Azula's Journey

Paths Cross

N/O POV

The sounds of the daily hustle and bustle filled the air of the small Earth Kingdom village. Amongst the activity, an old man busied himself hanging meats in his smokehouse to dry. When the last strip was strung he turned back towards the barn, crossing his arms.

"Bring me the last of that meat, Ro! I haven't got all day!"

Ro's POV

Ro sighed as the old man's voice rang through the barn. He grabbed the pile of meat he had just finished cleaning and headed for the door. "I'm coming Chong, I'm coming."

Chong held out his arms in anticipation as he approached, ready to get back to work. Ro divided the meat between them and they set to work stringing it up on the wooden boards to dry. Chong finished first, taking the time to check the smoker as Ro finished stringing up his half.

"Another fine day's work, boy." Chong praised, clapping him on the back. "Now, let's go relieve Taya at the stand. I'm sure she's itching to get in the kitchen, supper time is creeping up on us."

Ro nodded before following Chong to the stand where an elderly woman sat chatting with a customer. When she saw them approaching she said her goodbyes before turning to greet them.

"Hello Ro." She smiled warmly, taking his hands in hers. "Is Chong keeping you busy?"

"As always, Taya." Ro replied, playfulness in his tone.

Taya laughed as she turned and kissed her husband's cheek. "That's my Chong for you. Now, you boys keep this stand running while I go fix us up a warm meal. We all deserve it after all the hard work we've done."

Chong smiled. "Thank you dear. The meat for your soup is already diced and in a bowl on the counter, just like you asked."

"You spoil me, Chong." Taya teased as she headed for the house. "Young Ro should take notes."

Chong laughed heartily, noticing Ro's reddening face. "Ah come on now, you know Taya's an old tease."

"I'm aware." Ro mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Chong looked out at the bustling crowd, studying the people passing by. "You know Ro, in the several years you've been working in this town I've never seen you interact with anyone your own age. Are their any important people in your life? Friends? A girl perhaps?"

Ro shook his head, running his fingers over the paper they used to wrap up the dried meats. "I don't work, I don't eat. I don't have time for friends or relationships."

Chong frowned. "All work and no play makes for a very unfulfilling life. You need to live a little, have some fun. Now that the war is over, this world is a much safer place than it was."

Ro flinched at the mention of the war, but swallowed his disdain. "Perhaps one day, but for now I'm happy where I'm at."

"Very well." Chong replied, wrapping up some meat for a customer. "Just don't let life pass you by. I'm sure there's a lovely lady out there waiting for you."

Ro rolled his eyes, waving goodbye to their recent customer. Chong was persistent, he'd give him that.

Not getting a response, Chong busied himself counting their earnings for the day. He got about halfway through when he dropped a few copper pieces on the ground. "Ro, can you get those for me?"

"On it." Ro replied, crouching down to pick up the coins.

He heard footsteps approach the stand and Chong's cheery voice welcoming them as he listed off their selection for the day. There was a moment of silence, most likely the customer making their selection, which gave him time to finish picking up the coins.

"I'll take two of your biggest dried fish fillets."

Ro shot up from his crouching position at the sound of the familiar voice, banging his head on the table on the way up. Ro muttered under his breath as he rubbed the now sore spot on his head.

"You again?" The familiar feminine voice huffed.

Ro lifted his head, her golden eyes studying him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Uh, hello there."

Chong looked between the two teenagers on surprise. "You know each other?"

"I caught him watching me down by the river." The girl spat, her eyes narrowed.

Ro crossed his arms. "Says the girl who threw a knife at me."

The girl rolled her eyes as she took her order from Chong, placing a silver piece in his palm in return. "It's not like I hit you."

With that, the girl turned and disappeared into the crowd, not giving Ro a chance to reply. Chong crossed his arms and chuckled in amusement at the flustered and irritated look on Ro's face. "She's certainly a feisty one."

"Yeah," Ro nodded, staring off in the direction the girl had disappeared in. "But there's something about her, something off."

"Maybe you should talk to her." Chong suggested.

"You did hear that she threw a knife at me right?"Ro deadpanned. "I think I'll pass."

*Picture at top belongs to whoever drew it. I just took it from Pinterest.*

Picture at the top is Ro, Age 17.