no vacancy—

Eiji of the fire nation; twenty-two years of age; living in the shadows.

[bolxkala]

really? did it change you? ( ` her lips curve further, showing a row of white teeth as she considers it, blinking a few times ) did it change me? ( ` it’s a more open ended question more than anything, one that kala soon forgets when the firebender moves on to his next question — eyes lighting up even further at the mention of her beastly life companion ) ravi—is doing good! he’s starting to shed, so he hasn’t been flying much because i’m afraid of the citizens complaining about the sudden rain of bison fur. ( ` giggles a bit despite herself as she finally catches onto his last words ) i don’t think he’s ever napped on anyone before — where did you get that from?

[bolxeiji]

{; supposes he might as well be honest with it, head tilting absently for a second before he speaks, smile still on his lips } i changed very much. {; the statement is said in passing, as if it didn't matter at all, and that's just the image that eiji wants to keep—no matter what—and just what he's relieved to project even as her question gives him pause. right, he hadn't approached her that time; instead, he'd finished up his lunch after she'd landed and made his escape home } ah—i saw you, in the park down the way from une headquarters. {; a sheepish look follows }

[bolxkala]

yes—not like them. ( ` smiles contentedly in return as she takes in the features of the male before her absently, noting the curve of his lips with a small hum ) tipp is great! he’s with kavi — who’s… probably hunting for fruit pies. ( ` tilts her head to the side, blinking a few times as she pauses — honestly didn’t even know he was that close to her brother — of course, there’s always formalities for the sake of it ) i don’t know what he’s doing lately—honestly getting a little weird in this city by himself. ( ` huffs as she crosses her arms over her chest )  

[bolxeiji]

{; he nods, glad she doesn't decide to question the change in direction, though his relief is short-lasted, overwhelmed by a subtle sense of having nearly stuck his foot in his mouth--her brother was kavi, not that giant furball that had nearly squashed him once upon a time } the city does change people, i think. but he should be fine... {; he had someone to prevent the worst kind of changes at the very least-- } what about... ravi? {; please let that be it's name, please-- } napped on anyone lately?

[bolxkala]

( ` blinks at the question, smile faltering ever so slightly as she impulsively leans in closer to him and really considers it, eyes flicking over his face carefully ) i…yes. ( ` tilts her head to the side, a small playful grin cracking along her features as she takes a step closer ) we’re definitely bonding! maybe—not in the way of the others… ( ` she blinks a few times, brows furrowing slightly — seemingly lost in her own thoughts ) or at least not that i know of.

[bolxeiji]

{; he shifts absently with her proximity, the corner of his lips curving upward as he considers it as well, just before his teeth sink into his lower lip, the male himself a tiny bit flustered } not like the others. {; that's good. very good, considering the things he gets himself into and her innocence--though he maintains his naivety in other forms it seems; balancing odd cases of nerves with a jaded sort of knowledge of these things--eiji merely nods, facing forward again } how's tipp? or... {; he doesn't have to dig deep to recall the name--though, if anything, a vaguely horrifying memory of an encounter with her far larger pet is the first thing to come to mind } kavi?

[bolxkala]

( ` puffs out her cheeks a bit, brows furrowing ever so slightly as she looks to the side, attempting to will the red dusting her cheeks away as she fiddles with her fingers awkwardly — why did she have to bring this up ) uh—yeah, accidental. ( ` scratches at the back of her hand, not sure of what to say or how to properly change the topic at hand ) but…i guess it’s good that people from different nations are bonding in their own ways. ( ` manages a small smile )

[bolxeiji]

{; mirrors her expression quietly, perhaps even unconsciously as he watches her speak; curious, despite being hideously awkward and as of yet unable to even say her name-- } bonding? {; smiles a bit, eventually giving a nod, words tinged with a air of bluntness that he can't hold back too well } like us?

[bolxkala]

oh…flirting. ( ` does she know what flirting was? yes — a textbook definition of it maybe, although kala has yet to really witness it. her mind flicks back to a certain’s blonde waterbender’s antics. or wait, has she? ) ah—true! but at least we didn’t meet like that— ( ` abruptly stops, lips pressing together as her cheeks color rosy, eyes lowering to her shoes as a sort of awkward, pitchy laughter escapes ) i mean — you know, i don’t think everyone in the program is like that.

[bolxeiji]

{; pauses with her words, not at all able to control the somewhat awkward silence that follows, or the residual embarrassment that colors his cheeks a light shade of pink } ah-- {; his fingers tug at his belt loops, thumbs slipping into his pockets } it's probably not everyone, i mean--sometimes it's just {; his lips twitch, nerves leading his words } accidental. right...?

[bolxkala]

ah…relationships? ( ` oh, right, right, she should have caught that — dating! there hadn’t been much of it in the temple (and for the likes of her) but kala has at least seen a mover about it ) who’s in a relationship? ( ` leans forward to peer up at him, curiosity getting the best of her ) 

[bolxeiji]

{; nods slowly, honestly a bit entranced by her expression; or rather, the naivety shining through as his lips press into a smile } it's more... flirting? {; tilts his head, leaning in just a little, eyes flicking over her face } i guess it'll happen with a few dozen teenagers meeting for the first time.

[bolxanju]

Well, no, [`her eyes glance left and right, billowed hair chasing a shaking head.] at least not with me. [`gives him a meaningful eyebrow wiggle, voice low enough to be barely audible — not that she can really tell.] Who is it you want to tease? 

[bolxeiji]

... {; takes a second to think about it, before shaking his head lightly—unsure of what she might be aiming to say } the general population of the program? {; sheepish smile }

[bolxanju]

[`gives him a stern look, indicating with her fingers that she didn’t find him any better than the rest of them in the UNE. He’s still a boy, afterall. She speaks slowly.] Teasing can be considered flirting.

[bolxeiji]

are you saying you think i'm flirting? {; finds the idea laughable, if anything }

[bolxkala]

…eh? what do you mean by international relations?

[bolxeiji]

{; pauses a bit, not too surprised that she doesn't get the innuendo in his words, though he finds it cute more than anything } ah, relationships...? yeah, something like that. {; finds himself abnormally shy }

[bolxanju]

[`walks past and gives the speaker a stare, a hand darting to her “o” shaped mouth when his lips were read.]  …. what ? 

[bolxeiji]

{; blinks once or twice with her reaction, lips curving just the same— } there's already a couple of people flirting. {; finds it amusing, if anything, though his intent on teasing is clear }

[buckingstucky]

[bolxkala]

( ` if possible, she beams even brighter when he does agree — hand moving down to pat the currency stored in the pocket of her robes as she hums, rocking back and forth on the soles of her feet slightly ) what are you craving? i just tried this thing earlier — it’s called fro…zen yogurt? it’s really good! ( ` peers around curiously ) of course we can just walk around and buy whatever’s good here since i probably can’t remember where that stand was… ( ` she sniffs the air, trying to differentiate between the different aromas roaming about ) oh—oh! something smells really good that way, ( * points her hand toward west of the stands as she glances back at him, eyes dancing as her feet picks up to head toward the direction, well aware of the lemur climbing on top of her head ) let’s go!

[bolxeiji]

{; finds himself contemplating the small cache of coins in his pocket, tallying up the amount in his mind just in case while his lips twitch upward with her response; a happy hum slipping out as he steps forward and watches her sniff at the air with no small amount of bemusement } you smell it? {; questions quietly, glancing in the direction that her attention seems to shift to, more curious than anything as he follows behind her, strides long } leading us to frozen yogurt? {; he wants to try it, he'll admit that, though he doesn't normally eat cold foods } or something else? {; absently, he reaches out to tickle the chin of the lemur perched on her head, smiling as it makes a pleased sound }

[bolxeiji]

--don't think that they meant those kind of international relations when they started the UNE...

[bolxkala]

( ` it is an melodramatic reunion, perhaps, but kala is less inclined to care about how it looks with the crooning mammal in her arms, his tail curling around her forearm affectionately as the airbender giggles, pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose ) you scared me—do you know what kavi would have done if i lost you? ( ` she half chides him, clicking her tongue playfully in response to the drooping of the lemur’s ears, eyes dancing with amusement even as she pivots around to happily return to the taller male, eyes forming crescents that matches the curve of her pleased grin as she comes to a stop in front of the male ) thank you so much for helping me find him! i— ( ` stops for a minute as her brows furrow — oh right, she hadn’t known his name has she ) let me treat you to something in thanks! please?

[bolxeiji]

{; his smile grows with her approach, perhaps in an attempt to match her own as she pets the lemur circling her shoulder, tail swishing--rather contentedly--back and forth against her arm. eiji observes the small creature for a moment before meeting her gaze, just a breath from declining her offer before her tone takes a semi-pleading note and some small bit of guilt threatens to take hold; he couldn't very well say no to that face, now could he? } okay. {; nods slowly, pushing his weight from the wall as his hand lifts to rub his nape, nervous in an unexplainable sort of way that leaves him reaching or words when they don't come naturally } what do you have in mind?

[bolxkala]

( ` being a completely new citizen (honestly, not even citizen—kala was a tourist at this point), the airbender knew nothing of the goings of the city, much less how to navigate her way around bustling streets. so this time, maybe a little bit more than ever (with the risk of losing tipp in mind), she needs the taller male more than anything ) okay… ( ` moves with him, blinking slowly once her eyes focus on the stands—widening a fraction as she spots the lemur, moving automatically as her lips pucker to whistle ) tipp—! ( ` rushes forward blindly to greet her lemur, sidestepping a few passerbyers in the process with a gentle push against the ground, gliding a few feet with ease before touching concrete again, arms outreached for the lemur )

[bolxeiji]

{; he watches the scene play out with a faint smile, complete with puzzled faces all around as the lemur takes a light leap into the young woman's arms. no small amount of satisfaction takes hold, warranting perhaps a tiny pat to his own back for his simple role. humming almost to himself, eiji turns on his boot, glancing over the numerous food stalls before he finds himself a place to lean, fingertips curling lightly into his sleeves as he crosses his arms and waits for their happy return. }

[madamteatime-deactivated2019021]

are u human or are u puppy

[advxtaekwoon-deactivated2015011]

Perfect Stranger

Jun probably could have been smarter about keeping his assets closer to his being. Instead he had been too trusting and too naive. This city was nothing like the temples of the Western Air Temple. He should have hidden his coin or at least had stopped it from rattling around in his pockets. But instead he had been the victim of theft and Jun hadn’t been fast enough at grabbing their arm when they had pulled his money out of his pocket. 

The young man who had grasped his hand so tightly around Jun’s wallet had flashed him a grin before taking off into a mob of people. Jun had lifted himself up with airbending, trying to see over the group of innocent bystanders. Breaking off into a run, he had chased after the youngster for many blocks and streets but had lost him when he had turned the corner sharply and had taken off down an alleyway that had opened up into more confusing and twisting alleyways. Eventually Jun had lost him and had barely gotten out of the labyrinth of back alleyways. 

Now he was stuck wandering unfamiliar streets with no money and no idea of where his place to stay for the night is. He’s penniless so staying in an inn is out of the question and he had yet to come across a place he felt comfortable sleeping around for the night. Letting out a large puff of air, he blew his hair out of his face and kicked frustratingly at a nearby rock as he moved to lean himself against a nearby wall weighing his options.

[bolxeiji]

He was in dire need of a hot shower. The feeling of phantom fingers trailing over his back—digging into his skin—left a bad taste in his mouth; sent violent shivers up his spine as his attention flittered over the dusk-lit streets before him. Eiji looked from building to building, following an old, familiar path from the neon pink district of the city back to his humble apartment near the center, all the while contemplating a trip to the convenience store down the street for milk.

It was on his way, mid-stride, that he encountered a too-familiar sight. The man peers down either end of the alleyway, expression half-stricken in a way that spoke volumes. He was lost, at the very least—shuffling a small rock underneath his foot. Giving pause as he approached the point where the man stood, Eiji weighted his options. His fingers tapped against his sides, thumbs hooking into his belt loops and tugging while he resisted the emergence of old habits.

He hadn’t had a complaint about the jagged edges of his bitten nails for weeks, and he intended to keep it that way.

“Are you lost?” He spoke quietly, coming to stand a few feet away from the stranger, ever-wary to protect his earnings while at the same time, offering some help in much the way he always did. “It’s pretty easy to lose your way in this area.” A smile, faintly reassuring—

Once upon a time, he’d been that person; a teenager lost in a new place, with no money.

There was nothing wrong with ensuring others didn’t turn onto the path he’d ended up taking.