Ethereal {Lin Beifong x Reader}

xv. rain

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Numb.
That was the only way to explain how I felt at the moment. 
When my sister entered my room, she sat by my side and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Our mother had fallen ill many years ago and was slowly getting better, her health had slipped when we were visiting Republic City. I didn't cry when I first found out, I just sat there. My breath stayed hitched in my throat for what felt like forever. 
My father also somehow made his way into the room, draping his arms over Izumi and I. Slowly I felt tears begin to trickle down my face. Izumi and my father whispered things to me but I couldn't hear. I had drowned out everything as I sat on my bed watching my open door. 
The tears began to sting my cheek as they fell quickly, escaping my eye at every given moment. 
Words couldn't explain how alone I felt in that room, with arms wrapped around me. 

-

The funeral was small, very few guests were invited. We wanted to keep it private from the outside world. Aang kept his hand on Izumi and I's shoulders, watching tears drip from our faces. Rain began to trickle from the sky, as if the weather were watching us. Almost as if my aunt was sending her regards. 
My mother was with her sister again, and that was all that mattered to me. A piece of me died with my mother that day.

I decided to go back to Republic City with Lin, I couldn't walk through the palace without seeing my mother's open arms. I shook terribly at night and Lin had to hold me close. Time seemed to fly by as people went back to their lives. They didn't stop to give me their regards anymore, which didn't bother me. I did not want to be pitied.

Pity was all that I was given for months. I felt drenched in the weight of the world as people told me how bad they felt for me. It was like I was drowning, begging them to stop as they continued to pity me. It was disgusting. I hated the feeling, and when the regards stopped so did the drowning. 

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This chapter was written in memory of my aunt who helped raise me.
May the rest of your eternal life be spent dancing, rest in peace.
(Toby)