backwordscompatible | IC CONTACT (HAVEN)

[Uh-uh, Korra. She's not letting the subject go that easily.]

...you thought that him paying such close attention to you meant something more, didn't you?

[The silence on her end's probably enough of an answer.]

Maybe... a little.

[It was. It also showed just how genuine Korra' own feelings were, which is why Zatanna actually took a moment of her own, weighing the pros and cons, before continuing.]

Hey, listen. I'm going to tell you something...and I want you to promise me you won't tell Conner I told you, okay?

O...kay? [Korra adjusts the phone against her ear, sounding curious. Maybe it's something Zee doesn't want Conner to know about yet?]

I won't say anything.

[Good. It wasn't anything Conner had specifically told her to keep secret; if it had, she might have been more inclined to keep her mouth shut. She just didn't want to deal with him pouting at her if he found out she was talking to Korra about it.]

The day he came back from your...uh...training session? He wasn't just upset because you were upset. He was worried that you noticed.

That I noticed...?

[There's a definite emphasis on that word. What could she have missed that would upset her--if she knew...

Korra sits up, eyes wide.]

Wait, I didn't actually hurt him when I went into the Avatar State, did I?

[He hadn't looked injured, and she doesn't remember lashing out too heavily, but...]

[She had to stiffen her laughter at that.]

His pride, maybe. But that'll recover with time.

No, he was worried you noticed him noticing you.

[A sigh of relief--and then another pause.]

So I was right? He's paying more attention to me?

I would have thought that much was obvious, considering he said so himself.

...oh.

[Give her a second. Zatanna's pretty much implied (really, really heavily) that Conner might...like her.

At this point, Korra's feeling a little tongue-tied and unsure what else she could say.]

[She likes you so much, Korra, she'll even give you two.]

Still with me?

[Is it possible to hear a blush through the phone? If so, she's in trouble.]

Uh, yeah. Still here.

[Fortunately for Korra, that was not possible. Zatanna would have to live with the mental images alone.]

And...?

Questions? Comments? I have to admit, I'm more than a little curious over here.

I'm just trying to get my head around this still.

[Her face still feels really warm. Korra's voice goes soft and quiet.]

I...don't really know what to do about all this.

Well...what do you want to do?

[She leaned forward slightly in her seat, elbows resting on her knees as her voice softened. Most of the joking tone was gone now. This was a little too close to home for her to keep teasing Korra about it.]

Do you like him?

I... [Korra can feel herself tensing up at the question, though she'd already started expecting Zatanna to ask. Her heartbeat, though fast enough to be a little uncomfortable, gives her something to focus on as she thinks.]

Yeah...I guess I do.

[It's a little difficult for her to admit, since she's been trying to just let it peter out on its own. Though...is there really any chance of that after the way he'd looked out for her in the maze?]

Then tell him.

[Zatanna had this thing with relationship advice. It was one of the few times when it all appeared in black and white to her. Do, or don't. And she tended to lean towards the do option.]

I'm not saying you have to make a huge confession out of it. Just...tell him. See what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Unless there's something else you're not telling me?

[An unspoken complication that doesn't involve indecisiveness or personal hesitation.]

There's just so much going on right now.

[Zatanna's question jolts Korra back to the unpleasant reality.]

I...don't really want to drag him into some of the things I'm going to get involved in later. He already has enough on his plate right now.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but...chances are, he's already involved. Or will be.

[That's what happened when you got close to someone.]

I...know. [That's difficult to accept, but Korra knows Zee's right.]

Can't blame me for wanting to try anyway, right?

[She might know what to do about her feelings and his right now, but she does know she wants to keep him safe, as much as she can, for as long as she can.]

[No. She couldn't. Because she'd do the exact same thing, if it were possible. Protect the people closest to her. Just like they'd try to protect her.]

That's just it, though, Korra. Nobody would blame you.

[And if they do, they're wrong]

Look... [She sat back, eyes turning upward as she sighed inaudibly on her end.] This place sucks, right? I'm pretty sure we're all in agreement there. The things we've been through...the things we're all going to continue to go through...that's our current future, and it sucks.

But there are moments when it doesn't. And there are things about this place that might actually give us a chance to be happy. Even if it's just for a little while...why would you ever want to give up before you have the chance to find out if it's real?

[She almost wishes she could see Zatanna right now, so she could turn and look at her for answers.]

You think I should go for it.

[Said quietly, more of a statement than a question. Korra shouldn't be surprised. She knows she would tell any of her friends the same if she knew they had feelings for each other, too.]

It's...a bad idea. I don't want him to get hurt.

[If she ends up drawing Yao's attention to herself, Korra doesn't want Conner or her friends to be the ones to pay for it. What's going to stop them from putting her friends into Storage, or worse, killing them off for good like they did with Al and that Aoi kid?

There's just too many factors to consider here, and as much as Korra would like the companionship, she can't throw herself in like she could in Republic City.]

I...need to think about it some more.

Of course I think you should go for it. [A pause, then...in a softer tone.] I did.

[There were times when Zatanna Zatara could be a hypocrite, and she knew that. This wasn't one of those times.]

[Yet...there was still something holding the older girl back. Zatanna could hear it in her tone. Beyond the usual uncertainties. Something she either wasn't saying aloud, or even had yet to figure out for herself. She couldn't even be sure if it was because of Haven (which was almost ironic, given that it was because of Haven she had been given the chance to meet Conner at all) or something else entirely.]

[Either way, Zatanna knew she wasn't going to be able to convince her just yet.]

Fine. You think about it. Just...remember what I said, alright?

I'm glad you did. [Korra's voice is soft and genuine, too.] You and Kon deserve to be happy about something.

[She nods slowly, then remembers Zatanna can't actually see her.]

I--I will. Thanks, Zee.

Anytime, Korra.

I'll see you later?

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braavado - 2014-08-01 21:47 (UTC) - Expand

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backwordscompatible - 2014-08-02 22:05 (UTC) - Expand