Post by Zhou on Jan 22, 2014 21:35:11 GMT -5
Throughout the Yuan household, the only constant noise that broke through the relative silence that arrived with the onset of dusk, was the constant ticking of the old grandfather clock within the living room. Kept as decorum over many generations, the old beast still made it's heartbeat audible every night, with the ever present tick tock that seemed to lull the members of the family to sleep. However, such was not the case for the only child of the pair, as he laid awake in bed, staring up at the white ceiling with an expressionless look on his face. Hazel eyes locked upon the featureless expanse above him, Zhou listened intently to the ticking of the clock as if it were his very own heart, rather than that of the gnarled old beast below. Timers had been set, measures taken, for of course he had to leave his home in accordance with the sleep schedule of his parents. In truth it had been a simple endeavor, one he was growing quite accustomed to over the past few days. Father would come home first, usual conversation with the mother, she would keep herself busy with menial tasks whilst the father rested comfortably upon the couch. Occasionally he would be called down to assist in menial labors about the house, or at other times to be spoken to about his days out, it was growing routine to be honest, and following the habits of his elders was growing to be an exact science.
Upon his nightstand, the alarm had been set to an out of tune station so that the static would be just soft enough to not wake up his parents, a swiped second pillow that was said to have went missing weeks ago would be tucked beneath the sheets alongside a clean pair of shoes so to give the impression of his feet being in place, yet just outlined enough to obscure what really did lay beneath the covers. All of it had come down to simply observing, watching their behavior...and for what was scheduled today, he could not afford interruptions of any sort. Like clockwork, the static softly hummed from his alarm at around nine at night...he would have until seven in the morning to make his way back towards home, rest soundly in his bed, and be awoken by his mother. Hastily he readied himself, opening various drawers with utmost care, dressing himself in his coat, t-shirt, the usual ensemble that allowed him to trek hither and thither with the greatest of ease. All the while, the ticking of the clock served as a reminder as to the seconds being used up during the routine. Fully dressed within the course of two minutes, a false decoy of himself prepared under the sheets after four, ensuring it was properly placed. A pack had been readied the night before, and was placed on him within seconds...lastly came checking on his parents. Ever so slowly did he creak open the door to their bedroom, so methodically did he observe the signs of their slumber, they would be none the wiser as to his endeavors tonight. That. That made him smile with pride.
Following the usual protocol of shutting the doors softly, making a mental checklist of where the hidden key to the property was placed, he was out of the door after only taking about thirteen minutes to leave the household. A pity. His record had always been ten. Traversing the streets throughout the district was easy enough, as was heading through the underground labyrinth of massive subway tunnels. Scarce resistance was presented by the shadows that night, which was somewhat refreshing for a change. There would be no delays, no stops, the practiced run would be as it always had. Arriving at the gap, he sat down to eat a prepared meal, one of three packed along, a mere sandwich consisting of chopped duck...the grease from it settled in his stomach not long after, and he found himself walking underneath that grand ol' sky, towards the ruins of West Mosaic. A smile always seemed to creep upon his face every time he laid eyes upon this beautifully haunting place, not particularly at the presence of the shadows, but there was of course a sense of serenity that was otherwise incapable of being obtained within the hustle and bustle of the lively half.
After journeying far, Zhou found the place he had scouted out so many times before as if it was his second home. West Mosaic once held a gym within it's borders, which thankfully had been cleared out the night prior by his chain whip, which now was wrapped about his arm. Shadows seemingly ignored a few storefronts here and there, and it was only prudent to make use of what places they were not prone to check...no personas, no invoking of magic, that would draw them. Windows allowed the pale light of the night to pierce through, into the gym, though the strange aura of the purple sky did make things somewhat brighter than normal. Nights before, Zhou had made a promise with a princess to undertake training. During a school day, he had managed to secret a note into her locker, with the exact location of where they would train detailed on graphing paper...with a deep breath, he smiled. He looked across the gym floor whilst sitting on a mat, and just...smiled. Today he would learn to be a proper knight. A gentleman. Fencing would certainly improve his use of blades, though he lacked them. Every bit counted these days, and Zhou? Zhou wanted to make the most of the situation, so it would seem.
Upon his nightstand, the alarm had been set to an out of tune station so that the static would be just soft enough to not wake up his parents, a swiped second pillow that was said to have went missing weeks ago would be tucked beneath the sheets alongside a clean pair of shoes so to give the impression of his feet being in place, yet just outlined enough to obscure what really did lay beneath the covers. All of it had come down to simply observing, watching their behavior...and for what was scheduled today, he could not afford interruptions of any sort. Like clockwork, the static softly hummed from his alarm at around nine at night...he would have until seven in the morning to make his way back towards home, rest soundly in his bed, and be awoken by his mother. Hastily he readied himself, opening various drawers with utmost care, dressing himself in his coat, t-shirt, the usual ensemble that allowed him to trek hither and thither with the greatest of ease. All the while, the ticking of the clock served as a reminder as to the seconds being used up during the routine. Fully dressed within the course of two minutes, a false decoy of himself prepared under the sheets after four, ensuring it was properly placed. A pack had been readied the night before, and was placed on him within seconds...lastly came checking on his parents. Ever so slowly did he creak open the door to their bedroom, so methodically did he observe the signs of their slumber, they would be none the wiser as to his endeavors tonight. That. That made him smile with pride.
Following the usual protocol of shutting the doors softly, making a mental checklist of where the hidden key to the property was placed, he was out of the door after only taking about thirteen minutes to leave the household. A pity. His record had always been ten. Traversing the streets throughout the district was easy enough, as was heading through the underground labyrinth of massive subway tunnels. Scarce resistance was presented by the shadows that night, which was somewhat refreshing for a change. There would be no delays, no stops, the practiced run would be as it always had. Arriving at the gap, he sat down to eat a prepared meal, one of three packed along, a mere sandwich consisting of chopped duck...the grease from it settled in his stomach not long after, and he found himself walking underneath that grand ol' sky, towards the ruins of West Mosaic. A smile always seemed to creep upon his face every time he laid eyes upon this beautifully haunting place, not particularly at the presence of the shadows, but there was of course a sense of serenity that was otherwise incapable of being obtained within the hustle and bustle of the lively half.
After journeying far, Zhou found the place he had scouted out so many times before as if it was his second home. West Mosaic once held a gym within it's borders, which thankfully had been cleared out the night prior by his chain whip, which now was wrapped about his arm. Shadows seemingly ignored a few storefronts here and there, and it was only prudent to make use of what places they were not prone to check...no personas, no invoking of magic, that would draw them. Windows allowed the pale light of the night to pierce through, into the gym, though the strange aura of the purple sky did make things somewhat brighter than normal. Nights before, Zhou had made a promise with a princess to undertake training. During a school day, he had managed to secret a note into her locker, with the exact location of where they would train detailed on graphing paper...with a deep breath, he smiled. He looked across the gym floor whilst sitting on a mat, and just...smiled. Today he would learn to be a proper knight. A gentleman. Fencing would certainly improve his use of blades, though he lacked them. Every bit counted these days, and Zhou? Zhou wanted to make the most of the situation, so it would seem.