OOC: Sorry about that, and about the long break. I'm back, sort of.

Aunt Wu chuckled at Abhay's enthusiasm but returned her gaze to the bone. "Well there isn't much more to see here on the bone... the X in the square which denotes the Earth Kingdom, but that could mean practically anything. Unless you have a strong attachment to it, or it means something to you... only you would know that. Um... a few undecipherable cracks... and a triangular chip in the bone, which indicates three. Three days, I would say. Be watching the signs at that time."

She set the bone down. "I realize that the reading was a bit enigmatic, but I hope that it answers your questions, Abhay. I'd say that Jakita's involvement in your life is part of the answer. Good luck to you and your friend." She smiled at the traveller and took up her cup of tea, sipping it lightly.

(Heh. Here we go. Taed's Peacemakers TIMESHIFTED!)

A small group of travelers trudged into the village of Mount Makapu, exhaustion written on their faces in the light of the setting sun. Two, warriors by their garb and gear, had claimed scout and tail positions. Another, a waterbender female, gave these two a suspious look from time to time. One of the remaining two carried the other, even greater exhaustion clear in his slump shoulders under the burden of another young man.

The one in front, a tall thin man with the dark features and blue eyes of the Water Tribe, raised one hand, curiously eyeing the riblike projections of stone surrounding the village. He spoke softly, "We have arrived. Now what?"

Goen carefully set his unconscious brother on the ground and sighed. "Now... I don't know. Taed wanted to come to Makapu. I don't even know what's in Makapu. And his spirit is still gone to who-knows-where." He absent-mindedly rubbed his forehead and sat down next to Taed's body. It had been a long walk, but at least he had been able to trade off with Kraj and Nenji for carrying Taed's body. And Goen was the sole earthbender on the journey.

Etsuko was happy to finally be able to contibute something to the group again; she had remained mostly silent, even when differences between the Galgori and the firebenders (minus Taed) had caused Zekvax to take Rahara and Zuran, and leave the group. That made her the sole waterbender in the group. "I know that. The village of Mount Makapu is the home of the prophetess, Aunt Wu. She can tell anyone their fortunes and futures. I always wanted to come here." She rubbed her nose. It itched in this dry noonday heat. "Maybe Taed wanted her to tell us where to go next."

Etsuko sighed and looked off in the distance. Taed, where are you? You really need to be here right now... Shrugging, she turned back to Kraj and Nenji and, with controlled distrust, said, "I would like to go to her now. But there's no need for us all to go, you're right. Taed had an idea for us all to live in peace, and he needs to be here when we see Aunt Wu together."

"Do you want to go see her by yourself?" Goen asked, scratching his right ear.

Etsu thought for a moment, and then suddenly said, "I feel a little sick... I think I need to get out of the sun." She touched her side gently and then let her hand fall again. She looked at Goen, and then at Kraj and Nenji. No need for hostilities; by now they had proven they wouldn't hurt her unless she did something stupid. And Etsuko was not a stupid girl.


OOC: And now — she's back!!! YAY! So I am surrendering Etsuko's character back to her. We missed you!

"Could we rest at an inn? I need to get some rest after the journey." she looked round at all of them, awaiting their replies. The sun had been shining upon them mercilessly and Etsu really needed to get out of the heat before she contracted another migraine. Headaches seemed to burden her day by day, and she had been surviving on the soft melody of her flute to soothe her mind.

"You guys could take a walk around this place, but I really need a rest before going to visit Aunt Wu." Etsuko suggested, wiping perspiration off her forehead with the back of her hand. She slid her right hand into her pocket and fingered the flute delicately, having made plans in mind to play some music to get rid of the headache. Feeling slightly dizzy, she staggered over to the side and leaned against the wooden pole, closing her eyes tightly to stop herself from fainting.

"These headaches had better go away...I can't continue on the journey like this." she thought, coughing. Etsu released her hand from the pole and regained her balance, giving the rest of her team a weak smile.

ooc: Haha, I missed y'all too! x)) Guess I was working too hard that I forgot to play hard as well. Too much pressure from peers and teachers. Argh. x__x.

(Much Delayed, but here I go...)

"Agreed," returned the dark-skinned Hunter, one hand resting uneasily on a boomerang, a nervous habit since he had no intention of attacking unless it was self defense, "Goen, I'll take Taed, and you assist Estuko if need be. There is a good Inn here we use whenever passing through this area."

Nenji smiled slimly at his friend's tone, indicating a building off to the side of square, the sign proclaiming it The Flying Bison. "Yes, cheap, clean, and mostly honest," he added, waiting for agreement or disagreement from the two Benders.

"That sounds...alright. Let's make a move then." she replied, picking up pace as she headed towards the building that Nenji had pointed to somewhere near the village square. "So, where are y'all going?", Etsuko stopped to ask Kraj and the rest who are staying behind.

The afternoon heat began to take its toll on her again. At a young age, Etsuko had been quite sensitive to heat, due to the fact that she had been living in the South Pole ever since she was brought in by the Water Tribe Elders. She could endure coldness, but not heat. It was a killer to her.

OOC: Etsu — We have Kraj, not Halaku. And that's everyone — you, me, Goen, Kraj, and Nenji. We lost everyone else.

"That's fine, Kraj, thank you. Etsuko, you don't look so good," Goen said, taking her arm. "Are you feeling all right?" As the Galgori took Taed's body, Goen started guiding the waterbender toward the inn. "Interesting, huh? The only people left are a single firebender, single earthbender, single waterbender, and two bender hunters." He chuckled a little as he reached for the door to the inn.

ooc; Ooh...The confusion! x((

"Isn't it...sad? I prefer to go with a big group of people. Well, the more Benders the better!" she said cheerily with a bright smile on her face. Etsuko then touched her forehead gingerly, and then her face dropped slightly,"It's...nothing much. Just a drastic change in climate has caused this...Although I don't know why it decides to take effect now after being away from the South Pole for so long..." she trailed off.