Post by Teiú on Sept 1, 2012 16:32:20 GMT -5
Name: Jin-Ho Jo (born), travels about on the title of Mago Barinten, the High
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Nation of Origin: Republic City (Fire Nation heritage (strongest))
Bender? What Element?: Firebender
Physical Appearance:
Jin-Ho reaches the five feet and seven or so inches, what defines the looks of his body. Tall and lean, his slim build packs its fair amount of strength and resistance, thanks to his wandering habits. His skin, lighter than his father's heritage and darker than his mother's one, comes in a warm amber tone and it is enhanced by the ever present sun burning his skin. His hair, once long and smooth, still keeps its length. However, as a traveler in the wild, it is often just a messy amount of raven colored hair with the common yellow tips that form when hair is constantly burnt by the sun. This is complemented by his long beard, reaching at the height of his Adam's apple in a triangular form, the hair facing downwards. The beard hides his triangular jaw while his hair partially hides his big ears. His face sports a deep cheekbone and pink lips. A straight medium sized nose is one of his most defining facial features. Brown irises in lean eyes and fairly hairy eyebrows complements the looks on his face.
Both Jin-Ho's arms and legs are covered in scars and bruises, due his careless nature when investigating things. Ever since he became an adventurer, his feet are constantly dirty. His teeth are awkwardly white, however, for a traveler, this a consequence of his tidy and careful hygiene over early years. Jin-Ho is a healthy man, favored by childhood care and good parental heritage.
Clothing:
Ever since his stay in Ba Sing Se, Jin-Ho's wardrobe changed from the fancy stuff he used to wear as the heir of the Jo family to the stripped outfits of the store of his -not known as so- father. Upon his leave from Republic City he brought with him two to three sets of clothes, which he often trades for clothes of the region he currently visits. As so, his clothing style is often an unique mix of pieces from different styles. The one accessory he never lets go is his suspenders and belt set. This accessory, colored in a dark tone of brown and made from the leather of a Crocodile-Whale, would give off its status as a highly expensive and exclusive piece if not for being worn out for the long time Jin-Ho owns it. The suspenders, two strips in the front that connect with a single strip in the back just bellow his scapulae, instead of linking to his pants or shorts, link to a large belt of the same material, color and, subsequently, weariness. The belt ends in a high quality steel buckle that, due to its prolonged use, turned slightly bronze colored. Both the suspender and belt have a few small rings over it, made of the same material of the buckle. These rings are used to attach other items to them, such as small bags or the scabbard for his Full Moon Flower Sword.
The latest outfit Jin-Ho was seen on included long cotton made shorts coming two inches below his knees and colored Dark Slate Blue. These shorts had the ornamented patterns resembling flames on a Maroon color. Over the suspenders Jin-Ho was wearing a long buttoned coat that reached to just above his knees in length. With its sleeves long as well it would pass as a suffocating coat, but it was made of a special fabric from a small village in the Earth Kingdom similar to silk. Made of a Prussian Blue color, the coat had frog buttons to tie the sides but Jin-Ho usually wears this kind of clothing opened, with his chest and suspenders appearing, and the sleeves pushed up. Jin-Ho never gets separated from his Geta, a wooden sandal consisting of a rectangular board of wood a bit bigger than his foot attached to two smaller boards on the bottom. Though a bit clumsy and noisy at times they allow Jin-Ho to walk on barely any terrain.
Equipment?:
As trader by heritage and traveler by passion Jin-Ho always has in its possession different and unique items and artifacts he comes across in his journeys. However, few of his things are kept for long periods of time, except for the ones he really cherish. Among these are four treasures he stole from Jo-Co's (Jo Trading Company) vault before hitting the road.
The first and, by far, the most important item Jin-Ho stole from his family's treasury is the famed and dangerously useful Book of Barinten (more details about this book's story and whatnots in background). This large book of about thirteen for eleven inches and a bit more of five hundred pages tells the trips and journeys of an adventurer from a long time ago, the mighty Darganon Barinten. Specifically, it explains in details the effects and locations of many psychoactive drugs the adventurer experimented all over the world, as well as its ways of consumption. It also has drawings and descriptions of magnificent landscapes Darganon visited. The book served as a trip diary for the late adventurer, and tells of many places, foods and customs. Jin-Ho plans his adventures heavily based on the places Darganon documented in his diary. The book has a very hard cover and three protective layers for the pages. The first made of silk, inside the covers and over the pages. The next a piece of water resistant cloth that wraps around the book. The last one a fabric made of very resistant leather in which the book resides. This last cover has loops over the tip that tie up and keep the book protected inside. It is Jin-Ho's heaviest item.
The second and, probably, his most cherished piece (excluding his Guqin) is a very well conserved smoking pipe of unparalleled quality. In the times of Avatar Kyoshi there was a very skilled firebender known for using his flames to mold his glass works, the great artisan Haruzatan. In his prime this firebender crafted about a hundred pieces of a magnificent design of a pipe. His skillful usage of firebending allied with a special type of sand he used for the pipes resulted in colorful yet translucent type of glass. Although small, the pipe has many twirls and twists inside it, enough to cool down any kind of smoke, keeping the smoker from harming his or her throat with the heat. These pipes came to be known as The Cloud Nine Pipes. In modern days just about a third of Haruzatan's original hundred are still intact. Jo-Co had five of them in its vault, one being the one in Jin-Ho's possession.
Third comes the artifact which Jin-Ho holds dearest in the world, even more than the book of Barinten (although the book has a bigger aggregated value to it). During his time in the Fire Nation Jin-Ho learned how to play musical instruments, in special a string instrument named Guqin. Later on, back in Republic City, Jo-Co acquired a very ancient and special Guqin, popularly -and ironically- named The Doom Bringer. Once, a pair of true lovers resided in a small village in the western shore of Earth Kingdom. As the time passed by the young couple would get deeper and deeper in love. He, an assistant in the shop of a maker of musical instruments. She, the daughter of a humble farmer. However, as fate dictates terrible or wonderful destinies for people, the young lady started suffering a horrible wave of bad luck. Her father died in a strange accident and her mother fell very ill. The lands they used to cultivate suffered horribly with a terrible drought that stroke the village. With the dry air fires got more common and her house ended up being burned to ashes. Her lover helped with all he could and, when he saw his lover's hope was about to end, he built her a very resistant Guqin and presented her with it. It was meant to be an unbreakable piece, to represent the strength of hope in face of despair. Then, every night he would play the Guqin to soothe her soul. However, again, as disgraces never come alone, the village was destroyed by a surprising surprise attack from the Fire Nation, a prelude to the long war that would come. Desolated by the sadness of the events that were taking place, the woman cursed her lover and threw the Guqin she had been awarded down a ravine. This also shattered her lover's heart, who then lost his life trying to fight back the Fire Nation. Alone, the girl threw herself down the same ravine she had thrown the Guqin crafted by her lover. The story ran from mouth to mouth, transforming the Guqin in a key element of the tale being told years later. It ended being named as The Doom Bringer, the instrument that fore-casted the horrors of war. The Guqin, though, was indeed built extremely resistant and, though man, woman and village have gone down, it stood in the bottom of the ravine for many years, just partially broken. From there on it had been recovered, reformed and broken again some number of times until it was finally acquired by Jo-Co. Under a later painting applied to it there could be seen the marks that identified it as a work from the master and assistant of the village of the legend. Amazed by such a background on the piece, Jin-Ho stole it from Jo-Co's vault and repaired it himself, after reading many books on the repair of musical instruments. It is Jin-Ho's one and best friend on the lonely nights he often faces in his travels and he loves to play it when he is high as a Monkey-Hawk. The Doom Bringer is made of wood of a dark color (although the weariness of the piece and many paintings turn it a mosaic of colors) over a specially developed skeleton of steel. It goes for 1 meter in length and bears 7 strings. This kind of instrument is meant to have its strings plucked with one hand while the other sets the length of string's vibrations, yet Jin-Ho often plays it in a funny and awkward unique style. The Doom Bringer has loops to which soft fabric is attached, allowing it to be carried as a backpack.
The fourth theft on his mother's enterprise was one of the most valuable items of Jo-Co overall. A famous Earth Kingdom general from the times of the great war had struggled for many years to keep his daughter away from warring affairs. His child, however, a hot headed and brave young woman at the time, always deemed his intentions to blur her vision for war affairs to be disgusting. How could she live as a pretended princess while her people would keep on suffering for everyday survival? Secretly, she tried to commission a special blade from a famous blacksmith from Ba Sing Se. The blacksmith denied her the order, he wouldn't put a weapon in a young woman's hands just as so she would get killed due pipe dreams and fiery will. The woman, in turn, spoke of the things she held true in her heart. About her will to fight alongside her fellow countrymen. About how little her life mattered in face of the onslaught she could at least help to try stopping. Touched by that young woman's sincerity and boldness, the blacksmith crafted for her an unique blade. The sword, a Jian, was made from a very lightweight yet enduring type of steel, what allowed for easy handling, even for someone not as strong as a soldier. Silver colored, the relatively flexible blade reached 28 inches with an exceedingly long hilt of 13 inches, the weight of the weapon and length of the grip allowing for both one handed or two handed use. The wooden hilt is made of dark wood and the steel pommel, connecting from inside the hilt with the blade, comes in the symbol of Earth Kingdom. The sharpness of the blade makes up for the reduced weight. This sword came to be known as Full Moon Flower, regarding that woman's name. With sword in hands and fiery will in her heart the general's daughter roamed about fighting as a mercenary. Against all odds, the young warrior survived countless battles and lived to see the day of the liberation of her people, becoming a symbol of hope and strength as she battled in many fronts. The woman recently died of old age and her sword was acquired by Jo-Co. The Full Moon Flower is a very valuable piece to these days, both in price and history. Jin-Ho often straps fabric over the pommel to help keeping the blade from being recognized. He carries the Full Moon Flower in a special scabbard built by order of Jo-Co itself. The scabbard goes attached to his belt, by his left side.
Aside from The Doom Bringer and the Full Moon Flower, Jin-Ho carries all his belongings in a bag he bought from Earth Kingdom nomads. It is carried sideways and bears a single strap. Made of hide from many animals, it is a reliable and useful bag.
Personality:
Following the strict education he had as a child and his later growth, Jin-Ho is an incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable young man. His curiosity a marking trait, Jin-Ho is often seen as careless and unpredictable. Although this statement hold some veracity to it, the young man's behavior comes more from an easygoing way of seeing life and will to interact with new aspects of life. Jin-Ho is a fool for the pleasures of life and has little discomfort to underwent probation while in search of his objectives. As a traveler he said many goodbyes in his life and holds many people dear in his heart. Likewise, with his cheerful and curious way to behave, Jin-Ho is missed by many, through the places he already visited.
Stubborn as a Mutt-Mule, Jin-Ho is not out of mess and danger. His exaggerated will to discover the new often brings him to trouble and his junkie habit of taking in any kind of psychoactive substances puts him in very hazardous situations. His rock-headed enthusiasm towards his goals makes him miss little aspects of people surrounding him, giving of the impression he may be uncaring.
However, Jin-Ho is a very sensitive person, both as in social relations, partially due his talent as a trader, as in arts. The learning is one of his biggest motivations and that makes him keen to meeting new people and sharing words and thoughts. His Guqin, The Doom Bringer, is his faithful companions to put away the loneliness he often feels when traveling. That is something Jin-Ho has some difficulty to cope with, the fact he always has to say 'goodbyes'. However, he understands that is something he cannot escape from, if he is willing to always say 'hellos'.
Though extremely curious about the identity of his father, Jin-Ho had to cope with living without it. He discovered that if something could be a match to his inquisitive behavior that would be the stubbornness of his mother. Jin-Ho's emotions towards his mother are a mixed bag of feelings. That old link between mom and cub would give him the love towards her. However, Jin-Ho grew on her absence and had to develop a way of thinking of his own. Due to Na-Rae's busy routine, time made of mother and son two somewhat distant persons.
Ironically, the man he learned to call friend, is his true father, even though both never related to it. His respect and admiration for Hazig is enormous. In the eyes of Jin-Ho, even though Hazig could've done better of his life for the present times, the old Hazig is someone who understands the value of living a life of happiness and discoveries. That can't be matched by other feelings, in Jin-Ho's current vision of world. Jin-Ho likes to party hard and laugh all laughters he is able to. His thirst for life is, most probably, his most defining trait.
Background:
The expected prominent heir to the Jo house came to the world as a consequence of a rather strange chain of occurrences and, as future would unveil so, so would the life of this strange young man become an awful mess of singular events. Upon the construction of Republic City by Avatar Aang many were the roles in need to be performed in the growing city. A, then, young man named Gung-Gun Jo, by the time a small peddler in the streets of Lun Yang, Fire Nation, found it a good bet to try his luck in the promised land of all and any. Gung-Gun traveled overseas toward the currently sprouting Republic City. There the young peddler got engaged in the trading business and, over the years, using his natural talent as a trader and keen eye for business, became a very rich and successful merchant.
A childhood illness took away the life of Gung-Gun though, before his sixtieth birthday. His only child, Na-Rae Jo, a woman in her early twenties, took over the business of the family. Even though Na-Rae was inexperienced she had always been very quick-witted and motivated. In her hands the trading company of the family, Jo Trading Co. (Jo-Co), grew even wealthier than in the previous generation. Na-Rae was a strong woman, confident in her actions and curt and imposing in her actions and speech. Her job as head of Jo-Co then started building her personality fit for her daily routine. Na-Rae became a very objective woman, to the point where her curt behavior could pass as gruff.
Years passed by and Na-Rae, a very busy worker then, never gave much attention to her emotional life. However, a lifetime of repressed love and randiness takes its toll on a stressed and hot-headed woman. Few months before her thirtieth anniversary Na-Rae had to attend at Ba Sing Se, in order to verify and conduct a very important trade. The deal was concluded and the traders saw fit to take Na-Rae to a dinner in commemoration. However, Na-Rae had too much of a very strong spirit the entourage was having. After the dinner a heavily intoxicated Na-Rae broke under years of repressed feelings. She ran off on her own, losing her bodyguards on the way, until she reached the recesses of Ba Sing Se's lower ring. Night had advanced further and the streets were empty. Tired of the run, Na-Rae kept on searching for a place to hide herself.
All shops in the area were closed, due the advanced hour, except for a strange small hut whose entrance had many lanterns glowing in different lights. From the main door a soothing aroma like flowers was escaping. Dazed and disoriented, Na-Rae was lured by that place's appeal. It was an esoteric shop. Rocks, vests, incenses and other strange tidbits filled the shelves as a very old gramophone insisted on playing a very relaxing song. From behind the counter, seated on a large cushion, a man with long hair and beard was inhaling a white smoke from a long hose attached to a large bottle just in front of him. "Good Evening", said the man, in a surprisingly grave and seductive tone. From there on, Na-Rae would get involved in a long week of torrid romance and intense physical interaction.
However, said man, an exotic and exquisite person by the name of Hazig Mithoret, was a very easygoing kind of person. His store was meant more as a hobby than a business and he used to spend the majority of his days by the back of his counter getting high on the fumes he used to commercialize. For the first days the confused Na-Rae bought that lifestyle, amazed by the mysterious personality and touch of the strange Hazig. However, a week later, when Na-Rae's bodyguards found her and then showed the report on the losses Jo-Co was having due her absence, the strong and abrasive woman returned in a flash. Na-Rae then deemed the events of that last week solely a crazy outburst and swore never to back away from her business again. She cursed Hazig's lax and objective-less way of life and left Hazig and his hut, once and for all.
Na-Rae went back to Republic City and from then on kept her promise to never let go of her job. However, this new resolution wasn't the only thing she brought from Ba Sing Se. As singular events happen to singular people throughout history, Na-Rae got pregnant, the child a result of her unplanned escapade. From the crazy union of Na-Rae Jo and Hazig Mithoret the new heir to the Jo house would arise, Jin-Ho Jo.
As the next in line in the Jo House, Jin-Ho was denied the surname of his father upon birth, a name Na-Rae would hide till these days. Na-Rae, though bearing that inherent love of the mothers, was still Na-Rae, and then envisioned her son as the head chef of Jo-Co in the future. Since his early age, Jin-Ho would be instructed by the best teachers and tutors Republic City had to offer. They would come to the Jo residence to instruct Jin-Ho, first on the basics of learning and, as his age would progress, into more business-oriented (relating to large scale trading business) disciplines as applied math to deal with number and history and culture to get to understand the value of artifacts and pieces of art.
Being taught from since a tender age, Jin-Ho quickly grew intelligent and well-versed. As masters would come to his house, however, Jin-Ho had little chance to meet other children. That, allied to the fact that his mother was ever the hard worker and that she never revealed anything about his father, made of him a lonely kid. But Jin-Ho, by that inquisitive years of early childhood, would get in touch with lots of people from around the world. As son of Na-Rae, owner of one of the biggest trading companies in Republic City, Jin-Ho would often meet traders from around the world. Since very early in his life, and through the years, Jin-Ho saw from very close the job of his mother. From tailoring monks from the Fire Nation aiming to sell rare tapestry to wine producers of the muddy swamps, trying to sell shipments of their booze. From antiquaries that would send representatives from all around in search of the rare artifacts acquired by Jo-Co to junkyard owners buying scraps of metal from old Fire Nation's gear.
To the age of twelve Jin-Ho's life was lead like that. In the meantime, while his mother and tutors were willing to make of him what would someday in the future become the head of Jo-Co, Jin-Ho grew more interested in the cultural and social differences of the people he used to meet. From the headquarter of Jo-Co he would listen to histories from the world over. He would see pieces of art of unmatched value and exquisite artifacts from the most distant corners of the world. And so he grew, intelligent and curious. That, however, till he was twelve. Over this age a change came about that shuffled Jin-Ho's life completely. While playing alone, in his room, great was his surprise when flames started flowing from his fists. Upon the discovery that Jin-Ho was a firebender, something that didn't occurred in the family since Na-Rae's grandfather time, Jin-Ho was sent overseas to learn firebending directly in Fire Nation. There, Jin-Ho was taught on how to firebend, among many other disciplines. Being schooled in fencing, astronomy, music, literature, among others, the life seemed to be going on exactly as in the past. However, now distant from his mother's watchful eyes, Jin-Ho, with his curiosity for other aspects of life peaking, usually managed to elude his tutors and roam about in the streets of Lun Yang. As so, Jin-Ho first started understanding the living in the suburbs and the singularity with which his own life was being lead. Very few were the ones with access to what Jin-Ho had.
Teen years went by and Jin-Ho then managed to conciliate his life as the heir of the Jo house and his life as a foreign adolescent discovering the world in the streets of a big city. Girls and passions went by, buds and lads were met and studies kept on going. Time flowed and Jin-Ho grew. Then, on the verge of his eighteenth birthday, he was summoned back to Republic City for real. There he spent one more year in the Jo house. Now, completely changed and with a personality of his own, he understood more aspects of the job of his mother. A year passed on and, by the end of it, Jin-Ho knew about the majority of the treasures in Jo-Co's vault, about their value and importance. However, as the sands in an hourglass demand another turn around, Jin-Ho's life shifted again. This time he was being sent to Ba Sing Se, in order to attend at the great University of Ba Sing Se.
Originally meant by his mother to be studying economics, Jin-Ho promptly changed the focus of his studies to art and history, instead of business tending. Here Jin-Ho had the most strange yet incredible years of his life. Even though he believed his teachers have taught them more than enough to that point, there he discovered he barely knew anything. His life in the University brought him the understanding that the world was a very much bigger place than his humble -though consistent as it was- knowledge could conceive. As part of his growth in Ba Sing Se, while living a crazier and more mature oriented version of his life in Fire Nation, Jin-Ho ended up knowing much of the city. His curious nature was still in place and he would often leave the recesses of his manor in the upper ring to venture the exciting dirty streets of the middle and lower ring. And it was in one of these ventures that he came to know a man that would change his life.
One night, roaming the streets with booze in his hands and a couple of friends, Jin-Ho discovered a small and interesting store, in the lower ring. Even though the advanced hours, that shop was still open and, from inside, a soothing aroma as if from flowers was emanating, while fainting lights crowded the front door. Drawn in, Jin-Ho became acquainted to the strange and mysterious owner of the shop, the infamously not famous Hazig Mithoret. Hazig was, in the past, an itinerant vendor of psychedelic drugs. As age started taking its toll on someone who did nothing more than enjoying life to the fullest without preoccupations, Hazig saw fit to establish business and settle down some. There, in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, he found a place to set his little store since so very long ago, now not only on mind additives but as in other esoteric items and trinkets. However, as nuts as Hazig could've been or still was, he was a very experienced man, and knew much about the pleasures of life and the freedom one could have if he or she just opened mind and heart.
Jin-Ho, amazed by the way of life of that man, started visiting his shop on a regular basis. As their friendship grew, Jin-Ho perception of the world, his aspirations and motivations, underwent a solid change. Jin-Ho now wanted to see more, to learn more, and Hazig, such a strange man, was showing him ways with which Jin-Ho could bring up his own ways and wills. However, coincidence, that careless yet unforgiving force, hasn't yet revealed Jin-Ho's and Hazig's status as father and son. Graduation went by and, once again, Jin-Ho was summoned to Republic City. This time, however, he wasn't going in order to follow lines or plans. He had his own project in mind, and he went down Rep City dead set in fulfilling it.
Then, at the age of 25, Jin-Ho was meant to finally start working full time on his family's business. Unbeknown to Na-Rae, though, Jin-Ho would never become the heir of the Jo house for the time being. Jin-Ho waited for the best moment and then stole several goods from Jo-Co's vault, items for the quests he was foreseeing. Among these goods there was a book he knew very well, the Journey Diary of Darganon Barinten, the Mighty.
Darganon Barinten was a wanderer that lived in the times following Avatar Kyoshi's ruling, in which no wars or conflicts were taking place. Darganon was a bon-vivant, traveling the world over enjoying the pleasures life could give away. He tasted foods very few have had and saw landscapes very few had seen. He experimented drugs of all calibers, met people of all kinds and faced adventures of many dangers. Yet, Darganon lived an exceedingly long life and enjoyed it to the very last bit. What was left behind was the chronicles of his wanderings. The Journey Diary of Darganon Barinten, the Mighty, known simply as Book of Barinten. Jin-Ho read the majority of the book some years ago and had crazy ideas for it.
Jin-Ho stole the Book of Barinten, alongside the famed sword Full Moon Flower, the cursed instrument Doom Bringer and the special Cloud Nine Pipe. Now, with these artifacts in his hold, Jin-Ho aimed to travel the world, mainly in search of the places and ingredients Darganon listed in his book. In order to avoid giving away his name, an attempt to delay the trackers his mother surely set in search of him, he adopted a traveling name (more ironically related to himself than his name). From there on Jin-Ho Jo, the wealthy heir to the Jo house, was to be known as the next Barinten. Jin-Ho was now Mago Barinten, the High.
Now, already on the loose and with things in check, Jin-Ho Jo, the Mago Barinten, travels around the world in search of new experiences and adventures he is sure to become key elements in his growth.
Sample RP: Your Highness, Mago Barinten
He looked up. Still much to go. No problems, he was already enjoying it. Should follow the sound of the water, that always cleared things up. From ahead, a rumbling sound, just beyond those trees. He emerged from the green line, just to face that force of nature. Right in front him it was, a huge waterfall. Ten meters at least? Perhaps. Clothes and perks off, it felt like the right time for a bath. As cold water fell on him with the might of meteors and the fluidity that only water and wine could have, air escaped his lungs. He expected that. Time goes and body adapts, now the young man was swimming around the small lake produced by the falling water. Took his time, then back to his belongings. Took a sip of the liquor from a green bottle residing inside his bag. Wore his pants and suspenders, that was enough. The walk now was uphill.
"There is no silence", a wise man told him. When all noise stops sounding you can hear the noise of the world. Peaceful walk, he knew how to take his time and conserve his energy. Birds everywhere, theirs songs unmatched by anything a man-made instrument could make. That warm afternoon's sun, through the leaves of giant trees. That was indeed a wonderful place.
Jin-Ho stopped. His breath became that bit heavier. He looked up, still half the way to go. The young man smiled. He turned back and, from where he was, he could see half the valley down there. What a view that was. He shouted...
"WOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOO..."
He felt his lungs as a powerhouse. The song returned from afar. The young man smiled once again. "Are you enjoying the place too?" He spoke. When you travel alone like that, your voice is often the only one you'll hear. Yet one more look uphill and a cunning smile formed on his lips. "Gimme your best!" He shouted.
In a daring sprint Jin-Ho started conquering the way up. Vigorous dash after vigorous dash the traveler was gaining the terrain. Dangerous leaps giving him the idea his best trait was, in actuality, luck. And just when his energy was about to cut him dry there was no more lands above his head.
Jin-Ho fell on a bed of grass. His breathing was so heavy that for the next moments all he managed to do was stay laid, eyes peering at the deep blue of the sky's roof... and then, when ground was below and the firmament up again, he could at least stay sat. And from there, on the edge of the hill, on a small plateau covered by grass and flowers and a single ancient tree keeping watch, he could see where he was. The whole valley bellow him... river, waterfalls and the long range of green... all at once in his eyesight. From that point on any words, spoken or thought, where meaningless.
He walked around and chose to sit under the imposing tree. Right below the great being was a bed of yellow colored grass. Jin-Ho sat and gently picked a handful of that special herb. Disposed his belongings by the tree and, from inside his bag, retrieved his Cloud Nine Pipe. He placed the grass on it and lit it, just by flickering his fingers.
A deep inhale...
A gentle breeze blew, caressing his face, the smoke leaving his nostrils and following the wind. There, on the prize of his quest, there was no more anxiety or restlessness. Jin-Ho retrieved his Guqin... Now, all that was left was that... magic...
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Nation of Origin: Republic City (Fire Nation heritage (strongest))
Bender? What Element?: Firebender
Physical Appearance:
Jin-Ho reaches the five feet and seven or so inches, what defines the looks of his body. Tall and lean, his slim build packs its fair amount of strength and resistance, thanks to his wandering habits. His skin, lighter than his father's heritage and darker than his mother's one, comes in a warm amber tone and it is enhanced by the ever present sun burning his skin. His hair, once long and smooth, still keeps its length. However, as a traveler in the wild, it is often just a messy amount of raven colored hair with the common yellow tips that form when hair is constantly burnt by the sun. This is complemented by his long beard, reaching at the height of his Adam's apple in a triangular form, the hair facing downwards. The beard hides his triangular jaw while his hair partially hides his big ears. His face sports a deep cheekbone and pink lips. A straight medium sized nose is one of his most defining facial features. Brown irises in lean eyes and fairly hairy eyebrows complements the looks on his face.
Both Jin-Ho's arms and legs are covered in scars and bruises, due his careless nature when investigating things. Ever since he became an adventurer, his feet are constantly dirty. His teeth are awkwardly white, however, for a traveler, this a consequence of his tidy and careful hygiene over early years. Jin-Ho is a healthy man, favored by childhood care and good parental heritage.
Clothing:
Ever since his stay in Ba Sing Se, Jin-Ho's wardrobe changed from the fancy stuff he used to wear as the heir of the Jo family to the stripped outfits of the store of his -not known as so- father. Upon his leave from Republic City he brought with him two to three sets of clothes, which he often trades for clothes of the region he currently visits. As so, his clothing style is often an unique mix of pieces from different styles. The one accessory he never lets go is his suspenders and belt set. This accessory, colored in a dark tone of brown and made from the leather of a Crocodile-Whale, would give off its status as a highly expensive and exclusive piece if not for being worn out for the long time Jin-Ho owns it. The suspenders, two strips in the front that connect with a single strip in the back just bellow his scapulae, instead of linking to his pants or shorts, link to a large belt of the same material, color and, subsequently, weariness. The belt ends in a high quality steel buckle that, due to its prolonged use, turned slightly bronze colored. Both the suspender and belt have a few small rings over it, made of the same material of the buckle. These rings are used to attach other items to them, such as small bags or the scabbard for his Full Moon Flower Sword.
The latest outfit Jin-Ho was seen on included long cotton made shorts coming two inches below his knees and colored Dark Slate Blue. These shorts had the ornamented patterns resembling flames on a Maroon color. Over the suspenders Jin-Ho was wearing a long buttoned coat that reached to just above his knees in length. With its sleeves long as well it would pass as a suffocating coat, but it was made of a special fabric from a small village in the Earth Kingdom similar to silk. Made of a Prussian Blue color, the coat had frog buttons to tie the sides but Jin-Ho usually wears this kind of clothing opened, with his chest and suspenders appearing, and the sleeves pushed up. Jin-Ho never gets separated from his Geta, a wooden sandal consisting of a rectangular board of wood a bit bigger than his foot attached to two smaller boards on the bottom. Though a bit clumsy and noisy at times they allow Jin-Ho to walk on barely any terrain.
Equipment?:
As trader by heritage and traveler by passion Jin-Ho always has in its possession different and unique items and artifacts he comes across in his journeys. However, few of his things are kept for long periods of time, except for the ones he really cherish. Among these are four treasures he stole from Jo-Co's (Jo Trading Company) vault before hitting the road.
The first and, by far, the most important item Jin-Ho stole from his family's treasury is the famed and dangerously useful Book of Barinten (more details about this book's story and whatnots in background). This large book of about thirteen for eleven inches and a bit more of five hundred pages tells the trips and journeys of an adventurer from a long time ago, the mighty Darganon Barinten. Specifically, it explains in details the effects and locations of many psychoactive drugs the adventurer experimented all over the world, as well as its ways of consumption. It also has drawings and descriptions of magnificent landscapes Darganon visited. The book served as a trip diary for the late adventurer, and tells of many places, foods and customs. Jin-Ho plans his adventures heavily based on the places Darganon documented in his diary. The book has a very hard cover and three protective layers for the pages. The first made of silk, inside the covers and over the pages. The next a piece of water resistant cloth that wraps around the book. The last one a fabric made of very resistant leather in which the book resides. This last cover has loops over the tip that tie up and keep the book protected inside. It is Jin-Ho's heaviest item.
The second and, probably, his most cherished piece (excluding his Guqin) is a very well conserved smoking pipe of unparalleled quality. In the times of Avatar Kyoshi there was a very skilled firebender known for using his flames to mold his glass works, the great artisan Haruzatan. In his prime this firebender crafted about a hundred pieces of a magnificent design of a pipe. His skillful usage of firebending allied with a special type of sand he used for the pipes resulted in colorful yet translucent type of glass. Although small, the pipe has many twirls and twists inside it, enough to cool down any kind of smoke, keeping the smoker from harming his or her throat with the heat. These pipes came to be known as The Cloud Nine Pipes. In modern days just about a third of Haruzatan's original hundred are still intact. Jo-Co had five of them in its vault, one being the one in Jin-Ho's possession.
Third comes the artifact which Jin-Ho holds dearest in the world, even more than the book of Barinten (although the book has a bigger aggregated value to it). During his time in the Fire Nation Jin-Ho learned how to play musical instruments, in special a string instrument named Guqin. Later on, back in Republic City, Jo-Co acquired a very ancient and special Guqin, popularly -and ironically- named The Doom Bringer. Once, a pair of true lovers resided in a small village in the western shore of Earth Kingdom. As the time passed by the young couple would get deeper and deeper in love. He, an assistant in the shop of a maker of musical instruments. She, the daughter of a humble farmer. However, as fate dictates terrible or wonderful destinies for people, the young lady started suffering a horrible wave of bad luck. Her father died in a strange accident and her mother fell very ill. The lands they used to cultivate suffered horribly with a terrible drought that stroke the village. With the dry air fires got more common and her house ended up being burned to ashes. Her lover helped with all he could and, when he saw his lover's hope was about to end, he built her a very resistant Guqin and presented her with it. It was meant to be an unbreakable piece, to represent the strength of hope in face of despair. Then, every night he would play the Guqin to soothe her soul. However, again, as disgraces never come alone, the village was destroyed by a surprising surprise attack from the Fire Nation, a prelude to the long war that would come. Desolated by the sadness of the events that were taking place, the woman cursed her lover and threw the Guqin she had been awarded down a ravine. This also shattered her lover's heart, who then lost his life trying to fight back the Fire Nation. Alone, the girl threw herself down the same ravine she had thrown the Guqin crafted by her lover. The story ran from mouth to mouth, transforming the Guqin in a key element of the tale being told years later. It ended being named as The Doom Bringer, the instrument that fore-casted the horrors of war. The Guqin, though, was indeed built extremely resistant and, though man, woman and village have gone down, it stood in the bottom of the ravine for many years, just partially broken. From there on it had been recovered, reformed and broken again some number of times until it was finally acquired by Jo-Co. Under a later painting applied to it there could be seen the marks that identified it as a work from the master and assistant of the village of the legend. Amazed by such a background on the piece, Jin-Ho stole it from Jo-Co's vault and repaired it himself, after reading many books on the repair of musical instruments. It is Jin-Ho's one and best friend on the lonely nights he often faces in his travels and he loves to play it when he is high as a Monkey-Hawk. The Doom Bringer is made of wood of a dark color (although the weariness of the piece and many paintings turn it a mosaic of colors) over a specially developed skeleton of steel. It goes for 1 meter in length and bears 7 strings. This kind of instrument is meant to have its strings plucked with one hand while the other sets the length of string's vibrations, yet Jin-Ho often plays it in a funny and awkward unique style. The Doom Bringer has loops to which soft fabric is attached, allowing it to be carried as a backpack.
The fourth theft on his mother's enterprise was one of the most valuable items of Jo-Co overall. A famous Earth Kingdom general from the times of the great war had struggled for many years to keep his daughter away from warring affairs. His child, however, a hot headed and brave young woman at the time, always deemed his intentions to blur her vision for war affairs to be disgusting. How could she live as a pretended princess while her people would keep on suffering for everyday survival? Secretly, she tried to commission a special blade from a famous blacksmith from Ba Sing Se. The blacksmith denied her the order, he wouldn't put a weapon in a young woman's hands just as so she would get killed due pipe dreams and fiery will. The woman, in turn, spoke of the things she held true in her heart. About her will to fight alongside her fellow countrymen. About how little her life mattered in face of the onslaught she could at least help to try stopping. Touched by that young woman's sincerity and boldness, the blacksmith crafted for her an unique blade. The sword, a Jian, was made from a very lightweight yet enduring type of steel, what allowed for easy handling, even for someone not as strong as a soldier. Silver colored, the relatively flexible blade reached 28 inches with an exceedingly long hilt of 13 inches, the weight of the weapon and length of the grip allowing for both one handed or two handed use. The wooden hilt is made of dark wood and the steel pommel, connecting from inside the hilt with the blade, comes in the symbol of Earth Kingdom. The sharpness of the blade makes up for the reduced weight. This sword came to be known as Full Moon Flower, regarding that woman's name. With sword in hands and fiery will in her heart the general's daughter roamed about fighting as a mercenary. Against all odds, the young warrior survived countless battles and lived to see the day of the liberation of her people, becoming a symbol of hope and strength as she battled in many fronts. The woman recently died of old age and her sword was acquired by Jo-Co. The Full Moon Flower is a very valuable piece to these days, both in price and history. Jin-Ho often straps fabric over the pommel to help keeping the blade from being recognized. He carries the Full Moon Flower in a special scabbard built by order of Jo-Co itself. The scabbard goes attached to his belt, by his left side.
Aside from The Doom Bringer and the Full Moon Flower, Jin-Ho carries all his belongings in a bag he bought from Earth Kingdom nomads. It is carried sideways and bears a single strap. Made of hide from many animals, it is a reliable and useful bag.
Personality:
Following the strict education he had as a child and his later growth, Jin-Ho is an incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable young man. His curiosity a marking trait, Jin-Ho is often seen as careless and unpredictable. Although this statement hold some veracity to it, the young man's behavior comes more from an easygoing way of seeing life and will to interact with new aspects of life. Jin-Ho is a fool for the pleasures of life and has little discomfort to underwent probation while in search of his objectives. As a traveler he said many goodbyes in his life and holds many people dear in his heart. Likewise, with his cheerful and curious way to behave, Jin-Ho is missed by many, through the places he already visited.
Stubborn as a Mutt-Mule, Jin-Ho is not out of mess and danger. His exaggerated will to discover the new often brings him to trouble and his junkie habit of taking in any kind of psychoactive substances puts him in very hazardous situations. His rock-headed enthusiasm towards his goals makes him miss little aspects of people surrounding him, giving of the impression he may be uncaring.
However, Jin-Ho is a very sensitive person, both as in social relations, partially due his talent as a trader, as in arts. The learning is one of his biggest motivations and that makes him keen to meeting new people and sharing words and thoughts. His Guqin, The Doom Bringer, is his faithful companions to put away the loneliness he often feels when traveling. That is something Jin-Ho has some difficulty to cope with, the fact he always has to say 'goodbyes'. However, he understands that is something he cannot escape from, if he is willing to always say 'hellos'.
Though extremely curious about the identity of his father, Jin-Ho had to cope with living without it. He discovered that if something could be a match to his inquisitive behavior that would be the stubbornness of his mother. Jin-Ho's emotions towards his mother are a mixed bag of feelings. That old link between mom and cub would give him the love towards her. However, Jin-Ho grew on her absence and had to develop a way of thinking of his own. Due to Na-Rae's busy routine, time made of mother and son two somewhat distant persons.
Ironically, the man he learned to call friend, is his true father, even though both never related to it. His respect and admiration for Hazig is enormous. In the eyes of Jin-Ho, even though Hazig could've done better of his life for the present times, the old Hazig is someone who understands the value of living a life of happiness and discoveries. That can't be matched by other feelings, in Jin-Ho's current vision of world. Jin-Ho likes to party hard and laugh all laughters he is able to. His thirst for life is, most probably, his most defining trait.
Background:
The expected prominent heir to the Jo house came to the world as a consequence of a rather strange chain of occurrences and, as future would unveil so, so would the life of this strange young man become an awful mess of singular events. Upon the construction of Republic City by Avatar Aang many were the roles in need to be performed in the growing city. A, then, young man named Gung-Gun Jo, by the time a small peddler in the streets of Lun Yang, Fire Nation, found it a good bet to try his luck in the promised land of all and any. Gung-Gun traveled overseas toward the currently sprouting Republic City. There the young peddler got engaged in the trading business and, over the years, using his natural talent as a trader and keen eye for business, became a very rich and successful merchant.
A childhood illness took away the life of Gung-Gun though, before his sixtieth birthday. His only child, Na-Rae Jo, a woman in her early twenties, took over the business of the family. Even though Na-Rae was inexperienced she had always been very quick-witted and motivated. In her hands the trading company of the family, Jo Trading Co. (Jo-Co), grew even wealthier than in the previous generation. Na-Rae was a strong woman, confident in her actions and curt and imposing in her actions and speech. Her job as head of Jo-Co then started building her personality fit for her daily routine. Na-Rae became a very objective woman, to the point where her curt behavior could pass as gruff.
Years passed by and Na-Rae, a very busy worker then, never gave much attention to her emotional life. However, a lifetime of repressed love and randiness takes its toll on a stressed and hot-headed woman. Few months before her thirtieth anniversary Na-Rae had to attend at Ba Sing Se, in order to verify and conduct a very important trade. The deal was concluded and the traders saw fit to take Na-Rae to a dinner in commemoration. However, Na-Rae had too much of a very strong spirit the entourage was having. After the dinner a heavily intoxicated Na-Rae broke under years of repressed feelings. She ran off on her own, losing her bodyguards on the way, until she reached the recesses of Ba Sing Se's lower ring. Night had advanced further and the streets were empty. Tired of the run, Na-Rae kept on searching for a place to hide herself.
All shops in the area were closed, due the advanced hour, except for a strange small hut whose entrance had many lanterns glowing in different lights. From the main door a soothing aroma like flowers was escaping. Dazed and disoriented, Na-Rae was lured by that place's appeal. It was an esoteric shop. Rocks, vests, incenses and other strange tidbits filled the shelves as a very old gramophone insisted on playing a very relaxing song. From behind the counter, seated on a large cushion, a man with long hair and beard was inhaling a white smoke from a long hose attached to a large bottle just in front of him. "Good Evening", said the man, in a surprisingly grave and seductive tone. From there on, Na-Rae would get involved in a long week of torrid romance and intense physical interaction.
However, said man, an exotic and exquisite person by the name of Hazig Mithoret, was a very easygoing kind of person. His store was meant more as a hobby than a business and he used to spend the majority of his days by the back of his counter getting high on the fumes he used to commercialize. For the first days the confused Na-Rae bought that lifestyle, amazed by the mysterious personality and touch of the strange Hazig. However, a week later, when Na-Rae's bodyguards found her and then showed the report on the losses Jo-Co was having due her absence, the strong and abrasive woman returned in a flash. Na-Rae then deemed the events of that last week solely a crazy outburst and swore never to back away from her business again. She cursed Hazig's lax and objective-less way of life and left Hazig and his hut, once and for all.
Na-Rae went back to Republic City and from then on kept her promise to never let go of her job. However, this new resolution wasn't the only thing she brought from Ba Sing Se. As singular events happen to singular people throughout history, Na-Rae got pregnant, the child a result of her unplanned escapade. From the crazy union of Na-Rae Jo and Hazig Mithoret the new heir to the Jo house would arise, Jin-Ho Jo.
As the next in line in the Jo House, Jin-Ho was denied the surname of his father upon birth, a name Na-Rae would hide till these days. Na-Rae, though bearing that inherent love of the mothers, was still Na-Rae, and then envisioned her son as the head chef of Jo-Co in the future. Since his early age, Jin-Ho would be instructed by the best teachers and tutors Republic City had to offer. They would come to the Jo residence to instruct Jin-Ho, first on the basics of learning and, as his age would progress, into more business-oriented (relating to large scale trading business) disciplines as applied math to deal with number and history and culture to get to understand the value of artifacts and pieces of art.
Being taught from since a tender age, Jin-Ho quickly grew intelligent and well-versed. As masters would come to his house, however, Jin-Ho had little chance to meet other children. That, allied to the fact that his mother was ever the hard worker and that she never revealed anything about his father, made of him a lonely kid. But Jin-Ho, by that inquisitive years of early childhood, would get in touch with lots of people from around the world. As son of Na-Rae, owner of one of the biggest trading companies in Republic City, Jin-Ho would often meet traders from around the world. Since very early in his life, and through the years, Jin-Ho saw from very close the job of his mother. From tailoring monks from the Fire Nation aiming to sell rare tapestry to wine producers of the muddy swamps, trying to sell shipments of their booze. From antiquaries that would send representatives from all around in search of the rare artifacts acquired by Jo-Co to junkyard owners buying scraps of metal from old Fire Nation's gear.
To the age of twelve Jin-Ho's life was lead like that. In the meantime, while his mother and tutors were willing to make of him what would someday in the future become the head of Jo-Co, Jin-Ho grew more interested in the cultural and social differences of the people he used to meet. From the headquarter of Jo-Co he would listen to histories from the world over. He would see pieces of art of unmatched value and exquisite artifacts from the most distant corners of the world. And so he grew, intelligent and curious. That, however, till he was twelve. Over this age a change came about that shuffled Jin-Ho's life completely. While playing alone, in his room, great was his surprise when flames started flowing from his fists. Upon the discovery that Jin-Ho was a firebender, something that didn't occurred in the family since Na-Rae's grandfather time, Jin-Ho was sent overseas to learn firebending directly in Fire Nation. There, Jin-Ho was taught on how to firebend, among many other disciplines. Being schooled in fencing, astronomy, music, literature, among others, the life seemed to be going on exactly as in the past. However, now distant from his mother's watchful eyes, Jin-Ho, with his curiosity for other aspects of life peaking, usually managed to elude his tutors and roam about in the streets of Lun Yang. As so, Jin-Ho first started understanding the living in the suburbs and the singularity with which his own life was being lead. Very few were the ones with access to what Jin-Ho had.
Teen years went by and Jin-Ho then managed to conciliate his life as the heir of the Jo house and his life as a foreign adolescent discovering the world in the streets of a big city. Girls and passions went by, buds and lads were met and studies kept on going. Time flowed and Jin-Ho grew. Then, on the verge of his eighteenth birthday, he was summoned back to Republic City for real. There he spent one more year in the Jo house. Now, completely changed and with a personality of his own, he understood more aspects of the job of his mother. A year passed on and, by the end of it, Jin-Ho knew about the majority of the treasures in Jo-Co's vault, about their value and importance. However, as the sands in an hourglass demand another turn around, Jin-Ho's life shifted again. This time he was being sent to Ba Sing Se, in order to attend at the great University of Ba Sing Se.
Originally meant by his mother to be studying economics, Jin-Ho promptly changed the focus of his studies to art and history, instead of business tending. Here Jin-Ho had the most strange yet incredible years of his life. Even though he believed his teachers have taught them more than enough to that point, there he discovered he barely knew anything. His life in the University brought him the understanding that the world was a very much bigger place than his humble -though consistent as it was- knowledge could conceive. As part of his growth in Ba Sing Se, while living a crazier and more mature oriented version of his life in Fire Nation, Jin-Ho ended up knowing much of the city. His curious nature was still in place and he would often leave the recesses of his manor in the upper ring to venture the exciting dirty streets of the middle and lower ring. And it was in one of these ventures that he came to know a man that would change his life.
One night, roaming the streets with booze in his hands and a couple of friends, Jin-Ho discovered a small and interesting store, in the lower ring. Even though the advanced hours, that shop was still open and, from inside, a soothing aroma as if from flowers was emanating, while fainting lights crowded the front door. Drawn in, Jin-Ho became acquainted to the strange and mysterious owner of the shop, the infamously not famous Hazig Mithoret. Hazig was, in the past, an itinerant vendor of psychedelic drugs. As age started taking its toll on someone who did nothing more than enjoying life to the fullest without preoccupations, Hazig saw fit to establish business and settle down some. There, in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, he found a place to set his little store since so very long ago, now not only on mind additives but as in other esoteric items and trinkets. However, as nuts as Hazig could've been or still was, he was a very experienced man, and knew much about the pleasures of life and the freedom one could have if he or she just opened mind and heart.
Jin-Ho, amazed by the way of life of that man, started visiting his shop on a regular basis. As their friendship grew, Jin-Ho perception of the world, his aspirations and motivations, underwent a solid change. Jin-Ho now wanted to see more, to learn more, and Hazig, such a strange man, was showing him ways with which Jin-Ho could bring up his own ways and wills. However, coincidence, that careless yet unforgiving force, hasn't yet revealed Jin-Ho's and Hazig's status as father and son. Graduation went by and, once again, Jin-Ho was summoned to Republic City. This time, however, he wasn't going in order to follow lines or plans. He had his own project in mind, and he went down Rep City dead set in fulfilling it.
Then, at the age of 25, Jin-Ho was meant to finally start working full time on his family's business. Unbeknown to Na-Rae, though, Jin-Ho would never become the heir of the Jo house for the time being. Jin-Ho waited for the best moment and then stole several goods from Jo-Co's vault, items for the quests he was foreseeing. Among these goods there was a book he knew very well, the Journey Diary of Darganon Barinten, the Mighty.
Darganon Barinten was a wanderer that lived in the times following Avatar Kyoshi's ruling, in which no wars or conflicts were taking place. Darganon was a bon-vivant, traveling the world over enjoying the pleasures life could give away. He tasted foods very few have had and saw landscapes very few had seen. He experimented drugs of all calibers, met people of all kinds and faced adventures of many dangers. Yet, Darganon lived an exceedingly long life and enjoyed it to the very last bit. What was left behind was the chronicles of his wanderings. The Journey Diary of Darganon Barinten, the Mighty, known simply as Book of Barinten. Jin-Ho read the majority of the book some years ago and had crazy ideas for it.
Jin-Ho stole the Book of Barinten, alongside the famed sword Full Moon Flower, the cursed instrument Doom Bringer and the special Cloud Nine Pipe. Now, with these artifacts in his hold, Jin-Ho aimed to travel the world, mainly in search of the places and ingredients Darganon listed in his book. In order to avoid giving away his name, an attempt to delay the trackers his mother surely set in search of him, he adopted a traveling name (more ironically related to himself than his name). From there on Jin-Ho Jo, the wealthy heir to the Jo house, was to be known as the next Barinten. Jin-Ho was now Mago Barinten, the High.
Now, already on the loose and with things in check, Jin-Ho Jo, the Mago Barinten, travels around the world in search of new experiences and adventures he is sure to become key elements in his growth.
Sample RP: Your Highness, Mago Barinten
He looked up. Still much to go. No problems, he was already enjoying it. Should follow the sound of the water, that always cleared things up. From ahead, a rumbling sound, just beyond those trees. He emerged from the green line, just to face that force of nature. Right in front him it was, a huge waterfall. Ten meters at least? Perhaps. Clothes and perks off, it felt like the right time for a bath. As cold water fell on him with the might of meteors and the fluidity that only water and wine could have, air escaped his lungs. He expected that. Time goes and body adapts, now the young man was swimming around the small lake produced by the falling water. Took his time, then back to his belongings. Took a sip of the liquor from a green bottle residing inside his bag. Wore his pants and suspenders, that was enough. The walk now was uphill.
"There is no silence", a wise man told him. When all noise stops sounding you can hear the noise of the world. Peaceful walk, he knew how to take his time and conserve his energy. Birds everywhere, theirs songs unmatched by anything a man-made instrument could make. That warm afternoon's sun, through the leaves of giant trees. That was indeed a wonderful place.
Jin-Ho stopped. His breath became that bit heavier. He looked up, still half the way to go. The young man smiled. He turned back and, from where he was, he could see half the valley down there. What a view that was. He shouted...
"WOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOO..."
He felt his lungs as a powerhouse. The song returned from afar. The young man smiled once again. "Are you enjoying the place too?" He spoke. When you travel alone like that, your voice is often the only one you'll hear. Yet one more look uphill and a cunning smile formed on his lips. "Gimme your best!" He shouted.
In a daring sprint Jin-Ho started conquering the way up. Vigorous dash after vigorous dash the traveler was gaining the terrain. Dangerous leaps giving him the idea his best trait was, in actuality, luck. And just when his energy was about to cut him dry there was no more lands above his head.
Jin-Ho fell on a bed of grass. His breathing was so heavy that for the next moments all he managed to do was stay laid, eyes peering at the deep blue of the sky's roof... and then, when ground was below and the firmament up again, he could at least stay sat. And from there, on the edge of the hill, on a small plateau covered by grass and flowers and a single ancient tree keeping watch, he could see where he was. The whole valley bellow him... river, waterfalls and the long range of green... all at once in his eyesight. From that point on any words, spoken or thought, where meaningless.
He walked around and chose to sit under the imposing tree. Right below the great being was a bed of yellow colored grass. Jin-Ho sat and gently picked a handful of that special herb. Disposed his belongings by the tree and, from inside his bag, retrieved his Cloud Nine Pipe. He placed the grass on it and lit it, just by flickering his fingers.
A deep inhale...
A gentle breeze blew, caressing his face, the smoke leaving his nostrils and following the wind. There, on the prize of his quest, there was no more anxiety or restlessness. Jin-Ho retrieved his Guqin... Now, all that was left was that... magic...
