...

Ayika was rather shaken from having just accidentally revealed all their information on the Masks to someone who apparently had never even heard of them. But Mua had commanded spirits and called her Shaman. Ayika had to know what this meant.

"Ayika. Of the Northern Water tribe."

"Northerner. I never would've guessed," Mua said sarcastically as she raised an eyebrow at the scandalous counter-girl uniform and its fake fur trim.

Before Ayika could shoot back, Mizumi interjected with her own agitatedly formal speech, "And I am Mizumi Miohuito, born of Kasai Island, the Fire Nation, now resident of the Kuang Harbor encircled district of Ba Sing Se in the Earth Kingdom. It is very nice to meet you. Now can we go back to what was said before? Spirits?!" Mizumi was doing an admirably good job of maintaining composure but she was looking at the two other women like they had both lost their minds.

Mua took a taste of her flask, having now remembered its existence after her previous surprise. "Your friend here can see the hidden, girl. Not many can. In mah home we called those who do ilbuhu. Shaman. Here Ah don't know what they call them. I only ever met one kingdomer who knew his stuff and still Chen wasn't what ya'd call a practitioner. If they have them at all the local sort must know tricks Ah don't to get the spirit folk to listen on any sort of consistent basis or else most all be frauds." She made a hand gesture to indicate that she thought the latter was much more likely.

At hearing the word shaman again Ayika could not help gasp a little. A sense of dread and exhilaration was growing in her stomach. She had heard other immigrants say that when they had visited her home in the past. "Grandma Aka."

Mua's eyebrow raised. "Now there's a name I've heard. Aka of the Bed. They call her witch too."

"She died."

"Everyone does."

Ayika shook her head slowly as she tried to absorb everything this woman was telling her. She had some innate talent to see spirits? No on else had seen them last night. Could she have always been able to do this? Then she wrinkled her brow. No, that didn't make sense.

"No. Grandma talked about spirits, yeah, but I saw her conducting ceremonies all the time and before this week I never saw or felt a single thing. What changed?" Grandma Aka's work around the Bed had always seemed very abstract, more to do with convincing people how to think about themselves than actually manipulating any supra-human power. Ayika was not always sure the woman had believed in the spirits at all. Aka had seemed more interested in the story than the ritual.

Mua shrugged. "Truth is Ah wouldn't count not seein against ya. This city's bad land for spirits. Till a few days ago Ah had to work mah blood out to make the strongest of them show as more than a ripple in the air. But even then it takes a special push for a human to see a spirit that doesn't wish to be seen. No, your grandmother's inheritance gave ya the potential, but she didn't help ya open it. Didn't make you a shaman. Ya must've done that on your own."

Mizumi spoke up, wrinkling her brow as she tried to quickly manage a vast shift in her view of the world. This confrontation had spiraled out of her expectations from the moment she had stepped inside the building. She looked to Ayika to make sense off all this. "But what happened? Why are you see... whatever it is you are seeing? You just said that you never saw spirits before. When did something change?"

Suddenly Ayika knew the answer. Her voice was soft and wisp-like, almost involuntary. She had witnessed something. A hundred innocuous things her grandmother had said were recalled to her. Grandma Aka talking of portentous occasions and weakening walls. Of the one most powerful moment in anyone's life: the very end. "The night I saw Lizhen die." Suddenly in her mind she was back in that dark office before the man in the white mask.

Mama Mua's breath caught in a silent gasp. Her head rocked back and the beads and silver bangles dangling from her headdress swished like distant curtains of rain. For that moment she wasn't the bitter, mysterious shaman; she was just a woman who had heard something that shook her. She slowly found her words. "You saw him..."

Mizumi now sat straight on her stool, glaring at Mua as if daring her to say anything more to Ayika while she was so vulnerable. If the space had easily allowed it Mizumi might have rushed to Ayika's side. Instead she said to Mua, "She came into his office that night. The killer struck her down and fled. She tried to help Teacher Lizhen, managed to put out the fire that the killer had started to burn all evidence of their crime. Since that day she has been trying to find the identity of that attacker so that he might be brought to justice! She alone as I can see in this city government."

Mua leaned forward with desperate intensity. Ayika felt the urge to flinch away from her fierce and hungry eyes. "You saw the murder? You know his face?"

Ayika sighed, "No, he was wearing a mask. He was one of them, with their power; must be spirit world power. But there are so many of them! Those Masks. And no one knows who leads them!" She caught her breath. She had gotten ahead of herself. She had come here for information and found herself the one giving it away. "Except that you said you knew it was Erliao. What do you know? Is he one of the Masks? He sounded confused when... when he heard you." Ayika agreed with what Mizumi had said back at the mansion, the minister's confusion did not seem like the reaction of a guilty man. And there was something more going on here between Mama Mua and Erliao.

Mua waved her hand dismissing Ayika's analysis of Erliao's reaction. "I consulted the powers, and his fate in tightly wound with that bloody night. And Chao Erliao has held hatred of Chen Lizhen for years."

Mizumi said, "Hatred? Why? I have heard that they used to be good friends. No one has explained how that transformed into them being enemies. And could we get back to the spirits for a moment! Ayika, you are saying that those masks are using spirit power!?" The disorganization of this conversation was obviously causing her great annoyance.

Mua wrinkled her mouth at Mizumi and ignored the second half of her inquiries.. "Chen's life is sealed. All that's left's justice which Ah will provide and peace which will be long in comin." She turned to Ayika and her voice dropped. "Somethin's very wrong in this city. Have ya felt it girl? It comes and goes, always growin in strength, and where it grows the barrier to the spirit world wears thin. A heat behind the world, growin in power every day. Someone out there's causin it. I've taken advantage; learned to use it do shaman work I never could before, like you saw last night. But Ah fear others do far more. If my paltry spirit allies are willing to act openly against humans like they did last night then a danger's comin the like of which this land hasn't seen in an age."

Ayika thought to herself. She remembered the night the man in the white mask had burst into her life. "And the flames dance on their wicks. In the office and at the Harbor fire." That had been the sign that had heralded Lizhen's assassin. For hours before that arrival the fires in the school had behaved oddly. She'd then seen the same thing at Gaoli's warehouse when the earthbender Ma'er attacked the Masks. That had to be a clue. But then she thought of the torches last night on the Fifth Hill. There hadn't been any of that flickering there. Sometimes it was there, sometimes it wasn't? Like it was hiding.

Mua frowned, "Flames? I haven't seen what ya speak of. But if ya can see the hidden and make them hear your voice then ya must've felt what's goin on. The spiritual balance is upset. It feels like some great power's moving around just outside mah vision. The spirits are growing closer, Ah fear that soon the ghosts may walk free. You know a disrupting day's coming. Their day."

Mizumi broke into the conversation. "Walk free? An Important day coming? Like a holiday for spirits? Wait, are you simply talking about the Autumn Festival of Veils? That is the occasion when the kingdomers dress up in disguises as some sort of celebration of the harvest. They are not really spirits, you know. It is just people wearing costumes."

Mua's expression could have scratched stone. Clearly she did not think Mizumi had much right to be speaking here. "No. I'm not. That festival only pushes up the time table." Mizumi threw up her hands in frustration at this cryptic answer. "But as it gives risk it also provides opportunity. I will find Erliao and I will give Chen justice."

Ayika was quiet, almost talking to herself. "Something's weakening the line between worlds, you said. And it's making the masks stronger. Ma'er confirmed that was happening. It must be the same thing. You said Erliao killed Lizhen. As in he's behind all this. You think Erliao's disrupting the spirit world somehow?

"Chao Erliao has the spiritual talent of a floating log," Mua spat. But then she rolled her shoulders. "But he's never been shy of hiring of others. Nowadays men knowledgeable of the spirits are dying all over. Naruhama, Chen, maybe others. Erliao was still a friend of Chen when he was doing his research with the Ambassador and that Fire Sage Huitzlan. Chen liked those visits to the Exclusion, before he got all ideological. He spent many hours with the Ambassador Naruhama tryin to talk politics while Chen talked tradition. But Erliao couldn't keep the thoughts away from his stupid nation pride. Always talkin with Naruhama and whoever the other one hangin around was, got a promotion later, that Tailang fellow."

Some thought struck Mizumi. "Wait a little. Teacher Lizhen spent lots of time learning things about spirits from Ambassador Naruhama? In the presence of Trade Representative Tailang? What were they discussing and how do you know this?"

Mua shook her head. "That was years ago, another lifetime. A time when that vile Chao Erliao dared to be Chen's friend." Her eyes regained their fire. "Now all that matters now is telling me where to find Erliao! You cost me mah best chance of grabbing him, girl. Even with the veil weakening I'll not be to marshal such allies again!"

Mizumi was skeptical. "You have still not answered why you think Minister Erliao ordered Teacher Lizhen's killing. What is he to you?"

Mua looked at her with lip curling condescension. "When a crime's done look to friends and family first, then look for who else benefits. Chen Lizhen is Erliao's greatest critic, and once a so called friend. The Ambassador's death left a mess with the reformers and the city government as well. Someone's taken advantage of it. It's obvious who. It's obvious who'll gain. Ayika, tell me how you found Erliao like that last night!"

"No, it is not obvious." Mizumi said, stubbornly sticking to her position. "Lizhen's death can only slightly be said to benefit Minister Erliao. Such a brazen act of violence has driven many of the ruling ministers to side with Representative Tailang. In fact those Student Nationalists have always targeted Erliao's enemies but in a way which does not necessarily benefit him and instead..." Here she trailed off as she seemed to take a moment to listen to her own words.

Ayika opened her mouth to speak but Mizumi must have been afraid that she was going to somehow give Mua the information she wanted about Erliao because Mizumi threw up a hand to beg caution. She then winced as she did so and her cheeks blanched. The sudden movement had sent another jolt of pain across the freshly stitched cut on her arm. She looked faint, being in the same room as the woman who inflicted the wound could not be helping to ease the pain.

Mama Mua noticed this flinch as well. "Oh, so Ah struck you after all!" She sounded a bit proud. She then caught sight of Ayika's frown. "And for that Ah apologize. Come, show it here." She held out her hand, palm up.

Mizumi drew back still further. "No, that is all fine. I have had it tended to. The pain is only when I make a quick motion." She was not ready to admit any weakness to this woman who she still saw as a crazed would-be vigilante.

Ayika leaned in. "Mizumi, I think you should show it to her. Whatever else she might be I've heard she's a healer. A costly one sure enough for my sort but when she caused the harm I think it's fair for her to provide the remedy. Trust me, this is one thing the People of the Tribes are good at."

It was with considerable reluctance that Mizumi extended her arm and drew back her sleeve. When Mua moved forward to grab her hand she reflexively jerked back. Mizumi then apologized and presented her wincing arm again but this time Mua caught hold of her hand and quickly started unwrapping the bandage. The healer grunted in approval at the stitching. "Competently done. It's a pity I'll take them out right now."

Mizumi was quiet with tight pressed lips as Mua cut and drew forth the stitches from the once more bleeding cut. The Fire Nation woman did not make a sound despite the tears in the corners of her eyes. Ayika complied with the silent wish and decided not to see those drops or the sudden pallor of her skin. Then the wound was clear. Mua stuck her own arm out to the side and swept her hand through a shallow water-filled dish that was set on the ground beside her. As she drew her hand up again the water clung to her palm by invisible force, a centimeter thick glove-like blob which had decided to disregard the ground's attractive tendencies. This was waterbending. Mua lowered her water-wrapped hand down over the cut. Then a flickering unearthly glow began to glimmer up from the site. Ayika shivered. The power of benders always made her slightly uneasy. Here in this strange house the feeling was amplified.

"There, it's done. As well as will be done," Mua said as she sat back, flicking the spent water from her hand into a different empty bowl. The cut no longer oozed blood and indeed looked like it had known two weeks of restful healing. Mizumi breathed out, untensing muscles she had not realized she had tightened. Ayika scooted her stool over a little once more so she could reach out to give reassurance. Mizumi shook her head to wave her away but she smiled at the gesture.

That episode had been short in duration but it had still given Ayika time to make up her mind about Mua. There was something more with Erliao that Mua wasn't telling them. This anger she held against the minister was not just the fresh heat that might be expected if she'd suddenly learned he had murdered her friend. This was directed inward. Somehow, Ayika knew she had hated him long before she thought he murdered Lizhen. But Mua knew more about spirits than any living person Ayika knew. And she had known Lizhen. Maybe she knew enough to figure out to stop what the Masks were doing to the city. Enough to finish whatever Lizhen had been trying to do that night with that mystery mask artifact. Whatever had gotten him killed. If only they could find that lone mask Ma'er had presented to Lizhen. The murderer had stolen it. Somehow that was the key. Key to what she didn't know. The nationalists had so many more masks, why was that one important?

"Nia Mua," Ayika began. "I've also been seeking to find Professor Lizhen's killer. And those Masks have been doing more damage since then. We should work together. I'll tell you everything we know and you can do the same. And maybe you'll get your chance to lay hands on Erliao."

Mizumi jumped up as she gestured to Mua with her newly healed arms. "Ayika, no. She is a dangerous unstable person who thinks she can see spirits! You cannot send her after the minister when we have no proof! Who knows what she might do!"

Ayika looked up to meet Mizumi's eyes. "You think she's crazy? Because she says she can see spirits?" There was a bit of a bite in her voice.

Mizumi flinched back with sudden hurt. "No, Ayika, that is not what I-"

"She doesn't believe ya, child. She doesn't believe what ya saw," Mua broke in. "This doesn't surprise me. Many who think themselves modern are ignorant on those matters."

Ayika was still only looking at Mizumi. In some distant way she noticed that a strand of hair had fallen over Mizumi's eye and she had not yet brushed it away though it must be very annoying. "You really don't believe me?"

"No! It is not that! I believe... I believe what you say but she might have deceived you last night somehow with some stupid triba-" Mizumi clamped her mouth shut suddenly.

A weight tugged down at Ayika's stomach. "Some what? Some Tribal trick? That is what you were about to say, weren't you?" Ayika felt her temper beginning to rise. "Because Tribals are known for their deceptions and treachery which is the only way they weren't obliterated in the war, right? That's what we're all like, huh? Superstitious liars?"

Mizumi stepped forward and then stopped. "That is not... I..."

Mua said to Ayika, "Cease yelling at your...friend, girl. Most don't believe what isn't before their eyes. But we can remedy that."

Ayika whipped her head back around in confusion. "What, how?"

Mua leaned back and took another sip from her flask. "Why, show her the spirits of course."

...