trans_9 | Cooling The Embers

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Cooling The Embers

After the meeting, Rei had disappeared from the area and headed for the Sensoriums she'd heard about. There, at least, she should be able to find a quiet spot to sort through the brand new turmoil in her mind.

To her surprise, her memory immediately drifts to a familiar-looking gate, which materializes in front of her---a torii, beckoning her to a sacred sanctuary. Simply passing under the gate lessens the burden on her mind, as the comfort of the gods' house surrounds her. For now, she'll gladly take the opportunity to re-ground herself in a familiar setting before the greater hardships begin.

If any podmates happen to pass by the small structure, they'll see Rei seated on the edge of the open courtyard just beyond the gate. The peaceful atmosphere is refuge enough for her, a small escape from the uncertainty beyond.

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"-mutter grumble Avatar. Grumble mutter Stacy. Grumble grumble vents -"

Zuko looks around the sanctuary and the courtyard. His frustration at his latest (and fruitless) ventcrawl fades away as he realizes how familiar this setting is, and sees a girl who looks very much like a native of his country. More so than most of the rest of the people on the ship, apart from him and Mai, anyway.

Putting his best (stuffiest) manners on, he bows stiffly. "I apologize for intruding. If it isn't any trouble, may I join you?"

This is going to become his interloping-on-other-peoples' sensorium time catch phrase. He can feel it.

Rei is momentarily startled by the intrusion, but she easily shifts from high alarm to curiosity. She hadn't expected the other crew members to be interested in what the shrine had to offer, but she's not one to deny someone seeking sanctuary from the hectic goings-on around them.

He's polite as well, which is another bonus.

She stands and returns the bow, smiling slightly. "It's not a trouble at all. I'm just surprised to see other spiritually-minded people."

"I'm surprised to see people from home." Her eyes are very dark - perhaps she has Earth Kingdom ancestry? "Is this your temple? It's very nice. Where is it located?"

It might be nice to visit in person, once he gets back to the Fire Nation.

"Yes---or at least it looks like it. This is the Hikawa Shrine. It's located in the Minato ward of Tokyo, Japan. I've lived here with my grandfather since I was a little girl, and stayed until I was abducted."

Not exactly the Fire Nation, unfortunately.

"Ja - Oh. You're not from the Fire Nation."

But that's weird! She looks Fire Nation, her home looks Fire Nation, and something about her just screams "firebender."

"No. The flame is my weapon and my guide, but I'm not among a nation of fire-users. I've never heard of that place."

She glances at him curiously. "You're from this Fire Nation?"

Zuko stiffens his spine with pride. "I am its crown prince. Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation."

He waits for an appropriately awed response.

"I see." She bows again. "Before I was abducted, I was a guardian to a princess. We learned pretty quickly that royalty isn't about jewels and parties---it's a burden, and it takes a strong person to manage that properly."

Especially when deranged witches and their manslaves are attempting to kill half of Tokyo in order to take the throne.

Oh my God, she gets it.

"You're right," Zuko says. "My throne is both a birthright, and a burden - one I have to earn." By helping someone else kill his dad. Yay. "I'm glad to meet someone who understands."

He bows to her in return. "If you're a royal guard, then you have my esteem. What's your name?"

"Rei Hino, though I'm called Sailor Mars on the battlefield."

And speaking of battlefields...

"Are you a warrior too?" She's guessing at the answer already, based on the sense of strength his aura gives off. But it can't hurt to ask---they're all in this war together, and you need to know your friends as well as your enemies.

"I am. The Fire Nation is a military country, and my people are proud warriors." Except for the ones that are bakers. But even they can probably still lay people out with a breadboard.

Zuko holds out his hand, and a small cluster of flames blossoms over his palm. "Firebending is the art of my country. Regular soldiers outnumber benders, but there are still many soldiers who have been touched by the spirits of fire."

He closes his hand, and the flames dissolve into the air. "Is this your power as well?"

"Sounds familiar."

She'd already demonstrated this at the meeting, but she couldn't remember seeing Zuko there, so she stands and pulls a small pen-like object from her pocket.

"Mars Power, Make Up!" Yes, Zuko, she just disappeared in a flame pillar from nowhere. But not to worry---a second later she's back and clad in a rather revealing sailor uniform. She flicks her wrist and does the same.

"Yes." Not that she needed to say it, really. The fireball speaks for itself.

See this face, Rei? This is Zuko's nobody dresses that way what the hell that is a lot of leg if I look too hard my girlfriend will stab me face.

"I . . ." he gutters for a little bit. That's her underwear, right? Where's the rest of her outfit. "Have never . . . known anyone who . . . fought in. That."

There's a small part of Rei that takes pride in that reaction---and if she'd been in her element and flirting with Mamoru-san, maybe she'd tease a little. But right here, right now? Not an appropriate time for games.

She quickly reverts to everyone's favorite plant-suit clothing line and folds her arms over her chest. "Trust me, I'd kill for a more practical outfit, but I can't control that part of my powers. The designer must've had some weird kinks."

"It would be appropriate for an Agni Kai," Zuko amends. It would be, but only sort of. "Mostly, our soldiers wear lacquered armor and silk."

He lets the awkward fade a bit before adding, "If you'd like someone to spar with, I don't know any other firebenders on the ship, and I was hoping not to fall too out of practice."

"Those are definitely smarter choices---and I bet they look good too." She glosses over the awkwardness with a small smirk, slowly returning to her normal confidence. How neat it would be to meet the Fire Nation soldiers.

Hey, training's a good idea to her. She's just as hard on herself as she ever was on Usagi, and being able to fight will probably be more important than ever here. "I'd be up for it. Would we program a sparring area here, or is there somewhere else on the ship you've practiced?"

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Cooling The Embers

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