A Recognition of Shadows

[Rikugurl]

When Soran was finished speaking, there was a sudden, mass sound of shifting around the area as everyone suddenly... bowed. The only ones who didn't was the Avatar himself, the redhead and the Avatar's guardian. The recreated Avatar was standing before them.
Even so, the redhead's expression didn't change any and Ventus knew better. He, like most Fire Nation people, did not have a strong sense of truth. It was all black, white, and red for them and any excuse for destruction was a good one for them. Ventus knew that the Avatar being an orphan and somehow got across the waters and land to the Air Temple was stretching the Fire Nation credibility.

"Well, since you are found, my journey has ended and this village is safe and sound. I shall return you to Fire Lord Huǒ and I'm sure he will make sense of this." He suddenly rose his fingers to his mouth and blew out, making a sharp whistle pierce through the forest and air around them. There was a sound of powerful wings before a large Dragon-hawk flew down and perched on one of the roofs close by. A scroll was pulled and pen with in wrote down on it. He rolled the scroll back up and rose it into the air. The hawk flew down, snatching the scroll in it's talons before flying off.
The redhead turned and looked down at the two short children before him, smirking some and turned, heading back to the dragon. "Come on then, we will travel back to the Fire Nation."

[Reno]

The blue-eyed boy blinked, hearing the noise and turned, seeing the whole town bowing to him. "U-Uh..." His cheeks blushed bright red, feeling uncertain at this sudden praise. Of course, if had been done before to him already up in the Air Temple when he finally took his title. "T-Thank you everyone..."

Even still, it was going to be something to get used to.

He looked forward though when he heard the other and frowned more, not really liking this at all. What a journey that turned out to be. They would be flying over the whole world instead of greeting it!

Of course if he was on a bison he supposed it would be the same principle... but hey he could do so major goofing off. He had a feeling this guy was a bit more serious than he was.

He glanced at Ventus who was near his side, seeing the shadowed frown under his hood. He didn't like this either but... "We'd better go with him. These people are in danger otherwise..."
The other softly started to protest but he shook his head. "Remember your parents are out there somewhere too." that seemed enough to convince the other before the two got closer to the dragon and despite the situation Soran felt a little happy thrill at the fact he was going to get to ride a dragon!

"At least if we are going to be traveling together we should all know each other by name." The Avatar hesitated though looking at the other. He bowed slowly to the other. "I am Soran. This is my friend, Ventus. And you are?"

[Rikugurl]

Ventus hurried after Soran as they headed closer to the dragon, the people of the village slowly standing to watch as they left. The redhead was getting the dragon ready for flight, not bothering to look around as the Avatar spoke. "Axel Lea Xipil." He put plainly, gently running his hand down the red scales of the great beast. Blonde eyes bunched at the name, glancing at Soran to see his expression. Since they were Airbenders, they both had names that had to do with the sky or air. Axel didn't seem like a name that was based on fire.

Even still, the three made their way on the back of the dragon, getting comfortable on the oddly shaped saddle. Axel was up front and Soran was some bit away behind him and right behind Soran was Ventus. "Make sure you hang on tight! This is going to be a wild ride!" The redhead called back before suddenly the wings around them started to flap and they shifted into the air. "A-ah!" Ventus laughed happily, having never rode on an fauna before. As they pulled up into the air, the red dragon snorted a bit of fire and before one could say anything, an arm swung over and back, collecting the fire in a swirl before a palm pointed down at the man who had stepped up for the village. The small bit of fire flew down, making the villagers cry out as they fled. The fire hit one of the baskets that a woman had dropped and it went up into flames.

"Ut!" Ventus gasped, looking down at the villagers who watched them as they got further and further up into the sky. The man who had stood up held another woman close and their eyes seemed to meet. Something.... something seemed familiar about them... Ventus frowned and looked away, breaking any sort of contact that he once had with those people.


The hawk flew fast, beating its powerful wings to arrive at the Fire Palace in a minimal amount of time. It flew over a wing but suddenly squawked loudly as a hand shot out and pulled one of it's legs. Wings flapped and feathers fell as the bird was dragged in through the window. It was released, calming some when it was placed on a perch it knew. It was not looking at the Fire Lord but of his council man, Xehanort. He reached for the scroll that the bird was to deliver and opened it up, readying the scribbles of the young Xipil.

Fire Lord Huǒ,

I have completed my mission in finding the Avatar. I found him in a test near the Northern Air Temple. I shall bring him back to the Fire Nation and be placed in front of you for council.

A.X.L.

"The Northern Air Temple. What is our Avatar doing there?" The elder man frowned. He knew this was bad for two reasons. The first was that this young scout had found their missing Avatar in less than a week across the whole world while it took him near sixteen years to search the Fire Nation. This A.X.L. would cost him his job and possible death. The other reason was it was near impossible for the Fire Avatar to get so far. They had truly been missed in the cycle. He... he would not accept that. He knew that the Fire Lord would go soft on the boy and perhaps forget the whole thing but... but when news spread that the Avatar was found near an Air Temple, they would be the laughing stock of the world.

The scroll was suddenly thrown into the fireplace, making the fire roar and crackle.
"I will not have this Nation be made into mockery...." He announced before storming out of the room. He pulled on a black cloak and left the palace, heading west through the mountain ridge. He reached a deep cavern near sunset, seeing a mass of shadows being drawn to a small alcove below near the ocean. A frown came over his face, knowing that he would have to climb down the cliff to reach it. He did his best, stumbling a few times but caught himself before he plummet below. It nearly look a hour for him to reach the alcove safely but when he did, he suddenly walked right through the shadows and into a cave.

Slowly, old eyes glanced around as he walked in deeper, seeing shadows dance across the ceiling and walls. He walked down ancient steps, finding the light getting weaker and weaker until it was no more. He continued blindly, using his hands to touch out around him so he did not bump into anything. A corner was turned and a small stream of light poured out from a small hole in the roof. There, under the light, was an empty chair. The old man pulled off his hood, looking around the small opening.
"Hell---"
"HEHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHE!!!"
A small, wicked giggle echoed through the cavern, making the man look around him to see where it was coming from. When he realized no one was in sight, he looked back at the chair only to jump, seeing a dark figure sitting on it. It was nearly black from head to toe, only having a flesh colored face with big yellow eyes and... spiky black hair.

"Y...you frightened me, Spirit. You... do not look like you once did." The old man straightened himself, trying to hold his ground.
"No, no, no! I am forever changing to shadow the great lives of this world. Always to shadow them, always~~" The figure seemed to giggle, fidgeting on the chair like a child who had too much sugar. "The Avatar, yes, him."
"I... I had asked you for some advise where the Avatar was and---"
"And I cannot find shadows until the one who gives the shadow away is found. WHY DID YOU COME HERE!?"
The man pulled back, seeing the golden eyes glow brighter.
This was a very unstable Spirit...

"I need your help. The Avatar was found in... the wrong place. He was found with the Air Nomads when he was suppose to be born here. People will hear this and.... and the Fire Nation will never hold it's power again. Please... I ask you for some help." The figure could only tilt its head.
"I need you to make a distraction... for me to find out the true about this Avatar so no words can crush this Nation."
"Distraction. Hmmmm.....hmmmmm.......hmmmmmm." The glowing eyes closed for a moment before opening. "HEHEHEHEEHEHEHEEHEHE! I can do that, yes. What will you give me?"
Xehanort blinked, frowning as he remembered that this Spirit wanted things for his acts. What exactly could he give a Shadow Spirit.... unless....

"My shadow? Will you take that as a payment?" He ask foolishly and as he blinked, the figure was gone. A bit panicked, the man looked around only to feel a cold touch on his shoulders. He looked over it, seeing eye to eye with glowing orbs of eyes. "Your shadow? Heheeheheehehehe~~ yes, yes, that will do. You do know what that will do, do you?"
"No, I do not..."
"You will not exist. You walk but you are not there. Your shadow is mine and you will be nothing but a shadow yourself. Can I have your shadow now?" Again, it tilted its head, waiting for an answer.

"I....will not exist?" He thought it over, shaking his head. He... he was willing to sacrifice his existence for the good of the Nation. "Then... it must be done."
The figure suddenly disappeared and though the ocean outside of the cavern was loud as it hit the cliffs, it could not mute the sound that screeched out of the shadows.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEEHEHEEHEHEEHEHEHEEEE!!!!"

[Reno]

An angry wooden staff crashed down on the back of Axel's head, sure to leave a bump for days to come. The fire nation man grumbled, rubbing his head and looking back with a glare - which was nearly overpowered by the Avatar's own. Even if Soran was not truly the Avatar he would of down it anyways. He never liked it when people or even animal were hurt or abused. He would be a very kind-hearted Avatar - nothing like a Fire Nation child at all. "There will be no more of those antics or this journey ends here and now. Then YOU can explain to your Lord why you lied in your letter."

The red-head just grumbled some things possibly about taking him by force, but was obedient the rest of the ride. Soran knew though this man was not going to make this trip easy... or possibly even pleasant.


"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" Came the long drawn out cry, Soran falling into the grassy plain just by the riverside they decided to camp by. The trip could not be made in one day; just as it took Axel a few days to arrive, it would take them a few days to get back. Shesha, the dragon, needed her rest; carrying three was a much harder task then just one... especially since these airbenders seemed a little more spoiled and fattened than her painfully thin masters.

"This is rather neat! Shesha you are an amazing dragon!" Soran chirped with happiness, hearing the dragon's happy purr - which got glared down by Axel beyond the once-brunette's notice. However the Avatar seemed to be in a much better mood, forgetting one of his traveling partners was a pyro-maniac. It was just too amazing - the whole Earth Kingdom had been spread under him and even though he hadn't been THAT close to it all, he saw the thriving civilizations and felt happy. Maybe his time as Avatar would be easy. The Earth Kingdom was strong. The Air Nations were doing surprisingly well. The Water Tribes seemed in no dire danger. It appeared only the Fire Nation needed him.

He only wished Axel had more care about learning. They had passed so many birds and other flying creatures in the sky and Axel knew such a small handful and of course Ventus and Soran only recognized some from their lessons and from the ones that dared stray as high as their temple. He was a horrible guide; it was a wonder he wasn't to lazy to learn his own art!

But he did seem to have a good control over it. Soran had a fleeting idea... perhaps he could ask Axel to give him a lesson or two. That way the Fire Lord would be appeased he knew some firebending and therefore not look to harshly at his extensive knowledge of Airbending...

His eyes opening when he heard the squawk above. "Hey, a Flamingo-Squrriel!" The bird tilting it's head curiously. It was a bright pink with small wings and a long, thin beak but it's legs were short and stout with a fluffy, curling tail that was almost out of place on the mostly feathered body.

[Rikugurl]

OOC: LOL

"Ah! Perhaps that could be your animal guide." Another boy caught the sight of the Flamingo-Squirrel. As if it was denying the idea, the fauna disappeared back into the surrounding forest. "Or... not..." He sighed, slowly looking back at the small camp. He thought it could be dangerous camping out in such an open field, knowing that the Earth Kingdom had a number of dangerous fauna but with a dragon around, he was sure no creature dared to compare to it. It made him wonder...

"Axel... how did you gain this dragon?" The blonde brow boy asked, pulling his hood from his head to cool it off in the evening breeze. The redhead was tending a fire and some foot that was cooking over it.
"When I was young... I was able to bond with one. She breathed fire over me and chose my brother and I." He spoke without looking over at the two.
"Really? I thought that dragons were extinct though. Were they not hunted by the Fire Nation?" At first, he did not believe this tale. Why would people kill the same exact creature that showed them the power of bending? It was as if the Air Nomads were to hunt Sky Bison.

"I guess you're wrong since you're looking at one. I am not actually a native of the Fire Nation. I was born as a Sun Warrior; people who worship and bend fire for other means. They hide and protect dragons from the Fire Nation..."
Silence ran over the two Air Nomads as they looked at each other before Axel started to speak again.
"You shouldn't always listen to what people tell you. They will tell you things, expecting you to listen."

[Reno]

Soran chuckled in amusement as the bird flew away the moment Ventus spoke, as if frightened by his words. Would it really be so terrible to be his animal guide? "Thanks!" He joked to the fluttering wings, but tilted his head curiously as Ven rose a question to their hot-headed companion.

He sat up, listening to the story with interest, before glancing at Ven as it was finished, the fire-bender giving them some wisdom. Of course, there was a small problem with that wisdom, because he contradicted himself. So, should they be listening to Axel right now? "Bend for other means eh? As far as I was taught the Sun Warriors bended fire to enjoy the life and energy it gave. So you want to explain to me what that little 'exhibition' was back at Ventus' hometown?"

[Rikugurl]

"Ut! Soran!" Ventus hissed, not wanting this nut of a man to know that it was his hometown that he was about to burn down. Even if it was, nothing was more sacred to him than the Air Temple. They both froze when narrow eyes looked back at them, the rims blacked, making them look even more wicked than before. "If you couldn't tell, Mr. Intelligent, I am no longer a part of the Sun Warriors. I left because I knew fire was more than just life." He slowly stood, seeming to grow taller from the long shadow he cast over them. "I'm not explaining anything to you if I don't want to. I don't care if you were even a spirit. I was given orders to find you and return you to the Fire Nation and that's all I'm going to do."

The can was tipped and a bowl was filled with a delicious smelling stew. Ventus mouth quickly watered at the smell but looked away, trying to ignore the rumbling of his stomach.
"Oh, that's right. You Air Nomads are vegetarians. Guess you can chew on the grass or something." He chuckled harshly, picking up his bowl and blowing on the stew to cool it down.

[Reno]

The blue eyes narrowed in fury. More than just fire, eh? He could see it? The menacing gleam of power in those eyes. The boy stood, shaking just a bit and glaring at his taunt. "Yes, we DON'T eat meat, because we learned all life is sacred!" He huffed, the grass at his feet twisting oddly from the hard blow of air. "But you wouldn't understand anything a bout that would you? You're just a arrogant, unkind, stubborn... Boar-Q-Pine!!"

The other spun on his heels and stomped off, "UGH!" He huffed one last time the wind whipping harshly around him, causing some leaves to snap right off the trees in his wake as he disappeared into the forest, looking for his own dinner. For someone who grew up with the Air Nomads, he sure had trouble holding his temper in check. He always had, unable to really contain his emotions even though it was vital for him to find peace within himself. And of course emotions could stir bending, which was why little wisps of wind continued to circle around him.

He heard steps behind him, not needing to look back to know it was Ven following him. "You see this is why I didn't want to be Fire Nation! Because there are people like him. How can I be proud to be one of them, when they act so shamefully?!"

[Rikugurl]

Ventus watched in silence, his eyes looking from Soran to Axel and back until the bald brunette brow boy was off into the forest, the wind pulling at his heels. This was not the first time he had seen his friend like this. Niyol had been a true victim of Soran's wrath when he was younger. He also knew that Soran had a harder time than most of the pupils at the temple with his emotions and now it made sense. If he was truly born in the Fire Nation, it would explain the fire in his heart. Passion was something that was hard to get a handle on, which is why it spread like wild fire.

He looked back at the redhead who didn't seemed phased at any of this before quickly following after the Avatar. It wasn't hard to find his trail, leaves being clear from the air that whipped around him. "Soran, you shouldn't say such things. You remember what the monks taught us don't you? It is like Yin and Yang. All good people have a darkness in them and all bad people have a light. Though he wears the symbol of the Fire Nation and though his words make us feel like he represents the whole, entire nation, you must listen to his words. 'You shouldn't always listen to what people tell you. They will tell you things, expecting you to listen.' It is unfair to judge the Fire Nation on this man alone."

A gentle hand reached out and landed on Soran's shoulder, halting him. "As an Avatar... you can't make everyone happy. You can't change who people are. You can give them guidance and if they do not listen, that is your choice. You need to bring harmony and even if people like him are in this world, as long as an understanding is reached, it will only be the best you can do. I do not enjoy his company any more than you do, Soran, but it is not for us to judge..."
He gave the other a small smile before looking around. "Now come on, he have to find some food."

[Reno]

Teeth ground down, the young teen struggling to contain himself, but it wasn't until he heard the other's response that some of started to lift from him. He halted as the other did, and breathed out slowly, a long, meditating breath and slowly nodded. He was right of course.

He shut his eyes, nodding very shortly, and slowly the tension worked out from his muscles. "Yeah... you're right." He turned around and smiled. "Maybe we'll find some Leche nuts..."

They didn't find any Leche nuts, but they did find a great bushel of sweet berries and melon fruit. They brought back their finds to camp and ate happily, and afterwards there was a short apology give from Soran to Axel. Whether it was accepted or not the Avatar never knew because Axel said not a word. He was an insufferable sort.

It was going to be a long, long journey.


Tanned skin glimmered under the sunlight, dark blue eyes watching his opponent with care as he slunk across the ground as quite as a snake. He saw no flicker of interest, not even the slightest movement to tell him he'd been detected. A gleam appeared in his eyes as he rose his hands to his chest, holding them out and straight. He slowly moved them outwards from his chest in two wide arcs before they met each other in the middle, the arms making a wide circle.

Following his movement was the land, sand shifting to also surround his unaware opponent. He lifted his hands up and the sand around the other also did so in a great large wave. Finally, with exuberance, Terra called, "SURPRISE!" and pushed his hands down.

There was a loud yelp as the wolf was buried in an instant. A few moments later a dust cloud rose as Atteris burst from the sand, shaking his fur and growling in annoyance turning to see his master laughing at him. Ears twisted down in annoyance and the wolf snarled, and suddenly gave chase.
"AHAHAHA-WHA?-WAAAH!" Terra cried and spun, running as fast as he could. "Atteris, it was a joke! A joke!! A j--- AH!"

Thump!

The teenager groaned a bit, finding that he had tripped over a gnarled root of a tree. "Ooof!" He called as a sudden heavy weight laid down on him, Atteris wagging his tail happily.

[Rikugurl]

"So, nephew, are we going to train today or are you going to play in the sand with your puppy?" A shadow came over the boy, making him look up at his uncle who seemed to be ready for a day of training. His question was lighthearted of course, knowing that a boy and his dog was the best friendship one could have. He helped the young man up again before they both traveled off through the village to get to their training ground. As they passed a hut, the man paused and glanced at it, knowing that the boy's mother was inside. He promised her that he would let her know when they were training. "Let me inform your mother. Go on ahead to the training grounds." He ordered softly before ducking into the house.

As the young man headed up through the cavern and over the hills, every bit of shadow that he passed seemed to pull towards him and his wolf. When they reached the training ground, it was easy to note that something was out of place. There were no birds singing and no signs of any fauna.
"HEHEHEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEHEHEHEEE!!!"


It was unsuccessful, the morning that is. They had woken, dipped into the waters for a bath and dried before their clothes were wrapped around them again. They ate what was leftover from the night before and throughout all this time, Axel did not speak a word to him. He would mumble to Shesha, eating some leftovers himself as he shared with her and readied her for another day of flight. The first thing he voice was "We don't have time for that right now." when Soran asked him if he could show him some firebending. The camp fire was killed with a strong arm movement before they packed up.

Strong wings brought them back to the sky and with the wind blowing around them, Ventus felt calmer than he did on the ground this morning. While they were flying on the mighty Shesha, the blonde brow boy took his hands off the saddle and slowly started to move his torso in a circle, bringing up his arms to follow the motion. A gently burst of air wrapped around them and grabbed a small bit of cloud. He continued to move his arms freely, circling them around his head as his body continued to move in a circle. This mad the wind continue to spiral, making the clouds around them dance over head.

This caught Soran's attention and with the gentle spinning of the clouds and songs of the birds around them, it was easy for the Avatar to meditate the evils in his body that had built up again this morning. All this seemed to irritate the redhead but he didn't speak it out.
They continued to fly without interruption until they came over a small developed village. The wind suddenly stopped and the clouds stood still when the sound of screaming down below caught all their attention. Blue eyes looked over the red scales, seeing a clearing down below where a single figure was being surrounded by... shadows?

"Ah! We have to help him!"

[Reno]

"Playing sounds like more fun." Came the soft, wheezy complaint of the winded teen. Atteris however was quick to get off as the other Earthbender approached and yelped his master to his feet and together the three of them walked off back to the village and towards the old training grounds.

Terra nodded silently to his uncle as he went off to inform his mother, smiling happily as he headed towards the training grounds, his pet at his heels. "I wonder what we'll be learning today. I hope it's not more stance practice." He sighed in annoyance, knowing he did have to work on it though. If someone could break your stance, it was all over.

He blinked however as he headed up the slope, frowning as everything was so... quiet. That wasn't normal...

"Do you... hear anything Atteris?"
The dog just stayed silent, his ears flipping back with nervous tension. Even he could sense something was off as they stepped onto the level territory. Terra looked around uneasily... and knew they were in trouble when he heard the laughter and his dog started to growl.

He looked around as the Shadows started to move off the forest floor and become animated... and he didn't know what else to do but scream.


Soran sighed, his eyes shut as he breathed in and out at a steady rate, almost appearing to be asleep sitting up. But no, he was merely clearing his mind thanks to Ven. The world outside was disappearing, nothing let to him but the sound of the birds and the soothing feeling of the clouds moving by. He hardly even knew of the wind anymore...

But he stirred from his trance when it all suddenly stopped. his blue eyes fluttered open, about to glance back at Ventus and ask him if something was wrong... when the answer came down from below. "Huh?!" He looked down, his eyes widening at the sight of the man below and the dark shapes shifting seemingly... from the ground?!

"Ah, Axel!" Soran called to the red-head, but he gave only a spar glance over his shoulder as if he were inspecting the weather, before shrugging and announcing it wasn't their problem. "Isn't our-?!" Another scream from below made him look down just in time to see another dark shape beside the man lunging towards another.

He didn't think about it after that as he snatched up his staff and without a pause, leaped from the back of the dragon, wind whistling in his ears as he plummeting. He twisted his body so his head aimed down and the glider opened. He grabbed onto the wooden handles as he flew fast for the ground. His eyes widened, seeing the creatures crawling from the ground behind the man. "HEY! BEHIND YOU!"
The shout caught the man's attention and he looked up, his eyes widening at the boy flying towards him and getting closer every second. But Sora didn't mind it, Letting his glider close and twisting in the air, wind working around him like a protective ball and he landed straight behind the brunette with a bit of a bounce, swinging his staff outwards. Their was a gale that worked up, smacking into the shadow creatures and forcing them back into the forest.
"W...Who are you?!"
"A friend!" Soran replied without a pause, looking around. "What are these creatures?!"
The elder just shook his head, not having a clue, but a yelp drew his eyes forward seeing his wolf getting covered by those creatures and suddenly hurried towards them. "Atteris!"

[Rikugurl]

"SORAN!" Ventus shouted as the other jumped right off the dragon, down towards the scene.
"DAMMIT!" He heard the redhead call, realizing that it was his problem now. However, Ventus wasn't about to wait for this dragon to land. He was Soran's guardian. Quickly, he got to his feet, grabbing his own staff tightly before jumping off as well, not caring the slight free fall as the wind whipped around him. Like the other, he pulled his staff behind him and with a flick, it instantly turned into a sort of glider. His hands shot to the sides and he glided straight down towards the wolf.

He landed right next to the beast and without any hesitation, he flicked his wrist again for the glider to return into a staff. He quickly started to swirl it in his fingers and swung it around his head and with a heavy swing, grabbed it with both hands. A sudden burst of air shot out from all around him, blowing all the shadowed creatures back into the forest. The staff swirled around again before it clicked into a piece on his back and hands moved quickly in a near spasm move. From it, a small cyclone formed and blew around the arena. The boy moved closer to the ground as his hands continued to make the funnel swirl, grabbing all the remaining shadows.

Like doing an awkward backstroke, the funnel of air picked up and moved over him before his arms straightened to the sky, throwing all the shadows he had collected up into the blue before they disbursed into nothing from the sun.
"Haaa...... haaaa......" The boy's body relaxed as some breeze made his cloak flutter around him.

"TERRA!" A call from behind made all the boys look back, seeing a grown man running up to them, his face full of worry. "I heard you screaming, what's wrong!?"

[Reno]

The brunette never made it to his loyal pet - because another man came diving out of the sky and a powerful blast of wind knocked him right off his feet and on his ass. Finding it easier, since he could also bend the air to his will and make it swirl past him without interfering with his motion, he was quick to hurry to the brunette's side and help him to his feet. The man was in a bit of shock though, blue eyes wide as he watched the shadows fly up into the air and disappear into nothingness.

If Soran had time, he too would have been baffled, but they were quickly joined by a fourth - and one he again did not recognize.

"Ah... Well..." The brunette said, taken off-guard completely. Of course who could blame him? No one could name what just attacked him, nor why. And of course he didn't expect any HELP especially not from the SKY. He seemed to pause, then blushed bright red, giving the other a glance. "I did not scream! It was a manly yell! and I don't know! These... things came and attacked from the ground and-"

A high yelp broke him from his tirade though, seeing his dog struggle to get up only to fall back to the ground. "Atteris!" He was at the Bull-Wolf's side in an instant, feeling his front leg carefully, with almost practiced ease in fact. There was... something about him that told the airbenders he was very knowledgeable.
"Is he alright?" Soran asked in concern, hiding his surprise such a fearsome creature seemed so tame.
"He'll be fine, it's not broken, just sprained." The brunette mumbled back absent-mindedly.

[Rikugurl]

There was a lighthearted chuckle from the eldest man, knowing that Terra would never emit to something that would bend his pride. However, he tensed, hearing the pained cry from the beast not far away. He was actually taken back some when the boy next to the beast pulled his hood down, revealing bizarre tattoos. They would strike anyone as being odd but for those with access to books, which were plenty, recognized these markings. A careful eye glanced down at the boy standing next to him, his hood over his head as well. "You're Airbenders, is it?"

As the two in the back spoke softly to one another, the blonde brow boy watched the young brunette as he started to lift the creature, aiding it so it wouldn't have to walk. "What is that creature?" He asked softly, walking closer to examine it. He had never seen one in the books and it looked rather vicious to be a domestic pet.