Peace & Quiet

Subject: Peace & Quiet Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:55 pm

Rai sat quietly on the monorail through Ba Sing Se with his eyes closed and his hands intertwined. He had only just arrived from the Fire Nation early that day. His trip had left him sufficiently tired and he was hoping he could catch a quick nap before he arrived at his stop, the middle ring station. If you looked at him, you could assume that he was rather calm and kept to himself, although inside of him there was excitement coursing throughout his body. Ba Sing Se, a city of greatness, yet also a city that Rai could see himself living in. He had no prejudice towards the Earth Kingdom or it's people after the war, although he did notice some prejudice towards him in the form of glares and dirty looks. He was used to this though and did not mind at all, it was normal and everyone had their preferences, but Rai wished that sometimes they kept their immoral preferences to themselves.

Rai felt someone walk past him and brush against his legs and he opened his eyes. Well, looks like a nap was out of the question now that he was fully awake. Why did he have to be on his toes so often? Rai shrugged and turned his head to look out of the window. Ba Sing Se was indeed a vast, yet beautiful city, the only thing was how much the lower ring had started becoming an eyesore. Factories and factories could be seen from anywhere, and it was more of a culture shock once you entered the middle and upper rings. No pollution, no factories, just purity. It reminded him of the images he got when reading about the 'hundred years war' and how the Fire Nation had hundreds of factory towns and even when Omashu was covered in factories. Rai however, changed his focus back to the scenery, he didn't like thinking about the 'Hundred Years War', such a shameful time for his people, blinded by greed and deception.

It was only a few minutes that he managed to gaze at the lower ring, before the monorail entered a tunnel which meant that they were going to a different ring, and before he knew it, they entered the middle ring. There was such a significant difference between the two rings. Now, instead of factories, there were beautiful homes, bridges, and parks.

The monorail started going slower and slower until they entered a station which was where he was to get off. They stopped, Rai stood up, and exited the monorail. He stood in the station for a few moments, looking around at the architecture, before he heard a loud voice.

"Tea here! Get your nice hot tea!" said the voice. Rai looked over to the corner of the station where he saw a tea vendor, he was a skinny short man with a graying beard and a bit of a frail looking frame. He felt his mouth start to water a little bit, he hadn't had tea in so long, and the tea that they had served on his ship ride over to Ba Sing Se was horrible. 'Let's hope this one is better than last time' Rai thought as he walked over to the vendor pulling out his pouch of money. The vendor saw that he was approaching and he started patting and dust off of his apron to look more presentable.

"Excuse me sir! Could I fancy you with some nice hot tea?" the vendor said with a small polite smile. Rai looked at what the menu consisted of, and saw 'White Dragon', his favorite.

"White Dragon please." Rai replied softly as he reached into his money pouch and placed his coins on the vendor's kiosk. The vendor poured him a large cup and handed it to him, bowing. [i]'Such kindness', he thought. He reached into his pouch once more and gave the vendor a gold piece and two silver pieces. That was much more than what paid for the tea, but Rai felt generous.

"Thank you sir! Thank you!"

"Anytime." Rai said with a grin, and he turned and walked over to the main platform of the station's staircase. He went over to the railing and took a sip of his tea. It was delicious, but it could have been better. Perhaps he should not have been so generous after all, but he brushed the thought aside. He looked out at the city and gazed.

What was he really here for? What was it that his father wanted him to do here? His father told him that Ba Sing Se has things to hide, but what were these secrets? What was he supposed to do?

Rai was a little confused after leaving the Fire Nation, but his father left him with the assurance that he would have something to do while he was in the Earth Kingdom, something important at least.

This city truly was a mystery to him.

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:32 pm

Loki	Loki had made it back to her home city of Ba Sing Se. It was nice, she supposed. She had wanted to stop her life of thievery, but she was running out of money and didn't know what else to do. Today was the day she would have to go back to her old ways. She observed the crowd, looking for a target. It was the middle ring, but it was still hard to find someone worthwhile. Finally, she spotted a man who basically handed out money to a tea vendor. "There we go," she whispered to herself. She bought her own tea from the vendor, a small jasmine and followed the man with the money. She wondered if she could possibly convince the man to give her what she wanted. It was a challenge, but she didn't want to just swipe the stuff and go today. She popped her knuckles and neck, downed her tea, and walked up to the man. She let her hood fall and swung her hips a bit. "You're not from here, are you?" She leaned against a wall and looked at her nails. She glanced at the man, then realized she might have made a mistake. This man looked a bit rough, not at all the gullible person she needed. It was alright though, she could probably steal what she wanted later. "My name's Loki."
Mood: Confident Condition: Fine

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:31 pm

Rai stood in the station still looking out at the city before he took another sip of his tea. It was rather quiet from where he stood, and he felt calm and peaceful. He took another sip of tea before he heard a voice come from next to him.

"You're not from around here, are you?" the voice said. Rai turned and saw a young woman leaning against the wall looking directly at him. The hairs on his neck stood up quickly and he straightened his posture. It was always polite to give someone the proper attention, especially a woman.

"No, not the slightest bit." Rai said rather stiffly, but with a small smile. What the hell? Why did he sound so unapproachable? Perhaps a momentary lapse in concentration, the tea must've been getting to him.

"My name's Loki." she said. Rai being the gentleman he bowed to her with his hands together out of a customary sign of respect. From where he came from it wasn't customary to bow to someone, yet his father had raised him in a way to show respect to everyone, but more importantly, everything.

"Hello Loki, my name is Rai. Son of the great Admir-" Rai drifted his last few words off. He didn't really want anyone to know who's son he was especially if that meant making him a target of prejudice. His father was an Admiral in the 'Six Months War', and he didn't really feel like anyone needed to know that, could have certain consequences. Rai stood there for a moment, wondering what else to say. This was especially odd, being approached by a commoner, and here he was, a Fire Nation Agent, in the midst of the Earth Kingdom, yet meaning no harm.

"So Loki, is there something I can help you with?" Rai asked raising his brow. He was really unsure of what was to come next, who was this woman, what did she want?

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:12 pm

Loki	This man was a bit more anxious than she'd anticipated. She wondered why he had cut off his sentence like that. He must be hiding something important. She thought he seemed nice though, maybe she wouldn't rob him after all. Loki tried to steal from people who deserved it, and he was just too nice. But she would find out what this secret was, one way or another. "Well actually, I was just looking for some adventure. Usually people who aren't from here have something to do, a purpose." She didn't look up when she said this, just looked at the floor. She let her head turn toward him, "So...why are you here?"
Mood: Confident Condition: Fine

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:48 pm

"Well actually, I was just looking for some adventure. Usually people who aren't from here have something to do, a purpose." she said. Rai paused for a moment to think over how he was going to lie to this girl. He was rather patient and took his time when it came to a response, although sometimes it made him seem a little suspicious.

"So... Why are you here?" Loki asked. He felt his heart go into his throat for a moment, before he took a deep breath and stared at her straight in the face.

"Well, I've come from the Fire Nation to find a home perhaps. Maybe even find a job of some sort." Rai replied. That was a lie, but only half of it. He was coming here to find a home, that way it would be easier for his father to contact him should anything arise, but he didn't need a job, he already had one, and it was a job he had to keep a secret. He was a Fire Agent which was a very prestigious division of the military and very difficult to get into, yet he was part of the 'Special Operations Task Force', one of the most secretive groups in all of the world. The only people who really knew about him and the others was the Fire Lord and certain high ranking military officials.

"What about you? Do you live here in Ba Sing Se?" Rai asked, hoping he could divert her attention away from himself and rather back to her. She didn't seem like she was around here, although Ba Sing Se was a very diverse city, so there was a chance that she wasn't from around there. Rai really hoped that she didn't want to know more about him. There was too much at stake for him.

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:15 pm

Loki	Hmm, he wanted to know about her? That was odd, usually her confidence stonewalled others from pursuing information themselves. She'd give in, but only slightly. "I was born here, spent my childhood here, so yes, you could say I'm from here." It was vague, and she could go back on the attack. "A home and a job? In what order, because most people would look for a job before they got a home. In fact, I could help you if you wish. I know the people, and they know me." This was a slight lie, as the people of the Middle Ring didn't know Loki as much as the Lower Ring and Upper Ring citizens did. When she thieved, it was in the latter, and the former was for social matters. The Middle Ring saw little action from Ba Sing Se's favorite thief. She'd recently switched to thieving the Middle Ring to take some heat off of her. She was being hunted in the Upper, even though they didn't know what she looked like. Everyone was being too protective and secure there, so she'd moved down here for a little while. She'd found little thieving to do, the middle class could still be hurt by her item snatching and that bothered Loki. She didn't want to harm people, just take some riches for herself. Maybe this man could be a sidetrack from her bad thievery.[/color]
Mood: Confident Condition: Fine

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:36 pm

"I was born here, spent my childhood here, so yes, you could say I'm from here." she replied. [i]'Wow that was vague', he thought. He felt a little bit annoyed with her lack of an answer, perhaps she too was trying to be secretive, yet perhaps it was better that he not pursue her with more personal questions. Better that he catch her off guard later if he was to spend more time talking to her.

A home and a job? In what order, because most people would look for a job before they got a home. In fact, I could help you if you wish. I know the people, and they know me." Loki said. Well this was quite generous of her to volunteer herself by helping him find a home especially when she had connections, yet he had to counteract the flaw that she pointed out in his response.

"Well, my father left me quite a large sum of money to get started here before I found a place." Rai responded quickly. Good, good. Got himself out of that little pickle, although he felt like he was overreacting a little bit, perhaps being a little too uptight at this point. Rai however was not really looking for a home in the middle ring, he felt as if the Upper Ring was more appropriate considering he hadn't exactly been living a life of luxury this past week. Sleeping on the ground, sleeping in barns, an occasional run down hotel or two, and besides, he could always say that his family always had alot of money, it was fool proof.

"So you say you know people that could perhaps assist me in finding a home? Know anyone in the Upper Ring?" He was rather intrigued, she didn't seem like you every day upper or middle class citizen, yet she didn't seem like lower class citizen either. Rai always felt that it was better not to assume as to not to offend anyone accidentally and spark conflict. Although he was a very skilled fighter, he only fought when necessary and used his words is de-escalate situations.

Right now, Rai had mixed feelings about this Loki girl, yet he might as well see what she had to offer.

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:47 pm

Loki	Well this was interesting. She certainly didn't look like an Upper Ringer, but she guessed her jewelry might have had something to do with it. Her diamond necklace practically glowed in the sun, and the rings on each finger were expensive looking. So she took on an air of pride and said, "Why yes! I know almost everyone there! My business requires me to visit many people, and the Upper Ring is my main area of commerce. I definitely know a real estate agent or two, and some skilled earthbenders who can build a home from scratch. But I must ask, if you intend to live in the Upper Ring, why are you in the Middle?" It was a legitimate question, she didn't see why someone would stop in the Middle when the train took only ten more minutes to reach the Upper Ring. She figured since no one knew what the "Gem Snatcher" looked like, it wouldn't hurt to take Rai there and help him find a home. She rethought about robbing the man, but she wanted to see this little venture through first.[/color]
Mood: Confident Condition: Fine

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:40 pm

Rai had never thought that he would ever leave his home as a child, he was so patriotic. Although, as time passed and his thirst for knowledge became much greater than he thought, and eventually he realized how great and how terrible his nation used to be. It made him realize that being patriotic could sometimes be offensive to others, so he finally became neutral, but he sometimes felt a little biased. His father agreed with him though, had his family not been so involved in politics and the military, they would have been out of the Fire Nation and perhaps find themselves in a different situation. Yet, he found himself here in the midst of Ba Sing Se, a city of hopes and dreams, a place for him to lead a life that was bipartisan to the one that he had back home. However, it was time he turn his attention back to Loki and stop daydreaming.

"Why yes! I know almost everyone there! My business requires me to visit many people, and the Upper Ring is my main area of commerce. I definitely know a real estate agent or two, and some skilled earthbenders who can build a home from scratch. But I must ask, if you intend to live in the Upper Ring, why are you in the Middle?" Loki had replied. So this girl owned a business, interesting. He was extremely intrigued by her even more so now. His mind wandered once more, thinking about how he could even build himself an estate that was built upon acres of land. However, he soon came to realize that he did look pretty stupid to be stopping in the Middle Ring when he was supposedly going to travel to the Upper Ring.

"Well, my stomach started feeling a bit strange so I decided that I would get a cup of tea to calm it down and that I would walk instead, you know? See the sights of Ba Sing Se!" Rai replied quickly. He did indeed feel; stupid now, although he felt as if his quick reaction would mask the fact that he hadn't really decided on what he was going to do until this girl had approached him.

"So shall we begin our walk to the Upper Ring?" He asked, nodding his head towards the staircase. Perhaps this was the beginning of something interesting for both of them.

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:12 pm

Loki	A walk to the Upper Ring? Ba Sing Se was a huge city, and that would take at least an hour. No, Loki was much too lazy for that. "I don't know about you, but I prefer to fly." And with that, she took off the strange skirt she had been wearing, revealing it to be a humongous sail. It also revealed she was wearing rather boring commoner pants. She'd never been attracted to clothes, only gems, and she worried her poor clothing would prove against her. "If you'd like to join me, put one arm around my hip, grab these two corners of the sail, and hold on tight," She was rather bossy and wouldn't take no for an answer. She took her own instructions and then took off.
Mood: Confident Condition: Fine

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:02 pm

"I don't know about you, but I prefer to fly." Loki replied. 'Fly?' Rai thought, a puzzled looked came over his face before he realized something. She was an Airbender! He watched her as she pulled off her skirt to reveal that it was in fact a sail. It was magnificent! Yet, he wondered, didn't Airbenders usually have staffs that could also turn into a glider? Well, he brushed the thought aside.

"Wow! That's extraordinary!" Rai exclaimed. He had only met an Airbender once before while he had still been in training with the Fire Agents. The Airbender was rather young and he didn't remember his name, but he was there to help them develop a new form of fighting style that mixed Airbending and Firebending. It was a rather unique style that only Rai had the grasp of since he spent more time trying to perfect his technique than others usually.

"If you'd like to join me, put one arm around my hip, grab these two corners of the sail, and hold on tight." She demanded. Rai was about to shake his head, for he could use his firebending to propel him, but the aspect of seeing what it was like to glide through the sky like a bird grasped his imagination. But before he could say anything, he saw that Loki was bracing to take off. So he took her advice, wrapped one arm around her hip, grabbed the corner of her sail, and she took off.

It was absolutely amazing, this was nothing he had ever experienced, it was like he was a feather floating in the breeze.

"Loki, this is absolutely incredible!"

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:48 pm

Loki	Loki didn't respond, but she did smile from ear to ear. Flying was incredible, and she was very passionate about it. Out of all her techniques, it was the most useful and it had even forced a recent wardrobe change. She hadn't ever thought about wearing something as girly as a skirt, but the ability to carry a sail around wherever she went was incredibly helpful. So she swallowed her pride in order to make getaways. It was always magical when she got to do it. Of course, she didn't realize this man could have flown if he had wanted to, she'd never seen a different kind of bender fly before. They seemed to float gracefully, but they were really making quick progress. They reached the Upper Ring faster than they would have by walking and probably at about the same pace as the train. She touched down lightly. "Now sir, would you like your new home close to the Middle Ring or by the palace?" This was a little test, the really rich would of course say by the palace and a wannabe would say by the Middle Ring.
Mood: Happy Condition: Fine

Sorry, I was at my Dad's this weekend and I don't usually get on the computer there, hope you didn't mind too much.

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:44 pm

Rai was extremely glad that he had met this Airbender; the experience that he was having right now was something that not even his firebending could replicate. Up until now, he had actually never met an Air Nomad, nor had he ever seen airbending, although he felt as if the wind was doing all the work and they were just gliding. The city vastness seemed even more apparent now that he was soaring high above the city; the people down below all looked like ants and he could even see the wall between the lower and middle rings. It was incredible.

When they finally reached the Upper Ring, Loki landed them safely on one of the streets and Rai could still feel the adrenaline pulsing through his body, but before he could utter a single word, Loki spoke first.

"Now sir, would you like your new home close to the Middle Ring or by the palace?" She asked him. 'Sir?' Rai thought. he had never really got used to when people called him 'sir'. He felt like it was too formal, and preferred when people called him by his name, but he brushed it aside.

"Well perhaps we can find something somewhat close to the palace? It's time to live life while you're still young I suppose." Rai responded smiling. He always wanted to live close to the palace, close to where all of the important diplomats and politicians lived. Although, it may have seemed a little suspicious, Rai was okay with that because he sure did have the money to pay for a house in such a wealthy area.

"So Loki, show me the way to living life!"

Subject: Re: Peace & Quiet Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:21 pm

Loki	Loki liked this man's way of thinking. Of course she interpreted his line, "It's time to live life while you're still young I suppose," as something more like, "Grab what you can while you can get it," which perfectly suited her own ideology. She racked her brain for a home near the palace. Of course, the entirety of the Upper Ring was packed, especially around the glorious royal manor. After a few minutes of walking toward the huge palace, Loki remembered some very helpful information. "It just so happens that an old bag of royalty was recently assassinated, and with no living heir, his house is up for an open auction today. Incredibly convenient for you, sir." Loki figured anyone with money liked to be called sir, and she wasn't about to stop. "It's only a minutes walk east of here, once again, incredibly convenient." The death of the old noble puppets wasn't much of an event, but for one of them to have no family to inherit their riches was very uncommon. Loki realized she'd been talking pretty salty, and that the man might notice how lower class she really was.
Mood: Happy Condition: Fine

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