INT. VOSO AND KOTA'S HOUSE - CRACK OF DAWN
An alarm clock clangs between two brass bells in the foreground with a time reading six in the morning. Blankets quickly ruffle in the background.
Makami's hand pierces the foreground to stop the annoyance. She moves back to staring out an open window with her bed completely made behind her. Kota stirs in her large PJs. Both of them have curlers in the bangs of their hair.
KOTA
(sleepily)
Morning.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Hey, morning.
Kota rubs her eyes before looking to the bed in the background.
KOTA
(disappointed)
Oh no, you didn't sleep again?
MAKAMI
(smiling)
Don't worry about me. I'll get some sleep after work, and I'm sure the day will fly by.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. CABBAGE CORP STENO POOL - MORNING
The scene is doused with an overbearing "blah", represented by vertical black lines running in thick ink, swirling, hypnotizing images of typewriters and staplers, and Makami's chin on the desk with her eyes empty of meaning.
Her fingers are heavily slamming on the keyboard as a pair of ghosts drift by in the background, carrying a clock between them. On the desk, papers are stacking higher and higher.
CUT TO:
INT. BREAK ROOM - LATE MORNING
Makami is filling up a large pot with coffee from an over-sized machine, looking extremely tired. She's hunched over unnaturally far. She is still staring into oblivion as her boss walks in with her clipboard held high.
KIN
(high, shrill voice)
Miss Ayame - taking an early break, I see...
Makami snaps up straight and shuts off the coffee machine. Kin has her pen up ominously.
KIN
Especially odd considering how your numbers are the lowest among the new recruits - and dropping every day.
She scowls at Makami's timidity through her pointed glasses.
KIN
(impatiently)
Well? Any explanation?
MAKAMI
(peppily)
Uh, my, uh, wrist was resting at an obtuse angle because of my slumping shoulders, but I've readjusted my chair higher by about six inches and that seems to have solved my problem.
A beat goes by with Kin's slack face letting her glasses fall a bit.
MAKAMI
Just look at my numbers today. They're up...right?
The stern woman is slowly flipping through her clipboard papers. Her eyes don't move from Makami, who looks on eagerly.
KIN
They are adequate today-
Makami goes to shoot her fist into the air-
KIN
(quickly)
-but still extremely behind the others!
But redirects her hand to scratch under her nose, avoiding the embarrassing celebration.
KIN
(sternly)
You will shape up by the end of this week, or you will be in serious ape-hawk doo-doo, young lady!
As Makami nods enthusiastically, Kin marches out of the room. Kota slides into the room, looking back to Kin with a very modest coffee mug that just reads "Happy". Makami, meanwhile, swings around her large container of coffee and wilts back into her awful posture. On the side of the mug is a gas gauge that reads empty.
KOTA
(grumbling)
Not enough coffee in the world to perk her up...
She leans over the large pot as Makami is dousing the coffee with sugar.
KOTA
Or you, apparently.
MAKAMI
(groggily)
I'm dead on my feet today. How's the switchboard?
KOTA
Great - did you know they try to play a game down there to guess the person's age just by hearing their voice?
Makami stiffly shakes her head.
KOTA
We write down guesses, then tell the person that we're - oh, wait...
She puts down her coffee mug and clears her throat. Makami turns to watch just as Kota's fingers clamp her own nose shut.
KOTA
(nasally)
"Yes, we're conducting a survey on the age of telephone users in Capital City." They buy it, and the closest without going over wins the pot.
MAKAMI
(droning)
I'm going to drink this entire pot of coffee...
Makami stirs her brew with a large ladle.
KOTA
No one's won all day, so the piles nearly up to three gold ban. And it's gonna be mine - oh yeah!
Kota digs into her skirt pocket, retrieving a small letter.
KOTA
I forgot that Voso slipped me this...
Makami's hands go rigid and her eyes snap open at the sound of his name again.
KOTA
For you...
Makami rushes forward in a flash, nearly knocking over the huge basin of coffee.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
REALLY!?
Kota's eyes are wide - watching the coffee precariously wobbling on the edge of its metal bottom - as Makami snatches the letter. She quick reads with wide eyes while the settling container gives Kota reason to exhale.
MAKAMI
(extatically)
A mover...with me, TONIGHT!?
She bursts into the air, letting her flames send her into an impressive backflip in the confined space. Kota is surprised with her arms crossed.
Her look disintegrates to morosely confused. Meanwhile, Makami looks lively again.
KOTA
(annoyed)
I don't understand why I had to be the mule between your little will-they-won't-they tryst. You two have been making "wuvy" faces since his first growth spurt.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
Yeah, but this is the first time he's asked me out!
KOTA
(sarcastically)
Weird, this is like the billionth time I've been annoyed by you two.
Makami rushes out of the breakroom with all the energy in the world. Kota looks after her, pointing towards the massive coffee chalice.
KOTA
Don't you want your coffee?
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Donnnn'ttttt need it!
CUT TO:
INT. CABBAGE CORP STENO POOL - AFTERNOON
Now in a light, chibi style of animation, the world has turned into wonderful, time-passing fun for Makami. She bounces left and right with a wide-open, happy mouth and closed eyes while the letters drop in, then hop out of her typewriter. The background shows paper objects - namely a picture of popcorn and one of Voso - bouncing against a rainbow.
Suddenly, she snaps back to reality with a broken instrument string. Her pupils and mouth shrink to miniscule sizes as her hands freeze.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Wait...
She quickly brings her purse up, then her wallet from that. Once it opens, three floating moths rise into the air with a copper coin in each foot, much to Makami's chagrin. She snatches the coppers and shoos the thieves away.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Money...money...
She snaps in the air.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Emergency money!
She is under her desk, moving aside her footstool. What's staring back at her, taped to the back of the wooden protector, is a note that reads "Emergency money goes here."
MAKAMI
(harshly)
Stupid dessert cart, always having such reasonable prices!
CUT TO:
INT. AYAME HOUSEHOLD LIVING ROOM - NOON
With the couch and an end table with a black phone blocking the foreground, Mister Pan and Misses Pen are bouncing their way forward with a feather duster running over some knickknacks. This goes on for several seconds.
The phone begins to ring, drawing them over.
ZURA
(high pitched voice)
We've got it!
With almost impossible dexterity, Zura's foot lifts the receiver, holding it to Mister Pan's "head".
ZURA
(high pitched voice)
Top o' the morning! You've called the Ayame residence! How may I direct your call?
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE CABBAGE CORP
Makami hangs on a payphone, looking around at the calamitous street with her finger in her other ear. All around her are stages and other event materials. A large banner walks by in the arms, unrolled, reading "Sozen's Comet Festival".
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Hello? Zura?
CUT BACK TO:
INT. BAKI'S LIVING ROOM
The googly eyes on the toes are slowly looking towards one another. When their eyes finally meet, Misses Pen's "shoulders - Zura's double-jointed toes - scrunch together to look like a frown. Crowd noises are blending with Makami's voice through the phone to create an indistinguishable audio mess.
ZURA
(high pitched voice)
I can't hear anyone, so I guess you've got the wrong number!
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE CABBAGE CORP
MAKAMI
(quickly, loudly)
No, no, wait - I need Mom to bring me some money!
She huffs steam from her nose while the receiver melts in her hand.
MAKAMI
(sadly)
There go my last two coppers until payday...hm?
She looks down, feeling a tug on her skirt hem.
MAKAMI
(surprised)
You?
The same spirit that was so good at finding money for Voso is now handing her a silver ban. She kneels down with a disbelieving smile, reaching for the coin.
MAKAMI
Thank you, little one.
It squeaks happily while doing a backflip in the air as it floats away. She smiles after it with a short woman tapping her finger against on a live mic on the stage in the background.
EVENT COORDINATOR
(through mic)
Hello, everyone - can we please keep the festival supplies out of the street? The police are having trouble with the traffic. We're calling the switchboard asking for more help.
MAKAMI
(excited)
Switchboard - that's it!
Makami sprints back inside.
CUT TO:
INT. CABBAGE CORP SWITCHBOARD ROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
Sitting in two rows and facing thousands of open ports with dozens of wires, eight women have busy hands connecting audio jacks to their proper homes. Along the back wall is a closed window with red curtains set into the wood-paneled wall. The light from that window casts down upon the jar of ban coins in the middle of the room, set upon a thin table like an idol.
As a door from off-screen opens, the light pours along the floor of the room with Makami's shadow also apparent. Kota, one of the ladies in front, has her attention on her work alone.
Makami slides next to Kota with a smile on her face. Her eyes snap towards the foreground, which shows the sparkling money. She salivates for only a moment before gently tugging on Kota's sleeve.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Hey friend...?
Kota does a double-take before smiling and sliding off one of her headphones.
KOTA
(happily)
Hey, Ami-
MAKAMI
What brings me here, you may be asking, but it's certainly nothing more than to bring my official bestie some...
A plate with colored treats, dusted with powdered sugar, comes from behind Makami's back to make Kota's eyes light up like 60-watt bulbs.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
Mochi!
KOTA
(in heaven)
Ami! You know they're my favorite treat ever! Where did you find them?
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. CABBAGE CORP BREAKROOM FRIDGE
The fridge is open with a wide group of containers in the middle of the middle shelf. One in the middle has the bamboo top ripped completely off. A lonely wind blows over a note that reads "Kin's DO NOT TOUCH!".
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. CABBAGE CORP SWITCHBOARD ROOM
Makami's face remains cheerful as Kota takes up an expertly crafted mochi in the shape of a Straw Bulb (a round, prickled strawberry) from one of the Fire Nation islands.
MAKAMI
My Mom dropped them off...
Kota takes the whole thing in one bite, immediately moaning with satisfaction.
KOTA
(through clenched teeth)
So sweet, so tart...mm, so divine!
OPERATOR 1 (O.S.)
I've got one here!
Makami and Kota watch as the others gather closely around the operator's headset. Kota swallows the treat.
KOTA
(surprised)
Oh yes, time to win that money! C'mon.
They're all listening closely while the operator keeps the caller on hold until the murmuring quiets. Makami and Kota are on the outer crust of people as everyone pulls out their coin satchels.
OPERATOR 1
They're so difficult to guess at that age.
Makami presents the silver given to her by the spirit and sighs. The others are letting their coins plonk into the jar behind her.
KOTA
I'm saying eleven.
OPERATOR 1 (O.S.)
Put one in for me - my guess is twelve
OPERATOR 2
(agitated)
Ah, count me out, I need to eat lunch today.
OPERATOR 3 (O.S.)
Weakling - I'm saying thirteen!
MAKAMI
One year old!
She plonks her coin into the jar amidst the silence. The operator on the phone turns in her squeaking chair with crossed arms and nonplussed eyes.
OPERATOR 1
(snidely)
Oh, so you think you can walk in here and try to win? How could a one-year old even work a phone?
KOTA
(laughing nervously)
Ha-ha, c'mon now, clang gang, let her try. A guess like that, she can't think she's going to win!
The operator rolls her eyes and holds up her finger while leaning the microphone back to her mouth.
OPERATOR 1
(in pleasant tone)
Yes, I'm still here - say, darling, can you tell me how old you are?
The pause fills the whole room with tension like a fog.
Finally, the operator snipes a dirty look towards Makami that the entire room picks up on.
OPERATOR 1
(with an edge now)
Well, aren't you a big boy, using the phone at your age?
MAKAMI
(squeaking)
Yes!
Kota's eyes are closed and arms crossed with her eyebrow twitching harshly. Makami carefully slides the jar of coins from the table with her face frozen in an awkward smile.
MAKAMI
(quietly, hesitantly)
Well...the odds were...better if you went for one than...than...
The room is held together by the glares of the defeated. Makami slips out the door and slowly closes it behind her.
MAKAMI
(quietly)
Keep up the great...the great work.
INT. VOSO'S ROOM - AFTERNOON
Voso stands in the middle of his carpeted room, playing with his hair in the mirror. Along the wooden walls are posters representing famous Pro Bending stars tossing water through fluid motions. His small spirit friends are acrobatically stacking on his side table next to his bed.
He is wearing a simple white t-shirt and black trousers.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAPITAL CITY SQUARE - LATE AFTERNOON
Makami throws her hands up, trying to hail a taxi in the midst of the celebration setup. Needless to say, none of them are paying her much mind. In the background is a park with green grass and winding paths.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
HEY! TAXI!
She bursts flames from her feet to gain some height, waving her arms over her head.
MAKAMI
(louder)
TAXI!
CUT BACK TO:
INT. VOSO'S ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
He stands still and smiling as the spirits are using a thin comb to part his hair directly down the middle. His hair curls at either side of his head, giving him a look far too young to ever work. His smile falters in disgust.
VOSO
(groaning)
Uh, not a chance.
One of the spirits floats up with a product called "Hair EZ" that resembles pomade.
VOSO
(curiously)
Gel up my hair? Well...let's try.
CUT TO:
INT. RICKSHAW FRONT - LATE AFTERNOON
A humble rickshaw driver hums along to a bulky radio's snappy tune. The device hangs from his crossbar alongside an air freshener and a meter-reader that is ticking along. Redlights from brakes and traffic signals show the cheerful driver, but the passenger is covered by a satin sheet.
The humming continues on peacefully with the music for a few seconds until a pair of heels and a clamped skirt slams onto his crossbar. The driver spits out his toothpick and yells in the sound of a car horn.
Makami, swinging her arms to keep balanced, looks down apologetic.
DRIVER
(shocked)
What in the-?
MAKAMI
(muffled by window)
Hey, sorry, do you have a passenger?
The sheet is yanked aside, revealing Kin - all fury and frown - is the passenger. Makami breaks into an immediate cold sweat.
KIN
(shouting)
You!?
MAKAMI
(meekly)
Hey, boss...
CUT BACK TO:
INT. VOSO'S ROOM
Voso is leaned over putting the final touches on his hair, which we can't see. He comes back up at last, revealing a blonde, rolled mountain of hair with the spirits' small voices saying "ta-da!"
At first, he's smiling. As his eyes take it all in, the smile melts.
VOSO
Yeah, no.
He swirls some water through his hair to remove the products. The spirits turn into rubber bath toys that swirl in the tide.
He flicks his wrist, sending the water and them to the basin seen in the mirror's reflection. What's left is a washed head of hair that he simply combs back.
VOSO
(smoothly)
Hey, there he is. Mister Smooth.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC
POLICE OFFICER
(yelling)
Hey you!
Makami, still on the hood, looks towards the officer that is pointing towards her from the sidewalk one lane over.
POLICE OFFICER
(yelling)
Get off that car!
MAKAMI
Yes, sir...
She rushes across the lane and jumps, landing next to him and sliding to a stop in her heels. The officer, dressed in a red outfit that resembles a gui with armor beneath the red silk, looks unimpressed.
POLICE OFFICER
(scolding)
Do you want to be hurt, hm? You have to stick to the sidewalk, do you hear me?
Her eyes trail off to the park.
MAKAMI
I do, sir.
Her eyes snap wide - in the park, riding by just now, is Voso's bicycle. The driver is a grown man in dark sunglasses, suspiciously glancing over to Makami as he does.
Once they make eye-contact, the man stands and begins to pedal away with all his might. Makami points past the officer.
MAKAMI
(earnestly)
Sir, that man stole my friend's bike the other night! Please, he's getting away!
POLICE OFFICER
(grunting)
Don't try to change the subject on me, young lady. I've got more important things to deal with, so stay out of trouble, got it?
Makami salutes quickly and runs around the officer.
MAKAMI
(in exertion)
Got it!
She's airborne already, blasting fire from her hands and feet in all-speed.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAPITAL CITY BACK STREETS
She buzzes just above the powerlines, looking down on the bicycle thief as he pedals for his life. He looks disheveled as he peers over his shoulder.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Pull that bike over, Mister!
He takes a hard turn down an alleyway. She passes it by, but quickly flips in the air and descends, now rocketing only a few feet above the ground.
As she presses into the wide alley, others funnel in behind her, each of them looking like street beatniks.
She skids to a stop through a puddle while the thief holds his thighs in his hands, his back against a bamboo dumpster.
MAKAMI
(awkwardly)
You are...you will, uh, joy ride's over, punk!
HENCHMAN 1
(pained)
Pl-please, I just..oh jeez, I've been pedaling in front of that place for hours waiting for you to come out!
MAKAMI
Huh?
Her eyes snap towards the group coming closer from the right.
BRUISER (O.S.)
Little girl? Oh, little girl?
The one in front, BRUISER (30), is the same one that was speaking with Sage Shii. He is wearing a leather vest and has a stubbed bat gently slapping against one of his palms.
Those at his flank have chains, whips, and a pair of straight swords.
BRUISER
(menacingly)
Can you come out to play?
MAKAMI
What do you want?
BRUISER
We'll start with all the money in that purse of yours.
MAKAMI
How much?
Bruiser stops slapping his palm.
BRUISER
(disarmed)
Uh, what?
MAKAMI
How much do you guys need?
Bruiser looks around to his gang, all of whom look as though they're considering the offer. He shrugs as he looks back to Makami again.
BRUISER
(hesitantly)
Uh, well...we were offered five coppers each to-
SAGE SHII (O.S.)
(echoing)
Oh, for Roku's sake!
Makami and the gang members look up as a torrent of air invades the alley. Descending is Shii, who has a focused, determined look on his face as he weaves the air around his limbs with only the slightest of movements, revealing himself to be a talented air bender.
Bruiser and his crew retreat in the background.
SAGE SHII
(focused)
You all need acting lessons. Leave here before I toss you into the clouds.
They all toss their weapons into the air and sprint away. Shii's gaze sharps to Makami off-screen.
SAGE SHII
As for you - fight me!
Shii brings his arms through quickly, pushing columns of whirling air towards Makami, who puts up her arms to block.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
But why!?
The air hits her, blasting her off her feet. She quickly aims her hands backward to blast a huge thruster that counters the air.
She controls smaller flames, rolling off the air blasts that skillfully sweep from Shii's hands.
As he gathers a large ball of wind in his hands, she swoops low with her thrusters giving her a large burst of speed. He launches the ball, and she twists in the air, tumbling over it too closely.
Her back slams into a cement wall between two steam pipes. She let's out an audible yelp, falling to the ground and losing the purse from her shoulder.
SAGE SHII
(angrily)
Come on! Fight me!
She blasts flame towards him, only to have a miniature twister suck it into oblivion.
SAGE SHII
(angrily)
Show me what you can really do!
MAKAMI
(grunting)
Why are you doing this to me?
He doesn't answer, instead slashing the wall on either side of her with razor-sharp blasts of air. She is scared, looking at the gashes as though they are portents of her future.
SAGE SHII
(angrily)
Your life is in danger, young one.
Makami's eyes reset as her instincts take over. She grits her teeth with the squirting pipes barely holding together on either side of her head.
SAGE SHII (O.S.)
What are you going to do about it?
Makami's clenched hands piston out from the wall, commanding the water into Shii with enough force to rip the ends of the metal gutters open. The sudden, impressive show of water bending flings Shii into another bamboo dumpster, collapsing her attacker with a loud grunt.
She pulls her shaking arms in to stare at her hands with shock. The realization hits, and a bell has been rung inside her head.
MAKAMI
(softly)
That...that was me?
SAGE SHII (O.S.)
(softly)
I found you again. I finally...ugh.
Makami looks up as Shii pulls himself free with one hand covering the opposite shoulder, which is bright red with injury. His eyes are soft and on the verge of tears.
SAGE SHII
(forlornly)
So many years, so many half-whispered rumors.
His eyes harden.
SAGE SHII
Too many years for conflict to build in the hearts of mankind. I have missed you so, so much.
He grunts to his feet as Makami comes off the wall slowly.
MAKAMI
(desperately)
What is happening to me? I-I-I just bent water - that's impossible!
SAGE SHII
(grunting)
Almost. There is one bender that can wield all four elements.
He slides closer slowly.
SAGE SHII
One that has survived the test of time since the very beginning.
Makami looks away as he continues, her gears at work to find a flaw in his logic.
SAGE SHII
One that can speak to spirits and has an instinct for both battle and negotiation.
He slowly reaches into his pocket as she shakes her head.
SAGE SHII
One that found me many years ago and taught me how I could be better. Avatar - welcome back.
He hands her something gently. She looks at his hand covering hers.
SAGE SHII
One that can teach the world to be better again.
She yanks her hand away, looking back at him with anger.
MAKAMI
(quickly, growling)
No, no - it was a fluke! I read all about the Avatar: a global bully that does whatever they want. That's not me, and the world doesn't need the Avatar anyways!
She throws her hands up.
MAKAMI
(desperately)
The Earth and Fire nations won't actually go to war. They're both in stable periods with solid governments, which is usually not when countries go to war-
SAGE SHII
(halting)
Let's not worry about global conflict quite yet. You're just learning who you are-
The water gushes from the broken pipes ever-stronger as she shouts.
MAKAMI
(furiously)
You don't know anything about who I am!
Shii lets her rail, simply looking back at her guiltily.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(furiously)
You can't tell me the world will need me soon, then to put it out of my mind in the next sentence! I'm just a typist! I just graduated! You want to take the rest of my life from me!?
She throws the parcel from off-screen into the foreground. Shii reacts quickly to catch the round object.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(anger tapering off)
Go hop into a volcano!
Makami mounts the bicycle and quickly rides away. As she moves off-screen to the left, he takes a few steps towards her only to stop. He sighs, letting his head turn into the foreground.
SAGE SHII
Hm?
He walks forward, picking up her purse with a grunt. Once he tries to stand straight, his back and knees crack all at once.
SHII
(groaning)
Oh, that hasn't popped in twenty years!
CUT TO:
EXT. MOVER CINEPLEX - EARLY EVENING
Standing outside and yawning is Voso as he leans against one of the skinny red poles in front of the ticket office. The ticket seller in the background, enclosed within a wooden box with glass in the front, is watching Voso as though there is a plot about to unfold. Just beneath the glass window is a sign that reads "No Loitering".
TICKET SELLER
(through glass)
Sir? Excuse me, sir?
Voso lazily looks back. The seller taps the sign.
TICKET SELLER
(through glass)
Either purchase a ticket, or accept that you got ditched, sir.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(excited shouting)
VOSO!
He straightens while Makami skids the tires of his bike against the cement stairs. The ticket seller in the background is aghast.
VOSO
(excited)
Is that...my bike?
Makami hops off and presents it as she lands. There is some steam from the heat of her approach still rising.
MAKAMI
(breathless)
The one and only!
Voso is closer to it, looking it over as Makami catches her breath.
VOSO
(quickly)
This is incredible! Where did you find it - ow, it's hot.
MAKAMI
(breathing deeply)
Oh, yeah, I had to speed to get here...putting those flame stickers to good use!
The view pans behind her, seeing a trail of melted siding and concrete that spans rooftops and streets alike. She smiles awkwardly through the revelation.
MAKAMI
But what matters is that the bike is back home where it belongs.
Voso springs into the picture with a hug, taking around her torso and trapping her hands. She looks both shocked and immediately elated to be so close to him.
VOSO
(laughing)
Thank you for finding it! Ah, this is incredible!
MAKAMI
(sniffing)
Smells like fresh rain...
VOSO
(to behind her)
Oh, and did you help her find it, sir?
Voso releases the hug and separates, showing Sage Shii has followed the trail of destruction to return Makami's purse. He has slipped back into his humble demeanor while holding the bag out.
SAGE SHII
(chuckling)
I'm afraid I was anything but helpful - but I did want to make sure you didn't lose this important parcel.
He takes a half step forward before she quickly snatches the purse out of his hand.
MAKAMI
(grumbling)
He's an air bender. Who ever heard of an air-bending fire sage, anyways?
VOSO
(excitedly)
An air bender? Really? I've never met one before.
SAGE SHII
(chortling)
Yes, indeed. As I was telling Makami, I was a different man many years ago. My path diverged one day when I met a very special person.
Makami is next to Voso, looking over her shoulder at Shii, whose hands are clasped behind his back.
SAGE SHII
A person that taught me the value of loving others...
Makami turns to Voso's face as he gazes with childish wonderment towards Shii off-screen. The lights of the mover theater in the background give him a dazzling outline.
SAGE SHII (O.S.)
And what I could do to help the world change - make it better for those that I loved.
The view is around to Shii as he nods kindly up the stairs to them before turning.
SAGE SHII
In any case, I bid you both a fine evening.
He walks away a few steps before Makami spins on her heels.
MAKAMI
I thought about what you said...
Shii stops and turns, his eyes now open wide in this last hopeful shot in the dark.
MAKAMI
And if you really think this is worth while, I'd love to have you over tomorrow. My sister's feet will be delighted to meet you.
SAGE SHII
(confused)
Ah...well, uh, sounds good. I'd...
He looks away, shaking himself from his own disbelief. He then looks back, fluidly bringing his hands up into an honorable, respectful formation and bowing.
SAGE SHII
It would be the honor of my lifetime to join you.
Now looking to Voso and Makami again, she looks uncomfortable with a giant, visible "gulp" sliding down her throat. Voso looks weirded out by the bow, both of them looking to one another for answers.
VOSO
So...mover?
MAKAMI
(tiredly)
Honestly, I'd...I'd like to stay in the fresh air.
VOSO
Alright, then, how about...
He very smoothly sits back to the bike seat, crosses one leg over the other, and crosses his arms all in one fluid motion. She smiles with her purse over her shoulder.
VOSO
(smoothly)
A midnight ride?
MAKAMI
(giggling)
Are you going to make me sit in the basket?
VOSO
No, I'll scootch up.
He pushes to the front of the seat while she puts her clip back in her hair, unclipping her purse. She sits side-saddle, hugging his shoulder with one hand while looking surprised at what she feels inside her purse.
VOSO (O.S.)
Ready?
She pulls out the round parcel from Shii - a brass relief with the photograph set inside. Finally, we see Avatar Korra in faded color, surrounded by friends and loved ones. One the edge of the frame is a younger Shii, holding hands sweetly with Genora - an air bending master that helped Korra through many battles.
MAKAMI
(warmly)
Yeah, I guess I am.
With that, they both ride off down a hill with the wind waking them both up and the moon on the horizon above the twinkling ocean.