Storm

Chapter 7

            “We can’t bring a Fire Nation girl on our trip! No! What is wrong with you?!”

            Storm shifted nervously on her feet, trying to pretend that she couldn’t hear the conversation the brothers were having, not three feet away. It wasn’t like she was trying to eavesdrop… they were just talking so LOUD.

            Storm frowned to herself. She knew there was a war going on, but wasn’t this a little extreme?

            “She’s nice! And she promised to get new clothes.” Kinu defended her, and Storm smiled at the knowledge. He was the only nice person she’d met in her time in the Earth Kingdom. Maybe Kinu’s brother was right. Maybe it was because of her clothes.

            “NO!”

            “Then you tell her! Because I’m not going to be the one to make her cry!”

            Storm decided to step in. “Um, you know I can hear you, right?”

            The brothers both looked guilty at that, and Kinu rubbed his neck. “Listen, Storm,”

            “No, I heard you.” She broke in, making a decision. “I can change my clothes but I can’t change where I’m from. I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but it’s who I am. I want to learn about the world but I need someone to teach me. And I think that someone is you.”

            Kinu and his brother stared at her, and finally Kinu’s brother spoke up. “What do you mean, learn about the world?”

            Storm bit her lip. “Well… I had… sort of a… sheltered childhood, you could say. I don’t know much about the world.”

            She smiled, proud of herself for understand what his question had been.

            After a moment, Kinu punched his brother’s shoulder. “Come on, Kai, look at her! She’s harmless, and she’s cute! Let’s keep her.”

            Storm frowned a little, thinking that this was the way Wan talked about stray animals he’d found when he was human. Like pets. She wasn’t a pet. But if it would get her on board this ship, then… why not.

            She smiled again. “I am!”

            Kai laughed. “All right, fine. But let’s go get you some new clothes, NOW.” Storm nodded agreeably, and the three set off through the Merchant’s Pier.

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            “Here, go try these on! I think these will really work!”

            Storm looked at the outfit the woman held out to her, feeling doubtful. The last four outfits she’d tried hadn’t worked at all. One had been too big, another much too small. The third had been garish and covered in bells, and the fourth had been… she didn’t even want to remember the fourth. It was just that bad.

            But Kinu and Kai were nodding their heads at her, so with a deep sigh she took the bundle and retreated back behind the curtain.

            She pulled off her own dress AGAIN--at least she was better at it now than she had been before--and replaced it with the clothes she’d been given. After the previous four outfits, she was shocked at how little this one required her to put on.

            She started with the skirt, pulled on over her tight dark brown leggings, the ones that ended a few inches above her knees. The skirt was long comparatively; it swished around her legs and the hem tickled her halfway down her legs, but she liked the feel of it. She also liked the color of it, dark green and full of shadows. The pale yellow sash that held it to her hips contrasted nicely with the dark color, and she smiled.

            Maybe this one wouldn’t be so bad.          

            After that it was the shirt, which was a little tight across her chest. Its sleeves fell off her shoulders but were tight on her arms, cinched beneath each elbow with dark brown leather armbands. She was acutely aware of the air on her back and stomach, since the shirt ended several inches above her waist. But it felt… good.

            She’d never wanted to shave her head, because she loved her tangled black hair. Having her shoulders and back free allowed her to feel the air around her in a way she never had before, and she felt… more connected to her element, somehow.

            Smiling, she stepped out from behind the curtain. Kinu and Kai were arguing again, but they both looked up when she appeared.

            Storm didn’t understand the expressions on their faces--they just stared at her. She frowned. “Is it bad? I actually kind of like this one…” She trailed off doubtfully, but Kinu was quick to intervene.

            “No, it… it’s great. It looks… great.”

            Kai frowned. “Except… your necklace.”

            Storm touched the orange gem that winked on the burgundy chord around her neck--the choker Noriko had given her. She glared at Kai, for the first time showing a glimpse of the strength of spirit she held deep within.

            “This was a gift--it’s important to me. I will never take it off.” She stared Kai down, defiant, and the Earth Kingdom man backed down.

            “Okay, okay.” He held his hands out in a placating gesture, and Storm smiled. She had her Earth Kingdom clothes.

            The vendor woman held out her hand to Storm, her expression expectant. Storm shook it, and the woman scowled.

            “Money, girl! Those aren’t free!”

            Storm tilted her head, perplexed. “Money? What’s that?”

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Storm's outfit to the right! No, I don't own the drawing nor did I draw it.