[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/26f16045-6356-41aa-8cbe-d241d0cb2fc7.png[/img][/center]Zai had no real plan. He only knew he needed to escape - the “where” and “how” were ancillary. He only knew he had to make it as hard as possible for his pursuers to follow if he didn’t want to leave Lazhou in shackles. 

He kept up a merciless pace as he weaved through alleys and side streets, making a long and winding path to hopefully confuse any pursuers. The girl was an afterthought, though to her credit she managed to keep up enough that Zai wasn’t slowed down. He was making for the edge of town, then after that, maybe the woods; Earth Kingdom soldiers might be more hesitant to give chase if they had to fight their way through a blazing inferno. 

Zai’s focus was split between the arduous task of putting one foot in front of the other at a punishing speed and listening for his pursuers. The rumbling of earthbending was still close behind, the nearest soldier crying out like a madman for a challenge. Zai was so concerned with the goings-on behind him that he almost didn’t notice the person in front of him until it was too late. 

Skidding to a halt (only narrowly avoiding tripping altogether), Zai defaulted to a wide defensive stance in response to the blue-clad stranger, releasing the girl for a moment so he could have both his hands available. His eyes widened, however, when his opponent channeled [i]water[/i] around his fists instead of earth. A waterbender? Here?

There was no explanation; instead, an accusation of being part of the resistance, and an offer of aid. [color=FC5E04]“Are you crazy?”[/color] Zai exclaimed in response, [color=FC5E04]“You’re going to get yourself arrested too!”[/color]

He looked hurriedly over his shoulder, noting the clouds of dust behind him and the approaching madman jumping between buildings. The waterbender was right; there was no time. Zai didn’t know anything about the resistance, and he would be wary to divulge anything even if he did. But the [i]girl[/i] might know something - when she mistook him for Shunon, she talked like they were part of something organized. What had Shunon gotten himself into? 

Zai regarded the waterbender anxiously, using up precious milliseconds to decide how to proceed. In his circumstances, he was loath even to admit he was a fugitive - but unfortunately, that lie went up in smoke along with the crates in the alley. And in any case, a waterbender was a lot more trustworthy than anyone else he could think of in Lazhou, and he needed all the help he could get. 

[color=FC5E04]“I’m not with them -- but I might know someone who is,”[/color] Zai finally answered, wasting no more time. He looked the waterbender in the eye, doing his best to gauge his sincerity. [color=FC5E04]“Help me and I’ll help you. Deal?”[/color]

The rumbling behind them grew ever louder, and Zai took off down the street without waiting for an answer. There was no time to negotiate; he could only hope the waterbender would accept his bargain. 
[right][@Hero] [@Scribe of Thoth][/right]