[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/26f16045-6356-41aa-8cbe-d241d0cb2fc7.png[/img][/center]Zai’s ears were filled with the thundering of his own heart as he ran, but the threatening rumble of earthbending behind him was even louder, heralding the pursuers hot on his heels. He weaved in and out of the streets, criss-crossing alleys, overturning carts, and doing everything else possible to obstruct his pursuers and obscure his own path. 

[color=FC5E04][i]Stupid! Stupid![/i][/color] was all he could think as he ran, gritting his teeth against his own reprimands. [color=FC5E04][i]Running away was the WORST thing you could have done! The worst thing! Idiot! How will you get home now?![/i][/color]

His escape from Ba Sing Se was at the forefront of his mind, and Zai didn’t like it. That had taken every mite of luck and cunning he had, and he’d still be in a worker camp somewhere if he didn’t have help. But Lazhou had no great wall, and these were no Dai Li; all he had to do was make it outside of town, then maybe--

[color=FC5E04][i]“Ah--!”[/i][/color]

Suddenly, Zai tumbled painfully to the ground, rolling into the dark of an obscured alleyway tangled up with someone else. If not for the brief stun of the fall, he’d have engulfed himself in flame; he was certain he was captured. But when he saw [i]who[/i] had captured him, he kind of wished it [i]had[/i] been a soldier. 

He jumped to his feet, already in a defensive firebending stance by the time she got her words out. The alley behind them was blocked with crates, but out through the rug wasn’t an option either given the sound of approaching earthbending. Zai was ready to torch the woman and try to make his mistake when she finally uttered a familiar name: Shunon. 

[color=FC5E04]“Shunon?”[/color] Zai repeated breathlessly, leveling the girl with a suspicious glare. His tone turned quickly from surprised to accusatory. [color=FC5E04]“How do [i]you[/i] know Shunon?”[/color]

Before she could answer, an Earth Kingdom soldier burst through the rug obscuring them from the street, caking himself in crude earthen armour and looking for a fight. But in another surprising turn of events, the soldier claimed he was there for the girl, not Zai.

Zai shuffled a step back, closer to the crates boxing them in, glaring between the girl and the soldier. It was literally a choice between a rock and a hard place; the soldier also thought she was the Laughing Lily, but an Earth Kingdom soldier could never be trusted. Granted, the girl was a serial killer and Earth Kingdom herself, but for the moment at least it seemed they had a common enemy. Most importantly, she apparently knew where Shunon was - and no matter how suspicious she was, Zai wanted to find out. 

Shouts and footsteps were approaching quickly up the street. Making up his mind, Zai turned on his heel and kicked the crates behind him; thankfully, they were empty, and toppled noisily like a house of cards.

[color=FC5E04]“Come on!”[/color] Zai commanded; he didn’t leave room for discussion, grabbing the girl tightly by her sword arm and yanking her over the toppled crates. As soon as they were both clear, he spun and shot a blast of fire at the crates to cut off any pursuers, setting them immediately ablaze. He pulled the girl at a sprint down the street and through more alleys, making for the edge of town. 
[right][@Hero] [@Andreyich][/right]