A. N. : I like to select what counts as canon in my works. The show ? Hell yeah. The comics ? Nope. The official speelling of Phat's name ? No, no way, this is a terrible joke and I'm not sure it's any better if it isn't a joke. I've grown to like the guy, even though he's like, a secondary secondary character. I'm not even sure his name is given in the show. Ah well.
Sokka can't believe he was taken.
When Suki taught him, it was mostly as a way to show him how arrogant and clueless he really was, and only then teach him some stuff. Spirits, he hopes she's alright, wherever she is. Ah, since Zuko's sister and her friends had Kyoshi Warrior uniforms, maybe Suki is here, in the Fire Nation. If that's the case, Sokka will find her. He won't save her, it's not her type, but he'll help her save herself. He swears he will.
Still, after getting hit again by Phat – and ugh, he'll be more bruises than skin by the time he goes back to the others – he can't help but wonder when Master Piandao will realize it's a lost cause. He's sure the reason he was taken in the first place was because it felt like a challenge. But soon the novelty of it all will fade and Master Piandao will give up on Sokka.
Just remembering his stare when Sokka painted his face on the paper makes Sokka feel like slapping himself. Why did he do that ? Of course that wasn't what Master Piandao wanted of him !
He's such a fuckup, it's almost laughable. Ouch, this one really hurt ! Phat seems to have a predilection for shoulder hits – probably because of his height, and also even without injuring the opponent, a strong enough blow there can incapacitate them pretty heavily. Maybe Sokka could find a parade and – nope nevermind he's too strong, retreat !
That was humiliating, but Sokka is starting to really understand what Master Piandao meant by extension of yourself – Phat is tall and heavy and the way he uses his sword reflects that. Master Piandao's moves earlier were totally different. Sharper. More about precision. Maybe they don't even use the same sword usually.
Sokka doesn't look anything like Phat. So that means emulating him wouldn't get him anywhere. Though that parry a few moments ago was something he thinks he could do. Maybe he could try taking a few things from Phat.
It's not like there's another way to learn.
After getting his ass thoroughly handed to him again, Sokka finally gets a short break. Master Piandao said next exercise would be another artistic one. Sokka swears he won't paint his face this time. He will only do what is asked of him, nothing more.
He wonders what it will be though. Calligraphy again ?
Now that Sokka thinks about it, maybe painting his face was the best thing to do – after all, he learned to write in the Water Tribe style, and some character differ, on top of the script not being the same. No way he could've attributed that to being a Fire Nation colon. He should ask Zuko to teach him Fire Nation script someday.
Please don't be calligraphy.
Phat crosses the yard, all buttlerly dressed again – oh, right, Sokka should change too – and he carries a small case and – a table !? Where is he going with a table ?
But before Sokka can muster the courage to ask him – Phat is really intimidating and also Sokka's bruises have bruises – Master Piandao comes back. Lifts an eyebrow. Asks if the training getup is really that comfortable – no, no it isn't, Sokka just forgot to change, he's going right now, look, he's going –
He swears, it's like he's doing this on purpose. Acting stupid just to get kicked out. And he really isn't, but damn if it doesn't look this way.
By the end of the day, if Sokka reaches it, Master Piandao won't manage to look him in the eye without either laughing or crying.
Sokka intends to do his best and take advantage of every second to learn, first because it's interesting, second because Master Piandao will surely come to regret his decision sooner than later and will throw him out.
Now if only he could stop getting distracted all the time.