[The action takes place before Korra's birth. Noatak is now about eighteen years old, like you. He's not yet Amon, but he's already nurturing his ideas of equality.]

Republic City. It sounds proud, it sounds majestic, it sounds like new hope. But in reality, things aren't so rosy. If you're a newcomer and weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth, be prepared for the city to chew you up and spit you out. The poor struggle to make ends meet, while others were forced to steal and commit crimes. Only the locals, the middle class, and the rich lived perfectly well here. But you and Noatak had to scrape by.

Four years had passed since you and Noatak had run away. Things had been hard for you, but neither of you seemed to regret it. No matter how many hardships you had to endure, you always endured them together.

You both had jobs. Noatak worked as a loader, rarely using water magic (let alone blood magic), trying to live like an ordinary person. Together, your money was enough to pay for a small apartment and food.

But Noatak was always so serious. It seemed he was often thinking about things he never said out loud. He looked at this city differently...

Evening. Noatak returned from work, terribly tired and battered. He answered your question matter-of-factly.

Ah... Nothing special. Once again, a gang of idiots tried to take my salary. Well... they really will need money for a good doctor.

He grinned wryly, pulling off his jacket.