Smellerbee, Jet and Longshot have been regular students at the school. They are learning to read, listening to lectures and finding some guard work in the Middle Ring. Last I heard, they were protecting a silk merchant's warehouse. For how long, was unclear.
The school is familiar territory to the Gaang now, so I feel confident leaving them alone as I check up on our paper supplies and the furniture. We always need more benches and paper, ink or brushes.
It's from the open door of the store room that I witness the two groups spotting each other. Katara goes rigid at the sight of Jet, Sokka takes up a defensive stance and prepares to restrain his sister.
But he shouldn't have worried too much. Katara is willing to shout rather than fight.
"You! What the hell are you doing here?"
Jet looks like a cat preparing to fight, hackles rising. Thankfully, Smellerbee is good at intervening by now. Jet can get into a lot of fights. Mac and Nazar have gleefully included him in their loud, sometimes violent arguments on many occasions.
"Hello Katara! It's good to see all of you! We didn't know you were coming to Ba Sing Se," Smellerbee says, shoving Jet behind her, stepping forwards with open, empty hands. A peaceful gesture that does more for Katara's mood than any of the words.
"Smellerbee! Longshot! Jet!" Aang greets them, happy to see them, though still cautious, especially with Katara's initial reaction. He's smiling, though and edging closer. He likes them.
I lower my eyes back to the inventory list. They'll sort themselves out.
It takes me some time to figure out how much funding we can spend on more paper. Perhaps we should make an arrangement with Dionu's paper supplier. He might charge us more than the local yakuza, but he always delivers and the quality is acceptable for our purposes. I'm certainly not above using any connection available to me.
"Kaito," it's Longshot at the door, getting my attention. He rarely speaks and even now he only gestures at the strange grappling that Sokka and Jet are engaging in. It looks like they're fighting without really committing. But still it's not like brothers might fight. Mac and Nazar are watching with amused expressions, probably betting on the winner.
I make a note on the tablet on the desk that we use to mark down ideas for supplies and such. Then I go out, lock the door with its two locks and see about stopping whatever it is they are doing.
Sokka's got Jet's ear in a pinch, Jet has Sokka in a headlock and both are trying to trip the other up.
I grin. It looks comical. Tome to make them feel it.
"Boys!" my sharp call stops them in their tracks. "Go fight outside, if you must. But this… an arm-wrestling contest would be less embarrassing."
Toph snorts. "As if those noodle arms would be any good."
"What! Toph!" Sokka protests, disentangling himself from Jet and Jet glares.
At me, not her. I wonder what it is I've done now. Called it embarrassing? Well, it is. It's also funny, but I have to be careful about the Dai Li. Any fighting and we're done.
As Sokka and Toph squabble over the size of Sokka's 'guns', I decide to involve Jet in our little pamphlet-project. "Jet, Smellerbee, Longshot, come with me for a moment," I ask and lead them to one of the small back rooms that Gorou soundproofed for me with some muffling ridges on the walls and double layers.
On the table there I take out one of our pamphlets. "We went printing yesterday and I think you might be interested in it."
.
I speak to Mac and Nazar on the way out, to gather those interested in blueprint and construction work in two days. Professor Guiyong will be holding his interviews and we would benefit from bringing as many people looking for work to them. He'll be pleased the more choice he has among competent people. I'll be pleased the more of them forge connections and place themselves in advantageous positions.
Unfortunately, I have yet to find anyone who could take over the work I do for when the time comes to leave Ba Sing Se.
Perhaps… Ranra will know someone.
She knows everyone worth knowing in the Lower Ring, even though she herself is a relatively new arrival. She is also dangerous and likely to use the connections for her own gain. Already she is preparing to open another tobacco shop in the Middle Ring, trade connections secured, location acquired, money not an issue.
But then again, who wouldn't take advantage of the network we're building. So long as there are strong enough personalities to counter her, so long as everyone is on the same page, I don't see the issue. I am not responsible for anything anyone else does. I don't give out orders, I only inform. It's up to the people themselves to decide what to do with the knowledge.
Ranra will give her lecture on the Crystal Caves later. I want to be there, and I want Aang to be there. It might be interesting to him.
But before then, we have hours of daylight to scour the city for hints of Appa's presence and marking more of the entrances to the Crystal Caves. Gorou promised to meet us at the tea house.
.
Smellerbee, Jet and Longshot decide to join us for a cup or two. There is still some suspicion from Katara, but she seems content to watch for now. I suspect that there are still some apologies due, but they will have to sort them out themselves.
The tea shop is bustling with activity. Word's gotten around that Mushi will move to the Middle Ring to open up his own, and this is his last day.
It's no surprise to see Lee and Mai with aprons, helping out. Tom-Tom is content to sit on the counter. He likes the hustle and bustle. Strange, for a child that grew up so sheltered, but now he likes it all. He always was very curious. I'm only glad he's not toddling around, getting underfoot.
Mai pulls me aside as soon as she can. "Ty Lee hasn't come back from her shift last night. She could be with her friend in the seamstress' dorms. Can you go ask if she's there?"
Ah. Something ominous crawls up my back. "I'll go see. If she's not there, Dionu will-"
"No. None of your friends-" she cuts herself off, her hand knuckling white around my wrist. "Come to me first. We have our own contacts."
Right. I might still ask Dionu to keep an ear out for reports on Ty Lee. "Aright. But I'll send someone to relieve you here," I say, thinking she'll want nothing more than to be out searching if Ty Lee is indeed missing.
She nods. She opens her mouth so say something else when-
"Hey Missy! Get back to work! You can chat with your boyfriend later!" some customer who thinks he's funny shouts from the nearest table. Lee is across the loud room, unable to hear or interfere.
Mai lets go of my wrist, as if burnt, whirls around to glare at him and asks: "Would the dear customer like a Jasmine blend?"
It's the most expensive tea they sell here and he knows it. It shuts him up. That, or the glare. Mai can be scary when she wants to.
"Hey," I lean down a little to speak quietly and still be heard over the bustle. "I'll see what I can do. We'll find her."
She nods, expression reserved. Then she goes back to work.
I leave the others at the tea house, where they'll be fine. They'll meet me at the school before the lecture.
.
Ty Lee is not at the seamstress' dorms. Also not at the bathhouse, the market or the flat. Haruto hasn't seen or spoken to her since yesterday morning. Gorou has no idea where she is, nor does he care.
I stop by the school to ask someone to take over Mai and Lee's shifts at the tea house, then I make my way to Dionu. He might have heard something.
I never make it there. Latih, the Pah gang's leader and Yranna's… friend – are they friends? Lovers? Enemies? – intercepts me. She looks as high strung as ever, manic in her energy.
"The girl you're looking for. The Dai Li took her," there must be a reason why she's telling me. I wait for more information, her eyes are intensely focussed on my face. It's quite unnerving. "They took Bon, too."
Ah. Bon is… one of her people. Never met them.
"There's a lecture on the Crystal Caves at the school in an hour. It'll be useful information. Maps to take with us," I offer.
Latih nods, smile jagged. "Knew I could count on you."
What the hell?
"See you later, then."
She leaves. I stand there, watching her go with a growing sense of unease. Count on me? Latih? We don't know each other. We've never spoken. I'm not particularly close with Yranna, even, who would be our connection. My reputation here is that of the watertribesman who founded the school with others and goes to the university too often to really be part of the lower class ring.
Reliability in dangerous matters is not part of that. I may have been part of stopping the drill from reaching Ba Sing Se's walls, but that is not enough for Latih of all people to say that to me.
.
I know one of the daughters of one of the women who regularly comes to the school sometimes helps out at the tea shop. So it's there I head to first. There's a lot of giggling as her sisters bring Moira to the front door.
"Kai," she greets, none of the interest her sisters thought she'd have shows. She knows that Mai's necklace is made by me, and often gives me the side-eye when Mai and Zuko flirt. It's none of her business. Shouldn't be mine, in the first place.
"Moira, I – or rather Mai – has a favour to ask of you," I say. "It's an emergency. Her friend is missing and Mai needs someone to take over her shift for her."
"Fine. But she owes me," Moira says, taking her work apron from the hook by the door.
I'm glad it wasn't a fight to get her to agree.
"What do you think happened to her friend?" Moira asks as we move towards the tea shop.
I pause for long enough to wonder whether Moira will tattle to someone if I tell the truth. Probably not, but I can't risk it, can I? "Hopefully nothing. But there have been incidents of people showing unhealthy interest in her before."
"Unhealthy interest," Moira echoes, seeming to taste the words. "Like from men?"
"Yes," I say, because it's true and tends to generate sympathy with other women for Ty Lee. She looks sweet, I suppose. Can be, with people she likes. But her voice is rough enough to dissuade the more shallow admirers.
Though there always are sick fucks who get off on taking perceived victimhood as an opening to try to further victimise someone.
The exchange between Mai and Moira is quick and painless, so that we are quickly on our way to the school. Zuko's glare burns into our backs. Well, I forgot to ask someone to take over his shift for him. And it would be fine if he wasn't with us for this. I don't think that his presence, uncertain as his loyalties are, would be to our advantage. Then again, against the Dai Li, he might be helpful. But with the uncertainty, this is better.
Mai is not amused at having to sit through a lecture before going off to find Ty Lee, but the preparation is necessary and I need to settle a few things before we go.
It's likely that a confrontation here will speed up the need to leave Ba Sing Se quite soon. Ranra is already sort of the next one in charge, when I'm gone – not that I've really been the boss of this venture. But it's my name and face that the university professors know, that the nobles associate with the place. In hindsight, an oversight, but now there's nothing to be done for it.
When we arrive, the school is already bustling.
I am quick to make my excuses to the back room to check on the prepared letters and forms of authorisation that I might have to give to Ranra in the event that this goes south. They're all there, easily accessed, labelled: Emergency. The box is hidden behind others. Haruto knows it's here and he knows to tell Ranra where it is in the event of my absence.
Mai appears in the doorway. "It's starting," she watches me push the boxes back into place.
We go into the lecture room, and it's too full. Even along the walls, people are leaning. We really do need a larger lecture hall. But that's far off.
I know the rafters are stable, so I am quick to use the wall to get up and sit on one for the duration. Mai follows easily. People watch us with some trepidation as we leap to the front, from beam to beam.
Aang sees it and decides to join us. "Hey! This is great!"
"It is, I agree," and then note Mai's interested stare. "Mai, this is Aang. Aang, this is Mai."
"We've met," Mai says, but gives him a nod.
Aang smiles cheerfully. "I'm glad you like us now."
Mai's face spasms and I turn away to hide my grin. Far from liking us, Mai has settled into reality with frustration and resignation.
Ranra calls everyone to attention with the messing gong that someone brought in.
.
Information and maps acquired from a shrewd-eyed Ranra, Latih, her cohort, Gorou, Mai and I ready ourselves for a rescue mission. Latih claims to know some of the interrogation procedures the Dai Li use. Largely, they isolate the victim – she calls them victims because she doesn't think criminal fits half the people they question. Upon isolation, they introduce a friendly face, sometimes in the capacity of cellmate, sometimes young, inexperienced jailor with sympathies. And then it is only a matter of time for them to guide the conversation into the direction of what the Dai Li wants to know.
In Ty Lee's case, it's likely that they'll want to know why she's been snooping. Who she's with.
I hope she doesn't mention the school. That could be a hard blow for too many people who have come to depend on it and could use it as a means to better their lives.
In all likelihood, the school will be shut down soon enough. But it is my hope to spread enough knowledge now, forge enough connections now, so that people can rebuild on their own, build more, generate change that can last.
The Dai Li threatens that.
For Latih, Bon is simply one of hers and he needs to be freed on that account alone. He also probably has sensitive information to her operations.
We're about to go into one of the nearer entrances to the caves when Jet, Smellerbee, Longshot and the Gaang show up to join us. A look at their faces tells me it's a waste of time to persuade them to stay behind. They would only follow us later.
And, it would put me at ease to know someone has my back here. Latih's words are still stirring nervousness inside of me.
"Ty Lee has been taken by the Dai Li," I explain to them. "One of Latih's men as well. This is primarily a stealth operation, but we are certainly not opposed to snooping around, gathering information. It's likely that we'll confront the Dai Li with violence because that it what they will react with to our presence. They use these earthbent gloves to restrain and fight. So watch out for flying gloves. They pack a punch. Of course, they are also earthbenders, so be quick to dodge whenever you can."
"I'll keep a lookout," Toph says, grinning at her little joke.
It makes me smile and Sokka groan. Which he has no right to, with his awful rhymes.
"We don't want to split up," I go on, "But if it does happen, try to stay with people you know. It's best not to risk anything, since we don't know each other's fighting styles too well."
"Please prioritise your own safety and keep in mind the closest exists as we move, they're marked on the maps."
Everyone nods. Good.
"Are you done?" Mai asks, impatient.
"Yes. Let's go."
.
The entrance to the caves is behind a pub, which makes for an awful smell.
People vomit there, piss here and on the occasional too-drunken night, fuck.
We're all quick to get in, the entrance sealed behind us by one of Latih's men. We don't light torches. If Ranra's information proves correct, we won't need them. Our air supply won't be in danger either, though the caves are naturally connected to the surface somewhere in the direction of Lake Laogai. That's a long way from the city, though.
Our tunnel is narrow, going down steeply, with barely any lighting. Our shuffling feet are too loud in the grave silence. Nobody is stupid enough to panic or hasten and collide with others, but there are inevitably a few bumps.
Once or twice I think Katara stumbles into me, or someone else of her height with long hair.
It only takes a few minutes before we are deep down enough to finally see a faint green glow. The others are dark shadows in front of me, ghostly in the lighting.
And then our tunnel disembogues into the larger one Ranra promised would be there.
On its ceiling are a faint few scattered crystals. In one direction, they grow thicker, like a carpet on the ceiling. In the distance, they seem to even creep down the walls. "Watch your feet here," someone says, "The ground isn't as even."
Toph snorts, once more finding humour in blind jokes. She's the one in the very back, looking out for us.
At the thought, I begin to focus, concentrate. I haven't practised sensing people with my bending as much in Ba Sing Se. Now I regret it. When there are so many people around all the time, the sensing becomes sort of redundant. Hypervigilance is exhausting, so I have been consciously relaxing.
Better to be cautious now, though.
It will be some time until we reach where they have likely taken Ty Lee. Ranra said that further towards Lake Laogai, there are more crystals and far larger caves. Nobody knows quite how deep they go. Or at least, nobody who has told the university cartographers. Ten years ago, the caves were made into royal property, forbidding anyone unauthorised from entering them. The university cartographers have not been allowed in since.
That our information is so out of date bothers me, but there is nothing to be done about it.