Chapter 28: Ember Island

Satisfied they wouldn't be needed, Korra took Asami ashore on a piece of ice, and given the way Asami laughed happily, she had never been surfing before. Korra earthsensed the location of the ore deposits again, pointing to the location on Asami's drawing for each deposit. She even sensed a deep, inaccessible vein of various precious metals in a long line far away from the island, including platinum, given how part of it was "black" to her earthsense. Asami said, as she drew the huge vein, "Wow - there must be all kinds of riches around these islands! It's a good thing the Fire Nation didn't find them during the 100 Year's War, that's for sure. All this, so close to the capital…" Korra pointed to the most valuable feature - the long, deep vein of precious minerals - and said, "I'd probably have to have a good rest before even attempting to tackle that monster - there's no way anyone but a fully realized and rested Avatar with good mental and physical condition could get it out."

Korra paused, her eyes wandering to her arm and what she considered its weak physical condition. Korra said, slapping her "puny" arm, "Speaking of physical condition - I just had an idea. When we get home, I'll create a private gym as an addition to our island." Seeing the gleam in Asami's eye, Korra added, "And I'll even put locks on it, in case exercise gets either of us … interested in the other." Now remembering the comment that Kai made earlier about the thingies, Korra asked, "And just what is the proper name for the thingies, anyways? I feel ignorant, a 13-year old knowing their name and not having known what foreplay was." Asami laughed, sighing, "Korra, Korra, Korra… names don't matter, and I don't care if you didn't know what foreplay was - just that you knew how to do it so well."

Korra giggled, flattered that Asami saw her performance as more than adequate. She heard a rustling in some shrubs near a palm tree, and struck her foot to the ground to see who it was. The answer surprised her to no end. She struck the ground again, moving the earth beneath her two cousins, saying, "I know you're there, Chief Eska and Desna, and if you're going to ask about the heir help again, the answer is no!" Ignoring Asami's confused "Huh? What heir help?" Korra walked over to her twin cousin's location when they didn't come out. When Korra saw them, she actually fainted from shock, unable to believe her eyes.

When Korra came to, a cheery Eska was staring in her face, saying, "Korra, why were you so surprised to see us? You just talked to us yesterday!" Korra stammered, "B-b-but… your hair! The black one-piece swimming suit! And your face - you actually have real makeup on and not those weird purple smears! And your brother… wearing a t-shirt and swimming shorts?" Eska said with a smile, "My brother and I decided we needed to change a lot of things. Now that I think about it, we have some information you might find useful, in some small way. Plus a lot more that will probably make you and Raava happy." Asami said, pointing at Desna, who was sporting a bowl cut and wearing swimming shorts and a tacky shirt, "Uhhm… are you sure that these are your cousins? Where's the boredom, the weird clothes, the almost identical appearances?" Desna burst into real, actual laughter, saying, "We finally broke free of our father's emotional grasp, due in large part to your own childhood story of repression, Asami. Did Korra not tell you anything about our meeting?"

Wanting to defuse any questions Asami might have, Korra said, "Eska, I believe the last thing you said to me was 'Now I am bored of this conversation, so please allow me to be bored while creating this exclusion zone and bored while in transit to Ember Island. Good day, Avatar and Cousin Korra.' Hmm, never figured Raava could help me have such exact memory. Anyways - that doesn't include anything about huge changes." Desna joined his sister above Korra, yanking Korra up to a sitting position, saying, "You mentioned this 'infobending' - I believe it might be useful to quickly update you and your lover, Asami, on recent events in our lives." Desna added, patting his sister on the back, "And don't tell us anything with the infobending - we want you to react to what has happened to us first. I think Asami will find our story especially inspiring."

Korra shook her head violently - neither of her cousins were making any sense, or even talking like they normally did! Korra took a deep breath, projecting Raava out, to see if she would be of any help. Rather than asking "Who are these people, and what did you do to the rulers of the Northern Water Tribe?" or "Why are you calling these beach bums Eska and Desna?" Raava's eyes opened wide, and she began… crying?

For the first time in her life, Korra started to curse, but before she could ask her emphatic question, she noticed her jaw was frozen. As Raava extended a hand to both of her cousin's foreheads, she felt her whole body freeze, apparently because she wanted to ask another strong question. Asami was immobilized, but not from Raava's influence. When Raava took her hands away from Eska and Desna's heads, she sniffed deeply and said, "I just read your cousins, and… Korra, I think your cousins are actually human-y now! I didn't tell you, but I felt an interesting energy associated with Eska and Desna yesterday. It was actually an energy we had just dealt with - Unalaq's." Feeling herself more curious than anything, the vice grip Raava had over Korra's body vanished, and Korra immediately began infobending the siblings - for their own information.

She was stunned, speechless. Korra ran over to Asami and shared the information with her, not even noticing the feeling of oneness, she was so shocked. Asami said the first word, choking back happy tears, saying, "Wow, really - my story was the inspiration for your revelation, Desna? I can hardly believe it! We really do need to share our story with the world, Korra - I never thought in ten thousand years that Eska or Desna would be dressed like, well, this, and actually be happy!" Korra finally managed to speak, saying, "Those ice prisons both your three-year old selves were in… they were thicker and more energetic than the ones Unalaq trapped the Avatar's past lives in. Raava has been learning about the power of love and light in human form, but this? It's just plain disturbing! I mean, I'm glad you broke through it, but… I guess this means that human emotional hurt and energy is more powerful than Raava or I thought." Suddenly realizing that she had just talked only about what could be considered business, and not much about either cousin's personal transformation, Korra added, "That gift to the Ember Island Players - that was amazing! I just hope The Tale of Korra is better than the original 'Boy in the Iceberg' from what Zuko told me about it - I don't want them casting Bolin as a sassy girl or myself as a man like they did Toph." Asami laughed along with Eska, Desna, and Raava, who said in a young boy's voice, "I'm the Avatar, and you gotta deal with it!" Korra burst out laughing at the mental image of a four-year old male Korra bursting through a wall in front of the White Lotus, quipping, "The casting change would make my relationship with Asami less likely to cause an uproar."

Eska and Desna were both staring at Korra in a more typical fashion, apparently very confused about her earlier reference to the ice prions, or why Korra's relationship with Asami would cause an uproar. Eska said, grabbing Korra's hand with a smile, "Yes - even I didn't know what I was doing when I gave the manager one hundred thousand yuans. Something called 'generosity' took over, and like I told him, we don't really need the money anyways." Eska continued, with a more serious look, "I still don't get what's wrong with you and Asami being together. I think Uncle Iroh was wrong to advise caution. Maybe he's just out of touch with how the world is now." Pointing a finger at Korra with a stern face like Lin might have made, she said, "Enough chitchat - the suspense is killing me. Your turn to give us information now. And given the impact that your relationship with Asami has had on us both so far, don't censor anything. We want the whole story." Eska returned to a warm smile, more eager to see Asami and Korra's story than anything to do with statecraft given the way her cousin's heart was pounding. Korra could sense Desna's heart beating in a similar fashion. As Raava placed her hands on Korra's cousins again, Korra felt some odd feeling, which reminded her of what she felt when around her mother and father, that drove her to place her hands on both her cousin's foreheads, spilling everything but Jinshu Kuangmai's identity. Korra noticed that neither one of them were cross-eyed or woozy, as she might have suspected they would be after so much detailed information.

The first thing Eska said was, "Oh man - I gotta find me a guy! The feelings you had, last night, with Asami… screw the heir, I just want to feel those!" No longer having a wild, desperate look in her eyes, Eska continued, "After that, I can safely say there is absolutely nothing wrong with your love for Asami. At the conference, you should probably - " Desna interrupted, saying, "Yeah - certainly nothing wrong there. I also no longer care about getting an heir for purely political purposes - I anticipate being a father for its own sake, and not having a child just for a political pawn or 'safety net'. I'm not going to repeat the sins my father." Eska said, pushing her brother aside playfully, "Hey - you interrupted me! Speaking of Unalaq… that should be a saying all of its own. Anyways." Eska pointed to her hair - which now resembled Opal's, Korra realized with a start, Eska saying, "Obviously, given our childhood, or lack of one, we didn't come up with this new look ourselves. We had to use flat irons and some weird chemicals to get my hair to look like this, provided by a cheerful old lady." Eska giggled, saying, "That old woman who told me she was an acrobat helped us both have more 'human-y' appearances and outfits." Eska's eyes widened, losing her train of thought temporarily. Shaking her head, then grabbing her brother, she said into his face excitedly, "Wait a minute… I know who she and her glum friend are! They're from 'The Boy in the Iceberg' - Ty Lee and Mai!" Desna snickered, saying, "Who I can only assume was Mai seemed slightly disappointed when I took to Ty Lee's advice so enthusiastically and thoroughly. Mai said, 'Just when I think I see a boy I would have liked in my youth, you have to go and ruin him, Ty Lee,' and flicked her daggers back and forth the rest of the time, occasionally muttering, 'Stupid Zuko and his Fire Nation secrets' or even just leaving the room entirely."

Korra felt a surge of energy, and Aang's image said excitedly in front of her face, "Wait - they're alive, and here? Korra, you've got to take me to see them!" Desna asked Aang, pointing at a large building in the distance, "Wait - Avatar Aang. The guy who crashed our meeting yesterday temporarily. Would you say that the play we saw last night is accurate?" Korra groaned as Aang said, grinning broadly, "I don't know, but there is one way to find out - we can watch it again!" Korra growled, "Sorry, Aang, but given you're my past life and already know your own history, and I know yours, I'm not going to spend what time I have to go watch a play before the conference. Here - get back in here, and help me infobend the time between your iceberg ball breaking and you kissing Katara to Eska and Desna." Oddly enough, this took almost no time whatsoever - apparently, the events of a past life were easier to transmit than those of the current. Eska said, "Yes, the play is pretty accurate now. Aang showed us the original 'The Boy in the Iceberg' as well, and I didn't like the casting or ending at all. Especially the ending. Although, the male Toph was rather funny."

Desna coughed, saying, "Anyways - you know us, and we know you better now, Korra. I think I better understand Raava's little gift to you and Asami now - given your preferences in mates, I mean, partners, you could never actually have children. It was also a reward for all your hard work. Eska and myself are decidedly not gay, although other children thought we were, given my father's ridiculous fashion sense. I mean, really - twins, one a boy, one a girl, and dressing them exactly the same? I guess he really was crazy, long before his evil plan with Vaatu." Asami laughed, saying, "I always wondered what other kids thought of you two." Her smile vanishing, Asami said, "What Korra showed me about your childhood, and how your father repressed your emotions… I thought my dad, Hiroshi, was bad. Unalaq was just plain evil."

Eska, showing actual, real discomfort, changed the subject, saying, "So I guess the only world leaders who don't know what is going on are Prince Wu and President Raiko." Eska laughed, continuing "Oh, and Iroh II - but he's fairly useless anyways. At least Prince Wu evacuated some refugees, and he can't even bend! All Iroh II has managed to do lately is get his ships sunk. Twice. Maybe those two new battleships will help him stop failing so badly." Her face turning serious again, Eska said, "Given your description of this 'Sudden Death' option, Korra, I think when my brother and I return to the Northern Water Tribe, we will beseech our ancestor turned spirit, Yue, for aid, just as Jinora suggested. We'll also enact a control zone around the Spirit Oasis - Koh has been known to frequent its waters, as I am sure Avatar Kuruk is all too aware of." Desna said, with a curiously neutral face, "Your new bloodbending form was very interesting - but I am very glad neither Yakone nor his sons thought of the trick you used on that shark whale. We'd probably be talking to a four-year old Earth Kingdom avatar right now if they had."

Korra had been so focused on her cousin's renewed love of life and their discussion that she was completely taken by surprise when a familiar voice said, "Who are these two, and why are you talking to them like they're family? I didn't know you had two more cousins, Korra." Giving each other a mischievous look that made Raava laugh and snicker, Eska and Desna turned to face Katara with identical serious expressions, saying in a more familiar bored monotone, "Hello, Waterbender Master Katara. We are Chief Eska and Chief Desna, cousins of Avatar Korra and rulers of the Northern Water Tribe." Eska pointed to her hair and one-piece swimsuit, and Desna pointed to his tacky shirt, saying in a more … normal? tone, "And we're here to party!" An already shocked Katara hit the black volcanic sand, much as Korra had hit the black igneous rock currently under her feet earlier. Despite being mad that her cousins had made Katara faint, Korra laughed along with them, Asami and Raava. Apparently their mirth was so loud it woke Katara back up again, who said, "Wait - what? These two are Eska and Desna? What happened?!" Realizing that they might take this the wrong way, Katara said, "I mean, whatever it was it must have been wonderful, but still - what in the name of Tui and La is up with you two?"

Korra said, "Come over here, and I'll show you." Katara said, "I'm a lot older than you are, so come to me, please - that fall made my back ache." Thinking something was amiss, Korra tried a technique she had heard Toph used on Ember Island - sandbending. Finding the volcanic sand to be extremely malleable, Korra formed a platform of fused sand underneath Katara, being careful to not make the sand too hot with her lavabending. After Korra linked it to the rock she was standing on, Katara said, with a confused look, "I don't see how making me a warm platform to stand on will help my back, but I guess I could just lie down. I can feel the heat through my boots, and it would do wonders to soothe my back pain." Before Katara could lie down, Korra pointed at Katara's feet, saying, "I don't think that's necessary - I can tell you're lying now. I'm guessing you just want me away from Eska and Desna so you can ask me to infobend you something… personal."

Katara's face flushed in embarrassment and shock, saying, "Wait - so you can truthsense now? When did that happen, and why didn't you tell anybody?" Now it was Korra's turn to blush, as Asami said, "Wait a minute - when your hand was on my outer thigh last night, and I told you three glasses of high-quality sake was a normal amount to need to drink to get a buzz…" Asami paused, trying to remember specific information, finally saying, "Given how you stopped moving your hand for almost half a minute, you must have somehow sensed I was lying. I can understand why you wouldn't tell me about your sense until after we got on the boat, but you didn't. Why?" Korra shrugged, face still flush, saying nervously, "I figured that with Raava's reading ability that this earthsense was useless, until it told me that Kai wasn't lying on the Zhu Li when he said he had nothing to hide." Raava snorted, saying, "I can only read one or two people at once, but this truthsense will let you see if anyone around you is lying. This will be very useful at the conference - I only trust some of the people there as far as I could throw them." Raava looked at the ground out of the corners of her eyes, suppressing a laugh, saying, "Well, obviously not in this human-y form - I wouldn't trust anyone if I used its strength as a measuring stick."

Glad to see an opening in the conversation, Korra laughed and said, "Before we go meet Ty Lee and Mai as we had planned, Katara - it appears that Eska and Desna have already met them - it seems like you have something you want me to show you. What is it?" Having apparently just thought of a rationalization for her request, Katara stuttered out, "I-I have some information for you as well, given your former interest in boys. Want to trade?" Before Asami or Korra could react with a unanimous "NO!" Eska said, "Korra already showed me and my brother what you're looking for, Katara, but given some events you don't know about, they were relevant. I fail to see anything beyond curiosity behind your request, but Korra and Asami are the ones to decide." To Korra's surprise, Asami said, "Eska's right - you already have shown two people, and Katara did seem genuinely curious that first horrible night after the battle in Republic City. Katara also does have experiences of her own - with another Avatar, no less." Asami chuckled slightly, finishing, "Just for the sake of seeing how you were able to go for an hour and a half last night, Korra, I am fine with an information swap."

Raava looked a little too excited for Korra's liking, so she forced the dirty minded spirit back into her chest, despite her protests. Once everyone had finished laughing, Korra said, "I'll swap 'information' with you, Katara. Now just hold still." Before Korra's palm pressed against Katara's forehead, Katara said, "Wait - stop. I want you to show me what happened to Eska and Desna first - I have the feeling it will be a lot more relevant to the conference than this other infobending. And don't just lump it in with the other information, Korra - I'd like to talk to Eska and Desna afterwards." Surprised by this change in request, Korra channeled Eska and Desna's experience, as well as their conversation with herself and Asami, stopping at the point where Katara snuck up.

Katara said, playing with a gray hair loopy, "I think I'm gonna need a while to wrap my head around that, Korra. I mean - an ice prison more powerful than the one that imprisoned my dear Aang? All from Unalaq's horrible parenting?" Katara shook her hide side to side violently, going "Blblbluhh" as she did so in obvious disgust and unease. Katara said, with a tear in each eye, "I need something uplifting after that. Why don't we swap that other information now - Unalaq always did leave a bad taste in my mouth when I thought of him. I regret not getting involved in the Water Tribe Civil War now that I know what a horrible man your father was, Eska and Desna - even before he made his alliance with Vaatu." Katara let out an angry humph, saying "What Bolin told me today, that Toph said a while back …she is wrong about 'leave it to the kids'. I mean, just look at what the White Lotus did in Ba Sing Se 74 years ago! Bumi was 112, for crying out loud!" While Korra did find this interesting, she remembered she had some deadlines, so she told Katara, "Why don't you calm down and just watch. I'll take your information first."

As Korra took in Katara's experiences with Aang, she did feel aroused, but realized it wasn't purely for the reason she thought. Apparently, Aang was specifically helping her with this bizarre transfer, and his excitement rubbed off on her. When she saw Aang's tattoos glowing and his own stamina, she stopped the transfer temporarily, yelling, "Aang glowed too, and tired Katara out as well!" Once she heard a snicker from Katara and a relieved sigh from Asami, she finished taking in, and began giving out. Katara had a similar reaction to Korra, but when Korra finished, Katara was crying tears of happiness. Katara said, "Forget what Uncle Iroh, Avatar Wan and Avatar Garkan said about hiding - your love for Asami is no different than what I felt with Aang, feeling of oneness and all! They've been stuck in the spirit world for years. Garkan was right for his time but knows nothing of today's world, Wan doesn't exactly have a high opinion of humans, and Uncle Iroh likely remembers the deprivations of his own nation more than anything." Katara took a deep breath, frowning as she said, "What Zuko said about Fire Nation schools… that's just dumb. At least talk about homosexual relationships in biology class - even animals have them!" Seeing Korra's confused look, Katara said, "Given your shared memory and link with Aang, do you remember the 'enemy birds' Sokka pointed out?" Korra's head shook of its own, as Katara continued, "While touring the Fire Nation a bit with Aang after our kiss, we saw two female birds sitting in a nest together. When Aang asked Avatar Roku about it, Roku told Aang that the two were 'another way for the wind to blow'. Aang understood it immediately, but given how confused I looked, he explained the Air Nomad's decree to me."

Katara said, with a soft expression on your face, "I never thought it would actually be relevant, but his explanation was part of the reason I was so… inquisitive the first night." Katara coughed lightly for emphasis, adding, "When I was experiencing the fun you and Asami had together, I found that my mind wasn't focusing on the physical technicalities much. The same part of me that loved Aang so much was obsessed with the feeling of love you experienced for Asami. Given the lack of blushing on your face as I say this, I assume you had similar focus when experiencing my point of view with Aang." Korra nodded her head, saying, "While it was interesting to feel physically what I might have with Mako, I didn't focus on it too much either. Given that I was aroused, I do think I am slightly bisexual, but just in the opposite direction from where I was before. My experiences with Asami have associated her with wonderful things, never to be broken."

As Asami stuffed her map into her pack and ran over to embrace both Korra and Katara, Desna said, "It sounds to me like nobody here wants to hide themselves any longer - me and my sister are out of our shells. Literally, given what Korra showed us about the Avatar prisons. Katara thinks 'Uncle' Iroh, Avatar Wan and Avatar Garkan are wrong about hiding my cousin Korra's relationship with Asami, and given how Asami is grabbing Korra's butt so tightly, I think Asami agrees." Korra listened intently - she couldn't speak right now, not with Asami's hand finally repaying Korra for all of her own butt grabs. Katara took the chance to step aside, letting Korra hug Asami more directly, the groping hand staying still now. Katara said, "I didn't say that those three wise people had no point, just that I thought hiding their relationship was not a good idea." Katara finished, with sadness in her voice, "It's not like they can get married like Zhu Li and Varrick just did." Korra felt tears coming to her eyes, and given Asami's angry grunt, this fact stung her as well.

Surprising everyone but her brother, Eska said, "Wait - maybe, just as a test, after Korra tells President Raiko about the conversation 'Uncle' Iroh had with you and Asami on yin and yang and Asami's childhood repression, Tenzin could talk about the Air Nomad scroll. Katara can then tell the story about the 'enemy birds', then my brother and I will then suggest that President Raiko make gay marriage legal in Republic City. Korra, you and Asami will need to be silent for this part, however - it needs to seem like it is un-orchestrated and spontaneous." Korra stopped hugging Asami and ran over to Eska, hugging her cousin while saying, "Eska - that's ingenious! It's not like we'll have much to talk about at the conference, anyways, aside from detailed political and military matters. I'll just be telling Prince Wu, Iroh II and President Raiko what has happened over the past three to four days, and even without infobending, that shouldn't take more than an hour and a half, if other people help. Especially if I keep it to what is strictly relevant, though I imagine all three will want an immediate explanation for why Kuvira is going to be sitting next to Su." Eska didn't make to stop Korra from hugging her, even during her long speech, saying once Korra had finished, "I think Katara, Asami and you wanted to visit Ty Lee and Mai. My brother and I are going to the Ember Island Players theatre - I think the manager wanted something with us. Something about 'consultation' and 'editing' after the play last night. Don't worry - I'm not going to say anything to do with the past month. I get the feeling that story is nowhere near complete."

Korra waved her hand madly as Eska and Desna left, shouting "You should probably change your clothes before the conference - President Raiko won't take you very seriously in swimwear!" As they entered deeper in the forest, Korra heard the last of their laughter fade. Actually feeling a strange tug inside before Raava apparently tried to apparate out, Korra flashed her eyes, keeping the spirit inside. Korra said, out loud, "No, you can't be in the room with us with Ty Lee and Mai, Raava!" Katara laughed, saying, "We'd never get any information or help from Ty Lee with Raava's human-y form in the room - she'd be too busy fawning over Raava! Mai just might run from the room screaming. If she can run, that is." Katara let out a snicker.

Again, a rustling in the bushes. What was with this stupid island? Korra struck her foot against the ground, noticing two figures in hiding that reminded her of Katara somehow - old, but not down and out. She heard what sounded like an old human-y form Raava's voice say, "Quick, dart her before she bloodbends us out!" Korra heard an odd "Ffft" from the bushes, and time slowed. Some instinct taking over, Korra used an airbending form to "be the leaf", narrowly missing a dart. As she wrapped the two figures tightly in the volcanic soil that surrounded them, she realized where part of the instinct must have come from - Piandao and Sokka! Yanking the two forward inside their earth prisons, she recognized their faces, yet she didn't. The glum looking one in black, who looked as good as Katara did for her old age, said gruffly, "See! I told you we shouldn't have followed those two waterbenders here. Eska and Desna? The latter, I may add, you completely ruined." Katara ran over to who Korra must have assumed was Ty Lee and said, "Well, I certainly didn't expect you to be out of the house, or in such good shape! You actually look like you aged slightly better than I did. And I see you still love pink."

Ty Lee chirped, with a surprisingly young voice, "It's not just benders who can live a long time, you know! I exercise every day, and eat right. Tell me - did that cutie Sokka ever marry?" Katara said, coughing, "Yes, he did - to Suki. As you may have heard, he died quite some time ago, but his spirit lives on in the Spirit World." Ty Lee said loudly, "Really? Can I see him?" Mai shook her head in disgust, her middling gray bangs swishing, saying, "We overheard a lot of your conversation, and it sounds like you need us. I assume you want Ty Lee to show chi blocking points to both Korra and Asami, though I'm not sure you want with me." Korra explained her interaction with Piandao and Sokka to both Ty Lee and Mai, finishing, "And yes, you are right Mai. I do want Ty Lee to show me the chi blocking points she used on Team Avatar all those years ago, and I also want to infobend your own knowledge of physical combat into Asami. She's a nonbender, just like you two are."

While Ty Lee said "Sure! Just get me out of this earth prison first," Mai did not look like she wanted to be "infobended". Then again, Korra really couldn't tell what her expression meant. Mai confirmed Korra's suspicion by saying, "This infobending sounds weird, and I noticed that you didn't give Piandao or Sokka anything in return. If you want my cooperation, you'll have to give something. Now let me out of this stupid thing - there's some bugs biting my arms." Korra said, having discerned Mai's intentions through truthsense, "Okay - but only on the condition that shirshu poison dart blowpipe stays with Asami until we're done. By the way - was that a knock-out dose or just paralyzing?" Mai's cheeks stayed the same as she said, "Ugh, fine. I just wanted a little payback for being in this stupid cone, but I guess you can't 'infobend' while on the ground. You go first." Korra laughed and said with a smile, "I do know you two can be infobended inside those cones - what would you like to know?"

Ty Lee had a sad look in her eyes, saying, "I don't think I ever learned what happened to Azula after she ran off with Zuko to find their mother. Zuko's mom came back, but apparently Azula just ran off into the woods." Wanting to break the news delicately, Korra said, "I'm afraid she hasn't been seen since, but there is something I think you would both like to know about her childhood. I'll take information first, and then give you something not many people know about Azula. Then I will remove the prisons - I don't think you'll feel like trying to get even after you see what I know." Mai said, "Fine - I'll take it. Just get me out of this - there really are bugs in here!" Korra placed her palm against each of their foreheads, taking in information about where to block chi lines first - it was the simplest, just locations on the body. However, Korra found there was certain key parts to both chi blocking and Mai's large variety of skills that, just as swordmastery had proven, could not be transferred. Asami and Korra would have to learn them physically as well. Keeping her promise, Korra began feeding information to them both about Azula's now "extra complicated" youth.

As Korra stepped back, freeing the "prisoners", she could see her guess was right - both Ty Lee and Mai had shocked expressions on their faces, Ty Lee looking sad and Mai slightly disgusted, though at what was anybody's guess. By the time Korra had finished transferring their combined knowledge to Asami, both friends had shaken themselves out of their shock. Ty Lee was the first to speak, saying, "I know that Azula's dad was mean, but I never thought he had a possible reason to kill her - I only thought that was for Zuko! I guess that explains why Azula was so crushed when we betrayed her - maybe she saw us as more than friends?" Mai shook her head, saying, "I never really cared to ask myself why she wanted two girls as her closest confidants and allies, but I guess I know the answer now. It was the closest she could come to an actual relationship - though, Azula being Azula, I'd pity the poor girl who was her girlfriend. Even before the age at which this… event happened, Zuko used to tell me there was something wrong with her." Mai took a big sigh, continuing, "Azula's pent-up desires certainly didn't help anything, though. I never really understood why they taught us in Fire Nation schools that a relationship was between a man and a woman." Mai smiled slightly, saying, "That was one of the few lies that I believed from my schooling - I just couldn't fathom liking a girl, even at a young age." As though remembering some long since passed transgression, Mai actually laughed, saying, "Azula's desires might explain part of the reason why she tried to pry Zuko and I apart when we were young, or tease us. I still remember the incident with the pond inside the palace. The irony is, I ended up doing Azula's job for her by leaving Zuko."

Given the serious look on Mai's face and the way that Ty Lee was tugging on her robe, Korra could tell both were done now, probably wanting to go talk by themselves about Azula's time in the closet. Korra said, "It looks like you two are done. But before you go - would you mind physically showing me the points to strike to chi block, Ty Lee? I get the feeling that will be more useful than infobending." Ty Lee walked over to Katara to demonstrate, who was clearly not fully on board with this plan - she had been chi blocked by Ty Lee before, after all. Ty Lee giggled, saying "Don't worry, Katara - I'm not going to actually chi block you. Plus, remembering the way Sokka went limp from my pokes, I didn't choose you because you were a bender anyways - I just figured Korra might be weirded out by me poking her girlfriend."

Korra said, mouth agape, "Just how much of our conversation did you hear exactly? Be truthful." Mai said, with a smile, "Let's just say based on what we both heard, Ty Lee regrets never finding a man and I regret breaking up with Zuko. Now let's get this over with - some of the bug bites are starting to swell." Korra turned to the sea and purified some water, using it to soothe the angry welts. Remembering what Avatar State healing could do, her eyes flashed, making both Mai and Ty Lee flinch. Korra said, "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to see if I can get rid of the bites completely." Since neither one had heard the Avatar speak in a non-multivoice before while in the Avatar State, they let out a yelp before Korra removed the welts entirely. After she explained the reason behind her voice being normal - Raava - Ty Lee said, "What's this human-y form I heard about? Is it cute?" Feeling a familiar tug and seeing the way that Ty Lee's eyes were glittering, Korra took a deep breath, making sure that Raava wouldn't pop out and distract Ty Lee for the next half hour. Korra said, "Just a second, Ty Lee - I'll let Raava out once you show the chi blocking points on Katara."

Sighing with disappointment, Ty Lee pointed out the chi blocking points, with Katara saying, "A lot of those are the same as the points on those healing dolls, Korra - including the major one under the arm that we, uh… talked about the other day." Smiling at Katara's save - she didn't trust Ty Lee or Mai completely either - Korra took another breath, letting a fuming Raava out. Raava crossed her arms, saying, "I really don't like it when you force me back in, Korra!" afterwards sticking her tongue out at Korra. Ty Lee said, "Wait - I thought you were a spirit? Why are you so cute? All the drawings of you that came out after Harmonic Convergence were of this big white kite." Raava changed forms, swelling to a size only slightly bigger than Korra, saying, "This look familiar?" Ty Lee shook her head up and down, flopping a long gray ponytail into Raava's "face". Raava shrunk back to normal size, saying, "Look - we even both have a ponytail! Though I have a lot more of them." Raava turned to face Korra, who was dreading whatever question Raava had for her - probably something along the lines of "Can I learn more human-y things from these two?" When Raava said exactly that, she said, "No, we accomplished what we came here for. Now don't you dare try and read these two - we've got a conference to make!"

While Korra had found it hilarious when Zhu Li "abused" Varrick with the ledgers, she did not find it funny when it was her turn - Asami lightly whapped Korra over the head with the map she had made earlier. Korra turned around, and saw Asami wearing an expression that closely resembled "that look" Katara made at times. Given Katara's laughter, she knew what Asami was going to say. Asami pointed to her watch, saying, "Come on, Korra - be reasonable! We've got a while. 10 minutes before lunch starts - all this only took slightly over 30 minutes after all, even though it may have felt like forever at points." Korra didn't want to upset Asami, so she told Raava, "You can read Ty Lee and Mai without me yanking you back in. I'm interested to see what you have to say about Mai anyways - you never did get to read Eska or Desna before the change." As Raava moved to both their backs, Ty Lee giggled in anticipation, Mai flicking out a blade and saying "Whatever. Do your spirity 'fortune-telling'." Raava stopped after this remark, saying, "This isn't fortune telling - I'll be looking at who you are and, to put a bad spin on it, judging you." Mai nonchalantly said, "It's not as if Zuko hasn't done plenty of that over my decision to leave him, even if we remained on relatively good terms after for a breakup. Go right ahead," flicking her blade again.

Puzzled at Mai's attitude, Raava said, "Come over here, Korra - Mai acts like no one I have ever seen before. If you don't mind, Mai, I want to see more of your life than just your physical skills Korra infobended earlier." Mai laughed slightly as Korra walked over, saying, "Based on what I heard earlier, and our own talk with Eska and Desna, I can see why you're curious, wanting to learn about humanity and all. I don't feel much, so I don't quite know what you're going to get from me." Mai put her blade away, and said, "Feel free to start now, Korra." Korra and Raava first performed the reading on Ty Lee, and the results were not very surprising, as Raava said, "Read completed. Fun-loving all these years later, Ty Lee had some serious identity issues in her youth, leaving her vulnerable to Azula's manipulation. I was impressed with your 'betrayal' of Azula - you have a strong friendship with Mai." Ty Lee gave Mai a big hug, who surprisingly didn't struggle or complain.

Raava walked behind Mai's back, saying, "And now, for the main event. I always wanted to say that. Korra, let's see what Mai can teach me." Before infobending her, the Avatar and her power source read Mai, Raava saying, "Read completed. Quite honestly, I didn't expect much, but right away, I could see you have a lot in common with Eska and Desna, except you've hidden your pain for decades, given your constant attitude. Until I infobend you, I'm not going to say any more, and when I do, you probably won't like it." Mai's face became distorted with anger, growling, "Oh, great, it's the beach all over again! I remember that night by the campfire, all that moaning and whinging. It was one of the last times I felt close to Zuko before he ran off to run his nation and hide secrets, leaving me in the dust." Asami surprised everyone by saying, "Hey, Mai - I had my eyes on Korra since the day I met her, but I couldn't do anything about it until very recently. I was apart from her a lot, given her duties as the Avatar." Connecting some unseen dots, Asami added, "You didn't happen to have a controlling father too, did you?" A single tear escaped one of Mai's almond-shaped eyes and she said through clenched teeth, "Just infobend me already - I don't want to talk right now!" It seemed managing to not cry was taking every bit of strength Mai had. Korra noticed that Raava was walking towards her "host", vanishing slowly back inside Korra's body.

It looks like you might need to show Mai some of your own experiences as we go, Korra - I didn't think humans were supposed to be like her or your cousins, and it appears I was right. Given how she reacted to Asami's comment, something tells me you actually have something in common with Mai - a controlled youth, courtesy of her parents and your predecessor along with the White Lotus.

Korra put her palm to a nervous Mai's forehead, but she somehow knew Mai was not fearful - just hurt. As events of her own childhood flowed into Mai's head and Korra witnessed Mai's prim and proper upbringing, Korra fully understood what Raava had meant. Korra and Mai had not been allowed normal childhoods, Korra because of Aang's last order and Mai as the oldest child of an influential politician. At some point, one of them started hugging the other, and Korra couldn't tell who had initiated the gesture. Korra realized that as the Avatar, she had been able to channel her rage and resentment into three, then four different elements, but Mai? She had no sink, no release for her anger at how she was raised. All she could do was fling blades with anger and hatred. Korra felt Mai nodding, as though she had just "heard" what Korra thought. Mai's father being the leader of this "New Ozai" movement shocked her, and given how Mai was slightly weeping as though through clenched teeth, Mai shared Korra's shock all these years later. As they finished, Korra still didn't understand why Mai had left Zuko.

Mai's voice, crackly from emotion and age, said, "I don't either! You're right, Korra - you had all four elements to bend and use as outlets, and as the Avatar, you could ignore more people. Me?" Mai blew her nose on her dark sleeve, continuing, "I was a bird in a gilded cage - my father's political position meant everyone in our family had to be perfect. I think I might even know why I resented my little brother, Tom Tom, at times." Mai looked ashamed, avoid Korra's glare - she had seen what Mai did, or rather, didn't do, with Tom Tom. Seeing her look, Mai admitted, "Well, more than at times... I'm not proud of my decision to not trade him for King Bumi in Omashu. The reason I resented him and treated him so callously? I think it's because he wasn't the oldest child, and during some of the hardest years of my life, I got to watch him be innocent and carefree, while I had to toe the family and national line." Mai took a deep sigh, regaining most of her normal composure, continuing, "I thought things would change when my boyfriend became Firelord, but they didn't. He was inaccessible and didn't tell me what was going on, and I broke up with him over his stupid precious secrets. Then, finding Tom Tom in that awful place, being 'cared' for and indoctrinated by my father…" Korra could see the rising anger in Mai's eyes, and Asami said, "That's it - feel the pain. Don't try and drown it with alcohol like I did." Given Mai's look of confusion, Korra saw the need for another, very carefully edited bit of infobending.

Mai laughed when Korra finished, saying, "I'm not sure why you censored so much - we did hear a lot of your conversation, after all." Seeing that this was not the reaction Asami had expected, Mai said quickly, "Though your story is no laughing matter, Asami. I knew your father just as an industrialist, then as an Equalist from the news, Asami - I didn't know about his control of you in your youth, or his sacrifice four days ago. I'm sorry for your loss." Asami hugged Mai lightly, not entirely sure how hard was too hard, prompting Mai to say, "My bones aren't going to break - I've followed Ty Lee's regimen over the years as well." Mai added with an awkward laugh, "Though I'm not going to be capturing the Avatar anytime soon, even if Korra couldn't metalbend, bloodbend or dodge darts like that." An angry beeping went off, causing Asami to say, "Uhoh - it's almost lunchtime. We've got three minutes! I must have missed the five-minute alarm."

Remembering their unnecessary haste this morning, Korra said, "Before we start running around like madmen, let me ask Tenzin if everyone else is ready for lunch. As far as I am concerned, Ty Lee and Mai can come to the conference if they want - Firelord Izumi, Iroh II, Zuko and Uncle Iroh are going to be pretty lonely at the Fire Nation part of the table. Princess Ursa II will likely not be present - her mother left her in charge of internal affairs at the capital during Firelord Izumi's absence, and given I've never seen her before this, I doubt we'll see her today." As Korra heard Ty Lee and Mai yell, "Wait, what? 'Uncle' Iroh?!" she figured she'd let Katara explain, and focused on Tenzin's energy after a deep breath.

Now it was Korra's turn to burst into a sneak-attack of laughter - given the way Tenzin was cursing under his breath with a radio in his hand, someone important was going to be late. Tenzin yelled into the receiver, oblivious to Korra's laughing presence, " 'Prince' Wu, I don't care how many pretty firebending girls love your singing on this island, you need to come to lunch!" The receiver made a slight noise, prompting Tenzin to slam it on the table, then he yelled into it once again, "No, we didn't bring any badgermoles, Wu!" "Prince" Wu must have been pretty upset, as Korra could actually hear a tinny voice say, "You were on a battleship, for crying out loud - the Zhu Li! If you could bring the shark whale that Korra killed with bloodbending, you could have at least tried! I mean, I'm no bender, you know - I needed them for security!" Feeling an expression forming on her face that Korra knew was "that look", and quite enjoying it, Korra screamed, "You told Prince Wu WHAT, Tenzin? Ugh, of all the… I can't believe it!" Tenzin let out a yelp, turning around and saying in a panic, "Wu wouldn't stop singing to me until I explained what Meelo told him! My son, Bumi and Kai have been touring the island nonstop since you left, talking with strangers left and right." Korra was still not pleased, but found Wu's little "technique" hilarious saying, "Tell Wu I said hi, and to get his butt to lunch! How big of a delay are we looking at, Tenzin?" Tenzin sighed, saying, "At least 15 to 30 minutes - contacting everyone is going to be a pain, even with projection!" The last word giving Korra an idea, she said, "Bye, and try not to tell President Raiko how I killed the shark whale!"

She ended the projection, noticing that Ty Le and Mai were still present. Korra said, "I see you decided to attend. Maybe you can talk with Zuko after, Mai - even though he married another woman, talking with you about, well, everything might make him feel better." Ty Lee said, "Let's go - I want to see 'Uncle' Iroh! What Katara told us about the spirits just now was scary, but amazing!" Mai said with a frown, "Given her description of this 'Long Yumao the Opportunist', I'd really like to land a blade in between his eyes." Korra laughed, saying, "No offense, but if I need to avoid direct combat with him and just imprison him every time he crosses my path, I don't think you'd fare very well. I've told even Jinora to be careful." Mai apparently taking the jab in stride, Korra continued, "Now, for the most interesting part of the conference."

Korra took a deep breath, temporarily entered the Avatar State, then let her eyes dim and projected Raava at full size into the sea, the great spirit's massive form floating above the water. Raava must have "heard" Korra's idea earlier, as she boomed - hopefully so that only those who needed to hear could - "Attention, all conference attendees! You are to stop what you are doing, and go to Zuko's father's home! And no excessive singing, Wu! That is all!" As Korra felt Raava return to her body, she began laughing hysterically - apparently, spirits appreciated obnoxious singing as much as Tenzin did.

Raava's appearance was quite effective, as within ten minutes, Korra was seated next to her parents and Asami at a massive table, awaiting the first course. Aside from the formality of the affair - Eska and Desna were in their usual clothing - Korra was starving, and eagerly looked forward to eating the shark whale she had killed earlier. Given the nervous glances she was getting from Iroh II, President Raiko and his wife Buttercup, she bitterly realized word must have spread about her feat. Her frown turned into a small smile, slowly - maybe Mako was right after all.

The food was slow in coming, so Korra found time to change into the more formal dress she had worn for Zhu Li and Varrick's wedding as others idly talked, figuring the threat of Avatar State bloodbending was rather off-putting. She needed a softer appearance to help offset the "advantage". On the way back to her seat, she noticed that Eska and Desna were talking to Tenzin, and Korra smiled slightly - that plan should go through. As she sat back down, Asami looked at her with eyes of desire, and Korra saw another "benefit" to her change in clothes.