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Post by belated valentine on Nov 17, 2016 1:01:16 GMT -5
Suyin smiled. "That's good! See, we already know each other." She laughed as she watched the little girl run off to her father. She stood up, taking her tea, and returning to where Amaranth was. The woman looked to be preparing some sort of plate for them to snack on. There were slices of dried, smoked meats, various cheeses, and some fruit. Suyin helped her by bringing the other plate behind her. They were headed outdoors, to the porch in the back. There were some torches there that Suyin lit. The rest of the party followed them out slowly.
Smellerbee came in moments later. "Hey little brat," she said, picking up her daughter. "Did you give daddy hell?" she asked, kissing her cheek. Then she smiled. "He'll be up soon baby, he's taking care of some business below." She handed her daughter one of the crab apples she'd stolen from Sprout's garden and let her gnaw on it. "You guys didn't tell me there was a par - No fucking way!" She stopped when she saw Suyin. "You didn't tell me you were coming!" She handed her daughter off to Longshot and hugged Suyin. "We were all thinking marriage killed you."
Suyin hugged her and laughed. "Yeah, funny story about that.."
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Post by Fateful on Nov 17, 2016 1:05:56 GMT -5
Babybee took the apple in earnest and started to eat it, sucking and licking the juices once she had a piece in her mouth. The apples were small and the perfect size for her. She lounged in her mother's arms as she ate, surprised to see how many of them liked Suyin. Of course, Suyin had sent her a bear and that was the most important thing. Suyin respected her and her authority over this place, and Babybee assumed the Freedom Fighters ran because she scribbled on pieces of paper that Jet gave her.
Longshot got up and kissed Smellerbee's forehead when he saw her, glad she was bad. It had only been about a week since she left, but it always felt like an eternity, even if he knew she was safe. He was glad Suyin had come today, since Jet and Smellerbee were supposed to come back. It meant she likely wouldn't have gotten nervous and moved on without seeing Jet, which Longshot suspected was the reason she'd come.
"She called off the marriage!" Amaranth announced loudly from behind SUyin to everyone who was gathered there without holding back on it. "Apparently Toph didn't like him and it was a deal breaker." She laughed, because it amused her and it was really all Suyin had told her about the matter. Things didn't work out and Toph helped her to find the courage to call it off and leave.
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 17, 2016 1:29:36 GMT -5
Smellerbee widened her eyes. "Seriously?!" she asked, grabbing Suyin by the shoulders and shaking her. "Holy shit, you didn't tell me?" She sounded rather offended but she was also really curious. Suddenly, she became really happy, but she tried to cover it up and seem sad. "Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that.." She cleared her throat and looked at everyone else. She couldn't wait for Jet to show up. Smellerbee wondered if anyone would notice her sending a bird down to him or if she should just wait until he figured out they were all gathered here. Either way, she couldn't wait to see the reactions.
She was so excited she had to sit down.
Suyin smiled awkwardly at Smellerbee. "Yeah..." she said, sounding slightly confused. "It didn't work out and what's done is done. I've been really happy lately though. The engagement was really holding me back from doing what I loved." She sat down beside Smellerbee.
Smellerbee leaned in. "We were all really happy for you but if it didn't work out then...I mean there's always a chance you'll meet someone else. Or maybe someone you know already, who knows...They could even be in this base right now. Maybe coming in through the door really soon. You never know really."
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Post by Fateful on Nov 17, 2016 1:37:43 GMT -5
Smellerbee immediately responded to Suyin, and Babybee immediately picked up on that. Now that she felt comfortable, she leaned toward Suyin to be lifted and did not fight when Suyin took her and held her. Once seated, Babybee watched her mother's reactions and listened closely. It suddenly made her nervous because she wanted Papa to come through the door, but she didn't want him to be with anyone and it made her fidget uncomfortably. It was strange, but she did not complain, nor did she cry.
Amaranth looked over at Smellerbee, somewhat questioning and unsure. That was one hell of a changed reaction, however, she could tell that Smellerbee clearly wanted Suyin to talk to Jet. It didn't surprise her. Jet was happy with Suyin, she changed him and all of the Freedom Fighters - even Frost - thought that it was incredible, the way he had grown and how he'd changed just because she was there. It was already dark and considering the amount of people, Amaranth started dinner and made sure that Sprout knew where she was, and that she would come over a bit later with Lexa.
Within no time, they had a party going and were all grouped, sharing some spiced wine and food. They were gathered around the table outside on the porch, looking up at the stars and the large moon which bathed them in bright lights. It was probably one of the best things they'd done as a group in a while.
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 18, 2016 23:46:07 GMT -5
The party continued on. Food was prepared and Echo managed to talk Lily into bringing up some of his stash for them to try. They were all seated then and Suyin realized she'd hadn't been happier in the last few years than she was now. It was amazing. She realized exactly how much she missed being with her friends. Exploring the Earth Kingdom and meeting tons of people was great and she loved it, but it became clear to her that she needed a few days to sit back and enjoy time with the people she loved.
However, despite how happy she was at this moment, she also couldn't get over the butterflies in her stomach. Jet was in the base somewhere, according to Smellerbee. It was only a matter of time before he stopped by, if he did. She had a feeling he would, since everyone he was close with was up here at the moment. Part of her almost hoped he wouldn't come by so that she would have more time to prepare. However, another part of her couldn't wait and she wanted to see him again. She wondered how he'd changed, or if he had at all.
"...Did you hear me?" Smellerbee asked, waving her hand at Suyin.
Suyin blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I was asking how everyone else was," Smellerbee said. "Toph and Aang and the others."
Suyin cleared her throat, putting down her chopsticks. "They're great. I stayed with Toph and Aang in Republic City before I came here. It's really amazing what the city is coming to."
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Post by Fateful on Nov 19, 2016 19:38:54 GMT -5
"I went to the base we built in Republic City once." Amaranth told Suyin. "The city is actually much bigger than I thought it was, and it has so much. I'm surprised at how well the transition is going." She leaned next to her and they ended up falling into a conversation about Suyin's travels and her teaching fire bending. Amaranth wanted to know where she was teaching next and how long before she had to go to continue teaching.
All of the guys were gathered around the kitchen near the door. They were mixing drinks and handing them to Frost and Hawk, who were bringing them to the girls and circling the room. Lily and Echo were making various creations, and they sent a spiced mixed drink Suyin's way. During one of their mixing sessions, the door opened and Jet slipped in. All the guys sounded and handed Jet a drink within a few seconds. They were gathered so closely together that when Jet bent down and leaned on the counter, he disappeared among them.
This did not fool Babybee however, she slipped out of her mother's lap in a fuss and ran over to where the guys were gathered, pushing their legs to get between them. However, it was not her father she went to, but Jet. She pulled at his pants and loudly announced to the room, "You're late, Papa!" Which seemed to draw everyone's attention. Then, Babybee dropped to her bottom and sat, legs stretched, in front of Jet with her arms crossed, faced away from him.
"Oh?" He asked. "I didn't get invited, so you'll have to forgive me." He bent down and sat on the floor before her, drink in his hand.
"No I don't. And you're rude. You didn't give me a drink. No one has given me a drink like everyone else has!"
Jet smirked and waved his hand. "Hey, Lily, make Babybee a drink."
"Alright," Lily shrugged and ended up mixing some water with some lemon juice and handed it down to Jet in a shot glass.
By now, Babybee was standing in Jet's lap, waiting for the drink while he told her how his trip went. Of course, she wanted to hear about "the cool parts, you know, the ones mommy doesn't want me to know." Which, of course he would tell her. When Lily handed him the shot glass, he offered it to Babybee and held it while she managed to drink from it.
"Ah!" She announced. "That's the stuff."
"So you're not upset with me anymore?"
"No." She looked across the room, "But I do have a new friend and you have to meet her." She left his lap and took his hand, pulling him to the other side of the room. Jet stood up and followed her. However, his eyes widened and he just stared.
"Papa, this is Suyin." Babybee announced. "Aren't you going to say hello?"
"Hey, Fireweed..."
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 20, 2016 0:03:22 GMT -5
Suyin got lost in a deep conversation with Amaranth and the rest of the girls. They talked about their travels and the Earth Kingdom and the changes that were taking place. They talked about Katara's recent proposal to build a large-scale medical center in Republic City where she would employ healers. With the city's rapid growth, they would need people around to take care of health issues.
Echo slipped her a drink and she thanked him. He'd perfected her drink of choice and she was enjoying it. Things were going well and she pushed the idea of seeing Jet to the back of her mind, deciding not to worry too much about it.
"Off she goes," Smellerbee said when her daughter leaped out of her lap. She didn't seem all too concerned. After all, Babybee was always flying around. She just went back to talking to the others. She made Suyin laugh just as Babybee dragged Jet onto the patio where the girls were. When Suyin saw him, her laugh dwindled down into a fairly awkward one. "Um, h-hi," she said, suddenly feeling as though she'd forgotten how to speak. "It's been awhile.." she finally said, her sentence trailing off. She wondered if she should stand and hug him like she did the others or if that was weird. Or maybe it was weird not to hug him. She didn't know, so she just sat there, looking up at him.
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Post by Fateful on Nov 20, 2016 0:13:09 GMT -5
"I can't believe you're really here..." He said, watching her shift awkwardly. Somehow, it was strange to see her after all this time. The last he heard, she was getting married and now she was sitting here, almost like the last two and a half years hadn't gone by at all. Of course, that was not the case, as the way she was dressed and even her face seemed different. The lines around her mouth were more defined, he could see her smile even when she wasn't smiling and somehow knowing she was happy made him happy in a strange way he couldn't quite rationalize, but also couldn't deny. All this time, she had been incredibly happy with whoever it was she had married and not with him.
That cathartic knowledge made him approach her and he stood there before raising an eyebrow. "Are you going to hug me or just sit there?" He held out his arms slightly and bent, lifting her up once she stood and then put her down. The hug was short lived, but somehow satisfied him in a way he did not expect.
Everyone seemed to notice the change in the air and conversation had died slightly.
"Papa, you shouldn't hug strangers."
"She's not a stranger. She was my friend before you were born. Didn't momma tell you that?"
"Suyin is Mommy's friend."
Jet glanced to Smellerbee and smirked. "Yeah, I guess they were friends first." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm glad you're here, Fireweed. Now you can do drills with the three Fire Bending instructors I brought here. That way I'll know they're worth what I pay them. I want to see them fight you." He teased.
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 20, 2016 0:27:45 GMT -5
Suyin cracked a small smile at him then and stood up to hug him. Although she wanted to hold onto the hug a little bit longer, she let go when it was appropriate. He still smelled the same and a pang of nostalgia hit her when she pulled back to look up at him. Even though he still looked like himself, there was something different about him. As strange as it sounded, he looked wiser and stronger - not necessarily physically, but in another way that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She couldn't figure out how she'd ever ended up with someone like Fang. He definitely wasn't her type now that she thought about it. Her type was more like the man standing in front of her, she realized.
"I can't believe it either," she replied. Then she giggled at Babybee when she spoke. The girl was so much like Smellerbee that it was incredible, even if she had her father's features. Her attention returned to Jet and she smiled a bit bigger. The longer she spoke to him the more comfortable she became. "That sounds like a lot of fun, actually. I'll make sure you've got the best," she said confidently.
Smellerbee made a face. "Damn, you guys are making me cringe. Just kiss, it's a great icebreaker," she said. When Jet shot her a look, she held up both hands as if to ask 'what'. She wasn't doing anything wrong. Especially now that she'd figured out they were both single again. Of course she was going to meddle. It was what she did best.
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Post by Fateful on Nov 20, 2016 0:38:03 GMT -5
"Ew! Mommy, NO!" Babybee announced to her mother's proposal.
Smellerbee did always have a way of ruining things, and Jet turned to face her with a mixed look of annoyance and apprehension. After all, Suyin was married and he was a lot of things, but to date he had yet to wreck a marriage in such a way. It had been long enough where he could likely see her and her husband without starting a fight, and for him, that alone said something about how much he'd grown. He felt confident in the fact he was strong enough to see her without wanting to have her.
Not that he wanted nothing, he felt a lot seeing her, but he felt more in control of her. "I guess this is what Biyu meant when she told me my past was going to finally catch up with me." He teased, smiling at her. "She was here before I left with Luani, they come here sometimes when Da is traveling. Luani and Mei are big now, you should see them now." he laughed. "Them and Bellamy."
"And me!" Babybee piped and pulled on Jet's pants again. "Papa!"
Sighing, Jet bent and lifted the girl into his arm with ease and she held his armor with one hand while watching Suyin, skeptically watching her.
Amaranth laughed a little and glanced toward Smellerbee, catching her eye. She saw it too, especially watching Jet's reaction to seeing Suyin and her reaction to him. "Hey Jet, why don't you show Suyin around the base? It's changed since she was last here."
"Why didn't any of you show her?" He asked. "How... How long have you been here?" he asked, looking back to Suyin.
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 20, 2016 0:52:33 GMT -5
Suyin smiled at the sound of Biyu's name, completely ignoring Smellerbee. She hadn't seen Biyu since she started her travels. She'd stopped in the town where she lived, but Biyu and her family hadn't been home. She really did want to see again eventually. Perhaps she could send her a letter. The mention of Bellamy made her laugh a bit. "I swear, Bellamy's a whole foot taller since the last time I've seen him." She didn't know if that was true but it sure felt like it. He was sprouting it seemed.
Smellerbee knocked back the rest of her drink and nodded. "Yeah, that's a good idea," she said, agreeing with Amaranth. "Show her all the new stuff we put up."
Suyin glanced over at the two other women and wondered why they were doing this. She'd hoped to see and spend some time with Jet in an environment full of other people so that she didn't have the stress of being completely alone with him. However, that was out of the window now. She looked back at Jet. "Not for long. I got here earlier today," she said. "It's late and I know you were out doing business so maybe you can show me around tomorrow instead."
"No, he can do it now. He's not tired," Smellerbee said, reaching over the table for a piece of meat. "Right, Jet?"
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Post by Fateful on Nov 20, 2016 1:00:37 GMT -5
Jet listened as Smellerbee volunteered him to leave with Suyin and he wondered around it briefly. Somehow, he had the feeling she had told Amaranth, since the two of them seemed to have a mutual interest in this. "I'm not tired, but if you'd rather stay here, I won't force you the way Smellerbee and Amaranth seem fit to do so." he teased, watching as Smellerbee started to gnaw on some chicken-pork ribs and relax in the chair Suyin had been sitting in, as if to make it final that they were leaving.
Babybee tensed and somehow felt incredibly sad at this idea and reached up with both her hands and slapped Jet's face before holding his cheeks in her small hands. "Papa no. It's a trap."
"Your mom is good at setting traps, Babybee."
"No." The girl insisted, grasping at and pulling at her armor until she could sit on his shoulder. "Suyin's a trap."
Amaranth looked surprised and went to lift her, but Longshot beat her to it. He picked up his daughter and tossed her into the air before catching her. She laughed and hugged her father before looking back to Jet.
"Do you want to come with us?" Jet asked, watching her.
"Yeah." She reached out and Jet took her from Longshot. "I gotta protect you."
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 20, 2016 1:12:56 GMT -5
Suyin stepped back a bit, giving them space with Babybee. She was a bit shocked to hear the little girl call her a trap, especially since children didn't really just say things like that out of the blue. Usually, they picked up things like that either from other people or situations. She wondered if something had happened while she was gone and she began to feel rather uncomfortable. However, she didn't want to offend them by declining so she nodded at Jet. "If you're okay with it," she said.
"Baby," Smellerbee said, waving a chicken bone in her daughter's direction. "Suyin's not a trap. Don't say rude things like that to people." She thought about asking for her daughter back. She was worried that her presence would keep them both from opening up and talking to each other, but she decided to let it go.
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Post by Fateful on Nov 20, 2016 1:19:13 GMT -5
"She's fine," Jet told Smellerbee. "And maybe it'll teach you that you need to watch what you say." It wasn't like Jet to say I told you so or to prove he was right. In the end, he agreed with Smellerbee, but it didn't mean that Smellerbee should have said the things that she had. Still, what was done was done and there was nothing they could do about it now. He lifted the child to sit on his arm and looked to Suyin. "Come on. There's a lot I can show you."
Now, he jumped off the patio and onto one of the walkways that he'd put up. He held out his hand for Suyin to take and once she had, he pulled her across her and to his body before she regained her footing. They went through the new parts of the base, he showed them how they expanded, the new things he’d built, he even talked briefly about the changes to the earth kingdom that had come from the freedom Fighters, the placed he changed and the development that happened. Of course, he always said that he just helped it to happen, that the people of his Kingdom were great and just needed a reminder of their history. Even when promoted, he took no credit for most of what he'd done.
Baby seemed incredibly more comfortable now, both by Jet's stories and Suyin's reactions. Of course, now she was hungry and told them so amongst her chatter. Jet picked a fruit from one of Sprout's trees as they rounded the furthest part of the base and started to head back. He cut a piece of it with his knife and offered it to her and she ate it from his hand. Then, he looked to Suyin and clumsily held a piece in her hand before offering it to her. "Want some?"
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Post by belated valentine on Nov 20, 2016 1:34:11 GMT -5
Smellerbee shrugged. "I'm old and untrainable," she said, waving him off. Smellerbee did have a mouth and while she tried to keep her daughter from following in her footsteps, she still didn't do much for her own. She put her focus back on her food, bidding them goodbye when they finally left.
Suyin followed Jet out and over the walkway, looking around as they walked. She listened to him as he explained the new additions and the various changes that had happened to the base. It all looked really nice and she was impressed. She joined him in conversation when he began to explain some of the things that had changed within the Earth Kingdom as well. She told him that she thought it was really impressive how much the freedom fighters had expanded.
She didn't really feel it was right to mention her un-engagement and personal life at the moment so she didn't. She didn't really think it was right to talk about it in front of the little girl and it just didn't seem necessary. While she regretted losing her chance to restart a relationship with him, she also didn't really want to project that onto him at the moment. Especially since she really didn't know what sort of things he was going through at the moment or if he was even open to any sort of relationship. It had been two years since he'd sent the letter. That was more than enough time for things to change and for people to move on.
Her eyes flashed to the piece of fruit that he held out to her and she reached out to take it. "Thanks," she said, enjoying the sweet flavor of it. As they headed back, she found herself looking at the new structures again. "I'm really happy and proud of everything you guys are doing. I know this is something you wanted for a long time."
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