The Journey To One's Roots

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	"Righ' 'bout now, lil'un," Kusu responded with a smile, nodding his head slightly to direct her attention to the forest before them. Just as they stepped around a particularly broad-leafed plant, an entire village would come into view, both blending into the forest and standing out vividly at the same time. Carefully arranged houses had been constructed from all matter of materials, from fallen logs to living flower vines - making them both beautiful and well insulated. People were gathered around a large cooking fire in the middle of the huts, or at the waters edge, or venturing out of their huts. Kusu and Zair attracted a small amount of attention, but they were immediately viewed as belonging to the tribe, rather than as outsiders.
Mood: Happy Condition: Guiding	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:55 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	There were stereotypes of all kind, be they for various races, cultures, genders, age groups, or anything else in between. Not that Zair was intentionally promoting one of these, but it was hard not to get wide-eyed with awe at seeing the little village for the first time--surely one of many. "whoaaaaaaa!" she gasped excitedly, glancing around at everyone here. Not that she didn't have friends and relations among the bronze-skinned and brown-eyed sand nomads, but these people... these were her people. "It's amazin'!" she squealed excitedly. When she noticed the people around her, she smiled and waved a cute little hand at them. The brown skin, the lanky builds, the messy dark hair... the shimmering green eyes... these were waterbenders just like her. She felt so at home, despite ever actually having even been here till now. she did realize that she needed (or wanted) to change her attire to more fit in, but also because wearing leaves and vines seemed more fitting for the muddy swamps rather than the cute little dress she had worn before. "Ah needa git sum' proper clothin' on though, right?" she had not forgotten. "not that Ah don't like th'dress 'n stuff... just seems like it'd git all ripped 'n dirty 'n stuff." she glanced up at the older man who had led her here, esteeming him as a type of mentor, and thus hoping he'd have a solution for her.
Mood: Happy and Curious Condition: Perfect	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	"Gawtcha covered," Kusu assured her with a chuckle, even as he slid down off of his steed, standing on the soft yet solid moss-coated mud. Reaching up to help Zair do the same, he actually turned his head, scanning along the faces at their end of the village - finally he called out and gestured with another jerk of his head, beckoning a rather younger woman over. Once Zair was carefully placed on her feet, the old swampbender began to explain the situation to the newcomer. "Th'lil'un's goan need'a change've clothes, y'ken?" He started, "Y'ken y'culd help'er git somethin' goan fer me?" Assured by the swampbender woman that it would be taken care of, Kusu turned his attention back to his newest little friend, squatting down with his elbows resting on his knees, to be closer to her eye-level. "Y'goan'go wit' Chaya fer j'st a min'," He explained to her, "Sh' goan'na git'cha dressed - sh' does good werk wit' a needle."
Mood: Happy Condition: Taking Care of Matters	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:34 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair giggled as she was helped down. She was still a child, so she was tiny and easy to carry. she paused when her little feet touched the moss, and curled her toes and let the feeling of the soil 'soak' in, so to speak. She stuck by her older friend not so much out of reservation but more in that way people stick around their friends when being shown something or someone new. She looked up at the young woman who Kusu had beckoned over, gazing up and down her body with wide, curious eyes as if taking in her attire with utmost curiosity. Kusu's reassurance helped, but at the same time, Zair felt safe and trusting among these people... as if she belonged here, which in her mind, she did. She had always wondered why she looked different (and heck, even bended a different element) than everyone else, but it all just made so much sense now. She was more than happy to embrace this new identity. "okie dokie." she grinned, before turning to the woman named Chaya and following her. "Ah'm Zair, by th'way." she decided to give her name--well, her nickname. 'Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza' was a hell of a mouthful, not just of Zs, but to say at all.
Mood: Happy and Curious Condition: Perfect	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	The swampbender woman smiled down at the small girl, leading her away from Kusu and the village entrance, moving toward one of the many flower-thatched huts, "Nice t'meet'cha, li'l Zair. Y'ken just call me Chaya - mos' folk do." Her accent was definitely there, but nowhere near as difficult to understand as Kusu's was. And though he would consider Chaya a rather young woman, she was easily old enough to have a child Zair's age - if not several. Perhaps that was why, when she pulled aside the cloth curtains which served as a door to her home, Chaya already had several garments that were about Zair's size already half made-up. "Now, what colors d'ya like?" She asked with a smile, standing back so that Zair could move forward to inspect the clothes for herself, "Y'choose somethin' 'at looks good, an' Ah'll make it up t'fit'cha just right."
Mood: Happy Condition: Taking Care of Matters	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:51 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	"okie dokie." Zair nodded. part of her was curious as to whether or not Chaya was a nickname or her real name, and so she asked curiously. "'zthat a nickname 'r a real name?" it was just a child's curious question, especially since "Zair" was a nickname for her pretty much. Some people went by their last names; Zair went by only part of her last name. Zair was not one to judge people based on age, but rather on personality, and so she had no issues with any age differences here or whatnot. After seeing inside her first swamp hut, she decided then and there that this was definitely livable. Maybe her blood was part of what had her being a girl of such simple pleasures. She could definitely not handle herself in the city, so she wanted to be out in the wilderness of the swamps or the sands as she grew. "Well... Ah don't imagin' leaves grow in purple 'r whit... so Ah'll jus' go wit' a dark green 'r somethin'... maybe somethin' t'match m'eyes?" she fluttered her eyelashes before widening her eyes so Chaya could see them and thus their bright green color. She was not too picky.
Mood: Happy and Curious Condition: Perfect	Link: Zair

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:03 pm

Kusu Sawamoto	"M'full name's Chayalani," Chaya answered with a single, good-natured laugh, "But Ah always j'st said 'Chaya', an'nit stuck. Ah lahke it, though." She was certainly patient and easygoing, just like Kusu was (and the rest of the tribe, really). When Zair mentioned the color purple, the swampwoman scratched at the back of her neck, pulling a thoughtful expression. "Nawt th'leaves, no... flower petals, though. Y'wanna flower vine belt, t'hold yer skirt up?" She looked down at the small waterbender girl, offering a smile and hoping for one in return.
Mood: Determined Condition: Guiding	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:56 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	"oooh... that's a purdy one, yeh?" she nodded approvingly at hearing the name. "much purdier 'n mahn." It was not to say Zair necessarily hated her name; just that with all those Zs it was a fairly rough name that only flowed with a lot of 'buzz' type noises or something, Zair didn't know how to explain it. "ooooh... aye, aye! Ah wanna flow'r vahn belt..." she paused. "what all d'ye wear? ...'r do Ah wear?" she was curious as to what she'd be dressed in, since children were sometimes dressed differently than adults. she would almost certainly be fine with whatever; it was just that curiosity getting the best of her again as she waited to see what this friendly lady would make fo rher.
Mood: Happy and Curious Condition: Perfect	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Shifting through a few of the outfits on the wall, Chaya took one down, to use as a visual reference. "Som'n lahke this'un," She answered, holding it so that Zair could see clearly, "Like a dress, so s'only one piece an'nit's cool, but yer all covered." Said dress was made with a layer of fairly broad leaves that hung down from several points, held up by a pair of vine straps. It would have been quite boring, if not for the colorful additions that were common among the entire tribe; a flower vine belt wrapped around the waist, to help keep the leaves from separating too much, and some colorful cloth with beads accentuated the rest of it, along the hem lines and straps. "What'cha think?" The swampbender asked the little girl, though she was fairly certain that it would meet with approval.
Mood: Good Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:45 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair had not quite expected a dress, even if it was made out of leaves and totally natural and all that. She would have frankly been okay with a few leaves around her loins if nothing else, and so to say that this had not gone above and beyond her expectations might have been an understatement. Those enormous green eyes of hers got even larger as they accompanied her smile in size increase. they darted this way and that around the leafy garment as she took it in. She stepped forward to sniff it, and the natural swampy flora smell filled her nose much to her delight. Perhaps her fondness of the odd aroma was just further proof that the swamps were in this girl's blood. the question, which Zair could have even seen coming, was met with perhaps an equally predictable answer. "it's beautiful!" she squealed, "Ah love it Ah love it! k'kin Ah trah it on?" she seemed fairly confident that it would fit her, but might not have minded anyways if it didn't. She was about this close to stripping down to try it out anyways.
Mood: Excited Condition: Perfect	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	"'Course ya can," Chaya replied with a laugh, "D'ya need s'me help, 'r kin ya do it all yerself?" The swampbender woman was willing to help or to give the child space - whichever was needed. The dress would likely need very minimal alteration to fit Zair as it was, if it needed any at all. Depending on how well the little girl could figure things out - likely well enough, considering her background - the dress should go on easily, as well. It was a simple garment that was meant to be slipped on over the head. Nothing easier.
Mood: Good Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:42 am

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair glanced at the dress, already working to pull her own one off. "Ah think Ah kin' do it." she smiled, "thank'ee though." she removed her undergarments and felt for the first time what damp swamp leaves around one's loins felt like. She shuddered a bit, but then giggled. Slowly taking the leafy skirts and dress, she carefully put it on, although it was much more resilient then Zair would have expected leaves to be. Perhaps she was used to the fragile life in the hostile deserts to the east though. Oh well. Children were quick learners. "ta-dah!" she spread her little arms out and did a twirl once she was in it. "how d'Ah look?" she couldn't really see, but hoped she looked pretty. "did Ah git it on th'raht way?" 'zit straight 'n stuff?" She figured it was, but was not afraid to ask for help when she needed it. "thank'ee so much again, bah th'way." the youngster nodded happily.
Mood: Excited Condition: Leafy... but perfect ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Kneeling down with a slight laugh, Chaya straightened a few broad leaves and smoothed the dress out, but Zair had done a very good job of dressing herself, all things considered. All of the "important bits" were covered, and it did look more like a dress than a concoction of jungle flora, which was good. "Y'look right pretty, li'l 'un," was the swamp woman's answer, along with an approving nod, "An' yer quite welcome. Y'feel free t'keep this 'un, y'ken? S'm'gift t'you."
Mood: Good Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:50 am

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Naturally, Zair didn't resist as the leaves and such were straightened, but she did seem more... well, what was the word... she felt like she fit in much more. Not to say her other dress wasn't cute and pretty... just that she matched the others now... both in attire and in appearance. That pleased her greatly, for while she had never been ridiculed for it, the youngster had always been an odd one out amongst a bunch of sandbenders. "daww..." one of Zair's little bare feet kicked behind her, as she put her hands together and batted her eyelashes. Yup. this kid was flattered, "thank'ee... you look real purdy too y'know. 'n thank'ee fer th'dress! Ah'll take th'bes' care 'vit. Ah promise!" With an approving little hug (these people did seem pretty close, and Zair was only 9 anyways), she skipped outside to find her old guiding friend. "Ku!" she called out, "'ey Kusu! look't me!" she skipped around, the leaves and beads and vines bouncing or twirling with her graceful and bubbly little steps. She was rather proud of herself and wanted someone to show off to.
Mood: Proud, Excited Condition: Leafy ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Kusu was only about a dozen feet away, taking care of feeding, watering and brushing Old Fig, the tiger-stag. He had, in part, been waiting for Zair to emerge; while he had gotten her safely to her destination, he still felt responsible for the little girl. As he caught sight of her, his face broke out into that lopsided grin. "Y'look raht purdy, li'l darlin'," He offered, giving Old Fig a scratch behind the ears, "Chaya wen'n took da - er - raht gud care've ya." Again, with the aversion to cursing in front of Zair. Kneeling down to her level as the child approached, he mentioned, "Th'others're gittin' ready t'eat, so y'kin go'an an' grab y'self a bite t'eat too, y'ken?" He had already arranged it with the village, of course, and they were quite welcoming. Zair would be treated as family while she was among the tribe, however young or new she was.
Mood: Good Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:21 am

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair grinned, and blushed a tiny bit. She might have been young, but the girl was shrewd and knew flattery when it was there. Okay, so maybe it was a genuine compliment, and it touched Zair. the youngster was definitely flattered, and very pleased with herself. "awww... shucks." she giggled. "thank'ee!" she grinned right back up at Kusu, rosy cheeks and all. "oooh!" the only thing missing was a rumbling stomach, but Zair could definitely use some food. She wondered what they ate here? Surely it was different from th e foods of the desert, but Zair was a kid, and as such she would eat anything. Children were divided into two categories when it came to food--the picky ones that wouldn't eat anything, and the powerhouses that would eat everything. Zair was definitely Category 2. "ooh! let's go! Ah'm kinda famished if Ah say so m'self!" she agreed. The warm welcome she received had just further verified her thoughts about her heritage, and perhaps was a further reminder of just how much she belonged here. Surely they could have been this welcoming with anyone, but they were probably extra welcoming to one of their own.
Mood: Proud, Excited Condition: Leafy ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Chuckling, Kusu nodded, straightening up from that weird jacknifed crouch of his. "A'righ', a'righ'... s'go gitcha sum'mn in yer tummy, li'l darlin'," He agreed. Zair would probably notice that it was getting easier to understand Kusu, the longer she was around him - though his singing would still be a mystery, if she heard it again. In the meantime, however, the older swampbender lead the young girl toward the bonfire in the center of the village. On a spit, hanging over the fire, was a swamp boar-monkey, all ready to eat; the fat was hissing and it smelled amazing, but the lifeless face looked a bit creepy. In little leaf bowls, there was some sort of cut up fruit and a white mash, which would be sweet and a little sour to the taste. They also had unleavened bread, which was covered in honey flower nectar, and some clean water with juice squeezed in, to wash it all down. "Y'goawn'n help yerself," Kusu told Zair with a smile, releasing her hand so that he could grab his own food, "S'plenty fer all, y'ken?" He took some of everything, also fitting squarely into the category of people who will eat a ton of just about everything - but especially home cooking from their birthplace.
Mood: Good Condition: Hungry	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:58 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair was in fact becoming more and more adept at interpreting Kusu's words, althougbh there were a few things that would still probably go over her head. It was not to say that she was not familiar with an accent that she herself had a milder form of, but Kusu's accent was... well, strong. Still, there was not even a shadow of a doubt that this was where the girl had both come from and where she belonged. For someone who had never set foot here before, she fit in pretty much perfectly. Zair did squeak slightly upon noticing the freaky dead burning face of the creature on the spit, but soon forgot about it as she sampled the various foods that were around her, thanking those that prepared them with bright green eyes and a cheerful smile. she did not take much, but she took a little of everything. she would come back for seconds if she wanted, but she wasn't a very large thing, and so did not need to take as much food as Kusu. After filling her dish, she plopped down next to Kusu, straightening her leafy dress. It was already very clear that she'd be taking good care of it. "so..." she looked up atht e older fellow, "wha 'else do people do 'ere?" she asked curious, "Lahk, f'er fun 'r stuff?" she didn't think she'd be bored. she just hoped to learn more about the place that was almost surely going to be her new home.
Mood: Proud, Excited Condition: Leafy ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Kusu considered how best to answer, as the question pertained to Zair herself, as he chewed on a piece of the roasted boar-monkey. "Well, y'gitcher li'l 'uns playin'n th'trees an' th'village... y'huntin' folks goawn'n git meat... y'gatherin'n cookin' folk goawn'n do th'other part..." He trailed off, unsure of how else to continue, except to say, "Sum'ma th'others git th'specific work fer 'em - lahke Chaya makin' clothes." He conveniently left out telling the small child what his own job was, since 'medicine man' meant a few different things, depending on where you were. "Tha's durin' th'work tahme, though," Kusu clarified, "Fer fun, we dance 'r play ball 'r sumtahmes we watch th'men do stupid sh -- uh -- stuff." That cursing again, whoops.
Mood: Good Condition: Stuffing his Face	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:57 am

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair listened with an interesting awe in her expression. The idea of playing in the trees and village definitely sounded appealing to her. She was light and nimble on her feet, like a tiny little dancer. Of course though, with all these different things that the people of this lovely swamp did, Zair was naturally curious as to where Kusu was in this scheme of things, and so despite him trying to omit it, the question reared its head. "so which wun 'r you?" she tilted her head, some of those messy brown girls flopping to one side. "'r ye a hunter?" he did kind of seem like it to her, but she was going to get an answer, by golly. the idea of having fun though... now those ideas definitely had the youngster clinging to every word. "do th'girls do stupid things too?" she giggled, as if this was the most thrilling idea for her. She hoped they did, because she didn't want the boys to have all the fun. "not that Ah'd do anythin' stupid this young... Ah still needa learn a bit more 'bout this place, y'know?" she giggled playfully, eating some more of that fruity stuff she had sampled.
Mood: Interested Condition: Eating new things ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Curses! Discovered... Kusu quickly shoved another bite into his mouth, trying to buy some time. When he had no choice but to respond, he muttered something about growing plants that he sometimes used to help sick people, but then latched on to Zair's next question. "W'll, th'menfolk're do'en it th'mos' of'en, but th'womenfolk git in onnit naow an' ag'in, if'n they wanna, y'ken? Lot've'em're even better'in th'menfolk, truth be tol'," He explained, "Cuz even'en th'womenfolk're doin' stupid sh - stuff - they're a daggum heap smarter 'bowt it 'en th'menfolk, y'ken?" As odd as it might sound, Kusu was technically a bit of a feminist, in that he believed that the women were the stronger of the two genders - both physically and mentally. Shit, women gave birth; as a medicine man (of sorts), Kusu knew what that entailed, medically, and it scared the shit out of him.
Mood: Hesitant to Explain Casual Drug Consumption Condition: Stuffing his Face	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:50 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	For an older individual, the weak answer that was given might have prompted more prodding to procure an actual response, for Zair it was enough, and the idea of plants to help sick people seemed legit enough for her. Zair listened with a fascinated expression on her face, and perhaps an uncanny touch of slyness for a child her age. "Ah always he'rd th'womin live longer'n men..." she giggled, "wit' d'way you go ona'bout 'em... 'seems true'nuff, yeh?" she wasn't trying to be sexist or anything; just that she found the idea of men doing stupid stuff to be a funny one, and perhaps an explanation of her recent theory. Then of course, her mind wandered into the inevitable. "so d'you do anythin' lahk that?" she tilted his head, her mouth half full of something from the feast. She wasn't quite sure what it was (maybe it had been two things that had touched?), but it was mighty tasty.
Mood: Amused Condition: Eating new things ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Glancing down at the little girl, Kusu went to finish the large amount of food in his mouth before answering, using that time to think. He wasn't sure if Zair meant to ask if he did stupid stuff, or if he had missed something and she was talking about something else all together. Swallowing heavily, the older swampbender decided to take the safe route. "Ah used'ta do th'stupid stuff'en Ah wassa dang heap younger'en this, li'l darlin'," He explained, patting his chest to make a hollow sound, "Naowdays th'younger men'd run int' m'ol'body 'en break all've'em bones, y'ken?" Taking another large bite, Kusu watched the little girl, wondering if she had a reason for asking. Swallowing far too quickly this time to be safe, he ventured, cautiously, "Why'd'ya ask, li'l darlin'? Y'ain' thinkin've joinin' in 'r nothin', rahght?"
Mood: Good Condition: Stuffing his Face	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: The Journey To One's Roots Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:27 pm

Zuzerez Zenzi Zairza	Zair listened curiously. The idea of doing "stupid stuff" to her sounded thrilling and exciting, but that might just have been because she was a kid and thus did not know any better. "Aw, c'mon..." she giggled, as if to compliment him, "y'don't look that old... 'n y'still look purdy strong t'me!" she grinned, hoping he did not take it the wrong way. She had just meant an innocent compliment was all. She continued eating her food though, listening as he spoke and as he asked her a question. Initially, she began by trying to answer with her mouth full, but then was smart enough to realize that even she couldn't do it, so she swallowed hard, washing it down with some water before looking up at the oler man. "Maybe Ah wuz..." she admitted. She was not really the type to lie. "but probzbzly not till Ah'm older 'r sumthin'..." she giggled. "Ah dun wanna git killed wh'Nahm s'young, y'know? but lahf's purdy fun when y'er bein' all brave 'n stuff..." This was a little girl who had trekked across the desert to get here, after all (even if she had had help almost the entire way). Clearly she would not want to be sheltered much more than was necessary for a child her age.
Mood: Amused Condition: Eating new things ^^	Link: Zair

Junior Member Posts : 32 EXP : 805 Join date : 2013-09-29

Kusu Sawamoto	Her compliment made Kusu laugh - a full bodied sort of guffaw that attracted the attention of the other men (like a horde of monkeys wondering if there was stupid stuff to be joined in on), though they quickly saw that nothing was happening and looked away. "Than'keeyaw, li'l darlin'," the older swampbender chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Zair's hair, "Aw know m'daggum limits thouw, 'n Aw'll leave th'stupid stuff t'th'younger men, s'they'cn impress th'ladies, y'ken?" He figured that the little girl probably did not know the lengths that young men went in the name of impressing young women, however. Or, if she did, that she didn't know precisely why they did it. Though, if she did, that would at least spare him the pain of the 'birds and bees' speech. Finishing his meal, Kusu belched (though with his mouth closed rather than letting it out with a horrific racket). "Aw'm stuffed fer sure," He commented, patting his stomach, "How're'ya gettin' on, 'en?" Glancing down at the little girl, he had to wonder if she was going to get seconds, or if that was all she was going to have for the day. He didn't really remember how much or how little kids ate, at that age - it had been a long time since he was that small, after all.
Mood: Good Condition: Stuffed	Link: Character Sheet

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