#ratld headcanons

(I saw this headcanon through someone else and I highly agreed so i thought i should expand) Raya at 16 would find underground fighting competitions in the deep slumps of Tail. At first, she would participate to get some jade but she loses her first few matches much to her embarrassment. But then again, the fighters are twice her age and size. A lone traveler takes pity on her and takes her under her wing one night after a great loss that left her bleeding on the the stage. The traveler, a Tail woman, takes care of her wounds and offers to teach her further fighting skills to tweak her style in exchange for nothing. She compliments her agility but reprimands her for using it wrong. Raya reluctantly agrees, unsure at first coz of the woman not asking for anything back but not having much to offer or lose. She trains with her night and day, only offering her water, not food as the traveler catches on her trust issues. She offers her jades instead to buy her own food to keep her health from deteriorating. They don’t talk much, nothing personal, mostly about her training and fighting related topics. They dont dare venture deeper to their personal business. She tests her skills one day during another underground fight, bets going around, a big sum of jade on the winner. She’s determined but the size of her opponent is three times her size and she almost falters. She sees her teacher in the dark corner of the room, observing her strictly. She remembers her teachings on how to not be intimidated by someone physically stronger than her. She has her speed, her flexibility and agility as her weapon.  Basically, she wins the the match and the next few ones until the traveler informs her that its time to end their lessons. Raya is surprise to find herself disheartened, for once having company other than Tuktuk an actual pleasure of being around. She tells her one day she’ll be able to thank her personally but the traveler dismisses her gratitude saying she has only done what she thought must be done. She leaves without a words. Raya only fighting a few more matches to have a crazy enough jade with her to continue her travels into finding Sisu. 

Which leads to a headcanon that Raya actually met more good people along the way. But didn’t let herself get too personal and attached. Enough for her to actually remember. Her trust issues are still present but she’s not dumb enough to acknowledge genuine acts of kindness. 

Raya is hella introverted. Being used to her time alone for all those years has taught her how to sit in her own thoughts and relish the quiet. She has her friends, Boun, Tong, Noi, Sisu and Namaari but there are times where she’d rather be alone. Her energy easily depleted after a social interaction. Taking a while to recharge till she can. Although, Namaari is an exception. The Fang princess allowed to be by her side, the only one who seems to understand Raya’s desire for the quiet.

Which leads to another headcanon. Raya is sensitive to noise, having it trigger her sometimes when it gets too loud or irritable. Or noises she can’t distinguish the sound off, or has no control whatsoever. She has to step away before she goes into sensory overload.  It’s why social gatherings, or Kumandra’s esteemed parties never sits well with her. Her own heart and mind trained to be cautious, the loud noise usually causing her to get disoriented and the feeling of unsafety spreads through her in panic. Namaari is by her side instant dragging her away when this happens. 

She can actually cook, despite her horrible attempts of dried jackfruit jerky for years. Jackfruit being her only source of food that she didn’t have to blatantly steal out of someone else’s hands and hard work. She has learned from her Ba even before they were turned to stone. She was taught how sharing a meal is one of the most important thing in friendships and relationships, strengthening their bond to great heights. Namaari was surprised one day when she was invited to Heart and Raya was the one cooking and serving her the food.