Pavi and her twin sister, Nisha, were born following the death of Avatar Korra. Pavi was born missing her lower left leg. Before their separation, the twins lived with their mother, who sang to them, and spent their time playing together. However, a mysterious event separated the twins from their mother and from each other.[8] While Nisha was raised by the Order of the White Lotus,[5] Pavi was left alone with her cat monkey, Geet, on the outskirts of Ellora. There, she built a shelter where she lived alongside Geet and her rock friends.[7] At some point, Pavi discovered that she is the new Avatar, but in her dangerous era, the title marks her as humanity's destroyer, not its savior and deep down, she wished she had never become the Avatar.[5] Pavi is a gentle, caring, and somewhat timid girl who has spent much of her life in denial of her identity as the Avatar and fearful of what it might mean. Her years of isolation have contributed to her eccentric behavior, including her habit of talking to the rock dolls she collects in her home, her preference for sleeping on the ground, and her tendency to converse with insects. She also struggles with low self-esteem, at one point referring to herself as a fluke. Despite her insecurities, Pavi is capable of remarkable bravery, particularly after an encounter with a Brigade cadet during a storm teaches her that fear is a prerequisite for courage.[11]

Nisha is a headstrong, mischievous, and playful girl who is eager to demonstrate her abilities and help others. Although she generally projects an air of self-confidence, her boisterous demeanor conceals underlying feelings of self-doubt, isolation, and envy. Despite Karthik's efforts to instill a sense of duty and discipline in her, Nisha has a rebellious streak and frequently disobeys orders.[3][4] Her unpredictable nature has led one member of the Order of the White Lotus to characterize her personality as chaotic.[4] Nisha is also quick-tempered, sometimes acting recklessly or saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment. However, she is equally quick to recognize and regret her actions when they unintentionally cause harm to others.[4] Nisha and her twin sister Pavi were initially raised by their mother in a small settlement, where she would often sing to them.[4] From a very young age, the sisters discovered that they could bend all four elements and frequently used their abilities to play games together, such as tag.[3] Around 396 AG,[3][1] the twins were separated during a traumatic incident involving a storm in the Harshlands, which left both of them without their memories. Nisha was subsequently found and taken in by Captain Karthik, a leader of Ellora's Bending Brigade and a secret member of the Order of the White Lotus. Recognizing her as the Avatar, Karthik began training Nisha in secret, teaching her both bending and history.[3] As the Avatar was widely despised in Ellora, Nisha's true identity was concealed from the public, and she was instead presented as Karthik's nonbender assistant. Over time, she developed considerable proficiency in her bending abilities, but grew increasingly frustrated with having to remain hidden rather than use her powers to help others. The secrecy surrounding her identity also left her feeling isolated from children her own age,[3] preventing her from forming friendships.[4]