#ddmaiga

@ddmaiga

there’s something wrong with mai’s body language.

sometimes, it’s unsure. other times, it may be shy, but she’s never been this closed off to soliya before. body language and the way you feel from it are all a feedback loop, and because humans are such social creatures, sometimes we mimic the motions of those closest to us. soliya’s has been open and welcoming ever since the beginning of their evening together - choosing to forego a late dinner with the dadhi’s to spend time in an ‘official’ capacity in a relatively private garden on the property.

soli lays on her side in the soft grass, robes of soft yellows and muted oranges pooling around her ankles. her left arm is bent at the elbow, upper half propping against the ground, the lower half supporting her head as she observes out loud. “you’re uncomfortable.” other hand coming up, she brushes a few blades of grass from the sleeve of mai’s clothing. “is something bothering you?”

instincts tell her to move closer and press her forehead against mai’s to check her temperature, but that may be just a bit too intimate for what is technically still within easy eye-sight of her family. “what is it that i can do for you?” it’s half a question, half a soul-search because soli’s never seen mai like this before. in fact, she doesn’t even have the proper words to describe it. 

@nhjinga @ddmaiga

( ` tugs at his collar repeatedly, fanning himself with his clothing. weather isn’t too uncomfortable, but being in constant motion for the past few days has got him weary. the sun’s up high, hat on his head a small blessing. he’s trying not to complain. given the circumstances, there technically isn’t much to complain about in the first place ) ( ` brows furrowing, he squints at what he sees ahead, familiar with the scene seeing as how they’ve been here just yesterday. something’s out of place, however. it isn’t too out of place for someone to be around; they aren’t the only two people in the world. but a funny feeling sinks in anyhow, and it isn’t just from not having taken a proper break after their last meal )

you see them too, right? ( ` it’s not reasonable to be paranoid in broad daylight, but ) ( ` nods at the growing figure coming their way, half hoping jin will humor him and say no. he could use a laugh, it’s almost always lonely with strangers ) ( ` they don’t stop in their tracks, assuming the person’s passing by them to their own destination too. the closer they get, however, sian makes out the traveler’s face, growing more and more unsettled at what’s to come )

Six years ago, post-council Ba Sing Se

“Mai.” His voice is quiet but not small, a contrast to how it is within those high walls. He could say all he wants but never not at the cost of being shut down during the point he’s trying to make. So tonight there’s a gut feeling he wants to follow up on, something that tells him he might not be so alone in feeling defeated. She’s one of the first out of the hall. All the more reason to bother her while he can.

Gun shuffles down the steps, catching up to her with ease. If she’s in a hurry, it does take one to know one. Hopefully for the reasons he suspects. Otherwise, scratch the whole “I am you, you are me” sentiment or whatever. He blows raspberry, making sure they’re both at the same stride. “Weather’s nice tonight, isn’t it?” A start. Because it really is anyway. A fresh breath of air. God forbid being with family is, too.