Korra and her son, Tapan are outside waterbending. They live in the Southern Water Tribe by themselves. Korra's parents visit from time to time, but for the most part, they are alone. Living on the outskirts of the tribe has it's advantages: the main one being privacy.
Tapan is a fourteen year old waterbender. His complexion is almost identical to Korra's, but he has his father's features. If you saw him, a blue eyed, tanish, waterbender, with scraggly black hair that barely brushes the base of his neck, you would believe he was full Water Tribe, but he's not.
Him and his mother are sparing, and he just sent a jet of water at Korra that she easily dodged. She smirked as she told him, "Come on, I thought you better than that. Lets see some waterbending." Sparing made Korra's competitive attitude obvious.
Throwing everything into the attack, Tapan grunted, "I'm trying." He loved his mother, but he got irritated with the 'tough love' during training.
After a few more moves, he knocked his mother back. Smiling he raised the snow in front of him. Turning the snow to water made an effective wave that he sent towards Korra.
It washed her a few yards back on the snow. Getting up, Korra told her son, "Good job! Looks like you are close to becoming a master waterbender." Seeing him smile, she restated, "very close."
At dinner, Tapan's mind was racing with an all too familiar question.
Seeing him fiddle with his food, Korra asked, "You ok?"
Looking at her then back at his untouched food, he told her, "Yea, I just have a lot of things on my mind."
Placing her silverware down, Korra asked, "Like what?" She tried to sound cheery, but she knew something was bothering him. Being his mother, she hated to see him in turmoil.
Sighing, he admitted, "I want to know about dad." When Tapan looked up at her, he saw she had froze for a moment. He knew it was a touchy subject. If he remembers right, his mother packed her bags and came to the South Pole before telling his father he was going to be born. Tapan thought it was rather unfair that he and his father were deprived of knowing each other, and he hoped to resolve that soon.
Lowering her eyes, she told him, "Last time we talked, I answered all your questions. What else do you want to know?"
Tapan huffed; then he breathed, "A name." Every time he asked to know his father's name, Korra would deny him that. He knows his father is a firebender from Republic City. His dad has an earth bending brother, his mom and dad met at a probending match, and his father was playing. He knows his parents loved each her, and he also knows they agreed that being together wouldn't work. Tapan supposed that's why he and his mother were in the Southern Water Tribe while his father was in Republic City unaware of his existence.
Sighing, she told him, "Tapan... I know you want to know, but I know you too well. You will go to Republic City and try to find him on your own." Korra did want her son and his father to get to know each other, but she was worried that Tapan's father would reject him. She was afraid her son's dad wouldn't believe his son. The fear of her son being rejected was what held her back.
Standing up and slamming his fork on the table, Tapan yelled, "What if that's what's best! What if I need to see my dad! I shouldn't be deprived by only having one parent. I need a father too!"
Korra was shocked at his outburst.
After Tapan calmed down, he explained with hurt eyes, "Mom... I know you raised me the best you could, and I couldn't have asked for more. I just wish- I just wish I knew him..."
Korra got out of her seat, and walked around the table to where her son was. Wrapping her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him, she told Tapan, "I'm sorry.. ." A few tears leaked from his eyes, but his face was hidden by the hair that draped over his eyes as he slumped over. Bracing himself against the table, he tried to hold himself together. It's all he could do not to yell again. Usually he was comforted by his mother's embrace, but this was the only subject brought up that they couldn't compromise on.
She said, "It's ok. Everything will be alright."
That was enough to tip Tapan over the edge. He couldn't take it anymore. Tapan pulled out of his mothers embrace, and walked to his room slamming the door behind him.
Korra sighed. She knew he deserved to know, but she wasn't ready to tell him.
In his room, Tapan grabbed a tote bag. He stuffed food, some yuans, and a couple other things in the bag. After he was sure he had everything to run away, he climbed out the window. Plopping into the snow, he was glad to have grabbed his coat on the way out.
Tapan had done this several times before, but he had never actually left to find his father. It was just too risky. He just needed to vent; even though, whenever he did this, it worried his mother sick. Every time he came home, she was frantic.
Walking through the Tribe in a light snow, he looked for somewhere to go. People recognized him, and he waved, but they didn't recognize him as the Avatar's son. They just knew him as another villager.
Passing by someone reading a newspaper, he happened to glance over. It was from Republic City. He had seen the newspapers before, but none of them told him anything about his father.
He was snapped out of his trance by the old man reading the paper saying, "Would you like to read?"
Realizing he must have been staring at the paper, he rubbed the back of his neck. Then Tapan told him, "No. Thank you."
Standing up, the old man held out the paper and told him, "Here. You look like you need some news to cheer you up. Not all of it is the happiest, but they have a few entertaining stories. The more you know, the more knowledgeable you are."
Seeing the old man was smiling and wanted him to take the paper, Tapan took it. Then he said, "I'll return it."
Walking away the old man told him, "No, my boy. Keep it."
Looking at the paper, I saw the title, 'Biggest Triad Bust of the Year!' Skimming the front page, he saw the article was about a high ranking officer catching notorious leaders in the criminal world. The other articles were interesting: 'Fire Ferrets Banned From Some Restaurants', 'Future Industries: Colored Televisions Coming out Next Month', 'Three Robberies on the Same Corner in the Same Day', 'Will the Avatar Ever find that Special Someone?'. Tapan had to scoff at that one. The day his mom found someone was the day normal pigs fly on their own. The last article did catch his attention. It read, 'Team Avatar: The Then and Now Update". It was in the monthly section, so it was no surprise Tapan hadn't noticed it before.
'Korra: Korra was a spunky rebellious teenager when she saved the world, but moved back to her home soon after. Now, she is still living in the Southern Water Tribe, but she paid us a visit on the fifth. Spirits were attacking City Hall. Luckily, Korra was there to resolve the issue.
'Asami: Mrs. Sato was always the beautiful and smart girl she is now. Still test driving the Satomobiles Future Industries makes, it is no surprise this CEO has a new product, color television.
'Bolin: After being raised by his older brother, Bolin became a popular probender. This all ended when he became a star in the movers. This jokester is currently starring in his twentieth series.
"Mako: By far the most serious of the group, Mako has always been a leader. Orphaned at eight he led himself and Bolin, his brother, off of the streets. Then he led a probending team consisting of himself, his brother, and the Avatar. Now, within the last week, he has made the biggest triad bust of the year.'
Tapan stared at the page, particularly at the last paragraph. A former probending captain of the team his mother was on was one of the many things his mother had described his dad as.
A picture was at the top of the article. Though it was black and white, you could clearly see the picture. On the left there was a girl with flowing black hair and a glove on her left hand; Tapan figured, since it wasn't his mother, it must be Asami. The next over was a boy with a goofy grin on his face; figuring that was Bolin because of his expression, Tapan moved onto the next person. He clearly recognized this watertribe teenager. It was a younger version of his mother. She really hadn't changed much. Looking to the last person in the picture, he saw a tall teenager with spiky hair and a scarf. This was probably Mako. What really raised suspicions of Mako was that, in the picture, his arm was wrapped around Korra, and they were both smiling.
Remembering the first article, Tapan flipped back to it. Reading it he learned, that Mako was a fire bender on the police force. He also read that Mako often worked long hours at the station because he was very dedicated to his work.
He knew. Tapan knew this had to be his father. The cover picture had the same man that was in the back with an arm around his mother. This was the man he always wanted to meet.
Turning around, he looked in the direction of his house. Then with slight regret for leaving his mother wondering where he is, Tapan decided he would travel to Republic City and find his father.
Later that night, Korra's worry for her son escalated. He had been in his room for hours. She hoped he was ok, but she wanted to make sure.
Walking up to his bedroom door, she knocked on it. There was no answer. Korra did it again, but it was to no avail. After her next knock, she gently called, "Tapan!" With no response she repeated, "Tapan!" Then after a moment, she admitted, "Tapan... I'm sorry. I should have stayed with your father, or at the very least told you who he was when you were young... If you are willing to forgive me, I'd be willing to answer some of your questions and give you a name."
She knew that she hadn't always made the best decisions, but she wanted to do what was right for Tapan. He needed to know who his father was, and Mako needed to know he has a son.
After a minute, Korra knew he should have answered by now. Panicking she yelled, "Tapan!" You could hear the worry in her voice. The now frantic mother bended a large chunk of the wall out , and looked in. She felt a cold draft from the open window hit her. She saw he had packed up and left; even though, usually he comes back in a matter of hours, she runs out of the house to find him.
Hopping on Naga, they ride throughout the tribe, but Korra can't find him anywhere. He has gone missing. All she can do is keep searching.
Tapan, on the other hand, is on a cargo ship heading to Republic City. He needs to find the truth for himself.
When he reaches the city, he is amazed by what he sees. His mother described the city, but there were no words to illustrate the difference between this and the South Pole. Though he was extremely fascinated by the city and could explore it for days, Tapan knew why he was there. He was there to find Mako and see if that is his dad.
Remembering that the newspaper had said Mako was a policeman, Tapan knew that the police station would be a good start. After wandering around a while then getting directions, he made it to where he needed to be.
Tapan stopped in front of the station. Looking around, he saw so many people walking around oblivious of his presence. In the South Pole, you knew everyone. Here he would have to ask around to find his father. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and walked into the station.
The station was bustling. There was a line of irritated people at the counter. Figuring that was the line to talk to someone from the station, he got in line. When it was his turn, he met with a middle-aged officer.
Pulling out some paperwork, the officer asked in a deep voice, "What are you here for today?"
Watching him write things down, Tapan told him, "I'm looking for Mako."
He stopped writing and asked, "Officer Mako?"
Tapan nodded and said, "Yes."
Sighing, he put the paperwork away and told Tapan, "He's on vacation. Sorry, but you can't speak with him. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Feeling defeated, Tapan said, "No, but thank you." Just as Tapan was about to walk away, he asked, "Can you tell me his address?"
Walking away the officer said, "Nope. We can't give the officer's personal information away."
Tapan was about to just walk out of the station and go back home to his mother when he heard an officer addressing a lady "Chief Beifong". That's when an idea came into his head. All he had to do was ask the chief.
Walking over to the older lady that had been addressed, he asked, "Chief Beifong?"
She snapped, "Yes." Now, he remembers his mother talking about her.
After a moment of contemplation, Tapan told her, "I am looking for Officer Mako."
She quickly answered, "He's off. Now, I have more important matters to deal with."
With Chief Beifong walking away, Tapan hustled to catch up as she weaved her way through the station. He pleaded, "Please, I need to talk to him! Can you tell me his address? I need to-" He was stopped short when his face slammed into something hard.
The chief had stopped, and he had ran directly into her metal armor and fell to the ground. Clearly irritated, she asked, "What? You think you have the privilege to come in here and act like you run the place? You don't!"
With the hope of finding his father fading, he sat on the floor. Listening to the chief wasn't helping at all. Tapan felt like tears were ready to fall, but he was good at holding them back. Not a single one fell. With the chief's glare directly on him, Tapan flinched and looked at the ground.
Seeing the boy's reaction, Chief Beifong rethought her opinion of the boy. He looked pitiful in her opinion. Sighing she told him, "Fine! He lives on the North side of the city. Here's the address." Scribbling something down on a nearby piece of paper, she handed it to him and said, "Now, I don't want any more trouble out of you. Don't hassle Mako. He has enough to deal with."
Tapan took the paper and watched the chief walk away. Getting up, he walked out of the station and eventually found the address. It was a humble two story house. Tapan wondered if his father was really in there.
Walking up to the door, he hesitated before knocking. One of his greatest fears, was rejection by his father, but he had never worried about it too much because his father had always felt so far away, but now, his father was only a knock away.
Resting his forehead on the door, Tapan contemplated whether he actually wanted to go through with this or not. He was beginning to wonder if his mother was right; he shouldn't go find his father all alone.
Hardly realizing he had done it, Tapan knocked and lifted his head off the door. A few seconds went by, and it made him wonder if Officer Mako was home. Then a noise was heard behind the door, and it started to open.
