"Instead of hiring an earthbender for a five-minute job you put down boards that did not work, and you annoyed a supervolcano. The earthquakes were the least of what would've happened if it hadn't been willing to calm down on my say-so. I took the liberty of having the sinkhole properly covered for you," says Beila, "and now I require your guarantee that you aren't going to do anything to reopen it. Like build anything heavy on that lot, or anything with a basement - or sell it without explaining this little drawback of the property."

"Of - of course, Avatar Beila," stammers the lot owner.

"Wonderful," says Beila. "I'm glad we had this talk. You'll take spirits more seriously in the future, I imagine."

He nods mutely.