Apathetic Work <Lun Yang, Fire Nation>

[rai]

The sunlight was golden, pouring down between the grey clouds like honey. The bright disk of the sun glowed in the western sky; it was late afternoon, and soon it would be evening. The grey, misty-dark clouds swept across the sky as their shadows slipped over the land, remnants of the previous morn’s rain, but the wind was fair and blew from the clear quarter of the sky. All fire benders drew their energy from the sun, and therefore, created their abodes where the sun was the most radiant. Its radiance spread across Lun Yang, giving citizens of the Fire Nation no doubt that there was a reason why the Fire Lord lived there.
On this particular afternoon, the streets were bustling with after morning vendors. With a look in each direction, there would be some vendor selling supplies, or some beggar trying to hassle someone out of money. Through the busy streets, a man walked through, careful not to touch any of the commoners. Covered with expensive fabrics, it was clear he was of high nobility. The man’s name was Raiku, the youngest on the Fire Lord’s court. Both an advanced fire bender and wealthy, he had developed an unpleasant arrogance most of the time.

Raiku took a sharp turn at a corner, leading him to the border of Lun Yang. Mobs of people swarm in, from all cities of the Fire Nation, with an equal amount swarming out. On the side of the border was a large café-like restaurant. It got lots of business, most likely from the incoming and outgoing travelers who wanted to stop for something to eat.

With some errands to do in the day, the fire bender pulled out a scroll that needed to be delivered. Raiku walked over to one of the border guards and handed him a scroll. The lord hadn’t bothered to read it, they always had the same thing written on them, a reminder to check the belongings of any suspicious person. Some of the guards were fairly alert, but most of them disregarded the orders from the capitol.

“There’s been talk of rebellious spies acting as refugees in the city;” Raiku spoke gruffly, “His royal excellence requires you to stop and check any suspicious persons for anything strange.” Raiku, personally, didn’t believe in these rumors, but the Royal Council was too apprehensive, they’d believe anything. Raiku rolled his eyes before continuing his sentence, “Unfortunately, I have to spend my time making sure you follow orders.” There was no benefit in being the youngest lord of the court. He was looking for some fun, most likely he’d skip his duties.

[yumi]

It was a bit of a gloomy day to the young fire bender that roamed the streets of Lun Yang. Of course, most days seemed dull to Yumi. Every day was the same; going to the nearest, town, city or village she can find and stay there for a bit before leaving a day or two later. Nothing exactly glamorous or anything. Very plain, boring and most of the time, frustrating. At least, it wasn’t so frustrating to travel now that she was back home with her own people in the fire Nation. It was much better than being in the Earth Kingdom where everyone was prejudice towards anyone from the Fire Nation.

Yumi hurried through the streets of the capitol city, pushing other citizens aside just to make her way her way through the great crowds. It seemed like everyone needed to get somewhere. No one was exactly polite when roaming the streets. Most seemed a bit pushy. This was getting on Yumi’s nerves and her frustration was getting the best of her. She held on to her travel bag tightly, just in case anyone were to come by and grab it, and made her way out of the thick crowd. Well, that was an accomplishment. Yumi huffed at her bangs and slipped into the busy restaurant, sighing heavily. She needed food and luckily, she had enough money to get a somewhat decent meal.

With a small groan, Yumi sat at an unoccupied table and started to settle down and relax.

[rai]

Impatient, Raiku waited at the border as the guards slowly checked different citizens’ bags. After about ten minutes, he heard a small grumbling sound, which happened to come from his stomach. Raiku rolled his eyes, staring at the busy restaurant only a minute’s walk away. Glancing his eyes at the guards, he slowly sneaked away from his post. He’d take the heat from the council later…if they found out. He slipped into the rush of citizens, hidden safely. Well, at least the mob had done something useful. Slowly stepping into the restaurant, the managers recognized his status, though regretfully told him that the tables were all booked. Raiku thought once about threatening the man, but he decided that he’d be in enough trouble already, with defying the Royal Council’s orders.

He roamed the tables, looking for somebody who might possibly be done with whatever they were having. After another few minutes of searching, the powerful bender found a lone girl sitting at the table. She was, in a single word, different. Raiku had become used to the over pampered ladies of the court. Raiku guessed the woman was roughly two to three years younger than him, and obviously either finished her meal, or was just starting.

Flashing a quick smile, Raiku put a hand on the table. “Excuse me miss,” Raiku said with a small bow, the young lord was obvious polite, despite his attitude. “Is this table open?” Raiku stared at the woman’s eyes, gold, like his. Gold eyes were uncommon with common people, although it was said to occur. The woman’s appearance certainly didn’t point to nobility. “I would be gratified if you would let me join you at this table.” Raiku added. Never in a century would Raiku ever sit at a table with a commoner, he was pretty hungry.

[yumi]

Yumi was busy counting her coins and didn't notice that someone was by her, until she heard the person speak.

"Excuse me miss. Is this table open?"

She saw him smile and bow, her response being a raised eyebrow of confusion.

"I would be gratified if you would let me join you at this table."

Both of her eyebrows arched high as she looked towards the ground, staying silent for a few moments. She then looked up back at him and looked him over. Her face was serious, almost looking angry in a way. His clothes her elegant and looked very rich and lavish. His hair seemed to be put up the same way as the Fire Lord's also.

He was definitely not a commoner of the capitol city, most likely a nobleman. Raiku looked older than herself, but that was something she didn't exactly mind. Seeing as how he seemed to be part of a high council, he didn’t exactly seem like he would do anything to her. He seemed harmless. After making a quick decision, Yumi shrugged.

"Sure. Doesn't matter to me," she responded flatly, going back to fiddling with her coins.

[rai]

Raiku noticed the way the woman responded to his motions by a quick arch of an eyebrow. In Lun Yang, that was the common manner, a quick bow, Raiku quickly deduced the woman wasn’t a citizen of Lun Yang. He really didn’t mind that much, she allowed him to sit at the table, and that’s all that mattered. Deep inside, Raiku felt humiliated, asking a regular citizen for a seat. Should he had not been so desperate, he would have demanded a table, and only taken yes as an answer. The lord slid a hand down one of his pockets and pulled out a small pouch. An elegant scarlet in color, it was tied tightly with golden thread.

He put it on the table, as it gave a faint jingling sound. Putting his right hand on its side, he slid it over to the woman. "Open it,” he said, his voice now slightly more gentle, “two hundred gold coins. To thank you for the seat.” By the look of how much gold the lady had, Raiku was assured she was not noble. Raiku leaned back in his chair and put his rough hands on the table, waiting to decide what to order.

A few quiet moments passed between them, which Raiku cherished, although he knew it would only be common courtesy to ask a name. “I don’t believe we ever exchanged names,” Raiku said. He didn’t slide his hand across the table for a handshake, he wouldn’t let himself stoop that low on the hierarchy. “You may call me Raiku, nothing else.” Raiku looked more closely at Yumi, acknowledging her features. Her neck was a little longer than usual, and she obviously exercised, judging from her arms, not that Raiku cared in the least, he simply had an eye for these things. Without saying another word, he waited for his answer.

[yumi]

With a look of curiosity written on her face, Yumi took the small pouch into the palm of her hand, taking off the golden thread. Before she could even see what was inside, Raiku had spoiled the surprise for her, stating that there was two hundred gold pieces inside the pouch. Yumi’s eyes widened as she looked inside the sack to see if he was lying. He wasn’t.

The twenty year old didn’t even bother counting the pieces, seeing as how it would take too long with her patience -- that, and it looked like there were two hundred gold pieces in the bright red pouch. She had not seen that much money in her entire life, even when doing her assassination jobs. Most of the people she worked for were a bit cheap, but it got her by. It didn’t matter at that moment. Now, she felt like the richest woman in the world.

"Wow. Thanks. I should help out rich guys like you more often.."

Yumi gave a small chuckle, until she stopped, thinking that didn’t come out right.

"Well, I mean, with errands or something, you know?"

The young bender arched her eyebrows high for a second, before letting out a quiet sigh. She looked inside the pouch again one more time, then retied it and placed it inside her travel bag, keeping it safely between her feet. This was just in case of anybody came along. Better safe than sorry. Yumi drummed her fingers lightly on the wooden table, before hearing Raiku speak. She looked up at him as he introduced himself to her. With a small nod, Yumi folded her callused hands together and looked Raiku straight in the eyes with a slight frown on her face.

"Okay, then. I'm Yumi, assassin extraordinar and royal bitch to everyone. Pleasure."

Her sarcasm was obvious when she spoke.

[rai]

Raiku showed a sly smile on his face, though well hidden, when Yumi peered into the pouch. He was sure she hadn’t seen that much money before, much less actually owned that much money before. Raiku slowly raised an eyebrow as Yumi spoke, and then lowered it once more as she corrected herself. Raiku remained silent until Yumi introduced herself, and his hidden smile was revealed.

“An assassin.” He said, though his tone was neither a question nor a statement, but merely halfway between. “Judging by the previous remark on your face, I can understand it doesn’t pay very much.” Raiku added another one of his chuckles to the conversation, before realizing he had suddenly lost his hunger.

Raiku leaned back in his chair once again, repeating what he had just said, though this time in his mind. The girl was probably a good fighter, and judging from the common fighters in Lun Yang, she was most likely good. Raiku stared into Yumi’s eyes before speaking,

“As an assassin, you must have very good skills, care to demonstrate later?” Raiku said, his face now solemn and firm. A waiter came and placed two cups of tea at the table, one for Raiku and the other for Yumi. Raiku gingerly lifted his cup and took a sip. In his hand, he set a small flame, heating the tea, though it was hidden from Yumi. “What do you say we have a little spar afterwards?” Raiku suggested. He put his cup down, and waited for an answer.

[yumi]

Yumi looked at Raiku when he stated how her "clients" didn’t pay much and raised an eyebrow at him, frowning a bit in response. She then shrugged, placing her hands folded together on the wooden surface of the table in front of her. He was right after all. She shrugged again.

"I guess it’s because I’m young and I haven’t had that much experience and I’m not that great."

Yumi tapped her index finger on the table then looked around out of boredom. This situation seemed a bit awkward and random to her in a way. She didn't know this man and was having a conversation with him, though not much was being said. Before she started to think about making an excuse to leave, she heard Raiku's suggestion for demonstrating her skills and to a little spar later on. Now, she was interested and because of that, she now did not want to go.

"A spar, huh?" She smirked slightly, intrigued. It wasn’t everyday anyone asked her to spar.

"I'll take up that offer."

[rai]

Raiku listened to Yumi’s excuse, and then shrugged. He didn’t think highly of people who criticized themselves. The young noble glared at the other woman, and presently, she replied, accepting his challenge of a spar. A smirk crawled onto his face. He waved to one of the waiters and got his attention. “Just get me whatever’s good.” He said. Raiku looked at Yumi, and blew a puff of air from his mouth. “What’ll you have?” he asked dryly. “It’s on me.”

Leaning back in his chair, the arrogant fire bender pondered over the skills this so called assassin could have. In his time as a Lord of the Fire Nation he had dealt with many assassins, and was fairly well known between their groups. Nobody in the court played fair, scum, and Raiku was no less. He had hired such mercenaries before to “do away” with his enemies in the court.

The girl showed promise; Raiku knew so by simply looking at her. Obviously, he didn’t know the extent of her skills, and that is why he was glad that she accepted his challenge of a spar. To Raiku, it would be a test, if she did well, he would think about actually befriending her…should she become a better assassin one day.

Recollecting his thoughts, then setting them aside for the given moment, Raiku waited for Yumi’s response.

[yumi]

Yumi looked at the waiter for a second then thought about what she would order. Once she heard that Raiku would pay for the meal, she grinned slightly. Now, he was speaking her language. She was most definitely going to take advantage of that opportunity for a large meal. Then again, she thought, with their spar was going to take place after their meal she didn’t want to vomit her food during the spar. She didn’t care about embarrassment, but just losing her food.

"I’ll take... a large bowl of noddles and tea. Oh yeah, put some stuffed meat dumplings in it."

It wasn’t a big meal to Yumi, but it would have to do. She knew she could eat more at the moment, but she decided to cut back for a bit. The waiter then left the two of them alone to retrieve their orders. Yumi looked around the facility out of boredom then drummed her fingers lightly on the wooden table; it was a bad habit, really. With the awkward silence that was between the two, Yumi decided to start a conversation to keep the tension on a low level.

"Are you a fire bender? Well, I am. I’m feeling nice so I am letting you know before our spar."

[rai]

Raiku scoffed as he heard Yumi’s question. It wasn’t as if it was any of her business as to if he was a fire bender, but he shrugged it off. Most likely, it was only to break the awkward silence. In fact, Raiku was a fire bender, bordering on the lines of greatness. He had devoted much of his life to learning the art, and had access to some of the greatest teachers in the world. He especially studied Iroh’s techniques.

Raiku held a certain level of respect for the old man, but still, because Iroh was a traitor of the fire nation; it was simply a mild respect. Following Iroh’s techniques, Raiku learn the actions of the other bending styles, then combined it with his own fire bending. He had pushed himself to be able to summon blue fire, though he still craved more power, the ability to draw lightning. Everyday he inched closer, though he was far from his goal.

Snapping out of thought, Raiku nodded to Yumi, he was somewhat aroused by the fact that the assassin was a fire bender as well. He didn’t find it a practical art for many stealthy assassin-type missions, as fire gives light, smoke, and heat, and therefore wondered as to how much skill she had with the fire bending.

“To answer your question, yes, I am a fire bender.” Raiku didn’t feel as if he had to say anymore, he didn’t desire to give much information about himself, especially not to as assassin. The noble didn’t trust much, and he especially didn’t trust those with such devious professions. “Tell me, how much experience do you have with that bending art?”

[yumi]

"Tell me, how much experience do you have with that bending art?"

Yumi, who was too busy looking around the busy restaurant yet again, got out of her thoughts and looked at the noble. She rose an eyebrow at him, but then scratched her chin and drummed her fingers on her lips as she thought for a few moments. Yumi didn’t know what to say.

"Uhh. Well, I’ve been training since I was four and I’m no master. Intermediate I guess.."

After a few minutes of waiting, along with some awkward silence, the waiter came back with their orders. Yumi licked her lips slightly, smirking a little, as she started to eat her noodles with gusto. After all, it had been awhile since she had a good meal, so table manners were forgotten.

As she ate, Yumi began to think of strategies for the upcoming spar. There wasn’t much to think of on how to win, though the young woman wished she had other ideas -- she had to win no matter what. She was not the type of person to tolerate failure no matter what the situation.

"Do you even have an idea where are we should spar? Not out in the open unless you want to be humiliated that is." Her attitude was now getting a slightly c ocky, her pride becoming noticeable.

[rai]

Raiku scoffed once more. So she was merely an intermediate... The young noble hoped that Yumi's other fighting skills were better; otherwise, she would be of no use to the noble. There was no point in veer hiring an unskilled assassin. It had happened once before, and it took quite some underhanded (not to mention bothering) work to cover up Raiku's part in hiring the assassin.

The waiter soon came with the food, and it seemed Raiku was given some dish of noodles and some soup dumplings. Hardly what Raiku would call a good meal. The young noble was more accustomed to more exquisite cuisine. He would have to make it a mental note not to come to such a place again.

Educated in fine table manners, Raiku picked up his chopsticks and began eating slowly. Glancing once at Yumi, he noticed the assassin eating without any such manners. He wouldn’t mind if she was at another table, but she was dining at the same table, and Raiku, in his pride, couldn’t have his image degraded. “Would it kill you to eat with any dignity?” he growled.

The young lord was not even sure if the assassin had listened, she seemed to be busy in her own thoughts. Most likely about the upcoming spar. Well, there was something Raiku could finally respect…at least a little bit.

The silence was broken by Yumi’s question, and Raiku scowled. “So, you have a sense of humor.” Raiku, himself, wished to spar in a closed building, not for the sake of any embarrassment (in the unlikely event he would lose), but for sake of his own dignity. He was one of Ozai’s nobles, for heaven’s sake. He couldn’t be seen fighting a traveler.

“There is an arena located at my estate,” Raiku said. It was mostly used for Agni Kai’s and therefore was designed for such, but it couldn’t hurt to be used as a different kind of arena. Then again, Raiku didn’t know if Yumi would be comfortable going to a place heavily guarded by fire nation guards. “Or anywhere, really.” Raiku added, “The location hardly matters too much.”

[yumi]

Yumi fiddled with her food with her chopsticks a little, almost in a sluggish matter. She was a bit bored now, not even caring if she was dining with a Fire Nation noble. Hell, she didn’t even care if it was the Fire Lord himself. Yumi wasn’t one to treat anyone great no matter what their status.

When she heard the nobleman speak, she looked up at him -- a bored look on her face -- then nodded slightly. With a small scoff, she wondered how high the security was at the arena Raiku spoke of. Most likely very high with the best guards money could buy. He was a noble after all.

"Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I guess someone like you can't be seen with someone like me."

Yet again, she scoffed, almost smiling this time, but it was a half, crooked smile that wasn't so noticeable. To the young fire bender, the royalty in the Fire Nation, or in any nation for that matter, seemed to really care about their reputations and social status. How shallow, she thought.

Seeing as how she was almost done with her meal, Yumi quickly devoured the rest of the noodles and dumplings, then pushed the bowl out in front of her and leaned back in her chair making a satisfied sigh. She leaned her head back on the chair and stared at the ceiling, sighing again.

"Okay, I’m done. I’m ready when you are," she said in her casual, alto sounding tone of voice.

However, while waiting for a few minutes, Yumi started to get a bad nauseating feeling in the pit of her stomach. She sighed, placing a long, pale hand on her abdomen. This was not good, not good at all. Shaking her head, Yumi got up from her seat, gathering all of her possessions.

"Sorry, I’m not feeling to hot. I need to go," she said then headed out the door quickly.

Yumi has left the thread