Author Notes
This pretty much covers the plot of episode 1 with a few extra details! Enjoy and check out the other Korrasami work I have ongoing! Tumblr: Ravensbomb100
Asami was still in two minds about the aesthetic value of the spirits vines as they covered city hall from top to bottom, along with almost 70% of the rest of the buildings in Republic City. In fact some of those buildings had been lost entirely to the spirits and the vines, with the former residents having been moving into emergency shelters on the outskirts of town. Even Mako and Bolin had lost their apartment to Unalaq's actions two weeks ago, though the former stubbornly refused Tenzin's offer to stay on Air Temple Island unlike his unusually more sensible brother. The engineer had heard rumblings that Mako was actually sleeping under his desk in the police station. Is he really that much of a sulker?
A hasty construction meeting with President Raiko to contract Future Industries to fix some of the insanely large pot holes(borderline death pits to the core of the earth) that the vines had created all over the city ended rather fruitlessly. Apparently "Miss Sato was asking for far too much money" in assisting with repairs. And some how Hiroshi's name had even been dragged into it, bringing a persistently haunting image of her father in chains to mind.
First Hiroshi, then Varrick, even Mako and now Raiko, they all wanted to or had taken advantage of her. How close she had came to losing her family's company and then having her heart broken for a second occasion. It made bile rise in her throat and her head throb. I have to stop being so trusting...look where its got me.
The tenseness of the meeting had put Asami in a foul mood when she'd eventually been half forced out of Raiko's office because apparently he had a press conference to attend to. She planned to drive straight back to the stupidly big Sato mansion and dive into some paperwork, inventories, bills, bank statements, anything to distract really. If Varrick's company's bank account hadn't been emptied to compensate Future Industries when Asami was reinstated as CEO again then she'd have no paperwork to distract herself with at all.
Going home had been delayed when Asami tried to shove her way through the crowd of reporters gathered outside the steps of city hall and found herself engrossed with what was happening at the top of the steps. Raiko had started to talk, trying to dodge questions and reassure, flustering all the while. Asami couldn't help but curl her lip as she stopped to watch the press onslaught. This sight made her feel slightly better.
A male reporter at her side raised his arm frantically and boomed out a question. "Mr. President, are you concerned that your approval ratings are now nearly as low as the Avatar's? Have you seen today's headline? It says, "Raik-Oh-No. Polls pan, Prez plans!" "
The mention of Korra dropped Asami's lips back down into a scowl as she glared at the report beside her. Even though Asami and Korra barely spoke at all, except for exchanging a few pleasantries now and then whilst trying not to mention any Mako drama - also that one late night conversation on the boat back from the south pole - it still didn't sit right at all that Korra was getting most of the public back lash for this.
The vines were the fault of Unalaq and Vaatu. All the Avatar had done was prevent the end of the world and eternal darkness. Hardly a thing to be punished for yet here they were. If anything the President was to blame. When Korra had asked Raiko for help outside the Pro-bending Arena, warning him about the world ending danger Unalaq presented, Mr President had outright refused. If he'd just sent troops maybe they could've got to the portal in time and stopped any of this from happening.
Raiko batted the question away. "I'm not concerned with snappy put-downs in the press. I'm facing this calamity just like every other citizen. There's a tree growing right through my office." You poor thing. You think I'm not doing everything I can to get rid of it?"
The press didn't seem at all satisfied with that answer as a wave of voices shouted angrily. President Raiko wrung his hands uncomfortably as he looked pleadingly towards his press officer across the stage. Then his bacon was saved, again, when a blue object drifted down towards the top of the steps. Korra.
Oh no. This was the last place the Avatar should be, especially given the last performance Korra had made in front of the press in Republic City. Tarrlok had played her masterfully. Then again, Korra had handled the crowd in the Southern Water Tribe wonderfully after liberating them. That was the first time Asami had seen her – friend? - as a fully fledged Avatar both physically and spiritually. She had seemed so grown up and mature.
"A few questions please?" someone called from the other side of the crowd.
Korra folded away her glider smoothly and stepped forward. Her air bending cushioned landing had ruffled President Raiko's press prepared hair and glasses. He looked rather peeved. Asami found herself smiling widely.
The same reporter at Asami's side shouted again. "Avatar Korra! Do you regret the way you handled the Unalaq crisis?"
Cameras starting flashing in every direction as Korra opened her mouth to speak.
"- Why are you forcing the integration of spirits in Republic City?" another voice interrupted.
Korra managed to stay remarkably calm. When had the Avatar grown up so much? "Listen, I've been trying everything I can think of to get rid of these vines, but-"
"Why can't you fix this?"
"Are the vines here to stay?"
" Is this part of your New World Order?"
Korra pouted furiously. There she was. The Korra Asami remembered. " Look! Harmonic Convergence was just a couple weeks ago. I just need a little more time to get everything back to normal."
Raiko practically pushed the Avatar away from the microphone. Asami felt her anger rising in her throat. Why was she feeling this angry on Korra's behalf? "The Avatar has put us all in a very difficult position. But my administration-"
"-Oh! I'm sorry. Did I put you in a difficult position by fighting the giant force of pure evil that was going to destroy the whole world?" Korra interrupted angrily as she grabbed the President under his chin and moved his head up and down as she spoke. "Maybe your administration could've handled that!" Uh oh. Raiko and Korra leaned into each other, looking like they were about to come to blows.
I should try and diffuse this, Asami thought as she shoved her way out of the press swarm and to the edge of the stage. Chief Beifong had already broken them up as she pushed the Avatar and President away from each other.
"That's all! No more questions!" the older woman boomed as President Raiko stormed back into city hall. The metal bending police starting shooing the press away when they continued to bombard a downtrodden looking Avatar with questions.
Korra was left completely alone on the stage, gripping her glider handle tightly. I should – I should do something. Is that weird? We barely talk at all. But she's all alone after that mess. Who else is going to cool her down?
Asami walked cautiously across the stage. The Avatar stared out into nowhere.
"This is a disaster..." Korra mumbled to herself. Or was she actually talking to Asami? They hadn't had more than a 5 minute conversation in the last 2 weeks.
Asami leaned down to try and meet the Korra's gaze. Taller. Asami was taller than the Avatar. Another fact the engineer had managed to look over somehow. No pun intended.
"Don't worry. We'll figure something out," Asami reassured with a warm smile.
Korra continued to stare anywhere but in Asami's direction. "Easy for you to say," she cut in sharply. Asami recoiled slightly. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. What did she know about comforting or calming down Korra? Stay. She won't exactly air bend you off the stage. "You don't have my poll numbers. Eight percent approval? Who were they asking?" Definitely not me.
"You can't take that to heart," Asami assured as she leaned down again. "People are just frustrated."
"I don't blame them. I should be able to fix this. I'm the Avatar," Korra shook her head angrily as she finally met Asami's gaze. That made Asami's face feel a little hot. Damn Republic City sunshine.
In any regard, maybe Asami would speak to Raiko again about that reconstruction work and drop her price. That would hopefully make Korra feel a little less helpless.
"Thanks though, I appreciate your intervention otherwise I might've air bent all those reporters over," Korra grinned wearily as she gestured to what remained of the press gathered.
"I would've liked to have seen that," Asami returned the grin as she followed Korra's gaze.
A strong hand on her shoulder nearly made Asami jump out of her skin and sent an unfamiliar tingling up her spine. Did she forget to eat today or something? "Do you have your car with you?" Korra asked casually. Did she...did Korra want to drive it?
"I'm not going to drive it!" Korra laughed loudly as she guided Asami down the city hall steps. "You looked like you were about to throw up! Is the thought of me driving really that horrifying?"
"Yes, yes it is," Asami replied instantly which made Korra grin. It was a nice feeling to make the Avatar grin like that. "Maybe I can properly teach you how to drive when you have some free time. That'll prevent you smashing up any more of my motors."
"Why don't you come back to Air Temple Island for some lunch with me – and Bolin. Bolin's there too. Plus I can't really be bothered air gliding my way back, and I'm starving, and you're more than welcome. Pema always makes loads. But I mean, you don't have to either, in fact you're probably super busy," Korra muttered frantically as they walked.
"Lunch sounds great. It'll be good to catch up with you - everyone," Asami answered cheerfully as she tapped Korra gratefully on the shoulder before pulling out her keys. Why did touching Korra feel like some grand gesture now? Asami's hand had touched Korra plenty of times before.
I need to get more sleep at night. And eat more. And stay out of the sun. It's making me some shaking, babbling mess.
Lunch was surprising in a lot of ways. The fact that Korra invited her at all was a surprise, and then the whole Bumi air bending thing. That was pretty shocking too. The real highlight however was their uncomfortable exchange with Mako. Their ex was so incredibly flustered around them and then went into complete cop mode and marched away. Actually worse than that. He'd saluted them. Asami felt herself cringing for him all over again as she walked towards her car at the dock, Avatar in tow.
The last time she'd been here with Korra the Avatar had stormed past her to meet with Varrick. They really hadn't got on well back then. As much as Asami greatly admired Korra, she was never sure how to approach her in conversation, always feeling like Korra didn't really have much time for her as nothing more than a sort of business partner, a fighting partner.
When Bolin said that Team Avatar was drifting apart Asami had really felt it, she'd been feeling it for 6 months. Mako and Korra were dating and spent most of their time together, being with them whilst they were in each others faces wasn't exactly pleasant. Bolin was busy pro-bending and getting his ass kicked, and Asami had sat for hours on end trying to repair Future Industries reputation after she took the company on.
"I can't believe it. More air benders. It's so exciting. I wonder what caused it?" Korra spoke enthusiastically.
Asami glanced at some of the nearby spirit vines. Harmonic convergence probably had something to with it. Or was that a crack pot theory? Asami knew little to nothing about the spirits.
"I'm sure we'll find out. Mako and Tenzin are already on the case," Asami teased as she pulled her car keys out.
"I bet we can find that guy before Mako does!" Korra boasted before her eyes widened when a set of keys were tossed into her hands. "You know I'm not every good at this."
Asami smiled and narrowed her gaze. Korra gave her an odd look. "You're the Avatar. Master of all four elements. You should know how to drive," Asami spoke softly as she tossed some of her glossy hair behind her shoulder. "Besides. It's relaxing." Wait...why had she done that, in that way? It was no wonder Korra looked so confused.
"Alright. It's your funeral," Korra muttered as she hopped into the driving seat.
Asami clambered in beside her as she reached across to the ignition, hand grazing against the Avatar's who had already put the key inside. Korra recoiled back slightly. "Um – I, I know how to turn the engine on. I'm not that bad."
"You haven't put your seatbelt on yet," Asami quickly tried to recover as she stared at the road with all her strength.
"Oh, right, yeh. Good idea. Safety first and all that," Korra grinned as she clipped in her belt. "I wish I'd had a seatbelt for fighting Unalaq. Then maybe he wouldn't have been able to toss me around and take my past lives."
Korra had said it so casually that Asami didn't know how to respond. What had happened to the Avatar sounded horrific. Devastating. And nobody would ever understand how that pain felt either. That was probably the worst part about it. Being the Avatar was a lonely life in a lot of ways.
Instead Asami changed the subject. "Now, when you press down on the pedal, don't go full force like you do with everything else. A sato mobile is a finely tuned mode of transport. She needs to be handled with care."
"You always floor it," Korra pointed out as the engine roared into life and they moved forward slowly.
"I'm allowed to. I built this thing after Sato 1.0 became Mecha Tank chow."
"From scratch? That's actually pretty amazing," Korra noted with an impressed smile. That made Asami's spine tingle again like it had earlier, but it was worse this time. It was odd to think that Korra didn't know she built her own cars. They really knew so little about each other.
A few minutes of terrifying driving later and they were on the main road, with other cars and Asami was sure she was about to have a heart attack.
"Clutch!" she barked at Korra as the car ground to a halt and lurched forward again, throwing them both forward in their seats. "Clutch!" Another lurch forward. Good thing they'd put their seatbelts on.
Korra frantically pressed her boot down against anything. "That's the break..." Asami exhaled heavily as they stopped completely. "Let's try again."
Korra looked at her with concern, her hands were shaking around the steering wheel she was clinging to for dear life.
"You ready?"
Suddenly Korra's expression became very severe. She raised her arm up against her skull and saluted firmly.
Asami thought her heart was about to burst as she laughed loudly, Korra joining in for a few seconds. The next time the Avatar turned the key her driving seemed a lot more controlled and calm as they moved forward at a steady rate. What had made Korra so nervous before?
"How long do you think talking to Mako is going to be like pulling teeth?" Korra smiled as she looked ahead.
"Well Mako has never been 'the most in touch with his feelings guy'. But it'll get better eventually," Asami assured as she watched the Avatar at her side. This was nice. Actually talking.
"So when I was gone, did he tell you we broke up?"
Asami felt her stomach churning a little, knowing what awkward thing she would have to admit here. "Yeh. We all knew. Sorry."
A deep blush set across Korra's face as she closed her eyes firmly. "That's pretty embarrassing."
"Actually, I need to tell you something about that, and I should've told you this sooner, but...While you were gone, I... kind of... kissed him. I'm sorry," Asami admitted as she looked at Korra out of the corner of her eye and ringed her hands. I really should've said sooner. Bad. Bad Sato.
If she wanted to be friends with Korra she had to start being honest about things. Korra appreciated honesty.
Korra responded in the opposite way Asami had expected and laughed loudly. "No wonder he's so nervous around us!" This was why Asami wanted to be friends with Korra. This kind of positivity and general...coolness...
"You're not mad?" Asami asked incredulously as she examined Korra's expression.
"No! I mean, I kissed Mako when he was going out with you, so," Korra smirked with half closed eyes. That was true, but it didn't stop Asami feeling guilty. She did feel the strongest urge to wipe that smug look off the Avatar's face, even if only for a few seconds.
"You what?" Asami replied with a snarl, narrowing her brows.
Korra looked thoroughly appalled as she faced Asami with wide eyes. Cute... "I'm so sorry! I thought you knew!"
Oh this was just cruel. "I'm just kidding. I knew a long time ago," Asami replied softly as she turned her head in a little more.
Korra's entire body seemed to lose all its tension at those words as she laughed again. It was a laugh Asami was quickly growing fond of. "Well, whatever happened with Mako, I'm glad it hasn't come between us. I've never had a girl friend to hang out with and talk to before, except for Naga," Korra smiled. Don't read into that. Why are you reading into that at all? Stop. Asami smiled back, a little awkwardly. "This is nice."
The innocent expression on Korra's face told Asami all she needed to know. There was nothing at all to read into. Not that Asami wanted to read into it that way anyway. Korra was just a friend. Finally, she could call the Avatar a friend without it feeling like a lie or exaggeration.
This really is nice.
The biggest, flashiest, airship in the Future Industries fleet was well into its maiden flight as Asami sat beside her pilot, feeling a tingling urge to take hold of the controls and drive this herself. But she had a much more important task at hand. Bringing back the Air Nation which Korra had somehow revived by leaving the spirit portals open.
"How is she?" Asami inquired casually as she leaned back in her chair and listened to the relatively quiet engines.
"She handles like a dream Miss Sato. For an airship of this size, it's truly incredible. I mean, just listen to how quiet those engines are," the pilot smiled as he looked around for a second. The cockpit of the ship and the general meeting area behind it was the largest room in the ship, feeling more like a luxury mansion than a metal box in flight. "I can't even imagine your father could create something like, it's a privilege to work with someone so intelligent and talented."
Asami nodded in appreciation though the mention of her father made her frown unconsciously. "Thank you, just keep her steady and we'll be picking up air benders in no time."
The sound of charging footsteps made Asami spin in her chair as Bolin sprinted through the meeting and back into the adjoining corridor, shrieking in panic all the while.
"I don't have it Mako, I swear! Besides, who made you the air police?!" Bolin shouted as he disappeared out of sight.
Mako appeared a few seconds later, looking flustered and furious as he leapt over a chair and pursued Bolin back into the corridor. "It's not funny! Give me back my log book now!"
Asami managed to suppress a giggle until Mako was out of sight again. At least they'd managed to convince him to come along. It would've felt wrong for Team Avatar to be down a member on such an important mission. In fact, Asami hadn't been as excited in years when she'd found out Tenzin and Korra's plan, especially when she was asked to come along.
Korra emerged from the corridor at that moment, panting from running as she stumbled over to Asami.
"What was all that about?" Asami asked with a cocked eyebrow as she stood from her chair and stared a little too long when the Avatar flexed her impressive arm muscles.
Korra didn't seem to notice one bit.
"I might've accidentally knocked Mako's log book off the side of the airship when Bumi and I were having an air bending spar..." Korra admitted as she rubbed the back of her head. "And I also kinda told him that Bolin stole it."
Asami laughed loudly as she and the Avatar wandered over to the meeting area where a map of the Earth Kingdom lay on the table. Asami was expecting Korra to sit across from her, instead the Avatar made her stomach lurch when she plopped herself down beside the engineer and pushed their chairs closer together.
"That would certainly explain why they just came tearing through here," Asami breathed quickly as she placed a hand on the map over Ba Sing Se. It was weird that they'd had so little reports of air benders from the biggest city in the country. Guess they'd find out why when they eventually got there. "I dread to think of the poor person that'll pick that book up. Imagining having to read that?"
Korra laughed loudly and then straightened her face into a Mako like expression. "9am, Republic City, patrolling Kyoshi Avenue. Weather is – cloudy. Chance of rain. Will make detailed notes if circumstances change."
Asami fell back in her chair giggling before she found the breath to join in. "Avatar Korra and Miss Asami Sato spotted getting some noodles from Takashi's. Possibly to eat. Put out an all points bulletin so that I don't have to make any contact with them. Please."
Korra actually did fall out of her chair laughing and it took Asami several seconds to pull her back onto the seat. The Avatar was really, really heavy. All that muscle...
"Um...was that too harsh?" Asami giggled apprehensively.
Korra narrowed her expression and waved with her hands. "No way. It was too accurate. That's why I just fell on my butt."
"Tell your butt I'm sorry," Asami teased as she glanced towards her pilot who was pretending not to listen.
"Don't worry about it. Mako's the butt of all jokes at the moment," Korra grinned at the engineer, tapping her arm reassuringly as she spoke.
"How about I give you a proper tour of the airship now that we've set off?" Asami beamed as she stood up and offered the Avatar a hand. When Korra grasped her fingers it set Asami's nerves on fire, but it was a good feeling none the less. She was pretty disappointed when Korra let go quickly afterwards.
"Sure. Is this like an private, exclusive tour? And is there a swimming pool?" Korra teased with a raised eyebrow.
"Avatar exclusive. So I guess only you can go," Asami reasoned playfully with a hand under her chin. "And, no, there isn't a swimming pool. I mean, you could try and make one with some water and metal bending-"
"-I was kidding about the pool! I can't believe you even considered something so dangerous at this altitude!" Korra shrieked with mock horror. "Besides I can't metal bend." Oh yeh...Sometimes it was easy to forget that Korra couldn't do absolutely everything.
"Alright, no swimming pools, lets go Avatar Korra," Asami smiled as she gestured towards the conference room exit.
"After you, Miss Sato," Korra teased with a wink. A wink that send Asami's heart racing as she walked with rigid arms. The Avatar was definitely good at that. Disabling Asami with a look. Why was Korra able to that now? She'd never had that effect before. I'll figure out my mess of a head at a later date. We've got a nation to restore first.
End Notes
Dorky, unaware Asami is such a joy to write for thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks for the kudos, comments and bookmarks so far. Much love.
