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Post by misui on Dec 22, 2008 1:36:51 GMT -5
Misui quickly cast the thought of children aside, she knew how her sister managed to be pregnant every other year but it didn't mean she was going to wind up like that. After all she couldn't be , it wouldn't have made sense so she didn't dwell too long. The sooner the topic was set aside the better, no one needed to know they jumped the gun and rushed into the relationship, They were young and in love, the heat of the moment was more than enough excuse so it could be forgiven. Plus there was always a small allure in cooking Ryota a real home made dinner, she knew that there were some marlin crab fillets in the ice chest.
Unpai cuffed her husband and then went to the kitchen, shortly followed by the younger sister but not before she placed a kiss on Ryota's cheek and smiled at him fondly. Their father tried to help but was shooed out of the kitchen by the girls. With a small sigh he sat himself down on the furred sofa and indicated that Ryota could have a seat where he chose. The girls seemed insistent on cooking the meal themselves so if gave the men some time to just relax and wait. Misui's younger brother plopped himself down on the fur rug covering most of the common area and Unpai's husband simply sat next to his father in law.
" Women, I'll never under stand them" He huffed looking back to the kitchen were his wife was no doubt lecturing Misui on various spousal duties and how best to nag. Misui's father on the other hand smiled at Ryota and tried to make the silence less awkward. " So, What's your family like back in the Southern Tribe?"
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Post by ryota on Dec 22, 2008 15:52:01 GMT -5
"Well," Ryota started off his reply to Renji's question, though in all honesty he didn't quite think things through long enough to come up with a good answer. What a surprise. "Well," saying again, as he twiddled his thumbs a bit and his mind scrambled to find enough to say and make sure it made sense. "We didn't have much. The Southern Water Tribe isn't very big, so we couldn't have a lot of what you guys have. I guess we appreciated everything we had though, because I don't remember ever complaining." At the end, he chuckled softly a bit and let his gaze settle somewhere upon or around his hands.
Lulling for a moment, he looked around at the other family members. There was Misui's father, her sister's husband, and her younger brother...all of them the men of the family, relatives of his children who may or may not be born anytime soon. It was imposing to thing he may wind up with a baby by the time they reached the South Pole, so much so that he couldn't stop thinking about it. In all though, he felt assured in knowing the three fellows would make for fine family. Uneasily he smiled, but more was going to be said. "We were a quiet family full of love I suppose, but everyone was like family. Our tribe wasn't that big, and we all knew each other by more than just their names. It was a lot like here, but, well...smaller."
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Post by misui on Dec 22, 2008 19:56:19 GMT -5
Misui's father nodded to Ryota's comments and although the warrior sort of missed the mark as far as the topic he was asking about it was nice to hear about their southern brethren, the north hadn't been in contact with the south since his own parents were very young, if that but he supposed they made the best of what they had, apparently they hadn't been as well hidden from the war as Shai city had been, spirits bless the founders of the city who put such care into the construction and location of Shai. Even after two assaults it was still standing and strong, for 100 years it'd remained hidden from the firenation and their boats through those who ventured outside the city weren't so lucky. Various casualties did remind them that outside their walls a powerful evil was stirring.
He did hope that the group heading south would be safe, his thoughts would go with Misui on this brave abet foolhardy trek to the other pole. He entrusted Ryota with his daughters life, it wasn't something he would readily give to anyone. " So do you have family down south? Your parents or siblings?" It was always nice to nose around through peoples personal business, it might give a hint on how he would raise his children or even how the family would run. He would hate for his grandchildren to be neglected or spoiled rotten. Ryota didn't seem the type who would be able to scold a pouting child, Misui surely would keep them in line.
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Post by ryota on Dec 24, 2008 14:49:49 GMT -5
Renji was either really interested in Ryota's personal affairs back in the south or concerned over what his daughter was getting to. As Ryota was willing to talk about his family anyway, it wasn't that big a deal. At least he cared, whether it was in a fairly good or a more ambivalent way. "I have a sister and brother, one's..." Now it didn't strike him immediately how old either one would be these days, but he did remember a few things that hinted at age. By now, if he were seven and ten years old when his sister and brother were born (respectively), he figured it out well enough. "Well, she's thirteen and he's ten. Mom's also back there, and has no idea where I am or what I've been up to. We were a happy family, though."
Looking off to the side a bit, he did remember how it was back home. Quiet, respectful, appreciative, and full of care and love. This time dad wouldn't be there just yet, unless for some reason he decided to hop ship and come back with them, but that wasn't likely. If he did it, then what prevented the other men from following suit? Chameleon Bay would be empty if they all felt sentimental and decided to go home. Ryota did want to go back for a goodbye to his father, though. A quick stopover when they got the chance, he supposed.
"Dad's still back at Chameleon Bay with the other warriors, but he hasn't even met Misui." That one was obvious, same as his next statement seasoned with a slight chuckle. "He'll be in for a surprise, I guess."
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Post by misui on Jan 1, 2009 2:31:04 GMT -5
" Well I'm glad you have family down there." He remarked with a bit of a smile, they seemed typical, mother and father with two sons and a daughter, nothing out of the ordinary, Ryota had younger siblings so it meant he had to be somewhat responsible. Hopefully that hinted that he would be a good father. If Misui and Ryota did tie the knot in the south no doubt Ryota's mother would be knowledgeable enough to help Misui through it though spirits know that Misui had been witness to numerous births and knew what was in store. Mothers were always expected to be a little anxious about their first child, Renji would give the world to see his daughter bring a healthy baby into the world but he'd had his fair share of such events.
The fledglings would have to leave the nest eventually, he was just fortunate enough to have his children around as long as he did. Most would leave the moment they were wed and branch out new lives on their own. Unpai had stayed home and he appreciated all her help. Every day his girls became more and more like their mother.
" It's good to know that Misui's going to have some friends down there." Her smiled warmly at the portly boy and then glanced toward the door way to the kitchen where Misui and Unpai were no doubt hard at work. Most people would praise strong sons but Renji was rather proud of his daughters, they were strong willed and loving, good mother figures and amazing people, they knew their place and shone in whatever they attempted. His wish as their father was only their happiness but it seemed the men they choose ensured that for them.
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Post by ryota on Jan 2, 2009 16:07:12 GMT -5
So Renji was happy about his daughter's soon-to-be lot in the South Pole, marking this drastic and fully willing change with acceptance and joy. Both men clearly knew Misui would be happier this way, not doubt brought joy even by the lengthy travel all the way south, which as Ryota remembered, seemed to take forever and a half-- and that was just the ride from the South Pole to some naval base in the southern Earth Kingdom. Renji seemed to have strong of faith as any that the Avatar would set things straight now that he had returned, even though other aspects may very well seperate him from his daughter forever more. Ryota liked to think positively, but gaps were forming every time he thought about their southward move.
Twiddling his thumbs, Ryota smiled at his future father-in-law meekly, his smile much less welcoming than that of the older man, but still visible and expressive of whatever needed to be detected nonetheless. Whether Renji thought it denoted nervousness or happiness, that was up to him. "I appreciate it," he nodded to Misui's father, "I know my mother will like her. Everyone else will too." He hoped. For all he knew, his mother would be wide-eyed for a month after meeting the girl she found out her boy had proposed to after one chance meeting and a handful of time spent together, then wind up unleashing some heavy and blunt object over the back of her son's head.
He was certain she wouldn't react that harshly, but there really was nothing else he really knew to anticipate. His mother had never really pushed him into marrying any of the girls at the village, who he always thought of as sisters instead of lovers, so his knowledge of her opinions that way were quite scanty. It was another one of those blasted holes that kept tearing in the plan. Then, he wondered where Misui was, hinting at the thought only with an idle gaze toward the kitchen.
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Post by misui on Jan 7, 2009 21:41:18 GMT -5
In the kitchen Misui was sauteing some sliced sea cucumbers around fish steaks as her sister worked on a warm thick stew. Every now and then she'd steal glances at the younger sister and look away causing Misui a bit of concern. After a while of this Misui caught one of her sisters quick glances breaking the silence finally. "What?" Unpai looked away, seemingly uninterested in the conversation as she scraped the spoon against the bottom of the pan making sure nothing burned and stuck down there. " Oh nothing, I'm just a little curious about my baby sister running off with a man she's not married to yet. Thats all." With a flush Misui left the steaks to cook as she moved onto finishing the sweet dango.
" So how far have you gotten with the boy?" She pressed and Misui flushed her eyes opening a bit as she turned her head to look at Unpai who was grinning like a fox. " Oh by the spirits, don't tell me you've-" The girl was cut off by Misui's hand covering her face, a quick pleading look covering her face except for the blush. Unpai sighed and nodded allowing Misui to get back to her work, though her sister just couldn't keep her mouth shut. " Was it good?" Misui turned her head around glaring darkly at her sister inadvertently smooshing a ball she had nearly perfect. " Unpai!" The woman in question began to giggle and wiped her hands off on a cloth near the cooking pit.
" Oh come on, honestly, how was he?" With a small sigh Misui looked up at her sister a soft look crossing her features as she pulled back memories of the night. "Well-"
Back in the den Misui's father smiled at Ryota and nodded in acknowledgement, Misui was a good girl, there wouldn't be any problems with her fitting in, especially if woman in the south were as hot headed as they were rumored to be. A couple seconds later Misui popped her head out of the kitchen looking at her father though she glanced toward Ryota with a small smile. " Dinner's ready."
Misui's younger brother was the first to get to his feet, he glanced at his brother in law curiously, " Hey, where're the twins and the rest of them?" Getting to his feet Unpai's husband rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced. " Home with my parents thankfully, they would be driving me nuts by now if they weren't." The teen grimaced and shook his head. " Don't let my sister here that." From the kitchen there was a huff followed by a "too late"
Pointedly Unpai looked at Ryota with an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "Sahkyo women....."
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Post by ryota on Jan 9, 2009 16:10:22 GMT -5
Even though there was obviously more going on than Ryota detected (as was his common case), Misui's younger brother suddenly taking note that Unpai's children were absent derailed his train of suspicious thoughts and effectively distracted him from rising any questions whatsoever. It was nice to see they were considerate enough that, if these twins were much of a distraction, they could enjoy this last night with Misui and Ryota before their southward voyage. It was also nice to see Misui again as she popped her head out the kitchen and smiled at him, evoking a probable (and minor) stampede wherein all would gather around the dinner table and be served. Or were they supposed to go to the kitchen and help themselves? Ryota wasn't sure-- either option seemed to work in this household.
Then came that comment which, in some way, shape or form, Ryota was certain he'd heard before-- and by the same person, even? The warrior wondered, were Misui's brother-in-law and sister really that happy together? Woudl that be him and Misui after that length of time? No...he and Misui were content now, right? It was stupid to think otherwise. They were in love, the subject was closed, and Ryota was much happier to not be burdened by that thought any longer.
Smiling, he asked an idle question and rubbed his hands together a bit. "So, what're we having? Sure smells good."
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Post by misui on Jan 10, 2009 15:23:30 GMT -5
As soon as Unpai's husband walked into the kitchen he got a light slap to the back of his head, of course, Renduin of course found this humorous and put a hand over his mouth holding back a few chuckles. Rolling his eyes the man simply slipped an arm around Unpai's waist tugging her close to him. " Poisonous water vipers are less venomous than you are." Unpai smiled and tugged herself up to him kissing his cheek, obviously taking that as a compliment. " you must love being bit then." Although the man rolled his eyes there was a small smile on his lips and, smugly, Unpai smirked before sauntering off to the table ushering her husband to his seat. Misui shook her head and looked up at Ryota shrugging her shoulders, most people thought her sister and her family were odd, but that was just them, who knew what Ryota was thinking about them
" Go ahead and sit, were having fish steaks grilled sea prunes, boiled arctic hen eggs and sea stone stew, oh, some sweets for dessert too." She added quickly helping Unpai dish out the soup, though the name was somewhat odd it was a soup with everything from small shrimp to dumplings thickened with buffaloyak milk and flavored with sea salt, the rest was pretty self explanatory, the thick steaks were set on a platter in the middle of the table for general consumption once moved from the platter to your own plate, a similar communal style was left for the sauteed sea prunes and boiled arctic hen eggs.
Renduin snagged a medium sized steak for himself but stopped short of eating it when Renji closed his eyes and bowed his head, everyone else soon following. " Tui and La, thank you for this meal, for our growing family and for the safety of Misui, Ryota and the warriors going to fight the war and rebuild the south, may your grace follow them and help them through the tough times they may face in the future." With the light prayer done he nodded indicating they were allowed to eat.
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Post by ryota on Jan 11, 2009 16:27:12 GMT -5
Ryota nodded in recognition of all the foods, but the odd 'sea stone soup' made him feel like scratching his head. He'd known most of the food here up north to be completely normal and everything he was used to back home, so surely the mention of eating stones was a mere metaphor, he hoped-- he really hoped. The only time he ever saw someone eat a rock was in the Earth Kingdom, where a rather hefty earthbender chewed and swallowed a chunk of granite right before Ryota's wide and confused eyes. He was shocked mainly because of how it may come out the other end, not to mention the damage done to his teeth. Ryota didn't claim to understand the laws of earthbending, but for the sake of his own sanity he hoped one's teeth could at least be a minor conduit for the power. So it was settled in his mind, the 'stones' weren't literal. He pitied his poor stomach if they were, which they weren't. Nope, not true at all. Before Renji bowed in prayer, Ryota rubbed his stomach a bit just in case.
Bowing his own head, Renji's heartfelt words were chewed upon a bit mentally by the warrior, who was in turn, grateful again that Misui's father felt that way. They had the spirit's blessings, Renji's blessings, surely the rest of the family's blessing, and most importantly, faith in themselves and for the future-- the backing of at least two of the three prior mentions made it a heck of a lot easier, too. If the family didn't garner well, then they couple would have to take on a whole different perspective. Luckily, that wasn't the case.
Ryota didn't take first place in line for the meal, though he did certainly feel hungry enough to do so, not to mention his status as some kind of guest of honor gave him ample opportunity to do so. He could wait, however, and intended to do so. When the chance arose though, even if he wasn't the last to serve himself, he ducked in and managed to steal a substantial first serving of many things for himself. There would no doubt be a slight commotion at the table after a bit, so Ryota happened to speak up just in time to his honorary father-in-law.
"Well said!" came with a huge smile. Then they could enjoy their food.
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Post by misui on Jan 12, 2009 15:30:49 GMT -5
Sparse conversations dotted the meal, most of which were Unpai and her spouse who continuously argued back and forth, subtle jabs were more common than anything malicious, most of it one could dismiss with a roll of they eyes, the bickering couple seemed made for one another, Misui herself could recall a time when they were the most sickening sweet couple anyone could have wished for but as they grew the bickering did as well but they still fit together, and with her new pregnancy it seemed that the couples romance hadn't faltered a bit. Misui was the once to take care of the dishes once everyone was satisfied before returning with tea and the dango for general consumption. Ryota seemed to fit in well enough that she didn't worry too much about him. Renduin kept to himself mostly listening to the various conversations and picking at his dessert eating it idly between chuckling at his eldest sister and his brother in law. More than anything else Misui was glad they were happy, she wouldn't be able to stand spending a night crying. This was how she wanted to remember her family.
Slumping her shoulders gently Misui brought her cup to her lips slowly letting the tea warm her up before placing it back on the table though her hand stayed around the warmed clay cup. She was comfortable but thoughts of leaving still twisted her stomach, when would she see any of her family again? Tomorrow seemed so close she could feel the fear and uncertainty breathing down her throat. Something like this could turn someone who was usually strong and outgoing like Misui into a nervous wreck. She doubted she'd be sleeping much tonight.
The night was winding down, Renduin excused himself and headed to his room to do who knows what, the teenager was something of a mystery but most were. It left the adults at the table and once again the topic of moving south came up. " So... Your going South with Pakku? He was supposed to have left a while ago I heard but the second siege came and well..." Unpai picked up where her husband left off easily enough with her cheek in her palm, elbow rested casually on the table. " Are the cities in the south like Shai? I heard that they don't have many waterbenders."
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Post by ryota on Jan 15, 2009 16:12:46 GMT -5
It was a good thing Ryota saw Misui, despite her being as strong-willed a woman as Unpai, as a generally nicer and kinder being than her older sister, and by extension a much better wife than the older of the two Sahkyo women. Granted there was that earlier comment made about the females of that family, but Ryota altogether figured that the mesh between him and Misui would without doubt be much different between Misui's sister and her husband-- he probably had as much to do with it as did Unpai, so Ryota was in the clear. That, of course, was a pale thought after he started to enjoy the meal, relishing and savoring each bite. After they left the next day, who knew what their meals on the sea would be like? Ryota remembered well that food just couldn't be the same when the high seas were their home. Bleh.
The question Ryota heard was much like others before, mainly what he said to Misui and to those children...to Taartoq...to quite a few people, actually. From what he recalled, there were a lot of people to asked him to compare their two tribes. Good thing he didn't mind. "Yep, I'm going back home!" he said with a happy grin, pausing from his meal ever so briefly. "But no...there are no cities in the South Pole, just villages and nothing more. None of them are too big, and they're all by the sea. It gets too cold the closer inland you get, I don't know why. There are no waterbenders either, except...well, I guess Katara, who you guys probably met," like a trademark, he stratched his head in wonderment for the billionth time, gazing at his plate nonchalantly.
"And she left already! So we don't have any as far as I know." Zoning out, he remembered that girl. Who knew destiny would lead her where she was now? He barely knew her apart from her brother Sokka and her parents, Kaya and Hakoda, the latter of whom faced a saddening death by the Fire Nation's hands, but having visied the north she had apparently inspired an entire generation of female waterbenders. Like a true revolutionary, she was. It was almost inspiring. "I gotta know, are waterbending girls any different now? After...she came?"
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Post by misui on Jan 27, 2009 9:20:41 GMT -5
The family thought about it for a while, a water tribe with only one water bender, it was pretty sad honestly, how would they do many of the tasks required in such a barren climate? Utility benders in the north were all but guaranteed word, any benders could find an occupation be it as a guard an architect a fisherman, anything really. But a city made of ice with no benders was to foreign an idea but Unpai did mull it over to herself in a hushed tone letting out a small sigh of awe. " No wonder Pakku is heading south... he's one of the best we have." Then there was the matter of Katara, yes of course she caused a stir, even going as far as to have Pakku instruct the girl but not much had really changed, there were still healing lessons and then bending instruction.
Misui was the one to speak up, the more in tuned with the goings on in the healing huts. " Well she wasn't here for too long, everyone is still very much set in their ways and I doubt that even Pakku would allow for another female student, from what I heard Katara is something of a relative to the man so no, there isn't much of a change." She shrugged a little bit not really knowing what they wanted out of this conversation, it was too odd to think about young girls taking up bending like the boys did.
The men at the table were a different story, even Unpai was a little put off by the talk of water bending girls. Her husband spoke up though shortly after Misui." It's just as well, the women in the tribe are skilled healers and I think they should be allowed to learn bending utilities but combat training... I think that's something that women should just avoid, I'd hate the idea of any of my daughters growing up to fight and be slaughtered by the firenation."
For once even the loud, boisterous older sister of Misui simply nodded with her husband looping her arm around his hugging herself lightly to his side. It was something so ingrained that it wasn't often challenged and when it was... well... " I think a womens place is the home or the healing huts, leave offensive bending to the men..." Umpai added after a moment.
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Post by ryota on Jan 29, 2009 2:30:49 GMT -5
They certainly were a traditional sort up here in the north, Ryota came to a final realization. His gaze drifted off to nothing, toward a bit a thought that made him mull over life in the south and compare it to this large city. He had heard stories, retellings by the elderly about southern waterbenders, but he never once could recall if they mentioned if men and women seperated into seperate, distinctive groups like they did in Shai.
One (namely Ryota) would think that lacking numbers would charter all who were able and willing into fighting forces and gender wouldn't matter. That must have been the case, then-- boys and girls would both have learned to waterbend to miraculously keep the Fire Nation far enough away. As a saddening history recounted, that lasted too shortly.
Curses, there was too much occupying his mind and not enough occupying his stomach, he could tell. Stoking flames of thought took him away from the fact that he was still longing for more of this excellent food made by the Sahkyo family, so he was quick to obtain more on his plate. He would rejoin the conversation, of course, since it was rude enough that he didn't respond for awhile.
Yet, whether it was intentional or not, he looked over to Misui, at her face, before speaking any further on the matter. His eyes were distracted more toward the area below her neck-- he was only human, after all, though he already did experience a sneak peek. Back on subject, he shrugged his shoulders and looked to Unpai. He knew no one would be offended, so he spoke freely and openly with a smile. "I guess so. Looks like it's worked here in the north long enough, huh? Wonder if we'll be that way when the south is big enough..."
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Post by misui on Jan 30, 2009 14:29:00 GMT -5
" Most likely thing will go through a transitional period in the south as you rebuild and work your numbers back to what they once were." Renji added in agreement settling back into his place at the low table a contemplative look on his face, there were some lines that perhaps should be crossed and yet they weren't. What could one really say about that? Women were protected and yet respected, for someone like Katara, a girl of whom he'd seen little, she had a cause for fighting, risking her life in that way. His girls, Misui and Unpai, he'd never want them to be put into such a situation.
With a small look to her husband Unpai released the man sitting up a bit straighter though her hand still gently rested on his forearm. " We should be going." Her husband said looking to the partiarch of the family with a nod before he adressed his sister in law and her soon to be husband Ryota. " Best of luck to the both of you, it was nice to meet you Ryota, Misui, it'll be lonely without you." Umpai got to her feet and moved over to the girl enveloping her in a tight hug. " I'll say good bye to everyone else for you, be safe."
Well the night had come to something of a close Misui felt, but as she returned her sisters embrace it felt like they'd just see them again tomorrow and the next day, and so on. It didn't feel like she'd be traveling to the other side of the world in less than a days time. It was too foreign for her to understand right away. The husband and wife then left after the good byes were said leaving Misui Ryota and Renji.
Standing up and cricking his back a bit Misui's father smiled at the pair and shook his head. " It's time to lay these old bones to bed, I suggest you two do the same Ryota your welcome to stay the night and if not... well, either way I'll see you in the morning." Misui nodded watching her father move out of the room an odd hollowness in the pit of her stomach. She found herself shifting over until her head rested on Ryota's shoulder needing the small touch of comfort.
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