#you have literally nothing to lose but your chains for the love of god liberate yourself

[kuno-chan]

Sea of Chains - Ch. 22, Waning

Rating: T

Summary: Years after the events of Anchor, Captain Kai and Jinora Gyatso remain famous names on the seas and their children are literally born pirates. Now, their daughter, Nima, is becoming a little too pirate for comfort. When trouble with Captain Quil of the Blood Moon Pirates turns tragic, Nima is viciously dragged into what can only be be described as every parent’s worst nightmare.

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The next day, Dan seemed to be the one doing the avoiding. Not that he was ever exactly attached to her at the hip, but he seemed to act like she didn’t exist. If the crew noticed, then they didn’t say anything. Getting the roster from Tehan’s friend was that morning’s first order of business. After that, she thought it perfect to start talking about their heist of one of the world’s tightest fortresses ever built.

He didn’t look at her when she came up beside him while he poured over the schedule to the roster from their room desk, but he also didn’t pull away from her.

“Here,” he said, pointing to a man’s name. “Rangyo Tokujo. He’s about my age. Brand new, according to the notes Tehan’s friend left. I just need a uniform and credentials and we’ll be in business.”

“Hyun’s already got a uniform. He, uh, liberated it off one of the drunk guards last night when he was out,” she said, staring pointedly at the schedule.

“Good. They leave early morning tomorrow. We need to be ready by then.”

He turned to leave and Nima couldn’t stop herself from blurting out, “Where are you going?”

Just as quickly as he’d stopped walking, he started towards the door again just as fast. “I have the day to find out where this Rangyo Tokujo stays at so I can steal something that would prove to the other guards I’m him. A uniform is nothing without credentials.”

“Oh,” was all she could say as he was leaving.

Well, that was… brief. It wasn’t exactly horrible or anything, but it had been a painfully brief exchange. Too brief for anything to come out of it between them. Nima sighed. Just when they’d taken two steps forward now they were three steps back.

Later, Nima finally spotted Captain Koika out and about, though he didn’t seem like his ordinary cheery self. Not feeling very festive herself, she tried not to bother him. The entire day felt… odd. Awkward. Like she was always in the wrong place in the wrong time. Finally, apparently fed up with her weirdness for the day, it was Hyun who approached her on deck as she leaned over the railing, watching the sun glint over the curve of the waves.

“Okay, Missy,” he said, gesturing to her as he sank his teeth into an apple for lunch. “Out with it. What’s with you and Prince of the Year?”

Nima almost smiled. “Nothing. We’re fine. Just--”

“I may have been born at night, but I sure as hell was not born last night. We got a big day tomorrow and we need you two not in some weird conflict that may get us all killed,” he said gruffly, eyeing her. “So ‘scuse my nosiness.”

He had a point.

Nima let out a sigh. She told Hyun about the fight between her and Dan. He listened, nodding as his munched on his apple. By the time she was done, he was finishing his last bite and tucking the apple core in his pocket.

She blinked when he chuckled at her and said, “Ah, young love.”

“We are not in love.”

“Never said it was romantic.” He winked at her. “Even if it is.”

She promptly frowned. They weren’t in love and she’d really appreciate it if people wouldn’t keep making an awkward situation more awkward. He seemed to get the hint and put up defensive hands.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I promise,” he said, clapping her on the arm. “But you two clearly do care about each other to… some degree. Here’s the thing that is obvious. He’s still here. If he really wanted to leave then what’s honestly stopping him? You two are making this harder than it’s got to be. Just talk.”

“I know, but… he’s not really the talking type. He just says what’s important and moves on.”

“Then frame it like it’s important. He probably doesn’t know how to communicate with you either, honestly. Most of those big ol’ silent type don’t.”

“They’re silent, but they’re human.” Nima turned as Foba came and joined his crewmate, journal in hand. “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear.”

Nima flashed a smile. “It’s okay. It’s not exactly a big secret or anything.”

“We’re family, you know,” said Foba when Hyun nudged him playfully. “We just tend to share things is all. Conversations included… but Hyun’s right.”

“Usually am.”

“Let me rephrase that,” said Foba. “Hyun is right this once.”

Nima ducked her head as Hyun shot a look at Foba, snorting at him with indignation. “Family... “ She repeated. “So, you guys do see each other as family?”

“Oh, yeah. Can’t know and work beside people this long and really come out of it anyway else, can you?” Hyun huffed a laugh. “Koika, Tehan, Janje and I go way back. We used to pick up pretty girls back when we were just lads ourselves. Of course, Koika and I taught Tehan how to do it right. He was just a youngin,” he said fondly. “Been travelling together for decades. Ranaka’s been around for a few years and we met Saika soon after that. Lucky for them. Those kids have been in love for a long time. And Foba? Koika’s known him since he was just a kid. Met him when he was just a wee lad clinging to his ma’s skirts.”

Foba nodded. “It’s true.” He hastily shoved his free hand in his pocket. “If you’ll excuse me I need to go find him anyway.”

“Oh, okay…” She said, watching him go. She also noticed Hyun’s gaze followed him too. “Sounds like my family…do you have family back home?”

Hyun nodded. “Lots. Tong Gong is my hometown so I get to see them a fair amount. Some I get along with, some I don’t. But you don’t exactly get to pick them, right?”

“You don’t like your family?”

Hyun shook his head. “Oh, no, don’t get me wrong. I love my family. They’re crazy sons of bitches sometimes and there have been a time or two when I wanted to throw my hands in the air and be rid of them, but…” He shrugged. “They’re mine. We stick together. Just like the one I got here sticks together too. Both, not in spite of everything we’ve been through together but because of it. The gods blessed me good in life is how I see it. I’ve got good people all over.”

Hyun flashed her a genuine smile. It made her brave enough -- or dumb enough -- to ask, “Is there… anyone you wish wasn’t your family though? Like… a daughter or a niece?”

She knew she’d said too much when Hyun crossed his arms and frowned at him, a puzzled look crossing his features. She looked down. That was stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Now, he was going to think she was some kind of brooding drama queen--

“But of course not, lass.” Hyun nudged her. She peered him from beneath her lashes. “Look… I got a daughter myself. She’s grown now, but growing up she was a handful. Fiery thing. Lots of spirit. She and I used to butt heads sometimes, but… she’s my girl. That’s my baby. I wouldn’t trade her for all the power or gold or peace of mind in the world. Cause then I’d lose all the things I’ve come to love about her since she came into the world, including just her out there existin’.” He dipped his head slightly so she could see him better. “And I can’t see anyone not wanting you, Missy. Not a mean thing anywhere in you. You hear me?”

Nima nodded, feeling her eyes sting. He smiled, his scarred, nicked face not looking at all harsh with that kindness in his dark eyes. It reminded her of her Uncle Lefty and the way he used to comfort her. Gods, she sorely missed his bear hugs.

“I still said what I said to Dan.”

Hyun shrugged in acknowledgment. “Yeah, but you care enough to let it bother you,” he said, winking at her again. “And that counts for something. Don’t be so hard on yourself, kid.”

She smiled at him. At least somebody else seemed to have confidence in her. “Thank you, Hyun.”

“Don’t mention it, Missy. Anytime.”

-:-:-:-

Dan came back before dinner, flashing her a badge with Rangyo Tokujo’s name on it when she dared to ask. “Tomorrow is his first shift,” said Dan more to Koika when the captain walked up and less to Nima who’d been standing there already. “So, nobody should know what he looks like. Besides, according to Tehan’s source, the ship is huge and not everybody necessarily knows each other. I’ll just need to lay low for a day. Two at most. And do my best to stay clear of his superiors. Hiding out will be the best course of action.”

The plan seemed so simple. Sounded so simple, but she knew that, in reality, Dan was putting his neck out here. She wanted to ask him if he was sure. If he was caught, they’d brand him as a stowaway. If he was caught working with pirates then they would brand him as a pirate. And that…

That she would never forgive herself for. The consequences for that weren’t of the forgivable type.

Still, she and Dan didn’t talk after lunch or even during dinner. Every time she saw him, the words died in her throat. His lack of attention to her didn’t exactly help either. If he cared so little then why was he doing it?

Oh. Right.

He needed to return her to her family. Then, he could be rid of her.

She’d forgotten that Dan had been hired for a job...

Retiring for the day, she wondered why their bedroom felt so… suffocating. Cold, yet stifling. Yet warm all the same? It felt like a fever. Like the room had a disease.

“You are pathetic.”

Nima felt Tianmei melt out of the shadows at her back before she saw it. Stiff, she turned around. Tendrils of smoke and black hair swirled around, framing Tianmei’s pale face and the witch's molten colored eyes watched Nima with a bored wicked pleasure.

When Nima didn’t answer her, the witch grinned. “I heard your conversation with the dwarf man,” she drawled. “Are you always this emotional? My god, I wouldn’t have bothered to resurrect you if I knew you were such a cry baby.”

“I’m not--” Nima did, in fact, feel her eyes sting a little at just the sight of the witch. Why couldn’t Tianmei just leave her alone? “He’s not a dwarf. He’s just short. And he’s a nice person.”

“And he’s a nice person,” Tianmei mimicked. She let out a little laugh, her fingers steepled under chin. Crawling through the air, the tendrils of smoke trailing along as she came toward and around Nima to touch her face with long, pale pretty fingers. “Not a bone of iron in your pretty little body.” Nima hugged herself and Tianmei clucked her tongue. “Don’t be ashamed. Cowardice is just who you are. Some people are afflicted by it.”

Nima shook her head, trying to keep eye contact with the witch. Even if that face made her wither inside. Her father would have wanted her to not break eye contact. “I’m not. I’m not a--”

“Aren’t you though?” Tianmei rushed right into Nima’s face. When Nima gasped took a small, panicked step forward, the witch grinned. Her grin got wider when Nima’s shoulder slumped. “Is that not why you took my money? If you were so concerned for that poor woman then why didn’t you come face to face with me? Tell me about how I was so wrong for treating her that way?”

Nima’s mouth fell open, but no words came out. Why hadn’t she? Had she been afraid? The thought never… never really crossed her mind.

Tianmei straightened herself out, going back to lounging on air in that unnerving, unnatural way of hers. She shook her head mournfully. “No wonder your father refused to take my deal. We hadn’t really gotten to discuss it in. I never did tell you the details of my visit, did I?”

The world came to a halt around her. Even the very air seemed to stop moving. In fact, the only thing that seemed to be moving at all was the feeling of dread spreading from her heart into her veins like an infection. Part of her knew she shouldn’t have taken Tianmei so seriously, but that other part of her, the part that wanted nothing more than to have both of her parents in her arms right now, felt a start of panic.

Her voice strangled by a forming lump in her throat, she said, “...No, you didn’t...”

“A true tragedy. It really is the way they threw you away like that,” Tianmei’s brows upturned in a concerned expression, mocking for all it was. It shifted to one of satisfaction as she spoke slowly. “I went to your father. On his very ship, I went to him and gave him an opportunity to help you. Assist you in finding the pieces you need and I would reunite him and your family with you right away.” Tianmei’s face became sad again like she was switching between drama masks. “But he refused, dear.”

He…

He really said no?

In all her life, her father was always the type of person to step in first when someone needed help. She never had any doubt that he would provide some kind of assistance when someone needed support. But now…? When she needed him? Did he really…

No.

Nima shook her head.”There has to be a good reason. He wouldn’t just leave me out here like that.”

“No,” Tianmei said slowly, her tendrils edging closer as she swirled through the air again. “But did he exactly? I mean, he did send the bounty hunter. But then again…” She appeared on Nima’s side, putting an arm around her. “He did send the bounty hunter, after all. Didn’t even try to come find you himself. Didn’t take my deal when I said I would reunite you all. All he had to do was help you in your quest. But perhaps…”

“Perhaps what?” Nima urged. She couldn't believe this. Her eyes blinked rapidly, her chest hurting.

“My dear, is it possible that he’s simply ashamed of you? I mean, that they all are? Nobody dared to change his mind, after all. Think about it.” Tianmei drew back, placing herself on some invisible seat and crossing her hands over her lap, addressing Nima with a delicate cock of her head. “Everything you do ends in disaster, does it not?”

Nima swallowed hard. “You don’t know anything about that--”

“I know everything about that,” Tianmei said with an unnaturally still smile, the warmth not reaching her eyes. “That and the other times too. You get to know someone when you bring them back from the pass between life and death.”

When Nima didn’t answer, she went on, sighing. “Those poor girls. Honestly, that girl that means so much to you… Tikaani, wasn’t it? Korra Iluak’s baby girl? She’ll never be the same after what she did for you, will she? And the other girl… gods, what was her name?”

“Don’t, please--”

“Was it Nahra?”

“Don’t. You don’t know--”

“Nah Ja.” Tianmei raised a finger, lifting herself from her seated position as if she’d had an epiphany. “That was her name, was it? A girl not too much older than you are now. She had so much left in her, but as I recall you are the one that let her life fall through your fingers.”

Nima felt her throat close up and tried to blink away her tears. She willed herself not to cry in front of the witch, not to give her that satisfaction, but try as she might her body betrayed her. Her lip even wobbled a little.

“I tried to help her,” Nima whispered.

“You tried and you failed.”

Triumph flashed in Tianmei’s eyes. “It is what it is, but it seems obvious to me why your family might be less than enthused about having you back. Love is such an obligatory thing sometimes. They want you back, but also don’t exactly want you back? It’s too hard to miss you, but also so much less stress without you.”

“They don’t need me...” Nima said that more to herself than to Tianmei.

“No, they don’t. Of course.” Tianmei shrugged. “I could be completely wrong. You’re family could love you to bits and just… you know, your father’s childhood probably damaged him beyond repair and he just doesn’t know how to love you. I mean, he could just be a terrible father--”

“He is not a terrible father!” Nima marched right up to Tianmei, fists at her side and getting in the witch’s face as much as he could from her height. “Don’t talk about him like that!”

“Calm down, seahorse,” Tianmei raised her eyebrows, putting a finger on Nima’s forehead to push her back. She brought her fingers together in contemplation. “You do realize these things are a cycle, do you not?”

“I don’t care,” Nima said, shaking her head. “He’s not like his dad.”

Tianmei threw her head back and laughed. “But how would you know?” she cackled. “He never told you about his father. He never told you anything. You weren’t worthy of the knowledge.”

Nima unclenched her fists, the spirit in her crestfallen. Despite that, she still shook her head, “My dad’s good. He’s… he’s trying. I won’t let you talk about him like that. Any of them.”

“It’s not about what you’re going to let me do, my dear.” Nima felt her lip do that thing it tended to do when she glared, puckering out into a pout. She pursed her lips to correct it and attempted to look more intimidating to a seemingly all powerful witch. Tianmei rolled her eyes. “Such a fiery little thing. One bit of fuel and you’re all spilling over your stones. If you’re so sure, then answer me this: If he’s not the problem, then who is?”

Nima’s shoulder slumped. She blinked slowly as Tianmei sauntered over to her just as calmly, smiling and taking Nima’s hands in hers. They were soft and cold. Perfect and, yet, so wrong. They seemed to switch between warm and cold, as if undecided in what temperature to be. What state of life to be in. Dazed, Nima let her. “My family’s not the problem,” she said, again, more to herself than Tianmei. “They didn’t do anything.”

“My dear, someone is always to blame for failure.” Tianmei dipped her head down to peer at Nima. “And I think we know who that is.”

“...me.” Nima didn’t quite close her mouth after the word fell from her lips.

Tianmei smiled painfully. Like one of those rich snobbish women who’d just delivered some bad news they weren’t sorry about. “Everything you do results in failure. Perhaps your family is simply tired of it. Tired of cleaning up your messes and having to go to the ends of the earth just to put out whatever trouble you’ve started.” She started to nod, emphasising her point. “Their love for you is waning my dear. Even family love, obligatory in nature, has it’s limits, does it not?”

Their love for you is waning .

At that moment, she wondered if Tianmei had reached deep in her heart and pulled the words right from that little voice inside her head. That question she asked herself again and again since this entire thing had started. Maybe even before…

Did they miss her? Would they care if she were gone?

Somehow, she’d convinced herself that yes, of course, her family missed her. All those I Love You’s over the years weren’t meaningless. All those smiles and hugs and moments of laughter.

But standing there, looking in Tianmei’s eyes…

Her words just seemed so real. The room became ten degrees cooler. Every heartbeat inside her seemed a little weaker than it had just seconds ago. Hell, even her breathing shuddered out for a moment.

All Nima could manage of her cracking heart was, “No…”

Tianmei’s eyes glinted, the molten color flashing over them with something that Nima’s brain might have ticked her off harder had she not been feeling inebriated on her own sorrow. But that had to be, right? She was a pitiful girl. Like Tianmei said: pathetic. Her father wasn’t a horrible father. He just had one horrible daughter.

“Now, see, don’t fret, my dear because they may be losing their love for you...” Tianmei backed up, letting go of Nima’s hands and smiling at her with those baleful lips. “But I can help you.”

A clawing, dying thing in Nima’s heart leaped. “You can?” she asked, her voice breaking.

“But, of course, my dear. Is that not what I am here for? To help you?” Tianmei opened her arms up for Nima. Numbly, Nima’s legs moved and she found herself in the witch’s arms. She barely registered the hand stroking her hair, laying her head against Tianmei’s feverishly icy hot chest. Nima felt the warm, pulsing beads hanging around Tianmei’s wrist as her hand came up, running long slender fingers against Nima’s skull and neck through her hair. The act would have made the hair stand up on her neck a few minutes ago. “Helping you helps me. Besides, I’ve grown fond of you. You need so much support that I can’t really help myself. That bounty hunter is clearly having none of you, but I am here for you.”

“What do I have to do?” Nima whispered.

Her eyes flicked up at a piece of parchment with the characters of her name etched onto the bottom in red each and the words above it written in languages she couldn’t recognize. It swirled into existence before Nima’s eyes and she finally realized that this was her contract. “I’m willing to put one more condition on your deal,” Tianmei said, continuing to caress Nima’s head. “When the time comes, you will be put to a task for me. One task. Then, it’s all over. In return, I will plead your case for you. After all, if your family sees that you can do something right then their love for you will be restored. Better than ever, I’m sure. You help me when the time comes and I will tell them what you’ve done for me so bravely. How does that sound? Do we have a deal?”

The familiar bone white quill swirled to life like the contract. Like they’d done before.

Feeling nothing but a piece of her threatening to wither away, Nima lifted her hand as if it were dead weight and grabbed the pen. The tip found it’s way to the parchment, signing the red characters of her name on the line underneath her previous signature.

“Good. This is very good,” Tianmei cooed. She let go of Nima carefully. Like she really was reluctant to let Nima go before she was ready. “This will pay off. You’ll see. I’ll be in touch.”She waved a ghostly hand. “Goodbye, dear.”

Then, the witch was gone.

“Were you talking to someone?”

Nima hadn’t known that she had been standing there long enough for Dan to come in and maybe hear, but not see that Tianmei had just been here with her. She wasn’t sure if that was for the better when she belatedly shook her head and said, “No. No, I wasn’t. I was just--”

The words got caught in her throat.

She didn’t know exactly… what to say. Perhaps, start with an apology, but that didn’t quite seem right. It wouldn’t do to simply call him out again and start another argument unprovoked. All she wanted to do was get back on track with her… working partner.

Because that’s exactly what he was.

Not knowing what else to say, she sighed and just let her hands rest at her sides. “Just be careful tomorrow, okay?” She said, letting what came natural to her. What she’d been thinking about since this plan was conceived. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Dan paused in what he was doing at the desk, his head almost turning to look at her but stopping just shy of being able to see past the profile of his nose. Still, she thought she saw a head nod after a moment.

--

This chapter is really transitionary and I'm not sure I'm too fond of it, but anybody who reads my stuff know that I tend to like taking it slow. Besides, I did kind of need this chapter to do what it did. Plus, I love the fact that Tianmei made another (necessary) appearance. This little conversation will be revisited in the future. Next chapter is going to be devoted to seeing what Kai and the crew are up to, then chapter 24 will definitely have things happening. And I say that with complete assurance that things will be picking up in chapter 24. So, that's the chapter to really look out for.

But I want to thank everyone who's been reading thus far! It really means a lot! As always, guys I love it when you leave those reviews! Those are what really motivate me and keep me writing this story! Thank you for reading! Tune in for next chapter!

#kainora #legend of korra #korra #lok #jinora #my fics