Dot sat straight and as tall as she could, doing her best to look poised and mature, and she knew her brothers were doing the same. Even Wakko hadn't been fidgeting as much as he usually did. She knew this type of thing was more of a challenge for him, even if he wouldn't admit it, but lately he seemed more determined than ever to prove himself. It seemed that this whole bending thing was turning out to be a good thing for him, but there was a little unease niggling at her. Ever since they'd been put in charge, she'd had a growing suspicion that her immediate older brother was feeling insecure about himself. Did he still feel that way?
That wasn't the only suspicion Dot had, either, and she knew that Yakko had the same one. That Wakko still felt like he had to make up for something. He hadn't mentioned it since the day Jayna came, but feelings like that didn't just go away.
Realizing she was letting her mind wander, Dot sat up straighter and focused her attention on the Anvilania envoys. She wasn't sure what time it was now, but she knew this meeting had been going on for over two hours. True to his name, Yakko had been doing a lot of the talking, but he always made sure to involve her and Wakko in any way he could. People tended to focus on him, since he was the oldest, but they all took the whole co-rulers thing seriously. And if that meant putting a damper on their naturally zany personalities every so often, that was just fine.
Doesn't mean it's not still really, really boring.
Much to Dot's relief, the meeting looked to be wrapping up. She remembered Yakko's promise that they could mess with someone, and Wakko had chosen their target. One of the envoys, one Harold Basset, had been particularly pompous. His stuffy attitude made it clear that he thought three kids couldn't handle this job. As he droned on, Dot glanced over at Wakko. As if he'd sensed it, he glanced back at her. And when his mouth twitched up in a smirk, she knew he had decided what to do. Then they both immediately focused back on the meeting.
"Well, unless anyone's got something to add," Yakko was saying. "I think we've got everything worked out."
As always, he glanced at his siblings for their final opinion.
"I think so," Dot said with a nod. Wakko didn't say anything, but he nodded too.
"Okay then!" Yakko said cheerfully. "Guess we're done, then."
Dot kept her polite smile on as the envoys all stood and bowed, murmuring their acknowledgments. As they filed out, the siblings stood too. As they headed for the exit themselves, Yakko moved to Wakko and gave him a slight nudge with his shoulder.
"Know what we're gonna do to our special friend yet, sib?" he whispered with a grin. Wakko grinned in return.
"Yep," he whispered back. "We're gonna need some sneezing powder, two straws and shaving cream."
Dot stifled a giggle as they headed down the hall, looking forward to shedding their heavy robes and crowns. As they passed a window, Wakko glanced out; he stopped short, eyes widening.
"Hey, guys… look at this."
His siblings joined him looking out, and Dot's own eyes widened in surprise. Who should she see outside but her brother's bending instructor, holding a long staff in her hands. As they watched, she began sweeping it in smooth, practiced motions. Her steps were sure and fluid, indicating years of practice. Dot cocked her head, curious.
"I didn't know she could fight." She glanced at Wakko. "How come you didn't tell us?"
Wakko shrugged, still watching Jayna.
"I didn't know either. She didn't say anything."
There was an interest in his eyes that made Dot a little uneasy. Even though his mood had been much better lately she was beginning to suspect that his determination stemmed from some underlying issue… that he was still hung up on the thought that he had to make up for everything that happened. Before she could think of a tactful way to broach the subject, Yakko spoke up in a light, joking voice.
"You wanna have her teach ya that too, huh?"
Normally Wakko would shoot back a snarky comment with a grin, but to Dot's surprise he bristled a little.
"Why not? I could do it."
Dot's uneasy feeling increased, and a glance at Yakko revealed the same concern.
"Well, sure," the oldest brother said, his tone still light. "But we can't exactly go out fighting armies by ourselves."
Wakko didn't say anything, but Dot saw him shoot their brother an irritated glare before going back to watching Jayna. The Warner sister's twinge of concern only grew at that, but she didn't speak up. Something was telling her that confrontation right now wasn't a good idea, and Yakko apparently had the same feeling as he didn't say anything either. But a glance at him revealed a look of determination that Dot knew well. Even if confrontation wasn't a good idea now, there would be one eventually. After all, Dot knew Wakko wasn't the only one who felt like he had to make up for something.
But the eldest Warner only gave the middle sibling a playful nudge, his determined look replaced with a lazy grin.
"C'mon, don't be a grump. So what's the plan for tonight?"
To Dot's relief, the irritated look slowly left Wakko's face as he turned away from the window. His usual goofy grin was back as he laid out their battle plan, his siblings following alongside him. Though she was soon grinning as well, the unease kept niggling at Dot. If Wakko's mind was set on something, he would see it through to the end… and she and Yakko knew that better than anyone.
It wasn't until later that night, when they were all in Yakko's room, snickering at the yelping coming from outside, that Dot saw an opportunity to broach the subject. She still hesitated, hating to spoil Wakko's good mood, but maybe he would be more partial to talking about it if he was caught off guard. When she glanced at Yakko, she could tell he was thinking the same thing, but there was still a look of unease on his face. After all, there was just as much possibility that the middle sibling would only shut down and avoid the question.
"Hey, Wakko…" the eldest sibling said slowly. "You know we're glad this whole bending thing is going so good for you, but…"
Her brother's face fell noticeably, and Dot bit her lip, hoping she hadn't just blown it. But before she could say anything else he spoke in a tense, worried voice.
"You don't… want me to stop, do you?"
"No!" both his siblings said right away.
"We're just a little worried that you still feel bad about… well…"
Dot trailed off, but she could tell Wakko knew what she was talking about. He shifted, his eyes dropping as he rubbed an arm.
"It's not easy to forget," he finally said, then looked up at them. "I mean, how would you feel?"
Yakko glanced at Dot before letting out a quiet sigh.
"We'd feel pretty awful," he admitted. "But we know you'd tell us the same thing we're telling you. And we wouldn't believe it either."
A slight smile came to his face.
"Guess that's a family trait."
Wakko lowered his eyes and shifted again.
"That's… that's why I have to do this," he said softly. Dot shook her head, reaching out to touch his arm.
"That's our point," she said. "You don't have to. If it makes you happy, we want you to do it…"
"I told you, it does." Wakko's voice wasn't angry, but there was finality to it that told his siblings he wasn't willing to pursue the subject anymore. Dot couldn't hold back a sense of frustration… why was he avoiding this? Why did he feel like he couldn't talk to them about it? Yakko sighed, and even though she saw the same disappointment in his eyes, there was no trace of it in his voice.
"So, how is it going, anyway?"
Wakko immediately brightened, clearly glad for the change of subject.
"Great! We're starting on fire next."
He must have seen the unease on their faces, because he rolled his eyes.
"Relax, I won't torch anything. Basics."
He grinned then, tongue hanging out.
"Jayna said it'll probably be a month or so before I could do something that big anyway."
Dot smiled along with Yakko, but the unspoken words still hung in the back of her mind, along with a worrying question.
If Wakko wasn't willing to talk to them, how could he ever really get over this?