The Smell Of Home || Sprite, Bailey, Momma

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The smell of the warm sea air filled her nostrils. She missed being home. She missed her mother, and the food she used to make. That warm welcoming hug. It had been Ten long years that she was away from the Dark Nation Capital. Away from the Dark Nation itself. Her older sister Arlania, had taken Skye with her to the North. To join the army up there. She trained Skye in Water Bending, the same techniques that were taught to her from the masters in the Dark Nation.

Skye smiled as the water splashed up the side of the boat, Her hand twirled a little at the wrist as she toyed with the water. She was excited to see her home again, leaning against the rail of the boat, waiting to see the distant peak of the Dark Nation Islands.

Arlania rolled her eyes and Humphed as she stood away from the edge. She wasn't afraid, just got kinda sea sick sometimes. Arlania may have seemed Unexcited to be home, but truthfully, she couldnt wait. Kaige, her son, was apparently living back in the Dark Nation. Helping out his Grandmother. Tsubaki was with her father last that Arlania had heard. Could she too perhaps be at home?

A few minutes had passed and the Dark figures of land appeared on the horizon. They were finally here. It had been one full week since a letter arrived for Arlania, summoning her to the Dark Nation Capital. To be reviewed for an advisor for the New King. There were no names, just an official royalty stamp provided on the letter. Who was the New King?

Skye smiled, it was time to gather her things, as the boat would hit port soon enough.

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" Arlania, are you not excited to see your family again?" Skye asked rather eager. Buisness came first, but Skye was just so excited to see her mother once again, along with her niece and nephew who were a year older than her. Interesting huh, Well it would seem right. Arlania was 41 years old now. She was past her prime and she felt it. Didnt mean she still couldn't teach someone a lesson or two. Doing her best to stay in proper shape. she hated being called an old woman.

Arlania nodded as the carriage came to a stop in front of the palace, " Yes Skye but first thing first, we were addressed here on business, not luxery." She said as she refused the guard that tried to help her out. Arlania scowled and nodded her head at a scrawny man who stepped forward, apparently he was their escort into the palace.

Skye followed behind closely. Her hair swaying beyond her hips. She wore her usual battle suit, more of a day to day preparation. Not alot of Garment, but she moved easily in it. Skye smiled at each person, and finally a pair of huge doors within the palace opened. Skye didnt really pay attention, she just closed her eyes wanting this to be over so she can see her home once again.

She just kneeled beside Arlania, and when she peeked up, there was something that would shock her for her entire life. The Castle Royal guard saluted her and her sister, treated her like royal guests. Skye stood when prompted and Arlania turned to her. "  Unfortunately this is the business of the state, and i cannot ask you to come with me. " Arlania nodded and turned to the palace. Skye grimaced as she was drug along for nothing.

Skye practically stomped and proceeded to head away, eager to see her old home, and wondered if her mother still lived in the same cottage. The one right next to the old bakery. She could still remember the sweet smells that flew past her nose. That was it, she would follow her stomach. Skye smiled as her tummy began to grumble.

Bailey sighed as she sat down on the bar stool, taping the counter to alert the tender of her presence. She was a regular there, knowing every bartender by name and face, and they knew exactly what drink to send her. Bailey couldn't stand the taste of alcohol, but she loved her tea. Never bothered her what kind went in the glass, as long as it was just straight tea. Minutes seemed to pass by before a letter was shoved in front of her, the crinkled up paper binding with the familiar red dot seemed to stare at her from behind her glass.

Bailey looked up at the bartender, who refused to meet her eyes, then picked up the letter. It's light weight threw her off for a moment, but she tore open the seal and started reading. 'Miss Jane, you have been requested to survey the Dark Island meetings. You are not to kill or injure a single person and are expected to report back with any information regarding a female named Arlania. There may be guards and/or protection on the area. Be Careful.' The letter read, leaving a eerie feeling in Bailey's gut. Throwing the coins for the tea on the counter, Bailey set off. 'Knowing him, there will be a boat waiting for me in an hour or so. She thought, pushing herself past the people on the dance floor toward the door. The letter was similar to others she had received, taking odd jobs from people was what she did. It was that red marked seal that made her queasy. Only once and she seen it before, as a child a letter like that came for her father often. Her father would then kiss her good bye and march out the door. She never found out who the sender really was.

Ace sat on the dock of the dark bender stated, reading a giant scroll that he had found from a library. It had told ancient fire-bending moves and strategies. He looked over at the ship hitting the port, put the scroll on his back, and started walking towards the dark-state capital, and noticed a girl stepping off the ship. She looked way too overjoyed to be here. Well, I don't have anything better to do. Ace thought to himself, as he started to follow the girl.

He followed her, hiding behind anything he could find, until she got in a carriage, and started riding away. He projected flames from his feet, making himself "fly". He followed the carriage until they stopped at a castle. Ace sighed. Well, maybe I could... he said, projecting himself closer to the castle.

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She waited next to the Palace Grounds Gate. A Large gate standing over the road to the palace, Spiraling pillars and an emblem engraved over the beam. She scowled as she ate a homemade muffin. It was delicious. But she wasn't scowling because of the taste, Her Sister was talking an abnormally long time in the Palace. and without her. So Rude! Finally from the palace she seen a figure step out. A couple of figures actually.

Arlania glanced up at the sun, shading her eyes away. Skye shrugged and walked to her sister. Bout Damn Time. She felt like it was time for dinner and a drink. Skye looked up at her sister,[color=#66ccff] " If your done now, Id Like to go and get some food, maybe stop by and see mom." [color] A horrid look overcame Arlania's face, yet she remained silent. Skye didn't think anything of it. But she was about to find out some of the most shocking news of her life. But it wasn't the time.

Skye raised her arms above her head and walked in the direction of their favorite restaurant. Wong Ting Cuisine, A difficult name to stomach, but they had some of the best Pot stickers and Dango money could buy.

Arlania was awkwardly silent as they walked in, a warm greeting followed by finding their seats. Skye Was starting relax in the warmth of familiarity.

Bailey made it to the docks in just enough time to climb on board as David, the captain, just looked at her. Showing the seal on the letter, he let her pass. The ride wasn't long, which worked in Bailey's favor because she hated wasting any time. "This better be worth it." Bailey told herself as she stepped off the boat onto the island's docks. She had to find this Arlania girl, and she had no clue how much time to find the meeting either. Running down the only path in sight, Bailey spotted a castle peering in the distance. "No better place to start than there." Bailey told herself, picking up her pace so that she was at a steady sprint there. Stopping just short of the gate, she looked around her. A tall tree had fallen recently, landing just barely on top of the fence wall. With a deep sigh, Bailey started climbing, not seeing any other way of getting inside without being noticed. Climbing was tricky, with the tree on it's side, and Bailey almost lost her grip a few times before making it to the top. Her feet dangled over the edge of the wall, the long drop threatening to cause damage or at least hurt her. Taking a daring breath, Bailey pushed herself off and cursed when she landed. The pain throbbing up her right leg to her knee where she landed wrong. Bailey looked around her quickly to see if anyone had seen her, and ran toward the closest structure for cover.

Ace saw a mailman walking towards the entrance of a castle. "Of course!" Ace said, flying over to him and knocking him out. He dragged the man into the forest. A few minutes later, Ace took on the persona of a mailman, with a bag full of mail that he didn't know what was. One was addressed to...Arlaina? Whatever. He walked to the entrance where the guards let him in. "Thanks." he said, walking inside. "Well this Arlaina seems important. Maybe i could just take a little peek..." he said, opening one of the letters. Fan mail. Was Arlaina a famous musician, or something?" he said to himself, sliding the letter back in the envelope and putting it in the mail carrier.

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ARLANIA SHIR


Spoiler:



Skye smiled as a plate of hot Roast Pork and Fried Rice was set down in front of her. She began to chow down immediately, While her older sister just sipped at a cup of tea, her eyes closed. Her hair seemed to cast more than a shadow over her face.

She contemplated whether now was a good time to tell her or not. If she didnt, then Skye would surely expect to see her. She couldn't tell her here, In public.

Arlania put down her cup and stood slowly. " Skye, Let us go now." She said, as Skye looked up with a mouthfull of rice.

" Bu Im na don eading...." She managed to get out, But she realized that her sister was serious, there was an expression on her face that Skye had never seen before. Sorrow and remorse.

Skye slapped some money on the table, swallowed and followed her sister out of the restaurant. Skye was rather excited, Mom's house was only a block away. And they were heading in that direction!!!!

She walked next to her sister who refused to make eye contact, They were almost there and Skye couldn't hold it back anymore. She ran to the house yelling," Mom! Mom! Mom!"

But there was no answer....

Skye peeked through the window and knocked on the door. After five minutes, she turned to Arlania, " I don't understand, Where is Mom?" She asked. And then something happened that she hasn't seen in a long time.

A tear ran down Arlania's cheek....

"No....."

Arlania walked up to her sister and held her tight, " She got sick Skye... While we were up in the North....". Arlania ran her fingers through her sisters hair as she began to cry.

Skye began to feel hatred, hatred for the world and for her sister, " THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!! IF YOU WOULD HAVE LET ME STAY WITH HER!!!" She screamed at Arlania. It was true though, she spent her whole life training with her sister.

Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground. Arlania just stood still like a statue. Showing emotion was never for her. Not through the wars, not through training, and not now. But she couldn't help but shed a tear for her hurt sister.

Skye was Arlania's whole life. She spent many days making sure she would live.

The woman pulled the girl to her feet, wiping away her tears. She needed to go with Arlania, back to the palace. She had something to see. And someone.

" Let's go back, I have something you need to see. " With a hic and a nod she held onto her sister as they walked back to the palace.

They were important guests there and was offered a room. She fell into it instantly and cried for her mother, wondering how and how long ago? Was anyone there for her mother?

Bailey walked around the buildings, attempting to appear like she worked there somewhere when she came across the two girls. Watching them walk away from her, Bailey thought it was odd that they didn't say anything or even look at each other. Looking past them, She noticed a odd looking Mailman just walking aimlessly around. What kind of mailman doesn't know where he's going? She asked herself, choosing to follow the girls. Someone knew where this meeting was being held, and Bailey was going to find out. She kept to the shadows, as she was used to, staying a simple distance away from them but still in sight.

Watching the girls walk into the regular looking home, Bailey sighed, feeling as though her lead was dead and turned around. She started back toward the palace, hoping the meeting was going to be held there or somewhere close by. She couldn't wait to find out what the meeting was about and was going to be a bit mad if it was going to be boring. Bailey reached the palace's walls in what seemed like no time at all. Keeping a careful eye out for guards, she started to walk toward what looked like the front door.