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The smallest step
Jul. 29th, 2008 12:19 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
nadriel.livejournal.comBracing himself, Xin checked his reading. He was certain the Kannagara who first taught him would have disapproved of using a PDA to calculate auspicious timing, but then, the Kannagara frequently disapproved of the way the Li Hai approached things. As was proper.
Steeling himself, then relaxing and breathing out, he allowed himself to become one with the area, unpleasant as it was, and he stepped into the office building. Guided by his attuned senses, he walked past guards and servants, whose eyes did not see him, for at this time, he trod but lightly upon the Wheel.
He remained centered, his mind a pool of calm, not thinking or truly seeing what was around him, for he walked in the edges of the Wicked City, and to notice would be to be noticed.
He risked much by coming here, but it was necessary. Many were working to restore the order of things, but Xin had realised that there was something missing. Just one small step. And if he got even a single action wrong, or his timing was even slightly off, then he faced death, and worse than death.
Finally, he arrived at his destination, an office at the end of a long hallway. It was not guarded, for none would be able to come here normally. He stepped forwards, opened the door, and walked into the office, closing it behind him.
The only other being in the room sat behind a desk, apparently poring over something on the computer on his desk. He appeared to be a young Japanese businessman in a finally tailored suit. The only oddness on first viewing were his hands- they appeared to be some sort of mechanical or cybernetic construct.
As Xin entered, the man looked up, frowning slightly, he spoke, in pleasantly modulated tones.
"Those responsible for security are to be demoted.You, however would appear to show some promise. There is always room for skilled and motivated personnel in my workforce..."
Xin, his emotions held carefully in check with every iota of his training, forced himself to reply calmly.
"With due respect sir, I have not come to join you. I am in fact here to ensure your defeat and banishment from this realm."
Even the lords of the hells can be surprised, but the exquisitely proper persona that was before him would only allow a raised eyebrow as a response.
"Little wizard, I know your kind are prone to arrogance, but you propose to defeat me? I will grant, your audacious approach has extended the duration of this interview for several seconds, but you must be deluded to think you have a chance of doing more."
"Again, with all due respect. I did not say I would defeat you. I am merely ensuring your defeat. And I have succeeded. Good day."
Bowing politely, Xin turned to leave, praying he had timed everything correctly.
Elsewhere, several figures, led by a woman in a slightly battered bowler hat, finished their ritual.
Somewhere else in Chinatown, two figures sensed a disruption in the flows of Chi and turned to leave, but were blocked by another two. In another part of town, a third contended with a long-haired figure who moved with blinding speed.
Somewhere unknown, a monster finished his Latin chant, the blood he had used already beginning to dry around the ritual bowl.
Further down in the same building Xin stood in, a man reached out for a metallic object that looked something like an eye, whilst many of the guards that would have been there were elsewhere in the building being savagely beaten by a woman wielding what looked like a wooden spear.
As the figure, and the office around him began to fade, he calmly turned back to the figure, who had started to sport metallic tentacles that still sought to reach for him even as they faded out of existence.
"Even with everything arrayed against you, had you been fully focussed, it would not have been possible to dislodge you. But sometimes, all it takes is the smallest step, the tiniest distraction..."
As the figure finally faded to nothingness, and the office ceased to be a reflection of the Wicked City, Xin heard the words that shook him even past his typical composure.
"I'll remember you."
Steeling himself, then relaxing and breathing out, he allowed himself to become one with the area, unpleasant as it was, and he stepped into the office building. Guided by his attuned senses, he walked past guards and servants, whose eyes did not see him, for at this time, he trod but lightly upon the Wheel.
He remained centered, his mind a pool of calm, not thinking or truly seeing what was around him, for he walked in the edges of the Wicked City, and to notice would be to be noticed.
He risked much by coming here, but it was necessary. Many were working to restore the order of things, but Xin had realised that there was something missing. Just one small step. And if he got even a single action wrong, or his timing was even slightly off, then he faced death, and worse than death.
Finally, he arrived at his destination, an office at the end of a long hallway. It was not guarded, for none would be able to come here normally. He stepped forwards, opened the door, and walked into the office, closing it behind him.
The only other being in the room sat behind a desk, apparently poring over something on the computer on his desk. He appeared to be a young Japanese businessman in a finally tailored suit. The only oddness on first viewing were his hands- they appeared to be some sort of mechanical or cybernetic construct.
As Xin entered, the man looked up, frowning slightly, he spoke, in pleasantly modulated tones.
"Those responsible for security are to be demoted.You, however would appear to show some promise. There is always room for skilled and motivated personnel in my workforce..."
Xin, his emotions held carefully in check with every iota of his training, forced himself to reply calmly.
"With due respect sir, I have not come to join you. I am in fact here to ensure your defeat and banishment from this realm."
Even the lords of the hells can be surprised, but the exquisitely proper persona that was before him would only allow a raised eyebrow as a response.
"Little wizard, I know your kind are prone to arrogance, but you propose to defeat me? I will grant, your audacious approach has extended the duration of this interview for several seconds, but you must be deluded to think you have a chance of doing more."
"Again, with all due respect. I did not say I would defeat you. I am merely ensuring your defeat. And I have succeeded. Good day."
Bowing politely, Xin turned to leave, praying he had timed everything correctly.
Elsewhere, several figures, led by a woman in a slightly battered bowler hat, finished their ritual.
Somewhere else in Chinatown, two figures sensed a disruption in the flows of Chi and turned to leave, but were blocked by another two. In another part of town, a third contended with a long-haired figure who moved with blinding speed.
Somewhere unknown, a monster finished his Latin chant, the blood he had used already beginning to dry around the ritual bowl.
Further down in the same building Xin stood in, a man reached out for a metallic object that looked something like an eye, whilst many of the guards that would have been there were elsewhere in the building being savagely beaten by a woman wielding what looked like a wooden spear.
As the figure, and the office around him began to fade, he calmly turned back to the figure, who had started to sport metallic tentacles that still sought to reach for him even as they faded out of existence.
"Even with everything arrayed against you, had you been fully focussed, it would not have been possible to dislodge you. But sometimes, all it takes is the smallest step, the tiniest distraction..."
As the figure finally faded to nothingness, and the office ceased to be a reflection of the Wicked City, Xin heard the words that shook him even past his typical composure.
"I'll remember you."
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