Thread: AVATAR: An Icy Burn-Out (BennyQ/Sketchyequine)

Rikkar burst out with laughter when the Firebender couldnt take it no more. It was a musical laugh, as mirthful as one could be when tied to a tree and threatened with torture and death to come. Getting on her nerves, this Zinni, was still a victory to him. He paused a moment in his laughter when the acorn struck his abdomen, pricking him no more than a fly might, but it didnt stop him from feeling bemused. He was still grinning ear to ear when she got up and walked over. Perhaps to threaten him with the knife or fire again? Instead she did him a service, which only increased his amusement further. He even lifted his strong legs up so that she didnt have to bend down so far. Very comfortable. Thank you. He said, wiggling his toes and stretching out. Of course now there was little to do as she walked off to eat. And with nothing to do but watch, he began to realize just how hungry he was at the sight of food. His stomach rumbled like some angry beast in a den but Rikkar refused to beg or ask for it. Better to starve quicker than to die a slow death in a Fire Nation prison somewhere. Everyone seemed to be getting fed except him though and it was hard to stay disciplined with that assignation of his. Ze grazed the fresh forest grass. Zinni enjoyed her meat strips. Even Milo came rippling out to gobble up a morsel. Still he refused to ask, even when Zinni came over and stood in front of him. Such manners though! She grabbed his jaw and practically force fed him the morsel, which he didnt deny. Shame and failure. He ate it, because his whole body ached for it. Spirits, was this what they were going to do to him in prison? It was too late to spit it out. Thanks. He mumbled again. It did not satisfy him much. She strode off and settled for slumber as night fell. The sun sank and coolness swept over the forest, prickling his half-naked body. Well, he was used to that, living in a place of perpetual ice and snow. Yet he was still discomforted. He was tied awkwardly. His limbs fell numb and the tree pricked his back. Often he thought he felt insects crawling over him, causing him to jerk about. But he didnt ask for a reprieve or any sort of service. Not from her. Not from the bitch who killed his friends and comrades. Well, not her exactly. Not directly. But she belonged to the people who did. And she intended to do the same to him. Trapped with a whirlwind of thoughts, of boredom, fear, desperation, and anger, Rikkar didnt know when he slept. Vivid, phantom sensations of Zinnis hand on his body would twitch him awake, only to realize it was memories deep in his subconscious and not the coming of dawn when she came to wake him. It happened often and he did not know why. Did he crave it? It disgusted him frankly to even consider that. She was his enemy, not his friend. Not ever to be his lover. The same whirlwind would pick up again, ignited by consciousness, and then he would fall back into a restless sleep. Morning came but he was too exhausted to greet the rising of the sun. He slept, chin tucked to his chest, arms above, legs stretched, breathing contently and without bother. Not even when five pairs of feet approached. Smoke from Zinnis campfire the previous day had given them away. They had seen it. Desperate vagabonds, half of them soldiers who deserted the Earth Kingdom, or outright bandits, or those who had lost everything and had nothing else to lose. A motley collection of men and women, made cruel by their circumstances. They saw the beast. They knew there was a Fire Nationer around. And all alone. Crooked tooth grins where shared. Long moustaches were stroked eagerly. They would take this miserable bitch and make a sport out of her, as her people had done to theirs. They moved to surround. Only two of them were Earth-Benders. The rest were armed with spears and clubs. Unfortunately, none suspected Milo to be lurking in the bushes either. One stepped on his tail. He squawked loudly enough to wake every living thing in a mile radius and promptly bit the foot. He cried out in shock. Everything unfolded so fast. Rikkar groaned awake, fluttering his eyes, wondering what the ordeal was this time with his pet. He looked in the direction of the noise, seeing shapes, and no doubt Zinni would as well. But who would see the spearman break from the bushes behind her and rush at her silently and quickly, intent on whacking her behind her head with the base of his spear shaft. Rikkar could tell they were no friends to any of them. Behind you! He shouted to Zinni, before trying to get to his feet as well. He didnt get far, suddenly aware he was bonded and tied up. He growled and tried to wiggle, even as the fighting began. Two spearmen leapt at Zinni, while one of the Earth-Benders, a middle aged woman, stomped her foot into the ground and caused a large boulder to rise. She spun and kicked it, sending it whirling at Zinni. There were just too many.