The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 10, 2005 23:49:45 GMT -5
Xia Feng's emerald eyes fluttered open as the sun peeked over the horizon. Morning.... breakfast.... she thought groggily. Cold rabbit from last night's dinner was all she had, but it was enough. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. It was her thrid day alone now, and she felt it more than ever. Since the Fire Nation burned down her village, Xia Feng was traveling to any village she could find to send word to her husband, Jing, who was away at war.
Reaching over and grabbing the meat, Xia Feng felt a twist in her stomach. She patted her swollen belly, knowing that she must at least eat for her child. It needed to be healthy and strong, especially if she were to bear it alone in the wilderness. Nothing would stop her from ensuring her child's safty of her child, not even the Fire Lord himself.
Until then, what would she do? She had a map from a mysterious man claiming to be her uncle (a man who showed up on her door step a month earlier, predicting the Fire Nation's attack and begging her to come with him, but giving her the map when she refused), but it only showed the way to him.
The only thing she could do was find a road and follow it until a traveler picked her up or she found a village to stay in.
Problem was, what was she going to do when she got there? She had no money.
But she shoved it from her mind. "I'll thing about it tomorrow," she said aloud. Her baby kicked in response, making Xia Feng smile. Perhaps she wasn't so alone in this after all.
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Post by atalanta on Nov 11, 2005 0:42:17 GMT -5
Mesheiko's new-found emu trotted ahead, shaking its head wildly. "Hmmm...now what could I call you, emu. Any ideas?"Mesheiko said, stroking his new steed's neck. Here I am; talking to an animal. My life really is going downhill.Mesheiko thought, pressing two fingers to his temples. Mesheiko kept a firm hand on the reins, jerking when the emu wanted to bend down and eat grass, pulling back when the emu began a faster pace, directing it. The other hand lay at his side, but kept close to the reins. Even war emus were unpredictable. Deeper and deeper the pair scrambled. Mesheiko dismounted; still holding the emu's reins. Mesheiko turned, just barely avoided being hit with a thorn bush, but the emu got a face full of it. The emu snorted, and shook its head again, trying to shake the thorns away from itself. "I'm sorry, buddy. Here, let me get that for you."Mesheiko said, plucking a few thorns out from under the emu's soft skin. Mesheiko turned his head, his ears detecting the sound, but it was no animal. A voice, a woman's voice! He drew a short dagger from his belt, though predicting it would probably not be needed. "Halt! Who goes there?!"Mesheiko shouted, having a difficult time saying it, for his hands were clamped over the emu's jaws, trying to silence it. He tried to sound stronger than he felt, perhaps there were Fire Nation troops ahead? Mesheiko held the dagger steady and waited for a response, any response.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
Posts: 0
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 11, 2005 9:12:17 GMT -5
Xia Feng was startled by the deep, commanding voice. Her heart beat faster and her mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. What if they were Fire Nation?
Well, there was really only one thing she could do. She was in no condition to fight or flee, so she stood and answered, praying that is was an Earth Kingdom soldier.
"I am Xia Feng, a traveler," she said, her voice as shaky as she. She waddled towards the voice, pushing bushes and other foliage out of her way. A tall, young man was standing next to an emu, and Xia Feng instantly recognized him as one of her own people. Relief flooded over her, and she almost dropped to her needs in thanks. In fact, she almost dropped to her knees in weakness. She tried to steady herself against a tree, but she still felt wobbly. Pain gripped her belly, giving the signal that the baby wanted to come any week now. She patted it and tried to force the pain out of her mind. It wasn't time, and there were more important things at hand.
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Post by atalanta on Nov 11, 2005 12:04:49 GMT -5
Mesheiko's eyes watched as a woman stepped forward to him through the bushes and bramble. She was a good rounded woman, with one hand on her stomach, the other on a tree, trying to keep balance. Mesheiko's first notion to say was, Are you with child, Ma'am?, but he refrained himself from it. What he really said was, "Ma'am, are you alright?", said Mesheiko. He noticed that she must be in great pain, and extended one hand for support and help. The woman looked a bit tattered, as if she had been in these woods for a little while. If she was with child, as Mesheiko suspected, then why was she out in the middle of wilderness? The wilderness was a peaceful place at times, but most deadly at others. "I am Mesheiko.", Mesheiko simply said, leaving it at that. Sometimes he was ex-soldier, sometimes he was traveler, but who was he really? Just a teenage boy who wanders around for no apparent reason. Wait, the letter, that's a reason., Mesheiko said, thinking of the letter kept in the emu's pouch. He hadn't yet looked at it, but he should, how else was he supposed to bring the letter to the designated person. Mesheiko sighed, exasperated from day's events, then smiled at the woman. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten, or upset people, especially women.
The emu tossed its head, stomping, signaling it was impatient, and didn't want to stand still for long. "My goodness, emu, have patience."Mesheiko said, a bit loudly, scolding the emu. The emu only snorted and glared defiantly at Mesheiko. "Sheesh, you really are a war emu.", Mesheiko said, as the emu put its face in front of his own. "A war emu with a bad temper."Mesheiko mumbled, and then tied the emu's reins in a tight knot around a strong branch.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
Posts: 0
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 11, 2005 12:14:19 GMT -5
Xia Feng grabbed Mesheiko's arm for more support. "Mesheiko," she repeated to herself. After watching him with the emu, she asked, "Do you know where the nearest village is?"
Pain stabbed her belly again, making her double over. The contraction will pass in a moment, she thought. But if her child was coming within a week, she needed help, and she couldn’t ask him for it. What she needed was a midwife or a doctor. Even someone with birthing experience would do, and she highly doubted that this man had any. Or did he… strange things happened to soldiers sometimes.
She took a closer look at the man, noting that he was accutally very handsome. He was strong, too, from the feel of his arm. Xia Feng blushed alittle out of embarrassment and shame. She was married, and she’s couldn’t be thinking of those thoughts!
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Post by atalanta on Nov 11, 2005 12:49:16 GMT -5
Mesheiko felt as Xia Feng gripped his arm fiercely. "Quite a grip you've got there,", Mesheiko said, a smile creeping onto his lips, ", I don't know specifically, but I could find it.", Mesheiko said, now knowing for sure that this Xia Feng was pregnant. Not many could grip with that much intensity. "I could go to find it. I would like for you to come also, but I don't think that riding a wild emu would be too good for a pregnant woman. The best thing to do would be for me to go for help, if that's alright with you."Mesheiko said, bowing as he was taught to do. Xia Feng had hold of Mesheiko's wrist right below his phoenix tatoo, the tatoo signaling he was of the 19th division. Or was, more like it.
Mesheiko would stay here with the woman, and help her out, but he had no birthing experience. Well there was the one time when Captain Jung Yong's wife went into labor, but he had only been present at the time, handing the doctor what he needed. As the memory delved further, he remembered when Yitsuma walked into the tent, just as Jung Yong's wife was about to have the baby. Yitsuma lost hi-her, Mesheiko corrected himself, her appetite all that day, and vomited at least twice. Mesheiko laughed raucously at the memory, but a tear came into his eye at the memory of Yitsuma. Then, Mesheiko quickly recalled what he was needed for of the moment, to help Xia Feng.
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Post by midori on Nov 11, 2005 17:27:58 GMT -5
Midori didn't even notice the voices and she pranced along in the wilderness. She was too lost in her own thoughts to catch a glimpse of reality. Midori had just been given a letter to send from a weathy traveller. He had told her to send it to his brother and his family who lived in a village farther in the Earth Kingdom. It would be the longest she'd ever travelled. However, that what wasn't what kept her so preoccupied. It was the pay. The traveller was gave her so much, that Midori was in the world's cheeriest mood. She smiled again as she opened her ears again to hear the part of the pay she took with her jingle in her pocket. That's also when she heard the voices.
Her head turned to see the two. A young man and woman. She knew she should keep going to stay on schedule, but she was curious. Nonchalantly, she glided over to where they were near and behind a tree. When she got very close, trying to listen in, she felt warm breath on the back of her neck. She jumped out from behind the tree, crashing in a pile of leaves. Looking up she saw it was only an emu. She put on her hands on it and whispered soothingly to the emu, but she'd surely blown her cover.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
Posts: 0
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 11, 2005 23:37:13 GMT -5
Xia Feng's grip tightened on Mesheiko's arm as the girl crashed though the flora near-by. The emu was steady, but it did walk back towards Mesheiko. It seemed as if it was looking for praise, which made Xia Feng smile.
Xia Feng then turned her attention to the new arival. "Hello," she said. The girl wasn't very old, and Xia Feng gave her what she felt was a warm, encouraging smile. "Are you alright?" she asked, taking a step towards her. She noticed that the girl's clothing was light, meaning she wasn't a soldier. It was also dirty as if she had been traveling for a while. She also looked like she wanted a good, hot bath, which made Xia Feng want one, too.
Unconsiously, Xia Feng patted her swollen belly again, an uncontrolable feeling rising in her. She wanted to take the girl and cook a nice, big dinner for her, give her a bath and new, warm clothes, and was her old ones. She couldn't stand seeing a young girl like that. She was probably so far from home, away from a mother that loved her.... Xia Feng almost began to cry at the thought.
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Post by atalanta on Nov 12, 2005 0:30:18 GMT -5
Mesheiko chuckled as the emu strode toward, wanting its praise. His hand stroked its head, telling it had done a good job. He placed his foot into one stirrup, and swung his body over, then put his opposite in the other. Mesheiko held the reins with a fierce grip, then nodding to the girl who had just appeared. "Hello, I would stay to chat, but I have errands to run."Mesheiko said, indicating his head to Xia Feng. "I'll be back with help, soon as possible. You both look like you need it."Mesheiko said, letting out the cry which meant "forward", and dug his heels into the emu's sides.
The emu trotted forward, each hoof-claw imprinting in the ground, leaving a trail. The emu screeched loudly, the screech ringing in Mesheiko's ears like the cry of a banshee. "Oh man..that's it...Banshee! That will be your name, Banshee! Is that alright by you?", Mesheiko said, stroking Banshee's neck. Banshee nodded. Mesheiko smiled, he wondered if the animal actually could understand what he had said. By the time Mesheiko actually spotted any sign of civilized light, which was a few hours later. An old man, hobbled over on a walking stick, was limping down a dirt road. "Sir! SIR!", Mesheiko shouted from atop of Banshee. The man's face froze in fear as he saw the orderly looking pair stride over to him. Mesheiko panted slightly as he began talking. "Sir, there's a pregnant woman out in the wilderness, and tattered girl, and they need help, and-", Mesheiko said through his breaths. "Whoa, young man, slow down, and say it again.", the old man said, gesturing his hands. "There is a pregnant woman in the woods, and she needs help. A doctor, fast.", Mesheiko said. "Young man, I am the doctor. You say a pregnant woman? Wouldn't be the first I've had to deal with.", the doctor replied, rushing fast on his stick into a hut, and pulled out a box of supplies. "Let's go.", the doctor said, swinging himself onto Banshee.
Mesheiko kicked Banshee forward again. He was suprised at the strength of the old man, but then again, the man was a doctor. Banshee came crashing through the timber, and then, after many moments, Mesheiko heard the sound of Xia Feng's voice. "Xia Feng! I have a doctor!", Mesheiko said, dismounting, and helping the doctor off.
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Post by midori on Nov 12, 2005 6:59:14 GMT -5
Midori stood and blinked in silence as the boy strode away. It kind of annoyed her how he assumed she was some lost, helpless traveller.
"Hello. I'm Midori." she said simply, looking at the woman who seemed to be approaching her. "I'm perfectly fine." She made cast a quick glance in the direction of the boy. "Are you alright?" The woman certainly didn't look it. She even looked like she might be with a child. Midori looked down at herself. But she wasn't exactly the image of perfect health either. She cooly flicked a piece of dirt from her arm, and looked back up to the woman. She tried to return the smile.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
Posts: 0
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 12, 2005 13:01:48 GMT -5
"Yes," Xia Feng smiled. "I'm alright. I just need to get to a village." She leaned up against a tree, trying to shift her weight from her aching feet. She had walked all day yesterday, and carrying a baby was no easy task, either.
"My name's Xia Feng. What are you doing all the way out here?" she asked. The baby kicked her belly, sending a visible lump on the huge surface. Xia Feng smiled, glad that the baby was alright after all of the difficulty Xia Feng faced the past few days.
Now all she needed to do was send word to her husband. He needed to know she was alright and that she was not in their home anymore. By now, he must have heard of the attack on the village. Xia Feng dully wondered if anything was even left. The Fire Nation had been known to burn everything in a village, right down to the men, women and children, a thought that made Xia Feng sick to her stomach even now. She hoped that everyone she knew a oved were okay.
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Post by siyuki on Nov 12, 2005 13:24:38 GMT -5
Breath in, breath out. Breathe in, breathe out
Meditation was always good, and it was needed to stay calm. Especially when it came to her martial arts.
Tranquility was always good for her. She thought of everything, and nothing. Far from her vilage, there was no distractions. No noises, everything was fine....
Voices. Great. Where were they coming from? She opened her eyes, and looked around. No one was there. She got up and started to walk.
Wait, what if they're Fire Nation soldiers? she thought, looking cautiously over her shoulder. She looked from behind a tree.
They didn't look like Fire Nation soldiers. In fact, they were the most interesting grop of people she'd ever seen. But it was good to be cautious, nonetheless. Fire Nation soldiers were sneaky.
"Excuse me," she said, "Is everything OK here?"
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Post by midori on Nov 12, 2005 14:25:56 GMT -5
Midori raised her eyebrow at the new arrival. It seemed like they were having an unplaned get-together.
"Hello." Midori greeted. "I think we're perfectly fine." She shifted back to Xia Feng. "I'm dilivering a message to a family in a village aways from here." She automatically pulled out her map, eyes landing on her destination. She glided over to Xia Feng, showing the map to her. "There should be a village close by here." She explained, eyes wondering the map again. "So what gives my the chance of meeting all you fine people? I don't usually find anyone to talk to."
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
Posts: 0
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Nov 12, 2005 15:03:55 GMT -5
"Well..." Xia Feng began. The horrible memories of the attack on the village came flooding back to her, making her want to cry. "My village was attacked by the Fire Nation. It was destoryed." She stood up straight again, looking though the trees that swayed gently in the breeze. "I need to get word to my husband. He's probably heard by now, and worried sick."
She was glad there was a village close-by; comfort wouldn't be that far behind, either. Maybe a hot bath and food, too. And there she would wait until her husband send words back.
Meanwhile, though, she studied the new arrival. "My name's Xia Feng. What's yours?" The girl also looked younger than herself, and Xia Feng felt the pain of a mother once again.
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Post by siyuki on Nov 13, 2005 1:40:30 GMT -5
"Oh!" Siyuki said, feeling rude. "My name is Siyuki." she bowed politely, as her parents and Uncle taught her as a child.
They seemed safe enough. The woman looked like she was expecting, but Siyuki wouldn't ask. How rude that would be! She'd sound like a child, which she wasn't, thank you very much.
The woman, Xia Feng was it?, seemed in bad shape. Poor woman, attacked by the Fire Nation in such a state. Siyuki knew how she felt, but she wasn't here to tell sob-stories to perfect strangers.
"I don't mean to be nosy, or disrespectful," Siyuki said, "But my village is not too far off.....and....er.....well....."
She didn't know exactly what to say. If it were someone her own age, it would be a lot easier to speak her mind. But she was taught to be tactful and respectful towards those elder than herself, so she had to bite her tongue. She then turned to the girl, whose name she didn't know.
"I was meditating, and I heard voices, so I decided to come over, and see what was going on. These woods are usually very quiet, many people don't enjoy walking through here....."
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