[ Unsteadily, Hei tumbles out of the rocky prison. His mouth is a tight line, eyebrows so close together they resemble a sideways exclamation point. Barely a minute in Chekov's company, and she's already relegated him to the status of the third wheel. He almost shakes his head, an unspoken disdain at the predictability of teenagers. But he softens a degree when he catches the look on Korra's face. Twinkly-eyed and cheerful in a way she hasn't been for weeks now. ]
[ He's forgotten the effect Pavel has on others. That breezy warmth Hei can never generate himself, unless it's a lie spun to achieve a specific goal. Anyone else would be envious. But Hei just thinks, without viciousness or contempt: I don't know why he's here. But maybe it'll perk her up again. ]
[ His own feelings are less clear. So he chooses to ignore them. Instead, after a quick scan to determine they're the only people in the grove, he says, first in Korra's language, then in Russian, ]
You can chit-chat later. Right now, we need to head back.
[ Dimly, he wonders where Asami has vanished. But if she were in danger, Korra would've said something. ]
no subject
[ He's forgotten the effect Pavel has on others. That breezy warmth Hei can never generate himself, unless it's a lie spun to achieve a specific goal. Anyone else would be envious. But Hei just thinks, without viciousness or contempt: I don't know why he's here. But maybe it'll perk her up again. ]
[ His own feelings are less clear. So he chooses to ignore them. Instead, after a quick scan to determine they're the only people in the grove, he says, first in Korra's language, then in Russian, ]
You can chit-chat later. Right now, we need to head back.
[ Dimly, he wonders where Asami has vanished. But if she were in danger, Korra would've said something. ]