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Marriage, her mother told her, was one of the most important things she must think about in Caldera City. Not her education, not her interests, but a husband instead.
“You’ll be among the who’s who of the nobility darling.” Her mother had gushed as they bought the clothing together: rich silks that she would sooner relegate to the back of her closet than actually wear. “You must look the part so that you can find a good husband.”
She hadn’t dared to ask the question then: the question of what would happen if she wanted to marry someone else, if she wanted a wife not a husband, a lover instead of a marriage partner.
To do so was unquestionable.
At least in her household.
So, now, as she walked in the streets of Caldera City with a group of friends from university, she thought of all those things her mother had told her before she’d been sent off to further studies.
“Ooh, look!” One of her friends yelled, pulling her arm. “Look On Ji, it’s Fire Lord Zuko and his friends.”
On Ji turned to stare. It wasn’t everyday after all that one got to see their leader walking down the streets of Caldera City. As she did, her eyes widened.
“Aang?” She asked, not realizing how loud her voice was until the person whose name she’d called turned to stare at her. Her friends stared at her in confusion, but it was nothing compared to the bright smile that Aang threw her way.
She’d long ago learned who that boy from the Fire Nation School was, keeping his identity a secret. To see him here in person though was not something she expected.
Let alone seeing him with Master Waterbender Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe.
“On Ji!” Aang, the Avatar, the boy who’d helped save the world, shouted her name.
She was shocked that he’d remembered her, even more shocked when he bounded across the street to swing his arms around her, pulling her into a hug.
That isn’t proper! She could hear her mother’s voice ringing in her ears. She only heard it for a few seconds though as she threw her arms around Aang’s in a hug, remembering that kind boy from years ago who had shown her that first sweet taste of freedom.
“What are you doing here?” Aang asked letting go. “I didn’t know you were in Caldera City.”
She turned to her friends who were staring at her with wide eyes. They made shooing motions with their hands giggling and tittering behind their hands, before waving and walking off leaving her all alone with Aang.
“Come join us!” Aang stated, dragging her off, now that she was all alone. “We’re going on a tour, but I’ve never been, and Zuko’s not the best guide. You can take us around I bet!”
She thought about it for a second, then smiled nodding.
“Okay.”
Who cared about what her mother thought about what a proper Fire Nation lady ought to do? She was On Ji- just On Ji, a normal Fire Nation girl with her own dreams and aspirations.
And right now, a tour guide for the Avatar.