[this has been turned into a fic! "Not written in stone" on tumblr @n3ptoonz!]

This is the sixth night in a row that you've snuck out of the palace to gaze at the stars in the soft grass. That place was stuffy. Commanding. Exposing. You hadn't an ounce of a voice and barely any privacy. Barely any time to think or pick up a hobby. Sorry, a hobby you actually enjoyed. Sure, archery and sculpting was fun...but it can get so boring after some time.

You're young! You should be speaking up at the council or roaming the streets of Ba Sing Se in disguise. But nooo, you're learning tea etiquette for the millionth time as if you couldn't plan and be the face of a gala with your eyes closed. As if you couldn't throw the best palace party one has ever attended.

And as if you couldn't pick your own husband.

It's settled. Your mother has insisted upon and arranged a marriage with you and some dashingly handsome rich guy from the heart of the capital. Also known as the most boring man you've ever met. Even more boring than your father.

They won't admit it, but your parents didn't trust you nor your judgement. They believe you wouldn't know enough to choose a man of "riches and power." Well, maybe you didn't want that!

The couple of times you've managed to sneak out and roam at night, your eye was caught by several very attractive men that definitely weren't rich or powerful--socially. You've seen your fair share of strong, powerful earth benders, but your parents couldn't care less. The only person who felt sympathy for you was your royal advisor who's watched you grow into a fine young woman. He even taught you some of his favorite tricks while fighting wherever your parents weren't around.

You sighed heavily and laid down, staring up at that gorgeous sky. Nothing beats a night outside the palace.

Or maybe it did. You will just never know.

Sokka scratched his forehead as he squinted at the map Aang had of the earth kingdom. He's been walking around here for hours! He's supposed to be treading the outskirts and yet he's 60% sure he's nowhere near them. Toph just had to fall ill with some sickness that required instructions from three stone slabs with ingredients and steps carved into them. What a bunch of b-

"Woah!" Sokka felt the ground move forward from under him and fell on his back with a loud grunt. A groan of pain follows once he rolls over and rubs his back where there will absolutely be a bruise later. "What the hell?"

He gasps once he looks up and sees a figure standing over him with...a sharpened rock? The moonlight casting over 1/4 of their face doesn't help at all.