"Fate only takes you so far. Once you're there it's up to you to make it happen."
- Unknown Author
Three Months Earlier...
"Ya got five minutes to get your pants back on and get out," a heavy voice shouted from the other side of a wooden door, "or I'll break this door down and drag you outta there!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going, don't get your beard in a knot!" the eighteen year old girl called back. Lifting her head from the pillow she kissed the cheek of the young man beside her before whispering alluringly into his ear. "Why don't you come with me? We can go get some coffee or something?"
"Sorry miss," Kai grinned at her as he leaned upward, "your time is up. I hope you had an awesome birthday." Her smile fell and her eyes grew hard.
"You shouldn't get a lot of work in the middle of the day, I think you'd have a little time."
"Time is money and you already got your money's worth," he answered while leaning back again, "unless you're willing to pay more then you get all the time you want."
"I spent the last of my birthday cash on this, I think it should get me more than one half hour in bed."
"Oh you got a little bit more than that," his expression and tone fell flat.
"You just told me you wanted me-! The things you said- what you did... you were so passionate-"
"Exactly what you paid for," he shrugged, "I hope you found it worth the price."
The girl visibly bristled. Hurriedly she grabbed her clothes and slid them on. Staying in the bed, Kai watched her with indifference. He had seen it before. A girl came in knowing what she was going to get, ended up wanting more and wasn't able to pay. She was one of the many who was brought by friends for a few minutes of pleasure that was almost surreal. It was usually for a special occasion or to get over a breakup. If they really wanted a new boyfriend they'd have to look elsewhere.
Once she had picked up her last article of clothing he showed her the door. The young lady fumed as she stormed past him before stopping and turning sharply to swat him across the face. He simply took it without complaint. He had been trained for this sort of emotional response. It was all that kept him suppressing his own anger and keep himself from lashing back. She pushed past him appearing as though she wanted to break something in half. Getting his own clothes on, Kai made his way down the stairs to the empty dance floor. There were a few other men and women hanging around the bar.
"We saw that one," one of the girls laughed, her name was Yuna. Her hair was dark and pulled back into a ponytail. There was a diamond stud on the side of her nose and a tattoo of a tigerdillo on her upper arm, "looks like you got another first timer eh?"
"Yeah, why am I always the one stuck with them?" he asked giving a pointed look to the man standing on the other side of the booth.
"That's just 'cause you're the better actor," the curly haired twenty three year old named Mengyao laughed.
"It's also 'cause he's got special training and he's a lot better looking ," Yuna's twin sister Hina shot at him causing the other girls to snicker.
"That's not what you were saying to me last night," he fired back as he lifted a cocktail to his lips. Reaching over she placed her hand at the bottom of the glass and pushed it up causing the drink to spill over Mengyao's face. Everyone at the bar burst into laughter as he sputtered and threw her a cold glare which she returned with a smug tilt of her head.
"Theorize all you want," Kai chuckled, "I'm gonna go run some errands."
"Okay, just be sure you get back before the midnight rush, or we'll get complaints," Yuna told him when he moved away from the booth.
"Can do," he called back as he headed out the door. As soon as he was outside he felt a sort of pressure lifted off of him.
Kai hated the club. He hated how all the money for his work went right to Hina and she only gave him enough of it to pay for a snack at a gas station. She owned the club with Yuna and it was only by a deal with her that he was allowed to stay in the upstairs room instead of out on the streets. By now he must have made enough to get his own place and live off it for a while. No one to bother him and never having to get in a bed with anyone ever again. The only reason Hina kept the money to herself was so he wouldn't be able to leave, but she couldn't keep it from him forever.
When I go back I'm gonna demand my money from her. I'm sick of this place. I'm sick of the people. I gotta get outta here...
Jinora Changpa stepped out of a small cafe and into the the light of the afternoon sun. Satomobiles crowded the streets and people pushed past one another in their missions to arrive unhindered to their final destinations.
"Hold on little lady, you forgot your fruit tart," a man dressed in an apron and a cap came out after her holding a small to-go bag.
"Thank you Sir," she smiled modestly at him as he gave handed her the bag and tipped his hat to her. Continuing on her route she held her head high as though not surrounded by the honking of horns or the drilling of a nearby jackhammer on a construction site. Her steps were light and confident. The park was just within view so she quickened her pace as she made her way there. She strolled along a path in the park for a while, going by some families that were having picnics and playing games before spotting the people she came to meet.
"Hey Jinora!" her friend Korra called from a wooden table under a tree. The tan skinned, blue-eyed young woman was accompanied by the beautiful, dark-haired Asami, Mako, Bolin and Opal.
"Hey!" Jinora smiled as she stood next to the table, waiting as Korra scooted over to make room, "did you guys really wait for me to get here?"
"Yes!" Bolin exclaimed dramatically, "we've been waiting forever! I'm starving!"
"He's exaggerating, we've only been here for fifteen minutes," Asami had a laugh in her smile.
"Hunger knows no time," the twenty six year old sat back with his arms crossed over his chest with a small pout.
"Well lucky thing, I brought something to make it up to you," Jinora handed him the paper bag and watched him open it to look inside.
"All is forgiven! Thanks!" his face lit up as he excitedly took the fruit tart in his hand.
"You people spoil him," Mako playfully grunted.
"Jealous?" Bolin smirked before getting an elbow to his shoulder.
"So do you know how things are going with your family?" Opal asked as she took a sip of the soda in her hand.
"They called just last night. Bucky is finally big enough for Rohan to ride," the brown haired girl replied, "and Ikki has a crush on some boy who lives on the property not far from ours."
"Ooooohhhhh, romance is in the air," Korra teased, "so Ikki already has her eyes on somebody, but here you are twenty years old and you've never even been on a date?"
"Korra!" Asami reprimanded.
"It's okay Asami," Jinora assured, "I already told you, I'm just not interested in anybody at the moment. I'm looking for the right guy."
"How can you know if he's the right guy if you never date him?" Opal pointed out.
"Yeah," Bolin threw in with a laugh, "Opal and I have been dating for years and she's still trying to figure out if I'm the one."
"I have a pretty good idea," she offered him a flirtatious smirk.
"Hey," Mako started sternly, "remember our agreement, no flirting when we're all hanging out together, especially in public."
"Oh come on Mako," Asami grinned at him from across the table, "it's fun. Just because you can't do it with us anymore doesn't mean you have to put a damper on their romance."
"He really is jealous isn't he," Korra poked.
"Yuk it up," Mako smiled wryly, "but there's a reason both of you dated me."
"And to this day it remains a mystery," she teased.
"I'm not saying I won't date a guy," Jinora offered to get them back on topic, not that she was one for being the center of attention but she liked being correct, "I'm just saying I think when I meet the right guy, somehow I'll just know."
"It's not like she hasn't had countless opportunities," the Future Industries CEO pointed out.
"Yeah... remember Skoochy, oh that kid really got on my nerves," Korra's brows knitted together as the corners of her mouth curved downward in distaste.
"Bo and I knew him when we were living on the streets," the eldest of them huffed, "he's the definition of pest."
"I don't want to talk about it," Jinora frowned at them. It wasn't so much the talk of Skoochy but just the negativity of it that bothered her, "anyway, enough about me. You said you've been waiting for a while so let's eat."
Her friends agreed and the six of them started their meal. At one point a small food fight broke out between Korra and Bolin but soon wore itself out. After they were done eating, the group hung out and talked a while longer. Jinora didn't do much speaking and spent most of the time listening quietly as her friends talked about sports teams, career troubles and even a little gossip. After an hour and a half Mako was the first to leave. He had the night shift so he had to get to work. Opal and Bolin soon departed as well.
"I think I should be going too," Jinora slid the strap of her book bag over her shoulder.
"You need a ride?" Asami asked, "it's going to get dark soon and you shouldn't be going through the city streets at night."
"I still have a while before the sun goes down, I can walk, but thank you for offering," she gave a nod of appreciation to Asami's concern.
"Next time your folks call tell them I said hi okay," Korra grinned and gave Jinora a hug.
"No problem, see ya later," Jinora waved as they parted ways. Going down the street she had come from, she passed the cafe and a few other places that were putting out their signs to tell everyone they were closed. Minutes passed as she still had a long way to go before she was back on campus. Perhaps she should have learned the bus schedule, but she preferred walking. It gave her a chance to take in her surroundings. Stepping out onto a corner, she waited for the light to turn green before hurriedly making her way across. After coming down a few blocks she made a turn.
Before she could even realize what was happening, she felt as though she were hit by a train. Stumbling and falling, she collapsed to the pavement alongside another body. With a groan she turned her head to see what or rather who had hit her. The stranger lifted his head and the first thing she saw was a pair of dark green eyes and her breath caught in her throat. The eyes belonged to a man who appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties with dark brown hair and tanned skin.
In the next instant the person was on his feet and running. Jinora pushed herself off the pavement and watched as another man in a police uniform was chasing after him and speaking into the radio on his shoulder.
"Just passed the corner of 48th Street and Avatar Avenue, the suspect is believed to be unarmed but take no chances!"
That one, a faint voice echoed in her head. Unsure of what that meant, she quickly dismissed it. Even after the officer and the criminal disappeared around another corner Jinora stood still. Shaking her head, she took a deep breath, a little unbalanced by the fact that she had been so close to someone who was on the run from the law. Who knew what he was capable of. Shifting the bag on her shoulder she continued walking until she came to the campus. Despite her best efforts, Jinora couldn't get the picture of those eyes out of her mind.
Well this was an eventful day, she thought to herself, lunch with my friends then nearly getting flattened by a crook on the run... there was something about him...
When Jinora came to her dorm room she showered and changed into her orange and rust red button up pajamas. As she laid in her bed, she took the picture of her family that rested on the nightstand in her hands. Smoothing her fingers over the frame she smiled gently to herself.
I'll see you guys soon. Placing the picture back on the nightstand she turned the lamp light off and curled up, quickly drifting off to sleep.
The following days came and went as they usually did. Jinora took her classes and met with friends. She offered help when she could and meditated while alone in her dorm. No matter what she was doing to keep herself occupied, her mind would drift back to the man that collided with her on the street. What might he have been running for? What was his name? His outward appearance didn't seem too criminal. Perhaps a bit scruffy, but undoubtedly handsome. As she turned in her essay to her philosophy professor Jinora tried to shake the questions from her head. There was no point in lingering on them. There was little chance she'd ever get the answers so it was better to keep her mind at peace and focus on her studies. Walking down the hall and out the front doors of the building she knew she had the rest of the day free. With little planned Jinora simply decided to take a walk through town.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of her family and home, the farm and the things going on in her friends' lives. Perhaps she should have gone back to her dorm room to read or see if there was anyone in need of aid. It was definitely one of those days that she couldn't focus. By the time she reached the docks it was getting dark out. If she didn't turn around right then it would be close to midnight by the time she got back and there were shifty folks that came out in the city after dark. With a look out over the bay, she turned and started her way back. The street lights came on and traffic was growing more busy as employees were returning home or starting their night shift. Some were perhaps on their way to formal events or parties.
I wonder if these people ever slow down and just look at the world around them, Jinora absently pondered.
The sound of a distant siren echoed through the warm, summer night air. More horns were honking and as she passed a night club she could hear the booming music from across the street. The city was not Jinora's favorite place. There was too much noise. How could anyone think straight? She wouldn't complain though. It was easy to get around, easy to buy anything she desired, easy to get lost in the excitement it offered. Somehow she managed to come through a neighborhood that was relatively quiet. She could at least hear the sound of her own footsteps though she remained alert. There weren't many people out and if there was trouble she could very well be on her own. She could hear something faint coming from up ahead. There were voices and they sounded far from friendly.
Curiosity pulled at her like a rope, bringing her closer despite the alarm bells going off in her head telling her to run. As she drew nearer, she could hear that they were the voices of two grown men and her heart skipped. Taking a breath, Jinora expelled her fear, softening the beats of the heart slapping against her ribs. This was foolish of her and she knew it. Reaching into her bag she slowly took out her cellphone that she only used for emergencies and other important calls.
Kneeling and peeking ever so carefully around the corner of the brick apartment building, she saw a man wearing a slim, dark jacket. The man reminded her of a weasel-snake. She cupped a hand over her mouth to stifle a sharp gasp as she spied the gun in his hand and an arrow of dread shot right through her chest. He was holding the gun up to another man who was wearing a green jacket over a white tee shirt and brown denim jeans. Their faces were concealed by the shadows and she couldn't make them out. Dialing quickly she phoned the police. So focused was she on her task, that she failed to notice the gunman turned his head toward what sounded like tapping.
"Hey!"
Her head jerked upward and she dropped her phone as she realized she was staring down the barrel of the pistol. Just over it was a tall man with sunken in cheeks and long, thin sideburns. He appeared to be around his early to mid thirties. Jinora's throat constricted and she found herself unable to breathe.
"Get up," he commanded and she obeyed, feeling her blood rush through every inch of her, filling it with terror driven adrenaline. Looking back toward the shadows, the man kept his gun aimed at her.
"Friend of yours?"
"Never seen her before," the other voice was dense but much younger. Never taking her eyes off him, Jinora felt her mouth go dry as the man returned his attention to her.
"Then I guess she's of no real use to me," he placed his finger on the trigger and Jinora closed her eyes. Was this it? Was this the way it ended for her? Right there on the dark and empty street? In an instant, she heard the gun go off and ring in her ear, but she felt no pain. Opening her eyes she saw the man on the ground, struggling with the younger one. Only now did she see the younger man was familiar. It was the same boy whom she had encountered earlier.
"Go!" he shouted, "get outta here!"
Instead, Jinora scanned her surroundings in a panic for a tool she could use to help. The search seemed futile as nothing in view would make for a proper weapon, especially not against a gun.
"What're you waiting for?" he yelled as he tried to wrestle the pistol from his opponent, "I said go!"
Jinora could hear the police sirens coming but neither man seemed to notice them as they fought for control. She watched as the one in the black coat managed to throw the younger man off of himself and jumped to his feet to hold him down. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a heavy textbook from her pack and rushed to hit the man over the back of his head. He gave harsh grunt before turning his face toward her with fire blazing in his eyes. That certainly didn't do what she hoped it would. Backing away she watched him look back to the younger man beneath him.
"You owe me you little punk," he snarled, "and I ain't lettin' you be 'til I get my payment. Even if I haftuh' take it outtuh your hide." The younger man responded by spitting in the older one's eye.
"Take it outta your-" he was cut off when he was punched across the jaw. Desperately, Jinora tried to find something else she could do. There had to be something.
Kai opened his eyes to focus on the man pinning him down as pain shot through the lower half of his face. His hatred burned hot as he saw the sadistic half smile on Shin's face. He tried not to pay attention to the girl who was standing mere feet away. Why was she still there? Was she stupid? She should have run. Now he could hear the police sirens too. He watched as a look of realization dawned on Shin before he returned to his angered grimace.
"You got lucky kid," he smirked, "but not that lucky." Without another word the man pulled Kai up a little before throwing him back down so his head slammed into the concrete sidewalk. Leaping to his feet, Shady Shin shoved Jinora out of the way and took off running with his weapon. Staggering a few steps, Jinora barely caught herself before her back hit a wall. She watched to make sure the man was really leaving before running to the side of the one who had been fighting for his life.
Kai's head swam and was flooded with pain. His vision was blurred so as he looked up all he could see was the blurred outline of the girl beside him. He could hear her speaking to him but couldn't understand what she was saying. Everything sounded muffled and far away, as though he was underwater. He could see flashing lights and knew there was no point in fighting it. Closing his eyes, he let the images and the sounds slip away as he faded into total darkness.
The first thing Kai felt when he awoke was the hard metal under him as he laid on his back and the dull ache gnawing at the back of his head. His eyes blinked open and he found himself staring at a ceiling with peeling paint on the wall. The room was dim but he could still clearly make out his surroundings with the moonlight shining in from a window. With a soft groan he pushed himself up, rubbing the back of his stiff neck. Every aching bruise on him demanded to be felt. He stopped when he saw the metal bars caging him in what he realized was in a small cell. Jumping to his feet he grabbed the bars and gave them a hard shake. The door was so steadfast it didn't even rattle. He anxiously tried to look for something he could use to pick the lock but his pockets were empty. The cops must have cleared them out when they locked him in there. It wouldn't have done him much good anyway as he noticed that the doors were electronically locked.
"Take it easy," a old, tired voice came from the next cell over. He was speaking in low tones to keep from waking the other inmates, "that won't do you any good."
"It's better than doing nothing," Kai replied anxiously as he tried to look for another way out.
"It's no use, you're never getting out of here."
"I have to," he answered, "I don't belong in here. I gotta get out."
"Join the club, but they have the highest security here. It's better to not waste your energy... I should know, I designed it."
With a frustrated growl, Kai turned and set himself heavily on the metal bench he had just risen from. How did he even get here? He remembered the flashing lights, the strange girl... he recalled briefly regaining consciousness as he was riding in the police car but he had been so out of it that he thought it was just a dream. He couldn't remember much else except the sound of a heavy door closing and an electronic click.
"What's your name kid?"
"Kai," he said no more.
"They call me the Professor."
"Nice nickname," Kai leaned back against the wall with his lack of interest evident in his voice.
"I'm guessing you don't care to know how I got it huh?"
"You are a good guesser."
"So what are you in for?"
"Breaking laws," he shrugged though he knew the stranger couldn't see him, "pro'bly some they haven't even come up with yet."
"Sounds like you're in here for the long haul."
"I guess so. If breaking out really isn't possible."
"You got any family on the outside?"
"Nope."
"I gotta little girl... I know she must hate me... I wouldn't blame her."
"Sir, with all due respect," not that Kai had any to give the man, "I really don't care and I'd like to get some real sleep."
"Go right ahead, sorry for bothering you."
Kai snorted before laying down on the bench. For a criminal this guy sounded a little too decent. He must be in for a minor offense like shoplifting or refusing to pay taxes. As he curled up on the bench he was already coming up with multiple escape plans. His thoughts drifted to the club. Hina still had his money.
Forget it, the wordscame clear in his head, you're never getting out. Don't bother trying. Kai laid awake for hours before finally drifting back to sleep with nothing but the cold metal and a sense of hopelessness..
"I'm here to see the one they brought in last night," Jinora was speaking to the man at the front desk.
"I'm sorry Miss... Changpa? But we don't allow visitors in to see inmates until we've run a thorough background check," he told her in a monotone voice.
"I'm friends with the chief, does that count for anything?" He looked up at her over his glasses.
"You're personally associated with Chief Beifong?"
"Go ahead and call her if you don't believe me," Jinora straightened her shoulders and tilted her chin upward. The man simply sighed and reached for the phone before dialing. She waited as it was answered and he began speaking to Lin.
"Chief, I've got a girl here who says she knows you and she'd like to visit with one of the inmates... her name is Gynora Changpa... right Jinora... the one brought in last night, the one we've been after for months... yeah him... should I let her in...? Alright..."
"It's for you," he handed the phone to Jinora. Taking it in her hand she placed the phone up to her ear.
"Jinora, did I hear that correctly? You're there to visit with a criminal?"
"That's right," she took a deep breath to ease her nerves while she tugged at the leather bracelet around her wrist.
"Why?"
"He saved my life last night. I'd like to thank him properly, face-to-face."
"Saved you?"
"Yes, like I said before there was another man there with a gun. If this man hadn't acted when he did I would probably be dead right now. I think that at least warrants a thanks."
"You're not going to leave until you're allowed in or forced out are you?"
"You know me." There was silence on the other end before Lin told her to hand the phone back to the guard. The guard took the phone and nodded as he listened to what Lin said to him.
"Yes, ma'am," he nodded, "you're the chief." He hung up and told Jinora to follow him. He led her through a few halls until they came to a securely locked door. The guard entered a code into the dial pad and there was a heavy, metallic click. Shoving the door open he led Jinora through and then down to where the inmates were housed. "Don't get too close to the cell doors, some of these fellas can be a bit wily. He's in the eighth cell down," he warned and directed as he unlocked the door into the hall where the cells were lined up. Swallowing her nervousness, Jinora went in after he opened the door for her. As she made her way past the other cells, heads turned and a few catcalls rang out from the men inside. She shook off their comments and come-ons, trying particularly hard to ignore the highly suggestive ones and keeping her focus as she came to the eighth cell.
Kai could hear footsteps on the concrete floor coming closer and stopping just outside his cell. Believing it was a guard he looked up only to see a girl standing on the other side of the bars. She looked oddly familiar...
"I came to say thank you for saving me life," she took a deep breath a second time to keep herself at ease.
"Yeah I remember you, you're the girl that stuck around instead of run like I told you to," Kai raised a brow at her.
"Probably not the smartest thing I could have done huh?"
"No kidding, but I guess I can't blame you," he rose from the bench and sauntered over to the barred door. He tilted his chin down and looked up, "you were only trying t'help." Jinora took a small step back as her heart suddenly began racing.
"By the way, thanks for getting his attention away from me for a moment. You must be pretty used to distracting men," he smiled slyly and gave her a wink. Getting his full height up close, Jinora could see he was only a few inches taller than she was bringing them close to eye-to-eye level.
"So I've been told," Jinora replied with a steady smile. Something about the way she spoke made Kai's own smile drop. It wasn't annoyed, flirty or bashful like he was used to but rather tolerant, as though it had no effect on her whatsoever.
"If you went through all the trouble to get in here I imagine a chance to say thank you isn't all you're here for," he said with a sigh as he returned to the metal bench and sat down.
"I would like to get to know you," she shrugged.
"Not much t'know," he laughed dryly.
"I'm Jinora, what's your name?"
"Call me whatever you like."
"I'd like to call you by your name."
"Kai. Just Kai."
"No last name?"
"Nope."
"So Kai, where are you from?"
"Some place."
"Specifically."
"Somewhere in the Earth States."
"How long have you been in the United Republic?"
"Few months."
"Do you have any family?"
"No," Kai was starting to get annoyed by all the questions. What did she want? Why all the prying? She had to have some other reason for being there. No one came into a prison looking to make friends.
"How long are you going to be in here?" she asked.
"They said I could be looking at forty to forty five years."
"Wow... that's a lot of time."
"Maybe I'll use that time to figure out the secrets of the universe. Why are you asking so many questions?"
"I told you," she said with a slightly brighter smile, "I just want to get to know you."
"Riiight," he dragged, "and that's it?"
"Not exactly, I have an idea on how to get you out of here." This caught Kai's attention though he did nothing to show it.
"What makes you so sure I wanna leave?"
"You really want to spend the next four decades in a cage?"
"Maybe," he gave a mocking smile, "but I'm listening."
"The law says only family can get you out of here... but you have no family..."
"Yes, we've established that," Kai huffed, rubbing his head as he was beginning to feel that headache again. Was this girl here to waste his time? Did she have nothing better to do? "No parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents or legal guardians of any sort."
"...What about a wife?" she asked after a moment. Kai laughed humorlessly in response.
"Nah, I'm too much for the ladies t'handle for more than one night."
"But you could have one."
"Yeah, unfortunately the only way that'd be able to happen is if they throw a girl in here that could take me and that wouldn't do any good as far as getting me outta here."
"Why does she have to be thrown in?"
"Think about it, it's not like a girl would waltz right in to this stink hole looking for a-" he paused. The dots were connecting.
"I can get you out of here," she told him without a hint of hesitation in her calmed voice.
"Hate to break it t'ya Doll, but the police here do investigate. They'd know you're faking," he sat up but didn't bother to look her in the eye.
"Who said anything about faking?"
"I'm flattered, but I'll pass," he sneered. It wasn't the first time he had received an proposal from a girl he didn't really know to marry her. Marriage didn't mean anything. It was just a fancy party meant to celebrate two people being obsessed with each other. It was better to stay unattached and simply go with wherever one's desires took them.
"I can show you a better life than this," Jinora moved forward slowly and placed a hand on one of the bars, her voice was soft but sure, "no prisons or chains... it has to be better than this."
"I'm sure," he said skeptically, "I've heard these promises before. You think you can show me a better world and take me somewhere nice? Think you can change me and make me a better person? I'm not that naive."
"I'll go with you!" an eager voice called out from a few cells down. She simply shook her head and ignored him.
"You don't have to be naive," Jinora's eyes focused on him as he looked back at her blankly, "you just have to say yes." Her certainty disconcerted him and caused feelings of resentment to rise. He had to break her focus somehow.
"I think I know what you're really here for," Kai got up again and made his way back to the front of the cell. He lowered his voice to a seductive murmur and met her eyes for the first time since she arrived, "you don't have t'be scared to admit it." Jinora didn't appear to be moved.
"I mean it," she answered simply. Kai's headache got even worse.
"So do I," he spoke with a bite in his voice.
"Miss, your time is up," the guard called as he opened the door at the end of the hall. She looked back to Kai.
"What do you say?"
"I'm not going anywhere," Kai gave her a cheeky smile before she turned and walked out. Soon the door was shut and she was gone with the guard.
"I think you blew it man," one of the other inmates said from another cell, "you may have just passed up your only chance of getting out of here."
"Going from one prison to another," he scoffed, "I haven't lost anything."
"If a babe as hot as her came to my cell I would say yes in a heartbeat," another laughed.
"Trust me, after a while they all start t'look the same," Kai brushed it off before going back to sit on the bench. He didn't want to think about it, but by the way she looked at him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't seen the last of her. What was her angle? What did she have to gain from this? There must have been something.
Everyone wants something, a dark low voice spoke to him, whatever her reason may be, she wants to own you. Don't let her. Kai let out a breath and slumped back against the wall. He wasn't going to let anyone own him. He belonged to nobody.
As Jinora walked out of the prison she felt like kicking herself. What was she thinking? Had she lost her mind? What kind of sane and rational girl walked into a prison and asked a man with a forty year sentence to marry her when he was only a stranger?
Did I really think this through, she thought to herself, or was it just hormones? He seemed pretty certain. But he saved me so he must have some humanity. Do I really believe that's enough to marry him? He says he's heard the promises before, so I wouldn't be the first. This is perhaps the most brave or the most stupid thing I have ever even attempted... Then she remembered what he said about not having any family and her heart sank. She couldn't imagine life without her parents or siblings. Her family was her whole world and he had none.
Maybe I only asked out of pity, she contemplated to herself, but was it really a meaningless gesture? She had grown up believing that marriage was a forever deal. It was a spiritual contract meant to be honored and kept sacred. She still believed that. You don't just give that to anyone, pity or no pity. The image of his eyes flashed through her mind. They had seemed so distant, like someone who had forgotten their own name.
What do I do? she wondered, there's no way he'll see what I'm offering him. Even if he does, what are the chances it'll mean anything to him?
Don't abandon, a soft voice came from the back of her mind, clear and sure. Her conscience undoubtedly.
I'm not abandoning, she reasoned, I can't abandon someone I'm not loyal to.
How many loyal friends do you think he has?
None I guess... no one to teach him what's right, she lowered her gaze as she walked down the street, or he probably wouldn't even be in there.
Then give him one.
Even if it kills me? she mentally scoffed.
There are those who would do the same for you.
Jinora couldn't argue with that no matter how much she wanted to. How much really separated her from this man other than circumstances? If she had grown up without her family and no guidance, no one to tell her the difference between right and wrong she would probably be right there in that cell with him. With a deep, cleansing breath, she made up her mind all over. Tomorrow she would go back and ask again.
He never actually said no.