Work Text:
As the moon began to rise in the Southern Water Tribe, mothers were putting their children to sleep. For some, it was simple: their progeny gladly fading into slumber, exhausted by a day of playing and helping their parents with chores. For others, however, some convincing was needed.
The chief's household was one of them. Their oldest Sokka was a naturally energetic child. But as much as he loved to sleep, actually falling asleep was the complicated part. Their youngest, Katara, while a calmer child, grew proportionally energetic as the moon was rising. As such, reaching slumber was a hard task for them.
Thus, each night, Kya would sing tales to them, to lull them to sleep.
"Tell us the story of Kagsagsuk, mom!", asked the son, eager to hear again of the boy who grew stronger than and avenged himself against his bullies - not before having impressed them in a feat, of course.
"Not this one! Mom, do the story of Qalagánguasê, please!" objected his sister.
"The one of Tikta"Likat!"
"All right, all right", cut Kya before the disagreement became a full on dispute. "What about a new one?" she questioned in a whisper full of wonder, catching the siblings' attention. "It's about a chieftain answering the call of a spirit," Katara's eyes light up, the young girl found of stories about the spirit world. "and who fought and prove her strength against forces of nature doing so", now Sokka, her little warrior, too was all ears.
Their mother smiled and took the fur blanket in her hand, tucking them as she started to sing.
"Where the north wind meets the sea,", she kissed her son forehead, "there's a river full of memory", and then her daughter's.
"Sleep my darlings, safe and sound. For in this river, all is found..." She looked lovingly at her children. Sokka was slowly starting to doze off, calm and peace overtaking his little body. Katara was trying to stay awake, already engrossed in the story.
"In her waters, deep and true. Lie the answers ", Kya slid gently her finger on the girl's nose, encouraging her to close her eyes. " and a path for you." She then turned back to the boy and petted his hair. The last push for him to fall sound asleep.
"Dive down deep into her sound. But not too far or you'll be drowned..."
She began to rise from her seat at the feet of the children's bed. After making sure that the covers were neatly tucked on them, she continued singing.
"Yes, she will sing for those who'll hear. And in her song, all magic flows", the moon glow was illuminating the bedroom, Tui watching over the scene. " But can you brave what you most fear? Can you face what the river knows?" Can the Avatar comeback and create a better world for her children?
Despite Sokka and Katara sleeping, Kya schooled the worry from her face and went back to the song again.
"Where the north wind meets the sea, there's a mother full of memory." She noticed Hakoda, lying on the door frame and joined his side. "Come my darlings homeward bound. When all is lost, then all is found..." Her song finished, their children safe for the night, the parents then left the room, sleep calling them too.