Quite, short sounds of speech could be heard under the huff and puff of someones breath. Indescribable babble as a young man darted from side to side of the docks, and his mind unraveling at the seems as more and more people turned up. His eyes darted from side to side, person to person as he became faint, his face felt cool to the touch but beads of sweat glistened off of his skin like the sun off of the water. Even still, he was steadfast in moving forward and he knew what he needed to do. Even still, Jin couldn't help but feel the itching sensation to run now, and never look back. To be away from all of these people — but then, in an instant, they nearly all vanished. Jin had gotten to the furthest end of the docks, to the water. It was amazing, beautiful, but there was something in his nose. A scent he couldn't distinguish. That..might be the ocean. Still it grew on him, at least enough to ignore it.

His feet pattered in place as he lifted one to set it down to turn his body. He wanted to take in the entire view of the docks. The sun showed it's hues, even if ever so briefly before the clouds covered it once more gave Jin a small smile. It was beautiful, and even more so when the sun lit the waves of the ocean. Steady, and calm, and yet in a moments notice it could turn ballistic and ravage whatever was in it's path. It reminded Jin of himself, more so than he would have liked. For a moment he didn't move, but instead took in everything that was in front of him. She was right...it is calming. The thought left as suddenly as it had come, and Jin was once more refocused on his task at hand. Finding out where Ash was hiding.

As he gazed around, another, similar thought as the last surged through his mind, Now where could she be... He remembered what Ash had said about the docks, even if it were some time ago. He wanted to talk to her again, if not for the sake of talking to her, at least to talk about the team and their problem with the earthbending aspect of the entire charade. They needed an earthbender, and even after a week of searching he hadn't found anyone. There were earthebenders all over the city but Jin wasn't the best at getting their attention, and keeping it. It still surprises him that Ash had stayed to talk to him for as long as she had. He nearly gave up on his search until he saw her walking toward his general direction. Jin shuffled his feet in place for a moment before stopping. He needed to get a grip on the situation. They were at the very least acquaintances, if not friends. He could talk to her and keep his cool, definitely.

"Hey Ash!" Jin shouted as he rose one arm into the air waving it from one side to the other. He jogged his way over to the woman, straightening out his jacket and shirt once he stopped his jog. His face remained still as he took a second to think of what to say. He fumbled thoughts through his head before finally stopping, rubbing the back of his head. "How are ya? Any luck finding an earthbender?" He hoped she had better luck than he did. If she didn't, the two of them were going to have to miss this years competition, something that Jin really didn't want to do. Not now, not after getting so close to it.

Sadly neither of them have had any luck finding an earthbender for their probending team. Jin couldn't help but feel defeated. With all of the work He had put in to be prepared for this tournament, training everyday, doing his workouts every morning, and going out to actually socialize with people. A faint, short smile crept over his face despite the news. He had to go out, and because of that He met Sashu. He made a mental nod to himself, reassuring himself that everything was going to work out, one way or another. Jin actually nodded when she said she was great, there was no need for him say anything else and yet He was caught off guard as quickly as he nodded. He tried his best to look down at his bandages, one finger playing at the cloth before he let a soft chuckle escape his lips. Shaking his head, he let the cloth go, looking down at the woman in front of him.

"No," He started, a smile and playful laugh coming off of the word. "I don't think I told you this last time, but I just like wearing them. Keeps me focused on the task at hand." Words were never truer as they played across his lips. He had learned the hard way that if you don't keep your mind focused, and on your current task, you will get burned. There was nothing worse than getting a very harsh burn, and even worse than that is when it comes from your mother because you lost focus. Thankfully medical waterbending had come so far in the last seventy years, and it gave Jin a life without the burn. 'I'm good though. Been getting out more often, I still don't like it too much though...It's to...." He waved his hands, emphasizing the fact that Jin was looking for the proper word. "Busy. I was nearly consumed by all of the people walking on the docks."

Young Fish? He asked himself, laughing a little. Then a jesting threat came into light, and if Jin wanted to stay away from an early death he'd have to watch his tongue. He nodded, smiling cautiously rubbing the back of his head. His face looked like he had seen a ghost. This was soon remedied though as Sashu tried to stare down her nose at him. Jin knew this couldn't have been easy. He was easily a head taller than she was, and if he stood straight up he would tower over her. His prediction had come true when she stumbled trying to reach her mark, and the two of them had only one thing left to do. Laugh. Jin wiped his eye when he finally got himself settled. "What am I doing here?' He asked himself, a finger tapping at his chin. "You said that the ocean was a calming place. I thought I'd come check it out for myself. Finding you here too was like the cherry on top." He started, and then he started becoming weary of what he had said. What if she took it the wrong way?

Jin couldn't help but nearly stumble on his words trying to retract himself to his previous statement. "And you were right...the ocean is really calming...." He fake smiled again, his fingers fidgeting a little with one another. He hoped that this wouldn't cause any animosity between the two of them. The last Jin needed was a repeat of the day in the park so early this time. Not that he wanted to ever repeat that day, Jin had gone home angry and he could hardly get past it. It took twenty minutes of bouncing a fireball back and forth for him to settle his nerves. He let out a soft coo, air pushing past his lips. He gave a genuine smile before he spoke once more. "I was also really curious about the beach, I haven't been there in so long." He proposed the topic, and possible destination for the two of them to go instead of the docks.

Things change so much. I swear Badger Mole Street was right here, and there used to be a small restaurant here with the best stews.

What am I even doing here? What am I supposed to say to Father.. to Jin? ‘Hey I’m back, let’s pretend nothing ever happened?’ No… It doesn’t seem right. I need…

Well, at least I know the direction of Air Temple Island: in the sea. Maybe I can get a good look at the whole city from there.

Ah, he’ll know where everything is. I should also check what’s been going on in Republic City; Everything is changing. I’m lost in my own home-town. Pathetic.

“I wish to purchase one of your papers.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The old farmer was right: The Avatar DID join a probending team…. What an entrance. I remember the triple-threats, they were a bunch of punk kids fighting for scraps. Looks like someone took over and made them big. So her name is Korra… and she’s not even fully trained? I thought The Avatar could already bend all elements, what is this? Well, I supposed that’s why she’s in Republic City: training at Air Temple Island. I wonder if I can catch her training there? No, actually, the Probending Arena is probably where I’d find her. It seems like a big tournament is about to begin. There is indeed a nice prize for wining… Qualifying matches have already begun!

“Excuse me, sir. Can you direct me to the Probending Arena?”

The subtleties in her movement, in the way she reacted to the things he did didn't elude him. They stared him down like a hawk on a mouse, but what they did do was confuse him. He wasn't unaware, but rather, bewildered and confused by what they could possibly mean. What could she be thinking, or saying to herself about everything he did like his poor mop-up of his potentially disastrous forward compliment. Strange and different were two words that barely fit inside of Jin's little world, and he lacked as much experience with them as they held context to his life. Even after his over-analytical conversation within his mind about what everything she did could mean, she once more took his attention. She confirmed his assessment of the beach, and continued on about the beach.

Even as a smile etched it's way onto his face a single thought flooded his mind like a dam bursting open. Not the same? What could they have done? He wondered, what could have possibly happened in the last fie or six years? What could the city have done to this most sacred of places? Jin wondered to himself the extent of what was different. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw her hand extended. Jin's body froze for but a moment and everything he was thinking about was gone and replaced by something new. What seemed like minutes was in fact only but a few seconds as he filtered possibilities and scenarios around. What would be appropriate? She extended her own hand, so she must of known, or at least expected him to respond. But the last time he did something even he was unsure of, everything seemed to drop dead awkwardly and she left.

Finally he came to an understanding within himself, and his hand extended his own hand. He was still nervous of the outcome but he wouldn't let itself shine like a beacon of light in the dead of night. His hand gently grabbed hers, he grinned, bowed and then cupped their hands. His voice showed very little hesitance. "Well then, by all means, lead the way." And then as the two walked Jin noted still that there was a lack of people. Were the docks always this dead, or did Sashu just go out of her way to make him more comfortable? Whatever the case, Jin listened in on her words, his mind focused now on what she was saying. Then it hit him, a mental bop on the head and the sound of him saying 'duh' was all he could think about. That must of been what she had meant it wasn't the same. It wasn't, it was something entirely different. He nodded, once more letting a couple words escape his lips calmly. "It sounds like a good place to practice. We can avoid the busy gym, and still get the same training as everyone else. Good thinking."