Korra looked down before jumping, landing in front of the Lieutenant. "Is Amon here?"
The Lieutenant shook his head, "No, he won't be seeing you today Avatar. We were only sent here to tell you that you should go home."
"Is he mad at me for earlier?" Korra sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
An exchange of glances was shared from the Equalists, "It's just..." the Lieutenant began, but shook his head and pointed to the Air Temple Island. "Go home, Avatar."
"Is he alright?" Korra felt a bit of panic. Wait. Was she /worried/ about /Amon/?
The Lieutenant face palmed and waved at her to calm down, "Alright, alright I'll tell you. Calm yourself, bender." Before he continued, he grumbled something about Amon having his head, "If you're so worried about our boss, he's fine. Externally. Today is his birthday, but it is also the day of when his father was taken from him. Now my sister was stupid enough to remind him and I think he's angry. I don't know, I'm his first Lieutenant and he never tells me anything! But besides that, and now that you know, go home." He turned to the Chi Blockers and told them to untie the row boat.
Korra felt her heart ache. "Take me to Amon. Please. I want to talk with him..." She clasped her hands together in a pleading motion.
"WHAT?" The Lieutenant screamed, whirling around to face Korra again when he began to leave. He frowned, pointing to Air Temple Island. "I am not taking you to our headquarters, Avatar! And if the boss hadn't made himself any more clear, let me remind you that he's not here. Which means he /doesn't/ want to see you." He huffed turned away, walking towards the boat where the Chi Blockers were waiting.
"Wait!" Korra reached out and caught the Lieutenant's arm. "Listen, blindfold me. Just take me to him, please. Make sure I don't know where we're going..."
"Just take her, I'm hungry." One of the soldiers whined, and the Lieutenant turned on him. "You are no help at all!" Turning back to Korra he slapped her hand away from his arm, "If Amon asks who, tell him it was him." He pointed to the Chi Blocker that was whining earlier.
"What, why me?" The soldier said, and grumbled.
Korra nodded, wondering if the masked Chi Blocker was Hasook. She closed her eyes. "Blindfold?"
When the Lieutenant got on he tied a sash around Korra's eyes and told the Chi Blockers to take them to headquarters.
It was a good thirty minutes of the soldiers talking amongst themselves about, surprisingly normal things such as family and friends until they reached headquarters and the row boat stopped. "You two can go help yourselves to some food now. I'll take the Avatar to Amon." The Lieutenant said and pulled the girl out of the boat, and pushed her forward, leading her to wherever they were going.
"Don't do anything funny inside, Avatar or the Chi Blockers will make you stand down." He took the blindfold off, and they stood in front of a door to Amon's study. The Lieutenant kept a low whisper, "Remember what I told you if he asks."
Korra nodded and smiled. "Blame Hasook. Got it." She giggled.
Amon was occupied with the calligraphy set he bought, drawing precisely with his handy assortment of paint brushes. The activity helped him keep a calm mind on things, and writing poems took his mind away from past memories.
Korra knocked gently before entering. "Hello, Amon..."
Amon looked up, his confused expression concealed by his porcelain mask. It was the Avatar, at the Equalist headquarters; his home. "What are you doing here, Avatar?" He didn't know whether to be angry or stay bewildered. "Who brought you here?"
"Hasook. Or who I think is Hasook. I'm here to talk to you... I heard the Chi Blockers talking about why you were so upset today..." Korra stepped closer to Amon. "I'm sorry..."
Amon was quick to forget about whoever this Hasook was that the Avatar spoke of and he focused on the scroll he was working on again, "It's the past, Avatar." He caught sight of the spilt ink that his table was absorbing now no doubt. What a waste of good ink. He sighed, wiping it away with a cloth. "What's the matter, you suddenly pity me because of an old fairytale? I need none of your pity."
"I was just wondering why you were so quick to leave earlier... and you didn't want to see me tonight..." Korra hugged one of her arms and looked to the side. "...But I wanted to see you." She said barely above a whisper.
He paused and slowly let go of the cloth he was using, his fingers splotched with ink. "... Why?" He asked, and looked up at her.
"I don't know... But you were the reason I was able to focus this morning at practice... I kept thinking about you..." Korra couldn't look at him and she felt her cheeks burning.
For a moment Amon couldn't say anything, and he'd turned into stone at what Korra said to him. He was surprised, and he didn't know what to say. "... If you're attracted to me Avatar, I'm afraid we have a problem."
Korra nodded. "Right, because we're enemies, it'll interfere with our progress and all that stuff, right? I know..."
"Wait, what are you saying?" Amon stood up, tucking his hands behind his back. "That you would consider to be more than whatever relationship we have now if we weren't enemies? If so Avatar, you're starting to balance on an even thinner line."
"Well, maybe..." She replied, taking a step back. "If we weren't enemies, why not? Like, if I wasn't the Avatar or a bender at all... Would you?"
"I'm sure it has occurred to you that I'm older, Avatar?" Amon wanted to avoid anything leading to him answering with a yes or no, but the situation at hand was proving harder than he expected. The Avatar was a strange one, and he was interested. But not that way. Honestly, he didn't know. For all he knew, she could just be playing a game he didn't want to pursue.
"So? Katara was older than Aang by a few years..." Korra looked down again. "I always heard age didn't matter when two people like each other, but I know you hate me, so..."
"I don't hate you, Korra." Amon said, "I just don't have feelings for you in that way. This is war, reality... one of us is going to have to destroy one or the other at some point and I don't want you choking at the chance to kill me when the time comes." He stepped closer, and stopped when there was only a small gap between them. "Even if I felt the same way, it would never work."
She looked up at him. "How can you be so sure? You can end this war, right now. I'll do my part to keep equality and you can help me, but this war isn't necessary, Amon!"
He wanted to frown, but decided against it. "You wouldn't understand. You weren't there when I lost my father, you don't know how it feels to lose someone so close to you."
"You're right, I don't... But I do know the fear of almost losing someone I care about..." Korra kept her eyes on him. "Please, you can end this war... You can be happy again... I can try to heal you physical scars..."
Amon turned his head away, "You can do a lot of things Avatar, that I know. But you cannot heal me." He walked past her to open the door.
She grabbed his arm. "...Let me try? Please?" She asked softly.
Amon took her arm, and had her body twist so that Korra's back was pressed against his body and he pushed against the door harshly, startling the guards that were outside.
"Let me make this clear to you, Avatar." He began, "If I need you to do some errands for me, then I will come to you, I will summon you. Right now I'm in no need of such aid, do you understand?" He continued to twist her arm. "If you weren't so important I would have taken your bending away in a blink of an eye; don't forget that I'm still your enemy, Korra." Amon whispered into her ear, "I will always be your enemy."
Korra whimpered at the pain in her arm and resisted the urge to use her bending to knock him away. "Why are you so angry? I was just trying to help!"
He resisted the urge to break her arm when she mentioned help. "What will it take to make you understand that I don't want your help, at least not personally."
Korra twisted her body and jerked away from him, but she lost her balance and hit the ground. She sat up but didn't look at him.
Amon bent down and offered his hand to Korra. "I have to ask Avatar, what made you change your perspective? I'd like to know."
Korra didn't take his hand and she shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it was seeing you in a different light..."
"Is my alternate life away from rebellion so abnormal to you?" Amon continued to stare at her, his amber eyes looking at her pale blue ones. He took her face gently and turned it so she was looking at him.
She nodded, looking up at him. "When you're used to people being evil... Seeing them act normal is a bit strange..."
"You won't have to wait for normal for long." Amon said, "My Chi Blockers and I will be raiding the upcoming gala, and announcing the Equalists' next phase."
"Amon, no. Please." Korra pushed herself up, keeping her eyes locked on his. "Don't do this..."
"And why not, Avatar? Because you said so, no." Amon answered her, rising as well. "Our attack has been planned and coordinated, we will continue."
"I'll have no part of it!" She shouted, though she kept her voice rather low.
"Not in this one, you won't. I kept in mind at the fact that you don't do parties."
"I thought you didn't either..." Korra grumbled and crossed her arms. "Amon, please. I'm begging you. Don't do this! What if Lin arrests you?" She stopped. Why did she care? He was the enemy...
"I said I don't like parties, I didn't say I don't do them." Amon went back to his desk, and rolled up his scrolls. He paused when the Avatar mentioned Bei Fong, but he continued a second later. "That's why I'll be careful, as always. You've failed to capture me before, let alone a few days ago when you and Bei Fong tried to climb into my blimp."
"I almost had you..." Korra crossed her arms and pouted. "Didn't think I'd see you again so soon, though. But please... Can't you let this go?"
He sighed, looking up at her. "I've pushed back many plans as of lately, and I'm not delaying any further just because the great Avatar says so. No one will get hurt, I only need to keep the Council on their toes."
Korra sighed and looked away. "...Well, you're going to do it anyway... Just... Just be careful, okay?"
"... Yes, I will." He placed the scroll in a cabinet with the rest and started putting his calligraphy set away, wiping down the table again. "And thank you Avatar, for coming here."
Korra blushed and nodded. "You're welcome... So, I guess I should head home..."
He smiled, "Did my appreciation scare you off so soon?"
She chuckled. "No, but you seemed like you wanted me to go, so..." But she made no effort to move.
"I suppose I did give that impression, but we can forget about what happened earlier. Since you're already here I may as well show you around headquarters, unless you'd prefer to go."
"No, I'd rather learn where I'll eventually be working." Korra smiled and relaxed, placing her hands on her hips.
Amon was pleased and he nodded, "As you already know this is my office, so if you would follow me this way." He gestured to the door.
Korra followed after Amon, knowing the Chi Blockers would give her strange looks.
And the Chi Blockers did, most keeping a watchful eye on the Avatar and some accepting her presence it was a fifty-fifty on both sides. "My men will guide you if you get lost here, just ask anyone and they'll be happy to help you."
"Somehow, 'happy' doesn't seem like the right word, Amon..." Korra stayed close to the Equalist leader, noting he smelled like the incense from Memorial Island.
"We can't please everyone, but they /will/ help you. As of now you are a guest here. If it'll help you, the Lieutenant will aid you, as he already did no doubt. I don't see anyone else who would bother to take you here but him." He presented to the Avatar what he thought appropriate for the time being, seeing as he was adjusting to her presence as well. It's not everyday that enemies walk into your home.
Korra was nervous, as made obvious with her anxious looking around. "I'm... I'm safe right?"
Amon stopped as they entered a long corridor, and faced her. "Do you feel safe, Avatar?" He tucked his hands behind him.
"Sort of... It's not much comfort, but I'm somewhat at ease..."
"You'll get used to it." She has to anyway if he ha any chance against the Council. They continued their walk. "You know Avatar, I've been telling you all about the Equalist movement. You even know a few things about its leader. I think it's time you share something about yourself."
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm hardly fascinating..." She mumbled.
"I find you fascinating."
Korra blushed without meaning to. "Oh... Well, ask and ye shall receive I guess..."
"Very well, why aren't you with that boy Bolin? He seems to be very interested in you."
"Yeah, well... I see him more as a good friend, almost like he's a brother... I gave up on Mako. I figure I should focus on being the Avatar first."
"But you've made clear that your still somewhat distracted, but I'm not complaining. At least you're trying to do better in your training... as you should be."
"Who knew that you would be a worse distraction than boys my age..." Korra muttered.
"Who knew that I would be a distraction. Avatar, are you a virgin?" Amon asked out of curiosity.
Korra blushed darkly and stared at him for a moment. "Y-yes..."
"Hm." He resumed walking down the corridor quietly.
"Whoa, hey!" She followed him. "Why would you ask that?"
"I was curious, that's all." He answered, turning down a different hall.
"About my virginity? Little personal, don't you think?"
"I don't recall you saying I couldn't ask personal questions. And I wanted to see what you would do."
"That kind of question is off limits in /any/ instance!" She growled.
"Calm down, Avatar." Amon chuckled, "If I've offended you then I'm sorry. I just find you amusing when you're angry."
"Not wise, Amon. Not wise." Korra pouted, lightly bumping his arm.
"Am I to blame? You're pretty when you're angry." He returned the gesture and continued moving.
Korra blushed and looked away. Amon seemed so relaxed right now. And it definitely helped her own unease.
"Prepare yourself, we're going outside." The Equalist leader said as he headed down a flight of steps as they reached the head of the hallway to a deck where the sound of waves rolling into the shore lingered.
Korra looked around, walking closer to Amon, brushing against him.
Amon felt the slight brush of another arm on his own and looked down at the Avatar, "What is it?"
"N-nothing... This is just... Way more peaceful than where I live..." She looked up at him and smiled.
The gentle breeze nipped at their exposed skin and rippled their clothes; it did feel peaceful. He had to agree. "Everywhere is peaceful when you accept it for what it is."
Korra leaned her head on his arm and looked out at the water for a moment before quickly moving to the side. "You know... Bending isn't all bad...I can show you some of my waterbending..."
He liked the closeness, perhaps more than he should but he made no movement to indicate that he did. At least not yet. Not when Korra had to mention bending. "... Is that really a good idea, Avatar? You know I don't like benders."
Except one.
She rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry..." Korra dropped her hands and got quiet again, unconsciously leaning on the Eqaulist again.
"..." This time Amon didn't let Korra's close presence beside him go unnoticed. He looked at her before asking, "Is it chilly for you?"
"A little... You're warmer than I am..." She pulled away and looked up at him. "Am I bugging you?"
Surprisingly, "No, you aren't." He moved behind her, pulling her closer into his body and he set two hands on Korra's shoulders. "How about now, Avatar? Are you still cold?"
Korra's face flushed deeply and she decided to see how much he was willing to warm her. "Still a bit cold..."
He wrapped his arms around her hesitantly. "You need to layer your clothing, Avatar." They were so close now.
Korra's blush darkened. "I'm used to cold... But I left my tunic back home..." She could hear his heartbeat.
Amon huffed, relaxing against her. "You should be thankful for having left your tunic, otherwise you would have never gotten this close to me."
Korra wanted to make another comment but she just smiled. She didn't want to say anything to make him pull away. "I'll remember a coat next time..." She replied at last.
"... Did you mean what you said, that you're not just playing some game?"
"About what?" Korra asked softly, closing her eyes. "I haven't been playing any games at all, Amon... I don't play around when it comes to you. I haven't before and I'm not starting now."
"... It's nothing." He said, pulling away suddenly. He found it difficult to believe that the Avatar-no, Korra wasn't joking. Yes, she was the Avatar but what she was didn't matter to him at the moment. What mattered was who she was, and Korra was not kidding about being attracted to him. /Him/.
Korra didn't move. "Did I make you mad again?" She sounded almost scared.
"No." He simply said without eye contact, "If you're cold we should head inside." Amon didn't wait and started for the stairs.
Korra turned and followed him, hanging her head. "I'm sorry if I upset you..."
"There's nothing to be upset about." He said over his shoulder, "I just find it amusing that you would have a 'crush' on me." No, he found it strangely enticing, which was a problem.
"Amusing... Of course." She tried to smile but his words hurt more than they should have.
"I meant no disrespect." He said, "If there's any problem; it's me. I find it hard to believe that anyone would ever have affections for someone like me."
"Well, everyone deserves love, right? Even if you're a 'bad guy'... And honestly, you're a better listener than Mako, and I think you get me better than Bolin does... I like Bolin as a friend and all, but you understand better..."
"Adults usually have more experience and advice in what you're going through right now. Honestly I should be more of a guidance counsellor to you, as I don't see how our relationship would work out. You're the Avatar, and I'm a criminal. The puzzle doesn't fit. It's not supposed to, but somehow it's proving to be... moldable."
"Moldable?" Korra perked. Did that mean Amon was considering it?
"Yes, moldable. Meaning we're doing good for a platonic relationship." Amon didn't want to get Korra's hopes up yet. He was still confused himself.
"I understand." Korra tried her hardest not to sound disappointed, but platonic was a good place to start.
"I'm aware that I shouldn't be saying this, but I appreciate the company you provide, Avatar. Especially today. ...Thank you."
"Well... No one should be alone on their birthday... Even if something bad happened. That's why someone needs to make it happy..." Korra couldn't resist anymore and she quickly kissed the cheek of his mask. "Happy birthday..."
He caught Korra's wrist just after the girl kissed the side of his mask, and for a moment they stood there in silence and then Amon let his hand place under the Avatar's and he gave a gentle squeeze.
"... Again, thank you." He let go and stepped back quietly. It was clear that Korra had surprised him. "I suggest we head inside now before you become ill."
Korra blushed and nodded. "R-right... And... You're welcome... Sorry..." She rubbed her neck as she followed him inside.
The Lieutenant met them inside. "Sir, it's time for your appointment with the doctor. Shall I escort the Avatar home?"
Amon turned to Korra and awaited her response.
Korra gave Amon a sad look. "...Can I stay? Please?" She asked him.
The Lieutenant wanted to retort but Amon interrupted him, "The Avatar can stay. See to it that she's escorted to the guest room or wherever pleases her. I will return after my appointment with the medic."
"Amon, can I wait in your office? I promise to stay in one place and not touch anything..."
"Very well, Lieutenant?" He looked at his second in command, who sighed and nodded, waving Korra forward to follow them.
Korra trotted after the Lieutenant. "Is Amon okay?"
"Of course he is. You were at the rally, weren't you? You would know that Amon's face was burned by a fire bender. What he didn't mention is that he barely survived a burning house." He led her through the same corridor, "He developed asthma, but it's nothing serious."
"Oh... I wish he'd let me heal him..." But she knew he wouldn't. When they reached the door to his office, Korra glanced at the Lieutenant. "By the way, he knew you're the one that brought me. Just so you know."
"Don't try. He can take care of himself." He opened the door to the office and held it for Korra to step in. When she mentioned that Amon knew about what he'd done his face contorted into a frown. "Why didn't you deny it-never mind. Don't touch anything."
Korra nodded and satin a chair near a window. "I did. But he figured out it was you."
Amon was bound to find out one way or another any how, and the Lieutenant sighed; he wasn't complaining. It's not like he was going to be sentenced to death. "Well, we can't always be cunning. Is there anything I can get you, Avatar?"
Korra shook her head before nodding. "Some tea would be nice. hold the poison?" She teased.
The Lieutenant rolled his eyes and huffed, walking off to get what Korra wanted.