The two were caught off guard by the man and girl. Houjin and Ukik looked at each other in disbelief. This wasn't happening, was it? Bless their luck, they had found a replacement for the match. [color=f9ad81]"Excuse us for a minute."[/color] Houjin said as he scooted a few feet away from them so he could talk things over with Ukik. 

She seemed happier than she had been earlier. That was a good sign.[color=8882be] "Houjin...maybe this is a sign."[/color] She beamed, [color=8882be]"It isn't every day that you meet someone willing to join in on a pro-bending team out of the blue."[/color] 

[color=f9ad81]"Yeah but it seems too good to be true. I wonder if they've done this before?"[/color] Houjin was skeptical; it seemed to coincidental that someone wanting to join onto a team was right there. I mean, he knew it was possible but it just seemed a little odd. 

[color=8882be]"Whoa. We're having a reversal of roles here, buddy."[/color] Ukik's smile wasn't as bright as it could have been, [color=8882be]"You're supposed to be all for her joining and I'm supposed to be the suspicious one." [/color]

She had a point; Houjin was usually the more easy going of the two. Fu, at one point, had been the same way but he began to change a year or two back. That had been hard on them -- wait...why was he thinking of that traitor Fu? This wasn't about Fu any longer; this was about finding a new teammate for the time being. Houjin ran a hand through his long hair before glancing over his shoulder at the two. They would only need her for this one match then after this they could get down to finding a new partner. 

[color=8882be]"Well what do you say Houjin? She is an earthbender [i]and[/i] she is willing to be on our team."[/color] 

Ukik was looking down at the small pin in her hand. They weren't very big and they weren't made by a professional so there were a few mistakes but they had been a labor of love for her team. It was broken now, the team, but she hoped that they could mend it and maybe the girl was who they were looking for. She reminded Ukik of Fu before he began to grow quiet and short tempered with them. Her eyes trailed to the two and she studied them for a few minutes as she waited for Houjin's response. 

The male sighed before gently touching the back of Ukik's hand with his fingertips. [color=f9ad81]"For tonight she can be on the team."[/color]

[color=8882be]"What about after this match?"[/color] 

[color=f9ad81]"We have to see about winning first."[/color] A small smile came to his lips as he flicked her gently on the forehead. [color=f9ad81]"Then we can see about finding a replacement."[/color]

[color=8882be]"Or keeping her."[/color] 

Houjin's smile fell and he let out a deep sigh. He was a sucker for Ukik's turtle seal eyes, she knew it and she exploited that fact every chance she got. 

[color=f9ad81]"Fine if she's any good I'll consider it. Now let's go inside since our match is in a little while."[/color] Houjin said before walking over to them. Ukik gave a little squeal of delight and she walked behind him as she fixed the back of the pin as best as she could. Houjin was the first to reach them and he held out his hand. 

[color=f9ad81]"Welcome to the team...well unofficially. We've got to win this match before we can decide if you're going to be a permanent fixture."[/color] Houjin smiled.

Ukik stood next to him and she held out the pin.[color=8882be] "It's our team pin, for good luck."[/color] All of the pins were hand carved with a relief of a badgerfrog. Ukik had learned the skill from her father. Nowadays it was common for betrothal necklaces to be bought at specialized shops but some men still made them at home. Her father had been one of the few in their small neighborhood to make his own betrothal necklace for her mother. Ukik, as a child, had begged her father to teach her how to carve. [color=8882be]"It isn't the best pin...but it works...Um. I'll need it back after the match so I can fix the back though."[/color] she explained.

Houjin placed a hand on her shoulder before introducing themselves...which he really should have done before going off with Ukik. 

[color=f9ad81]"I am Houjin and this is Ukik."[/color] He gestured to the girl before shaking his head as she pinned the small good luck charm onto Mara's shirt.


[color=f9ad81]"We better get going though, our match is in a little while and we've got to see if Fu's uniform will fit you."[/color]

Ukik lead the way into the stadium and down a small corridor behind the rows of seats.