[private - Mai] Taking a break

[Chase Sato]

This was actually the first time that Chase had been so drunk to the point that he didn't remember his actions. The only memories he had were of earlier on in the evening, they were definitely both clothed. He knew that getting that drunk probably wasn't going to happen again. He didn't eve want to be in the position where he couldn't remember the things that he did or said. "I wish I remember, too." he admitted, letting out a small sigh.

Surprise took over his features as she asked if he regretted it. "No, of course not! I regret getting so drunk that I can't remember..." he actually felt kind of ashamed that he couldn't hold his booze as well as he should. He didn't know he was so much of a lightweight. "And you're not a used product, you need to stop thinking about yourself like that." he knew it was because of the life that she lead before, but he wished that she understood that he didn't see her the way those pigs do.

[Mai Toriko]

Her heart soared as he said those words. He really didn't regret her, she wasn't a mistake! She was always the mistake, the regret, the used, the whore but this...even after making a mistake he wasn't going to chuck her and leave her in a ditch somewhere. He stilled wanted to be with her...the realkization was almost too foregin for her to handle in that moment but she smiled none the less and moved from her spot on the floor.

Mai smiled at him and quickly got up, she was kneeling between his legs as he sat on the bed with her arms around his neck and head on his shoulder as she simply hugged him. She didn't say anything for a while before she leaned back and gave him a gentle kiss. It was like the first one she gave him, showing how she felt for him and allowing him to make the call. It was important for her to know that he wanted this and wasn't simply appeasing her notions. As the kiss ended she whispered, "Well...maybe next time you will remember." she kissed his cheek and sat beside him simply holding his hand.

"I mean, if it happens again we'll make sure that we keep you sober." she gave him that rare sweet smile again and laid her head on his shoulder. "You should make sure you get some food in you, even if it's only a little bit and I can get you some tea ready to help yur hang over." she giggled at the sight of his disheveled hair and messed up wrinkly clothing with bags under his eyes. "Well I have to get some house work done for June," she was about to leave the room when she then whispered, "and for someone who was drunk, you were pretty good." she giggled and left the room.

[Chase Sato]

Chase embraced her as she hugged him, glad that his response had made her happy. And at least she wasn't mad at him for not remembering. He really thought she would have been. But just like he wasn't like other guys, she wasn't like other girls. At least not the ones he knew. All the girls he grew up with were all so prissy, expected to have everything done for them. They weren't interesting at all, he was never able to speak to them without getting irritated. They would get mad about the smallest things, expecting you to know every little thing that would make them mad. But Mai certainly wasn't like that.

He kissed her back as she leaned into him, not being able to help but smile a little. The kiss ended and he reluctantly pulled away. Chase knew that he would be happy just kissing her for the rest of the day, but they both had things to do. "Hopefully I will." he said with a chuckle and a small blush. Even though he'd already done it, the topic of sex still embarrassed him a little. "Oh don't worry, I'm not getting that drunk again for a long time, if ever."

As food was mentioned, his stomach gurgled hungrily "Ya, I could use some food. And water." he'd never felt to dehydrated in his life. What she said as she was leaving took him off guard, but he chuckled as she walked down the stairs. Well at least he didn't have to ask, hopefully he wouldn't disappoint without the alcohol. Chase located his bag and changed into some clean clothes, tidying up the room. Then going down to the kitchen, he sat down to a plate of food placed down by June. He said his thanks and dug in, shoveling the food down despite the nausea.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai made sure he was getting enough to eat before she went off to help with the gowns that were made to be picked up that after noon. Mai set to beading with a little bit of a smile on her face as she thought about it, at least he wasn't ashamed of it happening. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all...resuming her work she hummed a little tune to herself as she worked.

A routine was soon set for the family-like group as they worked their way through the coming weeks. Mai established herself as a seimstress and started to gain more clients for June and they were making quite a pretty penny from the outfits and tailoring they were able to provide between the two of them. Mai was also impressed with the amount of work Chase had been getting by teaching the firebending at the school, by the little girl wasn't catching on no matter how hard she tried. Mai would watch her practicing in the yard for hours trying to bend the fire from a candle but nothing would come it and she was unable to light something from her own abilities. Chase tried his best to teach but Mai could tell it was wearing them both thin.

As the winter season came upon the earth kingdom, Mai knew the schooling would be getting a small vacation. As dinner was being served Mai brought up an idea, "I've been meaning to make a bit of a trip..." she whispered, someone worried about how the idea would be taken. "I thought about going to the water nation, maybe learning some new bending techniques from people there." Mai looked top Chase, "I'd like to see what they could do with some healing ideas." she was pulling the scarf subconsciously to hide the burn marks that still marred her neck, shoulder and part of her jaw line. "I figured it would be nice to take a little break, for everyone."

[Chase Sato]

Over the next little while, they all formed a pretty solid routine, Hiyro and Chase going to school during the day while Mai stayed home and worked with customers and on her projects. Chase's class was doing very well, the Master of the school was very impressed with him. The only thing was Hiyro's lack of bending abilities. Even after so much hard work, she was unable to do any fire bending. He was beginning to think that she wasn't a bender, but she was so determined, he didn't have the heart to tell her yet. She really loved the time they got to spend together, he knew that much.

As they ate one evening, Mai made a suggestion that they go to the water tribes. Him and Mai were going to be getting a break from school soon, and they hadn't done anything exciting since settling into this place. Chase was used to going on training trips every once in a while with his old master, they would always have so much fun. "Sounds like fun, even though it'll be really cold." He was more partial to warm weather, but it was important for Mai to get to know her heritage better, and meet with other water benders. "When did you want to leave"

[Mai Toriko]

"Well so long as you guys are ready, we could pack up and be gone in the next few days." she suggested, "I'll need some time to get some warmer clothing prepped for us, and new thicker saddle blankets for the emu horses so they're not too cold." Mai went on making a list of things they'd need to gather over the next few days in order to make the trip but Mai was actually smiling about going to the water tribes. She wanted to know about her people, what it was really like to be a water bender, she was completely self taught so she was a little nervous that her technique wouldn't be up to par even if her power was there. Never the less, it was exciting.

After dinner Mai went to measuring Chase and Hiyro for new clothing. She made pants for them both, knowing they already had boots that she simply lined a little thicker, then went to work on coats with pelts to line the inside and hoods. Her clothing took her three days to complete and pack up for them to have, as well as pack the saddle bags. She left the rations and travel gear (weapons and such) to Chase and got Hiyro involved by asking her for helping in making partial coats for the animals to keep them warm and protected in the snowy weather. Mai giggled as Soru was unhappy with outfit and Mai sighed, "I know you're made for colder weather but you best stay tucked in my furs until you get used to it." She warned with a smile as the fire dragon cats were fitted, they were need it in order to not get sick.

Mai wanted the young girl to be involved and not get discouraged, but she had her own suspicions about the girl. Mai might have been a water bender but she became a blood bender and was better at it than water...what Hiyro was a bender, just not fire? It was something she thought to bring up once they reached the water nation and perhaps give her some tests once she knew some from the tribe members. Though in the back of her mind she wondered how exactly she would be taken when she arrived.

[Chase Sato]

Over the next few days, they all did their part to prepare for their travel. Chase was glad that Mai was taking the time to make proper clothes for the journey, at least he wouldn't be cold. Everyone got a new outfit, even the animals, though they didn't seem to happy about it. He knew that Zala and Kiku would need their little jackets, their coats weren't that thick, and were made for warmer areas, not tundras. Chase planned out their rations and supplies, taking the time to double and triple check that they had everything. Even in case of an emergency.

The two saddles would be heavy with supplies, so their travel would be slow, but luckily Chase was able to find an aircraft that could take them from the northern shore of the earth kingdom, up to the southern shores of the Northern water tribe. Their journey to the actual city would only take a few days. This aircraft ride cut a lot of time off their travels, and he was sure that he wouldn't be as sick in the air as he was in the water. The thought of being on a boat for so long drove Chase to find an alternative for them. It took a while to find a craft that had a reasonable price, but he managed.

After the firebender was happy that they were thoroughly ready, they strapped the saddles onto the Emu horses, and headed out early in the morning. It was exciting, this journey was going to be interesting, he had a feeling. As they rode out of the city, he took a breath of fresh air, looking back to the other Emu horse where the two girls were riding. "I almost forgot what the fresh air smelled like" he said with a huge grin on his face. He never realized how much he missed it.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai took in a deep breath and sighed happily in agreement. The weather was wondering, but fall was moving quickly on the land and a chilling wind was coming down from the north to bring in the winter weather in the next few months. Mai made sure her hood was up but unlike their others travels they didn't have to stay hidden. They wouldn't be passing through the fire nation and they were out of the city, they had no reason to fear being seen. This meant they could stop in villages to stay the night, and keep the main roads which made fore a speedy travel. "Hopefully you do better on a boat than your big tough brother." Mai teased, "Boats are really fun, this time we can spend more time on deck and I can show you how they run the boat." Mai suggested, wanting to keep the young girl entertained.

Mai decided she would would carry Hiyro for the first part while Chase took more of the luggage for the first part and they would switch off during their travels. Stopping for lunch they switched up and Hiyroi was now with Chase as Mai took the animals with her and let them snuggle among the fabrics of her outfit. As they came around a bend they found trees had fallen all along the pathway. "A storm must have knocked them down..." Mai looked around and led her emu horse into the dense forest as they made their way around the damaged path. "Shouldn't be long in this mess before we meet up with another road," luckily others had been forced to do the same and there was some kind of path. As they worked their way through Mai could hear rushing water coming quickly. Her horse was spooking from the noise and she pulled on the reins to pulled them slowly to a halt. The river was a good thing to follow until they reached the main road but it was moving quickly and wasn't something to mess around near. "Keep away from the edge, " she said over the noise of the water. Mai led the skittish animal along the river side as they walked. However as the path got narrow because of over hanging brush, a snapping branch made her horse buck and jolt towards the water. As Mai tried to over compensate she was jerked from the animal and fell into the rapid like water. She came up sputtering as she was swept under again and again, unable to really get her constration to bend herself out of the water. she took to gripping a rock in the midst of the river and trying not to be swept away. "Chase!"

[Chase Sato]

Travelling this way was a lot less stressful then their previous experiences together. They weren't paranoid about being seen, and could enjoy the journey more. It was nice being able to ride along with little to no thoughts clouding your mind. The peaceful rhythm of the Emu Horses's feet hitting the ground was nice as well. It was also nice to have some alone time. Though the others were only feet away, he was riding ahead a little, so it was almost like being alone. He rarely got time to himself lately, but it wasn't bad. He hadn't even really noticed until he actually got some alone time.

After a short lunch break, it was his turn to ride with Hiyro. She didn't really talk that much, at least not to him. Mai got way more words out of her then he ever could. She just had a way with Hiyro, he knew she liked her a lot. He was again so thankful for Mai, helping out, offering Mai a mother-like figure. Though she was more like a motherly big sister then a mother. Unfortunately he didn't think anyone would fill that role for Hiyro.

Their journey was smooth, until they reached a block in the path. Fortunately Mai found a side path that other had traversed, it would most likely meet up with the road again. They rode carefully through the trees, often having to duck a low hanging branch. The sound of water that approached sounded pretty aggressive, he headed Mai's warning of keeping away from the edge. Her Emu horse began to spook, dashing towards the rapids.

As Mai fell into the water, Chase immediately jumped off the horses' back, dashing down to the shoreline. The other Emu horse with most of the supplies was running off down the shore, Mai was nowhere to been seen. Finally she broke the surface, holding onto a rock in the middle of the running water. "Hiyro stay there!" he yelled over to the concerned looking Hiyro. Diving into the water, he swam over to Mai with much difficulty. He wasn't the best swimmer, but made it out to the rock she was holding onto.

Grabbing hold of her, he tried to bring them back to the shore, the rapids pushing them further and further down. Eventually they made it onto the shore, sputtering out water as they fell onto the rocks. The second emu Horse was conveniently drinking nearby, hopefully Hiyro was safe, he couldn't see her, but she couldn't be too far off. "Are you okay?" he asked Mai.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai was panting as she gripped the grass. She was shaking from panic for a few moments before she managed to get a hold of herself. Her fauxhawk had fallen to the side over her face and blinding her momentarily. After catching her breath she bent the water out of their clothing to dry them off and then shakily got to her feet. "Thanks...I didn't think he'd spook so easily.." she leaned on Chase for a moment, glad for him being able to get out there. "Luck was on our side, the rapids aren't for a while down..." she started walking with Chase until they found Hiyro come carefully riding down the river bank. "Oh thank goodness." Mai sighed as she saw that the little girl was fine. Mai hadn't been able to see anything from the rocks and worried that the same thing could have happened to the youth.

They decided to lead the horses by the reins until they got back into the brush and back onto the trail. Mai got back onto the horse and leaned in the saddle with a sigh as she tried to relax. The fact that she had been helpless in her element worried her, what if he hadn;t been there and the rocks had been sharper? Shaking away those thoughts she kept focused on the road ahead of her. She gave a smile to Hiyro, knowing the girl had been worried. her horse eventually managed to calm and fall into a steady stride once more. the passed through two village before Mai looked to Chase and figured they needed to stop for the night. Mai didn't like the idea of making the young one travel for so long without a good sleep.