Noemi had a job a few days out of the month. When it was time for the rotation of soldiers within the Provinces, lots of meaningless paperwork had to be done. All this paperwork had to be taken to each squadron leader then stamped, signed, and taken back to the Colonel. This was Noemi's job. Every three weeks, Noemi was the messenger for these soldiers. She was quick on her feet, and could withstand the heat for much longer than any other able bodied person in Chara. She was even payed for her troubles.
Noemi is not by any standards a weak or helpless girl. Her well developed muscles could be seen clearly in her arms and legs. If you lifted up her tattered shirt, you'd see a six-pack of muscles pulsing from beneath her skin. There isn't much food in Chara, that she can pay for at least, and the only way to get anywhere was to run.
She remembered the night before, when she last spoke to Mother.
'I'm going to relay messages to the fire nation soldiers tommorow,' said Noemi, knawing on the end of her braid.
'How honorable of you,' smiled Mother, 'Isn't it good to know that you can play a part, even here?'
'The only reason I play a part is because I get payed!' she said vehemently, 'I'd feel better if any one of those soldiers cared about this place or the people here. I can tell that they don't! I see it in there eyes!'
'Noemi...' she breathed sadly, 'Sometimes people make judgements about others based solely on appearance. That's something I want you to never do. Those soldiers may not care to be here, but they do there job because they have a family at home to feed. So while others may look at at you, and not see anything but flesh in rags, never treat them poorly. In time, they will come to care for you because of your kindness.'
Noemi stared at the floor solemnly as she considered this.
'If I am ever released from this place, Noemi, would you consider coming to live with me?'
Noemi looked up at her in surprise. The words she had just said seemed to run over and over through her brain, which hardly comprehended them. She had always dreamt of living outside Chara Province. A loving family, and a big, beautiful house with a huge backyard. At night everyone would laugh and lay back on the long strands of grass, all looking out into the stars.
Mother had slided up to the edge of her prison and brought her face close to the bars, 'I know you still have your Uncle here, but think, you could have a family! I owe so much to you for coming to seeing me every night. You've kept me sane all these years, and I completely consider you the daughter I've never had...'
The teenager still couldn't believe her ears. A family? Daughter? These were the words she had most wanted to hear, but only imagined. But hearing the word 'Uncle' caused her to grimace. Uncle Tokento. He had been as blind as a bat for as long as she could remember. Uncle never left the house, which was more of a one-room shack, and lost all feeling for reality long ago. Noemi did not like having to care for such a man, but was not as heartless as to leave him.
'Your Uncle could live with us,' she said, as if reading her thoughts, 'And would be given a much better life than the one he has here.'
Noemi closed her eyes, no, more like squeezed them shut. The tears came before she could even stop them. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, but as her mouth opened to wail, no sound came out. Mother instinctively reached her arms through the bars to hold Noemi. Noemi came forward to do the same. It was an uncomfortable hug, but it was filled with affection and maternal love.
Last night almost didn't even seem real, she thought. Me? Live with Mother? Outside of Chara?
She smiled widely as strode over to complete her last delivery.
"Took you long enough," said the Squadron Leader snidely.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" apologized Noemi, "I'll be sure to be much faster the next time I deliver paper work. Please for give me! And thank you for all the hard work that you and the rest of your squadron has done in Chara Province."
He gaped at the thin brown girl in front of him. She thanked him? That's not something you see everyday.
"Uh...Thanks...Keep up the good work yourself. This would have taken us a lot longer if you hadn't helped out."
The Soldier seriously thought the girl was sparkling. She smiled, displaying white teeth, and said, "Thank you, sir! I'll work very hard!"
She bowed to the Sqadron Leader, the standard sign of respect in the Fire Nation. She then turned around and sped away before the Soldier could even return the bow.
The dazed Soldier watched her go in wonder. Then he metally kicked himsef. "Damn! I didn't catch her name! She would have made a good soldier, too."
He sighed, "Ah well, I suppose I won't ever see her again anyway."
Noemi couldn't ever remember feeling this happy. Discovering Mother had been a blessing, but invitation to live with Mother was a dream she only dared to fantasize. She knew very well that they would have to escape together. As to how, she didn't know. But it gave her a reason to hope.
Her home was located at the top of the largest slope in Chara. There was virtually no plant-life in Chara, but what little yellow grass seemed to surround the little shack. It was wooden and rather run down, like it would collapse at any moment. It's held firmly for most of her life, though.
She brushed aside the curtain, which was being used in place of a door, and walked in.
"Uncle?" she called softly.
There was rustling beneath the bed sheets and she could hear a fit of coughing.
"Noemi," said a hoarse voice, "Water."
Noemi quickly grabbed his cup and gave it to him. He drank the water slowly, then set down the cup. All of his movements took an amazing ammount of effort. Just sitting up looked like it sapped away his strength.
"Noemi," he said, "I'm dying."
This was no shock to Noemi. He had been dying since the very day he took to his bed, it was all just a matter of waiting. Nevertheless, she was saddened to hear these words.
"Uncle, if you are dying then save your strength. I would much rather have you die in peace than in pain."
His lip curled into his form of a smile, "It is allright. I'm dying either way. Believe me, I'm happy to see Death. I hear she's a woman. But I have a last request."
She nodded, "Anything."
"Let me feel your face. I have never had the oppertunity to know what my precious niece looks like. Hopefully, I can see you in my mind."
Noemi came forward to the bed on her knees. She took hold of Uncle Tokento hands and gently brought them up to her own face. His fingers felt her forehead, her small nose and pointy eyebrows, her cheeks, then her lips and chin. They had done this before, but age had made him forget the expierence. Uncle's hands small and shriveled, and she felt them slowly get colder as she brought them along her face.
He let out a sigh, then very clearly, breathed, "Thank you."
Uncle Tokento had always been blind, but he did not let that handicap stop him from living his life. He worked in the mines along with Noemi's parents, and could tell which rocks were ore just by touching them. One day, an earthquake shook Chara. It was not powerful, but it was powerful enough to cause an avalanche of the rocks to fall on many of the miners. Noemi's father and mother were both killed in this natural disaster. At the time, Noemi was only five, and Tokento offered to take her in. Noemi had always been an intelligent child. She knew what Uncle Tokento had sacrificed for her, and swore to stay by his side until the day Lady Death took him.
Today was that day.
Noemi had walked in the shack joyful, and came out filled with sadness. But living in this hell had taught her how to cope with sadness.
Shaking off her emotions, Noemi started off to cross Chara to find citizens that would help cremate her uncle.
The Mines--
Princess Ursa lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. Could she have stopped it all? Could she have been there to watch her two children grow into adults? Could she have done something?
Too much has been done and said to wonder about that now. All she could hope to do now is watch and wait for the time when she would be welcome back to her home.
"Princess Ursa."
Almost as a reflex, she sat up and immediatly swerved around to see who had said her name. A guard had already come to bring her her dinner, and there was no way that Noemi could come at this hour. Who, then?
A burly Fire Nation soldier was bowing down to her. She saw his hair was tied up, pony-tail style, and a long dragon tatoo was spiraled around his left arm. The normal fire nation clothing was slightly different to what this man wore, then she realized that this man was part of the Fire Lord's royal guard.
"My lady," he said, his voice deep and sure, "I have been ordered by Fire Lord Zuko to take you back to the capital palace. But quickly, the fire nation extremists are sure to realize that we have come. We must leave now."
"Oh! Yes, but first-"
"You can tell us your needs on the trip to the palace. Our running Baku's are outside the mine. Let us go now, my lady!"
And with that, he heated the cell bars to the point of bending, then separated them so there was an opening to climb out.
For the first time in eight years, she was free.
--
Noemi trudged through the barren province, trying not to wallow in self-pity. It was a neccesity to be strong here.
Uncle Tokento had taught her that.
She stared down at her feet as she moved. She tried thinking of other things to console herself. Maybe she should run up and down the slopes tommorow to gain faster agility, or maybe if she found some kind of work in the mine, she could have more money for food. she might also be able to see Mother more. But that might not work, because working in the mine is very low pay.
Just as she thought this, a cloud of dust was hurled into her face. Noemi staggered back in surprise, then proceeded to spit out the dirt and rub it out of her eyes. A dust cloud? In Chara? There's nothing powerful enough here to cause that...
But to her utter amazement, a giant creature was running off towards the south, as clear as day. It looked like that of a horse, but there was an irregular difference. It's neck was long and shaggy and it's gait looked awkward, as if it was running side to side instead of forward. But it's legs were powerful, and would make anyone think twice before crossing it's path. A saddle was strapped to it's back, and two people were sitting on the strange animal.
The first person, who was holding the reigns, was obviously a fire nation soldier. The red armor was a dead giveaway. The second person was a woman. Her long black hair was flying and flailing in the air, while her arms were wrapped around the soldier in front of her. Her skin was clearly very pale, and her face was distinctive, even from such a long distance.
Practically all color drained from Noemi. She knew that face well.
Noemi didn't think. She was already running before she could grasp what was happening. Her thoughts came in short, chopped up sentences and it took all her mental strength to not stop and throw-up.
Mother. Escaping. Away from here. Me. I'm not with her. Where? Why? How? Not here anymore. Away from Chara.
It wasn't possible to catch up with the incredibly fast animal, but as long as she could see it, Noemi would run. Slowly, the animal in sight started to shrink in the distance, and Noemi couldn't tell whether it was gaining speed or if she was slowing down.
"MOTHER!" Noemi screamed at the small dot on the horizon. She was becoming desprate as the feeling of panic in her chest spread to every corner of her insides.
She never sensed time as she ran. An hour, or even five hours meant nothing to her. The same words repeated in her head until it became a heartbeat to her mind. Must find Mother. Must find Mother. Must find Mother. But when the time came when she finally stopped running, finally fathoming that she would never catch up to Mother, she collapsed to the ground in despair.
Lying flat on her stomach, Noemi fell asleep from pure exhaustion. She slept deeply on the cool grass, while the sun barely shone through the trees that shivered slightly in the breeze. White flowers bloomed all around her as she slept.
'