The Phoenix Priestess || Book One: Water

Bending Fire

Deep breaths, coming into the nose, down to the stomach, up from the diaphragm and out of the mouth. That's what every exercise began with. Of course, Aori had never practiced in front of Katara or Sokka before, and although the latter seemed a bit skeptical of the entire "I can create fire" deal, he too had followed Aori and Katara out of the village. Aori had what she considered "good control" over her fire, but she didn't want something to happen and someone to accidentally get hurt, as it was fairly common knowledge that fire was the most volatile element. It was now the day after Katara had informed the village that their newest addition could Fire Bend. Some were more apprehensive than others, but for the most part the villagers actually were rather kind towards Aori upon the new information. Especially considering how it had been about a year since she had arrived in the Southern Water Tribe, she had already proven herself to them as a productive and willing member of their society. Very few had anything to say about her, and none of the feedback had been bad. Their only misgivings, of course, being the generational trauma that came from Fire Nation raids, and the implications of her being a firebender. Thankfully, with her promise to continue to be careful and mindful of her bending, most became content with her presence once more despite the new discovery. She was incredibly grateful for their understanding, and she had promised to help protect them in anyway she could—it was the least she could do in attempt to repay the kindness they had shown her.

In war, everyone seemed to lose something. For Katara and Sokka, their family was ripped apart, across the continents and oceans, as well as the hole their mother unwillingly left behind—torn by firebenders themselves. Others it was honor, and then there was Aori. Having grown up and nearly been too young to miss her family, she used to think she didn't have anything to begin with. Of course,  didn't try to argue with them in their prejudice against her people. They were right to be angry, and to mourn the loss of the South Pole waterbenders—all Aori could do was apologize, of which Katara would have none. She insisted that it was not Aori's fault, and continued to do so especially after the ex-fire nation girl had briefly detailed how her family was taken from her (though keeping the "why" to herself. Hopefully that would never need to be brought up again...).

"Okay, this is the middle of nowhere in the South Pole, I'm freezing my butt off, and we're here to watch you make fire?! This sounds like a waste of time." Sokka broke the silence, a rather indifferent look on his face as he made a lumpy pile of snow into a seat for himself, though Katara beat him to sitting on it. Mouth agape at the betrayal, he wasn't about to push his sister, so grumbling, the tanned male made another as Katara smiled back at their teenage friend.

"Don't worry about him, Ri. He's just jealous because all he has is his boomerang."

"And my spear!" Sokka stood, crying out indignantly, before realizing that he had failed to bring said spear with him. Sighing and sitting back in the snow, they both watched as Aori started her breathing techniques, speaking to them as she did so.

"It's true that fire is often associated with anger, rage, and destruction. These can all come from fire. But I was originally taught by my father from a young age that fire represents so much more," she spoke softly, yet loud enough to where they could still hear her. Aori didn't remember too much of her parents—it had been three years since she had made her escape from the Fire nation, and nine since she had seen her parents. And yet... some of her father's original teaching still echoed in her brain, from when he first learned his little girl had inherited his talent in Fire Bending. Words that were meaningful enough to stick with her all this time. Freely borrowing her father's words with a smile, she slowly moved into a stance, tossing her gloves and heavy jacket into the snow behind her so she didn't accidentally burn them. Sokka was about to open his mouth to call her an idiot for removing the warm clothing, but even he couldn't help but be quiet as he watched while steam slowly rose from her body. "The flickering flames as they dance represent joy, they represent rebirth, and most importantly, life..."