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Post by Teiú on Oct 13, 2008 12:01:23 GMT -5
Teiú climbed up the house, using himself of its height to take a look at the surroundings. Going to north there was the road. At the right side of it, a line of forest and on the other side of the trees, about 1 or so miles far, there was the river. At the right side of the road a chain of hills, easy to climb and that would offer good shelter to the one trying to hide. It would be a good place to sleep in the night.
At that point, no mistakes could be committed by Teiú, he was needing to give everything of himself to reach Tachi Dai. He knew that the message he had to deliver to The Rebellion's headquarter was of extreme importance, though the rebel himself was not aware of the subject. Being caught was not an option for him. However, he knew that Xin would only follow his orders while not being able to contact the Fire Nation. Once she did so she would run away from him in no time at all. And, as so, Teiú was almost sure, she would denounce him at that very moment. What he would do about it though, he was not sure.
The path to the north seemed clear. Tachi daí wouldn't be more than 3 or so days than there, on a foot trip. When Teiú heard the girls leaving the house he quickly got down from the roof and waited them by the door. Both were dressed in new attires. Teiú liked of those. He, that always was poor, couldn't tell the difference, in terms of style, between the elegant silk made clothes and the old clothes Xin and Setsuko were wearing, figured that, with that clothes, traveling would be way more easier.
Teiú lifted his eyes from the girls' outfits and looked at their faces “So girls. This may not be a secure place for too long. It is still afternoon and we can walk a bit yet. We will head to the north by the edge of the road and see how much we can make untill it gets dark. May we go?” He said before heading to the north exit of the town.
That was a dangerous road to take. Edging a river there could be meetings with military troops of both countries, with bandits, wild animals and another no-end of troublesome things. Teiú, tough aware of that, judged that would be better to avoid saying that to the girls. It sure would unsettle them.
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Post by xin on Oct 13, 2008 13:33:57 GMT -5
The older girl pouted as she watched the child dress. Swiftly she went to her pack searching about for her small needle point kit. she keeled in front of the girl and pushed the skirt aside for a moment. " Hold still alright?" Her brown eyes were soft before she pushed the tear in the fabric together and did a quick stitch up. She didn't want the girl running around with a hole in the clothing that may rip further. It would just prove to be trouble some later. Once she was finished her fingers pushed together on the end of the thread burning it just enough to sever the tied and she tucked the needle away smoothing the skirt and standing up to look her over.
" You look cute." She finally concluded giving her a bright smile. Green was definably not the right color for her, it was wrong for Xin, she felt like a traitor. Hopefully she wouldn't be in this situation for much longer. It made her sick to her stomach even though she was starving. She feared that she wouldn't be able to eat a thing even if she tried. Choking back a sigh she concluded that the two of them were ready to head off. Xin took Setsuko's hand in her own and smiled gently at the girl. It was a pity she had to be put in this situation. Her pack was now secured on her back and they began to move out of the room into the mild daylight. It seemed like night would come soon. Thankfully the weather was good.
Inside her pack Xue rested in the front pocket curled up comfortably dreaming of his large cage and the vegetables he was fed daily, with some sweet corn pieces now and then for a nice treat. In the summer bits of melon but right now the creature was content to bury it's head into it's tail purring gently.
The noble girls eyes met with Teiu's and once again she fellt mute looking away meekly. This renegade soldier scared her, he seemed harmless enough but she felt the shame for him, running away from the military, going as far as to run to the earth kingdom. He was up to no good and it was as obvious as his gold eyes which were a give away of his heritage. The nation he was throwing in the garbage with his actions. His eyes on her was unnerving, like he was reading her, judging perhaps... she merely nodded to him. Acknowledging that they'd be walking
She gave Setsuko's hand a small squeeze and attempted a reassuring smile for her. No doubt there would be a lot of trouble ahead for them. She'd make sure that the girl was safe though. It was the least she could do until she had been returned to her family.
Xin's own family came to mind, she wondered if anyone was looking for her, if they were would they think to look towards the earth kingdom? Would she ever see her own siblings again? Her parents? Her home?
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Post by Teiú on Oct 23, 2008 19:50:48 GMT -5
He had this strange sensation filling him. He didn't know why it was there nor why it came to him. Perhaps, he thought, it was Xin's actions. At every time she avoided his eyes he felt more and more alone. She wasn't fool, she knew that he was a refugee from the Fire Nation. That alone was a reason for her to hate him. On the rebel's mind is what he would call the youth of Ozai. But it harmed him to no end to perceive, then and there, that his companion wasn't his companion at all. He knew, at that very moment, that Xin would run away and defect him at the first sight of opportunity.
From sadness to deception - he gave to her everything he could, for little as it would seem, and she denied a glance to his eyes – in a second, Teiú felt like a little animal lost in a colossal and empty cage, whose limits where beyond the horizon. He was, indeed, alone in the world. The face he ebared at that instant, the reflection of sadness itself, was not perceived by him. When he came back to reality he quickly turned around and started walking, without directing a speech to Xin or Setsuko.
What to think of his situation? He didn't know. He knew that walking a bit enjoying new landscapes would ease his soul and thoughts. As so, he covered a few miles easily, without feeling the tiresome reflects of a walk in a rocky road. If the girls felt tired or needed something, he totally ignored. Looking at them, at any of them, would bring him more sorrow than he already had in his heart. The day was ending and the Moon would soon take Sun's place in the firmament, seen from Earth Kingdom territory as a huge blue blanket. The few clouds floating in the sky's “sea”, however, were turning crimson reflecting the first lat rays of light that the big star was irradiating.
Teiú stopped and started looking around, searching for a place to set a camp. The hills at the west seemed a good place. “We are changing our route. We will set a camp over one of that hills. It is not very far now and we can have some sleep.” He said, with the most gelid voice.
The uphill was not hard to climb and the hill Teiú selected had a small plateau covered with grass. Circling it, by the borders, a line of low and medium-sized rocks. The view from there was breathtaking, principally when one was enjoying that beautiful sunset. Teiú got hypnotized for a few seconds by the big red Sun. Then, taking a look around, no sight of human beings, other than him and the girls. He left his backpack near one of the rocks by the plateau's edge and, coldly, he said:
“I'm going to the other side of the road to get wood for a fire and water in the river. There's food on my backpack and you two can feel free to pick it up. I'll be back soon.” Without looking at the girls.
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Post by xin on Oct 24, 2008 0:33:29 GMT -5
Walking, it seemed like they'd be walking forever, she soldiered on worrying what would happen should she speak up. Even as she felt the rocks ont he road through her thin shoes she kept her lips pursed. He seemed to be ignoring the two of them, in a way it was a good thing but what was he thinking? If he'd been able to leave the fire nation armed forces so quickly he must have done something horrible. It was grueling to think of the people he may have hurt, perhaps he assaulted someone, when you were scared your mind came to very odd conclusions and the young noble woman was on edge obviously.
Her eyes bore into Teiu's back nervously, aside from a small squeeze to Setsuko's hand she didn't pay her much mind, as long as they were connected like this they were fine but as the day wore on she began to feel tired. Her backpack seemed to be gaining weight as her legs were. Hungry and tired to begin with the burning sensations in her calves were painful but she didn't want to face his wrath should she ask to stop. A little more laboriously she followed after the man.
As much as she hated to admit it she needed him, he'd be smart though and lead them away from civilization. She feared it anyway. He had to have a map though, right? She could get it from him and figure out where she was, her memory was almost photographic, she'd wait until she was near a village and run, hopefully it wouldn't be an earth kingdom ruled village, perhaps a small town that the fire nation had liberated recently. Plenty of soldiers who could take the man in and get him the help he needed to fix whatever mental illness had it's grasp on him. All she needed was some time to go through his things, and as the night was approaching and Xin felt about ready to drop the chance presented itself.
Her head snapped up when the man finally addressed them, nodding again she watched him leave and looked to Setsuko for a moment. She gave her a reassuring smile but it didn't feel believable, she dropped her pack on the ground, a small squeak came from her front pocket and a white fur ball made himself known having been rudely awoken by the jolt. Xin didn't pay him too much time, as soon as Teiu was out of eye sight she sat down and began going through his bag. There were a few things, nothing she really found important, she left the food out for Setsuko and continued to look through it.
Papers, she scanned them over placing them back into the bag, she was looking for a map after all. Finally she found a sealed something. Looking it over she was nervous, it was important but what it was she didn't know.... Carefully she put it back and fumbled through the bag once more hoping it would provide some manner of fruit for her efforts. Finally there was a map, she placed it next to her and painstakingly set the contents of the bag back into place beginning to look over it ignoring her rumbling stomach.
It was vital for her to know the general lay of the land if she were to be of any use to herself and Setsuko.
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Post by Teiú on Oct 24, 2008 10:22:19 GMT -5
He had crossed the trees and filled three canteens with water. On his way back Teiú gathered as many sticks and brushwoods as he could carry. This took time, though. Teiú put all his “log” together and tied it with a piece of fabric. While still thinking about the girls Teiú's mind stopped on Xin. He needed to think what to do about her. After he reached Tachi daí, would he be able to accomplish his promise to Setsuko and safely escort both girls to Fire Nation back? He, then, remembered something about Xin's family being away from her house. Where they at the Earth Kingdom? Teiú couldn't tell. It was then that Teiú's mind passed over something. He told Xin to get the food on his backpack. The information he was to deliver, though, sealed in a wooden tube, was there.
“Stupid.” He shouted while smacking his forehead. The rebel placed the wood under his right arm and tied all the canteens with another piece of fabric, which he gave enough length to pass over his left shoulder. He, then, gave start to a desperate sprint towards the camp he settled. Leaving Xin alone with such important belonging was asking for more and more trouble.
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Post by xin on Oct 24, 2008 11:05:48 GMT -5
With the map mostly memorized she settled it back into the back and took to the food, she didn't want to hurt the rations too much so she took a hunk of bread and picked at it sullenly, she laid out bits for Xue who ate them gratefully. She glanced at Setsuko and smiled a bit if anything she didn't want to startle the girl or give her unfounded worries. " Don't tell him I was going through his things alright?" She seemed to understand, something she was grateful for, back in her own little world her minds eye still was wandering over the contours of the map, Tachi Dai was a city she made sure to point out for herself. The other was Omashu now called new Ozai, it was needless to say that there was little way of her getting there unnoticed on foot. It was much too far and she'd no doubt get herself lost, but weren't there other firenation encampments? Where they were she was unsure, along the way to Tachi Dai there were other cities, perhaps one of them was freed by the firenation.
Coming back to the real world she looked up to see Teiu running towards them, she tensed unsure of what to do. She didn't give away anything she hadn't done anything wrong, just looked at a map, anyone would have been curious. Her brown eyes flickered up at him then away, she seemed unable to keep any other face than that of a frightened kitten hawk these days.
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Post by Teiú on Oct 26, 2008 13:20:55 GMT -5
Teiú reached the plateau almost putting his lungs out of his body. He held on the nearest rock to avoid rolling the hill down while his mouth was trying to get the biggest quantity of oxygen from the air. When his eyes turned to Xin and Setsuko an awkward silence filled the scenario. Both were staring at him and him back to them, speechless. As he recovered himself he saw, on the hands of Setsuko, a chunk of bread. Xin, indeed, went through his things, as he told her to do. Slowly, Teiú moved towards his bag. He left the pile of wood in the half of the path and dropped the canteens of water near the girls. However, his eyes were glued on his bag and his mind praying to the spirits that he would find the wooden tube still sealed.
Teiú hadn't sighed, but he lost the firmness on his body when he saw the seal, intact, on the object. His backpack was a mess, but it was like that already and Teiú assumed that Xin came through his things searching for the food. As so, Teiú assumed nothing bad happened. He was sitted, turned to his backpack. Still sitted, he turned his body and face to the girls, that were still looking at him – his entrance was somewhat strange, he imagined – with an air of fright on their semblant.
The rebel felt bad for his behavior an was quick in apologizing: “I'm sorry for this girls... I was... thinking in something else. I'm sorry, didn't meant to startle you. I'm gonna light the fire”.
Assuming that no troops were near there Teiú presumed that lighting a fire would be ok. He put the sticks together and lightened the fire up with his hands, while the last rays of the sun where vanishing as the big star made its dive among the horizon's mountains.
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Post by xin on Oct 26, 2008 14:51:18 GMT -5
Teiu came back, looked through his things and seemed satisfied that everything was alright. She relaxed somewhat relieved that he didn't notice anything out of place. For a moment she felt like she was going to be busted, Setsuko had her lips sealed though, she was such a good girl. Hopefully they'd both be getting back to But the fact that he looked at the sealed tube the most was a little a little curious. It must have been important as she thought. That was all the information she needed to know about it through. Keeping her skirt flush to her legs she got herself up helping to clear away brush and plant life from where Teiu was setting up the fire, It wasn't very secluded but it might mean the animals would leave her alone.
That was an interesting thought, they would be sleeping out in the wilderness, where all manner of things might come get them... Her eyes went to the woods just across the river and she shivered partially out of the waning warmth in the air and the possibility of something lurking in the darkness. What if earth kingdom soldiers came out at night, would they be able to fool anyone with the green colors? Visions of ruthless men in green danced behind her eyelids and it was hard to pull her eyes from the forest.
For the first time since she was on the ship she looked at Teiu squarely with a hand over her heart. " Will it be safe here..... for the night?" He wasn't much of a protector, but he was all herself and Setsuko had. They'd need to get along with him for now.
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Post by Teiú on Oct 28, 2008 14:52:58 GMT -5
Setsuko was sleeping profoundly. From her the only perceptive sound was a weak snore, these that the kids normally let go. Xin was at her side, but Teiú couldn't see her face, from where the rebel was the only thing he could see was her back. Was she already sleeping? That was what he thought. Some hours could be counted after Sun went down and the Moon, that made her appearance just as soon as the big star left the sky, was almost wishing her goodbye to the firmament. From there, the plateau, the black sky was beautiful. Several colored dots, from lots of silver to red and blue points, lost in the large blanket of dark blue. A dust belt, also in silver color, risked the universe in half, going from one side to the other of the horizon line.
Teiú was there, looking at that breathtaking scene. He was to remain awake to protect himself and his companions. He planned to take his sleep time at the early hours of the morning. Intimidated by that huge cellar Teiú turned his eyes to the burning logs. There was enough wood to go until the morning. The rebel watched in attention the different colors of the flame, how the blaze was slightly blue by the base of the fire and was turning yellow near the tip. Over the yellow blaze lines of orange and red, and the crimson ambers of the wood, that was letting go a thin line of smoke. That plateau was convenient, the line of rocks on its border prevented anyone right below to see the fire, only being able to locate the luminosity produced by the flames.
Teiú was half sitted half laid down, his back resting on a rock. He took a chunk of dry meat from his backpack an ate it, entirely, in a single swallow. In desperation, he reached one of the water canteens.
After drinking all of its content, again, in one time, Teiú let go an enjoyable sigh of relief as the water came down his throat, taking the piece of meat with it. His eyes filled with tears.
“Ouch... whew... hahaha, mom would reprehend me if she was here now. And dad would laugh” He said to himself, while trying to imagine how could they be fairing now. Being the parents of a deserter, they probably were arrested and obligated to work in the coal mine near their village. “Don't worry mom, dad... I will come back to help you. I will.” Still talking to himself.
His thoughts landed on Kai, his best friend and son of Kangiro, their master and rebel comrade. Had Kai managed to escape? Kangiro was dead, he knew... as was Seung-Ha, his girlfriend, daughter of the captain of the military base, his master as well, from where his fled from. But thinking about the death of his girl and remembering that the army blamed him for that was too disturbing for him to abide. He quickly searched for something else to put his thoughts on.
He looked at Xin. He hadn't managed to pull some conversation with her yet, and it was strange because they were together for a few weeks now. The firebender found that hour to be as good as any to try an approach. He called for her, with a sweet voice, making it low enough to not awake Setsuko nor waking Xin if the noble fell asleep.
“...Xin...”
“Mmm, she must already be in her sleep.” Talking to himself, once again “I would better no wake her up. Yet, I must set the track for the trip. Where is that old map Fargus gave me?” And the rebel started hunting for the piece of paper inside his backpack.”
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Post by xin on Oct 29, 2008 11:31:00 GMT -5
Xin was silent laying on the ground, of course she laid out a light blanket as to not dirty her borrowed clothes, it was so demeaning but she was much to tired to complain about such a thing. She sighed softly hot breath warming herself gently. The lights from the fire gently flickered over the natural curves of her body, the slim form of her waist to the curve of her hip, she had her hands tucked under her head and her disheveled black hair was in inky rivers around her lax form, red highlights glinting from the fire, blue from the moon and darkness around her. It was horrible to be out her facing the wilderness but she was relatively safe. She could put her mind at ease with that. Her thoughts went to her brothers, who she hoped were sleeping soundly, would word of her disappearance reached them yet she wondered
Tentatively her hand went out the Setsuko's face caressing her cheek gently moving some stray hair out of her face and watching as she curled up tighter into her little ball of comfort, if only she could let go of reality like that. It was so enviable. Xin's eyes closed and she tried to stir up images of her home, comfort, good times back where it was safe and warm, Her own room was comforting, the garden, sitting on her favorite moss covered rock, it was softer than any chair she'd ever sat in. In her mind her fingers danced over the string of her ehru. Her opposite hand was moving fluidly and she was playing the dance of the plum blossoms, one of her favorite songs. Her brothers were getting along and listening while admiring the garden and focusing on their studies, her Mother was lounged with her father and they were just enjoying one anothers company.
Dreams are that for a reason though, as she opened her eyes she remembered her parents didn't spend much time with one another, they slept in separate rooms except when they were drunk, her father was often at work and her mother would just lounge about the house plotting to marry her off or plotting her brother futures. Lang always beat on his younger brother, the garden was usually a lonely place. Her heart cringed, even if it wasn't perfect it was her home, it hadn't been that for the better part of a year.
Behind her Teiu began to talk and she coiled her free hand back against her stomach nervously. She didn't keep track of what he was doing, he was rambling. Stories of ex-soldiers taking to rice wine like fish to water fluttered through her mind, when they got drunk they did unforgivable things to young girls. Now her heart was racing like a small animal but she stayed still listening to what was actually said, her dark brown eyes open to the darkness nervously looking for a shadow or any indication of him moving.
Oddly enough he was talking to himself... about his family. She listened carefully calming herself down until he heard him call her name, more of a whisper than anything. She debated getting up but instead she laid still, frozen in place with a mixture of fear and confusion. Then he continued talking to himself and she settled somewhat. While he was searching his bag she sat up quietly with her black hair pooling in layered waves over her shoulders.
" I'm awake." She whisper quietly her hands settling on her knees tentatively. Now facing the fire warm shadows cast over her soft face, light highlights coming out in her eyes as she watched him ever nervous around the man. At least she was talking.
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Post by Teiú on Oct 30, 2008 15:33:04 GMT -5
“I'm awake.”
Should Xin use a bit louder tone of voice it would have startled Teiú. As it was, the rebel just shifted eyes from his backpack to his noble companion. She was as nervous, and reluctant to speak freely, as she always behaved near him. And, as usual, her glance was at someplace very very far from Teiú's brown eyes.
Teiú put his backpack aside and turned to Xin. He was sitted, his legs crossed. For some time, the only audible things was the cracks of the wood, being destroyed by the intense blazes. The fire was casting a orange shade over the plateau. This made Xin's skin seem a bit darker, Teiú noted. And perhaps, the fact that she was wearing green clothes. She was way different than when he first saw her, in doctor Sekar's clinic. And that came to Teiú: he hadn't paid the bills for his consult.
Turning his attention back to Xin, the rebel tried to engage conversation. He judged that that time was perfect, there was nothing there but the two. Setsuko was somewhere else, in the seventh sleep.
“You don't need to be nervous like that Xin. I don't know if you know but I will not cause you any harm.” He said, with the sweetest voice he could manage to do – what, in his case, was pretty sweet. “Can't you speek freely with me? As, for example, how are you feeling? Or what do you wanna do?”
And he stood there, waiting for her answer.
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Post by xin on Oct 30, 2008 15:49:57 GMT -5
Xin shifted slightly from her seat, of course she was nervous of the man, he was a reble after all, someone who shouldn't be trusted, he would turn on his fellow firenation soldiers and fight them now? Was that what he'd do? Steal fathers and son's from his own people it was wrong.
Xin's eyes found the fire and she stared into it nervously. Her eyebrows were knitt with consern and she fiddled with her skirt wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep and pretend that she hadn't gotten up after Teiu's call. her hand went to her hair moving it back from her face delicately, she felt so thin and weak it was embarrassing. Surely the trip had caused her to drop weight, something her mother would have liked, she always chided Xin for being on the rounder side.
Carefully her eyes shifted to Teiu nervously but all too quickly she looked away and back again unsure if the eye contact would anger him or not, her own fear forced her to continue looking at the fire instead of the man.
" I'm sorry." She spoke softly, not wanting to upset him. As much as she relied on Teiu to protect herself and Setsuko she didn't trust him completely, she'd rather act like a scared little girl then speak her mind and be roasted for it. Her bending skills were there but not refined, she was a bender but not for fighting, there was no point in having a noble in the court learn such a skill though there were many who did.
Before she thought to shut herself up her eyes closed and she admitted something that had been bothering her since she found out about him sneaking away on the boat." I just don't know how you can turn your back on your own nation like this." Her eyes opened in something of a start and she placed a hand over her mouth, worried that he would strike her for saying such an outlandish thing.
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Post by Teiú on Oct 30, 2008 18:07:04 GMT -5
When she apologized for looking at him, he was sure, she was afraid. A confusion came to his soul and face. He never thought about it. He imagined, but he never stopped that that would be the reason of all her behavior. For him, she was just a spoiled girl that was taken out of her gold made nest. He looked away for a while. When he turned to say something, however, Xin spoke.
“I just don't know how you can turn your back on your own nation like this.”
And that stroke Teiú a punch. He froze. His eyes were wide open, as was his mouth. And once again he remained several seconds silent. His eyes moved to the fire. He leaned on the rock he was laid back before he approached Xin. “Then that is it. Tsk, how I'm foolish, didn't perceived so. She ius not stupid, she got it. And she is one of the Ozai's youth.” He thought, while waiting for his mind to tell him how to react to the situation.
“First of all Xin... please, you... don't fear, I already aid: I won't hurt you.” And he stopped, before going along with number two. He looked away, far away, to the other hills, then, after, to the sky again. Then, as if it was a rant, though he was going to try to not sound like that, he kept on.
“My nation, Xin... it never gave me good things, you know? It never gave me a reason to love and protect it. In Lun Yang it may be different. But back there, in the countryside, in the big cities, crowded with peasants... life goes differently. There, our social conditions are very different than the ones I assume you lived. My nation is different than your nation. Both are prideful but then...”
He paused for a while, considering that going along with it would be too much, but at that point, he wouldn't be able to stop it anymore.
“While your asked, mine ordered. Your noble friends, the ones that became lieutenants, captains... they commanded us, the peasants, that became soldiers, privates. We are the ones that the generals over Lun Yang, every day and without any guilty, send to face the leading lines of earthbenders. Do you ever considered that the food you eat, the wood that burns, warming your home, the soldiers that fight for your comfort, are us? And that we cannot have everything you guys do? And that, as so, we don't have something that deserves to be loved and protected? Besides, and it is something my master told me, who said that the Earth Kingdom wants to be “as civilized as us”? And if they were, don't you think they would just ask us to help them than having to defend their houses of our troops?” At that, Teiú was at the edge of becoming exalted, and so he stopped to avoid frightening Xin and/or awakening Setsuko.
Recomposed, he added: “You saw the village down there. That was no accidental fire. And tell me, did you see many civilization down there? Those were houses... were families, like yours, lived... but know, they are just empty wooden boxes. And I'm sure... it was not civilization what the Fire Nation army brought there.”
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Post by xin on Oct 31, 2008 10:07:48 GMT -5
He was silent, she didn't know if it were a good or bad thing, he seemed to look at the fire and she did too, now and then she stole a glance trying to figure out if she should stay or get up and run. The latter would be problematic, he'd surely over take her in a few strides, Xin had long legs but she wasn't fast, Not that she'd run since she was a little girl, there was really no way of knowing how fast she was. He told her to not fear him, how funny, in the books thats what the men said before they do unspeakable acts, it's a horrible thing to say to anyone.
Her shoulders slumped and she felt small and insignificant. there were so many things wrong with what he was saying, so many things. She remained quiet though and waited, she wouldn't interrupt him or invoke his wrath, she wasn't that stupid. Perhaps if she acted like she nodded off he'd leave her alone and she could wait out the rest of the night silently, he'd have them moving again come morning and she'd need her rest.
" A community needs one another, something doesn't come from nothing it's the way the world works." She started trying to keep her voice low, she was closest to Setsuko and didn't want to wake her. For once in a long while her mind started to kick on the way it used to back in classes, when she played pai sho. Easily she saw flaws and weak points in his statements and calmly, rationally she picked at them.
" In a society like th firenation there is ancestral nobility and those with wealth who can achieve that status, any farmer, laborer or woodsman can create an idea or fuel a business and become lesser nobility if they choose to. There is no reason for anyone to be unhappy with their job. I would never demean a farmer because he is part of the grand chain of operation in the fire nation."
Her eyes turned to Teiu sheepishly but she continues speaking. " There is no draft and unless someone corrupts the system individually everyone in the army is on equal terms, even nobles can be placed as foot soldiers and field workers cam become captains." She allowed a pause not wanting to get herself heated up or emotional over this, in a good debate one kept a level head and a clear mind. " Don't think your the only one who has lost family to the war."
" There are too many people who have lost sons and husbands and each lost is a burden to their families and their nations, war is a necessary evil, one doesn't have to like it to know that it's needed. The firenation is trying to liberate the earthkingdom from a grip of a king who allows his kingdom to lay in ruins."
Xin seemed to have a bit more wind in her sails now, she knew all of that to be true and more that she wouldn't even touch on.
" oh and Teiu." She looked at him evenly a small pout on her lips. " Even if the fire in that town wasn't an accident the buildings were boarded up." That was an obvious flaw in his anti-firenation propaganda.
" Meaning the villagers were evacuated before flames even touched the buildings." She laid back down in her previous position on the ground closing her eyes. There would be no point in killing innocent civilians, the army wouldn't do it. The soldiers were indeed fathers and sons. No one is that ruthless, if anything they were brave strong and noble for fighting on behalf of their nation as they did, it was Admirable that they would work so hard on behalf of their home nation and freedom. If people couldn't understand that it was a shame. " Good night."
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Post by Teiú on Nov 3, 2008 9:49:50 GMT -5
Xin turned her back to Teiú, as if nothing had happened. And he, confused, stood there, sitted, looking at her. Still sitted, Teiú rose his knees, his feet in the ground and crossed his arms, each elbow resting on the respective knee. He put his head down, still looking to Xin. In his eyes the light of the fire was being reflected.
This took seconds. And then, in the most calm voice, “I was a soldier Xin, I know how things go. Tell me you, what would be the reason to burn empty buildings? And think about what you said: If they evacuated people, then what would the reason to burn their houses? According to you, these people now is homeless, right?”
Teiú crossed his legs again and reached his backpack, to take a piece of bread, but he stopped the action in the middle. He wasn't hungry nor with appetite to eat that food.
“I don't deny that, in a community, one needs the other, and likewise. But when you are treated like an animal, when your lands are taken out of you because government wants to explore them, when food is low to your family and big to another, when, as a kid, they start training you to be soldier, this... This is no pleasant life Xin. Instead of worrying about our hair, our clothes, our social demeanor we... we needed to care for the fact of feeding three persons with the meal for one. And I was a soldier, you can even imagine the situation for those that were merely workers.”
His words were coming out of him in measured rhythm and in bold patience. These were, mainly, the words of his Rebel master, Kangiro, but now Teiú felt as they were his own. He fully understood what it meant there, near Xin, that was his counterpart in the social structure of the Fire Nation. His heart felt heavy, as he remembered of his family, his friends.
“The logic of the unity Fire Nation makes sense, as you said. But if that is the basics of your system then it is mostly corrupted. Everyone has equal terms on the army, you say? That is what you think. I, though, felt this, that we AREN'T the same. And this is because our lives are so different”
That conversation, though, gave Teiú a small sensation of relief. Xin finally said something to him, even if it was not pleasant to hear. However, she gave him her words, briefly, but gave. She made Teiú feel like a human being, an not an animal, that was pretty much what she was treating him like. She treated him like a dangerous animal that was protecting her, but could, at anytime, strike her with anger.
“It is easy to say that everyone has its role to play when you are inside your silk dress, enjoying tea and listening to music with other nobles. I suggest you try saying so wearing rags, having old bread and listening to the sounds of gutters in the rainy night.”
Teiú, once more, laid down, resting his back on the rock.
“If you really don't want to keep on with this conversation, then I wish you a good night, as well”
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