Outside noisy, inside empty--(OPEN)

[Gan]

The weather was perfect for training. Gan had accepted two new Fire Benders two weeks back that were children of members of the War Council, he was ready to put them through their paces, but the first lesson is always the hardest. He had to teach the two boys, who had been handed everything to them their entire lives, patience and the will to become better. His teachings were wide-spread, and he had even sent several Bending Masters that were part of his Dojo to their own Nations to teach others how to become patient. He still didn’t have any Air Bending masters, but they were their own tribe, and they stuck together mostly. He could understand why, but the knowledge they had was insurmountable. He intended to one day find his way to all four temples, learn some secrets of the Air Bending ways, recruit members to fight the Poison Rose, and most importantly, get some new tea recipes. He scratched his shirtless chest as the sun beat down on the young Pirate.

Gan’s mind snapped back to his lesson with the two boys after a small burst of fire missed him by inches. He had taught them basics moves and allowed them to practice those movements on each other. Others might have perceived a threat but at most the boys could produce fire and shoot it a few feet, and maybe burn someone equal to a sunburn. Gan stood and nodded at the two boys signaling them to stand before him. They atleast did as they were told, which was an actual improvement from their first day. He sighed and had them follow him towards a practice not far from the dojo entrance. On the left was an arena that allowed his students to practice their abilities in combat situations, while on the right was a garden Gan had been working on since his return to Kasai. At the fork in the path, the two boys’ parents were waiting for them. Gan told their parents about their lesson and what he wanted the boys to do in preparation of their next lesson within three days. He bid all of them farewell and continued to his garden. Its location pleased Gan because he could walkthrough the door and be at his personal room where he lived alone. His family, regrettably, lived elsewhere within the city.

Gan watered his plants carefully and very meticulous about it. After he finished watering his plants and ensuring all of them were growing correctly, he gently plucked several Jasmine leaves and started his tea making process. He carefully poured water into the dragon shaped kettle and started a small fire that slowly heated the crushed leaves and water. He placed the kettle on the fire and sat in the center of his garden. He started meditating on the lessons and his future plans. The aroma calmed Gan, allowing his chakras to flow freely, giving him a peaceful mindset. If anyone were to show up, Gan would probably be most appreciative, as it truly did get lonely up here.

[llama]

Ying

Kasai was quite the sight to behold. The large volcanic walls were interesting at the very least, and Ying could not help but wonder how it had come about. Obviously, the volcano was dormant, but it was still eerie to think that the stronghold of the leader of the Fire Nation was sitting atop such a destructive force. Well, at least they got a decent amount of shade.

An airbender flew low over the city using a glider the likes of which were commonly found in the Air Temples. The air currents were interesting and playful atop the mountain, but seemed to deaden a bit as the girl descended lower. Soon it was her own bending keeping her up and flying, and she was not oblivious to the stares she received. Her kind wasn't exactly numerous, even after the two centuries that had passed since the last airbender had been revealed as the avatar. Still, it was her first time in the capital among so many strangers, and she was unused to the attention.

After a quick circle around the city, the young airbender landed somewhere in the middle of the town, the glider snapping shut and turning into a simple wooden staff. Ying carried it with her as she walked, admiring the sights with unbridled awe and excitement. It was just such a beautiful place, and nothing like she'd seen before! She could walk around all day and never tire of seeing everything. That was why she was here, anyways. To see and to learn was all she wanted.

It was not long before a very sweet, jasmine-scent wafted around her, beckoning her towards some sort of training ground. She followed her nose up a path, then paused and pondered the fork quizzically. One side led to a garden, and that was where the jasmine scent seemed to originate from. Curious, and longing for a good pot of tea, the nomad continued on and into the aromatic place.

A small smile slid onto her face as she gazed at the different plants, the jasmine scent overpowering many of the other flowers. As she walked on, she found a young man meditating over a kettle. "Your garden is lovely," she said brightly, not once considering that she might be intruding upon this poor man's privacy. A garden this nice should be open to all for admiration, she figured. Surely he would not mind.

[Gan]

Gan listened intently to his surroundings. His mind wandered to the birds that chirped their songs high within the trees, to the insects that buzzed around his garden. He was happy in this element. This element wasn’t Earth, Air, Fire or Water, but just the simple element of Life. The very thing he has watched countless people waste on their selfishness. He wondered how the Life Element would be treated if there was a war on. Would innocents be butchered and soldiers slaughtered before the eyes of their loved ones? Would the oppressor eventually become the oppressed in a struggle for Equality? Gan sighed heavily on this thought, would the world ever see Equality? He had meditated on this question hundreds of times. It was the very first question his deceased Captain told him to answer. The answer would provide Gan with his salvation.

Gan took a deep breath and watched as his mind reeled backwards into his memories, picking apart every lesson that Huang gave him. He hoped to find the answer through his memories. His breathing slowed as his body recalled the gentle rocking of the ship as Huang guided Gan into the Fire Bender he is today. The years of lessons and sparring gave Gan a sense of relief. He slightly smiled as he remembered the way the two of them danced in battle. Fire fighting Fire. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

The wind picked up slightly, wafting the Jasmine scent in every direction, much to Gan’s pleasure. His meditation started to delve deeper into his consciousness. He could almost feel his chakras flowing through his body, his inner eye developing images of his youth. He was never troubled as a child, emotionally or physically. His aura was of a blue peace, seeing as there was little need for bloodshed for a point to be made. Though he has shed blood, none of which he regrets. He could feel the air around him slowly becoming stifling hot as his memories took him back to that fateful night his world was destroyed. His anger grew as he remembered watching the Poison Rose butcher his friends and shipmates. At this time his hands exploded into a pure White Fire, the ground around him began to also heat up as the fire spread to his arms and shoulders. He was once again fighting for his life as his memories roared at him as he killed his enemy. He watched men burn alive while his blade would desecrate the enemy closest to him. His hands weren’t clean, but this right not only bloodied his hands, but darkened his soul.

Then as quickly as his anger came, the Jasmine aroma wafted through the heated air calming Gan. He took a deep breath and slowly brought down his racing heart rate. That’s when he heard a voice behind him compliment hi on his garden which, he almost didn’t believe he heard, until he noticed it was a woman’s voice. He knew his parents would never allow Kana to visit him without first giving him a notice. When he listened for footsteps he noticed they were extremely light, almost as if she was walking on air.

Gan slowly stood and bowed to the sun and to the north. It was an odd habit of his that Huang had started him on. He bowed to the sun for his power and to the North for that is where it is believed the last Dragons lived, or live. Gan intended to find out one day. He turned to the woman and noticed the long wooden stick. Then he saw her hands as he towered over her. Blue Arrows. She was a Master Air Bender, Gan bowed to her.

“Thank you. It is merely a humble garden that supports me in my teachings and search for answers,” Gan replied in a humbled voice his kettle began to whistle and he smiled with a small laugh. “And you arrived just in time for tea.”

He walked over to a nearby shelf and picked up two ornate cups. He placed both of them on a table on the ground. He picked up the kettle and doused the fire with a wave of his hand. He poured the Jasmine tea into both cups and he sat with his legs crossed. He placed the dragon kettle on the table between the two cups and bowed his head using his hand to motion for the woman to sit.

“Please join me, and have some tea.” He took a sip of his tea and breathed deeply taking in the intoxicating aroma. “I am Gan Ning. Master Fire Bender and Pirate Captain. This is my humble Dojo where I teach others all forms of bending and fighting styles.” He took another drink and slowly placed his cup back on the table. “May I ask why I am to be humbled by this visit Miss?”

[llama]

Ying

At first, the airbender wasn't sure that her presence was welcomed. The meditating man seemed incredibly tense, his face tight with anger. Ying was about to apologize and leave when she caught him starting to relax again, possibly soothed by the powerful aroma of the jasmine around them.

The man stood and bowed somewhat oddly. She had never known someone who bowed to the north and towards the sun like that, and her curiosity was piqued. What was his reason for that? Was it a spiritual thing? The teenager moved closer as he turned to face her, relieved that he wasn't going to throw her out of his beautiful garden. She didn't want to upset anyone, but it was hard to know what lines you shouldn't cross when you were new in this type of place.

He was a few inches taller than her, though not much older. She bowed back to him respectfully, then straightened with her staff in her left hand. The girl smiled at him, though she would not call the garden humble. It had obviously needed a lot of work for this. Ying watched as he went and collected cups for them, thinking him to be awfully kind. She went over to the table and sat down, laying her staff next to her carefully. Her large, pale gray eyes noted casual flick that doused the flames. A firebender then, eh? How interesting!

Tattooed hands cupped around the ornate cup, the jasmine aroma making her mouth water. She sipped at it, minding the heat while her host introduced himself. Wow, master firebender and a captain! Needless to say, she was thoroughly impressed. She set her cup down, using a hand to gesture to herself. "My name is Ying, master airbender from the Western Air Temple. Do you teach everyone or do you have other masters here teaching?" she asked curiously, eyes bright with interest. It was not impossible for one person to teach multiple fighting styles, of course, but it was always nice to clarify. She didn't see bending as fighting, though. Bending was so much more than that. "I was walking through the streets when I caught the scent of Jasmine, and now I'm here," she explained with a shrug.