An attempted return to normalicy <Shai City,NPole>

[misui]

The siege changed a few things, here and there people could definatly sense change, it was beyond the broken down buildings and leveled palace which was being re-built as the days passed. It was an odd aura in the very air. Relief partially, they defeated the Fire nation military, they were brought to their knees by their own warriors. Yet there was still an unease in the world, in the tribe and in the city, it could happen again, would they be able to take it the next time? Misui pondered that to herself, the whole back wall of their resteraunt had been blown out, the repairs were pretty much done, people were trying to get back to normal, she had to admit the recovery was turning out to be a quick one.

Nationalism for the water tribe spread like plague, again with the pride came hatred, mostly for the firenation but she suspected soon tensions would mount with the Earth Kingdom as well, seeing as they were giving up and giving in at almost every step, that was a rumor that spread quickly. Honestly she couldn't say if she believed it for herself, though she'd never seen an earthbender in action herself. If there were any up north they would have difficulty finding any of their element to manipulate.

The girl moved through the market looking at this and that, picking ingredients for the resteraunt, supplies were low, they had to keep checking to see what they could get, it would be another week or two before ships would be able to move into the harbors again, a while longer for the sparse crops the poles to replenish themselves. At least sea life and seaweed were plentiful. Placing some coins into the hands of a merchant she placed few blocks of paper wrapped salt into her satchel. Life was a little troublesome, but at least everyone was safe and sound, it was all she had any right to ask for while some people had their lives rocked to the very core.

[ryota]

So he was now in the market. Well, it looked like a marketplace like one may find in the Earth Kingdom, since he couldn't compare it to his home in the South Pole. It amazed him how the entire city, so massive, could be made from ice like that. Again, he was comparing it to his own home, where people lived in tiny ice huts, but his amazement hardly ceased. Ryota felt rather cumbersome in his parka, having grown accustomed to wearing much lighter clothing at the camp in Chameleon Bay. The fur trim on his hood tickled the back of his neck, especially when it fell freely. He didn't wear the hood up, since he felt no need. The day was chilly, but he was used to it.

Walking by the edges of the carts, where the finest of Northern Water Tribe wares were on display, he noted a familiar face. Thank the spirits. He knew almost no one within the city's walls, and even though he wasn't uncomfortable, he was still glad to spot a person he knew. Sort of...it was Misui, the healer he met days before. Without hesitation, he approached her from behind. Waving meekly, though entirely outside Misui's field of vision, he gave a rather plain greeting. "Hi, Misui!"

[misui]

Misui was mulling over some herbs a girl was peddling, they were rather rare, she was only able to buy a few but it would do a lot for the flavor of the food at home. She thanked the shaggy haired girl and patted the animal at her side affectionately. It was funny how the occupants of the north lived in one city and yet most didn't know one another, she thought over those who she'd seen every day of her life, and who's names she was never able to remember, new people she'd met during the sieges, the Southern Water Tribes warriors who were brought into the healing huts by half dozens at the time. She'd heard that they were staying in the north for a short time, barracks near the docks, she suspected that it was where the healer she called her friend, Nati, spent her time.

With a small smile she shook her head, she was out on her own in the market, she didn't expect people to point her out or even rush up next to her, and yet when she turned to see the husky warrior striding towards her she wasn't too surprised. Her misty azure eyes widened a touch and she paused waiting for him to get along side her. His name slipped her mind but once she began to remember the huts it came back, rather it automatically slipped off her lips. " Ryota, how are you?" She gave him a bit of a bold smile, she wasn't generally a reserved person. " How is your head?"

[ryota]

"My head?" Ryota said, his hand drifting up to touch the affected area. It was still sensitive, the tiniest bit thinner than the majority of his thick russet locks, but he hadn't even thought about his injury until then. He was more amazed at the city itself and how quickly the inhabitants rebuilt, among other things. With a sheepish grin and a good, firm knock on his own skull, he replied. "Fine, I guess. It doesn't hurt at all!"

As his hand fell to his side, his eyes drifted down from Misui's head to her midsection, then back up again. In the relative darkness of the healing huts, he hadn't a chance to appreciate her aesthetic qualities. She was a nice-looking girl, but he came to realize this more so in the sunlight. Edging closer so very slightly, he tried to keep the conversation adrift. "So...what are you up to today?"

[misui]

Misui rolled her eyes lightly at his antics, they were mildly cute, she didn't like to giggle though, she thought it was rather childish, she fancied that she was too mature for it, but her smile did grow a bit. At least he didn't try to make a lame joke out of it like her father would. Her little brother had grown into their fathers sense of humor, puns weren't her thing. Misui shifted her satchel on her shoulder and nodded. " I'm glad your feeling better, good to know I didn't manage to make it worse at least.

She tilted her head to the side with her cheek pressed lightly against the fur lining of her parka. Any figure she had was all but hidden under the thick clothing, there were small hints, in the way she swayed her weight back and forth from hip to hip, way her sash pulled the parka around her middle. Other than that she was as figureless as any of the other girls in the north. As fun as it would be to stand and talk all day she chose to keep moving, talking her time, keeping a bit of eye contact to let him know he was allowed to follow. " Getting a bit of shopping in before the dinner rush, since the siege business has picked up a bit at my families resteraunt."

[ryota]

As she made eye contact with the warrior, Ryota felt impelled to follow. Almost like a warm invitation to go ahead with Misui. Ryota followed by her side as she moved, giving equal attention to both the merchandise and healer. The parka he wore felt confining, but he supposed it was necessary in the cold. His clothing underneath, sleeveless and much better designated for the Earth Kingdom, would do little to keep his pudgy self warm.

The last words she said intrigued him, as he began to feel a little peckish even before arriving in the market. Being around the plethora of Northern Water Tribe delicacies only worsened his hunger. Nonchalant were his next words to the girl as he looked into her eyes, smiling. "A restaurant, huh? Sounds nice. Does that mean you're as good a cook as you are a healer?"

The shameless compliment was the best he could give her with such short notice.

[misui]

Okay now he did it, she laughed a bit glancing with a bright smile and bright eyes, he didn't know it but compliments would get him everywhere. She shook her head turning quickly back to some dried seaweed buying a decent stack of them, he was cute, she'd give him that. In the huts before she wondered if it was his delirium and her frantic mind that was causing him to seem very dreamy but it appeared that he was just as clear today as he was then, but perhaps it was just some head trauma, most men she met outside her family were rather stuffy and full of themselves. Perhaps it was his southern heritage, perhaps not.

Misui settled the pack of seaweed with the salt herbs and squid. She then turned to face Ryota smiling pleasantly, anyone with a love of food was more than welcome in her family's resteraunt, he seemed to be a healthy eater, there was nothing wrong with that in her book. Her lips kept in a pleasant smile, strands of hair that managed to escape fluttered on her cheeks, the rest of it in her usual shape, the majority of the hair in her looped bun. " Well I suppose if your going to keep complimenting me I could arrange for a private taste testing."

[ryota]

Scooting along with her, Ryota smiled with her face aimed toward his, eyes shaded in blue meeting. At her side throughout the market, he observed the items she bought as well as the most apparent of her facial details, nuances that it would take a pure imbicile to ignore. The motions of her eyes seemed to trace his figure at least once. Hers seemed like a smile beaming with certainty, as though she had few fears about her life or the future. Ryota liked that.

Her last comment made him feel a bit bashful, turning away his head briefly before forcing a prompt return. In his mind, Ryota had little purpose to act so flattered, but still found a definite allure in the idea. She seemed to give him special treatment, though the thought soared over his head like a flock of migrating snow cranes. He was glad to earn her kind treatment, and took full advantage of her offer. "I hope for your best dishes." His tone changed from sheepish and smitten to one more curious and innocent. "Mind if I tag along till then?"

[misui]

" Yes I mind, but I'd like you to come along anyway. " Misui cast him a playful grin, she liked to be a bit of a brat but it was her nature, at the moment no malice was in her slight of tounge. He definatly seemed a little interested in her, she wanted to act adult and remember her role, but it was hard to keep the subtle sway out of her hips, it wasn't often she got to flirt. She ran her eyes over him and continued walking, he was sort of cute, not the classic burly muscle bound kinda guy, more of a subtle charm. He looked to be embarrassed, it almost gave her a strange pride that she was the one who caused it.

There were only one or two things left on the mental list now, ground meal, some molasses then she'd be done, they sold them at the same place, she'd be finished after another stop. She thought about her favorite dishes, they were all good she imagined, perhaps sweet seaweed cake would be the best choice, thought wrapped fish was always good, minced sea food with arctic vegetables wrapped in kelp leaves and grilled to get a smoky taste. It would be her fall back, though she could just give him a full meal. That wasn't such a horrible idea. " How do you like Shai so far? Anything like home?"

[ryota]

Ryota would have lost all meaning in Misui's lampoon if not for one thing - The smile on her face, which clearly revealed her words were mere sarcasm. What a relief. She was certainly an outspoken one, perhaps somewhat of a tease, but Ryota found it rather refreshing. He was comfortable around any sort of person really, but people who could entertain him always won his undying support. Falling half a step behind Misui, distracted by the sights in the marketplace around him and led astray by a lull in the conversation, Ryota picked up his pace as she spoke.

With her question, he was only pensive for mere moments, knowing exactly how to respond. "Heck no. It's not like home at all. This place is huge..."

Looking around, eyeing what he could in that brief heartbeat of time, he held out his arms to emphasize his point. "...The place where I grew up, the Southern Water Tribe...it was so small. I knew everyone by name. I kind of miss them all..."

Ryota sounded rather sentimental toward the end of his statement, but not to the point of gentle tears or a breaking voice. Almost fond was his tone, but his mind soon fluttered elsewhere. With a smile, hopes hinging on mere assumptions about the tribe's cuisine, Ryota smiled. "Maybe I'll have a taste of home soon..."

[misui]

Misui smiled at him, he seemed like a child in a new enviorment somewhat, she'd always lived in Shai, she couldn't imagine anyplace else. She'd never been anywhere else, it's not like you could just take a short jaunt into the next town over for a days vacation. There was Shai city, and then the ice fields, they expanded on for who knows how long and were little more than a barren frozen waste land. Not like she was jealous at all, the healer was perfectly comfortable in her own city, born and raised here, she may even one day start a family in the city. Raising her little ones, she'd want a big family, three children at least. It seemed rather odd that it would cross her mind now.

She stopped at a stand picking up the last two items she needed, placing them with the rest, her coin purse considerably lighter but not horribly so, coming back with money was a good thing, it meant she spent less than she thought she would.

Ryota's words caught her attention now, she couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic, the southern water tribe was all the way on the other end of the world, he had to miss his friends and family. She was almost curious if he had a girlfriend back home, perhaps a childhood crush he was engaged to. It wouldn't be too far fetched, at least thats how things often were in the north. Still she managed to place a gloved hand on his arm giving him a sentimental glance. " I've finished shopping now, if you have a bit of time on your hands I'd love for you to take up my earlier offer."

[ryota]

Through a casual glance, Ryota saw Misui's bag was getting rather full. He knew it was probably a good sign, as reaching the apex of items she could possibly hold may have indicated she was ready to head back. His guessing game came to an end soon. With a chuckle, Ryota gestured his unrestrained hand in a rather wide arc. "I got nothing but time, trust me."

Gazing at her eyes, he smiled. It was nice to know she wasn't some sort of prude, readily reaching out and touching the arm of someone virtually a stranger. He supposed they had acquainted themselves well enough though. Ryota knew Misui would probably inquire much further about his home, but he didn't mind - for him, talking about home was enjoyable, especially with all the good memories. He wouldn't get choked up at such a thing. "Wild tiger-seals couldn't keep me away."

In his current mindset, he allowed his mind to drift. That word, the allusion to tiger-seals coincidentally made him think of seal jerky. Seal jerky tasted good - one of his favorites in fact. They even had some in reserve back at their camp in Chameleon Bay. he suddenly realized he was more hungry than he thought. Somewhat favorable, considering the circumstances. He would hate to be invited to a restaurant on a full stomach. Taking a step ahead, it was clear he was trying to hurry the offer, attempting to sate such hunger. "C'mon. Lead the way."

[misui]

" Slow down, it's not like the resteraunt is going anywhere." Misui smirked, she wasn't very quiet, nor reserved like other girls, if she wanted to smile, she'd do it, if she was going to tell someone off, she'd do that as well. Ryota seemed like an average fellow, he wasn't a noble or overly hansom, but there was a definite charm, or at the very least he seemed to like her on some level. Healers tended to be practical, Misui was just that. Considering the last time a boy got up the guts to flirt with her was a pat on the but in the healing huts the attraction of a nice polite guy was rather strong.

Shaking her head and rolling her eyes she sauntered along next to him, it reminded her very much of when her and her brother would be sent out to the market, the same excitement, wanting to hurry while she took her sweet time. It touched her somewhat, perhaps what her aunts said was true about food being the more direct root to a mans heart. Her hands shifted the bag easing it in her arms to relieve a bit of pressure, quickly she went around behind the duplex resteraunt hustling in the back door. She nodded to ryota quietly nudging him near the door. " Come on"

She slipped in and quickly set the bag on the counter, her brother wandering over and poking through it before the eldest sister whapped his hand with a spoon causing the teen to pout. Unpai settled a hand on her hip chiding the boy. " Theres nothing for you in there, I thought I told you to watch the twins, they're running all over"

Renduin huffed and rolled his eyes snagging a kelp roll off of the counter before running off. " I was getting to it.."

Misui blushed a bit and allowed an easy smile to settle on her lips, her family was always so active, they were so resilient, it was amazing. " Dad? Unpai? This is Ryota, he's sticking around for a bit alright?" The elder sister glanced over at the younger and nodded tasting some of the soup and getting back to work. She contemplated the taste and wound up nodding to herself mostly. Misui's father sent the boy a smile, ever hopeful his assertive daughter would find herself a husband, he wouldn't interfere much, the most he did was glance up from a wok of seasoned kelp and give him a polite hello.

Unpai looked over noticing they were still there, she nodded towards the front of the resteraunt." Thats nice, he can sit with Jein, he's in the corner booth. I'm going to need help with the dinner rush" Misui rolled her eyes and took the warriors hand tugging him off.

" She's a nice person on the inside.... somewhere." A smile lingered letting him know quietly it was a joke, at a table in the corner sat Jein, Unpai's husband bouncing a baby gently in his arms, the youngest of the couples children. Misui ushered Ryota into the seat and turned to the man. " Jein, this is Ryota, be nice." That done she turned back to Ryota. " This is my brother in law Jein and my niece Heoron, I hope you don't mind the company, I'll bring you something really good alright?" She let her hand rest on his upper arm before she slipped off back to the kitchens where it seemed that her sister was throwing another hissy fit.

Jein, watched Misui go holding back a laugh, she was so energetic sometimes, the man looked at the warrior with a half grin. He was still cradling his daughter, the little girl had settled down and was lulling herself to sleep. "So how'd you two meet?"

[ryota]

He was relatively quiet as Misui led him around, through the restaurant and to a corner booth where a total stranger sat. Ryota nodded when he had to, and smiled more often than not. The new experiences happening so quickly may have been unsettling for some, but Ryota dealt with it superbly. When Misui again showed she was comfortable with physical contact, the southerner chose his usual option by smiling and nodding a bit as she bid him a temporary goodbye.

Ryota soon watched the healer walk off, keeping his eyes on her until the other man at the table questioned him. In response, he scratched his head. "Well, I kind of...hurt myself in battle, let's say that." He said with a chuckle.

"When I woke up in the healer hut, she was the one healing me. We talked, then we met again in the marketplace. Nothing major." Putting his hands on the table, tapping his left thumb lazily on the surface, Ryota let out a sigh. To him, it was sort of major. He felt something with her, a sort of connection even. "She's a nice girl..."

[misui]

Jein nodded, his blue eyes studying the warrior, it was a noble profession, he'd give the man that. Half of Jien's shoulder length hair pulled to the back of his head in a braid, the remainder left to be sprawled around his shoulders, along his cheeks two dreads were left to hang over his ears. His face was angular with a wide chin and strong jaw. He smiled easily as the tannish baby with signature soft cheeks cuddled into the furs of her blanket, blissfully unaware of the world around her. He seemed to be about twenty eight, younger or perhaps older, still he wore his fatherhood and pride well. " Misui is a very nice girl, meeker than her sister, thought I love that about her"

He noted that they weren't exactly talking about Unpai now though, even though he did love her, and spent a lot of time with her family he couldn't say he knew all that much about her younger sister. She was family, she'd baby sit and work with the rest of them, but she was still rather childish in many ways, like Unpai she had no quelms about putting other people in their place. Even he had trouble with his rebelious wife now and then, he knew who wore the pants in the family well enough " Misui seems rather mature, I think she needs to settle down though, no one would say anything but she's not getting younger."