the wind in my sails | aang x oc

seven

Liara had woken up at sunrise the next morning.

Her wooden windows were open, letting the yellow-orange beams of light stream in and cast a beautiful hue over the walls of her childhood bedroom. It was warm, and she was laying with her head atop of Aang's chest. It was lifting up and down slowly and methodically, indicating that he was still fast asleep.

An orange blanket was draped over the both of them, and Aang's arms rested on her back. It reminded her of the countless sleepovers they'd had— both in the western and southern air temples. She remembered them always getting scolded by Monk Gyatso and Nora for causing trouble at night and scaring the other airbender children.

Although she felt giddy and joyous about waking up encased in his embrace, the memory of the previous night quickly made her feel degraded.

Letting out a soft sigh, Liara slowly and carefully removed herself from Aang's arms. She quickly placed a pillow where she had previously been. Making sure that the boy was still asleep, she quickly did a leisurely stretch to wake her muscles.

She then sat near the windowsill and assumed a meditating positio by crossing her legs and pressing her fists together— the arrows of her tattoos pointed to each other. After clearing her mind and a few deep breaths, she was finally in the spirit world.

Liara breathed in the sweet spirit world air and a small smile crept it's way to her face.

She rose from her position, and went to find Yao in his hut. The monkey man was chatting with a centipede and having tea with him, the conversation consisting of spirit world gossip and some information on plants.

"Yao, it's good to see you," she chirped, greeting the baboon with a polite wave. He turned his head and looked at her with a neutral expression. "Master Liara, it's good to see you as well," he said.

The centipede looked at her, his strange face changing quickly to a woman with jet black hair.

"If it isn't the killer airbender. I didn't think I will have the chance of meeting you conscious." His face blinked, changing into one of an old man. "I am Ko. The face stealer."

Liara looked between Ko and Yao, wide-eyed, "are you gonna steal my face?" she asked the spirit, gulping slightly.

The face stealer let out a husky laugh, "No, I will not add your face to my collection." he smirked slyly, "Not today anyway." 

Liara exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, great spirit." she told him, bowing respectfully.

She sat down on an orange mat and looked at Yao, who gave her a porcelain cup of rooibos tea, which she greatly appreciated.

After taking a sip of the warm liquid, she was pleasantly surprised by the sweet, smooth taste. "Where is this tea brewed? I'd love some for the physical world too." she said to the baboon spirit.

"A remote island south of the fire nation. Drier conditions are best for it." Yao informed calmly. his facial expressions not moving a millimeter. 

"Wow I have to get some," she smiled, "Maybe that could be my life changing field trip with Zuko."

Yao looked behind her. "Master Liara, the avatar has woken." 

Taking deep breath and downing the rest of the tea, Liara pursed her lips, "I just got here. but it's fine. goodbye, great spirits." After a wave and a respectful bow, Liara removed herself from the spirit world.

Aang sat on Liara's bed, grey eyes looking over her seated form. When her eyes opened, she offered him a smile.

"Good morning," she greeted.