⚔ 1st Rebellion ⚔ [Action/ Video]
[It's storming outside in Luceti. Fat drops of water leak down from overhead, as if the Spirits above are weeping. The maelstrom outside makes it hard to see, but between the brief flashes of light and rising mist, someone or something can be seen limping at the town's outskirts and forest's edge...
It's not a member of the Third party, much as the ( Read more... )
It's not a member of the Third party, much as the ( Read more... )
Longshot doesn't mind it much, however. His hat serves him well in this weather, and it's a lot more convenient to get food from Luceti's grocery store.
It's as he's nearing closer to town that he hears it, through the patter of rain. A bird? That kind of bird wouldn't be out in this weather...
That bird wouldn't be here, because it was distinctly Earth fowl.
Maybe he's just hearing things, but it'd hurt nothing to take the chance. He turns towards the direction he thinks the sound came from and returns the bird call.]
Reply
Longshot's reply fills him with relief. Whether the Dai Li had captured his companions or not, if they were close enough to hear him, victory was still on their side. The rebel leader heaves a breathe and forces himself to focus back on his walking. The crushing ache in his chest made speaking painful- really, his last triumphant outburst was not quite worth the toll his lungs were taking now- but those things aside he couldn't stop now... not yet-!
It takes an extra minute of effort but sure enough, if Longshot listens, there's another signal. The whistle varies this time, starting from a sharper, higher pitch to a secondary more irregular. It's purpose to stand out more; a call more distinctive of a Freedom Fighter.]
Reply
Longshot takes a moment to return the call once again, complete with trills and warbles to clarify that he too is a Freedom Fighter, and that he's on his way. Groceries can wait; he breaks into a run back towards the edge of the village.]
Reply
There is no mistaking it now, Jet is absolutely assured of what he has heard. Someone was answering, someone was on their way. Hope has never been something Jet has relied on, but just this once, he'll dare to think of it; just this once he is going to believe everything will be alright. The Avatar's group must have rubbed off on him somewhere. Despite the inevitable trouble Jet knows that line of thinking will cause, he can't help but grin.
One hand on the base of a trunk, the other clasping a heavy tattered book- not sure why he had grabbed it, but if the Dai Li had tried to dispose of it, chances are he'd want it- Jet staggers out from the last of the treeline. It's all or nothing now, any farther forward and he'll have nothing to catch himself on if he falls.]
Reply
He stops for a brief second as he spies the new feather pants, and makes out who the figure wearing them is - there's really no mistaking it, even from where he stands. Having seen Jet the last time he was here makes it easier to swallow seeing what is essentially a dead man walking... but it's still a shock.
Maybe it's because as he gets closer, Jet really doesn't look much better off than one. That worries him.
With another breath, Longshot adjusts his hat to keep the rain out of his eyes and moves to close the distance.]
Reply
The teen moves as best he can, but when Longshot steps closer, he feels no shame in practically falling on top of the other male. His arm reaches to grip Longshot's shoulder, trusting in his ally to support him. The book he was carrying splashes onto the ground, forgotten.
For a second, all Jet does is just stand there and breathe.
And then-]
"H-hey Shot, what's happening?"
[He raises his head with a fierce smile.]
Reply
Reply
[Well hey, he tried. Not that he ever expected to fool you, even on full health, Longshot. The sharpness of that smirk softens, but it doesn't fade completely. Jet gives in and nods with a weary laugh.]
"Yeah, alright. The less steps the better."
[Though it feels like a bit of a step backwards to head for the forest, at least beneath the trees they had some cover. No telling if the enemy was hiding in wait for them back in the city anyway. Although the way this fog was obscuring his vision, Jet could almost swear the outer wall around Ba Sing Se isn't visible at all. Jet's fingers do a trembling dance between trying to grip and not dig into his companion's shoulder as they walk. Other than the occasional wince, however, he manages to reach the treeline once more. He jerks his head back over to indicate the village, still following Longshot's lead. ]
"The others over that way too?"
[Though it's really more of questioning: did everyone else get away?]
Reply
It gets him thinking though, as he tries to help Jet sit so he can get a better look at his injuries. The last time his leader was here, it was just the two of them. He knows Jet was sent home - he and Smellerbee had found the tree shelter they'd been working on abandoned and all of their things missing. Didn't he read in the journals that sometimes people are sent back here with no memory of prior time spent in Luceti?
...and then there's the location of these bruises to consider. His frown deepens, and he looks back up to Jet's face.]
What's the last thing you remember?
Reply
“Remember?”
[That gets a few puzzled blinks and an eyebrow arch.]
“Long Feng. Giant rock. Told Aang and the others to leave...”
[You and Smellerbee were there. A small crease of worry passes over Jet's features. Last time he'd been told to remember something, he wound up losing two weeks of his life and dredging up painful memories with more clarity than he'd been prepared for. Settling fully back on the ground makes him gnash his teeth, but the pain in his side assures at least one thing]
“Can't have been out that long...”
Reply
But if those injuries are those injuries... first things first. They need to get Jet taken care of. Removing his hand, he goes for his journal and a pen.
First - a scribbled note to Smellerbee. Jet's here. It's short and to the point, and she knows him well enough to know he's not lying.
The second takes a moment. Jet needs help... but it's not like Longshot knows a lot of people here. Much less people he's sure they can trust. Well, he might know someone. A memory of that day springs to mind, but...
Katara? I need your help.
It doesn't hurt to try. She'd said before she could heal him, didn't she? Now they have time, and now it's not as hopeless of a situation as it once was.
Technically he doesn't have room to be picky right now, but he'd rather it be someone they know. And he can make a general call for a doctor if she doesn't reply soon.]
Reply
Longshot? What is it? Where are you?
Reply
"..."
[He can't have just heard-?]
"Katara?"
Reply
The forest. [And just in case Jet's voice didn't make it clear:] Jet's here. He's hurt and it looks bad.
[Pause. Because he knows that Jet and Katara have had a long series of Issues... And for her they're not just ones limited to home.] He needs help and I didn't know who else to ask.
Reply
Something bitter rises in her throat even as there's that familiar - expansion - in her chest. He'd hurt her, disrespected her, attempted to dishonor her in front of her brother... and before that, he'd lied to her, and before that, he'd betrayed her - used her - and before that...
He's hurt and it looks bad.
She doesn't want him to die. And she couldn't turn Longshot down right now, even if she did.]
Reply
[The forest is a big place, after all.]
Reply
Leave a comment