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Post by su on Oct 3, 2016 5:55:14 GMT
Su dashed into the kitchen, her hair was pinned into a loose bun. Some strands fell around her face framing her face. She failed to notice however as she grabbed a bowl of sliced pears, sometimes it seemed like she was the only cook in the entire kitchen. The "head" cook hardly ever worked and so Su had to pick up the slack. She glanced over her shoulder at where the cook sat and she rolled her eyes, he was dozing. A part of her was hugely tempted to "accidentally" pour some water onto his head. That would definitely wake him up and no doubt be hilarious to witness. Instead she tipped the bowl of pears into the mixture she had prepared. It was for a dessert that was to be served for the feast tonight. Everything else was just about finished, and she still had some dishes to prepare. It seemed almost a daunting task but Su loved a good challenge. It was one of the few reasons she stayed in the job, besides it being the one that Shang had helped her get. She blew some strands of hair out of her face as she started stirring, cooking for an entire castle took a lot of work. If she was lucky, she might be able to briefly see Shang in between courses.
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Post by odette on Oct 3, 2016 6:33:24 GMT
Shang could feel himself becoming more and more bored as he stood in the corner, watching the servants set up for the feast tonight. The captain had asked him to keep an eye on things while he was out but this was not what he expected. It mostly consisted of making sure none of the servants tried to steal any of the silverware or something dumb like that. "Is everything ready?" Shang looked over to see the captain coming into the room and he nodded. "All that's left is the food. The wine should be out by now though....the feast starts in just a few minutes." He mumbled, glancing towards the hallway that lead to the kitchen. Su immediately came to mind and he worried about her. "I'll go see what is taking so long.." Phoebus muttered, causing Shang to clear his throat. "Don't worry about it, I'll go. I'll have it out before the guests arrive." The last thing he wanted was for her to get in trouble with the captain.
He pushed open the door to the kitchen and frowned when he saw Su rushing back and forth. The cook was no where to be seen....which was confusing. Then he saw the cook off in the corner...sleeping. Before he realized what he was doing, Shang grabbed a bucket of mop water and tossed it onto the cook. "Rise and shine jackass. The feast is in ten minutes and where the hell is all the food? Get off your ass and do your job before I send the captain in here." Shang growled, anger and annoyance clearly in his voice. It wasn't fair for Su to be taking care of everything.
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Post by su on Oct 3, 2016 12:51:58 GMT
The cook shot up with a groan and glared at Shang for having disturbed him. Su glanced over her shoulder at the two of them and bit down on her bottom lip in amusement. Shang had read her mind...and she had been right it was hilarious. The cook waved off Shang and turned towards Su with a dark look on his face. "Where's that pastry at girl?" He demanded, his temper was almost as bad as his cooking. No doubt due to having been rudely awakened. Su finished stirring and thrust it at him, "Put it in a pan, I'll get the main course ready." She said and gave Shang a small smile. "I just have to add some finishing touches and then it'll be done." She promised gently, before she moved to table where the feast had been set up for the servants to bring into the castle. She studied the dishes in front of her and added some seasonings to some dishes and set about arranging them. When she was finally finished, the first of the servants moved to grab the dishes. "Take that one to the Head table." She instructed and watched as the servants started carrying out the dishes. Thankfully she didn't have to do that along with making the dishes. "The pastry should be done soon...that is if the Head Chef isn't sleeping on the job again." She quietly admitted to Shang. She felt exhausted, and she knew she'd have to keep working as she'd have to get things ready for the morning. "I'm sorry it's taken so long." She apologized as she chanced a look up at her brother.
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Post by odette on Oct 3, 2016 15:07:02 GMT
Shang glared at the cook when he immediately started ordering Su around. He hated that...she was such a better worker than the cook was. She deserved the title, not that idiot. Though Su seemed to understand the rush and he gave he a small smile in return. He should have returned to the captain but he wanted to make sure that Su wasn't left to take care of everything again. Once most of the dishes were out, Shang called for the cook, annoyance clearly in his voice. "Take care of the rest, I need to speak to my sister." Shang didn't give the man time to protest before he gently took Su's arm, leading her back into the hallway. "Thank you...for taking care of everything. Once everything is prepared, I want you to go home and rest. I'll make sure he stays here to prepare everything for tomorrow. You've hardly been home, I know you're exhausted. And don't argue with me. You know I'll win." He teased at that last part before he smoothed a piece of loose hair away from her face. "Besides...I got you a present and I don't want you to miss it. You'll find it at the house tonight." Shang gave her a smile before he took a step back from her. He had bought her a brand new dress, one he knew she would love. She had been working so hard lately that he wanted to try and make it up to her.
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Post by su on Oct 3, 2016 17:38:46 GMT
Su smiled tenderly up at him, "Shang, you spoil me." She said gently, although she felt her heart race at his words. He was always doing things like that for her and she silently loved him for it. She leaned up and pressed a little kiss on his cheek, "I'll see you later tonight, I'll make you your favorite." She said as she pulled back. Her hand gently squeezed his own before she turned to hurry back to the feast that was just about done. "Well get on with it girl." The head chef grunted as she examined each dish to make sure it was just right. Once she had approved them, they were whisked into the Dining Hall to be served to the Royal Family and to their guests. She turned to the pan that had the pastry just about done, now all it needed was a little extra sugar to dust the top when it was done. A loud commotion sounded from the Dining Hall while she worked and then the Kitchen doors burst open. "Where's the cook who made the dinner?" Su's eyes widened and she whirled around to see guards standing in front of the entrance, looking very intimidating. She barely even registered that the Head Cook had pointed in her direction. Before she could protest she was grabbed by the guards and brought forward. "What are you doing? What's going on?" She asked her voice coming out a little higher then normal as she started to become very nervous. "You are under arrest." One of the guards sneered down at her causing Su to shrink back in some fear. "For what?" She sounded terrified just then and she hated how they were looking at her. "For poisoning the King." The man holding her said. Su didn't hear anything else as she fainted.
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Post by odette on Oct 3, 2016 19:11:42 GMT
Shang had returned to the dinner to make sure things went smoothly..but it didn't. Only a few moments in, the king collapsed and the whole room was in a panic. He could hardly even remember everything that had happened. All he knew was that the guards were headed towards the kitchens. He burst in to see the guards surrounding his sister. "Su! Get your hands off of her!" He shouted but he was quickly held back by the captain of the guards. "Shang, stop it! She is under arrest for poisoning the king. There is nothing you can do for her." Shang froze at Phoebus' words before he punched him. "She did not do this! I watched her make that all myself! She didn't do this!" Phoebus snapped his fingers and guards swarmed around Shang. "I'm sorry to do this, but you are relieved of your duties. You are not allowed in the castle until this matter has been dealt with. Take him away." Shang tried to fight them off but he couldn't take his gaze away from his sister. How could this be happening?
He returned home and hesitantly opened the door to an empty household. A candle was still burning on the table with a note he had left for her...on her bed laid the dress he had bought for her with rose petals scattered all around it. Just the sight of it saddened his heart even more. Now what was he to do?
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Post by su on Oct 3, 2016 22:16:33 GMT
Su woke up with her head pounding, she felt dizzy and when she looked down she saw to her horror that she had been forcibly changed into a white slip. Her dress was gone, no doubt someone had removed it while she had been unconscious. She stared down at the cuffs around her wrists and bit down on her bottom lip. Surely Shang would be able to help her somehow? What if he didn't even know what had happened to her? Someone must have told him...Gods what if he thought she really had tried killing the King? He'd never forgive her...but then who would set her up like this? It had to be someone who hated the King enough...and didn't care who got implicated. Someone who obviously had access to the Kitchens...someone on the staff could have been paid off. And she had been picked as the dupe...that angered her and she hardly ever got angry. She looked up as the door opened and then a group of guards approached the cell door. None of them she recognized...but she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach as she looked up at them. "So this is the little bitch who poisoned the King ehh?" One of them asked and smirked lewdly in her direction. Su shrank back as she watched one of them pull out a ring of keys. They opened the cell door and Su shrank back still further, her body shaking in fear. "I heard she's a witch...maybe she cursed him with a spell." One of the other guards said and Su shrieked as she was suddenly grabbed. Her body jerked and one of the men tore the sleeve of her dress as they pinned her against the wall. Sobs escaped Su then as she thrashed in their grip, "Ohhh she sure is a fighter...I say we find out for ourselves if she really is a witch." One of the other guards said and she watched as he grabbed a bucket of water near the door and dragged in a table. He set the bucket on the table next and then Su was dragged towards the table. Her legs had practically given out on her as she knew exactly what they planned on doing to her next. She'd seen it before....and had always hated it...only she'd never thought she'd have to undergo the same thing. "Hold her down." Was the next thing she heard before someone forced her head into the bucket of water. She couldn't get a breath of air in, water filled her mouth and nose making it difficult for her to breathe. Her body thrashed as she tried to wriggle free so she could get some air in. Just when she thought she'd lose consciousness yet again she was pulled back. Water sprayed everywhere as she spluttered for air, her body was shaking and she knew that the front of her dress was soaked. The cold air only made it worse, "Please...stop." She whispered her teeth chattering as she shook with both fear and cold. "Shut up." One of them shook her as if trying to convey a point. Su whimpered and then before she could protest, they shoved her back into the water.
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Post by odette on Oct 4, 2016 5:17:12 GMT
Shang had been standing in the doorway to Su's room, staring at the dress he had left for her. He had lost track of how many hours he had been there. A part of him kept expecting her to come bouncing through the door with that gorgeous smile on her face...but moments passed and it never happened. He had to see her...someone was bound to let him back into the castle. Shang grabbed his cloak, wrapping it around his body as he left and headed back to the castle.
Phoebus heard a commotion coming from the dungeons and he frowned to see that his guards were not at their posts. He made his way down and paused for a moment as he heard water and the sound of his men laughing. Then he heard Shang's sister.
"Just what is the meaning of all this? I gave strict orders that no one was to bother this prisoner." He growled as he appeared in the cell, his authority clearly in his voice. Phoebus pushed the men away from Su before he took her arm and gently moved her behind him. "I suggest you all get out of here before I have you flogged." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as if to emphasize how serious he was. If any of them so much as touched her again, he would have them hanged.
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Post by su on Oct 4, 2016 5:47:53 GMT
Su shot up for air almost as soon as the guard's grip on her loosened. She took in deep breaths as spots danced in her vision, she barely even registered the newcomer as she struggled to keep breathing. Water escaped her lungs as she coughed, the shift clung to her curves almost uncomfortably. No doubt the thing had become transparent, leaving her body practically bare to anyone who bothered to look. Su watched as the guards stepped back, although they looked more annoyed then anything else. "She poisoned the King! We were just doing what he would have wanted us to do!" One of the guards shouted and Su shrank back. She only had the blonde haired man as a defender and he was outnumbered. Besides...why would he want to help her, when the whole Kingdom seemed to think she had poisoned their King? She kept her gaze lowered, too afraid to look at any of the guards directly as she did so. After all they clearly didn't care if she lived or died, if Shang was there...but he wasn't. She wrapped her arms around her midsection in a hug that just didn't make her feel any better. What she wouldn't give for a hug from Shang...he gave the best hugs. "She's a witch she is!" Another guard shouted and she flinched as they started closing in. That was when one of the guards grabbed her arm and she lost it. Being wrongly accused of attempted murder, and then being tortured could do that to anyone really. She slammed her elbow into the man's face, in a move Shang had taught her. That was when all hell broke loose and the other guards ran at her, intent on killing her once and for all.
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Post by james on Oct 5, 2016 2:17:19 GMT
Phoebus drew his sword as his men started to refuse his order. "If you refuse my orders again, you will all be relieved if your duties." He threatened...but it wasn't enough. One of the guards grabbed Su out from behind him and he cursed. Though to his surprise, the girl was fighting back. It looked like her brother had taught her something useful after all. As Su fought of the man that had grabbed her, more guards swarmed around Phoebus and kept him pinned to the other side of the room.
Shang had snuck his way back into the castle only to make it to the dungeons to hear a commotion. His heart dropped and he immediately raced down. Just as another guard was racing towards his sister, Shang pierced the man in the back with his sword and dropped him to the ground. "Take her and run Shang!" Phoebus called out as he tried to hold the men off. Shang grabbed Su before he pulled her up into his arms and took her from the cell. He knew ways in the dungeon that no other guard did. He was after all the captain's right hand man. Once they were out of sight, Shang forced open a secret corridor that led to a hidden maze of tunnels beneath the dungeon floors. He sat her down on a stone bench before he took his cloak from his shoulders. "Stay here...I'll lead them away. Don't make a sound." He laid the cloak around her to keep her warm before he placed a kiss on her cheek. "I'll come back, I promise." Before she could protest, Shang took off back to the fight, sword in hand.
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Post by su on Oct 5, 2016 3:26:27 GMT
Su's dress was torn even more as the same guard who had grabbed her arm. She gasped and tried pulling herself away, only then Shang took out the man. "Shang!" She gasped in relief as she looked up at him, she had known Shang would rescue her. He picked her up before she could say anything and carried her off down the hallway. Phoebus wouldn't last long by himself..."Shang...we have to help him!" She tried to get his attention and then Shang set her down on a stone bench, far away from the fighting. "No wait! Please don't leave me!" She begged but Shang didn't respond and only kissed her cheek. The fleeting warmth of his lips there didn't warm her as much as she would have liked. She watched him take off down the hallway and she drew the cloak tighter around herself. It was too late to try calling him back, he was on a mission and she would only get in the way. Her eyes widened when she heard laughter from further off down the hallway, it was the kind of laughter that made her skin crawl. "Who's there?" She called out, the laughter got even louder. Shang cried out then in pain, "Shang!" She shouted and bolted down the hallway.
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Post by odette on Oct 5, 2016 3:59:01 GMT
Shang had just been about to make it out of the entrance to help Phoebus when he heard laughter echoing around him. "Show yourself you coward!" He shouted as he turned in circles, trying to spot something in the darkness. Then suddenly he felt something sharp pierce his skin and a cry left his lips. Blood spilled from his side where the blade had cut into his skin and he collapsed to the ground. A figure hovered over him and just as the sword came down again, he managed to roll to the side just in time for it to only graze his shoulder. Shang jumped to his feet and twirled his sword in his hand before he killed his attacker, using whatever strength he had left to shut the entrance to the tunnels again. His hand clutched his side and he turned as he heard footsteps coming from down the corridor. Su suddenly appeared out of the darkness and a sigh of relief left his lips. "Su...." He breathed before he suddenly stumbled to the side, just barely catching himself on the wall to keep from collapsing from the loss of blood.
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Post by su on Oct 5, 2016 4:27:02 GMT
Su froze in step when she saw Shang walking towards her bleeding. Her face turned ashen as she ran towards his side. "Shang!" She shouted and barely caught him as he collapsed against her. She was barely able to lower him as he was much heavier then her. The only reason she was able to help him was due to the muscles she had built from lifting heavy pans of water and sacks of flour every day. "Shang...no...don't leave me." She whispered as she stared down at him with her eyes wide. The blood was coating her fingertips and she was in a daze not sure how to help him. He had been hurt because he had tried saving her...this was her fault. She cupped his face with her hands as she stared down at him, "I can't lose you too." Shang had been the only reason she got through her days.
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Post by odette on Oct 5, 2016 4:48:37 GMT
Shang couldn't help but practically fall onto her and he sucked in a breath as she managed to get him to the ground. He was bleeding out much faster than he had anticipated. Shit...He couldn't panic though. He had to make sure she would be alright. "It's alright...it's alright.." He whispered as he reached up and cupped her face with his hand. A light slowly appeared down the hallway and Phoebus came around the corner, stopping at the sight before him. Lying on the ground next to Su was Shang's sword, covered in blood like he had been run through. "What did you do?" He demanded as he ran to Shang's side to take in the damage. His side would need treated right away and his arm would need stitches. But in that moment they needed to worry about the blood more than anything. Phoebus used his cloak to cover the wound on Shang's side and added pressure. "She didn't..." Shang tried to speak but cried out in pain from the pressure being forced onto his wound. His skin broke out in a cold sweat and within moments, he had fallen unconscious.
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Post by su on Oct 5, 2016 5:13:07 GMT
Su whirled around to see Phoebus standing there, "I swear I didn't do anything!" She wept, tears falling down her face as she stared up at him. "Please you have to believe me-" She broke off as Shang fell unconscious. "No! Save him please!" She begged. To her horror he was pulled away from her and she could only sit there and watch as he was carried away from her. She was so numb to everything else that she didn't even register the guards taking her back to her cell and leaving her there. The cloak he had given her she clung too, never letting it out of her sight for even a moment. A week passed and she ignored the few meals she was given, losing most of the weight that she had. Every time guards passed near her cell, she begged them for news of her brother. Yet every time her pleas went ignored, and her fears started to grow worse. Her brother could be dead and she'd never know...they still thought she had tried to poison the King after all.
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