Private Corrupted Data

[Aren D'Shade]

Looking at the dark sky above them, Aren started walking the familiar streets. Nodding when Korra pointed out how she carried herself, she gave the other woman a bit of a smile.

"I've got a fantastic place. An old friend of mine hooked me up before he died. When he died, his gift continued and will be there until I go with him. Hopefully that isn't soon, mind you. I certainly don't plan on it."

Leaving out any important details, who that old friend was shouldn't matter to Korra, and Aren was not about to offer those. The two of them had just met, and she wanted to keep her secrets buried.

Korra Kast

 

[Korra Kast]

Korra walked beside her in comfortable silence, the case cradled in her arms like it was nothing. At Aren's words, her head tilted slightly—curious, but not prying.

"Sounds like he meant a lot to you," she said after a beat, voice quiet but sincere. She didn't push further. Everyone had ghosts, though some talked to theirs more so than others.

The city thinned as they moved into an older district—less neon, more stone and steel. The noise gave way to the quiet hum of power lines and the occasional distant speeder. They entered a tower, the kind you'd overlook if you weren't paying attention. Korra liked it already.

Inside, the the elevator doors slid open with a muted hiss. They stepped in, and Korra shifted the case slightly, adjusting the weight. With the doors closed, it brought them up.

"Top floor?" she asked, raising a brow.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Adrian had been a friend and mentor. He'd also provided Aren with everything she'd wanted to explore her passions. Had he meant anything to her? Yes, he had, but he wasn't a lover.

"He was a good friend."

Leaving it at that, it was in the past, and she could only hope to do as he would have wanted her to. Be herself and follow her passions, which was exactly what she did. When Korra asked if they were going to the top floor, she shook her head.

"Nah, that would raise too many questions and cause people to notice me. That isn't something I want."

Somewhere in the upper middle of the building, the elevator stopped and opened up to a hallway.

"This is our floor."

There was only one door in the hallway, and Aren opened it for them with very little flourish.

"Welcome to my home. Make yourself comfortable."

Korra Kast

 

[Korra Kast]

As the door opened, she took in the space with a practiced eye—not judging, just absorbing. The kind of habit you form when you live a life where walking into the wrong place could be your last.

But Aren's home didn't feel dangerous.

Korra stepped inside and exhaled through her nose, something just short of a sigh. The air was cool, faintly metallic with undertones of machinery. Her boots thudded softly against the floor as she moved further in.

"Nice," she said, setting the case down on the floor. "Where do you want me to put the droid head?"

Aren D'Shade