SPOILER: Click to show

Timeline
Takes place in autumn of 1500 n.w.

It was dusk and sunset was rapidly approaching in the third district of the rukongai. Ryuu moved through the streets with a determined purpose. For unlike most nights, tonight THERE WAS A PARTY. Vaguely remembering that it had something to do with a harvest festival, Ryuu couldn't say that it interested him that much. Afterall he was bored, and there was a large festival that sounded entertaining. There really wasn't that much more that needed to be said. Besides even if Ryuu wasn't that entertained by it he could just stab some random people in a back alley. That was always good for a laugh.

Making it to the main square, Ryuu smiled when he saw all of the lanterns being lit up. The end result was a fantastic arrangement of lights which bathed the market square in many different shades of colors. In addition to the pretty lights, Ryuu could see several food stands and some game stands in addition to a few stalls which sold random trinkets. "Maybe I won't have to go and kill time by stabbing people in some back alleys." Ryuu thought to himself as he surveyed the market square where the festival was starting.

Reflecting on the disguise that he used to blend in, Ryuu was certain that it would work. Wearing a standard set of pants and a tunic, Ryuu used bandages to disguise his hollow mask. However Ryuu was in luck, for one of the main attractions of the festival was that nearly everyone had masks. Deciding that it would help him blend in more, Ryuu had procured a nice mask with a smile painted on it. Surveying the other partygoers, Ryuu gave a sigh of relief when he noticed that quite a few still had their weapons with them. Thus Ryuu wouldn't stick out due to the presence of the weapon at his side. Reassured in his confidence that there wasn't anything that would give away the fact that he was an arrancar, Ryuu began to wonder on what stand he would visit first.

Autumn...such was her favorite time of the year.

With ease and grace, Chie picked her way through the crowd, savoring the general festival hum. Anonymity was her pleasure, as she dressed as a commoner, and wore a mask over her face. How ironic the tradition was, wearing a mask during festival time, for it only harkened memories of the beasts that plagued the Rukongai people. She found it morbid, but interesting all the same.

She was grateful that white and/or silver hair was a dime-a-dozen trait, found amongst many Shinigami and Rukongai citizens alike. She did not stand out in the crowd, and with her talent of blending in, she moved about pleasantly with little notice to her presence. Her great, long locks were plaited in one long braid, which hung over her left shoulder, and was loose around the nape of her neck. The plait reached just a little past her waist, no where near the normal length of past her knees.

Her kimono was long and a dusky gray, reminiscent of charcoal, but not quite black. The only bit of color was her white mask, with red lines under its eyes and on its forehead; its face being her favorite creature, a fox. The slits for eyes concealed her own well enough in its murky depths, naturally obscuring her view a bit. She was glad to have purchased the item from a stall, happy to see similar ones adorning the faces of many children and adults. She would blend in well.

Strolling down a stone path, her wooden shoes clipping quietly against the rock, she came to a halt. Taking a moment to relish the sights, as well as the crisp, chilly air, she gazed up at the colorful lanterns that dotted along the path. How long she had missed such things...having grown up in Seireitei, separated from such sights and sounds. Being a sickly child, her health deprived her of such experiences.

Lost in her train of thought, she watched as a moth hovered around the lantern. Dangerously, its powdery wings carried it through the gap in the paper.

"How lovely," she murmured softly, watching the fire consume its silhouette.

Deciding that for the moment he would just wander around the market square, Ryuu had to resist the urge to skip around. Moving between bystanders, Ryuu glanced at some of the stands that dotted the market square. There were places to make lanterns and places to draw pictures. Plus there were plenty of food stalls. They sold things from candy to fruit. There was even a few stalls that sold meat. They had meat on a stick, meat on a bun, meat on more meat and even the fabled meat on more meat which is on a stick that is placed on a bun (a marvelous delicacy if there ever was one).

Smiling to himself on his choice of entertainment, Ryuu honestly couldn't tell where to start. There were so many options and so little time. Well technically Ryuu had the whole night but in the grand scheme of things that wouldn't be a lot of time. So a more accurate statement would be that there were so many options and a good portion of time but in proportion to the grand scheme of things it would be only a small amount of time.

While he waged an internal debate on the semantics of proper wording, Ryuu's feet went onto auto-pilot. Aimlessly wandering around the market square, Ryuu eventually found his interest drawn to one of his favorite things. Living creatures being burned alive. In this case it was a moth which had found it's way to a flame like a hollow to a chunk of carrion (what analogy about moths and flames were you expecting?). Hearing someone next to him mention how lovely it was, Ryuu turned to see a young lady wearing a fox mask. She must be a fellow pyromaniac (it was always the harmless looking ones that you had to look out for). Deciding to talk to the young pyromaniac Ryuu said, "Indeed it is." While it wasn't the best introduction, it would open up the way for more conversation. Besides Ryuu didn't want to directly approach her, afterall she might try to set Ryuu on fire. Which while it would be good for the world, would be bad for him.

Chie's gaze flicked over to the source of the voice, taking in the sight of a male. He too wore a mask for the festival, and dressed in average clothes.

Was he admiring the lantern? Or was he admiring the same scene that she was? Considering many people did not take pleasure in viewing the burning and subsequent death of a living creature, she guessed the former.

"If you wish to speak of lovely lanterns and wax poetic, perhaps another female would suffice for company, sir," she spoke, her tone polite with a cunning undertone. Being sheltered by her mask made her feel bold, the anonymity was intoxicating to her. No one knew who she was, so the normal expectations for her were out the window. Here, no one saw the poor, frail Soutaicho's daughter, so she was free to act and speak how she chose.

And she liked it.

Giving a chuckle at the young lady's comment, Ryuu had to give her points for how upfront she was about his presence. However Ryuu was in the mood for some witty banter. SO IT WOULD TURN INTO A WAR OF WORDS. Assuming the crazy person didn't set him on fire due to her pyromaniacal nature of course.

Giving a sidelong glance at the lady, Ryuu attempted to read her body language in order to gain some insight into her behavoir. There was definitely excitement and enjoyment most likely due to the festival. Undoubtedly she too was preparing for a WORD WAR. "Well I'm not too big on poetry. Although if you want to give a limerick or two on the beauty of immolated moths then feel free to go on ahead." Ryuu said in a teasing tone of voice. And thus would WORD WAR ONE BEGIN. Unless Chie wasn't interested in banter and just wanted Ryuu to go away. In which case things would probably become awkward and tense in the next few moments.

Chie tilted her head in his direction, still facing the lantern.

"I am no poetess, and I must say is it quite lazy for a man to expect the lady to speak in refrain. I thought all men were trained in the art of woo, but perhaps you are an exception?" the last of her words tilted up, signifying that she was asking a question. Again, her tone remained polite, but it was much swifter and sharper than her usual speech. Such was the luxury of being anonymous.

She wasn't sure what she was to accomplish standing about and talking to a perfect stranger, but she was exploring new territory and therein was adventure.

THE OPENING SHOTS OF WORD WAR ONE HAD BEEN FIRED. Well technically they had been fired with Ryuu's amazingly witty retort (insert awkward coughing here) but now there was a response. AND RYUU HADN'T BEEN IMMOLATED YET. It was a very nice thing to not be immolated by a pyromaniac. It was even more nice than being the pyromaniac that was immolating someone or some people. And Ryuu could say from personal experience that was saying something.

But now it was time for Ryuu's response to this WAR OF THE WORLDS WORDS. What would he respond with? A fancy poem to catch her off guard. A non-sequitur phrase. But then Ryuu had an idea of what to say. It would be well placed. And it would catch her off guard. "You could try going for a quatrain instead. Although if you wanted me to recite poems and attempt to woo you then all you had to do was ask." Ryuu said in a teasing tone. Barely managing to keep himself from laughing, Ryuu managed to maintain a regular composure. But one thing was for sure, Ryuu was finding himself quite entertained for the moment at least.

If Chie's lips were quirking up into a smile, Ryuu would be unable to see them. Oh she was relishing this moment, thinking as if she were observing herself from a detached viewpoint: Who is this girl?

She was behaving most boldly, and enjoying every second of it. It was so nice not to adorn her usual persona, to let loose whatever she wished.

"A poem you ask,
how simple, how quaint
Pity you aren't up to the task
to making a lady faint."

She had mulled over his challenge for a moment before opening her mouth, giving into the temptation. He had teased her after all, so he was due for a retort in her own fashion. All was fair in love and war.

Grinning under his mask, Ryuu had to give the girl credit. She was quite good at coming up with poems at the drop of a dime. In fact Ryuu wondered if she regularly rhymes all of the time. But now it was time for Ryuu to return fire in this SKIRMISH OF THE STANZA'S.

Being a hollow, Ryuu had learned to think on his feet a long time ago. Had he not learned this lesson the he would have been turned into fertilizer a long time ago. Now he was directing his on the spot reactions, a trait which he had used to win battles to the death and send men to their deaths to face off in a poetry battle against a young girl. THIS WOULD TURN INTO A WAR OF WORDS FOR THE AGES.

"So rude, so hush,
My skill at wordplay is quite strong,
And my words make many blush,
Your words won't last for long."

Now things would get interesting. While Ryuu didn't know how interesting it would get, he knew that things might escalate. Alliterations might even get involved if it escalated enough. BUT RYUU WOULD BE READY.

Was this really turning into a rhyme-off? Chie's mind was whirring with pleasure at the strangeness of it all. Her mind had been stimulated in times past, but in different ways, through the gaining of knowledge through vast amounts of books and scrolls.

But this, oh this was different.

Before venturing out into the Rukongai, she would have never guessed its streets were littered with lyrical battles. Licking her teeth, she mulled for a moment, absorbing his words before attempting to turn them around on him.

"A blush? How skeptic
I find myself to be.
The talent you boast is quite eclectic,
and yet my cheek is as cold as the sea."

Try that on for size, she thought to herself. Chie was reaching a state of giddiness she rarely felt, an emotion kept in reserve for the most treasured moments: like finding a very old book.

His opponent was quite skilled in the ancient art of lyrical battles. BUT SHE WOULD BE NO MATCH FOR RYUU'S POETRY SKILLS. While coming up with his next quatrain Ryuu briefly wondered why lyrical battles weren't more common. Or why song and dance battles were also uncommon. Or even lyrical song and dance battles, which as everyone knew was the highest form of art known. Life would be so much more simpler that way. But then again violence was also quite simple. Plus it was easier to do and the witty banter during a battle could be like a song and dance routine. HOORAY FOR VIOLENCE AS THE SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS.

While these thoughts buzzed through Ryuu's brain, the next quatrain formed within Ryuu's mind.

"I see that you are in denial,
For it's clear that you are having fun,
In the face of these challenges and trials,
Soon your cheeks shall be as hot as the sun."

While it was a bold statement to make, but Ryuu could see enough of her body language to tell that it wasn't too far off of the mark. Soon victory would be his and he will have triumphed IN THIS WAR OF THE WORDS.

Chie tilted her head, thinking for a moment. She really was having fun, that much she could agree to. After all, this was a most peculiar encounter in a new place for her. Normally, her behavior would reflect discomfort at a festival, as it was teeming with people going here and there, and, of course, she was talking to a strange man. Not only was she talking to a strange man, oh no, she was Rhyming with a strange man.

She was glad her parents were not here to see this. They would be baffled by it, she imagined. Prim and proper Chie, always so meek and polite, participating in some ridiculous poetry battle. Her fingers absentmindedly strolled up to test the mask, finding it still carefully fastened to hide her face. There would be little chance of someone identifying her. Although her hair and build were unique, people tended to associate faces with names, and she had the years of wallflower-like behavior to contribute to her being forget-able.

"You attempt, I scoff
at your outlandish claims.
Your mind must be off,
because my derision is plain."

She wondered how long he would keep this up, but she didn't plan to fold any time soon. Perhaps this sudden show of stubbornness was an inheritance from her father.

Ryuu grinned at the slight pause that his poem had caused within the young girl. Noticing as she checked her mask, Ryuu briefly wondered on what she was hiding. Was it because it felt loose to her? Or perhaps it was a nervous response. If that was the case then VICTORY WOULD SOON BE IN RYUU'S GRASP. Because who doesn't want to win a poetry battle with a random stranger.

BUT THEN SHE COUNTERED WITH ANOTHER POEM. One which denied Ryuu's claim. BUT RYUU WAS SURE OF HIMSELF AND HIS THEORY. The trick was just to get the girl to admit it. But for now Ryuu would have to devote his creative talents to making another FOUR LINES OF WITTINESS IN ORDER TO GO FOR THE WIN.

"Plain as the face beneath that mask,
Soon will your cheeks will begin to heat,
And soon will you give up this task,
Then it shall be your defeat."

Ryuu knew that he was doing good. As long as he kept things up he would be able to win this challenge. While he was up against a worthy foe, he knew that he could perservere. HE JUST HAD TO BELIEVE IN HIMSELF.

A retort came faster this time, perhaps he was getting to her? Not likely, as her face, though hidden, was controlled by that superb talent of hers: Emotions always in check.

"How do you propose
I must ask
Turn make my cheek turn to rose
for it is a weary task"

Though amusing, they were talking in circles, and she wondered what any of this was going to accomplish.

But she wasn't going to let him win, even if their weird little word play was beginning to attract more attention than she would have liked. Stragglers from the festival had begun to stop and watch the pair argue back and forth in rhymes. A small crowd was beginning to form, much amusement through giggling could be heard, as well as whispers.

They probably thought the two of them were crazy.

Ryuu smiled under his mask as the response came quicker than before. Perhaps he was getting to her. Or maybe she just had a burst of inspiration. But unless Ryuu learned how to read minds it would continue to be a myyyyysteryyyyyy. Besides Ryuu had his own poem to focus on.

Noticing the growing crowd, Ryuu smiled under his mask. THE ESCALATION HAD BEGUN. Now the loser of this WAR OF THE WORDS wouldn't be able to hide their defeat.

"There are many ways that are worthwhile,
I could fool you with a trick,
Or tell a joke that'll make you smile,
There are many methods that are mine to pick."

Now it was her turn to give her own poetic retort. But now that there was an audience, would that affect her poems? Perhaps it would give his foe stage fright. Or perhaps the growing crowd would distract her enough to throw off her poetry abilities. ONLY TIME WOULD TELL.

Smirking slightly beneath the safety of her mask, Chie ignored the murmuring crowd that circled around them.

"In laughs and tricks
You may be ept"

She paused, tapping the mask upon her cheek with a long fingernail.

"But my two masks will nix
your claim of debt."

She was, of course, referring to not only the mask upon her face, but the mask that was her face. She could conceal much from the world, learning a handy talent of voiding her face of emotion and bringing forth a useful one when necessary. She had never used this talent for nefarious purposes, but rather to keep herself at a distance from her friends, family, and peers. She had to wonder if anyone, after all these years, knew what she really thought and felt.

Sometimes, she wondered if she really knew what she thought or felt either.

Giving a small chuckle at Chie's response, Ryuu noticed that the crowd was growing. Apparently two people engaged in a WAR OF THE WORDS was quite a spectacle. Resisting the urge to mock the musicians, Ryuu instead focused on what Chie said.

What could she mean when she said two masks? There was the obvious one but what could the second one be? Perhaps she was also an arrancar. That would explain the pyromania. Or maybe she had a second mask on underneath the first one just in case there was some sort of mask emergency. THIS SOUNDED LIKE A MYSTERY.

But first, there was the poetry war to deal with.

But a smile and a blush even under a mask,
If it is admitted or not,
Still means that I have succeeded in my task,
For your cheek still burns hot.

Perhaps Ryuu had already won in this game and this would cause her to admit defeat. But even if that was the case, Ryuu wondered if he would stop rhyming. This EPIC BATTLE OF POETRY was indeed too fun to just stop. But for now THE BATTLE WOULD CONTINUE.

Ignoring the catcalls and jeers that were beginning to erupt from the staring crowd, Chie surveyed her opponent. He was stubborn, wasn't he? But that was quite alright, she wasn't about to fold to some random stranger; he hadn't bested her just yet.

"A flaw, you see,
that you most certainly posses,
is underestimating me,
and your performance does not impress."

He was going to have to try harder than that, just boasting that he was going to win wasn't about to make her face turn red. He would actually have to do something in order to win.

It was time to step up his game!

Smiling underneath his mask at the crowd that was gathering, Ryuu wondered if they were having as much fun as he was. All of this rhyming was good for making Ryuu think on his feet. So far his foe was able to hold her own quite well. If Ryuu wanted to win this he would have to step things up. But how would he accomplish this?

Coming up with a few ideas such as increasing the lines that should rhyme and changing the form of the poems, Ryuu couldn't decide on which one to go with. Wondering if his foe had an idea in mind, Ryuu considered giving her an opportunity. Perhaps she had a better idea to make things more interesting. But that was when Ryuu had an idea.

"Perhaps the stakes should be raised in this game,
Or better yet a new challenge to face,
So things are not so lame,
I have an idea that will change the pace."

Allowing a few moments upon saying this to let it sink in, Ryuu smiled under his mask when he heard some people in the crowd murmer. "Now that I have their attention."

"The rules can be learned in no time,
Two lines each of us will give,
But these two must rhyme,
And they shall form a gripping narrative."

Ryuu had a good feeling about his idea. If he kept at the quatrains then it would eventually grow stale. Not only would the crowd lose interest and leave but Ryuu would also begin to lose interest. But if they changed things around then it would keep things fresh. Besides who didn't like a good story now and then?

"Once there was a man with a strong hand,
Who's job it was to farm and guard the land."

AND THUS THE NEXT SKIRMISH IN THIS WAR OF THE WORDS WOULD BEGIN. Would Chie step up to the challenge and continue the narrative? Or would she make her own alterations to this EPIC BATTLE OF WORDPLAY?

A change? What a strange proposal, that they begin to weave a story. Perhaps it was a gracious offer to allow her to save face, not that she was worried of course!, in front of the growing mob. More and more people were stacking up, curious by the two people throwing poems back and forth. She was becoming uncomfortable, as the pleasurable haze induced by her freedom was beginning to wane.

Biting her lip beneath her mask, she thought as he spoke, deciding that perhaps this would be an amusing endeavor. She was a lover of books, and consequently stories, so perhaps this wouldn't be too far out of her shrinking comfort zone.

Just remember the mask, Chie...no one knows you. You're free.

She reviewed his last sentence, still clinging onto the stubbornness like a raft.

"Upon his land, he had a beautiful wife,
to whom he was blissfully bound for life."

Smiling under his mask, Ryuu was glad to see that his foe was satisfied with the new game. If she didn't agree then Ryuu would have no idea how things would turn out. Although in retrospect that would be just fine with Ryuu. It would make things more original and unexpected. Besides even if it did cause him to lose, it would still be of little consequence given how much fun he was having.

However there was no point in wondering what Chie would change to the game. Now it was time to focus on round two.

"Round and round the land they did roam.
To help people in need and to protect their home.

Observing Chie's body language, Ryuu noticed that there was a slight change in her behavoir. It wasn't anything significant, at least for the moment. But Ryuu noticed that there was a hint of uncertainty and nervousness that contrasted with the enthusiasm that she showed earlier. But what could be the cause of this developement?

She was uncomfortable, of course, but she did not intentionally betray that emotion. But perhaps there was a quiver in her voice...one must make allowances for that, though it would be an exceptionally rare case that Chie ever behaved in a way she did not chose to show.

This was a special case, however!

Unknown territory, doing things drastically different from what she had ever done before...

But she knew she was beginning to betray her real feelings, she was losing control over it. If there was one thing she disliked, it was lack of control. With a swallow, her posture relaxed and loose. Her chin tilted back up, jutting out, though hidden under her mask, giving her a bit of a haughty look. Eyes narrowed a bit, she fired back a retort at him, prepared to craft a most interesting story.

"T'was a sad and unbelievable day, but true,
villagers one by one died after turning a strange hue"

Wondering what could cause his foe to grow uncomftorable, Ryuu had no way of knowing the true cause. Was it due to the gathering crowd? It wasn't that uncommon that people grew nervous when they were the center of attention for a group. Or maybe it was that she was starting to run out of rhymes. Given how many the two of them had used that didn't seem to be so far fetched. Or perhaps there was another reason. A mysterious reason. BUT THE WORLD WOULD NEVER KNOW.

Noticing that his foe had taken a deep breath and seemed relaxed, Ryuu raised an eyebrow when she adopted a rather haughty look. Was it a nervous reaction of some sort? Or was it something else? Either way it was a bit odd. Not that Ryuu would have much room to judge.

"What could be the cause of this many did ask.
But only the man and wife made finding this answer their task."

And now the action of the story would begin. Would this story turn into a mystery or perhaps it might take another unexpected turn. ONLY TIME WOULD TELL. Well that and the two of them. They would also tell both each other and the rest of the crowd. BUT FOR THE MOMENT RYUU HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT.

Chie hadn't noticed much about this man, thus far. Who was he? What kind of a person would start a rhyming battle anyway? His behavior gave away nothing, aside from amusement, so he was quite mysterious to her.

However, now wasn't an ideal time to ask, as they were wrapped up in a poetic battle.

"Left and right, the villagers did drop,
and the clues led the man and his wife to a mysterious shop."

She really was making this up on the fly, but she did have quite a bit of background in stories. After all, she spent so much time buried in books, it was natural that she would come across a variety of stories.

AND NOW RYUU KNEW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT. At least for the moment. But things were still fun so Ryuu wouldn't have any complaints when he went back to not knowing what would happen. Although a small part wondered what would happen when the story ended and if that would lead into a new game. Or perhaps...A SEQUEL. Depending on how well the first story sold this could turn into THE NEXT BEST SELLING FRANCHISE. Although given the fact that it was an oral tale instead of a book that might present a few problems with that plan. BUT NEVER THE LESS IT WAS STILL A VERY VERY SLIGHT POSSIBILITY.

It's shape was in a large yet easy to move tent.
And despite their fears, in the husband and wife went.

And now Ryuu had thrown yet another attack, IN THIS WAR OF THE WORDS. WHO KNEW WHAT NEW DEVELOPEMENTS WOULD OCCUR IN THIS STORY?

Chie really wondered what her father, or even her mother, would say if they saw her doing this. She giggled, not bothering to hide it from her opponent. It wasn't like he knew what she was thinking, or who she was, so it didn't particularly matter. Oh if only they could see her, the people who sheltered her and babied her...she was out and about, doing what she pleased.

It was wonderful.

"But oh, how the wife and man were unaware
of the dangerous witch in the tent and her deadly wares"

Chie rather liked this game.

Smiling as the game...nay this EPIC WORD BATTLE continued, Ryuu heard his foe giggling. What could this giggling mean? Perhaps his foe had concocted a diablolical scheme. WHAT TERRIBLE THINGS WERE GOING THROUGH HER MIND. Perhaps she was imagining the entire festival on fire. That would certainly be enough to make a pyromaniac giggle.

And now a witch had entered the story. Perhaps she was going to have the witch immolated at some point in the story. That was the standard way of getting rid of witches as far as Ryuu knew. PERHAPS THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF HER PYROMANIACAL GIGGLING.

Luring the wife away from her husband with a magical charm.
The witch soon had the wife captured and planned to do her harm."

And now the action of the story would begin. Observing the crowd, Ryuu could see that they were getting into the story. In fact Ryuu could even hear a few gasps at the latest developement in the story.

Chie of course would not be privy to guessing at Ryuu's thoughts. He really did not react much, as she saw no noticeable behavior or body language to give her clues on him. Of course, his face too was hidden by a mask. All she had to go on what his rhymes, and his weird enjoyment of rhymes.

"All seemed lost, for the poor wife as she struggled with no aid
as the witch laid her alluring trap for the husband as a beautiful maid."

Chie wasn't entirely sure where this story was going, but at least the people around them seemed to enjoy it. Odd enough, they were now sitting around them in a circle, as if it were story time and they were children. Of course, some of them WERE children, but even adults sat and relaxed. From the murmurs of the conversation Chie was catching, she deduced that many of them thought she and Ryuu were some manner of hired entertainment for the festival goers.

Hearing some of the same murmers, Ryuu also noticed that some people thought they were performers. Finding the idea quite comical, Ryuu wondered if they would eventually get paid for their show. At the very least someone could give the two of them some puppets to act the show out with. Besides Ryuu had learned long ago that puppets make everything better. Plus they were quite entertaining to play with.

"Leading the husband on into another room.
The witch began to cast a spell that would seal the man's doom."

ANOTHER UNEXPECTED DEVELOPEMENT. Would the witch end up triumphant or would the husband and wife find a way to return and foil her nefarious and currently unknown plan? ONLY TIME WOULD TELL.

Of course, Chie wondered too if through some strange circumstance, they would be compensated for their show. Off-handedly, she found the idea amusing, and chose to betray that emotion by smiling widely. Too bad Ryuu couldn't see it.

"The wife wept, broken and alone,
life threatened, curse-born pain driven deep to the bone."

How would the story go next, one had to wonder.