Avatar Korra

korra-naga:

― Don’t read too much into it; I was just kidding. You’ve matured, but you’re still the hot head I always knew; and I’m just a moody city boy.”

At her words, he rubbed his nose; something he did sometimes when he was embarrassed. Like he always said, Mako didn’t have that high of an opinion of him; he was down to earth, knew his strengths and weaknesses, but didn’t think he was much of someone to look up to… or mean the world to somebody.

It flattered him. Especially coming from the person he thought was next to perfect. It made him blush.

― … W-well… uh…. thank you… that’s……..” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down in embarrassment. “… that’s very flattering… especially coming from you. Hope nobody else heard this because I’m going to make jealous people around here, won’t I?”

Mako shook his head, feeling vulnerable he tried to change the subject.

― Say, why don’t we go play with the kids? Been a while since you last raced - I can be the referee.”

– ⌘ –

— ❝ Oh, I see how it is. Sure you were cool guy. I mean it’s not like you to joke around. That would be Bolin to do that. Of course, I’ve matured but I guess only to you, I’d remain that way. You’ll always be that city boy to me or should I just refer you as captain? Either way, you’ve changed a bit as well. You’re not as moody. You still have a caring heart underneath those layers. I know you. ❞

  She trailed her finger up towards his heart and stopped then glanced up at him smiling. It amused her see his reaction to everything she said about him. She meant every word. Through the years she’s come to respect him and one thing was certain he’s come through with his promise to always be there when she needed him.

  A slight blush crept up her cheeks at this moment they were sharing. It felt like old times but different. He would always remain important to her life.

— ❝ You're welcome. Anytime. ❞  She smiled wider and patted his shoulder.  ---❞ Hey I meant every word. I don’t say anything I don’t mean. You know that. I think they’d understand. What’s to be jealous of? I’m just....the Avatar that’s all and we’re friends, right? ❞

   Korra chuckled knowing things were headed into some strange territory given their past but understood and went along with what he suggested.

korra-naga:

― Alright… let’s get started then.”

Since they were near the training area of the Air Temple, they didn’t have to walk much. It was perfect; just a circular open place where they could get ample space.

― You may have already heard it, but I’ll start with the basics anyway. I’m sure you’ll pick them up quickly anyway. Take stance.”

Mako did the same, facing Korra as he explained, having her mimic his movements.

― Lightning bending is pretty similar to firebending; you focus your chi in your stomach and you release it all at once; we don’t have control where the power goes after we release it, but that’s what makes the best of us; know how to direct it efficiently. Thing is lightning bending asks for way more finesse and precision. It’s a constant stream of energy coming out of you compared to firebending which is a burst of energy getting out all at once.”

Their movements showed it - it was much more graceful, though similar to the moves normally used in firebending.

― You have to feel your chi through your nerves - all our body is a stream and the lightning pours regularly, like a long vein on it and ultimately…”

Mako made a swift move, electricity coming out of his fingertips as small ball of energy, erratically emitting energy.

― … you create lightning. It always look about to burst and get out of control… and it is. That’s why you always need to be calmed and composed when using it…”

The raven extended his arm, the lightning coming out of his fingers as he made it lose itself in the sky.

― You can learn to emit lightning, then throw it at a target. But to snipe from afar, you have to perfect it and do what seems at first not possible; control the lightning the whole time it comes out of your body. It’s not really that but I guess I can summarize it like this” He took his stance again. “Now, let’s redo the same moves; try to feel the energy in you in that way… release a small amount of lightning, but don’t release it, just control it, picture it, try to understand how it works…”

He looked at Korra, before going behind her, gently grabbing her arms to replace them.

― Stance a bit higher, more like flowing.”

– ⌘–

    — ❝ Fine let’s do this. ❞

   She was ready to take a lesson on lightning bending feeling confident enough that he would teach her the right way safely to perform this technique. They soon arrived at an open ground perfect for training not far from where they were standing.  This particular bending method would need the space seeing how it could be uncontrollable if not performed right just like fire.

   ----❞ Basics sounds good to me. Its a good start. Okay, here goes. Ready stance it is. ❞

   Korra soon faced him waiting for his instructions while holding a ready stance staying focused.

 — ❝ I heard something like that. So I need to focus my chi through my stomach and release it all at once. I got it. Right, the power goes where it’s released. I heard that too with lightning bending. It is more precise and definite. So it is a constant stream. I’ll remember that, as well it being a burst of energy. I knew it had its similarities and differences. ❞

   Korra tried concentrating on his words practicing the movements but not releasing any of her bending right away. It really had a similar pattern and flow to firebending. She took a deep breath, taking in his next set of instructions.

----❞ Got it. I have to feel my chi through my nerves. The body is a stream where the lightning will flow through. ❞

  She chanted his words committing to memory its importance while watching in amazement and awe how sparks of electricity were created from his fingertips.

----❞ You make it look so easy but you’re right on that note. It does look like it can burst at any time. So you’re saying I need to be calm and composed when I try this out. Okay, I’ll give it a go. ❞ 

   Her blue eyes watched him harness that energy then release with precision and control toward the sky. It looked very similar to firebending but deadlier.

  — ❝ I’d like to give that a shot but I get it. I have to get better with creating that energy and controlling it before trying to snipe from afar. ❞

  She studied his movements, mimicking it, as he took a stance. Korra then did what he instructed trying to feel the energy from within hoping to create that small burst of lightning and hold it in and control it. Her mind focusing on picturing herself doing so to understand how it works as stated.

   It caught her off guard feeling him correct her stance as he smoothly corrected her movements standing behind her. She did as he stated trying to higher up her stance.