A/N: I was discussing Republic City politics earlier today on tumblr and this was spawn. Oh, uh, slight mild spoiler for something in The Rebel Spirit.
Disclaimer: I don't own.
Its been three months since Amon's defeat and subsequent disappearance (and presumed death). Republic City is rebuilding and Korra works to try to restore people's bending while working on mastering air. It's not exactly exciting but she's finally airbending and feels like she's helping people.
On her way out of the City Hall she overhears (eavesdrops on) a conversation that startles her. She knows that there are problems in the City (massive complicated ones that, from some of the rants she's heard from Mako, haven't been dealt with in a very long time) but this is one (of the many) she's not sure how to fix.
But she does have someone she can talk to about it so she seeks out her friend.
It takes awhile and a few different places before she finds Asami at Future Industries factory, tinkering with her moped.
"Hi," she says.
"Hey Korra," Asami says as she wipes off her hands on a rag. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to talk to you," Korra admits.
"Oh, well could it have waited until dinner?"
Korra mentally sighs because, well, yes it could but she wanted to talk now. "I guess but I already came all this way…" she trails off.
Asami shrugs and sits down on her moped. "Ok shoot."
"Well, see, I was at City Hall and I kind of overheard a debate about what to do about the continued non-bender issues and, well, I wanted to know what it was like for a non-bender living here."
Asami bites her lip before she begins. "I remember some kids in school making fun of me because I couldn't bend. But there were more of us who couldn't bend so we banded together. Plus there were rules about bending in school. As I got older I did notice how some of the kids who were benders felt like they were better than everyone else. Except me. I guess because of my dad and everything."
"So it's just always been a thing?" Korra asked. She tries to think about the non-benders in the South Pole. To her they were still just kids or adults who looked at her with reverence but never tried to speak to her.
Asami shrugs. "I guess. I've also seen ads for jobs that says only a certain kind of bender can apply or no benders at all."
Korra sighs. "It's not going to change, is it?"
"Not over night but things are changing. The election is soon and Beifong is now actively trying to recruit different benders and non-benders into the police force."
Korra nods. "You think it's for the best?" While she wants everything to be better immediately she's beginning to understand that's not possible.
"I do. Things need to change and I think people are finally trying to do something about it." They're silent for a little and Asami begins to gather her tools and put them in her tool box.
Korra finally breaks the silence with a calm "do you need a ride to the ferry? Naga's waiting right outside."
"Thanks," Asami accepts. Korra silently decides that she's going to ask Asami every so often about how she feels non-benders are being treated. To remind her that her work is never done.
Reviews are awesome.