Chapter 4: Herbs and Kebobs

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The house Korra had been brought to was located in a secluded little cove with cypress tree covered cliffs rising up all around it. There was a narrow dirt road that led through a pass up and out of the cove, and she and Katara followed this in an old blue jeep. For miles, as they drove, Korra did not see any other houses, though she thought they could be just as hidden as hers. As they drove, Korra closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headrest. Her pain was not as bad as it had been the past when she had first woken up at the hospital. Most of her lighter cuts and bruises had diminished and the big ones were less, painful, and more, sore. The cut on her head was healing but it still hurt to touch and if she moved her head too suddenly then a slow throbbing pulse would spread all through her head and she would have to close her eyes. She focused on her breath and did her best to stay calm. Katara did not make it hard; she drove slowly and carefully so all Korra felt was the sweet ocean air against her face.

Upon entering town, Katara set about on her errands and Korra tagged along. First, they went to an arts and crafts store where Katara picked up some blue yarn and knitting needles. "I didn't bring my supplies when I came out here, it completely slipped me mind," she explained. She grabbed several different shades of blue and some silver and white.

"What are you going to make?" Korra asked while they stood in line.

"Oh all types of things. I could teach you if you want. It's very therapeutic."

Korra had smiled slightly. "Maybe." She had never pictured herself knitting; that was something old ladies and politicians did. But she had never imagined a lot of things for herself, so she did not completely dismiss the idea.

After that, they went to the grocery store, and the old woman chattered about, asking Korra's opinion on what she thought of everything; does this papaya smell ripe to you? What about these mangoes? You see how soft they are? Good color, but maybe a few more days and they'll be just right. Ahhh! Lemongrass! You know, I used to grow my own? Here smell it. Do you like it? Look at these beautiful medjool dates! I know you like to run, these are very good for after a workout, if you blend them up with a banana and some almond milk, it replenishes all your lost electrolytes. Mmmm look at this beautiful basil!

After they finished grocery shopping, Katara stopped briefly at the post office to check her mail, then she took her to an herbal pharmacy.

"I never liked drugs stores. You see all those terrible commercials on television, saying how a certain drug may cure one thing while at the same time causing all sorts of side effects? My brother Sokka, God rest his soul," she smiled thinking about him. "He was a fervent meat eater and never listened to Aang or me when we told him what sort of health problems they could cause. The doctors had him on all sorts of medicine at some point. He would take one thing for one ailment, then that would cause side effects that needed to be countered with another drug, which caused more side effects and…" she sighed and shook her head then lifted a finger and shook it sternly at Korra. "Those people, in their white coats behind the drug counters carrying those clipboards and writing off prescriptions; they are the real drug dealers." The herbal pharmacy was amazing. Rows and rows of jars with all sorts of different herbal remedies lined the walls. There were also soaps, incense, and even joints rolled up and ready for puffing, laid out behind glass. It was very clean, and smelled, but was a clean, natural smell. Katara chose her usual but continued to look around for anything new and Korra wandered a little bit.

"Are you looking for anything special?" The woman behind the counter asked her. She was very pretty, maybe about forty years old, with dark brown skin and long hair that came all the way down to her waist, twisted beautifully in elegant locks. Despite her age, her skin almost glowed, her eyes, deep brown, were clear, and she peered at Korra over black rimmed glasses.

"No. I'm just looking." Korra replied.

"IF you need any help, feel free to ask. You name the problem, guaranteed I had the solution," she said with a warm smile.

Korra smiled back. "That's a big promise."

The woman shrugged. "Hey, I've had this store for almost twenty years, and not an unsatisfied customer yet. You wouldn't believe how much power there is in a few herbs."

Korra thought for a moment, and the woman saw the wheels turning in her head and waited. "Well… sometimes I…" she hesitated.

The woman nodded encouragingly. "Yes?"

"I… have some things… in me. That I want to… forget. Sometimes I… I can't stop thinking about them. And it hurts."

The woman nodded again, thoughtfully. "That is actually a much more common ailment than you would think." She said. She walked out from behind the counter top and went to the rows of herbs. "Ah." She said when she found one. She pulled three jars from the shelves, and returned to the counter. She measured out three doses into three smaller containers, then beckoned for Korra to join her.

"This right here," she said tapping the first jar. "Is passionflower. Brew it as tea. It's pretty strong, so try one cup before bed. It shouldn't knock you out per say, but it will help ease your mind a quite a bit. After you know how it affects you, you can take it in the morning. This one right here," she tapped the second jar. "This is a lemon balm, a concentrated paste. Rub it on your temples and at the nape of your neck whenever you feel stressed or anxious. It works almost immediately. And this one." She picked up the last jar, this one was clear and Korra could see the capsules within it. "This one is a supplement, L-theanine. It's a natural amino acid found in green and black teas, but this is hyper concentrated. Take two in the morning, and two in the afternoon, and it should help you focus more easily."

Korra touched one of the jars timidly. "I don't… I don't think I could afford-,"

The woman smiled and pushed the three jars towards her. "Don't worry. This one's on the house. You've got about a month's supply of each. If you like them, and you want more, you know where to find me." Korra hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay."

"Here," the herbal pharmacist placed the jars in a paper bag, and also threw in a couple bars of soap and a piece of chocolate. "You have a great day, alright honey?"

Korra smiled shyly. "Thank you."

After ringing Katara up, they walked out of the store, and the old woman looped her arm through Korra's. "Alrightie. Let's drop these things back off at the house and go see my son then, shall we?"

Korra nodded. "Okay." Once they were back on the road after having emptied all of their spoils out at the house, Korra relaxed her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. Her head did not hurt so much, and she was tired, but in a good way. She was glad they had spent the morning doing things, and the afternoon sun felt good on her skin as they drove through the happy little town.

"How many grandkids do you have?" she asked after a little while.

"Four. Two beautiful girls, and two beautiful boys."

"How old are they?"

"Ahh… good question…" Katara replied with a light chuckle. "Well, I believe the oldest, my granddaughter Jinora is in the process of filling out college applications… but she skipped two grades so that puts her at… fifteen. Ikki, just began her first year of high school, her birthday is just around the corner; she's turning thirteen. Meelo is two years younger than Ikki, and Rohan is the baby… I believe he is five years old? Yes. I could be wrong, I am an old woman and not very accurate with these things."

Korra whistled. "That is a full house."

"Oh yes," Katara said nodding. She glanced over at Korra. "Do you like children?"

Children. And then it was like a switch in her mind was suddenly flipped. Her eyes were closed but she still saw them. Little feet, running through her mind. They were singing, dancing, showing off their drawings to her, asking if she had any candy for them. A pain shot through her head.

"Aggh!" she gasped. No no no no no! Little feet… running. NO! She willed her eyes to open. "NO!" she had her fist clutched to her heart, but the visions dissipated. Panting, she held herself and realized Katara had pulled the car over.

"Hey." She felt her warm wrinkled hand on her arm. For a moment, Katara didn't say anything, and Korra's breathing steadied. She inhaled deeply, held it for a moment, and then slowly let it out.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"You've nothing to be sorry for."

Korra closed her eyes again. "I'm such a fucking freak." She muttered.

"No." Katara responded. "No you're not."

Korra swallowed, slowly letting her fist relax. "Maybe it would be best if I didn't meet them. It's not… I don't not like… kids. I just. I don't think-,"

"Korra," Katara's voice was gentle, yet firm. "They will love you. No matter what. But if you're not ready, then we can do something else and meet them another day. You don't have to feel guilty. I am here to help you. Your health is my number one priority."

"I'm just…" she struggled. Struggled to find what she wanted to say, struggled to decide what it was she was feeling, struggled to understand what it was she wanted to do, versus what she thought she should do, struggled against the urge to break down and cry, struggled against this scream that bubbled at the back of her throat, she struggled to not jump from the car and run away, and run, and run, and run…

Katara started the car, and slowly began to drive. She did not tell Korra where they were going. They drove for about ten minutes through the town, until they pulled up to a high school.

"Gran Gran?" A pretty girl with short brown hair and brown eyes carrying a side bag full of books walked up to the side of the jeep.

"Jinora, hi honey, how was school? Where's Ikki?"

"She's at cheerleading practice."

"Oh yes that's right," Katara said in a way that made Korra think she didn't actually not know where Ikki was. "Well, I was just out taking Korra for a little drive when I remembered it was about time you got off school. Would you like to join us?"

The pretty brown eyes rested on Korra, and Jinora smiled. "Hi Korra, I'm Jinora, it's so nice to meet you!" she offered her hand and Korra took it, smiling weakly.

"Hi."

She opened the door to the back seat. "Oh! Hello!" she exclaimed when Naga greeted her with a giant lick right on her face. "Who is this?"

"Naga."

"Naga, do you mind if I share the back seat with you? Thanks, you're such a beautiful girl! Yes you are!"

"Jinora, do you remember the place we went to last summer… down by the beach…" Katara asked, as she pulled out of the parking lot.

Jinora thought for a moment, stroking Naga's head, then her face lit up. "Oh yes, I remember! Korra, you're going to love it! Is that where we're going?"

"What is it?" Korra asked. JInora's gran gran only smiled.

"You'll see."

They pulled up to a strip of stores close to the beach. It appeared to be insignificant, but after they parked and started walking towards one of the shots, Korra smelled something… amazing. "What is this place?" she asked. Naga bounded a little ahead of them, similarly intrigued by the scent.

"It's a cook your own food restaurant." Jinora said as they reached the door. Smiling, she pulled it open revealing steps leading a short way down. The smell was too enticing. Naga entered first, then Korra, followed by Katara and Jinora. At the bottom of the steps, a huge kitchen opened up before them. Several persons in aprons were already working at the counters. Some of them looked as if they had been cooking ever since they could walk, while others looked like they had never set foot in a kitchen before.

"Hello ladies! Welcome to Wei and Wing's cook and dine!" Two young men in their mid-twenties, wearing aprons with their matching uniform sleeves rolled up approached the group. "Is this your first time here?"

"No, we've been here before, last summer, but Korra is new."

"Ah, so you've got help, great!" The two were completely identical, with black hair and olive green eyes, they were both strikingly handsome, and warm mannered as they gestured towards an empty space in the kitchen. "Today we will be grilling, so we've got this awesome marinade we're going to prepare, with a wide assortment of meats and vegetables and fruits."

"I am really, not much of a cook," Korra protested as Katara helped her into an apron.

"If you don't like it, then we'll leave, I promise."

Korra sighed. She was tired, but she didn't want to go back to the beach just yet. They washed their hands and Jinora filled her in on the different elements of the kitchen. Once she started working, she found Katara was right, keeping her hands busy and her mind focused on the measurements, the smells, the collision of tastes as she mixed and stirred, and chopped, and beat; it was calming.

"Excuse me," a tan arm reached over her for a spice jar, and Korra stepped to the side before glancing up.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. She set her knife down, and big green eyes met hers.

"You were-,"

The girl smiled sheepishly. "Hi. We haven't really been formally introduced. I'm Opal."

Korra frowned. "What-,"

"Opal did you get- oh." Korra looked past her and her brow knitted together as she recognized the clear green eyes and pale face. "Um… Hi Korra."

"What… what the hell is this?"

"Ah, I see you've found each other!" Katara returned, her arms full of bell peppers, pineapple, mangoes, and onions.

"What?" Korra asked, both irritated and confused.

"Katara, I thought you would wait before you brought her here," Asami said, helping her set the food down on the counter without dropping them.

"Well, I didn't expect you to be here today," Katara complained. "Oh come, I'm an old woman, I don't remember directions that well."

"Katara," Asami sighed.

"Katara-," Korra started.

"Oh come on ladies, we don't need to do this. We are here to cook, and to eat. None of us bears the other any ill will, so lets just finish cooking and enjoy our food!" She took Asami and Korra by the elbow and thrust them together side by side at the counter. Asami's cheeks flushed slightly and Korra clenched her jaw.

Asami cleared her throat.

Korra reached for her knife.

Asami handed her a bell pepper.

"Thanks," she muttered.

"You're welcome."

Silently, the two finished chopping the vegetables, then tossed them in the marinade and helped each other put them on skewers. After they finished grilling them, Asami picked one up, blew on it and handed it to Korra with a small smile. "Here." She said.

Thin lipped, Korra took it, her fingers brushing Asami's lightly as she did. She felt her heart leap into her throat. She coughed. "Thank you." She slid a chunk of pineapple off of the end and popped it in her mouth. "It's good." She said, and offered the food back to Asami. "Try it."

Asami took it back, and again their fingers touched. She slid a piece of mango off the skewer and ate it. "It is."

Korra's heart thudded in her chest as she watched Asami lick her fingers. She turned away and hid her blush.

"What are you doing here?" she asked gruffly.

"I'm kind of… from this town. Opal is my best friend, this is her family's restaurant."

"It can't be a coincidence that I'm here though."

Asami hesitated. "It's… it's not."

Korra was silent for a moment. "So it's your house I'm staying at?"

The young woman nodded. "Yeah."

Korra looked at her again. "I already told you I won't sue you."

"It wasn't-," Asami started, then licked her lips and tried again. "Look, it wasn't because of that. Or because I was afraid that I was responsible for what you're going through. I just… I felt like there was a reason for all of this. I don't know, I just… I crashed into you for heaven's sake! Literally crashed into you, and, you were going through so much, and I knew that I could help you, that I should help you. It felt right like… like this was all meant to happen." She paused and hesitantly put a hand on Korra's elbow. "Look… I didn't mean for you to find out it was me. Honestly. I just wanted to give you a space where you could feel safe and relaxed."

Korra did not respond immediately. Her eyes glanced over to Katara and Jinora removing the skewers of meat, vegetables, and fruit from the grills, granddaughter and grandmother chattering happily away with one another.

"Well…" she said finally. "Shit."

Asami smiled softly. "Thanks."

Korra nodded. She reached for another kebob just as Asami did, and for a third time, their fingers touched, this time crashing into each other.

"Sorry," each mumbled to the other, then turned away to hide the blush, finger tips tingling as they bit into food that felt like fire in their mouths.


Once again, sorry, I hate editing.

Does anybody else love grilled pineapple? It's good shit. I love that shit.

The herbal pharmacy is based of an actual place that was right by my school. Of course, this being America, and seeing as hand outs are extremely un-American, they did not give me any free samples, but it was a cool place and I'd have bought stuff if I wasn't so broke (story of my fucking life tbh). Anyways... as always, reviews are very much appreciated. Thanks for reading :)