AN: The idea for this fic came to me while reading Helping Hands by Songofhopeandhonor (which if you haven't read, you should probably just go do that immediately because it is AMAZING, it's on AO3). A large theme of that piece involves the idea of sexual awakening as a young person, and how it is almost always viewed as this taboo thing, for one reason or another. I thought to myself, "But what if it wasn't? What if it was seen as normal, so long as romantic feelings weren't attached?" So here we go. Writing this and Raising Kya at the same time, so I hope that when I hit a wall with one, I can work on the other, and thereby update both more regularly. Enjoy!

It is a well-established tradition among the upper echelons of society that, after a child's sixteenth birthday, that child is eligible for talks of marriage. While some prefer to keep betrothals within their own borders, others see the advantages of marriages between nations. It fosters trade relations, encourages a thriving political sphere, and provides diverse experiences and cultural exchanges. These relationships, over time, promote friendship over personal gain. And friendships, over time, promote peace.

But though these lofty political leaders and cultural emissaries wouldn't openly discuss it, there is another tradition, entrenched within this sixteenth birthday. At sixteen, the child is no longer a child. At sixteen, they can be dangerous if left to their own devices.

And so somewhere before the records of living memory, some brilliant parent had a brilliant idea. Tired of the fear of illegitimate births and hidden love affairs, they contacted others of their sphere and arranged an event. Officially, they named it the International Affairs Formal Dinner and Ball, but now, everyone calls it The Prologue.

The Prologue started as an evening, but has since turned into a weeklong event, hosted on the beautiful (and neutral) Ember Island. Young men and women from all nations are encouraged to attend, and while it is not required, no one has ever refused an invitation.

The Prologue puts the future leaders of the world in the same place at the same pinnacle moment in their lives. The stated purpose? To foster positive working relationships when they come into their own. The true purpose? To let them blow off steam with each other instead of with those at home.

It was only practical, really. There is no way to calm the tempestuous rage of hormones, not in young people of this age. They're going to experiment. They want to learn about their bodies; it's only natural. So instead of fighting it, why not let them? In this way it can be controlled. Precautions can be taken. Young romance can blossom, thrive, and wither with the speed that always accompanies trysts at that age, and if a child should be born of a union of this kind? Well, at least it will be of good birth.

There is only one rule, explained carefully to each and every attendee. When you leave, you leave it all behind you. Do not fall in love at The Prologue. Remember what it is. Remember who you are. Remember that while your heart is your own, your marriage is not.

Remember that the allegiance you now owe is only a part of what you'll spend the rest of your life believing. Anyone in that room could be your ally. Anyone in that room could be your enemy. So tread lightly with your heart. Explore, but not too much. Enjoy, but just for a moment. Your future is not your own. It belongs to your people.

It was not unheard of for those in positions of power related to industry or trade to linger in these relationships longer than their royal peers, but society viewed these as matches made in poor taste. Some would gossip about the missed opportunities for the parents of those poor children, while others would say the parents needed a firmer hand. Who would want to be trapped in their adolescent relationship for the rest of their life? People change. Affections change. Better to have a reason for the union outside of the emotional. Safer that way.

The tradition began somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, attempting to unite lands that now carry the green banner of the Earth King, and eventually it spread to the Fire Nation. The Air temples were invited, but due to their transient nature and various beliefs, their attendance was inconstant at best. The Northern Water tribe was next. For many years it carried on like this, until finally the Southern Water tribe was deemed politically important enough to participate. Though the Southern tribe was invited to attend many generations ago, old families have long memories. Many still considered them the "newcomers", especially with their strange traditions. Living on the ice? No grand buildings or sculptures? No centers of commerce? How very vulgar.

A special eye watched those from the Southern tribe, the word "peasant" still a common jibe murmured behind intricate fans and cupped, well-manicured hands. Attendees of the Southern Water tribe had an extra responsibility: to prove that their culture had something to offer these grand, if antiquated, families.

So when a young Southern Waterbender overheard her parents call her brother inside to talk, just for a second, she decided to investigate on her own. Their home, while not as grandiose as their sister tribe in the North, was large enough to have a dark corner or two where a curious young girl might eavesdrop.

"Mom? Dad? What's going on?" She recognized her brother's voice and listened.

"Nothing, son. Just wanted to have a little chat with you. You know, Sokka, you're going to be sixteen soon. Your mother and I are very proud of you."

While she couldn't see very well from the upstairs corner that hid her from view, in her mind's eye she saw Sokka straighten up at the recognition from his father. "Thanks, Dad. I've been working really hard on my boomerang skills with the other warriors. And I've been practicing with a real sword!"

"We know you have, Sokka. And it shows," this praise was in her mother's softer tones, and it had the same effect on the boy in front of them. His smile was evident in his voice.

"Thanks, Mom."

"Well, we know you are working very hard, and we appreciate it. But we wanted to talk to you about certain…expectations that others might have of you," her father said.

"And the responsibilities that come with those expectations," her mother continued.

Sokka's tone was surprisingly unchanged. "You guys talking about The Prologue?"

"Exactly, son. I'm sure you and your friends must have…discussed it at some length, but we wanted to make sure you didn't have any…," her father paused, sounding a bit uncomfortable, "…questions for us."

Sokka devolved into a coughing fit, and her mother laughed, but the girl in the shadows didn't understand. What's a prologue? And why do Sokka and Dad sound so weird?

"Uh…no? I mean…I just…this is kinda weird to talk about in front of Mom."

"Why? How do you think you got here, Sokka?"

"MOOOOM!"

Both her parents let out long, hearty laughs, and it seemed to ease the tension. "Why don't we talk somewhere privately, Sokka. We can go ice fishing. How does that sound?"

"Yeah. Yeah let's do that."

The sounds of her father and brother grabbing their fishing gear echoed down the hall, and hard though the young Waterbender listened, she could not hear any conversation through it. Why are they going fishing without me? I catch more fish with my bending than they do with their spears. And why are they being so secretive—

"I thought you might be hiding up here, Katara."

The young girl froze. In her determination to hear the last snatches of conversation, she didn't realize the sounds below would mask the soft steps of her mother climbing the stairs. Cheeks flaming with embarrassment, Katara shrugged, averting her eyes. "I didn't mean to hide, I just…"

"You were curious. I know, love. Come on, let's chat."

Katara stood from the hidden corner and followed her mother to her parents' bedroom. Once inside, her mother closed the door and reached for an ornate box, filled with cloth strips and Katara's favorite comb. Kya smiled at her daughter. "I haven't done this for you since you were a girl."

"I'm still a girl, Mom," Katara laughed, happily sitting cross legged on the bed. She swung her long braid over her shoulder, untying the cloth at the end as her mother sat behind her.

Kya combed until the braid was gone and Katara's hair was shining in the lamplight. "Not for much longer. Sokka turns sixteen next month. And in a little over a year, you'll be sixteen too."

"Uh huh."

"And we would have had a similar conversation with you about your sixteenth birthday."

"I know."

"But if you want, we can talk now. Do you have any questions about what you heard?"

The words rushed out of Katara's mouth with excited speed. "What's a prologue? And why was Sokka coughing, is he sick?"

Kya smiled, pausing before plaiting her daughter's hair into its usual braid. "I think it's time for a new style. You're not so little anymore if we're having this conversation."

"Moooom, you're stalling."

Kya sighed, a small smirk on her face. "I suppose I am."

So as her mother had to her those many years ago, Kya explained what it meant to be the daughter of a Chief. What it meant to have things expected of you. The extra responsibilities levied on those from their nation. And finally, she explained the most important rule of all, rolling Katara's hair into a low bun at the back of her neck, securing it with pins, leaving two tendrils of hair flowing free in the front.

Katara pondered what she'd been told as her mother secured these tendrils to the bun in back, a style favored by many women of the Southern Tribe. She turned to face her mother on the bed, and Kya looked down with pride, smiling as every mother eventually smiles at her daughter. The smile when you no longer see a child in front of you. The smile that means she's old enough to do things on her own.

"So…everyone goes to this dinner thing?"

"Not everyone, but many. Mostly children from royal families or families in government and industry. These families have large responsibilities; they care for millions of people around the world. They want to ensure that their children are able to do as they have done. And so it's helpful if you've met before you need anything, or before you're stuck in trade negotiations."

"I guess so. I've always wanted to meet people from the other nations. Especially the Northern Tribe, I just know they've got some great Waterbending forms that I could try."

Kya collected the remnant hair accessories and placed them back in the box, avoiding her daughter's gaze. Kya knew the Northern tribe's stance on female Waterbenders, but she didn't have the heart to tell Katara. She's not sixteen yet. Let her dream a little longer. "I'm sure they do."

"I guess I just don't understand the rest of it. I mean, I've known since I was little that Dad is the Chief…and I know that means I'll eventually marry someone that you and Dad pick for me…but I'm fine with that. I trust you both. You wouldn't make me a match with someone I hated."

"Of course not. Arranged marriages don't have to mean you have no choice. When I came of age, I met many young people from many nations. I attended The Prologue for a few years, meeting everyone I could. I still have many friends from those times, and when we travel to other nations, I still stay with them. But when it came time for betrothal offers, I said I liked your father best. And here we are, years later, and I love your father with my whole heart."

Katara smiled, glad to have her mother confirm what she had always known. "But…it can't be like that for everyone, right?"

"I won't lie to you, Katara. Your father and I were both lucky to have parents that valued our opinions. But can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure."

Kya smoothed a hand over Katara's newly bunned hair, finally resting on her daughter's cheek. She leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eye as she whispered, "You're one of the lucky ones, too."

Katara smiled wide, a small giggle escaping. "Yeah. That's nice to know."

"It is indeed."

"And…I hope you don't take this the wrong way or anything, Mom. Because I'm really glad you told me and everything. I just…I don't really know if I want to go to this thing. I like the idea of meeting people, and I like to dance, but…the rest of it seems…kinda intimidating. I don't think I want to…you know…at least not yet…"

Kya nodded, though she wondered how much longer Katara's will would last. She remembered feeling much the same before she attended her first Prologue. "Well there's absolutely no rush, Katara. But if in a year's time you find your opinion changing, just know that it's alright. It's a natural thing to desire someone. It can be a beautiful thing, even if just for a little while. I quite enjoyed my trips to Ember Island as a young girl."

The faintest curiosity crossed Katara's face. "You did?"

"Remember when we had an ambassador from the Earth Kingdom stay with us? She and her husband were friends of mine from those days. And while they are now married…let's just say I knew them long before."

Kya could see the curiosity growing on her daughter's face. "Really?"

Kya's smile was small, but it had the look of a personal secret, of something just for her. She gave her daughter a quick shrug and a wink. "We were young. And it was a long time ago. But when they visited, it was a very pleasant trip, and we were able to make many agreements that improved the quality of life for people in both the Earth Kingdom and here. Who knows what might have happened if that was the first time we'd met? It can be rather beneficial to have...fond memories with someone in a place of political power."

Katara's ignorance in all things physical rendered this comment beyond her comprehension. Curiosity gone, she shivered, as though trying to shake the thought from her body. "I don't know, Mom. Seems weird to me. Boys are kinda...gross."

"Who said anything about boys?" Kya chided.

"MOM!"

Two months later, Sokka returned from Ember Island.

"How was your trip?" Katara called to her brother, causing other passengers from the ship to stare. A few laughed behind gloved hands, trying to turn it to coughs.

Sokka turned redder than the rising sun behind him, adjusting his pack higher on his shoulder. "It uh…it…uh…itwasgood."

Katara watched her brother disembark from the ship and begin the march home, with a little more speed than usual. She called after him. "Did you make any new friends?"

Sokka stumbled into the snow. Katara laughed. And as she began to trudge through the snowbanks behind her brother, she thought to herself, I wonder what I'll have to say when it's my turn.