EXT. SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE – DAY
WIDE ON: A plain of water moves gently as we pan across it.
We land on a girl, KATARA, practicing a Tai Chi-like form by the side of a lake. She concentrates hard, but is unable to move the water.
CLOSE ON: KATARA once again extends her arms in an attempt to move the water in the lake. She grits her teeth, but once again holds her arm out.
WIDE ON: A small blob of water comes out of the ocean, and KATARA grins. She forms it into a stream and moves it around herself in an intricate formation.
SOKKA (O.S.)
What are you doing?
She gasps and whips around, taking the water stream with her. A loud grunt is heard off-screen. She then clutches her arms to her side as she looks toward the source of the noise.
MEDIUM ON: A seventeen-year-old boy, SOKKA, stands perfectly still, eyes clamped shut and water dripping from his face. He eventually opens his and gives a loud groan.
KATARA
(shocked)
Sokka!
ANGLE: KATARA rushes to SOKKA’S aid, a rag in her hand.
KATARA (CONT’D)
I’m so sorry.
SOKKA
Every time…
KATARA pats his face with the rag.
SOKKA
Five colds in the last month, and not in a conducive climate, mind you!
KATARA
Look, I said I was sorry.
SOKKA
Can’t you just keep that nonsense to yourself?
CLOSE ON: KATARA bites her lip in anger.
KATARA
It’s not nonsense, it’s called waterbending-
SOKKA
You know what I meant.
CLOSE ON: SOKKA
SOKKA (CONT’D)
I’ve told you not to practice it out in the open like that. It’s dangerous to everyone here, especially to you!
KATARA
I’m not endangering anyone.
SOKKA
Let’s see what you say when the patrol shows up.
KATARA
Oh, will you calm down? They haven’t been here in years.
SOKKA
Care to remember what happened last time they were?
MEDIUM ON: KATARA glares at him, her expression turning from anger to sadness. SOKKA sighs and attempts to repent.
SOKKA
Don’t look at me like that.
KATARA
Like what?
SOKKA
Like I don’t miss her too.
KATARA sighs and gives a small reassuring smile to him.
SOKKA
All right, well. I’ve been calling you for a while. I spotted some tracks leading off that way. I was wondering if you didn’t want to come along.
KATARA nods, and then starts off with him.