The Chase

[Trinn]

Bala shrugged, trying to seem indifferent. She was embarrassed that Ash had seen her wariness. "No, not at all. I'm actually glad you're a firebender. I've only ever been around earthbending, so it's refreshing." She glanced sideways, bit the corner of her lip, conflicted. Would it be rude to ask him to bend? Perhaps Fire Nation ettiquete was different than the Earth Kingdoms. In fact, Bala was quite certain it was. While she was still debating, a penguin waddled close to them. It's movements, the way it held it's body, it looked like the perfect candidate for a sled. Distracted now, Bala pointed at the perfect sledding penguin. "That one looks like he's just asking to be sledded on." she said sarcastically.

[J.B]

Thisha stood up.
"Thank you father." she said. "That information may prove useful in a time of need."
Her father nodded.
"It just might... It just might."
"Good-bye father."
"Good-bye, Thisha. May we meet again soon."
Thisha left through the carved door. She shivered. she had been away too long. It was too cold here, and it shouldn't be. She walked down to the docks and sat by the artic water. She began to stare off into space. Her new assignment was to track a man named Nextith. Her father had recieved a scar from this man and had given her all the information he could.
She looked down. She saw that she had absently been water-bending. The figure was Nextith as he had been discribed to her.

[Max]

Ash smirked. "That's a first..." He muttered referring to fire bending as being refreshing. Ash's eyes followed Bala's finger. "Huh?" he looked at the penguin. A huge grin formed on his lips. "Its about time these guys realize how fun this game is!" His grin turned devious. "Come on! Let's have another go!" He inched towards the penguin, glancing so often to Bala.

[StillettoMai]

Jack waddled back and forth a little and gave a few squeeks. As the man started inching toward him, he discreetly padded a short distance away, vaguely in the direction of the cave where Kiya was being held. This was a true test of the penguin's courage. He did not want to willingly be sledded on, but he had to in order to help his friend.

[J.B]

(ooc- OMG that is soo funny! I would have never thought of making a penguin character)

[StillettoMai]

OOC: Jack isn't exactly a character in himself. He's Kiya's pet who just happens to be a really smart penguin. lol

[Trinn]

Watching Ash carefully, Bala mimicked his movement, approaching the penguin from the left. She considered the penguin her ride. After all, she had spotted him first. Picking up speed, Bala inched closer to the oblivious creature. Deeming herself near enough, Bala crouched, then leapt forward, aiming to tackle the poor animal. A wide grin spread across her lips in glee.

[Max]

Ash spluttered snow out of his face as he glanced at Bala with a playful face. He didn't cross his mind that Bala wanted to ride this penguin until they had pounced at it at the same time. He now laid in the snow, face first, as Bala had captured the black and white creature, a huge grin slapped on her face.

He sighed as he drummed his fingers and held his head up with his arm. "Round one to you!" He rolled his eyes and then grinned at her.

[StillettoMai]

The penguin let out a loud squeek of displeasure as he was suddenly tackled. The girl was now sitting on him. As soon as he got his breath back, Jack suddenly scooched himself off in the direction of the caves, flying down the hill at a frightening speed.
~~~~~
Back in the cave, Kiya was staring at the ground, just thinking. The rest of the men had returned and were keeping a careful watch over her.
She found herself wondering why they had taken her. Had her father still been alive, he most certainly would have paid for a ransom. But they had killed him before they took her. Maybe it was to scare the people of the Fire Nation? That might be it. If they learned that Zurgo Andros was dead and his daughter was missing, there would most certainly be panic.
But they wouldn't keep her here forever...would they? They couldn't! Kiya sighed and shivered, wishing she had answers. Or someone to rescue her.

[J.B]

Thisha heard a loud squawk and looked over. A couple of kids were penguin sledding. One of the penguins was heading toward a cave that she had been told to stay out of as a child. She jumped up and ran across the snow.
Not fast enough. she thought.
She water-bent the sow into a wave that carried her qickly in front of the penguin who was heading for the cave.

[StillettoMai]

Jack gave a loud squeek of protest when some random person ran in front of him. He was going too fast to stop himself from running into her, but he kept going, determined to make it to the caves where Kiya was being held. Let this person come along for the ride as well. Maybe more people will mean a better chance of rescue for her.
He ran into the woman and kept going, only slightly slowing in his rate.

[Trinn]

Taken by surprise, Bala nearly fell off the penguin as it shot away. Bending, she clutched the animal tightly in an effort to stay aboard. Snow sprayed back from it's wild path, spraying her face with cold mist. This was not like her previous experience with penguin sledding. It had a more wild and uncontrolled sense than the last. Raising her head, Bala looked in astonishment at the woman literally surfing ahead of her and the penguin. A waterbender! Her elation at discovering one quickly vanished when she noticed the course of her penguin was headed for a cave. "Stop!" She shouted at the penguin. "You're going to kills us if we run into that thing!" Bala knew her verbal complaints were in vain. Penguins couldn't understand human speech. Feeling fear for the first time, she closed her eyes and braced for impact.

[Max]

Ash took a moment to comprehend and intact the events that were unfolding in front of him. First, the penguin seemed to be dictating where Bala was to go, which was odd, and second, a waterbender just emerged out of nowhere in front of them. "What is going on!?" He yelled out as he decided to use his firebending skills to catch up with Bala and helped her out, since the waterbender seemed to be causing more trouble than it was worth.

Unconsciously, Ash placed his arms behind him and launched himself with the flames in order to glide over the snow, melting it as he went by. He could hear Bala's fright from her scream and knew he had to help out before they hit that creepy looking cave, or if that woman decided to do something. He sped up, hoping to make it in time. "I'm coming Bala!" He yelled out as he zoomed across the white fluffy snow.

[StillettoMai]

OOC: this is so hilarious.

The men in the cave heard loud noises outside. At first they ignored it, but it seemed to get louder and come closer.
One of the walked to the entrance of the cave and looked out.
"What the...?" he asked, seeing apparently two people sharing a pengiun and sledding toward them, an a firebender following after them.
Kiya caught sight of it too, and recognized her pet penguin. Jack was trying to help her after all! Before she could even allow herself to think about it, she jumped up and ran for the entrance of the cave, screaming out with all her might, "HHEEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!!" She was still screaming as another of them men yanked her back.
"Shut up, you stupid girl!" he said, slapping her across the face.

[J.B]

Thisha had the breath knocked out of her as the penguin hit her.
"This is why I gave up penguin sledding a long time ago." she growled.
They flew into the cave and she heard someone scream for help followed by a sharp order and the sound of skin hitting skin. She jumped up and ran forward. She saw the girl being held captive. She concentrated. The ice beneath the men's feet began to shift and move. The girl stayed still.