"There'll be a party in honor of you, Korra, the President wishes for all of us to attend." Tenzin was talking to everyone at the table.
"I'm guessing he wants me there so that he can tell the media that he was on my side all along." Korra was toying with her vegetables. The thought of a party brought Korra a mixed bag of emotions. She really needed some rest, Hiko had been pushing her even more now that they were practicing more advanced techniques. She was now learning Lightning Redirection, but she can't confirm she can actually do it because Hiko refused to hit her with Lightning. A party would definitely help her relax. At the same time, she didn't want the President to get away with ignoring her warnings from the start. If he had stepped in earlier Unalaq would have been stopped. Now she had to deal with the spirit vines and people who have no homes because of what happened.
"Come on Korra! You've been exhausting yourself with helping out civilians and practicing Lightningbending with that Hiko boy. A party doesn't sound too bad." Asami reasoned with Korra.
"I guess it wouldn't be too bad to unwind for a while." Korra figured a night of partying would put her in a better mood. "When is it?"
"It's this Friday," Tenzin replied.
"So all of us are coming?" Korra asked.
"Yes."
"Can I invite someone?"
"Who?" Tenzin asked suspiciously.
"Damn it Korra! You have to continue the motion even in the air!" Hiko shouted at Korra as she walked back to him.
"I can't seem to get it right! It's very complicated." Korra wiped off her sweat before sitting down beside Jinora. Hiko stood up to face his student.
"Watch."
Hiko dipped his legs low with both his arms stretched to the side. Taking a deep breath he made the identical circling motion he had taught Korra on their first day. But before he finished the motion, he launched himself into the air with yellow streaks following him. In mid-air, he rotated his body and then released the lightning in front of Korra. Jinora was smiling in awe the whole time, luckily Hiko had practiced doing Lightningbending with closed eyes whenever Jinora came to watch.
Hiko landed and returned to his beginning stance finally opening his eyes seeing Korra pouting and Jinora smiling widely.
"Now you do it, remember that in mid-air your body has to be rotating. Your arms must still be continuing the circling motion and your stance has to be flexible but centered." Hiko helped Korra up before stepping back to give Korra some space. "Breathe in and out, remember to focus yourself," Hiko advised Korra who was in the beginning stance. Korra mimicked Hiko's circling motion before launching herself into the air. Extending her arm, Lightning came from her fingertips stopping just in front of Hiko. Korra landed with a satisfied but exhausted face.
"Alright, that's enough for today. You did well." Hiko placed a hand on Korra's shoulder which he had to reach for, being shorter than Korra.
"Hey Hiko, do you have plans this Friday?" Korra took her towel and began wiping her face with it.
"Not really." Hiko picked up his book on the stairs.
"The President is throwing a party in celebration of Unalaq's defeat and he wanted us to come. I was wondering if you wanted to come along too?"
Hiko had never gone to a party before. He never wanted to. Just imagining being one of the hundreds of half-sober people all cramped up in one room bumping into each other and 'partying' gave Hiko a very sick feeling.
"I've never been to a party before and I don't think I want to start now."
"Come on Hiko! It'll be fun!" Jinora chimed in standing up in front of Hiko.
"I don't know, I don't really have the best reputation." Hiko pursed his lips.
"Tenzin already gave me permission to ask you to come. He also asked the President and he said he was fine with it." Korra shrugged at Hiko hoping he would finally submit. With a sigh, Hiko nodded.
"Fine, I'll meet you there on Friday." Hiko with his book in his hands walked to the boat.
"Wait Hiko!" Hiko heard someone call him from behind. He looked behind him and saw Jinora running up to him.
"Yeah? Did I leave something?" Hiko asked curiously.
"No, I wanted to ask you. Do you want to be my date for the party?" Jinora asked with her head bent low. Hiko froze with his eyes open wide.
"Uh... yeah sure. Why not?" Hiko finally pushed himself to answer.
"I'll see you there alright?" Jinora spun around and walked back to the temple, Hiko was still rooted on the spot. Sighing, he got on the boat back to Republic City.
It was a hot Thursday, Hiko had been reading his book the whole morning since he got up. Every now and then he would encounter a technique or movement he had yet to master and it would make him frustrated. He hated being cooped up in this tiny apartment, the only place he would be able to Lightningbend properly was at Air temple Island when he had training with Korra. But today was a rest day, Korra had business to take care of about 'new airbenders' or something. While reading he also thought about his living situation. He thought about getting a job but he knew some people still had it out for him. He had considered applying for a job at the factory since all he had to do was shoot some Lightning.
Right now, he was tempted to take it because he had eaten nothing today besides a piece of bread and some tea. He figured if anyone attacked him, he'd just act in self-defense. Finally deciding on it, he laid his book down on the table and headed out. Every time he took a walk outside he'd always get a person or two staring at him with daggers but he eventually got used to it.
Turning a corner the factory came into view, the huge building seemingly shining in the sunlight. Entering it he was surprised that the factory didn't smell that bad. Upfront he saw an old lady behind a desk doing some paperwork.
"Hello, where can I apply?" Hiko asked the old lady.
"Good afternoon. Just fill out this form and I'll get to you." The old lady handed him a form he had to fill out with personal information. "You can sit down over there while you work." The old lady gestured at a small bench to the side.
"Hmm... Place of Birth." Hiko was muttering to himself. He decided he would just put Republic City for convenience. The other information he filled up rather quickly.
"Here you go." Hiko handed the form back to the old lady.
"Alright, everything seems to be in order. Go with Jianjun over there, he'll show you around." The old lady pointed at a man who was just taller than Hiko by a little bit. And here you go, this badge will tell people you're just an intern."The old lady handed Hiko a small bronze badge. "Thank you," Hiko said to the old lady before walking to Jianjun.
Jianjun was fidgeting with a necklace as Hiko approached him. Hiko cleared his throat to get his attention. Jianjun looked at Hiko with an annoyed look but immediately retracted when he saw the badge. Instead, he put on a small smile.
"Oh hey! You're the new guy huh? The name's Jianjun. Nice to meet you." Jianjun held out his hand which Hiko shook.
"Hi. I'm Hiko, it's nice to meet you too." Hiko said with a thin smile.
"Alright Kid. The first thing I have to test you on is, your Lightningbending." Jianjun crossed his arms which made him look bigger than he already is. "Can you generate Lightning?" Jianjun asked.
"Of course," Hiko replied with an eyebrow raised.
"Just checking! Alright come with me I'll show you the actual factory." They went down to a wide hallway, reaching a flight of stairs. Going down Hiko asked Jianjun some questions.
"How long have you worked here?"
"Three years. It's easy money considering all you have to do is point your finger at steel." Jianjun laughed. "What about you? You look pretty young to be getting a job at a factory."
"I live alone so I have to get money somehow. And I thought this was the easiest way since I can Lightningbend." They were reaching the bottom of the stairs. Hiko watched as forty-something Lightningbenders were all firing Lightning at steel. One thing he forgot was that his Lightning was a different color, so would that be a problem?
"Alright kid, come here to this spot. All you have to do is shoot Lightning in sync with all the other workers." Jianjun was pointing at the people beside them who were still shooting Lightning. Hiko came forward at the place Jianjun was pointing at. Hiko took a deep breath while looking at the other workers. He started shooting just as the others were starting. Jianjun looked satisfied but was now looking at Hiko's Lightning which was yellow.
"Hey kid, come over here." Jianjun gestured at Hiko. He immediately stopped and went to Jianjun. "Why do you have yellow Lightning?" Jianjun asked suspiciously.
"I don't know, I've always had it since when I was a kid." Hiko shrugged at Jianjun who raised an eyebrow.
"Well, it looks like you're producing the right voltage anyway so I guess there's no problem." Hiko went back to producing Lightning in sync with the other workers, while Jianjun observed him. Hiko, I've finally found you.
