Karkat glared at his fire nation outfit. It was of course completely red.
"You said to get you whatever. You have no one to blame but yourself," Rose commented upon seeing his glare.
He looked at his childhood friend also adorned in the fire nation outfit. He wondered if she should have originally been a fire nation citizen or not. It just appeared so natural on her. With a sigh he decided to leave it at that since he didn't give her any specifications in the first place, "Hey why am I learning fire first? Isn't there an order to this whole element learning thing?"
"Yes but it appears that you have more talent with fire over earth so we shall start with this before moving on," Rose explained.
"Do I really have to learn it from this guy? Is there no one else you know?" Karkat complained.
"Unless you wish to be taught by the elders then you have no other choice but him."
"But he's such an asshole. I don't think I can learn from him," Karkat complained some more before something hard impacted with the back of his head, "OW FUCK."
The Avatar whipped his head around to see his supposed fire bending teacher tossing a small rock up and down in his hand. Another rock was a few meters from him which was probably the rock the boy threw at the Avatar's head.
"If you actually decided to listen then you could probably learn properly. It's amazing that Rose was able to teach you water bending at all," the sunglasses wearing boy continued to toss the rock up and down.
"True, it was extremely difficult but I somehow managed," Rose let out an exasperated sigh causing Karkat to scowl.
"I told you to do some breathing exercises. Fire bending is all about controlling your breaths. Otherwise all you get is air. Wait no not even air because you can't bend that either. You'd get nothing and then stand there like a gaping idiot and watch yourself as your ass gets thrown to the ground by your enemy over and over again. Your ass will be so full of dirt that you won't even be able to earth bend it out no matter how hard you tried."
"Wow you rant more than Rose said you would," Karkat scoffed at the boy making him stop in his little tossing of the rock in his hands.
"If you're just going to be a little princess about this and not listen when I'm teaching you then go home brat," Dave dropped the rock and turned around. Rose sighed before giving Karkat a look that told him 'do something idiot'.
"How the fuck can breathing exercises help me? I already know how to fire bend!" Karkat quickly sputtered out.
Dave turned around again and looked at him expectantly, "Alright then show me all powerful avatar."
Karkat held out his closed fist towards Dave and opened it with his palm facing up. A small flame appeared and sat the in his palm.
"Congratulations, you can light candles and you have a slight chance of making a campfire. So what if you can bring out a tiny flame? You can't actually bend it and you can't attack anyone with that pathetic flame. I talked to Rose yesterday, it looks like you can only get a real flaming attack out when you're pissed off and that's the worst thing to rely on for fire bending. Sure you get some pretty decent flames but most of the time all you get is hot air. AKA nothing."
Karkat closed his fist again and clenched it. He put it back to his side before looking down with a scowl.
"Now if you're done being a baby. Shut up and do your breathing exercises."
Karkat looked up and glared at him.
"Come on, I haven't got all day now," the sunglasses wearing boy crossed his arms.
"Karkat please, do not let our long journey come to nothing. And remember you do have two bets to fulfil," Rose reminded him.
Karkat glared at Rose, "I am not going to do the fucking breathing exercises."
"Karkat."
"No, who the fuck does breathing exercises in that sort of position!?"
"Hey if you don't do it then we can't move on," Dave shrugged.
"No. There is no way in fucking hell. I will let the spirits drag me through hell and back before I do something that ridiculously stupid."
"If you don't do the squat then go home or find some old bag to teach you. They're all going to tell you the same thing so might as well save yourself he trouble and do it now."
"Fuck you."
"Promise?"
Karkat was taken aback by that comeback and stepped back with disgust. Dave held back a snort.
Rose rolled her eyes at the two, "Is there no other way Dave? Did you really do those exercises yourself?"
Dave went silent there and Karkat had to hold back a smirk.
"Perhaps it would be easier for Karkat if you gave him a demonstration."
Now Karkat believed that the Strider would chicken out since of course the squat would be too embarrassing to do in front of everyone. Yes Dirk and Jake were just hanging at the side watching. Especially with his self-proclaimed cool kid demeanor. That was until the boy walked over to him and kicked him behind the knees. It wasn't a hard kick but it made Karkat stumble forward a bit and go into a half squatting position and beside him the Strider stood in a perfect squatting position with his hands in fists by his sides.
"Like this, easy."
Karkat just gave him an odd look from his awkward position.
"What do I need to put you into it myself? Need mommy to guide you all the way?"
Karkat just grumbled and squatted with his hands by his sides just like the Strider. He could practically feel Rose standing behind him and trying not to laugh at them. Jake still had that goofy smile on and Dirk was definitely smirking.
"Come on man wider."
"What?"
"Legs further apart, if you don't get in the right stance then you're breathing will be off."
"How the fuck does a stance affect your breathing?"
"Shut up and listen to the expert."
"Expert my ass," Karkat looked at the audience to glare at them and found that Rose had joined them and was talking to them. Jake started laughing and Dirk's smirk stayed in place.
"If you want I could be an expert at your ass."
"FUCK YOU! STOP WITH THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT!"
"You're just making this too easy. Also your legs aren't far enough apart," Dave slid his right foot over and hooked it around Karkat's left foot and pulled.
Karkat pulled back, "I'm in the right fucking stance."
"No you're not, your legs are supposed to be farther apart."
"Farther apart this!" Karkat unhooked his leg from Dave's and kicked the boy's ankle as hard as he could. It resulted in his leg sliding forward with the Strider's and the two ended up somewhat back to back with one another. Karkat's left leg was extended and still hooked around Dave's right which was also extended while their other legs were still bent. Dave unhooked Karkat's foot from his and then spun around still in the same stance and slid his extended leg to kick Karkat's bent one. The Avatar rolled forward to dodge and turned around to face the shades wearing boy with a snarl.
"Damn you're like a ferocious wild animal. It's going to be a while before getting you perfectly house trained."
And Karkat tackled him.
The two rolled across the field while scratching (mostly Karkat), punching (Dave) or trying to just grab or hurt each other. The three spectators just watched as Dave struggled against the profanity spewing boy.
"Blimey Rose was right about how they wouldn't be able to end this without a wrestling match," Jake commented, "Shouldn't we stop them?"
"Nah let them struggle it out to let the kid know how dumb he's being," Dirk stated before yawning and standing up with a stretch, "I'm going to work, tell me when the kid can make a decent flame."
Rose sighed as Dirk left, "There is no obligation for you to be here Jake. All you will be seeing is the same thing for the next couple of days. I guarantee it so you might as well find another object of interest to take your time, aside from this."
"Now I don't think it would be right to leave you all be yourself with these ruffians. Perhaps I can stay and help them out a bit," Jake suggested.
"Well if you insist. You don't have anything better to do don't you since Dirk is occupied with work don't you."
"Spot on as always Miss Lalonde," Jake chuckled.
"GET OFF OF ME!"
The two looked over to said ruffians and found that Dave had managed to pin down the angry Avatar, "I'm not getting off until you settle down. I'm just doing my job here and if you don't like it then you can just go home like I've said since the beginning princess. You're just wasting everyone's time with being a prissy asshole alright. If you don't like the way I teach then go find some old fart that has nothing better to do."
"Now now Dave it may be time to take a break now," Jake walked over and crouched down.
"What break?" Dave let go of Karkat's arms and crossed them while sitting up right, "We barely even did anything."
The Avatar took this chance to topple over his frustrating teacher and scrambled away. For some reason his face was a little flushed. He blamed it on the little wrestling match they just had.
"I never asked you to be my teacher anyway fucknuts!" Karkat screamed at him before storming off towards the forest once again.
"You have one special case here Rose," Dave put a hand to his cheek and hissed at the scratch mark Karkat left on him.
"Yes I've never seen someone able to catch you off your guard so easily," Rose splashed a little of water on his face before following Karkat into the trees.
Dave put his hand to his cheek again and found that the wound closed. A hand was extended to him and he looked at Jake before accepting it and getting up. Jake just gave him a smile.
"I've never met someone who could have a hissy fit every five minutes before," Dave patted the dirt off himself, "I'll be working with Dirk if you need me Rose and don't bring kitty if he's still being a dick."
"I think the only time he's being a dick around anyone is if it is you or Eridan."
"Fish prince I get but why me?"
"You two just seem to be so compatible in the strangest way," she gave him a smirk before disappearing.
"Compatible? How the fuck are we compatible shouldn't it be the opposite?" Dave mumbled to himself.
Jake slung his arm over the boy's shoulder as the two walked back to the sword smith, "Well I'm not exactly sure what Rose means by that but I can tell you there was some sort of connection between the two of you."
"English do you need new glasses? The only thing that connected was his nails to my face."
"It wasn't that bad and Rose healed it easily. I'm sure that once you two get to know each other, you'll become the best of chums."
"Fat chance."
"Fucking little. UGH! He's just so-," with a snarl Karkat punched a tree and cursed while shaking the pain away. He sighed and sat on a rock, "What the fuck am I even doing."
"That's a wonderful question and I'm glad you managed to ask yourself that."
Karkat looked up and found Rose leaning against a tree near him.
"Since you got lost yesterday I came to make sure you wouldn't again."
He said nothing and went back to scowling at the ground.
"At this rate, you will barely know the basics of fire bending before the year is up and then how will you face your father?"
The boy just eye rolled, "You are the master of cheering someone up."
"Who said I was trying to cheer you up?"
"Oh my bad, that's right, it's impossible for a fucking Lalonde to comfort anyone."
"You're not helping yourself."
"Just leave me alone."
"As much as I would love to, it's my duty to take care of you and see that you learn all the elements."
"The duty you fucking gave yourself."
"Would you rather me or the white lotus sentinels. Although I don't think they could last a day over watching you."
"I'm surprised you're still fucking here."
"Well in a way we are childhood friends even if you do deny it. Being the one that had put up with you the longest, I got used to it."
"Where the fuck are you going with this!? If you're going to just blab fucking nonsense then get the fuck away from me!" Karkat snapped and stood up, "That's all you fucking do. You just rant about the most random shit ever that's irrelevant to anyone and don't give a shit about the real problem and you just . . . try to distract . . ."
Karkat sat down when he realised that she really was trying to comfort him by making him think of something else.
Rose took this moment to sit beside him, "Have you talked to John yet? He's told me that he has tried to contact you but you never replied. The news of our travels have spread but not the reason why. Will you tell him?"
"Why so he can laugh at me and don't believe a single fucking word I say like everyone else? They're all going to laugh in my fucking face like Vriska when they all find out."
"You never know, I'm sure there will those that will become fascinated like Feferi did."
"And you, except you tagged along for the trip out of that ice prison. I bet Feferi would have come too if she weren't a princess."
"Exactly so instead of moping around and causing problems for everyone, why don't you live the adventure for the ones who are unable to? Feferi will be expecting many tales of our travels once we return."
"That's your fucking job with all your scholarly shit."
"She'll want to hear it from the Avatar herself and you won't have many tales if all you do is argue with your teachers."
". . ."
"Your father would love to hear all your stories as well. Didn't you want him to be proud that you accomplished so many things once you return?"
"Fuck fine I get it. Just shut up now."
"I'll take that as a 'thank you Rose you are right and I'm sorry for never believing you'," she gave him a smirk and he couldn't help but smile back.
Her eyes widened for a second before returning to her usual self and getting up, "Now let's have you apologize to Dave."
"What? Hah fuck no. I am not apologizing to that douchenozzle."
"Karkat you have to or would you rather we go into the large city and get a master for you?"
He scowled and looked away.
"I brought you here because I know you don't like learning from adults so take this chance properly and like Dave said, stop being a princess about it. Honestly even Feferi never acts like this."
"I'm not fucking promising anything."
"Please try your hardest. Not just for yourself but for everyone else. It would be a laughing stock to you and the ones who were trying to help you if you can't even do such a simple thing as apologizing."
Karkat didn't reply, he just got up and began to storm off.
"Wrong way."
He froze and turned to glare at her who was just sitting there with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"Lead the way . . . please . . ." he asked politely like the way he knew she would like.
"So you do have manners. It's a start."
Karkat face palmed once she turned around to leave and quietly followed after with his hands in his pockets.
"Dave, Karkat has something he wishes to say to you," Rose began once she got a hold of Dave.
"This I gotta see," Dirk stopped working and walked closer to watch the show. Thankfully, Jake had already left earlier so the audience was smaller.
Dave wiped his arm over his forehead to wipe the sweat away from their current work. Karkat couldn't help but look at the finely toned boy that was only wearing some pants and a muscle shirt with a towel hanging from his neck.
Suddenly the room felt very hot. Must have been from the fire from the sword making.
"Well? Spit it out kittykat."
"First of all stop with the fucking stupid names."
"Fine then Vantas. Just hurry up and get this over with. I have to finish this piece before it gets ruined."
Karkat felt his face heating up. He was getting embarrassed even before he managed to mutter the apology.
Dave turned back to the unfinished sword and waved at him to leave, "If all you're going to do is stand there and stare at me then go home already. I won't teach an unwilling brat."
"I'm sorry."
Dave froze mid swing of his hammer and turned around, "What."
"I know you heard me don't make me say it again," Karkat looked away and felt his face heating up some more, "I'll properly listen to you from now on with no complaints. I'd rather learn from a di- . . . from you rather than some old fart so yeah . . ."
A strange silence hung in the air for a while as Karkat kept his eyes trained to Dave's shoes which were actually some pretty cool red and white sneak-
"Okay I'm down, we'll try again after lunch," Dave replied and went back to work. His hammer hitting the sword startled Karkat making him jump.
"A-Alright then," the boy quickly left the room before he could embarrass himself any further.
Dave stopped once he made sure Karkat was gone, "Wow, I didn't think a guy like that even knew what the word sorry meant. I don't know how you did it Rose."
"It takes someone with great skill to do so," he could hear the smirk in her voice, "See you after lunch."
Dirk watched Rose leave and then at Dave who went back to pounding at the sword.
"Dude your face is red."
Dave abruptly dropped the hammer and cursed.
"You finish this. I'm hungry," after tossing his towel at his brother, the fire bending teacher left the room.
I LIIIIVVVVEEEEEEE
Now to hide away for another 50 years
No I'm kidding
With LoK starting back up it's inspired me to keep this going. It's a shame I ever stopped. I can't promise any properly scheduled and constant updates though but it will be sooner than like once every few months. I will try my best for an update once a week, latest being once every two weeks.
I hope you all enjoy what's to come!