The waiting room in the R.C.P.D downtown precinct was almost too clean. The walls and floors were the same clinical cream colour, with the occasional public service poster informing civilians to 'be careful while in crowded public places', or about the dangers of drug abuse. Everything was in a specific place and position, from the collection of chairs and coffee tables for visitors to use, down to the water cooler and magazines in a rack by the far wall, next to the front desk. Behind said desk was a bored looking sergeant, leaning on his hand while reading a book instead of doing the work he should have been doing. A few officers were milling around the area, doing just enough to make it look like they were busy. The entire experience the room gave seemed to be designed to make people complacent and less trouble for the officers on duty.
It had been an hour since the four of them had rushed into the waiting room and hurriedly spoken to the desk sergeant. Now, Bolin, Asami and Opal had been sitting on the hard wooden chairs facing a wall with increasing boredom for the past 50 minutes. Korra had left a few minutes ago, saying something about 'making a call' as she left. Bolin had his head in his hands, his stress simply building as he waited. Opal was running a hand down his back to calm him, while Asami was rummaging through her purse. After a few moments and some muttered swears, she pulled out a pack of mints, exclaiming with victory when she did. She popped a couple into her hand and offered them to Bolin, who simply shook his head.
"Thanks, but no thanks." Bolin muttered, his head remaining where it was. Asami frowned at him.
"Just have one, it'll make you feel better. You always get moody without food." Asami said, waving her hand in front of Bolin's face. He looked up at the mints, gingerly taking one and putting it in his mouth. Asami leaned across to Opal, now offering her the same. Opal gratefully took the mint, placing it delicately into the back of her mouth. She then linked her arm with Bolin's, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Bo." Opal said. "Your brother will be out in no time, just watch."
At that exact moment, Korra strode into the waiting room and over to the other three. She dropped into the seat next to Asami, sinking back into it and letting out a heavy sigh. She straightened up and turned to face the others.
"So I talked to Tenzin," Korra said, "He says that your brother shouldn't be held for this long if it was self-defense. Apparently, its not the first time the cops in this precinct have trumped up charges for the hell of it. Actually, I'm pretty sure he was as angry about this as you are, Bo." Bolin looked up at her. His face reminded Korra of how Naga looked at her when she took her chew-toy from her as a puppy.
"Probably not for the same reason, though." Korra finished, leaning back slightly. As Bolin looked back down at the floor, Asami squeezed Korra's hand, but didn't look at her.
"Sweetie, get to the point." Asami said, her voice sweet, yet impatient.
"Right, sorry." Korra said, giving Bolin a weak smile. "Tenzin's on his way down now. He said he'll sort everything out, he just needs a bit of time and for us not to cause trouble." Opal and Asami both looked over at Korra, confused looks on their faces.
"I'm pretty sure the last part was aimed at me. I can get a bit… shouty… when things take too long." Korra finished. She looked over at Bolin who hadn't moved an inch since she'd started talking. She leaned over Asami, taking Bolin's hand and giving it a squeeze. Bolin looked up at Korra, giving her the same puppy-dog expression as before. Korra's smile strengthened into one of warmth and comfort.
"Everything will be OK." Asami said, running a hand over Bolin's shoulder. "Tenzin will make sure Mako is released, and everything will go back to normal."
"I should have been there." Bolin said. It was the first time he'd spoken since he'd talked to the desk sergeant an hour earlier. His voice was small, timid. All traces of his usual, up-beat self were gone.
"What do you mean?" Opal asked.
"I should have been with Mako last night." Bolin said, slightly louder this time. He straightened up, still staring at the floor. "If I was there, he wouldn't have got in a fight. He wouldn't be in this mess. It's all my fault, I just let him go off on his own." He dropped his head back into his hands, letting out a moan.
"You don't know that." Asami said. "If you were there as well, it could have been worse. Both of you could be in there instead of just him. We don't know how much trouble he's in, either. If we just wait for a moment…". But before Asami had finished her sentence, the double doors to the street burst open, and in strode Tenzin, clad in his air acolyte robes. Korra rose from her seat and walked over to him.
"Thanks for coming, Tenzin. You're really helping us out." Korra said, but Tenzin ignored her, making his way to the desk sergeant, who had either not noticed his entrance, or simply didn't care. Tenzin drew level with the desk and stood for a moment, waiting for the officer to notice him. He didn't. Instead he kept reading his book, ignoring the man stood before him. Tenzin let out a cough, trying to attract his attention.
"We're real busy at the moment," The desk sergeant said, still not looking up, "If you take a seat, some-one will be with you shortly." His voice was long, droning and bored.
"You have a young man in your custody. Mako. I want him released this instant." Tenzin said, his voice sharp and authorative.
"Look, pal, I said we're…" The sergeant looked up from his book, annoyed at being disturbed. But his sentence trailed off and his face dropped as he saw who was looming over him. Tenzin raised an eyebrow.
"Well?" He asked, "You're what?"
"I'm sorry sir, but we can't just release him." The sergeant said, his voice now quivering. "He assaulted someone, they're in the hospital. He's looking at maybe 2 years in jail, definitely expulsion from school." Korra saw Bolin go white out of the corner of her eye. But all attention was on Tenzin.
"I assume you have evidence of this alleged attack? Witnesses and the like?" Tenzin said, his arms folded in front of his chest.
"Well… not witnesses per say…" The sergeant began, as he rummaged through the papers littering his desk.
"I thought not." Tenzin said. He leaned closer, his face now inches from the sergeant's. His voice went quiet, but Korra could just hear his words. "Now you listen to me. You will release that boy right now, dropping all charges, and I will forget that you arrested some-one under the age of 18 without proper evidence, and without contacting a legal guardian or representative, which, seeing as Mr. Mako has neither, would be a member of the city council, such as myself. And If I even hear a whisper about any officer within this precinct performing such an arrest again, it will be on your head, understand?"
Tenzin was now close enough to feel the sergeant's breathing, which had sped up rapidly. Both Korra and Bolin were gaping at the site before them, with Asami and Opal speechless next to them. The sergeant nodded slowly, rising from his seat and scurrying through a door leading to the holding cells. Tenzin straightened up, adjusting his robes and stroking his beard. He turned back to the four teens, all of whom were staring directly at him, and walked over to them.
"Asami, so wonderful to see you again." Tenzin said, his voice now warm and fatherly. "I hope you're still coming to lunch; Pema seems to have gone into overdrive with the food again. Always seems to happen when we have guests." Asami stopped staring, finally coming to her senses thanks to a quick hand squeeze from Korra.
"Oh, yes." Asami said, unconvincingly laughing. "Sorry, it's just… I've never seen anyone like that before, it was scary." Tenzin chuckled to himself.
"I get it from my mother, unfortunately." He said, pulling Asami in for a hug. "My brother got her bravery, my sister her kindness. By the time it came round to me, there wasn't much else for me to inherit." Tenzin turned his attention to Bolin and Opal, the latter of which was trying to get the former to stop staring. "I'm guessing that you must be Opal."
"Yes," Opal said, cautiously shaking the hand Tenzin had extended. "How do you…?"
"Your mother often speaks of you and your brothers when I see her." Tenzin said. "Though, I must admit that you really are a dark horse. The only member of the Beifong family, other than your father and eldest brother, not to be an earth-bender; It's rather interesting, if you don't mind me saying." It was this comment that got Bolin to stop staring at Tenzin, but only due to how he was now staring at Opal, who had go slightly red at the mention of her family name.
"You're a Beifong!?" Bolin said, half shocked and half excited. "As in Toph Beifong? The greatest living earthbender?"
"And from the loud voice, and general fangirling, I take it this is Bolin." Tenzin said, a small smirk playing across his face.
"Yeah, you would be correct." Korra said, standing next to Tenzin. She looked up at him as Bolin continued to ask Opal various questions about her family, with Asami trying to calm him down. "Thanks so much for helping us out. I'm sorry I disturbed you during meditation."
"That's alright, Korra." Tenzin said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I've been meaning to sort this place out for a long time, but never got round to it. In a way, we helped each other out. Next time, though, make sure no-one gets arrested."
"I will." Korra said, her face lighting up. "Hey, now you're here, I have to ask. Can Opal, Bolin and Mako come over for lunch with us? 'Cause I kinda said they could." Tenzin's face dropped into a small frown, and he sighed to himself.
"I guess it could be arranged." Tenzin said slowly, stroking his beard. "Just make sure you're all at Air Temple Island before noon. I'll have everything sorted with security by then." Korra smile dropped into a frown, as Tenzin began towards the exit.
"Why before noon? Security doesn't rotate till 3." Korra asked. Tenzin turned back to look at her from the doorway.
"It's not security you should worry about if you're late." He said. "It's what Pema will do to you." Korra smiled to herself as he left the building, turning back round to face the others. As luck would have it, it was at this moment that Mako was brought out by an officer, stuffing personal belongings back into his pockets as he went. No sooner had he taken a few steps towards the group, Bolin had flung himself onto his brother.
"BRO!" Bolin cried out, gripping him in a tight hug. "I was so worried! I'm so glad you're okay! I was scared you were gonna go to jail!" Mako managed pulled himself from his brother's grip, placing both hands on Bolin's shoulders to calm him down.
"I get it Bo; You were a cavalcade of emotions." Mako said. He proceeded to hug the other three, finishing with Korra, before slinging his arm around his brother's shoulders and making for the exit.
"So, why don't you guys tell me what happened last night." Mako said. "Because I remember nothing."