Sound Waves (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Book 2

Chapter 7 - Moonlight

Himoko's POV

The chilly night air of the summer was really setting the mood for this extravaganza of sneaking out into the city of Ba Sing Se.

It was eerily quiet, unlike when I was hearing the lively chatter earlier, people were inside of their homes or shops, turning in for the night after a long day. And yet here I was, wide awake, yearning for answers.

Why did I feel so uneasy? I should feel safe as can be, I was safe. I was sent here by Pappy because of what could happen to Omashu... Or is happening to Omashu. I won't be able to receive any news about what's going on with my home for a while.

It was disheartening as well because I never received a reply from my letter I sent to him, just heartfelt orders to go to Ba Sing Se and stay. To abandon my journey with Aang and the others.

I shouldn't be feeling like this... Was it just nerves because I hadn't been here for so long? Or was it because something here was forewarning me of something I didn't know about?

As I walked down the streets, stopping and hiding behind barrels or shop stalls when I spotted guards patrolling in the night air- I was reminded of the voice I heard.

I quietly cursed at myself, why didn't I ask Yangchen about the voice?! That would have been the perfect time to ask her! That voice wasn't of hers, or of La's. I haven't heard of La since I set to the sea. Maybe it was the spiritual connection when it came to water that stopped me from speaking to them?

This whole... Thing was confusing. My purpose was confusing. I had to deal with being a Princess of the Earth Kingdom, and now another bridge between two worlds?!

I could feel why Aang always seemed so stressed, the weight on his shoulders, were reflecting onto mine. As much as I hated to make this about me.

He was only 12 years old. I was 16... But our age didn't matter at this point, we are both too young to burden such responsibilities either way.

...I couldn't back down from this, people are counting on me to be a Princess, a ruler, a icon, and so I shall be one to the best of my abilities.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the shady shit.

I came upon a fountain, stumbling to a stop, marvelling at the coins that had been tossed into the water. Wishes that had been made, but never answered.

I sat down on the edge of the bowl of the structure, letting my hand glide over the refreshing water, watching the coins glimmer and distort with the movement of the water caused by my hand. Since the North Pole, I had been looking at water differently. Was it La's influence? Another thing I will have to ask Yangchen sometime if I remember too.

"Did you make a wish?" My head whipped around, almost cracking my neck not in a good way by how harsh the muscle was moved. I looked up, seeing a young woman, not much older than I was, standing there, arms being held in front of her. She adorned nice looking garments of clothing, hair pins sticking out of her bun that was high up on the top of her head, bangs framing her face.

"Not yet... I'm just exploring."

"Oh are you a refugee? I thought refugees were only allowed in the third ring." 'Third ring? Allowed?' I kindly shook my head, coming up with a cover story as quick as my mind could form it.

"I'm just visiting grandparents of mine. I mostly travel around the world."

"Wow that's so cool! I wish I could do that, but I'm too scared to go outside of Ba Sing Se by myself without a guide." She giggled with a grin. I nodded, watching her bow her head, "I am Seren, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."