Borrowing Time <Shai City, North Pole>

[ryota]

"Show us again!" a small voice shouted in glee, another of its kind chiming in agreement soon after.

"Yeah, show us!"

"All right," the southern warrior said with a smirk, slowly swinging his bone-crafted axe in a wide arc. Slow with each movement, the sharp edges were sure not to harm those young ones present. They all seemed to stand no taller than his waist, in any case, but Ryota new not to take that for granted.

The axe was one weapon his father had trained him to use, along with the spear, saber, club, and so on. Unlike most others, though - especially the boomerang, hatchet, or anything involving a good swift throw - he didn't fail miserably trying to master its use. Yes, like the club, it was far easier for him to wield.

In fact, having obtained a new one from the north, he had left his bone saber to a young warrior boy who had just started his training. He would miss that old blade, but at least it was for a good cause. It wasn't like the sword held any sort of sentimental value, even though it was made in his home tribe.

After moving his arm in one or two more lazy swings, a few unrefined stances taking on his form, he looked around the small half-circle of children in his midst. He wondered if they had ever seen a warrior before, considering their reaction. Maybe most warriors, like that one he met while making tangle mines, were much too snooty and unkind to even think of showing off to children. Maybe it was just because he was a friendly stranger from their sister tribe.

Walking over to a bench, he sat on the floor with his back to the seat, legs doing their best to be crossed - he never did quite figure out how to do that. "All right, kids...who wants to hear about the Southern Tribe? My home?"

Boys and girls alike, a few children raised their hand, while another readily said; "I do! I do!"

"Well, let me tell you about penguins..."

[misui]

The day was fair, it seemed that the city was coming to terms with the reconstruction. Misui still felt like many things were out of place, buildings still were in pieces and families were having to coop with their destroyed belongings and costs to replace them. At least it helped the food service industry, people wanted to get out of their homes, a tray of food seemed to be worth the price of a small comfort.

Every day seemed to be getting a little better in some aspects, she'd slipped back into work with her family. The arguments and quip was second nature to her, even her sisters temper didn't seem to bother her as much as she remembered it did. Yet the young woman found and took every possible chance to get out of there.

Outside of her boring little life there were small interludes of interest. Mainly the meetings with Ryota. She'd gotten to know the man a bit, there were small new things about him she learned but everything of importance she knew. He was sweet and kind, rather thoughtful and polite, sure she wasn't saved by him as Nati was with her bandanna-ed rescuer but she liked him all the same.

Things she'd seen in the war were troubling, her heart was troubling, the healing huts and the irritating gossip starved women found there were too much for her to take. Her father tried to understand, but Misui was feeling a sort of lust for a change of pace. It was odd, perhaps it was just her girlish mind was just feeling anxiety at Ryota's eventual departure. It seemed like there would be no keeping him if he needed to go How could one expect to keep something that wasn't there? It would just be selfish.

Misui's eyes trailed along the lines of shops in Shai, vendor to vendor, nothing she seemed all too fond of, Not enough to get one anyway.. Today she skipped out on her family leaving her brother in charge while her aunts were watching the littles ones. Honestly she didn't know what had come over her. Usually she was so responsible and with it.

Shaking her head the girl titled her heads towards a less populated area of the city.More specifically it was the snow field where the little ones played their games and ran around, there was one of her current fascinations semi surrounded by children. Now the healer had edited her path, heading towards the warrior while maintaining a comfortable distance. With a soft smile she watched the warrior curious what was up while at the same time deciding she best say back out of sigh for a time.

A few of the children she recognized via their parents, others were new. Watching a man deal so well with children make Misui's heart warm a little bit. There were a few things she likes about men, and it seemed child care was one of the things she managed to find incredibly attractive, it was added to her mental list with his warmth and his cheerful yet reserved personality. Now that she was within ear shot she herself was rather curious of the penguins. She wouldn't interupt him

[ryota]

"Me and my friends used to play a little game called 'penguin sledding,' which was tons of fun. They were no bigger than us...maybe about the size of any of you," Ryota took that moment to move his finger to point at each child, "but when we hopped on their backs, we could slide down the hills really, really fast!"

The young ones giggled at his hand motions, his arms swinging to the side, eyes wide and face expressive. When he couldn't help but habitually join in their laughter, his mouth widened into a smile that lent an extra plumpness to his cheeks. A nearby little girl scooted toward him on the ice, while a boy leaned on his front and propped his head up with his hands. Clearly, they were enthralled by his tales and looked forward to more.

"And I remember our village was so small that everyone was friends. We all knew each other's names and there were no strangers. But sometimes those Fire Nation meanies would bug us...and you know what we did?" Ryota's eyes batted around the half-circle. Eyes in varying shades of blue seemed to twinkle in curiousity as they gazed upon the stocky warrior. A wry grin formed on his mouth before he pounded his fist on the opposite palm. "We beat them! We sent them crying home to their mommies just like what happened here!"

As that same little girl scooted nearer, he patted the mass of deep auburn hair atop her head, fashioned into cute pigtails. Almost mirroring what Misui and so many others believed, he pointed his finger skyward, voice rising in a gentle crescendo. "That goes to show why you should be proud. The Fire Nation can never beat the Water Tribes, north or south!"

[misui]

Lacing her arms with one another behind her back she quietly observed the exchanges between the children and the warrior, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. He was so animated it was borderline cheesy but a small smile did tug at her lips, even if he was a little over excited seeming someone so passionate in stories and re tellings of tales only showed their character.

If he could be so honest and heartfelt talking to a group of strangers he'd be equally open when talking to someone else, perhaps a friend...or a lover. The girls cheeks tinted and she sighed a bit, maybe she was getting ahead of herself. She wasn't of noble birth but she had enough regard for herself that she wouldn't melt into a desperate pile of giggles at the thought of a loved one. She carried herself much better than that.

It was easy to forget that when she watched Ryota, she hadn't really see him be this excitable before, he seemed shy and gentle, this was a whole new side to him she hadn't yet seen. He was good with the children too. That thought lingered in her mind for a moment before it was brushed off. Children weren't something she wanted to think about, at least not until she was married. With a few careful steps she worked her way to the circle of children. Her eyes looked to the icy ground hesitantly, it seemed she'd have to sit down to join them... nothing too wrong with that though most women would scoff at the idea of sitting on the floor.

Gently she eased herself to the ground joining the small group of children with mild amusement playing in her eyes while a sarcastic quip waited on her tounge. There was no reason to be cruel around the children, spirits know they often take things the wrong way. Her hands laced together and her eyes rested complacently on Ryota, he was really majestic in his own way. " Tell us more about the south if you would, it sounds facinating"

[ryota]

Ryota's story drew to a halt when that unexpected visitor arrived. Plainly seeing she was none other than Misui, he tilted his head in surprise almost like a curious tiger-seal. The children surrounding him seemed rather confused as well, not quite sure why the young woman had joined their company. Ryota simply smiled, turning his sights back to the little ones.

For no more than an hour did he continue his sensational tale, told as though it were from the viewpoint of a child. Recounting from his own youth, it would surely scintillate those who were listening. Even though Misui arrived, he only fumbled his words a handful of times, though the children were quick to overlook and forgive. He was practically one of them at heart. When the parents of the small children neared him, he gave a brief ending to his tales for time's sake.

Scratching the back of his head, he ended the story of his tribe so affectionately told to the youngsters. With a wide grin, he took the time to look over each and every one in line. Even the ones being led to their parents' side earned a gaze from his clear cerulean eyes. "...And that's all I can tell you. We're really not much different than you here in the north. But maybe, just maybe one day or tiny village will grow to be a big city just like yours, and we'll all live happily."

[misui]

Misui simply smoothed out her skirt and listened quietly to the stories her eyes hardly leaving Ryota more than twice. His expressions were priceless and so exaggerated, the children were pleased with his motions and found it easy enough to fall in place with his tale. She was enjoying hearing about his childhood, of course it wasn't all plain fact, the children wouldn't find that interesting. The childish spin on it made her more at ease with the current company, not that she generally protested the company of children, she often found them more agreeable then most adults.

It was comforting at least to see Ryota only slightly unnerved by her appearance, she wanted to see more of this side of him. Watching from the shadows made her feel a little secretive. Now as the children began to disperse and head off with their parents the warrior cut his tale short, as much as Misui wanted to go to his side and place a kiss on his cheek she held herself back. There were just too many people around, she'd manage to find a way for them to be alone, she'd done the same on their other meetings.

Gently she moved from the ground to her legs once more settling her parka back into it's proper place before offering a warm smile to Ryota. " Thats a lovely sentiment, I hope I'll be able to see that city someday." Her eyes followed the remaining pack of children as they began to wander off, finding something else to hold their attention. Sometimes she missed being so little that there were no expectation or obligations to fret about, it would be nice to let yourself go now and then.

[ryota]

Idly did his eyes watch the number of children dwindle to none at all, except Misui. As the two sat on the icy floor like young ones half their age, Ryota blushed at her comment. She'd been the most important one to voice her appreciation, even taking into consideration the laughter and adulation shown by the little kids. In that instant, her praise and lovely voice meant the world to him.

Now as he was alone in her company, his mood changed. No longer feeling quite as chipper, his heard fluttered like a flock of arctic flamingoes, even though the two had acquainted themselves on many other occasions. It was a far cry from their first meeting, but he was still uncharacteristically bashful. A side so rarely shown was now plain as the sun at high noon.

"Thanks," rubbing the back of his head, he smiled sheepishly. He was sincere as he perceived Misui to be, but his skin tingled with sensations far beyond those caused by mere cold air. Even an infrequent daydream of living back in the south with a nameless wife without a face had replaced the unidentified woman with Misui herself.

But how could he admit this? He was certain she knew his feelings, and her desires were as obvious as the nose on her face, but to be so sure as to confess these affections was another matter entirely. That, and he was going to leave in a few days, and the fact loomed down on him every time he weighed his decisions. Life was so fleeting sometimes, but to make the best of things while they last always lead to happiness in Ryota's opinion.

Edging closer, raising to his knees, Ryota reached out and grabbed her hand. Gazing at her as his head was gently bowed, he was at a loss of words, though that somehow didn't restrain the reply he issued. "I hope so, too. You know we'll never deny that right to our northern kinsfolk."

[misui]

Misui blinked her cheeks finding a slightly pinker shade as he grasped her slender and cold hands in his large warm ones. Her blue eyes trailed down her arms to where their hands met and from her standing position she finally settled on Ryota, how her heart ached at this action. How he was on his knees before her, the small smile playing in his eyes, it was at this moment her wildest dreams would have him present her a necklace but this wasn't dreams, just a simple sentiment in attempts to be closer to her.

Had it been her dream scenario she'd see herself saying yes, truly kissing him as more than an friendly aquantence and bounding home to her family to spread the good news. A few things were wrong with it though, their families didn't set up the marriage, Ryota may leave never to be seen again, lastly she didn't know what would happen should they choose to be wed. Would he live in the north? Would she travel south? She'd never dreamed of leaving the north pole before and from his stories the southern tribe he was from seemed a little, well, backwater.

Not that there was a problem with that, she just might not be able to adjust, it was a world away from her own family as well, perhaps never seeing them again. It was a little frightening. And yet when she smiled down at Ryota none of that came to her mind, she'd give it all up in seconds and leave the consiquences for later.

Ryota's presence in her life was a pain when he wasn't around, she thought about him too much, blushed remembering their time together, fretted over her own childish attachment and at night there were odd things running through her mind. Herself being a mother, to his children, raising a family, of course there was also the two of them going through the processes involved in making the family...

All together it was troublesome, when she was with him though, it didn't matter. Her smile brightened and she clasped his hands gingerly, he was so proper, too proper, his broad phrasing was amusing, " I'm happy your fellow people wouldn't deny us but how about you? Would you mind if I came to visit your city some day?"

[ryota]

Ryota felt like biting his tongue for saying something so stupid and cryptic. As quickly as the feeling would pass, he rose from his kneeling position and let out a sigh, Misui's hand still grasped in his own. Her hand was so small, easily contained by both his hands, as was clearly noted when he gazed over her. Upon his face was a placid smile accented by a soft blush, as he quietly and sheepishly chuckled. "I...I'd love if you did."

Without a doubt could the first part of his statement be though of as meek, unassuming, as it seemed to start off in a slight, hushed tone. Especially the word 'love' rose an odd feeling within him. Ryota wasn't even talking about Misui directly, but still felt awkward wording it that way. It soon wouldn't matter, though. They were in each other's company, content and satisfied, peaceful even. Letting his hands loosen and fall from hers, Ryota gazed off to the side. "How about we take a walk?"

[misui]

Misui smiled, he was too adorable, she barely noticed his slight stumble over his words, she only noted the use of the feeling she'd been deliberating over for the past few days. Now she too wanted to say it, even if it wasn't directly to him." I'd love to visit you" She replied drawing closer to him as he stood up wanting to be near him, it seemed like a natural enough response. He wasn't a tall man, yet he met himself above her at least, what more could a girl as for in that respect. Height and appearance didn't matter anyway, there were more important things then appearance, not that Ryota was hard to gaze upon. She thought him to be rather hansom in his own way.

As her hands left his grasp she placed them over herself demurely and nodded to his request. So far their walks had proven to be quite entertaining, usually leading to discussions about life, their pasts and on occasion some flirting and frequent kisses she was finding more and more enjoyable. " A walk sounds perfect." For a little while she was able to remove her discontentment with her life and the looming departure from her mind, there was no room for it when she was with him.

[ryota]

Maybe that was the first step to something. Ryota may have only perceived the most basic meaning of Misui's words, but still knew she meant them with all her honesty. They were in agreement, but both obviously meant something more than what was said. Anyone could tell these 'acquaintances' shared a deep bond.

Those evenings they shared meant a lot to Ryota, even if they never involved impropriety to the a great level. But from what Ryota had learned about northern tribal custom, Misui was being fairly bold by holding hands, much less kissing a man who wasn't her fiance. Then again, she didn't seem like one to be follow tradition without question. On the other hand, maybe there was a great deal of tribal lore he had yet to learn.

His first notion was part of the reason he liked her, despite how nice and polite other girls of the north were. They were kind and obedient, probably the ideal wife, but there were none he'd met who were like Misui. His bonds of attachment were growing much too firm to break without massive heartbreak, but he found that detail completely and utterly unimportant.

So they walked, side by side, close enough to matter. Onlookers may stare, gasp, or scold, but Ryota didn't quite care. There was no reason to apologize. When he was near her, he forgot about the tiny handful of worries he usually entertained. While that serene moment neither demanded nor required even a single word, Ryota decided to speak anyway. It was an especially odd question recalled only by the group of children who surrounded him only minutes ago.

"What do you think about children? Do you ever want to start a family," Casually rubbing the back of his head - instead of the nervous habit he'd happened to acquire - he gazed at her with a smile. He saw an opportunity to gauge her reaction open wide. It would be hard to tell whether or not he was serious, despite his soft laugh. "...With me?"

[misui]

The day was getting better, almost a half hour ago she'd doomed the afternoon to idle contemplation of her worried but now she was at least looking at things a little more optimistically. She enjoyed time with Ryota, much more than she enjoyed it alone or in her tension filled home. That she could blame on her sister and brother in law, this usually happened right before Unpai was expecting, if there was another one so soon, the youngest not yet weened....

She let it slip shaking her head lightly and following Ryota's lead, there were better things to think about. Perhaps someplace in the city she could show her Southern compatriot or an activity they might have not already covered. Nothing came to mind immediately but that didn't mean nothing would, who knew where a simple stroll might land the pair.

Her father had been asking about the boy since they were introduced, she'd given vague details about this and that, perhaps he genuinely thought Ryota was worth something, her sister has commented that at this age any boy would do. Many families would force their daughters into marriages without another thought, the upper class families often found it unthinkable to avoid such a thing.

Misui was very thankful her father allowed her the time to pick and choose her own husband. For the past few days she'd thought she'd had chosen but there was a roadblock, he was indeed from the north and he was a warrior, so many things barred the path now, she didn't know how to jump them. Ryota's voice managed to pull her from her thoughts quickly enough for him to look at him cluelessly for a second before smiling a bit and looking the other way modestly.

Now her stomach pulled it's self into a tight knot, what was she supposed to say to that? Something sweet and loving, cold cruel, humorous or sarcastic, it was difficult. but she kept her gaze averted for her own sake. " I'd like a family, happy bouncing children, little girls with their fathers hair and perhaps my eyes... and if they were yours I wouldn't object." A small smile found it's way to her lips as she glanced back at him.

[ryota]

Having not quite realized his pace was slightly quicker than that of Misui, Ryota noticed he was walking ahead of her a bit. He thus slowed down, allowing her to catch up, but she soon began to speak. He couldn't help but notice she turned away, not meeting her eyes with his own. Ryota had to wonder, did he do or say something wrong? That thought only led him to smile - and blush a bit from flattery - after she answered affirmatively. "Okay. But you're sure about that?""

Slipping off his headband, russet locks unbridled, Ryota ran his hand through his hair. His hair had always been so frustrating to manage. Disobedient, untameable they were, and even now their loose waves and coarse texture were something of a hassle. Grabbing a fistful of hair, tugging softly but not to the point of pain, he purposely tried to look sheepish.

"My hair's all crazy and junk. You'd spend hours trying to comb out all the tangles." His headband soon returned to his head, only after he slicked back his tresses. A steady pace kept him beside Misui as he gazed upon her, and, in a rather bold move, stroked the topside of her head with his hand. "Yours is a lot nicer. I'd want my daughters to have it instead."

[misui]

"Perhaps your smile then" She added blushing softly feeling... giddy, it was an odd feeling, especially since she usually pushed herself to the front of the line, attempted to stay a step shy of her male counterparts. Asserting herself where she must and stepping back for customs sake when she was out of line but this, this was different. It made her want to giggle blush and melt like other girls she'd seen did. Her eyes met his sheepishly, this seemed perfect if not for all the problems with this proposed future, namely the lack of a proposal and a future.

All joking aside she felt it best to get her own feelings out into the air, it would cause less stress later on, that was only logical to her. " If I had to be anyones wife I suppose I would enjoy being yours." It seemed a very proper thing to say but her pride kept her from saying the exact feelings she had. Surely Ryota who seemed to be on the same wavelength would understand what she meant by it. " I believe you would be a good father..."

With each step they took together she felt more and more like eyes were on them, not exactly judging but watching, it made her nervous, her heart fluttering erratically. It was odd, this talk of hypothetical children made her want some of her own. She tried to keep herself calm and talk through it, perhaps her sister's growing family was making her feel the need to have her own, but this might be something real too... "... and a husband I could love growing old with."

[ryota]

In short, it was very flattering. Ryota lost count of how many times he blushed and looked away, perhaps once or twice chuckling at what he said. Honestly, with words that meant so much, Ryota felt his stomach churn. On some ground, he expected his sentiments to be returned, but the matter of her sincerity briefly flashed in his mind. Maybe on a deeper level did he regret his fleeting stay in the north. Her ending statement drove him to shut his eyes tightly, his gloved hand placed upon his forehead.

Looking at her again, he smiled, although his grin seemed somewhat forced. He was happy to hear what she said, but in a rare moment peered deeper than the superficial. It was time for him to test her out. With a slight chuckle, he grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. In every way, he was the Ryota he'd always been, and his genuine and unaffected air in every way reflected his uncertain tone. Could she truly have meant what she said? "Aw, you can't really mean that..."