View source for Avatar:History of Jin (100 AG)

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'''[[Jin]]''', a [[Refugees of the Hundred Year War|refugee of the Hundred Year War]], experienced great upheavals in her life in 100 [[History of the World of Avatar#Dates|AG]]. Sixteen at the time, she was living with her sick grandfather [[Gong-gong]] in [[Ba Sing Se]]'s Lower Ring and worked at Wen Bakery; the owners' daughter, [[Suyin Wen|Susu Wen]], was her best friend. However, the Wen family eventually lost their business, forcing Susu to take an exploitative job in the Upper Ring. Determined to save her friend, Jin subsequently became involved in Ba Sing Se's criminal underground to aid her.

Meanwhile, the [[Earth Kingdom]] capital was gradually steering toward a [[Coup of Ba Sing Se|coup]] and revolution. Amidst the growing unrest, Jin became an errand runner of the revolutionary [[Silver Fangs]] network, gradually developing a bond with fellow members [[Xuan]], [[Smellerbee]], and [[Longshot]]. Over the course of several missions for the Silver Fangs, Jin honed her skills and began to train [[earthbending]]. After the [[Fire Nation conquest of Ba Sing Se]], Jin became a proactive resistance member, rescuing Susu from service to the [[Dai Li]] and ultimately assisting in the [[liberation of Ba Sing Se]].

== Meeting Zuko and Xuan ==
By spring 100 AG, Jin was trying to balance school and her part-time job at the Wen Bakery. She was generally happy at the bakery whose owners had begun treating Jin like family after the latter's arrival in Ba Sing Se three years prior. In particular, the young woman admired the family's eldest daughter, Susu Wen, who was also her best friend. As usual, Jin regularly helped to bake [[Cuisine in the World of Avatar|food]] as well as make deliveries throughout Ba Sing Se to places such as [[Pao Family Tea House]] and Lady Liang's, often accompanied by Susu.<ref name="CoE1">{{Cite Legends Novels|101}}</ref><ref name="CoE2">{{Cite Legends Novels|102}}</ref>

[[File:Pao Family Tea House.png|thumb|left|200px|Jin first met [[Zuko]] at the [[Pao Family Tea House]].]]

During one delivery to the Pao Family Tea House, Jin had to wait at the shop. The owner, [[Pao]], attempted to find faults with the Wen Bakery products to demand a discount, while part of the delivery was still missing due to Susu being late. As a result, she met the newest employee at the shop, namely [[Zuko]]. Noticing the boy's scar, she stared at him, causing him to rudely snap at her. Embarrassed, Jin averted her eyes and quickly left the shop, where she soon discovered Susu. The latter also noticed the new employee at the Pao Family Tea House, teasing Jin about him being cute after realizing that she had developed a small crush on him.<ref name="CoE2" />

After some banter with Susu, Jin excused herself to go to Hu Yuan Apothecary, intending to pick up Gong-gong's medicine from the head of the store's owner, Doctor Jan. Upon arriving, she was addressed by a similarly-aged boy manning the counter. After requesting her medicinal order, Jin realized that she did not have enough [[Currency|money]] to pay, realizing in horror that she had lost her coin pouch. Desperate to still get her grandfather's medicine, she offered to make the order now and pay the debt in the future. The boy was reluctant and he was unable to answer, the two were interrupted by his friends. The latter harassed her and teased him over his virginity, suggesting that he should demand a kiss for the medicine. Jin was deeply embarrassed, whereas the boy reacted with anger and loudly declared that he would not hand over medicine without proper payment.<ref name="CoE2" /> As Jin felt tears coming to her eyes out of shame over the situation and worry for her grandfather, she turned around to storm out of the shop.<ref name="CoE2" /><ref name="CoE3">{{Cite Legends Novels|103}}</ref>

However, she ran into Doctor Jan who quickly realized what had happening. Knowing that Jin quite well as a loyal and abiding customer, she demanded that the boy should hand over the medicine for Gong-gong. As Jin tried to explain that she would try to pay back the debt as soon as possible, Jan dismissed her by explaining that there was no need for hurry. The older woman also apologized for her son Xuan's behavior, whereupon Jin realized the familial similarities of their faces. Humbled, Xuan also bowed and apologized to Jin, whereupon she felt even more embarrassment.<ref name="CoE3" />

With the medicine, Jin who returned home to Gong-gong to provide him comfort, happy to discover that he was experiencing one of his lucid days. After spending some time managing the household, preparing for school and reading a novel, she went to bed.<ref name="CoE3" /> That night, Susu knocked on Jin's door and asked her to spend some time on the nearby rooftops, offering some cabbage buns by [[Young Crow]] as well as Wen Bakery rejects. On the roof, the two ate and talked about rumblings of the [[Avatar]]'s presence in Ba Sing Se. Inspired by these fantastical stories, they began discussing a better future: Whereas Susu initially mused about fancy dresses she could wear, Jin was more interested in the cuisine of the Middle and Upper Rings. As Susu extolled a better building for her family's shop, Jin imagined a three-room apartment near [[Ba Sing Se University]]. Soon after, the two split up and Jin returned to bed.<ref name="CoE4">{{Cite Legends Novels|104}}</ref>

== Plight of the Wen family ==
A couple of days later, Jin was walking at night near Pao Family Tea House when she witnessed the fight between Zuko and [[Jet]] breaking out which concluded with Jet's ultimate arrest by the [[Dai Li]]. The event reinforced Jin's disdain for the [[Law enforcement in the Earth Kingdom#Local Ba Sing Se police forces|regular police]] who had refused to intervene until the Dai Li's arrival. Yet it also unnerved her due to Jet's loud protests about Zuko and [[Iroh]] being [[Firebending|firebenders]], wondering how someone could even identify a [[Fire Nation]]al.<ref name="CoE5">{{Cite Legends Novels|105}}</ref>

On the next day, Jin came to the Wen Bakery to start her shift, only to discover the shop closed.<ref name="CoE5" /> She learned that Susu's father had gambled away the entire bakery, forcing Susu take a [[Cultural Ambassadors|contract job]] in the [[Ba Sing Se#Upper Ring|Upper Ring]] to pay her family debt.<ref name="CoE5" /><ref name="CoE6">{{Cite Legends Novels|106}}</ref>

== Taking smuggling jobs ==
Distraught over her friend's fate, Jin became increasingly angry over the injustices of Ba Sing Se. She was determined to make enough [[Currency|money]] to buy Susu out of her contract. Yet Jin realized that even if she dropped out of her literature school, she would not find a well-paying full-time job.<ref name="CoE7">{{Cite Legends Novels|107}}</ref><ref name="CoE8">{{Cite Legends Novels|108}}</ref> A potential solution presented itself when one of her classmates, Xuan –the son of Doctor Jan– offered her a job as an errand runner for some black market associates.<ref name="CoE8" /><ref name="CoE9">{{Cite Legends Novels|109}}</ref> She successfully delivered the package to Professor [[Om]] of the [[Ba Sing Se University]], even chancing upon Susu on the campus. To Jin's distress, however, her friend appeared [[Brainwashing#Use by the Dai Li|utterly changed and did not recognize her]].<ref name="CoE10">{{Cite Legends Novels|110}}</ref><ref name="CoE11">{{Cite Legends Novels|111}}</ref> After some advice by "[[Iroh|Mushi]]" at [[Pao]]'s [[tea]] shop, Jin remained committed to her plan of collecting money to save Susu, reasoning that the latter had just acted like a stranger to deceive some guards.<ref name="CoE11" /><ref name="CoE12">{{Cite Legends Novels|112}}</ref>

Jin continued to accept job offers by Xuan, and the two gradually developed a friendship,<ref name="CoE12" /> though she initially remained distrustful due to his upper-class background.<ref name="CoE14">{{Cite Legends Novels|114}}</ref> During one smuggling assignment in the Upper Ring, Jin (using the alias "Huajin") made a positive impression on Madame [[Macmu-Ling]] of the Fragrant Blossoms Institute, something none of the other delivery girls before her had managed to do.<ref name="CoE14" /><ref name="CoE13">{{Cite Legends Novels|113}}</ref> This impressed Xuan and his superiors in the Silver Fangs.<ref name="CoE14" /><ref name="CoE19">{{Cite Legends Novels|119}}</ref>

== Date with Zuko ==
As this was going on, Jin also kept up many of her old routines such as work at the Wen Bakery and studying.<ref name="CoE15">{{Cite Legends Novels|115}}</ref><ref name="CoE20">{{Cite Legends Novels|120}}</ref> Seeking to break out of her constant worrying, she decided to ask "Lee" out on a date.<ref name="CoE15" /> Jin came up to the counter to pay for her [[tea]] and to talk to him; after Zuko introduced himself as Lee, Jin finally built up the courage to ask him out on a date, to which Iroh said that Zuko "would love to". Excitedly leaving the shop, she said that she would meet Zuko there at sundown.<ref name="TBSS">{{Cite episode|1|215}}</ref>

When Zuko emerged from the shop, his hair combed and cleaned by his uncle, Jin immediately went through it to get it back to normal, before pulling him along to a [[Kuanming Square restaurant|restaurant]] in the [[Ba Sing Se#Middle Ring|Middle Ring]] of the city. Trying to make conversation during an awkward dinner, she asked some questions about Zuko and Iroh's background; not being able to tell the truth, Zuko blurted out that they traveled the [[Earth|world]] a lot as part of a traveling circus. Jin guessed that he was a juggler, to which Zuko reluctantly agreed and was forced to give a performance. After Zuko failed miserably at this, Jin took him to the [[Firelight Fountain]], one of her favorite places in the city.<ref name="TBSS" />

[[File:Jin with Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Jin]] and [[Zuko]] spent time together at the [[Firelight Fountain]].]]

Jin talked excitedly about how beautiful the fountain looked when the light of the lanterns reflected in the water, but was saddened to see that they were not lit when they arrived. Noticing her disappointment, Zuko asked Jin to close her eyes while he carefully used his [[firebending]] to light the lanterns. To thank him for lighting the lanterns, Jin turned to Zuko to give him a kiss, but Zuko interrupted her by holding a coupon for a free cup of tea in front of his face, to which she replied how sweet he was. She proceeded to say that she had something for Zuko as well for which he also needed to close his eyes. Obeying her request, Jin softly kissed Zuko on the lips; a gesture he hesitantly returned, before backing away. When she asked what was wrong, he excused himself by saying that it was "complicated" and that he had to go, leaving her standing alone.<ref name="TBSS" />

Though Jin had enjoyed the date and subsequently felt more at ease, she realized that they were not meant for each other.<ref name="CoE16">{{Cite Legends Novels|116}}</ref><ref name="CoE17">{{Cite Legends Novels|117}}</ref>

== Deepening involvement with the Silver Fangs ==
Having gained greater confidence, Jin subsequently sought to become part of the Silver Fangs to ease her efforts to help Susu. With Xuan's assistance,<ref name="CoE17" /> she was granted a meeting with Silver Fangs co-leader [[Sumi]] and passed some initial assessments, also learning that the network was using its black market activities as a cover for revolutionary work. Having become disillusioned with Ba Sing Se's government, this revelation only strengthened Jin's determination.<ref name="CoE19" /><ref name="CoE18">{{Cite Legends Novels|118}}</ref> Afterward, she began training earthbending with Xuan and was assigned to a team of Silver Fangs initiates consisting of Smellerbee and Longshot. For their first mission, the trainee trio was ordered to steal [[War fans#Avatar Kyoshi|an object]] from Lady Mei in the entertainment district.<ref name="CoE20" /><ref name="CoE21">{{Cite Legends Novels|121}}</ref><ref name="CoE22">{{Cite Legends Novels|122}}</ref> To her own surprise, Jin was able to work well with Smellerbee and Longshot, succeeding in the mission which was revealed to be an entry test. The trio was officially welcomed into the Silver Fangs by Patron [[Wu (performer)|Wu]].<ref name="CoE22" /><ref name="CoE23">{{Cite Legends Novels|123}}</ref>

Over the next weeks, Jin befriended Smellerbee and Longshot, while continuing to carry out Silver Fangs missions.<ref name="CoE23" /><ref name="CoE24">{{Cite Legends Novels|124}}</ref> After one assignment, the trio encountered Susu. Smellerbee and Longshot informed Jin that her friend had probably been brainwashed by the Dai Li into becoming a "Joo Dee".<ref name="CoE24" /><ref name="CoE25">{{Cite Legends Novels|125}}</ref> Realizing that her quest was far more complex than anticipated, Jin hoped that the Silver Fangs network might aid her. At the same time, however, the Coup of Ba Sing Se took place and the Earth Kingdom government was overthrown. The Silver Fangs ordered their associates to scatter, knowing that the new regime would seek to ruthlessly eliminate opposition groups.<ref name="CoE25" /><ref name="CoE26">{{Cite Legends Novels|126}}</ref><ref name="CoE27">{{Cite Legends Novels|127}}</ref>

== Fall of Ba Sing Se ==
Jin retreated to her home and cared for her ailing grandfather as the [[Fire Army]] marched into Ba Sing Se, resulting in vicious street fighting.<ref name="CoE27" /><ref name="CoE28">{{Cite Legends Novels|128}}</ref> Gong-gong suffered a heart attack during the Fire Nation conquest, whereupon Jin ventured through the war-torn city to seek aid from Doctor Jan's family. She managed to reach Xuan who tried to help her grandfather,<ref name="CoE29">{{Cite Legends Novels|129}}</ref><ref name="CoE30">{{Cite Legends Novels|130}}</ref><ref name="CoE31">{{Cite Legends Novels|131}}</ref> but the old man passed away in his sleep, devastating Jin.<ref name="CoE32">{{Cite Legends Novels|132}}</ref>

== Lake Laogai mission and aftermath ==
{{Main|Mission to Lake Laogai}}

After mourning for Gong-gong, Jin continued her efforts to rescue Susu with the help of her friends. Based on intel by Smellerbee and Longshot, Jin's group decided [[Mission to Lake Laogai|to infiltrate]] the Dai Li's [[Lake Laogai]] base.<ref name="CoE32" /><ref name="CoE33">{{Cite Legends Novels|133}}</ref> They rescued several prisoners –including [[Military ranks in the World of Avatar#General 2|General]] [[Sung]] and a few Joo Dees-in-training– and flooded the complex, but Susu had already been relocated to the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace to serve as one of the new collaborationist "[[Supreme Bureaucratic Administrator's government|Supreme Bureaucratic Administrators]]".<ref name="CoE34">{{Cite Legends Novels|134}}</ref><ref name="CoE35">{{Cite Legends Novels|135}}</ref> At some point after Ba Sing Se's fall, Jin once again visited Pao's tea shop as a Fire Army parade marched by.<ref name="A">{{Cite episode|1|301}}</ref>

Shortly after her mission to Lake Laogai, Jin walked through the streets of the Lower Ring when she noticed Zuko with [[Mai]]. Addressing him as Lee, she asked who Mai was and was told that she was a friend from the circus, where she was a knife thrower. Joining the charade, Mai offered to teach Jin to throw knives and had Zuko stand in front of a fountain with a fish from a nearby market on his head. Mai explained that the trick was in the wrist, and she accurately hit the fish with an icicle. Amazed by the show of marksmanship, Jin tried as well, though when she threw the icicle, she barely missed Zuko's head, making him fall into the fountain.<ref name="GHA">{{Cite comic|GHA}}</ref>

== Rescuing Susu ==
{{Main|Rescue of Suyin Wen}}

Using the Silver Fangs' old criminal links, Jin and Xuan subsequently secured menial jobs at the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace, spending weeks to scout the location.<ref name="CoE35" /><ref name="CoE36">{{Cite Legends Novels|136}}</ref> When the Day of Black Sun eventually rendered the firebending guards in the palace powerless, the two disguised themselves as Dai Li agents and managed to enter the Supreme Bureaucratic Administrators' private rooms.<ref name="CoE36">{{Cite Legends Novels|136}}</ref><ref name="CoE37">{{Cite Legends Novels|137}}</ref> However, they were ambushed by a true Dai Li patrol and thrown into the palace's prison, deemed to be rebel assassins. Facing potential death, Jin and Xuan continued to bond in their cell and eventually realized that they had fallen in love.<ref name="CoE38">{{Cite Legends Novels|138}}</ref><ref name="CoE39">{{Cite Legends Novels|139}}</ref> Sharing a kiss, they were grateful to still have each other. Yet their hopeless situation was interrupted by an unexpected visit of Susu; despite being brainwashed, she had decided to visit their cell out of curiosity and subconscious recognition. Jin was overjoyed by Susu's presence and sought to revive her memories by using techniques she had learned from Smellerbee and Longshot. This worked, and Susu gradually regained her true self.<ref name="CoE39" /><ref name="CoE40">{{Cite Legends Novels|140}}</ref>

Eventually, Jin and Xuan were taken away for judgement. To their surprise, the judge turned out to be Sumi who revealed that she was a ranking Dai Li member who had gathered pro-Earth Kingdom loyalists within the secret police. Jin learned that the Silver Fangs remained active, covertly preparing a mass uprising in Ba Sing Se.<ref name="CoE41">{{Cite Legends Novels|141}}</ref><ref name="CoE42">{{Cite Legends Novels|142}}</ref> Sumi agreed to arrange an escape route for Jin and Xuan, provided that they would resume their work for the revolutionary network. Thanks to this aid, the two successfully escaped and even managed to save Susu as well, before returning to the Lower Ring.<ref name="CoE42" /><ref name="CoE43">{{Cite Legends Novels|143}}</ref><ref name="CoE44">{{Cite Legends Novels|144}}</ref>

From this point onward, Jin alongside Xuan, Smellerbee, and Longshot helped to prepare the Silver Fangs' planned rebellion. Using the Wen Bakery, they spread coded messages by the insurgent leadership around the Lower and Middle Rings. The revolution was triggered on the day of [[Sozin's Comet]],<ref name="CoE45">{{Cite Legends Novels|145}}</ref><ref name="CoE46">{{Cite Legends Novels|146}}</ref> with rebel cells across Ba Sing Se rising up even as the Fire Army prepared to destroy the city on [[Fire Lord]] [[Ozai]]'s orders. Jin's cell joined the battle, clashing with regular Fire Nation troops and the [[Rough Rhinos]].<ref name="CoE46" /><ref name="CoE47">{{Cite Legends Novels|147}}</ref><ref name="CoE48">{{Cite Legends Novels|148}}</ref> Though the battle was hard-fought, the insurgents were reinforced by the [[Order of the White Lotus]] and ultimately liberated the capital.<ref name="CoE48" /> With the Hundred Year War concluded, Jin and her comrades were officially honored as war heroes by the restored Earth Kingdom government. Having entered a relationship with Xuan and being reunited with Susu, Jin concluded that Ba Sing Se finally felt like home.<ref name="CoEE">{{Cite Legends Novels|10E}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Scroll|{{Reflist}}}}

== See also ==
* [[Jin]]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Character histories]]