AN/ Thank you again for all the wonderful comments, I'm so happy to know people are interested in this and to hear what you think!
With the pad of her thumb, Asami dabbed at a bit of stray lipstick on her bottom lip and gently ran her finger under the water to clean it off.
Going to a party was one thing. Going to a party thrown by Victus Khan was something completely different. The worst part was that Asami couldn't find anything really bad about the guy. She'd asked around, had some of her people do research. He was a business man, nothing more. He made his money on simple inventions made life easier on people in all four nations.
He really was just a more down to earth and financially sound version of Varrick. He was smart, controlled and inventive. He was, seemingly, perfect.
But for some reason Asami couldn't shake this idea that something wasn't right about him. Sure, she'd never met him before, but why was he so intent on pushing her out of the rebuilding of Republic City. He clearly didn't like her, or at least didn't like Future Industries.
After a good ten minutes Asami realized she was only wasting time by pretending she was still doing her makeup and decided it was time to head out.
She was dressed to kill tonight. Forgoing the black, she went with a pure red cocktail dress, it dipped fairly low in the front crossing over at her chest and showing a fair amount of skin. It was a bit risqué for the reopening of a school but she didn't care. If this was the first impressing Mr. Khan would have of her, she was darn sure gonna make sure he remembered it.
Deciding to have one of her staff drive her, Asami sat in the back of her car and let her mind wander to Korra. It didn't really seem fair that she was going to a fancy party and Korra was probably camped out on some cot in the Fire Nation.
Though Asami couldn't deny that if she had the choice she'd be on a cot next to Korra instead of in the back of this car.
These were the sorts of things Asami grew up doing. Parties and dressing fancy. Always another client for her dad to please, another event she had to look and act her best for. It was exhausting.
Being in battle with Team Avatar was different. It was the trust point where she could be herself. It's why she cared about Korra so much. She never once pretended with her and Korra fell for that version of her. In a lot of ways, Korra was the only person now who really knew who she was.
Which was why it was even harder going to this party alone. It would be so much more tolerable if she had Korra in one of her gorgeous Water Tribe dresses sitting next to her complaining about everything.
The thoughts put a smile on her face as they approached the school. There were Satomobiles lined for as far as Asami could see. She smirked as she climbed out of her own.
They all showed up for Khan's party but not a one of them would have made it without our Satomobiles.
Asami was nothing if not a fan of small victories. With her small purse in hand she put on her long black coat (she couldn't be entirely without black) and made her way to the entrance. It was single file, and they were checking names at the door.
Of course she was the only person she could see that actually came to this thing alone. She'd reserved a table for a few of Future Industries employees but never thought to actually arrive with any of them.
Once she reached the front of the line, she drew face to face with a very large man. He was holding a clipboard and offered her the blankest expression.
"Name." He said gruffly.
"Asami Sato."
His finger drew down the sheet in front of him. "I'm sorry, you're not on the list."
Asami immediately bristled. "Asami Sato. Future Industries CEO. Maybe it's under that." She didn't think it was possible but his stare grew even blanker.
"I'm sorry, Miss. You're not on the list."
I knew I should have put my glove in this purse. She thought, her brows bending as the anger rose in her chest. "I'm quite certain that I am, my table was reserved this morning at a fairly hefty price I might add for a friendly school opening."
"Look lady, you're not on the list so you'll have to leave."
"Oh no," a slithering voice said from the entrance to the party. "Miss Sato, my apologies, your seat was purchased late and I'm afraid the list wasn't updated. She's permitted in."
He didn't even have to say it for Asami to know it was the man himself.
Victus Khan was not at all what she expected. He was actually…handsome in his own way. He was older, his hair had a teasing touch of gray at the roots. His face was chiseled even in his age. He was strong and tall. He looked…normal.
He held the door open for her and Asami glared at the doorman who just continued to look right through her and stepped inside.
Asami was no fool, she knew what Khan was doing. He was playing the hero, he comes out and gets her into the party, a party she paid to attend and now he immediately has an advantage over her. She couldn't get into his party without his help.
She really did not like this guy.
"I'm so glad you could come, Miss Sato. Future Industries is a welcome presence at any Khan event and you..are a vision."
Smiling as best she could, Asami shed her jacket and handed it to the young man who was almost tripping over her as he waited to take it from her.
"Yes well, perhaps you should hire someone to update your guest lists." She said, trying to sound as if she were making a joke. She smiled, throwing her head back a bit as he grinned and nodded.
"Perhaps you're right. Though I've been so busy with the work around Republic City." He countered and Asami's smile faltered. "I was quite disappointed to hear that the Avatar wouldn't be joining us this evening."
It did not sit well with her hearing him talk about Korra. Not one bit.
"Yes well, she had a previous engagement that she couldn't away from. Honestly, I'd be with her now if I wasn't so focused on getting to work around Republic City."
Khan nodded with every word she said, his eyes scanning the party as if he was searching for something. When she finished, he turned to her with a look of content. "Of course, it's nice that you've been able to find the time to help. My people will certainly appreciate the support. If you'll excuse me, Miss Sato, I have a matter tend to. Enjoy the party." He walked (slithered) away and Asami tried not to visibly gag.
Every word he said was filled with malice and contempt. He thought he was better than her, better than everyone in this room. She didn't see his leathery ass fighting in downtown Republic City when Kuvira's mechs were tearing it apart.
"A drink ma'am?" Came a tired voice from behind. Turning, Asami saw an older man carrying a tray of glasses with one sitting on the edge closest to her.
"Spirits, yes. Thank you." She said, taking the drink in her hand and turning to survey the crowd. Just as she was about to take a sip, a hand touched her shoulder.
"Boss! You look great!" Turning, it was Varrick and Zhu Li both standing together. Zhu Li looked pretty incredible herself. Wearing a long, dark blue dress and she had her hair pinned up in a bun atop her head with little tendrils curling around her cheeks.
Varrick on the other hand, looked fairly ridiculous. He wore a white suit with touches of blue all over the place. And on top of that he had a very fuzzy collar surrounding his neck and shoulders.
"Thank you. Zhu Li you look great and Varrick you look…" He eyed her expectantly before turning his stance and posing for her. "Warm."
He frowned but quickly recovered. "I look fantastic! Are you kidding? This outfit I'm wearing costs more than the newest model of your Satomobile!" Asami nodded, prepared to down her drink, but he continued before she could. "Though it didn't have to be if you'd priced the new models appropriately."
"I priced them just fine." She defended, shaking her head. "I cut the cost down so people could afford them. After all Republic City has been through they deserve a well working, low cost Satomobile."
Varrick gave her a derisive look but it was Zhu Li who spoke. "I think it's a good idea. Plus when the City's economy is back they'll be more willing to return to Future Industries for their next purchase."
"Exactly." Asami said with a smile, Zhu Li was really starting to grow on her.
Despite his still clear reservations Varrick seemed sated enough. "Okay well we're gonna go to the table you reserved and see how much of this fancy liquor we can put down. If you need us, we'll be the ones raising all the hell!" Varrick finished with a quick, screeching 'woo!' before dragging his wife away.
The man really couldn't hold his liquor.
Speaking of. Asami thought, remembering her own drink.
She placed the glass to her lips but was once again interrupted by the sound of someone loudly clearing their throat.
Turning on her heel, she was greeted to a sight she never thought she'd see. It was Lin Beifong, but not just any Lin Beifong. No, this was Lin Beifong in a dress.
Now Asami was just beginning to understand her feelings for girls but she would be remiss if she didn't admit to being a bit wowed by Lin in her dress.
Obviously by the look on her face (sheer disgust) she hated every second of it. But a lifetime on the police force had done wonders for her figure and the dress clung tightly to all her curves and Asami couldn't help but gawk.
"Don't even start with me, kid. It's just a blessing Korra and the rest of your band of misfits aren't here to drive me insane over this."
Asami reached up and covered the grin on her face that was growing by the second. "You look wonderful."
"I look ridiculous." Lin spat, seeming to scoff as she spoke. "Everyone here does. It's such a waste of time. Like any of these stuffed shirt fat cats are going to send their children to a public school. If it weren't for Khan throwing his money around like water benders in the ocean none of them would even be here." Lin then glanced at Asami who's eyes were wide with amusement. "No offense."
"No none taken." She said, waving her off. "I'm only here to stand my ground against Khan. I don't think he likes me."
"Of course he doesn't, look at you." Her words were sharp and Asami felt a bit hurt after all they'd been through together. "You're young, you're beautiful, you've kept the most successful company in the Four Kingdoms afloat after everything it's been through and you've fought some of the craziest bastards to ever haunt our world alongside the avatar. Your life probably trumps his tenfold and you're barely in your twenties. The most exciting thing I'd imagine that man has done is take his socks off during sex."
Asami's eyes couldn't have been any wider if she tried but she was fighting the urge to burst out laughing with all she had. It was the strangest way she'd ever heard her life be summed up but if she were being honest, it was also the best.
With a sigh, Asami smiled brightly. "Lin, I'm glad you're here." The older woman nodded with what Asami would categorize as a bit of smile and then held out her drink.
They clanked their glasses together and Asami started to drink.
"Miss Sato!" The liquid had barely touched her lips when she was interrupted, again. "I'm so glad I found you." Turning around this time, it was Tenzin in front of her. What was he doing here? This didn't seem like his scene at all.
"Tenzin, you…what are you doing here?" That was when she noticed the look of distress on his face.
"Could we step outside?" He seemed out of breath.
"What's wrong?" It was Lin who asked, stepping up behind Asami. "Did you run here? Spirits Tenzin you're sweating."
He glared at Lin over Asami's shoulder. "I did run here, I have to talk to Asami. It's urgent."
"Okay." Asami said, moving to follow Tenzin out of the school.
"Leaving so soon, Miss Sato? We haven't even done the raffle yet!" It was Khan, his voice thick with arrogance, as if she were running away from his precious party.
She stopped for a moment to acknowledge him. "It's an urgent matter, Mr. Khan. I'm sure you understand." She tried to remain cordial.
"Without even having a drink. We've imported the best you can in the Fire Nation. It would be a shame if you didn't have the chance to try any."
Looking at Tenzin, she could tell that he was desperate to tell her what was on his mind. As she glanced back at Khan he was smirking, she wanted to smack it right off his face. Everyone in the party had stopped their chatter, they were watching the conversation.
Asami knew she needed to make an impression. Show her strength.
With that, she downed the drink entirely and saw his smile grow tenfold when she looked at him again. On that, she took the glass she was holding and flipped it towards the nearest server who stumbled over himself trying to catch it.
"Goodnight, Mr. Khan." She said before strutting out behind Tenzin as the party started to pick up again.
Once outside however, the mood changed as Tenzin grabbed her arm and practically dragged her away from the building and into the street where her car was waiting.
"Tenzin, what is it? You look awful. Is everything—" That's when it hit her. She didn't even need him to say it. She knew. And when she knew, the look on his face confirmed it.
Korra.
"Miss Sato, I apologize—"
"What happened?" She said, her words short and terse.
"Korra was…she subdued a few assailants who were invading a cave near the Fire Nation and she was…stabbed." Asami gasped sharply and covered her mouth. "But she's okay, they tell me she's not in any fatal danger. She's just…wounded."
Tears were building in Asami's eyes as she felt her hand shaking against her face. Taking a few deep breaths, she composed herself as best she could. "Where is she now?"
"The White Lotus have been sent to pick her up and bring her back here. She should be arriving very early in the morning. You're welcome to stay at the Air Temple this evening to be there when she arrives."
Asami nodded. Of course she was going to be there.
Korra was okay. She was okay. She wasn't in any fatal danger. He'd said it so casually. She was half waiting for him to say 'at least not this time!'.
She didn't want to be mad at Tenzin. She knew he cared for Korra. But…when did it end? When would any of them realize that she was just a girl? She was barely into her twenties and she'd already been through so much. Hurt so many times. Lost years of her life trying to recover.
When would she ever give enough? When she was paralyzed? When her body could no longer function? When she was dead so their next precious avatar could be born?
Anger had built up inside her the entire time she and Tenzin walked towards her Satomobile where the driver had started it and was waiting.
But, before they reached it, Asami stopped and took a step in front of Tenzin, cutting him off from the back door.
"If anything ever happens to Korra. If I ever lose her, I will hold you responsible. And I will become the worst enemy you have ever had."
Tenzin was, expectedly, taken aback by Asami's words and her tone. "Miss Sato I assure you that Korra's safety is just as important to me as it is to you."
Asami shook her head. "No. It isn't. Nobody's concern for Korra is as great as mine. You all see her as nothing more than your savior. Your avatar."
"That's what she is." He said, his voice almost matching her own.
"It's not all she is!" She shouted, no doubt startling anyone who might be on the street. Her hands were shaking, the tears that were once brimming now trickled down her face and she furiously wiped at them. Hating that anyone could see them.
Taking a deep breath. Tenzin reached out and touched Asami's shoulder. "You must remember, Miss Sato. I have never forced Korra to do anything. Nobody cares more about being the avatar more than Korra does herself. It is her destiny, one that you and I both know she takes pride in."
"I can't…" Asami's voice broke, all the anger from before gone. "I can't lose her too." She whispered, lowering her head down as she fought not to cry.
Tenzin placed a hand on her back, just like Korra would do. "Come, she'll be home in a few hours and I'm sure you'll want to go by your home for a change of clothes."
They didn't say another word to each other. Not at Asami's mansion, not when the arrived at the Air Temple. The harsh words were forgiven, Asami knew that. But she also realized something as she sat outside the temple watching for the bison to arrive.
She loved Korra more than anything, and was willing to fight anyone to protect her.