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Post by chamir on Nov 18, 2006 1:32:20 GMT -5
“A better circumstance,” Aden joined in, looking them each in the eye to break whatever smiles were on their face, “would be having allies who were prepared for battle and not wasting their time with chit-chat…”
Refusing to be deterred from what little merriment there was, given circumstances, Chamir gave a quick, conspirator wink and half grin to Yasu. See? Sir Cranky Angst indeed, my dear!
Sure the boy’s voice had the anger but Aden’s voice still carried his serious and grim demeanor. He meant what he said. Taking a step back and turning to the rest of the war party for a moment to emphasis what was taking place around the three. Yet rather than walking Aden stood there with them. Chamir would have, should have followed suit but instead what came next would probably irritate him further.
Bowing his head to Yasu, “He’s right Yasu. We should be preparing for battle,” then shifting his voice to an excited tone: “What’s say we go climb trees then?! Lead on Aden! Let’s find some really really tall one’s too while we’re at it.”
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Post by yasu on Nov 18, 2006 12:56:12 GMT -5
“A better circumstance, would be having allies who were prepared for battle and not wasting their time with chit-chat…” Yasu winced at the tone of his voice. Only proving mor that he is true to his nickname. But it stung her and her smile faded and she looked back down at her feet. She missed Chamir's half-grin and wink completely, and instead just looked down at her feet. Should'a just kept your mouth shut, idiot, she told herself, ...Great. She inwardly sighed. He had sounded angry with what she said. Wouldn't he want it in any other circumstance as well? Or did he just really hate all Fire Nation civilains. Not all of us are bad, thought Yasu.
Yasu Al lifted her face to look back at him, this time her face hardened and her golden eyes flashed angrily. “He’s right Yasu. We should be preparing for battle...” She ignored Chamir completely, and instead she placed one hand on her hip and the other had an index finger pointed at Aden. But just when she was about to chew him out, Chamir bowed his head and spoke once more, this time it was more excited. “What’s say we go climb trees then?! Lead on Aden! Let’s find some really really tall one’s too while we’re at it.” This time it really did catchh Yasu Al off gaurd and she stumbled side-ways, eyes wide. Once she righted herself she swung around at him and eyed him suspicoously. Was this guy just crazy? Or was he really being serious? "Climb trees?!" her voice was high as she tried to hold in a scream. She was trying not to sound mean to Chamir. He had been so kind to her... She blinked a few times. "Okay." Was all she said before she turned to Aden. She looked at him irritatingly, her hands back on her hips defiantly. "Go ahead, Mr. Angsty Pants, lead on." Her voice was dead serious. But her eyes were joking. She just wanted to annoy him.
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Post by aden on Nov 18, 2006 14:55:08 GMT -5
Chamir's suggestion to go climb trees was actually not far from Aden's own thoughts for a battle plan. However, the patronizing tone with which he suggested it made the young waterbender want to tear the idea apart, simply because the storyteller had suggested it. He held his tongue though. Chamir was from the Water Tribe, and as such there was a still a sense of community he shared with the sometimes irritating man. But even if Aden was unwilling to take his anger out on him, Yasu Al didn't have the luxury of sharing a cultural heritage.
"Go ahead, Mr. Angsty Pants, lead on," she said, irking him on with the use of the nickname Chamir had invented. Her mock serious tone and her snark posture invoked a fiery rage within the stoic waterbender. A slight twitch in his right hand hinted at the burning desire he had to unsheathe the knife at his side. Meanwhile, a number of retorts ran through his mind, most of which involving profanities the likes of which only a soldier would know.
Several seconds past, and Aden's gaze remained fixed at some pont in the woods a short ways off. Eventually, however, he decided that to stay and try to exchange banter with the others would only lead to him clouding his mind with aggrivation. With a battle coming soon, he'd likely be too distracted to fight. So with the simple explanation of, "I'm going to speak with commanders to see if they've decided on a course of action," Aden turned quickly and walked away.
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Post by chamir on Nov 18, 2006 15:42:08 GMT -5
For some reason, though Chamir could not quite place where within himself the feeling came from, he was rather thankful that Aden was incapable of bending fire. Then again the fact that he could bend water was still a danger in itself.
Despite the reality of what he was actually seeing of the Aden before, in his imagination Chamir could see and rather comical but still anger version of Aden. And enlarged wrathful head, the entire body periodically twitching in anger, a vein throbbing on his forhead and red, angry eyes.
The imaginary sight of which would probably have egged a younger Chamir further on than made him stop. But the man had long learned that there were limits... though sometimes he willingly ignored them. But with a battle coming and Aden needing to prepare himself in his own way, Chamir deciding to recede on any further gibbing and banter, good natured as he believed it to be.
"I'm going to speak with the commanders," Aden calmly explained to Chamir and Yasu, "to see if they've decided on a course of action." Without a further word Aden quickly turned on his heels and walked away from the two.
After a moment or two of standing there he caught Yasu's eyes. "Northerners," Chamir quipped to the girl. "They came directly from the North Pole so it will still take time for them to thaw out. Until then," he chin pointed to the stack of blankets unloaded from the cart, "I'll show you what we need to do. We'll even get Aden a blanket while we're at it. Follow, please."
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Post by yasu on Nov 18, 2006 18:31:57 GMT -5
Yasu Al took a surprised step backward as his face suddenly hardened even more; if that was at all possible. If he was a fire bender...though, she figured that either way she would be dead. She could see his hand shaking slightly and she shut her eyes tightly. Perhaps she had pushed it too far? "I'm going to speak with the commanders..." Yep, gone too far. She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest as he turned and walked away. She looked at her feet hopelessly. Great way not to make enemies, Yasu, she told herself angrily.
After a moment she realized that Chamir was still with her. She wondered why but looked up at him just as he looked at her, and their eyes met. "Northerners," he was saying with a joking-like tone. Yasu tried a smile, but it fell uncomfortably. "They came directly from the North Pole so it will still take time for them to thaw out." He pointed over to a stack of blankets that were being unloaded from a cart, and he told her to follow. At least he said please, she thought bitterly as she followed him.
She was quiet a moment, and then she said, "Not all of us are bad. Fire Nation, I mean. Really..." Her eyes saddened as a picture of her father came into her mind, and she became dead silent. Though her father had fought in the war, he was anything but evil. They just lived the life that had been set in front of them. The Rebellion had been set in front of her, and she had graciously accepted it. For a while, she had thought that prejudice wasn't so bad in the Earth Kingdom. But people were suspicious. And some people were bad. Some people didn't trust Fire Nation civilians, no matter what. Her head turned involuntarily back toward Aden. Just like him. He didn't trust them. But he had a reason to. All of them did. She was Fire Nation. But unlike some of the nobles back at home, she was doing something to help end the war. She was fighting against it.
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Post by naru on Nov 21, 2006 20:07:07 GMT -5
"I was told you were an Earthbender," the Water Tribe leader said after a slight bow. He pointed to drawings in the dirt and began to explain his plan. "We may have need of your skills in the coming battle... Our warriors will be stationed here, here, and behind a false camp here," the War leader continued. Liung observed the drawings closely and soaked in what their leader was saying. Thoughts raced through Liung's mind, memories, plans, strategies...it was almost overwhelming to think about it. All the memories reminded Liung of his days on the Earth Kings Council of Five... Suddenly Liung snapped into focus and once more heard what Hissun was saying, "...When the fire nation attacks, they will likely try to overwhelm what they percieve as a small camp with a concentrated attack from whatever benders they have. That will cause them to line up on the edge of the trees, in which case they will be slightly apart from the rest of their troops. Once they initiate they're attack, I will need you and your grandson to create a barrier of earth between these benders and the soldiers behind them." Liung nodded and observed the drawings once more. "I see no faults with your plan... but I have a few details of my own." the old general replied, "I will join the group fighting the benders... and I want Naru to help you fight the seperated soldiers. However, he is young and I believe it would be best if he was paired with one of your benders, as a sort of role model...and to make sure my grandson is not harmed." Liung paused and looked up at the soldiers around him and finished, "That is all I ask."
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Post by aden on Nov 21, 2006 20:43:57 GMT -5
Hissun listened intently to the elder general's words and accepted his final condition without hesitation. "Your grandson will be well-looked after if he chooses to join the fight," the Water Tribe leader said, offering a respectful bow as he finished. "Before the battle, join me with the other benders and sling-throwers behind the false camp. From there you can divide the enemy and we can call orders to the men if things change." The middle-aged waterbender looked away from the retired Earth kingdom general for a moment to regard his officers. "Inform the men of the plans and have them be in their positions within the hour.... The sun is starting to set and the Fire nation might not wait til nightfall if they know we're of the Water Tribe."
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As Aden approached the cluster of commanders, he caught sight of one of Hissun's lieutenants walking swiftly toward his side of the gathered War Party. The young waterbender slowed his pace and caught the officer's eye with a slight salute. "Has the battle plan been decided?" Aden asked, the tone of his voice showing the due respect for a superior officer. The lieutenant replied with a curt nod and came to a stop in front of the section of gathered soldiers.
"Listen up," he called, his voice raised but not exactly shouting. There a brief pause as he allowed the soldiers before him to stop what they were doing and give their full attention, "We're going to be setting an ambush for the Fire nation whenever they arrive. A false camp will be constructed on the Southern side of the road... A handful of soldiers will pose as bait to to draw out their benders while most of our own benders and sling-throwers will be lying in wait in the trees. The moment they attack, our newly-found earthbenders will cut them off from whatever soldiers are with them with a wall of stone. At that point, a few benders and the rest of our skirmishers will engage those troops from the sides after hiding in the trees about 40 paces down each way from the false camp on the Northern side of the road..." The lieutenant paused, taking a deep breath after his summary. As he glanced around the camp, he saw that the majority of the warriors were nodding or looking around the woods to see where they fit in. Taking the absence of objection for understanding, the officer nodded and added simply, "Get to it."
Aden gave the man a slight bow as he walked past him once more and then looked around the woods in order to think of where he would fit in.
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Post by chamir on Nov 21, 2006 22:05:52 GMT -5
"Not all of us are bad," Yasu spoke sometime after they began walking towards the blankets. "Fire Nation, I mean," hoping to elaborate as Chamir turned to her. "Really..." Her voice collasped into silence.
Chamir kept tugging his arm in two directions. To and away from Yasu. Despite all the pain her people cause him. Caused everyone in this group... she was still a child. And she fighting against her own... even outright killing them.
Finally, his arm reached towards her as she turned her head away from Aden. His hand reached the shoulder furtherest from him, rather than tug the child towards him, even embracing her he merely kept the distance between them.
"I'm learning that now," he began. "Aden is learning that now. We are all learning that now. But we still have a ways to go. Having you here with us brings back painful memories for most of us. Having you fight beside us against your own people is hard for some of us to fathom."
Coming to a stop at their destination Chamir turn himself and Yasu, facing one another. "And yet if you wish to help stop your people. If you plan on aiding us to stop your people. Then I am glad to fight beside you," he proudly beamed at her.
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Post by yasu on Nov 22, 2006 9:54:00 GMT -5
Yasu let out a heavy sigh, one that she guessed she had been holding in for a while since she had been captured. She felt the need to just cry. But she hadn't done that in a long time. And therefore shut her eyes tightly until the pain in her nose subsided and the need to release the tears vanished. When she opened her eyes, she saw a movement beside her and before she could do anything he was wrapping his arm around her shoulders in a sort of awkward embrace, keeping the distance between them apparent. And as she turned her head to look at his hand in a bit of confusing, he began to speak, drawing her face back to his so she could study his expression. "I'm learning that now," he was saying, "Aden is learning that now. We are all learning that now. But we still have a ways to go. Having you here with us brings back painful memories for most of us. Having you fight beside us against your own people is hard for some of us to fathom." Yasu nodded slowly, looking at the blankets as they drew near. That made perfect since. All the Water Tribesmen here were fighting for a purpose because they were driven by an event. Just as she was driven by an event in her own life.
When finally they stopped, Chamir turned himself to her so that they were facing one another. She looked down a moment, jutting out her chin in thought, before relaxing and looking back up at him as he continued to speak. "And yet if you wish to help stop your people. If you plan on aiding us to stop your people. Then I am glad to fight beside you," and as he finished saying this he beamed down at her and Yasu was faintly reminded of one of her father's old war buddies, who had been much younger than her father, but so much older than Yasu. He had smiled just like that, she remembered. And suddenly she felt that familiar tug in her gut that made her suddenly want to turn and run home, and leap into her father's arms and tell him she was sorry for lying to him and that she didn't mind becoming heiress to the manor as long as she made him happy and as long as she felt whole.
But alas, that was impossible to do so. So Yasu just nodded slowly, and then looked back up at him and her lips curved upward very gradually into a light smile. "My father always used to tell me of the Water Tribesman," she said, and then, mimicking her father's voice as best she could, she said, "Those Water Tribesmen are the most driven people I have ever fought. Though their element is limited, Yasu, they find strength within themselves that make them who they are." Yasu sighed softly, remembering the day her father had sat her on his knee and explained this to her. She felt that she hadn't explained it as well as he had, but when she looked back up at Chamir she was smiling softly. "He said that if circumstances were different, he would rather be the one fighting with the Water Tribesmen, than fighting against. I'm glad I get the chance to fight with you, even if I am not fully trusted." her voice softened shyly and she looked down at her feet once more, and then turned her head toward the blankets curiously, wondering what exactly they needed the blankets for.
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Post by aden on Nov 22, 2006 16:35:53 GMT -5
Aden found himself walking toward a group of benders standing around the large barrels of water, watching the elder soldiers as they spoke in terms of strategy and began pointing to various locations of the woods. The younger bender only knew half of them personally, and he managed to spot an acquaintence of his named Sanku standing on the side of the gathering. Aden had scouted alongside the other bender before, and despite the decade that seperated them in age, they held a good deal of mutual respect.
"Sanku," Aden called, catching the man's attention. The other bender turned, breaking off his focus on the conversation before him to regard the younger warrior. Sanku was about an inch taller than Aden and had long black hair, but nearly the same build.
"Aden," he replied with a slight nod, "How can I help?" Aden returned the with one of his own and came to a stop before him.
"Do you know which benders are being assigned to ambush the Fire Nation soldiers?" the young bender asked, cutting right to the point.
"From what I heard, me, you, and the two other bending scouts are going to be assigned that pleasure," Sanku answered. "The rest are going to be held in reserve to deal with the firebenders." The elder warrior watched for a moment as Aden took in that information and was already beginning to process the thought. "I think me and you will be on the Western flank when it comes time to battle."
"Thanks" Aden said, grateful for the information, "I'll see you later then." He gave a curt bow and walked back toward the middle of the camp. He'd need a blanket or a cloak of some kind to help keep him unseen in the trees.
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Post by chamir on Nov 22, 2006 19:01:04 GMT -5
In another world... In another time... In another life..., kept repeating in his head. But nothing can be done about that now, shifting the cloth about his head. All that can be done... is handle what is here right now...
"I appreciate that," he patted her on the back as they both turned to the blankets. "We appreciate that. " He began walking to the blankets. "As for being trusted," he signaled for her to follow, "consider this act the beginning of your... mmm... third step in earning our trust in both you and any others like you."
He took a green rolled sheets and began to unravel it then fold it. "You'll be aiding in the ambush portion of this battle. All you need to do is climb up one of those trees over there," he chin pointed. "Once there, just unfold this and wrap it about you," he handed her the folded blanket. "Simply try and keep yourself hidden in the foilage but make sure you can still see the surrounding ground area and use your bow and arrow. The rest of us will act as bait while you attack from the trees. I'm sure Aden can fill us in on the rest of this plan once he returns."
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Post by yasu on Nov 25, 2006 16:59:07 GMT -5
Yasu felt the silence envelope the space between them, like a wave in the vast oceans and seas, all coming together to swallow them whole. She thought that perhaps she hadn't said anything at first, and then she figured that it wasn't just her imagination, that she had indeed said that. And then she was mentally kicking her own butt, because she probably shouldn't have said anything at all, and she should have just left it at that. And then, just as she was about to go kill herself mentally, he spoke and patted her on the back. She blinked a moment, and then realized that her gaze had shifted from the blankets up to him with a confused look on her face. Then she shook her head and nodded, decided to be quiet. He continued speaking, motioning her to follow as he walked towad the blankets. She followed.
"As for being trusted," he was saying, "consider this act the beginning of your... mmm... third step in earning our trust in both you and any others like you." She looked at him curiously, and then nodded. She could go along with that. He began to unravel a green sheet and fold it back. She listned and watched as he spoke. "All you need to do is climb up one of those trees over there," She turned her head toward the trees that he motioned toward, "Once there, just unfold this and wrap it about you," She took the blanket and looked at it for a moment. Then she looked back at him, when he told her she could use her bow and arrows. But finding that she had hardly anything else to say, she just said, "Awesome..." and looked back at the coarse green blanket in her hands. Finally she looked back up at him, after a long silence, and she felt her blood start to rise in her cheeks, as she wasn't accustomed to saying this. "Thanks...you know...for not..." she paused, and then smiled awkwardly, "Just thanks."
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Post by aden on Nov 26, 2006 20:44:22 GMT -5
Aden approached the supply cart where a few men were distributing blankets and cloaks to the warriors for cover while they laid in wait. Chamir and Yasu Al were talking nearby, but he avoided their gaze for the moment. The young waterbender stepped up to the supply cart and one of them men beside it handed him a folded indigo cloak. "Here you go, kid," the elder warrior said, offering a slight smile. Aden took the cloak and returned a nod.
He started walking slowly toward Chamir ad Yasu Al, tucking the newly acquired piece of camouflage under one arm. He was still slightly irked from earlier, but he was willing to forget their previous exchange and begin preparing for battle. He heard the last words of a conversation between the two with Yasu Al thanking the storyteller for something, and in the following silence her cleared his throat slightly to announce his presence.
"We're likely going to be fighting side by side," he stated, keeping his voice even and professional, "So it wold be wise to find a suitable location where we can all find a place to be most effective."
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Post by chamir on Nov 26, 2006 23:23:15 GMT -5
He returned Yasu's awkward smile. A small nod and "Mm," in reply. Not sure of what else to say to himself at her gratitude.
What would have passed for an extended awkward silence between the two was quickly interrupted by Aden; clearing his throat to announce his presence before the two.
Chamir tilted his head with a beginning closed lipped smile at the young man, who seemed to wear that same serious expression; then noting the indigo dyed sheet under his one of his arms. "I see you wanted to save us the trouble of us finding you and bring you a blanket," he commented.
"We're likely going to be fighting side by side," Aden stated, his voice an even and professional demeanor for a soldier twice his age. So it wold be wise to find a suitable location where we can all find a place to be most effective." Though holding his tongue Chamir could not help but feel that the boy probably had more seriousness than an Earth Kingdom soldier.
"Agreed, agreed," Chamir only replied. "Do you have any ideas where in mind?"
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Post by taka on Nov 28, 2006 22:39:01 GMT -5
After a few days of hasty pursuit, Taka was sure he was just behind Yasu now. Although, he really had no way of knowing.
He had, of course, protested his mission on more than one point. First off, the person he was working with was a person he'd never EVER met. Second, the person was 15 years old! How good could they possibly be? And third, it was a GIRL! A GIRL!
He was pshawed and told to shove along.
And so he had.
And now he was in the middle of a forest, walking quickly along a path. His messenger bag trailed along behind him as he nearly ran down the path. He'd seen nobody for a while, and he hoped he'd catch Yasu soon. He'd asked everybody he'd seen if they had seen a girl named Yasu, or perhaps a girl with a bow. Every now and then, he got some help, but very seldom anything solid. He lost time if he followed these leads. He would just hopefully see a young girl with a bow, and then introduce himself.
But so far, he hadn't seen her. He sighed to himself. He'd hopefully see SOMEBODY this way.
The wind blew softly through the trees, as he looked up to the sky. He couldn't see the sun... it was blocked by the numerous amounts of trees about. But that was okay.
He continued ahead, hoping to find Yasu, as he came upon a most unexpected and strange sight...
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