Avatar: Storms of the Past (IC)

[TheDoctor]

Link to the OOC

---

A cloaked silhouette knelt before a tall pale emerald crystal, which glimmered with a bizarre cosmic energy. The cavern that housed them was lined with helictites of smaller magnitude, tracing and twirling outwards from the center crystal and illuminating the tunnel with a dim cold glow. Not a sound penetrated the weighty cowl of silence, heavier than the cavern ceiling lofted by natural columns of stone. Even as echoes of footsteps approached the figure, it remained unmoving, its concentration impermeable.

The footsteps halted, and a graveled voice called out. "Are you prepared?"

Lowering its head, the figure glanced over its shoulder. "Why do you disrupt my meditation? I was but moments away from breaching the veil."

"That can wait." A bearded man with a mane of black and grey hair entered the glowing aura, his black cloak mirroring the other individual’s clothing. "We're ready to begin when you are, but the others are growing impatient. We've waited far too long for this to be delayed by your naps."

"Go, then. I will be with you shortly." The figure straightened its spine again as the man huffed in response, and his steps retreated into the darkness. With a deep breath its shoulders settled, its attention focused on the crystal again. "I can feel it, closer now than I've ever been."

Silence once again enveloped the room, and the glow from the crystal grew in intensity. "Ah, there it is."

---

"Say, Nai, did I ever tell you the story of Dad and the otter penguin?"

Leather boots padded up a muddy hill, squishing with each step from snowmelt. Ahead of those boots padded a set of paws, which gently blended from a dark brown mixture to bright white fur traveling up the leg. A girl from the Southern Tribe, clad in clothing identifying her as such, walked unguarded over the hilltop, her feet hopping casually between the sparse dry spots of the open field. The arctic wolf several feet ahead of her showed no such regard, instead prancing over the soaked patches of grass with ease. Hints of spring were crawling from the earth and budding from the trees to the southwest, driving away the remaining piles of snow that waned as the girl left her homeland.

It had been a week since Sachi left home, and she was already feeling more vulnerable without a blanket of snow surrounding her. Telling stories alleviated that, even if it was to a wolf.

"I think it was my eighth birthday, and Dad thought it was a good idea to go watch an otter penguin flock feed." Sachi hooked her thumbs along the straps of the pack over her shoulder as she hopped to the next dry spot. "Apparently he thought I'd be amazed by a bunch of animals swimming for fish. But we went out there anyway, 'cause what else do you do as a kid in the South Pole?"

She jumped to the next one, her arms extending to hold her balance as her voice briefly strained. "So there's all these big ol' otter penguins waddling around, bumping into each other and squawkin', loud as can be. Dad tells me how great the otter penguins are as sleds since they apparently just hobble over, and he goes and sneaks up on one." She huffed quietly between hops, her eyes following the trails of mud. "Well...this one put up a bit of a fight, and it sent Dad running! Dad picked me up and ran me all the way back home!"

"Well, it turns out Dad wasn't recording their movements properly, and it wasn't feeding season." Her voice hushed as she whispered to the wolf, which perked its head back in curiosity. "It was mating season! That's why the otter penguins weren't just tumbling over and letting us sled on them. He couldn't believe his mistake."

Nai tilted her head and turned away, apparently unamused.

"Oh, but that's not it!" Sachi followed after her wolf. "Later that afternoon, Dad starts cooking up a meal, and something appears at the entrance of our home, squawking away. It was the same otter penguin from before, it followed us all the way home!" She grimaced briefly as she stomped on a wet spot, but quickly recovered. "It made a total wreck of our house while it chased Dad around. By the time he finally got it out, it made a hole in our igloo!"

Sachi chuckled as the wolf trotted up the next hilltop. "Mom was far from happy about that one. Had to take the day off of work 'cause she was so stressed out. It was a nice birthday, really, especially having Mom home." Her voice trailed off as her gaze fell, the wind pulling quiet words from her tongue. "Of course, those were the days when things were...easier."

Hey, no time to let that weigh you down. You've got too much ahead of you to start thinking about home. Exhaling forcefully and returning her focus, Sachi jogged up to Nai, ignoring the water soaking through her shoes. "But you have no idea what I'm saying, do you, girl?" The wolf extended her neck in content as Sachi rubbed the bridge of her nose. "C'mon, let's get in to town. Got a long boat ride ahead, so I'll race you there!"

With a bark from Nai to set them off, they bolted down the hill towards the port town, tearing up grass with every hurried step.

---

Sachi's breath finally settled as she approached the docks, her hands on her hips to ease the stitch out of her side. Mud caked the right side of her face and the shoulder of her coat from a tumble during their race, which Nai easily won. Look at her. She's even strutting around like she owns me.

The bayside town was a humble collection of homes and local establishments, clearly supported by fishing and trading. Most of the residents were from the Southern Water Tribe so Sachi didn't feel far from home, but the Earth Kingdom sprinkled both citizens and soldiers from the mainland. However, as the southernmost island of the occupation territory, their presence was thin, a sliver of their attendance in the more northern areas. As Sachi navigated between merchant booths lining the dirt streets, a hint of a smile danced across her lips. Hm. Occupation doesn't seem that bad at all.

Sachi jogged to the docks, noting the Earth Kingdom banners above a stand at a wider pier. That's got to be for the ferry. With her wolf following in toe, she approached the stand, pulling several coins of Water Tribe currency from her pocket. She tossed them in front of the bored-looking man behind the counter and clasped her hands behind her back. "One ticket for Omashu, please?"

The Earth Kingdom official didn't spare her a second glance, his eyes never leaving his roughly-filed fingernails as he brushed away the coins onto the wooden dock. "Boat doesn't come 'til tomorrow, kid. The dog needs to pay too."

"Dog? That's a..." She sighed and leaned down, scooping the coins back up from the ground. "Fine, fine. Can I get two tickets now for when the ferry shows up?"

"Nope." He waved his hand again, the wrinkles on his cheek lengthening as his jaw clenched. "Come back tomorrow when it's here."

Sachi frowned back at him. "What? Why? I can give you my money now to--"

"Look, get lost, kid, or you aren't getting a ticket at all." The man finally cast a sideways glance at her, his green eyes narrowing on her mud-splattered Water Tribe garb. "Got it?"

Jeez, a bit harsh. "Uh...fine, alright." Disheartened, she tucked the coins back in her pocket and turned away. Man, what's up with these Earth guys? "C'mon, Nai, let's head back in town." The wolf lapped at her hand as they retreated back to the city square and found an open spot to rest. Huh...wasn't really planning on this. Uncorking the canteen of water at her side, she pulled the water in a gentle stream, drifting it upwards to wash the mud from her face and coat.

"Well that makes things tricky." She dumped the dirt from the water, her fingers twirling to pull it back into the canteen. "Now where will we find a place to stay, girl?"

[Mr.Cynic]

Omashu was his big break. It could be the place that he found what he was looking for. If, and if only if could find his way out of this big canyon that had consumed him in its snaking paths. Xiaotong hissed at a rock as he turned around one more time. There was no distinct landscapes to gravitate towards. How did any Earthbender navigate this hellish place? Well they were Earthbenders, he answered his own question.

This was so stupid. Why would anyone want to conquer this land? Why would anyone want to live in a place, where the most exciting thing was sand? Like, how’s the sand? It’s very sandy. How’s the sand today? Very coarse, and in my boots. How’s the weather? Very clear, with the sun beating down.

Ah! This was frustrating! He could navigate the smaller provinces, but navigating his way to Omashu was starting to become trial and error. Maybe he should mark the rocks, no he already did that. And that didn’t work either.

Xiaotong began to steam a little as he stared at a rock.

“Tell me where to go!” he shouted at the rock.

“....”

“Oh the silent treatment!”

“...”

“I bet when Earthbenders do their,” Xiaotong moved his hands around in some way as if to simulate an Earthbender, “You turn into arrows pointing the right direction.”

“....”

“I don’t need you then!” Xiaotong shouted at one of the rocks.

“....”

“When I get out of this cavern, I will come back for you and melt you into lava!” Xiaotong pointed at the rock one more time.

“....”

Xiaotong sighed and flopped onto the ground, dirt kicking up from slight thud. He pouted and made a noise with his lips. If he could get out of here. How embarrassing would that be? Everyone was relying on him. And what if he didn’t come back? He’d go down as the kid who got lost in a cavern and ended up dead. All because he didn’t know how to navigate the earthen land.

He’d be a laughing stock. He’d go down in history as someone to laugh at.

“I need a good miracle,” Xiaotong told the sky he was staring at.

[Splat]

Dunes of golden sand rolled across the barren desert, the only scenery available stretching for miles with no end in sight. A clear, blue sky smiled upon two figured that stood facing each other on the dusty ground. One, a young woman, stood in a solid stance, while the tall man across from her was relaxed and bounced on the balls of his feet. They stared at each other, ready to attack.

A dog's bark interrupted the tension, as nearby a small, antlered dog was prancing around a larger animal that looked to be a cross between a tiger and an armadillo. The girl flashed a grin and used the interruption to her advantage, arcing her foot in the air and sending a blast of sand into her opponent. The man easily sidestepped the attack, dissipating it with a wave of his hand. The two circled each other, exchanging small blows, before the man smiled.

The woman cocked her head. "What are you smiling a--?" She was unable to finish the question as she felt the ground slide from underneath her, sending her crashing to the ground. Putting a hand over her face to shield her eyes from the sun, she saw the man's figure standing over her with an outstretched hand.

"That was hardly fair, Jenso," the woman huffed as she accepted the hand and pulled herself up, brushing the sand off her back.

Jenso chuckled. "You're still thinking like a rock-bender, Shao Lang" he replied, using his term for traditional earthbenders. "You can't be so solid when you're working with sand. You have to flow with it, let yourself be carried on the wind."

Shao Lang pouted. "You sound like a waterbender," she teased. Feeling a nudge on her leg, she turned to see her tigerdillo Jiro rubbing up against her thigh. She smiled and pat him on the head, then sighed, her smile fading. Her dark eyes gazed around the unchanging desert landscape.

Jenso noticed her forlorn expression and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?" he asked. Shao Lang shook her head dismissively, but his concerned look made her admit what was on her mind.

She sighed again. "I... I think it's time that I should be leaving. The desert, that is." She looked to her friend with caution. She wasn't quite sure how he would take the information that his friend was leaving him behind...

Surprisingly to Shao Lang, Jenso did not say anything. "Well, it wouldn't be forever," she comtinued, feeling like she had to explain herself. "Of course I'll come and visit! I just... meed a change of scenery, you know? Not that there's anything wrong with desert, but..." She trailed off, gesturing at the expanse of sand and dirt surrounding her.

Jenso nodded solemnly. He knew this day would come, that Shao Lang would want to see more than this boring sand. "Where will you go?" he finally spoke.

Shao Lang scratched her head. "I haven't exactly decided yet," she admitted. "Maybe a big city like Omashu? I remember going there once with my father when I was little, it might be interesting to see it again now."

The sandbender nodded again and smiled. "Well, wherever you decide to go, I'll help see you on your way." Shao Lang grinned and wrapped her arms around him enthusiastically. He returned the embrace, but it was soon broken by an excited deer-dog leaping upon its master.

"Gosha!" Jenso shouted in between getting licked with a slobbery tongue. Shao Lang couldn't restrain her laughter, and soon both benders were caught in a storm of giggles. Soon, the fact of the woman's departure was forgotten, at least for a while.

[Price]

Two Weeks Ago...

A dense, thick fog of mist filled the room, leaving only two silhouette figures visible; a boy and his master. The boy stood upright at attention, hands down at his sides. The master sat facing the boy, with the hood of a blue cloak overturned, completely concealing his face. The master breathed outward through the mouth, filling the room with an icy mist once more. The room was a chamber of a small forgotten building on the farthest outskirts of the Northern Water Tribe. Only those seeking it could find it, and even then the way had been booby trapped so that only those who knew the way could avoid harm. This was the way of the Wolf-Bloods, seclusion, secrecy, and subtlety...until it came time to strike. Another long, cleansing breath was taken by the master as he motioned for the boy to come closer. The boy obeyed and sat, mirroring his master’s cross-legged posture.

“Young Kakaru...can you feel it? The energy....flowing through your chakras? If you would only slow down every once in awhile, perhaps you might find some measure of peace, dear boy...” said the master with his eyes still shut.

“Master...you already know that I can’t...I’ve never been very in touch with my spirit...and anyways, should you really be lecturing me on slowing down? You’re the one who’s been fighting for half of your life...” Kakaru challenged with a playful smirk.

The master chuckled. “Fair enough, fair enough,” his eyes opened suddenly as he pulled down his hood to reveal his face. “Actually, that is what I would like to talk with you about. You see, I have a mission for you...” the leader said, knowing full well what the boy’s response would be.

“A mission!? Yes, finally!!! What is it!?! A supply raid?! A courier run!? Ooh, are we hitting that cabbage merchant again!? I’m ready for anything!!!”

The master smiled and chuckled again, shaking his head at the boy’s youthful enthusiasm. “Anything eh? Care to give that in writing?”

Kakaru raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”


“Kakaru...I am sending you to the Earth Kingdom.”

“WHAT!?!”

The master put up both of his hands. “Whoa, whoa, easy boy,” he began as if dealing with a startled horse. “There is a contact of mine within the city of Omashu. You must go to him and deliver a letter, and then await further instructions.”

“Master, you’re not coming with me? Well....who is?”

“No one...you are going alone."

“I don’t understand.....”

The master nodded. “You are ambitious, young Kakaru, very ambitious. You have grandiose dreams of leading men, fighting in battle, and running a nation. How can you do any of that when you have never led a mission on your own? Or perhaps more importantly, how can you do any of that when you have never left home? Never seen the world...”

“You’re sending me away just for me to travel?”

“To get experience, my boy...you will have to rely on what I have taught you to survive...on your own. If you want to lead the Wolf-Bloods someday, or even more, the Northern Tribe Army....you have to be able to succeed or fail on your own merit. Do you disagree?”

“Well...no....but I’m a fugitive!!!”

“As was I when I first led this group...I had to rely on myself to keep out of trouble, and now it is time for you to do the same. Experience the world, Kakaru, and maybe you will see that things are more connected than they seem...perhaps this experience will give you sharper eyes.”

“But Master...I want to stay and fight! Surely I am more valuable here wi---“

“Is that all you think leading is, Kakaru? You talk so much about the future, leading the tribe back to glory...but all you know is fighting, war. There is a time for war, absolutely, but what will you do in times of peace? How will you lead then? You have a knack for politics, but no polish...no experience with diplomacy, and you have never seen what the world looks like outside of war. This experience will be good for you...and who knows, you may yet stir up some trouble along the way, my young pupil...”

“I’ll...I’ll miss you....”

“Aww...come here, Kakaru...”
----------------
The aching in his heart would not ease no matter how many times Kakaru recalled that last embrace. He remembered seeing his brother and sister Wolves on the docks as his tiny boat set sail for Earth Kingdom soil. This was what Master Pakka had wanted, to see the boy pass or fail on his own merit. There would be no intervention, this was the cost for the boy’s big talk...

Sailing across the ocean and avoiding Fire Navy patrols was only the first obstacle blocking the boy’s way...landing on unguarded Earth Kingdom territory was just as difficult. Kakaru used his bending to conceal his craft in a heavy fog and landed on a beach in the dead of night. Immediately, he fled into the mountains and began his trek. Two weeks removed from his initial departure placed him at the Merchant’s Pier.

“I just need a small boat, that’s all I’m asking for...” Kakaru pled.

“I dunno, lad, you little young to be sailing pipsqueak.” A rough looking man said in a gruff voice.

“Then send me over one of your own! I’ll ride in the cargo bay if I have to!”

“Hm...awful desparate, are we? Got ourselves into a little bit of a situation, eh? Why do you need to get to Omashu so bad?"

“Why do you care? I have coin.”

“All types of fugitives come through these parts....supposed to turn em in on sight...pretty sure I seen you on a poster....though if you throw in double the coin I suppose--“

“Fine! You’ll get your double...on completion.”


“You haggling with me boy?”

“I don’t know. If you’ve seen my poster...” the boy started with a hushed voice. “Then you know what I’m capable of.”

“You threatening me boy?”

“Yes.”

The man just laughed. “Alright, you got yourself a deal. Get in the cargo hold. We leave as soon as the sun goes down.”

Kakaru nodded, gripping the letter in his pocket and trying to maintain his composure. As soon as he was out of eyesight, he was shaking. His heart finally started beating again and he finally began catching his breath. He closed his eyes and waited for the lurch of the ship to indicate that they were on their way. Hours that felt like an eternity later, that lurching came.

[Zulera301]

PART I: UNDER GREY SKIES
CHAPTER 1: THE LOVERS' CITY

Big cities were always lands of opportunity when you ran a business. More people meant more customers, which in turn meant more profit--if you knew how to run a business, that is. Those who did not know this often learned the hard way about what failure felt like. Oboro Kobayashi did not want to mark herself as one of the latter group. It would be an insult to her craft, and an insult to her family legacy. Decades and generations of the finest crafters, only for it all to culminate in an abysmal and anticlimactic end.

"So much potential lost..." Oboro sighed as she slouched against the bar she sat in front of, the wood rough enough that Oboro's elbows noticed the texture, but fortunately not that awful splintery wood that drives its sharp motes deep into one's flesh simply from touching it. She took another swig of whatever the special at The Stone-Laurel tavern was, using the alcohol to help mull her thoughts and drown out the noise of her surroundings. Given that earthbenders were generally loud and stubborn people, many of them were even louder when they were drunk. not to say that Oboro didn't appreciate a good buzz now and again--that was why she was here after all--but that didn't mean she always enjoyed every bit of noise. She returned to her thoughts.

"So much potential destroyed... she sighed, "all over a few pretty silvers. Everything gone, business destroyed, mother, father... my brothers... they were children for fuck's sake! But perhaps maybe death would be a better fate than what they did to me... is that why they didn't bother driving the finishing nail into the Kobayashi family business' coffin? Hopefully Omashu will be different. Took me a great gob of cash just to get out here, since I'm not quite ready for Ba Sing Se. That's the end goal though... putting Kobayashi back on the map with a reputable tailor shop in the Upper Ring to serve the finest by offering them the best of the best. Perhaps life isn't so grim after all. Eyes on the prize, Oboro... eyes on the prize..."

It didn't stop her from taking another long draught and draining her tankard. She ordered another bottle, slapping a few more of her hard-earned coins onto the table as payment. The innkeeper glanced her over as if trying to evaluate how drunk (or not) she was, before taking her money and handing her a bottle. Oboro clutched it, almost as if trying to juster up strength to uncork it, but instead she just held it, as if contemplating whether to drink it now, or to go up to the room she ranted for the night and drink it after her next hangover had stopped.

Were there better places in Omashu to get a room and a good drink? possibly. The advantage that The Stone Laurel had though was that it was one of the first notable landmarks one saw upon entering the city, the bright colors of its paneling and signage drawing weary travellers towards its doors, almost as if telling them they didn't need to look any further to find shelter for the night. Granted, in its defense, it was certainly not the worst dive Oboro had been stuck in. On a 1-10 scale with 5 being average, she'd actually rate it about a 6. She wasn't overly picky at this point.

Still... it was the start of a new adventure. Hopefully Oboro would be able to make some good come of it.

[Snotgirl]

The sun shined oppressively, its rays of heat making the most hardy men blanch in dehydration. Maidens felt faint at the thought of doing anything more strenuous than walking to the front door. The humidity alone made one feel as if they just dipped into a pool of boiling water. Activity in this little village on the outskirts of the Earthen Empire had slowly ground to a halt, most of the inhabitants content to sit and wave silk fans at their faces in the hope of catching some errant breeze. Needless to say, none was forthcoming.

Yet, in a field at the edge of town, a girl silently worked. Her black hair was tied into a pony tail, and beads of sweat gathered on her brow, as constant as a stream working its way down a mountain. Crouching down, she'd been weeding for hours, without the slightest hint of discomfort. The people who'd hired her for the weeding worryingly glanced out from their wooden hut, sending their child out with a jug of water every hour.

"Maya, mama said that you can finish the job tomorrow! She said there's no rush." Their boy, a kid of nine years of age, squeaked at Maya nervously.

Without bothering to look at him, Maya continued her back breaking work, electing to keep her energy use productive, "It's fine. After this is over, I'm traveling to another town, so while your mother isn't in any rush, I happen to be. Giver her my thanks though."

The boy nodded and took off at full speed back to his house. As soon as he disappeared, Maya fell onto her backside and guzzled deeply from the wooden water jug. For whatever reason, she scared the boy, seeing as he never stayed in her presence for longer than few minutes. He definitely wasn't as curious as the other village children. Maya only really noticed because he refused to look her in the eye, something that she'd always done to other people.

She shook herself out of her reverie. No point in wondering about it now. Maya wasn't going to stick around long enough to find out anyhow. Just as she was about to get to her feet, she felt her hand plant itself in the cool soil. Maya stopped, letting the dirt crumble through her fingers. With a quick glance around to make sure no one was looking, Maya shot her will into the earth, or in other words, she was attempting to bend.

If Maya could describe the feeling whenever she tried bending, the first thing that came to mind would be trying to walk into the ocean with waves hurtling towards her. Every second, something crashed into her, pushing her power back and away. Every attempt at increasing her power only tired her further, her power being eroded almost immediately. Maya clicked her tongue in frustration. She couldn't even do something as simple as shifting soil.

A familiar wave of disgust washed through Maya, followed by the almost instinctual reaction of bile building in her throat. The acidic feeling was usually accompanied by jeers and stares, luckily, not this time as she was alone in a crop field. Her own family was responsible for that feeling whenever she tried bending. Disappointed sighs always followed her wherever she went. Even the kind ones held pity deep within the recesses of their eyes.

Lips twisting into a snarl, Maya began tearing at the plants with renewed vigor, picturing a different face for every ripped out plant. It was good her anger was building up her energy. There was plenty to be done before she moved to the next place of civilization; Omashu. The man she hired to transport her there wanted to be gone at the crack of dawn. Looking around, Maya rolled her eyes at the rows and rows of untouched crops that needed weeding.

It was going to be a long day.

[Kayser]

It had been a long trip all the way from the Great divide to Omashu, but the road had been calm and without a single novelty, if everything had gone according to plan Chen would arrive to the city by sundown of the same day... If only life was so generous...

The had caught his eye for a while, a small group of soldiers from the Earth Kingdom, gathered up before the entrance of the bridge he was about to cross, he wondered what business could they possibly have in a deserted road like that, miles away from the nearest town... Though he quickly abandoned the thought as he did not care...

One of the lower ranks among them noticed him as he advanced closer in Yomu's back, and while at first it seemed he would have no issue passing by them, one of them, seemingly an officer, walked into the middle of the road, just as Chen was meters away from him, the officer raised his hand at shoulder length and pointed his palm at the mercenary, signalling him to stop, and by slightly pulling Yomu's reign backwards so did Chen.

"G'evening, son. We're just doing check-ups on the folk that come round this parts, there's been a lot of bandit attacks here lately. You wouldn't mind if we check what's inside of those bags that yer carryin' on the back of your ostrich, would you?" Said the officer, referring to the satchel where Chen kept all of his equipment and the piece of cloth he had hid his sword in...

"Of course not, sir, go ahead..." Said Chen as he slowly reached for the small dagger he had hid under Yomu's saddle. If he was fast enough he would be able to stab the old man's juggular, the problem would be his subordinates... Though they didn't seem to be paying much attention to him at the moment he doubted he could take on more than two of them before they got him...

"Would you look at that..." The officer said as Chen tightened his grip on the dagger's handle...
"It looks like we have a man from the fire nation here, lads!" The general said, referring to the mercenary's gauntlet, more specifically, the fire nations insignia on top of it. In an instant, the 6 benders in the post had their gaze centered on Chen, their stares pierced him like daggers.

Chen wasn't an idiot, he knew there was no possible way someone like him could take on that many earthbenders and still come out on top...
He would have to figure out another way...

"What business could ye possibly have 'ere, oussider?" The Officer said as signalled his men to Approach Chen's mount.

"Please sir! I don't want no trouble!" Chen whimpered, putting on his best "Innocent countryman" act. The officer was visibly startled by his pathetic behaviour, it seemed his act was working.

"I'm just using this thing to shield my hand, it bothers me when I let it out in the open for too long... See?" Chen said before removing the gauntlet from his left hand, revealing it's fire-scarred state.

"Darn, son... How did that one happen?" The officer asked Chen. "I- I... A-a man, from the fire nation, came to my dad's farm once, he threatened my dad into giving him all of our money... Which wasn't much, and when he got upset by that fact he used his firebending to burn my hand..." Chen said through tears, before pausing for a second to check faces of the soldiers around him, it seemed that their frowns and glares had all turned into pity faces.

"I don't know what happened after that but... I think something in my dad snapped, before that I hadn't seen him stand up to nobody... It happened and it was over just as soon as it started... one moment they're both there and in the next they're both just laying there in the ground... I was just a little kid. I didn't understand what had happened all I could think of was how much my hand hurt and why was my dad not moving..." Chen said before wiping away his tears.

"Two hours went by before the people from the village nearby found me, by the time they attempted to explain what had happened I understood it better than they could... That man had murdered my father in cold blood and scarred me for life... Just for what little money we had... He wore some kind of weird armor, I still haven't seen it to this day, so I took his gauntlet to remind me of what happened, and how much I hate the fire nation because of it..." Chen told his story as the soldiers of the small outpost listened to him, in the end he had gained their sympathy.

"I'm so sorry, son... We didn't mean to take on a touchy subject..." The officer told Chen, apologizing for making him spill his guts.
"It's alright, Sir. I must acknowledge how shady it looks. Thanks for understanding..." Chen said, attempting to regain his composure.

"I guess yer free to go now... But before you go. I'm sure someone with a history with the Fire Nation would appreciate the work us humble soldiers of the Earth Kingdom do... You wouldn't mind making a small donation to our cause, right?" The officer said as he extended his hand, eagerly awaiting Chen's response...
The Merc smiled, "Yes, of course...How does 20 copper pieces sound?" said Chen before pulling a cloth pouch filled with copper pieces. The sight of the coins made the officer grow a grin from ear to ear.

"Let this one through, boys!" The officer yelled, the other soldier went back to their own business shortly after.
"Do be careful out there, son, this road can be very dangerous" The officer said before cackling and carelessly tossing the cloth pouch near a fire with the rest of the booty they'd amassed, Chen had noticed the considerable pile before though he didn't exactly knew what it was until that point, it seemed like they had been accepting "donations" from every poor dimwit who happened to travel that road for a while then... It brought some comfort to him... After bidding farewell, the merc resumed his way to Omashu.

Two hours later, down the same road. Chen heard a loud "Boom" coming from the opposite direction. He realized it was probably the large chunk of Blasting Jelly he had placed under the false bottom of the bag he had given The "officer" back at the outpost. He had prepared it in case any bandits intended to rob him while travelling but he ended up using it on them... Not that it made a notable difference...

It probably would take them a while to put two and two together, seeing how they believed that Bison-crap story about his dad fighting a firebender, as if something like that ever happened in real life, by the time they had figured out he'd be long gone, he would just have to make sure not to trouble the same road again.

In the end, it all just made him think. How long had he been wearing that gauntlet around his hand? Why did he put the fire nation's insignia in there? Where had he gotten it from?
Though, this thoughts didn't plague his mind for long, as he did not care...

Omashu was just some miles ahead, and at that pace he could still reach it by midnight...

[TheDoctor]

The saline breeze of the ocean licked at Sachi's cheeks as she stood at the front of the Earth Kingdom ship, a passenger vessel meant to ferry citizens to the mainland. Her skirt fluttered in the wind as she relished in the lapping of gentle waves upon the wooden planks of the bow, guided by the soothing rise and fall beneath her as the narrow head pierced divided the low tide. Despite the nipping cold of night at her face, the surrounding water and crescent moon above provided her with a peculiar comfort that the lower decks of the ship couldn't match. Something about her capacity to extend her touch into the ocean, to reach into the water's spirit and guide even the slightest amount, put her at ease. Lack of agency was intolerable to her, whether physical, social, or mental, and as the chief's daughter she was privy to a particular level of control over her life. Well...most of the time.

Don't get used to this feeling, 'cause we'll be landlocked in a day. Glancing down to the uncomfortable wolf at her side, Sachi smiled and scratched between her ears, which folded back submissively at her touch before leaping back up. "Don't worry, girl," Sachi cooed at her. "We'll be back on land early tomorrow." She slid her finger down Nai's snout and tapped the tip of her nose, causing her to blink distractedly. "Just make sure you behave in Omashu. It'll be a tight fit in the city, not much room for running around."

"You're heading to Omashu, too?"

Sachi whipped her head around to the young man approaching her, a tall lean-muscled individual with shoulder-length chestnut hair and several ear piercings. His navy Water Tribe clothing rippled against the breeze as he approached her, a friendly toothy grin cracking across his jagged diamond jawline. He couldn't have been many years older than her by Sachi's estimation, and he certainly had an aura of immediate comfort about him. As she finally locked eyes with his, vibrantly blue and bright, she realized what made him feel so familiar.

"Yeah, I am," she said, her brow relaxing. "It's nice to see someone else from the Southern Tribe. Most of these other guys are Earth soldiers or merchants heading home."

"I mean, the occupation territory is more Earth than it is Water nowadays." He stopped in front of her with a shrug, his voice welcoming and warm. "But I still keep with the Tribe ways. The name's Sunrok."

"Sachi." They shook, grasping forearms in traditional Water Tribe fashion. "Why're you going to Omashu?"

"Dad's an engineer there, so I take this trip frequently from home to help him out and learn the trade." His head tilted questioningly as he eyed her up and down, his gaze lingering on the uneasy white wolf behind Sachi that stared right back at him. "But uh...you seem far from home. What's a girl from the South Pole doing up here?"

"Well," Sachi hesitated as she rested her forearms against the railing of the boat, her hands folded over the dark waters. It's probably best not to bring up politics. Who knows what he might say about the occupation territories? Plus, I don't want to drive him off, either. "I've been training my waterbending for a while now, but...it's kind of difficult when there aren't a lot of master waterbenders in the South. Most of them were lost in the...uh...the war." She immediately bit her tongue as the end of sentence tumbled out awkwardly, her eyes now intently staring at the moon's reflection in the water. You know, you said you wouldn't bring up politics, and what do you do instead?

Fortunately, Sunrok appeared unfazed as he leaned his back against the railing, his elbows propped against the edge. "Hey, I'm a waterbender as well! Self-taught." Sachi watched the water behind him rise in a narrow stream as he drew his fingers in an inhaling motion in front of him. He cracked a grin over to her, his eyes not even watching his own work. "Pretty cool, huh?"

Yeah, cool for a flashy second-rate waterbender. Sachi's mental repost never saw the surface as she nodded with a dry grin, trying to avoid his gaze. "Not bad, not bad. Maybe you should get a teacher. I bet you could become a really great waterbender with some instruction."

The small pillar of water dropped with a splash as Sunrok's hands fell again, his eyes raising upwards. "Yeah, I wish I could afford that luxury. I don't have enough time to properly train under a master since Earth taxes are so high in the occupation territory. Too busy helping the family business stay afloat." A gentle sigh left his lips, more casual than morose. "If only those damn rockbenders would beat it from the territory. Haven't we been pacified enough?"

Sachi inwardly grimaced at Sunrok's comments, and she glanced down at her hands. "Yeah...I see." And of course, conversation returns to the political climate. It wasn't surprising, though; even glancing mentions of earth brought about the elephant koi in the room, the fragile state of international affairs that everyone and their mother had an opinion on. Furthermore to Sachi's chagrin, she didn't agree with him, even if she didn't exactly disagree.

Fortunately, whether he noticed her reluctance or not, Sunrok changed the subject. "Eh, whatever, enough complaining from me. Probably not best to waterbend on a ship of landwalkers, anyway. Might freak them out." With a short laugh, he settled back into the natural lull of conversation. "So this wolf of yours. Can't say we got any out here..."

---

"Welcome to Omashu!"

The words were music to Sachi's ears as they entered the gates of Omashu. After the boat stopped at the closest dock around sunrise, they had more than a few miles of hiking before reaching the city. She learned more about Sunrok on the road as they followed the caravan of traders and soldiers, but between the nonstop conversation and the blazing sun above she was both physically and mentally exhausted. Her parched throat and sunken eyes spoke wonders for her state of mind, and eventually she was reduced to single-word responses. Yeah, he's nice and friendly and all, I get it. But man, can he talk. Even Nai was visually tired by the end of it, desperate for water and panting from her coats of dirtied white fur.

Rolling her shoulders and rubbing the sore spot at the base of her neck, Sachi let out a wide yawn. "Well, about time we finally..."

Then she lifted her gaze, her eyes widening. "...got...here..."

The city was taller and more expansive than she pictured while approaching it, especially with her head hung low from dehydration. The intricate sloping rail patterns weaved an elaborate web through the mountain city with tan stone buildings filling the gaps. Sloped emerald roofs with pale gold trimming topped every structure, and trees budding with the colors of spring were sprinkled throughout.

The most incredible part to Sachi, however, was the amount of people in the city, far more than her already large village in the Southern Water Tribe. Whether they were olive-clothed residents, forest-green soldiers and guards, or the rare merchant from a different nation, they spiraled all the way up through the messily-tiered city until she could no longer distinguish them. Despite how incredible it appeared, though, Sachi felt the social anxiety of being an outsider clench around her stomach. In the Southern Water Tribe she was always among family and peers, but here her eyes and clothing made it impossible to blend with the crowd. Even as she took off her parka and tied it around her waist in favor of her sleeveless top, her navy and brown color scheme stuck out in the small groups of green.

As they approached the center square, Sachi rubbed her sweat-covered shoulder subconsciously, feeling as if hundreds of eyes were gauging her obscure outfit. The somewhat anxious wolf trailing behind made her feel even more uncomfortable about her image, as if her polar culture was too polarizing for the Earth people. Relax. You're overreacting about this. No one cares, no one is watching. This is just a new experience, that's all.

"You hear what that trader was talking about?" Sunrok's voice called her out of her uneasy trance, and she shook her head in response. "Something about the Avatar. I guess she finally turned up, but it doesn't sound pretty."

"The Avatar? What do you mean?" Sachi jogged up to him, her interest overwhelming her brief anxiety. "Isn't it good that a new Avatar has emerged?"

"Well, yeah, that's what you'd think," he said, speaking louder in spite of the higher noise threshold. "But they said she's been causing trouble on the road for Earth Kingdom soldiers. Doesn't sound like she's working alone, either. Maybe Wolf Bloods?"

"Wolf Bloods? That...doesn't seem right." Sachi looked forward with a concerned frown, forgetting her nonpolitical creed in light of the new information. "Not that I'm saying you're wrong, it just doesn't sound like the right thing to do. Seems like the Avatar should be trying to bring balance in these tense times, not cause even more issues."

Sunrok glanced over at her, his brow rising to her response. "Yeah, but it isn't really as black-and-white as that. I mean," he lowered his voice a bit and leaned closer. "The Earth Kingdom is the one stirring up the trouble that's causing all of this. You can't exactly expect people to just let go of their ways of life."

"But that's not their faults," Sachi replied, oblivious to their environment with her volume unchanged. "It was the Water Tribe Civil War that made them intervene." She shrugged nonchalantly as Sunrok grew visibly tense in her peripherals. "You're right, I can't expect people to let go of their ways of life, but I also can't expect nothing to change after that awful war happened. So retaliation really doesn't make sense to me."

Sachi's frown slackened as she felt the pause in conversation between them last just a tick too long, but when she turned back to Sunrok he had a smile on his face. "Well, I wouldn't worry about fitting in then! Sounds like you'll fit in great in Omashu!" He laughed kindly, but she could feel the dishonesty of his expression and the distance in his eyes. I...I think I went a bit far. Before she could reply, he stopped at an intersection and turned to face her, pointing over his shoulder down the alleyway. "Hey, that's the way to Dad's shop. Why don't you come by and meet him? He'd be happy to meet someone else from the Tribe in this city, and I'm sure that he wouldn't mind if you needed a place to stay for a bit."

Sachi thumbed her pack strap and glanced away. I really shouldn't. I need a breather after chatting with this guy for so long. "Uhm...I actually wanted to take a bit of a walk through the city, take it in while I'm still here." It was a total lie; if she had to walk another hundred feet she knew she'd hit the dirt. "But I know where it is now, so I'll drop by later when it's less busy."

She noticed the relief in his eyes to her response, knowing that he wanted some time as well. "Yeah, that's fine with me. I'll let Dad know you'll be by after work." Giving her a wave, he turned around and shouldered past a few pedestrians. "See you later, Sachi!"

With a grateful exhale she waved back and turned the other way, tapping Nai's ear to get her distracted attention back on her. "Over here, girl. Let's find some shade for you." They walked along the left edge of the busy street, her feet dragging just as much as the wolf's paws. "If only you could shed layers now like me. Just give it a month or two, and your summer coat will be right in."

The Stone-Laurel Tavern. Sounds good enough for me. The colorful outer paneling caught her tired eye as she pushed open the weathered door, and the plain interior was exactly what she was looking for. Furniture and a roof, and cheap enough for me to work with. Freeing her knotted and aching shoulders from her pack at a table--one of the few left, for the room was filling with the caravan she traveled with--she approached the bartender and put a couple coins of Water Tribe currency on the splintered bar. "Just water, please. A mug and a bowl."

"A bowl?" The mustached man glanced over her shoulder at the dirty white wolf, laying and panting next to Sachi's pack. "Ugh...you'll have to pay extra for the wolf. We're about to hit busy hours, and that thing takes up space."

"What? You can't be serious!" Sachi groaned as the man shrugged his shoulders, and she resignedly took another coin out of her pocket. "I don't know why you all have such a problem with wolves out here."

"We're packed tight in the city, ma'am. Sorry we don't have the same luxury of space you have down south." He somewhat grudgingly started filling the mug and bowl. "Or north. Wherever you're from."

Sachi's nostrils flared slightly as she took the containers from his hands. "For future reference, that's Southern Tribe currency for you." Whipping around, she returned to the table and plopped the bowl down in front of Nai, who immediately perked up and eagerly started slurping from it. Sachi took the seat next to her, her body thankful for the splintered wooden stool but her mind twisting in frustration. After chugging down some of the water in both satisfaction and spite, she untied the parka from around her waist and stuffed it in her pack.

What's wrong with people out here?

[Price]

“Wow...” Kakaru muttered beneath his breath. It was the only word that he could come up with to describe the scene around him. The city was far greater than anything his mind could have possibly conjured up, more than his master could have ever prepared him for. The journey in was arduously long and expensive, the smuggling boat ride over already depleting half of his coin. From there, it was still a long hike and some phony documents into the city. It had taken a considerable deal of effort and luck to convince that same boatman to smuggle the boy’s bag past the guards in exchange for extra coin and a favor to be repaid later. One day in and Kakaru was already in debt. Now, the waterbending ‘terrorist’ stood in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the whole Earth Kingdom. The Wolf-Bloods back home would have been so jealous...

The amazement on the boy’s face wore away as his mind gravitated back to his task upon remembering the Wolf-Bloods. His mission was to find a respected contact within the city and deliver a letter. While his master did not reveal the letter’s contents, the man never sent a courier out of Tribe territory unless it was vital. Finding the contact would not be easy, as Kakaru was not even given an identity. He was expected to give a signal, drawing a small chalk Water emblem in the back alley of a local tavern. His contact would see the symbol and leave instructions for the meeting location. The lengths that Master Pakka and this contact were going to keep this secret seemed abnormal, even for their group’s standards. This left Kakaru more than a little anxious to get the job done. He decided that it was in his best interest to scout the tavern before nightfall, when he planned to mark the signal.
------------------
Kakaru entered the establishment a little reluctantly. It seemed like a rundown dive bar...certainly not anything he was accustomed to seeing from back home. Inside the dingy place there were characters that he found....interesting, even for a tavern. He only wondered whether his contact was in here somewhere, secretly watching him, observing him in secret. Then again, maybe that was just hunger induced paranoia fueling his thoughts. As the boy strolled up to he bar, he caught the tail end of a conversation between the barkeep, someone from the water tribe, and their pet wolf. The whole thing seemed like the setup to a bad joke.

"We're packed tight in the city, ma'am. Or north. Wherever you're from.”

"For future reference, that's Southern Tribe currency for you."

Kakaru watched as the figure turned, revealing a girl about his age in the parka. He was grateful for his Earth Kingdom wardrobe about now, disgusting himself against the prejudice of the bartender and seemingly from the recognition by the girl, even as his eyes looked into hers for but a moment. She and her wolf passed by as he moved up to the counter.

“What can I get ya kid?” the man asked.

“Water....and some of whatever food is good here," said Kakaru.

“A foreigner, eh?”

“More like a traveller...”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah...never stay in one spot for too long,” the boy lied. “I get bored.” With that, Kakaru threw down coin on the table, Earth Kingdom currency. The bartender nodded and filled up a mug of water and then plopped down a bowl of slop that Kakaru could only assume to be stew or porridge.

“Er thanks...” the boy responded, taking his food and strolling away from the counter. His eyes found the girl again, as he took extra care to sit as far away from her as possible, going so far as to seclude himself from the rest of the patrons in the little building.

Kakaru tasted the slop in the bowl, disgusting...but he had had worse. It had the consistency of a stew, but it was bitter and lacked any real, true flavor. Oh well, if there was one good thing that came from always being on the run, it was learning to hold down awful food....nourishment over taste.

[Kouki]

“At last, I have arrived!” Mu shouted to the sky as he walked through the gates of Omashu. The place was huge and grand and everything he had read about, he really needed to find a boat to the North Pole if he wanted to wipe out his old self but seeing the city had him mixing up his priorities. What was there to see here? What was there to do? How many amazing people could he meet!?

Omashu was a wondrous tapestry of cultures he’d never seen before!

All Mu could do was walk around in astonishment, eyes scanning every stone brick with immense curiosity. The city of Omashu was beautiful. As he walked, he could see the different vendors and merchants selling their wares and instinctively went for the coins he got from the Foggy Swamp. Once his father stopped in their tribe and fell in love, he had no use for most of his worldly possessions which is why Mu was currently strutting around in fancy, yet ill-fitting, water tribe clothes. It also why he currently had a few pieces to spend on his journey. Despite the fact that it made him rely on others, the complete opposite of his primary goal, trying to get to Omashu through the water instead of traveling through the desert did save him a lot of money on traveling expenses.

He had offered the fisherman the rest of his money but the older gentleman refused, saying that Mu’s apparent lack of common sense meant he would probably need it more. Yet another example of him being incapable of making his own decisions. He took a look at the passing window and adjusted his shirt pulling it back over his shoulder.

Come on Mu; you’re a capable waterbending Northerner now, you gotta put on your best face or people will know you don’t belong.

He popped the lid of his gourd open and put his hand over the opening. With a slow pull of his hand, drops of water followed his fingertips, he flicked the drops in his face and slapped himself, way harder than was logically needed to wake himself up. With a new vigor he walked through the streets and made his way into the nearest tavern, half nervous and half dazed by the sight of a building with walls because holy crap!

“This place is awesome!” He exclaimed, back to being awe inspired. He made his way to what he assumed was the merchant desk, right behind some cool looking guy who must have been from the water tribe. Before the jitters of seeing an actual water tribe member could break his resolve with a sledge hammer, he was at the bar and faced with a man who seemed a little more irritated than he felt was warranted for such an amazing looking establishment. “Nice walls, sir!” The first thing to come out of his mouth to the owner’s chagrin. “I smell new things in here so think that means you serve food which is great cause I’m kind of hungry and it would be cool if I could get something to eat and maybe some water, it looks like I used up some of mine- OH!” He went for his coins and placed them on the counter. “You need money right? I have money! I have plenty of money! Is this enough to get what I just asked for, it was water and food, I don’t really care what kind, trying new things and all that!”

The shopkeep took a look at the coins, one of which was a gold piece and immediately snatched them up. “Yes, that’s the exact amount you need!” He answered quickly before shoving a mug of water and a bowl of what could have passed for soup in the boy’s hands.

"Thank you SO MUCH, sir!" Mu’s expression only brightened at the exotic luxuries and the fact that he had purchased them so easily. One of his biggest fears was that he would have to haggle on the things he wanted but that guy caved so fast it was amazing.

Good job Mu, your first purchase as traveler went perfectly!

He walked around for a place to sit but stopped at the sight of a giant, hairy...thing sitting next to another water tribe girl. He immediately walked up to her but stopped and decided to take a seat directly across from her instead. He was gonna play it cool and not ask to sit with her, be patient and just sneak small glances at the hairy monster thing from a safe distance. Sure, he may be leaning over just a little bit between absent minded slurps of food but he was super casual about it as not to draw attention.