#korrah

yeehaw, embernoon korrah (western au of my main d&d campaign, emberdawn)

"Tenzin, can I go now?" Korra whined as she opened her eyes and slouched.

"No." Tenzin said, keeping his eyes closed. Korra pouted and closed her eyes again. The two sat in silence.

"So much for being prepared." She mumbled quietly to herself.

"Korra." Tenzin warned, opening one eye.

"Sorry." She grumbled.

Once again, there was a silence and she looked around. Slowly, Korra straightened herself and stood up, careful not to make noise. Outstretching her arms, she jumped up and grabbed onto the edge of the roof and pulled herself up. She mentally thanked all of that training, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to do that. She climbed to the top of the gazebo and grinned to herself.

"Sorry, Tenzin." She chuckled quietly before she did a running jump onto a tree.

Stepping down branch after branch, she jumped down to the ground with a thump. Wincing, she turned at looked into the gazebo to see Tenzin still meditating, completely unaware of her escapade.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done." She congratulated herself with a mischievous smile.

"How is what done?" Korra heard the unmistakable husky voice. Shit. She grimaced before turning with a smile.

"General Iroh." She acknowledged the man leaning against the tree she just climbed, with an innocent face.

"Shouldn't you be training with Tenzin?" He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side.

"Pft, no. I was just uuuuhhhh...going to the bathroom?" She gave him her usual excuse. He shook his head at her and her smile fell, "Okay fine, I'm ditching training."

"Korra." He said using the same tone that Tenzin did a while ago.

"You sound just like Tenzin." She rolled her eyes, "It's boring okay? He made me meditate again. I mean, aren't I supposed to be learning some kick-ass moves?"

"You need to be in touch with your spiritual side, too. It's equally as important as the physical side." He sighed.

"Okay okay, General Stiff. If I wanted a lecture I'd go back to Tenzin." Korra mumbled. Before the general had the chance to say something back Korra's eyes widened with panic.

"KORRA!" She heard Tenzin shout from the gazebo. Well, looks like training is definitely over.

"Well, it's been nice chatting with you but I gotta run. Literally." Korra said cheekily and sped of into the Air Temple.

-x-

"Korra, how many times have I told you? You must be more serious about the rest of your training. Without it, you will never be able to be a fully realized Avatar!" Tenzin droned on. Korra grunted as she tried to focus on what Tenzin was saying. Her attempt was, however, futile. There was only one thing on her mind.

I can't believe I lied to Mako. I'm such a horrible person. Why did I even think I could pull this off? I really gotta learn to when to just do nothing. Anyway, now I have to figure out how to deal with this. I mean, I can't just go up to him and say "Hey Mako. I'm not actually seeing the General. I only said that because I am deeply and madly in love with you and just wanted you to stop treading around me like a minefield...and maybe also because I'm selfish and want to make you jealous." I should just hide under a rock. Maybe I could knock him out and convince him it was just a dream. Dammit, Korra, be a bit more realistic...well, I guess there's only one thing to do. I need to talk to General Iroh.

"Korra! Are you even listening to me?!" Tenzin asked with frustration.

"Hmm? Yeah. You were saying something about becoming a fully realized Avatar."

"Well I was until you interrupted me and said that you need to talk to the General." He looked at her suspiciously.

"I did?" Korra's eyes widened, "I wasn't supposed to say that out loud."

Tenzin sighed, "Korra, I just want you realize how important this all is."

"I know, and I really appreciate it, Tenzin. But I really need to go." Korra smiled and hugged him before going on her search for Iroh.

She found him standing in the hallway, outside his temporary room, talking to Asami and Mako. Oh no. Please don't let my plan have been ruined. Korra casually strolled towards them, hiding her ulterior motive. She walked by the small group, pretending to have to interest in them.

"Korra! Where are you going?" She heard Asami call her name.

"Oh hey guys. Didn't notice you there. I was in deep thought. Very deep." She emphasised.

"About?" Mako asked, raising an eyebrow, "Anything we can help you with?"

"Oh no. You know, just...Avatar stuff." She chuckled. And by Avatar stuff I mean how I'm going to keep up this lie.

"So did you get caught by councilman Tenzin?" General Iroh asked with a smirk. Korra never understood why he insisted on being so formal with everyone. She got that he was a General and he was taught to always speak with respect but come on, they were all friends here.

"Yes." Korra pouted and rolled her eyes, "He gave me that stupid speech on being more spiritual. I swear, it's like you two share brains or something."

Iroh let out a chuckle and then there was an awkward silence that followed. Korra looked at Mako, who was looking down at his shoes awkwardly. Suddenly remembering why she was there she cleared her throat causing everyone's attention to fall on her.

"Hey Iroh, can I talk to you, please? In private?" She said with a nervous smile.

"Uh, sure?" He said in a confused tone.

"Great. Excuse us a moment." Korra flashed Mako and Asami a quick smile and dragged Iroh into his room before shutting the door.

"Korra what's going on? Is something the matter?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

"Stiff, I need you to do me a HUGE favour..." Korra gave him a sheepish smile.

-x-

"Let me get this straight. You want me to pretend that we are both romantically involved because you told Mako that you were seeing someone in order to get him to stop being so awkward?" Iroh frowned.

"In a nutshell, yes." Korra nodded.

"Why exactly do I have to do this?" He asked.

"Because...Ikindaalreadytoldhimitwasyou ." She said quickly, looking at the floor.

"Korra! Why did you do that?" He groaned.

"I panicked, okay?! I didn't know what to do and you were the only one I could think of. It kinda just came out like word vomit." She defended.

"Couldn't you have told him it's Bolin?"

"Nope. He knows that I don't see Bolin in that way." Korra explained.

"Korra, did you even think any of this through? Do you even know how much trouble you could get into because of this one stupid lie?" Iroh sighed.

"I know it was stupid and impulsive, but please just do this for me. Come on, Stiffy. Think of it as your pay back for me saving you." Korra said.

"Are you blackmailing me, Avatar?" the General raised his eyebrow.

"Maybe...why, is it working?" She grinned.

"Fine." He let out a defeated sigh, "But if this starts to get out of hand in anyway, it stops, alright? You tell everyone the truth."

"Avatar's Promise." Korra held her hand up and crossed her heart, before hugging him tightly, "Thank you, Stiff! You're a lifesaver!"

"You're welcome. And why do you keep calling me Stiff?" He asked as she started walking towards the door.

"Because you're stiff. You're seem so uptight all the time. You should try loosening up a bit." Korra laughed. Iroh watched her walk out and shook his head in amazement at the girl.

-x-

Korra quietly slid open her door and checked to see if the hallways were clear. She shuffled through one silent and lifeless corridor after the other until she reached the courtyard. Without making a sound she navigated her way through the garden and in between two over grown bushes until she reached a tiny grassy area. She walked to the edge of the land, where there was a straight drop into the water below. She looked down and saw the waves rhythmically crash against the rock. She sat so that her legs were freely dangling off the edge and looked out at the scene in front of her.