REDEMPTION

TRUTH IN SPADES

Tarrlok couldn't stop thinking about Korra. A moment ago they convinced her not to enter enemy territory, now that Noatak invited her to come and see the truth of her absence, he feared for her. There was a whole reason why she ran away, maybe looking back at the memories will make her go against the destiny of being an avatar.

Although when he thinks about it, Korra was never the person to go down without a fight. Being in this situation will make it a dry chance of success if she does not know how to regain her past without assistance. She needs to find the will to find it on her own.

As soon as they planned their long journey to Republic City the itinerary confused Korra. Although she knew that she had to find teachers and needed to focus on healing, felt that she only knew half the plan Noatak did. They prepared and for the rest of the night, packed all essentials. They did not bother delaying any longer.

It was gossipped that Kuvira's army is going south of the nation, with the train and everything to speed it up. Sooner or later, she's going to come and they did not like the idea that they would be seen unprepared. Korra knew at least that with her state now, she was no better than being a sack of hay for Kuvira if she met her. So they planned to venture to Chin Village to regain more information on Kuvira's whereabouts.

The next two days were, if not gruelling, rather slow. But when they finally had enough time resting they changed their clothes in order to blend in.

Korra with a let down hairstyle that had three ponytails; one from her back, two at the front that resembled her past hairstyle but with lower bands. A hat dangling on the nape of her neck, a dark green overall dress which had a slit on the sides, loose emerald green pants that hugged her legs to the ankles and simple green lady shoes.

Tarrlok wore his hair the same as always minus two low ponytails in the back. And for the past three years, there haven't been actually people recognizing him as the councilman who was a traitor, he only wore a dried green coat over his side slitted green shirt. Same with Korra, his loose pants hugged his legs to the ankles. His shoes were simple--an unlikely clothing for a councilman--humbling, he thinks.

Noatak's hair was long enough for a high ponytail. Where he always wore a mask as an equalist in the past, so there was no fear when people see him. He then wore a brown shirt that had slits on the side, a belt to fasten some of his valuables, then a loose pantaloons that hugged his things and high boots up to his knees. He was always conservative.

With that they set off with three bags in each back. Money was not a problem as for three years, the brothers earned a sum enough to travel the world. However, Tarrlok was worried; manipulating her negatively will ruin her trust in them further than it has. What makes it more complicated is that he was growing attached to Korra.

Her soft face against his harsh lines, her soft skin against his calloused ones. He had to admit that even though they were enemies once, only a fool would not gawk at her. She was a beauty. Silently remembering her soft skin as he controlled the water to every nook in her body when they had that session at the bathroom.

Korra felt Tarrlok's stare, "Stop it, you're creeping me out." She whispered. They were acting dodgy enough; she was told not to talk too loudly nor was she able to stray from them and even explicitly explained to her that she was not to address Tarrlok with his name but as Jin.

"You have a stray hair on your face" he says as he tugged it behind her ear. Sweet. And when his heart skipped, he felt anxious. How was this making him anxious?

Korra felt the rush in her cheeks. This wasn't the first time Tarrlok was gentle with her yet this touch was unintentionally romantic. She couldn't pit him against what he was before. She was definitely not flustered at this! Tarrlok was a manipulating politician, she repeated over her head.