DISCLAIMER: The Legend of Korra is property of Nickelodeon and VIACOM. Thank you to the creators Mike & Bryan and the rest of the team who worked on this show to make it something magical.

SPOILERS: This is set Post Season 4. If you have not finished the series I would recommend not reading this.

NOTES: I began to put together this story as season four aired. It is heavily inspired by the anime BACCANO. There will be a lot of characters and small details to pay attention to. The story is primarily character driven so keeping track of everyone is important. There is still plenty of focus on the main characters however so it will still seem like a season of Korra. I try to remain close to canon with characters, relationships, and the world itself. Anyways, hope you enjoy the story and please review if you have comments or questions!

EDIT: Cleaned up some errors and things.

"Where is it?"

A dim ray of sunlight snuck into the cluttered, run-down room. Shaking in his chair an old man put his hands on the table and began to push himself back away from the intruder in front of him.

Then an arm raised- the old man flew upwards and was trapped in an air vortex. "I told you not to move," the hooded figure commanded as the air tightened around the elderly man.

"P-please! I told you I don't have it!"

The man in the doorway flung his arm forward slamming the old man against a bookshelf in the back of the room. Old texts covered the man below. Suddenly from under the pile the bearded man sprung into action. Two large rocks rose from the ground and flew at the intruder.

With a gust of air from his attacker the rocks were easily deflected away. Then in an almost instant counter strike the old man found himself face down on the floor. He was now held down by a constant stream of heavy air and his lungs suddenly felt heavy and his breathing became irregular and painful.

"Tell me where it is. I know you have it."

"You are m-mistaken," the old man managed to spit out.

With a quick movement he was lifted from the ground and slammed against the wall. The airbender raised his voice once more, "Tell me or I swear this will be the end of you."

"The Hashin. They came and took it before- Obar is the one who has it now."

In a sudden jolt of anger the hooded airbender lunged forward with both arms. In a swift motion he pulled back. Blood splattered across the room as the lungs of the older man exploded and ripped through his chest. The body of the old man hit the floor. His white beard soaked in the pool of blood beneath him.

Breathing heavily, the hooded intruder swatted the flickering lamp off the table and against the wall in a motion of rage.

Once the crash was silenced the airbender thought to himself, "Always a step ahead of me."

The blood splatter had hit him as well. He wiped his hand across his face to clear the blood. He only managed smear it across his face, resembling a warriors face paint.

"Always losing my temper."

He gazed down at his outfit which was also splattered with the crimson blood. He gazed down at the dead body of the man he had just murdered.

"Always such a hassle."

He moved towards the desk and grabbed the book on the desk. Glancing down he scanned the label on the front of the book.

The Elixir of Life - Written By Simiao

"Always so close."

The airbender turned away from the bloody scene and flung open the door. Light from the outside flooded into to the room.

He glanced back at the body of the old man.

"Always. That's all I'm asking for."

The Legend of Korra: The Elixir of Life

Act I

The Onset

"We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results."

-Herman Melville

Oh baby, I think I'll always be restless.

Oh love, I don't think I'll ever settle down.

But if I'm settling on anything, it'd be with you.

Korra crossed her arms as she leaned against the wall of the banquet hall. The band in the front of the hall continued to play as she watched from the back of the room. A short, slender woman held the mic as the band played behind her. The Avatar glanced to her side, just enough to catch a glimpse of the woman approaching her.

Oh sweetheart, do you think we're grown up?

Oh sunshine, will our days come to an end?

But if I could find a way, I'd live forever with you.

"Oh come on now, don't look so excited!"

Korra laughed and turned to the girl who had just approached her, "I am excited! I just kind of want this all to be over with."

Asami laughed and put her hand on Korra's shoulder, "I know. You've been hard at work. But hey- only three more states to go right?"

Korra shook her head, "Yeah but I have to go spend even more time there. Time I could be spending around here with you."

A never ending summer.

A sun that never sets.

With you- I think I could deal with the heat.

"Well you have time with me tonight," Asami replied slyly and her hand crawled down Korra's back, "Do you really have to go back tomorrow? It's so soon. You know, that reminds me. I really think we should talk-"

"Hello ladies!"

The two girls were pulled into a fearsome hug as their earthbender friend greeted them. "Isn't this great? The best part of the Earth States getting elected leaders is the great parties afterwards."

Then from behind two arms draped over Bolin and a familiar head popped between him and Korra, "Hey girls!" Opal laughed glancing at the two still stuck in Bolin's grip, "Looking pretty as always."

Maybe after the years,

We'll learn everything about one another.

Or maybe we'll never grow tired.

The four friends now sat at a table in the back of the room. The female singer backed up and the trumpet player of the band stepped forward and began soloing as the room filled up with applause. Asami glanced over at Korra, whose attention was on her friends next to her.

"Mako has been really busy. I haven't even seen him since we got back," Bolin continued talking to Korra, "Me and Opal just got in from Zaofu just a few days ago. We were staying at Air Temple Island. Oh! I think Tenzin and Pema are coming by. They wanted to see you before you left again!"

Korra smiled, "Well that would be nice. I have to leave tomorrow. You probably heard about the riots at the last voting booth. There are more expected for the next election."

Asami leaned closer to the side of the table her friends were on, "Maybe we can all go help? I think I could take a week or two off of work."

"Yeah!" Opal agreed, "Me and Bolin were planning to ask you about helping out anyways."

Korra lit up, "That'd be great! I mean, I don't want to impose on you guys-"

"Oh come on!" Bolin knocked Korra with a friendly punch, "We are Team Avatar! This is what we live for."

"Can't argue with that," Korra laughed as she knocked Bolin back a bit harder.

A never ending summer.

A sun that never sets.

With you- I think I could deal with the heat.

"Oh! It's my favorite part," Opal smiled as she stood up humming along to the music. She grabbed Bolin's arm and pulled him up as well, "let's go dance!"

Asami and Korra watched as the couple made their way over to the dance floor.

"You know I think it's time we tell them about everything," Asami bluntly stated, breaking the silence.

Korra tried to fight turning red, "I know. And we definitely should it's just-"

"Korra! Asami!"

The two girls turned to see Tenzin in full airbender attire. Korra stood up and hugged her older mentor, "Long time no see," she laughed.

Asami bit her lip, agitated they were once again interrupted.

"It's good to see you both," Tenzin started, "But I'm afraid I'm not here to join the festivities. I'm actually here with some difficult news."

Asami glanced over at Korra. She looked back and replied with a slight nod.

A never ending summer.

A sun that never sets.

With you- I think I could deal with the heat.

No matter where tomorrow takes us,

I think I could deal with the heat.

"That wouldn't make any sense. What would street gangs want with a researcher? An old one at that."

The quiet office room was filled with the scent of warm tea that had recently been placed on the table. Mako glanced back down at the paperwork below him. He buried his head in his hands, "We are going to have to go down there," he groaned.

"A little trip could be fun," the girl on the opposite side of the table leaned back. She placed her feet up on the table. Then she ran her hands through her black hair, fixing it into a ponytail as she chuckled, "Unless you are going to be grumpy the whole time."

Mako raised his finger, "Hey! I am not grumpy all the time!"

The girl laughed in response as she kicked back her chair and stood up. She walked away from the table and stretched her arms upwards pulling her white tank top up just a bit. She turned back towards Mako and leaned forward on the back of the chair she was sitting on before, "Well you saw the reports on Baotu. Not exactly going to be the safest investigation we've done."

He looked up to see her dark green eyes staring at him intently. He shrugged and smiled, "I normally don't like getting outsourced but yeah- at least it's interesting."

"You know, I was supposed to go back to Zaofu next week," the girl looked at him again with a softer expression on her face than usual, "Looks like this will be our last case as partners."

Then interrupting them was a knock at the door. "Come in," Mako yelled as he stood up in anticipation.

The door opened to reveal Tenzin followed by Korra, Asami, Bolin and Opal.

"Hey!" Mako smiled as he approached the group.

Bolin stepped forward and leaned in for a hug with older brother, "Hard at work as always I see," he commented as they separated.

Mako grinned, "Just staying busy," he replied.

Korra moved up and flung her arms around Mako's waist, "You never take a break do you?"

Mako hugged her back and laughed, "Maybe I'll take some time off soon."

The hug broke and Korra poked her head around Mako looking at the girl standing by the table. Her white tank top accompanied by her baggy pants complimented her tone build, rivaling that of Korra's.

Mako noticed and spoke up, "Oh. This is my investigation partner, Rika."

The girl walked up and nudged Mako a bit, "I think I can handle an introduction on my own. I'm Rika. You must be Avatar Korra, it's an honor and all that," she said as she held out her hand.

Korra shook Rika's hand in response and laughed, "Just call me Korra. I've heard about you. You must have some patience to deal with Mako as a partner."

Rika chuckled and looked over at the now stern faced Mako, "I'm from Zaofu. Patience is a virtue as they say there."

Opal popped her head up, "You're from Zaofu? I'm Opal, Suyin's daughter!"

Rika lit up and moved to greet Opal, "It's good to meet you! I'm surprised we haven't met. I worked on the police force in Zaofu for quite some time before coming here to help with some crime sprees after the relocation process began."

Tenzin stepped forward and barged in, "Sorry to interrupt your introductions but there is a matter at hand here. Mako, Lin insisted on back up for this. It's Baotu after all. Things could get messy."

Korra looked at Tenzin, "What happened in Baotu? Things are a mess there as is."

"It's a murder," Mako stated as he moved towards his desk. He flung back into his chair as it rolled into position. He began collecting the messy paperwork on his desk, "An older researcher was brutally murdered. I don't have all the details yet but it sounds pretty gruesome. His name," he shuffled through the paperwork on his desk, "Simiao. I guess him and his wife were known for metalbending work to help recover and stabilize broken bones. Anyways the situation is already a mess. It only happened an hour ago and things are already getting out of hand. The police force in Baotu- well let's just say they aren't going to be much of a help."

"It could be dangerous," Tenzin continued, "When I told Lin that all of you were here in Republic City for the celebration, she insisted I at least ask you all to assist Mako and Rika."

"Well I'm in," Korra nodded at Mako, "Baotu is in the state I was going to next anyways. The city has been giving the whole region trouble."

Asami stepped forward, "Varrick and Zhu Li can handle things while I'm gone. I'm coming with as well."

Bolin threw his arm around Opal and yelled happily, "We're coming to! Team Avatar is back on patrol!"

"We can take Juicy, my bison!" Opal looked at Mako, "We could be there in a few hours."

Mako stood up and smiled at his friends, then to Rika, "Looks like we're going to Baotu."

"The car should been back at least an hour ago. I should be holding the damn thing in my hands right now!"

"Sir the recon car we sent should be radioing us with information any minute."

The man at desk reached over into his suit pocket carefully grabbing a cigarette he had been saving. He brought it up to his mouth and with a tiny flame sprouting from his finger, he lit the cigarette. He breathed in and then as he exhaled a cloud of smoke floated in the air around him. The man's yellow eyes glanced at his assistants as he raised one hand and ran it through his greying, pushed back hair.

"I swear," he started as he looked at his two assistants who stood on the other side of the room, "I'm gonna burn this city to the fuckin' ground if that's what it takes to get this thing to me."

He stood up and turned his back to his assistant. Staring into the fireplace, he adjusted his suit and took another puff of his cigarette.

"This is the finest treasure the world has ever known," he turned to his assistants, "We kill whoever it takes to get it to me."

"Obar! Sir!"

The man flew into has chair and turned the radio towards him. He grabbed the speaker and responded, "There it is. Tell me the good news. How long til' this precious object is in my hands?"

The man on the radio replied, "The car is busted up on sixth street. There's some police still hovering around it. Sir I am afraid the item has been lost."

"Well Migi, I am afraid we have found ourselves back in a familiar place."

The cold jail cell was covered in a calm darkness. The man wrapped his hands over the bars and gazed towards the cell across from him, "And now- we remain separate. The world keeping us apart. Oh it is such a shame! Nothing should ever come between love! Especially our love!"

Then the cell door across from him creaked opened. A tall, slender woman slipped out of her cell. Her red, movie star like hair was barely visible in the dark, "Oh shut up Hidari. I slipped the key off the guard before he put me in here."

"Migi! My love! Always coming to my rescue."

Migi moved forward and unlocked the door to her partners cell. The door creaked open quietly and then out quickly came the towering, near sobbing man. His heavy, muscular arms wrapped around the slender framed woman in front of him. He planted a messy kiss on her face that just missed her lips. "Oh too much time I have spent away from you!"

"We've been in the holding cell for maybe five minutes tops," she rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile, "Get a grip."

The man released her and then looked up towards the exit. He placed a hand on his chiseled, square chin. He thought for a moment before speaking, "So where will we go next?"

The woman began walking towards the door. She peeked her head through the tiny opening the door provided and scanned the room ahead. She looked back at the muscular man still waiting in the shadows, "We were so close. To think I had it in my hands."

"The police must have it now," Hidari responded to her.

"Look at the way they watched over us," she slyly remarked, "I have a feeling they won't be holding onto it for too long. What do you say we bust out of here? I am getting hungry."

Hidari smiled as his eyes adored Migi in the light coming through the door. He watched as she slipped open the door. Migi quickly took note of the room then glanced over to him. She motioned Hidari to move forward and he followed behind her.

The sky bison drifted through the red skies caused by the setting sun. Bolin opened his eyes and leaned up from his comfortable position, "What's so bad about this place Baomu anyways?"

"That's Baotu," Mako corrected him.

Rika looked over at Bolin, "It's basically one giant crime syndicate," she then looked to the rest of the group who seemed to be listening intently, "I did some research before we left. There's a triad called the Hashin. They used to do a lot of joint work with the Triple Threat Triad in Republic City before they dissolved. They've got the city in the palm of their hands."

"Well why doesn't someone just go and stop them?" Bolin asked, "Take out the leader and break them up."

"It's not that simple," Mako responded, "they have a hold on so much that goes on in the city. They have members in politics, business- you name it. Their leader is one of the richest and most powerful men in the world."

"Obar," Korra replied, "I remember hearing about him."

"That's right," Rika replied, "and when there is a murder in Baotu you can bet there is a good chance the Hashin and Obar had something to do with it."

"So were going to be fighting criminals again," Bolin leaned his head back and smiled, "Just like the good old days. No crazy spirit men, no insane, giant dictator robots. Just us fighting crime and taking names."

Korra laughed, "Yeah and then maybe we can go join a pro-bending tournament."

Bolin jolted up, raising his arms and pointing to the sky, "Introducing: the Fire Ferrets!"

The two laughed as they reminisced. Asami looked over at Korra who continued to carry on laughing with Bolin. Then she looked over to Mako who still seemed deep in thought.

He caught her looking and motioned to her, "There is something that doesn't add up about it." Asami tilted her head, giving him another look. "What would the Hashin want with a man like Simiao? He was a medical researcher."

Rika joined in on their conversation, "That raises up another question. What is a renowned researcher doing in a place like Baotu?"

Asami hummed to herself and then glanced up at the two of them, "Do you think he could have been doing work for the Hashin?"

"It would give it some context," Mako replied, "But what could he have done that would have warranted a murder by them?"

"A painful murder at that," Rika added.

"Hey!" Opal shouted,looking back to her friends talking on the saddle, "Baotu is just below!"

Mako leaned over the side of the sky bison and watched as the cityscape grew closer. A sea of run down, wooden buildings spread out below them. The lights from the city were just visible as the sun set and dimmed the sky.

"It's like one giant slum," Mako sighed.

Rika leaned over next to him. She watched as the city grew closer, then glanced up to towards him. "Not quite a Republic City."

Mako chuckled as the bison drew close to the city.

The radio filled up the space in the high rise apartment. The sounds of trumpets and a steady drum beat soared down through the halls. A man dressed in only a bathrobe flung open the bathroom door. His wet hair dangled over forehead as steam filled the room. He hummed along to the tune as he walked forward into the room.

Sitting on the couch of the apartment there was a younger man whose patience seemed to be running out. His jet black, slicked to the side hair complimented his sharp chin and shifting dark eyes.

"And you called me here for what again, Mr. Takizo?"

The taller man grabbed a cigarette off of the table and looked out the large window. His reflection lined up with the city skyline. With lighter in hand he lit his cigarette and turned back towards the boy waiting for his response.

He adjusted his purple bathrobe and then spoke, "You heard about what happened to that old man Simiao right?"

The boy nodded, "Yeah. Someone got in there and got him real good."

"I'm intrigued Kenji. I'm intrigued."

"Look boss, maybe this isn't something we should be messing with. You know the Hashin have to be involved with this mess and the payout you made last time when we-"

"To hell with the Hashin," the man laughed as he puffed out a stream of smoke, "When there is something happening like this- well I need the details. Newspapers and the like are going to be all of this one. We could sell em' some information. Make a quick buck."

"You really think it's worth it? If the Hashin catch you snooping around they'll come after you."

"That's why you'll go investigate!"

The boy sighed and shook his head, "You really don't pay me enough for this job."

"Kenji, have you heard the story about the Elixir of Life?"

Kenji looked up from the ground and shook his head at his boss, "No. I don't think I have."

The man shrugged, "The summer solstice is coming up and always reminds me of that old tale. I'll tell you some other time. Now go investigate and bring me the information as soon as possible. Actually. Cut that. Bring me the information tomorrow morning. I'm expecting some company tonight."

"Company, Mr. Takizo?"

The man jolted his head back, "That's not something for your young mind to think about! Now go on and put your mind in investigator mode!"

"Five rooms please. For the week."

The older lady at counter grunted and looked down at the list of guests below her. "I got three rooms left. You can take em' or leave em'."

Mako sighed, "Alright. That's fine."

"That'll be 200 Yuan."

Bolin glanced around the rundown hotel. He watched as a spider rat jolted across the floor and scuttled into a convenient crack in the wall.

"Oh man," Bolin moaned, "Do we really have to stay in a place like this?"

Rika glared at him, "We don't want to blow our cover staying at some high class hotel in the downtown area. The press will be all over Korra."

Mako approached the group, "We have rooms. Only three of them."

"Well we are taking one," Bolin stated as he grabbed a key from Mako and headed down the hall with Opal in hand.

"Me and Korra will share another," Asami said as she followed Bolin with Korra behind her.

Mako glanced over at Rika who had a crooked grin on her face, "Poor Mako has to share a room with his investigation partner," she teased.

"Just cut it out," Mako said trying to fight a smile on his face.

They opened the door to their room only to reveal a tiny space with only a single bed. Rika lunged forward and pounced on the bed. She plopped forward and the gazed over at Mako still standing in the doorway. She rolled over and pointed to the floor, "You can sleep there."

"This is the place."

The group stopped in front of the small, wooden house. Cars bustled behind them and carried dust that flew through the side street. The street lights lit up the night air and provided enough light to see the rustic house nestled between the two taller buildings. The yellow police tape guarded off the entrance way and two cops who were watching the house shifted their attention to the group.

Mako approached them and flashed his badge. The officers nodded and stepped aside for the group. They entered the house only to walk in on a conversation.

"That's all I need to know. Thank you."

The boy turned, now faced with the group staring back at him.

"And you would be?" Mako asked as he looked suspiciously at the boy who moved towards the exit.

"Kenji. Private Investigator. My employer has taken interest in this matter."

"Well," Rika stepped forward angrily, "You can't just walk in here and expect to go about your investigation-"

"Already done. Sorry for the inconvenience." The boy brushed passed the group but stopped before making an exit. "Look here. If you got the cash meet me at Chushi's tomorrow night. I'll have something figured out by then."

Quickly the boy flung open the door, leaving the group of six confused.

"He's confident that's for sure," Rika said breaking the silence, "Must have paid of the guards in front."

Mako looked at Rika, "Already a possible lead though. We'll meet with him tomorrow night."

Then they all turned to the other boy still in the room. His frail body shook as he adjusted his glasses.

"And who are you?" Mako pointed at him.

"Sheng. I was Simiao's assistant before- well you know," he stammered out.

"It happened in the back room, correct?" Mako asked.

"Y-yes," Sheng replied.

"Alright. Korra and Asami come with me and let's gather what we can. Rika. Interview him."

"It's as bad as they say."

The three stood in the doorway gazing over the scene in front of them. The mess of a room was illuminated by the flame in Mako's hand. He walked forward to reveal the pool of blood where a body once was.

"The police must have taken the body already," Mako filled the silence. He looked back and Korra and Asami who seemed still stuck in the doorway.

"Who would do something like this? It's disgusting," Asami blurted out.

Korra nudged Asami and tried to reassure her, "It's our job to find out."

The three began to move through the room, turning over the old books and rummaging through the mess in the room. Korra slid open a drawer from the desk and uncovered a black journal which was covered with a pile of paperwork. She picked the notebook up and began skimming through it.

"Guys, I think I found his journal."

Mako turned his head and walked over to Korra. She turned and handed it to Mako. He gazed through it then put it away in the sash around his back. Mako turned back to the mess of books stacked up around the room, "He was obsessed with his research that's for sure."

Asami looked up from the stack of books she was rummaging through, "He had a thing for spirits."

Asami walked up to the desk and started placing down books.

Spiritual Medicine

The Source of Spirits

Among the Spirits

The Properties of the Spirit Water of the North Pole

The three looked at each other and Mako began to pace around the room, continuing to observe the mess.

"I let in three men. I had let them in to see Simiao before. One was short, chubby with a beard. Brown hair. The other was.. umm… he was taller with messy black hair. The other was medium height with large muscles- he was bald I think. Oh yes he was bald."

Rika watched him carefully, "Do you know if they had anything to do with the Hashin?"

Sheng shook his head, "I don't know. They were dressed like they belonged in that scene though."

"How many times did they come to see Simiao before the murder?"

"Just a few. About once a month for the past year. They would never say much to me. Simiao would always tell me to go home when they arrived."

"He would send you home?"

"Y-yes. I once overheard them talking about getting something finished, that their patience was running out."

Rika leaned back and glanced at her notes. She sighed and looked back towards Sheng, "Tell me about Simiao. Anything you can."

"Honestly," Sheng told her, "I don't know much. He hired me as an assistant, but I was much more like an errand boy. I would pick him up meals, do his laundry- he lived in this house and rarely left his room."

"What about his wife?"

"He had a wife?" Sheng replied looking confused.

"He was a medical researcher before coming here. Did you know anything of his past life?"

Shen shook his head, "No. He never told me."

Rika crossed her hands, "He was definitely hiding something then. Alright Sheng. If you have anything else you need to tell me say so now."

"Before the men came here, Simiao came out of his room. He looked sick. He gave me two hundred yuan and told me to let the men in when they came and to leave once they got here. I came back later because I was worried and saw he had been murdered. He knew they were coming."

Korra rolled over and buried her head in the back of Asami's neck. Asami turned around and pressed her forehead against Korra's.

The quiet hotel room was illuminated by the city lights crawling through the open window. The light hit Asami's face just right to where Korra could make out the details of her cheek bones.

"You know," Asami spoke as her breath knocked against Korra's face, "The scene kind of had me freaked out a bit."

Korra ran her hands threw Asami's hair, "Yeah," Korra replied, "We'll find the person responsible."

Asami looked at Korra and chuckled, "I know. I'm just glad that we're together. Though I could do with a bit cleaner of a room."

The two laughed at the situation. Korra then sat up and tilted her head, cracking her neck. Asami then sat up as well and threw her arms around the Avatar's neck.

"I wanted to talk to you about us."

Korra leaned back into Asami, getting comfortable she looked over at her, "Well," the Avatar nervously replied, "Talk away."

"I think it's time we tell everyone about us. It's been a year since we decided on this and I don't really feel comfortable hiding from everyone anymore. I know you've been gone with work and everything."

"I'm just nervous about the whole thing," Korra honestly told Asami, "How do you think everyone will take it?"

Asami squeezed Korra trying to reassure her, "I don't think anyone will disagree. Besides even if they do you're the Avatar. You do what you want."

Korra chuckled as she turned and pressed Asami down to the bed. "You know it," Korra stated as she leaned down to kiss the girl below her.

"Another drink kid?"

Mako looked about at the bartender and waved his hand, "No. I think I'm alright."

Rika moved her cup forward and the bartender filled her drink and laughed, "Looks like she has you beat on this one."

Rika took a sip of the drink and glanced over at Mako who looked lost in thought. "You know you always get this way," Rika stated looking away from him.

The quiet bar around them was nearly empty. In the corner the radio played a soothing tune that accompanied the conversation of the two at the bar. On the other end of the bar the bartender moved back to scrubbing out cups from past customers.

"Like what? I'm just trying to process all the information."

"You let it all weigh on you though," Rika told him, "you let it all become personal."

Mako sighed and stared down at his empty cup. He looked over to her as she took a long swig of her third drink, her cheeks now a light pink color, "At least I don't drink the thoughts away."

Rika laughed. "Yeah like my third glass is a night of drinking," she looked back over to the firebender sitting next to her, "You don't drink much do you?"

"Not really," Mako replied, "Just not the type."

"Oh come on," Rika nudged Mako, "You just don't like giving up control that's why."

Mako smiled, "Yeah maybe."

Rika finished her drink and then ruffled through the bills in her pocket. She placed a few on the table and then looked at Mako.

"You never like talking much Mako," she shrugged, "I'm going back to the room. Come in quietly. If you wake me you're sleeping in the hallway."

Mako laughed as he watched Rika leave the quiet bar. The bartender came up and looked at Mako. He pointed, "Is that your girlfriend? You know how to pick em' kid."

"Oh no," Mako shook his hands, "Just a business partner." He looked down at the empty glass, "Could I get a refill actually?"

The bartender smiled, filling up the cup. "Hey kid, you ever hear the story of the Elixir of Life?"

Mako shook his head, "I don't think I have."

The bartender placed the cup next to Mako and laughed heartily, "It's a good one. That's for sure. The summer solstice is coming up. It always reminds me of that old story."

Mako smiled, a bit confused, "Yeah. I'm sure it's a good story."