Eye of the Storm

Page Four

Quila's mother insisted on taking the market today, and Quila didn't know what to do with herself. She only let her mother do it because she knew that her mother needed the distraction today, especially. Quila found herself wandering the streets of the Lower Ring alone, kicking dirt and rocks as she went along. Her head was filled with memories from when she was in the South Pole. It was starting to get late, but she didn't want to go home yet. She wanted to be out for just a little longer. If only she could get some fresh air, and be somewhere quiet, but those places were few and far between in this huge city, and it was really getting to Quila. Suddenly, she felt something wet on her nose. She reached out a hand, and raindrops began falling. She looked upwards as the water began falling faster. But she made no move to go home, or get shelter. She let herself get wet, and just continued wandering. It was a long time coming, but she let herself begin to cry. The tears mixed with the rain water, and no one noticed as others rushed for shelter. "Tiger lily?" She looked over to see Mushi under a shop's overhang. "Oh, hello." She tried to smile, but it was no secret that it was forced, and he surely saw the redness of her eyes. "Why don't you come inside for some calming tea?" She took a moment, then nodded. He reached out and guided her into the tea shop. It was empty, and Lee was sweeping up, but he stopped when his uncle and Quila stepped in.

Mushi sat her down and began to get a pot of tea started. Quila could feel Lee's eyes on her as she fiddled with her hands, still sniffling from her crying. Mushi instructed his nephew to sit with them, and he poured them all some tea. "Gentle tiger lily, what is wrong? Why are you out in this terrible storm?" Quila was quiet a moment longer and rubbed her face, trying to regain some composure. "I...Today is a hard anniversary for me." She began, frowning. "Two years ago today, my father died..."

"I am so sorry to hear that."

"I was still in the South Pole, living with my mom. I was about to go to the water to practice my bending when...When we got the letter. See, my father was a warrior. He had gone to the Earth Kingdom to fight with the other men of my tribe. He died in battle." Quila felt another tear fall down her cheek. "Not a day goes by when I don't think of him. After he died my mother and I came to Ba Sing Se to start a new life. But it's not any better here either. Now we can hardly provide for ourselves. There's nothing we can do." Her voice broke, and she hugged herself, trying to seem smaller. "I understand how you feel, Quila. Losing someone close to you can be very painful." She looked up at them. "You do?" Mushi nodded slowly. "I lost my son in the war, as well." He admitted. Lee looked away, frowning. "I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"But Quila, those we love are never truly gone. They are always in our hearts, and watch over us. I am sure you will see your father again some day, just like I will be reunited with my son." Quila nodded after a moment. "I suppose you're right...I still can't help but miss him, though." she looked off to the side. "If my father can see me, I wonder what he'd say. I don't think Ba Sing Se would be what he wanted for me by now." She looked down, feeling a bit of shame. Nothing is how he would have wanted it. What would he say if he knew about the Black Bandits? "What did your father want?" Lee finally spoke up, and Quila looked up at him. "He always talked about going to the Northern Water Tribe. I'd be with a nice warrior, and I'd be a healer. And he and mom would live there, safe. But I'm not a healer. I'm a fighter. And I think he always knew that deep down, but... He never quite accepted it." She frowned.

Suddenly, the door to the tea shop opened and the thundering rain became louder. They all looked over to see Gopan standing there, soaking wet. "Quila! Thank goodness, there you are." He stepped inside and shut the door. He noticed her tear stained face and his features softened. "Come on, your mother is worried about you." She nodded and stood, walking over to her best friend. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly. "I want to go home." She replied, allowing that and her tone to answer his question for her. He nodded in understanding. "Thank you for looking after her in this rain." Gopan said to Mushi and Lee. "And thank you for talking to me. You're quite wise." Quila said to Mushi. "Of coarse, tiger lily. Any time." He nodded to her and she nodded back. She nodded to Lee, and it took him a minute, but he nodded back. "Come on. Let's get you back to your mom. She wants to make sure you're okay." Gopan wrapped an arm around her, and when they got outside Quila bended the water around them to keep them dry.

They were quiet as they walked through the muddy streets, their footsteps the only sound. Quila rested her head on her friend's shoulder and started to cry again, letting Gopan guide her back home.