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weirdletBits and pieces of headcanon/trying to get a grip on certain characters.
Mako- Okay, so he's a young man who grew up on the streets/half in and out of orphanages, protecting and raising his little brother the whole time. Very focused on survival- adverse to getting involved with the Triads only because they offer a false promise (food and money now, getting hurt in an alley or arrested later). Does not appreciate when someone messes with that goal. Protective of his brother, leery of the Equalists. He can get behind everyone having an even break, but A) they're proposing that he and his lil' bro are meat to be wasted and B) their bending is basically their only shot where they're at. They've got no training at major skillsets, no education- they've got muscle, athletic talent, and power they can put into plants and such (at least, Mako does) and that's it. Not very warm to other people, tries not to get distracted, doesn't want to get involved or interfered with. But get past his armor, prove yourself competent and loyal, and he'll warm up.
Call him on something and he'll bluster a bit, look for an escape route/ego save- but hold him to it a bit and he'll loosen up and admit he might be wrong. His bro is his bro, but he's been parenting him too long to always take him completely seriously.
Mother hen.
Bolin- raised on the streets/in and out of orphanages/fosterage but largely protected by his older brother. Loving, fun, gentle, sincere, blustery. Not as naive as Mako thinks he is, but prone to quickly weighing the risks and finding them worth it (a new friend, an opportunity, people are generally good, etc). Kind of loves and appreciates everyone in his life.
His bro is his bro, but Mako's been parenting him too long to really take him seriously sometimes, and it hurts a little, but he still loves him so much.
Korra- Strong, brash, blustery. She's not afraid of anything, but when it does happen, it can be a little crippling, because she's been so confident and so assured that she's strong enough to handle anything all her life. She always bluffs first, even before she knows she's feeling vulnerable or doesn't know what's up- but given the chance, she'll investigate, change, learn. Almost always up for a challenge. Compassionate when she gets a chance to show it, slowly learning that she can't always fix things by force.
She's strong, but things have come easy to her all her life- at least, what came easy to her was accepted by her teachers. Now she's finding that she has to really work for the rest- and she may have been done a disservice by simply playing to her strengths and sheltered from the true realities of the world. She'd love to just kick in the right heads and have that be how she saves the day, but it's understanding just the right heads to kick that's tricky- and she may even need to learn some of that old diplomacy and politics stuff. Fortunately- she's got a crew that (for the most part) is willing to set her straight on things.
Does not need saving, but does need good friends at her back.
Tahno- Daddy was Foggy Swamp. Mama was Old Fire, and so were Grandmother and Grandfather- the sort that had Views on peasants and non-Fire and a life on the stage. It was good for a while, until it wasn't, and Mama shook off the swamp-water for the bright lights in a dozen cities. Step-Ma was kind enough but even before the first new baby he didn't want to hear it. It wasn't until he was fifteen and just didn't care anymore that he ran off to Republic City. He absolutely did not look for Mama's posters- she'd long ago moved out on tour and looked to be that way for some years. (He'd made certain of it before he even came.)
The one-time gift of a chunk of money (Grandmother and Grandfather still have Views, and a very select sense of obligation) spent by pretty fast, but he already knew what it was to be young and hungry, and Mama had trained him well in some things- he could see opportunity in the bright lights of the pro-bending arena. Ditched the accent, hooked up with the people behind the pros, did whatever it took to get into a position where he could be the star. It's all give and take, you see, and he knows that the minute he stops bringing butts in seats is the minute he stops winning, according to the guys in the hats with the deep pockets and the hard, hidden hands. So he trains like there's no tomorrow, and he lives the outrageous star, and always keeps an eye to what makes a good show. He also knows enough to demoralize and stamp on the fingers of anyone who looks like they're coming up too fast behind him on the ladder.
He's cunning, vicious, arrogant, and really only exaggerates a little when he's waltzing around trailing cigarette ash and condescension. His compliments are backhanded, he has no time for those who can't keep up, and having been on the receiving end one too many times, has an absolute abhorrence of 'trading up' once he gets firmly established with someone/someones he feels are his equals, no matter how much he pretends otherwise for his own survival. Indulges in vice just enough to get a good party reputation, but totally workman-like when it comes to the actual matches.
Is a little afraid to go home, after his bending is gone. More than a little. Gramma will still poke him and declare he's not eating enough (her way of showing love), but he's not ready for the assault of his relatives (or the talk they'll have about how city living ruins people). He doesn't really know where to go- his pad is fantastically priced and he's not going to be able to pay the rent more than a few months, he's got cash stashed away but nothing like real savings, and the way he feels he'd almost rather drink it up and forget, except if he's going to do that he's got to have enough to really drink, and that's not going to last for as long as he wants to stay under. Survival mode is kicking in, but there's still a big honking heap of shock and depression hovering there, until and unless he gets a support-structure and a cause, fast.
Asami- Really is just that sweet and good-natured, but there's some fire under the class, and she is a class act. She doesn't throw money at things, but sometimes forgets a little that the support she can bring to bear for her friends is a bit overwhelming. Is sometimes a bit disappointed that she doesn't have someone to talk tech with- especially now, with Daddy's industry cut off to her. She knows enough to potentially take charge- but in the direct aftermath of everything that's happened, everything's a crime scene and the lawyers are huffing and puffing and she really can't stand being around constant reminders of how much her father has lied to her. She wants to believe there's some reason, some mitigating factor in what he's done and why he's done it, but she's just had her beloved Daddy's mask ripped off- and under it was something really ugly.
I ship Korra/Tahno, Korra/Mako/Bolin, and Korra/full harem, because Korra/Mako just isn't gonna cut it. Also Korra/BFFs for all, because you can have a badass adventure saga with boys and girls and have mutual love and respect and loyalty without necessarily romance getting involved. (Though it is fun to see hints of where it'll all fall out after the big events pan out.)
Mako- Okay, so he's a young man who grew up on the streets/half in and out of orphanages, protecting and raising his little brother the whole time. Very focused on survival- adverse to getting involved with the Triads only because they offer a false promise (food and money now, getting hurt in an alley or arrested later). Does not appreciate when someone messes with that goal. Protective of his brother, leery of the Equalists. He can get behind everyone having an even break, but A) they're proposing that he and his lil' bro are meat to be wasted and B) their bending is basically their only shot where they're at. They've got no training at major skillsets, no education- they've got muscle, athletic talent, and power they can put into plants and such (at least, Mako does) and that's it. Not very warm to other people, tries not to get distracted, doesn't want to get involved or interfered with. But get past his armor, prove yourself competent and loyal, and he'll warm up.
Call him on something and he'll bluster a bit, look for an escape route/ego save- but hold him to it a bit and he'll loosen up and admit he might be wrong. His bro is his bro, but he's been parenting him too long to always take him completely seriously.
Mother hen.
Bolin- raised on the streets/in and out of orphanages/fosterage but largely protected by his older brother. Loving, fun, gentle, sincere, blustery. Not as naive as Mako thinks he is, but prone to quickly weighing the risks and finding them worth it (a new friend, an opportunity, people are generally good, etc). Kind of loves and appreciates everyone in his life.
His bro is his bro, but Mako's been parenting him too long to really take him seriously sometimes, and it hurts a little, but he still loves him so much.
Korra- Strong, brash, blustery. She's not afraid of anything, but when it does happen, it can be a little crippling, because she's been so confident and so assured that she's strong enough to handle anything all her life. She always bluffs first, even before she knows she's feeling vulnerable or doesn't know what's up- but given the chance, she'll investigate, change, learn. Almost always up for a challenge. Compassionate when she gets a chance to show it, slowly learning that she can't always fix things by force.
She's strong, but things have come easy to her all her life- at least, what came easy to her was accepted by her teachers. Now she's finding that she has to really work for the rest- and she may have been done a disservice by simply playing to her strengths and sheltered from the true realities of the world. She'd love to just kick in the right heads and have that be how she saves the day, but it's understanding just the right heads to kick that's tricky- and she may even need to learn some of that old diplomacy and politics stuff. Fortunately- she's got a crew that (for the most part) is willing to set her straight on things.
Does not need saving, but does need good friends at her back.
Tahno- Daddy was Foggy Swamp. Mama was Old Fire, and so were Grandmother and Grandfather- the sort that had Views on peasants and non-Fire and a life on the stage. It was good for a while, until it wasn't, and Mama shook off the swamp-water for the bright lights in a dozen cities. Step-Ma was kind enough but even before the first new baby he didn't want to hear it. It wasn't until he was fifteen and just didn't care anymore that he ran off to Republic City. He absolutely did not look for Mama's posters- she'd long ago moved out on tour and looked to be that way for some years. (He'd made certain of it before he even came.)
The one-time gift of a chunk of money (Grandmother and Grandfather still have Views, and a very select sense of obligation) spent by pretty fast, but he already knew what it was to be young and hungry, and Mama had trained him well in some things- he could see opportunity in the bright lights of the pro-bending arena. Ditched the accent, hooked up with the people behind the pros, did whatever it took to get into a position where he could be the star. It's all give and take, you see, and he knows that the minute he stops bringing butts in seats is the minute he stops winning, according to the guys in the hats with the deep pockets and the hard, hidden hands. So he trains like there's no tomorrow, and he lives the outrageous star, and always keeps an eye to what makes a good show. He also knows enough to demoralize and stamp on the fingers of anyone who looks like they're coming up too fast behind him on the ladder.
He's cunning, vicious, arrogant, and really only exaggerates a little when he's waltzing around trailing cigarette ash and condescension. His compliments are backhanded, he has no time for those who can't keep up, and having been on the receiving end one too many times, has an absolute abhorrence of 'trading up' once he gets firmly established with someone/someones he feels are his equals, no matter how much he pretends otherwise for his own survival. Indulges in vice just enough to get a good party reputation, but totally workman-like when it comes to the actual matches.
Is a little afraid to go home, after his bending is gone. More than a little. Gramma will still poke him and declare he's not eating enough (her way of showing love), but he's not ready for the assault of his relatives (or the talk they'll have about how city living ruins people). He doesn't really know where to go- his pad is fantastically priced and he's not going to be able to pay the rent more than a few months, he's got cash stashed away but nothing like real savings, and the way he feels he'd almost rather drink it up and forget, except if he's going to do that he's got to have enough to really drink, and that's not going to last for as long as he wants to stay under. Survival mode is kicking in, but there's still a big honking heap of shock and depression hovering there, until and unless he gets a support-structure and a cause, fast.
Asami- Really is just that sweet and good-natured, but there's some fire under the class, and she is a class act. She doesn't throw money at things, but sometimes forgets a little that the support she can bring to bear for her friends is a bit overwhelming. Is sometimes a bit disappointed that she doesn't have someone to talk tech with- especially now, with Daddy's industry cut off to her. She knows enough to potentially take charge- but in the direct aftermath of everything that's happened, everything's a crime scene and the lawyers are huffing and puffing and she really can't stand being around constant reminders of how much her father has lied to her. She wants to believe there's some reason, some mitigating factor in what he's done and why he's done it, but she's just had her beloved Daddy's mask ripped off- and under it was something really ugly.
I ship Korra/Tahno, Korra/Mako/Bolin, and Korra/full harem, because Korra/Mako just isn't gonna cut it. Also Korra/BFFs for all, because you can have a badass adventure saga with boys and girls and have mutual love and respect and loyalty without necessarily romance getting involved. (Though it is fun to see hints of where it'll all fall out after the big events pan out.)
