'Okay Kita don't freak...sure this guy you just slow danced with might be a criminal and now is the son of your esteemed master, but it's...fine? Right?'
"Please tell me you didn't do this, I haven't seen you in months and now this!?" Jinora ranted.
"No they just took the other guy away." He said, avoiding his mother's eyes.
"Wow he does look just like you two…" Tila laughed.
Not his eyes...they're all his own… Kitala thought, then slapping her hands to her face as if to force her blush away.
"I gotta go. I'll call you Mom." Raavi said quietly before flipping up his collar. His eyes shot to Kitala for only a moment before he shook his head and left.
"So that was an interesting dynamic." Tila said.
"That explains why he ran away. He saw you and Kai…Jinora do you want to go home now?"
She nodded and Kitala bowed to Tila before leaving.
Back on Air Temple Island that night, Jinora perched on the tip of the highest tower. She stared at the lights of Republic City, wondering where Raavi was now, and if he felt any semblance of sadness.
Kitala joined her, sitting cross legged.
"So I take it you met Raavi before today." She finally said.
"Last night. We uh...danced…"
Jinora didn't respond, but she looked amused.
"So...why has it been so long since you've seen him? I didn't even know you had a son."
"Our only child...we named Raavi after the light spirit...and it suited him. He was so kind and generous, and so desperate to be an air bender. We would teach him how to move like a bender, and he'd spend days on end practicing. But…"
"He never got it, did he? He's a non bender."
"Yes. He became so angry, it's like he was a different person. He couldn't handle being surrounded by my students, so he left two years ago when he turned eighteen. He calls me every now and then, told me he had a job at a tea shop in Kyoshi Square. I didn't know he was involved with anything like this."
"At least he didn't actually do anything…"
"How do I get through to him before he does? Kitala what would you do?"
"I'm not sure. I'd have to know more about him first…"
Jinora went to bed shortly after and Kitala went to wake Kotya. They flew into the city and eventually found Kyoshi Square. The only lead she had was a tea shop here, so she found the only one in the area and left Kotya outside.
"Raavi? Oh yeah, he worked here for...let's see a week maybe." The owner told her, setting his broom aside.
"Do you know where he is now?"
"Last time I saw him was...with some shady lookin' crowd in Ember town."
Kitala thanked him and hurried outside, hooking her foot on the black leather saddle and climbing onto Kotya before she bounded down the street.
After several blocks, the entire vibe shifted. The people wore primarily red and bright crimson lanterns were strung above the streets.
"How am I ever going to find him, Ember town alone is huge." She sighed, puffing her bottom lip out as she searched for those eyes.
After an hour of wandering, a familiar voice called to her.
"Why am I not surprised that you have a giant cat bird thing?"
Kitala whipped her head around and looked up to the third floor of a small, run down building where Raavi was poking his head out of a window.
"Uh, hi," she said, lifting her hand and smiling up at him.
"What are you doin' in this neighborhood?"
"I actually really like it over here, maybe I was just taking a midnight stroll."
"Uh huh, sure." He smirked, leaning against the window pane with his arms crossed.
"I mean I guess I was looking for you."
"Wanna come up?"
She kissed Kotya on the nose and rubbed in front of her ears before leaving her and yanking open the paint chipped front door. The stairwell was stained and rusted, two women sat cozily in the corner of the second landing, and shouting could be heard through the walls.
Raavi was waiting for her in the hall outside of his apartment, both hands in the pockets of his baggy gray pants, the thin fabric of his white tank top riding up to reveal his midriff.
"Hey," he said with a nod, then opening the door and motioning for her to go in.
The short hallway beyond the front door lead into a small living room, where there was a hole in the left wall. A cramped kitchen was set against the right side of the apartment, and the entrance to the only bedroom and bathroom was beyond it in the farthest corner. There was a faded beige loveseat and coffee table, but not much else. The walls, however, were covered almost entirely with different assortments of weapons. A tangerine colored tapestry with the symbol of the air nomads sat in the center of the main wall with spears, swords, knives, and even more modern technology like tasers surrounding it.
"So...why were you lookin' for me?" He asked, slumping in the loveseat.
"Do you...know how to use all of these…?" She asked, mouth hanging open as she observed each individual piece.
"More or less," He bragged.
"Wow…"
"So why are you here again..?"
"Oh! I just wanted to clear things up after everything that's happened over the past two days." She said energetically, her attention torn from the walls.
"What do you mean," he said blankly, sticking a toothpick between his lips.
"Master Jinora told me some things about you and I wanted to help."
"What can you help with? The Avatar shouldn't care about one broken family, focus on this city, or Ba Sing Se, that place has gone to hell."
"I know plenty about that. But this family matters to me, your parents are my teachers and you...well I don't really know you all that well but still…"
"They're your teachers, so don't get involved in their personal business, or mine."
"Raavi, I understand why you left home, and why you're so angry."
"Like you just said, you don't know me."
"I think I have a pretty good idea though. You don't want to have Air Bending shoved in your face everywhere you turn. It's fine for you to want to leave, but to ignore your parents and resort to illegal acts-"
"Listen, what right do you have to-"
"I'm the Avatar and if you're a nuisance to the public, I can bring you into Chief Beifong." She said, mustering as much fierceness as she could, though her voice wavered.
"With what proof,"
"I'm sure I could find something." She said, placing her hands on her wide hips as Raavi stood and sauntered over to her.
"I don't leave evidence behind," he said, low and confident.
"You didn't know how to relate to your own family...I'm sure that must have been hard."
He didn't respond.
"Tell me why you danced with me."
"'Cause I felt like it."
"Did you think you could sweep me off my feet and rob me?" She asked.
"Need I remind you that I found you licking a plate? That doesn't exactly scream 'high society'." He shot back, raising an eyebrow.
"Okay then...why did you dance with me…?" She asked again, narrowing her eyes and stepping forward until there was a paper thin gap between them.
"Maybe I just wanted to blend in. If I was hangin' around the outside of the party it would be suspicious."
"Mhm, alright, be stubborn."
"I'm not being stubborn!" He glared down at her, their noses almost grazing.
"Okay, fine, but you should be better to Jinora. I can see how much she loves you, and how painful it is for her."
"What's painful? I got out of her way. Not much use for a non bender hanging around the temple. If anything I helped."
"You actually think that?" She softened her eyes and tilted her head to the side, placing a hand on his tensed forearm. He cleared his throat and backed away, her fingers slipping off of his skin.
"Raavi, you aren't a burden to them. To anyone. They love you no matter what. I can sense that you feel guilt, and there's no reason to. You can't control how you were born, and I know that Jinora and Kai wouldn't want to change who you are. They have plenty of airbending students, but only one son."
He looked down at the floor and covered his face in his hands. Kitala gently clasped her fingers around his wrists, tugging slightly. Raavi turned away from her and his shoulders rose as he took a deep breath, his back muscles tightening under the thin fabric. She followed closely, firmly placing her palm on his shoulder blade.
"I think you should get back home." He said coldly.
"But you're upset, I can st-"
"Go, please. This isn't your problem."
She sighed and let her hand fall away before heading to the door, and was surprised to see him go with her. He stopped at the door frame and leaned against it, his face still twisted with pain.
"I'll see you around."
"Not likely," she scoffed, figuring he'd be sure to avoid her after this.
"You're the Avatar, I don't think I'll be getting rid of you any time soon." He said, trying to feign humor.
"Good night then." She mumbled after an uncomfortably long pause, pivoting and taking a step down the hall before he responded, "Night, Kita."
Kita…
No one had ever called her that before, but as soon as it came from his lips, that was the only thing she wanted to hear. She turned her head to glance at him and slowly waved.
Raavi tilted his head back to rest on the door after he had shut it. There were so many thoughts rushing through his head at the moment, he could barely think straight at all. But then crystal blue pools gleaming with kindness flashed behind his eyelids and everything halted.
Kita…
"Damn idiot," he cursed himself, shaking his head.
Kita wiped a bead of sweat from her brow as her training for the day concluded. Jinora patted her on the shoulder lightly.
"You're progressing more and more every day," she complimented.
"Thank you, master." She said with a quick bow.
"Now we have to get ready for your public meeting with that...imbecile…" Jinora shook her head and huffed, straightening her robe before striding out of the courtyard.
"He didn't seem too bad," Kita shrugged.
However, as Kotya was confronted with him and hissed furiously, then threateningly flapping her wings, Kita reconsidered. She believed in intuition above all, especially that of her trusted steed. President Yanwei kept his distance from the animal, obviously relieved when they ventured into the hall where Kotya wasn't allowed.
"So Mr. President, what's on the agenda?" Kita asked, then leaning over to Jinora and whispering, "I've always wanted to say that," with a giggle.
"First off, I'd like to plan some...publicity stunts, if you will. Dinner at my personal residence with plenty of photographers to display a united relationship. Considering how the previous Avatar treated authority, I think it's crucial that we show the city it is truly a new era."
"Why not show the people that we work well together by actually making a difference for them, not a fake dinner party. With all due respect, I think they would appreciate us handing out canned foods and blankets among the shelters. Which also leads me to something I noticed immediately upon my arrival to Republic City. Despite its expansion, the population is growing too rapidly and the new growth can't keep up with it. I grew up watching the same happen in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, and Prime Minister Giyan has been constantly doing his best to manage the situation."
"You're quite determined aren't you?" He replied, the right corner of his mouth curling up into a smirk.
"I am. I don't mind getting caught up in the politics of it all, either. Korra had little respect for the leaders of the world, and created tension. I want to work cohesively with all of you, rather than disregard you."
"That's nice to hear. Nice and a bit naive."
"If having faith in people makes me naive then so be it."
Yanwei's lips curled further into a sly grin, and just before he opened his mouth to speak again, the door to the conference room flew open.
"Mr. President, I-"
"What do you think you're doing?!" He spat, snapping his head around to look at the intruder.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but your tailor just got into a fatal Sato Mobile crash." The young man told him. Kita examined him, lean and graceful with swinging hips and flowing pale blonde hair that refused to stay tucked behind the confines of his ears. If she hadn't heard his voice, Kita might have assumed he was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen.
"And it couldn't have waited ten minutes for this meeting to be over?"
"Well, I thought you-"
"What's your name again?" The President asked, now standing.
"Ari."
"And what is your job description?"
"Well I've been working as your assistant Clothing Director for the last two years."
"I thought that was...that fetching young fire nation woman."
"No Lina is your dresser, she makes sure the outfits I put together actually get to you."
"So, someone I've employed for two years doesn't know better than to burst into an important meeting with the Avatar?"
"But if it's an emergency, I thought,"
"You misjudged. Get a haircut, then it might be easier for you to find a new job."
"A new job? But sir, this position provides living quarters for most of your personal staff. I'll have nowhere to go."
"You'll need to be out as soon as possible while I hire someone new."
"President Yanwei, is this necessary?" Kita asked, standing as well.
"I find it to be, yes."
"Aren't you required to give him more notice than that?" Her voice was growing higher pitched as she became more and more upset.
"This matter doesn't concern you, Miss Avatar, so if we could please get back to the task at hand…" He said, smoothing his black hair back into it's sleek mold.
Kita leaned to whisper something into Jinora's ear, and suddenly her master stood and left the room with Ari in tow.
"As you were saying?" he asked, gesturing to her and regaining his grin.
"Well, I've also been observing the infrastructure and in heavily populated areas like Ember Town, the apartment buildings are practically falling apart. When we have more than enough Earthbenders working for the city and even the police department, I don't see a reason why we can't reinforce them while we rework the budget enough to repair them entirely."
"You have much to learn about our budget, my dear. Reworking it is not as simple as it seems."
"I haven't seen much evidence of our money going towards the people's benefits, but you're right, I don't know much. I'm telling you my point of view. If the budget is being used wisely, then inform me of it and teach me how it works. I'm here to learn more than anything so that I can become a true aid to the people of the world like Avatar Aang was."
"That's an admirable outlook. We'll schedule another meeting next month and I'll go over every cent of our budget with you. Perhaps over dinner?"
"The publicly photographed dinner?"
"No, no, just a nice evening, I'll cook."
"Until then," Kita replied, her mouth a flat line as she reached out a stiff hand. He clasped both of his around it and smiled at her again, a glint of intrigue sparkling in his eyes. She was intensely wary of President Yanwei after this meeting.
Jinora, with an arm around Ari's shoulders, was waiting outside for her. When Kita approached, she pulled them both into a hug before taking a deep breath.
"Ari, I'm so sorry for the way you were just treated."
"It didn't surprise me all that much," he sighed.
"Unless you have family or friends waiting for you, I'd be happy to offer a room on Air Temple Island."
"Really?"
"Master if that's alright?"
"Of course. Mostly because you need the help, but I can't say it doesn't make me happy to pull one over on Yanwei. I know I should be more enlightened than that but I can't help it."
"I see why you have such a distaste for him now. I feel like I need to soak in some hot water and scrub a layer of skin off after shaking hands with him. Anyway, Ari, do we need to stop by and get your things?"
"That would be too kind, thank you both."
As Kita helped him pack up his studio apartment, she scanned the traditional female water tribe attire garnishing the walls. When Ari noticed her confusion, he chuckled and held one of the dresses up to his small frame.
"It looks even better on me…" his smile faded quickly and he set the dress down.
"What's wrong?"
"Well...Nevermind…"
"No, please," Kita encouraged, placing a delicate hand on his.
"I hate to spill all my baggage right away, but if you insist. You see...my soul is split. Between Ari...and Aria. It's not something many people understand...or tolerate."
"I wouldn't call it split. There's two sides of you maintaining balance. I feel the same way with my bending. Water and Fire are conflicting yet they share my soul harmoniously."
"Balance, hm...no one's ever phrased it that way." He said quietly with a small smile.
"No one on Air Temple Island will look at you any differently, I promise you."
"I don't think that's a promise you can make. Sorry to be cynical but I've gotten a lot of grief for who I am. I thought it would change in the city and it didn't."
"I can't do it over night, but I'm going to spread love and acceptance throughout this city until it gets back to what it was meant to be when Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko created it."
"You seem awfully confident. It's kind of refreshing."
"Actually I'm not confident at all. I just know people generally respond well to strength...and maybe if I tell myself I know what I'm doing eventually I actually will."
"Fake it til you make it...I live by that philosophy," he grinned.
"So...you said you moved here, which pole are you from? I can only assume because of these," Kita explained, holding up the deep blue fur lined dress.
"North."
"Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes, but the weather here doesn't make me bundle up and cover my beautiful ensembles the entire year. Not to mention the career opportunities for someone who likes the limelight as much as I do."
"The job you had under Yanwei didn't seem like it gave you much attention."
"Just something to earn money while I try to become a mover star. Can't you just see me on the big screen playing the most handsome male lead, the next day a gorgeous damsel. I'll be the most versatile actor that's for sure."
"Well, being roomies with the Avatar will get you some attention, maybe just not the kind you want."
"No press is bad press darling."
Kita chuckled as they finished the last box and began lugging them outside and onto Pepper's saddle.
She lead Ari to the room across from hers and noticed his lips purse as he observed the small space.
"You can decorate however you like!" She said, a pained fake laugh following.
"It's fine, really, ignore my initial reaction." Ari patted her shoulder lightly and shuffled inside, immediately planning out his wall hangings.
"I'll give you some time," she said, backing out and closing the door.
