The Lost Avatar

Part 2 - Chapter 1

My New Home

It was around mid-July when everything was settled with Asin and Kova, and I landed in Cape Town, South Africa. After leaving through customs directly and exiting the airport with only my bag pack, I was surprised to find Naomi standing in front of her jeep with three men right in front of the exit. I noticed other vehicles fended off by airport security due to crowding. But she seemed to have been there for a while now, I think. I came and stopped a few feet away from them, observing the three guards whom I'm assuming to be the Dai Li, since they ally with the Earth Kingdom Princess mostly. Naomi took two steps forward with her hands in the pockets of her cargos and glanced up and down at me, noticing my sole bag pack as well. Last, I remember, the phone call with her had her mad at me that she took it out on Asin. Come on, why take it out on her?

"Welcome to South Africa, Dev!" she said, with a smile and pat my shoulder hard.

She ushered me towards the middle seat of the vehicle and one of the men took my bag and kept it in the trunk. One of the Dai Li went back and started a bike while the other two were in the front seats of the car, in charge of navigation and driving. We hit the highway within half an hour.

"So, how did Asin say good bye?" asked Naomi.

I blinked twice in surprise at her blunt tone.

"Y-you won't ask how was my flight or anything?" I asked, nervously.

"You're clearly alive and well so the flight must have been fine. Now, answer my question. How did she say good bye to you?" she asked bluntly again.

What is this woman? And in front of her guards?

"Nothing, she just said bye..." – remembering Asin saying Thank you for giving me something to live for – "and shook my hand. That's all." I said, as calculated as I could.

I don't want to explain any of our conservations to Naomi, a diplomat from the Earth Kingdom. I'm still a Fire Nation citizen. The less people know of my exact relationship with Asin, the better.

"She shook your hand? Wow, you must be really special, huh." She replied.

Did she actually believe me or what?

"Okay..." I said, and the drive was silent for a minute before I finally just had to ask. "So where are we going? How far is my university from where I'm staying?"

"I thought you'd never ask, Avatar!" She chuckled along with the two men in the front.

I was surprised yet again at her bluntness and at how much the others knew about me. I should get used to this now.

"Your university is 15 kilometres from where We are staying. A bit distant but it's the best I could find." She replied, noticing my expression. "What? I meant it when I said that I will train you. Nobody else. Your living quarters is my Holiday house near the mountains."

"Where is this holiday home? Where are we driving to?" I asked.

"Ah yes. My bad. We must drive at least 6 hours to the property in Lesotho. We will be training every morning and afternoon, understand?" she said.

I nodded in agreement.

"I'll explain details later. I'm taking a nap now." She said and folded her arms, shimmying down the seat and resting her head back.

I watched one of the men pass a neck pillow to Naomi, who took it with her eyes still closed and using it. I wonder if she had any sleep the previous night but it's not like she'll let me know. I looked out the window for a while before I drifted off as well.