[Closed to Jinora]

[braavado]

As soon as it was clear the barrier was gone, Korra and Jinora had jumped into action. They let all relevant people--Aang, Bumi, Wan, Lord Zuko--know that they would be gone for a little while, and then immediately set about preparations.

Korra checked in with Naga one more time before tossing her pack onto Oogi's saddle and accepting another pack from one of the air acolytes--it was no doubt filled with carefully wrapped food for the journey. She checked that before finding a place for it on the saddle, too. They'd rushed through the packing, aware that the barrier might reform at any time and trap them in the city yet again. If they wanted to check the Spirit World for clues, they needed to do it now.

"Hey, Jinora?" Korra called out as she jumped down lightly. "Ready to go when you are."

Comments

[bookbends]

"I'm ready!" Comes the reply as Jinora hurries over, a bag with some last minute supplies and her glider in her hands. She gives Oogi a grateful pat on the head before heading towards Korra, looking determined.

"I think we've got enough supplies for the trip, and we can always get some more for the way back at the South Pole." Assuming of course that everything there was okay enough there for them to buy supplies, but she doesn't mention that. Instead, just as she's about to give herself a boost up to the saddle, Jinora turns and gives the island one last look.

"They'll be fine without us, right?" She sounds mostly convinced. They'd only be gone a little while and besides, this was important. With the barrier down and revealed as definitely the spirits doing the first thing they'd wanted to check on was the portals. Everything had changed when those were left open... they had to see if there were any hints as to why or how and they seemed like the best place to look.

[braavado]

"Yeah, we should be able to grab some more from my parents before we head back," Korra says, telling herself that they'd still be there. Of course they would. They weren't anywhere near the barrier when it went up, so they must still be safe at home.

Korra follows Jinora's gaze, one hand still in Oogi's fur as she finds the words that Jinora needs to hear.

"They'll be fine." She isn't sure who she's trying to convince, herself or Jinora. Korra doesn't want to leave right now, but with access to the Spirit World through normal methods cut off, there's no other way to check besides flying to the portal. "We'll only be gone for a week at most."

That said, Korra tears her gaze away and boosts herself up into the saddle with a burst of air.

[bookbends]

"You're right." Jinora nods, confident that Korra's correct and everyone will be able to handle a week without them. And, of course, that Korra's parents will be able to give them more supplies- it wouldn't do to think about them not being there, either.

"And if we find something that can help with everything weird going on then they'll all be better off, anyway." And with that she follows Korra's lead and air bends her way up to the saddle, placing the bag with the others. She had to believe that Bumi and Aang and Lord Zuko and everyone else would be able to handle it- as much as she wanted to be around to help them too she knew that the best place for her was with Korra, checking out the portals. That was where she could help.

"Alright, Oogi. You remember how to get to the Southern Water Tribe, right?" She's certainly been there enough times, after all.

[braavado]

"Besides, Aang's going to be looking after Air Temple Island with Bumi." And Wan. Though most of the city doesn't know it, there would be two Avatars to guard them if anything goes wrong. That definitely reassures Korra, where nothing else might.

She hops from the saddle to Oogi's neck and takes a hold of the reins.

"Alright, let's go. Why don't you get some rest, Jinora? We can take turns keeping watch."

[bookbends]

And isn't that an image that makes Jinora smile? Her grandpa and Uncle getting to spend time together. She just wishes her dad and Aunt Kya were there too- but maybe she was wishing for too much.

"I hope it's still there when we get back."

Of course she has confidence in them. Of course. But there was no denying that with some of the stories she'd heard about her Uncle and Grandpa that things could take an... interesting turn.

At first Jinora plans on telling Korra no, she's fine. She's a little too nervous to sleep anyway, not sure of what they'll see when they get there. But she knows she won't be any good if she's tired and nervous and everything else, so she nods reluctantly.

"Okay. Let me know when you want to switch off. And Korra," She hesitates only slightly. "I'm sure everyone at the South Pole will be great. They'll be really happy to see you." And then she tries to arrange herself on the saddle, looking up at the sky and pretending it's just a normal visit to Gran-Gran.

[braavado]

Some time passes, with Korra and Jinora taking turns at the saddle and resting. Once the Southern Lights become visible, though, Korra quickly reaches over to wake her friend up.

“Jinora, we’re almost there,” Korra says, lightly shaking Jinora’s shoulder. “I can see the lights from here.”

Korra stares into the distance, where she knows the chieftain’s palace is, heart beating madly in her chest. Please be okay, she thinks. If something’s happened to her parents, too, she doesn’t know what she’ll do.