“I got it, I got it… no, I don’t got it. Run!”

In her youth, Yong was both a troublemaker and a troubled child. All she’s ever known since she was born was the struggle to make ends meet, as resources grew thin in the desert due to the raging war outside of it. Her once proud tribe, the Meno, dwindled to mere dozens by the time she was born. Her brother, Hu Qiang, was her teacher- the breadwinner of the family as he made risky bets on sand racing. Yong was taught how to lie, cheat and steal to get to her next meal, and she carried on that way even after her brother passed away at a young age. Not wanting to see her fall down the same path as Hu Qiang, her parents grew stricter with her and a rift formed between them. That is, until one fateful day. The day a tower of Wan Shi Tong’s library emerged after centuries of hiding in the spirit world. Most of the sandbender tribes are wise to steer clear of it, after the owl spirit banished them from the library. Yong, however, was not.

It was there that Yong met the Avatar, becoming the object of his ire when she unknowingly led some opportunistic bandits to the tower, leading to Appa’s capture. From then on, Yong would make many mistakes on her journey. But, there’s one thing that’s always true. Like a desert flower, she perseveres- and always comes out stronger for it. She learns to trust others and love herself, something she sorely lacked before being whisked away to save the world.

Credit to this awesome ref sheet goes to  Phoenix-of-Starlight!