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Post by nim on Jul 1, 2008 21:31:55 GMT -5
Nim gave a small chuckle when she heard Bai say "wink". It wasn't at all uncommon for the twins to occasionally let her in on some of their movements, it helped her get the jokes and hints that she would deffiniatly otherwise miss. She had incredible hearing, but even on the quietest day she would never be able to hear someone blink, nor diferentiate if from a common blink to a hinting wink.
"You know, where do you get off telling me how good I am? You’re not even of Fire Nation descent. You should really just learn how to butt out. Besides, what have I done? A little back and forth pranking with the Li’s? I am completely innocent.” Hilangs voice turned Nim's head toward where Pamuy and Hilang stood, she couldn't see them, but the tension was palpable enough that she didn't need to.
"Hilang!" Nim didn't move from her spot, she didn't want to trip, "Pamuy is out of line scolding you, but you are way out of line with that comment!" she felt her dark cheeks grow dzark as the blood rushed to her face. What had been feeling like an almost good day despite the vomiting was turned 180 by Hilangs statement.
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Post by pamuy on Jul 2, 2008 13:36:50 GMT -5
What...? He did not just say that. Pamuy's brow wrinkled, but her eyes opened wide in anger. Sure, the war wasn't a common topic among the multicultural Flame Dancer population, but it was exactly comments like that that led to the war! Well, more than likely. Nevertheless, Pamuy was infuriated at Hilang's arrogance. Everything other stupid thing he said paled in comparison to his stark prejudice of other people. It seemed her lecture foretold just why she said it, other than the oddly high standard she expected from him.
It was times like that she wished memories of her teenage years would fade away like morning dew. She had liked him, even though he was always a jerk, but she always kept a glimmer of hope that he would change. Big hairy chance of that. At it currently stood, she was ashamed of ever liking him. Others tried to intercede, but the waterbender was so upset that she felt like pushing him overboard with the sharks.
When Nim joined the fray, Pamuy had to agree on some ground. It would be hard for her to admit she'd been out of line scolding him for no reason, but after what he said, it seemed like nothing more than a security measure. Nim seemed to pay back the favor of helping Pamuy, for which she was grateful, but their reactions were worlds apart.
A beacon of emotional and charactural strength, Pamuy didn't allow herself to tear up at Hilang's stupidity, but the unclinching of her tightened fists proved she wasn't going to keep the argument afloat. She let out a sigh. "A fool would call you innocent."
Slinking away, trying to shrug off the annoyance that was Hilang, Pamuy made sure to increase the distance between herself and the others. Tensions on that boat were at a record high.
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Post by shanghuang on Jul 3, 2008 0:02:45 GMT -5
Shang did his best to ignore the ruckus behind him and remain unnoticed as it slowly escalated from conversation to confrontation. He did a fairly good job, too. If nothing else, Shang was a superb wallflower. However, even he couldn’t help but turn his head in shock as he heard the barbs move to an entirely new level. Never did he expect flat out racism from any members of the Flame Dancers. Sure, Hilang could be a jerk, a complete jerk, even, but he still wouldn’t expect this from the boy. No, as far as Shang’s perhaps skewed view was concerned, he’d crossed into Wu twins territory. Even so, all Shang did for a few moments was gawk. He didn’t like conflict, really, even over something like this. He wasn’t afraid of Hilang exactly, even if they had an age difference, but his personality just wasn’t fit for such heroics. He was an empathetic person, though, and seeing Pamuy and Nim react made him decide to at least step in and offer them some moral support. Yes, it was the right thing to do…right? Maybe not…no, no, he should.
Closing his book, he let out a calming breath and stood up, so as to head over to the group. However, just before he arrived, Pamuy left, putting him in the awkward situation of walking over to support the person who had just departed. Not knowing what else to do, Shang followed through with his decided course of action…but with light steps. He didn’t want to break any eggshells.
“You really…probably shouldn’t say things like that, Hilang,” he said, though it sounded more like a polite suggestion than a serious reprimand. “You’ll only cause harm like that.”
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Post by hilang on Jul 4, 2008 23:34:51 GMT -5
It surprised him, to say the least. He may have gone a bit overboard, but that was just his nature. It suddenly seemed as though every single person within spitting distance of the conversation just had to give their two cents. Hilang rolled his eyes very deliberately. First, there was Tweedle-dee who just had to give his little warning. Then, there was blindy, who, admittedly, told off that blasted Pamuy too, but she still focused her scoldings on him. Suddenly, even Shang, who had absolutely nothing to do with the matter stuck his nose in it.
It seemed that everyone was out to get him, and of course, there was her. That infernal Water Tribe woman… He may have acted like he didn’t know, but he knew. Back, a little over a decade ago, he pretended not to notice the girl admiring him from afar. Though he may not have understood it, he knew that the girl had been attracted to him at one point. He silently toyed with the idea of exposing her right then and there. It was undoubtedly the reason why she was always mad at him, she was probably just mad at herself for liking him in the first place. Hilang mentally shrugged, it couldn't be helped.
Of course, he wasn’t absolutely sure, so he decided to test the water a bit, completely ignoring the other people. “Then maybe I’m a fool, but at least I’m not a coward like you, taking out your own problems on people who have no choice in the matter.” He had to speak up a bit to be heard over some sea spray that had suddenly hit, and an unintentional side effect was that it seemed like he was yelling at her. He merely stood there, waiting to see if the fuse had been lit.
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Post by nim on Jul 8, 2008 12:33:42 GMT -5
Nim didn't move from the rail, she knew she was a little out of the loop of converstation, but unlike the others she had a bit of a stablity problem on the ship and she didn't feel like falling, especially since the wrist she had smacked on the stairs earlier was still throbing a bit.
She was quiet as she listened to them all, she didn't like the Flame Dancers ganging up on one another like this, true tensions were high being confined like this, but they were family and it just didn't feel right. She felt especially sorry from Hilang at the moment, true had said something truely hurtful, but in his defense Pamuy had sort of attacked him, scolding him for nothing.
Being true to her own nature and going against her better judgement Nim moved forward. The boat swayed under her, but she faught the urge to crawl across the deck and moved towanrd the group slowly.
"Everyone stop, this is rediculous. Pamuy, ease up, there is not enough space on this boat for people to be pointing fingers, Hilang didn't do anything. Hilang, I know it's in your nature to be a real jerk sometimes, but your comment was unacceptable, a lot of your friends aren't Fire Nation including me incase you forgot," she was looking straight ahead of her, whether she was looking at someone of not, she couldn't be sure. "It has only been a week and we're already at eachothers throats, if you can't get along go sit in a corner or avatar help me I'll whip you all over board," She crossed her arms and gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood once more, the less serious things were she was sure the less drama would follow.
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Post by blackcrow on Jul 13, 2008 0:02:29 GMT -5
Li-Wu looked to the others, to his brother, to Pamuy and Nimuta and to Hilang. His face was pale and gaunt due to the past week, dark circles under his eyes from the lack of decent sleep. The sea had been rough and they still had another week of crossing. He lifted an eyebrow at Hilang, pressing his lips together for a moment before separating them with a subtle smack. He licked them before pressing the back of his lower arm to his mouth, exhaling as he lowered it. His wrist creaked as he pushed himself up from leaning against the metal and wood rails. Stepping to Hilang, Li reached out and grabbed the shoulder of his cream colored over-vest, pulling him along beside him. "C'mon, Hilang. Lets go share out grievances over the stern.." At least if anything.. maybe Hilang would calm down.. that is if he would follow him towards the back of the boat.
Bai-Wu gave his brother a sympathetic glance, his color and face much better than Li's. He hadn't been sick the whole trip and was still steady on his feet. His golden eyes flickered to the girls and then down to his feet as he inhaled sharply. "Well!" He commented, glancing back up at Nimuta and Pamuy, flashing them his most gentlemanly and happy smile. "..I guess I'll be off then.. heading below deck!" He commented, pushing himself away from the rails and past the ladies. He wanted to go find another one of the girls that had traveled with them. Miss Feng had been huddling under the decks with some of the other women, herself stricken with a small uneasiness.
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Post by pamuy on Jul 13, 2008 15:00:01 GMT -5
Pamuy fancied herself to be so pragmatic, but Hilang drove her over the edge so often that she ought to have bruises and broken bones as a result. How could even try to redeem himself after what he had said? Shang and Nimuta were wise to give him what he deserved, the latter more bold than the former and also inclined to scold Pamuy as well, while the nearby Li stayed quiet and off to the side. She couldn't help but clinch her fist repeatedly, even if she had no intention to resort to violence. Nimuta had a good opinion on the matter, leading her to think she'd perhaps lapsed to irrationality, and overall taken more seriously than anything Hilang said. Each slow step taken with her back to him brought temptation to turn and repudiate Hilang's nonsense, though with every fiber of her being she resisted.
That was until he said something that made her skin crawl. What was he implying? Coward? Pamuy knew that was as far from the truth as sunrise was to sunset. He wouldn't dare to bring up the past in any more direct a fashion, would he? Pamuy knew he had to stop. Now. "Excuse me? You just made your own 'matter', and..."
She had to pause. Nimuta's prior words made to much sense not to heed, and she had to give up. No matter how anyone else perceived it, it wasn't a show of weakness just to walk away. Perhaps it was more courageous to ignore Hilang than to encourage him just to prove a point. Raising a finger, she stifled herself; "...You know what? Forget it."
Pamuy began to walk away before any more trouble could arise. Was that even possible, though...?
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Post by hilang on Jul 14, 2008 2:34:20 GMT -5
Hilang smirked inwardly, he knew it. Just by the way she avoided the question, he could tell. He could tell he had struck a chord, after all, he was an expert at pushing someone's buttons. He could practically feel the mischief and havoc that was sure to ensue soon, for that's exactly what he wanted. He wanted to vent, and more than anything, he needed some excitement.
Sure enough, It seemed the others were hellbent on stopping him. First was blind-as-a-badgermole. She pleaded her case, hrm... not a very good argument, Hilang figured. "You know, you have a point, you aren't Fire Nation, so why should I be listening to you in the first place? Huh. Oh well." He allowed himself to wonder where she got the notion that they were friends. Next of course, was the more sickly half of a whole idiot. Granted, the man's request was appealing, and normally, Hilang might have just walked with him and cooled off, but any hopes at that were dashed by the response that lover-girl gave.
It may have been unintentional, but trying to close the matter like that was just egging Hilang on even more. It made him want to expose her, want to just ruin it all. But, even impulsive as he his, Hilang knew that the sweetest taste would come from this if he went slowly, so that's just what he did. He merely pivoted, avoided the light grasp that Li-Wu had attempted, and stepped into what seemed to be the middle of all the people involved.
"I'm sure you all think of me as 'such a jerk'. Well, that's the way I am, and I'm not going to lie, but someone here isn't being completely fair or honest. Little miss "Better person" over there seems to hold me to a higher standard than you people. Now... I wonder why that might be? Hrm..." At this, Hilang mocked trying to think very hard, by putting his thumb and forefinger on his chin. He wasn't going to reveal her just yet, he would let her stew for a little bit, let the anger build.
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Post by shanghuang on Jul 14, 2008 9:06:38 GMT -5
Shang felt himself redden a little as Nim told them all off. Well, that plan completely backfired. Instead of helping the situation, all he did was get one of the people he was trying to help mad at him. That was embarrassing. Well, at least Nim couldn’t see him fluster. Part of him wanted to slink away…but something tugged at him from underneath. He didn’t want to argue with Nim r cause trouble with Hilang, but truthfully, what Hilang had said was not harmless. After all, it really was that sentiment that drove the Fire Nation to war in the first place, and he’d witnessed the results of that first hand. It was perhaps that and a lingering sense of duty that kept him rooted to the spot. Of course, more importantly, Hilang’s words held more immediate, less philosophical ramifications. They were going to the Fire Nation, after all, which was dangerous enough for the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe natives in the caravan. This was the last thing they needed.
As Shang considered his options, the bickering continued. Pamuy re-entered the fray, and the Wu twins tried in vain to scoot their comrade to less contentious quarters. Hilang didn’t seem to be interested in listening to the twins, intent on making this some kind of battle between him and Pamuy. If Shang was going to step in, now was the time.
“Um, excuse me,” Shange ventured. “But it’s not just that what you said was, uh…off color, Hilang, but it could be dangerous if that happened in the Fire Nation. Those of us who aren’t Fire Nation will need to be careful no matter what, but saying things like that…well…it probably wouldn’t help in that area, you see?”
Shang was trying to be diplomatic and cover all his bases, as usual, but the result made him far from eloquent. He hoped his point would be clear enough anyway.
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Post by pamuy on Jul 14, 2008 15:10:42 GMT -5
Shang had to interject, just as Pamuy formulated a clever response to the short, ornery Fire Nation man. She had to wonder how he even knew she had a crush on him, even though times where she set eyes on him as a teenager weren't the most subtle. Regardless, he wasn't going to get away with it that easily, bringing up an unflattering feature of the distant past. By all means, to even mention that made him seem so very immature!
"Shang. I'm sorry, but please," Pamuy said to the Earth Kingdom fellow, her hand held out to push him away even though she had no intention to do so. She merely wanted him to back off so she could finish this dispute with Hilang once and for all. With the shrewd plan she had thought up, Hilang surely would drown in the pools of his own arrogance.
If nobody else knew about the situation - which was probably the case, since Pamuy never divulged that embarassing secret - then how would they figure out what he was talking about? As far as they knew, he was spouting hot air! And if he suddenly said the waterbender had a crush on him? If she didn't acknowledge it, how egotistical he would seem! That issue could resolve itself in no time. It wouldn't matter what she thought or what Hilang thought, but solely what the onlookers heard.
Foregoing anger, Pamuy stayed her normal self, her view of the matter calm and practical. Even her voice didn't reflect an ounce of hatred or acrimony. "That's a good question, Hilang. I'd love to hear your opinion on the matter first."
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Post by nim on Jul 17, 2008 15:41:44 GMT -5
"You know, you have a point, you aren't Fire Nation, so why should I be listening to you in the first place? Huh. Oh well." The conversation had continued on around Nimuta, but Hilang's last words to her still echoed in her head. Nim considered everyone in the caravan her friend and family; it was bad enough he had been bashing on Pamuy, but to then continue with such arogence. She clenched her teeth and she could feel tears begining to whell in her own eyes. If she felt unsteady before it was nothing compared to the tight-stomach, weak-knee feeling she had now. The emotion was getting to her head and there wasn't any room for it since nearly all her energy was spent on trying not to be seasick at all times.
"You're an ass, Hilang," she said under her breath. It was hard to say if she thought it or actually said it, but in either case she didn't have time to continue the pow-wow. Her stomach turned and she turned away from the group in search of the railing as she did her best not to vomit on the ship deck. She knew she shouldn't have left the railing becuase now that she needed it she couldn't find it and she wouldn't be able to keep herself from retching much longer.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Jul 20, 2008 15:14:55 GMT -5
Despite being on the ship for a week, Xia Feng still did not have her sea-legs. Rubbing her latest injury from not aquiring said sea-legs (her forehead), Xia picked herself up and sighed. She was exhausted from caring for her son who was not happy on the ship. Indeed, Tarak was either crying, vomitting or sleeping, and Xia was beginning to really worry for him. He couldn't keep much down and he had lost a little weight, and Xia had been caring for him night and day. Only when Kali took him a few hours ago was Xia able to refresh herself with new clothes (neutral colors of pinks and golds, which she was beginning to like; borrowed from someone until she could buy an extra set or two), wash up and eat.
She was going above deck for fresh, cool sea air when she took a tumble on the stairs. She was fine, but embarassed even though no one had saw. With her cheeks still pink, she climbed the rest of the stairs. She had half a mind to find someone to relax with, but she was still shy around some of the gypsies, so it left her relatively optionless on seeking someone out. The cool sea air hit her face when she climbed out from below, and she pushed her loose hair from her face. It flapped in the breeze as she walked to the rail and looked out over the edge. Holding on to the rail helped her keep her balance, so she clung to it tightly as wave after wave smacked against the side of the boat.
"Spirits preserve me, I can't wait until we get off this boat," she muttered.
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Post by whitecrow on Jul 20, 2008 23:40:33 GMT -5
Li-Wu turned in silence, watching the others continued to squabble with tired eyes. He did not say anything, keeping his mouth shut though the look on his face was disapproval and growing anger. ...Spirits, had the war finally infiltrated the Flame Dancers? He had heard stories about how the troupe was split when the war first started, many members leaving and much of their support dwindled. Yet they had survived.. and even after their departure to the Earth Kingdom, where they were forced to entertain the Fire Nation colonists and troops, they endured. He frowned, tilting his head to the side, brushing his jaw with the loose bandanna of sunflower yellow at his neck as he starred... in stock disappointment. Finally.. sick of what he saw.. a division among those who had.. been friends.. tolerable for years.. Li-Wu rolled his eyes, followed by his head and turned away. Fine.. let Hilang dig his own hole.
The firebender walked away, his hair swaying behind him with each step. He narrowed his golden eyes, disgusted with what he had saw and deep in his throat, he growled, muttering angrily. He brushed passed Miss Feng who had just emerged from the stairs that led under deck, looking like she too was having a hard time. Not even a hello. He did however glance over his shoulder, seeing Bai-Wu stop short of another set of stairs across the deck. There were two that went down into the holds.. and the other man had nearly disappeared when his head popped back up, like a singing groundhog. The black crow of the two scoffed, turning his back to his brother as well as he disappeared down in the hold.
Bai-Wu rested a hand on the side of the deck's opening, a grate pulled aside to allow access below deck. His head popped back up, straight, greasy hair falling down his back as he let out a small sound of surprise. Ah! Miss Feng! ...or Xia as she kept nagging them to call her. He quickly launched himself out of the stairway, leaping back up onto the deck and breaking into a low row. He rose up to his height as he stomped across the wood and metal decks, towards the far side of the ship where the Earth Kingdom woman was leaning outward.
He came up on her quickly, rushing up beside her with his hands outstretched to catch the metal rail. His torso stopped, but his upper shoulders and head rocked outward, his hair flipping upward and out over the ocean. Like a child, he shouted happily to her, but his face was not that of a child, but a man. "Hello Miss Feng!" He turned towards her with his lips spread into a wide grin, laugh lines etched into his skin and at the corners of his eyes.
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The Lion Turtle
Ishvara Spirits
"Your own spirit must be unbendable."
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Post by The Lion Turtle on Jul 21, 2008 0:37:20 GMT -5
Trying to keep a straight face, Xia turned her face from Bai in mock indignace. She was positively delighted to see him, but...
"Miss Feng?" she asked teasingly. "Call me that again and I won't talk to you anymore. It makes me feel old!" She tossed her loose hair, her green eyes shining with playfulness. Twenty-three years of age wasn't old, although she was starting to feel a bit less youthful being a mother.
She didn't have Zahira's toned body (not that she ever did in the first place) or Pamuy's youthful face. It felt good, too, that a rather attractive man such as Bai was paying a little attention to her, or at least being friendly towards her. She looked back out at sea, taking a deep breath. She liked the smell of sea air, and she hadn't been above deck enough in the past week to really enjoy it. She was just glad that she wasn't seasick like Tarak, Li and some otherr gypsies she heard about from Kali.
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Post by nim on Jul 22, 2008 12:07:57 GMT -5
Nim would have noticed that the world was going on around her as che scrambled for the edge of the boat, but she was a little to busy trying not to puke before she got to an appropriate place. She was crawling on her hands and knees indignantly, since every attempt to stand had failed, and she stretched her arms out this way and that to try a decent place to vomite. Just when Nim was ready to puke on the deck her hand hit something hard. She pushed her head past it, holding onto whatever it was with one hand and letting of the contents of her stomache over the edge... supposedly.
She kneeled where she was well after she had finished, relaxing and letting her stomache settle. It was the than the smell crept over the salty sea air. 'Oh no,' she thought, she moved her hands around and felt the area around her. What she had thought was a banister rail was actually a barrel. In fact there were several barrels, the water barrels.
She leaned back on her feet and the rock of the boat knocked her back. She lay on the deck, ignoring the scabbling around her, drawoning it in the sound of the waves. She felt disgusting, but worse she felt more blind than she ever had before.
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