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Post by sho on Dec 3, 2005 9:49:34 GMT -5
As Sho stuffed the last bit of bread in his mouth, he noticed that Enitsua had come up on deck. He gave a light wave, completely ignoring the weird looks the few others around him were pelting him with. Sho didn't mind. It was kind of nice to have a friend on deck.
Sho was just about to get back to work, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned around to the head engineer.
"Yes?" He asked quietly. He had only known the engineer only a short while, but he learned that he tended to be quite wise with most things. Sho respected him for that.
"You've put in a pretty nice days wok for your first day. Things should run pretty smoothly over here for most of the day. The kitchens have had some problems keeping the food ready for all of us today for some reason..."
Sho made a quick glance over to Enitsua, trying to hide a small smile.
".. so I was thinkin' it would be better for you to work in there for awhile. Sound good?"
Sho nodded and turned around to go to the kitchens. He stopped by Enitsua for awhile. "How's it going?" He asked casually.
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Post by katuko on Dec 3, 2005 16:38:23 GMT -5
Enitsua stuck her tongue at the engineer and turned to Sho, toeing the ground nervously. "Yeah huh, everything's great." she said, dragging the pail besides her. "So...you're gonna help cooky make dinner eh? That's just about the best thing that could happen to ya. When I came, they made me polish and shinny up the railings. Disgusting work, ya betcha." she told him, shuddering at the thought.
"Well, I have to finish the deck before sunset, else I can't see nothing. Gets all dark and windy." she said. Grinning, Enitsua saluted him, and marched on, a wet sponge dangling from her fingertips.
"Oy you!" the helmsman called from his post. "Wipe that up! All that mess, yea that mess. Trying to break my back, are you? Well I tell you, I have a spouse and three children waiting at home! and if I don't return home, they'll see to it you get what you deserve." he snapped, waving his fist violently. Sighing, Enitsua lowered herself to the ground and proceeded to the trail of soapy water behind her. "I have a wife and three kids. blah blah blah..." she mimicked, grinding the floor with unnecessary force. "Stupid old man..."
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Post by sho on Dec 12, 2005 17:19:42 GMT -5
Sho raised an eyebrow at her slightly. She obviously had no respect for her elders. Not a good trait for anyone to possess. They were in the middle of a war and everyone missed their loved ones. Why mimic someone with that? Then again, Enitsua was a child and she probably did not understand those kind of things. As he thought this, he doubted it. Perhaps the mocking was insecurity.
Finding this a far more likeable cause, Sho gave a nod of farwell to Enitsua and trotted into the kitchen where things were in full swing. It was hard to fit in with the mess of things, but eventually Sho found a place to fit in - scrubbing anything that needed it. The floors, plates, faces... whatever needed cleaning, it was his job. His feelings of his job much resembled Enitsua's feelings about shining the railings - disgusting. It was extremely chaotic. Everything seemed to be a mess. The constant smell of food didn't help you feel much better either. Sho'd much rather stuff his face in.
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Post by katuko on Dec 13, 2005 22:11:51 GMT -5
Enitsua pulled herself upright, surveying the now spotless deck. ...And another job well done she mused, leaning against the rail. The sun had begun sinking into the shimmering depths of the ocean, the salty sea air ruffling through her hair. Everything would have been perfect...but something was missing.
She shook her head sadly and retrieved the half empty pail from the floor. Dwelling on the past never brought much happiness. The pail dangling from her hand, she retreated under the deck, past the stairwells and back to the galley. "HIYA SHO!" she waved cheerfully, flailing the sodden rag in her hands. Bits of sud flecked the counters as cook turned to her, scowling.
"ENITS-"
"I'll GET, I'LL GET IT!" she responded, hastily sweeping the droplets off with the edge of her sleeves. She flashed a grin at Sho and ducked under the counter for her supper. A plate of leftovers was set aside, along with a cup of tea. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I don't like tea! It's all yucky and tastes like medicine." she whined, pushing the drink away. In seconds she devoured her dinner and proceeded to clean her plate, lapping at the surface like a dog.
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Post by zuko on Dec 16, 2005 22:18:12 GMT -5
Zuko was in his meditating room, trying hard to ignore the grumbling of his stomach. He hadn't touched the food that he was served. After staring at it, his anger was worse than his appetite it seemed. 'Idiots. They can't even serve me breakfast without making mistakes,' he thought to himself angrily. Without food it seemed that his meditating was becoming more difficult. Nonetheless, he refocused his mind again; his breathing becoming in unison with the soft flames of the nearby candles. All noise slowly disappeared from his ears until, another loud grumble from his stomach appeared.
Standing up rather quickly, he stormed up to the kitchen and burst through the door. "Cook! Make me an early dinner. Don't make it late this time..." Zuko said rather demandingly. Usually he could go longer without food, but he wasn't in the mood today. Turning away, Zuko walked back out of the kitchen and headed for top deck.
The cook bowed respectively soon before Zuko left and began to follow his orders. Only the cook called for Enitsua to help him before he did so. This time he was going to make sure Enitsua did the job right this time, for his sake.
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Post by katuko on Dec 17, 2005 0:16:49 GMT -5
"Alright, give the Prince his dinner without causing major destruction or I'll box your ears." the cook warned, setting up three separate platters. "One at a time, and if that don't work out, than Agni be damned with you." he swore, shaking his head. Enitsua smiled meekly and leapt of the stool for the first platter.
Biting her lips, Enitsua clambered slowly up the stairs and knocked on the door before slipping inside. The room was unbearably hot, the air dense with smoke. Holding her breath, she dived into the small table and laid the food there before dashing out. One down, two more to go...
For the next half hour, she raced from the deck to the hull and back again, finally successful in delivering the meals without dropping a single plate. After reassuring the cook that he wouldn't be need of her assistance, she trudged into her room and flopped onto the bed. Within moments, she fell asleep, resting from her exhausting day of work...
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Post by sho on Dec 17, 2005 8:48:21 GMT -5
Feet dragging on the deck, Sho trudged over to the side of the ship. He leaned on it, thankful that he could have a little time to himself. Sho had denied the invitation for 'music night' below deck, where everyone was surely singing off key love songs. At least, that's what he guessed. His content face curled into a smile as he imagined it. Still, he stayed outside, slowly collecting his thoughts from the day.
He gazed out onto the horizon. The ocean sparkled in the dark. It seemed to be inviting him to tell his story of the day.
Sho remembered his arrival on the ship. He had been dropped off by a war ship on its way to the Earth Kingdom. It was quite odd that this one did not dock on the ports like the others. Then there was Enitsua. He chuckled. "Quite a character that one, but she keeps on. Who could have trouble with that?"
The cook, he instantly thought. And that Prince character. Ah, yes. Zuko was his name. A bit of a temper that one had.
Sho stretched and popped his knuckles. He suddenly noticed he was wide awake. He sighed with the knowledge that he would never get to sleep.
Sho walked below deck, deciding he might do a little exploring.
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Post by zuko on Dec 17, 2005 13:34:34 GMT -5
Zuko headed back to his room, hoping that his food had already been served. As he walked below deck, he could hear the sound of music playing and crew members singing rather out of tune. He never understood the point of music night. It was a bother at times, especially when his uncle would try to convince him to play something. Zuko rubbed his temples tiredly and took another turn toward his room until he slammed into someone.
Stepping back from surprise he looked at the person he collided with. It was a crew member that wore light armor and appeared to be the same age as he was.
"Watch it," replied Zuko, his frustration getting the better of him. He walked around the person and continued on.
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Post by sho on Dec 17, 2005 16:09:56 GMT -5
Sho's eyes widened at the sudden collision with the prince. He was about to apologize, but was cut off when he was spoke to, rather rudely, by the prince.
Watching him walk away, Sho's fists clinched together. Sho only had a few pet peeves, but his biggest one was rudeness and disrespect. Being a servant all your life made you quite polite to those who had authority over you, but Sho only expected the same amount of respect back. It seemed obvious to treat people who worked for you well, for that would only make them happier to tend to your needs.
Sho's thoughts wandered back to his first 'meeting' with the prince in the kitchens. He hadn't been much of charmer back there either; ordering everyone around like that. Who did he think he was?
"You could at least say excuse me." Sho spat softly, but violently, his fists still in balls.
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Post by katuko on Dec 17, 2005 18:06:29 GMT -5
Thump Enitsua woke, clinging fearfully to her bed post. The moon left faint streaks against her walls, her room bathed in soft brightness. Thump. Thump. Thump. Dazed, she slid off her bed, hugging a bathrobe around her shoulders. The hammering grew louder and the ship began to shake, more terrifying than ever.
Enitsua slipped on her straw sandals and held her ear to the door. No one seemed to be awake...did they already know about the - thump. She shook her head and slipped from her room and into the deserted corridor. Trembling, she felt her way down the hall and trailed the ever increasing 'thump - ing. Around the corner, a door stood ajar, laughter and light seeping into her surroundings. It was music night, how could she have forgotten? Racing her shadows, she raced into the room, slamming the door open. "LET'S PARTY!" she cheered, interrupting an elderly crewman in his solo.
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Post by zuko on Dec 17, 2005 22:07:24 GMT -5
Zuko heard his comment as he passed, but ignored it. Sometimes he said things that he didn't mean. Zuko admitted that he could have been a little nicer, but he couldn't control himself. He thought about saying something to the boy, but then decided not to; he just wanted to get to his room and eat for the first time today.
He walked to the door of his room, thrust it open, and slammed it shut again. He sighed; happy knowing that steel walls could shut out the noise of music night.
He looked over at the nearby table in his room and saw three dishes of food waiting for him. He sat and began to eat.
'Finally...' he thought.
As he finished up the last bit of fish, he laid back on his bed, his stomach now full. He watched the top of the ceiling and relaxed to the soft sway of the ship. ‘Only two years…’ he thought again. ‘It seems so much longer.’
Today was the day he was banished from his home two years ago. He felt pathetic; making up an excuse of an empty stomach just so no one would know why he was even more angry than usual. Yet it still haunted his mind. It was not a matter he could forget.
Stretching an arm over his eyes, he tried to sleep, even if it was difficult with memories flashing in his head.
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Post by katuko on Dec 18, 2005 17:04:07 GMT -5
The music ceased abruptly and the man she had so rudely interrupted glared at her, lips turned down menacingly. Would he yell at me? she wondered, eyes lowered. At once, the room seemed brighter as the man gave a jolly laugh and clapped his hands together. "Yes, yes, let's!" he cheered, churning his empty bottle of rum.
Enitsua laughed and rushed to get the the rawhide drum, intentionally leaving the Sungi horn behind. Maybe General Iroh would force the Prince to play. That's give her something to laugh about...
Lieutenant Jee strung a soft tune on the shamisen and the other's joined in, one instrument at first, then another, and soon the whole room filled with chatter and lively music. Enitsua beated the drum uncertainly, then pounded harder as the volume in the room grew. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. Eventually, she joined in the singing, stumbling behind the notes. Who needs sleep.
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Post by sho on Dec 18, 2005 21:45:25 GMT -5
Sho continued down the halls until he reached a door, which was slightly cracked open. From outside, Sho could hear the playing of random instruments and the singing of the crewmen. There was also quite a bit of laughing going on. Sho shrugged, and decided to check it out for a bit before heading down for bed, for he was actually feeling quite weary.
He cracked open the door a bit wider, trying to make a settle appearance. That's when Sho noticed Enitsua who was beating a drum. Sho let the door fly all the way open, letting the full blast of sound slap him in the face. Sho jogged over to a chair next to Enitsua. For a moment he observed his surroundings, noticing mostly men who seemed to be having a joyous old time, laughing and dancing, drinking....
"Hey there." He greeted Enitsua with a smile. "Is this a typical music night, or are we celebrating something?"
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Post by katuko on Dec 18, 2005 22:18:47 GMT -5
"This isn't a celebration, you silly. It's music night, music night. Do you want to know what we do during music night? We play music." she whispered, trying to keep her beating in tune with the music. "It's loads of fun. At least until everyone goes whoo with too much drinking. I can't though. They told me it's gonna make me stupid when I get big like them..." She hesitated and glanced at the Sungi horn sitting in the corner. Well...it didn't seem like anyone was going to be playing it anyway...
"Do you want to play the Sungi?" Enitsua asked, pointing at the bulky instrument in the far corner. "No one's going to play it, and my favorite song 'Seasons' can't go nowhere without a Sungi horn in the background. Whataya say?" she pleaded, pulling her baby face. "Pleeeeeeaaassseee."
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Post by sho on Dec 20, 2005 15:58:48 GMT -5
Sho's eyes widened at the idea of playing the Sungi. He couldn't do it. The idea of trying to play an instrument and completely embarressing himself in front of the crew was horror in itself. However, the crew was mostly intoxicated so it might not matter how horrible he was. Or maybe it meant that they would be even more critical... He shook his head, trying to release the vision.
"No. I don't think so, thanks." He said quickly, trying to avoid Enitsua's yearning face. "I don't even know how to play."
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