Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA. It belongs to some other folks.

Karma

What goes around, comes around…

"Good morning" began Katara, smiling a radiant and gentle smile at the shop keeper that stood at the great wooden counter. He seemed startled at first at the sound of her voice. He looked up regarding her with the common gold eyes of his people but then, for some unknown reason corrected his stance and took up a new one. Folding his arms he settled a hostile look on his face. Katara felt uneasy, but she subtly stroked the water skin resting on her hip for reassurance.

Her smile didn't falter as she approached the front of the shop where he stood, looming over the counter.

"I was wondering if you would help me." she paused gesturing around the little shop with one hand. The man made no reaction. He continued staring, his lip curled into an almost threatening line. Katara cleared her throat and tried again.

"I was looking for black writing ink, I need to write a letter to a friend of mine and if you have any I would like to buy some" for the first time since she'd met this male shop keeper did he speak.

"You're not from here?" Katara smiled an easy smile. She was wearing her traditional water tribe colours again, since there was no reason to wear the fire nation disguise any more. The water tribe girl folded a stray strand of brown hair behind her ear with a dusky coloured hand.

"I guess it's rather obvious?" she began light-heartedly. "I'm from the water tribes and I'm visiting a friend here in the Fire Na…"

"I can see that." he spoke abruptly, swiftly cutting her off. Katara simply looked startled. The man unfolded his arms and placed his large hands on the counter before him.

"I don't want you here. Leave." The gesture made her step back a step or two.

"Why, what have I done?" He looked her up and down in a clearly disdainful fashion.

"I only sell to fire nation. And you're clearly not. So go back home girl, get out of our Land."

Katara couldn't bring herself to say anything after this. Mastering her self control she managed to the leave the little shop without another word.

When Katara returned back a the Fire Nation Palace, the reinstated Prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko, immediately realised that something had distressed his old companion greatly, and when she told him, his heart sunk and blood boiled in outrage.

A few days later, the shop keeper received a letter. It was marked with the fire Nation's Royal seal. His curiosity and mild excitement sobered instantly after reading it. Bleak despair corrupted his features as the letter fell to the floor at his feet.


Author's note: Recently I witnessed some intense racist remarks, and was obviously deeply offended and actually quite scared by the whole thing. I was compelled to write something. This is the result; though I know it's not one of my best pieces. Even so, it has made me feel a tad bit better.

On a brighter note it's actually not raining outside for once. In fact! Yes! I saw the ever elusive sun come out today! Now that's something I can tell my grandkids…(Insert more moaning about dull British weather)

Oh yeah.

Don't forget.

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