Lunch with the In-Laws <Shai City, North Pole>

[Nanuk]

Coming to a stop and sitting down, Hebirei chastised himself for being so dumb. How could he have forgotten about the huge bruise on his leg? Drawing some water from his waterskin, he bent it around the palm of his hand and pulled back his pant leg, to examine the bruise. Looking to the right, he saw that Haukea had just looked back and was now heading this way, so in his haste, he tried to heal as much of the wound as possible. Then, just as she was getting close enough to see him healing, he let the water drop on the ground and quickly pulled his pant leg back down.

He stood up just before she approached, trying to look normal. When she approached, he acted as though he was just winded and had needed to sit, which was obviously a lie, but he felt like pushing his luck. As she talked, he merely put on a fake smile, “No, no, I’m fine.” Despite his efforts to assure her, she seemed persistent to take a look at it. Reluctantly, he sat back down and drew his pant leg back, hoping that he had managed to remedy it enough. He glanced down, and there was a huge spot on his leg, about three inches in diameter, marking exactly where she had kicked him. He practically held his breath, because he wasn’t sure if Haukea would be angry, and he looked up hesitantly, waiting for her response.

[haukea]

Thanks to the market crowd, Haukea hadn't caught Hebirei's quick attempt at healing, nor had she caught him pulling his pant leg back down. She pouted a little as he insisted that he was fine, knowing full well that he wouldn't be limping over nothing. As her fiance sat back down and pulled up his pant leg, she knelt down to take a look. Standing out against Hebi's dark skin was a nasty looking bruise...right where Haukea had kicked him. Her lip quivered a bit as she bit it, looking up at him.

"I didn't realize I'd kicked you so hard, Hebi..."

Still....it was just a bruise...and while she was not the best healer, even she could handle a bruise. Haukea held her hand out and drew a bit of snow up off of the ground, changing it into water. She concentrated and managed to get the liquid to pool around her hand, and with a bit more concentration set it to glow. She sniffed, a guilty tear tumbling down her cheek, before she applied her healing touch to the bruise.

"I'm really sorry," she said, once again apologizing.

The skin discoloration began to go away, and so would the soreness from the spot she had accidentally kicked. Once the bruise was gone, her hand receded, the healing glow leaving the liquid that enveloped her hand. With her healing work done, she simply allowed the water to fall back to the ground beside them.

Haukea looked up at Hebirei, a bit of moisture still clinging to her lashes. She had almost started bawling again.

"Does that feel better?"

[pika]

Inside the Harta home, Noelani was at work in the kitchen, placing a sheet of nori on an Earth Kingdom made bamboo rolling mat. Simmering beyond was a fresh batch of stewed sea prunes, and laid out on the large table about the older woman was a container of rice (one of the special treats the Harta's enjoyed quite often, thanks to their wealth and trading ties), a cutting board with strips of eel, and a few bowls containing sesame seeds, sprouts and cucumber (again...fruits of their trading with the Earth Kingdom). Noelani was a short woman, a little on the broad side, with a face that had wrinkles beginning to set in. Her graying sepia hair was plaited into four braids, which were looped and gathered into a bone fastening on the back of her head. She looked to be in her early 50s, and unlike most women who lived in such a rough climate, she had aged rather gracefully. Seated across from her was her eldest son Kai's wife, Naia, and playing in the front parlor was Kai and Naia's youngest son, Zifu. Nai looked to be in her late twenties, and had the healthy glow that accompanied most pregnant women...in fact, Naia was very pregnant, with just another month to go before the baby was due.

Naia held a swatch of periwinkle shaded fabric which had a swirling embossed pattern on it, comparing it with deep rich lavender fabric that held a hint of gray to it. Noelani's dampened hands reached for some of the sushi rice, pressing it into an even layer on the sheet of roasted seaweed.

"Noelani, both of these fabrics are absolutely beautiful and would work well with Haukea's skin tone and hair. I think this embossed fabric would be most suitable...perhaps take this darker fabric and use it for an underskirt?" Naia suggested as she placed the lighter shaded fabric over the darker, holding it out for her mother-in-law to see.

The elder woman glanced up from sprinkling sesame seeds onto the rice to inspect, then after a moment, "Yes, I agree...and a white fur lining would help add a soft look to-"

It was at this point that Pika would lead his guest into the home, calling out, "Mama, I'm home."

The five year old boy who had happily been playing with a stuffed tiger seal toy in the parlor got up with an excited squeal and ran full tilt at his uncle. Pika let out a feigned groan of pain as the boy attempted to tackle him, before scooping the boy up and putting him over his shoulder. Excited giggling escaped the little boy, especially when Pika brought a hand up to tickle his side.

The young waterbender turned, looking over his shoulder.

"This little ruffian would be one of my nephews, Zifu," he told the Earth Kingdom soldier.

The commotion from the front room had garnered the attention from the women. Noelani and Naia abandoned the kitchen to investigate...and both were very startled to see a rather large man clad in Earth Kingdom armor standing in the front parlor. Pika's mother cast an inquiring gaze at her son...silently demanding an explanation.

Pika gave her a sheepish grin, before looking to the soldier at his side.

"Sir, this is my mother, Noelani Harta, and my eldest brother's wife, Naia. Mama, Naia, this is Major..."

Pika's introduction faltered a bit upon realizing that the only thing he had heard was the man's title. He'd had yet to ask his name.

[boragan]

The home of Pika looked rather large, even for a merchant family. Granted, it’s bigger than most of the merchant homes back at home, but still at a grand scale. Bora followed Pika inside. When he went inside, he saw a variety of Earth Kingdom items from their trading on a regular basis. He was actually quite surprised by seeing as much Earth Kingdom memorabilia. Inside, he sees three people, one was an elderly person, a younger woman, and a little boy.

From what he has seen from the elderly woman, she was actually quite surprised at Pika for bringing him into the household. Pika introduced him, but doesn’t know his name.

“Hmmm, doesn’t seem like a large family,” Bora thought, “There might be more though.”

He took off his helmet out of a sign of respect and looked down at the rest of his family.

“My name is Major Bora Gan, Major of the Earth Kingdom army and leader of the Thunderfist Battalion. It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Bora politely introduced himself, “Pika wanted me to see all of you and I couldn’t refuse.”

He couldn’t help but feel like fibbing. He just wanted to go home, so he decided to stay with Pika until the voyage.

“Once again, I would like to say it is an honor to meet all of you,” Bora said to the elderly woman.

[pika]

Noelani stole a glance at her son, an expression that clearly read she wasn't too amused with this stranger in her home...to which Pika simply returned a sheepish smile as he set little Zifu down. When Pika's mother looked to Bora Gan though, a much more friendly expression settled into her features.

"It is rare we recieve guests from the Earth Kingdom, especially of the military persuasion. It is an honor to have you in our home."

Though the words were kind, Pika knew he was going to get an earful later that evening...especially when he spoke again...

"Mama, I offered for Major Bora Gan to stay with us, and for the merchants to grant him passage to the Earth Kingdom."

Naia stole a glance at her mother-in-law, her hand coming to rest the swell of her belly. Noelani...frowned just a little bit. While she certainly wouldn't turn this man out into the cold, the elderly woman wasn't exactly pleased to be playing host to a foreigner. The frown softened a bit as the woman chose to just go with the flow so to speak: she couldn't change what had already been done, and it was rather futile to try to fight it.

"The Major is certainly welcome to stay as long as he chooses, though you'll need to discuss the matter of his traveling with the fleet through your father," Noelani said, a soft smile coming to her lips. "I doubt he will have objections though. Kaimana should be home later this afternoon, so you can discuss the particulars with him then. Pika, why don't you show our guest to one of the guest rooms so he can get settled?"

Pika nodded in response, then began heading toward a hallway off to the right of the front room. Before he could get too far, his mother spoke again.

"By the way, is Haukea with you? I sent her to fetch you for lunch."

The young man blinked...chuckled...and then shook his head, "No, though I did see her at the training grounds earlier. When I left, she was with Hebirei. More than likely she got side-tracked. You know how she can get sometimes..."

While Noelani was pleased to hear that her daughter was spending time with her betrothed, in didn't stop the disapproving tsk sound that escaped her lips.

"I swear, that girl would lose her head if it wasn't firmly attached," the woman muttered as she headed back into the kitchen, her daughter in law in tow.

Pika resumed leading Bora Gan to the guest room. Trailing behind the pair was little Zifu, who couldn't seem to tear his eyes off of the Earth Kingdom soldier. His eyes were wide with wonder...and one could practically see the gears in his head turning, questions just begging to come out of his mouth.

Pika stopped in front of one of the guest rooms, a room that a few years ago had housed the triplets. Unlike the front room, which had many Earth Kingdom pieces in it, this room had a much more distinctive water tribe feel to it. A thick fur rug rest on the floor beside a bed, and a thick fur blanket thrown over the soft matress. Various animal pelts hung on the walls, some with stripes or spot patterns similar to those born on animals that Bora would probably be familiar with...others resembling nothing like anything in the Earth Kingdom.

[Nanuk]

Hebirei looked up, unsure how she was going to react. She seemed to get very shy, timid, and overall, sorry. This was a crucial thing, in his mind, to assure her that it was fine, so he quickly spat out, "It's fine, really." But, against his will, she started to heal his leg. He could feel it going away, and was relieved, but he could still tell that she was troubled. He really didn’t know what to do, a rare occurrence, he supposed it was because he had absolutely no experience in this field, love, that is. He saw the moisture tingeing her eyelashes as she lifted her head, and felt horrible.

Hebirei needed to figure out a way to fix this situation, so he figured he would compliment her on her healing. “Wow, you know, you are better at healing than you implied. You know, I could give you some tips sometime.” Then, testing out the job, he poked the spot where the bruise was, and didn’t feel any pain. “You really did a great job, though!” Then, standing back up, and wanting to cheer her up, he put on a smile and acted cheery. “Well, do you want to continue our race?”

[haukea]

Haukea brought a mitten covered hand up to swipe at the moisture that clung to her eyelashes. As Hebirei complimented her on her healing abilities (which were laughingly inadequate compared to others her own age), a slow smile began to creep across her lips. Whether the boy was actually sincere or not, he was cheering her up a bit. Despite being cheered up though, the mischievious streak that had flared up in her had dissipated. She rose to her feet, shaking her head in a gesture that tussled her disheveled looking sepia braids.

"How about we just walk over to the wall?"

She let out a little chuckle bringing a hand behind her head as she smiled a little sheepishly.

"I don't think I want to take the chance at accidentally maiming you again. Bad enough that I kicked ya and nearly got you trampled by a buffalo deer."

The petite girl brought her hand back down...then reached over to take Hebirei's.

"C'mon, let's go..."

And then she proceeded to lead him through the market area. She was all sunshine and rainbows again, as if she'd never been sad or upset just a few minutes ago. She'd brushed it aside just like that, like the sun suddenly breaking through an overcast sky.

[boragan]

As Bora looked around at the house as he followed Pika, he saw all of the Earth Kingdom memorabilia littered in the household. It almost reminded him of home, if it wasn’t the fact that it was so cold.

He followed the strange boy to the room he was going to be residing in. He looked around and noticed how modest the room was, with only a small fur rug and a fur blanket over the mattress.

“So this is where I am living for the while,” Bora said, “Well, might as well make myself comfortable.”

He put his helmet down onto the mattress and sat down next to it. He was almost eye level with Pika when he sat down.

“So, where is your sister that is getting wed?” Bora asked, “Not that I am going to interfere with it or anything. I’m just curious. Don’t get excited.”

He put the fur blanket over his back and wrapped himself inside it to keep warm. He shivered for a little bit as he tried to readjust to the cold that was around him. Even with the fur coat on, he was still pretty chilly.

“Also, how in the hell do you keep so damn happy up here? It’s cold as hell,” Bora complained.

[pika]

Pika noted the older man's discomfort. He had n'tconsidered the drastic temperature difference between the frigid North and the Earth Kingdom. While he was sure that the large continent saw its fair share of cold days, especially in the winter months, there was probably nothing comparable to the cold up at the North Pole. He made a mental note to himself to bring some extra furs to Bora Gan's room...especially since he seemed to be cold with the current blanket wrapped about him and a poncho. Pika leaned against an armoir, an heirloom that had been in the family for several generations now, and little Zifu seemed to linger in the doorway...and the little boy's stare was intent as he looked at Bora Gan. Pika either didn't seem to notice the child, or he simply was ignoring him for the moment, as he responded.

"Haukea was with Hebirei, her fiancee, last I saw her. More than likely she got distracted by something or other and lost track of what she's supposed to be doing."

The way it was worded...sounded as if this girl did things like that fairly often. Pika's expression grew a little cold though, referring to Hebirei. He was NOT happy about the marriage. It wasn't anything personal against his soon to be brother in law...no man was good enough for his baby sister in his mind.

"As far staying warm," the young man continued on, brushing off the previous subject. "I guess generations of carving out an existance here kinda builds up resistance to the cold a bit."

A mischievious smirk came to his features as his hand came up to rub at his chin.

"Of course, when you've got someone to snuggle up to, it makes it much easier - and more enjoyable I might add - to deal with the cold. Since you're not likely to find that in our house, maybe some extra furs would do? That and usually there's a fire going in the kitchen for cooking. Might be a bit boring just hanging out in there, but it's the warmest room in the house."

[Nanuk]

Hebirei felt his false cheery disposition fading, but he didn’t mind. Haukea didn’t seem to want to be mischievous anymore, so he would gladly comply with her request of a simple walk. He nodded, and laughed a little when she mentioned almost maiming him. Then, she reached out and grabbed his hand, and he felt as though this wasn’t a time for cheery disposition anyway. So, he merely strolled along with his future wife, enjoying this precious time where nothing of real importance happened.

They continued to walk slowly, for both of them weren’t really in a rush. Finally able to relax and reflect on the things that had happened so far that morning, he thought back to the training with Pika and shuddered. Looking over to his fiancé’s eyes, he hoped that she would never find out how hostile the two were to each other, even though it would be pretty much inevitable. Then, thinking to when Hotaru and Haukea had approached him, he remembered something. Haukea first addressed Pika, as though she had something important to say, and then noticed that he was there.

He still didn’t know Haukea all that well, but he could tell that she could be forgetful, and he wouldn’t put it past her to get completely sidetracked, so he just decided to ask her straight out. “Hey, Haukea, why were you at the training grounds earlier anyway? Did you need Pika for something?”

[haukea]

Haukea was oblivious to the fact that Hebirei had only been faking cheerfulness as she led him on. She was looking forward to showing him the view of the harbor from the wall. Hopefully it was in good enough shape for them to climb. Benders had been working to repair it, right? Like they were repairing other parts of the city?

“Hey, Haukea, why were you at the training grounds earlier anyway? Did you need Pika for something?”

Haukea glanced back at Hebirei, slowing her pace a moment. That's right...she'd been there for something, hadn't she? She looked down, her hand leaving his a moment as she tried to remember. What was it? She was there to get Pika for something...hadn't she? Suddenly, a panicked sounding gasp, coming to screeching halt in the streets.

"Oh no...I was supposed to be bringing him home for lunch!"

Her mittoned hands covered her face as she groaned loudly, adding, "Mom is going to skin me!"

This was not good, not good at all. How long had they been talking? How long had it taken in the first place to find Pika? It didn't matter much at this rate, as she was now very very late. She brought her hands down from her face and glanced over at Hebirei. She was in so much trouble. Honestly, she didn't want to have to deal with a lecture on top of all the stress she'd been put through during the morning hunting for fabric for her wedding dress. She locked an almost pleading look on her fiance.

"What am I going to do? I'm so dead!"

[boragan]

Bora contemplated what Pika said. It would be no use trying to argue with Pika. He didn’t seem the arguing type. Besides, he didn’t want to isolate himself from the others of the household. He’s a guest. No matter how annoying they might seem, they are offering him a ride home. He couldn’t be anything but grateful.

“You know, it may sound boring, but I think I might have to go to the living room to warm up,” Bora said. He stood up from the mattress. His head didn’t hit the ceiling, so he had no worry about being too big for the house. Back in the Earth Kingdom, most average huts were too small for him to stand, so he had to bent a lot. Here, they seem to accommodate. He figured if there was more room and space, more heat could gather.

Still wrapped in the blanket, he scuttled around the little boy and advanced toward the living room. From there, he saw Noelani sitting at a table followed by the mother in the kitchen. He felt the warm fire from the kitchen, indicating that food was nearby as well. He sat down at the table across from Noelani.

“This may seem somewhat strange coming from a total stranger,” Bora remarked, “But I will try not to get in your way.” His stature was enormous compared to the rest of the family, so the last part of his dialogue had a bit of an awkward tone to it. He moved his metallic hands free from the warmth of the blanket and sat them on the table.

[pika]

Pika nodded in response to Bora's words, and turned to leave the room. Rather than follow the Major into the kitchen, he detoured to another further down the hall. He emerged sometime later, carrying a pile of several thick furs. He returned to the guest room, setting them down on the mattress.

Meanwhile, Noelani looked up from where she was making more eel rolls as Bora Gan entered. The woman simply smiled in response at first. Naia was still at the table, looking over the fabric swatches, though her eyes were cutting over to look at the large Earth Kingdom man.

“This may seem somewhat strange coming from a total stranger. But I will try not to get in your way.”

The older woman nodded, replying, "You're fine, Major. Let me get you a bowl of stewed sea prunes. It'll do wonders to warm a body up."

Little Zifu had followed the man...and now very cautiously, he reached a hand out to tug at the blanket Bora Gan had draped over him as Noelani turned to dish a bowl of the steaming stew.

"Are you a giant?" the little boy asked in a hushed voice.

Naia's eyes widened a bit as she shushed the boy...and Noelani simply chuckled at her grandson. Pika entered the kitchen just as his mother set a bowl of stew in front of Bora Gan, laying a spoon next to it. The young man reached over to pluck up one of the eel rolls, popping it into his mouth really quick, before gathering more.

"I need to hurry and get back," Pika explained around the mouthful of sushi. "They're going to notice I'm playing hookie and come looking for me."

Noelani fixed her son with a stony glare, before waving him off. Pika grinned impishly, then took his leave, waving as he headed out.

[ Pika's outta there. ]

[Nanuk]

Hebirei looked over to his fiancé, watching the many expressions fluttering over her face. First, confusion, then shock, and finally, panic. Hebirei figured she had forgotten something, and sure enough, she completely forgot that she was supposed to fetch her brother for lunch. Her forgetfulness could end up being trouble in the future, and even the present, as he was soon finding out. In an attempt to calm her, he reached out his gloved hand and let it rest on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry; I’m sure it’s not a big deal. I’ll explain it to your mother, besides; I don’t think she’ll be angry to find out that we are bonding.” The words escaped his mouth quickly, not giving him much time to think. Then again, thinking on his feet was one of his skills. Hebirei slid his hand from her shoulder down to her arm, grasping her left hand with his right. “It will be fine, let’s go.” Gently tugging on her arm, he looked back and gave her a friendly smile. Then he started to lead her along the canals back to her home.

Hebi is bye bye

[boragan]

A new aroma hit Bora’s nostrils once the bowl of stewed sea prunes laid out in front of him. It was a foul smelling dish from a vegetable he’s never even heard of. The purplish liquid inside the bowl must have been a combination of water and the juices from the prunes. He took off his mempo to gain access to his mouth. He took the spoon and scooped up a large prune and shoved it in his mouth.

He chewed for a few seconds. The prune was really squishy and mushy in his mouth. The stew must have soften the prune then served in such a matter. To Bora, it tasted really foul. Fortunately, he didn’t gag so he didn’t make any offense. He knows however, this dish is going to run through his system real soon. He scooped up a few more scoops to show that he’s eating them at least.

“Are you a giant?” the little boy asked in a hush voice.

His rolled down toward the boy, who was very little compared to him.

“No,” Bora answered. He thought for a second for a retort, but came up short, “I just eat my vegetables.” Bora knew that wasn’t the case, but he’s never dealt with children before. He felt completely confused around this child, not knowing what to say or how to react. The kid being really tiny and Bora really big felt that if he touched the little boy in any way, he felt that he would break him, which he probably could.

Bora Gan has left the thread[/u]