mixingbowl | But before I go and hit the road, I gotta know

[She reaches the town sometime in the late morning, shying away from the main market area that's bustling with people ready to go about their day. She'd meant to pass through the place during the night, when there were less people around, but there's nothing she can do about it now. Maybe she could wait until things have calmed down to get some supplies and slip out before anyone notices her?

Either way, Korra wanders around the town's outskirts until she finds a quiet grove to hang out in for the time being. Her pack gets unceremoniously dumped onto the ground while she leans back against a tree. Its rough bark makes her miss Naga more than ever. She closes her eyes. The grove is quiet, somewhat secluded, making it a nice place for her to just think about her next destination. She's been traveling for months now, and she's no closer to finding the answers she's been looking for. Korra doesn't know how much longer she can do this, and the longer she stays away, the more likely her family's going to find out she's missing.

Korra's eyes snap open when she hears someone stepping into her general vicinity, forcing her to keep her head down. Hopefully they'd just see her as a simple traveler and continue on their way without recognizing her.]

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Yuan. And...how are we supposed to get yuans? [It suddenly makes more sense why they're walking. And he's more than grateful that Korra's not making fun of him. She's being pretty patient, actually, and it's for that reason that he's calming himself a little more.]

You're right. Our world doesn't really have hybrid animals...I mean mules are, kinda, but that's still just a horse and a donkey. Not a hippo cow or an ostrich horse or an emu cow. [He can't help it when he laughs in return.] I don't think anyone from home would believe me if I tried to tell them about the animals here.

By doing odd jobs here and there. And...don't worry about it. I still have some saved up.

[Korra hesitates, then puts a hand on Ryan's shoulder. Bad situation or not, he's still someone she would've counted as a friend in Haven.]

At least you'll be seeing a few new things before you go home?

Yeah...if I get home at this rate. [He frowns a little, but not at the fact that she's putting a hand on his shoulder. That, at least, is a little bit of a comfort. No, it's about what she's saying.]

I'm not going to just take your money, Korra, come on. I'm capable of working. [Ryan you've never worked a day in your life what are you talking about.] It can't be that hard, right?

Hey. Don't give up yet. If we can remember what happened in Haven, we can definitely get you home.

[She glances at Ryan speculatively. From what she remembers of him, and also the whole deal with the money just now, Korra guesses he hasn't had to work all that much before.

Still...he was willing to chip in and learn when he was getting used to Haven. Korra's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.]

We can take turns if we're running low. That's fair enough, right?

I'm not going to give up yet, don't worry. [He's just not as sure as she is, that's all. However he just gives her a flat look in return.]

You don't believe me, do you? [An overdramatic sigh follows.] All right, all right. Turns. But we've got enough for now. Let's hit the road and see what kind of answers we can get.

It's not that I don't believe you.

[Korra protests, pursing her lips together after a moment.]

It'll just take a little while for you to get used to how this world works. We can't scavenge for things here like we did in Haven.

Maybe not, but this place can't be any harder than Haven can it? I feel like after being there everything else is a piece of cake. Besides...I've got you. Who's gonna stop us when we're together?

[Besides, I've got you. Korra stares at him, swallowing hard. It feels like it's been so long since anyone's relied on her for anything. Or even felt like they could rely on her for anything. Then again, Ryan hadn't been here when the Red Lotus captured her, and he hadn't been here when she struggled to even get back onto her feet. He hadn't seen her fail completely.

Korra looks away.]

Ryan, I'm...not the same person I was in Haven. Just...know that when we're traveling, alright?

[Something's wrong. Instinctually he knows that even without the sudden avoidance from Korra but all sorts of alarms go off in his head and though she's not looking at him he's trying to catch her eye again.]

What does that really mean, Korra? What's going on?

[She can practically sense his alarm, but she still doesn't meet his gaze right away. It had felt necessary to say that. Yet, she feels as if she's given away too much at the same time.]

It's nothing. [She forces a smile onto her face.]

I got injured a little while back, and it's taking longer to recover. That's all. That's--what I meant.

[He's about to say something really stupid. But he can't help it because as he looks her over his eyes narrow slightly into a squint.]

You don't look too damaged. [Physically she looks fine, anyway. He's going to keep pushing the subject sorry Korra.] How long ago was a while back?

[Korra tenses up when he presses for more information. She can't be surprised, though.

For a few seconds, she focuses on fiddling with her pack, pretending she's checking the straps when she's just buying some time.]

Three years ago. I look okay on the outside because it's all internal damage.

[She stands up abruptly, shouldering her pack.]

Come on, let's go.

[…he's smart enough to drop the subject at least, pouting a little as he tries to figure out what's happening internally. It's a process and he's not satisfied but he respects her enough to drop it for now.]

Sorry. For everything, I mean. [Asking. Burdening her further. Everything that happened to her.] But it's going to be okay, you know? That much I can tell you.

[She pauses, looking over her shoulder at him.]

It's not your fault. None of it.

[While he's just trying to be reassuring, Korra doesn't feel like it is going to be okay, not until she fixes what's wrong with her. How can things be okay when she's not doing her duties as the Avatar?

Korra's grip on her pack tightens.]

Yeah. Things will be just fine.

[When she starts walking, she goes slowly enough to make sure Ryan can keep up.]

But before I go and hit the road, I gotta know

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