Taimu climbed the steps to his apartment, careful to avoid the spirit vines that covered much of the stone. Reaching the correct floor, he skipped down the hall, chuckling to himself. It had been a very good day. He'd even had time to stop into Chief Beifong's office and say hi.

Taimu almost laughed at the memory. The look on the Chief's face when he'd appeared in front of her, said hi, and vanished again had been priceless.

Still chuckling, Taimu opened the door to his borrowed apartment. His amusement died when he saw that he had a visitor.

Taimu leaned against the open doorway, a smirk firmly plastered across his face. "Officer Mako. A pleasure to see you again."

Mako glared. "Taimu. I need your help."

Taimu's smirk faded and he pushed away from the doorframe. "Sorry officer. Can't help you. Wouldn't even if I could."

"It's important."

Taimu laughed. "Said every officer ever. Try another one, Detective."

"It's about Korra-"

"Then she should be here herself. I don't make deals with mortals."

Mako glared at Taimu. "Listen to me for a minute. Korra's-"

"That's not-"

"-my problem."

Mako jumped and spun to face Taimu, who was now lounging in a chair on the far side of the room, a massive smile on his face.

Chuckling, Taimu got to his feet. "Mako, you seem to be suffering from some sort of delusion that I am one of your common civilians. I am the Avatar of Shijan, and as such I have certain...restrictions on my actions. Not everyone is destined to change the world. I am here to watch the passage of time from within. I am not here to solve all of Raava's problems, and I am definitely not here to solve yours. If you really need me, tell Raava to stop by, and we can talk, but until then-"

"Korra's missing."

Taimu blinked, then cocked his head to one side. "And I care why?"

Mako was taken aback. "I thought you said that you would protect the Avatar."

"No, I said that I'd protect Raava. I am far less attached to her current avatar than you seem to be."

Mako grabbed Taimu by the shoulders and forced him to meet his gaze. "Stop talking and listen. Korra vanished on her way home last night. No-one saw anything, she didn't say anything to anyone, and we can't find any trace of her."

"That still doesn't mean Raava's in danger."

"Does it sound like she's safe?"

Taimu considered this for a moment. "Not really, no. I suppose it couldn't hurt to...what?"

Taimu was staring into empty space over Mako's head. Puzzled, the detective opened his mouth to ask who Taimu was talking to, before the Avatar of Shijan gasped is surprise. "Oh. Oh! Yes, that could work nicely. Thanks! Let's do that."

Taimu refocused on the very confused face of Mako. "Sorry. Shijan wanted a word. Now, here's the deal. I'll help you find Korra, but once I do, whether or not she's actually in danger, she owes me a favor. Deal?"

Mako hesitated for a moment, then let go of Taimu and stepped back. "Deal."

Taimu smiled wide. "Alright. Tick tock, I'm on the clock. Let's move."

A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this! I had a vicious case of writer's block. Should be able to keep a decent schedule now. Enjoy, and welcome back!