A/N: Quick interlude to flesh out Mako a bit more. I'm gonna add some shit to his character in later chapters and decided to set the foundation here. Show not tell and all that jazz. I didn't have a good place to put this in the story proper so here we are.
More naming of inconsequentials.
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Interlude
Mako Investigates
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"Lord Mako, it's an honor to have you in my home!"
Minako was a lovely woman. Bright, cheerful, and clearly filled to the brim with love for her family. Councilman Xian had raised a wonderful daughter.
Such a shame Mako was forced to meet her for work.
"Thank you for having me," Mako said. "I hope I'm not imposing."
"Of course not!" Minako insisted, ushering him further into the house. "I insist on having you for dinner. The Air Nomads have it right; never turn away a hungry guest!"
Mako laughed politely as they entered the sitting room, where two girls were playing pai sho.
"These are my daughters, Mari and Yuuki," Minako said, gesturing to the children. Mari looked to be around nine years old, while Yuuki was probably thirteen or fourteen. "Children, this is Lord Mako from the Earth Kingdom. He works with Grandpa on the council."
Mari smiled shyly, while Yuuki cheerfully greeted him with an overexuberant wave.
"Hi, Lord Mako! Wanna play pai sho with us?"
"Sweetie, finish your game first," Minako told her. Yuuki pouted, but sat back down with her sister. "My husband is unfortunately working late tonight, so it will only be the three of us until my father arrives and I'm afraid I have to start on dinner now."
"That's fine," Mako assured her. "I work with children often in Ba Sing Se. I'm sure we'll find something do to."
"Like play pai sho!"
"Yuuki!"
"Pai sho is only a two-person game," Mako said calmly, joining the two girls on the floor. "I wouldn't want anyone to feel left out."
"We could color?" Mari offered quietly.
"Perfect."
Minako smiled and left the room
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Mako looked across the table at Xian. He had apologized for showing up unannounced. Xian had graciously accepted his apology.
Dinner had been a quiet affair. Not quiet in the sense that there was no sound but quiet in the sense that nothing was really said. Yuuki told them about the things she was learning in school, Mari proudly showed off her drawings, Minako gasped in awe at the things her children said. It was domestic.
Mako had shared stories of Ba Sing Se, of the charities he'd created and ran to help the poor and homeless learn new trade skills and move up in life, of the different classes he'd sat through with them, of the children he'd found families for.
He never said a single thing about himself.
Xian had noticed.
The councilman excused himself and Mako as Minako cleared the table.
"It was wonderful meeting all of you," Mako said as he followed after the earthbender.
"Bye, Mako!"
"Bye!"
The girls waved as he left. Mako smiled briefly back at them.
He wish he could have met them under better circumstances.
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"You had some questions about our bylaws?" Xian said, gesturing Mako to a seat. A smaller, clearly less comfortable seat. He offered no refreshments.
Allright, let's play.
"It is really more about the council in general," Mako clarified. "You all have known each other for so long, Zir Majesty will be at a disadvantage when ze arrives." He crossed his legs and sat back, his posture more suited to someone on a throne rather than an old armchair. "As someone with Earth Kingdom citizenship, I felt sure you would be more receptive to this type of discussion."
"It depends entirely on the questions, Lord Mako." Xian sat straighter, using his superior height to look down on the younger man. Mako did no let it deter him.
"Well, what are your thoughts on them, for one? More specifically, Councilmen Tenzin and Tarrlok. They seem to be the most… volatile."
"I'm not sure if 'volatile' is a word I would use to describe Councilman Tenzin."
"How would you describe him?" Mako raised his eyebrow questioningly, paying little attention to Xian's politely neutral reply. You may be good, but I am better. "And Councilman Tarrlok? How would you describe him? Other than volatile, of course."
"Now, I wouldn't say volatile–"
"Yes, for Councilman Tenzin, but we're on Councilman Tarrlok now. What are your thoughts on Councilman Tarrlok." Mako said it like an order, moving past the charade of civility. Xian knew why he was really there, there was no point in dragging it out. Mako had other things to do.
"I believe Councilman Tarrlok does what he thinks is best."
"For who?"
"For the city. Is that all?" Xian was getting angry. Mako was just getting started.
"No. Why is it that three out of every five of Councilman Tarrlok's bills are passed with minimal debate?"
"It's getting late."
"Why is it that Councilman Tenzin is the only council member to consistently oppose Councilman Tarrlok's movements?"
"I believe it's time for you to go."
"Why does Councilman Tarrlok call for major reform when Councilman Tenzin is unavailable?"
"That is enough." Stone rose, threatening to encase Mako's feet. He didn't so much as twitch. "It's time for you to leave."
The two stared at each other, Xian waiting for Mako to indicate he was going, Mako simply waiting.
"You have a lovely home," Mako finally said, apropos to nothing. "And a lovely family."
"I know."
"Truly, you should be proud."
"I am."
Mako smirked.
"How proud?"
"…Excuse me?"
"On a scale of 'brag about them to co-workers' to 'protect them with your life', how much do you care?" Mako uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, ignoring the rocks that circled him ominously. "Because, you see, I would do anything to protect my family. I like to believe this is a trait we share." The rocks creeped closer, rising above his head. Mako grinned. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Bending increases the heart rate. Increased heart rates spread toxins faster. Tell me, is the rest of your family benders?" The rocks dropped.
"What did you do?" Xian's voice was hoarse, his expression a level of horrified Mako had rarely seen.
"What makes you think I did anything?" Mako asked, blinking innocently. "I just want to know about Councilman Tarrlok. Now, let's talk."
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"That's all I know, I swear. Please, what did you do to my family?"
Mako had been right. Tarrlok had threatened and blackmailed his way to the head councilmember seat, with Tenzin as the only one he wasn't stupid enough to try and control, slowly giving the council more and more power over the citizens' lives. The King would need to hear about this, and he would need to warn Bolin and Tenzin. And Korra, he guessed. She should probably know.
Master Tenzin could take care of that part.
"Lord Mako, please."
Mako stood and made his way to the door.
"I didn't do anything to your family." He paused at the threshold. "What kind of monster do you think I am?"
He left.
I have to get home.
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A/N: Who else remembers Mako threatening to disfigure Two-Toed Ping? Who remembers Ping not for a second thinking Mako was bluffing? Mako knew Ping wouldn't risk his lucky toes, apparently, meaning they had to have worked together more closely than first believed.
"Just ran numbers for them" my ass. Mako is fucking brutal.
I'm shifting that brutality from physical threats to psychological games. In this world, Mako is more of a manipulator than a brute force fighter, for reasons that will be explained in later chapters.
Guess where I got some of the names from? I didn't feel like googling "ancient chinese names" again.