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Post by yun on Aug 19, 2008 22:57:40 GMT -5
Yun huffed and looked at the plant, she felt a pang of pity for it but she wasn't as displeased as when Hok tried to slink off. Her eyes flickered up and she felt her stomach drop. Her mouth gaped open like a fish trying to think of something to say. But before she could do anything he was gone, her hand was slightly outstretched toward him but he didn't notice, she let a rare look of sadness cross her features. People always left her, she didn't do anything....Her mouth closed and she clenched her fists letting the sorrow be washed away by a new wave of anger, next time she saw him, he'd pay. She honestly hated being alone, but not knowing how to deal with it she lashed out at people.
With a sigh she let it go, with no one to yell at there was no point in acting like her usual bratty self.
Her attention went back to the dried out plant. She moved her hands drawing moisture from a puddle and washing the vines away into the line of trees, if nothing else it would become fertilizer for all the other plants. Stalking over to a stump she set herself down focusing her energy on a stray vine near her. Carefully she mimicked Hok's movements trying to bend the vine to her will. Her brows furrowed with concentration as the vine twitched under her will. It was different from her usual bending, it was harder for her, but she didn't want to be made a fool of again, she would practice.
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Post by choji on Sept 4, 2008 22:00:44 GMT -5
Kulap was unthinkable grateful for husband like Dan-dan who was able to calm her down and allowed her to processes things. Kulap laid a hand on her tummy and smirk. Kid gonna be pretty damn lucking for dad like him. Kulap located Yun playing in the river under the tree house. She walked over passing a basking Butchie who was open mouthed and sleeping. She made a coughing noise to get Yun's attention.
"Alright Missy, here's is tha deal. Either yew shape up and listen to me or ya'll butt is outta here. I've been talkin' to mah husband and I got a lot to deal with and the last thing I need is added stress. So either ya behave or yew git yer ass outta here? I'mma clear?"
Kulap crossed her arms to accentuate the point. She was done trying to make this work if Yun leaves then she doesn't have to worry about somone if she cooraperates the Kulap won't have deal with her tanturms. The shaman noticed that Hok was gone, boy probably left to help his parents. He was good kid and needed a nice teacher. Yun on other hand, was a brat that needed a spanking
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Post by hok on Sept 12, 2008 22:13:37 GMT -5
Hok didn't leave quite yet, as much as he would have liked Yun to believe. He had been watching from a distance, crouched between a patch of palmetto shrubs that effectively hid him from view. To him, Yun's pitiable state almost tugged at his heart, and did draw his lips to a small, concerned pout at the very apex of emotion. In his usual manner, he was almost drawn back to her through sheer gullibility and forgiveness, no matter what the consequences.
That was, until he saw Kulap step into the picture. After assuring himself he'd already entered Yun's field of vision, he felt like jumping back behind the brush and taking a more, well, voyeuristic standpoint. That couldn't happen now, though, since he'd be a laughing stock should Yun see him flee the scene when one particular person showed up. It wasn't really a secret how he felt for the shaman, but everything would have been fine if the object of his teenage hormones didn't grace the area - even though it was her house.
When he saw Kulap look around a bit, he came to a total standstill, like an ice statue. Oddly, she didn't seem to see him - understandable, since he was right behind her, in between the shaman and her cantankerous apprentice. What was he to do now? It was a matter of seconds before someone called him into the scene...
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Post by yun on Sept 29, 2008 9:26:03 GMT -5
Her breaths were deep and steady, her expression turned to one of mild determination, another of disappointment, no one was around, she didn't have to look tough. Her lips pursed and then parted gently. "c'mon yew..." She pleaded the plant as she managed to lift it from the ground, her eyes opened slightly, it was some progress but far from mastery. Her hands moved with her body as she pulled herself into a standing position tugging the vine with her insistence. It felt like she was pulling it on very delicate strings, a tug too hard and it's snap, a softer touch and it wouldn't move at all. Her break came from her gut, not her chest, she remembered her brothers saying something about the deeper breaths being more controlling, better for you.
One could almost see the strains in her arms and legs as she moved the plant sluggishly but it was movement. She was ellated, though still feeling lonely with no one to brag to about this acheivement, her brothers would only chuckle and tease her, just like everyone else. Was it any wonder she was such a brat? the younger of two brothers, always scrapping for attention when they all interacted through violence and shouting. Kulaps appearance threw the girl off, her eyes narrowed as the sudden jolt of surprised ripped the water from a portion of the plant. With a frustrated huff she bent it forcefully down to the ground, turning on her heels to glare at the woman.
Everyone, and she meant everyone, hated her, gave her ultimatums and acted like she was trouble. Maybe if they thought better of her she'd live up to their expectations, but NOOO. Everyone took everything at face value, maybe she just wanted a word of encouragement, a smile? No never, whenever she went anywhere people got quiet and watched her like she was going to do something horrible to them. Why shouldn't she live up to that. No point in letting everyone down. She pointed directly at the woman, fed up with her and the way she treated her like a child, assuming she was stupid, assuming she couldn't do anything. It was too much, she'd done the stupid things she wanted right, could do them asleep, then comes back over to her making some stupid law to be laid down. She may be a brat but it is equally the fault of everyone else as it is hers. " Mah mom thin'ks ur great, but ah thin'k yew'r a fat old witch! The baby is gunna be koh's demun spawn if'n it even makes it out alaive!"
She hollered at Kulap before turning and walking off into the swamp fighting back the tears that pricked at her eyes and made her even more furious.
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Post by choji on Sept 29, 2008 10:17:59 GMT -5
She took that as a no. Yun wasn't going to cooperate, which was fine for her. Less work less stress, that is always a benefit for her. Yun’s behavior was expected and she didn’t even blink an eye when the young girl stated she was a fat old witch and her baby was demon spawn. Kulap honestly didn’t care she shrugged as Yun stomped off angry. The shaman scratched her back as she turned to go into the tree house to make her tea and look for a book that her grandfather had written years ago. It had notes on the herbs you should eat and what not to take when you are carrying. It was important to have that especially because Kulap was flying blind with this. She also thought maybe she should see Dan-dan’s mom and ask a few questions. She was sure that they are elated to have grandbaby
Using her ceramic tea kettle and mix of rosehips, lemongrass and green tea, she made a light brew. She sighed however and wondered if Yun would come back. She stomped off irritated, but she wonder how persistent she was. Oh well if she does come back she will tell her to leave again. An ultimatum is an ultimatum, no ifs ands or buts. Sipping her now fresh brewed tea she looked over the balcony and said. “Hay Dan-dan! Ya think we shuld go ovfer to ya mom’s later jest to ask a few questuns?
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Post by hok on Sept 29, 2008 16:04:34 GMT -5
Hok felt a chill run up his spine. That argument was absolutely gut-wrenching, as were many of the sort in Hok's opinion, but at least it had ended. Strangely, neither of them saw him, or at least didn't care to acknowledge him. It made sense, though - what role would he have in this little dispute between Kulap and her apprentice? None whatsoever. In this situation, he was as useless to the two as that palmetto bush he stood beside. How very humbling...good think Hok didn't care. He did find himself concerned over both parties, but his feelings admittedly didn't last very long.
So what to do now, rather than standing there like a dummy? He felt a bit frazzled, maybe somewhat worried with each step, assuming Yun would appear from nowhere and tackle him to release her rage, but he ultimately decided not to worry. Maybe, like he thought earlier, an afternoon spent in the forest would be excellent for clearing his mind. That was his next destination, even though it seemed to elude him so often that day. If he didn't know better, he'd think some higher power didn't want him strolling through the wilderness that day. No worries!
Heading toward the outskirts of the village, Hok started to whistle a rather spotty tune, like a simple flute.
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Post by dandan on Sept 29, 2008 21:43:59 GMT -5
Dan-dan hung back as Kulap went off to go lay down the law with Yun, making sure to stay well out of their conversation. He figured that it was between those two, and his voice wouldn't help things much. He didn't really want to gang up on the younger girl or anything, but all he could really do was try and agree with his wife and keep her happy. After all, if his dad had taught him anything, it's that women are allowed to be wrong when they're carrying babies.
The fisherman winced a little at the sound of raised voices, but he forced himself to stay distant. Instead Dan-dan circled around a little bit and caught sight of Hok standing on the fringe too. He drifted a bit closer to the ounger man, and once the fight was over and everyone seemed to go their separate ways, Dan-dan angled his path so that he could cross close behind Hok.
"Women," he remarked, pausing a moment so that the younger bender could refocus his attention on him as he spoke. "They can be the best or worst things in the world." Dan-dan offered Hok a slight shrug and smile before saluting a good-bye and heading toward the tree-house.
He was lucky enough that by the time he slowly wound his way up the ramp and made it to the porch, Kulap had seemed to blow off the steam from her shouting match with Yun. In fact, as she sipped her tea and suggested a joint visit to his parents, it seemed like she was completely past the ordeal.
"Sure, if ya'd like," he replied as he entered the tree house and took a seat next to kulap. Dan-dan helped himself to a cup of the tea and cooled it to a reasonable temperature with a chilling breath. "I think they'd be happy ta see ya."
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Post by yun on Oct 6, 2008 15:12:49 GMT -5
Yun felt gutted, it wasn't fair. She stormed away from the home of the swamp witch and felt her eyes prick with tears. it had just infuriated her. She rubbed her fist into her eyes as she walked not enjoying the heat in her face one bit. She was always treated like a child. She was the baby in her family and she'd always had to scrap for attention. Always and people made fun of her for not being girly enough, for having her hair short. for her freckles, for not smelling like swamp, for not smiling all the time like some of the bimbos in the tribe that were becoming young mothers because of their complacent ways.
Why couldn't she be different? What right did people have to make up her mind for her? If she wanted to do anything that was be business wasn't it? Once there was enough distance she plopped herself down on a root and sobbed, her eyes quickly turning the dirt she'd managed to get on her face to mud. Her arms looped around her legs tugging them close to her trying to form a little protective nest for herself but it wasn't enough. She was good at everything. Why couldn't the stupid woman recognize that and treat her like an adult? Was it too much to ask for?
Her shoulders shook weakly with a sob and she turned her head down, her mouth open as she allowed her various sobs to come out, more of a cry than anything, she felt betrayed. Everything she'd heard about the woman was cool. Who wouldn't like to learn spells and magic? But no, now she was going to have to face her parents when she got home. No doubt she'd be beaten until she was black and blue, maybe she'd just stay with her grandparents and hide out the rest of the week. Life sucked.
[yun out]
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Post by choji on Oct 7, 2008 13:38:52 GMT -5
“Yeah…I gotta lotta questions to ask ‘em.” Butchie crawled right up from the ramp just as his mistress was talking about visiting Dan-dan’s folks. He growled letting everyone know his presence as he sat in his spot and chewed a hog monkey femur. Kulap watched Butchie as she rubbed her stomach thinking about him and the life inside of her. She sighed as she drank her tea, happy that Yun was out of her hair. “Hay Dan-dan, that boy, Hok, why doncha teach ‘im waterbendin’? He seems to have knack for bendin’ vines like Huu, Why doncha give him a few pointers. I would’ve but I think he’ll get too distracted around me.” Kulap noted as she turned to the look out the window. Swishing her tea she thought about vinebending herself. She could do it…but only when the moon is full and her power was at her peak. Standing up she got her staff and hat. “C’mon lets git to yer folks.”
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Post by hok on Oct 19, 2008 13:47:25 GMT -5
Once Yun left, Hok felt there to be no reason to stick around. He was only there because of Yun, his peer the apprentice of that lovely, buxom swamp shaman, but now what? He was left standing behind a palmetto bush, watching like some creepy stalker-type person. Was that like him at all? Hok, scared to think of anyone else watching him like that, pulled away in an instant, his odd-colored eyes darting in exactly the opposite direction as the alluring Kulap.
It made him feel wrong and right at the same time, sensing his attraction to the woman. She was so much older, and married at that...nay, pregnant even! She would start a family with Dan-dan (fortunately viewed as a nice, honest fella by Hok himself), and there would be no place for that teenager to hang around and watch like a no-good peeping Tuan. Walking away, the blushing Hok ran his hands over his fluffy, slightly dampened hair and winced his eyes shut. Breath escaped his nostrils laboredly, feeling so awkward about this situation that he just had to leave. Go home, go to Uncle Bao and Cousin Soo's place, maybe even find Yun and (unwittingly) bombard her with questions. Anything, as long as that shaman wasn't around to make his life so hard. Being a teenager sucked sometimes...
~Hok has left the thread~
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Post by dandan on Oct 19, 2008 21:04:15 GMT -5
Dan-dan sipped his tea pensievely as Kulap shifted the conversation away from the impetuosYun. The thought of taking Hok on as a student seemed a little unusual to him, especially since he never really considered himself a master bender. Sure, he felt like he had some power behind his bending, but his technique left much to be desired. The teenager seemed like he had an interest in vinebending, and that sort of bending was really beyond Dan-dan's expertise.
"Maybe," was all the fisherman said to the suggestion, shrugging slightly before downing the rest of his tea in a big gulp. Aside from his lack of teaching credentials Dan-dan didn't have much interaction with the boy to begin with, but at the same time he wasn't entirely against the idea.
When Kulap began to rise and make ready for visitng his parents, he sluggishly rolled forward and got to his feet. "Sure," he said, and he placed his cup down beside the teapot. "And maybe we can bring somethin' fer dinner?" he suggested, brushing a hand along his wife's arm as he walked past her to poke around their store of food. "I thought we had a nice, big ol' dogfish on ice..." he thought out loud as he lifted the lid of an ice compartment.
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Post by choji on Nov 1, 2008 12:38:23 GMT -5
“I reckon we got some,” She said going to the ice box herself and grabbed the dogfish. “Oh we gots summa swamp-squash too we can bake.” She said picking up some gourds. She whisled to Butchie. “C’mon boy! We’re gonna see Dan-dan’s folks.” Butchie growled and waddles down the ramp followed by Kulap who was carrying the squash and fish. She shouted over to Dan-dan. “C’mon love lets git goin’”
Walking through the marshy undergrowth to where Dan-dan folks would be. Kulap thought of the questions that she should ask. His mom probably already knows and expecting them both. She walked over a log, and looked over her shoulder a bit as she walked. Hopefully the company would help ease the stress she was feeling. She was still not to comfortable with the fact she would have to take care of another being besides herself. Kulap sighed realizing that she could barely take care of herself how in spirits name is she going to raise a kid? Finally the two reached Dan-dan’s parent’s home. “We’re here!”
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Post by dandan on Nov 15, 2008 11:06:56 GMT -5
Dan-dan gathered up his lilypad hat and followed Kulap out the door. Within short order they arrived upon the hut of his parents. Kulap proclaimed their arrival, and almost immediately there came a voice from inside responding, "So Ah see! Now git up here an' gimme a hug!"
Dan-dan smiled as his heavy-set father stepped out of the front door and onto the small porch in front of his stilted hut. "Been way too long since I seen ya," the older man said, smiling at his daughter-in-law. He stood aside from the small set of slanted ladder steps leading up to the raised porch and waved for the two to come up.
Dan-dan stepped aside at the bottom of the steps and motioned for Kulap to go first while his father simultaneously offered a helping hand from the top. She hadnt been pregnant for long, but the father-to-be figured he might as well start offering some help for the little things.
"Here," he said, extending a hand, "I'll get the food while you go up."
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Post by choji on Nov 15, 2008 11:46:33 GMT -5
Seeing Dan-dan's father brought a warm smile on Kulap's face as she hiked up to see him. "We got some food fer ya! I wus thinkin' we can cook it up here. I gotta few questuns for Merith." She stated as Buchie tries to waddle up. At the offer with Dan-dan's dad and Dan-dan himself. Kulap frowned, chivalry would be he death of her.
"I'mma big girl I can do this mahself thank ya kindly." Kulap said pointedly as she walked up the steps without the help of her husband or father in law.
Butchie finally made it up as Kulap put the food near the fire. Greeting Merith, Dan-dan's mom. Kulap motioned to the food. "Dan-dan and I brought some goodies fer dinner tonight. Swamp squash and dogfish. Ya think we can get the fish onna spit?" Kulap immediate began to wonder where the spices are kept when she realized while she was here. 'Oh...right. Merith I gotta couple questions about...ya know the pregnancy."
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Post by dandan on Nov 22, 2008 21:34:03 GMT -5
Outside the hut, Dan-dan cast a shrug at his father when Kulap refused their help. Sure she was a big girl, but Dan-dan couldn't help but try. After she made her way up and went through the door, the would-be father paused on the porch to regard his own dad, who seemed to be smiling.
"I know what yer gonna say," the older started before Dan-dan could open his mouth, "But the day you stop puttin' the offer out there they'll bite'cher head off." The two of them shared a laugh and Jaki calpped his son on the shoulder. "So what'choo been up to 'sides makin' me some grandkids?"
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Dan-dan's mother smiled at Kulap and said a quick "Thanks" for the food. However, when the subject of child-bearing came up, she got just a little bit more serious. She wasn't trying to spook her daughter-in-law or anything, but she felt like this was not a topic to be taken lightly.
"'Course," she replied. "Anythin' ya need to know? What's on yer mind?"
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