When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Tahno sat alone in his flat.
It was strange to be solitary and at home. His flat had once been the center of the party scene. Now it was completely empty. (He didn't count.)
"Why?" was the only question in his mind. He had fallen so far and there was no reason. Admittedly, since giving his testimony to the police, he regretted cheating. But bending had been his whole life. It was his talent, his gift. Why did he have to lose his one way of earning a living?
He should have learned something else, something more.
He was a fool.
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least,
It was little wonder that his posse had abandoned him. Tahno was nothing without his bending and now was without aid in his need.
He envied, he was unashamed to admit, those brothers on the Fire Ferrets.
They were skilled; they were rising stars; they could bend. Not to mention they worked daily with Korra, the avatar.
Thinking of Korra just made him feel worse.
Korra wouldn't have let Amon best her, or capture her. She wouldn't let her bending be taken.
Korra would not give up.
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate
She wouldn't give up.
Neither would he.
He would fight and to his death. What else has he to lose?
Tahno rose and began to pack the necessities. Practical clothes, food that will last, and all that jazz went into a small sack. He left all the opulence and wasteful junk. He threw the bag over his shoulder and headed out of his flat for what was likely the last time.
To the underworld he would go. He would take the best of arrogant Tarrlok's taskforce and the Equalists, melding them together as only those equally poor could. Benders, non-benders, they could work together. He could see it in his mind's eye clear as day.
Thanks to Korra.
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Tahno was not afraid. Not anymore.
He didn't need Korra to take down Amon. He could do it himself. He'd organize the people, putting his charisma to work for once.
Then he would find someone to do his hair.