Posts by TerraBird

Kasai jumped into a defensive position, shocked. He hadn't noticed the boy approach while he was talking to Jarn-Shyr. "Ah! He came over!"
Jarn-Shyr nudged him, then nodded at the boy. He probably doesn't read signs, so you'll have to do the talking.
"Right," Kasai mumbled, then grinned at the boy. "Hi-hi, I'm Kasai. And this is Jarn-Shyr. We were just wondering what type of bender you were."
Jarn-Shyr groaned internally. No need to be so forward about it, idiot. Over the boy's shoulder, Jarn-Shyr noticed Lien approaching. Kasai didn't seem to see him.

Kasai nodded sagely. "I see. Jarn-Shyr was right, then." He was still oblivious to the clothing the boy was wearing. He smiled again. "We just got here last night, and we don't know many people. I'm a firebender, but Jarn-Shyr's a nonbender." He babbled on. It was weird being so open with this information, but he was free to say what he wanted here. "What's your name?" He asked suddenly.

"So we're the same!" Kasai laughed. "Good to meet you, Kai." Jarn-Shyr nodded her agreement. "We were just going over to practice some bending, if you wanted to join us?"
Kasai didn't miss the sideways glance Jarn-Shyr gave him. "Don't worry, Jarn-Shyr. I'll focus."

Kasai hummed thoughtfully. "I bet there's a stream nearby. I mean, there'd have to be, if there's such a large establishment."
Jarn-Shyr nodded. I passed one on my walk this morning. Jarn-Shyr mentioned. Kasai nodded.
"So we can go there! Lead the way, Jess."

Jarn-Shyr took the lead, leaving Kasai to fall into step beside Kai. "I'm from Ba Sing Se, but my family's originally Wester--I mean, Fire Nation. I'm not sure how they ended up in the Earth Kingdom, but I guess after the United Elements took over the national barriers kinda broke down." He glanced at Jarn-Shyr up ahead. "Jarn-Shyr's from the Earth Kingdom, up north, I think. Or was it east?" She didn't seem to be listening, so she didn't confirm or deny. Kasai just shrugged. "She doesn't talk about it much. I think it was a pretty weird place though." He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially behind his hand. "She has some weird characters written on her passport though. I think she might be a time traveler, or maybe a she-demon who retains her youth by sucking out the souls of beautiful young women!"
Jarn-Shyr glanced back sharply, and Kasai jumped. "A-ah, well, that's just a theory. I don't really know anything for sure. What about you?"

{I can do anti-Harumi. What was his/her character like again?}

"That's pretty cool!" Kasai gushed. "I've never even heard of plant bending, but I guess there is water in them so it's probably not that surprising. Ah!" He almost ran into Jarn-Shyr, who had stopped. "We're here!"
The stream wasn't too wide or deep, probably a branch of the main river, but there was water, and that was enough. "Now we can practice!"
Jarn-Shyr moved away a little, setting down her bag and stretching. Kasai learned fast enough, but she wanted to try some newer things today. She figured she could watch the waterbender too, maybe practice the style like her father had shown her. Don't forget your mental warm-ups, she reminded Kasai.
Kasai nodded and sat down next to her in lotus position. "Maybe Kai'll want to spar later," he hoped with a glance at the other boy. Jarn-Shyr shrugged and tapped his knee to get his attention. They both closed their eyes and immediately synched their breathing.
Meditation was something Jarn-Shyr had learned when her father taught her airbending-style tactics. It wasn't an airbender-exclusive thing, but Jarn-Shyr had been taught that meditation was a big part of their lifestyle. Especially in stories about the Avatar, she'd learned it was a great mental exercise for focus.
They only practiced it for a couple minutes or so, then Kasai stood up eagerly. "Show me something new today, Jess!" he begged.
Basics first, Jarn-Shyr chided.

Jarn-Shyr observed Kai quietly. He started with the basics too. His movements were fluid and practiced and Jarn-Shyr appreciated even the slight angle of his wrist. She didn't know what she expected from a bender, maybe a little more cluelessness like Kasai, but Kai seemed to know what he was doing.
Jarn-Shyr turned to Kasai, tucking her arms neatly behind her back and standing up a little straighter, feeling authoritative. Sharp movements, she reminded him. Firebending is punctual. You're movements don't have to connect yet, so just focus on the accents.
Kasai nodded. "Right!" He moved into a stance, one foot in front of the other and his weight centered. He traced a straight-line path with his eyes and then stepped forward, punching his right fist forward sharply. There was a burst of light and a little bit of heat, but the fire itself was underwhelming. He wasn't deterred. He stepped forward again, this time punching with the other hand, and the same, small flame sprouted from his fist.
Don't get frustrated, Jarn-Shyr reminded, but he knew. He was okay. He was just warming up.

{If it's any consolation Ember, I do the same to Kasai. ;D}

While Kasai warmed up, Jarn-Shyr stretched her arms. She reached one across her chest and hooked the other around it, then repeated the motion with the other arm. She could do distance practice today--the trees were narrow and made for good targets. Or she could do stamina, or even just form. She should probably start with form at least, since she was going to be practicing with Kasai, but a the cold pressure of a hidden knife at her waist made her want to do blade practice. Maybe she could work on her own while the boys sparred.
She'd changed out of her old skirt upon arrival to the camp and now wore plain, ankle-length pants. They were far better for movement and made fighting easier. Maybe she'd ditch the old skirt entirely--it was kind of an ugly thing anyway and Kasai said it made her look like an old lady. (Not that she was concerned with what he thought, or anything. She just figured it was time she got some new clothes.)

Kasai was getting the hang of things. It always took him a while to fall back into the groove of his bending when he avoided it for long periods of time. But his flames were brighter now, and they definitely felt hotter. He stopped punching and looked back at Jarn-Shyr. "I think I'm warmed up now," he called. She nodded approval. Kasai grinned and addressed Kai. "Alright, let's spar!"
He rubbed his hands together and fell into ready position. He bounced on the balls of his feet a few times, feeling jittery with both adrenaline and impulsive anticipation.

Jarn-Shyr nodded, and her mouth quirked into a grin. Kasai noticed this and jumped, surprised. "Ah! Jarn-Shyr, you're scary when you smile!" She scowled at him and glared, and Kasai shivered. "You're even scarier when you're mad!"
She laughed silently and the smile returned. Kasai grinned back, then refocused on Kai. "Alright! I'm all fired up! Let's go!"
You would say something dumb like that, Jarn-Shyr rolled her eyes.
"Mean!" Kasai wailed, and he almost missed the signal when Jarn-Shyr chopped her hand through the air, signaling the start of the match.
Kasai leapt into action immediately, starting with a roundhouse kick to the air. Fire sprang forth, weak but still hot, and it reached out to Kai.

"UWAH!" Kasai danced around the water snaking at his feet, clumsily tripping over himself until he kicked out one foot, sending flames to try and disperse the water. Going on the offensive, he gathered fire into his right palm and came at Kai, aiming a punch.
Jarn-Shyr watched with moderate interest, sitting down and stretching some more. Kasai was too reckless of a fighter; he never thought things through. This would be good for him though, maybe he could figure out how to connect his moves by fighting against this waterbender.

"Ah!" Kasai changed his direction and threw his body sideways, crossing his hands over his face to block the ice shards. He tumbled to the ground and leaped to his feet. The ice had missed him, but Kai was much more skilled than Kasai had expected. "No fair," he whined. "I don't get any special bending power like that! Jarn-Shyr!"
Jarn-Shyr shrugged. Don't look at me, I'm a nonbender.
Kasai groaned and started back at Kai. He jumped and flipped, kicking his foot out like Jarn-Shyr had taught him. Fire trailed in the path his foot took down towards Kai's head.

Kasai would like to say that he stuck the landing, but with Jarn-Shyr around as a witness he'd never be able to tell that lie. He over rotated and fell on his face, knocking the air out of his lungs as his chest made impact with the earth. He groaned and sat up, seeing Kai on the ground a little ways away. Jarn-Shyr had a hand over her mouth, hardly trying to disguise her laughter.
"You alright?" Kasai asked. He knew he'd missed the kick ... how did Kai end up on the ground?

Kasai groaned as he stood up, stretching his back. "I'm good if you are, but that's gonna make me sore, haha."
Jarn-Shyr stood up and walked back over to her bag. She had some knives inside, an assorted array of mismatched stolen blades. Maybe she would practice while they were busy. But practicing with a knife alone was a little difficult ... Maybe she would do distance after all.

"Thanks! You're pretty good yourself. I totally thought I was gonna lose!" He laughed. "A stalemate's just as good, I guess." Kasai looked up at the sun, trying to judge the time. They hadn't been here for long, maybe a little over fifteen minutes, and it had been pretty late when he woke up. "I dunno, eleven? I think it's still pretty early..."

{Sorry for the confusion! I think we should just go with what we're doing now though, especially now that Sheng is here! :)}

Jarn-Shyr closed her bag and threw it over her shoulder again, turning to look at the new arrival. She hadn't noticed him approaching, which was odd, but one look at him told her he was likely an airbender. Explains the light footsteps, at least.
"Ah! A new person!" Kasai grinned. "No, everyone's fine! We were just scrimmaging. Who are you?" He vaguely recognized the guy as the airbender Harumi had walked off with. But if he was here, where was she?

Kasai's eyes sparkled. "Wow, an Air Nomad? With tattoos and everything? That's so cool!" He glanced at Jarn-Shyr, who'd stopped going through her bag. "I'm Kasai, and that's Jarn-Shyr. I'm a firebender, but she's a nonbender." He smiled at Kai, oblivious to his headache. "I'm ready to spar any time!"

"Ready!" Kasai announced, nodding at Jarn-Shyr. She cut her hand through the air again, signaling the start of the match. Kasai jumped into the fight first again, charging in with a punch again. A flame flared up around his fist and flew at Kai.

"Agh! Again with the ice!" Kasai complained, awkwardly stepping over each hurdle as if he couldn't just walk around them. Jarn-Shyr groaned and slapped her hand to her forehead. Some trainee he made. They would really have to work on his in-fight thinking.
"This is dumb!" Kasai cursed, angrily melting the ice with a burst of flame that spread in all directions. He charged Kai again, this time jabbing repeatedly with either hand and fueling every blow with fire.

Jarn-Shyr leaned back on one palm, taking a knife out and lazily tossing it up, then catching it as it fell. There wasn't much she could do here: Kasai wouldn't be paying enough attention to her see any of her signs (as he shouldn't be; the first time that had happened had been the last, thanks to a vicious canyon-crawler with a taste for fresh firebender meat), and it wasn't like she would just yell at him. She watched the fight with half of her focus, the other half intent on not cutting herself every time the knife fell.

Kasai promptly fell flat on his face. The flames dissipated, instead turning into a flush that stained his face bright red. He propped himself on his palms, confused, checking for a root near where he'd fallen. There was nothing, not even a pebble; it was just flat ground. "What the--okay, I swear I'm not that clumsy--something just tripped me!" He scrambled to his feet.
Jarn-Shyr looked up, raising an eyebrow. She knew Kasai was a klutz, but he possessed enough basic motor coordination not to trip on nothing in the middle of a fight. Her eyes slid over to the airbender a few feet away. Oh, she deduced. So he plays that kind of game.

"Ah, ayayayayyAYAYAYAYY!" As soon as Kasai picked himself up, he was scrambling away from Kai's water snakes. One caught him on the back and he stumbled, and another smacked him to the side. Already off balance, he tumbled awkwardly and landed in a heap.
"Ugh..." He sat up, rubbing his head, then hopped to his feet. "My fire will never go out!" He pumped himself up and charged again. He managed to dodge the water snakes this time and got closer to Kai. He jumped and snapped one of his legs up, kicking an arc of flame in Kai's direction.

Jarn-Shyr held her face in her hands. They were going to have a talk about Kasai's one-liners.

{I get secondhand embarrassment writing Kasai Jarn-Shyr is basically my outlet.

Wolf Husky, you don't have to play your own anti, unless you want to. There are still some others left.

Talking of which, those who still need antis are Kasai, Lars, Sheng and Kai, I think? Or am I mistaken?}