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"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."
- Carl Bard
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Korra jumped happily when the beautiful ice gates of the Northern Water Tribe came into view. The long boat ride had been very uneventful, consisting mostly of cuddling with Mako or listening to Bolin get seasick. Both, which, became bothersome to the young Avatar after a few days.
Mako joined her on the front deck of her Uncle's extravagant ship, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"What a relief," was all Mako managed to say.
"You're telling me," Korra agreed.
Korra and her boyfriend had gotten into their fair share of quarrels during the trip. But somehow, they always had managed to forgive each other, even if a few days passed where Bolin had to be their moderator AND messenger. He couldn't complain, because it was a good workout.
The waterbenders of the Northern Tribe lowered the ice gate, letting the boat pass through and into the enormous ice city that stood tall against the clear blue sky. Korra watched in amazement, for she had never traveled further than Republic City before. This city was significantly different from the steam and smog of the one she was so familiar with, and especially from her home in the Southern Water Tribe. Was her uncle right? Was the Southern Tribe really falling into spiritual decay? Or was it just that it was smaller and less developed? Korra couldn't find an answer.
The large boat docked into the city, and Korra, along with her close friends and family, walked together and admired the scenery the North provided. Her uncle Unalaq, as well as her cousins, didn't seem so amused. They do live here after all, Korra thought to herself.
"Ahhh…!" Bolin squealed, stepping over to a small store. The sudden burst of emotion startled the small fire ferret on his shoulder, causing his fur to puff up as he curled around the earthbender's neck for security.
"They have little tiny clothes…! And they're Pabu-sized!" Bolin could hardly contain himself at the sight.
His brother laughed, pausing to look over the pet store.
"Maybe another time, bro. I think he's doing just fine with the coat we got him back in the city."
Bolin pouted with disappointment, his emerald eyes shining in attempt to persuade his older brother to let him shop. Eska turned her head to watch the moment, a blush growing on her tanned cheeks at Bolin's expression.
"I think you will find our palace most accommodating, Avatar." Korra's uncle gestured to the exquisite ice castle that stood in front of them.
It was a sight unlike anything Korra had ever imagined. The entire structure was made from crystal-clear glaciers of ice. It seemed like something out of her dreams. A building this big…made entirely of ice and snow? It seemed impossible. But it was beautiful, and it was going to be their home for the next couple of weeks. Korra only wished that she could paint, so she could keep the memories of it's color and pristine architecture forever.
"Uncle…this…I know you're the Chief and all…but this is incredible! I really want to thank you for letting my friends and I stay." The Avatar's eyes remained glued to the palace's beauty.
"No need to thank me. This trip will be a very rewarding spiritual experience for you."
Tonraq, Korra's father, eyed his brother suspiciously at his words. Even though her Uncle was very kind, especially to her, something about him seemed…detached. The tension between the two brothers was so thick, Korra could picture herself able to bend it. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened between them all those years ago, but she'd rather not think about it and enjoy the spiritual experience away from home and the prison on Airtemple Island that Tenzin created.
...
The family, with Mako and Bolin in tow, ventured into the Chief's palace. The inside was even more spectacular than the exterior. The walls were adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows on every side, and the ceiling seemed to extend far beyond the heavens. Korra shut her eyes, the spiritual energy sending a warmth over her body and taking her to another world.
The twins walked with the other teens to show them to their bedrooms, by their father's request. They were located on the east wing of the palace, down an extensive hallway. All of the bedrooms were spread far along the hallway, with two on the left side and two on the right, as well as an additional doorway on the right for the bathroom.
"You all may pick where you want to sleep. It doesn't really matter, because all of the rooms are the same…" Eska stopped in the center of the hallway, then turned sharply to Mako and his girlfriend, the Avatar, who clung to his arm.
"No sharing." The female twin glared, then smirked, her eyes flickering to the earthbender. "Unless you want to invite me."
Bolin swallowed hard, his cheeks heating up and turning a deep shade of red, darker than the reddish fur of his cuddly pet.
Desna sighed, still unamused, even by his sister's teasing. He was having the least amount of fun out of all of the teens, not enjoying the company of the others. Eska was clearly infatuated with Bolin, and this left Desna without anyone else to talk to. Being a twin, the boy didn't care for socialization, as long as he had his sister. The two shared a bond that not even they could explain, from the day they were born.
"You…don't have to worry about that…" Mako coughed, also embarrassed.
As close as they were, they weren't that close, and sharing a bed was definitely out of the question. The firebender respected the Avatar's boundaries, and knew that the right time would eventually come to pursue something like that. When Korra was ready.
They all dispersed into the guest rooms, shouting to one another at the pure beauty they discovered within them, while Desna and Eska left the large hallway. Each bedroom was decorated with traditional furs and decorations, as well as a large double bed in the center.
"Do you believe this…!?" Korra shouted from her left-side room, leaping onto the plush fur quilts of her bed.
Mako, also enticed by the furry blankets and pillows, jumped onto it.
"If I don't answer, it's because I've died on this extremely comfortable bed!" He laughed as he mumbled the words, actually find himself falling half-asleep.
In all of his years, he has never slept on a bed this huge. It's almost like a dream come true. He thought back to when he and his brother's only source of warmth and comfort was his torn red scarf. If he could've gotten a bed like this for Bolin…it may have eased the pain a little.
The fire ferret Pabu, was making himself at home, too. He sniffed and squeaked at the furry decor, thinking it'd respond. Carefully, he approached the large polar bear dog pelt carpet, it's wide mouth menacingly hanging open. Reaching a single paw out, he touched the nose of the head, then jumped back to his comfortable position on his owner's shoulders.
"Don't be scared, buddy. It's just a…giant…creepy…animal rug…" The earthbender's voice dropped to a low whisper. "…just don't tell Naga about it…okay?"
After a few minutes of exploring, Desna and Eska returned to the hallway.
"Is everyone finding themselves comfortable?" Eska shouted.
Upon hearing her voice, the three benders and fire ferret exited the room.
"Are you kidding? Eska…your dad's home is…amazing! Everything here is perfect," Korra said to Eska and her quiet brother. Mako and Bolin concurred.
"Wonderful. We hope you all enjoy your stay." The twins bowed in respect.
"Eska…" Desna spoke low to his sister. "Father said dinner would be served soon…"
"Right." She turned her focus back to the group. "Come join us in the dining hall, please."
Desna turned and led them down the hall, Eska grabbing Bolin's ear and dragging him beside her.
"You don't mind her doing that…?" Korra asked Mako, watching the two in front of them.
"Nah…it's about time he found a girl who shows a little interest in him." He chuckled, squeezing his girlfriend's hand.
Korra frowned, remembering the time all of those months ago she broke the earthbender's heart. It was a devastating time for their friendship, but forgiveness came easy to the three friends, and the kiss that tore them apart became forgotten. For the most part.
...
They arrived to the dining hall, Unalaq and Tonraq already seated at the north and south heads of the table, far apart from each other. They were both staring down one another intensely, and Korra's father's face was a deep and angry shade of red. Something was wrong.
The group took their seats at the long table, Mako beside Korra near Tonraq, and the twins with Bolin seated near Unalaq.
Several servers came into the dining hall, carrying tray after tray of delicious-smelling foods. One a pot of sea prunes, and others with rice and different imported vegetables from the earth kingdom, as well as a large stuffed deer-pig placed in the center of the table.
"You've really outdone yourself, brother." Korra's father spoke coldly.
"It's really nothing." Unalaq said.
"Nothing? You could feed the entire south pole with a meal like this."
"I think you mean I could feed a single man from the south pole with a meal like this…?" Unalaq sneered to his brother.
The teens exchanged uneasy glances between one another. Bolin, on the other hand, was busy helping himself to the meal in front of him. Desna watched the young earthbender with disgust at his manners, as well as his large portion sizes.
"…Well! Everyone, help yourselves. There's enough here for you all. I'm sure you're all starving after that trip." Unalaq smiled to the kids, then looked more seriously to Tonraq. "…take heed, brother."
Desna and Eska each fished themselves a small bowl of the sea prunes and a side of vegetables and rice. Bolin took both drumsticks of the deer-pig, as well as a large serving of seaweed-noodles. Mako and Korra also took some of the deer-pig, helping themselves to bread and a pasta with tomato sauce.
Tonraq and Unalaq both did not touch the meal, their eyes still burning holes into the eyes of the other.
Unalaq contently sipped the glass of a dark wine, while Tonraq had nothing at all.
"Go ahead, brother. Eat." Korra's uncle gestured to the meal before them.
"I'm actually quite satisfied, thank you."
"Hmph…suit yourself." Unalaq sipped his glass again.
The table was eerily silent as they ate, the twins being the first to finish eating. Bolin pat his distended stomach, the fire ferret beside him chirping with satisfaction from the meal. It was apparent that there was still a lot of food left.
"I'm stuffed. I don't think I could eat another bite of this deliciousness." Bolin belched.
Eska giggled, finding everything that Bolin did to be funny. Burping at the table was definitely something that the twins learned not to do when they were children.
"Mr. Unalaq, sir…the dinner was amazing. But…I don't think we can finish all of it…" Mako chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"No worries. We donate some of the spare food to families in need, whenever we have leftovers like this here. Desna and Eska actually do some of the delivering themselves," Unalaq replied, finishing his wine. "It spreads a good message. Sharing the wealth. Neighborly love. It's what helps to keep our tribe connected."
Korra nodded, admiring her uncle's words. He was a great man, in all honesty. She was happy that she would get to learn from him in the next few weeks. What about him was so terrible that made her father unable to stand him?
"Wow, uncle. Maybe we could help out, too? What do you think, dad?" Korra turned to her father.
"I-…don't see why not…but we can't forget why we all came up here in the first place, Korra." He grumbled, eying his brother.
"Great. I think this would be a perfect opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with our tribe. We all welcome you here, Avatar Korra." Her uncle smiled.
Desna and Eska exchanged glances, then Eska looked to her cousin and spoke.
"Well…normally, charities stop by and pick it up for delivery. We only visit a few homes…people who really need the extra hand." She smirks to her twin. "Is that correct, Desna?"
Desna bowed his head shyly, not liking the spotlight as much as his sister did. "That's right."
The servers cleaned up their plates, wrapping up the leftover food. How nice, Korra thought. They don't do things like this at home. So far, her uncle had been more correct about the differences between the two tribes than she would like to admit.
"The sun will be setting soon. You kids may go now. Be back here before midnight." Unalaq rose from the table. Soon after, Tonraq rose.
"Before ten." He interjected.
"Very well. Before ten." He bowed to the teens, then excused himself from the table. Tonraq stepped over to Korra.
"…Korra. You know why we're here. Not to sidetrack and do whatever you want. You should appreciate that I even agreed to this. In fact, I hardly agreed at all." He sighed, trying not to get angry.
"…I care about your Avatar training. And most importantly, I care about you." He frowned. "My brother is stubborn. All I'm asking is that you're careful."
Korra folded her arms frustratedly.
"Dad. We talked about this on the boat. I'm here to train with Uncle Unalaq. Would it really kill you if I did /something/ to help people? Really, dad?" She pouted angrily, placing her hands on her hips. Bolin cleared his throat.
"We'll be…outside." The others inched out of the room, leaving Korra and her father alone.
Korra tapped her foot, not meeting her father's eyes.
"Stubborn, huh. Well what about you?" She became more frustrated by the second.
"Korra, don't use that tone with me." His voice became more menacing.
"Who's the Avatar again?"
"Who's your father again?"
The young avatar found herself becoming more and more frustrated with each passing second. Her father was always persistent on being the right one in an argument, even if he was actually wrong.
"You are, dad. Just please…don't worry about me. I defeated Amon, remember? I'm strong. Independent. I don't need you breathing down my neck with everything I do." She sighed, her anger dying.
Her father shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I know, Korra. But I'm your father, and that's what I do."
He frowned. "…I miss you. You're my little girl. It's still hard for me, accepting that this is your path. Your mother and I never get to see you anymore…"
"Dad…"
"…but you're all grown up. And now you're a fully-realized Avatar. I need to come to terms with that still. I don't know if I ever will, actually…" he teared up a little. Something he rarely did.
"Just be careful, sweetheart. For me." A small tear streamed down his cheek.
Korra leapt into her father's arms, holding him in a tight embrace.
"Stop it, dad…you're gonna make me cry…" Korra's words choked up in her throat.
He chuckled, squeezing his daughter.
"I know I bother you most of the time…but being your dad…I just always think back to the day you were born. It was the best day of my life. And seeing you now…the beautiful young woman that you are…I am so proud, Korra." His words were calm, despite his overflowing emotions.
Korra began to cry. "Dad…! Stop…!"
She laughed in her tears, squeezing her father even tighter than before. "I believe you. And I'm glad you care. Thank you, dad…" She sighed. "…but I am grown up. I know it's hard to accept, but I am. I promise, if it makes you feel better, that I will be careful with Uncle Unalaq. Don't worry yourself, dad. He'll take good care of me. I know it." She smiled to her father reassuringly.
He exhaled, worn out from crying.
"I hope so, Korra."
...
