As she walked out, Lai saw Daimang was standing a little outside the door. He clearly didn't go far. 'So how is she?' he asked.

'Good.' Lai responded. 'She had a lot to say.'

'Avatar advice, that sort of thing?' Lai nodded. 'So, what are you doing now?'

'Well, I need to go visit Dragon Inferno, and then it's on to the Northern Water Tribe.'

'Dragon Inferno?' Daimang said, looking intrigued. 'This is about their recent allegations, I suppose.'

'Yep.'

'Then can I advise you speak to Naiko? She's their CEO, and she's normally in the city.'

'Sure. Thanks.'

'Not at all, Avatar. In fact, I'd be honoured to accompany you to the meeting.'

'Thanks, but no thanks.' Last thing I want is people saying I'm favouring different companies. 'I was going to ask the police to come with me.'

'Can I advise against that? They won't go unless they have new evidence – they'll have spoken to them at length anyway. Your better bet is to have an informal chat.'

'Huh. I'll go myself then. Thanks for letting me use your house.' Lai bowed.

'It's no trouble.' Daimang bowed in response.

She was shown out by a butler, who said she could leave her luggage here for short time. This let Lai avoid the train this time, and was able to fly. She was glad of that – Republic City had some beautiful views. The city was curious one, without any really old architecture mixed in with the new buildings – the things that caused the hickadly pickadly streets were the massive spirit vines. Seeing one, Lai descended and landed right next to one.

'Here goes.' Lai placed her hand on the spirit vine. She felt the huge amounts of energy flowing inside of it. See sort out the familiar shape of Conduit. She felt her vision start to fade, she felt herself moving along the vine –

And then shouting came. A thousand figures stood in front of her, shouting. 'Fall, Fall, Fall!' Lai pulled her hand off, feeling it going numb. Another way blocked. How am I supposed to beat him? Disgruntled, Lai took off again.

The city streets, already full, continued to fill as Lai looked for the Dragon Inferno building. She knew the basic area where it was, but navigating street maps was hard from a bird's eye view. Eventually, after flying around the building to check it was the right one, she tried to land outside. This was difficult – the street was utterly packed.

Eventually, Lai shouted down 'I'm landing! Sorry!' She then plunged down, dodging the passersby who hadn't moved, doing a rolling landing which she ungracefully got up from. 'Sorry, wasn't much room,' she said to those around her, folding her staff up, and walking into the building.

The entrance was highly generic. A few ink paintings hung on the wall, showing things from a traditional painting of a snow top mountain to a painting of three diggers in a field. A few potted plants dotted the area, of which Lai noticed a small spirit was nesting in. A fountain tinkled in the corner, next to the secretary's desk. Lai walked over to it and said, 'Hi, I'm the Avatar, can I speak to Naiko?'

'Hold on a second.' The secretary looked at her computer. 'Do you have an appointment?'

Lai did a double take. She'd heard stories about kings, chiefs and presidents dropping everything should the Avatar arrive. She hadn't thought she'd need an appointment. 'No. But I'm the Avatar. Tell her that.'

'She's in a meeting, but I'll give her secretary a ring.' The secretary picked up a phone and began ringing. There was a muffled chat that Lai didn't hear – she just stood there, waiting. She was aware people were looking at her, but she tried to ignore them.

Eventually the secretary got off the phone. 'I'm sorry, but Naiko is very busy at the moment. I believe she isn't making any appointments for the next few weeks. I can make you an appointment after then if you want?'

'I'm the Avatar,' Lai said, putting emphasis on the word. 'Did you tell her that.'

'Yes, but as I said, she's extremely busy. Would you like me to make an appointment?'

Lai was fuming. She was extremely tempted to do like Korra had, and barge her way up there. But this wasn't the thing to do it over. 'No thank you,' she said, and stormed out.