𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 16: Back Again

She has to admit.

You looked rather weird without those familiar burns. She misses the comfort it brought her when she would mindlessly touch them, running her fingers along the bumps and grooves and the luster-like shine the skin had, the patches of lighter shade contrasting against your skin, making you stand out even more. And now, you looked rather... plain.

Fortunately, you still had your number. Though your skin looked rather loose?

All in all, she felt conflicted. Despite her initial shock, a part of her felt peeved, annoyed that you allowed some peasant to completely change what she grew up knowing, saddened to be ripped away from her comfort.

But when she saw you with your healed hands, touching everything in sight, patting her hair, feeling the silk she wore, touching and pinching her cheek ever so lightly, she was glad to see you look more... healthy.

But she wonders, had the girl also erased her burn? Or just the visible ones.

Shifting her weight to her right foot, she looked at the culprit of her mixed emotions.

Unaware of the eyes that stared at her, Yue nervously fidgeted with her hands. A worried look plastered on her face as she, along with the fire nation, spectated the duel between her father and the lieutenant acting guide, Zhao.

Their battle was coming to a halt. It seems that the tides were in the water tribe's favor. How funny is that? Though as expected, if they were to take this duel (or the water tribe) seriously, they would have sent someone more skilled. Someone like you and her, obviously.

The supposed trainer of her's was on one knee. Laboured breaths escaped as he tried, and failed, catching his breath. Making the very same mistakes he corrected her brother on.

Her gaze then drifted off to you. You, who were far too busy to pay attention to the victory of the water tribe, feeling at the rich, polished wooden railings. What was so great about touching wood with a couple of designs engraved on it? Does the texture really differ from how you remember it to be? How long ago did you lose feeling in those palms?

When you touched her hair and cheek, were they as soft as you expected them to be? Her own hand goes to touch her hair, twirling it around her finger as she looks down at it.

Black, like many that still have hair, is a rather common color, especially in the fire nation. Her eyes then go back to your hands as they run along the carvings within the log, fingers tracing the grooves in an attempt to memorise. Her own fingers copying the motion on her loose strands. Her hair is soft and straight, no split ends or scrunched-up curls, no sun damage or burns. Her hair is even toned, rich black, and silk soft.

She then touched her cheek.

It's as soft as it's supposed to be. She's not some peasant who has to work under the harsh sun every day nor work in the mines covered in dust and grime. As someone deserving of her rank, and access to the best skin oils and protection, every inch of her skin is fair and soft. Just as it is supposed to be. No impurities or over the top scarring.

Any wounds she may attain are quick to be cured and healed with the nation's best and most effective of medicines and ointments.

Her lips formed a thin line as her eyes shifted just in time to see Zhao receiving a heavy kick to the face. The man was knocked out, it seemed her ex trainer has lost. The moment his body fell, her father, and the fire lord left.

"Father!"

The shrill voice snapped her attention back to the water girl. Yue ran to her father, her arms outstretched and a smile on her face. Her eyes brimming with tears yet gleeful as she was lifted into the air.