Naya and the Last Airbender

xxii. Lake Laogi

"THANK you for coming and spending the morning with me. I feel like I haven't seen much of you since you've arrived in Ba Sing Se."

I smiled and stared down at the pond. Kanya and I sat in our usual spot by the pond after grabbing some breakfast in a nearby tea shop. For the past few days, we've spent a good amount of time together, but also not enough to understand where she came from. After being separated for all these years, anyone would think we'd be attached to the hip.

"No, yeah, I agree. We've just been busy with trying to find Appa and Bonbi, that's all."

"And you said Bonbi is your white dragon..."

"Yes, a gift from Avatar Kyoshi," I told.

"That's fascinating knowing there's a dragon left. General
Iroh was the last one to encounter them before you," Kanya said.

"And kill it," I added.

My stomach lurched at the thought of anything like that happening to Bonbi. But, on the bright side, I think I would be able to sense if he's... dead because we have a strong connection.

"I'm sure you'll find him," Kanya said and put her arm on my shoulder.

"What— what happened to Jo Dee the other day?" I questioned. "Why was there a different woman?"

My mom laughed. "It's nothing to be concerned over.
Jo Dee simply went on a vacation to Lake Laogai, and we found a replacement with her name. Jo Dee is a very common name is Ba Sing Se, you know."

"Lake Laogai..." I repeated. "I've never heard of that."

"I don't think you would," Kanya said. "It's a place where our workers go to get away from the stress of the city."

"Okay," I sighed, feeling slightly better that no harm came to Jo Dee. Because of the way she acted in the Earth King's palace I couldn't help but be concerned. And my mother, she couldn't stay here if there was something menacing stirring below the facade of it all.

"Um, so when we have to leave, because we are going to once we see the Earth King and find our animals, do you want to accompany us? Maybe you're my waterbending master and me—"

My mother raised her hand. "I appreciate the offer, Naya. But we have formed our own paths and my duties, for now, are here in Ba Sing Se."

"Oh," I mumbled. You'd think that the woman who raised you would want to travel with you after being separated for so many years.

"So tell me, you will never use your power of the Akshata again? The power to control darkness seems extremely helpful in this war, " mother brought up. I tensed at her words.

"Yes, I already told you that. I can't hurt anyone. I don't have any control," I said as I heard familiar whispers in my ear.

Naya... Naya... Give in...

"Shut up!" I shouted.

The voices ceased but I earned a look from my mother. She stared at me like I had three heads, but I don't blame her.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yeah— yes, I'm fine," I told as I stood up. Kanya glanced up at me from the bench. "We've been for a while
so I should probably meet with my friends now. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, sure. See you soon," Kanya repeated.

I sighed and walked away, not looking back at the woman who raised me. I couldn't help but feel ashamed by what she thought of me. She was probably disappointed that I turned out the way that I did: weak and afraid.