it's locked, stupid: book three

ch. 11

Korra and I rode on Naga late that night with Bolin, Mako, and Asami driving in a jeep Su provided us. I was hesitant riding Naga, but she seemed to be okay just like Korra, so I didn't mind. Korra had me in front of her, wanting to make sure I didn't fall off or get hurt. I thought it was sweet, to say the least. Korra and I were keeping a steady pace ahead, following wherever Naga was leading.

We rode all night and all morning, reaching a small oasis town in the afternoon. Naga stopped abruptly, sniffing the ground for Aiwei's scent. Korra looked back at everyone, releasing one hand from the reins to wrap around my waist.

"Aiwei has definitely been through here. Nice tracking, girl," she praised Naga, petting her with her free hand.

"Let's ask around. Maybe someone's seen him," Mako suggested. We moved away from the middle of everything in case Aiwei was still here. Korra hopped off of Naga first, helping me down right after. I thanked her with a smile as the five of us started walking towards a bar in town.

The bar felt empty even though it had customers. Most of them looked at us in annoyance, not wanting us to be there. Bolin's eyes widened as he looked at the bulletin board beside us. He grabbed my arm tugging me over and pointing it out to me.

"Look, they have a mover poster of me!" He said, very proud of himself. I forgot Bolin is technically famous. He became an actor for Varrick while I was away with my family. It was a whole thing. The thing hung on the wall was not a mover poster, though, but instead a wanted poster. All of us had one. "They must be big Nutuk fans. Yeah. I should go over and say hello."

Mako grabbed his bother, pulling him away from the poster. "No, those are wanted posters, and there's one for each of us. 'Wanted by her Majesty, the Earth Queen, for crimes against the kingdom.' I'm guessing this is because you took her airbenders."

"They weren't hers to keep," Korra complained, throwing her hands in the air. "I swear, if I ever see her pinchy little queen face again, I am gonna–"

I shoved my hand over her mouth, much to her dismay. Asami and I looked out into the bar, noticing everyone eyeing us. This is the worst possible position for us to be in. Korra screaming about attempting some sort of pain against the queen while we all stand next to our very clear wanted posters.

"We should go," I said quietly, releasing my hand from Korra's mouth. Bolin, Asami, and I filed out first, Mako and Korra following behind.

We got on Naga, the other three getting in the jeep, and made our way out of town before people decided to get brave and come after us. Naga picked up her trail again, leading us to a rock in the middle of nowhere, whining at it. Korra hopped off, looking behind the rock. I jumped down, peeking behind it along with everyone else. It was a jeep identical to the one Asami had been driving.

"It must be Aiwei, right?" I said, opening one of the doors to snoop inside. There was with the Misty Palms Oasis marked down. The Misty Palms Oasis is where my Gran Gran and everyone met a professor who led them to Wan Shi Tong's library before he forced it back into the Spirit World.

"Bolin and I will investigate the Misty Palms Oasis and see if he's holed up there," Mako said, looking out into the quaint town. It looks like every other Oasis, but this one has an iceberg in the middle, regardless of the desert heat.

"Yes, I love it when you talk like a cop," Bolin cheered, folding his arms.

"I'm coming, too," Korra said.

"No," Mako and I said at the same time without hesitation.

"Why not?" Korra looked at me, caring more for my disagreement than Mako's.