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legend of korra: korra

二十

[action]
[Believe it or not, Naga has a life of her own. If you're out and about today, you might very well run into her somewhere.

♦ MORNING: It may be winter, but Naga's still used to the bitter chill of the South Pole. You'll find her splashing around in the ocean by the beach house. You might run into some of the residents too.

♦ AFTERNOON: Naga's itching for a snack, something meatier than the fish she finds in the ocean. Time for a little hunt in the forest.

♦ EARLY EVENING: She and Korra are on their way to the zoo for Naga's final check-up.

♦ NIGHTFALL: Korra has to go straight to work from the vet appointment, so Naga walks with her to work before heading home on her own.

She's a friendly beast for a half-wild animal...but never forget that she is indeed wild.]

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[There might have been some inner debate on the matter, but Hei said only not to spy on Korra. He never said try to avoid her in public. Which would just be a little weird, anyway.]

[Their paths crossing while Yin was leaving work and Korra was headed to it was a complete coincidence. In fact, Yin barely registered her presence, at first. It was the giant - what is that? A dog? A bear? - white furred animal beside her that got Yin's attention, at first, then she realized Korra was with it.]

[Still, she didn't step aside or change direction. But nor did she offer a greeting. Yin just kept walking at her leisurely pace.]

[For all she's quiet, Yin is also hard to miss. Korra smiles and waves.]

Hey Yin!

[The girl is weird -- quiet, but not obnoxious (like Tahno), and it doesn't seem to be personal (like Chief Bei Fong's grudge when they first met), so Korra doesn't resent it. No reason not to be friendly.

Naga's ears perk up as Korra greets a person she hasn't met, and the polar bear dog comes closer, sniffing curiously.]

[Spotted. Well, the least she can do is return the greeting, though not the wave. Korra still tries, after all. Wouldn't most people have just ceased speaking to her by this point?]

Hello, Korra.

[Then Yin stands perfectly still, not a sound or slight movement to be had while Naga sniffs at her, Yin just giving her ever blank stare.]

[With no hint from Yin that she's unwelcome, Naga pushes her nose invasively all over the girl, in the way that animals do.]

Naga!

[Korra gently shoves her friend's shoulder.]

You know better than to sniff other people like that. [to Yin] Sorry about that.

[And, again, there's no reaction from Yin. No pushing Naga away, no distaste, no pulling away, nothing.]

It's okay. [Yin tries to assure Korra, giving permission, since it seems she has to. If Naga wants to sniff her thoroughly, she may.]

You sure?

[Naga senses Korra relenting and immediately goes back to sniffing Yin invasively. Something about the girl smells a little strange. Completely human, unlike her friend Derek, and yet not quite human in a way the polar bear dog can't quite place, not yet, at least.

Korra rolls her eyes a little at her friend.]

You're taking this really well.

[Yin only gives a nod. She's incapable of being bothered by anything Naga does. In fact, she doesn't respond to Korra's statement, as Yin wouldn't know what to say to it, anyway, so she just stands there, letting Naga sniff as much as she needs to.]

Don't talk much, do you?

[Naga finally pins down what bothers her about Yin's scent -- there's no feeling. No smell of fear or excitement or any kind of emotion. It's like sniffing a living corpse.

She headbutts Yin, testing for some kind of reaction.]

[Korra gets another nod.]

[The headbump, however, gets a slither of confusion, slightly widening of Yin's eyes as she looks at Naga. But, well, if that's all, and Naga doesn't seem upset, then she'll just return to neutral.]

[Korra notices the slight look of...confusion? Concern? Something that resembles a feeling.]

Naga! [A harder shove on the dog's shoulder.] Take it easy.

[to Yin]

She's really sweet.

[It's weird. She's not usually in the habit of apologizing for Naga's behavior. She'd get annoyed with people who misunderstood her friend. But the more time she spends in cities, the more she understands how little cityfolk know of wildlife. Sometimes she feels like she's become a translator for her friend.]

[Once more, she tries to reassure.] It's okay.

[Then nods to Korra saying Naga is sweet.]

[It's then Yin, slowly, puts out her hand. She doesn't reach to pet, but leaves it out for Naga to sniff, inviting her.]

[Naga harrumphs at Korra, but sniffs Yin's hand with more delicacy. The girl is strange, but she seems harmless.

She gets a big Naga lick of approval.]

[And that's when Yin attempts a pet, though not as certain as the pets she gives Mao. It's tentative, slow, and barely connects.]

Don't worry she won't bite. [Korra, of course, completely misinterprets Yin's hesitation.] She likes it when you scratch behind her ear like this.

[She reaches for Yin's hand to show her how Naga likes it best.]

[Not only does Korra persist with her, but she's taken her hand without hesitation, and showing her something new. She never thought of scratching behind the ears. Would Mao like that?]

[She lets Korra place her hand, then, fingers barely moving, tries to curl them to lightly scratch. It's more like a rub, though.]

[Naga pushes against Yin's hand, a silent demand for her to scratch harder.]

[She tries a little more pressure, but as it is, she isn't capable of much more. Still, this level should be more satisfactory.]

[It is indeed, and Naga wags her tail in approval. Korra grins at them both.]

Do you like animals?

[She never thought of that before - isn't capable of caring or answering. Does she? Why? How can you tell?]

[Looking perplexed, she keeps scratching for Naga, but only looks at Korra.]

[...was it really that confusing a question?]

You know. Like Naga.

[Come on, give her something.]

[Her voice is quieter than usual.]

I'm uncertain what that is.

But this is...nice.

Sorry? [She didn't quite catch what Yin said. But she does hear the "nice" and smiles. It makes her happy when people like Naga.]

Where are you off to?

[Depending on where she's going, Korra will offer a ride.]

[Yin doesn't realize the sorry is a question, so it's left unanswered.]

My apartment. It's fairly close.

[Korra glances up at the sky. She's still got some time.]

Wanna ride?

Ride? [She looks up at Korra to that.]

二十

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