EXT. SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE – MORNING
The Southern Water Tribe, once a small tribe, now looks to be a growing and up incoming place. The town is still speckled with small igloos and tribal ornaments but there are many more homes and construction on an official looking shipyard is looking quite impressive. The men are busy building boats, waterbending great pieces of ice into place for the port or coming back with large catches of fish. The women are seen cleaning and cooking fish and swooning over newborn babies or new found husbands. Everyone looks to have taken their happy pills; everyone but KATARA.
Katara is empty handed, walking home to her grandmother's igloo. Kids run by in play and girls her own age gossip to friends without paying Katara any mind. A child falls near where Katara is walking and he begins to CRY. Seeing he has skinned the palms of his hands, Katara moves to heal his scratches, only, before she gets to him, his mother appears. She heals him, kisses his head and they continue on their merry way. Waterbending is now commonplace in the Southern Water Tribe.
Katara enters Kanna's igloo which has dramatically improved since her humble beginnings. There are now ice windows, beautiful woven rugs, blankets and a fire pit. As Katara enters, KANNA turns from cutting up fish and veggies to greet her.
KANNA: Home so soon? Try the soup. I'm afraid with all these new spices coming from the earth kingdom, I'm tempted to make everything too flavorful.
Katara waterbends the soup into her mouth then smiles warmly at Kanna.
KATARA: It's delicious Gran Gran.
Kanna, pleased, returns to the stove.
KATARA: (to self) But it no longer tastes like home.
KANNA: Why are you not out helping your grandfather and father in the shipyard today? They are always boasting of your skill on the docks.
KATARA: Yes... but they don't need me.
KANNA: You should still go Katara. Not all the men are spoken for. Perhaps you will meet someone.
KATARA: (a bit upset) I have met someone, Gran Gran!
Kanna, surprised by Katara's tone turns her attention away from the soup to her granddaughter once again.
KATARA: (embarrassed) I'm sorry, it's just... Aang's been gone a while. And I've been here... alone.
KANNA: (attention back to soup) Nonsense! You are home.
KATARA: (whispers) Not the home I remember...
KANNA: (not hearing Katara) Here. I need these ingredients before your father and Paku come home.
Kanna hands Katara a thin piece of leather with the list scribbled on it.
KANNA: Now don't be long!
Katara reluctantly gets up and without a word heads out with the list in hand.