Eat You Alive (Liu Biao, Liu Zhang, Shu)

[Guan Yu]

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"No religion, what I follow is my feet."

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”No psalms. As far as holy water goes; I would be the bath.

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Xuande clutched his nearest head piece, before placing it carefully upon his delicate head. The gentle, delicate man was dressed in his most formal clothes in preparation for a grand meeting. An ultimate feast had been prepared for the two valiant leaders of his clan, Liu Biao and Liu Zhang; both had been summoned to envoke good relations between them all and finally reunite the clan as one. But the teeth of the plan sunk a little deeper than just relations, the previous attemps to cease a healthy condition with Liu Yan had been in vain and a few generals had severed the opportunity. Though at first Liu Bei had been reluctant to agree with his officials, later the evidence had even convinced him. Yan Yan and Zhang Ren, the culprits of this treachery had breached the will of the Heavens and the clan whose blood ran with the Emperor's blood. The appearance of both Liu Biao and Liu Zhang was confirmed from the day Xuande himself had personally sent the envoys to deliever the letter, no doubt both of the leaders would be hostile; however Liu Bei ensured that his generals would be considerate and controlled - revenge had a way of finding its way to the garden gates afterall.

The recently captured city of Yong'an was dressed in its finest, the banners of Liu Biao ran down one side of the main road that lead directly from the gates to the palace of the city whilst Liu Zhang's ran on the opposite side, supporters of Liu Bei, generals and advisors gathered at the head of the government office. Xuande had limited his armed forces to preserve the minds of his Excellency's. The chance of an assassination, ambush or coup was high; Liu Bei meant to cause no harm this day but to seize the relations of Liu Zhang, whilst keeping relations with Liu Biao healthy.

"My liege, are you certain both lords will appear?"

A young vassal of Xuande asked, standing beside him. Doubting that the lords would even acknowledge his call to celebration. The lands of Yong'an and neighouring had been pacified and finally cleansed by the forces of the Han. Liu Bei was hosting a victorious feast not only for his leader, Liu Biao but also for his long lost relative Liu Zhang. Though they had started off on the wrong foot he hoped that they could repair their differences.

"Though Liu Zhang does place the blame of the assassination attempt upon my shoulders; he is known well for his forgiveness. It would be rude and unusual for him to disregard family members.. no doubt his officers that caused us trouble before hand will also make an appearance."

Liu Bei nodded to man, stroking his face. Revenge wasn't a flavour that Liu Bei held. Revenge was to be taken through peace, he'd rather a man admit his mistakes, than for Liu Bei punish them personally. Afterall a man in search of revenge should dig two graves.

"Bring me as much silk, gold and wine as you can carry, let us greet these heroes with gifts worthy of their names and legacies!"

Liu Bei announced to the public, who followed him gracefully and obediantly. All bearing gifts beyond measure, surely something that would appease even the most virtuous of lords.



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[Adam]

Zhao Yun
Tiger General of Liu Bei

Elevate to new height, step on the gas and accelerate
I'mma need two mics
'Cuz the way that I'm feelin' tonight, everything I can just do right
There's nothing that I can do wrong
I'm too strong and I'm just too hyped
Just finished the rhyming bust it, excuse the corny metaphor
But they'll never catch up to all this energy that I've mustered
So God just help me out while I fight through this grievin' process
Tryna process this loss is makin' me nauseous

The Setup

Somewhere in Yong An

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The cloaked figure walked down the dark corridor, head bowed so as if anyone were to stumble upon him and a quick getaway were needed, his face would be unseen and he’d remain unknown. The hood cleverly cast a shadow over his facial features and gave the secondary effect of producing a very intimidating look, even more as his heavy boots proceeded an echo of thuds on the stone floor.

Turning the corner a grin quickly spread on the face of the mysterious character as his vision picked up the person whom he sought after. “I trust you have them ready...?” The familar voice spoke up through the mouth of the hooded man. With slowly raising hands, Zhao Yun revealed himself, letting the hood rest on his back once again.

“Yes Master, any and all loyalists to Liu Biao or Liu Zhang have been sniffed out and removed from the palace guards, our men have taken their place. Are we to eliminate our Lord’s enemies?”

“No.” Zilong quickly interjected, “Lord Xuande wants the targets turned to our side, or at the very least their deceit against us put into the open for all to hear. Keep vigilant, but do not act out of place, if any danger occurs I will be the person to take the first action.”

“Of course, master.”[/size]


On Course

Banquet Hall[/i]

The food was having the finishing touches added, as too were the decorations having one final look over before the guests would arrive. Zhao Yun too was anxiously watching everything move along, stuck in the hall for the last hour or more, dedicating his time to making sure things went ahead without any sniff of a problem from the start.

Whilst placing himself in the middle of the banquets security, Zhao Yun bore no resemblance of such a task, dressed in his finest attire, elegant, though marking his place as a mere vassal. He was to be Liu Bei’s double edges sword on the night, the charming and seemingly intelligent officer, though as ever ready to handle a difficult situation if one arose, a master of unarmed combat, he did however have some of his most trusted personnel close by, should anything go in an unwanted path.

He moved down the steps of the palace hall and sat upon one of them, crossing his arms and sighing as his head continued to spin with thoughts, good and bad, on-top and off, however much he seemed to try and stay sane, he felt the tug on his brain, attempting as always to throw him off deck.

With a brush through his hair he refound his composure; free time away from his liege or collegues always a way for Zilong to lose his mind, he called for a guard. “With his arrival, bring Ma Chao to me, his temper will need to be controlled...” He’d have also called for Zhang Fei’s but then again how could he order a general of his own rank and even more the oath brother of Zhao Yun’s lord, such disrespect would get him no where.[/size]

Tags: Liu Bei’s, Liu Biao’s and Liu Zhang’s Forces
Colours: Zhao Yun-be7e00
Lyrics: You’re Never Over by Eminem
Notes: I still continue to play with this almost-cultist idea I have with Zhao Yun’s subplot. Lets get this show on the road anyway fellas![/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Sol]

Chapter 1

Joint Arms

There are many things that we would throw away if we were not afraid that others might pick them up

Eyes lost in a gaze, thoughts fluttered in trails of past events. A tantalized Ma Chao stationed himself to his quarters for meditations. His body rested at a window ledge to be lost in the energetic scenery. Puzzled at the same time relief, immoveable to his new lord’s goal yet broken in personal resolve. He felt out of place, yet his gut made it clear he was destined to shatter boundaries for Liu Bei’s dreams.

A sigh left Ma Chao’s lips in regards of his unstable mind. The line between sanity and insanity grew thinner each day for the spear of justice; nonetheless he was still Ma Chao the splendid. He wouldn’t let his trauma stop his lord’s goal. His eyes shortly strayed towards a near cabinet; it was followed with receiving a letter he sought to avoid. Sentences began to lose focus as his view lingered along the ink, trundling his mind to more personal concerns.

”Lord Ma Chao, a reminder that your expected to attend Mater Liu Bei’s banquet…I also brought the robe you wish to wear to thee event, may I enter?”

His voice somewhat gave way, but nearly left an uncertainty as he admired the view out his window ”Please, come in…. preparations must be made now, if I’m to attend this event” allowing the mistress into his quarters, he began to recite mentally on those he held close to him, all their wisdom would prove brighten the road he would later have to journey

All officials gathered about in engagements of food and drinks, laughers heard simultaneous among the halls. Mengqi found himself rather out of place, as much as he greeted several of the guests and friends alike with modest manners. His attire resembled the very peach Gardens stationed around the court yards. It brought warmth to those that admired delicate colors, but it was held opposite to Ma Chao’s true being. All that nudged his mind was to please Liu Bei as well avoid any unwanted conversations with the soon to be drunk gathering.

While sinking deeper through the crowd, he recognized a familiar aura encountered since the battle of Yong An. Before he could even scan his surroundings, a figure graced his ear with a brief message in motion of passing him, swiftly undetected for none to notice. A nod was made in acknowledgement that he was already expected by the same man.

To the little Dragon’s sensitivity, it would be obvious that the man he sought was near as his name sounded. ” Master Zhao Yun, I trust you’ve been well” Mengqi showed his respect with a slight bow before turning to view their surroundings. Respect was nothing less towards the dragon concerning any aspect about him. The back bone of Shu only reserved to one name, and it was Zilong. Something Ma Chao could never take away from….but even so, Mengqi has caused some disturbance in preferences of all soldiers due to the duel between the two that happen in Yong An. Gossips within the camp has stated that Ma Chao may prove to best Zhao Yun, and since then caused friendly tension.

Personally Ma Chao knew deep down that he couldn’t even be on par with Zilong, due to his mental suffering. But within radius of the famed general, he could sense this strange atmosphere around the dragon. A stench left by the dark paths they both struggle to block Liu Bei from seeing. He didn’t dare to pressure him on it, for the matter that Zhao Yun could probably sense the same for him. folding his arms with hands locked in opposite sleeves, he stood and awaited his long friends response and what he needed to talk to him about…he only hoped mentioning of his behaviors would be avoided. He had his reasoning, and he would continue until he found the answers he was looking for