Eska sat on board a boat headed to Republic City, displaying perfect posture as she had been taught a Princess should. A smile didn't grace her face however, as this was one habit they had failed to drill into her. Her face was carefully composed to show no emotion at all, a mask which she wore almost every day. Ever since the death of her mother, the only person Eska smiled in front of was her identical twin, Desna.

Desna represented the small flame inside of her. He represented the part that fought back, even if it was only mentally. He was the one who disagreed with her being treated as a doll, to be seen and not heard. Her father treated her this way, where Desna had been trained to fight and hunt Eska had been trained in manners and poise. She showed slight rebellion where she knew she could get away with it; not smiling and using an almost bored tone of voice when required to speak. She gave the impression of being a princess on the outside, but her father and people couldn't see her heart.

The boat started to slow, caused her to slump slightly. Righting herself, she stood and glided to a window where she could see the huge statue of Avatar Aang. Her first impression of the city was that it was very colourful. The Northern Water Tribe where she grew up consisted of mainly blue and white tones, but even from a distance Eska could make out a variety of colours that saturated the city.

Her second impression of the city, she decided as she walked off the boat 10 minutes later, was busy. So many people were rushing and speeding in their Sato mobiles, Eska felt almost overwhelmed before she decided she liked it.

'At least here, nobody has the time to judge or study your every move' she thought bitterly, wanting to roll her eyes but not wanted to disturb the metaphorical mask she wore.

She has no trouble finding her welcoming committee on the docks despite the large amount of people occupying them. A sweep of the crowd led her to the only group of people wearing such vibrant shades of orange and yellow.

"Good Afternoon" she said bowing, the habit coming instinctively now, after so many.

"Hello Eska it's so good to finally meet you!" enthused a dishevelled looking woman holding a baby "My name is Pema" She smiled widely at Eska, although she did not return it

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me here" She replied with a slight bow of her head

"It was no trouble" The man standing next to Pema said "My name is Tenzin. I hope your trip was enjoyable?"

She nodded once "It was quite comfortable thank you. The scenery was beautiful"

"I'm glad. I feel sorry that you had to travel all this way at such short notice although I am glad that your father accepted our offer"

That's right. Her father had been offered to be the new Northern Water Tribe representative on the United Republic Council. He and Desna had arrived here a week ago. Desna hadn't wanted her to be left behind but her father insisted there would be no place for her while they were getting moved in and finalising paperwork. Instead she was to arrive the day of the Gala the council was holding in celebration. Once again she was only wanted where she could be presented. She was a fragile doll to be placed upon a shelf but never played with.

"Yes, he is quite honoured" She spoke as Tenzin and Pema started walking, she kept pace with them.

"Korra is very excited to see you" Spoke a young girl from their side "She has been talking about you for days"

"Is it true that you're a real princess?" Asked a younger looking girl "And that you look like your brother? Or does your brother look like you? Are you sad? Is that why you're not smiling? Can I be a princess too?"

Eska didn't know how to reply to this, Pema saved her the trouble.

"This is our eldest daughter Jinora" She said, gesturing to her children "And this is Ikki, Meelo and Rohan" She indicated the newborn baby she held

"Congratulations" She spoke, looking into the bundle of blankets that held the sleeping baby "And I'm looking forward to seeing Korra again too."

Her welcoming committee led her to a creature she had never seen before. She would have been scared but she had come across this creature in her studies. A sky bison.

"I hope you don't mind" Started Tenzin "But it is the quickest form of transport"

"Not at all"

She climbed aboard, the three eldest children sitting around her. No-one would save her from their questions now.

"Is it true that you're Korra's cousin?" Ikki asked. Eska silently wondered if perhaps this child had consumed too much sugar, there was something endearing about her though.

"Of course she is" said Jinora "That's what Korra said" She looked at her as if needing confirmation.

"Yes, Korra is my cousin"

"Did you two have lots of adventures when you were young?" implored Ikki

"No, we didn't see each other very often"

"Why"

"We each had training to undertake"

"What sort of-"Ikki was cut off by Pema

"Ikki, please don't question our guests like that" Ikki pouted but let her questions go.

The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful. It was a new struggle to maintain the proper posture while sitting on a bison but she adapted to it. Eska's mask broke once as she saw the boy, Meelo, fall off the bison while they were flying over the water, but as Tenzin dove after him she remembered that this was a family of Airbenders.

They arrived at Air Temple Island soon after that where the children all but dragged her to where Korra was.

"Eska!" Korra stopped practising her stances and rushed over to her "It's great to see you again!" She was engulfed in a hug. Eska returned it, she had a soft spot for her cousin. She was one of the strongest people she knew. No matter how many rules they tried to enforce upon the Avatar, she seemed to find a way to break them all. How she wished her life was like that.

"It's great to see you too" She smiled, her first smile since arriving here. "Have you met Desna yet?"

"Yeah" she laughed "He and I met up a few days ago. I beat him in a waterbending spar" She said proudly. "So what are your plans for today?"

Eska thought about this. She didn't know yet. For once she didn't have lessons to attend or guests to entertain.

"I'm attending the celebration tonight" She said, remembering why she was here

"Hey me too!" she enthused "So are you free until then?"

She nodded "Great! I'll take you on a tour!"

Eska couldn't have objected if she wanted to, the Avatar had taken her by the hand and set off running

"Korra!" boomed Tenzin's voice "You have airbending practice!"

"Yeah yeah" laughed Korra, still running "I'll do it tomorrow" she yelled over her shoulder "Promise!"

Admiration filled her as she wished she could have said the same thing growing up. Her third impression of Republic City came to mind as Korra continued to run and laugh, dragging her slightly behind her.

Free.