"I'm with the Republic Newscorps," repeats the reporter patiently, "and I'm looking for Dao Jukai."

"Is there a reason you're looking for Dao Jukai or were you just really bored this morning?"

"According to some of the students at Northwest Secondary, he's dating the Avatar," explains the reporter. "Are you him?"

"Wow, you're good," says Dao, "you found out I was dating her before I did, that must be some kind of record."

The reporter smiles winningly. "So tell me about Avatar Beila! What's she like on a personal level?" he says, apparently heedless of the actual content of Dao's statement.

"Go away," says Dao.

"I won't take but a few minutes of your time," says the reporter.

"You've already taken more of my time than I want you to have," he says, and shuts the door.

The reporter knocks again.

Dao ignores him!

The reporter carries on badgerdoggedly knocking at irregular intervals.

The reporter spots him coming around the corner of the row of houses. "Dao!" he calls, like Dao is his old friend who has inconveniently managed to miss this visit he would surely wish to receive. "Dao, just a few minutes, please." He jogs to catch up.

The reporter follows him.

Dao finds a public park, and sits down on a bench, and gets a knife and a block of wood out of his bag, and starts carving.

The reporter watches him do this for a while, then says, "I'd just like to talk to you for a few minutes about your relationship with the Avatar, Dao."

"Go away," says Dao.

"Now, there's no need to be so unfriendly," coaxes the reporter.

"You spent two hours knocking on my door after I closed it in your face, I think that's actually a really good reason to be unfriendly," Dao points out.

"You could've gotten rid of me in five minutes," the reporter says. "What're you hiding? Did Avatar Beila ask you to keep the relationship a secret? Is she ashamed of you?"

"Just doing my job, Dao," says the reporter. "How long have you known the Avatar? Were you and she together before she was named, or only since?"

"I am just gonna stay here and carve this lizard crow," says Dao, returning his attention to his block of wood, "and if you want to stand there and ask me stupid questions while I do it, then I guess I can't stop you."