video;

[riceballfruit]

[Tohru looks downcast, worried.] I know it's a little late, but I'm sorry for everyone who wanted to keep their dragons but can't. And I'm sorry for all of the destruction they've caused, too. They started off so cute.

Hopefully, some of you get to keep yours. They didn't cause too much trouble, I hope.

Um, and would anyone know, were any of the dragons seahorses, by any chance?

Comments

action;

[anatural]

[Korra comes up the steps, wiping her forehead as she heads to the shower.]

Oh, hey Tohru. What's a seahorse?

action;

[riceballfruit]

It's a sea creature with a curling tail that otherwise resembles a horse!

...maybe I should look for pictures.

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[anatural]

That sounds really weird looking. Why're you interested?

action;

[riceballfruit]

Because back home, in Japan, we call seahorses baby dragons. So I was hoping I might be able to see one.

[She answers quickly, then turns away.] I made freshly squeezed orange juice. Would you like some?

action;

[anatural]

Thanks. [She notices how quickly Tohru turns away. It's weird.]

You okay?

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[riceballfruit]

[When she turns back it's with a bright smile.]

Oh, yes, of course! [And hands Korra the orange juice, careful and gentle as always.]

action;

[anatural]

[Korra takes the juice, but...]

I'm not sure I believe you.

[Being socially awkward doesn't mean she's lacking in empathy. Something definitely seems a little off.]

action;

[riceballfruit]

[That smile wavers a little.]

No, really. It's just the dragons reminded me a bit of something from back home. It's not a big concern. I just miss home, a little.

action;

[anatural]

I'm sorry. [She gently bumps Tohru's shoulder with hers.] Do you wanna talk about it?

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[riceballfruit]

[Oh no. Korra seems concerned. Tohru hadn't meant to make her worry. She keeps a smile on, but decides maybe just a little talking about it will help Korra see everything's okay?]

Ah, well, not many things remind me of home here. Except living with you guys is nice since you have some of the same customs, like sitting on the floor. And it's just things like Mister Nathan wants to make and sell clothes like Mister Ayame back home. And we call dragons baby seahorses. In times like that, I have happy memories.

It was a farfetched, and weird idea of mine that maybe one of the little dragons would be a seahorse. It was just silly of me!

action;

[anatural]

It's not silly. It's hard, being somewhere so different from home. [She'd thought herself immune to culture shock, since she had adjusted so easily to Republic City from the isolation of the South Pole. But after so many months, she can feel it creeping in.]

Do they have any seahorses at the zoo?

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[riceballfruit]

I'm glad you don't think it's silly. Is it hard for you, too? [What if Tohru had been insensitive in saying it was silly? And made Korra feel insulted?]

Ah, they probably do. I just thought since these were dragons.... You're right! I could just go see the seahorses at the zoo!

action;

[anatural]

[She shrugs.] Well, yeah, but you gotta deal, you know? [Keeping it inside. Always keeping it inside.

She smiles.] I think a trip to the zoo sounds like fun. We should make a picnic of it.

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[riceballfruit]

Ah, y-yes, of course. I'm not dealing well enough. I'll do better! [See? Happy-go-lucky smile! Putting her best face forward. Especially at the idea of a picnic to the zoo. Tohru seems to brighten at that.]

Yes! We should. And I can make the lunches.

action;

[anatural]

That's -- [That's not what she means, Tohru. She wants you to be sad if you're sad. She doesn't want you to hide your feelings the way she does.

But she seems so much more cheerful at the talk about the zoo that Korra decides not to press the subject.]

That sounds great. I'll talk to the Chief, see when her next day off is.

action;

[riceballfruit]

[It's what everyone wants for her, but Tohru's still in the process of shifting that around. And for now, she's focused on the zoo completely, her joy earnest.]

I have a day off coming soon! It would be nice if they were the same time, or around the same time.

action;

[anatural]

I'll go see if the Chief is around.

[And she heads off to find Chief Bei Fong.]