Completely out of context. But I have recently become a big fan of Jinora/Skoochy (Jinoochy) because why shouldn't the little kids get some loving? Enjoy!

The Doll-face And The Pickpocket

-Chapter 1-

Jinora sat quietly on a bench in Republic City Park. It had taken three full weeks of constant nagging for her and Pema to convince Tenzin to let her off Air Temple Island for a day trip to the city.

Since Korra's most recent confrontation with Amon and the Equalists, things had calmed down dramatically in the revolution. For the past four weeks Amon had slinked back into the shadows and even the protestor who usually stood in Republic City Park had been absent for a few days. That meant that it was the perfect time to test the waters of Jinora's independence. Much to Tenzin's credit as an over-protective parent, even on her first exploration to the city on her own, Jinora had picked the same part of the park her family frequented to sit and read. Reading allowed Jinora to escape the revolution and her younger siblings. Although Jinora loved Ikki and Meelo greatly, there were times when she felt suffocated by the two younger Airbenders and she sought the relief of her various books.

However, after months of reading and re-reading the same stories, Jinora was quickly becoming bored; leading to her current position on the bench. Before going to the park Jinora had taken the few yuans she had managed to save up and gone to her favourite bookstore. She loved scanning the shelves stacked high with fictional stories, but what was even better were the piles of non-fictional books; especially the ones detailing her Grandfather Aang's adventures. Firelord Zuko was her favourite historical figure, in a strange way Jinora could understand his desperate need to prove himself to his father as well as empathising with his famous moral change of heart. Jinora had always felt that she was like Firelord Zuko in the way that he had his nation's expectations to live up to, much as she did as one of the only five Airbenders alive (she was including Korra, even though Korra had yet to actually Airbend). Jinora had mentioned this comparison to Firelord Zuko the last time he had visited Air Temple Island on one of his trips to Republic City as an unofficial ambassador for world peace. Unfortunately that was a while ago, since the intensifying of the revolution, Zuko hadn't returned to Republic City in fear of giving Amon and the Equalists something to campaign against.

As she sat there daydreaming, Jinora felt suddenly hungry. After folding the corner of the page she was currently reading of her new book, Jinora put the novel in her satchel and stood up. Opening up her staff, she Airbend-flew her way to Central City Station. Minutes later she was walking into her favourite sushi restaurant, that is she would have been if it wasn't for the small lump of earth that came hurtling through the air, clipping her heal and bringing her crashing to the ground with a loud groan. Frowning, Jinora stood up off the ground and dusted off her clothes scanning the surrounding area for the culprit. Not to her surprise, Jinora saw what looked to be an orphan boy running towards her. However what she didn't expect was seeing him turning back around and shouting at some other poor-looking kids.

"Oi! The rules were, you could only aim at the other players Yuhn, Spirits' sake," he said in an agitated tone. Jinora looked him up and down as he approached her. She noted that he had a button nose, messy outgrown black hair and the toes on his right shoe were missing.

"Sorry 'bout that doll-face," the boy said with a sly grin, stopping to stand only inches from her and looking at her with an appraising eye. At the closer proximity, Jinora could smell his slight odor of dirt and spice and realized that she came up to his chin. Suddenly uncomfortable with the look the boy was giving her, Jinora straightened her back and met his gaze challengingly.

"Not a problem," Jinora said with an air of confidence.

"What's your name?"

"What's yours?"

"Skoochy."

"Jinora."

"You an Airbender?"

"I am. You an Earthbender?"

"Yep. Not many Airbenders 'round, what you doing 'round here?"

"Getting some lunch."

Skoochy nodded, that sly smile on his face again, "you got a fire under you girl."

"Is that so? Usually people say I have the wind under me."

Jinora couldn't help smile as Skoochy laughed appreciatively at her joke. Before she could say anything, he had bent down and picked up her satchel and staff, which she had let go of when she hit the ground. After a moment's hesitation, Skoochy handed the two items to Jinora with a wink, "I couldn't bring myself to steal from a pretty little thing like you," he said with yet another grin. Jinora was slightly taken aback by his compliment and took her things without saying anything, averting his gaze by looking at her hands and noticed they lightly brushed his when she took her staff.

"How old are you Jinora?" Skoochy's eyes were still trained on her and were causing a blush to creep onto Jinora's pale cheeks.

"I'm ten. How old are you?"

"Ten ay, that's pretty young considering you're strolling 'round here by yourself."

"Lots of kids live without parents on the street, therefore I can go for one day without being chauffeured."

"Calm down doll-face, I was just making an observation. You gotta keep in mind, none of those kids are Airbenders."

"That doesn't make a difference."

"Yes it does."

"Are you going to answer my question?"

"I'm twelve," Skoochy said with a nasal snicker.

"So you're not that much older than I am."

"Nah I guess not. And the age difference will only seem less insignificant as we get older."

Jinora felt a blush warming her cheeks again at the way he wiggled his eyebrows at her as he said the last part.

"So Skoochy, do you usually stop to talk to strange girls?"

Skoochy laughed again, tilting his hat ever so slightly so it was pushed further on top of his head, "no, usually I just pick their pockets, either that or give them information."

"Information?"

"Yea, that's how I get by you see."

"You ever tell the Equalists anything?"

"None that I know of. But they don't usually wear their uniforms doll-face."

Now it was Jinora's turn to giggle. He did have a point and in a way Jinora was slightly embarrassed for asking the question. Skoochy seemed to like Jinora's girly giggle because he took a step closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder, causing Jinora to promptly stop her giggles and look at his dark eyes again.

"I'm guessing this is the most you've ever said to a stranger without picking up some yuans," Jinora tilted her head to the side curiously.

"Think it might be actually," he said winking again.

Jinora had to avert her gaze again and remind herself that she was only ten, only a child. And he was an orphan boy that she had just met.

As if reading her thoughts, Skoochy tapped Jinora's shoulder that his hand was still resting on. "Did you know, your grandfather fell in love with your grandmother when he was twelve? Also, in the Hundred Year War, many of the active vigil antis were just children, aging from eight to seventeen. The most famous of them were called the Freedom Fighters," he said briskly.

"For once Skoochy, your information is not new. I read a lot of history books. I know all about the Freedom Fighters and I've talked to Gran-Gran firsthand about her and Grandfather Aang," Jinora said with a factual tone and a knowing grin.

"Well aren't you a know-it-all?" Skoochy grinned, squeezing her shoulder.

"I've been told that I'm a bookworm, that's close enough."

"It sure is doll-face. But I'm not one to look down on knowledge, seeing as that's what I do."

The nickname that had first made Jinora want to roll her eyes was now making her fear that the blush would come back, it was also making her think maybe she would see this boy again. Much to her dismay, Jinora's stomach decided that was the perfect time to growl, reminding her that she was still hungry. With an embarrassed giggle Jinora took a step away from Skoochy, "I really should be getting some lunch now."

Skoochy let his arm drop to his side and gave her a little smile and a knowing nod of his head. "Pretty girl's got to eat," he said wiggling his eyebrows again.

"I guess so," Jinora blushed.

"Maybe I'll see you 'round again?" Jinora noticed that Skoochy rubbed the back of his neck bashfully and there was a slight hint of hopefulness in his usually sneaky voice.

"I will make no such promises," Jinora winked.

Skoochy seemed a little stunned at her response, but his sly smile quickly slipped back onto his face as he recognized her wit.

"Goodbye Skoochy, I might just be back this time next week, providing I have a hankering for sushi again…and if I can convince Dad," Jinora smiled, turned around and walked into the sushi restaurant.

"See you then doll-face." Skoochy said, tipping his hat and watching as his new friend walked into the small sushi establishment carrying her staff and satchel. Maybe one day he could walk in with her and if he had his way it'd be as more than friends.