"Tenzin, do I have to go?"
Korra sat in the passenger seat of the Satomobile Air Bison, slumped halfway down with a pout on her face. The councilman in the driver's seat sighed heavily.
"You know you do, Korra. Part of the deal was you attend school while you're staying here. As much as the kids would love you around the house all the time, I'm sure Pema and the Air Acolytes would go insane with all of you charging around the island all day, everyday."
Korra began to kick the bright blue messenger bag in front of her. Her parents had sent it down along with the rest of her belongings she didn't bring to the city with her when she moved into Air Temple Island. It was a gift from Katara, suede with a polar bear fur trim, along with her family crest embroidered on the front in silver. About as Water Tribe as you can get, Korra had thought to herself when she got it. She took another deep sigh as she saw the sign to her new hell. Republic City Academy.
"Couldn't I just go to Republic High? This place is so preppy and up-itself." She whined, sitting up in her seat and turning to face the airbender next to her. Tenzin parked the car, taking a moment to compose himself, rubbing his temples.
"Korra, Republic City Academy is one of the finest institutions in the world. My father helped set it up, to allow the future leaders of the world the best education possible. And as the Avatar, you are among those future leaders. So please stop complaining and give it a chance."
"Fine." Korra mumbled, slumping back into her original position. She eventually dragged herself out of the car, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She looked around at all of the students, some of which were stopping and staring at her for a moment. Nearly all of them were wearing fine clothes, cashmere, silk, satin and lace. A real difference from Korra's jeans, hoodie, dunks and vest top. Then there was how they carried themselves. They were aloof, heads held high, the epitome of the words 'stuck-up'. Korra pouted, then noticed Tenzin motioning to her from the main entrance. She walked over from the car, ignoring the stares and sneers of the students she passed by. She reached Tenzin, and suddenly noticed the man standing next to him. He was about as old as Tenzin, with combed back hair and a mustache adorning his face. Balanced on the end of his nose were a pair of reading glasses. He looked portly, his suit just coping with the mass it was containing. He smiled down at Korra.
"Good morning, Korra. I'm so glad to finally meet you. My name is Hiroshi Sato, and I'm the student counselor here at the Academy."
Korra stared in disbelief for a moment, before coming to her senses, helped by a gentle nudge from Tenzin.
"Hiroshi Sato? As in the owner of Satomobile?! Why are YOU a teacher, you're loaded!" she spluttered out, still staring. Hiroshi began to laugh uproariously.
"Oh, I'm not here for the money, I'm a volunteer. My daughter attends, and I felt I had to give something to the school. Writing a check may work for some people, but I felt this to be more useful than a bit more money in the bank." he chuckled. "Come on now, we'll get better acquainted in my office." He turned around and strode through the double doors in front of him, swiftly followed by Tenzin, who had begun to converse with him in a hushed voice. Korra slunk after them, hands thrust into her pockets. She fished out her phone and plugged in her earphones. She scrolled through her music till she found what she was looking for. Paramore, the RIOT! album. Easily her favourite. She strolled casually along behind the two men, taking in the hallways filled with lockers, the classrooms students were making their way into, all the while quietly singing along to the music. Eventually, they reached a door with Sato's name on it. Beneath it read, Student Welfare Counselor.
"Korra? Are you listening?" Tenzin said, pulling her earbuds out. Korra looked at him with a puzzled expression. The airbender sighed. "Mr. Sato was just explaining what was going to happen today."
"Oh, sorry." Korra mumbled, looking at the floor, "I was… It's just…"
"Don't worry, my dear." Hiroshi said, smiling at her, "I can repeat myself. After all, I have a daughter your age, so I'm used to it." Korra smiled weakly at him, feeling stupid standing in the middle of the hallway, teachers and students rushing past. Hiroshi opened the door and ushered them in. The office was obviously made to feel welcoming. Posters on the walls, a couple of comfy chairs around a coffee table, a fridge in the corner of the room, along with a kettle and microwave on a small table. A small desk with a computer sat next to them, behind which was a chair similar to the ones around the coffee table. Korra dropped into one of them, grateful of the soft embrace it gave her. Tenzin perched on the edge of the other, turning it to face Hiroshi, who had taken his place behind his desk.
"Now," Hiroshi announced, clapping his hands together as he said it, "we have a full day of lessons and activities to get you used to the school grounds and how everything works. You'll have a buddy with you all day, taking you to and from your classes, and anywhere else you might need to go. Here is your student handbook and timetable." He passed Korra a paper booklet, emblazoned with the school crest and the words, Welcome to Republic City Academy. On the back was a printed-out sheet of paper, her name the the top, her weekly lessons in the table below. "Everything you need to know, rules, regulations, school map, it's all in that little book. If you do get lost and need help, just ask a student and they'll get you in the right direction"
Yeah, right, Korra thought, I'll more likely get told to shove it. She flipped through the book as Hiroshi continued.
"There is the important matter of your… status… we need to discuss." He said, his voice now serious, his hands resting on the table. "Obviously, we cannot have it as common knowledge that the Avatar is a student here, it would cause too much trouble, for both Korra and the school. We could end up with students, parents, even board members complaining about it, not to mention the security risks. I think it best for Korra to… refrain from bending while here."
"What!?" Korra yelled, nearly leaping from her seat. "But that's not fair!" Tenzin leaned over, placing a firm had on Korra's shoulder to get here to sit down.
"I'm not sure if that's a wise choice, Mr. Sato. Korra needs to train, and while it can be done outside of school hours, I believe it would put too much strain on her body and spirit. She needs time to rest, to have a life outside of her Avatar training." Tenzin said, still gripping Korra's shoulder. Korra felt shocked. Tenzin was always going on about how her training was the most important thing in her life, how it was all she should be thinking about and working on. Hiroshi stroked his chin, pondering the situation for the moment.
"Perhaps you're right. If Korra agrees to stick to one form of bending, we can put her into training classes with the others. Due to her heritage, I think waterbending would cause the least trouble." He said, adjusting his glasses. "Is that ok with you, Korra?"
"Will I be able to try-out for the Pro-Bending team?" Korra asked, her eyes glistening with hope.
"I don't see why not." Hiroshi said, leaning back into his chair. "I'll warn you, though, Coach Beifong is tough. I've seen excellent players give up the whole thing after one training session with her."
Korra smiled from ear-to-ear. Finally, something I can get behind at this school. She turned to Tenzin, who had, for some reason, gone particularly pale.
"Beifong?" he finally spluttered out. "That wouldn't be Ex-Police Chief Lin Beifong, would it?"
"The very same." Hiroshi said. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Tenzin mumbled, adjusting the collar to his shirt and rearranging his suit jacket. "Anyway, I must be off. I have a lot of important business to get to. Korra… just… don't get in trouble." He coughed, rising from his seat and swiftly leaving the office. Korra had never seen him like that. She had watched him take on a squad of firebenders like they were nothing, what could have him so rattled? Just as Tenzin left, the bell rang.
"Goodness me, is that the time?" Hiroshi said, looking at his watch. "Your buddy should be here by now. I wonder…" Hiroshi was cut off by the door flying open and a boy tumbling into his office.