Chapter 6

We edged out of the warehouse, brushing past chi blockers. We walked in silence, both of us too stuck in our thoughts.

Did Yena really mean that? That war was the only way to peace?

I did agree that the President should be deposed but not assassinated. That was what the Neo Equalists planned. I don't know how though. The uniforms we stole were only of low ranked chi blockers. We were not in the loop like our parents were.

Would our parents say anything if we asked?

"I'm going to Air Temple Island," Yena said, finally giving me a glance. There was no more anger in her eyes' moonlit depths. "You want to come?"

An image flashed before my eyes, of a tall Air Master, with the signature blue arrow. His brown eyes twinkled with mirth and he gestured to me to come. The tall pagoda temple rose in the background and the fuzzy outline of the statue of Avatar Aang hovered at the horizon.

Soon. Come to Air Temple Island. Go to the Southern Air Temple.

"It's okay. I think I'm going to go to the Park. Need to blow off some steam."

She nodded, not trying to persuade me further. I knew really, that she didn't want me to come. She wanted to be the Avatar.

I hopped onto a cable car and grudgingly handed over the two Yuans for the fare. I should have just hopped a ride on the roof. I grumbled under my breath as I wormed my way through the mush of people. I held on to the grimy brass pole as the cable car jerked to a start.

"Hmm, nice to see you again, Tiana," a voice murmured into my ear. I turned and my heart tripped over itself in shock to find Avatar Korra's son, Tonraq. I mentally kicked myself in the butt. Why was he so annoyingly good looking?

In a past life, you were his mom, I reminded myself. Stop it.

"Did I interrupt a secret rendezvous? With a lover?" he asked casually, as if he was asking the price of some fruit.

I sputtered. "Um, noooooo. I was with my twin sister."

"You have a twin? I think that's the best news I've ever heard!" he exclaimed, his blue eyes twinkling like sunlit water.

"Huh. And why is that?"

"Because! You are one smoking lady and there's someone that looks exactly like you? Amazing!"

"Can you be a bigger jerk than you are right now?" I said not looking at him.

"That sounds like a challenge!"

My head fell into my palm. How did this guy get along in life without getting beat up?

"Well as much fun as this is, I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my house. You could meet my brother and sister," he said.

"Why would I want to come over to your house?" I asked.

Something flickered in his eyes. "Well, you can meet the entire Avatar family. That's an opportunity no one would miss."

I pretended to consider this for a bit. I really needed to meet them so they could tell me more about Korra.

"Sure, as annoying as you are, I would like to meet your family. Seems like you're in a shortage of friends so I'll be doing a service to you," I said, curling and uncurling my hands on the brass pole.

In the corner of my eye, Tonraq grinned.

We rode the car for a while, chatting easily as it clattered its way through the city. After I accepted his invitation, his annoyingness muted. When he wasn't so infuriating, he was actually nice. Maybe he just wanted a friend.

Grabbing my hand, he pulled me out of cable car, jumping out onto the sidewalk. We startled some passerby, making them mutter about rotten kids and how they didn't watch where they were going. We both burst out laughing as we merged with the flow of traffic.

"Did you see that lady's face?" he asked.

"Yeah, it looked like she was going to lay an egg in shock!" I said.

"Ha!"

I took a moment to re-orient myself. We were in the nicest area of town, no stacks of trash, cracked sidewalks, smashed windows or anything. It was unbelievably pristine. It did make sense though as this was the section of town with City Hall. It had to be nice for all the diplomats from the other Nations visiting.

It was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Grabbing my hand in a fierce grip, Tonraq led me through the crowds. Citizens muttered choice swear words, others yelling, as we jostled through. We turned out of the main roads, into the more residential areas. I eyed the extravagant apartments we passed, unblemished white stone, yellow window shutters, bright awnings shielding black balconies. Like downtown, Nation banners flapped merrily in the wind. I smiled when I saw the Earth Kingdom symbol, a gold circle with a hole in the middle against a green background.

I waited for Tonraq to turn in to one of the swanky apartments but he kept going, at the same pace. I almost tripped over my feet to catch up to him. Creating the map of Republic City in my head, I knew that we were on the outskirts of the city.

We hopped another cable car that took us to a small station at the city border. Tonraq found a winding path that led into the woods, the trees ablaze with fiery foliage. Leaves crunched underfoot as we walked, our companionable silence filled with the tweeting of birds and the hum of bugs.

I was about to complain about my feet, which were starting to ache in the heels, when we reached an iron gate. I probed the metal with my senses. It was platinum, the unbendable metal. I searched for the impurities, finding none. It was like getting slapped in the face by a solid wall, the block was so strong. A wind blew at my hair, cooling my sweaty face.

Tonraq pushed the gates open, the metal creaking ominously. I felt a deep foreboding settle heavily on my chest. I couldn't shake the feeling of forgotten familiarity as I looked around. Autumn blazed full force here, the sunlight filtering gently in golden rays through the leaves. The sweet smell of the leaves mixed in with the cool air filled my nose. There's also the cold crispness of water.

Two parallel lines of leafy trees lead to the house at the end. It's large, but not enough to be considered a mansion. Tinkling wind chimes hung from the ledge of the sloping roof. The porch was dotted with colourful sitting cushions. The door opened and an older man exited the house. He stopped when he saw us approaching.

My heart did an unintentional flip-flop in my chest when I took in his tall lean frame. The black hair streaked with silver, the dark defining brows above burning gold eyes.

Mako, Korra whispered to me.