Avatar - The Search (Started, Applicants Welcome)

[JokerboyJordan]

Upon arrival at the village the pair were quickly greeted by an old, kindly looking woman in a green dress who introduced herself as the local herbalist, before immediately beginning to treat the boy-soldier with a pungent concoction after Nauja gave her approval.

"Oh my... I've never seen someone so exhausted in my times."

Anish stifled a haughty hmph at the herbalist's observation.
You have no idea... he muttered subconsciously. If only it were a simple case of exhaustion he thought, that might have made him more at ease about the situation.

"He just needs some rest, it's too bad there's no proper healers close to the town, it would make treating the burns much easier."

Upon the word "healer" Anish's eyes drifted to the water skin on Nauja's waist. Even though he hadn't seen her use Waterbending, he could have sworn he saw her reach for her canteen immediately upon discovering the soldier in the woods.
He would have to broach the topic with her eventually... though in Anish's mind he had hassled himself with enough things to last him for a long while.

"Oh yes! And there's an inn just over there. The accommodation is quite cheap, I only ask that you're not here for any trouble, though you two don't seem the type."

"We appreciate your kindness," he thanked, giving the woman a quick bow before reiterating a previous sentiment "Please, do let me know as soon as he is awake".

With nothing more but a sideways glance to check for Nauja, Anish left the unconscious soldier and his bird in Anya's charge before heading in the direction of the inn.

"I hope they have Pai Sho..."

 

[CrazyGirl17]

"He just needs some rest, it's too bad there's no proper healers close to the town, it would make treating the burns much easier."

Nauja knew she had a bit of water on her, and felt guilty for not bringing it up.

"Oh yes! And there's an inn just over there. The accommodation is quite cheap, I only ask that you're not here for any trouble, though you two don't seem the type. I'll take the boy to my center. It's always a pleasure to treat an Earth Kingdom soldier."

Swallowing her pride, Nauja spoke up. "Actually... I have a bit of healing skills, may I help you out a bit?"

Spoiler: OOC

Yeah... I kinda forgot about that... will this help?

 

[Random Fella]

"Please, do let me know as soon as he is awake.
I hope they have Pai Sho..."

"Yes, I'll let you know first thing." Anya smiled at Anish.
"And Pai Sho is very popular in the town, I should know, my husband is an addict of sorts!" She laughed.

"Actually... I have a bit of healing skills, may I help you out a bit?"

Anya turned to Nauja, a slightly confused look struck her face.
"A healer? But where's all of your supplies and kits?" Observing the colouring on Nauja's clothings, the elderly lady quickly changed her tone.
"Oh my! How silly of me! You must be a waterbender. I do apologise, I haven't seen someone with such a skill in many years."

Anya grabbed Jojo's reins, the Ostrich-Bird seemed complacent to her touch. She pulled him to the direction of her place.
"Please, come with me, it will make the process a lot easier. You are both free to stay at my home if you wish, however you may enjoy the comfort of the inn's bedding more than our spares." A welcoming smile etched across her face.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Admiral Lee will brief you on his plan once you arrive." Replied Admiral Chan in response to Kajiya's question.

"But due to the nature of the request, I presume you will be hunting this group down before they can cause any problems for our movement."

"Understood Sir. We cannot have any of those meddlesome Earthbenders causing trouble for our grand plans." Kajiya remarked with a small conceited smile, showing his loyalty, he hoped, to the Fire Nation.

"Just one final question. When are we due to depart?"

 

[Random Fella]

"Understood Sir. We cannot have any of those meddlesome Earthbenders causing trouble for our grand plans."

"That's what I like to hear." the Admiral smiled.

"Just one final question. When are we due to depart?"

The admiral turned back to Kajiya. "Immediately." He stated.

With that he dismissed the group from his office.
The group first entered the barracks to gather their needed equiptment, and then to the Eel-Hounds, of which there were three in total.

"You're with me." Ran waved to Kajiya.
"I hope they don't expect us to go any further than where Lee is stationed until these beauties have had a rest." Shaw patted his Eel-Hound on the neck.
"Especially with Ding on the back of one." Morishita let out a small chuckle, followed by a few angered mumblings from Ding.

The group then left the outpost, heading toward Admiral Lee's outpost.

During the journey
"So..." Shaw turned to Kajiya
"I heard you have some anti-bending skill, well, why else would they send you of course."
"Shut it hotman." Ran interrupted.
"If the admiral wanted him to come with us, he must trust his ability, and then so should we."

"and what's with that rodent you're carrying around?" Ding asked.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Immediately." And with that Admiral Chan dismissed the group his office. Whilst the other four went towards the barracks to gather their things, Kajiya meanwhile headed back to the smithy to gather his things. He picked up Akuto last, who was busy playing with a small ball, and placed the Fire Ferret into a satchel which carried many of Kajiya's tools, with Akuto's head poking out the top.

Kajiya quickly arrived at the Eel-Hound stables, not wanting to keep the others waiting. Upon being spotted, Commander Ran waved over to him. "You're with me."

"I hope they don't expect us to go any further than where Lee is stationed until these beauties have had a rest." Commander Shaw then commented, patting his Eel-Hound on the neck. Kajiya had to admit, there was something beautiful about these creatures.

"Especially with Ding on the back of one." Morishita then let out a small chuckle at that remark, which proceeded a series of quite but angered mumblings from the stout warrior. Kajiya also let slip a chuckle himself, but managed to keep it under wraps. They soon left the outpost.

Out On The Open Road

"So..." Shaw who was out in front said as he turned to face Kajiya.

"I heard you have some anti-bending skill, well, why else would they send you of course."

"Shut it hotman." Ran interrupted.

"If the admiral wanted him to come with us, he must trust his ability, and then so should we."

"Thank you Commander Ran." Was all that Kajiya managed to say before being interrupted by Ding.

"And what's with that rodent you're carrying around?"

"You mean Akuto? Well I found the little fellow hiding amongst my things on the boat journey over here. How he got there I have no clue, given how despite them being called Fire Ferrets, they aren't native to the Fire Nation, so he must have been hiding on-board for quite a while. Anyway, I decided to take him in and raise him. He's a good bit of company to have." Kajiya then paused for thought before speaking again.

"How are the swords holding up Ding after those recent repairs I made?"

 

[Random Fella]

Ding let out a short grunt following Kajiya's explanation, it didn't seem to impress him.

So how are the swords holding up...

Ding unsheathed the blades to take a quick reassuring look.
"Be careful with those things!" Shaw shouted at Ding, it was clear Ding had a steady hand however.

"Wasn't a bad job. Needs another sharpening soon." Ding let out short thought provoked sounds as he observed the edge of the right blade.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

"A healer? But where's all of your supplies and kits? Oh my! How silly of me! You must be a waterbender. I do apologise, I haven't seen someone with such a skill in many years."

Nauja scuffed the ground with one foot shyly. A lot of people had told her she was a good healer, but she was too modest to brag about it. She and her mother were the only waterbending healers at their small village after all.

But the woman was already taking the Ostrich-Horse's reins, saying, "Please, come with me, it will make the process a lot easier. You are both free to stay at my home if you wish, however you may enjoy the comfort of the inn's bedding more than our spares."

Despite herself, Nauja brightened considerably. "Thank you very much, Ma'am," she said politely, "I really appreciate it."

 

[JokerboyJordan]

"Yes, I'll let you know first thing." Anya said smiling assuredly at Anish. Something about her kind nature put him at ease. Secure in the knowledge that he'd be notfied (and trusting her position as a prominent figure in the village) Anish set off in the direction of the inn. That was just before he heard...

"Actually... I have a bit of healing skills, may I help you out a bit?"

The confirmation he'd been waiting for. Anya was all too quick to suss out from Nauja's garb and lack of equipment just what kind of a "healer" she was. Though of course with herself being a herbalist, he figured it was only natural that she had knowledge of differing methods of treatment.

"Please, come with me, it will make the process a lot easier. You are both free to stay at my home if you wish, however you may enjoy the comfort of the inn's bedding more than our spares."

Anish's curiousity was undeniably piqued; more than enough reason to forego a semblance of comfort for at least one more night. After all, he had never actually seen Waterbending in person...

"On second thought, it would be rude to turn down such hospitality. Pai Sho can wait... however I must insist on repaying your generosity in some way. Chores perhaps? "

 

[Random Fella]

"Thank you very much, Ma'am, I really appreciate it."

"On second thought, it would be rude to turn down such hospitality. Pai Sho can wait... however I must insist on repaying your generosity in some way. Chores perhaps? "

"My, you young ones have such nice manners these days." Anya smiled, bringing Jojo toward her small shack-like house, slightly larger than those surrounding, a greenhouse to the side of it.
"As for earning your stay, if you wanted you could give my flowers a final watering for the day, and pluck any of those nasty weeds from their soil." Her hand extended out, pointing toward the greenhouse. "Also entertaining my husband Yon with some Pai Sho would help to stop him from bothering me." She laughed.

Finally they arrived at Anya's home. She brought Tao to one of the treatment beds. "Help me get him onto here would you please? Ahh thank you dear." With that she rested Tao's body onto the bed, his arms stretched out reveal singing some light burning. "Now if you could just put some treatment to these areas, it should clear up in no time." Anya said as she fed Tao a special brew, resting his head on her other hand.
"Other than that, he just needs some rest."

Anya extended her arm toward some other rooms in the house.
"Who are you bringing in here now Anya?! I told you to stop bringing urchins to our home!" Yan yelled from another room in the house.
"This is an Earth Kingdom soldier and his friends, now you show some manners to our guests Yan!" Anya hushed back at him, followed by a quick "bah!" From Yan.

"You two can rest here." She pointed at a room in the corner of the house. Inside were two single beds on separate walls, they seemed very basic. "I know they don't look fancy, they're just a few spares we have, and I'll wake you both as soon as your friend gets up. Oh and if you want something to eat, we have some bread rolls and other savories in the pantry." She smiled to them, going back to the treating room to observe Tao's state, leaving them to their own accord.

 

[Random Fella]

The Next Day

Where am I? Thought Tao as he awoke in the herbalists treating room.
I must have been knocked unconscious, and brought here, but where is here?

Tao observed his surroundings, hearing footsteps coming from the hall.
"You're awake I see, but it's still very early in the morning, perhaps you should get some more rest. Oh, I haven't introduced myself have I. My name is Anya, the herbalist here." Her voice was soft and warm hearted, causing Tao to relax from his tense state.

"My name is Tao." he replied. "As much as I would love to rest, we're on an important mission, can you tell me where I am and where the rest of my group is?" Tao questioned.
"Oh, those two? They're just resting, you were in quite the state when they brought you in." Anya replied

"Two? There should be four of them. Oh well, perhaps only Bipin and Ajala brought me here."
"Well it was a nice young girl and man, you were in quite the state when you arrived, burns on your arms, exhausted more than anything I've ever seen, you've been asleep for quite a while." She continued. "As for where we are, it's just outside of this forest here." Anya pointed to a position on the map, Tao's face became one of shock.
"Jeez, you're right, I must have been out for a long time, I can't tell you the details, but we started our journey very far away."

Tao walked toward the door. "Thank you Anya" He gave her an Earth-Kingdom bow. "I'd best get some practice in before they wake up, I'm sure they can tell me the whole story." He began walking outside. "If they do get up, tell them I've just gone up there." Tao pointed toward a nearby hill. "And your healing skills are amazing, I can't notice any burning at all." Tao observed his arms as he walked away.
"B-but it was your friend who..." Anya could hardly get a word in, he had already gone too far.

A knock could be heard on the guest room door. "Sorry to wake you so early, but your friend has woken up, he went just outside the town to do some training I think." Anya pointed in the direction Tao left. "He seemed eager to continue in whatever business he was on. I don't think he plans on leaving without you both though."
"If you young ones wanted something to eat, I have Papaya and Lychee Nut tea." Anya smiled.


Admiral Lee's Outpost, south of the lake's coast.

The Eel-Hounds let out a small whine as they arrived to the outpost, clearly quite tired from the journey. Immediately the group were brought before Admiral Lee in his quarters, bowing before taking a seat. The room was normal for an Admiral's Quarters, though the chair and table at which Lee sat had several scorch marks.

"An honour to meet you all, I've only heard good things from Admiral Chan." Lee started.
"I hope you are all ready to leave, with the Eel-Hounds we should find them in no time."
"With all due respect Admiral." Shaw interrupted. "We've traveled quite the distance, the group and especially the Eel-Hounds are exhausted and..." He was cut off by Admiral Lee. "Are you supposing my order to be misguided Commander?! Do you think I am a fool?!" His fist began to glow red hot as it clenched.

"No Admiral, please forgive my response." Shaw responded in a fearful voice. "It is simply that with rest, the Eel-Hounds will travel much faster, and traveling at night ensures we are incognito."
Lee relaxed. his fist turning back to an open hand, resting on his table.
"Very well, you have six hours, you may rest in the guest barracks, then we must be on our way. You are dismissed."

"What a piece of work!" Shaw commented as they entered the guest barracks.
"Be careful of what you say." Morishita interrupted. "You never know when someone could be listening in on you, especially in a place like this."
"I just hope we get to finally have a proper meal before we leave." Ding moaned, his belly doing the same.

"We'd better get some rest." Ran told the group. "Don't worry, this mission sounds like a piece of ash cake, I'm sure we'll be done in no time, and get a good bonus after." His tone was upbeat, with a hint of uncertainty in it.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

After their long journey, the group finally arrived at the outpost, the Eel-Hounds breathing heavily as they came to a stop, no doubt tired and in need of rest. Though it didn't take long for them to be brought to Admiral Lee's office. Aside from the unusual scorch marks on the chair and table where the Admiral sat, things looked fairly normal. There was a slightly heated argument between Commander Shaw and Admiral Lee, but things quickly cooled down. They were allowed access to the guest barracks and had six hours to get ready before setting off again.

Once they arrived at the barracks, Shaw decided to comment on the Admiral. "What a piece of work!"

"Be careful of what you say." Morishita interrupted. "You never know when someone could be listening in on you, especially in a place like this."

"Indeed Morishita, I wouldn't be surprised if Admiral Lee had someone listening in on us right now." Kajiya said as he set down his satchel at the nearest bunk, Akuto immediately coming out and taking in the new surroundings.

"I just hope we get to finally have a proper meal before we leave." Ding said with a heavy moan, his belly reflecting his hungry disposition.

"We'd better get some rest." Ran told the group. "Don't worry, this mission sounds like a piece of ash cake, I'm sure we'll be done in no time, and get a good bonus after." He then remarked, whilst his tone was rather chipper, there was a hint of unease to it.

"I wouldn't be so sure Commander Ran, I get the feeling that there is more to this assignment then there is at first glance."

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Anish awoke early to the sound of knocking on the bedroom door.

The night before he had headed straight for the longing embrace of bed; exhausted from his long travels and the constant shadowing of the young soldier's group, he had parted amicably from Nauja, whom he had presumed felt the need to attend to the boy's injuries before succumbing to sleep herself. As such Anish had yet to see her Waterbending in action, but felt now that the fact was out in the open that it would be simple enough to ask for a demonstration before they parted.

"Sorry to wake you so early, but your friend has woken up, he went just outside the town to do some training I think." Anya pointed in the direction the soldier had apparently left. "He seemed eager to continue in whatever business he was on. I don't think he plans on leaving without you both though."

Interesting... I wonder if he assumes that we're part of his group from the forest?

"If you young ones wanted something to eat, I have Papaya and Lychee Nut tea." she smiled.

Anish gave her a low bow. Her generosity seemed to have no limit, even despite her relatively modest home. People like Anya seemed few-and-far-between in this world rife with vagabonds and cutthroats, himself included.

"I appreciate the offer... but I must humbly decline. You've already done so much, I wouldn't feel right."

He cautiously peered out the corner of his eye at Nauja, wary not to speak too much for them as a group or to deny her the herbalist's offering.

"Perhaps after I speak to my friend and pull up those weeds you mentioned earlier?" he said with a small, anxious smile, eager both to locate the soldier and repay his debt in some way.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Nauja followed the Anya into a hut where the young man was placed on a nice clean bed. Then she stepped back to let Nauja take over.

The girl obliged, putting down her bag on a nearby table so she could get to work. Miki poked his head out of the bag to watch his owner get to work. Nauja began by removing the top of her water gourd and letting it flow out and cover her hands before she began the healing process. Mentally, she winced at the extent of his injuries, but tried to remain focused for his sake, and soon the burns were all but gone.

There wasn't much to do after that, Nauja retired to the guest room, exhausted from the day's events. And more than a little curious about her new companions...

(The Next Morning)

Nauja awoke to a light tapping on the door. With a grunt, she sat up in bed.

"Sorry to wake you so early, but your friend has woken up, he went just outside the town to do some training I think. He seemed eager to continue in whatever business he was on. I don't think he plans on leaving without you both though. If you young ones wanted something to eat, I have Papaya and Lychee Nut tea."

"Thank you, that sounds nice," she said, and got out of bed, glancing over at her bag where Miki was still sleeping. She then turned her attention to the Airbender, seeing as how he seemed to want her attention. "Yes, do you want something?"

 

[Random Fella]

"Deep breaths, in and out"
Inhale Tao readied his form.
Exhale Moving through the motions, he ended with his palm pointing outwards of his body, the earth in-front of it shot up in a pillar-like shape.

"Keep stance strong, like earth itself..."
Taking a low to the ground side facing stance, he stomped the ground with his right foot, a large round piece of the ground shot up in response.
Slamming his fist into the small boulder caused it to fly toward a nearby tree, causing quite the racket.

"Ahh, that feels much better" Tao consoled himself, continuing to focus on his technique.

But I still don't see how I got this far, would they have really taken me all this way unconscious? He began to warily think to himself.
Perhaps I was concussed. I'll question Kanan as soon as he's up.

Continuing his focus, he noticed footsteps approaching, but of who's they were he was uncertain. He readied himself inconspicuously.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

As Anish approached the hill where he had been pointed towards, he felt the earth beginning to shake beneath his feet, before being shortly followed by a loud *THUD* and the sound of cracking branches.

He must be close... he thought as he began to quicken his pace to the hilltop, only to come face-to-face with the boy that had been all but unresponsive hours ago.
Studying the surroundings, Anish gathered from the crater in the earth and the bent limb of a tree surrounded by rubble that the sound he had heard was that of the soldier Earthbending. His stance was typical of his kind, standing strong and firm, unyielding like that of an oak, with his feet bare against the topsoil. He must have sensed Anish coming in much the same way that he can himself sense disturbances through the air.

His look was a mix of both apprehension and confusion, almost as if he had been expecting someone else. Breaking the silence, Anish called out to him.

"So I see you're finally feeling better," he began whilst slowly closing the divide between them. "No doubt you're probably confused about things... I know I am." Anish gave a wry smile. "What do you remember about what happened?"

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Since Anish left without a word, Nauja figured he hadn't heard her. So se followed after him to where the third member o their party was practicing, though the vibrations underneath their feet was a good tip-off to that.

Instead of just going up the hill with him, Nauja chose to hang back a bit, wanting to see what they young man would do before making a move. Already, the Airbender was making small talk.

"So I see you're finally feeling better. No doubt you're probably confused about things... I know I am." What do you remember about what happened?"

Nauja held her breath. She was pretty curious herself...

 

[Random Fella]

Tao held his stance as the two strangers approached him, a strange silence filling the air, it became apparent to him that they had seen him before, but the same could not be said in return.

"So I see you're finally feeling better, no doubt you're probably confused about things... I know I am. What do you remember about what happened?"

Tao stared at the young man, his eyes darting to the girl in blue behind him.
What do I remember? He thought to himself.
The two looked nonthreatening, still being young and inexperienced in the military, he began to respond freely, relaxing his stance.

"Uh..." He started.
"I don't really remember anything, at least I don't know how I got all the way down here..."
Perhaps the old lady lied to me, surely I can't have come this far
Tao appeared to be in deep thought while continuing.
"My squad and I were told to head South from Taku, I only recall travelling a few minutes, past then it's hazy."

Tao observed his surroundings, this place definitely wasn't near Taku, he knew that area like the back of his hand, considering the kind of training Kanan put them through.
"We were sent to find..." Suddenly he paused, physically it seemed as if he'd come to a realisation, he returned to a more protective stance.

"I've already said too much, the information is classified."
His tone became one of impatience.
"Who are you two anyway? And where's the rest of my men?! I want to speak to Commander Kanan instantly, anything you want to ask me, you'll have to ask him."

 

[JokerboyJordan]

At first it seemed like the young man would be compliant, relaxing his stance as he struggle to recall details about the events which transpired not even twenty hours ago. His mind seemed hazy. Whether it was an extended result of his exhaustion, a side-effect of Nauja's healing methods, or a ploy be the man to seem naive, Anish was losing his patience.

"We were sent to find..." the soldier began, before abruptly cutting himself off mid-sentence and resuming his previous more cautious stance,

"I've already said too much, the information is classified." the man replied haughtily.

"As to be expected of Earth Kingdom soldiers... hard-headed as per usual..." Anish thought to himself whilst giving out a sigh and idling his hand over his chakram.

"Who are you two anyway? And where's the rest of my men?! I want to speak to Commander Kanan instantly, anything you want to ask me, you'll have to ask him."

"I don't have time for this," Anish retorted as he began to advance slowly but purposefully, towards Tao, his hand behind his back in an overtly menacing manner. "Tell me what you know about the location of the Avatar, then I might just let you head back to your Commander."

The winds seemed to grow wilder at his threat, as Anish gripped the edge of his chakram and checked the corner of his eye for Nauja, motioning with his head for her to move aside.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Nauja's ears perked up. The Avatar? What does this have to do with the Avatar? She wondered, though she had a sinking suspicion that something was not right. Cautiously, Nauja stepped forward, looking at Anish.

"I..." She swallowed hard and began again. "I don't know anything about the Avatar," - here she turned to face Tao- "and I'm afraid the rest of your men are... dead, in an ambush with several Fire Nation Soldiers." I'm very sorry for your loss, but fighting like thiswill get us nowhere!"

Nauja took a deep breath, hoping it would get the other two to calm down somewhat.