His name is Tarrlok, and he is the chairman of the United Republic Council and the council representative for the Northern Water Tribe. On the outside, he is a reasonable man, well-liked by the people of Republic City, but Amon has told us of his true nature. He is in truth ruthlessly ambitious, manipulative, and cares little for who gets caught in the way of his goals. Just how Amon knows this of the councilman is a mystery, but then again all of us have our mysteries, Tarrlok included. No one quite knows his background, only that he came to Republic City from the Northern Water Tribe as a teenager after his parents passed away. In that sense, I can't help but feel a strange solidarity with the man, our stories so similar, even though he is our greatest enemy. But unlike Tarrlok's rise through the ranks of Republic City, there is little hope of me ascending anywhere unless we are the victors in this growing conflict.

"Good evening, my fellow equalists." Amon speaks into the microphone that is now broadcasting all over Republic City. "This is your leader, Amon." Taak and I were listening to the music previously, waiting for Amon's unscheduled interruption to take place. If there's one thing I miss about the old days, it's the music. The stuff here is just so… blech. "As you have no doubt heard, the Republic Council has voted to make me public enemy number one, proving once again that the bending oppressors of this city will stop at nothing to quash our revolution."

"Heh, 'quash'. I like that word." Taak chuckles. I shush him and keep listening.

"But we cannot be stopped." Amon continues. "Our numbers grow stronger by the day. You no longer have to live in fear. No… the time has now come for benders to experience fear."

The broadcast ends and the lackluster music returns. "Aww, I was hoping for a radio announcer to start quivering in fear." Taak says, pretending to have a horrible shiver running through him.

I have a small laugh at his antics, but it isn't a genuine one. In truth, I'm deep in thought. "You know, sometimes I wonder…"

"What's that?" He smiles.

"Well, it's just…" I sigh. I should've kept my mouth shut. Now I have to explain myself… "There was a boy I met when I was very young, when I was only seven years old. His name was Guin, and… he was a bender."

Taak's face hints at concern. "What kind was he?" He asks.

"It doesn' matter." It actually does, but I don't tell him that. "It's just… we grew close for many years," more concern from Taak, "but… I believe it was only because I was afraid of him. I was afraid of his power. It was an unhealthy, detrimental relationship we had, so… I can' help but wonder if using fear is really the best tactic."

Taak can't quite think of what to say in return. He thinks for a second, then asks a question. "Is that why you left Ba Sing Se?"

"…Among other reasons, yes." I answer.

"Did he follow? What happened to him?"

I take a moment before answering. "He died." is all I say before the two of us, in grim silence, head off to bed for the night.

It's been three weeks since the rally, and in that time this news that a special task force has been formed to hunt us down is the first monumental thing to happen, though that doesn't mean we haven't been busy all this time – far from it. Thanks to the rally, we've seen a tremendous influx of new members, and that means lots of training, lots of questions being asked, and lots of paperwork for me to do. To be honest, I'm kind of fine with the last of those three; some time working alone is a welcome reprieve from the hectic atmosphere of others. My job the same as it was during the rally, maintaining security around headquarters has kept me consistently busy. The dramatic increase in the number of members has been both a boon and a burden. More people of course means more resources available, but it also means more people that need to be looked after. If I had a yuan for every time one of the new recruits gets lost in the sewers or forgets proper entering procedure and is mistaken for an intruder, I'd be as rich as Mr. Sato, our generous benefactor.

But it's not all bad news. Speaking of Mr. Sato, they have a special helmet made for me. To help prevent any anxiety attacks from my claustrophobia it's given an open mouth similar to the lieutenant's, and it doesn't constrict my neck like the others do. For the most part it works. It's still a little unsettling wearing it, but if I remain calm about it I get by fine.

However, despite all our progress, this task force Councilman Tarrlok has put together spells trouble. No one believes it will decide the game between him and Amon, but it will certainly make matters more difficult for us. Fortunately, the Avatar, despite Tarrlok's best efforts, decided to not join him, a surprising decision. Everyone thought a rowdy girl like her would jump at the chance to 'beat up some bad guys'.

A couple days later however and Amon believes that may soon change. Finding me patrolling the hallways, he addresses me formally. "Sergeant Ming Ku-Sim."

Immediately I stand at attention. "Sir?"

"How would you like to return to your old espionage job for a night?"

"S-Sir?" I repeat. "I'm… not sure I understand. What do you mean 'for a night'?"

"Councilman Tarrlok is throwing a gala in the Avatar's honor, and I want someone of ours there, just to watch and observe."

I hesitate a moment before answering."I'm… honored you'd choose me again, sir, but… Well, I… grew up kind of poor;" Really poor more like… "I'd have no idea how to act at a fancy party like that."

"That's no problem – everyone's eyes will be on the Avatar. You could bathe in the punch bowl and no one would notice. That's just how those people are – inattentive to the small folk." Great. Once again it's because I'm small. I'm not exactly sure whether I have a choice in the matter, so to avoid confrontation over it (and to avoid all the mayhem around headquarters) I agree to the job. "Excellent." He pulls out from a wad of paper yuans, rolled up. "Here's the money to buy clothing for the event."

My hands are almost shaking; I've never held this much money before. "Sir!" I salute. "I'll do the best I can."

"Good. And Mr. Sato will have your invitation by tomorrow morning. I'll have someone get it to you when it's made."

The gala is tomorrow night, so the next day in the afternoon I go out into the town and find something suitable to wear at a fancy party. Upon reaching the place recommended to me buy Sergeant Chun (though hard to believe, she used to work in fashion before joining the Equalists), I find myself terribly intimidated by it. Everything about it screams "This is not the place for you, Ming." and even though I feel like I'll be scolded if I go in, I bring myself to enter.

Immediately a sales associate swoops in on me like a hawk. "Yes, can I help you?"

"I- uh… m… well…"

She takes a look at the old clothing on my back. "Are you sure you're in the right place, little girl?"

I fumble with my pocket for a moment pulling out the wad of cash. "I-I've been told to come here to get-"

As soon as she sees the money her talon-like hands snatch it from me and start counting it up. Surprised at just how much is there, she asks "You didn't steal this, did you?"

"No!" I cry out. "It's… it's my uncle's. He's taking me to a fancy dinner… thing… and he wants me to look nice."

That convinces her enough. Wasting little time she takes me back into the shop and starts picking out things she thinks would look nice. "Any particular fashion? Earth Kingdom? Fire Nation? Water Tribe?"

I dart my eyes to the side. "You don't have anything for…?"

"What, for Air Nomads? No, of course not."

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean-"

"Oh, non-benders! Yes, of course. Come, over here." You thought of the Nomads before non-benders? And so many people wonder why they feel oppressed.

When I escape the clothing outlet, it is with the kind of outfit I never thought would be on my frame: a bare-shouldered dress of white satin that falls down to my knees, clamped in place with a yellow-beige sash, white velvet arm-length gloves, and a pair of white dress shoes with matching stockings. I can scarcely believe it's me when I see myself in the mirror. Thankfully, I have enough money left over to call a taxi to take me to the gala. No way I could make it that far in these shoes…

I'm a bit early to the gala, but there's already a crowd. After paying the cab driver my fare, I take one last moment to calm my nerves before going in. It doesn't help one bit to quell my anxiety, but I wasn't really expecting it to. Alongside the grand entrance to the hall the gala is taking place in are two great banners hanging down from the roof, the Avatar's image on both of them. She really is full of herself, isn't she? Walking slowly up the stairs to the door, I pull out my invitation and look it over once more. And of course they used the wrong character for my name. Oh well. Here goes nothing… I approach the valet and hand him my invitation. He looks it over briefly, then looks me over briefly, and then with a professional smile, says "Welcome, Miss Ku-Sim. Please, enjoy yourself." I hand him the bag with my old clothes in them for safekeeping, then enter.

Inside is like another world to me. A big hall, grand chandeliers of light, fancy people in their fancy clothing, and off to the side… Food! My stomach growls, caring not a bit for who may hear it. I was so worried about this party I forgot to eat! But, though I may be entirely unused to this rich atmosphere, I know well enough I can't go inhaling all the appetizers like a child. They probably already think you are one, no need to act like one too. Well… maybe just a little.

Five deviled eggs later Mr. Sato arrives alone. I casually sneak through the hall to greet him. "Ah, you must be Miss Ku-Sim." He says as I approach.

Here before me is one of the most important, most wealthy men in all of Republic City, speaking to me, directly engaged in conversation with me – if there's ever a time for me to not lose my voice in fright, this is it. "Yes." I manage to say. "And you are Mr. Hiroshi Sato."

He smiles. He is a man well into his middle-age, with a violent streak of gray alongside either side of his head, tiny spectacles on his nose, and a rich black suit on his shoulders. "You look rather lovely, I must say." He tells me. I smile, always unsure of what to say in response to compliments like this. "While I mean no offense towards you personally, I must ask that we not look as though we know each other. You understand, yes?"

"O-Of course." I respond. "Though… I must admit I don't know a soul here. It's… disconcerting."

He chuckles lightly. "Oh, you'll get used to it. Don't be afraid to talk to anyone. Just… don't talk too much, obviously." He says with a wink, then turns to other guests for meager chitchat. Sorry, Mr. Sato but… being afraid to talk is kind of what I'm best at.

Fifteen minutes later standing alone by a column supporting the second-floor balcony, the Avatar finally arrives. Tarrlok, whom I've kept one of my eyes on since I first spotted his three ponytails among the crowd, taps a wine glass with a utensil to get everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen," he says, "may I present Avatar Korra." A light round of applause from delicate hands is given as she enters the shining hall from the back entrance, along with Tenzin and his family. Down a set of wide stairs they make their way, all looking regal (well, excluding Tenzin's children). The councilman is in a robe the Air Nomad colors of yellow and reddish orange, while the Avatar dons the tradition Water Tribe attire, with modifications to accommodate the situation: a long, navy blue skirt in place of pants and moccasin boots, and her hair is let down – members of the Water Tribes only let their hair down in public for very special occasions. Funny that Tarrlok hasn't. I thought this was his party. He does however step forward to greet his guest of honor. They chat for a moment, then he takes the Avatar to meet Mr. Sato. Quietly, inconspicuously, I move a little closer, listening in very carefully to tune out everyone else.

"-is my pleasure to introduce Republic City's most famous industrialist, Hiroshi Sato."

"Nice to meet you." The Avatar says with a bow. It's strange to hear her speak with her voice instead of her fists.

"We're all expecting great things from you, you know." Mr. Sato says with a smile.

"Hey, Korra!" A voice exclaims. The owner quickly appears aside Mr. Sato, a tall, handsome man with soot-black hair and a red scarf wrapped awkwardly around the collar of his fine-pressed suit. At his arm is a woman, regal and beautiful in appearance. Tall, too… Something about her irks me the wrong way…

"This is my daughter, Asami." Announces Mr. Sato.

"It's lovely to meet you!" She says enthusiastically. "Mako's told me so much about you."

I am about to sneak in just a little closer when who should appear but the one face I forgot would be here, the one face I can't let see me: the Avatar's earthbender friend, the brother of the one in the red scarf, and the only one who's seen my face with an Equalist uniform. Immediately I turn around, raising my shoulders like a frightened cat. Have to get out! Have to get away! Praying he didn't notice me in the brief moment I noticed him, I weave through the crowd back to the comfort and safety of the food table. Once I'm there, I chance a look back, and they're all busy chatting. Phew. Okay… I think I'm safe. To calm my nerves I pour a glass of ice water and take a drink when…

"Hey lady! Are you an airbender?" A little voice asks from underneath me. Totally surprised, I do a genuine spit-take, spraying water in fright all over what's remaining of the deviled eggs. Looking down, I see two little faces poking out from under the tablecloth, a boy and a girl, both in Air Nomad clothes. Tenzin's children.

"Why on earth… would you think that?" I answer, not quite sure what to say to these kids.

"I dunno, you just kinda look like one, I guess!" The little girl says.

"I… look like one?"I look over my clothes for a second, pinching one of the white gloves and tugging at it. "Don't you guys only wear yellow and orange?"

"Yeah!" The little boy cheers. "And you gotta have an arrow on your head, and you gotta make the air go WHOOSH!" He says, bending a gust of air to lift up the tablecloth and rattle all the dishes atop it. My dress flies up as well for a split-second – more than enough to make the two kids run off, laughing madly from the sight underneath. Frazzled and embarrassed, I take a moment to fix my hair and dust off my clothes, and for a moment, I feel a slight bit of pity for the man who has to deal with these monsters every day.

Another fifteen or so minutes go by, and I'm not quite sure what I should be doing here anymore. People often let things slip during idle chit-chat, but it doesn't even look like there is anything to let slip here. Just politics and business. Oh well… At least I got a nice dress out of it. I wonder if I get to keep it. As I'm off in another world mumbling to myself, a quick body appears at my side, and who should it be but the Avatar herself. She too is looking around as though trying to escape someone. I'm too nervous by her presence to even move, let alone speak to her. Please don't say anything to me, Please don't say anything to me!

She says something to me. "Phew. I think I lost him. I'm gonna hide here with you for a bit, 'kay?"

I slowly crane my neck to the left to meet eyes with hers, my knees shaking. "L-L-Lost who?" I manage to ask, ditching the Colonial accent, praying it helps hide my identity. The only other person who's heard how I naturally speak is Taak, but it is only when I am alone with him. To others I speak as they do in Republic City. I must be great at it, because no one suspects it as fake.

"Tarrlok. The guy won't leave me alone! I didn't even wanna come here in the first place, but I thought I'd at least be able to enjoy myself a little if I did."

"Didn' want to come? But… isn' this all for you?"

"Yeah, don't remind me." She says through chewing a cube of cheese. Making noise… while eating… oh god get me out of here… "I didn't really have a choice but to come here."

"That makes two of us." I sigh.

She hears and understands my mumbling. "Oh? Who'd you come here with?"

"Hiroshi Sato." I say without thinking, instantly remembering afterwards that I'm not supposed to mention we know each other.

"The car guy?" The Avatar asks. I've got her full attention by now; the last thing on earth I want.

"Y-Yeah… He's my uncle." No! That was a stupid thing to say, Ming! What if she calls your bluff!? And why would his niece speak in a Ba Sing Se accent!?

"Oh really? Are you a non-bender, too?"

"No- I mean yes! Yes… yes, I am." I'm losing it! I don't know how much more of this I can take…

She mulls over her thoughts for a moment, munching on a miniature wiener. "Can I ask you something?" She doesn't really give me time to answer. "I'm just curious to know the perspective of a non-bender: what do you think of Amon and the Equalists?"

Why!? Why would you ask me that!? Part of me is convinced she knows everything about me thanks to some creepy Avatar power and is just playing with me now. "I… well… erm… I don' know."

"You don't know?"

"I don' know."

"I see." Another second of thought. "It's just… he's gotten me so nervous. I never used to think bad about non-benders, but now… now it's like I can't stop thinking who might be one of his people. He's got me totally paranoid."

I take a moment myself to formulate my answer. "Well, now you know what it's like for a non-bender every day of their life." She stops stuffing her mouth with food for just a moment, surprised by my answer. "Never knowing who could end your life just like that, who could choose on a whim to attack you and there'd be nothing you could do to stop them."

The Avatar looks downtrodden. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" The gloomy atmosphere is suddenly broken by a familiar face finding her. "Oh! Mako! Bolin!" She exclaims as the two brothers spot their friend. Mako? Mako was that guy in the red scarf, wasn't he? Which means Bolin is…! Immediately I freeze in fright, turning my back to the approaching figures.

"Korra!" One of them, Mako by his voice, replies happily. Don't see me, don't see me, please don't see me! "Hiding from Tarrlok?" The Avatar shushes him and he snickers. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, her? She's uh…" She stops for a moment. "Actually I never did get your name, did I?"

"I-It's M-Ming Ku-Sim!" I say quickly, my back still turned to them. Wait, no! Why did I give them my real name? "N-nice to meet you!"

"Is… something wrong?" Asks Bolin, who jumps in between the Avatar and me to try and get a look at my face. As soon as he does, I turn to the right, away from him.

"No! Nothing's wrong!" He tries to sneak over to the other side, but I move once again, this time looking straight at the Avatar.

"Korra, I like your friend's accent, but she's really weird." Bolin laughs. Yes! I'm weird! Now go away!

"You're telling me. Hey, you two'd make a nice couple then. C'mon, say hi!" With a mischievous grin, she earthbends the marble floor beneath me to spin me around and come face-to-face with the earthbender I helped capture. Bolin and I both freeze. I can't move, or speak, or even think anything other than the hope that he's an idiot and won't recognize me.

Unfortunately, I am not so lucky. "You!" Bolin exclaims, catching the attention of everyone around. "I remember you! You're an Equalist!"

A gasp resounds through the hall. "What!? I-I don' know what you're talking about!" I try and feign ignorance. "I'm not…" My eyes dart back and forth, from Mako to the Avatar, both of whom have already shed their friendly faces for apprehensive ones, to the crowd beyond, all their eyes on me. What do I do? Think, Ming, think! Do I try to talk my way out of it or do I flee? I can't fight them without resorting to bending… no way I'll ever do that. But running… I'm good at running. And it doesn't look like they're buying my story, so… So I choose to flee. It means I can never show my face in town again, but it's better than being locked away and ruining everything, for myself and for the Equalists. At least this way I have a chance.

Grabbing the table, I swing myself underneath feet first and roll out on the other side, then before they have a chance to properly react, stand up with my shoulder under the far edge of the table, tossing it over and spilling all of its contents onto the Avatar and her two friends. Then, kicking off the dress shoes in two swift movements, I make a break for it. I don't have time to look back; I only hear Mako's voice shout "Bolin! Hurry! You and I'll take care of this!" Good – if the Avatar's not after me I've got a decent chance at getting away. I dodge past the valet and outside into the dark streets. A light drizzle began while I was inside, and now I'm wishing I hadn't ditched the shoes. The cold autumn wetness of the concrete sidewalk instantly soaks the bottom of my stockings and chills my feet. But I can't stop running. There's a tunnel entrance nearby, but I can't lead them there; I have to lose them first.

I almost don't notice it – the earthbent wall of rock that Bolin juts out from the ground before me. But just at the last moment before it would be too high to climb over, I jump up and put a hand atop it, riding it up until Bolin stops it, then lift myself over and fall down to the other side and continue running. Good. He's not as skilled as I feared he might be. I dash out into the road, hoping the traffic will give my pursuers pause, which it does only slightly, though I nearly get hit twice by passing cars. Once I'm on the other side I dash into a dark alleyway, looking for a way up. Trash can, no – too low… no way to grip on those windows… Aha! There we go! A fire escape's ladder is lowered all the way to the ground. Ironically, once I get onto the fire escape, Mako spots me and begins hurling thin balls of fire my way. Only a few come close to hitting me, as the alleyway is too narrow and twisty for him to properly aim from his distance. Seizing on this opportunity, I lift up the ladder and lock it in place so the two can't follow me this way, then start ascending upwards, higher and higher, until I'm on the rooftop. I'm pretty sure that lost them, but they'll know where I am if I just stay up here. Fortunately for me, the buildings are packed incredibly tight here, some so close together you couldn't even squeeze in between them. I hop from roof to roof, looking for a way over to another block, where I'll certainly have lost Mako and Bolin. Instead, what I find is a different kind of blessing – a pair of ratty old work shoes someone left on one of the rooftops by a door leading down into the apartment building. In their place I leave the pair of long gloves as thanks.

When I eventually have the guts to lower myself back down to the pavement, it is into a large crowd gathered at one of the corners at a stoplight. I cross with them, and once I'm on the other side do a quick scan to make sure nobody's following me, then breathe a deep sigh of relief and make my way to the nearest entrance to the tunnels, where I'm sure I'll have a number of reprimanding words for me when I get back home.