<a class="username" data-user-id="12" data-username="@Fея" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/12/">@Fея</a><br/><br/>Koma was the daughter of the chief of the Southern Water Tribe, but not the only one. She had an identical twin sister who had been named Komi. As a child, Komi had been sickly and frail, leaving their parents to baby her. Koma had always been healthy from the day she had been born, but she worried for her sister every time she was stuck in bed. She could see how sad it made her twin to lie there in bed, feeling miserable, when all she wanted to do was play with Koma.<br/><br/>As they got older, Komi's health improved drastically, but Koma could still that her parents still favored Komi. It didn't really bother her. After all, it wasn't like they mistreated or neglected her. They tried to treat each sibling with the same love and compassion, but there were times that Komi got the better treatment. She could never hate her twin, not after everything she had gone through. Not to mention, she loved her twin dearly.<br/><br/>When Sarrik had presented her with the betrothal necklace he had worked hard on, she had been shocked. Then, joy filled her and she couldn't help but cry as she told him yes. However, they still had to get her father's blessing. Sarrik was a brave man, already a skilled warrior. He was also a waterbender, like her. Komi did not have the ability to waterbend, likely taking after their mother. Her father, surprisingly, had blessed the union and was fine with the marriage. Her mother was overjoyed at being able to help plan her eldest daughter's wedding. Everything seemed to be going great, until one fateful night.<br/><br/>She had been sitting in her room, admiring her necklace in the hand mirror she held in her hands. She often liked to gaze at it through the mirror since she didn't want to take it off. There was a knock on her door and she turned her head, glancing at it before sharing a look with her twin. Komi shrugged and resumed brushing her short brown hair. "Come in," Koma said, curious as to who it was. The door opened and their mother popped her head in. She had a slightly nervous look about her that puzzled Koma, but she didn't think much of it.<br/><br/>"Could you come into the living room? Your father has something to tell you, Koma." She then paused, glancing at Komi. "You may come as well, Komi." She then left, leaving the door cracked open. Again, the twins shared a look. "What do you think father wants to talk to me about? Could it have something to do with the wedding?" Koma asked her twin, brushing her long unbound hair over her shoulders as she rose from her bed. Komi shrugged, setting her brush down and getting up as well. "I don't know, Koma. Maybe."<br/><br/>The twin girls left their shared bedroom and headed into the living room where their mother sat beside their serious looking father. He was good chief and a proud warrior. He had approved of Sarrik from the start and was fond of the young man. Koma smiled at her parents before sitting down next to her sister, awaiting her father's words. He eyed his eldest daughter with an unreadable expression, before sighing softly. "Koma, I have something to tell you and I know you're not going to like it. However, please keep in mind that you'll be doing this for the best of the tribe." He started, purposely being vague which only further confused Koma.<br/><br/>She suddenly had a bad feeling, hoping that what her father had to say wouldn't affect her upcoming wedding with Sarrik. Her father uncrossed his arms and gave his daughter a hard stare. "The Fire Nation has sent a missive. They want to negotiate peace between our people." Koma couldn't help but smile, knowing how important that was. "That's great, dad!" He frowned, confusing her again. "There is a catch, Koma." He paused and was quiet for a long moment, trying to figure out how best to tell his daughter the news.<br/><br/>"They said that in order for us to have peace, one of you would have to marry the prince of the fire nation." The bad feeling only got worse and she prayed that her father was not about to say what she thought he might. "You accepted? Is Komi going to be marrying the prince? That's wonderful. Now there's going to be two---" "No, Koma. I did not choose Komi," He said, interrupting his daughter. Koma paused, her mind quickly processing his words before anger surged within her and she stood up, fists clenching at her sides.<br/><br/>"You expect me to marry him, dad? After you gave your blessing for me to marry Sarrik?" She saw the guilty look on her mother's face and knew it was true. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she glared at her father. "How could you? Why me? Why not Komi? She's single! She can marry the prince instead of me! I want to marry Sarrik! You said I could marry him, father!" Her father stood, looking just as angry as she was. He could keep his composure no longer. "I don't have to explain my reasons to you, Koma. You<i>will</i>marry the Fire Prince and you<i>will</i>forget about your marriage to Sarrik! I have already told him the news. You will do this and you will bring honor to us. Do not shame us, Koma!"<br/><br/>Koma felt light headed. Sarrik knew? Why couldn't her father let her tell him? Why was her father being like this? She glanced at her mother for help, but her gaze was downcast in submission and she knew that her mother would be of no help. She then looked to Komi, who looked the same. She felt betrayed by her own family. How was any of this fair? She glared at her father, tears running down her cheeks. "I hate you." She then turned on her heel and stalked out of the living room, heading to her bedroom and slamming the door shut behind her. She fell to her bed, burying her face in her pillow as she hugged it, beginning to sob.<br/><br/>And that was how she found herself in her current predicament. She sat next to a window aboard a ship headed straight for the Fire Nation, feeling broken and hollow on the inside. Her father had tried to make her throw away Sarrik's necklace, but she had refused. She hadn't even been allowed to talk to him or say goodbye. Now, she would never see him again or be able to apologize for her father's actions. It simply wasn't fair. However, Koma knew there was nothing that could be done now. It was too late.<br/><br/>"Koma, you should be resting," A voice spoke up as Koma tore her blue gaze reluctantly from the window, looking at her mother. Her mother had felt terrible for not doing anything to stop her husband, volunteering to accompany her daughter to her new home while her husband and other daughter stayed behind. Koma stared hard at her mother, before sighing and shaking her head. "What's the point? It's not like I'll be able to sleep. Besides, we should be there soon. I can see the port already."<br/><br/>Risa frowned, moving over to her daughter and placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know you're angry at your father, little one, but he's doing what he thinks is best for our people. A chief's job is never easy. He must lead and show no weakness. He hated having to cancel your wedding and promise you to the Fire Nation, but he had no choice. Komi would be too weak to make the journey, much less survive in the Fire Nation's court. But you, you my dear, are strong. You will do just fine. Remember, darling, your father loves you."<br/><br/>Koma didn't say anything, refusing to look at her mother. Risa looked like she was about to try again, but there was a knock at the door of their cabin. "We've arrived." A crew member called through the door before taking his leave. Koma rose from her seat and smoothed down her beautiful clothing. She was made up quite nicely, with her hair in extravagant braids that had blue colored leather and many beads and feathers. She looked like the princess she was. Without a word to her mother, she exited the room and didn't see if her mother was following. Risa sighed softly, her heart aching for her eldest child, but knew there was no helping the matter. The two made their way up above deck to where their escort waited for them.<br/><br/>He looked at the two of them before gesturing for them to follow him. He led the way down onto the docks and up to where a carriage awaited them. The journey was silent, despite Risa's attempts to get her daughter to talk. However, she eventually grew silent and accepted the fact that Koma was too unhappy to play nice. As they arrived at the palace, Risa marveled at the grand exterior. It was nicer than she had imagined. "Koma, remember to smile. You want to make a good impression on your future husband." Koma sent her mother a withering look and resumed frowning. There would be no smile there.