Avatar:Folk tale of an earthbender{Book One:Earth}

Chapter 8: Friendship

"You promise not to laugh?" She said, almost embarrassed. "Promise." He said, genuinely curious. "I wanna...learn earthbending! And make friends! And meet my mama's family! Just like...make a life for myself here!" She said, a smile forming on her lips. Daiki raised an eyebrow. "Those aren't embarrassing. I think they're fine ambitions" He said, shifting his seat, smiling at her. Kaori nodded. "I also..wanna meet the avatar" She mumbled. Daiki tilted his head. "The avatar? I guess that's not too out there. I used to really wanna do that when I was younger." Daiki said, feeling his chest tighten up as he reminisced on his childhood. "Used to? What's stopping you?" Kaori said. "What do you mean?" Daiki furrowed his brow. "When you were younger? You're still young! There's nothing stopping you! Right? So get off your butt and do it!" Kaori said, smiling. She smiled understandingly, her eyes lighting up like that of a child's, her smile was the rare type, the type you'd only see 4 or 5 times in a lifetime. Daiki felt a grin forming on his lips, feeling his chest tighten up as he remembered something his mother once said to him.
"You have your whole life ahead of you! So make it count! Get off of your butt and do something!"

"I...guess you're right." He said, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "Right? So..have you got any ambitions? Dreams?" Kaori asked hopefully. Daiki looked around. "Nothing grand really.." Kaori's smile dropped. "Really? That's awfully boring. I was expecting something like..I dunno..become the greatest earthbender ever! Or like..become someone's hero! Travel the world! You've got a whole lot of options! And potential!" Naturally, Daiki, who didn't exactly have all that many friends, got flustered at her praise, his ears turned red. "I mean..I don't really need anything too flashy, just a peaceful life is good enough for me" he mumbled. "I agree! I'd love a quiet life! It'd be a great change! But at least give yourself some goals! That way you'll have something to work toward, something to give you hope!" She said eagerly. Daiki tapped his head, as her words echoed in his head. "A-anywho. Why'd you come to Omashu all alone?" He asked. "I ran away." Kaori said, her expression blank. Daiki furrowed his brow. "Ran away? And you say that so casually?" He said, tilting his head. "You really are full of surprises.."

"Mhm. But I have a plan, I swear!" She said bluntly. Daiki raised an eyebrow. "And that plan is?" Kaori looked around, scratching her neck. "I'm still putting it together!" Daiki laughed, having a nostalgic feeling fill his body, a feeling he hasn't felt in a long time. The feeling of having an actual friend. "Don't laugh! I'm being spontaneous! You have no idea how hard it is to have your whole life planned out!" She said, pouting, like an angry child. Daiki tilted his head. "Really? That must've sucked. My lifes pretty much the opposite of that. I would've prefered a bit of order." He said bluntly.

Kaori smiled. "Aha! You can't make fun of me when you're not mr organized either!" Daiki sighed. "Guess you're right..but, good luck with that plan of yours" he said sarcastically. Kaori scrunched up her nose. "Anywho..We're only talking about me..what's your life like?" She asked curiously. Daiki leaned back in his chair. "Peaceful. Quiet. Boring." He responded. Kaori looked around. "Yeah? Do you live alone?" Kaori asked curiously, looking around. Daiki nodded, almost reluctantly. "For a bit now, yeah." He said under his breath.

"Why? Aren't you like..my age?" Kaori said. Daiki looked down. "I had a..falling out..with my family." He muttered. Kaori gritted her teeth, feeling awkward for bringing that up. The room was quiet for a moment, until Kaori spoke."I think it's cool! You're completely independent! That's how I wanna be!" Kaori said enthuasiastically, clasping his hands in hers. Daiki, who wasn't exactly used to having strange girls praise him and hold his hands, naturally, got flustered, her entire face turned red, including his ears. He shook his head, "Really? It gets pretty lonely. But it's quiet, that I like." Kaori let go of his hands, looking around. "I like that too! But it's like..adulting! Being a pretty capable earthbender and living a simple life! That's how I want it!" Kaori said proudly, standing in a power stance. Daiki laughed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "It's nice and all, but it gets pretty lonely." He said bluntly. "That's what you make friends for! I'm gonna make loads!" Kaori said in an enthusiastic tone. Daiki's eyes widened, and he nodded. "Guess so. I'll be your first one then" Daiki said, with a nervous smile.