Today was the day Korra was scheduled to speak in front of the Republic City Council. She was, to say the least, extremely nervous. Korra wasn't the best public speaker, but she wasn't the worst either. She slipped into the little blue dress that Tahno had picked for her. It really did look pretty, she thought absently. Three swift knocks on the door told Korra it was time to go. Tenzin, respecting her boundaries, wouldn't enter until he was invited. "Just a second!" Korra called.
Moments later, she was riding in an automobile, headed into the heart of Republic City. She watched the streets and buildings go by in a blur as the car raced through the streets. There was a crowd waiting outside the building when she arrived. Eyes darting back and forth, she slowly clambered from the car and slipped through the crowd with ease. They turned to stare at her, the legendary Avatar. Her eyes scanned the crowd for people she knew, but the crowd was too dense.
When she entered the building, she found Tahno sitting on the steps leading to the room where the Council's meeting was going to be held. He looked up and smiled as their gazes met. Korra found herself smiling in return. She noted that he wore a light blue tie underneath his black suit. He looked almost handsome. Almost, she reminded herself.
"Uh-vatar," he said, inclining his head to her. She looked back at the Airbenders and saw that Tenzin was already ushering them away. The two Pro Benders were alone. "Prepared for this?" Tahno asked.
She exhaled loudly, plopping down next to him on the staircase. "I don't know," she said honestly. "Everyone's expecting me to be the solution for all their problems, the great Avatar, and I just…I don't know if I am that person. If that makes sense."
Tahno moved closer in one fluid moment so that their legs were almost touching. He put on what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
"But what if I screw up!?" she said, rising suddenly to her feet. He got up smoothly and put his arms on her shoulders. He looked into Korra's eyes. "You will be fine. Trust me," he said before he leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. Korra jerked back suddenly, hand touching her face. Tahno raised his eyebrows. Had he just gone too far? Korra's eyes searched his frantically.
"I apologize, love," he said. "I just added to the pressure, didn't I?"
"No, Tahno. It's not you. Well, I guess it kind of is. Look, I need to…I need to go prepare," she said, walking away. Tahno smiled as she walked away, eyes on her figure. He was happy, he realized, for the first time in a long while. He enjoyed playing his little game with her. He whistled slightly as he left the building and entered the crowd as just another civilian.