A/N: First off, I would like to apologize for the long wait. The mailing system was a bit wacky this week and it took a bit longer than usual to get the revised version. Next, I would like to thank all of those that have added this story to their alert or favorites list and all those who have reviewed the chapters. It is always nice to know that my readers like the story and that some (like Bellum Letale) think that I am a "wonderful writer." It is encouragement like this that has continued to give me the confidence to write this story. And now, on to Chapter 4!
The constant chatter of the patrons at 'Narook's Seaweed Noodlery' grew louder than ever as some regulars came in after the day's pro-bending match between the Makapu Moose Lions and the Capital City Catgators.
Karin had only a moment to catch her breath before Haku, the chef of Narook's, sent plates through the window that separated the restaurant area with the kitchen. Karin lifted the steaming plates of seaweed noodles, sea prunes, and sea squid soup onto her tray and made her way to the back of the restaurant, where a family of four sat in heated conversation.
There were two other waiters besides Karin working at the restaurant. The boy that she had met the first day she had arrived was one of them, and his name was Koji. The other was the girl currently walking through the thrall of newly arrived customers; her name was Chihiro.
From Karin's position in the back of the restaurant, she could tell that Chihiro was going to need back up. She quickly placed the meals onto her current table and told them to enjoy their meal before heading to the front of the restaurant.
"How many parties?" Karin asked sidling up next to Chihiro. She could see the younger girl breathe a sigh of relief.
"Looks like we have Tahno with his team and a handful of admirers. I'll take them to the back booth. After them, we have two more. One is a family of three and the other is a party of two, and from what I can tell we only have a table for two left." Karin nodded her head during the explanation and looked at all the guests in turn.
"Alright, I'll let the family know and I'll seat the party of two. Good luck with Tahno - I heard he can get a little handsy with waitresses," said Karin. Chihiro sent a glare in the direction of Tahno, the waterbender for the reigning champion team in the pro-bending arena.
"Trust me, he knows better than to mess with me." Chihiro replied with a sly smile. "Right this way," she said to Tahno. "We have your usual booth all set up."
The large party followed Chihiro. Tahno leered at Karin as he walked by.
Even though Karin had only been in Republic City for a week, she'd had the misfortune of making Tahno's acquaintance three nights out of the seven. It seemed that this was one of the young man's regular hangouts, and he brought many fan girls along with him every time. However, despite the number of girls that always accompanied him, Tahno always found time to make passes at Karin and Chihiro. Karin assumed he saw it as good sport.
She shook her head and turned towards the two other parties waiting to be seated. She could tell by the look on the parents in the party of three that they had already deduced that they would have to either wait a while or find somewhere else to go. Karin made sure to address them first, letting them know that they were welcome to wait, but that it might be quite some time. They opted to eat at a restaurant a bit further down the street.
Karin then turned to the group of two young men. One was taller than the other with black hair and golden eyes. His appearance hinted at him being a firebender, but Karin didn't like to assume. He had a long, ratty red scarf wrapped loosely around his neck, and his thumbs were hooked into the pockets of his pants.
The other young man was shorter and had a slightly stockier build, but Karin could tell that it was mostly muscle. He also had black hair, but unlike the other boy's, his eyes were shining green. He wore Earth Kingdom colors. While his companion was the epitome of nonchalance, this man was practically giddy. She could tell that the two were very different.
"Gentlemen, you can follow me," Karin said brusquely as she grabbed two menus.
"That's not necessary," The taller of the two replied, motioning at the menus.
"Yeah, we're regulars here." The green-eyed one said. Karin shrugged her shoulders before turning and taking them to their table.
"What can I get you guys?" She questioned as the two sat down.
"When did you start working here? Mako and I come here all the time and I've never seen you." The shorter man asked, gazing at her with wide and interested eyes.
"Started about a week ago. Used to work at the Ocean and Moon Eatery," Karin replied, pulling up her cover story to tell regulars at Narook's. It had come up on her first day working, when Tahno had shown up. Thankfully, Narook's wife Yuka had thought ahead and provided the other Water Tribe restaurant as the story of her previous job. It was on the edge of the Republic City slums and was popular with seedy characters within the city who needed to do business without being seen. Not many people frequented the Ocean and Moon Eatery, which made it the easiest cover story to present to those who frequented Narook's.
"I'll have a bowl of seven flavor soup and seaweed noodles." The other man, Mako, requested before slouching back slightly in his chair. She quickly wrote down his order on her pad of paper then looked up once again at the shorter man.
"Don't mind Mako, he's like that with everyone," he said, looking over at the other man with narrowed eyes."I'm his brother, Bolin. Who are you?"
"It's nice to meet you both. I'm Karin. Is there something I can get for you, Bolin?" She asked, wishing to return to business. She had met some chatty people during her time in Republic City, but no one had taken such an interest in her so quickly and enthusiastically. She liked it better when people just saw her as her job presented her. That way she wouldn't make any ties during her mission.
"Yeah, I'll have two bowls of seaweed noodles." He placed his elbows on the table and continued to stare at her with apparent fascination. It started to make Karin a bit uncomfortable.
"I'll be right back with your seaweed bread." Karin said quickly before turning to the kitchen.
The night continued, and the man named Bolin continued to ask her questions when she made the couple of casual but mandatory checks to ensure that everything was to their liking.
Right as the brothers were about to leave, Tahno rose out of his booth and sauntered over, looking smug. When he reached the table where Bolin and Mako were seated, he threw an arm around her shoulder and placed his face uncomfortably close to hers.
"Well if it isn't the Fire Ferrets, come to celebrate their entry into the pro-bending tournament. For some reason I figured you two would be upset, seeing as everyone knows you won't be able to get the money to play. I suppose better luck next year, right?" Karin shrugged angrily, effectively removing his arm from around her and trying to avoid scowling openly. She knew that if she offended a customer, Yuka would have her hide, even if it was in response to mild sexual harassment.
"Our placement in the tournament is none of your business, Tahno." Mako replied, and though he seemed calm, cool, and collected on the outside, she could tell that he was growing angry.
Bolin sat slack jawed across from his brother, staring between Tahno and Karin, his eyes questioning. Tahno noticed the puzzled look and exploited it, giving Bolin a faux shy smile. "Sorry Bolin, but this delicate little flower is all mine." He kissed her cheek, which was burning red with anger. "Just like the pro-bending championship."
Without even thinking, she shoved Tahno sidelong into the table beside them, which was thankfully empty. He toppled over, taking the table with him, and Bolin broke into laughter as Tahno gathered himself up.
"Call me a delicate flower again, I dare you." Karin challenged, her arms crossing over her chest.
Tahno was about to retort when Narook came from the back room. Tahno immediately shut his mouth and brushed himself off.
"Touch one of my waitresses again, Tahno, and you'll get more than a shove." Tahno didn't have to think twice before signaling his posse and swaggering out of the restaurant, even leaving a generous tip for Chihiro.
As Karin was picking up the table, Koji came in through the back door, ready to take her spot on the floor. She straightened up and nodded at him in a silent thank you.
"Sorry about Tahno." She said to Mako and Bolin as they placed their money on the table. "He's a nice piece of work."
"Trust me, we know." Mako replied with more warmth in his voice than when he had arrived. "Come on bro, we've got practice."
Bolin came over quickly and picked up the remaining chair for her. "Thank you." Karin said with a smile. He smiled back, running a hand through the hair at the back of his neck.
"Not a problem. I'll see you around Karin." He replied as he headed towards the door. He turned back one more time and waved before exiting the restaurant.
"Alright Karin, you can go on and head home. You've had enough excitement for today." Narook held out a hand, waiting to take her apron. She gave it over gladly.
Instead of heading up to her apartment above the restaurant, Karin grabbed a jacket from the backroom and headed into the busy streets with one destination in mind. Tonight would be her first attempt to infiltrate the Equalists.
Karin walked apprehensively through the streets of the Dragon Flats borough, knowing full well that the area was triad territory. A nugget of fear was placed solidly within her heart as she quickened her pace slightly, wishing that the bookstore would come into sight.
She had learned from a protestor in the park that people who were true to the Equalist cause could find brothers and sisters within Republic City. With a bit of coaxing Karin was able to learn that there were chi-blocking training camps within the Dragon Flats borough and resolved to come through after her shift during the week since she had arrived.
She had checked many blocks of the area before finally finding the place that she searched for.
A bookstore at the corner of a crossroad had a basement level where Equalists trained. The windows had been boarded up with new wood, which was Karin's first tip. However, they had been poorly placed and she was able to see men and woman inside wearing face masks that covered below their eyes. They were practicing on each other and on wooden dummies and against the wall was a giant poster of the Equalist leader, Amon.
Now that she knew the location, Karin needed to get inside. If she was able to prove herself a valuable asset to the Equalists as a fighter, she knew she would be able to find out more useful information to aid the White Lotus members hidden throughout the city.
She held back for a moment at the corner across from the bookstore, making sure to keep out of the light as a young woman entered the store.
Quickly and quietly, Karin followed behind the woman and stopped at the edge of an open window.
"May I help you?" The shop owner asked the woman in a deep monotone.
"I am here to seek relief." The woman replied. As if she had spoken a special phrase, a bookshelf in the corner slowly pushed inwards and then to the side, revealing a set of stairs that led to the basement below.
"May you find freedom, my sister." He replied with a bow.
"And you, my brother." She bowed as well before heading downstairs to train.
Karin was thankful that she had waited for the girl to pass through first. She had not been aware that a secret phrase was required to enter the training grounds, though she couldn't be surprised. Secret organizations were secret for a reason. She should have been used to it because she was a White Lotus member – sort of.
Karin shook her head quickly, willing herself to move. She mentally tried to banish her fear and apprehension as she heard the secret door snap back into place. She counted to 100 before entering the book shop.
"May I help you?" He asked Karin.
"I am here to seek relief," she replied smoothly, as the woman before her had.
The man gave her a small smile. "May you find freedom, my sister."
"And you, my brother." The door opened slowly and Karin headed downstairs to the training room.
