Occupation
Aside from departing from Kyoshi Island to seek aid, allies, and new recruits, Mei stays at a popular tea house in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, earning her keep and making extra coin on the side for future endeavors.

Place of Origin
Kyoshi Island

Residence
The Lower Ring

Appearance
Mei is broad, toned, and masculine, though her feminine curves are still identifiable depending on the clothes she wears. Her soft complexion isn't exactly complimented by the various scars and small bruises from consistent training; though some are a definite result of pure recklessness from a lack of delicacy during work. Mei is all-to familiar with small burns from spilling tea or cuts from chopping herbs, though this helped to build the callouses on her hands. Mei keeps her silky, brown hair short, and if it weren't for the womanly influence during her childhood, she would probably end up shaving it off since she finds her hair to be more detrimental than anything. Plump pink lips, deep blue eyes, and her prominent jawline add to her femininity, and her raspy, womanly voice helps to portray her already-matured body. Standing at 5'8, Mei is a perfect example of a strong Kyoshi Warrior who is proud of their heritage.

Although it'd seem suitable to wear her Kyoshi attire from time to time, Mei finds that it's very time consuming to sport such an embellished look. Also, she doesn't want to be depicted as a Kiyoshi Warrior for the sake of not wanting to cause any suspicions from her appearance. Thus, Mei is usually seen wearing her pale green, tunic adorned with a thick, charcoal-colored belt that cinches her waist comfortably, matching the armguards that she wears.

Personality
Mei is a happy, adventurous soul that enjoys the early mornings and exploring uncharted areas. With an optimistic attitude and a consistently motivated nature, Mei is very goal-oriented, believing that she should spend the least amount of time procrastinating which also results in a great work-ethic and a passion for trying to improve. Thus, dedication, adventurous, joyful, and hopeful are all easily distinguishable traits that Mei possesses. Although, Mei is gullible and undoubtedly easy to manipulate or persuade, trusting in others far too simply. To add to this, Mei has a thin skin, taking criticism way too seriously and being hard on herself when she's left with any form of negative comments. In no way does this make Mei saddened or depressed, but instead makes her doubt herself and ruins her self-esteem. Mei's greatest fears would be death by incineration or drowning, being helpless to an enemy or powerful force, and being alone. A fatal flaw that Mei retains would be the denial of assistance, believing that she shouldn't require the help of others for tasks that are set for her, whether it be something as simple as starting a fire, or as complex as defending her homeland from a small legion of invaders.

Mei has a big-heart, having a strong characteristic of generosity and kindness, regardless of status. Though, her opinions change based more on the respect she receives rather than the status that the person holds. Granted, Mei will have a higher, more traditional, respect towards those of higher status, while having a more befriending, casual respect to those of equal or lower status. As for the Dai Li, Mei is still establishing her opinions on them from being sheltered away from their influence, having to trust in the stories she's told about them. While their actions can be unjustifiable, she believes that they are a protective force that has high potential of being beneficial, though if leaded improperly, they can become an evil force. However, Mei will attempt to deal with any presented problem on her own, regardless of the morals of any police force.

Likes and Dislikes

Skills
Martial Arts: The close-quarter combat of the Kyoshi suggests that it's necessary to utilize their style of martial arts. The style of martial arts focuses around dodging, deflecting, and counter-attacking rather than any methods of aggression and attacking head-on.

Proficiency with Fans: The Kyoshi are very skilled and harshly trained with the fans that they are known for using.

Proficiency with Katana and Shield: The Kyoshi are also trained with the ways of the Katana and their small, buckler shield.

Minor knowledge of herbs and teas: From working at a tea house, she has knowledge of specific herbs and how to brew them into teas for beneficial effects.

History
Just like any heroic, above-average story begins, Mei began training at a young age, but she didn't grow from having a natural talent for combat, but instead from having a dedicated personality that permitted growth through consistency. Being a known friend and formidable ally on the Kyoshi Island, Mei grew up with several companions to train, prosper, and enjoy life with. Aside from this happy lifestyle with constant teachings of the Kyoshi ways, they were exposed to little information about the war that was quickly developing. Mei, being a curious and adventurous young girl, her questions never ceased when she was presented with the knowledge of the current war. Therefore, she sought out her favored mentor for information about the current events that happened around the world, being the only Kyoshi student that seemed interested in anything political and current.

It wasn't long after that their homeland was unexpectedly invaded by a legion of fire-nation personal. The many students were so unfamiliar with the ruthless flames that were conjured, many being too full of fear to defend themselves, while others stood still indecisively on whether or not to flee or fight. For Mei, the choice was elementary after witnessing the deaths of her companions, unsheathing her weapons confidently and fearlessly unleashing her battle prowess that was backed by hours and hours of training. The Kyoshi elders, amazed by her vigor, fought at her side to fend off the invaders, seeing such great leadership potential within her. Afterwards, she was honored for her bravery against the invaders, though the acceptance was hard for she was still mourning the ones she loved.

Months after, Mei began to develop her stance on the war, having a building hatred for the fire nation from the attack. Therefore, she was chosen to set out to Ba Sing Se to recruit more Kiyoshi warriors to replace the numbers that were lost, and also seek aid from the King and leaders of the military for ensured protection on their lands. What was once happiness and innocence for the young Kiyoshi Warriors, it is now replaced with fear and forced courage. Mei despised this new atmosphere, leaving the Island and what is left of her companions in hopes to eliminate this new, undesired feeling that taints the air of their lands. Mei now lives with an old friend of the Kiyoshi Warriors in a tea house, working a good amount of time while trying to figure out her methods of mending her Kiyoshi sisters and their land.

Ambitions
What Mei hopes to be a short-term goal, is a good chunk of recruitment for the Kiyoshi Warriors, as well as a stronger alliance to Ba Sing Se and, possibly, the Dai Li for ensured protection at her homelands. Though her goals do not end here. Mei intends to become a strong influencer in the war, even if she is the only Kiyoshi Warrior to participate. Hopefully to end the war in victory and return to her homelands as a someone that represents the Kyoshi Warriors just as prominently as their founder, Avatar Kyoshi herself.

Other
All artwork credit goes to the artists of A:TLA. I'm using Suki as my face-claim, from the allowance of the GM, since there is a very, very scarce amount of Kyoshi artwork.

Occupation
Fumiko is a student in Ba Sing Se's University, entering the prestigious academy due to its generous scholarship. Before she was a student, however, she's a farmer.

Place of Origin
Fumiko is a born citizen of Ba Sing Se and know nothing outside its walls apart from those that she gleaned in the rumor mill and the texts that reside in the University.

Residence
Her family lives in the nicer side of the Lower Ring. It may not be much, but Fumiko thinks that it's better than living in shacks that could be toppled by the wind. They have a humble and slightly dilapidated two-story apartment where her and her extended family lives. It's rowdy most of the time.

Appearance
At first glance, under the robes she wears in the Middle Ring and rags in the Lower Ring, Fumiko could be considered slight and lanky with the way her shoulder slouches and her head bows to avoid attention. Under that appearance lies quiet power, however, her body lean and taut through intense and dedicated work in the Agrarian Zone. Contrary to the students of the University wherein their skins are fair and hands soft, Fumiko's skin is sun-kissed due to hours spent outside and her hands hard and filled with callouses due to farming. Her hair (contrary to the picture above) is black that sometimes reflect the orange sun setting below the Wall. Her hair was long before but she cut it short so as to keep her preparation time short. Washing her long hair to get rid of dirt with a family of more than five in the Lower Ring was simply too much work.

As the sole member of her family attending Ba Sing Se's University, Fumiko's given nicer clothes that could help her blend in in the University, usually wearing a long sleeved shirt under a sleeveless robe -- all shades of dark green -- cinched with brown sash that acts like a belt, finished off with black pants and dark shoes. Dark clothes hide dirt better, in Fumiko's opinion.

Personality
Fumiko is a woman of quiet determination. Most of her life, she's been looked down on by strangers. Living in the Lower Ring meant knowing when to stand her ground to fight; and working and studying in the Middle Ring meant knowing when to bow her head and apologize even if things are not her fault. Coward, she may be called, but she doesn't let this affect her. For her, good work and great results are all that matter, and if it meant gritting her teeth and accepting the insults, then so be it. Determination makes quite a good combination with curiosity. It has been her drive since she was a kid, wanting to learn of the food they make, of how it's sold, and to who it's sold. As more answers are given, more questions pop up. Years of asking led her to the University where she knew most of her questions would be answered and her curiosity be sated.

Fumiko's greatest fears would be the Dai Li learning of her firebending and being killed along with her family, all her sacrifices and efforts wasted. Her fatal flaw would be her selfishness and how she could place her life above the others. Under her politeness and friendliness, there lies a merciless side. If she were to see a fellow Earth Citizen firebend or give quiet support to the Fire Nation, then she would not report it. However, if said fellow citizen was to be judged by the others and be caught by the Dai Li or those in higher authority, then she'd be more than welcome to turn a blind-eye to it and would not defend that person even if they were to beg at her feet.

Likes and Dislikes

Skills
Firebending: Fumiko is an amateur in firebending as she only received few lessons at it, mostly composed of simple breathing techniques and how to create flames as well as extinguish them. Her firebending is uncontrolled and she's mostly a walking fire hazard. She can throw around fire but she can't control its impact, whether if the fire simply dissipates when it hits a target, only resulting into a mild inconvenience or if it results into a large fire that causes major burns.

Fighting: Living in the Lower Ring means the occasional scuffles and fights that break out in desperation. When cornered, Fumiko can throw a mean punch and dodge, courtesy of her family training each other in self-defense. Her strength and stamina comes from working in the Agrarian Zone while her agility is honed by the friendly harassment of her family and the not-so-friendly ones from her peers in the University. She can also run pretty fast.

Navigation: Fumiko knows every street corner and every path in the Lower Ring and Middle Ring -- which to avoid and which to frequent. It comes from knowing it all her life. She also has the ability of blending in the crowds, something instinctual that came from her Uncle being disappeared by the Dai Li.

Research: Being in University meant sifting through tons of materials and acquiring relevant information. Due to her curiosity, her mind contains a mishmash of knowledge that could be useful depending on who asked. After all, who knew that cabbages could be used as a laxative?

History
Fumiko is born in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se in a large family of nine, including her: one grandfather, one grandmother, her mother, two uncles, an aunt, and two cousins -- boy and girl. Their humble home, despite its less than ideal state and the occasional lack of food on the table, was warm and they treasured each and every one of each other. Fumiko's family is supportive, with her grandparents teaching her tricks in farming, one of her uncles teaching her how to firebend with the other how to fight, her mother teaching her how to read alongside her cousins, and cousins who inadvertently taught her how to have fun and dodge fast rock projectiles.

Unfortunately, bad things just happen. Firebending is illegal within the walls of Ba Sing Se, more so when it's in the Lower Ring wherein the Dai Li is an uncontested power and very few would dare go against them. Fumiko, a sire of a Fire Nation traitor soldier who's life was forfeit before her birth, was a firebender like her uncle -- the brother of her father. She was taught to conceal her control of fire and to never let anyone know or see of her ability outside of family. For a time, Fumiko thought of this as a childish game but kept her uncle's promise in mind. Childish thoughts ended when her uncle simply disappeared without a trace when she was thirteen. Older members of her families banned her from firebending and no complaints where said in her part, a part of her knowing the truth behind her uncle's disappearance.

That was the beginning of the fear and scorn she feels for the Dai Li and the Fire Nation. After all, if the Fire Nation didn't instigate their so-called war, then the Earth Kingdom wouldn't sic their Dai Li agents to eliminate who they think are Fire Nation loyalists and spies. All those unspent energy from fear and loathing was all focused in farming and her studies. Just because she found herself powerless didn't meant that she had to succumb to weakness and hopelessness. Believing that the Walls of Ba Sing Se would not be breached, she turned her attention of bettering her life and her family's within the walls; and the only way to do so was to rise in status. In her heart, she thought that if she became rich enough, then she could pull her family away from the Lower Ring and into the Middle where they would not be harassed and no longer worry about food in the table. And if power comes in her hand, they wouldn't be bothered and pushed around like the Dai Li did to her Uncle.

Ambitions
Fumiko wanted to rise above her station and pull her family along with her. She wanted to have nice things, to have a stable home, and to not worry about someone going hungry in the dinner table because there simply wasn't enough food to go around. But first, in order to have the chance to settle in the Middle Ring, she needs to graduate the University and have plans on how to make money. Of course, she could always offer her services and no doubt working for the University would elicit some good money, but she had a feeling it would only be enough for her. Fumiko, however, is optimistic in her future. Maybe it wouldn't be in her immediate future, maybe it would be achieved when she's old and gray, but she's seeing herself owning a vegetable company. Now, wouldn't that be great?

Other
- Fumiko doesn't like her obvious Fire Nation name thus introduces herself as "Fumi" to others.

Occupation
Dao recently graduated from Basic Dai Li training and has been assigned to the lower ring. Being a Dai Li agent Dao has some knowledge about what is going on beyond the wall. He does know that there is a war but the full extend of it is classified. Dai Li agents only get information on a need to know basis.

Place of Origin
Dao was born in Ba Sing Se. He's the youngest child in a family of Earth kingdom aristocrats. The fact is that he has never been outside of the outer wall his entire life.

Residence
Loyalty comes with a price and Dai Li agents are well compensated. Dao rents a small house in the upper ring.

Appearance
Dao is an able bodied young man and stands about 6.2 feet high. His fairly muscled body has a slight tan and his short hair is pitch black. He prefers a clean shave and has no scars or tattoo's. When on the job Dao wears the standard Dai Li uniform. Next to the dark green robes the uniform includes rock gloves and rock shoes.

There is more in Dao's life then the Dai Li. So when he has some time off he wears various civilian clothing depending on the occasion or activity he plans on doing. When going to the lower ring, Dao prefers to blend in with the crowd, wearing simple brown/green peasant clothing. Dao also possesses more formal robes for when the occasion requires it. However his preferred clothing consists of a sleeves green shirt, loose fitting dark green trousers and brown leather boots.

Personality
Dao can be described as an arrogant and proud young man. He takes pride in being of noble birth and strongly believes he's one of the hottest dudes in all of Ba Sing Se. Dao is also pretty vain about his appearance. He always makes sure that his hair is neatly done and his clothing is clean and ironed. The fact is that he has this morning routine that takes over an hour to finish. This routine involves everything from working out, to selecting his clothes and following a proper diet. He spends a lot of attention on the details and makes sure everything is always in good shape. Especially his body.

Dao is a trained Dai Li agent. He underwent their training regime for 6 years. The training has not only hardened his body but also molded his personality. The earth bender is disciplined, methodological and precise. He follows orders given by his commanding officers blindly and has a strong feeling of loyalty to the Earth Kingdom, Ba Sing Se and its cultural heritage. Dao strongly believes that the rigid social order is just and the root to the success of Ba Sing Se. The Dai Li agent knows that every social class plays its part but some are just more easily replaced then others.

Dao is very eager to prove himself. Saying that you are superior is a sign of insecurity. You need to show it through action. This makes the young agent rather easy to provoke and often rush into action without thinking. Especially when someone puts his masculinity in doubt Dao will have problems controlling his temper.

The Dai Li agent is a smooth talker and generally friendly to his peers. However he does have a habit of belittling people, especially when they fuck up in front of his eyes. However Dao does care about his city and has a genuine desire to safeguard Ba Sing Se and its citizens from the danger within and beyond the wall.

Likes and Dislikes


Skills
• Earthbending: Dao is a trained earthbender. He underwent formal training in an earthbending accademy prior to getting enlisted with the Dai Li at the age of 13. He's able to perform a wide variety of techniques including launching rocks, creating columns and raising earth shields.
• Special Dai Li Earthbending techniques: Dai Li agents are trained in a number of specialized earthbending techniques. These techniques revolve around their rock gloves and shoes. Dao can use his rock gloves as projectiles, bendind them into a fist and launching them at his opponents. Another technique includes using his rock gloves as extend-able hands, being able to grab opponents some distance away, binding their arms, legs or even closing off their mouths. The Dai Li can use their rock shoes to hang on solid rock surfaces such as ceilings and walls. The rock shoes can also be used to slide along walls.
• Dai Li stealth techniques: Dai Li are trained in a variety of stealth techniques. Dao is able to follow and observe targets unnoticed, and when necessary for the mission, he can disguise himself and play a role in order to infiltrate an enemy cell.
• Analytical mind: Dao has a keen eye for small details and has great powers of observation. He's often able to notice details that others would miss and base theories and conclusions on what he observes.

History
Dao was born as the only son of Genshin Huise, an important aristocrat in the Earth Kings Court. He grew up in the comfort of the upper ring, far removed from the realities of beyond the wall. Being a son of an important government official ment that he grew up in a wealthy family with access to the best education and training money could offer. When Dao discovered he was gifted with the ability to earth bend, his father quickly signed him up to the prestigious earth bending academy of Tao Lin in the upper ring at the age of six. Also Dao's father made sure that the best teachers from Ba Sing Se University would tutor his young son in all the skills an aristocrat would need.

As a young student under the tutelage of university professors, Dao quickly learned how to read, write and the basics of mathematics. Also Dao showed a great interest in anthropology and history. His tutors described the young aristocrat as an intelligent learner. However his tutors did not only report the progress of Dao's education back to his father, they also kept the Dai Li well informed about this young boy. The Dai Li took a great interest in Dao's personal growth because he was blessed with both earth bending talents and a sharp mind. At the age of 13, the Dai Li approached Dao's father with a message. The Earth King has invited Dao to Lake Laogai.

The Dai Li training training program consisted of many elements that ranged from Earth bending, to political indoctrination to psychological conditioning. The Dai Li's training regime was designed by Avatar Kyoshi to give the Earth King a secret police force to safeguard his interests. The Dai Li's training course was extremely rough in both physical training and mental conditioning. The Dai Li break down the young recruits in order to mold them into loyal agents. Strict discipline, group and individual punishment and psychological torture would be daily practices that Dao had to endure for the next 6 years. Many kids would break during the first years and Dao felt on many occasions that he would break to. However he preserved and continued the struggle until graduation. After 6 years of intensive training, Dao was accepted as a Dai Li agent.

Ambitions
Dao is obsessed with status. He wants nothing more than becoming the best Dai Li agent in history. He's very eager to go out in the field to do his job and build up his desired reputation. However he does care about his city, its customs and social structure and will do whatever is needed to safeguard it from treats from outside and within.

Other
AyA-KR on Deviantart.

Occupation
Ryuu's occupation is a spy of the Fire Nation within the city of Ba Sing Se. He does undercover missions for them whenever there is an assignment. He is relatively new to his spy occupation. Formerly being an officer of the recon corps for the Fire Nation's 1st Infantry Division. His skills used for remaining unnoticed, silent and deadly has translated well. Now, he does his part to undermine the city of Ba Sing Se and bring it under the Fire Lord's control. Ryuu's cover is that of an Earth Kingdom arms merchant to the city guard and soldier's of Ba Sing Se. Anyone who is allowed a weapon is fair game.

Place of Origin
Ryuu was born and raised in the Fire Nation Capital.

Residence
Ryuu lives in the lower ring in a tiny apartment (if you can call it that).

Appearance
Ryuu has a handsome face with very sharp features; as well as a straight posture. There is a certain nobility to him that commands respect and authority. He has broad shoulders and a tall, dexterous physique. His muscles are toned from recon training. He has a large scar in the middle of his chest from a battle he had in an agni-kai. He wears light brown work shorts, green shirt and brown sandals. He wears a large straw hat for shade. When out on stealth missions, he wears a black hooded jacket, black pants, black shoes, black gloves and a mask to conceal his identity and to strike fear into the Earth Kingdom's hierarchy.


Personality
Ryuu has an iron will and does not compromise his mission or belief's unless he is absolutely certain he is in the wrong. At his heart he put's family and comrades in arms at the highest level of value. He would fight and die for his family without hesitation. He also realizes that some things, like his mission, are worth living and even dying for. Ryuu is very charismatic and manipulative. He fits into the spy role very nicely. He can easily take on a different persona and convince other's of it quite easily. He would make a great citizen of Ba Sing Se.. if not for his constant undermining of the Earth Kingdom's rule.

To Ryuu, The Fire Nation's people's are rightful rulers of the other nations. As far as he is concerned, the people of Ba Sing Se have the privilege to be under their control. After all, the rest of the world cannot truly fulfill their purpose unless there is a proper hierarchy of command; just as his military background dictates. Along with that, Ryuu follows command structure to the letter. Rank must be followed or chaos abounds, especially in times of war. This isn't to say an incompetent leader cannot be disposed of and usurped if the case permits..On top of that, Ryuu sees himself as very capable; a natural leader, born to command or rule.

His greatest fear is failing himself or others. One of his weaknesses is his inability to see things from another person's perspective. The way he perceives things in his mind is the way reality is. No exceptions. This causes some major points of contention with his closest allies. His fatal flaw is that Ryuu is constantly in "war mode". For him, there is never a peace time, only times in between battles. This results in Ryuu resolving problems or conflicts through violence more often then not. He sees the Dai Li as the single greatest threat to his mission in Ba Sing Se. He avoids them whenever possible.

Likes and Dislikes

Skills
Firebending: Ryuu learned the ancient art of Firebending from his father, becoming an expert in the craft after years of training. Due to his background within the recon corps, he learned to utilize Firebending for precision strikes more than area of effect attacks. This results in a flame that is more focused and intense; rather then wide and destructive.
Athletics + Stealth: Through years of training in the corps, Ryuu has become proficient in; stamina, speed, strength, swordsmanship, stealth and information gathering. He can utilize sabotage to compromise or eliminate high-value targets if the mission requires. He can also remain hidden within and out of crowds rather easily.
Lightningbending: Being of the militaristic line of Yakedo's, Ryuu was taught the dangerous art of Lightningbending at the age of 21. However, he is only a basic practitioner of the art because of its' extreme difficulty. At this present point, Ryuu is only able to accurately direct electricity 10 feet away.Ryuu struggles with the calm mindset and precision it requires to perform properly. Ryuu observes every thunderstorm in order to learn more about his family's deadly power.
History
Ryuu Yakedo grew up in the Fire Nation Capital. His Father was a high-ranking military officer within the Fire Nation. Because of his Father's military bent, Ryuu followed after his father's footsteps. He practiced the art of firebending every day in order to get to his father's level and eventually surpass him. At the age of 16 he joined the Fire Nation's 1st infantry division. It was there he proved his skill in combat and after two years was able to transfer into their elite division, the recon corps. From the age of 18-20 he executed missions with excellence and courage, earning him higher rank consistently.

At the age of 20, his father persuaded the commander of the 1st infantry division to make his son an officer. They agreed and he was promoted once more. He served the next few years well, leading his platoons with exemplary leadership and discipline. He continued in his division only leading it. They were responsible for multiple skirmishing victories over unsuspecting Earth Kingdom divisions. However, he was not without his own failures. On a particular mission Ryuu ordered his men to burn a village in order to bring out the Earth Kingdom soldier's within. Unfortunately, it turned out to be an elaborate rouse. The soldier's bended a fake village and ambushed Ryuu and his men as they entered. It was only through cunning and ferocity that Ryuu managed to get out alive. His men were slaughtered and the rest captured. It was not his best day. His father managed to sweep the failure under the Fire Nation's rug. He had a lot of pull in that way.

At the age of 21, his father took him aside to a secluded area.. He knew his time had come to learn the deadly art of the Yakedo clan. Lightningbending. It was there he manifested his first spark of electricity. It would not be the last.

Years passed, and due to internal conflicts within the higher ranks, Ryuu found himself stuck in his position of 1st Lieutenant. There was apparently a powerful high ranking officer who had tried to keep him down in order to prop up his own hand-picked soldiers. Ryuu was not pleased and despite his father's objections challenged the man to an Agni-Kai.

During the intense duel, Ryuu fought well, but the man had much more experience in combat. The officer struck him with an intense flame to the center of his chest, causing third degree burns. He fell to a knee as the high ranker moved in for his final strike. That's when Ryuu became enraged and let loose a bolt of lightning directly into the man's skull at point blank range. The man collapsed instantaneously. The lightning had fried his brain killing him. The other officer's and general's present were shocked and angered that Ryuu had concealed so great a power and unleashed it upon a man of higher rank. He would pay dearly.

The group decided that his exemplary skills and father's rank was enough to keep him from losing his life. Killing a higher rank with lightning (the most deadly form of firebending) would not go unpunished however. Despite his father's objections, there was nothing he could do. Ryuu was stripped of his rank and sent to Ba Sing Se as a spy for the Fire Nation. If he accomplished the missions provided, he would regain his rank and status within the Fire Nation. They did not expect him to make it out alive considering the insurmountable task at hand. He bid his family farewell and hugged his father one last time before heading off with his gear.

On his way to Ba Sing Se, he encountered a pair of Earth Kingdom guards and a merchant who were heading that very same direction, riding ostrich horses. He feigned friendship with them showing them his chest burns claiming he was attacked by fire nation soldiers. He asked to accompany them on their journey for protection. They agreed, charmed by the young traveler. He learned everything he could about their position, name, background and relationships within a few days.

When they had stopped to rest for the night, Ryuu took first watch. As the unsuspecting men slept, he unsheathed his dagger and one by one slit their throats. He stripped them of their clothing and gear. Then he buried them off the beaten path. He burned any excesses. Now he had three identities and gear to make his mission more likely to succeed. He ended up selling the extra ostrich horses to a merchant at a nearby town for some extra funds. He put aside his former name taking on the alias of Xin Fu, merchant of the Earth Kingdom.

Finally, he arrived at Ba Sing Se. He got past the gate with his false identity, riding his stolen ostrich horse carrying his wares. He tried to make himself as comfortable as he could in his new identity and profession. It wasn't as hard as it first seemed. The merchant he had eliminated was an arms dealer. He carried on him many weapons of moderate value. He got in touch with the head of the spy network within Ba Sing Se and rented an apartment in the lower district.

By day, he set up his shop at different places within the city, usually at spots he would hit later that night as a spy. His task had only just begun.

Ambitions
Ryuu wishes to reclaim his rank in the short term and overthrown the city of Ba Sing Se as a more long term goal. He feels betrayed by the nation who he served for 9 years of exemplary work. Power always fascinated him, so mastering the art of lightningbending is one of his goals. His single greatest ambition is to create his own army of rebels to overthrow the government of Ba Sing Se and install himself as ruler.

Other
Possessions: An ostrich horse, license to sell, 3 false identities, weapons, armor, a mask, an apartment.

Occupation
Kaliyia is dancer within a dance troupe; occasionally she takes on some odd jobs like waitressing in order to help make ends meet.

Place of Origin
The Northern Water Tribe

Residence
Kaliyia has a room in a house rented between herself and her three friends in the Middle Ring. The home is owned by one of her roommate's sisters, a private healer to several wealthy families in the Upper Ring and as a result, she gives the girls a discount which is why they can afford the property.

Appearance
Kaliyia is very feminine in appearance and is considered by those around her to be quiet a pretty girl. She has thick, long brown hair as typical of most water tribe woman. She often wears it up for ease and day to day use, but occasionally she will wear her hair down. She is of average height standing at around five foot six. Her frame is quite lithe and slim. She has some slight definition, but she is certainly not muscular. Kaliyia has moved away from water tribe clothing since arriving at Ba Sing Se, she does not wear their colours nor the thick pelts they are famous for. Instead, she goes for the much more neutral colours and clothing worn by the everyday citizens of Ba Sing Se. She likes to wear flowing garments as she likes the style. Occasionally she will accessorise with a hair ornament or a bracelet but outside of that, there is nothing notable about the way Kaliyia dresses.

Personality
Kaliyia is the sort of young woman that wants to have her cake and eat it too. She is bold, ambitious and forthright. She wants everything the world has to offer and is unafraid to grab it with both hands. She is a person who believes ultimately in fairness; everyone should be given equal opportunity in her eyes and she defies anything that says otherwise, be is tradition, belief or the spirits themselves. Kaliyia is willing to stand up for these beliefs and challenges what defies them. She has both conviction and spirit and refuses to spend any more time holding herself back for those around her. A studied healer, she is compassionate and has moments of reserve and gentleness – although she has always been sorely lacking in patience. Still, she has a good, if not a little odd, bedside manner and is often willing to help those around her.

The traditions of The Northern Water Tribe stick with Kaliyia in the back of her mind like a constant nagging, despite her best attempts to shake them. As a result, Kaliyia is constantly at odds with her own femininity. Sometimes she feels ashamed of her femininity as she sees it as a sign of weakness; a small twinge of guilt when she wants to go to the spa when she could spend a day training. At times she weighs up whether or not she should cut her hair to appear more masculine. She is concerned that those around her won’t take her seriously as a bender. Subsequently, she is afraid to show any sign of weakness as she fears it will discredit her. She constantly does her best to project herself as strong and capable and is often unwilling or unable to ask for the help of those around her. In order to combat these thoughts, Kaliyia attempts to champion herself and women around her – hopeful if she repeats it enough times it will be true. At her core, she does believe the sexes to be equal but as with every person, she falters at times. But that does not stop her from doing her best to challenge and destroy gender biased notions whenever she sees them.

As one might expect Kaliyia does not feel obligated to fit in. She is fiercely independent, sometimes to a fault. A product of her upbringing and the situation with her family forced her to become comfortable with her own company. Refusing to bend and mould herself into someone she is not for anybody; Kaliyia is who she is and if that is not enough then Kaliyia will make no apologies. But that does not preclude her from being loyal to those she forms friendships with. She has a tendency to be guarded at first, but it does not take as long as Kaliyia might pretend to melt your way into her heart.

Unlike most of the multicultural residents of Ba Sing Se, Kaliyia is not proud of her heritage. She holds no warmth for her home in her heart and she does her best to distance herself from it wherever possible. How could she be proud of the very system that drove her from her home? And the people who allow such rigid traditions. Kaliyia takes issues with waterbenders who uphold the more traditional values of the tribes and does her best to avoid them.

It can easily be said that Kaliyia’s biggest vice is her pride. A pride that is so awesome it convinces her nothing is beyond her capability if she works hard enough. No task is too great if she sets her mind to it and no power is too awesome that it is beyond her control. Kaliyia has little humility and does not recognise her own limits and it is the chink in the armour of her soul. When her faith in herself is shaken, Kaliyia does not cope well – she is used to relying on herself for most things and if she cannot depend on her own abilities for whatever reason then she is often driven into a state of panic.

Although a flawed and complicated young woman most people she meets tend to agree that although she is certainly rough around the edges Kaliyia is a bright young soul whose heart is in the right place – now if only her mouth and head would follow.

Likes and Dislikes

Skills

History
Kaliyia started out life in the Northern Water Tribe with her twin brother and two parents. The north had always been steeped in tradition and Kaliyia’s family was no exception. Her parents were both traditional having been raised on the traditions of the tribe themselves. Kaliyia was raised to be a proper and well-spoken young woman, her brother was granted slightly more freedom but still kept on a tight leash. It was not an overly comfortable life but it was a simple one. Kaliyia and her brother, Kartan, took comfort in each other and fostered a harmonious relationship of shared occasional rebellion and sibling camaraderie. But things changed when both twins discovered the possessed the ability to waterbend.

Kaliyia’s parents were brimming with pride to discover Kartan was a waterbender, they almost immediately sought about ensuring he was set to receive lessons with the other benders his each within the tribe. Shortly after when Kaliyia discovered her own bending ability she was met with a bored disinterested – they were not proud of Kaliyia in the same way they had been of Kartan; they nodded and said she would be of use around the village but it was easy to see they did not particularly care about Kaliyia’s own ability and they made a very half-hearted attempt to disguise it. So, like the rest of the girls, her age Kaliyia was sent to the healing hut to learn about medicine, cheat and healing with waterbending. The repairing of physical and mental wounds and the treatment of them. Kaliyia found the lessons interesting without a doubt and she was certainly eager to hone her skills in this aspect of bending. Still young, and not quite fully aware of the restrictions placed upon her, Kaliyia sent her classroom into silence when she asked her instruction when they would begin the lessons on waterbending for combat purposes. The room was completely still for a moment as her instruction stared at the girl with a confused expression, as if she had just announced to the world she was the long lost avatar, before advising that battle was no place for a woman and that female waterbenders mastered the art of healing and that was it. There was no option to study the traditional northern style like her brother, no choice or say in the matter, it was decided – and had been long ago before Kaliyia had even been conceived.

At first, Kaliyia was confused as to why she should be denied the opportunity to hone her own waterbending ability the same as any man would and she didn’t see why healing was considered a lesser skill. She felt men should be able to treat the wounded same as any – but she was a young girl whose long voice could not shatter the chains of tradition that shackled the tribe. So she instead focused on her studies with her classmates, but Kaliyia was clearly gifted and the healing hut quickly ran out of new challenges to keep her engaged. There were few actual injuries within the tribe to sustain any real practice and Kaliyia continued to grow frustrated as she felt her skills had expanded the environment she was trapped in. Home was no better. Her parents had started talking about arranging a marriage with a long-standing family friend who had good ties within the court system. Kaliyia was not interested in getting married, certainly not as soon as she came of age and this caused a divide between her and her parents. By the same token, Kaliyia watched as Kartan was lavished with praise for his own waterbending – which in truth was unremarkable whilst her parents barely recognised her own efforts. Kaliyia resented Kartan for the fact he was an at best mediocre waterbender and yet he received the tuition she craved. This resentment and frustration continued to bubble and divide the siblings until eventually, they didn’t speak at all. Despite Kartan making several attempts to reach out to his sister and bridge the gap between them – unaware of what had even caused it to begin with.

As time went on Kaliyia continued to be at odds with her family and had resorted to sneaking out at night to try and learn waterbending herself. She made excuses to sneak out of the healing hut and observe the boys practice and watch intently whenever her parents insisted Kartan demonstrated some of his bending at home but her efforts were fruitless. Without a master to instruct her, point out her flaws and guide her through the proper forms her skills did not improve. Eventually, her parents announced to her that they had agreed her marriage without even discussing it with her as if to add to her contempt for them. Her mother had spent the day teaching her to prepare the favourite meal of her husband to be – without informing her why they were going to such effort before the man himself attended dinner and presented her with the betrothal necklace. Kaliyia spent a few days in a low hum, unsure of herself and what to do next. The new few days were filled with the sound of silence as she couldn’t escape her own head until the silence was shattered by the sound of the warhorn.

The Northern Water Tribe was attacked by the Fire Nation due to rumours they were harbouring the Avatar – the only person left standing in the way of their tyranny. However, the rumours were false and the tribe was left only with their own waterbenders to fend off the attack. The women, Kaliyia included, manned the healing huts and worked on the warriors injured during battle. Kaliyia felt passionately that they could be more helpful in the heat of battle, but as the women were uninstructed in ways of waterbending for combat they would only slow the men down. Kaliyia understood her role as a healer was important, but she felt they could be doing more. The north was her home as well, why should she not defend it? Still, the tribe was successful in repelling the attack and even managed to nab some armour from the Fire Nation soldiers. The sight of it made Kaliyia realise that this war was all too real; the fire nation was real and was a threat to them all.

Shortly after the dust had settled after the attack Kaliyia was approached by one of her classmates from the healing hut. There had been hushed whispers among a small group of girls in the hut for a while now. This particular classmate had an older sister who left the tribe one day; Kaliyia did not know much about the finer details other than she was not supposed to talk about it. Her classmate explained that her sister, also sick of the traditions of the tribe, had decided to leave for a better life with her lover. The two had ended up finding their way to Ba Sing Se within the Earth Kingdom – supposedly it was a safe haven from the Fire Nation, but what truly grabbed Kaliyia’s attention was that there was a waterbending instructor there. He had been born in the Northern tribe but married a woman from the Southern tribe. The two ended up going to Ba Sing Se in order to help fight the firebenders. He was willing to take students for waterbending, the lessons were not free but provided you could pay he was willing to instruct – regardless of gender. Her sister had been able to send her a map along with her latest letter providing the girls with a path. But it was not without risk; none of the girls knew any waterbending outside of healing, should they be caught by pirates, bandits or heaven forbid the fire nation who knows what would become of them. But Kaliyia realised that although they were safe with the tribe; they could not speak freely, they could not choose who they married, they could not utilize their gifts freely – bending or otherwise. Perhaps they were not prisoners of war, but they were certainly in captivity. It was right to leave.

Kaliyia went home that evening and stared at the twin brother she was once loved so dearly, that love now twisted with contempt, jealousy and bitterness. And her parents, the relationship poisoned by the traditions they upheld so dearly over their own daughter's happiness, and she knew she made the right choice. She wrote a letter explaining she had left and that she would likely not return until it was time for a change and she hoped one day she could forgive them. She made it clear that she was never going to marry the husband they picked out for her. She left the letter with the betrothal necklace she was given and amidst the dead of night the girls hijacked a boat and followed the map the girls were sent.

Kaliyia has many different stories about the girl’s trip to Ba Sing Se but the most notable one is the group running into a travelling bard on their journey. He played music to attract the women to him and through a strange series of events the girls ended up dancing to his music; using the same fluid motions found in the few waterbending forms they knew and the many traditional dances found in The Northern Water Tribe for festivals. The bard enjoyed the girl’s performance so much he asked them to dance with him in the string of villages on the way to Ba Sing Se – the girls agreed and began to dance their way through the Earth Kingdom. Once they eventually arrived in Ba Sing Se the girls had grown accustomed to their new little dance troupe and decided to keep dancing in order to pay their way.

Kaliyia has now been in Ba Sing Se for around nine months, the attack still fresh in her mind from ten months ago. The girls continue to live together and dance – deviating from the norm of water tribe women working in the clinics. They regularly dance in several venues within the Middle Ring and have even played a few private shows in the Upper Ring. The funds go to the girls shared apartment and lessons from their waterbending instructor – her bending has come on in leaps and bounds and is the natural she hoped she would be. Her instructor chides her for her arrogance at times and she still has a way to go but Kaliyia is too wrapped up in her fascination and joy in the art to be frustrated. Still, Ba Sing Sae is not totally free and although Kaliyia has been a model citizen since her arrival she still cannot shake the feeling that she is under the microscope. There is certainly unrest within the city and despite Kaliyia’s attempts to distance herself from it, like the tides of the sea, the pull of people might be more than she can quell.

Ambitions
Kaliyia has several ambitions; in the long term, she would like to master waterbending and return home to the North in order to break the traditions by defeating the waterbending instructor to prove women are capable. Although in the midst of the war that sometimes feels like a pipe dream. Ultimately, if that cannot be achieved she would like to at the very least establish a school for waterbenders where men and women are treated equally. Marriage would be nice too. In the short term, however, Kaliyia would like to make more connections with people, learn how to cook better and wants to do what she can to help those right in front of her.

Other
Thank you to kyone-kuaci on deviantart for this lovely piece that I am using as a face claim. I did try and find a link to the art directly but I think it might have been removed.