Mako tiredly drug a rough hand down his face, nodding and 'ohh'ing while his younger brother continued to tell him about his day. Feigning to understand any of the 100 mph words speeding from Bolin's excited lips.
The firebender really loved his brother, that much was certain. But after such a long day of serving the household, even he could lose his patience.
"Bo?"
The 19 year old man stilled in his story an looked at Mako.
"Yeah what's up?"
"As much as I love hearing about what you and Ikki did today, can we please take a break? I'm exhausted."
Bolin could easily understand his brother's dislike for speaking about work, but sometimes he just got too caught up in his daily adventures to stop himself. Being a male nanny to Ikki and Meelo always lead to fun memories.
But his big bro always came first.
"Yeah sure...sorry man. Wanna go to bed?"
"That would be great."
The two had worked as personal servants for basically their whole lives, continuing in their parents' legacy of White Lotus protectors to the Avatar.
After their mom and dad's untimely death a few years before Korra's own parents though, the brothers had all but grown up with the Avatar under Pema's care. Becoming like her family's extended-non-blood-related children. And Tenzin too loved them all dearly.
The bald tattooed man was the head of staff and had worked closely with Korra since she had been discovered as a child. Making it his personal life mission to be there for her.
Having been the son of the past Avatar Aang, he was extremely protective and strict when it came to the workers who were near the Avatar at anytime. Only really allowing her to grow up around Mako and Bolin.
And Korra didn't mind at all. The two were basically her brothers.
However, having been Korra's guardian after the death of her parents, Tenzin loosened his restrictions slightly. Even allowing the Avatar to relocate from the rest of the White Lotus Protectors, and picking out a loyal few to accompany him.
Because truly only wanted what for his daughter-of-sorts to be happy.
That included supporting her decisions, though he hated that she had given up on everything after losing her bending and appearance.
He prayed to the spirits daily that she would find her way before the end of her curse.
But having no luck after so many years, Tenzin learned that the only thing that could save Korra was for her to forgive herself.
That didn't seem likely though.
For ever since her accident, Korra hadn't spoken directly to anyone for anything. Merely choosing to show herself during meals under some form of cover or through locked doors.
The staff had only seen her once since that fateful night and it had been minutes after it happened. Before the poor tan girl had broken down and chose to hide herself away. Sending away nearly 3/4ths of her staff and guards.
Only keeping the members that were ABSOLUTELY crucial to the castle's functioning.
For a while the leftover workers had feared that the princess would be discovered by the loose lips of some formerly employed fool, but luckily nothing ever came up. Only one of two passerby's that were promptly kicked out by Korra's command.
As time continued to fly by, neither of the bending brothers had been able to convince the tan girl to try and break the curse. The airbending family and everyone else had chosen to leave her be.
Years continued to stretch on, and soon enough Pema became pregnant with her second child.
Though Jinora had never really needed a sitter, Ikki wasn't exactly as tame. So Bolin immediately stepped up and became another type of big brother to Tenzin's children. Relating to the rambunctious toddler on a mental and ridiculous level.
And then Meelo was born and the earthbender was placed full time as a male nanny to the Air Nomad's kids. In charge of keeping them occupied, and making sure they kept up with their training to become benders of the White Lotus. Pema had even been so grateful to the young boy that her entire family had chipped in to give Bolin his very own fireferret as a thank you.
They asked for Korra's permission of course, but the master of the house hadn't given it a second thought and approved of the new addition.
The little guy was named Pabu.
Mako was different though. Instead of flourishing and trying to take the change of his best friend's turn on a positive note like Bolin, the firebender became cynical. Nearly turning as distant and closed off as Korra.
Almost.
The young man ended up devoting his time to being the castle's handyman by day and choose to speak to his brother, the Avatar, and the Airbending family in the evening. That was it.
Anyone or anything else was merely overlooked and given dirty looks.
That's why it was sometimes relieving to just listen to his younger brother sometimes at night. Hearing all the positivity Bolin was capable of conveying made his usually anger filled life sometimes seem less suckish.
Just not tonight.
Sighing heavily, Mako turned out the light to his bedside table and wished his brother a goodnight.
Unlike most days though, where the firebender would immidiately turn in and fall into dreamless sleep, the creaking of the front entrance way jolted him up.
"Dd you hear that?!"
"...nope? Pabu did you?"
The tired ferret barely batted an eye and squeaked once before snuggling further into it's bed.
The brothers' quarters were right by the opening of the castle, and no one should still be walking around besides maybe Korra. Depending that is if she had had another nightmare or not.
Choosing to see if whoever was out needed assistance, Mako walked out of his room. Only to run back in a few seconds later and grab Bolin by his night shirt.
"HEY! Dude what-"
"SHHHH! Come look!"
Now out and in the open main corridor, the younger brother shook off Mako's grip and allowed his jaw to drop when he saw a strange man standing in the far off corner of the room.
The dark shadow was toying around with a small clock on one of the tables by the door, mumbling something about 'poor craftsmanship'. He then set the old device down and moved into the moonlit area near the center of the parlor.
"Hello? Is anyone here? I saw a few lights were on, but when I knocked no one answered."
He was well dressed that much was obvious, and from his heavy set body, thick glasses, and greying hair he seemed to be around 50-60 years old.
"I don't mean to intrude, but my car broke down about an hour away. I just need a few tools and I can get it running again. I'll return them I swear."
Mako narrowed his eyes and drew his brother farther back into the shadows. Hissing under his breathe.
"We have to get him out of here. Korra's gonna flip!"
"Now wait a second, what if he is what we've been looking for! He could be her true love!"
If they hadn't been hiding Mako was sure his laughter would have rung off all the corridors of the estate. Maybe far enough to reach the ends of the earth nation.
"Bo, he's gotta be like 50 years old. No way she'd ever date him. We should just-"
"Um excuse me?"
The two benders jumped back, not even realizing that their unwelcome guest had seen them and approached from behind.
"I'm terribly sorry to intrude. My name is Hiroshi Sato and my car broke down on the main road. I'm quite capable of fixing it myself, but I seem to be lacking the needed equipment."
Mako sized up the man cautiously, but Bolin smiled sadly at the older guy's story. Noting that even though they weren't moving, Hiroshi was breathing heavily and shaking slightly.
"That's terrible! I'm sure our boss wouldn't mind if you borrowed some tools, but you don't look too well. Would you like to come sit for a minute?"
The firebender's head snapped so quickly to look at Bolin that the earthbender feared his brother had broken his neck.
"That would be wonderful, if you don't mind."
"Dude I don't think that-"
Hearing Mr. Sato cough and lightly hit his chest in pain, Mako froze. He couldn't let Korra find out about their little guest, but was he willing to kick the poor man out into the cold when he was in clear distress?
Also it the sun had set hours ago and it was close to complete nightfall.
"Damn it. Fine, here...just come with us. You can take a break for a little while. Just be quiet."
The firebending brother ignited a small fire into his hand to lead the way. His new light source showed off more of the estates' design and layout.
The walls had numerous emblems and decorations marking them. Each from every one of the four main bending nation capitals. Also there were hundreds of thousands of encased artifacts that looked like they could be used as battle tools for certain elements.
Earth sledges and steel cords that possible metal benders could manipulate. Water spears that had traditional embroidery of white laced across them in fine detail. Fire flares that if ignited could set off blinding heat flashes. And even a few staffs that looked a little bit like they might contain real gliders.
Either the head of the house was a bender or a VERY big fan of bending in general.
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate your hospitality. This is quite the collection here, I must say I'm impressed."
Bolin smiled.
"Yeah the Master here is a HUGE bending collector. Into all that you know 'kickass' element stuff.
Hiroshi made a note to offer the man/lady of the estate tickets to a probending match as a thank you, should he meet him or her.
Perhaps he could leave his card so they could ring him up should they ever come into the city.
Gratefully allowing himself to be lead through the huge castle, the rich man continued to follow his two guides and take in the remarkable scenery everywhere.
Completely missing the pair of slitted cerulean irises shinning through the darkness, glaring down at him from the top of the staircase.
The brothers cautiously checked around the main area to see if anyone was occupying it. But as far as the could tell everyone had retired for the night.
Once they were positive it was empty, they moved to allow Hiroshi a place to sit before the dead fireplace. Mako promptly set it ablaze.
"Do you need any water or anything Mr. Sato?"
"No no I'm quite alright...uh?"
"Oh right sorry! I'm Bolin and that's Mako, we are the personal servers of the Master of the house."
Bowing politely the fire and earth benders showed their respects quickly. Immediately moving after to get water and ensure Mr. Sato was comfortable.
"So tell me, what can you tell me about your amazing employer? I mean this is quite the estate and as far as artifacts go he or she has me out ranked significantly."
Mako returned with a glass and handed to the grateful man, before sitting to answer before Bolin.
"Well uh they come from a wealthy background and prefers to remain secluded here in the outskirts of the town. Few people know about this place and we'd prefer if it stayed that way."
"If that's the case you have my word I won't say anything about this place."
The two nodded their appreciation and thanked the gentleman.
Except, the second they stood back up to escort Hiroshi to the nearest tool shed, a gust of wind came through the room's double doors and caused the fire to shudder slightly.
The brothers stared wide eyed at Tenzin who looked back and forth between a startled Hiroshi and the two benders with a furious expression on his red face.
No sound came out of his flopping mouth as he continued to resemble a gasping tigerfish.
Bolin quickly moved to distract their guest while Mako moved to try and calm his rather pissed off boss.
"Tenzin I know this looks bad-"
"Looks bad! LOOKS BAD! This IS bad! If Korra finds this man here-"
"Relax she won't! She went to bed hours ago and this Sato guy just needs a place to rest for a while. He'll be out of here before she wakes up."
The airbender looked slightly panicked and darted his eyes back towards the main room entrance. Dreading what would happen if the Avatar found this poor soul.
"How did he even find the castle?!"
"His car broke down and he needs some stuff to get it running again. He was breathing like he couldn't catch his breathe and needed to sit for a minute. We'll have him out of here in no time and he already agreed to keep the castle a secret."
Hiroshi peered over his shoulder with a raised brow and once again directed his attention towards the nervous Bolin.
"I do hope I'm not causing trouble here."
"Oh no no no no no you're not! You're totally not! It's just our boss there, doesn't uh...doesn't really take company well."
Even more curious Hiroshi continued.
"He has rather strange markings on his body, is he one of those nomad people who support the extinct Air Nation?"
"Well uh not-"
"Wait! Is he the master of the house here? If he is I would love to give my condolences to hi and apologize for this inconvenience."
The portly man was about to inquire more about the new addition to his visits, when a sudden rustle caught his attention.
Slowly looking around, all four occupants of the room noticed a figure standing in the entrance of the doorway. Completely covered by the thick and dark fabric of their hooded cloak, with nothing but the shadows of the flickering fire light moving against it's hidden body.
Everyone remained frozen and still.
"Tenzin...extinguish the fire. Now"
The airbender looked horrified at Korra's tone of voice and tried to defend their guest.
"Don't over react here, he just needs help fixing his car and has agreed to remain silent-"
"TENZIN NOW!"
Startled Hiroshi's framed eyes watched as the bald man lowered his head obediently and flicked his wrist out to diminish the flames like candles on a birthday cake.
The second darkness engulfed the room completely, Mr. Sato felt his jacket collar being tugged up. Causing his entire body to be lifted off the ground and with an audible grunt the girl, he assumed from her voice, thrust him back with the force of a train.
Smashing his head into the nearest coffee table and knocking him unconscious within seconds.
The Avatar roughly grabbed Hiroshi by his limp arms and drug his form out of the room like a rag doll.
"Mako. Bolin. Go out there and get his car into the back of the estate now. No more visitors are to come here anymore understood?"
The two nodded their heads in fright, as the concealed Korra dragged the unconscious man out of the room. Heading towards the tower dungons.
Asami paced before her home land line with a large frown on her face and sweat forming on her nervous palms. It had been hours and her father had yet to call.
She had tried to remain level headed, she really did, but after calling the factory and finding out that her father had never arrived she began to freak out.
Giving it an extra couple of hours, for the sake of not appearing psychotic, the heiress finally gave in and decided to go out and find him herself.
Even though it was close to 2 in the morning, Asami just knew that he must have gotten lost or something. There was no other explanation.
He could have been kidnapped, or taken hostage, or worse.
Shaking away her growing fears, Asami alerted her father's business parter Varrick that he was in charge for the time she was gone. He quickly accepted and wished her an extravagant 'GOOD LUCK' over the phone.
She then rushed to pull out of the estate's drive way and floored her Satomobile's gas pedal. Heading down the same roadway that she new her dad probably took. And she was right, for the second she was off the city's paved roads she noticed only one set of tire tracks leading off of the unused dirt pathway.
About an hour in, her car's headlights caught sight of what looked like slightly upturned earth. Usually she would have driven directly past the small factor if it wasn't for her father's tire marks also ending there.
Stepping out, Asami parked her car by the edge of the road. The headlights from her satomobile showed the turned up earth underneath her father's tracks clearly, but upon a closer look there were two sets of footprints leading farther off into the thick wilderness.
Running back to grab a flashlight from her glove compartment, the heiress turned off the car's lights and tightened her leather glove straps.
"Don't worry dad. I'm on my way."
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