A World Of Grey (Legend of Korra)

Chapter 36

TRIAD BROTHEL INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The women removed from an address in the eastern district were being held at the premises against their will, it was revealed yesterday. As young as 17, the women were being forced to engage in sexual activities and drugs abuse. The police raid uncovered an established brothel that is said to have accommodated a variety of exclusive visitors. Three men were also removed from the address and arrested.

Republic City Police has stated that the property is suspected to have strong triad affiliations. Two of the suspects are said to have been identified as having involvement with the Triple Threats. Chief Lin Beifong revealed the condition of the women recovered from the address, stating that they are believed to have suffered "physical and emotional abuse".

She said: "The women were vulnerable and victims of coercion. Our investigation into this unsettling circumstance will be thorough. The people involved and all related evidence will be subject to the most sensitive scrutiny."

Korra closed the morning's paper with a sigh. The news was likely already outdated, the afternoon editions being furiously mocked up. She was yet to hear a word directly from Lin despite her promising to keep her updated. The two days that passed since that meeting had been spent struggling with a growing sense of frustration. Korra folded the paper and got up from the low dining table, picking up her plate with its remnants of a late lunch and making her way to the kitchens.

With Tenzin having left early in the morning to attend to his Council duties, Korra was left to meditate with his oldest daughter. It was more to help ease her impatience than anything else. Her mentor had not had the proper chance to continue her instruction in airbending since her return to the city. Quiet, peaceful moments in which to teach were few and far between, and even when they came about that intention was furthest from the mind. There were other responsibilities and worries to be concerned with instead.

Korra enjoyed the cool breeze of the afternoon as she left the family home and let her feet lead where they may. Inclining her head to acolytes as she passed them, Korra found herself heading up towards the eastern cliff side of the island, which overlooked Yue Bay. Perhaps that was not so surprising. Her answering to the call of the waters was inherent, instinctual. She liked to simply sit sometimes and watch them pulled gently back and forth. Her stride slowed, however, as she took the steps that led up towards the plaza.

As the plane of her vision began to smooth out and she could peek over the top of the stairs, she saw two children dressed in complimentary shades of orange. Korra paused, but not for the reason that she was not fond of their company right now. Instead, upon seeing them, she was struck by a quiet sense of surprise and awe.

The two children, both having just stepped into the realm of their teenage years, faced each other across the plaza. They each wore a focused expression, Meelo's thick, dark eyebrows drawn together in concentration. Ikki, the fourteen year old chatterbox, was poised with a serene grace, the braided tail of her hair falling long between her shoulders. Both had taken the same stance, in form the perfect mirror to one another. Korra's eye took note of the manner in which they evenly distributed their weight on lightly planted feet. Carefully lowering herself to sit at the edge of one of the uppermost steps, she rested her elbow on the one above it and leaned forward to watch. Korra was intrigued. And then the airbenders began to move.

It was like a dance, calm, composed and steady, led chiefly by circling steps that flowed with the wind. Ikki and Meelo came together and then drew apart with the measured movements of their feet, never ceasing, never remaining still. Likewise, Korra noticed, their eyes rarely strayed from each other's, only when the turning of their bodies demanded it. Between them there was an almost perfect synchronicity. Ikki lent to her brother gracefulness, making smooth the stiffer transitions of his limbs. In kind, Meelo offered guidance, precise with swift, sharper movements.