A Legend of Korra Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)
Summary:
A promising engineering student. A mysterious woman capable of controlling the four elements. When their paths crossed, the resulting collision not only changes their lives and themselves, but the fate of the entire world as well. [Korrasami AU]
Author's Note:
Notifications regarding this story always warms my heart, especially the email alerts telling me someone had wrote a review. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that you guys are interested (and, dare I say invested?) in this story as much as I am...and considering that this is my first Avatar fanfic, I am really happy! So, thank you to everyone who had read, left a comment, and favorited and added this fan fiction to their list.
Allons-y~!
The Legend of Korra
The Schism
Chapter 18. The Woman at the Abbey
It had been an uneventful week's worth of journey eastward as they peregrinated further away from the borders of the capital. In that week, the trio found no signs of pursuit. They also had no communication—not even from fellow travelers—as they steered clear of the roads. As such, whatever problems they had caused and left the people of Republic City, or measures taken up by the government in response, was news that have was to reach them.
Though they did not have any access to merchants, they did not hunger nor thirst. How could they with the Avatar around? Even though Korra had just recently been acquainted to the joys of eating, she proved herself quite capable when it came to fishing...though it was through means only available to the deity, herself—and one both Asami and Opal agreed on was kind of like cheating. After all, fishes had no chance against Avatar Korra, especially when she bended the fishes out, water and all. Similarly, Korra used her bending to purify ocean water to make it fit for drinking.
Still, as abundant as their supply of food and water was, both humans quickly grew tired of their sole source of sustenance. Anyone would, after all, eating nothing but fish day in and day out, cooked in the same fashion every single time. Neither of them could complain, however, though by the end of the week both had sworn never to eat fish again once their journey came to the end.
They found reprieve from eating the same, bland meal when they came across some nuns.
It was a surprise—one that Korra found unwelcome, finding the habit-wearing women suspicious having not seen any before—to see a group of them in the secluded path the trio had taken, having been forced to seek out a different route from the one they had been following after seeing an army checkpoint.
The Avatar did not bother to hide her distrust, and found the strangely-garbed women nosy when they started to show signs of concern for the weary travelers, especially when they took into account how filthy their clothing was.
When a nun tried to grab hold of Asami's hand in hopes of helping the Prodigy, directing her to a hidden path uphill, Korra sprang into action. Like a mother hen—though the ferocity of her action was more akin to that of an ancient dragon protecting her horde of treasures—she quickly got between the nun and Asami, glaring and snarling at the religious woman. It surprised not only Asami and Opal but the nuns themselves who did not expect the wolf-tailed girl to act like that.
"Korra!" Asami didn't know what to feel. Embarrassed? Horrified? Confused? Annoyed? Maybe, all of the above? Hissing to the Avatar, she asked, "What are you doing?"
"I don't trust them," Korra replied, in a low whisper, what has become an obvious sentiment.
"They're nuns! From the abbey!"
Not wishing to appear ignorant of the world once more, Korra decided on pointing out something else that warranted her distrust of the women. "They dress weird!"
Opal tried to subdue her laughter and ended up snorting. She covered her mouth, coughing to hide her suppressed laughter from the Avatar who didn't seem to be jesting, and whom she had come to know did not appreciate being laughed at.
Asami wanted to hang her head and groan, instead she just pinched the bridge of her nose. "Really? That is what you're bothered by? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, Avatar Korra? You're not exactly in any position to judge them on their clothing when you're dressed like that!"
"Like what?" Korra looked down at her own wardrobe. She couldn't see what was wrong with it and what Asami meant by what she said. Far as she was concerned, she was the best-dressed one in all of attendance.
As the two continued to argue silently amongst themselves, the nun who had tried to lead Asami turned to Opal and asked, "Is...is there something wrong? Did I do or say something wrong?"
The Historian shook her head. "No. Not at all. My friend is just a bit...umm," she thought for a while, wondering how best to explain what had just transpired and what had gotten the dark-skinned girl upset. "She's a tad bit over-protective. She didn't mean to, uh, give you and the other sisters any cause for concern. I apologize for the rudeness on her behalf."
That placated the nuns in attendance somewhat, but not all of them returned to being welcoming. Some saw the Avatar in the same suspicious light that she saw them, though no one took back the invitation they had extended to the weary trio for lodging and a free meal.
Catching the argument between her two companions, and hearing how it was getting ridiculous ("They could be hiding weapons under their robes!" Korra had said at some point making Opal question why they haven't thought of educating the Avatar to the ways and customs of the world around her—the world which she was supposed to be protecting), the young Bei Fong decided to step in lest the people around them start to think of the Avatar in a much weirder light than they already did.
"Alright, you two, that's enough..." she said, voice a bit louder as she stepped close to Korra and Asami, putting one hand on each of their shoulder. The contact surprised the two, who had looked at Opal and quickly stopped whatever strange turn their discussion had taken. "These nice people are offering us a place to rest, Korra, and some food. I don't know about you but Asami and I would like to take them up on their offer. I'd like to eat something other than fish for a change, if you don't mind."
Opal gave Korra the best hard stare she could manage, hoping the Avatar would not think ill of her for it. As familiar as she had gotten with the sapphire-eyed Avatar, Opal didn't wish to overstep her bounds despite currently challenging Korra to stop her and Asami from following the nuns.
"Fine," huffed the chocolate-haired girl, crossing her arms. "But if this ends badly for us, don't expect me to come running to your rescue."
Asami rolled her eyes. "Trust me, it won't come to that."
The Abbey—which was what the nuns, Asami, and Opal had called the large compound they had been led to—reminded Korra of Nia Bayou. It wasn't because of the way the entire compound was built, which according to Opal was of traditional Earth Kingdom make, nor was it because of the way the women in that compound lived. No, she was reminded of Nia Bayou because of the walls that encompassed the entire property.
Like the place that had guarded the path to the outskirts where her solitary hut was located, the Abbey was surrounded by high walls—too far high for anyone to climb. The only way in and out of the Abbey was through the front gates.
Apart from that, it was a compound in a highly defensible position, situated at the foot of the mountain and was surrounded by a dense forest. Whomever thought to place it there must have thought a great deal about it, and Avatar Korra couldn't help but laud them for that.
The trio, guided by the nun Korra had almost bended to kingdom come, passed a stream of water that led to a covered well on their way through the courtyard and to the large, multilevel building that seemed to be the oldest architecture in the entire compound. They also passed a lot of dormitories, each were boxed rooms, evenly sized and simple-looking, where the nuns live.
As they journeyed to the old building, Korra remained ever-vigilant. Even though the strangely-garbed women did not look threatening, she just couldn't let her guard down. Her companions noticed, of course, and couldn't help shaking their head at her. Of course, no matter how many times they asked her to relax, she just wouldn't listen.
Once inside, the trio were made to wait. The Avatar, of course, did not like it and she made a show of it to her companions. At first, Asami had decided to just let Korra throw her temper. That all changed, however, when Korra decided it was time to display her bending.
Quickly, before anyone could actually see her fire-covered fists, Asami and Opal stopped the Avatar's little display of power.
"What?" Korra growled the question out, displeasure etched on her every feature.
Opal was the one who answered, saying, "Perhaps we should keep your powers a secret, Avatar Korra. I don't think it's a good idea to show them off, or the markings in your forearms and arms."
"And why not?" the Avatar's brown was furrowed even more. "I thought a little display of power wouldn't hurt. It would intimate them, keep them from harming us."
Asami sighed, "For the last time, Korra, they are not dangerous people. They're nuns! All they do are charitable works and making oils and perfumes. If you threaten them, then we can be sure that our safety's been compromised and it would be our fault."
The dark-skinned girl weighed their words, for the first time since they met the nuns, Korra was willing to actually hear what they were saying and take their words into account. She was struggling quite a bit with letting her guard down as her companions had wished and keeping them up for their sake as well.
"Seriously, Korra, everything will be alright." Asami placed a hand on Korra's forearm as she spoke. "We'll stay here for a couple of days at most, as long as the nuns would allow. Until then, please try to act normal."
"Fine," Korra huffed for a while, finally giving in. "I'll be...normal. No bending. Though I doubt there is anything I can do about my markings..."
Before Asami or Opal can give a suggestion of any kind, the doors of the main hall opened and in walked two of the same-dressed women along with one other who looked far older than the others and who carried herself as one who held a position in a community would.
Like the others they had met, the older woman wore pure white robes accentuated by an outer tunic of earthen shade. Unlike the others, however, who had parts of their hair, their ears, and their necks exposed, the wrinkly woman's were covered by a cowl with a dark-green band around the forehead. Unlike the others who did not have accessories of any kind as well, the older woman had, around her neck, two prayer beads—one longer than the other.
"These are the people we told you about, Mother Superior," one of the nuns said as they got closer to the trio who had risen up from their seats at the nuns' entrance.
The old woman—the one called 'Mother Superior'—looked at each of their visitors with a discerning and scrutinizing eye. It took every bit of strength for both Asami and Opal not to squirm from her gaze. When the Mother Superior reached Korra, the brash, young woman met the nun's gaze, not backing down from those eyes laden with years of wisdom and knowledge.
The Mother Superior quirked an eyebrow, and Korra could have sworn she saw the human's lips twitch into a small, almost invisible, smile, before it fell back into that stoic expression the old woman seemed to wear as she looked the Avatar up and down.
As the Mother Superior dealt with Korra in that silent way of hers, the Avatar's companions had thrown themselves into worry. The darker-skinned girl, after all, was not showing an ounce of respect to the woman who had the power to let them stay or kick them out. Already Asami and Opal had begun concocting one explanation after another to apologize and explain Korra's behavior with.
After a while, the old, hunched-over woman finally spoke. "It is rare for anyone to stumble into our hidden path," she said. Her voice not matching her appearance as she sounded more youthful than she looked. "And by the state of your appearances, it seems you are no ordinary travelers as well..."
"Well, we—" Asami began, ready to make use of the story they had made up in the event of being questioned, but she didn't got very far as the Mother Superior raised her hand to gesture for the Prodigy to stop talking. Asami did so.
"I have no need to know." the old nun said. "Your business is yours alone. But, please, allow us to know your names so we might know to whom we're opening our hospitality to. And, please, do not lie about that."
"O-Oh, yes. Of course," the raven-haired girl, who had taken the role of speaking on behalf of her companions, was embarrassed. They were, after all, planning on hiding their true identity. "My name is Asami Sato. These are my friends, Opal Bei Fong and Korra."
Opal bowed her head respectfully while Korra merely gave a nod when they were introduced.
"I see...well, as you may now already know, I am the head of this congregation." the Mother Superior said. "I am Jiao Xi Ci. And these—" she gestured to the two other nuns with her, "—are my aides, Li An and Li Mei. They will be assisting you while you and your friends are here."
The two women bowed when their names were called, though like Korra and Opal when they were introduced said nothing.
"Keep an eye on us, you mean." Korra muttered only for Asami to hear. Asami, who still had a hand on the Avatar's forearm, squeezed it to keep her from saying more. It would do them no good to insult the nuns because of Korra's unabashed comments.
"Thank you," Asami said, ignoring the evil eye Korra was giving her. "Of course, we wouldn't want to be freeloaders. We're willing to work for the food and lodging you will be supplying us with."
"What?" the Avatar was surprised by what she had heard that she couldn't keep herself quiet. "Work?"
"That seems fair, though you needn't do such a thing if you do not wish to." Jiao Xi Ci nodded, ignoring the Avatar's outburst. "But first, Li An," she turned to her aide and said, "our guests look filthy. Take them to the baths and lend them some clothing. After that, Li Mei, have one of the girls prepare them something to eat."
The nuns bowed once again. One of them, the curly-haired, brown-eyed one turned to Asami and said, "Please follow me, Miss Sato, Miss Bei Fong, and Miss Korra. The baths are this way."
They did just that, following the nun as they were led out of the main hall, through the courtyard and around an area densely populated by trees inside the compound. It was a quiet short walk, one that was inly broken when they arrived at the end of the small, forest path and to a wooden-fenced structure akin to a roofless house.
"This looks like an open bath." Opal commented, having been to such a place herself with her mother on one of their mother-daughter outings.
"It is," Li An replied. "Please, go on ahead. The water has already been prepared beforehand. I will fetch a change of clothes for you all and and I shall leave them in the bath's lobby."
With that she bowed and left the girls to fend for themselves. The trio not wanting to be caught outside and questioned by Li An, quickly entered the wooden structure.
The bath was huge, made of wood, stone, and granite. It was divided into two halves: the dressing room where cotton and woolen towels were kept in stacks, wooden lockers lined in three columns along with wooden benches, and a sliding door that led to the second half: the main baths.
The main bath had a free-flowing water which emanated from a stream coming from the mountain and into the pool, then from the pool to another stream that led to the surrounding forest. Steam rose from the four corners that heated the water and filled the air with a calming aromatic aroma.
On the eastern side was a whole line of faucets, stools, and wooden basins. Lined along shelves hanging atop the faucets were a large array of unique soaps, oils, and shampoos that Asami and Opal could guess were made by the nuns themselves.
As the two humans stood, admiring the simplistic structure and the fruits of the nuns' labor, the Avatar had begun undressing herself without much preamble nor with making use of the dressing rooms and the towels, undeterred was she by the present company and with showing skin. After all, why should she be embarrassed? Her body had be honed by years of hard work; training under the guidance of the Four Elemental Spirits and the White Lotus.
"We really should teach Avatar Korra a thing or two about how the world really works," Opal said to Asami. "She doesn't seem up-to-date with the customs."
Asami nodded, it was a good idea—one she had been juggling around her head. "For someone who is supposed to be looking over the world, she sure doesn't seem to know a lot about it. Then again, maybe it was the Four who had been supplying her with the information she needed when she needed it."
The two joined the Avatar in the baths soon after that, though they did not go in without towels around their bodies. Their time cleansing themselves from their week-long journey was spent with quiet meditation (for Korra, though she did not go too deep into it), contemplation (for Opal who had begun planning on how to better educate Korra), and planning (for Asami who wondered which course would suit them better and get them to their destination faster). They only stopped bathing when they heard a knock on the wooden panels, followed by Li An's voice telling them she had readied their change of clothing and that she would wait for them outside to bring them to the mess hall.
It would, at this point, come as no surprise when Korra showed no love for the change of clothing she had been given and had no desire to wear it—though Asami and Opal could find no fault in the wardrobe which all three of them had identically been given.
The clothing was similar to what the nuns wore: an all white ensemble, though without the headwear. The tunic was as soft and comfortable. Surprisingly, it wasn't too hot to wear and allowed for a variety of movements. The pants weren't scratchy and itchy as well. So it really baffled Asami and Opal as to why Korra was making a fuss about it.
"It is not as comfortable as Alignak's clothes," was the answer, which Asami didn't really accept.
"You can wear your clothes again once we've got you safely back in Nia Bayou and once we are certain that people aren't on a lookout for someone matching your description." Asami said, taking Korra's old clothes before the Avatar could, knowing Korra would change back to her dirty clothing if given a chance. "You're the only one wearing this thing, you know. If you keep on wearing it, you're only making it easier for them to find you."
"Give me back my clothes, Asami," Korra made a move to retrieve them from Asami, only for the other girl to strafe left and have the Avatar almost run into the wooden divider. "I'm not kidding around."
"And neither am I," the Prodigy retorted, her face an unreadable mask of emotion.
"Asami has a point, Avatar Korra." Opal decided to interject lest this turn into another fight between the two women. "Please, for your sake, you have to listen to us and trust our judgment on these things. Tarrlok isn't fooling around, and after what you did to his secret hideout, I'm sure he's looking for some major payback."
"I can take him," the Avatar confidently replied.
Opal shook her head, and in a display of wisdom said, "It's not a question of whether you can or you can't, Avatar Korra. It is deciding if it is wise to confront him or not. All three of us have a score to settle with that man, but it doesn't mean we should really seek out the opportunity to do so and throw ourselves head-first into danger."
Korra closed her eyes and ran her hand over her face in a show of agitation. "I can't believe I'm letting two humans talk to me this way. If the people of Nia Bayou learn of this..." a sigh, followed by, "Fine! You both should know, however, that when the time comes—and it will—I will have both of you wear something you are not comfortable with."
The night was quiet and Korra couldn't help but appreciate the peace and tranquility it brought. It helped ease the constricting and confining feeling she got from the room she had been assigned with—a room that was, like every other thing in the Abbey was identical to the ones Asami, Opal, and the nuns were staying in; and the room she had sneaked out from.
The Avatar didn't know if she wasn't allowed to leave her room, and quite frankly, she doesn't really care. All she knew was that she couldn't bear to stay in there for much longer.
It was a small room with only one window overlooking the courtyard. It didn't have anything save for a small desk, a chair and a bed. And though Korra was used to living in solitude and she didn't care much for sophistication. Her hut was a simple one, after all. But the nuns were another matter entirely. She could hardly comprehend why the singular window was placed at the same exact spot as the other rooms (she was certain of that, she had seen Asami's and Opal's room, after all). Unless they intended to keep the nuns from running away—that was the sole purpose she could deem worthy for not having more windows to a room.
A wry smile escaped the Avatar's lips at that thought as she wondered how many had tried to escape this prison-like compound. Because, really, she found it hard to imagine why anyone would chose such a life.
A sigh escaped her as she looked up at the heavens towards the crescent moon. It would be a while before the next full moon rose to greet her, so she couldn't really blame the anxiety and agitation she was feeling as something being amplified by the silver orb in the sky.
Her meandering was only confined within the walls of the Abbey. She didn't really want her humans to worry if they decide to check up on her and find her missing from her room.
Her humans. It was surprising for Korra to easily feel some kind of inexplicable bond between the two young women. Surprising for her to call and label them as hers, though it was not out of some twisted and bizarre sense of owning them like property. It was something akin to kinship. She didn't even realize she felt that way until earlier that day when she had almost attacked the nun who had taken hold of Asami.
Is it right to grow attached to them? she questioned. Even with Alignak's words fresh in her mind, it was easy to misinterpret them. Though perhaps it wasn't the thought of giving a different meaning to the Elemental Spirit of Water's words but the parting that would come eventually once this whole quest was over that weighed heavily in the young Avatar's mind.
As Korra let her feet guide her, she found herself in front of the steps leading to the main hall. She stopped and stared at the hulking structure before her, wondering what it was that seemed different about it; what bothered her. It took her a couple of minutes to realize what her subconsciousness had picked up: the slightly ajar door and the flickering light that pooled through it.
The Avatar frowned. The nuns, she had found, were sticklers for rule and order. None in their congregation would leave a door ajar, nor candlelight burning. And Korra couldn't help but think that was especially true with her, Asami, and Opal around.
Korra tiptoed up the stairs and move as silently as she could close to the door. She used a bit of Vayu's gift of airbending to make herself lighter at the feet, the mark of the Elemental Spirit of the Air glowing faintly as she did so. Peering, she saw a figure sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, underneath the skylight close to the hall's small, circular, indoor pool, her stance that of one in meditation.
Curiosity sated, and not wanting to disturb whomever was in the main hall, Korra slowly and cautiously turned and left, taking an airbending leap that immediately landed her to the middle of the courtyard, closer to the pathway back to the dormitories, deciding her nightly walk was done.
The days and nights that followed were something new for the sapphire-eyed Avatar, though her solitary, nocturnal walks remained a constant, satisfying, and calming thing for her.
Her mornings were filled with helping the nuns run the Abbey—as per the agreement between Jiao Xi Ci and Asami. Granted, she was doing more harm than good, having no idea how to do some of these chores the human-way. Asami actually had to call her aside and teach her the 'proper' way of doing things so much so that in the end she was just asked to assist Asami and not do things by herself.
Afternoons were a little less annoying and were spent with Opal who had, it seems, taken the challenging task of tutoring Korra and educating her. The Historian's brand of teaching was so very unlike the ways of the White Lotus and definitely a lot less drawling than Bai Hu's. Opal taught her modern history and etymologies. She taught her culture and arts found around the world. Sometimes, Asami would join them and the lessons would center on social etiquette—something that had quickly and painfully became obvious was not Korra's strong suite.
During that time, Korra found herself secretly amazed with how patient the two humans were with her. Even more patient than the people of Nia Bayou had been.
Night time was still her favorite though. It was the only time she had for herself. It was the only time she was allowed to do anything she wanted (except bending the elements). And during the nights, she found another constant thing: the woman meditating in the main hall. She didn't know who the woman was. After all, to her, all of them looked the same.
Several times, Korra tried to see any distinguishing features that could tell her who the woman was come morning. But every time she tried to get a better glimpse of her face, the candlelight would work against her favor and all she would see was shadows. And though it would have been easier to merely ask her name, the Avatar did not wish to be that forward, nor did she want to have anything more to do with the nuns. And so, there had been no confrontation between the two.
That was, until the fourth day of the Avatar's stay at the Abbey.
It started just like any other day. Korra was helping Asami tidy up the storeroom; the Avatar insisting on doing most of the heavy lifting. That was followed by the duo volunteering to refill the water jars with the water from the well (a chore that had Asami equally exasperated, worried, and amazed with how sneaky Korra could be at waterbending).
As soon as they were done with the chores, the Prodigy surprised Korra, inviting the shorter girl for a rendezvous. They ended up in Asami's room and had, up until Opal came looking for them (chastening herself for not searching her friend's room first for the Avatar), been working on increasing the capabilities of Asami's glove. Then it was off to another tutoring session with the young Bei Fong.
When Korra was finally given some time for herself, it was already way past the nuns' curfew. But, as always, she ignored it and went about her nightly walk.
It was as peaceful a night as any. The full moon was beautiful in the night sky, and with the lack of artificial lights, allowed for an even beautiful view of the infinite stars. With the fullness of the moon, Korra also felt the desire to waterbend—a common urge, as Alignak had told her once, for those blessed by the Elemental Spirit of Water's gift. "The Moon's Calling" she was told it was called. And for the Avatar, that urge was even stronger. She wanted to go to the shore and practice her waterbending forms, answer to the call of the Moon Goddess.
Not tonight, she thought to herself and to the Moon Spirit. Just keep it together, Korra. Focus on something else. Do it for Asami and Opal...to keep them safe.
To keep her mind off waterbending (which was easier said than done, after all, she could hear the ebb and flow of the tides from the not-so-distant shore and the gurgling of the stream as it travelled to the well), she continued to follow her usual path. She stopped by the pens that housed a variety of poultry and farm animals the nuns took care of and fed, and played with the baby turtle doves lazily swimming near the small, man-made pond, as well as the Goat Dog the nuns kept as a pet.
Soon after that (which really did nothing but make her yearn for her Spirit Animal and friend, Naga), she resumed walking and, as always, ended up at the steps in front of the main hall.
The doors were open once more and the candlelight dance through it. As she had done so in the past, Korra snuck a peek inside and was surprised to see the hall empty. Frowning, she eased the door further open and stepped inside.
The Avatar looked around, wondering why the nun was not meditating as she usually did. And then she wondered why she was even wondering about it. It was very much out of character for her. Humans had seldom—if never—interested her until she met a certain raven-haired girl.
Korra shook her head, willing herself not to think about Asami Sato as she walked further in the empty hall, stopping only when she reached the small pool glittering in the moonlight.
Hands in her hips, the Avatar looked up through the skylight and to the bright, silver orb in the sky. Her thoughts wandered as she got lost in the calming beauty of the moon, her face taking a content expression even as her whole body tingled with the desire to bend the water from the pool.
She was so lost in the blank state her mind had taken that she had utterly put down all of her defences and had failed to notice she was no longer alone. As the Avatar gazed at the moon, someone looked curiously at Korra.
"The moon is pretty tonight, isn't it?" the nun spoke, surprising Korra that she reflexively jumped back—too far back to be deemed humanly possible—and took on a defensive position. The nun, despite the impossible display she had witnessed, did not look as surprised and afraid as Korra had thought she would be. Instead, the human looked genuinely abashed as she apologised for surprising the dark-skinned guest saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"I, uh—" the Avatar did not know what to say. Should she explain how she was able to jump several feet away from the pool? Should she say anything to get her out of trouble for being outside during curfew?
Again, the nun showed no sign of judging Korra in any way, nor did she look ready to reprimand her either. Instead, she smiled kindly, throwing the Avatar off for a second.
That smile...it looks familiar. She looks familiar. I feel like I have seen her somewhere before...
The nun had bright, green eyes hidden behind the longest of eyelashes the Avatar had ever seen. The nun's countenance was one Korra couldn't help comparing to Asami, so very lady-like and proper. A pixie nose and neatly-trimmed eyebrows adorned her face, and her lips were naturally cherry-colored and had a hint of some kind of contained mischief in them. She was a couple of inches taller than Korra as well. Her milky skin, and the black, wavy hair barely concealed by the cowl she wore, accentuated her face's features. Though hidden by the robe's high collar, Korra could see that her skin wasn't at all unblemished. There was dark—almost burn-like scalds underneath them that made Korra wonder what could have caused such injuries—if indeed they were injuries and not some sort of skin disease.
"Who are you?" Korra found herself unable to contain the question, asking it in a whisper with her eyes glued to the woman's face, brows furrowed as her mind tried to comprehend why she felt that way.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the nun replied, again looking abashed. "People have often said my mind is quick to wander, I guess they are right. I completely forgot to introduce myself. You can call me An Xiao Hai." she bowed.
"An Xiao Hai?" the name didn't ring any bells, but there was no surprise there. Korra, after all, could count in her hands the number of people she had bothered to ask the names of.
"Yes," An nodded, smiling. "It is strange to finally be talking like this, isn't it? I mean, I have noticed you peeking here every night since you arrived. I didn't think I would be given the chance to talk with you like this."
Korra felt her cheeks grow hot. So she was aware of that!
"I'm sorry," though embarrassed at having been found and learning that she was not as sneaky as she thought, Avatar Korra was glad she didn't stutter her words. "I didn't wish to disturb your meditations, and I didn't think it was proper. Asami told me not to bother your people, after all."
"My...people?" An tilted her head to the side. It was her turn to look confused.
"The nuns," the shorter girl clarified, speaking as though she felt she needn't have done so. Was it not obvious that that was what I meant? Was it rude of me to say that? This is much harder than I thought, and much harder than Asami and Opal make it out to be.
The Avatar's explanation triggered an amused laughter from the human—one she had to cover her mouth for. Uncertain of the cause behind the laughter, Korra crossed her arms.
"Did I say something funny? I don't understand..."
"No, no. I just find it amusing that you would think of me as one of the Sisters of the Order." An replied. "I am not. I am a traveller taking refuge here, just like you, Avatar Korra."
What ease Korra felt speaking with An Xiao Hai disappeared the moment An called her by her title and name. Her back straightened as she faced the human, her defences kicking back in.
"How do you know who I am?" Korra growled the question, eyes burning with anger and suspicion. "I don't recall introducing myself as such...and I doubt Asami and Opal would either."
It seemed that An hadn't intended to let Korra know that she knew her true identity—that it was merely a slip of the tongue—as her eyes widened and her mouth formed an 'o' shape, which she tried to hide behind her hand. But it was already too late, the Avatar was no longer in a friendly mood.
"Tell me!" Korra's fists and forearms were suddenly covered by a vortex of water. Asami and Opal's warning left forgotten as her mind cared only for her preservation and the safety of her companions. Her words were not a request either, the human knew that.
"Calm down, Avatar Korra," An said, hands raised in surrender hoping that it would appease the girl. "I mean you no harm. I only knew of your identity because of the markings you have. I saw them when you first arrived."
Korra did not know whether she spoke truthfully or not, but her distrust made her wary of the human and did no put her at ease. Korra also found it hard to believe that her markings alone would give away her identity. But she made note of that, and acknowledged that what her companions had suggested may not at all be pointless.
"You may find it hard to believe now, Avatar Korra, but trust me when I say that I would not want harm to come to you or to those you travel with." An went on. "Besides, if I had wanted to harm you, I would have done so before we have started our conversation."
"Then what is it that you want from me?"
"What do I want? Is it not the other way around, Avatar?" her words confused Korra. But An Xiao Hai didn't let the younger girl interrupt her. She forged on, saying, "You were the one who kept coming here at night. I would assume it is you who have need of me."
Hands and forearms still swirling with water, ready to attack, Korra spat, "Then wrong. I don't need anything from you."
An's face was suddenly coated in an unreadable mask of emotion. "Do not be so quick to dismiss things, Avatar Korra. Our paths did not cross without purpose. You seek a way back to Nia Bayou, don't you? A safe way. I can point you in the right direction."
The expression on Korra's face darkened even further the more it was revealed that this woman knew too much. She wished that the Four Elemental Spirits were with her to help sort this out. Spirits, even the presence of Asami or Opal would have been welcomed as would be their insight.
"Why do you know so much about these things? Who told you?" the water vortex had crystallised into sharp-edged ice. There was no doubt the Avatar meant business now,
Still, An remained calm. It baffled Korra who found the human either brave not flinching in the face of death, or stupid.
"No one did." An replied. "At least not one who wishes you harm. I am certain you know this, word travels fast when you know how to listen to the voices of the Spirits."
For a moment, Korra lowered her offensive stance, though she was still far from relaxed. She looked quizzically at the human as she asked, "You can speak to them as well?"
An gave a small, sad smile. "No. But I can hear them. And the more you open yourself to the world, the more you will find that there are many of us who can listen to them and hear what they say."
"That's—" Korra wanted to say it was amazing, impressive even. But as her experiences with humans had been so few and were not all that good and impressive. Thinking of humans such as Tarrlok and that masked assailant she had fought with did not help change the Avatar's mind. And so, instead of continuing with what she was going to say, Korra just shook her head.
"Avatar Korra," An spoke. "There is much about this world that you need to understand. So much more than what Nia Bayou had taught you. And you must come to understand them. Go to Makapu—a fishing village a bit further east. You will find what you seek."
"And why should I trust what you say?"
"Those are not my words, Avatar Korra. The Spirits were the ones who told me to pass that on to you. Converse with them and you will know."
Korra frowned. She hadn't meditated and tried to commune with the Spirits since their escape from the Capital. Still, that doesn't mean that the Spirits couldn't speak with her if they so desired. And so, she wondered why they would make use of this woman to pass that message on to her.
The sapphire-eyed, young woman was about to open her mouth to voice out that question, when she heard voices from outside the hall growing louder, as though the owners of those voices were arguing. She turned her attention towards the slightly ajar doors, curious of what the commotion was about.
She eyed An Xiao Hai, giving her a look that warned the human not to do anything funny, before she began to walk to the exit, stepping out of the main hall.
Immediately, the voices stopped as three sets of eyes turned towards the Avatar.
"Korra!" there was relief in Asami's voice when she saw the shorter girl. "There you are. You had us worried!"
"I'm...what? Worried? Why?" Korra asked, tilting her head to the side. "Did something happen?"
The second owner of the voice that was causing the ruckus—Opal—said in reply, "You weren't in your room. We thought something had happened to you."
Again, the Avatar asked, "Why? Didn't I mention I go out on walks around the abbey at night?"
"Yes, but you've been gone for hours." Asami didn't mention that she had, in that span of time as they wondered where she went, that she had worried Korra had ditched them again.
"No, I haven't." Korra crossed her arms. "I've only been out for an hour at most. True, I would have been back in my room a lot earlier, but the only reason I was still out was because of An Xiao Hai."
"Who?" Asami and Opal asked in unison.
"An Xiao Hai. She's that woman right over—" Korra turned slightly so that she was half-facing the inside of the hall. Her words trailed off and was left hanging when she saw no sign of the woman she was talking about.
Both Asami and Opal peeked inside the main hall, following the Avatar's line of sight. Confusion clouded their faces.
"She was inside just a couple of minutes ago..." Korra found the need to say. Then she turned to the nun Asami and Opal were with, the third owner of the chorus of voices she had heard arguing before (and whom she was not sure was, if it was Li An or Li Mei). "You know of her, don't you? The other traveller staying here who meditates at night often in this hall?"
Similar to the two other humans, the nun looked confused as well. After a short while, Li Mei replied, "I'm sorry, but I do not know of this traveller. The only guests staying with us is your group."
That was not the answer the Avatar was expecting. Growling in frustration, Korra said, "I knew it! That human was lying to me! When I see her again I'll make sure she pays for her insolence. Tell me then, who is she really?"
All eyes travelled from Korra to Li Mei as the nun replied, "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are talking about, Miss Korra. The main hall is always closed off at night. None of us go to the hall to meditate either. We do our meditations inside our own rooms, after all."
"Then who did I just meet?"
She was glad to have spoken with the Avatar, even for just a short moment, though she felt bad for lying to her.
It couldn't be help. At least, that was what she told herself. Even with those words, it still left a bad taste in her mouth. "I just hope she would listen to what I had told her. For all our sakes."
Post Chapter Notes:
And there you have it. The introduction of a mysterious character, who—if you guys pay attention to what her name means, or translates into, you may have an inkling on who she really is.
Also, An Xaio Hai should not be confused with Tarrlok's named, female henchman (err...henchwoman) in this story, Captain Xaio.
Anyways, that's all I have for now. I hope you all enjoyed reading. Please do review if you can.
Until the next update, dram on; fly on!