Cháo -- it means "tides" in the language we use in my world. I think you guys call it "Chinese" here?
He sort of reminded me of home. The Southern Water Tribe. So..."tides". [Korra gives a helpless little shrug.] Was "Jack" something you picked for him?
Oh... yeah, he said something about that. [Korra draws her legs up to her chest, resting her back against the bed frame.]
Did you agree to be his "Mistress" then? I offered, too, if he couldn't find someone to give him directions in battle, but... the whole calling me "Mistress" thing kind of weirded me out.
It was kind of weird at first, too... [A pause, before she amended:] ...okay, it's still kind of weird. But I think it makes him feel better. It's a title that's familiar to him, and I figured if I could get him comfortable enough around me, then I could get the little guy to loosen up over time.
Don't tell him, but I think it's actually working. He's been asking a lot more questions and he seems way less afraid than he did when we first met.
You're probably a better person for it, then. [Korra grins.] I kept correcting him and I think that just...made it worse.
[And then the smile fades a little.]
Did he tell you what his world was like? He's trained to--to sacrifice himself for humans in battle. That's just horrible. If he's not as afraid as he was before, then it's a good thing.
I think his old handler was the only one who cared enough to try with him.
[She thinks Zee might be right about that. Sad, but true. She can think of a few other people who are in the same position.]
I don't know if Yao will ever bring his handler here, but I guess until then we can keep him safe between the two of us.
And Conner, too. I think the two bonded a little when they met last time. [Korra perks up.] That's right--Conner! I was going to ask you about the boys. Their birthday, I mean.
He cared enough to give him a name, even when it wasn't allowed. I think you're right.
[Which would explain why Jack was so hesitant to allow anybody except Zee to use it. After all this time, he was still afraid somebody might hear and get mad at him.]
...oh, that's right. It's March, isn't it?
Days are so hard to keep track of here. But their birthday should be coming up soon.
It's sort of a joke. [Korra shakes her head, smiling.] Conner said he loved me when I gave him the pie last time, but he kept saying he actually meant something else.
It was sort of confusing at the time, but he's cleared up a few things since then.
[She was almost surprised Conner went for the more selfish option, vs claiming that whatever made Korra happy would make him happy. Then again, if she were in his position, she would've said the exact same thing.]
Of course. I wouldn't be here like this if I didn't.
[Korra rests her chin in her hand.]
I do still have feelings for Mako. Feelings like that don't just go away really fast. But we broke up and we're still friends. Conner's the one I want to be with right now.
He's still hurting. I can tell. But...I still care about him, and I told him that just because I'm with Kon now doesn't mean I won't be there for him when I can. We agreed that we both want to still be friends.
[Korra can see Zatanna's reaction, and slips her arms around her friend to offer some reassurance.]
He said he still wants to be friends, so... I think it'll work out. It'll just take some time for us all to get used to these changes.
[It could have been so much worse.]
Do you think he'd want to come to the...party we're planning for the boys? [Though she doesn't think it'll be big enough to be called a "party" technically."] Should we even invite other people?
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He sort of reminded me of home. The Southern Water Tribe. So..."tides". [Korra gives a helpless little shrug.] Was "Jack" something you picked for him?
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No, it was the name given to him by his handler back in his world.
I think that's why he lets me call him that. With the whole "Mistress" thing and all.
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Did you agree to be his "Mistress" then? I offered, too, if he couldn't find someone to give him directions in battle, but... the whole calling me "Mistress" thing kind of weirded me out.
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I did.
It was kind of weird at first, too... [A pause, before she amended:] ...okay, it's still kind of weird. But I think it makes him feel better. It's a title that's familiar to him, and I figured if I could get him comfortable enough around me, then I could get the little guy to loosen up over time.
Don't tell him, but I think it's actually working. He's been asking a lot more questions and he seems way less afraid than he did when we first met.
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[And then the smile fades a little.]
Did he tell you what his world was like? He's trained to--to sacrifice himself for humans in battle. That's just horrible. If he's not as afraid as he was before, then it's a good thing.
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Oh, he told me, alright. Every now and again, when we talk, he throws another little tidbit in for good measure.
I never thought I would meet a person who's probably better off here, in Haven.
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[She thinks Zee might be right about that. Sad, but true. She can think of a few other people who are in the same position.]
I don't know if Yao will ever bring his handler here, but I guess until then we can keep him safe between the two of us.
And Conner, too. I think the two bonded a little when they met last time. [Korra perks up.] That's right--Conner! I was going to ask you about the boys. Their birthday, I mean.
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[Which would explain why Jack was so hesitant to allow anybody except Zee to use it. After all this time, he was still afraid somebody might hear and get mad at him.]
...oh, that's right. It's March, isn't it?
Days are so hard to keep track of here. But their birthday should be coming up soon.
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[Korra seems to have brightened up a bit.]
We should do something for them. Any ideas?
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Presents are always a plus.
Or we could do a little get-together. Maybe talk to Hatchy about making them a cake, even.
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[There's an amused glint to her eyes as she says it.]
I know the boys and Kal all like it.
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I'm not sure what it is with you guys and apple pie...but I'm not complaining.
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It was sort of confusing at the time, but he's cleared up a few things since then.
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He felt so bad afterwards I didn't have the heart to yell at him. Much.
[She didn't actually yell.]
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The next time he said something it was...right after I woke up. I thought I had imagined it until then.
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On the subject on Conner...how are you two doing?
Am I right in assuming that you wandering in here so casually is meant to be taken as a good sign?
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He said...as long as he's the one I choose in the end, that's what matters to him.
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Is he the one you chose?
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[Korra rests her chin in her hand.]
I do still have feelings for Mako. Feelings like that don't just go away really fast. But we broke up and we're still friends. Conner's the one I want to be with right now.
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Been there.
You're right. The feelings don't go away. I'm not sure they ever will.
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[Don't mind her leaning against you a little now, Zatanna.]
So...Conner and I worked things out. What about you and Kon?
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Well, he did literally jump out the window and became a fugitive for a few hours that first morning...
...but he came back and we talked things through. We're good.
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And Robin? How did that work out?
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We're...managing.
He's still hurting. I can tell. But...I still care about him, and I told him that just because I'm with Kon now doesn't mean I won't be there for him when I can. We agreed that we both want to still be friends.
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He said he still wants to be friends, so... I think it'll work out. It'll just take some time for us all to get used to these changes.
[It could have been so much worse.]
Do you think he'd want to come to the...party we're planning for the boys? [Though she doesn't think it'll be big enough to be called a "party" technically."] Should we even invite other people?
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