- Xue Yi Song -

The sound of a shattering teacup permeated the quiet air . . . soon enough it was followed by a woman shouting, “You idiot klutz!” and after that, there was a heavy thud against the ground, the sound of a person hitting the floor. So, it had happened again. She had stumbled whilst serving her Mistress her morning tea, and managed to let the cup tip off her tray, and shatter against the wooden floor below. Her lack of grace had bested her once more, and it’d gotten her hurt again, like it always did. This was something she’d grown used to in the last couple of years, failing to meet the expectations of her Mistress and Master, and always being hit or punished for them. For breaking the teacup, her Mistress had seen fit to kick her into the wall with as much force as she could muster up with her aging body.

The other servant girls only looked on as Xue suffered their Mistress’ anger; they had grown a thick skin to these sights, having endured such treatment themselves. There was no compassion, or empathy for the clumsy girl’s accidents in them, none at all. They were used to seeing her mess up, and cause problems, after all, in the two years since Iseul had brought the girl into his home as a trophy of his win against Qiu Yi Song, Xue had done little more than make more messes than she helped resolve. The Fire Nation girl screwed things up a lot as far as everyone in the home was concerned. . . .

“Damn it, she got tea everywhere.” Xue could hear her Mistress seethe from the heap she laid in against the wall. “Enju, get to cleaning that up, before it sets into the wood. Now!”

“Yes Mistress.” The monotonous voice of a young woman answered, and then there was the sound of footsteps leaving the room, Xue knew to where they were headed. To gather up cleaning supplies to sop up the spilt tea.

In this period, she had not at all moved herself. No. Xue remained where she had landed after her Mistress had kicked her, lying upon her side with her small back up against the wall, not making a single noise or uttering a sound of discomfort. Showing any signs of distress would only make all of this worse; it would let the Mistress know that she was in pain, that she was capable of such sensations . . . it was easier if she just remained quiet, no matter how much she hurt. It was better that no one knew, it kept them from knowing what she really thought, it kept them all from understanding her.

Who truly needs to be understood when living in conditions such as these? Xue asked herself as footsteps approached her, and halted right before her limp form. She knew, Xue knew that it was the Mistress who now loomed over her; she didn’t have to cast her amber eyes up to see the woman’s silhouette blocking out the sunlight to know.

“Well,” she began, annoyance lacing her voice, “Aren’t you going to get the hell up you lazy wench?” At hearing the woman’s words, Xue’s small body twitched just a bit, but her lips remained shut.

There was a huff, before the shouting came. “GET UP! Get up now and go to the market! I don’t want to see your face in this house for the rest of the day!” Those words were all it took for Xue to ascend to her feet in a but a moment, and to dart out of the room with her eyes cast downward, successfully avoiding the searing glare her Mistress held for her, and the gazes of her fellow servant girls. With her hands holding up the front layers of her skirts, she was out of the house in moments and off the premises in less than a minute. Quickly enough she was darting through the streets of Omashu, heading to a place that served as something of a sanctuary for her.

Even though her shoes kept on pinching her toes as she ran, Xue kept at it, keeping her eyes cast down to the ground, hiding her face from anyone and everyone. Even in a city as large as Omashu . . . her face was known, as was her name due to whom she had been married. It was just easier if she kept on ahead without really looking around her, because, it kept people from trying to assault her and from throwing things at her for being of the Fire Nation. She knew the way there without getting a clear vantage of her surroundings, she went there often enough to know without having to ever look.

However, even if Xue did know the way to her destination without requiring sight, that didn’t mean her pathway was a clear one. Not at all. With her eyes transfixed upon the stone walkways at her feet, the girl would fail to notice a person right in her way until it was too late, not until she’d managed to ram her small self right into them, lose her balance and begin falling right over without making a single noise.

Omashu. One of the great strongholds of the Earth Kingdom, and the second largest city. The city itself was actually a capital of one of the Earth Kingdom provinces, and proved to be a formidable refuge away from Fire Nation soldiers. Then again, it was only 10 ASC, and who knew how long the war would last. It was placed in the Kolau Mountain Range, surrounded by steep canyons and an enormous gorge. The only way into the city was via a long, winding stone column that made it's way up to the three city gates, each made of large bricks of stoning and being around five feet thick, and thirty feet tall. The entrances are guarded by Earthbenders, and as such, can only be opened by them. The only other possible way in would be from above, and only an Airbender would manage that, and last Daichi heard, they were all killed off in the genocide. And as far as he was aware, there had been no flying mechanism or otherwise invented yet.

The inside of the city was built on a number of hills, causing the districts of the city to be divided by height. The palace itself resting on the largest hill. Among the thousands of homes, and hundreds of businesses, there lay massive chutes of stone, which would provide the complex mailing system. And under one of these chutes in particular sat Daichi, using the massive shadow cast as shade away from the sun that particular evening. It was stuffy, as always, and due to the frequent high temperatures, Daichi wasn't really enjoying his stay there all too much.

His business there, however, was a matter of slight urgency. For one, he was told he could find information there on a certain nonbender, and secondly, he was seeking a companion. Somebody to steal away from the place and drag along with him. He didn't care who, it just needed to be a person who wanted an escape. That was second priority, and so he began to focus on the first once more as he got up and maneuvered himself out from under the chute.

First priority was a certain nonbender named Chen Zhun, and as it turns out, he is the head of a moderately sized nonbender criminal organization. Though, organization seems to be stretching it a bit, and Daichi preferred to call them bandits. They claimed to be refugees displaced by the Fire Nation at the start of the war, but all they did was terrorize civilians and murder benders in cold blood, including Daichi's mother.

He wasn't really sure if it was a revenge mission anymore, and as years passed, Daichi got more used to the idea of simply questioning the man. It was partially why he required a companion, because of his aversion to violence, he needed some sort of fail safe to make sure he didn't lash out in some form of rage at the man who had taken his mother's life, regardless on if he deserved it or not.

His source of information was a man he was supposed to be meeting very soon, in a tea shop that stood out from the others. 'The Jade Dragon' it was called, apparently named after their signature tea and based around rumors of a dragon made of jade that once protected the city. Many citizens thought it was a bit of a stretch, considering dragons were Firebenders technically, but the citizens that were much older swore by it.

Daichi didn't really care either way.

Regardless, in his journey to reach this tea shop, he had to cut through the market, and in order to cut through the market, he needed to head down a particular stone walkway, and on this particular stone walkway happened to be a particular person that was about to run into him in particular. This person was not once Daichi knew, not that he really knew anybody in that city, considering he had only been there for a week or so, but still. This person was (surprisingly) smaller than him, by about two inches.

When they had bumped into him, Daichi, as well as the other person, had began to fall over. Losing his balance was something he had grown used to, however, and so he corrected this instinctively by flicking his wrist and raising a wide pillar behind him to push him back up onto his feet via his back. But because this was on an incline, heading down, it gave him a slight propulsion so when he got back on his feet, he stumbled forward a little, but regained himself in time to reach out and grab the hand of the person falling over.

It seemed slowed down to Daichi, but in reality, the whole ordeal had happened in a manner of seconds, and so he stood there with his heels dug into the ground, and his hand clasped around a strangers, which was connected to a person he had practically yanked close to him in order to ensure they didn't get hurt. It was now that he actually got a chance to look at them, well, her. Now that he had a chance to take the person in, he could tell that it was obviously a female. As previously observed, she was smaller than him and appeared to be dressed in something Daichi only imagined to not be all that comfortable.

Judging from her hair and eye color, though, Daichi only assumed she was on Fire Nation heritage. He detected some sort of nobility, and seemed to almost recognize her, but then... he didn't. He blinked a couple of times and realized he didn't, in fact, know who the hell this woman was. Then he finally came to his senses and realized exactly what the situation was, looking back and forth from his hand, the hers that was clenched in his.

He quickly let go of her hand, jumped back slightly, and raised both hands to place on the back of his head, cocking his elbows up and to the sides.

"Right, then. Um, sorry about that. Are you okay?"

His blue eyes darted over the small figure, and he seemed to be only slightly worried. From the outside, she appeared to be fine, but it was like she was... distant. Regardless, he let out a sort of nervous chuckle and began to bite at his lower lip.

Aria walked into the gates of Omashu with no problem. One of the guards had recognized her from last year sense that's when she went for her yearly visit to civilization. The city changed so much each year yet the people seemed not to. Or well not really. They always seemed, busy loud, solemn. Not much joy unless it was in private homes. But that is where Aria differed. Greatly. The white haired air bender had a grin on her face as she walked through the streets looking at everything and listening as people shouted out there items.

Adjusting her backpack on her shoulders she walked with long wide and silly strides. Looking up and down and around at all the things. It was absolutely amazing! She passed a man selling cabbages in a cart and a woman selling melons arguing with the cabbage man. Blinking she looked around where she was. The market seemed bigger then the year before and she felt lost. Blinking and looking around desperate for any sign of which way she should go she set off in a random one her head down looking at her feet.

Aria turned randomly lucky not to ram into anyone she looked up quickly. No where near anything similar instead she seemed to have managed to wiggle herself into the maze of back streets and alleys. She looked around and slowed her walk. Interesting... There were people strewn about in groups talking in low voices. Every once and awhile eyes darted over to her to which Aria waved energetically receiving many raised eyebrows. She walked happily through the hidden streets and walked passed a stall where a woman was selling live chickens... Who would want to buy live chickens in a place like this? The woman behind the stall clapped her hands at Aria and ushered her over. "You ought leave girly... Place like this are no good for people like you..."

Aria stared at the the woman. "Your selling chickens... I don't think this place could be that bad if people are buying chickens..." The woman stared at Aria... And she stared back before smiling... Grinning waving and walking deeper into the maze of alleys continuing her strange and unique walk...

Manchu Song

The market swarmed with people, going in and out, buying, shoving, kids underfoot, haggling, shouting. Livestock squawled, and the sun beat down on Manchu's already-tanned skin. The warmth lit the dusty roads and wooden stalls and the rainbow of nations and ethnicities milling down the paths.

Manchu darted through the crowd and underneath several people hefting a cart of cabbages. The boy's tiny frame was perfectly suited to twisting and turning and avoiding collisions, feet light and nimble. A toothy white smile stayed on his face as if plastered there. It lit his whole face up like a lantern. Something about his face was just very roguish: how the long brown hair raked over his jaw, how his eyes sparkled with naughty implications, how his slingshot hung loosely from his pocket. His chest was proudly puffed for the viewing benefit of any onlookers. Quite debonair, the boy who ducked through the crowd and weaved between legs like a little snake.

Or so Manchu would like to think. He was covered head to toe with dirt and his hair stuck up in all directions.

He knew Omashu pretty well. He'd been just chilling here for the past few weeks, and it was a good town. Plenty of hell to raise, plenty of stuff to nick. Plenty of fights to get into, too; Manchu liked that. Most importantly? The best thing that Omashu had to offer? Earthbender girls. Wow, what a woman! He let out a laugh. Now they were tough. Usually pretty though. Truthfully, Manchu loved the culture of Omashu. He loved the deep greens and dusty browns of the city. He loved the walls and the buildings, how seamlessly the stone flowed. The skies were always blue. Earth Kingdom animals, hybrids they didn't have back home, hopped through the grass. Somehow, the whole... zen-like atmosphere got Manny to calm down a bit. He wasn't really one to enjoy the scenery, but Omashu was just... splendid.

Manchu slowed to a walk, now panting from the exertion. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve and tossed his hair back (so un-functional; it got in the way but it was totally worth it). Though his face was red with heat, flesh clammy, he still grinned around at all the business. What a town!

Then out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of white and the relaxation had gone in an instant.

Gone was the feeling of contentment. Something in his chest stirred when he saw the girl with the long white hair.

His fingers began to twitch.

Almost instinctively, his walk melted into the most casual of strolls as he let himself fall back, but keeping the girl carefully in his line of vision. His hand went to his pocket and casually slipped the bamboo slingshot deeper inside, so it was not visible. And making sure to stop, gander at the stalls, smell the roses, enjoy the sights, he followed her.

What an oddball! he marveled as she left the chicken stall, but he did not think on it for a long time. He brushed past a Fire Nation woman barreling into an earthbender official (he tucked his head down as he passed the uniformed man; didn't need the law getting involved) and waited until the crowd had thinned and the girl was looking at another stall. Only then did Manchu dawdle on up the same stall, taking his time, picking up an Earth Nation snow globe with one brown hand.

The other snaked out towards the white haired girl's staff.

Aria had weaved herself through the back alleys over to a quiet stall selling trinkets and nicknacks. The person behind the stall kept his gaze on Aria in distrusting manner, but she managed not to pay much head. She picked up a trinket and an her hand over it gently her left arm the one burnt remained at her side un-moving so as to grab any money she might need to give i she found anything that caught her interest. Setting down the trinket she picked up another running her thumb over its smooth polished edges and intricket weaving design. Aria ran her thumb up and down over the object feeling slightly sad. It's grooves and weaves reminded her of her long forgotten home in the southern air temple with its strange and grooved doors.

The person behind the shabby stall watched Aria trace over the trinket before he got bored with her and went back to counting money from what Aria guessed were previous purchases that day. Blinking into reality Aria was about to ask the vendor the origins of the trinket when she realized there was someone standing next to her. A boy about his age who seemed interested in a snow globe. Dispelling any thoughts she opened her mouth to ask the vendor her question when she realized something was wrong. One hand of the boy was neither hanging by his side or in his pocket but instead seemed to be drifting behind her toward her staff that hung on her back pack.

Aria acted quickly her burnt left arm and hand grabbing onto the boy while she reached over her head pulling out her staff and hit him on the head right in the center of his forehead. "You better have not ever dared think about grabbing it Mister." Her normal calm grey gaze grew wild and fierce. Her staff was the only thing she had that could give away what and who she was... It was also the only thing she had left from her air bending master. Letting go of his arm she pulled the staff away from his head and frowned at the little red mark. "Sorry about that... But I'm protective over this staff... I'd probably have let you get away with my money before I gave you my staff." Gripping the staff in her hand she spun it and used it like a walking stick, as she bent down and picked up the trinket she dropped gently setting it on the merchants table.

The merchant stared at Aria shocked before greedily looking at the staff. Blinking she held it closer to herself and shifted her gaze to the thief. "Might I know the name of my almost thief?" Aria asked rocking back and forth on the heels of her barren feet secretly keeping herself from falling backward with a good little push from some wind, that also played around with her long white hair.

Manchu Song

You could say that Manchu was taken off guard.

Personally, he'd thought that this was once of his greatest steals yet; his technique was perfect, his approach, his subject looked like any tourist, and he had no idea what it was he was trying to steal but c'mon, it looked like an expertly made staff. Which meant he'd probably toss it as soon as he stole it. He just like stealing for the heck of it.

But then, abruptly, his hand was grabbed and he was pulled forward, and whappp! The very staff he'd tried to steal whacked him in the head!

He howled in pain, jumping back and grabbing his head, eyes as wide as dinner plates. Already, his feet were as light as birds, ready to flee, but-- what? Manny stared in disbelief as she drummed up a conversation. Never before had one of his victims tried to-- well, TALK to him.

So, a little suspiciously, a lopsided grin spread across half of Manny's face, his big brown eyes sparkling in curiosity (and not a bit of remorse, I'll have you know). Half-frowning and half-grinning, Manchu let out a giggle. "Um... Manchu! Manchu Song." He swept into a bow. "So, just to be clear, um... no authorities have to be involved heeeere...?" He gave a nervous glance at the shop owner, who was glaring.

Aria blinked. "Don't worry... I'm not that kind of person." She smiled softly and spun her staff expertly. "Just no touchy the staff... Ever! ... Unless you ask kindly... And even then..." Her voice got lower as she spoke. This staff could be a dead give away to her true nation... And air benders were by what the monk had told her hunted everywhere now. He always told her there was no one she could trust... No one? There had to be someone...

"So... Manchu... If I may ask what were you planning on doing with my staff if you'd stolen it successfully?" Quietly moving away from the stall she walked down the alley beckoning him to follow. She weaved expertly through the nooks and cranny's, through the people and the more people. Like a leaf even with her bag she managed to weave around as though a breeze were carrying her. Finally she emerged out into the busy market streets. Turning to see if Manchu was still following she also asked. "Do you know any good restaurants... Not sure about you... But I'm hungry!" Her stomach growled as if to prove her point.