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Post by ryota on Apr 13, 2008 21:00:22 GMT -5
"Yeah," Ryota trailed off, allowing the man before him to interpret his words however he wished. There was really so little else to be said, and he didn't know the fellow well enough to fill the silent voice with idle chatter. He was in a bind until Misui returned unless he made a conscious effort. As eyes as wide and blue as the shallow sea scanned the area, taking in sights of the plentiful Water Tribe inhabitants seated at the restaurant for a meal, they soon settled on the infant in Jein's arms.
That along with Jein's words about Misui needing to settle down gave him food for thought. Pondering the future, even starting of a family of his own, a thought crossed his mind about Misui's age. She appeared to be around his age, perhaps a year or two either way, but still suitable for him. Unsure of why he even thought such things, he was reassured of her single state by her brother-in-law himself. She was open game, but had clearly not allowed herself to be married off. He had heard tales of the north, that girls were engaged at the tender age of sixteen, so it amazed him that a girl about his own age was still unmarried. Was she saving herself for someone special?
Still, he wasn't as confused and uncertain as he was hungry. That really was what weighed on his mind the most at that moment. So few other concerns were to be had when hunger gnawed at his mind. With a sigh, he rested his cheek on his fist. "When do you think the food's going to get here?"
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Post by misui on Apr 14, 2008 21:19:48 GMT -5
" When they finish cooking it." Jein answered easily, his eyebrows raised slightly, it seemed like the man wasn't much for conversation so he no longer felt the need to indulge in it. It would be all to easy to ignore him now, only because his sister inlaw told him to did he make conversation, now that he was forgiven of that duty he was able to focus on his child. He smiled down at his young child, they wanted another, yet it seemed too soon to start on it, their youngest was still only half a year. He was content though, their home was loud and happy, each had a good job and were able to provide, no one died in the seige, it was more than they could ask for.
Jein glanced up as his sister in law dotted in and out of the kitchens, carrying various orders, taking more and generally making herself move quickly like the tides, once things calmed down they may have to take on help, but by then family who were busing themselves with repairs would be finished and able to assist with the resteraunt. Finally the girl made her way over to the table with the two men. Misui smiles wearily with strands of her hair free from her up do, honestly she'd tried to make herself presentable before she came out, and hopelessly she got distracted and set on various duties time and time again. She set down a tray for Ryota before taking the baby from her brother in law. " I didn't know what you liked, so I brought you a bit of everything."
Her attention briefly went to the man who was watching her every move, she rolled her eyes and let out a small breath at Jein. " Unpai said to bring her to feed" With this the father relaxed into his seat shaking his head. " Well if I'm no longer needed then perhaps I should just get back to the docks." Misui shook her head shifting the weight of the child against her body. " Maybe you should." Even with that said there was no movement from the man, just a sigh.
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Post by ryota on Apr 16, 2008 15:01:17 GMT -5
Just as soon as he could wait no longer, by no means consoled by Jein's words, Ryota caught sight of Misui approaching with a tray of Northern Water Tribe delicacies. Each one looked so good, some better than the others, but there was a nice variety among them all.
Ingredients, seafood and meat of land creatures as well as sea vegetables and other foods blended in varying forms, much like the irresistable aroma adrift in the air around them. Stronger than the overall scent of the restaurant, it was an excellent prelude to the meal. A few things he could identify, though every dish was fairly familiar. For a moment, he supposed natural resources couldn't vary that much between the two poles.
But where to start? Deciding in an instant to indulge in the dish right before him, something appearing to contain crab meat and some sort of pickled seaweed, he kicked off the meal that way. Shoveling a bit into a bowl, he began eating. As he appreciated the flavors that reminded him so much of home, he observed Misui's interactions with her brother-in-law.
Eyes drifting between the two, he almost chuckled when Misui returned a sassy remark. Not at all like the other northern women he had met, few though they were. She seemed so bold compared even to Nati, the other healer with whom he and Misui shared a meal during the siege. As he chewed and swallowed, Ryota let out a brief chuckle at Misui's reply. It earned him a stern glare from Jein, after which he casually returned to sampling the meal without a word. It was still funny, though.
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Post by misui on Apr 17, 2008 13:27:17 GMT -5
" Could have at least brought me something. " Jein muttered under his breath with a bit of a whine to it, he hoped that she didn't hear, of course she'd snap at him. The family was always bickering but they stood strong together, allowing no one else to jest with one another in the manner they did. Luckily it seemed like Misui hadn't taken note of his remark, until her eyes sent him a small glare and s bit of an overly sweet smile. " Excuse me? If you want something you need to either speak up or use your own two legs." The older man sighed getting the hint, he groaned while getting up, he wasn't aged very much but children made you appreciate moments of relaxation one got, his bones wouldn't agree with him, and he had a few more sessions of yak warrior at home with the twins. He shook his head fetching the baby from Misui's arms.
" Fine, I'll go get something myself then." With his daughter safely in his arms he went back towards the kitchens where no doubt Unpai would be impatiently waiting for the infant. The young healer on the other hand took the seat her brother in law previously occupied. She had a small smile on her lips watching Ryota, most girls would worry if the display would make someone think negatively about them, but it didn't cross her mind. That was how her family always was, she didn't see anything wrong with it. They weren't nobles who had to watch their temper and remain soft spoken at all times.
They were a prouder lot than that. " So how is it? Anything like what you have at home?" Sure she would be chided for not rushing back as soon as was finished, but since Jein wasn't working today he could act as a stand in waitress, it was more tiring then complicated. Besides they were on the down slope of the rush now, it won't be busy like it was untill lunch tomorrow.
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Post by ryota on Apr 17, 2008 16:48:03 GMT -5
Ryota was thoroughly amused, even though that wasn't the hardest feat to accomplish. As he ate, he tried to avoid laughing as best he could lest he choke on his delicious meal. The interactions differred so vastly from those between Ryota family back in the south, where his mother and father loved each other to the point where neither fought or bickered much. His mother may have been almost as bossy as Misui, but his father always gave in to her demands to keep her happy. Remembering that, Ryota was intent on meeting her mother and father soon - perhaps even later that day.
He returned nothing more than an affirmative hum when Misui asked about his meal, as he chewed on a piece of a rather palatable sea lion steak at that point. His cerulean eyes contacted hers, assuring the young northerner woman of his appreciation if even by that tiny gesture. Quickly swallowing that mouthful, he grinned but allowed his gaze to drift toward the platter on the table. "Very good, thanks a lot." Pausing, he gestured with one hand while keeping the other somewhere between his thigh and the chair. "...And yes, it's a lot like home."
After that, he accidentally knocked over two empty bowls. As they clattered on the floor, Ryota cringed and bore a rather uneasy grimace before letting out a nervous chuckle. "Uh...sorry about that."
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Post by misui on Apr 19, 2008 16:54:18 GMT -5
" Well I'm glad I could be of service." She smiled at him, not a refined smile sheepish smile like a lady would be inclined to offer him, she was more sarcastic than that, more assured of herself and more manipulative. Why should she be meek, a hostess should be proud of herself and her bit, she was that much at least. Though she did incline her head in a small gesture of acceptance. He had fought for the sake of her city, the least he deserved was a free meal, she had no qualms in supplying one. Her only fear was that her sister may get too nosy and poke around the situation. Right now she was occupied, but soon she'd be free, as outgoing and boisterous as Misui was, Unpai was another force entirely.
With a small smirk she watched the bowls clatter to the floor, quickly she stifled a small laugh and got down to retrieve them, no harm no foul in her book, aside from some crumbs on the floor nothing seemed out of order. She stayed down through when a large crash and some yelps came from the kitchen and startled, Jein came out of the room cursing under his breath, he headed for the door. Misui watched with a bemused expression, muttering to herself mostly. " if she didn't just have a baby I'd say she's pregnant again....."
Finally her fingers took the bowls, at least brushed along the surface, even in the warmer resteraunt she kept gloves on her hands, she got cold so easily, much like the woman in her family had chilren so easily. It was a burden and a gift, she remembered Unpai saying that once, Quietly she wondered just what it was her stupid brother in law did this time....
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Post by ryota on Apr 20, 2008 22:29:54 GMT -5
Not long after nodding in approval to Misui, Ryota had polished off the entire meal. Every bowl emptied, each bite savored, his stomach full - perhaps a bit more than it needed to be. No matter. He was quite hungry, but his appetite was now thoroughly sated. Now leaning back a bit in his chair, he was very grateful to Misui. Well, he was unsure of whether Misui was the cook or not, but he was thankful for the free meal anyway.
A casual glance soon informed him that few folks were remaining in the restaurant, probably most having resumed their reconstruction work on the city. In a great way, it made Ryota proud that his people could bounce back after such an battle. Two sieges, even. It gave him every reason to believe the Water Tribes wouldn't face extinction. This, however, made him recall something he heard earlier.
After introducing himself to a stranger as a 'southerner', he was informed that a group of waterbenders and healers had left to rebuild the Southern Water Tribe. It made him feel a sense of security knowing his family and home were in good hands. But he figured there was more to the story. Turning to Misui, he said; "So...I heard there was a group that headed out to rebuild my home. Do you know anything about that?"
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Post by misui on Apr 20, 2008 22:55:41 GMT -5
Misui set the empty bowls on the tray stacking them up as she was so accustomed to, everything in the resteraunt was second nature to her. She'd been working here since she was old enough to do so. Not much could fluster her from her task. Once everything was set up she was ready to get up and get going, though the prospect of a conversation helped her to stay put. Nothing wrong with a little chatter, she'd already be missed in the kitchen, what could a few more minutes hurt.
She smiled a cheeky grin leaning forward on the table lacing her fingers together. Her head tilted slightly to the side and she thought for a moment. "Yes Master Pakku and a few architect and warriors were traveling south, I'm not sure what they're doing but my brother in law Huruk went along, we haven't heard anything from them yet." Shrugging a bit she settled back in her seat, it wasn't a topic she knew much about, she answered honestly in the least. " So... I didn't get to see the siege first hand, what was it like?"
In the kitchen Unpai was in a huff, at her hip was her child, comfortably full and rather complacent " Where is Misui? She should be helping you know." The girls father laughed a bit and shook his head glancing into the front of the resteraunt watching his daughter and the young man she'd brought home, he remembered enough of his youth, and knew enough about his girls to understand that she wasn't just slacking off. " Leave them alone for a while, we can handle it tonight."
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Post by ryota on Apr 21, 2008 20:27:57 GMT -5
While Misui hadn't revealed any more than he had heard before, except for the tiny excerpt about a person he had never heard of before, Ryota was thankful she was willing to carry on a conversation. If nothing else, it proved she was at least the slightest bit friendly and not a total snob. However, her next question would not be easily answered. While Ryota knew exactly what went on, his words wouldn't quite be so well formulated. "Er..."
As sociable as Ryota was, he was sometimes incapable of forming coherent sentences. Particularly around Misui, for reasons he couldn't quite explain - other than the obvious. "Well, we were on the cliffs, in tanks that you guys stole from the Fire Nation from the last siege..."
Scratching his head, he looked down at the table and wondered what to say next. "And, er...there were those big red balloons. They dropped bombs on the city." Pointing to his chest, he continued. "I was in one of those tanks, and fired a grappling hook thing at one of the balloons."
At the expense of adding amusing sound effects of materials ripping and people screaming, Ryota carried on. "But...somethine went wrong and I hit my head. And...here I am now!" A large grin masked his awkward feelings at that moment, but he figured Misui would at least be cordial. There was little she could do to upset him.
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Post by misui on Apr 22, 2008 5:35:07 GMT -5
Misui smiled affording him some stifled laughter behind her hand. It wasn't that he seemed foolish, that didn't exactly cover it, rather he seemed.. perhaps cute? She let her eyes meet his for a little while, the gaze lingering for a bit before she finally pulled away out of modesty, her end of the siege wasn't all too impressive. It consisted of sitting in ahut, working nearly the entire time. Of course there was an interlude of fishing out a warrior and a fellow healer from the water.
Thinking about water bending like that still made her nervous, the push and pull the sheer panic as she pulled them out. It wasn't something she was supposed to be doing. Outside of the healing huts and practicing she rarely used her bending. It seemed, unneeded. Ryota didn't seem to be a bender, yet he got along fine enough, aside from her grandfather and younger brother she was the only one in the family who could bend.
There was nothing wrong about fighting with traditional methods and ingenuity. She had more respect for it in a sense, they put more at risk and were in more danger, little slip ups weren't as forgivable. " Well that sounds awfully exciting." She added, a bit of a teasing tone to her voice, she did feel bad that he had hurt himself, pulling from the front lines had to be trouble for soldiers, almost all of them in the huts asked if they could head back during the siege, it was odd.
Wanting to go back to such a thing, but they knew what they were fighting for, every man would help." As long as you are in town though feel free to stop by though, life in Shai isn't exactly as interesting as a battle feild but we try to keep everyone entertained."
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Post by ryota on Apr 22, 2008 17:52:37 GMT -5
Ryota smiled, a nervous chuckle sounding inadvertantly thereafter. Scratching the back of his head, he could now tell that Misui's sense of humor was not only great, but used thoroughly. In that lighthearted moment, he was somewhat disappointed to hear what she had to say next.
She was either that she wanted him to leave, that he had to leave, or that she thought he wanted to leave. Quite confusing, but there was one other problem - Ryota didn't quite want make his vainglorious exit just yet. He really did want to get to know Misui, and figured there was no other time but now to ask. But not without fumbling over his tongue once or twice. Eyes twitching between the front door, then the table, and again to Misui, he began to stammer a bit. "Um...so, you wanna..."
Sighing, he tried his best to muster up what he intended to say. He had no clue why he was so nervous. There was no reason to be so anxious around other people, so why would Misui be any different? He liked her, but how much? "It's a nice day...and..." It was sort of frustrating, even for someone as tolerant as Ryota. He knew exactly what he wanted to say, and finally decided to just let go of all caution. "Do you wanna take a walk or something?"
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Post by misui on Apr 22, 2008 19:47:13 GMT -5
Misui made no move to get up but he seemed a little nervous about her invitation to stop by at his leisure, was the food bad or was she coming on a bit too strong. Her smile faded a bit to be replaced with a mildly puzzled pout. She wasn't upset and yet... It was hard to say exactly what she was feeling. Never one to nit pick she let herself run with it, there was nothing to make her feel like she needed to over think it.
Her head tilted slightly to the side as he stammered over what exactly he wanted to say, she almost felt bad for him but he was a man, about her age she supposed, whatever it was he wanted to say he'd say it in his own time. " go on..." She smiled in an attempt to be encouraging, she didn't want to shoot him down, that would be plain rude, she could be patient as any elderly woman, sometimes her father said she was more than ahead of her own age. He was surprised her bones weren't troubling her yet.
Having a few ideas about what he would ask didn't stop her mild surprise when he actually invited her for a walk. She looked away with a slight air of nervousness, she had responsibilities here and just leaving would only upset her already hormonal sister. Then again she was being a bit of a brat, not like she had to live in the same house with the girl anymore. Before she could formulate her own words her father made his way over to the table washing off his hands on the apron he had tied around his waist.
" You should go with him Misui, we'll be fine." The old man smiled easily at his daughter his aged eyes pulling wrinkles at their corners with an easy smile on his face. He wore his remaining youth rather well, he was still healthy and would no doubt live to see his youngest son married and raising his own children before he left the earth. " I'm Renji Sahkyo, nice to meet you" Misui wrinkled her nose a bit and looked at her father she wanted to jump in and introduce Ryota to him but something in his eyes told Misui this was a man moment, something she rarely understood.
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Post by ryota on Apr 24, 2008 13:28:57 GMT -5
"Uh...hi! I'm Ryota," he said, readily introduing himself to the man. Whoever he was, he was friendly. It occured to the warrior for a second that he may have shared the same surname as Misui, making him some relation or another to the young woman. He didn't quite remember if 'Sahkyo' was that name, having heard it said only once days ago, but assumed so. Misui seemed to have quite a few family members making themselves known thus far, but Ryota saw no harm in asking. "You're her father?"
The man nodded in reply, eliciting a nod in return from Ryota. Standing from his seat, he shook the older man's hand congenially, looking him straight in the face and smiling. "Renji," Ryota said almost hushed, almost whispering as his gaze drifted momentarily, partly so to instill the fellow's name in his mind but also to be friendly. "I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. It's been an honor protecting your city."
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Post by misui on Apr 24, 2008 21:03:55 GMT -5
" I'm glad people like you are defending our homes." Renji said easily, he wasn't a big talker, he appreciated that Ryota didn't seem to be either. He hadn't known the man too long but Misui was a good judge of character and he seemed to be polite and kind if nothing else, the fact that he was a warrior only helped the mans impression of him. Anyone that selfless was not only an upstanding man but a hero in his eyes. The southern water tribe thing made him curious but he wouldn't bother the man any further, especially since Misui seemed anxious to get going, he was taking time from her walk. He turned to his daughter and nodded subtly, it was enough to make her look up at him " Take your time, we'll leave he lamps on"
Misui offered him a smile and stood heading towards the door. Men were odd, she'd always thought so but it seemed like her father at least approved them speaking to one another, it was a rather good sign. She'd heard some girls in the healing huts babble on how their parents didn't like their possible husbands, the parents did have the last word after all. " Bye dad."
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Post by ryota on Apr 25, 2008 15:20:02 GMT -5
Ryota followed Misui closely out the door, returning nothing more than a friendly wave and unassuming smile to her father. Little time had he to say anything, and he was out walking on the streets before he knew it. At the healer's side, Ryota's eyes flitted around all the sights to behold. He had apparently been in the restaurant for a while, as the sun was now dawdling its way down the horizon, and the street lamps were being lit one by one. The air had grown colder in the waning sunlight, but Ryota seemed not to care. To him, it was nothing but nostalgia. Wonderful sentiment.
Evidence of the siege was fading like morning fog. Everywhere, even continuing into dusk, buildings and structures were reformed by waterbenders and nonbenders alike. Tearing his eyes away from such sights to behold, he turned to Misui. "You know, this makes me feel proud about our people. We can bounce back after any attack..."
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