disclaimer: Mike and Bryan own the ATLA universe; Mariko belongs to me (: enjoy!
Fire III
"Yeah, the only problem with being in disguise is we don't get the hero-worship anymore; I miss the love." Toph lamented.
Mariko smiled wryly, "Sounds like it was worthwhile while it lasted."
"Boo-hoo, poor heroes." Sokka groused from his spot far away from the quartet.
Katara raised a brow, "What's your problem? You haven't even touched your smoked sea-slug." She asked.
"It's just all you guys can do this awesome bending, like putting out forest fires and flying around, making other stuff fly around… I can't fly around, OK? I can't do anything!" He declared.
"That's not true; noone can read a map like you!" His sister assured.
"I can't read at all!" The youngest girl piped up.
"I can't read maps," the oldest girl chimed with a sheepish look.
"Yeah, and who can keep us laughing with all the sarcastic comments? I mean, look at Katara's hair, right? What's up with that?" Aang added, trying to cheer him up.
Mariko sweatdropped at his failed attempt, shaking her head.
"Look, I appreciate that, but the fact is that each of you is so amazing and special, and I'm… not. I'm just the guy in the group who's regular." Sokka quieted them, continuing to stare forward.
Katara sat with him, "I know that's how you feel, but none of us sees you that way… I know what's going to make you feel better!" She added as a thought came to mind, looking at her brother.
::::::::x-x::::::::
It wasn't long before they found an armory shop nearby.
Mariko shook her head patiently when Sokka zipped ahead of them to go look for a new weapon, folding her arms behind her head as she inspected the swords and daggers. She paused at seeing a pair of black wrist-guards that had gold trim on the top halves, making them stand out. "Pretty…!" She zipped over to examine them, her eyes bright. Remembering the pouch of gold she'd kept from her old job in Ba Sing Se, she pulled it out, finding she had enough to buy the wrist guards; she beamed, snagging them and taking them to the register, the pouch in her free hand.
"You have a good eye; that's an original, made by Piandao, the finest sword-master and sword-maker in Fire Nation history. He lives in the big castle up the road from here." The manager said, perking her ears, as she paused in taking the wrist-guards to the register to see everyone crowded around a sword hung on the wall.
"That's it! That's what you needed all along, Sokka," Aang declared once it hit him, looking to his friend.
Sokka blinked, "A sword?"
"Not just a sword, a master." He said, looking at the sword again as he took it down from the wall. "We've all had masters help us to get better; maybe you can study with Master Piandao."
"That's a great idea! I could've never gotten to where I am without Master Paku. Everyone needs a teacher." Katara agreed with a smile.
"I learned from badger-moles; they don't talk, but they're still good teachers." Toph chimed.
"I didn't have anyone to teach me with my bending, but I did have a teacher when I started learning how to use the katana." Mariko offered, smiling at the memory.
Sokka admired the blade, nodding, "It would be nice to be a master sword-fighter… all right, I'll talk to him!" He said.
He really was good with a sword.
She smiled at the happier-looking Sokka, folding her arms. "It looks like an awesome sword, Sokka." She commented, examining the Pai-Sho tile he had been given.
Her gaze softened; Uncle loved playing Pai-Sho, but the fact that Piandao gave this to Sokka… She looked at the castle's closed front gates, shaking her head. Nah, it's not possible… Right?
"Hey, you coming, sword girl?" She looked to see her friends already yards ahead of her down the path.
"Yeah, sorry!" She smiled sheepishly, hurrying after them.
"Daydreaming again?" Her age-mate wondered blandly as she sidled to his side.
She rolled her eyes, smirking. "Not in so many words."
"Here; I already gave Toph one of these, but since you're an earth-bender too, and part of the gang, it's only right, right?" Sokka handed her a concentrated ball of black meteorite.
Mariko looked at it in surprise, admiring the meteorite for a second before bending it, letting it form into a thin choker; she smiled, putting it around her neck, before smiling up at him. "Thanks, Sokka."
"Y'know, I don't think it's 'space-earth'; if it's in space, how can it be considered earth?" Katara asked now that she had both earth-benders to voice an opinion, leading the way.
"Must you ruin everything!?" Sokka complained.
"I can't believe I missed you…" His sister mumbled.
again, short chap; there wasn't much to cover that didn't involve Sokka (solo).