Ending the One Hundred Year War - Avatar - O&A

[Chamrosh]

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Air-bender (master)
Zopa Jigme
21
Traveller
Heterosexual

Somewhere over the Southern Ocean
@Chihiro, Kazuya, Suyin

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Zopa nodded at what Suyin said. He had his doubts, very easily, about how "no nonsense" Suyin really was, but he was hardly going to argue. It was good for someone like that to have a positive, bright influence, and if they were best friends, that had to be a good thing. Better to let their self-identification be questionably accurate than to disrupt something that was clearly working.
xxxxxZopa was about to offer to use a little gust of wind to pull the boat close enough for Suyin to jump, but Chihiro stepped up easily for it. Good. It was good that that declaration of being friends didn't seem to be one-sided. Very good. But then, out in the middle of nowhere like this, people could be very different and still end up being close friends. That was simply how being as isolated as the most southern expanses of the world were made people.
xxxxx"He's a beautiful bison," he said, at the name being mentioned.
xxxxxZopa paused for a moment, considering quite how best to go on, settling and steadying his breath, briefly turning his mind to focus more on the little practise of turning away the coldest air away from one's skin to keep warm, thinking how best to answer.
xxxxxIt only took a few seconds, and Zopa waited until they were well out of ear-shot to begin.
xxxxxAnd as he started, it would quickly become obvious, the almost unnerving calm that Zopa displayed. Not even the slightest hint of emotion. This had long since been accepted as fact. This was simply reality, and there was no way for emotion to help those who were long gone...
xxxxx"Nearly a century ago, during the rule of Fire Lord Sozin, there was an appearance of the great comet. Firebenders have long been strongest under the influence of the comet, but Fire Lord Sozin was not merely happy to be stronger. The Fire Nation had entered into a time of prosperity and wealth, and Fire Lord Sozin wanted to share this. He believed the Fire Nation to be superior to the rest, and thought the best way to increase everyone's wellbeing was to make sure everyone fell under his rule. It's hard to know all of the circumstances, of course, but that is the best information anyone has that I have found.
xxxxx"Fire Lord Sozin took advantage of the comet to launch a surprise attack. It was a calculated decision where to attack first. He saw the division of the Airbenders as a sign of weakness, alongside our smaller population and peaceful ways, and so he chose to attack the temples first." Zopa paused for a moment, wondering if, perhaps, it was kind to be soft, but... no. Honesty would help more in the long run. "Strengthened by the comment, it was very difficult for the firebenders to be fought against. At each temple, many monks died to get the children and their mothers and the elderly out safely. Even then, not many of them survived. Most of those who escaped from Fire Lord Sozin's assault had been apart from the temples at the time, and each had to be faced with it in turn.
xxxxx"Most Airbenders who are around now are in hiding or in secret in some form. Many have taken back to the temples now, when they're needed, but never so many as to draw attention." There was more, of course, to share, but that was, by far, the majority. As he spoke, Zopa stayed calm, and collected, and smooth in his speech. Ready to be interrupted at any point if an outburst would happen, and ready for whatever emotions came afterwards, too. The rest could wait, for now.

SupercallifragilisticexpialidociousEvenThoughTheSoundOfItIsSomethingQuiteAtrociousIfYouSayItLoudEnoughYou'llAlwaysSoundPrecociousSupercallifragilisticexpialadocious

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Fire-Nation (non-bender)
Jee Reiko
17
Soldier
Asexual Panromantic

Ba Sing Se Train
@Asami, Kairi

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

"Kairi? That's a pretty name." Reiko nodded, leaning back in the seat more fully (still very neatly, but just, a little more relaxed). One hand reached up to quickly brush a strand of hair that'd fallen into her face out of her eyes again. She'd normally re-do it, without being watched, as soon as hair started being disobedient, but she had a girly enough face that that would probably give away the act in a moment as soon as the hair was down, so, not now.
xxxxxReiko nodded at Asami's explanation, considering. "Well, anyway, it shouldn't take long in any case. I'd prefer to go alone." Quick, come up with an excuse on the spot, think, think, think.... "My parents are quite something." She faked a wince. Let them take that how they would. Either, it'd be seen as (honestly) bad parents or as them being overwhelming. Hopefully either of those would work... And either had to be better than them actually meeting the other members of her squadron! "Oh!" Her voice dropped, not so much in pitch (that was already dropped quite far enough), but in volume. Making it seem like she was sharing a big secret... "Well, firstly, I need to stop off somewhere to pick up my bow. I don't think they'd like weapons being brought into Ba Sing Se like that, but I travel enough, and, with how things are now, I'd really rather not be without it going very far." She pulled back a little, counteracting how she'd been leaning forward with the lowered voice, returning very easily to a far more casual position. "It's a little village they're staying in, not far from here. It shouldn't take long, and if I remember right there was a little tea-shop there you could visit."
xxxxxOh, that loose hair was annoying her now. Reiko decided it was time to distract herself a little, brushing her clothing down, and neatening up the sleeves carefully.
xxxxx"Are you okay, Kairi?" Reiko's head tilted, just the smallest bit, showing concern.

[Twilight Prince]

K A I R I x A M I____________________________
Lesbian / Earthbender / 18 / Cis Girl / Tags: Asami, Jee / Location: Ba Sing Se Monorail

She didn't really see why Reiko had decided to comment on her name. So what if it was pretty? She couldn't say 'oh thank you, I was born with it.' Or she could. She was sort of in an irritable mood already, and it would do her mood no harm to be sarcastic.* "Thank you, I was born with it," she replied, feeling a bit disappointed with herself right after she said it. It didn't sound as smart out loud. As they looked in Reiko's general direction, watching for a reaction, she noticed how odd Reiko was acting; covering her face up and messing with her clothing. It wasn't unlike what she herself had been doing. She narrowed her eyes just a little, deciding to pay closer attention.

"I'm fine." she said, more hasty and forcefully than she meant to. It seemed like she was lying. Which. . wasn't entirely implausible considering her recently experienced strong feelings.* "Why would you think I'm not?" She persisted, hoping to turn the attention onto Reiko for a moment, for she didn't like the idea of being stared at and explaining herself that way.

[Pistol Annie #1 NPC]

Suyin
Firebender
Location: Iceberg
Tags: Chihiro, Kazuya, Zopa

"What-" Suyin was taken by surprise. Chihiro had flung her over his shoulder, as if carrying a misbehaving child to the time-out chair. "What are you doing?"
Surprised as she was, she wrapped her arms around his neck to prevent herself from falling off. The prospect of splashing into that freezing cold water was not a fun one. Suyin squeezed her eyes shut as Chihiro took a flying leap at the boat, and only opened them once he set her down on the boat.
A sigh of relief escaped her - she didn't realize she'd been holding her breath. Suyin smiled shakily and rose to her feet. "Thank you. I really didn't want to take a swim today."
She nodded at the request to watch the two newcomers, although Suyin herself hadn't noticed anything strange. Her skill with reading and understanding others was... subpar to say the least. Any subtleties would simply pass her by. Still, she would do her best, if only to make her best friend happy.
"Wow, it's flying," She breathed as the giant white bison rose into the sky. Honestly, with that thick fur, she'd been expecting it to swim through the water like a second boat. It seemed Zopa and Kazuya were having a deep conversation up there, so Suyin simply smiled at them instead of trying to wave or shout something. She didn't want to be rude!
"I always thought flying bison were just a myth," She admitted. "Do you think if I ask nicely, they'll let me fly with them next time?"

[Zyn]

◤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◥
xxxxx♡xxA s a m ixx♡
══════════════════
♡ Earthbender || Female || 19
♡ Location: The Train
♡ Tags: Kairi, Reiko
♡ Mood: Intrigued, Curious
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Asami nodded thoughtfully, it was understandable that Reiko wanted to meet her parents alone. Though it did leave her with a bit of a conundrum. Where was she going to go during that time, it wasn't like she really carried around a tent that she could set up and stay at in the mean time. She would have to think that over, hopefully something would fall into place. Preferably sooner rather than later. Her attention was drawn back in when Reiko leaned forward and lowed her voice to tell them about a bow. Intrigued she was a bit disappointed when Reiko didn't elaborate more. "Your an archer? That's super cool! I'm a bit to clumsy to use the bow" she admitted with a sheepish smile. She had always admired people who could use the bow, it wasn't an easy weapon to use. At least with the sword it was fairly straight forward. Her interest was once again peeked when Reiko spoke of a tea shop. Every small tea shop she had ever visited had been very pleasant and so she was looking forward to popping in there for a quick drink. With that news she seemed to brightened even more. Though that dimmed slightly when Reiko asked if Kairi was okay and she turned a slightly concerned look on the other girl. She hadn't noticed anything off but then again she wasn't the best at reading people. The response they got even she could read, it was to harsh and forceful to possibly be in line with the words spoken. Her gaze flickered to Reiko but ultimately she returned her concerned gaze back upon Kairi. She had found nothing off with her new friend. Reiko was just brushing a loose strand of hair out of her eyes and straightening her clothes. Something that drew Asami's attention her her own clothes and she shifted slightly as she straightened her own clothes out.

◤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◥
xxxxxxx☭xxC h i h i r oxx☭
═══════════════════════
☭ Exiled Prince || Firebender || Male || 20
☭ Location: The Southern Ocean
☭ Tags: Suyin
☭ Mood: Worn Out, Confused, Irritated
◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

.
Chihiro wasn't too surprised by Suyin's reaction to him throwing her over his shoulder. But he was a bit surprised by her reaction to the flying bison, sure it was impressive but he wasn't blown away the same way that Suyin was. Peering over at Suyin he couldn't help but shake his head, she was clearly enamored with the beast. He could understand her interest a little bit, after all even though he knew that the air nomads had learned airbending from the sky bison it still blew his mind a little. Such a large beast soaring through the sky was bound to be a little surprising. Shaking his head more he focused on the sea around them. "I'd be surprised if they even let use talk to them, you know as well as I do how much the other nations hate fire benders and fire nation citizens. I highly doubt Zopa will skimp on just how much the fire nation did to the rest of the world. If they even land with us then I doubt they will be as friendly. Doesn't matter that our views aren't the same as my fathers, we are fire benders and therefore part of the problem" he responded in his typical pessimistic way. His brow was furrowed as he focused on trying to find somewhere to pause. So far they had traveled far enough that it would be smart to start looking for somewhere that was large enough for a sky bison to land on. Despite how sure he was that they would just fly away again he wasn't cruel. He wasn't going to make that poor beast swim, it was too cold even for it.

◤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◥
xxxxxxx☯xxK a z u y axx☯
══════════════════════
☯ The Avatar || Airbender || Male || 18
☯ Location: The Southern Ocean
☯ Tags: Zopa
☯ Mood: Confused, Worried, Out of Sorts
◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

.
Kazuya glanced back at Zopa when the other airbender commented on Hayate, he silently agreed. All of the sky bison were beautiful but he thought that hayate was a particularly handsome one. Focusing on breathing he calmed himself even more, he could tell from the calm that Zopa displayed that the news wasn't going to be good. So he listened silently as Zopa started to explain everything. At least he understood what Sozin's comet meant, it was named after the Fire Lord at the time. He had hoped that Sozin had been referring to someone else. Though now he knew who Sozin was he had a better idea of the timeline, it couldn't have been long after he had been frozen that the event Sozin's comet happened. His heart skipped a beat when heard what happened. The words that stuck out the most, 'many monks died.' Those were his people, the same people he was supposed be protecting. Horror and pain rippled through his heart and mind, these were monks he had grown up around. Luckily the only outward sign of his distress was his grip on the reigns, his knuckles turned white from how tight his grip was. As Zopa kept explaining his brows furrowed every so slightly. Once Zopa was finished he sat in silence as he fought to calm his outward appearance. "The Avatar wasn't there" he finally said, his voice was hollow and void of emotion. The unspoken words ran rampant in his mind. He wasn't there, he wasn't there to save them and stop the attacks. If he had been there then everything would have been different, he was sure of it. "How many are left?" he asked his voice just as hollow and earilier.

[Chamrosh]

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Air-bender (master)
Zopa Jigme
21
Traveller
Heterosexual

Somewhere over the Southern Ocean
@Kazuya

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Watching Kazuya's manner, Zopa was reasonably sure that the tone of what was coming had been picked up. Even from behind, the calm was easy to pick up on. It was all in the square of the shoulders, and the expansion of each breath.
xxxxxWhile it was impossible to work out exactly how the cogs were ticking as he spoke about what had happened, about Sozin's comet, and about the fall of the air nomads (in a sense), it was very easy to be sure that the cogs were turning, and very thoroughly, trying to piece everything together. Trying to piece together almost one hundred years of information within a few seconds.
xxxxxZopa resolved to show as much resolve as possible in maintaining a patient attitude, and at staying calm, no matter how long it took for Kazuya to process that much. It had to be hard. It was sometimes hard for a modern airbender to quite process.
xxxxxHe did not envy Kazuya's current position, and it was a very easy thing to offer to make things easier, to not be impatient with someone in a difficult situation emotionally.
xxxxxZopa kept his voice very calm, but he tried to push more for comforting at sensing any change in emotion from Kazuya. It wasn't much. The information still had to be shared, but, hopefully, that would be taken better if it was said more softly, more gently. Of course, the more subtle signs all went unheeded, not from lack of care but because of the sheer practical limitation of where they were relative to each other.
xxxxxThe tautening of the reins said it all.
xxxxx"He was not." There was no sense denying such a simple statement. "But if what I have read, and the many stories I have been told, are accurate, he was not yet even a man, and had only mastered airbending. It is unlikely he could - then - have stood up to the soldiers. If he had been fighting there, then I would put it as likely that he would have perished, too. He would have no reason to feel guilt for not being able to defend them against such an assault, even if he were an adult then." Would it be picked up that Zopa was trying to be reassuring directly to Kazuya..? That he suspected he was directing his thinking to the target of it? Oh well. It didn't much matter. Kazuya would likely have to admit to being the avatar before too long, anyway, on the off chance that Zopa was right, and not being overly optimistic. At worst, he'd say something that confirmed that Zopa was wrong. Which he woudln't be at all surprised by. He probably was just getting his hopes up.
xxxxx"Besides, there is no sense dwelling in the mistakes of the past, except to learn from them. It would be useless to only take guilt from something like that."
xxxxxHe waited calmly, hoping that would all be taken in calmly, before Kazuya spoke again.
xxxxx"I do not know the exact number. There is always so much movement, and so few stay permanently within the temples, now. I would guess that those who are left could fit very easily into just one temple, if I must." Zopa paused only a moment, fingers gently unfurling on his legs. "It is not the fault of each soldier. It is the fault of their leaders, who use their pride in their culture against them. There is nothing wrong with being proud of one's nation, but there is in thinking it is better than all others."

SupercallifragilisticexpialidociousEvenThoughTheSoundOfItIsSomethingQuiteAtrociousIfYouSayItLoudEnoughYou'llAlwaysSoundPrecociousSupercallifragilisticexpialadocious

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Fire-Nation (non-bender)
Jee Reiko
17
Soldier
Asexual Panromantic

Ba Sing Se Train
@Asami, Kairi

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Reiko caught the nodding, and felt like a little further explanation was in order. Nothing big, just enough to put Asami at ease. "It really shouldn't take that long. Maybe... an hour or two? I like to keep interactions short so they can't stop being sweet." Or rather, non-existent...
xxxxx"Named before you're born. That's unusual." It was hard not to bite back against fire with fire, and the snark came without thinking, although, thankfully, it also came without bite. It sounded more amused than snarky, through a filter of politeness. And she'd kept her face in control, too! It looked like a little intrigued smile, eyebrows raising as if to ask a question silently.
xxxxxReiko watched carefully for a few more moments, trying to relax again, fight back the urge to show that that really had been snark. But in those few moments...
xxxxxKairi really seemed far too suspicious of her already. What on earth had she done? Sure, she'd done some fidgeting, but Kairi had done more. If fidgeting was suspicious, then Kairi had practically declared herself to be a master spy already. The only possible right she had to find that suspicious was if she could read minds or something, or if some sort of spirit had been whispering information she shouldn't have into her ear. Reiko was honestly on the verge of telling that spirit to get lost if it couldn't be ignored, just in case.
xxxxxReiko nodded at Asami's response, puzzled for a moment at that reaction, before remembering that archery was rarer in the other three nations. Not so rare as to be suspicious, but, more so. "It's not very hard to learn. Or it wasn't, anyway. I can try to teach you, if you want."
xxxxxAnd at Kairi's question... well, a well-placed excuse couldn't hurt, could it? Reiko tilted her head just a little side-ways, and then twitched her eyes between Asami and Kairi twice, and then gestured subtly at herself. With how Asami acted she was doubting that that signalling would be picked up on, but Reiko was trying to communicate that she suspected jealousy. "You're just acting a little strangely. That's all."
xxxxxAh! There! There was Asami straightening her clothes out too! If Reiko straightening out clothes was suspicious, then surely Asami had to be suspicious now, too! If that didn't get some judgement, then she'd have to assume that Kairi really was onto her somehow. They were all adjusting earth kingdom robes. What on earth was the difference?!

[Twilight Prince]

K A I R I x A M I____________________________
Lesbian / Earthbender / 18 / Cis Girl / Tags: Asami, Jee / Location: Ba Sing Se Monorail

Kairi was really just looking for some way to get Reiko to be in the wrong, and had been acting overly suspicious, but knew her criticism to be hypocritical. How could the ride have started off so fine and ended up withe mad all over again? It was because she'd decided to care about something; someone. She ought to give up and not make a fool of herself. Kairi glanced away, letting her hair fall into her face, and crossed her arms. "Everyone is strange. how could I be acting strangely than the rest?" She asked, with attitude once more, making it obvious that the question she asked was meant to be rhetorical. "It is not important why I act the way I act, but that you keep out of what is not your business." She said. At this point, it would, to people with common sense, be clear that she no longer wanted to make conversation, not even with Asami.

[Zyn]

◤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◥
xxxxx♡xxA s a m ixx♡
══════════════════
♡ Earthbender || Female || 19
♡ Location: The Train
♡ Tags: Kairi, Reiko
♡ Mood: Confused
◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

.
Asami nodded with a bright smile, only a couple hours was easy enough. She had been thinking it would take much longer than that so it was nice to hear that whatever it was that Reiko needed to do wouldn't take all that long. Tilting her head she peered at Reiko when her new friend responded to Kairi, unlike Kairi she was being calm and polite. The harsh words from Kairi was pushing her opinion of them down. She much preferred the small and polite words and voice that Reiko had. That feeling of warmth for her was increased by the offer of lessons, she already knew that she was too clumsy for it but it heart warming regardless. "Sounds like if anyone can teach my clumsy hands how to operate a bow it would be you. But I don't want to waste your time, I doubt I can ever use the bow. Which is fine I can just use the sword instead. Speaking of which I need to pick up a new one since my old one went missing" she replied while beaming at Reiko. Her grin turned into a confused one by the way that Reiko was glancing between herself and Kairi. There was clearly something that they were trying to communicate but she didn't know what it was that they were trying to say. It had to be something important and she cursed her poor social skills. Instead of letting herself dwell on it she sent Reiko a tiny shake of her head in an attempt to convey that she didn't understand. She didn't get to continue down that train of thought anyways because Kairi shot back at Reiko. Without thinking she stood and then froze. "Sorry!" she apologized quickly. "I may be a bit slow at things but it sounds like you don't want to be around us so I think I'm going to move to a different spot to give you some space. Reiko do you want to join me?" she asked. Her voice was soft and calm and gentle. She wasn't trying to be rude.

◤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◥
xxxxxxx☯xxK a z u y axx☯
══════════════════════
☯ The Avatar || Airbender || Male || 18
☯ Location: The Southern Ocean
☯ Tags: Zopa
☯ Mood: Confused, Worried, Out of Sorts
◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

.
Kazuya already knew the words that Zopa was going to say before he said them, after all he hadn't been there, but it still hurt more than he had thought. The reassuring words that should have helped instead felt more like a knife that had been stabbed into his chest and was being twisted. It didn't matter what would have happened, what matter was that he hadn't been there and people had died. He was the avatar he was supposed to bring balance, he was supposed to save people not allow them to suffer and die. It was also those words that told him what he needed to know, Zopa knew who he was. Zopa knew he was the avatar and it hurt even more. However instead of speaking up and interrupting the other airbender to correct him, he stayed silent and let them finish what they were saying. There was another twist to the imaginary knife, all the air nomads could fit in one temple. The number alone didn't need to be said out loud for it to be painful for Kazuya to hear. His eyes fluttered shut and he took a deep breath to center himself before he turned to face Zopa. He fixed the older airbender with a controlled expression, one that didn't give away the turmoil and pain within. "You know. You know who I am. So how can you say that? I had a role to play and I failed to be there to keep the balance. My friends and family were killed because of my absence" he replied softly. It was the most he had said in a long time. It was also the most emotional thing, despite the controlled voice, that he had ever said. Turning back to face forward he calmed himself again. "You are right though, what is done is done. There is nothing I can do but make up for it now" he added, his voice still steady. "What do you suggest I do?"

[Chamrosh]

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Air-bender (master)
Zopa Jigme
21
Traveller
Heterosexual

Somewhere over the Southern Ocean
@Kazuya

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ☸ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Zopa kept his voice very very calm. It hurt a bit to have to share all this like this, but the information had to be shared, and sooner was better. Sooner meant there was more time to process this and to become calm with it, and it was better to know now, than to have someone judge him for not knowing later.
xxxxxIt hurt, though. And even with how calm Zopa was, so calm that he rarely reacted with emotion at all, it was hard to entirely keep his emotions controlled. If he were seen at the exact right moment, that tiny slip would be seen, but it wasn't around for long enough to offer much chance of that.
xxxxxHe was insightful enough to know what was likely to be going on in Kazuya's head, or, at least, to have enough of an idea for it to be functional. Enough that when he was finished, he used just a little airbending to get himself onto his feet, and moved feather-light across Hayate's saddle, ready to place a comforting hand on Kazuya's shoulder, if it was at all wanted, but still a few steps backwards, not wanting to be at all imposing if the younger airbender were to look back to check on him at all.
xxxxxZopa fixed Kazuya's expression very squarely, but his own expression soft. His whole posture was soft, too. His hands were down and open, in a posture that'd be very easily understood as ready to comfort by any air bender.
xxxxx"I did not know. I had a guess, but I know now." It was a surprise to learn that he really was the avatar, and that Zopa wasn't being overly optimistic. A good surprise. The search was over. He'd need to take some time to process that fully at some point soon, but right now, riding in the air was not the time to do it. Certainly, now was not, with how Kazuya needed this time to process things now, first. Zopa's emotional processing could wait for now. Quite probably there'd be time before this night, even. Zopa sighed, very, very gently. He took this moment to come closer, to be ready immediately to be comforting if it was needed, physically. It was unlikely to really be needed in a direct way like that, but it was still good to offer the option, in case it was wanted. "You were a child, who had only learned one form of bending. The comet does not just make fire bending stronger, from what I have heard. It is not a small difference. It is a defining change. No one, not even the avatar, could hope to have turned that storm aside, once the comet was there. No one is that strong. You would have died, too, and no difference would be made. But you remember them. Being remembered by someone who mattered to us long after we die is the most many people hope for, when they die. If you use that memory to help people, then they can continue to be remembered, and continue to live on through the people their memory saved. I am sure that they would be glad you are alive now, because there are so many people now who can be helped by you restoring balance, and staying then would have changed very little." Zopa kept his tone very gentle, and, by the end, without him even intending to, he'd found himself behind Kazuya, offering a gentle hand as comfort, in whatever form it was wanted.
xxxxxPerhaps he had tried to break this too fast. Perhaps... It was hard to know. It surely did have to be told, and it was hard to know a better time to tell it... And it was better it was processed, and that no resentment could be held towards all members of the Fire Nation, when it was most certainly not all who came even close to deserving it.
xxxxxBut it had to hurt.
xxxxxDid it hurt less than having that information kept back from you? Zopa was sure it'd hurt him more to be informed after a long time about anything so significant as this. It at least felt like this was a kinder course to take.
xxxxx"It is no one's duty to make up for something that is not their fault." Zopa was still standing, and... this had such a high chance of being a heavy conversation that this felt unwise. He sat again, centered in the saddle, but near the front now, feet returning to rest on top of his thighs, cross-legged. "I suggest that your first steps should be to continue your training. You would be an Airbending master already, I trust?"

SupercallifragilisticexpialidociousEvenThoughTheSoundOfItIsSomethingQuiteAtrociousIfYouSayItLoudEnoughYou'llAlwaysSoundPrecociousSupercallifragilisticexpialadocious

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

Fire-Nation (non-bender)
Jee Reiko
17
Soldier
Asexual Panromantic

Ba Sing Se Train
@Asami, Kairi

⊱ ☵☵☵☵ ➷ ☵☵☵☵ ⊰

"Ah. I don't know if I'm actually any good at teaching, I've not really done it much, but, I was thinking it'd be fun, and, probably you'd pick up some archery and I'd pick up some teaching skills." Reiko hummed a tiny single note, considering, one corner of her mouth twitching a tiny bit at what she was about to suggest. "We could try to find a weaponsmith somewhere when we stop off to go talk with my family. I'm sure there would be one." Stopping at a weaponsmith would probably be a good idea for Reiko as well, so she could pick up a few more small parts to have available to tinker and experiment with at some point.
xxxxxResisting the urge to clap back with snark took a little effort but not much. She was too well trained for a second comment to come out without intention, but some choice words about how Kairi was acting like Reiko had murdered her grandmother were coming to mind.
xxxxxWhat on earth had gone wrong? She'd just wanted to sit where there was a free seat, and she'd been randomly (presumably) greeted with suspicion, she'd practically been insulted by that level of suspicion only being directed at her. Asami had been pressured into moving away with Kairi's strange coldness.
xxxxxWhat on earth was causing this? Reiko was sure she hadn't done anything to trigger this, and Kairi was acting very much like Reiko had just stabbed her grandmother to steal her girlfriend away.
xxxxxNormally, Reiko would have felt like it didn't matter. Kairi was just an Earth bender, and Reiko was from the Fire Nation, so, obviously, this didn't matter. It shouldn't. But this was so bewildering that it was hard to just dismiss like that; though not so much that she couldn't maintain composure.
xxxxx"It is important how you act. It's easier to make friends, to make connections, to make anything useful, when you know how to act nice. Acting nice doesn't even mean you have to spill your business. I never asked you about your private business; it's not nosy to want to check that people are doing okay. I don't know what I did to offend you, but if this is how you act to anyone who wants to know if you're okay, I can see why you might not be." For a moment, at the beginning, there were a few very small indications of anger. A twitch in the corner of one eye, or her nostrils flared slightly, or a slightly-too-sharp tone of voice, but... It was all very well under control after the first two sentences. Even if those were spotted, they were quickly covered by such a thick veneer of tranquility, that that was likely to be dismissed as imaginary. "I was showing you concern, not being prying. It will help you a lot to learn the difference."
xxxxxReiko turned her attention back towards Asami, and... that was when a little cog clicked in her brain. She'd introduced herself as Daichi. And Asami had called her Reiko. She'd... been open about who she was within the city. She'd let herself show herself as a girl, she'd used her own name-! And she'd been recognised. Huh.
xxxxxWell.
xxxxxIf Asami hadn't reacted badly..? Maybe Asami had just seen her within the city somewhere and recognised her. Rather than anything worse. Hm. That seemed like a reasonable conclusion. Reiko was more than willing to run with that assumption. It was certainly better than making a big deal of it. Save talking about anything for if Asami brought it up later.
xxxxxReiko forced herself to look calm still, and turned her eyes back to Kairi, not showing that moment of worry, and then... It'd be really nice to have someone she could be open about that with. Be herself with. At least... partly. She wasn't going to share about being from the Fire Nation or her lack of bending, at least, not intentionally.
xxxxx"We can go, if you want. I'm sure there are other seats we can find."


OoC: I know that was probably a mistake with mentioning Reiko's actual name but I think there's huge potential for interesting drama so I'm taking it and running with it.

[Twilight Prince]

K A I R I x A M I____________________________
Lesbian / Earthbender / 18 / Cis Girl / Tags: Asami, Jee / Location: Ba Sing Se Monorail

She bitterly looked away. She hadn't meant for this to go this way, and yet because she was used to fighting people for respect, she'd seemed too defensive and angry, where she hadn't meant to. And now she was truly angry, because of her own mistakes. "I never asked either of you to move, nor did I ask for your concern." At this, she took a glance at Reiko "I'm not a fragile snowflake." She said, avoiding looking in their direction. There was the possibility that they were moving because they wanted to, but with Asami, that was less likely, she'd made it seem like she was thinking about Kairi, even though she was misunderstanding everything that Kairi did. It had brought back her negative feelings about this place, people thinking that they knew what she needed and what she was feeling, and making the wrong decisions. "Both of you keep misunderstanding every freaking word that comes out of my mouth and it's so darn annoying. That's the only issue I'm having."

[Pistol Annie #1 NPC]

Suyin
Firebender
Location: Iceberg
Tags: Chihiro

For a moment, Suyin's perpetually sunny expression dimmed just a little. She'd been too caught up in the excitement of making new friends. The borders and prejudices of the world had fallen away, but now she needed to return to reality. The Fire Nation was not exactly the most beloved by outsiders.
"You're right," She said, looking uncharacteristically solemn. "But they're airbenders with a giant flying bison, so I'm worried what will happen once they land."
The other Fire Nation people may not treat them in a nice way. The appearance of not one, but two airbenders would most certainly spark some unfortunate reactions. Suyin shuddered at the idea of her own mother discovering them, raising her hands as plumes of fire began to spiral around her...
"Do you think there's a way to gain their trust?" She looked at her friend hopefully. "It might be best to travel with them, for their sake. Oh, and maybe they can help us find the Avatar." Suyin whispered that last part as an afterthought. She assumed Chihiro would be a little more inclined to agree to a plan that would help their long-term mission.