Author's message: Hey readers! I tried to write a longer chapter, ending about 800 words longer than the prologue. Besides essays, I've never written so much! As you might be able to tell, I'm quite proud. Either way, I wanted to ask a few things: First, is this a good length of a chapter? If so, I could probably post one a day unless something unexpected happened. Second, the fight scene at the end, while short, is about the level of detail I'm going for. Is it too little, or do you understand what was going okay? Obviously, once stronger opponents come, I'll try to go for a bit more action. Third, does it seem like an info dump? I know when I read info dumps can get real annoying. And last but not least, can you follow which character is speaking? I've never done dialogue since this is my first real creative writing involving characters talking, and I didn't want to do brackets or parentheses to indicate who was talking.
Anyway, enjoy reading after the break!
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After eating, Jun reached behind him and pulled out a large board wrapped in cloth that was strapped to his wheelchair. After untying the cloth, one could see the board was a starched white canvas with a yellow tinge, signifying a rather cheap material for painting; nevertheless, a canvas in the possessing of an Angel Town resident was unthinkable! The only reason Jun has access to canvases and other craft material is due to his labor at the Vermillion Collection of Antiquities and Scholarly Works Library, often shortened to Vermillion Library. Jun’s aptitude for the fine arts is unique, and his excellent memory plays no small part towards this talent. While the Vermillion Library is sponsored by the royal family, it still pays its employees and expeditions into underground ruins out of its own pockets. Artists like Jun, who can paint exquisite renditions of famous artifacts, are valued as an extra source of income for the library. As such, while the library may not pay Jun the usual amount for others in his position, they offer other privileges that cannot be so easily given up.
Jun, guided by Meiling, rolled towards the entrance and behind their shack where a log for Meiling to sit down and view the stars was placed. Jun, in his usual painting area, sat the canvas on a lowered tree branch that was breast height, and reached inside log Meiling sat on, where Jun stores his painting supplies. Soon after, Jun “opened” his eyes which allowed him to see the souls of all living things, sparkling like the afterimage of a sun. Strangely enough, Jun could see the stars, as if they themselves were living. Jun doubted this, but thought that perhaps these stars were other worlds that possessed powerful living creatures, or somehow tied to souls somehow. Either way, Jun set to painting the stars, by layering black upon the canvas, and then slowly applying light strokes of increasingly brighter whites upon the black. Meiling watched Jun set to work, mesmerized by the sight. When comparing the astronomical bodies to Jun’s painting, Meiling noted the difference of size and positioning that followed a light pattern. This was why Meiling loves when Jun paints stars, because it shows how Jun views the world, which is of obvious interest to Meiling.
Hours passed before Jun finished, and despite the time of night Meiling was widely awake watching. Jun quickly collected his tools and put them back into the log, then grabbed the canvas off the branch and showed it to Meiling.
“Well? How is it?” Jun asked inquisitively. Meiling’s face bloomed like a flower when given a full view of the painting. “I love it! Thank you so so much Jun! I’ll treasure it forever.” Jun’s face broke a light smile, knowing Meiling’s answer holds no exaggeration nor falsehood. While not believing his work warrants such care, no artist could help feeling glee at receiving such a comment. “Come on, let’s head to bed. Tomorrow is most likely going to be as long as today, and I’ll need as much sleep as I can get. And I imagine the church gets a similar workload right now.”
Meiling’s face darkened for a moment before quickly returning to its happy expression. It’s true, the Church of Three is just as busy right now as tournament participants come in for prayers, talismans, and guidance from the Three. Meiling, as a face not seen in a thousand faces, was quickly forced when turning 16 to join the Church’s ranks, who place great important on using woman as the figureheads. Meiling sells talismans to tournament participants who hope to scour the old underground Vermillion City for artifacts that could be used for the preliminaries. The Vermillion Placement Exam and Tournament occurs every four years for noble heirs and commoners under 18 years old to show off their skills and gain recognition. Because it’s a kingdom wide event where even the king watches the final match, the tournament serves as a good time for commoners to join noble militias and for heirs to form connections with prominent merchants and families. Of course, for Jun and Meiling who are relatively secure in their current position, the tournament means nothing but longer work days.
Jun was rolled back into the shack by Meiling, and was helped undress into fresher clothing. While Meiling was assuredly flustered and blushing up to her ears, one could see Jun’s face had a slight red tinge as well. While calm and cool during his work, Jun was still a young man currently being undressed by a curvaceous woman. It took Jun’s utmost will every night to not throw away his morals. Jun never understood why he was tempted so by his sister. Could they not be related? Jun has thought of this multiple times, especially considering their different color of hair and irises. Jun doesn’t know his parents and nor does Meiling know hers. However, Meiling has been calling Jun brother for as long as he can remember. If they truly aren’t related, then Jun has no idea why Meiling called him brother.
After being undressed and redressed into lighter clothing, Meiling helped Jun out of his chair to their single blanket, where they slept together. Hearts pounding, breath tingling the others face, it made one cringe and want to say “get on with it!”, but alas the twos’ love is forbidden between the two, and unless they had sufficient strength to ward off all criticism, they can never affirm their love publicly through consummation.
Meiling awoke before dawn and started making breakfast. While fishing through the cabinets for cheap herbs and eggs bought at the Angel Town black-market, where one can buy food at a lower price than the market square, Meiling noticed how empty the shelves were. As Meiling grasped the last of their food supplies, she sighed and inwardly thought “Looks like I need to get some more today. Just another errand added onto an already busy day…” While Meiling was somewhat crestfallen, she would never show it on her face around Jun. Even if he is blind, Jun is incredibly perceptive; if he noticed Meiling’s sadness, Jun would even kill the king if it made Meiling happy. This is one of the reasons Meiling loves Jun despite their familial relationship. What person wouldn’t be moved if someone did everything in their power to make them happy? Even ice will melt when it’s hot.
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As Meiling finished cooking, she quietly shook Jun awake and helped him into his chair, and once more they began eating together. After eating, in order to not waste water, the two bathe together completely naked. Jun, while a learned man of morals and integrity, has more than once used his ability to see for one minute to peek at Meiling’s mesmerizing body. After showering, Meiling dresses Jun in his work attire which consists of wooden getas, a long white inner robe, and a blue outer robe with dull streaks of gold. Jun’s white hair is brushed straight and long, with the top bound together into a bun covered by a black cap that strongly contrasts with his hair color. Meiling took a step back and gazed with admiration.
“You’re so handsome, Jun! If I didn’t know you till now, I’d fall in love with you all over again.” Meiling sweetly said, with affection coloring her eyes. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last part.” Jun thought. “Please, you see me like this every morning. And just because a man looks good cannot overcome the fact that he’s a cripple much less blind.” “But I’d still love you all the same, Jun. I just know it.” Meiling said with such surety that it would make anyone think the two were lovers that couldn’t even be torn apart by the stars. Jun awkwardly smiled and scratched his cheek. “Good grief, who would have thought her feelings were so strong.” Jun thought. “Either way, I’m off. See you tonight, Meiling.” Jun put on a slight smile as he rolled away from his darling sister, and made his way towards the highway.
As he went onward, he spotted four souls surrounding another. Jun clicked his tongue, mumbling “Mud Peony gang is extorting people again… I thought Zhizhu Anming sent a declaration through the ranks to stop doing that?” Mud Peony gang is one of the two biggest gangs in all of Vermillion City, backed by Grand Duke Aiguo. Mud Peony gang may be no stranger to criminal activity, but compared to its counterpart the Spider gang, it is somewhat righteous in appearance. However, members of the Mud Peony gang have recently been extorting money and goods from folk in Angel Town, which has caused a drop in reputation. While gangs may be made up of ruthless criminals, they often occupy a necessary role of authority, maintaining order and punishing violent crime offenders that get away from the law. However, the difference between an authority figure and a tyrant is often paper thin, and having bad reputation can turn even the most trusting of people cautious. As such, gangs committing extortion in the middle of the day is tantamount of suicide.
Jun rolled over towards the figures and overheard the figures. “Hey saw, me and my friends here were hoping, since you and I are such great friends, you’d be willing to give us some money for a drink or two. I know you got extra money stored away.” “But I already paid you at the beginning of the month! I haven’t missed a single date in over six months, man! Come on, can’t you just let me go? My baby girl’s turning ten in a few weeks and I’ve been saving up to buy her something nice.” ”Look, if you hand it over quietly, we’ll let you go. But if you keep being difficult, not only will we take all your silver coins, but we’ll beat you half to death too. So what’s it going to-““What’s going on here!?” The extortionist turned around and saw Jun staring straight at him.
The extortionist looked like a typical lowlife, with dirty hair and clothing, a scar running along his face, and tattoos detailed across any exposed skin besides his face. His right shoulder, while covered, showed slight markings of the Mud Peony tattoo that all members must have. The insignia was a white peony blooming out of mud, a simple and easy way to identify members of the Mud Peony gang. As the extortionist and his “friends” turned towards Jun, their faces showed their disgruntled attitude. However, when they saw his eyes closed and wheelchair beneath him, their faces soon sported a mocking sneer, as if staring at a child starting a fight with an adult.
“Look here, cripple. Oh, sorry, you’re blind too. How’d that happen, did some horse or something fuck your mom?” The extortionist seemed proud of his “clever” comment. Jun, while his eyebrow twitched a little, was not unused to such derogatory comments, especially by the residents of Angel Town. Angel Town residents were used to being looked down upon, and when given the chance encounter to happen upon the even less fortunate, they relish the opportunity to act superior for even a few seconds. “I didn’t come here to discuss my birth heritage, hooligan. I came to ask what exactly is going on here. This doesn’t exactly look like a friendly chat when four men surround another.” “Heh, well me and my friends here were just having a nice conversation. Isn’t that right, guys?” The other three quickly agreed. “So why don’t you go on your way yeah? You’re disturbing us. We don’t want to catch your…symptoms.” The extortionist attempted to shoo Jun away, ending with a mocking tone. “Well your “conversation” sounds an awful like extortion. Didn’t Zhizhu declare that forbidden? I thought Mud Peony’s motto was “If a Mud Peony ain’t loyal, then he ain’t a Mud Peony.” Or am I wrong? Does the Mud Peony gang now engage in acts of dishonor and deceit?” Jun cut straight into the heart of the matter, no longer giving the extortionists a chance to explain themselves.
“Hey cripple, stay out of this, or you’ll end up losing more than what you already have.” The extortionist growled, and quickly pulled out a thick, makeshift club with dried blood on it. Jun concentrated and regained a normal sight for one minute. Upon seeing the blood, Jun no longer had a serious, dignified gaze, but instead a cold expression that seemed eager to cut the men where they stand. “I see you already have performed unforgivable acts. It seems I have been too lenient. Forget it, I’ll rectify the mistake.”
Jun pulled out from behind him in a sheath a silver dagger engraved with the symbol for the Vermillion Library. Upon seeing Jun pull his dagger, the four extortionists quickly rushed him, with the scarred one taking the lead. Jun immediately rummaged through a sack hanging on his wheelchair, and pulled out four silver needles with a sharp gleam. Using skills not unlike that of a trained assassin, Jun accurately aimed the first needle towards the scarred man’s neck, quickly penetrating and leaving the man keeling on the floor grasping his neck as if he was out of breath. The other three, not minding their apparent friend’s injury, continued rushing like mad dogs towards Jun. Jun rolled his wheelchair forward with one hand, while the other threw all three needles towards the right legs of the others. After successfully hitting a vital point, thus making all the men fall to the ground, Jun slashed the throat of the one closest to him before he hit the ground. The other two, their faces planted, were paralyzed on the ground. Instead of fearing Jun’s approach like that of facing a grim reaper, they instead seemed dazed, unable to comprehend that a crippled and blind man could possibly hurt them, much less kill them. Jun finished the job quickly, not allowing any potential escapes. By looking at his expression, one could tell Jun had experience in killing. And how could he not? To live in Angel Town, even the purest of men and woman soon learn a few dirty tricks needed to survive.