Ping Fa's eyes hadn't yet adjusted to the room, which, he assumed, was the point. He'd been in there often enough to know that the thin slats of light on the ground were from the venetian blinds. Empty Hand Asami would be sitting behind her desk.
"It's true," he said. "Everyone's recruiting extra muscle."
"And you?" she asked, her tone void of any emotion.
Ping licked his lips. Should he have done something? "I… uh… wanted to get orders before taking action, because the situation has not yet come to a head."
When she spoke, Ping could hear the smile in her voice, "Well done. Your orders are to recruit extra muscle. Stop the recruitment of other triads on our turf. Take out their extra muscle, stealthily."
Ping was beginning to see his surroundings. If he squinted, he could make out Empty Hand Asami's hands folded across the top of the desk. She wore her usual attire; a scarlet hat, a matching jacket, and a white tank top underneath.
Ping nodded, as she continued. "Delegate the taking out of their muscle. Stealth has never been your forte. Issue to order to enforce our boundaries immediately."
Ping nodded again, "Are you sure you don't want to push forward?"
"Yes," she said simply.
Ping waited for an elaboration, but she did not give one. He nodded.
"Dismissed," she said.
After Ping had closed the door behind him, Asami opened the bottom right drawer of her desk. She reached into the back of the cabinet, and pulled out the file she was looking for.
It was quite unnecessary, and Empty Hand Asami rarely did things that were unnecessary. But her eyes were continually drawn to this file; to the profile of this woman; little more than a girl, really; who her plan hinged on. She pulled out the profile that was paper clipped to the rest of the file, studying the woman's face.
Avatar Korra had a loud air of power around her; one that begged for attention, with her excitable blue eyes and developed muscles. She did not look like someone who had the subtlety required to master all four elements. But she had; a hundred thousand times in a hundred thousand lifetimes. And she was on her way to doing it again; she only had air left to master.
Well, good for her. Asami didn't really care about Avatar Korra; she cared what the Avatar could do for her. The Avatar was coming to Republic City, to master airbending; and that's where Asami's plan came in.
Asami pulled another file out of the desk drawer, this one in the front. The files were, of course, alphabetized. It was something Lao had given her, when she'd been having a particularly rotten week; something he thought would cheer her up.
And cheer her up it had; Asami was staring at a picture of herself.
Asami Sato, the file read. Alias Empty Hand Asami. Known leader of Platinum Blade triad. Wanted in Republic City, the Earth Kingdom, and the Fire Nation for charges of; organized crime, murder, conspiracy, destruction of property, arson… the list went on. Asami would have quite the rap sheet, if she'd ever been arrested.
That particular file made her throw back her head and laugh. What Beifong wouldn't give to have her in handcuffs and behind bars! Or, if Asami was right, in handcuffs and in her bed. Asami smirked to herself. She wouldn't mind the second one.
"You're awfully happy," observed a voice from the door.
"Been looking at your most recent gift," Asami said, nodding to the file.
"Did you see the one about me?"
"Yeah. Alias Left Foot Lao; name unknown. Six-foot-three earthbender, known for being left-handed," Asami quoted from the file. "Known for being left-handed? Gee, you don't say! Wouldn't have guessed from the name or anything."
"Six-foot-three?" Lao quoted. "I'm six-four!"
"It's one inch," Asami said, replacing the paperclips and putting the file back in place.
"Are you still going out tonight?" Lao asked.
"I would've told you if I wasn't," Asami said.
"I still think it's a bad idea."
"I couldn't have asked for a better time," Asami argued. "The Triple Threats will be downtown making a ruckus tonight around six thirty. That'll keep Beifong busy while I'm out and about. It's disputed territory, so I'll have something to run from. It's like the cosmos are begging me to do it."
"Are you sure she'll be arrogant enough to think you need saving?"
"Please," Asami snorted. "We're talking about the girl who ripped up three city blocks, destroyed the front half of several stores, and evaded arrest all for the sake of a petty shopkeeper. Trust me, this damsel in distress thing will work like a dream."
"If you're sure…" Lao said.
Asami massaged her temples, "I can see that even though this plan has been thought through down to the last detail and the timing is perfect, you're still not going to go along with it."
"I think it's too early," Lao explained. "And I think you're too stubborn to call it off for the sake of your pride."
"Says the earthbender."
"Point taken," Lao said. Then, he sighed, "Look, no matter what you decide, I'll back you up. And enforce your decision."
"Thank you," Asami said.
"I just wish you would-"
Asami's glare cut him off.
Awhile after Lao left, it was time. Asami removed the jacket and hat, deciding that the triad boss look wouldn't really go well with this situation. Unless Avatar Korra really was as arrogant as she looked.