But when he saw the intruder was Kyoshi, dressed in her full makeup and regalia, he gasped and nearly halted in midair. Wai was one of the few witnesses who’d seen her in the Avatar State, and the experience had overawed the spiritual man. He stepped back to give her space, nearly knocking his brother over in his haste, and dropped to his knees. The knife that had been aimed at Kyoshi a second before, he placed at her feet like an offering.
-- Kyoshi (chapter 2)

Importance: This quote represents foreshadowing of the emotional and powerful journey Kyoshi embarks on throughout the novel. As the novel progresses, she is mourning the loss of herself and her full acceptance of her life as the Avatar. She is unaware of the powerful image she presents to those around her and is often taken aback by the reactions to her.

Kyoshi needed to shut her eyes...
-- Kyoshi (chapter 2)