Main Throne Room

[Naraca]

The Throne Room
(Click v)
Opening his mouth wide for a long yawn, the Earth kings elbow rested on the arm rest of his throne, while his fist was pressed against his cheek. His eye's were narrow with bags under his eyes, his one leg was rest over the other and his was going in and out of a power nap. His level of interest was fading, yet he kept his ears open as he listened to the dull, grey report of his head of supply and delivery. It was necessary, but the information didn't come without a hint of boredom, and the feeling of falling face first on the rug...Oh that sweet rug...Looked so comfortable with it's red velvet and soft cushioning for your feet. He scratched the black stubble on his face before laying his head back down on his fist.

"Uhhhh...Sir are you okay?" The head of supply asked carefully as he looked closely at the mans sleepy state.

He popped his eye open and sat up straighter, taking his hand off his chin. Yet still maintaining his rather slow and tired look.

"Yeah, just fine, continue" He replied, laying his head back against his throne.
The head of supply paused for a moment, then nodded his head and looked back down at a clipboard with papers attached to it.

"The poor district of Omashu is requesting an extra 5 percent of the market funds for renovations to there shops"
"What kind of shops?" The man on the throne inquired
"Food sir"
"Granted...Raise it to 8 percent, keep the tax where it is for now" He finished, waving his hand dismissively.
"Of course sir, I'll let them know." The head of supply said while making a note on his clip board.
"That's it for the update, do you have any other questions?" He asked, his eye's turning slightly to the 6 body guards on both sides of the mans slightly elevated throne.

"Yeah, wasn't there supposed to be a delivery of R&D tech for the reconstruction of the middle district in Ba Sing Sae?" The man asked casually, his voice rather unenthusiastic.
The head of supply looked down at his clip board and flipped through some pages.
"Ummm" He let out, pausing as he was looking for the document.
"Yes, they experienced a delay, Mercenary's attacked the supply carriage, they said they would be here tomorrow" He answered formally.
Naraca shook his head slightly, these attacks were becoming more frequent and it was becoming a problem that he'd have to address.
"Alright that will be all" The man on the throne told him.
"Yes sir, good day to you" He wished upon him, bowing slightly before turning around and walking out the large front door.

Once he left the man on the throne let out a great sigh and placed his right palm on his forehead, skimming it down his face as he inhaled.
"The legend dies, the legacy continues on" The man remarked before standing up from his throne and stretching out his back. These formal meetings were never his thing, this was his job, but it was not the man he was raised to be. Paper pushing was not the way he planned to spend the rest of his life.
Yet, as the Earth King, he had a obligation to the people of the Earth Kingdom. He understood this, and thus always did what he could to help the community.

The Earth King was used to his time as a Dai Lee Agent, even as a personal body guard to the Earth King before him. Naraca was a name he hasn't heard anyone call him in a while either. Now it was "King, Sir, Lord," barely the name he was given.
He was even stuck with wearing these royal green robes, unlike his days as a Mercenary where he would where his shorts with armor and a cloak around his waist.
Nevertheless though, Naraca was happy the leader of a nation, it didn't bother him, he just had his own little issues about it.

He scratched his robe covered shoulder as he looked around the throne room. It was more like a warehouse with its size, it was decorated in rich bright and dark green with gold details. Had he been in the future he would say it looks much like the armor of The Master Chief from Halo. However this was Avatar, not Halo.
He liked the design enough, however he found odd comfort in something like a gulag or a cave he would bend together himself. He was a rough man by nature, always preferred the hard and gritty over the soft and fluffy.
One thing was true, he was the biggest Earth King ever. Standing at 7 feet tall he weighs in at about 350 to 400 pounds of solid muscle. His stature and frame give the appearance of a brute of raw strength. The four scars that run down his face diagonally were four of many battle scars that surrounded his whole body. His muscle tone and size on top of that made his body look more like he belonged in a cage as a beast rather then a throne room managing a Nation.

He turned around and saw his 6 personal body guards. They were Dai Lee, but pretty strong as they were all hand picked by Naraca himself.
Running one hand through his jet black hair, Naraca turned to the exit and walked over to the door, looking out to see if anyone was coming.
He turned his head to the door man.
"Hold my appointments for 10 minutes" said to the door man who nodded his head in reply.

Naraca turned around and walked all the way back to his throne room, passing it, and going out to the garden that was behind his throne room by going through the large hardened glass door. Right as he got out the door, he curled his toes slightly. He wanted to take his boots off and feel the grass on his feet. Yet he continued walking forward until his got to a standing metal wall that was awkwardly placed in the middle of the otherwise beautiful garden.
It was dented as hell, the once straight wall looked more like it was trying to shape itself into an "M" and a "W" at the same time with it's twisted and bent up integrity.
Naraca walked right up to this.
His right hand tightened into a fist and he took a deep breath.

"Rah!!" He yelled out as he shot his right fist forward and slammed it into the metal wall, his fist burying deep within it, forcing the titanium wall to change to fit around the shape of the large mans fist. The punch itself came with a loud boom that echoed throughout the whole garden. Naraca smiled and exhaled before pulling his fist out that was wrist deep in the metal wall.
He felt better, relieved and awake. He was not a violent or barbaric man, but he was used to every day being a struggle or a battle, and he never got used to the pleasantries of being rich. He need this every once in a while, a small jump to the fighter that he really was.

[Naraca]

Oh what a site if must have been. Seeing the Earth King let out his nature in such a contained form. Like a Lion roaring out it's pride through the confines of a cage. This man's story used to be that of the underdog, rising to become the hero. However, he did become the hero, he saved the Earth Nation and even the world from...From him...
Naraca's memories of killing those that were his own blood came with a defensive blockage that his brain had prepared were he to ever think of those things again.
Skipping that part of just how he became a hero, he stood an icon, a shining example to The Earth Nation. He truly was it's hero. Yet as time passed, he grew higher, so high, he became the King of the whole Earth Nation.

Yes...He did it, he rose from being a forgettable Nomad, to King of an entire Nation. Yet...There were no end credits in this movie, no sitting down on the Throne for the first time, the Earth Nation bowing before him and the credits rolling with a smile on Naraca's face.
No, here he was now, so what was next? What else was there? In himself, he was complete, he finally obtained all he could dream of.
But he felt so hollow, so empty. Was it just a selfish call for war or battle? He felt as though that's what it was, it was something he had to put on hold right?

Staring at the dented metal wall, Naraca remembered...It.
That's right, his story wasn't completely over was it? No there was still his curse which he had to contain for the last two years now. Yet despite the pain he felt every night, it was something he learned to contain. With peace between the nations on top of that, there was no triggers for him.
The Spirit World, and it's creations would heighten his senses for some reason though, he would feel as though his body was weightless. Upon touching something from the Spirit World, he seemed to be able to...Connect with it.

It was about a year ago he encountered a very small leak in the real world, the Spirit world accidentally had opened a basketball sized hole into the real world. Emerging from it was a simple monkey. Naraca at the time was lucky enough to witness the hole, and the monkey that came out. He had quickly caught it by the tail. As he did, he felt a tug on the back of his waist, as though someone had wrapped a rope around him and pulled.
He realized it was not some random feeling, but he was feeling what the monkey was, as though someone was pulling his tail and he was dangling.

Despite this though, Naraca felt as though his life was reaching a standstill. As though it had reached a balance and met in the middle. Here he was now, doing the same thing again and again like reading the same chapter in a book.

Turning around back towards the door the exit the garden, he left the premises and returned to his throne room, where 6 Dai Lee agents continued to stand in formation, his body guards ever aware of his presence and what was around him.
Yet Naraca's eye's were drawn to the man leaning against the side of his throne. It was a familer face, he was wearing glasses and a long green robe with neck length hair.
"My Lord" The man with the glasses greeted with a bow.
"Adviser Roth? what are you doing here?" He asked as he walked up to his throne to meet the man face to face, looking down at him as he got closer.
"There's something you might like to know sir" He said while pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
Roth was one of a few advisers that were amongest Naraca's staff of royalty. He was a very professional man, one that almost never had an informal or layed back side to him. He had been an adviser for a year now, yet he had proven himself a man who had good judgement that always let Naraca see things from another perspective when he was unable to, yet Roth still took his suggestions carefully and only gave ones that were still geared to Naraca, rather then entirely opposing him.
Naraca could could only guess what this was about.

[Kiara]

"Wooooow, look at this place..I never knew it was this big!"

Her ice blue eyes gazed out from the train stations view of the giant Titan City. This was amazing! Kiara was finally travelling the world about to find her destiny, little did she know it was way more than what her mind was anticipating.

Coto sat beside her tail moving left to right brushing up dust. This place was large for sure but he was more worried about Kiara then himself. As he started to whimper he pushed his head against her nearly knocking her over from his force.

"Oh i'll be fine, we won't get lost."

Kiara's right hand grabbed a handful of his fur while swinging her left over the other side and doing the same. As Coto stood she pulled herself up on him and nudged his left side with her foot. Coto was about to leave before three men seemed to pop out of the shadows. Being a bit spooked and worried for his masters safety he snarled snapping his jaws and baring teeth.

"Shh shh shh, its fine. They are the Dai li." Her hand softly caressed behind Coto's ear as he continued to bare his teeth but slowly return to his normal expression.

"The King and Queen of the Southern Tribe wanted us to make sure you saw the King."

The look on the teenagers face was priceless. Even from a far they seemed to be trying to keep her on a rope. It was a good thing that Kiara had decided to head that way anyway and meet him first.

"Alright, lead the way."

It did not take a bit long at all, it felt as if she just blinked twice as they lead her through shadows and underground tunnels before they were in front of the palace. Kiara started grinning from the excitement this was, to meet the earth king was an honor. As they all lead her to the throne room she decided to stay on Coto, he was calmer when he had control of her movement in case something had gone wrong.

When the giant doors opened her blue eyes locked with a average height man, this might have been an adviser by his clothes. A man of very serious proportions. That could have been the earth king but then again it was very hard to miss the HUGE man standing in front of him. He looked very hard, intimidating..his eyes just told her he had a very complex story about him. She was just glad that she stayed on Coto. Seeing as he would be the only one big enough to wrestle with the guy. Coto stood at about 6 and half feet and his length was around 7 feet from head to tail.

"My Lord, we apologize for entering but we present to you the Avatar."

Kiara smiled sweetly up at him showing no hesitation to be nice. "Its an honor to meet you."

[Naraca]

Adviser Roth gave out a small half smile.
"The Avatar is here" He announced to The Earth King with a slight tone of excitement despite his very formal attitude.
Naraca's eye's narrowed, he paused for a moment, his pupils looking down to his left as his head tilted downwards to his left and had to take a moment to process what he was told.
"Really..." He said quietly.
Motioning his head for Roth to follow, Naraca walked around his throne and sat down on the chair.
"I've taken the liberty of escorting her here. She should be here shortly my lord" He informed him as he followed Naraca so he was just to the man's right as he stood by the King who now remained seated.
Naraca's feelings on the matter were curious. Yet as he heard it, as he thought about it, he felt a very odd feeling his chest. He was quiet, and paid attention to the feeling, it was strange, like a dryness in his chest almost, yet a foreboding feeling that something heavy was looming over him.
He only even felt like this when he was within the proximity of something that came from the spirit world, or something related to it.
It was ever since...

The image of dark fog came into his mind, he merely closed his eye's and shrugged off the thought.
"What can you tell me about her" Naraca finally replied, crossing one leg over the other and rest his chin on his hand.
Roth placed both his hand in front of his waist.
"Not much, it's difficult to say what level bending she has achieved but after doing some digging we found out her name is Kiara, she is a water bender who came from the Southern Water Tribes. Other then that sir, we were hoping brining her here would help us find out more" Roth fully explained.
Naraca nodded his head once the man finished. He then took his chin off his hand and leaned back on his throne.
"I see...So why are you bringing her here?" He asked him, his voice maintaining a deep yet calm demeanor.
Roth's face became puzzled and he frowned slightly.
"I...Thought you wanted to see her my lord" Roth said hesitantly, beginning to become a little cautious of his own words.
"What gave you that idea? The world is at peace, the nations are calm. The Avatar is meant to bring balance, but that's already here. She can live her own life, I don't see what purpose bringing her here would serve" He told Roth in slightly dismissive tone.

Roth fell silent for a few seconds. He opened his mouth but was hesitant to speak. His eye's shifted from his left to his right, taking a notice of where the body guards were.
Naraca's just stayed seated with a slightly confused look on his face from the Advisers actions.
"Well sir I...Thought you need help with your...Issue" He whispered.
Naraca's teeth gritted together as he heard that, yet his lips were closed so Roth couldn't see. It was not of anger, but just an involuntary response he felt by hearing that. Now he knew what the man was talking about.
The Avatar could enter the Spirit world, so Roth thought he would have The Avatar come so she could help him with...That.

Yet, he has been able to keep a lid on it, so long as he didn't think about it, talk about it, or give it attention of any kind. Was that true though? The King who he was sometimes wondered just how much control he really had.
"I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine." He said to reassure Roth.
He had nothing against the Avatar, but there was no reason for her to be here. Sure, maybe it'd be cool to meet the Avatar, but it wasn't really a priority, unlike ensuring the steady upkeep and survival of the Earth Nation. Yet...In the back of his mind he was sorta happy about it, talking to the Avatar was a good excuse to hold back all those meetings.

Roth nodded his head.
"Very well my lord, I will send her away then" Roth remarked in agreement.

The doors to the main throne room opened wide, entering were Dai lee agents, followed by a rather over sized dog. Or was it a wolf? It was hard to tell.
On top of it was a girl, still quite young.
Upon seeing her though was that...?

Naraca could hear something, it sounded like a heart beat. It was coming from The Avatar. Was he really...
No he couldn't be.
He remained seated, listening in, he rubbed his ears but it did not remedy the situation. However the sound was quickly replaced by and odd feeling in his chest. It wasn't pain but...It was like he was seeing something he wasn't supposed to be seeing. Could perhaps be that...Thing telling him something?
He kept listening to the feeling though, he didn't shove it away, he kept it alive but in check. Yet he was able to hide his odd feeling from everyone around, he kept it to himself for now.

Roth turned around to face The Avatar, his eye's diverted to the large wolf, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I apologize Avatar Kiara but the King is currently-"
"Welcome Avatar!" Naraca said a little loudly, interrupting Roth.
He got up from his throne and stood on his feet. He straightened out the wrinkles in his green and golden robe and walked down from his throne and towards The Avatar, moving past Roth.
He wanted her to stay, his body was telling him something, and he needed to know more.
"It's an honor to have The Avatar herself within the Throne" He said as he walked towards her and her large wolf. His brown eyes taking a few glances at the animal she sat upon. It seemed to be very protective, and was ready to lash out if it had to. Yet coming from being a nomad, Naraca was well aware of the behavior of animals.

As he got closer, he had to turn his head down to look upon the wolf, it was almost a foot shorten then him. Yet he kept himself at an arms distance, which for the King was rather long. He casually reached his hand out to the wolfs face, his hand open and his fingers pointing towards it's nose.
"This little guy friendly?" He asked as he would let it sniff his hand, sensing the comedy in calling the overgrown wolf "little".
Kiara was a bit taller from where she was sitting which caused Naraca to look up a bit when he would make eye contact with her blue eyes.

[Kiara]

"Oh yes your majesty! He is very friendly, just be a little careful though. He senses things I can't..but deep down he's nothing but a big baby."

Kiara's soft petite hand scratched behind Coto's ear as the wolf looked at Naraca carefully. While Kiara was waiting to see what he could exactly do he looked from her, to this mans advisor..then back at Naraca.

Something wasn't right at all with this one, something beyond this world was residing in this poor mans body. Feeling sympathetic the big lug pushed his nose against the large mans index finger smelling it. Closing his eyes in a calm fashion it seemed as if he nodded at the earth king at his acceptance before licking his finger and then staring at Roth wondering why he had not came down to greet his master.

A sigh of relief could be heard in the room from the young Avatar before letting the statement of Roth calling her avatar settle. Being polite about what he had said her head briefly turned to the left while it looked up a bit to see him still standing by the throne.

"If you don't mind can you please just call me Kiara? That seems more appropriate."

Turning her head back to face the King a very sweet smile exuded from her face while her eyes locked back with his.

"It is an honor to be in your presence. Though I see my parents seemed to beat me to it to tell your adviser I wanted to see you."

Giggling she bowed respectfully staying on Coto though, it was only to keep him easy going seeing as they were in a new place. This man seemed very nice, even with his conflicting issue she read by looking in his eyes. Though Kiara did not know what the issue was a part of her just knew he was going to triumph over it.

"I also believe my family did not tell you much about me either. Only because they wanted you to ask for yourself I suppose."

Smiling genuine Kiara was very happy about what was happening so far, everything was going so smoothly.

[Naraca]

The tongue of the wolf against Naraca's finger was warm, this was The Avatar's companion, her protector. It had accepted the King, it was a good sign. Naraca took a step forward placed his hand on it's head, his fingers massaging it's scalp and patting it's fur.
Looking back up at her as she talked about her parents and herself wanting to see the King. His feeling within his chest remained, the pressure was faint but whenever he looked up at The Avatar, in her eyes, the feeling grew stronger. It was nagging, like someone banging on a door demanding to be let inside. Or were they trying to get out?

Naraca looked back towards Roth for a moment, he remained beside the throne, standing straight.
"Wanted to see me eh?" Naraca said with a pause for a moment before looking back towards Kiara.
"This is more of a pleasent surprise, my Adviser keeps me on my toes" He told her with a small half smile on his face.
With his hand he motioned for Kiara and Coto to follow him. He walked over towards his throne.
"It's good though, this day really needed a surprise." He commented before sitting down with Roth at his side. Roth simply remained, the man was going to do his job, advise as to how Naraca should proceed with this.

"Anyways, I'd ask you to take a seat but it looks like you got that covered" He remarked as he looked down at Coto for a moment.
"So are you traveling for any particular reason?" He asked her simply.
There was a layer of mystery to her arrival here, he wasn't sure if she was going to try and learn all the elements or if she was just traveling the world and using her Avatar status to get all the VIP passes.

[Kiara]

"What other reason would there be to travel besides learning all the elements and sight seeing?"

The sweet smile on her face faded a bit from his question. Was there something that she needed to be worried about? Shaking the thought off for now since it was not on her bucket list the teenager looked at Coto who was staring directly at Naraca as if he had seen something she could not.

Deciding to wait to ask him about anything Kiara went ahead and gave him a summary about who her family was exactly. The adviser sat there as if he wanted to know her background anyway. So maybe explaining it would make this man settle down a little, he did not have to show it but Roth's body language and eyes showed he wanted to know more.

"You may know my mother, she is the Queen of the Southern Water Tribe. A very sweet and thoughtful woman...shows no fear in the face of danger. My father is the King, very...headstrong. Then you have my older brother...Prince Otaka, a very righteous and generous person. They however are not my real family."

Kiara's eyes shifted away to look down at Coto who broke he gaze at the King so stare at his long time friend.

"I don't know who they are, all I know is that my real father is a fire bender while my mother was a servant for my adoptive mother...a water bender."

To anyone's shock despite looking away from the two a wide smile was on her face while telling the story. Kiara was thankful for the situation she was given, her adoptive family would always be there for her. Despite being here for only a short while the Avatar was more than use to wondering whenever she pleased and being in a new place the urge to do so grew tenfold.

Coto sensed the feeling seeing as he was still staring at her while she looked out the window towards the city.

"I do realize I have introduced myself, but you have yet to give me your name. One other thing..do you mind if I go sight seeing..I thought I would have had the chance before coming here."

[Naraca]

There was a rather easy going feeling and attitude Naraca felt he was displaying. He listened to her as she covered different topics. Hearing about her family was interesting, there was some over exaggerated part of him that thought her parents would be super powerful or have some amazing gifts. No, not at all though, this was the daughter of the Southern Water Tribes King and Queen.
Naraca knew them, yeah wait...Yes he did know them. He had even seen Kiara as well. It was around when Naraca had first become the Earth King, he had to visit the Southern Water Tribe with Roth had visited the Northern Water Tribe to discuss the terms of peace. He saw her very far in the distance a couple years back doing something with another man, Likely this brother of hers. Naraca did know the King and Queen of that Water tribe, they were more like acquaintances. Yet he hadn't heard about them for a while, it hasn't been a very long time since Naraca was made the King, and whatever he heard about the Southern Water Tribes leaders as the former Earth Kings body guard were few and far between. Needless to say, he knew them a little.
Never knew her real parents though did she? That couldn't of been something she could take easily, at least not at first. She is still quite young though, for her to have completely coped would be a feat though. It's one thing to just have straight up dead parents, that's something that can't change when it happens, but when you get into that field of the 'chance' you could see them again...It just couldn't be that easy.

With her question after though, Naraca realized this was beginning to take a bit of an informal route. He was being formal, despite how laid back he seemed. He was bound by Earth traditions though, there were just some things he could and couldn't say in the main throne room. Kiara was unfamiliar with these though, so he didn't hold it against her for asking his name.

Naraca leaned back in his chair a bit and looked a little to his right, his eyes instinctively noticing his body guards from his peripheral vision.

"Sounds rough for you, not knowing your real parents" He said before turning back to face Kiara.
"Traveling is fine though, won't deny you that nor say you can't explore. You want fair treatment, so who am I to stop you?" He asked as more of a rhetorical question.
"There is a layer of worry here though. The Avatar with knowledge of all the elements would be a powerful force within a peaceful world" He informed her, hoping there would be a level of understanding from her. One look at her told him that she was very trustworthy. However, he was in the Throne Room, and he was playing the roll of Earth King. Naraca and The Earth King were different people. The Earth King, was unbiased, never let personal feelings get in the way, and would do whatever possible to ensure he growth and survival of the Earth Nation as a whole.

He had a few topics to cover though, she had mention quite a few things that he had to answer.
"As for my name, we'd have to be out of the Throne Room, here I'm the Earth King. It's an old tradition, originally made so personal feelings never would get in the way of a Kings judgement, even so much as a name is something I, nor anyone else here can say when in this room. It's old tradition, I apologize for how it comes off, but I can't do anything about it" He informed her, his hands folding together.

If he looked at himself right now he'd be laughing. The beast of battle talking like stuck up business man. He was so far out of his element he could almost taste it. He wasn't being himself at all, and he couldn't be, after a few years of this he had gotten used to it, being The Earth King. However it often gave people the wrong impression of him, even if there impression of him was good, it still wasn't fully him.

"So there any reason you wanna learn the elements?" He asked simply, noting still had to work on his words. Oh how he was looking forward to Roth's "Suggestions" on how he was handling this.

[Kiara]

"While peace if here now I do need to learn the elements to keep peace here. Danger never gives us a warning of its coming. It simply shows up and makes it presence known in the most vile ways."

Kiara raised her left eyebrow wondering why he was asking her all these questions. Was it impossible for him to just hear her answer and let it go? To her this King was accusing her of trying to start something in this lovely peaceful war. It was like a invisible slap in the face...her hands gripped the fur on the back of Coto as he stretched while his companion was still on him. This most likely would give the King the signal that she was ready to go explore..even in mid conversation. Once Kiara's mind was made up there was no stopping her...being a free bird the girl had always come and go as she pleased despite her parents trying to lock her away.

"You worry for the wrong reasons by the way...if you think I am doing this to terrorize or cause trouble then you are very...wrong. Granted I am the avatar, but I should always be prepared in case something happens. I would like for you to stop asking about me learning the elements, I am doing it with or without your consent. Avatar Roku along with many others learned the elements in peace. Avatar Aang was the one who had met unfortunate circumstance. I however, will be ready when needed."

Her left foot tapped the sit of Coto gently before sighing a bit disappointed. He was the exact same way as her father, always made a thing complex when it wast so simple and was filled with common sense. What kind of Avatar would she be if she had not Mastered all the elements?? Roku mastered them all in an era of peace..it would be after his death that the fire nation when on with their plan. So...maybe he was lacking on his history..many did it before her.

"Lets go site see Coto." As Coto turned around to face the open doors Kiara turned her head to look over her right should smiling a little, "It was an honor King. I hope that maybe I can talk to the man behind this persona at a later time." With that Coto started to walk his way out of the throne room ready to get into something in the big City.

[Naraca]

((OOC: Not my best, however, this is perfect timing ^^)

From the far end of the throne room, Roth was being called over by another adviser like himself. During the conversation he stepped away from the throne and walked over to the man. As he did, Naraca leaned forward on his throne and continued to listen to the Avatar's reply. She was all personality this one.
He smiled as he heard her reply, his fingers running across the black stubble on his chin. Her response was not uncommon, rather expected actually. He could tell she was a free spirit, one that did things on her own terms regardless of the situation around them. Yet this was all just...Boring.
At no point did he ever enjoy being formal despite being accustomed to it. She took offense to his question, but how could he blame her? His tone was taken as threat, yet when your protecting an entire Nation that had just recently attained peace, wouldn't you want to know more about the unique people running around? Who was even to say he perceived her as a threat? He was actually quite fond of the idea of have her around as a guardian to the world if she chose to do so. Since there was peace though, she was free to do as she pleased. Yet could he tell her that? Could he break his role as King and go on his knees, begging for her to stay?

Of course not, she wanted to site see in peaceful world, there was no problems with that at all. As far as he was concerned, she is just another person, another Water Bender who has a knack for travel.
He couldn't ask her to stay though, it would indeed have been interesting, but seeing her leave came as no surprise. She wanted to site see, she wanted to see the throne room, and she had seen it. Was the King to harsh, or unaccommodating? Not at all. He was doing what would be expected, he had a quick word with her, which was all he needed, and determined that she is no threat to the world. She is just another traveler, yet to demand trust so quickly from the King was not something that came easily.
He trusted many before...All whom had betrayed him. Naraca knew the extent of human deception, and it was a deep, dark hole.

So, for the sake remaining as King and not an emotional man. He remained quiet, and let her walk out.

Roth however, had other plans.
The news he had gotten from the other Adviser was beyond disturbing. Yet Roth took his job as an Adviser very seriously, and immediately saw opportunity. Roth's face had almost a small smile as he turned around to face the King.
Rather then whisper to the King in his ear, Roth chose to announce this.

"My lord!" He called out, making sure Kiara could hear him talk as well.
"The Southern Water Tribe has been attacked!" He yelled out to him, his voice sounding deeply disturbed. The news did in fact make Roth feel horrible inside, yet he used the feeling to his advantage.

Naraca's eye's widened and he felt his heart skip a deep as a heavy feeling caved in his stomach.
He got right up to his feet, turning to his Adviser in shock.
"What?!" Naraca demanded.
"It's been completely destroyed sir...It's gone!" He said with a shudder in his voice, Roth's hands were folded together as he walked back towards the throne.
Naraca's head turned to Kiara for a moment.
He gritted his teeth as he saw she was in hearing distance of Roth's voice. Why didn't he say this to Naraca privately? This was wrong, this wasn't right.
He growled quietly under his breath before turned to Roth and taking a step towards him, looking down at him.
"How did this happen?!" He barked with a heavy voice of anger, but also concern for Kiara.
She was just a child...If the place was destroyed then her parents would be...
No damn it, this was wrong. No child should have to go through with things like this. His level of empathy for this bore deep into his heart. He didn't know Kiara well at all, but he knew this feeling, and how could be feeling by hearing this.

"Unknown still sir, more then seventy percent of the entire tribe has been flooded with boiling water." He replied.
Naraca's eye's narrowed at hearing that.
"Boiling...? Fire benders?" He asked.
Roth paused for a moment, he looked towards Kiara as well for a brief moment through his glasses.
"Y-Yes we believe so. Were still investigating as this just came in" He answered almost a little nervously. He kept his formal appearance but inside he still was having a hard time dealing with Naraca, who was a mountain of a man standing over him so closely and with a tense body.
Naraca's right hand tightened into a fist, he had to ask it...That question.
"What...What of the King and Queen?" He asked with a somber expression. He wasn't feeling too good about having Roth be the one, or anyone for that matter, to have to tell Kiara her parents were seriously injured or worse.
"We don't know sir...The main temple is the only thing left in tact, however it's...Unlikely" He replied, adding in how he personally felt they didn't survive.

Naraca cursed under his breath. However he was aware that he had to maintain an image even here and under these circumstances. Yet he understood what he had to do, he didn't want to be told another word. He wanted to be shown.

"Prepare an airship for fast travel. I want a team of Dai Lee agents and three of my bodyguards to join me for a trip to The Southern Water Tribe" He informed Roth.

Naraca's brown eye's however turned to Kiara, he knew what this was like. His eye's were that of compassion, and his expression one of empathy. He knew what needed to be done.

"And...Make sure we can accommodate The Avatar, and her companion" He said as he gestured his hand towards Kiara.

Would she want to join him? He didn't know, was his airship fast enough to get him there within 4 hours? Yes. Was her large wolf faster then that? He doubted it. She probably knew that as well.
He wasn't concerned about his own image right now. He was only concerned with getting her to her parents as fast as possible, and seeing the damage for himself so he could judge if it was the Fire Nation or not. For it to not be them though was almost impossible. The Southern Water Tribe was massive, he had an army of powerful water benders and even earth benders with it. For it to be taken down by mercenary's alone was impossible. It just had to be the Fire Nation. Yet he prayed...He prayed it wouldn't be. Because what worried him, would be how strong this peace would really stand.

Roth acknowledged the Kings order and rushed straight to prepare the ship.

Naraca however did not leave quite yet, he turned his head to Kiara and sighed. He felt grief, not for himself, but for her.
"The ship...It will be ready for you. If you want to join me, we can get you there within four hours. If you want to go on your own though I will understand" He told her, taking a moment for his face, and his body language to tell her that he was sorry. She was a reader, he could tell. She had natural talent for reading people, however Naraca had experience, and he just knew certain kinds of people when he saw them.

Then he looked towards the exit and started to walk towards the glass door that lead to the garden, which would then lead to the dock of his air ship.
He knew that if she wanted to join him, she would follow. He made sure that the main throne room exit was open though, in case this was there time to part ways.

[Kiara]

((^_^' this isn't my best post trust me..I seem be suffering from writers block... -___- ))

"I couldn't...I couldn't have heard that right. I was just there...every one is alright.."

Kiara turned her head as time had slowed to a agonizing crawl. Her mind was so bust trying to convince her that her home was just fine while her heart knew better. The words hit home, which they had the very right to do so. The icy blue eyes never looked away from the two men talking back and forth. At this point her ears picked up on the pounding going on inside her chest as the voices drowned out from her heart beats. The beats had been so loud that Kiara had not heard about her parents perishing along in that seventy percent of her people.

It was as if a part of her soul was leaving her body. The news was a bit too much to handle as time returned to normal when seeing the earth king speak to her once more.

"If your way is faster then I need to go with you..it is not an option."

The girl gripped the fur of her guide tightly as Coto followed the king as soon as he started moving. Kiara stared down at the white wolf but her eyes seemed to be looking past him. This could not be happening! What had become of gram, Otaka, her mother and father? The little children? What if they did not make it to the ice tunnels past the palace? Was the young avatar going to find their charred bodies laying in plain sight?

Questions raced inside her head as the icy blue eyes shut tightly. Kiara could barely stomach the thought of them no longer being around. The guilt of leaving had slithered up her spine and sat comfortably on her shoulders. It was not going anywhere anytime soon that much Kiara was for certain. Things would have been different if she had just stayed another night...why...how could someone be so cruel..

"Go."

The base in her tone was straightforward and serious, Coto without hesitating listened to his companion and took off ahead of the earth king. Following the scent of the workers and the dock Coto jumped a hedge that was in his way. It did not take long for him to get to the dock and that was where, for the first time, Kiara dismounted. Her height was average but her face radiated struggle to keeping herself calm. However, the teenager suddenly froze with emotion..as if against her will tears started pouring as if her soul knew it was time to mourn. For who...Kiara would just have to find out.

'Keep yourself together, you can't control that side of you yet..'

"Earth King...can you please hurry. I have a nation and family to check on..."

[Naraca]

It's didn't take long for the King to get to the dock. As he walked up, all he could think about was the King and Queen. It seemed no matter how fast his ship was, it would be too slow. For it to take an entire 4 hours was just too much. What if they were injured or in danger? What if they were alive but the attackers knew about it and were leaving to go finish the job? Could they get there in time?
His mind wondered everywhere, one being what this meant for the peace across the Nations had it in fact been the Fire Nation. He hoped that this wasn't the case.

Walking past the garden, Naraca heard Kiara rushing ahead. They seemed to be going in the right direction. The ship wasn't going to be prepared that quickly though, so he kept his pace as it was now.
As Kiara would get closer she would run into a very wide and expansive dock with working walking across runways, fueling ships. But above all, Naraca's air ship was the one being worked on currently.



The ship did not lack in size, the King was considered the highest VIP, meaning that wherever he would travel. He would either have the stealthiest ship, or the largest and strongest ship. Since airship technology was still in rather early stages, the innovations for smaller ships that were still quick did not exist.
This ship had big steam engines and motors, and it's guns were large as well as it's hull. Yet it would do for now, it was equipped with enough firepower to take on an armada, and it was one of the fastest airships ever made. It was do for this trip.

As Kiara and Coto would approach, one of the workers walked in front of her to block her path.
"Sorry miss but you can't pass until were finished" He told her once she would come within speaking distance.
It's only took a few seconds after he spoke for Naraca to walk up beside Kiara. They were standing on the dock now, yet they both had a gate in front of them. Naraca stood beside her and waited.
"It's should only take a few minutes" He tried to reassure her. He understood the urgency she must have been feeling though. No matter what though, from getting here to the Water tribe would take a while. There was just no way around it.
He turned his had towards her, his eye's meeting her's if she was looking his way.
"We'll find them" He simply told her.

In this few minutes the ship would be ready, however for now. They had to wait.

(In my next post I'll post leaving, just giving this little moment of quiet if you want to take advantage of it)

[Kiara]

Coto blew air out his nose at the man who wouldn't let them board. Kiara just stood there, seconds felt like hours and minutes felt like months. It was more of a sickening feeling while they all waited on the docks. Wiping her face off she smiled despite what was going on, if this is what growing up had in store for then tears would be pouring every day and the Avatar did not want to look weak.

"Even if we don't..I know that they are in a much safer world."

Her head turned to look up at the massive human beside her, what was in store for her she had no clue but he seemed to be pretty nice enough to tag along on her journey back home.

"What a way to start my first day..I am sure the Northern Water Tribe has already made their way to help with the rebuilding. I need to see for myself though, I cannot bear the thought anymore..."

Kiara started to get a bit restless as she started moving and fidgeting while waiting. However, in the mist of all this confusion and worry a question crossed her mind regarding what happened before he had gotten the news.

"You long for adventure don't you? Even if this is a sad adventure you thirst for travelling are you not?"

When Coto saw the man heading back towards them he stuck his head between Kiara's legs and pushed her up on his back. Feeling her secure herself on his back the wolf turned and waited for the man to give his okay.

[Naraca]

A long pause was Naraca's response to her question. He recalled his times as a nomad growing up. Never staying in one place, always on the move with his mother, father and brother. He lived adventure, he was born in it. Battle was something that came with it, something that he knew all too well. So much so he had created his own style of martial arts, one that only he could perform with his gift of strength.
Even as a Dai Lee it wasn't much different, he had to travel, had to meet people from all over the world, only difference was that by the end of the day he would sometimes have his own bed to sleep in that was in the Earth Kingdom.
Those things alone lasting counting a good 20 or so years of his life. Throughout it all Naraca had become like an animal, a beast with no home of his own. Yet here he was now, a free spirit, a man who spent his whole life traveling and fighting. Who was now wearing Earth King robes that felt odd and looking clean and proper. His rough look over all still there what with the scars on his face and the stubble, but nonetheless, a beast now in a cage.
His feelings of responsibility and loyalty surpassed that though, leading to him to accept his desires for adventure as being selfish. Why? Because he owed it those that...Died, to take the mantle of responsibility upon himself. The Earth Nation, his responsibility, his duty, was much bigger then his own desires. He was what the Earth Nation needed him to be.

"A long time ago yeah...I did" He finally answered, his voice taking a more "natural" turn as it's more rough and slightly guttural tone. Almost sounded like the growl of a lion but with speech instead of a roar that followed. He didn't have to clean up his voice anymore, now that he was out of the throne.
"I've been the Earth King for four years now. That title is bigger then my own desire's. But to go on a small adventure like this with The Avatar herself is a decent meal for my hunger of travel" He remarked with a complement.
He had long since made peace that he couldn't be the kind of man he used to be. It was nice to have moments like this where he could get out of the Throne, even if it was on business, and it was for a very serious matter. He took as a cup of coffee that was mostly bitter, but at least it had that one tea spoon of sugar.

The engineer walked over towards Kiara and Naraca and unlocked the gate.
"The ship is ready for you my lord" He told him as he opened the gate to let them through.
Naraca looked towards Kiara and knew she'd go ahead of follow, either way he began walking over towards the hanger door that was open with it's ramp on the ground.
He walked up the metal ramp, letting Kiara and Coto come in as well, if they did already before him then the ramp would begin to close itself shut. Seeing how Kiara was still on Coto, he turned his head to her as he was walking across the storage to upstairs to the bridge.
"I'm sorry but your friend can't come with us to the bridge. He'll have to stay down here, I can have the men make a bed for him." He said with a slight tone of regret. He saw the bond between them we strong, and separating them would be very upsetting and hard for the both of them.
He turned so he could face Coto. He looked up at the Avatar for a moment as he stood directly in front of them.
"Really I'm sorry, we can stay down here afterwards, but just for a moment we gotta go to the bridge. We can come right back" He told them in an attempt to reassure them that it wouldn't take long.
Naraca's eye's turned to Coto, he reached out his left hand and placed it on the wolfs head, scratching it his fingers before he moved his hand down to it's cheek.
"I'll keep her safe buddy, can you trust me?" He asked the wolf with a small smile on his face. His expression one of compassion and kindness despite his rough features.

[Kiara]

Hearing the news about having to leave Coto even for this short amount of time almost made her angry. To her it seemed a bit rude to ask her to leave the only thing she had in this world that was with her at the time. But understanding the circumstances Kiara pushed on without saying a word. Her right foot would cross over his body to meet the left as her body slid off of him. That would be when Naraca would attempt to scratch Coto only to have him move his head away and stare in his direction.

This would cause the Avatar to watch her guide carefully as Coto did the unthinkable. He had pushed his front legs up so he was standing on his hind legs and rested his front paws on Naraca's shoulders. His forehead touched his to the giant man would be able to look in this wolf's blue and yellow mixed eye color. It was as if Coto was giving him a serious look about keeping Kiara safe for the next few minutes. Then as if he did nothing wrong he returned to his normal position, gave a slight whine, and rubbed his head against Kiara. Of course caused her to go a bit off balance but once it was caught the teen hugged him.

"You will be fine, don't go causing trouble for them. Okay?"

Coto understood her words very well before starting to walk off, that was before blowing air out his nose while looking at Naraca one last time. Kiara could not help but laugh a little this side of Coto she had never seen before. But then again they had never been separated in a time like this.

"I am so sorry, he is still isn't fully grown. He's got some things to learn still. I guess it was his way of saying you better. I can tell he likes you though."

Once the big lug was out of site Kiara looked over at the bridge before deciding to cross it. He could hear her take deep breaths to relax herself in this situation. It was hard to stand here while her tribe had been practically erased from the face of the earth. Inside though her heart felt a stinging pain like never before, it was as if her past life felt the same pain..only deeper. These critical four hours would be the moment of truth for this heavy feeling though.

[Naraca]

Coto's dodge of Naraca's hand caused his eye's to narrow. Instead it did something far more...Human. It's deep levels of loyalty were powerful to Kiara indeed. The wolf stood up on it's own hind legs, it's height now reaching just about an equal level as Naraca. With being at eye level the King now felt his shoulders take the weight of it's body as it's paws settled themselves against him.
Naraca's more animalistic instincts kicked in as he understood the silent language of the wolf. His forehead met Coto's and he leaned his weight against Coto as it did to him. With foreheads pressed together they locked eye's. Upon a very close look Naraca's eye's were light brown with a small red tint which could only be seen by looking this close. The wolfs had a story to them, being an animal did not mean it didn't have a story to tell.
Depending on how this all would go, maybe Naraca would find himself no so different from Coto. The King could recall his times as a body guard, as a protector, how survivors took priority over the enemy for him.
He matched Coto's gaze though, hopefully it could see Naraca was sincere.
He barely blinked, eventually even smiled as Coto's level of protectiveness.
The two spoke volumes without uttering a word, a lot could be covered between two animals and there eye's.
It was in this moment though, that he learned alot about Coto, and understood him.

Once it took it's paws off Naraca and went back to Kiara he smiled at the wolf. His respect had gone up for this over sized dog.

His head turned to one of the engineer's that was currently checking the pressure in the deck of the ship.
"When you have the time, get some spare labours to set up a bed for the wolf here" He ordered him.
In the chain of command the engineers were rather high, they had control over the labours for one.
"Yes sir" He replied with a nod before going back to checking the pressure valves.

Once Kiara joined him Naraca made sure to meet Coto's second look before leaving there site. Afterwards Naraca walked up the stairs to the lower levels. Workers were walking back and forth in through out the halls. As Kiara followed him he found it a little...Odd how short she was now. Due to there first meeting being him having to look up it was an adjustment to have to look waaaaay down now.
Going up more stairs Kiara told him about Coto.

"Heh, it's alright" He replied to her apology with a small laugh.
"Ya know I'm not much different from him. Just a beast with kings robes" He remarked as he walked up more stairs.
There was an elevator, but his mind always naturally geared towards the harder thing to do when it came to physical labor. Call it an old habit.

Eventually they would make it to the bridge of the ship.



Upon walking into the bridge, there were several crew man all turning and twisting assorted knobs and valves. Among them, was a man standing on an elevated platform with both his hands on a large steering wheel.
"Hey, hey your highness!!" He replied rather loudly with a long toothpick in his mouth and a southern accent. He wore a blue mechanics hat and suspenders over a white T-shirt. His lower half couldn't be seen. Maybe because no one would want to...

He waved over to Naraca as he looked down at them from where he was. However his brown eye's quickly shifted to the water tribe girl that was by the Kings side.
"Woooow, who's the pretty lady? I had no idea you were looking for a Queen." He said with a chuckle and a smile.

Naraca sighed at his behavior.
"This is The Avatar...Tug" He replied as he motioned to the Kiara with his hand.
Tug's eye's widened and he leaned in closer to get a better look at her from where he was.
"Reeeeally?" He replied with both intrigue and a feeling of intimidation as his view on her quickly changed. However his curious look was replaced by a large smile.
"Sweet! Guess I'mma first class driver of both royalty and beauty!" He added as he placed he stood back up and leaned one arm on the wheel.

Naraca turned his head to the Kiara and motioned his hand to Tug.
"Kiara, this is Tug, the Helmsmen" He told her with a small sigh.
Tug was a man who had little to no care at all for rank and status. His view on people was both a gift and a curse. A gift in that he didn't anyone higher then someone else just because there were considered royalty. A curse because the man had no care public image or behavior, acting as though he was at home on a lazy Sunday no matter where he is. The smell of oil and grease still was in the air from his recent additions to the ship.
Despite that though, he was the best helmsmen in the Earth Nation. He was notorious for being able to pull off maneuvers and tactics with ships that many thought simply impossible. To put it simply, he was hired for his skill rather then his personality.

"So what's goin' on cappy we flyin' this bird or not?" Tug asked as his made driving motions with his hand.
"Were heading for The Southern Water Tribe. We need to get there as quickly as possible. There is a chance that Fire Nation might be there so keep quiet when we get close and get in there with out being seen" Naraca informed Tug, letting his voice be heard by the rest of the main crew.
Tug nodded his head before pulling a throttle below the steering wheel.

The engines began to boil to life and the crew got the ship ready for take off.
Naraca turned to Kiara and looked around the ship a little.
"Alright, had to get you familiarized with the bridge so you'll know where to go in case of an emergency. The crew will be getting the ship started then we'll be taking off. In the mean time you can go back down to Coto if you like. I need to stay up here for a few minutes" He told her as the ship was starting to run and engines rumbled, followed by big propellers spinning.
"Lets take er away gentlemen, can't keep the nice lady waiting for too long so hustle up!" Tug called out the the crew.

(OOC: I realized I made this too dang long so I'll give you some room to post now lol)

[Kiara]

"Uhm, I'm only seventeen. Plus...thats kinda weird. Actually very weird." Kiara looked up at Naraca before looking over at this odd man. She had never in her life so far met someone as...loose as he was. Though the comment bothered her a bit she took it in stride and smiled. That smile however was only short lived. Her ears, which she was sure along with everyone else inside the room with her could hear the men yelling where Coto was.

"Ohhh no.."

Kiara groaned before looking at Naraca and sighing, "I am so sorry, I really need to go see what this is about."

Without hearing his next comment the young woman ran across the bridge back to where Coto had been taken. The scene that her eyes were witnessing was something that Kiara could not even come to comprehend.

There her guide was in the holding one of the labor workers by his shirt lifting him up off the ground and shaking him back and forth wildly. Where had this sudden behavior come from? Coto only acted that way when...

"Down!! Now!!" Kiara stomped her foot giving him a stern look despite her sweet face. Coto stared into her eyes knowing she meant business and dropped the man his drool soaked shirt clinging to his skin. "Can I ask what you had done to him? He usually isn't so...hostile."

The man looked at the Avatar then back at the wolf, so this over sized creature wasn't part of the cargo. He had thought the Avatar being on board was gossip and the King had business down in the Southern Water Tribe. Apparently though it had been very true.

"I did not know he belonged to you..or understood human speech. I called him mutt."

Kiara laughed a little helping the man up and shaking his hand, "I am so sorry..he does not like that word..he often attacks the Prince that way as well when he says it. I do apologize again though."

Coto walked past the man and sat beside his owner still towering her. He howled a small bit as an apology. Sure this man thought he was stupid but at the same time his temper had seized him.

[Naraca]

As the crew heard the commotion Naraca exhaled through his nose in the form of a sigh before using his hand to signal one of the crew men to investigate despite Kiara rushing ahead.
Tug looked over with rather comedic puzzled look on his face.
"Don't tell there's two beasts on this ship" He commented, the first beast being Naraca.
Quickly dismissing it as Naraca sent someone Tug looked back towards Naraca. There was a one minute wait time before the ships engines would be fully ready and Tug could begin to ascend the ship.
"So for real your Kingliness...Why is Miss Under aged on the ship?" He remarked, resting both his arms on the steering wheel and resting his head on one of his hands.
Naraca glanced over to the pressure gauges, they all read green.
"You can call her Kiara" He replied, his eye's turned elsewhere for the moment.
"She was raised there, her parents are the King and Queen of the Tribe. She needs to see if they are still alive." He answered, turned his head up towards Tug.
The greasy helmsmen nodded his head.
"Ye I hear ya, well we'll git er done and git over there" He said before a green light above the viewing window in front of Tug turned on.
Smiling at the signal he reached up for a microphone attached to the ceiling above him and pulled it off, a long wire trailing behind it.
"Alright people I'm taking this thing off the ground, prepare for ascension!" He announced to everyone in the ship.
The ship itself wasn't very turbulent when it rose but there would be some small shakes here and there and a feeling of weight on your shoulders as it was sorta similar to being in an elevator going up.

The fuel lines, workers and equipment on the outside of the ship were taken off and the ship's propeller's started to spin. The engine's began to spew out large clouds of white steam that caused the airship to to levitate off the ground.
Naraca took a quick look around and saw nothing out of order, he began to walk out of the bridge. Tug made a saluting motion to the King as he left the bridge.
Walking down the stairs Naraca saw the man he sent down to Kiara to figure out what happened. He appeared calm as he approached the King.
"Sir, one of the labours was assaulted by that large wolf we brought into cargo. The Avatar appears to have calmed it down though. The labour received no injuries" He formally informed the 7 foot man.
Naraca's eye's narrowed at the news. Perhaps he should of had some soldiers down there. Should he of trusted Coto? The King didn't draw to any conclusions, it was probably a misunderstanding.

Making his way down the stairs it didn't take long for him to reach cargo.
It was around this time that the ship had finished ascension and Tug and announced that they were moving now. The time of the 4 hour wait had begun.

What Naraca saw when he came down was a slightly woozy looking labour, Kiara talking to him, and Coto not far behind Kiara. However, the crew men were keeping there distance.
Walking down the stairs Naraca looking at the labour.
"You alright?" He asked him simply.
The labour turned towards the King. He bowed respectfully before speaking.
"Yes my lord I'm fine thank you." He replied simply.
Naraca nodded his head.
"You can take a moment to rest" The King told the labour who simply bowed his head again as a response who then left to go up stairs.
He then turned his head to Kiara. While the man was okay, having Coto down here on his own and then that happening caused some concern.
He thought about talking to Kiara about it, however instead he walked up to Coto. He got close enough to where he could look down at the wolf. He bent down slightly to look into it's eyes.
"If your gonna trust me to keep Kiara safe...Can I trust you to keep my men safe?" He asked, not lecturing Coto in any way, but rather...Asking if the wolf wanted to be apart of the crew in a way.
He could have lectured him, he had every right to after the wolf had assaulted him and in return scaring the other men down in cargo.
Yet, he understood that even if these four hours would be the only time they spend together, he didn't want Coto to be on a leash or in a cage. But rather, he wanted a trust between the both of them. He treated Coto like a person though, no exceptions because of being an animal. This was a smart dog, so he respected Coto like that. So therefore, why keep a man in a cage, when he could be a part of the crew?

[Kiara]

Kiara stood in silence while the Earth King start talking to her wolf as if he was a person. This was not weird to her in anyway, seeing as the family and herself did the same to him. So maybe Coto believed he was a human just for that brief moment. Her icy eyes looked from the white wolf to the seven foot tall man wondering what Coto was going to do next.

The large white wolf stared at this man looking down at him. He was a foot taller and his eyes clearly was giving him a soft look despite what he had done. Coto stared eye to eye for what seemed like an eternity before giving him a slight nod and slipping himself under the mans hand so it could flow threw his soft fur.

The wolf stopped at the entrance of the cargo bunker before looking back at the two. Kiara could clearly see he was smiling with his eyes before walking out of view of the two. He followed the scent of the laborer he had slung around like a wild deer before finding him leaning against the outside wall of the bunker. Without hesitating he rushed over before the man eluded him. Nudging the mans hand in a apologetic way he laid next to him resting.

With a smile on her face Kiara walked up to Naraca, "You are very good with animals. Makes me a bit happy to know I can have someone else keep an eye on him in case something happens to me."

Hearing Tug on the voice monitor made her get a very sick feeling as her smile quickly faded. Taking Naraca's hand the girl rushed outside the cargo room to hold onto the railing as they started moving. It was hard for her to believe this was actually happening now. Praying quietly that her family and people were okay caused her legs to buckle from all the stress entering her all at once.

"I...I'm scared..what if...that was the last time I saw them?"

[Naraca]

Body language was the real way to speak. While Naraca's words were understood, it was his actions that determined the true message being sent to Coto. This second stare that they performed was now a silent communication between them. One could say that in these moments there was an understanding between them that most humans would be unable to attain with each other by a mere look. However, the eyes are the windows of the soul. Looking into them, you can see the soul within if you look closely.

Once finished Naraca felt a feeling of satisfaction as Coto brushed his head onto Naraca's hand. He lifted his hand up onto it's head and trailed his hand down the top of it's head. Now Coto was a part of the crew. The ships guard dog. The big guy seemed fitting for the title. How long would it last? Well...That would depend on how things went in The Southern Water Tribe.
He watched Coto as he walked away and over to the labour who was recovering. He felt himself give out a small smile at seeing this part of Coto.
He turned his head to Kiara once she told him he was good with animals. He gave out a small chuckle upon hearing that.
"It just takes one to get to know one" He commented, referring to himself as an animal as well.
He looked up at the sound of Tug's voice, thinking nothing of it as he's been on hundreds of these missions with the man before. However Kiara seemed more disturbed by it. Looking closer at her though, that was just a trigger for what she was really feeling.
With her hand suddenly grasping his he almost felt an instinct to pull away. It wasn't because he hated the feeling, but just more startled.
Her hand was soft and delicate to him. Such an opposite of how his hand must have felt. Hard like a shell, scarred and slightly gritty.
Taking him up the stairs in order to exit the cargo room she stopped herself on a railing. Hearing her words made him empathetic to her. He knew this feeling, he understood but more so he could feel himself almost reliving his own experience. Having lost his own mother and father in one of the worst ways possible he knew all to well.

Listening to her voice Naraca could feel it as well. He was a hardened man, but he was taught long ago to maintain his compassion, both as a leader, and as a man.

Looking down at her as she was turned away from him, he gently placed his right hand on her shoulder.
"Come on" He said softly.
"Lets go outside, the air will you good" He said as he gently guided her with his hand to follow him to the elevator. He knew being outside to deal with these things was somehow calming. Through this all he didn't realize until now that they would be in the sky and flying by now. She could see the blue sky, the large white clouds up close. It was fitting for this he thought.
He walked her over to the elevator that wasn't far from where they were. Once entering he would hit the button that would take them to the deck where they would go up to see the sky once the doors opened.
Naraca wasn't sure how much of an impact he could have on her, but he knew sometimes all someone really needed was just to have someone there. There was a common ground between them in this situation as well.

Once they got to the deck they would be welcomed with a bright sun and a gust of wind that wasn't too strong but enough to send Naraca's shoulder length black hair dancing in the wind as well as his earth king robes.
"You're okay...Come on" He said as sweetly as his naturally gruff voice could muster as he walked over to the railing that was on the edge of the ship where they could stand beside the clouds and the sun that welcomed them.
He would place one arm against the railing ans lean against it slightly, hoping she would do the same so they could stand face to face.
Once facing each other Naraca took in a breath before speaking.

"Your parents...When was the last time you saw them?" He asked her, hoping he could understand what happened the last time she spoke with them.

[Kiara]

A petite hand gripped the bar that the girl was standing in front of. The air caressing her face and finding its way in between her hair felt good. Her body turned to face his while a weak smile was on her face while thinking about his question.

"The last time I saw them.."

Her eyes grew soft while thinking about the other night. It had only been about three days since she last saw their faces. All of them standing under the crystal ice gazebo in front of the palace. Now that Kiara had thought about it her home was so beautiful, especially when the sun or moon hit the ice just right. Her mind suddenly snapped back into reality remembering that his question had not been answered just yet.

"Three days ago, just before arriving here. I guess they were so worried about me they had no time to worry about themselves. I hope they are safe though."

Kiara inhaled deeply as her eyes shut relaxing herself before exhaling. Being up here truly calmed her down, the clouds however was what caught her attention. It being second nature to her Kiara started bending the clouds towards her and slowly turned them into water. Her hands forced the water back and forth while her face looked at him smiling a bit more.

"I use to play this prank on my mother when I was little, to make her think I had gotten her soaked. Of course I received a harsh punishment afterwards but it was well worth it."

The under aged teen twirled on her right foot making the water sink to the bottom and spin around her body until it suddenly stopped and shot forward to Naraca's face with a push of her hand. Slamming her hands together and then splitting them the water split passing both sides of his face and falling towards the ground.

She smiled sweetly at his facial expression as a soft giggle could be heard, for some reason her spirit was very much in tune with his. Despite having a father she knew and one that was unknown the girl felt very comfortable around him...like he was a father figure. Her eyes then blinked remembering what he had said.

"Why do you consider yourself an animal?"

This was her way of changing the subject about her parents, Kiara wanted to deal with it whenever she arrived and that was going to be exactly what she did.

[Naraca]

It's was difficult he could see it. Her hesitation was understandable, he remained patient and waited. When she finally did talk, he leaned against his arm which rested on the railing. While he didn't want to draw to any conclusions. He knew how important it was to leave on a good note with someone on the off chance they were to never be seen again. From the sounds of it, she had left her parents with a proper goodbye, even if that goodbye was not intended to be permanent. He if they were gone that it wouldn't give much comfort, but at least she wouldn't have to be sad about leaving after an argument or a fight. At the very least, it was in a happy moment.

His eye's shifted towards the clouds being bended into water. Followed by talking about some prank she used to play.
It wasn't long before he unexpectedly was on the receiving end of the prank. The water that came up to his face caused him to squint and take a step step back before it split in two around his head before splashing down against the surface of the deck.
He realized his bodyguards would have found this more startling. Naraca lifted his two fingers up to signal them to stand down although he could not see them. As bodyguards they had to react to things like that.
He smiled afterwards though as reply.
"Heh, I can't blame her for getting irritated" He commented as he turned to see the water behind him.
The change in subject about asking him why he had referred to himself as an animal.
He wasn't puzzled by the question, this was painful, and not something that should over think. This could all be for nothing for all they know, the temple was intact after all right? Not to mention there bodies not being seen anywhere else yet. They could still be alive.

No...Was Naraca just telling himself that? He made a small grunt under his breath with the thought.
"Well...Can't ya tell by looking at me?" He asked her, remembering the 4 scars that run down his forehead and across his right eye. Not to mention the silent communication he underwent with Coto, and his very gritty and growling like voice. He wasn't even going to start talking about his size.
"I grew up a nomad, never had a home to call my own, always lived off of nature. Everyday was a battle, be it for food, territory, family, friends or just survival. Not much different then a bear really" He said as if he had an animal to compare himself to it'd be a bear. An Elephant was a runner up but he wasn't exactly afraid of mice. His voice sounded like a growling lion speaking English though. Yet he held his family close to him like a wolf or a cheetah.
"I've fought hundreds of battles, even got the scars to prove it" He remarked before rolling up one of his sleeves on his robe and showing his forearm that had large and defined battle scars that ran down. Most of them were long cut like marks, some were small burns, there was a bite mark on there as well. His forearm alone had a few stories in it of itself. That wasn't even to mention the severity of muscle that was on his forearm alone which so heavily defined and toned it just didn't seem possible for it to look any stronger without reaching bloated proportions (Basically meaning that it's not like an arm that looks like it's had hundreds of steroid injections).
He didn't bother with tattoo's since his body was already covered with stories. With just this arm alone if Kiara had asked about each scar he could tell her at least 10 from the top of his head.
How was he an animal? Because he liked to think he was too smart to be considered a caveman.

"Over the years I learned about survival and battle before I started learning how to be human...So you could say at heart I'm an animal, just a tamed one" He informed her before rolling his sleeve back down. How new this might have been for her. She lived a privileged life didn't she? The daughter of royalty. She must of always got the best food, the softest beds and the most pleasurable of company.
What a contrast that made Naraca who could never take a single day for granted. Even as a child living like that, only difference was that his parents were able to guide him.
It didn't take long for the air to feel a little cooler. They had to have been out of Earth Nation territory and reaching the borders of Water Nation land.

He stayed quiet for a moment, letting be able to reply to him. He was considering bringing up what happened to his parents as a way to better have them empathize with each other. However it seemed she didn't want to talk about it. It would instead be a story for another time.

[Kiara]

"Scars are a way of remembering the past..but they also show us that one can heal from those wounds. Physical to even emotional."

Kiara had listened to him very carefully, every sentence he was saying to each word he had pronounced. It seemed to her that this man had a very big story to him..along with a very bigger problem. Looking in his eyes she could tell that something inside him was fighting for control. Of course Naraca seemed to be handling himself very well with it, to her however it seemed to lie very dormant despite its struggle..as if waiting for the perfect moment to swallow the mans soul and claim it for its own. Her gaze looked away from his when her breath started emitting steam. This means they were close to their destination. It was only a matter of time before the actual truth was going to be set free.

How the avatar was going to handle it be good news or bad no one knew. All Kiara knew was that she had someone who seemed like they would be in her corner no matter what. It was pure silence between the two though the atmosphere was one of understanding. He had answered her question in pure satisfactory.

"I know you might not think I understand where you come from moving one place to another. Since I lived a life of luxury, but the past two years I spent time with each person in our tribe, rich and poor to understand both sides. The diamonds I found were the people who had so little..and cherished everything. I would not hesitate to spend more time with them, their personalities are the best in the world."

Her eyes looked down to see Coto pulling a few boxes to the other side of the air ship while the same laborer he mangled helped out carrying one as well. It made her laugh a bit seeing him be so helpful to complete strangers. Looks like all the raising and punishing paid off after all.

"I guess..we are close to my home.."

[Naraca]

For a girl whom he met recently, it didn't take long for them to get to know each other well. All it took was something in common. Rolling his sleeve down he noticed his own breath as well. Yet the cold did not phase him, he was more then used to harsh conditions. In fact back in the day he would be in places like this with no shirt on, just be rocking some shorts and a robe tired around his waist with a fully armored left arm.
That was the kinda gear he used to wear, sure he got some looks but like an animal he was most comfortable with his own fur. In this case it being his skin. Listening to her talk about scars was interesting though. How pain had she endured before this? In royalty did she know what it was like? Perhaps after this she might understand. He knew that knew what it was like, but did she know? The difference being first hand experience. Like explaining color to a blind man, there are somethings you just need to experience for yourself. That being said though she was smart, scars meant healing, they meant you were stronger for it. He could only hope though that she wouldn't have to bare the coming scars on her soul.

"It's interesting" He replied after she talked about how she had met many people less fortunate then her.
"Your grew up in royalty and privlege, and only recently you started seeing the life of the poor and less fortunate. Where as I grew up poor and only recently am I discovering the rich life...I was pronounced King just two years ago" He explained to her with a bit of a smile on his face.
He and Kiara were opposites in a way, but had things common. This possible crisis being what was bringing them together. Had this not happened, she would of walked out of that throne room and might not of ever seen her again.

Despite the age difference he didn't treat her like a child, she was an equal, displaying that in her maturity so far. So what right would he have to look down on her for her youth? None at all, until she acted like a child, he would treat her as his equal.

He detected the regret in her voice as she looked away at him upon knowing they were close to the Southern Water Tribe. He took a silent but long breath as he could feel a bit of what she was feeling by seeing her sudden change in mood.
He knew he'd have to go back down to cargo so they could wait and get off soon.
The man took a moment though to raise his right hand and rest it against Kiara's shoulder as a way to hopefully comfort her.
"Hey..." He said softly.
"You'll get through this, me Coto will be with ya the whole way" He told her with compassion in his heart. He never thought himself to be very good with words, he always just went by instinct. Yet he hoped she could feel the support.
Naraca just knew how much needed it when this happened to him.

He took slid his hand off her shoulder.
"Come on lets go to cargo, we should be landing soon" He suggested to her while taking the first few steps towards the stairs before letting her catch up so they could make it back to cargo.

[Kiara]

I'm gonna make my post in a new topic in the SWT

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