Author's Note: I am a very unreliable fan fiction-writer. I tend to abandon them in favor of my novels, so please bear with me. This is an idea, and I'm bored, so I shall write it. Now I know most of you don't stop to read author's notes—I'm like you in that regard. Just remember—I respond well to badgering ;)

Chapter 1

"Someday you're gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You'll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing..."

-Elizabeth Gilbert

There was another party—There was always a party, thought Korra, sighing as she stirred her drink with her straw. Meelo was bounding about the place, Tenzin was trying in vain to rein him in, Jinora was reading in a seat across from Korra's at the table, Ikki was blabbering away to an uncomfortable-looking Bo Lin, and, of course, let's not forget Mako, dancing with Asami. The professedly most gorgeous couple in the entire dance hall. Korra stared at them—How could he do this to her, didn't he know that she liked him, why did he choose Asami, why'd Asami have to be so goddamn beautiful—Truth was, Korra was trying to like Asami, but it was hard. It was really hard—It was like airbending for her. As much as she knew she'd like Asami under different circumstances, she couldn't help it because Asami had Mako and Korra really liked Mako.

So Korra got left with a disappointment that she could feel slamming into her chest like one of Bo Lin's jabs. It hurt. Korra didn't like it. She didn't like watching Asami and Mako dance around the room making googly-eyes at one another, she didn't like being afraid of Amon, she didn't like failing at airbending—And yet…and yet it was all happening and there was nothing she could do. So Korra sipped at her drink, trying not to look too crestfallen. Keyword tried.

Korra watched as Bo Lin finally gained his freedom from Ikki and began flitting about the room in search of prime real estate. If Bo Lin could do it, why couldn't Korra? Mako clearly wasn't interested. So she had the right to get on with things. Yeah! She shouldn't just sit here and feel sorry for herself! She should be finding something that made her happy instead of thinking about something that was a total downer. Otherwise she'd grow up to be like Tenzin. She shuddered to even think of the possibility. Yeah, time to move on, she thought.

With a grin, Korra stood, smoothed her dress (which was pretty flattering and should not be wasted on sitting at a table all night), and began to explore the room, mingling on occasion.

"Avatar Korra," a woman greeted her, hanging off the arm of her husband. "How has your training been coming?"

"Well enough," answered Korra easily.

"And has the Council's task force led by Tarrlock made any progress in capturing Amon?" inquired the woman's husband, a reporter. Dammit, a reporter! Why did it have to be this couple?

"We're still on the lookout for him," admitted Korra, lowering her gaze. "Well…I've been thinking…it's not the best idea to be on the task force after all."

"Really?" gasped the woman.

"Yeah…I mean, it's interfering with my duties as the Avatar in keeping the balance and training," blurted out Korra. She took a deep breath. "I don't think I'm ready to face Amon yet. I'll face him on my own terms—I'll call him out when I'm ready to defeat him."

"Bending will be lost! People's lives will be at jeopardy while you get your act together," snapped the woman's husband.

"Well—Amon's only one guy. He can only take so many people's bending away in a day. Besides, what if he gets captured without me? Not much of a threat then," retorted Korra.

"You're a selfish girl," hissed the woman. The couple walked away, and Korra glared at them. She was not selfish. She was doing what was right. She was. Tenzin would've said it was right. It only upset the balance, right? It created a further divide between benders and non-benders, and that was the worst thing she could be doing right now.

"So, no more talking for me," she grumbled. She returned to the table and laid her head on folded arms. Jinora peered over the top of her book.

"You alright, Korra?" she queried.

"Yeah. Fine," answered Korra, burying her face into her arms.

"Okay," shrugged Jinora, returning to her reading. Korra peaked up again and watched Jinora read. I will not look behind me, I will not stare at Asami and wish I were her, I will not inwardly drool over Mako, I will not fangirl, I will not be pathetic, she thought, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Hey. Hey. Hey Korra." She glanced up to see Bo Lin, and hastily plastered a smile to her face.

"Bo Lin! Well, that's nice of you to come visit lil' ol' me," Korra greeted him, sidling over on the bench. Bo Lin seated himself next to her, leaning forward, arms folded on top of the table.

"Of course. How could I let a teammate sit all on their lonesome?"

"So, how's the bounty been tonight?" asked Korra.

"Oh, it's been horrendous. And normally that's not the adjective I would use. You know that though. Because you're my friend. And my wingman."

"Where're you going with this?" said Korra, arching an eyebrow.

"You have failed to perform your duties tonight. As wingman." Bo Lin gave her a pointed look.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry," sighed Korra.

"Oh, no. It's fine. Anyway, am I the only one hot under the collar? Way too stuffy in this place," remarked Bo Lin, jokingly tugging at his collar.

"Stuffy? Please. This place is practically decked out in diamond chandeliers. I'm tired of it myself. Where're you thinking of visiting next instead?"

"Hm…how about only…the best bar in Republic City!"

"Really? I'm intrigued now. Tell me more," prodded Korra.

"Well…"

And the next thing she knew, they were standing in a rowdy bar in the same area of town as the Pro-Bending Arena.

"Well? Whatd'you think?" grinned Bo Lin.

"Um…not really sure about the best," commented Korra.

"C'mon, lighten up! Not as if you've just lost a competition!" Bo Lin noticed her falling smile and tried to amend his joke. "I mean…have you?" Korra scowled at him. "Oh…so…you…him…oh."

"Yeah…" said Korra, scratching the back of her neck. "Well, let's do something fun."

"Sounds good to me! So, there's this great tea that they mix with rum. You've gotta try it. I'll go get our orders. You pick out a table for us," said Bo Lin.

"Alright, sounds like a plan," laughed Korra. She scoped out the area. Every table in sight was occupied. She frowned, shoving past several drunk men and a woman who gave her a lewd stare, continuing to search the place. Finally, she came upon a table by a door for two. Score! She sat at it, depositing her coat on the chair across from hers to save the seat for Bo Lin. And she waited.

A young man around her age approached the table. He saw her jacket heaped onto the empty chair across from her, smiled in amusement, and hung it on the back of the chair. Korra raised an eyebrow. He sat across from her, pulling his chair closer to the table.

"Excuse me, but who are you and why are you sitting in the seat I reserved for my friend?" Korra asked the stranger, trying not to sound too vicious.

"Oh, you don't recognize me?"

"Wait…you were in the paper!" exclaimed Korra. He slicked his wavy bangs back.

"Of course I was. You can expect to see me there on a weekly basis," he replied in a smooth drawl.

"Arrogant much?" she deadpanned

"Only when I have reason to be," he quipped

"And your name is…?"

"Tahno. And you are Avatar Korra."

"So, why were you in the paper, Tahno?"

"Let's just say that if you win a few more matches, you'll be seeing me in the finals," Tahno smirked at her.

"If I win a few more matches? I will win until I get to the finals. And then Mako, Bo Lin, and I will bend your ass off the arena," Korra growled.

"I'd like to see you try, Korra." She did not like the way he said her name. No, not one bit. "Speaking of the famous brothers, how are they? I've heard that the three of you are having…issues." Tahno gave her a keen, analytical look. He was one of the sharper blades in the shed, then.

"Issues? No. No issues on our team," said Korra, looking away from him.

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt," he pressed. "Come now, tell me. What is it that's upset you so? Is it by any chance…the Sato girl?"

"No! Why would I be upset by her? I like Asami. She's cool!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! And you're not!" snapped Korra.

"Oh, my ego felt a little pinch," said Tahno dramatically. "Nice try, little girl. I look forward to destroying you and the hard-knock brothers of bending. I'll especially love the look you send Asami when Mako kisses her after the tournament."

"You—You asshole! I don't like Mako, if that's what you're saying. I don't." She paused. "Actually, you know what? What do I care? You're not gonna take my answer. Believe whatever you wanna believe, Tahno," she spat.

"Alright then. I'll believe that Bo Lin's also factored into the equation somehow."

"Wanna go toe-to-toe with me, pretty boy?" she snarled, rising from her seat. He rose with her, staring down at her, the tips of his greased, wavy bangs tickling her nose. She could feel his hot breath fanning out on her red-tinged cheeks, see the curve of his eyelashes, the little indentations in his lips—They were way too close together. Hell, even Mako never dared get this close like this! This was like one of Jinora's romance novels, and she didn't like it one bit. She didn't like the way he said her name, didn't like the silence between them now, didn't like his boldness, didn't like his silly hair. In sum: Korra hated Tahno. Then she saw his mouth begin to open. So, he was going to break the impasse, was he?

"Go for it," he smiled. The nerve of him, oh she'd show him why she was the Avatar, she'd bend him halfway across the world into the Earth Kingdom—

"Korra!" shouted Bo Lin. "If you lay a finger on him, we're out of the bending tournaments!" Korra and Tahno paid him no heed, and so he tried another tactic. "But Korra, you'd ruin your dress!"

"That would be a terrible waste," agreed Tahno, giving her a once-over. Then he gave her a small smile.

"Y'know what would be a terrible waste? If I blew you into next week before the finals. All of our work would be wasted—But really, I'd rather not wait for the finals," retorted Korra.

"Oh, I'm sure you could blow me away. What with all your recent airbending exploits."

"Shut up," snarled Korra.

"Or what? You'll hit me?" Tahno taunted her.

"Korra, don't you dare," said Bo Lin, "or I'll drink your drink."

"Fine. I won't," said Korra briskly, eyes still fixed on Tahno. She took a deep breath and sat down. There was a long pause before Bo Lin broke the silence.

"Now, Tahno, I believe that would be my seat," pointed out Bo Lin.

"Don't worry," drawled Tahno, gesturing to the seat, "I was just leaving. Enjoy your drink, Avatar. See you later, Bo Lin." Bo Lin waved halfheartedly at Tahno.

"Oh, I will enjoy my drink," countered Korra, glaring at him even when his back was turned. Even after he disappeared, she glared in the general direction he had gone.

"So, you met Tahno," said Bo Lin, handing her her drink. She accepted it.

"Yeah. Apparently I did," said Korra.

"Well…he's the waterbender on the Wolfbats team."

"I see."

"And we'll probably be seeing him in the finals."

"I know."

"Looking forward to beating him?" Korra raised her eyes to look at him.

"Hell yes." The two took a gulp of their drinks. In unison, they returned their cups to the table.

"You have a good taste in alcoholic beverages," Korra complimented him.

"I know I do," said Bo Lin with a suave wink. The pair laughed.