LON Ch 3 Exploring and Stray Calligraphy

"Thank you, Prince Zuko," Emiline said as they headed down a set of very long stairs.

"It is nothing,"

"No. It wasn't your choice and I could tell that Azula really didn't want to come. So to spite you she picked you to take me," they walked on for a while, "I can imagine that you all have searched this place from top to bottom and are sick of it," she spoke into the silence followed by a pause.

"Not everyone appreciates the work put into building a beautiful city such as this,"

They came to a platform in the stairs. There were ancient markings in a calligraphy that was very uncommon to the Earthkindom or any at that.

"Would you look at that?!" Emiline exclaimed.

"At what?" he asked following her extended finger.

"This calligraphy is very old,"

"I can't read it," he said as he squatted down to read it better, "Can you?"

She studied the marking for a long moment before she stood up.

"I think… I might… hmm," she rummaged through a pocket in her dress and pulled out a cloth and a piece of chalk out of a small bag.

"What are you doing?" he asked as she placed the cloth against the wall.

"I'm going to take a rubbing of the inscription. I might have seen similar writings in some of my books…" she started rubbing the chalk against the cloth and was finished in a short while.

"What are you going to do now?" he asked as she folded up the cloth carefully and placed it in to her pocket.

"Well," they headed down the stairs again, "I'm going to scourge all of my books that might have similar writing. I swear I've seen it before…" she drifted into thought for a moment.

A giant statue came into view and Emiline broke her concentration. A smile broke her face and peals of giggles exploded.

"Do you know who that is?" she squeaked as she ran down the rest of the stairs as fast as her dress would permit.

"No…"

"Oh! Amazing! Truly spectacular!" she breathed as she examined the statue, "This is one of the more recent statues" she smiled showing all of her white teeth, "See how the stone is much smoother then that of the floor and stairs?" he only nodded, "That's due to a change in technique you'll find that older statues, probably the pre-war ones, that a statue began as a huge slab of rock and was almost… carved away by benders. Sometimes waterbenders helped by eroding the stone away and leaving a beautifully sculpted piece of art, but this one was actually made from sand. See the grainy texture within the stone? And how it seems to sparkle but is really smooth to the touch? Benders would go out to the desert and with the sand they would begin their project. Typically starting at the top of a piece and working their way down…" she glanced at him, "I'm boring you aren't I?" she looked put out.

"No… it's fastenating, please," he stared at her, "Keep going," she smiled and continued her explanation of the different sculpting techniques and as they progressed through the very inner portion of the inner ring she gave lessons on symbols particular to the Earthkingdom artists and architects.

Zuko seemed to liven up a bit and asked many questions before they both grew weary of talking, listening, and walking.

"Thank you, once again Zuko. I don't think I've enjoyed exploring so much since I was just beginning!" she smiled for the billionth time that day. Zuko began to wonder if her face ever hurt from smiling so much. But her smile was one that made you want to smile back and keep her smiling for as long as possible.

"Really I should be thanking you. All I've learned this evening… it was very interesting and I enjoyed the activiy. Thank you, Miss Emiline," Zuko bowed to her as they reached her room.

"Oh please! Call me Emiline! It was my pleasure… acutlly I'm surprised that you didn't die of boredom!" she smiled brightly for the last time and they bid their goodnights and Emiline went into her room.