Chapter 2: The Arrival
Location: Southern Water Tribe.
"WE'RE FINALLY HERE!" Bolin announced as he danced around the platform as Asami shook her head biting her lip, trying to not laugh.
"Honestly," Asami started as she stretched her arms. "I was beginning to think we would never get here. I know we left yesterday in the morning but still, felt like forever to get here."
Bolin smiled. "Really? I thought it was pretty fast. Then again I was just talking to a bunch of the Water Tribe shipmates and goofing with them. They are just so outgoing, humble, and funny folks, huh?"
Asami nodded. "Indeed. I was always fascinated with Water Tribe culture ever since I was a little girl. I love their customs, beliefs, and traditions. It's refreshing to be surrounded by entirely different world than the one we live in the city. "
Mako finally was walking down toward the couple a trembling a little. He told himself it was because, like his previous encounter of going to the Southern Watertribe before, he was trembling from the cold. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was only a few yards away from seeing Korra again.
"I just talked to the Water Tribe shipmates. They offered to carry our luggage for us since they are staying over night to join in for the party and the fact we are the Avatar's friends and all." Mako stated as he rubbed his neck. "Hmm…I don't remember Master Katara said where we are staying or where to go from-"
"Don't Worry! You'll be staying in the igloos huts near us!" A high pitched voice announced out of the blue.
The trio turned around to find Ikki and Jinora waving at them along with their elderly grandmother, Katara.
"BOLIN! MAKO!" The two girls exclaimed as they ran hugged Mako and Bolin. "I didn't know you all were coming! Say! Who's she? Is this Asami we heard so much about, Bolin? Is she…hehe…you know? Your girlfriend?"
Bolin gave a huge smile to the giggling girls. "She is."
Asami patted the girls heads and in return they hugged her. "It's very nice to meet Master Tenzin's lovely children."
"Oh! She's nice and pretty!" Ikki complimented as Jinora nodded in agreement.
" I assume Master Tenzin and his wife and their other two children are here too?" Mako blurted out, as he glanced at a smiling Katara.
"They are." Katara replied, as she began to wave everyone toward her direction. "Come. I shall show you were you all be staying. You must be exhausted and cold judging from the young firebender's trembling. I suggest you rest by the fire before tonight's celebration."
Katara lead the way and as she was doing so, while Bolin and Asami chuckled at a now blushing Mako, who kept his eyes narrowed and focused on the footsteps in the snow.
After a few minutes of walking, Mako was searching around the area to find Korra's face amongst the scattered people in the villages. So far, no such luck. He suddenly almost tripped on a rock and realized he wasn't looking at where he was going.
Asami, who was holding onto Bolin's arm, snickered. "Seems someone isn't thinking straight, huh?"
Mako scowled at her comment but his focused back into looking out for any signs of Korra. Once again, he was interrupted when Ikki began walking backwards in front of the firebender, with her infamous toothy grin.
"Say Mako! Why are you so quiet? Are you quiet because you looking for someone? You keep looking around for someone…Aren't you? Who are you looking for? I bet I know who! It's Korra isn't it? Huh? Huh? Huh? I'm right aren't I? Well if you want to find she's-"
Jinora immediately covered her sister's mouth and then nervously laughed as she gave her little sister a warning glare.
"Excuse us!" Jinora sweetly said as she now muttered to Ikki. "We promised not to get involved. They have to deal with the situation themselves."
' Situation? What does she mean by that?'
Mako thought as he looked at Bolin and Asami, who also raised their eyebrows as if thinking the same thing about the young Air Bending girl's comment. Before any of them could say anything, Master Katara turned and then bowed.
"This is where you three will be staying in. We anticipated your arrival and gave you this new igloo hut. It contains three rooms, a separate living room, bathroom, and kitchen room. " Master Katara said as she bowed. "I'm sorry, but from here I must leave. I must prepare to help out with tonight's festivities as well as meet with Korra as well. "
"Wow! This place looks great! " Bolin exclaimed as he gave Master Katara a friendly handshake. "Thank you very much!"
Asami bowed and gently shook her hand as well. " Thank you Master Katara."
Mako nodded and quickly bowed toward Master Katara. "Truly. It wasn't necessary to go through all this trouble We all thank you very much for your kindness."
"You all are very kind. It certainly was no trouble at all. I'm so glad you were able to make it." Katara said as she eyed Mako for a moment. "Yes. I believe Korra will be very happy to see all of you."
Mako noticed the gentle yet mysterious gleam that Katara gave to him. He didn't understand why her received that look. It was very odd to him until it hit him.
Does she mean, she will be happy to see me?" Mako thought as he felt a faint blush creeping throughout his entire face.
Master Katara smiled at the firebender's reaction and called out to her grandchildren. "Come along, girls. Let's get you two, into some dress robes."
As Jinora and Ikki began giggled in happiness and began to head out by forming an air sphere and gliding away, Master Katara turned around to face the three young adults.
"I shall summon someone to come get you and lead you towards the main grounds where the party will be held right before sunset. Until, then I hope you enjoy your stay. Oh and one more thing. "
Master Katara turned as she gently announced. "Some of you may be wondering when you will see Korra. Sadly, she has a lot in her plate right now, which is why she couldn't greet you. You three can't visit her right now either at the moment. Which is why, I arranged during the party, I requested some time for you three to be alone with Korra in a separate room."
Mako closed his eyes in mixture of both relief yet disappointment. He felt somewhat relieved that he wouldn't be seeing Korra now since he wanted some time to practice or think about what to say to her when he sees her. At the same time, he just wasn't disinclined to admit that he wants to see her now to end his mental and emotional suffering.
The elderly waterbender smiled. "That is all. Until, then I hope you enjoy your stay."
Bolin and Asami and waved while Mako stood there preoccupied with his thoughts.
"Well, since we have some time to kill, let's go inside and chow down!" Bolin suggested as he opened the door to their new home. "Ladies First."
Asami smirked. "Always the ladies man huh?"
Bolin winked at her which caused her to roll her eyes playfully and stepped inside the igloo. Mako stood there with his eyes closed and his eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.
"You coming bro?" Bolin asked he as nudged him in the elbow. Mako gave out a small smile. "Uh, Yeah. I just needed a minute."
Mako glanced up toward the sky and saw the sun as he sighed. It was mid morning in the Southern Water Tribe and was anticipating the moment when he would finally see the girl most precious to him in a matter of hours.
Few Hours Later.
"Really, and I thought women took forever in the bathroom." Asami whined as she began to look at her nails. She was wearing a glimmering charcoal gray dress and wearing an expensive thick scarlet fur coat jacket. Under her dress she wore thick black tights and wore black fur boats. She wore her hair down and added a scarlet butterfly clip on the side.
" What's taking him so long?" She added as she plopped down in the sofa next to Bolin.
Bolin, who was wearing a thick dark brown dress robe on top of his forest green suit complete with simple yet warm dark brown boots, chuckled. "He wants to look good…you know. For Korra."
Asami blinked for a moment and then broke into a huge grin. "Are you telling me, he's actually in there trying to impress someone? Mako? The one who looks down on others, is actually in there trying to look good for someone else? Oh man! He is such a loverboy at heart."
Bolin laughed. "He may come off as arrogant and tough but he's very nice and sensitive on the inside."
"Pffft? Sensitive? Are you trying to say I'm weak?"
The two turned to see Mako. He was wearing an open ebony black trench coat that swayed towards his feet. He had a simple yet elegant red collared shirt under his black vest and his black tux was buttoned towards the middle of his stomach. He had on shiny black combat boots and his overall look was complete with his signature red scarf hanging loosely around his neck. All in all, Mako simply looked elegant yet edgy at the same time.
Bolin whistled, "Look at YOU!"
"Korra will swoon when she sees you!" Asami added as she got up from the sofa.
One of Mako's eyes twitched at the whistle and compliment and he lightly blushed. "No Big deal. You guys ready?"
Bolin nodded. " You don't even know how psyched I am for this party!"
"Not as excited as Mako I can tell you that much!" Asami pointed out as she snickered as Mako rolled his eyes at the secretly true statement.
When they opened the door, a young Water Tribe woman bowed to the three.
"Are Avatar Korra's friends ready?" She asked shyly.
Bolin gave a gentle look at the tense woman. "We are! Would you kindly lead the way?"
The woman nodded as she led the trio to the main grounds. The sight of the entrance can only be described as magical. The sun was setting and the huge wall was covered in elegant ice carving patterns and the sky began to twinkle and reflect on the icy wall as if fireflies were glimmering off the walls.
The guards looked down and the young woman made a hand gesture and took out a blue card with a symbol. The guard nodded and opened the huge dark blue door gets and she lead the three again inside.
The entire area on the inside was like some kind of fairytale ice wonderland. There was thin veil of ice surrounding the entire place to keep out snow and a cold breeze from falling into the area. There were ice sculptures everywhere of every water tribe animal they could think of. There were blue tables all around, mini water fountains made from ice. The sun now was gone and the moon came into view. The whole area glimmered and glowed as now the area became somewhat misty.
Music now was starting to play and villagers, both young to old, began to dance around in laughter. There was a group both on the left and right side of the huge area, preparing and serving food to everyone. There was even a group of Water bender's performing a water show as well.
Bolin stared at everything and smiled. "I don't know where to start!"
"I do!" Asami stated as she yanked Bolin towards the dance floor.
Mako lightly chuckled at his brother and Asami went towards the dancing area. He walked around for a bit, gazing at the entire place. As his eyes went up toward an area, he heard a pair of giggling girls. He turned to find Jinora and Ikki dressed in pretty yellow dress coats and thick silky dress.
He gave the sister pair a small smile. "Hello again. You two look very pretty."
Ikki squealed while jumping up and down while Jinora bowed and lightly blushed. "Thank you. Mako? Where are Bolin and Asami?"
Mako pointed them out in the middle of the dance floor. They were easily spotted not only because of their non-blue outfits but the fact that everyone was surrounding them to watch them dance.
"They certainly love the spotlight huh?" Ikki commented as Jinora laughed.
Mako shook his head. "You have no idea."
Jinora smiled widely at him. "Well you better get them."
Mako raised his eyebrows. "Why? You want to steal a dance with Bolin?"
Ikki giggled as she run and shouted. "I wish. But sadly no. I'll go get Bolin and Asami now okay, sis?"
"Alright Ikki! Hurry!" Jinora waved at her little sister.
Mako tilted his head in confusion. "Why do you need us?"
"Hey Bro! Little Ikki practically airbend us away from the dance platform to meet up with you." Bolin exclaimed as he patted Ikki's head with one hand and holding Asami's hand on the other.
"We have been sent my Gram-Gram to gather you three. " Jinora announced as she grabbed Mako's hand. "It's time for you all to see Korra."
Mako suddenly was in a state of hidden panic. This was it…After one long year…He was finally going to see Korra
"Oh!" Asami whispered and gave sly grin towards Mako. "Then lead the way!"
Mako closed his eyes for a couple of seconds as he left Jinora to drag him. After a few minutes, and walked behind inside hall deep within the area, they saw Master Katara closing the door behind her. She saw the three and smiled.
"Good work girls." Katara praised as she they ran to hug her.
Mako was the first to take a step forward to Master Katara and stammered. "Is…er…What I mean to say-ask…that is-"
"Korra is in there." Katara replied gently. "She doesn't know you're all here."
The three teens gave a confused look and in unison asked. "What?"
Master Katara sighed sadly. "I should warn you all…Ever since Korra came back home, she has experienced a lot of changes you can say. Because of bringing peace to Republic City and giving the Southern Water Tribe a good name, she has been treated like a royal here. She is considered and holds the title of not just Avatar Korra, but now Princess Korra of the Southern Water tribe."
Mako eyes widened at the news, Asami blinked a few times, and Bolin's jaw dropped. "No…way!"
Katara laughed. "Yes. Well, it was shocking to her too. But it was about time someone besides The White Lotus members and myself looked after the tribe. Since our royal family died a few decades ago due to the fire nation attacking our villages, we only had tribe leaders. Ever since our sister tribe, "The Northern Water tribe, came here to help us rebuild our home seventy years ago, our tribe now has a fair amount of people and wish to see another Royal family to rein the Southern Water Tribe again. The people of our tribe have chosen Korra and her family to become the royal family."
The three stood silent as Katara continued. "She has been practicing the ways of becoming a princess and how to run the tribe….I admit, she has been feeling incredibly lonely despite her denials. I thought it would be a wonderful surprise if she so her old friends and hopefully that will lift her spirits."
Mako frowned a little. 'So now….Apart from being the Avatar, she's now a princess….No wonder she hasn't written to me back. She has no time to visit let alone write to me. Then again…Master Katara said she was lonely…but if she was how come she never visi-
The firebender's thoughts were interrupted as Bolin shook his head. "Of course! I understand! Poor Korra…She's been feeling lonely? Why hasn't she come visit or write to us?"
Master Katara frowned. "She was busy and found herself not being able to do a lot of things that she wants too lately. She sacrificed a lot for our people and I think she needs a little reminder that she is still young and should enjoy life."
Asami gave a gentle look. "I see…Well, we are here now and we promise to make our stay one she'll never forget!"
Katara turned to a silent Mako. "Are you ready to see her?"
This question wasn't clearly meant for everyone but for Mako alone. He glanced at his brother and Asami. They gave him an assuring nod and he closed his eyes.
"Yes. We are." He whispered.
Master Katara smiled. "Very well then. Come now girls, Gram-Gram wants to see if your father is dancing with Pema. If he is, let's tease him about it!"
Ikki laughed as she yanked her grandmother towards the hall. "Yeah! Daddy Let's go!"
Jinora followed behind and gave a thumbs up sign to Mako. "Good luck."
Mako took a deep breath and touched the door for a moment. He knocked three times and waited patiently.
You may come in. " Korra's voice responded almost in a odd gloomy tune.
He stepped inside first, with Bolin and Asami following closely behind.
Ending Note: CLIFFHANGER! XD Thank you all for the comments on this story! I didn't expect there to be 5 already ^^
LMAO you all must hate me for the cliff hanger huh?
Sorry about their outfits descriptions. I think they kinda suck but I'm not sure what would be in style for Artic Fashion.
Hope you enjoy and stay tuned.