Work Text:
The fearsome Avatar sat calmly beneath an ancient oak tree. Her six-year-old daughter was half-asleep in her lap. Kyoshi had been reading a storybook to her daughter, Obsidiana. Her daughter frequently enjoyed being read too.
Kyoshi herself wasn't fond of reading. However, if it made her daughter happy, she'd gladly do it. The tale she happened to be reading concerned Oma and Shu. They were the original human Earthbenders. She gently caressed her daughter's short lustrous, ebony locks.
Even if her daughter didn't say anything as her mommy read to her. Kyoshi could see the child's excitement sparkling in her soft gray eyes. Her daughter gasped when Shu perished.
Massive tears started to well up in the child's eyes. However, her mommy quickly assured her the tale had a happy ending. She concluded how Oma caused the war to cease, and the magnificent city of Omashu was constructed in the lovers' honor.
"I think it's someone's bedtime," as she rose while carrying her daughter. Then, she witnessed the heartbreaking look in her daughter's gray eyes. Presumably, the story reminded her that her mommy was heading to Omashu next week. Then, there was the matter of who should ascend to the throne in the great city.
Yet again, the Avatar was required to solve the world's tribulations. So why couldn't the world resolve its own issues occasionally? At times such as these, Kyoshi wished she wasn't the Avatar.
All she desired was to raise her daughter in peace. Being a parent is challenging enough, but being both the Avatar and caring for a traumatized child?
That just took the cake. Again, what the fearsome woman most desired was her; Rangi and Hei Ran could be a happy family. Yet, her responsibilities always seemed to come first.
She reflected on what Avatar Yangchen suggested last time she'd called upon her. The Air Nomad had strongly advised her to get her daughter a pet since her daughter lacked human companionship. So the next best thing was a pet.
Also, an animal companion would be more suitable due to her daughter's trauma. Therapy animals did an exceptional job helping those who had experienced severe trauma. Kyoshi had been pondering this for the last two weeks.
In the past year, Obsidiana had improved from the trauma she'd endured from being enslaved and repeatedly physically beaten.
However, the child stayed primarily mute. Her social skills were non-existent, as she never wanted to be away from her mothers or grandmother. Her mama could see she felt incredibly lonely but wasn't ready to trust others.
After putting her precious daughter to bed, she entered Rangi's bedroom. Rangi had been reading her own book when Kyoshi entered. She closed her book before putting it on the nightstand.
"Kyoshi, are you okay? You seem to be incredibly down. What's wrong?" Rangi asked concerningly.
Climbing into bed, they shared a quick kiss before Kyoshi explained. "Two weeks ago, I called upon Avatar Yangchen for guidance."
"You seemed to have called upon her quite frequently. Have you ever attempted to converse with any of your other past lives?"
"No, not yet. It's not uncomplicated to call upon my past lives. So far, I can connect with two. I told Avatar Yangchen how we're concerned with our daughter's lack of friends."
"Yes, it's worrisome, I'll admit. She still won't join the village children in any games. Yesterday some youths asked her to join them in playing with a ball. Obsidiana had a panic attack, and I had to help her calm down. The children didn't do anything aggressive. On the contrary, they were quite friendly and looked like they make suitable playmates."
"Well, Yangchen recommended we get her a pet. Is it a good idea? For the time being, an animal companion would help her recovery?"
"Conceivably. I know some individuals on my home island in the Fire Nation who became more sociable after having a pet for a few months. So it's worth a try. Also, she would be less lonesome when either of us isn't home."
"I know an animal menagerie that's a few days' journeys from here. So we should bring her along so she can select her own pet."
"Then its settled! After breakfast, we'll head to this menagerie. Now we both should get some sleep. We need plenty of rest if we leave shortly after daybreak."
The following morning Obsidiana's mommies informed her they were going on an adventure. They had a special surprise waiting for her at the end of their venture. The tiny girl didn't know what to think. However, she constantly loved going on adventures with her mommies.
So they boarded the flying bison her mother's air nomad secretary loaned them. Obsidiana had no fear of heights. She generally enjoyed flying. The sense of freedom and extraordinary viewpoint to witness the scenery. What more could you ask for? By day's end, they ended up in a larger community then the one they lived in.
Her mothers each took her hand before traversing the enormous village. At the same time, the child was mesmerized by her surroundings. But, unfortunately, she still had a death grip on her mothers' hands.
Eventually, the clan reached a gigantic park. The youth quickly detected the sounds of animals. Her curiosity peeked. Once inside, her terrified expression transformed into one of euphoria. Over a dozen adorable animals encircle them!
The traumatized little girl couldn't help but feel giddy at all the baby animals around her. She broke free of her parents before pointing at some of the babies. Her mothers were overjoyed their daughter was enjoying herself. They merrily toured the entire menagerie before coming to a small adjacent building.
They gently urged their daughter inside. Inside were dozens of litters of various domesticated animals. A young woman informed Obsidiana she was allowed to choose any of them as her new pet. But, of course, the little girl couldn't believe she was getting a pet! The family spent an hour looking over the creatures before their daughter ultimately decided on a tiny female Abyssinian kitten. The little girl named her new companion Hope.
She verbally thanked her parents and the lovely lady for helping her uncover the perfect feline for her. The lovers felt much better knowing their child wouldn't be alone whenever they weren't home. They also hoped Hope would indeed help their daughter's recovery. Hopefully, one day she'd have both Hope and human friends. Only time will tell.
