application for zodion

[whitefalls]

✖ CHARACTER:
Name: Tahno
Canon: Avatar: The Legend of Korra
PB/Image: http://i.imgur.com/mwt50.png
Info links: http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Tahno
Canon Point: Episode 7
Gender & Sex: Male/Male
Age: Not stated, but I believe he's at least 18 years of age or older. As captain of his probending team, I feel Tahno would be of legal age, similar to Mako, who is also a captain. Based on the respective ages of the main characters and the show's focus on teenagers, he likely wouldn't be much older than them, though he does call Korra a "little girl." If acceptable, I'd place him around 19. If this is changed in the future, I'll update as necessary.

Birthdate/Sign:

October 24/Scorpio. Non-canon. The basis for this choice comes from several of Scorpio's characteristics I believe align with Tahno's personality and experiences. He is dynamic, in the sense of being active and energetic as the captain of his probending team, enough to maintain a four-year running championship title. This exemplifies his drive and force to obtain goals and get what he wants. His magnetism is most clearly seen during his social interactions with others; outside of probending, Tahno is surrounded by people eager to be in his company. He has a very captivating presence and intimidates those like Bolin who are aware of his reputation. This magnetism lends to a substantial fanbase; he is a celebrity, after all. Tahno exhibits a ruthless edge -- vivid during the actual championship match, where he willingly finds ways to harm his opponents. Tahno's obstinance comes from his refusal to lose; he's stubborn enough not to give up or be cowed once Korra beats him in the tiebreaker. He's a very insulting individual. In almost all of his encounters, he finds a way to demean people and call them names. And of course, change and transformation are illustrated by what happens to Tahno. He's forever altered after having his bending stripped.

I chose October 24 based on this site (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/october-24-birthday-astrology.htm). I particularly found resonance with These darkly charming individuals can treat people rudely and still be loved -- basically elucidates Tahno and his fanbase. Also, While they have a haughty disposition, they are nicer than they appear -- his conversation with Korra in Episode 7, considering the circumstances, reveals a less shallow side of Tahno.

Tattoo: Over his ass, near left hip. Size of a small fist.
Suitability: N/A
Power: Given the point I'm taking him from, he's currently bereft of powers. I'd like him to have water manipulation from the god-provided list. Possessing something very similar to his waterbending ability will make him much easier to interact with, much more willing to worship, and much more likely to acclimate to the setting.

Personality:

Upon first introduction, there is plenty to dislike in Tahno. He is invasive, rude, considered a nasty dude not to be trifled with, and has little regard for those around him. He leaves a bad impression. All of this is provided within the first few moments of him speaking, and even prior to it; Bolin fervently warns Korra not to attract Tahno's attention by insisting she doesn't look at him. As if eye contact itself is unimaginable; all it takes is the challenge underlaid in Korra's stink-eye to spark heated conflict. From this initial interaction, Tahno is clearly seeking a fight, or at least a way to look good. It's win-win: he can potentially scare his future opponents, get an edge on them, as well as an idea of who he's up against -- and perhaps do a bit of investigation on the Avatar herself. Tahno wastes no time laying into Korra and Bolin with insults. Uh-vatar becomes his choice taunt for Korra in the first confrontational dialogue between them; he knows exactly who she is but doesn't care. Posed as fearless and cocky, he's ready for anything they can dish out, completely self-assured in his abilities and his inevitable victory as the current reigning champion. What does he have to fear?

Suffice to say, the limelight is what Tahno strives to achieve. Everything he does hinges on the back of his reputation and status as a winner. He isn't used to losing; his whole self-perception stems from his ability to waterbend and his talent doing so. As a result of this conceited and arrogant outlook, he expects special treatment. Flirting with Korra during their foremost conversation is a good example, because despite Korra's esteemed status as the Avatar, he still considers himself above her, as if the Avatar would need to take 'lessons' to be at his level. With all of these negative attributes, there's no surprise Korra (and the rest of her team) straightaway have little consideration for Tahno. He owns an extremely inflated ego and sense of self; he'll do something strictly to look good, like when the Wolf-Bats are introduced during the championship fight with costumes and fireworks. His physical appearance itself is rather exaggerated, with a flashy hairstyle and overstated hand gestures, body language notably provocative. Korra even calls him 'pretty boy' as a return taunt meant to make fun of his preoccupation with looks.

Beyond those surface judgments, Tahno is a pretty scary guy, or else he seems to be. Korra surprises him (into emitting a hilarious girlish squeal) with Naga, which would hint toward less bravery than the pompous show he likes to put on. It would be remiss to say Tahno is an individual capable of ending someone's life, but he does have a generous mean streak. Bolin is petrified of Tahno's notoriety when they first run into each other. This could come from falsified rumors or shallow bragging on Tahno's part -- however, the Wolf Bats defeat an entire team and send them away on stretchers in record time. This implies they climbed toward championship status on more than luck alone, and it strikes fear into the Fire Ferret's morale.

Right alongside this, Tahno's issues of temper rear to the surface. So used to ensuring victory, he explodes as soon as Korra beats him in the tiebreaker. Also, the fact the announcer expresses surprise at the Wolf Bats cheating their way through the championship seems to insinuate it's something new; and if Tahno hasn't cheated before now, he must have seen it as the only way he could win. It could be that he was genuinely scared of losing the match against Korra. Regardless of his motivations, Tahno is fully capable of cheating and manipulating to get what he wants. He'll go to any means necessary even if it includes blatantly bribing the referee... or bribing Amon with the championship winnings to keep his bending.

Tahno's character is initially created to act as a plot device, with little redeeming qualities and a lot to find fault with. After all of that, the negative is justified against his admirable leadership abilities, his willingness to pull through, and afterward, his ability to see past his rivalry with Korra to target a common (and more lethal) enemy.

Although his closer relationships are't delved into at depth, he appears to have an authoritative presence over his two teammates, Ming and Shaozu, and they are never shown to question his decisions. He leads them around almost as a 'pack' when first confronting Korra and Bolin; later, the three cooperate to take the Fire Ferrets down through less than savory methods. Tahno barely needs to communicate with Ming when they decide to insert broken rocks into water and lash out, violating strict rules against such methods. Though Tahno is clearly recognized above the other two Wolf Bats as the captain of the team, there's no questioning how well the three work together. Outside of his team, Tahno develops an antagonistic role in the lives of the main characters. Korra, especially, seems to butt heads with him; they're both waterbenders, both stubborn, and both willing to do what it takes to win. This mellows out later on, even if Tahno continues to maintain a teasing attitude toward her.

In the end, Tahno's life revolves around his waterbending. It's how he makes his living, it's how he became popular, it's why everyone loves him. Without that, he loses his concept of self and there's nothing to fall back on. The full extent of this loss comes after Amon removes his bending; Tahno sinks into a depression. His confidence shatters, his pretentiousness dissipates. Korra encounters him later and Tahno appears to be a completely different person... at least on the outside. Despondent and grim, hair a wreck and clothes wrinkled, Tahno clearly doesn't care how people view him anymore, not how he did previously. And yet, he stills seems to continue to fight. He tells Korra to go after Amon as payback, and even calls her the Uh-vatar, in less mean spirits. Despite being stripped of his identity, remnants of the flashy and egoistic Tahno remain underneath. He hasn't yet given up, but he's definitely in a bad place by the end of his role.