iii.

Beside the trained grace of Suki's glides, Sokka followed the basic kata with clumsy, static bursts of movement.

She caught his wrist one moment and flipped him the next.

"Stop trying to mimick me exactly. You won't finish like that."

Sokka stood, wincing, knowing tomorrow his back would be a single mottled bruise.

"Well, what am I supposed to do?"

Suki handed him the fan, meeting his eyes with hers.

"Try," she said. "Your own way. You can't just follow me. Let's start again."