Tenzin had been a bit more stressed than normal, between his duties to the council and training Korra now he had to add his brother into the mix.
"Is it too late for you to unretire from the United Forces?" He asked his brother.
"The paperwork's gone through, little brother. From now on, it's 24/7 Bumi time!"
Bumi smirks pinching his brother's cheek. Tenzin shook off Bumi walking over to Korra.
"You've mastered Korra style airbending, now you need to master real airbending. Hopefully, our visit to all the air temples will give you the inspiration you need to look more deeply into your studies."
"Can we see where Grandpa Aang was born?" Ikki excitedly asked
"How many lemurs can I have?" Meelo asked
"I wanna get tattoos! But instead of arrows, I want lightning bolts!" Ikki said
"You can't get lightning bolts. That doesn't make any sense," Jinora said
"You don't make any sense!" Ikki shouted
"Fight, fight, fight!" Meelo started to chant
The two sisters glared at each other, foreheads pressed against one another.
Tenzin stepped in separating his daughters. "No one's fighting! We're going to have a wonderful time!"
The exhausted man let out a sigh calming down.
"Now that the president is in office and I'm not needed on the council, I can finally relax with my family and give Korra the attention she needs."
"Great, more attention," Korra said, shoulders sagging.
"Hah! Relax. I'd pay money to see that. Maybe I'll tag along just to see Vacation Tenzin," Bumi said
"You're not invited," Tenzin said
Korra faced the children getting at their level.
"Before we go on your dad's study trip, we're gonna have some real fun in my hometown at the Glacier Spirits Festival. They've got rides, games, and all kinds of fried food on sticks."
"Yay!"
As the kids cheer making circles around their father the man bore a defeated look. He closed his eyes with a frown forming on his lips before his brother wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"Yep. There's Vacation Tenzin. And you can't stop me from going to the festival, Mom already invited me."
"I'm going too!"
Nearly everyone jumped and looked to see Chai. The Princess standing right next to Tenzin and Bumi, having magically appeared from what seemed like thin air.
"When did you get here?" Korra asked
"Oh I've been standing over there for a while," Chai spoke pointing just a few feet away.
"Daughter!" Bumi cheered
"Father!" Chai cheered
They ran to one another and Bumi picked up his daughter, the young lady laughing as she wrapped her legs around him, the two were full of laughter as they spun around. Bumi lost his footing and fell back landing on the grass. The two paused a bit jolted from the fall before they started laughing again.
"What's this about you coming?" Tenzin questioned
Chai stood up along with her father, dusting off her clothes.
"Gram-Gram Katara asked me to come. Plus I shall be the representative of the royal family of the fire nation," Chai said
"Aw, look at my little important figurehead," Bumi cooed while pinching Chai's cheek.
"Chai!"
Everyone looked back to see Pema calling out.
"Your Grandmother is on the line for you."
Chai gasped with a look of fear on her face. "She knows…"
"What did you do?" Bumi asked
"I may have...somewhat...accidentally destroyed another dress," Chai said, playing with her fingers.
"Another one? How many does that make?" Bumi asked
"I stopped counting after 5," Chai said
"What happened to it?" Korra asked
"The poor garment was simply a causality during a battle for justice. Its sacrifice was not in vain. It's now mere dust in the wind," Chai said poetically.
"You burned it didn't you?" Korra said with a playful smirk.
"Yes. But not on purpose, someone else did it. I would never purposely destroy a dress that someone worked so hard to create," Chai said
"How do you keep burning dresses? You can't even firebend?" Bumi said
"Guess I'm just lucky like that," Chai said
The very next day the trip to the South Pole was underway. Korra and Mako had found a nice secluded spot and were resting against Naga as the two chatted and caught up.
Mako was talking enthusiastically as he told Korra about his latest bust.
"So I walk up and say: 'Looks like you had some car trouble. Good thing the police are here.'"
Korra laughed before giving Mako an amused smirk. "Did you write that beforehand?"
"Yeah! I had a few others." Mako reached into his jacket pulling out a piece of paper. "Let's see, uh, 'Looks like you guys should put more 'try' in triad'", huh? Or, 'when you get to jail, tell 'em Mako sent ya'."
"Ooh, I like that one," Korra said
"Okay, I'll use that next time. Beifong says if I keep it up, I could make detective soon," Mako said
"That sounds so fun. All I do is train all day. It's like Tenzin's totally forgotten how I beat Amon," Korra said
"Tenzin's just trying to help you become the best Avatar you can be," Mako said
Korra pulled away from Mako. "Of course you'd take his side!"
"I'm not taking his side, I'm just-"
"I'm gonna take a walk." Korra stood up and walked off.
Mako sighed leaning back. "Why is it so much easier to bust triads than it is to get through one conversation with my girlfriend?"
"Cause relationships are hard and Korra's hardheaded."
Mako sat up quickly and looked around but found the area, safe for himself, empty. He had recognized the voice and kept looking around wondering where in the world a certain sun-haired Princess was hiding.
"...Chai?" Mako asked apprehensively.
"Yes! It is I-"
Mako jumped when Chai suddenly appeared, hanging upside down from the awning roof over him.
"-Chai!"
"What are you doing!? Get down before you fall!" Mako said
"Okay! Okay, calm down."
Chai's head disappears only to be replaced by her feet. She swings herself in landing next to Mako.
"Evening Mako," Chai greeted
"Why were you on the roof? What if you had fallen off and gotten hurt?" Mako said
"First off don't worry, I wasn't going to fall. Even if I did I've got a safety line."
Chai gestured to her belt showing a rope with a heavy magnet on it.
"Safety first. But your worry makes me happy, thank you."
"Why were you up there?" Mako asked again
"Duh, it's the best place to get the freshest air. I also like the feeling of the breeze hitting my face."
"You are so odd," Mako said
"And whoever said that was a bad thing?" Chai said
"Why are you spying on Korra and me?" Mako asked
"I wasn't spying. I was up there way before you two showed up. Also, your voices carry," Chai said
Mako just sighed then sat back down. Chai gave him a look before joining him.
"Wanna talk?" Chai asked
"No, maybe…" Mako said
"Listen I'm not one to give relationship advice, seeing as I've never been in one before-"
"Wait you've never dated anyone before?" Mako asked
"No," Chai said
"How have you not dated. I mean your-"
Mako stopped talking, almost biting his tongue at what he was about to say.
"I'm what?" Chai asked with general confusion.
"Your...You're…" Mako awkwardly rubbed the back of his head looking elsewhere. "You're a fine young lady that any guy would apprentice." He tensely said
"Aww thank you," Chai said, gently giving Mako's shoulder a friendly punch. "I've had many suitors but…"
"But what?" Mako asked
"Well between my studies, training, the traveling and diplomatic princessy stuff, my time is limited. But also I've accepted the fact that the man who I end up with will be the next fire lord, and while I'll be in charge he will have a significant amount of power. I have to choose carefully on the man I want to be with, but…" Chai pulled her knees up, burying her chin in her legs. "It's hard. It's hard to tell who genuinely has interest in me and who just has interest in my power. I want what's best from my people but I also want to find happiness too."
The two were quiet, Mako looking at Chai with a frown. It was just a small glimpse, but he now realized some of the real pressure Chai faced. She didn't show it with her constant bright smiles and upbeat attitude, but she had a lot on her plate.
Chai finally looked at Mako. "Sorry. Here I am trying to help you and I started talking about me. I told you I was bad at giving relationship advice."
She gave Mako a smile, but the firebender was quick to notice it didn't reach her eyes.
He was quiet for a moment before he opened his mouth.
"Yeah you are terrible at it," Mako said with a smile.
"Hey! I tried," Chai said
"Something tells me it wasn't one of your best efforts," Mako said
"Now you're just being mean," Chai said with a pout.
Mako chuckled looking out to the ocean.
"Hey, you just laughed," Chai said
"Yeah, so?" Mako said
"It looks good on you," Chai said
"Huh?" Mako said
"Laughing looks good on you, you should do it more often," Chai said
Mako opened his mouth but then closed it at loss for words.
"Yeah you look so serious all the time for a while I thought your face was stuck in a permanent scowl," Chai said
"I do not," Mako said
"You so do. You're doing it right now!" Chai laughed
Mako's face softened a bit seeing Chai's smile, the real one.
The large ship finally pulled up to the docks, its arrival in the South Pole an exciting moment. Chai bounced on the balls of her feet, wrapped in a black fur-lined red winter coat. She wasn't the only one excited as her cousin's eyes were alight, smiles on their faces. The moment the ramp was lowered Ikki, Jinora, and Meelo were the first ones off.
A crowd of people had gathered at the docks and standing towards the front was Kya and Katara.
"Gran-Gran!"
The children all happily shouted going to hug their grandmother.
"Oh, you've all gotten so big," Katara said
"We missed you, Aunt Kya," Jinora said
"Ohh, I missed you, too. Your father doesn't bring you to visit nearly enough. He's probably scared I'll beat him up-"
Kya smirked, punching her brother's shoulder.
"-like when we were kids."
"I'm not scared of you...anymore," Tenzin said timidly as he rubbed his arm.
"Aunt Kya!" Chai shouted
She came barreling down the ramp running at the woman going in for one of her famous tackling hugs. Kya swiped her hand up and the snow beneath Chai turned to water shooting up and ensnaring Chai. The young girl was quickly frozen in place, ice all the way up to her waist.
Kya smirked, crossing her arms, "Nice try kid."
Chai's eyes narrowed in determination. "I will get you one-day Aunt Kya."
Korra's parents Tonraq and Senna came up, the father hugging his daughter tightly. Mako walks over joining the little group.
"You remember Mako," Korra said to her dad.
Mako held his hand out to Tonraq, "Sir."
Instead of returning the gesture, Tonraq crosses his arms glaring down at the boy.
"I hope you're not getting my daughter into any more trouble up in the city."
"Uh...No...uh...I...No," Mako stuttered
"Knock it off, Dad," Korra said
Tonraq's serious nature breaks, and he laughs, shaking Mako's hand.
Bolin stepped off the ship awing at all the people that had gathered.
"Wow! Look at all these people that came out to greet us."
"Uh, no. They came to greet them."
Korra pointed out to the water to a large ornate Water Tribe ship that was approaching. The ship docked on the other side of the pier and the crowd started to clap and cheer. Tonraq looked less than happy to see the ship speaking in a sarcastic sardonic manner.
"The great chief of the Northern Water Tribe comes to grace us with his presence. Hooray."
Senna places a calming hand on Tonraq's arm.
"Just relax Tonraq, he'll be gone soon enough."
Tonraq let out a sigh but there was a gruff growl underneath his breath.
Bolin and Mako look at one another confused then look at Tonraq, then look back at one another.
"I am sensing some serious tension here."
Bolin and Mako jump as Chai appears between the two.
"Where did you come from?" Bolin questions still a bit shaken up.
"Form over there," Chai spoke pointing at her family.
The ship finally finished docking and the ramp was lowered. The first two to exit were armed guards then following was the Northern Water Tribe Chief, Unalaq, and his two children, the twins Desna and Eska.
"Whoa! Who are the lovely ladies?" Bolin said
Korra looked at Bolin with an amused smile. "That's Eska and Desna, the chief's children. Desna is a guy."
Bolin's eyes widen then he starts to chuckle. "Oh, no, sure, knew that. Uhhh...and which one is Desna?"
Unalaq approached the group, the twins trailing behind him.
He looks to Korra bowing her way. "Good to see you again, Avatar Korra."
Korra returns the bow. "Good to see you too."
Unalaq looked at Tonraq and with a cold tone said, "Tonraq."
"Brother," Unalaq responded in the same manner.
Chai let out a low hiss. "Serious tension." She whispered
The group made their way to the festival, the merriment and festivities already taking place.
"It's a shame the Southerners have abandoned all connections to the spirits. Even during the most hallowed times," Unalaq said
"I've always loved the Glacier Spirits Festival. It's fun," Korra said
"This festival used to be a solemn time of fasting and meditation. Now it's just a chance to watch some rube try to stick an entire arctic hen in his mouth," Unalaq said
The group stops and looks left to see Bolin doing just that. He stops shoving the food in his mouth, turning the group and spoke without even removing the arctic hen from his mouth.
"What? Oh, it's so good," He spoke with a muffled voice.
"I want one!" Chai said, throwing up her hand.
Unalaq looks at the girl studying her. Chai did her best to keep eye contact but something about the man made her want to shrink back.
"You're the Heir of the Fire Nation. Princess Chai, correct," Unalaq said
"Yes. I am. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Chai politely spoke bowing.
Unalaq bowed back but his next words made Chai frown. "I did not know the Fire Nation Princess was so...eccentric."
Chai's brows furrowed ever so slightly. She was used to her family calling her that, she was even used to people calling her weird and odd, but the way this man side "eccentric" made a cold chill run up her spine. His words were more chilling rather than hurtful.
She took a step back opting to walk next to her Uncle Tenzin.
Tonraq gave Chai a sympathetic look before turning to his brother. "Traditions change. It's not the end of the world."
"Tell that to the sailors who are being attacked by angry spirits in southern waters. Some traditions have purpose," Unalaq said
"Wait, spirits are attacking ships?" Korra questioned surprised
Unalaq nodded his head. "I'm surprised the Avatar doesn't know about that. Apparently, you haven't been given all of the information you need. It would be my honor to instruct you in the spiritual ways of the Water Tribe."
"I wouldn't mind learning about fighting spirits." Korra glanced Tenzin's way. "Airbending is getting pretty boring."
"Tenzin is Korra's instructor. He can give her all the training she needs," Tonraq said
"So you've said," Unalaq said before walking away.
Chai shivered and it wasn't because of the cold.
Later that night a large feast was held in a great hall, the entirety of the grand place made completely out of ice. Chai made her way to her table, the young lady donning a beautiful dress of dark reds and golds. She had her long hair loose tumbling down her back in soft waves. She spotted a table where Mako and Asami were sitting and walked over.
"Hey, guys!" Chai greeted as she arrived at the table.
Mako and Bolin turned in their seats spotting the smiling Chai.
"Whoa, Chai…." Mako said
"Wow, Chai you look so pretty," Bolin said
"Why thank you. Look at the dress my Gram-Gram Izumi got me. It's pretty right?" Chai spoke giving a small twirl.
"Yeah..." Mako said
"I promise not to let this dress get turned into ash," Chai said
"Wait what?" Bolin said
Before Chai could explain Asami approached the table.
"Wow Asami you look stunning," Chai complimented
"Thank you. You look great too. That dress is so intricate, you look like a princess," Asami said
"It's funny that you say that considering she is a Princess," Bolin said
"What?" Asami blinked. "She's what?"
"Chai's the Princess of the fire nation," Bolin said
"She is?" Asami looked at Chai. "You are?"
Chai beamed nodding her head.
"I can't believe I know a Princess and didn't even know it," Asami said
"Yes, now you know I'm even more awesome than you had previously thought," Chai said
Asami laughed along with Chai. Mako was watching the two silently, mouth slightly ajar his eyes focused solely on the sunny haired girl.
Korra didn't sit with her friends and sat with her family at the head table. Even during the meal the tension between the family only seemed to grow.
Some time into the meal Unalaq stands up addressing the room.
"As your chief, it is my honor to speak at this festival, which was founded to bring our tribes together and restore the ancient balance between our world and that of the spirits. But I am saddened to see what it has become: a cheap carnival that celebrates greedy and trivial humans. I feel the time is fast approaching when the North can no longer stand idly by while our Southern brothers slip into total spiritual decay. Angry spirits are already attacking ships in your waters. I only hope we are not too late to change course."
After he was done he sat down, the room quiet and the air still. Varric is the one who cuts through the tension standing up before the sea of people.
"Chief Unalaq everybody, always great to have him in town. Now, let's have some fun with Wacky Wushu's Dancing Otter penguins!"