fierce opponent. If only he was not mad with power.”

“Yes! He was very angry. But this one wishes to hear rabbit Renshu play more music please.” The sprite asks.

>What do you say?
>Ask Renshu to play some music. The sprite seems to be having fun. No reason to ruin it now.
>Say that you’ll ask him some other time. Right now he is busy with something important.
>Ask the sprite something else.
>Try and speak to a different sprite nearby. Maybe the wind sprite can introduce you?
>Write in.

>>4614389
>We will ask him some other time when he isn't busy
>Try and speak to the earth spirit

Well little friend, I'm going to try and practice my speech with some other spirits. Maybe make some more friends, hmm?

>>4614389
>Say that you’ll ask him some other time. Right now he is busy with something important.
>Try and speak to a different sprite nearby. Maybe the wind sprite can introduce you?
The earth sprite is on a mission, so atleast we can relate.

>>4614401
>>4614436
Talk to the earth sprite. Writing

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“We shall see if he is available later.” You say. “How about we go speak to some other friends? We can go see what that earth sprite is up to.” The wind sprite spins and floats over to the earth sprite.

“Hello earth friend. Old friend wishes to speak to you!” The wind sprite announces. The small earth sprite emits a jolt of fear and if you could understand it, would have probably squeaked before it dove under the ground and dug around. A few moments later the small creature pokes its nose out the dirt inquisitively. Unsure of who to proceed, you ask it, “What brings you to this town? You seem awfully focused on your task.” The small creature buries itself a tiny bit more to hide from your presence and emits more feelings at you. It's rather difficult to understand it as all you can sense is a flurry of emotions and most of it is jumbled. The wind sprite seems to be perfectly capable of understanding it as it floats around it and tries to translate for you. “This one says they are healing the earth.” The wind sprite explains.

“Healing?” You ask. “How are you doing that?”

The earth sprite lets out another nervous series of emotions and you manage to catch a few. Things such as duty and responsibility but mostly fear. You found it a bit amusing and you pity the small thing. You figured that spirits of earth would be like the ground itself, sturdy and durable not fearful and shy. “This one says that it must mold the earth to start it healing. It is burned and charred so new earth must take its place. New earth can be found underneath and must be brought up to the surface. Also this one claims that the earth is much safer than the open ground and so it would like to stay down there.”

“That is quite the task. Where are all the other earth sprites? What about earth spirits?” You ask. “This town is rather large for a single sprite.” The earth sprite continues its nervous talks but feels quite proud of something at least.

“This one says that it is an honor to be trusted with such a duty. Though it may take years, it will work on until its task is done. Other sprites have been sent to other towns to help heal the land and the spirits are hard at work deep underground to make sure injured earth is healed.” The wind sprite flips. “This one thinks that that one is rather dull. Shall we go play?”

>What do you say?
>Ask the earth sprite something else. (What do you ask?)
>Go play with the wind sprite.
>Stop meditating and see what the others are up to.
>Write in

>>4615317
Dutiful little shit isnt he.

>Play with the Sprite for a bit before waking up

Cant spend all day meditating.

>>4615317
>Go play with the wind sprite.
Go play near the lake, the water sprites seemed to be happy boys.

>>4615322
>>4615395
Playing with wind sprite. Writing.

>>4615322
He is an earth sprite. Earth spirits tend to be rigid and duty bound taking to tradition above all else much like the earth. Wind elementals are airy and carefree. They tend to go around anywhere they please unburdened by matters. Water elementals are rather lax and go with the flow mostly because it requires the least amount of effort. Fire elementals are mischievous and energetic often going overboard if not minded. The thing with elementals is that as sprites they are rather childlike but as they become full fledged spirits they slowly become more and more like the dragons in terms of demeanor. More serious and much more prideful as well as dangerous if angered.

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“Sure. Let’s leave our earth friend to do their duty.” You say. You’re unsure how exactly sprites play. Perhaps they simply floated around and watched the world go by. While you were never really one to “play”, even as a child you quickly left playing to train, it would still be interesting to see what the sprites considered playing. “Maybe you’d like to invite the water sprites?” You suggest. The wind sprite happily blows some wind around and you take that as a yes when the sprite flies off to the lake. You quickly follow and it suddenly dawns on you how...odd the situation felt or more specifically how the meditation worked. You walked towards the lake but not really. Your physical body was still sitting and you weren’t imagining yourself walking to the lake but you still felt as if you were moving and yet simply teleporting to the lake. It was akin to dreaming or simply moving around a mental recreation of the village. The deliberate act on “feeling out” or sensing the elementals had faded out long ago. Now it was simply instinctive that you moved or reached out or whatever it was.

You find yourself at the edge of the lake peering out. You could feel the half dozen water sprites but couldn’t see them. You look deep into the lake and see a pair of eyes. They slowly float up and fade into view like bubbles rising to the surface then a mouth slowly fades in as well before opening up into a big smile. “Hello.” A small voice says, sounding like the gentle trickle of a stream. “HelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHello”, several more voices call out. More and more eyes appear in a similar fashion followed by their respective mouths. The water sprites hop out of the lake and approach you. The small droplet shaped creatures surround you and look at you with curiosity while you find yourself a bit surprised that you had forgotten that you understood the basics of their language.

“Hello?” You ask and sit down tentatively. The water sprites hop in front of you and simply bounce in place, jiggling slightly and still smiling wide.

>What do you do?
>Play a simple game with the sprites. Something like eye spy or guess the word.
>Tell the sprites some stories. It’s not playing but it’s entertainment.
>Ask the sprites questions. (What do you ask?)
>Write in

>>4615504
>Play simple games like tig and hide and seek or eye spy

>>4615504
>Play the best game of all: Tag.

>>4615504
>Play a simple game with the sprites. Something like eye spy or guess the word.
Maybe the wind sprite would like to play tag? Not sure about the water ones.

>>4615514
>>4615538
>>4615541
Tai lung, super scary serious guy, plays tag with sprites. Writing.

>>4615572
How can you resist their little faces?

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>>4615586
I can't. Dragon quest slimes are my favourite monster and my go to look for any slime creature. Theyre just so happy and encouraging. Despite the fact you have to kill hundreds of them during the game.

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You look at all the sprites around you. They were all pretty happy little things and seemed eager to play. Problem was you didn’t know what to play with them. You hadn’t played in a long long time. “Uhh...do you want to play tag?” You ask. You remember watching the other kids play tag when you were younger. You used to try and play with them but even as a child you were far too fast for the other kids and they quickly learned not to play with you. The water sprites look at you, their small mouths becoming Os of curiosity. One of the sprites gently hops forward and gives you a damp boop on your knee. It hops back to its original spot and slowly smiles again.

“Win.” It says and soon the other sprites hop in place shouting, “Win!Win!Win!Win!Win!” The wind sprite laughs and floats around your head.

“You are too slow old friend!” They say. “If you want to win at tag you have to be faster than that.” You chuckle and shake your head.

“Perhaps I assumed too much to expect a warning.” You say standing up and gently poking the water sprite in return. Your finger sinks into it like water though the sprite doesn’t seem to mind or care. “Tag.” You say before leaping backwards onto the broken roof of a house. The wind sprite laughs gleefully and zips off after you while the water sprites hop towards you soon after. Despite their relaxed nature, the water sprites were quite fast. They bounded forward, on pieces of rubble, and even stacked ontop of each other to reach higher areas. They weren’t fast enough for you to be worried, quite frankly you were surprised your speed was the same or perhaps you were simply imagining it? The whole concept of playing tag when you were simply reaching out with your feelings was a bit too mind bending to think about and keep out of reach of all the elementals. You jump down into a destroyed building and leap out of a window, narrowly missing the tower of water sprites tilting towards you. The small elementals fall to the ground, scattering like marbles before they pick themselves up and start hopping towards you. The air elemental was a bit tricker to avoid. With their power of flight they could easily zip through the remains of a window or over the entire building. Even worse was the fact that they could turn in midair with no problem giving them the advantage of being able to catch you as you fell. It’s not until you rolled out of the way of another water sprite when you realized...this wasn’t how you played tag. The single water sprite was it and yet everyone was coming after you.

>>4615684
I'm sending some discrimination here.
But if we are all having fun.

>What do you do?
>Continue the game. The sprites don’t really seem to care all that much about the rules and it seems like the water sprites are simply going along with what another one of their brethren are doing. Plus, you couldn’t help but derive some enjoyment out of all of this.
>Stop and explain the rules. Perhaps if they played the way you knew, it might make the whole exercise more interesting.
>Hide. You’re already playing a game. Why not add another ontop of it?
>Write in.

>>4615704
>continue the game, give them some encouragement as to practice our communication skills. Plus lets see how far we can go

>>4615704
>Hide. You’re already playing a game. Why not add another ontop of it?

>>4615684
>Continue the game. The sprites don’t really seem to care all that much about the rules and it seems like the water sprites are simply going along with what another one of their brethren are doing. Plus, you couldn’t help but derive some enjoyment out of all of this.
Tag 2 extreme edition, featuring Tai Lung from the Kung Fu Panda series.

>>4615710
>>4615716
>Tag 2 extreme edition, featuring Tai Lung from the Kung Fu Panda series.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Writing.

You duck, avoiding another water sprite and hurrying into another building. Maybe this wasn’t how you played tag but it was at least good training to avoid things. More often than not, masters often used mental visualizations as training due to not having opponents of their skill level. The effectiveness of this kind of training was dubious due in part to the fact that unskilled or egotistical practitioners would subconsciously set themselves up in winning situations despite their attempts to maintain realism. This, however, was far better than any of that. Your opponents were unusual and more importantly, they thought on their own. None of this could be skewed in your favor due to wanting to win. If you wanted victory you would have to claim it like any other, through hard work and cunning. That being said, the sprites weren’t the greatest opponents you ever faced but their unique style of play and their abilities were more than enough to keep things interesting.

The water sprites seemed to be having their own fun. As you ducked and hopped over their attempts to bump into you, they decided it would be more fun to fling themselves at you. The small sprites would leap on top of each other to form a small tower then lean back and right themselves immediately. The motion would flick the top most sprite at you like a slingshot with a surprising amount of force. You were partly worried for the safety of the small sprites but they seemed unbothered when they landed on the ground and tumbled around. While it made the exercise more intense, it had the unfortunate side effect of exciting the wind sprite. Thinking that flinging objects was part of the game, the wind sprite would sweep up small gusts of wind to throw at you, often picking up small bits of wood or plants with them. While you were certain that this was not part of tag, you make a mental note to try this Xin Lan or Renshu and perhaps Ming once she was experienced enough. It felt like good practice though you add to that thought of not allowing either of the rabbits to get their hands on sharp objects to throw.

You once again leap onto a building and jump from beam to beam as you avoid the multitude of sprites and objects being thrown at you. Mid-jump the sprites coordinated an assault and sent a water sprite as well as a small branch in your direction and forcing you to twist in mid air to avoid them. You fall on all fours as your jump is cut off but can only roll out of the way as three of the water sprites rain down on you from the ruined roof. With all the commotion going on around it, the lone earth sprite pokes its head out of the dirt to take a peek. Once it was forced to dig underground to avoid a small dust devil and a hail of another set of water sprites, the small earth sprite decided that it’s duty too precedent and more importantly, was far more safer than the scary dragon man and his sprite friends.

By the time you have a chance to pause and survey your surroundings, you’re on the far end of the town opposite to both the construction effort and your own camp. You don’t have much time to be impressed over how far you made it when you realize why you’ve been given enough time to pause. In the distance, the wind sprite had managed to contact more of it’s brethren and the water sprites had rallied another handful of their siblings. By now the area was somewhat windier than before and the ground was becoming damp and slightly muddy. A small army of child like elementals were charging your location. And all of them were shouting over how they would win the game.

>What do you do?
>Be like the element of earth. Not so much become an unstoppable wall but rather find a place to hide and weather out the storm.
>Charge them. Push yourself to the limit and avoid as many of them as possible.
>Let them catch you. Having so many elementals here was starting to effect the weather and while you find yourself enjoying the presence of the wind and water energies the sprites emitted. The mortals around you might not like weather.
>Run towards the only other person you know could help. Run at Renshu.
>Write in.

>>4615802
>Charge them, and try to get away from town.

NO COWARDICE, NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER!
I also find it hilarious that even sitting, doing actually nothing, Tai Lung is causing problems for the people who hate him.

>>4615802
>Be like the element of earth. Not so much become an unstoppable wall but rather find a place to hide and weather out the storm.
oh god oh fuck a hurricane is forming TAI LUNG WHY

>>4615828
COWARD!
Seriously though, We'll never improve if we hide. And the game won't stop if we don't get hit.

Charging them is the best move really

>>4615833
We will improve our earth-like ways, though
I want to improve relationship with earth sprites but it's hard when they're skiddish

>>4615837
Also I just realized that my ID is extremely close to saying yang

>>4615802
>Run away as far as we can, that way we can keep playing and training without messing up the weather for the village.

>>4615888
+1
The wind sprites are real, guys. Not just in our head.

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>>4615838

It is if you think of it in terms of eastern European sounds.

>>4615888
>>4616368
Running a way. We might have excited the kids a bit too much. Practice for when we marry best girl? Writing

>>4616453
>Tai lung
>Getting married

Bahahahaha, he'd die of embarrassment before the first date!

The sprites were clearly having an effect on the weather and having more of them was only adding to the effect. In order to spare the villagers a sudden rain storm or worse, you run off and try to direct the sprites away from the town. It's practically raining water sprites as the sling shot technique had somehow been passed along during the pause and you can see several small towers of sprites that fling themselves at you. You duck, roll, leap and pivot to avoid the falling elementals. The wind sprites didn't slack off in attempting to catch you either. As you do your best to avoid the falling water sprites, they children of the wind seemed to enjoy dive bombing you when you were in the middle of a manuver often forcing you to throw yourself to the ground or roll in the dirt to make some more space. The situation finally hits a crescendo when you reach the edge of the woods and stop. You couldn't go further but not because you were tired or there was some kind of barrier. The concept of being able to take another step forward was just impossible to fathom. Even trying to reach out your arm seemed like something so forgien and impossible to understand.

Its around the same time when you realize that you were also at the very edge of your ability to sense spirits when you feel something heavy and wet smash into the side of your head. The water sprite's form envelopes your head and you're suddenly under water. The impact itself send you sprawling to the ground and everything is seen as if you had your eye open while diving save for a pair of eyes and a mouth looking around confused. You hold your breath and eventually the water sprite rolls off your head to look for you as you sit up. It flips on it's top and it's face rolls backwards to see you before turning in place to right itself. "Win." It gurgles happily and then it simply hops on your lap with a wet splashing sound. Several more water sprites fall from the sky and land around you shouting happily. The winds sprites soon decend from their flying to dance around you.

"Old friend has been caught!" One shouts. "Again! Again! Old friend must run again! This one likes the game of tag!" Another sings as it lands on your shoulder. The other water sprites roll towards you, now rather lazy and content. They don't say anything but you can feel that they're rather content with the new idea of sitting down and simply undulating in place, the idea of playing tag long gone.

You look around and see that a slight drizzle had descended upon the small town. It seems like the combination of the rising winds and the dampness in the air had caused a small shower.

>What do you do?
>Play tag with the sprites again.
>Return to your friends.
>Suggest you do something else with the sprites.
>Write in.

>>4616513
The true weakness of the greatest martial artists in all of China. Holding hands.

>>4616514
>Return to your friends.
>"I apologize, but it's time I returned. I have a bad habit of meditating for, as mortals would see it, a terribly long time."

>>4616514
>Return to your friends.
Try to see how far away we are form we are meditating when we go back, know how far away we can astral project can be useful in the future.

>>4616525
Support

Our meditations always make something happen.
Maybe ask if the Sprite can pass a message to shenlong and bao. That we will see them when we next find a wind shrine.

>>4616525
>>4616540
>>4616551
Time to get back to our friends before we start a full on rain storm. Writing.

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>>4616513
>he'd die of embarrassment before the first date!
>First Date
>Still owes Xin a drink.
>Mfw

>>4616592
It's okay, Tai Lung should be used to near death experience by now.

>>4616592
>He'd due before the first date
Technically correct, he's already died once so he should be fine for one date.

You gently remove the slime from your lap and stand up. "I apologize, but it's time I returned. I have a bad habit of meditating for, as mortals would see it, a terribly long time." You say. The wind sprites around you let out moans of disappointment while the water sprites simply go along with it and start to roll away. Sometimes a river must split before it can return to the ocean. You chuckle and say, "I'm sorry but I really must go. However, it will mean that there will be more stories to tell."

That seemed to cheer up the sprites considerably as they being to dance around you singing, "More stories! More stories! Old friend will have more stories!"

You begin making your way back to camp. There were stick and bits of plants strewn everywhere. The ground itself had a muddy first layer which was only worsening as the light rain continued. You couldn't see any of the villagers around though you assume they all hid in the building to get away from the rain incase it worsened. By the time you arrive to your camp, you notice that your friends had built a small leanto to hide from the rain and were staring a small fire to keep warm. You, however were still sitting outside in the rain. At least they placed a few leafy branches to serve as a shield from the rain but you don't remember feeling them do so. Maybe you were too busy running away from the elementals to notice. You wonder how you were supposed to go back. Normally you were keenly aware of feeling out for the spirits to speak with them but now it was a very strange out of body experience. You could see yourself, something you've never been able to do before. You walk around your body and gently prod it in the back. The effect is instantaneous. Its as if you were sucked back into it, reeled in like a fish on a hook. Your mind snapback into your head at such a speed and with such a suddeness that you're flung forward as you wake up out of insinct, leaving you in the muddy ground wondering what had just happened.

Ming rushes towards you, almost spilling the small pot of food and Renshu follows albeit slightly amused. "Are you ok?" She asks. "What happened?"

You pick yourself up from out of the mud, a bit embarassed but otherwise completely unharmed, and say, "I'm not too sure myself."

"But I assume you had fun." Renshu says smiling. "Though I never would have thought you would participate in a game of tag." Ming gives him an odd look. One which you mimick. Renshu simply motions the two of you to the small shelter without replying. The three of you sit around the warm fire and you're grateful for the heat it provides though it doesn't help with the mud as it slowly starts to harden and cake your fur.

"Well now that you're back with us. You can have some dinner." Ming says. "You've been out of it for a quite a while though Renshu says you were fine. What have you been doing?"

>What do you say?
>Ask Renshu how he knows you were playing tag. He can only hear the spirits of the dead and if you had died then perhaps it was best to know.
>Tell Ming that you were playing tag with children...of a sort. Hence the rain.
>Ask where Xin Lan is. Have they returned from their searching?
>Ask about their studies. Perhaps they managed to make progress.
>Write in.

[Congratulations. You've learned Limited Astral Projection.]

[The Limits are:
You can only travel as far as you can sense spirits. Roughly the size of a small village or town.
Your range of movement is the same as your mortal body. No flying or phasing through walls.
You're unable to interact with the material world. So no picking up object or interacting with people except:
You may speak with those intune with the spritual world. People who can speak with spirits can be contacted though the degree of talking is the same as their ability. IE: If someone can only understand a spirit's emotions then you can only convey emotions to them.
You can only see people that you can sense which at the moment is only Ming, Renshu, Xin and Bao. Everyone else simply doesn't appear to you.
While projecting, you're completely unaware of your own body. Unless someone does something major that would distrupt your meditation such as shoving you and shaking you roughly then you won't feel or hear a thing centered around your body.
Time is distorted while project the same way as if you were in the spirit realm though the degree of distortion is far far less.
That's just a rough idea of the ability. Like always training can improve this and situation may result in new rules to compensate.]

>>4616620
>Tell Ming that you were playing tag with children...of a sort. Hence the rain.
>Ask Renshu how he knows you were playing tag. He can only hear the spirits of the dead and if you had died then perhaps it was best to know.

>>4616620
>Tell Ming that you were playing tag with children...of a sort. Hence the rain.
>Ask where Xin Lan is. Have they returned from their searching?
A dead spirit probably snitched on us. Ghosts have no honor.

>>4616620
>we were playing, of a sort
>How did the bunny know
>Explain that the wind sprites were too adorable to refuse.

Gonna grab some lunch and do a few errands. I'll count votes when I get back.

>>4616638
>>4616683
>>4616687
Sorry about that guys. I got a call when I was coming back. My friend's car broke down on him and I had to go help him out. Not that I would have said no. Seems like his old reliable is finally on it's last legs. Writing.

You rub the back of your head, a bit embarrassed over what you were doing and say, "I was...playing, of a sort. Hence the rain." Ming looks at you as if you had suddenly sprouted feathers. "I was talking to the sprites and they wanted to play. They've always been good to us and have helped us out when we needed it...so I figured it would a good way to repay them. I suggested tag..." Ming giggles slightly at that and your face feels much warmer despite the chill of rain. "I-it was the only game I knew..." You mutter before clearing your throat and continuing albeit a bit more stiffly. "I was good training considering that the sprites throught the game was chasing after me. Eventually both the water and wind sprites good a bit too excited and invited some more of their brethren. Once they all started getting riled up..." You motion to the rain which had picked up a bit. Ming seems to be struggling with skepticism, belief, and amusement before she decides to settle on believing you and being highly amused. You feel the heat on your face rise and decide to change the subject. "S-so...how'd you know I was playing tag?" You ask Renshu.

Renshu adds a few more planks to the fire and gives you a soft smile. "I heard you." He says simply. "A rather odd sensation to hear your voice among those of the dead. It was a bit of a one sided conversation but I caught most of it."

You give Renshu a look. "So I...died?" You ask. The rabbit shakes their head.

"Not at all." He says. "You were perfectly healthy and very much alive. It's a very strange situation. I shouldn't be able to hear you at all. After all, you were speaking to the sprites...with your mind for a lack of a better term. I can't read minds as much as I can make it seem and should I wish to attempt to speak with the sprites then I too must meditate. Ming can attest to the fact that I've been with her all day."

You begin to run your hands over yourself and try to rub away the drying mud. "I see...could you do the same for anyone else?" You ask. Renshu gives you a polite laugh.

"My friend, I don't think there is anyone in this world like you to compare with." He says. "But no, you're the first I've ever heard like this. It was as if you were moving around and yet you were just there. I could hear every step and every word."

>What do you say?
>Ask Renshu something else. (What do you say?)
>Ask where Xin is.
>Ask about the translation.
>Write in.

>>4617750
>Ask where Xin is.
He's right behind me, isn't she?

>>4617750
>Ask where Xin is.
>Ask about the translation.
Did the map help at all?

>>4617767
>>4617831
Taking these votes. Writing

"So where's Xin?" You ask only to feel a wet flick behind your head. You turn around to see a thoroughly soaked rabbit grumbling at you. Xin Lan flicks their ears at you, splashing you with water as they sit next to you near the fire.

"Why is it every time you do witchcraft weird things happen?" They say grumpily as they remove their shirt to wring it out.

"I don't know." You say averting your eyes. "These things kind of happen. I promise that I don't intend for them to happen."

"You don't see Stripes making weird things happen and he talks with dead people." Xin Lan continues.

"Many people would point out that speaking to the dead is weird things happening." Renshu replies. "Though I assume you returning means that you've finished with your search?"

"Yeah..." Xin Lan says warming themselves up and drying their clothing. "Interesting stuff out there. You can find remains of campfires. They're clever, these raiders. Small enough to keep people warm but not big enough to cast a lot of light. If you didn't know how to tell, most poeple would mistake them for regular fire damage."

"These raiders seem less and less like regular bandit." Ming says worriedly.

"They're well traveled. That's for sure." Xin Lan says. "Small campfires are common for traveling out in open areas. They keep attention away and can be easily hidden behind rocks or other objects so no one catches it from a distance. Works even better here in wooded areas." Renshu removes one of his spare shirts from his bag and warps it around Xin Lan.

"Will the flames be enough to use the poison?" He asks. Xin Lan shrugs as they slip the slightly oversized clothing on.

"Probably not. We'd need to hit the multiple fires if we want a good spread. That's the draw back to the small flames. They won't be enough for a large army. They'd need to make multiple ones. Seeing the pattern here. They used the ruins of the buildings as cover. Basically each house became a camp within a camp. Hides the flame, provides cover, and server as a way to organize the troops. No need for tents."

"That at least proves one of our theories true." You say. "They have been using the ruins of their attacks to hide in plain sight." You turn back to face the others and look at Ming and Renshu. "Did you manage to translate the text?" You ask. Ming and Renshu shake their heads.

"No. Unfortunately there's not much to go on. The towns are titled numerically so we assume they simply didn't care for knowing their names, only what they held inside them. However, the numbres on the back of the map are far more interesting." Rensu explains. "Comparing them to some entries in the book, we believe them to be dates of some kind. However, comparing them to the date Yunnan was destroyed hasn't lead us to anything. We think if might be connected to their traveling schedule however."

"How so?" You ask.

"Renshu and I think that the raiders are alternating which towns they camp in on a pattern." Ming says. "That way they can keep ahead of anyone examining the ruins. It'd be highly unlikely that a large group could find them in one guess and if anyone splits up to examine the towns, their group will be small enought to kill. Then they simply move to the next town before the victim's group finds out they never returned. But we can't seem to figure out how often they move or to where. If we can figure out those two then we can compare it to when they attacked Yunnan and maybe guess where they will move next."

"We might find something in the old mill then." Xin Lan says. "It's hollow underneathe." Ming plants her hands on her hips.

"And when were you going to tell us you found something more?" She asks.

"When I was done being cold." Xin Lan replies grumpily. "Anyways, while rooting around the ruins, I felt that the mill had a basement. A big one at that. Didn't have much of a chance to check it out because someone decided to invite the rain." They say shooting you a look. "Besides, it'd be stupid to explore it alone. If the raiders found it and decide to use it to store thing, who knows if it's trapped or what it could contain."

>What do you say?
>Ask Ming and Renshu for more information. Perhaps a few questions might lead them to think of something they didn't consider before.
>Say that you all can go check that area out tomorrow. You can ask for permission first.
>Suggest that you and Xin go explore it now, under the cover of night. No one will be able to see you do it.
>Write in.

>>4618060
>Suggest that you and Xin go explore it now, under the cover of night. No one will be able to see you do it.
And the patter of rain will obscure the sound of our movements and whatever we do down there.

>>4618060
>Ask Ming and Renshu for more information. Perhaps a few questions might lead them to think of something they didn't consider before.
>Suggest that you and Xin go explore it now, under the cover of night. No one will be able to see you do it.
It's not like the seething guard would allow is to do anything anyway.

>>4618060
>explore it now

We dont need permission, it's just playing nice. But this relates to our mission, so we are going now, albeit stealthily. The rain will keep people inside and those that dont we can avoid being somehow quite good at basic stealth.

>>4618126
I'll add ask them questions to my vote because I've got a question.

Is there a pattern in the dates? Like if you lined them up and ignored the breaks, is there a repetition?
Or maybe if they are written under eachother, do they make a grid that reveals shit?

>>4618079
>>4618124
>>4618126
Exploring now. Writing.

You know, a thought occurs to me, prompted by anon mentioning the seething guards.

I'm not sure what is a worse person to deal with, people who can only think about Tai Lungs crimes and how much he did and react with terror and nothing else, or people who think of his crime with a righteous indignation and dont consider just how little they can affect anything if we decide to stop playing nicely with them.

One is disheartening, the other is dangerous

>>4618143
It is one of the reasons you don't give out your name easily. Even if you got a pardon, would people treat you any differently?

>>4618143
If they can do little to us if they fight, than they are not dangerous. Therefore both option should be disheartening.
Although I find how constantly upset the guard is kinda entertaining.

>>4618160
Don't underestimate desperate people anon. But even if they are not a physical threat, if they try and keep trying then we will be forced to put them down.
Them forcing our hands like that isn't good, no matter how gentle we try to be.

>>4618159
Probably not. Maybe before they know our name.

>>4618159
>>4618159
Kinda? If the five, the dragon warrior, the emperor and the wind dragon give this guy the a-ok he can't be all bad right?
If we go by buddhism and taoism you can be an massive asshole and still be a good guy in the end.
With legalism and confucionism you shouldn't question the will of your superiors.
So we have an cultural reason for people to not be completly agressive with a pardon directly from the imperial family. Although people will probably still be cold towards us.

>>4618175
The five don't hold official authority, at best theirs is respect and as we have seen, that will at most extend to the common sense of 'Don't antagonise him, but you don't need to put up with him'.

The emperor, solid point.

The wind dragon though, how the fuck are we going to confirm that assessment? And whats more, why are the villagers going to believe that a god has spoken of our good character?
Last point though is that Shenlong doesn't think we are A-okay, he calls us his friend. These two things are not the same.

>>4618175
>>4618165
Might one of the reasons why Tai Lung would prefer to have a home somewhere remote which in it's own way is kind of sad.

>>4618183
Mhmm, a good 30 minutes from town.

It'd be sad when the lynch mob comes if our name came out, because then we'd need to put out the fire and then scare off a lot of people we rely on for goods.
A dragons roar should fix it though

>>4618183
Honestly, tai lung's house should be...in eureka

>>4618185
Just make a housing complex for everyone on the top of one of those weird mountain and make bridges connecting each part.
It's defensible, looks cool, out of the way and has easy acess to the wind.

>>4618192
Or that, that works too.
Maybe both? Ascended martial artist retirement home.

>>4618214
I don't think Ming, Xin or Renshu can astrally project. Nor do I fancy dying every time I wanna go home.

>>4618209
This though, has potential. Bonus points if we make the surrounding forest boobytrapped to the nines, such that only a master martial artist could get through.

"We should go check it out now." You say. "While it's dark and the rain can give us cover." Xin Lan seems to perk up considerably at that.

"Sneaking mission? Yeesss." They say hopping to their feet and tying their borther's shirt tighter around the waist. "Let's go." They say. You get to your feet. "We'll be back as soon as we can. You and Renshu try and get some sleep." Ming rubs her arms a bit and nods.

"Good thing we're not trying to hide." She says. "We can have a nice fire going."

"We'll await your return then." Renshu says. "Hopefully, you won't require our help."

"Now that you've said it, we will." Xin Lan says patting Renshu's head. "It'll be fine. Hiding from random villagers is easy. Even the big guy's done it several times."

"It's less skill in sneaking and more of the fact I'm taking advantage of the gap between my skill and everyone else's." You admit. "But for this, it should be enough to keep hidden." You and Xin Lan head out into the darkness and being to proceed to the other part of town. The two of you go from cover to cover in the rain. Though it was unlikely, the two of you use the cover in the small chance that someone would peek out a window of the community building and catch the two of you. As you approach the building, you do notice a guard or two patroling around it. They barely left the perimiter of the building meaning that the patrol was more of a show of force and to send a message than anything else. Or perhaps they were truly paranoid. Either way, their route was easy to learn and easier to by pass.

The abandoned mill stood out among the ruined town. Mostly made of stone, it was a burned shell that stood tall over the lake. There was nothing left beyond the stone walls that once held up the rest of the mechanisms used to grind wheat into flour. The two of you leap over a ruined all and into the main room of the mill. "The entrance has to be around here." Xin Lan says half whisper, half shout over the sound of the rain. They stomp their foot on the ground. "Hear it? Hollow."

"Kind of." You admit over the sound of rain. "It's hard to hear to be honest."

"Well trust me on this one." Xin Lan says. "Who knows what they could've hid down there. If they had a small safe, there could be any number of things. Treasure, traps, more notes. Maybe even the scrolls themselves."

"Doubtful." You say. "Even if it would be easier, it's much more secure to carry them around then to leave them hidden."

"Either way, best we give it a look." The rabbit replies as they move wreckage around. "Problem is, I have no idea where the entrace is. Unless...you wanna simply punch through the floor."

>What do you say?
>Agree. It'd be much faster to punch through the floor. The rain won't cover your noise but hopefully it'll keep poeple away.
>Decline. Punching through the floor could set off any sensative traps the raider could have set up.
>Continue looking for an entrance. While there might be traps, it'd be far more covert to disable them than to break the ground.
>Write in.

>>4618321
>Look for the entrance, Breaking the floor open is last resort.

>>4618321
>Continue looking for an entrance. While there might be traps, it'd be far more covert to disable them than to break the ground.

>>4618321
>Continue looking for an entrance. While there might be traps, it'd be far more covert to disable them than to break the ground.
Also don't want to risk damaging anything that's down there.

>>4618341
>>4618346
>>4618397
Looking for an entrance. Writing

“No, if we punch through we might risk breaking anything stored down there. Best we look for an entrance. Maybe there’s another bookshelf?” You joke. Xin Lan snorts.

“I’ll go memorize every book in existence then.” They say grinning in the moonlight. The two of you begin to dig around the ruins for some kind of entrance, a task made slightly more difficult due to the rain making the ash and dirts meld into a sludge. “This is gonna stain my fur so bad.” They mutter as they pull a large wooden board out of the way. You pull aside a large stone that fell from what you assume must’ve been a second floor and look at Xin Lan.

“So like a grey color?” You ask and then remember something. “You know, Renshu said something interesting once.”

“Yeah?” Xin Lan asks, a bit distracted.

“They said you’re really good at disguising. Says you can pass off for him really well.” You say. “I think you once mentioned Renshu used to be an alias you used. Did you actually go and dye your fur when you took the name?”

“Oh, yeah.” They say thinking about it. “Yeah, I would stain my fur. Took forever but I basically looked like a different person. Haven’t really had a reason or the time to do it recently.” They admit.

“Did you act like him too?” You ask.

“Of course. It’s not a disguise if I go stomping around and acting like myself. First thing about pretending to be someone else is that you have to know what they act like. Even if everyone else won’t see you. A lot of your personality is in the voice if you didn’t know. Even if someone sounds like you, if they don’t carry that cadence or personality, everyone can tell it’s not you.” They say. “Why do you ask?”

“I just...find it hard to believe or imagine you...not being you.” You admit.

“Please, its not like I have a personality.”

“You do.” You say. “Even when you’re not...using a persona.” Xin Lan goes quiet for a moment.

“Do you...want me to be more like Renshu?” They ask quietly.

>What do you say?
>No. You’re not their friend because they’re like their brother. Part of being someone’s friend is to be able to accept the good and the bad. And the only bad thing you see in Xin is the fact they need a persona which isn’t really bad at all. Their greed, their pouts, you all know it’s an act which only makes you appreciate it more when they drop it for you. The bad makes the good look better. Even if they have to pretend to have other flaws to hide the real ones, it doesn’t hide who they truly are.
>Say you don’t want them to be more like their brother but they could do better if they didn’t pretend to be greedy or mischievous. Their personality is dictated by them so they can choose not to have those kinds of flaws. You know that they’re merely an act but they should be careful not to get too used to it or they might run the risk of making those falsehoods become the real them.
>Say they could be more like their brother or at least the person they want to be when they’re in control. It’s always good to have someone to look up to and Renshu portrays a patient, wise man. You were once told that a wise man learns from the mistakes of others and emulates only the best they have to offer. It might do Xin some good if he follows those ideals.
>Write in.

>>4619685
>Say you don’t want them to be more like their brother but they could do better if they didn’t pretend to be greedy or mischievous. Their personality is dictated by them so they can choose not to have those kinds of flaws. You know that they’re merely an act but they should be careful not to get too used to it or they might run the risk of making those falsehoods become the real them.
No need to try and force a flaw on yourself, that is one of the few things that will appear without you wanting to.

>>4619685
>>Say you don’t want them to be more like their brother but they could do better if they didn’t pretend to be greedy or mischievous. Their personality is dictated by them so they can choose not to have those kinds of flaws. You know that they’re merely an act but they should be careful not to get too used to it or they might run the risk of making those falsehoods become the real them.

>>4619685
>Say that we dont want them to be like their brother but they could do better to be less greedy.

I personally like the mischief and it hurts absolutely nobody. I dont even mind their greedy acts, considering it isnt actually harmful, but we should always encourage people to act better.

But keep the mischief, it's one of the things that makes dealing with them so fun.

>>4619706
So basically, we want you to act better, not like Renshu.

>>4619687
>>4619693
>>4619706
Making the bun sad because you hate their personality. Not really. They just find themselves caring what you want them to be like.

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>>4619767
Writing by the way.

>>4619770
Xin Lan eventually likes our petting to the point they get upset and thump their foot when we stop.
https://youtu.be/lUf_t65exQ0

>>4619805
You're basically married by then. The real way to marry Tai Lung. Slowly and methodically so he doesn't realise it and die of embarrassment.

You stiffen. Truth be told, you weren’t really in a position to tell anyone what they should be like. You weren’t exactly a role model for good personality traits or at least you don’t think so. Nor were you equipped to deal with these kinds of questions. You can feel the rabbit’s eyes on you whoever and you decide to deal with it the only way you know how. With brutal honesty. “Well...not exactly.” You admit. “I mean...you could be a bit less greedy. I know you’re just acting through a personality and all that but…” You stop and sigh before you move a rock aside and sit on it. “I’m-...I don’t think you need to make up flaws. Those tend to come on their own and with your budding emotions, I’m worried that if you pretend to have those flaws then eventually they’ll become real ones. You’re unique in the fact that you’re slowly developing who you are while having to pretend who you want to be. You know what right and wrong is and now you get to decide who you want to be like with more control than anyone will ever have. The issue…” You fidget and wring your hands. “...is that I like who you are. Your greed and mischievousness are flaws but maybe it’s because I know that you don’t truly mean them. That it’s all part of a personality you’re acting out so you can integrate with society. It all makes it easy to disregard because I know you won’t do it and harm the group.”

“So...do you want me to act on them?”

“No but…” You rub the back of your neck. “Flaws are what make you interesting. If you just stopped being either of those two. If all you ever did was what is right...you wouldn’t be Xin anymore...You wouldn’t be my best friend…” You look at Xin Lan. Their face is blank and emotionless but their eyes...their eyes seemed to show just a small glimmer of something. You don’t know if changing them would make it go away. “You said it yourself. Even someone’s voice is perfect, if they don’t have the same mannerisms then they aren’t the real one. So what does that mean for you? If you change something, does that make you a completely different person? Does that stop you from being my friend?”

“It doesn’t stop me from seeing you as my friend.” They reply. You nod.

“I don’t want you to change. Not completely. You could tone down the greed but...isn’t that ingrained in you. Didn’t you once see everything as a series of advantages for you?” You ask.

“That was before I met you and Ming.” They reply. “It’s no longer like that. I am not alone. I have others I have to take care of. Others who’s pains are my own. Whose troubles are mine. What is beneficial for me is not beneficial for everyone. Maybe...the real question isn’t who I will become. Maybe I should be asking you, Who is your friend? The real Xin or the one I project?”

>What do you say?
>Write in.

>>4619810
>Poke Xin in the chest, over the heart. "The Xin I saw in there, doing its best to manifest despite everything that was working against it. That's my friend."

>>4619838
I'll support.

The real xin trying to understand their emotions is our friend. The persona they adopt is just what we are used to, and we enjoy parts of it.

>>4619838
Yes, the Xin that is a little flame of hope against the emptyness of their soul that we saw, that is our friend.

>>4619838
>>4619846
>>4619854
>>4619854
Taking these. Writing.

You poke Xin Lan's chest, right above the heart. "The Xin I saw in there, doing its best to manifest despite everything working against it. That's my friend." You say. "Not the one you show, not the one you hide. The one that does it's best to come forth against all odds. I'm not friends with you because you're perfect or because you have no emotions. I'm friends with you because of what you're doing, what you want to be. I want to help you be the best that you are. I want to see how you develop and I want to see you succeed." You say.

"But...what if I fail? What if the person I become isn't the person you want to be with?" They ask.

"Then you pick yourself back up and try again." You say. "We've done it once before. We can do it again. As long as you continue to strive to be the best you can be, to be the best person you can be, then I don't think I could ever hate you. Just like we don't hate Ming or Renshu. I think a big part of friendship is being able to hold out your hand for those you care about even if they're stuck wandering in the darkness." Xin Lan holds your hand and gently pulls the rest to hold them.

"You promise?" They ask quietly. You close your hand, placing your palm against their beating heart and fingers over their shoulder.

"I promise." You say. "No matter what happens, I'll be there to pull you back." Xin Lan doesn't say anything and you ruffle their ears before you stand. "Come on." You say gently. "Let's find that entrance and get out of the rain. The other will be waiting for us." Xin Lan nods softly and the two of you get back to work. It was a few hours later when your foot finally bumped into something that stuck out of the mud. You bend over to dig a bit and you realize that it's a ring attached to something. "Hey I think I found our door." You say. Xin Lan quickly leaps over to you and then the both of you work quickly to clear the area. It was a large double door, the kind you were used to seeing on barns.

"It's pretty big for a basement door." Xin Lan says knocking on it in various places and listening. "Nothing seems to be attached to it. So its probably safe to pull open."

"Probably?" You ask.

"I mean they could have secret trapping techniques neither of us know." Xin Lan says, grabbing one of the ring door handles. "You gonna help me open this or what?" You grab the other ring and pull it open. It creaks and whines in protest, the hinges rusted from what could have been months of exposure to the elements. You half expected the rings to snap off or the doors themselves to break from the tension but the hinges give and the two doors swing wide open. You peer down into the darkness the doors and only see a set of stairs and a ramp to assist carts from going down.

"Well, we're not dead." Xin Lan says. "but we can't see anything either. Up to you if you want to continue." They lean downwards to get a look. "This place doesn't smell like it's been open in a while. That's a good sign."

"How is that good? The raiders haven't been here." You say.

"Wrong. If there was a fire going on here who would take the time to close the doors? They're heavy so it's not like they could have been knocked down by accident. Plus the hinges are rusted. Means that they weren't covered in debris so someone must have cleared the area out and covered it again."

>What do you want to do?
>Go down the steps and explore the cellar. You might not get another chance.
>Go get the supplies. Perhaps you should prepare before you go in.
>Wait til sunrise. The light will help you see and with the sounds of construction, it'll help mask any noise you make.
>Write in.

Also congrats gents. Tai Lung has touched his first boob. I could have had Xin make a joke but I felt it kind of ruined the mood.

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>>4620259
Yeah we made it to second base!

>>4620255
>Go get the supplies. Perhaps you should prepare before you go in.
We shouldn't get all gung ho right now, we really don't know jack so let's prepare just in case something happens

>>4620259
>Tai Lung has touched his first boob.

WOOOOOOOOOO, IT'S SHOWTIIIIIME

>>4620259
Just as planned.
And its okay, Xin will just tell renshu and ming later how tai lung was feeling her up. It totally fits for his teasing MO.

>>4620319
>Xin will just tell renshu
And thus Tai Lung dies once more.

>>4620349
And make his sibling cry? Perish the thought.
Renshu’s only recourse is to protect Xin by diverting Tai Lung’s attention towards himself.

>>4620255
>Close it up and get the resources to explore properly

>>4620403
I mean Renshu is best girl. Strong enough to protect you, always listens to your problems, gives advice, and has stripes to boot. No other bunny has stripes. I think the only other contender for best girl is Ming, Xin, Bao, and shen long who share those traits save for having stripes.

I guess if you want to go the maverick route you got Tigress. She's strong enough to make you pay attention, hates your guts, wants to make you a law abiding citizen by throwing you in jail for life, and is probably courted by lots of people?

All I'm saying is Renshu in a dress is as scary as TL in one.

>>4620461
You still never actually confirmed if Xin was a girl or not, at least with 100% certainty. I will put this reminder here.

>>4620561
You're right about that. I've decided what they were born as. Refering to Xin as a girl just became common place though I still refer to them as he by accident when I'm not paying much attention. Their personality doesn't really help much either. Also they haven't had the chance to, they potray themselves as quite dainty and feminine. Once of the reasons they were so popular on the Gale Cutter was their whole innocent nurse disguise.

If you guys really want to know I can always tell you but I feel like half the fun is not knowing.

>>4620575
Nah, I'm fine to live in ignorance on this case. If I felt that we should have actually known I'd say something.

But eugenics gave them a flat chest that could belong to either sex, so touching that wouldn't tell us anything

>>4620255
>Go get the supplies. Perhaps you should prepare before you go in.
We go get supplies and Xin can hide and stand guard in case someone comes snooping around.

>>4620298
>>4620459
>>4620751
Getting supplies. Writing.

"Let's go get supplies." You say closing your door. "Best we get prepared for whatever we might find down there."

"Right. The basement might be as big as the this building used to be but that doesn't discount any traps." Xin Lan replies as they close the door.

"What could they possibly hide down there?" You ask as the two of you walk back to the camp.

"Anything really." Xin Lan says, shrugging. "If it's big enough, maybe a bulk of the forces slept down there? You could hide a good chunk of an army in there and no one would notice. The smaller flames could have been for look outs."

"Hopefully we find something of importance down there. Otherwise, we're risking making the villagers angry for nothing."

"Please, as if they could catch us." Xin Lan says. "All we'd end up wasting is time. But the possibility of clues is just too great to pass up and there's no way I'm gonna let the villagers get at it first." The two of you leap across the ruins and make it back to find the others huddled around the campfire and sharing a blanket.

"Did you guys find anything?" Ming asks looking up from the fire. You shake your head.

"Not entirely. We managed to find the entrace to a cellar but we're not sure if it's rigged with traps or not. We've come to get some supplies."

"We have a few torches packed." Ming says reaching over to one of the group's packs and rummage to pull out some ready made torches. "I'm not sure what else you'll need."

"I have a few picks on me already." Xin Lan says. "But let me get a note book."

"We'll also need a hammer and one of the pitons if we have to carefully chisel away some of the building. The basement doesn't seem to have collapsed but there might be rubble we'll want to remove." You add.

"Do we have a lantern?" Xin ask.

"Just one for candles." Ming says. "I think we have a few candles as well from that library."

"We'll take it." They reply.

"I've moved some things to another bag so we have an empty one." You say. "Maybe we'll find some more books that might help."

"Is there anything else you need?" Ming asks.

>What else do you wish to take?
>Write in.

>>4621108
Bit of rope never hurt to take, but otherwise I don't think we need much else.

We have lights, we have hammer and pick, book, Oh get a pencil or pen for the book!

We shouldn't be down there for long so no need to take food or water.

>>4621108
bunny thighs save lives

>>4621108
Charcoal and paper in case someone scribble something in the floor or wall.

>>4621112
>>4621202
Writing things and back to the search. Writing.

"Some rope, ink and a pen." You say slipping on the empty pack. "And some charcoal. I don't expect to use them much but incase we need to write on some walls."

"It's starting to look like we're gonna go mining." Xin Lan says while they grab the writing equipment.

"We might if there's a collapse." You say patting Xin Lan on the back. "Come on. We still got a few hours until daybreak."

----

You close the doors behind you and Xin Lan, eveloping the two of you in complete darkness. A few moments later, a flame roars to life as you light the torch. The darkness is pushed back but still you can't see the bottom of the stairs. "These are some deep stairs." You say. Xin Lan nods.

"Do cellars ussually go that deep?" They ask.

"Not really. We should have been able to see the bottom of the stair case from here with our torches." You hold your arm out in an attempt to case the light lower but there still seems no sign of the bottom. "Well...we can stay up here and wonder about basement sizes. I'm surprised you could even hear anything hollow if it goes this deep."

"It can't be that deep then." Xin Lan says as the two of you begin to descend. "I heard the ground be hollow." You and Xin Lan step slowly and methodically down the stair case, making sure nothing would jump out at you. Once or twice you stop to and tread over an obvious trap. Several of the steps were lined with nails, rusted and bent. They were hidden in the right angle of the stairs and aimed at the victim's heels. Not a deadly trap as far as they go but they were malicious looking enough that you and Xin Lan decided to stick to the ramp for the rest of your descent. The stairs themselves weren't as deep as you imagined them. Roughly only a half more than what is normal but once you arrived at the bottom, the doors behind you were lost to the shadows. "There's definitely something here." Xin Lan says. "Nail traps. Who knows what else they have set up."

"It might only get worse." You say. "Let's move slowly."

"Don't need to tell me twice."

You continue onward. The cellar seemed to have been made of a main hallway that seemed carved from the ground itself. Along the right wall were a series of doors you assume lead to the storage areas. "That's weird. Isn't that weird? Who organizes their cellar like this?" Xin Lan says.

"It certainly is an odd way to build a basement." You admit.

>How do you proceed?
>Check each door, one by one. Might as well look through everything.
>Check for locked doors. You don't want to spend too much time down here incase one of the villagers decides that they want to explore the old mill and find you.
>Search for hidden doors. The raiders were here. It's pretty obvious. Perhaps they tried to hide a room.
>Write in.

>>4621393
>Check each room one by one
>Search for hidden doors.

I really doubt the civilians will bother us, or even be able to come down here. But if they can, and they do, then they know something and we have a person to interrogate.

>>4621393
>Search for hidden doors. The raiders were here. It's pretty obvious. Perhaps they tried to hide a room.

>>4621408
>>4621406
Looking for hidden doors. Writing.

"Might as well try them all." You say as you walk to the nearest door and test the doorhandle. It was unlocked but that only made you nervous. What if it was rigged with a trap? You and Xin Lan step to the side and slowly pull the door open. You find some resistence which makes you even more on edge. With a sharp yank, you throw the door open and immediately hear the hiss and thunk of an arrow. Still quivering from the impact, a crossbow bolt had embeded itself into the opposite wall.

"That could have gone poorly." Xin Lan says eyeing the bolt. "Looks like our hunches are proving themselves correct in the worst way possible." You nod and carefully peer into the room. It was a simple mechanism. A rope had been tied to the door handle and through a few pulleys to the trigger of a crossbow. The bow itself had been hastily nailed to a barrel at waist height. Had it hit Xin Lan it'd have gone through their head and through your gut. The thought was not a plesant one. You and Xin Lan slowly tread into the room, now fully on edge and keeping an eye out for a trap. The room itself is empty for the most part. You see a few sacks of grain, torn and spilled lining the walls. More barrels can be found, half filled with various seeds and flour but more than often simply broken apart. "Empty." Xin Lan grumbles as the two of you search.

"Maybe but there could be a hidden entrance somewhere." You say. "If the raiders found it, it could have been hidden further."

"You really think so?" They ask skeptically. You shrug.

"I mean, we seemed to have stepped into something that tends to have a lot of secrets. So...maybe?" You say unsure. The next door was also unlocked though, thankfully, no traps were tied to the door. More importantly, the room was very obviously lived in. You can see used bowls and mugs. Makeshift tables were also set up and you can see old blankets as well. You don't see anything resembling a firepit but it certainly looked like a sleeping quarters. Rummaging through the blankets you don't find much either. Nothing that could assist you in finding the raiders nor translating the books. "No one is this meticulous." Xin Lan grumbles. "They have to have left something. Anything."

"It is possible they just slept here." You say as the two of you step out/ Your search continues with the rest of the rooms, all the while avoiding various traps left behind. More arrow traps, a few fire ones that had long gone bad making them simple jars full of oil, a small pitfall trap that hid a series of wooden spikes.

---

"This is a murder room!" Xin Lan says exasperated after the two of you avoid another trap after the 5th door. "I'm starting to think they simply wanted people to die down here and there's nothing hidden at all."

"There's still that last door." You say. "We're almost done."

Xin Lan grumbles something about setting raiders on fire to show them a proper trap and the two of you continue to search but ultimately come up short and return back to the hallway. As you approach the final door, Xin Lan grabs your leg and stops you. They point to something on the ground and as you lower the torch to shine some light on it, you see a thin wire not unlike those that Xin Lan weilds.

"Trip wire." They say looking up above. "...But to what?" You look up to the ceiling but see nothing. Checking the walls, you don't see anything as well. No hidden holes for arrows, or slots for weapons to slide out. Certainly nothing that could cause a cave in.

"Might lead to an alarm of some kind." You say as the rabbit works to disarm the trap. "If you're right about them camping out in here then they might have left something to alert anyone who found their way in here."

"You might be right about that." Xin Lan says standing up. "It doesn't seem to be attached to any obvious traps." They add and start to walk again. The glint of the wire catches your eye one last time as it...is pulled up into the ceiling. Xin Lan's ear twitches and you hear the faint jingle of something above you. As if glass had fallen. "Did you hear that?" You ask looking at the roof once more. Xin Lan's head looks up as well.

"Well I'll be damned..." They say. "Tap the ceiling big guy." You hand Xin Lan the torch and gently tap at the roof. It rings hollow. "A hidden floor..." Xin Lan hops up, plants their feet on your chest and stand on your shoulders. They begin to feel out the roof and you follow suit as the two of you search for something. The two of you run the entire length of the hallway before you find something. Hidden in the far back of the hallway was a small handhold, just big enough to fit Xin's hand. Brushing aside some dirt reveals a hatch. "Now we're on to something." They say pushing up and grunting. "It's weighed down...or locked but I can't see a key hole to pick."

>What do you do?
>Put the rabbit down and break the hatch.
>Find a way to open the hatch without being in the way for any traps.
>Try and find some kind of mechanism to open the door.
>Write in.

>>4621580
>Try and find some kind of mechanism to open the door.

>>4621580
>Search for a mechanicsm first

>>4621580
>Find a way to open the hatch without being in the way for any traps.
>Try and find some kind of mechanism to open the door
Just look over everything in the room. Something shady was happening in this place even before the raiders got here, better be careful.

>>4622022
Millers were notorious for being criminal contacts in old time europe. Maybe the same is true for China.

What am I saying, by stories and history nearly everyone in china was corrupt or criminal depending on time period. Usually before a new dynasty was installed via rebellion.

Sorry about the delay. I'll be ready to run in about an hour.

>>4621652
>>4621895
>>4622022
Looking for a way to open the door. Writing.

“Maybe there’s a mechanism to open it.” You say. “Like a hidden switch.”

“I don’t know.” Xin Lan admits. “Seemed pretty simple to me. Just a hidden hatch. Not many people tend to look up at the ceiling. Especially in a cellar.”

“Same goes for hidden switches. That does explain the stairs though. The extra distance is enough to hide a second floor without raising suspicion. It would be a perfect place to hide.” You feel around the walls for a hidden lever or button. Something that would open that hatch. “It’s pretty high up as well. Maybe the weight was a ladder?”

“Could be. If the owner was my size, there was no way they’d reach but then why a handle?” Xin Lan asks. “Seems like it could just be a simple pull.”

“If it was a pull then why would it feel weighed down? You could just pull it down and everything would fall with it.”

“Dunno. This whole place is sketchy.” Xin Lan says looking around for any hidden tricks. “Then again, it seems like the raiders set up the traps. Would make sense if they were hidden on the second floor. They wouldn’t have to worry about the traps and people would die without ever finding anything.”

“Seems like their cleverness only serves to help their cruelty.” You say pulling some dirt off the walls and coming up with nothing. “All the more reason to stop them.”

“Maybe they’re assassins.” Xin Lan says pushing a barrel over and spilling grains all over. “Nah, they’re too overt to be assassins. Probably just bandits trying to earn a big name. I mean, if you manage to off one of the royal family that’s gonna give you a rep.”

“And the entire imperial army down on their heads.” You add. “The emperor wouldn’t allow anyone to harm the royal line.”

“I’m not finding anything.” Xin Lan says. “I say we force the door open.” You clap your hands to remove the dirt from them, you couldn’t find anything resembling a switch either. “Unless you got another idea?”
>What do you do?
>Force the door open. Nothing left to try.
>Go get the others. Maybe they can help.
>Wait til tomorrow. Perhaps some of the villagers would know about the hidden area. It did strike you as odd that someone wanted to rebuild while the raiders who destroyed the village were still on the run.
>Write in.

>>4622527
>try pulling the shit down with us put of the way. If not, force the issue and get ready to fucking dodge.

>>4622533
Also mention that they are a foreign army.
We have all the evidence to point this out they are, one being that they are really too well organised to not be.
They are targeting the state and our governments entire leadership branch.
They are far too well informed about things they shouldnt know anywhere or anyhow.
When we fought the magical version of them and their leader, she fought out of duty, explicitly, and stated that to die in the service of her duty was something she had accepted as worth it. They also have a seemingly martial culture, and we can deduce they live on planes based on how they make their fires.

Learning how to do that is something you do out of requirement and they continue out of habit, a regular sized fire inside would have been fine, but they didnt do that.

>>4622549
Oh, and of course their language that marks them as not chinese.

>>4622527
>Force the door open. Nothing left to try.
It's not like we aren't used to lethal damage anyway.
>>4622549
I still think theres is some internal conspiracy that is helping them.

>>4622567
>internal conspiracy
Congrats anon. You've discovered Ming's master plan. Hence the Ming Dynasty. Built on the bones of her so called friends.

>>4622533
>>4622567
Forcing the door. Writing.

>>4622584
Bold of you to think she can kill tai Lung and keep him dead.

The gates of hell shall not hold him and she shall face his might once more, then she will get a hug and forgiveness to make her change her evil ways.
Or other measures would be taken.

>>4622589
Maybe thats the entire plan was because she's too shy to ask for hugs

>>4622599
As she has been characterised, nah. She is more than willing to ask for hugs when she isnt in need of them.

I believe this completely, she just needs the right circumstances

“Not really.” You say. “We’ve run out of options.” The two of you return to the hatch and you reach for it.

“Wait!” Xin Lan shouts. “Jiggle it a bit. Try and see if you can feel out some mechanism or maybe if it’s attached to anything.” You motion for your friend to take a safe position and do as you’re asked. The hatch doesn’t move or feel like it’s look. Pushing upwards does reveal the fact that it’s weighed down by something but not locked in place. Clearly something is trying to prevent you from entering, however you learned your lesson long ago that if something was intended to be opened, it was probably not for your benefit. You opt to be a bit defiant and instead grab the small hand hold firmly, as firmly as 3 fingers can be, and sharply pull down.

The hatch attempts to resist but, as it was made of wood, proves to be no match for you. You tear the door from its hinges and the sound of shattering wood is immediately overwhelmed by the sound of crashing metal.

Weapons. Dozens of weapons fall to the ground after the barrel holding them shatters upon impacting the ground. You and Xin Lan leap over them as they scatter, deftly avoiding your legs being cut. The two of you stand still for a moment and as the dust settles you look up to see a large whole leading into more darkness. “Guess it was just weighed down.” Xin Lan says jumping down from your arms. They pick up an axe and eye it expertly. “Not the best weapons.” They say.

“But they’re functional.” You complete the thought as you grab a spear. “They don’t match the weapons the raiders had. Theirs were of a forgien style.”

“That so? These are chinese.” Xin Lan says tossing the axe aside. “So the mystery continues. Give me a hand.” You hold out your hand and lift Xin Lan up to the opening as they jump on it. Handing the torch over to them, you grab the ledge left from the hatch and pull yourself up. You find yourself in a large room if not a slightly narrow room that ran the entire length of the hallway. Much like the other room, this hidden one was well lived in though in a much better condition. Sheets and bedrolls were stored in one side of the room, the makeshift tables were lined with their wooden stools stacked aside. Xin Lan scoffs. “Looks like they can be neat when they want to be.” They say darkly. You and your friend slowly make your way to the other end of the hall, wary of traps. You find none but what you do find is even more intriguing. Barrels of weapons and armor as well as several months if not years worth of rations.

“What’s...what’s going on?” You ask walking around. This reminded you of the old bandit camp you took down. Where you found Luo and those two children being forced to make explosives. Your blood boils slightly as you recall what the explosives were going to be used for.

“Dunno but we might have found our answers.” Xin Lan says waving you over. You walk over to find a large scroll unfurled across the table. Numbers and names were written all over it though you don’t recognize the names. Xin Lan seems to recognize a few. “Wang Lei of the Thousand Daggers...Bo Jin the Fearless…” They mutter as they pull the scroll open more and more.

“Who are they?” You ask reading off more names.

“Famous bandits and murderers.” Xin Lan says. “Mostly known for their gangs they ran. My, my, my someone’s been a naughty boy. Know what this is?” They ask. You look down and read the names once more. You look at the numbers next to each. They seemed to match the same kind of style...that merchants used.

“A ledger.” You say with disgust.

“Exactly. Someone here has been selling wares to bandits.” Xin Lan says. “And...there’s notes too.” You quickly turn back to look at the ledger again.

>XXXX

>Another good haul today. Those idiots were practically begging for food! They probably would have sold their ship if meant not dying. Thankfully, I’m a compassionate man. The idiots in the village even thanked me for bringing more “traders”. Idiots couldn’t tell a pirate from a bandit if it would have saved their lives. Thankfully, these weapons will make a killing.

>XXXY
>Another bandit “clan” came to visit. These idiots think they can actually get away with it. Thankfully, they pay well and even better they’ll probably die soon. This gig has done wonders for me! Idiots line up to get their weapons and the imperial guard cleans my hands of them! And all I get to do is rake in the cash of another sucker who thought I was their friend.

The notes continue in a similar fashion. You continue reading out of curiosity until the last few catch your eye.

>YXYY
>Got another weird one. Some woman came asking for me. Almost gave me away too! Dumb broad, although she was kind of hot. In that warrioress kind of way. Some kind of exotic cat. Better than her looks, she was willing to pay way more than asking price for food. Had some kind of accent, must have been from the south. Hopefully all the idiots live down there because she didn’t even try to haggle! Wouldn’t say her name. Weird but bandits always want to have that dumb gimmick. Maybe I could convince her to stay...she’d make a good wife.
The next note was the last. Oddly enough there were dark splotches all over it both from ink and something else.

>YXYY

>That bitch! I try to offer her a good life and she nearly takes my eye out! Hope she and her flea bitten mongrels find the nice end of the imperial blade. Dumb bitch wouldn’t know a good deal if it bit her in the ass. Managed to convince the rest of the town to run her out. Claimed that she tried to seduce and rob me. Serves her right. She won’t be able to deal with any towns once I spread the word. Good riddance.

Xin Lan looks at you. “Seems like he got what he deserved. At least in the end. Assuming he didn’t survive the attack. Still...the rest of the town didn’t deserve it.”

“I don’t think anyone deserves it.” You admit. “At least...I’m not sure.”

“We don’t get to judge, that much is true.” Xin Lan agrees. “Still...I don’t see anything that can help us decipher the raiders’ notes. Maybe Renshu and Ming will have better luck than us?”

>What do you say?
>Search just a bit more. Maybe you might find something.
>Head back to camp. Best you get some sleep.
>Take something with you? There’s only weapons and food. You’re not sure you want either if it was paid for with the blood of others.
>Write in.

>>4622764
>Search just a bit more. Maybe you might find something.
That sounds like the raider's leader. She might came to this building to get some revenge after burning the town.
South of China would be the southeast asian kingdoms like ancient vietnam or khmer. The mistery of the raider's origin continues.
Also on the topic of southeast asia and probably also india, do elephant people exist?

>>4622764
>Tell xin to pick out some good less-lethal weapons for themselves, renshu, and ming. You'll pack some of the rations. If it helps your group to press on and take out the raiders, there shouldn't be an issue - and you can't exactly tell the villagers out there that you were sneaking around where they didn't want you.

>>4622764
>Search for anything more
>help ourselves to the food and any weapons.

There is no reason not to the owners are dead and they will just spoil.

>>4622958
>>4623188
Taking the dead man's things. Writing.

>>4623661
Take his ledger as well.
But really, I don't see why anyone would kick up a fuss about it other than because we are the one who found it.

>>4623676
Because I will be an unfair QM Really most people would assume you brought the weapons with you and would probably be more concerned over why you're skulking around that part of the town to care why you're suddenly armed.

>>4623696
>An actual mountain of low quality weapons
>Brought here by Tai Lung, the living weapon.

Really people?

>>4623709
Wait you want to carry the whole thing? I thought you were gonna take like two maybe three tops.

>>4623712
No, as I read it "People here would blame you for the mountain of weapons under the mill, and say you put them there"

And I was like, really bitch? You think we need shitty spears?

>>4623718
Yes. Tai Lung is starting his own pyramid scheme involving being a door to door spear salesman.

>>4623661
But about elephants Luo? Do they exist? Are they big? Are they the top of caste syatem in India?
The last question doesn't need to be answered actually.

File: duanjian_8_6ff8d3b6-5dd8-(...).jpg (61 KB, 580x435)

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You roll up the scroll and slip it into you bag. "Let's take some of the rations. Best we put them to some good use than to feed criminals."

Xin Lan takes a few and starts to fill their own bag. "You do realize we're all criminals right? Yes, even Ming. I'm sure she's forgotten to tip someone or like...missed a lesson and lied about it."

"I like to think we're not anymore. We have been but that doesn't define who we are now." You say as you start to take a few rations yourself. "That aside, the food will go to waste if no one takes it. Might as well grab a few weapons too." You say. Xin Lan stops and looks at you with surprise.

"Really?" They ask confused. "Why?"

"Always good to have options." You say. "Get some of the less lethal weapons. Clubs, nunchaku, staves. That sort of thing. Ming could probably learn from them as well." Xin Lan looks over their shoulder.

"Sure I'll see what I can find." They say as they move over to examine the weapons. "I'm not to confident about these big guy. Call me a snob but I like my weapons to be high quality. Don't want to worry about them breaking in a fight."

"You think that will happen to these?" You ask grabbing an axe and looking at it. They weren't shoddy, definietely average make, but you didn't expect them to break anytime soon.

"No...they're serviceable just...bland." They admit. "And all lethal. You see any clubs or tonfa?"

"No. Just swords and other bladed weapons...here's a mace though." You say holding up a spiked bat. "I suppose we shouldn't have expect-"

"Hold up!" Xin Lan says pulling out a small box. It was elegantly decorated box. They open it up to reveal a red velvet interior and on a soft cushion is a dagger and it's sheathe. "I think we hit the jackpot."

"Xin...you already have daggers." You say.

"And mine are way better." They reply. "But this isn't for me. It's for Ming. Having a dagger is always helpful and she could use something to defend herself or...at least brandish menacingly."

"I don't know..." You say but Xin Lan thrusts the box into your hands.

"Hold up I think I saw some more things here too." They say. "Let's see...There's this." They hold up a red scabard. The blade was not of chinese make and curved slightly.

"That's not chinese." You say.

"No...I think I heard Stripes talking about these. They come from japan. Not sure if he knows how to use them. Feels a bit funny though, can't put my finger on it though." Xin Lan continues to search the pile. "There might be some more things but I'm not sure if you want to take them. None of these help the no killing thing. You wanna leave them here?"

>What do you say?
>Take the weapons. You might be able to sell them. They seem of high quality.
>Leave them. You've avoided weapons so far and these don't fit your group's style.
>Take them and hand them out to your group. They'd do some good in your hands.
>Write in.

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Sword pic.

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7 KB JPG

>>4623726
Elephant people? Yeah they exist. They're about 2 feet taller than you and you're about the top end of 6 feet. As for you last question. I'll let this children's tale speak for yourself. At least some of them are royalty. Not sure if you'll ever go there but it's a fun exercise to think about.

>>4623738
>Take them, for either sentimentality, practicality or to sell.

Renshu may like to see a reminder of home, and the blade, while not intended for mundane tasks, is always good to have.

>>4623738
>Take the weapons. You might be able to sell them. They seem of high quality.
We can always just carry it around and not use it, like the Sword of Heroes
>>4623741
Good, elephants are cool and improve everything.
Also kind want to fight a barbarian elephant warrior king now.

>>4623738
>Take them. Even the sharpest blade can be dulled, after all - it wouldn’t be too hard to make them nonlethal.

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22 KB PNG

>>4623745
>Renshu may like to see a reminder of home
>Mfw

>>4623745
>>4623747
>>4623759
Taking the weapons. They may have some use. Writing.

>>4623785
I remember that he had some bad experiences with the island, but even so, it was home.

>>4623787
Yeah, he didn't have the best experience there growing up. I'm sure Japanese children are still told to behave or else Renshu will come to get them. Still, I like to imagine he's more japanese than he tries to let on considering that was the culture he grew up in his childhood.

"Take them. They may have some use or at worst we can sell them." Xin Lan's grip seems to tighten a bit at that last suggestion. "Come on Xin. You already have weapons and I'm sure Renshu doesn't use any."

"But they're pretty." Xin Lan says hanging the sword on his hip. "See? Looks cool."

"I think you enjoy swords a little too much." You tease as turn to leave.

"Says you. You've been carrying that dull old blade for about a year now." They counter. "You even had a chance to make it a super cool sword and turned it down according to your stories. I want one for practicality."

"Didn't you just say you wanted it because it's pretty?"

"Beauty is practical. You wouldn't understand. You're a guy." Xin Lan shoots back.

"So are you." You counter.

"And I'm the pretties girl you've ever seen. Caught you staring." They say sticking out their tongue. You blush slightly and don't reply lest you get the rabbit started on a path that would end with you bursting in flames from the embarassment. The two of you drop back down from the hatch and make your way towards the entrance. The trip back was slow as the two of you keep an eye out for an traps that you might have missed and avoided due to luck. Luckily, you manage to get by without triggering any nasty surprises. Unfortunately, as you reach the stairs you and Xin Lan hear something above the rain. The sounds of shouting and screaming...

---

You and Xin Lan burst through the double doors into the rain. Despite the darkness and poor visibility you can see the sillouttes of figures running around the town and the sparks of metal clashing together. The sounds of fighting echo throughout the ruins and you can hear the villagers screaming from within the community hall. Xiqi was under attack.

>What do you do?
>Run to Ming and Renshu. Make sure your friends are safe.
>Run to assist the guards. They're trained but they're a simple small town outfit. You're not even sure if they have real combat experience.
>Sneak through the town to gauge this enemy. Make sure you know what you're getting into.
>Write in.

>>4623803
>Assist the guards, Send Xin to protect our friends and if they are safe get back here to help.

HEY RAIDERS! THIS IS NOT YOUR DAY!
But seriously, We and Po should be enough to defend the town citizens, much as they may hate us for it.

I'd like renshu here, but he can keep ming safer.

>>4623819
On second thought, get ming and Renshu here via message from Xin.
She and her healing hands may be needed.

>>4623819
I considered assessing the situation, But anyone who's attacking the guards with intent to kill is someone who needs to be subdued, even if it is a misunderstanding.

>>4623819
Assisting guards. Sending xin with a message. Writing

“Xin! Go find Ming and Renshu! Get them to the community building! We might need a doctor.” You shout. Xin Lan slips their mouth cover and hood and you see the glint of their daggers as the two of you split up to get to work. You leap from ruined building to ruined building keeping out of the mud as your mind races. Who was attacking? It couldn’t be the raiders. But it had to be. No one else would be this bold, at least no in this part of the country. Was it the prince? Was he actually a spy as you and your friends theorized and now they decided to strike to steal supplies? But they knew about the hidden rations and weapons. As you land on the roof of the community building and jump off into the fray, you push those thoughts aside. Not time to think, now was the time to get to work.

https://youtu.be/4LuFBlUNoRY

You enter the brawl just as one of the guards was cut down. With a loud growl, you spin in mid air and slash down the man’s front. Armor and flesh as sliced open as easily as paper but your opponent doesn’t have time to scream in pain as you rise with a rising knee into the man’s abdomen, sending him flying several feet back. The man lands in the mud but doesn’t get up. As you duck under a blade, nearly invisible in the moonlight, you look around to see who else was on your side. You see several guards locking weapons with the attacker, their movements hindered by the mud. The attack doesn’t get a second chance to swing as you grab their free arm, pull it behind their back, and push their head down into the ground. They struggle to break free from your grip but a sharp jab in a pressure point and they go stiff. You turn to see Po fighting a group of the attackers. His fighting style is rudimentary but well practiced something you couldn’t hold against him. Even the deadliest of styles is useless if one doesn’t know the fundamentals and oftentimes it’s the basics that save one’s life.

Po blocks a knife strike with a quick kick to the man’s arm but slips in the mud. What would have been a fatal mistake is salvaged when one of his flailing legs strikes the gut of another attacker by accident. Surprisingly Po shows a great sense of his own body when he rolls over to dodge another attack and uses his own weight to push down on a piece of wood causing the other end to snap up and strike his attacker in the chin. You remember doing something similar while fighting on the cursed pirate ship.

You can’t stay watching for long and you move through the mud with surprising grace to engage another set of enemies. Another of the guards is knocked down but you leap in to save them. You kick one of the assailants behind the knee, lift them up and toss them into the other attacker. You extend your hand to help the guard up. The guard, who you recognize as the pig who seemed to have a rather intense animosity spits mud and takes your hand with an angry grunt. “Should have let me died if I knew you were the one helping.” He says as he grabs his axe.

“You can spit vitriol at me later.” You say hooking your foot behind you and into the gut of another invader. The guard follows up the invader staggering by burying his axe into the man’s neck. Blood sprays as the man falls and you can feel the stinging heat of it as droplets splash on you. The heat offers a sharp contrast to the cold rain and you’re unsure how to feel about it.

>What do you do?
>Say nothing. You can’t tell the man not to kill but there is something you can do. Do better. Make sure your attacks knock out your opponents and don’t give the guard a reason to kill them. Your style will be more brutal but broken bones are far better than not dying.
>Call the guard out. Tell him he doesn’t have the right to kill them indiscriminately. He has to be better. Otherwise what’s the point of being a guard?
>Leave the guard to his own devices. You won’t give them the opportunity or opening to allow them to kill.
>Write in.

>>4624077
>Do better

In life or death, fight to survive. We have the luxury of choosing how we end our opponents because we have the skill. These guards don't.

>>4624077
>Say nothing. You can’t tell the man not to kill but there is something you can do. Do better. Make sure your attacks knock out your opponents and don’t give the guard a reason to kill them. Your style will be more brutal but broken bones are far better than not dying.
This is our path, not theirs. Also I doubt the guards have non-lethal training that would win against actual fighters and not drunks.

>>4624077
>Say nothing. You can’t tell the man not to kill but there is something you can do. Do better. Make sure your attacks knock out your opponents and don’t give the guard a reason to kill them. Your style will be more brutal but broken bones are far better than not dying.

What we need to do is focus on the fight not the guards. Faster we end it, the more lives we save

>>4624096
>>4624097
>>4624105
We can't always change people. Sometimes the only thing we can do is be better. Writing

You don’t say anything. Instead, you clench your fist and backhand another of the attackers in the chin. You feel their jaw dislocate and they crumple to the ground, out cold. You move onward, leaving the pig to their own devices. You’re a blur against the rain, moving quickly and quietly. To anyone watching it was as if the rain didn’t touch you at all, as if you were gliding through the muddy ground rather than running through it. Your opponents stood no chance as you pounced on with cold precision. The guards were fighting to kill. That was something you could not change nor did you expect them to do otherwise. They weren’t trained like you were. They only wanted to protect themselves in the one way they knew how. That only meant that you had to be better. You could end the fight without killing. You could work to make this go by faster.

Another attacker falls by your hand as you sweep their legs from underneath them then slam your heel into their sternum, shattering it and making it hard for them to move or breathe without intense pain. You follow up by leaping forward and striking another in the knee, dislocating it. As they fall you grab them around the throat and strike at their temple’s pressure point. Others see you as you dispatch their teammates and begin to charge you. You duck, leap and slide under various attacks each time returning the favor with your own. You break limbs, dislocate joints, and use your foes against one another as they all fall around you. You rise to face another but a white blur slams into their head and driving them into the mud. A flash of steel and two more fall clutching their legs.

“We’re here!” Mind shouts, panting. “We got attacked too! Renshu stayed behind to try and hold a few back.” She adjusts her bag and looks around, wide eyed, trying to take everything in at once and probably not registering anything at all at the same time.

>What do you do?
>Tell Ming to run to the community building while you and Xin clear a path for her.
>Lead Ming to the building yourself and let Xin hold people off.
>Tell Ming to head behind the guard’s lines and tend to any wounded guardsmen.
>Send Xin and Ming to the building while you search for Renshu or for any wounded guards to help led back to safety.
>Write in.

>>4624209
>Tell Ming to head behind the guard’s lines and tend to any wounded guardsmen.
Getting combatants back into the fight seems wisest...

>>4624209
>Get to guard lines
>How many attacked you?

I am torn between leaping to our brothers aid and trusting him to be fine.

>>4624668
Once we have disabled everyone in the courtyard, we can go to Renshu and start picking up injured or sections of the town guard who are being dogpiled.

>>4624209
>Lead Ming to the building yourself and let Xin hold people off.
Xin should go help Renshu come here, the more of us are protecting the town the less danger it will be in.

>>4624329
If this was a regular battle in a war, that took days and had multiple skirmshes, that would work. But this is an raid and all out attack, any guard that is down won't recover in time to help fight. But they still should be dragged back to the town hall for safety and treatment though.

>>4625127
Maybe, but you know I actually want to fight in a battle with Xin, build our ability to teamwork in the heat of battle.

>>4624329
>>4624668
>>4625127
Getting Ming to heal while Xin holds the line. Writing. Super busy today. Sorry for the late write in guys.

>>4625592
Relax man, we arent going anywhere quickly. Still on page 2.

“We need to get Ming to the back line!” You shout over the fighting. Turning to your friend, you ask, “How many attacked you and Renshu?” Ming is still looking around wide eyed and distracted. You give her a shake. “Ming! You have to focus!” Ming snaps out of it with a scared yelp. “Ming, we need you. There’s injured people. How many more were out there?”

“I-I don’t know.” She stammers. “There were at least half a dozen when Xin and I left and I think more were coming!” You nod and press Ming into your chest as you spin and kick another attacker in the abdomen. The man doubles over in pain before he’s knocked out by Xin Lan’s leaping roundhouse. Ming trembles in your arms and you call out to the rabbit. “Xin! Hold the line, I’m getting Ming to the guards. The guards are fighting to kill, take out as many attackers as fast as possible if we want to preserve lives on both sides!”

“You got it boss!” Xin Lan calls back and they leap over you. Metal glints in their hands and you hear the sounds of several knives cutting through the air and the wet impact followed by the screams of pain as they land their mark. You pull Ming out of your grip and hold her shoulders.

“It’s going to be ok.” You say. “Just run. I’ll keep you safe.” You turn her around and give her a gentle push to give her body a direction to go. Ming takes one nervous step, then another before her instincts and body catch up and she goes into a full sprint. You run after her, leaping to deliver another bone shattering kick to an attacker trying to take advantage of the chaos. Landing, you pivot on your heel and ram your elbow into the ribs of another. You feel them cave in from the impact and you grab their arm to use your wounded opponent as a club, slamming them into another enemy. Another charges at you but they howl in pain and fall grabbing their knee. Through the blood you can see another glint of metal sticking out of their kneecap.

The sounds of combat don’t seem to be dying down and the enemies seem endless but you and Ming push forward, running through ruined buildings. As you run through the third building, Ming trips on something. You run to pick her up and she screams. You turn to face what she’s pointing at and see the body of a dead guard. “It’s ok!” You shout and hold her. “It’s ok. Just keep going! We can’t do anything about that now!” Ming refuses to move, her mind in shock and you stand and carry her onwards, leaping over rubble and heading towards the guards. You run into more attackers, their blades almost glowing wickedly in the rainy moonlight. You press Ming closer to you and take a stance as a few more gather near you and surround you. You take a stance and wait as the group circles you. Just where were these people coming from? Was the entire raider army here? You mind races as you try to come up with an answer and one of the raiders presses their luck. They step forward but one of your hands vanishes for a moment before reappearing after it had collided with the man’s face. The raider’s metal helmet crumples and bone soon follows after as the man collapses. “You get one chance.” You growl. “Leave here in peace or stay and be broken.”

The raiders around you simply laugh. It was a haughty laugh. One of arrogance and of ignorance. They didn’t understand you and perhaps they thought you were begging for your life. You tense up, ready for another attack from any angle and then it happens.

It’s almost as if time itself had stopped. As if the rain had stopped falling but over the din of battle you hear it. Faintly at first. The sounds of small footsteps running across the rain soaked ground, making small splashes with every step. The gentle, almost soothing, sound of rain striking a hollow bamboo pole. It brings back memories of when you were younger. How that sound helped you sleep after a long day of practice. Then comes the fury. The snapping sound of the very same bamboo cutting through air and whipping around, snapping as it strikes it’s target. For the second time today, another small blur lands in your vicinity. Orange this time, it swings a staff and strikes one of the raiders in the head. The man doesn’t have the time to fall before in one fluid motion the red panda lands and sweeps the staff under the legs of another then jumps. The bamboo sings as wind flows through it’s hollow core as it’s spun impossibly fast and cracks once more once it strikes another target. In a single motion, 3 raiders fall to the ground, out cold. Standing besides you is the man who taught you everything, the man who took you in and the one you betrayed. Standing next to you, was Master Shifu.

>What do you do?
>Tell Shifu to fend off the attackers while you get Ming to safety.
>Place Ming down, ask shifu to get her to the community building so she can heal the injured.
>Stand with Shifu and finish off the attackers.
>Write in.

>>4625713
>Get ming to the Community hall, she is the best healer in miles and they will allow you in. I'll hold them off.

We can say more later, but for now try to avoid our awkwardness and give him our priorities.

>>4625713
Seconding this >>4625721
They won't question Shifu and waste time like they would with us.

>>4625721
>>4625735
Shifu has the best relations with the villagers. He can take Ming. You can talk to him properly later. Writing

You set Ming down. “Take her to the community center.” You tell Shifu. “She’s the best healer for miles if not all of China. We have wounded and she can tend to them but only you can get her past the guards. I’ll cover you.” Shifu gives you a brief look but...you can’t bring yourself to look at him in the eyes. Not right now. The man nods and grabs Ming’s hand.

“Come on. Let’s go.” He says.

“Ming go with my dad.” You say. “He’ll keep you safe. Now go!” You shout and leap at the raiders. You land on one of them and bring them down with your weight. As the two of you fall, you claw at the man’s face before driving the knuckles of your middle fingers into your opponent’s temples. Rolling off the body, you scoop some mud into your palm and flick it into the eyes of the nearest raider. Her hands instinctively go to her face, leaving her body exposed. You unleash a flurry of blows into her exposed body. Kicks to her knees, jabs to the kidneys, open palm strikes into the liver before ending her misery with a brutal chop to the neck. Your strike breaks through her meager defenses and she collapses into a quivering mass.

The others shout, though you're unsure if they’re shouting in angry over their companion or in surprise at your sudden movements. The closest one swings a large axe. The large hunk of metal misses as you duck under it and smashes into the remains of a stone wall, shattering it. You move in to take advantage of the opening but stop as you bring your hands down to grab the arm of another raider who swung their blade at you. Even then you continue moving because the attack is followed up with stab. The raider you blocked tries to impale you with a dagger in her free hand. You stop it with a kick to her wrist but by then the first raider has torn his axe free from the rock and mud. He thrusts his axe at you, attempting to use the spike between the blades to stab you.

This forces you to shove the woman out of the way and throw yourself backwards lest you both become impaled. You land in the cold mud but you receive no respite when you see the axe head coming down towards your open chest. Acting on pure instinct, you roll in the mud to close the gap and the shaft of the axe. Even then, you sink deeper into the mud as the axe man pushes you down with his sheer strength. The woman runs at you to finish you off but you squeeze harder, snapping the axe shaft in two. You turn, wrapping your tail around the axe man’s leg and tripping him before thrusting the broken shaft of the axe into the woman’s chin. Her eyes roll up and her body goes limp.

The axe wielder screams, this time in true rage, and charges you. His heavy hands find themselves around your neck, and his thick fingers begin to squeeze. Even so, you feel no pressure around your throat. You slowly stand out of the mud and the man’s eyes widen in fear. The last thing he sees are two glowing yellow eyes and he hears a growl before you bring both hands in and clap him in both ears. Your opponent slumps to the grounds leaving you the lone survivor of the fight.

>What do you do?
>Go find Xin. See if they’re doing ok.
>Go meet up with Po. He seemed to have a bulk of the raiders. He might need help.
>Find Renshu. You haven’t seen him since you gathered supplies.
>Meet up with Ming. Make sure she’s safe.
>Write in.

>>4625814
>Find Renshu. You haven’t seen him since you gathered supplies.
Need to make sure he joined the rest of the battle.
Then we go kick the shit of the raider leader together just like we did in the dream/vision/past/magic bullshit.

>>4625814
Jesus tai lung, I think you did more than physical damage with that rising from the ground trick.

>Find Renshu first
The man is the immovable wall, but the immovable wall was being swarmed.

>>4625817
>>4625820
Finding Renshu. Writing.

You spend no time waiting around for another attack. Instead, you run towards your camp. You haven't seen Renshu since you left after getting resupplied. Ming said they were about 6 raiders who attacked them if not more. In either case he should have returned. The sounds fighting had quieted down but that only makes you worry. Something was wrong. If this was a raid, then where were the other raiders. There was no way an army was this small and where was their leader? Had they split up? Maybe an internal schism?

Your thoughts are interrupted by shouting and the sound of bone breaking. Screaming pierces the night prompting you to hurry over to the source. You hear the sounds of running, frantic and panicked. As you turn the corner, a raider crashes into you. Despite being the enemy, the raider grabs you by the legs and sobs into them. He shouts frantically at you, pointing behind them, begging in a language you can’t understand. You’re unsure of what to do. They were the enemy but in this state, you were unsure if you could even call them that. They continue to plead at you and all you can do is quietly jab them in a pressure point to knock them out. You drop the man and quickly make your way in the direction they came.

As you approach the camp, you find it littered with bodies. Fallen raiders were scattered around and as you slowly approached the camp, their injuries became more and more severe. What started as Chi strikes slowly increased to brute force knockouts, dislocated joints and finally broken bones and nonlethal weapon injuries. In the center of it all was Renshu. They lean against a wall favoring their right leg, shirt hanging around their waist and panting heavily. Despite the rain, their clothing and fur were stained with blood. Their left arm hangs uselessly at their side and their eyes eager for another altercation. Next to him was a raider holding their arm and slumped on the ground, screaming with bone sticking out of their knee and elbow.

You walk, rather brashly, up to Renshu and stand in front of him. The two of you lock eyes and all the man says is, “No one died.”

>What do you say?
>Ask Renshu what he means by that.
>Ask if there are any more raiders nearby.
>Say nothing and pick up the rabbit. The fight is over, he needs medical attention.
>Write in.
Maybe pet the bun

>>4625918
>Hug your blood brother, and tell him that his fight is over. He should go get medical attention while you knock out the rest so they don't need to suffer.
There's a time to talk about the brutality, but that isn't now.

>>4625918
>Say nothing and pick up the rabbit. The fight is over, he needs medical attention.
Give him a nod and a smile, time to run to the community center.

>>4625937
I support.

Maybe add something to the effect of echoing his words "nobody died"

>>4625937
>>4626130

Support.

To be fair, the raiders are pretty brutal

>>4626275
Other people's evil doesn't excuse us from using evil means.

But he didn't kill any of them, which is a step up for him in a stressful situation. Now if we can move to less brutal methods that don't make a raider sob into the foot of his enemy could be nice. But maybe there is context we are missing.

>>4626287
The root of Renshu problems was the bloodlust that took over him when fighting, and he managed to rein it back.
Now it's just the matter to refine his fighting style to be less brutal, because he probably was taught to be only lethal by the assassins.

>>4626321
I know the root problem and I'm proud that he was able to do so.

But as it is, just outlining the next step in his path, to mend his style to his new sensibilities. Which really should only take removing a few muscle memories to make it less violent.

Just remember, He did it for you.

>>4625937
>>4626023
>>4626275
No picking up the strong bunny. But hugs are ok. Writing.

>>4626560
Uh Luo, I think we are carrying him but giving him a hug first.
I don't think the man can walk.

>>4626582
That...makes more sense. You can put people out of their misery as you walk. I read the supported votes as telling him to go while you knock out the people in pain. My bad

>>4626591
I read it as "You did good bro, now I'm gonna Chi strike these guys out, then lets get you to hospital, because you are in no state to move"

Bit up to interpretation, sorry for throwing you off your stride

>>4626594
It's all good. No harm done.

You let out a breath of relief before walking over the bodies of the raiders towards Renshu. You pull your brother into a hug and hold him close. "No one died." You echo, burying his face in your chest. "No one ever has to die. Come on...let's go get you treated." You say quietly and lift the injured rabbit into your arms. Renshu tenses up but doesn't hiss or make a noise from the pain. Instead he takes it all with quiet contemplation though it doesn't stop his face from wincing and scrunching up. Once you have him resting in your arms, Renshu breathes freely as the pain subsides somewhat. You could leave. The pain and misery around you were all the raider's doing. They had brought it upon themselves by attacking a peaceful settlement. The villagers here barely had a building they could call home and had done nothing wrong to these attackers. But something wouldn't let you. These men were evil and that much was true but their evil wasn't an excuse for you to be malicious. Even one's darkest hour, a person deserved some measure of peace.

You begin your journey back with the macabre task of knocking out everyone around you. With rabbit in one arm, you lean down and quietly tap the raiders in their neck. Two fingers and a bit of Chi was all it took. You can't help but notice how easy it was to take a man's life. All it took was just a bit more malice, a bit more force. How much effort did you and your friends put to stop them? How easy was it to slip up. As with these kinds of questions, you have no answer. You are not a philosopher and all you can do is believe that you were doing the right thing. All throughout, Renshu stays quiet and once you finish, you begin to head back. The sounds of fighting have quieted down, and all that accompanies you is the sound of rain.

Renshu stirs slightly and his ears move around. "It seems like it's becoming a habit that I find myself in your arms." He says. "I'm not sure what will be worse. The fact that my condition that will upset Ming and Xin or the fact that Xin will tease me about having to be carried back afterwards."

>What do you say?
>Tell Renshu that he seems confident everyone else is ok.
>Ask Renshu about something.
>Say that he should save his energy for now. Things might not be over yet.
>Write in.

>>4626644
>you seem confident that everyone is alright
>I'm proud of you Renshu, you restrained yourself without any prompting
>The battle isnt over, speed up as much as we can to get Renshu to ming so we can get back to helping out

>>4626644
>The worst part will be when Ming scolds you afterwards. She’s easily the scariest of us.

>>4626675
Yes she is.
I'll add it to mine.

>>4626644
>Say that he should save his energy for now. Things might not be over yet.
>And Xin will tease me about carrying you, and I'm actually looking forward to it. Guess this is what family does to one another.

>>4626675
>>4626680
>>4626782
Take these votes. Ming is scary but maybe this is what family is like. Writing

“You seem pretty confident that everyone is alright.” You say.

“Of course.” He replies. “You’re content. Had anything happened to the others, then I doubt you would have let those men live let alone hugged me.” You swallow nervously.

“You really think that?” You ask.

Renshu goes quiet. “...no.” He says quietly. “You’re a far better man than me. But I would have felt it in you. You’re anger, your rage. The bottomless sorrow. You’re an open book to me.” He replies. “It’s odd but I can read you far better than I can anyone else.”

“I’m not that hard of a person to read.” You admit. “I don’t think of myself as a complex person.”

“Most people don’t see how complex they can really be but it’s not a matter of complexity. It simply is. I can read you the easiest.” The rabbit says placing their dangling arm on their lap. “You’re confused and your energy is all over the place. You’re happy, presumably because everyone you care about is ok but in that happiness there’s doubt. Something’s come up. Something you’ve been wanting to avoid but now you can’t. You’re father has arrived, hasn’t he?”

You sigh. You didn’t really want to admit it but he was right. Despite admitting you weren’t as complex, there was something unnerving about how Renshu could read people. It was on a level beyond even their younger sibling. Before you can answer, Renshu seems to give you a way out of the conversation as he says, “It’s funny. I can read you better than anyone but I can’t read Xin Lan at all. Most people would think I should be able to read family the best but it turns out that the man who adopted me is the one I can read best.” He says amused.

“That might be something to think about some other time.” You say. “You should save your energy because Ming is going to give us a lecture once her worry dies down. If there is anything to fear, it’s that. Although you are right. Xin is going to tease someone but I’m sure it will be me. Oddly though, I’m looking forward to it...maybe that’s what it means to be family.” Renshu laughs.

“Perhaps. I wouldn’t know.” He says. “All I know is from stories and common statements.” He stays quiet for a moment. “...but I hope it is.” He adds curling up in your arms and closing his eyes. You gently pet Renshu’s head as he sleeps.

“I’m proud of you.” You whisper. “...I can only hope that you’ll be proud of me too.”

---

You pick up the pace and in a few seconds Xin Lan leaps next to you and runs alongside you. They see the bundle in your arms and they merely ask, “Are they dead?”

“No.” You respond. “That’s not what we do.” Xin Lan doesn’t reply but they put their weapons away and remain silent as the three of you make your way to the community home. Two guards stand in front of the door, weapons draw and you can see a third on the roof keeping watch. You approach the door and unsurprisingly the two guards cross their weapons to bar your passage. “We have someone wounded.” You say simply. “You have our medic. I don’t care what you’re going to say. Let us in.”

“No.” One of the guards says.

“We just saved you all!” Xin Lan shoots back. “If it weren’t for us, you’d all be dead. Step aside.”

“Xin is right. This man just risked his life for you. You say we’re monsters but are you willing to let a man die? Even after he showed you compassion?” You demand.

“He’s a friend of yours and if there’s one less of you then good riddanc-” The other guard says but is cut off when he feels a blade under his chin. Xin Lan holds the japanese sword next to the guard’s throat.

“Let us in.” They say quietly. “Or I’ll trade your life for his.” The other moves to try and position his weapon but Xin Lan glares at them. A real glare. You can feel the malice and anger flow within the small rabbit. Not just an act but pure rage. “Don’t make it two lives because believe me, neither one of you are worth a hair on his body.”

The guard withers under the rabbit’s look and you move to try and calm Xin Lan before the doors burst open. “What is going on here?!” Shifu shouts.

“Master Shifu!” The guard stammers. “We were just keeping watch like you told us then these two started threatening us! He’s holding him hostage!” He says trying to point to Xin Lan’s sword but the bloodied rabbit had already lowered it. Nonetheless, Xin Lan hadn’t sheathed the blade. The two guards look surprised but still continue their raving. “Not only that but it’s Tai Lung! He’s really escaped!”

“I’m well aware of who is standing in front of me, guardsman. I have eyes.” Shifu replies. “Eyes that can see he is holding someone injured. Last I checked, your duties were to protect and serve. That includes those who are injured while defending lives. Are we clear?”

“But Master Shifu-”

“I said, ARE. WE. CLEAR?” Shifu repeats himself. The nods with much restraint.

“Yes...Master shifu.” He says.

“Good. These three are under my watch.” He says walking up to you and examining your group. “I have word to speak with them.” He turns around to enter but quickly taps Xin Lan on the wrist with his staff. “Put that sword away, rabbit. You’ll scare the civilians.” Xin Lan quietly sheathes the blade but you can still feel the anger coming off of them. They shoot one last look at the guards and the two of you enter.

>What do you do?
>Ask Shifu what the situation is. Best you get a grasp on what you’re dealing with.
>Find Ming. Above all else, you have to make sure Renshu is ok.
>Ask Xin Lan if he can help Renshu find Ming. You need to speak with Shifu.
>Write in.

>>4627156
>Find Ming. Above all else, you have to make sure Renshu is ok.
Time to tell Ming to only heal the civilians. (Just a joke).

>>4627165
Also tell Xin to not threaten people with murder. We only threaten broken bones and irreversible body damage in this group.

>>4627156
>Ask Xin Lan if he can help Renshu find Ming. You need to speak with Shifu.
I think it'll help get Xin's mind off of his anger.

>>4627156
>Ask Xin to find Ming
>Tell him to avoid getting in more conflict

>>4627383
I have a feeling that had Shifu not shown up, after we calmed down Xin then there were going to be two chi strikes waiting for the pair of tits on duty before the next five minutes were out.

>>4627156
>Find Ming. Above all else, you have to make sure Renshu is ok.

We can speak with Xin after Renshu is safe. Thank God Shifu is here. Knowing our real Identity before doing anything is a goddamn hassle

>>4627579
The Xin option is telling him to take Renshu to Ming while we deal with Shifu rather than just talking to him.

And yeah, you never realize how much being utterly hated and feared makes dealing with people harder when you are trying to be nice.
Thank god Xeubue exists to mitigate that problem.

>>4627165
>>4627178
>>4627383
>>4627579
Seems like we're tied with handing off Renshu to Xin to find Ming. Or finding ming ourselves.

>>4627926
flip a coin for it?
1 = hand off
2 = "Sorry dad, I need to make sure Renhu is alright" and then get scolded so much that the villagers feel sorry for us.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4627948
Sounds fair to me. Talk to dad or talk to team mom. Time to flip

1: Go see dad
2: Go see Ming

You lean down to pet Xin Lan's head but their hand snaps up and grabs your wrist. "No." They say squeezing, hard. If it was anyone else, you're sure their wrist would be shattered from the force. "Not right now." You quietly twist your wrist and gently hold Xin Lan's hand.

"It's ok Xin." You say kneeling down. "It's ok. But you can deal with your anger later. Right now we need to get your brother to Ming. Find her. I need to speak to my father. Make sure that we don't get kicked out of the rain before we can get some healing." Xin Lan looks at you. Their eyes full of fury and anger but worst of all confusion. Xin Lan was angry, frustrated but most of all vulnerable.

"I don't want to." They say, voice breaking. "I want to talk to you."

You pull Xin Lan into a tight hug. "We will." You say. "We will. But family comes first. We need to make sure Ming and Renshu are ok. It's ok to vent and to let it all out. It's healthy but not if it puts those we care about in danger. We will talk. I promise you." You help Xin Lan take Renshu. "Now go. Find Ming."

Xin Lan gives you one last look, take their brother, and leave. You stand up and look around. The community hall was well kept but very worn. It was very obvious that this was used as the town's only living area. Half a dozen tables were running along a wall and the chairs were pilled ontop. You can see a makeshift kitchen in one corner and a large fireplace close by. Right now, all the towns folk were huddled in a corner near the fire or off in some corner. All of them wet, worried, and scared. You can hear various whispers around you as they try to keep quiet and not look at you. Among all this, you can't really see a sleeping area.

Rather than get lost in looking around you follow the small figure of your father as they head to the back of the building. In the back there seems to be a door that leads to what you assuming might be a dormitory of some kind. As the two of you walk, neither of you say anything. You're unsure where your going but once Shifu opens the door, you can see a small hall with various doors that lead to a few other rooms. You continue to follow the smaller man, neither of you making a sound and your footsteps absolutely silent. Only the rain provides a break to the opressing silence.

>What do you say?
>Ask Shifu if he has any information on the raiders. Maybe he saw something on his way here.
>Ask if he thinks if the attack is over.
>Don't say anything. You're not sure what to say or do now that this time has come.
>Write in.

>>4628048
>Ask Shifu if he has any information on the raiders. Maybe he saw something on his way here.
>Ask if he thinks if the attack is over.
Share info first, heart to heart later.

>>4628048
>Ask if he Thinks the attack is over.
>It is good to see him, face to face rather than from afar or through letter.

I don't think he has any information from coming here. But if the attack is over, then we can move on to heart to heart.
Much as TL is bad at emotions, he does need to confront them here.

>>4628058
I feel really shit about leaving Xin while they are stuggling with a new emotion, but we do need to talk to our father.

Both on practical matters, like if the attack is over or how many people are injured or what he plans to do now that escaped super villain Tai Lung is standing before him.
And on personal matters, namely how much we've missed him.

>>4628058
I'll add
>Ask what the damage to the town and villigars is
After if he thinks the attack is over.

>>4628052
>>4628058
>>4628067
Taking these. writing.

File: bc56705f94d6a9d9abc849365(...).jpg (73 KB, 600x600)

73 KB JPG

pit pat pit pat

The sounds of rain pattering against the root was the only sound that filled the small room. If it wasn't for the small sleeping bag on the ground, you'd have confused it for a closet. You take a sip of your tea.

pat pat pit pat

Bitter and cold. Just like Shifu always drank it. You always remembered him meditating before drinking his tea. He always said it was to wait for it to cool down but you knew he always removed the pot well before training started.

pit pat pit pat

It seemed like the night would never end either. There was a single candle on the small table between the two of you to give ilumination to the room. For some reason it only served to make the room feel much smaller. Shifu finally takes a sip from his cup. You do the same if only to give yourself something to do.

Pit pit pat pat

You shiver but you're unsure if it's from the chill of the rain, nerves, or a cold you're catching. You take another sip. It doesn't go down any easier. You wonder how Renshu manages to drink his tea. You wonder if he'll be ok. He didn't look that hurt. Or were you simply worrying to keep your mind off of the situation at hand.

pit pat pit-

You clear your throat, unable to bear the silence any longer. Shifu raises his eyes from his mug, almost lazily, to look at you. They were anything but lax. Focused and sharp, they studied you and even in his old age, they never gave away what he was truly thinking. Part of you wishes you were being yelled at Ming right now. You clear your throat again. "Sorry." You say quietly and considering staying quiet but instead you speak some more. "Do you think the attack is over?" You ask being unable to make yourself say anything else.

"No." Shifu replies. Your heart sinks a bit. Oogway probably would have answered with a question or some vague reply that would prompt you to think. But your father was nothing like Oogway. Direct and to the point he gave you what you wanted. You take another sip.

shhhhhhhhhh

The rain picks up and grows heavier. You're tempted to meditate and ask the sprites to make it stop or to see if they were having fun but that would be running away. "I...didn't think so either." You admit. "There's not enough of them." Shifu takes another sip and gives you an inquisitive look. You feel compelled to answer. "I saw them...in a vision. I'm sure Mei Ling must have told you what we found at Yunnan."

"I seem to recall mentions of a ritual circle." Shifu replies.

"Yes...it was devised by a woman. Probably part of the royal courts. It contained the memories of all those who perished in the attack. My frien- my brother and I saw what occured during the attack." You say. "There was far more during that attack than here. We also haven't seen their leader. The female snow leopard." You quickly take a sip again and suppress a cough as you accidentally inhale some of the bitter drink.