Chapter 94: Festival

[3rd POV]

Later in the day, after the girls finished their fun at the morning parts of the festival, they were sat in a large ballroom. Throughout the room was various wealthy individuals, powerful individuals, and pretty much anyone that was genuinely important that had visited the Tribe.

At the head table sat Tonraq, Unalaq, Korra, Desna, Eska, and finally Senna. Korra, Tonraq, and Unalaq were currently having a rather...tense conversation about her being "locked up" in the Southern Water Tribe, away from everyone else, due to the influence of her father and Tenzin, when she was told that it was Aang that had done it, which was a lie.

At one smaller table, Gwen and her girlfriends were all sat around the table, biting into their dinner.

"It's not bad, but yours was better" Artemis said, as she noted the difference in taste between the Southern Tribe's cooks and Gwen's. Gwen had already made the dish they were eating before, which was made with various southern meats that you could only get in that region.

"Certainly could use more salt..." Raven muttered, as Gwen just chuckled.

"You two are turning into quite the food critics, aren't you?~" Gwen said with a teasing grin, causing the two to blush slight pink, as M'gann giggled slightly at the reaction her friends had to their girlfriends teasing.

"So, are we going to the Air Temple or with Korra?" Artemis asked, coughing as she shook off the blush.

"I was thinking the Air Temples could be fun. It'd be nice to just...relax, maybe even meditate for the first time in like...ever. That, and Korra needs to go through this...journey of hers, alone. As it's about time she learns the truth of being the Avatar, and herself. Once she comes to the temple, then I'll take care of the problem" Gwen replied, as she planned on letting Korra get the growth she needed, then she'd "deal" with Vaatu and Unalaq.

"And how do you plan on her joining us in the next world, if she joins us, that is" Raven asked, causing Gwen to smile.

"I've got a...few powers that involve manipulating spirits and some other areas similar. I'm sure I can find a way of splitting Raava, giving Korra a part of it, or even a copy, while the other would reincarnate into the next Avatar as it should. That way the world will keep their Avatar, and she will still keep her power, and be able to travel with us" Gwen replied, as she planned on doing something along those lines.

It was quite obvious that Korra was into Gwen, something that Gwen was more than happy to reciprocate. And she even planned on taking the girl on a date once the Vaatu situation was dealt with. That, and the next world was going to be more about growing her relationship with her girls, and their power, than anything. As she didn't need more power at the moment (even if she wouldn't deny more power), and she had felt bad as she really hadn't been paying enough attention to them (at least, that's what Gwen believed, but the girls constantly told her otherwise).

"And what about Tenzin and them? You know they won't like this, especially with how much this world overly relies on the Avatar. That, and the spirits may cause issues without her being there" M'gann added, causing Gwen to hum.

"I was planning on keeping some shadow clones here until that 1 year is up, allowing them to take care of issues like that, and keeping Tenzin from blowing a fuse about the situation. And Korra's parents seem to be pretty accepting, for the most part at least, so I'm sure they'll let her come" Gwen replied after a second of thought, knowing that that was going to be an...interesting situation, when the time came.

Their talks continued for a bit longer, before Unalaq stood from his seat, and began to talk to the room.

"As your chief, it is my honor to speak at this festival, which was founded to bring our tribes together, and restore the ancient balance between our world and that of the spirits. But I am saddened to see what it has become, a cheap carnival that celebrates greedy and trivial humans. I fear the time is fast approaching when the North can no longer stand idly by while our Southern brothers slip into total spiritual decay" Unalaq spoke, as Tonraq looked to him, practically glaring as Unalaq continued.

"Angry spirits are already attacking ships in your waters. I only hope we are not too late to change course" Unalaq finished, as he sat back down.

At the end of the speech, a man in a fancy coat, and with a rather...interesting mustache, stood up and addressed the room. The man was Varrick, one of the richest men in the world, and...an interesting man.

"Chief Unalaq, everybody. Always great to have him in town. Now, let's have some fun with Wacky Wushu's dancin' otter-penguins" Varrick said, as a man with facepain came out.

'He's an...interesting fellow'

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A bit later into the night, the group was out in the festival, Korra having joined them, as Gwen was currently handing her a thing of cotton candy.

"Um, do you want some?" Korra asked, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

Hearing this, Gwen raised an eyebrow before nodding, causing Korra to blush as she...popped it into Gwen's mouth, causing Gwen's eyebrow to raise even higher, while Korra blushed brighter, only to blink as Gwen took off a piece and did the same for Korra, who sighed at the taste of the cotton candy, eating it with a pleased smile.

'...Cute'

The girls just looked between the two with small smirks on their faces, knowing that it was only a matter of time before they got a new "Friend" in their little group, or perhaps "Sister"? They weren't really sure what to call it just yet.

"Looks like Bolin's trying his luck" Gwen noted, as she saw Bolin talking to Desna and Eska, causing Korra to look over in surprise.

"They've always creeped me out" Korra said, watching as he...flirted? It was hard to tell.

"Yeah they're definitely...different" Artemis said on the side, causing Korra to snort.

"That's an understatement" Korra replied, while Gwen just smiled at the cute snort.

A little later, Gwen was standing next to Korra as they played one of those carnival games where you have to shoot water into a hole for long enough, and then you get a prize. The girls went off to get more of those cookies, as they knew that Korra wanted to talk to Gwen somewhat privately.

"Unalaq offered to teach to train me. He says he can teach me about the spirits and my connection to them" Korra started.

"And I'm assuming Tenzin isn't fond of the idea?"

"Not even remotely. He thinks I'm one of his kids or something. Which is a little sweet, but at this rate, I'll never finish training with him" Korra said with a small sigh, before blinking as she heard a ding, having won.

Walking through the streets, Korra held a cute Flying bison plushy in her hands as she continued.

"I mean, you heard what Unalaq said. The south is spiritually unbalanced, and it's the Avatar's job to fix it. But my dad won't even let me think about Unalaq teaching me. So...what do you think I should do?" Korra asked, turning to Gwen.

"I think you should follow your heart, Korra. Something like this shouldn't be up to me, your dad, or Tenzin, but you alone. And while I don't like or trust the guy, it's up to you to decide whether or not you wish to learn from him. I'd just advise caution in regards to him, as I...don't think he's telling you everything, and I don't think it's just helping you that he wants" Gwen replied with a small smile.

"That- honestly I'm a bit surprised. I was waiting for you to tell me not to learn from him, or something like you already know how to deal with spirits" Korra replied with a small smile of her own.

"Well, if you give me some time, I'm pretty sure I can find a way of using that technique of his, but with Fire bending. Afterall, all the elements are closely connected, so it's only natural fire would be able to do it too, it just takes a bit more...finesse. And I'm not going to tell you what to do, Korra, as your friend and teacher, the best I can do is support you, and the decision you make, whatever it is" Gwen replied, causing Korra to stare at her, her heart beating rapidly at the genuine tone that Gwen used, and the way she looked at Korra.

As her cheeks brightened and turned pink, Korra had only one thought at that moment.

'...I'm definitely in love with her...'

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That's the end of the chapter!

Korra realizes her feelings (a bit more) and they talk a bit. Korra will continue to grow closer with Gwen, with the two formally getting together just before the next world. The next world being dedicated to growing Gwen and her relationships, just as Talia is having her little "Relationship" journey in my other fic.

My NL wheel now officially has 600 characters! Here's the link, which you're welcome to use for whatever.

https://wheelofnames.com/hke-d7k

Anyways, have a good day!