Ba Sing Se: City of Complications

~ KIHARU

Kiharu went up to her room and placed her things in their according locations, her final item being a picture frame of her entire family taped to the mirror of the spacious bedroom. Hisaki, who lay on her bed, already having unpacked with Kaon (they decided to share a room), yawned a bit.

"Even my bones feel tired!" she told Kiharu, stretching out. "I miss Hotaru; at least I can fly with her. And I hope you don't mind; I'm so exhausted."

Kiharu smiled at her. "Well, I'm sure there's room for two. Come on, I'mma tell you about my day, and help me pick out something to wear."

-

That night, Kiharu lay awake listening to the people milling about in the lower levels of the house. Kaon obviously wasn't asleep yet -- the girl seemed full of energy all the time, and no doubt she'd dragged Hisaki around with her. It was about the time Kagu was supposed to take her to the carnival.

She was already dressed -- she was so restless and excited! But still she hadn't quite found the courage to leave the room. What if she was too early? The sun had only gone down minutes ago.

It took her another minute to deduce that she was being absolutely insane and rolled out of bed, heaving to the door.

In the main lobbey, there was a site that made mind reel confusedly. Kaon was there, speaking at the top of her voice to Hayato ("Can you imagine? Five spears -- at the same time!) and Hisaki was quietly perched next to Hideki, seemingly on the verge of slumber.

"Um," she started, blinking.

Kagutsuchi tapped Kiharu on the shoulder and smiled "Man, you look beautiful" he said "Shall we go?" Kaugtsuchi took her hand walked out the door and into the street, it was crowded and covered in lights.

Hayato laughed as he walked back in with Kaon "Hey, uh, do you wanna head over to the carnival?" he said "We could get drun first if you want" Hayato hoped this would invoke Kaon's better nature and get her to agree to joining him.

Hideki noticed Hisaki about to fall asleep, he put his arm around her and pulled her in closer hugging her tightly. "I was gonna ask you to go the fair...but seeing how tired you are" he said kissing her forehead "We'll just stay home tonight and rest."

Kaji sighed he'd been exploring the city all day, well thinking and walking around was more like it. He had finally gathered up the courage to ask Sasavi to the carnival. He walked up the stairs and tapped Sasavi on the shoulder "Look uh...you don't have to say yes" he started "But uh...well I'd hate for us to be the only ones home alone tonight...and you seemed intriuiged with the carnival....maybe if you...what I'm trying to say is....do you wanna go with me?" Kaji's face had turned bright red, he was breathing heavy and avoiding eye contact.

~ KIHARU

Kiharu walked daintily next to Kagutsuchi, clutching her purse loosely under her arm. She couldn't pretend he didn't look handsome tonight, and she also couldn't ignore the beautiful sights and sounds around her. She couldn't help but feel that this was going to be very romantic.

"Well, I'm enjoying myself so far," she said. "It's so beautiful out here ... "

Kagutsuchi smiled "Yeah it is beautiful....so are you" he said blushing a bit "I know we just met....but I really do like you." Kagutsuchi knew how he had to play this, slow, calm and cool, she would make a perfect Queen for him. But something felt different doing this in real life, it was different from the practice he put in from infront of the bathroom mirror, was this feeling that he was feeling....was it, love?

Sasavi turned around as she felt the tap on her back. It was Kaji. He stammered up a few lines before giving in and asking her to the dance. A smile played at her lips. "Alright, sounds fun. Let me get on some carnival clothes though." She dashed into her room, taking her giant sword off her back, and changing into a simple kimono dress. Sasavi quickly brushed her hair and applied a bit of eyeliner, and headed back out. She beamed at Kaji despite her previous feelings. "Ready then?"

Kaji smiled "Yeah I am" he said. As they reached the street he looked at Sasavi...and for some reason he couldn't look away. "Uh...uh....uh..." Kaji cleared his throat pulled his eyes off her and kept them off of her "So what do you want to do first?" he asked her trying not to look at her.

~ KAON

Kaon pushed ahead of Hayato, but not intentionally of course. She was thrilled to get to the rides, the excitement, the lights, the drinks, the food, the people! ("Woooo!") She almost forgot she had a date for a moment, so enthralled by the sights around her. It wasn't until the young man stepped out beside her that she finally noticed his presence.

"'sup?" she greeted naturally. That day she wore a pair of deep red pants, and an ornate, red top with gold hemmings. Her long red hair was pulled up in a messy updo, blue eyes deep and shining. "You remember the deal?" she pointed to a booth nearby, the bartender entertaining a cluster of recipients with his colorful tricks with the drinks. "Let's go, Big Boy."

~ KIHARU

Kiharu meandered carefully through the crowd, somehow finding the inspiration to lace her arms with Kagutsuchi's. She felt that, with the time they arrived and their healthy sum of cash, she and Kagu had enough time and money to do whatever they wanted.

"Look!" she cried excitedly. She pointed to a rollar coaster, zooming swiftly over the tracks overhead. "That looks sooo scary!" she said. "Let's go there first!" Smiling, she tried to tug him along.

"Oh! A ride!" Sasavi looked around mezmorized. She had never seen a carnival before, and was enchanted. "Or a game!" She ended up dragging Kaji around to go on various rides with her, play carnival games, and having a blast. Kaji looked like he was enjoying himself too. Finally, as they were sitting on a bench together eating cotton candy, Sasavi wondered where the others were. "I wonder what everyone else is doing. And when Kagu is gonna make his 'appearance'."

Kagutsuchi smiled "Sure" he said "And if you get scared...you always have me" God is this what love is like? He felt sick but...kinda happy too.

Hayato smiled and followed Kaon to the bar "Yeah you're right" he said "A promise is a promise" He sat down and picked up a cup of Sake, he took a sip "Goes down easier than smoke I'll admit" he said.

Kaji looked over at Sasavi, she was really beautiful. Kaji stretched a bit a paused, he wondered if he could make a move and not get his arm snapped off. He tried it, slowly stretching and putting his arm around Sasavi.

~ KAON

Kaon reclined back in her chair, pulling the upper legs off the ground, and downed her drink delicately, savouring every sip. She kept ordering until she felt a little tipsy, then tapped Hayato on the shoulder. "Oh -- okay," she muttered, her voice halting every few syllables.

"I wanna get on that first!" she pointed her finger as a particularly terrifying looking ride. It involved a bungee cord and a great deal of falling.

~ KIHARU

Kiharu felt her shoulders tremblings as the conductor strapped her to the ride beside Kaji. Finally, when the carts began to move, she knew there was no turning back. 'Oh God ...' she thought. 'Am I even ready for this?'

At its first fall, Kiharu screamed and closed her eyes tightly. Horror and excitement filled her soul quicker than even her first real battle. The coaster flipped upside down, sped through loops, twisted, turned, rose and careened toward the Earth. With each movement of the cart, she felt that she could die at any moment! ("AAAAAAAH!")

When the coaster finally stopped, and Kiharu could finally see again, she was clutching Kagu's arm so tightly her nails dug in.

"Okay ... okay," she whispered, trying to gain composure. "Let's go again."