Korrlok Week prompt: First Time "Zills and Furs"

Title: Zills and Furs

Universe: Legend of Korra

Characters: Korra/Tarrlok

Summary: A short ficlet for the ever belated Korrlok Week for the prompt: First Time. I do not own these characters…sadly.

The sound of drums vibrated her heart as her fingers kept beat with the unknown rhythm. Shrill like calls echoed about her as her aqua eyes continued to watch the tribeswomen dance their folkloric songs. Korra continued to play the finger patterns that her finger cymbals played. How she had longed to be part of Moon Gathering.

When she was a small child, her mother and father were able to take her to her first Moon Gathering back in the South Pole. Of course the White Lotus was not too thrilled about the idea but her mother insisted because it was a part of Water Tribe tradition and culture. Even though Korra spent most of her time learning the forms of four elements, her mother poured into her teenage daughter the customs and culture of the water tribe.

Since she was away from the South Pole, Korra regretted ever thinking that her lessons on Water Tribe customs and traditions boring. She never knew that she would miss being around her own people. People that craved community and love. A people who willing showed their affection, her people.       

Korra let out a shrill like call as she watched the tribeswomen picked up the pace of the dance. A smile broke out onto her lips as she continued to play her zills. She found herself swaying slightly to the drums and reed flutes that played about her. A girl her age twirled out of the circle of dancing women, finger cymbals ringing on her fingers, and clasped hands with the young Avatar pulling her into the circle. Panic filled the water bender as the girl smiled at her as she resumed her spot among the dancing women. Aqua eyes darted about the women, slowly recognizing the dance pattern and footwork. In an instant the dance cues and dance patterns flooded back to her as her feet picked up the dance. Korra twirled about as she danced with her fellow tribeswomen. Her fingers continued to match the beat with the drums as her body moved a different pattern and beat.

What seemed like ages, Korra eventually twirled out of the circle to give her aching fingers and back a rest. She sat down on a log, a ways away from the dancing men and women.

“I’m surprised that you knew how to dance Avatar Korra.”

Her shoulders instantly tensed recognizing the deep voice. Aqua eyes turned upward to take in the man that was addressing her. Even though he wasn’t wearing his politician regalia, he still reeked like one. Councilmen Tarrlok tilted his head at her as he continued to gaze at her. His politician clothes were replaced with clothes that a water tribe noble would possibly wear. The first minute that Korra met the politician, she could tell that he was from the Northern Water tribe.

Northern Water tribe members always seemed proper, refined, and stuck up. Southern Water tribe members embraced a traditional huntsmen lifestyle. Instead of living in ice buildings, Southern Water tribesmen lived in igloos that were built to withstand the icy winds of the south. A warrior of the Southern Water tribe was skilled enough to track a leopard seal for days over water and ice. Korra’s father, Tonraq, often took pride in training the warriors of their tribe. In comparison to the Northern Water Tribe warriors, Korra always thought that the men of the Southern Water tribe were a true example of masculinity.

“I’m surprised that you even showed up,” she replied with sarcasm as the councilmen walked around her and sat down next to her. “I didn’t think that the Northern Water tribe had shindigs like this.”            

A chuckle emitted from the councilmen next to her.

“I’ll have you know that even we Northern Water tribe people have ‘shindigs’ just like our sister tribe.”

Korra rolled her eyes not believing that a pampered man like Tarrlok would ever take part in such a celebration. Her eyes took in the dancing men and woman again.

“Is this your first Moon Gathering?”

She turned her head to glance at the man next to her. His blue eyes glimmered slightly as he smirked at her. There was nothing mocking in those blue eyes but content and admiration.

“Yeah.” she replied as she turned her head back to gaze at the dancing men and women. A feeling of pride filled her as a small smile tugged on the corner of her lips. “It is.”