บท 24: Dances
When Elodie and Toph made it to dinner, Toph quietly thanked Elodie again before making her way over to where Aang and Katara were sitting. Elodie was relieved that the young avatar was well enough to join them for dinner, but he seemed weak and... upset? She guessed being almost killed could do that to you. Well, she actually knew from experience that nearly being killed didn't put you in the greatest of moods. She locked eyes with Aang and a flash of guilt ran over his face. He obviously still felt terrible about blasting her into a metal wall with a gust of air. She gave him a smile to show that there were no hard feelings, and he gave her a small one in return.
Their little moment was interrupted by Petak (which was probably a good thing because she thought that Katara was staring at her) holding a bowl out to her, "I saved you some of the best parts." She took the bowl from him and started walking over to their usual spot, "Thank you! I guess I'll continue to be friends with you after all." He shoved her shoulder playfully, and instead of laughing it off like she normally would, she had to bite back a yelp. He looked at her, concern written all over his face, "Elodie, are you ok? Did Zokkik ever get to look at you?" She forced a calm smile on her face, "I'm fine, Petak. Now let's sit down and eat, I'm starving."
As they ate, Elodie noticed many of the men were gone, including Hakoda, Sokka, and Bato. Also, the rest of the Gaang had seemingly gone to the captain's quarters when they were done with their meals. Elodie asked Petak where everyone was and he hesitated before answering in a nonchalant voice, "There was a skirmish with another Fire Nation Fleet, so the men in charge-" Elodie cut him off, "There was a battle when I was asleep and no one told me?" Petak looked like he really didn't want to be the one to be bringing her this message, "Well, we figured if you were tired enough to sleep through it, then it was probably best for you to just stay asleep."
Elodie stuttered out, "B-But-" She stared at the soup in her bowl, "How could I sleep through that?" Petak gave a gentle shrug, obviously afraid that she was about to have some type of emotional breakdown. "I don't know. But, I think it freaked Chief out. So, just a warning, he'll probably be asking lots of questions when he sees you." Elodie just nodded softly and stirred around her soup, not really having an appetite. Petak side-eyed her, which she promptly ignored. She was expecting to have to ignore a classic Petak scolding, but that was interrupted by the arrival of the men who were previously gone. Konoye was instantly upon them, whining, "Do y'all have any of the good parts left? The only thing left is scraps." Elodie handed him her bowl, "Here. I'm finished." He barely got thank you out before plopping down in his usual spot and chowing down.
In between bites, Konoyoe asked accusingly, "Did you even eat any of this? The bowl is still full?" Elodie shrugged, "I wasn't hungry." Konoye held the spoon to her mouth, "Eat it or I'll force it." Elodie gave him a withering look but took a bite nonetheless. He really would force her to eat one way or another. He might seem like a giant goofball, but Konoye deeply cared for Elodie and always (secretly) made sure that she was in good health. So, to make him happy she shared the food with him.
As dinner was finishing up, certain members of the crew were starting to bring out various instruments they knew how to play. After every battle, the crew tended to have a music night to boost morale. As people were getting ready, Elodie asked Konoye quietly, "Where's Hakoda? He didn't come down for dinner?" Konoye wiggled his eyebrows, "Missing your lover?" Elodie punched him in the shoulder before he answered, "He was still going over some stuff with some other men." She nodded and sat in silence for a couple of moments before asking, "Was it a difficult fight?" Konoye shook his head, "No. It wasn't too difficult and there were minimal injuries." He could tell that she was feeling bad about staying asleep during the skirmish, so he nudged her gently, "Petak suggested that we make you walk the plank for slacking, but I pleaded for you to stay." She laughed and dramatically threw her arms around him, pecking him on the cheek, "My savior!" Konoye puffed up his chest heroically before the three friends broke out into laughter. The two men, as well as the other men sitting around them, were relieved to see Elodie happy again. They were all protective of her.
As the men with instruments got ready to play, conversion died down and people turned their attention to the music. Elodie smiled softly as the music started playing. It was a calming tune, almost like a ballad. She enjoyed this one. However, the next song was much more lively and called for dancing. Normally, when they played dancing music, Elodie would be passed around from crew member to crew member to dance with them. This night it would seem to be no different. Her first dancing partner was Petak, next was Norlem, then Natan, and Konoye. By then she needed a break, so she promised Ralok, one of the younger crew members, that she would dance with him after she rested for a couple of moments.
Elodie plopped down on one of the benches and stretched out her tired legs, lazily smiling at the dancing men in front of her. She always admired them for having so much spirit even though they had been fighting a war and had been separated from their families for years. Her smile widened when she felt familiar hands on her shoulders, "It seems like you're in high demand tonight. I don't know if I like that," She grinned and looked up at Hakoda, "I bet I can squeeze a dance with the Chief in." He sat beside her and she leaned into him. She looked around to make sure that his kids weren't watching them, and was relieved to find that they had left. She didn't want to traumatize them by acting affectionate to their father. She hummed, "Although, I'm not sure how many more dances I have in me tonight."
Hakoda eyed her worryingly and she comfortingly rested her hand on top of his, "I'm fine Hakoda. I just have some bruises." He moved their hands so that he was gripping hers, "Maybe I should go get Zokkik to look you over." Elodie rolled her eyes and then suddenly had an idea. She offered, "How about this, I'll add some medicinal herbs to my bath to help with the bruising." He nodded, "I guess that will be sufficient enough." She grinned and pointed out a couple of bruises on his arms that he received from the battle, "It seems like you'll need one too."
Hakoda gripped her hand a little tighter as his eyes darkened, "What are you suggesting?" She winked at him, "The bathing room should be open and no one will be using it tonight." In the blink of an eye, Hakoda had pulled her to her feet and was leading her to the bathing room.
***
The Gaang had retired to bed, exhausted from the day's events. Katara was having a healing session with Aang before they went to bed. He said in a shocked tone, "So your dad and Elodie are together? I thought she was with either Konoye or Petak." Katara scoffed, "She acts like she is. I don't like how she is with those two. What if she's hooking up with them behind my dad's back? I don't trust her."
The two finished the healing session in silence. As Aang sat up and put on his shirt he asked her quietly, "Why do you really not like her, Katara?" Katara gripped the water pouch she was holding, "I told you why." Aang didn't say anything, just giving her time to think. She finally broke, "You want to know why? Because she's not my mom. My dad belongs with my mom and Elodie is not her. And I logically know that it is stupid of me to feel this way. My dad looks so happy with her. But I just can't- she's not my mom." Tears freely streamed down her face as Aang gently hugged her. He knew she just needed time, and he hoped Elodie would give it to her.
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