Chapter 6: Plains of doubt
Avatar Korra was drinking her tea, it was a fine, full-bodied first flush from the mountains of Shije Wuji – but to her just the warmth mattered that the fluid gave up as it went down her throat. She often felt cold since the day she opened the spirit portal. Even if she had tried it multiple times, she was not able to regain the Avatar state – she feared it again, but she ADMITTED she feared it now. The once muscular Avatar had become a slim woman, who might have looked graceful if her face had not displayed worry lines that belonged to somebody much older. Meelo was croaking, his voice heralding the first signs of lowering itself to a manly timbre. "Ikki, you´re still with this Toza idiot? He´s attending Kantu-Hills – HE´s THE ENEMY!" he snarled while squeezing ab piece of tofu between his chopsticks until it was torn apart. "As a man and a member of four nations elementary proving the superiority of our school is my duty! A girl of course has no understanding for a man´s responsibilities." he responded with a seriousness that sent Korra giggling, Meelo shot her a furious glance. His older sister just snorted angrily.
"The enemy, what are we – idiotic third graders? Just grow up Meelo, and furthermore you´re just jealous at Tozas good looks – and his height!" She smirked. Councilman Tenzin already went off to work, while his wife was taking care of her youngest son. Rohan had developed himself into the laziest four-year-old Korra could imagine, what kind of child could spend days watching the servants doing housework? He also was the hungriest four-year-old Korra had ever seen…he ate more than his grown Sisters! Korra could not understand how Pema could stuff her son with so much sweets and meat, he was developing a belly like an old man already. "Hmh I guess father would be REALLY interested in knowing how well shaped some of Tozas parts are." Meelo sneered superior. Korra sat down her cup, this actually seemed to get interesting. Ikki was flushing. "Puh – you´re just all talk Meelo, just search yourself a girlfriend. Oh right, some buck-teethed squirt like you will never get one." Ikki responded snidely. The two siblings really were at it, at moments like these Korra forgot she was the avatar. Meelo was blushing furiously.
"At - at least I´ll not behave like you." His voice took on a high pitched tone "Oh yes Tosa – deeper..ooarr my tigerdillo." he squealed and moaned, while his sister struck out with an extended palm. What? Ikki had slept with a guy – she was fourteen? And why in all heavens was Meelo spying on his sister? Korras jaw dropped as the airblast blew fruit pies and sesame buns from the table. Meelo was hit by fruit cream, buns and soft biscuits. He rubbed his smeared eyes furiously, cursing in the flowery language of the nomads, Korra even had forgotten the impossibly long name. "You little pervert were spying one us!" Ikki yelled on top of her lungs. Meelo was acting as nonchalant as ever. "Hmm…Mango cream, surely tastes better than Tozas." He responded licking his lips, while rolling his eyes dramatically, until just the whites could be seen. Ikki started sobbing in fury, her fists clenched. "Y-you don´t understand anything about young love – you – you -indecent person!" Whoa – Korra was totally overrun by the turn of events. "J-Just by, by – heavens I don´t even know a curse for this", she muttered in astonishment. Pema was bursting into the room.
"What…" the woman halted in her steps and just stared at Meelo, who sat in his chair, splattered with the contents of the breakfast. Her younger daughter stormed away, sobbing in hysterical fury. "Meelo – what have you done again!" his mother's voice was silent and cutting. The boy winced. "N-Nothing – Ikki started it mom – it´s true -right Korra!" he whimpered as his mother walked up to him, the usually gentle brown eyes spitting fire. "Don´t you dare and lie to me!" she responded, flexing her hand. "Into your room Meelo, I don´t want to see you today – you´re not allowed to change your clothes. Go and rethink your actions like a true airbender." She snarked. "That's unfair! I am the one who was all splattered with this stuff!" he protested pouting. "your room young man – AT ONCE!" Pema yelled, Korra had not even thought possible that pema would be able to yell. It was a shrill, piercing sound. Meelos eyes widened and her stomped off in fury. "You´re an unjust tyrant mother – and oh by the way I love FRIED FISH, goes perfectly well with ROOTBEER! Just ask my sister what she´s doing in her free time if you think that I´m the culprit here!" he shot back in a hurt voice. Korra gulped and picked up a sesame bun that had landed close to her right foot. She took a bite, it still tasted sweet, with the bean paste inside. Pema looked at the food sprayed across the dining room. "Haven´t I taught them to respect the fruits of the land." She sighed and started picking up the stuff.
Korra took pity on the middle aged woman, who was getting plump an grizzled, she had born four children after all, Korra could not imagine giving birth to even one. She collected the buns, which definitely could be eaten. "Ehm…Pema." The avatar started. "Yes Korra, I know that I´ve failed as a mother…I don´t know why Meelo is that way, he can´t have inherited this aggression from his father – or from me. We didn´t teach him like that." She sighed. "Poor Ikki, I guess I have to go upstairs and make her some honeyed milk." She added in a motherly voice. "Pema, do you know that Ikki has a boyfriend, because I have never heard the name Toza before." Korra stated, she had the opinion that Ikki was deceiving everyone with the little, innocent girl act she had perfected. Actually Korra had once wanted to burrow a novel from Ikki, one of these sappy romance books, the kid was always citing. Asami had advised her to read such a thing at least once, and who would Korra be to turn down a well meant advice from Sato Asami! Ikki was not there and so the avatar had picked the thinnest of the novels – because she had an appointment with the gang in the noon. Damn, that book had taught her some new things about having sex, and she had led a relationship with a former streetkid!
Putting things into your butthole…Korra still squirmed by the lone thought. She had highly doubted that Tenzin and Pema did know about the literature her daughter was consuming aged thirteen, but since she was no snitch she kept her mouth shut. But today an innocent….Meelo was being punished. You had to give the boy that he had not traded his sister, loyalty was something the little guy excelled at. Pema stayed on her knees as if she was dazed. "Did you just say boyfriend?" she responded in a disturbed voice. "Yeah – you daughter seems to have a boyfriend named Toza. The guy attends the Kantu hills elementary school, just ask Meelo for the details." She responded. Pema sat down, not caring that a strawtato pie stained her backside a bright red. "M-my sweet innocent baby girl! I mean, she loves romance stories but which girl does not! " Pemas eyes were bulging. Korra almost started laughing loudly. "Erm…which exactly is the topic Pema." Korra stated with a forced gentle smile – she totally could pull the serene Avatar face, couldn´t she?
"Korra, are you having a vision?" Pema asked worried. "What?" the young woman blurted " No – no, I wouldn´t respond if I had." She mumbled, visions another bullcrap feature of being the Avatar. Being reminded on that she instantly felt like her shoulders were crushed under the burden of being THE AVATAR, no matter how hard she struggled and fought. Her face became serious, hard lines etched into it. "Have you ever looked into one of the books your daughter is reading, especially in Akiko the dutiful maid? That is the only one I looked into." Korra still blushed a little. Of course Pema noticed. "Aww Korra dear, it´s not shameful to read love stories, it´s just refreshing and – sweet." The older woman smiled patting her cheek. "You just had bad luck with Mako – like Tenzin had with Lin, you just weren´t meant for each other." She responded serene. Fate – there was nothing Korra hated more than fate! Ever thought YOU were the one who wasn´t meant to be with Tenzin? Korra wanted to ask her, actually the Avatar still was not sure WHY the thing with Mako had not worked. Because if she had known there would be no, what if questions left that she could torture herself with when she was in the mood. Also she still had these dreams about him sometimes, and Asami was not the person to fill in his place.
Yes, she would call Asami the person closest to her, she definitely knew more about emotional Korra and frustrated Korra than anybody else, they even had explored the Spirit World together. It had been a trip that had fastened their bond, and if Korra knew how a person worked – this person would be Asami Sato. But finally they weren´t lovers. Kissing her had been, ok – but neither one of them had been thrilled by it. Maybe Asami was like a big, raven haired sister to her. "No – of course not, my mother always had controlled my books – I´m not going to stoop that low Korra. I still remember the shame, I was nineteen when I bought my first novel, and my mother looked though it in the book store!" Pema responded determined. "Ok. Well chrm… this quarrel betweet Ikki and Meelo was about this Toza guy, and actually.." the Avatar flushed a bright red, telling these things to Ikkis mother was the incarnation of embarrassment. "Meelo had spied on her and this guy doing – yeah you know." Korra responded smacking her hands together while Pema looked as if she had seen a ghost! "Meelo gave a rather authentic record of the scene, which was the reason for - this." She pointed at the remains of the fruit cakes.
"B-But she´s just fourteen – in, in this age I wasn´t even thinking about boys! Oh spirits – what failure of a mother am I." Pema whimpered, tears welling her eyes. They soon were replaced with fury. "What this dirty man has done to my sweet child is inexcusable!" she hissed. "I´ll contact Tenzin and then we find out who this Toza is and teach him as lesson!" she scrambled to her feet with new found vigor. "Pema? Shouldn´t you talk with Ikki first – I mean, you were rather enthusiastic with Mako visiting and staying overnight when I was sixteen?" she asked puzzled. "That´s something different you were sixteen and – you´re the Avatar Korra, you never were an ordinary little girl like Ikki." The woman responded kindly. The Breath stuck in Korras throat. She was plainly mortified, even Pema – the woman who had wiped her ass clean as she was poisoned thought that she was some kind of GOD! Had she forgotten, that she was the one who had given her the advice to go on a date with Mako, that she had taught her how to cook noodles? Why did all people think she was the Avatar before she was Korra?
It was just so unfair to let her carry the responsibility for everything that went wrong. She always had to solve problems because she had been born and not because she had chosen too. There was a silent tear running down her check, she batted it away. Worst was that some tiny nagging voice in her head always told her to step up when somebody was treated unjustly, it was the same voice that had stopped her from killing Kuvira. This voice had been guidance to her and that had been the reason she had wanted her back the moment she lost her - but wasn´t that taking the easy way out? The voice was Raava, now was not the first time in the last year she asked herself if it had been wise to rebond with the spirit. She finally had understood that the avatar, that she – was not a wholly human being. Raava could influence her and most likely simply seize control whenever she truly wanted. How else could it be possible that Aang, who grew up in a warring time had not killed anybody, even if he had more than reason to do so. He had seen people die and suffer since he was a child, had lost his family, his tribe and nevertheless he always had been nothing but – saddened when seeing criminals brought to justice. That was what Katara had told her, and it was definitely not human behavior! Humans should get disgusted and angry at such a sight. And this was scaring the shit out of her, it was the reason why she did not want to hear anything about politics again, and also the reason she almost haf plunged a knife into her belly as the press presented her as an otherworldly monster. A monster that without a conscience played with the lives of thousands. And different from the first few times the press did it - this time the press had arguments besides fear of the otherworldy. The new spirit portal was different from the others it felt - less pure and Raava like. And indeed accidents with malevolent spirits had popped up across the the world, the most happening in the United republic. It weren´t many, but they occured and not all of them correlated with humans destroying nature or trying to kill spirits out of hate and fear. Sometimes it were the spirits that preyed on the weak, mostly children playing in forests, or people travelling in misty mornings or moonless nights! That was what went to her so much, Korra could deal with people being against her, but the The worst was that she could not fully contradict these people, she HAD gambled with the people without even knowing it, she just had done what she FELT what was right, or what Raava WANTED her to FEEL. Nobody had told her about the different planes of the spirit world that up till today weren´t explored properly - nobody had told her of the dark realms where things lurked that were even more dangerous than Koh the face stealer! Things that were born by hatred, chaos and pain - things like the horned gods! There were spirits that devoured human souls and granted powers, and hypothetically she could have brought them into the world, had she just felt more rage as she reflected the energy beam. She did not know who was stronger - she or Raava, which was the reason for her doubt nobody wanted to understand. Tenzin, the lotus sages all talked about the Avatar being a force of good, of her worrying needlessly because so many others had led content lives. They told her to go to the earthern kingdoms and help rebuilding. But Korra had listened to the people - the citizen of Repubic city where mumbling about this being the Avatars city, some even calling her empress Korra in mockery. It was understandable, she had had more impact on this city than anybody else in the past years - but she was no Sozin, not Kuvira. She was Korra, a woman who yearned for freedom herself, who would she be to ignore the wish of the people. Would she really be better if she mingled in politics by playing the ultimate trump card that came with being the Avatar - the mediator of the GODS? But on the other had there were many things she COULD do better - which way should she go, no which way did she WANT to go?
Suddenly her head started getting dizzy and she found herself on a wide plain, full of red grass, it looked like drying blood. There Raava was, in her strange kite like form. "Why do you doubt yourself my child? You were meant to be the avatar, since the beginning of times." Her voice rang high, sweet and understanding, Korra felt like crying. "You don´t have to bear this burden alone – I´m with you, as I have been with Aang, with Kyoshi and many others." She explained. "I know you are doubtful of my intentions Korra, but don´t you remember how hollow, how empty you felt while I was gone. My dear child, you need to trust me the same way the people trust you." Raava responded. "So I should trust you less than me myself – oh right that´s not possible because you ARE ME!" Korra yelled at the spirit. Raava just seemed disappointed, her cryptic patterns dulling their blue glow. "That is not true my child – how could I possibly understand the human heart. Two opposites merged as one, that is what Avatars are." Raava responded, suddenly flaring up brightly. The high grass parted burning in a flame unseen by Korras eyes. There stood a man, and behind him stood, a looming, somehow dragon like figure. Raava whipped her tails, energy sparkling before Korra could do anything. The man dodged with an incredible speed, the dragon moved, biting straight into Raavas body. Korra felt like being squashed by an invisible force.
"You indeed are something Korra daughter of Tanroq…the first Avatar to visit the plains of shan gri la – the plains of doubt they are also called by humans." The man spoke with a voice that made Korra shiver, it was hard and brittle, brimming with power that made the plains shake. "Don´t listen to this monster that has slayed thousands of innocents!" Raava pleaded. The dragon stomped and Korra hit the floor. She looked at a crimson sky, black clouds streaming over it. "Who is taking a choice away from her Raava - is it you, or is it me? I give you my word of honor that I Tokugawa Meiji will let you return to the mortal planes unharmed, no matter what you decide to do Korra." He responded. Raava burned brightly, the man gritting his teeth, while his eyes blazed a crimson red. "WHAT are you, I´ve met one of your decendants in the spirit world too, but you are no human any more aren´t you?" Korra asked the warrior. Interestingly enough she did not fear this man more than she would fear an armored thug. The man chuckled, revealing pointy teeth. "I am a Bushin, a man who made a pact with a kami of war – along the lines of the contract that Raava forced on you Korra. Different from this nuisance" he pointed at Raava " men of war do have honor, they don´t make pacts that include rebirth, because it is plainly dishonorable and cruel! I know why I am who I am, Raava denied you that. I – I´ll fight in shan gri la for eternity – I will never be reborn in the mortal realms and instead train and fight in the never ending battle that rages between mankind and its demons." He responded. Raava let out a high, ringing scream of fury.
"And if you want to fight me and my brother Lung there." He pointed at the giant spirit that was hovering behind him. "You will lose, because this is our home …. We all made decisions that were risky, that made people suffer, made them die. But that is the resolve one has to hold if he want´s to achieve peace … different from Raava you do understand Korra, don`t you?" he responded, his voice almost soft and saddened. "Don´t listen, there always is another way Korra, haven´t I shown you so? Have not you shown yourself?" Raava asked with a pained voice. Korra gulped, this man had forced upon himself what she had been born with – why had he? "Why – why did you do THIS to you Lord Tokugawa?" she asked the warrior, whose hands were resting on the hilts of his swords casually. He responded after a short pause. "When I was a child soldiers of Ainori took my father and burned him to death, they raped my mother and executed her after their lust was satiesfied… It was on that day I swore to end the warring states period…I swore that I would become so strong that the world would tremble before me – that I would have my revenge on those beasts. That was the beginning of it all Korra. I nevertheless strayed from my path, and it definitely was for the best I did. I became a butcher, founded a family and not until my home was stormed again I learned that there is no way to avoid hard calls – that sometimes a man must become a demon to stay a man. Doing nothing can be as big a crime than doing the wrong thing – but doing nothing is always your fault! That is why I walked the way of the warrior child." He responded. "Go Korra, on your path – that is all I can say to you." Korra opened her eyes, while bitter tears were streaming down he chin, her chest still hurt like hell. It took a while until she steadied her hitching breath and the pain finally subsided.
"What shall I do….Just shitty advices that´s all the spirits have huh!" she growled…she still was shaken. How had she been able to enter one of the deep realms just in the blink of an eye? And why had no Avatar before her been there? Also there was the question – what would she do if a Bushin tried to bring Chaos and war? She had seen how powerful a DEAD Bushin was, after all. And did this also mean that the self-proclaimed Bushin also were like Meiji Tokugawa? There were many questions that had to be answered, and at the same time she feared the answers. She rose with a determined frown on her face, better wrong than sorry, that was something she could let in on her chest, the more she thought about it the more she liked the idea. Korra looked at the newspaper that Tenzin had been reading before his breakfast. She had not touched a newspaper for almost a year. The words of Meiji Tokugawa were ringing in her ears. "Doing nothing can be as big a mistake as doing the wrong thing…" it might have been true. What would have happened if she had done nothing against Kuvira – how many more people had suffered? What would have happened if she had not fought Vaatu? She did not know and so, she grabbed the newspaper with a trembling hand. The Republic times, it was one of six newspapers Tenzin read every day. Korra opened the newspaper, the headline did make her grasp for air.
A MASS MURDERER IN THE METALBENDING CORPS? THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT THE REPUBLIC CITY POLICE
As was leaked from reliably sources three leading figures of the pro bending association were murdered three nights ago. Huan Cheung, Lee Zhang und Wang Qui Chen s dead bodies were found in their respectable homes. The gruesome truth is, that these respected citizens were killed through high velocity lead projectiles, which pierced their hearts accurately and with unimaginable force. Furthermore, the murderer titled them as false gods, which may be seen as a direct reference to an equalisitc background of this crime. Nevertheless, the murderer must be a very skilled metalbender. Any public statements from the side of the executive, namely our esteemed Chief of police Lin Bei Fong were declined. This leaves the self-assured citizen wondering. Is Lin Bei Fong covering the culprit? Can our policemen even protect us from this psychotic killer?
"Those dirty son´s of bitches how dare they!" Korra fumed while the paper lit up between her fingers. "Gods damned pro bending propaganda!" she raged. Without a hesitation the avatar killed the small flames, just the smoke stayed lingering through the room. In the meanwhile, Pema and Ikki had started shouting at each other in bod skat, yes that was the name of the nomad´s language! They both sounded rather furious, and Ikki was definitely sobbing. Korra almost had a bad conscience, Ikki and her siblings had seen a lot of violence and danger in their young lives – it almost was a miracle they coped with it so well – maybe they were more grown up than one would expect…No – it was just proper to tell your parents about your boyfriend, she had done so herself, and even if her father had not been particularly happy about her dating a flame spouting city boy he knew what was going on. That much respect you simply had to muster for your parents! Writing a letter to their parents, that was also something she had to do in the course of the week, Korra noticed. She wondered how many more years it would take to expand the telephone network outside of the united republic and the great cities of Ba Sing Se, Miyako, and of course Nunavut in the north. Still it was a pain, because you still had to send letters. Korra continued reading.
Also no political organization has claimed to be involved in these strange Lead bit murders, it is rumored that Inspektor Chouw Mako has taken the explosive cases in his own hands. Nevertheless, the hero of Kuvira´s Invasion has declared, that he does not know anything about Huan Cheung dying. Is he pressured by his supervisors or the government themselves? While the families of the murdered are mourning their tragic losses, the pro bending association has announced to spent all their resources on bringing the murderer to justice. We can just hope that these killings are just due to a personal vendetta and do not follow a greater political aim. Tonight Shirou Shinobi will also have a special, live streamed, interview with leading professionals in the line of crime investigation. Amongst them the well-known Saikhan Taharo, who now clads the post as head of Bei Fong Metalbending academy and the Republic City´s crime scene investigation squad. Furthermore, the pro bending association has set a public vigil at Republic citys council-square. About 2000 people are awaited in the course of the event, which as the shortly elected Leader of the pro bending association Han Ji Hung states, are held with the pacifist ideals of the here founders of Republic City. Since there is no more to report about this topic, we conclude with a well meant advice for the nonbending citizen of republic city. Do not take a position in affairs you cannot handle, stay home and stay safe!
Avatar Korra bashed down the Newspaper and headed outside. Rage was simmering in her belly. It were people like these that proved Amon RIGHT, something she absolutely did not like. She had to call Mako and ask him about this. She had ignored him for far too long, not responded to his calls, she didn´t even invite him. It was not as if he had not tried, they did hang out a few times after he had been released from the hospital. It almost felt like the old times, just that Mako somehow was different. He was not this passion glowing firebender with dark secrets any more. He seemed to have grown a lot in that time he spent in bed. He was calmer, actually Korra liked to apply the world gentler. There was tension between them, which per se had nothing to say because this kind of tension also was between her father and Kya, the best friend of her mother – who was happily married herself. Tanroq and Kya had flirted all the time, even with Kyas husband and her mother in the same room. But there would never happen anything between them, for these two it was just a way to show friendship and admiration Korra guessed.
She was feeling rather insecure about meeting Mako, a womanizer like him simply had to move on and have a girlfriend after being dumped for – more than three years? And what would he think about her simply calling him out of the blue! That she wanted him back, or worse - that she saw him as a mere tool to please her incomprehensible moods? She had not even called him when they were a couple! Aren´t you making too much fuss about a simple call Korra? But she hated using the phone! She asked herself and just resumed her musings about her former boyfriend. He was just behaving decent if he hid a girlfriend and did not rub her in Korras face, most likely because he thought she could not deal with it. Mako always thought she was a weak girl, which sometimes was sweet, but more often made her furious. Keeping things from people to not hurt them, and hurting them because of this was exactly old Mako´s style. If the new Mako was different she had to find out, if there was a new Mako at all. So she walked in the direction of the men´s dormitory, where Councilman Tenzin also had his private office. That somebody, who had an official office also needed a private office was rather strange, though. But since her strict and serious teacher did everything methodic and organized, for him it was just fitting to have an office at home. "Hey Jun, Lobsang what´s up?" she greeted two of the airbending acolytes.
The two were cleaning the floor diligently. "We´re cleaning the master´s rooms – it´s a great honor." The young man responded. The guy was following Tenzin around like a lost puppy and if Korra was not totally wrong this could even annoy the serene Tenzin! "Ok..umm I´m just strolling around and you Jun?" as far as Korra knew she had NEVER seen a woman clean the floor at airtemple island, also she had never seen a man in the kitchens. Out in the world things were different but here tradition ruled above all. "Well- ummm… I lost a bet against senior-Meelo... but who would think he actually would enter the spirit forest" She admitted silently and clasped her mouth in horror. Korra had to laugh at that – the spirits weren´t as dangerous as people told and even if some people got lost in the vines around the spirit portal the most of them had been found again. If you waltzed in there on Moonless nights or misty mornings – well Korra guessed that could be much more dangerous. "Could you be so kind and not report this break of tradition to sifu Tenzin?" the young woman pleaded. " I´m not that cold hearted, even if it were my duty to report it to the master." Lobsang replied sighing. Korra shook her growing hair - she wanted her old herstyle back mostly because Asami stated it gave her a feral aura that made guys swoon. "I will not tell Tenzin, geez I´m not his substitute teacher or something. By the way are there any letters for me that don´t contain salutations like Avatar whore?" Korra asked nonchalant, hate letters weren´t something she wasted her time on anymore. "N-No..You really shouldn´t talk about yourself like that Avatar Korra. These vile people don´t know what you did for us!" Jun responded angered from the bottom of her heart. It felt good to hear that somebody besides herself thought she had done good, especially today. Korra cursed herself for having tears burning in her eyes, she would not start sniffling like in Bolin´s last Noatak mover, no way in HELL. "Thank you Jun. So do I have letters?" she asked again. "Um…actually you have. There is one from Master Jinora and Master Kai." She responded. Master Kai? Since when did that brat get tattoos, had she really spaced out THAT much?
"Erm- Master Kai – like airbending master?" Korra shot back. Lobsang let out a soft chuckle. "I wouldn´t set him on par with Master Jinora or Master Tenzin – but Master Jinora gave him the tattoos. It is not so much a sign of respect but a necessity." Lobsang obviously loathed Kai and his – unnomadly – behavior. Korra rose her eyebrows, it was interesting how many secrets Tenzins family held from her, most likely she would have a snidely talk with her mentor. If problems arose they were in it together – it was Tenzin who bombarded her with that phrase until it became second nature. Why in all heavens didn´t he tell her, did he thing it would be to much for her to handle? Just because she had thought about sucide once, after drinking way too much plumwine for the first time in her life? How should she have known that alcohol had such drastic effects on her and sort of kicked this whole what if avalanche loose? That a drink was the trigger that pulled out all her carefully crafted stops! "An why would that be?" Korra asked distracted. "The air nation needs leaders – or rather, we need a hierarchy like every state or organization. And since Kai is clearly in the favor of both, Masters Tenzin and Jinora, he got the arrows. It´s sad that the sacred rites of our ancestors are disgraced to profane tools of power…"
Jun snapped "Lobsang, please don´t ramble about politics and use your mop to clean the floor." The man grumbled. "Yes Senior-Jun." Korra smiled and walked away, leaving the acolytes to their tasks. It seemed that the air nomads became a rather tight assed bunch– calling older disciples senior, Korra had to shake her head at that. She arrived at Tenzins office, like every in building door on air temple island it had no lock. Korra looked if somebody was in sight and as she confirmed the opposite she slipped into the office. It was like she had stepped into a world of orderly neatness. The brushes and Ink bottles were neatly lined up, according to size, the same was going for pencils and blank paper. There were high shelves that were laden with well sorted folders, books and things that were gifted to him by his children. There was even a painting that depicted Tenzin bending amongst a blossoming cherry tree. It was a beautiful painting, which Meelo had gifted his father to his last birthday. That kid was as crazy talented as his uncle Bumi. On the desk stood one of the three phones that were installed in the Councilman's house, it was a bit decadent if you remembered that a phone costed about 700 yuan, which was equal to one year of rent for a small house. Korra picked up and tried to remember the number of the police station.
It beeped twice and then the soft voice of a woman asked "Republic Central phone office – what can I do for you?" Korra cleared her throat. "Avatar Korra here, hand me the police station." She responded. "Excuse me Lady Avatar, do you want to speak with Chief Bei Fong, the headquarters in general, the forensics, the harbor station one and two, Kantu Hills station, dragon flat station, the spirit matters division, the police academy, the individualized, or the organized crime division?" The woman asked politely. Korra wondered that the police force had so many phones, because the people in republic mostly could not afford the horrendous fees for running a phone connection. "Erm..hand me the main quarters." Korra responded. "As you wish Lady avatar." Then she was connected to another line. At once an officer rose the earpiece. "Sergeant Torihada, Repubic city main quarters." He stated with a booming voice. Korras ear was ringing, she leveled the earpiece until it was half a span away from her ear. "Avatar Korra, I want to speak with Inspektor Chouw." She stated her business. The man paused. "Ok, I don´t know if I am able to help you because Ispektor Chouw is in the individualized crime division. I´ll just redirect you." He stated and did as he told.
"Thank you." the words were a second too late for the man. It took some time as a rasp baritone grumbled into Korras ears. "Spirits damn it Souji, the third time I´m not free this evening and I don´t want to play sink the fire navy!" "Hello I´m Avatar Korra." Korra spoke, she disliked calling people, it was really awkward since you did not even see whom you were talking with! "What an honor Lady Avatar, how can I be of service?" the man responded undoubtedly embarrassed. "I want to speak with Inspektor Chouw." She stated her wish. "Please stay in line, I´ll look if he presently is at his desk." the officer reassured her, Korra waited and waited. She started getting nervous, because Councilman Tenzin had no regular plan for spending his day. She really did not want to explain him, why she was in his office and used his phone. Suddenly somebody heavily breathed into the microphone. "H-Hello, Korra?" the voice sounded strange. It was definitely not Makos voice, but that was all due to the beautiful technology that Asami cherished so much. "That´s me, yes…erm" Korra was searching for words. "Are you in trouble – do you need help? Is the press stalking you again? Where are you?" Mako´s worried voice thundered through the earpiece. "No- No I´m fine it´s just that I noticed I´ve been…well you might think I´m ignoring you Mako and I´m sorry for that. Also I want to hear the truth about these Lead Bit Murders. Have you read the Republic times article – shameful bender superiority propaganda!" she snarled furious.
Mako was silent. "I´d be happy to drop by, or do you want to meet at a restaurant?" She could almost hear him blush in embarrassment. No, she had not avoided leaving air temple island for half a year, of course she would LOVE to dine in a restaurant where she was disturbed twice a minute. "Nah – just drop by, but you could bring some dumplings if you want." She responded trying to save him from embarrassing himself further, it had been almost a month since she lastly had tasted meat. Korra really would love some meaty, steaming dumplings. " I´m not taking the comfortable rout out Korra, the restaurant comment was rude and insensitive – I did not mean to.." Mako started. "Geez cut the bullshit City boy, just move your ass over here." She responded determined, even though she felt happy about him speaking openly. "As you wish Lady Avatar." He snickered "So dumplings, extra spicy with hippo cow beef." He stated. "Exactly, that´s my favourite." Korra responded surprised. "Well, it´s my job to remember things, Korra and I know nobody who could eat more of these dumplings than you. I just say 400 dumpling day." He responded. Korra chuckled at the memory. She and Mako really had destroyed 400 dumplings, while listening to the rise of the emperor on the radio "But Mako – don´t make it 400, please." She responded. "Yes, then I guess we´ve got an appointment in…screw it, we´ve got an appointment now." He responded excitedly, Korra was sure she heard a roaring voice "Go for it Chow, that girl´s hotness from two worlds pal. And I want DETAILS tomorrow!" Mako groaned putting down the earpiece nevertheless Korra heared his angered response. "You´re even more embarrassing then my brother Captain!" Korra felt happy, obviously Mako wasn´t the lone grim cop anymore, it seemed he finally had found colleagues he could trust. Somehow she had to admit that she felt as if she was staying behind her friends. Bolin had married, Mako was moving up the career ladder, even Kai was an airbending master…she wondered what the future had in stash for herself.
Authors note: And with that Korra is in the boat...and the Makorra fans a prepairing tissues for the chapters to come - don´t be happy too early my friends hehe. And how about REVIEWS and REVIEWS? Sorry but I felt like adding something, to make the situation clearer XD.