Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mika was suddenly hit with a wave of nerves. "G-uh, um." Words had escaped her, and she tried to cover up with a respectful bow. "Sie-fu Katara, it is an honor to meet you." Mika's voice quivered slightly. "I come from the Northern Water Tribe, but was living here for a time during the seige." Mika's face darkened. "I was best friends with someone who claims an aquantiance with you. Princess Yue begs for me to give you a token in thanks for saving the Northern Tribe." Mika mentally smacked herslef for the overly-formal words.

Mika was quiet for a moment. "She was my closest friend." Tears began to burn at her eyelids. "We were so close, like sisters. She was an outcast because of her hair, and I was an out cast because my father came from this village. He was an earthbender. My skin is light for a waterbender, and my hair is black. I was living here, with my father, during the summer." Mika didnt notice the tears now sliding down her cheeks. "When my mother wrote, she explained what had happened during the seige. I returned north as fast as I could, but it was still too late. Yue was gone, and my fiance, Shoru, had been taken prisoner. I often at the spring. people say I would stay there for days, just weeping. But i dont remember." Mika wiped her eyes before trying to finish before she gave in. These wounds were still very raw. "One thing I do remember though, was Yue appeared above the spring, during a full moon. I thought it was a dream. She said she trusted me with everything, even her life. So, in her honor, i cut my hair and started a group of Spirit Guardians. We use both the Kyoshi Arts and bending to protect the spring against further harm..." She broke off as a sob tore through her chest. She fell to her knees, and begged and apology. "I--I am sorry. Nobody ever asked my about what happened, so I never go this off my shoulders." She broke off as more tears fell onto the grassy ground, and struggeled to get herself under control.
[sorry its so long! i had been wanting to elaborate.... redface ]

Mika looked up at the girl who was comforting her, and was startled to see she was blind. "She was more than a friend. Thank you for your concern." Mika sighed and rubbed her face in an effort to regain control of herself. She wasnt used to crying, yet alone in front of strangers. Shakily she got up and brushed sand and grass from her dress before address Katara, Ty Lee, and the blind girl in green. "If you would excuse me." She bowed, "I will be at the beach if anyone is looking for me." With a last respectful dip of her head, she slowly strode off in the direction of the ocean, feeling terrible, but also wonderful that these people hadnt scorned her, or treated her like a freak for crying.

Mika listened to all this in silence. She was facing the sea, and a cool breeze was blowing in, gently ruffling her hair. "Katara... I have heard the stories of your kindness, and power, and bravery from everyone in my tribe. How you never gave up, like when you challenged Master Paku for the sake of all the girls in the village." She turned to face Katara. "And now I understand why they are all true." She smiled gently. "You are right, of course. Yue never truly died. And I dont think she ever will." Mika sighed. "Which reminds me. I still have a gift for you, from Yue herself. Shall we return to the town? Oh, and Ty Lee, thank you for being there for me." She leaned over to whisper in her ear. "That was kind of embarassing!" She straightened up and offered Katara her arm. "Katara? It would be my honor to escort you back to the village."

-Toph had decided not to go to the beach with Ty Lee and Katara. She knew that whenever she was upset, she just wanted people to leave her alone.-

"No problem!" Katara smiled brightly. "Is the unagi still doing well? I do hope Aang won't do anything rash like last time..." She said jokingly.

(Ahhh! so much as happened! Sorry everyone. I've really let you guys down in this roleplay.)

Sokka strolled with Suki, arm in arm, out in the quite peaceful end of town. He had been long awaiting this reunion, and he had hoped that his long journeys had not offended Suki. "So now we're trying to find Hyhm again." Sokka concluded, "And most likely we'll never find him again. I mean, I only found this guy by luck!" Sokka tightened his spare hand into a fist, frustrated at himself. "Now everyone's depending on me to find Hyhm."

"Indeed, it is very risky, and only the brave people dare try it. Or foolish, depending on your view. No offense to your friend." Mika grinned to make sure that Katara had not felt defensive about Anng. "The koi themselves are not aggresive, but to the Unagi, they are dinner."