Chapter 28

Conversations Over Tea

The night sky was lightening as the first rays of the rising sun began to peer hesitantly over the horizon. The refreshing chill of dawn washed over my skin and down my throat as I inhaled, the cooled dew resting on my body. I walked slowly through the streets of the village, my eyes threatening to close with fatigue.

Finally, I came across his house, and weakly knocked on the door. All around me, people we beginning to rise as the morning sun eventually rose. A few vendors were setting up their small stands, displaying fruits, jewelry, and much more.

My attention was drawn back to Olin's door as it opened, revealing a very tired looking man. His brown hair was ruffled and hints of scruff lined his chin. At seeing my exhausted brother, I smiled.

"What are you doing out so early?" Olin groaned, waving his hand feebly in a motion for me to come in. I laughed, following him inside and closing the door gently behind me. "I was planning on sleeping in today," He stated, shooting me a look before collapsing next to the table.

"Sorry, Olin." I apologized, glancing around the kitchen. It was clean, a rather surprising thing for Olin, as he was messy as a pigdog. "Have you ate breakfast yet?"

My brother groggily shook his head, rubbing his eyes, "You woke me up. But…"He smiled innocently, "It would sure make my day if you could make me some breakfast…"

I rolled my eyes, laughing lightly as I moved over to the cabinets. Taking one look inside only to find tea leaves, I shot him a look, "Do you ever eat?"

Olin sighed, "Yes. I am a growing boy, you know!"

I laughed again, taking out two cups and some tea leaves. "Yeah. You're twice the size you were when you left a couple years ago."

I heard Olin grunt and smiled as I heated the water, then placed the tea leaves into the cups along with the liquids. It was steaming as I handed it over to my brother.

"Mmm. Thanks, Vinca." He said as he breathed in the scent of jasmine tea, closing his eyes. He gingerly took a sip, making a face as the tea burned his tongue. "You didn't tell me that it was hot!" He spat out the scolding tea, frowning.

I flicked a finger in his cup's direction, cooling the tea with a small gust of air. "I assumed you would know. Considering that it was steaming?" I teased, watching as he sipped the now warmed tea.

Olin rolled his eyes, setting the cup down. "Anyway, why are you here so early? Not that I don't want you here, it's just…early."

My fingers curled around my own cup. I shrugged, looking down at the murky water. He doesn't like me. He never did.I wanted to say, but I brushed away the thoughts that I have been pushing away the whole time I've been out."I just wanted to visit. I don't know how long we're staying." I explained, absentmindedly dipping my index finger into the tea.

"Oh," There was silence. "You could stay with me, you know."

I glanced up, surprised. "What? Olin…I…"

He sighed, "I know. You can't."

I frowned, "It's not that I don't want to-"

"But he's the Avatar."

Now, I was shocked and slightly scared, "What? Wait, how did you know?"

Olin laughed loudly, giving me a look as if saying 'are you crazy?'. "I am an officer, Vinca. You think I'm not told on a daily basis to 'look out for the bald kid with an arrow, he's the Avatar, capture him, watch out, he has crazy bending abilities…'" My brother trailed off, making a bored face.

"But, he has hair!" I protested, confused.

Olin gave me the 'look' again, "The arrow, Vinca. The arrows on his arms, legs, etcetera."

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as my heart unexpectedly dropped. "Why didn't you try to capture him?"

My older sibling shrugged, "Because he's your friend. And I have a feeling you wouldn't like me very much if I managed to capture him."

I smiled sadly, staring at my tea again.

"I've seen the way he looks at you, and I don't know if Grandma had the talk with you, but I just want you to know to be safe and…WAIT. You're too young so you shouldn't be thinking about that! But I guess I should have the talk with you considering that you are a teenager after all, and when I was one I was all hormon-y and really, teenage boys don't really think about what they do-" Olin rambled, his face turning red as his words fumbled out of his mouth.

I realized what he was saying and I blushed heavily, "Olin! Please, its insulting that you would think that I would actually do that, and Aang would never!" I stammered, embarrassed.

He breathed a sigh of relief, but still looked mildly uncomfortable. "I know, okay. It's just, you're my little sister and can't I at least feel a tiny bit responsible and overprotective of you?"

I only smiled again, and nodded. "Yes, you can."

There was a long silence.

"But just remember that you're too young-"

"Olin!"

"Okay! I'm sorry!"

I took a sip of my tea, "And anyway, I don't think Aang likes me. Actually, he doesn't." I said before I could actually think about what I was saying. Blinking, I quickly set the tea down. "N-Nevermind." I didn't want to talk about this.

Olin smiled slightly. "Good, you don't need a boyfriend anyway. Boys have cooties."

I sighed loudly, stretching my back as a small smile curved on my lips, "Cooties. Mhm." I murmured, "Anyway, I heard that you were thinking about marrying a girl…" I trailed off as my smile grew wider.

My brother's dark eyes widened and he glanced sheepishly downwards. "Maybe."

I grinned, "Oh, come on Olin. Tell me about her."

"Well, she's a girl."

I rolled my eyes.

He slowly continued, "Her name is Siera."

"And?" I pressed, looking for some insight on my brother's hopefully future bride.

Olin sighed, taking a small sip of his tea. "Well, she's coming over for lunch. If you want to stay that long." Glancing outside, he noted, "At least five or so hours."

I considered this. The thought of seeing Aang again brought a heartache, along with a headache, but Olin had work today. He had an hour for his lunch. So basically, I would be at his house all day, which didn't sound appealing either. "I'll come over for lunch if that's okay with you." I asked.

My brother smiled brightly, "That's fine." After scratching his head and ruffling his cropped hair even more, he said, "I gotta go get ready. Thanks for the delicious tea."

I smiled back, "You're welcome. See you later." I waved slightly and exited out the door.

I walked along the streets of the town, my fists absentmindedly clenching and unclenching. The gently breeze whipped my hair but I simply ignored it as I passed crowds of bustling people.

This was my first time being alone - thought wise. My thoughts were a mess, switching from the excitement of meeting Olin's girlfriend, to the pain and refusal to think about…Aang.

I didn't understand it, really. But then again, it did make sense. Being one of the last airbender as we know it, Aang probably thought he liked me but finally realized that he only liked me because I reminded him of what was before.

It pained me to realize how stupid I am…was.

But my lips tingled with the sudden memory of the kiss in Ba Sing Se, and I involuntarily stopped as I shook myself from the flashback. My hands shook slightly and I ran them through my hair, taking a deep breath.

I touched my golden necklace and suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

Why did it seem that I always loose the people I love?

I returned to Olin's house after my surprisingly long walk, which I had been engrossed in my thoughts the entire time. I knocked on the door, and no more than a second later my familiar looking brother opened the door. He smiled slightly before letting me in.

Glancing around the kitchen, I saw that Siera was not here. I didn't ask where she was, because by the excited look on Olin's face, I knew she would be coming soon.

"So, what'd you do for five hours?" He finally spoke, his dark eyes flickering out the window for the umpteenth time.

"Walked around." I replied simply, taking a seat. I frowned as my legs ached with the soreness.

Olin tapped impatiently on the window sill. "Mhm." Was all he said.

"Olin, calm down." I said, annoyance lacing my words as the tapping grew louder and then to a sudden stop. He looked over at me as if noticing me for the first time. "Why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not nervous."

I laughed quietly, "You could've fooled me." I commented teasingly.

My brother swallowed and awkwardly placed his hands on his lap before they moved to his knees. "I'm asking her tonight."

"Asking her what?" I blinked, my gaze transfixed on him now.

He only resumes his mindless tapping, "Siera. To marry me."

A large grin covered my face and I squealed, "Oh, Olin. I'll leave if you want me to,-" I stop, shaking my head. "No, I have to approve." I announced. Ha! The thought of Olin actually marrying someone? It makes me laugh and smile had the same time.

"Approve?" He echoed suspiciously.

I only grinned, "Well, I don't want you to marry some unintelligent harlot-"

"Vinca." Olin said sharply, and the glare he held makes me shrink backwards, "Siera is not a harlot. How dare you say that?" He crossed his arms, clearly offended.

I frowned, poking him lightly, "I was teasing. But I must approve."

He laughed, "You are hysterical. Maybe you should leave after all."

I pouted, sulking down in my seat. A soft knock on the door drew both of our attention, and Olin quickly stood up, clearly hoping that it was Siera.

I watched as he opened the door, and the disappointed look on his face told me that it was most definitely not Siera.

"Hello, Chief Alorn. How are you?" My brother greeted politely, bowing down slightly. I moved for that I could get a better look at this 'Chief Alorn'.

Chief Alorn was a tall, broad shouldered man with a primly trimmed beard and the usual cropped raven black hair of the Fire Nation people. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties. His jaw was chiseled and his eyebrows furry. His amber eyes flickered to me and I immediately looked away, not daring to hold this stare.

"Hello, Officer Olin." The Chief said curtly, his arms behind his back. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking." A stern smile, almost a grimace, played on his lips. "May I come in?"

Olin nodded, "Of course." He said, opening the door further for Alorn could enter. I watched the man carefully, and slowly stood up to bow. Not bowing to elders in the Fire Nation was frowned upon. When I straightened, I came across Alorn's approving eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Behind the Chief were two other men, and my body felt tingly with a sense of dejavu. I swallowed, looking down. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Officer." He didn't sound or look the least bit sorry.

"It's perfectly fine." My brother responded, gesturing over to the now cold and forgotten pot of tea, "Would you care for some tea?"

Chief Alorn shook his head, "No, thank you." His piercing amber gaze cut right through me. "And, I see I haven't had the pleasure to meet you, m'lady."

I cringed slightly as he said this. I didn't know what to say; should I use my real name or a fake?

Before I could even speak, however, Olin calmly said, "This is my cousin, Karlie. She's visiting from the Earth Kingdom colonies for the weekend."

The Chief didn't appear to believe this. He unrolled a scroll that he was holding and I felt a strong feeling of dread rise over me. It was a wanted poster. Of me. And surprisingly, it was accurately detailed. "Nice to meet you, Karlie." He said. Slowly his gaze traveled back to Olin. "I've heard reports of this girl being seen around here. She is wanted. Dead or alive." A sly smile crept onto his face, "Preferably alive. She's traveling with the Avatar."

I eyed the poster and wondered how many there were scattered around the world. The price on top of my head was five-thousand gold pieces. Expensive.

VINCA MAE DEMEAN, LAST SEEN IN BA SING SE TRAVELING WITH THE AVATAR AND HIS FRIENDS, SOKKA, KATARA, TOPH BEI FONG, AND THEIR FLYING BISON AND LEMUR. IF SEEN, PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST OFFICAL OFFICE OR POLICE. VINCA MAE DEMEAN IS WORTH 5,000 GOLD COINS, DEAD OR ALIVE.

I suddenly felt dizzy.

"I can assure you that I have no connections with this girl." Olin said a bit bitterly. "Now, excuse me for being rude, but I have to return to work soon and I would like to eat my lunch." His dark eyes were narrowed and his arms were crossed.

Chief Alorn nodded stiffly, "See you at work, Officer." He smiled sternly before leaving, the men following quickly behind.

Olin waited until they were out of sight before he slowly turned to be, exhaling softly.

"You have to leave."

"W-What?"

"They know who you are."

I was silent, staring down at my wrists. They were still scarred and they probably always would be. Olin had noticed them days before. Along with the necklace. But I couldn't just leave. "But…"

"Vinca, they know who you are." His voice was quiet as he emphasized each word. "I don't want you getting hurt. I can't risk you and your friends staying any longer. I've been selfish, keeping you in one spot so long. You need to leave."

My breathing came out shaky. "Okay." I murmured.

I was suddenly pulled into a hug. "Tell everyone I said hi. And tell Sokka that I will do it."

Pulling away slightly from his warm figure, I looked up, "Do what?"

"You'll find out soon. It might not even happen."

Frowning, I hugged him tighter. "What about Siera? I won't get to approve." I whined weakly.

Olin's quiet laughter echoed from his chest. "I know you'll approve. You will meet her one day. Soon, hopefully."

I breathed in his warm scent, already missing him.

Finally, he pushed me away, kissing my forehead. "Be careful. And safe."

I smiled sadly, "Okay."

Hugging one last time, I shuffled out the door and reluctantly went back to the cave.

AN: I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter. This week was state testing, and I had three track meets. I haven't had any time to finish this until today. I hope you liked it. And thank you all for the lovely reviews. Chapter 29 will hopefully (HOPEFULLY. NO PROMISES, KAY.) be up tomorrow, IF I get it done.

Have a fantastic day. (: