"You sold the bakery!?"

Daiyu tried to process her own words as Khan's jaw hit the floor. The bakery's owner, Yoma, twisted her liver-spotted hands together in a sheepish manner.

The teen had arrived at the bakery, five minutes to six AM like usual, to come face to face with an angry Taya ranting about how she had better things to do than work at a quote "dumpy old bakery" as she stomped out the back door.

The girl had undoubtedly been fired and within less than three days of when Daiyu had last worked. The teen wasted no time rushing into the kitchen, sauntering over to Khan who was already at his workbench and demanded her two hundred yuan.

Yoma was there as well, watching fondly as Daiyu counted her winnings and reminded an irritated Khan about the rice balls he also owed her. But Yoma, for some reason, appeared to be nervous. Their boss then began to regale them with the short story of how she fired Taya after two weeks of her showing up late to work before she weakly transitioned to their current predicament.

Khan ran his hands through his curls, the disbelief still evident on his face. "When Future Industries started buying up the rest of the shops on the block, I didn't think, you know, you'd jump on the bandwagon."

"Me too Hon'," Yoma sighed. "But those suits made a very generous offer, and the business is not making what it used to. After a few weeks, I decided that to sell this place was the right decision, for me."

"But this shop is a piece of history," Daiyu pressed her hand against the wall as if to pet it. "Your family has been selling baked goods from this spot since this city was still an Earth Kingdom colony."

"This bakery has been in my family for generations, yes," The elderly woman agreed quietly, her golden eyes dulling. "And it's time I passed it on too, but what do I have? Three children who don't want it."

Khan conceded, having understood their boss's dilemma. "So that's just it then, you're retiring?"

"Yes, I'm old and tired as all get out," The bakery owner chuckled. "The money I received by selling the shop just made my retirement dreams a reality, and it's time I moved on."

"We're still losing our jobs though," Daiyu tried not to sound as defeated as she felt. She fingered the two hundred yuan in her pocket, wondering if she should give the money back knowing that Khan was about to lose his only source of income.

"I know what this place means to both you, but you two are meant for bigger things." Yoma declared, eyes glistening. "You two are both the best employees, as well as the best bakers, that have probably ever worked here. You deserve more, and considering what I could afford to pay you I'm surprised you both stayed this long."

The two bakers erupted in disagreement. The pay was not glamorous, but that did not mean it was not decent compared to a lot of places in Republic City.

It was always about more than just the pay to Daiyu. "What about my apprenticeship? I'm supposed to be working for you until I turn eighteen—"

"Child!" Yoma almost laughed. "You have been working for me since you were twelve years old. I can still remember the day your mother came through the front door and asked me to give her girl a job because she 'expressed an interest' in becoming a baker and opening a tea shop. Has that change?"

"No! But—"

"And didn't I say that you're one of the best bakers to have ever baked here?"

"Well, yes—"

"And you think I don't see you during your breaks, scribbling your plans away in your journal like a woman on a mission? And not to mention all those new recipes you keep coming up with; I have nothing left to teach you." Yoma raised a brow. "And aren't you a few classes and a test away from getting that business diploma?"

" . . . Yes."

"Then you have nothing to worry about," The old woman placed her hands on the teen's shoulders. "And I'm confident you both will find new jobs before I shut this place down."

Khan worried his lower lip with his teeth. "And when's that?"

"In a month and a half."

Daiyu bristled, that was less time than she thought.

"I know it's bad timing, especially for you Khan, so I'm in the middle of writing up your recommendation letters. They should help." Yoma released Daiyu and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "All I ask is that you stick around until the end."

The two bakers melted a little. "Of course, we will," Khan said, moving around his workbench and taking their mentor's hand in his.

They turned to Daiyu, who shook her head. "You'll be dragging me out of here kicking and screaming when that last day comes, I'm warning you now."

That put a smile on Yoma's face and distracted her from the anxious look her two young bakers shot each other.

The future never seemed so uncertain.

Oh nothing stays the same from yesteryears
See I recall being afraid of the dark
And holding on to teddy bears

In hindsight, Daiyu should have seen it coming.

Well, maybe she did and just did not want to believe it. Yoma had spoken of retiring several times before, most mentions of it had been brought up in the last couple of weeks, and the teen just did not want to pick up what her boss was putting down.

How could she? Not when The Plan was always on her mind. The Plan being something she had been developing since she was twelve when she decided that she wanted to turn baking into a living. She had her whole future sorted out; she had a timeline. Where she would be working and when, where all her earnings would go to, and when she would have enough to open her shop. Sure, she had contingency plans, but not for this.

Maybe she could—

"—Daiyu?"

The tattooed teen's eyes snapped open at the sound of her name. She looked to the side to see her mother seated on the stone tile deck, already out of her plank pose, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

Reality set it and Daiyu could finally feel the burn in her upper arms and core as she held her own plank. How long had she held the pose? She lowered herself to the ground and rested her head on her arms, letting the early morning chill that had settled into the stone seep into her muscles. Weekend morning yoga sessions with her mother were supposed to be relaxing, but Daiyu felt anything but.

She peeked back up at Lin. "Sorry Ma, I was lost in thought, what were you saying?"

"I asked you if you were still fretting over the whole bakery situation," Lin hunched over, bringing herself a little closer to her daughter. "It seems you are."

"I was thinking about The Plan."

"I see," Her mother joined her on the ground and laid down on her back. "You're frustrated because you don't know what to do next."

"Yeah."

"Have you considered not doing anything?"

Daiyu sat up. Did her mother really just say that? Ms Workaholic herself? "Khan said the same thing at the Pro-Bending match last night, said I work too much and too hard."

"Because you do, for someone your age anyway." Lin rolled onto her side to face her daughter. "I worry one of these days you're going to work yourself into an early grave before I do."

Daiyu frowned and smoothed some hair away from her face. "Well, considering death is an actual occupational hazard of being a cop—"

"—Don't sass me Girlie," The Chief pointed a finger in warning at the teen. "And I'm not joking when I say I'm worried about you."

"But Ma, there's nothing to worry about," Daiyu assured. "It's just that this whole bakery closing thing has got my mind all jumbled up, as soon as I line up another job for next month I'll be right as rain."

"That's not what I'm concerned about and you know it."

"Why do you feel that I need a break?" The teen moaned. "I thought you liked that I worked hard, that I had goals and I was thinking of my future."

"I do like that about you, you remind me so much of myself at your age." Lin sat up as well, crossing her arms in thought. "But like me, you also focus too much on the long term. In those early days, I was so preoccupied with thinking ahead that I didn't pay attention to the present. I worked my ass off and got to the places I wanted to be a lot faster than most, but in the process, I let my youth slip through my fingers. I grew up too fast, I don't want that for you."

Daiyu shuffled closer to her mother. "Ma . . ."

"Look, all I'm saying is that maybe this is your chance to take some time off to focus on being young; a good, decent amount of time."

". . . Maybe your right," Daiyu accepted. "I'm trying to think of what I'd do if I had some time off, and I can't think of anything that doesn't have to do with baking or working."

Lin shrugged. "You could focus on training, maybe find another sword master to take down."

The girl chuckled. "I've already beaten half of the so-called-masters they have in the city, but still, I'd be up for it. Skills can always be refined."

"Perhaps you could travel then," The Chief suggested. "I'm sure you could find a worthy master somewhere in the Fire Nation, or the Earth Kingdom."

Daiyu's heart nearly stopped beating in her chest. Despite her nonchalant tone, Lin knew the gravity behind her own words and what they meant to Daiyu. The tattooed teen had been all over Republic City, but she had never actually left it. All opportunity to leave had been lost to her when Lin had refused to let her travel with her father when she was young, and in turn, her father had agreed to leave her behind as long Lin never left the city with her either. It had taken Daiyu a while to get over it, but the desire to travel, to explore and discover, was still there.

The teen found her voice. "You'd let me leave the city? Without you?"

"You're sixteen now," Lin explained. "If you want to leave, you don't need me to go with you, though I'd like you to let me know before you—"

"—As if I wouldn't!" Daiyu squealed and tackled her mother into a hug. "Thank you, thank you! I'll, I'll think about it!"

"Good, now get off me before I become one with the deck." Her mother grumbled and gave Daiyu a discreet squeeze before she shoved her off. "Aren't you headed back to the Island today?"

"That's right! I should go get ready," Daiyu decided and began to head towards their home's back entrance.

"Daiyu, wait."

"Yes, Ma?"

Lin stood and spoke as she stretched. "Has your sword been registered?"

"The paperwork is still being processed," Daiyu replied, slightly confused as to why her mother would ask her about it.

"Then bring your whip, and make sure you have your knives with you." The police chief's eyes became hard. "The Equalists have become more active as of late."

"And I might become a target," Daiyu concluded with a sigh. Being the Chief of Police's daughter could be such a hassle at time, but she wouldn't change a thing. "I promise I'll be careful."

"That's all I ask."

Song: Seventeen | Alessia Cara

AN: Hi guys! So here's another chapter with some major stuff to move the plot forward, with Daiyu's impending unemployment, and the mention of Daiyu's father amongst other things. I also really wanted to dive more into the relationship between Daiyu and Lin, it was really fun to write their interaction.

Until next time! Please leave a review and tell me what you think!