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Post by midori on Jan 25, 2006 7:24:29 GMT -5
Midori was curious about what Mesheiko had to say, but she was more tired than curious. As another feriocious yawn was released, she kicked off her very battered shoes, sending them crashing onto the floor. They landed beside the sofa, upside down and reaveling of much more dirt than had been on the start of the day, as well as a few ashes. What was visible of the sides carried a few scorch marks. Midori glanced at this before closing her eyes tightly.
Her thoughts again rushed with images of the fire, the last pictures she had of each new friend. Every memory of the past day rushed through her mind in a mixmatched fashion; Xia Feng in labor... the letter.... riding Banshee... holding Tarak... the firebenders.
Midori hugged herself and prayed that she'd see everyone again. She wanted to go out right now and look for them, but she was much to tired. Hopefully morning would come quickly.
"Goodnight, Mesheiko."
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Post by atalanta on Jan 26, 2006 14:02:45 GMT -5
Mesheiko's eyelids fluttered the slightest bit open, listening to a familiar noise outside their underground room. Banshee. The emu was screeching up a storm, not doubt wanting to be let out and fed. The upstairs residents (The people who could afford nice rooms, he thought bitterly) would surely hear the rude wake-up call, and surely blame him. Not that they'd staying long or anything of that sort..but still. It was best to leave a good imprint of one's self.
Setting his feet onto the ground, Mesheiko slowly rose from the bed, tossing his covers off. Tip-toeing out of the room, he let only his toes touch the stairs, and relaxed back onto his heels after entering outside. Mesheiko gave a shiver, and wished he was wearing more than the thin shirt under his sashed shirt. Hurrying over to the source of the screeching and sqauking, Mesheiko grabbed the cord that was tied loosely about Banshee's neck, his fingers working it undone. The grabbing the tether, he tied it with a firm hold, led the emu out from the barn, and tied him to a post.
Making sure he was as silent as he could be, Mesheiko flung the door to the room in which he and Midori resided. Then he made all the noise necessary, and pounced on the sofa, but being careful to not pounce on Midori.
"Wake up, sunshine. Your noble steed awaits." said Mesheiko in a satisfied and happy tone. The morning and fresh air had energized him.
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Post by midori on Jan 26, 2006 14:33:40 GMT -5
Midori, who had previously been intertwined in a very deep sleep, jolted upright at sound of Mesheiko's booming voice and the movement of the sofa. The sudden movement flipped her dark hair in front of her eyes, blanketing her vision. Midori quickly moved the strayed hairs back into place with the palm of her hand.
After quickly rubbing her eyes and blinking a few times, Midori made sense of her surroundings. There on the sofa was Mesheiko, apparently very lively. Midori passed a sleepy grin his way. It really was wonderful to have his company. Being alone was okay sometimes, but it was better, in her opinion, to be with someone. And Mesheiko was a likeable person anyway. Sun also shone through a few cracks and Midori's smile brightened into a beam. It was morning!
Suddenly now much refreshed and alive, Midori sat up straight.
"It's nice to see you to, Prince Charming." Midori replied while continuing her large grin. Quickly, she slipped on her shoes and stood up. Next, she glided over to the table and grabbed one basket of foods.
"Well come on!"
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Post by atalanta on Jan 26, 2006 15:29:03 GMT -5
Mesheiko's grin spread, and he felt rather happy for such a cold morning. Digging through his pack once again, he pulled out the overshirt and quickly pulled onto his shoulders, and tied the sash.
"Hardly Prince Charming, and Banshee wouldn't exactly be noble, but let's go."
Mesheiko swung his pack over the left shoulder, and it hit him square in the back. He flinched, but opened the door, then ushered Midori out, then himself. He was anxious to leave, and didn't want to meet the hotelkeeper after the racket Banshee caused.
He put one finger to his lips, signaling Midori to be silent. Mesheiko again tip-toed up the stairs, this time accidentally placing a foot a little too loudly. Mesheiko halted, looked around, and picked up his pace. Opening up the back door for Midori, Mesheiko ran out, and clinched up Banshee's saddle, then mounted, and laughed with the speed at which he had conducted this.
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Post by midori on Jan 26, 2006 16:06:56 GMT -5
Once the cold, crisp wind hit Midori's bare skin, she shivered. Her bandages obsorbed most of the chill, which she was thankful for, but it was still a very cool morning. However, this didn't wipe the grin on her face; it was determined to stay. In fact, Midori began to laugh a little along with Mesheiko after their little dash through the inn.
Midori swiftly walked over to Banshee and stroked his neck. Banshee seemed to nuzzle her in return (which Midori found extremely sweet), but when he began to nose the baskets, Midori knew better and slipped one hand on her hip and clucked her tongue.
"Oh, I know you're hungry." Midori whispered softly, as she continued to stroke his neck. "You'll eat soon, I promise."
Turning to Mesheiko and away from Banshee, Midori pulled out a small pastry and took a bite. The taste was sweet and fluffy, bringing warmth to her stomach. Midori turned back and winked at Banshee.
"But I eat now."
Quickly, Midori popped the rest into her mouth. She then attempted to attach the food to his pack before she crawled up on Banshee's back behind Mesheiko.
"Let us be off!"
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Post by atalanta on Jan 26, 2006 16:27:09 GMT -5
Grabbing hold of Banshee's reins, Mesheiko clicked his tongue for the emu to get going, his mind traveled back to the inn. He had paid the bill..right? Feeling for his coin bag, Mesheiko noticed was lighter. He had paid. At least the hotelkeeper couldn't say he was a hoodlum, or something like that.
Banshee, sensing his riders were at ease now, gave a sudden jolt and took long strides with his legs on the village roads. Naught but a minute, and they had exited. The emu slowed a little, now knowing they were without the protection of a village, and no one more to show off for. Mesheiko looked around for the signs of the big tree which they had set Banshee's armor near. Seeing a large clump of grass, he jerked on the reins, dismounted, and took up the neck plates in his hands. Then walking over to Banshee, and fastened the various metal clinches and rope ties.
"Mind getting down, Midori? I need to put the rest on. Also a little help would be appreciated. We're not putting leg plates on." he said, picking up one of the chest plates.
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Post by midori on Jan 26, 2006 16:47:41 GMT -5
Midori slid off of Banshee obediently, her feet landing firmly on the ground. She then ruffled Banshee's soft feathers that were soon to be covered with protective armor. As she did so, her bright, green eyes began to observe the dark greenery around her and her brain tried to guess where the others might be. After a few seconds, she stopped, knowing there would be more time for looking later. Swiftly, she reached over into the pile of armor and took it back to Mesheiko and Banshee. Looking after Mesheiko's example, she latched a few and soon Banshee began to look like a true war emu.
As Midori stepped back to admire him, she noticed she had drifted into the shade of a great tree that under the armor had once been hidden. With the idea that she could spot the top of some of the forest, Midori dug her shoes into the bark, grabbed a branch, and began to climb.
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Post by atalanta on Jan 27, 2006 17:39:24 GMT -5
Watching her feet go up the tree, higher and higher, Mesheiko tilted his head in bewilderment. Seemed a bit silly why she was climbing the tree, but it was always good to know your immediate surrounding area. Putting the final chest plate around Banshee's sternum, Mesheiko wondered how the emu could carry such heavy armor, and himself and Midori.
Maybe that's why he's irritable at times and always annoying., Mesheiko thought with a tiny snicker.
"You might want to come down, or else Banshee and myself'll leave you behind. That is, unless you really want to go on foot all this way."
He had a little less trouble hauling himself up onto Banshee with the plates, much easier grip and much less sqauking. Mesheiko did a little grimace at the time he had mounted an emu in the very incorrect way, he had accidentally pulled a section of feathers out.
Mesheiko clicked his tongue once again, and Banshee started to trot. Mesheiko tugged against the reins, telling the emu to go back. Walking over to the tree, Banshee peered through the branches at Midori curiously.
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Post by midori on Jan 27, 2006 20:45:09 GMT -5
"Oh, hang on for a moment, will you? I want to take a look. But if you'd really leave a poor, young woman all alone out here with firebenders out and active, that's your problem." Midori replied decisively, her voice twisting up with a sweet jingle of sarcasm. "But I don't really mind walking."
Midori crawled up onto a thick, firm branch, slightly scratching her knees on the rough bark as she pulled her self up. She sat on limb, catching a few deep breaths and enjoying the view. She peered down at Mesheiko and his emu and gave a comical wave to the pair.
"It is really lovely up here. Shame you're missing the view."
Swiftly, pulled herself onto the next branch, and continued in a series of never ending jumps from limb to limb. Soon, she was under the branchy canope of leaves. Her face twisted into a giggling grin as the smoothly textured leaves tickled her cheeks and ankles. She loved the feeling up being up high to look down at the greenery below and spot the world at a different angle. Her accent continued until she could go no father. Midori's face, flushed with enjoyment, popped up from the many leaves at she observed the view that could only be described as breath taking.
"Wow. It really is beautiful." Midori sighed dreamily as she rested her chin on her crossed arms that leaned against another branch.
"Toooo bad you can't see it." She added playfully.
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Post by atalanta on Feb 3, 2006 23:52:19 GMT -5
"What do you want me to do, have Banshee try to climb the tree?" said Mesheiko, laughter arising from his chest and out of his lips at the very thought. Remembering the time one of his older sisters had pushed him right out of the tree, whether it was unintentional or intentional, it left a mighty large scar on Mesheiko's right calf, and a larger phobia in his heart.
"Besides, I'm not too fond of heights.." Mesheiko said, putting a hand to the back of his head in an embarassed manner. He almost turned his whole body around in the saddle, then realizing the silliness of that, turned his front to the front of the saddle, then directed Banshee to where Midori could see only their backs.
He could feel a flush creeping up his cheeks, and while Mesheiko felt his fear was ridiculous he was at the same time content with it.
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Post by midori on Feb 4, 2006 16:51:51 GMT -5
As Mesheiko turned around, Midori blinked at him curiously, with one eyebrow significantly raised. She didn't know why, but she had always seen Mesheiko as one who wasn't afraid of almost anything. However, now it appeared that even the strongest appearing had weaknesses... and what odd weaknesses! Afraid of heights? This almost hit Midori as impossible! How could a person not love being up high and enjoying the view and rustling leaves in the wind?
Slowly, Midori began to decend, for Mesheiko seemed to be impatient to leave. Midori also did not wish Mesheiko any added discomfort... although, it did strike Midori as mildly amusing to see Mesheiko in such an embarrassed state. It gave her an odd sensation of feeling accomplished. She supposed she was beginning to see Mesheiko as a brotherly figure.
When Midori had reached the hard earth she stopped to fish a broken leaf out of her hair. She also began to ponder, yet again, the well-being of her friends. Did they find refuge in a kind village? Where they the prisioners of a Fire Nation camp? Midori stood for a few seconds, lost in thought, before she shook herself out of her trance. Swiftly, Midori strode over to Banshee and climbed behind Mesheiko, not even bothering to try and conjure up a witty comment for the beginning of their search.
Because now, they would discover the fate of those of whom they cared. And it may or may not be very pleasent.
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Post by atalanta on Feb 18, 2006 20:09:43 GMT -5
Hours seemed to pass there on Banshee's back, trees, dirt, and all other woodly things passing behind them. Mesheiko was quite tired of the feel of the emu's uneven gait below, and tugged on the reins for Banshee to halt.
He swung one leg over the emu back, placed it on the ground, pulled his other out of the stirrup, and placed it on the ground.
Mesheiko walked about a bit, then reached for the sky with his arms, and then reached for his toes. The stretching renewed a surge of energy in him, but in the process of stretching to his toes, he lost all balance and fell backward into the grass.
Simultaneously, Mesheiko began to laugh, and laughed so hard he had to fight back tears. The laugh in him was so great, it seemed he had never laughed before, and everything was let loose.
In the spur of the moment, Mesheiko spoke up. "Midori...I want to re-join the army." He wasn't sure what posessed him, only feeling it was necessary to tell her this.
With his next words, the laugh subsided, and he raised his head from the grasses to look at her.
"I want to go back."
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Post by midori on Feb 18, 2006 20:32:55 GMT -5
Midori blinked at him, her mouth slightly ajar. She was shocked at this sudden outburst of his and momentarily speechless. Mesheiko wanted to go back to the army? But why? He could be hurt! He could be killed! If he left, she would miss him....
Quickly Midori slipped off of Banshee, leaving him free to shake himself off and wander around in the tall grass. Midori followed close behind the emu, her eyes drifting to the ground in uncertainty of what to say as she approached Mesheiko. It was clear to her that she didn't want him to leave. She seemed strongly bonded to him. They had been through quite a lot the day before. Midori was now near Mesheiko and as seeing that he was sitting, she did as well, letting the muscles in her legs sigh with relief as she plopped herself onto the soft earth.
"You want to go back." Midori repeated softly. "But... you can't...." Her face filled with a rare expression of sadness that she quickly covered by bringing her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them. "I would miss you."
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Post by atalanta on Feb 18, 2006 20:58:17 GMT -5
"Hey," said Mesheiko, touching her arm in comfort, "I won't leave now. For one, I want to find out what happened to Xia Feng, Tarak, and the others before I do anything."
What had led to him blurting out like that? He normally could keep his emotions in check, but that urge inside him-to go back-burned fierce. Perhaps it was just too great to have held within himself, and thus he had to tell her.
"Second of all, who said we had to part? You could come with me. There are lots of jobs for women in the army. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, doctoring and nursing, and of course, if you really wanted to go out on a limb, sneak in as a soldier. That's a bit risky, though." said he.
"Everything about the army can be. Every day is a new adventure."
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Post by midori on Feb 19, 2006 8:53:28 GMT -5
Midori let loose a small smile at Mesheiko's words. A new adventure each day was something she had wanted since she was just a little kid. Why else did she run about to see what was up with everyone? Midori had always wanted to be part of the excitement, and Mesheiko made it sound as if the army was a haven built just for her.
Straightening up, Midori opened her mouth, beginning to speak, before she reconsidered. Could she really drop everything and leave her family behind? Was she able to cook, clean, or nurse? Midori grinned at the thought at her cooking (it was really quite humorous) and replied with an airy laugh.
"Cooking? Me? I bet I could burn water."
It was too true. After a few "incidents" Midori's mother decided it was best if she handled the cooking. Midori wasn't necessarily a bad cook, she was just too impatient... and reckless. But what of the others? Cleaning sounded like a snore and same with laundering, while hiking out as a soldier sounded dangerous; and it was, she realized after recalling Mesheiko's old friend. However, there was nursing in which Midori was... roughly experienced. After playing tough with some of the village boys, you had to know how to fix up some nasty injuries enough so your mom didn't throw a fit.
"But... I'd have to think about it." Midori said finally. She still wasn't keen on his idea of leaving, but maybe she could really help bring some bliss into people. Midori popped up, unable to sit still for very long. She strode over to Banshee and began ruffling his feathery coat while her face blanked as she drifted into thought.
--------Mesheiko and Midori have left the area------------
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