So! Jinorah has her (temporary) new legs, Kalseng Fae is sort of rescued by Pepper, again.
I also just realized that under an actual lockdown, entering or leaving a city is probably prohibited, especially if war is happening. So let's just pretend—for the sake of not adding up to 1,000 words of filler—that the sole survivor of a widely respected councilman of Republic City is an exception. Thank you very much!
- ML
UPDATE 15-16 July 2024: The ending did not satisfy me, so I changed it a little. A few grammar and punctuation edits as well.
Chapter 4: Is This It?
Sato Estate
Three weeks after Lord Minnow's visit
Jinorah began to regain better control of her movements after only several days of Kiana's healing, and self-paced physical therapy. Sometimes she chose to sit in meditation, flex and stretch her prosthetic limbs, and repeat the motions. Walking was strange, like balancing on stilts. But airbender felt so lucky to have this opportunity to recover.
Asami Sato was also incredibly supportive to Jinorah. Senma, Kiana, Nora, and Yehn have already done so much for her as trusted guardians. Asami was still constructing her limbs that will become a permanent aid. Jinorah hardly understood how much labor went into prosthetics in general, but she was all the more thankful.
.
Jinorah woke up one late in the night from a dream she could not remember. Her heart was racing and her eyes darted around the room in a panic, desperately searching for a source of comfort. The room felt hazy and unsafe. She saw Nora kneeling beside the vulnerable airbender. Jinorah froze up, tears in her eyes.
"It's okay, it was just a dream," Nora whispered.
"I, I know," Jinorah stammered. She almost forgot about her legs again in that moment of delusion. The airbender removed the covers, then her heart sank with disappointment for the hundredth time. She hung her head somberly. Stupid brain...
"I can stay right here if you want," Nora suggested calmly, letting go as Jinorah pulled away. The airbender wiped her eyes, keeping her sleeves from sliding down. They didn't need to know.
"Thanks, Nora. Being so close to home is, it's so weird," she said. "It's a little bit lonely."
Nora placed her hand on Jinorah's. She smiled warmly. "Whenever you're feeling lonely in the night, you can be lonely with one of us, okay? We will always be here."
"My family was always supposed to be here too," the airbender frowned. Nora's mouth opened, then closed when she couldn't think of an answer.
"I'm sorry I said that," she murmured.
Nora did not seemed offended or upset, however. There was an odd sparkle in the nurse's mossy green eyes, almost like admiration. Jinorah pulled her hand away. Too much physical touch felt weird these days.
Hm... I'm thirsty.
"Could you get me some water, please?"
Nora stepped out after that.
Jinorah had nearly forgotten she now stayed at one of Asami's many guest houses. The Sato Estate was one of the safest places during the lockdown. This particular one-story guest house was surrounded by pine trees and shrubbery. It was the closest house to the third mansion level. All three of its rooms shared one large three-sink bathroom, equipped with a spacious tub and shower.
Senma stayed in the smallest room, Yehn and Kiana shared the master room, and Jinorah and Nora shared the bedroom closest to the kitchen. Nora and Kiana rotated overnight assistance.
After nearly six months of this new life, Jinorah was feeling a little less scared of her weakness. After all, it was impossible to hide now. Her connection to the spirits was severed after the incident, as did all airbending practice. However, a faceless Lord Minnow planned to take her into a trial she had never even heard of, all so someone would become the next Avatar. She could hardly believe how important her life was to such a cause.
The only way Jinorah could meditate now was with music. The silence and clarity of her uselessness were haunting. Opera, smooth jazz, or guqin over the radio was the best distraction. At least she remembered everything her father taught her. Only now, she had to refresh in a new body, which was definitely out of shape.
As the airbender waited for Nora to return, she massaged her thighs, gently rubbing circles in certain spots. Jinorah tried to ignore the mix of faded and fresh cuts in her skin. It was easier to hide now that she could bathe and dress on her own again. It was her body, her privacy. The airbender knew it was wrong, but they wouldn't understand. They didn't need to know.
"I've returned, Jinorah."
She quickly straightened her posture and covered her legs with her shorts as Nora returned. Instead of just plain water, it was a quart sized pitcher with sliced lemons and strawberries floating in it.
"Here, I also added some magnolia fruits for electrolytes and minerals," Nora explained as she placed the tray next to Nora's bed. The tray took up most of the little side table, but that was okay. She had already poured a glass. Jinorah sipped from it. Refreshing.
Jinorah's mind buzzed with thoughts. Nurses and Asami's servants waited on her hand and foot. Her remaining days would be spent preparing for something that might kill her or drive her mad. She would probably be involved in a war she had no knowledge of but also ruined her life. And orphaned at 19. Was this really all her life had become now?
"Jinorah, this too shall pass."
"Huh?"
The airbender looked at Nora, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, life won't always be so... how it is now," the nurse smiled a little, shrugging. "You will find yourself again. And we'll be right beside you. They're your family now. And I'm so happy that you're still alive."
Jinorah felt a warmth settle in her chest. They're my family now, huh? The airbender smiled back. "Thank you, Nora, that means a lot."
.
"Are you talking to yourself?"
Jinorah jolted upward. Nora still sat by the bed, this time with a pillow under her. She had a humored expression. Jinorah twisted herself left and right to crack her back. What a horrible sleeping posture. Wait...
"We were just talking, I didn't notice I feel asleep," Jinorah frowned, rubbing her eyes.
"Are you sure you were asleep? I didn't hear snoring," Nora chuckled. "Wait, were you in the Spirit World?"
"Nonsense, I haven't gone there in ages," Jinorah shook her head. That was a weird dream.
Somewhere in Republic City
The Juke House
The night sky was drowned in unnatural light from the city below. With a bottle of rum and an adventurous streak of luck, Kalseng Fae had managed to sneak into Republic City. They didn't really remember the entire trip, having spent most of it drunk or sleeping. If it weren't for Pepper swooping in to rescue them from their pathetic existence by the Jang Hui River, Fae probably wouldn't have gotten this far in their migration.
Fae carried only one duffel bag, stolen from one of the people they got their fix from. It carried a pair of shoes, a silver crown decked with shards of jewels, a neatly folded dark blue and pink robe (more like what was left of it) and a necklace showing the familiar branding of the fallen Dimitri Paradise Orchard. These were the only possessions Fae carried from that life, their little spoils of the war.
But now, they stood in this smelly, shit stained city on the brink of joining or flatlining in a war. The Avatar didn't really care about that uncertainty. Fae spent their evenings drinking with bigger, dumber people. Nobody could keep up, of course. It was better than those foolish self-injuries that might ruin their tattoos. But that was beside the point. Fae was on the lookout for a very specific woman: Lin Beifong, Head Chief of Police, Head Bitch in Charge, and legendary daughter of the Metalbending genius Toph Beifong. All cops were bastards here, but only Lin mattered.
"There's someone you need to meet before you leave this place," Pepper had told Fae. "You don't know her, but she might know you."
Stupid spirit, as if a random stick-in-the-ass cop is going to visit a bar in this trashy corner of the city.
"Another one! He's got another one!"
A few patrons hollered and laughed with an Earth-Fire Nation griffontile, who had just smashed a glass bottle over some fool's head. The fool tried to threaten this griffontile over some kind of playing cards game, whatever it was. Fae sat alone, back to the wall and facing the nearest exit in case things got messy. The fool was thrown out soon after.
Good, some form of order returned to the environment.
"Hey, little lady!"
Kalseng Fae looked up from their pint glass of dark beer. It was half empty and actually very disgusting. The griffontile man was rather attractive from a front profile. For the first time in ages, they saw that the man's eyes as peachy orange, suntanned skin, black trimmed hair and a clean shaven face save for a stupid looking goat-bear beard.
He wore what looked like work attire. What was it, a jumping suit? He smelled like motor oil, probably that of a mechanic.
"I don't play card games," Fae said flatly, lowering their gaze. Such a fine specimen didn't need to be sullied by them. Fae was washed up and dirty. This man probably was too, but not nearly as filthy as the Avatar. However, his presence only grew closer until he sat across from Fae, spreading his legs to relax. He rested his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand.
Fucking hell, I'm not ignoring my way out of this, am I?
"You're more inked up than the satomobiles I work on. Where're you from?"
I hate the men here.
"Kingdom of Men," they muttered.
"The Kingdom of Men? You lived among humans?" The man burst with laughter. No one paid him any mind now, thankfully. It was somewhat nice to know that humans were hated by Elemental creatures. Deserved.
"I'm not a disgusting human, if that's what you assumed," Fae grunted.
"Bhaha, you wouldn't fool me anyway, you smell just like a National," he smirked. My god, that face is enticing...
"I'm nothing like you people," Fae glared as they stood up. The griffontile man grabbed their hand. Fae sighed audibly, sitting back down. His hand felt rough and surprisingly hot to the touch. I guess I'll give him the attention he wants...
"Good girl," he snickered.
Ba-dump.
I wanna strangle him—
"I just wanna chat. You have the time, right?"
Fae crossed their arms, maintaining the aggressive expression. "I suppose, but only because I don't want to break a pretty little hand like yours," Fae narrowed their eyes. "Griffontile."
"It's Mako," he corrected them. "Lucky guess on my race. And who might you be?"
"Fae."
"Fae? Like the faerie, right? Cute name for a little fairy, eh?"
"I can and will kick your ass if you call me "little" again," they glowered. Mako chuckled, raising his hands to surrender.
"Relax, I'm not dangerous," he said. His tone was certainly more calm than his triumphant shouting during that weird card game. "I kinda like you, sticking to your lane, unbothered," he continued. "Why would you associate yourself with a place like this?"
Fae took a long sip of their drink before answering. Still disgusting, but the buzz was alright.
"I'm looking for a cop," they replied.
"You're looking for a cop? Just do something so dumb somebody calls 'em up for you," he suggested with a playful grin. Fae rolled her eyes.
"Of course, I could just smash your head through that window. So easy!" the Avatar smirked.
"Whoa, whoa, why the aggression?" Mako questioned lightheartedly. Fae scoffed.
"You're a stranger bothering me in a trashy bar in a trashy city. That's a dumb question considering I don't even like you!" they snapped. Kind of a lie.
"Oh, but what if I like you?" the griffontile asked.
Ba-thump.
Fae narrowed their eyes. "We just met. What do you like about me?"
"For starters, you could probably mop the floor with me," he replied. "And, you're already into me. You go for them easy, like me."
Ba-thump.
Fae blushed, glaring at him. "First I'll use you, then I'll kill you." They discreetly bended the foul beer from their glass, forging a small knife. Mako slapped his palms on the table as he stood up. The Avatar stood as well, eyeing them intently.
"Well, why don't we take this out back where you can really mop the floor with me?" Mako glared at them. Fae knew Mako was not taking them seriously, but they would not back down now. They glared back. "Well maybe I will, you freak."
A few patrons let out hoots of laughter and wolf whistles. One of them was shaping him Afro in the shape of Mako's ugly haircut. Fae threw the knife; it went straight through the man's hair.
"Hey, we're just playin'!" the fool yelled, clearly upset about his hair.
"Don't fuck her too rough, Mako boy," the bartender snickered. "My bad, "mop the floor"." The group laughed again.
"Whoa, chill out! This ain't what you think!" Mako grew a fireball in one hand, then threw it at the bartender. She dispersed the flame easily, snickering at his reaction.
Oh Pepper, he's a major loser.
'Just don't break him...'
.
The pair had moved themselves to an empty park outside the rundown part of the city. Mako might have told them what it was called, but that did not matter. Something-something Memorial Park of some historical hero? Who cares! Fae had some threats to follow through with.
Mako made the first move by punching a fist of fire at their face. Fae dug two large, round stones from the ground to punch back at him. Another burst of fire followed, and they cartwheeled to dodge that burst of flames from the right. Fae nearly staggered on their landing, feeling the concoction of alcohol swimming in their head. They launched two more stones. Mako spun and high-kicked the projectiles out of his way. He drew two whips of fire and lashed them at his opponent.
Fae grinned widely, jumping onto an air scooter. The sphere of air spun his flames into nothing, then the air blew outwards, knocking Mako backwards.
"Ouf!" He fell into some bushes. He scrambled out, a shocked expression on his face. Fae dried out the grass and small plants near them, forming two spiraling wads of water.
"Earth, air, and water?" he questioned.
"One more element," Fae grinned as the balls vaporized in bluish white flames. Mako's jaw hung open in surprise.
"T-that's impossible! You should be dead!"
"Not as dead as you're about to be! RAAH!" Fae brought her fists together, aiming a combined larger shot of blue flames at him. Snapping out of his initial shock, the firebender sprout leathery feathered wings and flew out of the way of the attack. The flames struck the bushes instead. Fae assumed the griffontile was too stunned to speak at first, just flapping his wings to remain hovering.
"You're the—" A water whip wrapped around one of his legs, immediately throwing him on the ground. He cried out silently in pain. Fae walked up to him. She kicked him in the stomach, mostly for the gratification of beating a man. He groaned in pain, curling up on his side. His movements were slow, almost like he was actually hurting.
"Oh, so this is it," they muttered. Victory wasn't as satisfying as they thought.
'You went too far, Fae.'
I can probably heal him, I didn't really break him! Right?
'Maybe not, but you should still apologize!'
He asked for a fight and got one! It's what he wanted. Can you really be upset?
'Apologize, Fae!'
"Uh, sorry, Mashu," they muttered, blushing lightly. "I thought you were stronger." 'Sigh, good enough.'
"M-Mako," the griffontile hissed in pain as Far helped him sit up.
"Right, Mako. I uh, over did it. But you're good, right?"
"Yeah, sure." He pushed Fae's hand away once his strength to resist came back. He climbed to his feet, but staggered when he tried to walk. Fae kicked the ball of their foot on the ground, and a sloped rock rose up to catch him. He groaned in pain from the fall. Fae then repositioned the slab into a flat bed.
Fae looked at the burning bush, then snorted and spit at it. A steady, but strong gust of rain showered over the plants. The bush was nearly uprooted and very shriveled, but at least the fire was out.
Focusing on the griffontile once more, Fae bended water from their previous fight, covering their palms in a dimly glowing light. They directed the water all over Mako's back and shoulders. Even through the blue—denim, whatever—uniform, they could tell Mako was physically well built for whatever age they were. The griffontile grumbled a response, but sighed with pleasure as the pain subsided.
"Yeah, I'm the Avatar," Fae said after a pause. "If you tell anyone, I'll really kill you. Got it?"
"We're in a wide open park, y'know," he grunted, forcing his eyes open to look at them. Peachy orange and sleepy from their spar.
"Oh, yeah. You're spared from death, then," Fae replied, patting his back. "You're probably still bruised, but not broken, so get the hell up!" the Avatar snapped.
"Aww, no fun," he pouted, sitting up. He attempted to stretch, but cringed from soreness in his neck and arms.
"I only helped you because you looked pathetic," Fae muttered just loud enough for him to hear. As pathetic as this man was, Fae would prefer he did not spend too much time in pain.
"Pathetic? That just hurts," he said, trembling his lower lip sadly. Fae thought he looked like a sad little bear-dog, but whatever pal...
"Whatever, I didn't do it for you."
'Thank you, Fae.'
Yeah, yeah. You're welcome, Pep. Happy?
'I'm always happy for you.'
'Eugh.'
"Aww, and I thought you weren't gentle," he grinned.
"Shut it, you dumb bird!" she grunted. Mako stood up from the slab. He managed to stretch his arms lower, popping his elbows.
"I feel much better!" He smiled at Fae. "You mopped the floor with me, so I think I owe you my body to "use," right?" he winked. Fae glared, blushing. They kicked the ground, causing a bit of earth to jerk him off his feet, stumbling him to the ground. Fae chuckled at his dispense. He got up, frowning.
"Alright, alright, enough!" he sneered, grabbing their wrist. Fae grimaced when his face was inches from the Avatar's face. "You're a major brat, you know that?" Fae stared at him, awestruck by his boldness to speak that way.
Ba-dump.
"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?" they challenged.
"My place isn't far, if you're still willing to tussle," Mako smiled whimsically. Of course he lived in a neighborhood as shitty as that bar..
"I accept your challenge," they answered.
I've been getting back into Fairy Tail and 100 Year Quest, so I've been slow to updating haha. As a fan since 2013, I want to see this series through to the end. The female character designs continued to piss me off but still. XD
Thanks for reading!
- ML