Two Fates Collide <Earth Kingdom>

[agni]

The gentlemen bantered back and forth.

Trivial.

But it seemed that 'Gengoro' didn't believe that she truly was Agni of the Flame.

"Simple test, really, gentlemen. If you'll follow me... I can certainly prove who I am. However, if I do, then you must come with me. I have use for the two of you. After all, I need gentlemen attendants..."

Without a word more, Agni walked away from them. It was up to them to follow her if they wanted, of course, but she certainly needed contacts within the city to give information to the awaiting Fire Nation platoon. Ba Seng Se had not fallen in a long, long time, but under Agni's guidance, and Azula's leadership, it was only a matter of time.

She walked into an alley, snearing at the filth around her. Humans! Rather a dirty lot, if you asked her, but good for ruling and worshipping her. Farther back in the alley would do just fine for changing back to her real form. It would do nicely to be back in her feathers and flames instead of stinking human flesh -- of course it was only an illusion, but it felt very real to all parties involved. She sighed and glanced back to see if the two men had followed her.

[tsengwei]

As the spirit of flame walked away to a nearby alley, Gengoro grabbed Tseng Wei by his shoulder and spun him around. Tseng looked into his eyes and saw a combination of frustration and confusion in his eyes.

“What’s a matter friend? You make it sound like you don’t trust me,” Tseng gleamed.

“First off, don’t call me friend. We don’t even know each other,” Gengoro sneered, “Second, what makes you so sure she is what she says she is? She might be some crazy that walks the streets with regal clothing.”

“Listen to yourself Gengoro,” Tseng smiled, “You make it sound like all nobles are crazy. More people know that crazies wear street clothes that look like rags.”

Tseng grabbed Gengoro’s arm as he dragged him to the alleyway, not leaving Gengoro with any time for response.

“We shouldn’t let her stay for too long. She might get upset.”

“You better be right about this. What am I saying? I still don’t trust you. Let’s just get this over with.” As they walked over to the alleyway, Gengoro couldn’t help but wonder if he’s even heard of Agni of the Flame. Surely, he might have been outcast from the Fire Nation army to know many of the patron spirits, but even one as important as her should have had him remember her vaguely to the very least.

Gengoro followed Tseng to the alleyway as Agni of the Flame waited for them.

“Sorry my lady,” Tseng apologized, “Please, demonstrate your skills to my doubtful friend here. He needs some convincing, and I’m sure you would be happy to oblige and cast all doubt from his mind.”

[gengoro]

Before anyone could do anything, a loud commotion could be heard from outside the alleyway. Gengoro heard it while he was trying to ignore what Tseng Wei had to say.

“Tseng, let’s check it out,” Gengoro told him.
“Let that wait. We got more important matters to discuss,” Tseng replied. Gengoro left Tseng behind to check to see what was going on. Tseng tried to keep him where he was, but failed miserably. Tseng smiled back at Agni, “Please excuse me for a minute. Mortal matters are ahead at the moment.”

Tseng followed Gengoro to the middle of the street. What happened was that a group of thugs were harassing a street vendor and tipped over an apple cart. The vendor was an elderly man with a green cotton tunic and cloth slippers.

“Your payment is overdue old man,” one thug shouted, “You know what happens to people that are late on their payments?”
“Please forgive me,” the vendor begged, “Please give me a few more days. Business has been a little slow.”
“Well, guess what old man,” the thug jeered, “Your grace period is up.”

The thug pulled out his sword and was about to intimidate them some more when Tseng called the thug out.

“Hold it right there young man!” Tseng shouted as he pointed to the sky, “This injustice will not be tolerated!” Gengoro looked at him then turned away like they didn’t even know each other. Gengoro hated thugs, but he didn’t want to stand out at the moment.

“The time for justice is at hand,” Tseng continued, pointing his staff in the air, “By the might of the spirits, I, Tseng Wei and my esteemed college Gengoro, SHALL PUNISH YOU!”

Gengoro slapped his forehead in embarrassment as Tseng continued to rant.

“We are the protectors of the just and punisher of evil. Gengoro, destroy them!”

“Wait a minute. Why the Hell am I doing this?” Gengoro lashed out in anger toward Tseng Wei, “Why is it that when there is a threat, you always call me? I just got done finishing off Yao’s gang for some crusty old man, and honestly, this is bull$#!+! I’m sick of having to fight all the time. Let me take a break for a day or so.”

“Well, if that’s how you feel about it?” Tseng smiled as he lowered his staff, then shouted, “Yo thugs. My friend here said he was going to rape you with his serrated sword.”

The thugs turned their attention toward Gengoro with a crimson haze in their eyes.

“Oh, you are SO going to pay for this Tseng, I promise!” Gengoro spat as he readied his sword for an oncoming attack.

[tsengwei]

Three thugs charged Gengoro with daggers in hand with the intent to maim. Gengoro, with his serrated blade in hand, readied himself for the attack. From what Gengoro analyzed, they juts looked like thugs and nothing else. This will be too easy.

As Gengoro readied himself, Tseng Wei couldn’t help but just watch. He watched with a wide smile on his face.

“This is perfect,” Tseng Wei thought, “All I have to do is watch. I watch and analyze. We shall see if he could do his job and guard me for now.”

One goon thrust forward with his knife. The attack had no finesse at all. Gengoro easily deflected the attack and countered with the serrated edge on the goon’s forearms. The ripped flesh flopped to the ground and blood spurted from his wounds. He fell to his knees and cried in pain. One of the brutes continued to charge while the other wised up and took off.

This next one was a little more cautious and actually pre-planned how he was going to attack and carefully consider his attacks. Still, it was no match for Gengoro’s Fire Nation training as he made quick work of the brute with one quick slash to the torso. He fell to the ground lifeless from his mistake.

Gengoro wiped the blood off of his blade and walked briskly toward Tseng Wei.

“Time to go jerk,” Gengoro scoffed as he went toward the alleyway.

“This is great, You are perfect,” Tseng praised, “You will be great for what I had in mind.”

“That's great Tseng,” Gengoro joked, “I have something in mind for you, like me beating you in your sleep for overstepping your boundaries.”

[gengoro]

“Please, you must understand,” Tseng smiled with glee, “I am who I am, and you are you.”

“Well no kidding!” Gengoro said with sarcasm, “You know ever since being around you, I have been getting into trouble everywhere I go. I feel that you are bad luck.”

“Now don’t be silly,” Tseng retorted, “You know luck is something that never existed. It is all in balance.”

“Like in nature?” Gengoro asked with curiosity.

“Yes! Exactly,” Tseng gleefully said, “Just like nature. When one’s life is balanced, good things happen to him. When they are not, bad things tend to follow. Knowing you, you are very out of balance indeed.”

“And what if it is YOU that is out of balance and not me?” Gengoro defensively questioned.

“Now that is not true. I am the one who happens to know these things. Since you are ignorant, you are then the one in question, not me.”

Gengoro just rolled his eyes at Tseng’s last testament. He started to walk away when Tseng walked in front of him.

“Please wait and listen to my proposition,” Tseng asked. Gengoro rolled his eyes again as he waited impatiently with whatever Tseng had to say, “Since you know so much of the martial arts and weapons combat, I must ask. Can you please teach me the way of the martial arts?”

Gengoro looked at him in surprise, then passed him as Gengoro proceeded to walk pass him, “Now I know your trouble.”

“No, please hear me out on this one…” Tseng continued to frantically explain as he tries to keep up with Gengoro.

[tsengwei]

“I’m sick of getting my ass beat by a bunch of bums and would be thugs that happen to me in each city I go to,” Tseng explained, “I need to learn to defend myself.

“Well maybe if you keep yourself out of trouble, bad things won’t happen to you,” Gengoro mocked as he continued to walk away. At this point, all Tseng was doing was annoy him.

“Well, tell you what,” Tseng proposed, “I know how we could get a profit going. So this is what I propose we should do. I will keep us fed by getting us money from the people of different cities. In exchange, you can teach me the martial arts.”

“Sounds like a lot of work involved,” Gengoro told, “I get this feeling about you. I feel something about you, like you are more trouble than you put out.”

They both approach what appears to be the front gates of Ba Seng Sei.

“I’ll tell you what. Get me some of that profit you gain from whatever it is you do, deduct it from my food expenses, and we’ll call it a deal,” Gengoro offered. Tseng smiled widely as he reached out to shake his hand.

“It is a deal friend,” Tseng said, “I see that this will be a great friendship between us.” They both proceeded out the gate as they told them where they were going as they leave to soon to be war zone of Ba Seng Sei.

Gengoro and Tseng Wei has left the thread[/u]