Loud, muffled jazz diffused outside of the Magnolia Club. The neon lights and bright exterior looked like an eyesore to Noatak compared to the rest of the elegant and understated buildings of the Northern Water Tribe. He touched the silk scarf that Qilaq gave him and walked up to the entrance. Qilaq's people did a number on him- slicking back his black hair, dressing him in black suit and tie, and spraying expensive cologne on him. He looked suave, as Qilaq said- someone who would fit in with the crowd of the Magnolia Club. As he stepped into the club and repeated the special code necessary for entrance, Noatak was given a black mask. All the people in the Magnolia Club wore these masks because it was here where all the deals were made. The venue struck Noatak as a place that his father would have frequented and where Tarrlok actually went.
As Noatak stepped in, women in tight silk dresses approached him with drinks. He graciously turned down their offers and went to the bar instead. The club was a dizzying scene of gold lights, burgundy velvet, imported flora, and whatever kind of poison one preferred. Prostitutes that masqueraded as dancers twirled about in their heavy makeup and waltzed out with clients to rooms above. Tables with coins, dies, cards, and tiles from any game imaginable spread throughout the floor and made many a man meet their demise. Private backrooms for VIP guests housed illicit drugs or the discreet handshake between a politician and a mobster. In the thick of the action, a woman with a smoky, sultry voice sang in front of band with unenthused members playing equally uninspiring jazz music. Noatak went straight to the bar where a bored bartender meticulously cleaned glasses and listened to drivel from inebriated guests. Noatak gazed at the selection of fire ice and dragon bush liquor. There were a few bottles of cactus juice for the more adventurous guests, but Noatak was interested in keeping his faculties at its sharpest.
"I certainly didn't expect to meet with you again…"
Noatak turned around. The smile of a man who smiled too widely for comfort stood in front of him. His braided locks and blue suit with water tribe accents were a giveaway- Councilman Hahn. Noatak was thankful that he could at least control himself enough to not snort with glee- this sort of meeting was what Qilaq wanted.
"Nanuq was it?" Hahn said.
"Yes…" Noatak said.
"Don't worry. You're amongst friends here. We have every interest in discretion here," Hahn said.
"Thank you," Noatak said.
"May I interest you in a drink?"
"Please."
Hahn motioned for the bartender. The bartender stood straighter and bowed to Hahn.
"Do you have any dragon bush liquor not from Ba Sing Se? Preferably aged," Hahn said.
The bartended nodded and produced a bottle of dragon bush liquor. He opened the bottle for Hahn to smell the fragrant amber liquid.
"This comes from a village outside of Chameleon Bay. This has been aged for 50 years," the bartender said.
"Perfect… Please pour some for myself and my guest," Hahn said.
The bartender took two tumblers and partially filled the glasses with the rich liquor. Hahn and Noatak took their glasses and nodded to each other.
"To what should we toast to?" Hahn asked.
"To the Northern Water Tribe and its future success," Noatak said.
"Yes, to the Northern Water Tribe," Hahn said.
They raised their glasses and took their respective drinks. Noatak swirled the dragon bush liquor in his mouth and moaned. It had been long since he had a drink like this- pure, smooth, and utterly intoxicating. The complexity of the flavor rolled on his tongue and brought him to the place where this used to be a more common ritual. He used to drink this more often than fire ice when he was at the height of his power. Where fire ice was drunk for nonexistent nostalgia, dragon bush liquor was drunk for his absolute enjoyment. He drank this particular brand and year before- a gift from Hiroshi Sato. The memories of this drink provided Noatak with the necessary hubris and charisma he needed for the night.
"I see you're enjoying this," Hahn said.
"It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of drinking something of this caliber," Noatak said.
"Well, anything for an acquaintance… I suppose I can't interest you in some more drinks. My associates and I are meeting in one of the backrooms, and I think you may have mutual interests," Hahn said.
"It depends on what the interests may be."
"I think it will interest you… and a man of your skill set."
"I have no idea what you speak of."
Noatak laughed a little and sipped on his drink. As Noatak settled the drink back on the bar, he tapped his finger on the rim and circled to stir the drink. The drink sloshed on the sides of the glass before Noatak covered the glass to settle the drink.
"Follow me," Hahn said.
They left the bar with their drinks to the back. The long corridors held many rooms- somehow soundproofed to the relief of the customers. The dim lights made it hard for Noatak to see properly, but Hahn guided him to a room set far back and secluded from the other rooms. He opened the door to a room filled with other masked men and a few prostitutes and waitresses. The decadence of the room seemed to reflect the exclusivity of the meeting with its gold fixtures, fur and silk rugs, plush velvet sofas, and marble bar. Hahn settled in a chair at the back and gestured for Noatak to sit by him. A man in a dark blue suit stood in the front of the room and looked directly at Hahn. Hahn signaled to a man in the back of the room with an opaque projector. The lights were turned off, and the light of the projector shone on the red walls.
"Good evening associates…" the man upfront said.
Noatak relaxed in his chair to prepare himself to make the mental notes that Qilaq requested. Hahn drank more and eased himself as the crowd of people silenced. The image of storm and flame brightened the room.
"It is an honor that we are meeting here as comrades in the fight against the unfair demands of the United Republic and the weakness of our current government. The time has come for us to gather and take back what is rightfully ours," the man said.
His voice was deep and not particularly sonorous, but people clapped anyway.
"You should be up there. You have a certain presence about you. He's uninspiring," Hahn said.
Noatak ignored Hahn's whispering and paid attention to the soft claps of the small audience.
"The United Republic has been stealing our resources and for what? To control dangerous citizens that they could not subdue! To rebuild their city! They took our ally and brother," the man said.
A picture of Tarrlok appeared. There was much clapping and murmurs of praise for Noatak's brother. Noatak's jaw locked at the sight.
"All the while, our tribal leader has sat by the wayside and let these people push this nation around. We no longer are the proud nation we once were and the time is now to reclaim what is rightfully ours!" The man said.
Noatak smiled to himself. This was the movement of amateurs- not the carefully drawn out plans of a genius or mastermind. Hahn sat back and eyed Noatak's grin.
"He's not very good. I know," Hahn said.
"So how are you going to convince people about your cause?" Noatak said.
"I don't need to. We already have," Hahn said.
Hahn motioned to the other people in the room entranced by the speaker.
"The United Republic has placed a ban on the recent mechanisms developed for the Equalist Movements because they are scared of anyone who will say no to their authority!" The man said.
One of the women rolled out a cart and opened a leather crate. Noatak's eyes widened as she pulled out one of Sato's gloves. The man took the glove and placed it on his hand. He readied his arm and brightened the room with sparks of electricity flaring from the glove. The room collectively "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed.
"Let us fight our oppressors with the tools that they wanted to keep from us!" the man said.
"Tell me… what does this group plan on doing once they manage to get the tribe to break from the United Republic?" Noatak said.
"Well… in a manner of speaking, we just want to return strength to this nation. To the right people," Hahn said
"For the good of the Water Tribe," Noatak said.
Hahn nodded and smirked.
"Are you convinced yet?" Hahn said.
"What was I supposed to be convinced about?" Noatak said.
"Join the Snow Squall. Get rid of the United Republic. It's that easy," Hahn said.
"And you have the Black Squall at your hand?" Noatak said.
"And most of the council."
"Then you don't need me."
"Far from it… you have a… certain personality about you- one that I see as useful. I saw it that night I met you."
"I feel like you overestimate me."
"I'm rarely wrong about people. Your modesty is all too unnecessary with me."
The man finished his presentation, and the lights turned on. Everyone stood and clapped. Noatak stood up and placed his glass on the silver platter beside him. Hahn stood up with Noatak and finished his drink. Hahn pulled a card from his pocket and gave it to Noatak.
"We have meetings like this every week. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated. If you join us, I'll promise to make it very worth your while," Hahn said.
Hahn extended his hand to Noatak. He stared at Hahn's hand before placing his in his pockets.
"I have to think about this, but I will be back," Noatak said.
"Good… Please have your response by then. I'm sure you'll make the right choice," Hahn said.
Hahn smiled and withdrew his hand. Noatak walked out of the room and out of the Magnolia Club. He clutched at the bow tie that left like it had completely tightened like a noose over the night. He turned around and looked at the club, still very much alive for the night. When he close his eyes, only the dizzying specter of Hahn appeared in his mind, strangling it like the tie. Noatak shook and ran into the blackness. In an alley, he ripped off the mask and began to breathe easier as he leaned against a brick wall. He took the black mask and shattered it against the wall before running home feeling scared for the first time in a long time.