As dawn painted the sky with strokes of crimson and gold, Korra and her companions traversed the winding streets of Pristella, their search for breakfast entwined with the elusive trail of Subaru. The city, split by broad canals, bustled quietly at this hour, gondolas slipping through the water like ghosts of another age.
Meelo, ever the spirited one, pointed at a passing gondola. "Look at that! I'd love to hop on one. How much do you think they charge?"
Korra watched a particularly ornate vessel drift by. "Likely not cheap, especially for foreigners like us," she speculated, her voice carrying a hint of resigned wisdom.
Jinora, always observant, nodded. "They can spot outsiders a mile off and adjust their prices accordingly."
Ikki's curiosity was piqued by a memory. "Didn't Beatrice say something about a water dragon in these canals?"
"That she did," Korra confirmed, her eyes narrowing as she peered into the canal. "Yet, no dragons so far. Are we even sure it's a dragon?"
The group fell into a speculative silence, imagining the creature. Jinora theorized, "If it's aquatic, it wouldn't need wings. Perhaps it has fins."
"And while we know dragons are firebender, I wonder if it's waterbender instead," Korra mused, her mind weaving the possibilities.
Suddenly, the water stirred, a serpentine shape breaking the surface. Scales shimmered like sapphires under the sun, revealing the mythical water dragon in a breathtaking display.
"Wow! It's real!" Meelo exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.
Ikki clapped joyfully. "Beatrice was right all along!"
Both Korra and Jinora stood in awe. "So, they do exist," Korra breathed out, her mind racing with questions. "Can it bend water, I wonder?"
Jinora's voice was laced with intrigue. "We haven't seen any bending here, just mentions of magic."
"Right," Korra nodded, recalling the city's rules relayed by the gatekeeper.
As the dragon submerged, leaving only ripples behind, they continued their journey along Pristella's grand avenues, riding atop their air bison—an uncommon sight here that drew curious glances but no interruptions.
Eventually, they came upon a stall offering fruits. "Come, buy! My fruits are fresh and tasty!" called the stall owner, catching Korra's eye.
"Shall we?" she suggested, glancing at her friends.
"Go on," Jinora agreed. "We might also gather some information from him."
Approaching the stall, Ikki eyed the vendor, who seemed as ancient as the city itself. "Well, he must be familiar with this city."
Curiosity sparked when the vendor noticed their unusual mount. "Whoa, what creature are you riding, miss?" he inquired, peering at the air bison.
"Is that sk?" Korra responded, aiming to prolong their light conversation.
"Yes, the locals typically employ earth dragons, either alone or to haul carriages," the vendor explained, gesturing to the bustling street.
Korra's gaze followed a nearby carriage, her head tilting inquisitively.
"Earth dragons? For carriages?" Whispering to Meelo and Jinora, Ikki pointed at a passing carriage. "Do they really call those dragons here?"
The coachman, noticing their interest, waved cheerfully at them.
"This creature here is an air bison," Korra corrected gently, proud of their unique companion. "They're quite rare, hence not often seen."
Korra was The vendor nodded, accepting the explanation. "Ah, you all tourist then?"
Confirming their status, Korra nodded. "We arrived just yesterday."
"Well then, I shall offer you a discount at my stall," he declared, his eyes twinkling with a mix of generosity and business acumen.
Korra raised an eyebrow. "Really? Isn't it more common to charge tourists extra?"
"That's the usual way, yes. But my way is different. I believe those who visit Pristella should freely enjoy its offerings, including the food, at a fair price," he stated, his smile broadening with pride.
Convinced, Korra agreed. "Then we'll take some of your best."
After purchasing a generous amount of fruit at a discounted rate, Korra thanked the vendor as he handed her bags filled with the fresh produce.
"Thank you," the merchant chimed.
"You have our thanks. By the way, could you point us in where Seasylph Lodge are?" Korra inquired.
The merchant's tone took a playful turn. "Ah, seeking out the elusive Seasylph Lodge, are we? That's quite the establishment. I may have underpriced those fruits after all."
"Um, we just want to meet our friends there. They said they are staying there," Korra clarified.
"Ahh, Seasylph Lodge lies not too far from here. Just follow this path, then..." The vendor proceeded to outline the route, though it sounded deceptively straightforward; it appeared the lodge was farther than initially indicated.
"Moreover, the lodge boasts a distinctive architecture, quite unlike its surroundings. So it's easy to spot,"he added.
Korra furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"
"The structure is crafted from wood, inspired by the architecture of Kararagi. Though I've yet to set foot there myself," the vendor explained.
Clearly, the explanation left them none the wiser. Nonetheless, they expressed their gratitude and resumed their journey.
As the first rotation completed, Meelo's voice broke the silence, his tone carrying a note of curiosity. "I'm curious what that building looks like."
Ikki, peering into the distance, pondered aloud, "Me too. If it's really close from here, shouldn't we be able to see it from above?"
With a spark of determination, Meelo agreed, "You're right! Why don't we take a look now? That way we'll know exactly where it is!"
No sooner had they spoken than they found themselves aloft, carried upwards by an insistent breeze. They hovered briefly above, eyes wide with anticipation.
As they gently descended, their gazes remained fixed on the horizon. "It's really close from here!" Ikki's voice rang out with excitement.
Meelo, his hands gesturing as if painting the air with his words, added, "That old man wasn't lying when he said it looks different from the buildings around it."
Korra, intrigued by the description, asked, "What does it actually look like?"
"It somewhat resembles a building from our island," Meelo responded, a note of surprise in his voice.
Korra's disbelief was palpable. "What? You gotta be kidding."
"No, Korra. It is!" Ikki chimed in. "You should see it yourself!"
As they contemplated their next move, Korra noticed the curious glances of passersby, their stares a silent testament to the spectacle they had become. "Or not," Meelo murmured, adjusting to their new audience.
From the crowd, two armored figures made their way forward, their approach marked by the clanking of metal. Korra and Jinora recognized one of them from a previous encounter the night before.
"Stay there, don't move," commanded one guard, his voice authoritative and quick.
The other guard, already familiar with some in the group, recognized them. "Hey, I know you! You were at the park yesterday."
"Right..." Korra acknowledged, tension underlining her brief reply.
"Aren't your friend there explain to me about the law last night? What does it said about using magic carelessly?"
Ikki, ever eager, jumped in, "Oh! I know, I know!" She enthusiastically recited the law. "It said that one must be fined a minimum of 50 silver coins with a maximum of one gold coin if they break the law and spend time in jail if they harm others. Is that right?"
The guards exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, prompting Ikki to look back at her companions, seeking confirmation.
"No, Ikki, you're right," Jinora affirmed, her voice carrying a mixture of regret and realization. "The thing is, I just realized we broke that law."
"How? We don't use magic, that's airbending," she argued, defiance in her stance.
"Yeah, and bending means magic here. Also, it looks like people do get disturbed by the wind from your airbending."
The group surveyed their surroundings, noting the annoyed expressions that flitted across the faces of the onlookers.
With the weight of their actions dawning on them, a collective sigh of realization passed their lips. Korra, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo exchanged solemn glances, then turned their attention back to the waiting guards, each of them silently bracing for the repercussions of their unintended display.
With unspoken urgency, Korra urged the air bison forward, its sudden burst of speed taking the guards by surprise. Meelo and Ikki, following quickly, harnessed their airbending to launch themselves onto the swiftly moving beast.
"Oi!" one of the guards shouted, their voice trailing off behind the accelerating group.
The air bison cut through the air with remarkable speed, throwing the pursuing guards into a momentary disarray. Despite this, the guards made a valiant attempt to follow, though the distance quickly grew.
The narrow alley into which Korra steered their escape was a sharp contrast to the bustling main road they had left behind. The walls seemed to close in around them, muffling the sounds of their pursuit.
Meelo looked back, his face etched with concern. "Do you think we lost them?"
"With how fast we moved, I doubt they know we are here. But let's still be cautious, alright? This air bison is big after all."
Ikki and Meelo exchanged nods of agreement.
"Still, why do they think airbending is magic? It's literally not," Ikki questioned, her hand resting on her hip.
"Well, we can talk about it later," Jinora responded. "For now, let's go to Subaru's place."
Korra nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but I'm not sure we can use the main road. And the air bison will most likely not fit to walk around this small alleyway."
The alleys were indeed narrow, strewn with branches that seemed almost deliberately placed to impede their path.
"If we had a lot of money, I could just pay them," Korra lamented. "But our money is for our needs for now, so I can't risk it."
"So, what's the plan then?" Ikki inquired, looking expectantly at her companions.
Out of nowhere, Meelo's voice cut through the tension. "We can fly!"
The suggestion drew a synchronized "huh" from Korra, Jinora, and Ikki.
"Why do you think that's a good idea?" Ikki pressed, skepticism coloring her voice.
"The guards won't be able to catch us if we're up high, right? And it's definitely faster than having to turn left and right."
"It will attract people's attention, Meelo," Jinora pointed out, concern in her voice.
"Just a few. I think the position of the sun will cover the shadows cast by us flying in the sky city. So it should be safe, and only those who are considering the sky will notice."
Jinora was taken aback by Meelo's strategic thinking. "That... makes sense."
"When did you become smart, Meelo?" Ikki teased, her incredulity apparent.
"I'm always smart," Meelo declared proudly.
"Are we following Meelo's plan then?" Korra asked, seeking confirmation once more.
They all nodded in agreement. "Alright. Hope it works."
The air bison then ascended gracefully, lifting off from the cramped confines of the alleyways into the expansive sky above. From this new vantage point, the city sprawled endlessly below them, a breathtaking sight to behold.
Korra's attention was drawn to a particular building below on the right; it was made of wood and topped with a tiled roof.
"That building does resembles the ones on Air Temple Island," she noted, curiosity piqued. "How did that end up here?"
"Probably otherworlders, I guess," Jinora speculated.
As they neared their destination, they began their descent, gradually lowering toward the lodge until they landed safely at the front gate.
As Korra landed, a sigh of relief escaped her lips, blending into the crisp air. Ikki, unable to contain her excitement, whispered loudly, "That was amazing!"
"Looks like we made it," Korra acknowledged, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
The entrance to Seasylph Lodge was just as impressive as the rumors suggested, bearing architectural similarities to those familiar to Korra, yet carrying an air of luxury. The path from the gate to the door was neatly lined with hedges and gravel, inviting them further into its embrace.
Yet, the most intriguing aspect was not the lodge itself, but the sight that greeted them in the front yard. Subaru, Emilia, Beatrice, Otto, and a little girl unknown to them were deeply engrossed in some form of physical activity.
"Are they dancing or exercising?" Meelo wondered aloud, squinting at their synchronized movements. "Either way, I want to do it too."
Without hesitation, Meelo began mimicking the movements of Subaru and the others, his attempts drawing mixed looks of amusement and exasperation from Korra, Ikki, and Jinora.
"Okay, stop that, let's focus for a moment," Korra intervened, her hands steadying Meelo.
"Uh~, seeing him and Beatrice move like that makes my heart melt!" Ikki gushed, clutching her chest. "I want to hug them!"
Jinora, ever the voice of reason, crossed her arms and sighed. "I know you like cute things, but control yourself, Ikki."
"So, how can we make Subaru and the others know we are here? I don't feel like—"
"Subaru!"
Meelo's shout sliced through the morning air, abruptly halting the exercise session. Heads turned in their direction as silence fell.
Subaru's gaze lingered on them a moment before recognition sparked. "Korra, right? Wait a moment!"
After a brief exchange with his group, Subaru, accompanied by Otto, approached the gate.
The entrance gate swung open under Subaru's hand. "Early morning visit, huh," he remarked. "I thought you'd come later in the day."
"Well, we thought sooner is better," Korra replied, her tone light.
"Exactly! It's better to come early than to be late, right? I often get into big trouble because of that, like getting stabbed in the eye or something."
Subaru's playful exaggeration did little to disguise the intact condition of his eyes.
"Please don't mind him, Natsuki-san tends to exaggerate stories," Otto interjected.
"By the way, can you please put your animal in the stable? Otto, would you mind?"
"Me?!" Otto's exasperation was palpable, his form nearly wilting under the request.
"Ah, come on."
With a heavy sigh, Otto conceded, "Fine."
"Otto seems really tired," Korra observed, her curiosity piqued.
"Indeed. He's the hardest working person in our camp, so I'm proud of him."
As the group dismounted from the air bison, Jinora approached Otto. "Let me, Otto. Just accompany and direct me where the stable is."
"Oh, that's so nice of you."
Following Otto and Jinora's departure, Korra, Ikki, Meelo, and Subaru entered the lodge.
"So, how was your night?" Subaru inquired as he secured the gate behind them. "Was it expensive? How much coin you spend for an inn?"
Korra's declaration hung in the air, its simple truth seeming almost outlandish against Subaru's clear bewilderment.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Unperturbed, Korra continued. "We slept in the park last night."
Subaru's astonishment was palpable. "Eh?! Really?!" he exclaimed, the words laced with disbelief. "It's cold outside, you know, and there are a lot of mosquitoes."
Korra's response was marked by a casual shrug. "Not really, we slept soundly."
Subaru, still grappling with the reality of their resourcefulness, pressed further. "Is that so? So, you haven't used any of my money at all, or what?"
Korra nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "We used a little to buy fruits. There was a vendor offering a discount, so we bought a lot for breakfast and souvenirs."
"Oh, is that so? So, the fruits are on the air bison?"
"Yeah, I think Jinora will bring them."
Amidst the bustle of their surroundings, Subaru and Korra found themselves in the company of Emilia, Beatrice, and a girl previously unknown to them.
"Oni-chan, who are these people?" the girl demanded, planting her hands firmly on her hips.
Subaru's reply came with a hint of warmth. "Oh, they're my friends. Actually, we just met yesterday, on the way to Pristella."
Her scrutiny of Korra was thorough, sweeping from head to toe, before shifting to assess her companions. Meelo and Ikki, recognizing the attention, waved eagerly.
"Well, if Oni-chan trusts you, then I trust you too. I'm Felt, nice to meet you," she declared with a straightforward sincerity.
Her introduction, however, was met with a gentle reprimand from a companion. "Hey, Felt, your way of introducing yourself is not very elegant. What if Reinhard suddenly comes here?"
"Oh, shut up!" Felt retorted, a flash of indignation crossing her features.
The moment was lightened by laughter from Subaru, allowing Korra to introduce herself and her friends in turn. "My name is Korra. Nice to meet you," she began, her voice steady and inviting.
"And you two?" Felt inquired, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
"I'm Ikki."
"I'm Meelo."
"And there's one more with Otto, her name is Jinora," Korra added, ensuring everyone was acknowledged.
"Alright, nice to meet you all," Felt concluded, her earlier brusqueness softened by the warm exchange.
It was Emilia who broke the next silence, her voice as gentle as a whisper. "By the way, have you had breakfast yet?" the silver-haired girl inquired.
"Oh, we already did. We bought fruits for breakfast earlier," Korra replied, her tone light.
"Is that so?"
Just then, Otto and Jinora reappeared from the stable, their demeanors contrasting starkly; Otto appeared less than thrilled, while Jinora maintained a composed air.
"Is this Jinora?" Felt asked, studying the girl who shared her stature.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Jinora."
The burgeoning camaraderie was momentarily paused as a distant voice called out, heralding the next turn of events in their unexpected gathering.
"Good morning, citizens of Pristella," boomed a voice, resonant and omnipresent, startling Korra and her companions. The sound was no illusion, evidenced by Subaru's own startled exclamation.
"Whose voice was that?!" Meelo's astonishment was palpable as he scanned their surroundings. "I don't remember Subaru's voice being that deep."
Korra, sharing in the collective curiosity, pondered aloud, "You guys hear that too? Where did that voice even come from?"
"Something like a loudspeaker?" the group mused, their gaze shifting expectantly towards Subaru.
"That could be it," Jinora agreed, a note of realization in her voice.
Otto, now capturing the group's full attention, explained, "Ah, you didn't know? This broadcast is powered by a Mana instrument located in Pristella's Metropolitan Government Hall."
"Mana? So it's magic!" Subaru's voice was tinged with excitement.
Otto nodded, recounting his recent social evening. "What I heard yesterday, while drinking with a myriad of individuals, was that every morning the City Hall employs a magical device to communicate announcements to Pristella's populace."
"They do something like that? Isn't that kinda annoying?" Ikki chimed in, his tone laced with irritation.
"I'm with you, Ikki," Meelo agreed with a nod.
Otto, however, offered a perspective that rendered Meelo momentarily speechless. "Well, consider that information vital to the city can be disseminated instantly and conveniently. In emergencies, this system allows for swift evacuations or directions. Familiarizing the citizens with this daily ritual reduces chaos during stressful times."
"That's a great way of thinking," Korra mused thoughtfully. "Maybe Republic City could benefit from something similar."
Jinora nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they should."
"I still think that's annoying," Meelo reiterated, unswayed.
Otto merely smiled wryly at Meelo's stubbornness.
"I wouldn't have thought of that," Subaru remarked, speculating about the mind behind the innovation. "Must be a pretty smart guy running things. The Mayor, perhaps?"
Otto turned his gaze to Subaru, correcting him, "No, it seems Kiritaka-san was the one who provided the magical device and established the routine of these broadcasts. Naturally, he's involved in the city's management."
Subaru's reaction was one of sheer disbelief. "Eh? You gotta be kidding me."
"I'm not kidding at all," Otto confirmed.
"No way, in fact," added Beatrice, her tone dry.
"That's kinda..." Emilia began to speak but hesitated, her words trailing off.
The mention of Kiritaka's name stirred a palpable confusion among the group.
"Who is this Kiritaka? You guys looked weird when hearing his name," Korra inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Is he a bad person?" Meelo's excitement was evident.
"Eh? No, not at all," Emilia hastily reassured. "We were just really~ surprised by that."
"I thought you would react like that, but yes, Kiritaka-san is indeed in charge of the broadcast. Listen, isn't that voice familiar?" Otto prompted them to reconsider.
Then, the voice filled the air once more.
"This is a magical device which can transmit my voice throughout the entire city. If I startled anyone unfamiliar with this, I offer my apologies. You're very lucky to be hearing this broadcast today."
"Who's that?!" Subaru exclaimed, still reeling from the revelation.
"No, wait. Clind-san also doesn't seem like a degenerate… could it be that lolicons are clever at disguising themselves? Lolicons with high social status are terrifying," Subaru speculated, his tone a mix of jest and suspicion.
"It sounds like you've met him before, Subaru," Korra said, lightening the mood with her gentle tease.
"Well, I am!"
As if on cue, the broadcast resumed.
"And to those who are listening, allow me to deliver, filled with my feelings… no! Filled with your feelings, a world of blessings! The morning has finally come… This is the Songstress Liliana, please be sure to listen!"
"Ah, it's me!" came the cheerful declaration.
The revelation that it was Liliana speaking caused a jolt of surprise in Korra, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo.
"What?!" Ikki and Meelo exclaimed in unison.
"Well, hello everybody, this is Liliana, who was just introduced. Doing this every morning carries the weight of expectation, but I still want to do my best to sing and play to create joy. Please oblige me," Liliana's voice bubbled over the airwaves, her cheerful demeanor even more pronounced than when they had met her the previous day. Meelo and Ikki couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm.
"Well, I'm eager to sing. Please listen—— The Sword Demon's Love Song, Act Two!"