𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 || 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈 (𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1) *Revamping

The Girl from Omashu*

Jade's reflection stared back at her as she put up her hair.

As much as she liked her blue eyes (which were supposedly an exact replica of her mother's), she stood out because of them. Sometimes, she wished that wasn't the case. She was already different in other respects, so why did she have to look it, too? With skin darker than the other girls', of course she stood out.

Not that she wanted to be exactly like everyone else, but...Well, Jade was really different.

"Shiro," She looked over her shoulder. "I'm leaving!"

"See you later, small fry!"

Fresh air and a blue sky greeted her once she was outside. One thing about Omashu was that it never got too cold. Sunny days like this one were beautifully warm.

"Afternoon, Jade!"

She looked up to find her neighbor waving from her upstairs window. Almost like instinct, Jade waved back. "Good afternoon, Lanyi!"

"Off to see the King again, are we?"

"Yup! Can I get you anything while I'm out?"

"I'd love some mushrooms, if you can find some. I was hoping to make some stew today!"

"Sure -- " She paused. "...Did you just hear something?"

Lanyi seemed confused. "Hear what?"

Jade turned to look around, but the noise had already faded. All she could see was the bustling town and the working mail chutes. "I thought someone was just screaming...Maybe I imagined it." She started down the road. "I'll be back in a few hours with your mushrooms!"

The streets weren't much busier than usual, though there were people every which way she looked. Jade's heard of places like Ba Sing Se, where the streets were forever crowded with people at the markets. She had never seen a place like that with her own eyes, but she hoped that one day she could.

Still, Jade loved Omashu. Back when they first arrived, the big city made her feel so small. But over the years, she came to realize that Omashu wasn't so different from that little village she was born in. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and before she knew it, she and her dad were part of the community built within these walls. That much was evident enough with all the people who struck up conversation on her way to the palace. Jade felt that she knew (almost) everyone, and that everyone knew her.

How could they not? She was the waterbender of Omashu. Shiro liked to say that she was one of the town's wonders.

Once she reached the King's palace, the guards let her in without question. As usual, it was Gan who escorted her to the throne room. Jade liked Gan, because he was usually less reluctant about coming out of serious guard-mode. He was in an especially good mood today since his wife was due to have their baby soon enough. So far, none of Jade's suggestions for names had been approved, but it was a work in progress.

King Bumi was sitting in his throne, like usual. Though he stood, grinning at the sight of her. "Jade!"

She bowed. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty. Thank you for having me."

"Bah, how many times must I tell you? There's no need for those pleasantries. My palace is your palace."

Standing straight again, she laughed sheepishly. "I guess I keep forgetting..."

His grin turned to a stern glare. "Well, don't you forget it again. Or else I'll have you imprisoned!"

Jade stared at him, waiting.

"...Just kidding!" She wasn't surprised. King Bumi made jokes like that just about every time she visited. "Now, tell me, my dear. How are you?"

He asked her that every single time. He'd been doing that for four years. Since her father's passing, Jade thought that she'd been better for a while now. King Bumi could have stopped calling her in for weekly visits a long time ago. But he didn't. Jade appreciated that, and she was sure he knew it.