- >After accompanying his contract back to their domain, the mercenary let the child sleep in his bed, turned his sofa into his next sleeping place and headed out.
- >His first destination was a small bar right at the junction between White Lotus and Tortoise: Moon Spirit.
- >As the sun was slowly disappearing behind the horizon, Norman opened the door of the establishment.
- >Almost empty, as usual here at this time.
- >“Still not dead?”
- “Evening to you Scott, can I get a cup of tea?”
- >“I’d rather do something more productive, but heh... So how are you?”
- “Fine, last job wasn’t boring. But I’m here for business.”
- >“Back to head hunting? It’s gonna kill you.”
- “Nah, I’m not interested in taking part, but today, my charge got attacked by guys looking like assassins. Said they were looking for a girl, a child...”
- >“And you want to check if it’s a bounty from the Triads? Welp, sorry to disappoint but there wasn’t any bounty for a girl these days. Hell, I should rather say ‘no bounty at all’, there is some movement amongst the Triads these days, they are restless. Keep low profile Norm’, trouble is brewing, and you don’t want to get involved.”
- “I see... Thanks for the info. And you tea still tastes of pee.”
- >“1 you would know how urine tastes. 2 f*ck off.”
- “Love you too Scott.”
- >The mercenary leaves a few coins on the counter and heads out.
- >A quick glance at the clock on the wall confirms that it is too late to try and meet with his second informant.
- >After leaving Oni in a nearby stable, Norman is back in his office, after making sure that his guest was still asleep he went to bed.
- >The mercenary woke up with the first rays of the sun.
- >Cursing the too hard cushions of the sofa he set the table for breakfast and woke up the girl.
- “Slept well?”
- >“Yeah... Thanks a bunch for helping me out.”
- “No problem. So, can you tell me what you were doing in that forest all alone?”
- >“I... I don’t remember...”
- “Alright, where do you come from?”
- >“... I don’t know either...”
- “Oo~kay... Can you tell me anything about your family?”
- >She stays silent.
- >Not good at all.
- “Alright, don’t worry about it, eat something, we’ll go to town see a Water-Tribe Healer if she can help you recover some memories...”
- >“What if... What if it doesn’t work?”
- “Then... I’ll help you any ways I can.”
- >“Thanks...”
- >A timid smile graces her face.
- “So how do you like my office?”
- >“It’s so cool! And the city is super cool as well!”
- “Yeah, spring is the best season in Republic City, I’ll give you a little tour of it if you want.”
- >“Sure!”
- “I wanted to ask, can you bend?”
- >“Huh?”
- “The elements, you know, fire, earth, water, air. Can you control them?”
- >“Ho... I dunno, I don’t think I ever tried. How does one do that?”
- “Well, it’s never too late to start I suppose, though I can’t help you in that regard, I’m no bender, but I know a few people who are. We’ll go meet them during our little sightseein’.”
- >After a quick shower and dressing Scootaloo in some too big spare clothes, the duo leaves the building.
- >On Oni’s back, the pair crosses through every district of the City, stopping only for a brief moment to show the many interesting landmarks: the Park of White Lotus, Silk Road Bridge, Central City Station, The Statues of the 1st Council.
- “And here is Yue Bay, over there you can see-“
- >“Whoa... This statue is huge. Is it fair in comparison of all his friends’statues? His is like... A million times bigger!”
- “Yeah, Avatar Aang’s statue is quite special. And on the island next to it was his home, Air Temple Island.”
- >“Why was he special-er... More special, than everyone else?”
- “Mmh, well 1st he was the Avatar, master of all 4 elements and, at the time, the last airbender, but it was long ago, now there are more then 20 airbenders around the world, still a lot less than the other 3 elements, but it’s a progress... Also, he ended the Hundred Years War... But his successor, Avatar Korra was also incredible. I’ll tell you more about her when I’ll show you her statue in Little Water Tribe, before going to Zecora’s.”
- >Zecora is an old acquaintance of the mercenary, as a traditional Healer, she isn’t bound by the law to file reports about everyone who gets hurt in town and need to get patched up.
- [spoiler]I can’t write rhyming Zecora... Too lazy[/spoiler]
- >>“Mmh...”
- “So? Can you help her?”
- >>“Shh my friend, the treatment must not end, and distractions are no options.”
- “...”
- >>“... Mmh, my apologies, but I can’t sense anything wrong with that child.”
- “Huh? But that makes no sense!”
- >“Is it bad?”
- >>“I wouldn’t say that it is good, but neither is it bad... Only time will tell.”
- “Sorry Scoots, seems like you’re stuck with me a little longer.”
- >“... It’s okay... I kinda wanted to know more about me... But I guess it will have to wait.”
- >A heavy silence settles.
- >Annoyance surges in Norman’s mind. There is no feeling he despises more than being unable to help.
- “Say Zecora, I know I already asked a lot to you, but could you show the basics of Water-bending to the kid?”
- >>“With pleasure. Follow me little one.”
- >In the little garden outside of the humble clinic, the young woman starts her motion mimicked by the girl.
- >Their arms are the waves of the sea, their feet float more than they walk, life brought to the world by the gentle currents pushing the world.
- >Soon enough, the water inside the small dishes in front of the dancers starts to move, slowly at first, before settling for a quiet rythm.
- >“Ha-Ha! I’m doing it!”
- >>“Indeed, you are a water-bender.”
- “Thanks a bunch Zeco’, mind if I drop her from time to time so you can teach her a few tricks?”
- >>“Mmh, I am unsure, you do know that my services are quite demanded.”
- “Hah true enough.”
- >>“However, my door is always open for a friend or two.”
- “You’re the best, take care.”
- >“You too.”
- >After a short hug, that Norman uses to slip a few yuans in Zecora’s pocket, he and Scootaloo resume their trip.
- >“What did you put in her pocket?”
- “You saw? You’ve got good eyes. Well, I gave her some money, she always insists that I don’t have to pay her, but I can insist harder. I think she knows that I’ve been doin’ that...”
- >Much later, in front of the building housing Norman’s office.
- “Home sweet home.”
- >“Oni’s incredible, he’s barely tired.”
- “Lizards can keep running as long as there is sun. Here are the keys, go ahead, I’ll be right back I have a few errands to run and I’ll be with you.”
- >“Can’t I come with you?”
- “Sorry, but not this time, it won’t be long, promise. Just lock the door once you’re inside and open only to me.”
- >“Okay.”
- >The road followed by the young man leads him in front of the Police HQ building.
- >One phone call later and a man with violet skin and thick glasses leaves the building before waving towards Norman.
- >“Still in one piece? That’s good to see.”
- “Heh, you know me, tougher than I look.”
- >A few moments later, the two young men are seated in Adam’s office.
- >“So, what is it this time?”
- “I wanted to help my fellow citizen. For example: catching some delinquent who would be escaping the forces’ righteous hand for some time.”
- >“Bounty hunting? I thought you dropped... Well, only idiots don’t change their minds... Anyways, here are the latest and the best paid.”
- “Still no luck with that Cloud Thief?”
- >“Nah, but I’ve got a new lead during her latest crime, can’t talk about it though.”
- “No biggie... No kids...”
- >“Beg pardon?”
- “I won’t lie to you Adam, you’re too smart for me to play that game. Yesterday my contract got attacked by mercenaries, said they were looking for a girl, orange skin and purple hair. I did some research, the Triads aren’t the one who put a bounty on her head, so I thought it was Police business.”
- >“A kid? Why would anyone be putting a bounty on a kid?”
- “I dunno... That’s what I was looking for...”
- >“Well sorry I can’t help you pal... But I’ll keep an eye open...”
- “Thanks and sorry for bothering you.”
- *Knock knock*
- >>“Adam, sorry to bother you I was looking for- Norman!”
- “Looking for me cousin?”
- >Norman has just enough time to finish his sentence before his relative hugs the daylights out of him.
- >>“You silly, suicidal boy, you could have told me you were here!”
- “Sorry, I try to avoid saying ‘hi’ to your superiors, I’m not that welcome here.”
- >>“I understand. I’m just happy to see you safe and sound. I don’t know if you’re aware but the Triads are looking kinda threatening, keep your distance.”
- “I will. Sorry but your work day and mine aren’t over. Adam, Chloe, see ya and take care.”
- >“Sure thing.”
- >>“I’ll come to your place one of these days!”
- *knock knock*
- >“Who’s there?”
- “It’s Norman. You can open Scoots’.”
- *Click*
- >“Welcome home.”
- “Thanks, I bought seaweed noodles from Narook’s, the best of the city.”
- >“Sure smells good.”
- “Taste good as well, strange texture tough if you want my opinion.”
- >After turning the television on, the young adult and the child eat their supper on the sofa.
- “Ho cool, Pro-Bending.”
- >“Are they fighting?”
- “Almost, but it’s a sport, lots of rules and accidents rarely happen. This team is my favourite, Rolling Thunder, they’re new on the circuit but they’re really good. I know the Fire- and Earth-Benders from school. But their Water-Bender is just incredible, look how she moves.”
- >Scootaloo starts to mimic the moves on the screen, throwing punches in the air.
- “Enjoying the show?”
- >“Sure! Hey do you think I can learn these moves?”
- “Maybe. We just need to find you a teacher who knows pro-bending.”
- >The mercenary smiles to himself.
- >Tomorrow, more places to go, more people to see.
- >“Say Norman, is there a rule forcing the players to bend only one element?”
- “Huh... Err yeah, when Avatar Korra, the previous one, was playin’ she was only allowed to bend one element at a time. But she was an exception since she was the Avatar.”
- >“Mmh... Bein’ an Avatar sounds important...”
- “It kinda is, but you don’t really have to bother with that I suppose, you bend water and it’s already quite good.”
- >“Ho... I forgot to tell you, when I was practicing with Zecora I remembered something...”
- “Ho cool! What was it.”
- >The girl simply opens her hands, palms towards the ceiling, before conjuring a minuscule tornado in her hands.
- >“This...”
- “You’re the Avatar...”
- >“Does this mean that I can ask for a statue as well?”
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