Chapter Six: Plans and Parties
"Is that your final move?"
Yuan, his hand still on his Pai Sho piece, looked at the board. He looked at his opponent, Avatar Aang. Was he sure? Yuan thought a moment and decided that he was sure about his move. The chubby boy took his hand off the piece and nodded. There was a collective gasp among the group as all eyes turned to Aang.
Aang looked over the board with a practiced eye and rubbed his chin in concentration. Earlier, when Aang had been telling his class about what the monks had done for fun he had gotten sidetracked talking about Pai Sho. In the middle of telling them about the Great Pai Sho table in the Western Air Temple, Yuan had challenged Aang to a game. A board, unearthed in the library, had been set up in the eating hall. Aang's class had gathered around. Others had stopped to watch. Right now Lin was leaning eye level with the board, her sister steadying her from behind. Momo sat on her head. Aang's knowledge of Pai Sho had gotten spotty over the last hundred years, but he still remembered the basics. Aang had wanted to use his White Lotus tile but he did not want to now. Yuan was winning. Suddenly Aang had an idea. He smiled mischievously.
"A—a--," Aang put his finger under his nose, "achoo!" He unleashed a massive sneeze that flipped the board and sent the tiles scattering. A few of the onlookers were blown over. Teo was bumped against a wall and one boy tumbled out the door. Aang looked around. "Oops."
Yuan scowled and pulled a round piece out of his hair. "You only did that because you were losing."
Aang looked incredulous. "Me. Do that on purpose? I just had to sneeze." He wiped his nose and gave a goofy grin. When Yuan continued to scowl, Aang admitted, "Okay, it was on purpose but I'm a little bit of a sore loser." Aang held his thumb and index about a centimeter apart. "Just a tiny bit, though. No hard feelings?"
Yuan shook his head and said nothing as a new game was set up. As Aang was arranging his tiles he heard his name. He turned around to look at the person who had called him, the last person he wanted to see.
Aang's voice cracked. "Hey, Katara." A few others greeted her and Aang noticed that she wore her parka and carried a few bags on her back. He was able to choke out, "What's up?"
Katara's entrance changed the entire atmosphere of the room. Aang turned away from Katara and avoided looking at her by busying himself with the Pai Sho table. He frowned and was quiet. No one else knew about yesterday's conversation, in which Aang had learned of Katara's death threat to Zuko, but it was obvious to the onlookers that something had gone on between them.
Katara sighed. "Don't you remember the plans, Aang? Sokka said we have to be at the North Pole today to help with the preparations for Gran-Gran and Pakku's wedding."
"That's right," Aang said as it dawned on him. Katara had told him they would need to leave today. Aang jumped up. In one quick movement he flipped the White Lotus tile into the air and into his belt pouch with a snap. "Sorry guys, I gotta go." Aang held out his arm as Momo jumped onto his shoulder. There were a few reluctant and surprised good-byes as Aang left behind Katara.
Appa was on the runway. A few bags were already on his back. The air bison growled as Aang started petting him. Aang jumped onto Appa's back as Katara climbed up. Momo sat on Appa's head.
"What's this?" Aang held up a graying purple parka with a geometric pattern embroidered on the chest.
"It's for you to wear."
Aang shrugged the parka on. The coat reached his ankles and the hood's fur lining tickled his nose. He smiled. "How do I look?"
"You look fine." Katara kept her voice monotone and resisted the urge to laugh at how hilarious Aang looked. He had no idea he was wearing a woman's coat. Katara positioned the rest of the bags while Aang rifled through them.
He saw a green umbrella strapped to a satchel and pulled it out. Twirling it, he asked, "You packed us an umbrella?"
"No, Teo's dad packed that for us. I have no idea why." Katara tied down the last of the bags. "While you were playing Pai Sho, I did our packing and talked to him. He said the earthquake detection device will arrive from Ba Sing Se soon, so we'll be able to deliver it when we get back from the North Pole."
Aang nodded. He could tell by Katara's tone she did not want to talk. Aang turned around and took his place on Appa's head, a sad look on his face. Behind him Katara bit her lip. "Yip yip!" Aang called as Appa rose into the air.
The first hour was awkward between them. The only noise came from the crashing ocean below and Momo's chattering. It had been decided that some distance into the trip Katara would take over steering so Aang could do some airbending to get them there faster, as the average trip to the North Pole took about two days and they needed to get there in less than one. When Katara went to relieve Aang she had to say something. Katara told Aang that the only way to solve the issue was if he initiated the conversation. Katara felt that she was almost always making the first move and had wanted Aang to be the first one to deal with the problem. Yet she had a feeling this was not going to happen. Katara was going to say something.
Katara took her place on Appa's head, ruffling his fur, and turned to Aang. "Aang."
"Yeah?" Aang looked up from his airbending. He figured Katara had some more information about the trip he needed to know.
Katara looked at him. "Aang, I know that what I said yesterday hurt you and probably made you angry," she began, "but I want you to know I'd never mean to hurt you and even if we disagree I'd never stop caring about you. Ever."
"Katara, I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Do you ever want to talk about it?"
Aang's chest felt tight. He wanted so much to sit down and talk with Katara but a part of him was afraid. Aang was afraid to tell Katara how hurt he was by what she said to Zuko. What if she could not forgive him? What if, despite the monk's teachings, he could not forgive her? Aang did now consider this likely, but a tiny corner of his mind still considered it. Katara was his girlfriend and even though their relationship had not changed much so far, it might after this. Aang remembered the day when he had learned about going off to the Eastern Air Temple. When he had learned how his life and his relationship with Monk Gyatso was going to change. This situation with Katara brought up so many things. Now was not the time to deal with it.
Katara said nothing either. She felt the dull, gray sky and the indecisive waves, folding and crashing over each other, matched her mood. There was no chatter, no jokes, and no innocent kisses or cuddling. It was going to be a cold trip to the North Pole.
"It's boring without the Avatar."
"I know."
With Aang and Katara gone, the youth of the Northern Air Temple sat around bored. Most would have gone gliding except there was no wind today, even though it was the temple's windy season. A few were entertaining themselves with games, and Teo and Hana were talking in a small group.
"I've been thinking," Hana said, "we should do something for Avatar Aang. I've thought this for a while it's just uh—um--"
"You've become bolder?" Yuan ventured. Ever since Aang had started airbending lessons, Hana was less shy and self conscious. She seemed freer. Teo said Hana just had to adjust to life outside the stifling Fire Nation.
Hana was taken aback. "Well," she stammered but continued, "Avatar Aang has done a lot for the temple and has given up his own time to teach us, and I think we should do something for him. A way of saying 'thank you.'"
"Like what?" the short haired girl asked. "He's the Avatar. I really doubt we could do anything for him."
"In the Fire Nation, when someone in your family leaves, like joining the military, you honor them by handling affairs while they're gone." Hana continued, "So they return from the war to a well kept home, no worries. It's what I would've done for my brother."
Teo knew what she was getting at, and he liked the idea. "You want us to clean the temple."
Hana nodded. Aang's other pupils exchanged glances.
"Well," drawled the short haired girl, "Master Aang is always talking about the temple."
"I think it's a great idea, too," Teo replied as the other four nodded.
It was decided that they would form a small cleaning party. Yuan suggested they ask if anyone else wanted to help, although Hana doubted any would. Hana stood up in front of everyone.
"Excuse me," Hana began though the talking, "can you please be quiet?" Her voice was lost in the noise. Lin walked up and tugged at her older sister's pants. When Hana looked down, Lin gave her a serious nod and turned to the group.
"You!" Lin called. "Shut your food chutes and listen to my big sister! She's got somethin' to say and you can't listen if you're blabbering!" This quieted the room and Lin turned to Hana. "You can go on now." Lin climbed onto a surprised Teo's lap, folded her hands primly, and gazed at Hana, eyes wide.
Hana proceeded to tell her idea of cleaning the temple, and a few kids volunteered. The group then drew up some plans, gathered supplies and began. Some cleaned the walls. Some removed demolition remains and attempted to make the area presentable. The youngest wiped the floors. Lin helped by sitting on one of the floor rags and demanding to be pushed across the cobblestones. The little girl screamed in excitement and the floors got done faster. Inside, the short haired girl and two of the boys from Aang's class were dusting statues. Teo, Hana, and Yuan cleaned the polluted fountain. The fountain had a gigantic stone air bison that oozed green water.
Yuan had rolled up his sleeves and was scrubbing the bottom of the fountain. "You have an answer yet, Teo?"
"Nope. I don't know the answer to your riddle." Teo was using a kind of netted hook to scoop debris into a basket on his chair.
"Just take a guess it's not that hard."
"Pfft," Teo replied, "I'm not as smart as you are. Just tell me."
"A gopherbear."
Teo thought a moment. "I get it now, give me another one."
Hana hummed to herself. She had tied her long ponytail into a loose topknot, so it would not fall in the water, and had her arm down the bison's throat as she was clearing it. Hana's fingers brushed against a dirt clump that blocked the waterway. She tried to knock it out, but it did not budge. Without thinking, Hana waved her hand and forced a gust of air down the pipe. The dirt went down the pipe and shot out the drain. Teo ducked as it flew through the air and landed on a statue, prompting the short haired girl to scream about how she had wiped that spot five times. Hana hummed off-key, unaware of what had happened.
Teo and Yuan stared.
"I can't believe you just did that," Yuan said.
"That was amazing!" Teo shouted.
"What did I do?" Hana asked. "Oh you mean me humming the wrong note. I didn't know you heard that."
"Who cares about wrong notes?" Yuan replied, "you're an airbender."
Teo was excited. "It. Just. Flew. Through the air. That was awesome!"
When Hana looked puzzled the boys explained what had happened. This left Hana more confused as they interrupted and spoke over each other, but she eventually understood.
"But—but," Hana began breathlessly, "I didn't do it on purpose. It just happened. How could I have sent something through the air?"
Yuan shrugged. "Master Aang said bending is very natural. If you do the stances and have the right spirit and have the ability, you can bend. Sometimes without really thinking about it."
Hana was still in disbelief about being an airbender. She had only joined the class as it looked interesting and she wanted to help. Yet the feeling had been so normal, so natural. Hana figured Aang would know the most about this so she could ask him. Teo and Yuan pulled Hana away to attempt more bending. The other students clustered around to watch.
Hana's airbending was sporadic. She moved through the stances and sometimes nothing happened or she summoned a weak wind to knock soot from the walls or open ceiling screens. This made cleaning easier. Everyone else seemed inspired and temple was tidied with more zeal than before.
It was sunset when Aang and Katara arrived; the sky was colored with oranges, pinks, and a thick stripe of yellow. Icebergs floated below them and on a glacier some distance away there were two figures waving. Katara steered Appa down in front of them. Aang leaped off right away, energized despite the bending he had done all day, and Katara clambered down into knee deep snow. She was glad there had been an extra pair of mukluks in her bag.
"Hey guys," Aang said with a grin. His breath came out in a cloud.
"Hello, Aang, Katara," Suki said brightly. She wore a purple parka with the hood pulled up. Her nose was bright pink.
"Yeah, yeah, hello," Sokka said as Katara hugged him, "Suki and I have been waiting forever for you two you're late." Katara noticed her brother was dressed in his warrior's furs and armor.
"Aang and I would've come sooner if we would've known you'd dress up for us," Katara replied.
Suki rubbed her gloved hands together. "He's dressed nice for the ceremony tonight. It starts after sunset. It's why I was given a new coat."
"What ceremony?" Katara looked up from hoisting the bags.
"Wait," Aang said, "you don't mean the wedding right? I thought it was in a few days."
"It is. Tonight's the first night." Sokka threw up his hands. "And we're gonna be late if you two don't move, hustle, shake a leg."
Aang asked slowly, "What's First Night?"
Sokka gave an exasperated sigh when Suki looked at the sky. "We're gonna be late," she said, "I'll explain on the way."
The four of them rushed through the city, Appa growling as he flew himself to the stables. Katara had expected to spend her and Aang's arrival unpacking and reuniting with everyone, not being rushed to some party. She guessed that would come tomorrow. As they ran along a canal, Suki explained the situation between breaths.
"In a traditional Water Tribe wedding there's not a just wedding-- there's a week long engagement party," Suki got out, "six nights of the guy giving the girl gifts-- seventh is wedding night."
"I've never known about that," Katara replied.
Sokka led them around a corner. "It's a really, really old tradition. Most couples today don't bother."
The stars were out when Sokka, Suki, Aang, and Katara arrived at the igloo hall and went in. Walking through the door flap was like going from night to day. The group blinked in surprise. There were lanterns everywhere, on the few tables arranged around the hall and in ice sconces on the wall, and a small fire burned under the smoke hole. There were about twenty people gathered and all were dressed nicer than usual. Most of those attending were older but Katara recognized Yugoda, the tribe's main healer and an old friend of Gran-Gran's.
Sokka spotted Hakoda at a table near the front and led the group there. They were seated on the same side of the table as Hakoda. Two people sat along the other side of the table, a handsome young waterbender and his wife. Katara assumed these were Pakku's only living relatives.
"You're late," Hakoda whispered, "they've been waiting for you." He was dressed like his son.
"Sorry, dad," Katara whispered back as drums sounded. The night was about to begin and all eyes turned to the front.
Gran-Gran was kneeling on a thick, rich rug and looked nicer than Katara and Sokka had even seen her. She wore a dark purple dress that was lined with white fur around the collar, hemlines, and sleeves. The skirt was so long it rolled onto the rug like a purple wave. Her white hair was braided and pinned up into a bun. A rare smile played on her lips. There was a wall of snow behind her with a small opening. Everyone got comfortable and craned their necks to see as the drums ended. Two hooded shamans came and stood a few feet away from either side of Gran-Gran.
"Tonight is the First Night," said the first one, obviously a man, "the night of the stone."
"Long ago, when Ocean and her partner Moon began their eternal dance, Ocean wanted to give something to her love," the second shaman, a woman said, "so when the Moon moved Ocean's tides she carved the North and South Poles, rocks, gifts for her love."
The first one continued, "And tonight the cycle is completed for the man will return the gift. He will give the stone he has carved to his wife."
"Tonight is the first night," the two said together and the audience repeated it (except Hakoda's side of the table as they had not known what to do.)
The drums beat again as Master Pakku came out of the entrance behind Gran-Gran. He was dressed in blue and carried a necklace. Kneeling down, he secured the necklace around his betrothed's neck. The necklace was on a white ribbon and the pendant was oval-shaped. Katara could see the stone Pakku had carved was white on the left side with flecks of brown and blue on the right. The actual design could not be seen from where they sat but Katara figured it must be very beautiful, like the one she wore around her neck.
"This has been the night of the first gift," the shamans said together and a chorus of voices repeated them.
Sokka, thinking the event was over, started whispering to Suki, but four other shamans came out carrying trays of food. The dishes were exquisitely carved and the food was steaming. These were distributed among the tables and everyone began eating.
Sokka took a lot of everything as Suki asked what each dish was. Through mouthfuls, Sokka answered her and held on a conversation with Hakoda. There were few vegetarian dishes so Aang contented himself with mammoth portions of a colorful seaweed salad. Katara spooned herself sea prune stew. It smelled delicious and until now she had realized how hungry or tired she was. She was seated next to Aang but avoided looking at him. It was awkward. So Katara eventually got to talking with Sokka and the couple across the table.
"I can't believe you two were vacationing at the air temple, while everyone else in the world is working hard." Sokka gulped. "It must've been a breeze." He laughed at his awful pun.
Katara rolled her eyes. "I'll have you know Aang and I are there on a very important errand. But what do you mean everyone else is working hard?"
"The world's falling apart," Sokka replied shortly as he mopped up his soup with a slice of bread, "and no one knows why."
"The Fire Nation is a mess," Suki explained, "riots, crimes, and bad stuff in the outer islands. There have been countless eruptions and even monsoons." When the young woman across the table what a monsoon was Suki explained. "I feel so sorry for Zuko." Suki added, "And the earthquakes in the Earth Kingdom."
"You mean the tremors?" Katara said, "Aang and I ran into a few on the way to temple."
"Yeah and real earthquakes," Sokka said, "one hit Ba Sing Se last week."
"You're kidding," Aang said thinking of Toph and everyone else in the city.
"Nope," Sokka said. He licked his fingers. "And no one knows why."
"Except that it started after the comet," Suki replied.
No one said anything for a moment until the silence at the table was broken by Aang muttering to himself.
"It could have something to do with the Spirit World, like something knocked out of balance," Aang said considering the possibility. His face was downcast. This was terrible news.
"Maybe." Hakoda continued in his gruff voice, "but right now the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation are very far away. We may have our own problems tomorrow, but tonight is supposed to be a party. Let's enjoy it."
Aang and Katara remembered Sokka's letter. He had written of how everyone was working hard to help rebuild the North Pole, and Sokka had also mentioned the shamans' predictions of possible spirit activity on the equinox. The autumnal equinox was tomorrow.
Within a few moments their table was back to eating and talking happily. Everyone had taken Hakoda's words to heart. Later, when Gran-Gran and Pakku came to sit at each end of the table, they all talked and had a fine time at the celebration.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.
Thanks to the people who have given me any kind of feedback so far. It's much appreciated. And I'll eventually get the next chapter up (in which Aang and Katara finally reconcile, among other things).