[Avatar] thou art thy mother's glass (Katara gen)

[storypaint]

Title: thou art thy mother's glass
Fandom: Avatar
Length: 240 words
Prompt: polybending fic battle: Katara's necklace!
Pairing: Katara gen
Other: Discussion of death/grieving.

Excerpt: She's eight when she puts the necklace on for the second time.

She's eight when she puts the necklace on for the second time, when her neck is large enough that it doesn't dangle ridiculously and bang against her breastbone. It makes her feel a little more grown-up, even without knowing the whole history behind it. This was her mother's necklace, and even though a piece of jewelry isn't half as good as Kya's missing presence, she still finds it comforting.

The first time she wore it was bare months before her mother passed away. After bathing once day, she inquired with a child's bright curiosity, and Kya smiled and took it off, carefully, and looped it around her baby's neck.

"I'll give it to you when you get married," she promised, as Katara laughed, pleased to be able to wear her mother's special jewelry. Life was so simple then.

Now Katara wears the necklace to draw strength from it. When she burns dinner to the pot or gets a stain on her furs, she reaches for the carved object and searches for calm. Her mother dealt with these problems with grace. So will she. Hakoda and Sokka need her care. She will give it.

Sometimes she falls asleep with her fingers on her neck, tracing its shape and hoping to dream of a woman she barely remembers but still loves.

Usually she's so tired that she doesn't dream at all.