68 Chapter 67
The lesson ended on a somber note. An emotionally taxing task followed by a task that was both physically and morally arduous. We had all talked about, some of the things we were guilty about. Aang felt responsible for abandoning his people, Katara felt guilty for her weakness and the death of her mother, and I was feeling guilty about my time in Westeros. Now I couldn't actually talk about Westeros so I lied and toned it down to make it more normal, but at the end of the day, I believe the three of us had at least partially opened our water chakra. Then we moved on to blood bending where I would bend their blood and they would resist. It only took a few tries before both Aang and Katara were able to resist my blood bending.
With the lesson over, we returned to camp, rested, and then in the morning left for the next town. We arrived in Gaoling around midday. Where we started to wander about town. Gaoling has a surprisingly large fashion and textile market. Katara found a water tribe themed bracelet and Sokka found a large earth kingdom themed satchel.
"It's pricey, but I really do like it," Sokka says to himself more than anyone else.
"If you like it get it. You deserve something nice. I'm going to go buy that bracelet I found a few shops back" Katara tells him walking away when done. Aang by this point has shopping fatigue and is sitting down near the shop.
"I do deserve something nice don't I. I'm going to get it."
"Fine," I tell him hoping he'll make up his mind
"But it's so expensive. We could use this money on something else."
"Fine"
"But I do need a new bag"
"Fine"
"But I'm not sure about having an earth kingdom bag"
"Fine" This honestly goes on for way too long, but Aang and I are saved when we overhear two guys arguing.
"Hey, I hear that there are loads of new up and comers going after the belt tonight. The best earth benders from all over the world coming to compete"
"No way is The Boulder losing the belt! He's been the Earth Bending champ since Earth Rumble 3"
Aang hears this, perks up, and then walks over toward the arguing men. I go to follow him, but not before giving Sokka my final thoughts.
"Sokka we have plenty of money. Buy the bag or don't it doesn't matter at all, and make sure to tip the shopkeep for ruining his day" With that I go to catch up with Aang
"Excuse me, but where is this earthbending tournament exactly?" Aang asks causing the men to look over.
"Scram kid this is real man stuff"
"Then can you tell me," I ask as I arrive.
"Nah"
"Why not?"
"You guys seem like narcs."
"Whats a narc?" Aang wonders but I talk before he has given an answer.
"I'm blind, he's 12, and we're both foreign. How exactly do we seem like narcs?"
"That's a narc question"
"Fine, how do we prove we're not narcs?"
They seem to think about it for a few seconds "You got to do something illegal"
"What! Were not doing..." As Aang is about to protest I roll my eyes and sucker punch one of the guys in the stomach. Aang is shocked and stops what he was about to say. The guy I didn't punch comes up to grab me by my collar, but I just put my hand out and push him away."What the hell!?"
"That's one count of assault. Is that a good enough crime or should I add a count of murder?" I say without a hint of levity.
"Fine man! We're cool! We are cool. Tonight find the descending stairs near dock 3. Next to the cliff face will be a guy just tell him 'You are ready to rumble'"
"Thanks. Come on Aang let's see if Sokka has made a decision yet. The standing man helps the guy I punched stand up before both of them runoff.
"Silva that seemed kind of extreme"
"I punched one guy. If I was being mean I would have knocked both of them out then brought them both to the guards. Anyone that concerned with narcs is definitely hiding something.
"If they're criminals why'd you let them go"
"I assumed they were criminals. They could have been upstanding members of society who just upheld thief code."
"Guys! Check out my new bag! I'm so happy I bought it"
"and check out my new bracelet. It really reminds me of Gram Gram's necklace. " Aang's and I's conversation was interrupted by the return of the shoppers.
"That's great and Silva and I found a lead on an earth bending master. Tonight there's going to be an earth bending tournament. There has got to be someone to teach me there"
"That's great Aang! Wow everything is going so well today"
"Ugh, why did I buy this I don't need a bag, and it's so green. Why did you guys let me buy this?" Sokka's announcement gets a few giggles that turn into to full-blown laughter when Momo climbs into the bag and takes up residence in it.
