Book 4 Air
Chapter 52 Where Earth meets Heaven
A cool breeze flowed through the Kyoshi village as the season autumn settled among the area. The view of a shrine came in sight as two figures stood at the doorway. "This is the holiest place in the whole island. Aang, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Suki asked as Aang inhaled slowly.
"Yes, I have to save her…" Aang said as a person walked up behind them. "Aang, what if she doesn't come back?" Sokka asked remembering the mysterious outcomes of the spirit realm.
Earlier that morning, Aang told his friends about Toph's disappearance and how he thinks it's connected with the island. Now he was going to bring her back and save her from the dark clutches of the spirit, Betobeto.
Aang narrowed his gray eyes as he clenched his hands into fists. "She will come back." Aang said in a low tone as he entered into the sacred house of Kyoshi.
The airbender sat in the center of the shrine. The surroundings of Kyoshi's armor and accessories from her past life hung along the bamboo walls as a small lit of incense glowed lightly, burning its scent of stuffed sage and wicker wood. The scenery in front of the Avatar was a painting celebrating the birth of the new island enriched the room with its colorful display. Aang looked at the painting for a moment before closing his eyes. Sitting in the lotus position, Aang called forth to the spirit world. His mind cleared as he focused on the energy around him, channeling the bridge between earth and heaven, the realm of the spirits.
Sokka and Suki peeped inside from the doorway as they watched Aang. Sokka blinked, as he wondered what was taking so long. Usually Aang would have entered into an Avatar like state with his glowing arrows. Yet nothing happened, the two teens stared at the back of the airbender as a cool breeze flowed into the room. The soft wind tickled along Aang's back as the smoke from the incense hazed in a swirling patterned creating a peaceful setting in the sacred shrine.
Aang shut his eyes tighten as he grew more frustrated. He couldn't see the end of the bridge. The twirling winds of glowing light appeared to continue forever in the misty tunnel before him. Aang couldn't reach the end; he couldn't enter into the spirit world. Trying to hold his posture Aang tried again. The same result took place as Aang tried to fight through the current of energy in his mind. Nothing…
Aang clenched his fingers accidently forcing his fingers to crack against each other as a snapping sound was heard. Suki and Sokka looked at each other confused as they then heard a low growl escape from the airbender. "Does this normally happen when he trying to enter?" Suki asked in a low whisper.
"No, something's not right…" Sokka said as he whispered back.
Aang then opened his eyes as he quickly stood up. Suki and Sokka backed away from the door as they saw their friend walk out. A frustrated expression shone on his face as he stomped away from the hut. "Aang what's wrong?" Sokka called out as Aang stopped suddenly. A trail of dust collected at his boots as he turned his head slightly. "I couldn't enter…I can't go into the spirit world." Aang said quietly as he then ran off away from the village.
"General Iroh." Lo said in surprise as her sister replied.
"What brings you to the inn?" Li asked as Iroh bowed to the two women.
"Forgive me for arriving so suddenly and unannounced. I was wondering if I can talk to you, ladies for a brief moment." Iroh said in a respectable tone as he curtly lifted his head.
The two women looked at one another as they allowed the old general into their home.
After Iroh was seated, Li poured him some tea. Iroh quietly declined the cup as both women were surprised from the man rejecting their offer. Whatever Iroh wished to speak to them about, was indeed of great importance.
"I am sure you have both heard of the new person who has entered onto our shore. A captive charged for multiple crimes in both Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation territories." Iroh said as he continued to look down at the table.
Li and Lo both narrowed their eyes, "Yes, we are aware of her crimes…" Li said as they watched Iroh's eyes widen lightly.
"General Iroh, we have known you since your early years as a small prince." Lo said as she folded her hands underneath her large sleeves.
"Why do you come to us regarding Miss Ursa's crimes?" Li said as she placed her tea cup down.
Iroh sighed, "You must reconsider her reasons for committing such crimes. She was only trying to save her country. She-
"General Iroh." Lo said cutting off the man.
"We are aware of her reasons." Li said.
"But do they out weight her crimes for a reasonable punishment?" Lo said softly.
Iroh closed his eyes as he clenched his hand, "Please, at least allow her to see her son again." Iroh said pleading to the councils.
"This is very unlike you, General Iroh." Li said.
"Then again, you have always had a kind heart." Lo said.
"We will change our decision for now. Please return to the palace." Li and Lo both said as Iroh bowed.
"Thank you." Iroh said softly as he stood up and left the room.
"What do you think, sister?" Li asked as she took her cup and sipped lightly.
"This will be a hard choice to make, my dear sister." Lo said as she closed her slanted eyes.
"The mother of the Fire Nation has returned. Now we will make our decision." Li and Lo both said as the view of a lone tea cup was seen with steam rising from its contents.
Rising up from her bed, Katara stretched lightly. The previous night was surely a night she wouldn't forget. Of course she did feel bad afterwards. Zuko was probably uncomfortable. Either way she hoped to make it up to him. Standing up from her bedside, Katara entered into her bathroom. Removing her night kimono, Katara started a warm bath.
Sighing deeply as she entered her new tub, Katara thought to herself.
'What can I do to make him happy?' Katara thought as she wanted to repay the Fire Lord for his kindness.
After Katara finished her bathing and then dressed in a simple red kimono robe. She then stepped out her bedroom; the early morning rays shone through the windows as the empty hallways brought a sense of peace for the waterbender as she walked down the corridor.
Walking pass Zuko's room, Katara thought quietly to herself. She then thought of the garden. How maybe she can surprise the Fire Lord. Quickly Katara ran down the hall and then pass a lobby as she entered to the vestibule. Walking out into the garden as the morning dew laced across the grass, sparkling the tiny droplets like a sea of diamonds. Katara ran up to the rose brushes and plucked a single red rose careful not to prick her fingers with its small thorns.
The waterbender then left the beautiful garden as she was unaware of the two golden eyes watching her with an old warm smile.
The view of a tavern was seen as two figures entered into the building. Looking at their surroundings, Cole carefully stood protectively to Aeron as they both sat down at a nearby table. "What would you two like for this morning? We have a special on komodo chicken pot pie and pig chicken scramble eggs." A lean waitress said dressed with the frills bunched up to the back of her green skirt creating a polonaise style and bustles. The bustles supported accentuated drapes on her hips with lacy pleats, ruffles, and fringing. Her top was a matching corset with ruffles on her collar. The young woman looked more like a prostitute than a waitress. But then again it could just be a famous costume worn in the pub for entertaining travelers.
Brushing that thought aside, Cole decided to order his meal. "Eggs are just fine, Aeron what would you like?" Cole asked as Aeron fiddled her fingers, "I guess I'll have some eggs too." The girl said as the waitress smiled. "And how would you like 'em?" the woman asked.
"Scramble is fine." Cole answered as Aeron spoke, "Over medium." Aeron said as the waitress wrote down the order.
"Alrightly, two eggs, one scramble other over medium coming up!" the woman said as she left the table.
Aeron then leaned over and whispered to Cole.
"Cole! Why did you order? Do we even have enough money for this?" Aeron asked in a hushed tone as Cole smiled.
"Don't worry about it. Just relax for now, okay?" Cole said as he took Aeron's hand. The girl blushed as she pulled away. Thinking irrationally, Aeron did what she could only do at the moment.
"You were looking at her? Weren't you?" Aeron mumbled as Cole blinked.
"What are you talking about?" Cole said as he scratched his head.
"You were checking out that waitress weren't you?!" Aeron nearly cried out as Cole tried to calm her down.
"Aeron, you're making a scene and no I wasn't." Cole whispered as Aeron turned away from him.
"I saw you…You gave her that look." Aeron said as she crossed her arms over her chest in an angry matter.
Cole blushed from frustration and embarrassment, "What look?! What are you talking about?" Cole said as he kept his voice low.
Aeron snorted, "Nevermind, our eggs are coming." Aeron said as she saw the waitress at the corner of her eye.
As the waitress put the food down on the table she smiled then gave Cole a wink. Seeing that, nearly set Aeron off. Grabbing her chopsticks roughly, Aeron started to stab the yolk as she then picked up the broken eggs and slurped them. Cole blinked as he kept quiet, knowing Aeron's temper would get the best of her.
Softly, Cole ate his eggs as he would glance around the room then back at the fluming girl next to him. Cole sighed; this was going to be a long day…
Hehe, guess Aeron is the jealous type uh? Thanks for reading! Next chapter you'll find out more on Li and Lo's decision. Where Aang went to, and what Katara has in store for the Fire Lord. Please review for a quick update!
Also I used the soft bustle silhouettes fashion of the 1900's for the waitress's outfit if you haven't guessed.
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