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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 0:01:26 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 26, 2013 0:01:26 GMT -5
Kest exhaled a breathy laugh. He needed to practice fighting; it’d been a while for him. “Assassin with a conscious.” He placed his hands gently on the arm twisted about his neck as he spoke. “Something you don’t see often.” Kest let his eyes roam to the man, who looked absolutely incredulous—so this wasn’t an act.
He adjusted himself, angling his throat so he could breathe properly. The woman had a grip on him and tightened it experimentally, as if she knew his plans. Time to silver-tongue his way out—if she wanted to barter, she’d get it.“Kindly remove your arm from my neck now,” He said, voice lilting. “And we may have a deal. I’ll tell you what you want to know and you can be on your way. “ Kest arched his brows, staring at the towering wall of Ba Sing Se. “I don’t want to fight.” He said sincerely.
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 0:12:01 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 26, 2013 0:12:01 GMT -5
She almost chuckled, but with-held it, "Ha, yeah. And what'll stop you from taking off on this eel hound then?" Zi seemed to think a couple moments and then snapped with one of her hands placed on him, the small clicking sound drawing their attentions, "Ah! I know. Ling, secure the eel hound and make sure that he can't get it."
Ling shifted out of his more serious look and back into his idiot grin, "Got ya, sis."
He moved over to the stable and himself leaped to the back of the eel hound, gripping its reins tight and moving it a decent distance away from the two of them (about 10 feet). Resting a hand on the reins, he put the other elbow on part of the saddle and rest his chin on it, "Alright, this is good."
Zi nodded and slowly released her grip on the man, testing him.
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 0:20:23 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 26, 2013 0:20:23 GMT -5
As the man, Ling, moved the eel hound away from his reach, Kest recalculated. He needed that eel hound to warn Taritzu, he couldn’t make that journey on foot in time. He narrowed his icy eyes, shooting a glance at the woman over his shoulder as he stood up. Dusting his cloak off, he took a calming breath. Follow the path of least resistance—right. He wouldn’t put up a fight, he needed that eel hound.
“I need,” Kest turned to regard the woman with a sharp eye. “to get moving. And this is why. That woman came to me with a contract,” He disregarded why, that was his personal information. “plastered with a familiar face. I denied, she called you. And here we are.” Kest said dully. This was probably the most he talked in a few days, and he rubbed his throat, then the stubble showing on his chin.
“Now if you don’t mind, I need that eel hound.”
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 0:29:53 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 26, 2013 0:29:53 GMT -5
Zi stared, a monotone expression, "Woah woah woah, cool it. What kind of contract are we talking here? You know, we could help you for all you know."
Zi didn't know why she was being so charitable. This was so unlike her, and it was starting to make her feel a bit sick. This whole escapade was so illogical she could hardly stand it. And what was worse: It was her fault. For the love of all that was assassination, why should she not bring herself to kill this man? Her rash actions seemed to be affecting Ling too, for he was sitting placidly upon the eel hound with an uncharacteristically serious expression. What had gotten into her?
She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Look, maybe I just want to help the airbenders. Something is eating my consciousness about this. This is highly illogical and out of place for me, and I want you to understand that. I feel bad for your near extinction, and now that woman is trying to do something like it again."
Sighing exasperatedly, she habitually kneaded her temples again, "Just tell us all you know and I won't have to sick the fucking sadist over there on you." Zi gestured to Ling.
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 20:23:47 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 26, 2013 20:23:47 GMT -5
As the woman’s words cascaded from her mouth in a twirl of what seemed like uncensored thought, Kest twitched an eyebrow up incredulously. Was she a professional assassin? He was expecting more of a cold blooded killer, striking up down in the middle of a busy street with no remorse. Somebody detached enough to kill. He was a target, a contract. His blood should’ve transferred into coins for them—blood money. So what was she doing?
He risked a glance to the man, Ling, who looked as if he was thinking of killing Kest himself. Kest directed his gaze back to the woman, who looked completely flustered, conflicted. Conflicted like he. He narrowed his eyes. “The contract,” He regarded her with a suspicious stare. “was to kill the airbender monk, Taritzu.” He suppressed a shudder at the thought of taking Taritzu’s life—taking anybody’s life.
The old monk had hope for him, and even bid him farewell with good intentions. When he’d fled the Northern Air Temple, he knew he’d be upsetting many of the higher ups. With the airbenders already so fragile and low in numbers, losing a potential monk due to selfish reasons wasn’t pleasing. But Taritzu believed in Kest. He could remember it as if four years ago was just yesterday.
“We all must find our way, Kest.” Taritzu had said, a small smile on his face. “We will be here when you find yours.”
“Thank you.” Kest had replied solemnly. “May you go with the wind.”
“And you.” Taritzu had replied, eyes twinkling.
And so he’d had went with the wind, full of hope. After countless days spent meditating, isolated, he’d begun to doubt himself. Frustration had rooted itself in his mind, and he became fixated. Kest could feel it; he knew what was wrong. And so he lost his way. He knew it didn’t have a lid on his emotions; he was easily frustrated, he was intolerable, he was angry. Angry.
“I refused.” He spoke softly. “And that woman set you.” Kest glanced furtively at the eel hound. “I need to warn Taritzu that that woman is coming for him. And now I don’t think I’ll get there in time.” He eyed her with suspicion. “Do you know where she is?”
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 20:48:47 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 26, 2013 20:48:47 GMT -5
Zi shook her head, "No, she was really discreet and we didn't see her face. The last we saw her today was in central Ba Sing Se and the sun's highest point."
She scrunched up her nose and continued to knead her temples. This was so confusing. She had absolutely NO idea why she had the compulsion to help this man. That lady... Zi guess it was just that the black figure had rubbed her the wrong way. Still, this was their living. This was their food. Their pay. She was being a dumb ass!
Glaring at the dirt, she spoke, "I'm afraid I've blown it. We can't leave you now because we blew our chance to kill you. Ugh! And well... That lady rubbed me the wrong way and I'm acting completely on impulse right now and this is entirely illogical and I'm being a freaking IDIO-"
"Okay yea sis we get it! Dear Kami, you're being weird right now. Just take from me, air-bending-dude, this is really unlike her so you might want to take advantage of it." Ling spoke smoothly, a scarily serious look on his usually absolutely gay face.
Zi's face was red, and she looked like her brain may explode. Ling frowned at her. What was up with her today? He came to the conclusion that she was on her period and called it good.
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 21:29:30 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 26, 2013 21:29:30 GMT -5
Kest’s face must’ve been the embodiment of confusion, because his brows shot for his hairline. These two were rag-tag assassins, albeit ones with a conscious, but still how…unprofessional? If killing was their profession, they sure weren’t showing it. He shrugged. Well you know that they say… he thought as he calmly retrieved his glider. …don’t look a gift ostrich horse in mouth.
The eel hound was occupied by Ling, and he wasn’t going to walk up and force him to vacate it. He wasn’t going to force anything on anybody—more like impose suggestions. “Rather precise aim,” He whistled to himself as he opened his glider, the needles protruding from the membrane. He picked the needles out, glancing to Ling, and then back at the woman.
Ling frowned at his partner, who looked distraught. Kest closed his glider and eyed them warily. “Whether you are going to kill me or not, I need to do something about this.” His voice dripped venom as his mind gripped the dire situation again.
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 21:54:34 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 26, 2013 21:54:34 GMT -5
Hearing the frustration and anger in Kest's voice, Zi smirked. She held up a hand, "Hold on a sec. You may not believe me, but we've go something better than an eel hound. Anyway, you're rusty. That lady probably knows what she's doing so we're going with you."
Her hand rummaged in a pocket on her robes for a moment, coming in contact with a whistle. It was a showy looking noise making device, shaped like a bird, and decorated with ornate striped wings that extended from the whistle. She inhaled deeply and blew long and hard into it. A loud keening roar rang out into the air, and she tucked it back into her pocket, "She'll be here in a couple minutes."
Ling grinned, "Yay! We haven't seen Nala since we got here!"
Zi looked blankly at him and nodded, "Yeah. She's probably been out of the city and I don't blame her."
They waited a few moments in baited silence. Nala would be here any moment now, she just had to leave her roost and zoom over here. It was then that Zi smiled at the distinguished noise of large, flapping wings. She turned her head to the side as Nala landed with a 'thud'. Her legs braced her weight underneath her and she crouched with a predatory stance. It was befitting, as she was a tiger dragon.
"Good girl." Zi walked over to her and pet her snout, "She's at least double the speed of an eel hound."
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avaTARD
Jun 26, 2013 23:57:36 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 26, 2013 23:57:36 GMT -5
Kest was appalled. He let his composure slip, completely impressed. He’d only heard of tiger dragons; they were a completely rare occurrence. When dragons were thought to be extinct, the next best title was a tiger dragon slayer, and so they were slaughtered in masses. Like airbenders… He thought distractedly. With that moment of incredible awe passed, he composed himself. “That’s definitely quicker than the eel hound.”
He glanced sympathetically at the creature, which had become rather antsy, ready to run. Kest was rather reluctant to let his guard down, especially around two assassins. They took lives. He pursed his lips in a frown of distaste, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “The Northern Air Temple…we’ll have to cross the Si Yong Desert and part of the sea. If we fly all day and stop at nights, then we could be there in two days.” He was basically mumbling to himself now, uncaring if they heard or not.”Definitely faster than that woman…unless she can teleport.”
He wrote that off in his mind, not doubting that somehow, somewhere, somebody could. Kest scratched the stubble on his chin, then regarded the two assassins idly. “An airbender sympathizer…what are you seeking from me?” Kest asked, unsure why anybody would just…allow a stranger. He was definitely being used.
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 0:15:00 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 27, 2013 0:15:00 GMT -5
Zi stroked Nala's snout, a look of contemplation, "Hold it. I never really was serious when I said that. I'm not a sympathizer. This is solely a selfish quest, because that woman rubs me in the wrong way for no reason, and I'd rather have her dead than alive. And, I think you're too gentle to end her."
That wasn't exactly a true statement, but it was probably good enough to snap any small bonds she had made with the man. Truthfully, that was the way she wanted it.
Ling stared smugly from atop the eel hound. He knew exactly why she had said that, he wasn't THAT daft to the way his sister worked. Steering the powerful creature he sat atop of back into the stables, he jumped off of it.
"Oh." He remembered that Kest had put something up here, while they were watching. He reached into the saddle bag and threw Kest his supplies, hoping he had a quick enough reaction time, "There you go."
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 0:22:23 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 27, 2013 0:22:23 GMT -5
“Huh.” Was all Kest replied, watching the woman warily. As Ling steered the eel hound to the stables and closed it in the stall, he tossed Kest’s supplies to him. The rucksack sailed through the air and Kest caught it with a quick hand, then adjusted it onto his back. He blinked a few times, then glanced between the two figures.
He walked up to the tiger dragon, which eyed him with a predatory glance. She was equipped with a large saddle which looked like it could hold several people, and some supplies. He glanced at the woman with slight suspicion. “Okay. If we’re done with preliminaries, shall we?” He gestured to the tiger dragon with his staff.
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 0:31:39 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 27, 2013 0:31:39 GMT -5
"Yeah, sure." Ling said, knowing his sister was going to be quiet now. She had talked more today than she had in weeks. Ling easily jumped atop Nala, silently deciding to sit atop her neck and be the first driver for tonight. Climbing up, he settle himself in a comfortable spot above her shoulder blades and gripped the reigns.
His sister was the next to hop aboard the tiger dragon, and she sat towards the back of the saddle, arms behind her head and legs dangling off the edge of the saddle. She had an unreadable expression on her face.
Ling looked down at Kest, "Alright, come on." He grinned his usual grin.
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 20:11:09 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 27, 2013 20:11:09 GMT -5
Kest looked warily up at Ling, who was obviously taking the first shift. He jumped directly up, aided by airbending, and landed deftly. The saddle was spacious enough for more than three people and supplies and the like. He shifted the pack off his back, then strapped it down with ropes tied to the sides. Kest sat down cross-legged, opening his staff and running his fingers along the torn membranes. He could certainly repair this on the trip, and finish his book…it’s not like he could strike up conversation with these two.
The woman had an unreadable expression on her face—familiar?—and had huddled off into the corner.
“Thanks.” He offered quietly.
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 23:27:15 GMT -5
Post by icefire on Jun 27, 2013 23:27:15 GMT -5
Zi simply nodded at him, keeping her eyes set straight above her. The sky was getting dark, and the stars were coming out. Meanwhile, Ling gave a light flick to the rains, "Up, Nala."
The large creature gave a huff, like it was a big chore, and shifted. She wiggled her haunches and pounced straight into the air. Her wings caught the wind and she gave powerful, jolting flaps. Soon, they were high in the sky, and they could see all of the twinkling lanterns from Ba Sing Se. Zi looked over the edge of the saddle and studied the blinking lights, the photons reflecting back into her eyes. She was already glad to be away from the confusion of the city.
Looking discreetly over at Kest, she studied him. He was definitely a couple year their senior, but he wasn't much older. From what she had caught on to so far, he was a gentle man. Too gentle, in her opinion. Needed a backbone.
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avaTARD
Jun 27, 2013 23:45:31 GMT -5
Post by maya-bird on Jun 27, 2013 23:45:31 GMT -5
As Ba Sing Se disappeared into twinkling lights, Kest nearly sighed in relief. He definitely felt lighter as they ascended into the sky, more free. Closing his eyes, he let himself relax an iota but still kept his shoulders straight, ready. He blinked his eyes open, narrowing them. Don’t let your guard down… He reminded himself, idly straightening up and observing the stars.
Six hours ago he’d never have thought he’d be flying to the Northern Air Temple with two assassins on a tiger dragon. These two killed people—took lives. Abysmal. He stretched his arms up, reveling in the coolness of the night sky and studied the assassins nonchalantly. The man, Ling, had a perverse smile on his face and seemed downright manic. The woman was quiet—too quiet. They were related, shared similar eye colors and face shapes. Siblings, twins, he concluded. He recalled how they’d moved together fluidly, and he could see why they were partners in crime.
The wind tugging his black hair drew him from his reverie, and he ran a hand through it. He had shaved his head until recently when he’d become frustrated, and now it nearly hung into his eyes, slightly curled. Kest absentmindedly rubbed the stubble on his chin, and frowned. He was an out-of-shape airbender. Angry, frustrated, and selfish.
He grimaced, then studied the stars quietly. Kest wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight, not with these assassins about.
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