Korra could barely say anything in the interrogation room. She tried to move the handcuffs, but it was tied to the table. There was nothing in the room, even a door. She started to wonder how did she went in? It was scary to once again being swallowed by the silence. She got caught by the police, does that make her a criminal now?

The metal wall suddenly split opened, and the chief of the police entered the room. Lin gave her a glance of you-know-what-you-did.

 “I just wanted to stop the bad guy!” Korra protected.

“You should have called the police and stayed out of the way!” 

“You’re suggesting I do nothing?”

“I’m suggesting you stay out of trouble.” Lin said, "And for your sake, you've already dug yourself into a deep hole. You know you're not supposed to leave Southern Water Tribe. Not without bodyguards.”

“I don’t need bodyguards! I can protect myself!” Korra shot up, pulling the handcuff, “I mean... what you’re talking about?”

Lin glared at her. Her eyes flash with anger and unsympathetic. “I’ll send you home.”

“Wait! Yes, you got me. But I just want to see Tenzin. Please, at least let me meet him first!”

Lin looked even angrier. Korra imagined Lin smacking the table, but she just turned around and left.

“Fine.”

The room quickly fell back to shadow and stillness. 

 Sitting in the room, Korra could hear her mind started to wander. What was Yamak doing now? Did he mad at her? Did her parents angry? Do the people in Water Tribe even realised she was gone? Or they would just go on their day, already forgetting her existence.

She wondered how long the time had passed. What if the chief would never come back? What if no one would come back for her?

The sound of the opening wall cut her thoughts.

“You have five minutes,” Lin said as she Earthbending the wall. A man walked inside.

“Tenzin!” Korra shot up, making the table shaking. “I finally meet you in person!”

“Korra.” Tenzin nodded to greet her. He didn’t look happy as much as she was happy to see him. “You know you’re not supposed to be here.”

 Her heart dropped, “I know, but listen,” she said, “I know you’re busy and you can’t leave the city. That’s why I’m here. Would that make things easier for you? I promise would not cause any trouble!”

 Lin snorted outside.

“Anymore.” Korra corrected herself. She dropped her gaze to the ground.

Tenzin sighed, “The city is not safe for you.” 

“But I’m the Avatar! Doesn't it is my job to be there when people need me?” 

“I’ll call Yamak.” he quietly replied.

Ah yes. Just like the plans. 

She had gone through so much trouble - Almost froze when escaped the compound, got lost, nearly crushed by cars, got a panic attack, got lost again, and yet nothing as hurt as hearing this man, who supposed to be her sifu, turned her away. And the saddest part was that she had expected this answer, and still, she felt like someone shot her with lightning.

“Why bother? Just let me stay in here. It’s not different to the compound.” Korra fell back to the chair.

“Would you rather be in jail?” Tenzin said.

“At least I can officially call it a prison,” Korra murmured, staring at the floor.

Tenzin looked at her sadly and left. 

Lin gave him a puzzled look on the way out.

“I’ll call The White Lotus,” Tenzin said.

=== 

Tenzin was back in his office. He held the phone, ready to call Yamak, only to be interrupted by a call.

 “Dad! Dad! You are back!”

 He looked up to see his daughter, Ikki. The little girl ran to his room and hugged him happily.

“Ikki, I’ve told you not to go into my office room.” He scolded, but he was happy to see his little girl regardless.

“Sorry,” She yelped, “I saw you leaving earlier. I thought you were going on one of your looong trips.”

“Not today.” Tenzin patted his daughter’s head. 

The little girl noticed his father was holding the phone. She pointed and asked excitedly, “Who are you calling?”

“Just an important person,” Tenzin replied.

“Is something wrong?” 

“No no.” He quickly reassured his daughter, “It’s just… a student of mine is here.”

Ikki shrieked in excitement, “She’s must be very happy to see you!” 

Tenzin didn’t answer. He remembered the disappointment in Korra’s eyes when he turned her down.

“I have to make a call, Ikki,” Tenzin said.

“Alright. Alright” The little dashed out the room, “But when she comes here, I can show her around the Air Temple Island for you!” 

“Thank you.”

===

Tenzin was now in the room alone. This young girl had somehow found her way across the sea. Maybe at least he should hear the full story. 

He dialled the number. The phone rang, but the person picked up wasn’t his mother.

“Tenzin?”

“Kya. Great. You pick up.” Tenzin murmured.

 “Ah yes, it’s nice to hear your grumble voice again. How are you?” Kya said.

“Why is Korra here?” 

“Oh, she has arrived safely to Republic city? Mom will be happy to hear about this.” 

“Cut the chase, Kya, why is she here? She was supposed to be safe and sounds in the Southern Water Tribe. That was the deal!” Tenzin growled.

“Hey, don’t blame me. It’s mom’s order.” 

“I don’t believe you! Give the phone to mom!” Tenzin said.

“She’s not here.”

“You’re lying!”

“Why do you never trust me?” Tenzin swore he heard laughing on the other side.

“You have never been serious!!”

“I thought we’re all agreed that is Bumi’s job.”

 “It’s- No. Quit it! I don’t have time for this nonsense! Give the phone to mom now!” 

“And again, I have told you. She’s not here.” Kya said, “It’s mom’s order. If you don’t believe me, how do you think Korra can get away without being hunted down by the White Lotus?”

“I was going to ask the same thing! Did you talk to Yamak?”

“No, but mom did. I don’t know what she said but that man was not happy. Same with Chief Tonraq.”

She seemed serious. It made him worry.

 “Did they let her stay here?” Tenzin asked in caution.

“It’s up to you now.” 

“But why did mom decide to change her mind now?” Tenzin said.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you come here and ask her? She would love to see you. Bring the kids too.” Kya chuckled but there was an edge in her voice now.

“Kya, I have told you, I’m busy. Republic city is not in a good state. I can’t teach the Avatar right now. I’ll call Yamak to bring her back!”

“Right. Running when the situation got tough, huh?”

“I’m not running! I’m just busy right now!”

“We grew up in Republic city, Tenzin. It will never be in a good state, you know that.”

“That is not a nice way to say to somewhere you grew up!”

“When do you going to teach her then? Until you’re gone like dad?” Kya snapped.

“Let’s not talk about dad!” 

“Korra is dad’s reincarnation. I don’t think that is possible.” Kya snorted, “You want to cut the chase? Fine. Give me one reason why you can’t teach her, I mean besides your dumb city excuse, and I’ll come there and get her myself.”

“I’M SCARE ALRIGHT?”

There was completely silent on the other sides.

Tenzin fell to the chair. 

“I’m not ready. What if she’s in danger? What if I’m not good enough? What if I let dad down?”

The room started to grow cold as though somehow the winter of Water Tribe can be contagious through the phone. He looked out at the window, picturing a man riding on the sky bison, saying goodbye to his family. He could tell his sister had done the same. It was their game, guessing how many days until father return. It had been a part of the routine. Their father. The man was gone but left so many things behind.

“It is not about dad.” Kya finally spoke, “It’s about Korra, and she needs you. Don’t do it for him, Tenzin, do it for her.”

“Are you sure she needs me?”

“I mean, you’re the only one who can teach her Airbending at the moment. It’s not like Bumi is going to Airbend out of the blue.”

“Gee thanks,” Tenzin growled.

“But you’ll be a great teacher, Tenzin. I know you do.”

“Thank you.” Tenzin smiled, “even though it’s a good lie.” 

“It’s not a lie gee.” Kya snorted, “You’ll be alright. You have the chief of police with you-"

“Don't bring her into this!”

“And if you need help, give Bumi a call, I’m sure he’ll always come to your aid.”

“No way I call him.”

“Or you can go here and ask mom—"

“I have to go.” Tenzin cut her off.

“Alright.” Kya sighed. “Do you still want me to come and pick her up?”

“No. It's fine.” Tenzin said, “You stay with mom. She needs you.”

“She needs you too.”

“I really have to go” Tenzin paused, “But tell mom… I miss her.”