ROLEPLAY HQ - a-song-of-water-and-fire

maryyelenorr 08-Nov-21 08:58 AM

@Livewire

maryyelenorr

@Livewire

Livewire 08-Nov-21 09:02 AM

(edited)

Livewire 08-Nov-21 09:57 AM

It had been about ten years since Firelord Ozai had been defeated and Avatar Aang had brought peace to the world. Along with Firelord Zuko, the Avatar began repairing relations between the four nations. One of the ways this was done was through the meetings of ambassadors who would be selected to meet with one from another nation, in the hopes that their friendship would lead to increased peace. Most of the nations got along harmoniously. But not all of them. In particular, the relations between the fire and water nations was still very uneasy. The two nations had significant bad blood, and though they were peaceful, they were still very cold and distant. Every three moons a new pair of ambassadors would meet, only for them to not link well, further driving the nations apart. After three failed attempts, the firelord and the avatar decided to intervene, with Aang going to the southern water tribe with his wife Kitara to select an ambassador, while the firelord selected one of his own along with his Queen Mai. Eventually the two parties would meet again, and at the request of Aang and Zuko they met at the North Pole. A spiritual place linked to harmony...and also where the spirits of Yin and Yang had been attacked insidiously. They believed that if a relationship was built here, it would be quite powerful.

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Kyana BOT 08-Nov-21 12:18 PM

Avatar Aang, Katara, to what do we owe the pleasure? Kyana thought back to the day Aang and Katara arrived at the Southern Water Tribe, looking for a new ambassador. Kyana, it's a pleasure to see you. We have some business we would like to discuss with you. Kyana was decided to be the new ambassador, the youngest one chosen from the Southern Water Tribe at the age of 22. We just need you to be nice, be yourself! I'm sure you'll be able to do it. We're very confident in you, Kyana. Kyana sighed lightly, standing on the ship as it arrived at the gates of the Northen Water Tribe. The guards signalled to the benders to open the gates, allowing the ship to dock inside the rather large community. Kyana looked around, a sense of anxiety overcoming her. She had never left the South Pole. The North Pole was vastly different from her Tribe, large buildings and canals, lots of people walking around, enjoying life. "Kyana, it's a pleasure to see you!" Avatar Aang called out as Kyana walked off of the large ship. "Avatar Aang." Kyana bowed, flashing a polite smile to the Avatar. The new Southern Water Tribe ambassador was clad in her typical clothing. Light Blue and white fabric stitched together to become a warm jacket, shielding her from the bitter cold. "You will meet the ambassador from the Fire Nation in the main government building. Should the meeting go well, you two will begin your journey to Ba Sing Se to meet with the other ambassadors from the other Nations." Aang explained with his usual happy tone. "I thank you for the opportunity. I promise I will do my best to make you and Katara proud." Kyana replied, shifting the back that was slung over her shoulder. "Ma'am. I can take your bag." A guard had said, offering his hand to grab Kyanas bag. She graciously accepted, bowing politely as she thanked the guard.

"Firelord Zuko has chosen the other ambassador?" Kyana asked as Aang guided her through the city. "I trust the Firelords decisions, but I have heard of the bad blood between the Water Tribes and the Fire Nation that seems to bleed into the meetings of Ambassadors." She commented, not really expecting an answer. "Yes. Zuko is a good friend of mine, along with his wife Mai. I'm sure this decision will be the one that sticks." Aang said, hopeful as ever. "Here we are. We will let you two meet without the pressure of the Avatar or the Firelord watching you two like children." Aang smiled, gesturing towards the door. Another bow, Kyana looked up at Aang. "I will not let you down." Kyana said before entering the building, finding her way to the room where she would meet the Fire Nation Ambassador.

maryyelenorr 08-Nov-21 12:18 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 08-Nov-21 12:45 PM

Shortly after Kyana had arrived at the meeting place with Aang and his wife, a royal guard arrived at the entrance of the central government building where all the tribe leaders met to make decisions. The guards bore the fire nation's insignia, which was an unsettling sight to some of the citizens even all this time later, particularly the old ones that had lived through the horrors of Ozai's reign. But this was a peaceful party. In the center of the phalanx was Firelord Zuko, his wife Mai, and a young man. He had jet black hair that was combed back neatly and gleaming under the arctic sun. His skin was a warm tanned colour, and his eyes were a marvelous golden-yellow. Like a pair of miniature suns. "You sure about this, Firelord? I mean, I know I'm fierce and quite the charmer, but that was among the people in the fire nation. They're able to handle my fieriness, no pun intended. The people here are....soft. No offense to them." Zuko in turn looked to the young man with a eyeroll and smile. "Try to keep that tongue of yours in check. I chose you for your boldness, but also your charisma. It will be needed if we are to succeed. Thankfully, the Avatar and I have conferred, and we agree that you and this ambassador should be a good mix. Please prove me right, Drago." The young man willed a small fireball to appear in his palm, enjoying the warmth especially in a cold place like this. "I'll try, Sir. But I'll be surprised if this goes as smoothly as you think it will." The phalanx stopped and parted as they reached the large doors. "Go. The ambassador for the water nation will be inside. Good luck. You are one of our finest. I have complete faith in you," Zuko said. Drago smirked confidently, pushing the doors open. "You and me both, my Lord." With that he walked into the room. "He has a big head. You sure about him?" Mai asked once he was gone. "I'll be honest...if Aang didn't think so, I would have my doubts. Hopefully he's right," Zuko replied.

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Kyana BOT 08-Nov-21 07:51 PM

Kyana had entered the building alone, finding her way to the meeting room where she would meet the new Fire Nation Ambassador. The room was large, a grand table sitting in the middle of the room. Kyana had circled the table for a moment, her fingertips grazing against the wood as she admired the detail carved into it. Such grand woodwork couldn't be found in the Southern Water Tribe, so it took Kyana by surprise when she saw the architecture of the North Pole. Her hand ran over the back of the chair, feeling every small crevice carved into it. She almost forgot the reason why she was at the Northern Water Tribe in the first place, but was quickly pulled back into reality as the doors to the meeting room opened abruptly. Kyana jumped slightly, the sound of the doors opening catching her by surprise. Her gaze darted to the door, seeing who she presumed to be the new Ambassador. "Oh! Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you." Kyana bowed slightly before walking around the table to greet the Fire Nation official properly. "I'm Kyana, the new Southern Water Tribe Ambassador." Now closer to the man, Kyana realized he was quite young as well, perhaps just slightly older than she was. It was a shock to her that both Zuko and Aang would pick young adults to become the Ambassadors, but Kyana thought back to the stories she was told about Aang and his friends. Aang was only 12 when he defeated Fire Lord Ozai. Perhaps she really could do this. She hoped that this meeting would go well. Kyana did not want to let down the Avatar. "Shall we sit?" Kyana asked, gesturing to the table. @Livewire

Livewire 09-Nov-21 04:15 AM

Drago strode into the room confidently. Once inside he took of his formal red cloak, revealing form fitting black pants and a maroon long sleeve that were riding up a bit, showing just a little of his tattoos. He smiled at the woman, returning her bow. He didn’t take his eyes off her, sizing her up and taking in every detail he could. She was quite beautiful. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Drago. And sure, let’s take a seat,” he said smoothly, going over to a chair and pulling it out for her, gesturing for her to sit down in it. While he had his reservations about the water nation people, he made sure to be on his best behaviour for the sake of his nation, and so he turned on the charm. He was happy that the ambassador he met was young like him, not to mention beautiful. But not just beautiful. From the way she looked he could reasonably assume that she was athletic as well. Her toned body and good posture told him that, which instantly made him like her more. “So, you’re from the south? You know the avatar’s wife came from there. Your village is known for raising strong women. I like that. Have you trained with master Kitara?”

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Kyana BOT 10-Nov-21 08:55 AM

Kyana had removed her own thick jacket, wearing a pair of thick stitched pants and a white tank top her mother had made for her. She smiled politely as she watched Drago pull out a chair of her. She bowed in thanks for a quick moment before sitting down at the table. "Drago, it's a pleasure to meet you." Kyana said, her gaze fixated on Drago as he sat in his respective seat. "I am from the South. Katara began training me when my parents realized I was a waterbender." Kyana explained with a small smile. "I'm a healer as well, which took longer to learn than I would have thought." She chuckled quietly, glancing down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs. Drago was certainly attractive, which threw her off just a little bit. She wasn't expecting someone her age to become the next Fire Nation Ambassador, as the rest of the nation's Ambassador were all considerably older than her. "Do you know Fire Lord Zuko?" Kyana asked, ending her sentence with a welcoming smile. While the meeting had just started, Kyana had a feeling it was going better than the other meetings between previous officials. She was weary of the Fire Nation, but she couldn't take her anger from past actions on a man who had nothing to do with the crimes committed by the Fire Nation. All she had to do was attempt to rid the animosity between the Nations, and she thought it was going well. @Livewire

Livewire 10-Nov-21 04:58 PM

Drago grinned at her as she bowed, taking his seat across from her as soon as she took hers. The only thing separating them was about three feet’s worth of wood. The table was quite long, but it wasn’t very wide, which the man liked. Much easier to woo a woman when she was close. Now yes he was here for selfless reasons, but hey, you don’t meet a beautiful water bender woman every day. And she was picked by both the avatar and the greatest water bender in the world. She was definite strong, and that was something he immediately found attractive. “You could say that. The Fire Lord and I met when I was still in school. I was quite the fighter in school, but also a good talker. During one of my firebending competitions he watched, and after I won he said that I could take his uncle’s title of “dragon” one day if I kept it up. Naturally I was flattered, and started training harder. I graduated from the academy about a year ago, and I’ve been serving as an assistant since then. We don’t always agree, but I like to think he, well, likes me. That’s why I’m here after all.” He smiled at the woman as he took a pause before continuing. “Sounds like you’re quite the accomplished woman. I’m honoured to be in your presence. I’m just a humble fire bender, although I do have some tricks of my own…” he said, raising two fingers. Immediately a flicker of lightning came out from them before disappearing. The sharp grin and glint in his eyes remained though. “Anyhow I can show off for you later. For now, we’re here to do business. To bring peace between our nations. Any ideas, sweetheart?” (edited)

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 10-Nov-21 09:17 PM

Kyana listened intently as Drago spoke, smiling lightly. "Fire Lord Zuko definitely picked a good ambassador." Kyana complimented, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. Her eyes fixated on Dragos fingers as he raised them though, her eyes widened as she saw the small bolts of electricity leave his fingertips. "Oh my- You're a lightning bender?" Kyana locked eyes with him, both surprised and oddly excited. "I've barely met any Fire Benders, but a Lightning Bender? I've only heard about the subsets of the other Nations." Kyana smiled brightly, chuckling quietly. Quickly becoming embarrassed by her reaction, Kyana shook her head and clasped her hands together, interlocking her fingers. "I apologize, but yes, peace between nations." Kyana cleared her throat, pondering her thoughts. If she had to be honest, Kyana hadn't thought much about the situation. A part of her expected most of this to happen in Ba Sing Se, yet she realized that she would have to actually travel to Ba Sing Se with Drago, so it would be beneficial to begin peace talks at that moment. It was then that Dragos last comment had processed in her brain. Sweetheart. A light pink blush began to grow on her cheeks, the heat rising in her face. She quickly turned her head away, attempting to play it off as a small cough. "I- uh- I apologize, Drago." Kyana chuckled, scratching the back of her neck as she turned back to Drago. "I didn't expect peace talks to occur so soon, I thought this would just be a formal meeting." She shook her head, hoping she wouldn't disappoint him. @Livewire

Livewire 10-Nov-21 09:31 PM

Drago smelled blood in the water. Or rather he saw it, judging by the blush on Kyana's face that followed her amazement at his little display. He smiled brightly at her, and continued. "That's partially what drew the Firelord to me. Lightning benders are require. To even attempt it you need extreme precision, focus, and control over your emotions. All qualities that make a good negotiator, in his eyes at least. As far as that last bit, there's no need to apologize Kyana. Though I'm surprised. You sound like you were expecting future meetings. Not that I would mind a second date. Perhaps over tea and dumplings. I certainly think it would be good for....peace talks." His mischievous smile would suggest he was also personally invested in a second meeting as he put his open palm on the table almost like he was leaving it there for her to take if she wanted.

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Kyana BOT 24-Nov-21 05:51 PM

Kyana blushed viciously as Drago spoke, trying her best to stifle an embarrassed giggle. “Should things go well in this meeting, we have the entire trip to Ba Sing Se for tea and dumplings.” Kyana pointed out, looking down her hide her rosy cheeks once again. Exhaling slightly, Kyana brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear and looked up, noticing Dragos hand on the table. Not wanting to be rude, Kyana reached her own hand out. His skin was fire compared to hers, her hands cold from the water tribe air. She flinched slightly, before resting her hand down. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Drago. I do believe this meeting went very well. I hope we can continue these talks.” She said with a smile.

maryyelenorr 24-Nov-21 05:51 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 25-Nov-21 02:00 PM

The man was enjoying the sight of Kyana blushing like a woman on fire, and not just because he liked the colour red. But out of the corner of his eyes he saw something moving that took his attention to it. He was delighted to see it was her hand to take his, immediately feeling the difference in temperature and softness. Kyana's hand was much cooler and smooth, while his were more warm and calloused. He turned back as she finished talking, smiling happily at her. "The pleasure was all mine, Kyana. I'd say this meeting went pretty well. Even better than I could have hoped. This definitely won't be the last time we meet. You've made way too good an impression." He gave her hand a warm squeeze, and held on to it as he stood up from his seat, walking over to her and waiting to help her stand as well, the way a proper gentleman would.

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Kyana BOT 26-Nov-21 06:53 PM

Kyana smiled warmly as she watched Drago stand from his seat, their hands still laced together. The temperature difference between their hands was a fight for dominance, but it was over to quickly when Kyana stood, her hand falling to her side. The water tribe woman donned her coat once again, preparing for the cold air. “You’ve made an excellent first impression as well, Drago.” Kyana bowed. “I will go speak with Avatar Aang, but I believe we may be travelling to Ba Sing Se together soon.” Her voice was soft as she spoke. A small part of her hoped they would. The meeting went better than anyone could have hoped, Drago and Kyana seemed to get along famously, and while Kyana wouldn’t admit it, she did find his attractive. She stared at him for a moment, before shaking her head and taking herself out of her thoughts. “Ah, I should go find the Avatar.” She giggled, doing up her coat.

maryyelenorr 26-Nov-21 06:53 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 26-Nov-21 07:14 PM

Drago grinned at the woman, giving her a bow as their hands pulled apart. He had enjoyed this meeting more than he ever expected he would. And not just Kyana was wildly attractive. Something about the woman's personality drew him to her. She was sweet and kind, but he sensed something more. He found her irresistible, like a puzzle with a single piece missing. "Sounds good. I should go and speak to the Firelord. Fingers crossed we get to travel together. I'd like to see you again as soon as possible. Take care or yourself, sunshine. Looking forward to our next meeting." With that the man decided to give her one last parting gift. He took a deep breath and exhaled steadily. From his parted lips a thin stream of fire poured from his mouth, taking the form of a dragon that floated through the air, circling around the woman about a metre above her head. After a few seconds it dissipated. As he left, he hoped she enjoyed his little show. And that she was feeling the same stirring inside as he did.

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Kyana BOT 30-Nov-21 10:35 PM

Kyana watched in awe at the dragon that he made, staring up as she watched the fire flow beautifully above her. The colours mixed together perfectly, yellow to orange to red, colours that she rarely saw naturally. Just as fast as it showed up, it disappeared in front of her eyes. She turned to glance back at Drago, but saw that he had left already. Her eyes were wide, left in awe at what he had done. She exhaled slightly, shaking her head, a smile resting on her face. “Kyana! How did the meeting go?” Kyana turned to the door, seeing Avatar Aang. “It went very well!” She said happily, bowing for a moment before standing up straight. “I do believe you and the Firelord made a good choice.” She continued, walking to leave the meeting room with Aang. “I’m so glad to hear that, Kyana. I knew I chose well.” He smiled. “The next ambassador meeting will take place in Ba Sing Se. I will confer with Lord Zuko in a moment, but I believe you and Drago will be travelling together. Zuko has business to attend to before the meeting, as do I and Katara.” Aang explained. As they walked through the building, the two of them had passed by Zuko and Drago. Kyana glanced over for a moment, but immediately looked away as she felt the heat begin to rise to her cheeks once again. “Plus, a trip with you and Drago could be good. Get to know each other a bit more, maybe discuss some peace talks before the meeting.” Aang said, stopping and turning to Kyana. “I believe you two will get along famously, if the meeting really went as well as you said.”

maryyelenorr 30-Nov-21 10:35 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 01-Dec-21 02:57 PM

Drago walked out of the other side of the meeting place, spotting the royal phalanx not too far away along with the Firelord and his wife. He strode over to them proudly, a wide grin on his face. "So how did it go?" Zuko asked, eyeing the young man with a raised eyebrow. "You seem to be in a good mood, so I'm guessing it went well?" "Even better than that my Lord. The way me and that woman hit it off, I would have mistook her from being from our nation. That Kyana is a beauty like no other." The man spoke without hesitation, nor did he hide his feelings. It was clear he was enamoured with her. In response, Mai chuckled. "One meeting and he's already head over heels. Sounds like another firebender I know," she said, teasingly elbowing Zuko who just smirked. "In that case, you'll be happy to know that you might be sharing a ride with her to Ba Sing Se. You will meet other ambassadors there, as well as other nation leaders. I would love to accompany you and hear details of your first meeting, but myself and the Avatar have matters to discuss. I'm sure you won't mind though, judging by that look in your eye. Remember that these are peace talks. You're not hunting, 'Dragon.'" Drago feigned shock, shaking his head hard. "Of course not Sir! I am here for purely selfless reasons after all." "Neither of us believe that, but I'll give you benefit of the doubt. Now come, Mai and I will tell you of the planned travel route on the way back to the firenation." With that, the party left for home, with Drago grinning ear to ear thinking of the next time he would see that woman.

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Kyana BOT 01-Dec-21 09:28 PM

“…and we will see you in a week. We could accompany you back to the Southern Water Tribe, but we have business to attend to here in the Northern Tribe.” Katara spoke as she helped Kyana board the boat. “A ship will pick you up, but after you hit land again, it will most likely be just you and Drago. I tried to arrange better travel plans, but it seems everyone is tied up at the moment.” Katara sighed, but still smiled at Kyana. “Enjoy your trip.” And with that, Kyana made her way back home. Upon arriving, Kyana was bombarded with questions about her new position. She spent the week preparing for her journey, though most of it was spent thinking about Drago. As the week came to a close, Kyana stood with her tribe as she said her goodbyes. “I’ll be back soon enough. I have work to do.” She reassured the smaller children as the adults and elders wished her luck. The elders were still weary of the Fire nation, afraid of what would come of her during her travels. “The boat is here, good luck Kyana.”

maryyelenorr 01-Dec-21 09:28 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 02-Dec-21 03:10 PM

It had been about a week since his first meeting with Kyana, and ever since then the young dragon of the fire nation hadn't stopped thinking of her. He had been eagerly awaiting the next time he would see her. His hopes would be answered when the firelord informed him after a training session that he would be travelling with Kyana to Ba Sing Se. Alone. He was so excited when he heard, his body burst into flames. The day finally arrived, and Drago was dressed for the occasion. He was adorned in a warm maroon coloured cloak with silver fur, along with black boots and warm pants. He was dressed to impress, but also in functional clothes. At the docks he would be met by the firelord again, though Mai was not here. She was already preparing to leave in their own ship. "The peace talks have been going better than I thought. I have to admit, I didn't think it would go this well. You and Kyana seem to have hit it off pretty well. I'm curious....what do you think of her." Drago didn't say much, his confident grin hard to read. "She's...interesting. She's only seen me once and she's already been made a blushing mess. That's not a surprise, but the way she does it is different. I like it. Hopefully our travels to Ba Sing Se keep going well." The firelord laughed, rolling his eyes. "Hopefully. Now get going. Mai and I will be leaving soon. We'll meet again in the earth kingdom. If things go well, we'll celebrate at the Jasmine Dragon." "Count on it. Safe travels my Lord," Drago said, bowing to the man before shouldering his bag and walking to the waiting vessel.

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Kyana BOT 02-Dec-21 03:47 PM

Kyana stood on the main deck of the ship, watching the ship cut through the waves. “Kyana, are you excited for the journey?” A crew member had walked up to Kyana, striking up a conversation. Truthfully, she was excited. The first meeting with Drago went well, he was kind and charismatic, and she hoped the peace talks would go well. “We’ll be docking soon, and you’ll meet Mr. Firebreath there.” The crew member teased Kyana slightly. A blush rose to her cheeks once again, causing her to chuckle to try and hide her embarrassment. “Sounds good. Thank you.” Kyana said politely, bowing her head. Once the boat docked, Kyana said her thanks and got off the boat with her bag.

maryyelenorr 02-Dec-21 03:47 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 02-Dec-21 04:13 PM

Drago had enjoyed the trip, spending most of it either training, eating, or sleeping. The crew noticed this and made sure to note it. "Trying to get more muscular before you see your water nation date? I don't blame you, you're looking a bit fat, dragon," one men teased. Drago just laughed, rolling his eyes. "Fat or not, I could still kick your ass my friend. You're lucky I'm in a good mood. Just getting rid of some energy. Don't want to be all over the woman right when I see her. I have to warm her up slowly." "Such a gentleman," a female crew woman cooed. "I'm almost a bit envious of this woman. Don't know how she managed to catch your eye though. Unless you just watching her squirm." Drago shrugged. "That's a nice plus. Truth be told, I don't know exactly why either. There's just something about her." As he said that, the ship reached the docks, the crew scattering to get the ship docked. Before they had done so though, Drago leapt off the side of the ship, two bursts of fire erupting form his feet as he flew to solid ground. Despite his attempts to expel energy on the voyage, he was itching to meet that woman again and charm her pants off.

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Kyana BOT 02-Dec-21 10:48 PM

Kyana had reached the docks before Drago, and spent the time waiting playing with the kids. Some were Earthbenders, trying their best to build small statues to impress Kyana. The others were playing a game of tag, running around and laughing. Kyana had shed her heavy coat and opted for a more traditional water tribe dress, the blue fabric hugging her figure. As she saw the boat pull in, she stood up from where she was kneeling. As she glanced over at the large boat, she saw Drago land on the ground, the fire dissipating from beneath his feet. A bright smile formed on her face, a chuckle leaving her lips. “Drago, it’s nice to see you again.” Kyana said as she jogged towards him. “Are you prepared for this journey?” She smiled, clasping her hands in front of her waist.

maryyelenorr 02-Dec-21 10:48 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 03-Dec-21 10:11 AM

The children who had been playing turned their attention to the man flying on fire that landed a few meters away. Some of them had shock and awe on their faces, others ran and hid behind Kyana as he approached. He didn’t appear menacing judging by his happy grin, but his pointed eyes and the power he had shown would rightly scare some. “Ready? Lady I’ve been more than ready for a week. I’ve been looking forward to this since I got the news from the Firelord. And likewise. It’s good to see you as well. You look even more beautiful than last time. And you seem to have an entourage,” he said with a chuckle, referring to the children hiding behind her legs, some of them peeking out to look at him.

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Kyana BOT 03-Dec-21 11:48 AM

Kyana laughed as she turned to look at the children hiding behind her legs. “Hey, it’s okay.” She stepped aside and leaned down, bringing herself to their level. “This is my friend, Drago.” Kyana reassured the children as she smiled up at Drago. “He’s a good guy, I promise.” She winked at the children, standing up once again. The shore was bustling with kids and adults alike, some working, some playing, others just relaxing as they watched the boats dock and leave. The breeze was cool, fresh air filling Kyanas lungs as she took a deep breath. “You’re looking quite handsome yourself, Drago.” She smiled, turning to look at the kids who ran to continue playing. “I’m quite excited for this trip.” Kyana admitted, her eyes gazing towards the ground beneath her feet.

maryyelenorr 03-Dec-21 11:48 AM

@Livewire

Livewire 03-Dec-21 01:03 PM

The children were still a bit antsy around Drago but they listened to Kyana, running enough to play and leaving the adults alone. “You’re much better with children than I am. Not that I’m bad, but children prefer someone softer. Unfortunately I’m not much for that,” he admitted with a laugh. He grinned a bit wider at her compliment, showing off his pearly whites. “You flatter me. Be careful, I have more than enough pride as it is.” He then noted her looking down at the ground. Without hesitation he closed the distance between them, striding forward until he was a foot away from her. “Hey, my eyes are up here sweetheart,” he said in a warm, strong voice, gently putting his right pointer finger under her chin and tilting her head up so she would be looking him in the eyes. Easy enough seeing as how the pair of them were the same height. “Fair warning: I’m going to be enjoying the sight of you more than the scenery on the way to the earth kingdom. Hope you don’t mind,” he said with a mischievous glint in his golden yellow eyes.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 03-Dec-21 06:45 PM

Kyana, once again, as per usual, blushed furiously as she felt Dragos finger beneath her chin. Her head was tilted upwards just slightly, looking at him with wonder in her eyes. She stumbled over her own words for a moment, stammering as she stared at Drago. “I- uh- hehe-“ Kyana giggled slightly, shaking her head. “Drago..” She said, biting her lips slightly. “Kyana! Are you leaving soon!” A child ran up, tugging slightly on her dress. Taking a step back, Kyana leaned down to talk to the little girl. “Yes, I will be leaving soon. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Kyana pushed a few strands of hair behind the girls ear. “But I had a great time, thank you for keeping me company.” She smiled brightly. “Is he your boyfriend?” Kyana stopped for a moment, looking up at Drago for some help. “Oh- I- no-“ She shook her head, laughing.

maryyelenorr 03-Dec-21 06:45 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 03-Dec-21 07:19 PM

Drago smiled at the woman, gently moving his hand from her chin before turning his attention to the child. He gave them a warm look as well, but that look quickly gave way to bear hysterical laughing at that ‘boyfriend’ question. “No, not yet. Maybe one day if I’m lucky, and if she can handle heat. She’s looking a little warm in the face though. I’d be happy to cool her off though,” he said, blowing in her ear lightly as he walked by, shouldering his bag. “Now come on sunshine! Let’s get moving eh? Our transport should be close by!”

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 03-Dec-21 08:17 PM

Kyana stood up, grabbing her bags and saying her goodbyes to the kids. “Hey, Drago, wait up!” Kyana yelled out with a smile, jogging up to fall in line beside Drago. “I am… not used to all the warmth. I don’t leave the southern water tribe all that much, if ever.” Kyana said mindlessly, adjusting the fabric of her dress as she walked along.

maryyelenorr 03-Dec-21 08:17 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 04-Dec-21 07:54 AM

Drago grinned at the woman chasing after him. It was a nice feeling that he couldn't explain. The idea of being the hunter, and yet he was being pursued. It was a nice irony. "Well then I'm sorry to hear that, because I'm known for my warmth. If you prefer I can try and keep my distance. Though it will be hard to resist a woman like you," he teased, though this time he smiled honestly when looking at her. "Your dress is nice by the way. I've noticed that the water nation tribes always dress gracefully. The fire nation is more suited towards functionality. Looks a little too army-like if you ask me. No wonder the nations are still tense around us," he said with a chuckle. However despite his joking nature, the look on his face became a bit softer, more...sad almost. It was only for a moment though. The man knew enough to keep up a strong poker face.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 04-Dec-21 03:20 PM

“I have noticed the stark differences between the nations clothing choices. Of course, our tribes have had a different meaning for ‘functionality’ for over 100 years now, which is understandable.” Kyana said, looking over at Drago. She caught just the slightest glimpse of a falter in his normally strong and confident image. She didn’t pry though, not wanting to focus on what could have simply been a misread on her part. “As for the heat, I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Us Water Nation women are strong as well, as you’ll come to learn soon.” Kyana said politely, only half joking. She adjusted the pack on her shoulder as she continued walking alongside Drago, glancing up at him every now and again. “I wonder where our transport is.” Kyana wondered out loud.

maryyelenorr 04-Dec-21 03:21 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 04-Dec-21 04:42 PM

"I'm looking forward to it. I like a strong woman, and you certainly seem to be just that. Maybe after we reach Ba Sing Se and have some free time we can arrange a friendly spar. Any woman selected by both the Avatar and the most powerful waterbender currently alive must be quite the opponent. I'd love to see your power for myself," he said happily. He looked at her a few times as well, not hiding it in the slightest. He enjoyed the sight of her after all. "Not sure. Are we waiting for a carriage or something? Maybe a pair of horses?"

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 04-Dec-21 06:33 PM

“I’ve never really used my water bending to spar before…” Kyana pondered the thought for a moment, before turning to Drago with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind trying it out though! I’m always open to new experiences.” She said, pushing back some of her hair. As they continued walking, Kyana could feel Dragos eyes on her, looking at her every so often. “I’m not quite sure? If I remember correctly, I think a carriage?” Kyana said, stopping in her tracks and looking around. “Living in the south, I never learned how to ride a horse, so I’m really hoping I don’t have to learn on the spot today.” Her voice was slightly nervous, but still happy.

maryyelenorr 04-Dec-21 06:33 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 04-Dec-21 07:01 PM

Drago raised an eyebrow at her. Never sparred? The thought was alien to him. For as long as he could walk and throw a coordinated punch he had been sparring. And in the fire nation it was more than just combat training. It was a way of forming friendships, of courting, of meditation and stress relief. It was therapeutic. It reminded him of the differences between his nation and others. "Well in that case I'd be happy to teach you some moves. You look strong enough to hold your own, that's for sure. As far as our transport goes I-" Before he could finish his thought, a pair of dark brown horses would come into view, emerging from the path leading through the forest. Attached to it would be a fine carriage made of wood. "Well there we go," the man chuckled, walking towards it while waving at the man driving the carriage. "Come on, let's get a move on Kyana. Don't want to keep the others waiting for us."

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 04-Dec-21 07:10 PM

Kyana quickly followed Drago into the carriage, looking at the craftsmanship of it. “Wow, this is quite… grand?” She chuckled as she sat down in the comfortably plush seat. The woman had set her bag down on the ground and leaned back, looking out the small window as the carriage began the start of their journey. “As for sparring, I would be delighted if you could teach me some moves eventually.” Kyana smiled. Sparring was pretty much unheard of in the Southern Water Tribe. She learned basic defence, but never sparred with anyone else before. Her bending was used more for healing than injuring. It was a stark difference between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes, just another example of how past reconciliation efforts didn’t go well. Kyana was determined to work with Drago though. She wanted to be sure that these new efforts would go well, and so far, they had. “I wonder how long the journey will be. I’m not sure how far Ba Sing Se is, but we can use this time to enjoy some rest before we’re thrown into the crazy schedule of being an ambassador.” Kyana laughed quietly, her eyes fixated on the foliage that passed by in the carriage window.

maryyelenorr 04-Dec-21 07:10 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 05-Dec-21 01:12 PM

"I'll say. Looks like they're going all out for us. Not that you deserve anything less," the man said sweetly as he followed her into the carriage, sitting beside her but leaving her room. As the carriage began to move he glanced over at her a few times, admiring her. "I'm not sure how long it'll take either. But hey, feel free to sleep if you want. You can lay down on me if you like, I may not be the softest guy in the world, but I'm more than warm enough to keep you comfortable," he said in a teasing tone. He was serious though. If she wanted to lay down on him or even rest her head on his shoulder he didn't mind.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 05-Dec-21 05:25 PM

Kyanas gaze landed on Drago, a warm smile forming on her face. “I guess the boat ride here wasn’t exactly the most comfortable. The waves were terrible today, I could barely get a nap in.” She explained, although she was unsure why. Why did she feel the need to explain the fact she wanted a nap? Kyana shook her head and looked at Drago again, exhaling her worries away. Without another word, Kyana moved her bag onto the seat opposite of them, leaving room for Kyana to rest her head in Dragos lap and curl up on the seat. “Wow, this is comfortable.” Kyana half joked, a small smile resting on her lips. Her left hand rested beneath her head as a makeshift pillow, her right hand relaxing on his knee. The carriage was a bit more bumpy than she expected, but she closed her eyes in hopes that she could get a small nap in.

maryyelenorr 05-Dec-21 05:25 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 06-Dec-21 03:47 PM

Drago chuckled at the woman as she laid her head on his lap, tossing his bag to the side so she would have more room. He then put a hand in her hair, running his fingers through the dark, smooth strands. "Sleep well, sweetheart. You'll need your energy for the meeting in Ba Sing Se. It should be fun," he whispered cheerfully while rubbing her scalp tenderly.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 06-Dec-21 05:27 PM

Kyana had quickly fallen asleep, enjoying the soothing feeling of Dragos hand in her hair. Surprisingly, his lap made for a very comfortable pillow. Yet, she didn’t get to sleep very long. The carriage ride was something she wasn’t quite used to yet, and so, Kyana woke up a half hour later. Her eyes fluttered open, her head still resting in his lap. She exhaled quietly. “How long has it been?” Her voice was groggy, obviously still half asleep.

maryyelenorr 06-Dec-21 05:27 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 07-Dec-21 02:46 PM

Drago enjoyed the feeling of the woman resting on his lap, so much so that he began to doze off himself, his head laid back against the wall of the carriage. However he kept himself partially awake just in case Kyana awoke. Sure enough, after about half an hour, Kyana spoke groggily. In response the man opened his eyes and looked down at her with a grin, stroking her head again. "Only about thirty minutes sunshine? Something wrong? Not comfortable enough? If you want I can give you a shoulder rub or something. Maybe you're a little too tense."

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 07-Dec-21 02:57 PM

Kyana sat up slowly, rubbing her tired eyes as she yawned quietly. “This carriage isn’t exactly the most comfortable.” Kyana chuckled as she stretched out her arms. She looked over at Drago, flashing a reassuring smile. “I didn’t realize how bumpy this ride would be.” Glancing out the small window of the carriage, Kyana rubbed her eyes. It was still early afternoon, the sun high in the sky. “I think it would be a bit more comfortable if I could stretch my body out. Sleeping in a ball isn’t the best.” Kyana half joked, leaning back in her seat. She rested her head against the wall of the carriage, yawning as her body battled between the choices of going back to sleep and waking up.

maryyelenorr 07-Dec-21 02:57 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 08-Dec-21 03:36 PM

Drago nodded in agreement at her review of the carriage, putting his feet up on the wooden bench across from where the two of them were sitting. He chuckled at her joke a bit as well, watching her laying down on the bench, but he shook his head at her posture choice. "You're going to give yourself a nasty crick in the neck if you sleep like that. Here, let me help," he said, gently grasping her shoulders and pulling her down so she was laying her head on his lap again while he began to massage them. His face hovered above hers, the man appearing to be upside down and grinning while he worked. "Sleep, sunshine. I'll wake you when it's time."

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 08-Dec-21 08:24 PM

Kyana laughed quietly as Drago pulled her down. She stared up at him, smiling warmly as she gazed into his eyes. There was something about him, it was different than what she expected from someone from the Fire Nation. It was sweet. She loved it. Her eyes fluttered shut, too tired to argue that she wanted to stay awake and spend time with him. “Okay, okay.” She said, squirming momentarily to get a bit more comfortable. “You’re cute.” She said, a small laugh escaping past her lips. Kyana had quickly fallen asleep, her body relaxing against his, her head lolling to the side in his lap.

maryyelenorr 08-Dec-21 08:25 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 09-Dec-21 02:46 PM

Drago chuckled at her compliment, his already large ego inflating even more. “Tell me something I don’t know sweetheart,” he teased, continuing to massage her as she fell asleep. He felt something stirring in his heart when he saw her sleeping face. She looked so peaceful. It made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. He gently stopped massaging her and leaned back against the carriage as it continuing rolling along, though one of his hands did drift to hair, his fingers running through her hair idly for the rest of the trip to Ba Sing Se.

@maryyelenorr (feel free to timeskip to when they arrive)

Kyana BOT 09-Dec-21 10:09 PM

Kyana didn’t know just how long had passed. She slept silently the whole time, her dreams distant and forgettable. She stayed still in Dragos lap, but jolted when she felt the carriage come to a stop. Her eyes shot open, and she sat up quickly. “What?” She asked, her mind still waking up. The woman glanced out the window, squinting in a feeble attempt to block the light from the setting sun. The beautiful image of the city of Ba Sing Se laid in front of her, eliciting a smile from her. She quickly turned in her seat to face Drago, seeing him asleep. “Drago, we’re here.” She whispered, lightly shaking his shoulder. The door of the carriage opened, and Kyana turned to see the carriage driver standing there with a smile on his face. “Welcome to the city of Ba Sing Se.”

maryyelenorr 09-Dec-21 10:09 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 11-Dec-21 02:18 PM

Though the man had tried to stay awake for as long as possible, eventually he too succumbed to tiredness and promptly passed out. When they reached the earth kingdom city he was snoring, mouth open and head resting against the back of the carriage. It took a bit of rousing by Kyana to make his eyes crack open, the man shaking his head as he emerged from the carriage, bowing lightly to the driver. He then turned to Kyana with a grin, rubbing his eyes clear. “That wasn’t too bad a trip. Hope you were comfortable sunshine. Now then, let’s get going. I’d hate to keep the avatar and the firelord waiting,” he said, gently taking one of her hands and walking with her.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 11-Dec-21 06:48 PM

Kyana smiled widely as they emerged from the carriage. She thanked the driver once again before inquiring about the luggage. “We will drop it off where you will be staying.” The carriage driver reassured Kyana. She wasn’t used to such service, always doing things herself. “Okay, thank you.” She quickly bowed politely. Just as she was about to follow Drago, she felt his hand intertwine with hers. The heat from just the small touch overtook her whole body, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Always the shy woman. Her body relaxed quickly, giving a small but noticeable squeeze before walking alongside Drago. The Earth Kingdom was beautiful. Kyana had never been there before, so she tried to take in as much of the imagery as she could while they walked. It was obvious how mesmerized she was by Ba Sing Se, her eyes constantly darting around. “Wow.” She exhaled quietly, her voice barely audible. “This is amazing.”

maryyelenorr 11-Dec-21 06:48 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 12-Dec-21 07:40 AM

Drago chuckled at the woman's shy expression, followed by her awe of the city. She was cute. Far too cute to have hit it off with a rogue like him, but perhaps there was more to hear than meets the eye. "It certainly is. After this meeting I'd love to see the Jasmine Dragon. They say the firelord set up the teashop with his uncle before they joined forces with the Avatar. Said to be the best tea in the world." As they walked, they would notice a pair of carriages outside of a large building, one white and one red. Drago could guess who they belonged to. "I'm guessing that means the Firelord and Avatar are here. Come, let's not keep them waiting," he said to her with a grin, picking up his walking pace as he held her hand, the pair walking up to the large doors and pushing them open to enter.

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 12-Dec-21 05:51 PM

The Jasmine Dragon, Kyana had heard of it in passing, but never really knew the story behind it. She was happy that Drago had brought it up, as she also wanted to go check it out. Her attention turned to the large building in front of them. The horse drawn carriages sat in front, empty, signalling that the passengers were already inside. Kyana felt a pit form in her stomach as she walked up the steps with Drago, all her fears and anxieties taking over at once. What if I’m not a good ambassador? What if I make things worse between the nations? What if I make Avatar Aang regret picking me? Kyana desperately tried to keep herself calm, it was just the first meeting. The Avatar chose her for a reason, and things seemed to be going well for Kyana and Drago at that point. She exhaled quietly, shaking her head. Anxiety, that’s all it was. As the door opened to the large building, they were met with the sights of the Nations officials, all considerably older than them. Kyana mindlessly gripped Dragos hand a bit harder as the attention turned to the new Water Tribe and Fire Nation Ambassadors. She never exactly did well with being the centre of attention, but it seemed like Kyana would have to get used to it quickly. “Kyana, Drago, how was the journey here?” Avatar Aang said as he walked up the pair. His eyes flickered down to their hands, then back up at Kyana and Drago. “Im assuming it went well?”

maryyelenorr 12-Dec-21 05:51 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 14-Dec-21 05:47 PM

Drago was grinning wide as he entered the building. He loved when all the other ambassadors turned around to face him and Kyana. The man never shied away from eyes locked on him. In fact he seemed to grow in presence when the attention was on him. He did turn to glance at Kyana who did not look like she was having fun. He felt bad. And then immediately resolved to make her feel better. Without a word he took her hand and walked up to the Avatar, bowing respectfully and then nodding. “It was great. Kyana is an excellent travel companion. I can see why you chose her, Avatar.”

@maryyelenorr

Kyana BOT 21-Dec-21 02:28 PM

The conversations around them resumed as they began speaking with the Avatar. It helped her anxieties decrease, along with Dragon beside her, she was a bit more calm. Kyana bowed in tandem with Drago, smiling warmly as she stood up straight. “Drago, you flatter me.” Kyana laughed lightly before turning back to Aang. “The journey here was excellent, Avatar Aang.” Kyanas voice was soft, but there was still a slight hint of sleepiness in her voice. She cleared her throat quietly before putting back on her smile. “So, Avatar, what is the plan for today?”

maryyelenorr 21-Dec-21 02:28 PM

@Livewire

Livewire 23-Dec-21 06:45 PM

The avatar regarded the pair with a slightly raised eyebrow, moreso at the fire nation ambassador. In all honesty he hadn't expected the pair of them to get along this well. Judging by the way Drago spoke, Aang could easily see why the Firelord had selected him. The young man was quite charming when he wanted to be, and it seemed to be working on Kyana. "We've gathered all the amassadors to greet one another, and then after a brief meeting you are all free to leave and do as you please. We invite you all to mingle and build relationships with eachother. As such we don't wish to intrude or force you to sit through a lecture. Besides, I wouldn't want you all falling asleep. Some of you sound like you're already a bit drowsy," he said with a chuckle while glancing at Kyana knowingly.

@maryyelenorr