Noo-ri rested in one the classier servant's quarters throughout their stay.

They had initially asked for him to bunk with Chul-rang, but on the premise that Noo-ri was to act like a maid, it was deemed inappropriate for their reputation, and so a separate lodging was prepared.

He was offered a change of clothes, but there's just one problem.

Lord Geun-tae had a sense of humour, and that was the fact that these were definitely a pair of Yun-ho's old clothes, with how gaudy and impressive they were.

The fact that they were girl's clothes was the least of the problems here.

Sure, it was worn out, it's something a good noble palace maid can wear outside of her uniform... so it fits the setting Noo-ri was supposed to abide with.

But, seriously... if he wants to go out, he'd rather stand out a little less.

In fact, he wasn't just sent here to hide out from the Fire Tribe.

-

"You'll probably have a lot of free time, so when you're bored go ahead and take a walk around the city," Lord-Mun-dok told him. He handed the boy a little sack, which the boy received with both hands. "Here, pocket money."

Noo-ri stared at it curiously. It's probably the first time he'd seen that much modern currency at once.

"Everyone once in a while, we send spies to survey the town just to see how they're doing," Tae-woo explained, pointing at his Grandfather, "like, check out the trade and see if there's anything new, or look around the sketchier parts and see how corrupt things are. It's like a little police thing the generals like to play with each other."

Noo-ri blinked-- so reconnaissance, is it?

"Usually, I have Han-dae do it, but he talks too much," Mun-dok sent a side glance at the boy, who chuckled bashfully. He turned back to Noo-ri. "You're not as well-known, and you're as nimble as a Wind child, so it should be easy for you."

"Plus, you're pretty good at laying low," Han-dae smiled at him, "I'm sure you'll do fine. Just take a tour around town and tell us if you find anything cool, alright? It's fine if you don't see anything special, either."

Noo-ri locked down slightly, cheeks a little flushed. He was being allowed to go off on his own, and he was even getting pocket money that he could spend?

(It sounded so... nice.)

"I'll try my best," he signed.

Tae-woo patted him on the head, chortling. "Don't think too hard! Just go out and have fun wherever you want, okay? And try not to get into trouble."

Noo-ri nodded.

(He was excited.)

-

Don't think too much about it and just go have fun, huh.

He closed the closet, and decided to go over and steal (sorry, I mean borrow) a pair of some other servant's clothes instead.

He picked out a pair of male clothes that had a stain and a tear in them, decided it was fit for him, and wore it.

If he was going to wander around the city, he should dress like his face.

Tae-woo and Han-dae were headed to the mines, and Noo-ri was told to busy himself in the town or the palace wherever. He remembered to take the pocket money from Grandpa Mun-dok, not that he was brave enough to use it.

Noo-ri stared at the little sack of money for the hundredth time.

He takes off the cloth mask, and looks himself in the mirror. The scar was quite a sight to behold when it wasn't covered...

Ah, that's right.

His bangs were left down in the maid disguise, to hide his features and to appear just a little more submissive as a servant. Since he was showing his scar anyways, he may as well parade it.

He brushed his hair upwards with his fingers, swiping his bangs to the back of his head-- then he fastened it there with a wooden clip he'd snatched from Yun-ho's room.

Now he positively looks like a hooligan.

He pulled at his cheeks, wondering if he still remembered how to smile like a ruffian. He gave up after a while cause it wasn't working at all.

Alright then.

Guess he'll go take a walk or something.

-

Earth Tribe lands are big and full of mountains.

Chi'shin is a pretty luxurious city, lined by weapon stores, game houses, and grand restaurants. Noo-ri, with his scar and all, stayed in the alleys and wandered the slums.

He felt more at home there, because once they found out he was mute, they didn't look at him with disdain, rejection, or even disappointment.

Instead, their eyes flashed with understanding. Quickly, they shifted gears, dragging him around the community and introducing him to others who knew the language of the crooks. Lots were war veterans, so many knew.

Noo-ri's never felt more comfortable. Everyone could understand him, as if he was a person that could speak.

(It made him so happy.)

-

"How old are you?" one of them, a one-footed war veteran that did not name himself, asked.

"I'm not sure," he signs to the man, "I'm an orphan."

It's a lie, but in a community like this, there can never be enough secrets to hold.

They bring him around, helping him assimilate with the group. They chatter and gossip about the town, letting biased opinions on politics and economics swirl around.

This was really the best place to learn about a country.

Noo-ri finds himself in a slum-run orphanage, where a little lady was teaching the much younger children how to write their names. On the other hand, a teenager missing an eye taught the children how to playfully swing wooden swords in battle.

It was peaceful, even in the slums.

There were people ridden with sickness, but they did their best. They had meager shelter and a scarcity of food, but they made do. They had too many children, but they never let any of them go.

Like Guen, this town loved its people.

They have little on their own, but they treasure what little they have.

His blood was definitely in this town, in each of these people. The spirit of the town was looked after by the legacy of the White Dragon that left it behind.

It's minuscule, but it is definitely there.

Noo-ri couldn't help but smile to himself, feeling the nostalgic warmth of the White Dragon fill him with hospitality.

-

Everyone gave his face a very repulsed look, but no one's asked. Noo-ri isn't too sure which is ruder, but he honestly wouldn't mind.

He sat on the roof of a very tall building, admiring the sunshine, the fresh air, and the wind from the sea.

So there's a port town a little over that way, he thought, taking in the cacophony. There's a very faint smell of the sea.

It felt nice to finally run around in pants again.

He put his hands between his legs, closing his eyes and enjoying the wind of the town. It's heaven compared to his month in the jungle.

Although he loved the Wind too, the Earth had a roughness to it that he felt more at home in. If the Wind Tribe was a warm hug, the Earth Tribe was akin to a strong shoulder to lean on.

Maybe it's because he'd spent so much time in the Fire tribe, curled up in his village and never having enough space to run-- but this town, and the Wind, both felt liberating.

He felt like a free person, and if he could, he'd spread his wings and wish he could fly.

He turned to the sky-- and for a surprised second, he thought he saw something green flash by, soaring through the skyline and vanishing into the distance, like a bird.

...wait. Huh?

No, that was no imagination.

He swirled to attention, and sure enough, something leapt up in the distance, like a very tall bunny hop. The figure landed on a roof before he bounced away again. He was too far out for Noo-ri to chase, but it was very clear from where he sat.

"Lord Shuten?"