Avatar: The Last Cycle
Calm
Two blocks from the casino, the White Bands appeared. They were strolling along nonchalantly, far behind him, just going the same general direction as him. His back was turned, he hadn't gone anywhere near them, and they were showing no undue interest in anything his direction, but despite all that Calm felt a sudden trickle of sweat pour down his brow at the sight of them. His hands began to shake, so he shoved them in the pockets of his forest green suit (pressed and sharp). Then, thinking quickly, he withdrew one and pulled his fedora hat down low, obscuring his face. Yeah, cause they can see thru your head and back at your face. Get a freakin' grip Calm. He told himself. At least he'd never gone in for that head shaving business his master had always been going on about. He had a full head of hair (slick and stylish of course) so at least the wouldn't be attracted by the sight of the sun glinting off his melon. Thinking of his master just made him sad though. So he tried not to think about it.
He turned at the corner, and once he knew he was out of sight, broke into a trot for a brief moment, getting a bit further ahead of them. There's no way these guys know who I am. He told himself. They're just out for a little night life. You see these guys all the time, muscling around like they own the place, waving their White Bands in everyone's faces… who am I, huh? Nobody, that's who, that don't know me from nobody. Sure, maybe I got something they want, maybe something important, I mean, they freakin' killed the Old Man trying to get it, but there's no way, I mean, absolutely no way they know who I am. I barely ever even visited anymore. It's not like I still trained with the guy. Blowing wind out your fists is all well and good and all, but I got better things to do with my time. So obviously, this is just a coincidence. Everything is going smoothly.
"Mr. Chow?" A gravelly voice from just ahead of him made Calm jump half a foot in the air, and he shot back down to reality in time to see a big, muscled man in a black suit standing just ahead of him, obviously having just rounded the corner. Behind him were two more young men, both dressed in the new look-all three with white cloths tied around their upper arms.
"Sorry, uh, wrong guy." Calm said, stressing his city accent.
"Please. We can abstain with the appearances I think. We know who you are." The man said. Calm noticed that, all of the sudden, there weren't that many people in the street. The ones that were there were leaving quickly. Behind him, he heard two sets of footprints coming closer. Don't look behind you don't look behind you don't look behind you don't look behind you.
He looked.
The two White Band gangsters were strolling up. One of them had a metal pipe and was casually tapping it against his leg. The other had a pair of brass knuckles. He turned back to the three in front. The guy in the middle was really, really built. Solid, hard, and tough. Earthbender tough.
"Look kid, you know what it is we want. Don't make this any harder than it has to be. Tell ya what, I'll pay you for it, nice and square. You ain't gonna get a better deal if you hold out. What do ya say, kid? You really don't have any reason to be makin' enemies here do ya?" The big man gestured with his words, numerous rings gleaming on his fingers. Calm's hands were shaking again…but with anger this time, rather than fear. This man's suave, casual act was starting to get on his nerves. No, it really got on his nerves. No reason to make enemies? Here's a reason for ya…
"You killed the Old Man." Calm said, glaring daggers at him.
"So what?" The big man laughed. "He was a nobody. A has been. A washed up old loser with no students left and no skill to speak of. Didn't even need a Bender to do 'em, what I heard. He told us you walked out on him, and hadn't even been around in months. You gonna pretend like you care about him now?"
"No…" Calm shrugged, suddenly cavalier. He smirked, a handsome, winning smile, and tipped up his hat. "Ha! You got me. Yeah, who really cares about that old has been. Yeah, I got your scroll, right here in my pocket." He patted it, for effect. "Whatever your offering, go ahead, I got no use for the lousy thing."
The big man smiled, and reached into a coat pocket. He pulled out stack of money- the paper bills that had replaced coins a decade ago- and held it out for Calm, his other hand outstretched for the scroll. The codex his master had entrusted to him, the last time he had seen him alive. Well, the only reason he had come to see him that day was to give the thing back. It meant nothing to him…
"Here ya go." Calm pulled a bit of paper out of his pocket… then suddenly swung his arm sideways. A gust of wind came out of nowhere and picked up the paper, sending it spinning away into the sky. Everyone moved at once, shouting, pulling weapons, but Calm moved faster, snatching the cash out of the man's hand then blowing the two behind him out into the street with a quick sweep of his leg. The air followed it, knocking them off their feet, and he followed through with a circular swing of his hands, sending them flying. He ran as fast as he could, Bending the air behind him to spur him on, but he heard a sound like a massive hand scooping out a section of the pavement.
He glanced back, and saw the big man standing in an Earthbender stance, a head sized chunk of the sidewalk suspended in front of him. He slammed his palm against it, and the rock went flying- straight towards Calm.
He planted his feet, turned around, and slipped instinctively into his old training stance. A circle. Move as a circle. A circle cannot be broken. He watched the boulder flying towards him in slow motion, the sound of it roaring onward filling his ears, along with the sound of his heart pounding in terror. I am so not cut out for this fighting stuff. He thought numbly.
He spun to the side, dodging the boulder with ease.
The next one caught him in mid turn.
