Frostfire ━ The Last Airbender

01 | the boy in the iceberg

ONE | THE BOY IN THE ICEBERG.
( the boy in the iceberg, part one )

❝ i was born in the ice and snow
with the winter wolves, in the dark alone. ❞

"SOKKA, WHAT ARE you—?"

"Shut up, Criss."

"But I want to—"

"Shhhh!"

Crystal soured at her friend's reaction. Leaning forward, his blue eyes narrowed on the water beneath their ample canoe, ready for a hunt. He had a thick parka on and a dulling spear clutched in his hand. He was in his obnoxious hunting state again, and Sokka was just so much fun to bug in his Obnoxious Hunting State.

Crystal shifted closer to him, peering over his shoulder. The canoe they were on was really only built for two people, so she'd been sitting in between her two companions next to the tub where they put their catchings. Or, would put their catchings once they got something.

The air was cold and brisk. Usually there was more of a breeze, but an eerie calm had settled in the Southern Pole today and the wind was dormant. Crystal let the chill wash over her, cooling her face. She fit her gloves more snugly over her hands to protect the warmth she had left. Thank Spirits for the sun or her friends would be frozen by now.

Jagged walls of ice lined either side of the river, creating a makeshift stream. Crystal couldn't see past them, and she didn't want to. Out here in the mountains of snow, drifting through the water, she and her friends were in their own pocketed world—especially on a mellow day like today. Crystal was going to milk it for all it was worth.

Sokka huffed quietly, and she chose to ignore him. When she squinted, she could see a small blue fish swimming beside their boat, drifting along with the lazy tide. "It's not getting away from me this time," Sokka said, flexing his spear. "Watch and learn, Katara. This is how you catch a fish."

Crystal sighed. She watched her breath fog up around her, and then wisp away. She fiddled with one of her blonde braids out of boredom. "Katara, if you catch a fish before Sokka, I'll re-braid your hair," She promised, plopping her chin into her hand. She glanced back at the girl in question, who was standing on the other side of the canoe.

Katara, Sokka's younger sister, was a pretty girl with long, brown hair—usually tied up in a braid, but now it was coming undone. She too was decked in a long blue parka and mittens like her fellow tribe members. "On it," She replied. Katara stared at the water with the same concentration as her brother, and brought her hands in front of her.

"What do I get if I catch one first?" Sokka asked. He still hadn't broken away from his prey, but his tongue poked out of his mouth.

Crystal pretended to think about it. "I'll make you butternut squash soup," She concurred, and watched with amusement as Sokka's face lit up. Sokka loved her soup. It was never too hot, never too cold. It warmed his stomach like a massive hug. (Also, it was the best thing he'd ever tasted, but don't tell Crystal he said that. Meat was supposed to be his first love.)

His face grew more pointed now, and he cocked his arm backwards. "A valid sacrifice for a valid reward," He mused, absentmindedly licking his lips.