Nanook,
Mako is something of a tragedy, and yet, a character to whom young children can look up. As I understand it (my knowledge being gained from snippets of others' conversations), he was born into a happy family, and had nothing but eight years of bliss for a childhood. His father was a respectable gentleman who loved his wife and children, cherishing in their success and happiness; his mother, a beauty, was as nurturing and caring as a saber-tooth-moose-lion. Their bonds were as strong as the tightest of knots, and yet, tragedy was still able to strike at their hearts.
I was able to procure three separate newspaper clippings from one decade ago, and just as I had feared, the editors have given the family only a sentence's-worth of ink. There is no beautiful eulogy, no story that describes the horrors that have happened, and worst of all, not one single description of the assailant who so cruelly soiled the innocents' minds. Despite this, I was able to gather two pieces of solid fact: it was nighttime when the marauder attacked the family, and much like the countless other muggers who roam the streets, he demanded every valuable that the family had to offer at the price of their lives. The family, wanting nothing more than to protect their young ones, handed over their jewelry, clothing, and coins. They were left naked and ashamed, embarrassed and abashed; but the thief had not finished with them: instead of leaving, he let loose a wave of fire that consumed the very likes of Mako's parents. He was left on the street with his brother, Bolin, alone and confused. He had no other family; he had no place to go. The only thing that kept him from collapsing was his will to survive, his need to protect his younger brother. To be honest, Nanook, I cannot in my wildest dreams imagine how he managed, but against all odds, he made it with Bolin for ten whole years.
Now, in ASC 170, Mako is an eighteen year old with jet-black hair and light orange eyes. His muscles are a force to be reckoned with, as are his general looks and demeanor. His hair cuts jaggedly around his forehead and comes to a close around the middle of his neck; his biceps peek graciously from underneath his clothes; and his stern expression gives most, if not all women, a shiver. In general, he is a very kind, thoughtful person. I can't say for certain why he is so quiet, or why he feels such a strong connection with Korra, the Avatar, but I can say that he is a person who will go to great lengths to protect those he loves. One day, when Bolin was captured, the fear in his soul was as evident as my brother Meelo's constant need to, should we say, 'airbend.' His gestures and reactions were quite powerful, especially coming from a teenaged male. I admire him for this, Nanook, as I believe all people should.
As for his relationship with the Avatar, I know little. I believe that he has feelings for her, and I know that she is indeed pining for him; however, neither Mako nor Korra has done anything to hasten the romance, and for this reason, this particular tangent ends: for now.
To me, Mako is a person with whom one can trust their life. He displays signs of general respect for all who surround him, and in addition, a sense of elderly love. While this is all I can truly say about Mako now, more knowledge is certain to be bestowed upon me, knowledge that I will immediately bestow upon you.
Jinora