Free as the Wind

Different. That would be the best way to describe the foreign feeling of the Fire Nation. It didn't compare at all to the mountain terrain of the Southern Air Temple he had traveled from. The air wasn't near as thin, there was less wind, and it was hot. Tei wasn't yet accustomed to that one, having been over open water, with the gales blowing against his skin and the refreshing feel of the salty spray playing at his flesh. Gliding over the waves, he'd felt light as a feather, even carrying his pack and occasionally Suru. Now, he felt like he weighed a ton under the heat of the new region, his body not yet used to such a difference. However, he managed, using his bending to draw in a breeze every once in a while, but still managed to work up a good sweat. After a while, he came to a hill, which, as his laziness took over, he used his glider to ascend. What he saw at the peak made his jaw almost touch the earth, dozens of feet below him.

Sprawled out before him, in a valley as green as anything he'd ever seen, was a bustling little village. Farms dappled the outskirts, and it got progressively more city-like towards the center, but stopped at a rather modest progression, no more than a large township. He could see children playing, all kinds of benders doing different work, Earthbenders plowing fields, Firebenders welding and smithing in outdoor forges, and Waterbenders carrying cargo on a river that snaked its way from a distant mountain. Everything was well in this quaint little place, secluded from the rest of the world, almost as if it wasn't real. The left corner of the awestruck Airbender's lips rose into a lopsided grin, his eyes twinkling as they locked on a building.

He tucked the wings of his glider by pushing the two levers back into position, and dropped into a steep dive. He used bursts of Airbending to slow his fall, until he landed softly on the lush grass. It felt wonderful on his bare feet, as he didn't often wear shoes, and was refreshing to be back on solid ground. However, he paid it little mind as he had never once taken his eyes off of his end goal. He began walking, slowly at first, then broke into a steady trot. He had tucked his glider into his belt after collapsing it to its two feet, and could almost feel the gravity pulling at him, as if the building itself were calling him. He didn't even notice the form already there, standing resolutely at the window, nor the flicker of shadow of nother form not far off. All he saw as he drew close was the writing on the sign, and still failed to notice the individual even as he plastered his face to the foggy window. He had found a wonderful place. A bathhouse. But not just any bathhouse. Tei had stumbled upon a greater treasure- the Women's bathhouse.

Although what could be considered 'normal' entertainment never aroused Jeffrey's sense, he decided to differ for once, not much for the better still. The sight of Jeffrey prancing down the village pavement could have brought a smile to anybody's day. This dark figure stomped around with his elbows raised high, swinging as he paced himself. His kimono followed loosely behind him. His sword was unusually tucked in behind his kimono, making it near impossible to spot, a very rare sight of when Iesu wasn't displaying his sword for all and allowing it to be drawn easily.

A nearby woman brushed her shoulder against his as she jogged by, visually appearing in a hurry. Jeffrey's only reaction was to react down and give a hard slap on her bottom, and she sprung from her job into a sprint away from him. Jeffrey chuckled, not bothering to turn back, listening to the increased patter of her footsteps as she drew farther away.