Chapter 2- An Insult to the Federation
The end of the United Republic as a genuine democracy, while not directly a reaction to the Equalist Revolt, was definitely a result of it.
In the aftermath of the revolt, the Equalist movement seemed to disappear, as many of the movement's secret members silently hung up their hoods and continued life as usual, in response to both the discovery of Amon's hypocrisy and the United Republic government's promises of general amnesty and social reform to benefit non-benders. Newly-elected President Raikou Matsuda, the United Republic's first non-bender Head of State ever, intended to spearhead a reform program which included several items including:
- Political reform, demanding the creation of a national unicameral legislative body for passing laws and making political decisions.
- Measures to increase participation of non-benders in the political process, and limit financial support for political campaigns.
- A public works program geared towards impoverished and unemployed non-benders
- State promotion of non-bending culture, such as martial arts, sports and art, specifically to compete with pro-bending.
The plan, while wildly popular with non-bending citizens, was blasted by conservative ruling class benders, who considered it bigotry. They claimed that increased non-bender participation in a unicameral system would inevitably lead to their domination of the system. Matsuda responded firmly that it was the only way to create political equality and democracy, which ultimately meant rule by a majority decision. In a broadcasted speech, he insisted that the only options for the United Republic were the reforms, or a return to conditions that would spark a second uprising. The opposition, once again, took this as a threat, and political violence was initiated between the President's supporters and those of the opposition.
Against the new order, wealthy benders, high ranking law enforcement and military officers and public servants reached an understanding with the dominant Three Seasons Triad, led by "Viper" Aipaloovik, and set about a ruthlessly organized campaign of sabotage and harassment (sometimes fatal) of the reform efforts and their supporters.
On the other side, former Equalists found a new calling as self-appointed defenders of President Raiko's new order. Led by the late Amon's former right-hand-man, and comprising of Equalists, street gang members and off-duty members of Matsuda's newly-formed Public Safety Constabulary, so-called "Greyshirt" squads carried out attacks on all figures they considered on the side of the opposition; in their rhetoric, even mild opposition to Raiko's reforms constituted support for "Bender Supremacy" and collaboration with the Three Seasons Triad. Newspapers, businesspeople and politicians deemed guilty of criticism of the reforms were all targeted for assault and property destruction.
Despite the fact that Matsuda and administration had called frantically for its supporters to forsake violence for peaceful discussion (and had targeted the Greyshirts for arrest and police action just as the Triad) for a year, the opposition was only too happy to make a scapegoat of him and his reforms. As well, his popularity had been reversed, thanks to the violence, and resulting economic crisis. After the worse of the violence, climaxed with the bombing of Viper and his closest lieutenants en route to a dinner party, the President was ousted by a coup orchestrated by the Order of the White Lotus, and supported by the opposition, intending to "restore order." He was tried for treason in refusing (allegedly) to prevent violence from his supporters, found guilty and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Kyoshi Greyshirts disappeared underground, soon to form the nucleus of what would become the Unagi Clan. The remaining Equalist old guard fled the United Republic for the final time, harbored by the rogue Earth Kindom military units who would overthrow the Earth Queen in the Fall Revolution. As well, some would link up with the Tu Do guerrillas (ironic considering the presence of waterbenders among them) and provide support and advice in throwing out the colonial government.
By decree of the new, and current, Grand Lotus Chulyin, the Presidential system was dissolved and replaced with the old Council, whose members were all vetted by the Order, through a carefully controlled referendum. All but one or two of Matsuda's non-bender-centric reforms (generally involving charities, and appropriated by the Order for their own use) were scrapped and declared, along with all talk of non-bender rights and empowerment, anathema to "harmony." As per the new Harmony Acts, the Order exercised an increasingly powerful role over the United Republic government, especially law enforcement and education. The Harmony Doctrine declared bending the true expression of spirituality, and benders designated by the Spirit World as "shepherds" and "servants" to non-benders, in the sense that they were to be. True equality was only to be given by decree of the spirits, with the final incarnation of the Avatar; for humans to take it for themselves was a blasphemous act of mortal arrogance. This translated to effective disenfranchisement for non-benders, who found themselves steadily forced out of offices, ranks and occupations of distinction, and without genuine representatives in government. The biggest non-bender operated businesses, including Future Industries and Varrick Global Industries, were bought out by bender-owned conglomerates rumored to have been given secret backing and financing by the Order.
"You OK, Doctor? Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but you look kind of tense."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Mister Tahno." Dr. Aoki dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief for what must have been the hundredth time since the four of them had gotten off the metro rail and started walking to Kwong's. He gave Tahno his now-characteristic forced, anxious smile. "I'm just a bit nervous." Tahno looked down at his feet, counting the debris and wishing he hadn't assumed his awkward new acquaintance was a grifter. He looked up at Korra, who had apparently shared his thoughts. She gave Tahno an entreating look before silently gesturing to Aoki with her head.
"Ease up." Tahno gave him a slight pat on the shoulder. "Don't try to make a production of... whatever you wanna show me." Aoki looked confused for a moment.
"Oh no, Mister Tahno! It's not that that I'm anxious about; well, maybe partly." To Tahno's confusion, he paused to glance at his reflection in a pawn shop window. "I'm just a little excited to get to eat at Kwong's." Tahno's face fell.
"Uh... you are, are you?" He tried to sound as enthused as his host, failing. Tahno looked over at Korra, who was chuckling silently.
"Absolutely. It's a landmark, you know." Aoki was still oblivious to the other's reactions to his words. He straightened his suit jacket, and cleaned his glasses with a handkerchief. Korra sighed indulgently. This really wasn't the Dr. Aoki she remembered from the day before yesterday; she could tell when socially awkward people were trying way, way too hard to be the life of the party. Aoki may have been somewhat vain and fussy, but he wasn't loud or a motormouth like he was being now. She hoped sincerely that he would calm down once they had settled down for lunch; he didn't deserve to have to wear himself out with this charade. He carried on rambling, this time about how excited he was to find out whether Kwong's Ba Sing Se Roast Turtleduck with Plum Sauce was anything like it was made back home.
It occurred to Korra, as they reached Downtown, that Aoki's "act" might well have not been an act, at least not entirely. Aoki, for all his rambling, seemed less invested in impressing the others with his food obsession, as he was just saying what was on his mind. He was literally lost in his own little world, filled with Middle-Ring Vegetable Hot Pot, Red-Braised Pig-Monkey Belly and a hundred kinds of dumplings. Korra then remembered sitting in on his lecture on applications of hydroelectricity, remembering how, again, he seemed lost in his own world, saying his piece but not necessarily talking directly to the students. Korra felt strangely glad for the awkward physicist; she would have given a lot to be as enthusiastic about something, and sure of her path in life, as Aoki. It was good that what he lacked in social skills and savvy was made up for in passion, gleeful obsession and a sense of purpose. If he hadn't made it as a scientist, he might have made a first-rate food critic.
"Here we are, Doctor." Korra pointed to the landmark multi-story restaurant. Kwong's Cuisine loomed ahead at the corner, bustling with human activity; patrons had already moved out onto the balconies to enjoy the light breeze. "It looks like a full house today. Do you think we'll still be able to get a table?"
"Not to worry." Aoki's smile contrasted with a nervous look in his eyes as he gazed at the restaurant and took in the scene of about a hundred diners sitting close to each other. "As I said, the embassy booked us a table. And I've ordered the special lunch course for all of us." He began fiddling with his moustache, his glasses, his handkerchief, whatever he could get his hands on. Korra felt guilty, like she was dragging an awkward younger cousin to a party with her and knew she shouldn't. She didn't think it was right that Aoki should be uncomfortable just so she and Tahno could have a fancy lunch; even if it was his idea, she felt responsible.
"Look, Aoki." She spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words "What say we save the embassy some money? Tahno," she addressed her boyfriend, "do you think you could take the night off at Narook's?" Tahno nodded, smiling knowingly.
"Sure. Doctor, you ever had Water Tribe food before?" He backed Korra up. "I work at this place in Little Water Tribe, and I think I could convince the owner to-"
"No!" Aoki snapped suddenly, shocking his two guests and bodyguard. Muunokhoi's normally sedate, slitted eyes widened momentarily. Looking around, the Doctor was hit by his social gaffe. He smiled, his most nervous, embarrassed smile yet. "S-sorry I snapped," he forced out. "I really am. I just don't like messing with schedules and plans." He let out a phony little laugh and shrugged. Aoki's outburst only compounded Korra's apprehension about Kwong's. It was almost ironic; she never wanted to set foot in the restaurant again, but found herself doing so to protect the feelings of an acquaintance, himself conflicted by a desire to show new friends a good time and anxiety in crowded places.
"Hey." Korra was startled by Tahno's hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to see his face. He smiled and nodded approvingly, and gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze as they finally made their entrance.
Nothing had changed at Kwong's, Korra noted to herself. Same layout, same design, same uniforms for the waiters. The place was stuck in time
"Good afternoon!" Aoki greeted the host. "We have a reservation for lunch, about five minutes ago."
"What name is it under, sir?" The host appraised his patrons with a critical eye. He raised his eyebrow at the humbly dressed Korra and Tahno, but smiled approvingly at Aoki and Muunokhoi's attire. The Doctor seemed to puff up.
"Dr. Aoki, party of four. Courtesy of the embassy of the Federation of Democratic States." He said it loud enough for patrons in the immediate area to hear. Korra and Tahno wished he had kept that to himself; now a multitude of eyes watched the four, and a multitude of mouths whispered rumors and comments. As before, Dr. Aoki was blissfully unaware. Muunokhoi, on the other hand, shot dark, accusatory glares at whoever he perceived as making the noise.
"I seeeeee." The host raised both eyebrows in surprise. His mouth became tighter and smaller, almost to a comical degree. "Then, if you please, might I see your identification?" Korra felt a rock drop to her gut. Not this. Not here. She saw Tahno visibly gulp and tighten his jaw for what was to come.
"Certainly." Dr. Aoki's semi-forced cheerful expression didn't change as he and Muunokhoi fetched out their temporary visitor's identification cards and handed them over, Aoki with both hands and slight bow. The host had only to take a brief glance, before his face fell. He looked back up at the two foreigners, his expression a mask of phony politeness hiding scorn.
"I'm sorry, sirs," the host began, hardly sounding sorry at all, "but we have a strict policy regarding entrance. Benders only." He said the last two words slowly, as if he relished driving the point home. Tahno winced and dropped his gaze to the polished wooden floor, blocking out the gossip he knew abounded. He could relate. He was used to it by now, but it still stung every time. Dr. Aoki stared at the host, astonished, before his face broke into a broad grin and he began to laugh.
"That was a good one!" Aoki laughed as if he had just been told a world-class joke. He turned back to his guests and bodyguard, to see if they had "gotten" it too, and stopped when he realized he was the only one laughing. Korra looked at him with a pained expression; she wanted nothing more than to say something, anything to somehow make the situation better, to "explain," but couldn't for the life of her couldn't begin to think of what to say. Tahno continued to examine the floor, ashamed. Muunokhoi, on the other hand, seemed to be a different person. His eyes, staring right at the host, were almost bugged out and wide open, and a vein was bulging in his thick neck. His right hand was clenched in a fist so tight it made his knuckles white. Aoki, still unaware, looked at them as if they had all grown tails. He turned back to the host, his face cheerful once again. "Nice one, sir! Joking aside, though, we'd really like to be shown to our tables now." He scanned the host's face for any sign that he was sharing in the joke before the awful truth began to dawn on him.
"There is no joke, sir," the host said icily.
Aoki let out a single, skeptical laugh, his smile almost completely gone. "You- you're serious?" The host nodded. All Dr. Aoki could do was gawk in disbelief, still too confused to even be offended at that point. "I, uh…" he stammered, fumbling in his pocket, "I don't think you understand. I have a, uh-" he cut off as he finally retrieved another card, and passed it to the host. "See? Diplomatic credentials from the Federation embassy. I'm sure Ambassador Wen called to make the reservations. Didn't he?" He looked imploringly at the host, who remained cold.
"He did indeed… sir." He said the last word grudgingly. "He did not, however, tell us it was for non-benders. And, as I said," he repeated himself condescendingly, "we have a strict policy regarding en-"
"Yes. I understand." Aoki accepted both cards, again with both hands and a slight bow. Korra struggled to hold her pity and anger in check as she watched him almost literally deflate like a balloon. He was trying hard to keep a straight face, but everyone could tell that the combination of humiliation and disappointment was tearing him apart from the inside. "Well," Aoki addressed his companions, "I guess we'll have to change our plans a little, won't we?" He laughed, a fake, defeated laugh. His voice had begun to crack. He once again began to fiddle with personal effects, with an increased intensity. Several patrons took note, emitting satisfied snorts, or simply nodding in approval. Korra looked around, taking the scene in, as her blood froze. She remembered all the new friends she had made when she first came to Republic City, both those still around and those not with her any longer, but especially benders. She remembered how, even during the worst of Amon's revolt, they hadn't followed Tarrlok's rotten example with regards to non-benders. Was the Harmony Doctrine really all it had taken to change that? She had never before felt such a feeling of shame and revulsion towards the city she had called home, and the people who lived there. She took a breath, balled her hands into fists, and prepared to walk towards the host when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"No, Tahno," she said in a firm, strained voice. "I'm putting this jerk in his place." The hand refused to let go. "Tahno, I said I-"
"Allow me." Korra finally noticed the hand on her shoulder felt far larger than Tahno's. She turned around just in time to see Muunokhoi march right past her. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?" His voice was deadly quiet as he addressed the host, who had begun to cower, slowly backing away. "Do you?"
"S-sir," the host now stammered, as he had made Aoki stammer. "Sir, I-I would ask you t-t-to please-"
"This is an insult." Muunokhoi's voice remained calm, controlled by an intense force of will. The vein in his neck bulged out even further. The patrons watched, half-frightened, half-fascinated, but unable or unwilling to move.
"Th-those are the rules, sir." The host had moved back further away from his post, towards a table seating a party of eight out for a working lunch, putting an ornately carved chair between him and the towering Baatar. "I'm sorry, but I don't make them. There are several other establishments better suited for your… kind." Muunokhoi grabbed the chair up with one hand, hurling it aside out of sight. Somebody shrieked as it crashed into their table.
"An insult," Muunokhoi repeated himself. "An insult to the Federation, and an insult to this city's guest, and his guests."
"Muunokhoi, that's enough!" All eyes fell on Aoki, who had finally found his voice. He walked towards Muunokhoi, hands up to placate him. "Please, let's just go." His voice was alarmed but controlled. He looked up at his bodyguard beseechingly. Muunokhoi looked down at his charge and shook his head slowly.
"No sir. Not just yet." He turned back to the cowering host, leaning back against the large table, the diners having gotten up and hurried up to a higher floor. "We don't want to eat at 'other establishments.' We want to eat here." He stopped right in front of the host, who was leaning back, soiling the back of his uniform in somebody's vegetable hot-pot. "Get the manager, if you please."
"T-t-t-terribly s-sorry, sir," the host managed to get out, teeth chattering. He had begun to sink down to the floor, and his jacket was drenched with sweat "I'm a-afraid he's having a p-p-private lunch upstairs." Muuunokhoi stopped, looked down at him, and nodded slowly.
"I see." Suddenly he turned to one of the waitresses, who froze in her tracks with a terrified expression. "Do you know where the proprietor is, right now?" The waitress nodded vigorously. "Then relay a message for me." Without warning, Muunokhoi hoisted the host, by the lapels of his jacket, off the floor and held him high.
"I said, that's enough!" A frightened Aoki yelped, looking panicked, his eyes flashing. "You're going to hurt him!" He marched briskly towards his bodyguard, hands out. "Stop it right now!" Muunokhoi looked over his shoulder, eyes blazing, stopping Aoki dead in his tracks. He audibly gulped and stood still, glancing around worriedly. One of the braver patrons, a firebender, leapt to his feet and prepared a combat stance.
"Nobody move!" Korra got between him and Muunokhoi, wielding her own flaming fists. "Nobody's fighting anybody here." She turned to Muunokhoi. "That means you too. Put him down and go outside, now!"
"Tell the manager I want him down here within a minute, or he's going to have to give his host some disability leave," Muunokhoi instructed the waitress, completely ignoring Korra's command. She began to slowly inch towards the stairs. "What are you waiting for? MOVE!" He barked at the top of his lungs, almost giving Korra a heart attack. She watched, feeling a pang of sympathy as the young woman, barely past fifteen by the look of it, burst into frightened tears and ran up the stairs. The host had actually begun to yellow from shock and fear, and looked fit to pass out. Aoki looked at the stairs with a stricken, both guilty and ashamed, expression, as if fighting the urge to run up after the waitress and apologize. Tahno looked angrily at Muunokhoi.
"What're you doing this for?" Tahno confronted Muunokhoi, standing between him and the rest of the group. "They don't make the rules here, so you've got no right to terrorize them." Muunokhoi turned his head around once again to the source of his chastisement. His expression was predictably hard, but with a dash of confusion, followed closely by scorn.
"If they don't like being picked on," he gestured contemptuously with his chin to the squirming waiter he held aloft, and less so towards the stairs, "maybe they should go work somewhere that doesn't enforce such a backwards policy." Tahno nodded sarcastically.
"So that's your answer, is it? Just bully right back?" He folded his arms, snorting contemptuously. "Fine world that would be." Muunokhoi glared back. Whatever response he had intended was interrupted by the descent down the stairs of a bald middle-aged man, dressed in a green embroidered silk changshan, and sporting an impressive belly. Flanking him was the young waitress Muunokhoi had made cry.
"Go home," he dismissed her with a wave of his be-ringed hand, and she obliged gratefully, running out. The manager surveyed the scene with dismayed eyes, before settling on the source of the disturbance. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Are you the manager?" Muunokhoi asked, turning fully around with the host still held up in front of him. The manager puffed out his chest proudly.
"I am, in fact, the proprietor of this establishment."
"Good." Muunokhoi immediately dropped the host to his feet, rounding on the proprietor. "We'd like to complain about certain backwards policies your… establishment maintains."
"What are you talking about?" The proprietor sounded flabbergasted. What did these hoodlums mean by terrorizing his staff and accusing him of being backwards? "Non-benders, I'll bet you are. Well, this is my restaurant, and if I choose to keep the riffraff out, that's my choice." He sneered at the Baatar. "Who the slag do you think you are to tell me otherwise?" Aoki noted fearfully that that old, ferocious blaze had returned to his bodyguard's eyes. His silent attempt to stop Muunokhoi was for naught, so he turned desperately to the proprietor.
"It's fine, sir." He was back in diplomatic mode, but just as uneasy as ever. "We had a reservation, but were unaware-."
"This man is a physicist," Muunokhoi cut him off, "a much respected physicist from Renjing, here courtesy of the embassy. Your bigotry insults him, and his guests." He glanced over at Korra and Tahno, both of whom had yet to think of a way to resolve the situation that didn't involve starting a fight. The room was still full of well-off, well-fed benders, most of whom would shy away from violence as long as nobody else initiated it. Korra finally stepped forward.
"Sir," she addressed the proprietor, mustering all the respect she could for the oily, over-dressed toad. "You know who I am; let them in as my guests." The proprietor's expression changed momentarily, from surprised back to haughty.
"Unfortunately, Miss," he said in a supercilious tone, "my rules apply to all. I refuse to be bullied into compromising them, either by the Avatar or by your 'hosts'. Especially the riffraff employed by the rabble who forced me to leave my home."
"Look," Korra hissed, her ire at the host's rudeness resurfacing, directed now at the proprietor. "Why don't you just save us all a lot of trouble-"
"Or what?" The proprietor checked his nails in a display of faux lack of concern. "You aren't going to start a fight over this, are you?" His fat face broke into a triumphant grin as Korra's attitude disappeared as quickly as it came.
"No," was all she could manage. She had learned many things over the years, not the least of which was the danger of impulsivity when tempted to immediately right an injustice without thinking.
Especially in her case, and especially when it involved innocent people. And friends, she thought to herself. She'd definitely learned that the hard way. Korra gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut until the familiar face left her mind. Finally, she let out a sigh and calmed her mind, aided by Tahno's hand on hers. "We'll leave. We won't cause any more trouble." Aoki looked gratefully at Korra before turning to Muunokhoi.
"It's not worth it." His voice was firmer, but still anxious. Muunokhoi stood his ground.
"I'm not letting this fat worm off."
"Muunokhoi…" Aoki froze, having caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. His eyes widened with alarm. "There are kids." Muunokhoi followed his line of sight to a nearby table seating a man in formal Water Tribe-style clothes staring back at them warily. Two young boys, scarcely past five or six by the look of them, were huddled behind his chair, peering out at the scene in fear. Seeing them, the vengeful Baatar's hard expression softened. He let out a deep breath, his shoulders heaving.
"Ambassador Wen will call you about the damage," he muttered, not bothering to look at the smugly triumphant proprietor. The party of four began to slowly and solemnly file out towards the door, led by Dr. Aoki, who took a moment to throw one last ashamed look at the dining room. Korra sighed with relief. She and Tahno scowled at the proprietor as they walked out. Muunokhoi himself was the last.
"Well I certainly hope a man who had the lack of sense to send non-benders to an establishment such as this," the proprietor snarked at their backs, "can at least clean up after their mess." He grimaced as if he had just sucked on a bitter lime. "And hopefully he won't send a Kyoshi or a Baatar to do civilized man's j-"
CRACK!
Korra spun around to see the proprietor sailing almost halfway across the room to land rear-first in somebody's extra large Middle-Ring Vegetable Hot Pot.
"Yes."
"I understand, Mr. Lam."
"Yes, one hundred percent."
"I agree completely, I would feel the same way if I were in your client's place."
"Oh no, sir!"
"No, I'm sure there's no need to take this to court!"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Yes, we would be more than willing to cover the damages-"
"Yes, and the dental bill, and the plastic surg-"
"Of course we'll cover the other surgeon as well. Please let your client know he can rest assured that this office will spare no expenses to compensate him for his troubles."
"The employee in question?"
"Yes, Mr. Lam. He will definitely be disciplined severely. You have my word."
Ambassador Wen practically dropped the telephone back on its cradle, and sank back into his chair with a sigh. "Why?" He closed his eyes and massaged his temples. "Why, why why?" Leaning against the wall near the door, Muunokhoi glared sullenly at his right hand as he massaged his knuckles. Looking out the window to the left of the desk, Dr. Aoki nervously hummed and muttered to himself, playing with the ends of his mustache. Korra and Tahno, sitting in two chairs opposite the Ambassador of the Federation, watched with concern, sipping hot jasmine tea from plain earthenware cups.
Korra fidgeted uneasily in her seat, the tea having done nothing to take the edge off the experience of entering the building. She played with a flag from Wen's pen cup, a miniature of the one that flew from the top of the building, and was ever-present in the premises: an odd nine-pointed white star, situated in the upper-left corner of a sea-green banner.
It's been over ten years since a different flag flew over this building.
She gulped, biting back memories of the Water Tribe's banner. Sensing her discomfort (and sharing her sentiment as a fellow person of Water Tribe origin), Tahno nudged Korra's foot, causing her to look his way. He flashed her a tight, reassuring grin, and surreptitiously held her hand. Korra returned the smile, halfheartedly; she didn't know anymore if she believed in fate, but it might be better if she didn't. That way, she could go with the "logical" position: that the Federation's use of the old Southern Water Tribe cultural center as an embassy wasn't so much a cruel practical trick of fate as it was a way for the Council to thumb their noses at the new government in Ba S…
Right, I forgot. Korra looked at the flag. It's "Renjing."
She leaned back in her chair, and watched Wen and Dr. Aoki talk in front of the window in hushed tones.
It definitely made sense. Korra could remember passing the old Earth Kingdom embassy only yesterday; the folly of the now-defunct dynasty was represented perfectly by the old flag twitching limply on a hot, humid summer day, over the huge, overblown pompous building. As far as the newspapers let on, it was operated as a consulate by the "royal government-in-exile," currently based out of Gaoling. Tahno, ambivalent to the new order though he was, had nothing but contempt for the whole business. It was a money laundering operation, he had explained to her, run by a handful of greedy princes, ambitious ladies-in-waiting and kleptocratic royal functionaries to claim "official" ownership of all the ill-gotten wealth they had managed to steal over generations, and to avoid having to give it all back to the people they had squeezed it from. He showed her an article, an interview with an economics professor from the Fire Nation, who said that the all the hard currency and precious metals they had pilfered from the treasury would most likely disappear within a few years into a hundred Gu Hai-based shell companies, which would form the basis of a continuation of the old system of corruption and patronage. "A microcosm of the old regime, a miniature paradise at the expense of the locals" as he put it. Their greed would cost the people of the Federation dearly. The chief figure (or possibly figurehead) of the operation was "Regent" Wu, the grand-nephew of the venal former Earth Queen Hou-Ting, better known for his reputation as a playboy and a spendthrift than as a statesman. Rumor had it the true power behind the throne were his three senior "consorts."
Korra remembered feeling ashamed, throughout his impassioned rant, that she had allowed herself to become weakened in her concerns from the disillusionment her life had inflicted upon her. She was happy that Tahno had shown himself to have a sense of justice.
"Well?" Ambassador Wen had marched back over the desk, leaving Dr. Aoki standing by the window, watching with a fascinated expression. "Any excuse?" he directly addressed Muunokhoi, obviously on the brink of an outburst. "I'd love to hear it, if you've got one." He stood next to his chair, too livid to sit down. Muunokhoi stood his ground, looking down with a blank expression, like a child steeling himself for a scolding. "I don't hear you, Muunokhoi." Wen had produced a pair of steel worry balls from the top left pocket of his green-grey tunic suit, turning them in his hand with an alarming speed. He continued to glare at the bodyguard, the bulging vein near his temple the only other physical sign of anger.
"Are you really going to reimburse Kwong's?" Munokhoi was looking right at Wen. The older ambassador scowled at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"For their bigotry." Muunokhoi glared right back, refusing to be intimidated. "They refuse to serve your guests, and ridicule citizens of the Federation for their ethnicity." He folded his arms. "And you're going to pay for that bigot to have plastic surgery?"
"Yes, Muunokhoi," Wen said, through gritted teeth, trying his utmost to stop himself from flying into a rage. The worry balls in his hand shifted around faster and faster. "Because somebody here felt they had to assault him and break his nose and jaw, and knock out five of his teeth. Somebody who thinks he has the right to physically attack citizens in his host country for their personal beliefs, and for how they choose to run their businesses." Korra had the urge to say something, anything that might de-escalate the situation. The last thing she wanted was another fight, and Wen looked like he would have liked nothing better than taking a swing at the obstinate bodyguard. Tahno, ever the cool-headed rationalist, softly shook his head. Korra calmed down, recalling Tenzin's breathing exercises.
Muunokhoi snorted, the only hint of sarcasm Korra had seen from him all day. "It figures that you would defend a fellow earthbender over the honor of Federal citizens."
Without warning, Wen hurled the worry balls at Muunokhoi, who calmly batted them aside. In shock, Korra had begun to raise her hands to prepare to bend; Tahno gently pushed them down, calming her.
"Out," Wen growled at his target, pointing to the door. "Out of my office, right now. Out of my sight! I want to talk to our guest, before we discuss your re-assignment out of my jurisdiction." Muunokhoi stared back at the stocky older man, visibly unfazed, for several moments. He settled on a brief nod, before turning to Korra and her companion.
"Avatar. Mister Tahno." He nodded again to each, his tone and expression only slightly regretful. She nodded back, respectfully acknowledging his farewell. She watched him stalk out of the office, before turning to look at Dr. Aoki. The wistful expression on his face resonated with her. Muunokhoi had acted out of indignation over the young scientist's abuse at Kwong's, she understood completely. Not out of "professional" scruples, but moral disgust; she could remember the anger blazing in his eyes as he seemingly-calmly confronted the proprietor.
"So that's your answer, is it? Just bully right back? Fine world that would be."
Tahno's disgusted words murmered in Korra's head, as she remembered how he had seemed for all the world like a schoolyard bully, the way he physically threatened the host and reduced the young waitress to tears. She shook her head violently. Maybe Aoki could ignore his bodyguard's thuggish behavior (understandably, though), she wouldn't. She had spent over ten years learning, in the worst way possible, what Muunokhoi so obviously didn't understand or care to understand.
"I would like to apologize, Avatar, on behalf of the Federation of Democratic States," Ambassador Wen directly addressed his guest, with a half-sincere-half-officious smile. "And to you too, sir," he extended the same courtesy to Tahno, who received it with a gracious shrug. "And you of course, Doctor." Aoki smiled and nodded calmly. A few moments passed as Wen looked from face to face, unaware as to how to proceed professionally. Finally his eyes settled on the steaming cups of tea in the hands of his two guests. He hesitated for a moment. "I don't suppose you'd prefer something a bit stronger?" he asked sheepishly. Dr. Aoki's face lit up.
"I could do with one right now," he said. "It's been a rough day."
"Yeah, I guess I'm game too," Tahno chimed in. The three men's eyes almost simultaneously turned to the only woman in the room, awaiting her approval. Korra couldn't help but grin at their adolescent behavior.
"I'm fine with tea, thanks!" she laughed. "You boys go right ahead."
Wen opened a drawer on his side of the desk, bringing out an ornate white-and-gold ceramic bottle topped with an onyx stopper, and three pale green stemmed shotglasses. With the care of experience, he filled each cup to about a half millimeter from the top with a pungent clear liquid.
"Let's do it properly, shall we?" Wen suggested. Aoki nodded, bringing his own glass to meet the ambassador's, assuring that the rim of his own was ever so slightly lower. He looked at Tahno to get him to follow suit. "Down in one," Wen said with a smile.
"Down in one," Aoki repeated happily.
"Yeah, same here," Tahno said. The three brought the glasses to their mouthes, throwing the drinks back; Wen and Aoki in tandem, with Tahno following close behind. The reaction was immediate as it was hilarious for Korra. She burst into laughter as the three men all lurched over and let out expressions of discomfort.
"Arghh!" Aoki groaned, his face twisted in disgust. He gripped the table for support.
"What is this?" Tahno gasped, looking at Wen with watery eyes. "White spirit or paint thinner?"
"Jade Crown. Apparently a favorite of the royal court," Wen answered in a strained voice. He hissed as the burning in his mouth subsided. "I guess being expensive isn't always a sign of high quality." He glanced at Aoki. "I'll take that Kyoshi rice wine of yours any day, Doctor."
"Next time I'm home in Tsurizao," Aoki answered cheerfully, wiping tears from his eyes, "I'll visit Jun at the brewery and ask him to send you some more." Nodding gratefully, Wen replaced the bottle and glasses within his desk.
"That really helped; I thought I was going to snap and start a fight with that knucklehead." Wen leaned back in his chair. Korra smiled as Tahno sat back down next to her, wobbling slightly.
"Don't mention it, Ambassador." She smiled indulgently. She laughed inwardly, imagining what Tenzin's reaction would have been to such a blatant disregard for diplomatic protocol…
Stop it. She shook her head, hesitantly. She never felt good about forcing memories of her long-suffering but wise and caring mentor out of her head, but she brought her memories back to his often-frustrated attempts to teach her meditation. She knew deep down (it made her laugh, a sad, longing laugh) that the last thing Tenzin would want was for her to be distracted. Even if it didn't ease the pain, it did assuage the guilt a bit. Still, she would have given anything (even her bending, when she felt sad enough) for just one more day with the old airbender.
"What's up, Korra?" The Avatar was startled out of her thoughts by Tahno's voice. She realized she had been staring down at her lap for the past few moments, and looked up to see her friend's concerned face. "You OK?" Wen looked on, curious.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Tahno." She looked at the ambassador. "Sorry, I'll try to stay focused.
"No need to be so serious about it," Wen said reassuringly. He refilled Korra's tea cup from the brass pot on his desk. "Understand that I only asked you to come here so I could apologize for your unpleasant experience today." Dr. Aoki walked over to the table, his face serious.
"I'm the one who should apologize, Ambassador," he said before turning to Korra. "And to you both as well. I'm the one who wanted an excuse to eat at Kwong's."
"You had no idea that Kwong's had such a backwards policy towards non-benders," Tahno piped up. "It's not your fault."
"Let's say," Wen interrupted, "for the sake of brevity, that it was nobody's fault…" he paused, glancing at Aoki, and smirking. "But that some responsibility must be laid at the doorstep of Kwong's Cuisine, and its management, for failing to inform us of their policies." His tone was playfully diplomatic. Aoki smiled gratefully. Tired, he made his way to the wall and leaned against it.
"That sounds very reasonable," he said. Korra and Tahno nodded in approval. Wen filled another cup of jasmine tea for himself.
"That being said," he said, taking a sip and leaning back, "you understand, Doctor, that you're still obligated to give your presentation to your guests?"
"Of course, Mr. Wen," Aoki said. I'd almost forgotten about that, Korra thought to herself. The business about Kwong's had completely overshadowed the purpose of Aoki's introduction to Tahno. The former waterbender had been sitting quiet in thought for quite some time. Korra watched as he finally came back alive.
"Listen, Doctor," he opened up, pausing a moment to think of how to speak. Aoki looked at him curiously. "About this… uhhh… presentation?"
"Yes, Mr. Tahno?" Aoki's expression remained perplexed. "Would you still be interested?"
"Definitely. But I was also curious…" he paused again. Korra tried to read him, see where he was going with this. He finally settled on an opening. "Have you ever had water tribe food before?" Aoki's look of confusion remained, stronger than ever.
"No." He brightened up. "But Kyoshi food also involves a lot of fish and seaweed."
"Cool. Then how about you say your piece tonight, over dinner at Narook's Seaweed Noodlery? Little Water Tribe, right across from the metro station, 7:30. Bottom floor of the Antarctic Exchange building." Wen sprung into action almost immediately.
"Go on, Doctor. My office will be happy to cover the…" Tahno shook his head.
"No need. This'll be on me."
Aoki looked hesitant, eager to please but not so eager to do the "inappropriate" thing. He looked from face to face, seeking approval. "It… it wouldn't be too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all," Tahno assured him, with an encouraging smile. "The old man owes me a favor."
Aoki looked around some more, playing with his moustache nervously, and finally settling on Korra. She smiled at him the way she might have done to Jinora or Ikki or Meelo, back in the day, to get them to do something with her they worried might not sit well with their father. "Avatar Stamp of Approval, Doc," she laughed. "I'm game. Narook's isn't exactly Kwong's, though," she gestured towards the physicist's suit. "Dress casual."
"As you like." Aoki smiled and slightly bowed, a gesture Korra interpreted as more playful than formal. "7:30 it is."
Wen laughed. "Well, I think we're done here." He turned to Korra and Tahno, who both stood. "Avatar, Mr. Tahno, it is a pleasure to have met you. I just wish it were under nicer circumstances," he gave both a firm handshake. "Oh, by the way," he interrupted as they were leaving.
"Yes," Korra turned back to him.
"Be so kind as to send that knuckle-dragger back in after you. I want to straighten him out personally." The smile on Wen's face grew grim and tight. He steeled himself and sat back down, taking a long sip of tea.
"Will do. Thanks," Korra called behind her as she left. Aoki hurried out after them.
"He wants you now," Korra said to Muunokhoi. The soon-to-be ex-diplomatic bodyguard was sitting on a chair in the hall outside, looking for all the world like he was in for a dentist's appointment, rather than a professional dressing-down. He grunted, acknowledging the Avatar with a curt nod, before getting up and lumbering into the office. The door shut behind him surprisingly gently.
"He's not really a bad guy," Aoki piped up as the three passed similar office doors, secretaries and embassy bureaucrats hurrying up and down with papers and cups of tea.
"Is this an embassy or an army barracks?" Tahno wondered aloud, looking at the various functionaries.
"An embassy? Why do you ask?" Aoki cocked an eyebrow at the other man. Tahno jerked his head in the direction of a bespectacled office drone dressed in the same four-pocketed tunic suit he had seen on the ambassador.
"Looks more like a military uniform than a business suit. Does everybody back in the Federation go around dressed up as a soldier nowadays?"
"Oh, you mean those!" Aoki laughed. "No, mostly civil servants and politicians. There's a looser, cheaper version that became popular a while ago. Some wear them all the time as a political statement." He frowned. "Not me though. I actually have one, for formal and official functions, but I'm not a big fan of the style. Too serious."
"You aren't political?" Korra asked, genuinely curious.
"I am," Aoki answered earnestly, without a trace of indignation, as they walked down the stairs to the ground floor. "In fact I think you'll find us Kyoshi can be some of the Federation's most political people." His face took on an uncomfortable look. "If you know what I mean. Not that I'm into… that kind of politics."
"Oh." Nodding, Korra forced back memories of the Equalists, and the hate and fear they had inspired. Next to her, Tahno visibly shuddered.
The three finally passed through the lobby, towards the front door. The uncanny feeling that she was being watched washed over Korra, and she glanced surreptitiously towards the front desk. Lounging around were a tall, willowy-framed woman with black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a shorter, sturdily-built man with a buzzcut. Despite being dressed like any given couple in Republic City, something was… off about them. Something about their loitering that was too calculated, too pre-meditated that gave Korra an apprehensive feeling in her gut. They both glanced back at her, before averting their eyes as the party passed by them and exited.
"Well, I must be off," Aoki said cheerfully. "Tonight, at 7:30." He bowed towards Korra and Tahno. "Until then, it has been a pleasure." They returned the gesture.
"The pleasure is all ours," Korra hurriedly spoke for herself and Tahno, who was content to smile and return the bow.
"That was nice of you."
"Huh?"
"I said, that was nice of you!" Korra yelled, loud enough so that Tahno could hear it over the roar of his vacuum cleaner in the other room of their shared apartment. She set the issue of United Daily News down; there was another opinion piece on the situation in the South Pole, and Korra didn't have the stomach for it. She looked at the paper one more time, looking at it as if to mentally turn the page to the piece, before finally putting it under one of Tahno's cookbooks on the cluttered, low tea table in the center of the room. She eased back into the couch.
"Thanks." Tahno walked back in, unrolling the sleeves of his white shirt and wiping bangs out of his eyes. "Tea?"
"Yes, please." Korra watched as he set the electric pot to boil after adding the jasmine leaves. "Why, though?"
"I guess I felt responsible," Tahno answered, shrugging. "He's a visitor to our city, and he wanted to show us a good time." His half-smile turned into a scowl. "And those slushing jerks at Kwong's treated him like garbage." He grimaced, moving some books back to the shelf. Korra spotted an anthology of traditional Fire Nation plays, a history book and a copy of an economics graduate thesis. She would never have thought, in a million years, that the pompous, strutting peacock-lizard she sicced Naga on would ever have become interested in such things. Reading had, against her bias, become Tahno's chief pastime, when not with Korra; despite his resignation to what Amon had done to him, he could never quite bring himself to talk about pro-bending, let alone watch or follow it. She turned the radio to a jazz station, just in time to avoid the beginning of the Tigerdillos' grudge match with the Buzzard-Wasps.
"Here you go," Tahno put a steaming cup of jasmine tea in front of Korra, almost on cue. He poured another for himself.
"Thanks," Korra said, taking a sip and relaxing into the couch. "Out of curiosity," she sat up, and looked at Tahno coyly, "how much convincing did old Narook need?"
"Not much at all," Tahno returned with an equally coy smile. "As much as I do think he was just trying to be nice, I think it also gives him some kind of competitive pleasure." He took a small sip of his own cup of tea, putting it down to cool off. "It's like 'now I can show up those snobs by hosting a foreign dignitary they turned away.' Plus, like I said, he already owed me a favor. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah. He's kind of cranky, but a good guy," Korra laughed. She took a moment to just enjoy the moment. Just her, a cup of steaming jasmine tea, some light jazz, and the man she…
"Korra," Tahno interrupted, his face utterly serious. "I just want you to know, before we go." He moved next to her on the couch, setting his cup down on the table, looking her right in the face. "Whether or not Aoki succeeds in giving me back my bending…"
"Yes?" Korra felt an unpleasant, cold flutter in her stomach. She wanted to believe that Aoki wouldn't be like the others, that he was on to something. Her intuition had told her so, when she first met the awkward, polite, utterly honest physicist.
But still. Her life had taught her to not only prepare for, but to expect the worst.
"If it doesn't work," Tahno continued, his tone serious but re-assuring. "I don't want you to be upset for me. I've got everything I want," he gestured around. "A nice home, a job I've come to enjoy, books." He looked back at Korra. "And you to share it all with."
Korra smiled back at him, fighting back a tear. She reached out, stroked Tahno's hair. "Guess you've got a point," she said cheerfully, pulling him in for a kiss. They both lay on the couch, content to hold each other. They had time to spare before dinner. But as much as she wanted to be on the same wavelength with Tahno, a voice in Korra's mind would not shut up.
Please. Please let it work out this time. Please.
Voice Cast:
Korra- Janet Varney
Tahno- Rami Malek
Tessho Aoki- Johnny Yong Bosch
Muunokhoi- Kyle Hebert
Ambassador Wen- Corey Burton
Kwong's Owner- Mike Pollock
Host- Paul Eiding
It's been a while.
It's been over a year, and yet I've managed to keep this story fresh in my head. I've thought about characters, themes, scenes, everything. I think I've had enough of just letting it sit in my head, at least for now.
The following few chapters, I had already written a while ago, but I put off submitting them for personal reasons I don't really feel like publicizing. Suffice to say, the past three years, since I graduated from college, have been interesting. I've developed certain issues that have been a curse, but at the same time have (I think) at least made me think about things I might otherwise not have. I had this particular plot idea spinning around in my head, as I said, almost all the while.
I'll put the following out on a weekly basis, with the aim of getting my creative juices flowing. In the meantime, please feel free to review or comment. I am grateful for any feedback you can offer. And, before I go, I would like to thank Loopy for his advice and input.