II – The Stay, Town from down the Hill
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The morning was tranquil, but, cold. I could hear the many subtle noises of the leaves dancing with the wind. "Reminds me of…"
"Breakfast is ready-"
I still was wondering how the old mister knew who I was. After all, I did have my headband tied around my forehead; the arrowheads on my hands were hidden yesterday. However, I found it unnecessary for me to even ask about.
I stood up from the couch where I lied the whole night through. The scent of the wonderfully cooked morning meal was appetizing. I walked towards the small dining table – tucked near the end of the living room; beside the many books piled on top of another. It was a table for three. I hastily thanked the old mister for the grace he has shown. He nodded and modestly said 'you are most welcome'.
Vegetables and fruits were served this morning, just as last night. And probably, the old mister may be a vegan of some sort. Both of us indulged in eating and, in time, we finished. Then, we moved the dishes to the kitchen which, like the whole cabin, was small and made of wood.
Afterwards, the old mister picked up a basket and said "It's Sunday today, I need to go down to the marketplace." I opted that I go and him to just stay. He declined, pointing out that I shouldn't do anything rash. But, sensing that it was turn to persuade, I kept insisting and insisting till he said 'yes'. So, we took to the living room as he wrote a list of what to be bought, and later, handed it to me. He, then, turned and went to kitchen, saying that he'll do the dishes.
And so, I tied my headband around my forehead, covering it for a disguise. I also hid the arrowheads on both my hands. "I wouldn't want people to be buzzing." Then, quickly, I continued on down the path towards town.
It took me quite some time before I could view the roofs and streets of town. I smiled upon laying sight of them. And then, it was inevitable not to see residents of the Fire Nation settlement I was headed to. There were youngsters running around, singing merry tunes and playing tag. The grown-ups of the town were busy with their daily activities. The elders were up and about, though, seated at ease on chairs and benches. There were parents calling for their children too, calling them to refrain from doing mischief and bathe or eat their breakfast.
As I laid foot on town, I paid attention to the many people bustling through the streets. Then, I looked for the town square as I was sure the marketplace could be found there. And as I walked, I cheerfully greeted the many persons I came across. They returned a pleasant smile while expressing 'flame-yo'.
Soon enough, I was in front of the shops and stalls at the market. There was a multitude of shoppers. "It must be that it's Sunday." Of course, the bargaining, the squabbles, the discussions, the gossips, the hustles – they were present. Both the loquacious and the taciturn were there. And differentiating from gender, truly the ladies were undoubtedly noisier than the men as they stood in wait or in motion.
…
I made it through the very busy bazaar, and surely, it took quite an exertion of efforts as I felt drowsy and nauseous. And I was very glad to found a serene part of town. I got to enjoy the sun as I sat down on a bench. Next to me was the basket filled with goods that I bought from both the dry and wet. I made it sure that I did not miss any item on the list. And then, I suddenly remembered that it was just time to eat.
I stood up and carried the basket as I wandered through the streets, looking for a place where I can eat, and hence, I found a small diner. I took an order of an all-vegetable meal and had the pleasure of inhaling the scent of the spices, which in turn, got me craving to eat.
Just as I started eating, the owner of the diner started a patter with me. "You aren't from around here, are you? I don't recognize you," he said. I looked at him and gladly answered him. "Yes, mister. I'm not from around here. I just got here yesterday," I said. He smiled and asked where I was from. And so, I told him I was from other Fire Nation islands.
"So, you like it here?" he asked again.
"I still haven't got a walk around town."
"Oh, is that so?" he told me. "So, where do you live then?"
I gaped at my meal, and then, I faced the diner's owner again. I wasn't quite sure what to answer, so, I just told him I live from up the hill. And, "Up the hill?" he remarked. "You mean, you're neighbors with the old playwright who lives up the hill?"
"I didn't really say that," I replied, choking. "But, I guess you could say so."
He, old just like Mr. Lei, walked near to me. Then, he got some beverage from the counter and placed it near my cover. And at last, he got a glass, clear and slender. He started talking again, asking after the old Mr. Lei. "So, how's the old guy up the hill?" said he.
"Uhh… He's doing fine, mister," I answered.
"Hey. You just got here yesterday and you're already well acquainted with the sternest of all residents," said the diner's owner. Then, he elaborated our conversation regarding the old playwright. And as he seemed to be very much interested in talking about Mr. Lei, I asked about how he perceives old mister, and also, how other people see him.
"Well, he's pretty respected by many and hated by more," he commented on the old mister while pouring beverage to the glass. "Lei's practically shown false liaison. Although, he was aware of it since then. But, there were some who recognizes him well. Most of those now are the old folks in town which were his peers."
The diner's owner quickly drank the liquor and continued his recount. "However…" that was him. "He has often pointed out sardonically on the elderly and the adults of our time. Most of their generation have passed by now. Hahaha! But, there were some of our peers who didn't appreciate that old playwright. Still, I can really say that our generation was the golden of all. Unlike these new youth. Just look at them. Those little rascals know not how to read, and all they want is play. And they know no better than their parents. A lot has changed, culture and pastimes alike. And even more!"
I sensed something about the diner's owner's expression. And so, I let him continue with his disdain as I ate and inexorably smell the strong scent of his drink.
"Back then on our time, we loved and held on to literature, which was mostly Lei's doing. We embraced discipline, obedience, proper manners… and more. We learned how to be socially upright. However, not all of us were that conscientious. There were scalawags and some rebellious teenagers. Their offspring brought a liberal thinking to the town. They started straying from the town's tradition. They involved themselves to more nonsensical recreations. And all the sudden, they seemed to have forgotten the classics – the plays, the novels, the music… the wonderful old pastimes of our time.
Now, look at them. They act like the world's always going to be the same. They value less the education, never knowing they'll need it so badly when they grow to be individuals who must toil hard and work for a living. They think life is too easy, that they'll survive every trial it will throw at them. But, look at how their parents turned to be. They behaved the same! They did not experience the hardships when they were young. They were spoiled and only liked happiness. Their hearts were weak and yielding to pain – the adversity was too strong for them that they broke with the least exposure. Just a little bit of time's test and they surrender to defeat. But, they had a choice.
Well, even so… The future still lies on the youth. Setting them on the right path may be a struggle, but, it's the responsibility one must take to forge a bright tomorrow that will come their way."
"I see, mister, sir," I remarked, thinking; pondering at his word's essence. "You are right about what the youngsters need. And change is always present. Everyone should take that change and turn it as an advantage."
He looked at me, curious in a way. Then, he spoke, questioning about the culture from where I came from. I told him that we valued freedom and valued every life's existence. I told him that we were free and unyielding, and that we valued zest, vivacity and peace, and we always face our problems head on, with no remorse; no second thoughts. But, the old diner's owner still was unknowing of me and where I rooted from. He praised my eccentricity, saying I am very different from the rest of the town's youth. "Then, I guess I should owe the compliment to the monks."
We continued conversing until I finished eating and headed for Mr. Lei's cabin. I thanked the owner and went out of the small canteen and into the street. However, I seemed to have forgotten which path to take. I looked to the right, then, to the left. "Oh, my… I hate to admit it, but…" By the minute, I knew I was lost. My head was hurting, my temples felt heavy and thinking was a real difficulty. Somehow, I figured those were all aftermaths of yesterday's dilemma. And before I knew it, I was straying across town, walking with my mouth open, imprudent, and wandering off to a seemingly oblivious horizon.
"Hey, are you alright?" a voice arose from my left. I quickly turned and saw a boy, nearly my age and quite taller than most.
"Uhh…" I spoke and stuttered. "I suppose I am. Hehehe…"
"You're new here, aren't you?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Wasn't the first to notice that… and, yes, I am kind of new here."
"Then, let me show around, or at least, let me be your guide."
I smiled at the boy, accepting his offer and wishing to be directed the path uphill. He began asking me questions – where I live, where I came from, what's my name and more. And so, I answered him, making sure it was concise and sensible. "Kuzon, huh?" he murmured, as we, then, conversed throughout our walk. "Trust me," said he along the path. "You're never going to find any other place like our town!" I agreed upon his comment as I did not want to start an undesirable discussion. And of course, I haven't been here for quite a long time. It was too early for me to judge. "The place did seem joyous. However, there was this strange and eerie aura; even at Mr. Lei's cabin.
"You know," he continued, raising his tone. "The only problem here are the elders; the adults! They always have to poke their noses into our business; I grew up enduring every single intervention and meddling by the wretched and impatient old timers."
"Now, now," I remarked, calmly. "I'm not quite sure the elderly are that kind of a busybody."
"There must be a reason behind their intrusions," I added, in efforts of relaying the wishes of the old folks for the youth. "I think they just want the town's youngsters to learn discipline, and maybe, other virtues as well."
The boy quickly disagreed, noting his annotations. "We, my friends and I, have only undergone lashes and more every time those hags and their misters found out what we were up too. And, even if we were just having fun and doing nothing wrong, all we ever got was their punishment. And never by hand! Only through rods and staves!"
I felt the anguish and the hatred. It gushed out like blood from mortal wounds; like the piercing of a heart and the sounds of its shards falling into dusts of flesh and emotions. There was much fire in his eyes; in his voice. Then, he stopped walking, and so, I did so too. I looked at him and he echoed words, showing scars and the marks forever engraved to his limbs, his back and his torso. Again, his eyes were ablaze.
"Okay," I told myself. "Maybe that's too much."
…
We carried on walking, though, silent. However, he soon eradicated his quiet and broke our silence. He introduced himself to me, telling that it has been quite some time and he has never, yet, done so. "My name is Splendor," he said. "Quite a name, huh? Many of them criticized my name, not with me though, but with my parents, saying that it doesn't quite match me and my lackluster attitude for them. But, it's fine, though. I think I'm already numb with all the pain, the humiliation, and scars don't hurt anymore. They just remain and will always remind you of what you've gone through. They don't heal; they stay."
I knew not what he wanted to portray. But, his words – they were embossed in my head and in my heart. Suddenly, a voice from our backs dominated. Splendor looked back as if he recognized and feared that voice. "It's my dad," he said. "I have to go."
Before I could have uttered anything, Splendor went on, saying goodbye; bidding me farewell as if tomorrow won't come. Following his words was his quick sprint downhill. Meanwhile, I smiled at him, sighing with a failed attempt of leaving a message of gratefulness. But, whether I got to say thanks or not, there was still tomorrow on which I'm looking forward to relay a message of appreciation to everyone whom I've encountered here.
I turned around after standing still for a matter of time and after I watched Splendor's figure fade on the distant meadows. The wind was blowing weaker at the time. The leaves made fewer chuckles. And all that was left was to continue going uphill towards the cabin of the waiting old mister.
"I've been very late. Who knows what may happen?" But, despite the situation, my mind still managed to think deeply – just like every time. However, it wasn't that I'm thinking. "Well, I don't really know." But, I could say that all thoughts revolving on my mind was leading to nowhere. They weren't making any sense at all. Then, at the peak of the depth, I've figured it was just all part of a breakdown.
I was unconscious of what was going on as I walked and walked like nothing was in front of me. That was till the old mister gave a cry to me. He sounded worried and anxious. I looked at him. I could see his sweat pouring out. I immediately expressed my apology of taking too long to be back. I told him I got lost in town and I had a lot of accounts of chatting with the townsfolk, both conservative and liberal. He accepted my sorry and guided me the way up to his cabin. We trod, talking; laughing.
… … … …
They push us further; away from this
Away from reason; this has got to end
They set our hearts; bending us as hard as they can
We will survive; in the end, we'll be the ones left strong
Notes
Times
-Started : 7:39 AM
-Ended : 11:52 AM
-Current
Locations
Town of Troa
Characters
Avatar Aang
Lei, the Playwright
Drake, the Diner's Owner
Kuzon
Splendor Pry
Seeker Pry
Quote(s)
The Conflict
-Sang and Composed by Typecast
-Every Moss and Cobweb
-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Rock
09/20/09
I'm very sorry for the long hiatus. Conflicting interests, incidents and events have depleted me of my time for continuing my fanfiction. T_T Likewise, I am sorry because I've changed the ending of this chapter, because, as I have mentioned before, the plot I made for the past chapter 2 was bogus and needed replacing. (Damn! Feels great to write informal notes. Been getting sick of formal writing.) Anyway, hopefully I'll get chapter done by tomorrow - from writing to proofreading. One more thing, I'll be continuing to post notes on my profile. So, be sure to visit and check if there are announcements being made. Wish me luck.
Yours truly... Taang rules over all