Of Air and Earth

[Phantom]

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Republic City[/SIZE]
Early-mid Morning
@EmilyHuene, @Phantom​

Mika's day did not start out well. First, she had been up almost all night patrolling as Gaia, arriving back into her apartment ten minutes before she is called in to investigate a recent crime scene. Being the Blind CSI had it's advantages and disadvantages. Advantage; she notices things that most people wouldn't. Disadvantage; no pedestrian or regular officer takes her seriously, assuming that she is truly blind, and sometimes deaf.

So, after she gains all the information she can, she is dismissed from the crime scene and sent to rest, the lead detective realizing that Mika looked like she hadn't slept in 48 hours. Which, was close to the truth. So, stopping by the presinct to rid herself of the cumbersome armor that the field officers absolutely must wear, she walked back to her humble abode. As she was walking, she could 'see' everyone and everything, and yet, she couldn't see the person right in front of her, until she knocked them both to the ground.

The streets weren't busy at this time of day, so there wasn't too many people to see their epic fail. Mika looked straight ahead, to what she assumed was the woman's face, trying to get a good read but it was hard when there was a body between her and the ground. "I am so sorry! I didn't see you there!"

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[EmilyHuene]

Her feet were light as air. Walking seemed so trivial now that she could fly whenever she felt like it. She practically forgot to use her feet when walking. That's what brought her to collide with the person heading straight for her. Mei had been so taking in the sights of the city for all that it had changed. The people she couldn't care about. But, seeing the spirits float around and lie out among the roofs was an amazing thing to see. Someone chose to stay visible, others hid themselves from the humans. It was nice to see them making a life for themselves.

CRASH!

Mei fell to her butt and called at the person who'd crashed into her, "Hey! Careful!"

"I am so sorry! I didn't see you there!"

Getting to her feet she would brush herself off and look at the woman more carefully now. Brown hair, green clothes -clearly and earth bender. But then she noticed the eyes. She was blind! Just like her brother....Mei was suddenly putting her hand on the girl's shoulder and starting to lift her up. Her complete demeanor had changed as her parent mode kicked in. She'd spent her whole life caring for her brother even though most of the time he didn't need it. But Mei didn't know that this girl could see just as he could.

"Here let me help you up! Don't worry about it. Are you alright?"

@Phantom

 

[Phantom]

Mika appreciated the help of the strange woman, thanking her as she was helped from the ground, "Yes, I'm fine, thank you."

The girl obviously knew how to act with a Blind person, and was oblivious to the fact that Mika could see everything that was touching the ground. From what Mika could 'see' the girl looked perfectly normal, but the way that her image was faded and flickering showed her that the woman was an airbender - most airbenders tended to be light on their feet.

Looking back on the accident, Mika realized that it was kind of her fault that she didn't see the woman, the lavabender was too tired to notice the flickering image right infront of her until it was too late. "Hey, I was on my way to get some Coffee. Care to join me? Consider it an apology for so rudely knocking you over."

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Hey, I was on my way to get some Coffee. Care to join me? Consider it an apology for so rudely knocking you over."

"Coffee?" she had to think about it for a minute. "Um...sure. Yeah alright."

It's not like she had anything else to do. She was here for the event tonight, that was about it. If she went around exploring the city she'd likely end up getting into trouble. She wasn't exactly a fan of the way most humans mistreated the spirits around here. She was sure to get in a fight with at least one person if left unsupervised. And speaking of having a babysitter, she wondered where her brother was at this time of day...

Gently cradling her arm in the girl's she would start walking them off the street and over to a less crowded section so they could take more in private. Plus, Mei didn't really know where she was going. It would be weird taking directions from a blind person. That's just what it was. But she kept a smile on her face and tried to seem cheery. Why had she agreed to this again? She hated interacting with people. Maybe it was the fact she was just like her blind brother. She could look this girl in the eyes and never have to worry about being judged by her stares.

"So I'm Mei. I didn't catch your name."

 

[Phantom]

"Mika. It's nice to meet you Mei." She walked a few more meters, subtly nudging Mei in the right direction, before pointing in the general direction of where the shop would be. "The coffee place should be on your right in about 3... 2... 1!" Mika stopped them in front of a small building with a fabric overhanging roof, and the window underneath said, "Pip's Coffee House."

Mika nudged Mei forward as both girl's went inside. The most glaring thing that Mei would notice upon entry is that all of the staff were spirits. A few were flying around and refilling mugs while the ones who couldn't fly brought out food, or worked behind the counter. When they reached the counter, a blue spirit came to greet them. He had several name tags that read; Pip #1. Pip #2, and Pip#3.

Once Pip had their orders, he split up into three different parts, Pip #1 and Pip #2 went to prepare the drink while #3 went to help another customer with their order. "Have you ever been to this place before?"

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Mika. It's nice to meet you Mei."

"Mika," she repeated to make sure she remembered it for later.

Mei kept them at an honest pace so the blind woman would not feel rushed or oppositely like she was being led into something. She wanted her to feel calm and in control. But it seemed that Mika had both of those under control and even seemed to be leading her. She was quite aware of herself. Much like her brother was.

"The coffee place should be on your right in about 3... 2... 1!"

"Pip's Coffee House," Mei read aloud. "That the place?"

Her answer was a push toward the door and she laughed and tried to get out of the blind woman's way. "OK OK! Sheesh where's the fire?"

Suddenly she stopped right in her tracks as she caught sight of all the spirits flying about and running back and forth at her feet. "Oh wow!" She exclaimed in a breathy whisper. The coffee shop was completely run by the spirits which put a lovely strain on Mei's heart. She wanted to cry seeing them have a place of their own. But, in the same bitter sweet emotion, she wondered if they were even here by choice....or forced to work. She tried not to imagine the latter.

Mika would order herself a drink and then ask Mei what she wanted. She had to think about it for a moment because of all the selections. So many different strains of tea and coffee. How could anyone settle with just one? But her eyes fell upon a title called Cherry Blossom Lotus so she had to give it a try.

"Have you ever been to this place before?"

"Never," she replied while her eyes continued to find new exciting things about the place. The decorations on the walls, the tapestry hung from the banisters, even the adorable little bobble head doll of the late Avatar sitting by the windowsill.

"I can't believe spirits run their own establishment. How long has it been this way? I um....mean how long has this shop been in business?" She needed to know he lingering threat on her mind if the spirits were actually in charge of themselves, but didn't want to insinuate that they weren't.