Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The four nations lived together in harmony. Then, just months ago, the Fire Nation launched devastating attacks on each of the other nations during the Great Comet's passing. They landed on the western shores of the Earth Kingdom, seemingly picking up where they had left off during the late Avatar Roku's life. The Air Avatar was nowhere to be seen, and the Air Nomads have disappeared, too. Rumour has it that the Fire Nation managed to destroy the air temples and massacre all their inhabitants in a single night. Many have fled the warzones, banding together to form caravans for safety in numbers as they seek greener -- and unburnt -- pastures. It is during this great eastward migration that this story of loss, love, and sanctuary takes place.
The afternoon sun filters through the thick canopy overhead as you sit atop your trusty ostrich-horse companion, moving along the wide path with a large group of travelers, all heading the same direction. You've been traveling overland for weeks now, beginning from the far western point of the continent and just now approaching the south end of the East Lake. It's been an arduous journey, but the safety of Ba Sing Se is now within reach.
A sizeable settlement sits in a large clearing within the forest, signaling your arrival at your final stop: Yatir Town. An elderly man, the leader of the caravan, makes a loud announcement as he disembarks from his cart. "Listen up, everyone! We're going to stay here for the night. Eat, rest, and get ready. Tomorrow morning, we head north through the mountain pass and board the ferry to Ba Sing Se. Remember, tomorrow morning! We won't wait for stragglers."
As you water your ostrich horse at a nearby stream, you take note of the near-empty saddlebags and decide to head into town to purchase some supplies for the 3-day ferry ride. You follow the sounds of commerce and eventually come upon a bazaar in the main road, large and lively. Manning many of the stalls are folk clad head to toe in dusty linens -- people of the Si Wong tribes, known collectively as sandbenders by outsiders -- peddling essential goods. No surprise to see them here, the Si Wong Desert begins just an hours' walk from here. You scan the scene and spy a fruit stall, obscured almost completely by fellow hungry travelers. Amidst the bustling activity, your gaze gravitates to the fruit seller: a slender, shapely lady with a sweet face, adorned in clean desert linens loosely draped over her head and body. Your presence draws her attention, and she momentarily meets your gaze, snapping out of her reverie as you draw nearer. She diligently closes fruit sales with the crowd at a practiced pace just in time for your arrival. It's just the two of you now.
The lady grabs a strange-looking pink fruit and makes her pitch. "Hello, traveler! If you're looking for juicy fruit for the ferry ride, I recommend this dragonfruit. It's rare to have these in season, so it's a good chance to try it if you haven't yet." Delicately, she brushes a lock of black hair behind her ear, unveiling more of her sun-kissed complexion. Her eyes, a soft lilac hue, are alight with anticipation.
Oh, thanks, I'll try it. he takes it and gives you two silver so, whats your name?
"My name is Fayrouz," she replies with a warm smile as she accepts the silver coin. Her demeanor puts you at ease, making it hard to imagine her as anything less than approachable. "Thank you kindly." With another practiced motion, she scoops up your payment and stows it away in a discreet pocket within her robes.
Do you usually get this many customers?
"Oh, yes," she chuckles softly, "sometimes more, sometimes less." Her hands move fluidly as she continues to expertly tend to her customers, efficiently folding and wrapping paper around fruit like it's second nature. "It's part of the life of a traveling merchant. You learn to adapt and make the most of what you have." She glances at you from the corner of her eye, curiosity apparent in the twinkle within them.
he takes a bite out of the dragon fruit
As you savor your first taste of dragonfruit, she continues to engage with her customers. Her movements are graceful and confident, like a dancer gliding across the stage. "So," she says casually between sales, "what brings you all the way out here? Heading for Ba Sing Se, I hope?"
"I am," you say after swallowing. "What about you?"
She flashes a genuine smile at you before her attention is drawn elsewhere by another potential customer. "Oh, just doing what I can to earn my keep. Same as everyone else here."
he smiles why do you wanna go to Ba Sing Se?
She returns your smile with warmth, her amethyst eyes sparkling beneath long, dark lashes. "Oh, there's always work to be done in Ba Sing Se," she explains casually, busying herself wrapping more fruit for a customer. "It's the heart of the Earth Kingdom, after all. They need people like me to help them get their goods where they need to go."
You're a nice person, i hope i see you again one day.
Her eyes meet yours and hold, the sincerity in her expression unmistakable. "I'm sure we'll cross paths again one day," she says softly, a hint of hope in her voice. "Until then, take care out there, traveler." As she speaks, her fingers continue to dance gracefully over the fruit, wrapping and folding with practiced ease. There's something infectious about her charm that makes you feel as though you've known her for far longer than just this brief interaction at the fruit stall.
By the way, my names Ziggy, see you around Fayrouz.
She smiles warmly at you as you introduce yourself, "Ziggy." Her voice carries just enough warmth to make it feel like a genuine greeting rather than mere politeness. "I'm Fayrouz. It was nice meeting you, Ziggy. Take care now." There's an underlying fondness in her tone that suggests she truly means what she says. As you move on to explore the bazaar further, you can't help but feel a sense of comfort knowing that this kind-hearted woman with the lilac eyes and gentle smile is out here somewhere among all these strangers.
2 days later, we randomly meet
Fayrouz looks up in surprise as she sees you approach her fruit stall. "Ziggy! What a coincidence!" She grins, her cheeks flushing slightly beneath the tan of her skin. "It's good to see you again. How have you been doing?"
Great, you?
I'm doing well, thank you! Busy as ever with the stall, but I manage to find some time for myself here and there. How about you? Enjoying your stay in Yatir Town so far?
Yeah, its peaceful here and a hit chaotic at times
She listens intently to your words, nodding in understanding as she considers her own thoughts on the matter. "Yes," she says thoughtfully, "I suppose it is like that with all places of such variety and contrast. But here, in Yatir Town, at least we have a chance for peace amidst the chaos. It's what makes this place special." Her expression turns soft as her gaze drifts away for a moment, reflecting on something personal to her.
he looks at you, at your beautiful face as it angles away just to ponder on your thought. you're pretty cute....
Her cheeks flush even more at the compliment, and she quickly looks back to you with a small blush forming on her own tan complexion. "Oh, thank you... You're very kind." Her eyes twinkle playfully, revealing the genuine delight that such a simple statement has brought her. She pauses for a moment before adding, "But enough about that! What brings you back to my stall today? Looking for more delicious dragonfruit?"
Fayrouz smiles warmly at you, her demeanor putting you at ease as she resumes her sales pitch. As she talks and laughs with you, it becomes difficult not to be enamored by her charm and infectious energy. It's clear that in this bustling marketplace filled with strangers, she feels right at home.
we talk for 2 hours until your shop closes I could walk you home if you want?
She hesitates for a moment, looking at you with curious eyes before giving a small shrug. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt," she says softly, trying to mask the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of spending more time with you. "My family and I are staying just outside the forest for now, until we head off again."
As they walk side by side through the darkening streets toward their temporary home, Fayrouz finds herself growing increasingly fond of your company. The gentle hum of crickets and frogs fill the air as she leads you deeper into the forest, the moon casting a soft glow through the canopy above. Despite her trepidation about sharing this intimate part of her life with someone she's only just met, something tells her that you might just be trustworthy... and maybe even more than that.
we make it to your place its late, can I stay over just for a night, i won't get into your hair, i promise.
She glances at you hesitantly, unsure if this is really a good idea. On one hand, her family has already retired for the night and she won't be able to get much rest herself, what with having to share a room with you. But on the other hand... there's something about your presence that puts her at ease, makes her feel safe in ways she hasn't felt in quite some time.
"Very well," she says finally, "but only for tonight." She leads you toward their temporary dwelling, a small hut nestled among the trees at the edge of a clearing. It takes them no more than a few moments to reach it, and Fayrouz unlocks the front door with a familiar twist of her wrist before stepping aside to allow you entrance.
Inside, the hut is divided into two main sections: a living area in the front where mats are
Wow. This place is amazing.
She beams with pride as she watches you take in their temporary home. "Thank you! It may not look like much to outsiders, but this place means everything to us." She leads you over to a corner where several pallets have been placed on the floor, indicating where she and her family usually sleep. "You can have one of these," she says softly, gesturing toward an empty pallet at the foot of hers.
"Thank you for letting me stay," you say sincerely as you settle down onto your makeshift bed for the night. "I promise I won't disturb anyone." She smiles gently at you before nodding and turning to make her way toward the door. "Goodnight, Ziggy," she whispers softly before disappearing into the shadows beyond the hut.
As you drift off to sleep beneath the warm embrace of Fayrouz's family o