Gala
One Year Ago
"Korra?"
Korra looked up from her work, a new Satomobile roadster, to see her boss Hiroshi Sato walking into her workshop dressed to the nines. Oh. Right. The gala tonight for Asam—Avatar Sato. "Good evening sir," she said taking off her goggles and taking a sip from her coffee mug not minding that the coffee was cold by now, "You're looking very sharp this evening."
"Thank you Korra. How's it coming along?"
Korra sighed. "It's a balancing act. It needs to be light and nimble but the engine is weighing it down. If the Law of Physics didn't exist we'd get a lot more stuff out."
"Hmm," he hummed stroking his moustache. "Perhaps a whole new engine might be necessary."
Korra's heart sank a little as she knew it would cause the project to run longer. She didn't mind working in satomobile division but she did want to branch a bit more.
She shrugged. "Probably."
"I know you can do it."
She took off her work gloves. "I appreciate the level of confidence you have in me. I really do. But this was suppose to be a quick project before transferring to the aerodynamics division."
Hiroshi gave her a sympathetic look. "I know that you had your heart set on that but you're the best I got in Satomobiles. Besides let them the boys in aerodynamics work the kinks out first. I hate to lose my best engineer because someone put the wings on wrong."
"But it's fine if it happens to your test pilots?"
Hiroshi shrugged. "They were crazy enough to volunteer in the first place."
Korra chuckled as she wiped the grease off her hands. She glanced behind Hiroshi. "So is Asami with you?"
"No. She said she'd meet us there." Since her return to Republic City Hiroshi had only managed to see her a few times with the first being bailing her out of jail on her first day back. Apparently she had gotten arrested taking on some triads. Since then she had been staying on Air Temple Island to learn airbending.
"'Us'," she asked.
"Of course. You've been working very hard and you deserve a night off. Besides Asami asked if you were going to be there.
"Really?" Korra felt her cheeks heat up and hoped she wasn't blushing especially in front of her boss. She turned to toss the rag onto the workbench in order to hide her face. "That was nice of her."
"Also I believe her probending teammates will be joining us. You know them I believe." Hiroshi never had a problem with probending before as far as Korra could tell but ever since Asami had joined the Fire Ferrets he made no secret that he was not pleased with her decision.
"I guess this new engine can wait. Let me just change."
"Oh and Korra, a dress this evening."
"What's wrong with my suit?" When she wasn't dressed in her usual black and blue Future Industries jacket, she wore tailored navy-colored suit.
"Korra, it's technically a man's suit."
"Only in style. Besides the press seem to like it." Hiroshi gave her look. "Fine."
City Hall was quite packed when they arrived. After having to endure the flashes of the cameras and shouting of questions by the press they made their way onto the floor and mingled with the crowd. Hiroshi shook hands with pretty much everybody while Korra opted to hang back. Despite slight protest earlier she admired how she looked in her blue dress. Not bad at all.
Suddenly conversation in the room stopped and was replaced by applause. Her attention was drawn to the entrance and in particular the group that had walked in. The bright red and orange robes stood out in the crowd as the Councilman Tenzin and his family entered the room. Ahead of them was the Avatar. She stood there in a red dress smiling politely at the crowd.
"Thank you everyone," she said. "It's good to be home again." Another round of applause and camera flashes. She saw the Councilman Tarrlok slither up to her in order to complete the photo op. The smile remained on Asami's face but Korra could see the slight change from genuine to forced.
She turned her head to gauge Hiroshi's reaction and saw that he was visually disgusted with the display before him.
"He is the very model of a modern politician," said Korra lightly in an attempt to get a chuckle out of her employer.
Hiroshi merely hummed and stroked his moustache. He suddenly took Korra's hand and started walking towards Asami. "Come on. Let me introduce you."
"Introduce me or rescue the Avatar."
"Both."
By the time they reached Asami Lin had just walked up to her, got right into her face and remarked snidely, "Just because the city's throwing you this big to-do don't think you're something special. You've done absolutely nothing to deserve this."
Asami regarded the Chief of Police coolly and even raised an eyebrow at her, giving Beifong a slightly amused look. Korra didn't think it was possible but the scowl on Lin's face intensified. With a grunt she turned and walked away.
"Hi Dad," said Asami brightly, turning her attention away from the departing chief. Father and daughter embraced each other in a big hug. Korra could see just from their expressions and body language they were making up for lost time, all those years Asami spent training and traveling all over the world. She could also see Tarrlok straightening his suit and about to intrude upon this father-daughter moment and turn it into another photo opportunity. Korra managed to catch the councilman's eye at which she narrowed her eyes and shook her head, making her warning clear. Tarrlok's expression went from shock to annoyed to smug. He crossed his arms and regarded her as the press photographers maneuvered around him to get a good shot of Hiroshi and Asami.
Hiroshi pulled back and planted a kiss on Asami's forehead. This elicited 'awwws' from the crowd.
"Alright folks," said Hiroshi, "Nothing to see here. Enjoy your evening." The crowd for the most part did disperse and Hiroshi managed deflect any questions addressed to him or Asami with, "Later, later."
Korra saw Tarrlok had slithered away but she knew he'd be back.
"Korra." Hiroshi's voice grabbed her attention. When she turned her gaze she froze as the Avatar was no more than five feet away from her standing beside her father. This was the first time she managed to see Asami up close aside from the occasional photograph that Hiroshi liked to show around the office when he received one in the mail. Emerald eyes. Long flowing black hair.
She's beautiful.
Get a hold of yourself!
Korra hoped that Hiroshi and Asami had interpreted whatever dumb expression was on her face as merely being nervous.
"I present to you, for the first time in the flesh, my daughter Asami. Asami, this is Korra my star engineer."
Korra couldn't help be embarrassed by this label especially in front of Asami. After all it could've been her had she not been selected by whatever spiritual force as the next incarnation of the Avatar.
Korra bowed. "It is truly an honor to meet you Avatar Sato."
Asami smiled and bowed back. "Please call me Asami. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Dad has written about you in his letters."
Korra grinned. "Hopefully good things." Hiroshi chuckled.
"Of course," beamed Asami, "If its' not a problem I would love to visit your workshop when I have a day off." She paused to regard Tenzin who was trying to keep his youngest child Meelo under control. "If I have a day off."
Korra laughed and could've sworn Asami's smile grew wider. "My workshop is always opened to you."
Unfortunately the conversation was cut short by a loud, cheerful voice.
"Asami! Korra!" Bolin approached the group with his hands filled with orderves which he was he stuffing his face with in between words. "Mmm these little snacks are delicious. Glad to see you two have met."
Asami looked at Korra curiously. "You know Bolin?"
Korra nodded. "Yep. I'm a fan of probending. I often listen to the matches when I'm working late which is all the time. That and I'm also…"
"Hey babe."
Korra internally sighed as a familiar face came forward. "Hey Mako." She noted the look of surprise and something else she couldn't determine on Asami's face.
"Korra ran over Mako with her moped," explained Bolin to Asami before popping another snack into his mouth.
Asami turned her gaze to Korra. "Really?"
Korra grinned and crossed her arms. "Well actually, it was more like Mako stepped in front of my moped." Mako huffed which only made her smile more. Annoying her boyfriend was her favorite pastime of hers as he was always wound so tight and had a quick temper. Their relationship, initially very fun and innocent as well as an opportunity for Korra to actually have a social life, was losing a bit of its steam.
As the Fire Ferrets were nearing the championship Mako had been devoting more and more time to practicing and less and less to her. Korra understood and didn't nag him about it but then he made the charge at her that she wasn't spending enough with him. Korra didn't hesitate to call him out on his hypocrisy. The turning point was that night Korra was feverishly working on one of the new V8s that was going to be demonstrated tomorrow in front of a crowd of reporters, potential clients and her boss. The phone rang. It was Mako and in the rush to finalize and perfect her new engine, Korra had completely forgotten about a dinner date they had schedule for tonight. The conversation didn't last long as Korra was in no mood to handle the sound of her boyfriend's voice especially when he was agitated as it reached a higher octave. The phone was slammed down onto its receiver and after a period of continuous ringing the chord was ripped from the wall.
Since then apologies and overtures were made but for Korra the relationship had lost its sheen. But she was reluctant to end it. She was hoping that it would naturally end in a, hopefully, amicably way and they could continue being friends because she generally cared for Mako and there were certainly things to like about him but just wasn't romantic partner material. But she knew deep down that wouldn't happen, Mako certainly wouldn't. Not to mention their relationship had already quickly progressed to the physical stage. Sex has a way of complicating things.
"Small world," remarked Asami as she took a glass from a waiter's tray. For a moment Korra feared that Asami might be annoyed with her for dating her teammate. Her fears were quickly put to rest when Asami took another glass of wine from the tray and handed it to her.
Asami raised her glass. "Cheers."
Korra smiled. "Cheers."
"Chmmers," said Bolin through a mouthful of food. Korra and Asami laughed as Mako let out a sigh and rubbed his temples.
When Korra ventured to the banquet table to get another glass she bumped into a notable and familiar face, the blue arrow tattooed on his forehead and the unique beard stood out, but one she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting in person.
"Councilman Tenzin." He turned and looked down at her. He more than anyone in her life, with the exception of her father, made her feel so small. She bowed her head slightly. "Korra. Future Industries."
He bowed back. "Nice to meet you."
She smiled and reached over to grab a glass. She hoped to pick his brain over his vast knowledge of airbending and gliders. Hopefully such information would be helpful to her in her own pursuits in aerodynamics.
But that was quickly dashed.
"Excuse me," he said in a monotone voice. He was already across the floor before she could say anything. She sighed and downed half of the wine in her glass in one gulp.
"You'll have to excuse him," came a pleasant voice. Korra turned and saw a very pregnant woman dressed in air acolyte robes walking up to her. "He's like that. He's more connected with the cosmos and the spiritual world than he is with other human beings."
"So I've observed," said Korra flashing a lopsided grin. She was immediately at ease with this woman whom she deduced was the councilman's wife. In a way she reminded her of her own mother Senna.
"Pema." Her pleasant expression suddenly changed to one of exhaustion as nearby her daughters had gotten into an intense argument. "Excuse me one moment," she said to Korra before turning to her children. "Girls!"
At the sharp tone of her voice the argument between the two girls came to an abrupt halt as they turned with worried glances towards their mother. A second later they had their arms raised and fingers pointed at one another, ready to lay blame on the other.
"I don't want to hear it. Don't get me into one of my moods," warned Pema. It must've been a very dangerous thing to get on the bad side of a pregnant woman as the girls clamped their mouths shut. "Where were we," asked Pema turning back to Korra, her voice once again pleasant, "Oh yes. Please excuse my husband. Truth be told he really didn't want Asami to attend this event. Tarrlok has been constantly harassing her to join this fight against the Equalists."
Korra was able to spot Asami through the crowd and saw that Tarrlok had, again, been able to draw her away from her father and friends. She watched with suspicion as Tarrlock navigated Asami through the crowd, endlessly talking while Asami listened to him politely but showing some trepidation. Korra looked around to see if Hiroshi, Tenzin, Mako or Bolin were following the pair but they were wrapped up in enjoying the festivities. Well the others were, Tenzin was dealing with Meelo.
"Go on." Korra turned back to Pema, embarrassed at having ignored her.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I meant no offens—"
Pema smiled and held up her hand. "No need to apologize. Now go. The Avatar needs to be rescued I believe."
Korra nodded and ventured after the Avatar and the smarmy politician. She found them on the steps leading to the entry hall of the building. At the foot of the stairs was the press. Of course.
"Of course." Korra wasn't alone. She turned and saw that Chief Beifong stood beside her to watch the display below. "She certainly takes after her father," said the chief in a tone that showed that her words were anything but complimentary.
She thinks that Asami is soaking all of this up, thought Korra.
She was about to respond when she heard very clearly from the crow of reporters, "Avatar Sato, you witnessed Amon take away people's bending firsthand. How serious a threat does he pose to the innocent citizens of Republic City?"
Asami nervously cleared her throat. "Well I think he does present a very clear danger to the ci—"
Even before she finished speaking there was a flurry of additional questions and more camera flashes. Korra could clearly see Asami was flustered by the bombardment of questions and was stuttering out answers.
"Well, I guess you were wrong," said Korra sharply as she turned her attention back to the chief of police. In return she was the next victim of Beifong's piercing glare.
"Well that girl is definitely in over her heard."
Beifong's words had no affect on Korra as she had turned her focus back to Asami. She had had enough of what was going on below and decided it was time to get her out of there.
After all those years of training you'd think they'd give her some public relations lessons, she thought to herself. You underwent some yourself under Hiroshi.
She remembered an incident a few years ago during an event where the latest Satomobile racer would go up against one of their competitor's. Korra not only helped design it but also raced it as well, which got her a lot of flak from the company's team of test drivers though she earned their respect after winning the race. While taking questions from the press afterwards she was angered by one journalist's accusation that she had in some way cheated. Hiroshi could already foresee Korra's reaction and quickly defused the situation before the journalist's spectacles were permanently embedded into his face. After that she learned the ropes of dealing with snobby journalists.
She turned and started making for the stairs but stopped to look Beifong up and down. "Quite remarkable."
"What," asked Beifong sharply.
"It amazes me how you're able to do your job with that stick up your ass all the time. Excuse me." She didn't dare turn around. She simply basked in her own little victory.
"Asami! There you are!" Korra instantly drew everyone's attention with her best impression of every socialite she had ever met at a party. 'Korra darling you must try this smoked salmon. Its simply divine!' Within seconds she was now the target of the press but they suddenly ceased their questionings as Korra walked up Asami. Out of the corner of her eye she could see some of the radio reporters leaning in along with their engineers, large microphones in hand.
Asami looked bewildered at Korra's sudden appearance and was even more bewildered when the engineer took her hand into hers.
"Come," she said, "I want you to meet someone." A lie but she needed to get Asami out of there.
"Excuse me, Korra is it," said Tarrlok lightly and with a put on smile. Korra called it the Bullshit Smile. She told that Hiroshi one time, she was known rather infamously for speaking her mind. Her boss simply laughed and responded, "That's actually what it is Korra. But if I didn't have it and I wouldn't be where I am today."
"We're in the middle of a press conference."
Korra met his stare, which was politely telling her to shove off. "The Avatar is not obliged to hold press conferences." Although she said this with confidence she in actuality had no idea about Avatar duties apart from keeping the world in balance. She leaned in order to say in a voice just above a whisper, "Careful councilman. Your fangs are showing." She pulled away and said at a much higher volume so that the reporters could hear it, "By the way, my congrats to you and the misses on the new baby."
Tarrlok stared at her dumbfounded, the press equally baffled and shocked. There was literally a beat or two of silence before the press erupted into a chorus of questions now aimed at the councilman who was longed thought to be a bachelor. He still was which was why Korra conjured up that little concoction to get the press off Asami. Tarrlok gave the reporters a grin and tried his best to laugh off the remark.
"Calm down folks. What the young lady said was in jest." He turned to Korra to give her a glare. Korra gave him a wink in return as she led Asami up the stairs.
"Looks like I arrived just in time," she said as they reached the top of the stairs and were soon out of eyesight of both Tarrlok and the press.
Asami gently removed her arm from Korra's grasp. "Thank you," she said softly, "but they had the right to ask me those questions. I should be doing something about the Equalists."
Korra's smile dropped as she regarded the Avatar who was now quite solemn. She could almost see the thoughts of doubt swimming around inside her head. "Avatar—"
"Just Asami please," she said with a slight smile.
"Asami, I know this situation with the Equalists is pretty scary and it is an issue that's not going away but frankly joining Tarrlok's task force isn't the answer." Asami gaver her a questioning look. "Pema told me about his various…overtures. That and I overhead what was going on back there. This whole thing was a cheap tactic to push you into joining his little task force thing. Tarrlok couldn't do it but having the press hoarding you might." Asami sighed, looking quite despondent for being so easily manipulated. She opened her mouth to say something but Korra quickly continued. "They," jerking her thumb back in the direction they had come, "don't represent the people of this city. They're merely looking for a headline. People are scared by the Equalist, yes. They expect the Avatar to intervene at some point, yes. But you have to make the decision of how to go about it."
"And you think joining the task force is the wrong way?"
Korra thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "It's the police's business right now. If they wanted help they'd come to you."
"Yeah well I don't think Chief Beifong will be asking me for help anytime soon." She paused for a moment, taking the time to glance around. Everyone was preoccupied with their own conversations to pay her or Korra any attention. "Can I confess something to you?" She looked to Korra who nodded. "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Korra's heart went out to the Avatar. It was something she could relate to. "Well, that's how I feel most of the time." Asami crossed her arms, clearly not convinced by this statement. "Its true," chuckled Korra, "I can't begin to tell you how many projects I've gone into with no idea of how to proceed. Do you know how many times I've had to disassemble and then reassemble a Satomobile? Sometimes because I left out one little piece."
Asami chuckled. "Hopefully for the sake of the test drivers you've improved since."
"I have," said the engineer with a lopsided grin, "And now there's significantly less wrecks during testing."
Asami regarded with a warm smile. "You're a very interesting person Korra."
Korra blushed and struggled to form a response. She settled with, "I am aren't I?" She received a playful shove from Asami.
"I have to repay you for rescuing me back there."
"No need."
Asami looped her arm around Korra's. "I insist."
Korra's breath caught in her throat as Asami's emerald eyes stared into hers. "Well, uhh. How about," she cleared her throat, "When you have a day off, stop by Future Industries and I'll show you what we're working on."
"Deal."
The party ended up rather anti-climatically shortly after that. Asami left with Tenzin and his family and Hiroshi soon departed afterwards. Tarrlok, his plans for getting the Avatar on his side once again foiled, saw no sense in staying so he too left but not before convincing the press that the rumors of him being secretly married and a father were merely the product of Future Industries top engineer's humorous nature. An hour later the hall was empty save for the caters packing up and Bolin trying to stuff as much food into every available pocket. His reason was that it was for Pabu.
Korra shared a cab ride home with Mako and Bolin. Even though it only took about ten minutes for the cab to pull in front of Korra's apartment, Bolin had managed to fall into a deep sleep, the various orderves falling out of his pockets.
Korra's apartment building was the one of a series of recently developed real estate along the waterfront. The docklands that were once there when the city was first developed had been torn down as the majority of the shipyards and docks now were lined up along the mainland. Hiroshi had set her up in this place. When she arrived in Republic City she shared an apartment with a family who had also emigrated from the Southern Water Tribe and were friends of her mother's. It sat above a take-out place and was home to her during her two years at university before landing a temp job at Future Industries.
"Want me to come up," asked Mako as Korra opened the door to get out.
She paused and inwardly sighed. She knew where saying 'yes' would lead. Not that she hadn't any complaints about their sessions in bed, they were actually quite enjoyable and passionate. But everything outside of the bedroom was lacking and Korra was finding more and more tired of being in a romantic relationship and juggling that with her work. Simply put, thoughts of breaking up with Mako had already being in her mind for at least two months. After a particularly nasty spat she decided to break things off for good but he waited for her outside her apartment and conceded that he was idiot and apologized. They had dinner, saw show, returned to her place, had sex and the status quo remained. Now things were starting to get bad again, especially with the probending championship coming up, and Korra was reluctant to postpone the inevitable which she would certainly would by inviting him up.
She nodded at the passed out Bolin. "I think it would best to make sure he gets to bed." Mako made it known by his facial expressions that he wasn't too thrilled with that plan. "Goodnight Mako," she said quickly but in a polite tone as she exited the cab. She hurried quickly to the door as she left her coat back in her workshop and the cold wind coming off the bay made it unbearable, especially in a sleeveless dress. She internally cursed Hiroshi for leaving her at the party and thought of the ways to get back at him for it. She quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Her room was located on the fifth floor but she had to make a quick stop to room on the third.
"Hey Korra," said Airi, the occupant of 303. Before she could say another word something small, fury and white tore through her apartment, maneuvered around her and threw itself into Korra's waiting arms.
"Naga!"
The dog barked and proceeded to lick her owner's face.
"Yes I missed you," laughed Korra. She looked up at Airi. "No problems I hope."
Airi shook her head. "No she was good as usual. You trained her well. Only thing is she misses you during the day."
Korra scratched behind Naga's ears, which she loved. "I'll take her work tomorrow. Give you a rest."
Airi laughed. "Like I'm so busy."
Korra grinned. "Well see here's the opportunity for you to have a social life."
"Yeah right. Goodnight Korra."
"Goodnight Airi." As the door closed Korra looked down at her companion who, for a long time, was Korra's only friend in this city. Even while living in that tiny apartment during her university days she felt like an outsider to the family she was boarding with. "Alright girl. Time for bed."
She couldn't sleep. She sat on the edge of her bed, Naga snuggled against her side, staring out the window which overlooked Yue Bay. In the distance she saw a freighter headed out to sea to some foreign port. The small island upon which the statue of Avatar Aang sat gave off a dim greenish glow. His Water Tribe incarnation didn't survive long. He died at only seven years old of illness. It was a pretty big blow to Water Tribe pride as this was the second Waterbender Avatar who didn't live long.
Beyond the Avatar's statue was Air Temple Island.
"You're a very interesting person Korra."
Korra huffed. "Yeah right. Like me and her would ever happen." Korra's feelings towards other women was only known to her parents after she confessed them to her mother one night in a panic. Her mother assured her that it was perfectly normal and there was nothing wrong with it. Still it made Korra feel lonely and a bit more of an outcast in addition to having no bending abilities. Nothing much came of it except some crushes here and there, all of them she was too afraid to approach. If she couldn't approach the girl next to her in an advanced geometry class or the secretary to the assistant director at Future Industries, how in the world could she ever approach, let alone flirt with, the Avatar of all people.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"If its' not a problem I would love to visit your workship when I have a day off."
"She was just being nice", she thought glumly. "You think its possible," she asked the slumbering Naga. Naga's ears perked up briefly before settling down. She had heard Korra's voice but it didn't say any of the trigger words like 'food', 'treat' or 'walk' so she ignored it. "Maybe you can help me out. Brilliant engineer and her canine companion. Good image. What's not to love?" Naga yawned and rolled onto her side. Korra rolled her eyes and patted Naga's belly. "Alright. Go to sleep you lout."
Eventually Korra settled on the bed. From far off she could hear one of the large ships sound its horn as it set off to sea. Maybe it was going to the South Pole. It had been so long since she had been home. There simply wasn't any time to do so. She made a mental note to call her parents tomorrow during her break.
At this point she went to sleep as she remembered about the early meeting she had tomorrow.
"I have to repay you for rescuing me back there."
Korra groaned and pulled the sheets over her head.
"Stupid Avatar."