Exploring the Cave

I would like to be in the know also as well. Thank you very much

Amaya Kae wrote:

I would like to be in the know also as well. Thank you very much

Yes, ma'am :]

[OOC: No need, thank you all though. I got this together. I will be PMing you all about your intro posts, giving you the info you need to write them (i.e. who will be contacting your character, etc.)]



The woods were unusually silent today. The trees were usually full of singing birds, the grass teeming with chirping crickets, and the bushes rustling with rabbits and other small creatures. In fact the woods near Ba Sing Se still echoed with animal life, but here near the cave all was silent.

Joun Yung crouched behind the fallen trunk of an ancient tree, warily watching the wide cave mouth from some thirty feet away. His journey had begun as a pleasant hike through the woods, but as he had drawn nearer and nearer to the cave, his every sense had begun to cry out that there was danger. He had gone from hiking to creeping, and he was now crouched over double with one hand on the ground, like a sprinter preparing to leap into a race.

Stretching out with his Earth Bending, Joun let his senses sink deep into the earth and he listened as tiny tremors traveled through the ground. He could not sense anything nearby, and that unsettled him. There was always something: the subtle thumping noise of a rabbit hopping, the groan of the earth as a bear lumbered by, or the light scratches of a wolf’s claws as it padded through the forest. But it seemed all of the animals had moved on.

Five miles away, the city of Ba Sing Se could no longer be seen through the thick forest, and even the small village only a mile away was hidden by massive tree trunks. It was darker here in the depths of the forest, even though the noon-day sun shone brightly overhead, and only a few thin rays of sunlight pierced through the dense treetops.

The villagers had been the ones to send to the city for help: at night strange noises had been coming from the cave, and the villagers were afraid that either a pack of animals had moved in, or that some exotic animal dealer was using the place as a base of operations to train dangerous animals.

They had a right to be concerned. There were many animals that were illegal to train in the Earth Kingdom due to their extremely dangerous nature, and often such dangerous animals were being trained for animal fighting arenas. It was an illegal sport that often ended with the trained beasts escaping and wrecking havoc. Several months ago a giant Leaf Snake had escaped from a ring, and had bitten and poisoned three people before it could be recaptured.

Taking a deep breath, Joun Yung began to crawl towards the cave’s mouth. Beneath him, the ground seemed to soften so that his feet made only the quietest of scraping noises, and he barely disturbed the carpet of fallen leaves and twigs. He had been serving the Wall Guard of Ba Sing Se as a scout for seventeen years, and knew how to use his Earth Bending to be stealthy.

Reaching the wide mouth of the cave, Joun hesitantly tapped his fingers against the rocky ground, using his Bending to sense how far the vibrations would carry. They didn’t go far, and it occurred to Joun that this place was an excellent hideout for anyone trying to conceal large animals. The earth was loose and sandy enough that most Earth Benders would have to be fairly close before they could feel any movement through their earth senses.

Joun almost turned back to the city to ask for reinforcements before exploring the cave. It was well known that the cave, an old copper mine whose major veins had been cleared out years ago, was a labyrinth of tunnels and half-collapsed caverns. If there were animal trainers here, they would likely have set guards, and although Joun was a good fighter he didn’t like the odds of having someone sneak up on him.

Standing cautiously, Joun carefully considered his options. If he went back for help and it just turned out to be a pack of mangy Dirt Wolves howling at the moon, Joun would be a laughing stock. Some of the warriors liked to make fun of the scouts for so rarely engaging in direct combat, and this would be perfect ammunition for their jokes. On the other hand, if it turned out to be animal trainers, he was keenly aware of the dangers of fighting in such enclosed spaces, particularly against another Bender. The danger was even greater if it happened to be another Earth Bender. It wasn’t unheard of for two dueling Earth Benders to accidentally bring down a cave around their own heads by shifting too much earth away from vital support areas.

After a moment’s debate, pride won out, and Joun entered the cave, deciding that he would just have to be extra careful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


No hunting cries filled the air that night, and Joun Yung did not return from the cave.

Ren had recently heard about a job to explore a cave and help a scout. He had been traveling in the Earth kingdom for a while now and had recently decided to a break from missions. Though the break was needed he was fully rested and was ready for a little danger. He went to visit the Captain of the mission to apply for the job.

"Hello sir I'd like you to hire me for this mission I’ve heard about." Ren said respectfully. The Captain looked at Ren from head to toe. "How old are you young man?" Ren wasn't usually asked how old he was so to make sure he got the job he decided to lie about his age. "I’m 21 sir. Why do you ask?" Ren said calmly to hide the fact that he was lying. The captain smiled slightly and said “No need to worry. It’s a mandatory question to make sure young children don’t try to go on dangerous missions.”

The captain turned away. "Many children lie about their age and get hurt because of lack of experience, but you wouldn't lie about your age would you." The Captain turned back witha slight smile on his face as Ren replied quickly. "No sir i would never lie and risk the success of the mission." The Captains smile grew larger as he put his hands on each of Ren's shoulders. "Well, now all you have to do is wait for the rest of the team."

Ren looked shocked as he shouted out of term. "Team!? What do you mean team!?" He lowered his voice. “I prefer to work alone sir.” The captain looked at him angrily. "You can't accomplish every task on your own, and I don't have time to argue with you! You work with the team, or not at all!" Ren looked at the floor shamefully and angrily at the same time. "Yes sir. I will do as instructed."

Outside of Ba Sing Se, Sojun was practicing his firebending. He was trying to perfect this one technique he was working on. The Dancing Dragon was not as easy to perform as he though. Kuzu showed him the technique stance by stance but Sojun kept slipping up at this one part. Out of frustration Sojun launched a large fire ball up into the air and kicked it towards a tree. "HEY! DON'T!" yelled a voice.

Outside the city Sojun was leaning against a tree trunk next to his dragon friend Kuzu. Sojun was ready to leave this area of the Earth Kingdom after his training but he was stopped, by a person he had helped while staying here. Sojun and Kuzu helped him with his Saber-Tooth Moose Lion problem, and now apparently he had some information that would interest Sojun. He was acquainted with a captain who was looking for some 'capable' hands.

Sojun stroked Kuzu's furry wolf like head as Kuzu began to 'speak' with his usual head gestures and whisker motions, "Are...you...sure this...is a good idea." Sojun smiled warmly as he nodded, "Don't worry about me, but if I need you I'll send for you, that okay?" Kuzu let out a muffled growl showing that he understood. Sojun entered the city looking back at his dragon who watched him enter. Sojun could hear Kuzu soaring through the air and howling.

Sojun hesitantly approached the door. He had no idea what he was in for but he wasn't one to turn on adventure. There wasn't anybody special in the building, just what looked to be the captain and another person starring at the ground. Sojun walked up to the captain who wasn't facing him, "Uh...Hello. I'm here for the mission I've been contacted about." The Captain turned around swiftly and looked Sojun in the face, "Ah, I see. How old are you young man?" Sojun turned to the other guy slighty before responding, "I'm 18 sir. Doe that matter?" The Captain scowled before grinning, "I want experienced personnel on this mission, young man. However you look capable enough. The others of your team will be here shortly. The first of your companions is right here," he explained pointing to Ren. "...Team?" Sojun mumbled looking at Ren.

Sojun walked over to Ren and held out his hand, "Uhm...Hi. I'm Sojun." Sojun wasn't much of a talker or a team member except with Kzu but he wasn't unfamiliar with team work so he thought this could work. Hopefully this mission would go smoothly.

OOC: Looks great everyone! Sojun, I have a question: Did you mean to delete that first paragraph? It looks like you started one intro idea and then changed it but forgot to delete the first part.

Also, Amaya and I did a badass collaborative post, so she'll be putting that up pretty soon and I'll post up Adiar's intro post.

(OOC: That's great and nice beginning Sojun.)

Ren shook Sojun's hand and said "I'm Ren." He stood up. He sat down on the floor. "I think that the best thing to do would be to learn about each other." He closed his eyes as he continued to speak. "I'm a dark bender and i'm not use to working with a team." He stopped talking waiting for Sojun to say something about himself.

Amaya entered the city of Ba sing se, the sun glistined off her bright red hair, she just finished a job. A job that paid a decent price, she looked at the brown pouch in her hand, and she smiled as the metal coins clashed inside.

It was a fun job, she was paid fifty silver peices to take out a few people. They were the scum of the Earth, she was just upset, due to the people putting up a fight, and causing a great deal of people to surround the area. She was on a assassination job, and she disapproved of onlookers to her fights. It was a simple fight, all Amaya had to do was flip over him and cut of his head with her blades, and it was done. But the guards were a different issue. They werent paying her, and a death in thier streets isnt something they want. So being the person she is, Amaya lied saying the scum bags attacked her first, and it was only self defense, and she quickly ran away.

She looked around, it was a nice day, and she wasnt ready to leave just yet. So why not find more work. She removed her white and red fox mask and scowered the city for people who would pay a decent price to kill.

suddenly she rounded a corner and the two guards she ran into earlier spotted her, she quickly spun around and started to walk the other direction.

" Hey you! Stop right there, we need to have a word with you!" One guard said. Amaya stopped in her tracks, and thought. Why not talk to them, if the worst comes, she could kill them and escape. She turned and walked back to them.
"Can i help you gentlemen?" she said trying to play the innocent look.

The guard looked at her, crossed his arms, and said, " The Captain wants to see you"

Amaya snickered, and followed the guards to the station. They escort her into his office, and then quickly shut the door. Amaya just simply looked at the man and waited for a word.

Pushing himself up from his desk, Captain Kirok Auger nodded politely to Amaya and gestured for her to take a seat. Amaya tilted her head and looked at the chair, as if considering the offer, and then crossed her arms over her stomach and leaned back against the door. The girl arched an eyebrow and and tossed her head slightly, making it clear that she had no intention of sitting.

"Amaya, it's... good to see you again," the Captain finally broke the awkward silence. "Thank you for coming, I hope you've been well." There was another awkward pause as the slender girl shrugged her shoulders non-commitally, and the Captain frowned before beginning to outline the situation.

"I have a job for you: There is an old mining cave about five miles from the city, near the village of Ba Jor Se. We have had complaints from the locals recently, saying that there are strange animal cries coming from the cave and the surrounding woods during the night. We believe there might be a pack of animals on the loose, or something worse."

Sighing and stroking his chin, Captain Kirok shook his head and began to pace behind his desk. Amaya watched him with an impassive expression, revealing neither eagerness or disinterest, and giving the Captain no choice but to continue with his explanation. "I doubt that it's another pack of Dirt Wolves... we just had a mercenary take care of a pack for us, and it's unlikely two packs would be traveling in such close proximity."

The Captain's eyes flickered towards Amaya, and he saw the faintest of grimaces twitch at the corner of her lips when he mentioned the other mercenary. It never hurt to let contract labor know that you had other options.

"I sent one of our best scouts to check the cave yesterday, and he has not returned. I am afraid that he was attacked by wild animals in the cave, or someone ambushed him. Either way he is probably seriously injured, or worse, and I need a rescue team to enter the cave and find him as quickly as possible."

"Unfortunately," the Captain shot another glance towards Amaya and arched an eyebrow, "there has been a rash of street fights lately, and I suspect some of the local gangs are planning something. I can't afford to send more than a handful of my own men, so I need to hire people I can trust to go to the cave and figure out what is going on immediately."

"When you worked for us last week clearing out that smuggler group you proved that you can fight in close quarters and think quickly. I need people like you to help, because there is no telling exactly what is going on in that cave. It could be an organized criminal group with guard dogs, or it could just be a pack of hungry animals. I can offer you the same rates as last time, with an extra 20% thrown in on return because of the short notice."

Amaya put her head back and thought, she needed the pay, becuase it was going to be a long time before she would work again, knowing alot of the wars between the nations. there wasnt need for a assassian anymore, or ant mercinaries even. So this was a good shot. Amaya grinned and nodded slightly, accepting his offer.

"Where, and when will this be happening? And who are the other particpating in this?" She said looking at the Captain with confidence.

“I don’t have the entire team assembled yet,” the Captain replied, lifting a sheet of paper from his desk and scanning it, “but I can tell you that you will be working with a Water Bender named Adiar, and several of our Earth Benders. Captain Komir Avil will be in charge of the team and, although he is not a Bender, he is an experienced leader. You will be working under his command till the mission is complete.”

Taking a seat at his desk, the Captain pulled a small scroll out of a drawer and unrolled the paper, using a small stone and an ink pot to prevent it from rolling shut. The Captain dipped a large quill into the ink pot and began filling in blank slots on the scroll, which appeared to be a general contract much like the one Amaya had signed last time she worked for the Wall Guard. Wordlessly, the captain offered Amaya the quill and slid the scroll towards her. After a moment’s consideration of the contract, Amaya signed her name and nodded her agreement.

Dropping the contract back onto his desk, the Captain turned his attention back to Amaya and said, “Thank you for agreeing to take this mission. See Private Usagin outside my office for your upfront pay, and to arrange any details of your final payment. Be ready to leave before nightfall, which should give you an hour or two to prepare. Good luck, and come see me or go find Captain Komir if you need anything else.”

Amaya grinned and nodded the Captain farewell, she walked out the door. She scanned the hall for the soilder that the captain mentioned and finally spotted him standing a few feet away. Amaya crossed her arms, walked up to him and grinned.

" If you are Private Usagin, I was told to see you about my payment." she said closing her eyes and tilting her haed back slightly.
the soilder nodded, and took out red canvas bag. She heard the coins clash inside and she grinned. Looking at the soilder, she snatched the bag quickly and walked off.

As Amaya packed a few things and sharpened both her kantanas and Kunai she put on her armour and favorite out fit. She kept thinking about a few things, like what was in the cave, and the water bender she was working with. Could a water bender be trusted? Even if she was a assassian, she still may never trust a waterbender.

She finished, and walked outside, waiting for to leave with the team and Captain Komir Avil. She saw him standing outside, near the gates, and with a small group of people. Amaya slipped on her white fox mask, with red strips, covering her face. Her red hair flowing a little over it. She casually walked up to them.

((OOC: well i wanted it to start out as a training session for myself but then to have it interrupted and change the situation entirely. That's why i started out with two different outakes on my intro, if that makes sense.))

Sojun almost didn't notice the captain leave the room. He had said something about meeting with an important member of the mission. The door was left open so he noticed someone walkby with what looked like to be red hair. Shaking his head to focus back on his teammate Sojun watched as the man, Ren, sat down on the ground. He also felt it would be appropriate to get to know who you'd be working with. Sojun didn't sit like Ren did he simply leaned against the wall nearest to him facing the door. "A dark bender, huh? I've never seen one in action before...and don't worry. I'm not really seen with a team either," Sojun replied to the dark bender. Sojun brushed his hand through his long black hair that was tied in a ponytail. "Where are these other team members?" Sojun added a bit under his breath. Just then two men dressed in military attire walked into the small room. "You two may go outside and meet the others. Please sign these contracts and you'll be paid in advance for your efforts."

Sojun took one of the scrolls that were in on of the men's hands. The other solider presented himself to Ren. The paper had all the information of the pay and mission specs. The captain's signature and seal was already on the paper. Sojun signed the paper and handed it back to the man, "Sojun Soi Feng? I know you. You're that firebender that helped with the Saber-toothed Moose Lion incident. We never thanked you for that." Sojun shook his head, "I didn't do it for pay, or a thank you. Just thought I'd help." The man smiled rolling the scroll up and placing it in his bag, "Is there anything you'd want to pack before you go?" Sojun tilted his head in thought, he never really planned out many things he'd got himself into so packing would be kind of awkward. "Nope. I have everything I need on me," Sojun answered as he patted his shirt and pants. "Very well. You'll be assigned up with Ren, a skilled waterbender, and someone we've worked with before. The entire squad is being led by Captain Komir Avil along with our own earthbenders. That is all." Sojun looked back at Ren, "See ya outside, I guess."

Sojun walked through the hallways that were glowing with an emerald glow. He paid little attention to the guards that stood straight and firm throughout the halls. It was then that Sojun realized that this mission was a serious military mission so he should not act as carefree as always. Sojun opened the door that led outside and saw a group of people standing around and getting ready. Sojun's light mood kind of sank a bit at all the people he'd have to work with...and that he'd have to answer to a Captain. "I wonder if its too late to reconsider..." Sojun said under his breath. Just then a man walked up to Sojun with a red bag with man coins rattling inside. "Here's the upfront portion of your pay," the man said in his hefty earth kingdom voice. Sojun stuck out his hand as a bag of several gold pieces and silver. Sojun's eyes lit up as he accepted the money with a greedy grin. "I can get used to this."

Sojun looked up from the money bag and saw the person he'd seen before in the hall...or he thought it was them. He couldn't tell with that mask on and the change of clothing. Sojun turned his attention to the other earthbenders who stood there...stif as rocks. Sojun approached Captain Avil standing near the gates and giving orders to some private. "Hello. I'm the firebender on this mission," Sojun spoke with strong tone. The Captain turned around swiftly and with authority, with a nod he began to speak, "Stand over there until the entire team is assembled and we'll be on our way." Sojun rolled his eyes and leaned against the gates crossing his arms over his chest.

Amaya looked at the man walk up to the Captain and say something. she heard him and laughed, she pulled up her mask and looked at the man.
" Your the Firebender on this mission? Maybe you didnt get the memo but there are two of us. I'm a Firebender as well, and a skilled weapons specialist. the name is Amaya, im please to meet you." She slipped the mask compleatly off and eyeballed the man.
She wasnt sure about how this mission was going to work out, but being with another fire bender cheered her up.