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Post by ichi on Dec 22, 2005 18:48:47 GMT -5
Ishi ducked out from the underbrush, Siyuki close behind. They had found a merchant crossing the roads and urged him to follow with his cart. Ishi stopped when he reached the clearing and saw the companions, no longer looking stressed, but instead rather a mix of relief and warmth.
The woman in labor no longer screaming, but softly cradeling a new born babe.
"Huh, I guess we weren't as quick as we thought." he said panting. "Either way, I've brought this kind man willing to share his cart so you can rest."
With a sudden jump, Ishi noticed that the Firebenders that had lain unconcious were no longer there. He crouched in a bending defensive position. "Where are they?" he half whispered with a menacing grimace.
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Post by atalanta on Dec 22, 2005 19:40:30 GMT -5
Mesheiko glanced over at Lin, mind reeling. He wanted to smile at Tarak and his mother, but couldn't find the feeling to. Banshee even seemed to sense the tension, head hanging low into the grass, grazing.
Banshee, quiet though he was, was a smart and devious emu. He snapped the tether from the tree, and that was quiet as well. Not even Mesheiko seemed to notice as Banshee sneaked off into the trees, tether dragging.
Mesheiko placed Tarak into Midori's arms, leaning back against a tree. Thoughts ran rapid in his mind, pondering. He had just forced Xia Feng to go from a totally joyous moment to a grave moment, in only a few seconds. His fingers felt for Banshee's tether, needing something to stroke, someone to let out his guilt to. His fingers found only tree. Mesheiko turned around slowly, a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. Banshee was gone.
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Post by midori on Dec 22, 2005 19:54:34 GMT -5
Midori smiled at the baby affentionitly. He was so small in her arms, but he filled Midori up with the joy she had recently lost. She loved the feeling and tried to continue to suck up the rays of bliss Tarak gave off. He was so sweet. He didn't have a care in the world, unlike the rest of them who could probably fill scrolls of their worries.
She pried her eyes from baby Tarak long enough to spot Mesheiko. He had been looking downcast, but if it was possible, he seemed worse. What could possibly make him look this misrable? She glanced at Xia Feng for clues before turning back to the returning two and the merchant. It was then that she realized that the firebenders were indeed gone.
"They must have... gotten off and run away..." Midori replied to him. Her voice seemed to wrap up with a bit of happiness. "I'm glad they didn't care to hurt us." She also nodded a bit of hello to the merchant and gave a bit of thanks to him for coming.
Midori then returned her attention to Tarak, her eyes sparkling again with joy.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Dec 23, 2005 17:17:55 GMT -5
Xia Feng looked around at the group. Babies made everybody happy, even strangers, she guessed. Then why, after the long-awaited birth of her son, did she not? She looked at the letter in her hand. It had been crumpled with out even her realizing it. Her heart ached and she had no idea why. Was is gult that she never truly loved Jing? Was is sorrow that her son would never know his father? Or was it the fact that even as her husband lay cold and dead she felt attracted to another?
She looked at Mesheiko, expecting something -- she knew not what. But his face was downcast, and he had paled. She looked behind him. The emu was gone.
She let a small cry of realization escape from her throat. He had lost his emu! What was he going to do.
Maybe he'll stay with us longer, a small voice in the back of her head said. She immediately felt ashamed. Her face flushed, and bit her tongue. No, no, no! He couldn't... he wouldn't...
Xia Feng's eyes dulled as she touched the severed tether. Emus were fast and clever; there was no way they'd find him now.
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Post by siyuki on Dec 23, 2005 20:35:12 GMT -5
Siyuki smiled warmly at the baby in Midori's arms. He looked so sweet, so innocent. The innocence of a child was like no other. It brought hope to those who had lost their own.
Siyuki looked uneasily around. The firebenders had gone, no where to be seen. She was glad that they weren't there, but still.......the still quiet wasn't helping.
But another thing she noticed was how silent the others were. She expected everyone to be happy and cheerful, but Xia Feng and and Mesheiko looked a little distraught.
Siyuki cleared her throat, a little nervously.
"Congratulations on your child, Xia Feng." she said, smiling warmly. She wasn't usually the type to try and lighten up the mood, but this really was a miracle.
She then turned to the merchant.
"Thank you again for helping us," Siyuki said, bowing, "I think we should go to my village, it's close. It's northwest from here, Tachi Dai...."
She then stopped; she didn't like mentioning her village to people. It was awkward....
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Post by atalanta on Dec 23, 2005 22:44:55 GMT -5
Bad situation. No quick means of transportation. When I catch that bird, I'm gonna..., Mesheiko thought with annoyance.
Wait a second. The emus respond to another emu call, remember? But I'm not an emu; maybe I can imitate.
He remembered the older man whom he shared a tent with during his years in the army. Shing Yai was the name. Shing Yai had been in that division for around 20 years, and could imitate an emu screech or call perfectly. Come on Mesheiko, you can do this, Mesheiko desperately tried to encourage himself. Be a man.
Stepping back slowly into the timber, he let out a call from within his vocals. He wasn't sure if it was loud enough the women and Ishi Toku could hear it, and not sure if too quiet for the emu. After waiting a span of ten minutes, and no sign of Banshee, Mesheiko sighed, and trudged back wearily. Hot breath on his back made Mesheiko realize, BANSHEE! "Where did you go?!", Mesheiko shouted, throwing his arms around the giant bird's neck. Keeping both hands on the cut up tether, he walked back into the clearing of people. Banshee's return perked up his mood a little, but Mesheiko still felt a sinking feeling in his chest.
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Post by midori on Dec 24, 2005 16:10:10 GMT -5
Midori watched in amazement as Mesheiko made his 'emu call' and as Banshee arrived. Her happiness increased even more as she saw the emu appear. This was sure to cheer up Mesheiko. In fact, Midori was feeling her giddy and entergized self again. Slowly, Midori returned the baby to his mother.
Midori skipped up to Mesheiko and Banshee, laughing. "Maybe he's found himself another little emu." She replied as she stroked Banshee's neck. "Bet you get a little lonely sometimes, don't you?" Midori gave the emu a little hug. "But cha' still me bud. I'm not an emu, but I'll sure give you a run for your money." She laughed at herself and continued stroking him. "And of course you got Mesheiko there. Now you stay put now, or I'll go out and hunt you down." Midori concluded with a pointed finger. Banshee gave a little snort, which Midori accepted as an agreement.
"Glad that's settled then!" Midori said turning from the emu. She was smiling like an idiot, but it felt great.
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Post by ichi on Dec 26, 2005 14:18:34 GMT -5
Ishi just stood silently with his arms folded across his chest. As all the immediate troubles began to dissapate. The woman's baby safe and alive, the emu returned. It was a time meant for smiles and laughter, but Ishi could not bring himself to forget the Firebenders. What was the Fire Nation doing so deep into Earth Kingdom territory, with only 50 men to boot? It was all too confusing and troublesome for Ishi to grasp a smile. Well, if those Fire Nation soldiers were still any threat to these companions, it was his fault. He'd brought the Fire Nation down on them and it was his obligation to prevent any harm to them. Though looking at the party, it seemed as if they could take care of themselves. Still, he didn't want any more guilt on his conscience than he already had.
"Hmm.." Ishi spoke up in a gruff sounding voice. "Wherever you decide to go, please let me accompany you. One more Earthbender is a garuntee of one less Firebender left to worry about." He looked up with gleaming muddy green eyes. "Please. It'd make me feel a whole lot better."
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Dec 26, 2005 16:39:38 GMT -5
"Well, I have no idea who's coming, but I wouldn't mind an escort," Xia said, forcing a smile. She didn't want to be alone right now at all. She just wanted to get her baby to safety and perhaps a nice, hot bath. She looked as Ishi, then back to Meshieko. She didn't want him to leave her at all.
Why was she getting so attached to him? After all, he has brought her news of her husband's death, to which she couldn't even cry over.
But he had helped deliver her baby. He wanted to make sure she was safe. He showed concern for her. But why? She was just being a silly little girl with a silly little crush. She had more important things to worry about, like her new baby boy, Tarak. She kissed his forehead and cheeks -- his skin was soft and warm.
"So were do we go?" she asked quietly.
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Post by chinagirl7594 on Dec 27, 2005 18:27:42 GMT -5
Standing with her arms crossed, Lin was trying not to listen to the voices talking about the past events in her head.
*Flashback*
"Stop it!" Lin shouted. Her brother Jenyu was hurtling snowballs at her while she was trying to read.Ugh, he just wants me to get in trouble again I just know it...
"Make me!" He said. Lin shut her book and bended the snow upward, causing him to get stuck in the ice.
"There, now would you quit bugging me?" Lin said.
"Lin! What did I say about using offensive waterbending on your brother? A familiar voice said. It was Kita, Lin's secret waterbending teacher.
"But he-"
"Every time I leave you alone with your brother you waterbend on him, what if you were caught?
"He-" Kita wouldn't listen to Lin. Kita bended the ice to melt, and Jenyu fell to the ground with a thump. Lin knew she was in trouble again, and Jenyu stuck his tongue out at Lin as he walked away, leaving her alone with Kita.
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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 Dec 28, 2005 13:31:39 GMT -5
It started off really hot for an Earth Kingdom day. It felt as though Hell itself had broken loose and released it's smoothering heat on the world. Baby Tarak began to cry wildly. Xia looked away only a moment, but suddenly, the forest around them was ablaze. Tarak's shreiks got louder, full of more fear. Xia was cut off from the others; alone once again.
So she ran. She ran without knowing where her feet were caring her, just running with one thing on her mind -- fear. Fire terrified her. Flames licked at her feet and arms, burning them. She held baby Tarak closer and she ran, stumbling, through the thick smoke. What was she going to do?
----------- Xia Feng has left this area -------------
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Post by midori on Dec 28, 2005 13:56:52 GMT -5
Midori inhaled air full of smoke and hacked violently. She wrapped her arms back around the emu's neck, trying to block out the burning smell, to rest her lungs. She was so thankful he hadn't run away yet. And surprized. The fire was everywhere, encircling them, and the smoke was thick and blinding. She could only see one other person in the chaos.
"Mesheiko!" She cried again choking on the smoke. Midori jumped on Banshee's back, and he was ready to leave. She reached out her hand to Mesheiko's. They needed to get out of the forest. She wanted to help the others, but it was useless and dangerous to try and find them. The fire was growing more violent.
"Come on!"
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Post by atalanta on Dec 28, 2005 20:06:01 GMT -5
Mesheiko watched, frozen as fire sprung up in continual bursts around him. His feet were fixed to the ground, body standing still. Not again. How this reminded him of battles of old.
Someone cried out his name. The voice was indistinguishable in the crackle of fire, but someone called for him. Banshee was no doubt terrified out of his mind, but the emu held his ground. Mesheiko was quite proud.
He groped along through smoke, a cough escaping his mouth here and there. His eyes just barely made out the form of Midori in the twirling gray mounted on the emu. Mesheiko snatched his reins quickly, mounting onto Banshee at lightning speed, sitting in front of Midori. Eyes scanned around, weary and tired. Mesheiko gave a quick into the side of Banshee, and the emu started forward, each leg taking a long sprint. Looking around at the destruction around him, Mesheiko wondered what would become of him.
---- Mesheiko and Midori have left the area -----
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Post by chinagirl7594 on Dec 28, 2005 20:54:12 GMT -5
Lin just snapped out of her little flashback and frantically looked around to escape the fire.
Run, you fool! Before you burn to death! The voices screamed in her head.
Lin covered her mouth and nose with both her hands, and ran through the fire. Her arms and legs getting burnt from sprinting through, and tears were coming down her face from the smoke in her eyes. Lin ran faster through the fire, and felt pain hitting her everywhere. The smoke managed to crawl through the little slits between Lin's fingers, and made her dizzy.
Coughing and running, she felt light-headed. The world felt like it was spinning, and the colors of the fire were dancing around Lin.
Call for help! Keep running straight! Anything! The voices shouted.
Lin was getting weak, and so was her voice. But at the top of her lungs, she screamed;
"Help! Anyone out there?! Please help me!" With this she lost more of her energy to run. She stopped and looked around; everything was becoming blurry. She fell to the ground, lying on her back. Eyes still half open, but dazed. The fire was looking like it was trying to eat her, but instead only threatened to burn her to death if she didn't stand back up.
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Post by siyuki on Dec 29, 2005 0:04:24 GMT -5
The smoke became thicker, and it became harder to see and breathe. Siyuki coughed, frantically looking around for everyone. Xia Feng seemed to have dissapeard in the smoke. She could barely see Midori and Banshee's outline, rabbing out for Mesheiko.
The outlines of everyone were becoming hazy, and the merchant seemed to have dissapeared as well. She hated fire, she feared it most of all.
Remember your lessons, she thought, trying to calm herself down, no fear, don't let your fear stop you.
It was hard for her. Far is what kept her secluded and quiet, and what kept her from saying what she wanted and standing up for what she should. She covered her nose and mouth so she could breathe. How were they to escape?
Midori and Mesheiko were gone as well. She was truly scared now. She then saw Lin on the ground, but she couldn't see Ishi.
"Are you OK?" she asked "Um, not that I don't care, but we have to get moving!"
She helped Lin up, and let her lean on her, trying to find the smallest way out. She found a small gap. "Let's go!" she said, running as fast as she could while helping Lin.
She felt the heat of the fire, but it didn't concern her now. Now she was just hoping everyone got out OK.
---------Siyuki and Lin have left this area---------
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