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memurfevur-archive · 1 year ago

Text

Telltale: Epilogue

Character(s): Avonis Llabel, Overseer Ribrel Masino, Shuska Tomson ( @askthehiddencaste ), Teagan Kajibi ( @stuckstucktrolls ), mentions of Phesos Amrida the Enhancer ( @contrastparadoxx )

About: Ribrel offers Avonis a way to a new life...

Word Count: 1,961

Author’s Note: The last chapter of Telltale is still in the works and is not officially out yet. However, I want Avonis out, so I’m posting this early. The final chapter will come out at a later time, or be mentioned as flash backs in asks and future drabbles.

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Avonis sat on the edge of his bed, heavy eyes staring directly at the wall in front of him. It's been weeks since the incident, weeks since he lost both of his sons, weeks since he had lost Mehrri. And though he should be relieved that it's over, that the cavern has once again opened its doors and no one else would die, he couldn't help but feel bitter about it. The gods truly were cruel, he surmised, and had cultivated within him a sense of dread and stillness. It was hard for him to move most days now, and harder than before to allow himself to eat. Kairos and the inspector had already left; there was no one to spur him to action and feel the joys and spite he had when Kairos was present.

Living seemed just as pointless as it ever was.

There came a knock at his door, and it opened to reveal the Overseer of the caverns. Ribrel Masino was another victim of the incident, though luckily her condition had been only temporary. Ribrel looked upon her childhood friend for a moment or two too long before inviting herself inside and sitting beside him. They shared an awkwardly comfortable silence, listening to the bustle of cavern life outside the bedroom. When he still didn't acknowledge her presence, she cleared her throat and slid onto his lap a yellow envelope.

This broke his intimate concentration on the wall, and he looked down at the envelope with intrigue quivering his brow, ”What is this?“

”A promise,“ Ribrel answered, her usual distant and firm tone now soft and patient. ”Open it.“

Avonis obeyed and picked the envelope up with weak hands. Undoing the fastening he reached inside tentatively, and pulled out sheets of paper detailing some records. With an encouraged gesture from Ribrel he read the documents over.

He poured over them, gleaning every spec of information he could with increasingly disbelieving eyes. His brows furrowed in confusion as he realized these documents were about him, giving an overly detailed overview of things that never happened. Then, he pulled the final document on top, and his breath caught in his throat. It was stamped with the Imperial insignia, and his name written in Ribrel's hand. ”This is to acknowledge the death of Avonis Jakkob Llabel,“ he read. ”Ribrel, you made me a death certificate?“

”It took longer for it to be processed than expected,“ she admitted, ”I'm sorry you could not leave with Kairos, but I hope this makes up for the wait.“

”I'm legally dead?”

“That is correct. You are no longer tied to these caverns. You may leave anytime without repercussion from cavern laws.“

Those words knocked the air out of his chest. After all this time, freedom was there at last at his fingertips, though he hadn't expected for it to be in the form of ink and paper. ”I didn't think it would actually happen,“ he breathed in painfully.

“Haven't I always kept my word?” Her tone held a hint of accusation, and Avonis had to remind himself that she was right. She never once, in all the sweeps he'd known her, gone back on her promises. The fact he wasn't hanging on a stake was proof of that, though his heart twisted when he thought about the family he had lost to the secrets and promises she kept. He looked down at the floor, collecting his thoughts, his shoulders sagging.

“What if I am caught?”

“You'd be caught nameless and signless, of course.”

“I'm on record. They could identify me. I'll be dead for certain, then.”

“Avonis, not to be rude, but you've never made it easy for anybody here. I doubt you'll suddenly fall to your knees if an officer sees you.” Amusement danced in Ribrel's bright green eyes as she placed a friendly hand on Avonis' shoulder, “Give them the entire thirteen Hells like you gave Aphida.” There was laughter in her voice.

He swallowed a lump in his throat, “But what—“

”Avonis,“ Ribrel's tone began to turn to her usual tone: firm, and authoritative. ”Too many lives have been lost as of late. At the very least, allow yourself to live after all of that! It would be saving a life.”

Avonis clutched the envelope to his chest. Anxiety plucked at his heartstrings; employed Jades weren't supposed to leave the caverns. The very concept of nothing being out there for them, that their purpose lies within else death was the punishment, had been drilled into many heads. Including his. If freedom was what he wanted all this time, why must fear root him in place? He hadn't realized he had been crying until a drop landed on his hand.

“Easy now, don't ruin the paperwork.”

“Y-yes, Ribrel.“ He sniffed, wiped at his eyes, then allowed himself to smile even if he didn't feel like doing it. ”How would I know you're not just getting rid of me so you can finally make heart-eyes at Phesos?“

”Oh please, I have better things to do with my time. Like running an entire brooding cavern, to be exact.”

Avonis quirked a brow, then leaned against Ribrel's arm. ”Can you let him take care of you, while I'm gone?”

Ribrel sniffed, “I don't need to be cared for, Llabel. I can handle myself, and I don't need a whore to satisfy me.”

“That's not what I meant. Can you share the workload with him fairly? Can you take breaks? Can you please look after yourself, and let him look after you? You made him second in command, at least let him do his job.”

She considered this for a moment, then gave a reluctant sigh of defeat, “I will try to be more open to the idea, for you.”

“Thank you.” Avonis closed his eyes, “I'm going to miss you. I don't know where I'd be without you.”

“Actually dead, for one thing,” Ribrel answered matter-of-factly, which made Avonis give a dry chuckle.

“Yes, yes I suppose you're right! I would have gotten that certificate much, much sooner.”

“And with none of the freedoms that come with it,” Ribrel smiled softly. “Come, I must show you something.” She gently hooked her fingers around Avonis' wrist and tugged him off the bed and out of the room. Avonis followed her quietly.

Luckily the corridors were not too crowded at this hour. What few faces he saw pass by never gave him a second glance, and a thought had occurred that, as improbable as it is, they were also a part of the secret. The notion made him inwardly giggle. The one thing the cavern had done for him was to see him dead.

A few twists and turns and Avonis could see where Ribrel was taking him. This was the direction of his work station, his now-old post where he would sit and record the names of children who would survive the cavern Trials. He remembered refusing the Auxiliator position, favoring a career as a Memorand simply because it allowed him to be alone— and to be as close to the outside as legally possible. Ribrel took him past his work desk, and closer still to one of the exits.

“That eager to flirt with Phesos without me around?“

Her ear flicked and she cast him a quick disapproving glance over his tease. ”Hush. Look outside.“

He shrugged and did what he was told, curiosity and excitement tickling his heart. He placed a shaky hand on the mouthway of the cave, and looked out into the dusky night. He could see two figures in the close and near distance, and once again he found it hard to keep his breath.

”Recognize them?” Ribrel prompted.

Of course he did. How many times must he hiss warnings and caution to Teagan as he invited him in to drink his blood? And how could he forget the beautiful librarian Shuska who would send secret letters to him in love and good faith? Once again, his eyes began to sting and the world began to blur with green.

“I've spoken with them already,” Ribrel murmured from behind him. “They were here for a surprise visit. If you were still working for the cavern, I would say you'd have a lot of explaining to do. Go with them. They seem to love you.“

”N-now?“

”Of course now! Send me a letter via worm when you find a place to live, and I will have Phesos bring you some of your belongings. I'm sure you can't live proper without all your journals.“

He turned to look at her then, an incredulous look on his face, soft and vulnerable. He couldn't hold back now, and he began to cling to Ribrel with sobs wracking his thin frame. Quietly, Ribrel stiffly reached up and patted him on the back, seeming quite uncomfortable with this interaction. ”Avonis, the longer you are here, the harder it is to fake your death.“

”Oh. Yes. Sorry.“ He let go of her and wiped tears off his face. Shame colored his cheeks. ”Would this be goodbye, then?“

”I'm afraid so.“

Such a bittersweet thought. To think that these two had grown up together and had once been matesprits. That Ribrel had always been unconditional and undying with her loyalty. That these two always had each others' backs, through thick and thin, despite the hurt and pain that their respective ancestors had given them. Despite the convoluted life being a cavern Jade was. The thought of leaving Ribrel felt as if he was going to be leaving a part of himself behind— but, perhaps, that was the point. He needed to leave everything, and everyone, behind. He needed to move on.

He needed to live.

He leaned in and gave Ribrel a soft kiss, reminiscent of old times sake. There may be no romantic love between these two any longer, but there certainly was a type of love still present between them. This was a thank you, this was grief and mourning, and this was both bravery and cowardice in the face of new adventures. He was surprised to see Ribrel feeling much the same way when he had pulled away, her own face dampened with small glittering emeralds.

”Be safe out there,“ she told him, ”Be ruthless. Be kind. Love the unknown as you have for all these sweeps. Don't let anyone take this away from you. Never again.“

”I'll do my best.“

Her smile was filled with wistful pain, ”I love you.”

“I love you too, Ribs.”

“Go,” she urged, “Go to them, before I change my mind about losing one of my hardest workers.”

With a chuckle and a nod, Avonis gave Ribrel back his death certificate and turned to fully face the outside world. Trepidation trapped his breath in his chest as he slowly took a step out onto the other side. Then another. And another. The moonlight bathed everything in a haze of pink and green, illuminating the path before him and his two friends up ahead. Another step. One more. And then his slow walk began to turn into a jog, and then a sprint, and before long he was gliding along the ground, moving so fast he barely touched it.

Teagan and Shuska turned when they noticed him, faces bright with smiles and relief. Avonis couldn't slow himself in time and collided into the two, almost sending them to the ground. He wrapped his arms around them both, pulling them into a desperate hug and nearly cried once more when he felt them squeeze him in return. His ears rang with Shuska's laugh, and he basked in Teagan's smirk.

If this is what death is like, then Avonis is glad to be alive.

#fevur writing #Telltale #Avonis Llabel #Ribrel Masino #Winged Lotus

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hoseokslefteyebrow · 28 days ago

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Thinking about...

You being Ghazan and Ming Hua's child. You're a few years younger than Korra.

Your story starts out unique. You're the child of two powerful benders after all, who are guided by their natural sense of order and chaos.

And before they end up in prison, they take you with them. Anywhere, any place. It was rare for them to leave you behind.

You're an earth bender too, and a mighty powerful one at that. Of course, you're no match for adults as a child, but your parents are protective, and crazy. They often take you to the battle field and have your back, always.

Of course, P'li and Zaheer have your back too. You're subjected to martial arts training at a young age. ( Being taught by none other than Zaheer, who was a powerful nonbender at the time.) You might not be strong enough to bend the most things yet, but they'll make sure you're capable of handling yourself to a certain level.

Zaheer and Ghazan are the two who teach you every martial art they know.

Ghazan is particularly proud of you because you're an earthbender. Of course, Ming Hua is proud too, happy with you as their child.

And truthfully, you're happy too. You're loved and you get a lot of attention.

You don't go to school, but Ming Hua and Zaheer teach you how to write and read.

You're not great at academics, but you are smart.

P'Li might not be described a lot right now, but she is absolutely fond of you.

And she's the last person between you and the White Lotus, and Tonraq, Korra's father, the day they get arrested.

P'li is nervous. Things are going grim, your parents are already getting wrapped up, and Zaheer is restrained by now.

He glances up to where the two of you are stood, where P'li holds a protective hand in front of you. One you hold closely, tears in your eyes as you glance between Zaheer and P'li, seeing the struggling bodies of your parents.

" I want to help. I can help." You cry.

You can't, you're only a child. You're too young right now. Not strong enough.

P'li has tears in her eyes as Zaheer yells at the both of you.

" Run!"

They're criminals, but you're their soft spot.

P'li shakes her head, gently nudging you back.

" Run, Y/N. Let me handle this. "

You don't. You're as stubborn as your parents. You don't want to abandon them.

You look at P'li with tears in your eyes.

She's focused, gentle nudging you again as she focuses on the group in front of you.

You don't run. Don't escape.

And this changes your life forever.

Everyone is captured and separated, you included.

But everyone in the White Lotus and the police are conflicted on what to do with you.

You're just a child after all. (I know Korra was attempted to be captured at an age too young for her to remember, but for the sake of this story, let's pretend this happened somewhere when she was between 5-8.)

Imagine everyone's surprise when none other than Lin Beifong steps up, offering to take you in.

Of course, her request is granted.

Absolutely no one expected that. Including your parents.

They're enraged when they find out in their respective cells. But then again, their prisons are build in a way so they remain powerless.

You grew up in the Red Lotus, so of course, you're different from other children.

You're poised against the avatar. In favor of chaotic natural order like the group you grew up in.

And Lin doesn't blame you. In a way, she sees herself in you.

( Not for the chaotic order- more in the sense of your parents misguiding you.)

She's not sure what your life was like before you ended up in her care, but she assumes it was tough, much like hers.

(She's wrong, but in the first few weeks, you rarely speak to her, so she doesn't know.)

In the first weeks, you both keep your distance.

Lin doesn't have any kids or a husband after all, so she's unsure on what to do with you, or how to handle you.

Until one day, you come crying to her. Asking when you're allowed to go home.

It breaks her tough heart.

She sighs, and explains that your parents are bad people. And that they're in prison.

It doesn't make anything better, and you wonder when you're allowed to see them again.

She never answers that question.

Time passes, and she softens up with you, and you do the same.

You're an earthbender of course, so she teaches you how to metal bend.

You don't have the talent for it. It takes weeks to get you to be able to make a chunk of metal change shape, much more to actually get down the basics.

Metal bending isn't a talent for you, it takes a lot of time and practice.

Lin has a good guess on what subelement your better luck has, but she doesn't dare tell you.

She doesn't tell you that you are most probably a lava bender.

You find out yourself, years later.

By now, questions of your parents have passed. You do remember and care for them, but your years at the police chef's side teach you that they were bad people.

You don't necessarily agree, nor do you really understand.

Your morals are guided by loyalty.

You wouldn't know who to follow if you would ever see your parents again.

Eventually, you find out you're a lavabender.

You're really happy when you find out. (I'll leave how up to you.) Memories of the moves your father taught you guiding you on how to use the element with efficiency.

Of course, you do have talent for that.

Lin is surprised, and less excited about it.

You don't much care.

( Although your morals are a wreck, you are pretty care free.)

She softens up when you grin about being able to help her now.

You start carrying around rocks in your pocket, much like your father did. (even though you have no idea.)

Lin can see that you're undoubtedly the child of your parents, but she's glad she stepped into your life to change your faith.

You quickly become one of the strongest benders Republic City.

(Though your lavabending is kept as a secret. Lin tells you that it's acquainted with bad beliefs, and considering you were still young around this time, you obey.)

You want to go out and see the world, but Lin doesn't allow you.

She trusts you with her life, and with a lot of other things, but she doesn't like it when you leave her side.

She tells herself it's because she doesn't want you to turn out like your parents.

You're not a cop though. Not into profbending either. You're really trying to find your calling in life.

The day you meet Korra is a little tense. Korra has no idea who you are, given that you stayed out of her gaze when your parents and the Red Lotus tried to catch her, but you do know who she is.

You don't kick it off as friends. At least, not until very much later.

Korra was different when she came to Republic City after all.

However, the one thing you have in common is the last airbending family.

Surprisingly enough, Pemma is very fond of you.

It's not a surprise that her kids see you as their older sibling. You spend a lot of your time there (you didn't really care how much Lin disliked that at the beginning.)

It's a given that you see Korra around often, and you keep your distance.

Until you simply don't anymore.

Korra is surprised, when you approach her when she feels lost one certain day, lost in thoughts as she stares blankly at the river separating Republic City and Airbender Island.

The two of you end up having a good talk. You admit you're often lost too, feel like this isn't while you're meant to be. Meanwhile she tells you about how much pressure she often feels, how she wishes she could have more answers to most things.

You become friends.

Months later, she asks you to come along when the airbenders spring up all over the earth kingdom.

It takes a lot of asking and convincing for Lin, but with a sigh, she allows you to go as long as Mako goes.

So of course, you pull Bolin along and convince Mako.

( You know Mako since he joined the police. And until he broke up with the avatar, you are acquaintances at most. You do become friends eventually some time after their break up, realizing he's fun to talk to. Surprisingly enough, you become best friends. )

Lin has never been more nervous as she actually sees you off.

She doesn't realize why yet, but Tenzin does.

She fusses over you as you leave her side for the first time in years, and Tenzin places a hand on her shoulder to ease her worries.

(Also, a funny detail is that absolutely no one has any idea that you're not Lin's legit child.- No one knows you're adopted of some sort. They all think that you look more like your father, and that he walked out somewhere early in your life. No one dares question it because Lin is intimidating.)

Your journey to the earth kingdom is fun.

Until Ba Sing Se.

You pretty much hate it at first sight.

Especially those walls.

What was the point to divide the rich from the poor? The strong from the weak?

You don't get too much time to ponder over it.

The Earth Queen apparently holds the airbenders you've all been missing after all.

And then Lin suddenly arrives.

You've always felt care free so far, but now you're confused as Lin notifies the group that your parents, Zaheer and P'li have escaped.

She wants you and Korra back at Republic City, where she can watch over you.

However, Korra doesn't agree, and neither do you.

The airbenders the queen has captured need your help.

That night, it's your absolute pleasure to take your anger and conflicted feelings out on the Dai Li.

Originally, Tenzin thought you were weak.

He's never seen you fight before, and Lin was always so protective of you, there was simply no other reason for her to be that worried, right?

Until he watches you take out an entire force of Dai Li agents by yourself.

(You remember that scene where the Dai Li surround the palace once they've broken the airbenders out? No one needs to move a muscle, you clear them all by yourself.

Also, remember that scene where Mako, Bolin and Kai are running from Dai Li agents who have risen on pillars and are launching their glove thingies at them?

Yeah, you're an absolute badass, jumping from Oogie and causing the ground to rumble, taking down the pillars the Dai Li are stood on.)

Later on, he glances at Lin with wide eyes.

Why did she hide you away all this time?

He guesses that with your unique combat style, you could've taken down Amon yourself.

She's kept you in the shadows in book 1 and 2.

[A/N: mostly bc I feel lazy, might change that if people want more of the story.]

You were enraged when Amon took her bending, but she wanted you to remain in the shadows, to not only not attract attention, but also to keep you shielded.

She's overprotective of you. Even though you're one of the strongest benders out there.

You're the only person she has. The only person who knows exactly how she works, feels and thinks.

Her biggest fear is losing you.

She also orders you to stay in the zeppelin with her when you finally arrive at Zaofu.

You already know she hates her sister.

She's told you things here and there when you were a child.

You truely are her safe haven.

At first, although pouting, you do. You recognize her as a parental figure after all.

But you're not stupid. You know exactly why she's keeping you with her.

You know she's mostly just keeping you with her like a safety blanket. And you don't mind.

You let her be, offering simple comfort by talking about nonsense.

Meanwhile, not too long after the others leave, they return to fetch you and Lin.

You're excited when you finally meet Su Beifong.

Lin is not. (Her issue.)

Soon enough Su is introducing everyone, passing by Wei and Wing first.

They appear to be playing some kind of game, and that intrigues you.

Unbeknownst to you, one of the twins already spots you from the corner of his eye. (Hence why Wei has managed to score a goal against his brother- he was a tad bit distracted by you.)

You and the twins immediately hit it off.

The rest of the Beifong family views you as a cousin, valuing you as much as they value Kuvira, like another sister (in law?)

Lin might be having issues, but you feel right at home.

Speaking of Kuvira, the two of you hit it right off.

If anything, she feels like the sister you never had. The two of you bond over being adopted by the Beifong families.

You tell her about your lavabending abilities too, and she's impressed, interested even.

Meanwhile, your parents, Zaheer and P'li have broken out of their prisons alltogether now.

Your parents' first concern is getting you back with them, and Zaheer and P'li agree.

They haven't seen you in 13 long years. You were 5 when they took you.

You are 18 now.

They're angry at Republic City, at Lin Beifong for stealing their kid.

And they will make Lin pay.

They will bring justice to the world order, and they'll get you back.

They want you back as quickly as possible, but they know they need to be careful in planning.

Lin Beifong was a formidable bender after all. They couldn't just come knocking at her door.

Imagine their surprise when they find out you're with the Avatar.

It confuses them. It's bound to bring trouble for their cause.

Ever since they had you, they had always imagined fighting with you side by side, bringing down world governments and what not.

You're not fighting against the avatar, nor do you know her by name like everyone else.

You're her friend.

Everyone knows this will bring issues, but it doesn't matter.

You belong with them. Not the people who took you.

Meanwhile you're having the time of your life at Zaofu.

You play Wei and Wing' their own invented game. You train and hang out a lot with Kuvira, and of course, you hang out with the Avatar team too.

You and Wing grow closer especially.

You two hit it right off. You enjoy sparring with each other first, but then you and him start actually talking, getting to know each other at a more personal level.

You might only know each other for a few days by now, but you're quick to call each other best friends.

Both of you have feelings for each other, but it remains unspoken for now.

You don't interfere when Lin and Su start fighting.

Something in you tells you that fighting is a part of the natural order of life. Like a faded memory brimming at the edge of your consciousness.

You're also the one to check up on her the next morning, very excited to find out that she's gotten some sense into her now.

You have no idea how, but you're happy about it nonetheless.

Meanwhile, your parents, Zaheer and P'li have made a plan.

The avatar isn't the only one they'll be taking from Zaofu.

They expect you to be difficult. In the worst case, you might not even remember them.

They take you and Korra the same night.

Or at least attempt to.

You're not awake to witness the crisis go down.

You don't have an animal companion, so knocking you out was the easy part.

Getting Korra was harder, not to mention the part when everyone is awake, and aware that they're there.

Lin especially is concerned, fighting more fiercely than she ever has.

Like hell that she'll allow these criminals to take her kid.

She cares for you like her own. And as far as she's concerned, you are her kid.

And she's not the only one who's concerned over you.

Kuvira and Wing are also sweating about your wellbeing.

However, your parents feel ecstatic, though they remain focused.

After so long, they're finally able to bring you home.

The night is filled with tension surrounding you.

" We don't need to come from under them. We can come from above."

Lin is quick to agree on Su's plan.

Things are tense, but in the end, both Lin and Su manage to come down from the ceiling, safe from P'li thanks to Bolin's quick skill.

Which leaves them to deal with your parents.

Ghazan' eyes widen at the sight of Su and Lin.

You and Korra are laid together in the middle of their makeshift island.

Ming Hua is busy defending P'li and Ghazan as it is.

Su is quicker at first, knocking Ghazan off his feet.

But he's quick to get back up. Though he's not focused on getting the avatar.

And Lin is the first to realize it.

She'll have to choose between the person she recognizes as her child and the avatar.

She hates it, but there's only one logical answer.

They would never harm you, evident in the way Ghazan was shielding you, not Korra.

Su would never leave with only one person of two, but even she realizes that they have no other options.

Ghazan was already aiming his lava at them, and Ming Hua was already turning around.

They nearly get Korra back in their hands too as Ming Hua gets a hold of her, only to be blocked by Mako.

And Zaheer returns, only failing in getting Korra too thanks to Su's quick thinking.

Su and Lin only return with Korra as the Red Lotus creates their smooth escape.

Wing is the first to be angry, asking Lin and his mother why they allowed them to take you.

It's hard to get it through that they didn't have much of a choice.

Once down with the rest of the group, the rest of the people there are heartbroken to see you're not with them.

Kuvira especially is enraged.

She has a strong sense of right and wrong after all.

She's quick to turn to Su, angry.

" How could you leave her?! Those people are criminals! They'll kill her!"

" No they won't. "

Lin tells them with a new kind of confidence. One that even makes Mako nervous.

" Chef?"

" They won't harm her. Ghazan and Ming Hua are her parents."

Now that is something absolutely no one expected.

[A/N: Eheheheh I've already decided I'll make a part 2. Anyway enjoy this cliff hanger.]

#idkeitherman #avatar #avatar the legend of korra #tlok x reader #avatar x reader #the red lotus #fanfiction #gender neutral reader #x reader #ghazan #minghua #zaheer #korra #mako #bolin #beifong #wing beifong x reader #slow burn

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