"Come on Bolin, learn to relax! I'm sure Master Tenzin has it all handled. Now, will you please jump in the pool?"
Bolin could not believe how nonchalant his brother was being, about the whole situation. It had been three days since they'd seen Korra. Three days since Amon came and destroyed not only the Arena, but their home. Three days since he had seen Korra go completely crazy on dozens of Equalists, lift Amon into the air, all to come to the rescue of their 'once upon a time' enemy. The sheer power she had exhibited was staggering, but so was the damage she caused. Bolin had yet to tell his brother this; but while they were racing through the stands trying to save as many people as they could, Bolin watched as his water tribe gal dropped weighted Equalists into the water like coins into a fountain.
Never in his life had he seen a sight like that, people screaming all the way down, clawing at the stone she had bent around them. He knew that Chief Beifong had sent her men in to save them, but also knew some might not have survived that. After they had finished with the stands they had raced to the ring to be with Korra, only to find she was soothing a scared out of his mind Shaozu. The brothers couldn't find it in them to hate their opponents any longer. What they had been through was enough to wipe the slate clean.
Still, the sight of the once cocky fire bending youth crumpled and broken in the Avatar's arms was hard to process. Even the dead looks in Tahno and Ming's eyes made it hard to truly be around them. The Wolfbats seemed to hang around Korra like a butter-moth to flame. She had singlehandedly saved them from Amon and a horde of chi-blockers, so that was to be expected, but still!
Korra had then gently gotten to her feet, and with Shaozu tucked under her arm in a protective embrace, set out to deal with damage control. She was gently calling metal benders to her side, charging them the care of the Wolfbats until she could assign them passage to the nearest hospital. Once done with that, she hitched a ride with Lin over to the stands and out of sight. She never once looked back to see them, leaving them with Tenzin.
"Please understand," he had said to them, in a voice full of unchecked emotion. It was enough to have Bolin and Mako's full attention. "Please understand that she isn't ignoring you. This is Korra's way of blocking out what upsets her, so she can focus. She can't be around people who can see right through her, or she'll break. Let me take care of her for now. I'll send for you when she is ready for friends," was what he told them. Three days ago.
Asami had graciously offered them a place to stay, living with her in her big fancy mansion. Mako had been overjoyed, their small apartment in the Arena long forgotten as he walked through the large marble doors with Asami tucked under his arm. It didn't seem to bother his brother much that they had almost lost everything, that Korra had gone through something traumatic enough to ignore even her Airbending Master, or even that Amon destroyed the only real job they've ever had. Mako just didn't seem to care.
Bolin groaned, pulling at his hair as he turned to face his brother. Mako was dressed in a bathing suit Asami had bought him, wading in the gigantic indoor pool. Asami was sitting on the side of the pool, dipping her long creamy legs in the water, most likely to pull Mako's attention from him. She really was a nice girl, but Bolin felt that she pulled his brother away from what truly mattered.
"How can you tell me to calm down, to relax!? Tenzin has not contacted us like he said he would. Amon destroyed the Arena, our home for the past few years if you remember. We witnessed a terrible thing, and I haven't seen or heard from my girlfriend in a solid THREE DAYS!" Bolin had raised his arms in the air, exasperated at the entire situation. He could feel Mako's eyes on him as he stormed out of the pool area, but knew he wouldn't be followed.
With Pabu around his shoulders, Bolin made his way to the Sato Mansion's front steps. Before he could make a run for it, he heard his name called. Turning around, he saw one of the many butlers the Sato's employed. This particular one had been in the pool room with them, taking requests ever so often.
"Master Bolin, there is a telegram for you, from Air Temple Island," he said, his nasal voice full of mischief. He had watched this strange friend of his Mistress rant for hours about how worried he was. He could only imagine it was the young Avatar that the earthbender was so anxious about. It pleased him to see this particular message patched through that morning.
Bolin's eyes grew wide, hope flittering in them like water in a desert. He took the paper from the silver tray the butler was holding and opened it. There, the words that he needed to see for too long now, were typed across the page. He was out the door before the butler could catch his breath.
-She only wants to see you, Bolin. Tenzin-
Asami's staff were nice enough to give him a ride to the docks, where he then took a ferry ride over to the island. Normally, he had to pay to get across. But lately, the air acolytes recognized the boy that had their Avatar's affections and let him pass for free. They were moving cargo around the ship, sparing glances at Bolin as he leaned against the railing. They were silently hoping that he could pull their dear Avatar out of the funk she was in. Master Korra was definitely not herself as of late.
Oblivious of all the eyes on him, Bolin leapt off the boat, taking off as soon as his feet hit the ground. Pabu was screeching on his shoulder, complaining that he was going to fall off if he didn't slow down. The earthbender slowed his pace when he reached the building Tenzin and his family stayed in. The doors opened before he could even reach them, and he was surrounded by a whirlwind of limbs and snot.
Meelo had wrapped his taffy arms around Bolin in greeting, cheering to his big hearts content. Ikki soon followed, along with a smiling Jinora. "Thank the Spirits you're here. We've been trying to get through to her for the past few days. I'll take you to her room," Jinora explained, her voice just as calm as always.
The Airbending children held his hands and lead him through their home. He paused to greet Pema, Tenzin's wife, who was busy in the kitchen making lunch. The light of the sun filled through the windows as the stopped outside of Korra's room. Bolin took note of the untouched trays of food beside her door, his heart growing heavier with each second she was away from him. The children soundlessly left on their air scooters, leaving Bolin at the entrance to her room. He raised a hand to knock once, and waited on baited breath as he heard her voice.
"Go away Tenzin," he heard her say. Korra's voice was choked with unshed tears, and it took all Bolin had not to knock the door down.
"I'm hurt! You can't even recognize my knocks from Tenzin's? How you wound me woman-," he said before the door slide open just enough to pull him into the room. Bolin squeaked before being dragged into perpetual darkness. Pabu leapt off his shoulder, the sound of him landing on Naga's pillows the only sound in the room. The shutters in Korra's room were the ones that could seal out any light. The only source of lights were the meditative candles that were lit at one corner of the room. Her normally messy space was clean, so tidy it hurt.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and by then he felt arms wrap around his neck.
His arms reflexively snaked around her waist as he pulled Korra into his frame. Her face was tucked into the crook of his neck and Bolin could feel her tears as they finally escaped her eyes. Korra's body trembled in his hold, and the earthbender held her even tighter to him. He lifted her up into his arms, and gently laid down onto her bed with Korra nestled in his arms. He kicked off his shoes just in time for Korra to tangle her legs with his. As if she was trying to mold herself to him. He could feel her shaky breaths as she finally cried. Korra cried into his chest, her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck. She released all of the tension, her pent up emotions from over the last month spilling from her eyes.
Bolin buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of the ocean brine that was so Korra that he thought he would swoon. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear for Spirits knows how long, drawing patterns in her back to calm her. Korra sobbed for a while longer before finally settling down. Although he wanted to hear her explain, Bolin allowed her to begin on her own. It only took a few minutes for her breathing to slow back down, and when she started talking her voice was hoarse with emotion.
"They've taken over my mind. I can't get away from the images they keep sending me. Memories, lasting hours at a time. Cryptic messages that make no sense at all! Their voices are all in my head, the only time I can escape them is when I meditate in here," Korra said. Bolin pushed her away just enough so he could place a hand on her cheek. His thumb wiped away a stray tear caught in her lashes, the blue of her eyes filled with panic.
"Who has, Korra? Who are 'they'?" he asked her, voice soft. He watched as her eyes shone with something else, as her voice came out ragged. Bolin's heart clenched with worry when he identified the fear in her gaze.
"The other Avatars, Bolin. Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk, Yangchen, countless others," she whimpered.
She raised her hands to grip either side of his face gently. Bolin couldn't help but notice how flameo hot her hands were, as if she was burning with a fever.
"They were there that night at the Arena. My body moved on its own, bending moves that I have never learned, causing me to do things. They whispered in my head that I had to do whatever it took to protect. Bolin I-," here she bit her lip, eyes shut with shame.
"Tenzin says I killed 8 Equalists. 3 I drowned, the others succumbed to the injuries they sustained while fighting me. I killed them Bolin, oh Spirits, I killed them!" she sobbed again, unable to keep the fresh tears from pooling in her eyes. Bolin pulled her into his arms once more as her words set in. He honestly had expected that, seeing those men sink to the bottom of the pool. But to learn that Korra, his Korra, was being influenced by her past lives was enough to make him angry.
What gave those ancient gizzards the right to use her body that way? To cause her to do awful things under the pretense of saving innocents? Taking a deep breath, he pulled away so he could look into her eyes once more. Bolin hated to see such pain there, her eyes shined with it.
"That isn't your fault Korra, you know that. You wouldn't do that in your wildest dreams. If anything, you'd beat them up a bit and send them on their way. Those people are gone because of what you previous lives made you do, understand?" he explained firmly. His tone left no room for argument, and he was pleased to see Korra nod her head solemnly.
"Something else was bothering you. At Narook's, you were out of it. And during practice you would mutter things under your breath. What's been going on in that head of yours, babe?" Bolin pleaded. Hearing the strain in his voice, the desperation to be in the loop made Korra wrap her arms around his middle. Laying her head on his shoulder, he laid on his back with her in his arms as she finally explained to him what was going on. Korra drew patterns on his chest as the words spilled out of her.
Korra started with when she first started working on Tarrlok's task force. She told him of how she was the leader a small group of specially trained benders, hand-picked by the Northerner himself. She explained how the missions normally went, with them raiding Equalist strongholds and taking dozens of prisoners back to a secret holding area underneath the police station. Bolin held her tighter as her voice faltered at what went on in those cells afterwards, how they pulled the intel from them.
His water tribe gal then explained the visions, how her past lives would pull her into these fugues where she would experience their memories through her body. She began with Aang's, of how his soul crushing anguish at losing his freedom to the world made her vomit every morning. Of Roku's heart breaking cries as he died atop a raging volcano, his closest friend leaving him to perish in fire and ash. Of Kyoshi's stone cold heart as she murdered Chin the Conqueror in order to save her way of life. Of Kuruk losing the love of his life to Koh the Face Stealer, and how he abandoned the world in his despair. Korra told him how their emotions flood her every day for the past week, sending her into dizzy spells that last hours on end.
"When I hugged you before the finals match," she began, her voice had taken on a quiet whisper as she continued. Bolin kissed her forehead, sending strength into her with his touch. "Kyoshi had finally released me from a 3 hour joyride she had with my body," Korra finished with a shudder.
Bolin's mind raged at this. He knew something was not right that day, the memory of Korra's shivering clear in his mind. The way the metal benders were reacting to her as a figure of authority was not normal then. They could sense the change in her, and had acted for fear of the consequences. Oh, how had Korra put up with all this!
"All I can think about is the look Shaozu gave me. If you were there, you would understand. His eyes Bo, were so full of fear I thought he'd die right there. He cried for me to help him, for me to save him. He was right there, and he needed me. In that moment, that's when the desire to defend became overwhelming. I did things then, hurt people in ways I never thought possible, and managed to get to him in time. Amon didn't take away his bending," she said, a shred of hope lightened her voice before she whispered.
"But I ended 8 lives to do it".
The two of them laid there in each other's arms for what felt like an eternity. Korra was done speaking about her woes, and instead let Bolin fill her in on what she'd missed. She let herself be comforted by the security of his arms around her and let the rumble of his voice calm her frayed nerves.
Bolin started with how they were able to do some good that night at the Arena. His voice took on a dramatic tone as he described his and Mako's heroics as they battled Equalists in the stands, earning a laugh from his girl once in a while. He then talked about how Asami had found them in the aftermath, face streaked with worried tears. Bolin could feel Korra's arms tighten around him when he mentioned her offer of refuge at her estate.
He honestly did not like living at the Sato mansion. Growing up with next to nothing, the earthbender felt extremely uncomfortable living in such luxury. His bed was gigantic and much too fluffy for his tastes. Servants waited on his every beck and call, which he found creepy. Most of all, he hated how much time Mako was spending with Asami. He hated how much Mako seemed to brush off the things that mattered to him most before he met the heiress. His lack of concern about the Equalist attack, losing their home; he even seemed to forget about Korra herself.
Bolin let all of his emotions free as he held the exhausted girl in his arms. He knew he could tell her anything without fear of being judged. If anyone understood what he was feeling, it was Korra. She knew that he loved his brother more than anything in this world, and was worried that he was losing him to the whims of the wealthy Satos. She recognized his concern as the brother who always kept an eye out for his older sibling.
"You should have seen him, Kor, laying everywhere in that mansion like a platypus-bear. When we lived in the Arena, Mako was always busy with training or getting ready to go work at the factory. Now Asami gives him anything he asks for, and he spends all day with her under his arm. Part of me is really happy that he's found someone, but"- he let his voice trail off, unsure how to continue.
His Avatar tilted her face up to kiss the crook of his jaw, and Bolin felt the blush creep up to his hairline. "The other part of you wants to pull him out of the clouds and back down to Earth. You want your brother back, without compromising his happiness", her voice was soft but strong, having lost that ting of fear from earlier. He felt her hair tickle his nose as she settled back into his chest, and he let his hands graze up and down her back.
"That's it exactly, I knew you'd understand! I feel like Asami is pulling my brother away from what truly matters", Bolin muttered, his lip stuck out in a pout.
Before either of them could continue, there was a soft knock at the door. Korra carefully detangled herself from Bolin's arms and padded over to her door, sliding it open just enough to see outside. It was the Airbending children, the youngest hiding behind Jinora. Their eyes were full of worry and concern, and Korra felt bad for ignoring them for the last few days.
"Mom says it's time for dinner. Did you want to eat with us today"?
Jinora's voice was tinged with hope, her brown eyes wide. The thought of being around everyone again made Korra's stomach clench. She was a killer now, how could she sit with Tenzin and his family knowing she had blood on her hands?
She opened her mouth to decline, when she felt a warm hand grasp her waist. She turned her head to see Bolin smiling down at the kids, his green eyes playful. He noticed the way her body went tense at their proposition, but knew she needed to be around those who cared for her. Tenzin's family loved her like she was one of them, and Bolin knew that being with them again would help Korra greatly.
"Dinner sounds great! Why don't you run ahead, and we'll be right behind you", he told them.
The teens watched their smiles brighten the whole hallway before they speed off on air scooters. Korra turned to him with a soft smile on her face before walking to her clothes chest. Bolin watched her and finally noticed that she wasn't in her normal attire. She wore a pair of loose tan pants that pooled at her ankles and an orange shirt. His eyes traced the curve of her back as she pulled out a shawl from her chest, a grin splitting his face when she turned back to him with it snuggly wrapped around her shoulders.
Korra's hair was free from her wolf tails, falling around her face and shoulders in soft brown waves. The warm tones of her clothes made her skin seem more exotic, the blue of her eyes shining brightly like two jewels in her face. Bolin chuckled when she cocked one smooth brow at him, a silent question to his staring.
"Forgive me for eyeballing you, but I can't help it. You're just so beautiful right now", he told her. His hand came up to clasp a short piece of hair that had fallen in her eyes, tucking it securely behind her ear. The red tint her cheeks took sent a thrill through him. "I like your hair down like this", he added with a sly smile.
Korra couldn't stop the blush at his appraisal of her. Settling for a hard punch to his arm, she let out a laugh as he rubbed it in fake annoyance.
"I'll remember that. C'mon, let's not keep them waiting", she said as she took his hand.
The two then exited her room and made their way down the hall. The air acolytes that they passed did a double take at the sight of their Avatar up and about. They gave her deeps bows, greeting her with enthusiasm in their voices.
The waterbender dipped her head in greeting, a soft smile playing at the edges of her lips. Her hand was still nestled in Bolin's larger one. She gave it a little squeeze, and earned a hip bump from him in return. They reached the dining room just as Meelo was throwing air balls into the salad bowl. They watched with amusement as the vegetation floated all over the room, Meelo's roaring laughter followed by the angry yells of his mother, Pema. Korra coughed loudly into her hand, bringing all eyes towards the doorway.
"Korra!" The children shouted in delight, the salad fiasco forgotten. Ikki and Meelo jumped up and rushed to grab her hands. The children pulled her away from Bolin and settled her on the plush cushions by the table, quickly taking the places directly beside her. Korra did nothing to hide the smile on her face. She turned and bowed her head in greeting to her Airbending master and his wife, who sat at the head of the table.
Tenzin was overjoyed to see his ward looking so much happier, the haunted look in her eyes from before was gone. He could see that the hollowness of her cheeks were less sharp, almost as if the shadow that loomed over her had finally passed. The waterbender had a glow about her now; her eyes were full of mirth as she ate with his children.
Tenzin was pulled from his revere when his wife beckoned Bolin to join them on the other side of the table. He gave the young man a grateful look as he shook his hand. Tenzin had no doubt in his mind that he was the reason for Korra's improvement. He was surprised when Bolin turned to him with a serious look in his eyes.
"Thank you for being so kind to her, Master Tenzin", he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Korra told me about how you reacted to the 'news', how you understood. I can't begin to express how much that meant to her".
The sounds of family filled the room, masking their secret conversation from Korra and the children. Tenzin felt moisture gather in his eyes, and he blinked it away.
"I should be the one thanking you, my boy. Korra wouldn't speak to anyone after that night, wouldn't touch her food. I think the thought of killing those Equalists, all while having her past lives edging her on in her mind, frightened her more than she cared to admit. She is not a killer, and I told her as much", he muttered sadly.
He turned away before he could catch the soft look Bolin sent his way, instead looking at the subject of their conversation.
Korra was waterbending a stream of lychee juice so that it danced around her captivated audience. She twirled her fingers hypnotically, bending the juice into intricate patterns above the children's heads. Their bell like laughter caused her to smile brightly at them. Unbeknownst to the eyes on her, she turned the juice into soft snow. It rained down over their dinner table, creating an almost mystical atmosphere in the room.
Tenzin chuckled softly at the shrieks of delight that left his son's mouth, as the young avatar lifted him into her lap affectionately.
"I know I am not her father, and her biological parents could have helped her more than I have. But they are far away in the South Pole, and I am unable to call them here. So I turned to you, as the other soul who is important in her heart. I knew that she would let you in, Bolin, and you've brought her back to us", his voice was full of emotion as he turned to meet the earthbenders eyes again.
"So I thank you. As Korra moves forward with her training, please don't hesitate to come to the island. You will always be welcome here", Tenzin told him. Bolin could feel his chest swell with an emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time. Looking at the people in the room, from Pema's heart shaped face, full of love; to his glowing avatar surrounded by laughing children, Bolin felt that he belonged.
That he was home.
Thin streams of moonlight broke through the shutters, illuminating the room in a soft glow. The sounds of Republic City's night life could still be heard in the loft downtown, although muted by the thick glass windows. Yue's light did not reach her son's silver eyes as he stared at the sleeping form of his friend. The firebender was settled on the large sofa in the living room, covered up to his shoulders in animal furs for warmth. His brow was sleek with sweat as he tossed and turned fitfully. He had been plagued with nightmares ever since that night at the Arena.
Frankly, Tahno was still a little shaken up. His mind replayed the events of that night over and over, until it was a blur of white electricity and screams. The sight of the ceiling caving in, Equalists dropping in from above to surround them, still caused him to be wary of loud noises. Tahno closed his eyes and sighed, breathing out through his nose. He had taken Shaozu to his place after he was discharged from the hospital. His best friend's family were all in the Fire Nation, too far to be of any help or comfort. He thought it best to keep him close.
"NO! Get away, Korra please, help me!"
A soft voice broke the silence of the room. The waterbender sighed as he racked his trembling hands through his hair. An unidentifiable feeling warmed his chest at the sound of the Avatar's name. She had truly been a sight to behold, standing in front of them with brilliant flames wrapped around her fists. Although his friend was suffering from nightmares, he still had his bending thanks to the Southern woman.
I need to thank her for that.
The thud of approaching feet made the hair on Tahno's neck stand up. Pulling the water from the glass he had set out for his friend, he quickly made an ice dagger. Holding it suspending in front of him, Tahno was prepared for the worst when a familiar voice cut in.
"Hold on, Tahno. It's just me, Ming", the earthbender said in a hushed voice. The kind of tone one would us if they were approaching a frightened animal. His brown eyes watched as his captain melted the dagger and bent the water back into the glass with a huff. There was a sadness in his alert eyes; most likely due to him staying up to watch his fire bending teammate have his night terrors.
They were taking shifts with watching him, Tahno had the night while he babysat during daylight hours. Dawn was a few hours away, but the earthbender decided to head over to his captain's place early. Ming sat across from Tahno, sparing a glance at him before pulling the furs back around Shaozu's shoulders.
"What are we going to do about him, Tahno? He's not getting any better. He barely eats during the day. He has nightmares every night", his voice was full of concern. His strong hands were wrung together as he spoke, his head bowed. "It's been a week since that night. Shaozu is going to need more than just me and you if we want him to get back to normal", he said, his voice solemn.
Tahno couldn't help but agree with is teammate. After they had carried Shaozu back from the hospital, Tahno spent a good portion of the day running his healing water over him. He had confidence in the healers at the hospital, he just wanted to make sure they didn't miss anything. Shaozu's whole body felt wrong under his water, his energy was contorted and tense. Shaozu spent that week laying on the couch or padding around his loft, his normal fiery eyes dull. He would try to produce his fire in his palms, but all he could create was smoke and ash.
Both the benders closed their eyes as the same memory flashed in their minds.
Ming and Tahno had stepped out to grab some take out from Narook's one day. Sea prunes were Shaozu's favorite, so they thought that bringing him some would lift his mood. When they had returned to the loft, they were shocked at what they found. The scent of burned flesh hit them like a rock slide, alarms going off in the young men's heads. They rushed inside, their lunch forgotten on the doormat, in search of their friend.
Ming had spotted the thin trail of blood droplets leading from the kitchen and into a spare bathroom. Tahno was banging on the door, finding it locked from the inside, begging for Shaozu to let them in. He was met with silence.
The waterbender's heart ran cold at the possibilities of what he would find behind the door.
It was then that Ming shouted for him to move, and he was just in time before Ming kicked the door in. There in the bathtub was their teammate, their brother, curled up in the fetal position. His arms were covered in harsh burns. What disturbed the two Wolfbats the most was the fact that the burns resembled handprints. Shaozu's limbs were covered in blistering burns, as if he tried to warm himself with his fire bending. Incoherent rambles were spewing from the tortured teen's mouth as he clutched his arms again.
The smell of burned flesh hit them again, this time spurring them into action. Ming bent down beside the tub and began speaking in a soft voice. Reassurances that he was alive, unharmed, and that he still had his bending. That he was safe in Tahno's loft, with his best friends, and that Amon was nowhere to be found. Said loft owner turned the sink faucet, and began collecting the water that was flowing freely.
When he had a large amount, he encased his friends' arms with the cool liquid. It was then that Shaozu came to life; He leapt up from the tub and tried to fight Ming and Tahno! His eyes were glazed, and his brow was moist as if he had a fever. Ming barely ducked the flames that were thrown his way. Tahno redirected the water from healing to defensive techniques, protecting them from the onslaught of fire. After he contained the flames, he slipped a small stream of water into his friend's ear. Shaozu's eyes lulled back into his head, and Ming caught him before he collapsed in the bathtub.
That had been days ago.
Tahno had healed his wounds since then. That event was the driving force behind the boy's babysitting system; Shaozu could not be left alone. But they could see that they were not helping their friend improve, just keeping him from harming himself again.
Thin rays of warm sunlight was streaming through the windows now. Dawn had finally caught up to them. Ming and Tahno looked at each other, looks of desperation on both of their faces. They had no clue on what to do. With Shaozu's family in the Homeland, there was no one else they could turn to. His tired voice sounded in the loft again, bringing their attention to the boy on the couch.
"Korra, don't leave. Korra, Korra, Korra", his voice pleading.
Ming bit his lip to keep the growl from leaving his throat. He hated what Amon had done to him. Tahno, however, had a stroke of genius. He had noticed how many times Shaozu called out to the Avatar in his sleep. He would be in a fit of terror, but would calm down after calling her name. He believed that she was saving him in his nightmares, repeatedly each night. If she was his savior in his dreams, why couldn't she save him again? She had come to their aid in the Arena, had promised to protect them from Amon. Tahno was sure she was the answer.
Standing up, the silver eyed waterbender stretched his lethal limbs. He turned to Ming with a new energy about him; he knew what he had to do to help Shaozu. While Ming walked to the kitchen to begin preparing their breakfast, Tahno was already planning his day.
It was time to go to Air Temple Island. It was time to get the Avatar's help once more.
Silence filled the marble corridors like stagnant bay water. It was early in the morning, light streaming through the grand windows with a pale white glow. The familiar noises of hard working servants were absent. The only soul that seemed to notice was Mako.
He had awoken in his room to the startling quiet, not sure what to make of it. Quickly throwing on his usual ensemble, the young firebender had briefly freshened up and made his way down the hall to see his brother.
Lately Mako had noticed a change in Bolin. At first, it seemed as if everything was fine. Despite them losing their attic home in the Arena, Asami had quickly rectified that situation with the offer to stay in her mansion. Mako smiled at how wonderfully kind his girlfriend had been throughout the whole ordeal. She supplied him with an allowance, so he didn't have to travel downtown to work at the factory anymore. She had extended the same curtsey to his brother, but Bolin had politely refused. He had said something that Mako could not remember, and then went with Pabu to rest. That first night had been rough for both of them.
It was after a few days passed that Mako had taken note of Bolin's change in attitude. He was no longer that carefree, fuddy-duddy jokester that he knew so well. He was anxious, pacing the mansion foyer with his hands fisted in his hair. Mako knew that he had been worried about Korra, who had not contacted them after the Equalist attack in the Arena for some time. He knew that she just needed time to herself. She always seemed to run off when things got hard anyway, so what was new? Bolin had a different opinion, and had vigorously tried to get him to come to Air Temple Island with him.
Mako had refused, told his brother to calm down and be patient. That had driven a rift between them. A day or so later, Bolin disappeared from the grounds with his fire ferret. Mako assumed that he had finally heard from Tenzin or Korra. After that, Mako had lost track of his brother for Agni knew how long. Every morning the firebender would knock on his room door, expecting to see Bolin in all his morning glory. Instead he was greeted with silence. It had been over a week since Bolin had first gone to the island, and he had maybe seen his brother twice since then.
Taking a deep breath, Mako pounded on his brother's door. The sound of feet scuffling on the floor made his heart skip a beat. When the door opened, however, it revealed a young woman dressed in a Sato servant uniform. Her light brown hair was pulled up into a top knot, her bangs held out of her dark eyes by a black lace headband. At the sight of him, she quickly bowed her head and opened the door wide for him to enter the room.
Mako stiffly looked at what used to be his brother's room. It was spotless, empty, with all of Bolin's belongings gone. Panic swelled in his heart, and he turned to question the young maid.
"Master Bolin vacated the mansion some time ago. Possibly three to four days ago", she said in a soft voice. She did not dare raise her eyes to meet the seething firebender before her. Unlike his brother, Mako was not always kind and understanding. Word had passed around the Sato staff of the pro-benders infamous temper.
"What do you mean 'vacated'? Where could he have gone?" Mako asked. He had to strain to keep his voice down. When the maid shrugged her shoulders, he huffed in exasperation.
Turning on his heel, Mako stormed out into the hall.
I think its time to see where y brother has disappeared to, he thought with a frown.
