I don't own Legend of Korra or Aang; I only own my ideas and the fruits of my labors.
When I was five years old, my Uncle Sokka got me my very first bicycle. I remember as a five year old thinking that bike was my first taste of true freedom. I imagined zipping through the streets of Republic City, maybe even helping my father and Uncle Zuko build everything by running errands. It was a feeling I longed for from the moment I saw the two wheel contraption.
Of course the actual process of learning to ride the bike was much harder in real life than I had pictured it. I expected to hop on the bike and be zipping through the city in a matter of hours, but as two bloody knees and a bruised hip later I realized that would not be the case. I tried for a while on my own, but I realized I needed help if I was ever going to learn how to balance. I told my parents about it at dinner. Dad said he'd help me the next day since he didn't have any meetings. I was ecstatic, not only was I going to get to learn to ride my bike, but time with my dad was somewhat rare. I knew my daddy loved me, but he was splitting his time between the city, my mother, my three year old brother, my one year old brother, and me. This would be just me and my daddy.
I woke up extremely early the next day, even before the sun was up. I got dressed and quietly tiptoed into my parents' room. They were both still asleep, my daddy's arm lying across my mommy's waist. I walked over to his side of the bed and gently shook him a few times.
"Daddy, Daddy it's time to wake up." I said softly. He groaned a bit, "Daddy it's time to wake up, you said you'd help me learn to ride my bike." He moaned and rubbed his eyes. "Daddy I'm ready to get started." He sat up and looked out the window.
"Princess the sun isn't even up." He said.
"I want to get started Daddy." I said climbing off the bed. "Let's go Daddy!" he chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"Alright princess, but first Daddy has to get dressed and we have to eat breakfast." I was so happy. I nodded quickly and ran out of the room down to the kitchen. I got bowls out for me and Daddy and some fruit, just like Mommy always got me for breakfast. Daddy came in right as I was put out the glasses.
"Well look at you." He said smiling, "It's almost all set up." I smiled.
"Will you cut the fruit daddy? Mommy doesn't want me to use the knives."
"Watch this." He said tossing the fruit in the air. He used airbending slices to cut the fruit up and then gently lowered it into the bowls. I laughed.
"Do it again Daddy." I said laughing. He grinned and tossed up another moon peach. I laughed again.
"How about we eat breakfast?" I nodded and sat down at the table. We took time to thank the spirits than ate the fruit. I told Daddy about how my bike worked. He sat there and listened, asking questions when he needed to. Once we were done, we went out to the back to where my bike was on its kickstand. "Alright Princess, are you ready?" I nodded.
Learning to ride my bike with Daddy was much easier than on my own. He made air bubble next to my bike so that when I fell they caught me, and he ran along behind me holding the bike steady. The faster we went, the easier it was for me to balance. That's when it clicked; the key was to go faster than I had been. It was easier to balance when I was going faster. I wanted to try it on my own; I wanted to taste that freedom I had spent so long dreaming about. We took off again. I pedaled with my daddy holding the seat, and then I took a deep breath,
"You can let go now Daddy." I said.
"Are you sure Princess?" He asked, clearly concerned. I nodded.
"You can let go now Daddy; I think I'm ready to do this on my own." I said. He took a deep breath then let go of my seat. I wobbled a bit, but I did it all on my own. I laughed as I flew down the courtyard of the Air Temple. I was moving, all on by myself. I cheered, and behind me my Daddy cheered. I realized I didn't know how to stop though, and soon I was falling again. Daddy caught me and the air bubble brought me back over to him and he lifted me up.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I nodded.
"I just didn't know how to stop." I started to squirm so he would put me down. "I want to go again."
"Are you sure, after you just fell off?"
"Well, it's still a little bit scary, but I'll be okay." He sighed,
"You're so big Princess." He whispered then kissed my forehead and set me down. I ran off to my bike, set it up, and took off again. I made it all the way across the courtyard and then came to a messy, but effective stop.
"Daddy I did it!" I cheered and he smiled at me.
Looking back, it was a sad smile that my father gave me that day. He was very proud of me, I know that, but that was the first time I ever asked my father to let go.
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