Wayward Gypsies <Open Sea, The Sea>

[blackcrow]

He groaned playfully, rolling his eyes which was followed by his head. He turned away from her, looking out to sea with a smirk on his face that faded into a serene expression. The wind whipped his hair up into the air even as it settled, the strands and ribbons of ebon shredding in the sea salt wind. Bai-Wu lifted his shoulders up to his ears, putting all his weight into his locked arms that gripped the railing, the lean muscles darker than ever before thanks to the ocean's sun. The one pale Fire Nation citizen was now as brown as an Earth Kingdom Citizen, total opposite of his brother who was spending as much time as possible below desk. His shoulders were red, his cheeks and nose as well, thanks to the power of the sun. The dark sangria vests both young men wore, with their high mandarin collars was already bleached, the golden accents on the collars and down the folded-over front with it's complicated knot decorations.
He folded one ankle behind his knee, barefoot on the ship right though his feet were screaming from the heat that radiated off the decks.

Sticking his tongue in his cheek, he held a gaze out at the endless ocean, nothing but the crisp, bright ocean blue that was quickly becoming sickening. His golden eyes were half closed, nearly asleep when the snapped open and the young man turned to look at her. Like a dog, he starred for a moment, the wind kicking her loose, dark honey colored hair up, the sun having lightened it only after a week at sea. He furrowed his brows, frowning... "..You feeling okay..? You're.. too pale.. " Bai reached out with a large hand, grasping her upper arm gently before letting his hand gently fall down to her lower arm. He glanced to the side, back over the deck to those who were still arguing farther down the deck. It angered him like it did Li, but Bai-Wu was more apt to run from a situation.. "..Why don't we go below deck..?"

[shanghuang]

Not expecting the push and, well, being Shang Huang, Shang immediately stumbled backwards and fell on his behind. He looked up for a moment at Pamuy and Hilang, and then with a sigh resigned himself to leaving the conversation. It seemed that he had failed utterly to help the situation at all, only causing more anger. He really should have just stayed out of it. With another sigh, he slowly rose to his feet and turned to leave, but before he could, Nimuta crawled right past him…and vomited into one of the water barrels. For a moment, he stood there, frozen partly with disgust, but mostly just bewilderment, like when you shine the light in the eyes of a rabbit-dear. He did, however snap out of it when he saw Nim stumble and fall afterwards. He quickly looked around. No one else had seemed to notice it. Well, he had better help, then.

Walking over to Nim he leaned down and grabbed her arm under the elbow, gently and cautiously starting to try and help her to her feet and guide her to the railing.

“The, uh, railing’s over here,” he said, starting to point but then stopping when he realized how silly that was. “If you, y’know, need to do…that again.”

[hilang]

Hilang watched as almost everybody who had been previously spectating and attempting to stop the argument leave to pursue other matters. Nim, to go throw up once again, reminding him of the salty, yet thick, taste in the back of his mouth. Li and Bai, it seemed, to pursue matters unknown below deck and by the rail. Lastly, Shang, who seemed content to exclude himself by helping Nim up, being that she had fallen. All of this leaving only Pamuy and himself.

Now, with everyone having lost interest, it seemed that he would get nothing by saying anything to her, so he merely turned his back and saved the tidbit for another day. Regaining his composure which had become a bit lost during his antics, he casually sauntered over to the railing of the boat, giving Pamuy not another word. Unknown to him, a few of the railings that had been reinforced were a bit loose due to the old wood still used on the deck and could possibly be dislodged with enough force. Then, as he went to lean his whole weight into the railing, he found himself gripping the metal while his body fell into air.

Then, his body fell into water, and still a bit shocked, all he could really do was flail. Once he regained his senses, he attempted to tread water and at the same time, yelled out, "HELP ME!!!" It seemed that water was not on his side today.

[pamuy]

Had she won? From the looks of things, yes. But was she about to gloat? Knowing Pamuy, not likely. However, would she walk away with her head held up proud? Most decidedly so. Hilang had been vanquished at last, if only for a short time. Who knows how he felt after that...?

She still felt a bit concerned, but taking into consideration what had been said to her and everyone else in Hilang's midst, it was a surprise the sword-swallower hadn't been strangled three times by then. Not only that, but it was odd that Pamuy found herself thinking anything other than pure disregard for the feelings of someone so disreputable as Hilang. Although, she did pride herself on cultivating a certain motherly care for every person in the caravan. Maybe Hilang was no different, despite his irreverance and stupidity. Pamuy didn't want to think about it any longer...

Strangely, Hilang shouted right when she doffed him from her mind, snapping her to awareness and alerting her to his plight. Was he set on causing trouble for her today? There was still no time for complaining - Hilang needed help! Even if she didn't quite like him, she couldn't bring herself to let him suffer. Never would she dream of it! Besides, who better to draw him from the open sea than a waterbender?

Kicking off her sandals, she ran as quickly as she could. Frantically, she peered down to the stocky, red-clad Fire Nation man flailing about in the deep blue, in dire need of help. Instinct took over, even if everyone else wanted him to stay there. Stopping inches before the deck's edge, she brought forward her arms and pulled at the water's surface below with all her might, bringing forth a massive tendril of water holding Hilang. In a moment, he was safely on deck again, and Pamuy rushed to his side.

And yet...she knew it was a matter of minutes before he offended her and everyone else again. Oh, well. That was life...

[hilang]

It was all Hilang could do to not flail, but he knew it would do nothing, so as he attempted to tread water and keep himself afloat, he found it ironic that the best person to save him had been the same person whom he was trying to piss off only a few moments earlier. Then, he felt like he was being lifted, and yet, he still felt like he was in water, for he was. Is she actually saving me?

A bit dumbstruck looking Hilang hit the ship's deck on his knees, and he stayed there for a moment, regaining his breath. He wished he could say he hadn't hoped for a situation like this, but honestly it never even crossed his mind that it could happen. So, he still just stayed there for a moment, his pride oppressing any notion of thanking Pamuy. And yet, it's not like he could sit there and do nothing.

His mind was running in circles, not sure of what to do. He ended up at the conclusion that he had to thank her somehow, but only enough to let him sleep at night. Bringing himself to his knees, he had almost forgotten that he was completely soaked. A man who is soaked, confused, and yet, trying to regain his pride and composure can make for a laughable sight.

He finally tread his wet feet over to Pamuy and looked her in the eyes, "I guess..." It almost pained him to say, "Waterbending isn't completely useless..." And at last, it took him a pause before he could bring himself to say, "Thanks."

[The Lion Turtle]

"You feeling okay...? You're... too pale. Why don't we go below deck...?" He had grasped her upper arm for a moment before going for her lower arm. She nodded, her emerald eyes finding his goldenrod ones.

"Alright." She didn't really want to go back down where it was stuffy and hot, but she really wanted some company other than a screaming baby. And getting any attention for an attractive male was good at this point because of the slight baby blues that were still hanging on. It was hard to keep a positive self image when she had only hours ealier been covered in only spirits knew what.

She gave a wry smile. "You'll have to let me lean on you, Bai. I'm still liable to take a tumble down the steps." Which was true. A good arm to lean on would be a blessing, but Xia also didn't want him to let go of her, either.

Smoothing her nut-brown hair against the wind, she took a tiny step away from the railling. So far, so good, and she looked up at Bai in a "please-don't-let-me-fall-and-embarass-myself" way.

[nim]

Nim accepted Shang's help, standing a bit unsteadily, even with his assistance. She felt wholey embaressed and useless, in a matter of seconds she had spoinled an entire barrel of water all becuase she couldn't see. In that moment she regreted leaving her mother and father and burdening the others with her presence.

"Thank you, I'm fine for now" she said to Shang, her voice clearly disheartened.

She heard someone scream help, but she didn't know what to do and since Shang didn't run to help she figured it was under control. She felt a bit awkward around Shang, he had left a long time ago to join the army and had only reappeared days before they made their trip. She remebered they used to be good friends like most people in the caravan, but he seemed different now, strange, distant.

"How- how have you been?" she asked a little warily, wondering if he even really wanted her company or if he wanted to be getting about his business instead of holding up a blind girl.

[shanghuang]

Shang turned his head at the sound of Hilang’s shouting, but Pamuy had immediately stepped in to rescue the man. No matter what Hilang had said, he certainly didn’t want to see him harmed. That went for everyone in the caravan, though, and if he went around spouting those slurs while they were in the Fire Nation…no, he wouldn’t. He shouldn’t worry about it. Besides, Nim still seemed to be a little shaken up. She needed more attention than any potential worries about Hilang.

"How- how have you been?"

“Well…” he began, starting to trail off before answering. “Much better now that I’m back home.”

That was truthful at least. He didn’t really want to talk about his military service if he didn’t have to. Nim meant well, but that was time he and he alone would dwell upon. Honestly, the best thing that could happen is if everyone could just forget that he left in the first place, though that didn’t seem too likely at this point.

“How about you?” he asked. “Have, uh, things been going well? I mean, aside from…” he glanced at the barrel she’d thrown up in. “Y’know.”

[pamuy]

When Pamuy felt an overwhelming need to scold Hilang for being ungrateful, she merely let it go. The man fell into the sea, for spirits' sake, and probably didn't need to hear any stern reprimands coming from a woman he obviously didn't like. Looking over his body, she didn't see any sign of injury; he obviously wasn't unconscious, probably no water in his lungs, so she could walk away without a word.

So why didn't she? Good question. Perhaps it was a mere caring instinct, intuitive nature that told her to stick around. She nodded when he thanked her, albeit after a poorly-concealed snide remark about her abilities, and went so far as to form her features to a more innocent smile. Softly, she replied; "You're welcome, Hilang."

Sliding out one foot from her kneeled position, flattening her sole to the deck and using it to raise upward. She stood, smoothed out her skirt, and put her folded her hands loosely in front, looking down at Hilang and nodding her head once more. "At least you're safe. I'm glad," she hummed before turning away and walking back to her sandals, which lay on the deck. It actually did occur to her why she said that. Force of habit, maybe? Or perhaps it was just a means of making him feel guilty over what he said? If she had shown kindness, what better way to convert him to her kind ways? Success!

[nim]

Nim could almost feel the hesitation in Shang's voice, he seemed very reluctant to say anything about his time away from the caravan and she had an odd feeling that what ever had occured it had had a large impact on her old friend. Maybe it was becuase she was blind that so many of her other senses were a bit hightened, but she knew for more than a fact that he was hiding what ever experience had scarred him. Nim wasn't a prying person so she left well enough alone, if Shang ever decided to tell her what had happened she would be more than all ears.

“How about you? Have, uh, things been going well? I mean, aside from…” he paused a second and she got the feeling he was refering to her sea-sickness, "Y’know.”

"I've deffinatly been better, without sight the sea is a very unkind thing, it's extremely difficult to know what's were when it feels like everythings moving," She answered, her voices was tired. She had had a faily good night, sleep wise, but the mornings activities had well worn her out, "the caravan wasn't the same without you, y'know," she smiled a bit, but it was weak. In truth Shang was one of the only boys in the caravan she could count on not to crack a joke about her eyes. Of course she didn't mind that the others did, she knew it was all in good fun, but it was always nice to have someone around that didn't care about her sight. She had missed him a lot while he was gone and she was sure she was one of the more excited to have him back even if she hadn't exactly showed him just that.

[whitecrow]

His eyelids fell halfway on his eyes, his hand resting lightly still on her arm as she spoke, looking up at the taller man, and he smiled at her somewhat sheepish smile. His was barely a tug at the corner of his lips, the laugh lines of age beginning to catch up with his twenty-five years of being out in the elements. Bai-Wu glanced to the side for a moment, hearing commotion further down the boat.. but he couldn't see clearly through the steam-pipes that struck through the decks into the sky. Those hints of a smile disappeared, his eyes narrowing as he pressed his lips tightly together. They must be fighting again.. He'd have to speak to Mother about it.. Maybe Father could come up with an inspiration speech once they made landfall and restore the feelings of ..being together in the caravan. He was distracted momentarily, his hand tightening just ever so slightly on her wrist.

"..C'mon.." Muttering under his breath, He pulled on her wrist gently drawing her away from the edge of the rail, but he turned and looked back to her as she stepped away with him. The man quirked an eyebrow, looking down at her rounded face with plump lips. His eyes drifted to those lips, then flickered to her forest green eyes set in almond colored skin. He felt an ache in his chest for a brief moment at her expression, pitifu and pathetic and yet.. endearing. He wanted to step back.. and vanish.. and just watch her. With curiousity and also awe.. just to watch her. He couldn't though..

Instead, he swept her off her feet.. literally. The firebender bent over, dropping her arm but positioning his arm around the small of her back, grabbing at her waist as his other arm swept behind her knees, knocking them out from under her. He hefted the young woman, curves and all upward with a 'umph'! He chuckled, showing her a toothy grin with raised eyebrows as he caught her by surprise. "Then, I'll carry you."

[shanghuang]

It was a bittersweet smile that crossed Shang’s lips as Nim replied. She was a nice person, truly, but he knew for a fact that the caravan wouldn’t have changed much with his departure, at least not for very many people. He’d always been such a mild mannered, quiet boy that it probably took a week for many to realize he’d left at all.

“Thanks,” he managed quietly, and after a pause, continued. “And you, uh, should get used to the ship eventually. It’s kind of like…getting used to a rhythm.”

Well, that wasn’t totally true. You needed a sense of balance and all that, too, but most people had that. What threw them off was the rocking of the waves coming when they didn’t expect it. If you could get used to the rhythm of the waves, Shang supposed, it would make it easier. For him, it just seemed to be one of the few things he could do naturally.

“It’s kind of like learning a new dance, I guess,” he added. “So, y’know, it should be pretty easy for you…”

Shang wasn’t the most inspiring individual in the world, but he hoped this would give the young woman a little confidence. Or, at least, take her mind off of her queasy stomach for a while.

[hilang]

Hilang was, well, out of his element, so to speak. He wasn’t used to charity, he wasn’t used to people being, well, nice to him, especially after he had been an ass. He really didn’t know what to make of the situation, but he was glad that she had to turn away to fetch her sandals, because he had no clue what else to do. Looking down at his soaked clothing, he knew he had to go change, lest he catch hypothermia or something. With a sigh, he brought his left foot to move, and sure enough, received yet another splinter.

Coming to the cabin door which lead below deck, he pushed it open with a bit of difficulty, for he was tired from his throwing up, arguing, and almost drowning. He stumbled down the stairs a bit, due to a sharp pain from the splinter in his foot, but kept on going. He would remove it when he reached his cot and his bag. He passed the rows of cots below deck until he had reached his, and sat on the cloth, raising his heel to look at. With precision that was expert by now, he quickly plucked the splinter and just sat for a moment.

Looking up and down the row, it seemed that most everyone was either napping or minding their own business, so he quickly pulled off his sopping wet clothes and replaced them with fresh ones. He then picked up a small cloth and attempted to dry his hair as much as possible, but it didn’t seem to do much. Once he was situated, he merely lied back on his cot and stared at the ceiling. He was content with staying this way too. When are we going to get there? I want to see the homeland…

[pamuy]

When Pamuy turned back to see if Hilang was still in good shape, she furrowed her brow after seeing that he disappeared from sight. Not for a second did she wonder why he left, though, since it was certain that such hospitality left him feeling guilt. Though fully prepared to draw excess water from his clothes and hair to prevent illness, It almost made her feel a bit smug. That viewpoint alone, which bordered on the vindictive, left Pamuy feeling a bit worried herself. There was no reason to think that way, and all she could do was hope she forgave herself. She quickly tried to seek comfort by convincing herself she rescued him out of the goodness of her heart, and tried to leave things be.

That still didn't explain why, as her wooden sandals clacked on the floorboards, she was headed below deck at that very minute. She knew she shouldn't apologize for any reason, yet her objective stayed clear. She could never live with herself if she didn't at least try to alert Hilang of his offensive racial comments, and at least tell him to tone it down. Pamuy knew that, deep under his cruel, pudgy exterior lay a heart the same as any human being. She was certain she could reach it with enough effort, as any human had an ounce of good that could be drawn out.

Pamuy scoped the room briefly and caught sight of the man in a second. There he was, laying in his cot, looking straight upward. A few steps brought her to see he was still awake, too. Perfect timing? "Hilang, may I have a word with you? Please hear me out..."

[hilang]

As Hilang lied on his cot, staring at the ceiling, he was making every attempt to forget what had happened in the past half hour or so. His mind wandered through his prank with Bai-Wu and his own purging over the edge of the ship. Of course, then he replayed the bout of verbal dueling with Pamuy, trying very hard to forget it, but it was all he could think about. Then of course, he had to be saved by that very same person. Letting out a small sigh, he raised his arms and laced his fingers together behind his head, trying to assume a more relaxed position.

Suddenly, his ears perked up at a familiar voice, and he didn’t even look to acknowledge her. Pamuy. That same woman he was trying to forget. He merely kept his gaze on the ceiling boards above him, suddenly becoming very intrigued by one particular nail. It seemed that he wouldn’t be escaping this woman. No doubt she was here to punish him, for whatever reason. Knowing that any attempt at fleeing would be unsuccessful on the small boat, Hilang merely kept his gaze upward and, with a large sigh, said, “I’m listening.”