The aging window was caped in the muck and grime that was being excreted by the industrial city the glass offered a 'view' of. It was probably a good thing. Outside everything looked the same, grey building after grey building clawing towards the horizon. Endless crooked alleyways filled with societies castaways, breathing in and spurting out soot and ash that seemed to cling to them like an unwanted but constant companion.
The black cobbled walls and cracked floor they trudged on a stone tomb of sorts. Korra stood and squinted at what smokey figures she could make out through the poor excuse for a window, her icy blue eyes reflecting back at her through the grime. She had been one of them once. She still was.
The black mark that scarred the back of her right hand a constant reminder of her fall from grace, her exile from the place she had once called home. Korra panned from the mark to the horizon and allowed herself to smile briefly. The ocean lay beyond, beckoning her with its salty scent. Today she would cleanse herself of all the darkness that had came before and set sail for a new life, a chance at redemption.
She removed her hand from the glass leaving a dirty finger print. A poorly constructed bag lay on the floor beside her makeshift bed. Korra slung it over her muscular shoulders, it was light. She only wanted to take essentials. I don't want any reminders of this place. Of this life. Everything that's wrong with here...everything that's wrong with me. What I've had to do. All of it. Leave it all behind.
She pulled a pair of brown leather gloves from the pockets of her long faded black jacket, the baggy white under shirt beneath had turned a murky grey from months on the streets. As she pulled the gloves on Korra stared at the black mark scarring her hand was covered by leather. She paused. You will not ruin my life any more. No more. Then the caramel skinned teen strode out of the shabby wooden room making her way towards the street below.
She kept a firm grip on the knife in her belt as she made her way past the other social pariahs who had taken up residence in the same burnt out and abandoned building. It had been an inn for some of the empires navy in the past but had since fallen into disrepair and ruin.
Some men from the workers revolutionary group 'The Triads' had set the building on fire during a revolt against new 'social taxes' imposed by the imperials.
The empire's government had claimed that the new tax was going to be used to help the nations poorest and most vulnerable citizens. It did the exact opposite, the poor became even poorer and began to rebel and disrupt. Many of them joined 'The Triads' as the empire faced unprecedented resistance and instability. They survived through brute force and betrayal.
Much of the new 'social taxes' had been invested in the imperial military and police force who in the end outclassed the revolutionaries in every way. The uprising was quelled after many months of fighting but the war had taken its toll. The city and much of the land were still scarred from street battles and arisen attacks. This inn was just one of many buildings which served as a reminder of the revolt.
For some it was inspiring, a indication that the imperials were not as strong as they perceived themselves, Korra had heard that splinter cells of 'The Triads' were still active in the city, not that she had met any of them, they were illusive, a myth, a story for poor children to give them hope that change would come some day.
For others the flame scarred buildings represented all of the governments undying strength and how they had purged the 'terrorists' with relative ease thanks to their investment in new technology which was developed by the engineers of 'Future Industries'.
The empire was brutal and the people here would never be allowed to forget. Korra hadn't concerned herself with the rebels, all she had wanted to do since she fled to the city was survive. She was too young to remember any of the war that had taken place and had lived too far away from the fighting to have ever really felt involved.
The city was cruel but the people who resided here were crueler. Korra had taught herself everything she needed to know about this place. She knew the best places to get fresh food that had been wastefully thrown away, places where you get yourself cleaned for free (not that she bothered much), which areas to avoid at night and during the day, where you could get the best view of the ocean (she traveled their often) and where the easiest people to mug walked in the evening.
She had trained herself with a knife for protection and safety but luckily had never had to use it. Most of the people she had mugged handed over their money as soon as she brandished the blade which she keep incredibly clean. It seemed the brighter the steel gleamed the more people were fearful of it. Maybe they are smart enough to realise I can do more than just hold it menacingly.
The reason Korra had never had to use it was because she knew who to target. Always the rich, never the poor. This wasn't because she believed herself some 'Robin Hood' like vigilante giving to the poor, she kept what she stole. She needed to. Korra had found that the poor were far more defensive over what little they had and wouldn't give it up without a fight. They also tended not to carry much money on their person either.
They are smart like that. The rich on the other hand had nothing to lose. They had plenty of wealth back in their cosy, warm home and were never keen to lose their life over what 'little' they carried in their pockets. Which happened to be a lot for Korra, for most people. She had saved up what little she could every since she had arrived in the city and in the last month she had finally made enough, enough to buy passage on a ship and pay the toll at the docks.
The old inn hadn't been a particularly warm or comfortable place to stay over the past few weeks but Korra had been grateful of its existence none the less. It was far safer than being on the streets, even if she had to share with other people. As she walked past their down-trodden and soot covered faces they all in in turn turned away and hunched against the wall.
It's better for them to be afraid of me. It means they won't bother me, Korra assured herself as she brushed past them, her eyes darting left and right scanning all of their varied expressions, their postures. Even their breathing.
This was the most money she had ever carried and she was not prepared to lose it. Not today. She breathed a sigh of relief as she finally made it to the front door, coughing as soot coated the back of her throat. I hate this place. Even this faraway from the docks Korra could smell the sea, she released her grip on the hilt of her knife and walked purposefully out of the maze of alleyways towards the harbor and redemption, not daring to look back at the place she had called home for the past few weeks.
She felt herself relax more and more as the scent of salt grew stronger with every step. The streets began to widen and her vision was no longer hindered by clouds of soot from nearby factories and chimneys. The more distance she put between herself and the slums the more the people around her seemed to change, they didn't just dress differently, they held themselves strangely as well.
They were like a different species entirely. Korra couldn't but mimic their purposeful strides as she walked past them. She turned a corner at the top of a hill and suddenly the ocean was everywhere. Consuming all of her senses. She wanted to run towards it just in case in disappeared, her last chance of escape gone. But it stayed, constantly shifting and swaying like it was a living creature.
Is it trying to tease me? Korra wondered.
She had always been fascinated by water, the way it flowed so precisely , how it moved between objects.
Water can destroy lives and save lives. It's so powerful. I wish that I had so much control. So much strength. Then I would never have to worry again, never be rejected again. I could...I could do so much.
Korra stood and stared, completely infatuated with the clear blue land that lay before her. She hadn't even noticed a frail looking young man staggering towards her. He was clutching his chest and looked like he was on the verge of collapse. He was relatively youthful in appearance, maybe a few years younger than her with dark black hair and tanned skin.
Just as he began to fall onto one knee Korra snapped into action, grabbing under his shoulders before he hit the ground. She looked into his green eyes, concerned that he was having a heart attack. "Are you okay?" she queried reassuringly.
The boy replied weakly. "I'm fine. Thank you." he said trying to pull himself back on his feet.
"Hey! Don't even bother. Put you're arm around my shoulder. I'll take you into that pub to sit down." she stated firmly, pointing to a stone building across the road as a horse and cart trundled past.
The boy seemed to come to life suddenly and regained his posture. "I'm fine. Thanks for the help.!" he said quickly, wriggling free from Korra's grip.
He spun around and tore back into the maze of alleyways she had just came from. The confused teenager stood and scratched her short dark brown hair in confusion, adjusting the light blue rag she had tied around her forehead.
"What a weirdo." she said aloud reaching down to the bag attached to her belt.
Her heart froze as she felt only leather where her bag had been. She frantically patted all over her clothes, only feeling the hilt of her blade.
No. No. No. It can't be. It can't. That, that little...! Not my money! When I catch him. Oh he's going to wish he had never been born!
She spun around about to run down the alley after the youth that had robbed her when she realised there was no point. She collapsed into the dirt road. There would be no point in chasing him down now. If he was anything like her he would of found a place to hide by now and she would spend days hunting him.
There was a reason the system of alleyway's was called 'the dead zone', trying to find someone in there was like trying to find a ghost.
Even those who knew it like the back of their hand would struggle to find a person once they entered the maze. Korra looked determinedly back towards the ocean. I will leave here today. Come hell or high water. This city will not beat me. She knew this city and she knew how to make money quickly. She looked towards the main headquarters of 'Future Industries' which rose high into the skyline.
Wealth and workers poured from that building every lunch-time to have meetings with business partners in the rest of the city. Plenty of apples ripe for plucking Korra smiled. She would have to be quick, the ship was due to sail from the harbor within the hour and once it was gone so was her chance at a new life.
This would be her most difficult mugging to date.
The 'Future Industries' building was nothing like alleyways she usually prowled in. It was a very public location with wide open spaces and inevitably someone other than her victim would see what she was doing. Korra pulled her blue bandanna down to conceal her face tying it tightly at the back of her head. You better stay put. You hear? She might have to use her knife.
Can I really do that? Is a new life really worth going there? She decided she would make the choice when the time came.
After several minutes of sprinting and weaving through the streets she made it to the wide open space outside the front of the 'Future Industries' building. Hordes of workers stood around eating and making small talk, some were covered in soot and others looked pristine. Neither group mingled.
Korra moved like a flowing stream between the crowd, looking for a target. Once she was clear of the bulk of the workers there were only a few people in front of her all heading in different directions. Time was running out.
She scanned the 5 different people as quickly as possible before they all tailed off into the city again. Okay, okay. They are all clean. They all look after themselves.
They are all carrying some money. But is it enough? Focus. That guy on the left is physically built. He would be a pain in the butt to try and take down. Not an option.
Next person. A little older looking, he has an imperial medal pinned to his jacket. A military must be some kind of veteran, he will have a combat training. Not an option.
This lady. She doesn't look like she knows where she is going. But she doesn't seem to have any money within easy reach. It must be in an inside pocket. It would be too difficult to try and take it cleanly and get away. I would have to use the knife. Not an option.
Okay, two to go. A guy and a girl. Right. The guy. He looks unsteady on his feet, he seems to be walking with a limp, maybe a work injury.
The girl. She has...dark hair. Really shiny...focus Korra! She is carrying a bag, it would be easy to grab. Really easy. She looks physically fit, but the bag. It's too easy to grab.
Her decision was made for her when the remaining man walked in the direction of the imperial military main barracks.
Not an option anymore. Damn. I don't want to hurt the girl. I have to be quick. If I'm quick no one will get hurt.
Korra made her move running at great speed towards the girl from the rear, her gloved hand reaching out towards the hanging bag.
She was at full stretch as her fingertips made contact with a rich leather when suddenly the stranger viciously grabbed her wrist and spun around flipping Korra over smashing her back onto the ground. The move wounded her as the thief tried to catch her breath again.
Just as she was about to get up the black haired stranger was on her again gripping Korra's right arm like a vice, pulling it behind her back and using her knee to force the dark skinned teen to the ground.
"What the hell do you think your doing!?" the stranger shouted as calmly as her voice would allow. There was still a detectable tremble to her tone. She maintained her firm grip on her muggers wrist.
Korra tried to wiggle free of the hold as people began to move towards the commotion. Am I going to get arrested now? The knife. The knife. I can use the knife. No,I can never go there. Never go to that place. Today is a clean slate.
As Korra desperately tried to find a way to free herself from the stranger and escape she felt her leather glove slip off her wrist slightly revealing the dark spot that scarred her hand.
She heard the stranger gasp in horror upon seeing the injury. A mark that had caused Korra to lose her home, her family and nearly took her life. 'The black death.'
She felt the stranger recoil and loosen her grip slightly, but never completely. This girl was the first person Korra could remember not having ran away in utter fear after seeing the mark.
She's brave. And stupid.
She had made a fatal mistake though, her arm was bent now, its grip no longer rigid and it was enough for Korra to break free and tear away with incredible speed in the direction of the harbor.
The stranger kept a firm grip on her bag and her passage money as she watched on in confusion and shock as the masked teen disappeared back into the city and out of sight. Workers began to crowd around the heiress to 'Future Industries', they fawned over her.
"Are you injured?!".
"Are you okay my dear?"
"Hold on let me get your father."
Asami felt her skin crawl. Always daddy's helpless little girl.
Did they not just see what I did to that mugger?
Granted the attacker had approached at the wrong angle.
If they had came at a tighter degree and used their speed to topple the me they she would of got away cleanly.
Still, the black mark saved them in the end. How could they possibly have that mark and still be alive?
Was it a fake? No.
Why would someone fake that?
"No. It's fine. I'm fine. Get back to whatever it is your are suppose to be doing." she said firmly.
The workers knew better than to challenge their employers daughter and scuttled back to their respective work stations.
It is only every the clean ones that bother with me. The soot covered portion. They barely bat an eye-lid. I don't think they would even care if that blue eyed stranger had stabbed me.
Asami brushed her coat off and secured her bag more tightly to her side.
She needed that money to pay for her passage at the harbor. She had been appointed a boatswain (engineer) on a ship she had been sent on by her father which was headed for the so called 'Promise Land.'
She began striding towards the docks at speed, making sure to be there before the boat set sail.