I can handle it | Aang x Gn!reader

2

"Hello? Hello!"

I shook my head to break out of the familiar thought chain.

I had honestly lost track of time, but I had probably been a deserter for about a week.

I reinged my attention in and over to the shop owner in front of me.

"Sorry, just lost in thought."

"Eh, don't worry 'bout it kiddo," they spoke with a thick accent, but an undertone of understanding. Their amber eyes softened with a form of recognition.

I grabbed some of the money I had in my pocket and slid it over to the shop owner.

They looked at it, their eyes sparkling for a minute, before they collected themselves.

They ran a hand through their jet-black hair before gathering up the money.

"Thanks, kiddo. See ya 'round."

With that, I grabbed my watermelon and took to the streets.

I had managed to land myself in some random Earth Kingdom village near Omashu. Honestly, I have no clue how I travelled so far so fast.

I walked the streets of the village, pulling up my dark brown hood.
I looked pretty sketchy, thinking about it. Some random kid walking around with a bow and a watermelon.

I pushed a lock of auburn hair out of my face and back into the hood before checking my posture. I pulled my shoulders back and brought my chin up to create the picture of masked confidence.

I pulled my shoulder bag around to my front, gently placing the giant fruit inside. I popped it shut before re-adjusting it carefully.

I walked through the village with the intent to do nothing but cover as much ground as possible.

I had to reach Omashu at some point. It was one of the few kingdoms in the Earth Kingdom that had faced the Fire Nation and won countless times.

Thinking about it, I hadn't actually rested in a while.

I was going to be fine.

I trod along the dirt path, grabbing a map from my pocket and unfolding it.

I had thought about it and figured that if I wanted to reach Omashu as soon as possible, I'd have to pass through a Fire Nation colony.

Great.

I folded up the map and mentally prepared myself to be around the people that were likely on lookout for me. I assumed that I was now a fugitive for deserting the Fire Navy.

I was on the road for a long time, passing travelers of all kinds on the way.

Once I finally reached the village, I was immediately bombarded by the familiar colour of red as it melted into green.

It was an attack on my senses, all the scents and sounds mixing with eachother was confusing. My ears hurt from the sheer noise of a celebration going on.

Earth Kingdom instruments mixed with those of the Fire Nation creating a sound that was unfamiliar and therefore unwelcome.

I gathered my strength, pushing through the mental block. Don't judge it before you try it.

I stepped right into the center of the celebrations.

I snapped out of my overwhelmed state as curiosity took the better of me, guiding me over to the stalls.

"The Celebration of Jhang Lú, founder of the village we now consider home, consists of a mixture of Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation traditions such as fire flakes, a play to commemorate the occasion and more."