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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 22, 2008 19:05:45 GMT -6
"My apologies, if you would like, I'd escort you to your room?" offered Mushi, who kicked a boulder at Tyron, catching him off guard.
"Well that is great. Tell him I'll never forget those many talks we had, him in my throne and me in a cage. Those were good times," said Bumi, and he snorted again.
"Rejected," muttered Tyron, who appeared behind Zuko, clutching his side.
"Shut up, this is your fault," blamed Zuko.
"My fault?" asked Tyron, awestruck.
"Yes. You should of kept your brother under control, so he could keep Bumi under control."
"Well sorry your 'majesty"," said Tyron and then he snorted like Bumi, just to tick Zuko off.
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Post by Liamane on Mar 22, 2008 19:12:37 GMT -6
Suddenly, an outburst of noise arose in the room; Aang's closed eyes shot open, and a clenched hand reached for his roaring stomach. It had been a few hours since his last meal, and standing up, he rose from position before exiting his quarters. As he walked forth in the hallway, the faint sound of bickering gradually grew louder, and the familiar snorting that Bumi produced became more audible in his ears. Tracking its source, the teenager peered into a particular room where Mai, Tyron, Zuko and his old friend Bumi were conversing.
"Hey, you started a party without me?" the Avatar joked; his voice was apparently more mature and masculine than two years prior. Offering his leading commander a bow, he entered the room and presented the trio with a warm smile. "How're things today?"
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brynna
Valor Form
MotM 03/08
Posts: 56
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Post by brynna on Mar 22, 2008 19:17:56 GMT -6
Lin looked to Mai, unsure if she could--or wanted--to leave the stoic girl. Mai seemed busy with the others. Lin took a deep breath. "Sure, I suppose. So you're an Earthbender?"
Mai paled. "I'm sure they were, King Bumi." She lay a hand on Zuko's shoulder, partly out of wanting to connect with some semblance of sanity, partly wanting to connect him to the same. It felt strange to show affection so openly in front of others, but she needed to know that somebody in this world still had a working mind.
Seeing the Avatar enter the room, she turned to solemnly bow to him. This felt strange, too. It wasn't too long ago that she had, with Azula, attacked him.
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 22, 2008 19:24:40 GMT -6
Zuko nodded in Aang's direction, but Bumi quickly stole the spotlight.
"Aang, how have you been? you have no idea how dull this place is without my friend, the Avatar. Acutually I was telling them about how we use to play Kings when we were younger and..."
Zuko noted Mai's hand on his shoulder and he placed his hand on top of it and warmed his palm abit.
"I missed you," he muttered.
"I already told her that," butted in Tyron.
"One second," muttered Zuko and he stared at Tyron.
"Go!" Tyron may be anonying, but he knew an order when one arose.
"Yes my lord. Farewell Lady Mai," said Tyron with a bow and he went off on his own.
Zuko didn't like the smile he gave Mai.
Mushi grabbed Lin's hand and pulled out of the room.
"So, friends with the to-be firelady? You must have some say in the current events, eh?" asked Mushi, desperate to learn more about the girl.
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brynna
Valor Form
MotM 03/08
Posts: 56
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Post by brynna on Mar 22, 2008 19:31:40 GMT -6
An annoyed look flashed across Mai's face. Tyron and his brother were quickly wearing on her nerves. Zuko's hand calmed her, though, and she looked at her fiancee with an uncharacteristic tenderness. "I'm not surprised," she replied. Dropping her voice to a whisper, "I missed you, too," she added.
"Not really. I think she was just tired of being the only girl around, so when I accidentally bumped into her, I became her tea-buddy," explained Lin. "I don't mind. She's actually rather pleasant in her own way. Can I have my hand back?"
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Post by Liamane on Mar 22, 2008 19:35:40 GMT -6
Sporting a sheepish smile, Aang rubbed the back of his neck as his old friend bombarded him with banter. "Oh, yeah, how could I forget?" the Avatar replied, his shoulders were raised in a shrug. He placed his hands behind his back before pursing his lips in thought. "Well, I'm off to grab something to eat, and then I'm going to train, I suppose."
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 23, 2008 19:13:22 GMT -6
"Rain? Where? Aang there isn't a cloud in the sky!" exclaimed Bumi, his ears giving out for a second.
"And who are you going to meet? Can i come along?" asked Bumi, acting like an innocent child.
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Post by setzer on Mar 23, 2008 21:55:00 GMT -6
Just then, a messenger hawk flew into the room. It perched on Bumi's shoulder, and everyone could see it had a message on its back. It must have been exceptionally well trained, since it turned around, and used its beak to grab the message from its container. The message fell onto the floor, and everyone could see what it said:
To The Earth King Bumi,
My name is Smellerbee. I am the leader of the Ba Sing Se resistance. I've been doing all I can to make life miserable for the Fire Nation, but things are starting to get worse.
Your people are scared. They think the Earth King has abandoned them. Only a few are willing to fight back. People don't really try to do anything but get by day to day, and have no hope for a better life.
I'm writing to you because I need your help. You have soldiers. You have weapons. I need both. I need you to send whatever help you can to the Ba Sing Se resistance. Every soldier we kill here is one less you'll have to fight later.
No one believes me when I say the Avatar is still alive. As long as the Avatar fights, so will the Earth Kingdom, but the people must see he still lives.
Please send help.
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 24, 2008 15:10:32 GMT -6
Bumi read the note.
This is not good...
"It's for you Aang," said Bumi, handing him the letter.
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Post by Liamane on Mar 24, 2008 18:40:15 GMT -6
Taking the parchment from his friend's hand, the teenage Avatar raised a most curious brow. His eyes scanned each line carefully, and upon reading the last lines, Aang's eyes shot wide open, and shock took his being. "Still?" the airbender questioned, looking to the others. "I beat the Fire Lord two years, and the world still doesn't believe I'm alive? That's ridiculous! I can't believe this..."
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 24, 2008 20:00:38 GMT -6
Zuko smiled at Mai, when suddenly the messenger hawk flew in.
"What's wrong?" asked Zuko, after Aang said still and mentioned Zuko's father.
"Aang, people are easily imprinted on. Ba Sing Se still lies in Azula's hands, they may have lost faith that you never caame to the rescue," said Bumi, spoken in a rare way for him; knowledge not hidden by jokes.
"Sorry my lady," said Mushi and he released her hands.
"I seriously fail to see what Zuko, you, my brother.... everybody sees in Mai. She's a bland persona whose married to Zuko. What she lacks in emotion, he makes up in it," muttered Mushi.
"But, enough on Fire Lord to be Zuko's wife, let's hear about you. What is your position in this war, besides tea companion?"
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Post by setzer on Mar 24, 2008 21:16:07 GMT -6
MEANWHILE, IN THE FIRE NATION
Azula briefed her assembled officers. "We need to plan our next step. The resistance in Ba Sing Se can no longer be dismissed as a mere annoyance. We have to secure a route into the city. That way, we can use it as a staging ground for future campaigns against Zuko. I'm open to suggestions for the best way to do this. If you propose a plan that works, you'll be well rewarded. " Azula didn't have to imply the torments that awaited a general who failed.
General Jang was the first to speak up. "I say we attack Chang Min Island. " His loud voice filled the briefing room, occasionally punctuating his speech with a thump on the map table. "Our forces used it as a refueling base in our first attacks on the Earth Kingdom, before Zuko's traitors stole it from us. From there, we can send ships anywhere along the west coast of the Earth Kingdom."
"I'll take that under consideration. Does anyone else have ideas?" Azula said.
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brynna
Valor Form
MotM 03/08
Posts: 56
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Post by brynna on Mar 24, 2008 21:27:50 GMT -6
If Mai had been surprised by Bumi's sudden stroke of wisdom, she didn't show it. She only looked down, muttering, "Azula likes lying to people...making them believe they have no hope."
"I don't really know, but one thing's for sure," Lin replied, "I'm not a lady, so let's drop that, hmm?" She smiled. "I don't know...there's not much to my story that nobody else has. I grew up in the colonies and when the Avatar came through, I joined immediately. Wanted to fight. Made my mom a little nervous, but that's how mothers are, right?" she laughed as she followed him around another corner. "So you and your brother...what's there to know about y'all?"
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Post by Liamane on Mar 24, 2008 21:47:12 GMT -6
"I suppose this is my cue, your highness," a figure from the shadows announced. Stepping into the light, Koji's devious eyes flickered in the light, and his smirk grew on his narrow face. The officer let out a most conniving chortle as his hands came across his chest in a folded manner. "Pardon my lateness, I was held up by a bunch of imbeciles. But if it's a plan you're looking for, I've got a handful, your majesty."
Looking to the his leader, he offered the young woman a most humble bow to Azula. "To destroy a pest, you must become one," the firebender stated with a cold voice as he rose from his position. "To defeat your brother's forces, we must play the game of espionage, great one. Learn their secrets, obtain knowledge of the invasions. A most devious thought, indeed, but we are at war, your highness. If one does not make a move now, then their forces will gather and quash us. If someone were to breech their forces and pass the knowledge on, we would be invincible! We would be the strongest forces in the entire world."
Aang lowered his head in remorse, and he grew angry at his previous actions. "I failed them," he muttered; his clenched fists tightened the letter. "I let the people of Ba Sing Se down. I could have saved them after I defeated Ozai, but instead, I left them in their darkest hour. I feel so stupid. What have I done?"
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Post by setzer on Mar 24, 2008 22:45:39 GMT -6
"Your plan has merit, but intelligence alone doesn't win wars. We will still need to destroy Zuko's armies and retake the Earth Kingdom. But I might kill two turtleducks with one stone..."
She smiled.
"I have agents reviewing the lists of which units were sided with Zuko. Some of them have families here in the Fire Nation. Their wives and children can be held hostage. Notify the soldiers fighting for Zuko that if they will serve me, their families will be spared. We can have their units remain in place until we need them to change sides.
Koji, you will lead a group of soldiers and Dai Li agents, and get me the hostages I need. It must be done quickly and quietly, I don't want anyone rescuing them."
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 25, 2008 7:13:22 GMT -6
"WE didn't let them down Aang," said Zuko, placing an hand on his shoulder.
"My sister is cunning, but you did the right thing. You joined my side and rallied troops to our cause. Now we have an army that is capible of taking over Ba Sing Se."
"No, don't do that," said Bumi and he chuckled to himself.
"Why not? Do you just want us to leave Ba Sing Se to Azula?" asked Zuko, his tone ringing with a fiery tone?
"No, but some times numbers aren't always the best plan. Omashu may have been taken by large numbers, but Ba Sing Se fell because of 3 very gifted girls," said Bumi and he looked in Mai's direction.
"Hmmm.... Father was ahole who left our mother after his 'visit'. Mother didn't live very long after our birth. We were taken in by King Bumi and were raised as the mad man's sons. Tyron never wanted to, especially when he found he could fire bend. But I loved being Bumi's son. I never had legal claim to the throne or anything, but just to be around such a genius like Bumi was great. Tyron disappeared during the war for a time, but he came back. I never knew where he went, but when he returned, he could firebend like a master. He said that he found his Lord and that he was coming here. Few weeks later, Prince Zuko arrived with Mai and his army." Mushi sighed at the many hqappy memories he had and at the many unpleasant ones he saw in his future.
"Not a lady? You drink Tea, hang out with royalty, and don't go insane after meeting me, my brother, and King Bumi at the same time? You are quite the strong woman," complimented Mushi
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brynna
Valor Form
MotM 03/08
Posts: 56
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Post by brynna on Mar 25, 2008 10:23:28 GMT -6
Mai closed her eyes and she could see Azula before her, casually removing the clothes from a warrior's body. She could see the Dai Li hungrily listening to the Princess' speech. She could see Zuko turning away from the throne at the mention of his uncle. She could see herself cleaning dried blood from a knife, not caring who it belonged to. Mai closed her eyes and turned away ever so slightly from the gaze of the King.
"Strength is not limited to nobility. An Earthbender should know that," countered Lin. "And poise does not make a noble...a son of Bumi would know that." She smiled. "Where exactly are we going anyway?"
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 25, 2008 17:07:53 GMT -6
"I'm gonna kill you," exclaimed Zuko, as he saw, what he took to be Mai in pain. Quicker than a blink of the eye Zuko's palms were aflame.
"I meant you were strong for putting up with the 3 best morons the earth Kingdom could offer," said Mushi, laughing a very unique laugh, unless you happened to know his up raising. Mushi looked around...
"I have no idea.... anywhere you'd like to go?"
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brynna
Valor Form
MotM 03/08
Posts: 56
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Post by brynna on Mar 25, 2008 17:43:02 GMT -6
(OOC: Smellerbee's a girl. (: )
"Leave it," Mai commanded harshly. Oh, Zuko...do you have to be so protective? Do you really care so much that you'd fight Bumi?
Lin laughed along. "I don't really know where I want to go. Not really sure what's all around here anyway. I spend most of my time with Mai."
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Post by Sarcasmic Canadian on Mar 25, 2008 17:53:18 GMT -6
OOC: I'm sorry if I seem a tad bit controlling here, but I am Zuko {leader, alongside Iroh} and King Bumi {repalcement leader}
Mushi's face lite up imediately.
"Let me show you Omashu's main attraction... that no one knows about," said Mushi and he grabbed her arm and dragged him behind her.
Zuko imediately took on the face of a hurt puppy, as Mai scowlded him. The flame died in his palm and he looked over to his uncle. He moved away from Mai's side and stood by his uncle, the princes of the Fire Nation side by side.
"Where were you 20 minutes ago?" asked Zuko, in a low tone.
"We may have a big army, but it will cost troops to over run Ba Sing Se. Troops we can't lose. Azula's main army will not shrink if we take Ba Sing Se. But our numbers will shrink. We should spilt our numbers. A small group should enter Ba Sing Se and meet up with the freedom fighters. See what we can do to help. The others should stay back and make it seem like nothing is taking place, while still planning ahead for the future." The King of the Earth Kingdom may be mad, but he was no idiot.
"Unless we have any other ideas?"
Mushi smiled and pulled Lin into a chute behind him.
"Done this before?" asked Mushi.
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