Scene 23 - Uncertainty: Part I
Their dates had gradually lessened after the month of February as Brianna prepared for her last exams of high school as well as writing essays for college admissions. Still, Kaldur'ahm never failed to visit her in Mount Justice daily as he stopped by to give her a hug and kiss along with some snacks M'gann prepared in the kitchen.
Finally, around the month of June after she officially graduated from high school and received numerous admission letters did she let her hair down to relax and spend some quality time with her boyfriend. The blonde Atlantean bought tickets to another musical the following week and she was so eager to watch it with him.
At the moment, the Team was celebrating the end of a school year in the lounge with the usual food and beverages and the couples were cuddling on the floor as they watched yet another animated movie. Then, the cave's communication systems announced the arrival of Batman, Aquaman, and two more strange sounding names so the teens paused their movie to meet the adults at the briefing area. Aqualad's eyes appeared to light up at the mention of the names.
As the group rounded the corner, the Atlantean's footsteps faltered very slightly. "What's wrong?" Ember asked as he replied with a smile. Bowing to his king, the man stepped aside to reveal two teenagers, a girl with red hair and a boy with black hair. Both were dressed in Atlantean suits and they looked around the cave curiously. Upon seeing Kaldur'ahm, they greeted him in Atlantean with fond familiarity.
"Tempest and Aquagirl will be your new teammates and they will be under the guidance of Aquaman," The caped crusader explained as his fellow leaguer took over. "Both of them have been very keen in helping our cause so I accepted their enthusiasm," The blonde monarch said as he motioned to his students to introduce themselves.
Somewhat hesitantly, the girl stood forth and spoke, "Hello. I am Tula and this is Garth." She spoke fluently in English while her companion added on, "It is a pleasure to meet Kaldur'ahm's friends in addition to Miss Martian and Superboy." The Atlantean couple smiled fondly at their new teammates and when their gaze fell on Brianna, their grins broadened even more.
Both men decided to give the teenagers some space and they departed swiftly without fanfare. With their guardians gone, Kaldur immediately addressed his team. "These are my childhood friends from Atlantis. I have told them about the Team so they would recognize some of you."
"I guess that makes underwater missions a lot easier now we have more people who are natural water breathers." Robin mused as he extended a handshake to the newcomers. Garth and Tula took turns greeting each team member and when they finally reached the brunette pyro, they were very chatty.
"It is an honour to meet the girl who stole our friend's heart," Tula said affectionately as Garth nodded, "Indeed. I have never seen him so happy." His hand reached down to grasp Tula's to signify the beauty of love.
Smiling a little bashfully, Brianna slid her arm around Kaldur's elbow and replied, "Thank you." Her boyfriend gestured to the lounge, "We were watching a movie and partaking in food. Would you care to join us?" The Atlantean couple nodded as they were ushered to the TV area and the Team eagerly taught them about surface world culture.
"I liked the popcorn. It's so… crunchy. You can't get that in Atlantis," Tula said cheerfully while Garth was still indulging in pizza and soda, "The food here is great. No wonder Kaldur often raves about it."
The red-headed girl then added on, "Oh, I've heard that Brianna makes wonderful chocolate desserts, am I right?"
The brunette looked at her blonde boyfriend with surprise. Just how much did he tell them about her? Brianna smiled warmly and said, "I do. Maybe we could have a small dinner this weekend and we can show you around before that."
Tula returned the grin, "Thank you, Brianna."
Over the next few days, Kaldur and Brianna brought Tula and Garth around the town and introduced them to a few recreational activities on the surface as well as sharing them some of their favourite food which quickly became the Atlantean couple's favourites too.
"Be careful, Tula. It's spicy." The Aqualad said sternly as they were seated at a Mexican joint. The red-head glanced up at him worriedly, "What's 'spicy'?" Garth was anxious as well, he did not want his girlfriend to get hurt.
"It means the food is hot, and I don't mean temperature wise. It tingles your taste buds," Brianna explained and Tula gamely took the challenge. The slight heat dancing on her tongue was a new experience. Her boyfriend ate as well and he enjoyed the new flavour too.
"So this is spicy. It's so unique," The black haired teen mused to himself and passed a glass of water to Tula and both of them drank to wash away the spiciness.
"So, you put your foot here and push down on the pedal," The brunette pyro said as she supported Tula's bicycle. The Atlantean girl followed her instructions and the bike inched a little forward. "Good, then you do it again with the other foot and repeat, alternating between your left and right leg," Brianna explained some more as Tula travelled around the training area in a gentle circle.
"This is very different from swimming," Garth said to Kaldur who were a short distance away from the girls. He got the hang of cycling quickly and was cycling at a slow but steady pace. "Indeed but it is somewhat similar as we use our legs." The team leader replied and their conversation was brought to a halt by a screech and a yelp.
"Tula!" Kaldur'ahm yelled as he ran towards the ladies with Garth in pursuit. Brianna gripped Tula's arm tightly as the red-head was clinging onto her since she lost her balance.
"Slowly ease off the bike, it won't fall. I'm holding onto it," Ember said reassuringly as Aquagirl successfully dismounted. Shooting a look at her blonde boyfriend, she added on, "We're alright, Kaldur."
Giving Brianna a smile and casting an encouraging look towards Tula, Kaldur'ahm replied, "Practice makes perfect, Tula."
Their two new teammates assimilated into surface world life rather easily with the help of Kaldur who enthusiastically shared his knowledge. Brianna got along well with the Atlantean couple and they too, shared the blonde Atlantean's childhood antics. "So, he really was that mischievous as a child!" The brunette laughed and Tula nodded politely.
"He was. I remember that he played a lot of pranks on us, especially me."
That statement confused the pyro a little bit but she thought no further as Kaldur brought in a tray of hot chocolate, "Here you go. I think you'll love it, Tula, since you've liked the sweets so far."
Both teenaged Atlanteans sipped their cups appreciatively and it seemed their eyes were sparkling. "It is decadent," Garth murmured appreciatively and his girlfriend agreed.
The day of the musical finally came and Brianna was all prepared as she donned a simple dress and jacket. It was an hour before the show would commence and the couple usually went there early to walk around before heading towards the theatre. However, today was a little odd as her boyfriend was late and not picking his phone. Kaldur had left her a note that he took his two friends out for a quick jaunt in another city and would be back soon for their date.
It was half an hour before show time and Brianna was getting a little anxious. The walk would take at least fifteen minutes from the Zeta tube and there was the dreaded single line to queue as tickets were checked one by one. It would be best if one of them went in first to secure their seats. Sighing a little, the brunette decided to head to the theatre first without her boyfriend and she taped his ticket along with a note on her bedroom door.
Five minutes before the show would commence and Kaldur'ahm still wasn't in the theatre. Brianna was fidgeting in her seat and her anxiety was slowly growing to irritation. Just as she was about to give up waiting, her boyfriend quickly maneuvered his way down the aisle and passed the various seats before sitting next to her.
"You're late," The brunette whispered angrily and he replied with his usual calming tone, "I am sorry. Tula fell down and I had to help clean up her wounds and bring her and Garth back to the Zeta tube. My phone battery went out too. I came here as fast as I could. It is a good thing I arrived in time."
The brunette exhaled a sigh and reached over to grasp his hand as a sign of accepting his apology. However, the gears in her head clicked and she realized his frequent mentions of Tula's name during the past week. The lights dimmed and the curtains rose but her mind was not focused on the musical at all.
Author's Note: I finally introduce Tula & Garth! Greg did say they joined the Team some time in the five year time skip but I don't know when specifically so I just let them join the Team in 2011.
Miss Martian & Superboy did visit Atlantis in the YJ comic issue 14 and met Garth, Tula and the rest of the students at the Conservatory.
As for Kaldur's reaction to Tula, I wanted to show that even though he is the Team's leader, he does have flaws and weaknesses. So I showcased the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. In my opinion, I don't think he really received closure for Tula and Garth being together. In the cartoon, he begrudgingly accepts their happiness but he's still sad inside. In the comics which takes place a short while after the "Downtime" episode, he still looks forlorn and fond of Tula but the love issue isn't addressed at all and the question on whether he's over her is still hanging there.
Now for his feelings for Brianna, he does love her but unfortunately, Tula's reappearance has rekindled Kaldur's unrequited love for his friend. I want to make it clear that he is not cheating on Brianna though. He just has feelings for another girl (*sad*) but he does not act on his emotions as he doesn't realize that what he feels is love as well.
Right now, he thinks he feels friendship towards Tula but his mannerisms towards her says otherwise.
Don't worry, I'm not going to make Kaldur cheat on Brianna or make Brianna jealous and stuff. You'll see. =)
To Dustfinger's cheering section: Both of them are in their late teens and Brianna is currently 17 going on 18, the oldest in the Team so she's a lot more mature and level headed than her peers. As for passion, what is your definition of passion? It's very subjective. I might see their kissing as passionate but others might see the kiss as just being sweet.
To Eszra: Thanks! ^_^
To Stronger123: Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed the Birds of Prey reference. =)
To piggythelaw: Yup but her birthday won't happen till a few months later. Kaldur can be quite a gentleman. ;)
To murdercrowther: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.