[Open] A Rainy Day

[Tahrro Gao Zhai]

“Sure,” Tahrro agreed, although perspective wasn’t exactly the answer to absolutely everything to him. There were some general truths everyone could agree on, otherwise there would be no rhyme or reason to anything that went on in the world. He resolved not to stress the issue since there was no need. Tahrro didn’t want to preach or be imposing with his opinions. He didn’t normally ramble either; it was just that Sung Woo had challenged his words directly that had initiated it.

Tahrro would laugh, but he wasn’t the type. “Yeah, I have no idea what you’re saying anymore either,” he agreed with Kim’s words. Whatever the other was trying to express through his argument about different perspectives on what’s oppressing and what’s liberating was completely lost on the waterbender. At least from the way he had said it. If he really tried hard, he thought he could get the core of the idea, but it really didn’t seem to matter all that much.

Sung Woo expressed his belief that the two would be on the same side should a grander cause present itself. Tahrro considered it for a moment. He wasn’t impulsive enough to agree immediately. “In this conversation, you’ve expressed some of your beliefs and I do believe you would fight for your convictions, but you’re too open minded to predict.” And so was he. The situation would have to say what would happen. Even if they had the same general ideals, even two opposing sides fought thinking they were in the right absolutely and that they were doing the other foolish side a favor by defeating them from their own folly. For your own good. That was one overused expression. People often felt entitled to think they knew better what was best for someone else.

Tahrro gave Sung Woo a casual look. “I promise to try not to hurt you too bad if we ever disagree so fundamentally,” he said, half joking, half serious. Of course, he could always end up being the one beaten down into the ground. He’d had a lot of that in his life, as the deep scar that ran across his face could attest to. I don’t like fighting my friends, though, he thought, but left it unsaid. Even though Sung Woo could become his friend, Tahrro was exhausted of betrayals and he wasn’t sure he was capable of real trust anymore.

Tahrro didn’t discriminate by the presence of bending or not, just like he didn’t based on gender, nation, age and whatever else. He distrusted everyone equally. Until someone would show him that his trust was well placed, that’s how it was going to be. Of course, there were always people he liked more and people he liked less, even just on the basis of short conversation. Sung Woo had a definite foot on the former side.

“I don’t take advice anyway,” Tahrro replied to the joke in his trademark factual but lighthearted way. He was probably the most stubborn open-minded person in the park, though Sung Woo did give him competition. Good arguments could always convince him otherwise, but the times people had out-argued him to actually change his beliefs had not been recent. “I’ve been fortunate not to come across them,” he said and nodded. Tahrro had no arrogant illusions about his ability to defend himself. He could be caught by surprise like anyone else, and overpowered by superior skills or numbers. When he returned from his jobs at night he was full of apprehension and watched the shadows. “I wouldn’t recommend getting too enamored with the scenery at night,” he had to disagree. “Unless you’re out with a group.” The last thing he wanted to do was take lonely promenades and make himself an easy target after dark.

“I enjoy Pro Bending,” he informed. “I might apply for a team or found one sooner or later.” This was the perfect excuse to satisfy his curiosity. “What about you? Do you bend? It would be convenient if you were an earthbender or firebender. I would start working on convincing you to join my future team.”

[Kim Sung Woo]

Two people, whom were complete strangers just a few moments and a couple arguments back, are now two connected individuals in some respect. Two strangers that now share a somewhat unique bond, if you can call it that. It seemed these two got a long quite well, even though they barely knew one another. Although the two had contrasting views on basically everything, it was odd that as different as they were, there was this uncanny feeling that perhaps these two were more similar than one can point out. Then again, who knows what's what anymore.

“I promise to try not to hurt you too bad if we ever disagree so fundamentally.”

Tahrro was in the mood to joke around a bit, and play along with Sung Woo. Although there was a hint of seriousness in there, it did make the seventeen year old ponder as to what would happen, hypothetically of course, if they were to be enemies in the distant future. For sure, this man was one competent waterbender that had a very strong resolve, and a strong will and mindset. Or at least that's what Sung Woo thought. Knowing that he couldn't bend, it may have been a disadvantage, but then again, Sung Woo wasn't necessarily a pushover as a chi-blocker, nor did he slack at his plain old fighting ability. It was just nice to think about just what would happen if they were to fight one another. Given that these two were now acquaintances, fighting would probably be the last thing these two would do, hopefully. With that imagination out of his head, all Sung Woo did was reply with an optimistic chuckle.


“I don’t take advice anyway.”

Sung Woo sort of expected this from his found acquaintance. Tahrro seemed to be sort of a rebel, or a 'do what he wants to do' type. Of course, it was stated in a jokingly manner, there was little doubt that this waterbender probably wasn't going to take much of Sung Woo's advice, at least most of it anyways. Especially since we're talking about a naive little seventeen year old trying to educate an older individual about the ins and outs of Republic City.

“I wouldn’t recommend getting too enamored with the scenery at night. Unless you’re out with a group."

Sung Woo pondered about what the waterbender said. There was no doubt that Republic City was gorgeous at night. The lighting and the atmosphere, it's all just down right amazing. Growing up and being in Republic City all his life, he could probably see why a guy that hasn't been around Republic City wander alone at night. A guy that looked lost in the streets at night would be seen as an easy target for hoodlums or gang members to target, so Sung Woo fully understood why Tahrro wouldn't want to go sightseeing at night unless with a group. "Makes sense, but sometimes, it's nice to just go around by yourself and enjoy what Republic City has to offer." It really was a whole different experience when you're just going around by yourself. Same goes for when you're going around Republic City with some friends, family, or a significant other. It would always be different, the experience would always change, depending on the situation. Of course, the word perspectives would make total sense here.

“I enjoy Pro Bending. I might apply for a team or found one sooner or later. What about you? Do you bend? It would be convenient if you were an earthbender or firebender. I would start working on convincing you to join my future team.”

Oh, how sneaky. Sung Woo knew that Tahrro was trying to find out whether or not he was a bender. Well, you have to give credit to the waterbender, he sure knew his way with words. "I'm not a big fan of probending myself actually. I follow it sparingly, what was it, Ferret Fires? Or the Fire Ferrets? Heard they were pretty good," Sung Woo said, trying to downplay the subject and feign ignorance. In reality, Sung Woo enjoyed spectating pro bending. It was something he fondly remembered as a youth, and something that he had wanted to do one day, but sadly restricted due to his nonexistant potential in bending. "Do I bend? That's a good question. Perhaps you'll find out as you get to know me better," Sung Woo continued, trying to find a way to satisfy the waterbender's curiosity. If only he could bend, Sung Woo would jump at the opportunity to compete alongside Tahrro. They would've maybe made a good tandem of some sorts.

[Tahrro Gao Zhai]

“Oh I don’t doubt its appeal,” Tahrro agreed, then quirked an eyebrow in Sung Woo’s direction. “But I’m not sure how nice it would be if you ran into a gang on the prowl.” The waterbender wasn’t too worried he would, and if he did, there were ways for him to escape without getting into a fight, but it paid to be cautious, especially after having already been robbed once after hours. “It’s always good to have someone watching your back.” Or have the illusion of having someone watching your back, as a lot of his experiences were.

“Others are better,” Tahrro commented, but felt uninspired to strike up a whole conversation about teams with someone not actively following the scores. Pro Bending had been something he had heard about through his travels around the world. When the day had come that he made it to Republic City it had been one of the first things he spent his meager earnings on.

Sung Woo kept the mystery up, declining to reveal his talents, if any. “What am I supposed to do, guess?” He could try to, but didn’t relish the thought of being wrong. “Am I allowed to ask questions that could give me hints about it?” Whatever bending Sung Woo had or didn’t have, it wouldn’t serve Tahrro in Pro Bending, it seemed, since the other hadn’t become a fan. Sometimes he thought it all a waste of time, trying to get into modern day sports. There were more important things to do in life, and yet, he felt the need to be doing something normal for a change. For nearly three years he had travelled north and south and across, trying to put an end to small scale crime, like a vigilante of sorts. He had met many different people throughout, and some of their memories would stay with him forever. However, he wanted to put that behind him now, if only for a while.

“So what do you do for fun? Other than nonchalantly throw your life philosophies at random strangers?” Fun wasn’t a word Tahrro had pronounced often in the past few years and he was set on changing that. It didn’t do to live under the shadow of his former lifestyle now that he was in different environment. Until he would set back out and take the path of the solitary nomad again, he felt interested in having a taste of the local culture and activities.