Noatak looked at the clock on the wall. "Next ferry may be a few days. Not many people visit the North nor leave. You will have to wait it out a few days. Business may be scarce though. After her little epidemic," he shot a glance to Korra, "No one really wants to be around here. Inns are going out of business from the lack of customers."

If Korra's career in being the Avatar had taught her anything, it was this: She was a headstrong girl who took the initiative. A case like this was not in her jurisdiction when the next couple of words came out of the man's mouth.

"Your best option is to stay here. Besides, having the Avatar around could stir up some trouble in public. It would draw unwanted to attention." Noatak pursed his lips in a side sneer, not very thrilled by the idea of her being here but knowingly is aware this will him the opportunity he needs to catch up with Tarlokk. As much as Korra wished to protest, having a roof over ones head and warmth beat being out in the snow. If Naga had been with her then maybe it wouldn't be so bad to sleep outside in the snow, but for the second time she had to remind herself that the animal had not accompanied them on this trip.

"Thank you for the hospitality," Tarlokk said in his cheerful voice and faint water tribe accent. "I will take responsibility for the both of us. Korra and I will take care of our food expenses such as long as you can provide sleeping arrangements."

"That won't be a problem." Noatak said. "There are enough rooms to house the three of us."

Leading the way, Tarlokk released his grip on the doorknob and followed his brother up the flight of stairs. Korra was reluctant at first but caved in at the glimpse of a narrow look from him. She then gulped nervously. It was as though treading into the deeps of a bears cave, surest to be swallowed and eaten alive.

Stopping just in the hallway of the second floor, Korra skimmed her fingers along the thin railing until reaching the top in which she was halted by Tarlokk whom stopped mid-step.

"What?" She put her hands on her hips failing to see the problem. The youngest turns his head, not in the least bit surprised to see that signature pout plastered on her face as if it was meant to stay that way permanently.

"It seems Noatak is occupying his old room. You are left to use our parents."

Red flag.

"Ohhhhhh no. I'd rather not sleep on the bed where Yakone and your mom – never mind." She stopped herself before she accidentally stepped out of line or insulted them. That, and she really didn't want those kind of disturbing images playing through her mind. "You guys don't have a guest room or anything?"

""Our father didn't care to have company over. The one upside of marrying our mother was her lack of relatives of whom were already dead, considering they were already adults when they met." Noatak crossed the hall farther, stopping outside another door which was likely presumed to be his. "I'm afraid that is all I can offer you. Unless Tarlokk wishes to share his room?"

"No!" In unison the both of them shouted, both thinking the same thing. There was no way either would agree to it. Accompanying each other on a trip was one thing, but sharing a bed was entirely different. Luckily Tarlokk was quick to compromise.

"I'll just take the master bedroom and Korra may use my room."

'Is this really so complex?' Korra thought to herself and heaved a sigh. Using his room was almost just as bad. Not only was it his old room as a kid, but it felt like a type of invasion of privacy. As nice as the offer was, the idea wasn't as comforting. Maybe this trip really was a bad idea all along. Being stuck here for a couple days with these two sounded like trouble just waiting to happen. If someone would have told her she'd be spending a couple days alone with the bloodbending brothers she would have called them mental prior to this predicament. Korra had thought about asking about any friends in town who may be willing to host guests but then thought against it. Not only were they laying low but she figured the two probably broke ties with anyone they knew here long ago. Asking her own relatives was pointless too. She didn't get along well with her cousins Eska and Desna and surely her aunt wouldn't want her to stay with them after the incident with her uncle Unulaq.

Korra groaned in annoyance of such complications and tried to share a rueful glance with Noatak. But Noatak did not react to the offer given out, only starring off and hoping a decision would be made soon so he could retire for the night.

"Forget it," she huffed, "I'll just sleep on the couch. Blankets?"

Noatak reached into the closet in the hallway, handing her two neatly folded pieces of cloth, one she assumed was a sheet. If she was not mistaken, he seemed to have studied her, if only for a brief moment. Those eyes of his held distance, secrets she would never know.

She took them from him and noted how large his hands were in comparison to hers; hands that could take away a persons bending and her own. The same hands that held evil in the tip of his fingers known as bloodbending. With a twitch of his fingers he could will the power to distort her veins if he felt the need. All she could mutter out was a "Thanks" before retiring downstairs alone. She had said goodnight to the both of them, receiving the same back from Tarlokk but only a grunt from Noatak before he went into his room.

There was a lamp still lit in the room which provided light to guide her to her destination. She sprawled out the sheet first, tucking it in and flattening it so there would be no lumps when she slept which could leave crease marks on her back. As lazily sprawled out as she slept, it would not surprise her where the new marks would be each time. There was already a pillow down here which she slid under the sheet too just so it wouldn't slide out from her head while she slept. Finally adjusting herself and getting under the sprawled out blanket, Korra lay on her back and looked up at the ceiling in deep contemplation. For as restless as her body felt, she was still mentally drained from the trip here. A good night's sleep would be wisest. The days to come until their trip ended could not be determined from the images flashing through her mind of possibilities. These two probably had no idea any form of relative form or entertainment. If Korra had to guess, what they did for fun was likely taking naps. As she thought of the multiple scenarios of what would come of tomorrow, Korra began to find herself slowly drifting into a deep slumber.


The room lit with illuminating candles, the low tune of music playing; a piano and violins. A tune she did not recognize by name but found endearing each time she heard it. The room was draped in maroon shades that rippled back and forth in a heap of curtains. A window must have been opened, inviting in a soft breeze that excited Korra, remind her of the chill of the air in the Southern Water Tribe. She had previously been engaged ineptly in a fitting game of Pai Sho. It occurred to her the meaning of such a strategic game being played by such an impatient girl such as herself. There then came a beseeching noise, bewildering her out of her focus, eyes lain on the door that began to open. The cluster before her could not be fixed in such a brief amount of time. Giving up, Korra stood, circling around the board. She wore an exquisite gown basked in hues of deep blue and cream, sleek silk wrapping around her toned curved figure.

"Oh, fashionably late I see." Inquiring the inevitable, Korra grinned playfully and hurried towards the door as she spoke. Nonchalantly she pulled her guest further inside, intertwining fingers until both were flushed together by their chests. Her composure kept firm, struggling to reply properly without ruining the mood. He had recognized the inner tumultuous behavior she attempted to keep hidden, smiling as if saying anything improper may provoke her.

He considered a moment, and then proceeded to implore her with captivating words. "As there is a place for my brother to live in the depths of solitude, I seek the proper place for myself is in none other but your arms. Would you grant me this privilege, Korra?"Longingly his eyes drew her in. He clung to her as does a caterpillar to its cocoon, confined in warmth and growth and safety. His voice is amplified, almost unrecognizable to Korra even if she treats him as if they are two lovers swoon to each other in the moonlight. She thinks for a moment, knowing this is a dream, if this is her destiny. If this is what's right.

Korra thought to indulge him but decided to tease instead, that mischievous flicker in her eyes reflected by the flames of the fireplace, dancing in her eyes like a swan that extends its majestic wings with pride. Her notion almost provoked him.

Almost.

Caressing his face, Korra pulls him in for a deep longing hug as they halt from their unintentional swaying to the rhythm of the music in the background.

A macabre, cadaverous terrain pleads through his brain then, reminding him of the death of hundreds. Hundreds who could have been saved. He envisioned a landscape busy with suffering and permanent scarlet twilight, ashes falling like snow.

Elegantly, he pulls back and twirls her in order to push those negative thoughts aside. She is lovely in the candle light. His body whispers to him secrets he wishes for her and her alone to unravel, firing a furnace within his chest that fuels him to dominate her. The fire inside him is not quenched and perhaps will never be. He drinks her in and she does the same. Even in this mindset, even in this moment, she can read his distress, and he knows it is written all over him. He wishes to bound her safely, but he is contorted by pride that swells in him. Pride that prevents him from eloping. He wishes this, oh how he does.

Avatar Korra can relate. She too wishes for the same thing, wanting nothing more than to bathe in his scent and find comfort in this mans arms permanently. But it will not work. It will never work. Her lips pealed back from her teeth with a triumphant grin. 'We've gotten this far, we could test destiny and prove it wrong.' She thought to herself.

"Korra." He draws her in, his fingers gracefully grasping her chin to tilt her head up in order to look into her eyes. The way he said her name was so sweet. So perfect. It was bliss. It was like a melody in which the tune fit perfectly with the setting. A perfect orchestra to go along with an old play. It fit together oh so nicely. He embellished it without even trying and all she wanted was to hear him repeat it – and he did.

"Korra." He said again, his thumb drifting to her lip, the rest of his hand holding her in his palm. She took comfort in it, knowing this was where she belonged. This man was a paragon of light in her heart. It swelled and burst with happiness she did not believe she ever truly once knew.

He drew her in closer, his lips barely skimming against hers until she breathed his name just before they met, skin against skin. "Noatak…"


AN:

Thank you for the reviews thus far, it helps a ton in motivation to keep up with the updates on chapters.

Song is Broadcast Quality by The Receiving End of Sirens.