[Sasazuka could be bangry? But he's probably not because he's holding knifeplay, unless Francy's about to suddenly announce he's into knifeplay.
Anyway. As he stalks towards them, his appearance will flicker—once in a while, it'll look as if his head is bashed in, before he returns to normal. Back in, back out.
Once he's close enough, he lunges for Gu Yun.
It's worth mentioning that you're all still Demans, so even putting any combat expertise, this is, like, nothing for Gu Yun.]
yeah gu yun is. really, really extremely good at combat. it's like kind of his thing. the head being bashed in thing is odd, but gu yun doesn't even take the time to process it before his instincts kick in. he steps around sasazuka when he lunges, drops his weight, grabs his tiny little twink arm holding the knife at the arm and elbow and fucking throws him over his shoulder and to the ground. he was really just trying to disarm him, not throw him, but, hey. deman strength is new and exciting, i guess.
he recovers quickly from the new strength (that's gonna be an adjustment) and steps on sasazuka's chest, not hard enough to crush, but applying pressure to keep him there. ]
What the hell am I doing? You're the one who killed me, asshole!
[Sasazuka struggles for a bit, before he... just phases out of Gu Yun's grip? He may or may not be a spoopy ghost, after Gu Yun just kind of murdered him at the start.
[ gu yun's foot hits the ground when he just vanishes like that.
he picks up the knife, though, because he's not gonna let sasazuka keep that, even if he is a spoopy ghost. does it also phase through his hand? seemed real enough when he tried to stab him with it a second ago! his gaze stays on ghost sasazuka just in case he tries it again...
...and in the process, he's just now realizing what the bashed in head thing is - he pauses, briefly, and then frowns. ]
Stop complaining, you aren't actually dead - none of that was even real.
[Sasazuka frowns, though there's something upset in his expression besides simple anger.]
... Back then, you thought it was real enough. Saying it's fine because you believe now that it was fake—is that really enough to not feel any guilt?
[The knife was tangible, but then it suddenly phases through Gu Yun's hand, flying through the air before it ends up in Sasazuka's grip again. He watches them warily.]
[ well, he's not going to say "i couldn't tell it was you". that's a flimsy excuse, even if it is true, and... does not knowing change his answer, at all? the instructions given in that moment were just survive.
as the knife disappears, he steps back, still tense and ready to fight - but gu yun's expression is as cold as ice. it's the ruthless marquis of order, who's won thousands of battles. ]
It's nothing personal, Sasazuka. [ survive. ] You were just as complacent in attacking me, too.
[ Primrose remains where she is, gaze dark and assessing. This isn't really her conversation (accusation?) to participate in, so she really only speaks once Gu Yun has finished. ]
You do what you must, to continue on. Had it been me in your stead, I would have faced that hostility as well.
[Sasazuka stares right back, his expression cold as well despite being horribly outmatched. he at least lowers the hand holding the knife, indicating he's not going to attack... at the moment.]
So would you kill me again, right here and now, if it meant "continuing on"? Getting out of here?
anyway. everyone is so obsessed with answers! ] If I don’t have to kill you, I’d rather not. [ but. ] But I will not die here. My graveyard lies on a battlefield, not this place— if you leave me no choice, I’ll do what needs to be done.
[This fake and very OOC, sorry Francy, Sasazuka looks at them for a bit, before sighing.]
... Well, it's not the worst answer.
[He meets their eyes again.]
Between the Third Prince and Yusufa, the two of you are probably pretty used to others dying for your sake.
[For a moment, Sasazuka's appearance shifts—to Li Feng, bloodied and beaten as well, which likely makes it clear who else it was that Gu Yun killed. Then, he vanishes, leaving nothing behind but what might be a familiar steam lamp to Gu Yun.
All is silent, though it doesn't last. Not long after, the two of them will hear the sound of frantic footsteps coming from an alleyway.]
[ it's funny. gu yun's pretty unflappable - suddenly turn him blind and deaf and into a child, and he doesn't react. have him attacked by dogs, he barely reacts. put him in front of a giant goat monster? nothing. have him face the clear fact that he beat the shit out of one of the people in their little participant game? whoops. unfortunate, but, things have to happen.
but that comment about the third prince is the first thing that gets something - there's a moment where gu yun takes a single, sharp breath, the tension in his back going rigid.
the third prince comment comes first - (it felt like his fault, even if he was sick, and gu yun didn't do anything - a-yan was so young, and everyone around him just seemed to die and die - ) and then, a second later his brother appears, head smashed in. two members of the royal family that gu yun's been so tightly intertwined with his entire life.
he's left staring, stone faced at the lamp when sasazuka vanishes, a fierce, ice cold anger overtaking his entire face before he strides forward, footsteps fierce and confident, and grabs the lamp by its handle, turning back towards the sound of footsteps, back on his guard. that's how we're going to play, is it? fine. ]
[Out comes... ambiguously one of Gu Yun's subordinates involved in the smuggling. He pauses when he sees him, posture snapping into a salute or. whatever gesture of respect they make in Gu Yun's army, I'm sorry.]
Marshal Gu! It's an emergency back there! The authorities have caught onto us—the smuggling...!
[This is probably not how soldiers talk, and Primrose is, like, right there and hearing all of this but it's fine. The subordinate still looks very concerned? Help?]
[ as gu yun is coming up behind primrose at a more leisurely pace, some part of him immediately thinks: did you not just see his highness? apparently i bashed his brains in. ]
At ease. [ gu yun says automatically, waving off the salute and glancing to primrose for a moment. another trick, hmm. ] Looks like more trouble. You wouldn't happen to know the place we're in, currently, would you? This isn't Great Liang.
[ he glances back to the soldier, now, folding his hands behind his back. they could at least go to the trouble of illusioning him into his armor, couldn't they!! jeez!! besides that, though, he's every bit the picture of the proud marshal, still holding the lantern loosely in his hand. ] Did anyone see you?
[ Wow, Gu Yun sure is popular. Primrose glances between him and the soldier, expression one of faint confusion, because. Well. What smuggling? Authorities?
She can answer one of the questions, though, nudging him and lowering her voice. ]
This is Sunshade. A desert town that houses one of the more well-known pleasure districts.
[Before Subordinate #1 can answer, another subordinate comes running out! Primrose is right, Gu Yun is popular. They're just popping out of the snow here. Like daisies!]
Trouble! We have to get out of here, now—
[But then there's a bang, and Subordinate #2 drops dead, an arrow embedded in him. Emerging from where he came are two more people, but they're not Gu Yun's lackeys, this time.
One of the two steps forward, holding a blade.]
Don't run, Marshal Gu. Your actions have already been reported to the Emperor, so there's nowhere for you go. [They shake their head.] You should know that what you're doing is a crime. After all, you've cracked down on people doing the exact same thing, haven't you?
But nothing personal, right? We all have to make a living. Feed ourselves and our families, and all.
[The other one stays back, wielding an explosive-powered bow that she points at Gu Yun. However, her face will be familiar to Primrose. She resembles... Yusufa?
Either way, despite these two being armed—and better than with a knife, compared to Sasazuka—Gu Yun and Primrose will get the sense that they still pose no real threat. Not for a lack of intention, but in terms of combat.]
gu yun watches one of his black eagles fall, and instantly puts himself in front of the first subordinate who ran out, regarding the person that's threatening him. he doesn't recognize her face, this time, or her style of dress, but it doesn't matter. that cold flint to his eyes remains, his shoulders back, back straight.
first, he speaks quietly, just loud enough to be heard by primrose. ] That's a baihu arrow. The speed of it will be much faster than a crossbow, if it's launched. [ and then, returns his attention back to the woman in front of them. his brows furrow, and gu yun lifts his chin and speaks loudly, his voice ringing out. ]
When have I run from anything? His Highness in his wisdom will grant the Black Iron Camp enough ziliujin to run, but not enough to fight? [ the words he speaks loud enough to be heard are as sharp and fierce as you'd expect from gu yun, the marquis of order. there's no hesitation to a single syllable. ] My duty is to protect Great Liang and the people of it, and I bear no shame in taking what we need to continue to do so. His Highness has proclaimed that the Black Iron Camp can bear the brunt of the burden of defending our nation alone, after all, and this Marquis will not fail his orders. Shall I prioritize one over the other?
I have no interest in running away from anything. Leave the rest of the Black Eagles out of it - they know nothing, only that their Armors are powered enough that they can continue to do their job. I am the one you want to punish, the one who has smuggled ziliujin, so punish me.
[ if you dare to, really. these people aren't real; this is just an illusion. gu yun would willingly admit to this crime if he was caught in reality, too, but right now, the sharp edge of that honest word rings out like a challenge. ]
[ Ah. So basically, keep a sharp eye on it. Why someone like Yusufa wields it, she doesn't know, but Primrose lifts her chin nonetheless, giving no sign that the woman holding the bow is a familiar face.
She'll let Gu Yun have his speech, instead shifting into a more aggressive stance by his side.
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[ What's a twink like him doing in the pleasure district, he's angry, not... bangry. ]
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Anyway. As he stalks towards them, his appearance will flicker—once in a while, it'll look as if his head is bashed in, before he returns to normal. Back in, back out.
Once he's close enough, he lunges for Gu Yun.
It's worth mentioning that you're all still Demans, so even putting any combat expertise, this is, like, nothing for Gu Yun.]
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yeah gu yun is. really, really extremely good at combat. it's like kind of his thing. the head being bashed in thing is odd, but gu yun doesn't even take the time to process it before his instincts kick in. he steps around sasazuka when he lunges, drops his weight, grabs his tiny little twink arm holding the knife at the arm and elbow and fucking throws him over his shoulder and to the ground. he was really just trying to disarm him, not throw him, but, hey. deman strength is new and exciting, i guess.
he recovers quickly from the new strength (that's gonna be an adjustment) and steps on sasazuka's chest, not hard enough to crush, but applying pressure to keep him there. ]
What the hell are you doing?
[ DON'T BRING A TWINK TO A MILITARY FIGHT? ]
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[ Oh but then he lunges and Primrose sidesteps to avoid getting caught up in this and probably slowing Gu Yun down.
She's not too concerned, she's seen him fight even without the new power. ]
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What the hell am I doing? You're the one who killed me, asshole!
[Sasazuka struggles for a bit, before he... just phases out of Gu Yun's grip? He may or may not be a spoopy ghost, after Gu Yun just kind of murdered him at the start.
He looks over to Primrose.]
Why are you helping him?
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he picks up the knife, though, because he's not gonna let sasazuka keep that, even if he is a spoopy ghost. does it also phase through his hand? seemed real enough when he tried to stab him with it a second ago! his gaze stays on ghost sasazuka just in case he tries it again...
...and in the process, he's just now realizing what the bashed in head thing is - he pauses, briefly, and then frowns. ]
Stop complaining, you aren't actually dead - none of that was even real.
[ wow? ]
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[ Okay, she seems to have grasped the situation... though when Sasazuka addresses her, she frowns. ]
It's as he says... you are not real. Is there then a reason I should not stand beside him?
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... Back then, you thought it was real enough. Saying it's fine because you believe now that it was fake—is that really enough to not feel any guilt?
[The knife was tangible, but then it suddenly phases through Gu Yun's hand, flying through the air before it ends up in Sasazuka's grip again. He watches them warily.]
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as the knife disappears, he steps back, still tense and ready to fight - but gu yun's expression is as cold as ice. it's the ruthless marquis of order, who's won thousands of battles. ]
It's nothing personal, Sasazuka. [ survive. ] You were just as complacent in attacking me, too.
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You do what you must, to continue on. Had it been me in your stead, I would have faced that hostility as well.
[ COMFORTING??? ]
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So would you kill me again, right here and now, if it meant "continuing on"? Getting out of here?
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You seem a bit transparent for that. [ that’s not an answer, sir ]
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Sazazuka, in the distance: I'M NOT DEAD
Primrose: SOMETIMES I CAN STILL HEAR HIS VOICE ]
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If you want to proceed, you'll have to give me a real response.
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anyway. everyone is so obsessed with answers! ] If I don’t have to kill you, I’d rather not. [ but. ] But I will not die here. My graveyard lies on a battlefield, not this place— if you leave me no choice, I’ll do what needs to be done.
[ for his country, for his home. ]
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If I had no choice, I would kill you but carry your memory onwards.
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... Well, it's not the worst answer.
[He meets their eyes again.]
Between the Third Prince and Yusufa, the two of you are probably pretty used to others dying for your sake.
[For a moment, Sasazuka's appearance shifts—to Li Feng, bloodied and beaten as well, which likely makes it clear who else it was that Gu Yun killed. Then, he vanishes, leaving nothing behind but what might be a familiar steam lamp to Gu Yun.
All is silent, though it doesn't last. Not long after, the two of them will hear the sound of frantic footsteps coming from an alleyway.]
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but that comment about the third prince is the first thing that gets something - there's a moment where gu yun takes a single, sharp breath, the tension in his back going rigid.
the third prince comment comes first - (it felt like his fault, even if he was sick, and gu yun didn't do anything - a-yan was so young, and everyone around him just seemed to die and die - ) and then, a second later his brother appears, head smashed in. two members of the royal family that gu yun's been so tightly intertwined with his entire life.
he's left staring, stone faced at the lamp when sasazuka vanishes, a fierce, ice cold anger overtaking his entire face before he strides forward, footsteps fierce and confident, and grabs the lamp by its handle, turning back towards the sound of footsteps, back on his guard. that's how we're going to play, is it? fine. ]
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But she says nothing else. All she does is rest a hand on Gu Yun's back when he stiffens, but as soon as she hears the footsteps she--
... Takes off running towards them. Maybe she just wants to get this over with. ]
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Marshal Gu! It's an emergency back there! The authorities have caught onto us—the smuggling...!
[This is probably not how soldiers talk, and Primrose is, like, right there and hearing all of this but it's fine. The subordinate still looks very concerned? Help?]
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At ease. [ gu yun says automatically, waving off the salute and glancing to primrose for a moment. another trick, hmm. ] Looks like more trouble. You wouldn't happen to know the place we're in, currently, would you? This isn't Great Liang.
[ he glances back to the soldier, now, folding his hands behind his back. they could at least go to the trouble of illusioning him into his armor, couldn't they!! jeez!! besides that, though, he's every bit the picture of the proud marshal, still holding the lantern loosely in his hand. ] Did anyone see you?
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She can answer one of the questions, though, nudging him and lowering her voice. ]
This is Sunshade. A desert town that houses one of the more well-known pleasure districts.
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Trouble! We have to get out of here, now—
[But then there's a bang, and Subordinate #2 drops dead, an arrow embedded in him. Emerging from where he came are two more people, but they're not Gu Yun's lackeys, this time.
One of the two steps forward, holding a blade.]
Don't run, Marshal Gu. Your actions have already been reported to the Emperor, so there's nowhere for you go. [They shake their head.] You should know that what you're doing is a crime. After all, you've cracked down on people doing the exact same thing, haven't you?
But nothing personal, right? We all have to make a living. Feed ourselves and our families, and all.
[The other one stays back, wielding an explosive-powered bow that she points at Gu Yun. However, her face will be familiar to Primrose. She resembles... Yusufa?
Either way, despite these two being armed—and better than with a knife, compared to Sasazuka—Gu Yun and Primrose will get the sense that they still pose no real threat. Not for a lack of intention, but in terms of combat.]
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gu yun watches one of his black eagles fall, and instantly puts himself in front of the first subordinate who ran out, regarding the person that's threatening him. he doesn't recognize her face, this time, or her style of dress, but it doesn't matter. that cold flint to his eyes remains, his shoulders back, back straight.
first, he speaks quietly, just loud enough to be heard by primrose. ] That's a baihu arrow. The speed of it will be much faster than a crossbow, if it's launched. [ and then, returns his attention back to the woman in front of them. his brows furrow, and gu yun lifts his chin and speaks loudly, his voice ringing out. ]
When have I run from anything? His Highness in his wisdom will grant the Black Iron Camp enough ziliujin to run, but not enough to fight? [ the words he speaks loud enough to be heard are as sharp and fierce as you'd expect from gu yun, the marquis of order. there's no hesitation to a single syllable. ] My duty is to protect Great Liang and the people of it, and I bear no shame in taking what we need to continue to do so. His Highness has proclaimed that the Black Iron Camp can bear the brunt of the burden of defending our nation alone, after all, and this Marquis will not fail his orders. Shall I prioritize one over the other?
I have no interest in running away from anything. Leave the rest of the Black Eagles out of it - they know nothing, only that their Armors are powered enough that they can continue to do their job. I am the one you want to punish, the one who has smuggled ziliujin, so punish me.
[ if you dare to, really. these people aren't real; this is just an illusion. gu yun would willingly admit to this crime if he was caught in reality, too, but right now, the sharp edge of that honest word rings out like a challenge. ]
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She'll let Gu Yun have his speech, instead shifting into a more aggressive stance by his side.
Come at her, too. It's fine. ]
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