The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 5

Now

“Here you go, have a nice day miss.”

I took the newspaper, paying the paper boy as I did. “Thank you and here’s a little extra for you.” I gave him a little extra, sticking the paper underneath my arm. He bounced off, smiling. I walked on, taking in the afternoon as I walked through the city. I took my well-worn path, heading to a place that had come to have a special place within my heart.

I entered the tea house, the door-bell ringing as I did. The few workers who were about the tea shop stopped and looked at me, and smiled as they recognized my face. Giving them a nod, I sat myself down at the corner table by the window.

“Hey Bri, haven’t seen around in a few months- where ya been?” Ye-na came over, grabbing her pencil from behind her ear.

“Oh, I just took a little vacation.”

“Sweet, was it with Kwon?” She tapped her pencil against her note pad trying to think.

“Um, no, no, it wasn’t. Just me.”

“Oh, okay, so, what will you be having?”

“Um, the usual.”

“Okay, expecting anyone else today?”

“Maybe, I don’t know yet.”

“Okay, one green tea with honey and a pinch of ginger with three mini round butter ball rolls, coming right up.”

“Thank Ye-na.”

“Any time Bri.”

She swayed away, the sassiness that stung in her words seeped through her in her walk. But she was a good person. She started working at fifteen, in the back as a dish-washer. From there she worked her way up to second general manager- the youngest in the tea house’s history at 19. We had practically grown up together, with my business of the tea house going on five years, we had come to get know each other.

With a small sigh to myself, I opened my newspaper; laying it on the table. I got through only two pages before Ye-na came swaying back towards my table; a cup of tea balanced on her right hand and a plate of mini butter rolls on her left. With a smile, she slid the plates onto the table just as I moved the paper out of the way.

“Thanks Yen.”

“Anytime Bri, anytime. If you anything, don’t hesitate to wave me over.”

“I won’t.”

She sashayed over to her other tables, as I picked up my cup. Taking a deep breath of the tea’s steam, I could feel myself relaxing more already. The thoughts of seeing Korra and Bolin along with the added feelings of seeing Asami and Mako earlier had turned my brain to mush. I needed to just relax. So I came to my favorite tea house. There were so many memories here, so many bonds made.

~~~

I landed on the island, walking as I did. People called out to me, and I waved back. I had delivered the news to my former students shortly after breakfast that I would be returning as their teacher after the coronation of Prince Wu. We were all excited at the thought and the coronation couldn’t come soon enough.

“This can't be happening! I'm not even an Earth Kingdom citizen; I work for the Republic City Police Department.” I paused in the doorway, confused by Mako’s statement. I looked to the kids.

“What’s going on?”

“Prince Wu wants Mako to be his body guard after he gets crowned, President Raiko said he would and Mako isn’t too happy.”

“Thanks Ikki- I knew Raiko was a pr-.”

“-Not anymore. You're just a pawn in Raiko's diplomatic game. You can try talking to him, but I don't think he's going to let you quit.” Mako let out a groan. I felt bad, even though it was him. I barely knew- I didn’t even know Prince Wu and I didn’t like him.

“There's a Southern Water Tribe ship pulling up to the dock!” I turned and looked at the Acolyte who stood in the door way. The children jump up and ran out screaming Korra’s name in one loud voice and Tenzin smiled. Taking a deep breath, I followed after the group.

Korra was another person I had left hanging. I wrote to her once a month for nearly two years, but then my life got busy, time was lost, and I found myself utterly lost once more in the direction of my life. I never even wrote her to explain what had happened, not that I doubted that she hadn’t heard about it. I’m not the type of person, who lives a life with many secrets.

Walking along the dock, I smiled at the view of Naga stomping down the ramp. “Naga!” I hugged her neck, rubbing her side as I did. Following after her was Tonraq. He greeted Tenzin with a handshake.

“Tonraq. It's good to have you back in the city. And everyone is excited to see the Avatar again.”

“What do you mean? Isn't Korra already here?”

“No, we thought she was coming with you.”

“Korra left the South Pole six months ago. She's written me letters. She said she was here in Republic City.”

“I assure you, your daughter is not here.”

“Then where is she?”

I watched the exchange with disbelief. There was no way in the good world that this was happening. Taking a few step forwards, I shook my hands, getting their attention.

“Whoa-whoa-whoa-wait, are you telling me that the Avatar is missing- AGAIN?!”

#WhatWillHappenInBook4?