KamikazePedestrian

Doa's steps are still light, so light Rin doesn't hear them until they're right behind her. The Asano dojo doesn't get many visitors these days, and she unfolds her creaking body without hurry. She brushes the dirt off her hands and turns around slowly, and there's Doa standing in Rin's garden with her hands on her hips like it's nothing out of the ordinary, like it hasn't been sixty years since last. Her hair is still surprisingly dark. Rin's turned silver early on, but Doa's tresses have only changed in parts. She still cuts them short. "Rin," she says, dignified despite the sad state of her clothing. She already dressed oddly before; now

Evening falls and the day goes out in a blaze, the sunset igniting the sky. Katara sits on the stairs to the beach house, the sweat on her back cooling slowly. The wind is mild. The sea is calm. Suki is beside her, and her breath follows the rhythm of the waves. They don't spar together often, it doesn't happen that way, but today it did and it was good. Suki is a born warrior. Katara clings fiercely to her hard-earned skill, but Suki wields her fans with the certainty of someone who was granted their art. It's an advantage except when it's not. Katara closes her eyes and lets the last rays of daylight paint bright red swirling dragons on t

Toph/Smellerbee "You wear makeup?" Toph said, amused disbelief tinting her voice. Smellerbee shifted uncomfortably. "Facepaint, actually," she said. "Yeah, that's what makeup is. Paint on your face." Toph laughed, leaning back against the trunk of the tree with her arms behind her head, legs sprawled on the platform. "Never would've pinned you as the type." "This is not makeup, okay? It's completely different." Smellerbee sounded annoyed. Were they on solid ground, Toph would be able to tell just how offended she were by the teasing, would be able to gauge her posture and pulse. Up in the trees, she had to rely on the clues her ears could

Azula/Ty Lee Princess Ursa's former chambers are closed, forbidden for anyone to enter. The punishment is not stated, but it can be assumed it will be grave. That part of the palace lies deserted, like a locust's shell, crumpled and brittle. What life there used to be in the now empty rooms won't fit there anymore. Azula doesn't hold Ty Lee's hand. She holds her wrist. It isn't a gentle grip, but it is firm. Ty Lee will never get lost in the corridors as long as Azula holds on to her. They run, fast and unseen, evading the servants and guards. School is out and night has not yet arrived; they're in the empty space between twilight and day,

Katara&Sokka In the Firenation the sun sets promptly every night, and climbs over the horizon each morning. The next day is as long as the one before. Katara marks the seasons on a scrap of paper. It's easy to lose track of time. "Hey," Sokka says, watching the sunset drape the sky in victorious red. "Remember that story Gran-Gran used to tell us? About the hunters and the whalebear?" Katara nods. Nanuk the whalebear who fled from the hunters chasing him all the way into the sky. It was always Sokka's favourite. "Tell me again," he says, and Katara scoots over, makes room for his head in her lap. The darkness falls around them while she t

Jun&Song "I have money," the tall woman says, and Song shakes her head in reply. No matter how many times her trust is abused, she will not forget how to show kindness to a stranger in need. She will not allow herself to become jaded. It's a kind of resistance, of sorts. "You don't have to pay," she says. "We're happy to share anything we have." The woman's name is Jun. Jun has matte hair and slick, painted lips, deep red tattoos and pale skin. Her voice is dark and her smile even more so. Song feels very small in her company, very young and inexperienced. Jun sits by their table and eats and drinks until every plate is empty. She finds p

Jin&Azula Jin knows who the girl is the moment she sees her; thousands of wanted posters all over Ba Sing Se have etched that face into her mind. She grabs the edge of the counter to assure herself that, yes, this is happening, no, she isn't dreaming, the former princess of the Firenation is hiding in her teashop, crouched on the floor. Jin stares down at her and the Princess stares back. Her clothes are worn and dirty, her hair long and messy, but her skin is flawless and her eyes shine and the bow of her upper lip is perfection itself. The posters really don't do her justice. -- "I seek lodging," says the Princess, presiding over her b