INT. AYAME KITCHEN - LATE DAY
Makami comes down the stairs in a crimped red top that tucks into a pair of jeans. Her nose sniffs crazily as a clip-on earring grabs to her ear.
MAKAMI
(loudly)
Wow, something smells really...uh...
She turns and sees an utter feast. Finished delicacies cover the small coffee table as well as the countertops and nearly every other available surface. The floor is free of food - for now - as Zura, Baki, and Kota all dig into various morsels.
MAKAMI
(surprised)
The whole house smells good. What's this for, Mom?
Kota turns with her mouth full of flaking croissant.
KOTA
(muffled by deliciousness)
We staftted wifout youf!
BAKI
(cheerfully)
There's my girl - going out on your date? Grab some food before you do!
MAKAMI
(hesitant)
Uh, yeah, I'll take some.
Makami slides into the chair next to Kota. Zura's food is simply a stack of fried ash bananas - a Fire Nation delicacy - being drowned in a sticky syrup. The oven dings, bringing Baki to her feet.
BAKI
(cheerfully)
Ah, dessert is done!
MAKAMI
Dessert number six, you mean?
BAKI
(laughing too hard)
Oh you and your sense of humor - you always get me!
Makami turns to Kota and gives her an embarrassed look. Kota has her mouth open with a huge chicken wing about to go to her teeth.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
Did you poison her?
Kota shakes her head quickly as Baki comes over with a three layer, iced cake with pink latticework and baby blue writing that reads "Happy Every Birthday!"
BAKI
(excitedly)
Okay, here's your birthday cake!
It slams down onto the table, bouncing Makami from her chair. She's completely obfuscated from view thanks to the height and girth of the cake.
BAKI
(thoughtfully)
Now, you'll need something to wash this all down.
Makami pops her head over the cake with concern.
MAKAMI
Mom, my birthday isn't for three months still, and the ones after that are even further away.
BAKI (O.S.)
So what? Can't I make you a special treat every now and then?
Makami and Kota are sharing a concerned look as the latter swallows down her bite.
BAKI (O.S.)
(excitement beginning to break)
Can't I show you how great things are and how many good foods you'll eat here?
Baki has a glass held under the running water as it overflows, her hand shaking.
BAKI
(voice cracking)
You won't get that being on the road, or leaving home. You can just stay here and-
Makami's arms are around her mother from behind and hugging her gently. The side of her face is pressed against her back, causing her loving mother to take a trembling breath.
MAKAMI
(solemnly)
I love you, Mom.
BAKI
(shuddering breath)
I love you, Avatar.
She huffs and cleans her eyes while Makami unlatches. Baki finally turns to face the room with a clap.
BAKI
Let me get you some containers.
CUT TO:
EXT. AYAME RESIDENCE - LATER
Makami waves bye to her mother and sister while the door closes. Kota waits with a smile and an armful of packed food. In the background is a star-filled night sky with jagged mountains beneath.
Makami takes one of the bags from Kota as they walk slowly away.
KOTA
What did your mom call you - an Avatar?
MAKAMI
(unenthused)
Yeah, she did.
KOTA
What's that?
MAKAMI
I'll explain on the way.
They walk off the screen to the left, letting a few moments pass. Then, from the opposite side, comes Toyo and Shii. Toyo easily jogs to the front door while Shii wheezes with every wobbling step.
Toyo stops on the stoop, looking back to Shii who uses the fence to hold himself up.
TOYO
Shall I knock?
Shii just nods heavily, taking a drink from a retrieved flask. Toyo cocks an eyebrow, knocking on the door. It isn't long before Zura opens it shyly.
ZURA
(meekly)
Hello?
TOYO
Howdy ma'am, is Makami home?
Shii limps closer with his forehead doused in sweat. Zura notices him.
ZURA
(friendlier tone)
Oh, it's you. She's on a date.
SHII
(panting)
Do...do you know...where?
CUT TO:
EXT. ZUKO STREET FLAMING CLOCK FOUNTAIN - NIGHT
Looking down, there is a large fountain of fire that courses like blood through a vein, creating a tesla coil that ignites several lanterns into a ticking, flaming clock. Children chase tumbling balloons along the cobblestone while the adults click photographs and have their portraits drawn by street artists.
CUT TO:
EXT. THROUGH THE MOTION CAMERA - NIGHT
We're now looking through a TV camera pointed at a woman reporter in a tied, brown trench coat. She has a microphone labeled with "FNTL News". In the background are some children throwing some dragon toy back and forth.
REPORTER
(happily)
Yes, I'm down here at the opening of the Flaming Clock, which is being enjoyed by children and grown-ups alike.
As the flame ticks over to a new hour, a flaming mushroom cloud goes up into the air, drawing "ohs" and "aws" from the enraptured crowd. Walking into the frame in the background now is Voso.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. ZUKO STREET FLAME CLOCK FOUNTAIN
Voso meanders through the crowd with his head crowing around, peering for his date. He sports a collared polo shirt beneath a thin black haori. He has a wrapped parcel with a bow in his arms as he cranes his neck around parents and running children.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
(happily)
Voso!
He turns, smiling as Makami comes into view first.
VOSO
(excitedly)
Hey you...
Kota slides in behind Makami with a sly, mocking look on her face.
VOSO
(dour)
Brought my sister, great.
KOTA
(snidely)
Oh, don't worry little brother, I won't interrupt these star-crossed lovers.
Makami's fist slams into Kota's arm while her creepy smile remains plastered and huge.
KOTA
Ow!
MAKAMI
She's just here to ferry some delicious leftovers Mom made.
Kota pistons the bag forward with a playful frown that Voso takes with a mocking smirk.
KOTA
And now, Kota's going home. Alone. Without a friend in the world...
Makami quickly snatches Voso's arm and pulls him forward, not looking back to Kota.
MAKAMI
(overly-cheerful)
Mkay, see you at work!
Kota sighs with a smile and begins to walk away. She pauses and quickly pats her pockets, then shakes her purse.
KOTA
(groaning)
No keys...
She turns back, unaware of the dark figures approaching her from behind.
KOTA
(voice rising)
Hey Vos-
A hand covers her mouth from behind before strands of metal yank her under a dark cloak that slams shut. None of the families around have heard or seen a thing.
CUT TO BLACK.