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Post by Nanuk on Jul 21, 2008 0:15:08 GMT -5
Hebirei could feel the damp, salty tears all over his parka, she was very upset, obviously. He looked down into about where her eyes would be if her bangs hadn't been covering them as she started to mumble. He heard her say that her parents had gotten killed, and held instant sympathy for her, and was actually about to hug her, but the moment that her little confession turned into much more, he stopped in his tracks. He was literally paused in between giving her a hug, and now he was very confused. "Wha... wha... what do you mean, you're a firebender?"
Hebirei felt a very mixed array of emotions as he looked down at the girl that was seemingly trying to punish herself. A firebender? This girl? Kin of those who killed Ookami? For a split second, he zoned out and remembered the horrible scene during the first siege, a horribly burnt boy dying in his arms, and then snapped back to reality. He looked around at the people who had obviously heard what she had screamed. Dozens of turned heads and confused faces were starting to overwhelm Hebirei, so he paniced and reverted back to his old mindset, being analytical, he figured out what he had to think to get away. This being: Hotaru is good, those people are trouble, we have to run. Gripping Hotaru's hand, he took off at a brisk pace for somewhere outside of the glaring faces.
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Post by hotaru on Jul 21, 2008 10:39:38 GMT -5
" I mean I'm a fire bender...." Hotaru looked up at him pathetically but before any more could happen she was being dragged off to parts unknown, people were looking at her now. She didn't want to turn around and see them, perhaps Hebirei was going to take her and do her in himself, she'd be okay with that, she deserved it for being the monster she was. With another broken sob Hotaru felt herself get sick. Hebirei's pace wasn't helping at all as he pushed through the crowd heading away from the ship and the people.
Once or twice she almost stumbled unable to match his pace through sobs and blurry teared eyes. She was ashamed of herself so much, she missed her parents so much, she couldn't take the thought of her not seeing them again. Perhaps with all of her stress it wasn't the fire bending she was worried about as much as being so alone, already she alienated herself from her aunt and uncle. But they were family, they'd forgive her wouldn't they? Suddenly on their way through an ally Hotaru tripped her hand slipping from Hebirei's and her face hitting the ice. For a few seconds she just laid there happy with the pain, sher deserved it. But then she sat herself up rubbing her sleeve over her raw eyes and now bruised forehead. She didn't look up at the teen, she was too ashamed to do such a thing. Her eyes were trained at the ground. " I'm a monster..."
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Post by nati on Jul 21, 2008 12:41:14 GMT -5
Nati turned to take another look at the huge boat, and wondered if she’d had the courage to explore something like this as a child, maybe when she’d been through her rebellious phase, but probably not. She had been a well behaved child when she discovered her love and talent for healing.
“I suppose.” She replied to Chamir’s left comment, a little unsure what he meant, she hadn’t really been paying attention to much of what was being said, only the fact she wasn’t very good at calming down children. Doing her best to wipe the troubled look from her face as the pair hurried from sight, Hebirei probably knew where to take her. She also felt relieved to an extent, the crying had upset her a little. “A little comic relief never hurts if you’re running for your life…”
She pressed her hands together, letting the sleeves cover her hands again, they were beginning to ache a little, and her feet as well. Damn her problem with circulation, a hotter climate would do her a world of good, and she had to be born in the coldest part of the world.
“Oh where has my brother gone!?” She suddenly said, a touch of annoyance seeping into her voice, casting a look round for Kian, who appeared to be talking with another warrior, probably bragging about something. Again. She sighed. “I don’t know why he needed me to come with him just to see this great monster..” Nati nodded towards the great ship.
“And to get in our favourite man’s good books.” She did her best to mimic the face Chamir had pulled earlier, with a little success.
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Post by Nanuk on Jul 22, 2008 3:58:27 GMT -5
As Hebirei lead the small girl through the crowd, and through the confused faces, he had many thoughts and processes running through his head. Some included irrational fear at Hotaru's firebending, some included denial, some included what to do once they got far enough away, and there might have even been traces of what he was planning to eat for supper. It was enough to clog even his usually un-cloggable mind. It seemed as though his mind wouldn't settle on just one thing, it would dart back and forth between priorities, until they had eventually reached an alleyway somewhere in the city.
He felt her light hand slip from his, and he looked back to see that she had fallen. His mind then proceeded to stop. He needed to reset his mind in order to make any sense from this. Her parents have died, she is a firebender, and now she is probably very confused. He imagined what is was like to lose his brother, and instantly got his sympathy back, ignoring the firebending.
He bent down and kneeled next to Hotaru, feeling the cold ice and snow beneath his hands. He had regained his logic, somehow, so his mind went back into overdrive. She needed someone to talk to, someone to cry to, so he reached his hand just below her chin and pushed gently up, causing her to look at him. "Hey there. You're not a monster. You're a little girl, and you need a friend." Next, Hebirei just did what came natural, so he reached both arms around the girl and pulled her into a soft hug.
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Post by hotaru on Jul 22, 2008 18:35:38 GMT -5
Hotaru let herself cry attempting to weakly push him away from her but she seemed unable to remove the boy. Her chest heaved with sobs and her tiny frame shook. She didn't want a hug, she wanted to stop being, everything hurt too much. The spirits hated her, they were punishing her for being a fire bender. Finally after a bit of struggling Hotaru let herself be drawn into the embrace, she whimpered and allowed her to collapse against his chest like she was earlier. Her dark brown hair was in a mess around her shoulders, tangled from sleep and lack of care.
She let herself cry, not holding herself back as she sobbed and let out the whimpers small girls often had when they cried unrestricted. Once she calmed down her hands came back to her lap and she looked down at them gently. He didn't believe her, she didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. her hands opened lightly and small flames erupted, they weren't as destructive as the cough, rather like s small candle light shining in a windowsill. She let loose a sigh and pulled back from Hebirei watching the fire flicker gently. " I'm a monster..."
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Post by boragan on Jul 23, 2008 20:08:54 GMT -5
Thinking of his old unit made Bora’s urine boil on the inside.
He looked over to the crowd and noticed everyone around him. Children playing, woman gossiping, and one boy in particular acting a clown to a few other girls.
“Saghani,” Bora spoke, “I wish to join your crew to defeat the Fire Nation and avenge my brothers-in-arms. Give me the opportunity, and I will lead your men to victory. We shall crush them with thunderous tides and destroy them with the mountains. Just let me help you.”
He continued to look down at Saghani. He stared into his eyes to look for the answer he wanted. It was a familiar stare among warriors of all styles. It was a stare of trust and camaraderie. He wanted nothing more than to gain back his shattered honor that the Fire Nation took from him as well as avenge his fallen. He felt the adrenaline in his veins as he waited for what Saghani wanted to say.
He could feel them. He could feel all of his soldiers. From the fallen to the scattered, he could feel them all. Every single one of them is waiting for his return to his home land.
“Will you help me?” Bora quietly asked, “Will you help me avenge my people? In excahnge, I will help avenge your people.”
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Post by Nanuk on Jul 24, 2008 7:00:29 GMT -5
Hebirei felt the soft tug of the girl attempting to free herself from his embrace, but she was just a little girl, and wasn't going to fight it for long. Eventually, she gave in and let more tears add to her collection on his parka. Then, it seemed just as he would let her, she drew back and did just what he didn't want her to. She merely sat back, lit a small fire, and continued to punish herself. With a small, sympathetic sigh, and a flick of his wrist, a small bit of the snow on the ground rose, melted, and put out the flame in an instant.
He then bent down to grab the hands that had moments ago created that abomination. "Hotaru, look at me. Do you think that I would honestly think you a monster? I could never think that, no matter what you did." His voice was laced with honest sympathy and understanding. Sure, he had no clue what being a firebender was like, but he could understand losing family members well enough. Also, being a person who was discriminated against for being different, he could understand what she was fearing would come as well, at least, to a point. "You're not a monster. You're Hotaru."
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Post by hotaru on Jul 24, 2008 11:31:54 GMT -5
Hotaru looked down at her hands as the flame went out, it seemed symbolic in some sense. Only fire could put out water so she should go jump in the bay and drown, it would be the only way to put herself out. She let tears stream down her face with only a quiver and a whimper now and then. How was she supposed to live with something like this, she didn't want to. Being a non bender would have been better than being like she was, a freak of nature. A blue eyed fire bender. It was ironic, had she been born with gold eyes she'd have been expelled from the tribe without a doubt.
She couldn't bring herself to look at Hebirei and instead starred at his hands and the way they held hers. What if she sparked flames right here, she could burn his hands, singe the flesh, his concern would be lost to her. No one liked a monster. She wanted to believe him but everything she'd learned since she was little told her that fire was bad, and by proxy people that made it were worse. Her mother tried so hard to hide it, to tell her that she couldn't show anyone her bending. No one. She snuck off at night to practice, did it in her room late when everyone was asleep, up until now she'd been careful but now... She could make a mistake. " It's the same thing... I'm a fire bender and I can't completely control it... I want to be normal like everyone else"
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Post by saghani on Jul 24, 2008 19:32:50 GMT -5
Saghani had expected an affirmative answer, but he was a little surprised by Bora Gan’s…enthusiasm. Not that it was a bad thing, especially considering Bora Gan’s new offer. Saghani was not, to say the least, a “rah rah” kind of person. He found such behavior needlessly emotional, to be honest He did, however, recognize the impact that it could have on troop morale and keeping people in line. Someone like Bora Gan, given his rather fiery personality, would compliment him well.
“You may join the campaign as an officer and advisor for as long or short a period as you see fit. If all goes as planned, you will get plenty of chances for your vengeance.” Saghani agreed after a short pause. “But first we must talk to the war council.”
With that, Saghani turned and scanned the crowd, looking for the young soldier he had spoken to before. At last he spotted him, talking to another warrior. Motioning for Bora Gan to follow with a small movement of his head, he walked towards the man purposefully, stopping in front of him with his hand (and ex-hand) folded behind his back.
“Warrior,” he said simply. “Will you come with me to speak before the War Council?”
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Post by chamir on Jul 26, 2008 1:47:44 GMT -5
Chamir caught a mitten clad hand under his chin and snugly clamped down on it.
"Well," sliding the hand free, slowly and carefully moving it towards Nati. "Your brother is a man after all," gently touching her face to sculpt it. Tugging the cheeks and the bottom of her chin to pull at her smile. Getting the impression just right.
"There--," he said, "And every man, from time to time, enjoys showing off. Especially towards a woman," sliding his hand back into his mitten. "It does not even have to be himself he is showing off, but merely something he is impressed by he would like to show a woman, even if that woman is family."
"Which is more than likely why he brought you along," holding out his arm and folding it into a crook for her arm to slip through and awaited her to lead on. "Might I suggest you prepare your ear for later?"
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Post by Nanuk on Jul 26, 2008 5:27:23 GMT -5
Hebirei was hoping that his words could inspire some sort of happyness or at least get rid of some of the sorrow... but it seemed this wasn't to happen anytime soon. Hotaru seemed content to stare at her hands in his the entire time, surely thinking destructive thoughts... Hebirei seemed to be at a loss as to what to do, besides trying to talk to her, which she seemed to be resisting.
Finally, he lifted his left hand out of the grip and along the lift, drew some snow from the ground. He then proceeded to melt it and twirl it in the air. Continuing the bending, he addressed Hotaru, "You see this? This is water. This is where you come from, no matter what. You were born here, you live here, your family and friends are here," At this, he extended the water into a flat sheet, and then froze it, making a mirror-esqe piece of ice and positioning it in front of Hotaru.
"Look at yourself. You're no firebender, you're a scared girl who needs friends. That's what I'm here for. Besides, despite the fact that you may be a firebender, this tribe would never do anything to you. If they tried, I'd stop 'em!" The last part of what he said was followed up by a bit of a chuckle as he let the ice-mirror drift to the ground.
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Post by hotaru on Jul 26, 2008 8:56:31 GMT -5
Hotaru looked up at him, her brows knitted with worry, her stomach sick with loss and fear. She looked like a thrice kicked seal turtle pup awaiting the axe." What am I supposed to do?" She felt pathetic and looked pathetic, when Hebirei made the ice shield she couldn't stand to gaze into it, she was pale, unlike everyone else, it was so glaringly obvious to her that she was a freak.
Nothing would be okay again, people feared firebenders. Her only family was dead or no doubt didn't want her back. She should be dumped in the the spirit oasis as food for Koh. She didn't think he'd want to have a face as pathetic as hers was. Lifting her arm out of her lap she began to rub away the tears from her eyes with her sleeve. So many things happening in one day. How would she live in Shai being a fire bender? Would she be deported, and if so to where, she didn't want to leave the tribe, the world outside of it was frightening.
" The masters always said a bender who can't control their bending is dangerous... Fire destroys, everything..." Everything included her parents, she bitterly thought, when was the last time she'd seen her mom and dad, it was months ago, she couldn't remember it very clearly. She wanted them now, so badly. Why did they have to leave in the first place.
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Post by nati on Jul 27, 2008 14:57:31 GMT -5
Chamir adjusted her facial expression, so she must have looked truly clownish! But it was all good fun, she didn’t really wish ill on anyone, a little harmless fun didn’t hurt now and then. She did have a bit of a sense of humour, despite what her brother said now and then. ‘The face’ hurt after a few seconds, so Nati dropped it quickly, though her lips remained with a hint of a smile.
“I would like to think that it is for that flattering reason Chamir,’” she replied, letting her hand slip into the crook of his arm. At least now she could brag to Padma or someone she’d briefly been on the arm of another man. Perhaps not, that seemed a little too gossipy. “But he just loves to drag me along because it’s like I never have anything to do.” She added a brief roll of the eyes.
“Prepare my ear for later? Will people really gossip that much?” She said, leading him in the direction of her brother, whom she meant to introduce Chamir too, Kian had heard from Nati his little rescue, and rather embarrassingly wanted to extend an official thank-you from her father. Couldn’t they let things alone?
Kian heard a voice behind him, surprised to find that it was Saghani, and dropping any previous irritation with him. His expression became one of shock and joy all mixed in nicely.
“Me Lieutenant?” He asked, not particuallery towarda Saghani, just to make sure he’d heard it correctly. Pressing his closed fist against his open palm, Kian bowed quickly. “It’d be an honour!”
Nati couldn’t believe her ears as they approached a little closer, Kian, go speak in front of the war council, was he a fool to accept, or a man seeking great opportunity? She wondered what else could happen this morning, maybe Chamir would grow an extra head and hop about? Tucking away the memory of the fire, Nati tried her best to wipe the horrified look off her face. She kept quiet again.
“What do you require me to say, Lieutenant?” Kian asked, trying to hold his composure, he looked almost like a happy child just after penguin sledding.
“I can’t believe this.” Nati muttered softly, only Chamir would hear it.
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Post by saghani on Jul 28, 2008 5:44:15 GMT -5
Saghani regarded the eagerness with which the young man replied. Yes, he’d be perfect. With him and Bora Gan, he was sure to convince the war council to approve his plan, and then there would be no limits. Finally, he would get a chance to act without having to worry about red tape, tradition, or political agendas. He could do the right thing for his tribe and set them on the path to winning both the war and the battle for their future.
“Simply answer honestly what you are asked, and give me your name. That is all that is required,” Saghani answered, replying to the young man’s question. “But we must head there immediately.”
With that, Saghani turned, beckoning with his head for both the young man and Bora Gan to follow. He wanted to get to the council while this was fresh in their minds. That, and he himself was anxious to get the real preparations underway.
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Post by Nanuk on Jul 29, 2008 3:28:45 GMT -5
Hebirei didn't know what to do anymore. She couldn't be reasoned with, she just wouldn't listen. He bent down, with a blank face, and poked her in the forehead. "What are you supposed to do? You're supposed to use this thing right here. So what if you're a firebender? Believe it or not, not all firebenders are evil. I once heard a story of a firebender who left the military because he hated the Fire Nation. Just being a firebender doesn't force evil and guilt on you. If it did, I'd leave the Tribe, because that just wouldn't be right. But, I'm still here, which means you're still just a little girl who won't be blamed or punished for anything."
Hebirei stood back up, brushing down the many folds of his oversized parka, still not quite sure if she had gotten the message. He merely let his arms settle to his sides and looked off into the distance a bit. In the back of his mind he was still really intrigued about that Fire Nation frigate, but this matter was more important.
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