[Open] Catch All for January

[michaeljangelo]

Characters: Michaelangelo and Aya, Michaelangelo and you?
Date: All up in January's face.
Location: Wood and Fire sectors respectively.
Situation: Teaching kids in the Dojo, busting heads in an abandoned warehouse
Warnings/Rating: Six of gorgeously green AI and adorable small children, a half dozen of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

[ooc: Starters contained within.]

Comments

WA-3B; Post Audience; Closed

[alphatar]

After speaking with Evandau and having her things moved to her new suite in the Metal Sector, Korra didn't want to be home. Every twist in her gut that she had gotten from talking to Mako after he saw the future, their future, Korra wasn't ready to pretend everything was fine.

Now was she about to let anyone come by and see how it was affecting her. Especially not Bolin and Asami, not when they just got here and had to adjust to life on Tu Vishan. Korra knew she would be nothing but a hindrance in that.

Continuing to stay at Michelangelo's suite with both him and Leonardo, try and fill that vacancy in the turtle family, felt like her best option. No one knew she was there and it would give her time to pull herself together; be what she was before Mako arrived.

Avatar Korra.

When she got back, Korra led Naga inside which jingled the bells on the door. The Water Sector was radically different from Metal, even the suites, though it didn't bother Korra in the least. It was the furthest thing from her mind.

Instead of heading up to the third floor where had taken residence, Korra went to talk to Mike. With the atmosphere being down from Little Leo returning home, Korra's worn down tone wasn't too out of place.

"...Is it all right if I stay a few more days?"

[michaeljangelo]

When Mike was home, which seemed less and less these days, he was usually to be found in one of three places: The kitchen, his own room, or cautiously eyeing the Network. Though that last one he never stayed at for long if there were other people in the house.

As luck would have it Mike is in the kitchen, attempting to make...something in the shape of a casserole.

Now normally Mike would automatically choose the offhand quip response, but more and more he's relying on a quick glance to let him know exactly how to react.

"I don't know, what with your polite ways, respectful manner, and considerate roommateyness. That sounds like a surefire recipe for trouble."

[alphatar]

That Mike had been going back to his usual sarcasm, a big improvement from when he and Leonardo gave her the news, should have been enough to make Korra smile. And she really wanted to, but the corners of her mouth felt too heavy. In fact, everything felt heavy.

Naga stuck her nose into the kitchen to sniff before heading up to the third floor.

There wasn't any comeback or snark in her, not after what just happened.

"Can you guys not tell anyone?" They were all suffering their own losses, and she knew they didn't really go out of their way to talk to just anyone. But, she had to ask.

Having eaten nothing in the morning due to rushing out the door to give the sword to Evandau, Korra should have been hungry by now. But even Mike's casserole, which she knew was delicious, didn't tug at her appetite. Nothing did.

[michaeljangelo]

Okay...now that was odd. Quiet and despondent are one thing, actually asking that they conceal her whereabouts are a horse of an entirely different color.

Mike doesn't want to pry, because Korra's business is her own, but there has to be a reason she's hiding. And that reason could very well be a safety hazard.

"Of course, but...if you don't mind me asking: should we be doing anything in the meantime?"

[alphatar]

Her eyes fall on the noodles that were barely starting to boil, the small bubbles mirroring thoughts in her head that almost seem like a good way to answer and then pop; dying before they reach her lips. Unblinkingly she watched them for an exorbitant amount of time.

"No." All that time to think of that one word. "No, let's just- give ourselves time."

Time for her, Leonardo, and Mike to adjust to Leo's absence and time for her to try and get used to the fact that her future just made itself her present. Despite all that she did to fight it, and how much all she and Mako managed together was-

useless?

No, that wasn't it either. Time for her to figure out just what it meant.

"That's all."

[michaeljangelo]

His head tilts slightly as he watches her watch the pot. Something's happened. He doesn't know what, but unless this is some sort of delayed reaction to Leo's disappearance...something else has happened.

"Consider it done," he says in a clipped, business-like tone. The next sound to fill the room is that of a makeshift step stool being dragged across the kitchen floor by one of Mike's feet. He steps onto the riser, and gestures for her to come over for a hug.

At barely five feet in height, Mike is not a tall guy. And hugs? Well, while they don't require a great height, it's usually customary for the giver of comfort to be in the position to actually gather up the receiver of comfort in some way.

So Mike uses a step stool.

"Come'ere."

[alphatar]

Thinking the step stool's to get something else for the casserole, Korra stayed in the doorway to the kitchen mulling over what she could do to show her gratitude to them for letting her have a sanctuary away from everything else in Keeliai.

His gesture catches her eye, and she looks over from the pot to him. Her lips tightened and she tried to think of some kind of excuse, any kind, that would help her stay detached from the situation.

And she can't; not with everything that was going on and what they were doing to get each other through it. Carefully, as each step might cause her to fall, Korra went over to Mike and briefly hesitated.

Then she put her arms around him and slammed her eyes shut.

[michaeljangelo]

For a good long while there are no words. Nothing but a good, strong, warm hug. Korra was lucky to catch him still toasty from standing by the stove.

Then, after a time has passed he quietly adds, "If you need someone hurt, just ask. No questions. No judgment."

He's kidding.
Probably.

Maybe.

[alphatar]

A sharp exhale forced its escape out of her, and it almost became a laugh. She didn't have to worry about squeezing too hard, his shell could take it. It was either squeeze harder or let herself crack.

Something she was hoping to hold out on doing until she had spent time here.

"I don't think anyone else needs to get hurt." she said as she put her chin on his his shoulder. Warm and soft, unlike the shell. Taking a moment to breathe, she added "We have to take care of ourselves first."