Avatar Rose: Dusk

Ch.64: Nathan

"You got too much, Rowan," I grumble, eyeing the dozen grocery bags miraculously manages to hold on his limbs. Dressed in his traditional pine shade of green, he looks like a Christmas tree adorned with ornaments. It makes me stifle a chuckle. "We only need enough for a day worth of meals."

"But there's 6 of us, plus Evan. He counts for 3 people in himself. I'm thinking we won't have enough."

He has a point. "Sorry. I guess it's not going to be as easy compared to when Rose and I were alone," I say apologetically.

His eyes seem to flash at my comment. Don't tell me he's jealous. "Yeah," he grunts, a little shaken I guess.

I take a couple bags off of him. "I'll be packing lunch. Expect to be leaving before 1 o'clock."

Rowan nods. "Have the others started packing?"

"Xander went back to the shop to gather stuff for him and Liesel. Gwen and I practically live out of suitcases and backpacks, respectively. Evan's had his bags packed since a week ago. You should probably pack. Don't wanna be the last one out."

"Sure." He takes a couple steps back. "I leave the food to you, then." He gives me one last look, straight in the eye, before turning on his heel and climbing the stairs.

A chill pokes me in the neck. My whole body seems to go a little colder. Threatening me like that? Is he taking me that lightly? It seems awfully out of character. Perhaps it was a mistake.

No.... I rub my neck. That was definitely a threat. No, Rowan, you're not getting her. Rose is mine.

Is that too selfish? Probably... Oh I don't care. You lay a finger on Rose and I'll destroy you.

With that thought, I feel my face getting back it's lost colour. I reach for two grocery bags, and propping them up on the counter, I begin to sort. Perishables in the cooler, cans in the backpack. Eight minutes later, Gwen comes down and into the kitchen in a rather sulky mood. She quickly sees me assembling chicken wraps and practically slaps me over the head. She easily takes over, mumbling about how I had forgot to spread cream cheese on the inside and didn't toast the tomatoes before sticking them in. Who does that?

Anyway, she ushers me out of the kitchen, telling me to go help Evan infuse bombs or something. Stewart comes prancing over and clings to my pant leg, silently begging for me to bring him up the stairs. Luna's running around outside, so instead I let Stewart out with her. Wait, is Stewart a boy or a girl? Oh does it really matter?

"Nathan!"

"Liesel?"

"Come, I've got something for you." She leads me down to the basement. "I got you these things," she says, handing a small contact case to me. "Your blue eyes give you away."

I examine them carefully. "Thanks," I say, "but where did you get them?"

"My cousin. She stayed with us once, and left them here. They're hazel, by the way. The contacts, I mean," she adds.

She shows me how to put them on. It's odd, because I don't even look like I'm from the tribes anymore. "Thanks, Liesel," I say politely. In reality though, I take a disliking to them. It gets rid of my identity, but I guess that's the point.

Liesel stares into the mirror. "When will we be leaving?" she asks quietly.

"In half an hour or so. We still have some cleaning up to do."

As I'm turning to take my leave, she calls over my shoulder, "Has Xander come back yet?"

"Not yet, sorry."

"Alright," she says a little sadly. "I'm going to go and see what he's up to," she decides. She reaches for her disguise: a brown wig to cover her ginger hair, and small, rectangular-framed glasses.

"Okay, I'll see you soon then," I say, and Liesel rushes by me. She sure seems a bit worried about her brother.

I walk up the stairs, then into the living room, where I've been sleeping. I run upstairs and grab my toothbrush, and then stuff it in my backpack. I refill my satchel, I pack my sandals, and wash my socks. Rose materializes in the front hall, and I wash her socks too. One by one we all regroup, Gwen, Rowan, Xander, Liesel and Evan. Liesel hands out wigs and green, earth kingdom sweaters and Teacher comes to see us off.

"Umm, thank you," Liesel says. "I guess there's nothing else to say..."

"Don't die," Teacher says a little gruffly. "That's all the thanks I need."

As soon as he says this, Gwen flinches, and glances at Liesel from the corner of the eye. Liesel doesn't seem to notice.

It's like I'm watching two spies performing a stakeout mission. Gwen sneaks a water icicle from her left hand and pokes Liesel twice, very sharply on the hip. Liesel flinches, and then her eyebrows jump.

The exchange lasts only 2 seconds. Gwen gently puts a hand on Rowan's shoulder, as if to comfort him. Even though the sun was already shining through a canopy of leaves into her face, the waterbender seems to glow 4 shades brighter.

Liesel is leading Xander and Evan, each of her delicate hands snapped onto their wrists, and Gwen does a little bow to Teacher. Glancing from Rose, to Rowan, to Teacher, she nods her head and says simply, "I leave you to it," and then leaves curtly, dragging me behind her.

"What's going on?" I whisper when we're out of earshot.

Gwen shrugs. "If I were them, I's need to have privacy before saying farewell."