Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open)

Non-Bender Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-11-11 Age : 32

Jia wasn't exactly a morning person. But she made it clear in her mind that she had to start every day early. It wasn't safe, especially for a woman, to let one's guard down out in the open. Even when she was able to afford an inn, Jia made sure that her door would be locked and that Yiu-yiu would be safely tied away. She could recall on her first night of traveling, and a robber had tried to kill her over her pet. Apparently, horse-ostriches brought in a hefty profit. Of course, she was able to threaten him with a few swipes of her spear, but still, that event had always resonated with her, even now.

"Another dreamless night, huh, Yiu?" She stretched, patting the sleepy animal's feathery head.

Jia and Yiu-yiu had been riding for quite some time, already, the sun began to sink into the horizon. "Only a few more miles, my girl. And we'll be entering Jang Hui." The feathery beast huffed, annoyed that she had to walk this far without a gulp of water in so long. Jia smiled, "...and I promise you can have all of the pear-apples you can eat as soon as we get there."

The Horse-Ostrich cooed in agreement and trotted towards the small boating village.

Subject: Re: Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open) Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:48 pm

The early morning was Rozu's calling, he figure no better way to revisit his home town then when he woke up each and everyday to practice and train. He's been gone for about a couple of months, but he wasn't really here to visit family. If anything he wanted to avoid seeing his older brother, thats why he was on the other side of the town. Rozu was here on business nothing more, he liked to avoid all that mushy family stuff although its just him his brother, his brothers fiance and the the guy who brought them to Jang Hui.

He walked into the town, with his bag to hold his little luggage. He hasnt been around these parts of the town before, but he was used to them and still called it home. The village was alot more crowded then usual which interested Rozu, the only times when Jang Hui would be crowded was if someone important was in town. Some kind of noblemen or another wealthy person in the fire nation. Which was good as everything was falling to plan for Rozu.

He walked into the town with a smile on his face, it felt good to be back home the wind blew and his red scarf sort of dangled . He spotted an inn called "Embers Moon" he figured he would ask someone in the inn where the noble person is exactly. So he can meet p with them, and get this work started.

He walked in a sat down at the front bar table, then someone patted his back kind of hard. "Rozu I knew that was you!!" For a quick moment Rozu thought it was his brother Torqiru, he quickly turned around and saw a roundly shaped man with a full black beard. Rozu let out a slight sigh, "Bormin how you been?"

Bormin had a wide smile on his face, and let his hand drop from Rozu's shoulder. "Ive been good boy! But youve gotten taller! come the drink is on me! My guess is you don't plan on being here for long?"

Rozu nodded. "Yea just here on business."

Non-Bender Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-11-11 Age : 32

"Well, this is unusual..." As a child and a teen, Jia visited the small Fire Nation hub with her mother to visit old friends and to sample local food. The town was a sleepy little village, with it's tales of the Painted Lady, the patron spirit of the river that encircled them. And, to put in very blunt terms, was very boring.

As a person that had known the town in its less active form, Jia was surprised to see it bustling with people. Vendors were out, women and children had worn their best, while the men showed off their biggest catch. Walking through the streets with her spear (she stopped at an inn and dropped her horse-ostrich off), Jia invited the smells of food cooking, and rice wine being shared, which only told her one thing. A very important figure was here to commemorate something for the little town, and from whispers and hearsay, it had something to do with a visiting nobleman.

Wanting to know more, she decided to go back to the inn that she decided to spend the night at, 'Ember's Moon'.

Her entrance was a silent, most of the people inside were busy, or laughing with friends. Finding a seat near a young man* (that's you, Roz) and who seemed to be busy speaking with an old friend on one of the bar stools. She settled Toki (her spear), next to her, wrapped in cloth when it wasn't in use. It was still an intimidating sight next to the very tall woman that owned it.

"Bartender." Her voice was still, but audible, it appeared she had almost commanded the man to serve her, "A bottle of your freshest rice wine." She laid a generous amount of coins to show that she meant business and winked.

Subject: Re: Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open) Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:55 am

"Ahh I see, you haven't changed at all, always straight to the point with you. Hard to believe you are Torqiru's brother." Bormin said with a hard chuckle, and passed Rozu his drink. Rozu simply smiled and took it, he took one long drink and set the cu down softly. "Thanks for the drink." as he said that a rather tall female stepped into the inn, Rozu glanced at her and the atmosphere sort of change into a more intimidating one. The mood change fast, Rozu sat up straight, and remembered why he came here.

Bormin smiled at the new arrival, when he saw the amount of coins. "Most certainly." While Bormin was busy getting her drink. Rozu went into his bag and pulled out a tall paper, but before he could close it again Sam his pet fire ferret hopped out onto the table. Rozu was unfazed by this, as he seen it coming. He simply sighed, "Done sleeping?" he said to the small bushy tailed creature. Sam was busy sniffing the air on its legs standing kind of straight. There was many scents to take in in this place. "Come." Rozu laid his hand on the table so Sam can crawl up his arm and onto his shoulder, his normal place. Sam did just that and let her tail wrap around Rozu left shoulder and his head peaking over his right.

Bormin came back with a rather tall bottle of her drink. "Fresh bottle of rice wine, for the lady." Bormin laid the bottle on the table for her with a cup. Bormin took a look at Sam and went bug eyed. "No pets allowed, and since when did you become the type to have a pet?" Bormin asked wiping his hands with a white clean cloth.

Rozu smirked. "Long story, I promise she will be no bother to anyone." as he said that Sam was reaching over the lady's wrapped up object trying to sniff it then used its tiny paws to try and grab it. The spear started to fall towards Rozu direction, and he caught it and noticed the weight and shape. He simply set it back in place, and took hold of the top it was sharp, he knew what is was now but he payed no mind to it. "I apologize." He took Sam and set her on his lap, to stop her meddling any further. Bormin made a face, "Fine whatever, its a small thing anyways."

"Bormin where is the noble staying?" he asked setting down the paper on the table. It was said he was suppose to serve as a body guard for a while. . Bormin glanced at the paper, "He's staying at the largest building kind of close by to here."

Non-Bender Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-11-11 Age : 32

In the corner of her eye, Jia noted that the young man beside her had removed something from his pack. A piece of paper, she figured. Was it a map or a casing of some sort?

"Fresh bottle of rice wine, for the lady."

She smiled, "Thank you, it's good to know that I found a place that knows it rice wine." Her compliment was genuine. It's been a good while since she's had a bottle, or at least, a good one. A swig from the bottle proved that it was, indeed, strong and worth the price. Her attention went back to the young man's paper, a ferret popped out. Red and bushy, she assumed it was a Fire ferret; a common weasel-type animal found all over the Fire Nation (with a few species kept as pets across the globe).

Her eldest brother's wife used to breed the little buggers, Jia knew enough of the animal as is.

"No pets allowed, and since when did you become the type to have a pet?" So, the bartender knew the boy, eh? Small world.

As soon as he uttered those words, the little ~~guy~~ (girl, Jia corrected herself. The owner did refer 'it' as a her.), scurried across the bar towards Jia. "What's this now?", she thought. It was then that the little fuzzball tried to get a closer look at her spear, which toppled over. Before Jia was able to act, (and to get the little ferret out of harm's way) the ferret's owner caught her weapon faster than she had time to blink.

"I apologize."

She took another swig.

"No need to. Your fire ferret's curious. It's in her nature."

The conversation went back to the subject of a noble staying in the town. From the looks of it, he wasn't too far from this inn. "The largest building?" Jia piped in, "The one with the Painted Lady etchings on the side? Why, that's where I'll be working for this week." She finally remembered, of course, she didn't realize that the nobleman would be here so soon.

"Forgive me for bustling into a private conversation, I work as a bodyguard for hire."

She pulled out the same letter from her pack, announcing her requirements, "And from the looks of it...I'm supposed to be working with your young friend."

She held her hand out, gesturing for a handshake, "Nice to meet you, I'm Zheng Jia. Or you could call me Jia."

Subject: Re: Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open) Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:25 am

Rozu seemed quite surprised when the young female stated what she knew, but then again he thought there was nothing to be surprised about she looked and even spoke like warrior. Rozu raised an eyebrow when she pulled out the same paper he had for this assignment. He didnt know, nor think he needed to work with other people. But he let it pass he couldnt change what was already decided.

Rozu shook her hand "Rozu Iwamatsu." He said simply but his look was intimating some what. He never judged by gender, in fact Rozu never judged at all. He saw this as some sort of competition with Jia, no matter what he had to do, he had to make sure he was going to be the best at it.

Bormin laughed out loud cleaning a cup with his cloth. "And so it begins, you better bring your A game, Rozu here has a bit of a competitive streak when it comes to certain things. But he don't mean nothing by it though, he just doesnt like losing."

Rozu gave him a look, and smirked then returned his eyes back to Jia. "Looking forward to working with you Jia, you probably have more experience then me being a body gaurd, its my first time but it seems pretty simple."

Sam was tugging on Rozu's red scarf that was a signal. Rozu went in his bag and pulled out a small sack of ferret food, he grabbed a small handfull. And opened his hand so Sam can eat. Rozu stood up, and lifted his bag over the table. "Bormin hold my bag, and watch Sam she only get in some trouble while i'm working."

Bormin gave a weird look, and they looked at each other for a while till Bormin finally gave in. "Fine, the little critter better not be any trouble."

Sam who was on the table, simply blinked with its small black eyes. "Samantha, your gonna stay here till I come back. got it." He said looking at her. Sam understood. Bormin took the bag, and placed it in the back. Rozu looked at Jia. "Guess we should on our way the."

Non-Bender Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-11-11 Age : 32

She nodded. Even from his handshake, Jia could tell that she was dealing with a skilled fighter. A small smile graced her features, "Nice to meet you, Rozu." The intimidating look on his face did not phase her, on the contrary, it only made her want to laugh.

He was young, after all. A teenager still getting used to his first taste of freedom. Hey, she thought the boy was skilled, just not as matured as she'd like a co-worker.

The bartender laugh could be heard throughout the entire bar, "And so it begins. You better bring your A game. Rozu here has a bit of a competitive streak when it comes to certain things. But he don't mean nothing by it though, he just doesn't like losing."

"Losing, eh?" She chuckled along with the bartender, "Well, I'll be certain to treat him like one of my fellow soldiers, then. Blood in, blood out." She decided to humor Rozu a bit, maybe it was the wine, but she couldn't help but pick on a teen. But it was decided that she was going to treat him as her equal the moment she found out she was going to be working with him.

"Looking forward to working with you, Jia. (So, already, they were at first name basis? Hm, she barely knew Rozu, but she decided to let that pass.) You probably have more experience then me being a body guard. It's my first time but it seems pretty simple."

Simple? Laying your life on the line for clients who may or may not appreciate your hard work is simple? Rozu was definitely showing his age and inexperience, already.

This is going to be harder than I predicted... Jia thought, her features unchanging from the friendly expression she had before.

Rozu asked the Bartender to keep his things and small pet for him. She did want to offer him some advice on signing up for a room, but she decided to keep her mouth shut. She didn't want to seem like some overbearing parent.

Sensing that it was time to leave, she took her spear and led the way.

Subject: Re: Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open) Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:33 pm

So that's them... Zeiwandao thought from a darkened corner of the tavern.

He was always a skeptical person, analytical and precise, so when he arrived in town, Zeiwandao instantly knew something was off. There was a large procession ready for him, a party and arrangement for the Water Tribe Chief. Yet the people there just simply knew that some upper class person were visiting. The title was arbitrary, it didn't matter if the Fire Lord or the Earth King were in town, the people demanded a party. Perhaps it was all a ploy however.

That was exactly what Zeiwandao had thought.

He had sent his entourage, of four trained water benders, into the Tower of the Painted Lady, where he was designated to be staying for the week. A week was far too long, but his itinerary was thrown off due to the unforeseen circumstances. Specifically, a tear in his war blimp. His return to the North Pole was stalled even further. From the reports that Professor Liangxi and Nex were providing him, some upstarts in the Elder Council were causing political turmoil in the North Pole. His return was necessary. Zeiwandao was not thinking of his trip home, however, he was only thinking of how he would leave the city alive.

Since his entourage was undoubtedly dead, hopefully the two youths who had just entered would be of more usefulness to him. They were, after all, the bodygard he had just hired. Zeiwandao was a shadow, shrouded in a large black cloak. He was probably not the most inconspicuous. But the facade would suffice for such a lively and loud tavern. His usual attire remained below the darkness of his large cloak, under some scrutiny, it would be fairly easy to realize his connection to the Water Tribe.

Suddenly, the woman rose to leave, she picked up her impressive spear and began to walk towards the booth Zeiwandao held. She was motioning for the boy with her to follow. Zeiwandao had not listened to most of the conversation, and thus he could only think that they were going to the Tower in which they thought some noble man was waiting for them.

Psssssssssst... It was rather classic, but Zeiwandao hoped he had gotten her attention. He motioned to the booth's seat opposite of him. "Sit, quietely, please." His voice was precise, urgent, yet lacking of worry or concern.

Non-Bender Posts : 10 Join date : 2011-11-11 Age : 32

Psssst

'Hm?' Her directions shifted to a table with a cloaked patron. The person was alone, obviously, where a mysterious aura seemed to surround the stranger. As she watched him, she realized that he was motioning for her and her partner to come near.

Now, if she were in a less than jovial mood, Jia would've brushed him off. She did have a job to do after all. But, there was something about this figure. She figured she and Rozu may need him/her in the future.

"Yes?" Jia questioned, eying the figure slowly.

Subject: Re: Obokuri Eeumi (Rozu;open) Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:09 pm

(I waited for Rozu; but he can join in whenever he wants.)

"Miss Zheng, Mister Iwamatsu, please sit. If I allowed you to exit this tavern those who are after me could come after you just because you accepted the bodyguard job that my courier offered. I couldn't have that on my conscious."

Zeiwandao didn't stir in his seat, preferably this conversation would be a short one, and the three of them could disappear into an alleyway to clear up the details. Right now, it was a dangerous being in a public place. There laid a guilty thought on the mind of Zeiwandao as well, hiring them may as well put them in the same position he had found himself in: hunted.

"The celebration in the city is a ploy to draw me out, I wasn't informed of this event before I arrived in the city, and it coincidentally occurred as my blimp suffered damage. The Tower of the Painted Lady is a trap. I was set up to stay there for the week, but my enemies have acted faster--I believe my entourage is already dead, including the courier that hired the both of you. I trusted the both of you with my safety because you're both anonymous." He eyes shifted towards Rozu, who had just exchanged a boisterous conversation with his friend, "At least, I thought."

His eyes remained on Rozu, "I didn't think you'd be so young either..." He let that thought stray in the air, until suddenly his train of thought caught back onto its original track, "Regardless, I've hired you both, we'll discuss compensation later, what you need to know is that a deadly and old organization wants me dead. They're called the Black Hand."

Zeiwandao gauged their reactions, did they know who the Black Hand were? Zeiwandao had a run-in with two key members many years ago, Gonz and Husain, they were apart of some of the most deadly members. If they were lucky, they wouldn't be here to try to assassinate Zeiwandao again; especially since Zeiwandao's security had been reduced to two stranger mercenaries. The rest of the organization was also incredibly deadly and skilled in the art of subterfuge.

"As for me..." He stood up silently and began to turn, "people in power have a motivation to keep their identity a secret, you can call me Whymper."

He made for the door.

» Rozu's training
» Off to the Market (Rozu and Kasumi)
» Visiting the Palace (Kiyo and Rozu)
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