[ action // accidental video ]

[bookbending]

[The video opens to a view of the fountain and a small pair of feet clad in unusual, tight-fitting red boots. The audio feed is little more than the buzz of many voices overlapping, words lost in the crowd.

The little feet shift, pace, and occasionally vanish out of sight. After a time, the owner of the feet sits on the fountain's edge, coming into view. She's young and petite; her billowing outfit, tied at the waist, is all subdued red-browns and yellows. Her dark brown hair is pulled into an off-center bun.

The girl looks around with wide brown eyes. It's clear that she's surprised and nervous and very possibly overwhelmed by the busy City Square, but there's no panic or jitteriness in her movements. With an air of calm grace, she draws her legs up and settles into a meditative position.]

I wish I had brought a book.

[Her eyes close. The feed times out long before she moves.]


[ooc: Er... this does not happen at the same time as the goat-slaughtering post.]

Comments

[anatural]

No. [Korra swings up behind her, and Naga sets off at a steady trot for home.]

But hey, it's not all bad! There's some cool things here. There's a massive library you're gonna love.

[She's visited it sometimes, not to read anything but just because she knew Jinora would love it.]

[bookbending]

[She's never been away from her whole family before, but at least she's not alone. Korra is the best, and she might as well be family. With this in mind, she lets herself think about the library.]

Some boys told me about it! How many books does it have?

[anatural]

More than you've ever seen in your entire life. [More than Korra's ever seen in her whole life, at least. Not that that's saying much.]

Evidently it's got a mind of its own, too. Like, instead of showing you the book you're looking for, it'll show you a book it thinks you should read instead.

[bookbending]

It's a giant magic library?

[That sounds like the most amazing thing of all time.]

[anatural]

Yup! Oh, and there's the Jasmine Dragon! Just like the one in Ba Sing Se [she thinks. Never actually been to Ba Sing Se]. The General Iroh and Firelord Zuko used to be here. It even has turtle ducks!

[bookbending]

[She gasps audibly.]

Really? [They're, like, rockstars in her head.] Did you get to meet them?

[anatural]

I wish. They left here awhile ago. But I did get to meet Toph Bei Fong!

[bookbending]

The Toph Bei Fong? [Be still, her heart.] That. Is. Amazing.

[anatural]

It was. Bolin told her all about probending, and we were going to try to put together some probending teams, but... [She left. And Bolin left. And man she wishes she hadn't brought that memory up.

She rests her head briefly on top of Jinora's.]

I'm really glad you're here.

[bookbending]

They both left...?

[And then Korra was completely alone except for Naga? That's the saddest thing ever that Jinora can think of right now.]

I'm glad you're here, too. And that Naga's here.

[anatural]

[Oh Jinora, if only you knew how crappy her November had been. But it's better if you don't.]

Yeah. This place really isn't so bad as long as you have friends.

[They arrive at the apartment. Korra dismounts and helps Jinora down. Giving Naga little pat, she opens the front door. The polar bear dog will curl up in her spot in the backyard.]

So yeah. This is where I'm staying. We're staying.

[bookbending]

Do you have friends?

[She hopes so. There's a difference between being alone and being alone alone. Jinora waves to Naga before they go into the apartment. It's not like any other building she's ever been in, but at least it's warm.]

It's... different.

[anatural]

Yeah, I have friends. [She has Chekov. And Lucy is kind of a friend. Tyr could be a friend. Li is....complicated.] I'll have to introduce you guys.

[And they reach the apartment itself and Korra opens the door. Jinora will immediately notice that it's not decorated in a particularly Korra style.]

[bookbending]

[Under normal circumstances, Jinora would be obligated to ask if any of her friends are cute. For now, however, she's still trying to wrap her head around being in a place where time stops and her family is absent and is, therefore, even quieter than usual.

But she does have to comment on the apartment.]

Are you sure this is where you live?

[anatural]

[Korra chuckles a little ruefully]

Yeeeeah. Mako and Asami were here for awhile. She did most of the decorating. [And stuff buying. SO MUCH STUFF HERE.]

Uh, I guess I should give you the tour. [By which she means stand by the door and point in the direction of things] There's the kitchen, living room, bathroom, me and Asami's room, and the guys' room.

Well, I guess it's my bedroom and then your bedroom now.

[bookbending]

[They were here, too? THAT MAKES EVERYTHING MORE TRAGIC.]

And they left? That's so sad. [Seriously, she looks absolutely devastated. How will Korra ever get with Mako if they're not in the same place and Mako can't demonstrate the depths of his affection with a potentially life-threatening gesture done out of pure love?

This makes most of the rest of what Korra said irrelevant to Jinora's interests.]

[anatural]

[He already has, Jinora. And unlike in your books, it just made things worse. Fortunately, Korra doesn't know Jinora's thoughts. She just knows the young girl is upset and is desperate to comfort her.]

It's okay, really! I'm glad they got to go home. [Not really. Sort of. It's complicated. Like everything's complicated.

And this isn't helping Jinora any.]

Do you want to pick a bedroom?

[bookbending]

[That's not how that's supposed to work, but getting to go back home must be nice, even if they shouldn't have left Korra behind by herself. And she doesn't for a moment believe that Korra's really glad they're gone.

After giving Korra a quick I-don't-believe-you-but-I'll-humor-you look, she glances between the rooms. They're both so... full. Of stuff.]

I can take the one that's not yours.

[anatural]

[Korra gestures to the guys' room. She's straightened it some, but she hasn't tried to get rid of any of their things, in the vain hope that someday they'll come back. ]

Tomorrow we can get some boxes and clear it out. You can make it all your own.

[She should box up Asami's stuff too. She's been putting that off.]

[bookbending]

Okay.

[She hugs Korra again. It's really starting to settle in--being away from home in a place where anyone can come and go at any time. Not having Ikki to share a room with (which should be a blessing).]

May I stay in your room? Just for tonight?

[anatural]

[Korra returns the hug tightly]

Of course.

[Not just for Jinora's comfort. Korra is half afraid that if she lets Jinora out of her sight, the girl will be gone.]