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Post by chamir on Jan 20, 2007 18:21:31 GMT -5
Before aiding in camp preparations Chamir thoroughly disarmed himself. Leaving behind even his knife in his bag before helping the camp. It may not have been wise but he had enough of weapons for the moment and wanted to be away from them as best he could.
Attempting to be useful, Chamir was offering aid wherever he could. Retrieving cloaks and blankets from the trees, carting around a few unloaded supplies and firewood and then helping to set up tents. The tasks aided in calming his mind—as well as ignoring the growing hunger in his belly.
Yet even after he was finished dinner was still not read.
Impatient as he became he went from his and sat by the campfire. Believing that playing would draw his mind’s attention away from this new life he was acquiring. And yet as he prepared himself, setting the pipa vertically upon his lap, nothing came to him. Neither to his fingers nor his throat.
Sighing, his eyes stared and the fire and then into distance for minutes on end. Gazing ahead until it seemed his mind lost focus of what he was looking at and ceased paying attention to the crackling fire his ears heard. Eventually the fingers of his free hand plucked a string. Then another string. And then another string until he was strumming a lamenting tune. His eyes finally closed then began blinking, moisture relieving them of their dryness.
“My home… two board-leaved trees Planted above… and below the world Its branches have spread… Throughout the world,” his voice plodded in a monotone at first.
“Each leaf… a beloved child Who has gone far, venturing aboard To search or protect… A better future for us all…,” hesitantly pacing himself into confidence. A sort of longing rose in his voice.
“My home is two board-leaved trees Planted above and below the world It’s branches have spread… Throughout the world”
“Each leaf is a beloved child Left from home, venturing afar To search and secure… A better future”
“Our people are united Even afar... My lovely homes… small and cherished, Cradle of hope and joy Paradise of my heart…”
“Our people are united Even across the sea… My lovely homes… small and cherished, Cradle of love and nostalgia Paradise of… my soul…”
((modified: Paraiso Di Atlantico by Cesaria Evora))
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Post by yasu on Jan 23, 2007 19:39:11 GMT -5
Yasu jumped at the sudden voice beside her and turned to see Taka with a blanket. She blinked a few times, and then she smiled shyly. "I'm fine," her eyes returned to the procession which was quickly dissipating before them. "Just thinking." She looked back at him. "When do we need to leave, do you think? " She looked away guiltily, "I'm still their prisoner...even if I did fight beside them. Its up to how they feel about letting a Fire Nation girl go. You aren't a prisoner. So you can go. But me..." her eyes stared calmly at the fires that blazed. She was Fire Nation. Once more her mind turned unwillingly to the fact that they had every right to hate her.
She sighed heavily and leaned back against a tree, her eyes still watching the fire. She crossed her arms over her chest in thought. "Of course, if we can, we should leave at night if its just going to be the two of us. Firebenders are strongest in the morning, and if they didn't kill all of them..." her voice trailed knowingly as her eyes trailed back up to the moon. She went quiet a moment longer, and then her head lowered and she looked around the camp. The group around the fire had dissipated completely, and now she felt awkward standing her. She glanced back at him. "Are you okay?"
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Post by taka on Jan 25, 2007 9:31:28 GMT -5
She blinked a few times, and then she smiled shyly. "I'm fine," she said. She looked over at the people who were leaving. "Just thinking..."
She looked back at him. "When do we need to leave, do you think? I'm still their prisoner...even if I did fight beside them. Its up to how they feel about letting a Fire Nation girl go. You aren't a prisoner. So you can go. But me..." She sighed and leaned back against the tree crossing her arms, obviously thinking. "Of course, if we can, we should leave at night if its just going to be the two of us. Firebenders are strongest in the morning, and if they didn't kill all of them..." She looked at him. "Are you okay?"
He smiled back at her. "Yeah, I'm fine." He ran a hand through his hair. She did have a point. The tribesmen probably wouldn't let them leave so easily. And if they were to leave, it ought to be tonight. He was a bit worried that the tribesmen might not see eye to eye on that fact.
He looked at the moon a moment, thinking. It might be that they would have to escape without the tribesmens' blessings. He looked back at Yasu. "We might need to leave without their permission, then. Do you have all your stuff? If so, we could leave now."
He took off his blanket and folded it back up, and then put it back in his messenger bag. He then hefted it up over his shoulder, and waited for Yasu.
"Ready?" he asked.
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Post by aden on Jan 27, 2007 0:36:28 GMT -5
Several steps out of Hissun's tent Aden slowed his furious pace to a crawl as it dawned on him that he didn't know where he was going. Half of him didn't care and just wanted to put as much distance as possible between himself and the war chief. However, the young waterbender realized the impracticality of just wandering off into the night and decided to just stay in the camp. He exhaled deeply, though it hardly seemed to calm him down, and he caught sight of the two supposed members of 'The Rebellion' speaking together a short ways off. Whatever they were discussing, he didn't really care to find out. Instead he turned the opposite direction and headed for the campfire where there was still some soup left. If it didn't calm his temper, some food would at least end the near constant complaints of his empty stomach.
Aden scooped up one of the few remaining bowls stacked beside the pot and held it out for the man on cooking duty to fill with a scoop from a ladel. He offered the man nothing but a vacant nod as he then wandered back to his own assigned tent in order to have some privacy. Though, even that prospect didn't seem to cheer him up. He wanted to rant and rave about what Hissun had said to him. He wanted to pick apart every last point the elder man had tried to make and he wanted to share his frustration with any who would listen. And at the same time, Aden couldn't bring himself to even open his mouth to speak to anyone else. He avoided eye contact with anyone on his way back to the tent and deliberately quickened his steps.
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Post by chamir on Jan 27, 2007 1:36:56 GMT -5
Yes, I do think I have missed this smell, satisfyingly drinking down the last of his soup. Though I can not help but prefer this scent on a woman, laughing outwardly at his thoughts than at the joke while he sat amidst some of the other warriors as they sat and ate by one of the campfires. Around three years since he had come across the smell of arctic hides and arctic food and arctic raised skin. And the chilled air of tonight rekindled nostalgia even more.
Unfortunate to be reacquainted to such intoxicating fragrances in such circumstances he considered as Aden briskly passed by them without a word. Breathing a cold breeze in his wake towards his tent.
Finishing his own meal Chamir excused himself to check on his young companion.
“Aden,” tapping the outer flap of the tent as he neared, “feel like joining us? Or at least helping me remember everyone’s names?”
Gingerly poking his head into the tent as Aden hid in his tent. “I did not figure you for an early sleeper. Or are you just tried from today?”
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Post by yasu on Jan 28, 2007 18:52:14 GMT -5
She nodded at his answer and looked at the flames, which were dieing out. Something out of the corner of her eye brought her head turning slightly, someone was exiting a tent. She narrowed her eyes, and realized it was someone familiar leaving that tent. Mr. Angsty-Pants... she thought, trying to remember the nickname that she and the other Water Tribesman Chamir had come up with earlier before the fight. He seemed...a little more than angsty right now, and she decided to turn her head away, instead of looking after him. She wouldn't be wanted to speak to anyways. She was Fire Nation. He'd be too...err...suspiciouis.
"We might need to leave without their permission, then. Do you have all your stuff? If so, we could leave now." She looked back at him as he spoke, and caught his eye. She narrowed them slightly; warm, golden eyes hardening slightly. Running away. That was what he was suggesting. As he folded his blanket back up, and put it in his bag, she thought on this. Running away. That was their only choice. She turned slightly, leaning her side gainst hte tree so she could gaze at the camp easier. They were eating, stew it looked like. One big, happy family it seemed.
Water Tribe people have always been a more family-based civilization, or at least that's what Father used to say in his stories of the South Pole... Her eyes sadened and she turned back to Taka. It was better if she left now. No need to think back on...the past. "Yes, I have everything." She shouldered her bow and empty quiver, which she had lain against the tree earlier. "Lead the way," she said, waving her hand slightly, a small smile on her face.
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Post by taka on Jan 29, 2007 8:08:55 GMT -5
He sighed, happy that she'd accepted. He didn't especially like their hosts, even if they had been kind to them. He'd really wanted to get back at that loser who'd gotten angry at Yasu, but now he didn't have time.
He smiled back at her. "Under the circumstances, with Fire Nation around, I think we'd better head back to Tachi Dai."
He adjusted his messenger bag a bit, and then started walking down the road. It felt good, walking. That was what he did. He carried messages. And he had traveresed a lot of road in his time. The wind whispered quietly through the trees, just loud enough to be heard. An owl hooted off in the distance, and the stars and moon above smiled down from the sky above.
This was paradise. This was why he did what he did. To protect what he loved.
He turned and smiled at Yasu as he walked. He couldn't help it. This walk put him in a good mood.
As they neared the end of the forest, tall grasses waved in the wind, looking like a phantasmal sea. The stars were brighter out here, and the moon was as well.
He looked ahead down the starlit road. It led home.
:.~Taka has left this thread for Tachi Dai~.:
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Post by aden on Jan 30, 2007 22:18:17 GMT -5
Aden was sitting cross-legged atop his bedroll and had been staring blankly into his bowl of soup when Chamir had come looking for him. The young bender hadn't really even heard what the Southern Tribe storyteller had said the first time, but turned in time to see Chamir's head poke through the flap of the tent.
“I did not figure you for an early sleeper. Or are you just tried from today?” he asked, bringing Aden's focus temporarily out of his own mind. The younger warrior was greatful for the reprieve Chamir's distraction had given him, and at the same time Ade wanted to yell at him to leave him be. As much as it was paining him to truly consider his leader's words of wisdom, some part of recognized the truth of Hissun's advice.
"My mind is.... elsewhere," Aden finally managed to mumble in response to Chamir's friendly invitation. He had still only half-turned around, and he was glad that the full of his face wasn't visible as he spoke. It would have been obvious at a glance that he was having difficulty maintaining a simple straight face.
"And, as you say... the battle took much out of me." Aden turned away from Chamir then and returning his gaze to the reflection in his bowl. "I will meet you tomorrow when we resume the march."
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Post by chamir on Jan 31, 2007 19:38:08 GMT -5
He gazed at Aden for a moment. Wanting something profound to come from his mind and speak through his voice. But nothing managed to come forth on his part.
Maybe next time.
"Very well then," nodding to Aden before receding from his tent. "Please rest well...," holding back a sigh, "as I am not certain if I may be able to myself."
Chamir gave a brief faux grin. Wanting to dispell any concerns. "You are still young. Still a growing boy, therefore you will need as much rest as you can get. I however am not am not old to the point where I cannot manage without enough sleep," finally receding from the tent.
True, despite how tired Chamir himself was he was currently unable to remove today's events whenever he closed his eyes. Sleep would be a hard prospect to obtain if at all tonight.
But... at least his belly was satisfied.
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Post by aden on Jan 31, 2007 23:02:15 GMT -5
Aden hardly slept that night. By the time he had settled into a light reverie, the sound of morning birds had interrupted his silence. The young bender's crystal blue eyes stared blankly at the roof of his tent for several minutes before he realized he wouldn't be getting any more rest that night. Without a word, he got up from his bedroll, picked up the bowl that was still beside him, and made his way past the other sleeping warriors to exit the tent.
The moment he cleared the flap, he stood up straight and stretched his tired limbs. A flick of the wrist emptied the bowl of its cold contents and he placed it down on the ground. The sky was still mostly dark, but was growing steadily lighter. He looked around the campsite but saw no movement. Aden blew out a long breath and rocked on his feet for a few moments.
He was up... Now what?
His feet started moving, carrying him slowly forward on what he thought was a random direction. Although, somwhere in his mind he knew where he was heading. A minute later had him approaching the edge of the site where the bodies of the fallen Fire Nation soldiers were buried. The trees around the edge of the grave had ben marked with an 'X' while a tree at the middle of the ring had been inscribed with a terse tombstone denoting the contents of the grave and the date of the battle. The young waterbender stood on the fringe of the grave, noticing the shift in the texture of the dirt.
He mentally cursed at himself for coming there, and he suddenly felt very foolish for doing so. Hissun's words had touched him more deeply than he'd care to admit, it seemed. Though, even as he thought to kick even more dirt on the grave and walk away, he found himself starting to lower to one knee...
Footsteps to the side stopped that motion dead in its tracks and Aden hastily stood up straight and nearly fell over sideways from the awkward maneuver. He immediately csteadied his feet and cleared his throat to cover his embarassment and looked up in time to see Hissun approaching the edge of the grave.
"Good morning, Aden," the war chief greeted the young waterbender, his voice even and a slight smile on his face. Aden said nothing and the elder man continued, "Come to pay your respects to the fallen?" It almost sounded at first that he was patronizing the young warrior after their talk. Aden almost lost his temper at that, but he quickly realized that what he heard inHissun's voice wasn't sarcasm... but Hope.
Howeverold habits died hard, and no matter how much Aden had dwelled on their conversation last night it wasn't enough to overcome the hatred that burned deep inside him.
"I came only to spit on their grave," he replied after a moment's pause.
"Then do not allow me to interrupt," Hissun said, gesturing with one hand for the young bender to proceed with his intention.
Aden's eyes locked steadily on Hissun's then, and for a long moment they stared at one another. Hissun had called his bluff, but he was not ready to give up his old ways just yet. Aden broke their stare and walked away then, retreating back toward his tent without another word.
Hissun watched him go until he was out of sight and then finally cracked a slight smile. He knew he'd gotten through to him, whether Aden was ready to take his advice to heart just yet or not. The smile faded into a look of serenity as he turned his attention back toward the fallen soldiers and he knelt down ito offer a slight prayer.
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Post by chamir on Feb 1, 2007 12:45:30 GMT -5
Even with being lucked by having a tent mate who was a deep and quiet sleeper, rest for Chamir did not equate to slumber. Hours into the night he laid on his back, occasionally tossing and turning, looking at the tent’s dark ceiling whenever he was unable to keep his eyes closed.
Flustered, he eventually departed the tent for the outside night. Eventually sitting around, joking and cavorting, and patrolling with the tribe’s night watch. As the night lengthened unto morning he continually hesitated in asking his comrades how to manage. How to manage to cope after such a harrowing ordeal of life-and-death combat.
And yet as the sun rose and the camp took their time in waking he strolled about. His questioned still unasked and attempting to solve it himself. Pondering if he could find out on his own, without asking the others simply by observing them, even the young Aden.
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Post by aden on Feb 2, 2007 14:47:54 GMT -5
Aden had returned to the camp proper about a minute later, his gaze fixed solidly on the ground. He was surprisingy calm despite his latest brush with Hissun, and he felt vastly improved from the previous night. The sky above him was growing brighter by the moment and the rest of the Water Tribe warriors were slowly starting to begin the task of packing up for travel.
He spotted Chamir standing somewhat lost among the criss-crossing paths of the veteran warriors. Aden stopped walking toward his tent, where he'd hope to lay down for just a little longer, and changed his course to take him over to the Southern Tribesman.
"Morning," the young bender greeted, offering a tired smile. Aden figured he must look very bedraggled. There were still traces of dried blood all over his clothes, his hair was frizzled, and he had noticeable bags under his eyes. "We'll be heading out soon, but there's enough time to grab some salted seal jerky if you're hungry."
Aden gestured toward the cart that the war party had with them that was laden with food, blankets, and the nearly depleted barrels of water that served as both thier drink and ammunition for the benders. He really couldn't ignore the cramping feelings in his stomach any longer, and though he had posed it as an option to Chamir, he was heading that way no matter what answer he got in turn.
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Post by chamir on Feb 2, 2007 21:35:55 GMT -5
"Mm," nodding in agreement. "Salted seal jerky is a delicacy that has long been sorely lacking from my diet for quite a while now. Let alone seeing a seal of any sort..." His mouth began to water, remembering the taste of it while his belly twisted in hunger.
Chamir began taking a few steps to the cart Aden pointed out, leading the way. "It is nice to know that we will be on our way so soon. Hopefully we can come across a brook or strem or any source of water along the way. I would like to clean up," he tug and wiped at parts of his clothing. His attire was still dirtied with dried blood and soil along with the smell of sweat. "Even if we are warriors," proudly intoning, "we should at least attempt to look somewhat presentable to the next human civilization we come across, neh?"
A small grin began to form on his lips. "I'm quite sure the womenfolk would certainly appreciate that if we did such."
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Post by aden on Feb 4, 2007 1:26:06 GMT -5
Miraculously, Aden managed a slight smile at Chamir's jest as he fell into step beside the Souther Tribesman. Despite the events of the last 24 hours he was finally beginning to feel a bit like his old self. For the moment, at least, he was no longer dwelling on the past.
"That they would," the young bender replied. "I suppose I'll leave them to you at the next stop, but even so I'm beginning to feel sluggish from all the grime I've collected in the last day..." Aden closed his eyes for a moment and tried to rub the sleep from them. It was hard to force himself to re-open them. Sleep was so inviting...
"It's another day or two to our next stop," he said, pausing to yawn, "And if we don't pass a suitable body of water, I'd be happy hose you down with my bending." He tossed Chamir a slight smirk.
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"The scouts have come back from their runs," one of Hissun's lieutenants informed him once he'd return from the burial site. While the rest of the warriors had begun to dissemble the camp and prepared for travel, a few soldiers had been sent out to sweep the surrounding area and make sure the way was clear.
"Anything to report?" the war chief asked, casually strapping on an ornately carved bone brace to his right forearm.
"They came across the remains of nearly a score of Fire Nation archers and a few firebenders," the officer commented. "They found them behind our lines, not even a day old." Hissun's eyes widened slightly with the realization that those archers were meant to flank their troops during the battle last night. It seemed like sheer luck that they hadn't come into play.
"Do you know who was responsible?"
"Initial appearances suggests an ambush from up high, likely from the treetops, by another squadron of archers. Most were dead from arrows with only a few deaths inflicted by small edged weapons. The few remaining arrows at the scene were not made by the Fire Nation..."
A slight smile crossed his features. "Then we were right to trust the girl and her ally," he said, finishing donning his battle gear. "I can only assume that the rebel group the Fire Nation was searching for in these woods must have used our battle to stage an ambush of their own." Hissun looked around his tent once more to make sure he'd retrieved all his personal belongings before the tent was taken down. As he finally decided he had gotten everuthing, he commented quietly, "Too bad they felt the need to take their leave without a farewell... I should have liked to thank them."
Within the hour the tents were packed, the cart was loaded, and the Marching River was flowing once more.
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