Chapter 7 Nami Alone
I walked painfully for miles on end as my emotions continued to overwhelm me. My parched feet felt like they were being sliced apart as I wandered aimlessly out of Zaofu and into the middle of nowhere. My life felt like it was flashing before my eyes. What would my father say? He'd probably disown the only daughter he ever had and he'd be justified. I can't come back from this I'm a murderer, I'm a monster. I marched further and further through the empty and hollow path that I chose untill I eventually saw a sign. "Ba Sing Se Dead Ahead."
Oh. If I actually cared about saving anyone at this point I might actually care about being close to Ba Sing Se. Alas I don't think I can save anyone at this point. So I continued to walk forwards untill I saw the marketplaces and nostalgic slums of Ba Sing Se. I covered my face in my coat since I didn't want anyone to recognize me. I already saw some of the city officials putting up wanted posters with my face on them. Not that I blame them. I need to learn control before I completely lose it again. I passed through the busy market and I entered a low key establishment called the Chicken-Rat Restaurant.
I would say that the clientele is full of scum and villainy but I sort of think that way about myself already. I went over to the counter and took off my coat now that I'm in an unlikely area for any Avatar to be located. One of the waiters noticed me and walked over to my location.
"What will you be having young man?"
This guy too? You know what I don't care. If it keeps my identity hidden he can call me Earth Queen Hou Ting for all I care.
"I'll just have some Deep Fried Pickled Radishes and a Kalenutsco."
"Okay. I'll be back with your order in just a bit."
I decided to look around the restaurant to see if there was anything worth looking at. I saw the typical line up of customers at this place. Brawlers, alcoholics, unemployables, angry loners. But then i noticed a wild card of sorts. A pretty looking woman who looked like she was in her late thirties or early forties. She had black hair, tanned skin, bright green eyes and an attractive figure, unlike my curveless physique she actually had a decently sized bust and prominent hips. Her clothes did little to hide her gorgeous appearance as the small bra she wore bared her midriff and her bright green pants hugged her hips tightly. She really stood out when it came to everyone there not just because I thought she looked pretty but because I know I've seen her before. Somewhere I've seen this woman I just didn't know where. I watched her get her order from one of the waiters. A whole roast duck with a special sauce and mango juice.
That's quite a big meal for a woman her size don't you think? Well I figured out how wrong I was when I saw her. She thanked the waiter and gave him a cute smile, she licked her lips as she grabbed her utensils and she devoured the duck piece by piece in under three minutes! She wolfed down every bite of the duck barely coming up for air except for once or twice where she drank her mango juice with the same ferocity. When she finished her meal she let out a small belch and then giggled as she said "excuse me" to the patrons who were undeniably impressed. One of them even spoke up about her special talent.
"Little woman, Big appetite."
I remembered something. My mom had a really big appetite too. Her metabolism was turbocharged to the point where she could eat an enormous amount of food but still maintain her lovely body. Maybe she could get me out of this funk.
The waiter brought me my food and drink but I needed to hurry up. "Sorry sir but I'm going to need to take that meal to go."
So I grabbed my food and paid at the counter before I rushed outside to talk to the attractive woman. She walked over to a stage near the restaurant and she quickly made her way to the changing rooms. I looked up and I saw a sign that informed me of this woman's occupation.
"Earth Kingdom Fashion Week, Day 3 The Beauty of Ba Sing Se"
So she's a fashion model. I guess that explains why she has to look as good as she does. I decided to enter after paying my admission while hiding my face so no one would try to kill me and sit in a secluded corner just so no one would recognize me. However before the show began I felt someones hand on my shoulder. "Who are you?"
I turned around after asking that and I saw a brown haired woman with Fire Nation clothes and an athletic build. She's not as muscular as Korra but she still looks tough. However I tensed up once I saw the Red Arrow on her head.
"Ahh! How'd you get in here?"
I almost blew my cover but the woman put a finger to my mouth and shushed me.
"Be quiet please. I don't want to fight you. My name is Natsumi I joined the Red Revival because I thought that the ideals of the Red Lotus were truthfully meant to bring prosperity to the world. But now I see how cowardly they were once you entered the Avatar State. After that I abandoned their so called cause and followed you over to Ba Sing Se. You weren't in control. I get that. I want to help you and I wish to be your friend."
Wow. Well this is interesting. Maybe I should trust her. I mean she seemed genuine in her speech so I guess I'll believe her for now. Cause who else do I have left to befriend at this point?
"I'll be your acquaintance Natsumi but I'm here for something important."
"What's that?"
"I saw a woman who looks quite a bit like my dearly missed mother. I'm thinking that maybe if I can find out if she remembers me she can get me out of this emotional trainwreck that I got myself involved in."
"Okay. Let's watch the show and see if we can get backstage to see her afterwards."
So we watched the fashion show which featured some gorgeous looking men and women in fancy earthbender attire. The people around me were all waiting for the main attraction of the show. I just knew it had to be her. The curtain parted to show the audience the woman from beforehand dressed in a dress that honestly looks similar to Earth Queen Hou Ting's clothing. It looks way better on her of course. She sauntered around swinging her wide hips and smiling in utter confidence. She's just beautiful all the way and she knows it. The crowd roared with applause as she made her appearance. Natsumi whispered into my ear while the crowds attention was drawn towards the woman.
"Come on. Now's our chance to get inside."
So the two of us sneaked backstage and found the woman's dressing room. The name posted on it made me realize that this woman has to be my mom now. "Haruka. That's my mom's name."
We waited outside of the dressing room until the show ended. My mother walked into the hallway leading to her dressing room with a bouquet of roses that she obviously got from the crowd. She removed her crown and addressed her coworkers with a upper crust accent. "Honestly ladies I am shocked that a cruel tyrant like Hou Ting was able to wear this exquisite kimono. I mean this detailed masterpiece should be given to Kiyoshi herself rather then a dictator don't you think?"
I remember my mother had the same voice. Her upper class accent came naturally to her and was especially pronounced when she was flirting with my father. I decided now was the time for me to reveal myself to Haruka so I walked in front of her as she strolled over to her dressing room, looked her in the eye and said "Hello mother. How's it been since you left my father?"
Haruka looked flabbergasted as her eyes shot open and filled with tears, her jaw dropped and she nearly let go of the crown in her hands before she replied to my introduction in disbelief. "Nami? Is that you? I haven't seen you in 12 years!"
I signalled for her to go outside with me and Natsumi so no one could hear us.
"Yes. It's me and honestly mother I need your help."
"Why do you need my help? I'm just a fashion model."
"I'm the Avatar and I've killed many people a few days ago."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"I was being pursued by a group of anarchists that call themselves the Red Revival. They attempted to end the Avatar Spirit by administering a poison that would kill me while in the Avatar State. I needed to save myself and my friends so I entered the Avatar State and killed every single member except the leaders B'li and S'li and this girl next to me named Natsumi. She's agreed to help me out but I really need to have some peace in my mind before I can save anyone at this point. So can you please come back home with me and dad?"
"Well you're just in luck. The next show for Earth Kingdoms Fashion Week is at Kiyoshi Island so I guess I can try to rekindle the relationship that I had with your father. I don't know if he'll ever forgive me but it's worth a shot."
Natsumi grinned in joy after hearing that. "Great. Since I doubt that Takuma would ever let you learn firebending from his sister at this point my guess is that I'll have to teach you. So once we get to Kiyoshi Island I'll show you how to reignite your passion."
I walked out of the Fashion Show with Natsumi in tow. I really felt tired at this point so we went outside of Ba Sing Se so one would spot us. We eventually found Namis car straight from Future Industries outside of the town that we decided to use to get close to Kiyoshi Island. I don't know where our journey will take us next or even if I'll save the world like Aang and Korra did years ago but for now I know that only the lost walk alone.
