Book 1: Federation
Episode 1
The sound of the train gliding over the rail was almost enough like the sound of a sand-sailer that the woman could almost imagine she was on one again, the wind blowing past her face and ruffling her turban, sending the edge of her robe snapping with the speed. The sand stirred up by the bender stung your exposed skin, and you always had to fix your clothes before getting off.
But here, the wind was sealed outside, and the sand had long given way to flat, dry grassland. She'd seen more animals on this journey than she would in a month back home, and, as she sat properly on the bench, more men than a whole conclave of tribes. Some were even sleeveless! She had alternated between staring out the window and observing the more attractive men in the train.
If the rest of the trip was to be this interesting, she might enjoy this whole "Avatar" thing after all. She leaned casually to the side and watched a tall man in blue walk away from her along the aisle. "Avatar Rosai" suddenly sounded much more appealing if more of
that would be involved, she thought, lifting her turban to cover the action of biting her lip. She would probably have to give that piece of clothing up, eventually, since nobody else wore one. But right now it was a comforting friend.
Hideki clicked his tongue to get Rosai's attention as he saw her eyes wander. "You aren't in your desert anymore; typically you don't want to be staring at someone like they are a piece of meat, at least not so openly. We have a long way to go, get some rest. I'll tell you when we get to the next station, and if you want you can get out, look around."
Hideki had never really had to watch over someone before, so this is also a new experience. He had always been a lone wolf, and liked it that way. He wasn't saying he was anti-social, he had many friends he had gained throughout his travels across the world. It was more that he never travelled with another person. He didn't even know why he took it upon himself to show her the world. He should have just told one of his friends in the White Lotus. "Guess it's too late to turn back now...." Hideki murmured.
She tore her gaze away from the boy only after he'd sat down at the front of the car, turning to the sunburned man sitting next to her with a patient expression on her face, as if she were the worldly wise one. "If he didn't want me to look at him, he shouldn't be wearing such tight clothes." She crossed her legs and folded her arms. "And he certainly should be wearing sleeves on his shirt..."
Her voice trailed off as she ran her hands up her arms. She found herself wondering if there was some sort of Avatar's harem, and if she could pick one. How had he explained the Avatar thing? "Explain to me what this Avatar thing you think I am is again?" She asked Hideki, her eyes holding none of the interest she had for literally anything else on the train. That was all new and interesting. He was essentially part of the furniture, like any other man from her tribe.
Hideki thought for a second about his response, but just decided to tell her what she would want to know. He'd leave it to a Lotus or someone else to tell her the spiritual stuff.
"You are the only person in the world who can bend all four elements. You are what keeps the balance in this world. You defend the innocent and do what is right. None of that matters now. All that you need to do, is learn how to use the other three elements. Until then, you are just a faster-than-normal earthbender, and I don't even know how competent you are at that. I am only here because I decided I shouldn't let the Avatar wander around just to get hit by a car after wandering into traffic. I am here to protect you until the White Lotus come and pick you up."
Hideki knew he didn't have to be this rude, but she had gotten on his nerves with that blank stare she gave him. He was also having trouble believing she was the Avatar. The Avatars he had read about as a child were powerful, giving, and kind. So far this girl just seemed to be a flippant brat. "You must not let people know you are the Avatar, and don't get killed. I have to find people to teach you to bend and contact the White Lotus."
Hideki was a skilled firebender, so one would think he could just teach her. He had two reasons he wouldn't. First, he didn't want to. Second, he had been told not tell anyone where he learned his technique. He didn't plan on betraying their trust for this annoying girl, Avatar or not. This was gonna be a long train ride.
Leaning over to scratch Navana's cheek, she nodded along with the explanation. "You think I'm an Avatar thing. I know I'm Rosai, the fastest runner, fastest climber, and fastest bender in the Si Wong. I've only come along because you've said you'll show me the village of walls. I wonder what kind of oasis they have there." She stretched her legs against the seat in front of her, then settled herself more comfortably. Before she closed her eyes, she told Hideki, "You shouldn't look so much like someone pissed in your bedroll. Your face'll stick when the wind changes."
Hideki let out a barely audible growl before realizing that the girl was right. That didn't help his annoyance, but he could deal with it. He took a deep breath and suddenly had a more light disposition. He relaxed, looked out the window of the train and a small smile came to his lips. "It won't be too long until we arrive in Ba Sing Se. Rest till then. There will be a lot of walking once we get there."
Rosai tilted her head and studied his expression. "On second thoughts, that looks weird. Keep that stern face." She huffed out a breath and put her arms behind her head. "Should've taken Michla up on her offer. You need a woman to sort you out, and you're too old for me to try."
Hideki was sure he was going to get an aneurysm from being around this girl, but he wasn't going to let her get to him. He looked back to her and his smile left his face. "At the earliest possible chance I want to evaluate your bending skills. How powerful of a bender would you say you are? Do you believe you could beat me in a fight?" He knew she hasn't even seen him show any ability at bending, but he also wanted to judge her confidence. If she had no self-confidence, she would have a lot of difficulty learning the more difficult techniques in bending. If she was overconfident, she would probably get in a fight she couldn't win and get herself killed.
Half-closing her eyes, Rosai made a show of thinking it over while she watched another boy walk down the aisle towards them. "I could kick your butt in a sandbending match. I could kick
anyone's butt in a sandbanding match."
