A Dancer's Heart

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Escape!

(Surprise! Enjoy!)

"There it is!" Korra shouted while pointing. Alessia felt uneasy at this. It was a sight to see. Ba Sing Se. All in her glory as they were approaching it. They said a ruthless queen was ruling Ba Sing Se. She felt like kings and queens ruling was a bit more for history now these days. Why was there still a queen in charge who had gotten her beat.
"Are you excited?" Kai asked as Alessia shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't sure how she felt. In truth, she was still very upset about leaving the Republic City because of her sister. She wanted to find the Air benders and get out. Hoping the city would be able to point them into the right direction.
"We are almost there! Get ready to head out." Tenzin's voice carried over the chattering of the excitement. Bumi, Kai, and Jinora had all left to go to the deck of the airship to practice a little more on air bending. Alessia was still looking over the map on the massive table that was in the center of the cabin part of the airship. She sighed while crossing her arms. She was not looking forward to coming back here. Her father had passed away here. Of course, she had never told Korra about this. The only person who knew was Suyin. She frowned while touching her necklace again. Her hand traced across the map to the locations they had visited. Seeing the red line of their pathway when they started from the city. Rubbing her temples as she heard shouting from outside as Kai had stolen Bumi's wallet. Rolling her eyes as she made her way outside and leaned against the railings. Hearing Bolin speaking to Korra as he was kicking his legs from sitting on the rails.

"Look Mako! Ba Sing Se! Where our father grew up!" Bolin shouted while pointing towards the large city.
"I'm looking, Bolin, calm down." Mako spoke as he came up. Everyone was silent for a moment while watching the city get bigger.
"I wonder how many air benders there are." Korra broke the silence as they reached the outer wall of the city. She looked over the edge a little and saw several citizens looking up at her. Then, the smell she knew well had hit their noses. Seeing everyone pinch their noses from the smell.
"Uhh. The Lower Ring looks terrible." Korra spoke. Alessia rolled her eyes at this. Of course it did. The queen cared nothing about her citizens. Only the riches.
"Yeah, we can smell it. No wonder our dad left." Bolin spoke. Alessia frowned at this. This is where she was living when she was with her father. She sighed a little as her sister gave her a look. She shook her head. It seemed when living with Asami, they had it taken to their heads about living in luxury.
"Hello middle Ring!" Bolin then shouted while raising his arms. Seeing others shake their heads at him and chuckle. Seeing the center ring and then the Royal palace. Alessia scrunched up her nose at this.
"Now, this is more like it!" Kai spoke as he and Jinora were looking at the sight with excitement on their faces. Feeling the wind was light today as they began their descent as the airship was now going down to the platform where they now landed. Alessia left to grab her things. Her bag was all she needed. Sighing softly as she left the room. Her bag over her shoulder as she headed out with the others.

The ramp had moved out as they made their way down it. Seeing a few guards there and a man in the front. He was extremely well dressed since they were after all, in the middle Ring.
"Hello Avatar Korra. Master Tenzin." The man spoke. Completely ignoring everyone else. "It is a pleasure to welcome you and your party to the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se. I am Grand Secretariat Gun." The man introduced himself. Alessia gave the man a bow out of respect as Korra had finally bowed as well. Hearing Naga and Pabu running off the airship now as well. Alessia couldn't help but smile at them.
"Ah! The smell of the upper ring!" Bolin shouted again. Rolling her eyes at him.
"Oh no. The queen hates animals. You cannot have them here." Gun spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"I can hide Pabu in my shirt. These two are going to be harder." He pointed at Naga and Oogie. Gun then began to walk away quickly. She was speed walking to keep up.
"Follow me and hurry. I will take you to your quarters." Gun spoke while everyone was now following them. She was looking around the area since she had never been to the Upper ring before. They were crossing a bridge as she looked over and smiled. Seeing how beautiful it was here. Frowning then when they should be helping the people in the Lower ring. They had now arrived at a house big enough for all of them to fit inside.
"Now, when you meet the queen make sure you bow low enough, that's very important, and don't look her in the eye, she can't stand that. If any food is served, don't eat before she eats. Well actually, I have to taste her food first, then she eats, then you can eat. Better yet, just don't eat." Gun spoke as Alessia raised her brow at him.
"That's a lot of rules." Korra spoke as her brows furrowed.
"I know. I am the one who gets into trouble when others do not follow the rules so please, please for all our sakes. And for her majesty, follow them and do not upset her. Now follow me." He spoke as Korra began to follow him. "Just Korra." Gun added as Tenzin was going to follow her. Once her sister was gone with Gun, Alessia dropped her bag off on a bed she picked. Sitting down as she bounced a little before folding her hands on her lap while looking around. Fumbling with the ring upon her finger before looking at it. It seemed so long ago since that day. Hearing a knock as it brought her back to reality as she looked up. Seeing Asami smiling at her.
"Hey, we are gathering. Come join?" Asami asked as she nodded her head and pushed herself off the bed and followed her friend out of the hallway to the main room. Seeing others gathered around.
"Has anyone seen Kai?" Jinora then asked while looking around. Alessia started looking around as well.
"Where did you go little bro?" Bolin then asked.
"I don't think I've seen him since we landed." Asami then said. Alessia then face palmed and sighed.
"What's the point? He doesn't care about us." Mako then spoke.
"Come on. He is my little bro. He is probably lost and scared." Bolin spoke. Alessia shook her head at this knowing full well that Kai was probably out stealing.
"He is just a little boy, and he's our responsibility. Besides, he's the only airbender we've recruited so far, we can't lose him." Tenzin then spoke. He was not wrong about this.
"Fine. Bolin and I will find him." Mako spoke. Alessia walked over since she wanted to help search for him as well. The city was huge.
"No. Stay here just in case." Mako spoke.
"Alright detective." Alessia spoke.
"Thank you, Captain." Mako spoke with a smile before leaving. Alessia went back to the table to see a map of the city was spread out. It was not long after that Korra had come back.
"What did she say?" Alessia then spoke before anyone else did.
"In order for her to help us, we need to help her." Korra spoke.
"What do we need to do?" Alessia then asked.
"Not you. Just Asami and I." Korra spoke as Asami nodded and followed Korra right back out. Alessia grumbled and sat down. Crossing her arms and sighed. Feeling Jinora touch her shoulder.
"It's alright. I am sure there is a reason." Jinora spoke. Alessia nodded her head. She was still upset. She wanted to go out and help but guess it was just best for her to stay put just in case.