A Quiet Day

[Xiao Qiao]

Xiao awoke slowly to the sounds of songbirds and the bright rays of sunlight pouring in from the elegant windows of the bedroom. Her eyes opened and fluttered a bit, raising a hand to block the light from them. The haze of the dreamworld would fade quickly as Xiao sat up in bed, her gaze fixed on the closest window. She smiled softly as she looked on, listening to the chirping of the birds upon a tree out in the garden nearby. It was a pleasant way to wake up, but when Xiao looked over to the space on the bed beside her, she was saddened to remember that her husband hadn't been home for a while now. It was disappointing to see that he couldn't be there to share such a lovely morning with her, but he had important things to attend to.

Xiao folded aside the red and gold blankets and stood up from the bed to walk over to her dresser in the long red silk nightgown she wore. Her hair was down of course, flowing free from the bands and pins she usually kept it up with. Stretching a bit before reaching the dresser, Xiao looked around the bedroom with faint curiosity. Then she decided to change from her nightgown and picked out one of her usual short-hemmed dresses in the colors of red, white and gold. The dress was made mostly of brocade and sheer silk, with long sleeves attached at the shoulders, a different feature from most of her clothes. The brocade depicted beautiful golden blossoms on the red, a red sash tight around the waist and pulled into a bow at the back, and she had white thigh-high stockings to match. All in all it was a lovely dress, one of many bought for her by her husband, despite her protest for him to have to dote on her.

Xiao clothed herself in the garment and then sat down in front of her mirror to work on her hair. She combed and brushed it until perfection and then tied it up into a pony-tail, placing a gilded flower comb at the top. When satisfied with her hair, Xiao checked her face for any marks or blemishes, happy to find that there weren't any. She applied a gentle red tinge to her lips for the hell of it, then stood up and checked her entire form over in the mirror. After approving of her appearance Xiao smiled and exited the bedroom to wander down the hallway.

The home of Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao was quite grand, given Zhou's position and standing, but it wasn't as extravagant as the palace. Still, Xiao was more than satisfied with their lovely home and the flourishing garden outside. She passed a bowing servant with a gentle smile on her lips, heading outside into the back garden of the estate. The sky was bright and blue, clear of clouds while the sun shined brightly. The garden was alive with greens and all sorts of beautiful colored plants. The birds were still in the trees, chirping merrily. As Xiao walked along nature's well tended pride, she began to feel a bit lonely without Zhou Yu at her side.



She always wanted to please him and feel his affections, ever since they met and were married. And though Xiao missed him dearly when she couldn't follow him to wherever duty called, she understood that it had to be done. At least on many occasions they were given the chance to fight side by side, or Xiao would accompany her husband to places. Still, she always thought of him, her love.

"Perhaps he will return soon..." The young Qiao sighed softly, looking over the fish pond in thought.

[Sarugaku Jouten]

Sarugaku, followed by ten of his commando's walked the grounds. Both of the men dressed in full black uniforms, the only thing that could possibly lead them back to Wu was the red sash that was around their hips.

Head shifted downward, the male thinking a bit. The commandos tilted their heads and wondered what he could be thinking. The male stopped and looked toward the floor, before looking up. Only to find that he was in Zhou's house. The male blinked a few times before he saw the mistress of Zhou. Head slightly shook, almost in disapproving way before he shifted toward the plants there.

In his mind trying to come up with new weapons, but on the outside it would appear as if he was going to steal something from the huge home. The Commando's quickly vanished, seeing as there is no need to be there any longer.

[Xiao Qiao]

Xiao was enjoying the peaceful moments in the garden as much as she could without her beloved husband, smiling at the faint reflection of herself in the fish pond. She sat down for a time beside the water, watching the coy fish swim about aimlessly. Her eyes closed for a few moments as she reveled in the warmth of the sun, the light making her beauty ever more angelic. She was completely unaware of the stranger lurking in the taller plants nearest the house, and apparently the servants didn't spot him either... Yet.

Xiao opened her eyes to the sky, then her gaze drifted around the garden with a sigh. Still she didn't notice the intruder, feeling a complete sense of safety. Guards weren't posted all around the estate today, Xiao grew tired of feeling like she was frail and helpless, so she dismissed them last night. Still, they were but a cry away. The young woman got to her feet and wandered over to an elegantly carved wooden bench with lavish and soft gold and white cushions, as well as a drapery of fine white material adorning it. First she sat down, then looked to the doorway into the house not to far from where she was, calling out in a sweet, pleasant voice to one of the servants. She asked for a cup of tea to begin her morning, with a few pear slices to eat.

An older woman in traditional Wu maiden servant's dress came forward with a tray. On the tray were some pear slices upon a dish, and a hot herbal cup of tea in an elegantly painted chinaware piece. The woman smiled and presented the requested things, then placed the tray down on a small stand table beside the bench for her mistress. "Thank you." Xiao said with a smile, always thankful for her household maids. The maid bowed and left, stepping back into the house to continue chores.

Xiao looked at the tea and decided it was best to let the liquid cool before attempting to sip it. The last thing she wanted was a burnt tongue. With that in mind, she reached out for a pear slice, gingerly biting a small bit off like any proper lady. She kept her manners even when she didn't think she was being observed, but her posture at this time was more relaxed. Xiao had finished a pear slice before reaching for another, still waiting for the tea to cool down.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu had much to attend to at Shou Chun, but he was not totally consumed enough to forget his loving wife. Liang Xun was like a gay friend, but no one could replace the company of Xiao.

The Prime Minister entered his glorious estate through two large gates at the front. Wu guards were present as they were at Sun Quan's multiple residences. Such high esteemed members of the kingdom could not have little security and their safety was of the utmost concern.

Tis why it would be difficult that any intruders could just enter unnoticed. Still, there were always stealthy types who could bypass such defensive measures.

Gongjin was adorned in his normal battle attire which composed of some armor but mostly robe. He was a strategist, after all, and the major ass kicking was to be done by the likes of Taishi Ci or Zhuge Cheng.

Removing his helmet, letting his long black hair down, he scanned the interior of the house for his lover. She was no where to be found, so he decided to go out back where the garden and pond were located.

There, taking in the rays of the sun was his magnifcent wife. Her beauty was radiating as was the star above, shedding light upon the earth as she did to his life.

He thought back briefly to when they first met. Sun Ce had told him that his girlfriend had a hot sister, but Zhou Yu at the time thought nothing of it. It was only when he had seen her, for himself, that he instantly fell in love.

He waited for her attention to be drawn elsewhere, maybe by a fluttering butterfly, and then he would move in. Girls were always drawn to such pretty things, sort of like Liang Xun. She finally looked away and it was his cue to appear from behind a bush. It was kind of gay, but girls also liked that kinda stuff.

"Such a beautiful day should not be spent alone" he said, smirking slightly, awaiting a response from his luvva.

She was sitting upon a wooden bench, or what not, enjoying some tea and pear slices. Zhou Yu never wanted to be a pear slice so much in his life!

[Sarugaku Jouten]

Sarugaku looked at the tree's. Touching them a bit and feeling how hard they were. Maybe one day they could be used for a new light weight armor, to increase the defense instead of attack. But that was for the new future anyway.

"Guh.." The male turned around, optics glancing over to see the two having a nice cup of tea. "I better get out of here..." The male started to walk out when one of the guards spotted him. Right hand moved backward, fingers wrapping around a sword he had on his back. The male had a black mask over his face, but a sash of red around his hips. "Fuck..."

Quickly he saw the guards surround him. The male pulled out his blade and moved it into a defensive position.

[Xiao Qiao]

Xiao finished her pear slices and reached out for the cooled cup of tea when she heard a most familiar and gentle voice to her blind side.

"Such a beautiful day should not be spent alone."

Immediately she turned her head to see Zhou Yu approach her from the bushes like the romantically gay manwich he was. A wide smile formed on her lips as she saw him, a rush of happiness washing over her like a great wave. Xiao quickly got to her feet and forgot all about the tea, not being able to help the joyful cry that followed. "Zhou Yu! My handsome lord Zhou Yu! Oh how wonderful it is to see you!" She hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest.

Xiao felt so relieved to see him, to hear his sweet voice, and to hold him. Her heart nearly leaped at the sight of him, never having suspected he would be back early. "I missed you so..." Xiao raised her face from his chest so smile up at him. She stood up on her tippy toes a bit for a kiss, but was interrupted by the cry of one of the guards from over near the gates. One of the Wu guards ran up to them, bowing his head before speaking in urgency.

"Sir, you better come see this! We have a masked intruder! He's out by the gate! He was trying to leave the garden, we suspect he was here for something."

Xiao looked surprised, as she hadn't seen anyone else before Zhou came but her servants. It unnerved her a bit that someone actually had been there the whole time, perhaps a thief? An assassin? The thought of being watched was even worse. She looked at Zhou Yu with a questioning expression, as if silently asking him if it might have been someone who followed him, if it was all just an accident. the thought was very unlikely, but there hadn't been a real intruder on their property for some time. The idea was a very foolish one, it usually meant death.

[Matt Jr.]

The young advisor strolled through the streets of Jian Ye casually, enjoying the feel of the capital city. Until the move to Shou Chun this had been the only home he knew, and it was near and dear to him. He was suppose to be heading to his friends estate, to discuss the formalities of why they were back so soon, but he couldn’t help but take a stroll down memory lane – literally. He passed the shops where his father used to work, the fields where he’d played as a child, and the cemetery where both of his parents resided now. It wasn’t a sad thing for Liang Xun, he knew they were in a better place. Besides, they wouldn’t have wanted his life to be full of such sadness when he was still so young. He honored this unspoken wish, and despite his occasionally unprofessional behavior, was dedicated to Wu’s cause.

Finally after much time he arrived at Zhou Yu’s estate, only to be greeted by a circle of guards surrounding what looked to be a thief. There was something about the individual that was familiar, but the young man couldn’t quite place it. ‘I can’t leave him alone for a minute, can I?” he thought dryly. He stepped closer to the circle, announcing his presence. He wore his standard armor mixed with red advisory robes, with his hands folded behind his back. His trademark smile present as always. [Maroon]“What seems to be the problem here?”[/Maroon]

The guards would be familiar with Liang Xun, since he was over quite often before the move to Shou Chun. While he was concerned about his friend and his wife’s well-being, he also didn’t want to assume anything without all the facts.

[Zhou Yu]

What went from two lovers in a garden was slowing turning into a party as many more people were present than was first expected. The only thing they were missing was a barrel of wine and live music.

Zhou Yu finally had his wife within his grasp and the response he received from the cheesy entrance was totally worth it. The expression on her face was priceless. The smell of her hair and strong grasp around his body made him feel at home again.

However, just as he was about to enjoy the sweetness that were here lips, they were interrupted by a guard.

Zhou Yu listened carefully to what was being said and he was caught by surprise for a moment. He was still basking in the glory of his lovely Xiao, but as soon as the reality hit him he darted toward the front gate area. Interestingly enough, that is where he came into the residence but he did not recall seeing anyone out of the ordinary.

"Come, my love, but stay back for your own safety."

Xiao could handle herself quite well, in combat, and Yu knew that, but still he did not want here to get hurt.

When the three arrived where the commotion was, they noticed Liang Xun was already present with armed guards. The intruder was in the center and he or she wore a black mask covering their face.

"What is this nonsense and who dares trespass upon the Prime Minister's property!?"

Zhou Yu was heated, but he also wanted to show off to his wife and Liang Xun. Though, the latter was usually around when Gongjin was huffing and puffing over matters of the state.

The guards were ready to cut the intruder down if the command was given. If the assassin/thief was paying attention, they would notice a slight opening between two of the guards. They were too busy staring at the sexy Xiao Qiao to do their jobs appropriately. In their defense though, she looked hawt!

[Xiao Qiao]

(Note: Since Sarugaku is no longer to be involved in this thread, I will roleplay the single thief.)

Seeing Zhou Yu surprised as well, Xiao felt nervous. Her heart was saddened to have to let go as her husband went to deal with the problem at hand. She followed him out of the garden into the gate area at the front of the estate.

"Come, my love, but stay back for your own safety."

Xiao smiled a little. "My lord, how could I get hurt from one intruder, especially with you here with me?"

It was warming to know he was concerned for her, even when something so small occurred. Xiao would follow Zhou Yu to the circle of Wu Guards around a single man in black, face disguised by a mask. To make her husband feel better, Xiao stayed slightly behind him, a hand on his right arm. She noticed Liang Xun was there to handle the situation, but it was more appropriate for the lord of the estate to deal with it face to face. In doing so, Zhou Yu seemed rather vicious. Xiao loved seeing him be assertive, while he was a gentle man with her, she found it interesting the few times he was showing his authority and power.

"What is this nonsense and who dares trespass upon the Prime Minister's property!?"

The thief turned to Zhou Yu, looking quite stoic and fearless in his garb and mask. But deep down he was shaken by the voice of such a lord, not just of great position, but skill in battle. While the thief was fairly skilled and clever in his own right, he had not expected the Prime Minister to return when he did. He discreetly pressed a hand against his sash on the side, hiding something.

"Have mercy on me lord... I have little else in ways to provide for myself."

The thief would beg, but in a calm, collected manner. He looked at Zhou Yu and Xiao, not even noticing the faulty actions of the guards behind him. When his gaze fixed upon Xiao herself, her grip around her husband's arm tightened with a sense of nervousness. Something about a thief being able to slip into the estate grounds without others noticing was a very impressive yet unnerving idea.

"Surely the lovely mistress of this house will forgive me...? I meant no harm to her."

Xiao couldn't think of how to respond, she didn't want to. It was rather eerie, the entire thing. If he had been in the house, the servants would've spotted him. So he must have been in the garden with her, a scary thought. What if he had to kill her to steal something? What if Zhou Yu hadn't returned when he did? She wished that the guards would simply take the man away and be done with it. Finally she found the courage and will to say something.

"Yet you fled like a scared mouse when you saw my husband! What do you think I am, a decorative doll?"

Her face showed a bit of anger at the thought of the thief believing she was simple, or prey.

[Matt Jr.]

Before the guards could reply, his friend and the lady Xiao Qiao arrived on the scene. After their ‘talk’ in Shou Chun, he decided to play the loyal, formal, advisor. He straightened his posture, and nodded to the pair respectfully and smiled genuinely to his wife. His voice was sweet; always the charmer, but his friend would know the harmlessness of it. [Maroon]“It’s a pleasure as always, Lady Qiao. Unfortunate this meeting couldn’t occur over tea or something more…civilized.”[/Maroon] His outward smile didn’t change, but on the inside he smiled at his friend’s authoritative tone – usually reserved for the most asinine comments in court or incompetence on the field of battle.

His eyes returned to the thief in question just as he caught something that perhaps the guards missed. He assumed his friend, as observant as he, would have caught the movement but from her position the lady might have missed it. Liang Xun listened as the perpetrator spoke, sounding sincere enough, but he wasn’t a fool. His life was in the balance so common sense dictated this kind of explanation.

He cleared his throat so the trespasser would turn and look in his direction. His eyes were like those of a hawk; intense and unnerving, while his smile remained, but now seemed more of a lethal weapon than any blade. [Maroon]“Harm is subjective. Do you think an item of emotional importance would not harm her as deeply, if not deeper, than a mortal wound? Luckily the mercy you ask for isn't mine.”[/Maroon]

The young advisor reached out a hand, leaving it palm open. His eyes flickered to the thief’s side, noticeably, before returning back to his face. [Maroon]“Return anything you stole, or I’ll personally be the one to search you…and I won’t be gentle.”[/Maroon] With the inflection, the serious advisor vanished and in his place was a potentially volatile best friend, not concerned with custom, tradition, or law.

[Zhou Yu]

Gongjin was quite impressed by his advisor Liang Xun and how he verbally assaulted the intruder. Though obviously angered, the man always had a cool and calm exterior which was helpful when Zhou Yu needed advice. Yu was extremely intelligent, perhaps on par with that of Zhuge Liang, but he still fell prey to indecisiveness or panic at times. He needed strong, smart, and calm individuals to rely on in those times.

Zhou Yu was about to respond again, but Xiao did instead. She had been holding on to his arm and he could feel the pressure applied due to her slight nervousness. It had been some time since she had seen combat on the field of battle, so no doubt the idea of fighting may have thown her off.

Zhou Yu took note that Xun had mentioned an item, possibly that he had seen something hidden away. Immediately he ordered the guards to seize the man, but not to harm him. Yu was not going to take a risk by letting the man pull a knife or other weapon to injure anyone present.

He looked back to his wife while the guards were busy and he smiled. Everything was under control.

Zhou Yu then looked to Liang Xun and nodded. Not only was he impressed by the vigilant defense of lord and lady, but also his taking in what they had discussed at Shou Chun. Xun knew that he could be his normal self amongst Yu or Xiao just not the common peoples or soldiers.

[Xiao Qiao]

Xiao watched Liao Xun as he demanded that the thief return anything he might have stolen, quickly followed by Zhou Yu's orders to have him seized. The thief wouldn't struggle, but seemed to become quite nervous as the guards grabbed him. Xiao looked up to Zhou Yu, who had been looking at her with a reassuring smile. She smiled back softly, feeling a little more at ease with him at her side. Looking back to the thief, she noticed he was shaking a little. Served him right for trespassing on the Prime Minister's estate...

"B-but I don't have anything... I was just... Watching her."

A really bad mistake on his part to speak as he did, but when a man is tested under stress, he shows stupidity or strength. Stupidity was this man's failure. The two guards beside the thief began to search him, but one guard took off his sash to reveal a... (This is totally for Zhou Yu...) Pair of flowery silk undergarments?! The guards were shocked, not even knowing how to respond. The guard who had confiscated the item looked at Zhou Yu with an expression of utter 'OH SH*T!' and wasn't sure what to do with it.

Xiao was horrified at the thief's words and the sight of her own undergarments in the hands of the guard. She wasn't sure what to say, as speechless as the Wu guards were. Xiao looked up to Zhou Yu, who obviously must be furious at the audacity of the perverted thief. Freaked out as she was, Xiao looked ready to cry. "Those are mine..." She whimpered.

[Matt Jr.]

While he’d been anticipating a lot of things, what the thief in fact had stolen was not one of them. Liang Xun was a difficult man to surprise and/or shock; however, he was left with his mouth hanging open. His eyes, normally so relaxed and unpredictable, looked aghast. With what little self control he could muster, he tried not to blush and diverted his attention away immediately, more for Lady Qiao’s benefit. This was surely most embarrassing for her.

The young advisor coughed, not only to clear the air, but also to make sure his voice didn’t crack. [Maroon]“I think I’m going to go round up some soldiers to help me pack this man’s stuff,"[/Maroon] He gave the pervert a piercing glance, before addressing him specifically. [Maroon]"A permanent move is in your best interest – look for somewhere very, very, far away.”[/Maroon] With a bow, he turned to leave, before remembering that perhaps he should apologize. After all, the thief may have escaped with his prized possession had he not mentioned anything, and it would have surely saved his friends wife some embarrassment.

[Maroon]“I’m sorry, Lady Qiao, for how this turned out… Consider my business with your husband postponed for a few days. Enjoy your time together.”[/Maroon] He left on that note, his smile one of sympathy now. His pace was casual, but noticeably stiff.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu watched his guards search the intruder with one of his arms holding Xiao Qiao back. For that reason, he would not get to see the initial change of her face from normal to deathly ill or rather, white as a ghost.

Right before the guards had pulled the 'item' from the intruders garments, Zhou Yu had almost unsheathed his blade. The lowly scoundrel had mentioned watching Xiao Qiao and it sounded most disturbing as if he was a pervert. Such things were not as bad as one would think, but it opened the suspicion for physical harm as well and that would get the man killed.

Zhou Yu's eyes bulged, almost from his head, as he finally made out what the guard was holding. The look on the soldier's face was one of utter shock. He could see the anger slowly starting to boil over in Zhou Yu and he did not even want the panties in his hand.

The blushing and infininitely embarrassed Xiao Qiao could do all she could to mutter that they were her underwear. Liang Xun as well was turning red and he turned away as if looking at the lovely gardening out front the estate.

The guards were not sure if Zhou Yu was going to slay the man immediately or let him go. The latter would seem more likely as Gongjin was a man of diplomacy first. However, those were his wife's panties and only he could carry them around with him!

"Take this scum away, immediately!"

"Hold him in the prisons of Jian Ye for a week and then release him" he said, giving one more evil glare at the intruder. Maybe a week with Bubba Lee, a big black Chinese guy, in the prison would make him think again about doing such dastardly deeds.

Zhou Yu listened to Liang Xun apoligize for the escapade. He bowed to Xun when the advisor announced his leaving and he took one of Xiao's hands into his own.

"We shall be in Shou Chun soon enough, old friend. Keep an eye on Zhuge Cheng and if there are any movements from Wei, inform me right away."

Finally, after all the commotion was over and all the guards back on patrol, they could be alone.

[Xiao Qiao]

Xiao watched no more until it was all over, hugging her husband's side to hide her pink-cheeked face of embarrassment. She knew Zhou Yu was furious, but she felt more creeped out than angry. And then to have all the guards AND Liao Xun see it happen! What a mess. But it wasn't like the guards would even dare recall that event, less they face the wrath of an officer, let alone Zhou Yu himself. But Liao Xun, even though he didn't need to, apologized for the whole thing which made Xiao feel slightly less horrible.

Xiao looked up as the pervert was dragged off and they were left alone. Xia looked at Zhou Yu, the pink fading a bit from her cheeks and she hugged him tightly again. She wasn't sure what to say, there wasn't really anything that could be said. It was plain and simple, a panty-raider got into their home. And now he was going to get violated by Bubba Lee in jail. But after a few minutes in peace, Xiao felt much better, trying to forget the incident rather than dwell on it. After all, little harm was done.

Xiao really wanted that darn kiss now, since they had been interrupted before! She sighed and kept her gaze fixed on her love's face, hoping he would be calm and forget it as well. Had to be fairly infuriating to see some weirdo holding your wife's underwear. Xiao raised a gentle hand to his cheek to turn his gaze to her, smiling softly. "You know Zhou Yu, I love it when you stand up for me. Now we can be by ourselves for a while."