Compass

Chapter Two: The Gyatso Estate Part I

Air Temple Islands' long white spire poked over the horizon as the Waterbender rounded the bend of Port Bosco's coastline. As the tower grew closer, it was easier to see the large mansion made of gleaming white stone nestled a few gardens away from it. The mansion was definitely as tall as the crow's nest, and three times as big as the entire ship.

Kai whistled. "That is a big house."

Jinora didn't smile. "Yeah," she said quietly, taking his hand. The two, as well as the rest of the crew, had gathered on the deck with Skoochy at the steering wheel. The docks of the island came into view, and Jinora could make out the small figures of her mother and father. They seemed to be talking, and Jinora had a good idea of what when it looked like her father had swallowed something sour.

Her palms grew sweaty as the ship slid next to the docks, and Appa and Imaru lowered the anchor into the water, while Ryu and Skoochy and Pabu wrapped rope around the deck's posts . Kai gave Jinora's a reassuring squeeze, and the rest of his crew a grateful look, as Imaru and Lefty set down the plank and they walked down onto the docks where Pema and Tenzin were waiting for them.

Jinora's parents looked largely the way Kai remembered them: her father's rim-rod posture, stern, lined face and sharp beard, with even sharper eyes. Her mother looked far more welcoming, a warm smile already spread across her round face, her hair so like her daughter's pulled back in a low set bun, lightly streaked with grey. Their clothes were different, the pale brown suit Tenzin wore crisp and clean, and Pema had on a long, pale yellow dress with lace sleeves. In the past six months, high-society fashion had hardly changed.

Kai wondered if their opinion of him had. He hoped so.

He fiddled with the top button of his shirt (actually having the shirt buttoned all the way up for once felt strange, the collar slightly tight around his neck) as he swallowed hard, Jinora's parents looking to him, and then their daughter.

Tenzin greeted Jinora first, sweeping her into a hug. "Sweetheart," he said happily, "It's so good to see you." His smile faded as Jinora released him, his eyes sliding onto Kai, as if it was the pirate's fault he hadn't seen his daughter in six months. Kai resisted the urge to roll his eyes. For the record, it had been Jinora's decision to postpone this second meeting.

Instead, he stuck out his hand. "It's good to see you again, sir," he said politely, pleased by how easy-going and relaxed he sounded, especially if he was feeling anything but.

Tenzin didn't say anything, or shake his hand (Kai let it fall limp back to his side) but the message was clear: I can't say the same.

Was it possible the time away had made the Governor's opinion of him grow worse? Kai's already small smile faltered, and was grateful when Jinora stepped out of her mother's hug and took his hand. Together. They were going through this together.

"It's good to see you again Kai," Pema said brightly, still with that warm smile. Kai put out his hand, surprised when Pema ignored it and pulled him into a quick hug. At least one parent liked him. Still, Kai was glad it was a brief hug, as he didn't have a lot of experience being hugged by anyone other than Yung or Jinora, much less by a mother figure. (Although Yung did fulfil both the mother and father role more often than not.)

Kai managed to genuinely return Pema's smile. "It's nice to see you again as well, Mrs. Gyatso," he said, inclining his head.

"You're looking much better than the last time I saw you," Pema said, her eyes crinkling.

Kai chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Having Jinora's parents' first impression of him as someone bleeding, weak and probably dying hadn't exactly been ideal. "Yeah, Longshot's a great medic."

"So," Jinora took Kai's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Why don't we go inside?"

If Jinora's house had seemed huge from the ship, it was nothing compared to up close. Pillars of white stone that looked like marble towered over him, the gardens stretching out in vast expanses on either side. Hedges trimmed into large six-legged bison and lemurs with wings - "Symbols of the Gyatso family," Jinora supplied as they passed them - were lined up on either side of the walkway up the stairs to the main entrance door of dark oak. The knocker was a horned bison head, and a well-groomed man who Kai assumed was their butler opened the door for them.

On the way in, Jinora and Pema kept the conversation going, with Kai interjecting here and there when he felt it was his place to, or when Pema directly asked him a question. ("So, tell me, how is the southern Gold Coast in the winter?" or "How did your recovery go?") Tenzin largely remained silent, and it unnerved Kai more than anything else. The servants were as quiet as the Governor, slipping in and out of the rooms to carry out their duties, and beyond casting him questioning or disdainful looks, they didn't do much. Kai was grateful; having been even lower on the social and economic totem pole and now being "served" by people who had been above him his whole life set him on edge.

The house was huge, and mostly empty, and it felt, well...lonely. Kai knew all about feeling lonely. What grounded him was the warmth of Jinora's hand in his, their fingers tightly laced together, as if afraid if they let each other go something would try to tear them apart again, and Kai largely suspected that something was Tenzin's stoic expression.

In the hall near the grand staircase was a refined family portrait in greyscale with an elaborate golden framing. The Gyatso family was pictured in the gardens next to their mansion, and Jinora couldn't have been older than fifteen years old. A book was closed upon her lap as she sat in the chair, her father's hand upon her shoulder with a young Ikki and Meelo standing on either side of her. Pema held a toddler Rohan in her arms. They were all smiling, sans Rohan who was asleep, and Meelo's gaping grin showing off a few missing baby-teeth, but Kai found himself drawn to Jinora's eyes. There was no light in them, and her smile looked strained. If he didn't know her as well as he did, he never would have noticed, but it was a glaring difference to how she looked when she actually smiled: bright and happy with one corner of her mouth curved upwards just ever so slightly more than the other side.

Kai frowned, a quiet sigh escaping his lips as he looked away from the photograph, and to real Jinora's impassive expression off to his right. "You don't look very happy," he murmured.

Jinora's lips curved downwards. "I wasn't," she responded just as softly, so her parents wouldn't hear.

"So Kai," Pema's voice broke him out of his stupor, and the Captain looked towards the woman. "Tell me, what are days on a...pirate ship like?"

Pema didn't beat around the bush, at least, and it made a smile break out over his face. "Chores, mostly," he shrugged. "Cooking, cleaning. More cleaning."

"Music nights are fun though," Jinora added with a grin. They all took seats around the breakfast nook table, only set for six. Tenzin sat at the head of the table, and Kai let Jinora and Pema sit on either side of him, and then took a seat next to Jinora. "Visiting all the different ports, and Yung shares a lot of stories about Kai's younger years, which are always entertaining," she looked at him fondly.

Kai rolled his eyes but there was a smile on his face. "I never claimed to be perfect."

"You're certainly honest about that," Tenzin said quietly. Pema and Jinora frowned, but Kai simply kept on smiling.

"I'm honest about nearly everything, Governor," he said.

Jinora smiled a little. She had been a little worried about Kai holding his own against her father, but clearly it wouldn't be an issue. If anything, maybe she had to worry about the opposite. "Father, if you don't mind, I'd like to give Kai a proper tour of the house and the grounds," she said, but it was clear it wasn't exactly a request.

"Of course sweetie," Pema said. "I'd like to come along with you, as well. Get to know Kai a bit better, Tenzin-"

"I have some paperwork to finish up," Tenzin said shortly.

Pema pursed her lips. "Alright then. We'll need to be back at noon, however. Rohan's school ends early on Fridays and we always try to go to pick him up."

"Kai and I could go," Jinora offered. "The school isn't far. There's a back road most people don't use, so we wouldn't have to worry about being...seen." Piracy, unfortunately, Jinora thought glumly, was still a criminal offence, a title that neither Kai nor their crew deserved. They didn't need any nosy Port Bosco citizens recognizing Kai and reporting him to the authorities. "And it'd be nice to show him some of the town, anyway."

"I better be going," Tenzin's chair scraped against the floor as he stood up. He bent and kissed his wife's cheek before straightening back up again.

"We can start on the tour then," Jinora said. "We can start with my room upstairs and work our way down." She and Kai got up from the table together.

"Keep that door open," Tenzin said, and then he left the room as fast as he could. Jinora groaned and Kai froze, unsure if he should even breathe as a blush coloured his cheeks.

"Father! Mother's going to be with us anyway," Jinora said indignantly.

Pema smoothed down her dress as she rose from the table, clearly trying not to smile. "So, shall we begin?"

Jinora's room was about what Kai had expected her room to be. It had fancy blue wallpaper with faint flowers, and loads of books. Light was streaming in from the window, turned towards the sea.

"It always relaxed me," Jinora said, noticing his line of vision. "I spent most of my time in here, when I was home." She turned towards her old dresser, to the music box on top, now covered with a thin layer of dust. She cracked it open, a soft melody floating out, as she rummaged around for something. She pulled out a thin silver chain with a blue stone, glittering as she pressed it into his palm. "My GranGran's locket," she shrugged.

Kai pocketed it, smiling up at her. "Have to keep it safe then." He glanced at Pema. "Mrs. Gyatso, what about your parents?"

"They live near ZaFou, so they don't see us very often," Pema smiled. "They weren't thrilled about Tenzin and I's engagement, at first, because of the age difference." She placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "He'll come around, you'll see."

Kai's smile faltered, but his eyes stayed bright. "Thank you, Mrs. Gyatso. I certainly hope so."

The two women led him throughout the mansion, down hallways and corridors, into more rooms than Kai thought possible to be in one house. He knew the servants lived on the lower floors, in the basement more or less, but he couldn't believe how few people could live in a house so large, especially compared to the sometimes cramped quarters of the Waterbender. He knew Daw would love the huge kitchen, and Otaku would adore the massive library. (Jinora took a few volumes from the shelves, claiming that she hadn't read them yet. "Is that possible?" Kai had teased her, and Jinora had lightly smacked him on the arm while Pema smiled softly.)

They went through the grounds next, Jinora pointing out the tree in the orchard she had climbed and then fell out of as a girl, leading to her fear of heights. There was another tree where her younger brother Meelo had carved Meelo + candy with a crudely shaped heart around it.

Kai laughed. "Smart kid," he said, shaking his head. "He's 16 now right? Still in a love affair with candy?"

"More than his schoolwork, I'm afraid," Pema chuckled.

As they crossed over the gardens, there was a loud chime. Kai looked up startled, but Pema and Jinora seemed completely unaffected. "It's already eleven, where has the time gone?" Pema mused.

"We should start heading back to the house then," Jinora said.

"Hold on a sec," Kai requested, reaching towards his belt. At least the Gyatsos hadn't insisted on him discarding his sword and knife. It always made him uneasy to not have a weapon on him. He pulled out his dagger, and reached up to below the tree's lowest branch. He easily carved in a smooth K + J and then encircled it with a heart. "Now all we have to do is prove that your brother and candy have nothing on us."

Jinora smiled softly. "A real challenge." She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, and she let their arms have a slight swing as they walked back to the mansion, trailing behind Pema.

When they entered through the back door, Tenzin was waiting from them, stroking his beard. He looked deeply troubled, and Kai frowned Tenzin looked at him as if it was all his fault. What had he apparently done now? Tenzin sighed heavily. "Captain...I'd like to have a chat with you, one-on-one."

Kai thought back to their last conversation. Fine. I'll drop this issue...for now. Now, obviously, had finally come back six months later to bite him in the butt.

He squeezed Jinora's hand and then let go. "Of course sir."

Jinora grabbed his arm as he went to leave with Tenzin (although where the Governor was taking him exactly, he had no clue). "Kai, you don't have to-"

He planted a quick kiss on her forehead. "It'll be fine, Gyatso," he whispered just loudly enough for her to hear. "Trust me."

Jinora frowned. "Fine," she grumbled, and reluctantly let go of him. He wished it was as easy for him to trust himself. Kai gave her a smile that faltered as soon as he wasn't facing her. He wasn't scared of the Governor, and he knew Tenzin just wanted what was best for his daughter, but the fact he seemed to refuse that Kai even had a possibility of being what that best thing was did hurt, and he knew it hurt Jinora as well, no matter what she said.

And maybe he was a little worried that Tenzin would get through to Jinora, and would convince her, and that by being around everything she had cared about would make her realize how much she missed it and she'd leave him. Maybe.

Kai's throat went dry as Tenzin led him up the stairs and down a corridor, towards the library. They entered it and the servants inside immediately scurried out of it. What exactly had he just got himself into?

Jinora sighed softly as she watched Kai and her father head up the stairs. She didn't like the idea of them being alone. So far, everything had gone about as well as she had expected, but she worried that Tenzin would prey on Kai's insecurities and actually convince him that she was better off without him. He had sent her away once to protect her, who was to say he wouldn't try to do it again? Only this time, she'd be wiser, and hold her ground.

Pema smiled sadly, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Sweetheart?"

"I'm just a little worried," Jinora said, frowning.

Pema squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sure Kai's confident enough in your relationship to withstand anything Tenzin says to him."

At that, Jinora laughed, surprised at the bitterness of it. "It's not that. Father isn't saying anything to him that Kai hasn't already said to himself. Kai hasn't had an easy life and the thought of anyone causing him any more pain just...I just want to protect him." She shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Your father won't be too mean," Pema assured her. "And Kai can take care of himself, I'm sure."

Jinora smiled at her. "That doesn't mean he should have to. But you're right, I'm sure I'm worrying over nothing...what do you think of Kai?"

Pema planted a kiss on Jinora's forehead. "I think he's a sweet boy, who certainly doesn't live up to his reputation, and it's clear you mean the world to him. He's doing very well, for someone so out far of his usual environment."

"I don't think he's ever been in a real house before," Jinora said softly, frowning, but her lips curved upwards as she looked back at her mother. "Thank you, mother, for giving him a chance."

Pema pulled her into a hug that Jinora happily returned. "As long as you're happy," she murmured.

Jinora gave her mother a little squeeze. "I am."

Kai decided that the old dusty books were fascinating as Tenzin slowly turned around to face him, eyes narrowed.

"You know why you're here," Tenzin said.

Kai looked at him and forced an easy grin, shrugging. "Not really."

Tenzin rolled his eyes, scowling. "It's been six months, my daughter's name has been dragged through the mud, and I had thought by now she'd be over these silly little feelings for you, but she's not. I had assumed it was just infatuation, or a way to get back at me in some convoluted way, but apparently..."

Kai frowned slightly. "You know I genuinely care for her."

"How deep that care goes, is what I'm calling into question. We both know she deserves better; she deserves a man who can marry her-"

"She's happy with the way things are," Kai said. "We're married every way but legally."

Tenzin's face was rapidly turning red as his eyebrows shot up, and Kai wanted to roll his eyes. Of course the Governor's mind had gone to that. "Every-"

"I said every," Kai cut over him, his voice steady and calm, if a bit cold. He wasn't going to deny it. He and Jinora shared a room, and making love was a part of their relationship. They always took precautions - or nearly always - and there was no point lying about it, even to her father, even if it would get him in trouble. Kai took pride in the fact that despite being a pirate, he was usually an honest man. If he wanted Tenzin to believe that he truly loved the man's daughter, than he needed to be honest.

Tenzin threw him a furious look, and then started pacing. "And? What if something happens? What if she gets pregnant, you can just up and leave her, is that it?"

Kai scoffed. "You act like Jinora and I have never discussed our future before. If she gets pregnant, I'm not going to leave her, are you crazy? We'll raise the child together, out of wedlock, but that doesn't matter in the pirate world. It's rare enough pirates even have parents, no one cares if they're married."

"Maybe not in your world, but they do in mine," Tenzin said, his temper rising. "Do you know what type of scandal you've caused? What the papers call her? They call into question my ability to govern, even, saying that if I can't control my daughter than how can I control the city."

"I told you that you could keep the story of the hostage situation, it was Jinora's decision to tell the truth," Kai said. "And you think I don't care about what the papers call her? It drives me crazy, but there's nothing I can do about it. And it's frustrating that I can't marry her, because if I could I would in a heartbeat. But this is my life, this is what I've been given, and I'm sure as hell not going to take it for granted. Honestly, Governor, I'm not sure what you want me to say. What's done is done. I'm not leaving her, and she's not leaving me."

Tenzin stopped pacing and stared at him. "And what if you die?"

The scars on Kai's back from Zaheer's blade - two of them, now - tingled, and he felt his muscles stretch as they remembered the pain, the blood. The dizziness he had come to associate with the day and a half when his life had hung in the balance. "Everything I have is on my ship. It'll be divided up amongst my men and Jinora. The crew will take care of her. They already do."

"You're still a criminal."

"Depends on your definition of criminal," Kai shrugged. "But it's 13 years too late to change that, anyway."

Tenzin raised an eyebrow at him. "You're being selfish. You've ruined her reputation; you've forced her to sacrifice everything-"

Kai looked away from him and towards the tall, wide windows, open to the sea. He watched the waves for a moment, trying to find something to say. "Maybe I am," he admitted. "But isn't everyone a little selfish when it comes to love? And yes, she has sacrificed for me. But your issue is that you're forgetting she wasn't happy here."

"I may have misjudged her suitors," Tenzin said begrudgingly, "but-"

"It wasn't just the suitors," Kai interrupted him. "She was unhappy long, long before that."

Tenzin glared at him. "Says who?"

"She does," Kai said, his own eyes hardening. "The fact is I make her happy. I don't think that's very selfish. But you, still trying to decide what's best for her when it's really what's best for you, is."

Tenzin's jaw dropped. "You dare-"

"Yes I dare," Kai said. There was a long silence as they simply stared at each other, and if Kai hadn't known the Governor's adamant on pacifism, then he would have thought the older man might smack him.

Instead, there was a quiet knock at the door, and a servant tentatively poked their head in. "Master Tenzin sir? Your wife says it's time for young miss Jinora and, er, the Captain, to go pick up young master Rohan from school."

Tenzin nodded. "Thank you, Gashun." Tenzin studied Kai for a moment as Gashun quietly shut the door. "You'd better get going, I won't have you and Jinora being late picking up my son."

Kai swallowed hard. "Of course not, sir."

He let out a sigh of relief when he left the library and found Jinora alone, waiting for him in the foyer. "Rough conversation?" she guessed, her brow furrowing as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Kai sighed again. "You could say that again." He glanced at the clock: nearly 11:37. "We should get going."

It was a relief when the mansion grew smaller, and being on a boat again, even if it was a simple ferry and not the Waterbender immediately calmed him, the waves lapping against the hull. Kai told her of he and her father's conversation in the library (or at least the general gist of it) and by the time he had finished they were walking off the ferry, and to his surprise, Jinora was beaming at him.

"Why are you smiling at me like that?" he said uneasily, as she wound her fingers through his.

Jinora hummed contentedly. "I'm proud of you. You stood up to my father for us, and that isn't easy to do."

"It didn't help me win him over though," Kai rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.

"You'll win the war," Jinora promised, squeezing his hand. "You already have."

Kai smiled down at her, his eyes crinkling. "Good."

Jinora tugged on his hand, and led him over to a deserted dirt road tucked away behind a line of tall, thick trees. "Now let's go pick up my little brother, Captain."