I absolutely do not own Avatar, just my O.C.

I'm going to throw up. Is what was on my mind the whole time I was in the carriage.

The sun rose about an hour ago, making it about 8 a.m. I took my mothers hair pin from my hair and moved it between my fingers, needing something to occupy my shaking hands.

Everybody's going to stare at me I thought They'll know I'm different right away.

I held my knees to my chest and put my face in between them, trying to keep myself from panicking. I shook myself internally and sat up straight in my seat.

No. I told myself. I'm not going to look weak in front of these people. Let them stare if they want. I clenched my fists around the pin in my lap. I don't care.

Slowly it became more and more rowdy outside, as I assumed we were entering the capital. I was itching to pull back the curtain and view the city I had only heard stories about, but never seen. I restrained myself though, not knowing why at first I did. I later realized it was from fear of what I'd see. I was almost thrown out of my seat when we came to a sudden halt, and my heart began to race when I heard the driver step down and walk to my door. Sunlight blinded me as he opened the doors and offered his white gloved hand out to me. I took it reluctantly and stepped out, stunned as my senses were flooded with new stimuli.

"We have arrived earlier than scheduled," said the driver "so you are permitted to roam as you wish for an hour."

All i could do was nod. Everywhere I looked had something new to see, smell, and hear. There were more people in one area than I thought could possibly fit. I walked through the crowd, getting multiple stares as I did, but I didn't notice. There was an organized chaos all around me. Venders selling tapestries of all colors called to me to fell their softness. I ran my hand over wind chimes, causing the soft clinging of the glass. Children ran by me, giggling and carefree. Unknowing of the horrors their home land has placed on the world. I could have stayed in this place all day and drank it all up, never getting enough. I checked my pocket and frowned. I only grabbed a small amount of money with me. I can only purchase a few things. I smiled to an elderly woman and gave her a few copper pieces for small crystal like gems that I had seen a few women with. They were about a centimeter long and the woman helped me place three of them on the left side of my left eye. I thanked her and continued to walk from shop to shop. A small store with pictures of beautiful designs hanging up around it caught my eye and I walked inside. There was on other individual inside, and he was getting something carved into his bicep.

"Hey pretty lady." Said a man I assumed was the owner. "Thinkin of gettin a tattoo?"

It seemed absurd. Of course I'm not getting one.

But I thought about it more.

Why not? I already stand out as it is, why not give them another reason to stare?

I smiled and nodded and he motioned me over and told me where to sit. I sat there in a nervous excitement.

"Alright" the man said "what and where you want it?"

I hadn't thought about that. If I'm gonna get something permanent I at least want it to mean something to me. I considered my options and after a moment I decided.

"Can you do this?" I asked as I handed him my mothers hair pin.

He looked at me strangely for a moment, then nodded. I turned my back to him and pulled my hair to the side, exposing the top of my back where the dress doesn't cover, and pointed.

"Here please."

I closed my eyes as he began to carve into my back the sign that symbolizes, not just my parents, but me.

Half water, half fire, with good and evil in both.

Fuck. This really burns. I thought as I payed the man a gold piece and started walking back toward the carriage.

The initial shock of the city had begun to fade as I started noticing the broken pieces of the area. Multiple homeless people begging for money, terrified looking women behind shop stands, and the children I thought looked so free I noticed looked as if they hadn't bathed in weeks.

Even in the capital, people are suffering.

I couldn't help but feel a twist of guilt in my stomach. Here I was, on my way to the palace to meet the prince. And home I had an amazing family and, even though we struggle, we make it through. I arrived back to where the man had dropped me off and he instructed me that I was to follow the other women into the palace, and once inside I must keep my eyes downcast, especially around the men. I would wait in line to be able to greet the prince where I would curtsy, not looking him in the eye, and thank him for his invitation.

You've got to be kidding me.

I thanked him and started my walk up to the palace. I started seeing women all over, each beautiful and standing tall, as if they belonged. Which maybe, they did. I was quickly jostled into a large group as we all poured through the palace doors. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized no body here paid any notice to me.

Maybe I could actually make it through this. And with any luck, I could be back home before sundown. I thought optimistically.

I don't know what I expected to see when I walked into the palace, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. Inside was ginormous, with delicate red and gold drapes hanging from the capitals of the a hundred foot pillars. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I made my way through the line. I couldn't get a good view of the prince from where I stood, but I could see the women. None looked very nervous as they stood feet from the man who could end their life in an instant, and I tried to mimic their confidence.

Just remember, keep your eyes down and move on quickly. Which is what I had planned to do.

When I was about ten women back from the prince, I kept trying to see how he looked. When I finally could, he chose that instant to look up in my direction, and our eyes locked. I almost froze on the spot as his gaze bore into me, feeling like he was trying to burn me where I stood. A shudder went down my spine as our eyes stayed on each others. He had a beautiful face, one any woman would die for. One with almost a sculpted, but smooth cheeks and jaw. His hair was neatly in a top knot held by a fire nation insignia.

Look away dammit! What do you think you're doing? I yelled at myself in my mind.

But I couldn't bring myself to look away. I dont know if it was from fear or fascination, or both. His eyes were as gold as caramel, but also hard. What I had interpreted as anger in his eyes, was what looked more like deep confusion.

Why would he be confused looking at me? Does he think he knows me? I shook my head. Impossible.

I was now directly in front of him, our gaze still on each other as I curtsied, mumbled my thanks, then quickly scurried away.

My body still felt cold as I quickly walked away, rubbing away the goose bumps on my arms. A man then stood and announced that each of us would have our own room for the night and that we would now be escorted there to wash up for the party that evening. As we were being escorted away, I dared a quick glance back at the prince to see if he was still watching me, but he had already left.

A/N: Hey everyone! thank you so much for the little group of people who have followed and favorited my story. It really boosts my confidence in this story and I'm thankful for each of you. Please don't hesitate to leave a review and tell me things I have done good or bad, or if something doesn't make sense to you. I'll try and go back and fix them up. Again thank you so much for your support! ^-^ PS: The tattoo/ hair pin is the cover photo.