Welcome to Gaia! ::

Located near the park, it is a large building where there is always repose for the sick and infirm. There is a simple clinic for minor illnesses and injuries, as well as space for operations and more serious cases. Both waterbenders with healing abilities and standard medics can be found working side by side to help those in need of medical aid here in Republic City.

~Ari Akina~

The day had been quite uneventful, and Ari was ready for something interesting to happen. She quickly clocked out and left the hospital, not even stopping to say goodbye to the other ladies in the nurses lockerroom like usual. She was excited to return to the park. Hoping to see that cute firebender again and all the friends she had made this morning. She left the hospital in high hopes and with the slightest of blushes on her cheeks.

~Exits to park~

Shaz Vertici

A small crowd formed in front of the hospital. A young man stood within the center of the crowd drawing everyone's attention. The bright rays of the sun caused a glare in the man's glasses, which hid his green eyes. A small crate rested behind the young man, which was filled with various items.

The young man carefully removed an object that was wrapped in a fine silk. He handled the object with care, as if it was a new born within his arms. "I must ask that everyone take a couple of steps back." he responded in a monotone voice.

Some of the people in the crowd seemed reluctant at first but everyone took a step back eventually. Once the man had some room; he removed the silk cloth from the item and revealed a sword. It was obvious that the sword was old and from a different era, yet it was well kept and appeared to be in a superb condition. The man tightly grasped the hilt of the sword and displayed a fine show of swordsmanship. Within the young man's hand the sword seemed to be less of a tool and more of an extension of his arm. His movements with the Chinese blade was very impressive for one so young. His show was brief but long enough to cause the crowd to cheer and clap in an uproar.

Once the young man was finished, he wrapped the blade back into the fine silk where it once rested. He set the blade back to the confines of the crate and began distributing small business cards.

"That's right folks Royal Lotus, Imperial Trade has what you need. From elixir's of distant lands to twelfth century Ming dynasty weapons." He continued to promote the business, while he handed out his business cards. " Remember folks if you need it we can probably order it. My name is Shaz Vertici and I hope to see you all there." He promoted his business flawlessly and he held passion in his voice yet his tone came off rather dull.

Shaz Vertici

Shaz had diverted his attention from the crowd, once they began dispersing. He focused on his crate of rare pieces. He seemed to ignore the commotion around him as he fiddled with the crate. It was as if he closed himself off from the world itself. However his concentration was broken once he felt the presence of another bender. It was an ability than Shaz never boasted about and one that he kept secret. Once the woman was close enough to him he was able to sense that she was a bender, even though he had no idea as to what element she commanded.

'Ah bender?' Shaz's eyes narrowed slightly at the very thought of another bender. He wanted nothing to do with benders but the women's words changed all that.

" I am sorry but you are incorrect the words amazing cannot justify this sword. Amazing no.... divine would be more appropriate in this case. This sword is from my personal collection and one of the only items that I refuse to sell. I was debating weather to bring it out today or not earlier today. " Shaz spoke in a rather calm nature unlike before; it was clear that he thought highly of his sword. The passion in his voice ran down his lips fluently like a waterfall. He turned around to view the woman young who admired his sword. His attention was soon shifted to the woman's naginata. Like a timid deer Shaz took a step forward towards the women. He placed his right elbow into the palm of his left hand and his fingers, from his right hand, below his lips. Which was a posture that Shaz often took. He examined the women's naginata. The blade the women carried was not the best he has ever seen, nor was it the oldest, however he had to admit that the blade was well crafted and of a high quality.

"There's an old saying, A man places his soul into his work. With that being said it is clear that who ever forged that blade gave it their all. If you are able to maintain it's condition I assure you that it will be worth ten times it's original value."

Shaz Vertici

It was a rare sight to behold indeed but Shaz held a dumbfound look upon his face. He had become so fascinated with the craftsmanship of the women's naginata that he had failed to introduce himself. Of all people Shaz knew of the importance of presenting one's self with a good first impression. It was a lesson that his father drilled into his head time and time again. It was very important to Shaz, especially since he was a young businessman.

"Please forgive, I forgot my manners." Shaz broadcasted with a slight bow of his head out of respect. "My name is Shaz Vertici, I am a collector of rare pieces and owner of the Royal Lotus-Imperial Trade."

Shaz could have been considered to be somewhat of a complex individual. He often remained calm around others, yet he could come off as being very distant socially. However he always made his best attempts to represent himself in a positive, professional and respectful manner when dealing with his business. It could prove to be difficult for someone to decipher Shaz's true personally and motives. But Shaz's closest friend, who is also his roommate, once described Shaz as a body of water. When still a body of water is calm; until acted upon by an outside force. Thought Shaz may not admit it but the statement held some truth to it. New people, especially other bender, caused riptides towards this still body of water.

Despite his personality flaws Shaz seemed to grow accustom to Tokiko's presence, for the time being. It may have not appeared so but Shaz loosed his collar and let his hair down a bit around the bender. An apparent frown was casted upon Shaz's face when he witnessed the dullness of Tokiko's blade. He tried to fix his face as he did not wish to offend her.

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you Tokiko. You know what, I think I might...." He paused as he turned his back on the Tokiko abruptly to return to his crate. He scoured the wooden box in hopes to obtain a particular item. "Ah here we go." A cheerful tone responded.

Shaz took a few steps towards Tokiko and held out his hand. A green stone no bigger then a baby cabbage rested in the palm of his hand. The green stone held a couple of holes in it which resembled that of sea corral. The stone was also far lustrous and had a bit of scratches visible on the surface.

"Use this on your naginata, it's a weightstone to sharpen your blade. As a matter of fact it is the same type of stone that I use to sharpen most of my curved blades back at the shop."

The stone that Shaz held was different from the common weightstone's that people often used. It's appearance was green and it looked very old as if it belonged from a different era. One could assume that is was another one of Shaz's rare pieces.

" Just be careful when you use it, you don't want to use up the entire stone in one sitting."

Shaz knew of the rarity of this item but as a businessman he knew that some times you have to be willing to part with product to gain a customer.

Shaz Vertici

The woman's pleasing words caused Shaz to smile. He took the posture he was so accustom to. He placed his elbow into the palm of his hand and rested his fingers along his chin. He nodded his head a couple of times asTokiko inspected the stone.

"Your very welcomed Tokiko, if you are ever in need of more I do carry a few at the shop. From weapons, herbs, or rare artifacts my store has it all."

Shaz soon returned his focus to his crate, he began packing his thing to move to another part of town.

"So tell me Tokiko, what brings you to the hospital today? By the looks of it you appear much to fine to be ill."

Even though his eyes were not focused on the young bender, he still devoted his time to her. It looked as if he was almost done packing and ready to set out to gather more customers for his shop.

Shaz Vertici

Shaz took hold of the heavy crate and walked towards his white car. Fortunately is car was only a few steps away, which would lessen the strain of the crate. He struggled a bit but managed to get the heavy crate into the back seat of his car. While adjusting the crate, listened to every word the women had to offer.

"Oh so you heal patients and refuse to accept pay that is very noble of you." Shaz did not mention it but his abilities were true as the woman was indeed a bender. 'It is quite obvious that Tokiko is a water bender if she has the ability to heal.'

"So you fire bend people back to perfect health?" Shaz said jokingly as he attempted to use humor, even though his joke was not that humorous. Shaz's attempt to make small talk soon ended once Tokiko mentioned her father being ill.

"I am sorry I did not mean for you ... um bring up such a thing." He remained silent for a few moments as he knew it must have been a sensitive topic for the young bender.

Shaz always admired water benders ability to heal others. He felt some what envious towards them seeing how he was truly unable to preform such acts.

"Was there any particular herbs that could help with your father's condition? If so I could see what I could do." His tone switched back to its original calm yet dull manner, however he did sound concerned.