Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Fifty-Six - What If They Don't Accept Me

The journey started off quickly. There was nothing in their way and their legs were on autopilot. Excitement was at an all time high as the forest echoed with happy chatter, and before long the first hour had come and gone. With every step they took their anticipation grew stronger! For the past ten long years Vialo and her family waited for this moment to be reunited with their friends, and to feel at home again. As the group continued through Pandora's dense forest, the once laughter filled aura started to fade out, and the sounds of the forest took its place. They were seemingly lost in their own worlds. They all had their own paths ahead of them. Some had partners waiting for them. Partners they never thought they would see again. Lives that had been frozen in time until now. Futures they had been longing to start.

While everyone was walking with excitement, Sìlaru watched intensely, anxiety present in her eyes. She herself felt excited. Sìlaru finally felt like she was part of a family again after having hers ripped away. But with that excitement, there was also a suffocating fear. What if this new clan didn't accept her? What if she struggled to fit in? What if she couldn't make any friends? All of these thoughts began to take over her mind and not in a good way, causing the young child to spiral. With every step she took, the bundle of nerves forming in her chest only grew. So much so, that she was unaware of the eyes that were now glued in her direction. The overthinking was all but eating her alive, until a familiar hand gently fell onto her shoulder. The gesture itself caused Sìlaru to jump a little. "Sorry! I did not mean to startle you." Solko exclaimed, placing her hand on Sìlaru's cheek. The young girl looked up at Solko for a moment, but only saw worry looking back at her. "What is wrong?" Solko's soothing voice washed over Sìlaru and almost instantly calmed her down.

"I...I don't know." Sìlaru confessed, looking back down towards the ground.

Solko let out a gentle sigh, before taking hold of Sìlaru's hand, causing the pair to stop in their tracks. This was strategic on Solko's behalf, stopping them just long enough to gain some distance between them and the rest of her family. Once the distance was to Solko's liking, she motioned for Sìlaru to begin walking again. "You look upset." Solko continued. "Did something happen?" She questioned.

"No, nothing happened." Sìlaru reassured the older woman.

"Then why do you look so worried?" Solko interrogated.

Sìlaru let out a shaky breath before looking back up at Solko, only to be met with a concerned gaze. "What if your people do not accept me?" Sìlaru exclaimed nervously.

"What do you mean?" Solko stated in confusion, tightening her grip on Sìlaru's hand. "Why would they not accept you?" She continued.

"Because I am not a part of their clan. What if they do not want an outsider living in their home?" Sìlaru replied in a hushed whisper.

Solko's brow folded together in sadness. "They won't feel that way." Solko proclaimed.

"How do you know that!" Sìlaru hissed, catching Solko off guard. "Sorry." Sìlaru stated shyly as tears slowly started to fill her eyes.

Solko took in a deep breath, before pulling Sìlaru off the ground and into her arms. "I know because I know my people." Solko began, as she brushed her thumb against Sìlaru's cheek. "And I have gotten the chance to know you. You are a sweet and kind girl! You are very smart and you are very strong. You have been through so much pain and anguish at such a young age and yet still find a way to care about people you don't even know." Solko continued with a gentle smile. "Not to mention you have a positive, beautiful, and comforting smile." Solko barked in a sincere tone. "You are everything my home represents. You will be loved by everyone. I know you will be." Solko promised, watching Sìlaru's face slowly start to relax. "And if anyone says something to you that is rude, they have to deal with me." Solko joked. Her words caused a small smile begin to creep onto Sìlaru's face. "And no one wants to deal with me." Solko chuckled, pulling Sìlaru closer to her. "But above all they will love you because I love you." Solko finished with a smile.

Sìlaru let the tears that had been brimming her eyes finally fall at Solko's words, as she tightly wrapped her arms around Solko's neck. "Thank you." Sìlaru cried.

Solko embraced Sìlaru in a warm and loving hug. "As of now you and the boys are my responsibility." Solko paused, pulling Sìlaru back just enough for their eyes to meet. "As of now, I will treat the three of you as my children. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and give you the love you all deserve." Solko vowed.

Sìlaru smiled, and placed her forehead against Solko's. "What about your partner? Will they feel the same way?" Sìlaru questioned shyly.

Solko chuckled at Sìlaru's before pulling her back into a hug. "Trust me. If you think I love you guys...just wait until they meet you!" Solko laughed, causing Sìlaru to laugh with her. They stayed in that for a moment. Allowing a sense of peace to cover them. "You are safe now, I will make sure of that for the rest of my days." Solko added, placing her forehead against Sìlaru's once more. "Home is wherever we are." She finished with a bright smile.

While the pair was lost in their own little world, a familiar voice brought them back to their surroundings. "Solko hurry up!" Vialo shouted as her voice echoed in the distance.

"Oh, I didn't realize we had gotten this far behind!" Solko exclaimed in between their laughter. Solko motioned for Sìlaru to shift over to her back. "Let's catch up!" Solko stated with a smile before she began running through the path her father had been making on their journey until she was met with Vialo standing firmly in her place.

"Where did you two go?" Vialo questioned with a smirk.

"We were just talking." Solko replied in kind.

"Talking about what?" Vialo pried.

"About your home." Sìlaru stated with a giggle.

Vialo was about to say something, but was cut off by her father's stopping in his tracks. "Dad?"