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Post by ukaleq on Feb 15, 2007 22:41:02 GMT -5
"Ukaleq.. Will you please go to Healer Yugoda please and pick up some ice mint herbal tea?" Her mother turned towards her daughter, her lovely blue eyes shimmering in the soft light that shined through the ice lanterns. Her daughter was engrossed in a book, curled up in a corner of the main room of their home, furs surrounding her. Ukaleq's dark skinned face turned upwards, a puzzle look on her round face. For a moment, the young girl was quiet, her breath caught in her throat, hidden behind a high neck undershirt of ivory.
"Certainly, Mother..." She spoke softly, closing her tome and setting it aside. Standing, Ukaleq was barely as tall as her mother, but no where near as slender. Of course, her Mother flattered her daughter's figure, praising of how she'll have strong, healthy grandsons who will become proud warriors. The young woman stepped over to the wall where the family had hung all their parkas, and picked out hers.. a long parka of lovely, rich, royal blue edged in soft, dove grey fur. She pulled it over her sapphire colored gown, the warmth spreading over her body as she did so. Ukaleq bit her her lip as she smoothed the hem out.
She turned to her mother, pulling on her grey mittens. "May Naira come along?" Ukaleq asked, hoping her mother would allow the ten year old along. The dark haired woman, whose thin and greying hair nearly reached her knees, shook her head with a small smile to Ukaleq. "I'm sorry, dear, but she's sleeping right now. You remeber how she had that horrible hacking cough earlier today.."
"Oh.. Yes, Mother.." Ukaleq sighed, stuffing her hands inside of the opposite sleeves and she dropped her head. The young woman the turned and stepped through the fur draped door, out into the quiet afternoon streets.
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Post by rase on Feb 16, 2007 4:41:46 GMT -5
It had been a long journey for the simple boy from the forests of Ba Quon. His business was to escort a mother and child to the northern shores of the Earth Kingdom and leave it at that. Of course Lim Singh had developed quite a bond with the child during the journey and their new home was just a simple boat ride away, it wasn't hard to be convinced to extended his journey by a few weeks and stay with them a while and enjoy their hospitality for all he did to see them there safely.
A generous and attractive offer at the moment, but now it was starting to change in the mood as he was now approaching the city gates. Collecting their few belongings, Lim Singh looked at the pristine ice walls that encased the city with some wonder. All he had ever known was dirt, grass and trees and it almost took his breath away. A small tug from the small girl would pull his attention to the path before them and though he looked upon the great city with nothing but admiration the glance returned by the gaurds at the gates was anything but. It didn't help that with each step he took down the ice carved path, his bare earth-caked feet left behind dirty, muddy footsteps.
Sure a generous 'seasoning' from mother earth was acceptable in the Earth Nation, but it seemed, not so much around this part of the world. The small girl though looked behind them and giggled, nudging and poking as she pointed at those mud dark foot prints left behind. Lim Singh himself gave a bit of a fake chuckle at the girl, though he was growing a bit nervous. This was not his element at all, in more ways than one. Looking around a bit more intently, he didn't see one ounce of earth around him besides what was falling off his body. Thick layer of calloused skin on his feet developed by years of walking barefoot did much to shield his senses from the cold, but not enough to meet his liking.
"Stop there..." A tall, thin framed gaurd attempted to keep from shouting but the howling of the winter wind's washed over the softer tone of the man's spoken voice. Though the mother was aware enough to catch the words of the wind, Lim Singh and the girl found the wind not to be so generous with the words it had stolen. Both of them walking on to bump into the woman's back before stumbling back in line as they stood there as the pair of gaurds looked over the group. Well more so Lim Singh than the group. "....State your business." The other gaurd finally said after a short pause.
"I am Wu Shei Yen and this is my daughter Hai Lin, my husband is Lu Shen Yen...." the woman said as she presented a few letters documenting the nature of her arrival. Her husband was a southern water tribe warrior and had been resently injured and taken to the northern water tribe. The gaurd reading over the letters before nodding and stepping aside to give her passage into the city. Little Hai Lin following close behind with Lim Singh's hand in tow. Her small body would feel a small pull backwards though as Lim Singh was stopped from passing.
"You are the escort, right?" The gaurd tall thin man pulled his hand away from Lim Singh's chest after stopping him. Pulling it back as a healthy coat of dirt found his palm causing him to shiver with some disgust and wipe his hand off at his side before nodding to the other gaurd to take the mother and child's belongings. "The water tribe appreciatate all you have done for these too, but your services are no longer needed....thank you."
Now Lim Singh didn't know much about the world, but he did know when he was being insulted. The might as well have said, Thats a good puppy now go home before you make mess in the water. Sure it was spoken politely, but the words were only kind in contexted alone. It was clear in the man's tone of voice and in the way he looked at his palm after he wiped it off. It was spotless but still he saw fit to go ahead and give it another wipe. Still, though Lim Singh was known to have quite the temper, he kept it on a long fuse. He mostly found the man comical in his actions, like he never seen dirt before in his entire life.
"Sorry kiddo....no dirt monkies allow..." he said patting his jacket at his chest to cause a small cloud of dust to break off. A small cloud that, with the minor help of a little bending, slowly wafted towards the gaurds face and make the man cough. It was enough to make the girl laugh and smile, but only for a moment. As soon as he pulled his hand away from hers to walk away that sullen expression would find those cherub round features of her face.
Sure he wanted to stay but it was for the best. Rules were rules as the old lady always told him, and the last thing the girl needed was her final memory of him being beat up and thrown out by force. No this was best, though the dissappointment of not getting that home cooked meal they spoke so highly of would suddenly find his gut. Hand lifting to rub his stomach consolingly as he tried to put thoughts of what food from the Northern Water Tribe was like.
"But...but...but....You promised Lim-Lim, You promised!" The girl finally muttered out to shout out at Lim Singh. Lim Singh stopped in his tracks as he cringed at the silly little nickname that he prefered she didn't call him, but even more than that, he stopped because he did make a promise. Though it was behind her mother's back, it was a promise none the less. He promised to let her try a bit of his Li'xu when they got to their new home. He hated to break his promise, but the gaurds didn't see that eager o let him in either.
Sigh, he finally turned around as he started to dig in his pockets. He only had three home rolled sticks of Li'xu left. Pulling them out he looked at her and then looked at his sticks and then back at the girl before holding out two of them for her. "Here ya go small stuff....knock yourself out..." he said quite reluctant to let them go. Sure giving a child drugs as a parting gift wasn't the best the to be doing, but he didn't know any better and it was really all he had to give. "One to remember me by and one well...uhhh, well for whatever..." he said as he shrugged quite sheepishly. A new set of stern unhappy eyes found his direction. Didn't seem mom was too happy with Hai Lin's gifts.
Still the girl didn't seem all that happy either. What more could she want? She had some of his Li'xu to try out, just like he promised and even an extra one. He thought it quite generous of him, but it seemed the girl wanted more. He shrugged as he held out his last stick. "Oh yeah...and one for your mother..." he said smiling up to the woman who was now watching him like a crouched tigerdillo ready to pounce. Maybe offering mom some too would make them both a little more happier?
No dice. The girl stood there holding the three sticks with that sad look still painted on her face and mom with arms crossed as she looked at her daughter and then back at him. Patting his pockets he had nothing left to give, what more did the girl want!? AH yes, he did have one stick left. That one hanging from his lips. The LAST last home rolled stick. Sighing lightly, he have to give this last one up and he'd have to make it count. Pulling it from his lips he held it down in front of her. "Oh and can't forget this one. Save this one for when you see me again...." he said with a nervous smile. He just wanted that sad, hurt look off the girls face.
Success! The girl snatched it with a grin. Cherishing the promise of seeing him again more than the extra stick of Li'xu. Running back to an angery mother as she shook her finger at her daughter and a small arguement of whispers errupted.
"A promise huh!? What kind of promise does a grown man make with little girls huh!?"
"But mama, but mama, but mama..."
"Don't you but mama me! What did I tell you about smoking that stuff..."
"But ma--" Hai Lin rethought continuing with the but mama's as those hard I'm about to spank you where you stand eyes focused on the little girl. She sighed and said in a mumble "...Leek zoo is for grown men and not for bad little girls..."
"I didn't hear you Hai Lin"
The small girl repeated herself to her mother's satisfaction, though after getting the nod she did her best to sneak in "....but mama, I'm not a bad little..." words falling short as little eyes watched the sticks being plucked from little fingers. "...but mama, but mama..."
"Hush Hai Lin, what would your father say?" she said as she tucked away the sticks in the folds of her sash. The small girl had forgotten all about her father and that she was here to see him for the first time in years. The girl immediately settling down as she simply bowed her head.
"Sorry mama..."
The two walking on as her mother reached into her sash and handed her daughter one of the Li'xu sticks. Guess it wasn't too bad to let the girl have one just to remember him by. He did do alot to get them there safely. Lim Singh himself walking back down the path to the boats. Chuckling as the whole trip had been like that mostly. Mother and daughter arguing but always to the same outcome. He doubted he'd ever forget the sound of Hai Lin's voice and her continuous strings of but mama's. Reading to tell the boatman he'd be going back soon than he expected, he'd returned to find a boat, but no boatman. Sighing as he stood there, this was the perfect end to the day. Standing by himself in the freezing cold and ,as it looked for the moment, no ride home.
Walking into the boat, Lim Singh did the only thing he could do. Sit there and wait for the boatman to come back.
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 16, 2007 16:30:33 GMT -5
A gentle snow was falling as Ukaleq stepped outside of her home within the higher levels of the tiered city. The homes on these upper levels were ornate and large, usually two stories. The snow was glistening in the afternoon sun from the numerous homes, and the temple and palace at the very peak of the City.
Her Father held the status of a cheiftain, under Cheif Arnook, a position which had granted the Ulloriaq family their status and home. The Northern Water Tribe had once been smaller, seperate villages till only a few centuries ago when they were united as a city. The system of Cheiftains and Cheifs had been kept, though mostly traditional and symbolic in power, the Cheiftains served as the Cheif's Council.
Ukaleq stepped carefully along the paths that led alongside the canals, her blue eyes following the few gondalas that floated slowly down the canals, powered by waterbenders. She could always have taken a gondala herself but this was such short notice, and not too far of a walk that Ukaleq would not bother trying to hail a gandola. Though she would have felt less anxious siting safetly in a boat than walking along the streets. Though the upper teirs were quiet and very few people out in the canals or in the along the walkways, the lower tiers were crowded on this lovely day. Men sat on the snowy walls, playing games of pai sho, and women discussing new recipes and gossip from windows, or the little courtyard that some homes had. A few were out, like Ukaleq, shopping in one of the many markets, or walking children.
The young woman smiled as she passed a pair of children chasing eachother, pretending to be brave Water Tribe warriors that had face the Fire Nation Navy during the Seige. The ran in a circle around the woman, at which she lifted her hands to her lips as she cried out in play. "Oh brave warriors! Defend us all from the Fire Nation!" The boys laughed, their fake bone spears and knife clashing infront of Ukaleq before they ran off to defend another maiden.
She paused at a foutain, where many walkways and canals crossed, and glanced out across to the sea. The dark and richly color sea was calm, hardly a whip of sea foam near the giant barrier the waterbenders had erected to defend the city. They were still, over a month after the Seige, fixing the fallen towers on the wall, the cracks and the damage from the Fire Nation's flaming assualt. Their main forces hadn't gotten far into the city, only within the first rings and tiers before the Avatar had channeled the spirit of the Ocean and destroyed the fleet. Master Pakku, the most skilled of all the waterbenders in the Northern Tribe, his students and the Warriors led by Cheif Arnook had managed to hold the Fire Nation back.
Yugoda's home and healing hut were surprisingly low in the tiers, but the elder woman enjoyed being close to her students. Ukaleq's mittened heads held the hem of her layers skirts up as she descend the final staircase. She walked along the canalway, one of the main canals through the city, and hugged the far edge. The walkway was quiet, save for some warriors and other men unloading supplies and people from boats and gondalas.
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Post by rase on Feb 16, 2007 20:09:59 GMT -5
Lim Singh didn't know what he was more of. Was he colder than he was bored, or boreder than he was cold? Laying back as best he could across the seats of the boat, he hoped the sides to be tall enough to shield him from the wind. It was fun earlier just looking around to see what there was to see. It didn't take much to entertain him. In the forest there was always something to keep him company, the pitter patter of four legged feet skittering about the bushes. Always so manner of creature to catch his attention. But not here. Life here was not as...abundant..as he was used to, and now it just seemed the wind conspired against him.
Loud bellowing yawn was his reply to the howling of the wind, of the long list of things that made him sleepy, being cold was definitely near the top of the list. It didn't take long for that head of his to fall back and mouth fall wide open to sing that boarish snore song to the open air. A simple moment of peace suddenly interrupted by a sharp tug at the top of his head.
"Hai Lin, Hai Lin, what did I tell you about touching that man's hair!?"
"But mama, but mama..."
Lim Singh slowly starting to wake up as he noticed more than a few things have changed. There was water sprinkled on his face and he was pushed up against the side of the boat with little hand prints on his chest. Yes, Lim Singh was a heavy sleeper when he wanted to be, but the pulling of his hair seemed to be doing the job.
"See mama, see I told you he was awake..."
If that girl wasn't so cute and helpless...oh who was he kidding. Lim Singh didn't have that kind of meaness in him. But a moment to relish the thought was enough before he'd pop right up slapping the girl's hands off those cherished locks of his.
"Hey hey hey, the hair...the...." he paused to see the small girl a bit confused coming out of his slumber to see her again so soon. "...what are you doing here?" A large shadow falling over him and the girl causing him to look up to see that same tall thin framed gaurd.
"I believe there was a misunderstanding...." he said looking like a rat wrapped in a serpernts coils. "...When I said your services would no longer be required, I simply meant you didn't need to carry the belongings of this family...Please do no think we intend to leave you to freeze in this little empty boat." He said looking around with some contempt still in his eyes. Like the Earth Kingdom kid was so dumb all he could do was lay in a boat and freeze. Like Lim Singh had other options.
Sure, Lim Singh knew what kind of 'misunderstanding' this was. The gaurd was most likely overheard by a superior and giving a firm talking to. Still that meant he wasn't as unwelcomed as he thought. Getting up as Hai Lin pulled at his arm to help him up, the poor girl was getting in the way more than helping him but still bless her little heart.
As he was pulled down the icy path once again by the much smaller little creature he'd come to know as Hai Lin he'd be stopped once more by the gaurd as they started to turn down the path towards their new home.
"Not that way...you've a meeting with a healers....over there..." he pointed down the other path. "...you've had a long journey and our healers would like to ensure you've made it here with out consciquence." Of course that was polite jerk talk for, Who knows what kind of sickness was hidden under all that filth.
"But...but..." Hai Lin started as she was so excited to show off her new toys to Lim Singh.
"Hai Lin, the young man has had a long day and I'm sure he'd like some rest before dealing with the likes of you..."
"But mama.."
"Not another word, you've a date with a bath yourself young lady"
The girl was once again pulled away but digging in her sash as she was tugged along she'd finally turn back to wave her Li'xu stick at Lim Singh and wink all secretive like before following her mother.
The gaurd giving him another hard look of disgust before he himself walked down the path they came to return to his post. Leaving poor Lim Singh to the path left before him. Walking down it for a short time he'd come to a fountain where lots of paths were set before him. Getting a few cross looks, whispers and pointed fingers conspiring secretly around him as he was now completely lost as to where to go. The guard didn't say anything about which path to take next. Looking around, he looked for a kind enough face to ask directions. He'd see a pretty enough girl to ask. A hand running through those dreaded locks to push them back out of his face but they simply fell back over his eyes.
"Hey...hey you there..." he said as his deep smooth spoken voice would approach the girl from behind. His words slow spoken with that common southern earth kingdom draw. "You wouldn't happen to know where the place with the healers and junk are....would you?"
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 17, 2007 22:23:23 GMT -5
The young woman startled, her calm and placid expression changing to one of surprise and then shakey nerveousness. She paused in mid step and turned her head towards the voice. Midnight blue eyes first searched the quiet warriors who stood guard with their spears of whalebone and seal fur in the port that ran the lenght of the front tier of the city. The voice.. wasn't Water Tribe though. Ukaleq blinked again as she picked out the Earth Kingdom man who stood on the edge of the icy docks. Her lower lip, colored raspberry by her dark skin fell just a bit and she quickly lowered her head.
Within the belled sleves of her parka, the sleeves edged not in grey fur like the rest of the parka but instead in white and lavender ribbon, her hands quickly found eachother, fingers coiling around other fingers in her anxious habit. Her dark brows knitted in thought for a moment or two. She knew she couldn't remain silent for long without him asking again.. nor would it be polite to ignore him.
".. The healers are scattered through out the city, Sir.." Ukaleq spoke softly, her voice like a whale-bone flute, but easily lost among the noise of a crowd if one did not listen well. Thankfully, they were not in a crowded area, and very few people were near. Her voice would be easily heard. "..However, Healer Yugoda keeps her healing hut near here.." She took a mittened hand out of the sleeves and gestured towards the small building with the rounded snow roof. Way to go, Ukaleq, the young woman muttered in her mind. Now he'll be following you.
She sighed, and withdrew her hand into the sleeve of her parka. Lifting her head, her briaded loops of hair straightened themselves out along her shoulders and back, the young woman began to walk again. "I.. am heading there, if you wish to follow me, Sir."
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Post by rase on Feb 18, 2007 3:07:16 GMT -5
Looked off to where she pointed then back at the girl. Hidden eyes did well to study her. Looking at her stance and facial expressions, Lim Singh had an eye for minute details. One had to pay attention to such things when you kept common company with wild animals. His head would tilt to the left a little as he'd fixate a stare on the fair-eyed young woman. Eyes moving to catch of all things the image of her wrist as she pointed. No detail was too small too ignore, even the subtle curve of how she held her fingers as she pointed and the condition of her fingertips found his notice.
But what really caught his eye was the passing of breath through her lips. Usually it would have gone unnoticed but the cold air had a way of making one's breath visable. Seeing the small puff fall from her lips in her sigh gave him an idea of what she thought of him. Standing still Lim Singh looked down to his chest as he'd let her turn to walk down the path she pointed out. The wind had dried the water splattered but those little hand prints against the soft layer of earth were still there. Sighing himself, he took a hand to his chest to rub them away. He wasn't one to take offense easily, but it was hard not to feel a bit unwelcomed at how he had been recieved so far. His chest rebuffed with an even layer of dirt, he started after the young woman deciding to take up her offer to follow her.
"So...uhm, you're going to the healer's too huh?" he said as he started to make a bit of small talk. He really wasn't all that keen on talking being used to keeping his own company but he was trying to be considerate. "....You don't look sick of nothin'..." he took a moment to look over her body to study the sway of her stride. It wasn't hard to notice the curves the young woman held by any means "...If you ask me, you look quite healthy."
Of course his eyes would find the pendulous swing of her hips as he stated his opinion of her health. And what a healthy walk it was. The gaze not long enough to stare lustfully or anything of that nature, but just enouh to give a moment of admiration. There were other things to take notice of, like the way she walked whether it be heel to toe or toe to heel, or how she carried her shoulders. Though his eyes were covered by a curtain of locks and half-closed they did well to make notice of as many things as possible.
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 18, 2007 13:13:25 GMT -5
The poor man must be freezing, Ukaleq thought as she glanced back towards him. The North Pole was harsh at times, and though today the winds were not blowing badly, and the sun was out, the air was still brisk. One could not visibly see their breath at this time of day, but the ends of noses were sure to get cold. Her dark eyes fluttered again, as she whipped her head foreward again, dropping her chin. "My sister has a bad cough and my mother sent me to get some tea leaves, Sir." Ukaleq would explain, that being the only reason that she had for today and her leaving the upper tiers of the City.
The man was absolutely flithy, and Ukaleq wrinkled her nose but hoped he did not notice. As daughter of a cheiftain, it would be a disgrace to been seen in such company, but also a dishonor to be rude to guests of the Northern Water Tribe. Who knew what this man's purpose was or who he was. Ukaleq certainly could not guess on mere apperance alone. She buried her arms deep within her parka's sleeves more, crossing more over her torso as she walked. She certainly didn't find his attempt at small talk comforting.
Her posture was a muddled mix. She walked straight and with authortative steps for a woman, but she allowed her head to drop and her tense nature gave off the impression of uncomfortableness. Ukaleq stopped near the rounded entrance to the healing hut, the tiger seal pelt already pulled to the side in a welcoming gesture. The young woman stood to the side and faced the Earth Kingdom man. She extended a hand outward to the door, the oversized sleeves of her parka hanging over her mittened hands. "The Healer, Yugoda, Sir.." Ukaleq dropped her head, avoiding all possible eyecontact with the stranger.
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Post by rase on Feb 18, 2007 23:17:12 GMT -5
Lim Singh was a bit confused. People around here spoke so nicely but their body language and tone of voice didn't seem to match the sincerity of their words. Political politeness was new to Lim Singh who was always used to just saying what he meant the first time around. Sure he was cold, but the young man had a thick hide about him and he didn't seem to mind it all that much. That is as long as the wind kept still around him.
"Stupid wind..." he'd mutter to himself as it blew at him from the left side. The rush of cold air causing him to rub his left shoulder to warm his arm some. Yeah that iron hide of his was no match for the winds of the north pole. He'd miss the glance she gave back at him, but his ears would catch her reply.
"Your sister huh, sorry to hear that..." He figured that the sister she spoke of was a younger sibling. He picked up a subtle protective tone in her voice as she spoke of her sister, of course he could be wrong so he decided not to question the matter. He could tell his talking was making things worse. The way he said sorry, it was like he was apologizing for more than just hearing the unfortunate news about her sister.
He thought maybe he smelled bad or something, lifting the collar of his jacket to is nose as he gave himself a not so discrete sniff test. Of course he didn't smell bad, he was actually rather clean underneath all that dirt. And the dirt itself, believe it or not, was all intentionally selected. For his hair he travel the riverbanks and shoveled down deep into the earth to find the best mud and richest shades of clay for those locks of his. The dirt on his skin was selected by scent as well as color. Mostly crumbled leaves, moss, and fresh grass were subtle scents that mixed under the dominate scent of seasoned pine. He had the strong smell of the forest on him, and it was a bit heavier than usual because well, it had to last the entire trip. Walking by her though the scent of the forest had the added spice of ocean water from crossing over from the Earth Kingdom.
"I don't think I smell that bad..." he mumbled to himself having passed his own sniff test. He couldn't figure why people weren't more hospitable around these parts. Of course he didn't know why exactly he was here, walking to the center of the hut he kinda just stood there looking around. He looked rather lost as he didn't know the order of things around here. He simply figured if he stood around someone eventually would tell me what he needed to do next.
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 19, 2007 11:48:46 GMT -5
The Northern Water Tribe certainly was hospitable to their guests, espically distingushed guests and people of honor. Lim just happened to meet up with one of the coldest hearts in all of the North Pole. Ukaleq Ulloriaq was know as one of the quietest women in the North pole, as well as one of the hardest women to court. She kept to herself, rarely venturing outside her home without her Father or her Brother present. She had few friends, having been tutored by her mother, and despite her mother's reknowned skill at healing, Ukaleq nor her sister or brother were blessed with the skill. The young woman was often found, when not at home, within the archives of the temple-palace or spending her afternoons watching a pair of elders try to whoop eachother at Pai Sho.
The young woman stood there for a moment, her arms raised in a gesture that clearly indicated that he was to proceed first into the healer's hut.. but maybe the Earth Kingdom culture didn't use such body language. The young woman lifted her head, and swallowed, quickly turning and heading inside, her cream colored skirts trailing over the faint covering of snow.
Once inside, she did not bother to remove her parka, as she hoped to only be here a moment, but instead approached the pool of water in the middle of the darken chamber. The walls were bare snow and ice, various pelts of animal skins hanging on them and spiritual items displayed. The pool was rimmed in ice carvings, and a small platform laid in the middle where the testing dummy would be laid out. "Healer Yugoda..?" Ukalew called out softly, wondering in the woman was in one of the side rooms..
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Post by rase on Feb 19, 2007 12:27:06 GMT -5
Had to admit he felt quite silly standing there like a lost child, so he decided to make himself busy by looking around. He was a man of nature so the animal pelts on the wall immediately drew his attention as he walked over to them.
He wondered what kind of creature it could have came off of and why it was just hanging there. A soft deep hmm resonated from the back of his throat as he thought it was a waste of good skin. Lim Sing wasn't one to take a liking to waste. But perhaps it wasn't being wasted at all, maybe it had a purpose hanging there he didn't understand. Reason or not, he couldn't help but think it looked nice hanging there. Maybe that was reason enough.
As Ukaleq started to call for the healer his attention would once again fall on the young woman. Turning around to walk over to her, a strong pop of his shoulder as he rolled it in the joint with a sigh. He hadn't seen Hai Lin and her mother to the Northern Water Tribe without incident. He almost forgot about it he'd been ignoring it for some time, but it just didn't seem to rest right in the joint.
She'd feel that this form looming over behind her as he leaned over to look over her shoulder in the direction of the side room she was looking at trying to see what she was looking at.
"Is she here?" he'd ask rather prematurely.
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 19, 2007 17:32:26 GMT -5
Like a deer startled by a sudden crack in the forest, Ukaleq bolted forward a few paces, a look of sudden fear crossing her face. The woman turned quickly on the balls of her feet to face the Earth Kingdom man. A look of brutual accusation flashed across her long lashed eyes, like the color of a newborn star. Her lower lip puffed out as she tightened her chin, a red flush crossing her round cheebones. Her hands flew to her sides, fingers curling in tight knit fists though she had no intention of striking.
An elderly woman with crinkled, silver hair stepped out of a doorway, braids handing down from her forehead, along her cheeks and behind her ears in a bun. "Hello Ukaleq." She said cheerfully as she set a wooden bowl, painted with tribal designs in hues of lavender on a snow-made shelf. "And a stranger.. Earth Kingdom by the looks of it."
"Good afternoon Healer Yugoda.." Ukaleq had regained her composure, a noble serenity coming across her face as she folded her hands infront of her, disappearing once again in the sleeves of her parka. She bowed forward in greeting the healer. "Mother has sent me for some ice mint tea leaves. ...and this gentleman wishes to speak with a healer..?"
Yugoda nodded as she puttered about her healing hut, almost immediately locating and pulling down a small bag of tea leaves for Ukaleq. "Are you with Lu Shen? I'm afraid he's not here.. Oh no, I mean he's not in this particular healing hut. He's up a few tiers in one of our larger healing houses.."
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Post by rase on Feb 20, 2007 4:12:00 GMT -5
Lim Singh didn't mean to startle her so but couldn't help finding humor in her reaction. It reminded him of waiting in the bushes for any small wide-eyed creature to wander close enough for him to jump out and scare them. She reminded him of a little rabbit bolting for its hole and then realizing there was no hole to run to that fist of hers would tighten. Classic fight or flight response.
To him it was, well cute in a way. You think she feared he was going to bite her or some other unspeakable act. But he paid it little mind as he always liked finicky creatures Her reaction would start what could have been a chuckle but his voice fell silent as the healer greated her guests.
"Lu Shen?" he asked though it only took his mind to put two and two together. Over the trip they really didn't talk alot about the woman's husband, though he remembered hearing his name once or twice. "OH, Hai Lin's father...No, no I'm not family..." he answered shaking his head. "...I'm Lim Singh, I volenteered to escort his family here from the Southern Water Tribe" He knew the girl as Ukaleq and the old woman as Healer Yugoda, he thought it was fair to share his name.
He didn't know what else to say. He didn't know why he was there. He wasn't the kind to tend to his injuries unless they were really bad. A minor displacement in his shoulder didn't constitute as anything serious to him. Small cuts and bruises and things of that nature were pretty standard day to day occurances for him. For as long as he could remember there hasn't been a day in his life that he didn't have some kind of pain or minor injury.
The affairs of the Yen family wasn't something he wanted to get involved in too much. How they dealed with Lu Shen and the nature of health was not his business and he felt it wasn't his place to go and visit uninvited. That was family business and though he did do them a great deed in seeing them there safely it did not make him family.
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Post by amitolo on Feb 21, 2007 23:44:23 GMT -5
The snowfall had decided to pick up it’s pace, pouring itself onto Shai City. It did not bother the citizens, however, they adored the snow, in fact, they welcomed it. Meanwhile, back at Amitolo’s studio, class had just finished and the children were leaving one by one. “Ok,” Amitolo said with a laugh. He was speaking to one of his younger pupils; they never ceased to make him laugh. “Now, run along,” he continued, “I’m sure your mother is waiting for you.” After all of the students had finally left, Amitolo took one last look at the building, before he left. Surprisingly, he felt cold outside, even though he had lived in the Northern Water Tribe all his life. Today must be especially chilly. Amitolo himself had some errands he needed to attend to.
The sculptor looked at the small list he had drawn up, he had simply carved out some letters on some spare ice. The first thing on his list was to give some parcel to Yugoda. He really had no idea what it was, and didn’t really care to find out. He simply did what he was told to do. A favor for his mother. After a sigh, he slid the small icy tablet into his pocket and pulled out the parcel. Healer Yugoda’s place wasn’t very far, but nevertheless, it was a walk. To avoid this, and simply because Amitolo did not feel like walking, he called up a gondola. About five minutes passed, and an empty gondola appeared. Amitolo quietly slipped in, and gave the oarsman some money. The trip to Yugoda’s took so much less time, and in a matter of minutes, with a good water current, Amitolo walked up the steps.
He heard noises from inside, but paid no heed, and pushed the door open. His eyes instantly caught Yugoda, along with two others. A man who seemed to be from the Earth Kingdom, which had Amitolo quite puzzled, and a young woman, younger than Amitolo by only a few years. However, it was to the Earth Kingdom man that he spent the most time looking at, before realizing he may have been an intrusion. “Oh!” he said surprised, “I’m sorry if I am interrupting something,” he said, he was now looking at the girl, “I didn’t mean to be an intrusion. I have a parcel for you, healer, from my mother.”
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Post by ukaleq on Feb 21, 2007 23:47:25 GMT -5
The elder nodded, closing her crow's feet lined eyes. "I see.. I see" Yugoda stepped over to Ukaleq, the two women similiar in height, but Yugoda was more slender, her form clad in a outfit of pale lavender, accented with tribal designs and embroidery in dark, royal blue and violet. She extended the pouch of herbal leaves to Ukaleq, after pulling the drawstrings in the small fur bag closed. "Here you are, dear. They'll help calm your sister's cough. Give your Mother my best, dear."
Ukaleq nodded with a small smile, her curled tendrils bouncing around her face. She turned, her cream colored skirts skidding the ice floor and stepped towards the door. "Ukaleq.. what about your friend here..?" The healer called out, stepping over to Lim and placing a hand lightly on his arm. The dark skinned woman blinked, turning and looking back at the man. She paused, her lower lip falling again.. "Healer Yugoda.. I just.. showed him here.. that's all." She blinked and looked between the Healer and the man. "...I don't even know why he's here...?" She spoke softly, letting her voice carry into silence. Could she please just leave and go home..?
Ukaleq nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden new voice. She clutched her small bag to her chest as she turned and stepped aside from the door, dropping her head quickly at the sight of the new male.
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Post by rase on Feb 22, 2007 11:48:20 GMT -5
Lim Singh took a moment to take notice of the small pouch as a thought just hit him. He might not have to wait till he got back to the Earth Kingdom to find leaves to mix with his Li’xu. A curious thought of how the tea leaves would taste when they burned playing within his mind. It was tempting to ask but he decided it wasn’t his place. He noticed the north pole wasn’t exactly abundant with plant life and any medical herbs they could spare would be better kept for those who actually needed it for medical purposes.
Seeing the wishful thinking off with a sigh, he’d feel Healer Yugoda’s hand fall against his arm. He didn’t mind being touched as he simply offered the old woman a smile as it was the first gesture of kindness he had seen since he got to the Northern Water Tribe. He didn’t look it but Lim Singh was just a big cuddly puppy dog, despite his rough dirty exterior even the touch of the old woman seemed to brighten his mood some. That and the idea of the young woman considering him a friend. But that little thought was immediately shot down as Ukaleq spared no time in stating the truth of the matter.
“That makes two of us...”
He’d reply after she said she didn’t know why he was here. The guards told him to come here to see and he just assumed the healers would know what needed to be done once he got there. As it was not he had no where to really go. Hai Lin and her mother were most likely visiting Lu Shen and he didn’t know where they were staying or his way around the city. Being subjected to points and whispers as he walked around wasn’t exactly his idea of a pleasant afternoon.
A gust of wind blowing across his bare chest would turn his head up towards the entrance of the hut. Another person walking into the hut, though what worried him most was not the stranger but the sight of snow fall he saw behind him. It became obvious that cross looks were the least of his worries. If he was going to be spending any length of time here, he’d need more clothing than the cover of his simple jacket.
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