A Real Pro(Tahorra): Chapter One

authors note: contains profanity

        The halls of the police precinct were quiet, with only the hum and drone of a few whispered conversations hovering in the air to break the silence. It was really rather dreary, to say the least, and the atmosphere made Korra cringe.  I couldn't get comfy here if I tried. I wonder if this place is always like this. She thought, scanning the grim room. It was then that her eyes fell on a sunken lump of a man, or the shell that remained of a former man, rather.

"Tahno?" She asked, shocked to say the least at the state that the stuck-up Tahno was in as she slid onto the bench next to him, ever so careful to maintain the distance between them that he never failed to invade.

"Hey, Korra." He said simply, with no haughtiness or jeering in his voice. Tahno's fire had completely burnt out. He was simply dried up.

A pang of guilt hit Korra as she recalled watching him fall to the tomb of water that had awaited him after he had lost his bending; a place that he probably wouldn't have minded dying. She hadn't been able to do anything to help him, and the pure thought of it enraged her to know end. In her eyes, sealing bending was like ripping out a part of someone's soul; bending was a part of you and something you were born with, and to have it taken from you left you to be half a man, much like that of the half existent Tahno that stood before her.

"Listen Tahno, I know we were never the best of friends, well at all," Tahno winced at her words, "but no one deserves to have something like that happen to them. I'm sorry that I let it happen. I-" Korra stopped, as a wave of rage and grief swept over her. Clenching her fists to the point of them trembling, Korra continued. "I wish I could have done something. I really do."

"Don't worry about it, ferret," Tahno attempted to jeer at her to lighten the mood, "The best healers in the city haven't been able to do anything about it. But I want you to promise me something, Korra." He said, looking at her with a very sincere and serious face. It was a face she had never seen or would have imagined happening prior to talking with him.

"Go for it."

"You have to get him back for me. You're my- our only hope." Tahno said, catching himself, but giving her a serious eye. Korra had failed to notice his slight falter.

"…I'll try, pretty boy."Korra said, putting up a front. There was zero chance that she wanted Tahno to know that she was afraid of Amon, even if he had been and probably still was terrified of him.

To her surprise, Tahno slid closer to her and took one of her hands, wrapping an arm around the backrest behind her and putting his left hand on hers. Even more so to her surprise, he wasn't being creepy. To her utmost dismay, she had been caught. Jinora was right. I can't hide anything from anyone, even a rival. Jeez.

"Listen, Korra. I know how fucking hard it is to keep face and maintain your front, I fucking know. I've been where you are terrified of taking a trip to. And maybe you won't take my advice, because you think I am some letch like the stupid hotshot does," he stopped "but fear 'sgonna through you out of balance uh-vatar. Being afraid doesn't make ya weak, but more importantly courage makes you strong. Ha, I guess I'm not really one to say something since you think I am a punk ass cheater," Korra shot him a look, "Okay, am a punk ass cheater."

"You sound like Tenzin. Is that all-"

"Be afraid now and get it out of your system, Korra. We can't have a 'fraidy ferret leading our cause or we are sure as hell going to fail." He said, looking her straight in the eye.

Tahno wasn't kidding. It's almost like the guy cares, wow. She thought, slightly intrigued by his words. So this is Tahno, huh. She thought, nearly getting butterflies at the look he gave her. What the hell? Am I some Tahnista?

"But you best be careful, little girl. I don't want you getting yourself hurt. I'm sure none of us can afford that." Tahno said frankly. His demeanor had still not picked up to it's former self, so Korra knew he wasn't kidding or trying to get under her skin.

"Alright, Tahno. I will." She said with a nod. With that, Tenzin, Mr. Sato, and Chief Bei Fong entered the room. At that moment, Tahno leaned into her ear.

"And uh-vatar, Ms. Asami's daddy seems to be a bit on the sly, like a snake, don't ya think?" His whisper tickled her neck.

"Tahno, we're ready for you." Tenzin said, eyeing Korra and more so Tahno with suspicion.

"Alright. See ya, uh-vatar." Tahno said with a mild two finger wave. Before he left, Korra caught a slight grin on his face. Maybe he will return to his old self someday. Korra thought pensively, curious as to who exactly the real Tahno was.