Chapter 14

The heart

To say that she was lost was an understatement on so many levels; inside, outside, everywhere. Korra glanced around the tall buildings – which were only getting taller – as she travelled in what she thought was southwest. The blocks and odd roads in the City didn't make it easy for her to travel in a straight line path. After an hour of blind navigation, she finally reached a place that looked somewhat familiar to her: Republic City Park.

She sighed in relief and traversed to the edge of the public estate. It wasn't long before she was stopping in her tracks again. A crowd of voices floated over to her, all chanting similar things pertaining to the equal rights for Non-Benders. The Southerner ducked under a bush when she heard the familiar sounds of one man in particular. She poked her eyes out from the top of the shrub to examine the situation, looking to avoid another confrontation. It wasn't fear that was stopping her, no; she wasn't afraid of this man in the slightest, or his group of upset protestors. If anything, she just wasn't in the mood to get hollered at over things that weren't even in her control.

But there he was again, with his long sideburns and his over-the-top speeches, standing atop a small podium sporting a banner reading "Equalists". A small swarm of people were surrounding him, some of which were holding similar signs.

"Isn't it a little early in the day to be doing this kind of stuff?"

"You said it, missy."

Korra jumped and spun to the voice beside her. Another man crawled out of the shrubbery just a few bushes down from her. He had spiky grey hair, a full face beard with a broken mustache of the same shade, and was missing one of his front teeth.

"Their noise so early in the day is cutting into my sleeping time, though I don't normally sleep in this late. Today's my day off!"

She raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Your day off from what?"

"From travelling around this here City, of course! The vagabond life is never stagnant, though I have taken a liking to this here bush. It's been my home for quite some time now."

"You… live in that bush?"

He nodded, excitement exuding from his pores. "Yes, presently that is what I do call home. Took me a while to procure a bush that beauteous. It doesn't look like much, but it keeps the wind and the cold away. Besides, there's nothing like the nomadic vagabond culture. This park is quite popular with all the vagabonds, though many of them aren't as… enthusiastic about it. Unlike what many people think, not all of us are 'living it up' in the City."

She thought of her first perceptions of Republic City as she arrived with her parents and Naga on the boat from the Southern Water Tribe, and how that was exactly what she believed. After living here, though, and seeing everything that's happened… her mind flashed to Ahyoka. She gritted her teeth. "You don't have to tell me twice. Trust me."

"It's all about what you make of it, though." He scooched closer to the Water Tribe girl and offered her his hand. "Gommu's the name."

"Korra," she replied, shaking his dirty palm. "How many of you are out there? I've been to this park before but I haven't seen people like you."

"If you wanna see the vagabonds, you gotta come at the right times. We can't just pop out in the middle of the day, or else the guards will find us."

"The guards?"

Gommu bobbed his head. "Yup, the park guards. They patrol around here, making sure people are following the rules and things like that. We technically aren't supposed to stay here, but some of the guards are a bit more sympathetic than the others. As long as we aren't bugging anyone or here during the busy hours, some of them let us stay the night."

"Where do you go when you can't stay here?"

"All sorts of places! Around town, in the sewers –"

Korra's face cringed for a moment.

"Hey, you'd be surprised how good a hiding place a sewer is – once you get past the smell. No wind, no wanderers or guards or gangs, and you can get through the City without anyone knowing. But this is just between you and me, now." He nudged her with his elbow. "Can't be giving away all my secrets."

"Then why are you telling me?"

He furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "Ya know, I'm not entirely sure. You just seem like a good kid, like someone I could trust –" His stomach grumbled and interrupted his response. "You wouldn't happen to have any food, would you?"

"Oh! Um, yeah," she dug into her bag and retrieved a small red fruit, "I don't have much, but you can have this."

"Wow! I haven't seen an apple in quite some time!" He grabbed the food from her hand and took a rather large bite. "Thanks, Korra! You're a good kid, just like I thought!" Gommu bit into the fruit again. "So what brings you out here to the City? Doesn't seem like you're from around here and judging by that bag, it doesn't look like you're lookin' to stay."

"I… could ask the same thing of you – minus the bag part." She replied as she shifted her sight to the crowd across the way.

"And I could tell you the same story I've been telling everyone else about how I got to the City. It wouldn't change my question for you, though."

"I suppose you're right." The Southerner squinted at the protesters. "What's their deal? It seems like they're here every time I come to the park." She questioned, trying to avoid the previous subject.

"Why don't you ask them yourselves?"

She frowned. "The last time I was here, that guy kept saying my people were oppressing the citizens in the City. I thought he was talking about the people of my village in the Southern Water Tribe, but instead he was talking about Water Benders. He thought I was a Bender."

"You aren't? You seem to carry yourself like the Benders I've seen in my time."

Korra tore her eyes from the rally and focused on Gommu. "You've seen Water Benders before?"

"Of course I have!" He grinned at the woman beside him. "You see a lot of things as a vagabond."

She scrunched her face in contemplation. "Maybe you can help me, then. I'm looking for Future Industries. You know where that is?"

"It's across the Bay, it is! About a few hours walk away from here, through the Downtown District."

"That's the part where I'm lost. How do I get Downtown?"

"You've got a lot to learn, newcomer."

"I'm not that –"

"Here's some advice for you: if you ever want to get to the center of any place, whether it's Ba Sing Se or the Fire Nation or even Republic City, all ya gotta do is look for the tall, expensive buildings. The closer you are to them, the closer you are to the heart." He poked her chest, just under her left clavicle.

"That's actually – really useful. Thanks!" She smiled and stood from her spot. "Here," she dug in her bag and tossed him another apple, "it's all yours, for helping me."

"Thanks, Korra!"

She gave him a bow and went on her way. Gommu hopped back into his bush, leaving her to glance at the protesters for a final time.

I should probably avoid the Park, just to be safe.

The Water Tribe girl travelled on the outskirts of Republic City Park, keeping a block or two away from its edge. Its design allowed for her to move in a more southwestern pattern in her effort to keep true to Yomka and Gommu's directions. The massive buildings of the Downtown District were growing clearer in her eyes. Their bases, though, were cut off by the large square structure in front of her. Atop the wide building was a small, green half-sphere with a window at its peak. She circled around it to find an open courtyard and a tiny, makeshift amphitheater area in front of its large doors.

What is this place?

She observed from a distance as several people approached the glass entrance. There were two men dressed in blue robes of contrasting shades. The man with the lighter blue wardrobe and dark brown hair was a few paces ahead of the much older looking man, who donned dark blue, fur-lined clothes and had his grey hair pulled back behind him. Two people shadowed the pair: an older man with a green coat and a tight, light grey bun of hair, and a woman wearing an outfit of layered red and black clothing. Three of them wore small gold pins that glinted in the sunlight.

Korra contemplated what type of scenario would call for a group of people like this. It was clear to her – at least from her assumptions – that the men in blue were Water Tribe, while the man in green and the woman in red could be from the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.

But why are they here? And what's with the pins?

She flipped back and forth in her head, trying to make sense of the cluster.

Why would there be Water Tribe people here, of all places?

"We don't really see a lot of people native to the poles in the City, unless they're on the United Republic Council. The entire Council is made up of Benders – one from every Nation and one to represent each of the Water Tribes."

She recalled Asami's word after their last trip together to the park.

Ah, of course; the Council!

Wait, isn't Master Tenzin the representative for the Air Nation? He would have to be, if it's all Benders. I wonder if he's coming. Man, it would be so cool to meet an Air Bender!

The Southerner examined the area, looking for anything that might be the Master himself.

I don't even know what he looks like, I don't think.

Come on, Korra; you've read about Aang. Just look for someone with a giant blue arrow on his head.

I –

There was nothing she could really use to argue that point. If Tenzin was here, he would have a big blue arrow on his forehead, and he would be the only one to have it. After another glance, she sighed.

He's probably already inside or something.

She gripped the strap of her bag and adjusted it.

I should get going.

Korra turned towards the towering buildings in the distance and made her way further into the heart of Republic City.

(-)

It wasn't long until Korra was, inevitably, lost again.

How does anyone know how to get around here, she grumbled in her head as she plopped herself on a bench. Though she had made it to the center of the Downtown District, she had no way of knowing where to go next. People passed her – absorbed in their own affairs – as Satomobiles and Cabbage Cars sped down the roads. The scent of street markets floated to her nose and made her stomach growl. She fished out the small amount of money from her bag and poked at the copper pieces.

This probably won't buy me a damn thing. Besides, I should save this in case I need it. I think I have some fruit left from Yomka.

The Southerner dug around the clothing, pelt, and small tools in her carrier and exchanged the currency for another apple.

This will do for now.

Just as she brought it to her mouth, her eyes lifted and got stuck on a sign that read "10th Street". She dropped her hand into her lap and stared at the words.

10th Street? Where have I seen that before?

Korra sat in contemplation, the water vapor from her breath puffing in front of her.

Water…

She plunged into her pocket and pulled a folded piece of paper out. The Southerner opened it and examined the address.

This is the street Urkoma lives on.

She stood up in excitement, apple abandoned into her bag.

I thought you were going to Future Industries.

I am. But maybe she can give me better directions now that I'm here and, you know, completely lost.

Yeah, that's true.

Korra glanced left and right, inspecting the buildings nearby.

I don't think I'm too far away…

She walked down the block until she could find a number posted on one of the storefronts. When she double-checked the script, she realized she was several hundred numbers away.

"Well, it's worth a shot." The Water Tribe girl mumbled to herself as she returned the sheet to her pocket and continued towards the opposite end of the long road.

The sun was making its descent towards the skyline by the time Korra completed her journey from the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center to the small complex where Urkoma lived. She walked up the steps and examined the names next to a column of buttons. After a small amount of hesitation, she pressed the buzzer. A noise came out of the box beside her, indicating that the ring went through. When there was no response, she hit the trigger again.

Nothing.

She sighed and lowered her shoulders.

She's probably out at the hospital.

Korra turned from the door and scanned the area.

Good luck finding that.

I could just wait here until she gets back.

With a pause and a shrug, she plopped onto the top stair and brought her knees to her chest. She pulled her hood up and buried her hands into the opposing sleeves of her parka. The sun almost touched the horizon when a deep, piercing voice penetrated her ears.

(-)