Private with Sombra Arcana

[Infinite Eclipse]

"Black peach tea, mmm, that sounds really good," I said imagining what it could possibly taste like. My dream forgotten by now I felt light on my feet. "How long do you think it'll take us to get to our next destination?" I asked smiling. Suddenly I smelt smoke and stopped in my tracks letting go of Vaas's hand. I turned to look at what could be causing it, to find black smoke rising to the sky from an area to our left. It looked as though someone had a campfire going, but it was daylight and extremely hot. Then I realized there weer breaks in the smoke as if someone were writing code. Suddenly I knew what was happening. "Someone is trying to send a smoke signal over there. From what I can tell it's an s.o.s. Maybe someone got lost out here and needs help," I said and took a cautious step in the direction.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I was walking with her hand on mine, peacefully thinking about the future. Hmmm, maybe a day or day and a half more, Miki. I said with no really having a hurry to reach the port. As she let go of my hand, I became worried. I knew something was up, when I saw the smoke, but when she told me that there was an S.O.S. message going through smoke signals, I really became worried and overprotective. Are you going to go towards there? Are you sure? Is it safe? I said as I stepped a bit towards the front in the same direction as Miki. I could nto sense any vibrations on the ground, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy. IF you're going, I will be going with you too. I said really stubbornly to her.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"I'm sure it's just a traveler like us who's just gotten lost on their way to the next town. Yes I'm going to go check it out and I figured you wouldn't let me go alone if I wanted to," I told him with a smile. I placed my hand on his cheek softly. "We can't get paranoid thinking that every strange thing is someone coming after us," I told him before removing my hand and heading in the direction of the smoke.


The closer I got the clearer an outline of a man became. "Hello? Sir, are you lost?" I asked moving closer. Hearing my voice the man stopped fanning the smoke and stood up off the ground. He was of reasonable height and had light brown hair that was cut short. His skin was tanned, probably from being out here in the desert area.


"Yes, actually. I was hoping to reach the port between the Earth Nation and the Water Nation," He said with a relieved smile across his face.


"That's where we're heading. If you'd like you can tag along with us," I said taking note of his different garb. It took me a moment before I realized that it was the clothing of the Water Nation. "You're from the Water Nation?" I asked.


He nodded, "I was taken from my village by some Fire Nation soldiers along with some others from my village about a week ago. I managed to escape, but I got lost on my way back."


I was shocked to hear that Zota had crossed borders with The Water Nation without me hearing of it. I was still in the Fire Nation when this happened and I wasn't informed? "I see. Well I'm Mikayla and that is Vaas," I said throwing my thumb over my shoulder pointing to Vaas.


"It's nice to meet you. I'm Taro," he said grabbing my hand and kissing it softly. He let go and stood up straighter.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

As I walked beside Miki and saw the man from afar, I felt relieved to see he was not a part of the fire nation and not a hostile either. My body tensed up as he spoke about his past and the situation with the fire nation. Oh shit, we must continue to have our identities hidden. I see. I am Vaas from the Earth Nation. We're heading to the port to sail towards the closest water continent. I said with a smile as I stretched my hand towards him. I did feel jealousy when he kissed Miki's hand, but I remained silent.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"If you want to come with us go ahead and grab your things we've got about a day and a half of travel left before we reach the port," I told him remembering Vaas's answer to my earlier question. Taro smiled and put out the small fire he'd been using to send smoke signals then grabbed a backpack.


"This sure is kind of you guys. I really appreciate it," he said shaking Vaas's outstretched hand. I could tell that Taro could hold his own, but if he was to get into a quarrel with Vaas he'd probably be doomed. He walked over to stand next to me as I began to walk back in the direction of the port.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I smiled at Taro and then at Miki, widely and warmly. I knew that if something happened, I would be ready to fight in a waterless place.I was kind of jealous when he stood next her. Maybe we can reach even faster if we go at a faster pace. I said smiling. I had thought that if Taro had to start a problem between us, I would be the first to react to the thing. We needed to find the avatar and no one was going to separate myself from Mikayla.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"I didn't think we were in a rush? The faster we go Vaas the more water we are gonna want and we really don't have too much and I don't see anything around here remotely close to have any water. Let's just pace ourselves," I said a small forced smile on my face. He seems a bit off. Though he was smiling I was detecting something odd about his suggestion.


"I think she's right. If I've learned anything from traveling in the Earth Nation it's that water becomes a majorly hard resource to keep up. Being a water bender I can sometimes draw water from the air, but it is rather dry in this are so even I'm not much use for keeping up a store of it," Taro said looking at Vaas.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I nodded as I realized that maybe I just rushed the things a little. I am sorry, I was thinking about how Taro might just return to his hometown and such. Since, I am accustomed to be with little water, I hardly noticed. I said with a small frown. I looked around and stretched my hand to intertwine with Miki's fingers, while I sighed heavily and looked forward. So, Taro, tell me more about you. What do you like to do for a hobby, something about yourself or a weird quirk you want to share with us.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

I allowed his fingers to intertwine with my own, but it felt different than it had before. It didn't feel as relaxed as it had earlier. Vaas didn't seem happy and I was a bit unsure why. Taro looked a bit taken off guard being put on the spot. "Oh, um I don't know. Water Bending has always been what I did for fun. I liked to freeze water and unfreeze it a lot of the time. You see I'm from the northern part of the water continent so ice is a big part of my life," he replied not really knowing what to say in response to the question. I could tell he wasn't often asked about himself.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I see. I said to myself as I lingered deep in thought if I could trust him or not. I tried to keep my body calm and quiet to the topics and remained silent for a while. Ice? I've never seen ice, but the one in my iced teas and iced coffees. How is it like? I asked out of curiosity, trying to see if there was something, I could say to make the mood feel better than the tense situation they were in right now.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"Oh, um well it's...cold? I don't really know what to say, I've never had anyone ask me what ice was like," Taro said obviously baffled by the question. The Fire Nation was sometimes cold enough in winter to have snow and ice, but most of the time fire benders would melt it. Taro glanced down at our hands and piped up with a question of his own, "Y'all a couple?" My eyes widened and my cheeks went pink. I hadn't really thought about us as a couple for some reason and wasn't sure how to answer.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I nodded as he was telling a little bit of how was having an ice covered nation. Well, I know little about it. The Earth Nation is hot and pretty much dry all day long. Even if the temperatures lower, ice cannot be found. I shrugged as I answered his previous statement. Then, I heard his question about us and couldn't help but smile at it. Miki was pinkish and reddish, but I was quite the opposite. I felt joyful. We are heading down that road. It's still unofficial, but...I winked an eye to Taro.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

Taro smiled at Vaas and gave a small laugh at us. I looked down at the ground and suddenly felt extremely awkward. We hadn't really been open about our relationship to anyone until now. "Um, can we just talk about something else?" I asked wanting to change the subject to something a little more comfortable. Taro's smile fell and he touched my shoulder, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make things feel weird." His touch was odd and made me glance at Vaas worriedly. I hope he isn't gonna get upset about that...

 

[Sombra Arcana]

You're not making things weird. I said as I glared at his hand rest upon Miki's shoulder. I did not said anything and brushed it off as if I didn't cared. It did matter to me, but I was not going to cause a problem because of it. So Taro, do you have a special someone? I did dare to ask the man who was obviously flirting with my love interest. Yet, it was also part of my curiosity about what was happening at the moment with his life.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

Taro slowly removed his hand and placed his hands on the back of his head. "No I don't, but I'm always open to meeting someone," Taro said grinning somewhat mischievously. I let go of Vaas's hand and walked ahead a bit feeling a bit outnumbered by the two boys. I just felt I needed some air away from the testosterone. I wish I could tell how Vaas really felt about Taro coming along... Taro looked at Vaas still grinning.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I see. I grinned back at him. I was wondering what was on Miki's mind, but it was not a place nor time to talk about my thoughts and suggestions about the companions. I just wanted to reach the port and then head out in separate ways. I didn't want to be rude, but why did we have to meet him. I sighed heavily as Miki left my side. SO, then you're looking for a companion? Do you have someone in mind? I said with a grin that outmatched his

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"Nope," Taro said rolling his eyes a bit when he noticed Vaas's seemingly competitive smile. "If you're worried about me being interested in Mikayla I can assure you that I am most definitely not into her," Taro said grasping what was possibly bothering him. I heard Taro's words and whipped around hands on my hips.


"What is that supposed to mean?"


"Oh no nothing against you or anything! You're lovely it's just you aren't my type," Taro said scratching the back of his neck.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I sighed in relief as I heard that he wasn't a direct competitor. It was marvelous to know that I had Mikayla only for me. I wasn't going to share her eitherway. She was special to me. Oh god. No. I whispered as I saw Miki got angry at Taro. This couldn't end well, but I had to find a way to lessen the tension. Um, Miki. What are your thoughts about the trip?

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"Vaas, subject change isn't really what I need right now. I'm curious Taro, you've known me for what all of twenty minutes and you have already deducted that I'm not your type?" I said doing quotations around the word type. How was it that he could already not like me? He just met me!


"You've got me all wrong. I like you just fine you just don't have a..." Taro motioned towards his pants.


My cheeks immediately went red with embarrassment. How did I not guess!? "I'm so sorry I didn't know you were-"


"Gay? Yeah most people can't tell at first," he said dismissing my apology with a wave of his hand.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

Oh. I said with my low tone of voice, as I saw the cheeky smile of Taro. My cheeks flustered for a litle while, making my face look similar to a tomato. How could I not see it. I was the one whom he was flirting with. I stood there silently as I continued walking. I had nothing against gay people, but I wasn't swinging that way. My silence was my protest.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

"Hey Vaas chill. I was just fucking with you. I'm not into guys who are in relationships anyway," Taro said patting Vaas's shoulder reassuring him. I laughed a bit noticing Vaas's reaction. "Now that we have all that out of the way maybe we should get a move on," I suggested with a smile.


(Want to time skip until the next camp stop?)

 

[Sombra Arcana]

(Sure)


I felt a little uncomfortable for a while, but eventually the feeling left off. Taro was quite an amazing person and was a good man by heart. I couldn't trust him completely, but at least I felt at ease. We walked for hours, and managed to get near to an oasis again to refill our canteens with water. Nightfall was close, so I suggested to build a small cave to protect from the sandstorms and also to camouflage ourselves from the soldiers of the fire nation.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

I agreed to Vaas's suggestion and so did Taro. Knowing that Vaas was the only earth bender I grabbed some sticks and started to make a place for a fire. I was about to light it when I realized that Taro couldn't know I was from the Fire Nation, he'd probably think that we were enemies leading him into a trap. Old fashion way I guess... I took two pieces of flint and struck them together until it made a spark. I was irritated that it had taken so long. I'd begun to rely on my fire bending. Taro looked as though he didn't know what to do, but he wanted to be of use. "Taro, sit down and rest. There isn't much else to do at this point," I told him. Taro nodded and sat down next to the growing fire.

 

[Sombra Arcana]

I smiled at Taro and Miki as I moved the earh to make a cozy shelter for the three of us. I sighed in relief as I sat down next to Miki, who was trying to build a fire from the old way. I thought it would be because it had to do with the fact she didn't want Taro to realize she was a fire bender. I looked at Taro and smiled. Can you feel if there are any water currents underneath the sand. I would be pretty comfortable to have a small refreshing stream to wash ourselves.

 

[Infinite Eclipse]

Taro nodded in response seeming overjoyed to have a job to do. He closed his eyes and let out a breath before touching the ground with both hands. After a few minutes he removed his hands and opened his eyes. "There are currents coming from over there," Taro reported pointing a little way away from the group. I smiled at him thankful that we would soon actually have a close by water source.