A Call of the Waterbenders

Posts : 33 Join date : 2011-10-11

The Western Air Temple....it was a bit more impressive then the other temples. Unlike them, it wasn’t built on a mountain peak, but rather into a cliff side and into the land. It was quite a story piece, a mystery how one could create an upside down city like this. Literally, it appeared as if someone had carved a city into the mountain but left it upside down to hang rom the cliffs. Beautiful though it was, large buildings and even magnificent gardens of lush greens. The Air nomads had patience in abundance and with that came perfecting great things, like gardening it seemed. Carvings of the nomads history and legends and some just beautifully added to complete the scene, were carved into the stone walls everywhere making this amazing place seem like a dream.
Rolling out of a cot, Nuo rubbed her aching head, and spotted all of her gear on a small low siting wooden table, next to a large pallet where Borock laid, still resting from the incident the night before...WAIT! the day before she had been on a boat heading south when they had hit the storm...ahh, her head hurt and she rubbed it again, finding a jug of water by her bead and a cup. She poured some, drinking slowly and then rose, stretching slowly and cracking her aching back. She had a bandage wrapped around her left arm, some pain throbbed there, but other then that and some bruises and general body pain she assumed she’d live.

Walking over the cool stone floor, her bare feet making small patting noises as she went to the wall, or lack there of. Amazing, her entire wall on one side was a series of pillars, open to the world and a large over hang that would prevent any rain if there was any, and jetting out walls gave her privacy. This was incredible, as she looked out tot eh mountains below, some more of the city visible, and the ocean ahead, further out, but visible past the island. The sky was a bit cloudy from the storm the night before, but still beautiful, it’s grayish color mixed with white and blue. Nuo turned after a few moments of awe struck staring at the beauty of the land and examined her furry friend. He looked like he could use some more rest, he’d had a hard night to. She decided to go look for something to eat and some answers. Things were clearer now, the fog of grogginess was gone and clarity was ringing in her ears as her eyes narrowed with focus as she put on her canteens, leaving her big sword here for now. She remembered the coils of a large body, and the attack on the boat, it hadn’t been a bad dream. But a terrorizing reality. She had survived, which meant something right?
Well she’d find out soon enough, leaving the room on her new set goals. Plus, on the bright side she’d get to look around the Western Air Temple and meet air nomads! Until now she’d only heard stories of both so this was a cool experience once you got past all the crappy events of the night before. Regardless of how they seemed she had stumbled upon a real mystery....legend even. A creature like that couldn’t be everywhere...it had to be something great. She stopped to talk to many of the air nomads she passed, all of them were sweet and kind people. She loved them actually, so nice and caring even though they didn’t even know here, offering her safety and shelter, food even. It was incredible how these people acted. She was able to learn a lot, not just about them, but also about the recent attacks. Apparently this wasn’t the first one...by a long shot. And his thing” she had sen, was called the Seronagi, some leviathan, long ago it and many of it’s kind roamed the seas, top predators then. They eventually retreated to the deep, lost to the world. Now it seemed something had driven this one back tot he surface, where it has claimed the waters of the pass as it’s own. Anything that passes through becomes prey and is ruthlessly destroyed by the massive beast. Interesting enough but she really didn’t have any clue what this thing was...other then big and bad.

She wondered around, finally arriving at the large fountain where many of the nomads had told her about. They claimed it to be beautiful beyond compare and so soothing she’d never want to leave it’s side. They were right, the large fountain was deserted, she was told because many of the air nomads that normally visit it at this time of morning were off tending to the wreckage that had washed ashore and other things. A nice quite place to think, with the great view of the mountains and in the far distance, following the fog a ways below the cliff edge to the ocean...and the waiting leviathan below it’s waves. She was standing, in awe of the temple and it’s views, clouds at it’s feet in the upside down city and the fountains soothing noise behind her, it was a great place to think and clear her mind. And was it ever jumbled as her face slightly confused, tried to piece things together and figure out what to do next. What was she going to do anyway? She was only one girl, one waterbender...that thing, was massive, powerful....a legend.

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Word Count:: 928

Posts : 23 Join date : 2011-10-12 Location : Seattle

Kel's eyes fluttered open only after light had shone through the window directly on him. His back was sore, and upon rolling to his side to feel it he realized he wasn't wearing his robes or shirt, just his cloth pants. They looked as though someone cleaned them too. He furrowed his brow at this thought, and his gaze shifted around the simple room. A small armor rack held his breastplate, his robes were cleaned and folded at the foot of his bed. A pitcher of water sat on the bedside table, and upon noticing it Kel became overwhelmed with great thirst. He beckoned it to his lips, and the water streamed forth until he could drink no more. Wiping his lips and breathing with great relief, he pulled himself out of bed. He grabbed Apheco and leaned on the great staff, glad to have the support. He wondered if he might clothe himself in his complete garb, and decided it was pointless. If anyone wanted to steal his things, they would have done so already. He slid the paper door aside and trudged out into the daylight in his light colored pants and sleeveless black shirt.

Then he remembered where he was...the Air temple. Of course, the Nomads must have found him and the girl when they shipwrecked off of the coast. There were many monks in this area of the temple, all busy cooking, cleaning, and meditating. Many were chanting, and Kel found the chorus quite soothing. He had never trusted many strangers in his past. Experience had taught him that trust had to be earned, and that it was a precious commodity not to be handed out at will. But true monks of the Air temples, not simply air benders but followers of their belief structure, would always prove a reliable source for comfort and hospitality. Their ideals about serving the many instead of ones self was very much in keeping with his own traditions, and the traditions of the avatar himself. Indeed, he had never seen another culture so openly glorifying the Avatar as the nomads of Air.

Kel began to wonder about the girl, Nuo. He was ashamed to admit to himself that he had a special place in his heart for anyone, but any who called upon water to guide and protect them was a little bit of home. Death was only a part of this world, but Nuo was a young water bender and had much potential. It would be a shame to see such talent go to waste. With a certain anxiousness about him, he asked one of the passing monks if they had seen the girl he brought with him, and described her. "Dark skin, short. She has fang tattoos on her face?" The monk immediately nodded his head and smiled. "She is down at the fountain. Just follow these steps you cant miss it." Kel expressed his gratitude and bowed before walking to the fountain.

The architecture was simply stunning. The massive scale of the place was enough to be impressed, but the level of detail down to the slightest hair thin crease in every pot and vase was almost ridiculous. His jaw almost dropped when he turned the corner and saw the fountain. It, like everything else at the temple, was enormous and full of great detail. The mountains in the distance and rolling fogs blended together into a mysterious sense of calm within him. He knew, some how, that he was safe here with the nomads. Nuo stood by the large fountain, gazing into the distance with perhaps the same amount of inspiration and clarity this place had struck him with. To his relief, she looked fine. Not a major wound on her, save perhaps a few scrapes. Nothing that would scar or cripple her.

"Well, you seem to be holding up well" He said with a slight smile as he approached. He sat down at the edge of the pond and submerged his left hand palm up. He began twirling his fingers slightly, creating a little whirlpool in his palm that tickled his hand slightly. Kel always did little water bending tricks when he had to be more social than he was used to. He supposed it was a nervous habit. At least he didn't bite his nails or anything unhealthy.

"How are you feeling, Nuo?"

Posts : 33 Join date : 2011-10-11

While looking out on the outstanding view provided by the temple form the fountain, Nuo tried to organize the thoughts from the night before. The storm and rocking ocean served as a perfect cover. It’s body seemed dark, greenish maybe? It was hard to tell with only the flashes of lightening providing any light. Whatever color it was the hard hitting rolling waves of the agitated sea from the storm and darkness gave it the perfect cover to go undetected until it was right on top of them. Some of the Monks had told her that it had been terrorizing the channel for a while now, for no apparent reason. This was Nuo’s first big chance to do and be what she wanted all her life. Something impossible, miraculous and stunning all in one, and it had landed on her door step already. Sure, after last night, people probably died...the thought stung her, sadness crept across her face. Her small, minor wounds really, stung at the memory also. But she pushed them down. She decided crying over it wasn’t going to do anything good for anyone. She had to do something about this. But what...that thing was massive and incredible in ...all accounts. She was a 16 year old girl, not even a master water bender. What could she possibly do?

As she stood there, arms folded across her chest, and puzzled expression as she worked through her mind, a voice yanked her from her little world. A bit of shock came across her face. She had told a few monks her name while making introductions but this wasn’t a familiar voice. She turned, surprise evident on her face. A man, tall and built, a black sleeveless shirt revealed toned arms and a slightly rugged jaw line. He approached her, a nasty walking staff with a mean looking blade on it...she didn’t know what it was but it didn’t look pleasant. She did notice a water symbol on it, and some of the marking looked as if they were made from the same material as betrothal neckless in the water tribes. He was tan, and had a look of someone not form the north, so she guessed the south. She hadn’t met many people from the south..so how would this man know her name? He had long gray hair and intriguing gray eyes...but she shook off any thoughts, focusing on what was confusing her. A slight shake of her head as her arms hung at her sides as the man sat by the waters edge, playing with the water, bending it. A southern water bender then...the world was full of surprises and she’d only just begun. With that thought and staring at his hand, a smile crept across her face, removing much of her surprise and confusion and her natural beauty shining through her cloudy thoughts.

“I’m sorry.. Do we know each other?”
There was a slight pause in her voice, obviously skeptical of how he knew her. But who wouldn’t be. Thinking about it, he really didn’t fit in to the Air Temple, much like she didn’t fit in. Had he been stranded here as well form a Seronagi attack? Or had he been here before. She wanted to know first who he was and his interest in her...then what he knew of the creature. Thoughts and questions fought inside her, all wanting to be asked and considered first. She settled on waiting for his response, hoping it’s shine some light for her as she moved her way around to the other side of the fountain. A little space form the stranger was good, she still wasn’t sure about him. Also, it helped her relax to move instead of keeping her deer in the head lights expression from being caught so off guard. She started to gain a questioning, almost sly expression. One that hopefully would intrigue him and confuse him. better to have him on edge and confused as to what was going on in her mind then the other way around. He had won the first round, getting her off guard. She’d be taking round two if she had anything to say about it.

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Word Count:: 704

Posts : 23 Join date : 2011-10-12 Location : Seattle

He didnt mean to startle the girl, though he knew it was likely inevitable. She eyed his outfit and staff, obviously ready for Kel to be some sort of brigand or worse here to prey on the secluded girl. The mentioning of her name seemed to push her back a step as well. Kel began to wonder if his entrance was a bit too strong for other people's comforts. Nevertheless, he kept his guard up as much as this girl did; people fearing the unknown when confronted by it tended to react aggressively in his experience. He might have to defend himself. Still, Kel allowed his expression and body language to remain calm and relaxed. He was not her enemy, and he didnt need to give her any more reason to believe otherwise.

"Im sorry...Do we know each other?"

Kel let the water in his palm relax and cease flowing before pulling his hand away from the surface. He met her eyes now. She had a strange look on her face, Kel was generally good at reading people, but he wasn't sure what the girl was thinking."The Seronagi wrecked our ship. A lot of us died out there in the water, but I managed to find a small portion of the ship that was still buoyant." He drifted back to the darkness of the night, where he was adrift, alone and helpless despite an unlimited supply of water around him. He was helpless to save the people on the ship. Kel realized that he needed to become stronger, that it was the only way. He cleared his throat. "I found the creature you had with you on the boat. He was carrying you through the wreckage. I helped him onto the raft and found you, alive but barely out in the waters." He stood up and stretched. His shoulder was sore, and he massaged it gently before walking just past Nuo, his gaze turning to that ravine far below them.

"You had blacked out underwater at some point, I bent enough water out of your lungs to fill a pitcher. I dont know how long we sat out there getting tossed around by the ocean before we got close enough to the Temple that I could beach us. Hours at least. When we finally reached land, sunlight was creeping up from the east. I carried you as far as I could, and thankfully the monks had spotted us from afar and met me on the beach. Im not sure what happened after that Im afraid. I fell unconscious when they had you." He turned and put more weight on the staff. She looked quite suspicious of him, not that he minded. This was a look most people gave him. He had the look of an outcast or a well paid mercenary. It wasn't so strange to him that peoples first impressions of him were generally defensive. "There wasn't exactly time for me to introduce myself. Forgive me, I am Kel Thaan. Primus of water and son of the southern water tribe." He did a slight bow, though his back prevented him from dipping as low as he might have.

Posts : 33 Join date : 2011-10-11

Watching as he took his hand away form the water and looked into her eyes, Nuo was put a bit at ease. She didn’t get any bad vibes or ill intent from this man, but she continued to slowly circle the fountain regardless until she got an answer. No harm in being causes. His steel gray eyes conveyed truth,not an over powering sense, but just truth. Although there was a bit of puzzlement in his eyes, it wasn’t much or anything Nuo would question. The calm man spoke, his words not rushed nor did they seemed planned so Nuo could only assume they were truth. And the content, perked her attention. Speaking of the attack, the loss suffered because of it at sea...and the beast itself. Things she was already thinking about...then he spoke of helping Borock, and ultimately her. Her eyes grew soft as the man rose and stretched then continued speaking. He walked to the ravine edge, much where she was standing near the beginning of the conversation, and she had made her circle around the fountain, and now stood near where he had been sitting. Relaying the events of the night before seem to cause him to drift a bit consciously as if had her when she thought about it. Surly just reminding her that non of it was a dream. Finishing, he introduced himself, leaning on his deadly looking stick, and seem to gave a small bow, although his back looked stressed as he did so.

Nuo returned the small bow, speaking,
“Well thank you. I greatly appreciate what you did for me, Kal. I realize it must have been a wreck out there.....It incredible you were even able to consider others during...”
She paused at times, but in her soft voice she really was thankful. Much of her defensive attitude shimmered away. If he was being honest then he had had the chance to hurt her, and if he wasn’t and it was all a trick....well even with a lowered guard, he was by the ravine...she was by the water. She liked her chances. Although this was a flash like thought, only lasting long enough for her to realize it and passing. This was another waterbender....from the attack. Maybe he knew more about the best or better, maybe he was willing to help her stop it. Looking to him with new determination and a look of thought, as if struck by an idea, she looked at him, a crooked smile spreading slowly on her face. Her friends back in the North had come to know this look...it only spelled trouble, usually ending up with them being chased or yelled at...but also nearly always ending in an exciting day.
‘So you know it! The Seronagi? I’ve been thinking about the attack all morning!”

She tried to check her excitement...but it was difficult. She sat, looking to the water, trying to calm herself.
“Apologies Kal,....It’s all new for me and its so...incredible. I can’t get it off my mind.”
Looking back to him, a sincere-ness in her eyes..
“It is really nice to meet you, and I truly am in your debt for what you have done. It’s nice to know people from the South aren’t all bad hehe”
She gave a little laugh, it kind of slipped. She wasn’t always the best at maintaining composure and her youthfulness often slipped through. This could make it hard for people to take her seriously, but she had a trick. All youthfulness aside, she would make you forget about that quickly, as if it never existed, with her signature fierce gaze and startling skilled waterbending, both far exceeded her age and appearance. But for now her calm demeanor stayed,a smile on her lips as she looked at Kal. She had so may thoughts and questions, however most kept coming back to the Seronagi...and wondering if he knew anything or would help her....she was determined there at least, to so something about the leviathan. She looked back tot he water, as it rippled form the fountain...trying to gather her thoughts and consider what to say next.

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Word Count:: 703

Posts : 23 Join date : 2011-10-12 Location : Seattle

He studied her for a moment. A monstrous creature such as that was almost unthinkable. And yet he could not deny that he had heard shocking reports of just such a beast throughout his journeys in the area. Kel scratched his head and grunted. "Yes, I know of the Seronagi, though most of what I've heard I thought to be superstition and exaggeration. Now though..." He waved his hand in desperation, unable to voice his near disbelief at the creature's scale. "Its amazing a creature like that can survive. It either digests things slowly like a python might, or it has to leave periodically to hunt whale pods. That would certainly explain why it mistook out boat for a meal."

He walked back to the fountain to take a seat, leaving enough room between himself and Nuo to leave her at ease. He cupped a small sip of water to his lips and drank from it. For some reason he got the distinct feeling that this girl meant to find the beast again. "You saw what it did last night though, i shouldn't have to explain why searching for the beast is a dangerous task, let alone how one might combat it once you could get there." He began to think about what it might require to destroy such a beast. No amount of modern engineering could bring the beast to its knees, metaphorically speaking. It would require some benders with strong will and equally strong abilities. This was well within the codex's laws about keeping balance, and it might prove to be a true testament to his strength. It couldn't hurt the girl's reputation either, and in the real world she could use a leg up like that. But could they do this? was it even a possibility?

"There is a balance to everything Nuo. Fire and water, earth to air, life to death. Nature does its best to keep each of the universe's polar opposites equal, but I fear there will be no way to wait for nature to take its course. There is truth in these myths about the Seronagi, about how it wrecks ships leaving hundreds to dies at sea." He swallowed another mouthful of water and continued. "This creature has terrorized the people of these coastal villages for quite long enough." He locked eyes with the girl, his eyebrows lowering into a stern gaze. "The Seronagi must die. But I cant hope to accomplish this on my own Nuo. I'll need help."

He knew she would understand his insinuations. She longed for adventure, and he needed to do this duty. They would provide one another that very balance.

Posts : 33 Join date : 2011-10-11

She watched as he seem to read her. As if he were looking into a book and reading her very thoughts. She didn’t like the look completely but it couldn’t be helped. When you looked the way she did you often got all sorts of looks. You learn to live with the ones that don’t seem perverted or intent on causing harm. if it wasn’t one of those two, she could live with being looked at a little weird. He talked about how it hunted, preying on whales and possibly mistaking the boat for an easy meal or quick snack and provoking it’s attack, almost like he had hunted before, or at least had some experience with monsters, or beasts in his time. A water bender, someone with a desire to help and save people, proven from him helping her instead of going straight to save himself, he could prove to be an invaluable ally in the days to come. As he spoke of what it did last night, flashes of the magnificent and terrifying beast flew through her head. It was incredible. So big and powerful and it appeared to have an unending supply of rage it was ready to unleash, just form seeing what it diid to their big sturdy boat in a matter of minutes!...or was it seconds? Had it all really happened that fast?

Then after a moment or two her attention was peaked again. She had drifted her gaze, full of thought to the waters of the fountain. where she always found a sense of calm and serenity. Staring into water always gave her that tranquil feeling she often had when she bended just to bend and be one with the water. Then she could be totally free, with water everything was clear and easy for her. It was life, the real world that was hard. But it was balanced by all of the grace that filled it, and the beauty that was hidden across the world, shining like beacons of light and joy. But this Seronagi....it was the opposite. A force of utter darkness and destruction...it was out of place and did not belong. Looking back at Kel as he spoke about balance and opposites, he spoke of this creatures reign of terror lasting far to long. She couldn’t have agreed more, and then he ver plainly sent his message and in his own way, offer or was he asking? Regardless she got the hint and her eyes lit up, looking at him with excitement.
“Yes! No one could possibly handle this alone, but together! We can see to this beast. Save these people and all those to come here. But...is it possible to kill something like that...is that the only way?”

Not only did she doubt the fact that they’d be able t actually kill it but how in the hell do you even begin planning ho to kill a beast like that?! It was massive and full of power. And then on the other hand, it might be the last of it’s kind. Maybe this thing was lost, alone and stricken with the pain of loneliness? Did it deserve to die because of that? She had a thoughtful look in her eyes and face agin, looking away form Kel, over the cliff side. Was there a way to maybe...drive the beast away....but where to then? Or was Killing it the only option. There seemed to be so many things going on right now but one thing was certain, they had power, alone yes, together that power would be so much more. They had the best chance at doing something. Water was their element, and they should be the supreme authority of it, not some beast. They had to do something...whatever that was and they would need one another to do so. She rose and punched her right hand into her fist in triumph, or frustration. The look said more confused determination more then anything else..a strange combination but it looked serious and cute on her. Funny how she brought the most unlikely combinations together.
‘Something must be done. We are the only ones with the power to do it, so I’m with you. If you think your up to it?”

She asked the question even though he had proposed a kind of grouping or partnership already. She was question him, his commitment and drive, and also a bit of questioning herself. This was a big step she was taking, trusting someone else, in a situation like this...if she was wrong, he could get her killed. If she tried something like taking on the Seronagi by herself she’d be killed...and she probably would because she was stubborn and she knew someone had to at least try to do something...her best chance was with this man’s help. So she stood, her confused, determination radiating form her as she stared into his eyes, as if searching for a soul in those gray eyes, awaiting his response as the water in the fountain trickled on.

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Word Count:: 851

Posts : 23 Join date : 2011-10-12 Location : Seattle

‘Something must be done. We are the only ones with the power to do it, so I’m with you. If you think your up to it?”

They locked eyes for a time, searching each other. She was suspicious of him, that was obvious when Kel had first startled her, but this was something else. He had taken this girl for nothing more than an idealist trying to spend her days of youth in pursuit of some fanciful dream, but there was an undeniable presence of hunter instincts in Nuo's rich brown eyes. A glimmer of aggression and intellect beyond her years. He would have to trust that there was some truth to that, because if he was reading too much from this girl it could very well spell death for both of them. People's eyes usually betrayed their ability to lie though, and there was certainly no deceit in hers.

Kel smiled "It's agreed then. The Seronagi is our responsibility" He stood up and walked past her towards the steps he had taken to reach her in the first place. He needed to begin preparations. Plot strategies, maybe figure out its weakness. He stopped for a moment, hesitating as he neared the steps. Something about this approach was wrong. "Animals dont usually go out of their way to attack ships without good reason" he said aloud, still turned away from Nuo. He furrowed his brow as he thought about it harder. He shook his head. "I need some time to rest, and think. The monks have left me a small room near the edge of the east most building, you can find me there if you need me." And with that Kel walked away.

As he made his way back to the room the nomads had left him in earlier, Kel began to wonder what this was really all about. In any other situation with a lone animal that had shown signs of irrational aggression, they had almost always been separated from their pack, lost in the wilderness or injured in a manner that they would be left behind. But it made no sense, this was a creature of the ocean and no physical obstacle could possibly separate it from others of its kind. Maybe there was no solving this problem in a non-violent manner. Either way it didnt really matter. Something was going to change very soon, of that he was absolutely certain.

Kel stepped inside the room and leaned his staff against the wall and sat on the bed. He poured water from the pitcher into a small cup and sipped it. There were too many thoughts in his head, bumping and colliding with each other in utter chaos. He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. He cleared his mind and sat in peace. Perhaps it was better to take his time with this. He began meditating, hoping that he would reach a realization in this more relaxed state