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Post by Max on May 31, 2009 17:19:33 GMT -5
Raiki raised an eye at the other woman who had used her waterbending so openly. He sighed and then escorted the earth kingdom citizen out of the cave.
Ash led the group as the other tribe member marched the prisoners back to the tribe. "You'll be all right. I'll get you back home soon." Ash turned an eye at Kiya and gave her a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. "I'll get to the bottom of this, I promise."
Raiki stayed at the end of the group to make sure that no unexpected events would occur. As the earth kingdom woman was in front of him, he might as well get acquainted with her. "May I ask your name?" He asked her as he meet her footsteps and walked beside her. "I am called Raiki." He inclined his head at her respectfully.
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Post by StillettoMai on Jun 2, 2009 12:05:13 GMT -5
Kiya nodded at Ash's promise, staring at the snow on the ground. She was trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
"Thank you," she managed to say in a fairly even voice, "If there is anything I can do to help, let me know." But nothing we do can bring Daddy back, she thought sorrowfully.
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Post by Trinn on Jun 3, 2009 22:28:41 GMT -5
Looking at the masked man, Bala also inclined her head. "I am Bala, of the Dao family in Ba Sing Se. A pleasure to meet you, Raiki." She looked away, thought about her father. With a sigh, she said, "I think I should take my leave now. I came here with my father, who I'm sure is wondering where I am."
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Post by Max on Jun 4, 2009 2:41:04 GMT -5
"You just rest up." Ash told her. "I'm sorry for your loss." He added with sad eyes. "the Fire Nation has lost one of its most noble leaders." He glanced at the murderers. "But I assure you, he will not have died in vain." He promised her as they walked. They were getting closer to the tribe, as more members began to emerge and greet them. One of the tribe members then explained to his comrade what had happened. They immediately began helping one another escort the captors.
***
"The Dao family. I see." When Bala asked for leave he inclined his head. "As you wish, but may I escort you? The area seems to be unsafe at the moment." He asked for her permission as Ash and the others wandered off into the Southern Water Tribe.
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Post by Trinn on Jun 4, 2009 13:31:23 GMT -5
Bala witheld a laugh. The area might be dangerous, but she was confident she could protect herself with her bending. Still, she did not want to be rude or offensive. "Yes, thank you. I would appreciate the company." Looking once more at Ash, and hoping they would meet again, Bala headed off. When the rest of the group was out of sight, she glanced at Raiki, then away. He struck her as mysterious, mostly because of his mask, but also because of his somber demeanor. Bala smiled. She was beginning to prefer the water tribes over Ba Sing Se, no matter the cold. The area was much more exciting. In the span of mere minutes, she had already met a firebender and several waterbenders. All that was missing was an airbender. She had a feeling one was bound to show up if she stayed a little longer. "Do the water tribes often receieve such a mix of different cultures?" She asked.
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Post by StillettoMai on Jun 4, 2009 16:43:44 GMT -5
Kiya nodded, feeling empty inside at his words though they were well meant.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I hope justice will be dealt quickly." She shivered a little and wish she knew enough to firebending that she could at least warm herself. She looked around the little water tribe village. "How long will it take until I get home?" she asked.
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Post by Max on Jun 4, 2009 20:33:11 GMT -5
"About a week. I was sent here as an ambassador for Lord Zuko and my mission is to see what the Water Tribes need and what we can do to help prevent unwanting wars." Ash explained. "We just arrived to convene a continuation of our peace treaty." He glanced at Kiya with a concerned expression. "I promise to get you back home as soon as I can." He assured her once again as they entered the Tribe.
Ash glanced back towards Bala and noticed that the masked waterbender was with her. He gave her a small smile and wave as she headed off.
"Lock the prisoners in the main hut. We will interrogate them there." One of the main Southern Tribe leaders ordered.
***
"I am honored to accompany you." He replied respectfully as they walked away from the main group. Raiki walked with Bala as he didn't know where her camp was stationed. They walked in silence for a moment until Bala decided to speak.
"I suppose." Raiki glanced up thoughtfully. "Since the Avatar came back, the Water Tribes have gained an enormous reputation of peace because of Lady Katara and Master Sokka. They have worked hard for years to rebuild the trust of each nation with one another. And as such, the Water Tribes are known to welcome all nations for peace conferences, such as the one being held today." Raiki explained. "I myself have traveled from the Northern Water Tribe to help maintain the peace." He replied as his boots sloshed against the snow.
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Post by StillettoMai on Jun 4, 2009 21:55:06 GMT -5
Kiya's eyes glazed over with homesickness. A whole week. She already felt like she had been gone for so long. She missed the feel of the burning sun in the sky. Down here it was so cold, it felt like her body and soul were freezing over.
"A whole week?" she asked in a small voice.
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Post by Trinn on Jun 8, 2009 23:39:21 GMT -5
Bala thought as much. She had often heard her father speak of such things. "I see." Silence reigned again. Bala was now even more convinced that the water tribes would be a far more interesting place to live. Another question popped into her head, and she asked Raiki, "Have you ever met the avatar? Or Katara or Sokka?" Bala would love to meet any of them, to hear of their adventures. She sighed. An adventure would be nice.
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Post by Max on Jun 9, 2009 1:36:59 GMT -5
Ash turned to face Kiya. "I'm sorry, its the best I can do. The Peace Conference is beginning and it would be rude for the Fire Nation to abandon it...especially because of our prior endeavors." He told her. "I promise you, once it is done, we will leave immediately." He sighed, saddened that he could do nothing else.
Ash escorted Kiya to one of the Fire Nation tents, along with a water tribe and fire nation escorts. "Stay here and Tolk and Zanko here will be able to assist you with anything you need. I need to talk with the Water Tribe leader about today's events." He told her as he headed off to the center of the tribe, where the tribal leader was staying.
***
"I have met them all in passing. The last time I saw Avatar Aang and Katara was when I was at the Northern Air Temple. They were training the air monks, then, but that was about 3 months ago...so I have no idea where they are now." Raiki told Bala and then a grin was impressed under his mask. "And Master Sokka is wandering between his duties with the Water Tribe and with the Earth Kingdom." After that, Raiki came up with his own question. "I was wondering, Bala Dao, if you are acquainted with Toph Dao? I have heard many stories about her and wondered what she is like, if you would oblige me."
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Post by StillettoMai on Jun 14, 2009 14:41:14 GMT -5
Kiya nodded slowly, accepting what Ash told her.
"Of course, I understand," she replied as she sat down. Jack waddled into her lap and settled down. She slowly began to relax. she felt she was safe now, though she wasn't home yet.
It's okay, she thought, I'll be home soon. Then everthing will be all right. She blushed a little when she thought of Prince Korin, and hoped no one saw.
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Post by Trinn on Jun 25, 2009 11:52:44 GMT -5
Sokka had been to the Earth Kingdom! Bala was amazed. Maybe he had been in Ba Sing Se and she had never even realized. Perhaps her home city was not so boring as she had thought. Pondering Raiki's question, Bala tapped her chin with a finger. "I'm not sure." she said after a moment. "We've never actually met, but I'm almost positive I've seen her before, walking around Ba Sing Se. The girl I see, she's blind and walks around barefoot. Every time I see her, I want to introduce myself, but I can never muster enough courage for the task." Bala shrugged. "She is kind of intimidating." Bala looked up at Raiki, then away again, wondering what he looked like without that mask. Did he ever take it off? "Sorry to dissapoint you, but as you can see, my life isn't that interesting."
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Post by Max on Jun 29, 2009 9:34:28 GMT -5
Raiki laughed. "Is she now? Those that I have meant in my travels described her as such. You're lucky to have a glimpse of the Blind Bandit. I would like to meet her one day." He commented and then gave a "pfft" gesture. "I beg to differ. Look what you went through today and you are an Earthbender! A noble one at that. I am not disappointed in the slightest." He added with some embarrassment.
***
Ash escorted Kiya to his tent. "You can stay here for now. I'll have someone erect another one for you. I have to go to the Tribe Leader and explain the prisoners and all that. Feel free to wander around the tribe too. If you need me, I'll be over there." He pointed at a large hut in the center of the tribe.
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Post by Trinn on Jul 1, 2009 10:44:39 GMT -5
Looking down at her feet, Bala tried to hide her blush. Recovering quickly, she said, "I suppose. Yet, this is one day of hundreds. This is truly the most interesting thing that's ever happened to me." She smiled, remembering that she and her father were till going to the water tribe. Perhaps there would be more interesting days in store for her. "I only get to use my earthbending when I practice. I don't ever need a reason to use it. That's why today was so great. I had a purpose for my bending." Glancing around, Bala started to recognized the area. They were getting closer to her camp.
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Post by Max on Jul 1, 2009 12:21:28 GMT -5
Raiki listened quietly as he began to understand a little about Bala. He hadn't seen Bala blush, for he was intent on her words. It seemed her father was keeping her from a dangerous life. "Aye, and there are hundreds and hundreds more for you to experience life...and there are more important things in life as well..." He muttered as he gazed out around him, taking in his surroundings. "I have traveled much over the years, but the one thing I always miss the most is my family." He whispered somberly.
Changing the subject, he looked down at the snow. "And also, you never need a reason to use bending. Practicing is a reason, for when you really need to use your gift, you won't doubt yourself." As he talked his hands floated over a patch of snow and he began to manipulate it. The snow came to his hand and he slowly turned it into ice, so that Bala could see. Once he turned it into ice, he sculpted it so it turned into a miniature penguin. "Here." He handed it to her. "So you may remember today." He smiled under his mask.
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