Earth...Fire...Water...Air... This is the age of the new Avatar, and after many years of chaos, the world is poised to enter into a time of prosperity and peace. But every light casts a shadow, and in the days to come, the very balance of the universe will be in danger, and the true purpose of the Avatar will be revealed. The Avatar's name is Usagi, a warrior of love and justice, and despite all the great deeds she has accomplished, her story is not over yet!
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK THREE: DEATH
9: This Thing Called Life
Three weeks after acquiring the friendship of both Haruka Tenoh and the pirates of the Scum Bucket, Makoto Kino gazed at herself in the mirror, seeing not a tomboy or a duchess or even a wood-bender, but a future Queen. She was wrapped in a magnificent dress of green and yellow that fluttered like a summertime forest caught in the breeze whenever she moved. She wore golden bracelets and a golden necklace with the Kino family crest engraved on it, and had a gold tiara around her forehead (in her opinion, still not as nice as the one she had helped buy for Usagi). For only the eighth time in her life, she wore makeup, and her hair was left free of the ponytail she normally kept it in. Many more flowers were woven into her auburn tresses; she kept the one Haruka had given her pressed and preserved in a glass case back in Omashu. She also wore a veil, though that accessory was optional, and clogs she had carved out of wood to custom-fit her feet. She twirled around slowly, studying every detail of her wedding gown. It was honestly better than she had imagined it.
"Whew, girl," her maid of honor whistled as she dabbed perfume here and there. "You are looking spicy! Motoki won't even know what to do with himself when he sees you! You're gonna have to bust this thing out more often!"
"Maybe for really special occasions," Makoto replied, appraising her clogs and the silk anklets that fit snugly above them. "I have other dresses, you know."
"Yeah, like...three," Minako snorted. "We really need to expand your wardrobe one of these days. The Queen of Omashu wouldn't be able to show her face in public wearing the same three dresses!"
"Okay, I promise we'll go shopping later," Makoto laughed. Minako winked, kneeling down to make sure all the sequins were sewn on correctly. She had had a design for Makoto's wedding dress ever since they were children, and the end result was virtually unchanged. Satisfied, at least for the moment, she stood up again and asked that Makoto give her one more turn. She scrutinized the bride and her dress with all the devotion of an obsessive fanatic. A strand of hair was out of place, a sliver of thread was sticking out, and the dress was starting to ride a bit low. Minako made the adjustments and stood back. Her critical expression softened as she beheld her oldest and closest friend.
Makoto Kino was...breathtaking. Minako smiled wistfully, feeling tears well up.
"I can't believe this day is finally here," she sniffled, carefully dabbing herself with a tissue so as not to smudge her eyeliner. "It took you long enough, you know."
"Yeah, I know," Makoto sighed, rolling her eyes. "But better late than never."
"Darn it, how are you so calm while I'm a nervous wreck?!" she exclaimed, pounding her fists on Makoto's bare shoulders, weeping for joy. Makoto laughed and touched her best friend's face.
"I've been looking forward to this moment all my life. I've had years to prepare."
"So have I, but I'm still..." She sniffled and wiped her eyes again. Makoto pulled her in for a hug, not caring if she wrinkled or crushed anything. Minako squeezed back, but quickly withdrew and clucked her tongue as she went in to repair the damage. As her friend muttered and worked her magic, Makoto glanced over at her other bridesmaids. Unazuki would be responsible for taking care of the countless guests, but Ami, Rei, and Usagi were there should their resident air-bender need them. Minako had energy and anxiety to spare, and insisted on handling every detail, leaving them somewhat bored; they were already dressed and eager to start.
"Sheesh!" Usagi groaned, flailing her arms in frustration. "I know this is a royal wedding and all, but who would've thought it'd take so long to get started? Rei, you're a priestess. Do weddings drag on like this in the Fire Nation?"
"I'm afraid so, Usagi, at least when it comes to the upper class. Sometimes even longer. Mako's is actually moving along fairly quickly. I'd say we'll be ready to start in only one more hour."
"Another hour?!" she wailed, collapsing onto the couch she had been sitting on. Usagi let out a long groan before casting her eyes at Makoto. Despite Minako's obsessive nitpicking, she looked perfectly ready to step out and tie the proverbial knot. "What am I gonna do in an hour?"
"Well, you could read a book," Ami suggested, which was what she was doing. Usagi was so restless that she nearly felt tempted to do just that.
"Oh yeah? What book are you reading?"
"A Dissertation on Agricultural Aeration, Hydroponics, the Greenhouse Effect, and Aquifer Architecture."
"Sounds like a blast," she grunted. "I'm fairly certain you made up most of those words. What're you doing, Rei?" The priestess was kneeling, eyes closed and palms pressed together solemnly.
"Offering prayers to the hundred and eight guardians of heaven and earth. It's part of the marriage ritual in the Fire Nation. I just thought I'd send Makoto on her way with a personal touch." Makoto smiled and saluted at her friend, but somehow that sounded less exciting than whatever Ami was doing. Usagi groaned and stared at the ceiling.
"You could always meditate, you know," Minako suggested as she carefully edited Makoto's rouge. "I know we're all off-duty today, but it'd be nice if we knew what was happening in the Spirit World."
"I got kicked out the last time, though," Usagi reminded her. Minako glanced over her shoulder.
"All the more reason you should look into it. You don't have anything better to do, unless you'd like to help Unazuki." Usagi nodded; she liked that idea. The Avatar was a people's person, after all, and represented the collective human consciousness. It would only be fitting that she'd be out there, meeting new faces and hearing their stories. Usagi vaulted to her feet and announced that she'd go and help Unazuki, which Makoto appreciated. Once she left the room, all four girls let out a sigh of relief.
"Good call there, Mina," Rei said. "I love Usagi, but sometimes, she can be a real pest."
"Yeah," Makoto grinned, "but I wouldn't trade her for the world."
…...
Usagi's energy and enthusiasm was a godsend for Unazuki, who was feeling a bit overwhelmed by her duties. She was given the responsibility of greeting everyone, registering their name, origin, and any gift or dowry they may bring, and placing them on the correct side of the procession. In this way, she got to meet an extraordinary number of people, some she recognized—like Kotono, who chatted with Unazuki while her brother introduced himself to every dignitary and potentate he laid his eyes on, and Kinsei, huge and robust as ever—while others she didn't know. There was Ho Hsien-ku of the Northern Air Temple, Wathohuck of the Southern Water Tribe, and Hakim, plenipotentiary of the Si Wong sand-benders.
Usagi made a face. "What's a...planna-pa-whozits?" Unfazed by her ignorance, Hakim clarified in a soft, heavily accented voice.
"Merely a diplomatic agent invested with the power to perform business transactions. I act on behalf of our mercantile guild, which is near enough to a ruler."
"Oh!" Usagi's face lit up; she understood that much at least. She saluted in typical Earth Kingdom fashion, pressing her fist against her palm, which Hakim returned.
"Yesherveny, Avatar. That is an ancient expression meaning, I am honored."
"Ah! Well then, yesh-a-penny to you, too." Hakim frowned, drew a deep breath, and politely excused himself. Usagi felt embarrassed for herself. In all likelihood she had offended the man and ruined the Avatar's reputation with the sand-benders for at least five generations. Unazuki noticed her despondency and came over to cheer her up.
"Hey, don't let it upset you, Usagi. Even I've managed to step on a few toes today, and I've been trained to do this since birth. Today's a day to let bygones be bygones and celebrate a new stage in life!" Usagi smiled warmly, putting her arm around Unazuki's shoulder.
"See, I knew I liked you, princess! I have a feeling we'll be very good friends in the future! Say, did Umino ever join up with the Tellurians?"
"Nah, he said he was fully committed to his other job. I told him the offer was still good, though. He should be around here somewhere if you want to say hello."
"I know, I already saw him and Naru. Uh...Unazuki, is it just me, or are those swamp spirits heading right for us?" Usagi bristled as two humanoid figures garbed in seaweed, vines, flowers, and tattered rags approached her and the princess, grinning broadly.
"Well fatten my flyin' hogs, Rubella, if it ain't the Avatar herself!" one of them bellowed. "Course she don't look none like Betty-Sue, but I reckon-ize them yeller pigtails o' hers! Put er' there, Avatar!" The spirit spat on its hand and extended a muscular arm toward her. Usagi stiffened, completely paralyzed. The other spirit nudged its neighbor.
"Darryl, you's bein' inhospitable. Inner-duce yerself first, man."
"I was jes' gettin' to that, woman!" the first spirit bellowed. He coughed and offered a clumsy bow. "Th' name's Darryl Hollowbog. I come here as a, uh, whatchoo call it, repper-zenny-tive of the Crick. Them's the Riverfolk what be livin' in the Swamps here'n yonder." Unazuki relaxed and smiled at them. So these were humans, not spirits.
"I'm honored you accepted my brother's invitation, sir. He'll be pleased to know you were able to attend. Who is your companion, might I ask?" The other spirit—or rather, the other representative of the swamp people who had settled in the boggy marshes outside of Omashu—spat on her hand and extended it before remembering her manners.
"Sorry about that, it's an ol' habit. I reckon you royal types ain't accustomed to Crick traditions. I'm Rubella Hollowbog, the other ree-par-zenny-tive, and Darryl's wife."
"She's also m' sister," Darryl grinned, causing both girls to recoil. The two Riverfolk let out a guffaw at their reaction. "I's just pullin' yer leg there, ladies! We don't do that no more. Rubella's only kin by way of locality n' circumstance, as it were. We's all family down at the Crick, even if we ain't related by blood. But she is m'wife."
"Oh." Both Unazuki and Usagi settled down, giving each other nervous glances. Usagi finally decided to take the plunge and spat on her hand. "Well, as the Avatar, I welcome you both to Omashu. We're honored to have you." She smiled and shook Rubella's slimy hand; Unazuki shrugged, spat on her palm, and shook Darryl's.
"And as Princess of Omashu, it gives me great pleasure to host two worthy representatives of my neighbors. Consider my services yours." The two Riverfolk gazed at each other in humble awe, smiling sweetly as they held back tears.
"Ya hear that, Rubella? The princess herself welcomed us with open arms. We ain't never been so accommodated by royalty b'fore."
"I know, Darryl," she sniffed. "And this here Avatar may not look like Betty-Sue, but she's got her heart, ain't no mistake about that. The hospitality abounds here. Y'all ain't got no idea how much this means to us. Time was, uppity rich folk wouldn't so much as give us th' time o' day, much less invite us to they weddin's."
"Well, I hope my brother and I can make up for that unforgivable oversight," Unazuki said warmly. She and Usagi recorded Darryl and Rubella and put them on the King's side, front row, along with all the other dignitaries. As they bade farewell, offering their thanks, Usagi spotted a friend of hers and insisted on introducing her to Unazuki. Arm in arm, the two ladies marched through the teeming masses, weaving and squeezing until they came across a blonde girl in pigtails, wearing a black dress with purple sequins. The other girl gasped as Usagi approached her and the two hugged.
"I'm glad you made it, Sue," Usagi gushed.
"Just barely. We had an incident on Whaletail Island. I'll tell you all about it later." Usagi grinned and presented the two women to each other:
"Princess Unazuki Furuhata, may I present Suen, the Avatar of Justice."
"Just Suen will do," Suen said as she bowed. Unazuki placed her fist against her palm.
"I'm honored. A friend of the Avatar is always welcome in Omashu."
"And what are we, chopped liver?" Suen's four friends fluttered in, along with her brother, Keya, and all of Kotono and Ittou's crew, and soon a cluster had formed which proved incredibly difficult to escape from. Somehow Unazuki pulled it off, at least.
"Okay, Usagi, it looks like you have it covered here! I'll smooth things over with Hakim, maybe ask him out on a date. Have fun!"
"Wait! Unazuki, don't leave me here! Ah—hey, Luna, where'd you come from? What's gotten into you? Ow, this is a conspiracy, isn't it?!"
About an hour later, all the chaos and stress somehow fell into place. The babbling procession, Motoki's relations and friends on one side and Makoto's on the other, fell into a respectful hush as a lone violinist began her tune. A bittersweet melody lifted into the air, filling the large room with its evocative grace and elegance. It was a subtle, august piece, one that might play to greet the dawn or bid salutations to a full, summertime moon. The crowd stood and bowed reverently as Makoto Kino, dazzling in her dress, carried herself with all the strength and courtesy of a noblewoman. She had no close male relative to give her away, so Mamoru obliged, guiding her by the arm until she stood at the altar where the high priest, Minako, and her bridesmaids awaited.
The crowd bowed again as King Motoki Furuhata appeared and marched down the aisle, accompanied by an austere melody where trumpets rang clear as crystals. He was accompanied by the Avatar, as elegant a lady as was ever birthed in the world. For once, Usagi didn't trip over her heels or her dress (she had been rehearsing); she curtsied reverently as she entrusted the king to Makoto's care, and stood next to Mamoru, grinning in relief.
"All those lessons paid off!" she whispered. "I didn't even stumble! Boy, my heart's racing at a mile a minute!"
"You were magnificent," Mamoru replied. The priest made a speech, first honoring the union between the King of Omashu and the Duchess of Kolau, then honoring them as individuals, highlighting the great deeds they had performed and the people whom they had befriended. He praised Omashu and Kolau, and all the lands of the southern Earth Kingdom; he spoke of how Kalkin would be smiling on them this day, causing Usagi to grin wildly; he went on, and on, causing more than one person in the crowd to yawn.
"Get to the point, blabbermouth," Kinsei Aino muttered to himself. "The sooner they're wed and coronated, the sooner I can dig into that grand feast."
"I told you you should have eaten breakfast," Fire Lord Kuni hissed. Chief Oomari squirmed.
"Confound it, just wrap it up already. I need to use the men's room."
"This sucks," Ittou sighed. He ribbed his sister and smirked. "A preview of things to come, sis!" Kotono rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, don't remind me. Mom and dad are already pressuring me to find a husband. Hey, Master Hakim, are you married?"
"I have that distinguished honor," he replied quietly. Kotono grumbled, resting her cheek on her fist.
"Can't say I didn't try."
"Quiet," Suen hissed, giving her neighbor a nudge, "it looks like he's coming to the end of it." Motoki and Makoto had written their own vows: short, succinct, pulled straight from the heart. Motoki would serve, honor, and cherish Makoto; Makoto vowed to be faithful, loyal, and caring, and not to take it too easy on Reika (who gave a good-natured smirk off to the side). The priest was about to announce their union, but Motoki interrupted him:
"An addendum, your holiness, I beg you." He then held his bride's hands, peering deep into her warm russet eyes. "Makoto, the two of us were betrothed to each other before we were born. Since that time I have grown to love and trust you as any husband ought to. However, there's always been a question tickling in the back of my mind. Just for one moment, pretend I am no king and you are no duchess. Say we are two ordinary people who met by circumstance. Would you still marry me of your own free will?"
"Oh, Motoki," she whispered, tears in her eyes, "you know I would." He then grinned and kissed her deeply, without needing to be prompted. The priest sighed and gave a lackluster shrug.
"I now pronounce you man and wife." The crowd was already applauding and cheering, so the priest had to work hard to settle them down. "We are not finished with the ceremony, however," he called, getting everyone's attention. "There is still the matter of the coronation!"
"And how long will that be!?" Kinsei roared. The priest frowned.
"Another three hours, if you please."
"Whoa there, pal!" Makoto exclaimed. "I married the King just now, and that makes me Queen! And as queen, my first royal decree is...IT'S PARTY TIME!" Everyone roared and cheered as they royal couple clasped hands and ran down the aisle, grinning wildly. Only the priest remained, rolling his eyes as he grumbled.
"Whatever, as long as I get paid."
The King and new Queen were the first to arrive at the dance floor. They instructed the band to play a slow, sweet song evocative of love and lifelong bonds, and danced together as beautifully as any fairytale ending could hope for. Once the last of their guests had filed into the room, however, they stopped their respectful waltz and signaled the band, which burst into a raucous, fast-paced number. The King and Queen banged their heads, leaped wildly, threw each other across the floor, even incorporating earth-bending moves in their repertoire. Everyone else followed in their example: the breezy, whirling leaps of the Air Nomads; the fluid, graceful ballets of the Water Tribe; the fiery, flashy cartwheels of the Fire Nation; and the pounding, heavy stomping and crashing of the Earth Kingdom. Usagi took to the center and tried combining all the styles into a spectacular showcase, wearing herself out and impressing the crowd. Everyone flailed, shook, kicked, leaped, twirled, raved, waved their arms, and generally let loose; the dances gradually became calmer as the night wore on.
Rei was having a marvelous time dancing with foreign dignitaries, famous people, warriors, politicians, and complete strangers (men or women, it didn't matter), but eventually the glass of wine she had consumed along with the two cups of punch were taking their toll on her. She excused herself from her dance partner and rushed outside, fretfully searching for the ladies' room. The problem was, she had no clue where one was, and was forced to ask an attendant. Rei rushed down the hallways as fast as her heels would allow her, muttering the directions to herself so she wouldn't forget. As she opened a door and stared down a hallway with six other doors, Rei cursed the attendant, wondering if she had been sent the long way on purpose. She counted past the first door on her left and was just about to head into the second when she caught something out of the corner of her eye, and jerked to a halt.
Standing off in a shadowy corner together were Ami and Minako, their arms around each other, kissing each other with a slow, searing passion. Rei's eyes bulged, and she forgot about her bladder as she stared at them in shock. The two girls suddenly sensed they had an audience, and opened their eyes. Ami gave her a tart expression.
"Yes, can we help you?" Rei snapped out of her daze and stammered.
"Ah...no, no, um...I was just, uh...looking for the women's room. It's, uh, through this door, I think."
"Oh, good," Minako said. "On your way now."
"Uh, yep," Rei said, laughing nervously as she slipped away. Ami and Minako stood there for a moment longer, still embracing, the mood ruined. Then they snickered.
"That was so awkward!" Minako chortled.
"Tell me about it," Ami added. "And here I thought we had some privacy. So much for that." They smiled warmly into each other's eyes.
"How long do you think it'll be before everyone else knows?"
"We should just tell them anyway. I don't want to keep this hidden anymore, do you?"
"Not on your life. Sometime tomorrow, maybe, once everyone's tired out from partying. We'll get the gang together and let them know."
"How do you think they'll take it?"
"Well, we already know how Rei will react." The two girls laughed again, edging closer to one another. Ami leaned up, touching their noses.
"We should probably get back to the party now. Rei's going to come back any minute, and I don't want to embarrass her any more than she already is."
"So considerate," Minako said. Se kissed Ami once, twice, and became lost in her affections. Eventually they pried themselves away from each other and headed back to the dance hall, taking a shortcut.
…...
Mamoru had taken turns dancing with Unazuki, Makoto, Rei, Fire Lady Iku, and even Motoki, but naturally spent most of his time with Usagi, whether sharing a silly, fast-paced dance with her or a slow, sensual waltz. He had gotten a lot better at dancing and could now go entire songs without stepping on any feet (Usagi hadn't improved much). After the tenth dance with Usagi, he felt exhausted and parched, so he took a break to get a glass of water. He found a bubbling fountain and filled his cup three times before he was satisfied, then daintily washed the sweat off his face. He reached for a towel and was handed one by an unseen assistant.
"Ah, thank you."
"Croeso." He gave a start and looked up, seeing something completely unexpected. The creature standing before him was colossal, grotesque, utterly alien, and a welcome sight to his eyes. "Cyfarchion!" it exclaimed, waving.
"Bodmall!" He laughed and approached the Derwydd, taking her hands in his before checking himself. He respectfully blew in her face, which caused her to grin and return the favor. She still wore the saber-tooth deerskin headdress, the furs, the face paint, and various trinkets made of bones, claws, and antlers, so he wondered how she had ever made it here without drawing any attention. Still, it was wonderful to see her. "Dear me, I never expected to see you again—and here, of all places! What are you do...oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you don't speak our language. Um..." As he was wracking his mind in search of a way to show his gratitude, Bodmall snickered.
"Actually, I speak it just fine." Mamoru received the second surprise of the evening—more of a shock, really, as his face turned pale—and he jerked back. Bodmall laughed louder. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. I normally don't get a chance to mess with Milesians, so I had to take the opportunity. But yeah, I understood you the whole time."
"I see," he said, slightly put off by her trickery. "Well, I suppose you have your reasons. But what are you doing here? Don't tell me Motoki invited you."
"No," she answered nonchalantly, rubbing her nose, "but you did, sort of."
"I did?" His face scrunched in bewilderment. She nodded, her headdress nodding with her.
"One of your hawk messengers came to roost in Taku a few weeks ago. Mind you, I didn't call it or anything; it just showed up on my doorstep one day. It had a letter tied around its neck, with your insignia on it. I assume you know what that letter was about."
"Yes," he replied solemnly. "I was writing to various world leaders, asking for them to convene so that I could discuss an important matter with them. I'm sorry if I forgot to include you, Bodmall, but, uh..."
"It's okay," she assured him. "The Fomoriians are private by nature. We haven't been involved in world affairs since the days of Sung Chiang and Demys, but I think we can come out of hiding one more time. I just want to let you know that I'm in, and so is Liath. The others are sort of divided."
"That's perfectly understandable. Honestly, I don't expect more than five or six people to be onboard with my proposal. But you are most welcome here, my lady—or is there a more proper term I must use?"
"Just Bodmall will do, although I don't mind the 'my lady'. So when is all this supposed to go down?"
"Tomorrow morning. Most of the world leaders are present, so now would be the perfect time for us to meet. Motoki has arranged a conference room for our use. He's already set up a large round table, so you may sit where you please."
"Interesting," she purred, rubbing her chin in thought. "A round table, huh? I take it there's no Siege Perilous?"
"A what?" he blinked. Bodmall dismissed it, glanced around, and leaned in close:
"I'm not a very social person, so I'm gonna duck out soon. Don't worry about giving me a room, I'm staying with some pretty cool vagrants. Before I leave, though, I wanted to ask: did you give Wan Shi Tong the, uh..."
"No, I didn't, but a trusted friend did. She told me of the encounter, and I learned a great deal."
"Ah, good," she smiled, relaxing her posture. "That was really weighing on me. I felt bad about keeping that thing for so long. He lost it a few hundred years back, and we only just recovered it...hmm, I'm guessing maybe fifty years ago? Anyway, consider my presence here as a way of repaying you."
"I wouldn't mind hearing about how Master Tong came to lose such a vital artifact."
"Some other time," she grumbled, rubbing her nose again. "It's a good story, but it needs time to be told properly, and we both have our obligations. I just wanted to be sure—oh, and I also wanted to thank you for taking care of Ael and Ann for me. I assume you're aware of their, uh...?"
"Yes, I am," he replied quietly. "That, too, is a story best suited for another time. I'd thought about bringing them here with me, but they insisted on...well, let's just say they wanted to give a certain task its due diligence." Bodmall smiled.
"Yeah, they're good kids, aren't they? I'm glad they landed on their feet; I was worried when they left. Anyway, I'm gonna go rest these old bones of mine. I'll see ya tomorrow, Armed Servant."
"Tomorrow, then, good lady," he said, bowing deeply. "A pleasant night to you."
"Ditto." She smiled, waved one last time, and waddled off, vanishing in the crowd. Mamoru was left to process the strange encounter...and the great task that loomed before him.
"Well, time to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow, I gamble the fate of the world on friends and strangers."
The End of "This Thing Called Life"
Next time: "Birth of the White Lotus"