Grand Sage Leafy

Personality:

Leafy is a kind, caring man. He goes out of his way to make people feel welcome and help them settle in. He is loyal and protects his friends at all costs. He can be sarcastic and has a good sense of humor, which he often uses to ease the tension of rough situations. Despite his loving nature, he suffers from severe self-esteem issues and does not think himself deserving of anything. That is why he is so generous - he wants to let other people know they are loved because he doesn’t want them to feel like he does.

The Beginning:

Hello, people of the world. My name is Leafy, and I'm going to tell you about my life.
I was born in Republic City to a baker from the Earth Kingdom named Mako Mankonshek, and a former member of the Fire Nation Military named Fumiko Tesson. My birthname, surprise surprise, is not actually Leafy. My real name is Shokeen Tesson, but I gained the name Leafy as a kid due to my bright green eyes. It's actually quite funny, how I still utilize my childhood nickname. But, I digress.
Life, for the most part, was easy. I went to school, hung out with the other kids, and helped around the bakery. I had no bending skills, however I could still keep up with the other children who would use their bending during games of tag. My mother told me it was because I have a strong heart, but that never made sense to me. I just had a knack for running, jumping, and climbing.
I recall very little from my childhood, but what I do remember is that I had a friend named Fushigo. Fushigo was an airbender who also lived in Republic City, and we were inseparable. He always had such a wonderful smile and air about him - always filled with energy and laughter. He lit up my life, and I like to think I lit up his.

The Changing Tides:

By the time I was about ten, my mother came to me at night and sat on my bed. I was confused, as it was late, but she spoke calmly to me. She always had a way to calm me down, no matter the situation.
"Leafy..." she whispered quietly. "Mom, what's up?" I replied, pulling the covers up to my chin as to stay warm. "I'm gonna be going away for awhile. I need you to help your father while I'm gone, okay?" "Wait, where are you going?" I asked. "I have important business I need to attend to, but I won't be gone long. I promise," she whispered, gently kissing my forehead. I reached towards her and hugged her, burying my face in her shoulder. "Be strong, my son. The spirits shall guide you while I'm gone," she said, pulling away.
I waved goodbye as she closed the door. I wasn't worried at the time, as she said she'd be back soon. I figured she wouldn't be gone long, and I'd see her again in a few weeks. My mother was a very busy person, and had to leave often - so this was not that unusual. After she left the Fire Nation military, she had picked up a job as a detective for the Republic City Police force - and that led her away from home on many occasions.
I woke up the next day to find my father making breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs flooded my nostrils, causing my stomach to ache. I remember vividly the look on my father's face. He looked worried. As a kid, I paid no mind to it. I simply assumed that it had something to do with the bakery.
I grabbed my backpack after finishing my food and walked towards the door.
"Bye dad! I love you!" I shouted as I walked outside. "Have a good day, son." he yelled back, as I closed the door.
The days went on, and I followed my same routine. Wake up, eat, go to school, hang out with friends, and then go back home for bed.
Days passed, and those days turned into weeks. I became worried. I had not heard from my mom in awhile, and she was usually not gone this long. I attempted to ask my father, but he would simply respond with "she has work, she'll be home soon." And I believed him. After all, he was my father - why would he lie to me?

Tragedy Strikes:

I remember the day vividly. It had been about three weeks since my mother had left home when my father came to pick me up from school early. He had a solemn look on his face, and on the way home, he refused to speak with me. I was worried I was in trouble, and my mind began to ponder what I could have done wrong. Did I get a bad grade? Did I accidentally break something? I didn't know. Eventually, my father sat me down at the dining room table in our house.
"Son, there is something you need to know," he said, quietly. "Am I in trouble?" I asked, worried. "No, Shokeen. It's not that..." he took a pause. A tear rolled down his cheek and before he could even say what had happened, I already knew. "Your mother... She had a run in with the Triad while investigating their hideout. The police told me she went radio silent for about a week, until they... Shokeen, what I'm trying to say is your mother... Your mother was found dead..."
My jaw dropped. Tears began to roll down my face before I knew what was happening. I was broken. My mother was my closest friend, and now she was gone. I collapsed, my face banging onto the table. I was sobbing, and I couldn't get a grip. My life was falling apart.
I looked up at my father, tears covering my face. "Why?" I asked, shakily. "I... I don't know..." my father responded, now sobbing as well.
We spent the night crying, and when I went to bed - I found I could not sleep. That was the day my life changed forever. That day... that awful day ushered in the beginning of the end for my innocence.

Life Continues:

Despite the loss of my mother, life continued - albeit to my displeasure. After the death of my mother, my father slipped into a deep depression, leaving me to try to salvage our livelihood. I began working harder in the bakery, using what my dad had taught me to keep the business running. It wasn't incredibly successful, but it kept us alive.
During this time, I became much closer with Fushigo. The years passed and I found he was the only one I could truly rely on. He helped me through the darkest point of my life, and because of that I became much more attached to him. One day, while we were watching the sunset at the docks, he turned to me.
"Y'know, Leafy, you should really leave Republic City at some point," he said. "Why?" I asked, taken aback. "This is my home!" "I know, Leafy, but you shouldn't live your life in squalor and sadness. You should travel the world, let your spirit be free," he responded. I sighed. I knew he was right, but I didn't want to believe it. "Alright, but only if you come with me," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. He smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling. "Of course," he said.
That night, I decided to finally take my life into my own hands. I searched the house, and eventually stumbled upon what I wanted to find - my mother's journal. It detailed her time in the Fire Nation military, as well as why she left. Apparently, she had left because of the rift formed between the Fire Nation and the spirits. You see, my mother was a very spiritual person. The split had upset her, and she left in order to find true peace.
There was also something else in those journals - something that shocked me to the core. Apparently, my father had gotten involved with the Triad in order to keep the bakery afloat. When he was unable to pay them back, they started hunting us. Because of that, my mother went after them, and that resulted in her death. I was filled with rage. Seventeen year old me did not understand what was going on, and all I could do was be angry. I flew into a rage and stormed into my father's room, crying.
"It's your fault!" I screamed. My father looked confused, until he noticed the journal. "Leafy I-" he began, before I cut him off. "Don't you dare call me that, you bastard!" I shouted. "I'm leaving, don't contact me," I yelled, moving out of his room. I heard him trying to stop me, but I couldn't tell what he was saying. My ears were ringing, my heart full of anguish and fear.
I grabbed my things and began to run towards Fushigo's house. I knocked on his door and he opened almost immediately. He took one look at me and pulled me inside. Leave it to Fushigo to know when something's wrong. I explained what had happened and collapsed into him. He hugged me, saying nothing. After a moment of silence, I looked up to him.
"I need to leave Republic City," I said weakly. "Where will you go?" he asked. "I plan on going to Ba Sing Se. I heard they have a college there. I'll go study there, and then I'm going to the Fire Nation. I need to find out more about my heritage," I explained. Fushigo hugged me once more before saying, "I can't go with you," I stared at him, confused. "Why not?" "I'm going to finish my studies here in Republic City. But, I promise that once I finish, I'll come find you in the Fire Nation, and we'll figure out what to do together," he said, smiling. That smile, god that smile - it made me feel warm. Without hesitation, I reached up and kissed him. I didn't know what I was doing, but it felt right. He seemed surprised at first, but then wrapped his arms around me once more. We stayed there for a moment, but it felt like years. "I love you, Fushigo," I whispered, burying my face into his shoulder. "I love you too, Leafy," he responded.
I spent the night with Fushigo, and in the morning I said my goodbye's. I grabbed my things and headed towards the docks, ready to start a new life.

Ba Sing Se - A New Journey:

I arrived in Ba Sing Se about a week after my initial departure. The city was like nothing I had ever seen. Massive walls and towering buildings - it was a bit intimidating. But, I was also excited. I was finally free from Republic City, and I was ready for the next chapter of my life.
I made my way through the city, stopping by a few stalls on my way to the University. I ended up stopping at a small café where I picked up a pineapple bun. It reminded me of home, which honestly was not a surprise, since my father was born in Omashu and specialized in Earth Kingdom pastries. This immediately put a sour taste into my mouth. The emotional wounds spurred from my discovery still stung. Needless to say, I did not finish the pastry. I did, however, finish a cup of Jasmine Tea before resuming my trek to the University.
Upon arrival at the University, I was greeted by a woman. She was tall, dressed in tradition Earth Kingdom clothing, and had long, raven black hair. She introduced herself as Naomi Zhao - a teacher at the University. She gave me a tour of the campus and led me to my dorm. I thanked her, bowing deeply, and began to unpack.
My years at the University were... uneventful. I studied political science with a minor in world history. I eventually graduated with a degree in political science and history. At the University, I didn't make any real friends, though I tried to be polite to everyone. I felt like it was wrong to try to make friends - that in a way if I did, I would be betraying my bond with Fushigo. Looking back on it, I realize that those thoughts stemmed from severe depression and a feeling of self-loathing. If I could go back, I would force myself to attend parties or accept those invitations to lunch. But, I can't go back. As much as I wish I could, I can't.

Homeward Bound:

After the graduation, I boarded the tram and made my way to the nearest port town. I boarded a boat headed for the Fire Nation, anxious to finally arrive in my mothers' homeland. The captain of this ship, a man known only as Captain Pinyin, was a cold, short tempered man. We didn't get along well, and so I decided to try my best to avoid him. This tasked proved difficult. We'd often clash when we were forced into close quarters, such as in the dining hall. The arguments were petty, but "petty" summarizes most of the arguments I had in my younger years.
Nevertheless, the days went on. Naval travel has always fascinated me. The creatures of the ocean, the serenity of the sea, the rage of the storms - all of it intrigued me. However, I would eventually come much closer to the ocean than I ever really wanted.
It was a cold night. The ocean seemed quiet, and I was asleep in my cabin. That is, until I heard a shout. I jolted awake and exited the cabin, finding the boat in chaos. Something had punctured the hull, and water was flooding in quickly. Several waterbenders who were on board attempted to hold back the water, but it proved ineffective. The ship was going down. I rushed to the top deck to try and understand what had caused this. What I found shocked me to the core. In the water, there was a massive shape circling the boat. It was long, moving as a single, back mass. It was serpentine in shape, and the image of it circling us still haunts me to this day. The creature lifted it's head out of the water - revealing a massive, gaping maw. I recognized it from the books in the library in Ba Sing Se. This creature was, or at least was related to, an Unagi. It had attacked us for some reason. My theory is that we were passing through it's territorial waters during mating season, and the creature saw us as a threat to possible offspring in the area. But, I can't be sure. All I remember after that was standing, frozen in fear, in front of the creature, before blacking out.
When I awoke, I was on a smaller vessel. I was in a cot in what appeared to be a dingy fishing ship. The smell of piss and human excrement filled my nostrils, causing me to recoil. I was somewhere, but where that was, I did not know.
I slowly rose from the cot and grabbed a small plank of wood lying nearby. I thought it could be used as a weapon, should the need arise. I crept through the hallways, brandishing my new weapon, searching for any inkling of where I was. I saw no banners, no insignias suggesting this vessel was aligned with a nation.
As I moved, I saw a doorway which seemed to lead to the captain's quarters. I took a deep breath and slowly approached the doorway. Steadying myself, I opened the door. Sitting in a chair at a wooden desk was a red headed woman. She had pale skin, blue eyes, and wore shaggy leather armor lined with what looked like dragon moose fur. She turned around, alarmed, but upon seeing me, she relaxed. I, however, was not relaxed.
"Who the hell are you?!" I demanded, readying the makeshift club. "Calm down, calm down," she mused, slowly standing. Standing revealed a curved cutlass at her belt, as well as several well-made meteorite daggers lined with gold. I suddenly knew where I was. I was on a pirate ship. "I mean you no harm," she said, noticing my unease. "My name is Captain Thorfi Talimore, and I command this humble vessel," I paused. "Why am I here?" I asked, hesitantly. I knew I could be in danger, but my curiosity as to how I got on the boat overwhelmed my rational thought. "We found you floating on the wreckage of some sort of transport vessel. You were freezing to death, and so we decided to rescue you," "Why rescue me?" "Well, a few reasons. One, despite the rumors, we pride ourselves on being helpful people. Honorable people. We try to help as many as possible, all while moving towards our own goals. The second reason was more of a fluke, to be honest. You see, I've never seen anyone who had hair like mine before. You are the first person I've ever met who had hair and skin like mine, and it piqued my interest," she explained, grabbing a bottle of some alcohol from the shelf and taking a swig. "Basically, what I'm saying is, we don't want to hurt you. In fact, I see potential in you. You're rife with strife, and obviously very young - not even a hair on your chin! But, you seem to have the spirit required to be a good fighter," "And if I don't want to fight?" I responded. "Well, that's fine, but we may as well train you to defend yourself," she retorted, flashing a grin. There was something comforting about that grin. It wasn't like Fushigo's, but it was calming. I had a feeling I could trust this woman. "So, what do you say?" she asked, taking another drink. "I'm in," I said after a minute. She said nothing in response, giving me only a smile.

A Pirate's Life For Me:

I was introduced to the crew of the ship by Captain Thorfi. These pirates were known as the Red Right Hand - a group of nonbenders devoted to helping stranded sailors or small port towns, without the restriction of the government. The crew were... charming. At least, that's how I would describe it. They obviously came from all walks of life and had been at sea for a long time. But, they were kind, energetic, and had a great sense of humor. It did not take long for me to be accepted into the group, thanks in no small part to Thorfi's interest in me.
I began training in the art of hand to hand combat with the other crewmates. To be frank, I was awful. I was physically stronger than some of the crew, mostly due to being naturally muscular. But that proved to be unhelpful. I was getting my ass kicked, day in and day out - but it was enjoyable. I was eventually able to hold my own, but never to the extent of being able to defeat most opponents - only give myself enough time to either escape or get backup.
Despite my lack of combat abilities, I was still able to prove myself as useful. In almost every town we stopped, the local authorities and populace would view us as thugs and criminals - shunning us and ultimately limiting the amount of supplies we could obtain. However, due to my knowledge of politics and diplomacy, I was able to speak with the locals - explaining who we were and what our goals were. Surprisingly, the locals would oftentimes understand, and occasionally even give us free supplies to help in our journey. This earned me the nickname "The Negotiator" and I would often work as an advisor to Captain Thorfi.
Captain Thorfi and I became incredibly close. It was never anything romantic, but more of a sibling-esque relationship. I thought of her as my older sister, and she thought of me as her younger brother. As time passed, I eventually opened up to Thorfi - telling her about my mother, my father, and my departure from Republic City, as well as my goal to return to the Fire Nation. She seemed sad, realizing that I would eventually leave, but quickly changed her demeanor to be more supportive. She promised that the next time we were in Fire Nation waters, she'd drop me off. I was reluctant, at first, as I had come to view the Red Right Hand as family, but she convinced me that it was for the better - that my life would be better once I found closure.
A few days later, we entered Fire Nation waters. I gathered my things and said goodbye to my new family. Tears were shed, hugs were given, and alcohol was consumed. Once I stepped out onto the docks of New Kasen, Thorfi called out to me. "Leafy!" she yelled. "When I see you again, you better have more hair on your face!" I laughed, and promised that I would grow a beard - just for her.

Arrival in the Land of Fire:

When I entered the city of New Kasen, I was greeted by a blue haired woman. She introduced herself as Fire Sage Tamiko, and offered to give me a tour of New Kasen, as well as help me move in. I gladly accepted, and we began the tour.
When I arrived, I was unaware that the Fire Nation was experiencing a housing crisis. Because of this, I was moved into Fort Kame, a large fort near the developing city of Purenzu. I thanked Tamiko, and settled into the Fort. I was the only one living in this fort, and so took it upon myself to keep the place in shape. After all, it was my home. I tended to the animals, made sure all the weapons and armor remained polished, and harvested the crops growing there.
A few days into my stay, I was drafted into the Fire Nation military. I was not too happy, but it was required by law that I serve. My first assignment was to assist a man named Sergeant Natsuko in building Fort Sheru. There, I met two new trainees - Kyrin and Sukon. These two were my first true friends in the Fire Nation. We bonded through the shared experience of manual labor, and would continue to work together even beyond my military service. They are two of my closest friends, even to this day.
While serving in the military, I met many people. The most notable of which was Corporal Keza. She introduced herself as Fire Sage Tamiko's adopted daughter, and we became fast friends. Keza always had a way of keeping me calm. Whenever I was in her presence, I felt at peace. Something I had not felt for a long, long time.

Journey Through The Sages:

By the time my military service had ended, I had already decided what I wanted to do next. I applied for the Fire Sages, and was accepted by (at this point) High Sage Tamiko shortly after applying. I was joined by Sukon, although he went on to join the newly created Crescent Sages. I began working as a sage immediately - giving tours, attending meetings, and using my knowledge of government to assist the Fire Sages in any and all endeavors. I was promoted to the rank of Fire Sage shortly after I joined, and I was appointed mayor of Purenzu, as I had lived in Fort Kame for the majority of my time in the Fire Nation.
It was not long before turmoil struck my life once again. Something was brewing within the Fire Nation. I heard rumors of a coup being planned against Fire Lord Kaneko for her inability to rule. I myself was not a fan of Fire Lord Kaneko, and so I joined the other sages along with Lieutenant Kano in their fight against the Fire Lord.
The coup itself was filled with strife. It felt as if my world was falling apart around me. All I could do to keep myself sane was remember the promises I had made - the promise to see Fushigo again, the promise to grow a beard for Thorfi, and the promise to learn more about my mother's heritage. Those promises kept me going, kept me in the fight long enough to see our efforts come to fruition. Fire Lord Kaneko was forced to step down. In her place, Fire Lord Eineya rose to power, leaving a High Sage spot available. I was promoted, and took my seat at the High Ranking Official table. For the first time since I had left the Red Right Hand, I felt at ease.

A New Journey: Grand Sage Leafy:

Eventually, Fire Lord Eineya stepped down and Fire Lord Liv was crowned. With her crowning came turmoil. A war had broken out between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation - with the Fire Nation being accused of killing Earth Monarch Belan. I could simply watch while, once again, my world began to crumble. This time, however, I had another person to keep me going. I had grown close to Keza, who was now a lieutenant in the Fire Nation Military. The feelings I felt for her were ones I had not felt since the night before my journey began.
After years of self-loathing and turmoil, I finally decided to take a chance to save myself. I forged a sword made of meteorite, and in it I inscribed the words "Will You Marry Me?" I gave the sword to Keza, fearing what she would say. To my astonishment, she said yes. I was overjoyed. We embraced and I swore to her that I would devote myself to our life together.
As the years passed, Grand Sage Kaja grew tired of his position and opened up applications for his replacement. On a whim, I decided to apply. I did not expect anything to come from it. After all, I was the newest High Sage. But, to my surprise, I was the only one who applied. I was named Kaja's successor, and would spend the next few months preparing for my new duty.
During this time, Fire Lord Liv began to suffer from severe mental illness, and decided to take a short vacation. She asked me to serve as Regent Fire Lord, a role I gladly accepted. Shortly afterwards, Keza and I married at the Fire Nation event hall. It was then I took her last name, becoming Leafy Daigo.
The happiness I experienced would not last long, however. Turmoil was once again stirring in the Fire Nation. General Kano had begun plotting to overthrow Fire Lord Liv. I disagreed with this course of action, but there was little I could do. As tensions rose, Grand Sage Kaja officially retired, making me Grand Sage. Even with this new title, I could do very little. The full force of the military supported Kano, and I knew that Liv stood no chance. In order to prevent a war, I urged Fire Lord Liv to step down, for her own mental health. She did, and Kano was made Fire Lord.
While I had no issues with Kano as Fire Lord, even if he made some questionable decisions, the other members of the High Ranking Officials disliked him, and in typical Fire Nation fashion, started a coup - starting with a strike and a denouncement of Fire Lord Kano. They demanded Kano step down, and make me Fire Lord. While I was ready to accept the responsibility as Fire Lord, I remained neutral. I had friends on both sides, and quite frankly, I was tired of fighting.
The coup, unsurprisingly, failed, and Kano remained Fire Lord. Due to my neutral stance, I remained Grand Sage - where I work as an advisor to the current Fire Lord to this day. I hope to one day reconnect with Fushigo and Thorfi, however I have not heard from them in years. The future is murky, and I do not know what it holds. What I do know is that I will continue to keep my promises - my promise to Fushigo, to Thorfi, to Keza, and most importantly, my promise to my mother.

Born: 286 AG
Nation of Origin: Fire Nation
Height: 190 cm
Hair color: Red
Eye Color: Green