I love cookies! How about a small fic-let?

"Hey, Korra! Korra, wait up!"

She tried to walk faster, but Asami was too quick. The ebony-haired girl cut in front of her, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. "Hey, what's wrong?" Korra jerked free of her grasp, ignoring the concern etched in those vibrant green eyes.

"I'm fine. Leave me alone."

She didn't want to talk. Not to her, anyway. The waterbender kept her head down and walked past Asami, but the other girl was insistent, following her. "Did I do something wrong? Korra, please!"

"I said, I'm FINE!" Korra whipped around, shouting the last word as she clenched her fists. Didn't Asami know how much it killed her, having to walk past her and Mako's kissy-faces each and every day? She had thought, at first, that her jealousy was because of Mako, that the firebender had been the cause of her unrest. But as each day passed, Korra realised that it was the beautiful Asami who inflicted such pain.

It was confusing. Thrilling. Agonising. She already screwed up the team once, she couldn't do it again.

Asami stepped back, the hurt at Korra's harsh tone evident on her pretty face. Instantly, Korra was remorseful, but she didn't know how to fix it. Even if she could apologise, it would just crush her more day by day. Nothing would change unless Asami and Mako broke up.

"Korra?"

Her voice was soft, but gripped the waterbender's nerves like a vice. Asami took a step closer, but Korra turned her back. "It's nothing. I'm fine. Go on, Mako's waiting for you."

Oops, sorry. I has a sad now.

@ Sashu: Sounds like you're growing up to me (a good, non-condescending observation ;x). Breakups are hard, but sometimes people grow apart. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just human nature. What's important is to realise that if you're entering a relationship because you think that you're going to be alone forever if you don't, then you're doing it for all the wrong reasons. Remember: you can't be in a loving relationship if you don't love and respect yourself first. I think you're finding your inner strength, and that will really make you happier in the long run.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to say that it's okay to be sad! Breakups are sad, sometimes (a lot of times). Move on at your own pace, and make sure you do process any sadness you might have, or it might turn to bitterness later.

I think you're being very mature, though, and that makes me happy for you. <3

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On a somewhat lighter note: Dragon Age: Origins, how I have missed you! Though, stupid Alistair, what are you doing?! Myrna is Zev's, why you all givin' her a rose and stuff. D< Stop it. Cousland's for you, not Tabris! STAHP.

My arrhythmia is acting up. I hate it so much. It's like having a hummingbird trapped in your ribcage. Also it makes me queasy. Ugh.

That works for me! Hm, let's do it at the "Restaurants" thread in Downtown Republic City — we can kind of gloss over the actual meeting. Go ahead and start, and I'll play off of whatever you write. Be sure to have a read of her profile, however. She will likely refer to herself as her pseudonym. :] Let me know by PM when you've posted!

Hm. Maybe someone wrote to her advice column (she does write under a pseudonym, if we go this route) and they're the subject of the investigation? Ro won't talk easily, so they might have to treat her to lunch or something, and it could come up.

Hiya! If you want, my character Rohana is available for a community Equalist-centric RP (as I mentioned before). During the day, she works as an "agony aunt" advice columnist for the Republic City Times, and an Equalist trainer (basic martial arts & chi-blocking specialisation) at night. You mentioned wnating to get into a meeting of sorts, if you have any ideas how these two can meet up, we can go to one. :]

Just just played Leliana's Song last night. Ugh, Marjolaine. I cannot with the feels.

Also, bah @ Ryari. It's not my sleepytime movie! At least, not exclusively. =P

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'Anytime', Kelly Clarkson.

OOC: Yes, Airi. :] I know you're struggling a bit, but it's OK! You're doing better than I would expect most people to be able to do, after adopting a character that's not their own and has already been in-use, with some pre-planning in regards to plot. I don't think you're doing badly at all! <3 Also, holy jeez this post is long. >.> Sorry! D:

Note: I am also going to draw up a map of the girls' apartment, just for reference, and PM it to the both of you.

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Ling nodded at Mei's words, noting that Hyuk-jae still shrank back from her sister's presence. After hearing what that other so-called "healer" had to say about his condition, the freckled woman really didn't blame him. How was he to know that Mei wouldn't do something like that? Still, it frustrated her. Mei was the nicest, sweetest person anyone could meet, and the young man just couldn't see it.

She jammed her hands in her pockets and extended the offer from a couple of weeks prior. "Our mo-- our spare room is still available, if you want it," she said casually, trying not to make a big deal of the situation. For the average person, being evicted was embarrassing enough; for Hyuk-jae, who knew? He looked so lost and so scared, and Ling wanted to hug him.

But she didn't.

Lee patted his shoulder instead, and Ling was glad she had called him. He seemed to care deeply about Hyuk-jae, more than he let on. She thought absently that she had an advantage over the older man; an interesting concept, but one the woman was not willing to pursue. She had no quarrel with Lee, and didn't want to make the entirety of the Wooden Eye her enemy. She had already experienced what it was like to live in fear of being hunted, and it wasn't an experience she was willing to repeat. Or drag Mei into. After all, she had her deal with Iluak.

"There's no rush," she added when Hyuk-jae's reply didn't come. "Just think about it, for now." She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from her pocket — she was never without them these days — and jotted down their home number, handing it to Lee to give to the young man. "Our home number, just in case you don't have it with you." Tactfully, Ling skirted around his eviction with the vaguest of terms. "Just give us a call when you make your decision."

Mouthing a 'thank you' to Lee and giving him a little bow, she turned to Mei and handed her the now-cold lunch. "It's probably not all that great, since I made it AND it's cold," she said by way of apology. "I'll be back at sundown to pick you up." She kissed her sister sweetly on the cheek. "Love you. And don't worry about him, okay? He probably just needs to get used to you being a healer, you know?" She gave Mei an encouraging smile. "Hopefully he'll accept."

—

And he did. It was the next morning when Hyuk-jae contacted them. They agreed on a small, minimal amount of rent payment. There was no way Hyuk-jae would take charity, Ling thought to herself, and rattled off the smallest number of yuans it would take to help with bills.

Before he arrived, Ling stood in the doorway of her mother's room. It was going to be Hyuk-jae's room soon, and Ling took it upon herself to make it ready. There was no way she was going to ask Mei to help; the loss of their mother was hitting her harder than anything, so apparent by the way her eyes had a perpetually tired look from lack of sleep.

The door opened with a groan, complaining of disuse, and she was somewhat surprised (why, she didn't know) to see that nothing had changed; like it was just waiting for Ma-ma to come back home at any moment, her silver hair flashing in the sunlight and her silver eyes mischievous as her daughters begged her to tell them where she had been all this time. The room was a little musty, but still smelled like her — the clean smell of talcum powder and fresh linens, with just a hint of lilies. The room itself was small, only slightly bigger than the rooms each of the girls occupied, having room for a small table that also served as a vanity, as well as a wooden armoire for clothes. With a heavy heart, Ling emptied out the armoire first, gently folding the clothes into a paperboard box. There weren't a lot of clothes, but each piece brought vivid memories of Shi'ren wearing them. The white, floral-print dress, for instance. Something reserved for the most special occasions, like the anniversary of Father's death.

After she had finished putting away clothes, Ling aired out the bedclothes, hanging them over the small clothesline and securing them with clothes pins. They fluttered in the slight breeze, bouncing the line as they moved. How many times had she watched Ma-ma do the same? Ling clenched her jaw and went back inside. She passed Mei on the way, who looked like she hadn't slept in a hundred years, resting her head on the kitchen table. A steaming cup of tea sat next to her, and Ling moved it away from her sister's head. Wordlessly, she patted the waterbender's back as she passed, more than happy to take on cleaning out Ma-ma's room. Mei looked so tired, so broken. Yet again, Ling remembered coming home that dreadful day. There were little details that bugged her, like that feeling you get when you know something is out of it's proper place, and you just don't know what. They said she had died of exhaustion, but Ling couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to the story. She wondered if Mei felt the same, but didn't know how to approach the topic.

Going back into the bedroom, Ling finally made her way to the vanity. A photo of the Yao family sat in a wooden frame next to Ma-ma's hairbrush. She picked it up, grinning at the slightly cross-eyed look she had given, much to her mother's mild annoyance. You're an adult, Ling! Shi'ren had told her, trying to hide her amusement. When are you going to take things seriously? Then nineteen-year-old Ling had grinned up at her and shrugged. Never! It was the last photo they took before Father passed. Ling went to go put it in the box, then thought better of it, and put it in her room. Eventually she'd put it on the small memorial shrine in the living room, next to Father's photo.

After removing the dainty lace covering Shi'ren had crocheted herself, Ling emptied the rest of the vanity, placing all the small nicknacks into the same box with the clothes. She sealed the box with some packing tape, wrote "Ma-ma's Things" on the side in her scrawling script, then slid the box into her room, squeezing it under her bed. It barely fit, but there was no room otherwise. Maybe one day, the agency would make enough money so they could move into a larger flat, and give their parents the memorial shrine they deserved.

—

Hyuk-jae arrived with little fanfare, just as Ling was tucking the freshly-aired sheets back around the mattress. He looked so small, and so sad and scared. The freckled woman smiled as brightly as possible, and let him into the house and giving him a brief tour. The living room and kitchen kind of blended together, though there was enough space for a small, four-person kitchen table as well as a sofa, one arm chair, and a small coffee table. "Feel free to listen to the radio if you want," Ling said, gesturing to the device. "The phone's also there for you to use if you need it, but sometimes we get wrong-calls meant for the shopkeep downstairs."

She lead the way down the narrow hallway, passing Mei at the kitchen table. "This is my room," she said, pointing to the first door on the left. "This is Mei's room," she pointed to the next door, also on the left. "And this..." she stopped at the end of the hallway, and opened the door on the right, "is your room." Ling smiled in what she hoped was an encouraging manner. "Make yourself at home. The armoire is for your things, as well as the vanity. If you need more blankets, let me know. The bathroom is the door right across the hall here." She paused, then said softly. "We're glad you're here. We hope this can become your 'home', in time."

Ling closed the door, giving Hyuk-jae some privacy.

—

The next couple of weeks were a learning experience for her. Hyuk-jae seemed afraid of them, at first, but they soon fell into an easy routine. The three of them all worked, and soon Hyuk-jae was busying himself around the house as well. It wasn't long after that the girls began including him into the meal-making / house-cleaning rota, alternating who did what on a daily basis.

She could tell that he was still afraid, and she had to wonder to herself how bad his last place was, and how his parents treated him, for him to be so skittish. Ling tried to ignore it as best as possible, and let him acclimate in his own time. It was a difficult task; patience outside of gambling and fighting weren't exactly her strong points. Hyuk-jae apologised a lot, for starters, like when he had accidentally broken a plate. He looked so terrified, and kept apologising even after Ling had swept up the broken pieces and told him that it was okay. She commanded herself not to snap; instead, she smiled a little, and bit the inside of her lip to keep from making a smart-arse remark. "It's fine, Hyuk-jae," Ling repeated for the hundredth time. "I'd rather have a broken dish than an unused one." Something Ma-ma had said to her when she was learning how to set the table.

Ling didn't hear from Lee again, which was just fine with her. The Wooden Eye was not a place she'd want to frequent, and the young woman was more than happy to stick with playing games at the Fan. Hyuk-jae occasionally disappeared at night, so Ling assumed he was with Lee. She wondered what, exactly, the relationship between those two were. She had thought originally that Lee was one of Hyuk-jae's "clients", but was beginning to reconsider in light of how close they seemed to be.

One night, when the three managed to get together for dinner (it was usually just a dinner for two, either Ling and Hyuk-jae or Ling and Mei, seeing as Hyuk-jae avoided the older Yao sister), Ling decided to broach the subject of Hyuk-jae's illness. She had noticed that he had little fits like when they first met — he'd blank out for a moment, freezing in the middle of whatever he was doing. She noticed it right before he broke the plate, and at various other times in the past two weeks.

"Is there anything we need to know?" she asked Hyuk-jae, serving him some pan-fried meat. It had been her turn for dinner, and she had made sure to only give him very small portions of rice. She found it strange, but she had recalled him saying something about needing to do so for his condition. "What would we do if you had a..." she tried to remember the word, but couldn't. "...an episode?"

Lucky! Good luck, I hope you can convince her! I hate flying, but if I could travel abroad that would be worth it. <3

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So tired. Managed to reply to almost everyone tonight, as well as get some work done, so gonna try and see if I can fall asleep before sunrise for a change.

OOC: Some slight NPCing, sorry! Figured we'd go with a slight time skip, maybe a couple of days. :]

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Bolin laughed — a deep belly laugh — when Airi called Mako a 'meanie'. He draped his arm around his brother's shoulder again. "Aw, he's not THAT bad," he conceded, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "He's just so seriouuuuuus." The earthbender made an exaggerated face, furrowing his brows in a scowl and dropping his jaw dramatically so his lower teeth jutted out. "He IS a worry-wart, though, that I can agree with." He could sense Mako's rising irritation at ever moment the spent in the square, and he sighed. Time to go home, apparently.

Airi was kind of staring at nothing, her eyes glazed over. Memory troubles again? Bolin let Mako go a second time, stepping forward to wave a hand in front of Airi's eyes. "Yoo-hoo. Airi?"

Oh, sorry, what were you saying?

"Nothing, really," Bolin said easily, despite being slightly taken aback at how quickly she snapped to. "Just that it was late, and Mako and I probably need to be heading on home. We'll walk you there," --Bolin ignored any sounds of protest coming from his brother-- "since as Mako pointed out, it's not safe to be alone." He grinned at the other firebender, knowing that Mako wouldn't let her go alone, not after the fuss he had just made about things being dangerous in the city.

"Shall we?" Bolin offered the crook of his arm to Airi. When she accepted, he motioned to Mako to follow them. "And we're off!"

~*~*~

After a quick walk (he remembered the way back, thankfully), the trio found themselves in front of Airi's bakery. Holding out his hand to shake, Bolin gave a funny little bow. "Thanks for a great day, Airi. You're a great listener, and your bakery is fabulous. Please say 'thank you' to your mom for me!"

After seeing Airi in the door and giving a little wave, the brothers headed back to the arena. Bolin's voice took a more serious tone. "Hey, Mako?" There was a slight catch in his throat. "I really am sorry. I just lost track of time. Don't be mad at Airi, okay?"

For all that he whined (silently) about how his brother smothered him, or wasn't grateful for the attention he got from his fans (girls), Bolin loved Mako. They were brothers, bound by blood as well as hardship, and Mako had always looked out for him. Sure, he wished Mako would take him more seriously sometimes, but sometimes he did have a point. He couldn't always tell when people were being dishonest, like Shady Shin the other day. And what had happened? Not only did he help the Triple Threat Triads --who Mako always said were bad news, even when they were doing odd jobs for them-- he wound up getting captured and nearly having his bending taken away. He hated to admit it when Mako was right, but he always did.

"It's boring at home, Mako," he added, his voice picking up a more pleasant tone. "Wouldn't you rather I get in trouble outside of the house?" He laughed as they arrived at the arena, climbing up the ladder steps to their attic apartment.

"Woo! Bed!" The earthbender pumped his fists into the air. Pabu mimicked him, and the two flumped down on their bed and fell asleep instantly, shoes and all.

~*~*~

It was a couple of days later before Bolin and Mako saw Airi again. They had been going to get some groceries (unfortunately, at another personal loan from Butakha) from the Marketplace when they came across the firebender girl at Central Station. She had curled up against the base of Fire Lord Zuko's statue, asleep.

Bolin's jaw hung open. Who slept in the middle of a public square? Exchanging a look with his brother, the earthbender quickly went over to her sleeping form, placing a hand on her shoulder and shaking her gently.

"Airi? Hey, Airi, wake up. It's Bolin," he added as an afterthought, in case she didn't remember him.

はれはれゆかい - Haruhi Suzumiya

そばかす - Judy & Mary

@jin: I fully support the indoctrination theory... even though I don't think it's true (if that makes sense). If EA/Bioware had any sense they'd make it a reality, but using "EA" and "sense" in the same sentence almost always makes for an oxymoron. I heard about the Omega DLC & the new ME game, and I don't think I'll be getting either anytime soon.

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So tired. Yay insomnia.