Ablaze (ATLA)

💧Chapter 2💧

Chapter warnings: Parental emotional abuse, mentions of physical abuse, Pieces of Reika's backstory, broken family dynamics, Listen to Nice Cinderella by Anna Kendrick to understand Reika a bit more  ♡

•Flashback in Reika's POV•

In the fire nation, the sun is most powerful. It's golden rays beam so brightly that even the red curtains draping against the windowsill prove no match for the insufferable light. I never liked it, how bright everything felt, it was so intense, so harsh.

The people of the fire nation usually have eyes ranging from the darkest of coffee brown's to the lightest and brightest of champagne golds, however the latter end was far more unique. Such stunning eyes were usually reserved for people of the royal family; much like prince Zuko.

His eyes have always been absolutely breathtaking, pools of honey gold that gleam brilliantly against the sun, eyes fitting of a true prince, eyes fitting of a boy born with the divine right to be the future fire lord!

Regardless, the people of the fire nation all have eyes that are fitting for a place like this. Their eyes scream power, their eyes don't cower against the harsh lights, their eyes glisten and prosper under the sun's golden glow! Like they were meant for this Nation!

On the other hand I-

My situation's always been quite complicated.

"Ouch!" I wince, pressing my palms against my sensitive eyes and cowering away from the intense glare of the sun. "C-countess Rei! Be careful you don't want to rub at your eyes before your mother gets here! They'll get puffy!" One of the maids tending to me fretted, glancing wearily at the door before returning to me.

"I'm sorry but the sun's so bright! It hurt a little" I pouted, shrugging my small shoulders once one of the younger maids left my side to cover up the windows a bit more, subsequently protecting me from the light.

The maids all glanced at each other, amusement in their looks from my childish complaint.

"Yes well, you know how your mother feels about you covering your eyes like that" One of the older servants gave me a knowing look, walking towards me with satin red ribbons in her hand; clearly meant for my hair.

Once again I shrugged, the pout on my lips dissolving into a curious look as I stared at myself through the mirror.

My icy blue eyes contrasted greatly to just about everything in the room, the snowy and glimmering shade standing strong against the passionate scarlets of my gown in an everlasting battle.

My eyes don't fair too well in a nation like this.

They're delicate, specifically fragile under the harsh glare of the fire nation's sun. In fact, it'd get so bad that my mother often played up the situation, insisting that I walk around with a richly crafted oil paper umbrella to help bring shade to my face whenever the sun was a little too bright.

On the surface, it's a motherly act. One of caution and care, she wanted to protect my eyes and help me feel comfortable!

But many of the adults knew better. That woman, my mother only ever saw me as a doll. Her real life porcelain doll who'd only ever be good for playing dress up and parading around such a beautiful face.

"Yeah, I know" I sighed lightly, my shoulders sagging by my sides as one of the maids brushed through my loose hair. The silky black strands are probably the only part of me that resemble the rest of my family, as they've all got the same sharp dark eyes and resilient skin that are typical to the people of the fire nation.