Chapter 36
Sokka tapped his fingers on the table impatiently, wondering when Mai or Zuko would show up to open the luncheon.
"I'm starving!" he complained to Katara, who rolled her eyes.
"You just ate a huge breakfast! Remember when we had to survive on nuts and berries?" she said.
"Yeah, Sokka! Hunger is just an illusion!" said Aang. "Monk Gyatso always said—"
"No, Aang. Just no," replied Sokka, holding up a hand.
The door to the small banquet hall opened, and Mai entered, looking smug and adjusting her hair.
"Oh thank all the spirits," said Sokka in relief. "Finally."
"I apologize for my lateness," said Mai to the assembly of foreign heads of state. She didn't look particularly sorry, but it was Mai after all.
"Firelord Zuko and I thank you for attending our wedding. We hope that with the new exchange of ambassadors, we can continue to move our nations towards peace." She paused, as if contemplating what to say next. "Enjoy the food," she finished brusquely, and sat down at the head of the table next to the Earth King.
"Move over!" Sokka glanced up and saw Akira pushing in a chair next to him.
"Are there not enough chairs?" Sokka asked, confused.
"There are, but I'm seated next to Earth General Xia, and she keeps looking down her nose at me," said Akira unabashedly. "I don't feel like dealing with her. So move!" Sokka noisily scooched his chair to the side, attracting Mai's attention from across the room. Oddly enough, she smiled haughtily, and raised her glass as if in a toast. Akira made a dissatisfied noise in the back of his throat.
"Ah…what was that?" asked Sokka.
"Mai and I argued this morning," said Akira frankly, helping himself to some rice. "She doesn't trust me."
"Oh," said Sokka awkwardly. Akira hadn't done anything wrong, as far as he could tell. But Mai wasn't a very trusting person. "Arguing with Mai sounds…unpleasant."
Akira widened his eyes in agreement and dug into his lunch.
"Is that why you two were late?" asked Sokka.
"No, I was meeting with General Gui about the Soldier Relocation project," said Akira, his mouth full. "Was Mai late?"
"Extremely." Sokka speared a large slab of meat from a central platter and plopped it onto his plate.
"You know, Sokka, it's really better for you to eat vegetables!" said Aang cheerfully from his other side. "Katara's become a vegetarian, and look how much she's enjoying it!" Katara smiled weakly and poked at some of the greens on her plate.
"Yeah, she seems thrilled," said Sokka. Across the table, he noticed his father and Malina with plates full of meat. Poor Katara. Aang was one of his best friends, but living as a vegetarian nomad sounded terrible.
The rest of the meal passed quickly, with Sokka and Akira arguing with Aang over the merits of vegetarianism and Katara playing mediator. When the luncheon ended and everyone got up to depart for their various air balloons and warships, Sokka's father made his way over.
"Sokka, I want to talk to you," said Hakoda. They hung back to the rear of the group, walking slowly.
"Your intervention made the deal between the Southern Water Tribe and the Fire Nation possible," said Hakoda. "Believe me when I say we couldn't have managed it without you. And this new railroad will do wonders for our nation's development. We all owe you our thanks, son."
"Thanks, Dad," said Sokka, throat constricting a little. "Anything I can do to help."
"I was also impressed by the way you mediated that last meeting, when the Earth King asked for the lives of the Firelord's family. You handled the situation with tact and diplomacy, even when the official leaders didn't. I'm proud of you," continued Hakoda. They slowed to a halt.
"Well, being part of Team Avatar meant having to deal with a lot of arguments," laughed Sokka. His father remained serious.
"Thanks to you, everyone wants an ambassador in the Fire Nation," said Hakoda thoughtfully. "You've really started something. That's why I'm hoping you'll stay here in the Fire Nation and be the first official Southern Water Tribe Ambassador."
Sokka didn't know what to say. "I assumed you'd appoint someone…older for your real ambassador," he said finally.
"Your travels have made you wise beyond your years," said Hakoda, placing his hands on Sokka's shoulders. "There is no one else I would rather have."
Sokka imagined moving to the Fire Nation capital permanently. He'd be away from the South Pole, but as Ambassador he'd be in constant contact with his home town. He could even visit a few times a year. And he could live with Suki and Zuko and Akira, doing work that was actually meaningful. For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel restless or useless. He felt excited.
"Thanks, Dad," Sokka said. "That means a lot." He swallowed. "I'll try to make you proud."
"You always do, son," said Hakoda. He raised his eyebrows quizzically. "So you'll do it?"
"Yeah," smiled Sokka. "Ambassador duties, here I come!" He opened his arms, and embraced his father.
"I love you, Dad," Sokka said thickly. "Thanks for being patient with me." Hakoda tightened his broad arms around his son.
"I love you too, Sokka," he said. "All I want is for you and Katara to be safe and happy." Sokka relaxed into his father's hug.
"So, when is your wedding?" asked Sokka, drawing back and clapping his dad on the back. "You'll probably want your Ambassador back for that!"
Hakoda laughed. "In a few months, probably," he said. "Malina and I want to wrap up some projects so we can take a short break after the wedding."
"Should I expect any more siblings?" asked Sokka mischievously.
"Sokka!" admonished his father. His eyes twinkled. "Maybe," Hakoda admitted. "Eventually."
"I'm happy for you, Dad," said Sokka honestly. It might be nice to have younger siblings again. Spending time with Kazuto had made him more comfortable with little kids. He and Hakoda emerged out onto the courtyard before the entrance to the Fire Nation Palace, where Malina waited by a carriage. Hakoda's face split into a smile when he saw her.
"Well, this is where I say goodbye," said Hakoda. "I'll see you soon." He held out a forearm, and Sokka took it.
"See you soon, Chief," Sokka said with a grin.
"Goodbye, Ambassador," Hakoda answered. He walked over to the carriage and took Malina's hand, raising the other in farewell.
"Bye, Dad," said Sokka quietly, lifting his hand to match. Even though he knew he'd be writing his father every week, and that he'd be back soon for the wedding, the parting still hurt. It never got any easier.
The Earth King and General Xia boarded an elaborate green carriage and left, Aang, Katara, and Mai waving them goodbye. Chief Arnook and his posse walked out, all looking terrified as Mai wished them farewell. Sokka wondered what that was about.
"Hey, Sokka!" Zuko tapped Sokka on the shoulder from behind. He looked marginally better, but still somewhat pale and weak.
"Didn't Katara tell you to stay in bed?" asked Sokka.
"I have been!" protested Zuko. "But you can't expect me to let Aang and Katara fly off without saying goodbye."
"You don't show up to lunch to say goodbye to the heads of state, but you will get up to see your friends," said Akira, walking up to them. He rolled his eyes. "Zuko, you're a nightmare."
Zuko shrugged. "I have priorities," he said. Aang, Katara, and Mai came over, joined by Suki, who had been guarding the gate.
"Team Avatar unite!" said Sokka, glancing around at all his friends.
"And Team Firelord," said Mai somberly. Akira looked confused.
"Group hug!" yelled Aang. He wrapped an arm around Suki and Zuko and forced everyone to mash awkwardly into a hug, Akira swept up into the mix unexpectedly. After a few seconds of protest, they all split up. Mai brushed off her robes, but Zuko merely beamed at everyone.
"Have a safe trip, Aang and Katara," he said. "We'll miss you. But I'll see you in Yu Dao in about a month for the colonies negotiations."
"See you soon," said Katara. "And Zuko, please rest! You won't be at full strength for a full month, so please take care of yourself."
"He will," said Mai ominously. Sokka heard an 'or else' in her voice.
"It was nice to meet you, Akira," said Aang warmly, bowing to Zuko's brother. "I hope to see you soon."
"Likewise," Akira dipped his head.
After a few more rounds of hugs and goodbyes, Sokka finally tore himself apart from Katara. "Be safe," he urged his little sister. "And don't let Aang force you into vegetarianism if you don't want to."
"I won't!" laughed Katara. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Keep up the good work as Ambassador, Sokka. Dad and I know you'll do great."
And with that, Aang and Katara jumped onto Appa, who roared happily, slapping his tail against the ground. Dust rose, and Appa soared into the air, taking Sokka's sister and friend farther and farther away from him. Sokka blinked, his eyes unexpectedly wet.
Zuko slapped Sokka on the back. "I'm glad you're staying," he said. "Hakoda asked me about making you Ambassador yesterday."
"I'm glad, too," said Sokka. And he was.