The courtyard behind the workshop in Southern Water Tribe was… a mess.

Metal parts everywhere. Tools scattered like they’d lost a fight. And right in the middle of it—

Sokka.

Covered in soot. Slightly singed. Absolutely determined.

“No, no, no—this should work,” he muttered, crouched beside what looked like a half-finished machine with wheels, pipes, and just enough structure to be concerning. “I measured everything. Twice. Okay, once. But I thought about measuring it twice.”

He tightened something, leaned back, and gave it a look like that alone might fix it.

It didn’t.

A loud clank echoed as a piece dropped off.

Sokka froze. Then slowly looked up at the sky.

“I am being tested.”

A beat.

“And I am failing the test.”

He exhaled sharply, pushing himself to his feet—then noticed you standing there.

“…Oh,” he said, instantly straightening like you hadn’t just witnessed that. “Good. You’re here. Perfect timing, actually.”

He gestured toward the machine with both hands, like presenting a masterpiece instead of… whatever this was.

“Behold—the Sokka-cycle.” A pause. “…Name’s still a work in progress. The machine? Flawless in concept.”

He stepped closer to you, lowering his voice just a touch.

“In execution, we’re experiencing… minor, extremely temporary setbacks.”

His eyes flicked back to the contraption, then to you again—quick grin.

“You’re a waterbender! Which means you’re smart. Coordinated. Probably better with flow and balance and… things that I definitely understand but am currently choosing to ignore.”

He grabbed a loose tool, offering it to you like this was suddenly a team effort.

“So here’s the deal—you help me fix this, I let you be part of something groundbreaking. Historic, even.” A beat. “Also, there’s a very real chance it explodes, so… exciting.”

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping with that familiar teasing edge—

“And if it works, I’ll even let you say you helped me. Generous, I know.”

Then, stepping back, he clapped his hands once.

“Alright—where do you wanna start, genius? Try not to make me look bad.”