people help the people [atla/lok] [open]

[Ayashi]

B U M P

[Jenjo]

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>> thalassa hark
>> seventeen
>> the avatar [waterbender]
>> location - north pole/northern water tribe
>> mentions - n/a
>> tags - n/a

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It was unspeakably cold in the north pole, but then, it always was. Thalassa Hark stood out on the open deck, her old water tribe clothes snug against the bitter northern winds. It had been almost two years since she had ventured back home, but the ice was the same as the south, so it felt as if she had never truly left. Despite her being the Avatar, northern customs still upheld that women ought not to be trained to fight with their bending. She had learned little from her old Master, Nuka, who had hesitantly taught her the basics upon learning of her hidden truth. However, she had still learned to heal properly with aid from Amaya, the city's best healer. Of course, to master the art Thalassa would need more than basics. That had been a contributing factor as to her journey south, to learn from the benders there. Still, it hadn't been the same. Hanna, a southern Master, had taught her plenty, but the time had come for the Avatar to complete the last of her waterbending training, and to humbly request aid from the spirits.

With a quiet sigh, she watched the water below. It was dusk now, but soon they would arrive at the city, and she could speak to the spirits. That is, if they would still speak to her. It had been almost two years since she had made contact with Tui and La, the moon and ocean spirits. She had contacted other minor spirits, and had maintained her connection, but it would be so strange to visit the Spirit Oasis again. She had such awful memories there, memories that were difficult to set aside even now. Showing that from her thoughts, Thalassa bit her lip and just stared out over the water as the boat moved through the thin sheets of scattered ice. Home was inching ever closer, but she couldn't help but feel frightened for her return. When she had moved south, the tribe had been handed to her uncle, Kenai, until she had married and become of age. That aspect was something she shoved from her mind, too. She was only seventeen, she wasn't even betrothed yet, and still she was expected to get married and take the North back. Her uncle was a good chief, and a good man. She would sooner let him keep a hold of the Tribe so long as she wasn't rushed into marrying some stranger.

It was an hour later by the time the city came into view. Pale blue lights enveloped the ice, visible even over the high wall. Watching with wide eyes, Thalassa bit her lip softly as the guards of the city opened the walls to them. The boat crept through into the harbour of the city, and she couldn't help but feel relieved. The journey had been wearisome, and long, as with no faster means of transport they had been forced to travel by sea for weeks. It was much too risky to stop in the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom, but she had spent a few days at each of the Air Temples, where she met some of her future possible masters. Some of the monks even accompanied them to the North, along with a few apprentices. They were nice people, but most were quiet and only spoke when spoken to. But their element was simply wondrous - how they shifted the air between their fingers, twisting it and pulling it. Truly, it was something to behold. She still had Earth and then Fire to learn, she reminded herself. When she left for the Earth Kingdom in a week or so, she would have to find a Master to teach her how to wield the element.

As soon as the boat was docked, Thalassa slipped off and felt relief at the sound of fresh snow crunching under her supple boots. A few monks followed behind her, along with the crew, who were unloading their remaining supplies. Unsurprisingly, her uncle awaited her, dressed in formal but plain robes of navy. He gave a sweeping bow, one which she and the monks returned. Then, he gave her a light hug and a kindly smile, nodding respectfully to the monks. "I am Chief Kenai of the Northern Tribe. I welcome you all to my home." he gave another bow as he introduced himself to the air nomads, "Come, we shall eat in the Temple."

Not one to say no to good, Northern food, Thalassa followed her uncle, keeping her chin high. Around her, people pointed and waved, called out to her even. She managed a faint smile and the occasional small wave. The people, well-aware of her return, even handed her small gifts - a young boy gave her a tiny ice sculpture of the Nation's emblem, an old lady handed her a hand-woven dream catcher. Accepting the gifts in surprise, Thalassa turned the ice and the dream catcher over in her hand as she walked up the steps to the Temple. She could smell the fish already prepared, and her stomach gave a quiet rumble as she stepped through the vast doors.

Her uncle gave a speech, welcoming the monks and his niece. Sitting at his right hand, Thalassa gave a short speech about how glad she was to be home, and how the journey would be worth the results. Not one for public speaking, she promptly sat back down and began to eat as soon as possible. The flavours of crab, prawn, and seal were familiar. After eating her full, she made polite conversation with her uncle, and the ancient monk sitting beside her. When everybody else had ate, they were shown to their chambers. Of course, Thalassa re-claimed her old room, which was just as she had left it. Upon entering the room and leaving her uncle and the monks behind, she threw herself onto the fresh bed sheets and gave a sigh. All this formal tribal business was exhausting, she had to admit, but now she was free to spend the rest of her evening as she pleased.

Lying on her bed and listening until the outside corridors were quiet, the young Avatar peered out the open window, down to the gentle blue lights of the city. It was still early enough that people were wandering about, but the streets seemed quiet. No doubt the monks were meditating in their rooms or something. As quiet as a fox, Thalassa slipped out of her room with caution, and slunk down the empty halls. The Spirit Oasis wasn't far, and it wasn't that she was cautious of people seeing her - it was her caution of people finding the Spirit Oasis that troubled her. Most people were utterly unaware of it and assumed that all spiritual energy resided in the Spirit Lights. That wasn't an entire lie, but she knew that the Oasis was sacred, and thus had to be kept a secret from those who might bring it harm. She trusted the air nomads, as they were neutral in the war, but she still didn't want people following her. She had to talk to the spirits, had to ask them for wisdom. Her job was to restore balance, but she didn't know how to do her job, and who better to ask than spirits?

[Ayashi]

-----[ Ｃ---Ｏ---Ｌ---Ｉ---Ｂ---Ｒ---Ｉ
-------Too weak to fight, too fond to fly, they yield;
-------ＴＨＥ---ＮＯＢＬＥ---ＷＯＭＡＮ

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---------Tag(s) ￩✗￫ ---
---------Nationally ￩✗￫ Fire Nation
---------Age ￩✗￫ 24
-------- Occupation ￩✗￫ Non-Bender
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It was official, Colibri as not one for boat travel.

The side to side motion was fun and some what hard to find her balance after the first ten minutes, but after seven hours on the ship and the continuous rocking the orange hair woman felt rather sick to her stomach. Or what was left in her stomach. She had already expelled most of it's contents in one of the bathrooms (much to her embarrassment) and for the rest of the trip avoid looking over the ship, at the waves, or anything that reminded her of the unsteady cruiser she was currently on.

Perhaps she should have taken the Air Bison that the nomads in the Air Temple offered before she left. Flying was not her favorite activity, but it was certainly have to be more stable than a rickety old boat that rocked and knocked against the large ice caps that they seem to be purposely hitting with every turn.

Pale blue eyes with a light black ring under her eyes focused on the floor below her. The noble was silently counting the cracks on the light color wood below her dark boot feet. A dark purple umbrella cast a shadow over her form, blocking the sun from burning her soft cream skin, though they were up north the sun was still bright, more so with how the snow would reflect the light from the ball in the sky, making it even brighter.

With a sudden creak and groan the ship stopped, jerking once before falling still, much to her relief. Letting out a sigh Colibri waited for everyone to pass her by before rising slowly to her feet, and trailing behind the crowd as they exited the ship. Gripping the wooden handle of her umbrella, Colibri step down the runway, taking care of where she step as she slowly regained her land legs. Once she set foot on land, Colibri paused, closing her eyes to savor the feeling of solid land underneath her once more, even if it was just a thick layer of ice than earth below her.

"Excuse me, are you perhaps Lady Colibri of the Fire Nation?"

The orangenett eyes slowly open as she turn to face a man dressed in dark furs and boots. He had a kind face, framed in jet black hair that was tied in a low ponytail. Colibri stared for a moment before remembering her manner. "Y-yes indeed. May I inquire how you know of me?"

"Ah, My lady." The dark hair man said, giving a bow at the waist to the higher ranking noble. Colibri gave the same respect, holding one side of her dress as she cruise to the man before her.

"I am Xing Yo, your father sent me a letter to announce your arrival on this date. I am to show you your lodging for the night, and a tour if you so wish my lady. I imagine your quite tired after you long trip?" Ah, so this was the famed 'Sir Xing Yo' who was one of the tribes elders, who came highly recommended by her father, as he claimed he was a man with a respectable character and kind nature.

Giving a weak smile Colibri nodded her head, one of her long bangs slipping over her shoulder. "Yes, it was a rather tiring trip. I quite believe that will possible be my first and last boat trip to the North." She said in her soft voice. Xing Yo chuckled at that remark, gentlemanly offering his arm to aid her back to the hotel he had arranged for her for the night. Slipping her arm in his own robust one, Colibri allowed herself to be lead further into the Water tribes homeland, eager to sleep in a bed that did not rock during the night.

[suzhay]

Anilee 'Ani' || 19 || Airbender || With: Rixi, but following Thalassa

Anilee watched from the deck of the ship as the walls to one of the northern water cities opened up. Her gloved hands tightly gripped the guard rail in excitement. She was on the boat with the others Airbenders, all of them monks and their apprentices. She, on the other hand, was more or less free, having earned her arrows already. It was the same boat that the avatar just so happened to be on, not that Ani really cared. Of course, she had seen this native water tribe girl from far-away, and an odd passing here and there, but hadn't really introduced herself. But, ere would be time for that later.

Tiny hands and feet fell upon her, gripping her shoulder. Ani reached up and scratched the creature's head in affection. "This is it, Rixi. We are finally away from that boring place and its boring rules, and are out in the world." She murmured excitedly. Her breath came out in frosty, white clouds.

She shivered once, feeling a bit of the freezing temperatures. Earlier in the trip, she had exchanged her traditional Airbender garb for something that was more along the lines of a water tribe citizen. She liked the look of it, the bright whites mixed with dark navy. However, she wasn't quite certain how she felt about the fur lining it and providing warmth. She scrunched her nose for a minute before focusing her attention back on the city.

It was incredible to look at, what with the pale blue lights reflecting of the snow and the building being made out of ice. She had just enough time to take it in before getting off with some of the monks to greet the chief. She forcibly kept her eyes on the main man to avoid looking like an idiot, gawking at the city and buildings. She followed everyone into the dining area and sat with the rest of the monks. There, they were served a vegetarian meal native to the water tribes. Once done, they were shown to their rooms.

However, it was much to quiet for Anilee, who wanted to be out exploring some more. She clicked her tongue to Rixi, who then jumped onto her shoulder. She made her way out of her room and was wandering around, working to find the exit. It was during this wandering that she caught a glimpse of the Avatar. She arched an eyebrow, before making the quick decision to follow the girl. After all, she could lead Anilee to the exit and then Anilee would drop off to explore on her own.

That idea quickly dropped when Ani's curiosity took hold. The avatar was an important person and she could be traveling somewhere interesting. Anilee moved a bit faster, making sure to keep light on her feet. She didn't want to startle Thalassa or anything. Unfortunately, she wasn't used to walking, or trailing someone, on the ice. After a combination of moving to fast and wrong foot placement, Anilee found herself sliding and quickly lost her balance. It was there that she hit the floor with a rather discernible thud.

[Jenjo]

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>> thalassa hark
>> seventeen
>> the avatar [waterbender]
>> location - north pole/northern water tribe
>> mentions - n/a
>> tags - anilee

◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

The whole walk towards the Oasis had left Thalassa feeling uneasy. She had the unsettling shiver running the length of her spine that told her that she was being followed. In an attempt to throw off anybody that could have been on her trail, she turned down a few random corridors. She was about to venture elsewhere in the city - perhaps to the wall to watch the ocean for a while - when something behind her hit the icy floor with a thunk. Instinct made Thalassa turn and shift the ice at her feet to become water in an instant. With her arms raised and about to attack. her mind made the connections and she hesitantly lowered her arms.

The lemur perched itself safely by the windowsill, crooning quietly down at the person slumped on the floor. Strangely, the person wore water tribe clothes, but was accompanied by an air nomad's lemur. Frowning, she leaned down to look at the girl. She had dark hair, and skin of ivory, and airbender tattoos along her forehead. The girl, she recalled, was called Anilee. Having already earned her arrows, Thalassa knew that the girl had accompanied the apprentices solely for the desire to see the world. At least, that was what the monks had muttered to her uncle at the dinner table last night. In truth, she hadn't paid much more attention the the situation anyway and thus knew next to nothing about the girl before her. Was she friend, or foe? There was only one way to find out.

Reaching down and extending her hand to help the girl up, Thalassa managed a smile. "If you're going to sneak around like that, you should probably learn to sneak through the snow properly." she arched an eyebrow carefully. How was it that a master airbender, one who had already gotten her arrows, managed to slip? She'd seen airbenders before, and they were extremely delicate and careful on their toes. Looking the girl over, she figured she'd much rather learn from somebody younger than those monks who must have been edging on to 150 years old judging by their wrinkles. She then considered that if this girl was clumsy enough to fall just because of some ice, then maybe she wasn't as graceful.. No, she wouldn't have gotten her arrows if she didn't deserve them. The monks must have thought she was good. Unable to think of anything else to say, the avatar kept her hand extended as an offering of help.

[suzhay]

Anilee 'Ani' || 19 || Airbender || With: Rixi, Thalassa

Anilee grimaced slightly, running her hand on her hip. She looked up when she heard Thalassa's voice and noticed the hand stretched out to her. She didn't hesitate to grab it and pulled herself up from the floor.[color=#FFBFBF0] "Thanks."[/color] She said in her chipper voice. She glanced down at the icy floor and scrunched up her nose again, this time in thought. "You know, I didn't think it would be that hard. But it is definitely a lot different than what I am used to sneaking around on." She admitted with a slight shrug. Given how long they were staying her, she bet that she would have enough time to learn how to sneak around perfectly on the ice.
It was around that particular moment when she realized she was still in the presence of the Avatar. She raised her head up, a thoughtful look crossing her grey eyes as she focused on the girl in front of her. "You're Thalassa, right? The Avatar." She added that last part more on a assertive note than as a question.
"I'm Anilee, one of the airbending masters. Most people, save for the monks, call me Ani, though. So, what brings you out on a little exploration trip? Or is this something that you normally do? I'm on an exploration trip with Rixi, myself." She asked, chatting on as if they were basically old friends who just happened to meet unexpectedly, and not like Thalassa had just caught Ani following her. When she mentioned the lemur's name, he perked up a little and took flight just long enough to land on her shoulder. From there, he curled up into the hood of her coat.

[Jenjo]

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>> thalassa hark
>> seventeen
>> the avatar [waterbender]
>> location - north pole/northern water tribe
>> mentions - n/a
>> tags - anilee

◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

Unsurprisingly, Anilee was light and easy to pull up from the ice, even while wearing her heavy water tribe clothes. It was strange, Thalassa thought, seeing an airbender in a water tribe outfit. She knew that they were all for pacifism and nature respect, so it was queer to see the girl dressed with a fur collar, whether it be real or faux. Smirking just slightly, Thalassa replied, "Well, you get used to sneaking in the ice quickly. Don't worry, most people fall when they first come this far North." Managing a smile, the Avatar bowed in respect, as she had been taught. If this girl was an airbending master, she deserved a bow. The airbender introduced herself as Anilee, as she had thought. Or Ani, apparently. The girl was very informal for a bending master, but Thalassa reminded herself that the girl before her couldn't have been older than twenty years old. Curiously, she wondered how somebody so young had earned her arrows at such an age. "It is an honour to meet you.. Ani." she replied steadily, giving a nod. "My name is Thalassa, of the North. I'm the Avatar." Goodness, how she hated saying that. It was a perfect sentence, rehearsed over and over to be sure that she wouldn't say something more informal. Still, if this girl was speaking like that.. Well, maybe she could afford to be a little less uptight at 'doing her formal duty'. Following this, Ani introduced her lemur as Rixi. Utterly mesmerised by the little creature, she watched him with wide eyes. "We don't have lemurs like him here in the North, or in the South. He's lovely, though." she added with a smile, reaching out to scratch the lemur's head affectionately. Pausing briefly to think of a good excuse, Thalassa decided to brush aside Ani's first question and instead replied politely. "The North is very interesting - you chose a good place to explore. The Chief would probably show you all the more boring places, but I could show you the.. more interesting locations, if you'd like." she gestured to the open windows, to a view of the city. "I could show you the tundra, and the cliffs, and the penguin colony.." trailing off, she left the rest open to interpretation. Maybe at a later stage she could show the airbender the Oasis, but for now, she didn't want to go about handing out her trust to just about anybody.

[Ayashi]

-----[ Ｃ---Ｏ---Ｌ---Ｉ---Ｂ---Ｒ---Ｉ
-------Too weak to fight, too fond to fly, they yield;
-------ＴＨＥ---ＮＯＢＬＥ---ＷＯＭＡＮ

xxxxx╭xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx╮
---------Tag(s) ￩✗￫ ---
---------Nationally ￩✗￫ Fire Nation
---------Age ￩✗￫ 24
-------- Occupation ￩✗￫ Non-Bender
xxxxx╰xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx╯

"Is this it?" She asked, starting deeply into the pool as one would in a mirror. "This 'gate' way to the the spirit world?"

"Yes Madam." Sir Xing stepped besides her, arms crossed behind his back. "We currently are standing in the garden the Spirit Oasis in the North Water Tribe that houses the spirits of Tui and La, the Moon and Ocean Spirits."

Colibri let out a soft 'hmm' as she started into the crystal water. Two large fish, Koi fish she believed they were called, circled around each other in some strange dance, one a pure white with a black full circle over it's head circled, while an equally large black Koi followed it's friend, with a white circle on it's forward instead. Turning and turning with out pause or parting, as if they were connected by some invisible string, and that string would snap if they so much as parted.

"A shrine for pair of fish? That hardly seems ethical." Colibri said, fiddling with the handle of her umbrella. Xing gave a soft smile, giving a one shoulder shrug. "Perhaps, but there is a story to this place.

"Oh? What is it?" She ask, giving the elder a side glance. Xing's smile stretched as he knew that the noble woman would not be able to resit a good story. "Near the beginning of time, Tui and La, the Moon and Ocean Spirits, crossed over from the Spirit World to the mortal world. They created the Spirit Oasis and assumed the form of two koi fish swimming in the pond, circling each other in a continual dance of push and pull. The Spirit Oasis is the most spiritual place in the Northern Water Tribe. In fact, the Moon and Ocean Spirits themselves reside in it in the form of two koi fish. The Avatar may enter the Spirit World through this location via meditation. It is strongly implied that the bottom of the pond is an entrance to the Spirit World."

Xing finished his story, stepping around the pond. Colibri frowned, walking around the pond as the man did. Although the story was silly and seem full of fluff, but the fact that the fish never seem to part or drive deeper into the pond in search of food made the noble wonder.

"Although this is quite a tale, I still do not think that spirits and ghost exists." The lady spoke, her gaze final turning from he pond with a soft scoff. "However, there is one thing I do believe in."

"Oh? Do tell." Xing asked, smiling at the long hair woman who seem to be spectral of the spirits, despite the proof was in front of her.

"The Avatar."

[suzhay]

Anilee 'Ani' || 19 || Airbender || With: Rixi, Thalassa

Quick burst of light giggling filled the air as Thalassa introduced herself. Anilee covered her mouth with one hand, trying to stifle the sound a bit. She calmed down fairly quickly, with a smile still playing on her lips. "Wow, that was some introduction. It was just full of... Excitement." She said as another giggle bubbled up. "I guess when you're the Avatar, though, you have to practice such excitement."
As the conversation continued, Thalassa brought up a penguin colony. That in itself caught the Airbender's attention. "You guys have penguins?!? I have never seen a real penguin. Oh, I bet they are so cute, waddling around and everything. I'd love to go. Would we be going now? Or are there certain times to go see them?" Anilee squealed out. By the time she finished, she was breathless.

[Jenjo]

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>> thalassa hark
>> seventeen
>> the avatar [waterbender]
>> location - north pole/northern water tribe
>> mentions - n/a
>> tags - anilee

◣xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx◢

In truth, Thalassa thought her 'introduction' was something of a bore. Ani apparently thought otherwise. She didn't practice excitement, but rather she adopted the obligation of honour and duty. Often she wished that she didn't bear such burdens, that she would have much preferred just to have been a normal person rather than the 'bridge between the worlds'. Still, she smiled as Anilee replied, clearly enthralled by the idea of penguins. Laughing, she nodded. "Of course we have penguins." she replied, "Penguin sledding is a noble art passed along generations. Of course, only the really big ones are strong enough to uphold me now." Remembering her time before the war as a practically care-free child, she smiled at the thought of other kids her age trying to lure the penguins out to sled on them. "It's a bit too dark to go now - but I can show you the more interesting parts of the city, if you'd like. There's still the bending platforms - the waterbenders go there every night after dusk under the moon to perform. They're all ready good, too." Gesturing for the airbender to follow her, Thalassa led the way down the corridors and out through the front steps of the temple. Walking through the streets, she took several short-cuts by freezing a path along the water of the canals, letting the ice melt away as they reached the other side. When they reached the platforms, Thalassa wasn't surprised to see that a crowd had already gathered. Smiling at Ani, she waved for the girl to follow her to get a better look. Climbing up over the blocks of ice at the side of the platform, she scooted over to make room for Ani. The view was much better from this perch. Below, three waterbenders were in an intricate dance, weaving streams of water between them. Suddenly, the dance stopped, as one waterbender broke the cycle and took on an offensive position. In mock-shock, the other waterbenders gasped and dodged fluidly out of harm's way as their opposer shot quick water waves at them. The crowd were cheering and booing appropriately, and Thalassa clapped in appreciation as one of the benders managed a particularly tricky move in fighting the other.