Chapter 120: A Step Forward
As intimate as Yoki wanted their meeting to be once he reached his home and was brought upto the situation of the tribe, he soon realized there were just too many individuals in their 'little' circle. The burly commander of the waterbenders was reinstated to his position officially once he returned and he looked at those called in with a hint of distress.
They sat in a circle with various dishes prepared. Given that almost all of them had a greater appetite, the dishes prepared were in a much grander quantity than any feast prepared within the tribe for the last three years.
Next to Yoki sat Pakku and Hama. Even now Yoki couldn't believe that the old witch and his master were together, making Yoki think what did Pakku really see in the wrinkled wench... even if Pakku himself was a wrinkled goatee mess.
Next to Hama sat Rena, who arrived due to Sokka's eager invitation as the man sat next to her. Aang came after Sokka but Tom-Tom was nowhere to be seen. If some of the whispers were true then the woman sitting next to Aang had done a number on her brother to train his reaction time and had put him to bed early on. Next to Mai sat a pleasantly smiling Yue. Nothing much needed to be said about her aside from the fact that Yoki felt guilty for all the things the daughter of their previous chieftain had to go through.
Finally, next to Yue were Katara and Suki, the latter was now without her characteristic face paint, and completing the circle was Nik who kept his left leg straight for obvious reasons and sat next to Yoki himself.
The group was entirely silent. Aside from Aang, who ate special sweets and fruits found only in the water tribe, others wholeheartedly ate the feast prepared.
"So? Let's clear the most obvious reason why we're all called here together. It is due to our proximity with Avatar Aang directly or indirectly," Yoki began with a sigh, "All those present here, I would like to ask you to not reveal too many of your abilities to even the waterbenders of the tribe. I will notify the group that was with us from Makapu Village. Princess Yue, even you must not openly trust all those you see beside us... Master Pakku has a strong suspicion that there is a spy amongst our ranks."
There were a few frowns but most of them were mature enough to patiently wait for Yoki to complete what he had in mind. The others who found no reason to stop themselves from eating while listening did just that.
Yoki then continued to explain the general situation since aside from Sokka and Aang, the rest of the group was quite unaware of things. First, aside from Nik's temporary withdrawal from any aggressive intent, Zhao had established contact to negotiate for the hostages. Every fire nation prisoner and their families still living safely albeit worriedly in the water tribe, all except for Hahn. Even if Zhao had a semblance of loyalty towards those willing to follow his order, his attitude took a 180 when such individuals involved people of origins anything other than the Fire Nation itself.
Hearing about how Hahn would be left for them to punish accordingly, and as advised by Pakku, through the traditions of the tribe, Yue felt bittersweet. Bitter because no matter her current stance, she couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of pity for the man. Sweet because her father would finally be avenged and the Water Tribe will open their eyes to what the truth is.
Still...
"Why even listen to their truce? If I do remove their ships, they simply don't have the capital to make any demands... although, the idea of many people drowning to their death is just too..." Nik made a slightly discomforted expression before shaking his head, "We can just wrap them all up with a team of waterbenders."
Nik's approach was to take the initiative. Once this armada was dealt with, the Phoenix King or whatever forces sent after the Water Tribe must be cautious of deploying large forces only to face drastic defeats. This may just give them enough time to prepare the defenses of the tribe and train a new generation of warriors for backup.
While others genuinely pondered on the idea, Yoki outrightly opposed it with an amused smile, "You can't stomach deaths, huh... then tell me, if we do capture all of them, how are you planning to feed them and keep them alive? These captives would be worse than the herd of Komodo Rhinos since we can at least use the latter in exchange for feeding them.
Such a large number of prisoners will quickly drain the dry rations left within the palace and even if the Sea spirit is gracious and keeps us well fed using the food we find in the sea... what about other utilities? While we can manage the current number of prisoners... a whole fleet's worth of prisoners will just serve to end the tribe."
"That'sh it!" Sokka thumped slapped his thigh with a mouthful of meat and grease painting his lips. In this regard, Aang and Nik were the same with their cheeks inflated with food.
"Hmm?" Pakku raised his brows, "Swallow before speaking."
"That's what I tell Suki..." Nik mumbled. Directly next to him, Katara broke into short giggles while Suki's nostrils flared and she shot her man a lasting glare.
"Ugh, well, yeah, choking on food isn't exactly the best," Misunderstanding, Sokka shrugged while Rena looked at him with a weird expression. Still, not waiting for his bubble to burst, Sokka grinned, "If Zhao cares for his men, then Nik should sink half the ships. Zhao will be forced to rescue them and diminish his own stock of resources. After all, with half the ships removed, it also means, their reserves would be halved in an instant! Heck, instead of going for cruisers, take out Zhao's ship first. This will actually force others to save their drowning comrades."
Yoki's expression grew contemplative but Nik couldn't help feel a bit apprehensive, "So... you are just basing things on assumptions. But what if they die?"
Others went silent.
"Why do you care?" Mai finally spoke up. Although she was characteristically gloomy, Nik could feel that she was also oddly annoyed. It was in her tone.
"Excuse me?" Nik blinked, "Why do I care if people die?"
Mai nodded.
"I don't," Nik mumbled, "I just don't want to be the one who causes it. People die every day so I'm not going to cry about it."
"So you're choosing the coward's way out?" Mai goaded while finally sensing something wrong, Sokka adopted a wry chuckle, "Well, no need to fight about it. It was just an idea."
"No, I want to hear what she means by a coward's way out," Nik interjected, "Since you seem to be the spokesperson on courage, why don't you tell me how it's courageous to not even look one's brother in the eye who clearly admires you and praise him but instead torture him in name of training.
Maybe he will start murdering people just to see you nod with indifference once in a while."
Mai's eyes flared but she retorted calmly, "It's not torturing if he faces every difficulty against me instead of an enemy. Maybe that's what you lack— common sense."
"Uh-huh, is that what it is? Killing many, a common sense?" Nik continued, equally calmly. He felt that he had given the woman every ounce of respect that she deserved for not only helping him when he was in a dire situation but also sleeping with her mother. In fact, he wouldn't have felt compelled anything for the latter if Michi herself wasn't so sweet and caring.
"Oh, please," Mai smiled coldly, "You don't think that your actions have caused casualties? Omashu, Makapu, and any other settlement you may enter, with a target on your back, the Phoenix King's forces would follow soon after. It is better to end them—"
"Then do it?" Nik interrupted, his violet pupils boring into her tawny ones, "If it's such a common sense, kill me. And Aang. Aren't we getting the short end of the stick because Phoenix King wants us dead? If you do the deed, you will get rewarded and have quite a sum to your name."
Everyone froze as Nik continued with ease, "Of course, common sense also dictates that you could sell the information to Zhao. Be the best-damned spy by staying right next to us. Why don't you do that, too? But, you just said that killing is more in line with common sense so I hope you choose the former."
Heaving a deep breath, Mai explained, "It would be quite anti-climactic and..."
"Boring?" Nik inquired, "But that's not right? Aren't you the bold and the one fitted with heightened common sense? How do your emotions play into your decision-making now?" He let loose, "Going a step back, why didn't you just tie the knot with Kai? That's what his name is, right? Your former Fiance. Why feel compelled to resist him?
Or, why feel compelled to follow your brother when you know it will paint a target on your back?"
"I don't care," Mai snorted finally, realizing she picked a losing argument yet Nik only chuckled, "Oh, look at that, courage deflated into cowardice."
His mocking cackle itched Mai the wrong way, spurring her to shoot up to her feet and scowl, "Yeah? Let's take a step back and see if you're courageous about other things."
"Ugh," Grunting and picking up a barbeque, Nik, too, stood up.
"Fine," he said, tearing into the meat, "What other things?"
"For one, you slept with my mother!" Mai revealed emotions for this rare moment, her eyes wide and her expression furious.
"What's cowardly about that? Someone had to, and your father was too busy making child slaves. Hell, I freed Michi from her mind restraints and it's not like I did it because I was bored. I care for her."
"And what about these two?" Mai pointed at Katara and Suki. Katara's expression was numb by now, her head buzzing as she was afraid to look at Sokka, whose expression, too, was frozen in shock.
"I haven't run away, right? If they are alright with it, why the heck does it tickle your ribs?" Nik responded while eating.
Mai's expression twisted with frustration, "Why won't you just listen to me and kill?! I'm saying this for your own good!"
"My own good?" Nik responded with a cold chuckle, "And why the heck do you care?"
"Because..." Mai began only to feel her voice stuck in her throat. She looked around and realized everyone gazing at them.
Not staying here for another second, Mai walked out of the house, leaving the group in dead silence.
"Wait... Katara... you and Nik...?" Sokka mechanically turned to face Katara as she nodded, red-faced.
"When?" Sokka inquired... rather strangely as he looked at Nik who happened to be staring where Mai stood a few seconds ago.
"Back in the camp... during the banquet," Katara sighed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sokka questioned.
"Your face was gone!" Katara exploded. This was the last place she wanted this fact known to Sokka and turned to vent on him itself, "And why didn't you tell me about Nik? He told me everything about what happened!"
"He did?!" Sokka's eyes widened as he and Aang glanced at one another, "Well... I mean, if you don't mind it then..." Sokka grew rather carefree about it and looked towards Rena who was all the more curious due to such a chaotic dinner.
"Please excuse me, I should go and speak with Mai," Yue wanted a reason to excuse herself when Nik shot her down, "No, let me."
"Nik," Suki called out with a worried expression. She was worried that the two might do something and end up regretting it.
"Don't worry. I just want to know what she was on about..." Nik mumbled and looked towards Yoki, "Great feast though. Loved the catfish... just tell me about your plan later. I'll do what I can."
With that, Nik, too, left.
An awkward silence ensued soon after until Hama hummed thoughtfully, "He's right... the catfish is oddly delicious. Get me some more."
"You don't have teeth to chew, you old—"
"Get her some more!" Pakku hissed while Hama was pinching the old man's thigh, making Yoki flinch in embarrassment.
"So... is my idea still good?" Sokka inquired.
"Who cares? Just enjoy the show," Rena snickered.
"Hey... don't say that out loud," Sokka agreed and whispered with a grin.
On the other hand, Suki and Katara felt Yue's gaze linger on them until the former looked up with a wry expression and inquired, "Something I can help you with, Yue?"
"No... it's just... me and Mai came by the residence in the evening. I wanted to apologize to all of you formally for my rude behavior this afternoon but..." her words lingered suggestively as Katara groaned in frustration.
"Don't worry, we didn't mind it," Suki shrugged.
"That's good!" Yue smiled, "Now, I was hoping that I could watch your training tomorrow. I never really saw outsiders fight using weapons."
"Sure..." Suki replied with a weak smile.
"I'm sorry but this is just awkward..." Aang spoke up, letting everyone's thoughts out with his words, "So... can I go out, too? I promised some of the guys that I will show them how to fly."
"Go ahead," Yoki shrugged.
Cold and awkward. This feast was truly a great success.
---
"What do you want now?"
Mai scoffed without looking back while Nik huffed, "Do you know how hard it is to climb a roof even with waterbending?"
"No, I don't," Mai responded while sitting on the ledge.
"It was barely an inconvenience," Nik shrugged.
"Are you here to apologize?"
"What for?" He scoffed in return. Don't dish it if you can't take it.
Mai grew silent while Nik continued, "I'm just here to finish our conversation. You stopped in the middle, after all."
"I don't have any reason to talk with you."
"Come on? Taking the coward's way out?" Nik smiled as he could feel frustration build into Mai's systems again.
"Fine," Mai mumbled, "Regardless of my previous thoughts about you... I believe that my mom holds affection for you. These emotions will just hurt her if something happened to you so... I want you to be indifferent to others' deaths and think about your own safety."
Walking up to her, Nik couldn't help but mumble, "Wow... that's the most sickeningly sweet thing that ever came from your mouth. I would sit next to you but it would just hurt my knee so don't mind me standing."
The two fell silent again until...
"Now you know the reason, you can apologize to me," Mai gave him the go that she believed he needed.
"What for?" Nik still shrugged and questioned, "Is that what you're all about? Masking emotions to not get hurt?"
Mai fell silent, equal parts frustrated at his refusal to comfort her by apologizing and surprise at his ability to infer something like this from her words.
"Why does it matter?"
"It probably doesn't," Nik agreed, "But boy, I got to tell you that your outburst in the dinner was a sight. Still... you should know, hurting your mother is the last thing I want to do," though he cringed slightly, Nik did mean it. What could he do about the fact that emotions are simply cringy?... aside from the lustful ones, of course.
Mai's shoulders relaxed slightly as she nodded.
"Oh, and I didn't mean what I said about you training your brother. Everything else... yeah, I did mean that," Nik clarified for the sake of transparency.
"I don't care."
"You say that, but you do," Nik smiled and refuted before turning away.
"I still think you're a coward!" Mai raised her voice.
"Tell that to your mom," Nik replied.
"And a scum!"
"That was solidified the night I slept with your mom!"
Gritting her teeth, Mai raised her voice further, "A depraved scum!"
Chuckling, Nik turned slightly and grinned at the cool fool, "Are there any scums not depraved? And don't talk to your step-dad in such a tone—"
Nik instantly waved his hand down and the ice under his foot descended while Mai's fist hit empty space.
Scoffing, Mai mumbled under her breath, "Coward..."
Yet, a short smirk touched her lips.
She didn't feel bored at this particular instance. For that... maybe she could forgive his insolence even if he didn't apologize even after Mai clearly demanded him to multiple times.
---
The next couple of days were spent bringing order to the tribe while Nik and others had started to train with Yue tagging along just for the fun of it. In fact, they were allowed to use the training hall within the palace.
The first to start their training, however, outside the tribe and early in the morning were none other than Aang and Nik. As Nik wanted to make use of Aang's stay, he asked the young Avatar to teach him airbending. Of course, the knowledge of him being able to bend other elements was only known to the group of five. Not even Mai and Rena were aware of this and Nik liked it this way.
After that, Aang, Katara, and Nik would train in waterbending with others as Pakku and Hama would take classes every other day. Then, Nik would tag alongside Yue to watch Suki, Tom-Tom, and Mai train before sparring with one another. Nik was quite interested in throwing knives and had expressed his willingness to learn the art. But Mai had yet to respond which was fortunate since she didn't outrightly reject him.
Finally, Katara would actually accompany Sokka as the siblings would train their bodies. Katara only had one goal, to get a more... sensual physique similar to Suki. Although their relationship was exposed by now and Katara had beaten Sokka many times when his questions involved the dynamic of the group and even questioned Nik in learning his 'ways', the two were quite eager to develop themselves.
Sokka did this because he wanted to grow in the only manner he was allowed— weapons, which came in the form of sparring and tagging alongside the hunters every other day.
The thing that surprised everyone, Hama the most, was Pakku's revelation that he knew Katara's and Sokka's late grandmother, and the betrothal necklace that Katara wears on her neck was carved by Pakku for Katara's grandmother before she eventually left the tribe.
Of course, it was a short surprise itself and the siblings felt quite emotional, including Hama, who let those out on Pakku come nightfall.
Their days had gotten productive and after the initial setback of during the dinner due to Mai's and Nik's outburst, a rather beneficial plan was formed based on Sokka's suggestion.
Say what you will about the guy but when it came to critical thinking, Nik truly admired Sokka's talent in the area. Of course, that admiration would devolve in despair when the siblings would each share the only brain cell to their capacity when around one another as they would constantly quarrel and bicker about the tiniest thing. Fortunately, it wasn't Nik's thing.
The days of the truce turned into months. Others developed with hard work because they knew it was merely the calm before the storm if things went south. The interesting fact to note was that Hama, Sokka, and Katara weren't fond of such a saying because of their southern origins.
The only reason it took so long for this to happen was due to the fact that the Northern Water Tribe had demanded their own men to be returned.
Of course, Zhao refuted that they didn't have any other prisoners, conveniently forgetting that they kept prisoners even without the Fire King's knowledge. Still, the water tribe didn't budge and increased the severity of the prisoners' conditions. They weren't afraid that the Phoenix King would send more forces due to the fact that he still needed to establish a proper order in the Earth Kingdom. But it was clear that with enough time, both the parties would flourish and if things didn't change then the water tribe would lose even without a traitor.
Once Zhao agreed to return the prisoners, they were afraid that these prisoners would be equally mind raped so Aang left for Omashu with Sokka and Rena.
First, Yoki wanted Mai to go with Aang due to her deadliness but she refused. If she returned, she wouldn't be allowed to leave this time around and Tom-Tom was the same. After all, their mom can be very persuasive. Then Nik eagerly volunteered. Honestly, he just wanted to keep on learning with Aang but this notion was shot down by Mai's strong opposition. This made Sokka and Rena volunteer... who probably just wanted some time to themselves.
Of course, no matter how stealthily Aang leaves, the news was bound to reach Zhao so the small group had to be careful.
***
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