The Avatar's Will of Fire

Interlude

"Interlude 1: Aftermath

Yes, this one's a bit short. This is more of a 'set-up chapter', (but it's still important!).

Although Tenzin's face was as calm as always, Korra still couldn't help fidgeting from her spot on the floor in the Air Temple. Then again, maybe she was uncomfortable because Chief Beifong seemed to be trying to set her on fire with her eyes.

Tarrlok, frowning heavily and lost in thought, wasn't helping either.

"You saw him in a dream." This was from Beifong, though it sounded more like a statement than a question, and the woman clearly didn't believe her.

"Hey, I don't know what it was either." Korra replied testily, starting to get irritated at be treated like a criminal for saving someone's life.

After she had collapsed, Korra awoke to find herself lying on her bed, the bright sunlight shining through her window indicating that she had been out for some time.

Before she could fully get her bearings, Chief Beifong, who was apparently waiting for her to wake up outside her room, marched in and told her to get dressed and head over to the main floor, where they would discuss what had happened the other night.

She had stopped in her tracks for a moment when she saw Tarrlok sitting there as well, legs crossed as if he was meditating, but quickly recovered and took her place in the middle of the room.

Once Tenzin had asked her how she had known that the boy she had rescued would be there, Korra had just blurted out that she had seen him in her dream, and then paused, just realizing how ridiculous she probably sounded.

Fortunately, being Avatar Aang's son, Tenzin was not so quick to dismiss what she had told them.

"Would you please explain, Korra?" He asked, ignoring the 'are you insane' looks that Beifong and Tarrlok sent him.

Relaxing a little under the older man's patient gaze, Korra took a small breath and began.

"Well, you see, I had this really weird dream around week that I first came here..." And so, Korra explained her dream in full, having to resist the urge to shudder as she recounted the initial carnage of what could only have been some kind of war, then becoming a little more enthusiastic as she described the epic battle between the blonde and the man in the mask, and finally haltingly told of her experience in that lightless void, seeing the glowing eyes, and finally the desperate plea that she had heard again after her fight with Amon.

There was a long silence after she was finished, and Korra had the distinct impression that Beifong thought that she should be placed in the nearest mental asylum, and Tarrlok still seemed to be focused on something else entirely. However, it was Tenzin's reaction that was the most unexpected. Almost as soon as she got to the part where she saw the glowing eyes, Tenzin had gone completely white, grabbing the tea cup that he had been holding so tightly that Korra was actually worried that he would break it.

The others had noticed as well, and Beifong softened slightly as she saw the effect Korra's story had had on her childhood friend.

"Is something wrong, Tenzin?" The question seemed to snap him out of whatever daze he was in, and Tenzin shook himself slightly before replying, "No, nothing at all."

No one in the room believed him; that reaction had certainly not been 'nothing,' but they all knew from first-hand experience just how stubborn Tenzin could be when he wanted to, so they all decided to let it slide for the time being.

Wanting to change the subject and break the somewhat awkward silence, Korra asked, "How is he?" And all those in the room immediately knew she was asking about the boy she had rescued.