Hey! I'm October. I posted a couple chapters of a story in August and I didn't really like where I was going with it so I am re-writing it with a completely different plot but same characters.

Also, at the beginning of each chapter you'll see a song that kind of sets the mood. If you like some of them you can message me and I'll give you a link to my playlist on Youtube. Happy reading! :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Legend of Korra

~Down in the Valley- The Head and the Heart~

Optimism has never been my strong suit. I always figure, why see the good in people when they always end up disappointing. It is something that my sister Lomi ponders while she gives me my monthly trim.

"You are always such a downer Han. You've got to lighten up a bit. You are sixteen years old for spirits sake and you act like you're pushing forty!" She exclaims while snipping at the dead ends of my hair with our scissors.

I let out a sigh and grip the chair I am firmly planted on.

My sister is a year older than me. She looks just like me except while I have light hazel eyes, hers are a dark brown hue. Lomi is, well, I guess you could say bubbly. Whenever she opens her mouth, it would take a landslide to shut it. Hell that would probably just make her talk louder.

"Lomi you know what I am like, you don't have to point it out whenever we are together." I reply with a huff.

"See there it is! Shut your trap and be happy for once." She demands and shoves me out of the chair and stalks out of the room.

My butt hits the floor and shakes the whole house. A shooting pain hits me in the tailbone as I stand and follow Lomi.

My house is probably the biggest in the village I live in. Of coarse to a normal person my house would appear to be a tiny shack, but in the swamps anything bigger than a one bedroom seems like a mansion. My house is big because my grandmother is the village shaman. It means she heals the injured and speaks to the spirits of the swamp. My grandmother, Lomi, my mother, and I all live in this three bedroom house. My father died from an illness when I was five, so its just been us girls since.

I walk into the main room where my family is sitting down on the floor crowded around the ramshackle radio we've owned since I can remember. When I walk in, Grandmother looks up at me and her face twists into a wolfish, toothless grin.

"Hana, just the girl I was looking for. Come with me outside for a moment would you?" She asks.

I nod and make my way out to the porch. I sit down on the porch swing and Grandmother plops down next to me.

"So dear, I know that you are turning seventeen in the next couple of months." She states, "You know your mother would like for you to have more opportunities but, you know I am in no condition to care for her and all she has left is you two girls."

I stare at the ground and listen to the locusts symphony.

My mother has been in terrible condition ever since I turned twelve. No one really knows whats wrong with her. She just has bad bones I guess. She can't walk anywhere without assistance. I hate knowing that my mother is in so much constant pain.

"Yeah I know that. Where are you going with this?" I ask, frustrated.

"Now Now child be patient. I'm getting there." Grandmother haughtily replies. "I have been asked to travel to Republic City for something very important. You know how I am about travel and with your mothers condition, well I can't leave Lomi here alone to care for her Hana."

I break my concentration with the dirt below my feet and turn my head to look at the old woman.

"Well what am I supposed to to? Go to Republic City for you?" I scoff and turn my attention to its previous owner.

"Yes."

My head shoots up. Iv'e never even left the village, the idea of traveling hundreds of miles away completely terrifies me and excites me at the same time. Even though the swamp is my home, I have never actually felt like I belonged.

When I don't reply, Grandmother continues explaining.

" I was asked to help teach the Avatar how to connect to the spirit world. You know you're Grandfather knew Avatar Aang. He fought with him in the Hundred Year War. Anyway, you've always been more adept in the spirits than Lomi. You are definitely better than I was at your age." She adds with a youthful chuckle.

It's true. I have spent most of my life learning about spirits. How to deal with them, connect with them and live in harmony with the spirit world. It is sort of the family business.

"You would stay on Air Temple Island with my friend Tenzin and his family," She continues. " You would love it there. They have these meditation pavillio-"

"I'll do it." I interrupt. "It is the most logical thing to do and I have always wanted to get out of this town, you know, see the world. This seems like it's my only shot to see something other than mud and vines." I let out a breathy laugh and stand up. The sun was just starting to sink below the horizon.

"Alright, dear, you leave just before dawn. Go to the train station five miles north, follow your stars and don't tell Lomi and your mother, you know them, they wouldn't let you out of there sight for months if they knew you were even thinking about setting foot out of the village."

I nod my head to her instructions and it really dawns on me. I am traveling far away from the only place I have ever known, completely alone. The thought leaves a sort of anticipation of danger and the unknown. I smile and look up at Grandmother and she pulls me into a tight hug.

"Okay here is your ticket for the train. When you arrive, just, be careful sweetheart. I know you think you can handle anything but there is real evil lurking in the shadows of this place."

I start to giggle, "Well if anyone tries to mess with me I'll just kick their behinds with my super swampbending skills."

"I'm serious Hana, always be aware of your surroundings."

"Yes Ma'am, I'll be safe."

She looks up at the sinking sun and hugs me again.

"So, I guess this is goodbye then." I whisper against the fabric of the brown shift dress.

"Not goodbye, we shall see each other again."

I pull away and smirk, "Not if some shadow lurking evils kill me in my sleep."

I laugh and run inside with Grandmother hobbling back inside.

"Night Gram!" I call out and slip under the covers, awaiting dreams of the big city.

So there is the introduction. Hana arrives in Republic City and meets the krew next chapter. So I was thinking the swamp is just like the bayous of Louisiana so thats what picture when I write for it. Also, Hana has an accent along with all the other swampians? Haha yeah just thought I'd say that. One last thing, if you want to know what Hana looks like, just picture a young nelly furtado haha or maybe leona lewis with darker hair. Until next time ~October(it's my real name if you were wondering)