Chapter Seven

Aimi

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"You two seem to be getting along very well," Asami said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, no. We never will," I said with casual grace, leaning on a rail as we enjoyed the scenery. Asami looked over her shoulder at a bored-looking Raiden, who had his hand under his chin, his eyes sad.

"He doesn't seem all that happy about you feeling that way," Asami noted.

"Trust me; that's not what he's upset about," I clarified.

"Well then you better pray he doesn't get assigned to your area," Asami said with a smile. "Because Iroh put him up as a guard and, hey, he could be assigned to guard the airbenders. You have no idea how many people are actually looking out for a hostage or a good look at the new airbenders." She noticed the weird look on my face. "Yeah; there are all sorts of creep-o's everywhere."

"Or they could just be fans," I suggested.

"Look at you, seeing the bright side of things," Asami teased. "I'm kidding," she said. "Anyway, I'm glad you're here. Just try to look past any problems you have with anybody because we're all one big family here."

"I can hate members of my family," I pointed out. I didn't try to be sour. That's just how my personality wanted to be.

"Not that I'm eavesdropping or anything," Raiden called from behind us, "but she's got a point."

"Thank you," I said. "I'm allowed to dislike anyone I want, because this is a democracy."

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Mako is meeting us when we get off. He's going to show you around. I'm afraid I can't be there; I have a business to run and meetings to hold."

"What is it with you people and meetings?" I raised an eyebrow. "So busy all the time."

"Unfortunately, I'm always busy," she sighed. "But we can hang out some time. Coffee?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Tea is way better, just for the record," Raiden put in.

"Tea? Ew," I gave him a look of disgust.

"Tea and my family go way back," he scowled.

"Exactly."

Raiden got up as if he wanted to throw something at me. Asami stepped between us. "Seriously, what is going on? Is there something I should know before you two are grouped together?"

"Grouped together?" Raiden asked. "What do you mean?"

"You both are new recruits. It'll be a miracle if you two aren't."

"Can't there be an exception?" I pleaded. "I mean, look at him. He's ugly, obnoxious, rude, and just himself. Someone like me can't be partnered with someone like him."

"I'm not ugly!" Raiden protested.

"I'm gonna have to go with him on this one," Asami said, giving me a shrug. She leaned in to whisper in my ear, blocking off any lip-readers from the other side with her hand, "He's cute."

I rolled my eyes as she winked, walking away. "Cute, my-"

Raiden winked at me as the ship started to land. "She's smart."

♤♧♤

"This is Air Temple Island," Asami said, stepping off. "And this is Mako."

As soon as I saw Mako, I shied away. What was I doing? No idea. But dang.

"I'm Aimi," I introduced myself. Mako's hair was jelled up and he was tall, with golden eyes and pale skin.

"Mako!" Raiden stepped forward. "Hey!" He shook hands with him. "I'm not sure if you remember me, but I remember you. I was on the Lion Turtle's team, remember? I was against you and your brother and that Hasook guy." Probending again, huh.

"I remember. You lost that one, right?" Raiden's face hardened.

"Way to ruin the moment. I was a beginner at the time. I'm much better now. I can show you. Any time you're up for it, I'll take you on."

Mako smiled. "Deal."

"I thought you never lost?" I hid a smile, teasing Raiden.

He turned away. "I never lose. Probending isn't a game, Aimi. You wouldn't understand."

I scowled. "You're right. I don't, because I don't feel the need to do something so pointless." Raiden's eye was twitching.

"Well," Mako said, standing in between us and taking my arm, whisking me away, "let me show you around. You need to meet Tenzin. He's so excited to see you . . . " and he went on, and on, and on. I blocked him out then, taking in the scenery and calmness of Air Temple Island. Bison roamed the skies, the grass was fresh and green, and there were no man made machines in sight.

Suddenly, something crashed somewhere. I flinched. "What was that?" I asked. I took it back. It wasn't as calm as I thought.

"Give it back, Meelo!" A girl's voice yelled.

"Come and get it!" A small boy replied, running as fast as he could. He came into view and surprised me by jumping four feet in the air, and then forming an airball under himself to move faster.

"Okay," the girl said, furrowing her eyebrows. Another girl, slightly older, stood on her other side. "Jinora, you get him from that side," she pointed behind a few bushes. "I'll chase him towards you, and you get it back."

"Aye, aye, captain," the girl, Jinora, said with a mock salute, airbending. She flew over, hiding into the tree.

"That's a better idea," the smaller girl shrugged.

"Ikki, go if you want your doll back," Jinora called.

"Okay, okay. And she is not a doll. She's a collectible!" And then Ikki stealthily airbended away, hopping from roof to roof with admirable ease.

"And those," Mako smiled, "are Tenzin's children."

"Three?" I raised my eyebrows. "That's a bunch."

"There's one more; Rohan. But he's a newborn, so he hasn't caused much trouble yet."

"Speak for yourself," someone said from behind me. I turned around to see a woman clad in airbender clothing, her hair pulled back in a bun. She wasn't too old but there were a few wisps of graying hair on her head. "He just threw up on me and Tenzin right after I changed into something new." She looked at me. "Are you the new recruit?"

"Yes," I bowed. "I'm Aimi."

"I'm Pema, Tenzin's wife," she smiled. "Let me go get him for you." She turned on her heel and disappeared.

"She seems nice," I said.

"She is nice," Mako shrugged. "Was it what you were expecting?"

"Nope," I said. "Not at all."

Tenzin was what I imagined on the other hand. "I'm so glad you could join us," he said with a bow. I greeted him by doing the same.

"Where am I going to stay?" I asked, trying to get the point. I was starting to get annoyed.

"Follow me." He showed me to the room I was going to share with another girl.

"I'm Opal," she introduced herself.

"Aimi," I said, for what was hopefully the last time. Her hair was bobbed, and her eyes were bright green, her eyelashes long and pretty. Her smile was sweet.

"Training starts tomorrow. I look forward to it," Tenzin said. "Opal could shoe you around." Then he backed out, leaving.

"Trust me, he's super excited," Opal said.

"I'm sure," I laid back on my bed.

"Where's your stuff?" She asked. "I mean, they'll give you new clothes and all, but-"

"Raiden's bringing them."

"Who's Rai-" a knock at the door interrupted her. "Come in?"

The door swung open, and Raiden stood there, annoyed, angry, and disheveled. I snorted. "Where's my stuff?"

He tossed my bags into the room. "Why me?"

"You volunteered," I said with a cold smile. "Shut the door, please. You're not allowed in here."

Raiden's gold eyes were fierce as he slammed the door shut. A few seconds later, he opened it, peeking in at Opal. "I'm sorry. The slam was meant for her. Not you. You look like a nice person." He glared at me, closing the door a little gentler this time.

"Wow," Opal looked at me. "What happened there?"

"it's a long, long story," I said.

"I've got time for long stories," she smiled, sitting up on her bed, her back against the wall. I sat up, too. Maybe we could be friends.

Maybe.

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So the video shared on this chapter is the trailer for the New Era! Go check it out and give it a thumbs up. :)

Ever After, book 1.5, is out. If you haven't read it,  advise you to go ahead and do so now :)