Two figures shivered under the dim lights of the South Pole Airport, looking inside at the empty ticket counters. Snowflakes fell through the early morning sky, the sun barely peeking over the ocean horizon.
"Well little sis, are you nervous?" Sokka asked, pulling his neck warmer up slightly.
Katara turned her face back towards him, flashing a wide grin back at her brother before saying, "Actually, Sokka, I'm more excited than anything. I still can't believe they chose me for the externship program at the biggest zoo in Ba Sing Se, and probably the entire Four Nations at that!"
Sokka returned her smile, before adopting a more serious tone. "Well, I'm happy and proud of you little sister. But listen here, stay away from those Earth Benders! They're all jerks, Katara! Big, dumb, rock -throwing jerks!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air for emphasis.
Katara laughed at her wild eyed brother, before mussing up the wolf-tail he wore his hair in. "Sokka, you think every guy who even breathes in my direction is a jerk," she chuckled.
Sokka turned his nose up, crossing his arms and giving her a big hmmph! "That's because they are!" he stated, indignant that his baby sister was ignoring his sage advice. This was met with another laugh from Katara.
"Okay, Sokka. I'll stay away from those "big dumb rock-tossers". Give me a hug, I've got a plane to catch!"
"It's rock-throwers, Katara! And okay, come here," he grumbled, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you so much," he whispered. Uh oh, Katara felt the tears coming on. She sniffled as she clung to her brother's parka.
"I'm gonna miss you too," she murmured before pulling away. Grabbing her bags, she waved and said, "Give Gran Gran and dad and big hug for me! Call, text, write, anything, anytime. I love you." She hurried inside out of the cold, watching her brother's old truck drive away. Letting out a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and started walking towards her gate.
"Last call for flight 732, heading to Ba Sing Se," an overhead voice rang.
Shit, she thought. Katara took off running towards the gate, shouting, "Wait!" Out of breath, ticket in hand, she stopped with a huff in front of the attendant.
"Just in time Miss… Snow," the stewardess smiled at her, taking her ticket. "Enjoy your flight!"
"Thank you," Katara breathed, hurrying down onto the plane. She found herself seated next to a younger married couple. Stuffing her thick fur parka into the overhead, she plopped down into her seat. Glancing over, she noticed the man had a giant blue arrow tattooed on his bald head. He turned and caught her staring, and Katara quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I've just never seen an Air Bender before," she admitted sheepishly.
"That's alright!" the young man laughed, "I get it all the time. The Air Benders are still a very private people, even in these modern times. Most don't stray far from the ancient air temples. Anyway, my name is Aang, and this is my wife, Toph," he gestured to a petite woman with black hair beside him. Katara smiled pleasantly at the two.
The small woman spoke up, saying, "If it makes you feel any better, I've never seen an Air Bender either." She had a smirk playing on her lips.
Aang burst into laughter, Toph soon following. Katara's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand the joke," Katara told them. The couple took a moment to collect themselves, before Aang managed to speak.
"Oh, excuse us, my wife is blind," he said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, giggling to himself again. "She loves to joke about it."
Katara's jaw dropped, before she stammered out, "O-oh, I'm so sorry to hear that!"
Toph turned to her, milky eyes staring ahead blankly. "Listen, Sugar Queen, I don't need any pity. I can see just fine using my bending," she explained.
"Wow, really? That's amazing! Sometimes I feel like I can feel things more clearly when I'm near the water, but I guess that's not exactly the same thing," Katara admitted.
"Yeah, not really," came Toph's response, followed by a shrug, "but oh well!"
"Anyway, are you heading to Ba Sing Se directly, or just a connecting flight? Business trip, or pleasure?" Aang asked.
Katara let out a breath of air before answering, "A bit of both, I suppose. I accepted a position for a vet med externship at the Ba Sing Se Animal Reserve."
Aang's eyes lit up as he looked excitedly at Toph before turning back to Katara. "You must be Katara!" he said happily, an ear to ear grin appearing on his face.
Raising an eyebrow, Katara responded suspiciously, "Um, yes? How did you know my name?"
Grin unwavering, Aang replied, "Well, Toph and I created that sanctuary together!"
Katara's jaw dropped… again. "Seriously?! Oh my… I can't believe I ended up seated next to me future bosses," she gushed.
Toph's voice piped in with, "Hey now, Sweetness, watch the 'b' word. Aang and I treat it more like a family than a business. Just consider us your new friends and colleagues!"
"Well, I'm very excited to do my externship there," Katara said, smiling broadly at the two.
"We're excited to have you, Katara," Aang said, returning her smile before turning to his wife once more. Katara took this as a cue to put her headphones in and get some rest.
Katara had done plenty of research on the reserve before coming, but she was still blown away when she arrived. It was massive, with beautiful, clean exhibits, and so many species of animals. She even saw some Penguin-Otters from her nation in a polar habitat, waddling and playing about. She met a very nice keeper, her age too, named Song, who showed her to the room she'd be staying in for the year. It wasn't much, but it was enough for her.
"You can even have a pet, too, if you want," Song told her as she helped Katara unpack.
"Really? That would be nice to have some company. Are there any pet shops or rescues around here?" she asked, smoothing out her comforter onto her new bed.
Song nodded, standing up straight from the bag she'd just put down. "Yes, there's a few nearby here. I can show you around tomorrow, and then maybe we could go out for a night on the town! It's been awhile since I've gotten out, might as well show you around a bit."
Katara smiled, "Sure, I'd really like that. If you don't mind though, I think I'd better get some rest. This time change really took it out of me," she admitted. Song nodded in understanding.
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow morning to show you around the reserve and introduce you to the head veterinarian you'll be working with. After that, we can head out into the city," Song said, before saying her goodnight's and heading out the door. Katara flopped down onto her bed and fell asleep quickly, dreaming of home and Gran Gran's sea prune stew.