As a nun who helped keep order in the Western Air Temple and an Avatar who helped keep order in the world, Yang Chen was honoured by having a statue of herself carved and placed in that same temple. It seemed oddly symbolic that – centuries after its creation – it was still intact, uncompromised by war and weather and age. Only a bit of vegetation sprouted, thin cracks splitting across the stone face like wrinkles.
Even in death, it was a place she liked to visit, remembering the other nuns, the young airbenders they had raised and trained. She had almost forgotten how much energy and excitement could fill the lifeless place.
Until the new Avatar decided to use the temple as his safe-house.
It had infuriated her – the way firebending charred ancient stone, earthbending shattered delicate architecture, and waterbending disrupted the intended flow of fountains and streams.
But she was only human, and the need for company (however oblivious it may be to her presence) overrode her anger. Besides, living with a bunch of teenagers reminded her of her youth and provided some thrilling entertainment. There were many things she had the pleasure of watching that not another soul knew of.
Such as the former Fire Prince, Zuko, drinking cactus juice to a point well beyond incoherence.
"You," he slurred, leaning against a pillar with a dopey grin and a finger poking the statue of Yang Chen on the shoulder, "are pretty."
Standing across from him, the spirit stifled a giggle. Even if he couldn't hear her, it was impolite to laugh at someone as out-of-it as he was.
"I jus' thought you should know tha'. An' – An' that 'm really sorry for the tree thing, wi'the pirates. Tha'was . . . Tha'was rude. A prince shouldn't tie up pretty girls."
He paused, putting more of his weight on the support beam to relieve his wobbly legs, running a finger along the stone woman's neckline. "Your necklace was pretty, too. Uncle said if . . . if I give you one, you haffta marry me. 'S that true?" He waited half a second, then continued, "Your skin's really col'. Is it always col'? I can warm you up."
When the prince finally passed out, he had draped himself over the statue, arms wrapped around its neck while his legs hung limply beneath him.
Author's Notes: I have no clever title this time. ):
Disclaimer: "Avatar" and all of its contents are property of Nickelodeon, which I am in no way associated with.
