a day in the life

The Party: Part 1

Lin spent the limited time she had before the party trying to figure out how to wrap Korra's gift. She placed the hat and t-shirt into a box and grabbed some spare newspaper, tape, and scissors. She stared down at her materials. Lin quickly realized she had never wrapped a gift before, she had always used bags, but forgot to pick one up after the whole gift shop fiasco.

This can't be that hard. I can figure this out no problem. Lin thought with confidence. She began attempting to wrap the box.

Am I supposed to be using this much tape?

No, this can't be right.

How is it less wrapped than before?!??

Lin sighed from exasperation. "I give up" she said aloud. She picked up the half wrapped box and walked out of her apartment, slamming the door behind her.

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The ferry arrived at the shore of Air Temple Island at exactly noon. Asami and Korra stood at the small dock greeting their guests.

"Lin! I'm so happy you could make it!" Asami said with a smile, "Korra really wanted you to be here."

Korra eyes went wide with embarrassment before she said, "I wanted everyone to be here. It is the avatar's birthday after all. Shouldn't we have a huge party to celebrate?" A cocky, lopsided grin formed on Korra's face.

"Right... Well happy birthday kid. I got you this," Lin shoved the poorly wrapped gift box into Korra's hands.

"Thanks!" Korra said with excitement, "I can't wait to open it. Anyways, everyone's inside if you wanna go say hello."

With a nod, Lin turned away from the two of them and walked towards the building.

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The door to the temple was ajar. As she approached, Lin could hear bits of conversation, laughter, and music. She stepped through the stoop and was immediately greeted by Kya.

"Lin! Thank the spirits you're here. Could you help me carry the food out from the kitchen? If I do it alone it'll take me ages," Kya questioned as Meelo and Rohan flew by on air scooters, nearly knocking Lin to the ground.

"Absolutely" Lin said. She was already trying to find an excuse to get out of the crowded room where kids looking to take her out at the knees.

Lin swiftly followed Kya to the kitchen, the sounds of the party fading as they got farther from the main event. The kitchen table and all the counters were covered with dishes from all four nations.

"Who are we feeding, an army?" Lin asked sarcastically as she grabbed some platters of seal jerky.

"Practically," Kya shot back, "The guest list was about 100 people long last I checked, and that was a couple of weeks ago."

Lin's eyes widened. She didn't expect the party to be so big. Maybe she would have to cut out early...

As if Kya was reading her mind she said, "Don't even think about leaving before 8."

"You can't seriously expect me to stay for 8 hours."

"I can and I do. I'll be watching you to make sure you don't sneak out" Kya said with a lopsided smile.

Lin rolled her eyes. "As if you could stop me."

"If anyone can, it's me. I used to be queen of sneaking out, remember?"

"Oh, I remember. I also distinctly remember you getting caught by your mother on multiple occasions and being placed on house arrest," Lin smirked.

"You remember that?"

"Of course, I remember a lot about you."

Kya turned away from Lin, hiding her reddened checks. "Grab the fire flakes," she said as she walked away with two dishes in her hands.