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Post by pamuy on Dec 7, 2008 2:07:10 GMT -5
The walk was at least leisurely enough for Pamuy, and at the moment Jaemin, to enjoy and not worry about falling behind. The two were somewhere around the middle of the wagon caravan, walking at whatever pace they needed. Enjoying the warmth and differences between the nations of fire and earth were enough while the waterbender kept on edge, considering what stares their little parade might attract, but she was altogether easygoing - or at least she tried. It was harder than it looked. Now she and Jaemin at least had time to talk.
"It feels like forever since we've gotten to talk, Jaemin..." Pamuy looked to her friend, smiling weakly as the lanky, raven-haired fellow nearing his thirties walked beside him. Thankfully, he was one of few men in the caravan considerate and mature enough to make sure his long legs didn't carry him too far ahead of the waterbender.
"I know, Pamuy. I thought the same," Jaemin said as he looked down to his friend, smiling in much of the same manner, long arms swaying with each leisurely step; that was, until an errant hand of his decided to gesture somewhat flamboyantly in accordance with his words. "Guess we've been too busy preparing for the trip and junk."
"Good to know I'm not crazy, I guess," she replied as she widened her eyes, almost feeling a sense of relief that her feelings were shared. Of course, from her best friend and virtually the only man in the caravan she respected and trusted, she could expect as much. Looking away, she wore a content countenance.
Jaemin, empathic as always, could tell things weren't hunky-dory', as he would put it. Before too long of looking at her classically Water Tribe profile, he had to put his hand on her shoulder. The two slowed down considerably, to the point where they almost stopped. Not a good choice in a caravan, but the man thought it was fairly important. "Something wrong? I can tell, hon."
"Well, you don't really share my problem. These are your problem. No offense, though..." She didn't bother to remove his hand from her shoulder, since it was something of a comfort to know he cared enough to show it. Jaemin was like a brother, and it well. He was much more than just a fabulous friend.
"Heck, only on mama's side," he said as he put his hands behind his head, looking directly to the sky in wonderment and moving around at Pamuy's side slowly. When the woman began walking again, whilst her eyes were looking at him noncomittaly, Jaemin decided to follow. Pamuy knew exactly what he was going to say, though - he'd said it a million and a half times before, why stop now? "Daddy, well...never met the guy. Can't tell you if he was Fire Nation or not. Maybe I'm secretly an airbender and don't even know it," he ended with a wry smirk, even though he knew the end result.
Not much for humor in any way whatsoever, Pamuy forced a small smile and hummed in recognition; "Hmm." Many people found it strange that, although she would admit things were funny and she would smile, she never laughed. Ever.
Yet Jaemin saw need to pry further. "There's something else weighing on your mind," Jaemin said as he stroked his chin, smooth like the rest of his face. Tilting his head allowed a stray lock of black hair to fall over his rusty golden eye. "In fact...I saw you around Hilang. Spirits know why," he edged closer and closer, until...
Looking him in the face, Pamuy shook her head and took a step back. She was really in no mood to be nudged in the ribs now. Of course, her tone of voice would speak for itself. "Funny you should ask. He told me he'd try not to be racist after I told him he'd probably be discriminated against too. From what I hear, they're even prejudiced against colonists." The entire time, her arms would occasionally flay out violently to emphasis her point. Jaemin always tried to avoid Pamuy's slap-inducing hands in that case, since he could anticipate such things if she were moody.
"Uh huh, and it's not because..." For some reason, the effeminate man saw reason to tease Pamuy, despite her mood and despite the surprising news of Hilang's heel-face turn toward something better. Even if Jaemin didn't expect the short man's promise to last long, it was still interesting to hear he would admit such things.
Widening her eyes again, her pupils managed to twist all the way to the edge, brushing her eyelid. If he knew she wasn't altogether happy, why would he do that? He was Jaemin, that was why. Sternly, she put her hands on her broad hips and gave him a glare only a mother could (and would). "Stop that. Really."
As if he were latching a lock with a key, he twisted the tip of his index finger against the corner of his mouth and rolled his eyes wistfully. "My lips are sealed." However, when his face drifted away from Pamuy's, it was a different story. Jaemin had to smirk again, referring to Pamuy's little crush on Hilang. Even if she never told him explicitly, it was something he just knew, since he and she were so close - much like how Pamuy knew Jaemin didn't quite like girls as did most men. It was an unspoken understanding, it was. "Pret-ty obvious, though."
Grabbing his wrist, she slapped it rather playfully. It was hard enough to matter, but he knew she was kidding. Heavens knew he had a higher pain tolerance than that and wouldn't complain, though. Pamuy shook her finger. "Stop. Now."
Pulling his arm away, he rubbed in in feigned disappointment. His pouted lip jokingly made it seem like she was some old meany-pants."You're no fun." Only around each other could the otherwise mature man and woman could expect to act that way...
Grabbing his tanned arm again, Pamuy instead drew closer to him instead of delivering a minor blow. Like the two were old lovers, Jaemin put his arm around her narrow shoulder as they walked. Pamuy smiled again, letting her eyes close and the taller man guide her as they walked. "Y'know, I think your father was from the Water Tribe. Doesn't matter which one...you know I don't even know," she was, of course, referring to her own uncertainty over her heritage.
Her mother Rana had told her she was sure her ancestry lay in both the Southern and Northern Tribes, but her father was a different case entirely. Gong Pei was fairly pale, colored like slightly sun-bleached cedar wood, but she remembered the distinctive icy blue of his eyes clearly. He could waterbend, though, and that was all that mattered to people. Instead of rambling on about her ancestry, Pamuy got to the point. "But you've got that charm and wit about you."
Gesturing as though he were pushing her away, Jaemin scoffed at the shorter woman, the waterbender. "Hush, you old flatterer." He didn't care what anyone was, as long as they were a nice person, and he knew Pamuy felt the same. Still, she had confided in him about her matters of identity more than once. He agreed it was confusing, especially considering an important trait of his, but always told her not to worry. Thankfully, though, they were both adults and emotionally stronger now. Tilting his head and shrugging his shoulders subtly, Jaemin ended that note. "Okay, don't. You've swayed me in your favor."
Pamuy feigned exasperation at her friend, scrunching the bridge of her nose slightly. "You..."
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Post by shanghuang on Dec 11, 2008 3:46:28 GMT -5
Shang nodded in affirmative as Nim expressed her interest to walk. A futile gesture, but he didn’t even really think about it when he did it. He was glad that she decided to walk, though. Company would be nice, since he certainly didn’t plan on riding next to any Fire Nation guards. This way, he could also listen to Nim explain more of her ideas for her performance.
As Nim spoke, he tapped his chin with his index finger. This idea was at least less dangerous, and she was probably right about not having to change her routine, so long as she was careful. Shang was a worrier by nature, though, so he still felt a little uneasy about the idea. It wasn’t his place to tell Nim what she should do, though, nor his place to really even give much advice. He was hardly an expert, having never been a real performer himself.
“Well, if you think you can do it, then you probably can. You’re kind of, uh…well, a natural at this,” he said after a moment. “Just be careful…okay?”
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Post by nim on Dec 11, 2008 10:41:53 GMT -5
Shang was quiet while they walked and Nim was starting to wonder if he was still there. She was sure she heard his foot falls next to her, but everyone in the caravan was walking up the street so it was hard to decern one set of foot steps to another. She was about to ask if he was still by her side when he spoke, startling her a little and causing only the slightlest stumble to her stride.
"Well, if you think you can do it, then you probably can. You’re kind of, uh…well, a natural at this, just be careful…okay?" He seemed wooried and for a reason she couldn't explain it made her heart jump just the smallest bit.
"I wouldn't say a natural," she was sure a blush was rising to her dark cheeks, "But thanks for your concern, I really appreciate it," she really did, a lot of the caravan memebers were reckless, it was all for the thrill of the preformance, but to have someone concerned for her well being besides her parents was nice.
"I wouldn't worry to much though, I can only add the fire if someone can figure out how to keep the end of my whip lit, if we can't do that then I'm not sure what I'll do," She shrugged her shoulders, she would like to add the exciting fire element to her preformance, but she wasn't much of an enginer so she could only go as far as other peoples imaginations could take her.
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Post by yinhe on Dec 22, 2008 2:12:47 GMT -5
It seemed the two were still there, though neither seemed interested in a seat, Yin shrugged to herself and made no effort to reply, if they wished to walk, they could do so. Waiting for a time, the Corporal sat quietly, peeking over at Pang for a moment, she seemed no better than before, what had the girl been thinking? Turning her gaze back ahead, up the small winding road, Yin peered off into the distance, following it as it snaked through the various waterfront shops and around the fish stands and the like, eventually terminating at the gates of the Royal Plaza. The base Doc had warned that one’s allergies could be triggered by the simple scent of shellfish cooking and Yin was not exactly looking forward to traveling back through that area again.
A dull, distant look upon her face, she sat looking off towards the heart of the city but her concentration was broken when she heard the running board to the wagon’s left side creak under someone’s weight. Turning slowly to observe the newcomer, she half-hoped it was the driver, though, instead, found it to be an Earth Kingdom woman with a young child in her arms. Another Gypsy, Yin thought, watching her through her usual half-lidded gaze. It seemed she aimed to take a seat upon the bench seat; there likely wouldn’t be enough room for the woman, Yin, Pang and the driver, so the Corporal rose silently from her seat and edged her way around poor Pang, stepping off of the wagon’s right side, back down to the ground.
The woman could have her seat, but if any of the lot questioned Pang, Yin would be quick to intervene. Her Squad mates came before all else, even temperamental Xiu, she cared for. Several months before, the woman had broken a finger in a scuffle with a vagrant and Yin had made over her like the proverbial mother chicken sow, much to her displeasure, but it had always been the Corporal’s nature to be protective.
Fortunately, the driver of the wagon arrived and took his place upon the bench seat, taking up the reigns. With a quick glance around, back at the other two wagons, Yin felt satisfied that everyone was in place and ready to move out. She noted that Shing, Li and Xiu were all on their feet beside their respective wagons, perhaps pushed out of their seats by the Gypsies. They hadn’t any right to order the troops around, this was their turf, after all, and riding up upon the wagons was more a tactical decision than one of comfort, allowing a soldier a wider range of view to either side of the wagon to scan for threats. But as it was, the wagons wouldn’t be moving too quickly and the Corporal didn’t feel it worth the effort to push the issue. Besides, what threats might emerge in the heart of the capital city? She couldn’t help but feel Xiu was steaming, though, had she been ordered down or the like, Yin knew she would have heard about it quite quickly.
Popping up upon the running board, she addressed the driver across the seat, “Know where you’re going?” she asked, giving him a rather bored look. “Yep, Yubi Estate, upper ring,” he replied, nodding. “Good, feel free,” said the Corporal gesturing up docks toward the road ahead. The driver responded with a nod, a flick of the reigns and a click of his tongue, urging the lazy looking dragon moose team to pick up their hooves. With the wagon on the move, Yin dropped from the running board and quietly strode along beside it. They really weren’t moving all that quickly which was just fine with Yin, the later they reached the stuffy nobles, the better. She’d have to send Li and Pang off before they reached the Yubi place and quickly planned out the nearest point to the base that the wagons would pass by.
The journey up, through the waterfront marketplace was uneventful and Yin took to twirling her Tonfa baton absentmindedly in her left hand as the caravan moved along. The procession soon reached the Royal Plaza. That had always been a neat place, Yin had attended a rally or two with a few friends in the past, she’d been on security for several more of the events, as well. Then, further on, through the gates at the end of the Plaza and onto the switchback road that led up the side of the volcano that held the glorious capital of the Fire Nation.
They soon passed through the main gates, into the tunnel and out into the crater, Yin now humming quietly to herself, golden brown eyes casually scanning the general public milling about, lining the streets as usual, though the caravan did seem to draw many interested looks. Spotting a few fellow Home Guard soldiers, the Corporal waved to them, bobbing along beside the wagon, still humming a tune, her strides rather awkward with her splayed feet but even and proud. Were they really better off? Yin couldn’t be certain, patrolling the streets, or escort duty? Both seemed roughly similar in terms of effort, though, if Second Squad was to remain as security about the estate and the like, that might make it a rather less than pleasant. Where would they be quartered? Would the Yubi’s feed them? Yin would inquire once they arrived and things wound down some.
But for now, she simply continued on, smiling and waving to her comrades on patrol, whilst keeping a casual eye upon the people at either side of the street. Shing and Li too, simply trotted along a bit before and beside the last wagon. Shing gave his towering comrade a prod with his elbow and gestured toward the Water Tribe woman and her companion ahead of them, peering up at the Firebender, smirking. Li gave the jokester a stony, disapproving look and shook his head slowly in response. “What?” Shing asked, acting somewhat offended.
Xiu, now tromping along beside the middle wagon’s left side, hadn’t been particularly pleased with giving up her seat to one of the older members of the caravan, but she had complied without a word. Though a vicious sneer had crossed her lips at the time, she was, fortunately, cooling down now.
So far, things seemed to be going well enough for Yin’s Second Squad.
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Post by blackcrow on Dec 31, 2008 3:51:53 GMT -5
Through the gates of the Royal Plaza and into the royal city the caravan went, surrounded on either side by clusters of pristine white buildings, one or two stories high.. sometimes three or even four stories high with towers, each crowned by gold leaf covered wood and scarlet ceramic tiled roofs. It was magnificent, simply in the lower city, with the polish buildings, the ornate screen windows and round-shaped doorways in some buildings that were framed by multi-layered borders and covered with painted geometrical designs and gold leaf calligraphy. Rectangular doors were also decorated and so were many of the windows, with their geometrical screens of carved wood. Tall trees decorated the courtyards of many of the buildings, both high and low walls sealing the private lives off from the passerby while some where more open to the public with iron fences or nothing at all. Small markets and shops had sprung up in the various wide open forums that were scattered throughout the city, often where many roads crossed and where a fountain or a monument had been erected commending the one hundred year war.
The shinning city was awe inspiring to the twins who had never witnessed such a grand city. The towns and villages in the Earth Kingdom that were Fire Nation territory and colonies were wonderful yes, but they did not have the richness, the history, the sheer statue of the city. This was the capital.. those were simply colonies. This a city in which the twins could NEVER dream of living in, even in the Lower city, the part outside of the crater, the clothes were richer, the buildings better constructed, and everything was more ornate. The clothes people wore were better, richer fabrics in the most fashionable styles. Many of the clothes in the colonies that the troupe had seen were already outdated, their own clothes.. home made and bought second or third or even fifteenth handed, were laughable. Strange looks followed them as the wound though the lower city, escorted by the Home Guard. The Dragon Mooses made grunting noises as the plodded along, much to the delight of some small children who giggled and clapped their hands in glee at the creatures and the odd people following them. Certainly the Flame Dancers would put on a show for their odd audience.
The Lower City ended abruptly at a massive wall made of dark volcanic stone, an ominous reminded that higher up the coast of the imposing, wide mouth volcano was the Upper City. The city of nobility and royalty, of grand estates, of massive temples and towers, of the Royal Palace. When Bai-Wu and Li-Wu last visited over ten years ago, they hadn't been anywhere near as close to the wall as they were now. With a signal of confirmation from the Home Guards, the massive, dark gates with their golden flame insigia opened, allowing the wagons passage to the winding road. The road was wide enough for two.. maybe three wagons abreast, weaving back and forth across the mountain side like a snake. Tall Towers were placed at each bend, staffed by Home Guard who poked their head out, suspicious. In time, they reached the tunnel bored in through the wall of the crater, again with blackened steel gates and golden insignias. Everything about it, about the stationed Home Guard that flocked to the gates to watch and to examine said "Beware ye who enter". The darkened passage was lit with oil lamps, arching over the road hanging on metal scaffolding that supported the weight of the tunnel. It was only a few minutes in the stifling hot tunnel, thanks to the lamps, before the emerged back into bright, brilliant blue skies and the cool breeze.
Even more gold decorated the buildings here. Even some small roof sections bearing all gold! Crimson roofs were everywhere but the buildings were not as nestled together as they had been. More trees lined the streets, flowering plants hung from balconies and baskets, and the courtyards were more numerous, but also more private. Walls locked away the nobles and kept them from each other and the populace. And in the middle of it all, the dark, imposing Royal Palace of Lun Yang with it's massive, sky reaching spire, the tallest tower in the city. Yet they would not be heading there. No, the Yubi estate was where they were heading and soon, there circle around the upper city would bring them to the ornate, wooden and iron gates of the Yubi's estate, their family name emblazoned in gold to greet the gypsies.
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Post by nim on Jan 17, 2009 8:06:09 GMT -5
Shang was quiet for a long while and with so many foot falls in the vacinaty Nim was beginning to wander if he had walked off to speak with someone else or to simply be alone. She hesitated for a moment, she wanted to ask if he was still there, but at the same time she knew Shang had always tended to trail off into his own thoughts and if he was indeed in his own head she didn't want to pry him from it. So she gave small smile and slowed a bit, listening to the different steps around her; there was a distinct difference between the foot falls of her gypsie companions and those of the Fire Nation guards. With little hesitation she moved slowly up next to one of the soldiers, she had always been fond of the Fire Nation, well of all the stories she had heard of it anyway, but now that she was among them she felt small and unworthy, but that didn't keep a big smile away from face.
"Hi," she felt like a little kid again, bubbly and excited and though the boat trip had been something of a nightmare she was glad now that she had come, "I'm Nimuta Watsu, what's your name?" The foot falls were heavier so she was sure it was one of the men she was talking to, but she couldn't be positive. She thought of how her name sounded outloud, it was very Earth Kingdom and now in the Caravans land of origin she wished her parents had thought to give her a more Fire Nation name.
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Post by shanghuang on Jan 19, 2009 18:24:14 GMT -5
[So, so sorry for not posting. I got confused and thought we were waiting for someone]
Shang gave a small affirmative to Nim’s response. He was no engineer either, he didn’t know how something like that would work. Nim could take care of herself, though. Really, it was silly of him to worry about her like that, wasn’t it? Maybe it was the fire. Fire had ingrained itself into Shang’s memory by now. He’d seen what it was capable of, what it could do to people. Here, no one though anything of fire, probably. It was their cultural icon. They didn’t seem to care too much about the destruction it could cause. Yes…that was it. Where they were was only making Shang more nervous.
He looked around. The city was peaceful. Happy. Did that make it worse or did it make it better? He didn’t know. Suddenly, Shang turned to his left to find Nim gone. He blinked and looked around. Had he lost himself in thought again? He flushed slightly. How embarrassing. He’d been so wrapped up in his own thought he’d totally ignored Nim. He would have to apologize later. For now, though, he focused on keeping up with the caravan. He followed it for a while longer before suddenly they stopped in front of a large pair of gates. They had arrived at their destination.
Shang read the name above the gates. The Yubi family, that was who their hosts were. He gazed at the mansion off in the distance. They were wealthy, to be sure. He decided he didn’t want to know how they acquired it, however. So instead of asking questions, he simply waited for something to happen.
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Post by mingzhu on Jan 20, 2009 9:26:55 GMT -5
The quick rounds of refreshing drinks had been delivered, and Mingzhu felt suitable rejuvenated from the quiet sit down and small chat made with the Ambassador. Her father had spoken formally and heavily for most of it, seeking to cultivate this man’s friendship and hopefully gain an extra voice on his side, in case the need ever arose. Mingzhu looked still and an air of calm settled around her, like heavy cloth curtains suitably drawn.
The slight flicker of her eyes traced the movement of a servent, kneeling by her father until he granted the servant to rise. They exchange whispers, and then her father waved the man away like an irritating fly.
“Now, the Fire Dancers are approaching the main gate.” Lord Shihong Yubi announced, folding his hand firmly and placing them on the table before him. His mouth twitched with a condescending smirk. “Let us go greet the riff raff and be done with it.”
Mingzhu pretended not to hear the comment, despite the fact she very much agreed with it, her visage of diplomacy was too important to throw away for the sake of a small comment. With a smile that was well practised, Mingzhu inclined her head politely to the Ambassador and to her father. She rose elegantly, slipping one knee forward and then using this leg to ensure a swift and beautiful movement. A young girl stepped forward, holding out a parasol to protect Mingzhu’s pale skin from the sun. Her liquid amber eyes paused on her father as he arose from his seat, and without a further care, strode off towards the main entrance.
The Gates in which the Flame Dancers had arrived were tall and impressive, as was highly expected of such a rich noble family. Several guards stood at strict attention by them, awaiting for the first sign of Yin He and her squad to report.
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Post by whitecrow on Jan 22, 2009 22:04:54 GMT -5
Upon their arrival, the wagons being drawn up in a half circle of sorts infront of the gate, most of the flame dancers within the half circle as they waited for their greeting. Who was going to greet them? What was the Yubi Family like? They knew they had been invited as part of a celebration, but what other groups and musicians were invited? How large was this? Many things had still yet to be answered, yet to be invited back by a family so noble as the Yubis.. to be able to perform once again on Fire Nation Soil.. it was too much of an opportunity for Huang Wu and Juning to pass up.
The two oldest members of the Flame Dancers that had accompanied the youthful group to the Fire nation left their wagon's seat. Juning, the youthful at heart, spirited woman with the hamhocks for arms who could easily beat anyone into submission with her fire pan was first. In a flourish of ruffled, scarlet, vermilion and burnt golden brown, she turned around, her layered ruqun's skirt of dark and dull maroon fabric fluttering at her feet. Juning did not truly posses a waist, but she still wore the waist skirt, colored a bright and vibrant orange rust with faint patterning of slightly darker thread. A golden coin hung from under the waist skirt on crimson thread, a decorative weight to add some elegance to her clothes. Offering a meaty hand to her Husband, Juning helped Huang down from the wagon.
The patriarch of the Flame Dancers, with his pointed, white beard and long, merging mustache smiled as his bones creaked and groaned, his slipped feet stepping gingerly on the ground. His carved wooden cane, a masterpiece of craftsmanship what with it's circling flames and dragons tapping gingerly on the ground. He rose to his feet, pale white hair slicked back from his balding head and tied back in a near tail. His shoulders rolled forward as his spine curved his body forward. Shakily, his hand rested on the wide, bulbous top of his cane while his other hand drawing his xuanduan, vivid auburn in color, robe closed. With halting steps, he made his way forward towards the great gate, constructed out of wood and embellished with gold leaf.
He lifted his eyes to the great Fire Nation Insignia on the gate and let out a heavy, heartfelt sigh. It was good to be back in his homeland. His sons looked towards him, both youthful, spitting images with smiles on their face. Both straightened their backs as they fell in behind their parents, waiting near back towards the wagons. Li-Wu crossed his arms across his chest, tucking his hands against the sides of his chest. He tilted his head to the side and looked towards Bai-wu with a smug grin on his face, the younger brother looking as eager a child. What sort of things were waiting for them beyond those gates? Would they get any time to go out and visit the city? It was so exciting. Bai-Wu turned away from his brother, looking back to Xia who was still seated on a wagon, holding her son close to her chest. His mouth was agape in a smile as he laughed towards her.
Then, both brothers turned their heads towards the gate, obtaining more solemn looks. They set their jaws, and both inhaled deeply.
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Post by yinhe on Jan 23, 2009 6:03:05 GMT -5
Tromping along as she had been, seeming to pay little attention to her surroundings, Yin moved along beside the lead wagon. As bored or uninterested as she appeared to the casual observer, she remained quite alert, scanning the sides of the street and those present watching the caravan of wagons move by through her trademark half-lidded gaze. Bobbing over for a moment to check on Pang, she found the poor thing still tightly curled up on the bench seat, scootched as far to the right side and away from the Earth Kingdom woman and her child as she could be. Whether the young soldier wished to avoid giving the mother and child her illness or if she simply wanted to rest, propped against the armrest, Yin wasn’t sure. They would be getting close to the turnoff for their home base shortly, the Corporal knew, observing a cross street at an intersection. Perhaps she could get Li to carry Pang back, she’d do it herself if she could, but she knew she was expected to arrive with the caravan, things needed to be sorted out.
She knew she couldn’t trust Xiu or Shing with the task of dealing with the nobles, Li, perhaps, but then, he’d never really been much of a social fellow and could come off as rude with his usual stony silence. To make Pang walk several blocks and up the hill to their base would be cruel and she would implore her towering subordinate to pick the young soldier up and take her back where she could rest and see the Doc. Dealing with the nobles was, in a sense, something Yin detested, though, at the same time, enjoyed. She was military, an officer of the law, they would bow before her regardless of their status and treat her with respect and she would savor every minute of it.
Feeling somewhat better about the whole situation, the Corporal smirked to herself as she walked along. A second set of footsteps upon the cobbled street coming up from behind caught her attention, however, and she slowly turned and her head to look over her shoulder at the approaching individual. Quirking an eyebrow, a curious look upon her face, Yin was rather surprised to find the blind girl, ‘Nim,’ if she remembered correctly, strolling up to her with an enormous smile upon her face. The Corporal remained quiet as she approached, there was no real way for her to tell if the girl was truly walking towards her or just walking along, as her sightless brown eyes seemed to peer straight through Yin.
The girl fell right in beside the Corporal and spoke “Hi, I'm Nimuta Watsu, what's your name?” she asked, after introducing herself. A bit taken aback, though, curious as well, Yin was not expecting the woman to notice her, she’d never really dealt with blind folks a great deal and this was proving a new experience for the Home Guard soldier. Slowing a bit to walk along beside Nim, she nodded, “I’m Corporal Yin He Zhong, the leader of your escort Squad,” she began, trying to sound friendly, “nice to meet you.” Walking along beside the Flame Dancer for a time, Yin began to feel like she ought to say something more, it seemed rude not to. “So.. how was your trip?” she asked, posing the first question that came to mind.
Unfortunately, before she could answer to the response, Yin spotted the cross street that was the turn off from the main road back to base and turned to the Earth Kingdom woman once more, “I’m sorry… I’m going to have to go for a few moments, one of my squad mates is ill and I need to see that she gets off, back to base here shortly, please excuse me,” she said, frowning. Slowing up a bit, Yin turned to face back toward the end of the caravan, she could see Shing and Li strolling along besides the last wagon and she gestured to them then whistled.
The two quickly reached her, both curious as to what their commander desired, well, Shing seemed curious, Li’s expression was unreadable as always. “Li,” she began, addressing the stoic Firebender. “Eh?” asked Shing when he came into range. “Need Li,” said Yin, simply and Shing gave a nod before falling back by the middle wagon. Li moved slowly over, matching speeds beside the Corporal without a word. “I need you to take Pang back to base, she’s worse than I’d thought and needs rest,” she said, looking up to the man. Li simply nodded and began walking ahead toward the lead wagon to fetch his younger squad mate. Yin caught up with him, however and continued, “I need you to carry her, please? She’s not well,” she added in a concerned tone. Li turned his head, looked down at his shorter commander and let a puff of air out through his nose before nodding mechanically and proceeding onward.
“Thank you,” Yin said, following along. She popped up upon the running board beside Li and addressed her youngest squad mate, “Pang,” she said quietly, give the girl a gentle nudge, “Pang, Li’s here, he’s going to take you back to base for some rest, alright?” Pang merely nodded wearily and slowly slipped down onto the running board where the tall Firebender was able to get a hold of her around her waist and set her over his shoulder, none-to-gently. Pang made a small sound as she was positioned upon Li’s shoulder, but otherwise remained quiet as he carried her off, up the turn off back to base. Yin would have preferred a different, perhaps, more comfortable method of carry, but she couldn’t really complain now, at least the girl would get the rest she needed.
Before she could find the Nimuta woman again, the gates of the Yubi place came into view up ahead and Yin knew she’d need to get her remaining squad mates assembled. With a quick blow upon her whistle, Shing and Xiu were soon at her side as the caravan approached gates. As the wagons were positioned in a semi-circle before said gates the Corporal and her two comrades positioned themselves at attention before the iron entranceway. “Best behavior, you two,” she said to the pair, in all seriousness. “Sure thing, Corp,” came the typical Shing response. Xiu simply snorted but remained quiet otherwise.
The Yubi’s personal guards moved to open the gate and Yin watched them, somewhat amused. They were nothing compared to real soldiers, simply security guards for hire and it was just rather pleasurable to observe the futile attempts of the nobility to show their power. Power belonged to the Fire Lord, to the Government and to the Military. She couldn’t help but marvel, what a wonderful nation theirs’ was, a nation in which a farmer’s daughter could hold authority over the rich and elite because she’d worked for it.
When the gates were opened, the Corporal strode in proudly, with her two subordinates at her flanks, she first approached the man who appeared to be in charge of the rather weak looking guard unit, “I am Corporal Yin He Zhong and this my Squad, we’re currently down two at the moment, but it isn’t a problem. Have the Yubi’s been informed of our arrival yet?” she asked, eyeing the man.
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Post by nim on Jan 25, 2009 7:48:59 GMT -5
Nim smiled when the corporal replied, but it was cut short as, even after asking a question, the woman promptly excused herself and her foot steps joined those matching the sound of her soldiers a little farther away.
"Oh, it was horrible, who knew gypsies got so sea sick?" she siad to herself, hushed and under her breath so as not to draw attention. She moved slowly back to where she had been, Shang's foot steps recognizable enough to her ears that she didn't have to hard a time finding him, "So it turns out our escorts don't have much for manners," she gave a small laugh, her everlasting smile back in place, though she couldn't completely mask her disappointment. She had always been intrigued by the Fire Nation and now they were her she found they were in no rush to speak with her and she found that she was growing a bit antsy as a list of questions slowly built in her brain.
As the caravan stopped she believed they had reached their location and she was sure of it when she heard the coporal announce herself, she stood a little closer to Shang, though she was excited to be in the Fire Nation she couldn't help feel the slightest twisting of her nerves, like walking on glass it was thrilling but there was always that fear that it would shatter beneath your feet.
"What does it look like?" she whispered to Shang, she couldn't believe that the nobles who had paid to have the gypsies brought from the Earth Kingdom to preform lived in the same stacked huts that her friend had described upon their arrival, she tried to imagine the palaces she had heard of in stories, but those stories were never very descriptive with scenary and so she had little more than a rough sketch to think of.
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Post by mingzhu on Jan 28, 2009 11:08:36 GMT -5
The man felt sore and stiff from his long day, shoulders dropping slightly as he moved forward to greet Yin He. He bowed slightly, hand resting on the scabbard of his Jian. He wore a rather no descript sort of uniform, unvaried in a single shade of scarlet with deep vermillion borders for accents. About the only thing to distinguish him was the symbol of the Yubi’s family was a stylised falcon crested on the front of the man’s robe.
“They’re ready at the main part of the house.” He replied, sweeping an arm in the direction of the house. He stroked his scant facial hair for a second, looking Yin He up and down a for a second. “You the ones staying for extra patrolling duties around the Yubi estate?”
Meanwhile, Mingzhu watched her father pace backwards and forwards along the front open veranda, clearly annoyed that the Flame Dancers seemed to be taking their sweet time with arriving. She fanned herself, head angled softly to the side, her air gave off one of a slight boredom, she did have other duties to be taking care of, and most importantly, to go see her bird for their daily flights.
“Patience is a virtue.” She intoned softly to her father, and nodded her head slightly. He looked at her sharply for a second, and then stilled his pacing so he stood beside her.
“You are too much like your mother.” He muttered. “Always intoning some monk’s useless saying.” Mingzhu cared little for his comment, letting it pass right over her head, Zhen’s lessons of peace and forgiveness were still strongly etched into her mind.
“Then I hope my son is more like his mother than his miserable grandfather.” She thought, lips rising is a soft smirk.
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Post by hilang on Jan 30, 2009 19:32:17 GMT -5
Hilang watched as his blades were handled, poked, prodded, and inspected. He figured that there would be no problems, afterall, why should there be? They were only six blades, even if they were to immediatly grab them and start swinging, there's no way they could even pose a noticable threat. He merely stood there, and crossed his arms, while the blade was inspected. Then, suddenly almost simultaneously, the officer touched the tip of his blade, and Pamuy behind him uttered an almost inaudible squeak. Was she concerned for him? He really couldn't have cared less, and acted obediently while they were inspected.
Once the first blade was handed back to him, he slid his finger along the blade's length, before placing it back in the case with the other five, which had been inspected a moment ago. Closing the snap on the case, Hilang looked over his shoulder at Pamuy, who was now occupying herself with something else. Does this new behavior of mine really warrant such a change in her, as well? Hilang finally just decided to sit down for a moment, and take this opportunity to rest.
It seemed that not much longer after he sat, though, that they would be heading out, so the Flame Dancers packed up their caravan and began to set off through the city. This... is what I've wanted to see for so long... I need to remember it all. A comical figure surely Hilang was at this point. He was the epitomy of childish excitement, merely in a twenty-eight year old's body. His head was on a swivel, turning this way and that, taking in the unique architecture of his homeland.
Hilang was on foot, walking along with the caravan, being one of the more fit, young, male members, as it would have been insulting for him to take a seat on the wagons. Not that Hilang normally cared about insulting, but walking also gave him a more... in depth feel of the city. When upon the wagon, he felt as though he was just passing through, but on foot, he felt like a part of the city. Not just the city. The Capital.
After a small time, Hilang's excitement died down enough for him to assume his impassive persona again. Footstep after footstep, down the road, he began to be aware of people staring at them. He almost felt ashamed to be there, for a moment, what a disgrace he must look like... His clothes were nowhere near the level of luxury that the city held. It's a good thing I wore shoes today... I'm sure I look uncivilized enough as it is. Just in that moment, he looked by at a young woman standing in a nearby alley, dressed rather well, with a newborn babe in her arms. Hilang threw a bit of a smile her way, attempting to be polite and act somewhat more civilized than he might have looked. Despite his attempts, however, all he got back from her was a bit of a stifled giggle before she walked the other way.
Hilang hung his head for a moment before continuing his march toward the Upper City. If it's this bad now... I hate to think how we'll be treated by the nobles... Eyes forward, face stony now, Hilang merely kept his pace until the large gate seperating the city was nearing. It almost seemed similar to the walls of Ba-Seng-Sei, or at least, what he had heard of them. A few minutes of walking made a surprising difference in the atmosphere. One moment, he was in excellence, and the next, he was thrust into grandeur.
Everything here was perfect. Nothing out of line, nothing inadequate, nothing even adequate for that matter. Everything was extraordinary, excessive, and overall, amazing. Spacious estates were scattered around, with manors littered on them. Nothing, even in Hilang's wildest dreams, could compare to how he felt at that moment. And yet, there was that feeling of doubt and dread in his stomach. Would they be accepted? Would they be merely hushed along, do their party trick, and then be on a junk back to the Earth Kingdom? Only time could tell, he guessed.
Until that time came, he just stood in the semi-circle of wagons with the other Flame Dancers, eagerly awaiting what was to come.
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Post by shanghuang on Feb 2, 2009 16:55:00 GMT -5
Shang watched from the background as the caravan’s escort conversed with the Yubi estate’s guards. There didn’t seem to be anything to do but wait, so he waited. Fortunately, Nim chose this moment to reappear and once again start up conversation.
"What does it look like?" she whispered.
Unfortunately, however, she again asked for Shang’s help in picturing their surroundings. If only he was as apt with words as he was with reading them. As it stood, descriptions were not exactly his forte and he had little to go on. The estate was essentially a large mansion with a wide expanse of grounds around it. Describing every detail could take ages. So, he tried something more simple..
“Big. Big and expensive.”
…and failed. Okay, perhaps a little detail wouldn’t hurt.
“It’s not tall, maybe only one or two stories, but it’s very expansive. There’s a lot of wide open space, with gardens and…uh…there’s a lot of red. But you probably guessed that…”
It was a good thing Shang had never tried to become a writer.
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Post by nim on Feb 3, 2009 8:21:49 GMT -5
Nim smiled widely, though she couldn't picture the estate well she enjoyed Shangs attempts to descirbe it. She knew he wasn't great with detail, not even very good with it, but she was blind she wouldn't even know how to imagine half the things he would say even if he could explain it all.
"Sounds nice, where do you think we'll be staying? Does the family look happy to see us?" She thought they would, what noble would pay so much to bring over a bunch of gypsies from the Earth Kingdom and not be happy that they had arrived safely and on time.
She kept her voice down to a whisper, leaning closer to Shang and standing on her tip toes to speak to him, the quiet of the caravan surrounding her. Being blind she was rather sensitive to sound and she knew that her voice would carry in the silence so she kept it low to keep hers and Shang's conversation between them.
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