A Trip Continues [FiresFury]

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

There was only ever so much a person could do when they were traveling to prepare- try to buy enough of the most necessary supplies, make do with whatever they found on the way otherwise and keep their eyes open. Kozue knew those things but in her life she'd only had a little time to practice them, and less so on her own. As a child she'd had her mother, father, servants and belongings all carted with them in a small caravan, ready to cross any number of terrains or board a ship if the conditions on land weren't hospitable enough for the group. Many times they were even accompanied by a few guards, a show of goodwill to the Fire Lord's diplomat from those either waiting to receive them or the cities they'd just left. During her teenage years it had been vacations and traveling within the Fire Nation itself and she was more than capable of taking care of whatever small problems could arise in the well-ordered Nation. The last trip had been the frenzied rush to Ba Sing Se with no supplies at all, hiding and trying to stay alive while begging for whatever was necessary.

Now here she was, cleaning up her campsite and packing her belongings for another day's travel. Her dual sabers were strapped to her back, locked together as was usual for their type of blade, and her few other possessions fit neatly into the bag she carried. The information she had said that there was a town within a few miles of her current location, easy enough to reach with a half day's travel, and that would give her the chance to buy some food and fill her waterskins. There was some word of a festival or some such happening in the town, which was good for a few reasons. Extra people meant that the prices would be lower, there would be more wares to look around at and even more people to blend in with. Those were good facts to consider.

And then, of course, she just liked those sorts of things. Usually the people were happy and it was infectious, wiping away troubles for a time, like the carnivals of her childhood.

Smiling to herself Kenzi set off down the road out of the mountains, the signs of her night resting there almost completely erased except for a small fire pit now cold and damp to keep any hidden embers from flaring and starting a blaze. There wasn't much of a breeze that day so the temperature was almost certain to rise but that didn't bother her at all. What kind of Firebender was she if she couldn't take a little heat? Being alone and with at least a couple of hours of walking ahead of her the Countess shifted her pack against her back and started to sing a bit to herself, an old song she'd learned while traveling with her parents in her younger years, though exactly where she'd first heard it she didn't know. Before long she was letting her voice ring out at full volume, simply enjoying the exercise of it and starting another when that song ended, her notes always clear and true.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been walking when her attention was broken by the sound of something else in the distance; going quiet she let the notes of music fade into the air around her as she glanced about, trying to place what she was hearing. An ostrich-horse, or was it something else? You never could tell these days. Though far from worried Kozue nevertheless drew her attention back to the present and waited for whatever it was to show itself so she could determine whether or not it was going to become a problem.

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

Sano was.....wandering. Again. He found that the palace life as the Fire Lord wasn't the most intriguing life to lead. He would rather be on the open roads and experience the world as it is instead of watching it through a window as his generals spoke and bored him nearly to sleep.

He had of course left a note with the others that he would be taking a slight, "vacation" of sorts. So here he was, in the mountain ranges of the Allied Earth States. This was one of the few spot left in the world that he had not the opportunity to behold with his very own eyes. And truthfully it was one of the most expansive and beautiful places he had ever seen with his two eyes. The only thing that could compare would be the area of and surrounding some of the Air Temples.

As he walked he took a look around and saw small birds frolicking with each other and chirping which played in perfectly with the sound of rushing water that overwhelmed his senses both audibly and by smell. The crisp clean water mixing with the fresh mountain air was a perfect mixture of clean fragrant air that he so rarely achieved in the Fire Nation surrounded by smoke and steam. Sure there were nice places, but nothing like this.

He stuck his hands in his pockets after delicately adjusting the strap of his Fire Weaved Katana on his back and then immediately pull a hand out smacking his chest crushing a bug that landed on his skin. "bugs...." he said as he rubbed the leftovers of the creature on a tree he was passing.

He wondered how the rest of his men from the old days of E-Squad was. He hadn't had the chance to actually talk to any of them very much personally since the takeover years before. True it had been very nice to watch the ones who screwed them over have to watch their own downfall. Those bastards....taking the lives of his friends and family....killing children....killing...... he then breathed out a steam of air through his nostrils. He had to cool down, had to get away from the memories that haunted his mind.

He then took a detour off the beaten path and found himself at a waterfall with a wading pool that was barely 3 feet deep. He unstrapped his sword and laid it against a rock and walked out into the refreshingly cold water and stood under the falls placing his palms on the rock face in front of him leaning on it slightly.

He instantly became soaked from head to toe with the chilling water the eased his fire filed anger from his body. He breathed in and out heavily feeling the small flames that were quelled instantly that tried to pry their way out of his mouth. Leaning his head back he thought of home as the water covered his face. It was over, the land was his and his friends now. There was no way he was going to let anyone take it from him.

He thought how much longer these memories and thoughts would plague him. To this day he still has nightmares of that night and wakes up in a flame filled anger. His rooms walls are scorched black from the flames that he releases after coming out of his painful slumber.

He punched the wall creating a small crater in it that was the perfect size of his fist and he shook his head letting the anger flow out of him easily not letting it take hold of him. At that moment he heard something in the bushes behind him. As he looked back quickly he saw a small ostrich-horse and then looked back at the rock face disregarding it.

Little did he know was that there was another person that was through the thickets of vegetation on the main road. And little did he know that that very person was someone of his past, although neither of them knew it.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

The thick THUD of breaking stone followed by the surprised squawk of an ostrich-horse rang out through the thick brush and forest just off of the road. Moments later the bird ran from what appeared to be a thicket, the eyes of the half-grown wild thing wide with irritation as it tore across the ground toward another copse of trees. "Well, that's odd," the Firebender said quietly to herself, her curiosity piqued at the odd events. The cracking of the rock had sounded like a solid and deliberate strike rather than a landslide, and as the wild animal's frantic canter tapered off into the distance there came the sound of running water. That meant she'd be able to refill her waterskins at least, and Kenzi took a confident step toward what was probably a small pool or spring. Of course she'd keep her attention on her surroundings, just in case what she's heard earlier wasn't just a creature knocking over a stone, but there was very little she couldn't handle if she needed to.

As she drew closer the sound of water grew louder, from a slow murmur to something much more distinct and further away than she'd first thought from her spot on the dirt road. The woods grew a bit thicker but she wasn't concerned; there hadn't been any signs of unsavory types as far as she could tell, and while not an expert she did tend to listen to the advice she'd gotten in the villages of the area. There was always the chance she'd run into something she never expected to find or that some new hazard had cropped up since the last time other people had been out this way but at least the Firebender had a basis for comparison. There wasn't the sound of shouting and none of the trees seemed to have been cut in some time- all good signs as far as bandits in the area could have been concerned, and the quiet peace of the forest was a balm to any anxiety she might have been feeling.

A few more minutes of pushing carefully through the brush the glen finally appeared, the pool ringed by a bit of grass and some water plants with a gushing waterfall cascading over the nearby rocks. The only sunlight here was what managed to pierce through the layers of leaves from the towering trees in the area, casting vague shadows every so often but with enough intense light to give the place a calming sylvan glow. A quick glance around didn't bring anything to Kozue's immediate attention, the waterfall and the mist of water rising from it obscuring a good deal of that end of the pool at this distance. With a feeling of safety she moved closer to the water, bringing her waterskin down from around her shoulder to hang loosely in her hands.

It wasn't until she was at the very edge of the pool that she caught a glint of light reflecting from something on a rock just on the edge of the water; a quick glance told her that it was a swordbelt, practical but with a bit of masculine decoration to it. Maybe there's someone here that I missed, she thought to herself with a small laugh, scanning the area more thoroughly. And there he was, just inside of the waterfall. For a moment the more cautious part of her mind wondered whether she should just quietly turn around and leave the way she'd come- but then the more Fire-oriented part of her took over and quickly pushed that away. The man didn't have his sword, and if he was a fighter and inclined to attack with Bending she was confident enough in her abilities to know she could defend herself at least long enough to make a clean getaway. Besides, sneaking away was rude.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there at first, good morning," she called out in a clear tone, hopefully loud enough to be heard over the falling water without shocking the man so much that he reacted violently. He seemed like the type who was more than capable of taking care of himself and bringing him into a state of mind where he could see her as a threat wasn't a very smart move. Her feet were just on the edge of the pool but she had her balance and was standing comfortably with a pleasant smile, her glasses resting at the top of her head and her hair loose down her back. There was an odd sort of atmosphere to the moment but Kozue shrugged it off as being simple surprise to find someone else out here, so far from the beaten path. She had no idea that she was speaking to anyone of importance, much less someone who could give her the answers she was looking for with more authority than anyone else possibly could.

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

As Sano felt the cool downpour of water over his overheated body, he could feel the steam rising off of himself. He was beginning to cool down. Anger was one of his biggest problems in life and it seemed as though Aiden was the only person who could control it. Varoen had on occasion but only through great effort. Aiden just....had a way with words. He was one of the deadliest men he knew but when the time came, his voice could sooth a Rhino-Elephant.

He thought of what Aiden had told him so long ago after they had come back together after parting ways for so long...."Even the smallest flame can survive in the dark." And he held onto that statement from his friend. It had reminded him of his life mission and pushed him farther then he ever thought his body would go, even in times where he thought even he wouldn't make it. He had to thank him again for his words of wisdom some day.

As he began to relax he was completely oblivious to his surroundings and when he suddenly heard the call of a strong but soft spoken female voice he suddenly pushed himself off the wall and spun around sliding a throwing dagger down his sleeve then cocking back to throw it bringing his right arm across his body ready to let loose when he saw her.

The steam covered up most of her complexion and face and he could have sworn that his eyes were playing tricks on him. As he sheathed the dagger he looked through the fog to see no one other then Aerith. "how did you..." he whispered to himself. How was he suppose to finish the sentence to himself? There were so many things he wanted to ask her. But as he looked back up from his thoughts the fog cleared and so did the illusion. It was instead a female with glasses on her face and looked rather strong willed and able to hold her own in the world.

As he noticed her he shook his head and walked out from the wading pool dripping as he went as the sun up above began to dry him off slowly. He glanced up at her and then averted his eyes as he walked over to his sword and placed it back around his back and silently began to walk away towards the brush.

He wasn't in the mood to talk to a stranger, especially one who could have possibly been one of the few people who have seen him at his weakest point. Not thinking about his surroundings, open to attack at any time, teeming with anger and trying to control it. At that point he wasn't up to random chatter.

He began to walk away silently as he pictured her in his head again and he could have sworn he had seen her before but the thought was soon diminished as he shook it easily from his head. Stepping forth away from her he began to walk away slowly at his own pace of travel. Never one in a hurry, he knew he would always get there eventually.

He held up a dagger to his face and seemed to be evaluating it but in actuality he was peering into the metal and watching the reflections behind him to see what the woman's next move was. What if she was someone who was sent to kill him? Hired by other countries to put an end to his life. What if she was a friend or loved one of someone he killed at one time?

All of this ran through his head in a torrent and there was only one word to really describe the mayhem in his mind; Paranoia.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

There wasn't much Kozue could say as the obviously-perturbed man looked at her, a throwing knife in his hand and the steam still rising around him. That was a good clue that he was a Firebender, and an exceptionally perturbed one. For a moment she could only watch with surprise, but she was trained to fight as well and that made her react instinctively to the knife, watching it and shifting her balance just a bit in case he actually decided to throw. From the confusion on his face that didn't seem terribly likely, but when someone was startled anything could happen.

She could only barely hear him over the crash of the water over the rocks and cocked her head a bit as she tried to puzzle it out- but before she really got anywhere with that train of thought the man had stepped out, clothes and hair drenched, picked up the sword belt that rested on the rock not too far from her and started to walk away. It was abrupt, and he barely put the knife away as he did it, but the haunted look in his eyes said his anger and fear weren't so much aimed at her as a reminder. So many had dark sides to their past and it was wrong to dredge things up any more than necessary, but Kenzi couldn't simply let it pass either.

Half-turning the Countess watched as he started to walk, something familiar about him itching at the back of her mind. It had been quite some time since she'd seen any Firebenders outside of those at the Refuge, but that in itself was a bit of a danger; for all she knew he could be someone who could recognize her from childhood or the time before the dissolution of the Fire Nation. While she had never done anything more than study and practice there were those who wouldn't feel guilty at all for killing her because of her relative's actions. She was an optimist and wanted to show the world that not all of the members of her family were the same- but there was also some practical thought, since if she died at this point her goal would never be accomplished.

When he stopped and glanced at his knife not that far from the glen Kozue shifted the strap of the half-full water-skin she was carrying back to her shoulder and gave a respectful bow of apology. "I didn't mean to surprise you, or scare you off," she told him as she rose, her hair falling over her shoulders as she waited to finish speaking before rising slowly and smiling. "I heard the water from the road, but I didn't realize anyone else was here; I hope I didn't interrupt anything." The sense of familiarity was still there, and she usually had a pretty good memory, but bringing it up could easily be her downfall. After all, chances were she'd seen him in the Fire Nation, which she couldn't exactly admit. For all she knew there were still bounties out for her. "Just give me a minute or two to fill this water-skin and I'll be out of your way."

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

Sanosuke stopped at the sound of her voice. The way she spoke to him gave him the ideas that she was qualified to travel by herself. Never would someone with weakness both physically or mentally call out on another stranger stating that they "didn't mean to scare them away". He was impressed slightly by her courage and yet offset and annoyed by it as well.

He spun back about face to her slowly and looked deep into her eyes and spoke himself, "Scary as you may be, you are welcome to be wherever you wish. It is my choice to leave at your appearance and you should not feel obliged to hurry your way out of the area. You have just as much right as i to stand in the same spot." he said calmly as he slid the knife back up his sleeve as it locked into its holder that was strapped to his arm covered by fabric.

"Tis my fault to have been so hasty to make my leave....please....sit down and enjoy your break" he said cheerfully as he walked back over and perched himself on a rock. There had been something about this woman that ate away at his mind and he wanted to either decipher it or demolish it right now.

His false and very well played friendliness at this moment was nothing less then believable. He had spent his entire life practicing to hide in plain site and blend in with others and faking emotions to get out of a tough situation came naturally to him. The only people that could truly tell he was faking was his close friends who have personally seen all of his true emotions. Tears, Anger, laughter and regret. All have been witnessed by them and only them in a true manner.

He dove back out of his sudden thoughts and looked over at her motioning for her to relax. "So...what brings you to this part of the world my dear?" He said saying it not out of attachment but as a form of politeness.

The girl seemed to bring something up inside him and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He felt as though she should be dead. Not as in he should kill her on the spot, but just the fact that at some point in her life, she came close to dying. He had a knack for guessing things, thats why he lived as a detective at one point on his run-away time from the Fire Nation. He had a flare for the smallest details that most people wouldn't have ever seen. But hey, this time he could just be wrong.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

The man's response as he turned around and spoke to her, putting the knife he held back into his arm sheath, was surprising if only for it's sudden change from something like tension to intensity as he met her gaze, his own eyes somehow haunted even if the lines around them and his expression didn't call that fact to bear at the current moment. Nevertheless there were very few who didn't bear some mark of hard times, and that didn't shock or frighten her- but it did keep her attention. His voice bespoke in its tone how much he believed the first statement he made, and she nodded in response, keeping his gaze respectfully and with polite acknowledgement. It was remarkably reasonable a statement for a man who'd seemed to be bolting a moment before.

Once he finished and moved to sit on the rock she gave another small bow- it seemed to a habit so ingrained it was a bit difficult to fight at times- and smiled more warmly, still relaxed even as she watched the man. There was nothing about him that gave her the impression she had something to fear, at least nothing outside of his previous paranoia. Where before he'd been a bit intense everything about him now spoke of pure relaxation and innocent interest, and she trusted her instincts and her abilities enough to let that go for now. After all, she just wanted to get some water, relax in some shade and continue on her way, not open up full-scale negotiations or get into a fight. "Thank you," she told him with a comfortable smile, then knelt in the grass and poured out the older, more stale water in the leather bag before starting to fill it again from the pond.

The water was as clear as she'd thought and cool against her hands, almost making her wish that she could relax enough to just wade in and enjoy it- but that would have been impossibly rude to her guest, and even if she didn't see it as indecent he very well could. That would only cause problems. At least she was able to enjoy the shade of the forest and the beauty of the plantlife. The Refuge had a good many benefits, not the least that it was safe, far removed from most who would wish them harm and fertile of soil, making it possible to survive- but she'd missed the expansiveness of huge forests with ancient trees that let in glorious pockets of bright sunlight.

"I'm just traveling at the moment," she told the man as the skin slowly filled with the crystal-clear water, cocking her head slightly and using her free hand to push some hair behind her ear as she watched the man interestedly. He did seem familiar, but it wasn't enough to make her think so deeply about it that she'd appear rude. Her expression was warm and eyes bright with passive curiosity but she was doing her best to answer his questions without prying into his own affairs. "It's been a few years since I was making my way around the world and this seemed like the best direction to start in. I'm thinking about heading to the Bulwark, I've heard that things they're always looking for some more help." There wasn't a single lie in that statement, but she also knew it would be impossible for anyone to pick up anything disturbing in that story, or anything that directly connected it to the old Fire Nation, so it was safe to tell. "How about yourself?"

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

Sano watched her carefully thinking cryptic things in the back of his mind as she moved around. He watched her bodily habits and read her expressions and was pretty sure that he was making good estimates on her reactions and possibly even her thoughts.

As she moved to sit on the rock to fill her water skin he noticed subtle instances of defensive movements. She always kept a hand free in case of need of defense and she never once made it so he was out of her vision even in the slightest. Where she was acting comfortable, which he believed she was she was also putting up an outstanding guard that not many people would recognize. She was calm and collected in a sense but also completely guarded in the sense that she was always alert. It had indeed impressed him.

She then thanking him and he lowered his head respectfully at her words. He watched her eye the water for a few moments and he got the feeling that her, like many who came across the cool pure water of the water fall, wanted to bask in its refreshing waves. As he thought about it, as she waved off the thought moving back to her activity, he noticed that some would find it disrespectful to do so in the presence of a stranger. But in all matter he couldn't really care less. After all he himself had already been in. "If you wish to soak in the waters please feel free to. Don't hold back your comfort because of my presence. It is a hot day after all" He said instinctively looking up at the blue sky with the searing ball of yellow flame hanging in it.

Then came her answer to his question of what shes doing in these parts. She was apparently traveling. Truthfully the fact is, that that is the most common answer to those that are indeed not JUST traveling. Whether they are running away from something or simply trying to go somewhere "secret" it was always something.

At that time is when he came to the conclusion that she was not a normal female traveler. She was to......diffrent from the others that she saw. Most had tried to avoid contact with him or any other person to the best of their abilities. On his travels he had taken mental notes that Men are more social when it comes to the road. Most women tend to stay to away.

He then looked at her and answered her question himself. "Oh I'm just on my way to meet up with some friends." he said lying through his teeth but as he knew he was exceptionally good at it. "Decided to take the time to go and meet them since i haven't had the pleasure to see them for a while" he said quietly leaning back as he sat down. "And the Bulwark for you huh? Mighty dangerous place these days...." he added in knowing almost every exact detail about the happenings there in his head. And the fact that she was heading THERE of all places just pushed his educated guess about her even further to what he thought was true. She was no ordinary person.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

It took only a minute or so for Kozue's water-skin to stop bubbling, the last of the air replaced with water. Once her father had explained how that entire process worked, with the water moving around the air inside the bag and then forcing it out to let in more water until there was no more space being taken. There wasn't much that the Firebender had learned that she'd forgotten, at least as far as pure facts went. People were always a bit more mutable and while she rarely had problems placing a voice with a person faces were less exact, especially with her less than perfect eyesight and the fact that people liked to change the way they looked.

Her casual appraisal of the man didn't tell her much more than she'd already gathered; he was around her own age, pleasant but reserved and with a bit of intensity and focus to his actions. It wasn't that unusual for her to have people studying her a bit, at least not for the past couple of years, and at least his eyes didn't bore into her like an ice shard as Genji's would have. Don't even start thinking about that, she told herself, her expression not even flickering. After all, she'd had more than a year to hide her thoughts about that man from even the most astute and easily offended diplomats.

It wasn't very often that people managed to see what she was really thinking- not so much because she tried to hide it, but mostly because it had been awhile since anyone cared past making sure that she wasn't expressing something unseemingly forward for a noble lady who was supposed to be happy about her upcoming marriage. She'd gotten very proficient in smoothing over most things so they didn't seem as obvious, so he must either be psychic or an expert at reading people. It wasn't unheard of, but she hadn't seen the skill outside of the council chamber in such a long time it was hard to call to mind.

"That's a good idea," Kenzi agreed, sliding her feet out of her slippers and setting her waterskin aside, then stepping into the water without any hesitation. The clear liquid wasn't so cold she needed to adjust to it, so she simply moved until the water reached to about her knees, heedless of whether or not her gown was getting drenched. She traveled in clothing sturdy enough that a rainshower or swim wouldn't do irreparable damage- and besides, she could dry it for herself if it got too bothersome. She wasn't as arrogant as some of her relatives who believed that Firebending was suitable only for battle or emergencies; her years of research had shown that it rose from practicality, not superiority.

There was nothing about him to indicate that his answer about visiting friends wasn't anything but completely honest, just as her answer was- but maybe that was the point, since she meant so much more than she said. Better not to assume in that direction though, especially since he was so good at reading her. There was a part of her mind that was intrigued and mentally stimulated by this exchange. How long had it been since she'd had a conversation with someone who hadn't known her for years? For that she could let her curiosity go; her nature wasn't to pry into other people's affairs anyway. "Just because something might be dangerous doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, or isn't right," she replied in an even tone with calm sincerity, meeting his gaze and smiling again. It wasn't as though he was the only one who thought going was a bad idea, for a number of reasons. "The men and women there keep everyone safe from the Spirit Rift and it's the entire world's responsibility to help them with that when they can." She was sure to keep her tone light though the expression in her eyes probably showed how much she believed what she'd just said and her determination to follow that path. "The way I can best help is by being there."

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

Sano watched on as she nodded proclaiming it was a good idea as she dipped into the water. Instinctively he turned his head from her and watched the trees and sky instead. It was considered rude to watch someone doing such things, just like it would be rude to watch someone drink or eat and so on and so forth.

As he heard the subtle movements of the water as she waded through it he noticed how the sun was beginning to lower faster then he had realized. It was apparently almost dusk and he hadn't even pondered about where he had planned to test for the night.

The clouds, the few there were, were glowering with the orangish haze from the reflected sunlight of the lowering globe. It would be considered beautiful to the more delicate people of the world. He himself only acknowledged its visual stimulation and relished in it.

Birds whistled as they flew through the air playfully interacting with each other enjoying their last moments of sunlight that they would be able to appreciate for the day.

As he looked back to the girl for a brief second he noticed that she had exited the pool and he felt comfortable to resume the eye contact that they occasionally shared as they spoke to each other as it was accustom to do in normal conversation.

He nodded his head as she spoke of the Bulwark. It was wise words that came forth from her mouth. Something that he had actually expected after watching and analyzing all this time. He knew she wasn't light in the head and expected some sort of intelligent answer to his statement but truthfully not one as moving as the one she had said in the second half of her statement.

All of what she said was true. The people in the world that are scared to fight, wont fight, or are hesitant to do so aren't completely looking at they're situation. If the world fails at repelling the Demon Hordes then everything that they know will end. The green grass of the Allied Earth States will be charred, The mountains and hills of the Earth Kingdom will be crumbled broken antiques of what they once were. The ice of the water tribes will be melted and consumed with hatred thus poisoning the lands life energy. And of everything, his homeland will be wrecked, blemished and distraught. The proud Volcanoes will be out of control eating away everything that breathed, the few rolling green lands will be blackened with flames and burned with hatred.

This was the first time that he had thought so deeply about the war. This womans one comment had opened up his mind and brought his eyes to the realization that the world is something that belongs to everyone not just one group. And that all of them together needed to fight for it.

He then shook his head as he freed his mind away from the internal conversation that could honestly last hours within his head seeing if the woman had noticed his break in reality which she probably had, but it didn't matter much, who didn't tend to fly off into a dream world? So far this conversation with the woman had been very.......interesting. Time to see what else he can learn soon to come.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

The bottom quarter of her dress was rather damp as Kenzi stepped out of the pool and back onto the soft grass but there didn't seem to be anything wrong with that, and the fabric of this gown didn't get heavy with water in the same way the kimonos back home would have. It almost seemed like as soon as a liquid was within ten paces of them they wicked it up and added a hundred pounds to its own mass. Fortunately she'd been clever enough to barter her way into some 'casual outfits' that actually traveled well rather than letting her relatives confine her into restrictive gowns.

It seemed as though the light on the surface of the pool was beginning to slant a little differently as the sun dipped toward the west, changing the shadows that fell across the space and the people within it. Time was always passing, but could it really be possible for it to have fled so quickly? Luckily the Firebender didn't have anywhere in particular she needed to be; there was a bit of food for dinner, a full waterskin and the weather was so nice she probably wouldn't even have to worry about a tent, so there was no reason to rush away. Besides, she was enjoying this quietly composed conversation with the thoughtful man with the deep eyes.

A smooth motion and Kozue had the stopper slid back into her water-skin, then set it beside her as she sat on another of the sun-warmed stones and set the full vessel beside her. Her movements weren't at all rushed or worried, and there didn't seem to be any more negative tension in the air that would make her want to leave- and it wasn't as though she hadn't been walking for awhile before she'd shown up. The cool water was refreshing and she was in too good of shape to be in real pain, but if the chance to relax for a few minutes in good company came along, why not take it? No one knew when such a chance would come along.

Another glance over at the man who sat nearby showed him deep in thought, features composed and mostly relaxed, but considering how introspective he'd become they must have been very vast imaginings indeed. It had been such a long time since she'd been able to express herself so freely that it was fresh in her mind- and sometimes she could get a little carried away with it. Fortunately she didn't seem to have really offended her current conversational companion, and it was refreshing to have someone actually care what she said, rather than whether or not it fit the image she was supposed to portray.

With a warm smile Kozue watched him for another moment, then quietly shifted the hem of her dress so it could dry in the dimming sunlight. "Please forgive my interruption but you seem to be thinking a lot. I hope I didn't say something to offend you, and if I did I apologize for my quick tongue, but not for my opinions." There was nothing unpleasant in her tone, and her smile was neither forced or fake, but there was something else to her voice that she'd been holding back for a long time, in fact since she'd left her home in the Fire Nation- self-determination and utter belief. These were her ideas, and while she didn't expect to force anyone else into agreeing she wasn't about to let them sway her either. Debate she would accept, even an argument- anything short of violence really. But her mind was her own, and she was done apologizing for it, or hiding it for the sake of others who thought they new best. "Do you have any more information on the Bulwark, or how far it might be?"

[.:|FiresFury|:.]

Sanosuke glanced around a bit as soon as he came back to his senses. The sun was slowly going down hiding from sight behind the large structure of the mountains that had surrounded them. The remaining sunlight peeked through the trees and sprayed the immediate area with light but it wouldn't last for very much longer.

He then heard a voice and lost the first three words she said and snapped back to reality and heard the remainder of her sentence. "Oh no no, you said nothing that did any such thing. I just get lost in my own thoughts occasionally. Don't take it personally." he said to her shaking his head ignoring the last part of her words. Personally at heart he couldn't care less for this womans opinions. It wasn't anything against women, it was just that he doesn't know her, so he doesn't really care.

He decided that there was something different about this woman but he didn't plan to dwell on it. He would give himself up to the point where she leaves to figure out what it was and if not then he didn't plan on pursuing the fact any further.

The girl had very strong ideals and a mindset to succeed but she didn't seem like one who took criticism on her ideas very well. She had her mind on lock that what she thinks is what she know is right, possibly even that she doesn't even acknowledge any other potential probabilities to her opinions that would make her doubt her own ideas. But that was a little far for even him to guess. Sure he could read a person expertly but he couldn't read minds. This was only a potential psychological observance and it had a good chance of being wrong, but he decided not to push any ideas against her.

She then asked him about the Bulwark with additional information on it and he wasn't the quickest to reply. He took a second to think about his answer. She herself seemed to be interested in who and what he was, whether she was as doubtful about him as he was to her was a good mystery to him as of now. But he couldn't just spill everything that he knows or else she'll know that hes more then what he seems.

He knows almost all there is to know, he has his own men there after all. Terrible place.....for the weak hearted. But for those who thirst and crave for battle it is a place of wonder and a land full of thrills.

So he decided to play the part of the oblivious traveler that had never been there, not recently at least. "I can tell you honestly i know not much on the Bulwark my lady. Everyone knows that it is always being attacked by some sort of freakish monsters. And how far is it? From here I'd judge at most half a ten-day. But surely more then 2. So potentially 3-5 days id say, depending on your pace of course." he said shrugging with confusion. Acting had always been his thing ever since he was a child. Whether it was pretending to be sick to get out of cleaning duty or pretending to be someone else in order to slit a throat, he was dam good at it.

[\Mai-Dee/ *Erity* ~Kenzi~]

There was a lot going on with this man, Kozue could feel it in her bones, but that didn't mean he was necessarily dishonest or even cruel. Rather like herself; she was traveling under an assumed name and trying to smudge as much of the details of her history and business as she could, but that didn't make her bad. If she could have lived honestly and accomplished the same goals she would have. Perhaps that was the problem with believing in a goal to the extent that you were willing to sacrifice your own sincerity, but there didn't seem to be any other choice. To give her family the chance to live long enough to learn another way of being was more important than a few stupid bits of pride or morality, at least as far as the Countess was concerned.

When the man spoke of being lost in his own thoughts she couldn't help but smile just a little wider, the light between the branches dampening a little further, but that was a minor detail really and didn't concern her too much. If the village was no more than a couple hour's walk off or less then she'd definitely be able to make up the time before it was too late in the evening, and the chances of anyone on these back roads being the kind of Bender or fighter to give her cause for concern was very low. From what Kiki had told her masters were more and more rare in these times, so the chances of one settling for being a back-woods bandit was low.

She had to admit that his answer to her question was a little vague, but that was to be expected, especially if he hadn't been there. That would also explain why he had reacted the way he had to what she'd said before about the duty of people being in some small part the support of those at the Bulwark. "The trip is likely to be shorter than I expected then," she told the man in a pleasant tone, settling the ends of her skirt into a slightly different position so it could finish drying and then slipping on her shoes. A little moving around would shift the fabric more and actually dry it out faster.

"Thank you for letting me bother you for a little while, I really enjoyed the conversation," she continued after she finally had her shoes comfortably over her feet, then rose and gave him a small but respectful bow, careful to keep the movement a little vague just as Yukiko had taught her. Better safe than sorry, wasn't it? "I doubt the path is going to shorten itself for my benefit alone. I hope you enjoy your rest, and your thoughts." Upon rising Kozue straightened her pack and started at a steady pace toward the spot where she'd entered the glade. Luckily she didn't have to turn her back completely on the man as she did so and he fell into her peripheral vision, so if he needed to ask her something in turn or made any unexpected moves she'd know it.

Kozue may have been a little naive and unused to the world, but she wasn't stupid. People had fooled her once and she was smart enough to try and minimize that happening again.