Book Four: Air

Iroh managed to dodge the blasts from the second soldier. As he dodged he got closer to the man, and from below he hit the soldier in the legs with a kick, making him fall. Iroh quickly shot another burst of flames to the third soldier, turned back and kicked the soldier on the floor in the gut.

A last and final burst of flames came from Iroh’s mouth, this one bigger than any of the previous ones. It was almost like a wall of fire, simply as a decoy for Iroh to make a run. With one man heavily burned, and another weakened by some hits, might be what causes them to slow down, giving Iroh quite an advantage.

Iroh ran for some hours, which direction? Unknown. After making sure that nobody was following him, the old man sat down to regain some energy. He felt fine after a while, so he stood up and started to walk. Only 40 minutes had pass and Iroh heard something at a distance.

“A Waterfall!” Iroh said cheerfully. Iroh ran towards the noise, and he came up to a beautiful water fall that ended in a pond.

On the muddy edge, Iroh bent and started to drink from the fresh water that sparkled like a brand new bar of gold. This was the only source of water near the area, meaning that if he walked up stream, he might find people. And that is what he did, he finished up drinking, and started to go up stream, hoping to find somebody.

Citizens

"The soldiers are attacking! Fight back, fight back!" someone within the crowd cried. Most who had not been at the front had not seen the officer's death. The crowd surged forward, and many started to fight against the soldiers once they got more violent.

((Does the Fire Nation have anything similar to a cannon?))

Katara

"Hello, Lord Shu," Katara greeted as she climbed down off of Appa. "It's generous of you to allow all these people to stay in your home." She wondered what they had missed while they had been goofing off then been attacked.

IC: Lord Shu

The man smiled, nodding, and bowed.

"It is a great honor to have been given the chance to house such an important council," he said. "We of Whale-Tail Island may be isolated, but we care what happens to our neighbors during this time."

He gestured towards the mansion.

"Please. Let us help you get settled. Perhaps you would like to eat something? Rest?" His face sobered. "It might do you well. Much has happened, and you should know of it."

***

IC: Soldiers

The leader swore, badly, his fists clenched. He could not believe they had allowed the old coot to escape. If the General ever found out about this debacle, he and his fellows would be in some trouble.

"We're going after him," he snapped. The two other soldiers groaned but stood. "We can't go back to the base without him."

***

IC: Toph

She laughed. "That's because I'm the only one good enough at giving them. You guys stink!" Toph pulled back her shoulders proudly. "Besides, I have aliases. I'm the Blind Bandit and the Runaway, and don't you forget it!"

She slugged him, good-naturedly, in the arm.

Toph did wonder what sort of nickname he would give her, though.

***

IC: General Narrative

A great roar came over the mass of limbs and faces. Soldiers fought against the maddening crowd, each side unwilling to give way. It did not take long for the entire street to be caught up in a bloody riot.

Not one side escaped injury or loss.

***

OOC: I'm not sure, Magus. We never did see any like that, did we? In either case, I was leaving off at this point, to let the news of it be revealed at the next council.

"Come on, I'm good at nicknames!" Sokka exclaimed, rubbing his arm, "I can call you... uh... Angel Eyes?"
(Wonder where Suki is)

OOC: Magus has control of her. Don't know where she is, though.

***

IC: Toph

She offered him one of her rare blinks. Lifting a brow, she tried to look right at him. As it was, she came very, very close.

"You're joking, right?" she said. "Not even a corny, funny one, either. That's just bad." A little sulkily, Toph added, "Besides, there's nothing angelic about my eyes, you dummy."

((I wasn't sure where to have Suki right now. I didn't want her to interrupt Toph and Sokka. Though I'm not sure where I should have her now.))

(You could have her greet Aang and Katara.)


"Thank you Lord Shu, but I believe lady Katara and I have had enough rest for now. it would pr-." Aang was cut off as his stomach growled in hunger, ruining the official and mature made the boy had set up. "Umm.....food would be great."

OOC: That's an idea. Thanks, Alec.

***

IC: Lord Shu

"Right away, Avatar Aang. This way, please."

The lord of the mansion led Aang and Katara into the great home. They walked through a few hallways and into a private dining room. Shu asked that the two make themselves comfortable, and he would see to their meal.

It did not take long for him to see through this promise. Minutes later, a small feast was brought before Aang and Katara. It was set out on a table for the pair.

"Help yourselves," said Lord Shu. "Your friends will no doubt find out you are here, soon. I imagine Fire Lord Zuko will be wishing to speak with you personally, Avatar Aang."

"It was one of the first things I could come up with on sort notices," Sokka defended himself, "Besides, I think your eyes look nice."

IC: Toph

"You don't mean that," said Toph. "And if you do, you're the only person I know who doesn't mind 'em."

She was suddenly a little uncomfortable. Toph really couldn't explain the feeling. Maybe she wanted him to be telling the truth? It would be nice, but she was far too used to expecting people to think her blank-eyed stare creepy and unnerving.

Katara

"Wow, there sure is a lot of food here," Katara said, looking at it. Between the two of them, there would probably be a lot left over, though they both were very hungry. She took some of the sea food available and began to eat. "So I wonder what happened today that would stir things up so much."

"Nah. I'm sure other people think they look nice," Sokka told her with a shrug, feeling her a little uncomfortable about the way the conversation was going.

"Ah, love," said a voice from beside the two.

The hooded Azon was sitting upon the stool next to Toph. Only his mouth was visible, and he would raise a rather large glass of Cactus Juice to it and take a deep sip.

"What a sight to see."

-------------------------------------------------------------

IC: Ozai

"She is not staying at the Palace," said Ozai, peering out from around the corner.

There were Royal Guards stationed about Mai's and Zuko's former home, Mai's carriage sitting next to its carriers just outside.

"The guards..." he said to The Voice, "distract them, pull most of them away."

Sokka felt himself blush. He wasn't in love with Toph? He was dating Suki! And who was the hoodded figure? He raised an eyebrow, "Who are you?"

IC: Toph

"Yeah," said Toph. She was irritated that this guy, with the creepy voice she did not recognize, had interrupted her conversation with Sokka. Who knew when she'd get to be with him again? "Who are you? And you might need to get your eyes checked. Nobody's in love here."

***

IC: Lord Shu

He rapped at the door to the Fire Lord's chambers. Lord Shu was show in. He bowed towards the monarch of the Fire Nation.

"Fire Lord, the Avatar and Lady Katara have arrived. They are in the western private dining room, if you would like to speak with them regarding what has happened this day."

***

IC: General Narrative

It was late, twilight falling over the island. A messenger hawk wheeled into view. It flew through a window in the great mansion. It screeched at the room's occupant.

Representative Wuong of the Fire Nation Colonies.

***

OOC: I have sped up time a little, so that Wuong will learn of the riot in the colony.

IC: Azon

"Oh, my eyes are just fine, thank you."

He drained the last of the Cactus Juice before setting the glass down and turning his hooded head towards the pair.

"Does it matter who I am? Of course it does...it always does."

He reached up and lifted his hood down. He had messy brown hair, and a black blindfold tied over his eyes, effectively blinding him. Yet he still faced Toph and Sokka, bowing his head to them.

"Azon, at your service My Lord and Lady. Forgive me, I must learn to keep my business out of the affairs of love."

IC: Toph

"I'd say," said Toph. "You're way off the mark completely! Sokka's just my best friend."

She could not help but feel uneasy around this guy. She could not explain it, though, and chalked it up to her just being moody at his manner.

"Now why don't you just sidle on, or something? You're crowding our space. We weren't looking for company, you know."

Zuko

"They've finally arrived, huh? Thank you, Lord Shu. I'll go see them now. Please make sure we aren't disturbed," Zuko said, and made his way through the halls of the mansion to the dining room.

IC: Lord Shu

"As you wish, Fire Lord Zuko," said Lord Shu.

The lord of the manor arranged it so that no one was to enter the western dining room until further notice. A pair of servants were stationed outside the doors to make sure these orders were kept. Zuko himself was shown in without further ado.

"Announcing Fire Lord Zuko, Avatar Aang and Lady Katara," said one, before shutting the door behind him.

The three were now alone.

"Maybe they expect Sokka to come and eat, he could handle this all." Aang commented as he grabbed a small pastry and took a bite out of it. "I'm sure the meeting wasn't to bad, probably just disagreements on which part of the colonies still belong to the Earth Kingdom and which one's belong to the Fire Nation. I'm sure we'll be able to solve it all in a few days and then we can go on that vacation we were talking about." Aang declared optimistically as he put down his food for a second.


"Announcing Fire Lord Zuko, Avatar Aang and Lady Katara," said a servant as they let Zuko in.

"Hey Zuko!" Aang shouted as he waved to his old friend before scooting closer to Katara so his friend would have a seat.

IC: Azon

"Yes, I'm sure you weren't," replied Azon.

However, he did not leave, in fact, he leaned foward so that he was at less than appropriate distance from Toph's face. He rubbed his chin, his blindfolded eyes watching her pale ones.

"Interesting...I cover my eyes in order to see beyond. How is it that you do so without? Unless...unless it was all fake..."

He now seemed to be talking to himself more than Toph.

"Well, I suppose there is...no...no...then how..."

Sokka glared at the man. He knew that Toph didn't like being reminded of her blindness like that. He spoke, "She was born blind, you idiot."

IC: Toph

She glared in the man's general direction. It was easy. She knew he was incredibly close to her. His warm breath brushed her cheeks. Nose wrinkling, and not liking that he was abusing her personal space, Toph shoved him back.

"He's right. I'm really blind, okay? I see through the earth. End of story. Go away already!"

IC: Azon

"Through the earth...interesting."

He tilted his head slightly.

"I understand...you only see what the earth gives you...here...allow me..."

Azon rushed the few feet to Toph, and before she could stop him, had placed an outstretched hand upon her forehead.

Toph's sight came alive in bright intensity. Instead of the rough outlines of people and objects, she could see every tiny detail. Azon's blindfolded eyes and smiling lips as he held his hand to her forehead. Sokka's glaring and surprised eyes, the deep color on his face from the Cactus Juice. Everything was bright green, emitting an energy unlike any normal sight; the details so vivid, the sensation so undescribeable.

And then, Azon removed his hand, and Toph's sight sunk back to what it was.

"Forgive me," he said, taking a few steps back.

He reached out and picked up another glass of Cactus Juice, bowing his head towards the pair.

"My Lord and Lady..."

He turned and headed towards the door, sipping at his glass.