The Next Avatar (On Hold)

Chapter 12

The long train ride had lasted over night. Through the night, I had read a book that Baatar, Suyins husband, had recommended. The plot was simple: A young earth bender girl, who is homeless, befriends a wealthy fire bender girl. Having a dramatic difference in social standing, their friendship becomes increasingly hard to maintain. I had gotten to the 5th chapter before I fell asleep.

Now exiting the train, I stretched my arms in front of me and yawned. I had made it to my destination, Republic City. Leaving the station, I walked to get to the heart of the city. I needed to buy some supplies and some food for Mio and I. Suyin, Opal, Baatar and even Bolin pitched in some money so I could get everything I needed once I reached town.

Of course, I had told them it wasn't necessary to do such a thing. However, they had all refused to let me leave without it. Republic City was even more lively then Zaofu. Many vendors lined the streets selling fruit, vegetables and even fresh hot food. I'm kinda hungry.

I scanned the street, looking for a place that I could afford to get something to eat. I had left Zaofu in the evening with a light dinner, and it being nearly noon, I was starving. As I walked down the street with Mio, something caught my eye.

Near the corner, a small restaurant painted dark red with a small wooden sign read, "The hollow bride." That's a pretty odd name for a restaurant. However, as I walked inside, the restaurant gave off a homey feeling and smelled of freshly cooked rice and fish.

An old man with short gray hair and tanned skin smiled at me. "Welcome!" I smiled back. Two other women and a group of 3 men were also in the restaurant. It wasn't the type of restaurant where someone sat you at a table and there was classical music playing. This place was more like...a diner. I sat down looking at the menu and trying to decide what to order.

I settled on dumplings and rice along with some jasmine tea, as recommended by the  restaurant owner. He had introduced himself as Leo, a 54 year old, who had once lived in Ba Sing Se. "How's the tea?" He asked. I sipped it quietly before answering. "It's great." I smiled. He nodded before 2 burly men entered the restaurant.

Leo's face dropped drastically.  His smile now gone as he took on a serious face. The burly men smirked. "Hey Leo. How's it goin'?" The two woman looked over and began to whisper to each other quietly. The 3 men however didn't seem to notice their presence. "Let's talk in the back gentlemen." Leo said forcing a smile. Leo?

One of the men walked over to me, pausing to glance at Leo, before picking up my tea and smashing it to the ground. I jumped and the women screamed. "Let's talk in the back?" The man sneered "How about we talk 'bout it here Leo!" His voice rose threateningly. One of the men looked over and rose out of his seat.

"Leo..is there a problem?" The man looked in his 20's with brown hair and dark eyes. The other two looked similar, I figured they may be  brothers. The two women, also in their 20's, both had dark hair and amber eyes. Just as Leo was about to answer the other burly man spoke. "Yeah Leo. Is there a problem?"

I looked over at the men frowning.  It really isn't any of my business, but if this goes on any longer, I have a feeling it'll turn violent. "You sure are a rotten old man. You still take these people's money even though you're in debt." He walks over to Leo and violently shoves him to the ground, breaking the plates that were in his hands in the process. My eyes widened and the women screamed.

The 3 men seemed alarmed as they rushed over. "What do you think your doing?!" One said as he began to clench his fist. The other burly man shoved him away harshly. "Stay out of this." He yelled.  The brothers stepped forward. "Who do you think you are?! You think you can get away with this!" Leo groaned on the ground struggling to get up. 

The man next to me roughly grabbed my arm pulling me up and throwing Mio to the ground. "Mio!" I gasped and tried to pull my hand away. "Unless you want someone else to get hurt, I suggest you leave. Now." He growled. "What kind of coward threatens to hurt a girl." One of the brothers glared. "You think I'm playing around!" The man behind me pulls out a small pocket knife, and holds it to my neck.

"Keep the child out of this." Leo says before he is silenced by the burly man's foot kicking his stomach. Finally one of the older brothers quickly walks up, shoving the man off Leo and punching him. Before I know it, a fight starts between one of the older brothers and the man who had injured Leo. The two woman shake in fear and hide behind their seats.

Another brother, who looks the youngest out of the three, helps Leo up quickly,  while the last one shoves the man off me and battles for the knife in his hand. I back up against the wall, and grab Mio before looking over to the women who begin to sob. All of a sudden, someone barges through the door. Her loud voice rings out in the commotion. "What's going on here?!"