Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nuiko stiffened, casting a glare of irritation at the young man equal to the one he had shot Maolin.

"In our lands," she said carefully. "It is a custom to respect the traditions of others. Each bending style has its own creator. Please do not mock our spirit."

She turned back stiffly, her gaze hardened into ice, despite the growing heat of the room.

"I told you it was only a legend that Agni gave us firebending, as it is only a legend that the moon gifted waterbenders," she said lowly. "However, if you don't believe in the spirits, it's fine. I would altogether prefer you not argue with me and most of the known world about it."

Nuiko folded her hands in front of her, raising her chin.

"I'm sorry, but this is as far as you're permitted to venture," she explained. "This tour is not strictly permitted, not expected, and otherwise not appropriate. To take you further where you might disturb the peace of the orphans, staff, and senior members would be a travesty. I have shown you the main area open to most visitors, the rest is off limits."

Nuiko nearly started at the suddeness of his request, but forced herself to relax. Of course. He was a foreign fighter. It explained his irreverence toward Agni, as well as his barging into the orphanage. Someone had probably told him about her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized with a slight bow. "I would rather not. It would be a poor example for the children, you see. And besides, formal fights here traditionally follow the example of an Agni Kai, which I doubt you would be willing to participate in."

Besides, she thought wryly. You'd hate to see me in that get-up, anyway.

Nuiko fixed him a blank stare. First the foreigner hasn't got a clue about the spirits, then insults them, then challenges her in a spirit's name? Next thing, he would be mocking the great Creator spirit.

"You're not a firebender," she countered. "You can't challenge me to an Agnikai. Besides, why are you so intent on fighting me?"

So he was a firebender after all. Well, he wasn't a very polite one, she would give him that. Probably some faithless soldier, though she didn't want to pin down any assumptions.

"Well, whatever you want," she snapped. "You're going about it very rudely. If you ever want to get what you want, you use manners and incentives. So go on, politely give me an incentive that doesn't include bringing harm to this orphanage, and I'll consider the offer."

Sweet Agni, there her mouth went. What was she getting herself into?

Nuiko folded her arms and scowled. What a capricious fool, jumping from rude invader to scraping beggar in an instant, all for the sake of some stupid fight.

How had he found out about her, anyway? She knew she ought to be more suspicious, but...

"How much money are we talking?"

Nuiko smirked. Oh, he thought he was very clever, didn't he? It was likely that he would win. He was clearly a warmonger who loved fighting, and therefore got in a good deal of practice. She, on the other hand, had spurned her talent after the accident, working as a seamstress and using fire for only the slightest tasks.

All in all, it was about as fair to her as that fish-seller who was always trying to swindle her down in the market.

"I want at least one copper per child should I lose," Nuiko informed him shrewdly. "And that will be your charity. Buying each of them a new tunic."