Book I, Act IX: Burning Bridges, Chapter II

Edited by: Bieverdog AO3: GalavantingGoose

Book I, Imbalance

Act IX: Burning Bridges

Music: Going Crazy Over You - Anohana OST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-UgEY_hqTI&list=OLAK5uy_mrSHMgdeweZFKzfZ_EtHsD_ovcq5lVtkY&index=34

Chapter II

As Aang flew, he saw by the sea a city, one of the first colonies the Fire Nation had established. It seemed a little precarious and apparently was more of a popular stop on the route to Hong Sha. On the other hand, it might have been the place to gain riches selling their catches from the high seas. He could see that it had more boats than houses, dotted with pools and ramps near the coast, where gigantic animals hung sliced open from poles. Hundreds of workers tore apart their bodies like a swarm of red ants, piece by piece, making use of even the bones. It was a gruesome savagery bloodbath to Aang's eyes.

He steered Appa towards what little empty space he could find. To his disgust, they had landed right next to the butchers, who eyed the bison not with surprise or awe, but like a prized haul. His lemur cowered behind him, sitting atop his head. The plank board floor was tainted red with mud and blood, dirtying the boots of passersby.

Though that butchery appeared to be the city's way of life, its thoroughfares were covered in the putrid stench of the carcasses. As they walked under scrutinous eyes, he avoided the gaze of the fishermen and butchers. They clearly knew who he was, but they just stood in silence glaring. As the streets grew narrower, people moved out of the way for the Avatar to pass. Appa followed, catching his fur on every building or two. As if the barbarity wasn't enough, the bones of the animals were incorporated into the architecture as columns, beams, even rooftops, and that wasn't even counting the furniture.

He only hoped they wouldn't take long there, or enough people would leave for the daily butchering to cease. Not that it would change the look of the place; but at least, he would find it easier to be there. Katara didn't say anything about it throughout their strolling, but Aang was certain by the look in her eyes that she didn't take to it kindly either. Sokka took his time ogling at the gargantuan, hanging beasts and the unusual architecture, but even he could tell by the displeased look on his friend's face that they shouldn't linger.

It took them a good thirty minutes to reach the mayor's house. Much like in the other developed colonies they had seen, the mansion was conveniently situated right in the heart of the city. Though less ostentatious than the mayoral residence in Langshizi, it had its charm or, for lack of a better word, gave a sense of familiarity. It appeared to be the only building unstained by the city's brutish architecture, with not a single bone to be seen. One felt disoriented at its sight, for it could have been plucked right from the Caldera. Surrounded by a thin wall no taller than him and guarded by two spearmen, it somehow felt unceremonial; too mundane.

Sokka checked the directions in the letter twice; but, indeed, they were there. His friend shrugged, walked over to the guards, then waved them over. At least, he wouldn't have to worry about Appa, who had already found a cozy spot to lay on the floor. As one of the soldiers led them to the front door, a servant dressed in red robes politely smiled and guided them into the house, serving them some tea as they waited. He couldn't help but notice her green eyes. She was the first person he had seen there so far that bore any resemblance to an Earth Kingdom citizen. But he wouldn't dare ask.

Thankfully, Sokka did that for him. "So… Are you from around here?"

She smiled. "Yes, I've lived here all my life."

"I see. Must be excited, then."

"Pardon?"

Sokka fumbled around with his hands. "About The Harmony Restoration Movement. Like, they'll leave you guys alone, aren't you happy about it?"

"I'm Mayor Nishi's daughter."

Aang and Katara sunk in their seats as they silently looked on.

Sokka coughed up the tea. "Oh… So… nice weather, huh?"

The girl averted her eyes, quickly leaving the room. "I'll go check on the mayor."

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Sokka spoke. "...Hey, we should pay Toph a visit, see how she's doing now that we're close."

"I'd love to visit too, Sokka, but we aren't exactly next door; plus you know we won't have much free time either." Katara gave her brother her journal. Aang bet she now kept better lists than Sokka himself. The appointment with the mayor was circled in red.

Sokka gave it back and threw up his arms. "Aw, come on. What's one day away flying, huh? It's practically nothing."

She sounded irritated. "And what are we to tell Mayor Nishi and Zuko? That we were feeling like taking some time off so the colonists can wait?"

"Aang, buddy, back me up, will you?"

"She's right, Sokka, we can't just leave; you saw Zuko's message. The sooner we get these people back home, the better. The Earth King can't wait much longer."

Sokka crossed his arms. "What's with the rush anyway? The war just finished. It's bound to take some time for them to leave; but you know, eventually they will. What's the big deal if it takes another year or two?"

"It's what we promised, remember? Besides, haven't you read any of Zuko's letters? People in the Earth Kingdom are angry about them being here. Innocent people have already gotten hurt. It's an avalanche ready to come crashing down, and we need to stop it."

"Our job…The Earth Kingdom could lend us a hand for a change. It's not like we can do everything ourselves."

"You know they have their hands full rebuilding the cities and towns the Fire Nation destroyed."

The double door leading to the center of the house opened to reveal the mayor accompanied by her daughter. The woman's hair was dark gray, bordering on black. Her choice of clothing contrasted greatly with the simple attire her daughter wore, for she had her hair held up by a golden headdress. "Welcome to Kujiraminato or (how some of the locals call it) Jingyugang, Avatar Aang. Fire Lord Zuko told me you would come. We already have what you need prepared."

Aang did the flame and bowed. "Thank you, Mayor. We will do our best to ensure that your people are safely back on the mainland."

She prompted them to follow and led them through the house. His eyes avoided the taxidermied oddities set around as decorations, focusing on the mayor.

"I apologize in advance for any inconvenience my constituents may cause you. As you may be aware, not all agree to the Fire Lord's decision."

"We know; we're used to it by now. It's for the betterment of the world. I'm sure Zuk–I mean, the Fire Lord–will accommodate everyone, and things will be back to normal in no time for your people."

"I hope so, though I believe their trade is particularly relevant in this area, not on the mainland. You see, there is a porpoise-whale breeding ground near these waters. That is what the colony is built upon–that and marine supplies."

She stopped by an ornate door and opened it. A large room had been prepared with three double beds, a desk and even a small library, all facing a window at the back. Instead of the red of the halls, the room was painted in warm yellow. "You will be staying here; do let me know if it isn't to your liking. My resources will be at your disposal. Please make yourselves comfortable. I do regret that our meeting has been cut short, but to make up for it we will be discussing the plan for the resettling in the afternoon." They bowed to the mayor, who left them to arrange the things in their room.

Sokka jumped on the first bed he could find, lying flat. "Finally! How I missed a proper bed."

"It's nice; just don't get carried away. Remember why we're here."

"Katara, do you ever relax?" He sat on the bed annoyed.

"I'm just saying this will be just like Langshizi: lots of work, lots of people that will need our help. We can't slack off."

Aang leaned against the window. "I, for one, think we could rest a little; it's been a long trip." He looked out the window to find the bison already fast asleep, barely even hidden behind the small wall. "Looks like Appa could use some rest too."

"Right. Well, see you guys later then. I'll take a walk."

***

Sokka closed the door and headed down the hallway to the common area of the house, barely pausing to look at the pots and tapestries on display around the house. On one wall, there was a huge jaw hanging. Curious, he stood before it and, measuring it, he could indeed see that the animal was big enough for it to swallow him whole. He ran his index finger over a tooth, noticing it had been sanded down; that it was blunt. Yet the teeth, two rows deep, were sharp as arrow points. He didn't even want to think about what it would be like to face such a beast. Has it been one of the beasts they hunted there–

A door slid open, and he turned to look. It was that girl he had mistaken for a servant, coming to the room with a tray in hand. She took a moment to notice him standing there, pausing her gaze oddly for a moment, but she averted her gaze.

He walked closer, rubbing his neck. "Oh, hey… Sorry about back there; I didn't know. You just didn't look, you know…"

"I… think I understand. My father is half Earth Kingdom, so not really that uncommon here. And it's alright. Don't worry about it."

"I'm Sokka by the way."

She smiled. "Jasmine. Are you from the Northern Water Tribe?"

"Southern, actually."

"So, what are you doing here? With the Avatar, I mean."

"I'm kind of like his manager, you know. I deal with lots of serious stuff such as this."

Jasmine raised a brow. "The Avatar's manager, huh? Never thought I'd hear something like that… Honestly, I expected him to be taller, more scary looking. And as I grew up, I expected somebody older, much older."

"Ah well, everyone was surprised about that at first. I was too… But that's Aang for you. Nice dude, just don't make him angry."

She shook her head visibly afraid. "Oh no, I wouldn't want to. Is it true he could make a tornado that could destroy the entire city? I heard airbenders had vicious tempers."

"More like a typhoon! …Eh, I don't know. Probably? Don't think he'd do that though, what with the pacifist thing and all that… Well, he did attack a bunch of sandbenders once. Was a one-time thing though!"

"I'll try not to anger him, then…"

"I wouldn't worry too much about it. So, know any place worth visiting around here? I'd like to stretch my legs, take in the views. Gotta say I've never seen anything like it."

She thought for a moment. "Well, there's the docks. I know they might be a little gruesome; but right next to them, there's a famous flea market. You'll find just about anything there. You could also look at the ships. There's so many, in all different shapes and sizes. I heard Water Tribe folks like boats; maybe you'd enjoy it."

"Dunno. I've recently taken a liking to flying more; it's less nauseating. But I'll give it a try. Thanks, Jasmine. See you around?"

She giggled and waved back. "Of course, Sokka."

"See ya."

Sokka strolled out of the mansion with his hands in his pockets. The mansion was small but beautiful, yes; but what interested him the most were the buildings outside. He had seen enough of the Fire Nation to know Jingyugang was something unique. Apart from the stench of fish, what was notable about the houses were the bone support pillars. Polished and maybe reinforced with some other material, they were as hard as concrete. People must have thought him simple for stopping by every ten feet just to look up to see them.

As he observed further, he noticed that they weren't used only as building material; they were also used tools, swords, spear tips, and even jewelry. Before he knew it, he was back at the docks, where he saw they even used carved bones to cut the very animals whence they came. He tried to move closer for a better view, but the constant stream of activity made it impossible to get near the animals.

Even then, he was able to see how they brought the carcasses there in the first place. The ships towed one of them before one of the pools; and as the monstrosity was detached from the ship, the workers would open the pool slightly, and the body would rush to them in a torrent of water. After emptying the water, they nailed the beast's fins to the poles and placed a roped tarp under its belly, lifting it up with pulleys. They then proceeded to bleed it for a few minutes. Then they carved it out, taking the fat, organs, meat, and then the bones, placing them each in different compartments. They did it all with factory-like efficiency. Only a pool of blood remained, which was drained into a tub leaving the spot open for yet another body.

He had seen squid-whales a few times while fishing. They rarely even hunted them, for it took great effort and it was dangerous for small boats like theirs to take them on. But if they did manage to get one, he was certain they could feed everybody for a few months. Here, on the other hand, they tore through dozens of them in minutes.

He looked at the ships that practically waited in a row with their gigantic cargoes. A mixture of metal steamers with intricate harpoons mounted on them and more rustic wooden ships that still sported sails. Instead of mechanical weapons, he noticed the crews–a tough-looking crowd, some holding harpoons, some even made out of bone. Distracted by the whole parade, he had almost failed to notice a ship with blue sails lining up with the others. He squinted his eyes, trying to see. Sewn to the sails were the crescent moon and sea. Northern Water Tribe!