[Saaga] Fireflies

[Riko Oshiro]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,20,true][atrb=align, center, true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/25ywsxt.jpg); width: 400px; border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000; -moz-box-shadow:1px 1px 3px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000;,true][atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; padding: 5px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; display: inline;]riko[/style] oshiro [tr] [style=border: 2px solid #aaa27d; display: inline-block;]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; text-align: center]like a million[/style][style=font: 9px Courier New; color: #fff; text-align: center]TINY JASMINE FLOWERS[/style][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]For once, Riko had decided to make a change of plans and eat somewhere that wasn't her normal hangout in the evening. She had heard that this place had fantastic noodles - well, there were lots of places with supposedly fantastic seaweed noodles, and at this point she had only tried one. So after the insistence of many eager people, she decided to give it a spin. Narook's Seaweed Noodlery - the best in all of Republic City, so the title claimed. And so it was right. The waterbender hadn't eaten with such vigor since the last time her own mother made noodles, which was a long time ago since the family came into money. When she left, her parents had been dining on the very best seal meats, having become one of the wealthiest families in the north pole. She had taken an outdoor seating this evening, because the weather was warm. The girl had begun to think that maybe her riding pants were too thick for the weather, but she needed them to keep her thighs from getting chafed by Yukiko's thick coat. Riko sat alone at a table, her steed just outside the small fence that surrounded the outdoor pavilion. There were lightning bugs, something Riko had never seen before. In fact, there were hardly any bugs in the water tribes, considering the harsh conditions. She wondered at their flickering lights, while the buffalo yak dug in to her own bowl of noodles. All of a sudden, Riko started playing with her braid a little, studying Yukiko's calm, emotionless face. As long as the animal was eating, she was content. But Riko felt she really needed a good, steady friend sometimes. Kana was a good friend, but she was always out doing her own thing, and she lived a good distance away from Riko. As she returned to her bowl of loneliness, another girl walked by.[/style]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]TAGGED : Saaga! WORD COUNT : 326 NOTES : Haha, just woke up. CREDITS : Template by JAWN of AA, OTE, DMB and TC[/style]

[Saaga Sun]

The promise of a hefty bonus in her next paycheck had lured Saaga into a most cunning trap. Her boss had started with the usual flattery of how he didn't know how he'd survived before hiring her, followed by how she must've been blessed by the spirits to produce such fine glass products and how she was the most gifted young glassmith he'd laid his eyes upon in two decades atleast.

Saaga should have known something was up, since her boss really wasn't one to praise anything she did, unless there was something in it for him. But of course, she'd eaten it all up, blushing like a school girl and mumbling a few words of thanks.

"Since you are my most trusted and talented employee, I'm sure I could trust you with an important task...I promise you a raise for your next salary," her boss had said. And like a complete idiot, Saaga had agreed. What was the task? Oh, nothing much...Just handling all the deliveries for the next month. It would not have been that bad if the shop had a satomobile, but of course that was not the case.

Instead Saaga would have to haul heavy wooden crates on her back every day to various addresses in Republic City. Today she was tasked with making a delivery of pints and decanters to Narook's. By the time she had dragged herself to the fabled restaurant, her jacket was glued to her back from all the sweat and her cheeks were flushed with exhaustion and slight anger.

"That bloody old goober...He just didn't want to do this himself. That raise better be good," she muttered under her breath and carefully straightened her back as she reached the door to Narook's.

"Delivery for Narook, from Zhang's Glass Emporium," she called, trying atleast to sound like a professional, even though she must've sounded like a rabbiroo dying of heat stroke what with all the wheezing.

A middle aged man soon appeared from inside the store and looking quite alarmed at the sight of her, came quickly to assist her. Together they wrestled the crate indoors and inspected the merchandise before Narook paid her and said:

"You seem exhausted. Please have a seat and I'll get you something to drink. It's on the house."

Saaga waved her hand and said thanks, walking out the door and collapsing on the first free chair she saw. She wiggled out of her jacket and tried to blow her bangs away from her face to no avail. Right then she spotted a girl sitting opposite her and fixed a startled gaze upon her.

"Oh, I am so sorry. Didn't notice someone was sitting here. I can move if you're bothered," she apologised and nodded her head curtly.

[Riko Oshiro]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,20,true][atrb=align, center, true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/25ywsxt.jpg); width: 400px; border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000; -moz-box-shadow:1px 1px 3px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000;,true][atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; padding: 5px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; display: inline;]riko[/style] oshiro [tr] [style=border: 2px solid #aaa27d; display: inline-block;]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; text-align: center]like a million[/style][style=font: 9px Courier New; color: #fff; text-align: center]TINY JASMINE FLOWERS[/style][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]Riko had originally thought the girl was going to barrel right by, but instead she plopped right down across from her. She looked exhausted, sweaty, and worn out, and completely oblivious to the fact that Riko was there. The new addition to the table had a pretty, reddish shade of hair, light-colored eyes, and relatively soft features. Having grown up in the water tribes, it was rare for Riko to see someone with such light coloring. She stopped mid-bite to watch the girl settle herself in by removing her jacket (which probably didn't help her sweating problem), and blew upwards at her bangs a few times. Finally, the newcomer noticed Riko. The waterbender hurriedly swallowed her mouthful. Oh, I am so sorry. Didn't notice someone was sitting here. I can move if you're bothered, she said, nodding her head at Riko politely. Yukiko, who had finally looked up from her meal, nickered softly, almost a laugh, and she swung her head to look directly at the other girl. Riko collected herself for a moment, and then leaned forward a little bit. The buffalo yak was already snuffling at the poor newcomer's hair, and she bit her lip uncertainly. "No, you can stay, if you'd like," she said after a moment's awkward pause, and then she paused again. The waterbender offered out her hand for a handshake, having been thrown off slightly by the arrival. "What's your name? I'm Riko, and this is Yukiko." She gestured vaguely towards her mare, who backed off of the other girl when she heard her name mentioned. The buffalo yak returned to her bowl of noodles, seeming content with the new presence. [/style]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]TAGGED : Saaga! WORD COUNT : 279 NOTES : Sorryyyy, as we roleplay I promise my posts will get longer @__@ CREDITS : Template by JAWN of AA, OTE, DMB and TC[/style]

[Saaga Sun]

Only a moment after giving her apologies Saaga broke eye contact with the girl and let her gaze wonder off to something spectacular and weird. Next to their table just behind the fence, stood a beast the likes of which she had never seen before. It was covered in fur and had curving horns and right then it turned its head toward her, sniffing and quietly snorting in the direction of her head. The small hairs on Saagas neck stood up and she could feel the goosebumps rising on her skin.

"What is that thing," she thought to herself but decided against her nature, not to say it out loud. Her tongue had the habit of getting her into trouble and trouble was something she could do well without.

Instead she tried not to stare at the...thing, in lack of a better term and turned to smile awkwardly at her table companion. Growing up on her island, she'd never seen anything even resembling an animal like that. Most of the fauna on the island were birds and small mammals, cat owls and meadow voles and the like. When she was a very little girl she'd been allowed to go to the mainland with her father and there she had seen ostrich horses and other large animals. Back then it had seemed so wondrous and magical. Now something like that was just another everyday occurrence.

Pushing her past back into the dark corners of her mind Saaga grabbed the girl's hand and shook it briskly, using her free hand to push the sweaty strands of hair off her face.

"I'm Saaga. Nice to meet you...both," she answered and allowed herself another glance toward the beast. It seemed to enjoy a noodle based diet.

"I've never seen an animal like that. It's not from around here is it?" she inquired and just then Narook came by with a tray of rice wine and a ceramic cup. Saagas lips widened into a happy grin and she bowed to Narook as he lay the tray before her.

"Narook, you are a lifesaver," she laughed and the man winked at her, seemingly amused before disappearing back indoors.

"Sorry about that Riko. I know it's not very polite to jump from person to person in almost mid-sentence," she laughed and poured herself a cup of wine. It also wasn't very polite to get so familiar with people she'd just met, but she wasn't the sort of person who beat around the bush with these things. If she was given a name, might as well use it.

[Riko Oshiro]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,20,true][atrb=align, center, true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/25ywsxt.jpg); width: 400px; border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000; -moz-box-shadow:1px 1px 3px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000;,true][atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; padding: 5px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; display: inline;]riko[/style] oshiro [tr] [style=border: 2px solid #aaa27d; display: inline-block;]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; text-align: center]like a million[/style][style=font: 9px Courier New; color: #fff; text-align: center]TINY JASMINE FLOWERS[/style][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]I'm Saaga, said the other girl, brushing sweaty strands of hair off her face. Unlike most water tribe residents, sweating was not a new concept to Riko. She often had to deal with the heat of riding her buffalo yak, which was quite a workout - even more so than sparring with other waterbenders. Nice to meet you... both, finished Saaga, to which Riko nodded her head. I've never seen an animal like that. It's not from around here is it? Riko laughed, shaking her head. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't really seen any other buffalo yak since she had gotten to Republic City. They were so common up north, it was hard to believe that someone hadn't seen one before. Before Riko could answer, the owner of the shop came by and laid some rice wine in front of her newest conversation partner, who seemed doubly pleased. Narook, you are a lifesaver, replied Saaga, and the waterbender couldn't help but smile a little awkwardly herself at the newcomer's joy. Once Narook left, Saaga had already turned back to her to continue the exchange. Sorry about that, Riko. I know it's not very polite to jump from person to person in almost mid-sentence, she said politely, her mood having clearly done a complete turnaround. Riko inclined her head kindly back, a bit surprised at the stranger's familiarity already. "It's alright. This is a buffalo yak," she said cheerfully, happy to be finally be in the company of another human being. "They're used a lot as a mode of transportation in the Northern Water Tribe. I used to race buffalo yaks up there, so I brought my favorite with me." She patted Yukiko's cheek, and the mare shifted her weight in response. Riko leaned in to study Saaga's appearance. She looked exhausted, though slightly more refreshed since her drink came. The waterbender wasn't used to having to tell where others were from, so she pondered over it for a bit. "Where are you from?" she inquired, picking up her chopsticks and taking yet another bite of her noodles. She was getting full, and the heaping bowl of steamy goodness wasn't even halfway gone. She eyed the rice wine, which was a crystal clear color. In the northern water tribes, they had strong whiskey imported from some of the wheat fields in the center of the Earth Kigndom. She had never liked it much, but perhaps the rice wine was milder. Riko didn't make a move to ask for a try, though, minding her own noodles. [/style]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]TAGGED : Saaga! WORD COUNT : 429 NOTES : There we go, I feel a little better now. CREDITS : Template by JAWN of AA, OTE, DMB and TC[/style]

[Saaga Sun]

Having been saddled with order deliveries the entire day, a little drink was just the thing to make Saaga bounce back to her feet. Later she would have to go back to the shop to mop up and make preparations for the next day, but she thought settling down for a short breather after her ordeals would not get her fired. Master Zhang only had two employees besides her, the other an apprentice just starting out, the other currently on business in Ba Sing Se. What she would have given to get to visit the Earth Kingdom capital, or any other place in the world besides Republic City. The bustling metropolis hadn't exactly welcomed her with open arms.

Saaga downed her drink in one go and poured another, but this one she let breathe before taking a sip. She listened as Riko told her about the animal, a buffalo yak. So that's what it was called. Looking at the animal now with new found knowledge she could definitely see that it must've come from a northern climate. All that fur must've come real handy during a snow storm or something of the sort.

She smiled a little as Riko patted the beast. That was love, right there and she felt a twinge of envy go through her. There was no love between her and the other island survivors. There was only duty and debt and necessary loyalty. She would have done anything to keep them safe, to make sure they were happy, but it wasn't really because she loved them. It was because they were all she had, all she had known, the only connection to her island life. A life she missed dearly.

Lost in her thoughts it took Saaga a few seconds to realize Riko had asked her a question. She blinked at her, trying to search for words and finally blurted out: "Oh, yes. Earth Kingdom. I'm an...Earth Kingdomian, eh, I mean from Earth Kingdom."

Ah, just look at her getting all reminiscent over the past. Getting tired was a dangerous thing, it made one's thoughts a jumbled mess of old memories and bad ideas. She needed to get her act together. The day wasn't over yet.

"So um...You're from the Northen Water tribe then? Can you bend?" Saaga asked suddenly, the idea of possibly talking to a real bender dawning on her and making her smile. She had seen her first bender not long after getting out of quarantine, but she had never actually talked to one.

Well, she had talked to the police. And a client she knew for a fact to be a firebender, but mostly the people she mingled with were strictly from the non-bender crowd. After living isolated for so long, she still found bending to be a very curious thing, even if the art had lost it's magic the first time she'd resisted arrest and been restrained by the metal coils of a bender cop. It had been during a riot for better living conditions in front of the Central City station, not long after she'd found a place to stay.
Being manhandled like that, sure did open her eyes.

[Riko Oshiro]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,20,true][atrb=align, center, true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/25ywsxt.jpg); width: 400px; border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000; -moz-box-shadow:1px 1px 3px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000;,true][atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; padding: 5px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; display: inline;]riko[/style] oshiro [tr] [style=border: 2px solid #aaa27d; display: inline-block;]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; text-align: center]like a million[/style][style=font: 9px Courier New; color: #fff; text-align: center]TINY JASMINE FLOWERS[/style][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]Riko's eyes widened as the other girl gulped her drink quickly and efficiently. Perhaps the wine was much milder than the whiskey up north - even the older, grisly soldiers had never downed a cup of the stuff so fast. Oh, yes. Earth Kingdom. I'm an...Earth Kingdomian, eh, I mean from Earth Kingdom. Riko giggled a little as Saaga stumbled over her words. It made sense, seeing as the girl still had the whole Earth Kingdom Island getup. But then again, hardly anybody who came to Republic City conformed and got a neutral piece of clothing. They all wanted to represent where they came from, who their parents were, what they believed in. The waterbender took a moutful some more of the slimy noodles, nodding in understanding. So um...You're from the Northen Water tribe then? Can you bend? She swallowed the seaweed, and relaxed a little. "Oh, yeah," she started, smiling a little. "I am a waterbender. I don't use it much, though. I never needed it for defense up north, I was a popular buffalo yak rider back there. I always had at least one other person with me." She rolled her ice blue eyes, signifying the annoyance she had felt to the entourage, although occasionally when it was just one other friend, perhaps an opponent on the track, she had truly enjoyed the company. But no gang member cared enough to take her out. Riko was wealthy, but she was not the most popular person in the north pole. Buffalo yak racing was a high-end sport, and therefore only the leaders and corporation heads and their various, sophisticated cronies cared about it. Kana, for example, had never even seemed to have heard of the profession. "I've learned quickly that I need to know more about it, though," she added on, not to linger on the subject of her former social status. "Defending yourself in Republic City isn't something that can be overlooked." Yukiko punctuated the girl's statement with a snort, and Riko briefly recalled the cuts her steed had undeservingly received in the scrimmage in Dragon Flats. The tribe girl clicked her chopsticks together a few times before taking another bite. [/style]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]TAGGED : Saaga! WORD COUNT : 365 NOTES : ajshdkfnas CREDITS : Template by JAWN of AA, OTE, DMB and TC[/style]

[Saaga Sun]

Saaga smiled at the remark Riko made about having an entourage back at home, most of the time. She could feel her annoyance, it wasn't like she'd lived like a hermit back home either. If she'd wanted to get away from people, she would've had to swim to the nearest shore. And the nearest shore wasn't exactly close. Village life had been spent in a closely knit community where guests would pop in for a visit unannounced and everybody was okay with it. All the chores, sewing, baking and farming had been performed as a team, much like a colony of ants. Everyone pitched in to help and all the fruits of labour had been savoured together.

Needless to say all that community effort had been for naught when the plague had hit. And during the months at quarantine all that remained of their teamwork and love had suffered a slow agonising death.

"I can relate. Sometimes there's a need for privacy and self-reliance, unless you want your head to explode," Saaga mused and finished her cup of wine.

She hesitated about pouring another drink and stayed her hand. It would be unsightful to get drunk in the middle of work.
"I'm still on the clock," she reminded herself, pursing her lips in determination.

"Defending yourself in Republic City isn't something that can be overlooked," Riko was saying and Saaga raised her eyebrows, quite surprised. She had thought nobody would dare trouble a bender, though she supposed there were all kinds of crazy people around. As a non-bender she had come into contact with dangerous situations more than she cared for, but then she was a very easy target to pick on. With no martial arts training, no weapons or knowledge how to work them and of course being a woman, made for a juicy combination of utter helplessness. She wasn't too happy to admit it, but hey, it was a fact.

"But still, it must be nice to be able to do something amazing. When I was a kid I often imagined being a bender. Everyone would tell me that I didn't have the gift of it, but I insisted for a long time that my abilities just hadn't surfaced yet," She laughed and touched the ceramic wine bottle lightly with her fingertips. She thought about pouring herself a third cup, but instead offered the bottle to Riko, urging her to drink.

"I can't possibly finish this bottle by myself. Good wine always tastes better when drank together," she insisted, nodding to emphasize her words.

[Riko Oshiro]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,20,true][atrb=align, center, true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/25ywsxt.jpg); width: 400px; border-radius: 20px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000; -moz-box-shadow:1px 1px 3px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #000;,true][atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; padding: 5px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; display: inline;]riko[/style] oshiro [tr] [style=border: 2px solid #aaa27d; display: inline-block;]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: bold 30px Georgia; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0; margin-bottom: -5px; text-align: center]like a million[/style][style=font: 9px Courier New; color: #fff; text-align: center]TINY JASMINE FLOWERS[/style][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]As Riko explained her need for self-defense, Saaga seemed surprised by the notion. The girl was probably relatively new to the city, realized the waterbender. In fact, she probably hadn't been here much longer than Riko herself. But still, it must be nice to be able to do something amazing. When I was a kid I often imagined being a bender. Everyone would tell me that I didn't have the gift of it, but I insisted for a long time that my abilities just hadn't surfaced yet, said the other girl with a slight chuckle, her finger reaching out and touching her wine bottle. Riko shrugged and smiled. "It's never been a big deal to me. My entire family was waterbenders, but we all owned a buffalo yak farm. It's belonged to my ancestors for centuries. And with that kind of living, the only thing waterbending is good for is watering the animals." She ended her small tangent with another bite of noodles, filling her cheeks with the pasta. It was slowly cooling off and drying out, and soon it would be inedible. I can't possibly finish this bottle by myself. Good wine always tastes better when drank together, said Saaga, with a slight nod, offering the bottle out to the water tribe girl. Riko was surprised by this gesture of kindness. Of course, she had been eyeing the girl's bottle of liquor, but she wasn't about to ask for the wine. And it clearly was cheap, but not the cheapest the place had to offer. She would have honestly expected the nonbender to simply take the bottle with her. It was a small ceramic thing, and could be finished off easily in five or six glasses, which indicated that it was not to be wasted on strangers. But at this point, with a small bit of conversation and banter, Saaga wasn't exactly a stranger anymore. "Well, thanks," she said, taking the bottle. The waterbender was just about to pour herself a glass when she hesitated. The last thing she needed right now was to be intoxicated. Not only would a tipsy Riko upset Yukiko, but she didn't drink often, and the alcohol would leave her with a headache in the morning. "Actually," she said slowly, setting the bottle back down on the table, "I don't exactly drink. Thank you so much for the offer, though," she added enthusiastically, hoping that it would add a little bit of sincerity to her apology. Riko felt bad for turning down Saaga's very kind request, and she did have a strong desire to try the wine, but she didn't feel like it was the best thing for her to do just this moment.[/style]

[atrb=style, background: #221e1d; opacity: 0.98; color: e8e2ca; border: 1px solid #aaa27d; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000; -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px #000;][style=font: 11px Tahoma; text-align: justify; padding: 10px; text-shadow: #000 -1px -1px 0;]TAGGED : Saaga! WORD COUNT : 451 NOTES : ajshdkfnas CREDITS : Template by JAWN of AA, OTE, DMB and TC[/style]

[Saaga Sun]

A triumphant smile was just about to make its way to Saagas lips, but it dissappeared the moment Riko declined her offer. A little pout pushed its way past the smile and Saaga looked at the other girl somewhat offended. She thought she'd been nice and polite in offering the drink, did she perhaps say something wrong somewhere?

Of course it was within Rikos rights to decline the drink, but taking one glass would have atleast been more courteous. Now Saaga could not help but feel rather foolish.

"Well, I don't drink that much either. I've taken two cups now and I'm fine. It's not that strong," she protested, lips pursed into a thin line, something she unconsciously did everytime she was frustrated.

For a moment Saaga was silent, pulling the bottle back to her side of the table. She wondered how her father would have gone about this, if he were in a similar situation. To be fair, Saaga had more experience dealing with men and most of her friends excluding her flatmates were guys. And well, men were far more straight forward and easier to approach than women. Or maybe that was just her personal bias.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't pressure you into something you don't want to do. It's just that it's such a rare thing for me to have someone to drink and gossip with. Usually I hang out with old geezers in the park, playing paisho. So I'm very happy to get acquainted with you, even if it's not one of my best days," she apologized after a moment of deep thinking and scratched behind her left ear with her metal thumb. The leather cord around her wrist was a little loose so she took this moment to adjust it properly.

"I just thought it would be nice to share a drink, that's all. It has nothing to do with the fact that I just can't show up for work half drunk," she finished with a laugh, trying to signal Riko that she was not angry, just slightly pigheaded and easily annoyed.