𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎

I

ꕥ

It is said the koi can only thrive in deep waters away from the burning rays of the sun. They are considered one of the most spiritual animals but the koi is often seen as only a pleasure for people. With their water protection gone the koi can be damaged and burned.

The maids had taught me that it was our identity to serve. That was our place in the fire nation. And that's what mine must be to stay alive, to not be burned by the sun.

Now a find myself in the deepest depths of the world the South Pole. The cold has nipped at my senses for the past two weeks, a comforting feeling. It's the comfort I wished I could find when I left the Fire nation 3 years ago with Zuko and Iroh. To find something that could earn acceptance from the very people who seem set on treating me as sub human. Is it selfish to say I want that after how bad I have been treated by them.

The sea rocks the ship like and mother to a child. As I sit in at my mirror fixing the top half bun that has always adorned my head since the age of nine. It was in the maids code to look professional and modest, to please. "You must dress with pride and humility for you Yurika are the servant of the royal children" is what Mako always told me. I guess old habits never die even as you are on a wild goose chase for the Avatar.

The metal door closed to my room with a simple thud as I made my way to the upper deck. I hug my red fleece coat around me more as I open the door to the piercing cold of the South Pole. How Zuko practices out here shirtless with only the warmth from his inner fire I have no idea. Not that I was looking at him.

"Ah Yurika glad to see you have come out."
Iroh waved me over as he sat on mat playing a card game. I kneeled on the ships cold metal floor. Instinctively I reached for the steaming teapot pouring a cup of tea for Iroh. All he does is give me one of his calm smiles as I finish pouring. My hands lay crossed in my lap, my posture perfect, my eyes trained on the ground. That's what I have been taught to be. Iroh simply continued on with the game moving the cards in his preferred playing order. I watch from my down cast position. As Iroh moved from the right and left with the water tile his moves seem to flow in a pattern. It seems we have fell into the familiar routine as a comfortable silence settled over us. Usually it remains calm as we travel in the mornings until......

Zuko had walked out slamming the door behind him as he sulked to the front of the boat. That was routine for us.  Iroh radiating calm while Zuko's chaos clouds the air. Aside from the occasional music night, the days on this boat really seem to flow together. Zuko has been more broody then usual. I know he doesn't say it but he as been growing more angry every day. He is hurt and no matter how much Iroh tries Zuko still stays persistent that he will find the avatar.

It was as if the world went quite I took in the silence for a moment, it was pleasant. I focused on the sloshing of the waves hitting the boat hull. The rhythm flowed through my body as my mind drifted. Then there was a gust of wind blowing my umber hair. I turned around to see a column of blue light, bright as flames reaching towards the heavens.

"Finally!" Zuko pointed to the sky as he turned to me and Iroh, "Uncle, Yurika do you realize what this means"

"I won't get to finish my game?" Asked  Iroh. He picked up another tile this time air.

"It means my search is about to come to an end." He continued staring at the light infatuating the thought of his banishment being over.  "It has to be him." He said it so surely you would have thought the Avatar told him himself.