Chapter 3
Missing You
'Dear Korra,
How's my little girl doing? Well, I guess you're not all that little anymore. You're growing up quicker than we can keep track of. Your mother and I have been missing you very much. We know it's only been a few weeks, but it feels weird not having you around. I hope you're doing well, though. We are very proud of you for going off to college. Have you been eating well? We've sent a few more yuans in this package for you. Hopefully, everything got to you alright.
Things have been pretty stagnant here. The White Lotus from the compound nearby stopped by the village about a week ago to meet with some of the newly realized Water Benders and to reevaluate some of the older, more skilled ones. None of the Benders have been able to recognize any of the Avatar's toys – sorry, relics – that were presented. They tried to see if any of the Benders were able to Bend any of the other elements, but still nothing. I've heard that there hasn't been much luck in the North either. Our sister Tribe has strong Benders like we do, but none of them have proven to be the Avatar.
Katara and Kya have been growing more concerned over the issue. The world needs its Avatar to keep everything in balance. They were speculating that maybe the cycle ended when Aang got shot down from Azula's lightning back in Ba Sing Se, even though he was able to reconnect with his past lives during the fight with Ozai. What do you think? I think that maybe the Water Bender who was supposed to be the next Avatar was born outside of the Tribes. No one had ever heard of a delay in the transferring of the Avatar Spirit, so I'm not sure why they are testing the younger Benders. But I think the White Lotus is getting desperate. I know they've been searching around the different nations to find any more teenaged Water Benders, but none of the Benders they met were the Avatar. This almost feels like the beginning of the Hundred Year War again.
Have you made any new friends? Have you been to any Pro-Bending matches yet? I know you like them, even though that style of Bending is a bit more – modern. How are your classes? Have you travelled anywhere exciting? I heard there are some beautiful places out in the United Republic of Nations. Just be careful. I know I taught you to fight, but just be careful.
We can't wait to see you again. Including Naga. She probably misses you the most out of anyone, and that's saying something with how much we miss you! She comes on every hunting trip with us now. She's a great tracker. But she still won't let any of us ride her. I guess that right is reserved for you. She really does miss you. We all do.
Love Always,
Dad'
(-)
'Dear Mom and Dad,
I miss you too! So much, actually. And Naga too! It's weird not being around her. I'm glad her tracking skills are improving and that she's behaving. Yeah, don't try to ride her. I'm sure you know it doesn't end well. I'll make sure I hit the gym though so I'll be ready for her tackle when I get back home. I try to practice the moves you taught me on the weekends and sometimes I'll go to the gym and workout so I stay sharp. I don't have as much time to exercise as I wish I did, but I've done a lot of walking! My dorm is so far from campus. But don't worry, I'll do what I can to make sure no one hurts me. I'm tough, just like you and mom. No one's going to push me around without getting a hard fist to the face!
Things are pretty good here. Classes are tough. And it's weird being the only person directly from the Southern Water Tribe on campus. Sometimes, people look at me funny, but I usually ignore them. I'm thinking they've never seen a native Water Tribe girl before. I've made a few friends here so far. My roommate is really cool, but she isn't in the room all that often. She's an architectural major, like her dad was. She's usually in the library or with some of her other friends, studying.
I met another girl named Asami. Dad, she is amazing. She's going to be an engineer and she's super smart. And she's super pretty. They put me in a chemistry class with her, and even though I hate chemistry, she makes it bearable. We study every night together, even though she usually finishes all of her work way before I get close to finishing mine. She's ridiculously talented. And she's my lab partner for chemistry, too. That's where I officially met her. Well, I noticed her in my lecture because she sat next to me but we didn't introduce ourselves until lab – Anyways, she told me she has a lot of hands on experience and worked with her dad a lot when she was growing up. She still does when she goes home. She's from Republic City. The campus is a bit farther from the main part of the City, about an hour or so away, and her dad's house is on the other side of that in another district. He's got a workshop and is an inventor. Well, he's an inventor and an engineer. Asami is really good at building things and she can draw really well, too. She came to the University to get an official degree, but she doesn't really need it, to be honest. She is going to be a great engineer. She already is. She's got so much ambition. I'm actually preparing for my first chemistry exam next week with her (she's sitting across my dorm from me right now). It seems like every one of my exams are next week. Guess they call it "midterms week" for a reason. I'm pretty nervous, but I've been practicing a lot with Asami, so I think I should be okay. She's helped me out in a few of my other classes, too. I don't know how she knows so much! She's just amazing. She's studying right now but I wanted to take a break, and I just got your letter, so I thought I would write back really quick since I have the chance.
Thank-you so much for the package and the yuans. And the food. I've missed mom's cooking so much since being up here. I know dried meat isn't really cooking, but regardless, it just tastes better when it's from home. I'm sure the other food she probably wanted to send to me wouldn't make the trip without getting spoiled. The food here is alright, but nothing compares to authentic Southern Water Tribe cuisine! Asami and I usually get lunch and dinner together when we can. Sometimes, she takes me to places around Republic City to eat. There's this one noodle place you have to try if you ever get the chance to come up here. It's called Narook's. It's so good! I'm glad you didn't send any clothes though. It's so warm in the City. Asami thinks I'm crazy for walking around in a sleeveless shirt all the time, but it's so damn hot. I've adjusted a little, but the first week, I was sweating every day.
I haven't seen too much of the City yet. I got to listen to some Pro-Bending matches but I haven't gotten to go to one so far. The arena is a bit far from campus and the tickets are expensive. But the Fire Ferrets seem to be doing really well! They're my favorite. From what I've heard, they just started out a few months ago. They seem to be getting better each match. I think they'll be champion material in a year or two. Maybe someday, I'll get to watch one of their matches and see Mako, Bolin, and Hasook Bend. I was thinking of asking Asami to go to a match, but I don't think she's all that into Pro-Bending. I miss seeing people Bend. There aren't many Benders around the campus, if there even are any. It seems to be a very predominantly Non-Bender university. I guess Benders don't really need to attend a college though. Once, when I was in the City, I saw some of the officers of Lin Beifong's Metal Bending Police Force, but I haven't seen them in action yet. And no, I won't commit a crime just to see them Bend (I know you were thinking that!), but it would be so cool to see some Metal Bending. Have you ever met Master Beifong? I bet she's awesome! And an expert Metal Bender! I suppose she'd have to be to be the Chief of Police. When Asami and I walked out to the City on a different day, I got a glimpse of Air Temple Island! It was really far away and I didn't really see the Temple all that well, but I'm pretty sure I saw a flying bison! It would be amazing to meet an Air Bender! It doesn't seem like Master Tenzin gets to visit the Southern Tribe that often, but I can't imagine rebuilding the Air Nomad Culture and Nation is an easy task for him. I remember seeing him once when I was really little, but I don't even think I could talk yet. I bet Master Katara misses him. And Master Kya, too.
Speaking of them, it is really strange about everything that is going on with the Avatar. I've read up a lot on the Avatars since I've been here (if you can believe that there are books ad scrolls about all of the Avatars that I haven't read yet), and I remember loving the stories Master Katara would tell me growing up. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but Avatar Aang seemed like a really great guy. I don't think the Avatar cycle would have stopped from the lightning strike because Master Aang was brought back by Master Katara from the Spirit Oasis Water. The blockage of the Avatar State after Ba Sing Se was more of an energy pooling that Avatar Aang couldn't break until the battle with Fire Lord – or Phoenix King, to be correct – Ozai when he forced Master Aang against a rock right on his injury and the energy was unlocked again from the pressure (from what I understand). Otherwise, Master Katara wouldn't have been able to pull some of that pooled up energy from Avatar Aang's back after they took over the Fire Nation ship when they fled Ba Sing Se. I'm pretty sure I saw a lot of this in some scrolls and books from one of the libraries here, but I'd have to double check.
The Avatar has to be out there somewhere. Maybe you're right that it wasn't a Native Water Tribe Bender that became the Avatar. But I feel like they would have found him or her by now. It's true that Avatar Aang couldn't Bend all of the elements from the beginning – that he was only a master of Air Bending – but he knew he could feel the other elements and he picked up Water Bending pretty easily. Well, at least the push and pull and basic techniques. Maybe there is a delay in the Avatar Spirit transferring to another Bender. But it seems so odd that it would happen. There have been plenty of Water Benders born between Avatar Aang's passing and now that the Avatar Spirit should have been able to go somewhere. Maybe there hasn't been a Bender worthy enough for the Spirit of the Avatar yet. Who knows, though? Spirits and Bending and things like that always have new mysteries to them. I guess we just have to wait and see.
I should probably get back to studying now. I really miss all of you! Make sure you tell mom and Naga I said hello and that I love them. And tell Masters Katara and Kya that I miss them too! If Master Kya is ever in Republic City, tell her to stop by and see me. Maybe someday, if you two come to visit, you can meet Asami. You would really like her. And I bet she would really like you, too! Maybe Naga could even come! She wouldn't be allowed in the dorms or on campus, of course, but she would love the outskirts of the City. I bet she would like Asami, too. Maybe we could go to that noodle place together or see a Pro-Bending Match or visit the Air Temple!
I can't wait to see you again!
Love Always,
Korra'