Chapter 21
Trouble in Paradise
Worried that something was wrong Mirielle hurried over to them. They were all three already together. "Sorry to say but we are going to have to get out of here and quick," Solana said. Mirielle could already see that Gaius was carrying their things. "Tyson there got us into some trouble" Gaius said as they made a mad dash towards Flora. "What happened," Mirielle asked. But she looked back to where she came from at the zoo. "I don't know how much time we have to talk about it" Tyson said "The earth guards are already after me. And I didn't even do anything." "They say you stole from a fruit cart" Solana said, "I know better then that I am telling you it was a flying lemur that did it." "And they didn't see any of those either" Gaius said "Besides even if there were they wouldn't be around here" Mirielle looked back and said, "Do they have any proof that they saw Tyson steal anything to begin with." "They didn't see him steal it but they saw him with it" Solana said "I gave it back, even though that lemur was the one that planted it on me" Tyson said. Mirielle sigh softly and said, "I believe I should try to calm these people down and stop them from believing that. I know Tyson better then anyone and he would never steal anything." "That might be a trick" Gaius said "They don't trust him because he is from the fire nation and they have figured it out. But you can try" "I have a song that normally calms people Gaius and gets them to think straight and stop the silly accessions," Mirielle said. She looked at Tyson knowing he will know what she was talking about. "It's worth a shot" Tyson said as he offered the floor so to speak to Mirielle as she saw the large group of people heading her way.
Mirielle smiled at her friend before she moved to stand on the 'stage.' When she saw the people near enough she began to sing the song she has been singing to the animals at the zoo. The people stopped but they didn't seem to calm down quickly. Mirielle just stood her ground and gave the people a look that told them to behave as she continued to sing the gentle song. "What are you doing child?" One of them asked coldly. "Making you people realize how stupid you are being acting like this. If you act like this then that makes you no better then the ones that has done damage to us. If you wouldn't let anger get the best of you and think this through you will also realize how stupid you are all being," Mirielle said just as coldly which made it scarier since she is normally nice and kind. "Violence is the only thing those of the fire nation understand" A woman in the back said, "Now he needs to get out of our town" "I understand how you may feel" The first man said looking at Mirielle "But how can you be sure he isn't a spy?" Mirielle glared at the people and said, "Because I've known him since we were kids and I know I can trust in him but what about you people. All you do is holding a grudge and putting it against someone who has done nothing wrong since he has been here. How can we be sure that neither one of you are spies of the Fire Nation hmm." She got in her stance ready to protect her friends. "Alright stop this" Someone from the back said coming up, "There is no need for this I think I have a way to settle this peacefully. That is if you are willing" Mirielle turned to look for the source of the voice but kept a close eye on the people.
"We are normally a peaceful people" He said "If you are willing to leave town for a few days maybe everyone here will calm down and things will go back to normal" Mirielle looked at him before she looked at the people and gave them another glare before she said, "Fine will do that but think about this you people how would you feel if you was visiting someplace and then get blame for something you didn't do that will force you to leave the place that you had enjoy. While we are gone you can think about that." She then turned her back on the people and walked over to her friends. She knew she would still be able to go to the zoo hopefully like she said she would. "At least it's the more center parts of town" Gaius said "Do you have any friends at the zoo Mirielle?" "Yeah mainly the animals I have been with to care for are my friends but my boss Kenji is my friend as well," Mirielle said looking at Gaius and smiling. It was as if her anger that she had shown towards the villagers was never there. "Let's go say goodbye to them for now" Gaius said "I don't think we have much of a choice in that" Mirielle smiled sadly at that and nodded before she sadly led the way towards the zoo. "But don't worry" Solana said softly "We can always have Flora bring us back and actually land in the zoo if your boss is ok with that, that way we don't have to deal with the crowd inside the main section of town" That seemed to have cheered Mirielle up and caused her to say, "Thanks Solana." She just didn't know how Kenji will react but she hopes he will allow them to do that. They soon made it back to the zoo and Mirielle saw that Kenji was getting ready to set things up so he could leave for the night.
"Kenji," Mirielle called to him. "Oh hello again Mirielle" He said, then he saw all her friends with her, "Is something going on?" He asked. Mirielle smiled sadly and told Kenji what happened and she also told him about Solana's suggestion. "Of course you can do that" Kenji said smiling at Mirielle to help calm her down, "I have never been one to go with the crowd anyway" Mirielle smiled back gratefully at Kenji and said, "Thanks Kenji. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow like I said huh." She was back to being her usual self now. "Sure" Kenji said smiling "That is if you guys don't travel too far" Mirielle turned to look at her friends. "We won't" Gaius said smiling, "Just far enough for our campsite to not get spotted" Solana said. Mirielle smiled and looked back at Kenji. "Sounds like a plan then" Kenji said "You guys be careful out there" "We will," Mirielle said before she thought about Brave Heart. She wanted to be sure he was alright before she left. She didn't quiet understand it but it seem that they created a bond with each other when they touched foreheads. "If there are any animals you want to say goodbye to feel free" Kenji said. Mirielle smiled and nodded. She would let her friends follow her if they wanted to as she walked by the pens of the animals she cared for just checking on them really since Brave Heart was the main one she wanted to see. Gaius was the main one that followed. Solana didn't want to be far from Flora and Tyson didn't want to be far from Solana so they stayed behind. Mirielle just smiled and softly sang her song to the animals just in case they were still awake as she moved closer to Brave Heart's pen. Brave Heart was still awake and moved closer to the surface of his pool when he heard the song. Mirielle smiled and got in his pen still singing her song. He looked up at her and then Gaius spotted Brave Heart. "Wow is that a catgator?" He asked. "Yeah he is. Brave Heart come here boy," Mirielle said to the catgator softly kneeling down to his level.
Brave Heart did so though Mirielle could detect an unsure look when he looked at Gaius. "It's alright Brave Heart. He doesn't mean you any harm. He is a friend of mine," Mirielle said gently touching his head with her hand and petted him. Brave Heart softened up after that. "Wow he listens to you" Gaius said. "It seems so," Mirielle said softly as she wrapped her arms around Brave Heart and gave him a hug. Knowing that he understands her somehow she told him what had happened and everything else. Brave Heart seemed to be ok with it. "But I'll still be able to come and see you as well Brave Heart," Mirielle finished off. Brave Heart gave her a hug with his tail like he had done before. Mirielle smiled and continued to hug Brave Heart for a while longer. "I can tell that you two share a strong bond" Gaius said smiling. "You believe so," Mirielle said smiling and gently backing up to look at Gaius as well as at Brave Heart. "Sure" Gaius said "Don't you think?" Mirielle looked into Brave Heart's eyes and said softly, "I believe we do." "Then there you go" Gaius said "You do" Mirielle smiled and looked at Brave Heart as she said, "What about you Brave heart?" Brave Heart just nudged her like he always did when he agreed. Mirielle smiled softly and petted Brave Heart once more. "I think that means he agrees" Gaius said smiling. "Yeah it does," Mirielle said. Gaius smiled at the Catgator. "Don't worry I will protect her too" He said. Brave Heart just simply looked at him. Mirielle smiled and said, "He will Brave Heart don't worry okay." She then did something new. She gently kissed him on his snout knowing that he will never harm her. This is another way to show her full trust in the catgator.
Brave Heart seemed surprised at that but liked it. Mirielle smiled and said, "I'm going to have to go now Brave Heart." He nodded in content. Mirielle smiled and giving Brave Heart a final hug and another gentle petting. "I'll see you tomorrow like I said okay Brave Heart," she said. Again he nodded in content. Mirielle sang her song to Brave Heart like she always does but this time it's to help him get his rest as she left the pen. Brave Heart then went back down into his pool. Mirielle smile and looked at Gaius softly. "You ready to head out now?" He asked. "Yeah," Mirielle said smiling softly still as she reached for Gaius hand. Gaius took it and the two made their way back to Solana and Tyson, who were both waiting on Flora's back. Mirielle smiled softly and moved to get on Flora's back. As Mirielle began to make her way up, Gaius came from behind and placed her on his shoulders so he could do the work of climbing up for her. He made sure she had her balance first. Mirielle gasped in surprise but she was able to keep her balance and looked at Gaius softly. Soon enough they were both Flora's back. "Sorry" Gaius said softly "I just thought I'd help you up here" Mirielle just smiled and moved close enough to give Gaius a kiss on his cheek saying, "I didn't mind it at all Gaius," softly. "So is everyone ready?" Solana called to make sure everyone was seated properly. "Yeah," Mirielle said softly laying her head on Gaius shoulder feeling tired right now for some reason. "Alright then" Solana said "Flora Yip, Yip" With that the group flew off.