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"Two Sio Pao, please," Tsuchi asked the restaurant cashier, his hat in his right hand.

"Twenty copper pieces please," she said receiving the money. "Thankyou, it will be about ten minutes."

As Tsuchi took a seat at a table near the counter, he watched through the window as life in Ba Sing Se flowed. Most of the citizens were women and young children; it was a weekday after all, most of the city's employed were men. His smile was soon turned into a flat line of curiosity as he saw what seemed to be some sort of altercation. Quickly removing his backpack, he left it, along with his double dao and twin tiger hook swords on the table. As he reached the door, the cashier stopped him shortly.

"Sir! Wait! What about your order?" She cried out.

"Be so kind to hold on to those for me please," he replied heading out the door. "I should be back before they're ready."

As he made his way towards them, he called out to the attacker, "Are you in need of assistance?"

Puzzled, he ripped the basket away from the woman's hands and retreived a knife. "If you know what's good, you'll go back to what you were doing!"

Tsuchi took a couple of steps towards him, into a left forward stance. With his left hand being his Man Sau [most foremost hand], he waited to find his intention.

Tsuchiya lifted his head up slightly, exposing his face from under his hat. In a light tone he suggested, "You could get someone hurt with that knife, putting it away would be a wise descision."

"Mind your business!" He lunged forward with the knife firmly gripped.

Tsuchi stomped his right foot infront of him, causing the ground directly infront of the man to move up by three feet. He watched as he was stopped by the earth; however, he was still within reach. Tsuchi met his on comming forearm with a right gan sau and simultaneous turn to his left. Redirecting the attack, he grabbed his hand with his left and pressed it as far as it could go down. This in-turn caused him to release the knife, letting it fall to the ground. Stepping to his right in a high horse stance, Tsuchi placed his right arm along the man's neck with a crane hand, and circled his foot backward. A small pilar of earth arose and tripped the man onto his posterior.

"I warned you someone could get hurt!" Tsuchi chuckled as he picked up the basket and returned it to the woman. "Now, how about you get up off the ground."

Tsuchi helped the man back on his feet. Taking the man's open hand, he place fifteen copper pieces into his palm and closed it.

"Go and get something to eat, you look starved!" Tsuchi said patting him on the back. "Now, I can only give you fifteen pieces, but if you search around I'm sure you can find a job."

As the commotion started dying down, he headed back to restaurant. Picking up the small bag containing his order, he gathered his things and headed towards a small grassy area on the other side of the district he was currently in.

[Training 1]

Dav Smiled wider. "Ah, a kindred spirit. I too am a bender without a master. I haven't had formal training in almost 3 years now. Back when I still lived in the North...ern..."

Dav slowed down as he thought about what the girl had just said A firebender, a rouge one even, would normally recieve an even colder welcome there than in Ba Sing Se...

"Why would she go to these places?" Dav thought as he refilled her glass and his own with tea.

"So, what brings a pair of aspiring benders so far around the world?" Dav asked, studying the two of them closely.

Tsuzuki sighed as she said, "I already told you. I'm just passing through," then, in a lighter tone, continued, "I figure that this could be the last time I'm in Ba Sing Se."

She drank the tree happily. It was nice in the Earth Kingdom and she thought silently to herself that she may be spending more time here than she previously anticipated.

As Tsuchi approached a small line of trees overlooking the business district, a youngman stumbled infront of him. Curious, he pushed the brim of his hat with his thumb to get a better look.

"One foot at a time is always best," he said noting the tumble he took.

He knelt down and extended his hand to help him up.

Dav sighed. It wasn't like him to second guess people. "I must be working too hard these days... Dav thought to himself.

"Well," Dav said as he got up abruptly from the table. "If this is the last time you might be in Ba Sing Se, let's make it worthwhile!" He held his hand out to Tsuzuki "I know a place here in the city that's truly...unforgettable. C'mon, I promise It'll be worth your while."

"I can teach you the basics," Tsuchi answered, setting his things against the nearest tree. "My sifu wouldn't be very pleased with me if I were to teach his teachings without his approval."

He untied the chin strap of his hat and set it over his pack. He could smell the freshly prepared Sio Pao from underneath his hat; the aroma reminding him of a small Earth Kingdom village he had stopped in the other day. Crouching down with his right leg, he extended his left leg so it was only his heel touching the ground. He reached down and grabbed his left foot with both hands. After five breaths he reciprocated.

"In order to maintain a proper stance, flexibility cannot be supplemented." Tsuchi said standing back up. "My name is Tsuchi, by the way. Of course you may refer to me as your Sihing, since I'll be tutoring you."

With his legs together and fists at his sides, Tsuchi stepped out and sunk down; posterior parallel with the ground.

"A strong stance is pivitol in Earth Bending," Tsuchi explained as he stayed in Ma Bu. "A weak stance will lead to weak earth bending.

He stood up and put his feet together. He shifted his weight to his heels, turning his feet outward 45º; he then shifted to his toes, turning his heels out another 45º. He continued until he was in horse stance.

"Feet together, toes out, heels out, toes out, heels out," he recited almost as if it were a mantra. "This is how you will practice it."

[training 2]

"Feet together, toes out, heels out, toes out, heels out..." He repeated, following his directions. He closed his eyes, thinking. "How does this help me earth bend...?" He asked, keeping his eyes closed.

Dav's smile faltered a little when he saw Tsuzuki come back with her friend. But, he quickly recovered.

"Well, the more the merrier I say! Glad to have you with us!" Dav said as he led them toward the Barracks.

The trio walked past the barracks to the back of the building, right up next to the outer wall of the palace. When they got up to the wall of the palace Dav ran his hand along the wall, searching for something.

"Aha!" he said and pushed on a hidden panel. As he did, part of the wall slid away, revealing an old bronze door. On it, there were the sigil's of each of the four nations.

"This, My dear, is the beginning." Dav said, waiting for her to be amazed.