The ship was approaching the ice harbor, a sea of people already waiting for their Avatar. Korra walked out on the deck and stood behind Iroh who was already flicking fire between his fingers in an attempt to warm himself. Zuko stood in heavier red robes and sipped tea. Korra could already hear the people shouting and cheering. Korra had been dressed up in cape and a dress that Katara made for her. She shifted uncomfortably in the dress and fidgeted with the fabric at the sides.
"They just want to see you. You don't even have to do anything. Just smile," Iroh said.
"And relax. People can tell when public figures are uncomfortable. You should go and greet them from here," Zuko said.
Korra nodded and made her way to the railing. She stared at the people. So many people. She graced them with a smile and waved slowly at them. The cheers grew louder. Did they know about what happened in Republic City? Korra wondered why they were so happy to see her.
"Bending or not, people like a symbol of hope. That's why the Avatar is so important," Zuko said.
Zuko seemingly read Korra's mind. He stood beside her and waved as well. Korra noticed how natural and ease the old man seemed at this role. He was groomed for that kind of role though- years of being taught what it meant to be a public figure and years of actually putting those lessons to practice. Iroh also seemed well practiced at this conduct, which Korra saw him practice both in his public and private lives. Korra, while she had some lessons on being a public figure, never put them in practice. She was so consumed with being the Avatar and mastering all of the bending arts that her public appearances were always full of brash mistakes easily avoided by practicing what she was taught. She never thought to conduct herself in the calculated way that Zuko and Iroh did. They put on an elaborate act like they were caught up in a very real play for all to see. Korra never could be as good as they were at this act. She wondered if the people could see this.
Korra was greeted by a little girl with a bouquet of white sea bell lilies when she stepped off the boat and onto the docks. The fragrant flowers looked translucent with their off-white petals and the tinge of blue at their tips. Korra cradled the bouquet in her arms while Iroh took hold of one her arms and guided her to the Satomobile waiting to take her away. She sat between Iroh and Zuko, waving politely at the crowds cheering and throwing their trinkets towards her. Light bulbs were constantly flashing at her. Slowly, everything started to melt in front of Korra's eyes. Iroh leaned and whispered whatever words of encouragement he could spare for Korra.
The car made a straight procession down to the Northern Water Tribe Palace. The gates welcomed them with the magnificent glory of carved ice splendor. Waterbenders shot water out like dancing fountains. Her uncle stood in front smiling at Korra as the car stopped. Unalaq made his way to his niece and grabbed her hand. He gathered her in his large arms and hugged her tightly. Korra smelt a mix of smokiness and sweet sea prunes on her uncle. Though having a formidable presence, she knew her uncle to be a sweet man who would do things like throw his niece a welcoming party on her big arrival.
"Oh Korra, it has been too long. The last time I saw you, you were only a small girl. Now, I see a beautiful woman. You look so much like your mother," Unalaq said.
"I hear that a lot," Korra said.
"Well, it's better to look like your mother rather than your father. Trust me," Unalaq said.
Korra eyed her cousins standing in the distance, staring at her. They wore almost identical parks and the same sort of hairstyle that drooped over their eyes. She always managed to mix up their names or confuse one for the other. Korra was grateful for the fact that they always seemed to be together so she wouldn't be tasked with identifying whomever it was talking to her. When her cousins were together, Korra just called them the twins. Desna and Iluq. Something about Desna and Iluq unsettled Korra. Maybe it was the way they vacantly stared right through her or the way they spoke quietly and monotonously. Korra never liked them, and she still didn't as their eyes followed her.
"I'm sorry that the tribal council insisted on having this sort of event to welcome you here. I know you find these sorts of events uncomfortable. But the council really pushed for it. Even though you were born in the south, your heritage is that of the North, and the people look to you as a treasure here," Unalaq said.
Unalaq lead them through the palace vestibule. The palace had changed since Zuko last laid eyes on it when he visited after being crowned Fire Lord. Gray veined white marble replaced ice, and blue rugs with intricate tapestry depicting ancient Northern Water Tribe tales of spectacular beasts and brave men and women graced the floors. The walls of the largest room were covered in beautifully carved stone and water tumbling down them. Not a culture to be outdone or one to forget its roots, the Northern Water tribe decorated the floors in a few beautiful furs from polar leopards and snow deer. They all sat down on the plush pelts and enjoyed the hospitality of Unalaq.
"You are quite gracious Chief Unalaq," Iroh said.
"Please just call me Unalaq. I want you to feel welcomed while you stay here. I really don't care for the formality. All of this you see here is really the work of the previous tribal chiefs," Unalaq said.
"I seem to remember Arnook not being so opulent as this," Zuko said
"Yes. That was actually my father's doing. He really wanted to create something that rivaled the Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom. But my brother and I enjoyed a much simpler living, which is why Tonraq and Senna left for the Southern Water Kingdom. Unfortunately for me, as the oldest son, I had a different duty to fulfill," Unalaq said.
"I certainly understand," Zuko said.
"I'm glad you can. I should mention that we're having a dinner with the tribal council and their families. There will be a little party afterward. I hope you will grace us with your presence, Fire Lord Zuko and General Iroh," Unalaq said.
"Actually, my grandfather and I have to leave before the evening so we can make it to Ba Sing Se soon, but we would love to be in your company just a little longer. At least for dinner, "Iroh said.
Unalaq smiled.
"That is very good news. How about we take you on a tour of the city before then?" Unalaq said.
Korra made mental notes on her tour of the capital with her uncle, Zuko, and Iroh. They passed by most of the districts with exception of the eastern part of the city, which Unalaq glumly remarked was not a particularly safe area for the Avatar, a former Fire Lord, and general to be in. Korra could smell the sweet baked bread in the air in most of the streets and passed by children playing in the streets on a day people marked as being joyous. At least in her uncle's Satomobile, the windows of the cab hid her from the public so they couldn't see not looking out in the kind of wonderment they expected out of her.
When they came back, most of the guests invited for dinner arrived. They wore clothing that Korra saw more common in Republic City than what she in some part of the city and in the Southern Water Tribe. Every member of the council greeted Korra with the same kind of ease that she remembered Tarrlok had. She wasn't surprised about this. Tarrlok must have been very familiar with the company of these people. Korra felt uneasy when they walked away from her spoke quietly to each other. She wanted to know what they were saying about her as they sipped their sparkling plum wines. Before she could think of anything else, Korra felt her shoulder being tapped and twirled around to see Iroh hand her a glass of the sparkling wine.
"There's this thing around the United Forces meetings that's said about Northern Water Tribe politicians," Iroh said.
Korra grasped the glass and gently sipped the wine.
"What is it?" Korra asked.
"You can never get a Northern Water Tribe Politician to ever give you a straight answer because they're more slippery than the eel they eat," Iroh said.
Iroh sipped from his glass and glowered at the politicians talking with each other and laughing.
"I guess that's true," Korra said.
"That's not counting your uncle though. He's actually been one of the most cooperative leaders with the United Forces," Iroh said.
Korra shifted a bit in her dress and continued to sip on her wine. She noticed her cousins staring away at her and Iroh.
"Don't look the other way. My cousins are staring at us," Korra said.
"They are creepy. No offense," Iroh said.
"It's okay. Everyone knows except my uncle," Korra said.
Iroh nodded and stared at his shoes.
"Korra, before my grandfather and I leave, I want you to know that you can always send my grandfather or I a wire. At least… talk with Katara or your uncle. Your uncle… he seems very spiritual to me," Iroh said.
"If I tell you I will, will you stop worrying about me?" Korra said.
"People never stop worrying about their friends."
Korra finished her wine and looked at Iroh leaving her to talk with his grandfather. Korra looked at them one last time for the night before leaving her glass with a server and running to her room. The trunks filled with her clothes were already sitting on the floor of the room. She opened the one where she hid the mask and black clothes in. In a compartment of the trunk, Korra grabbed the black suit and unfolded it to reveal her mask. She quickly took off the uncomfortable dress she wore all day and put on the suit. Iroh was serious when he said that the fit would be snug. The fabric, while having a bit of give, still clung close to her body making Korra grateful that she was attentive to keeping her athletic body in shape. She looked at her reflection in the mirror that stood by her new wardrobe. Korra removed her hair from the usual clips she wore and pulled her hair into a slick wolf tail. She looked different standing there. Korra wasn't sure if she was looking at herself in the mirror, serious but wounded.
The last item Korra put on was the mask. She took the mask from its place on the furs and put it on while she stared into the mirror. She tightly tied it back and placed the hood over her hair and the ribbons of the mask. Korra then softly exited her room and left into the shadows.