Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 2, 2008 15:28:06 GMT -6
The market was bustling. There were a few foreign merchants adding color to the uniformly crimson Fire Nation stalls, Takumi noted with approval as he tried to ignore that fact that he was probably the one being stared at the most. Having foreigners travel into the heart of the Fire Nation and experience it's trade were always good for alliances.
Takumi had descended from the palace, having a blissful reprieve as nothing was required of him at the moment. However, as he was leaving through the palace gates, the guards that were unfortunately assigned to protect him while he was out of the palace grounds had caught sight of him and proceeded to tail him, despite his polite protests. Being a highly respected Adivsor and Diplomat to the Fire Lord and a non-bender at that has it's downsides.
Even now, they were surrounding him and it was iliciting many stares. Takumi simply wanted a relaxed walk and perhaps some pleasant conversation with some random bystander; tough luck of getting any of that that now. Everytime he attempts to move somewhere or approach an associate, the crowded market parts for him like he was some sort of divinity, awed by the circle of guards dressed in full, Royal Fire Nation armor and the clearly Royal individual within. While many would normally enjoy the superiority gained from this, it simply frustrated Takumi. He never did enjoy pointlessly grand entourages, he only used his high status to gain equally ranked connections. Appearing high-bred now, amongst generally common people simply made him unapproachable and how would he gain acquaintances from this?
Of course, his displeasure was never spoken of aloud and no one in the market perceived it either as he viewed his surroundings with a pleasant smile, seeming to everyone perfectly at peace with everything.
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 2, 2008 17:13:08 GMT -6
The large Shirshu was attracting her fair share of attention as it was, and unfortunatly, the animal was not so trained in humility, and was enjoying every second of it. When she would turn her blind head to face another small child or large man who thought her interesting, Kassa would reach out with one hand and grab her pet by the ear. She would hiss some kind of warning before letting go, and Xiu would look chagrined, for about two seconds, until the next bystander paid her attention.
Kassa herself was hardly recognizable, and she was glad few commoners knew of the avatars favorite pet, or else Xiu would have given her identity away within seconds. But as it was, no one knew of the Shirshu, and Kassa was dressed in a way that attracted no attention.
Her flame-red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and it along with her amber eyes were hidden underneath a large-brimmed straw hat. A black traveling cloak was strung around her body, covering commoner fire-nation clothes. Britches that were a bit too big, and a shirt with its sleeves ragged but intact. So far, no one had noticed who she really was. In fact, she had been pushed a few times, like any other commoner would be. While this annoyed her, it also pleased her, because it meant that no one realized who she was.
Her calm alertness of everything going on around her was suddenly interrupted as the crowd in front of her began to part. For a minute she panicked, afraid that someone had recognized her. However, she soon realized that it was not her it was parting for. It was the group of guards hiding someone who looked vaguely familiar, although she couldn't place exactly who he was.
Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Kassa led Xiu with the crowd, parting the way. She stood there, next to her pet, and tilted her head up as to better see who was passing.
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 2, 2008 17:52:54 GMT -6
Takumi was passing through the crowd, observing with a bit of dismay how easily the guards shielded everything from him before he spotted something between the small gap of burly soldiers. He glimpsed a strange, but ultimately familiar creature, and stopped abuptly.
It was Xiu, the Fire Avatar's pet. Eyes widening slightly in surprise, Takumi searched over the guards' head for the avatar herself, knowing she was rarely without her pet. It was quite a difficult feat as even though he was a tall man, his guards were all of relatively similar height, being built for battle. However, he eventually found her, standing next to pet, dressed rather inconspicuously. As she raised her head, that flaming hair was unmistakable. Noticing she was alone, Takumi frowned. She was the avatar and while she wasn't completely helpless as him (or as most assume), she really shouldn't be out and about alone.
Along with this, he also felt a rather irrational surge of jealousy - now, how did she get past her guards? He felt the need to blow her cover so to speak, however half of his motivation to do so was his own desire for company.
As he toyed with the possibility of uncovering her identity, he locked eyes with her searching amber ones, sternly conveying to her how foolhardy and dangerous her current sneaky activity was and perhaps, just for a split-second revealed his furtive question of if he could possibly join her?
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 2, 2008 20:06:45 GMT -6
Kassa felt a stab of annoyance at the gathering of guards. Why did they all have to be so blasted tall? It was nearly impossible to see who they were guarding, and her curiosity was blazing. The guard assembly wasn't as big as it would be if it was protecting the Fire Lord himself, or even Zunko. However, it was larger than that which would protect the lesser residents of royalty. So it had to be someone with a fair bit of power, but with less than the royal family.
Finally, one of the guards moved just right, and she recognized the other in an instant. It was Takumi, the royal family's advisor.
He had already recognized her, or at least so it seemed by the way he was looking at her. His dark eyes locked with hers, and she couldn't help but grin cheekily at the obvious sterness in them. There was also something else, and she caught that look as well. Of course, he was surronded by guards while she was free. Now, that was hardly fair.
Of course, as she stooped to grab a bit of cloth that had fallen from a passing guard, she didn't even give a thought to her idea. Nor to the fact that it was foolhardy, and likely to get her in massive trouble. It didn't matter anyways, there were some perks to being the avatar, after all.
She put the bit of cloth up to Xiu's nose, and leaned over towards the shirshu's ear. "Get this man, got it? But don't hurt him love, just stun him a bit and create a commotion. Once I get out of here, hopefully with Takumi in tow, then get out of here as well. Got it?" She asked. Xiu ducked her head slightly, and Kassa knew that her friend was smart enough to understand, animal or not. "Go on then, love."
The shirshu suddenly let out a bellow, and she bounded forward, her long tounge lashing out at one of the guards. The man yelped, but was quickly paralyzed, and went down, causing the wanted reaction. The other guards quickly pulled their swords and collected around their fallen teammate. At the same time, the crowd began to swell and some even began to scream, afraid the creature would hurt them next. Grinning with amusement, Kassa beckoned to Takumi, her way of saying that if he wanted away from his guards, he'd better follow her now, before they had time to regroup.
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Prince Zunko
Member
{S=3}Prince Of The Fire Nation
Posts: 39
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Post by Prince Zunko on Nov 2, 2008 23:24:13 GMT -6
(mind if, I join)
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 3, 2008 15:11:35 GMT -6
(I'm fine with it, as long as you can find some where to jump in.)
Takumi watched the avatar aim a wily grin at him before whispering with her pet. He wondered what she was up to, before sighting the bit of cloth he recognized as one of the guards' in her hand, held up to the shirshu's nose. Realizing her plan, he was prepared and smoothly side-stepped the guard's falling body as the others quickly rushed behind him to the man's aid, forgetting him for just a moment. As the crowd began to become disorganized, he found her gesturing for him to follow. Shaking his head in amusement, Takumi easily slipped through the chaos towards the avatar.
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Prince Zunko
Member
{S=3}Prince Of The Fire Nation
Posts: 39
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Post by Prince Zunko on Nov 3, 2008 23:21:05 GMT -6
(hmm naa, I've had a single rp with Kas only fair you should as well)
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 4, 2008 10:24:16 GMT -6
Kassa's grin widened when she saw Takumi heading her way, and she turned away from him and began to descend deeper into the crowd. She kept a smooth pace, fast enough to make some distance, but not quite fast enough to attract attention. She glanced back once to see if Takumi was still following. Hoping he wouldn't get cold feet and would continue to follow her, she continued to make her way.
Once she made her way out of the crowd, she was in the square, where the crowd was less dense, but there were still enough people to provide cover. She leaned casually against a fountain, waiting for Takumi to catch up, and for Xiu to make her way back to Kassa as well. She had a moment of concern, hoping the guards wouldn't try and capture Xiu, but the concern quickly faded. Xiu could take care of herself, and it was far from the first time they had done something like this.
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 4, 2008 15:39:59 GMT -6
Takumi trailed after the avatar, carefully picking through the crowd. He wasn't able to pass through as effortlessly as the avatar, dressed as he was, and received quite a few stares. However, being used it, he wasn't entirely concerned and continued following the avatar, seeing her glance back at him as if worried he'd turn tail. The possibility of that happening was not very likely; now that he had knowledge of the fact that she was loose and alone, she was his responsibility for the time being.
He eventually found himself in the square, the avatar leaning against a fountain. He approached her with a smile, barely refraining from bowing as he knew doing so would alert the pedestrians around them and invite her inevitable resent. He wouldn't want to do that, now would he? Especially so after aiding him with that clever escape trick.
"Greetings, Lady Kassandra."
Nonetheless, completely dropping formalities is quite difficult...
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 4, 2008 16:38:37 GMT -6
"A moment, please." She said, her voice much stiffer than she meant it to be. She was staring out in the direction they had come from, waiting. Surely she hadn't fallen quite that far behind? Yes, she probably could have talked to Takumi while she waited, but she had the feeling that if she did, she would be distracted, and risk being caught off guard.
She breathed a sigh of relief when Xiu lumbered into the square, looking perfectly fine. Kassa rubbed the shirshu on her head when the creature crawled over and laid next to her master. Content that everything had gone as planned, Kassa finally looked to Takumi, and gave him a slight bow of the head.
"Pardon my rudeness, Advisor Takumi." She said, in a tone that clearly said how she wasn't really sorry, but didn't want him to think she had shushed him out of spite. "I had to wait until I knew Xiu was ok before conversing. And please, call me Kassa." The last bit that she said was with a voice that assured him that she knew why he used formalities. It was only proper, after all. Which is why she had called him Advisor, as was his title.
"It is good to see you, and I thank you for the nice excitement you've added to my day." She said, chuckling lightly.
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 4, 2008 21:03:10 GMT -6
"I serve to please," Takumi smiled lightly. "And you weren't rude in the slightest. I've suffered far worse."
He regarded her thoughtfully, through dark red eyes, whose gentle curiosity masked the sharp perceptiveness within. "You've grown, Lady Kassa. I can recall just 5 years ago, when you were still a brazen, yet courageous child, brimming with potential. You haven't changed much, besides maturing into a young woman, however I sense a... readiness about you. Something will occur and you may sneak out of the capital altogether, off to do something as reckless as saving the world."
He chuckled. "The whole of the Fire Nation will be alerted and I fear I may end up chasing you halfway around the world, under obligatory orders or not." His smile softened. "After all, I would do anything to ensure your safety, Avatar Kassa."
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 5, 2008 18:23:28 GMT -6
Kassa coughed lightly, and ran a hand through her hair. Her face felt heated under the praise Takumi had given her, and she hoped it wasn't as red as it felt. "You're too kind." She replied. She hated the embarassment that she was sure was obvious. She never did take praise well, even when it was truthful and well-meaning, as Takumi's was. Although that was far different than the blatant worship shown by some of the commoners, it was still embarassing.
She quickly changed the subject, placing a wiry grin on her face. "Reckless? Me? Now, why would I ever do something like that?" She asked, faux innocence evident in her voice. However, what he had said returned her mind to the truth, and her teasing smile faded.
"Your concern heartens me, Takumi. But I wouldn't want you to risk yourself. You do realize that its a complete possibility that such an event will occur? The fire nation might be reluctant to let me go, but its what I have been training for." She sighed lightly, and sat on the edge of the foutain. " 'When the time comes and darkness is threatning the land, you must find the others and stop it.' I've heard it many times, ever since I was little. Its my duty, you know." She said, failing to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 5, 2008 19:57:47 GMT -6
Takumi watched her embarrasment at his light praise with amusement before nodding at her somberness. "You bear quite a burden, as every avatar is fated."
He looked away, a faint smile on his lips. "Obligations are often hard to fulfill, especially so if you feel too much is being expected of you. Many put their faith and trust in you simply because you're the avatar. They don't realize you're still human and are prone to mistakes, as anyone is. I understand how daunting that may sound and at times, it may seem that the whole world is against you, but realize there are those precious few that aren't inclined to pressure you under perfection. I'm sure you've already met some." He smiled banteringly. "A prime example being myself."
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Kassa
Administrator
{S=7}The Dragoness
"I'm bringing the heat!"
Posts: 553
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Post by Kassa on Nov 6, 2008 10:53:04 GMT -6
"And how lucky I am to know those few. I am grateful to you, and to those I've met like you. It helps to keep me sane." She chuckled lightly, her morose mood somewhat lifted. "I cannot imagine what it was like for those avatars who were just one person! Can you imagine it? Not only would they have to deal with fame, worship, and hatred ten times more than my others and I, but they also had all four elements raging inside of their bodies. Its a wonder they weren't all depressed." She commented thoughtfully.
She suddenly got to her feet, and waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, forgive my mood. Its not fair for me to deflect my problems on someone else, although I'm thankful for your kind words. Tell me, Takumi, how have you been? Like you said, its been awhile since we last met. Tell me, how fare things at the palace?"
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Takumi
Member
{S=11}Fire Nation Royal Advisor/Diplomat
Drowning in the cold...
Posts: 72
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Post by Takumi on Nov 6, 2008 16:12:10 GMT -6
Takumi smiled at her uplifting change of attitude. "You really needn't concern yourself with my welfare, but if you must know, I am quite fine, especially after having the opportunity to take part in your trick, Lady Kassa. The palace has been quite peaceful, as it always has. I've been given a brief reprieve as it were, which goes to show how unneeded diplomats are in this time of tranquility."
He paused thoughtfully. Having connections everywhere, both in underworld and high society (except the Water Tribes) has it's benefits and he's heard of a rather suspicious operation located in the remote wilds of the jungle. He hadn't given the matter much thought, but now, speaking to the avatar about darkness and false peace had him producing a rather odd feeling when he thought about it. He shook his head, resolving to find out more about it in secret. He already really shouldn't know this, but it was a habit and traveling to the slums of every nation imaginable does incline you to sniff out things you shouldn't.
His moment of distraction was short-lived and he soon returned to his polite smile, awaiting the avatar's response.
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