A Proper Introduction
The police arrived at the scene of the crime not a second later as the trio found themselves alone again, no demons in sight anymore. How could they explain this to them and if they’d take them seriously? Mako was trying to conjure up a story when the Chief of Police stepped out of the vehicle. Maybe they could buy some time on the way to the hospital to think of a plausible enough story. While he was trying to mull over a story, Bolin was upset with his brother no doubt. Refusing help, even if the girl was a demon, she was a healer and he was choosing to believe her words. She didn’t look like she was going to even hurt them, to him at least.
Asami wasn’t scared of her either. She had hoped she’d see her again to thank her but the opportunity didn’t allow it with the short time she was with them. She could tell she meant them no harm, the change of her voice though subtle, she knew deep down. She had saved her a second time.
As the Chief of Police walked over to them, her gaze was on the destroyed satomobile before it shifted to the trio and noticed the wound on Asami’s leg. She raised an eyebrow before speaking, “You can all explain to me what happened while I get you to the hospital.” They wouldn’t argue with that. Chief Beifong was quite the intimidating lady, she was blunt, tough and good at her job but she was also caring and protective to the people of Republic City, that too was her job.
Mako asked if Asami was okay to walk or if she was fine on her own. She tested a few steps and realized she was okay to walk the rest of the way to the police cruiser. As they settled in in the back seat, they were now on their merry way to the hospital. It was quiet, the air thick and filled with awkwardness, no one knowing what to say or how to start. Chief Beifong focused on the destination while the three in the back couldn’t even start any kind of small talk. Sensing the thickness in the air, Chief Beifong broke the silence, “Miss Sato, do you mind telling me how your car ended up looking like that. ” Blunt and straight to the point, but Asami didn’t know how to put it in words. To be fair, none of them did. The thoughts being more holy shit, did that really just happen?
But before she could muster up the courage to reply to the Chief’s question, Mako had beat her to it.
“Wait, Sato? As in Hiroshi Sato? The CEO of Future Industries?” His eyes were wide in shock and wonder, but Asami had that small feeling in the pit of her stomach, she was prepared for them to treat her differently but that never came, in fact the opposite happened.
“I’m such a huge fan of your dad, that’s amazing!” Mako’s smile was wide, expressing his feelings just like Bolin except more animatedly, “You get to make cars?! Now that’s freaking amazing!”
The Chief’s low chuckle was covered up by the boy’s reactions as they expressed themselves. Asami had offered to Mako if he’d like to meet her dad and of course it was an immediate yes, she thought it was cute.
The car wasn’t as quiet after that but the question was still unanswered, Lin figured once at the hospital they’d be able to better tell her what happened. The car came to a stop as they were now finally at their destination. The Chief led them into the hospital and Mako was quick to go to the front desk and ask for the person the demon told them to ask for, Kya. Lin raised a brow at this which Bolin noticed, “The person that was there with us told us to ask for someone specifically.” Before Lin could question him, the receptionist had already pinged for her and she quickly realized who it was. A tall and tanned lady with gorgeous gray hair in a ponytail, who was 1. Her partner and 2. Avatar Aang's daughter, Kya.
“Linny! What brings you here?” She greeted her lover with mirth and Lin, despite being on duty, replied with a small smile, “I have some folks with some minor injuries.” This is where Mako stepped in to explain, “Asami here got hurt a bit worse than our smaller cuts,” he went on to explain the gash on her leg, which was thankfully not bleeding anymore, and that they were just caught in the middle of something. Kya took a quick once over of all of them and then guided them to follow her into a room.
She guided Asami onto the table and began to examine the gash on her shin. It wasn’t too bad nor too deep as well, she assured her that it wouldn’t leave a scar either. She brought a basin full of water next to her and began to heal her injury, the glow of the water following her gentle and precise movements. Lin watched her lover do what she does best as she leaned on the counter. It was quiet but not awkwardly quiet like it was in the car. The comforting silence was soon broken.
As Kya bent the water back into the basin, she assured Asami that she was all good to go and if anything changed to come back but she didn’t think that’d be necessary. She also took a look at the boy's smaller cuts which were nothing serious either but she gave them a small tube of ointment. She stepped back and leaned back on the counter next to Lin before addressing the group, “I heard I was requested, so I’m just curious as to who?” She gave them a reassuring smile to keep them at ease, “It’s not everyday I get requested for simple injuries, usually by friends and family I do.” Her wife followed too with her question, “Yes, I’d like to know what happened to you all and how Miss Sato’s car ended up into a giant heap of metal.”
Mako did not come up with a plausible story even with the amount of time he had to think of one but luckily Bolin came in for the save sort of, “Well we didn’t get her name,” he side eyed his brother, “but she looked to be from the water tribe due to her clothes! She was a bit tanner than you and had her hair up with two wolf tails framing her face and…”he thought for a second for what else he remembered, “OH! She had these bright blue eyes but her pupils were like slits.”
Kya took in all the info and asked one more question before she confirmed her suspicions, “Did she say anything else or give you her name?” Lin also raised a brow, waiting for them for an answer.
Mako was trying to get his answer out but of course Bolin beat him to it, “No we didn’t get her name but we really should’ve now that I think about it.” He rubbed his head as the thought occurred, it would have been a really good idea. “But she did say she was a healer, however someone, ” another side eye to Mako who returned it with a grunt, “didn’t trust her enough even after she was trying to help us.”
Chief Beifong addressed Mako with the new information, “Now why wouldn’t you let someone who was a healer help Miss Sato?”
“Well because she wasn’t normal! She wasn’t even human, she was a monster just like the other person who destroyed her car!” He let out frustratedly.
Kya knew who it was.
She had no idea that Korra was now in Republic City. She cared about her since the beginning and even after that night.
It was Asami who spoke next, “They were both demons.” All attention was on her now, “The first demon had destroyed my car with a ball and I thought we were going to die, but then the next moment we’re being saved by her, the other demon.” She wondered if she should mention that this wasn’t their first encounter together but decided against it.
Though Lin and Kya didn’t seem too surprised at all, Kya gestured to her wife, “Well guess you don’t have to file that report, huh Linny?” Her wife just pointed to her head and nodded, “I’ll just keep it in mind.” Demons were not uncommon in Republic City but it wasn’t too horrible of a situation either. The group looked at the two women who seemed really unperturbed by everything, Mako was confused.
“Wait, what?” He said, not clearly understanding the situation.
Kya gave him a sweet smile that made him feel a bit uneasy, “That monster is someone who I consider as my niece.” Mako gulped and just looked away while she continued on, “Say, what do you three have going on this upcoming wednesday?” Lin and her would sometimes join her brother’s family for dinner on Air Temple Island when they weren’t busy but usually they tended to be on fridays, not wednesdays. Now she has an inkling as to why he changed their dinner plans.
The three didn’t have anything going on except work for Asami and Mako but Asami would make sure to leave early.
Kya clasped her hands together, “Good! I believe a proper introduction and a proper apology,” she looked right at Mako when she said that, “are in order. Meet me and Chief Beifong at the docks that night, we’re gonna be having dinner with my brother Tenzin.” They all confirmed and nodded their heads at that. After all was said and done, Kya bid them farewell before she went back to work and Lin escorted them back out and drove them to their designated residences.
Asami was looking forward to it, she’d finally be able to thank her properly this time and get to know her name.
It had been a couple days since the incident with Susamaru and those humans. Korra didn’t dwell on it too much, being busy with her training and whatnot which was going…well, you could say. She could not for the life of her meditate at all. Tenzin would guide her through a meditation session with the kids in the morning in his study. Jinora and Ikki had it down, Meelo…definitely had the relaxing aspect down even if he was sleeping during these sessions and Korra just couldn’t. She voiced to Tenzin that maybe she was doing it wrong but he assured her there's really nothing to do wrong.
The spiritual part of her training wasn’t sinking in yet but her physical training was proving to be better. She almost had the whole “be like the leaf” down. Yeah sure once she got halfway through that damn relic she got more or less kicked around but she could enter it smoothly at least. Even with the current progress she would still get frustrated.
Currently they were finishing her training early tonight because Kya and her wife were coming over for dinner and the kids wanted to help their mom. Korra hadn’t decided if she wanted to join them after, she usually didn’t since she arrived at the island. When they had dinner, she went into the ocean to find hers but it just wasn’t enough, she needed more. There weren’t enough big fish around the bay and she was used to hunting bigger animals in the South. Perhaps it was time to change her diet, she thought as she undressed into her undergarments right at the shore. Naga was behind her rolling in the sand enjoying herself which put a smile on her face despite today being a bit rough.
She folded her clothes neatly before she dived right into the ocean. Water was her native element and whenever she found herself in the water she felt at ease. She felt connected instantly unlike her spiritual side. The water was an extension of her body, she applied the same thinking to her other elements just like Katara had taught her originally, but of course water being her native element it made sense that it came almost naturally. As she swam a bit more deeper scrounging around for fish (for her and Naga of course), she could feel the frustrations of today's training ease off her shoulders. She could dwell on it later after a hot shower.
She could not help but appreciate the beautiful fish that would swim by her face. She tried her very best to not destroy the ecosystems around the island and surrounding waters, but it was very hard when she had to make multiple trips to feel satisfied. Back in the South Pole, before each of her kills she would thank the animals before devouring them. She never wasted any part and appreciated every part of them. Bigger animals like them, she could go days without needing to eat again but here? Everyday.
She got a bit distracted as she noticed a big shadow passing above her. It was the ferry on its way to the island, Kya and her wife were going to arrive and she still hadn't decided whether or not she'd join them. The kids had asked her earlier in the day when they were playing around the house (more like watching Meelo and Ikki cause chaos, Jinora was also guilty a few times too) if she’d join them at dinner. Ikki’s pleas and Meelo's convincing almost got her till Jinora regrouped them and said they wouldn’t take it to heart if she didn’t come. One of Ikki’s pleas mentioned the word family. She implied that Korra was a part of the family but she herself couldn’t think of it that way.
They were clearly different from one another, Tenzin’s family being human and her being a demon. It felt weird to even consider them family, though she enjoyed being in their company, it felt strange. She had a feeling that Jinora knew more than she led on about her but she never confronted her. Even at that, the kids still viewed her as a family member. It was hard to consider herself a part of their family when she knew in the end she’d leave them. She couldn’t live among them, she wasn’t like them. She was the darkness and they were the blinding light that she could never reach. Not like she wanted to anyway…
As the ferry docked on the island, Kya spotted Korra’s big polar bear dog on the shore which did not go unnoticed by the sound of Bolin’s excited squeals, “Oh my spirits, is that really a polar bear dog?!” His excitement almost got him to make a beeline towards Naga until Lin reeled him in. They all walked together where Kya figured Korra would be, if Naga’s around you’d def find her owner nearby. Asami couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of the island all around them, she made it known to the group as they neared closer to Naga which earned a sly comment from Lin, “You should’ve seen it the day Tenzin broke up with me.” Her wife couldn’t help but let out a laugh, “Ha! That day was definitely one for the books.” The trio looked at each other with bewilderment, perhaps that was a story for another day.
As they slowly approached where Naga was, she had perked up at the sight of Kya and ran over to them, specifically Kya and picking her up almost with her snout. She patted the big polar bear dog on her head, “It’s been a while huh Naga?” She scratched under her chin as she encouraged the group not to be scared of Naga and assured them she was a big cuddly animal. Naga was of course enjoying all the attention but soon enough all the attention shifted to Korra who was now walking out of the water with a couple fish in her grasp.
“There you are kiddo.” Kya said as soon as she saw her.
When the trio saw her walk out of the water their cheeks were slightly flushed at the sight in front of them. Korra was wearing nothing but a loincloth and her chest bandages, droplets of water running down her muscular body leaving nothing to the imagination truly. She had smoothed her wet hair back after she tossed the fish to the side to greet Kya but was met with more people than she expected besides from her wife.
“What the hell is sharkbrows doing here?” She didn’t even hide the disgust on her face when she saw him. Of course, to poor Mako’s dismay someone else comments on the sharkbrows comment, the someone else being Lin.
“Hm, she’s not wrong.” Blunt, straight forward Chief Beifong continues with Mako’s poor misery on his unfortunately shaped brows that just happen to look like sharks. Thankfully Kya comes in with the save.
“I brought them here to join us for dinner and ” she looked at Mako with a stern look before she continued, “for a proper apology and introduction.” She ended her sentence with an encouraging smile towards the boy. He stepped up and faced the demon whose name he didn’t even know yet. He scratched the back of his neck in nervousness, “I just wanted to apologize about the other night, not letting you help Asami sooner and you know…” he shifted on his feet, “for calling you a monster.”
Yeah, Korra stopped listening when she heard the name of the girl whom she briefly met on her first night in the city. Asami, Asami…such a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl she thought as she peeked a look at her from behind his shoulder. But of course he continues on, “My name is Mako.” He extends a hand out to her waiting for a handshake which never comes. She just stares at him, unimpressed really.
This was awkward for him, he didn’t really know what to do with her staring at him like that. He turned to look behind him and saw a thumbs up of encouragement from his brother, Asami and Kya, all he could do was give an awkward smile back before he turned back to face her again. She guessed she could save him from any further embarrassment, “Okay.” That was all she said to him, loud enough for everyone to hear. He was confused and thought he misheard but she made it clear to him that he didn’t.
She stepped closer to him, her next words meant for his ears only, “I know you meant what you said, that I'm a monster.” The expression on her face showed no emotion as she continued, “Don’t apologize for something that’s true and you should be apologizing to her, not me.” She stepped back, allowing him back his personal space. Mako could only respond back confused, “Umm, alright?” Deep down he did mean what he said that night, but he didn’t really know her or who she was. Bolin had grilled him about that the entire weekend but he just couldn’t understand how his younger brother trusted someone who was a demon. Ever since their parents had died when they were young, he always protected his brother, they only had each other. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to listen to Bolin this once.
She sidestepped Mako and addressed the girl who she now knew as Asami and the other boy, “I’m Korra.” She crossed her arms, slightly flexing them as she awaited their replies. The boy who introduced himself as Bolin was quite the boisterous fellow, “Hi, my name’s Bolin! But you can call me Bo!” He had a bright grin on his face as he continued on, “I’m Mako’s younger brother. Thanks for saving us by the way.”
Korra didn’t really say anything back to the boy which also didn’t deter him. Then Asami spoke, she had her complete and utter attention, blue eyes meeting green.
“It’s a pleasure to meet your Korra,” oddly enough, Korra enjoyed the way the sound of her name came from her mouth. “How’s your leg?” She had that same expression on her face Asami noticed, softer just like that night. “It’s great, thanks to you and Kya.” The smile she had on her face made Korra feel warm inside, it was a weird feeling but she didn’t dislike it.
“Don’t mention it.” She rubbed the side of her neck and turned her attention to Kya finally who was waiting for her with a grin, “Wanna give your auntie Kya a hug?” She opened her arms up expecting a hug and instead had Naga run into her with her big fluffy body. “Okay, I’ll take this too,” she laughed while trying to settle Naga down who clearly wanted all the attention, it definitely earned a chuckle from Korra.
“It’s good to see you and finally meet your wife,” she met the scarred woman’s face and they exchanged a pleasant nod to each other.
“Lin Beifong,” the Chief of Police said, “Korra,” she responded back. Kya was very pleased with the outcome minus Mako’s awkwardness, it all worked out she thought. Then of course Bolin’s stomach growled which he apologized for while saying he was hungry.
“You going to join us for dinner, kid?” It was Lin who asked, she still hadn’t decided if she would, she didn’t feel like she really belonged at the table with them. “Maybe,” she replied instead, it wasn’t a yes or a no technically. Speaking of dinner, she had to get back to getting her dinner since she fetched some fish for Naga first who was currently devouring the fish she had tossed to the side. Kya interrupted her train of thought, “I think it’d be nice for you to join us.” She was met with a comforting smile which did bring her some comfort. Maybe, just maybe she’d join them after she was done. She knew Kya saw her as family, she just had a hard time accepting it even though she was one of the few people who treated her no differently. The walls around her were just very high when it came to humans, though perhaps they lowered a little when she spent time with the kids and Pema.
“No promises.’ She left it at that and walked away to get back to her dinner. They started to walk away until Asami stayed back for just a moment, she wanted to thank her for that night when she first saw Korra. Korra sensed her presence and turned around to face her, “Everything alright, Asami?” Asami too liked the way her name sounded coming from Korra. “I just wanted to thank you from the first night that I saw you, you saved my life.” A genuine smile is what she was met with and Korra didn’t know what to do with it or how to respond. No random human had ever given her this type of gratitude, it was foreign to her, she wasn’t used to it and she didn’t even care for humans so why the hell did those simple words try to cut through her cold heart.
She looked away before speaking, she couldn’t meet her gaze, “I was just handling some business, nothing less and nothing more.” She walked away from Asami then, making her way back to the ocean. She saw Korra walk away and disappear back into the water before she could speak up once again. She wasn’t hurt by her response, to her it seemed like she was holding back, trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal even if to Asami it was. She hoped she could befriend her, if that was something Korra wanted too, though time could only tell.
Asami caught back up with everyone who waited for her by the stairs so they could all go in together. Her and the boys were greeted with a warm welcome when they saw that Kya and Lin came with more company. “The more the merrier!” Pema had said when Kya had introduced them to her family. Bolin was super excited to be able to meet the children of the previous Avatar even if one of them was missing. He got along really quickly with the airbending children too Mako had noticed.
Dinner was going very well with Councilman Tenzin’s family, the vegetarian dishes prepared were delicious and had Bolin going for more. Conversation flowed easily between everyone, including the kids who liked to ask questions to the newcomers. Tenzin had asked how Kya and Lin met them, to which Kya replied, “Linny brought them to the hospital and I attended to Asami’s wound on her leg.” Pema had asked Asami if she was alright to which she said she was all thanks to Kya.
“Oh what happened?” Tenzin had asked Lin in curiosity.
Of course Lin couldn’t really say what happened, not in front of the kids, they didn’t know about Korra, “Oh it was just some freak accident outside the pro-bending arena that they unfortunately got caught up in.” She waved her hand as she explained.
That lit a lightbulb in Tenzin’s brain, “Oh so you two participate in pro-bending?”
“Yes sir, Bo and I are part of a team called the Fire Ferrets.” Mako responded back to him and his brother added, “Are you a fan councilman Tenzin?!” Excitement evident in his eyes which fizzled away with Tenzin’s response.
“Just Tenzin is fine, but no I’m not particularly a fan of pro-bending.”
“Yeah my brother is just boring .” Kya laughed as she poked fun at her younger brother, it also didn’t help that his ex hopped in too, “Loosen up Tenzin, your forehead will thank you.” Kya laughed harder at that and even his own kids and wife laughed at his expense. “Don’t worry honey, your forehead wrinkles are just fine.” She soothed her husband until he quickly caught on, “Wait, do I really have wrinkles?”
All the trio could do was laugh along with them. Dinner was going absolutely well and everyone was getting along great with them. The kids had helped their mom bring out some dessert which prompted Mako to help clean the table up before dessert was laid out for them. As they dug in, Ikki had asked her mom a question about Korra, “Mom, do you think Korra is gonna come join us?” An innocent question that had Asami honing in on them, she noticed that the kids looked a little crestfallen that Korra wasn’t here.
“Did you kids ask her if she wanted to join us for dinner?” Pema had asked her children as Meelo got up to look out the window to see if there was any sign for Korra. Jinora was the one to respond back to her mother, “We did earlier and she didn’t really respond but I told her it was okay if she didn’t.” Jinora, understanding as ever.
“We asked her too on the beach and she said maybe so just maybe she’ll come kiddos.” Kya said and saw the kids brighten up just a little. Just then though, Meelo perked up and yelled, “Korra’s coming!!!” which instantly brightened the mood on the kids' faces. Korra strode into the dining room (now fully clothed) and was bombarded by the kids. Asami had noticed that she was stiff for a moment before relaxing and patting them on their heads.
“It’s nice of you to join us, Korra.” Pema said with a comforting smile.
“I’m not too late am I?” She asked as she had noticed what appeared to be dessert now on the table, mentally wincing. In the end she decided that she’d join them, it wouldn’t hurt she thought. “Just in time for dessert Korra!” Bolin yelled enthusiastically, she mustered up a polite smile for him, “I’ll have to pass, I’m not too hungry.” Human food didn’t taste like anything to her, she learned that very early on which is why she feasted upon animals.
“That’s more than alright, come have a seat with us.” Kya said to her, but the view in front of her was a full table filled with humans that looked like they belonged together. Bolin attempted to make some space for her but she wasn’t going to take it, she didn’t belong next to them, she knew that. She sat against the wall in the back away from them, this spot was fine for her. Mako of course opens his mouth to her dismay, she wasn’t so fond of the guy, “Are you sure you don’t want to join us over here? There’s enough room for you.” He was trying, that she could tell but she refused his offer. “I’m fine just here.” She wasn’t questioned after that, there was understandment between the adults who knew and for that she was thankful.
“Did you guys just meet Korra today?” Tenzin asked the trio, Korra waited for him to lose his shit. Did he really think she was just gonna stay on the island? She sat criss-crossed just playing with her claws when Bolin said, “Actually, she was the one who pretty much led us to Kya!” She took a peek at him and saw his eyebrows raise and the top of his bald head get a little red as he became mad.
“Wait, so you snuck out to watch a pro-bending match even after I told you you weren’t allowed to leave the island?!”
“Yep.” She popped the p at the end which didn’t help.
“Relax honey, I told her she was allowed to.” Pema tried to soothe her red headed husband, “What?!” The man was in disbelief in what he was hearing and the newcomers were just confused why Korra wasn’t allowed to leave the island, maybe it was because she was a demon they had thought.
“Lin is right, Tenzin, loosen up! Korra did a good thing.” She tried to ease her brother, she could see why he tried to forbid her from leaving the island but Kya knew she wouldn’t have listened anyway. The kid had been locked in that damn compound, she wasn’t about to have the same thing happen to her here. Eventually he did calm down and smoothed down his robes, apologizing to Mako, Bolin and Asami for his outburst and to Korra as well.
“I suppose that was inevitable honestly.” He said to Korra who just nodded her head at him. He realized the error in his ways, he shouldn’t have said that to her in the first place. He should have remembered how isolated she felt being locked in the compound, it was his fault for not doing so. After all that, the table had settled back into the calm and welcoming atmosphere. Korra just watched them from where she sat, the difference to her was clear as night and day. She didn’t feel like she was allowed to call herself their family even though they saw her as one. She listened in on different conversations happening around the table and from time to time she would glance at Asami and turn before she was caught. She couldn’t find out why she was drawn to her, that was a thought for another day.
She would join in on some conversations when they included her, which was a lot, and she tried really hard to reply. She wasn’t used to this, she was more used to sitting with Katara whether it be in silence or her just listening to her master tell her stories about back in her day. She learned a lot about who Aang was, it was the only time she wasn’t compared to him unlike when she would hear what the guards had to say. She thinks Katara would be proud of her making an effort.
But then everything shattered around her when a white lotus guard stepped into the room handing Tenzin a letter which was about council stuff. Asami had noticed that Korra went quiet and was staring right at the ground, jaw clenched and fist tight. Something was wrong but what she did not know.
Nobody saw it but she felt it, how could she have not? The guard, before taking his leave, bowed to everyone and sent a quick glare at her. She felt his eyes on her for just a moment and then he left. She needed to leave, she had to. The air felt suffocating all of a sudden, her claws were digging into her palm and rage almost came over her. She was used to the white lotus regarding her in such a way but those memories they’d bring her were not enjoyable. She hated that they even had to be here but it was beyond Tenzin’s control. She avoided them at all costs, even at the compound unless she had to be escorted for her hunt. It was times like this where something inside her wished to take over, just like right now which is why she needed to leave. The peacefulness of before was already shattered . She needed a breather.
She got up quickly and excused herself, “It was good seeing you all,” she addressed Kya’s side of the table but did not meet their eyes, “I’ll see you in the morning, Tenzin.” She left quickly to her room and shut the door behind her a little too harshly where it could be heard from the dining room, she couldn’t find it in her to care about that right now. She didn’t stay around to hear the kids ask their dad if she was alright, to which he had to explain that she probably had a stressful day today but the adults knew why, of course they did.
Once Korra left through the window in her room, she had one destination in mind.
The Red Light District.