Shadowwind
Araevis' Lead Ecologist
WC: 1169
A slight breeze overtook the small courtyard in the Rukongai. The air was temperate as the first hints of spring worked their way into the small compound which held the houses of Fu and Yin. The afternoon had just begun and in the yard two boys, one seven the other a year younger, stood testing each other. Each of the duo had a small branch plunked from the cherry blossom tree they were fighting under. The rift that appeared in the area caused each to jump clear away.
After a moment, the boys’ uncle emerged into the small courtyard. A lab coat rustled as the man adjusted himself to the new surroundings. “Uncle Yin!” The littlest boy said smiling and running up to the bandaged researcher which had just appeared in the middle of the house. In a move that would have shocked most, the young boy leapt up into his uncle’s arms.
The researcher gave a small smile, “I see you two are hard at work,” he spun the child around before putting him back on the ground. The elder of the pair opened his mouth to voice an objection but Feng spoke over it, “Will you two run and tell your father and aunt I’m here and need to speak to them?” Each of the boys looked to the other for confirmation on if they should listen. When no move was immediately given, the scientist offered another small incentive to get his nephews to do what he wanted, “If you go quickly I might even teach you something about the sword.”
With that the pair was bounding out of the courtyard after Feng’s siblings, while the researcher himself was casually walking to the family’s meeting room. It was simple and, unlike the rest of the small compound, not meant to be impressive. A set of four small red cushions hugged the ground surrounding a simple wooden table. After a few minutes two servers came into the room setting down three tea cups. One of the servers brought in the still hot tea and filled his cup before leaving after a nod from Feng.
While waiting for the arrivals, the researcher took a small sip from his cup before placing it back down. Feng was just about to recline on the small cushion before the screen door into the room slid open. He instantly bolted upright before beginning to smile, “Radiant as ever Rashima,” the scientist said as soon as the smell of lavender filled the room.
A small restrained laugh came from behind the man as his sister moved around him, “And you haven’t even seen me yet little brother.” The woman took the seat opposite of his after giving him a slight pat on the head. Rashima’s black hair fell halfway down her back, held together in a single ponytail. Her dark green eyes stared levely at Feng, though the man didn’t seem to pay any more heed than he needed to. Her dress was crimson red and gossamer thin, leaving very little the imagination.
Rashima Fu, known within the family as the Mistress of Whispers, was always one to use her carnal abilities to play the Game of Houses. Where Feng used emotionless discourse and their other brother used reason, Rashima never felt a need. A constant smile, a whisper that caused the knees to buckle, many nobles had told every plot they had to her to try to see what little the dress was covering.
Many thought her nothing more than a fool and whore, not realizing that she was perhaps the most cunning of the three siblings. Her constant smile caused many to undervalue the intelligence that lay beneath. It never crossed most people’s minds that Rashima would have been taught along side at least one of her brothers. “I trust you have brought us good news dear brother,” the woman said making small talk. Her voice was honey, the same tone she used to try to extract information from nobles.
The door behind Feng slid open once more and with it came a sigh, “Rashima he’s your brother, please stop trying to seduce him.” The voice was exasperated which rendered Feng unable to stifle his laugh quick enough as the head of House Fu took the seat to the right of the researcher.
“Dear brother,” Rashima said in the same seductive tone, “I am merely ensuring my skills do not sour from disuse.” The woman battered her eyelashes at both brothers. When there was no response she merely rolled her eyes, “Have it your way then I will not hear it when a noble refuses to talk to me.” The sulking voice lost all hints of the seduction as the woman crossed her arms.
The slightest hint of a smirk crossed the house head’s face as he turned toward Feng. Jianyu Fu stood two inches than his younger brother. Where Feng was muscular, the house head’s time dealing with the Game of Houses had rendered him simply lean. There was however one thing the two brothers shared, a pair of gunmetal grey eyes stared casually into Feng’s similar colored one.
Jianyu sat slightly reclining as the emerald and gold silk draped casually around him. However, it appeared far too casually set, as did the man’s hair. It told Feng that the minutes it had taken his brother to arrive here were to allow the man to quickly prepare his appearance. Breaking the researchers concentration Jianyu spoke up, “Now that we have all arrived here mostly dressed,” Feng’s eyes quickly darted to his sister in time to the her cheeks begin to redden. That same smile still clung to her features and the color quickly faded back to her naturally golden tone. What news do you bring that was so important we were both called?” Jianyu finished, his eyes laughing at the embarrassment Rashima was no doubt feeling now.
“Grace and wisdom favors my lord, as he wishes so shall he know,” Feng responded giving a seated bow.This time it was Jianyu’s turn to cringe at the display. It was, of course, the formal address the family had worked out for the public eye. Here however it was used just because Jianyu hated being spoken to so formally when there was no one to judge. Rashima openly laughed at the taunt which only seemed to make the house head more uncomfortable.
Giving a slight cough Feng spoke up again. This time he sounded much more casual when addressing his siblings, “I have done the impossible dear family.” To further drive home the point Feng paused before taking a sip of his tea. Both of the researcher’s siblings leaned forward, Jianyu’s face speaking towards his uncertainty while Rashima held back none of the ambition that was glowing in her eyes.
“We have allied ourselves, unofficially ofcourse, with House Amaterasu of Western Seireitei.” The scientist smiled openly at just how far both of his sibling’s jaws had dropped.
A slight breeze overtook the small courtyard in the Rukongai. The air was temperate as the first hints of spring worked their way into the small compound which held the houses of Fu and Yin. The afternoon had just begun and in the yard two boys, one seven the other a year younger, stood testing each other. Each of the duo had a small branch plunked from the cherry blossom tree they were fighting under. The rift that appeared in the area caused each to jump clear away.
After a moment, the boys’ uncle emerged into the small courtyard. A lab coat rustled as the man adjusted himself to the new surroundings. “Uncle Yin!” The littlest boy said smiling and running up to the bandaged researcher which had just appeared in the middle of the house. In a move that would have shocked most, the young boy leapt up into his uncle’s arms.
The researcher gave a small smile, “I see you two are hard at work,” he spun the child around before putting him back on the ground. The elder of the pair opened his mouth to voice an objection but Feng spoke over it, “Will you two run and tell your father and aunt I’m here and need to speak to them?” Each of the boys looked to the other for confirmation on if they should listen. When no move was immediately given, the scientist offered another small incentive to get his nephews to do what he wanted, “If you go quickly I might even teach you something about the sword.”
With that the pair was bounding out of the courtyard after Feng’s siblings, while the researcher himself was casually walking to the family’s meeting room. It was simple and, unlike the rest of the small compound, not meant to be impressive. A set of four small red cushions hugged the ground surrounding a simple wooden table. After a few minutes two servers came into the room setting down three tea cups. One of the servers brought in the still hot tea and filled his cup before leaving after a nod from Feng.
While waiting for the arrivals, the researcher took a small sip from his cup before placing it back down. Feng was just about to recline on the small cushion before the screen door into the room slid open. He instantly bolted upright before beginning to smile, “Radiant as ever Rashima,” the scientist said as soon as the smell of lavender filled the room.
A small restrained laugh came from behind the man as his sister moved around him, “And you haven’t even seen me yet little brother.” The woman took the seat opposite of his after giving him a slight pat on the head. Rashima’s black hair fell halfway down her back, held together in a single ponytail. Her dark green eyes stared levely at Feng, though the man didn’t seem to pay any more heed than he needed to. Her dress was crimson red and gossamer thin, leaving very little the imagination.
Rashima Fu, known within the family as the Mistress of Whispers, was always one to use her carnal abilities to play the Game of Houses. Where Feng used emotionless discourse and their other brother used reason, Rashima never felt a need. A constant smile, a whisper that caused the knees to buckle, many nobles had told every plot they had to her to try to see what little the dress was covering.
Many thought her nothing more than a fool and whore, not realizing that she was perhaps the most cunning of the three siblings. Her constant smile caused many to undervalue the intelligence that lay beneath. It never crossed most people’s minds that Rashima would have been taught along side at least one of her brothers. “I trust you have brought us good news dear brother,” the woman said making small talk. Her voice was honey, the same tone she used to try to extract information from nobles.
The door behind Feng slid open once more and with it came a sigh, “Rashima he’s your brother, please stop trying to seduce him.” The voice was exasperated which rendered Feng unable to stifle his laugh quick enough as the head of House Fu took the seat to the right of the researcher.
“Dear brother,” Rashima said in the same seductive tone, “I am merely ensuring my skills do not sour from disuse.” The woman battered her eyelashes at both brothers. When there was no response she merely rolled her eyes, “Have it your way then I will not hear it when a noble refuses to talk to me.” The sulking voice lost all hints of the seduction as the woman crossed her arms.
The slightest hint of a smirk crossed the house head’s face as he turned toward Feng. Jianyu Fu stood two inches than his younger brother. Where Feng was muscular, the house head’s time dealing with the Game of Houses had rendered him simply lean. There was however one thing the two brothers shared, a pair of gunmetal grey eyes stared casually into Feng’s similar colored one.
Jianyu sat slightly reclining as the emerald and gold silk draped casually around him. However, it appeared far too casually set, as did the man’s hair. It told Feng that the minutes it had taken his brother to arrive here were to allow the man to quickly prepare his appearance. Breaking the researchers concentration Jianyu spoke up, “Now that we have all arrived here mostly dressed,” Feng’s eyes quickly darted to his sister in time to the her cheeks begin to redden. That same smile still clung to her features and the color quickly faded back to her naturally golden tone. What news do you bring that was so important we were both called?” Jianyu finished, his eyes laughing at the embarrassment Rashima was no doubt feeling now.
“Grace and wisdom favors my lord, as he wishes so shall he know,” Feng responded giving a seated bow.This time it was Jianyu’s turn to cringe at the display. It was, of course, the formal address the family had worked out for the public eye. Here however it was used just because Jianyu hated being spoken to so formally when there was no one to judge. Rashima openly laughed at the taunt which only seemed to make the house head more uncomfortable.
Giving a slight cough Feng spoke up again. This time he sounded much more casual when addressing his siblings, “I have done the impossible dear family.” To further drive home the point Feng paused before taking a sip of his tea. Both of the researcher’s siblings leaned forward, Jianyu’s face speaking towards his uncertainty while Rashima held back none of the ambition that was glowing in her eyes.
“We have allied ourselves, unofficially ofcourse, with House Amaterasu of Western Seireitei.” The scientist smiled openly at just how far both of his sibling’s jaws had dropped.