Korra (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
anatural) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
poly_chromatic2012-09-18 04:17 pm
anatural) wrote in poly_chromatic2012-09-18 04:17 pm
Entry tags:
六
action
[Korra and Naga are sprawled in the lot behind the apartment. Korra snuggles up against
her friend, and has been for the past few hours.
Her t-shirt reads "A lunatic stripped me of my entire identity and all I got was this lousy t-shirt."
It had freaked her out that morning, when she had woken up and been unable to take it off. The reminder of her lost powers hurt, like soaking an open wound in salt water. But she's had a few months now to come to an uneasy peace with that. It hurts her, but it doesn't hold her down.
She doesn't usually deal with the network much, but she's flicking through it today, watching other people and their open wounds. It puts her own pain into perspective. She can't believe how many people have so much pain in their pasts. She'd never thought the world could be so cruel.]
[video]
[Korra clearly looks uncomfortable. Public speaking -- seriously not her thing. She doesn't bother trying to hide what's on her t-shirt.]
I know a lot of people get jobs to earn money for things, but what do you if you just...want to help?
[She doesn't even really know what's she's asking for. She just knows that people are hurting -- not just today but every day -- and she's tired of doing nothing.]
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[She frowns.]
But what -- [And then she bites her tongue.] I mean, whenever you want. I've got plenty of time.
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[Vague gesture to her shirt.]
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I'm the Avatar. It doesn't mean anything here, but...where I'm from, it's my job to maintain peace and balance in the world. I have... had... special abilities to do this.
They were taken away.
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[He leaves the matter open for her to elaborate if she's so inclined. If not...]
You are to maintain peace and balance by yourself? In the entire world? That makes my job look very easy.
Re: action;
There are people who can bend one of the four elements in my world, but I'm the only one who can bend all four.
[She laughs a little bitterly.]
I didn't do a very good job of it.
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[It seems so illogical to base identity on abilities and goals when he's talking to someone else. Now that it's been said out loud, though...]
Your job isn't fair and there is more to you than that.
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[She huffs and tugs at her hair in frustration.]
I don't know how to explain it. I'm just the Avatar. I've always been the Avatar. I don't know how to be anything else.
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[He doesn't comment on reincarnation or lifetimes of memories. Perhaps those things are real in her world, if not in his.
Chekov attempts to add some levity to this conversation through tone. This doesn't entirely negate the seriousness of his words to him, but stating things with a smile can make--in Chekov's experience--anything into a joke. For the other party, at least.]
I am just intelligent in certain ways, and I have always been like that. Navigating, charting stars and paths, engineering, positing new physical theories, finding and solving equations... that is what I do, and what I have always done, and what I was valued for. Now, without any of that, I also don't know what to be or do.
Not that they are the same, your circumstances and mine. I have no destiny or great significance or responsibility; the Federation will not collapse without me. But still, there is a loss of identity with a loss of personal value.
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How did you lose it?
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[brightly (although not, perhaps, heartfelt)] I suppose I can use this as an opportunity to learn other things.
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[And yeah, definitely time to lighten the mood.]
Yeah! That sounds like a great idea. In fact, why don't we start your lessons now.
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[Surprise turns into excitement.]
Only if you are free. ...Are you?
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