A. N. : This is the last of my backlog, so there might be a time in the future where I have to skip an update simply because I just didn't manage to write the next one on time. Everyone say thanks to my dad for bringing the 'rona home... Well, I may be salty and bitter, but at least this chapter is sweet !
Aang watches Suki.
She seems like she's doing better, speaking with the shopkeeper and asking if she could get samples of the candied fruits she doesn't know before deciding on any.
There never used to be candied anything on board, Aang remembers. Cane juice and honey just weren't worth trading in large quantities, Ukon's dad has told him when Aang had whined about the fruits he and the other Air Nomads brought being pickled in salt.
Salted plum was alright, but most of the others were just an offense to nature, in his humble opinion. The taste was…
Aang winces at the memory. He understands the logic, did back then too, but the fact remains that pickled lemon tasted worse than sea water and made him twice as thirsty.
The change to candied fruits might be the only real good one Aang has seen yet. That sample of honeyed lemon… simply divine.
He didn't see any hives around, though. The shopkeeper explains that the honey comes from a relative living further up north on the main island, whose partner keeps scarab-bees as a hobby. The cane, they were able to get at a discount price in exchange for some of the village helping out with the harvest, although no one here knows how to process it, so they also had to pay for the use of the mill in the nearby town.
Aang nods. Sounds complicated.
We also make old traditional recipes ! The shopkeeper's smile is bright enough to get Suki curious, and Aang shivers. He doesn't know how to warn her without being rude, and so he just stays still and hopes she won't take a lemon slice.
When he sees her hand hover over the sample basket, though, he can't help himself. Does the shopkeeper have a recommendation ?
Suki raises an eyebrow as him, and he knows he sounds panicked but please trust him on this one. For her own good. He has no idea what she gets from his face – hard to communicate don't eat the lemon without words, and Jet didn't include that in their codes for some reason – but at least it makes her laugh.
The shopkeeper presents them with honeyed sea-grapes – Grandmother Shami's favorite – saying it's the perfect blend of traditional flavors and modern techniques.
And, uh, Aang had no idea what it means, but he guesses it can't be worse than the lemon. He takes one, and so does Suki.
On the bright side, it isn't worse than the lemon. What it is, is like sea prune, but more. Oh that's gross. Oh Spirits. Monkey feathers.
Aang closes his eyes to hide the tears. Breathes deeply. Tries not to show too much disgust even though he really shouldn't have swallowed, because the shopkeeper is right here and it would be rude.
He hears Suki calling the taste interesting, and has no idea if it means she likes it or not. What he does know, though, is that – Katara and Sokka would love it. Unfortunately.
Oh, says Suki.
Opening his eyes, Aang sees that she looks… odd. Pensive, and a bit sad. He probably shouldn't have mentioned Sokka.
Suki… there's no way she doesn't feel awful. What happened wasn't her fault, it's not like she wanted to be captured, but… it's not like Aang wanted to be gone for a hundred years either. Not like he wanted to be struck by lightning.
People still got hurt. Even if it's not his fault, it's still his responsibility. And it's so, so painful.
She'll talk about it when she's ready, Aang knows. For now, all he can do for her is treat her like normal, like she did for him at the Serpent's Pass, and distract her from the bad things.
Do you want – Suki interrupts him before he can finish, asks how many sea-grapes they should get for the others. She wants to thank everyone, and…
Make a nice gift for Sokka ? She nods.
Alright then ! Sea-grapes are good for Katara and Sokka, but if Suki wants to get things for everyone, they should get more variety. Zuko might like the candied durian – Kuzon did, and so did most of his family, even if Aang never got the appeal – and for the others… hmm…
It takes some time, but they figure it out. By now, the Wood Master's apprentice should be back, and Suki will be able to make her request. Even if Master Kamishima finds it boring. And Aang…
Aang has an idea, or more of a feeling really. Something he thought about when Grandmother Shami shared Ukon's treasures with him, a seed that grew at the mention of complex woodwork.
He hopes it won't sound boring.