Author's Notes: I haven't added any author's notes to this story so far because it hasn't been necessary, but I think now is a good point in the story to check in.
So usually it takes me a while to get in to the swing of a writing project, and this "swing" is what determines whether a project will fail or succeed. If I can't find my pacing then I'll abandon something before it's finished. I'd have to say that right around this point in the story is where I found that swing with this story. Unlike with "Chosen's Chosen," I'd actually had the entire plot for this story mapped out before I even started writing it. There were a few details I hadn't figured out yet, and I figured those out as I wrote.
This chapter is where the meat of the story begins. Originally I'd had an additional chapter that took place in the spirit world, but I decided to cut it because it didn't really add anything to the fic as a whole. I'd written it back when I thought I might explore an additional plot point, but I ultimately found that particular thread to be a dead end so I cut it in my revisions. Trust me when I say you're not missing much.
Anyway, just thought I'd explain that. Everything from here on out is big-picture plot stuff. Welcome to Ba Sing Se.
Chapter 6: Moving Day
"Dinner is served," said Korra, balancing two paper plates in one hand and two bottles of beer in the other.
"Great," said Asami. "What have we got?"
"We have the last two packets of ramen noodles, aged perfectly to just two weeks before their expiration date and drained of all broth because we don't have any bowls, and these two beers that I found in the very back of the fridge that I'm pretty sure are from our housewarming party."
"Ooh," said Asami as Korra sat down next to her on the blanket in the middle of the balcony of their empty apartment. It was the night before their move to Ba Sing Se, and they'd already sent most of their things ahead to their new place in the Earth Republic's capital city. "You really know how to treat a girl nice."
"Only the best for you, my darling. Eat fast though, because the noodles are still soggy and they're starting to leak through the plates."
Asami poked at her rubbery noodles with her chopsticks for a while before deciding to finally take a bite. It actually didn't taste that bad, but it wasn't as good as non-instant ramen noodles, or even instant ramen noodles that hadn't been robbed of its broth. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I wish we could be eating proper instant ramen noodles right now."
Knowing Asami's slight aversion to any "cheap" food, Korra pretended to act surprised, giving a huge, dramatic gasp. "Is that Asami Sato, CEO of Future Industries, saying she wishes she was eating one-yuan noodles?"
"Oh stop it," laughed Asami. "We should have ordered take-out."
"Why would we eat take-out when we have such fabulous options available to us here? I didn't even tell you what we're having for dessert."
"What?"
Reaching behind her, Korra produced a pudding cup and what appeared to be a single stick of gum. "I found these in the cabinet. I was going to let you take your pick of which one you wanted, although I'm willing to go halfsies on each if you are."
"Korra, we don't have any spoons. How are we supposed to eat pudding without any spoons?"
"With our fingers, of course. Or I was thinking I could just dump some on your stomach and then lick it off," replied Korra with a saucy grin.
Asami had to admit: That did sound like a pretty good idea.
When they'd both given up on their noodles, Asami set their plates aside and leaned against Korra's shoulder. Korra wrapped her arm around Asami, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm going to miss this view," she said. Their balcony overlooked the crater with the spirit portal in the center. They had spent many nights sitting out here watching the people and spirits below them go about their business.
"Me too," replied Asami. "There are a lot of things I'm going to miss about this place. The year we've spent here has been the best year of my life. I have a lot of fond memories of being here with you."
"We'll make more memories in our new place, Asami. Since we got together I've come to realize that home isn't just a place where you live. Home is where your heart lives, and my heart lives with you. Anywhere can be home for me as long as we're together."
"I couldn't agree more. Don't get me wrong, I'm not worried that I won't love our place in Ba Sing Se, but this is the end of an era. After tomorrow, a lot is going to change for us." Asami reached out and took Korra's free hand, her heart giving the happy leap that she still felt whenever she saw Korra's wedding ring. "I'm glad that I have you to be my constant. At least I know that whatever else may change, you'll still be there for me. I can handle anything as long as I have that."
"You'll have it forever," promised Korra. "There's no place else I'd rather be."
In the morning, Korra and Asami drove to the airfield, then stood around on the tarmac to say goodbye to their friends while one of the crew drove Asami's satomobile up a ramp in to the airship to take it with them to Ba Sing Se. Joining them on the tarmac was Bolin, Opal, Lin Beifong, and the entire airbender family. Korra hadn't expected so many of their friends to show up. Over the last week the two of them had been making the rounds, visiting each of their friends to say goodbye properly.
"Thanks for coming, you guys," said Korra. "I feel really loved right now."
"Thanks for not sneaking away like you did at the reception," replied Bolin, pretending to sound irritated. No one but Korra, Asami, Bolin and Mako knew the role the two brothers had played in the newlyweds' escape from the party.
"We wouldn't dream of it," said Asami. "This is too important."
Everyone hugged and exchanged farewells. Lin clasped first Asami's, and then Korra's forearm in a professional handshake and said: "Watch out for yourselves in Ba Sing Se. The chief of police over there isn't as easy to deal with as I am."
"I find that hard to believe," said Korra with a laugh. "No offense, Chief, but you're no walk in the park."
Lin did not smile. "I'm serious, Korra. Tread lightly. She could make life very difficult for you over there."
Korra had no idea what to make of this, so she just nodded and moved on to say goodbye to Tenzin. Even as she did, though, she continued to turn what Lin had said over in her mind. While Lin did have a penchant for being hyper-protective, Korra had to admit that on most occasions she'd been right to be cautious. A person didn't become chief of police by being a bad judge of character. If Lin said the chief in Ba Sing Se was going to be difficult, it was probably true.
A member of the crew came out and informed them that the airship was ready. After saying their final goodbyes, Korra and Asami boarded the ship and buckled in to their seats for takeoff. As she watched her friends becoming tiny dots on the tarmac, Korra admitted: "I'm not heartbroken about leaving Republic City. Does that make me a bad person?"
"What do you mean?" asked Asami.
"Last time I left for Ba Sing Se for an indefinite period of time, I was really sad. I didn't want to leave. But this time… it's easier."
"Well, last time you were heading in to a really bizarre situation. You had no idea what to expect."
"How is that any different from now? If we're to believe Lin, this is going to be a strange situation too. No, this time it's easier because you're coming with me. Last time I was sad to leave everybody, but leaving you was the worst."
Asami smiled and tilted her chin up for a kiss. "If that makes you a terrible person, then what hope do the rest of us have? Korra, nobody begrudges us for moving. People move all the time. I mean, you're the Avatar. You have to go where duty takes you. You're allowed to be excited about this."
"Okay," said Korra. "You're right. I guess the fact that I feel bad about not feeling bad about leaving is good enough."
She looked over at Asami, who was clearly trying to make heads or tails of that sentence. "If you say so," she said.
"I do say so. And for the record, I am excited about this."
"Me too," replied Asami. "It'll be great."
When they landed, Asami immediately unbuckled her seatbelt and took charge of the situation. Korra stood back and watched with pleasure as Asami coordinated the removal of the last of their luggage, its transportation to their new apartment in the upper ring, retrieval of the satomobile, and secured dinner reservations at a restaurant nearby. She even sent someone to find Mako and invite him to dinner. "I love watching you work," said Korra once they were seated in Asami's satomobile. "You're so sexy when you're organizing stuff."
"I feel sexy when I'm doing it," laughed Asami. "I don't know why, but things like that have always come naturally to me."
"You're by far the best leader I've ever met. People feel safe as long as you're in charge."
"I don't know about that, but I definitely feel comfortable in that position, even before I took over Future Industries. In grade school I organized all my group projects. I guess I must have gotten it from my father. I used to follow him around while he was working all the time. I remember being so impressed with how all his workers seemed so eager to please him. He had a way with his workers." Asami smiled grimly. "I guess of all the traits I could have inherited from him, this is one of the best."
Korra frowned. She could tell by Asami's tight grip on the wheel that she was angry. As she was still trying to formulate a way to get Asami to open up to her about her father, they pulled up in front of the restaurant and heard a familiar voice calling out to them.
Mako had already arrived at the restaurant and had seen them approach. Now he was coming towards them with a huge grin on his face. He was impeccably dressed in a well-tailored suit, a red tie done up neatly at his throat. "I'm so happy you're here!" he said as he hugged them both. "I was so excited I came right here from work."
"Good thing," said Asami, looking at him approvingly. "I think that girl over there might be checking you out."
"Erm… It's probably not what you're thinking," he said awkwardly. "I'm pretty famous here. My job keeps me in the limelight. Plus, I mean, you two are here. She could be checking one of you out."
"That's probably it," said Korra. "What do you think, Asami? Do you want me to go over there and give her your number?"
Asami pretended to consider this. "Hmm… How many elements can she bend? I only go out with women who can bend at least three elements."
"Tough luck for her," sighed Korra. "Only I can do that."
"You guys are weird," said Mako. "Cute, but weird."
They were seated at a booth and the three of them placed their orders. Korra and Asami told Mako about their honeymoon in the spirit world while they waited for their food. When they'd finished telling Mako about a tea party they'd had with Iroh and Lee, he remarked: "It's a good thing Lee feels comfortable running your Republic City branch, because you've got your work cut out for you here."
"You think so?" said Asami skeptically. "It didn't seem like the vine problem was going to be as bad here as it was in Republic City. At least that's what Haku thought."
"I think structurally Ba Sing Se isn't as bad, but there have been a lot of problems coming in from other sources that we never had to deal with in Republic City. Organized crime has been really bad here recently. There are sections of the lower and middle ring that are almost completely controlled by various gangs."
"If you know where the gangs are then why aren't the police arresting them?" asked Korra, who was toying with her chopsticks as they waited for their food to arrive. Asami recognized the fidgeting as a sign that Korra was extremely hungry, which wasn't surprising considering their dinner the previous night and the meager snacks they'd eaten on the airship.
"The Ba Sing Se Police Department won't touch anything having to do with the spirits," explained Mako. "The gangs know this, so they pick areas which are overgrown with vines for their bases. A lot of the gangs are actually friendlier with the spirits than the BSSPD is."
"I see," said Korra. Her initial reaction was to wonder why the police department wouldn't tackle spirit issues, but after thinking about it, she realized that her viewpoint might be skewed by her months working with the BTF in Republic City. After countless hours of intensive spiritual training the BTF was happy to do spirit work, but at first they'd been reticent and awkward about it. "Well, it's good that I'm here then. Once we can get the Balance Task Force up and running, we'll be arresting bad guys left and right."
Their food came and distracted Korra, but Asami had seen a curious expression crossing Mako's face, like he was trying to decide whether or not to say something. "What aren't you telling us?" she said to him, meeting his gaze squarely.
"Nothing," he said with a nervous laugh. "Everything's fine."
Korra recognized his mannerisms; he had acted the same way after she'd come back from the south pole and forgotten that they'd broken up. She'd asked him if the fight they'd had before she left was serious and he'd lied and said it wasn't, when in reality she'd actually blown up most of the police station with airbending in her anger. "What, Mako?" she prodded, setting down her chopsticks.
He sighed, knowing the battle was lost. Deciding it would be best to be blunt, he said: "The BSSPD doesn't want to form a Balance Task Force."
"What?" snapped Korra and Asami simultaneously.
"Don't worry, Genly is going to issue an executive order making it mandatory," Mako hastened to add. "But the fact is that the BSSPD won't be happy about it. It's not going to be a walk in the park for you, Korra."
"Well, that's fine. What's the fun in doing something that's easy? I welcome the challenge," said Korra, picking up her chopsticks and beginning to dig in to her meal with more focused intensity.
Mako and Asami exchanged glances. It was pretty clear that Mako thought that Korra might be in over her head. Asami felt torn between wanting more information and wanting to preserve Korra's optimistic state of mind. Ultimately she decided to table the topic for now; there would be time to talk to Mako in private tomorrow. She had an appointment at the Earth Palace to meet with Mako and Genly to begin preliminary planning for the redesign of Ba Sing Se. Besides, she reasoned, they were both exhausted from their day of travel and they still had to go to their new apartment and begin the arduous process of unpacking and decorating their new place. Despite her exhaustion, Asami was looking forward to getting started. Tasks like that were always incredibly fun and enjoyable when she did them with Korra.
They dropped Mako off at the Earth Palace after dinner. He explained that when he'd first made his move to Ba Sing Se permanent, he'd kept a small apartment in the middle ring. But as he'd grown more comfortable and interested in his role in Earth Republic politics, he'd found that it took much too long for him to get to and from work every day. Wanting to be more accessible to Genly in case of emergencies, he'd accepted the same room in the Palace that he'd lived in through the constitutional convention.
Korra and Asami went to their new place, which was on the outskirts of the upper ring. Though no view could be as nice as the one they'd had in Republic City, from their balcony they could see the middle and lower rings of Ba Sing Se sprawling out below them. When they'd first discussed moving to the Earth Republic, they had both wanted to move to the middle ring. It had never been their intention to live on the upper ring—Asami had had enough of upper-class society to last her a lifetime. But the police station headquarters was on the upper ring, and Asami's newly-formed Ba Sing Se branch of Future Industries had been unable to find a suitable place to headquarter their operation on either the lower or middle rings. Apparently there had been very strict zoning restrictions put in effect after the appearance of the spirit vines in the city. Plus, travel between the rings had become more difficult; many of the tram-cars which carted people up and down ran on tracks that had become overgrown with vines. Asami already had ideas about how to fix that particular problem, but the fact remained that without being able to earth or airbend, it could be very time-consuming for her to get from the middle ring to the upper ring for work.
"I'm so tired," complained Korra as they waited for the elevator on the bottom floor of their building. "How could I be this tired when all I've done today is sit on an airship and go out to dinner?"
"Well I hope you're not too tired to put sheets on the bed, because I've got a few phone calls to make before we turn in."
"You didn't have the movers put our sheets on the bed for us? Unbelievable, Asami. After all that time I spent complimenting your leadership and organization earlier…"
"I thought about asking them to do it," said Asami as she rummaged around in her bag for her keys outside their door, "but you know how much I love watching you bend over." She finally located the keys and unlocked the door. Then she squeaked in surprise as she found herself scooped up in to Korra's arms. "Hey! Put me down! What are you doing?"
"It's traditional for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold of their home after getting married. I thought since this is our new home, we might as well start it out right!" She carried Asami inside, kicking the door closed behind them.
"You're not a groom, Korra," laughed Asami, dropping her bag on the floor and throwing her arms around Korra's shoulders. "Take me back outside and let me carry you in here. It's only fair."
"Don't worry about it. You hardly weigh a thing. I carry rocks heavier than you on a daily basis."
Asami put a hand over her heart. "Such flattery! 'You aren't as heavy as a rock.' You always know how to make me feel so special."
Korra carried Asami all the way to their bedroom and deposited her on the un-made bed. Before Asami could get up, she pinned her down and kissed her solidly. "Go make your calls," she said when they'd parted, "because as you might have noticed, I'm not too tired to make the bed. Among other things."
It was very tempting for Asami to tell Korra to forget the sheets and the phone calls. She tugged Korra down for another kiss, letting everything else fall away from her mind.
But she was surprised when Korra pulled away from her and put a finger on her lips. "Hey," said Korra. "I know what you're thinking."
"I should hope so," replied Asami, trying to pull Korra back to her. When Korra refused, she frowned petulantly. "Since when are you the more responsible one of the two of us?"
"I'm not. I promise you, I'm not. But I know you'll regret blowing off your work tonight in the morning, and I hate it when you get all mad at yourself, especially if it's partially my fault."
Letting out a disappointed sigh, Asami said, "Fine. You're right. I'll go make my calls. But hold that thought because this will only take a few minutes."
"Don't worry about that," replied Korra. "To be honest, that thought is never really that far from my mind."
Unable to resist, Asami gave her one last soft kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now get off that bed so I can make it."
"You know," said Asami as she complied, "you look sexy when you're bossing people around, too."
"I'm going to hold that thought too, if that's okay with you."