Prompt Post 2.0
With the season finale behind us I figure we'll have an explosion of prompts soon. So, new prompt post. Please post any new prompts in this post. But you can always find fic or fill more prompts in the original prompt post.
Rules!1) One prompt per post, please! If you have multiple prompts, no worries, just make separate posts for each. Please ( Read more... )
Rules!1) One prompt per post, please! If you have multiple prompts, no worries, just make separate posts for each. Please ( Read more... )
As they approached, he became acutely conscious of wearing only bandages and underwear beneath the thin blankets. He supposed it was a mercy that he had been spared the indignity of a patient’s gown. In spite-or perhaps because-of everything that had happened, he felt compelled put up a good front before these two.
'Tarrlok,” Tenzin began, “I'm glad you're doing better.” His tone was unusually sincere, given that Tarrlok had recently bloodbent the man unconscious.
“Korra told me about Amon-Noatak-being your brother,” Tenzin continued, straightforward as always.
“And a bloodbender. Like myself. And Yakone,” Tarrlok supplied helpfully.
Tenzin tugged his beard, looking a little discomfited. So he hadn't entirely gotten over the experience.
“Yes, that as well. Your father was Yakone-” he paused, seeming to struggle with his words, “that is, we have no reason to doubt what you told Korra about your childhood, and Yakone's wish for you to enact his revenge. In light of that, your recent actions are...understandable.”
“And forgivable,” Korra spoke for the first time. She was being unusually sedate, and her expression was sympathetic. Tarrlok found it disconcerting and inexplicably annoying.
“Which actions,” he said sourly, “kidnapping you? Tearing up City Hall? Bloodbending?”
The politician in Tarrlok knew he should accept Tenzin and the Avatar's words gracefully and gratefully, but something about forgivable rankled. He glanced unthinkingly at what was left of his right arm and his chest clenched painfully.
“All of them,” Tenzin answered, ignoring Tarrlok's tone. “The truth is, it took the paper a few days to pick up on the story, and by then you'd already been found. They took the details that were known: your relation to Amon, your capture, the explosion and well, you know how they work.”
Tarrlok had often used Republic City's newspapers to support his career on the Council. Reporters and editors were always eager for exciting stories, be they scandals or stirring heroics. The sad story of his life, against the backdrop of the revolution, must have been irresistible. The pain was joined by a tightness behind his eyes.
He kept his face neutral as Tenzin went on. “We confirmed it as the official version of events-and with the exception of a few people, most believe it. Republic City can't afford to lose one of its strongest leaders right now.”
Strongest leader. Tarrlok wanted suddenly to be alone, to not be lying in a bed half-burnt and helpless while Tenzin and the Avatar of all people spoke of 'official stories' and looked at him with pity. He brought forth his most ingratiating smile. A tiny, still-vain part of him wondered if the burns had rendered it any less effective.
“Then it seems I owe you thanks, Tenzin, Avatar Korra. I can't apologize enough for what I've done. I only hope that, even in my current state, I will be able to help you restore peace to Republic City.”
It was the kind of adroit, heartfelt statement he could give in his sleep. “I would be happy to discuss it further, of course but I'm feeling a bit tired at the moment...”
They didn't take the hint, still regarding him with that unsettling concern. Korra finally stepped forward, moving to stand next to his bed. “About your state-I can restore your bending, Tarrlok. I learned it from Aang, I can undo what Amon did.”
The tightness behind his eyes was starting to make Tarrlok irritable. “Thank you, Avatar, I’ve had enough of healers hovering around me for the day. Farewell.”
Too blunt. Maybe he really was tired. Regardless, it did the job. With murmured apologies, Tenzin and Korra headed for the door. At the last minute, Tenzin turned around.
“I’m sorry, Tarrlok, but one last thing. There are some who still view Amon as a hero,” he said quietly. “They see you as his assassin, and there have been some threats. We can’t spare more than one man to guard you, so please...be careful.”
That explained the bars on the window. When Tarrlok gave no reply, Tenzin turned abruptly in a swirl of robes and left.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment