Disclaimer: I do not now, nor will I ever, own Avatar. No matter how much I wish I did. No infringement intended.
Chapter one
Settling In
Katara sat on the train while it weaved its way through the earth kingdom. This is the second train she's been on since entering the outer ring of the city. The first carrying them to the middle ring, the current one to their destination within it. Staring blankly out the window, she didn't notice that the boys were gathering their belongings.
"Katara, you need to get your stuff." Said Sokka as the train started grinding to a halt. "Hurry! I'm not going to let you make us late."
Startled out of her reverie, it took a few seconds to comprehend what was being said. Once she understood she rushed to grab all her belongings, hoping she wouldn't forget anything.
Jumping up to follow her brother and young friend, who were already halfway down the aisle, she didn't notice the young man walking past her seat. Bumping into something hard, she dropped everything in her arms. She turned to yell at the offending person.
Katara is usually very good at not being rude but she couldn't help but stare, the angry words lost in her throat.
The man in question was glaring down at her as if it was her fault they were now delayed exiting the train. Although that wasn't what caused her to freeze and forget all thoughts in her head. Covering one of the man's eyes and part of his cheek all the way back to his hairline, was a patch of angry red skin, a scar from long ago it appeared.
"Watch where you're going next time, would you?" he sneered. "I don't have time for stupid girls lost in daydreams to make me late."
Katara recognized she should have been angry but was still entranced by his disfigurement and piercing amber eyes.
He seemed to have realized she was staring at his scar and turned away slightly. When he spoke next all malice had left his voice.
"You really should be more careful and pay attention to your surroundings, it's easy to get hurt in this city." He sounded tired, defeated almost.
She came back to reality and started picking up everything she had dropped. "Yes, of course." She murmured to his already retreating figure.
The city he's talking about is the great Ba Sing Se. The largest city in the earth kingdom, and probably the world, was pretty intimidating. She decided it would be best to take his warning to heart.
Finally having all of her things back in her arms she hurried after her traveling companions. Ignoring the glare of the train attendant at her delay, she walked onto the platform and searched for her brother.
Trying not to be overwhelmed by such a large room of stone, with thirty foot ceilings, or the large crowd of thousands of people all dressed in similar green garb native to the earth kingdom, she wandered through the sea of people.
Noticing his wolf tail hair, native to their Southern Water Tribe heritage, she made her way through the crowd to his side.
"There you are. What took so long?" the young warrior's voice had a tone of impatience.
"Well, there was a man. I ran into him trying to leave.." her voice trailed off as she searched the crowd for said cause of her delay.
"It doesn't matter," he cut her off anyway, "We have to find something to eat before we meet with Kalani to look at our apartment."
Shaking herself, as if to rid the feeling of those piercing eyes on her, she took her usual stance when talking to her older brother.
"Of course you would think of food not five minutes after arriving in one of the most beautiful cities in the earth kingdom." She said sarcastically, jutting one hip out and placing her hand on it.
The young monk standing next to Katara stifled a giggle at the remark. She smiled at him warmly.
Sokka gaped. "Hey, I'm just trying to keep us on a schedule so we're not running around like a picken with its head cut off the entire time we're here." He said indignantly.
Katara consented, "Well, I am pretty hungry." She turned to the small boy at her side, "what do you think, Aang?"
His stomach growled in response. He turned a sheepish grin their way, "I think food sounds amazing right now." The winged lemur, Momo, chattered in agreement from his shoulder.
They all laughed and headed toward the market outside the station. Katara cast one last fleeting glance around the room but still saw no sign of the mysterious man from the train.
Stepping out into the burning sun of the early afternoon, they shielded their eyes from the brightness of it allowing them to adjust.
This meant that the mingling smells of food, perfumes, and various teas assaulted their senses first. They each took a deep breath in, absorbing all the unusual scents.
When their eyes could be fully opened, they were in awe. Hundreds of people milled around the various carts and tents just outside the entrance of the station. Vendors with beautiful fabrics, jewelry, and other crafts and goods lined the street on both sides.
Making their way down the middle of the aisle, keeping their eyes open for food that looked appetizing, they couldn't help getting distracted by all the vendors.
Katara saw a table with necklaces similar in style to her mother's that now hung around her neck. She reached for the pendant out of habit and rubbed it comfortingly, walking over to examine the table closer. If they stayed longer than planned she might get one to match the earth kingdom attire she would adopt. While she loved her water tribe clothes, the climate in the earth kingdom was considerably warmer this time of year than in her native village.
Aang, being the simple boy he was, walked towards a cart full of colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes. The vendor, noticing the youth admiring his merchandise, spoke up. "Looking for anything in particular?" Aang looked up at the kind old man, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Perhaps for a certain young lady?"
The shy monk glanced towards Katara, a light blush on his cheeks. Looking back towards the vendor he gave a slight shake of his head. The man gave a knowing smile and handed him a white lotus flower. "On the house." He said jovially.
Aang thanked him and wandered back towards his friends.
Sokka, of course, went straight for the table of various weapons, swords and daggers and such, eyes lighting up with pure delight. He was inspecting a particularly well-crafted blade, no doubt out of his price range, when he heard his friends approaching. The vendor, hardly paying him any mind, took a sudden interest at the arrival of the other travelers.
"Hey, aren't you the Avatar I've been hearing about?" He said with a slightly skeptical gaze.
Aang looked bewildered for a moment. After a year of travelling he still wasn't use to the shock and disbelief in people's voice when they saw him.
Sokka tried to remain cool about the whole situation, while it wasn't exactly a secret he didn't like it being common knowledge either.
"Uh, yes sir. What have you heard?" Aang answered unsure.
"Oh not much, just heard some talk from other sellers of you being invited for the festival. It was big news considering how much business it would probably bring, having the Avatar himself in our midst." He said with almost mocking respect.
While the war between the water and fire nations had been raging for over one hundred years, the earth kingdom had managed to stay out of it for the most part. Sure they would sometimes lend support to the fire nation troops when need be to stay out of the direct line of fire, but they hadn't fully been subject to all the atrocities associated with war. That didn't mean, however, that they still didn't hold hard feelings towards the young bender.
"We would appreciate it if you would keep this news to yourself." Sokka interjected. "It's a safety issue. You understand I'm sure." He said with narrowed eyes.
The older man eyed the young warrior, eventually scoffing at his attempt to be threatening. "Oh I understand, I'll do my best, but with such a small community of people as this it won't be easy." He feigned worry. "You understand I'm sure." He added spitefully.
Sokka snorted and reached for the money purse he carried on his hip. He slung a few copper pieces onto the table amongst the weapons.
"Perhaps that will help make it a little easier for you?" he asked expectantly.
The gruff man reached for the pieces, gathering them in his hand. "I suppose this could lighten the burden." He answered approvingly with a smirk.
Sokka gestured for his companions to follow him down the aisle. They each gave a wary glance towards the man before following after their friend.
"Why do people have to be so difficult? We could have used those pieces to buy our dinner." Katara huffed out.
"I doubt it with the way Sokka eats." Said Aang with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
"Haha, Aang." Said Sokka with a roll of his eyes. "I just don't feel comfortable taking any chances. We're still not safe with these fire nation soldiers in town for the festival." Sokka replied, serious again.
"They know we're here though, everyone does. They'll be at the festival same as us it's not like it's a secret." Said Katara, slightly confused and miffed about losing some of the little money they had.
"With earth kingdom soldiers and the king within ear shot at all times." Sokka gave a pointed look towards his little sister. "I'd rather them not know that we're here a week early either. We have plenty of money to tide us over, the king said he would pay the expenses during our stay and Kalani isn't making us pay rent."
"Yeah, Katara, it makes sense. I mean, better safe than sorry, right?" Aang spoke up, trying to keep the peace between the always disagreeing siblings.
"I guess." She mumbled, kicking the ground as she walked, defeated and too tired to argue.
She suddenly heard a sound of excitement from her brother. Looking up, understanding dawned.
Sokka was headed straight for a booth with meat hanging from the front roof, eyes lighting up like fireworks she'd seen at celebrations during their travels.
She rolled her eyes and shared a look with Aang.
"Hey, Sokka, I think Aang and I are going to find somewhere else. Maybe with less..meat." She said distractedly, already looking for somewhere else.
"Mmm." Was his only reply, already with a mouthful of something deep fried on a stick.
Katara and her young friend walked away amused and slightly disturbed at the young man's eating habits.
"So, Katara, I got this earlier and thought you might like to have it." Aang said sheepishly, handing her a beautiful white lotus flower that she had failed to notice him carrying.
She took it gently from his outstretched hand, "Aw, Aang that's so sweet. It's beautiful, thank you." She said with a smile.
"No problem, glad you like it." He blushed, embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck.
They soon found a booth with considerably more healthy options and enjoyed a rather large dinner.
Sokka caught up with them just as they were finishing, laying his map out on the table where they were sitting.
"Alright, we have ten minutes to meet with Kalani, and it takes five to get there. So, let's go." He said, rolling up the map and putting it in his bag.
After several minutes of wandering the windy streets, they came to the meeting point. Seeing they're grandmother, Kanna's, old friend waving them over, they started towards her excitedly.
"Oh my, look how you two have grown." She said as a greeting, with a gentle smile.
"Hey, Kalani, it's really good to see you again. Thank you so much for letting us stay in one of your apartments." Katara said, taking the older woman's offered hand.
"Oh please, Honey, it's not doing me any good at the moment. All the refugees are saving their money and staying at the shelter. It's my pleasure to help family, especially when they're friends of the Avatar's." she laughed. Then, looking at Aang, got a curious expression.
"So, this is the young Avatar I've been hearing so much about." She said thoughtfully.
Aang straightened up and held out his hand proudly. "Yes, Ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you and I greatly appreciate your willingness to help the Avatar when needed."
She took his hand gently in hers and gave it a slight shake.
With a thoughtful 'hmm' all she replied was "I thought you'd be taller."
Aang was at a loss for words, shoulders slumping in slight disappointment.
Then the older woman gave a light laugh and looked on the boy with kind eyes. "Of course, it is always an honor to meet someone as powerful and well known as yourself." She gave a slight bow.
The monk looked up, eyes shining, returning the bow slightly.
They arrived at the apartment around sundown. It was actually more like a small house. It had two stories. The outside was in various shades of green uniform to the earth kingdom, with accents of gold. The front door slid open to reveal a large open living room and dining room combined. A small kitchen near the back of the house and a powder room by the back door finished off the main floor.
The stairs leading to the second floor were to the right against the wall. It led up to a walkway hanging over half the main floor and across the entirety of the space, with the first five or so feet open loft. On the far end of the walkway there were two doors, one being a library, the other a study. Straight ahead of the stairs was a hallway leading to four separate bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, and a guest bathroom.
The three young teenagers and older woman stepped into the living room, removing bags and shoes. When the friends looked around they were amazed at how nice and spacious the house was.
"Wow." Was Sokka's elegant response.
"Momo can fly around in here!" was Aang's excited and thoughtful observance, as the lemur did just that.
"This is incredible. Are you sure you don't mind us using this for a while?" Katara looked at Kalani questioningly.
"Dear, I told you it's doing me no good at the moment. I'd much rather it be put to use housing some amazing young people. Now stop asking for reassurance and enjoy!" she responded kindly but sternly.
Seeing Aang wondering back to the kitchen she spoke up, "The kitchen is stocked, as are the bathrooms. The beds all have clean linens and the housekeeper comes every Monday and Thursday. I don't want you to worry about a thing except what you came here to accomplish." She said.
"Now, I'll leave you all to get settled. Oh, before I forget the money is in a safe in the study upstairs. Here's the combination." She placed a piece of parchment in Sokka's outstretched hand. "Keep it somewhere safe and don't lose it!" she gave a look rivalling that of Gran Gran when admonishing Sokka. Katara couldn't help but chuckle.
"Okay, I think that's everything. You kids get some rest tonight you've been travelling too long. I'll see you tomorrow." She headed for the door but turned back with a sudden thought, "And for goodness' sake try to have some fun, you are still teenagers after all." Then she left shutting the door behind her with a twinkle in her eye.
Sokka and Katara just stood there staring at each other unsure of what to do now.
"Hey! They have lychee nuts in here!" Came Aang's excited cry from the kitchen.
Katara grinned and walked towards the kitchen, Sokka following closely behind.
A/N: Guyzz, I couldn't wait so I went ahead and posted the first chapter. I'm starting on the second now.
I must warn you though, I don't really know where this is going. I have a basic idea but not really an outline. You're getting it as fast as I am. I hope it's not too jumbled or hard to understand. I'll try to have the next chappy up before Monday, but don't hold me to it.
As always any reviews are welcome, don't be shy! I don't bite, unless you're into that sorta thing. I dunno, no judgement haha. Peace and love, always. Panda out!
