五

[anatural]

[action]

[Naga didn't land in the fountain, but she's definitely splashing in it now. Summer in the City is not designed for polar bear dogs who have heavy winter coats year round, and she's been wandering around all day.

She doesn't know where she is. She doesn't know how she got here. But the only thing that matters is she doesn't know where Korra is, and she is not going to rest until she finds her person.

She's pretty friendly for a half-wild animal, but handle with care.]





[OOC: Korra made a deal to get Naga in the City. Naga has been here and there and everywhere, so characters can run into her anywhere in the City. But only LoK castmates can actually take her to see Korra.]

Comments

perma-action; hours later

[riches]

[ The day's slipping in the late afternoon when Asami first catches a glimpse of Naga by the fountain. She has to do a double-take, hurrying along the street to get a better view and beset by a deep sense of good fortune when the saddle can be seen; definitely Korra's familiar. ]

Naga? [ Lifting her voice, Asami waves and holds out a hand as she approaches. ] Come here, girl!

[anatural]

[FAMILIAR VOICE. Naga's ears perk up and she turns to look at Asami & sniff the air. Familiar smell too. This is one of Korra's people!

Naga bounds over excitedly, not paying any attention to the people who have to flee to avoid being crushed by her paws.]

perma-action;

[beyourarmy]

[He was flying, so his wings remain out after he lands, particularly because he's startled. He's seen something like this in the zoo, but never outside of it.]

Whoa. Hi.... What are you?

[mortemscintilla]

[ Lalalala. Taking a walk. Such a beautiful dayyyyyyyy -- ]

[ SWEET MOTHER OF GOD WHAT IS THAT?!!! ]

[riches]

Hey!

[ Laughing as she holds up her hands to welcome Naga's snout (and subtly direct it away from her face) Asami rubs a furry neck fondly. ]

Where've you been, huh? Have you been drinking at the fountain?

[anatural]

[Naga wags her tail happily and sniffs Asami all over, taking in all the information she can.

She huffs -- where's Korra?]

[riches]

[ Noticing the cocked head, she ruffles behind an ear. ]

Lost your partner? That won't do at all — mind if I hop up so we can get you back to Korra as soon as possible?

perma-action;

[anatural]

[What is she? What are you is the better question. She's never seen a human with wings before. Being only half-tamed, she doesn't approach immediately. She sniffs the air, trying to judge what kind of threat he might present.]

[beyourarmy]

[He approaches carefully, slowly, barely moving at all and keeps his hands down, just barely. He smells like sweat, cigarettes and cinnamon.]

You're pretty calm. Hope you didn't escape from the zoo.

You know to be careful out here, right? Some people out here are kinda scary.

[anatural]

[This is a polar bear dog. A polar bear dog who's trying to find her person. And in her quest, she's sniffing a lot of things.

You are one of them.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Sniffing? WHY IS THERE SNIFFING? He's on his way back from work. He smells like a bakery. Like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. WHY IS THIS HIS LIFE? ]

Nice ... animal-thing.

[ PLEASE DON'T EAT ME. ]

[anatural]

[Karma.

Also, he smells delicious. Naga sniffs even closer, trying to figure out if he has food.]

[mortemscintilla]

N-No! Stop that!

[ Why, Karma? Why you do this? He hasn't killed that many people. Yes he has. ]

[ He stumbles back, hands raised defensively. Eyes darting everywhere. Hoping to find something to distract the ferocious beast with. ]

[anatural]

[Naga leans down so Asami can hop up. She doesn't understand what Asami is saying, but her tone is reassuring, and instinct tells Naga that this is the way to Korra.]

[anatural]

[Is that something in your pocket? Naga tries to reach in delicately with her teeth.]

[anatural]

[Naga is pretty capable of taking care of herself. She doesn't sense any threat from this stranger, so hesitantly she comes just a little closer.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Teeth? TEETH? NEAR HIS POCKET? OH GOD STAAAAAHP!!! ]

[ Sorry, Naga. Li has opted for the smartest choice. ]

[ RUN. ]

[beyourarmy]

[A warm smile.]

You don't mind if I keep you company, do you? I'm tired of flying around, and I like meeting new animals. [He walks a little closer as well, but still slowly.]

[anatural]

[Oh Li. Li, Li, Li. You do not run from a predator. Without Korra around, Naga has no reason to resist her instinct to chase.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ It's chasing him. WHY IS IT CHASING HIM? ]

[ Li is a city-boy, dammit. He has no experience with wildlife. He fought a war in South American wilderness. He has experience a-plenty. ]

[ Darting a terrified look behind him, he runs faster. ]

No! Keep away!

[ D: ]

[anatural]

[Naga's snarls probably sound terrifying, but she's being playful, really! And good luck outrunning her, dude, because the lady's got muscle. When he speeds up, she does too, loping easily through the streets.]

[anatural]

[Still sensing no threat, Naga bridges the distance between them and sniffs him curiously all over. She's especially interested in his wings -- she's never seen a person with wings before.]

[beyourarmy]

Ah! [He jolts a little, at first, but starts chuckling - never had an animal this large sniff him before. The wings fluff up a bit.]

I guess that means I'm okay to hang around with for a bit, huh?

[mortemscintilla]

[ He's being chased by a ferocious snarling beast! SAVE HIM! ]

[ He could whip out a wire and zip to the closest rooftop. But Li's more convincing to bystanders this way. ]

[ More convincing still. If. He. Trips. ]

[ Oh, look. HE DID. ]

Oof!

[anatural]

[Yeah, you're okay for now. Naga nips at his shoulder, not a bite but a nibble, gathering even more information.]

[anatural]

[SUCCESS. Naga bounds up to him and sets a large paw on his back to trap him in place while she sniffs and licks his head.]

[beyourarmy]

You're okay for a...really big...whatever you are.

You kinda look like a dog. [Reaches out to pet.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!! ]

[ Urk. Licking. Being licked? Is the beast going to EAT HIM? ]

...S-Stop that!

[ Flail flaily flail. ]

[riches]

[ Gripping the saddle, she swings herself onto Naga's back and takes the reins to give her some direction. ]

Let's go, girl.

[anatural]

[Naga obediently trots where Asami directs, even past the buildings filled with delicious food. But she does whine a little. When they reach Korra, the first thing she's going to do is demand food.]

[anatural]

[Naga allows this. She even wags her tail and leans into his hand.]

[anatural]

[NAGA IS HUNGRY, HUMAN CREATURE. NAGA WANTS FOOD.]

[beyourarmy]

D'aw. I don't know what you are, but you're really sweet.

[All the petting, a little rubbing behind the ears.]

Too bad I can't take you home with me. Kira-senpai might not like that.

[riches]

[ Knowing Korra will spoil Naga rotten, Asami takes the fastest route to the Avatar 2.0 household. Along the way, the scent of food clearly distracts the hefty polar bear-dog, but she only receives a reassuring pat. ]

I'm sorry, Naga. You'll be back with Pabu in no time, don't worry.

[anatural]

[In short order they arrive at Casa de Team Avatar. Except there's a problem.

Naga can't fit through the door.]

[riches]

[ Well, then. Sliding off Naga's back, Asami leans in the doorway to call. ]

Guys? Hey, is anyone home? Korra!

1/2

[anatural]

[Korra is not home, actually. She's been tearing around the City, looking for Naga but always managing to miss her.]

2/2

[anatural]

[She's walking home, sad and defeated when she sees Naga trying to shove herself through the door.]

NAGA!

[Sorry, Asami, Korra doesn't even register you're there as she runs towards her best friend. Be careful not to get knocked over by an overly-excited Naga as the polar bear dog scrambles out of the doorway and towards her human.]

[riches]

[ Ducking aside, she watches the reunion from the safety of the porch. ]

She was by the fountain when I found her.

[anatural]

[Korra buries her face in Naga's fur and holds her tight.]

I've missed you so much.

[Naga almost lifts Korra up in her excitement. And then her stomach grumbles. Loudly.]

[riches]

I'll just ... leave you two alone to catch up.

[ Yep, just going to back off now. ]

[mortemscintilla]

[ HE'S NOT FOOD, NAGA! ]

[ ....Oh wait. Waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. He rummages one-handed in his jacket. Behold! A bag of (slightly crushed) cookies! ]

Here! Take them!

[ LEMME GO PLS D: ]

[anatural]

[RIGHT. Asami's here. Oops.]

Thanks Asami. For bringing her to me.

[Have a happy, grateful grin.]

Naga's hungry. Wanna come get something to eat with us? I owe you.

[anatural]

[Your offering has distracted Naga, human creature. She steps off of you and gobbles the cookies.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ Giant paws? No longer on his person. A very good sign. ]

[ Carefully, Li staggers to his feet. Backs slooooooowly away -- before breaking into a full-out sprint. ]

[ Hopefully the cookies will last before Naga notices he's gone. ]

[riches]

[ KNOWS THAT FEEL ... ]

I'm not hungry, but you girls should go and catch up. I'll let the guys know you're out so we can all celebrate having Naga back later.

[anatural]

[She loves you, Asami, and how you get her relationship with Naga.]

C'mon, girl! Let's get some food!

[She hops onto Naga's back and they sprint off.]