The Silent War

[Marik]

[[Copy/paste ftw!]]

Shai Tan glanced over at the impertinent Kari. She was walking rather quickly down the path to a very slow and painful death, but he kept his face expertly blank, showing not even a scrap of the anticipation of tearing the woman inside out.


He nodded at Sanaki's explanation, and then moved to begin securing the hatch for submersion.

[[5 1/2 hours left, Az. Might want to hurry.]]

[Tera253]

[hmm... been more than 5 1/2 hours...]

Sanaki, however, was not intending to go to sleep just yet. She was simply closing her eyes--though this actually made no difference to her. it just meant that anyone who saw her that did not know she was already blind would not know that she was avidly 'watching' her surroundings.

She wasn't developing a liking for this Kari woman. hopefully her skills weren't as haphazard as her attitude.
~Sanaki~

[Marik]

[[Sorry, I got caught out and it took a bit longer than I had anticipated.]]

Shrugging his shoulders, Shai Tan reached up and secured the hatch on the submersible vessel. He nodded to the team of water benders who stood along the sides of the ship and they began to bend in unison, pulling the ship down and propelling it through the water.

As he took his seat near the front of the vehicle, he flexed his right hand into a tight fist. It was healing up nicely and should not hamper his necessary movements in the least. He settled in for the journey.

[Tera253]

[nah, it's fine. I wound up staying about an hour and a half later at work than I expected to as well.

oh, and I forgot to mention. yes, copy/paste FTW ^^ kudos. (2)]

Sanaki stood up this time, only to "get a look around". her senses had shown her much of the surrounding area, but now she was going to wander around a bit--only to find out what it was like. She wasn't going to poke around--though if anyone wanted to get after her for poking around, she might share a few choice words with them.

[just a post to see what the sub is like. if Shai Tan wants to strike up a talk with her, that'd be great as well. (not hinting anything though)]
~Sanaki~

[azularulz15]

[I've been gone too long apparently, oh well i'll wait for an opening. I got sick and then had a lot of make up work so that i wasn't failing, blah, blah]

[Marik]

The sub was not very big, really just the passenger compartment, which was occupied by the three assassins, and then the main compartment which was where the water benders propelled and guided the ship. That's all there was to the thing.

Neither was the trip very long, so only about an hour later, the main waterbender announced their arrival on Earth Kingdom shores. They carefully brought the ship up and into the shallow water where it could sit on the bottom and still have the hatch above water. Gratefully, Shai Tan climbed out of the submersible and jumped down into the water. After a quick wade to shore, and one sharp motion with his hand, he was completely dry and on his way to the nearest city, where his target was located.

[Tera253]

Sanaki emerged from the hatch as well, using her senses to survey her surroundings. She was not about to take to the water, as she could not dry herself off when she was done, and being wet would make her look sloppy and not respectable. Moreover, she was not a swimmer. Even if the water wasn't very deep Sanaki still hated getting wet, and her senses were more difficult to use properly in the water.

flaring up her wrists, she lunged, using the flames on her hands as a boost to keep her above the water. seconds later, she had landed gently as a leaf on the shore, still completely dry. She acted like nothing had happened, as it was nothing out of the ordinary anyways.

[OOC--flying, sort of. think jet-powered Azula.]
~Sanaki~

[Marik]

Arako returned the woman’s bow. After all, he wasn’t an officer or anything like that. He had just been given a special duty, due to how he chose to waterbend.

“The Red Patriot, huh? I guess I can see why,” he said, grinning slightly and glancing down at her clothes. For some odd reason, he noticed that he was speaking much more to her than he normally did to strangers. That was strange.

“So how long have you and your friends here been in the Northern Tribe?” he asked, nodding towards the other soldiers.

[Tera253]

“The Red Patriot, huh? I guess I can see why,”

"aye," Katara replied. She had almost always dressed in red, though her favorite color was actually blue. her reasoning was mostly because of her bending discipline, and her clothes were similar to those her father had worn before he, like the rest of her family, had disappeared. Katara had had a very close relationship with her father, though physically, she looked like her mother, only her eyes were golden, her hair was darker and her skin was tan instead of the usual dark of the Water Tribe.

She was not much of a social woman, and anyone could tell that she was slightly shy, as she seldom made eye contact. However, her confident words could easily show that she was not hiding anything, because she wasn't. She was here to defend the Water Tribes.

“So how long have you and your friends here been in the Northern Tribe?”

"We've been here a few weeks," Katara replied, "though I don't believe things are going to remain this peaceful for much longer."
She glanced around, not to try and end the conversation, because even now, the northern Water Tribe was still quite different from her homeland.

"and how about you?" she asked curiously. "how long have you lived here?"

~Katara~

[Nev]

Kari woke with the main water benders voice bellowing into the passengers compartment. Shai Tan and Sanaki quickly shot out of the hatch, and after a few moments Kari followed. She jumped out and landed on the water, using water bending to keep herself a float. She didn't like wetting her feet for no reason. As she ran to the shore a dripping sound rippled the water each time she brought her feet up. When her feet hit the earthy sand she sighed.

She followed Shai Tan as he ran towards the city, Sanaki was infront, Kari didn't really care. Only taking in her surroundings and listening for any anomolies she unconciously followed Shai Tan

[Tera253]

[Sanaki was following Shai Tan, Nev. she should be with them. just a heads-up.]
~Ty Lee~

[Marik]

Shai Tan glanced back over his shoulder at the departing submersible boat. The waterbenders were pulling the water up around the ship so that it could float back out to sea. There went the escape route. A small grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. The pieces were slowly starting to fall into place.

He turned back around and continued on to the small city in which the general was supposed to be stationed. This could go one of several ways, a few of which were more than profitable for him.

He turned to Kari and quickly said, “How would you like to show Sanaki and me just what you can do?” he asked. “I will let you hit the general and Sanaki and I will watch your back and keep the exit clear.” This could work.

************************************************************

“And how about you?" she asked curiously. "how long have you lived here?" Katara asked.

“I’ve lived here all my life. I was living here with my family, but they all died in the war,” he responded, his voice trailing off and his hand dropping to a small pouch on the back of his belt. He blinked, his eyes seeming to refocus on the present. “Sorry,” he muttered, his cheeks coloring slightly. He had not meant to say anything like that to this practical stranger, but his brother had forced his way back into his mind. His hand, though, remained on the pouch.

“Uh, so do you know when you all are going to be sent out? Are you going to be deployed to the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation?”

[Tera253]

[OOC--I could have posted something for Sanaki, but it would probably just have been "Sanaki stuck with Shai Tan" or something short like that, so, I'll just let things play their part for now.]

[OOC2--just curious... who does Arako's family consist of?]
“I’ve lived here all my life. I was living here with my family, but they all died in the war,”

Katara actually raised her eyebrows.
"wow," she remarked, "you too?"
though her cheeks gained a pinkish hue as she had realized that things had just become slightly--just slightly, awkward.

“Sorry,”he said.
"don't be," Katara replied calmly. "I know what losing family to the war is like. I had parents and an older brother that I lost."

thankfully though, before she had to elaborate, he changed the subject.

“Uh, so do you know when you all are going to be sent out? Are you going to be deployed to the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation?”
"I think the Earth Kingdom," Katara replied, "but I'm not entirely sure. That might just be my hopes, seeing as I'm not too fond of hot climates in the summer."

[and a few more OOC notes--what time of year is it? because the season affects Katara's levels of power and consequently, control.
and of course, wherever Arako is going to be is probably where I'll keep Katara, as splitting Playable Characters off to be on their own generally makes things mroe difficult to keep track of--in my opinion at least. just my thoughts.]

~Katara~

[Nev]

Kari popped put of her own world. Shai Tan was talking to her like she hadn't been on a mission before. With a quick draw of her knife she burst forward with immense speed. She flew past Shai Tan, speaking as her face passed his.

"I can show you what I got, as long as you don't talk to me like I am a child."

As Kari ran even faster ehr ponytail whipped into the air. The lights of the town were infront of her within ten minutes, she wasn't out of breath but was slightly tired. The first building she was approaching was a residential building, the lights were off and simple whispering from a couple could be heard. Kari silently stopped at the back of the house, flattening her body against the wooden wall making no sound. She waited for the others.

[Tera253]

Sanaki did not need to be next to Kari to hear what she said. her keen ears picked up just about anything she wanted them to.

"I can show you what I got, as long as you don't talk to me like I am a child."

"The only people I treat like children," said Sanaki sweetly, "are children and those who act the part. you should not have to worry."

though what Sanaki's real thoughts on the matter were... were still to be seen.
~Sanaki~

[Marik]

Shai Tan shook his head as Kari dashed ahead. She did not even know what the man looked like. “I’ll stop treating you like a child when you stop acting like one,” he muttered when she was several meters further down the road. Sanaki might have heard him, but he did not care.

Perhaps just to irk the woman, he took his time in getting into the city, arriving at the house where she had ensconced herself several minutes after she had already gotten there. “Kari, what are you doing?” he calmly and quietly asked. “The general does not live here. He lives there.” He pointed over his shoulder at a walled compound with three visible sentries patrolling the walls.

“Kari, assassin of the Order of the White Lotus, take your kill.” He nodded to her to signify that, whenever she was ready, she could begin her mission. He folded his arms over his chest and watched her expectantly.

************************************************************************************************

[[Re: OOC2—Arako’s family consisted of his father and mother and younger brother. His parents died quite a while back, but his brother was a recent death. If you’ll notice the pouch that I mentioned in my last post, there is something very precious to Arako in the pouch and he would likely kill to protect it. It belonged to his brother, and that is all that I’m going to say about it at this time. Doc, no telling what it is.]]
Arako pursed his lips when Katara mentioned that her family had been killed by the Fire Nation as well.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said sincerely.

“I think the Earth Kingdom, but I’m not entirely sure. That might just be my hopes, seeing as I’m not too find of hot climates in the summer,” Katara said, regarding where she was going.

“Oh? I am being assigned to the Earth Kingdom as well. We have a Field Commander and his last body guard was killed, so I am being sent down to cover that position. With any luck at all, we should be on the same boat. I am only aware of the ship that is taking me making any runs to the front lines any time soon.”

[Tera253]

[OOC-it might have been EK instead of FN that killed her family. I never made that clear, so it's not a big deal at this point.]
[and on the note of special items, I think Katara had something, but I can't seem to remember. maybe she didn't. if it comes up, I'll let you know. One thing that is easily noticable is that she keeps her clothes (they're just the ones she has on in my image) in very neat condition. They seem to mean something to her]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said sincerely.
"it's what happens in war," Katara replied. "I hate it, personally, but alas, little can be done by one woman alone."

[b]“Oh? I am being assigned to the Earth Kingdom as well. We have a Field Commander and his last body guard was killed, so I am being sent down to cover that position. With any luck at all, we should be on the same boat. I am only aware of the ship that is taking me making any runs to the front lines any time soon.”[/b

"ah," Katara replied, "then perhaps we can get to know each other a little better come that time. Though I was sent more as a warrior, and combat is one of my fortes."

[OOC2--I had trouble decihpering that sentence. that "only" seems like it should be a "not", or perhaps some other message is being conveyed. will edit if needed.]



~Katara~

[Marik]

[[Yes, it was a little bit awkward. I realized this as I was typing it, but couldn't think of a way to change it. Basically, the only ship that Arako has heard of that is leaving the North Pole and sailing to the Earth Kingdom anytime soon is the one that he will be on. And speaking of terrible sentences, five points for ending mine with a preposition!]]

[Tera253]

[OOC--and so it's not going to the front lines, I take it?
...and here I go starting a sentence with "and"... =P]

~Ty Lee~

[Nev]

Kari scoffed at the annoying partner, she may not know what he looks like but that was his fault for not expalining better, she gave him enough time in the sub. The smug remark of where the General lived was also wasted, she knew that, and was getting into the shadows, a key thing when being an assassin. As Shai Tan pointed towards the compound Kari started bending.

Using her skills she moved a slither of water along the ground, like a stealthy snake in the night. She bended it towards a lone patroller, she waited as his collegues went out of site and made her moved. The stream of water puddled at the mans feet, it took him a few seconds to notice his feet getting wet. She immediatly flicked her hands up and the water moved with it. As the column reached the mans head she fitted it to the man's figure, freezing him solid. Kari turned to Sanaki and Shai Tan.

"Can I trust you two to incapacitate the others, I think working together will get me home quicker." Kari said, taking her knife out as she prepared to move forward.

[Marik]

[[@Doc: Take your time with the kill. Take two or three posts to give Tera and I time to "incapacitate" the guards in your way.]]

Shai Tan watched the woman's technique of bending and how she chose to deal with the lone guard. Her style was mostly orthodox, especially for an assassin. That was a good thing for him. With one sharp motion, he created a diagonal stress fracture which soon splintered, impaling the man in several places. Thick red blood began to ooze down from the crack.

"Of course you can," Shai Tan said, dipping a slight bow and completely ignoring his kill. When he straightened, a slight grin pulled at the corner of his mouth.

Perfect.

********************************

"Then we probably will be seeing quite a bit of each other. I am usually deployed to the front lines, due to how I bend." A small smile quirked Arako's mouth into a boyishly charming smile. "See, I am a purely defensive waterbender. Sometimes I do attack, but only as a follow-through for a block. The commanders like to station me near important people on the field while they are safe behind their barricades." He shrugged at his own explanation. He had never liked people who hid from combat for any reason.

[Tera253]

"Aye," Sanaki re[plied to Kari's question. appearing out of nowhere, about 2 seconds later, her target was dead, having had his throat slit by an invincible pair of blades. These blades, as well as their owner reappeared again when Sanaki sheathed them, and stopped next to Shai Tan. He and Kari were the ones on thi mission--She had simply decided to tag along.

though unlike most tagalongs, Sanaki was no nuisance. If anything, she was the opposite.
[OOC note--Sanaki's blades are not invisible or magical at all. it was just her stealth and all, and my choice of words]
*****************************
Katara smirked at his explanation. it was, in essence, a smile, but because of the way Katara's face was built, and her normal stony expression which she almost always carried, it looked more like a smirk than a smile. If she wished to change it, it would just require a bit of time.

"defensive, huh?" she remarked, "that makes us seem a bit more alike than I first thought. I guess you could call me a rare breed, as I'm a defensive bender as well. I'm pretty sure that I've picked it up from my Water Tribe Nationality, but also because I find my energy easier to control when I'm defending instead of attacking."

She was not going to elaborate on what her bending disorder was jsut yet, but if he asked, she probably would.
~Katara~

[Nev]

Kari dropped from the wall, somehow she silenced her large boots. Another quick scan to suppport the one made from the top of the wall. The guards weren't around yet, they must be making rounds somewhere else. Kari drew three quick knives ready for if someone were to spot her. A partially crouched position was her selection of movement and she sneked quickly towards the generals own building.

A two story building stood in the middle of the barracks, the lower area for meetings and planning, the top floor was the general's living area. Each corridor, each corner, each door had a guard posted there. The plumpish general liked to be safe.

One entrance had two guards outside, another inside and a ten more throughout the ground floor. Kari needed a way to incapacitate them without the general noticing, his bedroom light was still on. One way to not draw attention but also to take twenty five guards out at once.

'A huge tidel wave, no that's silly, too much attention' Kari thought as she crouched in a alcove of shadows. How could she get in without being noticed. Her eye's darted to the building again, it was raised on large wooden sticks. They held the building up, so it didn't flood.

Perfect

Now all she needed was a discreet weapon she could use while underneath the building. A light burst on in her head and she started bending. Rain began to fall, first a slight drizzle then a down pour. Curses could be heard form the guards caught out in the rain and as they ran about Kari waited. Soon the small space under the building was layered with water. Kari dashed towards the space as the guards went inside, sliding under and crouching so that she could fit. She searched for a hatch to pop up from, or at least a grate.

[Marik]

[[normally, I would question the weather bending, but since it works into my little plan, I'll go with it.]]

Shai Tan watched as the girl disappeared over the wall and into the compound. Could it really be going this perfectly? With one glance over to his blind companion, he was sure that she was on the same page as he was. He couldn't have said why, just something in her face made him think that she understood his plan implicitly.

He waited for a ten count once Kari was over the wall, and then quickly climbed up the surface himself, being careful to not make a sound. He was in his element, now. The only way that it could be more suitable for him was if--and then it was. Raining.

Due to Shai Tan's rather unusual bending style, he was never more deadly than when fighting in a deluge of rain water. As the falling water slicked his hair back, he slipped down the wall and landed in a balanced crouch, his soft-soled boots hardly making a noise on the soft ground. A few of the guards stayed at their posts while most of their companions fled indoors. They drew the short straw, I suppose, Shai Tan mused as his crept into position, keeping one eye on Kari and one on the handful of guards standing outside of the main building of the complex. At the opportune moment, he dashed up to the building, jumped up and then kicked off of the handrail so that he could grab hold of the lip of the roof and hoist himself up. He slunk across the roof-top until he was directly above the center guard.

Patiently, he waited until the others were peering out into the darkness, and then, in one swift motion, formed the raindrops around the man into two long, narrow blades. He slashed one of them through the man's throat, severing his vocal cords, and the other he drove into his torso from the left of his head and angled to hit either the heart or the lungs or both. He retreated back from the lip of the roof and waited.

Not thirty seconds later, he heard the cry of one of the other guards and listened as they correctly surmised that there was an assassin in the compound. Satisfied with his work, he skittered back across the roof and dropped down, hitting in a run. A man peered out of one of the windows into the rain just in time to see Shai Tan drop passed the window and he cried out. Shai Tan leaped into the air and spun around so that he was facing the man. One quick slash of his hand sent a barrage of razor sharp ice-needles into the window and into the man's face and throat.

By the time that Shai Tan had made his way back to the wall, the alarm gong had begun sounding. He vaulted back up over the barrier and landed crouched beside Sanaki.

"I suggest that we make ourselves scarce for a little while," he said, standing back up with a devilish grin. Let's see what our little assassin is really made of. This would no doubt prove to be a very eventful evening.

[Tera253]

Rain. Sanaki scowled with disgust as she could feel her own heat and fire senses diminishing.

"that fool better know what she's doing, starting a storm like that." she thought to herself. She figured that since this rain would be Shai Tan's forte, that she could safely let him do most of the "work" from here.

"if it gets us out of this blasted rain," Sanaki replied calmly, easily hiding her frustration with her diminished senses, "I am all for it."
she chuckled slightly at her obvious dislike of getting wet, indicating that getting out of the rain was what she wanted to do most right now.

~Sanaki~