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Post by taartoq on Aug 10, 2007 23:26:34 GMT -5
Panicked voices flooded the room, while Taartoq stood steadily in place after springing upward at the sudden jolt. Carefully but swiftly, he looked around the area for any cracks in the walls or ceiling. His narrowed eyes were widened to scrutinize the area, pupils dialated to suit the lowered light within the structure beneath the city. Standing amidst the panic of the huddled, worried crowds, he saw no major cracks of any sort formed or even beginning to form in the ice.
Praise the spirits... he whispered to himself. Part of him knew the structure would be unharmed, being situated beneath several feet of solid ice, but he wanted to be sure. Closure was what he needed, for it would keep him from worrying more than he needed to. But there were still quite a few other reasons to worry.
His heart was still beating wildly, though, as tightly-wound as ever. He realized several other men and women stood at the rumbling blast, noticing that Nakamura the prisoner was among these as the adolescent spoke up. Shivering softly in grim excitement, he parted his full, rosy lips to respond. Glancing back at Nakamura, he brashly replied while gesturing his spread palm at the ceiling.
"What do you think they're doing? They're trying to kill us!"
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Post by ukaleq on Aug 11, 2007 2:31:08 GMT -5
While many jumped to their feet, Ukaleq pulled her sister in tighter, holding the girl's head against her own shoulder as she bowed her head in terror, her eyes tightly shut as the explosions rained overhead. Naira, her voice muffled by the grey-rabbit fur lining Ukaleq's parka, cried out in a terrified screech. Tears almost immediately started down the young girl's face, running over her smooth, round cheeks. A slender and gloved hand held Naira's head to her chest, as Ukaleq dared peek over her sister's plaited hair. Her own face, round and smooth was nearly white with fear. The dark lashes that lined her eyes were wet with tears, her hands trembling as she held her sister.
Her Father..her Brother.. and her Mother were all out there! Father.. commanding groups of warriors; Quanah was among the warriors; Mother with the healers on the front lines, her students among her. And Ukaleq, and Naira were hiding under the ice.. worried sick. Even as the icy walls shook around them, Ukaleq held tightly to Naira... feeling as if they could go no where.
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Post by ebele on Aug 11, 2007 22:17:45 GMT -5
"What do you think they're doing? They're trying to kill us!"
Ebele snorted at the soldier man's reply to the captive. It was such an Ebele reply. She rolled her eyes slightly at the distress of the people around her; I mean, really! she thought drily, Have some faith in our men fighting! Because Ebele had that sort of faith, didn't she? Ebele froze as another tremor shook their bunker and she looked up at the ceiling curiously. No cracks. Yet.
Ebele heard a rustle of clothing beside her and she glanced to her side, from the corner of her eye, to see the noble woman and her sister curled up on the ground. Sighing - Really, Ebele wasn't used to comforting adults - she knealt down in front of the woman. "M'lady?" she said, her accent, her voice, as soft as possible, "Is d'ere any'ting I can do f'er you and d'e li'l missus?"
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Post by kaiapo on Aug 15, 2007 15:10:42 GMT -5
Wow...that guy had broken sacred law? The young boy opened his mouth to ask another question...when an explosion outside rocked the barracks. The boy ducked down, covering his head, letting out a yelp. His eyes widened as he glanced about him. Just as he was straightening again, yet another exposion hit. This time the boy hit his knees, covering his head again.
Kids that had been soothed were now crying, startled screams let out by adults sang when explosions hit outside. Kaiapo looked over to see his mother looking frantically all over for him. He bit his lip...because he wanted to know exactly what the boy had done. His mother, however, was getting really upset. With a sigh, he rose to his feet, quickly dashing over to the other side of the barracks.
"Goodness, don't scare me like that!" his mother cried out, half relieved and half ready to spank the boy right then and there for giving her such a fright.
"I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just..."
Another explosion rang out, causing the boys mother to hug him close to her, trying to protect him. The fear in the shelter was readily felt.
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Post by taartoq on Aug 19, 2007 13:50:54 GMT -5
It was wearing on Taartoq's nerves. The comfort, the security of his very life, was interrupted. Even now, the brief relative quietness settling in the shelter was broken by rumbling from the bombs. Cries and screams all around, while Taartoq just wished it was all over. But he couldn't help but wonder what was going on at the surface. Explosions, of all things. Trying not to be distracted by the commotion in the shelter, he pondered how they could do it. There had to be some new technique, one they had yet to use in the last siege.
Taartoq noted plenty of guards standing around the walls of the shelter, making him realize that none of them had remained outside. Understandable, since not a sane human would choose to be outside while the city was being bombed. A few of the guards probably journeyed upward to see what unusual events were ensuing. Taartoq looked back for a second, casting his gaze around the immediate vicinity at the small circle of people, then ahead at the doorway to the surface. His wife Padma was worriedly looking over at Ukaleq and the others and trembling.
Swiftly, Taartoq knelt down and pecked his wife on the cheek. Before rising and rapidly making his way toward the stairs, he tenderly said to her, "I love you."
His back was turned to her as he hurried away, but he still heard Padma quietly say, "Be careful."
In no time at all, he was watchfully ascending the textured stairs of ice. Explosions still shaking the place, the waterbender had to brace himself from time to time to ensure he didn't slip or fall. But he saw one thing was different. Not that he would hear it happening amidst the shelter's hubbub, but the entire entrance to the shelter was covered by a large, opaque sheet of ice. It was to be expected, really. Now, the entrance was virtually hidden from the enemy forces. But Taartoq still wanted to see beyond the wall, where no guards were stationed, curiously enough. Each one of them must have been down below iin the barracks.
More bombs went off, and the place shook. Soft powdery snow fell from the ceiling and drifted into Taartoq's raven tresses as he knelt. Holding his hands at eye level, he motioned his hands carefully to make a small, discreet hole in the wall. Hopefully, no soldier would see, so he tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible. In seconds, he was able to reform a miniscule section of the ice into a small peep-hole, located toward the left edge of the wall. If enemy soldiers walked past, they could have seen it, so he had to be quick.
Looking through, he saw nothing of interest immediately, though within seconds, he caught sight of more bombs falling. A falling bomb? Curious to see just where the explosive fell from, he gazed upward through the hole, kneeling lower. But there they were in the sky. Red war balloons. In utter shock, he could only say one thing.
"What in all the nations?!"
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Post by sokka on Aug 28, 2007 18:23:08 GMT -5
The Warning drums were the first things that got Shona to his feet and to his skates. Kokomi and Jaalu were waiting for him outside, Nezumi followed her husband. But the water warrior had work todo. He need to find his father and mother as well as brothers.
"Ko, I need you to protect Mama, Jal, I need you as well. Prove to me that you are Son in law I think you are." Shona had his knife and tighened his skates. Jaalu looked Shona sternly and rubbed Kokomi's sholder's "Yes Sir I will do that. I promise.." Shona embraced his family and his new son in law. "I need to find the others. Arrluk and Kesuk will be fighting and so will Ikaiq, I need to find Atka and Chulyin. I will be back very soon I promise." As Shona was to depart Nezumi grabbed his hand. "Shona...please be extra careful I've already lost one man in my life I don't want to lose the other." Shona winced, she was talking about Kavik. Where ever he is, he is safer than him right now. Not saying anymore he kissed his wife and watch Jaalu hurry her and his daughter away. Now for his brothers
Speeding now the abandoned canals with still people evacuating. Shona has spent as most an hour looking for people. He found Kesuk ushering his daughters and wife with Atka. "good you're alright, were Ma and Pa?" Ask Shona to Atka carring his papers and books. "Erm, Mother and Father has be taken to the shelter already by Chulyin and his boys Everyone is safe Sho.." Shona nodded he was done he began to skate back when felt the earth shake. Losing his balance the fisherman fell right by the shelter. But he twisted his ankle and couldn't get up.
"Atka! Kesuk! HEEELP Please I'm hurt!" Shona got up, but with skates and busted ankle it was almost impossible to stand
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Post by taartoq on Aug 28, 2007 21:08:30 GMT -5
His eye still peered through the hole, gazing in horror and awe at the Fire Nation's latest war devices hovering above the ruined city. But before long, he heard a man wailing, and from what he could ascertain, the wailing man was nearby. Quickly, he looked through the small hole, his vision still obscured slightly. He looked from left to right, and barely could see the figure of a man stumbling to stand. Taartoq sighed deeply as he pondered his next action. If he left, he may give away the location of the shelter, but if he stayed, the man's life would be at risk. He turned and slumped down onto the ice, letting a breath escape his lips once more. But without further ado, he made up his mind.
Standing up, he settled into position and gently motioned his hands forward. Focusing, he quickly reduced the icy wall to a liquid state, then bended the water away from the shelter's entrance and in the opposite direction as the man. He then pulled up his hood and quickly walked over to stand a couple yards from the doorway to the shelter, with the man facing in the opposite direction. A few other folks were nearby and two men were fast approaching, apparently having heard his cry for help.
Without careful positioning, Taartoq's loose, dark hair was tussled forward over his shoulders from under his hood as he looked onward. "Sir! Are you all right?" he said loud and clear as he edged forward.
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Post by sokka on Aug 28, 2007 22:09:51 GMT -5
Shona stumbled again, but he caught sight of Ikaiq in his war gear and face paint, and Kesuk as Shona saw Taartoq in the distance and called out to him. "I'm ok, my brothers coming keep the gate open just a little longer!" Ikaiq and Kesuk grabbed Shona and helped him to the shelter where Taartoq is waiting. Ikaiq looked up to see the red balloons above and bad vibe was echoing acrossed his hear. "What in the Beaver totem's name is that?!" Shona leaned against the shelter. "No idea but lets not give ourself away. Kesuk distract them Ikky go help help Arrluk." Instructed Shona, the brothers got back to battle and left Shona at the Shelter gate.
"I need a healer my ankle is twisted, you're a waterbender right? Can you heal me? Or can you fetch Yagoda?" Shona heard a squeal, "DAAADDDY!!!" Kokomi ran and embraced her father. "Papa I thought you got stabbed, La you whine like Kavik." Shona patted Kokomi's head. "Hehe, busted ankel on ice gliders dear." Kokomi made face, "Oh no wonder...that gotta suck buffalo-yak balls." She turned her head to Taartoq "Hey dumbass close the door, or will be barbacued!" Shona growled, "Ko-cub...watch your tone." Kokomi frown and continued to glare at Taartoq
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Post by taartoq on Aug 29, 2007 0:54:52 GMT -5
"I understand!" Taartoq said in response to the man. He looked upward at the floating red balloons, assuming those on board were probably noting the small group formed on the path. The balloons were far off, but anyone with normal eyesight could see their small forms from above. Taartoq just had to hope no one was paying that close of attention. The man was soon carried to the shelter's gate by two other men, and Taartoq followed, stopping to look him over when they lowered him. Looking rather grimly at the man's twisted ankle, the girl with him said something rather insulting. The man, presumably her father, berated her immediately after, but Taartoq was still quite insulted.
"Be patient...", he sternly muttered as the girl scowled and glared at him. He rose from the floor and edged over to the entrance, quickly circling his gaze from top to bottom of the doorway. Positioning his feet at little less than shoulder's width, he raised and motioned his hands fluently to move some of the packed snow on the ground upward. With elegant movements, smooth as water, he caused the floor ice to surge upward and seal off the entire entrance.
Heknew the Fire Nation men in the balloons probably saw the whole thing from the air and in the distance. But such a thing wasn't important right then.
After interrupting himself with the reconstruction of the ice wall, he knelt down again and responded to the man. "I'm sorry...I can't heal you that well..."
Taartoq was truthful in this instance, since he was never formally trained to heal. Most men of the Northern Water Tribe weren't taught to do so. He had picked up a few tips on healing from his sister and mother as a child, and even in his adulthood had read a few books and scrolls on the subject. But he could could on one hand the times in his life when had he actually healed.
Rising from his kneeled position, he lowered his hood and turned his head down the long, curving stairway flanked with solid ice walls, then back at the fellow. "But I'm sure there are a few healers down in the shelter who can help."
He then knelt down and hesitantly grabbed the man's arm, struggling to hoist the large man upward so no pressure was applied to the injury. Hopefully the teenaged girl on his other side would take a hint and help, too.
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Post by sokka on Aug 29, 2007 12:17:30 GMT -5
Kokomi's took up her father other side, and helped Taartoq bring him downstairs. "Yeah, I can heal him and so can auntie." Kokomi added to Taartoq's suggestion. As they decended Shona introduced himself. "My name is Shona son of Manja, this is my daughter Kokomi. Thank you for helping us out." Kokomi rolled her eyes and whispered in her father's ear. "That man looks even girlier than Kavik, and Kavik is qu-" Shona silenced her with a look. Kokomi took the hint and silenced herself.
"Sorry...I know that subject is taboo. I'm worried about Fish Head...it feels like part of me is missing, ya know daddy?" Kokomi whispered her breath slighty misting. Shona nodded, the whole family knew now. Nezumi wailed like it some horrible tragety that her son like men instead of women. Manja didn't care about Kavik's sexual orientation only that his grandson snagged his ship and took off. The rest of the clan was disappointed and amused. Ikaiq accually had money running on how long Kavik would stay in the North Pole. Whatever the case would be, Naoko family had a grudge on Shona's for emmbarrssing them. Luckly they kept quite on Kavik's "secret" Shona felt all his hard effort not spilling the beans about Kavik's and Hoji's intimate relationship was wasted. It was even more heartbreaking that Shona would probably never see his son again.
Oh spirits how I would give my very being just see him once more...
Kokomi and Taartoq finally got him downstair to be rushed by Atka and his wife and of course Nezumi. "Shona you idiot! I thought I told you not to get yourself killed!" Nezumi barked to her husband who looked rather sheepish. "Thanks for finding my husband, idiot that he is." Nezumi said politely to Taartoq as Kokomi help her father take of his skates.. "Oooooow easy! Ko-cub that hurts." Kokomi slowly remove the right skate and then the left, she noticed that his right ankle was swelling. "alright I think I can water heal it." Shona limped over to where the rest of his family was and Kokomi followed leaving Nezumi with Taartoq.
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Post by taartoq on Aug 29, 2007 13:20:02 GMT -5
Taartoq set Shona down as soon as he could, feeling rather disconcerted, but the man was quickly met by his family. Kokomi said some sardonic comment about something Taartoq heard far too often in his youth, and even now. Still, he took pride in his appearance, and didn't care if he looked like a woman to someone else. It was the price to pay for looking so good and having such spectacular hair. Instead of reacting negatively at Kokomi's thwarted statement, he simply raised his nose a bit in the air and looked at her with his peripheral vision, wearing a rather snooty smirk as they descended the stairs.
When all was said and done, he found himself standing beside a woman with a slight overbite. Apparently the man's wife, Nezumi, her interactions with her husband and daughter gave Taartoq an unexpected look further into their familial life. Still, it was oddly amusing how a family like that stayed together. There must have been some sort of familial affection keeping them close enough to scold each other so severely.
He offered a polite but brief bow to the woman. Rather flatly, he followed, "It was my pleasure to assist your husband."
Taartoq walked away, heading back to sit with his own small family. He realized the temperature within the shelter was quite a bit warmer than the outside and most of the people had removed their parkas and heavy coats. He expected it to happen sooner or later. He slid off his own parka as he stood amidst the people in the bunker, and tucked it under his arm before smoothed out any unwelcome wrinkles in his robe. Then he took the time to make sure the majority of his dark, luxuriant hair was in place.
After a minute of weaving between small groups of people seated on the ground, he reached the area where his wife sat, along with Ukaleq, Nakamura, and the others. He settled down where he once sat, and looked down at the polar bear-skin rug and heaved a deep sigh.
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Post by gandalan on Aug 30, 2007 22:36:20 GMT -5
Nakamura sat back against the wall and grumbled to himself about idiotic defenders of the city. The thought that they might even lose had entered his mind now! It was impossible to think of it, but the way the city was being pounded scared him. He began to think of what he might have to do if the city were invaded. His paltry waterbending skills were of little help unless people wanted to go surfing or snowboarding, in which case he could provide them lessons. He sighed, shivering, not at the cold, but at the thought of what might happen should they lose. He tried to keep positive, and keep such thoughts out of his mind. Surely they would not lose... they couldn't lose... they were not ALLOWED to lose.
He shivered again, and looked over at the girl he'd spoken to earlier. She was shivering, obviously terrorized by the bombings, although she was showing a considerable amount of bravery, trying to keep her younger sister from crying. The both of them, however, were beginning to succumb to the terror that was the Siege. It was not unexpected. Nakamura was beginning to feel panicked as well.
He decided that even if they hated him, he'd try to help. He put on his best fake smile, and called to the woman. "I wouldn't worry Miss Ukaleq," he said. "If our warriors out there are anywhere near as stubborn as him," (here he indicated Taartoq, not knowing his name), "Then we'll be just fine." He looked at her, waiting for her reaction.
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Post by ukaleq on Sept 1, 2007 18:18:07 GMT -5
Ukaleq never answered Ebele's question, not out of sheer rudeness.. but rather.. because she didn't know how to answer or with what. What could the thickly accented woman do for them? They were not warriors! They were under the ice of the city, literally in the catacombs that the city had been built on while explosions echoed above, threatening to distablize the entire iceshelf!
Even as Naira clung to her sister tightly, her small, childish face buried within the fur that edged her parka, not making a squeak. Her curiousity towards Nakamura had been extinguished completely now as the war became real. Her mommy was out there! Her Daddy and Big Bruddy, her nickname for Quanah, were out there with the scary Fire Nation Soliders. Naira had seen the masks they wore once in a book chronicling the first assual 85 years ago.. they looked like the skulls that Quanah liked to display in his room. She suddenly burst into tears as she remeber, startling Ukaleq with her loud voice. "I DUN WANNA SEE THE FACES!" Ukaleq's head shot back, her ears ringing from the girl's shout as she stared for a moment at her sister's red, puffy face tears beginning to stream down her face as she crunched up her face in a full waterworks assualt.
"Naira, shhh.. Shh..! It's okay.. You won't. You won't see them.." Ukaleq grabbed her sister even tighter, pulling her face into her shoulder and chest as she rested her cheek on Naira's head, covering the girl's face from view with her arms. If Ukaleq heard Nakamura.. she didn't acknowledge him either, her sister much more important.
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Post by taartoq on Sept 1, 2007 23:32:21 GMT -5
People were still out in the fray. Foolish people, perhaps, or maybe so caught up with daily life beforehand that it left them unprepared when the call sounded. They were caught off guard, and most would lose their lives.
Taartoq sat with his head hanging low, almost still as an ice sculpture if not for his delayed breathing. His normally narrowed eyes were widened, creases and dark circles forming below them. His mind was stirring, pulsing with thoughts of pain and tragedy, crowding out all conscious thought. Feelings of abject dread engulfed his very being. His own people would be burned alive by those hateful, sadistic madmen.
His comely wife Padma turned to jostle him, trying for his response, though ultimately to no avail. He was lost in his mind, and would probably be that way for a good while.
Night was soon to fall, but bombs would go on into the night. It seemed there would be no stopping the Fire Nation, and all everyone within the shelter could do was wait.
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Post by sokka on Sept 7, 2007 18:15:47 GMT -5
Manja's house all sat together huddled up for warmth. Kanut, Atka's wife held their young daughter close as Chulyin's and Arrluk's family all bundled together. Shona was foot was water healed and propped up so the tendons can reset themselves. Kokomi and Nezumi didn't say much either, normally the family was jublient and always seemed to making jokes or cracking on something. But in seriousness of it all. Shona and Chulyin couldn't find anything to make light off. "Baba? Are the Fire nation going to hurt us? Are going to die?" Asked Miki, Chulyin's youngest son. Who was only eight. Chulyin frowned and tugged on his growing beard. "Now, now, nothing is going to hurt us. We're safe." But Miki and his older sister wasn't so certian. The looked up and all around the frighten faces of the Water Tribe. Nigaq, Chulyin's eldest who was in her teens near Kokomi's age exhaled and crossed her arms. "We are all sitting ducks you know Baba, Uncle Arrluk Kesuk and Ikaiq are all going to killed like dogs. Heck they have tanks for La's sake. We're not going to win this time. We might not see Uncle Arr-" Arrluk's son interjected. "Will you shut up! That all I hear! Papa is fine! So is Uncle Kesuk and Ikaiq. Stop being so morbid. You where worse when Kavik ranaway!" Nigaq turned her head not wanting to look at Shona's downcast face or Kokomi as she covered her's Jaalu comforted his bride as the familes all sounded worried and argued amongst themselved.
Manja was slient as well along with Qilaq, her snowy head bow low in prayer. Shona didn't like this helplessness. He felt this way before. Once when Kavik and Kokomi were born, another when Kavik was injured with Hoji and when he ran away. The fisherman looked at Atka his lenses drooped on his face. Miki being held by Chulyin and Kokomi crying quietly. How he hated this sinking dread.
Ahh Ahh Yahh, Ahh Ahh Yahh A thousand stars circle above, So many choices to make Ahh Ahh Yahh, Ahh Ahh Yahh A thousand roads beyond me So many paths to take.
Further and Further I go Wandering far and wide Ahh ahh Yahh Ahh ahh yahh, Never lost, never stoping Going on and on to my hearts choosing
Ahh ahh yahh ahh ahh Yahh Running faster thought the rivers and glens Jumping over canyons, valleys and fens Ahh ahh yahh ahh ahh yah My life is pure and simple Like water around me Ahh ahh yahh, ahh ahh yahh I close my eyes and I'm there In heaven's Great Sea.
Ahh ahh Yah.
Shona sang the song with surprising deph, his family and brothers looked at him strangly wondering if this was a good time for a travler's song, but when Manja joing in half way, all doubt was lost. So, Chulyin joined in when Shona started agian, then Atka and his wife joined into. Singing the song not to loud to call the Fire Nation but still loud enought for the family to particpate. Kokomi finally joined and with her mother kept the beat with quiet clapping.
Shona's plan worked, singing was suppose to keep the familes from aruging amongst eatch other, it was also kept their spirits up. Shona prayed mentally that this will be over soon.
"One more time!" called little Miki as the House of Manja sang again.
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