Chapter 3
Impulsive Decision
Aang rushed out of the hut, bolting down to a figure dragging someone away. He saw another figure laying prone a few feet away. As he got closer, he noticed it was Hanai. Stone-faced and determined, he used waterbending to slow the man down. Or, at the very least, make him trip. His plan worked, and Katara rushed beside him and assisted, trying to imprison the kidnapper. However things didn't not go as planned, as he threw Tikaani aside and used a cloud of fine snow to blind the two benders and make his escape.
"Damn! He got away! Katara you go to Hanai I'll get Tikaani!" shouted Aang. Katara paused for a second and then ran to Hanai who was groggily getting up. Katara helped her, and using her water-healing, helped ease the pain of the bump on the back of her head.
"It's ok, we got Tikaani. We'll take him back home." She said, comforting Hanai who clung on to Katara and looked around for a moment at Aang who was picking up an unconscious Tikaani.
Aang carried the boy back home. He entered through the back and saw that Amana was talking to Suki and Katara was tending Maka and Hanai. Aang carefully laid Tikaani down and sat on a stool.
"So...Where do we go from here? It's obvious that Tikaani isn't safe in the North Pole."
Everyone turned silent at Aang's somber remark. Katara finished healing Maka, who had a gash on his shoulder. He growled and scratched his head, not knowing how to say what he wanted to get across. So, without beating around the bush, he just said it:
"Take Tikaani with you Avatar. We can't protect him any longer. Whoever killed Arnook is no doubt trying to erase his tracks. If you take him, you might find the chief's killer and whoever attacked us." Aang nodded and looked down at Tikaani, who was starting to wake. Katara wrung her hands and looked at the floor before speaking, her voice strong and optimistic.
"We'll take him with us, I am sure he can help us find Arnook's murderer. We promise not to let you down Maka, or you Hanai." Hanai didn't look at all optimistic, but fearful instead.
"He isn't like any normal child: He has different needs and wants. I don't know if you can handle him." Suki stepped out of the house for a moment as Hanai continued.
"Can you really care for someone like Tikaani? He can't talk very well, and he needs to be constantly supervised." Hanai got up and took an old cloth satchel. She looked around the room before putting a pair of clothes inside the bag. Katara spoke carefully and put a hand on Hanai's shoulder.
"I know this must be difficult, but I'll do all I can to help him. You're right, I don't know how to care for someone like Tikaani. I've never met a child like him before, but I want to help. I really do. He needs us as much as you need us." Hanai was still, before Amana spoke for her and helped pack a few things.
"Watch body language carefully; never raise your voice at him. Speak clearly and repeat things often. He learns things, but slowly. If you wish to do this, then we will let you, I am sure he could help identify the murderer. But you must be patient with him. I can't stress that enough. I am afraid that you might lose control and hurt him." Aang saw the look of apprehension on Katara's face: the thought of actually hurting Tikaani scared her.
"We will do our best to care for him. I will do my best." at that moment Suki burst back in with Sokka.
"We've got to go now! A suspicious looking boat is leaving the docks! Get your stuff, we're going after it." Sokka announced as Katara took the bag from Hanai, who looked worried, more for Tikaani than herself. Suki carefully picked up the young boy and looked at Sokka.
"Go back and tell everyone we're taking Tikaani with us, he's important to this mission." Sokka was taken aback by this and blinked stupidly before saying.
"Wait...we're taking Tikaani, won't he get in the way?" Katara looked at her brother sternly before shouting at him.
"No he won't! Now go tell the others we're coming!"
Suki followed Sokka before Aang turned to the family,
"We'll keep you updated and we will write often. Anything else you want to tell us before we go?" Hanai looked at Maka who then looked at Amana and then older man looked at Aang.
"Don't underestimate Tikaani. When he is violent. and if he gets too argumentative, just mention 'bath time' and he'll calm down a bit, but you need to deliver or won't work the next time." Aang nodded before following Katara, he stopped for a moment to look back.
"What am I getting into?"
Pain was all that Tikaani could feel right now. His head was hurting and it felt like he was constantly falling. He started to stir as heard the sound of feet on metal. What...what is going now? What did I do this time? Where is Auntie? He woke up to notice he was on a boat and not in his room. What is going on! Where is Auntie, where is the big man that hurt me? Wha-what is happening? He started to whine as Suki put him down to open the door. Tikaani bolted down the gangplank at first opportunity.
"Oh shit! Tikaani it's OK! You're coming with us!" Suki called out to Tikaani as she chased after him. He ran into Katara who took his hand and smiled calmly.
"I know you're scared, and we're sorry we didn't wake and tell you. C'mon it's an adventure, and you're coming with us." Tikaani tried to understand what she meant by adventure, but he didn't seem to get it as Aang walked passed him. Tikaani noticed the tattoos again and reached out to touch them.
"Auntie? Where is Auntie?" He asked as he followed Aang. Katara sighed as Tikaani seemed distracted enough to follow Aang into the ship. Tikaani took Aang's hand and fixated on the tattoos as gangplank rose up and the door shut. Aang looked questioningly at Katara as if to say:
How do we explain this?
Tikaani was lead to another room aboard the ship. He clung on to Aang, looking more anxious at the room and still wondering what was going on. Aang sat him on a cot and looked around to see if Katara was following behind him. Aang sighed and sat down with the boy as Tikaani took his palm again.
"I don't know how much you can understand this, I hope you can understand all of it, but, we're taking you with us. You're going to help us on a…uh…mission. Your aunt left you in our care, and we'll do our best to take care of you."
Aang was feeling more and more uncomfortable talking, but Tikaani lifted his head and made eye contact for a moment before going back down to study the tattoos. He rocked quietly before speaking.
"I'll...stay...I'll stay. For now...for now. I want to go home though. This isn't home." Aang tried to get him to make eye contact again. Aang gently cupped Tikaani's narrow chin and lifted his face to meet his eyes.
"You have to trust me Tikaani. I'm the Avatar, I am here to help you." He squeezed Tikaani's hand and Tikaani reciprocated the gesture. They held eye contact for a second longer before Tikaani let go and crawled under the cot and curled up and rocked his back against the wall. Aang looked this behavior strangely before realizing that it was just his way of comforting himself. Aang walked to the door and asked one of the guards to alert him if Tikaani had any problems.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group chatted as the ship took off, mainly arguing over what to do with Tikaani and how they were going to get catch up. Aang joined them and sat down between Zuko and Katara.
"Aang this is asinine! You can't take a disabled child like Tikaani on job like this! He'll be underfoot all the time!" Zuko shouted angrily. Katara gave Zuko a look that would melt glaciers and retorted back.
"Tikaani is a smart kid and he won't get underfoot if we give him something to occupy himself with! He just needs something to keep him distracted."
Zuko roared back, angry at her,
"It's not as simple! He has needs we can't fulfill! This whole idea is probably your fault, and you just convinced your boyfriend to agree with this!" Aang rubbed his temples and held both his hands up between them, separating them and stopping the fight.
"Let's get some things straight. First, Tikaani saw the man who killed Arnook which is probably the guy that attacked him and his family. Second, yes he had a lot of problems, but I am sure he has a lot of benefits as well. We need to be respectful of him and do our best. We can't lose our tempers in front of him. It will probably cause more harm than good. He isn't prepared for this so he'll be difficult for a little bit. Thirdly, I'm going to see if I can catch up with that man on Appa." Aang got up to leave, but Mai spoke up in her usual bored tone.
"You won't be able to find him in all this fog. It's pretty thick." Aang sighed, and realized that flying in fog was probably a bad idea. He could bend some of it away, but more would just replace it.
"Fine I'll stay on board. Tikaani is probably asleep right now so let's just figure out what we're going to do when we find the other man. Mai added on to Aang's disappointed statement with a smirk,
"If we can find him in this fog."
Tikaani sat alone in the metal room and rocked by himself with his hands on his arms and his face hidden in his parka, trying to remember the scent of his home and his aunt. He could hear the echoes of angry words from various people. Words always hurt, the wound can be more hurtful than a club or a sword. And people throw them out so casually. I hate words. I hate talking. It does nothing. His thoughts were angry and seem to carry a lot of resentment. He buried his face into the warmth of the parka and the smell of cooking fire, fish, Amana and the hut he grew up in seemed to be fading already. He rocked and flapped his hands as felt the ship creak underneath him.
He was alright with boats since Amana and Maka took him the docks since he was a small child and became desensitized to them. It was the loneliness that was bothering him now: The feeling of being cut off and stranded. No Amana or Maka or Auntie with him. It was very painful.
Will I go home ever? Is this home now? Is this like when I was small and I had to live with Auntie? I was a baby, but I remember it. I don't remember...mama or papa. They are just dreams now. Is the bald one going to come back or will his friend? Or am I alone for a long time? He turned away from his thoughts as someone opened the door. Was it Aang or Katara? He hoped it was Aang, he wanted to see the arrows again.
Toph didn't think this was one of her better ideas, but it was worth a shot. Tikaani wasn't the only other one with a disability; maybe she could talk to him and make him see that being disabled in one thing doesn't make you weak in everything else.
"Sorry, I didn't be mean to bug you. I brought some food and rice with miso. I'm Toph. You're probably scared and stuff I guess. I am sorry about my friends are not being…um…" Toph stopped talking, after realizing that she wasn't getting any response. She could hear the boy breathing and walked in carefully. She sat the bowl on the floor before sitting down herself.
"It sucks that I can't see shit. I don't know if I am facing you or not." Toph heard the sound of someone scrambling to grab the bowl that was in front of her and the sound of ceramic scrapping on metal.
"You don't have to be shy, just say 'Hi'. Damn that rhymed… what the hell?" She didn't hear anything but the sound of someone eating, which, hopefully, meant that Tikaani was enjoying the food. She got up and tried to locate where the door was again.
"Ugh, I can't wait until we get back on solid ground."
Tikaani didn't know what to make of the girl called Toph. She seemed nice enough and she gave him rice. He liked plain rice, though the miso wasn't strong at all. She seemed to be short tempered though. He peeked out from under the bed and crawled out to look around the small room. There was just a cot, a basin, and a table with an oil lamp on it. Tikaani picked up the cot and with a loud 'CLANG' he had it on its side. He then started to untie the soft leather mat that was suspended in the metal frame. As soon as he freed the leather, he laid it on the ground and then began to fiddle with the metal frame. He saw the screws in the legs and with delicate fingers began to unscrew the few that were sticking out. 'Clink' they went on the steel surface. After removing two of the screws, Tikaani couldn't see others and got frustrated and tried to remove the legs anyway. One did finally fell off and Tikaani waved it around and smacked it on the metal.
Oh! I like that sound, I'll do it again. He grinned as he whacked the metal over and over. The loud ringing nose was bizarre to him, but it wasn't unpleasant. It almost reminded of a drum, but made of metal. Tikaani made happy clicking noise and hit the floor with the broken metal leg from the cot. Rocking and squealing he continued the racket, happily engaged in an activity that was distracting him from being far from home.
Zuko on the other hand, wasn't happy about the noise at all. He heard the clanging sound from near his room. He stopped talking to Mai, who wrinkled her brow at it.
"What is that noise coming from? Is it the engine?"
Zuko got up and shook his head,
"No, it sounds like something else. Let me go check it out." Zuko offered, as he got a long robe and threw it over his night clothes.
"OK, whatever, just make sure this rust bucket doesn't fall apart." Mai said in her typical bored tone. Zuko opened the door and, in a moment of wit, he added.
"Hey! This is an imperial rust bucket."
Zuko followed the loud clanking noise when he ran into Katara holding a set of clean clothes and kettle of tea.
"Hey, Katara, do you hear the banging noise?" He asked as he followed her down the hall. She nodded and, with a questioning tone, responded to him,
"Yeah, it sounds like it's from Tikaani's bedroom. I came to give him his bed clothes and made him some tea so he can sleep. He's probably so scared and unsure."
Zuko rolled his eyes as the noise was getting louder the closer he got to Tikaani's room.
"Sounds like he found something to play with, if you ask me." Katara gave shook her head at Zuko's remark and knocked on the door.
"Tikaani, we have bed clothes and some nice ginger and mint tea for you." She said sweetly as she opened the door. Tikaani had pulled off another leg from the cot and was banging them either on the, now mutilated, cot or on the floor. Tikaani had somehow tore apart the metal cot and made an impromptu drum out of it and was whooping and making noised as he hit things. Katara was both amused and slightly annoyed. Zuko, however, was furious.
"What in Agni's name is wrong with you? You don't just up and tear apart your bed like that! What the blue fuck do you think you are doing?" Zuko stomped over and yanked the leg out of Tikaani's hand which caused an ear piercing shriek and Tikaani flailing his arms and dropping the second leg. Katara set the tray down and marched up to Zuko.
"Don't you yell at him! He doesn't know better, he was just keeping himself amused." Zuko threw the broken legs aside and shouted back,
"I don't care, he wrecked his bed, and he isn't getting another. I am not leaving the twisted metal for him to hurt himself with either. You better start teaching him that the next time he breaks something he is getting a consequence and he isn't going to like it." Katara was appalled and shouted back, shocked,
"Are you threatening him?" She asked, bewildered as Zuko called for a guard to take away the cot.
"No, I am making a statement. Kids like him only know two things, pain or pleasure. If he does good he gets rewarded, if he does bad he will be punished, it's the only way he'll learn." Katara stomped her foot and retorted angrily,
"How dare you?! He isn't an animal Zuko, he is a living human being!" Zuko sighed and headed for the door. As he was leaving, he turned and said.
"He acts and thinks like one, so he will learn like one. He will be treated like human being when he starts to behave like one. This isn't cruelty, or bigotry, it's a fact of life. Not everyone sees things with rose colored eye-lenses full of hope and optimism. I am just being realistic. Make sure he falls asleep tonight. I don't want him up all night making a mess." For a moment Zuko looked apologetically at Katara who only had an expression of anger and hurt. Zuko a sighed again, and left leaving Katara fuming.
"How dare he? How dare he treat you like livestock? He just doesn't understand at all." Katara said to Tikaani who was ignoring the fight and was pacing back and forth waving his right hand about. Katara waited until he stopped before going up to him and showed him the night robe she had and the soft furs that Hanai gave her.
"Look Tikaani, it's night time, we should rest. It's been a long day." The boy lifted his head and took the robes from her. Katara was relieved that he was going to dress himself. But he threw the clothes aside and began swaying side to side. Katara made a frustrated noise and got the clothes before going up and saying in a firmer tone.
"Tikaani it's bed time, you need to undress." She started to take off Tikaani's outer robe, but he pushed her away. With one swift movement, he grabbed the robe, and took off his pants and started to take off seal skin covering over his loin cloth. Katara turned scarlet and told him that it wasn't necessary. Tikaani ignored her and stripped naked. She turned around and covered her eyes and handed him the robe.
"Y-you don't have to be nude Tikaani, you'll be warmer clothed." She said shyly as Tikaani noticed the furs beside the table where the tray was. He took those and from light to dark, laid the pelts on the leather mat that use to be for the cot. He then took the thick fleece blanket and laid it over the pelts and then laid on it with his legs drawn up to his chest. Katara had her back turned, groaning in embarrassment the entire time. She stood still before taking a deep breath and picking up the discarded clothes. Ok, you've seen Sokka naked when you were a kid...and...Aang...once. Naked does not have to mean sex, he is just comfortable without clothes, it's more important that he is comfortable and content. After giving herself a mental pep-talk she turned around to see Tikaani wiggling his ankle around and tapping the ground with his fingers staring at the shadows on the wall. She tried to focus on everything above his waist. She took another large blanket and draped it over him. He made a noise, but didn't react to it negatively. Katara sighed and took the tea and tried to get him to drink, he refused twice and at this point, Katara had no reason to make him drink. She got up and opened the door to leave, just as Tikaani shoved off the blanket on top of him.
"Good night Tikaani." She said kindly, but she got no response. Frustrated now, she left.
Katara headed back to the room she and Aang were staying in. She opened to the door and huffily threw Tikaani's old clothes aside and sat on the bed, as a very puzzled Aang stopped playing with Momo and turned to her.
"What got you upset?" Aang asked, concerned, as he crawled over to her. Katara softened as Aang began to rub her shoulders.
"Nothing, I got Tikaani to bed. I guess I am just mad at Zuko for being so cruel to him." She said as, causing Aang to stop for a moment.
"What do you mean? Was he with you?" Katara nodded at Aang's question.
"He was investigating the banging noise, he discovered it was Tikaani making the noise and he took on to himself to yell and degrade him. He compared him to an animal!" Katara said, enraged. She stood and began pacing around, now ranting about Zuko:
"What decent person takes a child like Tikaani and says 'they only understand pain and pleasure,' and threatens a person like him? And he is our Fire Lord? Ha! He is probably no better than Ozai I bet he will bur-" Aang interrupted her tirade,
"Stop. You're assuming too much of Zuko and it's not going to help our situation, Katara. You need to let the anger go, and not hold it against him. I think the Fire Nation treats the mentally disabled differently than the Water Tribe or the Air Nomads. You need to recognize that this probably something that he was taught. I mean...how many kids have we been around that are like Tikaani?" Katara scowled and responded heatedly,
"Plenty!" but Aang lifted a quizzical eyebrow as if to challenge that statement. Katara lowered her arms and sat back on the bed, knowing that being angry or indignant was not helping, and neither was lying.
"Ok, you caught me, I never seen kids like Tikaani, I am sure my tribe had them, but they probably kept them way from us." Aang wrapped his arms around her, and sighed, agreeing.
"I've met a deaf air monk, and one that learned pretty slow and had a stutter, but I don't think I've met someone like Tikaani either. I think this is a learning experience for all of us. We just have to be tolerant of him and of other who share the same ignorance. And hope that we all grow out of it." Katara leaned on Aang and reached up to stroke his bald head.
"I hope Zuko grows out of it...I will beat the holy fire out of him if he lays a hand on Tikaani." Aang laughed and kissed her cheek, before slowly going down and kissing her neck and making his way down to her collarbone. Katara sighed blissfully as she loosened her night robes.
"So...can I be on top tonight?" She asked, her voice warm. Aang just chuckled.
Morning came and most of the gang was up, Katara was in the galley, with Suki, eating breakfast. Aang and Zuko were talking to the captain about where the ship was heading, and if they could still locate the one they were tracking. Toph was at the table next to them, noticing that everyone was there except for three people.
"Hey, is Tikaani still in bed?" Katara looked away from her conversation and to Toph.
"Oh...I forgot to get him up." Katara got up and Toph followed her to the quiet…or nearly quiet room. Katara heard Tikaani babbling to himself. She opened the door and then turned her head to see he was walking around the room. Naked. Toph however had no problem strolling in and saying good morning. Tikaani however disregarded the comment and continued to pace around her. Toph noticed that Katara was still at the door.
"Oh come on, so what if he's nude. He obviously isn't uncomfortable, so just suck it up. Besides how many times have you played with Aang's 'staff'? Katara made a noise like a squawk and walked in.
"It's impolite! And how do you know what I do?" Toph rolled her eyes and looked around for some clothes for Tikaani.
"Honey, I can year your love-making a mile away, you're anything but quiet." Katara turned twelve shades of pink and red, but breathed an indignant sigh and found the satchel she had hidden in a corner.
"Oh...Katara, I think he made a mess in the corner, it smells a lot like pee." Katara sighed, frustrated, and threw the clothes at Toph as she walked over and bent the urine in the corner out the window. That got Tikaani's attention,
"Bend! Bend again!" He suddenly called out. Katara turned around, a bit startled, and bent the water from basin around him. He smiled for a second before reaching up to play with it. That kept him distracted enough for Toph to give him his clothes. Tikaani took them and dressed in his loincloth and trousers, but didn't want to wear his top. Katara sighed, putting the water away.
"Alright now it's time for breakfa-Wait!" Katara didn't have time to finish her sentence as Toph ran out to chase Tikaani who was heading to the galley.
Aang nearly ran into Tikaani, but airbended around him as he ran down the hall.
"Hey! What's the hurry?" Aang asked, playfully using some airbending to make an air scooter and head down passed Tikaani. Tikaani whooped, and followed it down to the dining table.
"Again! More!" He called out as Aang laughed, sitting down.
"I'll play with you later Tikaani." Aang assured as he sat across from him. Tikaani sat down smacking the wooden table, just as Toph and Katara entered into the room.
"Gods he just took off running." Katara said gasping as she sat down next to him. Mai and Zuko sat beside her and Toph took seat by Tikaani who was rocking and slapping the wood.
"Yeah you tell that table what's-what Tikaani. Woo, beat it good!" Zuko frowned as Sokka joined them, yawning and getting his porridge. He looked at Tikaani with a curious expression and got a bowl for him.
"What is his problem?" asked Sokka as he put the bowl in front of Tikaani, who was rocking and flapping his hands.
"Spoon! I need a...spoon!" He said pointing at Sokka, who obliged and sat down and got to work on his own breakfast. Zuko watched Tikaani eat before munching on an apple-plum.
"Why isn't he dressed?" Zuko asked, looking at Katara. Katara shrugged at the question.
"I guess he didn't want to wear a shirt." She said, getting some cheese. Zuko didn't seem amused by her light tone. Irritated, he got up and walked behind Tikaani and took his bowl from him.
"No shirt. No food." He said simply as Tikaani screamed and slapped the table in anger, reaching for his breakfast.
"MINE! MINE! DON'T STEAL!" He screamed loudly. Katara got up and immediately took the bowl from Zuko.
"What the hell are you doing? How in hell is taking his breakfast from him going teach him anything? Give it back!" Zuko put it on counter and crossed his arms.
"Cause and effect. No shirt. No food. Now, get him dressed and he'll finish his breakfast. Trust me, it may seem harsh but we need to stop bad manners in their tracks." Katara was going to retort back when Aang got up and took Tikaani out of the room, as he was starting to throw the dishes.
"I hope this works Zuko, or you got some serious ass-kissing to do if he's going be in foul mood all day." Aang warned as he took Tikaani back into his room.
Tikaani didn't get it. He was eating with his elbows off the table and taking small bites. Why was he being punished? 'Katara' or the Girl-That-Is-Nice-But-Loud seemed to be angry at 'Zuko' or Boy-With-A-Scar-Who-Is-Not-Nice. The always seemed to be trading angry words with each other. Tikaani concluded that they were not friends. He didn't understand why 'Zuko' was so mean to him. Why did he scold him when he was drumming on his metal drum? Why did he tell him 'get dressed' when he was dressed to begin with? You wear a shirt after breakfast not before, or it will get messy. Tikaani also didn't like it that 'Aang' was now taking him back to his room. He thought that the Bald-One-With-The-Blue-Arrows was nice like 'Katara', but he also had angry words. It was just affirming that words do nothing. I don't understand anything. Everyone is so angry and I am being punished for something that I did, and, like usual, I have no idea what I did. I don't want to wear a shirt. You don't wear them at breakfast. Tikaani threw the shirt away as Aang tried to hand it to him. Tikaani got frustrated with Aang constant offering of the periwinkle blue tunic top. Tikaani gave up and took off his trousers and his loincloth and sat bare on the furs that made up his bed.
"No breakfast. I stay here." Tikaani said stubbornly, rocking and smacking the furs. Clearly showing that Zuko could take his rules and shove them where the sun don't shine. Aang threw up his arms in defeat and laid the clothes on the table.
"They are on the table. When you are ready..." Aang walked away as soon as Tikaani ignored his words and turned away from him.
Walking down the hall, he entered into the galley and into an inferno of raised voices and arguing.
"-You keep dehumanizing him it's appalling!"
"-I don't know why you are letting him run wild!" Aang rolled his eyes and took a few pears for himself. Sokka looked around, ignoring Katara and Zuko fighting.
"Where is Tikaani?" Aang shrugged and ate a pear.
"He decided he was going to sit in his room naked. He said 'no breakfast' and took off all his clothes. Honestly I don't see the problem. Until Zuko interrupted him, he was eating and he was fine." He looked at the catfight behind him and rolled his eyes. Toph started laughing and interrupted the argument.
"What the hell is so funny?" Zuko said to the laughing earthbender.
"Oh, nothing. Just the fact Tikaani said 'fuck you' in least amount of words possible." Katara was confused as she noticed that her fight had pushed away Aang.
"What do you mean?" She said in tone that was obviously guilty.
"Aang said that Tikaani stripped butt-naked and declared he didn't want any breakfast. He is my fucking hero! Doesn't take shit from anyone! Including you, Mr. Watertribe Tamer!" Toph got up and took the last apple-plum. "Kid is fucking awesome, it's obvious he could care less about your 'rules'. I like his spunk." She left the galley, leaving Zuko speechless and Katara with a smug grin on her face.
"I told you that he was smart." she said cheekily. Zuko made a disgusted noise and threw his arms up.
"No, that means I have to be stricter. The kid is obviously poorly educated." And with that Zuko stormed off. Mai drank her tea with a bemused expression on her face.
"I kinda like that kid too, he seems to have a big set of balls." Katara turned scarlet, remembering that Tikaani stripped in front of her.
"Well…I wouldn't say that actually." She gasped as she realized she said that out loud, causing some awkwardness around the rest of the group. Mai started laughing.
"Well I guess he's got to compensate somehow." Mai said, more amused.
Katara left just before Sokka started asking on how she knew how big Tikaani's testicles were.