Rest for the Wicked

Subject: Rest for the Wicked Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:03 pm

Open. :3

Nokomi	The rain was pouring hard, and Noko shoved her wet hair out of her face as she struggled to see through it. She wasn't sure where she was; after her adventures in Ba Sing Se with Seishin, she'd been travelling nonstop for days on end. She knew she wasn't near any cities; the surrounding forest was unfamiliar and strange looking, with the trees gnarled and twisted, the branches looking like claws reaching out to grab her. The wind tore at her clothes, freezing her to the bone; she adjusted her pack on her shoulder, accidentally knocking the waterproof leather covering off of her bow. She quickly picked it up off of the sopping ground and put it back on the bow before continuing to trudge through the mud. Her boots were covered in the sticky substance; it was almost black. Her shorts and tank-top, although usually tight, were now plastered to her skin; her arm-whips were tucked away in her pack with another waterproof covering wrapped tightly around them. The blue herbal oils she died her hair with had long since washed out as she had been walking in this rainstorm for four days now. It was now black and stuck to her face and neck. Suddenly, the rain stopped. By stopped, it literally just stopped. One minute, it was boring holes into Noko's skin and the next, it was completely gone. It hadn't gradually gone to a light shower before being finished; it just ended. She looked up to find that the black clouds that had been there seconds before were now gone and the sun looked ready to venture out for the first time in days. She breathed a sigh of relief and climbed a tree almost immediately, occasionally almost slipping because of the moisture. She found a high forked branch and bended a small flame in her cupped hands to evaporate the moisture on the leaves around it so she didn't have to continue being wet. She tried to dry herself off as well as she could too, but she wasn't that good at bending and eventually her small flame puttered out and she couldn't bring it back. She sighed before laying out her bed roll in the forked branches, making a nice hammock to sleep in before setting up a small little coal stove that was about the size of a cabbage head; she had bought the thing and some coal in Ba Sing Se before she'd left; she held a piece of coal in her hands for a little while, trying to light the damned thing, and eventually her hands began to feel a bit warmer and she shoved it into the belly of the tiny stove. After two hours of attempting to coax some warmth from the thing, she set about warming herself up and drying off the rest of her few belongings. That took her at least three hours; sunset was arriving and she looked up at the sky with distaste as the clouds were coming back, and quick. She took her bed roll--a water resistant thing that she always slept with--and put it over her little treetop camp to keep things dry. She then tied her blanket to the forked branches instead, her makeshift hammock going from practical to comfortable. Hoping that the coals would stay lit, she ventured out of the tree, landing on the muddy ground with a small hop and splashed her legs with the sticky black stuff. It was almost like tar; she'd never seen mud quite like this. She then went to find something that she could eat; she wasn't sure what kind of animals would be out and about after days and days of endless rain, but was praying for something small like a rabbit-squirrel or maybe a mongoose-deer. Her prayers came true as she came across two rabbit-squirrels that were nibbling at some berries on a plant, looking as though this was the first time they'd come out in a few weeks. With three movements, the creatures were dead, impaled against the ground with the hilt of her daggers pointing to the ever-fading sun. She took those back to her tree, skinned them, kept the fur, and cooked the meat. She ate quickly; she was ravenous, and wasn't sure what strange animals might be around to try and take her food for themselves. She'd had it happen on more than one occasion. She cleaned up afterwards, tossing the bones down at the base of the tree; she then went up a few branches in her tree and drank the water that had gotten caught in the leaves. She then sat in her little hammock, watching the sunset. Finally, some rest for the wicked, she thought with a grim smile before closing her eyes.
Mood: Slightly Amused Condition: Healthy	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:46 pm

Tarek Raiden	Tarek had been traveling for days now in what felt like the worst weather he had ever traveled in. He was soaked through as he trudged through the thick mud in the freezing rain. Luckily the cold wasn’t much of a problem as he used his breath of fire to keep his body warm. He was soon exhausted. Traveling through thick mud with a pack full of equipment and loot was tough and the pouring rain didn’t make it any easier. He looked up with surprise as the rain suddenly stopped. “Strange?” he whispered, he was honestly glad it stopped and decided to rest a while as he noticed the sun started going down. Tarek dropped his pack onto the ground and leaned his back against a nearby tree, sliding down it so that he was soon sitting against it. He took a moment to catch his breath before he pulled his shirt off and twisted it in his hands, wringing the water out. “Damn this is a mess…” he said to himself as he looked around for any semblance of dry wood for a fire. As Tarek worked on drying off his clothes and gear, he noticed some commotion in the distance. He was naturally curious and so he stood and went to have a look. He found a little blood but not much else, "Must have been a hunter, though why he'd be out in this weather I don't know..." he thought to himself. As he walked back to his temporary camp, he noticed what looked like bones falling from a nearby tree. Tarek walked up to it, and looked right up and into the branches. He spotted a young woman and what looked like a small dying oven. “Hello there,” he called out in a friendly voice. He noticed she was relaxing and watching the sunset, and she had obviously just eaten two rabbit-squirrels from the looks of the bones at his feet. Tarek was as usual, more curious than cautious. “That fire doesn’t look like it will last…” he continued in the same friendly voice as before.
Mood: Curious Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:59 pm

Nokomi	Just as Nokomi felt the faint lickings of unconsciousness at the edges of her mind, she heard a voice. “Hello there. That fire doesn’t look like it will last…” it said, and she immediately had an arrow settled in her bow and had it aimed down at the stranger. She was positioned awkwardly though, as her hammock was very unsteady; keeping her bow trained on him, she moved to a steady branch slowly, deliberately. Sparing a single glance behind her, she saw that it was barely glowing a faint yellow and any heat that could've been provided on the cold evening was gone. "It won't. she said indifferently, not lowering her bow; in fact, she pulled it tighter. She took a moment to look at the stranger; bald-headed, bearded, looked as though he'd been travelling for a bit as well. She didn't bother speaking again; his friendly tone hadn't reassured her of innocent intentions, but only caused her to be more wary. She focused on the footprints he'd left, noting the direction he'd come from, then towards the fading sun. It would soon be too dark to see, and she had no doubt that it would start raining at any given moment if the sudden stop had been any indication. "Why are you here?" she eventually asked, her voice guarded, her gaze giving him a 'what the h'ell d'you want?' look. It wasn't that she was an evil girl. She just felt that it was pretty d'amn suspicious that this stranger was in the middle of what looked like a dead forest, looking like he'd been travelling for days. He'd come in from the direction she had, which only set off more red flags. Was he tailing her? Had someone hired him? Had--no. She refused to let her think of the possiblities of who wanted to find her. It would get her hopes up, or worse, she'd have to hide her identity even further. Maybe stop dying her hair blue and change to something else. Like red maybe. Her gaze flitted to the lowering sun, feeling slightly panicked. Once daylight was gone, there was no telling what could happen next. She sure as h'ell couldn't bend a flame to make sure he wasn't moving around, and she had no idea if he was there to harm her or had happened upon her by coincidence. Or if he was a bender. Benders scared the living sh'it out of Noko, because her own abilities were completely and utterly useless. She couldn't even start a proper fire in a damned earthen stove. Of course, the moon could provide a bit of service. But Noko hadn't seen moonlight in two days; surely the same couldn't happen again, but this place gave her the creeps. Something was off about it, and she just couldn't place her finger on what exactly.
Mood: Guarded Condition: Healthy	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:11 am

Tarek Raiden	Tarek’s eyes widened in surprise as the young woman in the tree quickly set an arrow in her bow and pointed it at him. He had honestly thought she was just a traveller trying to escape from the rain. He lifted his hands in an attempt to show he meant her no harm and was pleased to see that despite her pulling back on her arrow string, she didn’t shoot at him. Tarek looked at her little oven. “Looks like it’s dying to me…here let me help…” he said as his eyes flashed bright orange and the flame in her oven got larger. The slightly larger flame helped him to see her better. Her hair was black and looked like it was still a little damp from the rain, and her clothing which consisted of shorts and a tank top looked like they hadn’t dried well either. “Well I’m not here for whatever reasons you are thinking of!” he said as he gestured to her bow “I was just passing through this forest when I spotted you…I was just curious is all.” He said as he started walking away, “Take care of that flame now.” He could see that his presence obviously made her uncomfortable and he didn't really have anything to say to her. He headed off in search of some branches that might have escaped the rain with his curiosity sated. Tarek managed to find some dry wood and carried it back to his ‘camp’. He promptly stacked the wood and ignited a large, roaring fire. He sat near it feeling the comfortable warmth it gave off and looked up; he could see the tree that the young woman was sitting in earlier, it wasn’t far off at all. “I hope she is alright.” He thought to himself, remembering how wet and cold she looked. He eventually cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled: “I have a larger fire over here…you’re welcome to join me!” He had to give it a chance, even if she rejected his offer, he was to good-natured to leave a stranger to sit and freeze while he had the warmth of a fire.
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:41 am

Nokomi	“Looks like it’s dying to me…here let me help…” he continued, although he looked taken aback by her sudden grab for a weapon. His eyes flashed a bright orange color; she narrowed her eyes at him as the fire behind her glowed brighter, and she could feel some semblance of warmth from it now. It took all of her will power to not immediately drop the bow and huddle up next to the flames; she was freezing. She was able to see her surroundings slightly better though, and watched him give her a quick once-over. “Well, I’m not here for whatever reasons you are thinking of!” came his next response as he made a small hand movement towards the bow. She loosened it, ever so slightly, feeling the relief in her shoulders; she'd been slightly shaking, from either cold or the effort of keeping the bow held like that, she didn't know. Her fingers tightened around the ivory, feeling the familiarity of the smoothness; the black swirls on it were black berry juice stains, from when her sister had wanted to make it "prettier". Noko still held the tradition of keeping those swirls--the bow was her sister's, after all. Eventually she stopped aiming her weapon at him, and he continued to speak. She didn't trust him, but she didn't feel that it was quite so necessary to keep the bow so taut; she usually didn't kill for no reason, after all. Money or survival were her usually her only motivations; she felt no frustration, anger, nor sorrow at this state, either, which sometimes caused her to go slaughtering random villagers or messengers between towns. She was too exhausted, freezing, and wet to merely kill this man, though. “I was just passing through this forest when I spotted you…I was just curious is all. Take care of that flame now.” he finished, before walking away. She felt slightly relieved that he left, and immediately hung her still strung bow on a branch near her hammock, quiver alongside it, and huddled in front of the fire, warming her hands and feet as best as she could. She took off her boots eventually, then her socks, wincing at the blisters. These would get infected if she didn't clean them soon, and she did so, reaching for her pack and applying an antibacterial salve before wrapping them in bandages. She laid her boots and socks out in front of the fire to warm and hopefully dry them as she waited. Her mind carefully turned to the stranger; he was a firebender, a powerful one at that. She silently cursed herself; she should've shot first, asked questions never, and left right then and there. Now he knew where she was, that she was in this state, and that she was having a hard time with her own survival at the moment. What if it'd all been a ruse? She couldn't fight a firebender, certainly not one that could bend from the bottom of a tree without movement; he could kill her whenever he wanted. She put her socks back on--they were slightly warmer, though still a little wet and muddy--then her boots (also still damp and muddy) and began packing as fast as she possibly could. Warily, she saw a flickering light not too far off; so he'd made camp, with a nice little fire to keep himself warm and toasty. She resented his abilities and quickly dumped the coals out onto the ground below her tree--they went out with a hiss as they met with the mud-- and put her pack on after placing the slightly warm stove inside of it. She then strapped her bow to her back, her quiver and emergency alchemy pack to her hips, daggers on her right thigh, and her tied arm-whips around her arms before making her way down the tree. She slipped twice, barely catching herself each time; once because she was shaking from the cold so bad, another because it was slippery from the rain. She landed without injury after five minutes of being painstakingly slow and careful. She could no longer see his fire, but didn't care. She knew what direction he was in, and began slinking off down the opposite way when she suddenly heard his voice again. “I have a larger fire over here…you’re welcome to join me!” She stopped dead, like a deer caught in headlights. Did he know she was planning on leaving? Was he observing her? Who had hired him to find her? Her nose, at that moment, decided to sneeze rather loudly; she stiffened for a moment, her eyes wide as they searched the darkness for someone--something--that could've heard her. Eventually, once she felt slightly safer, she sniffed and took a second to decide; he had warmth and light over there. And here she was, walking into this windy, freezing night while wet in the dark in unfamiliar surroundings. Her only other clothes were a black bodysuit, but that wouldn't keep her warm; it was dry, but it was thinner than what she was wearing now, and the flimsy covering of her bare limbs would not do much. She wasn't stupid; she probably wouldn't survive the night on her own. Not if she got pneumonia from the cold, or was attacked without being able to see. She tentatively took a step towards where she'd heard his voice. Then another. It took all of her will-power to not just run to the light; she couldn't handle the sensory deprivation of losing her eyes. Yes, there were faint abilities to see--it wasn't pitch black, after all; she could tell where a tree was, or a stone; other than this, she may have well been blind. She finally stepped around a bush and could see his fire, with him sitting beside it. She didn't speak, instead stood there, her body yearning for her to get closer to the warmth she could feel emanating from his fire; she wasn't shaking nearly as badly now. "I.....it's cold," she said lamely; what else did one say in this situation? She'd aimed an arrow at the man, bent on killing him if she felt even slightly threatened. Did she apologize? Did she just sit down? She pursed her lips, then bit her lower one with indecision. "I...I'm sorry about the...the bow...It wasn't...personal, or anything..." she said, her words slow and unwilling from her mouth; her voice was pretty when she wasn't staring you down or speaking with more confidence than she really had. Eventually she trailed off, her youthful voice fading to silence. She realized how she must've looked, standing there with daggers on her thigh, a quiver of arrows on one hip, a bow on her back and two leather bags filled with herbs and oils that could cause massive explosions and other supplies. Not to mention the arm-whips around her arms, but those looked like bandages anyways, and she doubted if he knew they were a weapon She dropped her weapons, wanting to make more of a peace offering; the thigh strap of daggers came first, then the quiver, then the other leather bag on her other hip, then her bow, the backpack, and finally, unwillingly, the arm-whips. She kicked all of this towards him, glad the ground was dry here, putting her hands up. She doubted if he felt threatened by her--after all, he was an actual bender--but she did so just in case.
Mood: Guarded Condition: Healthy	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:56 am

Tarek Raiden	Tarek waited a while, but heard nothing. He figured that she had decided to move on, and although he felt bad for her, he knew he wouldn’t be able to do much more for her. He sat down in front of the flames and assumed a meditation position. He began blocking off his senses, and focused only on feeling the heat and energy that radiated from the large fire as it crackled and danced almost hypnotically before him. He started taking deep breaths, and the fire would grow larger and more intense for a moment before returning to its original size, each time he inhaled and exhaled. He kept this up for a while, and soon something changed around him. Where everything was black and silent around him before, he now could sense something stirring in the forest to his right, a small flicker of energy and movement. Like the ripples caused by a pebble falling into an untouched pond, he could feel the little waves of energy flowing towards him. He was sure it wasn’t an animal and wasn’t surprised when the young girl from earlier reached his temporary camp site. “I…it’s cold,” she said lamely as she stood there. Her voice sounded different now, instead of the aggressive, confrontational voice of earlier, it was now sweet and youthful. Tarek looked her straight in the eyes, she needed help and he wasn't too sure why, but he found himself feeling quite concerned for her. "I...I'm sorry about the...the bow...It wasn't...personal, or anything..." she continued as she dropped her weapons, kicked them towards him and put her hands up. Tarek immediately stood up. “No, no that’s not necessary,” he said in an almost worried voice, “please… come sit by the fire, you need to get warm.” He gestured for a spot for her and pulled out a blanket from his pack which lay beside him. She was so cautious and guarded at first…but now she is giving up her weapons? He thought to himself, realizing just how desperate she must have been for warmth if she was willing to give up her weapons. “Don’t worry about it…I do not blame you for being cautious at all…in fact I should be thanking you for not shooting me on sight.” He said sincerely as he handed her the blanket. He could see her clearly now as the fire lit up the area. She was young, younger than he had first thought when he saw her in the tree. He guessed her age at between eighteen and twenty. He wondered what she was doing here alone, and why she was so nervous earlier, but intead of asking her, he just slowly began picking up her weapons and handing them back to her, “Here,” he said softly, pausing as he inspected the ivory bow that she dropped, “that’s an excellent bow.” He continued handing it to her after admiring it’s craftsmanship. He had picked up a lot of knowledge concerning weapons on his many travels. “I believe we might have got off on the wrong foot. My name is Tarek Raiden…of the Fire Nation as you no doubt have already pieced together.” He said in a friendly tone, hoping to relax her a little.
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Mon Dec 10, 2012 12:56 pm

Nokomi	As she waited for a response, he spoke, and she breathed a sigh of relief. His tone was not harsh or guarded, but rather....almost worried. “No, no that’s not necessary,” he said as he stood. She immediately wrapped her arms around herself--not out of fear or caution, but simply because she was cold. He spoke again, but she didn't hear him, rather paying more attention to the fact that he indicated a place for her to sit and was getting a blanket. If she wasn't such a master of herself, she might've actually broken into a smile; the last time someone was that concerned, or had made a motion to help take care of her, she'd been fifteen. She sat where she was told to, closing her eyes against the warmth. “Don’t worry about it…I do not blame you for being cautious at all…in fact I should be thanking you for not shooting me on sight.” he said, and she gave him a careful smile, taking the blanket he offered and draping it across her shoulders. She watched him as he began picking up her weapons, slowly, and he began handing them back to her. She didn't answer, but took them back carefully and set them beside herself, glad he wasn't too rough with her packs. Any slight crack to the bottles within and the whole area could've been blown sky high--which is why she wrapped her spare bandages around them. He spoke softly, almost as if she were a frightened animal that would flee at a second's notice. Which wasn't too far off, she realized; normally she'd kick herself for allowing him to think of her as weak, but she was at the moment. She was in need of help, and he was willing to give it to her. She watched as he admired her bow with wide eyes; he handed it back after a moment, and she nodded at the compliment he gave it. Her mother had been a bow-maker before she'd married her father; when her sister was born her mother made the bow for her. She didn't word any of this, but she appreciated the fact that he recognized her mother's skill and her sister's eye for artistic design. “I believe we might have got off on the wrong foot. My name is Tarek Raiden…of the Fire Nation as you know doubt have already pieced together.” He said, and she nodded in return with a small smile; "Nokomi Sen, of Jang Hui, she returned carefully. She doubted if the name had much actual value; she'd gone by so many over the years that one simply wouldn't be able to pin her any longer. If Tarek ever chose to go to Jang Hui and ask questions of the Sen family, he would find that all were dead but the young man who joined the Fire Nation army after his parents were murdered and his sisters disappeared. "I appreciate this..." she said, indicating the fire and the blanket. She was much warmer now, and wasn't shaking at all. Her damp clothes had begun to dry, and she was grateful for this stranger. She wasn't usually talkative, or very curious, but this kind man--Tarek, he had said--had her mind bubbling with questions. "You're obviously a firebender, and a good one at that....what causes you to travel?" she asked. She was vaguely aware that they were somewhere near or within the Earth Kingdom, but that was about it. The forest appeared dead in looks and silence, but if one studied it more closely, they could see that the place thrived and not many dared cross within its boundaries. Now, when she called him a good firebender, she did not mean that she knew of his position or state as one; she just knew that the big roaring fire in front of her would never have existed if she'd been the one trying to coax it to life.
Mood: Timid Condition: Healthy	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:24 pm

Tarek Raiden	After he had handed her back her weapons, Tarek huddled close to fire and she introduced herself as well. "Nokomi Sen, of Jang Hui,” she said careful sounding voice. Tarek smiled, “You’re from Jang Hui? I never thought I’d run into any other Fire Nation citizens out here. It’s good to meet you Nokomi Sen.” He said as he looked around the forest. His voice wasn’t overly excited or friendly; it was more serious and sincere. He had travelled all over the world, especially around the Earth Kingdom, but Tarek always loved his home Nation the most. "I appreciate this..." she continued gesturing at the fire and her blanket. Tarek smiled kindly at her, “It’s no problem,” he said as he poked a stick into the fire to spread out some off the logs. His curious mind was racing with questions. He wondered why she was so far away from home, why she was alone in this forest. The questions never stopped coming, but he refrained from speaking. "You're obviously a firebender, and a good one at that....what causes you to travel?" She asked eventually. Tarek looked at her and smiled, “Why thank you, actually the reason I travel and my firebending aren’t unrelated.” He leaned back and looked up at the stars, “I am a…lore seeker…I guess you would call it. I study the ways of the benders of old…their techniques, their philosophies, the sources of their power.” He said before turning his head back towards her, “I travel all over the world, unearthing lost secrets while working to perfect them so that the secrets of old can be preserved.” He looked at her again and then at her weapons and smiled, “I take it you aren’t a bender?” He asked curiously. He wasn’t sure of course, but the fact that her fire was fading earlier and that she carried so many weapons, made him think that she was a nonbender, “what brings you to the Earth Kingdom?” he continued curiously.
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:51 pm

Nokomi	“You’re from Jang Hui? I never thought I’d run into any other Fire Nation citizens out here. It’s good to meet you Nokomi Sen.” He said, looking around. Nokomi dipped her head in response, stifling a snort at the idea that she were a "citizen". More like an outlaw. No matter; she loosened up considerably; perhaps it was the fact that he gave her warmth, or that he didn't attack her upon sight--something told her that she was safe. Maybe it was the way he spoke? Sincere and serious--as stated before, the way you would soothe a frightened animal. At least, that's what it sounded like to her. Perhaps women's intuition? Possibly. All she knew was that she didn't feel threatened around Tarek. At her comment of appreciation, he responded that it was no problem while he poked at the flames, spreading the logs out a bit further. She leaned back, her palms on the ground and supporting her as her tense muscles loosened near the heat as he spoke. “I am a…lore seeker…I guess you would call it. I study the ways of the benders of old…their techniques, their philosophies, the sources of their power. I travel all over the world, unearthing lost secrets while working to perfect them so that the secrets of old can be preserved.” he said, turning to look at her. She smiled for the first time in a long time with open warmth. "That sounds rather exciting; I suppose you're a master of the older fashion then?" she returned, quite curious. Her careful tone was gone, replaced by--she was a little confused by this--interest and friendliness. He looked at her weapons, smiling, and spoke curiously. “I take it you aren’t a bender?” She took a deep breath, looking back at the fire; that always struck a nerve, and usually she became angry and flustered and probably would've taken her leave. He continued on, though, and as stated, she felt safe. “What brings you to the Earth Kingdom?” With a grimace, she spoke; the grimace was more directed towards herself and her inabilities, her limitations placed for whatever reason. "I'm a firebender, as were my parents and siblings. A horrid one, mind you, but a bender." she returned. She took a moment to fidget with the bow beside her, and it seemed as though that was all she would say. Eventually, though, she found herself explaining. "My bending lacks juice," she said with a frown. "I'd been enrolled in a school for firebenders when I was a child, and while I mastered the forms and the motions faster than anyone else, I lacked the power itself to really bend. I'm barely decent, and the only reason I'm counted as an intermediate bender is because of my mastery of the basics and forms. But I can barely produce a flame--it just putters out." she answered, her hands tucked in her lap, her head bowed in shame. To put truth to her words, she held up a hand, her fingers long and slender, her nails trim and clean. With a small movement of her wrist, a minuscule flame lit itself in her palm. She used the warmth from the fire to try and keep it going for longer than three or four seconds; she was lucky, and it stayed there in her hand for another ten before shrinking and disappearing altogether. She didn't look to see Tarek's reaction; her cheeks were colored with embarrassment and shame. After a moment, she answered his other question. "As for my reasons for being in the Earth Kingdom...." she began, not wanting to admit to the fact that she was a murderess. Not only would that expose her further, but it would probably disgust Tarek. It had disgusted anyone who had found out, unless they themselves were the same. "....well, I enjoy travel. I don't like sticking in one place." she finished, finally looking at him, her mouth puckered slightly in a frown.
Mood: Frowny Condition: Warm	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Thu Jan 03, 2013 8:36 am

Tarek Raiden	Tarek gave Nokomi, who seemed to relax and loosen up a little more as they spoke, a friendly smile as the fire provided the travelers relief from the freezing dampness left by the rain. The forest was completely dark now and the fire provided the only light for miles. The sounds of various nocturnal creatures mixed with the crackling of the fire filled the air. "That sounds rather exciting; I suppose you're a master of the older fashion then?" She responded with a friendly voice after Tarek answered her earlier question. “I suppose I am,” he said with a laugh, his voice wasn’t proud or arrogant as he said this, in fact he didn’t enjoy admitting it. “I have trained my whole life, and have searched tirelessly for ancient secrets…it took a lot of dedication and hard work, which all paid off in the end.” As Tarek asked her if she was a non-bender, he noticed from her reaction that it was something she was ashamed about. She responded, revealing that she was in fact a firebender but a horrid one. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to bring something up that you are not comfortable talking about.” He said sincerely as he watched her quietly fidget with her bow beside her. Eventually though she explained further: "My bending lacks juice, I'd been enrolled in a school for firebenders when I was a child, and while I mastered the forms and the motions faster than anyone else, I lacked the power itself to really bend. I'm barely decent, and the only reason I'm counted as an intermediate bender is because of my mastery of the basics and forms. But I can barely produce a flame--it just putters out." Tarek frowned; she looked quite ashamed and embarrassed about it as she demonstrated it to him. He felt bad for her and eventually spoke. “There is nothing for you to be ashamed about Nokomi,” he said sincerely, “Fire is a difficult element to control, unlike the other elements it is alive, it breathes, it has its own will. Countless firebenders find that their bending lacks…juice, and don’t realise that it isn’t because they are weak, or incompetent, but that they just need to learn to control it correctly. The Fire Nation’s view on firebending has been distorted over the last few centuries.” Tarek leaned back and looked up at the stars. “When I was younger I had a similar problem, I could hardly manage to create a measly little spark, never mind a flame. My firebending teachers told me that I just didn’t have the right stuff and that I would never advance past beginner, if I was even worthy of being called that.” Tarek turned back to Nokomi. “It was tough…my father was a skilled firebender and guard in the Royal Palace, and a lot was expected of me...I was so ashamed that I couldn’t bend properly, I remember wishing that I was non-bender, because it would have been better to not be able to bend at all, rather than to have such weak bending.” Tarek went back to poking at the fire with a stick. “To cut a long story short…I eventually discovered that the problem was not with me, but with the teachings I had been taught…I discovered an old scroll which illustrated an older technique. It started me off on my pursuit of knowledge as it caused my firebending to become exponentially stronger. Before long I quickly outperformed even the best firebending students I trained with.” He continued, hoping that his story would make her feel better. Again, he wasn’t arrogant at all about it. Tarek grinned when she told him she didn’t like staying in one place for too long. “As good a reason as any to travel,” He said kindly, trying not to dig any deeper into something she might not want to talk about.
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:49 am

Nokomi	“I suppose I am...I have trained my whole life, and have searched tirelessly for ancient secrets…it took a lot of dedication and hard work, which all paid off in the end.” Tarek responded, to which Noko tilted her head to the side and let that sink in. What a peculiar man, he was. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to bring something up that you are not comfortable talking about." he responded, to which she blinked twice at. He was genuinely apologizing for this? Peculiar indeed. As she continued onward, she noted the frown and as her little flame died he spoke again: “There is nothing for you to be ashamed about Nokomi. Fire is a difficult element to control, unlike the other elements it is alive, it breathes, it has its own will. Countless firebenders find that their bending lacks…juice, and don’t realise that it isn’t because they are weak, or incompetent, but that they just need to learn to control it correctly. The Fire Nation’s view on firebending has been distorted over the last few centuries.” She opened her mouth to respond, then shut it again. What he was saying made much more sense than what she'd been taught to believe. “When I was younger I had a similar problem, I could hardly manage to create a measly little spark, never mind a flame. My firebending teachers told me that I just didn’t have the right stuff and that I would never advance past beginner, if I was even worthy of being called that. It was tough…my father was a skilled firebender and guard in the Royal Palace, and a lot was expected of me...I was so ashamed that I couldn’t bend properly, I remember wishing that I was non-bender, because it would have been better to not be able to bend at all, rather than to have such weak bending.” As Tarek looked back at her, Nokomi looked down for a second, a single line creasing her forehead. This was exactly what she'd gone through; no matter how hard she'd tried, she never managed to prove that she did have the "right stuff", if only they'd explain more about what firebending truly was. She watched silently as he began poking at the fire; “To cut a long story short…I eventually discovered that the problem was not with me, but with the teachings I had been taught…I discovered an old scroll which illustrated an older technique. It started me off on my pursuit of knowledge as it caused my firebending to become exponentially stronger. Before long I quickly outperformed even the best firebending students I trained with.” A large smile broke out when he spoke about strong firebending; if she had been born with the ability, why not make use of it? Outperforming the nay-sayers seemed like a dream come true, too. Her smile remained, a genuine and unfamiliar fixation upon her features, as he left her alone as to her reasons for travel. She took a second to think about what to say next. She was surprised that someone who once had trouble with his bending could now...well, he could now make a fire stronger just by looking at it. "Why do your eyes glow?" she found herself asking, her tone almost child-like as she did.
Mood: Pleased Condition: Warm	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:30 am

Tarek Raiden	Once Tarek had finished speaking he let out a chuckle. “Oh, please forgive me for that long, boring story, given the chance I will just talk and talk!” he laughed, and it was true, especially concerning a subject he was so passionate about. He smiled at Nokomi, pleased to see that his long-winded explanations hadn’t put her to sleep or caused her to leave. As time passed, night seemed to creep upon the wilderness even more than before. A cold wind passed through the deathly, quiet forest and darkness enveloped around the camp like a thick fog. Only the large bonfire provided heat, light and some sound to counter the eerie stillness around it, as the fire crackled. “Why do your eyes glow?” she asked in an almost child-like tone, which made Tarek smile. “You noticed that huh?” he chuckled, turning towards her, “Well, it has to do with chi, or life energy, which is what fuels bending.” He explained. “As well as studying ancient firebending forms and techniques, I was also fascinated by chi…I learned how it works and moves, how it travels through the body, and after many years, I learned how to control it.” He grinned and placed his hand on his stomach which he explained to be the source of a person’s chi energy, “I practiced and mastered many techniques which opened my chi paths and let them flow much more strongly and clearly. That’s when I discovered that when guiding my energy in a certain way; I could make my eyes glow the same orange color as my flames.” He stopped himself there and just stared into the fire for a couple of moments before turning back towards Nokomi. “I must say it’s a real pleasure to have some company for a change, especially when the company is so interested in this sort of thing,” he said referring to the questions about bending and such, “as you have no doubt already pieced together, it is something I enjoy talking about.” He continued with a smile. His eyes caught a glimpse of the pack that lay beside her and some bottles wrapped in bandages within. “What are those?” he asked curiously as he gestured towards them.
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:06 am

Nokomi	“Oh, please forgive me for that long, boring story, given the chance I will just talk and talk!” he said next, to which Nokomi merely smiled. She understood perfectly, and waved a hand airily, as if to say "don't worry about it!" She smiled at his smile, then looked at him eagerly. She'd never seen someone's eyes glow, the phenomenon was so strange and new that she couldn't help but feel like a starving beggar asking for coin. It'd been a while since she'd actually sat down and learned something new. “You noticed that huh?" he said first, to which she nodded immediately. "Well, it has to do with chi, or life energy, which is what fuels bending. As well as studying ancient firebending forms and techniques, I was also fascinated by chi…I learned how it works and moves, how it travels through the body, and after many years, I learned how to control it.” Her brow crumpled slightly as she thought about this. She understood that chi was what fueled someone's bending, but beyond this, she knew nothing about it. Noko watched, curious, as he placed a hand on his tummy. The source of a person's chi was in the stomach? Was that why redirecting lightning had to be done the way it was? She didn't bother asking these questions; she only wanted to listen at this point. Part of her wished she had a paper and pen, or something to write with, so that she wouldn't forget all of this. “I practiced and mastered many techniques which opened my chi paths and let them flow much more strongly and clearly. That’s when I discovered that when guiding my energy in a certain way; I could make my eyes glow the same orange color as my flames.” He said, finishing. She merely nodded, her eyes slightly wide. The flames caused her narrow face to have strange shadows, and so the widened eyes gave her a starved appearance-- which she probably was, although hardly for food. More like knowledge; she'd never heard someone speak so calmly and clearly. He didn't talk down to her, either, merely explaining how it worked as a parent might explain why the sky is blue. “I must say it’s a real pleasure to have some company for a change, especially when the company is so interested in this sort of thing, as you have no doubt already pieced together, it is something I enjoy talking about.” He said, to which she grinned. "I'm not used to company either, but this is very...enlightening. The interest merely stems from inability, I suppose. Then again, the only reason man searches for answers is to escape inability." She observed, the first half to Tarek, the second more directed towards herself. She noted his eyes flit to her pack; her hand went to it, almost protectively. She didn't do this because she felt Tarek would do something, merely because that was all she knew. “What are those?” he asked her, gesturing towards the various bottles and jars. Her expression lit up almost immediately, her already warm expression becoming completely free and open. "Various things, with many names from many people. Potions, spells, concoctions, you name it. I suppose the real term for it would be alchemy though--not in the "turning metal into gold" sort of sense. More like I mix random things to see what I can come up with." She said with a bit of a half smile, bringing the pack closer to her and brushing her fingers over the tops of the glass containers fondly. Her gaze eventually returned to him, though, and she tilted her head to the side before deciding to go on. "I usually use them to make explosions, or smoke screens. They come in handy in my line of work, and are usually used for convenience. A few here are salves for wounds though, another a lotion that I apply to my arms so that some of my own weapons don't shock me. "I guess I live as a nonbender would. I find my own limitations, observe others' strengths, and substitute one thing for another." She shrugged, not really sure how else to describe it. If he had more questions, such as what was specifically contained in the dangerous supplies, she's gladly let him know. Otherwise, though, she felt it was enough of an explanation and smiled.
Mood: Pleased Condition: Warm	Nokomi Nefara Sen

Subject: Re: Rest for the Wicked Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:30 am

Tarek Raiden	Tarek couldn’t help but grin at the young woman who sat before him; she seemed so curious and hungry to learn. Of course he could have been wrong, but somehow he just got that impression. "I'm not used to company either, but this is very...enlightening. The interest merely stems from inability, I suppose. Then again, the only reason man searches for answers is to escape inability." She observed. “You’re right of course…we all seek to escape inability,” He said with a nod, “fortunately, it is escapable… It can be conquered and overcome, if we are determined and tenacious enough to fight through it.” He continued, looking up at the stars and thinking back on his own struggles again. He had more to say on this matter, but he first wanted to hear about the bottles and jars in her satchel. "Various things, with many names from many people. Potions, spells, concoctions, you name it. I suppose the real term for it would be alchemy though--not in the "turning metal into gold" sort of sense. More like I mix random things to see what I can come up with." He listened intently as she explained. He was always very interested in alchemy, although he knew next to nothing about it. He was very intrigued. "I usually use them to make explosions, or smoke screens. They come in handy in my line of work, and are usually used for convenience. A few here are salves for wounds though, another a lotion that I apply to my arms so that some of my own weapons don't shock me.” She continued. This made Tarek curious, though he decided against asking her what her line of work was, after all it didn’t really matter. In any case, he didn’t want to speak until she was finished explaining. "I guess I live as a nonbender would. I find my own limitations, observe others' strengths, and substitute one thing for another." She finished with. Tarek smiled at her and shook his head. “Not as a nonbender would,” he corrected her, “you live as a survivor would, if you don’t mind me saying so, you are more capable then you think Nokomi.” He said in a kind, sincere voice. “You have adapted to your situation and adopted other skills to make up for areas you are weak in,” he continued, “It is a very admirable trait.” For a moment Tarek seemed to trail off in thought. He felt like he could relate with her, and genuinely saw a kindred spirit in her. He eventually turned back to her and smiled slightly. “Nokomi, I don’t know if you are up for it and trust me this is not something I offer to just anyone, but I would gladly try and help you unlock your true firebending potential if you so desire.” He said in a sincere tone, “I cannot promise anything, but I have been through similar circumstances and if you are willing, I will gladly pass down what I have learned.” He chuckled. “Perhaps you could show me a thing or two about alchemy as well.”
Mood: Calm Condition: Healthy	Link: Tarek Raiden

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