Title: Drawn to you.
Chapter one.
Disclaimer.
Story © 2012 Allonym.
Tumblr account: Allonymph.
FanFiction account: Allonymph.
Feel free to email me prompts.
Email: Allonymfiction
Korra and characters of The Legend of Korra are © to Nickelodeon.
Bold/Italic = Speech.
Italics = Thought.
Authors note at the bottom of the page.
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I had never felt so independent, the memories of a life spent behind impenetrable walls, under constant scrutiny and strict training regimes had finally come to an end, after only a few short days the world knew of Avatar Korra.
Republic City's people chanted my name at press conferences like a prayer, I was here. The whole city stretched out in front of me, ensnaring me with its unyielding steel and whispers of freedom.
Daydreaming at the weathered breakfast nook I picked at my noodles listlessly, consumed by my wish list of things I wanted to both do and see. My appetite or lack thereof had finally gotten the better of me as I pushed the bowl away substituting it for a nearby newspaper.
See now this was my calling! I thought to myself flicking to the pro bending section. Pro bending was one of my very few pleasures back home and now I lived within a ferry ride of the arena, my heart soared at the idea of getting to see a real live match. What I would give to finally watch two teams battle it out instead of relying heavily on imagination and an over exaggerating radio spokesman.
"In the final round the Buzzard Wasps snatched their victory with a knock out, can't say I'm surprised…"I mumbled out loud to no one in particular.
Not that they stood much of a chance, every tournament went the same way, amazing teams like the Buzzard Wasps where carried away on stretchers by the Wolf Bats, I'd never actually heard them play or knew much about them. I just knew that it was brutal.
I stirred from my inner monologue to find Tenzin yanking the paper away from my hands shaking his head.
"That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending Korra!" He glanced at me radiating superiority and I had to bite back the growl building in my throat.
"Come on Tenzin I have dreamed about seeing a Pro bending match all my life, and I'm so close. What do you say one match… for the Avatar?" I blinked at him eagerly but should have known better.
"Korra you're not here to watch that drivel, you're here to finish your Avatar training. Pro bending is nothing more than a distraction." The nod of his head announced that our conversation had ended on his terms, but for safe measure he stood abruptly, flicking his air temple outfit around him before storming off in the direction of Pema.
Internally sighing I grumbled my way from the kitchen to the outside. Being near the ocean always calmed me, the perpetual push and pull of water somehow drifted gently against my temper, soothing the angst leaving room for nothing but peace.
Fire may be my go to element in fights, and I'm not exactly your typical born water bender but this connection had and always will be the reminder of my roots. The moon would always have a hold on me and I would always be drawn to water in my time of need.
Inhaling deeply I closed my eyes allowing the water to bend around me naturally, it was as easy as existing but a hand on my shoulder announced I was no longer alone, breaking my concentration as the water tumbled down around me.
"Sorry Korra, I didn't mean to disturb you." Tenzin's familiar tone woke me from my moment of seclusion and I forced my eyes open.
"It's fine Tenzin, I just wanted to be outside." I smiled at him curling my toes into the remnants of water and smiled.
"Your version of meditation perhaps, do you do this often?" He seemed genuinely curious as he looked me over casually and I knew that in his own way he was trying to mend things between us.
"I guess so, I'd never really thought about it that way before but yes it helps me to… control myself." I offered Tenzin a rarely seen sheepish smile and he stood offering me his hand.
"We have training now; I just want you to excel Korra. You are very special to all of us, you know that?" There was no hint of sarcasm and I understood that he was trying to take care of me, but that didn't ease my temper or soothe my need for something more.
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I made a vow to myself to watch a pro-bending game and that's exactly what I would do, and after being kicked seven shades of Sunday in air bending practice I believed that there was no better night than tonight.
My muscles ached in protest as I leapt from my open window; I felt my knees jar as they came in contact with the hard earth beneath me and grimaced. It was barely even a drop but after today's antics I was in awe that my body could even function.
Creeping carefully around the remaining oblivious White Lotus guards I saw my opportunity and hurtled myself at it. I already felt the adrenaline race through my veins, lifting my spirits extensively. I was free, the wind blowing back my hair accompanied by the taste of the ocean on my lips, making my moment of freedom sheer ecstasy.
The ground gave way beneath me and I laughed pure untainted laughter that bubbled in the back of my throat as I plummeted towards the ocean below. Falling wasn't scary not to me, not now, it was invigorating.
My heart beat hammered under my skin as I bent the ocean to meet my form absorbing my fall. Few people would ever understand how intoxicating it was to have complete control over water; I had the power to control a force of nature in my veins and I honestly doubted it would ever lose its appeal.
I sped towards the arena bending the water around me, completely consumed by the ocean and adoring every precious second of its pitch black silence. Finally at the foundation of the arena everything lit with an aurous glow, I whirled the water around my body propelling me forwards and through the single open window.
Landing smoothly on my feet I grinned from ear to ear still slightly high off the perfect mixture of adrenaline and infinite power humming under my skin. Smoothing out my ponytail I pushed my way through two heavy doors and found myself in a training area.
"Wow!"I breathed aloud, some gym they had here.
I ran my hand over a smooth earth disk and giggled like a small fan girl. I was finally here, I now stood where countless of my heroes had no doubt shed blood, sweat and tears and it felt nothing short of empowering.
"What are you doing in here; if the old man catches you you're as good as dead." His distant voice disarmed me; my eyes flickered searching every shadow for the man that had spoken every avatar sense on edge.
"Who's there?" I called out arrogantly, if he thought he could scare me off then he had another thing coming.
"No one important but the old man will be back soon with new training equipment if you want to keep exploring I'd take the door to your right and make it snappish." I could almost feel the smirk on his lips and sighed exasperated, still at least it seemed like he was willing to help.
"Thank you; um sorry I didn't catch your name?" My voice shook a little and I berated myself inwardly, I could hear someone's whistling gradually becoming louder every second and tapped my foot impatiently waiting for his response, refusing to surrender to this strangers mind games.
"That's because I didn't offer it." I heard the arrogance in his tone once again lit with undertones of an accent I had never heard before. I shivered suddenly uncomfortable, but now was not the time to lose my temper, now was the time to escape. I'd waited long enough and every second was a risk.
I pressed my back against the now closed door panting uncontrollably. Maybe visiting the arena wasn't the best idea I'd ever had; if they caught me Tenzin would probably kill me. I chuckled to myself at the image of Tenzin glowing red and screaming.
"Hey there what's so funny? I might not look it but Bolin's a big fan of jokes." I jumped out of my skin and glared at the boy moving closer to me by the second. Not another one, what does a girl have to do to get some privacy while breaking and entering.
He was tall and broad with thick black curly hair and the greenest emerald eyes I had ever seen. He held his bear like hands out in a gesture of peace and I laughed realising that I probably looked just about ready to pounce.
"Sorry you caught me a little off guard." I laughed nervously and he clapped me on the shoulder lightly in response.
"You lost?" He was so open and friendly, completely harmless and obviously not the man I had had the not so much pleasure of encountering earlier.
"So beyond lost around about now, I only wanted to catch a match!" I smiled at him half-heartedly, if he hadn't turned me in yet I doubt he would now, or at least that's what I was hoping and if not, well then feigning innocence was always the best tactic.
"Well then you're in luck! Follow me." He grinned at me once again wiggling his eyebrows in an affectionate manner, and I found myself trailing after him shrugging my shoulders, what's the worst thing that could happen? I asked myself silently.
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Thanks so much for reading the first chapter of my fiction; I was talking to a friend on Deviant Art when she requested a Tahnorra story after becoming completely obsessed with a pair of cosplayers known as Aicosu, as you will probably know because of the summary. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter I know there is barely any Tahno yet but all good things come in time, he's in the next chapter. I would love some feedback, all my best ~ Allonym.