001 // Video // Open to Both Courts

[disfavored]

[The video shows a tall, long-haired man in a slightly tattered but fancy robe who appears to be a bit confused by how this thing actually works.]

It's not the best time for introductions, is it? But, I have to do it sometime. It's only polite.

[He doesn't bother locking it from his rival court - he was never one to hide his face from potential enemies. In fact, the more everyone could see of him, the better. He liked attention like that.]

I am Councilman Tarrlok, Representative of the Northern Water Tribe in Republic City.

[...A title he's pretty sure has been revoked by now, but he likes using it and most of the people he's already met have never even heard of Republic City and won't dispute his claim to a seat on the council.]

While I can't say I appreciate being kidnapped, I understand that war is difficult and I'll do my best to aid in the situation. If you ever need any help, let me know.

[That was only partly out of genuine concern, it was also partly to make himself look good and partly because he didn't have anything better to go back home to so he may as well try to be useful here.]

Comments

[sangilak]

Like you've given me any reason to think otherwise.

[ ok telling her all about your sad manpain past was pretty ... nice ... of him... she guesses, but. it's just REALLY EASY being mad at him instead of dwelling on all the reasons she should probably be a little nicer to him. ]

[disfavored]

...Did you ever manage to catch Amon? If you had time before you came here, I mean.

[Both because he's genuinely curious and because he wants to rub 'YEAH I HELPED YOU DO THAT YOU'RE WELCOME' in her face.]

1/2

[sangilak]

[ and that question gets to her like a slap across the face, immediately dropping her grin in surprise. ]

[sangilak]

[ well.

this took a turn. THANKS TARRLOK. ]

...No. He got away.

[disfavored]

I see.

It's alright. We'll deal with that problem when we get back, then. [By blowing up a boat.]

[sangilak]

[ there's an urge at the back of her throat, something that tells her to share the fact that her bending was taken too, but... the last thing she needs is to give tarrlok any more reasons to call her a "half-baked avatar" since she's been doing relatively well in that area.

if it comes up later... well, then they'll discuss it later.

so, still somewhat hesitating, not wanting to share all the details, korra continues. ]

He took a boat from Yue Bay and a few weeks later wreckage washed up just north of Republic City. [ definitely not telling tarrlok it's speculated he was on said boat as well. ] They think he was either caught in a storm or... worse.

[disfavored]

Hm.

[He doesn't have much to say on this matter that hasn't already been said.]

Well, be careful. My brother has his ways of staying hidden and he's survived storms before.

[sangilak]

[ she's not quite sure what to do with that information, so korra simply nods ]

I'm not sure how that'll help me here, but... I'll keep it in mind.

[disfavored]

If we get out of here, I mean. And if I'm here, he could be, too.

[Hopefully far away so no one has to deal with that.]

[sangilak]

... Yeah, I've thought about that. [ beat ] My uncle, too.

[disfavored]

...Your uncle? You mean Chief Unalaq? I don't always agree with him on everything, but he could be of some help here, at least.

[Oh Tarrlok how little you know.]

[sangilak]

[ ROLLS HER EYES ]

Yeah, for the other side, maybe.

[disfavored]

Why would he be on the other side?

[His first instinct was to guess that Korra got in some silly fight with him about pro-bending or polar bear dogs.]

1/2

[sangilak]

[ deeeep.

breath.

but she's not fighting back anger or a snap argument. if anything else, it looks like she's trying to figure out how to explain something with as much... tact? as she possibly can. ]

[sangilak]

I'm from almost a year into your future — right after this phenomenon called "Harmonic Convergence". It's something that happens once every ten thousand years, and because of it, Unalaq was able to free the spirit of Chaos and Darkness.

[ her jaw tenses, remembering what it was like to face down vaatu as he left the tree of time. ]

He tried to destroy Republic City and cover the world in ten thousand years of darkness.

[disfavored]

Unalaq did that? He always seemed so peaceful.

[At least, more peaceful than ten thousand years of darkness.

...When did all of that happen, anyways?]

...How long have I been gone?

[sangilak]

...It doesn't matter.

[ LOOK HOW ARTFULLY SHE DODGES THIS ]

It hasn't happened for you yet. This place pulls people in from different points in time.

[disfavored]

That doesn't make any sense.

[Then again, neither does anything else here.]

...But I think that's one debate I'll leave well enough alone. Different points in time. Alright. [Headache incoming.]

[sangilak]

I didn't believe it either.

[ beat ]

Until I ran into Aang. ...as a twelve-year-old.

[disfavored]

Aang is here? How can you both...

[MASSIVE HEADACHE INCOMING]

[sangilak]

Was here. He left a while ago.

[ TAKES A MASSIVE SLEDGEHAMMER TO THAT HEADACHE, let's make it worse. ]

[disfavored]

How did he leave? Was it some sort of spirit thing?

['Some sort of spirit thing': Tarrlok's eloquent way of saying 'weird avatar business'.]

[sangilak]

... I haven't really figured that out yet. The monarchs are in charge of it, I know that much.

[disfavored]

And I assume they aren't keen on sharing their ways with the rest of us.

[sangilak]

Would you?