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Detective Mako, this is Min-Gi Park.

I wanted to thank you for being kind to me last week. I was having a pretty awful day.

Please bear with me, I am still learning how to use this Omni, but I've seen on this network that you are responsible for a collection of empty houses around the city. Is there an application process? If so, I would like to apply.

Many thanks,
Min-Gi

[ Ah, he's using it like a letter. That was Mako instinct back when he first figured these things out, and he really can't blame him for it. ]

You don't have to be so formal on these. I know they're weird, but once you get used to them they're handy. I do run a safehouse network but it's more for emergency use. They're not really homes. If you want a house, you can just find an empty one.

[ Wait. Bolin had a lot of trouble with that. Think for a second, Mako. ]

I can show you a couple I know are free in the residential district. It's called Crenshaw. No application, you just figure out which one you want.

[Ah. Informal. Right, got it. Not just Ryan being weird.]

Oh, okay I see. Sorry for the confusion.

I would appreciate that if you aren't too busy. I've been informed you're getting married soon. Congratulations!

Is Crenshaw where I am now? Is that where Shiro lives?

You're fine, and don't worry about it, Wu's handling most of

everything. Almost everything. I should probably be doing more.

But, yeah, Crenshaw's where Shiro lives, you're probably there now. Raccoon Room's in Cellar Door. Pretty loud here, so if you're looking for something homey, probably don't live here. It is the safest district, though.

[God it's just... so wild to see Mako being so candid about his wedding. Imagine being able to talk about it like it's just this Normal Thing that Nobody Cares About. This normal Asian guy, man of the law, getting married to another Asian guy and they co-own one of the city's entertainment institutions and everyone is super supportive of them and totally cool. WILD.]

Maybe he likes doing it?

I'd like to be close to Ryan but I don't want to intrude on Shiro. Do you know the addresses? I'm out here now so I could stop by them.

He really does. Parties are second only to fashion and theater for him.

Hold on, I'll come to you. You used the lamps yet?

No, the sun was up already.

Okay. Stay put, I'll explain. Shiro's house, right?

[Well not exactly, he's been trying to argue returning a pair of pants he stole from some Trenchies for the last hour but he knows how to get to Shiro's from here at least so... that'll work.]

Yeah, Shiro's house. I'll be outside.

[...]

:)

[ Aw, buddy. ]

Be there shortly.

👍

[ And true to form, Mako slings on his coat—a heavy black thing like the one he wore back in Republic City—and grabs Zuko, who wasn't with him the last time he and Min-Gi met. She drapes herself around his neck like a scarf and through the lamps they go, whirling into Crenshaw. ]

[Thumbs up-- so cool!

Min-Gi is waiting when Mako arrives, but it's a casual kind of waiting. It's cold out, but he's bundled up plenty warm in his one and only pair of clothes from home (which seems cruel because it's his Dumpty's uniform but fine) and the thick, warm robe all new welcomes get. Ryan mercifully saved his welcome bag for him. The one true sign that Min wasn't gone forever, after that horrible day. Just missing.

He looks up when he hears approaching footsteps and smiles, immediately putting his Omni away. It's refreshing to meet people with a clearer mind. So much had happened on the boardwalk, but his speaking with Mako, their time together, was a moment of quiet, informative peace.]

Mako, [not Detective Mako. He has since been corrected several times.]

Hey.

[ Min-Gi looks so much more relaxed, wow. Attentive, but not like he's about to jump out of his own skin, and it's definitely a noticeable difference. Mako relaxes a little too as he shakes off the tingles of lamp-travel. Keep it cool, Mako, don't freak him out. He lifts a hand, gloved and dark against the lamplight.

Very cool and smooth. Zuko, unfortunately, did not get this memo, and launches herself from Mako's neck in a flurry of fur and scales, trilling happily. She doesn't exactly fling herself at Min, but she definitely flies over, fluid like a river, and circles around his head while Mako winces. ]

Zuko! Cool it, come on—sorry.

[Wow wouldn't it be such a shame if a magic hyper noodle ruined your cool guy entrance, Mako? Wouldn't it??

Min ducks like Mako threw something at him, hands on his head as he looks up and tries to figure out what the heck is flying around him. So much for more relaxed.

.....

Wait.]

Is this a dragon??

[He stays crouched, eyes wide as they track the red little slip of a thing.]

Mako, did you throw a dragon at me?

[ s i g h ]

She... threw herself. Zuko, come on, you're freaking him out, can you just—

[ She huffs, bright white in the sun, but gives up on her circles and comes to a graceful halt in front of Min-Gi on the cobblestones, instead. ]

[He's staring, brows pinned high, as Zuko lands and ribbons so elegantly onto the street.]

Wow..

[A beat. Now she isn't hovering and he can really see? She's incredible.

He offers his hand to say hello.]

Dragons aren't real back home. She's amazing. How did you get a pet dragon?

[Of course Mako would have a pet dragon. Of course he would.]

[ Zuko—who, by virtue of having spent a lot of time with Wu and Fritter, and also by virtue of really being the softer and squishier impulses Mako keeps locked deep inside himself—is a friendly thing, and chirrs contentedly, bumping up against Min's hand like a cat might. She's incredibly warm to the touch, and her entire face is surrounded by a little mane of soft fur.

Mako smiles despite himself. ]

She kind of found me, actually. Dragons aren't usually this small back home, either, and they're... rare. There are only a couple left in the world. I never thought I'd get to see one that didn't belong to Lord Zuko.

Ohhh, Lord Zuko, I see.

[He does not see but it sounds fancy and it's the same name, so.

Said as he keeps his hand still for her to press against his fingers. It's just like a cat. Min-Gi loves cats, though he's never been allowed to have one of his own because of his dad's allergies. What a shame.]

That's so rad, and now you have your own. Your home sounds like something out a fantasy novel.

You have no idea.

[ Mako says dryly as Zuko, pleased at the attention, trills and promptly shoves her little head straight into Min's palm. Pet her more, she demands it. ]

For what it's worth, Canada sounds pretty weird, too.

Does it?

[Carefully petting Zuko. Do you want up? He'll pick you up if you want. This is so cool ahhhhh. He looks up at Mako from where he's crouching, expression slightly pinched as he thinks about the concept that Canada is weird. Like. Maybe?]

Nothing ever happened, really.. what did Ryan tell you?

[ Oh she wants. Mako has a lot of warm feelings about Min-Gi already, mostly borne out of being pretty close to Ryan, and Zuko just trills and pushes her little feet into his palms, excited to twine herself around his arm and then scramble onto his shoulders. ]

Well, he told me about the wormhole. Which... isn't a word I knew before he explained it, but it does seem pretty weird.

[It's hard to have a serious conversation when a noodle dragon is climbing up you like magic! He laughs at her and holds his arm out a little to make it easier, splitting his attention.]

Well. yeah, that was really weird but Canada isn't usually like that. I think the train was just a weird fluke that happened to us.

Yeah, he... mentioned the train.

[ With Zuko safely ensconced on Min's shoulder, Mako crosses the last few feet of icy pavement between them and holds out a hand to help Min out of his crouch, if he wants it. ]

Is that where the giant bugs were, or is that a Canada thing too?

[He doesn't need it but he takes it anyway, recognizing it for the gesture it is, and uses Mako to counter balance as he pulls himself back up. There is a dragon on his shoulder and he is hanging out with Mako. This is so cool. So cool!]

Oh- no. No, that was definitely a Train Thing. We didn't even do anything wrong, our friend Kez left a tea stain on their town charter so they arrested and almost executed us.

[Over sharing? Sure. But honestly he's still processing everything that happened.]

For a tea stain? Kind of an overreaction.

[ Like Min-Gi is the one who made that choice, Mako, come on. He releases Min's hand, shaking his head as Zuko settles around Min's neck like a scarf. ]

Don't have to worry about that here. There's no police force or... jail. Or execution. No laws. Which is why you can just pick whatever house is free.

Huh...

[That should be great news.. right?

...right?

No.. no he doesn't really like that, to be honest. He likes due process. He likes parameters. Even if he doesn't agree with all of them, there should at least be something!]

And. Nobody breaks in or robs you or anything? If there are no laws or police then what's keeping the place from exploding into anarchy? What if someone stronger than you decides they want your house. You can't stop them, they can just take it? What happens if you get mugged?

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