Post by Teяa253 on Dec 27, 2008 3:33:00 GMT 1
chapter 56... not much to say... sorta needed some filler stuffs, and now I guarantee more Zakura/4Benders bonding in the next chapter.
also, Tenoko's story, and the rising possibility that Maric and Malak might be her children.
of course, if they are, then Maric and Malak aren't their real names...
anyways, here goez.
CHAPTER 56: IT IS BECAUSE OF HATRED
Just like Maric, Malak, ad Reyson were having their discussion while Tenoko was speaking to some of the others, Tenoko’s conversation and story were not over.
“Hmm,” she said, “it seems that I’m not quite tired yet. I suppose I can fill you all in about the mystery of the Dragmire children... that is: if any of you are interested.”
“Well,” said Iresu, “considering that this is something that you’ve never even told us before, I believe that we all would like to hear it.”
Everyone else who was present (Zakura, Ryuka, The Four Benders, Zeruda, Vigo, Mulan, Sanaki, Koara, Lehran, [Altina], Kimiko, Sokka, Katara I, [Tenoko, Iresu], and Royota) instantly agreed with Iresu, and therefore, Tenoko consented.
“The story of my twin children is something that is still disputed in the Water Tribes to this day.” She said, “Granted, it’s not a huge dispute, but the story of what exactly happened is still not very clear. The ones who could tell it: my husband and whoever invaded the Water Tribe Palace that day; are all dead.
The twins were a few months old on the night they disappeared. I was actually on business in the Southern Water Tribe curing the day of the invasion. As a result of being on the opposite side of the world during that time, it was a few days before I learned what had happened.
The moment I found out, I abandoned everything I was doing and went straight up to the site of the incident. They had confirmed the death of my beloved husband, but they said evidence of my little babies was not found. The two little graves that sit beside the one of my husband are empty. My little Kemet and Komae were never found.”
“Kemet and Komae,” Iresu remarked, “I take it that those were the names of your children then?”
“Aye,” Tenoko replied, “and they were dear to me. To see my family torn apart like that, all in the course of a single night; it devastated me. It was actually the reason I started drinking. It took my mind away from knowing that my family was gone. It helped me remain stable.”
“You know it’ll end up hurting you in the long run” Royota remarked, “am I correct, or...?”
“Aye,” Tenoko replied, “perhaps. But anyways, once I was able to let it go, I became happier. Granted, it still hurts me when I think of it, but I’m not going to dwell upon it, especially knowing that the ones who caused me this trouble are dead.”
“So how many years ago did this happen,” Zeruda asked, “I mean: if your children were alive, how old would they be?”
“It happened about 14 years ago,” Tenoko replied, “so Kemet and Komae would be almost 15 if they were still alive.”
Suddenly, Vigo did something to get attention (being unable to speak, he wasn’t able to call out). He ended up conveying the message (through earthbending and other acting means) that he actually theorized that Maric and Malak were Tenoko’s missing children. By his logic, Maric’s real name was Kemet, and Malak’s real name was Komae.
He finished his little act by communicating the message that he noticed that they had the same eye color—a unique shade of blue—as Tenoko.
“I’ve noticed that,” Tenoko replied, “but I met them one time in the Northern Water Tribe before; but they didn’t look familiar.
“Well of course they wouldn’t look familiar,” said Sanaki, “I mean, I might be blind, but even I know that people grow up. If you haven’t seen them ion 14 years they’d have plenty of time to change in appearance.”
“That’s true,” Tenoko replied, “and I’m not trying to deny them being related to me. There’s no way to disprove it, but conversely, there’s no way to prove it. I was just saying that usually a mother is capable of recognizing her children, no matter how long they’ve been apart.”
“I know,” said Sanaki, “and I wasn’t trying to argue your logic. I was just making that comment. Vigo did have a point.”
(Sanaki knew what Vigo was “saying” because various people around him would try to guess what he was trying to say and he’d nod or shake his head depending on if they were right or wrong. Sanaki was able to tell when Vigo shook his head or nodded)
Vigo simply shrugged, implying that it was just a thought.
“No harm done,” Tenoko replied, and Vigo nodded.
“And that was the story,” said Tenoko, “shortly afterwards I ran into The Warrior of the Black Hand; and luckily for me I was over my little reign of depression and wasn’t getting hammered every afternoon. I’ve already told that story, and from there I eventually joined The Avatar Guard Secret Service with Iresu and Zeruda.
“It was several months before we found you,” said Zeruda, “I mean: I found Iresu about 3 or 4 months after I heard the news of what had happened with you at the Northern Water Tribe, but it was about 1 or 2 more months before we found and recruited you. What were you doing in the meantime? I mean: Iresu and I were looking for you.”
“I told you that part already,” Tenoko replied, “I had a gang life in the Water Tribe Underground. It’s like The Underground here in Ba Sing Se, only it’s in the Southern Water Tribe.”
“Really now,” said Iresu,” we thought you were joking about that. You were pretty madly drunk when we found you.”
“You expected otherwise?” Tenoko exclaimed laughing, “but no, it’s true. I did have a gang life, and did a lot of things that would make the law not look too happily down on me. Granted, I was no longer Tribe Chief, so in my eyes it wasn’t a big deal. I got into illegal bending tournaments... often times the loser was killed.”
“Hmm,” said a voice from behind them, “that sounds like the story of a typical day in the life of Zakura Ishiko.”
“Aye,” Tenoko chuckled, “I remember seeing you under the alias of ‘Zak’ in my travels. It’s a good thing you were from the same organization that I was; otherwise I’d be in for a load of trouble—and pain.”
Zakura laughed. “I served under you, you drunken fool,” she said, laughing, “spirits; how much were you drinking?”
“Do you really want to know the answer to that?” Tenoko asked;
Zakura paused. “Eh, I probably don’t,” she replied, and they laughed.
“Well, folks,” said Tenoko, “my gang life is personal business, so buzz off. If anyone else wants to tell a story, feel free. I’m all fresh out.”
“Tenoko,” said Zakura, “I’m the avatar. If I want you to tell me something, I have my ways of getting it out of people. I think offering you a bottle of this after hours would probably get you talking.”
Zakura held up a bottle of something with a very high alcohol content that Tenoko eyed closely. She stowed it away and continued sitting there, waiting for the next story.”
“why don’t you tell us a little about your life, Princess;” Tenoko chuckled, “surely living with parents who are part of the group trying to kill you had to have had some interesting sparks.”
“Don’t call me ‘princess’ or I’ll knock your block off,” Zakura snapped, chuckling, “my story though? There’s not much to tell. A lot of it...”
Zakura paused, closing her eyes.
The real reason she didn’t want to tell about her past with her family was because it brought back great and terrible memories, and was mostly sad. As for her title of “princess”, Zakura didn’t want it any more than she wanted Xin Shing to capture her. Nonetheless, she used it to her advantage when she could (but in reality, Zakura used anything to her advantage whenever she could) and was actually considering something big this time involving her family.
“Oh dear,” Sanaki said with a tone of concern, noticing a disruption in Zakura’s heat patterns that came from her sudden change of emotion. “I... I don’t think we should ask her about it.”
The others were quick to notice Zakura’s rapid change.
“Eh,” she said, standing up, tilting her hat to cover her eyes, “I’ll be right back. I... I just need to do something.”
She stood up and went into one of the back rooms. Aiku, Shinon, and Zinjamyn looked at each other (and to Alzar, but since she was blind she couldn’t look back at them) and nodded.
“I think we know what’s wrong,” said Aiku to the others, “we’ll be right back too. We’re going to go find her.”
“It’s understandable,” said Royota, and incidentally, none of the people here seemed to mind Zakura’s rude disappearance, “everyone has something that they don’t like talking about.”
Incidentally though, after The Four Benders left, the others got to talking about Zakura.
“I never knew that was such a touchy subject for her,” said Tenoko, “I mean, she never faltered like that before when I was with her—ever.”
“Sometimes the past can be a painful thing,” said Royota, “this war was all caused by hatred: this same hatred which now torments our young friend, the avatar—Zakura Ishiko.
It was hatred that broke apart the families of many of us here. It is hatred that causes The Warrior of the Black Hand to fight against it—hatred of the war is clearly why she takes either side. This world is in an ongoing civil war all because of hatred and discrimination. This is the reason we’re fighting against each other as a house divided: brother against brother and sister against sister. It Is Because Of Hatred.”
~Azula~
also, Tenoko's story, and the rising possibility that Maric and Malak might be her children.
of course, if they are, then Maric and Malak aren't their real names...
anyways, here goez.
CHAPTER 56: IT IS BECAUSE OF HATRED
Just like Maric, Malak, ad Reyson were having their discussion while Tenoko was speaking to some of the others, Tenoko’s conversation and story were not over.
“Hmm,” she said, “it seems that I’m not quite tired yet. I suppose I can fill you all in about the mystery of the Dragmire children... that is: if any of you are interested.”
“Well,” said Iresu, “considering that this is something that you’ve never even told us before, I believe that we all would like to hear it.”
Everyone else who was present (Zakura, Ryuka, The Four Benders, Zeruda, Vigo, Mulan, Sanaki, Koara, Lehran, [Altina], Kimiko, Sokka, Katara I, [Tenoko, Iresu], and Royota) instantly agreed with Iresu, and therefore, Tenoko consented.
“The story of my twin children is something that is still disputed in the Water Tribes to this day.” She said, “Granted, it’s not a huge dispute, but the story of what exactly happened is still not very clear. The ones who could tell it: my husband and whoever invaded the Water Tribe Palace that day; are all dead.
The twins were a few months old on the night they disappeared. I was actually on business in the Southern Water Tribe curing the day of the invasion. As a result of being on the opposite side of the world during that time, it was a few days before I learned what had happened.
The moment I found out, I abandoned everything I was doing and went straight up to the site of the incident. They had confirmed the death of my beloved husband, but they said evidence of my little babies was not found. The two little graves that sit beside the one of my husband are empty. My little Kemet and Komae were never found.”
“Kemet and Komae,” Iresu remarked, “I take it that those were the names of your children then?”
“Aye,” Tenoko replied, “and they were dear to me. To see my family torn apart like that, all in the course of a single night; it devastated me. It was actually the reason I started drinking. It took my mind away from knowing that my family was gone. It helped me remain stable.”
“You know it’ll end up hurting you in the long run” Royota remarked, “am I correct, or...?”
“Aye,” Tenoko replied, “perhaps. But anyways, once I was able to let it go, I became happier. Granted, it still hurts me when I think of it, but I’m not going to dwell upon it, especially knowing that the ones who caused me this trouble are dead.”
“So how many years ago did this happen,” Zeruda asked, “I mean: if your children were alive, how old would they be?”
“It happened about 14 years ago,” Tenoko replied, “so Kemet and Komae would be almost 15 if they were still alive.”
Suddenly, Vigo did something to get attention (being unable to speak, he wasn’t able to call out). He ended up conveying the message (through earthbending and other acting means) that he actually theorized that Maric and Malak were Tenoko’s missing children. By his logic, Maric’s real name was Kemet, and Malak’s real name was Komae.
He finished his little act by communicating the message that he noticed that they had the same eye color—a unique shade of blue—as Tenoko.
“I’ve noticed that,” Tenoko replied, “but I met them one time in the Northern Water Tribe before; but they didn’t look familiar.
“Well of course they wouldn’t look familiar,” said Sanaki, “I mean, I might be blind, but even I know that people grow up. If you haven’t seen them ion 14 years they’d have plenty of time to change in appearance.”
“That’s true,” Tenoko replied, “and I’m not trying to deny them being related to me. There’s no way to disprove it, but conversely, there’s no way to prove it. I was just saying that usually a mother is capable of recognizing her children, no matter how long they’ve been apart.”
“I know,” said Sanaki, “and I wasn’t trying to argue your logic. I was just making that comment. Vigo did have a point.”
(Sanaki knew what Vigo was “saying” because various people around him would try to guess what he was trying to say and he’d nod or shake his head depending on if they were right or wrong. Sanaki was able to tell when Vigo shook his head or nodded)
Vigo simply shrugged, implying that it was just a thought.
“No harm done,” Tenoko replied, and Vigo nodded.
“And that was the story,” said Tenoko, “shortly afterwards I ran into The Warrior of the Black Hand; and luckily for me I was over my little reign of depression and wasn’t getting hammered every afternoon. I’ve already told that story, and from there I eventually joined The Avatar Guard Secret Service with Iresu and Zeruda.
“It was several months before we found you,” said Zeruda, “I mean: I found Iresu about 3 or 4 months after I heard the news of what had happened with you at the Northern Water Tribe, but it was about 1 or 2 more months before we found and recruited you. What were you doing in the meantime? I mean: Iresu and I were looking for you.”
“I told you that part already,” Tenoko replied, “I had a gang life in the Water Tribe Underground. It’s like The Underground here in Ba Sing Se, only it’s in the Southern Water Tribe.”
“Really now,” said Iresu,” we thought you were joking about that. You were pretty madly drunk when we found you.”
“You expected otherwise?” Tenoko exclaimed laughing, “but no, it’s true. I did have a gang life, and did a lot of things that would make the law not look too happily down on me. Granted, I was no longer Tribe Chief, so in my eyes it wasn’t a big deal. I got into illegal bending tournaments... often times the loser was killed.”
“Hmm,” said a voice from behind them, “that sounds like the story of a typical day in the life of Zakura Ishiko.”
“Aye,” Tenoko chuckled, “I remember seeing you under the alias of ‘Zak’ in my travels. It’s a good thing you were from the same organization that I was; otherwise I’d be in for a load of trouble—and pain.”
Zakura laughed. “I served under you, you drunken fool,” she said, laughing, “spirits; how much were you drinking?”
“Do you really want to know the answer to that?” Tenoko asked;
Zakura paused. “Eh, I probably don’t,” she replied, and they laughed.
“Well, folks,” said Tenoko, “my gang life is personal business, so buzz off. If anyone else wants to tell a story, feel free. I’m all fresh out.”
“Tenoko,” said Zakura, “I’m the avatar. If I want you to tell me something, I have my ways of getting it out of people. I think offering you a bottle of this after hours would probably get you talking.”
Zakura held up a bottle of something with a very high alcohol content that Tenoko eyed closely. She stowed it away and continued sitting there, waiting for the next story.”
“why don’t you tell us a little about your life, Princess;” Tenoko chuckled, “surely living with parents who are part of the group trying to kill you had to have had some interesting sparks.”
“Don’t call me ‘princess’ or I’ll knock your block off,” Zakura snapped, chuckling, “my story though? There’s not much to tell. A lot of it...”
Zakura paused, closing her eyes.
The real reason she didn’t want to tell about her past with her family was because it brought back great and terrible memories, and was mostly sad. As for her title of “princess”, Zakura didn’t want it any more than she wanted Xin Shing to capture her. Nonetheless, she used it to her advantage when she could (but in reality, Zakura used anything to her advantage whenever she could) and was actually considering something big this time involving her family.
“Oh dear,” Sanaki said with a tone of concern, noticing a disruption in Zakura’s heat patterns that came from her sudden change of emotion. “I... I don’t think we should ask her about it.”
The others were quick to notice Zakura’s rapid change.
“Eh,” she said, standing up, tilting her hat to cover her eyes, “I’ll be right back. I... I just need to do something.”
She stood up and went into one of the back rooms. Aiku, Shinon, and Zinjamyn looked at each other (and to Alzar, but since she was blind she couldn’t look back at them) and nodded.
“I think we know what’s wrong,” said Aiku to the others, “we’ll be right back too. We’re going to go find her.”
“It’s understandable,” said Royota, and incidentally, none of the people here seemed to mind Zakura’s rude disappearance, “everyone has something that they don’t like talking about.”
Incidentally though, after The Four Benders left, the others got to talking about Zakura.
“I never knew that was such a touchy subject for her,” said Tenoko, “I mean, she never faltered like that before when I was with her—ever.”
“Sometimes the past can be a painful thing,” said Royota, “this war was all caused by hatred: this same hatred which now torments our young friend, the avatar—Zakura Ishiko.
It was hatred that broke apart the families of many of us here. It is hatred that causes The Warrior of the Black Hand to fight against it—hatred of the war is clearly why she takes either side. This world is in an ongoing civil war all because of hatred and discrimination. This is the reason we’re fighting against each other as a house divided: brother against brother and sister against sister. It Is Because Of Hatred.”
~Azula~
