They were speeding down the highway, headed for Omashu, when dusk suddenly fell like a cloak dropped from the sky. Dark clouds were chasing one another across the sky, causing brief flickers of purple light. The sudden gusts of wind came out of nowhere, making the trees shake with creaking branches.
Azula leaned forward and yelled into June's ear. "Hey! Do you think we ought to stop and search for shelter? There's no way we'll be able to reach a village before it gets dark."
June sneered. "Shelter? Do you really want to spend the night outdoors in this weather, Azula? Why, I thought you were fond of your creature comforts! Besides, it can't even be three in the afternoon yet. The air's comparatively warm. I predict we can keep going for at least another five hours. Don't let the breeze scare yo…. Whooaahh!"
The sudden funnel of air whipped down, bending the trees in front of them like matchsticks. One of them broke with a loud creak, causing splinters to fly up and rain down everywhere. The shirshu braked unexpectedly, almost unseating its riders. Then, with an eerily shrill cry, it made a sharp left turn and bolted into the woods at breakneck speed.
"Nyla, Nyla, settle down boy! Settle down. There's no danger…" June was leaning forward, whispering desperately into the huge creature's ear. It ignored her completely, hurtling through the dark woods and narrowly avoiding crashing into the trees. Violent gusts of wind kept whipping them, shaking the crowns and causing the air to thicken with leaves.
Azula was yelling through the noise. "June! June, you need to stop him or we'll have to jump off! He'll get us killed!"
June kept stroking the great beast's neck, whispering soothing words into its shaggy ear. "Shut up, Azula! I trust Nyla. He'd never cause me any harm. Well, a least not willingly…"
"Oh, so you admit you can't control him! Well, maybe it's time to face the facts!" Azula fought to keep the mixture of panic and frustration from her voice. Lack of control had always been her weak spot. Tensing her muscles into steel coils, she examined the rapidly changing surroundings. Blast Agni if she'd allow her enemies the satisfaction of dying in a humiliating accident, caused by wild animals and freak weather phenomena. As she brought her feet up on the shirshu's back and balanced, crouching behind June, her voice was calm and steady.
"We should get off now, June. Do as I say. On the count of five. One…two… three… four… aaahhh!"
With a rush of increased energy, the shirshu bolted into a clearing and braked unexpectedly. The sudden manoeuvre threw the riders clear over its head, causing them to somersault over its head. Azula managed to respond by curling into a ball and rolling with the movement, twisting to protect her head and back. This made the impact with solid ground relatively merciful, leaving her with a messed up topknot and a sore shoulder. June was not so lucky. As Azula reached the bounty hunter, she was clutching her bandaged elbow, her face white with agony.
Azula reached her in a flash. "June? Are you hurt? Can you stand up?" She reached out to support the other woman in a firm grasp.
The bounty hunter grimaced and struggled to her feet, clutching her elbow. "Can it, Azula! I'm alive, okay?" In spite of the harsh words, she allowed Azula to assist her to her feet before pushing her away.
"I'm fine, Azula! I really am. Or I will be. Hey Nyla, what the blazes got into you? You could have killed us all, you bad beast!" She patted the shirshu's flank fondly. It was grazing serenely at the middle of the clearing, all signs of panic gone.
Azula ignored her. Her attention was focused on the construction up in front, her eyes sharp. She approached carefully through the lush grass, noting the incongruous sight of a narrow but well-kept road leading straight ahead. She was staring at the building in front of them.
"What in Agni's name is this, June? And where did it come from?"
The bounty hunter looked up from her ministrations to the shirshu. "Looks like a house, doesn't it, Azula? Lit up and likely inhabited. With any luck, it's a roadside inn!" She reached out and pointed to the right. "Look, there's the road, winding down into the woods! Well, that's just what we need, eh? Some food and drink, and warm beds for the night. I've camped out in worse dumps. Come on, Azula!"
Her companion stood still, her feet involuntarily locked to the ground. The violent gusts of air and spiralling tornadoes had mellowed, leaving the soft whistling of the wind echoing plaintively. Darkness had settled, broken by wisps of restless clouds that traversed the sky, momentarily shading the moon from view. The moon? Azula frowned at the pale orb. The night had fallen much too quickly.
"Alright." She sighed and followed the bounty hunter to the rustic building. Three storeys high, it looked pleasantly spacious, partially covered in lush vines. From inside beckoned the warm light of a glowing hearth. A worn enamelled sign, depicting a pale starshaped flower, indicated the name of a traveller's inn.
The Moon Flower
"Hello? Anybody around? Are you open for business?" June preceded her unhesitatingly over the threshold. Azula followed, her shoulders tense and senses alert. The tavern seating area in front of them was clean and unexpectedly cosy, with a merrily sparkling hearth, seasonal ornaments and local artefacts adorning the walls. The smell of pine and hyacinths drifted through the air.
"Why, we certainly are, young lady! My ladies, it's an honour to meet you. How may we serve you this evening?" The voice issued from a bar counter to the right. Behind it, the rotund innkeeper regarded them with a merry spark in his eyes, stroking his white beard.
"A freak storm caused my friend and me to seek shelter here. We're headed for Omashu. Travelling's impossible under these weather conditions, though. Do you offer fare and lodgings?" June took charge, leaving Azula to examine their surroundings. However, the man's keen eyes and response unexpectedly kept straying to the younger woman.
"Indeed we do, indeed we do! We specialize in offering seasonal banquets with local specialties, custom made for our visitors' palates. In fact, we've garnered quite the reputation. How long would you be staying for?"
Caught in the act of unclasping her cloak and readjusting her topknot, Azula started. "Just tonight, thank you. Do you offer single rooms?"
The innkeeper beamed at her. "Of course we do! We have three floors, since converting the attic. In fact, I'd recommend it!"
June nodded, stroking her elbow and searching her money pouch. "We'll take it. Two single bedrooms on the third floor. And the seasonal banquet packet, including drinks. Keep 'em coming." She stapled bao coins onto the polished counter carelessly.
The innkeeper bowed, collecting his dues. "Of course! Thank you very much, Milady! He shot Azula another penetrating stare, causing her to start. "I'll bring your luggage up and get the rooms in order. I'm Master Laus, by the way. The Mistress' name is Madam Holda. She'll be serving you tonight."
Still wary, Azula spun around to check the room. The sudden noise that had alerted her was emanating from two young men, seated at a table at a far distance from the bar, close to the warm and festive hearth. The innkeeper caught her look immediately.
"Ah! Of course, you would prefer to celebrate a holiday like this in some company! These two young gentlemen just arrived some ten minutes ago. Their circumstances were much similar to your own. I'll make all the necessary seating arrangements." He bustled over to the far side table to approach the two men. Sipping her lychee liquor aperitif, Azula sharpened her eyes. Something about the broad shoulders and wolf's tail hairstyle of one of them caught her attention.
Oh no, it can't be! Can it?
She shook June's unbandaged right arm urgently. "Hey! I think I recognize that guy! He's Watertribe, a member of a rebel gang! I remember fighting him and his sister in the War!"
Downing her shot, June shook her head wearily. "Whatever, Azula! Just let it go. The War's over. Just for once, sit down and relax. Have some food and drink. Enjoy some company. Just be a regular person, will you?" She reached down behind the counter to refill their glasses surreptitiously. A plump hand snatched the bottle away at lightning speed.
"Can I be of service, Milady? Master Lau informed me that you've paid for the complete fare and drinks package. That doesn't include self-service, though." The tall plump woman treated them to a benevolent smile. June grimaced, not overly put out. Accepting her refilled shot glass with flaming cheeks, Azula turned away to avoid the shame. The bearded innkeeper materialized in her vision.
"Well, I'm happy to tell you that the two young gentlemen have invited you for Yuletide dinner at their table. Please allow me to escort you."
Cursing the fate and acts that had brought her to this particular place at this particular moment, Azula followed the man, carefully avoiding the sight of his broad backside. As they reached the comfortably padded booth, he made a show of introduction.
"Here you are, ladies! The best seats that the Moon Flower can offer. And some company to usher in the Merry Tides. I'll bring you the…"
The interested gleam of sea blue eyes cut the innkeeper's prattling out abruptly. As Azula forced herself to sit down next to him, the wolf-tailed Watertribesman focused on her with a disconcerting smile.
"Ah, finally! I'm so happy to meet you. I was starting to fear we'd have to spend all Yuletide marooned in solitude! We've met before, haven't we? Some four or five years ago. Those golden eyes of yours are unforgettable. I'm Sokka, Watertribesman by birth, citizen of the Four Nations by right."
Fuck. Is he trying to impress me, or just being naturally obnoxious?
Azula forced herself to lean back in feigned relaxation, sipping her drink. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Azula."
Her companion intercepted the impending awkward silence. "I'm June. Bounty hunter by birth and trade. We were stranded here when a freak storm caused our means of transport to bolt."
The dark haired young man next to her smiled guilelessly. "Oh! That's much like what happened to us, isn't it Sokka? Our paraglider was hit by a tornado and collapsed into the trees. It was getting dark, so we decided to set out in search for signs of life."
Azula frowned, ignoring the innkeeper's wife who was serving a selection of starters. "Paraglider? You mean it's different from an average glider?"
The Watertribesman shrugged. His shoulder was taking up far too much space, occasionally rubbing against hers. "Well, it's a prototype. About four times the size of your average glider, made from steel with an advanced steering mechanism. Teo here's a whiz kid engineer. I'm merely the mechanic." He shrugged with fake humbleness. "I mean, not really the Mechanic. I just enjoy building things." He preened slightly.
"Oh." Azula blanched and looked away. "And then they crash out of the sky." She munched her starter innocently.
The Watertribesman looked taken aback. Apparently, he was unused to lack of female admiration. A blush deepened his bronzed features. "Well, I did say it's just a prototype! It might need some additional features, such as… He launched into a list of technicalities. Chewing daintily, Azula stared into blank space indifferently.
"I see. It all sounds very complicated. And fascinating, if you have a serious purpose with it. Apart from impressing silly girls, I mean."
His young friend shrugged with a humble smile. "Well, the Mechanic was actually my father. He passed away the year before last. Sokka and I just picked up on his legacy because the work is so much fun. We both enjoy defying the laws of nature and inventing things. Fire Lord Zuko's been kind enough to take notice and sponsor us."
Azula slammed her pint of peach mead down sharply to sprinkle her meal vigorously with fire flakes. June sent her a quick, worried look. Across the table, the Watertribesman stretched and signalled for Mistress Holda to serve the entrees.
"How's that elbow of yours? I see you're wearing a bandage. Fresh injury?"
June grimaced. "Got into a bit of a scrape last week. It was healing nicely, until I got thrown clear from our ride. I'll be alright, no worries. Comes with the work."
The Watertribesman's sea blue eyes sharpened, but his posture remained relaxed. "Don't I know it. Work injuries can be one hell of a nuisance, eh Teo? So, what line of business are you ladies in?"
Unable to stand it anymore, Azula interrupted. "She's a bounty hunter, okay? You probably knew that from the start. June's one of the best and most respected in the business. It's an honour to have her for a mentor. Now, crawl back to Caldera and report your findings to Master Zuzu. He can fucking stick it. I'm not returning! Ever."
Shocked silence met her outburst. The Watertribesman was the first to recover.
"Well uh, if that's the way you feel… I mean, I'm not pressing the issue..." He shrugged helplessly at June, seeking assistance. "So… Your ride wouldn't happen to be a dragon, would it? Maybe blue, or… orange?"
June's dark eyes widened. "No! Nyla's a shirshu. Besides, everyone knows…"
Azula twisted, catching the Watertribesman's broad shoulders in her hands. Despite his superior bulk, she slammed him back against the seat.
"Listen closely, peasant scum! Just because malevolent spirits threw us into this craphole of a situation together, you don't get the rights to surreptitiously interrogate me and my colleague! Besides, what kind of imbecile nonsense is that? Blue or orange dragon? Are you trying to insinuate something?"
The Watertribesman smiled placatingly and loosened her grasp gently with big hands. "Not at all, Azula! I beg your pardon if I've offended you. It's just that there's been sightings reported of you appearing on either a blue or an orange dragon at different hours of the day. Kind of fitting, considering the blue and orange morality that the Fire Nation displayed during the War." He winked.
Azula's golden eyes flared up. Her hands tightened into fists. However, June reached out to pull her back before a full blown bar fight erupted.
"That's quite enough, Azula, Sokka! It sounds like we're all tired and strained to the maximum after today. Clashing over old conflicts isn't going to help. Let's go find our rooms and go to bed, eh? She tugged her colleague gently but decisively away. The Watertribesman's blue eyes were sparkling inexplicably, a tiny smile curling his lips.
"Now, that's the voice of reason, June! We've all been through too many shocks today. Teo, are you okay there? Let me help you rise."
He rounded the table, placing his arm around his friend to pull him up. Azula's eyes widened at the sight. "Are you a…?"
The young man flashed her an open smile. "That's right, I'm a paraplegic. Unfortunately. A childhood accident. If someone would please… Sokka?"
The Watertribesman indicated a metal construction in a corner. "Go get his wheeler, would you? It's a foldout, just pull it out."
Feeling inexplicably ashamed, Azula reached the wheeler and tugged the sides experimentally. It clicked satisfyingly into place, transforming into a mechanical steel chair with twin wheels. The Watertribesman assisted his friend in seating himself. Before wheeling it away to seek the innkeeper's assistance, he shot Azula a regretful glance.
"Good night. I'm sorry if any of my jokes were inappropriate or hurtful. People usually tell me I'm a moron who speaks before thinking. Please believe me, Azula. I didn't mean any harm."
Azula sank down on the seat, watching the disappearing pair in consternation.
"Well, there they go, harassing the innkeeper. How in Agni's name are they going to reach the third floor?"
June shrugged and finished her desert. "No idea, Azula! Maybe there's a lift. Or possibly that Sokka hunk has superhuman strengths. Well, what do you think, Azula? Is he worth your time?"
Azula rose and shot her a withering glance. "Forget it, June. I wouldn't soil my boot by kicking him."