tampered | baby ballbuster

[ Her giggle gets a half-smile, quiet and genuine although it doesn't reach his eyes (when does it ever?). She makes him think of popsicles, scabbed knees and running through sprinklers in sunshine. Lighter times. Except, recalling her older self, he wonders if a happy childhood is ultimately a disadvantage. Fluff and fences don't harden you sufficiently for what comes after, so when shit hits the fan you're running blindly for cover, lost among those who are better equipped at handling themselves than you are. ]

[ Or maybe it doesn't matter either way. What's the saying? No one's a virgin when they die. Life fucks us all. Accurate enough. ]

[ Hei lets Korra cling to his arm, steering her outside. There, the same man in baggy pants shuffles over, and taps him on the shoulder. ] Hook you up?

[ Oh for fuck's sake. Hei grits his teeth, fists doubled up, and resists the urge to snap his neck. ] If you don't get the hell away from me... [ Blinking blearily, the peddler staggers off. Hei watches him go, then glances at Korra. ] Don't buy drugs from idiots. [ Isn't the warning 'Don't do drugs?' Well. Whatever. ]

[It's funny how the things she reminds him of are things she would be completely unfamiliar with (save for the scabbed knees)...and not only because she grew up in the South Pole. She grew up in a world still recovering from a century of warfare, in a tribe that had been almost completely eradicated by genocidal conquest. Her childhood was happy, yes, but her only friends had been her waterbending master and a polar bear dog, and the games she had played had all been preparation for war. They might not be familiar with the phrase The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun, but that is the philosophy the White Lotus raised her by. The Avatar is their gun.

But most of that is in Korra's future, and not relevant to the here & now. At this moment, she is scowling at Mr. Stinky -- hadn't he got the message?!?!? She lifts her foot up in the air, prepared to hit him with a column of earth that would teach him FOR GOOD.

But. She remembers what Li said about not using her bending against everybody. She gives him a sideways look, clearly debating whether to listen to him or not, and then reluctantly puts her foot down again without earthbending.

You better be proud of her. IT WAS REALLY TEMPTING.]

[ In that sense their histories share a fundamental similarity: They were both seen as instruments -- dangerous, valuable, but a means to an end -- rather than people. Where Korra was cordoned off and pedestalized as a figurehead, Hei was defaced and consigned to shadows as just one of the many cogs in a complex machine. But the end result -- the dehumanization -- is the same. ]

[ It's the same old story. Malleable and vulnerable, with unformed consciences, you can shape a child into the monster -- or monster-slayer -- of your choice. Often they end up being both. That's one of the many reasons child-soldiers never go out of fashion. ]

[ He watches Korra struggle not to earthbend the peddler. When she resists, there's a small measure of surprise, but also none at all. The power of suggestion is an effective tool. He's learnt that with adults, as part of his arsenal on manipulation. But those instances weren't half as gratifying as this. ] Very nice [ he says, and squeezes her hand with a quirk at the corner of his mouth. ]

[ Outside the bar's exit, a hand taps his shoulder again. Scowling, Hei turns, expecting that stoned peddler. But it's just a wizened old man, leading a little boy by the hand. The man touches the boy's head with an oily smile, opens his mouth to speak in straggly Mandarin -- and trots out a price. Oh. Great. There are child-peddlers here too. ]

[ Hei stares at him for a moment, impassive. Without a word, he scoops Korra up and takes off, at a faster clip than usual. ]

Time to go home.

[While Li scowls at the old man, Korra studies the little boy by his side. She doesn't understand the look in the child's eyes -- a twisted combination of terror, resignation, and despair -- but she doesn't like it. She doesn't like the old man holding the little boy's hand, either.

She reaches out to take the child's free hand when Li scoops her up and takes off. She screeches, struggling in his arms.]

PUT ME DOWN!

[They can't just leave the boy behind!]

[ Yes they can. In fact they're gaining distance with every step. ]

[ Hei lets her carry on squalling. Doesn't set her down; his brisk stride doesn't slow until they're out of the marketplace. Even as a child, Korra has a perceptive intensity about her surroundings, an overflow of feeling. Too bad it's wasted on a situation like this. He carries her along without looking back. His grip and tone are steady -- mind occupied only on getting her to the beach-house. ] It's late. You need to be home. [ The child, the old man, none of that registers on Hei's moral radar as anything other than mildly distasteful. ]

[ Korra probably sensed something off about the pair. But he's prepared to lie to her if she persists. She's too young for him to commit to an explanation of black, white and gray. More than likely, she won't get it even if she's eighteen again. ]

Edited 2013-03-11 14:58 (UTC)

[Korra doesn't need an explanation, and even the not-quite-lie about taking her home can't distract her. When she sets her mind on something, it is set. That quality is what makes her a master bender at such an early age, and it's what makes her bend a rock to whack him in the shoulder. It may do little more than loosen his grip, but it's enough so that she can wiggle free.

She tumbles to the ground, ignoring the pain as the rough street scratches up her palms, and takes off running, back in the direction of the boy.]

[ Goddammit. She's even worse than Pai. ]

[ The rock is unexpected. His grip slackens for a split-second -- but that split-second is all she needs to wriggle away and bolt. Before he can catch her, she's vanished into the patchwork of the crowds. Tch. Glowering, Hei shakes his head. Stupid, stupid child. She makes his own reckless choices shrink up to about the size of a pea. For a moment he's tempted to let her go. Part of him is immensely tired of this whole night, sunk down deep into ennui, wrapped in numbness. But at the same time, a bubble of inexplicable emotion swells in him, pushes upward, threatening to swamp him altogether. ]

[ The bubble bursts on a silent pop, and leaves clarity in its wake. ]

[ Anxiety. He feels anxiety. ]

[ Swearing under his breath, Hei takes off at full-pelt after Korra. ]

[Despite her size, she'll be easy enough to follow. She's no street urchin to duck and weave through the crowds. No, she barrels through the crowd like it's your job to get out of her way. People may shout and curse, but nobody cares enough to try and stop her.

Fortune favors the brave...and the foolish. She travels in a straight line, having already forgotten whatever twists and turns Li may have taken her, but the child peddler didn't stay in one place either. Korra sees him ahead, talking to a modestly dressed, almost maternal looking woman. But there is nothing modest or maternal in how she looks at the boy.

The woman reaches for the boy's hand and Korra raises her arms.]

DON'T TOUCH HIM!

[A wall rises out of the street, almost breaking the woman's hand as it comes between her and the boy. Another jut of earth knocks the old man away from the kid. The boy stands frozen in terror.]

[ This was not how Hei planned to spend his Saturday night. ]

[ He runs through the late-night streets in a zigzag pattern, fast, fast, it's like he's ice-skating except faster. The adrenaline is quicksilver, overlaying his anger and concern. It doesn't take him long to see the path Korra barreled through. The warm moist air of the market wraps around him like a sweaty fist. But everything about him is cold -- a seeing-eye personified. Even in the weekend crush, a child like Korra is easy enough to tail. ]

[ Rounding the last corner, he catches Korra's yell -- Don't touch him!. Takes in the surreal tableau in the dim alley beyond. Angry Korra. The peddler, his merchandise, and a customer. They all face the dead end of the alleyway. Hei steps slowly forward, eyes narrowed. Fucking kids. Fucking hero-complexes. ]

What's going on here?

[ His cold voice echoes off of the high walls. ]

[Korra grabs the boy's arm and yanks him behind her protectively; he's too frightened to offer any protest. But she doesn't move closer to Li. He left her unknown friend behind before, and she doesn't trust that he won't try to do so again if she gets too close.

The customer tries to slink away as the old man gets to his feet and starts shouting in broken English] SHE'S TRYING TO KIDNAP MY GRANDSON!

[Korra points an accusing finger right back at him.]

YOU'RE A BAD PERSON!

[ One-handed, Hei pushes the hair off his face. With the other, he reaches out to snatch Korra's arm. The itch to hit her is overwhelming. Who takes off into a crowded market at night? To save a grimy street urchin? Hei understands the frameworks of prostitution rings well enough to know the old man probably has spotters located at strategic points. They're going to be alerting their own menagerie of back-up in a few moments. He doesn't know where that doped-up kid was snatched from or what his sob story is, but he knows, with the City being the replica of his homeworld it can sometimes be, that this is likely a trade-up for most children in his position. ]

[ Which doesn't make the situation any less aggravating. ]

[ To the babbling old man, Hei snaps, ] Shut up. We all know he's not your grandson. [ To the not-so-subtly slinking customer, ] Stay there.

[ Glancing down, he fixes Korra with a frigid eye. ] I told you not use your bending out here. [ If, come Monday, she has a mob of gangsters riding on her ass, don't blame him. ]

[Both old man and customer freeze -- aware in the way predators are when they're outclassed. They're just relieved the bulk of his wrath seems to be focused on Korra.

Korra's intuitive enough to sense the danger, but she doesn't care. She snatches her arm out of his reach and wraps it protectively around the boy, who looks like he's ready to bolt except he's not sure if the hell he'd run into would be better than the hell he's running away from.]

They were hurting him.

[She doesn't care if the bad guys get angry at her or try to attack her when she least expects it like he said. There's no point in being strong if you aren't going to use it.]

[ Little-known fact: The last time Hei got entangled with human traffickers, it was to on behalf of the Syndicate, and the assignment was to secure a Doll. Mao and Yin both know how that case ended. The only thing Hei has to show for the memory is a news clipping of shootouts and dead gangsters at the train station. It was written off as intermob violence. (It's been a long time since then. But he still thinks about Kenji -- his foolish choices and unfathomable luck). ]

[ (Except the latter always has a way of running out.) ]

[ He glances coldly from the customer to the pimp. Aware they're not going anywhere, Hei smooths a hand over his face. Anger gathers like static in his brain. Anger at himself for getting into this mess. Anger at Korra for being Korra. But there's already a clean-up plan in the works. It doesn't show in his expression, except maybe the set of his jaw and slitted eyes. There's no need to explain to Korra the structural beehive of flesh peddlers. At the end of the day, it's not his problem. He needs to get her out of here before more trouble arrives. ]

[ Finally, without looking over at her: ]

Take your friend and step out of the alley. [ He refocuses on the two adults, and adds, ] Don't come in here until I call you.

[She doesn't ask why. The coldness in his usually soft expression frightens her more than the bad guys. Not enough to stop her from what she feels she needs to do, but enough to make her obedient when she feels she's getting the bare minimum of what she wants.

She tugs her new friend none-too-gently out of the alley.]

It's okay. You're safe now.

[ Not quite out of earshot, Hei hears Korra say: It's okay. You're safe now. He shakes his head. Korra thinks this is the equivalent of saving a kitten stuck up a tree. But all she's done is complicate things -- for the brat, for herself, for him. But they'll deal with that once it happens. For now, Hei's mind has settled on the task at hand. Without a word, he advances for the adults. ]

[ His intentions must show in his gaze, because the peddler starts babbling in a desperate bid to buy time. Except it's too late. Everything happens in turns: he darts for the peddler, and there's a burst of electricity, ending with a follow-through and repeat of the lady customer, before she manages a shriek. Their bodies hit the ground almost soundlessly. Not dead -- but KO'd, with a half of tonight's memories erased. The traffickers will piece two and two together eventually. But in the interim, he can protect his identity and Korra's. ]

[ Once he's arranged the bodies out of the way -- inconspicuous behind a few crates -- he steps out of the alley. Wends his way back to Korra. He doesn't say anything to her. Just takes her arm in a vice grip. To the boy, he snaps, ] Beat it. [ He's not a fairy godparent. Knowing the kid, he'll either end up at the hands of a worse predator. Or back in the clutches of his former employers. Or, more likely, he'll seek them out himself -- a posterchild of brainwashing and drug dependence. Not all bondage requires chains and collars. ]

[Korra hears the woman shriek and quickly hugs her new friend, covering his ears so he can't hear. She doesn't know what Li is doing, but the little boy's been scared enough.]

What's your name? [He just stares at her blankly.] I'm Korra. [Still no response. It's getting irritating. Why won't he talk to her?

She cries out in pain as Li grabs her arm.] Let go! No! [The boy beats an immediate retreat when Li snaps, and Korra beats helplessly at the older man's arm.] WHY?!?!

[ Hei drags her forward without reaction, not caring if she bites or scratches him in the process. They need to vanish into the crowd. Now. Disaster travels fast in these parts of the Underground. There'll be repercussions, wide-rippling and inevitable, from tonight. But he'll make sure Korra gets home before that -- nothing else matters. ]

[ When he's sure they're a reasonable distance away, in a weed-choked lot overflowing with garbage, he swings Korra to face him. His gaze, so flat and opaque, is a basilisk's now. ]

Keep your voice down. [ Cold and measured. ] What you did was extremely stupid.

[Korra trembles as he glares at her, but she refuses to cry. She doesn't understand what she did wrong, and his anger at her is only making her angry at him.

And scared, because if he leaves her she'll be all alone and she doesn't want to be alone. This place is strange and overwhelming, and the adrenaline is fast leaving her system, leaving her weak and shaky.

She doesn't say anything in response, mostly because she can't. The effort it takes to meet his eyes without letting the building tears fall is too great.]

[ Somehow, Hei's been put in the unenviable role of disciplinarian. Irritated as he is, he's not sure how to handle the situation. She's not old enough for a full-on lecture on actions and consequences. That's never been his purview anyway. But a slap to the face like his teachers in South America used to dish out, just to drill a point in, wouldn't work either. That technique is fine for subduing a rebellious soldier. But she's not a soldier. Just a misguided child. ]

[ One who is bubbling with tears. Exhaling, Hei runs all ten fingers through his hair and rubs his sinuses. Suddenly he feels like a tired kindergarten teacher more than an assassin. In a different voice, but no less firm, he says, ]

Korra. Look at me.

[She does, though her jaw is clenched tight. A few tears trickle down her cheeks but she doesn't let her sobs break through.]

[ He doesn't try to touch her. Just crouches so they're at eye-level, and fixes her with a quiet look. He keeps his tone low, and there's nothing intimidating to his actions except just staying there. ]

Don't do that again. This isn't a safe place to run off alone in. You could have gotten lost. [ His eyes narrow. ] Or in the same position as that little boy. And I don't think either of us would like that.

[His words shatter the last of her defenses and she bursts into hideous, gut-wrenching tears.]

[ .........Oh for Christ's sake. ]

[ Hei doesn't move. If he was at a loss before, he's out at sea now. In his lifetime, he's handled life-and-death situations better than offering comfort. Let alone to a toddler. For a moment he stares and waits, the lines of his body tall but slanting toward her, as if silently pressing her to settle. Except it's not happening. He exhales. It's not frustrated enough to be a sigh, not entirely relenting to be defeat. But it's close. ]

Stop that. [ Not tender, but patiently reassuring. Reaching out, he uses a corner of his sleeve to dry her face, hand cupping her round cheek as he mops up droplet after droplet. (It makes him feel so stupid: she's not meant to be out here at all and he's not meant to care about her, the tiny little bird trapped in his bloody maw.) Get her home. There's an edge of finality there. This has gone on long enough. ]

[She wants to. She hates crying, especially in front of other people, but she can't stop. The dam has broken and the river drowns.

She lets him brush away her tears only for a moment before she latches onto his leg, both for the comfort of touch and the foolish hope that if she hides her face against him, he won't realize she's still crying.]

[ A quality that's apparently stayed intact all Korra's life. Hiding even as she presses closer. As if he can't practically illustrate all the furious workings in her little mind, see all the crazy force of her emotions, the flailing thoughts. Her tears seep against his leg. Carefully sliding his arms under and around her, Hei scoops her up and rises easily. Makes a soothing noise, head tilting to press his cheek against the mussed top of her head. His gentleness might be unnerving in other contexts, because that's the way his mouth looks when he says I'm going to kill you to victims who catch him without BK201's mask on. The way he says You can trust me to coax a mark into whispering secrets in his ear. ]

[ But none of that is relevant here. He's just trying to make her feel better. ]

Come on. Quit that. [ He squeezes her lightly, his nose in her hair. ] Let's get you home, all right?

baby ballbuster

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