Snackin' After the Smackdown

[Lei Ahn]

"Squeak , crack ..groan” the small cart struggled down the uneven road and Lei gave a huge sigh in aggravation. Gonzo refused to buy a new wagon for their produce and it frustrated the teen to no end..especially since HE wasn’t the one who had to push the warped wheeled monstrosity.

Giving a small grunt as she pushed it over a fairly large pot hole, the merchant’s golden eyes twinkled merrily as an idea popped into her mind. She quickly dusted off her hands and climbed atop a small board that protected the wheels. Grin firmly in place, she made a long sweep of her hand causing the earth beneath the small pushcart to ripple …carrying it down the steep hillside.

Lei laughed openly like a small child atop a sled swiftly soaring downward upon the snow. Once she came close to the outer border of the busy town, the bender brought her earth sleigh to a stop. The ebony haired young woman hopped down and began pushing once again. Humming a light tune, she waved at a few familiar villagers on her way to the center of the city where a small group seemed to have gathered outside the coliseum.

’Yes!! A competition!! I always do well selling produce there!!’ she thought happily pushing the stocked cart to the edge of the crowd. “Fresh vegetables and fruits..berries and homemade sweet rolls!!!!

“Wow, can you believe that short kid beat that guy? I lost a lot on that bet!” one young man grumbled his feet dragging as he went.

“Me too!! Who was that kid anyway …and a BLIND GIRL!! Darn embarrassing !!" The pudgy younger boy snorted while waddling behind.

Shifting, Lie Ahn turned toward the colisium's entranceway in hopeful anticipation of selling her wares. "Sweet buns... banenberrys..melons...!!! " She hollered once again her voice struggling to be heard over the exiting din.

[Daizo AuYong]

T

here were numerous adjectives that could accurately summarize Dai's current state of mind. Aggravated, disgruntled, vexed, troubled, moody, anxious, the list could on. The most common one would clearly be: annoyed. Everything that met his eyes clearly told him he was in the wrong place. There was not a single streak of white in the endless abyss of blue that made up the sky and hovered silently above him. No omnimous billowing clouds of black to engulf the heavens. No signs of chaos or of a struggle anywhere in sight. No posters offering rewards for lost items or the like. Not even a hint of criminal activity anywhere in town.

The laughter of children echoed throughout the place and Daizo was greeted with warm smiles and open arms. From the moment he surveyed his surroundings he could already tell that coming here was as pointless as trying to drown a fish. He needed money and obviously here was not the best place to look. Firebending was his only skill. Unless someone was in dire need of having some food cooked and willing to pay in obscene amounts of gold for each item, his time would only be wasted. His almost infamous massive golden eyes that mimicked the sun in both color and blazing intensity stared up at the sky. From what he could gather, it was possibly around noon. At this deduction he instantly furrowed his eyebrows, clearly unhappy.

'Meh, its nowhere near close to sundown. And I sure can't do something like that in broad daylight either...

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Inadvertently his feet carried him foreward, though his head continued to hang down as he puzzled the predicament he was in. With his burgundy jacket crafted from the finest silk dancing in the wind and flowing effortlessly behind him with the golden phoenix on the back proudly displayed, the boy had all the appearance of nobility. Which was a good thing considering the town was overflowing with wealth. Had it not been for the fact that he was clad from head to toe in red, while most of the other citizens wore the color of their nation, Daizo might have blended in.

Unfortunately everything about him seemed to invoke suspicion. From the clothes he wore that all but screamed fire nation, to the most unusual pigment of gold in his eyes. Luckily for him everyone seemed to be too busy indulging themselves in gossip to pay him any mention.

“Wow, can you believe that short kid beat that guy? I lost a lot on that bet!”

He came to a hault. The ears of the esteemed firebender perked up for a moment as they struggled to tune in to the remaining bits of the fading conversation.

'Betting? Where there's bets...there's fights! YES! Finally! Some action, now to find out where...'

Casually his eyes fixated upon a collesium in the distance. It looked promising. Quickly he made haste and soon found himself standing outside of it. A determined grin that seemed to stretch his cheeks to the breaking point was plastered upon his face. Once again his attention would be distracted, only this time by what appeared to be a vendor. A young girl by the looks. Daizo was unsure how long he'd be stuck in this town. The best thing he could do was get some food to last.

"Yeah, I'll take some of everything. How much? Oh...and...I don't suppose you could tell me a little bit about this...tournament thing? Is it benders only or somethin? I'm kinda newish here. Passing through."

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[Lei Ahn]

"Yeah, I'll take some of everything. How much? Oh...and...I don't suppose you could tell me a little bit about this...tournament thing? Is it benders only or somethin? I'm kinda newish here. Passing through."

Lei’s attention had been intensely focused on the entrance to the humongous stadium when a low masculine voice murmured by her side and she shifted her gaze to stare into the brightest golden eyes that the Earth bender had ever seen.

The merchant's sharp honey eyes quickly noted the younger boy’s ebony mane which the gentle breeze sent dancing about the collar of his crimson jacket. Moving slowly lower, she took note of his ruby gold and silk garments before raising her own golden orbs once more to meet his, her lips rising hesitantly . “A bit of everything, is it?” her warm velvety voice teased. “Now that might be a bit cumbersome to carry.”

There was something in the way he stood, regal yet wary. She could see from the way he looked at the produce that he was hungry. Reaching forward with her petite right hand, the young woman plucked up and handed him a stem full of burgundy spice berries. “I always let the buyer have a wee taste of what they’ll be buying,. Here why don’t you try some of these?”

Just as she handed the cluster to him, she felt a large body bump into hers and cutting a look behind, noticed a portly man striding off with one of her melons. Lei’s brows furrowed and she pursed her lips in disgust. Giving a long drawn out sigh, she focused on the packed dirt beneath the over weight thief’s sandals and stamped her right foot. A small hump of earth rose upward and tripped the melon kidnapper. The obsidian haired girl gave the strange outlander an apologetic smile “I’ll be right back. Try some of the other items to see which you like best.”

With a smooth, almost dance- like grace, the Earth bender reached down to pick up her melon and gave the would be culprit a focused smile. “Oh my…it seems one of my melons ROLLED away! I really HATE when that happens…”

Lei had never been one to step into a conflict if there was a peaceful alternative so she just stared at the guilty man for a few moments until she saw him look abashed toward the dirt and then made her way back to her old beat up cart.

“I’m so sorry…it’s always crowed at these events and…sometimes my fruit has a way of …slipping off the cart.” She breathed before placing the melon back to its original location.

“Oh! The tournaments? Yes, they tend to be mostly between Earth benders from what I hear. The Blind Bandit has quite a following of course. “ The teen paused to glance longingly at the doorway and then back at the young man who was drawing glaring looks from some of the bystanders passing by. “ I REALLY do well when she comes over to my cart. The Bandit always buys quite a bit to eat after one of these matches.. So..which did you like best” Lei Ahn asked softly while her thoughts raced to try and figure out why someone from the Fire Nation would be so bold as to dress in such a manner in a fairly busy Earth Nation town.

[Daizo AuYong]

S

omething told Dai that perhaps he should've dressed more...modestly for the long indefinite journey before him. At his home this attire would've been perfectly acceptable, even smiled upon. Yet even though he was in a town of with blood bluer than the most pure sapphire in existence, an inner feeling conveyed to him that he might not always find himself to be so welcomed elsewhere. The Fire Nation's cause was a noble one, or so he'd been raised to think. Sharing their wealth with the other people of the world and inviting them to join in his own heritage, as well as those of his countrymen, was the most kind of gestures. But since his parents imprisonment by this country for supposedly breaking the law, his views had changed drastically.

Why would he be loyal to a place that would take both his parents away from him, with a family that turned a blind eye and refused to help pay their bail even when money was no object? No matter what he wore on his clothes, what divine connection with fire he had that enabled him to channel it and have it flow through him to be released at a whim, or what his outside appearance shared with so many others who once believed what he did, Daizo was not completely loyal to anyone. No, he would form his own set of ideals, then choose for himself what was right and wrong rather than the answer being shoved into his head by propaganda, figureheads, and other means of subconscious mind manipulation. That would have to come later.

The hierarchy of basic human needs took precedence over the puzzling questions of what would define who he was. And right now he needed to eat. Slowly he began to reach out with his left hand to take the food, revealing horrid burn scars from a childhood accident that made him the poster child of what happens when one plays with fire. Curiously an eyebrow of the purest black would arch up as the sphere of gold beneath it examined the fruit, even sniffing it a few times. Dai looked as if the thing in his hand was some strange new breed of animal instead of something he intended to put in his mouth.

'What...IS this thing? Some..berry? Do I cook it? Is it for spice? Can I ate it raw? They definitely don't have these in the Fire Nation...'

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Suddenly the woman stepped away to handle her disappearing food. That's when he finally found his courage and allowed the ambiguous morsel to slide down his throat. Instantly an explosion of flavor he'd never tasted before erupted into his mouth and caused his eyes to bulge in surprise. Both from the tangy juices of the berries and from the fact that his vendor was an earthbender, a capable one at that. Simply astounding. He never would've guessed just looking at her. Where he came from it was obvious who was a bender and who wasn't. They flaunted it loudly and proudly.

"You're an earthbender? Then...why are you wasting your talent running a food cart? Shouldn't you be one of those guys in the Earth shake, or whatever its called? You'd make a lot more money doing that than selling fruit, from the big fuss everyone seems to make over it."

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He said while cautiously sampling a few of the other things she'd presented to him. Hearing the news that it was primarily Earthbenders made his heart sink greatly. Would it be against the rules for a firebender to throw his hat into the ring? Or would he be asked not to bend? Maybe they'd ban him from competing altogether.

"Who's the blind bandit? He sounds tough...but if he's blind, then he can't be all that strong, can he? Er, sorry for all the questions. Where I grew up, we don't have anything like this. Well, actually, we have something like it. It's a bending battle between two people fought at sundown. But not for fun, for honor."

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[Lei Ahn]

The ebony haired young woman was busy taking coins from the honest town folk who came to buy her fresh aromatic produce. “Thank you my dear. Tell that old fart Gonzo that he owes me a rematch in Pai Sho.” A wrinkled old man growled while inspecting a few of the dried herbs she had hanging from one of the long wooden boards at the edge of her cart.

Giving the old man a knowing wink, she replied, “I’ll tell him, Tai.” The Earth bender then picked up a bundle of blue green leaves and pressed them into his arthritic hand . “Brew yourself a cup…it will help the pain, Uncle.” Her term was not one of blood relation but of respect and the ruddy bald man gave a short nod before hastening down the crowded street.

"You're an earthbender?" He asked.

Lei co cked her head to the side and gave the young man a long pensive look, her right eyebrow rising upward in surprise. ’Hmmm he’s quite the observant one isn’t he?’ she thought before pulling a small knife from the sheath on her side. “I’d really prefer that you keep my …link with the earth to yourself.” her voice still remained friendly but a thread of steel now put an edge to her normal light hearted tone.

The knife then spun around each of her fingers so swiftly that to the human eye it became merely a slivery gray blur.

"Then...why are you wasting your talent running a food cart? Shouldn't you be one of those guys in the Earth shake, or whatever its called? You'd make a lot more money doing that than selling fruit, from the big fuss everyone seems to make over it. Who's the blind bandit? He sounds tough...but if he's blind, then he can't be all that strong, can he? Er, sorry for all the questions. Where I grew up, we don't have anything like this. Well, actually, we have something like it. It's a bending battle between two people fought at sundown. But not for fun, for honor."


The dark haired young woman gave the handsome boy a small smile. “I don’t find growing vegetables a waste of my talent for I gain far more by helping to feed the hungry than bruising someone‘s head. “ Lei paused for a few moments to lift her inquisitive eyes to meet the fire bender’s, the blade still rotating from thumb to pinky and back again.

“This blade can be looked at as a weapon...much like bending. The power so enticing… to cause fear.. harm or to aide. The choice belongs to each who are given such a gift. “ At the end of her whispered words the knife sailed into a small orange melon; slicing it in two and then sticking into the wood. Picking up a slice of the sweet smelling fruit, she held it out to the fancy dressed visitor.

“As to who the Blind Bandit is…SHE is a young girl around eleven years old I believe and yes she is truly blind.” The corners of her mouth rose slightly upward as she thought on his belief that those who were blind lacked strength. “Hmmm…I would think they have far greater strength.” she murmured with a teasing grin but her merriment quickly faded when he spoke of a battle between benders for the sake of honor.

“And you call my use of bending to grow nourishment for our bodies frivolous? What is more thoughtless than fighting a battle of vanity….and whose definition of honor do you use? Is it the same as mine I wonder?”

Her mother’s face flashed through Lei’s mind as she recalled how important it had been for them to keep their ability to bend hidden throughout her childhood and even now. Plucking one of the spice berries, she threw it up in the air and then caught in her open mouth. “It might be a bit …dangerous for you to compete if that’s what you wanted… wearing so much ..red. Oh..sorry how rude. I never introduced myself. I’m Lei Ahn. “ The pitch of her voice rose just a bit in expectation of his given name.

[Daizo AuYong]

D

ai was speechless for a moment. As if his brain had forgotten how to make his lips move and translate the abstract concept of his thoughts into audible words and allow them to pass through his mouth. The withdrawal of a blade held many connotations. The promise of food. An indication of malice and will ill toward another. A symbol of protection. A tool of salvation in preparation for a struggle. Or something to keep the lips of a certain gifted firebender clasped shut and never allowing the news he'd just discovered to be repeated.

Not only was the prospect of someone pulling out a knife on him troubling, but over a matter that was anything to be ashamed of. Bending was a persons heritage. Their connection to the world around them and the end result when the mysticism of body and spirit combined with nature and their own linage were so expertly proportioned that shaping, creating, and interacting with the four elements was possible. Why would anyone want to hide that? In the Fire Nation benders were celebrated, loved, revered, treasured, and prized as the strength- the backbone, of the nation. Representing all the ideals their culture had and embodied them to a T.

Yet this girl didn't even want anybody to know about her connection to the world upon which they stood. So it was understandable why he would be a bit taken back. Shining eyes of the purest gold widened and warily watched the metal spin so rapidly they could scarcely keep it up with it. One hand was by his side hidden from view, tightly clenched and ready to defend himself if needed.

"Fair enough...but...why? Bending is nothing to hide. Judging from the look of this place, you'd fit right in with all the others. I don't see how you could even hide it. I know I'd go insane..."

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The thought of not being able to firebend was absolutely mortifying. To him, it was a fate worse than death. Losing his sacred connection with the sun. The dragons. His firebending ancestors. It would be horrid. But if what this girl said was true about how people might react to someone in so much 'red', he just might have to. His anxiety eased as the knife plunged through the fruit to sever it in half and it was gingerly placed into his palm.

Dai gave a brief nod of thanks which kicked bangs of ebony black onto his eye line before he took a small bite of the exotic fruit given to him. He began to reflect on how she viewed bending, though the one thing that had him puzzled was her daignosis of Agni Kai. Perhaps it wasn't the most fun thing to do, all in it it was completely serious in nature and used only to settle conflicts of which words could not, though the concept of honor should be universal.

"Don't get me wrong, we need people like you to grow and sell food, but haven't you ever wondered what you could really do with your talent? Or how you'd measure up against someone else? I think of bending battles as a sport just like anything else. Only it takes much more skill to do it. Honor is something not so easily explained.

Though if I had to define it, it would be your own self-respect and your ability inspire feelings of reverence in the eyes of others. Like the Avatar for example. They're respected for their skill and prowess with the four elements, and their wisdom. Its your reputation. And for some people...their good name, their honor, is all they have. Agn- err, the bending battle where I come from is that. Fighting for your good name."

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He finally finished his explanation with a hardened look of his own. for a child of fourteen, Daizo was surprisingly insightful a lot of the time. People would often remark he was a boy beyond his years, not just in knowlege but also with his words. A vocabulary exceeding most adults, a natural gift for firebending, a family of wealth and prestige within the island nation, he looked like he had it all.

But if that was the case then why did he assume the role of a lowly bounty hunter and find his way into the heart of the Earth Kingdom, hunting criminals and making small talk with the vendors to buy their food?

"And...I happen to like red. Its my favorite color. But I'm curious...what makes you think the blind have greater strength? Not being able to see must surely impede one's ability to earthbend, right? Oh...and as for my name, you can call me Dai. Everyone does."

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He thought it best to drop the "zo" of the end of his name. Fire Nation names tended to have a strong "z" sound surrounded with long vowels. Though it would prove to be a pointless endeavor. From all he could tell, his silky black hair, golden eyes, bright red clothing with a phoenix on the back, as well as a description of Agni Kai pretty much gave him away already...[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Lei Ahn]

((OOC: I don't know why but Lei Ahn just goes on and on ...))

"Fair enough...but...why? Bending is nothing to hide. Judging from the look of this place, you'd fit right in with all the others. I don't see how you could even hide it. I know I'd go insane..."

Lei gave the handsome young man a lengthy intense stare. 'Ahh..it’s as I thought. He’s a bender as well..and by his garb one of fire.' The young boy turned about while eloquently speaking, giving the merchant a glimpse of the intricately stitched phoenix on the back of his luxurious silk jacket. Unlike many of her fellow countrymen who looked on the Fire Nation with hatred and disdain, the ebony haired girl had learned through her mother’s short life that evil flourished in all places not just the fire islands. Hadn’t her mother been forced to flee those she‘d considered family due to the corruption within the Dai Lee? Perhaps this young man was also fleeing his homeland…although....wearing such garments boldly within a nation which his people continually assaulted spoke of either ignorance or pride.

‘So…this boy believes he would go insane if he wasn’t able to use his bending? I suppose there is some truth to the calling within one’s spirit to use what is so intrinsically woven into our beings. … for I have heard it’s voice whispering to me. Yet I think mother and Gonzo are right. It is something that should be used with care to better the world not destroy.'

“Once one is known to be a bender…expectations come from everyone around you. To be what they believe a bender should be. I’ve seen the praise and adoration given to others some of whom their spirits flourish due to the attention until their over indulged ego’s have them believe that they are better than those without the ability to bend. Some struggle to use their bending to protect their nation..or those they believe are in charge…many of whom such power has corrupted.” The last of her sentence was spoken far stronger than she’d intended but her mother’s plight gave the words a bitter edge of personal experience.

Catching herself, Lei shook her head and pushed the nasty thoughts from her mind. ‘Why am I sharing my deepest beliefs with this…stranger not to mention a fire bender?’

"Don't get me wrong, we need people like you to grow and sell food, but haven't you ever wondered what you could really do with your talent? Or how you'd measure up against someone else? I think of bending battles as a sport just like anything else. Only it takes much more skill to do it. Honor is something not so easily explained."


Her berry red lips rose upward at his inquiry. Had she thought of doing something else with her Earth bending? Perhaps…when she was young and had wanted desperately to find the men who’d forced her mother into hiding while leaving her father to his supposed death. Was he still alive? Were her skills good enough to slip into the place and learn what had happened to her father? There was no doubt she’d thought of all sorts of things to do with her abilities but eventually her mother and Gonzo‘s wisdom won over her childish desires. The two recounted numerous tales of regret for the things they’d done in service to the Earth King’s advisor. For Goanzo, the repetition of taking men’s lives in battle had eaten at his soul to the point of which he now hid within the earth as penance.

“So this skill that we both have been given is like a sport to be tested against one another ? To what gain my friend? So that you can say you are better than another? So I push stone about better than some and with less talent than another…this proves what? Don’t get me wrong, I like a challenging game of Pai Cho every now and again. There the skill is found in the use of knowledge and tactics… while fighting, as our dear Bandit, is about using skills that can harm another. To Learn what? How to use your gift to bring further harm to those you challenge?”

Turning her honey gold eyes to meet his, Lei Ahn gave him her total attention as he spoke of honor and self-respect. But it was at his use of reputation and good name that forced a short gauff from her throat. She quickly suppressed her desire to laugh openly in fear of drawing attention in their direction. “ A name is only as good as the means of which you fight? What of your charity or kindness do they not bring you honor?” She paused for a moment to ponder his reference to the Avatar when, as if fate had set a queue, a frail looking three year old screamed, “Wei!!Wei!”

Shifting her gaze to the tiny newcomer limping her way through the throng, Lie laughed with open affection.

“Reinie !!” The earth bender lifted the small child up into her arms and spun her once about. “And what have we here? A pretty little poppy!!” she teased and gave a small nod to the child’s mother who was working a fish cart about thirty feet away. “What have you been doing, sweetpea? “ she said lovingly while the small child set her near pitch eyes on the man over her shoulder before pushing her face lower in shyness. “You playing shy again are you?” the humor in her voice had the sweet chestnut haired child grinning at Lei. ”I gots anoder toof””

“YOU DID?!! Well that is cause for a celebration. “ Plucking up a handful of cinnamon berries and a piece of her home baked prapple cake, she handed the goodies to her charge before setting the toddler on the ground once more. “Why don’t you go share with your mum? Tell her I’ll give her I’ll give her the herbs she needs for your foot later okay?”

“K!!” Reinie giggled before slowly dragging her foot back to her mother’s side; her excited tone could easily be heard rising and falling across the crowd.

The Earth bender turned to smile once more at her guest as she picked up her own piece of melon and nibbled . “How long does one’s good name last… I mean if one were to loose?”

Lei laughed openly at his comment on the color red. “I’m sure you do my friend but if I were to come within the boundaries of your kingdom, I ask you in honesty, wearing the shades of my nation..how would your people treat me? I think far worse than the nattering you have going on about you. Now add the knowledge that the color you wear represents a people who killed your son or wife? To me it just doesn’t seem to be in …your best interest. But then I tend to let most people walk their own path….”

She paused for a moment to complete a transaction. Slipping the coin into the pouch at her waist, the earth bender nodded in affirmation to her earlier statement about the strength of a blind person. “ Well..loss of one sense I think would bring about the development of others. They discover an inner strength through their struggle to survive amongst the many who take their sight for granted.” With a small shrug, she pulled out a wayward strand of her long dark hair that had accidentally gone into her mouth with the bite of melon only to nearly choke at hearing his name. “Oh...and as for my name, you can call me Dai. Everyone does."

“Cough..cough..Dai ..oh ….” she paused to wonder at the irony that the boy’s name was similar to the supposed defenders of the Earth Kingdom that were in truth Long Feng’s personal assassins. “Dai..that’s a nice name.” Lei struggled to cover her juvenile reaction. Hoping to distract him, she raced on to ask, “So..would you like to see inside the stadium? The Bandit has already won her challenge but if you like my friend will let us slip in the back so you can catch a glimpse of the less well known benders fighting.”

[Daizo AuYong]

W

ith her analysis given to him on the pressures of being a bender, it took all of his self-control not to burst out laughing. Try as he might to stay mute, Daizo couldn't help but let a minuscule chuckle slip through. He was living, breathing proof that being a bender caused people to place expectations open those "blessed" with the gift. From the advanced vocabulary he possessed, the way he condoned himself in public, and his views on bending altogether- this much was evident. The first firebender in three hundred years, born into a family obsessed with appearances, pushed to be as flawless as the most priceless gemstone since before he could even pronounce his own name.

Bruderned from birth by the high standards of his family, yet he was ignorant of it all until he noticed the differences between his own upbringing and those of his peers. When one is living a certain way for a majority of their life that person doesn't seem to see anything abnormal about it. Their own logic or perhaps ignorance, tells them that this is the norm for them. Therefore it must be the norm for others. But as one grows and becomes more observant to the world on which they inhabit, they have an awakening Some are so subtle and gradual that a realization could slowly unveil itself over a course of years. Others are instant and happen in a moment. Now he was curious.

When did Lei realize that whatever happened in her life to make her hide her bending wasn't the norm? When did she come to an understanding that things for her, apparently, weren't the same for everyone else? There had to be something. Fear is learned just like everything else in life. Talking of corruption of people in power and hiding earthbending weren't exactly common behaviors. He wanted to probe further and know what got her thinking this way. But they'd just met. He'd put his questions on the back burner until a later date, provided he ever saw her again.

"Oh trust me...you don't have to tell me how hard it is to live up to the expectations of others. You're looking at the only bender in my family for three hundred years. Even though they don't know it...people can be...overbearing. They expect us to move mountains, part the ocean, sail upon the clouds, or erupt volcanoes with a hand gesture. Whether you do or don't there's always going to be someone who has a problem. I just wish I'd stopped trying to be what everyone says I'm 'supposed' to be and thought for myself sooner. Maybe then I wouldn't have pushed as hard as I did to earn the approval of others. But I guess its harder to get that when you're a little kid. Pleasing mommy and daddy is the only thing that matters then..."

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His shining eyes of gold would narrow with a mixture of fury and regret at the end of his little speech. Though the topic wasn't anything too heavy, his tone was as bitter as the most spoiled of lemons. All his life he'd tried to be that perfect little firebender everyone wanted. To cling to the title of "daddy's favorite" and "the best", earning a pat on the head and proving himself supposedly "better" than his non-bending siblings. But end the end what did it get him? Nothing.

"To gain...what? Heh, to be perfectly honest...I don't know. Unlike your bending, mine has no purpose it seems. If you're a gardener, then I might best be compared to...a trophy."

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He replied while turning away from her, not even bothering to look her in the face as he said that. The AuYong made up their minds that he was scum because of who his mother was. His father was quick to demote him from his favorite when he decided Dai wasn't up to his standards. His mother might as well have been a ghost. Seen but scarcely heard, never brave enough to stand up for herself. Or her children. Lei found a purpose for her bending. To help others by growing food. Giving life.

But what was his purpose for firebending? To please his family? To prove a point? To rekindle an ability lost to them for three hundred years which lacked any other purpose than to show off to all the other families? Vanity at its finest. He was a trophy to show just how magnificent the AuYong were. A family so magnificent yet refused to help one of their own. At her next question Daizo would quickly turn to face her once more as a breeze blew lustrous locks of ebony hair across his face[/size][/color]

"Charity? Kindness? In Agni Kai? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm sorry...but...that's hilarious. Kindness is weakness and charity is ignorance. Where I come from there's rules. Unspoken unwritten rules that you must somehow learn and master by the time you're old enough to make your own decisions. Only self-preverence, honor, loyalty to our nation and eachother matter. We're best described as a people who look out for ourselves. If someone is too weak, struggling, or not following those unwritten rules- they don't make it.

And nobody pities them.

Its just the way things are. We're not the type to express mercy, restraint, or help old ladies through the mountain path. If I were to describe it...it'd be like fire. So long as you do what's expected, we're warm, protective, and give you life. But as soon as you stray from the path, our path, you'll be burned. If you were so bold as to walk into MY land dressed as you are...you'd probrably be captured, interrogated, imprisoned, killed, or used as bait to draw others in."

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Suddenly a child would break their conversation and stroll up to Lei. From the sound of her voice she either had a speech impediment, or just recently lost a tooth. Or both. Staring at the warm interaction between her and his acquaintance, Daizo couldn't help but feel awkward. He was never good with children, nor had he seen anything like this in public. Even giving a child a pat on the head out in the open, in front of others, was enough to raise eyebrows.

But here she was spinning and hugging the girl like she'd just handed her a sack of gold pieces. He was always strange around other children, especially small ones. Eyes that mimicked the sun and the most precious of minerals just watched the girl uneasily, before finally giving her a curt half-smile as a greeting, then continuing to otherwise ignore her.

"Good name? After losing Agni Kai? It doesn't last. It would be like it never existed in the first place. When you lose Agni Kai you're scarred for life, both metaphorically and quite often physically as well. You'd be seen as an incompetent laughing stock who's not even strong enough to defend their own beliefs, ideals, and very self-worth. That's what you put on the line when you accept a challenge. Everything you are and everything you stand for. But I'm not quite sure what exactly happens to those who lose..."

[/blockquote]

'Because I've never lost...yet'

[/color][/blockquote]
It would be only a brief moment before Lei broke into a tiny coughing fit over hearing his name. Daizo merely raised one eyebrow and offered her a quizzical glance before she stumbled through another sentence.

"Uhhh...sure! I've never seen Earthbenders fight before. Maybe it'll kill some time."

[/blockquote]
And with that Daizo would stuff his hands into the silk pockets of his jacket and trod forward toward the entrance of the stadium. Finally he stopped waiting for Lei to take the lead form here. Maybe it wasn't wise to reveal so much to a stranger, an Earthbender at that, but talking to her was...fascinating. Like seeing the world again from a different pair of eyes. Eyes of the sweetest honey brown instead of the harshest gold.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Lei Ahn]

Lei listened and with each word he spoke, a sadness grew within. Her image of him as a vivacious young boy eagerly seeking out his own identity quickly changed to that of no more than a well trained animal. One who’s self worth was fed by doing the bidding of others…constantly driven to become part of another’s vision.

Wiping the sticky juice from her mouth with the sleeve of her Hitoe, she thought about her own past. Sure she’d also wanted to please her mother and Gonzo. Most children did. Still, she‘d never been pushed to change who she was intrinsically. The earth bender had been urged to become skilled at farming, to bend with great care and in silence … to use all that presented itself for protection and survival.

These had been the most important of priorities to her caregivers. Yet woven within their discipline and self-sacrifice, they’d nurtured her independence and gave her the freedom to choose her own path. Lei Ahn realized during this reflection that the majority of her developmental years had been spent learning the skills necessary to become self sustaining while ever vigilant to the dangers amidst the growing turbulence in the world. After gaining a mere glimpse of the fire bender’s youth, Lei considered herself lucky to have been raised in this small inconsequential earth nation town.

The obsidian haired girl watched intently as the bitterness in Dai ‘s voice revealed a mixture of fury and regret. “…Unlike your bending, mine has no purpose it seems. If you're a gardener, then I might best be compared to...a trophy."


At his abrupt assertion, she shook her head vigorously. “No…oh no! The ability to bend is never given without a purpose.” She paused a moment to gaze into his angry eyes that reminded her of molten fire. “I believe your true purpose must be of immense importance, Dai. Especially if the power waited three hundred years for one who was worthy of such a gift.” Every now and again the two would pause their discussion as she dealt with customers intent on purchasing her produce.

She stood in silence as resentment flowed in his speech with uncontrollable energy that seemed to be straining for release. Lei flinched at his rebuttal which all but mocked her beliefs.

Anger for the first time now reflected in the bender’s honey eyes. Anger for the child who’d been taught such things and the loss his innocence. Sure her life spent in hiding had been difficult with the cold frugal winters and days on end spent in the unforgiving heat watering, turning, sowing …weeding. Still, through it all, they’d worked together. She never went through a day without a loving word, smile or gruff caring response. Lei Ahn always KNEW that she was loved and wanted. Not for her skills or to be shown off like an intriguing object. To be raised in the belief that kindness is a limitation and charity was a practice of the ignorant!!’ Why? Why are all Fire benders’ teaching their children such things? Is their offspring’s only value in dutiful subservience with no will of their own?’ The earth bender struggled internally to understand while moving the produce about so that she could close the boards above her cart.

A tear snuck out from the corner of her eye and she hastily turned away to focus on a few young boys playing switch stick in the cobbled street. Their laughter a background which seemed to mock the handsome man’s words.

"Rules…” the word slipped through her berry stained lips .. soft as a simple breath. “Then your rules are not of honor but control. The strong were created to protect the weak. Your country’s rules were fashioned by one who does not value his people but only the greedy gains their training might bring.”

“After hearing you describe your nation, I now know that I’ve been extremely blest to have been given the chance to fulfill the calling of my own heart without the demands of one who wishes only fighters to continue a unending war. For whom? The people of your nation? “ Now it was Lei’s turn to laugh, aloud. “No..I hear it in your voice. Even you realize that this way of life is not for your people’s betterment… but only for a power crazed Lord to continue his age old war.”

Her voice softened slightly but a sadness could still be heard threaded in her tone, “But don’t think that our country is much better my friend.“ Lei Ahn’s gaze swept upward toward the cloudless sky. “Even here we drown in dishonesty as it is in all the lands upon this war weary world. In the hearts of those who think only of themselves.”

The merchant tilted her head toward the dark haired boy once more; her face reflecting her sorrow. “Your sire raised you to be an obedient pup who, in order to survive, must learn at his master’s hand to grovel or snap at command? My mother spurned the man who held the training whip. She chose to go against those who refused to follow the teachings of Avatar Kyoshi and move past their greedy endeavors. The price for turning against such power was heavy for a grown woman…but a child?”

Reaching into a secret cubby like drawer built into the wagon, Lei pulled out a long brown cloak. She sent the coffee colored fabric about his wide shoulders with a quick sweeping motion. “It’s not unheard of fire bender, for my people to capture, imprison and kill as well. Please, wear this while we are within the coliseum. I’m really not up to dealing with the repercussions of them noticing your …bright clothing.”

Lei took a calming breath before trying her best to make Dai realize that his fire bending was created for the good of the world. “All elements have their good and bad sides to them much as humans. Fire gives light and warmth….with air the joy of every breath and it cooling breezes on scorching hot days. Water is the liquid which quenches our thirst and with which we cleanse ourselves. Lastly… the earth…which feeds and cloths us and eventually takes us back when we die.”

The young girl stopped for a second taking time to think before speaking once more. “These are their brighter casts as they touch the earth…but each can also destroy and kill. Each has the ability to devastate the very world they were assigned to protect. The choice lies in the hands of those entrusted with their power“.

Her voice grew raspy as the frustration within the young teen surged forth, “Why do each of our nations quarrel so? I don’t understand!! Don’t they understand that our very survival relies on the balance. Water and fire create steam. Often coming together in a storm which forms the rain to cleanse the earth. Air and fire..in truth without air ..fire can not flourish but instead is snuffed out without raising but a bit of smoke. Earth…and fire…create so many things. Together the sun and earth create the plants and vegetation for all living things to thrive. These elements in the hands of men create pottery and steel… “ Her words began to run together ..so many thoughts brought forth with her passion.

Lei Ahn’s eyebrows rose slightly at hearing that he would participate in this Agni Kai which seemed to be test which devastated the life of the looser. Who would choose to participate in something they knew would gain them the power to harm another both physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives? That their existence balanced precariously on the thread of either winning…or loosing?’

"Uhhh...sure! I've never seen Earthbenders fight before. Maybe it'll kill some time."


Moving her head up and down in agreement, “ It seems that there are some similarities to this Agni Kai to our earth bending games only.. we simply tease the looser. Afterward, he or she goes off to practice so that they might try once again …well.. and perhaps for the fairly impressive financial gain. “

The pretty teenager turned toward the fish woman calling out, “Somasa!! Watch my cart will you? “ At the other woman’s nod, Lei blurted , “Okay, Let’s go!” She quickly began weaving through the other merchants and shoppers toward the back entrance where the combatants normally entered. Noticing that Dai was falling behind, she reached out and grabbed his calloused right hand into her left.

Tugging and pulling, the two finally arrived at a small cave like tunnel where a burly man, well over six foot and extremely muscular, stood arms crossed by the door. “Oh…where’s Tsen ” She asked in disappointment. “I want to let my friend see the practices if that’s okay?”

Lei hadn’t met the new guard before and something in his bearing made her uneasy. Tsen, the man who usually worked the gate was a friend with whom she often shared her produce when she came into town. Intimidating hazel eyes looked down at the dark haired boy and he said in a deep bass voice that rumbled much like a quake through the earth, “ You can enter sweetheart…any time! But the boy stays outside!“ Frustrated at the turn of events, her honey eyes darted about until she saw her lanky friend and her hand tightened about Dai‘s. “I’m not going in if he can’t come with me.“

“Lei!!“ she heard Tsen’s squeaky voice call out across the small yard and she turned to give him a dimpled grin. “ Hey girl what ya doin’ here? I’ve been tryin’ for years ta get ya ta come out with me to a Rumble but ya always told me it wasn’t your thing.“ the young man gave her and Dai a goofy grin. “Ahhhh I get it! The boyfriend likes the matches!!”

Tsen turned to the massive man and gave him a short nod. “Lei here’s a friend of mine. She and her boyfriend can go past.”

Giving a large sigh and turning to hide the pink in her cheeks, the merchant replied, “Well…I ..I just want to show him how stupid it is for folks to slam rocks at one another.” she scoffed while a slight breeze picked up her long tresses and sent them sailing out behind her. She didn’t answer him about the boyfriend issue since the whole idea never entered her mind and discussing it was far more embarrassing than clarifying the situation. Even now, the new guard had yet to take his eyes off her and it was making the earth bender extremely uncomfortable.

“Thanks Tsen!!” She chirped and gave the strange guard a long pensive look before dragging the fire bender through the large granite doorway and into a torch lit hallway.

“Watch your step..” Lei warned as they finally came into the huge coliseum made from a mixture of different types of stones, most being marble and granite. There on the huge stage were teams of young men lifting and sinking the earth or sending rocks crashing at their opponent while a coach bantered out directions nearby.