𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐓𝐥𝐨𝐊

XXIII

"Although the Hundred Years' War ended long ago, we are not living in an era of peace." Councilor Tarrlok's voice filled the room. "These revolutionaries who call themselves 'Equalists' are not interested in equality for all. They only want to wage war against the benders. Chief Beifong was supposed to protect Republic City, but she was powerless to stop Amon's attack on the arena. She let us down. If we want to survive these difficult times, our security forces need new leadership—"

Sora groaned and reached over to turn off the radio. "I hate that man's voice."

A quiet laugh came from beside her.

The girl turned her head. "What's so funny, Miss An?"

"Nothing," Nurse An —or simply An, as the white-haired girl had come to know her after a very long week confined within the four white walls of her hospital room, under the care of the beautiful nurse, said, smiling. "You just react the same way every time the councilor comes on the radio."

Sora rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, maybe if he stopped talking nonsense, I wouldn't."

The nurse glanced down at her clipboard, finishing her notes before looking back up. "Can I ask you something?" she said. "Why do you dislike him so much?"

Sora flexed her fingers slowly, following the doctor's instructions. This was to exercise the muscles in her hand, to check whether they hadn't been compromised by the shocks that had passed through her body. 

"Because men like Tarrlok are all the same," she muttered. "They hide behind speeches and 'good intentions,' but it's all about power. Always is." She exhaled through her nose. "Meanwhile, people like Chief Beifong are out there actually doing the work—keeping the city safe—while he sits in a chair and criticizes."

"Didn't he help create the task force? With the new Avatar?" The nurse tilted her head. "He seemed quite sincere in wanting to end the Equalists' attacks..."

Sora snorted. "Please. There's not an honest bone in that man's body. I can guarantee you that. Politicians like Tarrlok lie and deceive for their own benefit." She shifted slightly against the pillows. The girl would give anything to have a cigarette right now... talking about the councilor was starting to get on her nerves.  "That task force? Just another step up the ladder of power for him."

An frowned, clearly trying to piece it together. "So you think he and the Avatar are doing this just to gain power? Why would the Avatar want more power?"

"What? No." Sora's response came out harsher than necessary. 

An blinked, caught off guard.

Sora sighed. "Sorry. That came out harsher than I meant." She looked away. "The Avatar has nothing to do with Tarrlok's plans." She hesitated. "If anything... she's just another tool he's using to increase his influence on the Council."

The nurse studied her for a moment, then gently said, "Lift your arms, please."

Sora did, wincing slightly as the woman examined her ribs.

"You sound pretty protective of the new Avatar," Nurse An said as she began examining the tanned girl's ribs, gently pressing the area and checking for swelling, her eyes scanning bruises that had faded from a deep purple to a lighter shade.

Sora let out a quiet breath. "She's just a kid." Another breath. "She's not to blame for carrying a power greater than herself while people take advantage of her naivety and desire to do good..." On the third inhale, her face tightened in pain.

An noticed immediately. "Still hurts?"

Sora gave a dry huff. "Nope. Not at all. Feels amazing," she said, deadpan.