The first few days felt like ages for Korra. She had to put up with Mike's presence at meals, out in the more communal areas of the island-it really felt like he was always there.
It wasn't as if he was trying to be near her. Mike was quickly put to work by the acolytes, the monks and nuns eager to have a new young set of arms and legs helping with the upkeep of the temple so they could spend their time on other things. They were kind enough to give him a couple spare robes and a new pair of shoes, though none of it fit quite right due to his height.
He spent most time outside of chores in the small room near the edge of the temple where the island's radio was kept for communal use. He fiddled with the knobs and kept the volume low, easily finding his own radio's stations and listening to them over the hundreds of signals available. He also found a Republic City classical music station, and she spotted him one night listening to a live recording of a piece traditional to the water tribe.
There was little in the way of funny business at first, which was a relief for Tenzin but only made Korra more suspicious.
Having a near-permanent place to stay on the island when he needed to, it was easy for Mako to keep an eye out on things. There was a time each day where he sat down with Mike and asked him the same three questions.
"What's your name right now?"
"Where did you wake up last?"
"Are you a bender?"
Thus far the answers were always the same: Mike, my room, no. He would continue to do it anyway, on the off chance that they would slip up.
Things didn't stay so calm for long.
"Korra! You need to find yourself a partner to spar with," Tenzin announced at breakfast one day. "The usual volunteers are not available today." Mako had to go in for some stuff that was work related, and Bolin was already off-island doing something Bolin-y.
"What? Who am I supposed to-" Korra asked before scanning the room and frowning. "No."
"No?" Tenzin parroted.
She stood up. "I see what you're doing. It's not going to work."
"Could someone pass the-"
"We're having a conversation, Mike, cool it!" she snapped.
He closed his mouth.
"If you don't, it'll be more running around the island, solo technique, and learning with the acolytes," Tenzin said with a sigh. "I'd prefer you take time to air out whatever's been bothering you the past few days."
"I'll just meditate, it's not that hard-"
"You'll be sparring with Mike, and that's final."