tushanshu | Video;

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Video;

[A broad smile is on Korra’s face when she turns on the video feed. She’s leaning to one side of the chair and looking pleased as punch.]

I’ll be reopening the dojo in the Wood Sector and I need some teachers, mentors, instructors- whatever you want to call yourselves, to teach people that want to learn. Any fighting style will do, but if it’s martial arts; then all the better.

If you’re interested in lessons, get in touch with me here or privately. I don't know how much lessons are going to be yet, but I'll try to keep it low.

[There's a pause where Korra considers her next words and her smile fades a little.]

If you're half as good as Dinah Lance is [Not was.] then I need to talk you.

[Four months of training with Dinah isn't enough for Korra. She wants to dig in further into the various styles she was mastering, and this is the only way she knows of to find someone that can help her do just that.]

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[Sure enough, he immediately recognizes the car when he sees it. If this had been considered a purely social visit, Barnaby would have probably thought about bringing a small gift in order to smooth relations. But since this was more or less for business, he doesn't bother with it today.

He knocks on Korra's door and patiently waits for her to open it.]

[Satisfied with the set up, Korra heads down the stairs to open the door. Korra's gotten used to seeing people with blond hair by now, but it's the first time she's seen a guy with it grown out so much. In person.]

Hey, come on in. [She didn't stare too long, promise. The stone flooring that usually makes up a third of the second floor is covered in mats. She taps the heavy punching with the back of her hand and then points at the wooden dummy.]

You can warm up or get straight to it on either one.

[It's okay, Korra, he knows he's hot, so he's used to people staring.]

Sorry for the intrusion. [It's said more out of politeness than anything else as he follows her upstairs. As someone who trains about 4 hours every day, Barnaby really isn't shy about giving a demonstration.

After Korra gives him the go ahead, he takes a moment to assess the equipment. Ultimately, he decides on the punching bag because he thinks he might accidentally break the wooden dummy. Since he's already wearing hand wraps, he's prepared enough.]

All right, then.

[Without another word, Barnaby launches into his usual drills. As he moves, he flawlessly pivots and shifts his weight to accommodate each kick and punch. His specialty is clearly kickboxing. What's more, his confidence and precision with every strike demonstrates that he's actually a professional.]

[The apology only gets a simple handwave and a smirk. Informal is the best way for Korra to handle things. Propping her arms on that of the wooden dummy, Korra leans back to watch.

And she’s not disappointed.

It doesn’t take that long for her to recognize it and seeing Barnaby do it expertly is something she’s only seen Dinah do.]

Wow, that’s incredible! I had no idea you were a fighter. Think you got time to teach at the dojo?

[When he finishes, he wipes a little bit of the perspiration off of his forehead. Korra's reaction doesn't surprise him, but Barnaby is pleased nonetheless. He doesn't necessarily need other people's approval; however, it's still satisfying when his efforts are recognized and appreciated because it's one indicator that he's done well.]

He's barely winded at all as he regards her with a polite expression.]

If you'll have me, I should have time. I've never taught before, but I have a lot of experience with both daily training and real-life combat situations thanks to my job back home.

Sounds like mine. Must be some job. [Unable to not smirk, she has to ask.]

You’re not appointed protector of the world, are you?

Not quite. [More like an office worker who's also appointed protector of the city, celebrity model, and entertainer rolled into one convenient package. That's too much of a mouthful, though.]

I'm a professional hero, but anything beyond Stern Bild city technically falls outside of my jurisdiction. [Tasking someone with protecting the whole world doesn't sound all that efficient, in his opinion.]

[That’s a very popular opinion.]

What’s the difference between professional and super?

[Despite how many she’s talked to, Korra doesn’t know all that much about heroes in general.]

[Technically they're one in the same, but these days simply saying he's a hero doesn't really convey the same meaning that it did back home.]

From what I understand, most people here who call themselves heroes decided to put their abilities and powers to use on a voluntary basis. They usually do this under an alias while keeping their day jobs and family lives completely removed from their crime fighting activities. In my case, working as a super hero is what I do for a living.

Yeah, secret identities. [Said mostly with indifference. Korra didn’t see why those mattered here, but some of the superheroes insisted on using them. That sharply reminds her about Mark.]

So you get tangled up in aliens and other weird stuff?

To be fair, my colleagues back home have secret identities, too.

[He's just as indifferent about it as Korra sounds, to be honest. But that's easy for him to say because he never had an alias to start with.]

That depends on your definition of 'weird stuff'. Our job is to keep the peace, apprehend criminals, and assist with emergencies like terrorist attacks, bomb threats, and natural disasters. [As well as to star in commercials, release music albums, and do model shoots, but that would take awhile to explain.] We often face off against people with dangerous or unusual powers, so each incident comes with its own set of challenges.

Sounds pretty familiar to me. [Right down to the people with dangerous and or unusual powers. Amon’s psychic blood bending; Unalaq’s merging with Vaatu; dark spirits; equalists…

After saying it, Korra takes a moment to really let that all sink in and when it does, she just shakes her head. Now isn’t the time for her to ponder the similarities between heroes and the Avatar.]

I’ll put you on the list of instructors taking students if you want. You’ll get paid by lesson. As long as there’s students, you can do as many as you want. Sound good to you?

[Considering they were all brought here to fight in some kind of war, it doesn't surprise Barnaby that there are other people with similar backgrounds.]

Yes, that would be fine. I look forward to it.

[He's needed another job for awhile, and this will be a good way to make money while making sure his skills don't rust from disuse.]

Great! I’ll put up a notice when I got all the other teachers rounded up so we can drum up some more interest in possible students. Then we can do schedules and stuff.

[So far it looks to her as if this whole dojo thing is going to work out, and that makes her so happy.]

I'll keep an eye out for it, then. Thank you for your time.

Sure thing. And hey, thanks for helping me when I needed it.

[Although Barnaby doesn't think of himself as altruistic, on occasion he still finds himself looking out for people he can actually empathize with.

The thanks isn't necessary, but he still offers a small, pleasant smile.]

Not at all. Your friends must be relieved to see you in top form again.

The ones who can see, yeah. [She had to get that joke in and she know both Toph and Julie would appreciate the humor. Well, Toph for sure.]

[He's initially a little unsure of how to interpret that.]

Some of your friends are visually impaired, you mean?

Yeah, two of them. But only one them's been blind their whole life, that's Toph. Julie lost her sight over a couple of months ago when I lost my memories.

[She smirks.]

They can handle themselves all right though.

[So some people haven't recovered from that incident during 'Halloween'. Barnaby had suspected as much, but this is the first time someone has directly told him.

Of course, if Korra doesn't feel sorry for anyone, then Barnaby certainly isn't going to.]

That's good to know. [They were expected to fight some kind of war.] Are they skilled in combat?

Strongest earthbender in history. [Folding her arms, Korra says it with a smirk.] So yeah, I’d say so.

You’ll know her when you see her.

[He's never met someone called an earthbender before, but the name seems pretty self-explanatory.]

Sounds impressive. And your other friend?

Julie. She works with me at the fishing shop Jack runs. I‘ve been trying to help her adjust to being blind, but I think she’s getting the hang of it.

[Lending her a giant polar bear dog to guide her around doesn’t hurt either.]

Were you affected by the magic at all?

She seems like an adaptable person, then.

[One would think the Emperor would try a little harder to take better care of the soldiers recruited for this "war" -- but, then, if they can bring replacements at will, maybe no one really cares whether they sustain permanent damage outside of combat.

Something to keep in mind, at least.]

No, luckily. My partner wasn't affected, either, although the sudden disappearances put a damper on an ill-timed party he'd been planning. Most people had more important things to worry about, after all.

[Barnaby had told him not to bother.]

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