Here's a super short chapter, just to get something out there. I'm not thrilled with this, but let me know if you guys like it or not.
"I think I found a way in," Korra reports breathlessly, standing in front of Tarrlok's polished oak desk. The councilman's eyebrows arch towards the ceiling and he leans forward, interested. Korra leans towards him, trying not to inhale too much of his cloying cologne. Jinora was right-it smells like something a woman would wear.
"His name is Tahno. His uncle's business-bail bonds, I think-is a front for Monsoon activity. He's young, so it will be easy to befriend him…"
Tarrlok nods, folds his hands. His usually intense expression softens momentarily.
"You did very well last night, Avatar. That little move at the door was a nice touch."
Korra gulps, her cheeks turning red. Obviously Tarrlok had been watching her, making sure she was safe and on track with her mission. That meant he had seen her little display of cleavage to the bouncer.
She doesn't like the smirk that's creeping onto his lips. Tarrlok knows how much power he has over her, physically and mentally. He's the trusted advisor to the city, the revered council member. She's just a naïve girl from the South Pole. She refuses to let her embarrassment show.
"I did what I had to," she says mildly. Tarrlok's smirk vanishes, replaced by an expression of concern.
"In the future, Korra, I hope you don't feel it necessary to…er, reveal yourself like that." He pauses for a moment, lip almost curling. "Unless, of course, you enjoyed it…"
Korra jerks backwards, horrified.
"Of course not! I'm not a-a whore!" She snaps, glaring at Tarrlok. His ice blue eyes meeting her cerulean gaze in a level stare. It only takes a few seconds for the tension to become palpable and awkward; Korra clears her throat to break the silence.
"I still need a way to find Tahno. I-I don't even know his last name."
Tarrlok folds his hands and leans forward, ever the confident planner.
"You did say his uncle operates a bail bonds business?"
Korra nods, not seeing how this is going to help. There must be dozens of similar businesses in Republic City.
"So?" She asks, aware of how rude she sounds. Tarrlok grins, a facial expression that looks unsettling on him.
"So? You're going to get arrested."
Tahno doesn't get much sleep that night. He lies awake, tossing and turning, finally falling into a restless slumber only to wake before dawn. He has to be at Xian's Bail Bonds early for the morning shift. He heads for the courthouse in hopes of convincing a few small-time crooks to use his uncle's business. He couldn't care less what happens to them, but it's what puts food on the table.
There are the usual morning clients slumped on the bench outside the courtroom: drunks, pickpockets, prostitutes-and a very familiar face. His heart leaps when he sees her, looking dejected and sullen as she hunches at the end of the long wooden bench.
"Korra?" He asks, approaching her. She looks up from the floor, visibly
perking up.
"Tahno! What're you doing here?"
He offers her a weary smile.
"My uncle has a bail bonds company. Are you in need of my services this morning?"
She sighs and her shoulders slump.
"Yeah, I guess so. Can you help?"
He nods, and she gives him a world-weary smile and stands up, following him to a secluded corner of the courthouse. Tahno readies a pad and ink pen.
"Why don't you tell me what happened," he says. Korra leans against a pillar and begins:
"I was standing on the corner of Xi Road and BaoGang Boulevard and this cop just snatched me right off the street, said he was vice." Korra rubs her shoulder, as if she's been hurt. "He slammed me pretty hard into a wall, said that whores like me shouldn't be 'doing business' in a place like Republic City. Then he hauled me and some other girls down here. I've been here practically all night."
Tahno jotted down a few notes, then pretended to puzzle over whether or not he would post Korra's bail. Her eyes, wide, sparkling cobalt, watch the pen skate over the paper.
"How much is your bail?"
She groans, buries her face in her hands.
"Two thousand yuan. I don't know how I'll ever be able to afford it…"
He puts a hand on her shoulder, gives her a smile that belies the butterflies in his stomach.
"Just follow me, doll."
Tahno takes Korra by the hand and strides confidently down the bustling hall, past the magistrate's desk. She's taking little jogging steps to keep up with his long paces. They duck out through the back door, and no one stops them. Korra throws her arms around his neck, and he feels her breasts pressed against him and tries to keep from groaning aloud.
"Thank you, Tahno!" She's grinning, her face no longer somber, those beautiful eyes sparkling. She's so stunning, so radiant, when she's happy.