The Legend of Percy: Book 1 - Finding Purpose

10. Helping Out the Avatar Group (Was I Always This Annoying?)

Percy had gotten the group a fair way down the trail. Not without the bubbling of drama that was just under the surface. All of them were suspicious, in their own ways. He tried to comfort the family first, as they really didn't need any more stress. A potentially dangerous stranger could create that for them. They were also pregnant, which reminded him of his mum.

Katara was the most overtly suspicious, stealing all too many glances at him whilst he just wandered aimlessly behind the group. Sokka clearly wanted to see his sword, and seemed all too confused about where it had gone. Back in his pocket, was clearly the answer.

Pockets were something that made a few of them widen their eyes drastically too, that was unexpected. Although it really shouldn't have been. They're wearing things that wouldn't be out of place at a Senate meeting in New Rome... except in colour. This was a very old fashioned, or just old, place.

Aang, that little kid, he was the most put upon. Clearly. The avatar would have to deal with that, but Percy did sympathise with him. The kid would have to bear the weight of the outcome of all of their actions and it was never easy. He also was dealing with the loss of his big fluffy thingy, sky bison, yeah sky bison, because that makes sense.

Percy knew what it was like to find connections to animals, and Appa seemed to be a lot more like a friend to him than a pet, which was good. He didn't know if Appa wasn't... here anymore or just lost, but he sure as heck was going to help Aang either find him. Or move past him.

He also knew the emotional toll that something like that would take, in addition to everything else. And the young kid clearly seemed to be shutting everyone out. He didn't miss Katara's surprise at the emotion showed on Aang's face. Percy was just thankful that he had people like...yeah awesome people who never let him feel too much weight.

People like Annabeth and Grover. Just saying their names in his head was already getting easier. The smile broadened on his face as he thought of the good memories he had with them, and with all the people who he was friends with back home. He shook his head out of his memories as some dirt flew back just to his right, where he had been previously standing.

Toph was different. Her suspicions weren't typical. They were actually slightly amusing if he was being honest. Every so often she'd flick her foot back behind her, at Percy. Sometimes bits of earth would come back at him, and he'd calmly avoid them. Other times, when her foot moved, nothing would happen. Although with her description of how she sees, he figured that this was her way of keeping track of him. And keeping him on his toes.

He did also see a nice little smirk appear on her face after the first few times he dodged the dirt. Something he smirked about too. She seemed like someone who was pretty cool. Toph definitely was keeping him on his toes, which he appreciated.

Suki was different in an entirely new way. She didn't appear to have the same reservations with him. Percy could guess, based on Sokka and his reactions around her, that she hadn't quite been with the group as long. There was some definite history there.

She, every once in a while, glanced back at him, but Suki seemed to be more interested in Sokka. That was plain as day. She was hesitant for some reason, and Percy didn't really want to get caught up in it too much.

All in all, they were a slight reminder of the quests he had to undertake as a kid. Especially considering their ages, because although they didn't tell him, it was rather clear that at least two of them were under the age of 13. Even the siblings looked and acted around 14 and 15 respectively, although they were harder to tell.

It was also increasingly clear that distractions and fatigue were the only thing keeping the group from interrogating Percy more about his dual bending. Katara especially looked like she desperately wanted to ask about it. He didn't quite have an answer for her. Maybe something vague about my dad.