Listening to the Wind

"I hate storms."

"Really? I don't mind them."

Korra stared at Katara in amazement. The type of stare that a child gave an adult after learning the world wasn't flat for the first time. It was the type of stare that Katara wasn't used to from her student. Usually her attitude ranged from quiet respect for her waterbending teachings to a stubbornness that betrayed her belief that she was learning stuff she didn't need to. And taken by surprise by such a stare, all Katara could do was stare back.

"You like storms?" Korra asked in amazement. "Spirits…"

"I said I didn't mind them, I didn't say I liked them," Katara said. She picked up her cup of tea from the table between them. "Besides, I-…"

"Don't mind them, like them, whatever. They're a pain."

Katara watched as her student got up from her chair and began pacing around the room like a caged polar leopard. Korra was meant to be the reincarnation of Aang, but at times like this, she seemed like the reincarnation of Toph or Sokka. Always prone to arguments and always prone to getting the last word.

There was nothing for it though. Katara didn't enforce rules on her student as strictly as the Order of the White Lotus did, but even she had no intention of letting a young teenager run around in a blizzard. There was no need to rush the current Avatar's training, even if she didn't see it. And all in all, Katara felt tired. Approaching the big eight-zero, it was amazing she was still capable of acting as a waterbending instructor at all. Or maybe it was just the tea. The Jasmine Dragon's blend seemed to have that effect.

Or maybe it was because in a way, she did like storms. Storms were of air, as well as water. Air was Aang's element. And she missed him now as much as she did on that day thirteen years ago.

"Crap. Crap. Huh. This could be okay."

Katara looked up from her tea and memories, seeing Korra casually going through the restroom's book collection.

"Reading, are you?" Katara asked. "Good. Maybe now you'll pay more attention to your-…"

"And the author's lost me at the first page. Great."

Just like Sokka indeed. If Korra wasn't engaging in argument, she was outright ignoring the other debater.

The Avatar went back to pacing. If anything, Katara was now reminded of Bumi or Kaya. Neither of them had liked standing still, and last she saw, that hadn't changed one bit.

"Bored…" Korra mused to herself. "Bored bored bored bored."

"I heard you the first time…" Katara murmured. She was feeling sleepy. Maybe it was the storm, maybe it was the crackling fire, maybe it was age.

The Avatar stopped pacing. Not that Katara saw, having already closed her eyes, but she could hear things. Or rather the lack of them, namely the sound of heavy footfalls on a wooden floor.

Korra said something else but Katara didn't hear. She felt tired. Tomorrow would be a big day.

And as she drifted off to sleep, she could still listen to the wind.