<hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1570/shanghainoon2000m720pbl.png)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Jia Li<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>Maze Rats<br/><strong>Date:</strong>February 3rd 1875<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Morning<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Aboard The Typhoon<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Open<br/><hr/><br/>The hand was on her body again.  A momentary touch, a simple slip of the digits beneath silken threads meant to keep away such unwanted attention.  To date she had allowed such things to slide past her, kept the knowledge to herself.  Perhaps she had been foolish in think that a failure to rise to the occasion would keep the attentions at bay.  Unwise in the way of men Jia Li had hoped the man’s curiosity would abate or turn to a more willing victim.  Every day the attentions and demands grew worse culminating in this moment where he cornered her in the bowels of the ship.  The Typhoon as she was called, for she had been told ships were women, rocked and creaked without judgment for what transpired.  Against her back rose the steel of the ship’s hull while to her front rose the pawing of the sailor.  Disgust registered on her face as he whispered phrases that perverted her native language and made her feel a primal revulsion.<br/><br/>Jia Li had spent months trying to hide from notice, months simply wanting to fit into the pack of rats.  She had asked for no attention and had worked hard to keep her head down, to simply survive as she knew best.  Unfortunately her efforts seemed in vain.  Hands lifted to push him away and the man only responded by shifting his entire body weight down atop her.  Air was crushed from her and she pressed further against the steel of the hull.  Part of her wanted to become part of the hull, to simply disappear into the metallic surface.  A whimper sounded from her mouth and she cried out, hoping someone might just interrupt the event.  There would be no help though and the hands persisted.  Sweat formed on her skin, anger burned beneath her flesh.  No longer did she want to meld into the metal hull but instead slam him into the steel.<br/><br/>A foot braced back against the hull.  Simple body mechanics allowed her to shift his weight back and then forward, thrusting him away with far more strength than he might anticipate.  Jia Li frowned at him and he only leered.  A box had been behind him and his body went crashing down onto the deck.  There was no time to waste and she went for the stairs.  Lithe and agile, she leapt over him to the beams that would serve as salvation.  A stray hand from him sent her sprawling.  Though she landed in position to flee, her hands and knees scrapped the surface of the ship.  One leg was sent back, heel slamming into nose so that the man screamed in pain.  She fled once more, scrambling up to her feet and out onto the main deck.  Behind she heard him throwing crates and materials in a rampage to avenge his wounded pride and honor.<br/><br/>More people moved about on the main deck.  The boat tipped and rocked amidst the waves of The Maze but she navigated this with deft skill and precision.  From below the man emerged like a bull raging toward her.  People were shoved out of the way as he came for her.  Strong hands grasped her jacket which she shrugged off without a second thought.  Her body ducked down and then tucked back to roll between his legs.  An awkward shove was given to keep him off balance, but he knew his way around a rocking ship as well.  Jia Li bite her lip as she considered her options.  To start a fight would be disastrous for her but to let him have his way would be horrifying as well.  Running was still her best option and she turned to do so again.  Yet her body collided with the stoic frame of an officer.  The man’s face hard-nosed and edged with the persona of command.  A hand came to grab her shift, pulling her and the cloth back into the embrace of the man.<br/><br/>“Explain yourself.”  The words cut through the noise of the deck, stilling all and quieting everyone.<br/><br/>“She offered a good time for money officer.  Then when I gave her the money she tried to run out on me with the money.  I tried to stop her and look what she did to my face.”<br/><br/>Jia Li was horrified at the lie.  Her mouth opened in shock and shame that he would say something so blatantly false about her.  One foot came to strike his shin, striking the limb hard enough that he could do nothing but release his grasp.<br/><br/>“Lies!  I never said anything like that!  I was just below washing as I was told sir!”<br/><br/>The officer considered them both before boxing Jia Li against the side of her head.  Such a strike was delivered clumsily but still hurt for the strength behind the blow.  “I did not tell you to speak.  Both of you in my quarter and then we will see who gets off this boat!”<br/>