Road To Strangeness <Ba Sing Se, Earth Kingdom>

[gengoro]

The blistering eye of the sun beams down onto the world. With no wind sweeping the area, the air became stagnant. The plants began to dry and the animal life was scarce. Only Gengoro was stupid enough to travel out of the woods and away from the river. He ate his last rice ball a few hours ago and drank his last jug of water. The sweat poured down his face and dried up in the sand below him.

"Why was I so stupid?" Gengoro asked himself, "I just had to stray from the river. What kind of an idiot am I? If I die out here, I deserved it."

The time was around noon and still with no food. His feet dragged and scrapped on the ground below him.

"Oh ancestors," he muttered, "Please send me a sign to salvation." He fell to the ground exhausted. He coughed as the dust around him entered his nostrils. As he struggled to get back on his feet, he witnessed something. His eyes lit up and a cracked smile shown on his face. In front of him, he found the express train that lead to Bai Seng Sei.

He shuffled through his pouch and found that he had just enough money to pay for admission. The person at the counter looked at him in a funny way due to how he was dressed. He got on and the two "conductors" used their earthbending ability to drive the cart to Bai Seng Sei.

As he looked out the window of the cart, he couldn't help but wonder about what to do.

"Hmmm, I'm out of money now," he thought, "Can't risk going out in the wilderness like that again. I better find some work here in this city before I decide to leave again. I wonder how big this city is?"

As they were entering the walls of Bai Seng Sei, Gengoro's eyes widened as he witnessed the vastness that is Bai Seng Sei. All of the areas were sectioned off and full of life. The cart stopped in the merchant district. Gengoro was overwhelmed by the smell of food nearby.

"Oh I SO need a job right now," Gengoro yelled as he clutched his grumbling stomach.

[gengoro]

The afternoon sun didn't scold as much as it did earlier. Granted, everybody lived so close to each other, yet the atmosphere is more serene than most. This didn't change the fact that Gengoro needed money in order to eat. With his stomach growling at him, he continued to search the market place for some quick change.

The market place was full of life as the afternoon rush started. Many diverse individuals flooded the streets in this area: Fire Nation refugees, Earth Kingdom scholars, performers, and food stands everywhere. With each passing moment, his stomach continued to rage inside. He asked around for a couple of minutes for help, but nobody needed. Besides, it was awkward for a complete stranger to just out of nowhere ask for help with their life anyways. Still, Gengoro continued on his quest.

Finally, he found a family hauling some rice into what appears to be their restaurant. There was an older gentlemen as well as a teenage boy hauling in the bundles of rice. The old man didn't look strong enough to be doing such labor, and the boy was too small to handle such loads.

"Excuse me sir," Gengoro came up to the family and bowed, "I noticed that you have a large amount of rice to carry into your facility. It also looks like the lunch crowd will be heading here shortly, so in order to help with your daily regiment, I was wondering if I could volunteer to help you carry your rice?"

The old man looked at Gengoro with suspicion as he looked him over.

"Sir," the old man said, "I do not know you, and yet you come to my wagon and ask if you could help. Usually, there is a payment involved. What are you asking of me?"

The old man was smart. He knew that people just don't "volunteer" to help people. Gengoro needed to be honest in order to win over any favor.

"Sir, I have been travelling for a time of a couple of days," Gengoro continued, "I have been without food and water. I have just recently arrived in Bai Seng Sei. I used the last of my money to pay for the train. If you can please consider my offer, I would help as much as I can?"

"Why should I trust you?" the old man snapped, "You’re probably just another thug trying to take advantage of me."

"I would do nothing of the kind," Gengoro replied, "I would never associate myself with common thugs. Please, I beg of you, please let me help you, for at least a few coin?"

The old man thought hard about the words that Gengoro spoke. After deliberating on what to do, he looked at Gengoro with a stern look.

"I'll tell you what sir," the old man spoke, "I want you to haul all of this rice into my restaurant, and then a few other chores are needed to be done, than I will pay you. First, since you're this hungry, I'll feed you then put you to work. After that, depending on how things go, I could use a hand with a few things for a few days. Those are my stipulations."

Gengoro bowed humbly as he acknowledged his request. Gengoro then followed the old man and the little buy into the restaurant for further instructions.

[gengoro]

The bells at the top of the door chimed as the old man and Gengoro entered the restaurant. The lack of windows prevent any real light from getting in, so they relied on paper lanterns for luminance. A musky smell came from the dust on the shelves and nearby walls.

Gengoro sat at a nearby table and waited for instructions. The stool creaked loudly as he sat down and the table was old and on the verge of toppling. The old man came out with a bowl of rice with chopsticks stuck standing inside the food. Gengoro looked at it blankly as his mouth started to water. First sign of food in a long time, and he just looked at it for a few seconds. He whispered a small prayer to his ancestors before he dove into the bowl. No grain of rice was spared from his absolute hunger. The old man looked in amazement as Gengoro asked for at least two more bowls afterwards. He slowed at the second bowl and tried to savor the taste. It was magnificant in taste.

After the third bowl, Gengoro had a look of satisfaction on his face as he slighty leaned back.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," the old man remarked, "Now you better make good on your promise."

"I will old man," Gengoro said as he signed in relief, "I have a question. It's near dinner time. Why is your store not busy? I'm sure you have a large customer base with that kind of tasty rice."

"That is none of your business!" the old man snapped, "Now, go get the rice from the cart."

Gengoro looked a little surprised as the old man snapped at him so suddenly. However, he didn't want to question it. He got up and bowed toward the old man and started toward the door. He placed his Miao Dao next to the table he sat at and heard the chime of the bells as he left the restaurant.

[gengoro]

The evening sun started to set over the horizon. The manual labor brought upon Gengoro made the time go by quickly. After the last packet of rice was delivered inside, Gengoro looked at the twilight sky. Sweat beaded on his forehead and traveled down his brow. The chimes of the bells on the door were heard as the old man went outside to check on Gengoro's progress.

"Well, looks like you got everything," the old man complimented. He then turned around and went inside, "Well, see you in the morning."

"Wait a minute," Gengoro said as he stopped the old man, "Where will I stay?"

"Don't know. That's up to you," the old man said as he slammed the door into Gengoro's face. He looked surprised as he stared at the door before him.

"I didn't even get paid yet," Gengoro grumbled as he sat at the door to think about what to do for the night.
"I got no money, so I can't stay at the inn. What to do?"

He looked around the area and noticed a few things. More of the unsavory type of people roamed the area and were up to something. He heard loud yelling from a distance and screams into the night.

"You know what, I'm staying right here," Gengoro muttered as he got into the cart. He tried to lay as flat as he could so as to minimize detection. He sat his jingasa and Maio Dao nearby just in case he needed it later. He then drifted off to sleep, waiting for more menial tasks tomorrow.

[gengoro]

The horizon wakes as the sun opened its eye to the world. The warm glow of the eye of heaven beams down upon the world. The morning birds sing and dew from the grass drop. All is quiet this morning. Well, kinda.....

Gengoro had a rude awakening as a bucket of water was splashed down upon him. Gengoro got to his feet soaking wet and looked at the old man with a bucket in his hand.

"What the hell was that for?" Gengoro yelled as he stared down the old man for an answer.
"You were sleeping in my wagon," the old man griped, "How am I suppose to fetch the rice with you in it? Besides, you need to get to work!"

The old man attached the mount of the bear-horse to the wagon.

"One more thing, my son Wei will be over to check up on the shop. Don't give him any problems. Make sure the floors are swept and clean the cookware. Hurry up, customers are coming soon."

With a sharp snap of the strap, the bear-horse moved forward as the wagon took off. Gengoro, still soaked, went inside to start on his chores for the day.

Over a matter of hours, the store got busy with customers coming each minute.

"Well, I'm lucky I don't have to serve, but these blasted dishes..." Gengoro complaint as he was scrubbing a pot. The chimes of the bells of the door rang the room. A boy in his early twenties came through. He wore a modest hakama and trousers with his hair tied in a topknot. His sandals are a little worn, but still useable.

"Are you Gengoro?" the man asked, "I've heard of you from my father. I am Wei, co-owner of this restaurant."
Wei started to bow, "We appreciate you helping us out here today."

"It's all right," Gengoro said, "I need the money so I can travel again. I won't be here for too long."

The chimes of the bell rang again as a few more men came through the door. Both Wei and Gengoro looked to see who it was, and Wei's face took on the form of resentment and fear. Gengoro slightly noticed and wanted to question who they were.

"Who are they?" Gengoro asked him. Wei looked down at his feet like he was being scolded for something he has done wrong.

"They are VIP's," Wei said hesitantly. Gengoro wasn't convinced on his answer.

[gengoro]

These men wore some pretty impressive kimonos, even for this district. Each of them were pretty tough in stature, with their hair tied back. They all sat at a table that is next to a corner where there is no window and using only a paper lantern for lumination.

"Sir, please don't get involved with them," Wei warned Gengoro, "They are pretty tough people. For the sake of my store, please don't start."
"I would you know if I was going to start trouble?" Gengoro replied.
"Because sir, I seen you Maio Dao in the back room. I knew you were an ex-soldier. I don't wish to wonder why you are here, but I can tell you're a fighter. Please, don't do anything rash."

Gengoro looked at Wei like he was insulted. He had no intention to start any trouble here in this restaurant. Still Gengoro wondered why they are here. As Gengoro wiped down the tables, Wei and another waiter were serving the group a rather large meal. As they were being served, the group were acting rude and obnoxious. They called Wei some vile names, throwing food at him as well as threatening him. They even tried hitting on the waitresses that walked by.

Gengoro felt a fire inside him, knowing that it is wrong to see these men act the way they do. He wanted to teach them a lesson. He wanted them to be punished. However, after a few seconds of letting it build inside, he felt calm, knowing that he shouldn't start any trouble. Wei comes over to him and smiles slightly. Gengoro knew he wasn't very happy and that he was only bluffing his front.

"How much is all of that food for them?" Gengoro asked.
"Well, normally expensive. However, since they are VIP's, they get to eat it for free."
"WHAT?!" Gengoro's voice rose as he heard this news, "They didn't do anything impressive to deserve all of that food, especially with how they treated you while you were serving them. This isn't right."
I know they are a little brash," Wei explained, "But they work for some very powerful people. Please, let us not talk about this anymore."

Gengoro felt furious. He hated the lack of justice that fate was serving this day. Nothing would please him more than to teach these "men" a lesson. However, temperance is important. Besides, he needed no trouble, especially if he needed to get paid. He continued to wipe the tables down while those men were eating.

[gengoro]

It has been thirty minutes since those "scum" sat at the table at the corner, eating away at free food that they don't deserve. They mouthed off at the other waiters and waitresses.

Gengoro was furious. People could tell from the look in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to hurt these men and have them pay for their meal and their troubles. Still, he couldn't cause anymore trouble, no matter how much his inner conscience urged him to.

As they were leaving, one of the members had a soup bowl in his hand and slurped down the soup inside. He looked toward Gengoro with a smirk of satisfaction.

"Hey you," he called out, "Do me a favor and take care of this for me." He flung the bowl with his wrist toward Gengoro. He tried to catch the bowl, but his hands were slippery from the soap soaked water he used for cleaning the tables. The bowl shattered on the floor beneath him. The man cackled as he left to the street to join his comrades.

Gengoro's right hand balled into a fist. Anger marked his entire face. His eyes closed shut as he imagined the faces of each of those individuals in that group laughing at him. He couldn't believe that the restaurant let this kind of thing go.

"Mister," a voice called out. Gengoro opened his eyes and saw the teenage boy from yesterday helping the old man with the rice, "Let me get these."

He went down on his knees to pick up the pieces of the bowl. Gengoro's mind because a little more clear from the rage earlier and helped picked up the pieces.

"This isn't necessary," Gengoro told the boy, "I can get these."
"Don't let those guys bother you," the boy said, "They work for a local gang around here. We give them free food so they don't wreck the restaurant."
"Why don't you call the authorities to help?" Gengoro asked.
"We tried, but the authorities get bribed down here easily. The Dai Li don't even come down here unless a real emergency comes up."

Gengoro just sat there as he picked up the remaining pieces of the bowl. He looked out the window near the door and see citizens walking the marketplace. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and went back to his chores.

[reen]

Kazuto walked into the restaurant reading a book on Cartology, the art of making or reading maps. He was a scholar, or well, former scholar. He took a possibly temporary leave from his job to go exploring.

He came back to deliver a letter from Omashu. He had given the man the letter and recieved 25 gold for the job. It asn't a great deal, but it would add to his already saved up 350 gold. Once he got to 500 he would spend half of it on supplies. He dicided that being penniless is dangerous. He let out a yawn and looked over his book to find a place to sit. He found a table near the window and satstraight and rigid. He looked like he was a statue. Maybe it was because he was so engrossed in reading that he didn't pay attention to the plate breaking, but something distracted him.


He peered over his book again to look at the place. It was pretty nice and it seemed like a nice place to read his book with out any...interuptions. He looked for a waiter and said "would you happen to have any Jasmine Tea." He waited for an answer as he look at pictures of professionally made maps. He turned the page and continued to read. He had seen the broken bowl, but assumed it was an accident since he hadn't seen the whole scene.

[gengoro]

Sunset was upon the horizon. The tempurature around the area grew cooler and the crowd was getting smaller outside. Gengoro was sweeping up outside near the doorstep.

As they were ready to close, the old man from earlier came back with more rice and bags of tea. He looked over at Gengoro with a stern look as he pulled into the back of the shop. Gengoro paid no mind and resumed his duties.

As the old man came from the back door, he looked around with stoic amazement at how clean the dining area was inside. He stroked his beard a little, and then asked Gengoro inside.

"I see that you cleaned the area like I asked," the old man complimented, "I'm impressed. For that, we will keep the restaurant open for a little bit more. For you accomplishment, you can stay here for the night."

His demeanor looked a little more serious as he continued.
"I also talked to my son a little while ago. It seems you got a little acquainted with Yao's gang. I advise you to don't start any trouble with them."

"Why shouldn't I?" Gengoro said, "All they do is bully the staff and eat your food. They leave this place a mess, and the customers are...."

"I forbid it," the old man snapped, "Do not screw around with them. You'll get hurt if you do."
"I can take care of myself," Gengoro replied, "I fought trained soldiers. A bunch of thugs are no problem."
"If you want to get paid, you will leave them alone."
The last remark had a tone of intimidation in his voice. Before Gengoro continued, the old man noticed the boy in the corner.

"That is very interesting of a boy your age drinking tea," the old man spoke with hospitality, "How is everything dear sir?"

[reen]

"Quite pleasent" Kazuto said taking anoth sip of tea dn turning the page of his book. "The place is comfortable and it would be pleasent if not for...Yao's gang is it." He said remembering the broken plate and hearing the conversations that Gengoro was having with the old man. Then he said "and yes, tea doe's seem and appropriate this to drink while reading. It just calms me down after along day." Kazuto gave him a smile over his book and then turned the page.

"I would like to know, if you have any jobs i can apply for. I need a bit more money before going on the road again and well, I need sa job" He asked putting the book down so he could talk to the old man without acting ignorant... and unfortunately he did that quite alot. He was willing to work late if nessisary...

[gengoro]

The old man scratched his chin a little as he thought of something for the boy to do.
"Well, I would appreciate it if you could haul in the rice for the night," the old man said to Kazuto, "My oldest son Wei will assist you."

The old man bowed to the boy and sternly faced Gengoro.
"Maybe if you were a little well mannered, you would get some respect," he sneered as he went to back of the store. Gengoro paid no attention to the old man and continued to clean the restaurant. As he swept the floor, all he could think about was the Yao gang and the mess they created. He tried not to think about what happened, but it lingered in his mind.

Night time came as Gengoro was finishing up. The boy was still reading his book with the tea nearby. With the management gone, Gengoro took a little break from the work and sat down. He just peered at the boy for a second, then looked up at the ceiling.

"So, what is a boy like you doing out here?" Gengoro asked, "Don't you have a home to go to?"

[reen]

Kazuto grinned behind his book and said "Yes, It's here,in ba sing sei.
I came here a few years ago and have become a scholar. Long story short I have quite a reputation amung intellects." he flipped the page on his bok then put it down to take out a map of the foggy swamp he'd made earlier.

It was readable and pretty detailed but compared to a professional map, it was obsolete, but it was usable and useful if all you needed was a way to get A to point B. "I left my home however, for more...interesting opportunities and also...I don't like this place...theres something wrong here....I left because a bo i met on the street was war-scared he told me stories of his travels once. One week later he'd forgotten about the war...completely." he flipped a page from his book again and continued to read. "I only came back here for a bit more gold and a chance to see my, foster parents." He said the last two words with a tinge of bitterness in his voice.

[gengoro]

From the way Kazuto said those last few words, Gengoro got the feeling that he didn't like his fosters. Still, he didn't question it.

"Don't worry kid," Gengoro told, "One day, you'll appreciate what they're doing for you."

The sun set as the store closed for the day. Wei counted how much they made for today's profits. After he got done counting, he had a face of disappointment on his face. Gengoro continued to sweep the floors until they were clean.

"Very good job Gengoro," Wei said, "You can sleep here if you want to. Kazuto, before you leave, you said you needed some coin. Well, I do need someone to haul the rice. I'll show you in the back." Gengoro bowed to Wei for the compliment.

As Wei left, Gengoro leaned on the wall with his beloved Maio Dao at his side. He blew the lantern from the room as darkness filled the room. He stared at the floor as he tried to wander to sleep. However, the more he tried, the more he failed. Yao's gang is all he could think about. The more he thought, the more turmoil built inside.

"I can't let them get away," Gengoro yawned, "I just can't...."
Gengoro's thoughts drifted black as the midnight slumber decided that it was time.

[xun]

“That would be them,” Xun sounding unimpressed.

She had no need to say it. Watching the smooth jawline and rouged cheeks tighten, her coral pink lips curl in a snarl, the answer was obvious. Hiding from the morning sun in a small open air teashop their eyes trailed the group of kimonoed men swaggering their way through the crowd of Ba Sing Sei’s lower ring district.

“Filthy kimono wearing barbarian upstarts,” shred through her gritted teeth, the aromatic stick she chewed up sticking upwards. “Taking money from my buyers…”

Xun hid a grin that would have corrected his brotherhood sister. You mean your money?

“Every coin they take for protection money is one less spent on my rice,” her whispered voice calming down. “One less coin for their own profits. One less coin in their employee wages…” She turned to Xun, a playfully innocent grin as if she was doing no wrong. “One less coin I can gamble away from the employees.”

The smile on her face dropped. The lines on her face hardening into a glare. “I want my profits! And if you can get back what they’ve taken me so far—all the better.” Sighing she drooped her head onto the stone table. “If I was a man I doubt they would ever dare pull this sort of garbage in my turf.”

Absentmindedly Xun consolingly patted her head, eyes paying more attention to the men as they made their rounds. “Both you and Yao are bribing the police so it’s doubtful they want to take sides when both of those sides are giving them money. I can throw my weight around with the police but there will be little loyalty—I’ll be taking away one of their cash cows. And bringing in the royal magistrates in any large show will only end in a investigation on me later.”

“So slap them with trumped up charges,” she began lifting her head, sliding Xun’s hand into both of her own. “Find a few fallguys who can’t be traced back to either of us. Give those green spooks a reason to drag them away. As long as Yao’s powerbase is broken in the end. That much I want,” they both returned to observation. “All I need is for Yao and his gang to look weak in the eyes of my clients, who knows how many others, and maybe the police. Without claws and fangs all they have is a bark… and if need be I can do what I choose then.”

The two looked at each other as the gang rounded a corner. His size and the brightness of his clothing was enough to make him stand out in this part of the city, so he had to keep as far enough distance as he could. “Thank you ‘brother,’” she let him slip from her grip as he stood to leave.

[reen]

Kazuto helped to bring the rice into the shop. he wasn't a very atletic person, but gained enough endurence in his travels not to be tired out from basic manual labor. He took a couple bags at a time and wondered why he doesn't invent something to do this for him.

He put two bags down and then went back to get two more. He worked hard as so to get a decent pay. He needed the money to continue living for a few more weeks. He picked up two more of the bags and then started carrying them into the shop like the others.

He wondered if he sould stay here for the last two day he would be here. He didn't want to stay with her foster parents. The only thing that kept him in that house was Kiwa and now she was barely ever home because of her new job and school. His foster parents didn't like him since he was too smart. Or atleast, that's how he understands it.