Trigger Warning: Suicide of minor character mentioned
Chapter 13: Visitors
Beneath the shimmer of the early morning sun, Yue stirred. She noticed that the house was quiet, lacking the gentle bustle of Piandao's cooking and the usual symphony of Sokka's snores. She fluttered her eyes open, finding that the sleeping bag on the other side of the room was empty and folded to the side.
She pulled herself up and stepped out, finding that the quiet persisted. Sokka was sitting in the lounging area, quietly carving something that he kept to himself; when he noticed her, he let out a hopeful, "Morning, Yue."
"Good morning…" Looking around the home, "Is Master Piandao not here?"
"He had to report some accounts," he put his knife aside, cupping the artifact he had carved in his hand, "Breakfast is ready if you wanna eat."
"Did you eat?"
"I thought we could eat together."
"Did Master eat?"
"Yeah, he ate and left. He told us to eat."
She nodded, "Alright, I'll join you."
"Great!" He got off of the couch, "So…I, uh…I made you something, Yue." He placed the artifact in her hand, "I carved it myself."
She blinked at the carving, "It's a bear."
"Actually," turning the artifact at a different angle in her palm, "It's supposed to be a fish. See, it has a fin…"
"Oh…" Blinking at him, "Thank you. It's very thoughtful of you."
He let out a little smile and a shrug, retreating to set the table for breakfast. She joined him, helping set the dishes at the best pace she could in her condition.
"It's okay, Yue, I got it—"
"I'm fine," she insisted. "I'm not exerting myself."
Finding that she was well-rested compared to the previous day, "Did you sleep well last night? I mean, I know it must've been weird with me being there, too. I can go back to sleeping in the hall tonight, don't worry—"
"You need to keep extra warm for a few more days," she said. "I would rather we continue this arrangement if you're not uncomfortable with it."
"So you're okay with…?"
"You're not the only one keeping guard. I need to make sure certain people don't jump into canals in the middle of the night," she said, continuing to set the plates, "Also, don't sleep too close to the fire. It's not healthy to breathe in those fumes too much." And when she didn't get a response from him, she cast him a look, only to see him granting her a soft smile, "What?"
He shook his head, "Nothing, I just…I appreciate the love."
When they heard a knock at the door moments later, they assumed it was Master Piandao returning from Zhao's place. Turned out it was a stranger— a woman they hadn't seen before.
"I'm a healer, Miss Atsanik," the woman introduced herself to Yue. "My name is Imi. I was sent here by Lady Mimik to see how you're doing so she can confirm the date for the engagement. I'm here to examine you—"
"Yue needs rest for at least six weeks," Sokka responded, ridden with suspicion, "We had another healer come to see her. Your services aren't needed."
"But I'm a women's healer, specifically." Turning to Yue, whose face fell as realization struck her, "Please, this is a personal matter. If I may speak with you in private, Miss Atsanik."
Yue tried not to let her devastation show, especially with Sokka casting suspicious glances in her direction. She merely stepped aside and let Imi inside, leading her to her room for some privacy.
"I assume you're here for…" Yue's voice shook, "B-But I thought it wasn't until the morning of the wedding—"
"It is, it is," Imi assured, "It's not today, don't panic. I'm here for something else. Well, I'm here for two reasons, really. Firstly, Lady Mimik and Mr. Hahn requested that I examine you and…um…make sure your maidenhood is intact… since you've been living here with two men…"
Yue hadn't been expecting this, but disgust quickly glazed in her eyes in the form of humiliated tears.
"I'm so sorry," Imi said. "It's not my intention to insult you. I was just ordered to do this. I'm sure you are pure if you opted to marry someone like Hahn before spending a night with him."
"A hymen is not necessarily a tell-tale sign of a woman's virginity anyhow."
"I know, but they seem to think it is. They're still stuck in the days of caveman medicine…and as I said, I'm here only under their orders." And seeing how the young woman became more and more distraught, "Ordinarily I must convey to them what I find, but… I know this is offensive to you. It certainly would be for me. So I'm willing to take your word for it instead of an exam." Frowning in pity, "It's the least I can do to lighten the burden for you a little bit."
"Yes, please," Yue nodded, trying desperately to stop her tears, "It's the smallest bit of pride I have left."
"Yes, I understand," the woman said, giving Yue a moment to gather herself before, "So do you still have it? Your maidenhead…?"
"Yes."
"Just so you know, lying won't be of help. This isn't something you would be able to hide from Mr. Hahn anyhow. And I don't mean to say you're impure, I'm just saying that virgin women don't have their maidenheads for various other reasons, and if you don't have yours, I can give them a medical explanation—"
"I have no reasons for lying," came the patient answer. "I've never been with anyone. I've never been touched. I don't recall any strenuous exercise or any other activities that were enough to break my barrier."
"Okay," the woman nodded. "The other reason why I'm here is to discuss your sterilization procedure."
"What's there to discuss?" Yue said weakly. "I agreed to it."
"Yes, but I'm required by law to tell you how the process will go before—"
"We don't need to talk about that," she shook her head. "I don't care how you do it."
"I need to keep you informed, Miss Atsanik. This is an irreversible process, and Water Tribe law is very strict about it. I am required to disclose to you the details about the process—"
"I don't want to hear more about this. Please."
"It's a legal requirement for me to disclose, Miss Atsanik, please try to understand—"
"I'm a healer myself," Yue stopped her. "I'm aware of the general details. I don't need this talk."
"It doesn't matter. I'm required to disclose this information to every patient. Even if they're healers themselves."
"You don't understand," Yue sobbed, "I won't be able to go through with this if I hear everything. So don't. Please."
Frowning, "You don't want this, then? Are you being forced into this?" And when Yue didn't answer, the woman gave her a horrified look, "I knew they weren't the best of the bunch, but this is… they're going too far, Miss Atsanik! It is against the law to deprive someone of the ability to procreate—!"
"I give my consent to this. Just don't tell me anything that would change my mind, please."
"Miss Atsanik—"
"Spare me at least this kind of suffering, please."
The woman's pity was not enough for her to do something about the situation given Lady Mimik's glares and Zhao's fiery fists that were waiting for her were she to do anything out of line. She could only sigh, avoiding Sokka's confused but suspicious glares on her way out.
The next visitor— one Mr. Kooriq— was a family friend of Arnook's (or so the old, wrinkly palmist had introduced himself to be when he found his way to the trio's temporary home). Yue remained bitter but maintained reverence, comfortable enough to sit beside the man and thus confirming that he did have some sort of friendship with the late businessman.
"I was not in town for several months after retiring from my temple duties, Miss Atsanik," Kooriq told her. "I heard that your father passed. I'm truly very sorry."
Yue cast a look at the ground, swallowing all emotion as she only gave a nod of acknowledgment.
"I also heard that you're going to be engaged soon…and that you're temporarily staying here…and that you were injured recently. I knew I had to come see you at once."
Again, Yue said nothing, keeping her gaze averted.
"Your father was such a kind man. Very noble and magnanimous. And I know just how attached both of you were to each other." The old man gave her a sympathetic look, "How have you been faring, my child?"
"How are you and your family?" Yue asked instead of answering him.
"We're all doing fine thanks to the Spirits' grace."
"That's good."
The old man looked over to Sokka and Piandao, finding concern written across their faces. Sokka took the liberty of gently holding her hand, whispering something comforting in her ear.
"May I see your hand, my child?" Kooriq asked, and as Yue held her hand out to him, he studied the lines in her palm. "Ah, yes, this is beautiful." Gesturing to a few lines, "You see this? This is your prosperity line. And this here, wow, the fertility line. And look at your love line… And this longevity line!"
Yue resisted the urge to roll her eyes, noting that his smile turned into a subtle frown, "But there is negative energy around here, Miss Atsanik. You need to leave the North at once. The sooner, the better." And yet, the palmist kept giving Sokka hopeful little smiles as he continued to read Yue's palm. Eventually he said, "But I do see great happiness in your future. I always knew your father would choose someone who will treat you with kindness and respect, Miss Atsanik. This man truly cares for you."
And as Sokka gawked at the palmist and Piandao gawked at Sokka, both lost in pure confusion, Yue withdrew her hand with wide eyes, "What?"
"Mr. Sokka really cares for you, my child, I can see it clearly," Kooriq said, earning looks of utter bewilderment, "I see a great future for you both—"
"He's not the man who was arranged for me," Yue shot up from her seat, clarifying with a frown.
"He's not?" the man blinked at Sokka.
"He's a friend, that's all. He and Master Piandao are here as security for me."
"What? But that can't be right. I've read your palm and seen for myself. He's going to be your husband."
"There's no way!" Yue huffed.
Kooriq turned to a startled Sokka, "Let me see your hand, young man." And when he looked over the lines in Sokka's palm, he confirmed, "Yes, exactly as I read it in yours. Your futures are merged. You two will be married in two days—"
"What?!" the trio exclaimed.
"You will both settle down in the South. He'll be in a great position by this time next year, and you will be a famous healer. You will have a total of six children as a result of your long, happy marriage. That's what your palms are jointly indicating."
"But—"
"He will take good care of you, Miss Atsanik. You will have everything you can ever want."
Sokka looked over to the tribeswoman, a curious gleam in his eyes, but Yue kept insisting, "You're deeply mistaken. The man arranged for me is Hahn Mimik."
"Hahn?! Merciful Spirits!" And this time, the palmist scrambled to his feet from the shock, "That's the man your father chose for you?! Hahn's a despicable man! He's not loyal!"
"I'm not concerned with all that," came Yue's response.
"No, no, this is a big mistake," Kooriq shook his head, "You can't do this, Miss Atsanik. You won't have a future at all if you take his hand in marriage, and I don't need fortunetelling to tell you that!"
Which drew more visible concern from the swordsmen.
"Your father must not have known what kind of man he was," Kooriq insisted. "Otherwise he would never have—"
"I honestly don't care about all of that," Yue reiterated. "Please, let the matter go."
"Miss Atsanik, you don't understand! The palms don't lie! Don't go through with this! You need to get out of here at once before that despicable beast—!"
But she didn't wish to hear any further, retreating to her room as his futile words trailed off behind her.
For a moment, she was lost in the throes of hopeful, seemingly impossible fantasies — a modest healing hut accompanied by a lush garden of herbs; a collection of awards signifying achievements in Tribal herbalism; a small igloo with cozy pelts and a roaring fire; the pitter-patter of six tiny pairs of feet, wolf tails and braids swinging to and fro, small hands tugging needily at her fur coat with the sweet chorus of anaana, anaana... But it all dwindled very quickly, replaced by the cackling face of Zhao, whose assistants spilled upon the Southern tundra ashes from several urns. Mothers and fathers cried out for their children, clinging to the specks of ash that were being blown away in the wind, and Yue's eyes widened in horror.
"THEY'RE CHILDREN!" Yue wept, grabbing fierce hold of a laughing Zhao with utmost rage and fury, "WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?! I TOLD YOU I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU SAY!"
And with that, she jerked awake.
She left her pelts as quickly as she was able after that, stumbling several times and eventually stepping out of the room. She limped over to the lounging room and let her sobs escape quietly. She basked in the solitude for a while, peering out of the nearby window, her glazed look running over the arching bridges and flowing canals in the servant sector.
"Yue?"
She quickly dried her eyes and turned to see Sokka approaching her, his gaze laced with concern, "If you really do feel uncomfortable about me staying in the room, I'll sleep out in the hall—"
"It's not that," she assured. "I just can't sleep. Go back to bed; I'll be there in a minute."
"I can't sleep, either, actually," he said, gently taking a seat beside her.
"Are you thinking about your Gran Gran?"
"Yeah, a little…" Taking note of her errant tears, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just…I was thinking of my father…"
He took a deep breath, his tone strained by burden and nervousness, "I'm sorry. About earlier."
"For what?"
"I really had no idea that guy was gonna say all that stuff…about us… And I know it was awkward for you. I was gonna tell you this earlier, but you fell asleep…"
"Why are you apologizing for that? It's not like you made him say those things. If anything, it must've been awkward for you, too, right?" Turning back to look out of the window, "We can't help other people's assumptions. And anyhow, it's just more ass-kissing. He thought you were the guy, and he might have thought these were all things I wanted to hear. He was probably elevating it more than necessary because he was expecting a generous tip from me again. I don't think he got the memo that I don't have anything."
"He seemed genuinely concerned about you," he said softly.
"Don't they all," came her sarcastic drawl.
"He talked a lot about you before he left. He kept saying he was good friends with your dad."
"My father had a lot of 'good friends,'" she scoffed, her voice breaking a little. "I'm not saying he was a perfect man; he trusted the wrong people and cut his true friends out of his partnerships and everything. But in his last days, he regretted not having them next to him. He regretted not keeping them close. But none of those good friends cared in the end…"
His hand settled over hers. "What happened…?"
She turned away, gulping down the lump in her throat. The scowl on her face tapered away, replaced by ebbing hurt and pain, "I wrote to his friends and apologized on ataata's behalf for everything that happened in the past. I told them how much my father regretted his actions, how much he wanted to see them and apologize to them in person. I told them that ataata's health was deteriorating…and that I would do everything to make it up to them if they forgot the past for just a few days and spent some time with him…because I really believed he had a chance if he was with the people who made him happy all those years ago." Drying her tears, "I promised them that I would do whatever I could to make things right. I offered them partnerships again even when Zhao was fussing around. And I understand that they were still going to be angry, but…but if it meant my presence would save a life, I know I would've gone… A-And it was just business decisions anyway. No one was hurt. No one lost their jobs. Everyone remained stinking rich. No one's lives were ruined, and no one had their livelihoods taken from them. It was just a stupid partnership… But it was apparently enough for them to send my letters back with a note to never contact them again…" Shaking her head, "Maybe I'm just being an idealistic fool lIke I always am—"
"No, Yue, don't say that about yourself," he said. "They should've been more mature. They were all best friends at one point, but in the end, they chose to be petty. But not everyone is like that, Yue, I promise. I really do think Kooriq cares…" Squeezing her hand gently, "And I want you to know that I care, too."
She said nothing of his declaration, simply saying, "Don't take what Kooriq said seriously."
"We don't need to take his matchmaking predictions to heart, but I think his warnings, we do. Now I'm not one to believe in fortunetelling, but—"
"Then this shouldn't be a problem for you at all."
"But Hahn has seriously hurt several women, Yue," he said patiently, worriedly, reigning back the incredulous octaves of his voice. "The servants keep talking about this. Please, try to understand. Don't do this to yourself."
"La is Merciful," came the monotone response, "He'll handle it."
"La is a piece of stone," he frowned in frustration. "What can it do? A piece of stone can do no right."
"It can also do no wrong," Yue swallowed, "It's all I expect from a friend right now. Not even sentience, just nonaction."
He softened his eyes, about to say something, anything in an attempt to get her to talk to him and open up to him about what was really plaguing her, but she spoke tiredly before he could say anything, "Do me a favor, will you?"
Blinking, "Anything."
"I don't feel like seeing anyone anymore," she said. "If we have more visitors tomorrow, can you please tell them to leave me alone?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "Of course."
She leaned back against the pelt couch, letting the day's events descend over her yet again but still finding herself wide awake, occupied by the Northern lights that swooped over the sky. Sokka felt that probing any further right now would not be feasible, instead resorting to lightening the mood, "Hey, Yue, you want me to tell you some funny stories?"
She blinked at him curiously.
"Down South, we used to have story nights in our igloo," he said, scooting a little closer to her, "This was back when my parents were around. At the end of every week, we would have story night. Everybody would come up with a story to tell. It could be whatever it wanted to be — except it had to be family-friendly. My Gramp Gramp was super strict about that." With a little grin, "And I would tell the most stories every week. You wanna hear some of the ones I came up with?"
She thought for a few moments before nodding, "That sounds nice."
"Great! Okay, we've got a few options. There's 'Man with the Sword for a Hand.' And then there's 'Panda Man and the Magic Boomerang.' And then we've got 'The Plant Monster'. And then…well, let's see, we also had 'The Dragonbeetle and the Fire Flakes.'"
Yue raised her eyebrows amusedly at the titles.
"And then there's Wing Fun's Haunted Blade. That one's kind of a comedy horror. Oh, and there's Nini and the Storm. It's based on a true story that happened to Katara's friend, Nini. And then…well, I know we got a bunch of others, but these are the ones I remembered off the top of my head. Which one sounds most appealing to you?"
Another second of thought before, "Which one was your Gran Gran's favorite?"
"Well, she liked all of them, to be honest," he said, a spark in his eyes, "But you should pick the one you think is most interesting."
"I'd like to hear all of them if you have the time," she said. "It's only proper to honor all the stories she likes. They all seem interesting anyway."
"Yeah?" Sokka smiled, feeling a tiny skip in his heartbeat, "Well okay then."
Piandao began to panic by the time he found Sokka and Yue asleep on the couch in the lounging room, both of them leaning on each other's shoulders. The octaves of Sokka's snores were even more alarming given that the window beside them was open. The swordmaster, worried that any passerby would peer inside and see the duo like this, scrambled to shut the window and shook his pupil awake, "Sokka! Sokka!"
"Huh? What?"
"What are you doing?" came the loud whisper, "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Meaning of what?" the tribesman yawned as Piandao gestured to Yue, who remained asleep on Sokka's shoulder. Sokka gave a soft little smile in her direction, working to straighten a pelt pillow and helping her sleep against it more comfortably. She stirred but didn't otherwise wake up, curling against the furs that were draped over her.
"Sokka," Piandao shook him again, bringing him out of his trance, "What were you doing last night?"
"It's not what it looks like," he fumbled to explain himself, "I was just trying to cheer her up. I was telling her some stories." Unable to help a smile, "She really liked my stories—"
"Sokka—"
"And then she fell asleep, and I didn't want to wake her up, and—"
"People are already suspicious," the master frowned, "I really expected better from you."
"Nothing happened, Master, I promise—"
"I know that nothing happened, but these people won't believe you! They don't trust you like I do! You need to be careful, don't you?" Rubbing his aching head, "Well get up. Quickly. Hahn's here—"
"What?"
"And he will kill us all if he sees you two like this. If Zhao doesn't kill us first, that is."
Hahn had the kind of face that filled Sokka with pure, unbridled hatred at first glance, though the ill-reputed businessman was annoyingly decent-looking when sober and tidy. He was horrible at pronouncing even the simplest of names, which might have been forgiven had he been civilized, at the very least. Of course, being civilized was something he could never be according to Sokka's calculations, especially since the businessman was hankering after romance even when he had reason to know Yue was also in mourning.
"Miss Atsanik isn't meeting with any visitors," Sokka blocked him from stepping into the quarters and burst in his face.
Hahn raised his eyebrows, "Did she tell you specifically that she didn't want to see me?"
"I don't need her to say it for me to know."
"And here I thought you were just a simple rube from some Southern waste dump. I didn't know you're her mindreader, too, Sohka."
"I don't need to read her mind to know she wouldn't want to associate herself with self-absorbed weasels like you."
"Self-absorbed, huh? If I really was self-absorbed, what reason would I have for trying to marry her poor ass—?"
"Shut the hell up, you asshole!"
"Sokka," Piandao frowned in caution.
"You don't love or respect her! You're just a man-whore!" the young Southerner shrieked.
"Acting like you don't want a piece of that ass for yourself, hm?" Hahn folded his arms, "I heard you quit your pathetic job just to fuck her. No surprise there. Everyone in the North wants to fuck her, and she knows that—"
"AAARGHHH!"
"Watch your tongue, Hahn," Piandao held back Sokka's torpedoing form, stepping in between the two tribesmen to prevent any escalation of the situation.
"I'm only speaking facts," the young businessman rolled his eyes, "If it wasn't for Master Poonday over here, I would've had every reason to believe you were fucking her, you filthy peasant—"
"Not another word," the older swordmaster glowered. "This is not an appropriate time for you to see Miss Atsanik, Hahn. She's still recovering from the accident—"
"Well no one told her to jump in front of yak-horse carts for useless peasants."
Piandao shook his head subtly at a fuming Sokka before addressing Hahn again, "Keep in mind that she is also grieving. It hasn't even been a week. She does not want to see any visitors—"
"Oh please, she knew Daddy Dearest was gonna die. He was getting treatment for over six months with no sign of improvement. She had more than enough time to get used to his absence. No use crying about it," Hahn hissed, trying to shove Piandao out of his way in an attempt to barge in. He was again blocked by Sokka, who didn't hesitate to shove him away from the entrance, making him topple into the snow.
"She does not want to see you! Can't you take the hint?!" Sokka snapped. "You better get the hell outta here if you know what's good for you—!"
"What is going on here?"
Hahn broke into a lecherous grin at the sight of a cloaked Yue making her way to the door, glaring in his direction.
"Yue Atinsik," he brushed the snow off of his robes.
"Atsanik," she corrected. "Who are you? Why are you making a scene here?"
"You don't recognize me, my doll?"
"Excuse me?"
"You saw my portrait, didn't you?"
"What on earth…?"
Glaring, "The hell, you didn't get my portrait?"
"He's Mr. Mimik," Piandao said, the explanation finally providing Yue some context. "He's here to see you."
"I was just telling him how you're not seeing any visitors, Yue," Sokka's scowl remained intact.
"And I was telling these dimwits," Hahn glared at Sokka and Piandao, "that I'm your soon-to-be fiancé and not some stranger—"
"Show them your respect, Mr. Mimik," Yue said sternly. "They are also in mourning."
A venomous flare of disapproval flickered in Hahn's glower.
"And as they told you before, I'm not seeing any visitors," she reiterated. "We will meet later."
"Later when? After a hundred years?" Hahn stood up, "You bailed out on me twice."
"I don't think you understand the concept of giving people space when they need it," Sokka spat but stopped when she held her hand up.
"So what now? You wanted to see me and you did," Yue told the arrogant tribesman. "What more do you want?"
"I need to talk to you, my doll. In a private space. I'm guessing that's the bedroom, then, in a tiny dump like this—"
"There's no need to speak only in the bedroom," she snapped. "Have a seat in the lounging room."
His attention briefly flickered over the small piece of gauze covering the scar at her temple, "Do me a favor and hide that hideousness, won't you? Cover it up with your hair or some makeup or something."
A livid Sokka thought he felt steam coming out of his ears as he glowered at the tribesman who made his way to the lounging room. Piandao was alarmed. "Yue, are you sure you—?"
"I don't want him to make a scene. I'll handle this."
"It doesn't sound like a good idea," Sokka insisted, "And I thought you said you didn't wanna see any more visitors."
Sighing, "Yes, but I think I'd rather interact with him when he's sober. Instead of putting this off and later having to speak with him when he's not…"
"Or you could just dump his ass!" Sokka fumed at the wandering tribesman, "Did you even get a good look at that idiot?! He's a cold, heartless piece of—!"
"There's no need for you two to get on his bad side unnecessarily," Yue told them. "You may interfere only when I ask for your assistance."
"Even dumps look better than this place."
Yue said nothing, keeping ample distance as Hahn gave a repulsed look at the pelted cushions.
"You call this a couch? Eugh." Glancing at her, "The estate that Zhao gave me has all kinds of amenities. Very comfortable for a woman of high society like you."
Sensing what he was about to offer, "I'm very comfortable here."
"Of course," he huffed, "Must be comforting to have Sohka lay his hands on you whenever you ask for it."
With a glare, "That's not very civilized of you, Mr. Mimik. He was only trying to help me that day. He's an honorable man—"
"I saw him that day," he took a step closer to her, "Touching you, carrying you. That 'honorable man' was afraid your pretty little butt would freeze in the blizzard. Well I'll tell you what. An honorable wife-to-be would rather freeze to death in a blizzard than let another man drag her to his warm bed. You should be ashamed."
"You and your mother will lead much healthier lives if you stop thinking I lie with every man in my vicinity," she retorted.
"You should just be lucky you didn't let him go all the way to town on you," he glared at her disgusted form. "Imi's report is the only thing keeping me from slaughtering you."
Hahn then saw Sokka approaching them from the corner of his eye, "What the hell do you want? Can't you see we're talking?"
"Have some water," Sokka stepped forward and nearly slammed the cup of water on the table in front of him. The apparent politeness of the gesture failed to reach his restless eyes, which only focused on scanning the Atsanik heiress to make sure she wasn't hurt in the five minutes of their interaction thus far.
"I don't need your filth," Hahn barked.
"My Gran Gran used to say it's proper manners to offer water to our guests," he said. "Even if those guests are assholes—"
"Well my granny taught me never to take things from peasants! Now get the hell out!"
"Sokka!" Piandao called out to him with a disapproving frown, "Get back here."
Sokka huffed and retreated, keeping a dark look on Hahn on his way out. Yue rubbed her aching head, blinking wearily at Hahn, "Why are you really here? What is it that you wanted to say to me?"
Hahn took a seat on the pelt couches, letting out a helpless little sigh, "The moment I saw you at your friend's wedding, Yue, I wanted to bend you over and fuck you right there on the altar."
A mortified look crossed her face. She looked both ways to confirm no one else heard the comment.
"Whoever I'm with, all I think about is you," Hahn said. "I don't care that you don't have any money. I just wanna rip these clothes off of you and make you mine. You're all that's on my mind, and I think... I think this is what they call love."
She shut her eyes and turned away, repulsed beyond belief.
"I love you so much that I even got you—"
"Have some prune juice if you don't want water."
Hahn fumed in the direction of the entrance, "I said I didn't want your filth! Get lost!"
"Sokka, over here, now," came Piandao's command, and when Sokka didn't budge, the Fire Nationer marched into the room and took Sokka by the hand, leading him out.
"Why are you trying to eavesdrop?" Piandao demanded.
"'Cause he's a shady idiot, and I have to know what's going on and what moves he might make—!"
"Well if you keep interfering, things will only get worse! He's already suspicious!"
"So you're saying we should just sit around and do nothing—?!"
"I'm telling you to be patient!" Piandao hissed, "It's fine if they just talk, but if he gets violent because you constantly keep giving surprise entries, then she'll have to bear the brunt of it! Think about her safety."
With a frustrated groan, "Why the hell is she even entertaining this guy?! What is it going to take for her to trust us?"
"As I was saying," Hahn huffed, "I even got you a present." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box, placing it before her. "Open it."
The tribeswoman hesitated, but the impatient glare on his face made her reach for the box. Turned out it was a necklace: a diamond-studded necklace complete with a blue sapphire in the middle. It glimmered like moonlight in her palm, but that wasn't of any interest to her.
"It's made out of the finest diamonds in the Water Tribe," Hahn boasted. "But you've seen nothing yet. Your betrothal choker is on a whole other level. Between you and me, I spent more money on your choker than Kura's." Scooting closer to her as she scooted further away, "There's nothing to be jealous about, babe, I can give you that. Kura's got the money, but you… You have me in the palm of your hand. I love you so much that I don't even want kids from you! I mean, Spirits, you've got the perfect figure, you know that? We can't let pregnancy ruin this perfection! That's why I agreed to Kura's demands."
Yue shuddered.
"Legally I'm not allowed to give you any of my assets. 'Cause you signed off on those papers. But don't you worry, I'm not letting your perfect figure starve and eat itself. And besides, there will be plenty more gifts like this," gesturing to the necklace, "If you please me."
Flitting an annoyed glare at him, "Are you done yet?"
Hahn took a deep breath, "My business partners from all over the world have come to see you. We're having a wine-and-dine tomorrow night at my place. I want you there."
"That's not happening. If you want me to be able to sit through the engagement ceremony as soon as possible, I need to take my medication. It's been making me very drowsy, and I'm not taking any chances around alcoholics—"
"It's not a request," he hissed. "I told everyone that my future first wife will be in attendance. They're all getting tired of seeing Kura's ugly ass, and I, too, wanna show off my prized doll. It's the least you can do for bailing out on me."
She said nothing, only taking a deep breath, and he took her silence as acquiescence.
"You know how long I'd been waiting to see you again? Ever since that dumb wedding?" Eyeing her up and down, "I do think I deserve something for my wait."
She glared at him.
"The deal was that I don't take your virginity until the wedding night," he sauntered, "but there's nothing stopping me from taking you in the ass—"
"The deal was that you don't touch me," she said, disgusted.
"You pious women," he rolled his eyes, "But I won't lie and say it's not sexy that you're saving yourself for me." With a smirk, "Anyway, if I can't touch you, you can touch me, right?" Lowering his voice, "There's so much I've gotta teach you. I wanna feel your mouth around my cock. I wanna come between your tits and paint your pretty face with my seed—"
"Merciful Spirits," she closed her eyes, her fists clenched.
"Don't want it?" he leered at her, "How about I paint a portrait of you? As bare as the day you were born? Or if you really wanna play hard to get, you can put on a show for me. You can touch yourself, and I'll touch myself. I won't be doing any other touching—"
"We are not lovers to be doing any of these things out of wedlock," she croaked.
"But I just told you I loved you—"
"Don't expect me to lie with you before the wedding," she retorted. "Don't expect me to do anything with you before the wedding. You have plenty of women to keep you company, so it shouldn't be difficult for you."
"It is your duty to satisfy me," he glowered.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from a man lacking all pride and decency of character. It would certainly kill me to sleep with someone who finds me disgusting."
He looked like he was genuinely about to strike her, but something held him back. Nearly jamming an accusing finger in her face, "This pretty little face of yours is the only thing saving your disobedient ass from me right now. You wouldn't want me to tell Zhao about this disobedience, do you?"
"I'm sure legal authorities would look quite favorably on Zhao for allowing you to force yourself on a woman nearing insanity. At least, according to the papers. You know, since he's my 'guardian' now," she blinked, undeterred. "It would behoove you to be civilized until the wedding, if at least to save yourself from trouble. And if you can't stop yourself, find all means to expedite the wedding, I don't care. After the wedding, you can do whatever you want to me." Swallowing, "But I refuse to compromise on anything before then. I'll come to the party, but that's all you can expect."
Trying not to show his annoyance, "You have great faith in our justice system, I'll give you that." Sliding the necklace on the table in her direction, "Wear this to the party tomorrow. I'll send Kura here to give you some decent robes and makeup. You look hideous in these cheap tunics." With a growl, "And don't be late. This is an issue of my reputation."
It took every ounce of Piandao's energy to hold Sokka back before the Southerner looked for another reason to beat the retreating pompous suitor to his heart's content.
"Are you hurt?" Sokka asked her, checking for any bruises.
"No, I'm fine—"
"Was he misbehaving with you? Tell me the truth, Yue, I'll snap his neck in half if I have to—"
"No, he didn't," Yue frowned in alarm, "And you need to calm down."
"Why was he talking for that long?" Piandao questioned. "What all was he saying?"
Gulping, "Nothing. He invited me to a party, that's all. I won't end up going, but I didn't tell him that. I'll make up some excuse later."
"It's for the best if you didn't," the swordmaster nodded, breathing out a sigh, "Merciful Agni."
Sokka, though, remained ever suspicious.
The wound that Gran Gran's departure had left in Sokka didn't even have a chance to heal properly before the news of Pakku's sudden departure scarred his heart. He had shakily dropped onto the pelts in the kitchen, repeatedly reading over the letter that was left at their doorstep.
"Sokka, what's wrong?" Yue asked worriedly.
"Nothing…"
When she caught his voice breaking, she wondered if he was crying. She made her way towards him, finding that he was struggling to wipe his eyes without being seen. "Sokka, what happened?" Assuming the letter in his hands was the letter his grandmother wrote to him, "Were you thinking of your Gran Gran again?"
Shaking his head, "No, I…" holding up the letter, "I got a message saying my Gramp-Gramp passed…"
"Oh, Spirits," she widened her eyes, "Sokka, I'm so sorry, I… H-How did this happen…?"
He gave her the letter, letting the contents explain themselves, and she read to her horror that the old tribesman had committed suicide; he had deliberately overdosed on sleeping pills twenty-four hours after Kanna's demise, leaving behind a note of apology: I'm sorry for doing this, but I told Kanna that I would always be next to her. I'm keeping my promise.
"He never could go a couple of hours without nagging Gran Gran around," Sokka hiccuped. "But at least they're together now."
Yue melted as the tribesman broke down into sobs. She took her seat next to him as he fumbled to gather himself together, "I'm okay, I am."
"It's okay, let it out," she whispered gently, her arm wrapping around his quaking shoulders.
He fell asleep against her arm, having succumbed to her warmth as rays of sleep shot through the vestiges of his anguish and vulnerability. Piandao, who took some time of his own to process the news, eventually reached for Sokka, attempting to wake him and tell him to take to his sleeping bag than the injured tribeswoman's shoulder, but Yue prevented the swordmaster from waking him.
"I don't mind. I know he's exhausted," she said. "He'd been crying for hours."
Piandao gave a weary sigh, "Pakku loved Kanna with all of his heart, and everyone knows that…But he really shouldn't have done what he did." Shaking his head, "Hakoda didn't fare well, either, when Kya passed. To this day, many people wonder if his work accident was really a way of him taking his own life… But if everyone keeps following their loved ones into the great beyond, who will watch over the children? Katara's going to be married, and she will have a family to call her own…" Running his hand affectionately through the sleeping tribesman's hair, "But this boy…"
"You say he's like a son to you," Yue said. "As long as you're with him, he's never going to be alone, Master."
"I'm always going to be there for Sokka and Katara, and that's never going to change," Piandao nodded. "Mother Kanna left them in my hands to watch over them. But the thing with Pakku is that… he probably would have convinced this boy to settle down by reminding him it was Kanna's last wish. And it might have been more meaningful coming from him since he is the boy's grandfather… And I never could get through to Sokka the way Pakku could…"
Sokka shivered in his sleep, his dried tears seeming to freeze from the cold air that swooped in through the nearby window. Piandao closed the window as Yue managed to drape a fur blanket over the sleeping tribesman.
"Pakku never wanted Sokka's life to turn out like his. Having people around him but never legally being recognized," Piandao brooded over his thoughts. "That old man had waited eons to marry Kanna, but that never happened. They were very happy together, but that dissatisfaction remained with them until the very end…And they certainly never wanted him to end up short-lived and in grief like Hakoda was in his last days." Swallowing, "I know I certainly don't want Sokka to turn out like me. Having to find and hold onto a new family when your own abandoned you."
Softening her eyes, "Going back home will help remind him of what his grandparents wanted for him. You two need to go back, Master. You've had two losses back to back. I can handle myself."
"The situation hasn't really changed, Yue," the swordmaster shrugged. "Even if he started now, by the time he gets there, everything will be over. Even Aang, who started for the South a few days ago, won't have time to reach them by that time. There's nothing Sokka will be able to do when he gets there other than immerse Pakku and Kanna's ashes, which he can do any time."
"Then he should go do that now," Yue tried to convince him. "I don't want you both thinking about me and delaying this. I'll be fine."
"Well I'm not leaving you in this situation," Piandao told her. "If Sokka wants to go, then we can send him, but I highly doubt that he would want to."
When Sokka did stir another half-hour later, he was abashed to have inconvenienced her, but Yue still didn't seem to mind. She coaxed him into having a little bit of soup before he settled on the pelts in the room, staring out of the window and processing his devastation. Yue once again found herself beside him, her hand reaching for his quivering one.
"My Gran Gran might have looked unfortunate on the outside… but really she's very lucky," Sokka mused through his tears. "She's got someone who will never let go of her hand." Turning to her, "Did you know that my Gramp Gramp took my Gran Gran's last name? It's unheard of in our sexist tribe, isn't it?"
She nodded.
"His parents didn't want him to marry my Gran Gran. Apparently they said she and my dad will never be part of the family. They said they'll never be 'Kasumiqs.'" Attempting a laugh, "Doesn't sound too appealing anyway. Can you imagine me being Sokka Kasumiq?"
She blinked, still holding his hand as he shook, letting him continue.
"Anyway…Pakku had apparently said, 'So what? I'll be an Ingiullik! Like my wife and son!'" Drying his eyes, "He never did get to marry my Gran Gran, but he did adopt my dad. And he changed his family name from Kasumiq to Ingiullik. To match my dad and Gran Gran. It was a weird case back then in the South. Two unmarried people sharing parenting rights… but it worked out 'cause even the conservative court said a child needed a mom and a dad, and they were willing to take what they got… I'm rambling, aren't I?"
Yue shook her head, still listening to him.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is… I don't believe in spirits and sacred things… but if there's anything in this world that's really divine…I would say it's this kind of love," he said, almost in a whisper, "The kind that brings two people together and grows into a family…" He briefly looked back down at the letter, "The kind that people would die for…" Before looking back at her, "It's the kind of love that you deserve. You deserve the kind of guy who would become an 'Atsanik' in a heartbeat."
Yue felt as though a warm wave washed over her heart. She took a deep breath, trying to trample that warmth, "Sokka, please listen to me," she began calmly, gently. "You need to go to the South. They need you there."
"That's not necessary."
"What would your people think if you didn't go to the South even after hearing what happened?"
"Well what kind of person would abandon a friend in a situation like this? I'm not like your dad's business partners—"
"I never said you were like them. And besides, friendship is not important right now," she frowned, "You're the oldest grandchild. The responsibility is on you to immerse their ashes. So go do that. Your grandparents will be able to peacefully transition out of this realm only if you do that."
"Come with us, then. We'll all go to the South together."
Trying her best not to glare in her frustration, repeatedly melting at his despairing form, "How can you be thinking about me right now? Do you even understand the situation—?"
"I do. That's why I'm staying."
"Sokka, your grandparents—"
"My grandparents are with me right now. They're spirits. They can be anywhere at any time. Don't stress yourself out."
"I'm not stressing myself out," she maintained an even tone, "You're the one stressing yourself out—"
"Me going there isn't going to bring them back," he said. "We gotta protect the people who are with us. We can't lose the people we have for people who are gone."
He's a stubborn one, she sighed. "It's imperative that you give yourself time to grieve and process instead of sticking to self-imposed duties of protecting strangers."
"And it's imperative that you honor yourself instead of letting others take advantage of your compassion," he shrugged, "But hey, who's listening?"
Giving him a look, "Would you leave if I prove to you that I won't have my head chopped off?"
Blinking, "Would you come with me if I prove to you I can take you away from here? Without anyone knowing it's me?"