I openly let the tears stream down my face as I glided through the smoky air currents, and set my mind on doing Sister Iio's request. I will find my husband, and I will come back… one day.
Chapter 3: Kindness in Gaoling
I had been gliding on high air currents when I saw the city of Gaoling. That must mean I'm halfway there, I thought with relief. Since I left the Eastern Air Temple about a day ago, I had glided on the air currents nonstop, careful enough to avoid being spotted by any Fire Nation soldiers. I had nothing to eat or drink since the morning I left with Luca to create an Airbending move. Luckily for me, the Nuns had disciplined me to be able to function sharply and quickly after days of fasting and sleep deprivation. That training has really helped me a lot, as insufferable as it was, I thought with a smile. My smile slowly turned down, as I remembered the Nuns and our home that was destroyed in flames. I could hear the screams all over again, smell the burning fur of Sky Bisons, feel the heat of the flames, see the corpses lying on—
"No! I mustn't dwell on that! I promised myself I will stay strong and do as Sister Iio said!" But, even though I said that, I couldn't stop the single tear that rolled down my cheek, or the feeling of despair that came over me in a wave of emotion. Just like a wave, it crashed down and disappeared back to where it came from, but not before promising me its return. I tried to keep my mind off the depressing thoughts, and as soon as I did, I heard my stomach grumble with hunger.
"Haha… I guess I should listen to my stomach for once and get something to eat!" I said to myself, as I eyed the city of Gaoling, making sure it was safe enough for me to go into. It looked the same as always, filled with Earth Nation citizens and travelers, and best of all, no Fire Nation soldiers. This left me to wonder, why did the Fire Nation only attack the Eastern Air Temple? I quickly shook the thought off as I easily glided down towards the ground. As my feet touched the earth, a feeling of reassurance washed over me like a lullaby. It was a weird but comfortable feeling. I walked through the stands of merchandise being sold. There was clothes, food, books, swords, musical instruments, etc. I looked at everything in amazement. Sure, I've been to Gaoling before, but it was in order to help sell our homemade fruit pies and only that: no indulging on pleasures. Here, I was free to wonder and look at all the colorful scenes pass by me. I looked at the price tag of a dress nearby, and as I was looking, realization struck me: I had no money at all, not even one copper piece! We donate all the money we made on the fruit pies to charity! I looked around dejectedly, and as if on cue, my stomach grumbled once more. The elderly woman who was running the stand gave me an appraising look, and stopped me before I could walk away.
"You look like a Platypus Bear just tore out your heart, sweet pea…You know what? Come here when the shops are closing. I want to give you something," she said to me.
"Um, yes, thank you very much," I replied with a small bow. I continued on my way through the stands, watching little kids play tag through the crowds. One of the little ones, a girl with long dark hair, came up to me, looking at me with an inquisitive face. I didn't know what to do and just stared back. There we stood, in the middle of the road, just staring at each other like fools. People walked around us giving us glares for blocking the way, but we stayed doing what we did.
Finally, the little girl spoke up and said, "You have weird eyes."
I laughed. This little girl is very outspoken. "Is that a compliment?"
"Yes, it is. I've never seen purple that shade before!"
"Really?" I replied in a joking manner.
"Yeah! Hey! What's your name?"
"Lily."
"What a pretty name. Mine is Isabelle, but I go by Izzie!" she exclaimed.
"Nice to meet you, Izzie," I replied, thinking she would go back to playing tag with her friends, but I was wrong. Izzie stayed, glued to the spot in front of me, looking at me with a goofy grin plastered on her face. It made me wonder if I this was how I looked like to Luca whenever I was him. Luca... I could feel the tug at my heart as my mind wondered to my Sky Bison.
All of a sudden, my heart skipped a beat as the breath flew out of my chest. All I heard was a "Let's go!" before Izzie grabbed my hand and dragged me to where she lived, into her house. "Momma, Papa, I made a new friend!" Izzie's parents came to see their daughter's new friend with kind expressions, which soon turned to amused when they saw the dazed look on my face.
"Hello there! I'm Izzie's Mama, and this is her Papa. May we ask what your name is?" Her mom asked me.
"Lily," I replied, getting used to having to introduce myself.
"What a pretty name! We are about to eat supper, would you like to join us, Lily?" I looked at her with surprise. Is this what friends do? Eat at each others' houses with their families?
"Are you sure you're willing to share with me, a total stranger?"
"Why, of course! Our daughter's friend is a friend of this family's!" Izzie's Papa replied. My stomach growled again on cue, and we all laughed. We all sat down and ate together at a table of wood. The room was colorful with quilts. I later found out that the mother sold quilts at their family stand, and the father sold his wood furniture made by his own two hands.
The supper was a delicious array of fruits that night. Soon, my stomach was stuffed to the brim, and my heart was filled with joy at the kindness these people showed me. We all got along, as Izzie dominated the conversation with the events of her day. She is just like me, I thought which led to the image of me and Luca again, and the incoming feeling of sadness, which I quickly suppressed.
When the sun started to set, and stands started to close, I remembered what I agreed on with the elderly woman. I got up and thanked the family for their generosity, and in return, gave them the prayer beads I had made. They made me promise to return one day and visit them, and I gladly accepted, as I rushed out into the open air.
I walked down the road, through what was left of today's crowd. I saw the elderly woman waiting for me at her stand, and I ran to her. She turned to look at me, and smiled. It was so warm; it made me feel like I had no more worries in the world.
"Here," she said, handing me the dress I was eyeing before. The beautiful pattern glowed in the setting sun, the stitching sparkled. "I want you to have it."
"I can't accept this," I said. "I have no money; I am unable to pay you."
"I know, but I can't help feeling that you may be of need of this. I can see that you are an Air Nomad, by your clothing." When she saw my curious expression, she explained, "When I was younger, I had an Air Nomad as a friend. I'm quite accustomed with your style. I feel, no, I know something bad has happened. I can see it by the look in your eyes, and by the way the earth feels injured. Please, just take this as a gift," she said to me, putting the dress in my arms. And without waiting to hear my reply, left.
"Thank you," I whispered, realizing she was right. It wasn't safe for me to stay dressed as I was: in my orange shawl, down to my doubled layer pants. I glanced once more at the dress, noticing a pomple, peaking out of one of the pockets on the dress. I treasured that fruit, and left it in the pocket for me to eat later in the journey. Thankful for finding such kind people in a time of danger for me, I snapped my glider up and out of its strap on my back and airbended myself up onto an air current. It was time to leave Gaoling. After a couple minutes of gliding, I found a forest with enough privacy for me. I should probably change into this, I thought, holding the dress tight to my chest, as I once again landed. In the secluded forest, I changed out of my clothes and into the dress, keeping on my first layer of pants (not wanting to be indecent, since I am gliding on air currents), and my high boots. I tucked my old clothing into my dress, and flew into the air once more with my determination as strong as ever. Next stop, Southern Air Temple.
End of Chapter 3!
I thought it would be nice if Lily met some kind people to balance out her misfortune. :)
Reviews and opinions are greatly appreciated
