An Echo of Legends: An ATLA Mystery Story (on hiatus)

Chapter 21: Researches and Searches

When Kya and Tenzin got to Toph's apartment, the earthbender was hidden behind her desk, which was completely covered in paperwork, talking angrily on the phone to someone at the police station. 

"I have gone over this time and time again! I have worked here for a decade, and yet you always forget that I can't do paperwork!" She hung up the phone and looked at Tenzin, Kya, Lin and Su, who were standing by the door. 

"You can go out," she said, "Just don't tell your parents, okay. I have enough people who are mad at me as it is." They didn't waste a second, clamoring down the stairs and out of the apartment complex.

"Okay," Kya said, "Lin and Tenzin, you get the police reports. I will go with Su to look for witnesses, because that sounds like a lot more fun."

"How should we get the police reports?" Lin asked, "I really don't want to have to break any more rules."

"I think you can just ask," Kya said, uncertainty in her voice, "That's what Izumi did to talk to Azula." Tenzin was very skeptical of this, but he kept his mouth shut. Besides, for some odd reason, he didn't really care that much about breaking the rules. He had done so much over the past week that it didn't seem to matter. Kya went with Su to go... somewhere, while he and Lin started walking towards the police station in a comfortable silence, that Tenzin felt with no one else. Bumi always felt the need to fill the empty space with a joke or a wisecrack. Kya was always talking about something, she never let things just be quiet. Tenzin thought she was afraid of what that quiet entailed. He and Izumi never talked about much, but that quiet was always tense. But with Lin he felt at peace. That was what airbenders were looking for, wasn't it? Inner peace and detachment from worldly desires. But Lin also grounded him. She brought him back to earth in a way he didn't quite understand. 

"We have a bit of a problem," she said, as they approached the police station, hearing the sound of a sky bison, "I think your parents are here."

~~~

Kya decided to ride the trolley to find her first witness, who wasn't exactly on the list, but would probably be useful for Izumi to talk to nonetheless. Su was staring at the city in wonder, and Kya was inclined to join her, but the trolley stopped fairly quickly, and they walked towards Republic City Towers. It seemed like an old apartment building, one that had been there back when Republic City was called 'Cranefish Town' a terrible name if you asked her. 

"We're just going to stop in here for a little bit and talk to someone, okay?" she said to Su. Su nodded, taking her hand as they walked inside. An older woman was sitting at the reception desk, squinting down at the sheet of paper with the utmost interest, only looking up when Kya and Su were right next to her. 

"Hi," Kya said, "Is Chihiro here?" The woman eyed them curiously.

"Up in the attic," she sighed, "Her lunch break just started, so she should be there." Kya thanked her and took Sue to the elevator, which she was very excited to ride.

"Press the top button," Kya said, and Su delighted in doing so. The elevator rattled as it made its ascent to the top of the building. Kya lifted up Su and spun her around, and her delighted peals of laughter made her smile. There was a ding as the elevator door opened. There was only a short hallway, with one door, an ice chest, and a jukebox. Kya hesitated, and knocked. There was a thump, a screech of pain, and then the door opened, revealing Chihiro, who was clutching her stubbed toe. 

"Kya?!" she breathed, "I didn't- you didn't tell me you would be here."

"Sorry," Kya said sheepishly, "Is this a bad time?"

"No!" Chihiro blurted out loudly, "Um, do you want to come in? It's a bit of a mess." Kya smiled, and she and Su walked inside. Chihiro had lied. There was barely anything in the room, just a mattress, and some books lying haphazardly on the ground. Against the wall, next to the window, was a wooden chair, and on that chair was a camera. A really nice looking camera that Kya had seen news reporters carry before. The wall was covered in photographs of the city. Its people, its places, everything. 

"I didn't know you were a photographer," she murmured. 

"I don't show anyone my photos," Chihiro replied quickly, "It's just a hobby. Was there something that you wanted to talk about?" 

"Yeah. So my friend, Izumi, her aunt is kind of on trial for the attack on the temple. Izumi's convinced that she didn't do it, and she's trying to get witnesses to testify. Since your mom was involved with the people who actually did this, I thought that maybe..."

"Oh," Chihiro sighed, "You need something." 

"No!" Kya shouted, "I mean, yeah, that's technically why I'm here, but I guess, I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Oh," Chihiro said again, "I don't know..."

"Well that's fine!" Kya said hastily, "Do you maybe want to come with us, today. It would be nice to hang out with you." Chihiro thought for a few moments.

"Okay," she said, "I'd like that. I was going to go take some pictures anyway." Kya beamed, feeling relieved. Chihiro took her camera from the chair, handling it delicately. She swept some of her long dark hair behind her ear and slipped on her shoes. 

"Ready?" Kya asked, noticing a hint of nervousness in her voice. Chihiro smiled and nodded.

"I'm ready!" Su said excitedly. On the elevator, Chihiro had her hands on the metal railing while Kya spun Su around. As they walked into the street, Chihiro's face instantly became brighter as she took in the sights and sounds of the city.

"I want to take the trolley again!" Su exclaimed. 

"I don't know. I think it's going to be awhile before it gets here," Kya said truthfully. Su's face fell. 

"It's not that bad," Chihiro said, "When you're walking, you get to see the views of the bay, and the park much more. We can get some dessert from the fruit stand if you want. Believe me, it's better that way."  Su seemed to think. Then she nodded. Chihiro turned to Kya, "Where to?"

"What?" Kya said. She had completely forgotten about what she was supposed to do. She shook her head, "Right. I'll look at the list."

~~~

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