Outside, the sky has turned a light gray and the air is peppered with a few stray flakes of snow. The canal lazily laps as a gondola filled with soldiers passes in front of my house. The men on the boat sit stiffly, wearing dark blue hoods and face masks. One of them waves while the gondola drifts between the icy sidewalks and toward the distant city walls. I smile and wave back; I hope they have a easy day today. They aren't the only people out on the canals; fishermen and hunters are all headed out beyond the city to the sea and tundra, their boats laden with pointed spears and heavy leather bags. I hope they bring back enough surplus for the market's; it's the end of fall, and people are starting to prepare for some long, cold nights. I get to see this all the time, since we live right out side our city's labyrinthine channel system. My home is connected to the others on the canal level making the houses look more like one long wall more than anything. The rest of the city is literally built above us; our roofs are used for street blocks and the bridges link the blocks between the canals.
"Hey Kesuk!" someone calls from above. Looking up, I see Senna standing on the bridge overhead. This is excellent. Senna waking up on time is an auspicious sign; I have a good feeling about today already. I run up the spiral staircase to catch up with her.
"You're looking nice today," I say. I can tell she's meeting up with her boyfriend later since she saves her nicer dark purple coat for the days she meets up with him.
"Today? Don't you mean 'like always?'" she asks jokingly. We start walking and I try to match her long legged stride.
"Of course! Are you ready for another riveting day of selling furs?" Senna groans enviously.
"At least you have a fun job! My dad is brining in another batch in and he needs me to help with the tanning since that loaf of a brother is sick. Can't you heal him for me?"
"He's probably suffering from 'faking it.' That's not a illness healing can treat, but you and I can probably find a better remedy" I say seriously. The two of us have been doing things together since we were five, when Senna used to live next door. I thought my life was half over when she moved up, but thankfully she's close enough to walk to work together.
"So, how's Petuak doing? You haven't been skipping work for him again, right?" Senna shoves me lightly, her face turning pink.
"He's fine, Kessie-"
"Don't you mean amazing? Charming? Gorgeous? The man of your dreams? I mean, the way you always talk about him makes it seem like you're really into each other." I snide. She looks up to the gray sky almost wistfully, as if she's remembering all the wonderful times the two of them shared.
"I mean, he's doing really well at water-bending classes, and the council was thinking of moving him and some other guys up…" she starts.
"Oh, are they considering him for the army? That's great! He's a talented bender; I'm suprized he didn't join earlier." I assume.
"Woah, jumping to conclusions now, are we? But yeah, he is." She smiles slightly, but drops it as a troubled thought seems to enter her mind.
"Senna what's wrong? Did something happen with you two?" Senna stops and leans against the bridge's wall.
"He's not really happy about it, i mean, not like the other guys,"
"Really? Why wouldn't he want to join?" I say a bit incredulously.
"I don't know, maybe he doesn't like the idea of going off to war? He just doesn't want to go out to fight, and honestly, I don't want him to either." she snips. Senna and Petuak have been together for a few months, and I suppose I get her defensiveness. But still she should at least try to get him exited him to join the army, or even just make him more motivated to help the tribe. We aren't even fighting them outside our territory; the army's there to protect us, and the Fire-nation has yet to breach our walls. Though I think Senna's overreacting a bit, I know it's stuff she's heard before. Seeing Senna look so sore about it makes me hold my tongue, and I just urge her to keep walking. After a few minutes of chilled silence, Senna breaks the tension.
"Hey… look, Petuak and some of the other guys were planning on getting together later out on the tundra, for a little 'you're joining the army' party. They're trying to have like, one last night before its official. You can come," Senna puts a hand on my shoulder and continues dramatically, "unless of course, you fear we might spread unpatriotic propaganda around." I shrug uncomfortably.
"I'd love to go, but I don't know when I'll get back from work and-" Senna waves me off.
"We'll be out there all night, you won't miss a thing. Hey, maybe you could bring Arlukk with you." Senna grins at my mortified expression, "look, he's right over there. Why don't you ask him?" Sure enough, at the foot of the stairs leading to the healing huts stands a hunched over, middle aged man with a scraggily beard and listless murky eyes.
"No-No! Don't point!" I say as I tackle Senna's outstretched arm. I feel my feet slip on the icy sidewalk, and my face collides with the glossy white bricks. My face stinging, I look to see Senna pulling me up from the ground.
"Thanks- oh spirits, he saw us," I groan as I catch Arlukk staring at the scene. He doesn't blink for about ten seconds, before shuddering slightly and walking into the hut. I whack Senna's shoulder.
"What is wrong with you? You know how freaky he is; I don't need some psycho following me around all day." I growl.
"How long will it take you to just relax around him? So he's a little weird; just get over it and keep working." It begins to snow heavier as we reach the foot of the steps.
"If I die, I will haunt you so. Much." I say pointedly.
"Loosen up! And don't die before tonight, you're the life of the party!" she laughs.
"Seriously though, I need you there. I don't have any fun unless I hear you complain about how much less fun you're having. Besides, I hear there will be some real nice Northern lights out tonight. Promise you'll come?" Senna urged.
"All right, all right, I'll go, but only for the lights! Have fun selling fur," I say as I start climbing the stairs. Senna beams and puts up her hood.
"I'll see you later!" I watch her make her way towards the market place before reaching the hut entrance.
- And I'm back! Our second main character has arrived, and our story continues. Thanks for putting up with my awful schedule, but I hope you enjoy as always. I'll probably be able to get more writing done this week so fingers crossed on a faster update. Reviews are always welcome! -