Republic City was always alive. It had this intensity that called out to Jinora every night and whispered to her every day. There was something special about it. Not just the Arena, which called out to Korra, but the whole place. Jinora could feel it in her heart that there was so much adventure and knowledge in that city. So much she could learn. Every time Jinora witnessed Korra leaving Airbender Island she let out involuntary sigh. That is exactly why she was going to sneak out for an adventure tomorrow.
Her dad, Tenzin, had some political meeting to attend tomorrow and would be gone the whole day. All Jinora had to do now was tell her mom, Perma, that she was going to read in her favorite spot (up in the tallest tree on Airbender Island) and avoid Ikki as she is leaving. If Ikki saw her even setting one foot off the island Jinora knew that her adventure was over. Jinora loved Ikki, but Ikki's mouth had its own mind and it liked to go off a million miles per hour.
The morning of she peered into her closet. It was an explosion of yellow and orange, all airbender clothes. She would be spotted a mile away by all the wrong people. She wanted to blend into the crowd. She swept all of those clothes to the side leaving a plain gray shirt and black pants. The shirt was loose and the sleeves came to about her elbows. The pants were nothing special. In other words they were perfect. She reached to grab them, but one thought stopped her. Her mother. Jinora had yet to tell her "plans" to read. If she wasn't in her normal get-up then her mother would question her immediately. She swung the airbender clothes back over the shirt and pants. She turned and rushed out of her room with a book in hand.
Her mother was in the courtyard, trying to catch Meelo and being trailed by Ikki. Meelo every five seconds or so blew a gust of wind in his mother's face, causing her temper to reach her boiling point.
"Meelo! Please! Your father wanted to practice something with Arnook. Or was it Haru?" She took a step back and pondered for a moment with her hand on her chin. She threw her hand down and said, "It doesn't matter. There is someone important to meet today and you have to go. No more air bending." This was met with another gust of air from Meelo as he laughed and rushed off. Perma sighed, knowing she was never going to catch that boy.
"Mom…"
"Yes? What is it Ikki?"
"? ? ? Imeanithasbeenareallytime. . ? Whyisthat?" Ikki's mouth at its best.
"Ikki, we talked about this. One question at a time and take actual breaths between words please." Perma shook her head and sighed again as this was developing into a very difficult day.
"Mom?" Jinora saw this as a good time to step in.
Perma glanced up and seeing Jinora cracked a smile. "Yes, Jinora. What is it?"
She showed her mother the book as she said, "I just wanted to say that I am going to my favorite spot to read for the rest of the day. Is there anything you need from me before I go?"
"Well…" Jinora's heart dropped. Please no. Please no, She pleaded in her head. "No. You're good to go." Her mother shook her headd and smiled as Jinora started to return to her room.
"Come on, Ikki. Let's go find your brother," Jinora heard her mother say as they too left the courtyard.
The moment Jinora exited the courtyard and away from anyone's view she jumped in the air, basically spazzing. A giant smile broke across her face. She sprinted back to her room, not to waste any more precious time. Ten minutes later she was ready to go. She checked the bag she bringing one more time. A little food, some yuans, and one book. She couldn't think of anything else to bring. She closed it back up again.
As she travelled towards the bay Jinora was very cautious. She checked around every corner before turning and every three seconds she peered behind her. She didn't travel to the pier on the island. There were too many guards there. There was no way she could get from the island that way without anyone reporting her actions to her mother. Instead she traveled to the side. The edge on the north side was sort of a hill. It was odd to describe, but perfect for what Jinora wanted to do.
She finally made it past all the buildings and guards. Her only "obstacle" left was a line of brushes that grew right before the edge of the island. She got caught a few times by the thorns, but of course made it to the other side. She straightened out her hair and checked over her clothes to make sure they weren't any more thorns on her before glancing out over the bay.
It was beautiful. The water glistened in the sunlight and there was a slight breeze coming in from the sea. The smell of sea salt filled Jinora's nose as she took in one more deep breath.
"Here we go." Jinora said to herself as she twisted the air around her in a tight ball. She knew that this move was a favorite of her grandfather's and enjoyed it much herself. Before the ball disappeared completely she jumped on. Off she went. Most people travelled to Republic City by boat or by land, but not Jinora. She was travelling to it by air bending and she was going to have an adventure.