Written after watching Episodes 1 and 2, "Welcome to Republic City" and "A Leaf in the Wind."
Traditionally, the Avatar was informed of their identity when they turned sixteen. This allowed the individual to master his or her own element and have a fairly normal childhood.
This only worked when the Avatar grew up unaware of their once-in-a-generation abilities. That was not the case for Korra, who discovered at the age of four that she could bend earth and fire as well as water.
When the White Lotus came and saw that she was already tapping into her powers, they had no choice but to expedite her training. An untrained bender could be an unsafe bender, especially if she was aggressive and eager to use her abilities. It would be safer for Korra, and for everyone who knew her, if she learned how to control her bending.
The White Lotus members were cautious and careful about Korra's upbringing, which they controlled just as much as her parents did (if not more so). They all were somewhat afraid of her. And maybe they were right to be. Fear is, in a way, a form of respect. They appreciated the magnitude of her powers. No one could deny her strength or skill. But they did worry about "the spiritual side" of being the Avatar.
They urged her to be patient, but they allowed her to embrace her powers and hone her talents. As long as she was allowed to do that, she was satisfied with her training. Korra put up with the White Lotus as much as they put up with her.
Katara was the only one of the White Lotus who understood Korra both as the Avatar and as a person.
They saw each other less often after Korra finished her waterbending training. When they occasionally talked to each other, Korra would tell her about her progress in bending, but Katara would then ask questions about her home life. Did she get along with her parents? She was interested in Naga, the polar bear-dog that was Korra's animal guide.
Korra had to stop and think when Katara asked, "What do you like to do in your free time?" Most of her time was consumed with bending; it was the thing she enjoyed the most. Besides that, she didn't have any pastimes that counted as hobbies. She had learned some things about how to survive in the South Pole: how to build a canoe, row, hunt, catch fish, make clothes and decorations.
"I like history, and listening to stories," Korra said finally. She finally eased into the topic of Avatar Aang – Katara's late husband, and Korra's previous incarnation. As it turned out, Katara wasn't shy about speaking of him; she'd already had years to move on from his death, and accept his presence in Korra. She enjoyed telling the girl of her friends' old adventures, some of which she hadn't thought of in years.
Korra was glad to know someone who had known the previous Avatar.
Katara counted herself very lucky to have lived long enough to meet the next Avatar.
Since the day Korra was born, Katara tried not to have any expectations for what she would be like as a person. She didn't hope that the girl would be like Aang. She knew the Avatar was different in each incarnation, and that they could have different personalities, values, and beliefs.
Korra was a little bit like Sokka, wanting to prove herself as a warrior. She was determined and had all the right intentions, though sometimes she ended up making a fool of herself; but when she did, she kept trying and eventually figured something out. Even Korra's unique hairstyle seemed like a cross between Sokka's "warrior's wolf tail" and Katara's "hair loopies."
Katara didn't like to compare Korra to Jet; but the fact was, they were both hot-headed and righteous. (Katara hoped that those qualities wouldn't get Korra into trouble in the future.) Zuko had been like that too, and Korra certainly had his drive and determination, and desire to find and fulfill one's own destiny.
It was inevitable that Korra would remind her of Aang, but it happened in a rather unexpected way. Aang had run away in an attempt to escape his Avatar duties; Korra tried to run away to embrace them. They were both, Katara supposed, free spirits; she had seen this when she saw Korra ride Naga.
Korra also reminded Katara of herself as a teenager. When she found the Avatar about to leave, she thought this must have been how her own grandmother, Kanna, had felt when she said good-bye to her and Sokka. She wouldn't try to stop the girl, because she understood the journey she had to take. She wished her luck and let her go.
Katara thought that Korra and Tenzin were more alike than either of them realized. They both showed part of the nature of their opposite element: Tenzin was more serious than most airbenders, and Korra was as aggressive and forceful as a firebender.
When Tenzin wrote to Katara and told her that Korra had snuck out to watch and participate in Pro-Bending, Katara laughed and cried a little too. She was just like Toph, sneaking out to fight in Earth Rumble VI.
She couldn't deny that she missed her old friends. They would be just as proud as she was of Avatar Korra.
