A New Home (Yi)

[Sima Shi]

Peace and quiet, hasn't anyone around these parts heard of that?

All through the morning the buzz of mindless chatter filled the halls, filling every crevice and crack in the castle with mind-numbing noise. If it wasn't the servants who came and left, scuttling about in a hurry to complete their given tasks, it was the stray officer who wandered back in to perhaps find a change of clothes or pick up a forgotten belonging - the others had left for training, to the barracks, or to the town where which they would find activities for their leisure; none had yet returned to rest.

He was annoyed with it all, he wanted to think, but the noise! Every click, every scratch, it drilled deep into his head, like the sound of canon fire on a clear day. It made it near impossible to complete his task... The teen sighed, placing down the scroll he had attempted to read on the nearby table. It was of no use, he was never going to get anything done this way. Tired eyes wandered to the window, envious gaze coming to rest on a pair of chirping bluebirds. Why couldn't human life be as peaceful, as free? "It would have been nice if it were..." 

A muttered wish, filled with longing and want. But he knew it couldn't ever be that simple...except maybe for the villagers, those who would never need to face the sting of war. Sometimes he envied them... Eyes wander to the door, and soundless steps later the young man finds himself lingering by his father's bedroom, hand hovering over the door. He wondered if he should enter, and disturb his father's rest, or if he should leave, and let his father sleep. Yet, what if he...? The thought trailed off as he shook his head. No, it was too early to think of that. There was still a chance, wasn't there? But... he couldn't shake the feeling in his heart.

"Father?" A tentative voice fills rises over the slow hum of the morning, followed by the gentle click of the door. The elder male's head turns, and Shi finds himself staring at the blue orbs filled with pain...and yet at the same time happiness. He was sometimes amazed at how his father could still find the strength to smile while he was so sick. "How do you fare today?"

Sima Lang shakes his head, the usual 'not much different, but just you wait, I'll get better, you'll see.' as his reply. Shi smiles, a light laugh leaving his lips and he grasps his father's weathered hands. "And what of breakfast? I trust the servants haven't forgotten again?" Shi recalls the first few days of their time here, when the task of delivering breakfast was split between family member and servant - a byproduct of the maids not being used to the new addition to their daily tasks. Of course, they didn't get away with their incompetence scot-free, and within the month they were quick to memorise their new schedules

Lang laughed, one that splintered off into a hacking cough that made Shi wince. 'Oh no, they got it this time. Have been for the past days. Do not worry about me, son, everything will be fine... I do have to wonder, however, if you shouldn't be studying?' A sheepish smile in reply, a nervous laugh. "Well, worry distracted me; I had attempted, but it proved fruitless. I will return to my studies once I returned to my room. However, I do wish to stay and converse for a while longer if you do not mind, father."

Lang nodded - very well, he did want to find out how things fared, anyway. His sickness left him bedridden, and as such he had barely left his room. Since coming to Jin, he had to rely on his family to keep him up to date. It was...irritating, how helpless and useless he felt, but it couldn't be helped. He coughed again, as he recalls the month before, when they hadn't yet joined the banner of the kingdom called 'Jin'.

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(Note: I tried... shhh. Hope you don't mind the post orz)
Sima Yi

[Sima Yi]

Sima Yi quietly entered the bedroom still dressed in his nightclothes. His long, dark hair was not yet tied in a tight knot on the top of his head. The door being held open briefly by a servant, Zhongda swept into the room carrying a tray.

He usually came in the early mornings to visit his brother, bringing tea on a tray for the two of them to share. If he was surprised by Sima Shi's presence, he did not let his emotions show upon his face. Placidly he set the tray aside, and then bent forward at the waist, his hands within his sleeves, offering his brother his respects.

"Good Morning, elder brother," Sima Yi said, straightening up once more. He carefully poured tea into a cup and offered it to his brother at his bedside. Sima Lang adjusted himself against the many pillows and bed cushions, then took the cup with a grateful nod. Zhongda returned to the tray, poured the tea into the second cup, but instead of drinking it himself, he gave it to his nephew.

"Sima Shi, I trust that you have finished your interpretation of the Book of Odes? I need not remind you that your uncle, Shuda, has memorized it perfectly. He will examine you this afternoon." Sima Yi said to Shi, the shadow of an impish smile upon his lips. Zhongda knew that Sima Shi had not yet finished his memorization work, but he enjoyed teasing the young man with the specter of an impending examination, if only to test his abilities to perceive deception. Even the ailing Sima Lang could grasp the purpose of his brother's trickery, and smiled knowingly behind his teacup.

Sima Yi moved over towards a nearby window, the dim light of the morning sunlight slowly filling the room. He observed the city of Ye, so different from the city of Luoyang in appearances, but it was afflicted by the same ailments as the capital.

[Sima Shi]

Head turns to the door as it opens, curious eyes staring, waiting, for the newcomer to come in. He already had a sneaking suspicion of who it was who intruded in on the fragile peace they had, but if there was anything he knew, it was that life was full of surprises. Perhaps he would be correct and it would be his uncle who entered, or perhaps he would be wrong and it was another of Jin's officials who had decided to disturb the pair. He could not know for sure until whoever it was entered the room.

"Good morning, uncle." Shi greets, polite as ever as he offers his respects to his elder. His earlier assumption had been right; Sima Yi had been the one to enter the room, a tea tray in his hands. It should have been a given, considering how it was rare for any but the family or servants to pay the sickly Lang a visit. Dropping his father's hand, the young Sima silently slinked off to the side, alert and watching the exchange between the two adults until he was brought into the conversation by his uncle.

"Mmph..." Well, he was not expecting that. Shi blinked, carefully balancing the teacup in hand as he processed his uncle's words. An examination that day by uncle Fu? Mm...if he recalled correctly, based on their prior discussion but a fortnight before (and the letters they had exchanged during), the third eldest of the eight 'Da' was still on his travels, to return only a few days later. "If  I had recalled correctly...Did not uncle Shuda mention he would not be back for yet a couple more days?"

A tentative question as his gaze followed Yi's movements, until he too was watching the rising sun over the city. It was a beautiful sight, what with the sun casting the sky into a magnificent orange, turning the once dull streets into paths paved with gold, and casting long shadows that danced in the city, as if in celebration. The sight made him smile-  for all the differences it had with Luoyang, Ye shared as many similarities.

With smiling locals, pleasant chatter, singing songbirds and the whistling of the rustling leaves in the wind, it was at times like this that the unease of being in a new environment vanished, replaced with a strange sense of belonging...it almost felt as if they had never left their home. The medley of the orchestra of nature and the sounds of humanity simply melded together perfectly to create that feeling. It was comforting, even if he still preferred the calm of nature to the hectic life of the city.

Lang bore a ghost of a smile as he glanced between the two Simas studying the city - he recalled days of his youth when he and Yi had done the same, staring out from their windows to admire the view, at the same time discussing various matters that intrigued them. He remembered when they discussed the fragility of human life, the fickleness of time...when they shared their views on city life and of the nobles...when they talks about everything and anything under the sun. It had been a pleasant life back then, and at times, he would admit - he missed it.

"It is strange how the two cities share so many differences, yet share just enough similarities that they seem to be mirror images, is it not? Ah.. I still remembered when we were children, brother, and when we would spend hours simply discussing and sharing our views on various topics at hand - such as the afflictions of city life."

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(Note: Alright, all i can say is that i forgot my manners when writing this post, so based it off what my own family taught me was polite :/ hope it's not too...off.... also no idea how else to have shi realise so let's have fu on a vacation, yeah? X'D I just blurbed at the end btw...)
Sima Yi

[Sima Yi]

Sima Shi was quick to catch Sima Yi's deception, which pleased Zhongda greatly. Although he would not understand it yet, but such clarity and agility of mind would serve him well in the future when it became necessary for him to lead the Sima after his elder uncles retired. Retirement was an elusive concept, even for Sima Yi. His father set a precedent for his sons by continuing with his duties as minister when men his age often retired from service to enjoy retirement. Either way, he felt confident that the next generation would be in good hands with individuals like Sima Shi acting as its stalwart steward. Even Sima Zhao held potential, despite his bullheadedness.

At his brother's words, Sima Yi turned from the window and swept to his brother's side. Taking one of Sima Lang's hands into his own, Sima Yi offered his brother a reassuring smile. "We will assuredly enjoy those days again, Boda," Sima Yi said. "As I said, the air from the north is fresh and hardy, and it may very well help to improve your constitution."

Zhongda motioned to the window, and the city of Ye beyond. "Soon, we shall take you out of this solemn tomb and you shall rejoin the world of the living."

Sima Yi collected his brother's now empty cup, placing it on the tray and prepared to take his leave. But before doing so, he looked towards Sima Shi and said, "Ziyuan, I would like to speak with you privately. Please meet me in garden shortly."

Sima Yi leaves the room. He will meet Sima Shi in the garden later.

[Sima Shi]

Shi was curious as to why his uncle wished to talk - Yi's tone when he spoke to the younger Sima held a certain gravitas that was often absent in other, simple, day-to-day exchanges the two would have. It begot the coming a rather important and serious discussion...or at least so he thought. Taking a moment to glance at his father - whose kindly smile had still yet to fade - he bowed, muttering an apology and a farewell before starting for the garden. The last he saw of him before he closed the door was a wave from the bedridden man, followed by a farewell coupled with the words of 'hurry up, now, wouldn't want to keep your uncle waiting.' Shi chuckled before moving on.

Stepping out in the cool air and the hot sun was an odd feeling, one that he had yet to get used to. It was disorientating, being both hot and cold at the same time, the skin unable to decide between the caress of the breeze or the warm rays of the sun...still, it was far better than being one or the other. At least they, in a way, canceled each other out. Quietly making his way over to his uncle's side, Shi shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flitting about the garden as he took in the magnificent greenery. It was amazing, seeing how effortless nature made surviving seem - everything was held in balance, and everything existed peacefully and without the need for humanity's care. Unlike buildings, trees and lakes did not need yearly renovations, need not need to be kept updated with the best of new facilities and the like...everything in nature just took care of itself. It was impressive.

"What is it, uncle?" Shi asked, turning his focus to his uncle. He wasted no time getting to point, and he hoped that the elder would not mind. It seemed as if something was on Yi's mind, and if it concerned him, the family or the kingdom, he wished that his uncle would...to put it simply, spit it out. "What's on your mind?"

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(Note: Why are you so good at writing? -shot- Extremely sorry for the late reply, and a heads up - my exams are in two weeks so that's a reason to my spooty activity right now. Once it passess I'll be more active in posting.)
Sima Yi

[Sima Yi]

Sima Yi stood in the middle of the garden, eyes closed in meditation. His dark hair waved unfettered in the light breeze, and he had not yet changed from his bedclothes. He blocked everything out as he focused on the singular sound of a cricket chirping in its cage. He kept crickets--a hobby from his childhood--for the relaxing sound they brought. He recalled the very first cricket he ever received was a gift from his grandfather. Zhongda remembered quite clearly a giant, broad-shouldered man with a magnificent beard holding a cricket cage in his great open palm. The young Sima Yi reached out and grabbed the cage with a child's gleeful delight as the cricket chirped merrily. Sima Yi stretched out his arm and opened his hand slightly, chasing after the memory.

"What is it, uncle?" Shi asked, turning his focus to his uncle. He wasted no time getting to point, and he hoped that the elder would not mind.

Sima Yi's meditative state was broken by the arrival of his nephew. He was not angry at this, as it pleased him more that Sima Shi was prompt. Without facing the young man, Sima Yi bowed his head and began to speak.

"Ziyuan, we stand upon the precipice of change. We have not seen the landscape of this land shift in such a momentous way since before the founding of the Han," Sima said, referencing the struggle between Han Gaozu and Xiang Yu. But perhaps Sima Yi was referring to time even before then, a time of even greater upheaval. This period had seen the land divided into various territories as the Zhou dynasty lost its authority and the vassal kings began to have designs over their own. Many sought absolute power, while others fought for justice or their beliefs. In the end, it was the Qin which emerged victorious over the others, even defeating the powerful states of Zhao, Qi and Chu.

"Tell me, Ziyuan," Sima Yi said at last, turning to face Sima Shi, his hand placed upon his chin. "In uncertain times what is one of the greatest dangers to prosperity and security of one's clan?"