"What? But we just got back!"

"I know. The mail I checked, however, was from three weeks ago," Katara said, eyebrows arched.

"I've been-well, you see-" Tenzin stammered.

"I know, I know, Mr. Councilman," said Katara, waving him off good-naturedly. "Anyways, you and Lin need to get dressed. Do you want your aunts and uncles to see you in your bedclothes?"

Tenzin's normally taciturn face gave way to a grin as he bounced down the hall. Uncharacteristically whistling to himself, he walked into his room to the sounds of Lin retching in the bathroom next door. She soon walked in no worse for wear, already wearing her uniform and her hair loose around her slightly pale face.

"Are you sure you're okay? I would feel much better if you rested."

"Tenzin, I'm fine," she snapped. "Why aren't you at work already?"

"For one thing, it's a national holiday, which means that you can get out of your metalbending uniform. Secondly, all of the aunts and uncles, not to mention the kids and family friends, are coming over soon."

Lin's eyes widened as she quickly bolted back the the bathroom. After a worrisome half hour, she appeared to be not only fine, but perfectly made up and changed into (as she called it) civilian clothes. Her shoulder-length hair was pinned back into a simple bun, and her white top and green skirt accented her jade-colored eyes.

"My my, don't you clean up nicely," teased Tenzin.

"Says the man in his bedclothes. Anyway, let's hope Korra cleans up as well," said Lin, already striding towards the little girl's room.

Tenzin quickly dressed in his monk's robes and headed over to meet Lin, whom he found in Korra's bedroom fashioning her hair using an old Fire Nation headpiece. The little girl wore a simple blue dress with white cap sleeves and was playing with her bending dolls.

"Hello Korra, Lin," he greeted, kneeling down to the little girl's level. "Do you know why we're getting dressed up today?"

She shook her head.

"We're about to meet some new friends! They're very nice and they'll love you, so try not to be shy, okay?"

Korra nodded.

"Attagirl. Now come, I hear people downstairs."

Lin, at Korra's behest, picked the little girl up and walked down the stairs. Korra laid her head on the metalbender's shoulder the entire time, face turned away from the increasing noise. Lin stroked her head and soothed her as best as she could, bringing yet another grin to Tenzin's face. By the time he stepped into the parlor, he was overwhelmed by the surprise bear hugs of his family and friends.

In the room was his Uncle Sokka and Aunt Suki, their son Hakkoda, and his child Sokka the Younger. His wife Honora was holding their youngest child, a daughter named Joon while talking to her mother, Mai. Zuko, mixing drinks, was busy conversing with Ty Lee, who had just come back from a year-long trip with her husband Huang and their grandson Eito.

Everyone (or at least, Tenzin) had just settled down when the main doors opened to reveal two people. Judging by their tawny skin tone and warm coats they were of the Water Tribe. However, their grey-tinged eyes told of their true identity.

"Kya, Bumi!" Tenzin called out joyously, forgetting his stoic nature as he enveloped his older siblings in a group hug. "How are you?"

"I would tell you if you'd let me breathe!" sputtered Bumi.

"You know, for an airbender you would think you'd let us get some air," said Kya.

After a few more moments, Tenzin let them go, much to their relief. Looking around, he noticed a noise. Or rather, the absence of it.

"Kya, where's the kids? And Bumi, where's the rest of your family?"

"They're finishing up a waterbending test. Hopefully they'll leave tonight or tomorrow at the latest," Kya explained.

"Wife and kids are visiting the grandparents in Ba Sing Se," Bumi said. "They'll be coming in a couple more days."

"Now we should be asking you-where's Lin?"

"Right here." Everyone turned around to find Lin settling down on an empty couch, Korra still in her arms.

"I want you all to meet Korra-the new Avatar."

She placed the little girl on the ground so that everyone could see. Their eyes, especially those of the Gaang, probed the little girl's face for any reminder of their old friend.

Korra was uncharacteristically silent. She had never met these people before, but somehow she felt that she knew them.

"Hi…" she mumbled. What else was she supposed to do? She turned around to Lin, who gave her an encouraging smile. That was when an idea popped into her head.

"Look what I can do!" She noticed a glass of water, and using her bending, fashioned it into a stream of water shaped like a polar bear-dog. Much to her amusement, Korra made the animal run around the room and straight back into the glass.

The room became eerily silent. Korra's innocent grin quickly faded as she ran back into Lin's arms for protection.

"That was…amazing!" Sokka exclaimed. "Kid, where did you learn to bend like that?"

Korra's grin was back in a flash. Soon, Sokka took her around the room and introduced her to everyone before letting her go outside to play with the other children.

"She's so talented! " Suki said. "You must be very proud."

"Eh, don't now about you guys, but I think it needed a little more earthbending."

Lin wheeled around to find her mother in the doorway.

"Mom!"

"Hey there, kiddo," Toph laughed as she found herself in a bear hug. "I've missed you too. Just out of curiousity, how did she attach herself to you?"

Lin smiled.

"Well, it started like this…"