The trek through the sewers had actually been more fun that Yan had anticipated. As the two traded leads for a considerable distance, it brought him back to his early years at the Temple and how the monks tried to integrate fun along with the teachings. For the first time in at least a decade he was actually having fun and it showed by the smile on his face. The trip, which seemed like mere moments, ended when Kalani brought them to the rotting iron door, when she took a moment to introduce herself,

[i]“Before we go any further I think it’s time I properly introduce myself,”[/i] Raising her hand out, a toothy grin sat along her features, [i]“Name’s Kalani, and if you’re the person I think you are, then I’ll be your guide to the resistance from here on out.[/i]

Returning her grin and handshake, Yan added a slight nod of his head in a mock bow,

[b]"I am Yan Tao, airbender of the Eastern Air Temple. It is a pleasure to meet someone with a passion for bending."[/b]

Following his lead and giving her own bow, Kalani stared up at him in awe. Other then Krane, and Rabten, there were no other airbenders within the resistance, so Kalani couldn’t help but feel a little pride she was the one leading him to the Underground Omashu. Turning her gaze and to the the door, she pulled out a large key from her pouch, before proceeding to unlock the large door, “Well, Yan Tao,” Opening the heavy door with a loud creek, Kalani motioned with her arm for airbender to step in first, “Welcome to the Rising.” A loud bang echoed through the dark tunnel as she shut the door behind them, making sure to lock it before she took the lead once again. 

“A little anti-climatic, I know, but it’s just a little further since we took a detour from the city entrance..” Like the iron door, the walls of the tunnel looked recently new as unlit torches marked the pathway. Grabbing one of the many from it’s handle, Kalani lit the torch and began walking calmly through the tunnels, leading Yan Tao through the labyrinth like passage ways. The journey through the beginning of the sewers had been long, and confusing, but the young woman knew it would only take a few minutes from here to reach the Underground City. So rather then growing comfortable with the silence, Kalani spoke up trying to spark up conversation in an attempt to get to know Yan Tao. With a light smile on her face the water bender turned her head, gazing up at the old man as her voice echoed softly through the tunnels, “So, did you come here from the Eastern Air Temple?”

The mention of the Temple brought a quiet sadness to Yan's face. It had been many years since he had been to the Temple and his stubborn act of defiance against Teyri-yhama had, at least in Yan's mind, left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. With hushed words Yan replied,

[b]"Actually I haven't been to the Temple in at least a decade and a half, I have been living in the outlands of Omashu for the last few years and only heard about the Rising a fortnight ago."[b]

The sudden thought of his arrival to Omashu had brought to mind Jampo which he had left a safe distance outside the city walls. At some point, Yan figured, he should probably go find him again.

[b]"By the way, would there be a place to allow my sky bison to rest here within the Underground? The last I had checked Jampo was flying away into the morning sun and I want to make sure that he will be safe."[/b]

Frowning, her eyebrows knitted together in concern as she listened to airbender. There was more to his story, and she could hear it in the tone of his voice. Shame, longing, [i]regret[/i]. Kalani knew what it was like to be away from home, and while she had made the decision to leave, there were times that she did feel home-sick. With those facts in mind, she knew she could not relate and her advice was limited, so with with nothing to say she addressed the question about the bison, “I’m sure we can find a place for him here, but you’ll have to talk to one of the earth benders about making a path.”

From the darkness, a large iron door came into sight, lighting up as Kalani and Yan soon stood before it. Digging around in pouch and pulling out the key once again, the lock clicked open and with a heavy groan, Kalani swung the door open. "Welcome to Underground Omashu, Yan Tao."

The vastness of the underground city stretched out before him in a grand spectacle of earthbending prowess, to which Yan had to stand in awe of. He had heard of the skill and strength of the legendary benders but had never had the pleasure of seeing it first hand. As the duo walked through the streets of the underground city Yan's glance passed over the countless teenagers that made up the Risings members and Yan couldn't help but ponder the effectiveness of children, benders or not, in combat. Upon second thought, however, he was just recruited by a waterbender with amazing skill so he supposed that one couldn't judge by looks alone. Having an odd thought in his head, Yan brought up something that he had pondered for a while,

[b]"By the by, how many other airbenders do we have here?[/b]

After putting out the torch and securing the door behind them, Kalani lead the airbender down the main path as he admired the cities structure, and interior. His question made her a little uneasy, since he still had yet to be ‘officially’ initiated, but Kalani was sure a bit of information wouldn’t hurt, “Just a few. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure any air benders would join the cause.” Her mind immediately drifted to Krane, and Rabten. “Then again, the resistance has opened my eyes to a lot of things, I suppose.” 

As they rounded about the corner, Kalani caught sight of the rec center up ahead, watching as people entered and exited the main entrance doors. “Looks like we got here just in time.” Hurrying across the street and halting at the entrance doors, the young woman smiled broadly as turned to face the 'recruit', “Since you’re not officially apart of the resistance, I can’t show you the rest of the city or answer anymore questions, but luckily today is the day of the coronation ceremony.” 

“Once you’re initiated, I can answer anything that comes to mind, so save all of your questions for after.” Grasping the handle of door and revealing the crowd inside, Kalani encouraged the airbender to walk in with a motion of her arm, “Better yet, you’ll probably be meeting someone who can answer your questions far better then I ever could.”