Right. [he nods. but instead of leaving to go check up on her, he just sort of stands still in place.] Have you ever been pushed to make a haste decision?
[She thinks about all those times she'd had to figure something out while facing the equalists. Then, she remembers why she's here in the first place--the thought had completely slipped her mind as soon as she'd heard about Zee.]
I.... [he heaves a sigh. is it possible for his entire body to feel heavy but not heavy at the same time? he doesn't physically feel any different. but....] I think I made a deal with a demon to get Zee's tongue to grow back.
[She almost drops the bucket--as it is, some water splashes onto the floor, but she's not really minding that right now. No, she's too busy staring at Conner in surprise and horror.]
What? Are you out of your mind? [Korra sets the bucket aside before she can spill any more.] Conner, you--what did you offer to get her tongue back?
He was going to hurt her even more if I didn't make the deal with him. What else was I supposed to do? Just let her choke to death? [his shoulders slump a little.] I....sold my soul.
Okay. [Now she can definitely understand why he was so stressed when he called. Stupid doesn't even begin to describe it.
The situation just keeps getting worse and worse, but...this isn't the time to panic. Sonia's still missing, and so are Aang and Toph, and Conner's friends, too. They can't afford to lose their heads right now.]
Okay. [She repeats, throwing her shoulders back.] Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to heal Zee, then we're looking for our friends. After that, we'll find some way to get your soul back.
[believe me, he would have gotten an earful of zee too. if she...had an actual tongue and could form actual sentences.] Did I forget to mention that it was done by the demon who's possessing Wally?
[In a flash (haha see what I did there), Korra can suddenly empathize with Tenzin. Is this how he feels whenever she gets into trouble? No wonder he's always so grumpy.]
Anything else you want to share before we get started?
[She was mute, but not deaf; at the sounds of individuals entering the room, Zatanna glanced upward. Her eyes showed vague signs of both surprise and recognition when she caught sight of Korra, before turning to Conner in silent question.]
[She nods to confirm the name. Flinching visibly when Korra brings up her injuries; instinctively, her hands raise to her lips, where the burn scars were still visible. Still fresh enough to sting.]
[Korra was under the impression that they had never met before. Which meant...she had gone home and come back without memories. Not that Zatanna had been all that close with the previous Korra(s)...but...well, she knew that the older girl knew Conner somehow. And Conner was clearly letting her into the room now.]
[Slowly, she lowered her hands. Wincing, she glanced Conner's way one last time--he hadn't ever really seen the extent of the damage--before nodding again.]
[She tries to quash the cringe, she really does, but it's...yeah. It's pretty bad.]
I don't know if I can do anything about the tongue. [Buuuut Conner's deal with the demon will probably take care of that, though Korra doesn't mention it. No point stressing Zatanna out if she doesn't already know.]
I should be able to heal the rest of it, though.
[Korra extends a hand, reaching for the water and calling it to her. It coats her hand as she sighs shakily. First time healing someone in a while, and she's a little nervous.]
Okay, here goes. [When Korra places her hand against Zatanna's cheek, the water begins to glow gently and spread a soothing sensation across the burned areas.]
[The only reason she didn't look disappointed was because...well...she hadn't really expected much to begin with. Korra wasn't a magician. She couldn't--]
[waitwhatwasshe--]
[...oh...]
[Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the water. Not the fact that it was moving on its own (that much, she'd already known Korra could do), but of curiosity as to what she was going to do with said water. Give her a bath, maybe? Clean her wounds?]
[Except then she was coating her own hand with it, and Zatanna was breifly confused. What was that going to do?]
[Her eyes followed Korra's when the hand came closer to her cheek, and she felt...]
[...oh...]
[It was cold, but not unpleasantly so. Like a cool rag pressed over feverish skin. It spread down to her mouth, and she shut it to keep the water from going inside (just in case). The taste was pure. Fresh. Much nicer than the well water, even after a decent purification ritual.]
[The cool, soothing sensation continues for a few more minutes as Korra checks for any lingering injuries. Finally, satisfied that the burns inside and around the mouth are gone, Korra pulls her hand away.]
I think that should do it. I tried healing the tongue, too, but...making it hurt a little less is the best I can do. I'm sorry.
[Her eyes remained closed for a moment longer. Reveling in the sheer moment of not feeling pain. Well...not around the lips. Her inner mouth still ached like there was no tomorrow, but the pain had dulled to a mere annoyance while she was awake.]
[This time, a much warmer smile appeared. One of pure gratitude. She nodded her understanding that Korra couldn't fix her tongue, simply thankful enough for what she had been able to fix.]
[In hopes of being able to convey as such, she reached forward and gave the girls hand a light squeeze.]
[The gesture does wonders for Korra's unease, making her face light up with a smile. Even if she can't fully heal Zatanna, Korra's glad she could at least do something for her.]
I think I got everything. [Korra directs the water back into the bucket.]
[It was pretty hard to explain what she meant without actual words, but Zatanna hoped that shaking her head for a moment might actually clue Korra into the fact that something she said wasn't right.]
[More specifically, Zatanna tried pointing to herself, then Korra, then downward to indicate here, and then shaking her head again.]
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[She thinks about all those times she'd had to figure something out while facing the equalists. Then, she remembers why she's here in the first place--the thought had completely slipped her mind as soon as she'd heard about Zee.]
Conner...what did you do?
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What? Are you out of your mind? [Korra sets the bucket aside before she can spill any more.] Conner, you--what did you offer to get her tongue back?
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Conner. [She doesn't even know what to say. Geez. So she'll just. Punch his shoulder, hard.]
I can't believe you did that!
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The situation just keeps getting worse and worse, but...this isn't the time to panic. Sonia's still missing, and so are Aang and Toph, and Conner's friends, too. They can't afford to lose their heads right now.]
Okay. [She repeats, throwing her shoulders back.] Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to heal Zee, then we're looking for our friends. After that, we'll find some way to get your soul back.
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Anything else you want to share before we get started?
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No, that's it.
[he's going to opt to not... say that they sealed the deal with a kiss. because that's just awkward.]
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Thank the spirits for that.
[Korra grabs the bucket and sighs.] Which room's hers?
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She sticks her head into the room.]
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[What's going on?]
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[Korra places the bucket down near Zatanna.]
Conner said you might still have...other injuries. We just met, but...I'd. Like to help. If you're okay with it.
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[Korra was under the impression that they had never met before. Which meant...she had gone home and come back without memories. Not that Zatanna had been all that close with the previous Korra(s)...but...well, she knew that the older girl knew Conner somehow. And Conner was clearly letting her into the room now.]
[Slowly, she lowered her hands. Wincing, she glanced Conner's way one last time--he hadn't ever really seen the extent of the damage--before nodding again.]
[And she opened her mouth for Korra to see.]
[...to put it mildly: it wasn't a pretty sight.]
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I don't know if I can do anything about the tongue. [Buuuut Conner's deal with the demon will probably take care of that, though Korra doesn't mention it. No point stressing Zatanna out if she doesn't already know.]
I should be able to heal the rest of it, though.
[Korra extends a hand, reaching for the water and calling it to her. It coats her hand as she sighs shakily. First time healing someone in a while, and she's a little nervous.]
Okay, here goes. [When Korra places her hand against Zatanna's cheek, the water begins to glow gently and spread a soothing sensation across the burned areas.]
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[waitwhatwasshe--]
[...oh...]
[Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the water. Not the fact that it was moving on its own (that much, she'd already known Korra could do), but of curiosity as to what she was going to do with said water. Give her a bath, maybe? Clean her wounds?]
[Except then she was coating her own hand with it, and Zatanna was breifly confused. What was that going to do?]
[Her eyes followed Korra's when the hand came closer to her cheek, and she felt...]
[...oh...]
[It was cold, but not unpleasantly so. Like a cool rag pressed over feverish skin. It spread down to her mouth, and she shut it to keep the water from going inside (just in case). The taste was pure. Fresh. Much nicer than the well water, even after a decent purification ritual.]
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I think that should do it. I tried healing the tongue, too, but...making it hurt a little less is the best I can do. I'm sorry.
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[This time, a much warmer smile appeared. One of pure gratitude. She nodded her understanding that Korra couldn't fix her tongue, simply thankful enough for what she had been able to fix.]
[In hopes of being able to convey as such, she reached forward and gave the girls hand a light squeeze.]
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I think I got everything. [Korra directs the water back into the bucket.]
I just wish this wasn't the way we met.
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[It was pretty hard to explain what she meant without actual words, but Zatanna hoped that shaking her head for a moment might actually clue Korra into the fact that something she said wasn't right.]
[More specifically, Zatanna tried pointing to herself, then Korra, then downward to indicate here, and then shaking her head again.]
[Not the first time we've met.]
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Oh...we've met before this. You knew me.
[Korra bites her lip and looks away.]
I'm sorry. I...don't remember any of it
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