Post by Teяa253 on Dec 14, 2008 3:40:05 GMT 1
w00t! chapter 42. this is now officially my longest series yet (but I saw that coming ages ago)
and Maric makes himself less hatable! yayz!
and Malak... what the heck are you thinking, girl!?!
CHAPTER 42: REYSON AND MARIC
Malak woke up the next day with pain around her abdomen, most likely from where she had taken extensive damage. It hurt for her to bend, so she had trouble going from sitting to standing, and had trouble bending down. She had fallen asleep fully dressed, so when she got up she was ready to start the day.
She walked towards the stairs leading down into the main room, but as she bent slightly to descend, she cringed and actually lost her footing, sending her painfully head over heels to the bottom, which ended in a face plant. She grumbled and groaned from the additional pain she was now in, and decided to just lie there a while.
Luckily for her, her “while” didn’t last too long, as Reyson showed up a few moments later. Apparently, he had planned to go up and check on her. When he saw the look on her face (and knew that she wasn’t in any critical condition) he chuckled.
“Up a bit early, eh” he said, and Malak grumbled.
“I blame your stairs,” she said, “after all; it makes life a lot easier when you can tack the blame on something else.”
Reyson laughed and held out his hand, “here” he said, “let’s get you back on your feet. You seem to balance better.”
He took Malak’s hand and helped her up. His hands were gentle with hers, and once she was back on her feet he clasped her hand with his other one as well.
“You have soft hands,” he commented, “they’re nice to hold.”
“Um, thanks, I guess,” said Malak, and paused.
“You can let my hand go now,” she chuckled, and Reyson did so without any hesitation. He could tell it made Malak feel slightly awkward.
“Eh,” he said off-handedly, “sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” Malak chuckled, “it was a cute gesture for a man to help a lady back onto her feet.”
She turned around and began looking for a way out. Reyson was following her. Eventually, Malak noticed this.
“What are you doing,” she asked,
“Well technically,” he said, chuckling, “I’m wondering what you’re doing. You’ve wandered around in circles for several minutes now.”
“I want to get out of here,” she said bluntly, “I want some fresh air.”
Reyson laughed. “You do realize that you can ask for help every once in a while, right,” he said, “I mean, even my mother’s asked for help before.”
“I don’t want help though,” said Malak, “I’m old enough to do things on my own. I don’t need someone next to me all the time.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having someone next to you, Malak,” said Reyson, “those people are usually called friends. Besides, I think you’re pretty. You don’t deserve to be walking all alone in a world like this.”
Malak turned around and glared at him.
“What are you trying to pull,” she asked, a clear tone of suspicion on her face, “are you hitting on me?”
“No,” said Reyson, “but when I think that someone’s pretty I’m going to tell them. Besides, what harm does a compliment do?”
“You really are weird,” said Malak, giggling. Luckily though, Reyson’s feelings didn’t get hurt by such remarks.
“I know,” he said, grinning proudly, “and proud of it.”
Malak hadn’t been expecting this. Now she was determined to beat Reyson at this mind game the two of them were having.
“You’re flirting with me, aren’t you,” she said suspiciously,
“What makes you say that,” said Reyson, chuckling, “or are you one of the rebellious princess types,”
“I’m no princess,” Malak replied, “just another common Water Tribe girl.”
“A common Water Tribe girl with an uncommon talent, and in a *very* uncommon part of an uncommon place;”
“Where exactly are we,” Malak asked, looking around at the torch lit room. There were paintings on the walls, and it was much higher than it first appeared. This place was enormous.
“We are in one of five places in the world where schemes are born,” said Reyson mysteriously, “many a dark operation have been planned down here. This is the western base. There is one in each of the Water Tribes, one in the Earth Kingdom, and one near the Eastern Air Temple. Great and terrible things have come from the histories of these places.
The Avatar Guard was once like The Order of the Avatar Slayer as far as brutality goes. I would go on about the things my mother has told me about the Secret Service Bases, but I probably shouldn’t there were things that shook me.”
Malak looked around. The flickering torches made this place seem eerie.
“Are they all like this,” Malak asked, “all the bases?”
“Aye, pretty much,” Reyson replied, “since I’m going to be part of the Secret Service once I come of age, I know a lot about it.”
“I...” Malak started, “can you show me the way out? I want to see the sun again. All this darkness is making me feel... uneasy.”
“Of course,” said Reyson, whose tactic here was similar to Zeruda’s insomuch that he was trying to make Malak feel uncomfortable being where she was, “but you’ll have to let go of my wrist first. You’re cutting off circulation to my hand.”
Malak instantly realized that Reyson was right, and immediately pulled her hand back, blushing fiercely. From here, Reyson showed her how to get out and get some fresh air.
They did so, and headed southwards. They were not aware that as they headed south that they were getting closer and closer to the Order’s Western base. However, a town was in their way, and though they didn’t run into the Order’s base, they did run into...
“Maric,” Malak exclaimed, “you... I... Da...” and she was speechless.
“Who’s he,” Maric asked, pointing at Reyson.
“My name is Reyson,” Reyson replied politely. I assume you’re Malak’s older twin brother?”
“Aye,” Maric replied, “and I take it that she’s been in good hands I hope?”
“Depends on what exactly you define as ‘good hands’,” Reyson replied, for he knew that Maric was part of The Order; “she’s been well taken care of if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good,” Maric replied, “because I’m done down there. I take it she’s told you everything about what I did,”
“Aye,” Reyson replied, “and that was why I said it depended on what you saw as ‘good hands’, for she was and is in the hands of the Avatar Guard. Do not worry though, Master Maric, as she is safe.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust The Avatar Guard,” said Maric, “well, not anymore at least. I had a few bad experiences with The Order while I was there. I figured I didn’t have to out up with it, and so I just straight up left. I told no one. Granted, they’ll be after me once they know what I did, but hey, I know what’s what now. I’m done picking sides. I side with my sister in her cause.”
“Speaking of which,” said Reyson, “where did she go, anyways?”
Maric looked around, and sure enough, Malak was gone.
“I thought she was with you,” Maric protested,
“She was,” said Reyson, “You saw her. But then we started talking and she must have snuck away. You’re not going to blame ME for YOUR sister running away, are you?”
“Well,” said Maric, “what exactly happened? Did you say anything to her that she might not have liked?”
“Well,” said Reyson, scratching the back of his head, “I did say she was pretty, and I’m going to stand by that.”
Maric laughed.
“There’s the problem then,” he remarked, “she’s got some sort of absurd psychology where she hates looking presentable. She doesn’t like being all neat and clean. I still wonder why she got cleaned up when we came down here. Ah well, I guess I better go find her.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Reyson, “I mean, I care about her; and her condition isn’t the best right now.”
“Alright,” said Maric, heading for the hills in the direction they assumed Malak had gone; with Reyson behind him.
Malak had in fact found a way to enjoy her self, but had literally put herself in a sticky situation. She had gone up into the hills of some ancient ruins, where a Sun Warrior Tribe had once dwelt before they were chased out by The Order several hundreds of years ago (though the Sun Warriors themselves were not eradicated).
However, they were known for their booby traps, and Malak had triggered one that pinned her against the wall covered in a sticky black substance. Ironically, she was chuckling.
“You two certainly took long enough,” she said. She could only move her head, hands, and feet, and was a mess.
“You alright,” they both said to her simultaneously,
“Of course I am,” said Malak, “I’m trapped spread-eagled against a wall and am covered in some sticky crap; what more could I ask for?”
They couldn’t tell if this was sarcasm, for her tone seemed to be sincere.
“we’re gonna have to get you down and get you cleaned up,’ said Maric
“No way,” said Malak, clearly loving her situation, “I’m enjoying this. This stuff is strong. Look, it’s holding me up off the ground.”
She was right. Her shoes were a few inches off of the ground. She was still fully dressed, but her exposed hands and face were also smattered with the sticky substance.
“So aye,” said Malak, “I’m comfy right here. You two go get to know each other a little better. I’ll still be here if you need me.”
Granted, Malak could have used her waterbending prowess to remove it, but she didn’t care. She was glad that they were all on the same side, and that there had been a reconciliation between Reyson And Maric.
~Azula~
and Maric makes himself less hatable! yayz!
and Malak... what the heck are you thinking, girl!?!
CHAPTER 42: REYSON AND MARIC
Malak woke up the next day with pain around her abdomen, most likely from where she had taken extensive damage. It hurt for her to bend, so she had trouble going from sitting to standing, and had trouble bending down. She had fallen asleep fully dressed, so when she got up she was ready to start the day.
She walked towards the stairs leading down into the main room, but as she bent slightly to descend, she cringed and actually lost her footing, sending her painfully head over heels to the bottom, which ended in a face plant. She grumbled and groaned from the additional pain she was now in, and decided to just lie there a while.
Luckily for her, her “while” didn’t last too long, as Reyson showed up a few moments later. Apparently, he had planned to go up and check on her. When he saw the look on her face (and knew that she wasn’t in any critical condition) he chuckled.
“Up a bit early, eh” he said, and Malak grumbled.
“I blame your stairs,” she said, “after all; it makes life a lot easier when you can tack the blame on something else.”
Reyson laughed and held out his hand, “here” he said, “let’s get you back on your feet. You seem to balance better.”
He took Malak’s hand and helped her up. His hands were gentle with hers, and once she was back on her feet he clasped her hand with his other one as well.
“You have soft hands,” he commented, “they’re nice to hold.”
“Um, thanks, I guess,” said Malak, and paused.
“You can let my hand go now,” she chuckled, and Reyson did so without any hesitation. He could tell it made Malak feel slightly awkward.
“Eh,” he said off-handedly, “sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” Malak chuckled, “it was a cute gesture for a man to help a lady back onto her feet.”
She turned around and began looking for a way out. Reyson was following her. Eventually, Malak noticed this.
“What are you doing,” she asked,
“Well technically,” he said, chuckling, “I’m wondering what you’re doing. You’ve wandered around in circles for several minutes now.”
“I want to get out of here,” she said bluntly, “I want some fresh air.”
Reyson laughed. “You do realize that you can ask for help every once in a while, right,” he said, “I mean, even my mother’s asked for help before.”
“I don’t want help though,” said Malak, “I’m old enough to do things on my own. I don’t need someone next to me all the time.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having someone next to you, Malak,” said Reyson, “those people are usually called friends. Besides, I think you’re pretty. You don’t deserve to be walking all alone in a world like this.”
Malak turned around and glared at him.
“What are you trying to pull,” she asked, a clear tone of suspicion on her face, “are you hitting on me?”
“No,” said Reyson, “but when I think that someone’s pretty I’m going to tell them. Besides, what harm does a compliment do?”
“You really are weird,” said Malak, giggling. Luckily though, Reyson’s feelings didn’t get hurt by such remarks.
“I know,” he said, grinning proudly, “and proud of it.”
Malak hadn’t been expecting this. Now she was determined to beat Reyson at this mind game the two of them were having.
“You’re flirting with me, aren’t you,” she said suspiciously,
“What makes you say that,” said Reyson, chuckling, “or are you one of the rebellious princess types,”
“I’m no princess,” Malak replied, “just another common Water Tribe girl.”
“A common Water Tribe girl with an uncommon talent, and in a *very* uncommon part of an uncommon place;”
“Where exactly are we,” Malak asked, looking around at the torch lit room. There were paintings on the walls, and it was much higher than it first appeared. This place was enormous.
“We are in one of five places in the world where schemes are born,” said Reyson mysteriously, “many a dark operation have been planned down here. This is the western base. There is one in each of the Water Tribes, one in the Earth Kingdom, and one near the Eastern Air Temple. Great and terrible things have come from the histories of these places.
The Avatar Guard was once like The Order of the Avatar Slayer as far as brutality goes. I would go on about the things my mother has told me about the Secret Service Bases, but I probably shouldn’t there were things that shook me.”
Malak looked around. The flickering torches made this place seem eerie.
“Are they all like this,” Malak asked, “all the bases?”
“Aye, pretty much,” Reyson replied, “since I’m going to be part of the Secret Service once I come of age, I know a lot about it.”
“I...” Malak started, “can you show me the way out? I want to see the sun again. All this darkness is making me feel... uneasy.”
“Of course,” said Reyson, whose tactic here was similar to Zeruda’s insomuch that he was trying to make Malak feel uncomfortable being where she was, “but you’ll have to let go of my wrist first. You’re cutting off circulation to my hand.”
Malak instantly realized that Reyson was right, and immediately pulled her hand back, blushing fiercely. From here, Reyson showed her how to get out and get some fresh air.
They did so, and headed southwards. They were not aware that as they headed south that they were getting closer and closer to the Order’s Western base. However, a town was in their way, and though they didn’t run into the Order’s base, they did run into...
“Maric,” Malak exclaimed, “you... I... Da...” and she was speechless.
“Who’s he,” Maric asked, pointing at Reyson.
“My name is Reyson,” Reyson replied politely. I assume you’re Malak’s older twin brother?”
“Aye,” Maric replied, “and I take it that she’s been in good hands I hope?”
“Depends on what exactly you define as ‘good hands’,” Reyson replied, for he knew that Maric was part of The Order; “she’s been well taken care of if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good,” Maric replied, “because I’m done down there. I take it she’s told you everything about what I did,”
“Aye,” Reyson replied, “and that was why I said it depended on what you saw as ‘good hands’, for she was and is in the hands of the Avatar Guard. Do not worry though, Master Maric, as she is safe.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust The Avatar Guard,” said Maric, “well, not anymore at least. I had a few bad experiences with The Order while I was there. I figured I didn’t have to out up with it, and so I just straight up left. I told no one. Granted, they’ll be after me once they know what I did, but hey, I know what’s what now. I’m done picking sides. I side with my sister in her cause.”
“Speaking of which,” said Reyson, “where did she go, anyways?”
Maric looked around, and sure enough, Malak was gone.
“I thought she was with you,” Maric protested,
“She was,” said Reyson, “You saw her. But then we started talking and she must have snuck away. You’re not going to blame ME for YOUR sister running away, are you?”
“Well,” said Maric, “what exactly happened? Did you say anything to her that she might not have liked?”
“Well,” said Reyson, scratching the back of his head, “I did say she was pretty, and I’m going to stand by that.”
Maric laughed.
“There’s the problem then,” he remarked, “she’s got some sort of absurd psychology where she hates looking presentable. She doesn’t like being all neat and clean. I still wonder why she got cleaned up when we came down here. Ah well, I guess I better go find her.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Reyson, “I mean, I care about her; and her condition isn’t the best right now.”
“Alright,” said Maric, heading for the hills in the direction they assumed Malak had gone; with Reyson behind him.
Malak had in fact found a way to enjoy her self, but had literally put herself in a sticky situation. She had gone up into the hills of some ancient ruins, where a Sun Warrior Tribe had once dwelt before they were chased out by The Order several hundreds of years ago (though the Sun Warriors themselves were not eradicated).
However, they were known for their booby traps, and Malak had triggered one that pinned her against the wall covered in a sticky black substance. Ironically, she was chuckling.
“You two certainly took long enough,” she said. She could only move her head, hands, and feet, and was a mess.
“You alright,” they both said to her simultaneously,
“Of course I am,” said Malak, “I’m trapped spread-eagled against a wall and am covered in some sticky crap; what more could I ask for?”
They couldn’t tell if this was sarcasm, for her tone seemed to be sincere.
“we’re gonna have to get you down and get you cleaned up,’ said Maric
“No way,” said Malak, clearly loving her situation, “I’m enjoying this. This stuff is strong. Look, it’s holding me up off the ground.”
She was right. Her shoes were a few inches off of the ground. She was still fully dressed, but her exposed hands and face were also smattered with the sticky substance.
“So aye,” said Malak, “I’m comfy right here. You two go get to know each other a little better. I’ll still be here if you need me.”
Granted, Malak could have used her waterbending prowess to remove it, but she didn’t care. She was glad that they were all on the same side, and that there had been a reconciliation between Reyson And Maric.
~Azula~
