[ He would explain in scientific detail. But his stomach churns queasily at the earnest innocence in her words. I've never really gotten a good look at another one before. It's less the reminder of Korra's sheltered background. More that it's still Korra. It's not his own body Hei is disconcerted by. It's a jerky transition from man to woman, sure. Especially when you base at least part of your identity on your masculinity. When you revel in the small freedoms it offers you. But he's survived worse alterations, let's be honest. Adaptation comes to him as easily as breathing. ]
[ His discomfiture is at Korra. ]
[ He's struck dumb by the hot ball of queasiness that comes from studying her. No longer seeing her beautiful face, those sleek curves, hearing the syrup-sweet alto of her voice. He has to look at her like -- like a person, for a change. He doesn't like what that says about him. ]
[ Dimly, he feels her gaze burning through him. With effort, he cuts his eyes away. Slips out of bed -- the room taking on an altered, vertiginous vantage at his new height -- and drifts to the window. The sky is streaked with slats of pink, and a yellow tungsten of sun glows brilliantly at the sea. ]
no subject
[ He would explain in scientific detail. But his stomach churns queasily at the earnest innocence in her words. I've never really gotten a good look at another one before. It's less the reminder of Korra's sheltered background. More that it's still Korra. It's not his own body Hei is disconcerted by. It's a jerky transition from man to woman, sure. Especially when you base at least part of your identity on your masculinity. When you revel in the small freedoms it offers you. But he's survived worse alterations, let's be honest. Adaptation comes to him as easily as breathing. ]
[ His discomfiture is at Korra. ]
[ He's struck dumb by the hot ball of queasiness that comes from studying her. No longer seeing her beautiful face, those sleek curves, hearing the syrup-sweet alto of her voice. He has to look at her like -- like a person, for a change. He doesn't like what that says about him. ]
[ Dimly, he feels her gaze burning through him. With effort, he cuts his eyes away. Slips out of bed -- the room taking on an altered, vertiginous vantage at his new height -- and drifts to the window. The sky is streaked with slats of pink, and a yellow tungsten of sun glows brilliantly at the sea. ]
[ Quietly, he asks, ]
What do you plan to do today?