Wanderer's Woe [Ma Yunlu]

[Ma Yunlu]

Ma Yunlu shook her head, she didn't feel like he needed to thank her. It was the humane thing to do and she never felt like it was an act to be thanked for. Still she she bowed her head low accepting his thanks.

At his mention of her status, she furrowed her brows, yes her fathers name held power, but she never felt like she was special in anyway. Just another soldier in an army.

"Please do not apologize, for my status is merely a useless mark upon my name and you have done no wrong."

Just because of who her father was, it didn't mean she wanted to be treated any differently. Ma Yunlu always preferred to be treated like a commoner and her father raised her better than to act snobby because of who she was.

"Sometimes a person must explore beyond lands they are used to. Battles are seldom fought in familiar lands and so acquainting oneself with foreign lands would serve one good."

It was the only explanation she had for it was the truth. She had only left her home to familiarize herself with this territory.

In that moment, her eyes widened and she realized that it was growing very late. She was positive her father would be very worried, but if she explained the situation he would be more lenient with her. If Ma Yunlu left, she promised herself she would return early in the morning so she could sit down and properly get to know this man. Knowing that eventually she would have to bid him farewell for good. Little did she know that he would become a future comrade and potentially a great friend.

She sighed, she had another question, but would she be prying into a very sensative topic? Feeling like she could risk it, she summoned enough courage to ask.

"Where were you out there? Where were you headed?"

I seems she had more than one question, but they built on each other. It made no sense to her, after what happened to him why would he come to An Ding? Was he on his way to Wu Wei? But there would be nothing there for him. It made no sense to her.

[Lu Wei]

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"Please do not apologize, for my status is merely a useless mark upon my name and you have done no wrong."

Humble and kind beyond measure. Lu Wei could not help but smile. He had truly encountered an angel, when he was so close to death. Ma Teng had truly raised his children well, and the stories of Ma Chao's capabilities as an officer had reached even Lu Wei's ears too. The lord was formidable, and a great ruler. Pity Lu Wei already had his sights set on the army he wanted to march under, a man whose virtuous feats were more known than Ma Teng's.

"Sometimes a person must explore beyond lands they are used to. Battles are seldom fought in familiar lands and so acquainting oneself with foreign lands would serve one good."

Lu Wei looked at her, confused and curious. He furrowed his eyebrows. No, that did not feel right. Lu Wei sighed, realising what it was that Yunlu was doing here. He shook his head, before turning to her. That was a reasonable answer, yes, but one that Lu Wei did not believe was an official one. No lord would send their own children as surveyors of another lord's land, especially one that could become a battlefield.

"Your father does not know you are here, does he?"

He inquired, to the point and stern. That was a dangerous move. As grateful as he was for the Gods sending her here, he now feared for her safety. He instinctively reached for her hand and was about to ask her to head back to her father's capital, when she inquired him as to his destination.

"Where were you out there? Where were you headed?"
"... I was on my way to Xin Ye, to enlist myself under the flag of Liu Bei, but Yuan Shao's troops forced me to make a roundabout through An Ding..."

... Oh, yes, he still held her hand.

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Tagged: Ma Yunlu
Music: Closer To The Edge, by 30 Seconds To Mars
Notes: Cue awkward moment.

[Ma Yunlu]

Ma Yunlu didn't think he would be able to read between her words, but he was smart and was able to do so with ease. Ma Yunlu didn't believe herself to be in any danger. She dressed in a commoners attire and took care to travel outside of villages. No one here seemed to recognize her upon entry. She felt no fear coming here, but she knew her father would give her an earful if he knew.

"He has no clue I'm here."

She winked, a playful smile on her face. Ma Yunlu didn't care, she would be fine and if she was to be recognized, she knew a way to get back home undetected. She had made sure to find such a route upon coming to these lands. Ma Yunlu did not expect for him to reach for her hand, but she welcomed it and did not shrug him off. It still hadn't fully registered in her mind what he had done.

"Such unfortunate circumstance, will this be a large set back on your plans?"

He had gone to a place even further than where he started and she felt bad for him. Ma Yunlu wanted to do something to aide him on his continuation of his journey, but there was nothing that came to mind.

Ma Yunlu looked down to her lap, deep in thought, not focusing on their hands. Snapping out of her trance, she finally focused on their hands, her mind processing the situation and a faint flush came to her cheeks. When it came to men, she saw them as comrades in battle, friends or brethren. While she was not opposed to finding a spouse, she never felt a connection with someone before.

Ma Yunlu didn't break her gaze from their hands, the color becoming brighter with every tick of the clock. Finally she pulled her hand up, running her hands through her hair as if she had only pulled away to fix her hair. In reality, she wanted to get rid of the heavy flush on her cheeks and to be rid of the awkwardness that would follow... but it was too late for that...

[Lu Wei]

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"He has no clue I'm here."

That wink, was not exactly really reassuring. Lu Wei sighed, placing his palm upon his forehead as he shook his head. Yeah, well, he did not really have the right to tell her what to do. She was of higher social status than he was, and she had saved his life, furthermore. Of course, to this moment, much to his surprise afterwards, he had not noticed their crossed hands.

"Such unfortunate circumstance, will this be a large set back on your plans?"

Lu Wei looked at her. To his plans? Well, all he had planned to do was live out his father's wish, and he figured marching under Liu Bei was the best way to do that. He never really planned it all properly. For now, his main mission was to get Liu Bei to enlist his service, to accept him by his capabilities and not by his history.

"Well, I'm not really sure. I don't think so. I never had much thought to it. I only managed to plan out to get Liu Bei to enlist me. After that, I have noth-"

He stopped as he felt his hand move, and hers slip out from his grip. His eyes widened, realising then that they had held hands during the whole time, and that it was he who had initiated it. Lu Wei let out an awkward cough, looking away from Yunlu for a moment, noticing the blush on her face and forcing down a chuckle.

That was quite... Adorable.

"I'm sorry, Yunlu. I never realised."

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Tagged: Yunlu
Music: Closer To The Edge, by 30 Seconds To Mars
Notes: Yes, I love this song. xD

[Ma Yunlu]

The blush that stained her cheeks faded away, she could not bring herself to think about what he had said earlier. Some would say that holding hands was nothing more than a way to show gratitude, but having never allowed a man to get that close to her, it was a foreign feeling that she wasn't quite ready for.

"It's alright, do not worry about it."

She showed a genuine smile, then began thinking to the conversation before she pulled her hand away. It would be hard to try and act normally, but she would try; if only to relieve the two of the awkwardness moments before.

Remember, she began thinking about her current situation. Ma Yunlu was not scared for herself. She had taken every precaution, except for telling them where she was exactly. But her home was not too far from here and if she were to be attacked, she would only need to step a foot into their own lands. Still, she could tell by the look on Lu Wei's face that he was not reassured, but she would not attempt to reassure him, but rather change the subject all together.

"Still, it would be more convenient for you if you were to be with future comrades rather than stuck here in bed with company like myself."

Ma Yunlu made it sound as if she considered herself terrible company. If she had been in his situation, she would be hating every moment of being confined to the bed.

With her head bowed just slightly, she wondered if she would ever see Lu Wei again. He was going somewhere far, and at this time she couldn't see herself fighting for anyone other than the man that raised her, her own father. Yes, there have been some things he had done which were questionable, but he was a noble and powerful man and it was honor to fight for him.

Still, she had heard quite a bit about Liu Bei and she respected the man. Could she see herself fighting for someone like that? Yes, he was far better than many of the other corrupt warlords, but to her; her own father was the best.

[Lu Wei]

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"It's alright, do not worry about it."

Well, that's good. Lu Wei coughed, the man turning back to her, that smile returning on his face as the blush on his face too faded away. He truly had not meant to do that, the gesture having being spurred on by the heat of the moment earlier. Of course, he was interrupted by Yunlu afterwards, and forgot about the moment, including him grabbing her hands. However, he knew that the damage had been done nonetheless, and the conversation was now definitely going to be awkward.

"Still, it would be more convenient for you if you were to be with future comrades rather than stuck here in bed with company like myself."

Lu Wei looked at her, letting out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. She probably felt as awkward as he was now after the earlier contact. With that, he would try to calm things down between them. "Do not worry yourself with that, Yunlu. My future comrades are not here yet, and I am more than content with your company." Honestly, gestures of respect like this could actually be easily mistaken as Lu Wei trying to hit on Yunlu. However, having being raised a Eunuch and thus made to recognise himself as somewhat sexless, he was new to social interactions with females. Of course, he was aware of his difference, and had often allowed himself to feel both superior and inferior at the same time. Superior in that he could actually feel that moment of passion with another, the true form of it. And inferior, because he was not a real Eunuch, as much as people saw him to be. And also that he was not raised to know how to deal with women, other than the political way.

Something hit his head, then, as he glanced up, before letting his attention come upon the window of the room, an opening at the top, with wooden bars upon it. The other creature that had saved his life, a being that he too owed his life too. He looked back at Yunlu.

"The horse who saved me... Where is it?"

He wondered if it was hers, but he vaguely remembered her walking to him without a steed. That brought up more questions, of course, like how she actually came here barefooted. Impressive feat, but just as, along with the rest of her actions thus far, risky. Still, he was curious and intrigued as to what had brought the stallion to save his life.

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Tagged: Ma Yunlu
Music: A Prophesy, by Asking Alexandria
Notes: Nyeh~

[Ma Yunlu]

It was easier to just talk without thinking about the earlier awkwardness, the fact that he too continued to talk without bringing it up made it more comfortable and while it was still in mind.

Yunlu did not expect his response and all it did was make the blush she fought against return. Only this time, it was not a blush stemmed from an awkward moment, but from kind words she was not expecting.

"You are great company yourself, but I thank you for your kind words."

Ma Yunlu raised another hand to smooth her hair, a habit she had when in the midst of conversation. His next question made her eyes flicker outside, where the beautiful steed was tied up.

"It awaits outside, such a beautiful horse. It had such a connection with you."

An observation she made earlier in the day. Ma Yunlu could faintly remember the look in the horses eye, how it watched Lu Wei carefully it was a moment she could not describe. At that time, she didn't think about it, but now that she remembered it made her furrow her brow.

"I think.... he was meant to be yours."

Ma Yunlu wasn't sure how to explain it, but there was something there. Had it been his horse? No, he would have mentioned so. He would have called it by it's name if the horse was familiar to him.

[Lu Wei]

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"You are great company yourself, but I thank you for your kind words."

"Haha, me? A bedridden individual who was but a burden to you moments ago and is unable to properly thank you for saving his life? I doubt that, Yunlu."

He chuckled. Of course he was joking. Then again... All jokes were half-meant. Lu Wei did indeed feel guilty for being here, for the more he stayed here, the more Yunlu would have to pay in the end for his expenses. Lu Wei did not have much money, and he still needed some for his travels to Xin Ye. And he could not repay Yunlu too.

"It awaits outside, such a beautiful horse. It had such a connection with you."

Lu Wei followed her gaze, also looking outwards where the said steed was at. A connection, huh? Well, whatever it was, Lu Wei was truly grateful that the horse had wandered its way to him. Otherwise, Yunlu would really have had a lot of trouble carrying him here. Truly, it seemed that the gods had favoured him that day, granting him blessings in the form of an angel and a steed.

"I think.... he was meant to be yours."

"I'm not sure if such a thing exists, Yunlu, but it had saved my life, so I owe it mine too. I'll give it the proper respect and treatment it deserves."

Lu Wei smiled, placing his head back against the pillow, a soft sigh escaping his lips. Despite how the day had started, he found himself actually grateful that the past events had occurred. He had made a friend. His first one. "You have to leave soon, I supposed?"

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Tagged: Ma Yunlu
Music: Closer To The Edge, by 30 Seconds To Mars
Notes: Holy crap hacked internet.

[Ma Yunlu]

Ma Yunlu could not help but join in on his laughter. To see a man in such a state and for him to still laugh was a feat she respected. Still, his joke made her want to protest for even if he did not realize it, he was a good person to talk to.

At his mention of the horse, she turned to look outside once more, it was getting dark and she knew her father would be getting worried at this point. But, she didn't want to leave, she wanted to make sure Lu Wei would be fine. Knowing that she would not be allowed to return tomorrow, she reluctantly nodded knowing that it was indeed time to go.

"Yes I must, my father would not be happy knowing his only daughter had come this far."

She would have to go find her horse which was tied up at the stables in this village. If she made haste, she would be home before the sun had fully set.

Before standing, she placed a hand gently on Lu Wei's shoulder, she wanted to let him know that she would never forget him in the case that she never got to see him again.

"Stay safe, in these times of war no life is assured, not even my own."

Ma Yunlu would fight, she doubted her father would ever let her fight on the front lines with her brother, but in the chance that she did and she did not survive, she wanted Lu Wei to know that now she considered him a friend.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Lu Wei, I do hope that if we meet again, it will be better circumstances."

And she prayed they would not meet on the battlefield as enemies, but rather as ally's. Somehow though, she had a feeling she would be seeing him on the battlefield at somepoint. The heavens must have a reason as to why she met Lu Wei, Ma Yunlu did not believe in coincidences... there was a purpose to everything.

[Lu Wei]

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"Yes I must, my father would not be happy knowing his only daughter had come this far."

Lu Wei nodded his head in agreement. Ah, fatherhood. Such a cherished bond to have. Lu Wei let out a soft chuckle, before breaking into a sigh. His father. Oh, he missed him. How he used to smile every time Lu Wei performed well during combat trainings. How he always received praises from the other Eunuchs and made his father proud. How he always was there to protect Lu Wei, even if the man was in the wrong.

Lu Wei turned back to Ma Yunlu as he felt her hand on his bare shoulder, looking up at her then, that soft smile coming back to his face.

"Stay safe, in these times of war no life is assured, not even my own."

"You too, Ma Yunlu. With all due respect, I forbid you from falling in battle until I have repaid the favour, and even after that."

Lu Wei smirked, knowing that the chances of them meeting once more in the battlefield was as great as otherwise. Whether it was under the same banner, or opposing, Lu Wei was also unsure, but one way or another, the ironic gears of war would definitely drag them to each other once more.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Lu Wei, I do hope that if we meet again, it will be better circumstances."
"So do I, Yunlu. Have a safe journey home, please."

He gave her the greeting as she left the room, Lu Wei watching her depart, that smile plastered upon his face. And as soon as she was gone, he looked over at the mask laid at the corner of the room. Well... Looks like his life would not be as dark as he had expected it to be. Of course, he was aware that it was just the beginning of his journey, but nonetheless...

"Yeah, we'll meet again."

He smiled softly to himself, before leaning his head back, a soft groan escaping his lips as he allowed himself to be lulled to sleep by exhaustion, his last thoughts lingering upon Ma Yunlu.

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Tagged: Ma Yunlu
Music: New Divide, by Linkin Park
Notes: Thread is ovar! =D

[Ma Yunlu]

Ma Yunlu could not make any promises, if her father were to fight another battle, she would have to lend her assistance. But, she would try, for his sake, to stay as far away from danger. Smiling, she mustered a weak smile showing that she could not fully promise him such a thing.

"I will... try."

She said finally, it was the best she could do at this point for him. Looking at him one last time, she turned and left walking out and exhaling deeply. Looking at the horse, she placed a hand on its nose, caressing it and smiled.

"And I do hope to see you again dear friend."

The horse made a low sound and she caressed it's mane before leaving. Walking far from the little house and to the stables. Grabbing her own steed she mounted it and made her way home. Lu Wei certainly in mind, but also wondering if there would be consequences for her late arrival home... her father was not going to be too happy with this. But in the end, she felt like it was worth it. Meeting someone whom she could see become a great friend.