The Honor of Love (ATLA fanfic)

40: Advice

The young man walked into the underground café. It was very dark and he needed to watch his step. A loud jazzy type of music filled the room. People were laughing, drinking and playing games. The air was thick of the smell of candles, liquor and smoke. He looked around the room, looking for the lady they described to him. They told him she'd be very easily noticed. An old woman with long white hair, with thick, golden hoops in her ears and a necklace with a jade dragon around her neck.

He scanned the room a few times, walking around until he noticed a table in the corner with three people sitting at it. The table was full with empty sake glasses, however, neatly placed around a big Pai Sho board. The lady sat across the Pai Sho board, thinking about her next move when a young policeman walked up to her and stood down in front of her.

"Ma'am, you have to come with me." He said straight to the point.
"Can't you see I'm in the middle of my game?" The lady replied without looking up.
"It's urgent." The policeman insisted.
"Is it now?" The lady asked and she looked up. For a split second, the golden spark in her blue eyes flickered as she saw the handsome young man, that reminded her of her husband.

"
The policeman blushed and shook his head. "No, ma'am," he said sheepishly after he cleared his throat.
"Well, then I see no point in going with you." The lady replied airily.
The policeman sighed and he bend forward and whispered in the lady's ear: "It's the Avatar." He straightened up and looked at the lady who nodded slowly.

"Sorry Shu, it seems like I have to beat you another day." The lady said as she stood up from her chair. "Yeah, as if...." Shu mumbled under his breath before he knocked down the last bit of sake down his throat. The lady grinned and she slowly walked outside, followed by the policeman.

"So what did she do now? Besides covering the city in spirit vines." The lady grunted as she quite agilely stepped over one.
"I can't tell you right now. Not here." The policeman said as he looked around.
"What are you looking for?" The lady asked slightly irritated.

"We should get a taxi, I just came from the station." The policeman said as he tried to signal one.
"It's urgent, but you still need to get a taxi?" The lady asked annoyed, "I could have finished my game in the meantime!"
"Well, yes, but-"
"-Let's just go with my vehicle." The lady interrupted and walked towards her automobile. "Uhm, are you sure that's a good idea?" He asked worriedly, picturing the empty glasses on the table again.

"You said it was urgent! I'm not going to wait for a taxi, I can't stand that long anymore. Besides, I just got this a few days ago. And I do like new toys." She said and winked to the policeman. They walked over to the vehicle that was parked diagonally on the pavement next to the parking spot.

"We can just call a-" The policeman.
"You either get in or I go off alone." She interrupted him.
"Fine." The policeman said wih gritted teeth and he got in the car.

She inserted the key and got the motor started. With a few shocks she got it on the road. "Where to?" She shouted over the sound of the engine.
"The City Hall." The policeman stuttered as he held tightly to the dashboard.
"Ugh." The lady said as she pulled a face. She raced through the city, almost hitting every possible car. The gear shifted and made horrible sounds as she changed to the fastest gear.

They raced through the streets and finally arrived at the city hall. "Well, that was fun." The lady said when she parked it sideways in front of the City Hall. The policeman got out, white and panting.
"You ought to be a bit more careful, ma'm." He said carefully.

"Ugh," she scoffed, "what's life without a little bit of thrill?" She said with a teasing smile.
The policeman looked at her and smiled friendly. Together they walked into the City Hall. The lady looked around the building. It has been so many years since it was first built. She was there when it happened, when her whole life changed.