Chapter 9:
What would we do once we reached the walls of Ba Sing Se?
Would we actually find the Avatar?
Was she really the Avatar?
And if she was, why was she alone?
All these questions escaped Mako's mind as he and Bolin rode along the tracks leading into the Earth Kingdom capital. These questions fled Bolin as well as he half-nodded-off into a nap.
Both Bolin and Mako were flooding with a childhood ecstasy, their minds racing and their blood pumping so fervently, it could be heard in their ears. Yet they knew with every beat of their pounding hearts and every breath their lungs gave forth, the Avatar was within the towering walls. Somewhere she was waiting. And somewhere, Mako would find her (as he often promised himself). He knew it in his heart.
"I can't wait to try the food. It's gotta be good," Bolin said, lounging on the bench across from his brother, his hands brought up behind his head.
Mako nodded his agreement as he gazed over the landscape through his window. A brief darkness enveloped the train entirely and suddenly they were floating over the hills inside the Outer Ring of Ba Sing Se. It was just beyond midday, the sun was at its high point in the sky, casting warmth and life to the rolling hills of luscious farmland beneath it.
"We could always try a few things…as we search," Mako replied softly, still watching out his window. The fertile lands zipped by and the hills rolled like waves on the ocean. He was entranced by the scenery.
Moments later, they were in the inner ring of Ba Sing Se and found themselves walking onto the platform with their hefty duffle bags draped over their shoulders.
Bolin talked as they walked, while each of their eyes greedily took in the immense grandeur that was the city. "Where do you think we should start Mako?"
"I dunno Bo. This place is huge. I hadn't really thought of it."
Since Avatar Aang's time, the conditions of Ba Sing Se improved by leaps and bounds. Though the walls separating sections of the city still existed, the doors that usually remained closed now lay wide open; persons of every social status coming and going as they pleased. The soldiers at each gate no only served for directional purposes and now lacked the stern, emotionless facial expressions seen over 80 years before.
Stepping off the platform, the brothers unknowingly walked into an entirely new world. Instantly they were propelled into a slew of raw city bustle unique to the Earth Kingdom alone. Venders jogged up and down the streets toting their large carts with them as they shouted their specialties over the rumbling crowds of onlookers. Children laughed as they ran along in little herds, creating mischief without a care upon their youthful heads. The crowds of buyers (dashed with a hint of solicitors; their wares within the flaps of their coats and robes) were all mixed with those who bore no money, only the torn rags on their backs, and those who had a comfortable pocket full of change but in no interest to buy, only to sell their own trinkets (that only tourists could love), and then there were those who owned bundles of money here to see and look what was for sale, their arrogance and stingy selective purchasing seeing through to only one or two items bought in a five hour shopping day.
But yet, as both brothers could see (when they weren't tripping over young ones or dodging carts being blindly hauled by), everyone prospered—lived together in harmony. The brothers grinned at each other, proud to see Avatar Aang's outstanding long-lasting contribution to the world.
"Hey Bo," Mako started, only half-realizing he had spoken, for he still watched on in and around the crowds, hypnotized by everyone's daily goings-on.
"Hm?" Bolin glanced at Mako a split second before his attentions were caught by a food vender. His emerald green eyes doubled in size and he instantly charged for it, Pabu on his shoulders, licking his fading gray fuzzy chops.
"Didn't Asami say the new Avatar stole from venders? Bo? Bolin?" Mako swerved around, searching the huddles of people for the familiar face of his brother. The streets were bathed in people he'd ever seen before and he knew it was futile to try and find Bolin now. He would just have to fend for himself an hour or two before somebody recognized the legendary Fabulous Bending Brothers and BAM—instant soup for reuniting.
"He must've seen some food," he guessed to himself. All well, he could search for the Avatar until his well thought out plan was put into action. Acquiring their fame from their competing days and even now as the owners of the place in which they started, would ultimately pay off.
Before he and Bolin were to be reunited, Mako braved the scattered bundles and mobs of buyers and sellers alike, his eyes peeled for any signs related to the new Avatar. Whether news or an outbreak of some unsuspecting vender being tricked and stolen from, or a little earthbender bending air as well as earth at people…or both cases, erupted over the city—it didn't matter which one. Or if even all of them happened. He would rush to the site of confusion immediately.
But until then, he was wary, his eyes taking in every detail of the stands chuck full of items to be sold before they flicked to the next stand to continue their search. It was like this even as he took in the many different faces he came across, as well as buildings; his brain diligently absorbing everything his eyes took in as if counting inventory.
Like this, for hours he walked, his shoes scuffing from the dirt below his feet and loose rocks being kicked up and tossed yards in front of him. His bag got heavier with every winding street he strolled, as he had not set it down since the train ride, and eventually the muscles in his arms grew tired and sore. This happened about the time the bundles of venders, carts, and people looking to purchase ended and houses everywhere began popping up like daisies. First, the huts of the people barely scraping by, of which bordered the streets just past the shopping district. A good way off, an interconnected wall stood between him and the sight of even more houses, nicer though, as these were the middle class houses.
It was here, in the shopping district, when Mako realized a good five and a half hours had elapsed, judging by the sun's new disappearance over the edge of the immense walls encircling the city. It cast an unusual shadow over the city, bathing some areas in semi-darkness and others eerily closer to nighttime. It was then he also realized he and Bolin were also separated, and he felt a pang of worry.
Stop it, Mako told himself silently, He's a grown man now. He'll be fine.
Mako was passing a noodle shop just as he figured the twinge of worry would never subside. A claw of hunger clutched at his stomach and he suddenly noticed how famished he was after having gone hungry the whole day. He walked into the shop.
The inside was dimly lit, with only a few tables situated sporadically before him. Workers, three in all, browsed around the shop as if no hurry and it all blatantly screamed to him a very nice atmosphere for noodles. Locally owned, he assumed as well.
A tiny family—a set of parents and a small boy—sat against the wall on the left, eating noodles and dumplings together, conversing quietly, happily.
"Mako! Hey Mako!" Bolin's voice entered his ears at a harsh whisper.
Mako immediately spotted Bolin on the opposite wall, three empty bowls in front of him and more coming on a tray by the waiter who was walking towards his table. Mako joined him just as the waiter left; Bolin shoved a bowl towards his older brother.
"Any luck?" Bolin slurped, arising the interests of Pabu, whose head popped up at the sound.
Mako shook his head. He grabbed the pair of chopsticks in front of him and began piling the noodles into his mouth.
Bolin shrugged, his mouth full. "Maybe tomorrow," he suggested through his noodles, his cheeks puffed up like balloons.
"E-excuse me?"
Mako and Bolin turned to see the little boy standing next to their table, clutching a napkin in his fist and holding it close to his chest. His head and face tilted downwards bashfully, his scruffy brown hair falling over his eyes, but they—his eyes—watched the brothers with intent. Curiosity swam in the forest green.
The boy spoke again, "Can I get your autographs?"
Mako blinked at Bolin, "Sure, buddy. What's your name?"
The boy held out the crinkled napkin to Mako. "Xing."
Mako searched a moment in his duffel bag by his side. He pulled out an ink pen and signed, "To our friend, Xing, from Mako". He slid the pen and napkin over to Bolin, who chewed and swallowed his mouthful of noodles quickly. He signed his name next to Mako's. "Say," he observed, "you look like an earthbender."
The boy's miniscule voice lilted, "I am one," he grinned, showing teeth (two missing on the bottom row).
Bolin chuckled and handed the napkin back to the boy. "I can tell."
After marveling at the napkin a moment, the boy replied, "You can?"
Bolin nodded, "I can sense these things…I'm an earthbender too."
Mako knew it was because of the dirt smudges running all over the boy's clothes, face, hands, and feet, despite his nice, patch-free clothes.
"I know! You are my favorite Fire Ferret!" he exclaimed excitedly, crinkling the napkin ever further.
Bolin beamed.
"H-hey!" Mako cackled, "What about me?"
Xing blushed, almost embarrassed and apologetic, "You are my Momma's favorite and Daddy really loved Avatar Korra."
Mako and Bolin glanced over at the table where the boy's parents were watching their son. They waved and the brothers waved back, smiling.
Mako looked back down to Xing. The boy appeared only about six. Way too young to know anything about the Fire Ferrets. "Well," Mako started, an infitesimal smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "Your parents have excellent taste in teams. And so do you."
It was amazing to know their team, though long-time out of season and disbanded, still had an impact with the world outside the arena. However big or small it was, it didn't matter to Mako, to either of the brothers—what mattered is that they still received new fans, like young Xing here. It gave birth to a happiness Mako had not felt in a long while. It was very much similar to his glee felt upon winning a match.
The boy must've seen the silent, faraway look on Mako's face because his own suddenly went solemn. "Sir, I-I think Avatar Korra is still with you. Momma said after my grandpa died that those we love never leave you when they die. They always watch over you and take care of you."
"I believe you mother is right," Mako replied, leaning closer to the boy, his elbow resting on the table, "Thank you."
Xing smiled, "The Fabulous Bending Brothers!" With that, he skipped off to show his parents the signed napkin. A treasure they would all enjoy.
A few minutes later, the family left. Mako thinking all the while.
"Mako he said I was his favorite! Me! Bo-lin! How cool is that? I'm his favorite!" He had his arms stretched out over the table in the 'ta-da' gesture.
"He was an earthbender," Mako stated.
Bolin's arms dropped. "Did you hear me? I said I was Xing's favorite. I still have fans! We still have fans!"
Still, Bolin's words unintentionally travelled through one of Mako's ears and then out the other. "He was about six years old. The same age the new Avatar should be." Mako was silent a minute, then suddenly, "We should find a room close to here," he stood up and emptied his pockets of cash. He placed the bills on the table. Then he slung his duffel bag over his shoulder, waiting for Bolin to follow him.
He did. "Why here?"
"I have a hunch."
**Aaannnnnddd, there it is. Sorry it took a bit longer than I intended. Reviews please! (: **
