"So, she is playing crazy now?"
"I don't know, I don't think she was acting. Everyone was shocked, it was one of those things that you had to be there to know how it felt. I can't put it into words, but it was just the dense atmosphere after she started crying that…"
"And why did she called for Korra's help anyway?"
"That was shocking too, but Bolin then told me that she interceded between her and the mob that was throwing things at her. But when she cried for Korra's help in the trail, my whole body shivered. It was…strange."
She kept her eyes on the road, they were a few blocks away from the warehouse, and she didn't wanted to talk about her girlfriend stepping up for her father's assassin.
"This is it? This doesn't look like a warehouse to me…"
The place appeared to be an abandoned two-story apartment complex with a small garage door up front. They parked half a block away from it, Asami took her seatbelt off and was about to get out the car but Mako stopped her.
"Wait, let's stay here for a couple of minutes and see if anyone comes out."
"I want to know if my platinum is there or not, we're not going to find that out sitting here."
"What if it's not there and we get in the way of the triads, huh?"
"Good, I'm up for some action anyway" said Asami with a smirk, and stepped out of the car
"Wait, Asami!"
"Are you coming or not, nanny?"
"I'm not letting you go inside alone…"
Mako followed Asami while looking around to see if anyone was vigilant. They tried to lift the garage door, but they failed.
"It's locked, how do we open it?"
"Wait, leave it to me"
Mako then looked at the door, it was a big old metal roll up. He then fire-bended on both of the upper corners of the door with a small fire. The door then started to open up slowly.
"How did you… wait, we don't have time for this"
"As you wish, Ms. Sato"
Shiloh was right, the inside was very spacious since the garage was only the entrance to a tunnel with a ramp. The garage was empty and humid, but it smelled surprisingly good like tea. Mako lighted a flame on his hand and they walked down to the tunnel.
"You look more tired than usual, is everything alright?" asked Mako.
"Yeah, I've been working a lot lately, last night Korra came a little late, and I didn't have much sleep honestly."
"I know, sometimes she can be very ener…"
"What?!"
"Oh no I, I…"
"Go on, what were you going to say?!"
"No I mean…. Wait, there's a hole on your back"
"You're disgusting"
"No, Asami, look…"
In fact, despite Mako mumbling, there was a hole on Asami's back that seemed to be a passage.
"Should we keep going or…"
"Lets go inside, see what we can find."
"Asami, I'm sorry I didn't mean to…"
"I was messing with you, silly…"
"But everything is ok with you guys, right?"
"Yeah, everything is alright" Asami was unsure of her answer.
They followed the hole until they saw a bed next to a desk with a small candle on. There were some books and a chair…
"The lights are on… be carefull…" Mako whispered
"Noted"
They carefully got closer to the desk, and when they got close enough an earth wall rose behind them…
"DAMM IT!"
"Mako…"
Mako created a lighting to open a gap on the wall. Through it, he saw a figure running up to the main tunnel.
"Asami hurry up!" He sent another lighting to create a bigger opening so they both could go through"
They were matched by rocks guided to them on their way, Mako counter attacked with flames, but the mysterious figure dodged them all and kept running. Asami increased her speed to get closer until she catched up. The figure then turned around and they both engaged in a close combat: Asami threw a couple of jabs and kicks that didnt connected. The figure then grabbed one of Asami's hand and pulled close to her to then deliver a clean kick on Asami's chest that sent her to the ground. Mako followed to throw a couple flames that were also evaded. The figure then reached the outside while Mako picked Asami from the floor.
"I'm sorry I'm a little rusty, I haven't had much time to practice lately."
"Don't worry… wait"
Mako saw a shiny object on the ground.
"What is that?"
"What?"
"Here" Mako picked up the object, examined it closely and then he showed it to Asami. It appeared to be a golden fan with tiny brown gems incrusted.
"It looks, like, like a fan?"
"A pin, a golden pin" Asami answered.
"Is this supposed to mean something?"
"I don't know, but is the only thing we have right now…"
"Let's follow the tunnel and see what's going on down there…"
When they reached the final of the tunnel, they found themselves with another big empty space with industrial lights on. They searched the place but it was empty, so they headed upstairs after they searched the upper space as well …
"Great, there's nothing here and we only have a fan."
"Do you have any ideas…" Mako asked.
"No…" Asami was disappointed, she truly expected to find her platinum in that old warehouse…
"Let's take this evidence to Beifong, she may know what this pin is…"
Mako suggestion seemed ignored by Asami, she was looking to the ground while hugging herself.
"Asami…"
"Mako, I'm not giving up…" Asami then turned to Mako with tears nearly falling from her big green clear eyes. Mako looked at her and hurried to hug her.
"I'm sorry Asami…"
"It's nothing, let's go with Beifong…" Asami squeezed mako with her hug, then she let him go.
Mako grabbed her hand but Asami used that same hand to clean her tears that were about to fall from her eyes.
"Let's get out of here nanny…"
It was a nice sunny day, and she was just a tipsy Avatar on a casual outfit about to visit a former dictator that happened to be in an Asylum...
She doubted to go inside for some minutes, but she did anyways…
Republic city asylum was a big old white building on the outsides of the city. It wasn't a very popular place at all. When Korra arrived at reception a big old man asked her:
"What are you looking for here? Get out! Now"
"Relax big guy, I'm here to visit Kuvira…"
"I don't care who you are, She's been here for a day, and if you don't have a letter from any of the councilmen, you can't go inside."
"I'm the Avatar, and I think I am going inside…" Korra said while lighting a flame with her middle finger.
The guard considered the idea for a second "Ok, just keep it cool."
"Take me to her!"
"Ok, you don't have to be that aggressive sweetheart, come on, follow me."
Korra followed the man through a hallway with big white doors every 2 meters of so. In each of these doors there was a window which allowed the people passing by to see the patients within those doors. Korra saw the faces of the people inside and was nothing like she had seen before…
She had barely been in any hospitals, less in an Asylum. "I'm sorry about that, is just, we never have any visitors at all."
"It's ok, I'm sorry I acted so defensive… So this people here… do they all have the same conditions or…?"
"No, each on is a different case, right now we are at full capacity and if I'm honest we could need some help from time to time…"
Most of the injuries Korra had seen through her lifetime had been physical, not mental. She tough about the years after she faced Zaheer, and how she had struggled with her post traumatic experience more than she had done with her physical injuries.
"And where does this people come from?"
"We receive people from all over the earth kingdom benders and non-benders. There are only 4 asylums in the world, the other 3 are in the fire nation."
"Why the other nations don't have any?"
"After what happened with Princess Azula, Fire Lord Zuko took the initiative to develop more institutions dedicated to mental health in the Fire Nation. He and Avatar Aang shared the belief that mental health was as important as physical health. Sadly, not everyone in the world shares that belief."
Korra looked down thinking that there may be thousands of people needing the help but couldn't find any and were just labelled as crazy. What if she herself had never recovered? Would she had become the first Avatar who was mentally unfit to perform her duties? She diverged from that idea; it was too painful to think about it.
The man led the avatar until they reached a wooden door.
"There she is, do you have anything made out of metal?"
"No"
"Are you sure?"
She thought about It for a second. "Yes"
"Alright then, as I said, she just got here yesterday, don't expect any changes. You have 30 minutes Avatar, I'll be here if you need me."
"Thanks"
The man opened the door and waited for the Avatar to go inside the room. Korra was hesitant for a second. Was she sure of what she was doing? Did she smell like sake? Yes, she had to talk with her. And of course she smelled like sake. But she walked inside anyway…
The entirety of the room was made of wood; a desk, a chair, and a bed were the only things on the cell. There was slide door to her left which Korra assumed it was the bathroom. The place was obscure but had a couple of small skylights on the ceiling. Kuvira was sitting on the floor in lotto position, door on her back, wearing plain white clothes. Once Korra was inside the room, the man closed the door behind her leaving both alone…
"Kuvira…"
"Avatar…"
"Korra is fine"
Kuvira turned herself around while smelling the peculiar aroma of the sake.
"Korra… I've always liked the names from the southern water tribe…"
"Thanks, Kuvira."
"I suppose you came on your own?"
"Yes"
"May I ask why?"
Korra inhaled deeply and looked away from Kuvira before speaking.
"You don't happen to know anything about a platinum cargo being stolen right?"
"Are you assuming some of my supporters stole platinum?"
"I didn't say that"
"Korra, we controlled every platinum mine on the Earth Kigndom, why would we try to steal it when we can get it directly from the source?"
"I don't know…"
Both remained silent, Korra sat in lotto position in front of Kuvira.
"What happened to you yesterday after the trail?"
"They threw me in a vehicle and dropped me here. I got to take a shower and they gave me new clothes. A couple of doctors talked to me and I've been here since."
"What did they ask you?"
"...Why are you here Korra?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing, after yesterday I thought maybe…"
"Maybe what? Maybe I went crazy?"
"I didn't say that…"
"But you thought about it, didn't you?"
"Look Kuvira I just wanted to see if you were ok, all right? After what happened yesterday, I couldn't take off my head the image of you…"
"Tell me you felt it too…" Kuvira interrupted her bitting her lip.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about…"
Korra bite her lip hard and closed her eyes.
"You do know. I never felt anything quite like it, I never imagined something like that was even possible…"
Korra flushed
"I thought the avatar knew everything about the spirit world."
"Not really…"
The atmosphere of the room was very dense , both had been looking away from each other, then Kuvira broke the silence:
"I'm sorry Korra, I'm truly are…"
"Don't be, I know you've been through a rough patch"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead…"
"What is going to happen with the Earth kingdom?"
"Wu said he will make it a democracy…"
Kuvira fake laughed and then looked at Korra directly at her eyes
"I spent 3 years of my life working so hard so he wouldn't be on charge of the biggest nation in the world, and after you took me down he decides he doesn't want to be king now?" Kuvira started to breath heavily and hugged her knees. Korra knew this wasn't a good sign so she got close to her.
"Kuvira…" She put her arm on her shoulder
"You don't understand…"
"I do, remember…?"
"So, you also felt it" Kuvira said with a small smile and wet eyes.
"I did, and I don't know why that happened, but I want you to know that ill be here for you. You'll be fine Kuvira, I promise."
"Thanks, Korra, I really appreciate this. You don't know how much this means to me, I really thought I was going crazy for a while"
"Now tell me, have they treated you well?" Korra sat next to her.
"Yes, they have, and I must say, this place is nicer than the one I was in before."
"I'm glad you're enjoying it"
"I never said I was enjoying it" Kuvira said with a humorous tone.
"I'm sorry"
"It's fine, how are you doing? I didn't know the Avatar liked sake"
"Well it's, its being a rough couple of months."
"I imagined there's been a lot of stuff going on, with the city, the people, and the spirit portal… "
"Yes, also the triads have given some problem…"
"But you're the Avatar, you can deal with it"
"I guess I can deal with the triads, anarchists, and maybe take down a crazy dictator on the way"
"Shut up" They both laughed, Kuvira felt good since this was the first time in months, she was having a fun conversation with someone.
"Korra, do you know what happened with Bataar?"
"He's in domiciliary custody"
"Oh…"
"Kuvira i-"
"It's ok, I'm honestly glad he's alright…" They locked eyes for a second before Korra looked down.
"I'm really sorry that you have to be here…"
"I'll do alright, the staff here is very kind. Plus, it's been really good to see you…"
"Thanks, Kuvira…" They both smiled and Korra stood up.
"I need to get going, I have to look for that platinum…"
"All right then, have a nice day, Avatar"
"Korra"
"Same thing" Korra smirked before heading to the door. Kuvira hesitated to do so, but she had to ask her…
"Would I see you again, you know, while I'm here…?"
Korra didn't expected the question, she thought about it for a couple of seconds before answering.
"I'll visit you another day, ok?"
"All right, see you then"
"Bye"
Korra knocked on the door, and the man opened it. She rushed on her way out, and before exiting the building she was stopped by the man.
"Avatar, wait…"
"What?"
"I have to thank you, some of the people here never get to have a visit in their lifetime. I know she just got here, but this helps immensely…"
"It's nothing really…"
"Ok Avatar, ill be expecting you next week…!"
"Next week?"
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, the patients are only allowed to one visit per week"
"All right, until then"
Korra had too much on her mind, the platinum, Asami, the City development projects, and now Kuvira. She needed to talk with someone, so she headed to the Air Temple Island.
Once in the Commissary, both went directly to the Chief's office skipping the line thanks to Mako's connections. Asami did not bothered to knock so she slammed the door without waiting for a response, chief Beifong was reading some papers before stepping up:
"You guys can't just come inside my office without previous notice!"
"It's important chief, it's about the platinum that was stolen yesterday. Asami, show her."
Asami unveiled the pin covered in a small piece of cloth. Beifong examined for a second…
"So, what is this supposed to mean?"
"We believe it may be a clue to who stole the platinum"
"And we thought that you may know what this is…"
"The triads have been very active lately. We are spread too thin, and I have a lot of work to do. If I tell you guys what this is, would you'll leave my office for good?"
"We promise"
"We can't promise anything" Corrected Asami.
"This is an accessory traditionally wore by the Kyoshi warriors."
"Kyoshi warriors? From Kyoshi island"
"No Mako, from Ember Island! Now get out of my office!"
Beifong pushed them out, then closed and locked the door afterwards.
"Ready for a trip to Kyoshi island Mako?"
"Wait, what? Now you want to go there without any clues, we don't even know if the platinum was in that warehouse or not…"
"This is the only clue we have, and why the person that attacked us had this on?"
"I cant just go, what about Wu, what about Bolin?"
"What about Wu? a couple of months ago you couldn't stand being with him, now you're worried about that guy being on his own? He'll do fine, lets go tonight"
"What about Bolin, what about Korra?"
"Bolin and Korra had a good time together last night, I'm sure they'll figure something out to do. Please Mako I need to get out for the city for a couple of days and this is the perfect excuse, do it for me."
Mako thought about it for some minutes while they were getting out of the commissary.
"Ok, ill go with you, but just let me go pack some clothes and tell Wu ill be out of town for a couple of days."
"What about telling your little brother?"
"He'll be fine"
"Ok nanny, I'll go home too, meet me at the Sato state around 8"
"Ok, see you then…"