Weary Obligations

[Takumi]

Takumi knew it was going to eventually happen. He knew, after 4 years of persuading the Fire Lord otherwise, that one day, the Fire Lord won't be so obliging and he'll have to be shipped off to his own, personal Hell.

Which was here, in the midst of nothing but cold and white.

Every high diplomat has to be experienced in all of the world's diverse cultures. He's easily traveled everywhere and befriended all the different peoples and the Fire Lord was pleased. Of course, the only place he has yet to travel was the Water Tribes, and the Fire lord, convinced of Takumi's ability to socially connect with everyone, has finally sent him here.

Takumi was now trodding through the snow, in a rather foul mood after discovering that he would have to actually walk to the village from his warm, comfy ship. His personal guards haven't noticed this however as Takumi was bundled thickly in an attempt to protect himself from the cold and the 3 scarves wound around his neck have overlapped upwards, covering the bottom half of his face and likewise concealing his sour expression.

There was also another reason for the makeshift mask - the inhabitants of the village may recognize him. Having banished the memories of his childhood, he's forgotten which village in particular he originated and briefly stayed at.

He shivered, still unable to believe how numbingly cold he was, even piled with the thickest and warmest clothing the fire nation has to offer.

[Shiomi]

Shiomi was at the temple for a few days, due to some of the elders of the Northern Water Tribe. They said she should go, and sent her with out anyone to accompany her. During the first few days she did meet a person or two and then they just disappeared. Just like everyone else she knew.

She was standing outside of the temple, just staring out over the icy snow. Watching the people get on and off the boat. Then she spotted him.

A boy? A man? She couldn't tell. But he did have people around him.....body guards, she wondered. But just kept staring at this....boy/man.....in confusion of why he'd come here. It didn't look like he was to psyched, his face was half covered up though. She just was standing there looking at him, not noticing that he could be doing the same.

Shiomi turned her head in embarrassment. She had just been staring, how rude of her, she thought. So she decided to just stand there until she could see him better, and passably talk to him. But she wouldn't make the first move.

[Takumi]

Takumi paused at the building standing stonily before him. He was experienced enough to realize that this wasn't the village, standing alone as it was and came to the conclusion that it was some sort of temple. He noticed the lone figure standing just outside it's doors and approached, wondering if he would be able to make contact with the village from there. Perhaps he could persuade the people to send a warm, welcoming envoy that would relieve him off his feet...

As Takumi neared, he saw that the figure was a young girl, with brilliantly white hair and shy blue eyes. As his guards fell into a ready stance at the potential threat, Takumi quieted them and, bidding them to stay where they were, plodded forward alone until he was facing the girl. He tugged down his mask, offering a gentle, friendly smile.

"Hello there. I am Takumi Ikasama, Diplomat on behalf of the esteemed Fire Lord. Who might you be?" he asked softly.

He was well aware of what her strangely colored hair signified, however it was rude to assume a stranger's identity and he always could be wrong.

[Shiomi]

Fire Lord..? This could mean trouble for Shiomi. But she decided to tell the truth, to save herself of all th bad things that might occur if she didn't. "I am Shiomi Yoon, of the Northern Water tribe, and also the Water Avatar..." She trailed off at the last part. Not knowing what he would do to her. "Nice to meet you, Takumi." She smiled warmly, and tried to hide what she had told him about herself.

She walked a little bit forward, but kept a mild distance from him. The Fire Lord, that could be bad or good. Depending the reason. She wanted to keep the bad one's out of her head, but they kept coming back.

"So what brings you out to the temple?" Her friendly smile was hard to keep straight. She was embarrassed, with out a reason why. Shiomi tried her best to cover her burning red cheeks the best she could with her hair.

[Takumi]

Takumi saw her shrink back at the mention of the Fire Lord. He had a notion that would be the general reaction; the Fire Nation wasn't overly popular with the Water Tribes - another reason why diplomats like him were needed.

He nodded at her admission of being the avatar, smiling kindly. "It is an honor to be in your presence, Avatar Shiomi." His guards straightened respectfully yet warily, knowing they probably would have a difficult time if attacked by an avatar. Takumi noticed her slight approach, yet make no move forward, aware of her nervousness. "I was on my way to the village when I spotted this temple and you standing just outside it. Are you alone, Lady Shiomi?" Takumi questioned, concerned.

[Shiomi]

"Lady Shiomi?" She laughed at the name. Not once has anyone ever called her that. "You can call me plain Shiomi if you like," her smile was friendly and easy to hold. Even though she was in the presence of a Fire Lord diplomat.

"And yes I am alone. But you do not need to worry about me, that is if you are, but i have only one more day to stay here. And then i will be on my way." Her smile was warm and hopefully gave off the right signal. Shiomi blushed again and moved a bit more towards Takumi. She wanted to welcome him but didn't know how. She didn't have this kind or experience very often. This would be the first in a month.

[Takumi]

"You will have to forgive me; referring to any lady as such has become a rather bad habit of mine."

He smiled lightly at her shy warmness and softly offered a hand. "I don't believe why anyone would ever leave you here to fend for yourself. Aren't you lonely at all?"

Takumi seemed to come to a decision. "I am afraid I have to ask a favor of you, Lady Shiomi. You see, I am due to be at the village, but I believe I still have some time to spare. May I burden you with my presence for a short while?"

[Shiomi]

"Well then call me Lady Shiomi if you must," her smile was faint but still friendly on her face. Hearing the last part, of the favor, him staying with her? Why would he do such a thing? Was there something in it for him...from th Fire Lord? Her thoughts raced through her mind, at fast fast pace. It took her awhile to fully come back to her senses, but no more than a minute or two.

"Of course you can, but don't you have a quest to be done? You might get done quicker if you don't stay with me." Shiomi didn't know if she really wanted him here or not. But she might as well give him an option before assuming. She blushed as she thought about why he might want to stay here. And guard me? She couldn't think of one specific reason.

[Takumi]

Takumi saw the distracted question in her face. "That may be true, but I am in no real hurry to reach the village."

He smiled. "Along with this, I feel the need to obtrude on you my companionship. I believe staying at this temple is far too lonesome for just one young lady to bear, and I am always obliged to aid those in need." He paused. "Of course, if you feel differently, you could always say so. The Fire Lord didn't request specifically for this detour to be made - it was my decision alone, and I won't force you to bear my company."

[Shiomi]

"Forcing wont be necessary, Takumi. You can stay with me, or head to the village, that is if you prefer the village." Her blushing returned, and she hid her face again. Her sweet smile did not hid the worry. Besides her and a man, but a man. A man that is a diplomat of the Fire Lord.

She let that thought wonder off on it's own. Completely forgetting about the people in front of her. "I'm sorry. I was zoned out." She laughed and hid her face from the red on her burning cheeks. "I wont tell you no, or yes. It is completely up to you."

[Takumi]

"Very well then," Takumi smiled. "I will be staying here, for the time being, if you don't mind. Excuse me for a moment."

Takumi swept his guards a fair distance away before speaking. "I want you all to travel to the village without me." He stopped their protests with a hand. "I realize your duty is to protect me, but I will be fine. I simply want you to scout ahead. It is well known that the Water Tribes are not very friendly with the Fire Nation and if you do get ambushed at the village, at the very least, I won't be there and in danger."

His smooth persuasion seemed to have worked;the guards wore expressions of grudging acceptance. With one last cautious glance at the temple, they ambled away. Takumi watched them go before heading towards the avatar. "Excuse my rudeness, Lady Shiomi, but I had to get rid of my guards," Takumi said with a small, congenial smile. "They mean well, but they undoubtedly would cause you discomfort what with their wariness. I sent them off to check on something for me."

He shifted. "Now, why don't we get inside. I don't believe standing out here in the cold is beneficial to your health, nor mine."

[Shiomi]

"it's perfectly fine with me." She smiled and walked forward towards the temple. "If we must," she put a hand out to the temple entrance and blushed.

"Your guards seem nice. Keeping n eye out for people you care about, or even have to protect, is very hard." She laughed and continued, "Exspicaly if you want to have them in you eye-sight at all times." Her face suddenly went from friendly to worry. What she just said could have been meant as an insult to him. Thats not what she meant but tried to keep her warm smile locked on her face.

[Takumi]

Takumi nodded, smiling as he followed. "Yes, they are indeed kind people, if not a bit overprotective." He noticed her worry. "They will be fine. They are skilled firebenders, so I'm sure they can take care of themselves."

He smiled softly. "As opposed to myself, who cannot bend at all. I'm afraid I may not be of much help to you, Lady Shiomi, if we were to be attacked at this very temple. Not many know of my presence here, however, if we do manage upon some danger I will ask you to abandon me. I wouldn't want you to risk yourself after all."

[Shiomi]

"Risking myself wouldn't be so bad. As to protect someone would be an honor." She went inside the temple and sat down in her favorite corner. She didn't care if there were chairs or not, she just always sat in that corner. "As for your guards, you never know what will happen. They might not return. But i highly doubt that, Takumi." She laughed, and motioned him to sit down anywhere. That is if he wanted to.

As she was thinking, as she usually does something came across her. Something he said. "You can't bend? Wow. Humm..." her eyes widened at what she said. "I didn't mean that as an insult, I'm sorry Takumi. I didn't mean to..." she broke off mid-sentence and hid her face in her hands.

[Takumi]

Concerned, Takumi kneeled in front of her and lightly touched her shoulder. "You needn't worry so much about offending me, Lady Shiomi. I always take everything you say in a positive light," he assured.

He smiled. "Being a diplomat gets you used to insults and you learn tolerance. In your case, I don't believe you've said one rude word to me since I'd met you. So please, don't be so sad. It's distressing to see you so depressed," he insisted.