Team/Position: Laogai Lion Vultures / Firebender
Equipment: Weights
Word count: 4073
Nothing happens. Confused, I blink, but it's pitch black. No light whatsoever. I concentrate on my other senses; what hits me first is the headache, then Judai's ragged breathing, then the fact that I'm still pressed up against him. I feel for the closest hand and lace my fingers through his. He responds rather eagerly.
"What happened?" I ask, not really expecting a helpful answer. But I need to fill the darkness.
"I don't know. We're locked up."
"You protected me, didn't you? When that guy grabbed my arm, you..."
"Tackled him. I told you I won't leave you alone."
"You don't make sense, Judai. First, you lock me up, and now you're diving headfirst into getting punished alongside me."
"I'm hoping we won't be punished at all."
"Yeah, I hope that, too," I scoff, but Judai has a surprise up his nonexistent sleeve.
"No, really. Look, what does this shell do?"
"Keep us from running away."
"It protects us from Chano. Listen, these guys may be slave traders, but they're still traders. It may seem hard to believe, but their first priority isn't making our lives miserable."
"Well, they do a good job anyway."
"That's beside the point. The point is, there are price tags on us, and the more valuable we are, the more we're worth protecting. Our value decreases when we're hurt beyond recovery, so they take care not to do that. Chano is very hateful though, he forgets the basic principles of trade every now and again. He does most of the punishments. You saw that dagger? It's the one he used to cut my arms after I tried to escape. It's mine."
I need a moment to process everything. "That dagger... was yours? That's so cruel. I imagine you wouldn't fight with it ever again, even if you got it back."
Judai hums confirmation. "It would take months to get used to a new weapon, but... What does it matter?"
Oh no mister, I won't let you finish that thought! "Say, are you a merchant child? You seem to know a lot about this whole business."
"Innkeeper."
"Close enough. And what's the couple thing all about?"
"Safety measures. They don't view us as humans, more like a sort of animal that needs taming."
"Yeah, I noticed. Good behavior is rewarded and bad behavior is punished."
"That's right. We can try to convince them otherwise, but that won't work. If they started to view us as humans, as children even, they wouldn't be able to sell us off like this, so they ban the possibility from their minds."
"So, you use that view to protect yourself. You're literally the resident pet."
His grip tightens. "Pathetic, isn't it?"
"A little. But also very clever. Don't think I didn't notice you still carrying the cell keys."
"You're not getting them back."
"I didn't say I want them, jeez! But I think I know now what you're aiming at with this couple act. You can't blame an animal for protecting their mate. It's what they do."
"Yup. That's why I think we can get away with this."
"And that earthbender is not going to let this Chano guy cut our ears off, because then we wouldn't be all nice and pretty anymore."
Judai breathes deeply. "Yeah..." he mumbles, and I can't help wondering what he's thinking about now.
"What's on your mind?"
"I'm worried. They wouldn't hurt us in a way that kills or disfigures, but..." He trails off, and I give his hand a comforting squeeze. I remember something that Nila said.
"Someone died."
"A little boy. He wasn't very strong, or pretty, to begin with, so when Chano got him... He caught an infection, and they said the medicine to treat him would have cost more than he would've fetched. They put him with us to see if he'd recover without aid. He didn't."
"That's horrible... Letting that boy die because he's not worth the medicine. Wait..." Earthbender Guy said something similar. "You caught one, too, right? An infection. But you..."
"Survived."
"You were worth it. They saved you. Is that what this is all about? A life debt?"
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not that delusional yet."
"Yet? I don't like the 'yet.' At all."
Judai huffs. "Speaking habit, if you don't mind." Alright, I offended him somehow. But the causticity vanishes as quickly as it burst out. "Seriously though, I don't view them as lifesavers or anything. They cleaned up their own mess, and that's it. In fact, I wouldn't have minded dying all that much."
"Now you're the one being ridiculous. If you died, I wouldn't have gotten the chance to bust you out."
"Right, your friends. Would you mind telling me what takes them so long?"
I curl my lips at the darkness. "You don't believe me, do you?"
"I do. But I hope for your friends' sake that they stay away, or they'll get captured, too."
"Nah, they're too powerful. They'd kick those slavers' butts with their pinkies. They're colonials, you see? Earthbenders and waterbenders."
There's a pause, then Judai asks incredulously, "You're buddies with waterbenders?"
I'm buddies with the Avatar.
"Yeah, I was quite surprised when I found out. But they're a nice bunch, and since I look like a colonial myself, I don't have much people I'd call friends. I suppose they're not here yet because they haven't realized I'm gone. We sorta spread out and I'm the kind of person who needs lots of me time. It's not too unusual for me to stay away."
It's only half of the truth. They're probably discussing whether or not I took the chance to run to the nearest town and report them. Whether it makes more sense to keep flying or to look for me.
"So, I guess you don't really like being stuck with me," Judai interrupts my thoughts and I shake my head. Wait, he can't see it...
"Nah. Believe it or not, I like you. You're good company, actually. When you're not busy stabbing me in the back, that is."
"I did what I had to do."
"I'm afraid I have to disagree here. But what's done is done, I suppose. What do you think they're doing out there? We've been in this shell for quite a while now."
"Calm Chano down, then decide what to do with us. Maybe they hope we use the time to make more slaves."
Judai is clearly sarcastic, but at the same time, it rings awful likely. "Gross. And the logistics... I can't use my arm, and I'll probably faint if I take one other step."
"Oh, turtle whiskers, Kami! Say something! Come on, let's sit."
I haven't tried to sit yet simply because I can't. If I bend my knees in my current state, chances are they'd give in completely. Judai seems to be aware of that and moves to support me, but... He's blind. I'm blind. And Judai's fingertips brushing along my arm in search of a firm hold sends shivers up my spine.
Part of me is cursing the darkness. Part of me wishes for it to never end. All of me wants a physical manifestation of puberty to appear, so I can punch it or something.
"Are you okay, Kami? Am I hurting you? You're not breathing again..."
Oh Agni... I'm not the only hypersensitive one here. I inhale deeply; figures that Judai would hear it. Or, well, not hear it.
"You're not hurting me at all, it's just... The darkness is driving me crazy."
Not technically a lie, and the next sound I hear could be a chuckle. A mirthless one. "Some firebending would be nice."
"You can say that again..."
"Some firebending would be nice."
Seriously?
Not sure if I should laugh or cry. I settle for a sigh. "Why don't you just help me sit, wise guy?"
If the next noise isn't a snicker, I don't know what is. Judai's hand finally clasps around my upper arm. "Ready?"
"Ready."
As expected, my knees buckle the very moment I shift my weigh. Dizziness hits, but Judai's hold is tight and the crash landing successfully averted.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. But... uh..."
Oh Agni, this sounds like it's going to be a long day. Thoughtfulness is nice and all, but this is hardly a place for holding back. "Spit it out!"
"Do you think you can turn and tuck in your legs? This shell was made to hold two teenagers standing upright, so it's a little cramped. I guess you're kneeling?"
Uh-huh, the pressure at my thighs could totally stem from a pair of ankles. "Just a sec..."
I feel around to gauge how much space there is. Our cage is a cone, as far as I can tell, and I assume that Judai is trying to flatten himself into it. I'm giving my best not to grope him, but I still manage to connect with his pants somehow.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
It takes some effort, but I finally squeeze myself into a halfway comfortable position, drawn-up knees fitted against the slanting wall and some space behind my back Judai slides into, providing me with a nice warm backrest and a better estimation of my personal wriggle room. More spacious than I thought.
"And here we go again..." I remark. "Only without bars between us."
"Plenty nicer this way."
"Agreed."
I close my eyes and relax a little. I'm still afraid of what might happen when the shell breaks, but here in the darkness, with someone I can trust to keep me upright, it's almost cozy. And ashes, am I tired. So tired... Whoa! Where's my backrest gone?!
A jolt, and Judai rams his shoulders into mine. "Don't fall asleep now! Agni knows when you'll wake up!"
"But..."
"Let's keep talking, okay? Like, what was that trick you did when you pretended to die?"
"Meditation. Control your breath, control your heartbeat. Simple if you can hold your breath real long."
"And how did you take out the two earthbenders?"
"Two?"
"Guo Ping and Soo Yun. The doctor."
"Lucky. I guess I wouldn't have stood a chance if I didn't get them both with the same sneak attack."
"Sneak attack?"
"Yeah, they kinda didn't expect their dead slave to rise and snee..." I gasp and jerk forward. Judai yelps, suddenly unbalanced. Flaring thorn tendril, I was so drowsy I almost... Oh AgniAgniAgni!
"What's up?" Judai asks, and I take a deep, calming breath.
"Well, I'm up. Definitely."
"That's good to hear, but..."
"Don't ask. Just don't ask, okay?"
Judai sighs. "Okay."
I don't lean back again. I brace my feet against the rock and rub my arms up and down. I'm freezing.
"Kami?"
"Hmm?"
A relieved sigh. "Good, you're awake."
"Sort of."
"You know, I just wanted to tell you that..." I can sense Judai's heaving breath more than I hear it. Something important is coming up. "You're pretty amazing. Standing up to the slavers like that... It reminds me of how I should be. I... I've gotten so used to the way they treat me, and... I don't know. It's bothering me again."
Is he saying... I inspired him? Me? The local weakling airbender?
I try to imagine Judai growing complacent. Not tensing at this twisted kind of praise anymore, returning the keys first chance he gets, dropping all those little gestures of spite. And I thought things couldn't get any more appalling than they are...
"That's scary. I didn't think one can ever get used to such a treatment. How long have you been here?"
"I don't know. Since Ba Sing Se fell."
My breath hitches. That was weeks ago!
Judai laughs bitterly. "It's almost funny. Two days after the Earth Kingdom was conquered, I'm captured by the very people we defeated."
Alright Judai, you snapped. What else is new? "There's nothing funny about it."
"There needs to..."
A rumble interrupts him. Light stings my eyes and I lift a hand for shade. I never knew torches can be this painfully bright... But what stings even more is the fact that Judai suddenly isn't himself anymore. He's a slave again, an animal, a pet. I barely realized what the shell, our little bubble, did for us. We were wreathed in darkness, forced to rely on not what we see, but what we hear and feel. And we bonded.
Somebody grabs my uninjured arm, drags me to my feet. My eyes are slow to adjust to the new lighting conditions, but I recognize the doctor anyway. "Come on, sweetie," she says gently. My heart gets delayed in skipping a beat by the fog in my brain, but the words do penetrate eventually. Sweetie? What happened to 'fire brat'?
"Please, let me go!" That's Judai crying out... Judai!
I turn my head. It didn't even cross my mind that there is a chance he won't follow. But with his feet encased in stone, he's not going anywhere.
"Judai!" I try to break free of Doctor Earthbender. I can't leave Judai alone with Earthbender Guy and this sadistic Chano character!
"Don't worry about him," Doctor Earthbender tries to reassure me. She turns at her comrades and barks an order: "The boy is not to be harmed! If I see one bruise on him, the money for his treatment comes out of your profits!"
Nobody talks back. I guess that makes her the boss? Judai is still looking uncomfortable, though. I try to smile encouragingly, but I don't know what's happening myself.
Judai shakes his head vehemently. "Please, don't hurt her!"
"She's safe with me," Doctor Earthbender promises. "But you won't see her again."
"What?! Why?!" I already shouted out before realizing that it's probably not the safest move. Though Doctor Earthbender doesn't seem particularly angry...
"He's not good for you," she simply answers.
"What the..." The words only serve to push me closer to the edge. "Toasting good he is, better than all of you together!"
"Kami! Don't give them a reason to..."
"Cover your ears!"
Judai doesn't question it, which is good. Because that way, he's the first to do it. While the slavers are still busy processing the order, I yank free and put two fingers into my mouth.
Sneezing is amazing, but not handy right now. So I need another weapon, one I spent weeks practicing on the shores of Cinder Island – a piercing whistle splits the air, reflecting off the cave walls over and over. I can whistle for three minutes straight if need be, and it's enough to drive anyone insane. The rock around Judai's ankles cracks as Earthbender Guy loses control. A lovely sight, and my cue to stop. Judai is at my side before anyone realizes, and I find myself in a very tight embrace.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot..." Judai mumbles endlessly. "Don't pull that again! I don't want you to end up like me!"
"I'll pull it as often as I need to."
"Kami..." he pleads, then we're pried apart again, me by the arm, Judai by the collar. Doctor Earthbender scrutinizes us, then turns at me and smiles.
"So your name is Kami?" She seems so friendly. What did I miss?
"Kamina," I correct her, deeming her worthy of an answer. "Only my friends are allowed to call me Kami."
She sighs. "I apologize for the way we treated you. We didn't know who you are."
Who I am? Don't tell me... "You figured it out?"
"Figured wha..." A tug at Judai's collar silences him. My hand itches to punch Registry Guy/Chano in the face, my general dislike of violence overridden.
Doctor Earthbender smiles sadly. "There is only one group of people with that particular attack, isn't there?"
Bits and pieces are coming together now. Doctor Earthbender must have figured me out and told the rest of the slavers while I was locked inside that earth shell with Judai. That's why they're treating me differently, that's why they believe I shouldn't be spending time with Judai. Because he's a fire monster. Because the Fire Nation scorns airbenders. And the Earth Kingdom... doesn't.
"I... uh... Oh Agni..." I cover my face with my hand. They... The slavers... They're on my side, or at least they want to be. I don't want to associate with them, but... What does this even mean for me?
"You shouldn't stay in this country," Doctor Earthbender continues. "It'll destroy you. Destiny must have placed you here by mistake."
A part of me wants to protest. Problem is: She's got a point. And the dizziness isn't helping, either.
"Kami...?"
Judai's voice is small, tentative. I can't look at him, I don't want him to see how torn I am. That lady is going to set me free, no doubt. But I'd rather be back in the cage with Judai than facing the fact that I'd be so much better off in the Earth Kingdom. An enemy of the Fire Nation. My home.
"I'm sure you're confused. Guo Ping, would you go and fetch some water for the girl?"
"I don't want any," I croak. It's a complete lie, I couldn't crave it more. But I won't have anything with Judai right next to me.
Doctor Earthbender frowns slightly. "You need to drink. The blood loss..."
"I don't want any. Not as long as there are roughly thirty kids sitting in cages with parched throats. It's called solidarity."
And a sigh. "Typical." Typical what? Typical airbender move? "But do you really think they'd do the same for you?"
Not if they knew... But... "I don't care if they would. Because I would, and that's all that matters."
That's right. That's what matters. My muddied thoughts clear up a little, and I finally dare looking at Judai. He flashes a strained smile, despite or maybe because of the fabric tightened around his neck.
And I feel so much stronger.
"Very well," Doctor Earthbender gives in. "All the slaves will be given a cup of water outside the regular schedule."
"Deal! Oh, and would you please stop strangling my friend here?"
Registry Guy reluctantly lets go of Judai's collar. Judai shudders violently and falls into a coughing fit, which seems like a rather strange reaction to me.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but..." His eyes flicker from me to Doctor Earthbender and back, he looks lost and insecure. "I don't understand. Why do they listen to you? You're Fire Nation... right?"
It hurts, seeing him so upset and filled with doubts. But I don't think I'd behave much differently if the roles were reversed.
"Of course I am, dummy. It's just..." I pinch the bridge of my nose. The headache is worsening again. "The High Dragons help me, it's complicated. I'm Fire Nation born and raised, but beyond that..." My gaze is drawn to the angry red markings on Judai's arms again. I don't want to see them, but it's hard to look away. Vile reminders of how he should be dead, and he'll carry them for the rest of his life. What different is my airbending from them?
Judai moves to cover his arms, crossing them in a vain attempt to hide the scars. I take the hint and raise my eyes, forcing myself to look into his. Let him see the pain, the weakness. And he responds in kind. There is no contempt in his gaze, only turmoil. Neither of us knows where this is heading.
I wait for a reply, but Judai's lips remain in a thin line. The atmosphere is so heavy, I can feel it crushing me. So I keep talking.
"I was born with a noose around my neck, waiting for someone to yank it. That's the way it's supposed to be. But..."
My knees buckle. The blood loss, the stress, it's all adding up. Doctor Earthbender catches me. Judai calls my name. My head hurts. So bad.
I'm picked up and carried off, and I can't do much about it. I don't want to be separated from Judai, but it's probably for the best. He probably thinks I'm a traitor, and it's not like I can disprove it. It's a talk for another time, another place, without hostile listeners, without a power imbalance. Turtle whiskers, I can't hope to have an honest conversation with Judai when he needs to watch his reactions...
Darkness is lurking at the edges of my vision, tempting me with a break from this horror. My brain turns woolly, it becomes harder and harder to think straight, to keep Judai's warning in mind. I can't afford to pass out.
"Stay with me, child!" Even Doctor Earthbender says it. "Rocky razor, I shouldn't have let you talk to that boy one more second."
"His name is Judai," I mumble. I need to speak, and it's the first thing that crosses my mind. "His name is Judai. Not boy, and not fire monster."
"Yes, yes."
"Say it." My thoughts are a jumbled mess. I have no idea why I insist on a name, but it feels like the right thing to do. "Judai."
"You're delirious," Doctor Earthbender states. She sits me down and I call upon some deeply buried energy reserves to glance around. That hospital room. Even the sugar box is still standing around.
Doctor Earthbender hands me a cup, and I down its content in one gulp. Cold tea. She pours me another cup, and my senses finally pick up their work properly. This hospital thing is the brightest room, and I can see that Doctor Earthbender's eyes are green. Her brown hair is done up in a neat bun, and she's slim and tall and doesn't look anything like Toph.
"Soo Yun, right?"
She pauses her rummaging through medical stuff. "How do you know?"
"Judai told me. At least someone bothered with learning names."
"He's a sly bunny fox, that one. You shouldn't let your guard down around him."
I sip my tea. Judai is sharp, and I feel no need to deny it. "It's not like he's trying to get into anyone's head. He's just trying to avoid getting cut up again. With his own dagger, no less. I can totally understand that sentiment."
Doctor Earthbender sighs. "I suppose he neglected to mention that said dagger cut up one of us first."
I choke on my tea. Judai did say he tried to escape, so it's quite possible somebody beside him got hurt the process. But... "That's what happens in a fight. Did you really expect him to let anyone take him captive without retaliating? He struck back. Heck, I struck back. We're Fire Nation, it's what we do. We're fierce and strong-willed." I put down my tea cup and shake my head. "Or at least we're supposed to be..." Not much fierceness in me, I'm afraid.
"Show me your arm," Doctor Earthbender says, and I remember whom I'm talking to. Why in the name of Agni do I even bother? Judai was right, this is an utterly lost cause.
I keep my arm to myself.
"I'd rather have my friend look after that."
Doctor Earthbender closes her eyes in resignation. "Kamina, those fire monsters are not your friends."
I wrinkle my nose and decide to keep silent about Katara's origin. The ideological reason: defiance. The practical reason: preserving the element of surprise. "Then explain Judai's behavior to me. If he was as selfish as you claim, why did he protect me from your colleague even though he'd be punished for it? What kind of benefit do you think he's expecting that would outweigh his fear?"
"You."
I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose. Things are playing out the very way Judai predicted, and that's just depressing.
"This debate is going nowhere..."
Did I say half? Har har. The finish line is still blinking in the distance and doesn't seem to draw any nearer.
I'm definitely having more fun with this than I should...
(Edit 21.11.: I should start checking that words I make up don't exist already. And mean something completely different.)