Moo cow and the Fire Nation <Fire Nation>

[pamuy]

A stern look and gentle pushing on the back led Taruto to leave, followed by his rowdy peer seconds later. With her hands on her hips, Pamuy treated the boys to a guilt trip as they walked away. "You should be ashamed..."

Before she could say any more, the troublemakers were gone. Shaking her head, the waterbender watched them scurry off as the yukata remained in her petite hands. They were no doubt plotting something more, but Pamuy was certain they wouldn't strike again that day. No sense worrying, in any case.

As she turned to her side, there stood Shang. Backing up slightly, bumping into the tall, thin Jaemin in the meantime, it seemed she encountered the returner once again. With a polite smile, she nodded to the fellow. "Hello, Shang."

Looking over to the fabulous and fashionable Jaemin, who put his hand on her shoulder soon after, she made sure not to single herself out. If Shang had become anything like the rest of the men in the caravan, she wasn't about to say anything very personal. If he was a thing like Bai and Li, she'd think being too friendly would give him ideas - ideas she wasn't about to consider. Pamuy was careful to stay as general as was necessary until she could ascertain Shang's true nature. Gesturing to Jaemin, then to herself, she said; "Welcome back to the caravan. We're glad to see you've returned."

[blackcrow]

Li-Wu would nod to Auina as she gave him the all clear, turning back to her. Poor thing was soaking wet and looking mildly unhappy given the current situations. Little rascals would have to pay.. you never mess with a lady when there vulnerable. He had to chuckle a bit at the question of "Why didn't you just earth bend the crap out of them?" that came from his lips as he stared at her.

He lowered his arms from where they were crossed over his chest and placed them on his hips, fingers drumming on the visible bones of his hips. Nary a scar or burn was on him, a testament to the skills of the water bender's of the the troupe and their healing. He and his brother, not to mention the other fire bending children had endured what amounted to tens of burns every year from simple plays to performances. Even those who did not bend fire, or did not bend at all were subject to fire injuries or injuries from rocks being thrown around or the sting of a water whip. Of course, it wasn't all bending, nasty falls from trees made up a number of injuries.

Before Auina could give Li-Wu an answer, a seeingly bald man energetically strummed into their vision. He passed between them, seemingly with notice and walked with a goal. He was bald, and his exotic face was.. decorated with blue tattoos? A bar across his eyes and then dots along his forehead..? And a strange mask had been pushed back and now sat on the top of his head, a thick pelt of ivory fur hanging down the man's back, sticking to his wet skin. Li-Wu arched a brow, more surprised that the man was dripping wet apparently having just come from the river. As the stranger turned around and gave them an enthusiastic greeting, Li-Wu could find himself lifting his own hand in greeting, a nod acknowledging the man coming subconsciously before he could think.

[gijoespouse]

"Why didn't you just earth bend the crap out of them?" he asked with a chuckle, putting his hands on his hips.

Good question. Auina was opening her mouth to reply when a strange figure, garbed in short gray pants and sarong, came walking out of the river beside them. The man had a strange mask with thick fur attached to it that trailed down his back. It wasn't the man's exotic appearance that had the earthbender flustered. It was the fact that he'd just walked right of the water...and her mind was wondering exactly HOW LONG had this man been in the river? Had he been there the entire time she was bathing? The expression on her face clearly read stunned, and when he gave his greeting, she numbly brought a hand up in subtle wave.

When she finally found her voice, Auina managed, "Just...how long were you in the water?"

The answer had better be 'not that long', she thought to herself.

Subconsciously, the acrobat tugged down on the long shirt Li had lent to her. She was thanking the spirits that be that the shirt WAS long to begin with. It was bad enough the material was clinging to her. Still...beggars couldn't be choosers, right?

[shanghuang]

As the young boys ran away, Shang finally gave in and lifted his shin to rub it a little before he turned to Pamuy as she addressed him. She backed away a little before doing so. Was she nervous? He had gone off to become a soldier, and from what he remembered of her, Pamuy had been a very peaceful girl. He supposed he’d have to get used to that, though. After all, he’d joined the Earth Kingdom army, and most of the people in the caravan were from the Fire Nation. He hadn’t even really thought of that until now, and no that he had, he quickly decided he didn’t want to.

“Uh, thanks, Pamuy,” he said with a little bit of hesitation before saying her name. “It’s good to be back.”

He smiled a little, but his tone wasn’t overly cheerful. It had a sort of contentedness to it, though, especially when h said “home”. It did feel good to have one of those again. From behind him, Shang heard his mother call her name, and turned his head. He smiled a little more now. He remembered it was best not to keep his mother waiting when she’d cooked something for him.

“I guess I’ve got to go,” he said, turning back to Pamuy. “I’ll see you around though, I guess.”

He nodded politely and then turned to go join his family. He was awfully hungry, and from both his smell and his memory, he knew his mother had made something much better than what he ate while he was in the army. He’d have to be careful about what he told her about that, otherwise she’d try to feed him four meals a day to “make up” for all the bad ones.

[iikagen]

Iikagen made sure to keep the smile on his face from slipping into a lewd smirk as he regarded the pair standing on the riverbank. Several things came to mind that he could say to the woman, most of which would have been amusingly suggestive, but he opted to take the a different route with his response. "Oh, I've been floating for days," he said, still smiling pleasantly. With one hand he scooped the Tengu mask off his head and flicked his wrist, shaking loose a good amount of water from the fake visage. For a moment he just stood there, placing the mask back into his pack before standing up straight and taking a deep breath.

"Ahhh," he exhaled, "Beautiful day... So what's for breakfast? I'm starving." The Igni started away from the two, immediately following his nose toward the nearest cooking pot. Iikagen was curious as to just how far he could incorporate himself into this little band of people before they bothered him for an explanation. If that other man's reaction was any indication, he might very well be able to eat and be gone by the time some one asked his name.

[whitecrow]

"Ratu, eh?" He questioned, looking down at the small young woman as she turned to face him. He lifted both his eyebrows as he tasted the word, saying it slowly. "Ratu...." After a moment's pause, his eyes rolled to the side and back in thought. He nodded, his thinking frown turning into a grin as he smiled at her. "I like it." Bai-Wu pulled his hands out of his pockets where they had been wrinkling the lengthy hem of his crossed over vest. Stepping towards her, Bai-Wu swiftly wrapped one arm around her waist, his other hand supporting her bum as he lifted her up in one solid movement. He set her sidesaddle on the zebra-cow's back, holding her by her waist as she got her balance. Ratu turned her head back and mooed with an annoyed tone of voice but she did not buck or anything, preferring to keep plodding along rather than raise a ruckus about the woman now seated on her striped back.

"Like a Queen." He said as he let his hands slip from her waist, grinning from ear to ear as he took the rope lead from her , stepping up to walk alongside Ratu's velvety ears. "Ain't that right, Ratu?" The twin would ask, scratching the zebra-cow between her long ears as they headed out of town and back to the dirt road worn with wheel tracks.

[blackcrow]

Li-Wu turned back to Auina with a puzzled look, lowering his hand slowly. "..Do you know him?" he asked quickly, partially out of confusion and partially out of jealousy. Was this some local Auina had picked up? Li-Wu narrowed his eyes with an exasperated sigh before grabbing Auina's hand, with a muttered "Come on." No, he wasn't angry, but the woman had to be freezing, "Lets get you some clothes.." He turned and trudged up the hill, but not before nodding to Zahira as they passed. For now, he'd ignore the stranger that had waltzed into campus.

He glanced towards her as they walked, Li leading her back to the wagon she shared with her mother. He knew the wagon by sight now.. like he knew every one in the company. Many a time, he had snuck to the Cabin to try and steal a few moments with Auina when they were younger. He wondered how she'd take to the news that they were heading to the Fire Nation for a bit. The young man stopped along side her wagon and leaned his arms behind him on a wheel that was sinking into the ground. He cracked his neck as he rolled it, the defined stomach muscles barely visible as his posture went to hell. "Just.. throw my shirt out the window, kay?"

[zahira]

Zahira nodded to Li as he did to her. She would take care of this stranger, and she smiled as she thought of Li taking care of Auina. She liked the idea of the two of them back together, and prayed that the spirits did, too. But she turned her attention back to the stranger, picking up her bucket of water.

She wasn't too pleased that he might have caught a glimpse of Auina, but it was something that happened occationally, and she certainly couldn't judge. Still, as he didn't give Auina an exact answer, Zahira thought there was a good chance that he had seen something. But it certainly wasn't as bad as the boys who stole Auina's clothing -- irritating prepubescent children. She'd have to suggest getting them back later to Auina. Perhaps Ritika would help them...

"Ahhh," the man sighed, "Beautiful day... So what's for breakfast? I'm starving."

"Hello," Zahira offered in return. "My name is Zahira. Not much is cooking, but if you're hungry, I think we can share. Oatmeal or rice is probably going to be your choices. By the way," she smirked at the man, "what's your name, handsome?"

Truly, he wasn't really Zahira's type, but he was pretty exotic looking, with blue facial tatoos and a bald head, but it was in Zahira's nature to flirt a little. She hitched up the bucket a little and turned, swaying her robust hips in the unconcious way she did, picked up from years of belly-dancing. Her long, inky-black hair, unbound, moved with her steps as she made her way back to camp.

"Come with me, and we'll see what we have."

She led the way back to her wagon, her mother Kali gone, and set the bucket down by her tools, letting them stay that way until she could feed the strange man. She looked around the food stores and brought out oatmeal, a cooking pot, utensils, and some sweetener. She looked back to make sure if the man had followed her.

[The Lion Turtle]

"Ratu, eh?" He paused, thinking on it, but then grinned. "Ratu... I like it." Xia Feng nodded, breaking out into her own smile, which quickly turned into a surprised blush when Bai lifted her up gracefully and set her on Ratu's back. Xia was mildly surprised Ratu could hold her weight, but the Zebra-cow only mooed with slight annoyance, still going steadily along. Xia gently took a lump of the stiff, horizontal mane to keep balance, as her sidesaddle seat was long since not used, but Bai kept his hand on her until she had her balance. She wished he wouldn't pull it away, but he did, and she only blushed harder at her thought.

"Like a Queen. Ain't that right, Ratu?" Xia Feng shook her head, but Bai's face with plastered with a wide grin, and he was obviously very pleased with himself, so Xia said nothing. Xia patted Ratu's withers.

"She'll make a good cow, I think," Xia said, very content with her gift. "The first bucket of milk I get from her, I'll bring it to your mother to share. Oh, spirits, I miss milk... I can't wait!" She giggled, feeling like a girl again, like before she married Jing. Her face, which was starting to brown from being in the sun so much lately, was flushed with delight, her cheeks round with a smile, and her voice gurgled with mirth.

[gijoespouse]

The answer Iikagen provided did nothing to make Auina feel comfortable about the situation, and subconsciously she was drawing away from him. Again, her hands reached to tug at the hem of the long shirt. She was cold, feeling awkard as hell with the thought that this strange had probably seen her naked.

"..Do you know him?"

Auina's brow drew down in a bit of scowl as she started respond, "No! What gave you-"

She didn't even get the rest of her sentence out, before Li had her hand in his. At the mention of a change of clothes, she found she really couldn't argue. She was freezing at this point, and being so scantily clad around the stranger was unnerving, period. Hell, her performance garb provided more coverage than Li's shirt was at the moment. As the pair passed Zahira, she offered the belly dancer a bit of a sheepish grin, then allowed herself to be led right back to camp.

Soon, they were arriving back at camp and Li came to a stop in front of her family's wagon. She stepped in and found it empty. The sounds of shuffling around could be heard as Auina searched for another set of clothes. Soon, Li would find his shirt and sash being held out the window by her arm.

"Here you are. You know, you shouldn't slouch like that. It's hard on your back."

Once the clothes were taken, her arm slipped back inside and another few moments later, she was stepping out of the wagon. Her hands were working at twisting her hair up in a simple bun. She was wearing a puce shaded yukata with a falu red obi tied about it. Generally this was something Auina wore when they were headed into Fire Nation controlled territories.

[iikagen]

Iikagen stopped after a few steps, suddenly finding himself face to face with an attractive looking creature carrying a water bucket. He didn't have to wait more than a heartbeat before the woman introduced herself as Zahira and seemed to invite him for breakfast. The Igni's gaze swept up and down, taking detailed notice of her alluring figure and almost distracting him too much to realize she'd asked his name.

Now, Iikagen was well aware that the bounty on his head had spread pretty far in this particular region of the Earth Kingdom. However, considering that these people seemed like travelers and had a pleasant general attitude, he figured he wouldn't need an alias. Besides, if they had managed to come across one of his Wanted posters, they'd certainly recognize his face quicker than his name...

"De name is Iikagen," he said, crossing both arms over his chest, touching his fingertips to his shoulders. "Starving traveler from worlds beyond.... At jour service." As he said the last bit, he lowered his head down into an extreme bow, sweeping his hands out wide to the sides while bending one knee slightly. A sudden small impact on the back of his head alerted him to the fact that his mask had slipped out of his traveling pack. It feel in front of him to the ground, and the Igni glanced up toward Zahira. Luckily, the woman had already turned around and missed the little faux pas. Iikagen quickly snatched up the mask and stuffed it back into its place before following the woman with a pleasant smile.

His eyes were constantly shifting from place to place, instinctively soaking up all the information he could oon his surroundings. By the time Zahira reached a wagon, he had a basic estimate of how many people were there, two escape routes in mind, and an idea of how to behave if he wanted to squeeze some free supplies out of these people. His hostess disappeared into the wagon for a few moments, leaving him standing on the outside surrounded by strangers.

Never one to feel like a third (or thirty-seventh) wheel, Iikagen decided to busy himself with the care of his own belongings. Dropping his pack to the ground, he pulled out his soaked belongins in order to let them dry. He placed his mask beside the pack and them pulled out a heap of spare clothes, slinging them over one shoulder. They were soaking wet, but then again, so was he. Iikagen also picked out the small wooden container that contained the salve for his wounds and was glad to see that the wooden stopped had kept it dry. He then pulled out one of the shortspears, just as Zahira walked back out with an armful of cooking materials.

He glanced at her, casually sending the weapon into a spin between his dextrous fingers like a baton. "Joo got a clothesline I can borrow?" he asked, grinning widely.

[whitecrow]

Bai-Wu glanced over his shoulder back at Xia as she exclaimed about having milk again. Really? Milk? Bai-Wu hadn't had milk in years. It didn't sit with his stomach well, ever since he was a child. Li-Wu was the same. He chuckled a bit at her, his eyebrows lifted and golden eyes sparkling as he listened to her. "You are amusing, Miss Xia... very amusing." His face twisted into a smile as he watched her for a moment longer, before turning back around, leading Ratu down the road. He kept his hand close to her jaw, just hanging under her muzzle with the rope between his fingers. The coiled part of the rope was gathered into his other, and occasionally it slapped against his thigh as he walked. He felt very airy today, almost like an airbender as he walked with a spring in his step. There was something about Xia.. that made him.. happy. She had been so.. stuffy, so.. stiff when they had met. Something was fearful .. and now.. it was like she was rediscovering how to have fun.

The Caravan was all about that. There was a freedom that came with not being tied to anything... Very few material possessions, lasting meaningful relationships with people that helped you out.. and ... from what he had heard, a greater knowledge of the world around them.. though to be quiet honest, Bai-Wu couldn't do any of the engineering necessary to build anything. It was a different life. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as his feet, with their thin slippers, pounded the ground. "..Xia?" He asked after a few moments of silence. His head turned once more as he glanced back at the woman only a little bit behind him, sitting on the rolling back of the Zebracrow. "..Don't worry about Tarak growing up without a father.. We'll all take care of him. Teach him the things he needs to know." Bai-Wu tilted his head and gave her a wink of his right eye, throwing up a thumbs up at her.

[blackcrow]

"..Shutup.." He muttered at the comment about his posture, glancing up as he saw the edge of his shirt dangling. He lifted his head and in one swift motion yanked the vest and it's sash from her hand where they dangled. Damnit woman. He grumbled as he stretched his arms out, slipping the sleeveless holes of the vest over his sculpted arms. He rolled his shoulders to nudge the stiff fabric up to it's position before dropping them to the side. The sash hung uselessly from his hand as he didn't even both tying his vest close, letting the stiff collar hang and the flaps open.

He heard the door creak open and he stood up, stepping around to the read of the cabin. He tilted his head to the side as Auina walked out, her dark hair swept up into a messy bun. He lifted one eyebrow at her, both hands on his hips as he stared up at her. He nodded his narrow chin and smirked. "Perfect attire... considering we're going to the Fire Nation." Yeah.. he didn't want to hold the secret in any longer. It was getting boring. He waited for her reaction, a smirk playing on his features as she descended the small set of stairs.

Ah.. why did he ever break up with her? Maybe.. he could get another few nights out of her with some sweet words. How many years had it been? He stepped up to her, extending a lightly tanned, for a Fire Nation Citizen, hand to her as she descended.

[gijoespouse]

"Perfect attire... considering we're going to the Fire Nation."

Auina tilted her head curiously at Li's comment. She didn't say anything at first. To be honest...the earthbender wasn't sure what to feel about the news. She could remember a couple of times when Bai and Li and a couple of the other families had crossed the see to visit the Fire Nation. Both those times, she had stayed behind with her family, thus never getting the chance to go. It sounded...exciting...to visit a new land, see new places, new people. Her mind didn't even drift to think about the people of the Fire Nation, never drifted into prejudiced line of thought. She'd grown up around Firebenders, Waterbenders and Earthbenders. Though they'd witnessed tensions between the nations secondhand, Auina'd never felt such tensions among what she considered to be her extended family. A smile was creeping its way across her face, when suddenly Li extended his hand to her. The smiled widened as she accepted it.

She felt that spark, felt it warm her through and through, when her calloused hands touched his rough hands. Her grip tightened gently, her eyes looking to his. Li was muddling her thoughts without even trying.

That's just sad, Auina, the earthbender thought to herself as she descended the stairs.

Once the acrobat's bare feet hit solid ground, she didn't take her hand from his...not right away. She did, however, force her mind back on his previous comment and not on how nice it felt to be this close to him...a difficult task, considering his presence was rather intoxicating to her.

"We're really headed for the Fire Nation? That sounds exciting," she remarked. "What is it like over there? Do things look pretty much the same as the Earth Kingdom?"

Auina's enthusiasm was genuine. She enjoyed meeting new people, and the prospect of traveling to a strange (to her) and new land had her interest.

[zahira]

With the cooking utensils still in her hands, she put her fists on her hips. "Well, sure. Need to be strung up, but I'm sure that's not a problem, eh?" She set the cooking supplies down and went back into the wagon to retrieve the clothesline cord. It was only sitting there in the basket of handy things they kept by the wagon door, so it didn't take long, and she handed it to Iikagen.

"There you are, handsome." She began to prepare his meal by pouring thr oatmeal in the pot, adding water. Walking over to the commuinity bonfire, settling down to mere embers, and putting it on the edge, buried into some hot ash. It took it a while to cook, but when it boiled and thickened, she ladled it into two bowls she had brought with her, complete with spoons. She leaving the pot there for now, off the fire to cool, she walked back over to Iikagen with two of the bowls and handed one over to him.

"Here. Careful, it's hot. I didn't add any sugar, I didn't know if you'd want it, but I have some if you do." She went over and sat by her wagon, adding a little sugar and stirring the contents to let it cool. She tested a bit, and stirred some more, rolling her burned tongue over her mouth thoughtfully.