|
Post by xin on Oct 30, 2007 5:32:27 GMT -5
The young lady of the Che-Shi’ household seemed to be in a fog the entire time her two attendants moved her back and forth between her outfits trying to find the best for such an event, it seemed take even longer to do her hair even though it was such a simple style. When the girl would have no more of their nonsense she dismissed both of them to wander about the lonely house. That was the only thing she could call it, that is all it would ever be anymore. As soon as she was alone she willed her pent up tears to fall finally.
Looking in the mirror she found a much thinner much more fragile girl then she’d seen months ago when things were how they should have been. She lived in her room, the one she grew up in, she had her brothers and her parents if you could assume they were at least in the same city. Xue chattered happily in his cage, nothing seemed to phase him, as long as he could have a soft place to sleep and something to eat he could be happy. She really wished she could be the same. That would make life in general so much simpler, so pleasant.
Wiping the salty tears away with a spare cloth she began to put on her own makeup, she didn’t need someone else to do it for her yet they would chide her, they usually did. She wasn’t even a princess, her parents wanted her to look nice to auction her off, to their displeasure there were few takers. It hadn’t passes her mind that it was a good or bad thing, it was just the truth.
Running away seemed to be the intelligent thing to do, get out of here and start anew but she hadn’t the courage or the strength for that she was remorseful. Bitterly she starred at her reflection with her white dress accented by purple and dashes of scarlet. If you ignored that it looked like she was in mourning. It seemed fitting to say the least.
Getting into the carriage she allowed herself to he taken away to the ball, another disappointed evening to leave her heart heavy and make her miss her old home even more so.
|
|
|
Post by ekramkiros on Nov 3, 2007 12:08:21 GMT -5
"No no, I assure you, this creature was almost as big as the room. And it chased me and my men down like we were just ants. But what we managed to do was trick it into falling in a canyon!"
They all chuckled at the old commanders stories. All their stories were like that. They were all embellished and over the top and every following story was an attempt to one-up the story before it. But Kiros had to endure it because that is what his job technically was. Listen to people talk, and these men were all important to the Nation. And so they continued telling their stories and Kiros continued to listen and chuckled and agree. His break finally came when he heard a familiar voice behind him. Excusing himself from the gentleman, he bowed and turned and approached the good doctor and his two guests. As he did so, he looked the trio up and down.
Dr. Huo was ever the respectable gentleman that Kiros had grown up loving to have as his doctor. His guests included who seemed to be the guest Huo had said he was bringing, dressed in bright golds and yellows. A difficult color to pull off, but he seemed to do it convincingly enough, it contrasting with his dark hair. Next to him was a young lady dressed in a fine apple kimono with scenes depicted on her dress almost as nice as Kiros' own winding gold and black dragons and calligraphy on his own scarlet outfit.
"Hello Doctor Huo. Good to see you again." He bowed to the man and then turned to his guest. "Dr. Praaghi, is it? A pleasure to make your aquaintance, sir. I am Ekram Kiros" He bowed to the young man and woman and offered them the pristine smile that accompannied that honeyed tongue of his that garnered him the position.
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 3, 2007 13:01:22 GMT -5
"Dr. Praaghi, is it? A pleasure to make your aquaintance, sir. I am Ekram Kiros"
Sekar bowed as well. "It is an honor to meet you Lord Kiros. Yes I am Sekar Praaghi and this is my attendant Tomo." Sekar introduced Tomo with a wave of his dark red arm. Huo rubbed his goatee and smiled fondly on the group. "Sekar is one of my best students. Clever and focused. Toya couldn't be more proud." Huo stated indulgently clapping a hand on Sekar's shoulder. The healer looked more nervous than usual Tomo reasured her master with a soft smile. Huo bowed again turned to leave. "Now I must be going back I Gita is waiting for me, Sekar you be on your best behavior." And with that Huo left Sekar with Kiros.
Sekar smiled akwardly, tugged on his collar. He felt very tonuge tied aloof among the other nobles talking and dancing. Tomo decided to get the ball rolling.
"So Lord Kiros have you been to the Earth Kingdom? Master Sekar has, he served the commander of the Yu Yan when he was at Fire Nation fort not to long ago. We where with him. We had a nasty encounter with a tribal warrior from the Igni islands. Sekar why don't you tell him about the Igni?" Sekar in a normal setting like his clinic, would have gone on in great detail about how the man crashed into his clinic, held Tomo hostage and escaped after he mad Sekar treat him. But at the moment, he was feeling incredibly stressed and neverous. Tomo was already going into the story embellishing a few areas but nevertheless sticking to the already exciting facts. Sekar found it conveninet to sneak away to the punch bowl.
Sekar drunk the sweet fruity juice with add a few drops of sake from a canister he had tucked in his sash. He took a swig and grimaced. Well it at least made him a little less edgey. Sekar began to watch the people in the ball dance and enjoy their frivolery. As he did so, he began to study them.
So far he notice that most of them were a tad overweight most likey from rich food and over eating. A few of them had oily skin from the make up, Others had less skin damage than those who work in the sun. The Raven Healer grumbled about how the rich where the most unhealthiest people he ever met. He sipped his sake spiked punch and watch the people dance, he had one of mango colored eyes on Tomo who was still chatting away with Kiros.
Then one of his eyes turned and looked at very coy and aloof woman. Mostly likely Jericho. He smiled puckishly and walked over the woman and bowed. "How is your evening miss?"
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 4, 2007 18:25:14 GMT -5
The slight smirk that had appeared on Jericho's lips had vanished as quickly as it came. She did not see the approach- Jericho was far too busy scanning the crowd to focus on something so near to her- but the sound of an unfamiliar voice was all that was needed to make the smirk disappear. Her eyebrows rose slowly as she took in the bowing figure: the slim physique, the long raven black hair, the elegantly colored tunic. He seemed vaguely familiar, but Jericho had seen most of the men, and women, who attended these functions time and time again.
Jericho made no move of returning the bow, despite her mother's near by presence. Instead she tilted her chin upward slightly as a show of her pride. In an instant her smirk reappeared, the fire igniting in her amber eyes making them dance mischievously. 'This evening may be fun after all.' She thought as the coy smirk continued to play on her lips.
"My deepest and most sincere apologies." Her voice sounded neither deep nor sincere, but carried the spark of her smirk with it. Before she would address his question, he must address hers. "But I do not believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. You seem quite familiar but I can't place your name."
Jericho was not about to play the game of pretending like you know someone you obviously don't, waiting for them to give away their name or occupation or whatever. The slight halt in her mother's response to whoever-she-was-speaking-with was the only show of disapproval Ai gave. It was the sweetest sound Jericho had heard thus far; her smirk deepened.
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 11, 2007 22:25:15 GMT -5
Sekar's impish grin broaden, when Jericho turned to him. She has such a look of arrogance and distain. It amused the raven healer.
"My deepest and most sincere apologies, But I do not believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. You seem quite familiar but I can't place your name"
Sekar chortled lighly, he flashed a crisp smile and replied. "My name is Dr. Sekar Praaghi, I am rather new physican in town accually and old friend of Huo Lu Feng too the Ekram's phsycian. Lately I have been pretty well known, but excuse me if I am wrong, but are you Miss Jericho Xanin?" Sekar said polietly his voice calm and subdued. However despite his quiet and well mannered behavior. His pysche was having an interesting little battle.
"No I really think you are taking this too far, she is much too young, think about your carreer, and your repuation! Just go back to to Tomo and don't worry about her Spoke the gentleman Sekar that was always the catious type, while the more louder and hornier Sekar shouted " Oooooh she is a fine piece of a**, C'mon man, you only live once, and I am sure you are hankering for something other than your right hand. C'mon you know you want to tap that tonight
As his common sense aruged with his hormons. Sekar decided to play it safe, unless the oppertunity presents itself. Either way this night was looking up.
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 17, 2007 20:23:31 GMT -5
"Dr. Sekar Praaghi" Jericho repeated the name airily, weighing it for familiarity but also as a means of evading his question as to whether or not she was indeed Jericho Xanin, which she was. The young woman was toying with him, keeping him on edge. She may not have enjoyed playing the game of knowing someone when you obviously did not, but baiting handsome fire nation men, who most likely thought they were the Fire Lord's gift to women was on game she did enjoy.
Jericho had heard his name before, gossip mostly, she just had to remember the context. "Oh, you're the one who had an..." she paused momentarily, more to draw out the sentence than to think of a fitting word. The look of mock contemplation was obvious considering she wore a smirk along with it. "... incident on the Igni Island, correct?" She smiled revealing a sliver of her teeth, the slight gesture making her catty eyes look both alluring and wicked. Oh, how she loved to flirt, and here Sekar provided an opportunity for it. Not only that but a challenge. It was one thing to entice boys her own age who were still boys and needed very little enticing to be lead on, but a man, not only a man but a well educated one, seeing as he was a doctor and well traveled, should prove to be a bit more interesting.
The young woman had waited long enough to answer his question, if he was not inwardly begging for it at this point he had given up on having it answered. Either way would do. "Yes, I am Miss Jericho Xanin." She paused briefly, making a dramatic gesture of moving the hair from her eye, only to have it slowly slide back into place. "I'll insist that you call me Jericho after you inform me of how the knowledge of my name came into your possession."
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 18, 2007 22:57:50 GMT -5
Sekar began to fan himself lightly as he listen to Jerchio teasing voice. And smiled as she mentioned the "igni incident" He chuckled a little bit.
"Close, at least the rumors are creative, I met an Igni tribesman in fort colony in the Earth Kingdom. Violent man, had arrow in his ass, and he was still dealing out threats. Should have burned him alive...but I didn't, I didn't drop to that primitive's level." Sekar said airlly,
He circled around Jericho with a light grin. As she stated her name "I'll insist that you call me Jericho after you inform me of how the knowledge of my name came into your possession."
Sekar accually laughed. "Why would I give up all my secrets now? Thats no fun. But if you must know....I have very gossipy nurses, and word is that you are the most pickiest woman in Lun Yang. Though in my opinion . The picky ones have the best taste." Sekar picked up Jericho's hand and lightly kissed it. "and if I am at all worthy, I would like it if you would dance with me."
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 19, 2007 21:27:58 GMT -5
Jericho snickered, coyly hiding her smirk with her well manicured hand, as Sekar regaled his account of the Igni Island "incident". Her amber eyes latched onto him as he circled her like a Messenger Hawk, the tempting smirk still curled around her lips. 'So he was a bender? This is getting more interesting by the minute.'
"Your gossiping nurses speak the truth. Though, I prefer the term..." The young woman paused briefly as she had before. She tilted her chin to the side slightly to appear both incurious and thoughtful. "...Selective appose to picky. Picky makes me sound like some indecisive child." Her smirk widened, her amber eyes sparking in a new light. "I can assure you, Dr. Sekar Praaghi, that I am far from a child."
Jericho cold not help her smirk from widening as Sekar's lips brushed against her hand. He was either very confident, or very stupid. Though the two often did go hand and hand. and asked her to dance. "You are a very bold man." She snickered through closed teeth. "I think I'll reward your courage with a dance."
She slid her hand from his and walked passed him toward the dance floor, her silk kimono gently brushing against the side of Sekar's body as she walked past. Her hips swayed slightly with each step. "Well." Jericho looked over her shoulder after she was several steps away, wearing the same coy look she had on earlier. "Aren't you coming?"
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 19, 2007 22:52:04 GMT -5
The Raven healer chuckled as he walked to the dance floor. He took up next to her and lightly put his hand on her waist while holding her's. And without further ado, he lead her in a light waltz.
Now Sekar wasn't the best dancer, but he did gain a little talent from his years courting Fushigo. Though the memory of her still pains him, he did not think about her that night as he danced along side Jericho. For once in his life he was accually having fun. No patiences to bother him or silly nurses. Though Tomo was watching him out of the corner of his eye. Sekar knew things could end bad if she found out that he was flirting with a girl half his age. Still things could work well in the other direction. The a thought came to him as he dipped Jericho.
"Miss Jericho would like to come with me on a light walk outside? The stars are gorgeous this time of year and I am sure you would like to escape the gaze of your mother. If I am not being too bold to suggest."
The faster he could escape Tomo. The faster he could get to know Jericho.
"Follow my lead." And with that he began to make his way from the dance floor to the outside of the ring and sneek behind the crowd. He made the motion for her to follow him.
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 19, 2007 23:58:04 GMT -5
With one hand on Sekar's shoulder and the other in his hand the two began to waltz. If Jericho hadn't had nearly every aspect of every "proper society trait" drilled into her head by the overbearing Madame Masaki she probably wouldn't have noticed the slight slips and faux pas in Sekar's waltz.. Though, regardless of all the slight imperfections, she hadn't expected his touch to be so light. Most men, boys, whatever you'd liked to call them, pawed or grasped, as if trying to feel the skin beneath her silk garments. 'It must come with being a Doctor' Jericho thought quickly, hushing any other notions that may have rose in her wandering mind.
She couldn't help but tighten her grip on his shoulder as Sekar dipped the young woman. She half expected him to drop her with his oh-so-very light grip. It wasn't until they straightened up that she replied. "Away from my mother, and all prying eyes?" She batted her eyelashes in faux innocence. "My, my, Doctor, what would the gossips say?"
Despite her mock disapproval she followed him, the slight click of her wooden geta drowning out in the noise of the crowd. It would be nice to escape both the noise, and her mother. Like she had thought before, parties were all well and good, but one could only have so much before they grew sick of it. It wasn't until the cool night air hit her face that Jericho gave her first genuine warm smile of the evening.
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 20, 2007 0:27:46 GMT -5
Sekar felt the cool nice air embrace him. Finally Sekar could be at ease. The cool stillness of the nice was breath taking. He walked over to stone bench, and took off his outer goldenrod wrap and folded it to make a seat for Jericho, No lady should sit on cold stone. He had a half of mind to warm it a bit with his firebending. But thought better of it. He looked up at the splash of stars painted on the vault sky above. "Radiant..." He whispered in awe. He beckond Jericho to sit with him. "Miss Jericho, would you like to sit with me?" He his voice was soft and polite. He wasn't being to forward and he did have her best interest at heart.
"Sometime one needs to sample the peace before them...my father taught me that. He was a man of traquility and disapline." Spoke Sekar quietly recalling Toya. He sighed as he opened his palm letting a flame glow and blossom. He smiled letting his white teeth show.
"So Jericho, if I may for go the miss. I guess I should tell a little bit of myself...if it alright. I wasn't born into anything reselmbling noblity. I had to work for a high status. My father was a legend among doctors and healers. So was my mother. I find it odd that I could even be their level. But life is an odd thing. Trust me I have seen the very queer." Sekar laughed remembering his jar of eyeballs and the liver he had in his Histology lab.
"So excuse me for my ramblings. I must ask about you. How come such a delicate flower has-what a second. Have you been to Hokage? Because I just realize where I have seen your face."
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 20, 2007 0:52:38 GMT -5
Jericho continue to adorn her warm smile, her amber eyes flickering like a soft candlelight beneath the twinkling stares. She took a note of caution before taking the clothe laden seat Sekar had offered to her, making sure to flash a teasing smirk before settling down. Truth be told if the tone in his voice had suggested anything more than politeness she would have rejected the seat in a heart beat. But from what she heard in there all he wanted was the pleasure of her company, why deny the Doctor anything less then that?
The wrap Jericho was sitting on was still warm from Sekar's body heat which, she was sure of it, was in contrast with the cool stone the bench was made out of. Though impolite, the young woman wanted nothing more than to giggle at Sekar's recollection. She didn't mean it to be rude, or disrespectful, in fact if she had let a giggle slip it wouldn't have been at him but at her and her poor judgment. For all her self-righteous talk she was just like the girls she so wittily insulted for being shallow and judging on face value. After all, hadn't she, Jericho Xanin, just moments ago though Sekar another pompous Fire Nation man? He was letting his guard down so easily the young woman almost pitied herself for being so ignorant at times. But, no, self pity was one emotion Jericho refused to ever wear.
She held her giggles and sat in silence listening to Sekar's voice as he told small fragments of his childhood. It wasn't until he began asking her questions that she remembered that she was part of the conversation and not just simply listening. She laughed softly, a remnants from the giggling she wanted to do earlier. "You're quite excused for your ramblings, I rather enjoyed them." She had been looking down at her lap during Sekar's tail but now moved to lock eyes with him. She half wondered how someone with such a villainous curve to their eye have such a soothing voice.
"Yes, I've been to Hokage before. My mother and I go there to meet my father every time he comes back from the war." She paused a moment, her eyes no long looking at Sekar, but back into a memory, searching for her father's face. "We have a small house there to await his return. We, my mother and I, go every several months or so..." She came back to the present, Jericho furrowed her brow in though, giving Sekar a scrutinizing look. "You've seen me there?"
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 20, 2007 1:24:37 GMT -5
"Yes, I've been to Hokage before. My mother and I go there to meet my father every time he comes back from the war. We have a small house there to await his return. We, my mother and I, go every several months or so...You've seen me there?"
Sekar eyes widen. A playful smile graced his lips. "Oh yes I have! I grew up in Hokage, my orginal clinic where I lived with my foster family is up there. You might have seen me on the ports shopping. Though I do look diffrent with my hair down." He laughed a bit. The Raven Healer's cheeks flushed he he realized he mentioned that he was adopted. He cleared his throat as he tried to reclaim the regality he once had.
"You do look just as pretty as you did months ago. If I might add." Sekar spoke honestly. Once when he first saw her face he nearly tripped spiling his eggs and daikon. He was slient again. Finding himself now longer under the playful game of the ball and now with the lady alone. Back to his awkard self. He tugged at his collar and wished to have his pipe with him. When a thought occured to him, One of the rumors suggested the woman whieled a sword and will scewer any suitor that disrespects here.
"Hmm I supposed you are a well cultured woman, well versed in the craft of tea, fine dress and swords?" He laughed a bit at that. Not meaning at all to be rude or disrespectful. "From what I heard, you are well verse in Kendo, which I find very fasinating. though I am no master of swords, I prefer firebending and my needles for combat. And in truth I rather dislike combat accually. I heal things not destroy them. But beautiful lady like yourself. A swordswoman. That in my eyes is quite impressive. Sekar said in his sincerest voice. He was being very honest. The idea of her being a swordswoman enticed him.
He liked her, she fasinated him more so than most people have in his life.
|
|
|
Post by jericho on Nov 20, 2007 17:44:21 GMT -5
It wasn't easy in the flickering light from the party indoors and the stars above, but Jericho could have sworn she saw Sekar blush. It was strange, seeing a man who must have been nearly twice her age blush. It made him feel younger. Not only younger but somewhat more... innocent. The mention of a foster family did that as well, who'd thought such an acclaimed healer could have come from such a humble origin. The young woman wasn't exactly sure how to respond to catching that he was adopted. The best course of action, she decided, would be not to bring it up unless he mentions it again.
The warm smile continued to play on Jericho's lips, a slight laugh slipping from her mouth as she responded to Sekar's compliment. "Thank you." She was sincere, not like before when the game was still on. The young woman was enjoying the company more than the game.
He was rambling, everything was spilling out at once like a waterfall. The words were stumbling over each other and it was then that she realized that Sekar was nervous. She couldn't help but giggle, she really meant nothing by it but it was, for lack of a better word, adorable to see someone like Dr. Sekar Praaghi be so incredibly nervous. She covered her smile with the sleeve of her kimono, tilting her head down slightly and bringing her arm up, in attempt to silence her giggling, she wanted to be polite, really. It was just so.... cute.
Jericho straightened up slightly, moving her arm so her mouth was visible. "I wasn't aware I was such a popular subject amongst the gossips." She smirked, brushing her ebony bangs away from her eyes in a swift motion. "Yes, I am well versed in Kendo, though I wouldn't claim to be much of a master either. And I thank you kindly for your flattery." She paused, batting her eyelashes coyly. "You're very eloquent Dr. Sekar, it's a wonder you don't have women flocking after you."
By then the young woman's bangs had slide back in front of her eye, casting a shadow over her face that made Jericho look slightly dangerous. "So, I heard right before, you are a fire bender. I've always admired them. It must be wonderful to have that gift." She meant it, truly. Jericho had always wished she was blessed with the gift of bending, and though she'd known and seen several benders throughout her life time, they continued to amaze her. Sekar continued to amaze her as well.
|
|
|
Post by sekar on Nov 20, 2007 18:41:21 GMT -5
"You're very eloquent Dr. Sekar, it's a wonder you don't have women flocking after you."
Sekar laughed at that comment before covering his mouth. "I wish...I seem to scare women than attract them. I think it's the nose..something about a huge beak like nose makes women think that they are being introduced to large ugly bird of prey." Mused Sekar lightly, as beamused smirk graced his lips.
"So, I heard right before, you are a fire bender. I've always admired them. It must be wonderful to have that gift."
Sekar absently scratched his head for the love of Agni where is my damn pipe!? Thought Sekar nervously as he paced himself for the next question.
"It both really, a blessing and a curse. My firebending, allow me to sterialize many things to prevent disease. However I have seen the draw backs of an ignorant bender. One man was too foolish and severally burned his little sister. Bending just like swordcraft is a responsiblity, And I am afriad that many people forgot that and misuse the art of firebending." Sekar let the flame in his hand grow a little bit before snuffing it.
The memories of his father practicing hours in outside sparring ring, came back to him. He remembered as a young boy watching him for hours. That was one of the very few times he wasn't afriad of his displinarian foster father.
"So tell me how you got into Kendo? Was it your father that inspired you?"
|
|