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 Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:56 am
Taizen raised an eyebrow, the kid was like... well, he was like a water faucet with a clogged up exit, in that it was motionless for a sew seconds, shook, and then poured water. Taizen would have to find a nickname for him to. maybe something along the lines of 'water faucet' but perhaps that wouldn't be terribly imaginative. Just as 'nomy' wasnt particularly imaginative either. Taikai had a smile on his face that was to say he was pleased at how things had turned out. Taizen turned to go and find niima, to tell her the deed was done, thogh he need not have worried, nor she about it. He stopped when Musei started listing how he could be useful, Taizen had to smile, the kid was so full of energy, when was the last time he'd seen that outside of a fight...?
"now then, you'd best pack your things! If we hurry, we might be able to talk about your bending!" He clapped his hands as though toannounce the start of some big race, before he turned and headed in the direction of the kitchens. Apparently, he wanted to say goodbye, and give his thanks. But Niima...? Where was she? Taizen had been 'ppacked' for quite some time, it was about time to leave, and before they could leave, He had to heal her arm... And find Guardian... He looked out to the surrounding mountains, Guardian could be anywhere in those places... They couldn't possibly find him...
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Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:23 pm
By the time things where said and done Niima had finally pulled herself from Guardian, looking at the matted place where she had leaned into the fallen beast. Slowly..sluggishly she moved towards the exit, and once she did step out she was greeted by the bleak faced Master Dyn. The elderly man frowned all the more to see the vacant look in the young woman's eyes.
"I am sorry for your loss, Niima. We fo-"
Niima cut him off almost instantly. Her words void of any emotion she could of been feeling. "Since I am leaving soon..Please have him cleaned and given a proper burial."
"O-Of course..We wish you and yours a safe travel. These are from the seamstress.." Dyn offered her a parcel which she accepted and bowed her head deeply.
"Thank you. I pray the temple remains a peaceful sanctuary." Raises and heads out of the hall and back to Taizen's room. A small trail of blood followed her as she walked, dipping off of her skin and clothes. She seemed not to even realize her surroundings, just the point in which she was heading. Passing up Taizen, Musei, and Taikai with simple lack of realization.
She let herself into the room and to the bowl of water that had been left by Taizen. The one he had planned to use to heal her with. The parcel was unraveled and placed open by the water. She just stared at the surface of the water.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:06 pm
Musei was off running for his room in an instant when he had heard that haste was involved. He turned, running down the hallway, when he passed Niima. He stopped, turning, and began to wave...when he noticed her solemn demeanor and, more vividly, the blood dripping off her. He looked down, and traced the path around another corner.
He blinked, no idea what was going on. However, the air of depression rubbed off on Musei, and he no longer ran towards his room. Still puzzling the reason for the blood, he took off his temple clothes, neatly packing them back where he found them originally. He put on his old, tattered clothes, smiling at their familiarity. He slung his bag across his back, full of absolutely nothing. He lost it all on the way to the temple beforehand.
Still puzzling, he walked to Niima's door. He knocked, trying to be as polite as possible in this awkward situation. "Uh...ah...Niima?" He was speaking slowly, carefully, choosing his words with the most precise approach he knew.
"Would it be alright if I came in?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:28 pm
Tilting her head to the door at the sound of Musei she simply stared at the door for the longest time before responding.
"I'm cleaning up Musei. Please wait with Taizen and Taikai."
It was a responsible request. She looked back to the water and started to clean her face and hair. She wasn't being mean she simply wanted to clean up before facing anyone..specially the youth. She didn't want to freak the youth out by seeing her covered in blood.
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:39 am
He was a little worried now. It took too long for Niima to respond. It sounded like she too were trying to choose her words before speaking them. He frowned. "Alright. I'll see you in a few?" He walked away, shaking his head. Something was bothering her, and she didn't want to talk about it apparently.
He jogged back towards the two older men, and sat on a rock. "I'm ready, and Niima's washing up. Do you guys have any idea why she would be covered in blood? It's...odd, no?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:06 pm
Taikai had practically flown to the kitchens, that, or his feet were moving so quickly they had lost all semblance of being there. Taizen had to smile, the man seemed pretty youthful for a 50-something, that or Waterbending really was good for the body... 'Course it was!
Taizen walked around aimlessly, how long would it take for Niima to finish conversing with Master Dyn...? Of what could they speak of...? Perhaps it was merely some words of parting, perhaps he was having second thoughts about Niima and Taizen journeying together, and giving her a long lecture on changing her mind. Eventually, nhis wandering led him to the posts used for airball, he was pretty bored and contemmplating the though of wiping the posts clear of snow to kill some time. When there came a strange smell, it was sharp, and had an air of copper. Taizen wrinkled his nose, the last time he'd smelled something similar to that, was when Fulgar had wounded his leg. The smell of Blood... He turned to find the source of the smell, had but a moment to glimpse the figure of Niima, ghostly pale, yet blood was covering her body, providing a dark red contrast...
Taizen stood still, and silent for several moments, long moments... Moments where he debated with himself, the vision he had seen, it was a ghost- it was a vision- it was a hallucination - That was Niima. Why would Niima be covered in blood...?There was no logical explanation... Had she been attacked by Master Dyn...? That was preposterous, Niima had the most faith in MAster Dyn, and further more, if Master Dyn found her a threat, he found them all threat's and people would be upon them in moments. There was a trail of blood, and Taizen knew for sure that it was no vision, or hallucination... He had been rooted to the spot by the shock, until his legs pulled his body to the trail of blood, he found hgimself following it, following it straight to his room. He reached out to knock on the door... Perhaps to open it... He was afraid of what he'd find there... Was she going to kill herself...? Was she dead...? Had she stabbed herself, and then ran to his room so that he'd find her body there....?! His hand shook above the door knob.... He heard the scampering of foot steps, and quickly hid in the shadows, stuggling to pull himself together. And Musei knocked on the doors, calling out for Niima. 'Please wait with Taikai and Taizen...'
That was it...? For the boy that she wanted to act perhaps, as a surrogate mother...? The boy answered, and then ran, Taizen knew not what to do. Barge in and stop her...? She was still alive... maybe he could stop her...! his body moved of it's own accord, and to his shock, away from the door. Soon he found Taikai, he hadn't seen Niima covered in blood yet, he had a small aprcel, apparently from his admirer as a good-bye gift. And then Musei came, as he had expected. "I don't know..." Taizen croaked, his throat dry and raspy.
"Niima.... Is covered with blood...?" Taikai asked with shock, the smile on his face replaced with a distressed one. What had happened...?
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:38 pm
Tipping her head she sighs and goes about cleaning her face, using a rag and the water to wash away the crimson taint. She watched as the water turned red when she dipped the rag into the water. After several moments she washed her face and arms, discarding the old clothes and into the new ones that where prepared for her.
It was shorter then she was use to wearing normally. It folded at the top like a yet stopped just above her knees..like a really short kimono. An obi kept everything in place. It was painful to do. Both clean and dress with a broken arm but it was done. Three times as long as it would be normally. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail that swayed from high position above her head. This way her uneven cut hair could be drawn mostly out of her face. She left the bloody clothes, knowing the temple clean up would understand.
She gathered her things, noting that her knapsack felt ridiculous heavy. But maybe that was just her heart..Regardless it was slung over her shoulder and with staff in hand she gave the room a once over. This was it..she was going to do it..Her eyes closed for a moment before she turned and headed out the door. She would walk to where she had saw her male companions, slowing at the sight of the trio. She didn't say anything just kind of 'snuck up' behind Taizen, listening to what was being said.
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:00 pm
Musei was the first to notice Niima, seeing as how he was facing her. When Niima's figure, though a little more cleaned up than he last saw her, appeared; he merely stood and smiled. It was a cautious smile, not knowing how she would react. Every movement she made was incredibly strained, as if every single motion was preceded with a question of 'should I move'.
"Oh...hi Niima!" He bowed slightly, trying to be as polite as possible. He walked up to her, staring into blank eyes. Eyes that bore no grief, or worse, no happiness. He stood right in front of her and smiled a little wider. "I...Is everything alright?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:34 pm
Her eyes lower down to Musei and she found herself feeling guilty for being so gloomy around the smiling youth. A smile, even though somewhat fake, was offered to him. "Hello Musei. I see you are coming with us, I am glad. If everyone's prepared there is a bison out by the temple entrance awaiting us."
She turned slightly and paused instantly as a voice called her name. She recognized it. Turning she looked at the corner of her eyes, watching Nayll running up with a chest between his hands. Huffing in attempt to gain his breath he offers it to her.
"Since you are leaving before your birthday we decided that we will give you this! You can't open it yet though. It's from all of us. Please..be safe!" Nayll smiled cheerily as he shoved the chest into her hands. Turning to the three male companions of hers he smiled cheerfully. "Be safe to you all." Then Nayll gave a odd look as he passed Taizen. A jealous look. That look as if to say 'you break her heart I will shove your spine down your throat'. And off Nayll went to be with his siblings.
Niima stared at the chest for the longest. She didn't even celebrate her birthday so how did he know? Tsk. Master Dyn. Tucking the chest under her arm she started to walk off again, her free hand making a sweeping motion. "Let us be off before something else keeps us here..."
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:21 pm
Musei nodded, but his eyes betrayed his feelings. So...so cold! What in the world happened to her in such a short amount of time? He took the first step of his trip, the first step alongside people he mostly didn't know. It felt, oddly refreshing to say the least.
There was a depressive mood in the air, but Musei couldn't help but smile. Possibly the first chapter in his life for the better. He walked alongside Niima, and tried his hardest to cheer her up without sounding demanding.
"Niima?" He asked, keeping his head low. He knew that most people didn't like eye contact when they were ill-tempered, and he figured Niima wouldn't be any different. "I know you're feeling down about something. Something is irking you horribly. If you don't want to tell me, that is fine. If you do not wish to tell me, mayhaps I'm not someone you can trust yet. I'm okay with that. But listen. Whatever happened, whatever may happen, give it to the wind."
He paused, again carefully choosing his words. "This may sound stupid coming from a child, but life is how it's supposed to be. Things happen for a reason. People inherit things, and they should use them. People lose things, maybe even things they are dependent on." His smile diminished, realizing he was remembering his parents. "But, though things may disappear, it's a challenge to grow stronger. It may take a while, but life only comes with one time limit."
He looked up, smiling. "Everything we do is a challenge. In everything, we must decide whether to rise up and conquer or pass the challenge by. But don't worry, there's no immediate reason to listen to me, eh? I'm just a little kid, right?"
He shrugged, as if admitting it. He turned to the other two men. "So, uh, were are we going?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:45 pm
Lowering her gaze she looked at Musei silently, listening to his words. If he knew would he say things so easily? After all she's been through? The betrayal. The hurt. The near death by her own brother's hand? The loss of everyone she loved. Twice...
A small sigh parted her lips and she shook her head, looking away. "Musei. Don't worry about me. I just..need some time to deal with this emotion. It will go away eventually." Just like she had done in the past. It would be bottled just as it had in the past. It was still fresh in her mind so it was not so easy to just..let go. Her chin lowered against her collarbone. "It is never easy to lose the ones you love. And in my life..I've lost them all..And I've just lost the balance stone that I called family. Someone dear to my heart. It is not so easy to...'give to the wind' when your heart has been torn so many times that there are barely shards to piece together."
True. She cared for Taikai. And even held a higher sense of caring for Taizen. Love? Not that she would admit it. But it was clear, atleast to her, that she was still just a 'project' to him. He has to protect his vestments, yes? But are they family? They didn't exactly protect her when she needed it most...Where there when she needed them...Or maybe she was just being too closed off?
And then there was Musei..well that was something she wasn't sure of. Sure he reminded her of her younger brother..but she didn't know him well enough to be that bound to the youth. Not that she still didn't care. It was even a fond 'sisterly' type of care.
Reaching over she patted Musei's shoulder, hoping to both ease his worry and let him know she appreciated his concern. Her attention drew to the two men he addressed with the question and she remained silent there after, hand remaining on Musei's shoulder.
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:42 pm
Taizen's heart ached with as it felt Niima's heart grow heavy. He was afraid when he'd seen her covered with blood, but now that he saw Niima in so much pain, he wasn't sure which one he would pick. He would have chosen neither if he'd had a choice, but People were not under his control. Atleast not these people, these people did not deserve psychological puppetry. "Niima." Taizen's facial features were set in stone. There was that familiar feeling of not knowing what to say that horrible feeling of helplessness. Though this time, it was notfor himself, it was for Niima. Lucky for him, Musei was quick to provide that 'wisdom beyond his years' thing Taikai had talked about. Taikai's face was almost as impassive as Taikai's, but his seemedtoholdsome sympathy in it, he did not know what had happened, but he nodded his head solemnly to agree with Musei.
"Ah, the, south pole..." Taikai's voice was a little rushed, as though he werent sure he should be talking of the travel so lightly. the atmosphere put off by niima(And Taizen) Was so tense,you could almost cut it with a knife. Niima was strong, how often had Taizen said that..? 'Strong' was in the eye of the beholder. For everytime Taizen said Niima wasstrong, Niima would claim theopposite, and a feud wouldensue. Taizen's lips were pressed into a fine line, his determination not to speak, for fear of unsettling Niima even more. Musei was good for Niima, possibly, Niimasaw this, and set outto heal herself. This left a panging in Taizen's heart. As she watched Niima tell Musei these things...
Taikai was taking to Taizen's tactic, silence, some believe that a wounded heart needs solace in order to heal. To Taikai that was silence. To Taizen, that was protecting her. He could try to help her wounded heart with Silence, though it was thewrong remedy. They reached the Airbison, and Taikai's eyes flashed a sudden understanding, and grew even more filled with sympathy. The big cat was not there. Taizen had come to theconclusion that the cat was dead the moment Niima had explained to Musei the loss of loved ones. Taikai looked to Niima, and openedhismouth, and Taizen intercepted him, ushering him to the Bison. Taikai was led away easily, andonce thetwo WaterBenders were situated, Taikai addressed Niima, again solemnly. "Thank you Niima.. The Bison will be faster than a Boat, of course. And for giving us this experience at the temple." Taikai stood up andbowed, Taizen was locked in a Mimicry of Taikai, though his bow was far more rigid than Taikai's. And that was saying something.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:47 pm
Musei blinked. North Pole, huh? He pondered it a moment, before finally looking up at the odd creature in front of him. Though the air was still silent and depressive, he had to know. "Uhm, what is that? That the...'Air Bison' creature?" He placed a hand on it's fur, feeling it's texture and warmth. "That's...supple." He ran it past his thumb and forefinger, marvelling at it. "It's just like a cat's fur, smooth and soft." He walked to the bison's front, looking at it eye-to-eye. And it's eyes hold that sparkle of intelligence. He smiled, waving at the creature.
He looked up at the adults. "Does it have a name?" It was obvious at this time he was ignoring the heavy air around him. "It should have a name." After saying this, he looked up at Niima. Her eyes no longer held that sparkle. They held something that could only be described as death. Something dying. Something resigned to it's fate. He frowned, looking at the Bison once again. Why can't we be as carefree as animals? Things happen to them, but they live each day as if it had never happened, as if their life could never be better. So why... He looked up at Niima again, and sighed. ...do we build such bonds?
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:06 pm
Taizen was granted a weak look when he called her name and a equally weak smile was offered. She was too worn out to even explain to him..Maybe after some rest. As she ushered Musei to the Bison she remained silent. Two airbenders where sitting in wait. She was more concerned about Musei, who seemed tickled pink by the bison. It caused faint smile to tug her lips. "Yeah it's a Air Bison."
She started to climb aboard and found herself unable to do so..kind of hard to lift one's self with only one good arm. She clenched softly her fist slightly and moved to round and walk up the tail. She paused as Taikai and Taizen bowed to her and she returned the bow just as rigid. "You thank me prematurely..Unfortunately the bison is only suppose to help us find the boat..There are not enough bison to let one travel with us. Please forgive me.." Her lips pressed together as she thought of the time at the temple. "I wish..I could of made it more pleasant for you and Taizen..And Musei.."
She moved towards the front near the 'drivers', settling down near but hanging somewhat off of the saddle. One of the drivers offered her a long wrapped item and a small, bulker item which she placed next to her and gave her gratitude.
She looked over to Taikai and Taizen, knowing well the disappointment of the bison. Her eyes lingered a bit longer on Taizen before she would look away. "Come Musei. Climb aboard so we do not leave without you..."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:57 am
Musei nodded, clamboring up the side of the Bison. Rather quickly, because it was quite easier than climbing trees. He got up top and sat behind Niima, staring out to the areas beyond. He smiled, realizing that he might see the world, in all it's beauty soon.
And not just scenes of death and decay. He was ecstatic to see what was happening, what might happen, and how they'd get to travel. He heard something about a boat...
He'd never been on a boat.
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