𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 || 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈 (𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1) *Revamping

The Escape*

After what happened at the Abbey, they had to fly for a long time to make sure they put space between them and Zuko. They finally landed in a forest for the night, and Jade was expecting to get an especially good sleep -- something that probably couldn't be said for Zuko. She wondered if he and that girl with the Shirshu were still paralyzed.

Under the light of the mostly set sun, Jade started to unbuckle their camping supplies from the saddle. Her friends dismounted Appa to observe their chosen campsite.

"Yeah, this looks like a good spot." Sokka declared. "We'll leave right away in the morning."

"Hey, you guys -- look at this." Peeking over the side of the saddle, Jade found Katara in front of a tree. "There's some writing on this tree trunk."

Jade stood up. "Really? What's it say -- "

It turned out that just moving was a mistake. Every so often, Jade felt that her feet were working against her. Today was one of those times; one of said feet slipped out from under her, sending her tumbling down Appa's tail.

A testament to how much Jade fell since they met, instead of looking at all concerned, Sokka quirked a brow. "Again? Seriously?"

Sitting up, she rubbed her head. "It's not like it's on purpose..."

Aang jumped over to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah..." Sighing, she took his hands so he could help her up. "Anyway, what's the tree say?"

Katara turned back to the stump. "Let's see...Looks like "Nime was here"?"

"Someone must've carved that when they passed through here." Aang said.

"H-Hang on -- " Jade stumbled closer to the tree. "Did you say Nime?"

"Yeah, why? Do you know that name?"

She hesitated. "Oh, um..." To avoid their gazes, she looked around at the trees. But that's when she noticed something else. "...Huh..."

Sokka crossed his arms. "What now?"

"Well, it's just...Now that I'm looking, this forest looks kind of familiar."

"How does a forest look familiar? It's just a bunch of trees."

She frowned. "I mean that I've been here before. The carving on that tree proves it...We're close to my village."

"What are you talking about? We're nowhere near Omashu."

Jade rubbed her arm. "Not Omashu. The village where I was born."

Katara blinked. "You mean the one that was burned down when you were little? Then maybe this was carved by someone who lived there."

"Y-Yeah, maybe..." She glanced down the path. "It's been such a long time. I wonder what it's like there, now."

"Well, the place burned down, didn't it?" Sokka shrugged. "I mean...There can't be much left of it now."

"I know, but...I still want to see it. Dad and everyone else who used to live there would want me to."

They all looked to Sokka, awaiting his judgment. After a moment of clear hesitation, he sighed. "Alright, fine. It's getting dark, so let's check it out tomorrow morning. Just try not to hope for too much."

"Me?" Jade grinned weakly. "You make it sound like I'm optimistic, or something."

~㊌~

The last time Jade felt this antsy was when she was leaving Omashu. The nerves were of a completely different variety this time, but it didn't change how fast her heart was beating.