Sight ↣ A:TLA

09

Thalia (1)

After days of training, the group decided to pick mini-vacations. Of course, after getting Sokka off of our backs. He was so upset at the idea because he insisted we didn't have any time for quality rest. Elements this, Firelord that. But we all waved him off.

Katara was the one to choose the mini-vacation first. She had chosen Misty Palms Oasis - a pristine natural ice spring, one of nature's wonders as Aang described it.

However, when we got there, there wasn't anything pristine about it. Everything was made of sand and dried up. In the middle was melted ice that was licked by a dog.

We made our way into one of the small 'buildings.' As we walked past a trio of sand-benders, one of them spit right in front of my foot.

Disgusted, I look up at the man. He had missing teeth inside his mouth - a yellow tint to them.

Sokka had seen this and got in front of me. He was about to say something to the man, but Katara pulled us both inside.

"Nothing happened to you, right?" Sokka asked me. I shook my head, "Besides the vomit that's about to make it's way out, no. But thanks."

He simply nods before we turn ourselves forward.

We all watch a man behind the bar swiftly cut up fruit and make a drink out of it. He hands it to the man who ordered before taking his money.

I licked my lips, "That looks delicious."

"I don't see anything wrong with having one of those fruity beverages while we plan our strategy." Sokka says lowly with his hand on his chin. He pushes us aside as he scurries to the bar.

"Excuse me!"

The man who had his drink accidentally bumps into Aang, spilling the fruity beverage on him.

"No worries. I clean up easy." He blows air off of himself to dry his clothes. The man gasps in amazement, "You're a living relic."

"Thanks." Aang shrugs. "I try."

"An Air Nomad, right in front of me." The both of them bow. "Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se university. Tell me," The professor grabs Aang's arm and inspects it. "Which of the Air Temples do you hale from?"

"The Southern Temple."

I turn my head away from the two and look at the bartender. "Hi, I'll take a strawberry drink please."

"I was just about to order." Sokka complained. I chuckled, "Now you have to wait."

By the time it took the Professor to finish asking his questions to Aang, we all had our drinks.

I took a sip from mine then hummed. The sweetness with the cold refreshed my mouth.

"So Professor, you're obviously a well traveled guy. Do you have a more current map?" Sokka asks him. "Ours seems to be a little dated."

"Certainly."

Professor Zei unrolls his map onto a table. Sokka looks down at it in disappointment. "What? No Fire Nation? Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?"

"You've made a lot of trips into the desert." Katara noticed. On the map were routes marked by him. I point down at it, "It looks like you've been going in circles."

He nodded, "Unfortunately. I've found lost civilizations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crowned jewel: Wan Shi Tong's Library."

Toph raises her brows. "You spent years walking through the desert to find some guys library?"

"This library is more valuable than gold, little lady. It is said to contain fast collection of knowledge. And knowledge is priceless."

"Mm, sounds like good times." My cousin sarcastically responds. I turn my head to the Professor, "What's so good about the 'knowledge' in that library than any other?"

"Glad you asked." He smiled. "Wan Shi Tong and his knowledge seekers collected books from all over the world and put them on display for mankind to read, so that we might better ourselves."

"If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they'd got info on the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked. "A map, maybe?"

I scoffed, "With all that knowledge, I'm sure there's more than old Fire Nation maps."

"Then it's settled." Sokka smiles. "Aang, I do believe it's my turn. I'd like to spend my vacation at the library!" He exaggeratedly puts his finger up, like we'd magically get there in seconds with just that move.

I pout, "Why does Sokka get to pick who goes next?"

He playfully shoves me, "You gotta work here a little longer before you qualify for vacation time."

"Hm, that's bogus. Then I quit." I put my foot down. "I expect my pay in gold."

Sokka smirks, "You won't be missed."

I place my hands on my hips. "Next time you want someone to brush your ponytail, make sure that foot is out of your mouth first."