He's learned quickly to avoid contact, but even with Zhou Zishu's skill there's only so much he can do. Caden's streets are crowded, and even the locals have begun to get a sense that something is wrong. It's put everyone on edge, and for someone who tends to be edgy on even the best days, that gets tiring very rapidly.
So when he shifts nimbly to avoid someone stopping abruptly in the street, it unfortunately puts him in the path of someone else who'd done the same. It takes even faster footwork not to run into them either, but he can't stop himself from colliding briefly with someone he can't see as he steps back. For a moment, silence hangs, but he barely has time to hiss out a curse before the now-familiar pain hits.
What he shares in return is what looks like a courtyard filled with rows of young children in identical uniforms. They're all slowly going through the pattern of what seems to be an intricate step sequence, some with more success than others. But as the pattern repeats over and over, some of the children begin to break lines and wander away, some looking as though they're trying to sneak, others walking brazenly.
Until finally there's only one boy left, doggedly going through the steps over and over. He doesn't notice someone else approaching until he nearly runs right into an older man, eyes going wide. But the man just smiles at him, something like barely-suppressed amusement glinting in his eyes.
Zishu. Don't you want to go play with the others?
The boy frowns, an oddly serious look on his young face. No, Shifu. I have to practice. He looks antsy to return to it, but also too polite to walk away from his teacher. The man straightens, smile disappearing but the amusement still hidden in the rest of his expression.
Zishu. This time his voice is firm, and the boy straightens on instinct You're the first disciple. That means you have to look out for the others, yes?
The boy's eyes widen, apparently not noticing his teacher trying to swallow back a laugh. Go supervise. You can tell them I ordered it.
With one last almost longing look at the training yard, the little boy heaves a sigh much too long-suffering for his tiny body and trots away towards the other children.
no subject
So when he shifts nimbly to avoid someone stopping abruptly in the street, it unfortunately puts him in the path of someone else who'd done the same. It takes even faster footwork not to run into them either, but he can't stop himself from colliding briefly with someone he can't see as he steps back. For a moment, silence hangs, but he barely has time to hiss out a curse before the now-familiar pain hits.
What he shares in return is what looks like a courtyard filled with rows of young children in identical uniforms. They're all slowly going through the pattern of what seems to be an intricate step sequence, some with more success than others. But as the pattern repeats over and over, some of the children begin to break lines and wander away, some looking as though they're trying to sneak, others walking brazenly.
Until finally there's only one boy left, doggedly going through the steps over and over. He doesn't notice someone else approaching until he nearly runs right into an older man, eyes going wide. But the man just smiles at him, something like barely-suppressed amusement glinting in his eyes.
Zishu. Don't you want to go play with the others?
The boy frowns, an oddly serious look on his young face. No, Shifu. I have to practice. He looks antsy to return to it, but also too polite to walk away from his teacher. The man straightens, smile disappearing but the amusement still hidden in the rest of his expression.
Zishu. This time his voice is firm, and the boy straightens on instinct You're the first disciple. That means you have to look out for the others, yes?
The boy's eyes widen, apparently not noticing his teacher trying to swallow back a laugh. Go supervise. You can tell them I ordered it.
With one last almost longing look at the training yard, the little boy heaves a sigh much too long-suffering for his tiny body and trots away towards the other children.