Arvore fingered the note absently. The late night breeze blew in from opened windows gently winding its way through her hair. Other than the moon light dancing on her skin all lights were out. New Year's Eve both a beginning and an ending Arvore thought remembering the words from the avatar's speech. Every new beginning is another beginnings end. Arvore stared down at the shadows in the courtyard from the great stonewalls of the manor an enormous marble arch lead out to the street and beyond. Am I really going to run away looking for someone I'm not sure even exists? Arvore threw herself back on her bed. "What am I doing," she mumbled.

Arvore rolled over. Her room wasn't large the far wall only about six paces away. This room has been her's ever since she'd been a baby. So many childhood memories filled this place. The time she broke her arm, sneaking cookies up her late at night, every time she'd argued with her mother. Arvore couldn't imagine leaving it. Everything you've ever known for that which you've never had. "A life naïve isn't a life at all." Arvore threw the note down on the bed and threw her small bag over her shoulder.

Arvore slung herself over the window seal feeling the cool night air rush by. Her feet thudded softly on the grass. Arvore glanced around quickly. All the windows were empty. Good no one saw. Because people jumping out of two story windows wasn't exactly something people ignore when they see it.

Arvore breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth trying to calm herself down. "No turning back now," she whispered. Arvore sprinted across the courtyard for the yard. She didn't stop until she was out of the moonlight hidden by the shadows of the archway. Arvore peered around into the street. No one sight, perfect. Arvore darted out into the streets keeping in line with the darkness of the buildings.

After a few blocks she stopped. The sun was starting rise over the city in streaks of blue and yellow. The shops were all closed the owners sleeping off last night's festivities. Arvore was reaching the edge of the city nearing the train station. Buildings thinned out and the road turned to dirt. She shuffled along humming "Forever and ever" to herself.

Out of the corner of her eye something glinted potently. A crab apple sized pendant hug from a chain. The chain hung from a gypsies cart built into an open shop. "Hello Miss," a voice called. "Pretty isn't it."

"Yeah, I guess," Arvore, replied.

"It's a prism. Naturally made from crystal"

"Then why isn't it making a rainbow?" Arvore had a feeling the woman was going to try to scam her. She walked a little closer to exam the small object. The woman had an on plum colored veil covering her face and shoulders. Gold bangles and ribbons of black ink layered up her tan arms. "Because it's broken." The woman said surely. Arvore furrowed her brow unsure of the lady's intentions. "You can have it if you want."

"Ummm, okay." Arvore timidly reached for the small dangling object.

"Go ahead take it. It belongs to you," the gypsy urged. She grasped the pendent in her fist and pulled it overhead. "…Thanks, I guess." Arvore quickly hurried down the road. Well that lady was weird. Still the necklace is pretty.

A half-asleep teller handed her her ticket and instructed Arvore where to wait. The train's whistle violently stirred the air. Gushing winds followed. A dull light stone train pushed by two rock-like earth benders appeared in front of her. "All aboard!" The voice of a distant conductor shouted. Arvore swept one glance over her shoulder before stepping onto the train.

Green plains of long grass rushed on by in identical looking blurs. The train was empty save for an old lady knitting. "You're a little young to be traveling so far north on your own. Not getting married are you? If so I'd be worried about the groom's family. How impolite not to send an escort or five," she piped up.

"No, I'm not being sent away to be married!" Arvore defended.

"Oh well I guess Toph wouldn't do that anyways far too independent. I see that hasn't changed," She chuckled.

Arvore tilted her head. "Wait how do you know my mother."

"Oh I see," the woman continued, " you don't recognize me. My name is Ruhkia Yan; I used to be your nursemaid when you were a baby."

"Really?"

She nodded, "After you got older I worked as a maid." Arvore eyed her suspiciously.

"Funny I don't really remember you."

"Well you were very young, just a baby. And do you really think your mother would admit to having help because she is blind. I do not think so, that woman is as stubborn as a pregnant heifer. Sorry I didn't mean is offensively."

"None taken, she is." Arvore gave Ruhkia a warm smile. Okay so maybe she was my nursemaid she obvious remembers mom.

"So where are you going?" Arvore questioned.

"To live with my daughter."

"My husband has died and my daughter is going to have a baby," She looked back down at her knitting, a white baby blanket. "There is nothing left for me here."

"Where are you going?"

"Uhhhh," Arvore stuttered not knowing if she should answer truthfully, " Up north." Well it's not a complete lie.

Ruhkia nods.

The train slows to stop next to a small station on the edge of a sprawling city, much like the one back home. Only here the buildings leap farther skyward as though reaching for the yellow orb above. "This is my stop," Ruhkia says standing up, "from here I head east. Our paths head in opposite directions but remember child they have the same roots." "We were both born in the same city." Ruhkia gave gives Arvore one last glimpse before stepping off the train. "By the way," she says turning toward her, " I'm glad you finally found that pendent. It's a sign of times to come, tis a shame to know Mirra really did die on the mountain side that day though…."

"Wait?" Arvore interrupts, " I wasn't looking for this necklace."

"No but it was looking for you. Sometimes the things we find we weren't looking for they were looking for us. Same with you. Remember that."

Ruhkia had an ear to ear smile on her softly creased face as she waved goodbye from the train platform. Opposite directions but I'm heading north. Arvore rolled her eyes, crazy lady. Arvore looked back out the window at the rolling hills as the train sped off.