[hider=Zhen][center][h1][color=red]Zhen[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/55/ac/c6/55acc6fbcc22e912f89f31bdb276b8b5.jpg[/img]

[i]"All things are connected. To bend lightning, one must know water. To bend heat, one must know air. And to bend lava, one must know earth. Only the Avatar can bend multiple elements - but [/i]anyone[i] can study them."

- Zhen Long, lecturing to an advanced firebending class in his old age[/i][/center]

[color=red][h2]P E R S O N A L[/h2][/color][hr]
[b]Nationality:[/b] Fire
[b]Ethnicity:[/b] Fire

[b]Gender:[/b] Male
[b]Age:[/b] 19
[b]Height:[/b] 5'9"

[color=red][h2]B A C K G R O U N D[/h2][/color][hr]
Zhen was born a peasant child to a peasant family, in a peasant village in a Fire Country backwater. His father was a farmer, and his mother worked the loom. He grew up on spirit-tales and wistful smiles, and never asked why, every few months, maybe every year if they were lucky, they would rush down to the rough-hewn hole that passed for a basement and pull the trapdoor firmly shut, light blocked out by the rug that slid back in place atop it. The noises unsettled him anyway; he didn't really want to know what made them.

Still, he didn't like the look that would be on his father's face when they came back out, a tightness about the eyes as they slid almost lifelessly across a half-empty storehouse, scattered grain trod carelessly into the dirt.

When he got a little older, he realised that these unpleasant interludes in an otherwise slow and simple life were raids, evil bandits right out of his mother's stories come to loot their food and valuables.

[i]So where[/i], he wondered, [i]were the benders, the Avatar, come to stop them?[/i]

When he got a little older still, the candle-flame decided it liked him, following his fascinated fingers to and fro.

And he decided that if nobody would save them, he'd just have to do it himself.

Of course, it wasn't that simple. A firebender couldn't just command the flame to do his bidding, not so easily. He needed training - and there was only one place to get it.

The bandits, as it turned out when he grew old enough to be sat down and have certain facts of life explained to him, weren't bandits at all. They were the loyal soldiers of the local lord, off on leave and having a little [i]fun[/i].

So naturally, he wanted nothing to do with them. But the lord decreed that all firebenders must join his army, and to do otherwise was punishable by execution. If he wanted to learn, he had no other options. And no bender could go without bending for long; hiding himself would be a horribly risky undertaking.

At twelve, he joined Lord Josin's Firebender Cadet Corps. At sixteen, laughingstock and favoured target, barely able to do more than project a simple burst of fire, he deserted. For four years, he had swallowed his objections, his disgust at the callous disregard and entitlement that infested Josin's army of thugs, the quiet resignation of his fellow peasant Cadets and the cruel, mocking superiority of those who hailed from military or noble stock - and most of all, his hatred for the brutish, aggressive firebending they drilled mercilessly into every Cadet, tolerating not even the slightest of deviation.

So he ran. And he kept running, kept ahead of the retrieval squads for as long as they were after him (more a formality than anything, he was useless, a talentless failure; they only wanted him back to make an example), until, eventually, he hit the mountains.

Even then, he kept running. Up into the foothills, up the mountains themselves, past the treeline and deep into rocky crags and caverns.

Until, finally, he found what he never knew he'd been looking for.

He found dragons.

And he found a teacher.

[color=red][h2]P E R S O N A L I T Y[/h2][/color][hr]
Still possessed of much of the drive of his earlier youth, Zhen's time with the dragons has nonetheless greatly benefited his ability to keep an even keel. Though he feels strongly, and is naturally inclined to act decisively and on instinct, he has grown far better at banking the flame, so to speak, than he once was; even still, however, there are times when his passion overcomes his reason.

With a strong bent towards justice and fairness, Zhen finds himself, to a certain degree, railing against the nature of the world - and far more against the nature of spirits, at best capricious, at worst operating on a logic entirely alien to the human mind. Unfortunately, his time with the dragons has not left him unmarked, and many tend to be curious about what could draw and keep a dragon's attention to a mortal man.

Beyond all else, Zhen will not tolerate tyranny or abuse of authority, and after the Cadet Corps, refuses to swear allegiance to anyone or anything but his own judgement. A diehard free spirit, placing any sort of expectation of obedience on him will inevitably result in his deliberate flouting of that expectation. For someone he respects, whose skills in an area he acknowledges as superior, he will follow reasonable instruction, but he would refuse even the tutelage of a master if it came at the expense of a teaching style reminiscent of the uncompromisingly harsh drills of his youth. 

At the same time, however, he has no compunctions acquiescing to the request of a trusted friend, however few of them he has.

[color=red][h2]B E N D I N G[/h2][/color][hr]
[hider=Lots Of Complicated Stuff][b][color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] -> [b][color=#8c1300]Novice[/color][/b] -> [b][color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b] -> [b][color=#d11b00]Journeyman[/color][/b] -> [b][color=#dd1c00]Expert[/color][/b] -> [b][color=#ff0000]Master[/color][/b]

[i]This is not a comprehensive listing. Further Techniques may be added.[/i]

[i]Using an augmenting Technique such as [b]Fire Burst[/b] causes an increased expenditure of stamina, and chi where appropriate, over the cost of a normal firebending manoeuvre.[/i]

[u]Universal Techniques[/u]
[b]Inner Fire: [color=#d11b00]Journeyman[/color][/b]
[indent][i]The fire of life that burns within, from which a firebender draws his flames. With proper cultivation, it may grow great indeed.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Fire Creation
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Scorching Flame
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Burning Flame
[i]Expert:[/i] Searing Flame
[i]Master:[/i] Incinerating Flame[/indent]
[b]Surging Breath: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]The active manipulation of chi as it is used in firebending, moving with the breath that fuels the flame.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Small, momentary increase in physical or bending power
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Moderate momentary or small sustained in physical or bending power
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Significant momentary or moderate sustained in physical or bending power
[i]Expert:[/i] Great momentary or significant sustained in physical or bending power
[i]Master:[/i] Exceptional momentary or great sustained in physical or bending power[/indent]
[b]Mountain Style: [color=#8c1300]Novice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]The ancestor of firebending as it will be during the Hundred Year War, Mountain Style is direct, favouring power and aggression over subtlety or great finesse. Users must rely largely on overpowering their opponents' attacks, but there is something to said for sheer overwhelming force.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] [b]Simple[/b] Blasts & Continuous Flame; [b]Basic[/b] Physical Deflection
[i]Apprentice:[/i] [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Large[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] Blasts; [b]Simple[/b] Deflection & Continuous Flame
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Two of [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Large[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] Blasts; [b]Strong[/b] or [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Rapid[/b] Deflection; [b]Strong[/b] or [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] Continuous Flame
[i]Expert:[/i] [b]Rapid[/b], [b]Large[/b] and [b]Shaped[/b] Blasts; two of [b]Strong[/b] or [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Rapid[/b] Deflection; two of [b]Wide[/b], [b]Strong[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] Continuous Flame
[i]Master:[/i] [b]Endless Onslaught[/b]; [b]Wide[/b], [b]Strong[/b] and [b]Rapid[/b] Deflection; [b]Wide[/b], [b]Strong[/b] and [b]Shaped[/b] Continuous Flame[/indent]
[b]Dragon Style: [color=#d11b00]Journeyman[/color][/b]
[indent][i]A dragon's firebending, sometimes referred to among knowledgeable humans as Wave Style, emphasises control and the flow of fire over its unchecked fury. Users may learn to manipulate their flames into complex paths mid-flight, exclude allies from wide-area strikes, and simply allow their flames to roll around an opponent's defences rather than wasting their strength in a direct contest.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] [b]Basic[/b] Fire Projection; [b]Simple[/b] Deflection & Continuous Flame
[i]Apprentice:[/i] [b]Simple[/b] Blasts; [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Deflection; [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Continuous Flame
[i]Journeyman:[/i] [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Blasts; Two of [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Deflection; Two of [b]Wide[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Continuous Flame
[i]Expert:[/i] Two of [b]Rapid[/b] or [b]Shaped[/b] or [b]Controlled[/b] Blasts; [b]Wide[/b], [b]Rapid[/b] and [b]Controlled[/b] Deflection; [b]Wide[/b], [b]Shaped[/b] and [b]Controlled[/b] Continuous Flame
[i]Master:[/i] [b]Rapid[/b], [b]Shaped[/b] and [b]Controlled[/b] Blasts; [b]Cloak of Flame[/b][/indent]
[b]Study of Air: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]
[indent][i]All things are connected, and thus firebending may touch upon air. In addition to modifying one's firebending Styles, Study of Air unlocks appropriate mixed-element bending Techniques up to its own skill level, though each kind must be trained individually.[/i]

[i]At each skill level from Novice to Master, you may select one of the following:[/i]
[list][*]Learn an airbending descriptor. If you have studied Autumn Leaf, you may learn [b]Quick[/b] or [b]Evasive[/b]. If you have studied Summer Storm, you may learn [b]Knockback[/b] or [b]Redirecting[/b]. At will, you may substitute an appropriate firebending descriptor with any known airbending descriptor.
[*]Learn to feel the heat in the air around you, making you sensitive to fluctuations in air temperature caused by living beings.
[*]Focus on a mixed-element Technique, advancing one fire/air Technique by one level. This advancement may not cause it to exceed the skill level of Study of Air.
[*]Other idea, by GM approval.[/list][/indent]
[b]Study of Earth: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]
[indent][i]All things are connected, and thus firebending may touch upon earth. In addition to modifying one's firebending Styles, Study of Earth unlocks appropriate mixed-element bending Techniques up to its own level, though each kind must be trained individually.[/i]

[i]At each skill level from Novice to Master, you may select one of the following:[/i]
[list][*]Learn an earthbending descriptor. If you have studied Stone Style, you may learn [b]Mighty[/b] or [b]Implacable[/b]. If you have studied Soil Style, you may learn [b]Unbalancing[/b] or [b]Burying[/b]. At will, you may substitute an appropriate firebending descriptor with any known airbending descriptor.
[*]Learn to touch the memory of fire in volcanic earth and stone, and the heat of the forge in worked metal, allowing flame to be drawn from the former and either to be heated at a reduction in stamina expenditure.
[*]Focus on a mixed-element Technique, advancing one fire/earth Technique by one level. This advancement may not cause it to exceed the skill level of Study of Earth.
[*]Other idea, by GM approval.[/list][/indent]
[b]Study of Water: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]
[indent][i]All things are connected, and thus firebending may touch upon water. In addition to modifying one's firebending Styles, Study of Water unlocks appropriate mixed-element bending Techniques up to its own level, though each must be trained individually.[/i]

[i]At each skill level from Novice to Master, you may select one of the following:[/i]
[list][*]Learn a waterbending descriptor. If you have studied Ocean Style, you may learn [b]Surging[/b] or [b]Deep[/b]. If you have studied Moon Style, you may learn [b]Deflecting[/b] or [b]Scattering[/b]. At will, you may substitute an appropriate firebending descriptor with any known airbending descriptor.
[*]Learn to draw out the fire within water, leaving ice in its wake.
[*]Focus on a mixed-element Technique, advancing one fire/water Technique by one level. This advancement may not cause it to exceed the skill level of Study of Water.
[*]Other idea, by GM approval.[/list][/indent]

[u]Novice Techniques[/u]
[b]Extinguish: [color=#d11b00]Journeyman[/color][/b]
[indent][i]The ability to douse a fire is fundamental; all firebenders must learn to put out what they ignite. At higher levels, one may learn to extinguish the chi-fuelled flames of other firebenders, if control can be wrested away.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Extinguish Candleflame
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Extinguish Campfire
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Extinguish Bonfire or Simple Firebending
[i]Expert:[/i] Extinguish Wildfire or Moderate Firebending 
[i]Master:[/i] Extinguish Firestorm or Powerful Firebending[/indent]
[b]Inner Warmth: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]By drawing on one's inner fire, one may ward off the cold, or provide heat to those in need.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Endure Inclement Weather
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Endure Cold Water, Warm Tea
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Endure Arctic Weather, Warm Others In Contact
[i]Expert:[/i] Endure Arctic Water, Warm Others In Arms' Reach
[i]Master:[/i] Endure Any Cold, Warm Room[/indent]
[b]Vital Breath: [color=#ff0000]Master[/color][/b]
[indent][i]To bend flame is to breathe. Above all else, a firebender must be able to draw in the air to fuel the fire, or if worst comes to worst, retain as much of it as possible. Chi, as with all things, may bolster one's lungs.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Breathe Evenly Under Exertion, Hold Breath x2
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Endure 1km Elevation, Hold Breath x5
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Endure 2km Elevation, Hold Breath x10
[i]Expert:[/i] Endure 4km Elevation, Hold Breath x25
[i]Master:[/i] Endure 8km Elevation, Hold Breath x50[/indent]

[u]Apprentice Techniques[/u]
[b]Fire Bolt: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]A streak of focused flame, flying far and true, striking fiercely.[/i]

This technique negates a normal attack's ability to impose splash damage. At will, one may select either range, accuracy or power to gain the listed benefit. Alternatively, from Apprentice level onwards, one may reduce the benefit by one step to apply it to two attributes, or by two steps (from Journeyman onwards) for all three.

[i]Novice:[/i] Small Increase
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Moderate Increase
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Significant Increase
[i]Expert:[/i] Great Increase
[i]Master:[/i] Exceptional Increase[/indent]
[b]Fire Burst: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]A blast of fire that explodes upon impact, covering a wide area in flames.[/i]

This technique imposes a moderate reduction in attack power. At will, one may reduce the area by one step (from Apprentice level onwards) in exchange for reducing the loss in power, or by two steps (from Journeyman level onwards) to have the Burst carry the full power of a normal attack.

[i]Novice:[/i] Small Area
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Moderate Area
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Significant Area
[i]Expert:[/i] Great Area
[i]Master:[/i] Exceptional Area[/indent]
[b]Fire Leap: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]Enhancing one's speed and jumping capability with a precisely timed burst of flame.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Jump or Lunge x2
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Jump or Lunge x3
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Jump or Lunge x4
[i]Expert:[/i] Jump or Lunge x5
[i]Master:[/i] Jump or Lunge x6[/indent]

[u]Journeyman Techniques[/u]
[b]Cooperative Flame: [color=#ad1700]Apprentice[/color][/b]
[indent][i]To join one's flame with another's, and let the both be greater for it. A difficult endeavour, for fire is fierce and wild and independent in a way no other element can match, but in return, the result is just as much greater.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] One's own firebending will not disrupt the firebending of other firebenders unless deliberate.
[i]Apprentice:[/i] When executing the same attack or Technique at the same target as another cooperative firebender, they may instead act as one effect with a one-step increase in power, area or range.
[i]Journeyman:[/i] When executing the same attack or Technique at the same target as another cooperative firebender, they may instead act as one effect with two total steps of increase spread across power, area and range. Alternatively, two different attacks and/or Techniques, selecting characteristics from each at will.
[i]Expert:[/i] When executing the same attack or Technique at the same target as another cooperative firebender, they may instead act as one effect with three total steps of increase spread across power, area and range. Alternatively, two different attacks and/or Techniques may be combined, selecting characteristics from each at will and adding one step of increase to power, area or range.
[i]Master:[/i] When executing the same attack or Technique at the same target as another cooperative firebender, they may instead act as one effect with four total steps of increase spread across power, area and range. Alternatively, two different attacks and/or Techniques may be combined, selecting characteristics from each at will and adding two total steps of increase across power, area or range.

All such effects are limited by the lowest Cooperative Firebending level in the cooperating group. More than two firebenders cooperating successfully results in either the addition of an extra attack or Technique to the gestalt or an additional one step of increase to power, area or range per firebender beyond two.

When attempting to work with Benders of other elements, the Cooperative [Element]bending level of the group is limited to the lowest skill level regardless of element, and additionally limited by the lowest Study of [Element] skill level belonging to any participant, where the relevant element may be any involved in the combination technique.[/indent]
[b]Fire Surge: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Fire Leap
[indent][i]A powerful rush of flame, to push or lift as the user desires.[/i]

[i]Novice:[/i] Speed x2
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Speed x3
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Speed x4
[i]Expert:[/i] Speed x5
[i]Master:[/i] Speed x6

These effects stack additively with those of [b]Fire Leap[/b]. For example, a firebender with Expert in Fire Leap and Journeyman in Fire Surge could rush forwards at fourfold speed, then leap or lunge with an impulse sufficient to accelerate them to ninefold.[/indent]
[b]Fire Blade: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]
[indent][i]A condensed, sustained flame, that may be shaped into the likenesses of simple weapons.[/i]

Applies the intensity of one's [b]Inner Fire[/b] to melee attacks at up to short reach, as of a club or shortsword.

[i]Novice:[/i] Form Fire Blade
[i]Apprentice:[/i] Extend Reach (Medium - longsword, shortspear)
[i]Journeyman:[/i] Flow Around Parries
[i]Expert:[/i] Extend Reach (Long - longspear, staff)
[i]Master:[/i] Fluid Shape[/indent]

[color=darkgray][u]Expert Techniques[/u] | Locked - Requires Inner Flame Expertise and a Style Expertise
[b]Unifying Flame: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Cooperative Flame
[b]External Flame Control: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]
[b]Jet Propulsion: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Fire Surge
[b]Fire Lash: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Fire Blade
[b]Lightning Generation: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]

[b]Heat Redirection: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air
[b]Hot Dust/Wind Bending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air
[b]Lava Redirection: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Earth
[b]Hot Sand/Soil Bending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Earth
[b]Lightning Redirection: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Water
[b]Hot Water Bending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Water


[color=darkgray][u]Master Techniques[/u] | Locked - Requires Inner Flame Mastery and a Style Mastery
[b]Consuming Flame: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Unifying Flame and External Flame Control
[b]Dragon's Breath: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Surging Breath Mastery
[b]Fire Flight: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Jet Propulsion
[b]Pressurised Flame: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Fire Lash[/color]
[b]Psychic Firebending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b]

[b]Fire Whirl: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air
[b]Heatbending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air
[b]Lavabending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Earth
[b]Flash Melt: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Earth
[b]Lightningbending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Water
[b]Molten Glass/Metal Bending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Water

[b]Pyroclastic Bending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air & Earth Mastery
[b]Plasmabending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Air & Water Mastery
[b]Magmabending: [color=darkgray]Untrained[/color][/b] | Requires Study of Earth & Water Mastery[/color][/hider]

[i]Basically, he's pretty good at Dragon Style but has a fair way to go before mastering it, and knows the very basics of Mountain Style.  Due to living on top of a mountain for three years, he's got chi-based breath enhancement down pat; even at eight kilometres above sea level he can still get all the air he needs.[/i]

[color=red][h2]O T H E R  S K I L L S[/h2][/color][hr]
[list][*]Competent mountaineer and survivalist.
[*]Hates, but knows, military firebender drill and basic tactics.
[*]Decent hand-to-hand combatant, mostly soft-style based on Dragon Style firebending.
[*]Surprisingly excellent campfire cook.[/list]

[color=red][h2]M A J O R  P L O T   H O O K S[/h2][/color][hr]
[list][*]Finding Home - Zhen never learned to read or write as a child, and the Cadet Corps saw no need to teach him. As a consequence, maps were things he heard more experienced members of Josin's army talking about. He knows his home lies on the mainland, and that it's somewhere in the south, but nothing more than that.
[*]Mastering the Flame - Though he learned much from the dragons, Zhen has not yet fully grown into his art. His skill is enough to keep safe on the road, and to seek further advancement alone without the risk of working a fundamental flaw into his bending forms, but he still has a long way to go.
[*]The Avatar's Answer - The Avatar has disappeared. Abandoned their duty, and the people who rely on them. They have lifted no finger to help the hundreds, the thousands slaughtered in the Fire Lords' pointless warring. Zhen's feelings on this topic are many and complex, but above all else he wants to look them in the eye and ask: [i]Why?[/i][/list]

[color=red][h2]S A M P L E   P O S T[/h2][/color][hr]
"Spirits fucking [i]take it[/i]-!"

A flare of bright yellow-orange light splashed off bare stone, before fading away.

There was a rumbling sigh. "Did that make you feel better, young one?"

"... No."

"You have suffered much, I understand. But though fire and water oppose, they are all too similar - they both have their ebb and flow. If you cannot learn to [i]let go[/i], you will never grasp the truth of flame."

"Let - you want me to just [i]let go[/i]?! To just forget about - Josin, and his rabble of spirit-forsaken thugs, and -"

"[i]No[/i], young one. Not forget. Fire is life, but it is also passion; to deny your grievances, your fury, is to deny your own flame. But at the same time, if it is all you can return to, you will burn yourself away from within. I do not ask that you cast it away - only that you learn to set it aside, to accept what you cannot do in the moment until the time comes that you [i]can[/i]. To allow yourself time and space for more than just revenge."

Cloth rustled faintly in the background, half-lost under the thump of someone dropping to the ground.

"It - hurts. Knowing he's out there, that nobody's [i]stopping[/i] him, that there are more [i]just like him[/i]. That there's [i]nothing I can do[/i] about it."

Somewhere in the gravelly bass that replied, there was concealed just the bare suggestion of a smile. "And that, too, is fire. Endlessly, always, we [i]burn[/i]. Even when all there is to burn is ourselves. It is something we must all come to terms with. But this, I think, you know already."

"... Yeah. Yeah, I know." A snort. "Alright, you old lizard, let's get back to it. What am I doing wrong this time?"

For several long moments, silence stretched out.

"Ren?"

"Truthfully, young one, I think there is little more I can teach you. Or, rather, little more I should." Again, just the barest wisp of a smile crept in. "All hatchlings must leave the nest eventually. You have grown well here, sheltered beneath my wings - but if you wish to become all you could be, I cannot coddle you forever. Fire [i]must[/i] burn freely, or it is not fire at all!"

"... Already? I mean, I knew this was coming, but... two and a half years?"

This time, the smile was far more evident. "Oh, young one, you really have no idea, do you? Mountain Style did not suit you at all, no, and you were nearly extinguished beneath it - but you [i]are[/i] talented, and your fire burns bright within, when given a chance to blaze unrestrained. You have come very far indeed, in this time, and I am proud of you."

A moment of wordless - word-lost - silence. "... 'Cmon, Ren, I'm not [i]that[/i] good..."

"[i]Yet[/i]. Your beginning in the art of firebending left much to be desired, this is true - though through no fault of your own - but in two and a half years, you have come further than I would expect to see in five, perhaps closer to ten. A decade or two from now, I do not doubt I will see you stand tall among the ranks of masters. In fifty, you will be a figure of [i]history[/i], and I shall be proud of your accomplishment, and [i]take[/i] pride in having been your teacher. But part of that is knowing when to [i]let you go[/i]. Because a flame cannot be cosseted - if you try, you will only smother it. And you are beginning to grow restless here, even if you have not or cannot see it yourself."

Finally, there was laughter.

"Shit, Ren, you're wiser than I'm ever going to be. I'll miss it. You really think it's time for me to leave?"

"Age and wisdom, [i]young one[/i], often go hand in hand. But yes - it is time you spread your wings and [i]fly[/i]." Powerful coils, as much spirit as mortal flesh, moved over each other, the soft hiss of scale on scale almost blending into the wind. "Truthfully... there is another reason, too. You have told me of your frustration with the state of the Fire Nation - though recently, an uneasy truce has come to be between the Lords - with the world at large, and as a part of that world, the Avatar. But... there is really no easy way to say this. The Avatar is missing. Since the assassination of Avatar Er at the hands of the Earth warlord An, the world has awaited his successor, but though twenty years have passed, they have not revealed themselves."

"And you expected any better? It's not like the Avatar even [i]cares[/i]. Bridge to the Spirit World and all - but you know what spirits are like."

"Perhaps it is so. Or perhaps it is otherwise. By the metrics of Lord Josin's reign, you are a coward and a traitor - but do those labels define you?"

"... Fine. So, what, you want me to find the Avatar? Seriously?"

"If you wish. It would be a long journey, one that would take you to many places. You would have many opportunities to study bending, both of fire and otherwise. And there is far more to learn in the world than only that; I have seen and learned much in my life, but there is much more I simply cannot teach you. And... if you [i]did[/i] find them... wouldn't you have an opportunity to discover an answer?"

"Oh, fuck off. You're a canny old bastard, you know that?"

The amusement could only have been missed if one was deaf. "Why, thank you."

"[i]That wasn't a compliment[/i]!"

As the sun set, the mountains echoed with laughter.

[color=red][h2]D E S I G N   N O T E S[/h2][/color][hr]
[b]On Names:[/b] Zhen does not, in the present, have a last name. He is a peasant, from a peasant family. In the Avatar world, from what we see in canon, the only people with last names are the ones who have things to pass on (the Bei Fong merchant family, say) but don't have enough status that when people say their names, everyone knows who they're talking about (Ozai/Iroh/Zuko/Azula - they're the royal family, everyone in Fire knows them.) Thus, the quote under the image, from Old Man Zhen, is attributed to [i]Zhen Long[/i]. Long is Chinese for dragon - I figured once he got more famous, and word of him being trained by the dragons got around, he might well end up being called something along those lines. So it's sort of a nickname turned title turned surname.

[b]High-End Bending Abilities:[/b] Yes, I've got some wacky shit in there. I don't expect Zhen will ever actually get that far, or at least not in the scope of the game, I'm just envisioning capstone abilities that would be awesome. Maybe I'll find a high-power game somewhere in the future and break out Old Man Zhen, the walking volcanic eruption :v[/hider]