Chapter Text
Life is always weird. It has its ups and downs. It never stays still. But if you look very close, you'll see the beauty in its vast uncertainty. Right now, you didn't quite see that. But let's start from the beginning, shall we?
A hundred and seventeen years ago, hidden in the folliage of the high threes on the edge of south-east earth kingdome territory in the then-prosperous Vijayanagara settlement that honed the sun warriors, a scream echoed through the carved stone walls. Midwives and healers ran around to assist their chief's wife in her most vulnerable moment, bringing a being to this plane of existence.
After ahours of anguish and moans of pain that chilled everyone in its vacinity, just as the celestial body broke into the sky and tinted it with its golden touch, a wrinkle baby was transferred to her mother's arms a few seconds after the first cry, as requested by her husband. Weakly, the mother looked at her baby, a soft smile almost immediately touching her features. Her vision was blurry, her arms shaking, her breathing uneven, exhaunted. But relishing in her baby's warmth. She then looked up at her husband, a father who, for the whole process of birth, stood by her side like a guardian in attention for any dangers.
"I told you it was going to be a girl." The mother said with a voice that was so low he almost didn't hear it, but dripped fondness with each syllable. He, even if worried by her health, couldn't help but chuckle lowly at her need for playful banter even in this moment. The imposing warrior already softening for his newfound fatherhood. His hand caressed hers, then very carefully, his daughter's cheek.
"I never doubted you, my love." His voice matched hers, trying not to disturb the peace his heir had taken as soon as she fell into her mother's arms, but wavering ever so slightly at his dearest state. In that moment, a small golden strike of light filtering through a window brushed over the baby's head, like a gentle welcome from the sun itself. "She's already a strong fighter..." he said as he leaned up to give a loving kiss to his wife's forehead.
"She is perfect. The spirits are kind. Our beautiful ray of sunshine." The mother leaned her head to her baby's, a sigh making way through her lips. "She's a gift, Dear. Take good care of her..." his eye shot up at hers at that last sentence. "Don't-". Her voice cut him off in an impressively calm manner for what was happening around her. "We knew this could happen." He noticed the healer's alarm and his wife getting pale. He looked down to notice too much blood gathering around her lower body quite rapidly. "No!" His eyes flicker to all the worried faces that hurried around, then back to his wife, whose eyes were heavy but were trying hard not to give in just yet.
"Take her. Please." Her voice was hurried as she handed her bundle of joy to him. He didn't think twice about taking his baby, but his eyes remained on his beloved. "I'm sorry I can't stay-" "What did you do? ... tell me you didn't." Even when everyone around them was running to aid their chieftainess, even when their baby, like feeling the tension of the room, started crying, even with the sinking doom hanging in the air; between them, there was a moment of silence. Defiting. Knowing.
Finally, gathering the last handfuls of strength, voice low but determined with no trace of regret, she said, "I beg them to save her... even if it costs me my life. I can feel she's full of greatness, my love. I can feel she has to stay." A small smile crinkled her face. "I will always be with you two."
There were dangers he couldn't defit. Dangers he, unfurtonatly, couldn't grasp with his hands no matter how hard he tried. Dangers that, even untangeable, didn't stop him from praying on his knees and scream at the top of his lungs in every temple and at the top of every mountain to try and save his other half. But even then his wife whispers were lowder. And heard.
A tear ran down his face, apprehensive. He couldn't do more than hold close the embodiment of love and hope she fought for through her pregnancy. "I love you, with all my soul." It was the only thing he managed to whisper agaist her forehead before she closed her eyes forevermore.
--
That is a rough starting point if I have ever seen one but there you were, cooing and crying, not knowing you just lost the one who gave you the chance to stay.
To your father's dismay, time doesn't stop, and the sun keeps rising in the sky to announce the beginning of new days. He saw faces of the moon go by as he managed to balance chief and father duties. Of course, being a first-time father was no easy task. Even more because he was stubborn and wanted to do as much as he could by himself. But even then, we all have that one friend who sees through our bullshit and knows how to step in. And for the chief, Goro was that person.
Goro was his chillhood friend, they were raised toguether as brothers. Warriors for their tribe, exceptional firebenders, outstanding fighters. but in the end, brother who helped each other. One once helping the other for the lost of his son. And now him helping the other for lost of his partner.
"What?" Your father's voice rasped with an edge of warning that his friend sitting across from him didn't take to heart.
"Oh, nothing. Just admiring how being a father has taken a toll on you." Goro mussed, watching as the 1-year-old on his friend's lap reached for his golden jewels and was trying very hard to reach for the Lion vulture feathers in his warbonnet arrangement. "Should I call one of the caretakers? Maybe they can actually make her settle down."
"Shut it." Guaraci, your father, grumbled.
Goro laughed; he loved teasing his friend. "Now now. Let's not get all grouchy; your face is wrinkled enough, Old friend." Funny, as you were using your father's cheek as leverage to, again, try and get the beautiful black iridescent gold feather.
"Here, give me my nice so you can work. She likes me more, anyway." Before his chief and childhood friend could hesitate, the baby was already out of his arms. With a babble that meant your uncle's name, you went willingly. Not letting go of your father's necklace, and with the huge strength of a baby's grip, you yanked him forward as being lifted. Making him choke and cough, and therefore making Goro and you laugh in return.
"At least you can make her laugh." He grinned down with the amused baby in his arms. Guaraci just looked up with a be-for-real face as he rubbed his neck. "Oh, don't make that face, big baby, you have been through worse-"
ACHOO!!
...
Goro's face was tinted with soot after a blinding white flame engulfed the right side of his face in a second. Half of his right eyebrow was pulverized. at the bewildered expression on both their faces, she laughed again.
"Good news, Chief. She can firebend." Goro said as he coughed a small cloud of smoke. Guaraci stood up after a second of proccessing what happened, taking his daughter back.
"and...White fire?"