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Avatar Kyoshi was strolling down the coast at dusk. She held tightly to her adopted daughter, Obsidiana's hand. She wasn't anxious about her running off or accidentally drowning.
However, given her adopted daughter had been gravely traumatized? She or her lover Rangi always held tightly to her hand whenever they went somewhere. Their daughter didn't mind, and they felt reassured by holding her hand. While the ebony-haired five-year-old had no problem, she hadn't any idea that her mommy's stomach was in knots. Kyoshi was already conscious she'd have to leave her daughter shortly.
A confrontation brewed between some of the ports of the southern islands. She'd have to negotiate peace between the fractions. But, first, Rangi had to return to the Fire Nation to assist Fire Lord Zoryu. The young monarch was cleaning up the mess from the Camellia-Peony War. This is why they're waiting for Rangi's mother, Hei Ran, to arrive. Hei Ran had consented to be her granddaughter's primary caretaker when neither Kyoshi nor Rangi was available. Yet, it'd be at least another week before she arrived.
Kyoshi's nerves were starting to get the better of her. She didn't regret claiming Obsidiana as her daughter. She'd fallen in love with her when they found her in the forest. Although she'd been near death? Both women felt an instant bond with the child. Fate works in mysterious ways. The lovers agreed fate brought Obsidiana into their lives for a reason. Yet, Kyoshi had barely turned nineteen. Therefore, she was an exceedingly young mother without any experience to fall back on. After all, her own parents had deserted her as a child.
She'd become the adopted daughter of Air Nomad Kelsang. However, while he'd been an exceptionally great adopted father? He again had been a father, not a mother. Furthermore, what Kyoshi required right now was some motherly advice. However, she couldn't get it from Rangi's mother. Also, she felt one of her past lives might comprehend her situation better.
The Avatar is supposed to belong to the world. However, countless Avatars had fallen in love, married, and had their own families. Even if the Avatar meant to save humanity? They could only do that by experiencing every part of being human. But unfortunately, Kyoshi had only been able to talk to Kuruk and Yangchen. Still, she hoped she could summon Yangchen once more. She knew the woman hadn't had a family of her own. But she was still a woman and an Avatar.
So after she'd tucked her daughter in for the night? Kyoshi headed out to find a location to meditate. She uncovered a secluded area where she quickly fell into meditation. She began to look deep inside herself. " Please, Avatar Yangchen, if you can hear me. Come to me now," she whispered desperately.
" Ask, and you shall receive," came the soothing voice of the past Avatar.
Kyoshi realized she'd crossed over to the realm of spirits. Her past life smiled at her current incarnation. " Kyoshi, its been a while. I sense you've come seeking more then guidance for your obligations."
" Yes, I have. I know you're one of my past lives. However, I'm not sure how much my countless past lives know about me in the present."
" Why don't you tell me what's ensued then?"
Kyoshi spoke for hours regarding the conflict she'd dealt with. Stopping Lord Jaba's illegal mining operation and liberating the enslaved children. Finally, she talked about her internal conflict about becoming a mother at a young age. She clarified she'd been seeking both a woman's and an Avatar's guidance on how to raise her child properly. Once she'd finished, Yangchen looked at her in deep thought.
"I'm afraid I never had a family of my own. However, I still understand how challenging it is to raise a child. During my youth, a terrible disease overran the Western Air Temple. It was the year before I was identified as the Avatar. I believe somehow, being the Avatar prevented me from contracting the infection.
However, it wasn't uncomplicated to deal with the emergency. Countless children depended on me to care for them while the sickness ravaged the temple. So yes, I do know what its like to care for children."
" Did you ever have to deal with it after learning you're the Avatar?"
" Again, I'd dealt with numerous children during my lifetime. More then once, I had to deal with a disease devastating several locations. So again, I know how hard it is to care for a sick child—also caring for one when your responsibility is to the world. So while I wasn't a mother by any means, I still understand your plight."
" Do you have any recommendations for me? I love my daughter with my entire being. However, I'm still terrified its too soon to leave her without either of her mothers. Rangi and I hope she'll bond with her grandmother. Yet we can't be certain of that. However, I can't stay much longer. I need to deal with the predicament with the southern isles. Who knows how long that will take?"
" I see your dilemma. Yes, the Avatar must be human in each life. And only by thoroughly embracing what it means to be human can we carry out our commitments."
" So what do you suggest? How do I make this easier on my family?"
" Well, ensure your daughter knows she is loved and that you won't be gone forever. I also suggest writing her letters whenever you're gone. From what you've described to me? It'll be years before Obsidiana is old enough to come along with you.
But as she is now? A traumatized five-year-old who hasn't learned to defend herself yet? She'd only be a liability. So, again, please send her letters and give her a gift before you leave. Something to prove you won't be gone forever. That's my only suggestion."
" I'll do my best, Yangchen, yet I don't truly know what I'm doing."
" Kyoshi," laughed the Air Nomad gently. "No parent knows what they're doing. Being a parent doesn't come with a manual. But, yes, its necessary to set rules and teach boundaries. Let your children learn to pick themselves up. Setting good examples and making sure they understand actions have consequences. But you'll make mistakes, as all parents do.
Sometimes you'll lose your temper. Other times you'll be full of doubt. First, however, ensure she knows she's loved. Again, I can't speak from personal experience as a parent. However, children need love, attention, and guidance. I don't believe in spoiling a child even once. However, children must be taught respect, morals, and integrity. To take accountability for their mistakes."
" For someone who wasn't a mother, you seem insightful."
" Again, I cared for multiple children throughout my life. You sought to get both a woman's and an Avatar's advice. I'm giving you the best I've to offer. I can't recall which past life last had a family. But know this. You'll learn as you go. Now I believe its time you returned to your body. I'm sure your daughter will need you momentarily."
" Yes, I'm sure. Thank you for the advice, Avatar Yangchen. I needed it."
" We are all here for you, Avatar Kyoshi. We are always here for you," as her past life withered. Kyoshi felt better after talking to Yangchen. Silently she returned home, checking on her daughter before finally falling asleep herself.