Fire Within

Blind

Blind. Thats what my hands are. Blind to touch or bending. My hands refuse to see. It has been 3 weeks since the accident and I have been working hard on healing and keeping my bending skills up. 

Amala and Roku have been helping me. I meditate every day with Amala and work on my footwork for earth bending with Roku. Takeo has been trying to teach me how to shoot fire out of my feet and mouth, but I can't get it. There is no use in trying to waterbend, I already couldn't, now my handicap will stop me from ever even turning a tear into ice. 

I try not to get depressed. We have been camping around everywhere. I don't think The White Lotus is planning to take me to the north pole anymore, now that I can't waterbend. Unless, they wanted me to be healed, which would take a long time.  

I open my eyes from my thoughts. I am sitting on soft grass, trying to take in everything around me, the grass brushes against my bare legs and my hands are on my knees. My back and neck feel the warmth of the sun shining on them. I smell jasmine, probably being made into tea, and all I hear is the chirping of Parrot-Eagles and the rustling of Chinchilla-Possums in the trees. 

All of a sudden, I feet something brush up against my back and I stand up quickly. A small playtapus-monkey looks at me curiously and steps back.

"Hey little guy," I say, making my voice as friendly as possible. The monkey comes close and wacks my leg with its beavertail. 

"Ow!" I say, swatting the monkey away. It looks at me pathetically and twists its little foot. 

"Sorry," I say, and reach my hand out towards the monkey. It puts its hand on mine and turns it over. It traces its finger on my burn marks and turns its head. 

"Yep, no nerves," I say

I reach to pick him up and he permits me. I hold his little body and carry him back to camp. When I get there Takeo and Roku are sipping tea while drawing in the sand. I let the platypus monkey down and he trots right over to Roku and bites his sleeve. 

"I see you found a friend," he looks at me and smiles. The monkey gives a cheeky look and jumps into Takeo's lap. 

"Ah, a platypus monkey. Friendly creatures, loyal too." He pets the creature and smirks, 

"Mischievous too."  I smile and look at the adorable animal, acting like the sweetest thing ever. 

"I think I'll name him, Oo-Long." Roku looks at me and chuckles

"A tea reference I see," I nod and call Oo-Long, 

"Oo-Long! Come here little monkey! Oo-Long!" he turns and looks at me, then leaps out of Takeos lap and onto the ground to rub against my hands. For a slight second, I feel that he's soft and warm. Then its gone.