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"Wise is the soul whose heart bestows the beauty of brotherly love especially - in times most cold. For the blessing of unity, evokes strong will, as the power of spirit, heals and fulfills."

- Crystal Harris

...

After a few long minutes spent with her father, Korra left the dining hall and joined her friends and cousins outside to start delivering the free meals to families.

"Okay. Korra…while you were gone, the charity stopped by. They gave us the addresses of the two neediest homes." Eska said, sighing, a wagon of food standing behind her.

"…I don't really enjoy doing this, to be truthful."

Mako pouted. "Well…why not? You guys are doing a great thing."

Desna finally spoke. "Honestly, it's depressing."

Korra took Mako's hand in hers. "Well…we'll try to make it fun. Bolin is especially good at that kind of thing." The avatar smirked to the earthbender.

Bolin blushed, smitten by Korra's words. "Daaaw…don't you flatter me, you!"

Eska glared sharply to her cousin, then grabbed Bolin's arm protectively.

Korra thought once about suggesting on taking Naga, but remembered her response when Asami, Mako, Bolin, and herself all tried to climb onto her large back. The polar bear dog had been startled and knocked all of the friends off into one big pile. Probably not a good idea.

...

Mako, Bolin, Korra, and the twins walked into a small village not too far from the palace. The homes were modestly sized and comfortable. The people living there obviously weren't rich, but most of them weren't poor, either. The streets were mostly quiet, peaceful people shopping at different vendors there. A rich aroma of cooking foods steamed in the crisp, cool air of the evening.

"Okay…where to first…?" Mako asked, admiring the peaceful little village.

Desna unfolded a piece of paper, turning it several times and trying to read it. He mumbled low to himself, frustrated with the poor handwriting.

"The…first family…is located right here at the corner." His voice is quiet "…a family with ten kids, supposedly." He let out a bored sigh.

"Fun. A bunch of ignorant, loud-mouthed brats. This'll be a treat." Eska rolled her eyes.

Korra's brow pulled together. "Hey! We're blessing these people, you two! Like your father said…doing this spreads a very important message to those that feel hopeless and are less fortunate than we are! Now let's make the most of it!" Korra shouted in a powerful way, raising a triumphant fist.

Mako cheered and applauded after the short monologue. They both glared in response, causing Korra to give up. Oh well…that's their opinion.

Delivering to the first house was very rewarding. The family consisted of a single mother who had lost her husband in a horrible hunting accident a few months ago, leaving her behind with her ten children. They were all ages one to seventeen, and definitely a handful in that cramped home. The mother cried tears of joy when she received the food, and the youngest children giggled and laughed after Bolin made Pabu do a few tricks. Overall, they were a wonderful and grateful family.

The teens continued onward, the last home located just outside the village. "See…? Now was that so bad?" Korra looked to her cousins.

"…no." Eska answered flatly.

Everyone jumped with surprise when Desna released a loud sigh of annoyance.

"I've just remembered. This next home is the one with those two men from before, Eska."

"…the men from the house fire? You must be joking…"

"…sadly…I wish I were."

"Woah woah woah…what guys?" Bolin raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the twin on his arm. Eska frowned.

"It's a tragedy, really. Several months ago, two men moved here from the Earth Kingdom, in search of a good healer, or maybe something else. Their home had caught fire after a man tried to rob them. Neither one made it out with minimal injuries. Their faces were disfigured entirely…and I'm also pretty sure one of them is missing a few limbs."

"It's depressing." Desna shut his eyes.

Korra immediately felt sick to her stomach. Anyone capable of doing that to an innocent family surely deserves death. Their lives must've completely changed after that. Korra could hardly wrap her head around the thought. What if that happened to her or her family?

"But…why come here? The best healers are definitely in the south…" Korra said. "Master Katara lives there…" Korra knew that Katara would without a question see people like them.

"…We aren't exactly sure…" the twins said unanimously.

...

After a few minutes, a small log cabin outside the village came into view. It was unlike the other homes in the nearby village. It appeared to be older and run-down. Korra smiled at the sight of it, squeezing Mako's hand tighter. Blessing this family will feel good, Korra told herself. They deserve this. The high snow blocking the path made it hard for Eska to pull the wagon through, so she quickly cleared a path with bending that stopped at the doorstep.

Bolin appeared a little fearful, probably because he was unsure of what they'd be walking into. Mako took initiative, stepping up to the door and knocking softly.

Everyone held their breath, awaiting a response. But it didn't come. The firebender knocked once more, and still, no response.

"Maybe they-" Korra was cut off my a muffled and horribly scratchy deep voice on the other side of the door. It sounded pained as it spoke.

"Who's there…!" It strained.

The teens exchanged uncomfortable glances between one another. Again, Mako was the only one able to take the lead.

"Hello…we're volunteers here to deliver some free meals…"

The other side of the door was very silent. Footsteps could be heard for a moment, then the door slowly opened.

There stood a tall figure. A man, dressed in a big parka and long pants, as well as a pair of boots. His face was the most disturbing part of him. The right side of his face, as well as some of the left, was scarred, from the bottom of his jaw to the top of his skull, where even the hair was partially burned off. It was a horrific sight. The pain could be read in his eyes as he forced a tiny grin to the group.

Korra felt a shiver grow up her spine. Something about him made the Avatar feel uneasy. Maybe it was just the burns and scarring…the disfigurement of his face.

"Thank you. All of you. You may bring it inside." He opened the door of the cabin to the teens. Desna and Eska inched back, clearly not interested in going inside. Bolin also did not have a choice, because Eska pulled him right to her side.

Korra, with sweaty palms, lifted half of the meals into her arms. Mako, with ease, lifted the other half. Together, they both took a deep breath and entered the chilly log cabin.

...

The space inside was very empty, to their surprise. Though Mako was sure that if he wasn't careful, he might hit the ceiling. There was only a small, dusty couch, a radio on a small table, and a basic kitchen area with a few counters and a small ice box refrigerator. Besides the living space and kitchen, there were two other doors. Probably for one bathroom and one bedroom, Korra was thinking.

The burned man in the parka led them to the cramped kitchen space, then opened the ice box.

"There should be enough space here." The man gestured to the box.

Inside was a single thick bloody slab of meat. It smelled horrible, so it was probably a few days gone rancid.

"Great." Korra smiled.

She and Mako stacked the meals inside the box as neatly as possible. The man's eyes could be felt burning the back of both the couple's heads. Now Mako, too, was also getting a heavy uneasy feeling. It must be nothing, because they are doing such a charitable thing for this man. Both Korra and Mako wanted to rush out of the house as quickly as possible at this point.

"As I said before, thank you. It's important that I find food that my brother-in-law can eat. Meat doesn't always do the trick." Something about the man's voice was darkened and sad.

Korra pouted. "Oh-…well…we're glad that we are able to help. We-"

Suddenly, a pained cry could be heard in one of the next rooms. Mako jerked, startled by it. The man in the parka frowned when he heard the noise.

"If you'll excuse me…you two may go." He nodded once to Korra and Mako, then turned and entered the door behind him.

Korra and Mako both looked to each other, both feeling very strange. Mako, holding Korra's hand, tugged her to the door. She froze in her tracks.

"Wait…" she sighed.

Mako's voice was a harshed whisper. "He excused us…so let's go, Korra." He seemed more eager to leave than even the young Avatar herself was earlier. Frowning, she responded.

"I feel…terrible…there…there must be something else we can do…" Korra felt very conflicted in her own mind. Did she want to leave? Did she not? Mako shook his head.

"We don't know these people, and they don't know us. We did the right thing, and we can't overstay our welcome. Let's. Go."

Reminded of her father's words, she relented and left with Mako. He almost had to practically drag Korra out of there, as she resisted his tugging at first.

What was it that drew her into wanting to stay? Was it her avatar instincts kicking in and telling her she had to help them? As they exited, Korra looked back into the home, only to see the scarred man in the parka, watching them from the bedroom doorway with menacing eyes.

...