Road To Strangeness <Ba Sing Se, Earth Kingdom>

[gengoro]

The commotion that Kynagen and the two other thugs didn't last long. Gengoro glanced at the wanderer for a split second, then turned his attention at the leader. From the way his face was shaped, yhe didn't look too happy.

"Well, how about you?" Gengoro pointed out, "You ready to get hurt too?"

The leader chuckled slightly, as if he was humored from his remark.
"Naw," the leader said, "I don't need this sort of treatment." There was composure in his voice as he spoke to Gengoro. He walked pass Gengoro at his left side. As he passed, the leader did a quick glance at him. Surprisingly, Gengoro only looked straight ahead of the room. This made the leader nervous a little, but it didn't show.

"Come on guys, let get out of here," the leader spoke out while the other thugs were getting to their feet.

"I don't want any of you coming back to this restaurant without money. Do you understand?" Gengoro warned as the thugs left through the front door. The leader just forced a slight grunt to acknowledge his warning. As the door was shut behind him, Gengoro shook his head.

"They'll be back, and they won't be alone," Gengoro muttered. He walked over to the kitchen to grab the bowl of rice and pot of tea that Xun requested. He then walked over to the table that Xun was sitting and gently placed the items on the table.

"There you go sir," Gengoro spoke as if the past events didn't even happen.

[xun]

Well there is something you do not see often enough, Xun was grinning to himself. A sensible thug... or at least one with some leadership quality.

A predatory grin was in his smile as Gengoro returned from the kitchen with his order.

"There you go sir," Gengoro speaking as if the events in the last few minutes had never occured within the restaurant.

Xun nodded. "Such a shame, Yao's thugs running around like they own the neighborhood," replying off handedly as if the events of the past few minutes still did occur. Looking from under his straw hat he hoped the boisterous newcomer heard as well. "It is so difficult to find a youxia ((vagabond/wandering hero)) anymore to keep such fiends in check, y'know?"

Sighing as he began pouring his tea, "Their kind would be helpful at such a time now...," pausing for a moment to side glance at the two them. "Chances are more of that scum will return here unless they were dealt with soon. Quickly. Directly. Y'know?"

[paperbard]

Kynagen grinned, re-sheathed his katars, and walked to a nearby table. Sitting down, he listened to the other customer not-to-subtly insinuating that someone should take on these thugs.
“Not exactly subtle, are you?” He waved his hand at one of the serving waitresses. “Would be so kind to get me a bowl of brown rice and a steak of some sort please? I’m rather famished.” He smiled kindly at the waitress. Plopping a large bag of gold on the table, he once more got her attention. “And please ask the chefs to use the finest cuts of meat they have.” Turning to Gregorio, his smile faded.
“So how does one so trained in the martial arts end up a waiter in a small restaurant?” He looked around at the quaint little restaurant. “And in such a rough neighborhood, no less.” He chuckled dryly. “Hell, you’re probably wondering what a trained warrior like myself is doing in this place. Suffice it to say that I have a problem with the Dai Lee, and am looking for some help in extracting some ‘information’ from their tight-lipped traps.”

[gengoro]

"Ummmm, you do realize that we are in a very bad part of the city? We won't have the best quality meat," Gengoro told Kynagen as he sat next to the stranger. He continued to stand and watch as the stranger gave out his proposal.

"As much as I would like to fight them, I guess the owner of the store didn't want me to interfere with his affairs. As for your proposal......"

"What the hell happen to my restaurant?!" a voiced screamed out from across the room. Gengoro looked over and his eyes widened from surprise. It was the old man back from his errands.
"What happened here? I want answers!" the old man demanded as he looked toward Gengoro.
"I'm sorry sir," Gengoro apologized with sincerity, "But Yao's gang was here, and they were starting trouble. I had to interfere."
"You started trouble with Yao's gang? Do you realize what you have done?" the old man asked with anger, "Now they will come back with more people. They will tear down my shop, and it will be your fault!"

[xun]

“Pssh, subtly?” Xun purposely slurring his speech to match the lower ring’s “local” dialect, “often a waist of time,” he turned his head and gestured as if spitting on the concept of it before turning back to his food. “Subtly, pah!”

Further conversation between the three was quickly interrupted due to the lamentation, of what Xun assumed, to be the restaurant’s owner. A shame as he wondered himself why a fighter was working in a restaurant—despite the obvious possible reasons. Though probably not as much as what business this second man had dealing with the city’s green spooks.

“You started trouble with Yao’s gang? Do you realize what you have done?” The quality in the old man’s voice became furious. “Now they will come back with more people. They will tear down my shop, and it will be your fault!”

“Mm, poor guy,” Xun shook his head to Kynagen. Feeling pity for both the restaurant owner as well as Gengoro too, though not certain which one he felt sorrier for between them. “So you still think there is a need for subtly… Mr. …?” Holding a hand out to the man, and thinking that if the man asked the same of him Xun would answer his name as… maybe “Jade Fist Cho” or something.

[paperbard]

Kynagen looked at the waiter as he discussed the steak meat. “All the more reason for my requesting your finest meat, such as it is.”
Kyangen nodded his head at the patron. “Kynagen Mitsumi. Never mind the mister part.” His eyes widened as the rather distressed old man barged in and lamented his prospects. He turned back to the odd man with his flavor stick. “Guess subtlety’s out the window.”
Scowling once more, Kynagen rose from his seat and confronted the man. “It is not so much your waiter’s fault, as it is mine. He tried to come to a peaceful ending. I, in my youthful foolishness, aggravated his assailants, and thus probably compounded the situation to a much worse degree than it was before. I apologize and am willing to pay for any damages I may have caused.” He looks around the room. “Which seems next to none, as these ‘Yao’ seem to be the worst contributors to property damage, what with the broken cups and whatnot.” He bowed his head slightly in respect. “As I seem to have brought these thugs against you, I must be the one to deal with these pests.” He raised his eyes to be level with the old man’s. “I will require the assistance of your waiter, however, as he appears to be a much better warrior than befits his current station. He also appears to have a much cooler head than I, which will indeed aid us.” He swept his arm to encompass the quaint restaurant. “I believe I don’t need to mention the rather unpleasant alternative.”

[gengoro]

"In any case, I did not appreciate you practically destroying my restaurant," the old man continued to yell. He looked over at Xun with a stern face.

"I am Fu Chou," the old man answered, "And those bastards are going to come back tomorrow, maybe even today to settle their insult from earlier."

He struck the back of Gengoro's head with swiftness. Gengoro leaned forward as the force from his hand struck it's mark. There was little known about this man, but from the way he struck Gengoro, it would assume that he was ex-military.

"I would face them all by myself, but I am too old and there will be too many of them before I could get fast."

"I must ask," Gengoro interrupted, "But you struck me just then. What style did you use? It doesn't seem to be the same style as the Earth Kingdom's fighting."

"I wasn't trained in the Earth Kingdom," Chou scoffed, "I was trained in the water style of the Water Tribes when I was younger. Earth Kingdom fighting is too rigid for my taste. Now if you don't stop asking stupid questions, I'll give you a taste of my fist you shop wrecker!"

[xun]

The giant tilted his head in confusion. Am I hearing that right? He questioned himself. But the ease and swiftness the owner, Fu Chou, had struck Gengoro did lend some credence to man’s statements.

“Am I going deaf or did you hear the same thing?” whispering to Kynagen, wondering if the man heard the same statements about the old man’s of both facing the gang by himself and having been taught the Water Tribes’ style of fighting.

Xun began pouring his tea as he considered the matter further. This was all happening rather quickly. He had at least hoped this coming to a climax within weeks. Offer him a chance of investigating the strength of Yao’s gang, a chance at gathering up at least a dozen fighters including a few of local police who were less than favorable to being bought off by the local gangs.

Now any such planning may have been thrown out the window.

[gengoro]

"Well, regardless of what you say old man," Gengoro stated, "I will not let Yao's gang terrorize your store."
"If you wish to fell their wrath, then by all means, do it. However, if you do, you will not be welcome here anymore. I wanted no trouble, but instead, they will come after me for revenge. Now get out!" Chou yelled.

Gengoro really didn't want to leave, but he had no choice in the matter anymore. He knew that he was unwanted and now endangered the old man and his family. He bowed slightly, picked up is Maio Dao and steel jingasa and walked to the door. Just as Gengoro had his first foot through the door, he thought of something.

"Hey old man," Gengoro spoke, "I didn't get paid yet."
"Get the hell out of here!" Chou yelled.
"Fine, But I'm letting you know, Yao's gang will not step foot into this restaurant ever again."

[paperbard]

As the rather odd fellow whispered into his ear, Kyangen furrowed his brow in consternation. Tilting his head to the side… he whispered. “Why is the fact that this old man knows water style to be so odd? When I was part of the Gensii, I learned to base my martial fighting on the fluid movements of water fighting styles as well. While I’m no expert, I guess you could say I know the style. When you’re facing many more opponents than yourself, and when you do not have the luxury of earth bending, sitting and taking the shot is not advisable. Earth Kingdom martial arts are far too rigid, and do not allow for the flexibility that a bounty hunter needs.” He nodded towards the older man. “How he would have learned such a style might be of some interest, but there’s no reason to be alarmed. Now… if he was using fire nation style, then I would be worried.”
Kynagen bowed towards the old man. “I shall take my leave as well.” Grabbing his bag, the bounty hunter untied the silk string keeping it closed. As he passed the older man, he reached in, withdrew two gold coins, and slipped them into the man’s weathered palms. Without a word, he left the establishment, closely on the heels of the now ex-waiter. Calling his attention, Kyangen retied his bag and jogged over to the man. “So now that we’re leaving this guy… what do you think of my proposition. I mean, if you plan on taking this ‘yao’ gang on yourself…. well… you might want to quit while you’re ahead. I could help, of course, though I’d be most pleased if you’d consider helping me in return.”

[gengoro]

Gengoro walked in the street of this rather busy morning. When he left the store, the words of the old man ring inside of his head as he drifted into space.
"If you wish to feel their wrath, then by all means, do it. However, if you do, you will not be welcome here anymore. I wanted no trouble, but instead, they will come after me for revenge. Now get out!" He couldn't help but feel bad for the old man. He probably could of taken on Yao's gang, but he also realized that he would put his family in danger as well as his own.

Gengoro felt that there was a tail behind him. As Gengoro glanced over his shoulder, he found Kynagen right behind him.

“So now that we’re leaving this guy… what do you think of my proposition. I mean, if you plan on taking this ‘yao’ gang on yourself…. well… you might want to quit while you’re ahead. I could help, of course, though I’d be most pleased if you’d consider helping me in return.”
"I didn't leave him," Gengoro said, "I said I wouldn't help his store. Now I'm after Yao's gang because there is a lack of justice in this world."
He scratched his head as he tried to think of the nicest way of saying his next phrase.
"But don't get me wrong. I want to take them out myself. I don't want anyone elses help. If you want to help someone, help the old man, not me."

With that in mind, Gengoro looked straight ahead and walked down the crowded street, thinking of how he would get back at Yao and his men.

Meanwhile, Fu Chou and Wei were picking up the rest of the restaurant. The crowd were getting a little larger as the day went by. Fu noticed the large man in the corner drinking his hot tea. He walked over to him and spoke to his gruffly.
"Are you still here?" Chou questioned, "Are you anxious to go to your death?"
He then noticed the tea cup with the hot contents inside.
"And can you quit sipping your tea? Drink like a man, gulp it down like it was cold."
He took the other empty cup and pured the hot tea inside, then placed the cup on his lips and drank the contents with haste, showing no discomfort from the hot contents.

[xun]

Even if he did feel sorry for Fu Chou, Xun still had to hold back a grin at the flustered man. Yet he was a tad impressed at the man’s lack of discomfort.

“I always took tea as something to be enjoyed, not,” gingerly speaking while lowering a raised eyebrow, “inhaled,” taking another sip. “I am no longer a young man, and thus the brash and eager youth of Ping Bi Quan,” withholding a grin at its meaning of ‘Peaceful Jade Fists,’ while he took a moment to pour tea for himself and Chou, “has slowly eroded away with time and age.”

“Yet I see now that despite age,” holding his cup up to Chou and tipping his hat, “a man can still possess fire within him.” Downing the contents as Chou did. Teeth gritting in the momentary discomfort of hot tea flushing down his throat.

Xun puffed an exhaled before lifting his chopsticks and tapping the rice bowl. “And is it not proper for a man to have one last meal before going off to his death? Nor do I believe a man should fight with an empty stomach,” lifting rice from the bowl. “I can always catch up with them later. We both know where they will be going, afterall”

[paperbard]

Kynagen growled as the slighty older man gave him the cold shoulder. He clenched his fists as the man started to leave, then grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around with his strong arm.
"Listen to me, damn it!" He let his grip slip off the man's shoulder as he stared the man down. "I want to bring justice as much a you do! There has to be something done about these guys before they hurt that old man. Sure he's an old and bitter crone, but he does not deserve the trouble we have brought upon his head. He says for us not to help him. You say you do not want to... but it must be done. Do you honestly think those animals are just going to let this go because you left? They'll raze that quaint shop to the damn ground looking for you! The only thing you can do to bring justice, to restore whatever honor you may have... is to face this gang head on, in their own turf. And you need help damn it! You're not a one man army!"
His eyes started to tear over as he turned his head to the side in sadness. "Trust me... I know what that attitude can do to a man."
Whiping his eyes with a large finger, Kynagen turned back to the man. "The only way I can help this man is by going with you. You're going to get yourself killed if you go in like that. Now I know you think I'm the exact kind of guy to do just that, and you may be right in some cases. But that whole gung-ho style I used when I came in was just an act of intimidation. I know my own limits... and I can guess at yours. Why can't you just accept my help?"

[gengoro]

Gengoro stopped to think at the words that Kynagen mentioned. Sure, he wanted to help the old man, but he didn't want to wait around for them. Noticing a few tears come from the man's eyes, Gengoro turned his head to see the very loud boy.
"Do you think I don't know that already?" Gengoro asked, "I know what would happen to the shop. I know what they would do to the man and his family. I lost family too, but never in the way you will experience."

He noticed a boy and girl playing in the street, chasing one another next to a consession stand. A slight smile cracked at the corner of his lips as he watched on.

"You will indeed help, but not at my side," Gengoro continued, "I do however, need to see if something will be done. Tell the large man at the restaurant that we were talking to earlier to meet us at the Jade Phoenix tea house at noon. We will discuss things further there."

Gengoro continued to walk through the crowd with his sword at his side as noon slowly approaches.

~-~-~-~-~-

"They will be going to Hell," Chou said with anger as he slammed his fist onto the table, "That man is too brash. He will get killed." He guzzled down another cup of tea as he continued, "He think he can try to impress me? He wants me to think that he's a hero? Ha! That Fire Nation soldier knows nothing about being a hero."

[xun]

Choking, Xun covered his mouth. Spitting bits of rice on the palm of his hands.

He turned about, scanning the crowd to see if anyone else had heard Chou. "This is quite a heavy accusation," turning back to Chou. Such knowledge about the war was only prevelant in the lower ring, those in the higher ring who knew were either close to Long Feng or had to keep quiet about--such as Xun and his own family--or else.

And one of the last things Xun ever wanted was an unwelcome visit from those green clad spooks.

But even if such information was well known down it was best not to go around talking about it--again, the spooks.

Yet how did Chou know, or was even certain, the man was Fire Nation. Without a passport or connections it would be next to impossible to enter the city. And the fact a member of the Fire Nation was here...

There was doubt the man could be desserter--sure there were a few like Jeong Jeong and the other fellow he had seen on wanted posters. But few desserters of the Fire Nation, even those with Jeong Jeong, survived for very long.

"How," pausing for a moment. Was Chou told so? Did he see the manufacturing name on the blade? "How can you be certain?"