Wandering Firebender

Thirty Two: The Slums

"Hey, Elio. Elio, wake up! We're arriving now!" Sri shook him gently to wake him up. Elio grumbled and rubbed his eyes.

"We're on land?" Elio asked, sitting up slowly.

"Almost. But the captain already shouted 'land ho' and stuff. Hurry and get your stuff together!" She urged him.

"Y-Yeah! Got it!" Elio nodded, shaking himself awake and pushing himself to his feet.

Elio stood up and quickly realized that the ferry was pulling into port. He flinched in surprise as the impressive sight of Ba Sing Se's outer wall slapped him right in the face. He was frozen in awe for a few seconds. Then he tore his eyes away and gathered all of his things into his pack.

Sri grabbed Elio's hand and pulled him along, giving him an apple to eat as they walked together down to the lower level of the ferry. Attendants boarded the ship and directed all of the refugees onto land, telling them where they needed to go.

Elio ate his apple with one hand and held Sri's hand with the other. Sri used her free hand to guide their ostrich horse by the reins. An attendant approached the two of them.

"Are the two of you together?" He asked.

"Yes, sir." Elio answered.

"Identification, please." He requested. Sri held up her papers, while Elio simply held up his boarding ticket.

"Okay, thank you. Please head to section three. One of the women at the counter will handle your accommodations."

"Got it. Thanks!" Sri waved to him as they continued onwards.

"This is huge. I don't know why I'm surprised. I guess I just didn't expect things to be this...organized." Elio commented as they stood in line at the counter.

"Did you see how big the wall was?!" Sri brought up.

"Yeah!" Elio exclaimed before switching to a quieter tone, "No wonder the Fire Nation could never get in." He commented. Sri nodded in agreement.

"I think we'll definitely be safe here." She said with a mild chuckle. Elio nodded in agreement.

Once they reached the front counter, the woman handled their paperwork quickly. According to her, they were given a modest home in the Lower Ring that would be built right up against one of the walls. Elio and Sri were just relieved to hear that they'd have a roof over their heads.

Elio and Sri were given tickets for the train and sent on their way. They waited patiently in the station, taking seats against the nearest wall as far away from other people as possible. Elio gave La some food to eat before he ate some more fruit.

"How're you feeling, Elio? Excited? Nervous? Both?" Sri asked a bit humorously, turning towards him.

"Definitely both. Anxious too. I'm in the middle of the Earth Kingdom. Being who I am and with where I'm from, you can understand why I have my guard up." He answered. Sri nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, I do. It will be okay... And what about the other thing? How're you doing with that?" She asked slowly. Elio glanced at her.

"A little better...marginally. I'm okay. I've got my focus on what lies ahead. That's what's important right now." He answered.

"That is true. Just let me know if you need to talk, okay?" She offered again, resting a hand on his arm. He reached over and rested his hand over hers.

"I will, Sri, for sure."

"Hey, Elio! Sri!" They heard their names called. Elio and Sri separated from each other a bit, turning and looking over. They saw Ren and Caub walking over to them with smiles on their faces.