Road To Strangeness <Ba Sing Se, Earth Kingdom>

[gengoro]

Night fell as Kazuto worked outside. Wei went outside to check on his progress. As he went outside, he saw the boy lift two bundles of rice and carried them inside. Wei cracked a smile.

"That will be enough for tonight," Wei said, "You have impressed me with your labor. You will be paid in the morning. In the meantime, please feel free to use the dining room to rest. Since it is nightfall, the more unsavory types are out, so we don't want you getting hurt, or worse, missing."

Wei locked the back door and walked upstairs to his bedroom.
"I will see you first thing tomorrow morning," Wei said as he closed the door to his bedroom.

In the dining room, Gengoro hesitated to go to sleep. Since he is use to sleeping outdoors, he isn't use to sleeping under a roof with walls. Still, with those walls, he would be safe. He drifted off to sleep as the light in the lantern dimmed.

[gengoro]

The dawn approached the world. The morning birds sing their daily song and the wind blew gently. The dew gathered at nearby plants.

The sun struck Gengoro's eyes. With a few stirs, Gengoro got himself upright and unleashed a great yawn. He scratched his head for a second and looked around. He couldn't find Kazuto anywhere nearby.

He went to the back washroom to wash his face. After washing his face, he went into the kitchen. He grabbed a clean bowl nearby and scooped a spoonful of rice into the bowl.

"I might as well eat breatkfast before I get an earful from the old man," Gengoro grumbled. He walked over to one of the empty tables and watched the sunrise from the window. He dug his chopsticks into the bowl of rice and savored each grain as the breakfast diminishes. As he watched the sun rise, he thought about the Yao gang from yesterday.

"I wonder if those low lives will show up today?" Gengoro said to himself as he thought about his agenda for the day. He got done with the rice and placed the bowl away in the kitchen. He sat down on the floor next to his Maio Dao. He clutched the saya and pulled the sword out halfway. The shine of the metal reflected the sun into his eyes. It didn't bother him too much. He pecked at the serrated edge at the top of the sword. Almost pricking himself from the edge, he put the sword back into the saya and looked at the room and imagined it being full of customers later on.

[xun]

The aromatic stick he chewed titled upwards until touched his nose.

He often wished his children would inherit many things from him but not his size. ...happy enough they inherit the size of our mountain blood, even if they become taller than their mothers, hunching his head down and scuttling sideways through the normal sized entrance.

Clearing the entrance Xun unabashedly nodded to any, possibly snickering, onlookers within the resturant.

His old, tattered and fading lime green short sleeve vest with battered burgundy trousers and hemp sandals were the best he could find in attempting to blend in admist this portion of the city. Chewing on the aromatic stick as he stood there he gave a quick scan of the resturant from under the cheap concial straw hat.

Nodding as he moved to a corner table--this windowless, claustrophobic enducing and dim lit joint could offer some concealment in his surveilance. This resturant being amongst the stops in the hoods' route and eventually they will make a stop here.

And hope his legs would not be in too much pain as he sat in the stool in almost a low horse stance. The knees almost parallel to his waist.

May they not inherit my size, sighingly, Gods willing.

[gengoro]

The sun continued to rise as the store opened up. Wei and the old man were in the back room discussing business matters. The old man called Gengoro over.

"OK Gengoro, we are going to be running a few errands for the restaurant," the old man explained, "We need you to run the store."
"I don't know how to run a store," Gengoro said, "Why are you leaving me here? I don't know anything about running a shop."
"Don't worry," Wei interrupted, "Just ask one of the waiters to help you with anything when we are gone. They've been here long enough."

They both took their leave. Gengoro looked around confused about what to do. As he was looking around for someone to ask for help, he saw a man with a light green shirt on with a straw hat on his head. With a deeper examination, it looked like he was chewing on a stick.

He walked over to the man, trying to look as professional as he could.
"Sorry sir," Gengoro said, "I'm kinda new to this. How can I help you?"

[xun]

The waiter barely had to bend the slightest to address Xun directly. His proposterous height allowing him to talk to the waiter at almost a face to face level.

"Tcch," lips curling upwards as two fingers slowly slid the aromatic stick from his mouth. Xun had managed to withhold an urge to reel back a little from the haggard looking man. "Obviously," stating matter of factly at the man being 'new to this.'

Looks like you just got off the street, Xun thought to himself. At least the man looked washed. He was still unkempt and rugged looking but at least appeared he washed. More than likely another status-less refugee, wiggling the stick between his fingers and giving his waiter another once over look. Noting his challenging figure. A fighter's physique. Probably never had a job remotely close to this in your life have you... as opposed to trashing places like these.

"A bowl of rice," finally answering flatly. "Bowl of rice with vegetables. And a pot of tea. Red ginseng."

"And feel free to take your time," lessening any harshness and command in his voice.

[gengoro]

"A bowl of rice with vegetables and a pot of tea. Very well, I'll get it for you," Gengoro said as he rushed over to the back kitchen. The kitchen was active yet and the cooks were still preparing.

"Hey guys, we already got a customer," Gengoro announced, "I need a pot of green tea with red ginseng and a bowl of rice with vegetables." He walked back to Xun.
"It will be out in just a few minutes.

As Gengoro was waiting for the food and tea to be prepared, a few more people came in from the street. They appeared to be merchants. At this point, Gengoro got a little nervous with the unusual traffic that was coming in during the morning.

"Guys," Gengoro called out to the kitchen, "You better boil that rice quick."

As he walked out into the dining room again, he saw some familiar faces and grew very aggitated in an instant. The same couple of people from Yao's gang came up and sat at their usual table. Gengoro wanted to confront subtly by asking what they wanted to order, but a waitress beat him to the table and asked for their orders. He didn't want to make them suspicious, so he let her have the table.

Damn. They got here earlier than I expected. All they need to do is start some trouble, then they are mine.

[gengoro]

The stench of the gang filled the room with taint. Luckily, there were no other guests at the restaurant besides the one Gengoro talked to earlier.

They walked in and sat at their usual table. One of the waitresses got to the table before Gengoro could. He felt a little cautious as he continued to watch them.

As he was waiting for the rice and tea to finish for Xun, he took a wet rag and wiped a few of the unoccupied tables. He continued to watch Yao's gang from a distance.

"What do you mean the food isn't ready?" one of the members shouted, "We paid good money to be here, and the food isn't ready yet?"
"I'm terribly sorry, but we just opened up a few minutes ago?" the waitress nervously said.
"No excuses lady," another member shouted back, "We want out food, and we want it now, otherwise, accidents happen."

One member was sliding a cup down the to edge of the table. As he fell off the edge, the cup crashed into the floor. Shattered pieces flew into the air upon impact.

"Hey," Gengoro shouted. He had enough of hearing dishes break while working there. In his mind, that cup breaking was justification enough to confront them.
"I saw you damage that cup," Gengoro continued, "You broke it, now you can pay for it."

"Who in the hell are you?" one member said.
"What does it matter?" Gengoro replied, "You broke that cup. It comes out of your pocket. Also, quit giving her problems. You heard her, we just opened up and the food isn't ready. Cut her some slack."

The members of the gang got up from their seats. They looked angrily at Gengoro.
"Are you trying to start trouble?" the lead man spoke. He was more muscular than the rest of them with a stubble beard.
"Maybe," Gengoro said, Whatever trouble there is, chances are, you thugs have no chance."

[xun]

Sliding his lower jaw side to side to twirl the stick in his mouth.

Impeccable, noting his arrival minutes before the boys of this Yao character. He was hoping more customers would have entered the restaurant ahead of them. Aiding to mask his observation of the thugs rather than being among the few customers currently here.

Xun began tilting the hat further over his eyes then began turning to watch from his peripheral view. Hiding his face in food and drink would have also helped, yet it was still being prepared.

As usual, sighing. Plans hardly ever survive intact past the initial premise.

As one of the waitresses attended the table occupied by Yao’s boys, Xun began another visual profile sweep of the restaurant’s staff. Finishing his eyes returned onto his waiter, busy wiping down the unoccupied tables. His attention was quickly thrown from Gengoro by a crash coming from his targets’ table.

Immediately the burly waiter sped to the site like an arrow. Confronting and accusing the men of breaking the dish on purpose. Unfortunately the men began to stand from their seats, half encompassing the waiter. To which the waiter responded to them, “Whatever trouble there is, chances are, you thugs have no chance.”

“I’m kinda new to this,” the words of that waiter repeated in Xun’s head, causing a lift in his eyebrow. Did the restaurant’s owner manage to hire a strongarm?

[paperbard]

Kynagen grimaced as he waited in line. Leave it to big city folk to find a way to make a simple journey complicated. He sighed heavily as he looked at those in the line in front of him. Refugees. He stroked his small beard thoughtfully. For the past decade their numbers had grown. Damn fire nation. Why did they have to drive innocent people from their homes? He bent over to the side and spat on the ground beside him. The movement rustled his rough cloak, temporarily revealing his katars. With a grunt of worry, Kynagen quickly lurched back into line, his hands smoothing his cloak back over his weapons.
He had heard his fare share of Bai Sing Sei. He’d heard they didn’t talk about the war inside the walls, that people were arrested for simply mentioning it. He didn’t want to attract that kind of attention. Damn Dai Lee! Almost as bad as the bloody fire nation, with their bully tactics. Kynagen was a mercenary, one who had seen the war first hand. The last thing he needed was some crazed earthbender busting his chops.
Kynagen chuckled. What was he even doing here? If they didn’t want the war in the city walls, what business did he have to be here? His hand instinctively went to the pouch at his side, and he drew out a well-worn letter. His rough hands unfolded the parchment as he had done a hundred times since he had received it from a rather flustered courier. His eyes scanned its contents once more.
Dear Kynagen Mitsumi.
We regret to inform you that your mother, Pao Mitsumi, has passed away. As you probably already know, she had spent the last six years of her life here in Bai Sing Sei. It is also regretful to say that the memorial service has already taken place. We offer our condolences to you.
Pao left all of her possessions to her ‘Brave soldier boy’, AKA you. If you could come to Bai Sing Sei and fill out a few forms, we will hand over her estate and possessions to you.

Sincerely,
Lung Xziao of the Dai Lee.

A tear formed in his eye as he carefully folded the parchment and put it back in his pocket. How did she die? The bastards didn’t even say! She was only 48! She couldn’t have died of old age, that’s for sure. Well, no matter what crap I have to plow through, I’m going to find out!
It was several hours before Kynagen finally arrived in Bai Sing Sei, and several more before he got to the Dai Lee headquarters. As soon as he entered, Kynagen was set off guard. He and the secretary at the desk in front of him were the only two souls in the waiting area. Surely a bunch of creeps like the Dai Lee would have plenty of complaints. Yet I’m the only one here! What the hell is going on?
He studied the secretary for a few seconds before getting her attention. She was relatively young, probably not any older than himself, attractive too. Not that he really cared about such things after Mika’s death. What was really odd was her face. Her smile looked as though a child had pasted it on her face with glue, and her eyes seemed vacant, as if she wasn’t really there.
“Umm… excuse me?” He stepped in front of the desk. The secretary continued smiling at him.
“What can I do for you sir?”
“My mother, Pao, passed away recently. I was away at the time and I received this letter.” Sighing heavily, Kyangen reluctantly placed the letter on the desk. The secretary skimmed over it and smiled up at him before continuing. She’s always smiling. What’s with that?
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Mitsumi. Unfortuntely, Mr. Xziao is busy at the moment. If you could come back tomorrow around noon, I’m sure he’ll be able to see you.” Kynagen scowled.
“Alright. I’ll see ‘Mister Xziao’ tomorrow then.” Kyangen left hurriedly, trying to put as much distance between himself and that odd woman as possible. After wandering Bai Sing Sei for hours, Kyngen’s eyes began to droop wearily. Better find somewhere to sleep. After looking all over the poorer sections for a cheap inn, he finally settled down in an inn called the Dragon’s Roost. After a long night’s rest, Kynagen made his way down to the main floor for some breakfast.
“We don’t serve food here, just give ye drunks a bed te sleep in!” The innkeeper had told him roughly. “Go across the street if you want some food!” Kynagen turned to leave, but stopped when the old man added, “And steer clear of the gangs! Some of them like to be assholes at that restaurant. Just let the owner’s handle it, kay?”
Kynagen grinned. “Won’t be a problem.” Then he left.
It took a couple of seconds for him to find the restaurant, as all of the grimy building looked alike. His hand went to open the door, but he stopped as he looked in the window. One of the waiters seemed to be arguing with some fancy-dressed brutes at one of the tables. A broken cup lay smashed on the ground beside a particularly ugly-looking specimen. Kyangen guessed that one of the brutes had broken it, and that the waiter was arguing with him. His thoughts drifted back to what the old man had warned him about the gangs. He put those thoughts aside, however, as the brute got out of their seats and started to approach the waiter. The young man didn’t look like he could take them. Scowling, Kyangen banged the door open loudly. “Leave him alone!” He took a few steps in, brushing his cloak back to reveal the katars at his side. He smiled at the waiter. “I take it these are the guys you told me about?” He winked at the waiter before continuing. “Now listen. You guys better get your fancy asses out of here, or I’m going to separate them from your bodies, understand?” He flexed his muscles then dropped his hands to rest on his katar hilts.

[gengoro]

"You look like nothing but some refugee, you little punk," the head member shouted, "We don't like your kind around."
"And your kind isn't wanted either," Gengoro replied.

“Now listen. You guys better get your fancy asses out of here, or I’m going to separate them from your bodies, understand?”

Gengoro looked over his shoulder and noticed a boy come through the door. From his look, he appeared to be a wanderer as well. He looked well muscled and could hold his own in a fight, but Gengoro didn't want to risk it. He didn't want any potential customer to get injured.

"Sir," Gengoro called out to the newcomer, "Please don't get involved in this. I got things handled. Just have a seat at one of the tables."
"The hell you do," one of the members screamed as he charged Gengoro.

That was reckless. This will be too easy.

The charging member pulled out a dagger from his shirt sleeve and tried to thrust the blade into the torso of Gengoro. The move was predictable as Gengoro easily dodged out of the way. Gengoro tightened his fingers straight as he thrusted vertically at the wrist of the thug. With one quick chop, the dagger dropped to the floor. Before the thug could respond, Gengoro with his other hand tightened his finders and instead thrusted forward toward the throat of the charging thug.

Upon connection, the bully gagged hard as he grasped his throat in pain. He looked bewildered at Gengoro as he stood his ground.

"I'm warning all of you now," Gengoro sternly responded, "Leave now, or it will get worse for you."

[paperbard]

Kynagen's eye widened as he saw the 'helpless' waiter easily keep one of the thugs at bay. Holy hell! This guy knows his stuff! Despite his new found 'friend' having things well in hand, Kynagen didn't think the brutes would just sit there and play nice.
"No way I'm sitting down. Ye look like you can handle yourself one-on one, but these smelly brutes probably wouldn't know a fair fight if it crawled up thier ass. There's no way I'm missing a chance to beat up some hooligans!"
Cracking his kunckles together, Kyangen approached the table.
"Alright crap heads. Listen up and listen real good. You are going to get your sorry asses out of here, or me and my buddy here will beat you up so bad you'll wish you're ass was your face." He scowled at them menacingly, his muscles tightening. "You hear that!?"
He took another menacing step towards them.

[xun]

Heh heh heh heh…, twirling the aromatic stick by sliding his jaw. Xun coming to the conclusion that if his burly waiter was bold and foolhardy, then the young man who recently barged in was arrogant and foolish, if nothing else. His boisterous behavior seeming akin to the ferocity of a small, barking dog until silenced or forced to retreat by actual confrontation.

Heh heh heh heh…, amused by the young mans abhorrent speech that was further agitating the situation. At least the would-be-hired-strongarm-of-a-waiter could possibly handle himself. After watching Gengoro use a non-lethal manuver right out of a martial skills textbook.

Maybe the burly waiter could take care of himself against them after all. However, that would not stop his loud mouth, would-be companion from wanting to pick a fight anyway.

It would be interesting to watch them throwdown in this little place… but I doubt the restaurant owner would look too kindly on that. Xun sighed to himself and began chuckling, Sometimes you have to love the lower ring. You may hardly find a dull moment over here.

[gengoro]

Gengoro continued to stay into his posture as he squared off with the bullies of the store. After witnessing what happened to the other guy, they approached with a little more caution.

“I appreciate your help friend,” Gengoro complimented, “But these guys are dangerous.”
“Get him!” the lead bandit commanded. Two more charged forward with daggers in hand. They positioned their knives in front of their chest, waiting to plunge straight forward into the opponent. However, that was their weakness as they can become unbalanced.

Gengoro used that to his advantage. As they charged forward, Gengoro waited until one of them came forward. He grabbed one of the thug’s tunics as he charged through the area that Gengoro use to stand in. Using the momentum, he guided the thug into the wall, grashed the back of his head, and rammed him head first into the wall. The limp body of the thug soon took shape as he lay on the floor unconscious. The other thug screamed a battle cry as he plunged forward with the knife. Gengoro’s stance was loose as he was expecting this attack. With his left hand, he grabbed one of the chopsticks from one of the tables. As the knife lunged forward, Gengoro intercepted by stabbing the pointed chopstick into the wrist of the thug.

He screamed in pain as the chopstick got stuck into him. While he was screaming, Gengoro twisted the chopstick forward with the wrist following. The pain was nerve-wracking. More screams of pain could be heard. Gengoro positioned the thug into a one knee position. He grabbed one of the hot kettles of tea from earlier and poured it down his mouth.

“This shall teach you to mouth off to the waitresses,” Gengoro snarled as he continued to pour the hot water down his mouth. Gengoro swiftly looked at the ring leader of the group, anticipating another move.
“You wanna keep up with this?” Gengoro spat.

[xun]

The stick twirling in Xun's mouth tilted downwards. This man, his burly waiter was quite impressive. Further and further there became little doubt to Xun that Gengoro was most certainly a hire strongarm. A hired strongarm that could possible keep the damage in the restaurant, should there be an outright brawl, to a minimum. Yet the same may not be possible for his new, coarse tongued friend.

But even if the new waiter could manage to get rid of Yao's boys, the fact that the restaurant's owner hired a strongman would most certainly bring forth an unwanted backlash. There is not telling what they would do to the restaurant or the other employees in retaliation.

Rubbing his chin, Xun considered that options that would be left to hired strongman and the restaurant after this encounter. Maybe he could... "encourage" those the burly waiter and the coarse tongue to further action against the Yao led gang. Even if the those two should die in the process his society "sister" should be pleased enough if Yao was dealt even in a minor blow. And other than Yao's men all those two would have a problem with would be the Green spooks suddenly snatch them. At least if they did such at night.

Interesting speculation as it was, watching events unfold--he began tapping his fingers on the table--would be far better observed if his order was ready.

[paperbard]

Kynagen grinned and nodded at the burly waiter as he finally accepted his help. Cracking his knuckles, Kynagen sighed heavily, and started to walk languidly towards the troublemakers. A wide grin stretched across his face as he set himself into a rather sloppy imitation of the earth kingdom martial stance. Three of the brutish thugs grinned at him as they drew their knives, holding them at their chests like their friends.
Sensing Kyangen’s sloppy stance, the head thug charged, his arms tucked in, ready to thrust the dagger or use his weight to drive it into the bounty hunter’s belly. He quickly reached thrusting distance, and took advantage of Kyangen’s seeming ineptitude. With a howl, he thrust the dagger straight towards Kynagen’s heart, his eyes gleaming with hatred. Kynagen simply grinned as, instead of diverting the blow like a normal earth fighter, he fell on his back. With quick movements, Kynagen grabbed the man’s dagger hand, placed his foot in his gut, and heaved the unlucky man right over him. Instead of letting the man go, however, Kynagen whipped his arm over his head and then quickly back to his gut, dislocating the man’s shoulder, and slamming him into the ground mere inches from his head.
By this time, the other two thugs were already charging as well. With a grunt of exertion, Kynagen bent his legs over his head, and then flung himself up onto his feat in a powerful kip up. The two men halted their charge and began to circle him warily, their blades now waving in front of them. Kynagen grinned. “You guys just don’t get it, do ya?” The thugs wordlessly closed their circle, giving Kynagen less breathing space. “Guess not.”
The thug to Kynagen’s left grunted and thrust his blade. Sidestepping the blow, Kynagen grabbed the man’s arm. With a grunt of exertion, he yanked the man roughly forward, right into his raised knee. The man gasped and dropped the dagger as the bounty hunter’s knee smashed his solar plexus, ripping the air from his lungs. As Kynagen’s attention was focused on the thug before him, his other attacker lunged forward, his blade seeking flesh. Kynagen just had time to drop to the side, the blade still scraping his arm. The remaining thug grinned wickedly as he stood before Kynagen. “Oh look, I’ve cut you! Hope that hurt.”
Kyngen grinned as the man gloated before him, ignoring the bounty hunter’s right foot between his own. With a heave, he slammed his heavy hiking boot up into the man’s crotch. The man dropped his knife with a howl of agony as Kynagen rose from the ground. Grabbing both gasping men by their shirts, Kynagen slammed their heads together with a grunt, silencing them both. “Hope that hurt, buddy!” He then turned to the waiter, and found him standing before their leader. I think he deserves to take this bastard on himself.
He looked down at his unsheathed katars and chuckled. Guess I didn't need you.