Interlude: The tower Wei
The big man stretched his legs. The long travel had exhausted him, nevertheless he came to Repbulic city. His wive had pleaded him to – she had had one of her dreams again. When she dreamed her dreams contained truths and years ago Takeshi Wei had started to believe his queen. And in this dream she had seen a dragon dy in front of his brothers stature, broken by pebbles thrown from a man in a black imperial army uniform. His wife had been very upset, going as far as shedding tears in his arms, something the Lady Wei did very seldom. So of course he had decided to travel to republic city. She had been convinced that the dragon was nobody else than her brother, and to give her credit – firelord Zuko was here!
The tall man wore a plain brown tunik, heavy boots and trousers. He plowed through the people, a jian hidden in his backpack. He would have to make inquieries. He did not know of many people who still owned an imperial army uniform, much less a black one! He himself owned one of those uniforms but there weren´t much of the colonial troops left after the war. It had to be and old man like him – for who else would wear such a uniform. He sighed. Crazed veterans usually didn´t talk about their plans. First though he would try to find out where crooky was living. He didn´t want to waste money for an inn if it was not necessary. He just needed a place that was more private, some place with good, living soil. The old man left the trainstation, marvelling at the novelty of republic city. The buildings were far taller than any he had seen besides the great walls of Ba Sing Se. Takeshi Wei kept his face blank as he looked around for somebody to ask for the location of a park. He of course would have to wait till late in the evening to read the earth , he was rather sure that it would not be tolerated to tear o man deep hole in the lawn of a public park.
It was almost baffling to behold, how clean this city was, not just compared to Shang Yang, but even to the middle and upper rings. He simply put on his brightest smile and walked up to an old lady. „Greetings Ma´am. Could you bother to tell a lost soldierboy where a nice bench besides a pond is?" he asked, the woman almost dropped her basket and and gulped. It was annoying that people did fear him just because he was a head taller than them, or in this case – three heads. „Eh – Eh – there is the five dragons park Sir. Right two blocks down. T-They heve turtleduck ponds." she stuttered. She still was baffled by the mans bright smile, and the fact that he was not kicking at the small racoondog who was sniffling at his heels. „Thank you ma´am. So you are living around the corner I assume? May I take your basket than? I heard it was the polite these days." he chuckled – it was nice to flirt a bit for his wife was so jealous he did not dare to even look at another woman.
The last time he did said woman ended up with two arms broken and her hair singed. „T-thank you Sir." the woman answered and handed him the basked, it was not a big burden. He eyed her more closely. She was far below the Zulas standards if it came to beauty, but she had a warm smile that warmed his heart. There were far too many people without those kind of smiles in this world. They walked while the lady told him of the current events. She told of Firelord Zuko, who did not send soldiers. She even went so far to call him „rather decent for a firebreather" which made Takeshi grin. He of couse chuckled at that. „Hmh – and I hear some stories about the triads running rampant here, in fact that´s the reason I´m here because my sister wants Uncle Keshi in the house." he told her huffing slightly.
„Oh – your sister surely is a lucky girl to have a big brother like you." she giggled. „Her husband might not agree with you – let´s just say I was a bit too persuasive when I found out about him and my little sister." he quipped. Of course he had no little sister but Takeshi Wei knew how to invent stories. Suddenly the woman stopped. „So – we have arrived at my home. Do you wish to join us on a cup of tea?" she asked Takeshi. He surely was temptated but he handed back the basket. „Sorry Ma´am – I´ve got some things to buy before I rest, you know the kids would be disappointed if I didn´t had some presents for them – which I of course forgot to buy back in Omashu." he sighed and pinched his nose. „Men – well that is the reason you should search a wife dear sir." she stated a bit snidely. „I thank you for your kindness and I hope you will enjoy your vacation." she answered and blinked. Takeshi bowed politely, if lazily. Then he walked on. He decided to visit a teahouse and to buy a set of teacups – for some unfathomable reason crooky adored teacups. She collected them and if he was to invite himself in a rather rude way he should at least bring a present to calm the little Oni. As the sun started settling he entered the five dragons park, which got his name from five beautiful carved statues of dragons.
Even though he was born of earth he marvelled at the beauty even these carvings held. It was understandable why Sozin sent his best to kill them – if a man could kill this kind of animal he also could slaughter the innocent and unarmed. He released a heavy breath and stode on. Azula would have loved this park for it resembled most firenation parks. A central pond with koi and turtleducks, bonsais – and lots of white pebbles and rocks. And of course and agni shrine towards which Takeshi bowed his head. It was nobody here that late, so Takeshi Wei ripped open the ground with an almos lazy parting of his hands, he stood firm, feet set apart. Then he sank himself in the ground, embracing the earth. He closed his eyes and felt, the life. The smoothness and silence. The everlasting strenght of rocks who separated everything from the fiery soul of the world. And then he looked, a tapping of his fist sending out the waves that travelled.
The great dragonveins whispering to him. There was pain as he focussed, pain burning in his forehead – a third eye almost blossoming. He held on and – found Adachi Yumi. He tensed his muscles and tore his way out of the dirt. Then he walked on with new found confdence. It was a fancy hood Crooky was living in now. It seemed that this Lee was not just a cop – most likely he held his hands open widely. Takeshi shrugged. It was far better than being crazy about justice. He nevertheless felt out of place among the tall, clean buildings. He never had seen so many perfectly cut lawns, or so many big windows. He walked up the staircase, which acually smelled waxed. He tried to remember when he lastly smelled this smell outside of his home. He actually could not remember clearly. He then pounded the floor with his palm, the stone shook and revealed everything inside the house, he saw tables, people walking around – Takeshi Wei opened his eyes again and found his aim. The flat looked simple, there was not even a sign there, or a prayer to the gods of household. He knocked – he heard hurrying steps.
He chuckled, most likely the lady Adachi was awaiting her counterpart and not a grizzled old man. The door was torn open „Le- what the FUCK!" Yumi jipped as her soft bosom bumped into the Towers abs. „Thanks for the hearty welcome Crooky." he chuckled. Yumi Adachi staggered back and bowed low, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. She really coud´ve been Zulas daughter her thought absentminded as he watched the young woman. „Äh Mr. Takeshi – please come in." she hurried towards tmop and basket that were lying in the entrance. The flat was nicely furnished – even though it was far from fancy. The furnitures were modern, rounded pillars with plain ornaments, cushions a simple emerald. Even the hangings were fitting held in place with slim brocate-ties.
„Please take a seat, you must be exhausted Sir. May I take your baggage." Yumi almost tore his backpack down. She carried it away and again he wondered about the strenth this tiny body held. She tugged it away in another room and then almost flew to the stove, where a teapot was standing. With a flick of her hand she ignited a bright yellow flame with which she treated the steel until the pot was piping. Then she trew som spoons of teapowder in the cups and returned. He gratefully took the tea, which tasted a lot better than his wifes – even though he would be a dead man admitting that! „Thank you Crooky, nevertheless I don´t want to bother you – I just need some time to find a proper lodging." he answered. Her brows furrowed and she frowned an adorable frown. „You wanna insult me old man!" she grumbled in a low voice. He lauged again. „Yes – you are a very polite hostess, stating the obvious." he sighed. „So it is – ahm how do you youngsters say – ok - to stay here?" he asked. „Of course it is – I just offered you, and if Lee just says as much as a word I will simply kick his sorry ass." she stated content. He shook his grizzled mane. „But why are you here? And where is the Lady Wei?" she asked him. The old man sighed.
„She is back in Ba Sing Se. Well my wife had one of her dreams recently, it – it is the reason I am here." he answered. Yumi gulped, everybody knew that if the Lady Wei told a fortune it was almost carved in stone. „Eh – had it to do with us?`" she asked, her voic small and faint. „No Crooky, it has to do with a very important man." he answered. She rose her head. „If that is so Sir – I, or at least Lee might be able to help you, he is rather close to some very important people here. I just say Concilman Sokka, Chief Bei Fong, the Queen of the South..." she counted on her fingers. The eyes of the old man bulged – so this boy had not bragged in his letter. And Azula had worried about Yumi having no food on the table in republic, of course that now would not be true anymore. „How in all hells did he make these aqquaintances." he blurted. „That´s a crazy story – which is his to tell." Yumi shrugged. „Nevertheless he might be able to help you if you spill." she smirked and took a deep gulp from the steaming cup. Takeshi would never understand how firebenders could eat still steaming meals.
He sighed. „Well – I pray you keep your mouth shut young lady." He stated gravely. „My wife saw the murder of Firelord Zuko." he spoke silently. Yumis eyes flew wide. „What! You´re kidding right?" she yipped. He shook his head. „Sadly not. I intend to to my best to turn the cards once more. You know Yumi – it could be a disaster of some earthnation vet killed the firelord. It – could lead to war again, and I truly don´t want to see any senseless slaughter anymore." he frowned. The young woman just nodded. „Holy shit. But how do we present that – come on, just because your wife had the name of his sister the guy won´t believe you." she responded. „And Lee just is a silly kid from shangyang. They will laugh at superstitous peasants." she griped.
The Tower Wei nodded. „That´s the reason why we have to stop the guy when he tries Yumi." he answered, his voice brimming with steel. Yumi nodded. „I will talk with Lee when he comes in the morning. The guy really got the job." she sighed. Takeshi looked around and then got up again. „I have forgotten the little gift I brought for you Crooky." he smiled and walked off with long strides. The young lady was smilig broadly. As he returned with the painted cups he heard an almost girly shriek. „Oww- they look so cute." she cooed her eyes sparkling. Takeshi Wei simply had to be happy at this sight. She carully took them in her hands to place them on a cupboard, on which more than twenty teacups were resting.
„Thank you Sir – they are beautiful." she chirped. Takeshi sat down and scanned the room for books – he found none which disappointed him slightly. „So Mr. Takeshi. Would you like something for dinner, it´s late and I already head it – sorry I didn´t expect any guests. The man waved calming. „A Miso Soup or something simple will be more than enough Yumi – don´t bother yourself. I am the one who came uninvited." he grinned. „Maybe yu are up for a round of Pai Cho?" he asked. The girl smiled a predatory smile. „Of course I am." she answered. „So I shall once more best you." he threathened chuckling – there was a twitching in her middle finger. Takeshis heart swelled when he thought about the respect this young woman held for him – It was far more than most parents could expect from their own children.
And Yumi just knew him for three short years – they were not even family. Neveterheless he always had tried to fill the emptiness that was plain evindent – Yumi Adachi had been an orphan. He thanked the spirits that he had grown up in a proper family – where nobody drank or took drugs. Yumi brought him a Pai Cho set. It was a plain set of stones, carved from yellow and black horn. Gently he placed the small tiles – he loved this game and for today he held the intention to let the Lady Adachi win.
Note:
Takeshi Wei, one big fluffball – funny thing is. Most giant bulky guys are real softies, the kind of people who start crying at weddings before the critical scenes! And yeah I know at least one of this species! So anything about the interlude? Greetings IntheHood