backwordscompatible | IC CONTACT (HAVEN)

[Korra rolls onto her back with a sigh.] Longer than usual. Wan and I have been trying to test the earth, see if we could raise the housing area back to where it used to be, but...

[She shrugs. Nothing had happened, obviously.]

Looks like we're going to have to figure something else out.

[That would explain a lot.]

I'm not surprised. Kon tried to punch his way out at one point, but the ceiling punched him back.

[Careful not to disturb the older girl in her spot, Zatanna came over and sat on the edge of the bed. Peering down at her with a warm smile, if slightly nervous glint in her eye.]

I saw Jack. He told me that there was something wrong with your hearing? That loud noises were hurting you, or something?

Are you okay now?

I'm not surprised. A lot of things around here like to resist powers.

[Korra turns her head and smiles back up at her, reassuring.]

It's gone now, whatever it was. I think the spirit we saw messed with my senses--everything was too loud or too bright. I don't know how Conner can stand it.

[It had definitely been an eye-opener, having her senses strengthened like that.

Korra pauses after a second.] Wait--Jack?

[The relief in her expression was pretty obvious. Korra was one of her closest friends in Haven. Every bit of good news helped.]

Practice, probably. He's had it his whole life.

[It took a second for her to realize Korra's confusion. Ah. That's right.]

The polar bear.

I guess it makes sense you wouldn't know. He doesn't like it when most people call him that--long story. [Long, depressing story, really.]

Huh. He has a name? [That makes Korra sit up with interest.]

When I asked he just gave me some number. I didn't like calling him by that code, so I just...made something up.

His military number or something. He told me that too, when we first met. It took him a while before I could get an actual name.

What have you been calling him?

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?

[That was utterly adorable. It suited them both.]

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.

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.

[You should've heard Kon's reaction.]

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.

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.

[The look on her face would probably tell Korra everything she needed to know.]

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.

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.

One of my friends has been keeping track. I think I'll ask her when I see her later, but if I remember correctly, it should be in a few days.

[Korra seems to have brightened up a bit.]

We should do something for them. Any ideas?

[One in particularly. But not something she would be able to share with Korra...yet...]

Presents are always a plus.

Or we could do a little get-together. Maybe talk to Hatchy about making them a cake, even.

A cake... and some apple pie, maybe?

[There's an amused glint to her eyes as she says it.]

I know the boys and Kal all like it.

[Zatanna grinned in amusement.]

I'm not sure what it is with you guys and apple pie...but I'm not complaining.

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.

Oh, yeah. I remember him mentioning that.

He felt so bad afterwards I didn't have the heart to yell at him. Much.

[She didn't actually yell.]

Did he really? [Korra leans in, eyebrows raised.]

The next time he said something it was...right after I woke up. I thought I had imagined it until then.

[Made sense. Watching Korra remain unconscious for a week must've been hard on the poor guy.]

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?

I think we're going to be okay. [The relief is visible in her small smile.]

He said...as long as he's the one I choose in the end, that's what matters to him.

[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.]

Is he the one you chose?

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.

Edited 2014-12-21 21:09 (UTC)

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