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164 AG.
She couldn't help but stare at herself in the mirror of the small bedroom, tilting her head back and forth and watching as the mirror mimed her every move.
Mayalean's once full head of hair was now short, and replaced by an arrow tattoo she had just received this year, at the young age of twelve.
Twelve.
That was the age her grandfather was when he was honored with his own tattoos. Tenzin knew his father was right, from the moment he saw her, he always knew she would be a great air-bender.
It was a tragedy that he had passed away before her first birthday, never really getting to know his first granddaughter, or his other two, or the new baby who was on the way. But part of Mayalean knew that he was always looking out for her.
Jinora tutted at her sister, crossing her arms while glancing at the elder girl's reflection in jealousy. She was only four, and had just started bending, but she wanted to be like her sister, she wanted her arrows too.
"You look dumb without all your hair," Jinora said bluntly, as most children do, but Mayalean didn't pay much mind to it. She knew she was making her family proud— and she was proud of herself.
Seeing the blue arrows on her forehead and hands have her a sense of giddiness, one that no amount of hair could replace. "No," Mayalean disagreed with her sister. "I look like a master," she corrected.
Jinora huffed, leaving the room, but Tenzin stood at the doorway with a light smile on his face. The thought of his first daughter growing up was scary, but nothing could compare to the sensation of pride that coursed through him. His own daughter, a master already.
"I agree," he stepped into her room. Mayalean caught his eyes, staring with adoration at her father. "You do look like a real master."
She smiled at him, glancing one last time in the mirror before following him out the door. "But, this also means you have more responsibility. I'm trusting you to act grown up, more mature," he drifted off for a moment.
"I know dad," she almost whined, like she had heard this speech many times before. But, like he always had before requesting a task from her, Tenzin felt the need to repeat it.
Tenzin sighed, putting a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "I know, you know," he admitted. "But being a master is more than just perfecting all 36 tiers and enlightenment. It's also about helping others, and air benders were historically bearers of good fortune."
