[IC] A Bender's Story: The One Where It Began (Aerandir and Tsubasa)

[tsubasa]

Nyima stood staring at herself in the mirror. She was dressed finely and her hair was piled it some majestic way on her head. But the only thing she could focus on was the little necklace around her throat. With that necklace her life and fate were sealed and handed off to some man. Nyima was not okay with this. She stepped back and started to pull the pins from her hair, and undress herself. She grabbed her coat and pulled on her pants. Walked over to the window, her only escape and looked back at the mirror. Reaching up, she ripped the blue necklace from her throat and threw it to the ground before she jumped from the window to disappear silently into the water.

It had taken her sometime to get to Republic City. Between waterbending and climbing onto non water tribe boats, she managed to get there some days later in the middle of the night. She climbed onto the dock and smiled as she looked at the lights of the city. It was far brighter here than in the drab North. She laughed a little as she started to walk down the dock. That was when she heard a snicker and her blood turned to ice.

[Aerandir]

Rayn walked down a road towards his home after a day of work. His Motorcycle wasn't working at the moment and walking was better than hitching a ride with someone else. It had been a rough day. He nearly got caught today with his involvement with a band of Airbenders outside of town. He has just finished doctoring the evidence to remove his Involvement.

He stopped at an intersection and looked left and right. Having a feeling he decided to take another route, a long way home. By the docks, he enjoyed the sound of he ocean sometimes. He leaned and moved towards his left down towards the docks.

---

Six men stepped out of the shadows with the leader snickering. Slowly they surrounded the pretty water tribe girl all alone. The leader step I front of her and said. " what is a pretty girl like you doing here at this time of night? Don't you know it's dangerous?" He looked her up and down as another said. " she just got off the boat she wouldn't understand Republic City. We better teach her quickly before she gets in any more trouble."

The leader nodded and one man slowly snuck up behind her

[tsubasa]

Nyima's heart was racing as she looked at the men who had surrounded her. What on earth had she gotten herself into? She heard the footsteps behind her and quickly turned. Water jetted out of the ocean, colliding with man trying to sneak up on her from behind. She looked from side to side, they left no place for her to turn her back to. There wasn't even anywhere for it to back up against a wall, which at this moment, she thought she would have preferred. She counted six in total, even if not a single one of them could bend, even being next to the water, Nyima could tell that this wasn't fight she was going to win. However, she was so scared to lose. She felt a hand grab her and yelped, pulling herself away. If this had been at home, Zhou would have come to her rescue. But this wasn't home and Zhou had probably just found out that she had run away. She could have gone anywhere, he wouldn't know she had gone to republic city. She slowly started to bend the water around them as a feeble threat.

[Aerandir]

Rayn was near the docks when he heard a woman yelp. Usually at this time of night that wasn't a good thing. Especially around the docks. His walk turned into a run as he quickly made his way in the general direction of the yell. As he ran he looked to his left and saw six men surrounding a girl, one of which was just getting up and another who had pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her so she couldn't move.

With out a hesitation Rayn hurtled the barrier and slid down the embankment lowering himself in a low stance, almost sitting down as he slid. Between the end of the embankment and the dock was ten feet of water. At which when he reached the end he pulled his hands in an upward movement. A three foot diameter pillar of rock jabbed out beneath him. Launching him into the air. A few seconds of silence passed save the wind against his clothes. He then landed on one of the men , the force crushing him into the docks while Rayn rolled quickly back to his feet in the middle of the circle now.

All the men were surprised for a second or two before getting angry and two ran at him. The taller of the two came from behind and went for a jab at the back of the head. At which he side stepped, grabbed the hand with his left, elbowed him in the gut with his right with a quick back hand to the face when he doubled over.

Then he turns towards the second man and blocked three punches and a kick before grabbing the mans leg, twisting it inward and jabbing the side of the knee. Breaking it. He then kicked the man back, sending him rolling in another thug.

He was suddenly shoved back, slamming into the edge of the do land rolled over. But grabbed hold of the edge before he fell in. No one had touched him... His eyes narrowed. 'Airbender's.'he thought to himself. He heard and felt men running towards him. He was in no position to gain a upper hand here, he pushed himself downwards into the water. After a moment of reaching the bottom he dugg his feet into he mud and concentrated on the earth. He still had trouble working mud but he was reaching for the dry rock below it. With all his strength he slammed a foot down while pulling his hands down as well. The rock beneath slammed upwards and carried him up. He punched upward and slammed through the wood. Reaching a climax of five feet before landing with feet on each side of the hole.

He then dived and rolled to the side as another blast of air came at him. Rolling he grabbed a metal bar off his back and flung it at the airbender, slamming into his chest and crushing the mans rib age. He slowly stood up as the remaining three hesitated. He looked towards the man holding the girl and said. " Let her go. Or your next."

[tsubasa]

Nyima squirmed as the man grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her and stopping her from getting away. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to fight herself free. She cursed to herself as the man hardly budged and merely laughed at her efforts. She could feel a stinging her eyes when man landed some ways in front of them and started to beat the men attacking her. She was awe-struck as she watched him fight. She yelped again when the man seemed to lose his footing and fall off the dock into the water. She lowered her head, well there goes that chance. The man laughed in her ear, causing shivers to run down her spine. She closed her eyes tightly, fearing what was going to happen to her. She heard the crack of wood and opened her eyes again to find the man had returned and managed to take down three of the men. She looked at him in awe. When the ordered the man to release her, he did. He seemed more worried about his hide then getting his way with her. He pushed her forward, causing her to stumble before her legs gave out from under her and she hit the deck. Sitting there on her knees, she started to cry. Why had she left? It was stupid of her. She should have gotten married like her parents wanted. Instead, she had run away to a place she knew nothing about and had no where to stay. She covered her face, completely ashamed with herself. She was too young to have left home. She still relied on her brother to protect her from dangers. She left him along with her family and she couldn't even protect herself. She looked up at the man who had saved her and wiped her eyes, "Th-thank you."

[Aerandir]

The man pushed her forward, causing her to stumble before her legs gave out from under her and she hit the deck. On her knees she started to cry. He clenched his teeth as the man started to run for it. Reaching back he grabbed his second metal bar and threw it at him. Hitting him in the spine and dropping him. The other two got away during this.

She looked up at the man who had saved her and wiped her eyes, "Th-thank you." He knelt down in front of her and said. " hey.... Are you alright? " he reached out to comfort her by touching her shoulder but thought better and just offered his hand to her. " My name is Rayn, what is your name?"

As he looked at her as she looked up at him. She was obviously was scarred out of her mind and she defiantly wasn't from here. She was obviously from the water tribe. He looked around and said. "let's get out of here alright? You Hungry? "

[tsubasa]

Nyima looked at his hand when he held it out in front of her. After a moment, she put her own hand in it, "N-Nyima."

She used his hand to help herself to her feet, "Leaving... Sounds good," she looked out to the water and sighed, "Sorry.. What? Oh hungry... Um... Yes."

She followed him as he lead her to some restaurant. She continued to wipe her eyes, trying to calm herself down. She walked close to him, scared of her surroundings. She looked over her shoulder back at the docks and sighed, "I... I... I ran away," she said softly, "My parents wanted me to get m-married... forcing me, really.... I don't know why.... I... I don't have anywhere to go and I don't know anything about this city... I think I might have made a mistake coming here," she rubbed her eyes, "I don't even have anywhere to stay," she stopped and looked at him. She laughed a little, "I'm sorry... I don't know why I'm telling you any of this...."

[Aerandir]

She looked at his hand when he held it out in front of her. After a moment, she put her own hand in it, "N-Nyima." He gripped her hand. Smiled and stood up.

She used his hand to help herself to her feet, "Leaving... Sounds good," she looked out to the water and sighed, "Sorry.. What? Oh hungry... Um... Yes."

He nodded and then turned and took her to a simple noodles places a couple blocks down. As they walked She continued to wipe her eyes, trying to calm herself down. He noticed that she walked close to him, scared still of her surroundings. She looked over her shoulder back at the docks and sighed, "I... I... I ran away," she said softly, "My parents wanted me to get m-married... forcing me, really.... I don't know why.... I... I don't have anywhere to go and I don't know anything about this city... I think I might have made a mistake coming here," she rubbed her eyes, "I don't even have anywhere to stay," she stopped and looked at him. She laughed a little, "I'm sorry... I don't know why I'm telling you any of this...."

He smiled softly at her, trying to ease her with his next words. It's alright you are safe now. No one is gunna hurt you while I'm around. " they reached the shop and he opened the door for her and followed her in. He then led her to the bar and sat down next to her on the stool. An older man came out and said
"Ah Rayn you grace my shop with your pressence again! Shall I get..." He looked at Nyima and asked. " Is the lady alright?"

Rayn then nodded quickly. "Yeah she is now. Had a run in with a gang at the docks. Can you get her and I some of your specialty noodles? " it's a cool night out tonight."

The man nodded and said, " yes of course! Your lucky Rayn came by miss. He is a a great man, and officer. You are in good hands." He smiled and hurried off towards the kitchen.

Rayn sighed and slipped his jacket off revealing his Republic city police uniform. He then placed his jacket over her shoulders. Though it wasn't super cold to what she was used to it would help her nerves to have a little more warmth.

" alright... He said in a low calm voice. " let me see if I can paint a picture here. Obviously you are from the water tribe... Northern kingdom fur to the clothes and lack of supplies. You ran away from home because your parents were forcing you to marry someone. Soo maybe that makes you 17 or 18? Never left home and didn't take much with you. A spur of the moment. Hense why you don't know where to go or stay.. Is that right?" He smiled warmly to show he cared. He's self with many runaways before. But they were younger. " don't worry we can figure this out. Well just take it one step at a time."

[tsubasa]

Nyima looked at the old man and nodded her head, "I really was..."

She looked at Rayn when he started to try and figure out her story. She nodded her head along with his story. When he finished, she smiled very lightly, "I suppose.... A better person couldn't have stumbled upon me."

She pulled her his coat around her, taking in the warmth of it. She let out a ragged breath, "Seventeen... I'm seventeen. Today was my wedding day," she shook her head, "So, I got out of my dress and into this and jumped out the window..."

Nyima tightened his coat around herself further, "I didn't think about it further... I didn't think about it at all... I just did it," she looked up at him as she sat on her stool, "Are you really going to help me?"

[Aerandir]

As he spoke She nodded her head along with his story. When he finished, she smiled very lightly, "I suppose.... A better person couldn't have stumbled upon me."

He shook his head and said " just a person ..." As the old man came back out with some hot tea. At which He took a cup and blew on it to cool it down.

She pulled her his coat around her while she let out a ragged breath, "Seventeen... I'm seventeen. Today was my wedding day," she shook her head, "So, I got out of my dress and into this and jumped out the window..." Nyima tightened his coat around herself further, "I didn't think about it further... I didn't think about it at all... I just did it," she looked up at him as she sat on her stool, "Are you really going to help me?"

He was looking forward thinking with his cup in his hands, the warmth on his hands. He then realized he left his staff at the harbor. Oh well he would get it in the morning. He took a sip and looked back at her. "Yes I am going to help you. Why I'm still here." He said with a warm smile. Before putting his cup down. "I understand... You got put in a corner and just acted. Not often when we are young we make rational choices in hard situations. I've done things I'm not proud of and made mistakes . Best thing we can do is learn from them ."
He turned towards her and said, "Now for tonight after we eat. We can ask old man chan if he has a extra room for you. In the morning I'll be back and we can work out what to do. If they means putting you I the next boat home."

[tsubasa]

Nyima released the coat to allow herself to reach out and grab the tea that had been placed in front of them. She sipped it and looked at him as he told her what was going to happen. She shook her head when he brought up going home, "No... I can't... They'll make me marry him if I do..."

She sipped her tea as she thought about it all. She was fully convinced if she went back that her parents wouldn't understand. She had spoken to them but they wouldn't listen to her. They didn't care that she didn't love him, they always just said you will. Nyima didn't want that though. She continued to sip her tea, feeling the warmth spread through her. She glanced up at Rayn as she slowly drank. Finally, she looked up at him, lowering her cup. She examined the placed around them, "This... Is all so different... The North is nothing like this...."

She smiled softly, "It's why I came here.... I heard that it was one of the most forward moving places in the world.... North doesn't adopt anything new, we still live in ice and snow homes and most this work by water bending rather than... umm... Electricity...."

[Aerandir]

She shook her head when he brought up going home, "No... I can't... They'll make me marry him if I do..."
He watched her as she said that. She looked like she was determined not to go back.

"Greeeat" he thought to himself as she grew silent. Obviously thinking on her own problems he sighed and started to think on what he could do. He held his tea in hand staring into space when he heard.

"This... Is all so different... The North is nothing like this...." She smiled softly, "It's why I came here.... I heard that it was one of the most forward moving places in the world.... North doesn't adopt anything new, we still live in ice and snow homes and most this work by water bending rather than... umm... Electricity...."

He smiled slightly at her words of wonder. Just a young girl who wanted something more than just a married life. Who was he to stop her... She just needed guidance. He looked at her as the Old man cam back and placed a bowl of noodles in front of them. "Yeah it's a whole lot different from the north kingdom. There is a lot of amazing things... And dangerous things... That you can't just run out there with no preparedness"

" thank you Chan "he said softly.

He looked at her and said" but I can teach you if you wish"

[tsubasa]

Nyima bowed her head when the man placed the noodles in front of them. She looked at the noodles as Rayn spoke of how the city was very different from the Northern Water Tribe. She lowered her head when he reprimanded her for her being under prepared for her running away. She sipped her tea and sighed, "I know... But if I had left the room I would have been dragged to altar... I didn't have time to prepare.... I... I know... It wasn't smart but..."

Her voice faded away when he offered to teach her about the world she had been missing out on her. She smiled and nodded her head, "Yes... I would."

She picked up her chopsticks and picked up the noodles, "I'm seventeen... and this is the first time I've ever been outside of the Northern Water Trobe, never been away from my parents... and they wanted to marry me off to a man who would keep me in the Water Tribe and I would never be away from him..." she looked at Rayn, "Would you have stayed? Prepared?"

[Aerandir]

Her voice faded away when he offered to teach her about the world she had been missing out on her. She smiled and nodded her head, "Yes... I would."
He nodded and took a bite of his food. He didn't want her to feel bad he had to realize she was young. Her next words confirmed it.
"I'm seventeen... and this is the first time I've ever been outside of the Northern Water Trobe, never been away from my parents... and they wanted to marry me off to a man who would keep me in the Water Tribe and I would never be away from him..." she looked at Rayn, "Would you have stayed? Prepared?"

He placed his chopsticks down and was silent for a moment before saying " I don't know. Possibly. " he looked at her and said "is this what you really want though? To possibly never see your parents again?" He looked her hard in the eyes. If it were him he'd give anything to see his parents once more.

[tsubasa]

Nyima played more with her food than she ate it. When Rayn brought up the possibility of never seeing her parents again, she could feel the stinging in her eye. She closed them tightly and sighed, "I spent... the entire way here thinking about never seeing them or my brother again... It isn't something I want... but I'm scared that... If I go back... or if I had stayed... If I got married like they wanted me to, I would end up resenting them."

She felt a tear escape for her eye and dropped her chopstick, wiping it away. She sniffled a little, "I don't want to hate them for making choices for me... And I don't want to be in a marriage with no love. When I get married, I want it to be to the right person," she looked at him and smiled lightly, "But... you probably just think I'm a little kid... and I can't deny that... I ran away from home to a place I where I know nothing and no one and had to end up getting saved by some stranger..."

She shook her head, "I can't deny that at all..."

She looked at her nearly full bowl of noodles but had no interest in eating them, "You said something about a place to sleep?"

---

Nyima woke in a warm bed the next day. It took her a minute to figure out were she was and when she did she smiled slightly. Despite the scare the night before and leaving her family, she was happy with what she done. She stretched and looked around, examining every little thing in the room. Rayn had said he would be back in the morning and she didn't have a clue what to do in the meantime... Not to mention, she was a little scared to roam the streets alone.

[Aerandir]

She closed them tightly and sighed, "I spent... the entire way here thinking about never seeing them or my brother again... It isn't something I want... but I'm scared that... If I go back... or if I had stayed... If I got married like they wanted me to, I would end up resenting them."

He lowered his head as she spoke. Why was he trying to force wisdom down her at this time. She didn't need it she seemed to have her head somewhere on her shoulders. He glanced over as he a tear escape for her eye and dropped her chopstick, wiping it away. She sniffled a little, "I don't want to hate them for making choices for me... And I don't want to be in a marriage with no love. When I get married, I want it to be to the right person," she looked at him and smiled lightly, "But... you probably just think I'm a little kid... and I can't deny that... I ran away from home to a place I where I know nothing and no one and had to end up getting saved by some stranger..."

She shook her head, "I can't deny that at all..."

He nodded and said, you are right. You are a kid still. But a brave one I'll give you that and you admit it. You might be ahead of the game somewhere."
She looked at her nearly full bowl of noodles but had no interest in eating them, "You said something about a place to sleep?"

He smiled and pulled out some money and placed it in the old mans hand, thanking him for a meal. And asked him for room and board.

---

Rayn woke up and got out of bed. Scratching his head he remembered the previous night and the girl Nyima. He sighed and wondered what he was gunna do with her. It's not good for a innocent girl like that to be in the city alone.

He got dressed in his normal clothes and strapped his metal staff to his back. Having went to pick it up the night before after he left. He then made his way to a clothing store and bought some clothes for her. Being a good judge on sizes he felt comfortable doing so. He then finally made his way back to the shop and old an chan opened the door for him.

"Rayn sir glad to see you back. You off work today?" Chan asked.

He nodded and said, I took it off. Couldn't leave her all day. Besides" he picked up his bag of clothes. " I figured she could use a change of clothes." Chan nodded and pointed towards the stairs " don't know if she is awake yet, girl hit the bed asleep."

Rayn smiled and walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. Placing the bag full of clothes on the ground and making his way back down stairs.

[tsubasa]

Nyima heard the knock at the door and put down the item she was fiddling with. She opened the door and looked down at the bag. Crouching down, she pulled out one of the clothing items and smiled. She jumped to her feet and ran from the room. She ignored the fact that she didn't have socks or shoes, or that she was only dressed in her tank top and pants from the previous night. She spotted Rayn near the bottom, "Hey!" she called, the smile still on her face, "Thanks..."

She turned back around and walked to her room, grabbing the bag. Pulling out the clothes, she went about trying them on. She was surprised by how well they fit and how different the clothes were to those in the North. With the cold, every inch of skin, save the face, was covered to prevent any frost bite. Here, they didn't have to worry about the cold. She looked at her skin and grinned. She looked in the mirror and examined herself as she quickly put her hair up. Once she was done, she pulled on her shoes and coat and ran down the stairs, hoping Rayn hadn't left.

[Aerandir]

As Rayn neared the bottom of the stairs he heard the door open and the sound of running ending with "Hey!" He turned and looked up to see Nyima with a smile on her face, "Thanks...". At which he simply nodded and continued to the front counter while she went back to her room.

He sat down in the same chair he sat in the night before and old man chan came out and started to "clean " the counter. " so what are your plans with the Girl?" He asked casually.

Rayn sighed and said. " I don't know. She is still dead set on staying here. She does not want to go back."

Chan said" she is just a kid she doesn't know what's best for her." At which Rayn replied," She is Seventeen, when I was her age I already knew what I was going to do. I just needed guidance."

Old man chann then nodded his head..." Pretty girl she is too..." He said with a wink. At which Rayn shook his head. "Don't to there chan. I'm just helping her. She just got out of an engagement, and I'm sure it's the last thing on her mind. Besides it's not like I'm gunna try it's not right in my position."

Chain nodded slowly and grunted " mhmm... Sure. That's what all single rescuers of pretty women say" he chuckled and heard the door upstairs open. " just know the misses thinks you shouldn't let this one go." He finished as he chuckled some more.

As she came down chan said. " Good morning young one. Did you sleep well I hope? You look great in those new clothes" he said with a wink to Rayn who just glared at him for a second.

[tsubasa]

Nyima reached the bottom of the stairs and found Rayn sitting on a stool at the counter. She beamed and walked over to him. She smiled at the Old Man and nodded, "I did... Thank you."

When he mentioned her clothing, she looked down at them, missing the wink to Rayn. She nodded her head, "They are very different from what I am used to. Look," she said as she took a seat at the bar, "You can see my hands and neck and chest," She looked at Rayn, all smiles, "And only two layers. Back home you wouldn't be able to, let alone allowed, to wear anything like this... No skin, seven layers."

She shook her head and sighed, "Getting dressed always took forever. But this." She said showing off the outfit, "Did take long to get in at all."

Her legs began to swing in the empty space of the stool as her feet could not touch. She played with her hair a little and looked at Rayn, "Thank you, for the clothes... and dinner... and board.... I promise, I'll pay you back when I can.".

[Aerandir]

He looked over as she and walked over to him. She smiled at the Old Man and nodded, "I did... Thank
she looked down at her clothes. She nodded her head, "They are very different from what I am used to. Look," she said as she took a seat at the bar, "You can see my hands and neck and chest," She looked at Rayn, all smiles, "And only two layers. Back home you wouldn't be able to, let alone allowed, to wear anything like this... No skin, seven layers."
Rayn smiled as she talked about her clothes. She seemed already so much better . He was happy she was smiling now.

She shook her head and sighed, "Getting dressed always took forever. But this." She said showing off the outfit, "Didnt take long to get in at all."
"That's great to hear. Most girls take forever anyways dressing like you here." He chuckled slightly

Her legs began to swing in the empty space of the stool as her feet could not touch. She played with her hair a little and looked at Rayn, "Thank you, for the clothes... and dinner... and board.... I promise, I'll pay you back when I can."

Smiling still he looked forward at Chan and said. " You don't need to worry paying me back. I won't accept it." He looked back at her and continued. " I'm glad you like the clothes... Figured they would be a little more comfortable than your other; and to have a nice set of clothes to change into instead of using the same clothes for a while."

He stood up and asked" So let's go for a tour of the city. Might as well get used to it if you are going to stay."

He looked back to chan, " we will be back for her things later is that alright?" Chan nodded as Rayn placed some money on he counter.