Chapter 29
Appa was at first reluctant to carry the ten people but after certain bribery of moon peaches from Katrara and promise of frequent breaks to rest, he grudgingly took off. Momo flew alongside his head for the first half mile as if providing moral support, but then collapsed on Aang's lap with an over-exaggerated attempt at exhaustion.
The plan was to meet one of Jet's fellow freedom fighters at a checkpoint a few miles away. Although Smellerbee had taken over as leader, Jet still worked with the rebels.
Apparently, the fighter to join them was, like Joy, experienced with a sword.
Joy's mood was not improved by the notion of a fellow sword master. The sky was as intimidating as the sea, but colder and less majestic.
She trailed out a hand, to touch a cloud, but the sensation of the freezing air made her withdraw it immediately. This wasn't like soaring beautifully though unexplored realms. This was like being thrown into an icy storm with sudden stomach lurches and rushing wind which echoed through your head.
Joy looked over at her sister. How would it feel for her? Up here, she was again, like in the ice, truly blind. The earthbender was clinging on to the edge of the saddle, arms hooked through the decorative holes. Her eyes were open, but watering slightly from the rapid breeze.
As if reading her sister's thoughts, Toph spoke. "I really don't miss flying. And you do this for fun?"
Her indignant statement was aimed at the Avatar who defended,
"Sure, I do! Check out this loop!" to prove his point, the airbender swung the bison around, and gracefully curved to the side, twisting almost upside down.
Both Beifong sisters let out groans and clutched at the saddle. They wouldn't miss being this far from the ground.
-oOo-
Daiyu was the name of the new ally. Joy's immediate impression of the girl was her age. Joy had expected someone in her mid to late teens- much like the rest of the group- but one look told her that she was around her age.
If you were to describe Daiyu's appearance simply, your picture of her would be the exact opposite to her true look. Her hair was blonde, almost white, but it was cut in such a way that although it was long, it was spiky. Her porcelain skin was marred by a scar reaching from above her eye, below her eyebrow, to halfway down her cheek.
What struck Joy the hardest about Daiyu wasn't her sighs of coming from favoured roots, but her eyes. They were blue. Not the soft blue of a newborn baby, or the elegant hue of an angel, but something further. They were dark and raging. They were elegant and strong.
They seemed to toss like the restless sea, and like the sea, they left the Beifong girl entranced, as if she could stare into their bottomless depths for eternity.
-oOo-
Realising she was staring, Joy wrenched her eyes from the new member of the group as she muttered something to jet about the forest behind them. Apparently, she had finished her update, because she turned to the group and Jet began to introduce everybody in turn.
When he came to Joy, she smiled shyly and ventured, "Jet told me that you have a school. I considered starting one myself, but I don't really think I'd be patient enough to teach anyone!"
"I didn't think I would be either but it's actually a lot easier that you'd think, telling people what to do! What sword do you use?"
-oOo-
A conversation began about swordswork, it was strange, having someone to talk to with similar, but not identical interests. It made the second ride on Appa almost bearable for Joy, her hands still exceptionally sweaty.
In contrast to the dark-haired girl, Daiyu squealed with excitement with the take-off of the giant beast who moaned under the weight of an eleventh person. She eagerly asked Aang about his control, and seemed to get the highest thrill, soaring through the air.
Somehow, seeing Daiyu's enjoyment lifted Joy's spirits. It was strange. No one she had known was quite like her. She was completely unique.
-oOo-
I get asked how I plan my stories sometimes. And I have to say that I just… don't XD.
I know this so many people would advise against this but it suits me to just write what occurs to me. The ideas come as I write them, like I completely invented Daiyu as I wrote this chapter. I guess this technique could me the story loses sense and I get lost, but plans have always bothered me!
Not entirely sure why I'm saying this just putting it out there XD
Bye!