Sight ↣ A:TLA

17

Thalia (1)

"You look so different without your makeup." Katara said. "And the new outfit."

We sat in a waiting area to catch up with their old friend. Sounds like it's been awhile.

"That crabby lady makes all the security guards wear them." Suki then averts her eyes to Sokka. "And look at you, sleeveless guy. Been working out?"

"Eh, I'll grab a tree branch and do a few chin touches now and then. Nothing major." Sokka stretched then patted his upper arm.

I snorted as I poked him several times. "Oh yeah. Nothing major sure goes a long away."

He frowned. "Why do you mock me?"

"Are the other Kyoshi Warriors around?" Aang asked her.

"Yeah. After you left Kyoshi, we wanted to find a way to help people. We ended up escorting some refugees and we've been here ever since. So why are you guys getting tickets for the ferry? Wouldn't you just fly across on Appa?"

We all frowned.

Katara chose to answer. "Appa is missing. We hope to find him in Ba Sing Se."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Suki turned her head to Aang and we all followed. "Are you doing okay?"

"I'm doing fine. Will everybody stop worrying about me?"

"Avatar Aang, you have to help us! Someone took all of our belongings!" Ying cried out. "Our passports, our tickets- everything's gone!"

"I'll talk to the lady for you." Aang said.

We met up with them and walked together to the stand. Aang tried to explain to the woman what happed, but she quickly cut him off.

"No passports, no tickets!" She stamped Aang on the forehead in the middle of his arrow.

"But she's pregnant and all their stuff was stolen. You have to make an exception."

"No exceptions! If I just gave away tickets willy-nilly to anyone, there would be no more order. And you know what that means - no more civilization!"

"What if we gave them our tickets?"

"No!"

"But-"

"Next!" The woman spat making us all turn and leave.

"Don't worry, you'll get to the city safely. I'll lead you through the Serpent's Pass." Aang assured the family.

"What's going on?" Sokka asked me.

"We're going through your deadly route now." I said.

"Huh!?" Sokka's voice cracked, making me chuckle. "Why!"

I shrugged. "The lady didn't budge, so Aang is doing his Avatar duties."

"But you-"

I put my hands on my hips. "The Serpent's Pass was originally your plan, remember? Now you're scared?"

"I'm not scared!" He defended. He looked down at the floor for a moment then cleared his throat. "Nevermind."

I shook my head with a smile before grabbing his hand and meeting up with the others.

"I'm coming too!"

We turned and Suki was almost unrecognizable. She was in a warriors outfit and her makeup was done. I guess that's what they meant from earlier - how different it made her look.

"You are?" I asked slowly.

"If that's okay with you guys." I saw her glance down at Sokka and I's hands making me hold on tighter.

"Of course it is." Katara said. "Let's get going."

>>>

We reached the Serpent's Pass and I can't lie, it was very intimidating. The steepness made me shiver, but I wasn't too worried.

"This is the Serpent's Pass? I thought it would be more wind-y. You know, like a serpent. Hm, I guess they misnamed it." Sokka said.

"Look at this writing." Ying walked over to one of the pillars that had carving written into it. "How awful."

"What does it say?" Toph asked. Katar walked over to it and read it aloud. "It says, 'Abandon hope.'"

"How could we abandon hope? That's all we have." Ying hugged her husband and I looked over to Sokka. He seemed upset about it, too.

"I don't know. The monks used to say that hope is just a distraction." Aang turned away from us. "So maybe we do need to abandon it."

"What are you talking about?" Katara asked him.

"Hope isn't going to get us into Ba Sing Se, and it's not gonna find Appa. We need to focus on what we're doing right now, and that's getting across this pass." He began walk to the pass.

"Okay, if you say so." Katara responded sadly before we started to follow Aang.