“Gryffindor,” Mikhail said firmly. “Neville Longbottom level.”
“Airbender,” Evie countered, a smug smile on her lips.
“What?” Mikhail asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion. “Did you just jump fandoms on me?”
“Ashitaka is clearly an airbender,” she replied. He was one of the few people she could have this type of argument with. “He’s all about peace and freedom. He’s practically a reincarnation of Aang.” She paused for a moment, her eyes going to the ceiling. “Though I’m not sure how that would work, since Aang’s already a reincarnation. So maybe we could call him alternate reality Aang.”
“Nuh uh.” Mikhail shook his head. “I see him as more fire nation.”
“Fire what now?”
He laughed, rocking back on her couch to put his feet up on the ottoman. “His mission was nearly impossible, but had the drive to accomplish it. Totally a firebender trait.” He shrugged. “Though I would entertain an argument for earth.”
“He’d be water before either of those,” she insisted. “He’s got the adaptability down. How else could he leave his isolated village and manage to both cure his curse and save the forest?”
“If he’d been a waterbender, the loss of his community would have been too much of a blow for him.” He pushed his hair back, though it wasn’t really hanging into his face. “And I’d only agree to earth because of his persistence and strength.”
She let a puff of air out of the side of her mouth, suggesting disgust, though the way her eyes crinkled at the edges suggested amusement. “He doesn’t have the temper of a firebender. If he did, he would have conquered Irontown to force his plans. He always asked. He gave others a choice in their response. He tried to see where they were coming from.” She ticked her points off on her fingers. “Why else would he take a turn on the bellows and spend all that time with the people of Irontown?”
“Because he was devious,” he suggested.
“Mikhail!” She gasped in mock outrage. “I’m appalled. Simply appalled.”
He laughed again.
“The forest spirit wouldn’t have helped him if he’d been a scheming snake oil salesman,” she said indignantly, pulling her feet up under her. “He pushed for peaceful resolution and discussion. Shave what’s left of his hair and dress him in orange; he’s an airbender.”
“Gryffendor,” he retorted.
“Airbender!”
“I’m starving,” he said calmly.
She giggled at the non-sequitur. “Yeah, me too.”
He nodded once, decisively. “Fine. I’ll concede that Ashitaka is an airbender, and you can take me to dinner.”
She stared at him a moment, then swallowed. “Okay. Where you wanna go?” Was this a friendly dinner or a date? They’d been friends for months, and she was interested in a more romantic relationship. One that came with kisses and cuddles; Mikhail seemed like he’d be good at both.
“There’s an Indian place over on Johnson,” he suggested. “I’ve heard it’s nice.”
She grinned. “Perfect.” She’d been there once, and the low lighting would definitely make it feel more like a date. She stood up and grabbed her purse off her desk. “Get your shoes on earth boy. I’m taking you to dinner.”
Prompt: We started arguing about which Hogwarts house this one character would be in and we completely lost track of time, and now you’re demanding I take you to dinner. Is this a date?
S.N.Arly 