Mollusc swaggers a little bit, making a show of liking the attention and the praise. He knows that he has an audience, and that he might as well play it up if he intends to play for keeps. Which he does. His sister is home, worried, waiting. He's going to bring Meulin's pearl back. He's going to live.

"I can spear them like it's nothing," he says. "I'll get some for you, too. It's no problem. Gotta earn my keep if you're letting me stay her safe, I guess."

He peers down at the swirling patterns, squinting. "Huh," he says. "Not like it was your fault or something. Seems like a stupid thing to be mad over. And Derek and Chuck are so classic they might as well be careers, so don't take it personally." He looks at Aang, dark eyes serious.

"I don't want to kill anyone. I will if I have to, but I don't want to. I've managed not to yet."