Chapter Text
Katara sighed.
She had just received another letter from her father.
My daughter,
I hope you hold strong. We send you more eagle-hawks who need shelter.
Hakoda
He never spoke like that in real life. It was a code for: We have sent more refugees. He was off fighting the Fire Nation and Sokka and Katara shared the Chiefhood of the South. Ever since the North had fallen, the city kept growing, taking in more people. Most recently, they had expanded to taking in Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation refugees. With thorough interviews, of course, conducted by Katara herself.
This boat that was coming in carried refugees directly from the city of Caldera.
Katara stood up.
Time to see what the latest catch was.
…
Salutes greeted Katara when she entered the ice barracks, which she returned.
“Chieftess, we have the next group awaiting your questioning.”
“Thank you, Kanaaq.”
Katara entered the first room.
It was always the same. Katara asked a series of questions pertaining to their personal history, and while doing so, focused on the sensations of their heartbeat, in order to test whether they were being honest.
It had not yet failed.
The old man was quite pleasant and answered her questions breezily, except for when it came to the subject of his family, his heartbeat slowed down and the blood flow in the amygdala increased.
He was sad.