Although my one on one time with Toph was one of the greatest times of my life, I took off the moment I heard Zuko and the others were on their way back in order to discuss the future of Yu Dao. Toph and her students all saw me off cheerfully and I jokingly told Toph to not run them too ragged. We hugged goodbye before I shouldered the single bag I was taking wit he, dressed in my old travelling attire which was light and exposed my midriff since it was getting really hot even in the Earth Kingdom, and I intended to go back to the Fire Nation. Zuko wouldn't think to look for me there, if he tried searching for me, and I felt like returning home for a while before I'd gradually make my way south back to my parents.
It was rather uplifting visiting places I'd never been to before in my own nation, and before I knew it two weeks had passed since that day at Yu Dao. I continued on my journey, exploring to my heart's content, going from island to island and following the coast before my feet began to take me in a completely different direction I'd been intending to go. Not only that, I started having strange dreams at night, where I'd be with Zuko but then I'd turn around to see his mother just looking at me. I'd seen her portrait before, but none of the paintings of her ever showed her smiling. She must have been very unhappy being married to Ozai, finding love only in Zuko and Azula whilst she was still young and cute.
These dreams soon ended up being entirely focused on Ursa, Zuko's mother, almost like a premonition until I wearily wandered into a village, one called Hira'a. Pulling up my hood I curiously looked around, trying to blend in. It was a small village but there were plenty of food stalls and things to see. What I liked the most was the large stage in the middle of town where apparently the local acting group performed public plays. "Do you have an interest in acting, dear?" The old lady I was buying dumplings from asked me as I handed her the last of my money.
"No, but I am a dancer, so I've been performing all my life. Is there someone I can talk to about maybe staying here a while and getting a job here? I'd love to perform on stage if I can."
"You'll want to talk to Noren, dear, he's the director of the acting group. He is a very nice and kind man, I'm sure he'll be glad to give you an audition. You'll find him at home around this time of day with his wife Noriko and their daughter." Giving me directions on how to get there, I bowed to the nice old lady then went on my way, eating a few of the dumplings before I tied off the bag, tied it to my belt then knocked on the door.
A cute little girl about four years old answered the door, making me look down before I smiled, lowering myself so that I was of a similar height to her. "Hello little lady, I was looking for your papa, the stage director? Is he here?"
"Kiyi! Who is it?" A female voice called out softly and the door opened further to reveal a middle aged woman. "Oh, a stranger. Hello, welcome to Kira'a, how can we help you?"
"Good evening ma'am." I bowed to show respect and politeness before lifting my head. "I'm a travelling dancer passing through town, and I noticed the beautiful stage and hoped that I might be able to find some work here for a while. I was told that if I spoke to your husband, Director Noren, I might be able to audition." The lady smiled, and I guessed this must be Noriko.
"But of course, please come in. You must be tired from your travels, let me get you something to eat and drink whilst Kiyi runs for Noren. Kiyi, sweetie, go find you father and tell him we have a guest."
"Okay." I smiled as Kiyi ran past me, her little legs carrying her down the road as Noriko invited me into her home where I was sat at the table and given tea and food.
"It's not much but this is all I have. Please accept this as thanks for your hospitality." I said as I held out the bag of dumplings I'd bought, making Noriko smile at me.
"That's very kind of you, Kiyi loves these dumplings. Tell me about yourself, miss…?"
"Kayo, my name is Kayo. I'm a travelling dancer who used to perform with the Golden Dragon Birds, a famous Fire Nation performing group but they've moved to Ba Sing Se, and my mother who was a fire dancer has recently married my father after being separated for a long time due to the war." Noriko was very interested in my story, asking me all about my performing troupe and my travels. I avoided the parts where I'd journeyed with the Avatar and helped overthrow the Fire Lord, and just recounted all the places I'd been to and seen.
A little while later Kiyi came back, announcing that her papa was home where I stood up to meet the director. "Hello stranger! Kiyi tells me that we have a guest in our home who dances. That must be you."
"Yes sir. I am Kayo." Bowing to him, Noren waved off the formalities and invited me to sit once more so that we could talk. Their family was just so nice, Kiyi asking me questions and wanting to play with my hair and show me her doll, who she'd named after herself. She was very sweet and soon she was quite happily playing in my lap, one of my arms around her carefully though when she started to rock about with laughter, I gripped my chest in pain as the bones were still mending. "Kiyi, please be gentle. I got hurt recently and I can't move around too much."
"Oh my! Kiyi come away now, don't hurt our guest." Noriko instantly fussed, drawing Kiyi away onto her lap. "What happened? Are you alright dear?"
"It's fine, I'm almost healed but there's still some bruises that haven't faded yet. I'm sorry for causing concern." Noriko smiled and told me to let her know if I was in any pain so that she could make a compress for me to help.
"We have a lot of actors in our group, but not many dancers with formal experience. I should very much like to see what you can do, but we'll save that for tomorrow after you rest from your travels." Noren said to me, smiling at his wife before looking back at me. "If you don't have anywhere to stay, then you may stay with my family here. You are more than welcome to make yourself at home."
"You can sleep in my room!" Kiyi beamed from her mother's lap and I giggled.
"I think that would be fun, thank you Kiyi. Thank you too, Director Noren and Madam Noriko, I'll be sure to repay your kindness."
"You seem like a lovely young lady, so there's no need to thank us. It's always refreshing when someone new arrives in the village, and Kiyi likes you a great deal. Whatever we have, we'll share it gladly with anyone who needs it." Noriko said to me and I couldn't help but tear up slightly, sniffing and quickly brushing the tear away.
"Sorry, it's just I've had a tough time this past year. I've forgotten what it's like to receive simple kindness from good people, it's so heart warming."
"You poor dear. You must have had a difficult time." So I ended up staying with Noren and his family, who auditioned me the next day and before I'd even danced halfway through a song, Noren laughingly told me I'd got the job and asked if I would be willing to train others to dance which I accepted. We worked out a small wage, enough for me to buy food and save up for a while before I decided to move on, and so I spent my days in fulfilment, training others, performing on stage and living the kind of life I loved best, and when the day was over I'd return to a family who welcomed me.
Kiyi was always waiting with a smile and eagerly anticipating her daily treat which had become our routine before we'd spend the evening together until she would fall asleep, usually in my arms, and someone would carry her to bed in the peaceful thrum of the evening, crickets and fireflies filling my view as I'd gaze out the window into the night, wondering how anyone could ever want more than a simple life like this when it was all you ever needed to be truly happy.
