◎ c o̧ r̕ r ͡u p̀ ̨t̨ e͡ ́d͢

Well. Shit.

When she had asked Lal to the ball, her cheeks turned so red she wanted to implode with embarrassment. When Lal had agreed to go to the ball with her, she almost did implode.

The evening had crept around sooner than she had expected. They made it through the chaos of last week in one piece and now, finally, they could enjoy a nice evening (hopefully) together and forget about everything that had happened. They’d been through so much, they deserved a little down time.

When she’d seen her, however, that need to implode again returned to her as a tsunami of flustered feelings of fucking gay and she couldn’t even form coherent words. “Y-y-you… ah…” Damn it Korra, pull yourself together…

Damn she looked good. She looked so fucking good and Korra couldn’t believe how lucky she was.

She cleared her throat and finally pulled herself together. Despite the rosy hue upon her tan cheeks she managed to compose herself and compliment her date. “You look amazing…” She smiled and quickly handed her the rose she’d picked up on the way here. “I don’t know if you like flowers but here…”

"Avatar." She greeted the young woman who had come into her life and completely flipped everything. Even when Lal tried to wedge them apart, still there had been planted a seed for her and no matter what, she knew she would not be able to keep from caring.

She took the rose, noted the full bloom and removed thorns. She either paid a lot or put in effort herself, either way, Lal gave the girl the softest smile, just the minimalist upturn of her lips, but notable enough if one were paying attention. "No crown today?" She teased and tucked the rose behind her ear, the color contrasting beautifully against her dark blue hair. "Is this a sign? Should I be worried?"

“Sector One… o-out by the entrance to Alpha… Lal…” She paused for a moment, glancing over at the destruction. “You’re not in Alpha, are you…? The exit is completely blocked off…” No amount of earthbending could move the rubble. Whoever was trapped within had to remain until this was all over.

She paused for a moment, realising the extent of what Lal said, no matter how brief. ‘I’ll come to you.’

No.

“No…! No you can’t, it’s too dangerous here! It’s—” A loud crash cut her off, the metallic screech of the monster from the distance shook the sector. Whatever was going on over there, she prayed that whoever was fighting that thing was winning.

However, the monster seemed to be the least of her problems.

Drones began swarming the area, many of which this time wielded projectiles. With her phone in one hand, she used the other to send a large blast of fire toward the drones, destroying the leading the few. However, more and more kept coming, thinking she was a threat to the monster beyond. A few attacked and Korra barely managed to duck; she took a running start and utilised the air to give her a boost upward to the nearest rooftop. They’d pursue, of course, but it gave her time to speak with Lal once more.

"Nice glove." Lal called over the chaos, her own arm mounted weapon held up, a barrage of bullets shooting out at once. She was grateful these drones were weak enough for a normal bullet, she would hate to have to burn her flames, to infuse the lead with cloud and lose that advantage later on. When she sought out the beast.

I think I shouldn’t see you anymore.

That’s what Lal said to her that day. Her words repeated themselves over and over and over in her head, tormenting her over and over and over.

I am not meant to have friends.

Was she stupid? Of course she was. Korra had tried to talk some sense into her but whether or not it worked was another matter. She hadn’t spoken to Lal since, be that a coincidence or not she didn’t know but right now she found herself in the middle of sector one, sending huge slabs of earth at the drones which threatened to block her path.

Her power had awakened but it wasn’t a day for celebration.

No way, not today. She had to make sure Lal was safe. She couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t.

The drones were easy, they were nothing compared to the beast within the sector, destroying everything and everyone in its path. However the drones slowed her down and it wasn’t until an almighty crash did she realise the extent of the situation.

The entrance to District Alpha was completely destroyed and Korra knew that’s where Lal lived. She just prayed she wasn’t trapped in there with… who know what. No matter what she did, she couldn’t unblock the entrance.

There was no telling where she could be, she had a protective string longer than Lal's own, and she could really be stubborn and persistent when it came down to it. Lal only hoped she hadn't gotten in over her head. She knew she had said goodbye and that it should have been the end, but she was wrong, she had to know, Korra had to know that she didn't want to live with this unrelenting regret anymore.

As soon as was possible, Lal dashed out and sought her out. Everything around her fell to the wayside, everyone else faded away, leaving only Korra, Lal, and that dread in the pit of her stomach for fear of losing yet another loved one.

She was half way to Sector 6 when her phone vibrated from her back pocket. She'd forgotten she even had that.

She carefully slipped the rectangle free and her heart skipped a beat at the name displayed across the screen. With a quick glance to her surroundings and deeming it safe enough, Lal answered the phone.

She couldn’t help but laugh just a little under her breath at her statement. “Actually, if you were going to show me a little affection, I was hoping you’d be nicer about it but hey, if that’s what I’m given then I’ll take it!” Of course she wanted affection from Lal; she admired her, in more ways than one. The thought alone caused a hot flush to creep up her cheeks to the tips of her ears and she disguised her sudden fluster with a small cough and a nervous grin.

“Korra...” Lal stepped back and held the Avatar’s forearms lightly in her hands, her eyes meeting those of the girl that seemed to keep crashing into her life and bringing out some protectiveness out of the woman. “I think I shouldn’t see you anymore.” Maybe if she ripped her own heart, she might be able to control some of the damage.”I am not meant to have friends or-” Or what? What were they? What did she want them to become? 

Lal sighed.

“All I want is to give my life only to you.”

“Still can’t find what keeps me here.”

“These wounds won’t seem to heal.”

“Save me from the nothing I’ve become.”

“They took you away from me but now I’m taking you home.”

“I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems.”

“I don’t want to hold you back now.”

“I’m so tired of being here, suppressed by all my childish fears.”  

“You’re not real and you can’t save me.”

“Your face—it haunts my once pleasant dreams.”

“Is it clear enough that you can’t live your whole life all alone?”

“You know you’ve got everybody fooled.”

“I’ve been denying this feeling of hopelessness.”

“I fear there will be nothing good left of you.”

“There’s just too much that time cannot erase.”

“You believed in me, but I’m broken.”

“One day we won’t feel this pain anymore.”

“Don’t let me die here!”

“You play the role of all you long to be.”

“You don’t know how you’ve betrayed me.”

“Don’t want your hand this time. I’ll save myself.”

“You think that I can’t see right through your eyes.”

“I wanna see you try to take a swing at me.”

“Call my name and save me from the dark.”

Would never betray? Lal gave him a stern look, he lied so easily, yet so obviously. Or was it only obvious because she knew him? "It must be hard. Being alone again." Her voice almost seemed to have dropped an octave, an obvious sign he was getting on her nerves. "But if the little prince, ruler of nothing, doesn't want to cooperate, then I will retract any help I might have provided."

She doubted that would sway him one way or another, but she was not here to play games. The city was growing in violence and she didn't need some nuisance to watch over. She also didn't need one of his knives lodged in her flesh.

Don’t be alarmed, Hive City, if you walk by Sector 6 and hear the gentle giggling coming from the woods.. Did you see that? No, of course not, there’s no such thing as fairies. You must be losing your mind. If you hear soft voices and sing song tones, it would be best to stay away from District Mu.. at least, for now.

[[Hello hello hello my lovely muns! It’s been three years since I’ve done a mini event so I’m really excited. Last time I did one of these I had so much fun, so here we go again! I’m stoked, I’ve been planning this for months.

On July 25th, I (well, Light) will be hosting a Midsummer’s Night Dream themed summer ball which will take place in Sector 6, District Mu! The ball itself takes place on the 25th, but starters for the ball can be written from the 25th of July to the 1st of August, so the ball itself will have only been one night in Citta canon, but the event will be a week real time. It’ll be a semi formal to formal type deal and I’ll be contacting a couple people through out the month (IC) about things like food, drink, decor, etc.

So! Do me a favor and reblog this post! Just like the last ball I did, I’m going to be making invitations for everyone who does (Citta affiliated blogs only, obviously) which means your submit box needs to be open so your character can get theirs.

Use the tag #ca midsummer as easy access for starters, dash commentary, etc. so that it’s easier for people to follow. That’s the tag I’ll be using for updates or news about the event as well!

Egos were a dangerous thing after all.

“Oh?” He paused, smile spreading a little wider. “So you’ll help me?” He asked to twist her denial for servitude into a promise until the mocking gesture Lal had first given. Or, rather, more of a confirmation. 

Bringing his hands behind his head he walked towards her, half circling around so that would would end up to the right of her. 

"Help." She scoffed. "Not carry you and do what you are capable of doing." She didn't like him at her side, no mafia would, and he was smart enough to play on her nerves without drawing blood. She shifted her stance to face him again. "How long have you been here?" What weapons do you have?