The sound of the train glided repeatedly across the long and endless monorail tracks. The vehicle made of metal has been traveling throughout the agrarian zone for hours now, across a great deal of landmass. Yet, the inner walls of Ba Sing Se is still not within their reach.
While the farmers in the city uses this transportation everyday, most of the seats are occupied by poor refugees from the rest of Earth Kingdom. The diversity in clothing is very obvious. While green is the color worn by all, there are also variations such as light yellow and brown in the mix. The attire are completely different from the blue robes in Kyoshi island.
Satchiko cannot take her eyes off a mother cradling a crying baby. The agitated infant refused to hold back any tears. Something inside her wanted to help these people whose lives are tarnished, but what can she do? She is just a Kyoshi warrior who just so happens to be in the same train as them. All the faces of these refugees displayed one thing, sadness. Many wish to escape from the chaos outside, and hope they may restart their lives behind the walls of Ba Sing Se. They were denied opportunity in a land driven by turmoil and division. The fact that they even made it here alive is something to be celebrated.
A few minutes gone by, the whole train became silent. The baby have finally fallen asleep and everyone enjoyed the peacefulness while they still can.
Her eyes wandered out the window, looking at the environment outside. It's still the same. Just endless rice fields and farms, how uninteresting. It seems that currently nothing can quell her insatiable boredom.
She decided to rest her eyes, hoping to skip over this trip. But then she felt an elbow gently nudging her, asking for her attention.
"Sister, look!" Mayumi directed Satchiko to look at some stone structures outside. She rubbed her eyes to get a clearer view.
Amongst the endless field of rice, is a group of large circular buildings made entirely out of earth. Each of them appear to be some sort of small fortresses with dark clay roof tiles. There are countless windows across the entire circumference of these multiple story high buildings, and farmers can be seen coming in and out of them through the singular entrance on each.
It's a structure where people live in, she thought. But clearly these buildings have high defensive capabilities. It's round shape makes the external walls harder to penetrate. The building is also very high as well, and the windows are only big enough for arrow fire to be shot from within the building.
"How many people do you think those giant houses can fit inside?" Satchiko asked her more knowledgeable sister. Since Mayumi have read many books and journals belonging to Hakaru, she probably can provide some explanations to these massive structures. Although, it is quite obvious their father have never personally been inside Ba Sing Se.
"About a few hundred." It wasn't Mayumi who answered, but a girl wearing some sort of silver headdress. No, more accurately, she is wearing some kind of silver jewelry hat made entirely out of that metal. Such refined craftsmanship is on par if not exceed the simpler Kyoshi warrior headdress.
"A few hundred? But...how?" Satchiko astonished. She felt that she needed to visit one of those large earth houses personally, just to take a look at its interior design. She refuse to believe that a single building has the capacity of a few hundred inhabitants.
"Those round earth houses are built by refugees from outside Ba Sing Se. All with the help of Earth Bending." The girl with silver headdress continued. "They serve as both a fortress and living quarters. Obviously it has to be big to fit everyone. One of that giant building is essentially a small village all concentrated into one house."
"A whole village you say?" Mayumi rubbed her chin as she is fascinated by this fact. In a rough estimate, the population of their home village back on the island could probably all fit into one of those circular buildings. For her, seeing new things and discover the world is always keeping things interesting.
"Why would people build something like this if there are giants walls all around the city?" Satchiko asked the stranger. "It felt so unnecessary."
The girl with silver headdress looked at the refugees in same car. With a pitied look, she explained the motivation behind these large Earth houses. "The original builders of these round buildings escaped to Ba Sing Se to avoid wars. They did it for five times across the span of history. The refugees are 'guests', and because they came into conflict with locals, they built these large houses to protect themselves. Truth is, people like to stay close to others who are just like them. Even the slightest differences with the locals is all it takes create conflict."
Satchiko felt she has heard that last bit before, from Batu's father, Khenbish the herdsman. When she ear dropped on Mayumi's campfire talk with the other Kheshig, Khenbish emphasized how difference in this world separates people. The Kheshig Khanate and the Air Nomads are all Air-Benders, yet they wanted almost nothing to do with one another. Suspicion between them build like a wall of fire, preventing them from making peace.
"Truly fascinating," Mayumi commented on her seat. "Didn't know Ba Sing Se have something like this. I bet the farmers must have felt very safe living inside one of those."
These giant earth structures are simple living quarters, Satchiko let those words played repeatedly in her head. While these giant earth houses paled in comparison to the enormous walls of Ba Sing Se, these mere houses are already larger than most building Kyoshi island has, save for the great Kyoshi warrior temple.
She couldn't ignore the huge disparity between Kyoshi island and this place. Here, there is an abundance of almost everything, even their houses are big and made of stone. While people on Kyoshi island uses their own hands to move the stones and create the Kyoshi warrior temple on the mountain, anyone here can just manipulate the earth with their bending.
"I am Hudie from Miao village, east of Earth Kingdom." The stranger cheerfully introduced herself.
Despite technically originate from the same nation, Hudie's accent sounded almost foreign to the Kyoshi warriors. The girl the offered hand to shake. "What about you two? I never seen women wearing such strange clothing, are these armor?"
"Mayumi, and this is my sister Satchiko." The elder sister said as she accepted the handshake. "We are from Kyoshi island."
"You two are sisters..." Satchiko felt Hudie doesn't believe Mayumi's claim that they are both related. It does happen sometimes, while both of them shared very similar facial features, there is one distinctive aspect that people often point to.
"But, the eye colors, they are both so different." Hudie said as she looked back and forth between the Kyoshi warriors. "Mayumi, your eyes are very blue, and you Satchiko, those eyes are emerald green."
"Our father is from mainland Earth Kingdom, my sister got the eye color from him, too bad she didn't got his intellect!" Mayumi jokingly explained, much to Satchiko's annoyance. It's strange how despite similarities in their appearances, Mayumi is always inherently more intelligent than Satchiko, who always has a simpler mindset. She then looked at the Miao girl. The attire of Hudie composed of a distinctive dark green tunic. The silver headdress itself stood out the most, splendid and extraordinary.
"Is that, made of silver?" Mayumi asked respectfully, hoping she isn't crossing any cultural boundaries. She has always been infatuated with the world outside Kyoshi island. Meeting new people from afar is quite a mind opening experience.
"Indeed," Hudie took off her silver hat and handed it to Mayumi. "Every girl in my village has one, we used them to dance and sing during festivals."
Mayumi's eyes are captivated by the craftsmanship of the silver hat. Its designs are intricate, and no words can describe how beautiful it is.
"It looks like your village have great silversmiths," Mayumi complimented. "If only we have these types of headdress back home."
"Thanks, your golden headdress also looks great!" Hudie replied as she received back her silver hat. "What is it used for?"
"Oh this," Mayumi focused on her golden headdress with a sense of pride. "This headdress is used by Kyoshi warriors who have proven themselves to be capable. Every family has their own design, and can only be worn when we reached an acceptable skill in our training. In battle, they allow us to distinguish our fellow sister's identity."
Hudie marveled at the golden headdress of Mayumi. It has crossed shape built with a square in the middle, while being attached to a triangular plate of metal. But she noticed Satchiko is not wearing one on her forehead.
"Your sister, where is her headdress?" Hudie asked, noticing the absence of any golden ornament on the younger sibling. There is only a training headband on Satchiko, simple and unsophisticated.
Satchiko only remained her neutral face. Neither smiling nor sad, just a plain expression that aims to conceal her true rationale.
"It's in my backpack," Satchiko plainly said to Hudie, and then faked a light smile. "I...I will wear it later."
The golden headdress was something she always wanted to wear when she was a young trainee, always so eager to prove her skills and prowess to others, and she had. Back on the island, she would always challenge others in sparring matches, and winning all of them. When she watched the older Kyoshi warriors with their golden headdresses, it only motivated her more so that one day she can also wear one.
But now, she can no longer feel the same urge. Like a sword that is kept inside a sheath, she felt it would be better if her headdress doesn't see the daylight, just for a short while...
"So are you two also exchange students going to Ba Sing Se university?" Hudie asked a very direct question. Both Kyoshi warriors do not look like the other refugees in tattered clothing. Obviously, anyone with a reasonable social standing are prime candidates to get into that university.
Hudie's hunch landed very close to the mark. "It's just my sister who is studying, I'm just accompanying her." Mayumi breathed to clarify. "Just making sure she stays out of trouble."
Satchiko gave Mayumi a genuine smile. At this point, she felt her older sister have not been given enough recognition for being there for her through all the dangers and tribulations so far. She has taken Mayumi's guardianship for granted, and very needed to find ample opportunity to repay her kindness and for always being there. Perhaps a precious gift would do, a show of appreciation for their unshakable sisterhood.
She then looked at Huidie, wanting to inquire her about her backstory. "Are you also an exchange student?"
The girl nodded, she pulled out a letter, the same one from Master Xuan Zang. The words are written to be directed at the chief of Miao village, inviting his daughter to study at Ba Sing Se university.
"Your father is the chief too, huh." Satchiko contemplated on this fact. She remembered about Temujin, who informed her that Xuan Zang may not necessarily be what he seems. Handing out spots in the world's most prestigious university freely must mean something fishy is going on here. Definitely an alternative motive in the play.
Both Satchiko and Hudie have parents that are in position of power, representing their own villages and people. The question is, what are the chances that the other exchange students also have parents in position of power just like themselves?
"Oh look." Hudie pointed her finger at the outside environment. "We are finally there!"
Outside the window, the view of the inner wall of Ba Sing Se is finally coming across the horizon. After a few passing minutes, the train reached the wall and entered a deep dark tunnel, blackening every's vision until it's pitch dark.
Not used to this change, Satchiko's hands involuntary grabbed Mayumi's left arm for reassurance. The darkness came too suddenly, and she couldn't prepare for it mentally. It must have been very embarrassing for a teenager to fear the dark, but at least no one here is able to see her in this state.
She felt a gloved hand comfortably brushing her short hair, as if it's trying to tell her there is nothing to be afraid of.
"Thank you Mayumi." Satchiko whispered.
It felt...right. Somehow. Even though she herself is a warrior in a suit of armor, the pieces of metal is not what made Satchiko felt safe in this situation. She is even more thankful that Mayumi didn't show any resistance. She could have pushed Satchiko away, but chose not to.
The light on the other end of the tunnel is getting closer, but Satchiko cannot decide whether or not if she should let go of her sister's arm or continue clinging on to it. There was no resistance from Mayumi, so the decision is entirely up to her.
When the light finally hit the room. Everything brightened. Satchiko quickly relaxed herself from grasping Mayumi's arm at the very last moment. Her sister didn't say anything about it.
Both of them and Hudie stood up so that they can get a full view of what is outside. There are countless buildings, endless in fact lies within these massive walls. And that would be an understatement.
"Woah!" Satchiko's eyes goggled widely, can't help but keep her jaws open. "How people live in here? Thousands?"
"Millions sister, millions." Mayumi is in awe as she answered. She knew what to expect from a great city, big walls, with a lot of houses and infrastructure. But even her eyes are simply too shocked from this unprecedented presentation of the lower ring.
That is what Satchiko would best describe it, an entire ocean of green houses lay before them. All built with stone with wood and plaster covering the outside. While most houses are only a few stories high, there are taller buildings, all of them having dark green roof tiles and traditional designs of Earth Kingdom buildings. The heavy incorporation of traditional architecture in the lower ring is impressive, but there something else that caught her attention.
Along the way, she noticed many areas around the city looked damaged and old. Construction sites sprung up around them with workers repairing those particular regions. What intrigued her is that many of these old buildings shows signs that they were once damaged intentionally.
Activities of renovation is prevalent, mostly by the presence of bamboo scaffolding and giant cranes lifting materials to support Earth Benders in their reconstruction.
"What happened here?" Satchiko asked Hudie about the large scale development in construction all around this area of the city.
Before anyone can answer her question, she felt the train's force gradually resting its feet. They arrived at a station. A lawman yelled loudly, demanding everyone to step out.
Satchiko and Mayumi gathered with the crowd and merge with the flow. Upon exiting the train, Satchiko stood on the stone platform, unsure where to go next. She stayed close to her sister, who is much more dependable.
Within the station, she noticed plenty of immigration officers inside their tiny wooden booths, stamping documents like factory workers. There were also some guards stationed nearby.
Multiple lines of visitors assembled in front of the booths, and everyone hastily prepared their papers for the upcoming inspection.
"Keep the weapons concealed." Mayumi whispered to Satchiko. Despite all of them including Hudie are squeezed together with the massive crowd, their plans are muffled by the endless murmurs of passengers. But at least her sister understood the situation, which is why Satchiko hid her only metal fan from public eye. As for Mayumi, she used a piece of cloth to conceal her katana.
The entire platform is overflowing with people. Being squeezed by others is an uncomfortable experience for a little girl from far away Kyoshi island, where the air is fresher and the surrounding less crowed. She felt she couldn't even more her fingers when the waves of passengers are just fighting to be in the waiting line.
Order was restored when the guards intervened, even going as far as bringing a ferocious platypus-bear to threaten any rowdy passengers who dare skip the lines.
Hudie arrived near the booth that is the closest to the exit gate. After experiencing all the chaos in the waiting line behind her, she can finally feel freedom.
"Papers please!" A cranky middle aged lady shouted after she hustled the last passenger through the gate. The sound of her stamp repeatedly clicked on the tickets as she approved one passenger after another.
When it was Hudie's turn, the offical demanded her to show the documents. Hudie did so by using her University Invitation letter.
The girl smiled as the official noticed the value of this parchment, far above than the ones carried by refugees and locals.
The cranky lady immediately granted access by stamping the letter.
"I will see you two on the other side." Hudie nodded to the Kyoshi warriors. She pushed through the metal gates and bypassed to the outdoors, now it's their turn.
Despite feeling a sense of nervousness, Satchiko was the first to step forward, she gave the university approval letter to the official and hoped for the best. The fear of that letter being rejected almost grasp her, but she then find her fear is unfounded.
The lady immediately stamped the letter, and then smiled at the younger teenager. "So, what course is a young lady like you going to learn in Ba Sing Se university? Arts? History? Literature?" She sounded very curious as to what the Kyoshi warrior have enrolled into, and it would be rude for Satchiko to remain silent.
It must be very exciting for teenagers like her to be admitted into the world's most prestigious school. Whatever knowledge they pursue, is definitely much more enlightening then being a border officer who scans documents all day.
"Um," Satchiko scratched her short brown hair. "I guess fighting course?" It was a very jarring answer that does not engage the question correctly.
Her invitation letter from master Xuan Zang never specify what lessons she is going to invest her time in. One does not necessarily need a university degree to master Earth Bending, many people already grasped the basic move steps in their youth. But as for Satchiko, she never have the same dedication as others.
The official gave her a weird look, Satchiko take back her letter and walked pass the metal gates, waiting for her sister.
"You are neither a refugee or a local," The official raised her eyebrow at Mayumi, who knew there must be a problem with her status. "If you are coming here, at least have something that can prove who you are!"
"I am simply accompanying my sister to the city." Mayumi answered, indicating her wish to be granted access. But the official's look wasn't sympathetic, it felt like she is going to subject Mayumi to additional background checks.
"Here, I hope this does it." Mayumi reached within her kimono and grabbed a handful of copper coins. She secretly pushed them across the table, hoping this cranky woman would just turn a blind eye.
"Sigh, this is the fourth time today." The unimpressed officer opened a paper folding fan to cool herself. "The last four who tried to bribe me was found with weapons when the enforcers took them. Let's just say, I hope there isn't anything illegal on you. Otherwise, prove your legitimacy!"
This is a direct warning to Mayumi. She doesn't have the sufficient documents of being an exchange student or a refugee. Frankly, Mayumi's status is rather unique. Something the border control didn't consider.
"Wait!" Satchiko panicked, trying to climb over the gate she have just passed. "She very is my sister, I vouch for her!"
"No need," Mayumi calmly said. Satchiko watched as her sister placed a single golden coin on the table. "This should meant something right?"
The officer examined the golden coin throughly, and her mouth opened a little. The item isn't the currency they use. Instead, this coin is an insignia given by high ranking members of Ba Sing Se.
"Go ahead." The officer demanded, handing the golden coin back. She even returned the bribe money back to Mayumi. "Just take it back, I don't want to lose my job."
Mayumi slide through the metal gate, joining Satchiko.
"That-that was dangerous." Satchiko's worried voice reached Mayumi. "If dad didn't give you that golden coin, you could have been taken away!"
Mayumi didn't dwelt too much on it. The coin was foretold to be useful in certain situations. It's annoying that Temujin never revealed how to open the coin's secret compartment to the White Lotus symbol. What bothered her even more is that someone from Kyoshi island works for the White Lotus, yet they don't know who. It couldn't be their parents, Akahana and Hakaru never hid anything from them.
Mayumi took Satchiko's letter and give it a good read. There are instructions to what exchange students should do next after they entered the inner ring.
"Hmm, it seems that there are these tour guides that will take us to another train heading to the middle ring." Mayumi said. She rolled up the parchment and led her sister to regroup with Hudie.
The three of them arrived on another platform within the same train station. There, they encountered a group female tour guides, each with a their own group of visitors to led.
"Wow, this place is crowded!" Hudie remarked. For a dancer like her, a stage without maneuverability isn't comfortable to move around. She nudge through the gaps of endless people, leading the Kyoshi warriors to the other end of the platform.
Once they pushed through, they finally found a corner with enough breathing room, but someone is there first.
She is a woman in her early twenties, wearing the same light green tour guide outfit just like the rest. But additionally, she also has conical hat made of bamboo. In her hands are a whole mountain of paper cards alongside a bag to carry all her belongings. Her eyes looked sharp and focused, memorizing whatever content that is on those cards.
"Uh hi there, I'm Mayumi, are you a tour guide that assists exchange students?"
The voice made the woman similar to Mayumi's age flinch, dropping her mountain of cards to the ground. From her perplexed expression, she felt embarrassed by her clumsiness.
"Oh no!" She cried. "My notes, they are all over the floor!" She tried to recover them, afraid that a single breeze would blow the cards away.
With the help of Hudie, Satchiko collected the paper cards on the floor. Occasionally, she would read it. Each card has notes and symbols on various medicines she cannot understand. Acupuncture, herbs and even how to cure certain diseases should one encounter patients with such symptoms. Each card felt like knowledge worth one year of what Satchiko can process, yet this woman before her seems like she can understand all of them.
"I sincerely apologize that you had to see me like this." The tour guide said as she thanked all of them for collecting the notes on the floor. "My name is Nguyen, and welcome to Ba Sing Se!" She then tipped her bamboo hat to greet the newly arrived visitors, and then proceeded to give them a wide and radiant smile. It is actually very welcoming, Satchiko thought. Very hospitable, very professional, very natural.
"Those cards, they looked so complicated, are you preparing for an exam?" Mayumi asked.
Nguyen nodded. "Quite a difficult one," she placed her notes back inside her little bag. "But not as difficult as the Keju."
"The what?" Satchiko blurted. The word is too difficult for her to grasp.
"It's the civil service examination you want to take if you want to get a job in the bureaucracy." Nguyen said, confused why Satchiko doesn't even know what Keju is. "But your chance of even passing the basics is one against a hundred. Me? I'm sticking to medicine." Nguyen then gently slapped her face, embarrassed that they are wasting so much time on this. "What am I doing! We should be heading onto the train!"
They can hear a train approaching, Nguyen lead them to a specific box where it is reserved for exchange students. Upon entering, the sight of students from various areas of the Earth Kingdom is here. Different clothing, colors and behavior all mixed into this train.
When the train departed, they once again traveled on the rails above the outer ring. She can see a vast array of buildings. But occasionally, construction sites catered to rebuilding destroyed structures would linger in the background.
She cannot take her mind off them, and decided to quench it by asking the tour guide directly.
"Nguyen, why are there some many destroyed houses here. It's like there was a battle, like a wa-" Satchiko felt her sister's hands blocked her mouth. She stared at Mayumi, suddenly confused by this sudden action.
"Well, there was something like that." Nguyen sighed as she recounted events from the past. "These destroyed houses in the outer ring are caused by a great event, the assassination of 53rd sovereign Earth Queen Hou-Ting. During those chaotic dark times, many historical sites were destroyed and ancient artifacts were looted. Many people lost their lives back then, but everyone is still trying to rebuild what was lost. I may not be from around here, but even I can feel the hardship of families who have been affected by it." There was no hesitation when the tour guide explained the history, much to Mayumi's surprise.
This great event described by the Nguyen sounds intriguing. For this giant city is much larger than Kyoshi island, and just so different on so many levels. She can only imagine how many challenges there is if one were to manage so many people. She isn't content with just looking at the outer inner ring's inside a train, she wanted to go out there and walk in the streets itself.
Satchiko continued to look at Mayumi after she retracted her controlling hand.
"Big sis," Satchiko asked. "Why did you just..."
"Sorry," Mayumi apologized for her spontaneous action. "Don't worry about it sister."
She is hiding something, it wasn't that hard for Satchiko to know this. It seems that ever since they left the town of Shang, there has always been a widening distance between both of them. But surely, they can still mend it. It's just a small pebble in the middle of a dirt path. If you ignore it, then it wouldn't be a problem at all.
Satchiko slumped down on the seat and indulged on the cushiony surface. She closed her eyes to rest, knowing that the journey would take a while.
In her deep thought, something random came to her. What did her mother wanted to do with the Avatar?
...
The middle ring's environment is much more peaceful and less crowded than the overgrown lower ring. Home to various shops and financial district, buildings here are not built with countless levels like the lower ring. When the train bypassed the tunnel, the scene of rivers and trees came to view.
It halted at the station and everyone filed orderly out of the train. Since the refugees have already been dropped off in the lower ring, the crowd is kept in more moderate numbers.
Hudie stretched her arms in relief. "Finally, some more open space!" She shuffled the ground a bit, enjoying the newfound area after the horrendous stiffness in that last station.
"This way, everyone!" Nguyen and a few other tour guide lead the students away from the train station. They all embarked on a trip throughout the middle ring, heading for the direction of Ba Sing Se University.
Satchiko decided to use this time to observe the surroundings. Everywhere are houses decorated with traditional architecture, complimented with a good balance of trees and flowers. There were many shops here as well.
"Look Mayumi, the houses here are so big. They are made of rocks!" Satchiko said. But Mayumi wasn't paying attention to what she was saying, as she is constantly wondering her head in all directions.
"Mayumi, you ok?"
"Uh yes," Mayumi diligently replied. She stopped checking the streets and alleyways to face her beloved sister. "You see? I told this place is great! No evil people here to harm my little Kyoshi warrior!" She smiled gleefully at Satchiko, who is shorter by half a head size length.
Mayumi then jovially ruffled her hands through Satchiko's hair. "Here in the city, all you need to focus on is study, study and study." She repeated it three times, expecting Satchiko to focus on her education. "Remember, this opportunity isn't something you have everyday, so don't waste it."
"Uh yeah..." Satchiko replied with a light smile. She can sense that Mayumi is holding high hopes in her endeavors. But she doesn't see herself as someone who is educated enough to study in a university. Looks like all those years of playing in the forests and training with the other Kyoshi warriors would not help her here. But hopefully, whatever Earth bending course she has been provided wouldn't be too difficult to learn. She is a quick learner when it comes to weapons, surely Earth Bending can't be that difficult.
They exchanged a smile, and walked with the other exchange students. After traveling across multiple streets and prefectures of the middle ring, they finally arrived at destination. Here is the very place that made them risk their lives to get to. Here is what motivated the entire journey from Kyoshi island to Ba Sing Se. They have never traveled so far from home, but at least they can go back and tell everyone that they have made it here safely.
"We are here everybody!" Nguyen enthusiastically announced to the everyone. "How lucky are all of you newcomers to be selected. You know, while I wasn't lucky enough to be part of this exchange student program, I do hope you all will enjoy your time here in Ba Sing Se university!"
The other tour guides also smiled and clapped their hands. It was a genuine way to welcome all the students from various Earth Kingdom regions. While the nation is now divided into an endless civil war and turmoil, seeing this diverse group of students all gathered together made them feel that the division have never occurred.
What what about the state of Jian Sin and Siaw Jong? Are there any students from those two rival states? If two met each other in this university, what would happen?
Satchiko looked at stone gate, with signs above written with the words: 永固城大学
The entire cohort of students entered a large courtyard, surrounded by various buildings of green roof tiles. She noticed a large statue erected in the middle of this space, dressed in a traditional attire.
Mayumi immediately recognize this as a Earth monarch. As for which one, she isn't certain. But to have one's own statue being built in the university must meant that this figure have achieved extraordinary accomplishments.
"This is Earth King Yi Ming, one of the most renown Earth Monarchs!" One of the older tour guides explained to the newcomers. "He was a brilliant but impatient ruler, which why he commissioned the monorails, the same one all of you were on."
Satchiko scanned the statue. The clothing is remarkably different from Kyoshi island. The long robes and crown like hat, all have a distinctive look from her people.
"Because he have to travel from one end of the city to another in a span of two days, he created a system that connects the entire city together. This allows us all to move quicker around Ba Sing Se. Thus increasing governance efficiency as well as bringing accessible mobility to those who couldn't afford their own cars!"
The apparent lack of response shows that there wasn't much interest among the students, much to the tour guide's dismay. Perhaps this subject is simply too boring for these exchange students from outside the walls.
But Mayumi was rather interested. Even though she wasn't even an exchange student, she has shown more initiative to learn than all the others.
"Wait, in the beginning how was Yi Ming able to operate the transit system?" Mayumi asked. Yi Ming's statue was definitely built in an age where machinery haven't been invented yet. Which is why the knowledge seeking Kyoshi warrior is a bit adamant about how exactly did Yi Ming built the transit system and make it function.
The tour guide gave Nguyen a chance to answer. The girl was actually reading her study notes, almost dropping them again as she hurried over to the statue.
"Well you see Mayumi," Nguyen said while recomposing herself. "Back then, the trains were operated by Earth Benders. Two of them would cling themselves on the back of the train and push the whole thing forward. Earth Bending literally moves our world at that point. In today's age, the trains have engines, so they can move by themselves!"
"What's an engine?" Satchiko raised the question. But before Nguyen can answer, other students bursted in laughter. She curled her hands, upset that her question was let to ridicule. Perhaps it was due to how weird the question is those who are already familiar with such technology, which makes Satchiko look like a complete country bumpkin in their presence.
"Ahem!" Mayumi scrawled and glare at all those who laughed. Everyone quickly became quiet, fearing for their safety.
Sensing the tension, the older tour guide decided to just move on with the segment. She read her schedule, before putting it away in her sleeves.
"Alright children, next stop will be the famed Kim's observatory tower. Afterwards, we will have a small break near Mung Yi's Koi research pond."
The students followed Nguyen and the other tour guides towards a large observatory tower within the campus. It is so high that they can see it from here despite the long distance.
Satchiko raised her head up to the word 'Koi'. For all she knows, no one would spent their time studying small pond fish for a living. But Elephant Koi would be another story.
"I can't wait to see those Koi fish." Satchiko said as she walked with Hudie. But sensing someone is not by her side, she turned around and noticed Mayumi is drifting off again. This time, her sister is casting glances at all the male students wandering around the courtyard.
"Mayumi!" Satchiko snapped. "Now isn't the time for that! We have to go!"
She expected her older sister to feel embarrassed, looking at strangers inappropriately. Maybe all those years of rejecting her suitors is finally biting back at Mayumi.
But instead of giving an apology about the delay, Mayumi just nodded at Satchiko.
"Let's go, and don't talk with strangers."
Satchiko didn't know what that meant, but followed her sister to rejoin the rest of the tour group. So far, her sister have been acting rather out of character. She is grateful that Mayumi stood up for her, but that doesn't do much to smooth her concern.
...
The Kim's astrology tower was definitely a sight to behold. It is the highest structure within the university, even higher than the campus' student dorms. With its powerful telescope, it gave the exchange students something to do to quench their boredom. It is a type of boredom that nearly all students loathe, lectures.
Nguyen, the tour guide assigned to head the delegation was graciously able to spare the students from an entire lecture by the professor there. Being a student herself, she too understood how daunting it is for young people to listen to a hour long speech about star arrangements and what they mean. Thankfully, her excuse is that their schedule cannot allow them to stay too long, and no room the professor to explain his passion. So everyone followed Nguyen onto the path towards the Koi pond.
"You saved us right there, I thought we would never leave!" Hudie thanked Nguyen's action, for the girl in conical bamboo hat has took one for the team.
"Yeah, all those symbols about stars are so boring!" Satchiko grumbled. She wanted to see the Koi fish pond as soon as possible. If they were stuck inside that astrology tower, they would have been in there until dawn just to listen to the lecture.
"Well, I wouldn't say I 'saved' you all. I am simply a tour guide, who is just trying to show you all around. While professor Shi Shen is a genius in the field of astrology, he definitely could use some improvements in keeping his lessons interesting. Trust me, I have friends who are in his class. Every time they came out of the lesson, they look like roasted hog monkeys!" Nguyen then laughed, and it spread to the faces of everyone else here. To young people, most would find learning to be quite boring. Which is why whenever they encountered someone who helped them to alleviate boring lessons, a sense of childish reverence is always displayed in response. Nguyen must be a hero sent by the spirits, all with the purpose of liberating the students from boring lectures.
Satchiko is perhaps is the most thankful out of them all. She couldn't remember how many times she was caught sleeping in class or secretly escaping school just to play in the woods. To her, learning can be torturous. If the lesson is boring, she has to fight hard to keep her body awake, preventing her from slumping over the table. Unlike her classmate Kintaro, whom she consider to be the teacher's pet, she treated every school lesson as wasted time which could have been used to train to be a Kyoshi warrior.
"We are here, this is the Mung Yi research pond!" Nguyen declared. "It is built by the university to house a very special ocean animal that only be found in one place in this world!"
The pond is positioned in the middle of a gigantic courtyard surrounded by other building with green tiles and refined architecture. The pond itself is two acres big, large enough to house a certain fish that is very delicious...
Splash!
A large Elephant Koi jumped out of the water filled with grace, before returning into the deep. The fish appeared for only one second above the surface, yet it is enough to fill the students with excitement and triggering their curiosity.
Nguyen, being the professional tour guide she is, decided to use this opportunity to introduce the curator of this pond. It is a man from the Northern Water Tribe, who uses his bending to care for the Koi fish living in the pond.
Satchiko was on guard, but Mayumi reassured her by telling her there is no danger here. This professor maybe a water bender, but he is not Shui, that insane fanatical witch who almost killed them both.
Unlike the professor Shi Shen of astrology, this man from the water tribe has a rather unorthodox way to showcase his field of knowledge. Instead of subjecting them all to a dull lecture, the professor personally jumped into the pond. What happened next amazed all of them, especially the Kyoshi warriors.
He swim through the waters, garnering multiple synchronized waves of water. They guided multiple Elephant Koi into an organized formation swimming around the pond. All the fish jumped at the same time, and even performed tricks to entertain the guests. Satchiko even opened her eyes wider in fascinating as the Koi fishes performed flips, if only she can do that when she rode the Elephant Koi.
The audiences responded with woos and wows. This spectacular performance is not something everyone can see everyday, for not everyone knows how to control the behavior of these Elephant Koi.
But this performance not only serves as a welcoming ceremony for these exchange students, it also helps demonstrate the complicated nature of Elephant Koi behavior. For Satchiko, the Elephant Koi is just a good food source. If one wishes to control them, you need to physically ride them and pull onto their fins and assert your will. But what that water bender demonstrated is that Elephant Koi also willingly responds to changes in water current. These fishes seems to be following the miniature waves created by water bending, clearly something the professor have discovered after many research and dedication to study the Elephant Koi.
"It's beautiful," Mayumi cannot contain her appreciation. "It reminds you of home doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does." Satchiko lightly replied. Deep down, seeing these Elephant Koi reignited her longing for her home even more. If she uses her imagination hard enough, she can position herself sitting on the sandy beaches near a village. She and her whole family used to have picnics and watch wild Elephant Koi jumping out of water. Those are definitely things she wanted to do again once she return home.
The show ended, and Nguyen then led everyone away from the massive poool. The rest of the tour is casual, going smoothly as they visited various sites on the campus. Places such as the library and its massive stone stair cases were quite overwhelming. Endless books presented themselves, begging to be read. Satchiko's lack of interest is Mayumi's curiosity. The older sister couldn't help but pick up a mountain of scrolls and books, then plowing through all its contents. It doesn't matter what subject they are, she consumed them like a starving person who is eating a grand feast.
"I could sit in here and read books forever!" Mayumi claimed. Never had Mayumi been given such access to so many texts and knowledge. Hakaru may have a lot of books, but in this place, Mayumi can read without worries that one day she would finish reading everything.
"I can't," Satchiko bluntly replied as her sister flickered through the pages on early engine concepts. She couldn't stand being next to so many books. Read one is all it takes to hurt her brain.
It's weird how sometimes both of them can look so similar, yet act so different at the same time. Her sister was always the 'smart' one, whereas she herself is presented as a more of a trouble maker. Their physical differences are mostly defined by their height, hair length as well as eye colors. But those who know them well would notice Mayumi is always voracious for new knowledge in books and texts, while Satchiko less so.
As the other students wandered around the expansive library, Satchiko took a moment to watch Mayumi reading in silence, with the occasional sound of page flipping disturbing the peace. It's good to see her sister dropping the earlier unexplained behaviors and spent some quality time on something she enjoys.
But another part of her felt regret. Her sister clearly has a high affinity to learning. She believed that Mayumi should have been the one chosen to be the exchange student. It felt right, since she is the older one. She doesn't know what arrangements her parents had with Xuan Zang, but it is possible that Mayumi could have also been a candidate. If Satchiko didn't struggle with Earth bending, maybe, just maybe it would be her older sister who are being enrolled into this prestigious learning institution. The more she thought about it, the more it felt it was her own fault that Mayumi's opportunity has been robbed by her own sister.
"Satchiko, check out this scroll!" Mayumi's face is filled with enthusiasm. The reaction is like an innocent child being given a new toy that better than anything they had. "All these numbers, and these impressive calculations used to built Ba Sing Se's monorails, they are truly a feat accomplished by great engineers."
Satchiko couldn't even read a single thing on that scroll. It's like an alien language, indecipherable no matter how hard she tried. Yet, Mayumi seems to be smart enough to able to appreciate the schematics, another sign that her elder sister deserves this university spot more than her, a spoiled brat that couldn't even bend earth normally. If she had the choice to choose, she would gladly give up her spot in this university and hand it to her own sister.
"Oh, and look at this!" Mayumi noticed a scroll on a table nearby, its owner is slumped on a chair sleeping. Judging by the robe he is wearing, he must be some sort of scholar in Ba Sing Se.
There was a fan made out of crane feathers and an yin yang symbol on its handle, but it's small enough that it doesn't obstruct what is on the scroll.
"Hmm, it looks like some sort of crossbow." Mayumi placed her hand on her chin, questioning what object is on the drawing. Crossbows were never used by Kyoshi warriors, who prefer their Yumi bows. The crossbow within the picture has an unusually large compartment for arrows, and a large handle that allows the user to pull it up and down. Truly strange for a crossbow design. Why have a large compartment for the bolt when you can just place it directly on the weapon and pull the strings backwards?
"Who is this guy? Some sort of engineer?" Satchiko came close, looking at this middle aged gentleman who is sleeping soundly. "Why is he drawing something that is already invented?"
Mayumi scanned the scroll, and noticed the creator's name. "His name is Kong Ming, maybe we shouldn't bother him any longer." She whispered to her sister. "Remember, we have to be quiet, this is a library."
Satchiko nodded. Both of them tiptoed away from the sleeping man, knowing doing so would decrease the chance of rudely awaking someone.
"ALRIGHTY!" Nguyen boomed loudly from the other side of the room, allowing everyone to heard her voice. "Our time is up here, now we are going to the next destination to listen to master Lee's welcoming speech! We don't want to be late, his lectures is very important."
Both Kyoshi warriors grimaced, even covering their ears in a false hope that no one can hear that disturbance. They shifted their heads back to the sleeping man. Luckily he is still snoring.
"Phew, thank Kyoshi he is sleeping like a rock." Satchiko wiped her forehead.
"Indeed," Mayumi quickly said. "Now let's regroup with Hudie, she must be waiting for us outside."
...
As they walked past the countless classrooms and hallways, Hudie enjoyed the scenery as she plunged her teeth into a piece of sky bison cheese. "I like the taste!" She said happily. "I never tasted cheese made of sky bison milk before, what did those monks called it?"
Mayumi chewed through her slice. The nomads were generous enough to gave them some supplies before departing. It's funny, since the Kheshig are so focused on selling their bison wool, they forgot they can also sell these cheese. Surely, many locals here wouldn't mind having some good dairy products as breakfast. Good money can even be made by selling it to richer customers.
"They are airbenders, but they are not exactly monks, if you know what I mean." Mayumi remembered how most people in this world often associated airbenders with the temple monks, who are kinder, tamer and definitely less violent than the Kheshig Khanate. "They called it Byaslag cheese. It does have quite an exquisite taste, maybe my little sister would have grown quite tall if she had this when she was younger." Mayumi commented to the girl from Miao village. In her mind, a possible reason to the Kheshig's combat prowess may be attributed by their impressive diet. Being fed with land meat and dairy for all their life, the average height and muscle mass of their warriors are much higher than people who survive on fish and rice. These nomads have access to food that helps to boost the growth of their youth, even the mostly friendly Sarangerel could be considered a fighter.
With the few exceptions such Khenbish, most seasoned Kheshig warriors who are over their thirties have more bulky bodies. They showed almost no fear when facing enemies, regardless of how powerful they are.
"I'm good, fish meat is quite nourishing." Satchiko brushed off Mayumi's statement. "But...I did like the cheese. Some gimme one."
"Satchiko, catch." Mayumi threw the last remaining slice of Byaslag at her sister. But right before the Kyoshi warrior can catch it, someone else snatched it mid air.
"Hey!" Satchiko indignantly cried.
This commotion made all the student at the front turn their heads to the Kyoshi warriors. Nguyen darted from the other side of the hallway until she reached the back.
"What's going on?" The girl with bamboo hat tried to remain calm. She noticed the person who stole Satchiko's cheese, and gasped.
The young man doesn't look like a normal human. His facial expression looks like a monkey, with additional hair on the sides of his face.
He held some sort of metal staff on one hand, and the cheese on the other. The monkey like person sniffed the cheese, wondering what is this.
"Hey, give it back!" Satchiko demanded. The thief instead climbed onto the side of a stone pillar inside the massive hallway. Much to Nguyen's dismay, he displayed a cheeky face, irritating Satchiko by waving the cheese around.
"Get down here!" Satchiko no longer cared about retaining a low profile. She opened her metal fans, seeking to duel this stranger. "Fight me!" Whatever reason this man had to steal the cheese, she knew the intentions are not righteous.
The thief stuck out his tongue at Satchiko and jumped off the pillar, he dashed right towards the end of the hallway.
Satchiko opened her war fan and gave chase, without considering Mayumi's plea for restraint. She chased him down the hallway and entered outside, a round flat area surrounded by trees and wilderness. It looks like some sort of reception, with chairs and tables. Many other students are already present in the area, all goggling their eyes at what is happening.
"Wukong!" Someone said. His voice was strict, but was done to assert authority over the monkey like man. "Cease your unruly behavior, where are your discipline?"
Satchiko halted her chase immediately when she stepped into the clearing. A man, acting like some sort of superior to Wukong arrived and made a small lecture why is bad to steal.
Before she could stop him, Wukong shoved the cheese down his throat. He then swung his metal in circles.
"My cheese..." Satchiko slumped to the ground, sulking at her inconsequential lost.
"Hey, you ok?" Mayumi arrived from behind, checking on her sister. Nguyen and Hudie joined them.
Wukong then run away, much to his master's displeasure. The middle aged man then faced Satchiko, combined his palms together and bowed in a rather air-nomad style.
"Forgive my discipline, he still have much to learn. As his master, I bear the responsibility for his discourteousness."
"It is ok master Lee!" Nguyen quickly bowed, aiming even lower. "I have brought all the students here, so you may begin the event."
Satchiko raised her head to meet the man. "You are Xuan Zang? You are an airbender."
So Tenzin was right after all, Xuan Zang is an airbender. His robes are not even green, it is orange. A noticeable feature of him is definitely the 'crown' he is wearing, which roughly resembles a lotus flower. Each 'petal' of the hat has an image of a monk.
The bald man nodded, and smiled at the mention of his name. "You can just call me Lee, it's easier for everyone."
"You are an air-bender, Tenzin said that you help to look after the airbenders here. But, how did manage to become a master?"
"Well, that is a long story, following the events of harmonic convergence many years ago, I received the power to bend air. But while I can manipulate the element, I also wish to learn more about air-nomad culture at its roots. So along with my three disciples Wukong, Bajie and Heshamg, we embarked on a pilgrimage to all the four Air Temples, bringing back important scriptures and knowledge to Ba Sing Se."
"It is an honor to finally meet you," Mayumi also bowed to greet the man. "Thank you for allowing my sister to study Earth bending in this university."
"No need to be formal," the monk said. "Your parents and I are old friends, it is only natural that I invite your sister to study Earth bending here."
Satchiko wanted to inquire why Mayumi wasn't given a position in the university, considering how her sister is also daughter of Xuan Zang's 'old friends'.
"I heard the earth bending course here is pretty new," Hudie said. Satchiko faced the Miao girl.
"What did you just say?" Satchiko asked her. Now that she thought about it, she doesn't know if Hudie is a bender or not. But after a short demonstration of rock levitation by the Miao girl, Satchiko became suspicious. She looked around, gradually noticing that almost every student here is most likely a bender. The occasional manipulation of rocks in this piece of wilderness is all it took for her to detect a pattern.
Xuan Zang gradually walked onto a stage, where all the other professors, senior students and scholars are seated. Judging by his movements, Xuan Zang is intending to deliver a speech to the new arrivals.
"Hey look, it's that astrology professor and that water tribe person from before." Satchiko then spotted a man who is quietly sleeping on a chair. "Yep, and there's that Kong Ming. How long is he going to sleep, does he ever do anything?"
"Don't worry about him sister," Mayumi lead Satchiko to some empty seats and joined Hudie. Right now, they are with about fifty students, all from various locations all across the Earth Kingdom. But what is noticeable is that the seats are only filled to half capacity. Likely not everyone was able to make it here due to the civil wars and daofei raids that disrupt the continent's connectivity.
Xuan Zang scanned the audience, clearly saddened that not all the exchange students were able to attend. But he pushed on with the schedule, and produced a welcoming smile.
"First of all, my name is Xuan Zang, but please, you can call me Lee. I would like to say welcome you all to Ba Sing Se university." The monk said in a respectful voice. "I understand that the journey is very difficult for all of you. And the wars between various states have definitely been a great obstacle for you all. Which is why I pay my respects to ones who have chosen to risk their lives just to study here."
The monk bowed to the students, acknowledging all the trials and tribulations they must endure just so they can attend classes here.
"As exchange students, you will be studying Earth bending not just by learning its forms. Knowledge does not come solely through manipulation of the elements, but also from its philosophy, which is why there will be lessons for writing, history and even arts in your curriculum."
Satchiko wished she had hearing problems with her ears, and that the last part said by Xuan Zang were simply formalities.
"I wish you all would enjoy your time here, for your time would not only cultivate your knowledge and skills, it would also help foster warmer relationships between our fractured lands."
The speech ended smoothly, and the audiences applauded as the monk allowed another professor to take his spot. The following event are simply professors explaining certain rules and exceptions from students. Certain behaviors are of course not acceptable, such as initiating violence against fellow students and scholars within the university. All the arbitrary things Satchiko thought is rather unnecessary to listen to. Who would stood so low just to assault your fellow student?
...
"Wow, we have the same dorm room too!" Hudie said as she opened the wooden door to their new living space. Each room of the student dorm allows for two beds on opposing sides. The bed is built directly above a study bench, and is accessible with a stone ladder.
They are currently on the second floor, and Satchiko hustled through the tight doorway as she uncaringly dropped all her backpack onto the ground.
"Careful sister!" Mayumi flinched at Satchiko's action. "Your headdress is in it remember?"
Satchiko wasn't as worried like her more responsible sibling. She retained her frown as she pulled out the golden headdress. Observing its glinting appearance, she is quite certain that there is no damage on it.
She then went over to the table and positioned the headdress against the wall, which meant the chance of it hitting the ground is next to zero.
In most cases, a Kyoshi warrior would receive their own headdress after they have reached a competent skill level. But for a small minority, daughters would directly inherit their mother's golden headdress. The reasons can vary, most are due to the mother no longer able to be a Kyoshi warrior.
Satchiko felt she should have gotten a new headdress instead of Akahana's old one, which her mother discarded after becoming a Kyoshi warrior leader. It is tradition for a Kyoshi warrior to wear a new headdress after they became a leader. It would still have the same deign of their family, but larger in size.
However, this isn't what she is worrying about right now. Truth is, does she even deserve to wear the headdress on the table in front of her? Is she even worthy to equip the very physical object that symbolizes a Kyoshi warrior's competency? In the past, her answer would be a short and confident 'yes'. But now, she isn't quite certain.
Hudie also removed her silver hat and put it on the table. "I will take the left side of the room, you can take the right." She then climbed up the ladders to test the mattress.
"Sure," Satchiko replied in a low mood. She then looked at Mayumi, asking a very prudent question. "Where are you going to stay?"
There was a long awkward silence, but Mayumi did her best to smile confidently. She came closer and patted Satchiko's hair.
"Thank you for your concern little sister, but you must not worry about me. What you should be focusing on is studying here, and nothing else matters." Those are very general words, failing to assure Satchiko.
"But, what are you..."
"I got this," Mayumi's sisterly voice came in. "Remember, when you finish learning Earthbending, we will get back to Kyoshi island!" Her smile is radiant, trying to conceal the underlying problem Satchiko is trying to discuss.
Mayumi then abruptly headed for the door, and Satchiko knew what is going to happen. Her sister is leaving her, and it might be a while before she can see her again. She held out a hand attempting to stop Mayumi.
She held Mayumi's hand tightly, making her sister widening her eyes a little. "Mayumi, I want to thank you for being with me on this journey. This whole time you were with me, and I will admit I am not the best little sister. I just want to say sorry for all the dangers I have made you go through just to protect me."
Her words were sincere and apologetic, spoken truly from the heart. Never had she been so open about her feelings in front of Mayumi. So far, the two of them have almost lost their lives due to Satchiko's uncontrolled recklessness when confronting an enemy. It's as though every time Satchiko got her foot stuck in the mud, Mayumi always have to come and pull her out of it, risking her own life in the process.
Before any words were spoken, Mayumi placed her hand on Satchiko's shoulder. "You don't need to be so formal, it is my duty to look after you. Your are my sister after all."
Mayumi's smirk is comforting. Finally, the Kyoshi warrior removed Satchiko's hand and went out of her sight. The sound of footsteps at the nearest staircase meant Mayumi is climbing off this whole building. .
Satchiko stood there, not speaking a single thing. She knew she can't force Mayumi to be here. The superintendent of this packed building would never allow a third inhabitant into the dorm room. She savored every footstep of Mayumi, and when she heard the last of it, she became even more saddened.
This is the first time she and Mayumi have been separated.
"Hey," Hudie said from behind. "It's not like you two can't see each other. You can always meet Mayumi when we don't have classes, you will see her very soon."
"Yeah, I know." Satchiko whimpered. She then continued to unpack her belongings and placed it onto the shelves on the room. She wanted to learn Earthbending, she wanted to make her parents proud, but she never wanted to be separated from her family, especially her sister.
She has brought this onto herself. If only she was able to bend Earth effectively before Xuan Zang send out the university letter, than maybe she wouldn't even need to leave the island.
But none it mattered now. She kept Mayumi's words in mind. Focus on your study. When she is done here, she will return home happily with a new combat skill. Earth bending.
...
Mayumi is walking towards a group of incoming students who are just chatting about trivial subjects such as exams and assignments. The side of her eyes sharply watched them as they walked on the same lane as her. They didn't notice her gaze, as they are too distracted in their inner circle discussion.
Once that is done, she headed for the entrance of Ba Sing Se university. There, she once again met the previous tour guides who resting under the statue in the center of the courtyard.
"Nguyen," Mayumi reached out to the woman similar to her age.
The woman in her bamboo hat was too engrossed into her study notes. It wasn't until another female tour guide nearby gently nudged her shoulders did she notice Mayumi.
"Oh hey!" Nguyen quickly composed herself and walked to Mayumi. She warmly greeted Mayumi as both of them begin their conversation. "Sorry, I got too distracted. Didn't even see you there."
Nguyen stood up and walk towards the Kyoshi warrior.
"Sorry about that cheese you were going to give to your sister. Wukong has always been a big trouble maker, making a big mess wherever he goes. Actually, the event today went on quite smoothly. It's a miracle that he didn't do anything more harmful to the student welcoming event."
"You don't need to apologize Nguyen." Mayumi placed her hand on the tour guide's shoulder. "Your job is helping newcomers familiarize themselves around the university. I think you did a great job today."
"Thank you," Nguyen meekly replied. "I tried my best. It's actually quite scary to speak in front of so many people. First time on this job, I stuttered all the time and no one can understand a single thing I said."
She can tell this tour guide is sincere, honest and hardworking. Carrying the pressure of both work and study is a very hassling task, but she had confidence that Nguyen will perform excellently during the next medical exam.
She walked away, leaving the tour guide and her bamboo hat. Once she exited the campus, she decided to cross the road. But because life on Kyoshi island has been rather unsophisticated, her adapting to the ways of a big city can be hindered at the start. Which is why she didn't even check both directions as she walked right into the path of an incoming ostrich horse.
Sensing immediate danger, Mayumi jumped out of the way. But the damage was done, the ostrich horse halted abruptly, a loud bump was heard from within the carriage. Whoever is in it must have been hurt.
"My lady, are you alright?" The couch man worrying opened the veils to check on the passenger. "You fool! Do have any idea what you have done!" He faced Mayumi, berating her for walking in the middle of the road.
"Please forgive me." Mayumi quickly bowed, placing her hands on the side of her hip and lowered her head. "I am still accustoming myself on the way of life in Ba Sing Se, therefore, I ask that you forgive my shortsightedness."
"Forgive?" The coachman felt his intelligence has been disrespected. "Do you even know whose carriage this belongs to? Behind me is Lady Te Gaogui! Member of the great Earth Kingdom clan, the Te family!"
Mayumi felt she is in trouble, and this time it's her own undoing, not Satchiko's. Becoming enemies with some powerful noble clan would be creating major hinderance to their future. They already have that governor of Yi after them, they don't need another powerful family also putting wanted posters all around the continent.
"It's ok, I am fine." A very feminine and gentle voice was produced from within the beautiful carriage, and the coachman immediately calmed down. All the rage from before have been soaked by a bucket of cold icy water, extinguishing the coachman's hostility.
The lady stepped out of the horse carriage, and Mayumi raised her head. Te Gaogui is clearly the definition that what it means to be a high society lady. Despite being around the same age as Mayumi, she has beaten the Kyoshi warrior in both grace and elegance. The dress she wore is made of fine silk, a common outfit worn by young woman of the upper ring. Her skin tone is essentially flawless, and all those refined movement she made only highlighted the grueling high society training she went through. A defining feature of Te Gaogui is liangbatou, a hairstyle where a large ornament is connected to the woman's hair. If this doesn't spelt extremely high status, nothing will.
"Please rise Kyoshi warrior," Te Gaogui ordered. Mayumi is surprised that this woman immediately knows what a Kyoshi warrior is. But is even more surprised when Te offered Mayumi to sit in her carriage, and go to whatever destination she desires.
...
The sound of the ostrich horse gently trotted throughout middle ring. Mayumi opened the veil of the carriage's left window, glamouring at the scenery outside which are dominated by carefully built houses and good looking shops. She wanted to enjoy this last moment of peacefulness before she face the potential unpleasant atmosphere of the crowed lower ring.
But the gathering grey clouds somewhat dampened this, so Mayumi closed the window veil and sat silently in the carriage.
Te Gaogui flipped over another page of her book. So far, the high class lady Te has been engrossing herself into what she is reading. It's a book of political science. Occasionally, Mayumi can stole a few glances of the complicated words. But each time, she would discover Te is very fast reader, and the pages would flip onto the next one
Mayumi has been staring at Te for a long time. The awkward silence has definitely been deepening. But she is still grateful that this high society woman didn't hold any grudge against her. It's rather exceptional that this high society woman even agreed to share space with a commoner.
With her head still facing the book, Te Gaogui shifted her eyes to the Kyoshi warrior. Both locking eye to eye, refusing to break eye contact.
Te Gaogui sighed. "This book I am holding is part of my study materials for the upcoming Keju examination. You wouldn't understand what I am reading, even if I am slowing down just for you. Warriors are often not the greatest scholar, if you haven't notice."
Te Gaogui read Mayumi's mind perfectly. The sharp senses of the woman is comparable to a newly repaired sword. Political science has always been a subject completely foreign to Mayumi. Such lessons are only taught in more prestigious learning institutions like a university, something Kyoshi island can never have.
"You are right, for my expertise are intertwined with fighting." Mayumi said. "One shouldn't expect a person in armor to have great scholarly nature." Mayumi then met Te Gaogui with a light smile. "But someone like you will certainly bear great accomplishments with you talented mind! You are much smarter than I am."
Te Gaogui's eyes narrowed a little, unimpressed with Mayumi's certain word choices. "Nor should one accept flattery at the expense other people's self-worth. You may have forgotten about us, but the Te family are the few exceptions in the Earth Kingdom that do not garner wealth by taking it from the peasantry. I do not want you to compromise your dignity just to cater to my status. I only needed to you act normally, understand?"
The offended Te lady woman then returned to her reading, even more focused on studying the hundred different ways to answer exam questions that would boggle tue minds of regular students.
Mayumi choked on her breath. She thought as long as she gave praises to these top brass of society, they would treat you nicely. But Te Gaogui is different, she saw right through the Kyoshi warrior's tactic. Clearly this woman from the Te clan has a rather exceptional intelligence, and views the relationship with the common people differently.
Not wishing to foster any bad memories with Te, Mayumi decided to ask about why she decided to help some random Kyoshi warrior in the middle of the road.
Te sighed again. "I suppose the word help isn't exactly correct. I am simply trying to avoid any feud arising between the Te and the warriors of Avatar Kyoshi."
Mayumi raised her eyebrows, unsure what Te Gaogui meant. Avatar Kyoshi has certainly been a great thorn to many corrupted government officials in the past. At first, these so called governors and sages didn't acknowledge the founder's identity of the Avatar, in denial that they have been wrong all along. Then those greedy fools dare have the audacity to ask Kyoshi for all sorts of favors, attempting to use the Avatar for their own self-interest. The Beifong family lead by Lu Beifong in the past especially resented Avatar Kyoshi, although that could be said with almost every wealthy family or clans around the Earth Kingdom.
"But I will admit, our noble clan were not always charitable to the people. In the past, we too exploited the poor just to satisfy our hunger for wealth and power. Countless innocent lives suffered under our corruption and incompetence, it's sad to see that many people today still face such reality." Gaogui's tone was drenched in a suppressed sorrow for the people. Mayumi can tell, even though this high society lady must not display any emotions that would go against high class behavior. "I am helping you is because you are part of the very person who changed the Te family for the better. By sparing one of my ancestors, she ensured that the Te line would continue, allowing us to transform ourselves into a noble clan that truly hold the people's interest at heart. I wouldn't even be here had Avatar Kyoshi not given mercy, which is why me helping you is the least I can do."
"The founder has changed a lot of people huh," Mayumi lamented. Kyoshi has certainly let quite a big mark in history, affecting the world today.
While Kyoshi has her flaws, she at least understood the needs of the world despite her unfortunate upbringing.
The ostrich horse came to a halt. Mayumi jumped off of the carriage without using the small wooden stairs, making sure she didn't sleep over the wooden steps.
If her sense of direction is correct, she should be somewhere near the train station.
"From one woman to another, you know you are not making the best choice. The lower ring isn't a place for women like you to be alone." Te Gaogui advised behind the carriage's window veil. "The Te family does have a residence in the upper ring, I can provide you with comfortable accommodation." Te Gaogui used a very formal tone when addressing the Kyoshi warrior. Her offering Mayumi a luxurious place to stay is very tempting. It's not everyday someone would just let you live in a mansion for free.
Mayumi smiled at Te Gaogui, kindly refusing. "It is a very generous offer. But simply giving me a ride in your carriage is already a great blessing. Thank you so much."
The high society lady responded by not being pushy, but she did Mayumi another advise. "You might regret your rash decision Kyoshi warrior, sometimes you shouldn't bind yourselves with idealistic values. Being pragmatic is better than blind honor."
The coachman then wiped the ostrich horse, and the beast of labor pulled the carriage away, disappearing after it crossed another intersection.
The sky turned grey with color. The clouds are finally no longer able to support the weight of the water.
First, she felt a tiny droplet felling onto her palm. Then another one fell on her forehead.
She looked up to the sky, and suddenly even more rain droplets came. The pitter patter sound of the rain became loud as sky down poured even more water.
The people on the streets emptied, retuning to their homes and fancy shops as the rain became more prevalent.
A lone booming thunder ranged loudly, followed by its quick lighting bolt flashing before disappearing from her eyesight. It was frightening to see the lighting bolt across the sky.
Mayumi can only improvise. She still needed to walk all the way to the train station that will take her to the lower ring. There is still quite a long walking distance, without an umbrella, she can only use her hands to cover her head. While that doesn't stop her long hair from becoming soaking wet, she can at least prevent the droplets from entering her eyes.
Satchiko is going to study here for quite a while. About one year. Which is why Mayumi must find a place to live in the lower ring, where a temporary dwelling would suffice.
Author's notes:
-The giant round building earth building is based off on Tulou(literally named earth houses in Chinese) They appear in architecture in one of the air temples as well as on the backs of the earth lion turtle.
-Hudie and her silver hat is based off on the actual Miao ethnic group in China. And we have Nguyen, a popular surname in Vietnam. The world building of the Earth Kingdom allows for Asian cultures to be written into story. It does make a lot of sense, I mean, the Earth Kingdom's diversity is indeed impressive. You can literally insert any Asian cultures into the Earth Kingdom and it would adhere to the established world building. Unless you make some very questionable design choices, which I am certain no one can mess it up...
-I'm not exactly sure if the Mung Yi Koi fish pond is actually housing Elephant Koi. I am taking a risk here, since the lore never established what animal was kept in the area. Two acres of water is quite a lot for normal Koi fish right?
Post chapter skit:
The sound of the earth quake with every step. The Kheshig nomads were just sitting on the grass eating their meal, until they turned their heads to a giant entity slowly marching towards them.
"Batu?" Jargal asked the giant. "Is that you?"
"Indeed I am!" The giant answered in his normal voice. Batu's whole body is buffed, with muscles that indicates his completion of a grueling training.
"But, what are did you do?" Batzorig asked dumbly. "What did you do to get so big?"
Batu bursted into a thunderous laugh.
"Simple!" He bellowed. "For every writing mistake the writer made for the past 45 chapters, I do one push!"
That's a lot of mistakes, hopefully the neglectful writer of this story would never give up and continue the righteous battle against the evil autocorrect.