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Post by Chase Sato on Aug 31, 2012 20:27:14 GMT -5
Once they were sure everyone was safe, they started down the path again, all a little shaken up, but fine. They walked along the path until they connected back with the main one, getting up to ride on the Emu Horses' backs again. They rode through two villages, all visibly tired from the travels. "We should stop here." Chase said groggily as they rode past an Inn. It didn't look like much, just a small two story building, but all the villages around here were small, they weren't going to be finding anything extravagant around here.
Chase went in to pay for a room as Mai and Hiyro got all the supplies off the steeds, also making sure they were tied up well for the night, Chase came back out to help carry the things up into their room, setting the supplies in the corner. There were two beds, a double and a single, conveniently. Hiyro and Kiku hopped up onto the single bed, the small girl immediately going under the covers to sleep. She was exhausted. So was he. Falling back onto the bed with a satisfied sigh, he looked up at Mai. "I'm kind of excited for the plane ride tomorrow." he said, trying to make conversation
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Post by Mai Toriko on Aug 31, 2012 21:32:48 GMT -5
The young woman helped tuck Hiyro into bed, making sure she rbushed her teeth, braided her hair so it wouldn't knot and put on her pajamas before snuggling up in the single bed. The heating in the room was good so Hiyro didn't need extra blankets but Mai paid extra attention to make sure she was comfortable before she kissed her head and let the little one slip away into a slumber. Mai was slowly but surely falling into the role of the mother. She couldn't remember what it was like to have a mother, or how they should act but she knew enough from books and part of it was just so natural. She wanted her happy, healthy and comfortable and Mai was going to do everything she could to protect and teach her and be there for her should she ever need someone.
Mai was nervously getting ready for bed, setting aside the majority of her clothes, leaving her leggings and chest bindings on as she snuggled under the sheets but faced away from Chase, embarrassed about something. She sat up and played with a lock of hair as she shyly asked, "what is....a plane?" she asked softly.
The girl had read about a lot in books but her area didn't have a flight zone and though she had heard of planes she wasn't sure what one looked like or what it did. Mai had overheard conversation about something that goes into the sky but...it seemed very odd to her without bending to end up in the sky. She blushed a little that she didn't know about it and as she looked over her shoulder at him. "I mean, what does it do?"
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Post by Chase Sato on Sept 1, 2012 21:31:42 GMT -5
As Mai got Hiyro ready for bed, Chase did so as well, taking off his clothes except for his underwear, folding them up into a neat pile next to the supplies. It wasn't as cold as Chase would have suspected for a low budget place like this, but the warmth seemed sustained, which was good. They didn't need many blankets.
After Mai got in bed as well, she laid facing away from him, he could sense that something was bothering her. It didn't seem like something major, but there was definitely something on her mind. Then she asked him what a plane was, seeming ashamed that she didn't know. "Oh, well I don't really know a lot about them either." he said, thinking about what he actually knew about the new machines that allowed such fast, fluid flight. "They're kind of just like big mechanical birds, but instead of flapping wings, it stays flying with propellers. If that makes any sense.." he tried to explain as best as he could, but having such limited knowledge about them, it was hard.
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Post by Mai Toriko on Sept 2, 2012 17:36:49 GMT -5
Mai seemed intrigued as she laid down next to Chase, snuggling up against his side and looking up at the ceiling. "wow, those sounds so...odd.." she giggled quietly so not to wake Hiyro. "So many new things. I could only learn so much from the books kept in the attics, and sometimes from the stories the men would tell me when they were ranting in their drunken stupor." she sighed and rolled so she could lay her head on his chest.
Mai felt her body slipping into slumber as the minutes ticked by. Mai smiled and leaned up to gently kiss him goodnight. "Sleep well." she snuggled back up to him and proceeded to drift off slowly.
By morning they were back on the road and arrived to catch the plane on schedule. The Emu horses were taken and loaded in the storage bay with other livestock while Mai waited on pins and needles as she saw the crowds of people rushing by. She had her hooded pulled up over her face and she gripped Chase's hand tightly as her other hand held onto Hiyro to keep her close. Soru growled affectionately against her neck but it brought little comfort in the new setting.
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Post by Chase Sato on Sept 2, 2012 19:20:54 GMT -5
Chase had a fairly good sleep that night, and awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. Though the Emu Horse was doing most of the work, travelling still took a lot out of you. They all seemed to be well rested as they got their supplies together, quickly getting ready for their flight. After everything was packed away and the Emu Horses were packed up, they rode over to the designated area, where a few other people were awaiting flight up to the north. They dismounted and handed off the Emu Horses to the men packing things into the plane. It was fairly big compared to all the ones that Chase had seen before.
As they boarded, Chase held Mai's hand, guiding them to three seats. He had to admit, he was kind of nervous about this, but anything was better then being in a boat. Not many planes had crashed anyways. They probably had nothing to worry about. The propellers started up after all the doors were closed, a constant loud humming filling the air. It was hard to hear anything over it, and if they wanted to talk, they would have to yell, even in their close proximity.
Chase chose to stay quiet for the ride, looking out the window as they took off. Hiyro hid in Mai's clothes as the machine left the ground, letting out a small squeak as they ascended. The ride was only around 3 hours, nothing compared to the almost two days they would have been at sea. As the plane landed, they waited for the okay from the crew and got off, gathering their Emu Horses from the men outside.
"It's so cold!" Chase said as soon as they stepped out, hugging himself to keep his warmth.
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Post by Mai Toriko on Sept 2, 2012 22:11:14 GMT -5
Mai smiled and handed Chase his warmer clothing and suited up the Emu horses with blankets and then went to getting Hiyro ready. Mai was dressed in a thicker cloak over her clothing and had on a long tunic and pants. The boots helped as they treaded through the snow before mounting up. Mai took Hiyro this time as they traveled, making sure they were fully prepared before pressing on through the snow. Mai was so intrigued, smiling up at the sky as she watched it fall gracefully around them. "This is snow..." she whispered softly, "real snow..." Mai knew about snow, it did happen in the earth kingdom but she had never seen so much of it at once.
She laughed as she looked down at Hiyro who held both the cats. "Isn't it beautiful?" she whispered to her, "I wish I could see it all the time..." Mai raised her hand and bent the snow into water, "there's so much for power...I can bend at all times...no more drawing from the planets..." she was so excited as she saw the village but grew nervous. Mai was always scared about seeing other water benders, how would they feel when they knew of her blood bending? That was a story for later however because as they entered the small village they were greeted by a man with a smile. "Travellers, what brings you here?"
Mai looked at Chase and shrugged before she answered best she could. Dismounting she gave a small bow, "I am Mai Toriko, and these are my companions. I am...a water bender..." she whispered nervously, "but self taught. I came here to learn, perhaps discover a few things."
By Mai's tone the man knew this girl was different, and he was intrigued with the way she kept herself so covered, even with the cold weather she seemed odd and protective. As the man stepped forward he looked her over carefully and then asked, "what did you say your name was?"
"Mai...Toriko.." Mai watched as the shock went over his face and others joined him.
"Come...come with us..." he said carefully, "Mai...there is much to be told." The man had the emu horses taken care of as Hiyro and Chase were led with Mai to the center of town.
"Sir...I'm sorry but what are you talking about?"
"Years ago our tribe was ravaged by bandits. They destroyed much of our village. They stole many goods and furs but also took something of great value." he paused, "they took a child from her parents, right from their arms."
Mai stopped walking, "My parents lived in the earth kingdom, they were murdered..."
"Far from that old tale my dear," The man looked into her eyes. "Those eyes...so much like your mother's...come at once." Mai was truly confused until she stood before a man and woman with shock and disbelief on this faces. She looked so much like them...she had all the same features.
"Mai?" the woman asked, "my baby girl...." the woman became very emotional and Mai backed up.
"What are you talking about?" Mai looked at the town, "I don't understand...so I've been kidnapped twice?" Mai explained her story to the man who looked ill as she told him briefly how she had been raised and they all looked in shock. "So are...you...really my parents?"
"Mai Toriko...I am your mother, Lina, this is your father Sire, and your sister..." a younger girl, not younger by much stepped forward, "Sayu."
mai was silent for a moment....and then passed out...
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Post by Chase Sato on Sept 2, 2012 22:34:19 GMT -5
He was thankful for the warmth that Mai's clothing that she handed him offered. The cold of the air nipped at his cheeks, though, but there was no way to really cover his face without not being able to see. He would just have to deal with it. Mai took Hiyro on her Emu Horse again, which was good, because Chase was kind of cranky from the cold. They rode along for a while, Chase using his inner chi to keep him warm. Mai was probably loving all of this, which was the only reason he was putting up with all of this. He would never come here if it were just him. Nothing seemed redeeming about this landscape, it was cold, barren, and little to nothing could grown on the land. He definitely never wanted to live here.
Finally they approached a small village. Thankfully the Northern parts developed small villages over the years, as the only habitable place 100 years ago was the Northern water tribe. But they would have had to travel for days and days to get there. The village wasn't different from any of the other ones that he had seen, except for the abundance of snow. There was just no getting away from it. Chase more or less just stayed quiet and let Mai introduce them all. He was surprised that the type of greeting they received.
As the situation unfolded, Chase couldn't believe their luck. The first village they come to, and they find out that Mai's parents aren't dead, and are in fact here. It was such a turn of the tables, Mai discovering her parents just as he lost his own. It was time for her to enjoy a family, though. He had Hiyro, she had no one before. Now she had someone other then him and Hiyro.
Chase reacted quickly as Mai fainted, catching her before her limp body hit the ground. It must have just been too much for her to handle. Everyone crowded around to peer down to see if she was okay. "Mai, wake up." Chase said as he tried to shake her shoulders a little.
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Post by Mai Toriko on Sept 2, 2012 22:47:44 GMT -5
when Mai finally came to it was a crash of information that nearly made her mute. She was staring at the faces so much like her own in disbelief, leaning into Chase for support as she sat in the snow and looked up at all the people. Mai then scrambled to her feet. "How? How was it that I went missing? How is it that I found you here? So close to the transit, why didn't you follow?"
"Darling we tried, when you were taken from us we searched for days. The plane route didn't used to come this far, it only came to the boards of the water nation. We traveled searching for you with no trace...we thought you were dead." the mother insistsed. Mai sighed in reply, at least she knew why they found them so quickly, they probably cut their travel time in thirds by taking the plane in, the boat would have taken them to coast line and they'd be days trying to locate a village they didn't even know about.
"So you...really are...my parents?" Mai asked, still holding onto Chase.
"Yes dear, and we've missed you every day."
Mai got up and carefully hugged her family, staying silent as their parents took it in.
"Now for a celebration!" Sire said happily as the village chorsed in with agreement. "The celebration of my daughters return and now my child you take your place in our family." he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am the leader of this tribe, we keep to our ways, ways of which you will learn." Sire seemed like a very proud man as he smiled with happiness as his daughter. they walked for a long while, just the family as the villagers set to making some kind of celebration for the group. "It brings me great joy to have our family together once more. bring your guests to the lodge, we will prepare an extra room for them." they entered the home and once the door was shut Mai could tell Chase was glad for the warmth but Mai felt the need to clarify.
Mai then smiled shyly, "Actually, one room will be fine, two beds so Hiyro can sleep comofrtably. Chase is my.." she wasn't sure what word to use, "Partner."
"Partner in battle?" the father asked.
"No umm...my...love." she said simply, "I am commited to Chase."
Silence dawned the family and Lina looked to her husband, "A fire nation boy?" Chase's hair gave him away in an instant. "Darling...you were..promised at birth."
"I was what?"
"Betrothed dear, to a young man of our village. He had remained faithful and will certainly wish to meet his bride after so long."
"Wait a second.."Mai backed up, "I'm very happy to have met you but...I have a lfie aside from here. I'm only here to visit, to learn but not to start a new life." Mai held Chase's hand.
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Post by Chase Sato on Sept 2, 2012 23:06:09 GMT -5
Chase felt kind of awkward just standing around while everything was unfolding. He hadn't even said a word since being here, other then a couple of greetings. But he was here to support Mai, and she certainly needed it right now. This was all a lot for her to take in. The celebration was declared as the villagers cheered, everyone getting to work on getting it together. From the looks of it, they were in for a big party tonight. This village seemed like one big family, it reminded him of home, kind of. This was more quaint.
When Mai's father told her that she was engaged, Chase's mouth dropped open. They thought she was dead, and he still kept himself for her. He was glad at Mai's reaction, but knew her feelings could change quickly if she was asked to choose between him or her family. "I mean no offense, sir, but you can't tell her who she has to marry." he said, looking the man right in his blue eyes.
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Post by Mai Toriko on Sept 3, 2012 17:04:09 GMT -5
Mai smiled faintly as she listened to Chase and looked to her parents. Her father was a little shocked by the words but seemed to reconsider. "A fire bender...you must understand how I feel about this..." he was struggling to find his words before he went into leader mode and changed his tone once more. "If that is what you wish for, then we do it in our traditions." Sire stepped forward and looked to Chase and his daughter, "you will meet your betrothed and Chase will challenge for your hand. You are of age, you should be married."
"It's hard to be married when you live in a whore house." Mai was seething at these stupid rules. "I'm sorry to seem so rude but you don't seem to understand something. You may be my birth parents but you have no hold over me. I raised myself. I took care of myself and Chase and Hiyro are the closest thing to a family I have ever had, they're what family means to me..." Mai watched the shock and disappointment on their faces. "I came to learn of the traditions and ways of my people, to learn more about myself and I am grateful to have met you finally and to know the truth but...you can't expect me to drop everything and marry someone I've never met." Mai let go of Chase's hand and stood closer to her parents.
"I don't want to be a disappointment to you. You've been waiting to see if I was alive for a long time but...this is all fresh to me. I dealt with the death of my family a long time ago. It's not natural for me to have feelings for people I have never met." Mai looked at the floor, "I can respect you, perhaps grow to love you as people but...it will not be as if I have never left. It can't be." Mai needed them to know that she didn't need parents to feel complete. Chase had filled that gap in her heart and over flowed it completely, as had Hiyro. This family was just...extra in her mind.
Mai then sighed and ran her hands through her hair. "Maybe we should have never come.." Mai looked over her shoulder at Chase ready to leave until a soft hand touched her shoulder. She looked back to see her mother looking at her with soft eyes.
"I understand..." she whispered, "this is all too much right now. We just...I suppose we got so caught up in you being here we forgot...this is still new. We've just been dreaming of it..Please stay around. Enjoy the festival and relax. We can discuss more of this in the morning once you're settled."
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