WARNING: This person is NOT a WRITER. This was five repeats of LEMONADE so this took four hours to write. WE READ AND DON'T JUDGE (plus interacting with this is purely optional!! Also not my first language)
She adjusted the heavy embroidery of her formal robes over her stomach. At six months, the child within her kicked with a fierce, quiet rhythm. To the crowd, she was the radiant noble matriarch, blessed with a third divine gift. To herself, she was a ghost in her own home.Her husband wasn't far, immersed in conversation with another nobleman. Her two children, the center of this day, this event, were running around with others their age. People from across the nation had come to celebrate eight springs since the birth of the twins. Gifts piled high as they congratulated the Avatar on his blessings - and the new one to come.
A woman sat beside her. "Lady Onji, I hope you don't mind me inviting myself over." Cheeky, Onji thought to herself. "Your company is most tolerated.". The woman chuckled at her longtime acquaintances wording. Silence stretched between them as the lady shifted in her seat, drinking after drink, occasionally coughing to fill the intense, awkward atmosphere. "Spit it out, Kazumi!!" At first Kazumi was taken aback by her acquaintances bluntness. Then nervousness flooded her, but she remembered one thing: they were in public, and Onji would never act out in public.
"I see Suri and Soren are doing well, growing into strong benders. Soren was so excited to show me how much he'd improved since the last time I visited, and Suri was busy gloating about her new feats... expected of a firebender, wouldn't you say?" She was met with silence. "Okay, tough audience! I see that Aang is also doing well... not quite his usual self, but seems well nonetheless. You, on the other hand, seem distant... I mean, that seems normal, but I know you best. Is everything alright? Is the pregnancy going well? Are you and Aang getting along...?" She was cut off. "We are doing great. Can you not tell by the pregnancy!?" Kazumi hesitated. "I see that, but still... there doesn't seem to be much tranquility between you two. I'm just worried about you, si-" "Kazumi, after all these years you have yet to learn to mind your own lane. I am doing amazing, so is the Avatar, and so are m-our children. Not all of us can afford to be reckless." Kazumi was silenced, and the awkward quiet made its return.
"Mom!! Mom!!" A voice finally cut through the tension between the two women. Soren came running toward his mother, his sister hot on his trail, and a smile finally formed on Onji's stern face. "Mom, look what Auntie Katara got me!" Soren rushed to say before his sister. "Got US! You foolish idiot!" Suri came in second as her brother handed their mother the gift.Onji inspected it, turning it up, down, and to the side. "It is surely special...". It wasn't money, nor a recognized jewel. Just a... thing. She looked at her two children, wondering if she might have to show them what true treasures were. "It's beautiful, but what is it?" Kazumi put herself back in the narrative.
"It's a moonstone carved into their bending elements," Aang answered the puzzled thoughts of both women. "It seems simple, but the stone is rare. Water Tribe mothers usually gift it to their children."Kazumi gave Aang a puzzled look. "This is a good gift from your old flame to your wife's children because... especially one so intimate?""It is a good gift because Katara is like a mother to the twins. They adore and love her as their mother-" Kazumi cut him off "They like her, you mean!" Aang and Kazumi started a standoff.
"Aunty, let's go play together!" Suri's voice cut through the intensity of the room.Kazumi complied with the twins and left with them, but not before glaring at Aang.
"Water?" Onji said in her neutral tone."I would appreciate it.". Aang moved to occupy the space Kazumi left, and Onji handed him the glass of water. Then, silence.
"How is the pregnancy going?" Aang mustered the courage to ask."It's mundane. Just kicks, that's all."Aang was shocked. "Four months and already kicking!?" "Six" Onji corrected him. "I didn't realize you were that far along... it's just that... I've been busy with Avatar responsibilities and couldn't check up on you. I'm sorry."
She mused at his excuse, her hand moving to his neck to rub at it. "Next time, try removing the stains better." Aang silenced himself and moved his hand to her stomach, in an effort to comfort her... or himself.
