-Uncle Tomkin-

Korra arrived via Naga at Mt. Nyst the following day after stowing away on a cargo ship, common mode of transportation for her in the old days. Korra ascended the long stairway to the summit of the mountain. The temperature seemed to drop all the way up the stairs, however her Uncle's estate at the top was very warm. The surrounding area was covered in snow so it seemed strange to Korra that this place was so warm.

Korra passed several training areas outside until she reached the porch of a small house where her Uncle Tomkin was waiting for her.

"Welcome!" he said, smiling. "Please, my girls will take your polar bear dog to our barn."

Just then, two small identical girls appeared at Korra's side and spoke in unison. "Don't worry, cousin! There is lots of room and food. Your friend will be safe!" The two led Naga off and left Korra and her uncle. Korra was extremely nervous. She shook with fear wondering if her uncle would just start beating the crap out of her.

"No need to be scared, Korra." He rose and put his hands on her shoulders, looking at her and analyzing her. "I can see my brother in you. You were only a baby when I visited. Your mother never liked me. I guess I can't blame her." He turns and starts walking into the house, gesturing her to follow. "After all, I told her you were ugly. Mostly to make her mad. I am glad to see I was wrong. You turned out just fine. Would you like any rice or tea, niece?"

Korra was confused. This was the man who was brutal and troubled? He seemed so kind and giving. He had shown none of the personality traits her father explained. Korra felt relieved. She smiled. She was extremely happy she decided to come here. Tomkin had changed somehow. This training was going to be a snap.

Korra, Tomkin, and the twins sat to eat. The twins sat on either side of Tomkin. Her uncle reminded Korra of Tarlokk but older and with a beard. The twins were creepy, but they were very nice to her. They asked Korra about her life and Korra told a little about her time in Republic City fighting Amon.

"Good then," Tomkin said when they were done. "Korra, my girls will show you your room. Afterwards I will see you in the den. I need to speak to you."

Korra's room was small with a bed and a bathroom. The walls were stone. There was no window, just a hole in the wall to the outside world. The girls left giggling as Korra sauntered to the den where Tomkin was waiting.

"Have a seat Korra, be my guest. I heard you were coming today so I was ready. I am sorry to hear about your current situation. The reason I called you down here is because I want to be sure I know the reason for your visit."

Korra's heart began to beat. How did he know the reason for her coming here? How did he know that she'd come at all? He adopted a very serious tone all of a sudden as she asnwered. "I want to train with you. I want to learn more about spirits."

Tomkin's face changed. The air in the room changed as well. Korra's hairs on her neck stood up. "If you wish to be my student, then you will be up at dawn tomorrow. No later, no earlier. I'll be sure to have a wake-up call for you." He smiles, but it is not friendly. It is devious. It is sinister.

"Daddy is a very nice man!"

"Yeah! He loves us and cares for us very much!"

The twins tell Korra this when she returns to her room. Big happy smiles on their faces. They were very calm in nature and usually complemented each other's thoughts. Korra could see that they tried to contain their happiness behind a very controlled guise.

"I don't understand, my father said he was really tough with people," she says.

"No no no. Father is really kind to people. He is really tough with students." The two girls smiled at this.

"You two look like you're up to something," Korra looked them over trying to find what they were hiding.

"Don't worry, Korra! You'll find out what we mean soon. Everything will be clear in the morning when your training starts," they both said.

At this moment Korra realized that she never even got her cousins' names.

"Ahna", said the left one, "And Akna", the other twin completed. Ahna and Akna. The two girls were very nice and promised to look after Naga because Korra would be too busy with training. Korra couldn't imagine her training taking up all her time such that she couldn't tend to her best friend.

"Oh it isn't the time," Ahna says.

"You'll just be physically unable by the end of the day," Akna completed her sister's sentence. The two smiled and then ran off, bidding Korra goodnight. She just stood there with a blank face at her cousins' final words. Korra suddenly dreaded the morning and felt as though she had unleashed some monster in Tomkin that she, up until now, didn't think was real after meeting her uncle.

Korra sat on her bed which was right next to the hole in the wall acting as a window. She looked out over the yard where various training areas were. She wondered where she would be first. First thing in the morning.

This morning will truly be evil.