No Music Like Soul Music <TAG: FN, LUN YANG>

[javaid]

Javiad had woken beside his 'wife' long before the sun even hit the seas horizon and even though his night had been practically restless with only a few small naps to count for sleep he was ready to start the day. He kissed the cheek of his sleeping lover who was curled into a tight ball, or as tight as her groing belly would allow her, under the thin blanket that he was sure used to be a curtain, but it was all they had against the chilled morning air. He crept silently from the little alcove they called home, his zither wrapped tightly in its bright red cloth was tucked lovingly under his arm.

The streets practically empty only a few early morning risers were out and about, mostly elderly folks, though he was sure he saw a few unsavory fellows crawling in the dark of the alleyways he passed, but none of them would bother him, he had no money and it was very obvious. Though he tried to remain in the here and now his thoughts darted to the near future when his wife would give birth to his first child. It was almost all he could think about, well, dread about; though he was more than excited to be blessed with a child not only did he worry that he would not have the means to provide for it, but the fact that his own mother had not survived long after his birth he feared the same fate would fall upon his beloved Akina.

He did his best to set aside these thoughts and concentrate on todays task, he planned to play his instrument for the better part of the morning before traveling back to check on his wife and hopefully give her some food around noon and on his way back to his post he would go past the clothing shop where he had picked out his and Akina's outfits for their trip to the Earth Kingdom... on second though maybe he would just head back the square he would play in, he didn't want to spend to much time around that store, he felt guilty enough plotting to steal such fine pieces that he didn't have to remind himself about the horrible deed he had already decided to commit.

He sat near a polished fountain at the center of one of Lun Yangs many market squares and set about tunning his zither. He unwrapped it carefully and set the cloth out in front of him for people to donate a coin or two, maybe even a bit of bread, and he set the smallish instrument on his lap. Dispite its age and use the zither was still in wonderful shape, Javiad took great measures to keep it that way since it was his only means to make money and feed himself and his wife. He plucked at the strings meaninglessly for a small while, trying to keep the sound low, but even the smallest sounds echoed loudly across the empty space.

The sun began to crawl into the sky and though the carts and the merchants had begun to set out their wears shortly after he had gotten situated it was only now that the sky lightened did buyers and crowds begin to form in the area. He always liked to start the day with more upbeat tunes, something to harness the energy of a good day and so he plucked his strings expertly with both hands, his fingers moving deftly over them producing an almost jig-like rythm in the air.

Most of the mothers and nannies in the crowd went about their business, only a few of them placing coins on his red cloth, but several of the children that joined them on their day out, after pleading with whomever supervised them, danced around him. Though most of them danced with little skill, there were a couple who seemed know how to move to the beat of the music and Javiad smiled widely to see that he was giving these children something to enjoy while they were out and about and he was equeally as pleased when several of them requested that their parents lend a coin for his efforts. It was not even mid-day and already he saw that he had picked a very good place to play.

[suyami]

The lone notes of the painted wooden flute could barely be overheard over the din of the marketplace. Mentally, Suyami cursed herself for coming so late. Normally, she'd be set up somewhere in a corner, or in the middle of a crowded section.

Now, she was stuck in the middle. There was no room to take out her shamisen. She could barely lift her arms to play the shinobue as it was. Her eyes flashed, and her music faltered for a second. Sometimes, she wished she could simply smack herself. Stupid, stupid, lazy, lazy...

Someone next to her bumped her, almost careening her into a poor merchant with a cart filled to the brim with fruits. Thankfully, she kept a solid grip on her shinobue so it didn't go flying. Strapped to her back, though, the shamisen let out a note that ironically sounded like a whine.

"Bastard," she hissed angrily, her eyes blazing. She spun around to find the perpetrator, golden eyes already searching him out. Her hand clenched around the shinobue threateningly. Of course, anyone who knew her wouldn't be afraid; she would never use her instruments as a weapon.

But then she had to reach her hand back behind her for one of her spare sai. That was never a good sign.

Thankfully, before she could draw it, a sound drew her attention. There was someone, walking hurriedly away from her. Her lips thinned, and with an angry grunt, she followed. He walked fast, but she soon caught up with him. She grabbed his tunic, and dragged him closer to her. He looked extremely frightened, his eyes shifting back and forth nervously. "Did you bump me?" she asked softly, her face an inch away from the idiot's.

He blubbered something about being in a hurry, obviously trying to get away from her at all costs. Disgusted at the begging, she shoved him to the ground. "You'll never find a girl if you're in a rush," she spat, pointing a threatening finger at him.

She turned away, shaking her head slowly. A quick breath, and she was back to playing the shinobue once again. However, as soon as the first note came out, it was overpowered by the almost mandolin-like sound of a zither. She winced. Zithers had never been her favorite. Too bulky for travel, and too.... too.... She couldn't describe it. All in all, she liked the shamisen much better. More practical.

The music soon drew her in against her better sense. She held her skirt of her performance outfit in one hand, as to make less noise. Actually, he was quite good. Children around him, and he still seemed wrapped up in his own music. Practically unnoticed, she sat down nearby, and slowly started up a counter-melody. She started out softly, on the shinobue, so as not to attract his attention. Then, she let it build, so the two instruments were at about the same volume. She saw a few eyes glance her way, and then, a couple coins were thrown in her lap. She recognized only a couple of the people; she hadn't been in the Fire Nation for long.

However, her main focus was on the other musician; seeing how long it would take him to notice the accompaniment.

[javaid]

The sound of the market steadily grew to its normal dull roar and Javaid louder upon his small zither to make it heard. He could feel the daily pains in his legs and back, simple aches that came with sitting on a hard street for hours, but he easily ignored them as the thrill and joy of his music flowed through his muscles and his soul. He had long since closed his eyes, imagining the strings he plucked and letting his fingers do the work.

The soft playing of a wind instrument came to his ears, but he kept his eyes closed as the soft sound steadily grew and followed his own rather random, but plesant notes. He kept his eyes closed, seeming to ignore his new partner, but on the contrary he was listening intently to the movement of her, for he could tell by the manner she played that was indeed a her, fingers as they slide with ease from one hole to the next.

With a few well plucked strings his song came to an end and he let the last note fade out before he opened his lazy, golden eyes to finally see who had been playing.

"Thank you, I must say in all my years as a musician I have never had the pleasure of a duet and I am glad I could share this experience with you," the woman he set his eyes on was very beautiful indeed, if he had been a single man he would find her breath taking, in her thin, well worked fingers she held a long shinobue. It was an elegant instrument, but he observed the callouses upon her hands and she was sure they hadn't come from such a delicate instrument.

In his naturally laid back manner Javaid turned from the woman and began collecting the few coins he had earned in the morning and feeling extremely greatfull for the chunk of bread and the few strips of jerky an elderly couple had placed upon his swatch of cloth. The old couple had been very kind to him in the past months, having met both him and Akina and talked for many hours they had stopped whenever they saw him and lent a hand to his growing wife and the little baby she carried.

Squinting his eyes against the brightening sky he looked up at the sun, it was much later than had intended to stay, his wife would most deffinately be awake and hungry no doubt. Though the bread and jerky were great he would take a short look around the market place for a little more to fill her stomach with; though he was poor Javaid was fairly good with the money he earned, he set aside a small pile with which he would by the food with and the rest her would set aside for him and his wifes coming trip.

[suyami]

Suyami had her eyes closed, but her ears were hearing more than she could ever see. She ended her own song a few beats before her fellow musician did. She kept them closed for a moment, bamboo flute still pressed to her half-open lips. Then, she rolled her mouth away from the embouchure, and looked up.

She nodded when he thanked her, not quite ready for words yet. Music always left her in a state of post-catharsis languidness. She watched with half-lidded eyes when he collected his earnings. There was even some food in his pile, too. She yawned, and uncrossed her legs to stretch.

“Um,” she responded belatedly, “You’re welcome; it’s always nice to find another musician.” She smiled widely. Men were always fun to talk too. Unthinkingly, she scooted closer to where he had taken up camp. She leaned over without much regard for personal space to examine his zither. The strings were made of a different material than hers, but it looked like a nice instrument. Of course, it still didn’t convince her to run out and buy a zither. She was perfectly happy with her two instruments. Besides, she liked the feel of a plectrum. Zithers didn’t use them.

“How old is it?” she asked, nodding at the zither. She met his eyes, and then went back to examining the instrument. “My shamisen is pretty old, but it’s in beautiful condition.” She said this without bragging; to her it was simply a fact. Her instruments were beautiful. That was all. She thought for a moment, and then pulled out the shamisen from where it had been strapped to her back. A quick adjustment of the pegs got it back to optimum tuning; she usually loosened the strings until she played it. Less chance of damage, that way. Suyami fingered an easy chord, and strummed it lightly with her fingernails. She didn’t want to go to the trouble of bringing out the bachi. Not using it was a lot easier.

She held it farther away from her, examining it with a critical eye. “Of course, I do need a few new strings,” she murmured to herself, fingering one of the thinner ones. She had used up her spares, and didn’t have any for that particular string. Suyami blinked when she realized she had gotten lost in thought. “Oh, pardon me, I’m being impolite. I’m Suyami; Suyami Katou. Nomadic musician. What’s your name?” She grinned at him, complete confidence radiating off of her in waves. Around men, she was usually like that.

[javaid]

The girl was quiet as he collected his things and for a short while he was sure she wouldn't say anything, but she moved closer and in a voice that displayed sheer confidence she spoke.

"How old is it?" she pointed at his zither and he looked down at the ancient instrument, he had never though about how old it might actually be but if he remembered correctly it had belonged to his great grandfather which would probably put it at atleast a hundred years. "My shamisen is pretty old, but it’s in beautiful condition," He watched as she brought out her Shamisen and she was right, it was indeed in beautiful condition.

"I suppose it's about a hundred years old," he said in his slow voice, "It's a good insturment, though I can see yours has had a little more up keep," he gave a small smiled, standing up and stretching after he set his Zither on the ground in front of him, he didn't care that she had sat a little closer than most people would, but after having sat cross legged on the hard street it felt good to have some room to stretch his boney limbs.

He picked up his things as the girl plucked at a few strings, but he felt hesitant to leave without any kind of good-bye, but his farewell was stopped before he even opened his mouth to say it. The girls voice chirped back up and he listened with his ever open ear to her words, "Oh, pardon me, I’m being impolite. I’m Suyami; Suyami Katou. Nomadic musician. What’s your name?”

He gave a small lopsided smile to the girl, she was worried about being polite to him, he didn't often see that, "Javiad Mirza and it is a pleasure to meet you Suyami," he gave a small bow, careful no to lose his grip on his zither or his small swatch of earnings, "I was once a musicain like yourself, would you like to meet my reason for remaining in this city?" he had considered the effect this new woman would have on Akina, but at the same his wife had been a bit blue lately, spending so much time by herself, that perhaps a new meeting might lead to a new friendship. Al that and he had to be returning to his wife, but he also desired to speak with thei Suyami longer seeing as he had never met another traveling musician.

[suyami]

"Javiad Mirza and it is a pleasure to meet you Suyami,"

Suyami smiled, pleased that she had found another musician. She pondered his next words. Reason for remaining in the city? Either it was a really close friend, or a woman. She suspected the latter. "Sure," she said, gathering up her things carefully. This time, the flute went into her pack, and the shamisen stayed cradled in her arms. "I don't have anything better to do."

Well, except for her job, but that could wait. She liked this man.

Suyami carefully scooped her meager earnings into a small pouch from her pack, smiling when she remembered the people who had given them to her. She had always liked the Capital... Especially since Akaya was there. She hadn't visited the weapons' master yet, but she knew Akaya would be waiting for her. The older woman had said to drop by as soon as possible.... Suyami had come before, twice, but it had been a while since her last visit.

Suyami glanced around, hoping the crowd hadn't dissipated much. She felt bad for robbing the people of two of their musicians. Besides, it wasn't like they could find anyone better than her. She smiled a bit arrogantly.

She turned back to Javiad with a softer smile on her face. "So, where are we going?" Her head was tilted to the side in a questioning way. She figured they weren't heading for the nobles' side of the Capital, but she could always be wrong.

Her stomach grumbled conspicuously, but she didn't blush like any other lady would. Instead, she simply looked around for a food cart. There seemed to be a woman selling fire flakes to her left, so, with a quick look at Javiad, she made her way to the food, albeit being a little wary. "I'll take a small bag," she said in a subdued tone, making eye contact, but in a belligerent way. The poor woman looked frightened, and gave her the pouch as quickly as was possible. Suyami, feeling a tad bit sorry for frightening her --after all, she wasn't her mother-- gave her a bit more than what was due. She grabbed the pouch and jogged back to Javiad, careful not to jostle her instruments.

"Sorry about that," she said in an embarrassed way. "I figured I might as well eat here, since I didn't know how long it was to wherever you're going to take me."

[javaid]

Javaid smiled, this girl was very different from his Akina, though by the look of her feet and fingers Suyami hadn't been born into nobility like Akina had. "It isn't far, maybe fifteen minutes walk," he stopped for a few minutes here and there to buy some dried meat and a small thing of bread.

"Her name is Akina, I met her in a small city north of here," he thought about that fateful day when Akina had stumbled like a fightened rabbit into his alleyway and the year of near bliss since then, "she may seem very timid, but believe me, she had a spark to her that you wouldn't expect," The crowd thinned as they moved away from the square until they passed only a few people on the lower streets.

"Where do you come from, Suyami? You don't look like you were raised in a city," he gave the faintest chuckle, a small smile on his lips. It was true, he had witnessed a varity of people over the years and there was a distinct difference between those who were born in the city and those who weren't.

The sun was well into the sky, he was sure Akina would be awake, she was something of a princess when it came to her sleep, but he was glad she was able to rest. As Javaid and Suyami neared the narrow alley that he called home he could hear the movement beyond the tattered curtain they used to a door. He grabbed one side of the faded red curtain and pulled it away revealing an area covered in small colorful, but faded pillows and blankets. Everything in the area had been thrown away for one silly reason or another and Javaid had simply recycled them into a useful bedding and a comfortable floor.

"Akina, may I introduce Suyami," he smiled at his beautiful, full bellied wife who had been trying to move a rather large clay vase of water, with what looked like little success. Akina was a small woman, all except her very round and very pregnant belly, she staightened herself up and, after brushing a few loose strands of hair from her pale face, made her way forward. She had a large smile on her tiny, heart-shaped face, and she gave a small nod to Suyami.

"The pleasure is mine," she noted the Shamisen in Suyami's hands, "it seems my husband has found another soul made of music," Akina herself played a little, it had been manditory that she learn a small varity of music, but she had never had terribly nimble fingers and though she loved to pluck at the strings every now and then she knew she would never be capable of the beautiful melodies her husband managed to compose.

[suyami]

“Ah….” Suyami began to understand. She assumed that he and this Akina were lovers, or even married. She took a deep breath, and began the long process of steeling herself for an encounter she wouldn’t likely enjoy. Meeting women was never a task she enjoyed. Sullenly, Suyami stuffed a handful of fire flakes in her mouth, chewing petulantly. Granted, his wife was probably a lovely woman, but, well… she had a chip on her shoulder when it came to women.

“Me?” Startled, she broke out of her self-imposed reverie. “I was born and raised on the rice fields, in a small town a ways from here. My mother—“ She paused, and worked her jaw stiffly. “My mother used to be noble.” She broke off abruptly, and didn’t display anymore interest in continuing the subject.

It seemed to be around midday, though the streets were still a little bit below their peak. She glanced up when Javaid did; they seemed to be nearing their destination. She waited apprehensively behind him when he pulled aside the curtain that apparently hid his home. She walked inside hesitantly, barely touching the curtain. Impending doom awaited her: a woman.

"Akina, may I introduce Suyami.” Suyami almost gulped, but gathered up her years of carefully built self-confidence and mustered a smile. The fake smile immediately changed into a genuine one when she saw the woman’s distended belly. Her mood and demeanor was instantly transformed. Her love of children greatly surpassed her wariness of women. Something akin to jealousy swept across her, but she batted it aside. She would have children in due time… eventually.

“Yes, it seems so,” said Suyami, bowing her head to the new face. She crept forward without thinking. Her hand itched to touch the turgid belly, but she held herself back. “How far along are you?” she asked, her gaze intent on Akina’s stomach. “I have always wanted a child, but sadly, I have not found the right man…” Suyami sighed. It seemed all that men were interested in was either sex, or someone to meekly follow their orders. She needed a strong man, with arrogance enough to match hers. Now, if only Rin would come back from the army. Her heart ached at the thought of her long-ago lover, the one she hadn’t seen in years. He would marry her; he had said so before his father had made him leave. His love was certain; but though she loved him, doubt still remained over his single status. After all, he had been gone quite some time…

[javaid]

Akina smiled, she loved talking about her baby, though she didn't have many people to talk to these days; an alley way wasn't exactly prime location for tea time. She moved forward a little, giving Javaid a small kiss on the cheek as he moved past to set together a small table with one of the water vases, a few short planks of wood balancing over the open top. He set out their food and set aside his things.

"I'm about six months," she smiled, for only six months he was a very active baby, keeping her up late into the night sometimes with his kicking and though she loved her sleep she loved the little baby inside her more, "You can feel if you'd like,' she gave an even bigger grin, stepping a little closer so that if Suyami chose to she could place her hand on her belly.

Javaid gave a quick look at the two women, he had been worried at first, the way Suyami had mentioned her mother, if only briefly, seemed to state that she wasn't fond of women, but she seemed at ease around Akina, everyone did. That was one of the things he loved about his wife, she had a way with people.

"I have always wanted a child, but sadly, I have not found the right man…” at this Javaid joined the conversation, he moved away from the table and put a hand lightly around Akina's waist, moving to the side only slightly in a moton to invite the girls to sit around the makeshift table; he was sure Akina would be hungry.

"He'll come, when you least expect it," if he had learned anything over the years it was that good things happened when you weren't looking for them, "I certainly didn't expect Akina to stumble into my home so many months ago, but she did and every day i'm glad she found me," she smiled remembering that day, it seemed like forever ago, but it hadn't even been a full year.

[suyami]

Suyami smiled and leaned forward, placing a tentative hand on Akina's swollen stomach. She idly wondered if it hurt to carry around so much extra weight. It probably did. She would have asked, but she didn't want to ask questions that would annoy the woman.

She leaned back, satisfied. She looked up when Javaid started talking again, and flashed a small smile. "Yes, well... I hope so." It had been so long, and she no longer hoped for Rin. She was glad for him, and hoped that he had found a woman worthy of his goodness.

She sat down at the table, smiling at his words. If only someone would just pop into her life, our of nowhere. She just wanted someone. The right someone.

She inhaled the breath she had been about to let out in a sigh, for she didn't want to wallow in sorrow at Javaid's house.

"So, you two haven't been together long?" asked Suyami, trying out a smile to see if it would work. Thankfully, it didn't appear as strained as she thought it would. Though Akina was nice, it was still hard for her to be around other women sometimes.

The thought of other women made her think of Akaya. She needed to see her sometime, hopefully in the near future. Suyami hoped the older woman would be pleased to see her, but she couldn't be sure. It had been a while, and she didn't know if the welcome still stood. After all, she didn't even know if the old weapons' mistress was still living in the same old cottage. She could be long gone.

She blinked, and tried not to think about Akaya any more. She didn't like feeling sad, or, for that matter, acting sad in front of people she had just met. She ran her fingers through her hair self-consciously, checking for stray pieces of lint. There were none, and she was left to wait for the couple's response.

[javaid]

"Not very long at all," Javaid was still smiling, it was hard to keep happiness away when he was around Akina, even in such desperate times. He led his wife to an empty seat and stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders gently as she picked at the bread in front of her, her thin fingers still so lady like after all this time way from noble regimen.

"I beleive it has been almost nine months, yes?" she looked up a little, directing her question at Javaid and he nodded, "My family lived, well lives in a small city north of here," though her voice maintained its upbeat composure her eyes showed a hint of sadness, it felt like so long ago that she had even mentioned her family, "I was in something of an arranged engagment and I didn't like the man on bit, so I an act of rebellion I climbed out of my bedroom window and ran,"

"Right into my home, she ddin't even realize I was there, I think I nearly scared you to death that night," he gave a small chuckle and kissed his wifes cheek, that had been quite an evening and he was sure he would never forget it since it was the beginning of his life.

"Yes, and I begged him to take me far away from there and we've been living here ever since," She reached up and touched his hand lovingly, squeazing it lightly before returning to picking at her food and offereing a bit of the bread to Suyami.

"What about you, how did you come to the capitol?"

[suyami]

“Oh?” said Suyami, listening intently. It was funny, they acted like they’d lived there forever. Maybe it was because they obviously loved each other so much. She listened to Akina’s story intently, wondering what an arranged marriage would be like. Would the two people learn to love each other, or be forever estranged? She wondered at the woman’s courage. It must have been hard to run away from home.

“Really?” she laughed. “Sound’s a bit awkward.” She smiled a little, and rubbed her chapped hands together. She tried to keep her hands supple and soft, so she could play her instruments more easily, but they always sucked up expensive lotions like straws. She rubbed her palms once more, and looked up in time to catch a swift kiss between the two. She smiled.

Suyami listened attentively, and took the bread Akina offered her. She nibbled it slowly, not really hungry. She never was, these days. Food wasn’t too scarce any more, but she had gotten used to saving her food, and not eating much. She was in the habit of it.

“Oh, well, I travel a lot. I go around different towns and villages in the Fire Nation. I usually keep to myself. This time, I came back to visit one of my old friends… I just hope she’s still here.” She smiled weakly, and ripped the rest of the bread into tiny pieces. She then picked the bits up, one by one. “If she’s not, I don’t know what I’ll do,” she said softly.

She looked up, and composed herself quickly. “But that doesn’t matter much. The point is, the capitol is a nice place to make a few coins.” She nodded to herself, and then realized something. “Oh, I’m sorry if I’m cutting down on your profits!” she said, seeing that when she was working the same area as Javaid, he would suffer.

[javaid]

Javaid listened, he always had been a good listener, and her proclomation of extensive travel reminded him of his own traveling days and that they weren't quite done with him yet. But at her mention of profits he laughed a bit, it was a low and subdued laugh, very relaxed, "Don't be silly, I don't own these streets, besides it was such a wonderful treat to play with you today," he gave a sincere smile to assure her that she hadn't stepped on anyones toes.

"Oh, I would love to hear the two of you play," Akina looked up at her 'husband' and he kissed her forhead.

"Would you mind accompanying me again?" he looked over at his guest, the two instruments had sounded beautifully together and if Suyami was willing he would gladly play for his wife.

(sorry it's so short, brain cramp)

[suyami]

Suyami smiled. She was glad she hadn't stepped on any toes. She knew that money was still hard to come by. Maybe when she left, she'd slip a few coins on the table. Yes. That would be the honorable thing to do, and she liked to stick to her morals.

Suyami looked over at the two, smiling a bit. She was happy for them.

She started when Javaid addressed her. "Huh? Oh, yes, of course..." She reached for her pack. The strings were hard to undo, and her fingers fumbled a bit on the knots. Once opened, she searched through it for the carefully wrapped shinobue. She took it out with reverence, fingering the soft cloth that encased it with obvious love. Her smile grew, and she could almost feel the music that would soon swell around them.

She unwrapped it carefully, and set the cloth aside. A few breaths of air cleared any residual spittle from it's body. She fingered a few notes, played a bit to make sure it wasn't too out of tune, and she was ready.

She blinked, and looked up. "If you'd like, I could play my shamisen. Either works."