In which Zhang He does Cao Ren's hair. Fandom:Dynasty Warriors Rating:Small people safe really Summary:Ummm...Zhang He, Cao Ren and a comb? Author notes:ZOMG, the first DW 'Serious face' fic I've ever written. Please let it be the last. Disclaimer:DW is owned by Koei
Written in a response for the Musou Meme on LJ.
"Will you sit still!" Zhang He sounded somewhere between mildly exasperated and amused.
"Is this really necessary?" Glowering almost like a sullen child, Cao Ren shifted position slightly to free the silk sleeve trapped under his thigh that had limited his ability to be able to swat away the tall man who was now preening him.
"Stand." Zhang He commanded the shorter man. "Ren, whilst I admire your tenacity in battle, it rather lacks grace." He carefully combed though the tangles at the ends of Cao Ren's hair.
Ren turned to face He, the small backless chair between them. "Grace does not win battles. Tenacity does."
"Not in my experience." Zhange He casually dismissed. Taking hold of Cao Ren's shoulders, he politely but firmly turned Ren back round and continued combing his hair. He pushed Ren back into a seated position as he started to pull the strands away from Ren's face and up into a more suitable traditional style for the occasion.
Ren grumbled as he realised the sleeve had yet again caught under his leg as he'd sat down. He missed his armour. Zhang He had swanned into the room quite adamant that he could make the general 'beautiful'. Ren had tried to impress upon He that he was a practical man and whilst honour had a place on and off the battlefield, beauty did not.
To discover that Zhang He was not here of his own volition but that of Cao Cao had only increased his discomfort. Meeting men of distinction in a diplomatic capacity was not what he was best suited too. Cao Cao obviously was aware of this too, hence Zhang He's presence.
Ren noticed Zhang He was talking. "...you are too coarse. I doubt you could ever be as refined as I'd like but we can improve upon it enough to get you through tonight."
Ren stopped himself from asking. If Cao Cao thought Ren was not best suited to the job of meeting diplomatic emissaries, then why assign him to the job? He knew the answer. While Cao Cao was a man of great diplomatic ability and presence, men trusted Cao Ren's straightforward honesty and sense of honour. He was respected by friend and foe alike.
Zhang He pulled Cao Ren to his feet. Still holding onto his hands he took a step back and looked over Ren with a critical eye. "There, you look quite beautiful. Now we just need to work on your demeanour. Grace is everything." Pulling Ren closer He said barely above a whisper, "Have you ever seen a sword dance performed exquisitely? Where the dancer, the sword and the music become one?"
Before Ren could speak, He had grabbed up a sword, and with his eyes closed started moving to a silent tune. Ren watched him, his mild discomfort temporarily forgotten as he realised that he could follow the music in He's head by watching the man's movements. It struck him that whilst for many warriors a sword dance was a good method for getting close to an enemy, for He it really was about the grace of the movement, the music and the beauty found in it as all came together perfectly. He now knew why Zhang He was so effective on the battlefield. The sound of the footfalls, weapons clashing, shouts of the victorious and screams of the falling was a music he danced in perfect time with.
He allowed himself a small smile as Zhang He walked gracefully back toward him explaining that whilst there was little he could do in such a short time, he could smooth the edges a little. As Zhang He took up position beside him, Ren laughed.
He looked slightly puzzled. "Something amuses you?"
"Just a thought, my friend."
"May I enquire as to what induced such beautiful laughter."
Cao Ren slapped a hand on Zhang He's shoulder. "I think just once in a while you can make anyone feel beautiful. Even a 'coarse' warrior like myself."
"Then we may yet achieve something here." He smiled graciously.
"You never know." Ren said good naturedly. Despite a new appreciation for his companion's view of the world, it wasn't his and he still really had no idea how he was going to get through this evening.