Author's Note: Life as a university student has spoiled me; the first twenty minutes of this endeavor were consumed in coming up with a suitable title, and all of them – arguably, even this one – sounded like titles for research papers. Writing for Korra instead of Aang is a bit of a leap, and those who have read my other work will agree that this piece tastes different. Of course, as writers we are under a constant metamorphosis, becoming "better and better," changing our voices based on what we have just read, deciding we don't like adverbs, wondering what to do with ideas that won't leave our heads… That said, *please* review me, since this is experimental, and I read any and all feedback that makes its way into my inbox. Truthfully, though it flatters me to make it to the favorite's list, it is much more helpful to the aspiring daydreamer to receive reviews.

The characterization of the show was underdeveloped as a result of the series' length. I admit openly that I am still not entirely sure *who* the characters are, and this is the beauty of an amnesia device, as it allows us to reinvent for ourselves.

As always, smile often, and happy reading! – scorpiaux

A week after their failed attack, Bolin wobbled into Korra's room with a large, rectangular aquarium made of crude glass. It was thick and heavy, speckled with air bubbles that gave away the poor workmanship, and weighed the better end of twenty kilograms. Bolin had not thought to put off filling it until later. Instead, he had dunked the glass into the sea, threw in several fistfuls of soft beach pebbles, and used his brother's net to fill the tank with eight large-eyed zebra-minnows, their gills gaping and strong, their bodies sleek.

"There," he had proclaimed to himself, clapping his muddy hands in triumph. "Perfect, perfect." He stood at arm's length to admire the rudimentary beauty of the fish and the water and the bumpy glass. He smiled with satisfaction and was on his way. It was Katara's words this morning that had stirred Bolin's gift-giving mood. According to the old healer, Korra had finally opened her eyes and spoke.

"She was awake for about five minutes," Katara reported. "She asked for water, drank, and fell asleep." She had warned the boys and Asami – as well as Tenzin's children – not to disturb Korra in the recovery process, but few things could deter Bolin's generosity or optimism.

This was reason enough for the boy to bring Korra a gift. It was a must. Now that things were looking up, Bolin thought it necessary to celebrate. Not a single good thing had happened to him or his brother since Amon stole their bending – Bolin insisted on the word 'steal' – and Korra's recovery was an omen that their suffering would soon come to a close.

The water in the tank swayed as Bolin placed the gift on a wooden table near the door, where Katara had left volumes of healing manuals and ancient sketches. He was careful to remove the books so the water wouldn't ruin them. Then he approached Korra, asleep on her back with the comforter drawn to her chin. Her cot was low, and he got on his knees to get closer to her.

She breathed without interruption, her eyelids heavy with sleep, her full lips relaxed, giving her the illusion of aloofness and reserve. Hesitantly, Bolin touched her forehead with the backs of his fingers, surprised that she was cool despite the airless room, the high sun that was heating the end of the cot through the window, and the comforter full of insulating duck feathers.

"Hey," he started in a whisper. "So… I know you're probably…you know, still asleep, and unconscious, and everything…" Korra's eyebrow twitched and she turned her face towards him, eyes shut tight, before Bolin continued, "I brought you a gift! I mean, it's nothing really, just a tank with some fish in it. But! It looks really cool. In the light. Even in this light."

Korra's healing room was dark despite the window and the lamps. Electricity, considered an invention of luxury, had yet to find its way to the South Pole. Instead, Katara and the other healers had spotted the walls with wax candles behind ornamented glass. The effect was more disturbing than it was attractive, and as a result the room remained dim, its brightest hours appearing only briefly in the morning.

Bolin sighed, his chest and shoulders deflating. "The only way you're gonna see this thing is if you wake up, you know," he said. "So…wake up! Everyone misses you. I mean, I probably miss you the most, just saying. But still, everyone misses you, I got you a gift, and you have to save the world and stuff." He was listing on his fingers. "That's three things," he exclaimed, "right off the bat!"

Korra snored and turned her face; the act itself robbed Bolin of all his steam. He sighed again, defeated, and stood up, stretching his arms over his head as he walked to the door.

"Hey."

Bolin froze and spun on his heels. The sight knocked the wind out of him. Korra sat up, her blue eyes wide as she rubbed her temples, her breasts peeking up from behind the comforter. He dashed to her side without hesitation.

"Yes!" he said, pulling a naked Korra into a series of tight hugs. "Yes! Yes! Hey! You're awake! Did you hear what I said? About my present?" He broke away and pointed over his shoulder. "There it is! It's for you. I'm so glad you're awake! I knew you'd wake up if I came. I missed you!" Overwhelmed and entertained by his own excitement, Bolin didn't notice Korra's baffled look as he pulled her close or conversed with her. This was also the reason he didn't think twice before kissing Korra's cheek in relief, his eagerness well-intentioned but not so well received.

"Gross!" she said at last, pushing the boy away with both hands. Bolin stumbled backwards, tripping on his own knees, and landed on his back. Korra held her arm over her breasts. She tried to stand up. Instantly, she noticed a dull pain in her lower back that kept her pinned to the cot, and she looked up at Bolin. He was on his knees again, his hands up in defense.

"What's wrong?" he asked, offering his smile again. "Was it the kiss? It was the kiss, right? Too much?" Bolin hadn't noticed Korra's nakedness until now, and he blushed a deep red before turning his face. "Right! Naked. Okay…sorry about that…"

"I wanted to ask where the bathroom is," she answered crossly. "But apparently I can't even get up. Who is in charge here?" She looked about the room, her eyes darting from the lamps to the healing books, to Bolin's aquarium and back to his pink face. She looked at her hands and arms. Her left shoulder was wrapped in bandages to the elbow. Her right forearm was glistening with a balm that she guessed treated burns. Korra thought to remove the comforter and check her legs but she could feel her own nakedness under the blanket, and Bolin's presence made her shy and unsure. Fear took the place of irritation and the girl broke down, moved back into her pillow and pulled the comforter over her breasts. She asked again, quietly, "Who is in charge here?"

Bolin blinked. "Katara is in charge." He had elected to sit cross-legged, a good meter away from the cot, but even from this distance he could detect Korra's uncertainty. "Hey, are you okay? Don't you remember Katara?"

Korra simply looked at him. He didn't know it, but she was focusing on his chin, unable to meet his eyes.

He paused, his voice husky. "Don't…don't you remember me?"

She grunted in frustration. She pulled the blanket over her face and disappeared under the sheets. "What's happening?" she asked, but it was muffled, and to Bolin it sounded indecipherable. He suddenly felt just as lost as Korra, and he looked at his open palms in his lap, wondering what to do next.

"Do you remember Mako?" the boy tried hopefully. "Remember? Dark, brooding. You guys kissed and he was dating Asami and you were supposedly dating me? C'mon, you gotta remember that. I know I do!"

"Can you please go get this Katara person?" Korra asked loudly from her spot. "I have to talk to a healer. My back is killing me. I want to get dressed. I need to pee."

"Sure, sure, I can do that!" He scrambled to his feet and ran towards the hallway without a second thought. It was beyond his hands now, he thought, and when he saw the aquarium as he was leaving, he felt his gut tighten, disappointed that his optimistic efforts were often met with unexpected, unwelcome twists. He stopped and stood limply at the door, supporting his weight on the doorframe. He spoke without facing Korra, afraid to embarrass her again. "You're going to be okay, okay?" he said. "The thing is, you were in a bad fight, and you're still a little shaken up."

There was a pause in which Bolin heard Korra readjusting her sheets. When he turned to her again, he noticed she had tied her frizzy curls back, revealing soft, bruised shoulders. The blanket covered the expanse between her neck and her breasts and Bolin swallowed. "That's all?" she asked. Her eyes were bright, but he was unsure if it was hope or tears.

"That's all," he promised. He grinned with all his teeth. "Maybe you don't remember what happened," he said, holding his hands out, "but just so you know, everyone missed you."

She grimaced. The bandages on her left arm had loosened with her activity. "How… how long was I out?"

Bolin answered without hesitation, "A week and two days and four hours," and Korra laughed, startled and pleased. Glad he had lightened the mood, Bolin returned to the task at hand. "I'll find Katara and bring her back," he called from the hallway. "No worries!"

After he left, Korra took in the décor of the room, her eyes landing at last on the bumpy tank and the zebra-minnow inside. She smiled to herself at the discovery, remembering what the boy had said – what was his name? – that the tank was a gift.

"Gift for what?" she wondered aloud. It was true that her confusion felt like a tomb, a dark and tangible cage for which she held no key, but her primary concern was her body.

With the boy gone, she lifted the sheets slightly and peered under them, squinting and scanning for injuries. Her left side seemed to have taken the worst of the fall. Not only was her shoulder bandaged up, but her left thigh and foot were wrapped in similar bandages, and it concerned the girl that there were dark stains over her knee, a sure symbol of fresh blood. Korra made a face at her luck and sat up, careful to cover her breasts and arms in case the boy returned early. She couldn't remember ever sleeping naked, but since she couldn't remember Katara or the eager boy, she found herself unreliable, and tried to focus instead on the fish swimming in circles in their tank, some of them swimming close to the bottom and dislodging the colored pebbles from their resting place.