Lantern Festival and Beyond<Kei Lan,Earth Kingdom>

[boragan]

The twilight in Kei Lan livens the night in the mountain city. The moon shines brightly in the sky and the stars were radiant and show off its splendor. The night folk gather in the streets for a lantern festival. Little children play in the streets with paper machete hats and masks. Lovers hold each other’s hands as they looked into each other’s eyes and stare into each other’s hearts. The merchants do their usual and try to sell their merchandise.

In the crowd stood a very large man, towering over most of the civilians of the area. Wearing his famous green armor and kabuto, Bora Gan watched over the streets as the festival went under way. With no weapons in his possession, he hopes that his size and position would keep the peace.

He sighs as he looked after the crowd.
“I hope the rest of the crowd control could handle this late night stuff,” Bora grumbled. He looked around the heads of people to find the rest of his squad. He looked and saw a few of his recruits scouting around. Trying to bump into everyone in the crowd, he walked over to one of the recruits and salutes.
“Where are the others private?” Bora grunted.
“Sir, they have been scattered throughout the festival to cover ground sir,” the recruit replied.
“Good. Make sure that if you find any trouble, engage the situation. If you need backup, use a signal flare. We will come looking for you.”
“Yes sir,” the recruit shouted as they both saluted each other. The recruit turned away and scouted around.

“Spies or hooligans, none are safe tonight. I have a bad feeling about tonight,” Bora Gan muttered as he continued to watch over the crowd.

[laughingjin]

Even in the twilight Jin felt warm. The paper lanterns that were scattered along roof tops gave the participants and patrons of the festival a warm glow and it warmed his heart to see the town in this light, having this much fun.
His height aloud him to cut through the crowd with ease, being taller than most of the people in Kei Lan did have its advantages. His freckled face sister however had a bit of trouble.

"Wait up!" she had cried. The long braid of light brown hair bounced about as she ran to catch up with him. She wore he usually green on green yukata, the only difference about her appearance was the papier-mâché mask, it looked like a very large butterfly had consumed her face.

Jin on the other hand had chosen to paint his long thing face. His eyes were a deep black, as well as his nose and lips, shaped like a panda's over his own, the rest was right.

His younger sister tiled her head ever so slightly, her messy brown braid shifting to the side, "What are you supposed to be?"

A wide grin spread across Jin's face and his earth green eyes were alight with laughter, "Hei-Bai, of course. Who else?"
Ayumi giggled, the butterfly mask hid her scrunch nosed smile. "Shouldn't you be getting to work?"

"Right right" Jin spied a very large man that seemed to be about his height, maybe taller. "He looks like he has some money on him." He pulled out his pipa and began to strum to happily, the crowd around him perking up to listen to the sweet happy tune.

His cotton shirt swayed softly as he sashayed toward the large man, Ayumi at his heels.

A small crowd had formed to listen to the music and as Jin's nimble fingers worked the chords into a fast frenzy he began to sing, Jin couldn't sing a single note on key but that's what made it so charming. “It’s a long, long, way to Bai Seng Sei. But the girls in the city, they look so prettyyyy.”

The crowd gave a slight chuckle at his screeching voice. “And they kiss so sweet, that you really ‘outh to meet. The girls from Bai Seng Seiiiiii!"

Ayumi began holding out a copper cup, taking 'donations'. Inwardly Jin hoped his assumption about the large man having money wasn't wrong.

[darson]

Old, creaking brown swayed against the somber grey—the sullen color painted in a visual symphony of small, brilliant specs—and filled the air of this strange place with the scent of mischief. There was nothing familiar about this play in the physical sense, but to one for whom the physical world was nothing but a technicality in one’s existence, physical familiarity in the traditional sense was meaningless. The colors in this place were much the same as they were anywhere, grey and purple swirled together in an alchemic brew of twlight that twisted and arched across the sky, painting a gentle backdrop for the swaying, creaking brown branches of the trees that stood as erect yet gnarled tokens of ages gone by.

“Come on out, Sokoyani, we are waiting!” The sprites just down the hill called and teased the man who stood at the open window, hands clenched against the wood frame that held the shutters in place, with a slack-jawed, longing expression written across his scarred features. Their pattern was a pattern of shape so intricate that his neck muscles strained to catch each and every flit and flick from one flower to the next, from one euphoric sommersault to the next sensational dive, from the apex of the emotional tumult to its bottom. Had it not been for the presence of Chyok just down the hall, undoubtedly listening to each and every word that passed between himself and the sprites moving down in the village, Sokoyani’s body would have long flung itself out into the cool night to chase after them…

“I cannot… The wind will tell,” Sokoyani whispered back, confidence in his slurred words for the sprites never sneered or made fun of him the way the others did… The sprites were always nice… always gentle with him. But the wind! The wind always bit and snapped at him, stinging from hair to hide and chapping his lips until they bled… no, Sokoyani could not trust the wind to keep his secret.

“The wind sleeps, Sokoyani… come! We are waiting!” The insistent pleading of the sprites brought a softly-sloping curve to his lips. They wanted him. Unlike so many other things in his life, the constant moving, the incessant bickering of the monks, the uncertainty that hung ab out the air in his day-to-day life, the sprites were never harsh or angry. They were always happy to see him…

One barefoot slipped over the wooden hold and was soon followed by another as the man stood balanced precariously on the ledge before dropping the five feet to the ground into the loamy soil in the flowerbed. And in that instant, clear green eyes widened in mute horror. His sprites, his friends, his trusted guardians… were trapped! Twisting in writhing agony in prisons of wood and paper and held up by monsters that marched like dark shadows down the street chanting some evil spell no doubt! Oh… the foul horrid things in this world… was nothing safe? Nothing?!

Sokoyani’s hand clasped against his chest, panic gripping him from within, as his body slumped against the wall of the inn while the people headed billowed out around him, oblivious to the inner workings of his mind. The sound of shouts and boisterous words carried to ears to frightened to see the world for what it was.

“The wind sleeps…” came his strangled cry, tears running like salty rivers to his lips. “The wind sleeps…”

[boragan]

The wind picked up a little as the festival continued in glorious splendor. The crowd looked lively as the stage shows and music continued to play. Crowds gathered at the stage shows and musicians and were enamored and awe by their performances.

Bora Gan continued to look around and noticed one of the privates run up to him hurrily.

"What is the matter? Are we being attacked?" Bora Gan asked. His worlds, oddly were full of anticipation and glee as if he was waiting for something to happen. The private pants as he tried to catch his breath.
"No sir, nothing really to report at the north end of town," the private briefed. Bora Gan had a look of disappointment in his eyes for a second, then a look of frustration soon took over.
"Why were you running if it wasn't urgent?" Bora asked with fire in his breath.
"Well sir, I was watching a play and noticed I was late for the report. I rushed over here to report with haste so I could watch the rest of the performance."
Bora Gan's face was even more frustrated as he listened.
"Get back to work private!" Bora Gan ordered. His voiced filled the area like thunder slapping the sky. The private nervously saluted the Major and ran back to his post. Bora Gan shook his head and continued his watch.

As he continued to watch around, he heard a slightly off-key singing nearby. This caught his attention and decided to walk over to what it was. As he looked, he noticed a man with a painted face along with a little girl with a cup. The cup was probably for donations for the performance. Bora continued to listen to the off-key notes that this musician sang. The little girl went up to Bora with the cup. She smiled at him widely as she rattled the cup around. Bora with his tall stature looked down at her like a mountain looking at the ocean. Bora shifted his attention numerous times toward the painted man and the girl.

He sighs a little and digs into his coin purse and pulled out two gold pieces.
This should motivate him to play better.
He dropped the coins into the cup and patted the head of the girl with his giant sized hands.
"Stay out of trouble,' Bora Gan told the girl as he continued to listen to the performance.

[laughingjin]

When the sound of coins hit Jin's slim ears a wide grin spread across his face, cutting through the glow of the lantern light. A slight wind shifted and tousled his already messy light brown hair.

Jin finished up the tune and a few patrons clapped. Jin's grin settled into a soft smile. His deep earth eyes continued to twinkle with laughter in the lantern light as he turned them down to star intently at his pipa, lute. Adjusting his fingers with the up most swiftness he settled on a tune. Soothingly slow his nimble fingers traced the chords and began to play a low soft key that reverberated through the small clearing.

The notes slid from his mind to his hands an lyrics had found his lips. "Winter. Spring. Summer and Fall." His voice was low as not to provoke it into singing off-key.

"Winter. Spring. Summer and Fall." Though the words sounded completely solemn and calm the faint glimmer of a smile was slipping through his voice. He lifted his head up to face the crowd, a bright smile twitching over the corner of his lips. He strolled about with each easy lyrical chord. "Four seasons. Fo-our loves."

His eyes roamed around the small circle that had formed around Jin and his sister, not letting them settle on any one person for over a few seconds.

"Four seasons. Fooo-our loves." He held the last low note out a but longer, strumming the chords to a climax. His grin flashed once more as he held his head up triumphantly as the festival goers applauded.

Ayumi's slippered feet padded about hoping someone was kind enough to offer something.

Jin's grin stretched wide across his painted face, making him look friendly and inviting. Thoughts of his next song traveled through his head as he waited for Ayumi to finish or the crowed to quiet. Whichever came first.

[boragan]

The night sky continued to grow cold as the festival still continued. The musician continued to play as Bora Gan went on his way. Before he could get far, he was pointed out by a performer.

"You!" the voice spoke, "You are perfect to the role my large fiend."
"What?" Bora said looking confused as he looked on the stage.
"Are you prepared for a little improvication?"
A few ladies took Bora's hands as they lead him to the stage. As much as he didn't want to perform, he didn't put up much of a fight either. He got onto the stage and looked at the large crowd watching.

"My very large friend here will be playing the role of *gasp* the Fire Lord."
Bora's eyes widened as he heard the name of his biggest nemesis. He wanted to protest, but the performer spoke into his ear before Bora could speak.

"Alright," the performer whispered, "You will be playing Fire Lord Ozai. Just think of what he would do and play along."

Bora Gan still looked a little confused, but gave a slight nod of approval. The performer took center stage as a light was shown around him.

"Welcome to the Story of the Future. I, Lin Shin, will be narrating the improv. We begin our story with the invasion of the Fire Nation and their dastardly leader Fire Lord Ozai."

The light then shown on Bora Gan as the crowd waited for a reaction from him.

"Oh look at me," Bora acted. He was a little exxagerated, but he used it to his advantage, "I am Fire Lord Ozai. I shall destroy the Earth Kingdom with my powerful hand and unequal anger."

Bora posed a little with a few punches in the air. The crowd gasped as his powerful strikes moved the air. A few actors dressed in Fire Nation uniforms attacked with him as the actors that were dressed in Water Tribe outfits ran off into the back of the stage.

[boragan]

Bora continued to act as the Fire Nation Ozai as he chased the actors dressed like Earth Kingdom soldiers. With each swing of his arms, fire from the background of the stage jet from some tubes of gun powder.

"Now that I am here, Bai Seng Sei will be next to fall," Bora acted as he put his foot on a "fallen" soldier on the stage. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew on the stage as a man came down from the top of the stage with very little strings guiding him to the floor. This man looked bald with blue tattoos on his head and wrists.

"Stop Fire Lord," the man spoke as he grabbed a staff from the back of a curtain, "You will terrorize the world ever again, for I am the Avatar!"

The crowd applauded as the "avatar" showed up to rescue the world from tyranny. Bora laughed as he witnessed the man.
"Fool. I am the Fire Lord of the Fire Nation!" Bora spoke with confidence, "I am unstoppable! You cannot hurt me with your puny airbending."

He makes a gusture of "firebending" as a gulf of flames broke through the background in imitation of a fire blast from his arms. The avatar actor raised the bo staff in his hands twirled it around like a circle. The velocity of the bo phased out the fire blast as the fire dissapates. The crowd claps in approval.

"He is just too powerful," Bora exaggerates, "I surrender to you Avatar." The crowd cheers as the improvication act was finished. The actors and Bora Gan took their bow and exited the stage.

[lyra]

The dirt beneath her bare feet was soothing, but she barely had time to feel its coolness. Running through the streets, her arms reaching for the sky above her head, the hems of her robe dancing around her ankles - that was the true feeling of excitement for Lyra. Closing her eyes, she let her mind's eye guide her gracefully through the area, for she knew it quite well. Behind her eyelids her emerald eyes darted around, as if seeing through them. The girl suddenly stopped her hair and robes wanting to keep going but swinging to a slow stop around her slender body.

Keeping her eyes closed she turned around, feeling every person in the area move, every blade of grass quiver in the distance. Then there was something else - something exciting. Her eyes flashed open, now more a shade of gray than green; something was going on. Whipping around she looked through the buildings surrounding her, from above the moon glistened through the stars that seemed to make a canopy above her. Everything seemed peaceful, beautiful, and tranquil. However Lyra couldn't help but believe something important was happening.

Then she heard it, it floated to her ears like a lullaby her mother used to sing to her. A musical instrument and the sound of a boy's voice called through the air to her for her hearing was exceptionally skilled. Striding forward Lyra turned a corner and saw it: a beautiful scene in front of her. Then she remembered The Lantern Festival was taking place tonight. With a smile crossing her face she made her way through a crowd of people, all whose eyes were placed upon a tall stage where a play seemed to be taking place. Lyra couldn't help but laugh as she watched the actors and actresses imitate the Fire Nation.

Turning her head she saw the source of the music: A boy a little older than herself and what appeared to be a little girl a few years younger than herself. The little girl held a small cup in her hand and an innocent look across her face, the boy continued to play his instrument and sing. Smiling, Lyra approached the couple and dropped a few coins into the cup held by the little girl. She wouldn't be needing those coins anyway. It was then that she moved behind the little girl and next to the boy. Giving him a reassuring glance she raised her arms over her head and began to dance, letting the tune of the music guide her body. She was not attired in her dance costume, but the way her robe danced around her bare feet was good enough for her. A few nearby watchers placed a few coins into the cup which made Lyra's smile widen - she and the boy were making quite a good team.

[laughingjin]

A single painted eyebrow rose high on Jin's forehead, and though he hadn't stopped playing her looked at the girl dancing beside him with more than skepticism. You did have to be wary around this village, even though the festival brought the promise of security it also brought the promise that the crime rate would raise.

Carefully he ran one of his light green eyes up and down the slender figure swaying beside him. She looked kind enough, and, if his ego wasn't getting in the way, certainly not large enough to take on Jin if she were a threat. A small smile began to twitch at the edge of his lips, as his nimble fingers continued to strum, moving from a slow paced tune to a faster one.

The clicking of coins in Ayumi's small copper cup grew and Jin's wild rambunctious grin cut through the night and shown brighter than any lantern flame. The tune grew faster and faster, the quick pace making Jin himself begin to move slightly to the tune, his slipper feet kicking up dust from the dirt pound floor

With a strumming finish the song ended. The crowd that had gathered roared and clapped as Jin took a not so graceful bow, draping one arm across his mid-section and the other jutting out to the sky, he touched his heel out in front of him as he leaned in, nearly sweeping the ground with his thin noes.
Ayumi gathered up the rest of the shining tokens and Jin straightened up, turning to look down upon the girl beside him. "I hope you enjoyed the show." The golden freckles in his eyes sparkled.

[boragan]

"Alright. I have no idea why they did that," Bora spoke to himself, "But I need to get back to work."
He went through the crowd as they congraduated his performance. Not paying any mind to them, he stormed into the street again.
"Damn people. Don't they know I need to get back to my job?" As he went back to patrolling his beat, a few of his men came up to him in a hurry.

"Sir, I think we found something," one officer said, "We found a suspicious person arguing with one of the patrons. When we went to question, he gave us some trouble. We had no choice but to defend ourselves when he attacked us. He was obviously intoxicated."

The other officer reached into his side pack and pulled out a piece of rolled-up parchment.
"We found this in on his possession," the former officer continued. Bora un-rolled the parchment and looked inside. After a few minutes of browsing, Bora's eyes widened.
"Men, this is a map," Bora said, "A formation map to Bai Seng Sei."
"We have suspicion that he might be a spy for the Fire Nation sir."
"Show me this captive. I must interrogate him myself."
"Yes sir."
The two officer's saluted Bora then went on their way to the prisoner.

[lyra]

Lyra could feel the sensation of someone looking at her and she turned to see the older boy looking her up and down, as if analyzing whether or not to trust her. Smiling reassuringly she continued to dance facing the crowd that had formed around them, her feet, legs, hips, arms, and facial expressions moving with the tune of the music.

When the boy seemed to have finished playing Lyra looked to see him bow and smiled, curtsying with a slight twinkle in her eyes. "I hope you enjoyed the show." Lyra smirked and nodded, brushing a brown bang out of her eyes. The cool air brushed against the skin that was revealed which cooled her off after her performance. Her heart beat rapidly, her legs still wobbly from wanting to continue to dance.

"We make quite the team." Lyra said, nodding her head in the direction of the coin-filled cup in the little girl's hands. "I'm Lyra, by the way. Lyra Fa Lee." She smiled once more and looked around to see the man who had been performing sweep past her. Her bare feet shifted on the ground and she listened intently to what they were saying a few yards away. Their voices were muffled, but Lyra could distinctly hear something about Bai Seng Sei, the Fire Nation, and 'spy'. Her mind raced and her first instinct was to go home and make sure her mother and father were okay. She had to control herself, though, of course they'd be alright. Turning back to the older boy and younger girl she waited for a response, her mind still lingering on the thought of her family and an invasion by the Fire Nation.

[laughingjin]

Jin gave a jester's laugh, loud and dominate that just begged others to join. His unruly hair bobbed with the sheer force of the laugh and a few stray strands were scent shaking in front of his bright eyes. "Yes," he spoke, the laughter still thick in his voice, "we do make quite a team." He felt Ayumi stand close to him, eying the large man that had lured them to this particular spot earlier. Jin didn't concern himself with this, instead he turned his attention back on the girl, Lyra.

He shifted his pipa to his left hand, a wide grin spread across his face. "I'm Jin, just Jin." He paused a moment, placing his right hand on his younger sister's head. "And this is my sister, Ayumi." That snapped her out of her daze. Her light green eyes snapped to look up at Lyra, she tilted her head softly beneath Jin's head, pulling a few strands loose from her braid. Beneath her butterfly mask a small smile formed, only visible by the crease in her eyes. "Thanks for helping bring in such a large crowd, Jin wouldn't have been able to do it by himself." She snickered teasingly.

He rolled his eyes playfully before shoving her lightly, giving the smallest of chuckles. "Excuse my sister, she had no idea when to hold her tongue." He extended his right hand for a formal greeting. "Pleasure to meet you Lyra."

[lyra]

Lyra laughed slightly as Jin introduced himself. She wasn't necessarily laughing about his name, but more of the fact that he said 'just Jin'. Excusing her rudeness Lyra looked down at the girl - who Jin had introduced as Ayumi and smiled as she spoke. "Ah, I dunno about that. He seemed to be attracting a crowd even without me." She then bent down and whispered to the girl, only loud enough for she and Jin to hear, "Even if that crowd was pretty small." She smirked playfully and returned to her normal stature facing Jin.

"It's very nice to meet you both!" Lyra said enthusiastically, "But might I ask what is it that you're doing? Just raising some money with your talents? Or is this a career you hold?" Lyra was always nosy when it came to other people's business, and her forward attitude toward the two showed just that.

The two seemed very unique, a big brother and his little sister as performers. Lyra looked around and remembered that she was free for the time being. Then something came to her - a thought. Perhaps, if the two needed money, she could perform with them and help them get some money. It was obvious that they could make the amounts needed by themselves, but with a dancer they might make double what they already did. She smiled, thinking of her own thoughts before bringing her attention back to current matters.

[nattoku]

The beauty of the town alight with the beauty of lanterns was truly something to see. Especially for someone who didn't see much similar to the lanterns and celebration that seemed to be going on. Nattoku blew his bangs out of his face as a slight wind blew them against him, making his eyes water from the hair stinging his eyes. He was in awe of the beauty of the lanterns of this town, and really just the town itself.

The boy quickly moved out of the way as some children ran past, not watching where they were going as they chased each other. Nattoku made sure he was not going to get run over or come close to it as he moved back near the crowd. He liked how many people there were here. Nattoku also liked how he didn't have to stay near his mother or brothers. They had all come to this mountain town that was a pretty good distance from their village as just a way to get away for a time, to have some fun.

As the young teenager moved forward some more, listening to different people's conversations to see if there was anyone interesting to talk to, or anyone who would want to talk to him, he noticed a couple of interesting groups. Very near to him, there was a group of young people that seemed to be new to each other.

The group of three consisted of two girls and a boy. Nattoku noted that the bigger of the two girls wasn't too much older than himself, and the smaller girl was younger. The boy looked to be older than him. The older girl seemed to be new to the boy and younger girl, as she was introducing herself to them, and vice-versa.

Nattoku stood still for a moment trying to think if he should go over to say hello. What would I say to them?he asked himself, trying to think fo what to do or say.

[laughingjin]

A slight laugh escaped Jin's lips as he over heard Lyra talking to his sister, his light eyes never leaving her. Ayumi giggled, her hands going to cover her mouth as they usually did. Jin tousled her hair playfully before turning back to look down at Lyra as she spoke, locking his eyes with hers.

He titled his chin up slightly, his grin turning into a mischievous one. "I guess you could call it a career." Gingerly, Jin ran his hand through his hair, in attempt to push the shaggy mess away from his eyes only to have it glide back into place. A giggle came from his side as Ayumi spoke up, "He's much too lazy to do anything else." A single eyebrow rose itself skeptically upon Jin's forehead, and though the brow was now hidden beneath his bangs, the gesture was still understandable. He cast a sideways glance looking down upon Ayumi who was mustering every ounce of innocence in her body to look up at him.

In reality Jin was far from lazy, if given work he would do it, anything to help his family when they needed it. Work had just been incredible slow as of late. The Lantern Festival was not only bringing money to the Tea Shop his mother was working at, but it was the perfect opportunity for Jin to entice coins out of other's pockets with his music. His thoughts moved back to something Lyra has said 'We make quite a team.'

An idea of sheer brilliance made itself known and his grin became warm and friendly. He was not a greedy person, why not let someone else in on the fun? "I know this is horribly informal of me but," he paused, shifting his pipa back into a playing position, "care to help us earn a few extra coins with your dancing? I'll be happy to split whatever we make with you." Jin's nimble fingers strummed the chords grandly, they began to place themselves on a few chords, finding the right song. "I mean, it's like you said." His black rimmed grin spread into full form, taking up a good portion of his face. "We make a great team."