The Thief |Sokka

TWENTY-TWO

There was a weird feeling stuck in Jaya's chest ever since their talk with the King had ended and they had headed home. It was as if there was an unspoken feeling of dread lodged in the space just above her heart, a pain she knew she was probably imagining but no matter what she did, wouldn't quite go away. Perhaps it was anxiety, the King's decision hidden from her and making her worry, but she didn't remember ever feeling that way before. Either way, the feeling would not go away, making itself present at all times. She listened in on the conversations the others shared without speaking up unless she was prompted. It wasn't long after that one by one, the members of the company started to scatter.

First it was Toph, claiming her need for sleep was too great after Sokka's pestering during the morning. Then, Zuko wanted to visit his Uncle and Aang had been quick to decide he would join him. Jaya found herself in a room with Sokka, Katara and Akira. Silence settled in, and she couldn't help but shift on the spot, a sense of uneasiness sweeping over her as Katara stood up only to come to a stop beside the window, looking outside without a word uttered. She looked around the room and her gaze accidentally met Akira's. She looked away at once.

A few ways away, she could see Sokka was growing agitated as well. He could feel the tension no doubt and she knew it wasn't in his nature to let the silence stretch on for too long. So when he spoke up, she was not surprised.

"Are all Advisors this unbearable?"

His tone was slightly teasing as he attempted to break the silence by poking some fun at Akira. She looked over at him, waiting for his reaction. He wasn't looking at them, his gaze locked over to Katara who had subtly excused herself from the conversation only a while ago by moving away. He took the bait a moment later.

"It depends. We can be rather pleasant if our interests are common."

Jaya looked away, trailed her gaze to the floor. Parts of their conversation started replaying in her mind, particularly the part where they suggested anyone could live in the Air Temples. Before she had realised it, she had gotten angry again. She didn't bother hiding it.

"Those Advisors weren't just unpleasant," she almost spat. "They were insensitive. And they obviously disregarded any facts or knowledge that went against their beliefs."

Akira's reply came only a moment later, the retort ready. "That doesn't mean they don't know it, it's a tactic. Point out only what's beneficial to you and disregard the rest or make it sound absurd. Or take the conversation towards a topic that benefits you the way they did with the former Fire Nation colonies. As if they are capable of truly leading a nation." She looked up, her lips still pursed. He shook his head with a humourless chuckle. "Just look at this place. The citizens of the Lower Ring live in complete and utter poverty. The Fire Nation colonies might have been ruled by foreigners but they were still treated better than they are here."

"You can't speak about the rule of the Fire Nation," she shook her head at once, her brows furrowed. "You really can't."

Akira waved defeat. He sighed. "My point is, at least we treated our own people right."

Jaya was ready to reply when Katara's voice from a short distance away kept her from speaking. "Each Nation has being wrong in the past." She turned away from the window and walked back to them. "Pointing fingers is not going to help anyone."

Akira protested, "I wasn't pointing fingers." He took the hand she outstretched at him and pulled himself up. "I was only pointing out the irony of this situation."

She nodded, "I know."

Katara didn't look back to Jaya and Sokka and at the realisation, she frowned. She didn't say a word as Katara lightly tugged Akira away, to the direction of their bedrooms. Jaya waited until they were out of earshot and then turned to Sokka. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"