Just a quick author's note about last chapter: I had mixed feelings about how to write the chapter but landed on the direction that I wrote it in because I think it's the most realistic path to take. I think the overarching theme of this story is that there are ripples or consequences (both good and bad) to every decision that a person makes. I think this applies to life as well so the way I'm writing this story is from a realistic standpoint of view. Aang and Katara, after being separated for a period, will inevitably not immediately re-connect. There has to be a healing process and Aang has made new friends and has new family members because that's just the kind of person Aang is. Understandably, people around him who know what he went through will want to protect Aang because he is open to forgiveness (to a point of self-sacrifice). This can clearly be seen throughout the show and I want to have a healthy balance of Aang being forgiving and the people around him reiterating caution. Have hope! Give me time to flesh this all out. Honestly, I write chapter by chapter, so this story is all about the process. Thanks for reading! Onto the next chapter!
Katara had nearly dragged her brother out of their house towards the main hall of the Northern Water Tribe for dinner in the hopes that Aang would be there early as well. Her hopes were quickly dashed when she realized that the main guests of honor would only arrive after all others had been seated. So, she patiently waited, seated by her brother for an opportunity to see Aang. She had hoped that she would get an opportunity to talk to him more but the formalities that encompassed a Northern Water Tribe dinner seemed to oppose that hope wholeheartedly.
"Stop staring at the doorway Katara, not everyone has arrived yet." Sokka quietly told her.
Katara rolled her eyes: "I know but why does he have to be the last person to arrive?"
Sokka sighed: "Because he's the Avatar and being the Avatar comes with a lot of formalities. Be patient you'll get your chance tonight." Sokka finished while leaning back and stretching.
Just then Katara looked back over at the doorway and noticed that Yianna entered the hall and began walking towards the main table at the front of the dining hall. She looked beautiful in her Water Tribe formalwear and it sent a pang of jealousy into the pit of her stomach. She quickly shook the feeling off and scolded herself. They're just friends. Katara told herself but it didn't make her feel any better. Deep down she still regretted leaving Aang the way she did. How had he struggled? How had he grown? From the singular story that he shared; she was sure he had gone through a lot while he was separated from them. She promised herself it would be the last time they would be apart. She would support him through the remainder of the war. He needed them and she needed him.
"Hey, you're brooding again Katara." Sokka said, pulling her from her line of thinking.
"I was just thinking about how much we've missed." Katara said honestly.
Sokka nodded at this: "Well it looked like Aang was willing to share his experiences freely with us before, but I think Yianna is less willing to forgive."
"Can you blame her?" Hakoda interrupted. "She's only seen how what has happened effected Aang. She seems fiercely protective of him, so it comes as no surprise that her reaction to the source of his hurt would be skeptical at best." Hakoda finished.
Just then, the doorway opened again to reveal chief Arnook and Yue entering the hall to cheers and applause.
Sokka sat up straight when he saw Yue enter the room. Katara noticed that Yue glanced in Sokka's direction and smiled at him. Katara smirked a little at this as she saw her brother melt at her small gesture.
When Chief Arnook reached the main table and Yue sat to his right, Arnook raised his hand to silence all those in the hall. "Hold your applause for someone who truly deserves it, we have been blessed with the presence of the Avatar during these challenging times!"
At this, the room erupted in applause again as the Avatar and Toph entered the room. Katara couldn't stop staring. He looked so different in his casualwear. He was in a light orange flowing robe that was accented by a yellow shirt underneath and dark orange belt around his waist. The outfit was finished off with what appeared to be a circular beaded necklace with the air nomad symbol on it. The outfit looked comfortable yet still stately at the same time. She had never seen Aang like this. He has grown up so much.
"Man, that kid has really filled out." Sokka said as he felt his own arms through his heavy jacket.
"You've said that a million times already today Sokka!" Katara scolded him as she gave him a swat on the arm, turning her attention back to the main table as Aang sat to the left of Arnook. Yianna sat directly to the left of him and Toph finished out the end of the table.
Chief Arnook began to speak again: "I offer prayers to the moon and ocean spirits tonight in both thanks for the past and prayers for our future. May they guide and protect us in the challenges we must face in the coming days. Just as the tides push and pull, we must remain malleable to the changing circumstances we may face. Tonight, we celebrate our past and tomorrow we look to our future!" Arnook finished as he gestured at the Avatar.
Applause grew once again for the young Avatar as he averted his eyes from the crowd. Katara noticed the way Yianna's hand rested on his shoulder in support. They mouthed something to one another and Aang looked back at the crowd again and raised his hand in thanks. He stood and spoke: "I fear that though this invasion may have been inevitable one day, that it may have come sooner because of me. I was absent from this world for 100 years, but not anymore. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you in the upcoming battle. We will survive this, and the Northern Water Tribe will continue to thrive as a result! The Water Tribe may be malleable, but it does not break under pressure!" Aang finished.
Chief Arnook continued: "Tomorrow morning, the Avatar and our own water Tribe warrior Yianna will go on a dangerous mission to mitigate the Fire Navy's strength by targeting their remaining trebuchets and landing boats that they intend to use to soften up our wall and ram through. Their mission will be dangerous; thus, they have opted to go alone to reduce the number of potential casualties on our side. This plan was made in conjunction with our Southern Water Tribe guests and I believe that it will be successful." Arnook finished as he gestured towards Hakoda.
Katara looked at her father betrayed that he didn't tell her of this dangerous plan that Aang was about to undergo, further that it was crafted and approved by him!
Katara turned back to look at Aang as he stood again at Arnooks command, Yianna as well. "Come receive my mark for the task that lays ahead of you." Both Aang and Yianna stood facing Chief Arnook, bowing slightly, receiving the chief's mark and blessing before returning to their seats. "Now let us feast tonight on the blessings of our past as we pray for the hope of our future!"
At this, the hall began to serve themselves food that was placed in front of them. The food looked delicious but Katara couldn't bear to eat any of it. Just as she was reunited with Aang, she faced the risk of being separated from him again and it twisted her stomach in knots as a result.
Aang's perspective:
The entire dinner placed Aang at the forefront of attention which was something Aang never particularly enjoyed. After the presentation and speech, it seemed to calm down to nothing more than good conversation and food which relaxed Aang greatly. The Northern Water Tribe was nice enough to gather vegetarian options for him to eat tonight which was thoughtful of them. As he ate his rice and seaweed, he seemed almost lost in his thoughts until Yianna pulled him out of them.
"So, what's on your mind?" Yianna started as she ate her arctic hen.
Aang sighed, not very much got past Yianna he noticed. "I guess I'm just not used to all of the attention and if I'm honest with myself, I'm a bit worried by what's going to happen."
Yianna smiled at his honesty: "Don't worry so much, I got your back. Nothing is going to happen."
Aang put down his utensil and looked directly at Yianna with a serious look on his face: "If things get harry or I go down tomorrow, get out of there. Do not put yourself at risk to get me. Period."
Yianna's mouth went agape at this and she dropped her utensil: "I… You… How could you expect me to agree to that?"
Aang knew what her response was going to be before he even asked of his request: "Yianna you know I will do my best to protect both you and myself, but I don't want you to take any unnecessary risks on my behalf."
Yianna shook her head this: "You know I can't agree to that and you know I WILL take risks to protect you and there is NOTHING that you can say that will change my mind. So, you better just accept it and drop it mister Avatar." Yianna finished, hoping to add a small tease at the end to lighten the mood.
Aang just shook his head and sighed: "Well it was worth a shot at least."
"Well you should have just assumed that wasn't ever going to happen in the first place." Yianna said as she began to eat again.
"I heard that to Aang." Toph began: "and you better come back otherwise I'll find you in the spirit world and beat you to a pulp myself."
Aang knew that Toph wasn't joking and just gulped in response but grinned at a thought that popped into his head: "Well you can't bend in the spirit world Toph".
At this Toph shrugged and stood up, walking over to Aang. Aang turned slightly but was immediately punched in the shoulder: "Hey, what was that for!"
Both Toph and Yianna laughed at his response.
"Looks like I can still beat you without bending twinkle toes." Toph finished as she sat back at her seat.
Aang just rubbed his shoulder in response but smiled at their reactions regardless.
The remainder of the dinner went mostly without a hitch, dissolving into relaxed conversation between Chief Arnook, Yue, Aang, and Yianna. Most questions revolved around the Air Nomads and what the Northern Water Tribe was like 100 years ago. It was fascinating for them to hear about Aang's people and culture, finding some similarities between the Water Tribe and the Air Nomads of old. Their genuine interest to learn about his culture brought a smile to Aang's face but also reminded him of the people he missed and the enormous responsibility that was on Aang's shoulders to keep their memories alive.
At the end of the meal, Aang, Toph, and Yianna retired relatively early. Aang and Yianna because they needed their rest for the early start that they would have the following morning; Toph because she hated dinners. It was all still almost like a dream to Aang. Being in the Northern Water Tribe, learning Water Bending, and preparing to fight an all-out invasion.
This was much to Katara's dismay as she saw them exit the room through the doors that they came in. She got up to follow them, hoping to be able to talk with Aang more this evening.
As Toph, Yianna, and Aang walked back to their respective rooms, all was quiet. Some due to the heavy weight of tomorrow weighing them down while others not really knowing the right thing to say. Aang was deep in thought but was snapped back into reality as he heard Yianna call his name: "Get some sleep Aang, I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning… And don't worry so much, we got this." Yianna finished with a smile as she turned towards her room. Toph just punched his shoulder: "You got this twinkle toes. I'll be in the oasis tomorrow if you need me." With that they both turned down the corridor towards their respective rooms.
Aang began walking towards his own room but quickly diverted to the courtyard to clear his mind before he could sleep. Waterbending will help relax me. Aang thought as he made his way there.
Thanks for reading! One more conversation before the battle begins!