ooc: hey guys,

sorry was gone for a bit, did I miss anything?

A Long Journey Ahead

the-first-ender:

spiritofanairbender:

Teo remained silent as Amon spoke, a thousand thoughts running through his head. “What?” The boy looked up at Jin, smiling apologetically a moment later. “Change the world? This whole thing does seem exciting…” He nodded slowly, drumming on one wheel with his fingers. “He can talk very well. And he seems like a good guy.” Teo shrugged uneasily, not wanting to say anything to offend anyone. “It’s just, some of my best friends are benders, and I still don’t… I dunno. I just want evidence of what he’s saying.” He shrugged, smiling sheepishly. “But it really is nice to meet you, Jin. Sorry if I was cold, or something.”

The masked man returned to the room where the children talked, and handed each of them a bag packed to the brim with supplies for a trip. His actions and manner, however, made it seem as if he was in a hurry to leave.

“Come, my friends. There is much to see and so little time. The hour of revelation is quickly dawning, but it cannot occur without the right people.” The man was walking to the door as he spoke, and turned around to see the two children staring at him.

“We haven’t the time to dawdle. The graphic truth has hidden from you for long enough.” And with that he walked into the streets of the city, the two following close behind.

As they weaved through, and finally out of, the city, the boy and girl saw how carefully Amon was shielding himself from the crowds. He somehow managed to not be touched by another person, despite the almost stifling number of people around him. Outside the city, there were two eelhounds waiting for them, their saddles branded with the Earth Kingdom insignia. 

“Do not be worried Jin, these two will not let anyone fall.” He observed that Jin had almost involuntarily taken a step back from the beasts. “I know you have not ridden an eelhound before, but I assure you, it is quite simple. A girl with such extraordinary resolve like yourself will be fine. And, Teo?” the man said, turning the the boy in the wheelchair, “Would you prefer riding with myself, or with Jin? 

 Jin tilted her head, “Amon what’s going on?” Her confusion dwindled slightly as the made their way through the crowds, her eyes widened at the creatures. She nodded at Amon’s words. Jin looked to Amon, “But where are we going?”

the-first-ender:

Amon chuckled inside his mask. Children can be so strange, he thought. He nudged Teo closer to the center of the room and beckoned for Jin to come up to him. “Now, there is no need to be so cold to one another.” the masked man said. I know that you are both very warm, caring people, and that is why you are both here. That is why the spirits have brought us all together.” Amon turned to the boy in the chair. “I realize this is all quite strange for you, my friend.” The man gestured around him.

“First living freely among the clouds, then coming to the city of walls and secrets where nothing is quite familiar, then having a complete stranger come to you and say that your ‘friends’ are nothing but manipulative beasts. It is quite overwhelming and I understand your immediate distrust. But know this, Teo. I have no reasons to deceive you. For what purpose would I gather strangers together and tell them of a threat to their safety they had never seen or heard of before, if not that the threat is real and that you are in danger. Perhaps you wonder, why you, why Jin” he turned to the girl, “Why not seasoned fighters, why not adults, why not someone who has already made a difference? Why, my friends? Because they are fixed in their ways. They have already seen glory in their petty little fights, and they are content. They cannot see the true dangers staring them in the face. I come to you because you have the ability to see. You have not been shut into cocoons of complacency, veils of vanity and self importance, you see the world with yet unmarred eyes, and that is immeasurably precious. I come to you to show you the light.” He looks at the two of them, and sees Teo attempting to find any hidden meaning behind his little speech. He gestures to his face.

“Perhaps, my friends, you wonder, if this man is so genuine in his mission, why does he wear a mask? Why do I hide my face? Because, my friends, beneath this mask is more than skin and bones, more than the visage of an identity. There is a face beneath this mask, but it is no more me than the muscles beneath are, or the bones beneath that.” Amon started to become more impassioned.

“This mask holds an idea; it holds an idea so powerful it can destroy the crooked world as we know it and create something new. A man can be killed, but an idea, never. A man can fail, but an idea lives forever. This is what I wish to convey to the world. That you can do whatever you like to the man, but the idea of a new world, a world where all are free, shall live on until it is realized in our world. This…” He paused and looked at the two in front of him “This is why I wear a mask.”

He let the heavy truth of his words sink in for a moment and then continued quietly. “I come to you to continue this idea. For if one person alone has an idea, it is weak, but if that idea can grow, if you can make people understand and follow that idea, then it can truly make a difference.” He turned towards the fireplace. “You call me Amon. It means many things, ‘hidden light’, ‘secretive one’,” he paused and turned back to them. “And my favorite… Teacher.” As the two children looked at each other, he said.

“Come, we must prepare for this trip.” With that, he walked into a separate, smaller room to pack and left the two together to ponder his words.

Jin bit her lip, feeling as if she was being scolded for her behavior. There was always this lifting feeling beneath her heart when he spoke, always leaving her feeling strong and inspired. She smiled as he left into the other room, she turned to Teo, “I really am glad you’re here, we need all the help we can get to change the entire world. I think he’s great,” she said looking back up at him, “What do you think?” 

June, Teo, and Amon

spiritofanairbender:

the-first-ender:

The man bowed to Teo and brought him along the winding streets of Ba Sing Se. Teo did not know the city at all and almost instantaneously became lost in the twisting back streets of the gargantuan city. After what seemed like miles wheeling about, the man stepped into a plain looking home and beckoned Teo inside. Upon entering, Teo saw a girl tending the fireplace; she hadn’t noticed their entrance.

“Jin, my dear. We have an additional member to our small resistance. This is Teo. I had spoken to you of him earlier.”

Teo’s arms were exhausted after such a journey-but he said nothing of it, only allowing himself a relieved grin as he followed Amon through the doorway of an average-looking house. A fire crackled at the hearth, but only when Amon spoke did Teo notice the young girl tending to the fire. He inclined his head towards the girl-Jin, apparently-as he leaned back in his chair, running his index finger nervously over his wheel. “Nice to meet you, Jin.” He said in a polite, inflection-less tone. Teo had to keep himself neutral, at least for now. Until he could clearly see and understand exactly what to believe.

 Jin turned, “Oh, hello, Teo,” she nodded, “My name’s Jin. It’s.. nice to meet you too.” She hadn’t felt quite herself since her first encounter with the man, she felt cold, hard. Jin smiled kindly, “It’s nice to have you here,” she linked her hands in her sleeves.