Disclaimer: Avatar: Legend of Korra doesn't belong to me.
I know know the story's main characters are supposed to be Tenzin and Korra. They aren't in this chapter, but will come in later. Enjoy.
Jada had dark brown, short, ruffled hair. She stood 5'7. She lived in Greenbrook Abbey, near Han. Han was a small village in the earth kingdom. She didn't have any parents.
Of course she had parents. She just didn't *know* them. When she was 10, she was told why.
"your mother came to us, 4 months pregnant. She asked if she could stay here until you were safely born. We said yes, of course"
10 year old Jada nodded. Of course the priestesses would have said yes. They were kind. "what happened to her? What about my father?"
"hush, Jada Lin, and I will tell you. Must you be so impatient?" Jada blew her bangs out of her face, only for them to fall back down, covering her eyes again.
"You know, your mothers name was Lin"
"really?"
"yes. That is why your middle name is Lin. Also, she was an earth bender."
Jada smiled at the thought. "so Papa must have been an Airbender."
The High priestess nodded. "when you were born, your mother took one look at you. A very long look. She took in every detail of your face. And then, she cried"
"Why?" Jada asked, breathless.
"She said 'She looks so much like her father' "
"Thats a good thing though, right?"
"Apparently not. She cried harder, and asked us to take you from her. She was so upset, we thought she might hurt you if you remained in your arms. So we removed you, and tried to help her stead herself as she wept."
Little Jada heart felt off. What was wrong with looking like her father? "was my father a bad person?" she sniffed.
"we do not know. I don't think so." a pause. "do you wish to hear the rest?"
Jada nodded. "afterwards, she held you only when you needed to be fed. The rest of the priestesses and myself, bathed you, clothed you, changed you, and rocked you to sleep. When you were a month old, your mother said she could not raise you. She took one last look at you as you slept in your cradle. She kissed her hand, and touched it to your forehead."
"and then...she left?" Jada asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"She handed me the locket you now where. She said your father had given it to her"
"And then she left." it wasn't a question this time. The high priestess nodded.
Jada stood. She started walking out of the room. Then jogging. Then running. She swiped tears out of her face as they fell, only for them to be replaced by more tears, that seemed twice as wet.
She was asleep. 17 years old. Slow tears slid down her face. She remembering the memory in the form of a dream. The dream shifted, and she brushed the locket as she rolled over.
She was walking through a forest at dawn. She heard something. She turned, there was nothing. She heard mild laughter.
"Avatar Aang?" she called out, though it was unlikely. He hadn't entered her dreams in two and a half years. She hadn't understood why he'd stopped, but he had. She turned back around only to come face to shoulder with the man. She look up. He smiled down at her.
"Yes, Jada?" she stared for a moment.
"Am I dreaming?"
"yes."
"It's been two and a half years" she said, a slight pout on her lips.
"so it has"
"why?"
"that's a long story, Jada. For another time."
She nodded. "why are you here now."
"I can't just pop by to say hello? Maybe I'm curious as to how you're doing? It has been two and a half years after all."
"you never pop in, just to say hello, or see how I'm doing"
"I do so."
"okay, that once. When I was twelve, and I'd been bitten by the viper-rat. But that was a long time ago. So. What do you want?"
"always straight to the point, aren't you?" he half laugh, half sighed.
"yes."
"that was a rhetorical question, Jada."
"so why are you here?" she persisted.
"I think...well. Jada. You're seventeen now. It's time you left this abbey and went to Republic city"
"why?"
"because"
"because why?"
"because because."
"because because WHY?"
"because because because."
"because because because WHY?" she hadn't meant to have an outburst like that.
"Jada Lin, do not use that tone when speaking to me." His tone was a bit sharper than she'd expected. He had used her middle name. He was not happy.
"I apologize, Master Aang. I meant no disrespect." she sat down on her knees. Of course she called him master. Without him, her air bending would still be wild. Out of control. So would her earth bending. He had helped her learn to control it, through visits in dreams and during meditations. She stared down at her hands in her lap.
"I only thought that there might be a reason greater than 'because' "
His features softened. "of course there are reasons for it Jada. But can't you just...wait? We've talked about patience before, haven't we?"
"Yes, Master Aang."
"You don't have to call me that. And stand up, this isn't a lecture."
She stood and allowed him to wrap his arms around her in a hug. She sighed into his shoulder. After a moment he pushed her back gently, holding her at arms length.
"you have too much spirit to act timidly, Jada."
"There are things in Republic City that I'm not ready to face yet"
"That wasn't what I meant...but would you like to talk about it?"
"My mother is from Republic City. She DITCHED me. What if I run into her? What if she recognizes me? What if I find her, and she rejects me? I've grown up knowing she didn't want me to begin with. But I've always had a weak hope that maybe, someday, I'd meet her, and she'd...I don't know. Except me? Tell me how sorry she was for leaving me, and how we could be a family now. I don't want to confirm that it's just...just a foolish child's wish. And besides. What would Miko do if I left? He's my best friend. I can't just walk away from him like that."
"I'm sure Miko will live. He'd probably come with you, if you asked. As for your mother. It isn't a foolish child's wish, Jada. To be honest, though, o have no idea how she'll respond. And you won't ever, either, ifnyou stay at this abbey your entire life. Do you WANT to become a priestess?"
"no, not really. And I don't think they'd let me, even if I did." Jada laughed mildly, at the idea of her becoming a priestess, and of the look she imagined Priestess Kiko would give her if she mentioned the idea.
"Good. Then it's settled. Tomorrow you'll leave for Republic city."
"Tomorrow? That's so soon. I don't think Miko would be ready to go that fast."
"I was kidding, about you inviting Miko. "
"oh"
"you could though, if you really wanted. But whether he says yes or no. You'll still go. Right?"
"If it's this important "
"It is. Goodnight Jada. And safe Journey."
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Jada awoke the next morning with sunlight dancing on her face. She sat up remembering the vision/dream from the night before. Something stirred under the blankets.
"good morning Tom-Tom" she yawned, stretching. Tom-Tom was a clever, playful silver sky fox. He was slightly smaller than the average fox. He could fly. Sort of. It was more like gliding. A book Jada had read somewhere here her they were indigenous to high altitudes.
She had found him in the forest near the abbey one day when she was 7. He had been being attacked by a larger animal. She made loud noises and ran at the animal (a large crow) to scare it off. She had then taken the small fox into her arms and carried back to the abbey. The first person she had run into had been Priestess Kiko She had demanded that Jada put the 'filthy creature' outside where it belonged. Jada begged the high priestess Corrine to let her keep him.
"please priestess, please? he was in the forest being attacked by a giant crow" Jada had said tearfully.
"the forest? The forest? What have you been told about the forest, you disorderly willful child?"
"not to go there, priestess Kiko, but-"
She had been cut off here, by priestess Kiko. "High Priestess, Jada Lin obviously has no regard for the rules of this abbey. I suggest we throw the animal back into the forest, where she found it as punishment, at the very least!"
But the high priestess had been on Jada's side for some inexplicable reason, and so TomTom was allowed to stay. Priestess Kiko did get the satisfaction of seeing Jada punished, however. She was sent to bed early and had extra chores for the rest of the week. Jada accepted the punishment, head held high, happy that the furry creature was allowed to stay.
Jada smiled at the memory, then down at TomTom. "We're going away today, TomTom. So be ready for a journey later." and then she rose, stretched again, and dressed.
Jada did her morning chores quickly, finishing before priestess Kiko had even finished in the garden. She strode out the main doors of the abbey and towards the gates.
"and just where are you going so early this morning, Jada Lin" priestess Kiko always called her by her full name.
"To the village, to see Miko. I've finished my chores, and will return quickly." before giving the priestess a chance to say a single word, Jada darted out the front gates and down the trail to the village. She knocked on the door of Miko's home. His mother answered the door.
"Ah, Jada. What a lovely surprise. Would you like to come in and have some breakfast? Miko just got up."
"I'd love to Mrs. Qui." she smiled serenely, thinking, "it'll probably be the last time for a while..."
Miko's mother stepped aside to allow her entrance, and walked with her to the kitchen. "Well look who decided to drop by. Perfect timing Jada, Miko was going to come see you after breakfast. Hey Miko! Add another place setting, Jada's here" Miko's younger sister spoke while flipping pancakes.
Just then, Miko walked into the room. Well. It was more like he stumbled into the room.
"Jada, what are you doing here so er- er- earleeyyy" Miko said, stretching and yawning. "don't you know the morning is evil?"
Jada shrugged. "I've been up since 6:00."
"you're crazy, you know that?"
"it's not like i get to decide what time to get up. The abbey has rules, you know?" she paused.
"speaking, of the abbey" they both said it at the same time.
"yeah, what about it?" Miko asked.
"no no. You first. What were you going to say."
"so this is going to sound crazy. But my aunt, June, finally admitted she needed some help."
"what's that got to do with the abbey?"
"if you'd just be patient, I'm getting there. Anyway, aunt June decided she did need help around the house. And she invited me and Kai to come for the summer. But Kai has make up classes she has to take, so she can't come. So I asked aunt June if maybe you could come instead. You've met her a couple of time, remember? Anyway, she said yes, and I know you're not really a big fan of Republic city but I thought it would be a way for you to get away from the abbey for awhilesowhatdoyouthink?" he said the last bit in a rush.
"What do I think? Well actually-"
"I know. It was a crazy stupid idea and I'm sorry I mentioned it. Forget I did, in-fact. But I still have to go, so I'm sorry, but I won't be here this summer"
"that wasn't what I was going to say. Actually. I came here to ask you if you wanted to go to Republic City. Someone told me I need to go there for some reason. Staying at your aunt June's house sounds cool. She's nice. When do we leave"
He gaped for a moment. His sister smirked. "there's train leaving Garrison tonight at seven. Garrison is a bit away though, so you guys should start walking by two."
I nodded. "okay. Sounds good. I'll eat breakfast with you guys, then head out back to the abbey to pack up my belongings and meet you back here at sound okay?" I was talking to Miko now. He nodded vigorously then got an extra Place setting. Breakfast was spent chatting over all the wonderful things we could do together in our spare time while in Republic City. After breakfast I helped clean up, then left.
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Packing was quick. She shoved a change of clothes into her satchel, along with her hair brush, a book, a journal, and a small bag of coins. It wasn't much, but it was all she had. It would be enough for at least one new set of clothing. She would get a job, in Republic City if it was manageable.
"So. You're leaving today" she spun around.
"High Priestess Corinne. I...I did not hear you come in." a deep breath. "but yes. I am leaving. I had already had intentions to travel to Republic city, and then Miko invited me to go with him."
The priestess nodded, and walked to Jada's side. She put a medium sized pouch in Her hand. "Wh...what is this, Priestess?" she asked, opening the bag. It was full of coins.
"Republic City isn't as generous and kind a place as this abbey, Jada. You will need those coins."
"thank you, Priestess. I don't know what to say."
"Then say nothing. I know of your gratitude. I would like to tell you just one more thing, before you go."
"yes, High priestess?"
"You may return at any time. That is not to say your journey will be unsuccessful. Only to say that you will always have a home here." she placed a necklace of white beads around her neck.
"Goodbye, Priestess."
"goodbye Jada. And may your travels be safe and happy" she kissed Jada's brow, and turned around.
Jada walked to the gates, Tom-Tom sitting on her shoulder. Most of the priestesses of the abbey stood outside, watching. Waiting. They wished her a safe journey, as she walked towards the gates.
Once out them, tears streamed down her cheeks. The Greenbrook abbey had been her home her entire life. Now she was leaving, with no idea if she would ever return.
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They had trains then, right? I'm sure they did.
Drop me a review if you saw anything wrong with this. Or if you just wanted to tell me what you thought.
I know some of the grammar might not have been perfect, and I'm missing a lot of capitalization. I typed this on my iPad, so…I tried to check for any misspellings and whatnot when I got it onto the computer. I'm sure I missed something. I am looking for a beta reader, if anyones interested.