Tahno walked ahead, flipping his swooshed hair every now and then, seemingly getting used to how it fell into his face like it used to. Kari hung back to talk to the fireferrets.
"I'm still not sure about you staying with him alone, he still isn't very trustworthy..."
"Korra, honestly! He's gone through enough without your judgment-" Kari interjected
"Besides, Kari took on some major enemies back in her day...like Asula- was that her name?"
"Azula, but close enough, Bo. Just-be careful Kari. You're still new here. The world's pretty dangerous."
"Mako, I took on three benders this morning when I thought I couldn't bend. I think I'll be fine. I'll meet you all later back at the island."
They left and Kari ran up to catch up with Tahno who was watching people come out of the Sato Future Industries Factory. Amongst the crowd of people leaving a group of three girls left together, two metal benders and a fire/ lightning bender.
"You could have waited up for me," Panted Yichan , "The generator's on the far side of the building!"
"Sorry, don't get too heated you made it here eventually. Besides, a little exercise wouldn't hurt. When was the last time you worked out?" teased Da Li.
"Same as the rest of us, community bending practice..."
"Salma, you had the best chance out of any of us to get picked for one of the big teams. You even beat Tahno a few times when you were kids"
"the world's funny like that, Yichan, the ones we beat as kids sometimes get the jobs we want as adults-"
"Hey, who's that?" they all looked up. There, about fifty feet away stood a tall pale man with a shorter by comparison brunette with her long hair tied up in a sloppy bun and loose hair framing her face. Tahno was looking right at them but the girl scanned the crowd not knowing who to look at
"Speak of the devil- it's Tahno!" Blurted Da Li.
"But who's that with him? Another fan girl?" Yichan added
"If she was, she'd be hanging on him. Think he's here to see you, Da Li?"
"NOPE! He and I are over. Can't imagine why he'd be here to see me except to show off a new girlfriend"
Tahno pointed them out to the mystery girl and started to approach, the girl trailing a step or two behind. He became visibly shocked when he noticed Da Li there.
"Guess he's not here for you..." Yichan whispered to Da Li.
Tahno stood in front of the girl only for a moment before steping aside and cordially introducing Kari to Salma, Yichan, and awkwardly Da Li.
"Salma, you're hair's falling out," she flushed pink for a second that Tahno had the nerve to criticize her hair before reaching up and metalbending a hair pin back in place to hold her hair which was braided into a coiled bun behind her head.
"I told you she was a great earthbender...." he said to the strange new girl. Salma grabbed his collar and brought him down to eye level.
"Are you going to keep toying with me or tell me straight what's going on?" he pulled himself up and out of her grip.
"Rowdy as usual. Fine, I'll tell you. I'm reforming the Wolfbats and we need an earthbender." she stood there, dumbfounded.
"Wow, that has to be the first time I have seen you lost for words."
"Salma, take his offer! It's your dream!" She stumbled for words.
"But, what about my job?"
"if we can start winning some games, you'll make more than double what you have now, I suppose. She thought for a moment.
"well, what's your answer?"
"I'm not wearing those silly wolfbat costumes you had last year."
"you that's a yes?..." she suppressed a grin.
"I suppose ..."
"Great, I'll go talk to the league managers to get us registered. Meet me at the Badgermole tonight to celebrate." and he walked swiftly away leaving Kari with people she only just met.
"Your parents had a sense of humor didn't they?" asked Da Li
"What?"
"Your name, named you after a dead woman."
"No. I really am Kari," it took a few minutes to explain as they walked through the market district.
"So, how do you know Tahno?" Salma asked
"Oh, uh, I saved his life this morning and convinced the Avatar to get him his bending back. You?" They took a moment to digest that information.
"We were in the same junior bending league. We trained together, but only he was chosen to become a probender by one of the sponsors. So I found work as a metalworker at Sato's factory. I make weapons but I like forging siding and tanks more."
"Do you all know him?"
"Well, not really me, but Da Li does..." Yichan teased.
"Shut it. Yeah, Tahno and I dated once if you can call it that. I broke it off when I saw that we had nothing in common and he was just too full of himself. I'm fine if you want to date him."
"What?!? I just met him this morning!"
"Yeah, after saving his life. Now suddenly he wants to go into probending with you. He's obviously seen something he likes,"
"Yichan! Seriously, I just joined because it sounded like fun and he's a nice person."
"See? You do like him in a way, most people don't like him after their first impression of him.-"
At that point a few reporters came towards their group and shoved recorders at Kari and Salma's faces.
"Ladies, is it true that the Wolfbats are back in for this season?"
"Well, that didn't take long..." Da Li muttered.
"Well..." Kari stuttered, not knowing what was being shoved at her face. Salma grabbed the recorder and spoke firmly.
"Yes, the Wolfbats are returning this year to hold their winning title, even if it's with a few new benders." The reporter took his recorder back.
"Our sources say that Tahno is still captaining the team, would you be the new members? Can we get your names and a statement?"
"I'm Salma. I used to work at Future Industries as of this morning in metal fabrication. I plan to do all I can to maintain the winning streak and bring more pride to the Wolfbats with another winning year."
"And you, Miss?" he said passing the recorder to Kari.
"My name is Kari. Yes, I'm that Kari from the urban legend. I only met Tahno this morning, but have no plans to disappoint him by not giving my all for the team and bring honor to the Wolfbats. If you want to find us all together, we'll be at the Badgermole this evening to celebrate. You can get real statement then!"
They left in a hurry to spread the news.
"Would you guys like to see Airbender Island? Apparently I live there now. Besides, I'm going to need help dressing for tonight's party. My clothes might be a little outdated."
"Don't feel embarrassed," interrupted Da Li, "we don't need an excuse to go shopping. You're one of us now."
"Yeah, gotta look good for Tahno tonight!"
"I'm not dating- oh fine...let's just go shopping..." She said as she resigned herself to the fact that they probable wouldn't let her drop it.
