Chapter sixteen: A day off
I had trained like a madman for the last two weeks, as far as training was possible for a noodleman. I now always rode in the smallest gear, without loosing much of my speed and my breath was becoming deeper, like it had been in my youth. It felt good and I got rid of the last remains of fat, which meant I had abs again. My daughter would have just rolled her eyes in annoyance but I now considered myself a damn hot, old geezer! It still was baffling what a tough cookie little Sokka was. One day after the terrifying republic all schools night she had taken a walk home and visited her friends. She also introduced me to the rather charming young women, who obviously were disturbed meeting a man as small as myself. No wonder, the watertribe blokes topped my height at fifteen. Since I had made quite some yuans I could take a day off.
To be honest I was thinking about dragging a certain Chief away from her desk for once. Since Sokka was attending her work at sato electronics I had the time to hang out with Lin, also I would have a rather formidable sparring partner. The more effort I put into training the more I thought that teaching Tenzin a lesson was kind of pointless. Nevertheless, I was furious at the guy. He could have at least distanced himself from Lin, who without a doubt would have moved on a LOT faster if he had done so. I made my way to the headquarters, where Lao was offering his tea. The dude really opened his stall seven days a week, which was something I would never be able to pull for months. Yeah – it was more than a month I had spent in Republic. I was wondering what Mako was doing, the young officer had not visited my stall for four days. Usually he was taking at least one meal a day from my woks. He obviously hated cooking, like most men did!
I had not prepared food for once, Lin most likely would be disappointed – that lazy gal actually relied on my daily lunch service. I greeted some of the officers and passed the public areas of the head-quarters, which were bustling with angered citizens, arrested merchants and bored old men. I found my way towards Lins office without thinking, stopped and knocked. "Come in." she grumbled obviously annoyed. I still was nervous. Even though Lin had never brought up the Yumi topic again she treated me different. She was – caring, which was rather sweet. Also, she did not even raise her voice against my intrusions anymore, in fact she seemed to like them. "Hey Lin. So what´s up?" I asked her, prepairing myself for her usual rambling. Chief Bei Fong stared at a young officer who looked at me like a scared pigchicken. Her eyes narrowed. "Officer Song. Just FIX these problems with the pickpockets around Soho-square. I do not tolerate any more excuses. You understand?" Lin paused and than suddenly yelled at the flinching man. "You corrupt cow-swine keep yourself in line, or I promise you I´ll make you go to prison!" she looked murderous, I gulped. The guy almost wetted himself.
" Ma am." He stammered. Lins cable shout through the air, wrapped itself around the guy's neck and dragged him from his seat. He was choking. "C-Chief – please." He gargled, as a trembling Lin released him. "Get the hell out before I forget which side of the law I´m on!" She growled furious. The man fled with a clanking armour, I tensed my muscles and dug my shoulder in his side. The man tumbled and crashed on his knee. He did not even curse as he hurried outside with tears streaming over his cheeks and clenched fists. "Guess I just came on time." I responded. Lin was cursing in the barely understandable dialect of her mother's hometown. He poor desk suffered again as her fingers sank themselves into the steel. "Gods damn it Lee. I know Song takes money from whatever bastards he meets. But I can´t throw him out cause I would´ve to throw out half the force! Not even I can do that." She blurted, her face set an angry scowl. "Lin, you can´t save the world. Corruption is a part of life. As long as these guys don´t close their eyes about murder and rape – be glad." I responded honestly. She huffed. "What? I these bastards swore an oath – like I did Lee. I – I GAVE EVERYTHING FOR THIS SHITTY OATH!" she yelled and hit the table. The metal deformed with a screeching sound. I lowered my head.
Who was I to say something against that. I too had failed my oath, even if I had liked it far more than her. But she had held it, like granite – I could picture that. That made me feel small and – dirty, very small and dirty. She caught herself. "Sorry Lee – I just got mad." She apologized after a short silence. I snorted , " really? If somebody has to apologize it´s me Lin. I´m the one who screwed the oath for some happy family." I responded. "Not that I regret it." I added silently. Lin stared at me wide-eyed, then happy memories flooded her mind. "Oh yeah – mom was terribly furious as you and Yumi did not return from the firenation." There was a soft smile dancing around her lips. "Uncle Sokka just laughed and told her you were smarter than they would ever be…oww she threw half the living room after him." Lin chuckled. "They were so hilarious! But they really had something, y´know." her eyes looked melancholic. I nodded in consent. They truly had been a rather strange ying and yang, but nevertheless they had made a whole – which was the only thing that counted. "Do you know where your mom went? After uncle Sokka died." I asked her. There was some kind of unresolved issue dancing across Lin´s face. "Yeah – she sorts of travelled the world. And – settled down in a swamp. My mother of all people! But somehow she always kept track on us." She responded with a sigh. "I really don´t want to dwell on this stuff Lee, my mom – it´s complicated." She responded "Well – I should work." She sighed. "Aren´t you hungry?" I teased. Lin snorted and shook her head. "Since you didn´t bring something I´m not hungry." She responded slightly annoyed, seated herself and took up her pen. I just tore the little wooden thing out of her hands and snapped it in two.
"Hey." Lin grabbed my robes harshly but could not drag my any further. "You- Chief Bei Fong – need a day off." I stated frowning and poked her collarbone. Lin just started rambling. "You´ve seen how things go when I´m not around! I´m not some noodle selling lady who just has time as she pleases!" she griped. "I´ve got a duty Lee, so just get the fuck out of my office and let me do what I usually do!" She shoved me but I just had to take a step backwards. "I don´t need holidays – cause somebody has to achieve something, I´ve got criminals to catch - I – I just can´t take a day off, I´d just love it but.." she babbled almost hysterically. I knew this voice – I had talked like that after Yumi gave birth. But luckily my wife had kicked me out of my boots sometimes. I really was thankful for her doing it, despite her miserable condition. "You can´t work nonstop Linny, you know that as well as I do. I don´t want you to get mad, or ill – so please accompany me, you stubborn idiot!" I stated in my best Yumi voice, while pressing my hands on her papers. It seemed like all fight had poured out of Lin at that moment, she looked like a schoolgirl that got scolded.
"Pff – annoying shorty." Lin huffed powerless and walked to the door. "I´m changing." She stated. I noticed that I still was taller than her by a thumb. I stifled a rather unfriendly comment and followed her. We walked downstairs. "So – what are we going to do with this unpleasantly hot day." I responded smiling. Lin actually was a summer person, how people could like this dry heat, that turned you into a sizzling steak, was something I would never understand. Lin stood there blinking. She obviously had no Idea what she could do with her free time. "Well umm…I don´t know." She responded stammering. She felt really uncomfortable and realized that something with her life definitely was not right. "Then let´s head to the beach." I responded, of course I did not refer to the muddy thing that was called Yue bay. If you walked for around three hours the beaches still were clean, which did not mean the same as empty. "O-Ok." Lin responded and headed off, I could hear an edge in her voice, most likely she was not comfortable hanging out around so many people. But hell if I cared! "Ah Chief Bei Fong." An officer caught up to her. "I´ve made recent progress in the Yamatetsu case. Would you like to get your briefing now, cause my Son has a school competition tomorrow?" He asked Lin.
"Y…" I just elbowed her harshly, it was rather unpleasant to bury my elbow in armor. "No – briefing as always – no exceptions officer." She responded and walked on as if the man had disappeared. The cop was staring at us with wide eyes. I could hear the gossip picking up speed right now, not that it mattered to me. "You know where Chouw is hanging out? The guy didn´t visit my stall for four days straight – which is totally strange." I asked her. Lin frowned. "He´s on an investigation, so no I don´t have a clue what he is doing Lee. Mako is quite- special- in his investigation methods. But he´s excellent at his job." She explained. There was a proud glint in her eyes. "I don´t doubt that Lin – the Kid´s got too much sticks in his ass though, just like his boss." I quipped while Lin struck my upper arm. I let out an annoyed snort as the pain shot through my muscles. She had learned to throw a punch, that was for certain. "Shut up – I don´t need to be lectured by a noodle selling runaway!" she rambled, not very convincing. "Yes, Miss clanky-clank." I responded. Lin hated pet names, like her mother, who of course had called her daughter Miss Clancy-clank first!
Actually she was frowning while whipping her head around. "And by the way Lee – how have you thought of arriving at a beach where you can take a bath. Before sunset!" she deadpanned and wiggled her eyebrows. It was kind of disturbing to see how much Lin had taken after her mother. Not that I thought this a bad change though. Actually, I had not thought about anything, mostly because I expected Lin to visit a museum or the gallery of four nations. "You should own a car Lin?" I asked her dryly. Somebody as fancy rich as Lin surely owned a car. A ghost of a smile was dancing over her lips. "Really Lee, just how old are you again? Yes, I have a car… but YOU should be driving ME!" she stated snippy. I quirked an eyebrow. "Cause you´re a girl, or what? In your dreams Linny." I responded smirking. "But I could ask Bumi – I guess he would love to take his polar bear marauder to the beach." I added in thought. "N-NO YOU DON´T!" Lin responded loudly. Some of her officers were eying us suspiciously as we entered the bunks. It was a nostalgic feeling, nothing seemed to have changed in the buildings.
"Why are we…" I just now realized that Lin obviously was living somewhere here, so I closed my mouth "Oh." Lin frowned again. "What´s so Oh worthy Bei Gao?" she quipped. "That you´re living like a simple officer, when you´ve got like millions of yuans? "I responded amazed. Lin shook her head. "I don´t – Su got it all after mother left. I was never that interested in money." She responded. I actually felt disturbed. "That´s big of you Lin – really big." I nodded. Most people were greedy, to simply give up a legacy that would make on to some of the richest persons in one´s nation – that was quite something. "And Su burned almost all of it in her little project named Sao Fu." Lin shrugged. "That city out of steel – quite fancy if you ask me." I responded. Lin sighed. "The architecture is – just urgh Lee -I get the chills thinking about it! A windowless, lotus like dome! Please – is this thing a jail or what?" Lin griped. "And the streets are narrow, the sewers permanently overflowing – and oh my sis lives in a palace like the earth queen!" she added griping.
"So Sao Fu is the incarnation of ugly!" she responded seriously. I chuckled at her fury, it seemed the iron maiden finally started to crack that shell she had built. "But Su had a good cook." She admitted. We again had to climb to the highest peak of the bunks. "You really like heights, do you?" I stated as Lin opened a door. "Yes – they´re calming." Lin responded softly "Also I´d love to be able to fly like you, or Tenzin." She stated. Flying – me? I almost followed her into her room as the door banged shut in front of my nose. Ups- right, she was changing. Flying - actually I never had thought about that. Sure, I could make myself a glider but, why should I? People would just be staring, also I never had been thrilled by the thought. Driving a racecar was something I would find much more thrilling. I wondered what Lin was doing inside her room – Yumi never had needed half the time to change or even dress up!
I knocked. "Lin – what the hell are you doing in there?" I rumbled. "Shut up Lee, there´s something called make up – women wear it! How come that you don´t know about it, no say nothing!" she barked through the door. Make up? But we were just visiting the beach, who the fuck needed makeup for this? I just rolled my eyes and sighed – luckily Sokka had no such antics. Finally, Lin opened the door. "So – you´re finally done." I sighed. "I am." She responded grumpily, she had changed her ink paste from red to green. Also, she really had taken makeup, it looked like done by some professional. Actually, she was rather stunning for a woman her age. "You´re on the prowl for some school boys? Or is there some guy you´ve called from your secret phone?" I was asking with a teasing smile. Lin actually giggled at that, it was a rather high sound for somebody with a full voice like herself. Geez – she still flushed at anything directed into horizontal direction. That woman was worse than me since – many years. "Please Lee. I´m fourty-nine. As if I would try to seduce young men." She snorted.
"Well – you could, seducing men is rather easy! And you´re not looking half bad." I stated dryly. "That´s the reason you all are bastards." Lin piped up. "Thank you for the flowers milady." I snickered, while we headed downstairs again. It really was tempting to invite Bumi – with him around everybody was much happier. The guy just always had funny ideas, even though he could be really tiring in the long run. Bumi actually had tried to talk me into forming a men´s den with him an Ping. That actually was a really terrifying thought. Now just he and Mr. Hungshu were moving in together, since he had already dumped Lau Mi. They just were friends now, if I recalled correctly. "So you really want to hit the beach without anybody – else?" I asked seriously, I could imagine that Lin really wanted to meet some other friends, if she finally took a day off. She hesitated. "Well – uhm. How about screwing all this... I -I just am really tired and." Lin started babbling.
I just gripped her arm. "No – you´re not hiding yourself in that room." I responded sternly. "I just wanted to make sure you´re having fun Lin." I added. She did not reply to this and walked on. She wore loose, green pants, and a rather fashionable top. I was wondering how she could be so well informed about fashion – my daughter would wear this kind of things after all. Of course, I had not bought something as strange as a swimsuit – these modern, rubbery things just looked hilarious! I followed Lin behind the bunks and arrived in the parking lot. The most cars were Satomobile Cs, the cheapest and most sold car in the entire world. Nevertheless, I could not imagine Lin driving something so - plump. Indeed, she owned a rather expensive car – a sixteen-cylinder dragon sentry II. The long-hooded car displayed elegant, flowing curves and still was an opponent to much younger and more advanced motorized cars. "Is that Sokka`s car?" I asked wondering. Lin nodded, almost blushing.
"Well – umm it was working and…." I just chuckled. Lin also laughed at her rather childish behavior. While I seated myself on the left, she started the engine, it was an exquisite blubbering sound. Driving towards the beach nevertheless was far from amusing. Republic city was facing the same problems that each big city of the four nations faced – traffic jams. The streets had been made for carts, ostrich horse driven carts – not for armadas of cars! But since there was more metal on the streets than in the united forces, of course every idiot thought it wise to go shopping by car! Damn you Sato Model C! Actually, we were stuck amidst these unaesthetic, stinking things while the fans were howling in front of me. Furthermore, it was so hot I was steaming, and Lin did not fare much better. "Yeah – that was a great Idea Lee." She grumbled, while staring forward. A little boy was trying to scramble on the car´s roof. He jelped as he burned himself on the hot metal. My enthusiasm had dulled and I too was of the opinion that moving at the speed of turtle snails was annoying. "Well – um I hadn´t expected this?" I responded weakly.
"Why the hell are these people here? Don´t they have work to do?" Lin asked genuinely puzzled. "It´s summer holidays Lin? The whole upper-class is fleeing into their cottages in the countryside?" I quirked my eyebrow. Lin just stared at me. "Oh – it´s already the month of the snake?" she blinked. "The third to be precise." I sighed. "But since we´re sitting in this car without anything to do, we could share some stories." I mused. "People tell you´re quite the hero Lin." I responded smirking. She just snorted annoyed. "I´m not my mother Lee, I don´t like bragging about things." She bickered. "I was not talking about bragging Lin. Just if you wanted to get something off your chest. I for example don´t really know if I should be angry at future industries or not." I stated. Indeed, there were mixed feelings in my chest if I thought about Lau An and the mining company. Lin wrinkled her eyebrows. "Future industries? What do you have to do with Asami Sato? Nothing personal Lee, but you´re totally not her type." Lin responded. She KNEW Asami Sato? Well, if I thought about this it was to be expected, since Lin was a Bei Fong. I chuckled, as if I had spoken a word with a rich businesswoman like Asami Sato!
"Of course, I don´t have business with Miss Sato Lin – I don´t know if I would recognize her if she was standing in front of me. But a sub company of future industries is digging mines in Lau An." I told, actually I could not keep my anger out of my voice. "And these buggers just hired triad scumbags to claim the land people didn´t want to sell." Lin let out a strange, almost squeaking sound. "What!" she quickly added "Asami has nothing to do with this Lee, if the girl knew about what her subordinates were doing she would…" she started defending Asami Sato with much vigor. She blinked.
"D-does that mean your house is?" she looked at me, actually I had to blink as she eyed me with pitiful green eyes. I turned. "Heavens Lin – BRAKE!" I yelled as the car almost embedded its snout in a sato mobile long bed and I was roughly yanked forwards. "Idiots- don´t let your bitch drive if she can´t bring it." Some guy blurted out of his statomobile S. Somebody else hammered the horn and kicked loose an acoustic avalanche, the hooting of dozens of horns was making me almost dizzy. I spotted a fat man around my age – he wore a curled, fatty mustache and was fumbling around with a woman that maybe was in her mid-twenties. I felt the sudden urge to leave the car and beat the shit out of this rich poser. It was then we finally got to see the reason for the traffic jam. A delivery truck had somehow been toppled on its side, the rough looking stone pillars rising through the torn up street indicated that a robbery had taken place. Since nobody seemed to be at the site, besides two annoyed looking officers, we closed the distance in our slow pace.
Lin looked at the scene, scratched her arm and drove on with an almost guilty glare. Finally, we had space to drive again and Lin shot ahead with full speed. Actually, it was rather thrilling, because I never before had experienced such speed. I cramped the wooden armrest. "Lee, why are you smiling like a maniac?" Lin asked bubbly, while the whole car was vibrating an humming. One could barely yell over the sound of the engine, while the old car zigzagged its way through model s and other upper-class cars. Lin was a damn fine driver. Nevertheless some of her maneuvers gave me the chills, because we were almost grazing other cars. "That´s crazy Lin , so damn crazy." I blurted, while she just started laughing. "DAMMIT look on the street!" I shouted fearfully. "Haha…Lee´s a prissy…prissy!" she teased me. We were behaving like teens, but since it was fun I would not give anything besides a death glare in her direction.
Lin raced on for almost two hours until we found a parking lot close to the beach. Because we had left the modern seaside resorts far behind the car was dirty from gravelly tracks. Furthermore there was nothing much besides acres, farms and – the sea. It felt good to leave the car behind, after toweling the leathery seats. Lin stared at the blue sky as if she was seeing something unnatural. "So, where were we again?" she wuzzled her hair absentmindedly. Actually, that pulled me down a bit. It was a beautiful day I should not ruin with whimpering about the past. "Ah don´t mind." I responded and was heading down the steep cliff as simply avalanched down beside me – cheating earthbender! "I do mind Lee." She frowned, I actually flinched at that. "Ok- ok. Of course, I too had to sell my house. These guys jumped Sokka." I clenched my fists at the lone thought. "Luckily nothing happened, but yeah thousand yuan for a dojo – not one of my best deals." I admitted. Lin started cursing again, while I chuckled. "How the FUCK CAN YOU CHUCKLE ABOUT THIS!" she accused me. "You can´t even take care of Yumi´s grave! And you´re fucking chuckling?" she rumbled.
"God´s I would exhume her if I had the money." She croaked suddenly rather emotional. I just patted Lins shoulder. There was a dull twinging in my chest, as if I was not able to breathe properly. I just nodded, not sure if I should approve or not. "Of course, it´s understandable to be angry Lee, even Tenzin would spit fire if somebody took his home away from him like that." She stated from the bottom of her heart. "But just since I left Lau An I – I´m a free man again Lin. I don´t feel sad anymore, well – most of the times." I tried to explain. She looked at me with big eyes. "W- What? That´s the same thing my mother rambled about as she went into this – this messy, stinky swamp!" She shook her head. "Sokka also wouldn´t understand Lin. How should you understand, I mean – Tenzin isn´t dead." I responded. An angry scowl washed over her face. "Yeah…" she added after a while and settled herself on the sand. "I´ll never forget Yumi, no matter what. So I don´t need a grave to talk to her. Ask your mother if you don´t believe me." I responded while I took off robe and tank top. I did not pay any attention to Lin, who most likely was turning her back towards me. That woman really was hilariously prude.
I also got rid of my trousers and made my way towards the sea. "Don´t wanna take a swim?" I asked Lin. "uh -erm no…no I don´t." she stammered. I just shook my head grinning and delved into the waves. The water was refreshing and cool. The waves were heaving me up and down as I spotted white dots that were approaching at the horizon. While I plowed along the shore, the dots approached. Soon enough I could identify them as air bison's. I had of course seen some wild bisons, the animals were incredibly strong and monolithic. That they were air bending animals was almost a contradictio in se. I headed back to the beach, there were a few people resting under umbrellas.
Lin was sitting in the sand, notebook and pen in hand. I returned ashore and walked over, mollusk shells digging in my soles. "Eh Lin – is this Tenzin and his family? You wouldn´t randomly know that, wouldn´t you?" I asked slightly angry. Dammit - I had been perfectly fine for the last 20 years, without my little brother. Also, I really wanted to beat the crap out of this fucker, which would be impossible with his kids watching. I was no absolute prick after all. Lin flinched "Um..err yes – I – I thought you would like to meet up with the family?" she asked almost shyly. I just snorted "Aww yes, I´m brimming with joy." I deadpanned. Lin dropped her head. "You really like seeing them?" I asked wondering.
"I mean – YOU should be the one being overjoyed, right?" I stated ironically. Lin sighed. "I don´t know why, but Meelo really likes me. And Pema is a really good woman Lee. It´s not her fault that things are like they are and, yeah." She broke off and desperately tried to change the topic. "But how much time do you have for working out Lee? I mean, you´re looking more ripped than my officers." She stated with a strange look on her face. It was not seductive, but STRANGE! Who was sticking a pen in her nose while chewing on her bottomlip… I shrugged. "Two hours a day, sometimes more." I stated and sat down. "I guess it´ll get lively soon, and there goes a noon of interesting topics." I sighed. "Geez Lee, they´re not that bad – you went partying with BUMI!" she declared. "Because he threatened to burn down my noodle cart if I didn´t." I admitted flushing. Lin let out a cackling, very Bumi-like laugh. "What – you know that he´s a crazy fart! Come on he.." I clamped my mouth shut, no I would not tell what kinky things he did with the avatar. Because they simply HAD to do something the way they acted as they left that evening. But who was I to judge People! "Yeah…." Lin quirked an eyebrow and started scribbling again. "Well, where shall I start to tell embarrassing stories about him Lin?" I asked her. She had to nod at that and soon afterwards we heard loud yells. Two persons were dropping straight into the ocean out of at least 200 feet height!
"PEEEEEEEEEENIIIIIIISSSSS TENZIN!" Bumis voice thundered through the sky. "I guess that was what you wanted to express Lee." She started dryly. "Damn – why the hell must he be with them." Lin sighed. Obviously, she was not looking forward to spend the rest of her day with a jumpy, bickering Bumi. The second, much smaller person just screamed like a dying boarcupine. Slowly the big animals became clearly visible, they looked ancient with their pillar like legs, the gleaming, leg long horns and the huge, flat tails that could squash a man with ease. They nevertheless were insanely cute for such giant beasts, with the rounded heads, the big eyes and a rather short, stubby snout. Tenzin landed them behind the beach, while Bumi and the other person started a race towards the beach. "Damn, I still have no present for Meelo, he had his birthday last month." She noticed mortified. I was amazed, it seemed Lin really was caring for this kid. "And if you – give him a painting or something?" I asked, me and Sokka never had been much into birthdays. "But he can paint better than me." she responded. I just stared at her disbelievingly. "How old is Tenzins son?" I asked baffled, that a teenager of maybe seventeen, or nineteen years could paint better than Lin – being a boy – that was strange somehow.
"He turns thirteen, actually he´s acting more like Bumi´s son than anything else." Lin chuckled at my disbelieving face. "He just was born with this amazing photographic memory Lee. The kid can paint a card after seeing it for – like this." She snapped her fingers. "Mother of faces." I gulped, why the hell were all people of this family so crazily talented? It was as if the spirits really were granting them one favor after another. "That´s sick." I stated. "Sick is the fact that Meelo uses his great skill just to draw pictures of nude girls… How he manages to peek in their changing rooms also is a miracle." Lin stated frowning. I snorted, damn I started to like this feisty little brat. "And Tenzin – allows that? I mean, the guy is as strict as – I dunno firelord Ozai?" I asked wondering. I had pictured my brother to have children that were well behaved like porcelain dolls. Lin shook her head. "You never did see the real Tenzin, did you Lee? He tries to be all strict and, formal – but he´s one big sweetheart." She sighed melancholic.
I shrugged. "You really should think about letting go Lin – you´re not having happy dreams but sad dreams." I paused as she again had an angry scowl plastered on her face. "Who the FUCK has asked you for advice Lee." She grumbled. "I´d know a thing about sad dreams Lin, you can´t bring the past back." I nodded as if I wanted to persuade myself. She did not answer anything, but her pen had stopped grinding over the paper, so I had hit home.
In the meantime, orange clad figures strode down the cliff, carrying Lunch boxes, sun umbrellas and loungers. Tenzins family was not noticing us. They settled about twohundred feet eastward Bumi and his opponent were nearing the shore. Most likely the baldheaded, wiry figure that was surpassing Bumi´s speed slowly was his nephew. Bumi was letting him win, I knew that my younger brother was a far better swimmer – he was like an eel hound for La´s sake.
With a triumphant scream the kid was tumbling ashore, the boy was as thin and bony as most thirteen-year-olds. Bumi followed behind him. "Damn you Meelo!" he wheezed a bit too obvious. "I beat you uncle! SEEE DAD I DESTROYED UNCLE BUMI! THIS KIND OF MAN IS YOUR SON!" the kid was huffing his chest. "So sweet." Lin cooed before blushing furiously. I just shook my head, while Bumi slapped his nephew's shoulders with a thundering slap. The boy yelled in pain and went down, while Bumi was shaking his hand. "FUCK YOU!" the boy roared. Tenzin dropped the umbrella he was setting up, the thing almost hit another kid that was trying to help him. "ME LO!" he barked and then flinched as his wife chided him. Lin just went through a rather fluid looking bending stance and Bumi started sinking into the earth. "U-UAAAAA!" he yelled while the woman swaggered in their direction. I leaned myself back and let the sun warm my bare chest. I would simply wait until these crazy maniacs had calmed down a little. "Always hitting on children – you should be ashamed Bumi!" she growled. "What the hell are you doing here!" he yelped, while just his head was sticking out of the beach. Me Lo scrambled up pretty quickly he was obviously dazed. "A-Aunt Lin? Is that you?" he was obviously disturbed. Lin responded something in a less blurting tone. The Kid hugged the shit out of her, while little linny obviously was happy. Maybe I should be on my way – I felt as if I did not really belong to these people.
They were exchanging some word I could not hear. Then the boy darted off towards the rest of his family, not minding the red handprint on his back. "Lin – what are you doing here. Pleast don´t hurt me!" Bumi whined as Lin was dragging on his hair with bare toes. "Aawaaaa….HELP TENZIN HELP ME- ME LO. ME LO you traitor! THIS IS NOT HOW A MAN DESERVES TO DIE!" he yelped helplessly. I started to laugh at the comic display. The kid was blowing raspberries. "Go – got Auntie Lin!" he cheered, while I was wondering – Auntie Lin, somehow that sounded a lot like lil Linny. "Beating helpless children! Shame on you bully!" Lin rambled furious. Me Lo and helpless – somehow, I highly doubted that. Tenzin hurried over with long strides and blazing robes. "Lin, stop behaving so undignified please. Just because my BROTHER still is a little child we don´t need to stoop so low." He politely insulted Bumi. A short, chubby woman walked up besides my ascetic looking younger brother. So that was the famous Pema. She was no beauty, but she indeed seemed nice, even though her face was frowning. "Lin – Bumi! Could you please behave like adults? Me Lo – how often have I told you to stop yelling embarrassing nonsense!" she wagged her finger at her grumbling son.
"That´s no nonsense! Other mothers would weep in pride if they had a manly son like ME!" he stated superior. "Being dumb is not being manly Me Lo." A rather tall girl interfered, it was rather funny that the only person that had noticed me lying on the beach was the boy that had almost been cut down by the umbrella. He had green dyed hair, that stood up in a mohawk cut like the savage tribes of the southern earthnations wore. It suited him, also had a nice complexion and – a well done terra band on his right arm. The old version – not the mutilated shit the triads wore!
"Am I right Toza?" the girl demanded to know. The boy just grinned. "Oi babe." Tenzins wife looked at the boy with a mixture of disgust and admiration. The two teenagers started slobbering, well – the girl was a teenager, her boyfriend was at least seventeen. Tenzin frowned. "My daughter's name is Ikki." He stated stingy and blushed as his daughter behaved not childlike at all. "Yes, it is." The boy responded cockily and roughly dragged on Ikkis hair, she squealed in delight. I started laughing loudly as I beheld Tenzin gasping for air. Lin just plopped down in shock. "I-I-Ikki?!" she stammered. "What´s so strange with kids making out again?" I asked disturbed. I was being cruel but I had suffered like Tenzin not so many years ago. Actually, I still worried, but that was something nobody else needed to know, right? "My speech man, my speech! Come on my man Lee – get me outta the sand!" Bumi piped up. "B-But Ikki´s fourteen!" Lin yelped. Toza just furrowed his eyes.
"You´re not her mother." He stated while his girlfriend started calming him. The guy had a flaring temper it seemed, and if I was not mistaken he was not from a good neighborhood. Tenzin's eyes flew wide for a second, than he was his usually serene self again. Most likely Bumi had told him I was back in town. That guy could not keep a secret over his dead body! Interestingly he could keep bed stories to himself, but that was the limit. "Sorry Boomer, I don´t carry a spade with me." I sighed. "Lin, could you…" "NO!" she snapped. I just shrugged. "You heard it." I responded. "COWARD - piss your pants in front of lil Bei Fong." Bumi rambled. I fought the urge to kick him in the face. "Hello Lee. Nice to meet you!" Tenzin greeted me with a formal bow I replied sloppily. It was strange to meet him again after so many years. "I´m Pema." He wife also bowed.
"Boa – are these real scars?" the kid asked me. Me Lo looked at me with sharp grey eyes. "No – I paint them every morning." I deadpanned. Just how rude was this kid? Me Lo laughed. "Damn no, they aren't. So, you´re Bumis bro, right?" he asked. "We go way back, till elementary school. And you´re Tenzin´s son right?" Meelo snorted. "Yes, can we do something fun – cause Ikki and – this guy." He glared at Toza. "Will just slurp around for the rest of the day." He stated. Toza came over and smacked the younger boys head. "Bastard." Me Lo started wrestling, with the much taller and muscular young man, who easily threw him on the floor with an amused smile. "Yo – I´m Toza." He stated the obvious, green eyes gleaming at me. I gripped his forearm. His hand was strong and rough. "Lee." I responded. He nodded disturbed. "Y-yeah. Ikki, you didn't say your whole fucking family was tagging along." He grumbled while Tenzin dropped the Lycheenut he had picked up. Pemas eyes just widened in shock, he mouth dropped open. It seemed Ikki´s boyfriend wasn´t what her parents wanted him to be. Ikki blushed furiously "T-Toza darling."
Darling – WHAT CENTURY WAS THAT GAL LIVING IN! I blinked dazed, what the hell was going on. "Young Man. Watch your Mouth." My brother growled and actually I took a step backwards at the tone he displayed. Tenzin sounded more like a rabid dog than his monky self. Tenzin´s head had turned a deep red, and his carotid artery was pulsing visibly, while he grabbed the younger man by his collar with a surprising force. "Whoa that's going to be soooo entertaining." Bumi whispered. Me Lo gave him a thumbs up while groaning in the sand dramatically – sly little bastard! "Eh listen old man – I damn straight talk like I wanna talk!" the kid yelled back and shoved Tenzin away forcefully. It seemed this Toza kid knew a thing or two about brawls, he almost managed to throw Tenzin off balance. Talk about a short fuse I sighed internally. Lin just made another swooping motion. The earth listened and a knee high sandwave knocked the two huffing buffoons on their backsides. Pema stood there and dropped the basket she was holding while sighing obviously annoyed. "Apologize Toza." She spoke gently, actually it was daunting to see how some invisible plug was pulled from Toza´s head and his shoulders slumped. "Yes – I´m sorry for cursing Pema." He responded blushing. "You think you can talk to my daughter like she´s some floozy!" Tenzing griped and rose from the sand. I actually snapped at that.
"YOU shut your boogeytrap about relationships TEN-TEN." I hissed sharply. Tenzin turned, he still was steaming. "Lee- what the hell are you piping up for!" Lin slapped my head. I actually felt shame for a brief moment. "You uncivilized cocky idiot shut up. You´ve no idea about raising kids!" Tenzin hissed. I was short of punching him to a puddle. The wind was whipping trough my hair. "Yeah – cause you´ve wiped your kid's asses off every night and dealt with them when they were ill or got the milky teeth right Ten Ten?" I mocked him. "I bet you wife did all that -well." I added grimly. "Too bad for you that I had to raise my daughter alone because my wife was ill and died., Spirits damn it – stop behaving like your daughter is a FUCKING INFANT! Don´t you even trust your own kids?" Tenzin actually was blabbering nonsense at that. "What kind of screwed up prude, and pietistic fart are you even!" I rambled on, while almost jabbing a finger in his chest. Bumi was cackling out loud. "Heaven´s that´s better than love amongst dragons!" he cried. "Lee, just calm down!" Lin stated determined and matter of factly.
"Well – this guy behaves like a dickhead? The hell – it´s not like Toza has called his girlfriend a bitch and slapped her in the face, or something!" I grumbled. "It´s normal for young people to HATE HANGING OUT WITH FAMILY – we weren´t any different, for god's sake!" I stated snorting. Toza looked at me as if I was some kind of weird spirit. "Smack em hard bro!" Bumi cheered me on. Lin just opened and closed her mouth like a koi fish. Tenzin´s head was as red as a plumato, obviously, he was not used to be called names. Pema just rolled her eyes. "Tenzin – you´re behaving like president Raiko on charity galas." She stated silently and friendly. Tenzin on the other hand did not care much, I always had been kind of antagonistic for him and so her growled. "You apologize Bei Gao Lee! Just because your daughter behaves like an…er independent woman." He closed his mouth as he noticed my stare. I almost struck him in the face, now he was done for – spirits damn you brother. Nobody insults my Sokka in her absence! Nobody! "Tenzin!" Lin piped up. She obviously was astonished that somebody could trigger her former boyfriend like this. "God´s Ten Ten – are you ten? Just shut the fuck up about sex!" Bumi frowned annoyed.
"Whenever you talk about it, you sound like you´re talking about something disgusting and unnatural – which is just WRONG! Come on – even YOU´re banging on regular basis!" Tenzin huffed his chest and kicked a dust cloud in Bumi´s direction. The guy started coughing and cursing. "You brother have no right to talk about proper behavior!" he snarled. Well – I had to agree with him about that. "So everybody just yelled? Yes? Ok, then let´s have some lunch. "Pema stated determined. What kind of calmness could this woman muster? "Oh, Ro Han." She sighed and looked at the smallest of her children. The boy was absurdly fat for a little kid, he was munching on something that looked like a pastry. "What have I told you about dinner time?" she asked. The kid just made the worst puppy eyes I had seen in my whole live. "B-but Mommy. I -I was just hun- hun…" the little boy started sobbing. Of course, he also wanted some attention, now that everybody else had gotten it, right? Pema at once fell for his devilish plan and hugged the little rascal. Tenzin still was upset, but while I stared at him he just started stuttering nonsense, also because his daughter was laughing about him. I just settled myself next to Bumi, whose eyes were tearing up. "Lin – could you release Bumi, please?" I asked pitiful. Lin just narrowed her eyes, I almost flinched.
To flinch in front of little Linny, far had I come! She stomped into the sand and Bumi was catapulted back on the beach, along with a giant cloud of sand that struck me and Me Lo too. Sand was in my Ears, eyes and mouth. I tried to spit it out. "Fuck you Lin. Gods. What the FUCK!" I rambled, while I was tumbling towards the sea, followed by Bumi and a colorfully swearing boy. Lin just chuckled devilish. "Cause you all are idiots!" she stated chuckling. I just gave her the finger. Finally, we were able to clean ourselves, even though the sea water burned in our eyes. I nevertheless took the occasion to take another swim, mostly because I did not want to irate Tenzin further. When I returned ashore everybody else was eating and Tenzin seemed to have returned to his monky self. I seated myself next to Bumi. "Some filled wine leaves?" Pema offered. Since everybody else was stuffing their faces I could not decline. "Thank you." I responded politely and took a leaf. The filling was surprisingly fresh and sour, it contained beans and some other vegetables I did not even know. "Rather tasty Pema, there´s no possibility you might share the recipe?" I asked Tenzins woman. She blinked. "Erm…yes, of course I can provide you with the recipe. Have another one." She responded. Lin just pushed another giant bite down her throat. "That stuff isn´t filling at all Pema." She cheered and grabbed another wrap. Me Lo of course wolfed down his share and excused himself hurrying up towards the other people that were enjoying the seaside, while Bumi was blabbering nonstop. It seemed he had found a new hobby – which was something occurring on monthly basis. This time it was free climbing. And it also had to do with a woman named Xiao Fen, but I had to admit that Bumi was not looking as rail thin as he did when I returned to Republic. So he really was doing some king of sport besides airbending.
"Well bro you really should try to go up these cliffs there. There so damn hot – like some well-oiled titties. Right Linny?" He smiled. Tenzin frowned, while Lin coughed and blushed furiously. I just stared at the towering rocks and ate another leaf wrap. They did not even closely resemble a woman. "A-ha." I stated. Pema was giggling. "Bumi, you´re such a rascal!" she feigned indignation. "Awww come on Pema – don´t tell me girls don´t like rascals." He purred seductively. Tenzin just sighed and poured himself a tea. Obviously, his older brother was always flirting with his wife. Pema on the other hand seemed to be enjoying the flattery, even though she dismissively waved her hand and referred to the children being there. Toza and Ikki had silently left and now were bathing in the sea together – and most likely doing something else. "So, you want to climb up there Boomer?" I eyed him doubtfully. I had scrambled my way all over shangyangs roofs in my youth, but after giving these cliffs a closer look I decided I would not try them. They looked weathered mostly because they were just crawling with footholds.
"Course I would Lee. Wanna race them?" he asked challenging. Even though I thought about the joy I might feel if I bested Bumi I shook my head. "I do like my whole bones Bumi." I responded looking at the cliffs. "Eh, don´t be a pussy Lee – ther´re full of footholds. A kid could walk up there man." He huffed. Tenzin just quirked an eyebrow, while Lin was making a rather funny looking face. "I´d like to see you walk up there Bumi, because I doubt anybody can go up there without cause a landslide." I stated doubtfully. "Come on Lee- we´ve gotta DO something! Dang we´re on the beach and sit around like old geezers!" he grumbled. "How about playing another game Bumi." I smiled devilish while I thought about getting revenge for the sand bath. Lin was listening to Pema, who talked about knitting some kind of Robe. "I´m all ears!" he whispered with sparkling eyes. "What do you thing about making little linny all watery." I responded nodding in the direction of little Ro Han. Bumi grinned. "Eh bro…careful what ya wishing fo…" he blinked "You did mean it literally did ya?" he asked disturbed. Of course, I did. "Not everyone is as perverted as you are Bumi." I stated the obvious. "But – you could just use normal threads for that…" Lin noticed dryly. Pema stared at her. "That´s a brilliant idea!" she exclaimed, while Bumi silently sneaked up on Tenzins little brother who was playing with a little wooden shovel. He also owned a little orange bucked which he had carelessly thrown away.
Actually, watching this child had some worth in itself. The fat little guy was grumpily staring at the shovel he had implanted into the sand listlessly. The sand castle his mother had started building simply would not grow, no matter how much he stared at the shovel. Also, the kid was staring at the big lunch bag with longing eyes. Bumi grabbed the little bucked and strolled down the beach. Neither Pema, nor Lin were noticing him. He than turned towards the see to fill it with water. What he did than was something I had not expected. Instead of returning like an ordinary personed he started sprinting the leaking bucket in front of him. "Ghunim narha ruginn!" he yelled full at full throttle. Was that some kind of self made language? Lin and Pema shrieked and turned around as yelled on. Tenzin was just looking at his brother and threw a palmblast in his direction Bumi was hit and the Bucket simply struck the sand. "Tenzin! Dishonorable Coward!" Bumi rambled while I did not get his point. "Are you having your five minutes again Bumi?" Tenzin asked sighing. "I will not forgive this! Annoying gramps!" Bumi cursed. "So, did somebody want do spill water ove my dress." Lin sounded like a Shinigami incarnate. Bumi smiled a bit too brightly. "Äh – no?" he asked as Lin stared at him. "Gods dammit Bumi were no teenagers anymore! Behave like an adult man!" she grumbled blushing. I just chuckled at that. "What!" she snapped. "Actually, you behave like a rather young girl Lin." Tenzin stated the obvious. "Indeed." I stated feighning innocence. Lin pouted and turned away, so she was being happy, I guessed. Bumi let out a relieved sigh.
"That was close." He whispered. "So, what exactly is going on with Avatar Korra? Why isn´t she here, I was told she was part of the family." I gestured around vaguely. Somehow Bumi coughed and turned much more serious than usually. "She´s visiting a friend of hers." Tenzin answered ominous. Actually, that sounded reasonable, she was a young woman – so why should she hang out with a bunch of old saps and some kids? "Well does somebody have some cards for corners?" I asked, in the silence. "Pff…you´re talking to Bumi, master of awesomeness and fun here!" my brother piped up. "Of course, I´d have some cards on me if I were to be buried man!" he stated and went for his backpack. "Gambling…" Tenzin stated and looked as if he was dying inside. "Who talks about betting money?" I retorted. "ME? And ME and MEEEE!" Bumi yelled agitated. I just smirked. "Coppers, then it is. Lin you´re in?" I asked. "Ummm…why not." She grumbled. Bumi cheered.
"Seem´s the iron maiden still holds some live in that armor O steel!" he joked. Lins face dropped for a second, but than she managed to smile. Pema also shoved herself over, since her youngest sons had deemed shoveling sand useless and rested himself beyond the umbrella to take a nap. "So what is this game you´re going to play?" she asked. "Ujiji?" even the name of this cursed water tribe game was frightening. "no – I´m not playing a game in which you smack peoples faces – not with Bumi around!" I stated remembering he used sand gloves while playing this. Bumi chuckled madly. "Come on bro – that´s part of the game!" he was mixing the cards. "But I don´t have Ujiji stones Pema, so we´re going to play corners. You should watch Lin play it." He responded. Lin had been raised in a house where everyone had taken corners more seriously than doing the dishes, so of course she could paly well. The hand Bumi gave me was more than awesome. The three emperors, the jade and iron towers as well as three pieces of red land. "hmm…a damn." I muttered and tossed a copper coin. "Funds opened." I sighed. "Come on Tenzin, we´re just playing for the fun of it." Pema tried to motivate her husband who had started reading a scroll. "I dislike gambling." He stated while watching Ikki and her boyfriend wrestling in the clashing waves.
I just smirked as Bumi doubled the pot. He played a chariot and turned the first land. Blue, that could become a problem if he was prepairing to launch the unagi. But the unagi needed five parts. Pema and Lin were whispering. Lin pointed at some cards. We played for some hours, actually Pema was a bluffing protégé. Tenzin remained hard as stone, even when Toza and Ikki joined us. Me Lo was lost until the sun set and the beach was empty. He then returned with torn clothes drenched in water and sand. When the evening came, Tenzin rose. "I guess we should head home. What do you say my dear?" he asked his wife. The guy really had read three scrolls this day. "Me Lo. Help Toza wrap the umbrellas." Pema stated. "MOOOM. Can't we stay some longer!" HE whined. "No, you´ve got school tomorrow young man." His mother responded adamant. "Aww come on. I´m the son of a councilman!" he rambled. "And that makes you nothing special!" Pema slapped the backside of his head. The boy grumbled annoyed and packed up things. Toza and Ikki di not even complain, in fact the boy carried everything heavy before Pema could even lay a finger on it. So, he wasn´t that bad, nevertheless it was amusing to see how warily Tenzin eyed him. "So, do you and Lin need a ride back to republic?" Tenzin asked me.
"No – gues Lin won´t leave her car behind." I responded, while Bei Fong nodded. "Well, then. I guess you should visit us sometimes." Tenzin spoke, I was not sure who was addressed with this. I also helped them loading their sky bisons. It was quite interesint to see how nimble Tenzins hands tied the countless straps that were holding the mighty saddles. You actually needed two airbenders to place them on the animal's backs. Then the heavy animals bowed their legs and jumped into the air like birds. They flew away unter the smacking sound of reins. Tenzin and his family waved. It seemed the son of Aang had grown up, too. Lin stared at them until the dawn swallowed them. She finally lowered her gaze. "So, was that fun?" I asked her settling down near the cliffs edge. "Yes – yes it was." She admitted with a low voice. "But – shouldn´t I ´ve been working Lee?" she asked desperate. "No – stop being foolish Lin. You can´t work, you also have to live sometimes." I stated. She remained silent. "We also should drive Home." She yawned. "With an old car, which has oil lights, sounds like a great idea to me." I stated ironically. "Well – I need to be at my office tomorrow!" she jipped. "Says who?" I quirked an eyebrow, it was rather funny to tease Lin. She started stuttering. "But where should we sleep then?" she asked. "How about the beach? It´s summer Lin – you surely have some blankets flying around in the trunk." I responded. "Uh – yeah." She responded. "I haven´t done something like that since I was sixteen Lee." She responded. I laughed heartily. "No time like the present, then. I responded walking towards the car.