Revised 1/12/19
Book One:
Mimi Nakamura
"It's only three months, Tarrlok", Misao had repeated after her technically boyfriend, the young Council Page of the Northern Water Tribe Councilman, once again gave his opinion on her joining the twenty-nine nurses going to man the hospitals in the Si Wong Desert."You make it sound like I am never coming back".
"Can you blame me, you are being sent to a hospital in the middle of the War. That War has had almost as much casualties as the Six Hundred Day Siege."Tarrlok argued in an attempt to make her change her mind, not that he would succeed. Misao had made up her mind when Kya, the late Avatar's daughter, had made the announcement at the charity luncheon two months ago.
She could not back out now, her clothing was packed and she would be boarding the airship taking her to the historical General Fong base, where they would take a train and a military escort to the hospitals in the front lines. They could have taken an airship straight to the Misty Palms Oasis, but the rebel tribes had shot down the airship with King Kuei's son and grandson as they made their way to safety.
"It's too late for me to back out now, if I don't go not only will I regret it for the rest of my life, I would be followed by it anytime we do anything newsworthy." Misao hated that Tarrlok cared more about his public image than embracing the progressive movements to leave the backwards and sexist traditions quickly becoming less and less tolerated. This was why they were having this conversation inside her Grandmother's Sato Mobile, he could not risk anyone catching wind of any argument, bad moods or even a sarcastic remark.
"I know, sweetheart, which is why I am personally seeing you off at the Base." Like Tarrlok would even let such an opportunity pass him by, it was only being broadcast throughout the entire United Republic, after all.
Misao was unsure how to feel about that. This would sound very romantic if it weren't was because he had paid her parents thousands of Yuans and backroom deals for her hand in marriage.
She liked Tarrlok, not romantic sense, but she knows nothing about his past or him, really, making her doubt the authenticity of her feelings, that and the presence of legally binding marriage contract she had no say in. It would be nice to know who was the man she was being forced to marry; he refused to reveal anything save for a father with dementia and a mother who died when he was twelve.
"Really, I thought you hated goodbyes," Misao mutters as she steps out of the car wishing she would be long gone by the time he showed up at the Base.
(General Fong Memorial Base)
"You know I always thought that I would be the one getting on the train, but it seems Yue and La had other plans." She wants to roll her eyes, but knows better than to do so as Tarrlok escorts her to the train. Surprisingly, her conservative Ice-Queen of a mother had allowed Tarrlok to give a not exactly private farewell.
"Just promise me you won't run off with another girl, even if it's the Queen Hou-Ting and she holds a pistol to your head." Misao continues playing the part of the besotted girlfriend. There were far too many gossiping hens about and she did not want another lecture from her mother even if it was by correspondence.
She smiles genuinely, not because of any fondness for Tarrlok, but of knowing she gets to be free for three months. Maybe some other rich girl can swoop in and take him while she is away.
"I won't, I promise, Mimi." He then takes both of her hands and does the unthinkable. Tarrlok gets down on one knee and takes out a box from the best jewelers in Republic City before saying the thing Misao never wanted Tarrlok to ask her." Will you marry me?"
The betrothal necklace is beautiful done in a much more modern design with a rare moonstone the size of her thumb as the sole jewel in the thin silver chain, and its realness makes her realize that she can't answer to Tarrlok's question.
"I have to go," she mutters and the train announces its imminent departure.
"I will be waiting for your answer when you come back," Tarrlok gives her the box containing the beautiful moonstone necklace.
Okay, this is my new chapter one and I hope you guys like it