"...it's a disgrace that the Southerners have abandoned all connection with the spirits," Unalaq wasted no time playing his contempt card shortly after his arrival, while the group followed the two leaders of the Water Tribes. "Even during the most sacred time of the year."
"I like the Glacier Spirits Festival, it's fun," Korra said casually as she looked around happily.
"This festival used to be a solemn season of fasting and meditation," Unalaq continued as if he hadn't heard Korra. "Now… it's just an opportunity to watch some hick try to shove an entire arctic hen into his mouth."
Bolin froze and slowly turned around—he didn't mean him, right?
"Traditions change, it's not the end of the world," Tonraq couldn't stand hearing his brother's reprimanding tone.
"Tell that to the sailors being attacked by spirits in the southern waters!" Unalaq glared at his brother.
Korra jolted at that information.
"Wait—ships are being attacked by spirits?!"
Unalaq nodded internally. As he expected, Korra wasn't aware of the situation. Now he—
"Could you stop saying nonsense for five minutes?" Jin was holding a half-eaten arctic hen leg in his hand.
The tense atmosphere shattered. Tenzin raised his hand to say something, but Korra smoothly covered his mouth. Kyoshi had spoken to her before they arrived at the Tribe and she had some vague idea of what was happening.
In any case, she knew Jin was on her side.
As for Kyoshi herself, due to Unalaq's spiritual alignment, she couldn't stay with Jin or among the group or she would be visible to him.
"Excuse me?" Unalaq looked at the blind man with an offended expression. "And you are?"
He hadn't expected one of Korra's friends to dare speak to him like that.
Even Desna and Eska were narrowing their eyes at Jin. The only reason they hadn't moved was because they didn't think their father needed them. That, and because they had a bad feeling.
"You say this used to be a season of fasting and meditation, but it wasn't," Jin refrained from taking another bite—his good manners kept him from talking with his mouth full. "Even seventy years ago, the Southern Water Tribe had other priorities, like getting enough food and rebuilding what little they had after the Hundred Year War."
He had read Wan Shi Tong's records decades ago about Water Tribe traditions in general, and such a custom never existed. In fact, unless the old owl had been fed false information like with the radio, the recent scrolls Jin requested from the Truth Seekers stated this festival had only been celebrated for forty-seven years.
"Besides, you seem to be unexpectedly familiar with the attacks happening on the other side of the world."
"Someone as young and inexperienced as you shouldn't make comments like that without foundation," Unalaq didn't hide his disdain; his pride didn't allow a blind man to talk to him that way. "As for the spirit attacks, naturally I'm aware of them. I know more about them than someone like you."
Tenzin and his children had to hold back laughter at that.
"Uncle, I don't think we've done the proper introductions," Korra couldn't let her uncle humiliate himself further. Jin was older than both brothers combined and knew more about spirits than Tenzin. "This is Jin Beifong. The Jin Beifong—like, the real one, from the history books."
She wasn't about to mention the reason for his disappearance. That would be awkward.
"I'm also the one who helped Princess Yue break those 'traditions' so women from both Water Tribes could fight or heal as they chose, proving that not following them isn't the end of the world," he explained calmly.
Eska subtly changed her expression at hearing that, while Desna glanced sideways at his twin. Meanwhile, Jin channeled chi to his neck.
"As for spirits, I'm sure I know more than you. I even have multiple blessings from several of them as friends." Blue gill-shaped tattoos manifested on Jin's neck. "But I believe this particular blessing should be recognizable to you."
One of his first blessings, granted directly by Tui and La.
Not counting the others on his body—the Painted Lady, the dragons, the badgermoles… it was a nice collection, very useful.
"The blessing of the Moon and Ocean spirits?!" Unalaq's eyes widened, recognizing the markings from ancient manuscripts.
Not only Unalaq—Desna, Eska, Tonraq, Korra and the others stared in awe at the spiritual blessing. Those who knew of it were very aware of how exceedingly rare it was.
"That's right." Jin stopped channeling chi so the markings faded. "By the way, Korra," he turned his head toward her, "if you ever want to learn more about the spiritual side beyond what Tenzin says—like fighting—you can come find me."
"Oh, uh, okay?" Korra accepted. She was already getting occasional earthbending lessons; adding some spirit training now that she could see them would be smart on her part. "Yeah, I will. Sounds interesting."
Unalaq did not object—he was still in shock after seeing the blessing every member of his tribe dreamed of, a mark of recognition he had coveted for years but which the spirits of the oasis never granted him.
Instead, a foreigner had shown them casually.
"No matter. The plan must continue." He took a deep breath to calm himself. He had studied in the tribe, so his knowledge of Jin Beifong wasn't as complete as the one taught in proper schools throughout the world.
He turned around and walked away from the group in silence with his chin held high, expecting his children to follow quietly.
"Has he realized he's walking alone?" Korra murmured to Tenzin.
Tenzin shrugged as he guided his family toward a food stand that looked promising. Watching Jin bite into food had awakened his appetite—and that of the others.
Maybe some warm broth noodles—yes, that would go well with the cold!
"Hmm?" Tenzin read the sign. "Ichiraku Ramen? Sounds good, let's give it a try."
Meanwhile, Desna and Eska hadn't followed their father. They were evaluating Jin with quiet intensity.
"Korra," Tonraq crouched beside his daughter to whisper after clearing his throat, "should we be worried about your cousins?"
Since Tonraq had been expelled from the Northern Water Tribe back then, before ending up in the South, he had traveled and heard enough along the way to have a clearer idea of Jin Beifong.
In fact, there were also rumors among the elders back then that Yue had been in love with him, but he always considered those baseless gossip. Now…
"Relax," Korra patted her father's shoulder. "Katara can heal them if needed."
Tonraq gave her a deadpan look—that was NOT a good answer!
"Do you two need something?" Jin finished his food and tossed the bone into a trash bin, curious as to why the twins were waiting for him.
Eska opened her mouth—
"Desna! Eska!" Finally, Unalaq realized their absence and called them with a firm tone that seemed to hide embarrassment.
Eska hesitated, closed her mouth, and followed her brother to rejoin their father.
"Okay?" Jin raised an eyebrow. "That was weird."
"They've always been weird," Korra commented.
She didn't dislike her cousins, but they had always scared her. They were so logical and emotionless they gave her goosebumps. Though, considering they grew up without their mother…
Jin only hoped he wasn't Eska's new interest. He wasn't the least bit interested, and he believed Bolin deserved a bit of action.
…
"I've been searching, but I didn't find any traces of dark spirits," Kyoshi approached when Jin was alone getting ready for dinner.
"I doubt Unalaq will act until everyone is asleep," Jin said as he changed clothes without embarrassment in front of Kyoshi, who certainly didn't miss the opportunity to look. "He wants to cause panic, not casualties, so I assume nothing will happen until night, when no one is around and he can destroy things."
Ironically, that was the only display of mercy the man showed in the entire series—the same man who wanted to become the dark Avatar.
…
Yes, dinner was just as he remembered, though thankfully, they placed him at a table far from Katara's group. He still felt uncomfortable around her.
Night fell and… the dark spirits arrived.