A/N : I do not own A: TLAB. I only own my own character, Ming-Na.
This story'll take place from "City Of Walls & Secrets" to "Lake Laogai", with one chapter that'll be post-"Jet" (after the Freedom Fighters confrontation with Team Avatar).
Summary: After Jet is confronted by Team Avatar, he begins to think a lot about his life, and figures out exactly what he needs: a clean slate in Ba Sing Se, away from the Fire Nation, to start a fresh, new life in the city. Within the walls, and even before, he figures something else out about himself: he has a thing for waterbenders.
The busy streets of Ba Sing Se busted at the seams with people going about their business throughout the warm spring afternoon. Street vendors petaled their merchandise, children played, chatter, and laughter filled the sounds in the city on this average, ordinary day. At least, that was in the Middle Ring, where most had reason to be happy - though through the Dai Li's order, they couldn't speak of it, all felt free. Free from the Fire Nation. Free to live their normal lives. To have, and raise families within the safety of the inner wall. Freedom to live, and to be happy was what all searched for.
"Ming-Na! Order to table three!" An elder woman called out behind the counter of a local teashop within the city, brewing the tea that became rather well-known in Ba Sing Se. "Got it, mom." Tan fingers picked up a wooden tray off the shop counter, four cups of tea shifting in painted porcelain cups as the waitress deliver the order to the designated table. "Here you go." A friendly, greeting smile stretched on painted pink lips as Ming-Na settled down the cups for the elder men playing pai sho peacefully at the table, "Enjoy."
It had felt like the day moved slowly. The shop had been less packed then often this afternoon, though was assumed to pick up during the later hours of the day, where those whom were enjoying the night hours would drift in to relax, and have a drink, or a bite to eat. Though Ming-Na had personally dreaded the late night shift, where at times, drunken pedestrians would stumble in and cause trouble to those whom wanted to simply enjoy the evening.
Moving behind the counter to take any orders that may enter, Ming-Na slouched over the counter rather boredly as the soft droning of the chatter in the teashop kept at a minimum. Although it had all seemed peaceful, life had gotten boring, fast. With no new waterbending scrolls coming into the local shops, and being firmly told not to leave the walls unless instructed to do so, things had become repetitive.
The wind chimes atop the front door chimed, signifying another customer entering the shop. Standing upright once more, the waitress smiled once more to greet the new customer entering the shop, though the smile soon turned into stretched grin, amber eyes lighting up in happiness. Entering the shop was a familiar face - dark, shaggy brown hair, tanned skin, ragtag clothing, with a slouched posture. The moment the male's eyes met with that of the waitress, a smirky smile came to his lips, "Hey. You hiring?"
A almost amused expression washed over the waitress' face, letting out a small chuckle as she left the counter to jog into the arms of the young man which he openly accepted by returning "Sure...Jet."
