Passing by the living room, I climbed up the stairs and found the right room. I was in a good mood, so I decided to make a joke. I walked over to the bed, crouched down a bit and straightened up sharply, a little effort and here Nia went flying and fell on her back right on the bed.
«Come down in half an hour, we'll eat», I said, not holding back a laugh when I saw the little one's stunned face.
«Brother!» she shouted indignantly and threw a pillow at me. But I was quicker and managed to escape and close the doors.
I went downstairs and into the kitchen. Azula and Hama were cooking. I walked over to Azula and directed a small stream of heat at her, warning her and then hugging her. There had already been a few times when I had gotten a hit from her when she was brooding or highly focused. And that way I could avoid a lot of problems.
«How are you here?» I asked, kissing Azula's cheek.
«We'll eat soon», Hama said as I kissed Azula, «Hey! Leave my helper alone!» and playfully smacked me on the head with a spatula, a smile on her lips.
«Well, mom», I stretched out and scratched the spot of the blow, playing along with her. Azula didn't hold back and still smiled, but quickly pulled herself together and continued chopping vegetables nonchalantly.
«Don't mam!» she said threateningly, barely holding back a smile, «Have a conscience, don't get in the way!»
«Okay», I reluctantly stretched out and quickly kissed Azula on the cheek goodbye and ran into the living room to the loud indignation of the beautiful and beloved ladies.
It's a bad time for entertainment, so I picked up a magazine and started reading. Later I'll do crossword puzzles or Sudoku. Anything, as long as it wasn't so boring. The hunger for information really hit my brain. It used to be less noticeable because I was always doing something or in a hurry. But now, when there's nothing to do, it kills me.
I would sit and read for half an hour. It's rubbish, but it's something. I've got to do something like hockey or soccer for normal people. Table tennis would be good too, and make a sports magazine. A few years to get people used to it and life will be better. Maybe we could come up with an analog for magicians. That would be great. But that's for later.
Nia came down and landed next to me and stuck her curious nose in my face. After about ten minutes, they started setting the table. I helped a little, plowing Nia along with me, and in a few minutes we were eating.
«How's the power transfer going?» I asked my mother with interest.
«Eh», she sighed heavily. I raised an eyebrow in surprise, «These are turbulent times», she shook her head. The good mood was gone, both from me and from her. «The Republic is in turmoil, and our ships are sinking.»
«Tell me more about the latter», I asked seriously. I had heard about the Republic and Korra's rampage there, but this was the first time I had heard about the ships.
«Ships are sinking in our waters», she rubbed her temples, «The cause has not been determined, but the sailors are all talking about evil spirits», I looked at Azula and Azula looked at me. Ooh, her eyes lit up, «And everyone's talking about it. I just don't know how to explain it to the customers», she shook her head, «We've already taken a huge loss.»
«How serious is it?» I asked.
«One ship out of ten», Hama muttered sadly, «Because of that, Tonrak is not ready to go.»
«We can try to solve this problem», I spoke slowly, choosing my words carefully, «Azula and I know how to deal with ghosts», Azula smiled, «But we'll probably need an Avatar. Do you know when she'll be here?» Azula looked at me indignantly, but I gave her a serious look and she calmed down. I sense we have a serious conversation ahead of us.
«A few days before the Ice Spirit Festival», she said thoughtfully, «Though it could be sooner.»
«Then we'll try to settle the spirit issue now, and when Korra is here, we'll settle the matter once and for all.»
«Okay, sweetie», Hama said with a gentle smile. I just nodded.
After we finished, we cleaned up and Azula dragged me home. A few minutes later we were home.
«Why can't we solve this problem ourselves?» she asked seriously.
«Because of the tribe people», I shrugged and Azula raised an eyebrow in surprise, «When the people from the north moved here, they started to raise the standard of living. And they succeeded. Except the North and South Poles aren't just a piece of land.»
«I know that, they are considered to be energy centers.»
«Do you know why?» I asked with a smile, and she hesitated, but still shook her head in denial, «Because the North and South were once the portals to the spirit world», Azula wondered, «But they were closed almost ten thousand years ago. Except they are still doors to another world, and no matter how well they were sealed, there are still gaps. Not much, but the energy of the spirits has seeped into our world. That's why the poles are considered to be energy centers.»
«This is certainly interesting and clarifies a lot of things, but why can only an Avatar decide this?»
«Because the north and south are closest to the portals, they had to take care of the spirits. The northern tribe fulfills its duties, albeit poorly. The southern tribe, after a hundred years of war, has not restored their spiritual traditions, which makes the spirits angry. As a result, they're sinking ships. It's only going to get worse. Soon they will attack humans, how soon is a matter of time», I scratched the back of my head, «It won't be possible to fix the situation quickly on our own. It will take at least a few years, if not decades. However, there is a quick way. If the Avatar opens a locked portal to the spirit world and explains himself to the spirits, the problem will be solved. Yes, we'll have to explain to the people that some rituals and traditions are there for a reason and must be observed, but we'll avoid sacrifice.
Azula thought hard. There was much to think about. And she didn't disappoint.
«Why did you let this happen?» she still asked the right question, «You knew all the traditions of the South, you said so yourself the other day. And you were trained by Hama, she couldn't have missed it», I nodded with a smile, «Then why didn't you inform everyone about the need for this knowledge right after the war?»
«Because of Aang», I said seriously, «I wanted to rebuild the South Pole from the beginning and live there with my family. But after my travels, I settled on the island of Kyoshi. Later, I met you. And if the Avatar hadn't tried to kill me, it would have been like this. I spent a year planning my revenge. Aang didn't hurt me, but the Avatar, Raava, had to get what was coming to her», I said with a smile. «And I came up with a plan. Over the years it has been changed and amended many times. Bringing the South Pole to this state is one of its points.»
«And what's next?» she asked a little uncertainly, «What's the next point of the plan?»
«Complete training in energy magic», I smiled, «Korra gave her word, and the word of an Avatar is worth a lot.»
«And after that?» she asked already interested. She didn't like Avatars either. Energy magic, however, appealed to her.
«Fix the situation with the spirits by opening a portal to the spirit world.»