This is chapter two of my ongoing Beauty and the Beast Korrlok AU, hope you enjoy! :)

Barely even friends,

Then somebody bends

Korra shaded her eyes with her hand, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. A magnificent mansion sculpted entirely out of ice loomed in front of her, with gargoyles hanging from the high windows.

The young girl felt prickles of anxiety making ridges over her skin.

It's just the cold here, Korra attempted to convince herself. After all, this is the region of the Northern Water Tribe, and it's colder than my home in the South Pole or Republic City.

Tenzin took her hand in his comfortingly, causing Korra to lean into his back, nestling her face into his back, attempting – and failing – to not let the treacherous tears clinging to her eyelashes escape and freeze on her cheeks. However, one tiny droplet fell from her lashes, freezing on her cheek.

Korra found that she was biting her lip, wondering how the Beast would take to her. Would he bloodbend her right after meeting her? Would he use his frightening talent to crush her organs? Would he…

Korra cut herself off before her own thoughts led her down a dangerous path.

Not that the path I'm on isn't already a dangerous one.

Tenzin drew the pack mule to a halt, peering out from under his hood at the façade of the mansion,

"We're here, Korra," he announced.

Korra looked down at the winter rose in her lap. Its soft blue glow radiated warmth to her, giving her courage. Tenzin had mentioned to her that this winter rose was a pledge given by the Beast for her safety, although Korra could see the doubt in his face even as he had commented on it to her the day they had left Republic City.

Tenzin guided the pack mule in the direction of the stables, allowing Korra a chance to peer out from the hood of her parka to fully inspect the mansion. She noted that the ice glistened off the walls, making it glitter against the sunlight.

"Did he design this mansion of ice himself?" She heard her voice whisper to Tenzin.

Tenzin dismounted from the pack mule heavily, throwing a glance over his shoulder at the mansion behind them,

"Yes, that is what the tales say, but we don't know how true they are," He admitted. Korra swung her feet over the side of the pack mule, and then jumped down next to Tenzin.

Now that she was here, a flood of emotions overwhelmed her. What if her sacrifice for Tenzin and Republic City was all in vain? What if she couldn't stand being around the "Beast" and what if he manipulated her with his reputed skill of the bloodbending arts?

She felt Tenzin glance over at her, his expression grave and troubled, but eager to push away his concern, her lips quivered as her mouth slid open in a tremulous smile.

…..

Korra clasped her hands together as she stood next to Tenzin. They huddled together against the icy cold of the wind and the snow cascading down before the giant oaken door of the mansion. With a shudder, the door opened as if of its own volition to a darkened dining room, that lead off to the other rooms, lit only by a small fireplace off in the corner.

Korra and Tenzin cautiously stepped inside. The Avatar and the Air Nomad were greeted by luscious smells. As their eyes adjusted to the gloom, they saw before them a table laid with delicacies of Water Tribe cuisine with a side of vegetarian oeuvres meant for Tenzin.

Korra found her mouth beginning to water. Their journey to the Northern Water Tribe had been conducted hastily, so there hadn't been any time to prepare snacks for the trip. Korra's eyes lit up as she gazed at the food laid out on the table: stewed sea prunes in a soup, arctic hen on several large platters, five-flavour soup, a bowl of seaweed noodles, and pickled fish; a blend of the cuisines present in both Water Tribes.

Korra was too hungry to appreciate that distinction. She eagerly took a seat at the table, helping herself to a bowl of noodles, slurping them down ravenously,

"Come on, Tenzin, sit down and take a bite," She urged the Air Nomad elder around a mouthful of noodles. "It'th thoo good."

Tenzin sat down reluctantly at the table, helping himself to a bowl of salad. Korra privately considered their host very gracious to provide a meal for them exactly suited to their tastes as she continued to wolf down the noodles,

"I find it odd that our host hasn't made an appearance yet," Tenzin muttered. Korra followed his gaze around the room, watching him peer at the shadows suspiciously before turning back to his place of greens specially prepared for him.

Korra continued munching her food reflectively, her gaze drawn to the interplay of soft light radiating from the fireplace. The fire's light wreathed the room in solemn gloom. Abruptly, she felt her muscles constrict slightly against her will and she looked up to see Tenzin convulsing in the pangs of manipulation,

"What a pleasant surprise to see you here, Avatar," the deep voice of a man drawled. He stepped forward, but Korra noticed that he angled himself so that most of his face was hidden in the gloom.

Korra gasped for air, wishing to breathe again as his powers used the water resting in her body to pull her closer to him – but she found that he still hide his face from her. The man shot a quick glance at Tenzin. The Air Nomad was limp in the man's grip, his grey eyes distraught as he sought Korra's face.

The "Beast" twisted Korra's head – Korra tried to pull away but to no avail – so that she was gazing in the direction of where his face, covered by the shadows of the darkness in the dining room, would be.

"Do you come here willingly?" she heard him ask her softly.

Korra found herself staring at him, defiance enlivening every muscle in her toned body – but she couldn't break free of his grip. Yes, she had come here willingly, but she refused to be held against her will.

"Yes," She said through gritted teeth. Immediately following her declaration, she felt a slackening of the pull on her innards and muscle fibres, and the water in her stomach relaxed. The man known as the "Beast" had let her go. She glanced over at her mentor anxiously. She saw that Tenzin was bent over the table, gasping for breath.

I'm sorry, Tenzin, she thought at him. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed in the direction of the man's concealed face. Though the light in the room was dim, she caught sight of his eyes staring back at her in the duskiness that overpowered the room. His eyes were large and blue, she noticed, and swimming with guilt.

She watched his hands, which she could see were huge, massage his face delicately as if in turmoil over his decision to bloodbend them both. Korra glared at him, refusing to show him any sympathy. Heavy silence settled over the dining room. It felt almost oppressive, Korra decided, wishing something would happen.

"Do you come here of your own free will?" The bloodbender's voice whispered, effectively breaking the silence.

"I've told you already, yes!" Korra heard herself shout. She banged her fist down on the table for emphasis, continuing to shoot daggers in the Beast's direction.

"Good…. very good." A low murmur emerged from the corner where the Beast had situated himself. She felt his gaze land on her almost appraisingly, as if he couldn't believe his good fortune. "To have the Beauty of Republic City within my walls…. I thank you for coming."

Korra huffed, pointedly ignoring him and turning back to the meal set before her. Korra felt the man's gaze return to her and she met his eyes. He was staring at her as if she was life itself. Korra began to feel somewhat uncomfortable, and after a moment turned away, breaking the gaze she was holding with him. She glanced up again to realise that the man – the Beast – had melted into the shadows, vanishing into the depths of his mansion, leaving her alone with Tenzin.

The elderly councilman's breath escaped in a sigh as he looked over at Korra, pleading in his eyes. She knew that he would try to dissuade her from staying, but that matter had been settled in her own mind in Republic City.

"Korra…." Tenzin began, but he was interrupted by the entrance of another personage carrying a lamp. He emerged into the light of the fire that had illuminated the room strongly after the departure of the Beast. Korra squinted at him, realising that he was dressed in the soft greens of the Earth Kingdom. A bright smile blossomed on his face.

He must be one of the Beast's servants.

Her thought was confirmed when the young man strode over to Tenzin, bowed gracefully, and then presented him with a letter, saying cheerfully,

"Hello, Mr Councilman sir! My master sent me to give you this."

He turned to look at Korra as Tenzin tore open the letter, his eyes wide at the sight of her as he came to stand next to her,

"Hey, I've been looking everywhere for you!" He exclaimed, as Korra gave him a puzzled glance. Ooookay?

"Hey, don't worry," the young man continued, obviously noticing her discomfort. Korra found herself noting with appreciation his strong arms and thick build. She sighed inwardly, wishing that those arms could be ones to hold her protectively, but then kicked herself since she knew the man was loyal to his master and would probably never think of such a thing. "I only meant that because my master, the Beast, told me to keep an eye out for you, and then tell him when you'd arrived." He paused, allowing that to sink in for Korra before adding, "My name's Bolin, by the way."

Korra found a smile arching the corners of her cheeks,

"I'm... Beauty, that's what he called me," she said. A blush made her neck hot; she wondered if it was from the fact that the Beast considered her a beauty or the presence of the young earthbender. She cleared her throat, catching Tenzin's glance as he looked up from the letter he was perusing, "But you can call me Korra... Avatar Korra."

Tenzin slowly rose to his feet, causing Bolin to respectfully step out of the way, though Korra noticed that the young man's green eyes were still fastened on her. Tenzin cupped his face in his long fingers, drawing Korra's face so that it was looking towards him. In that instant, a very real fear dug into her chest. Tenzin was her last connection to Republic City – to home. Would everything even continue to be all right there whilst she was here, in thrall to this monster?

Tenzin let out his breath in a long sigh,

"Korra," he said, his expression grave. She leant into him, knowing that he was trying to comfort her. "This letter here has fully restored our deplete treasury in Republic City. The Beast has restored our fortunes."

"That's wonderful," Korra breathed, drawing Tenzin into a hug. "I'll miss you, Tenzin."

"As will I miss you, Korra," Tenzin mussitated, holding her close to him.

Finally, the young Avatar and her mentor broke apart. Korra turned in her chair to watch Bolin escort Tenzin out through the massive doors to his pack mule waiting in the stables. Tears trembled on her eyelashes as she turned her gaze away from the door that Tenzin had just vanished through, to the dimly lit corridors and hallways of the enormous house.

Will there ever be any light here? she caught herself wondering as she stood up, hoping to explore more of this new territory she found herself traversing upon.

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