Chapter Text
☾ 3 PM ☽
“So, how’s the dorm life, Korra?” a raspy yet sweet voice asked.
“It’s a nice change in atmosphere. Still trying to get used to the heat here. How’s life for you?” the hazelnut-colored hair girl responded. Korra’s long hair was let loose, waving down her shoulders. She felt more comfortable with it down rather than tied up in her usual tribal, wolf-tailed style.
On top of her head was a blue beanie. She wore a blue and white flannel shirt that covered the hem of her black jeans but on top of it was a navy-blue puffer vest. Around her neck was a water tribe necklace, but the pendant was nearly transparent. She had a drawstring backpack on her back. She was sitting on a chair by the kitchen island to the very left, among four other seats, as the woman who spoke to her stood across the island by the kitchen counter, preparing lunch.
She took the time to look around of her hostess’s house. There were two chandeliers emitting light above the kitchen island. In the center was a decorated white vase with white lilies in it. The kitchen was connected to the living room and to Korra’s right was a large window. Said window was on a wall that was stopped by a corner, leading to the large living room. If Korra got up and moved around the corner, then she’d meet the sliding doors that lead out to a terrace. That and she’d find two doors that led to a bedroom and a bathroom.
There wasn’t much furniture around. It was as if this silver haired woman just moved in here. Korra thought about how their meetups were so rare and they usually were short-lived. She could only hope this one would be different.
The woman interrupted her thoughts, “Well, I think we can agree that it’s certainly different compared to the South. It’s quite refreshing, really,” while pouring tea in two cups. Once she put the strainer and the teapot in the sink, she hesitated before asking the next question as she placed a cup of tea in front of Korra. “Do you… feel homesick at all?”
Korra thought upon this as she raised her cup of tea, looking down at its contents and feeling the radiating warmth, it gave of. It smelled nice and reminded her of home. She took a sip of it as the woman leaned against the island looked at her, observing her. The woman’s silver hair was pulled up to a pony tail. She wore a blue and white, button up, striped shirt that tied up at the hem. Some of the buttons on the top weren’t connected due to the heat. The shirt was raised up enough to show the hem of her blue jeans. Her eyes were pale blue but full of life and concern.
Korra finally answered after putting her cup of tea down, “Not at all. By the way, this tea is delicious!”
The woman sighed, not at all believing her and ignored the praise, “Korra, I thought we were past hiding how we feel.”
Korra chuckled, “Kya, listen, I understand you’re trying to look out for me, but I really don’t feel homesick. I mean, this is a new world, full of new opportunities! I couldn’t ask for anything more! About time I was out of there.” She smiled from eye to eye, but it was forced. It felt like she was trying to convince herself more than trying to convince Kya.
Kya simply shook her head and smiled softly, “Well, alright,” finding it pointless to pressure Korra or making her uncomfortable. She then turned around to the kitchen counter and carried a plate of “Herbed Chicken Pig Salad with Feta.” She then said with a smile, “Eat up! I made it myself.”
Korra’s mouth watered as she looked at her steamy lunch before her and took a bite. A taste of explosion went wild in her mouth, so she couldn’t stop herself from devouring it. Kya chuckled softly, aware that Korra must’ve been hungry, which slightly worried her. She cleared her throat and asked, “Korra, are you taking care of yourself?”
Korra stopped her fork from entering her mouth and then she put it down, still gripping it though. She looked at Kya who was leaning against the island across her, reading her face. Korra nervously smiled and said, “When I have the time…”
Kya shook her head and groaned, “Korra, sweetie, I expect you to take care of yourself. If that’s becoming too much for you, then you know you could always join me instead of pursuing some college life. I’m just worried for you. This place, Republic City, it’s nothing like the souther…”
Korra cut her off as she really didn’t want Kya to be worried for her, so she dismissed her concerns, “I know, I know, and you’re right. I do grab food after my shift at the Café and I make sure to eat dinner. I understand this place is way different to the South Pole, but… I’m still here, alive and breathing.”
Kya looked down to the kitchen island as her eyebrows furrowed with concern, “I know you can take care of yourself, but you don’t know this place. It’s new territory. I was here before with… my family, but… that was a long time ago.”
She turned around and crossed her arms, but Korra didn’t miss the look in her eyes – it was a look that said ‘There’s something you don’t know.’ So Korra asked, “Is there something you’re not telling me, Kya?”
Kya turned around, locking eyes with her guest, “This place is prowling with vampires.” Korra rolled her eyes because she was already aware of this, so she raised her eyebrows asking her to continue. Kya sighed and looked out the window to her right, located between kitchen cabinets, “My mother told me a tale about my father, but this tale is a forbidden legend. A legend that was held a secret for a long time ever since his death. Before you were born, we all lived in harmony – Humans, Werewolves, and Vampires. However, that didn’t mean hate was extinguished. In fact, it’s considered a legend because people don’t believe it to be real anymore ever since his disappearance…”
Korra listened carefully because she realized she didn’t know much about Kya’s life other than her mother’s banishment and her swearing loyalty to the tribe. However, the conversation came to an abrupt stop as sounds of someone smashing against the door interrupted them. Korra immediately turned her head around as Kya looked past Korra’s shoulders to the door.
“Open the door, toots,” a gruff voice said with a cackle following. Korra turned around quickly, fear in her eyes as Kya’s gaze met hers. However, she showed no fear at all. Kya nodded her head to her side, telling Korra to jump through the window, onto the terrace, and to get out of here. Korra shook her head in response because she didn’t want to leave her.
Kya’s jaw clenched and she ran over to Korra, picking her up over her shoulder and throwing her squirming body out and she yelled, “Get out of here… Now!”
Korra’s eyes widened, but before she could argue, Kya disappeared into smoke. What just happened?
There was no time to waste though, so she scurried on the platform of the terrace and jumped on the glass fencing. She looked down and noticed how high up she was, so she morphed into a small white pup, jumping onto a tree branch that hovered over. She slowly went down one branch to the next and jumped off.
She ran on all fours, snaking through the crowd while her nose picked up the scent of marketplaces, smoke, and sweat. Around her was a blur of sounds and movement, people talking either to one another or through a cell-phone, completely unaware of a small pup trying to make its way through. She finally ran into an alleyway, then caught her breath. She made sure no one was around so that she could shift into her humanoid phase.
Her head was throbbing and her heart was beating frantically. She wasn’t sure what occurred. Is Kya okay? Did whoever by the door take her? At that moment, she heard howling and she knew very well that was Kya telling her she was alright. She sighed with relief, but she knew she wasn’t allowed to search for her. Whoever was chasing Kya was her own battle and one that she’d prefer Korra not be involved with.
After she finally relaxed, her pocket vibrated. She took out her phone and read her messages
AdorOpal: Hey, don’t forget, our shift starts in a few minutes
Korra’s eyes widened from realization and so she bolted from the alleyway. She blended in with the crowd, walking rather than running, while locating which street she was in. Fortunately, she realized the café was at the corner of the block. Before she walked in, she was immediately enveloped by the scent of coffee. She opened the entrance door, the bells chimed with cheer, welcoming her.