Hello readers, I do not own any of the characters in the following chapter apart from Zhan (can I kill him yet?) Please read (necessary), enjoy (subjective), and review (optional). My apologies for the wait.
Chapter 9: What is Normal Anyways?
Over the last few days Asami had noticed the mornings growing brighter and the colors becoming more saturated. It was a curious side effect of coming to accept her new identity not as the leader of Future Industries but as Asami Sato, penniless genius with a penchant for tinkering. She dug out the few belongings that she had managed to retrieve from her father's mansion. Technically the mansion still belonged to her but the size and nearly empty state made it feel cold and impersonal, as though any fond memories of days of a distant past had been lost to its cold embrace.
She first pulled out the picture frame containing an old black and white photo of her father, mother, and a younger bright eyed version of herself. She smiled sadly at what felt to her like an ancient memory. As she reminisced she felt Korra's strong arms wrap around her in a warm hug. The sadness she felt melted away as she absorbed the feelings of comfort and safety she found in Korra, her new family.
She pulled out the battle-worn Equalist glove she had used during their various adventures together. The brass edges of some of the components had started turning green with oxidation. Asami made a mental note to replace them when she had the chance. Ironically her plans would involve money in some form or another so the thought of replacing the parts would probably have to wait until later.
Korra toyed with her hair as she continued to unpack her things. Asami laid out an ancient but still vibrantly ornate makeup box which had belonged to her mother. It was the last remaining testament to the woman she was, all other belongings having been destroyed by her father while he was consumed in rage and grief.
At the very bottom of her pack were a few neatly folded stacks of clothes. Asami examined the things she had laid out on the desk and realized just how little she needed to live. Technically she had never gone without makeup a mused how Korra would respond if she spent a day without adding the rich reds to her lips or the delicate lilac shade to her eyelids.
Asami had hardly noticed the disappearance of Korra's warm embrace when she turned to see Korra dragging in a rather large chest. Swinging the curved lid up Asami saw a curious multi-tiered interior not unlike her mother's makeup box just several times larger. She placed the Equalist glove at the bottom of the chest knowing that it may be some time before she would be able to tinker with it. Her clothes she stashed in a middle section laying the carefully folded fabrics where the joints would not crease them and the lubricants would not stain them. Her makeup box she placed in the top tier of the box where it fit snugly as though it had always meant to be there.
She closed the chest and found herself feeling more at home than ever. The room she shared with Korra was small but recently Korra had wrestled out the bedframe and mattress only to replace it with a larger and fluffier roll up mattress. Initially Pemma had raised a curious eyebrow as to why she needed such a large bedroll but the woman quickly realized the reason and with a sly knowing smile had retrieved the warm fluffy bedroll for them to use while simultaneously taking away the smaller travelling bedrolls.
At first Korra and Asami were somewhat apprehensive that Pemma would speak to Tenzin about her suspicions but as the days went by and Pemma gave her knowing smile to the two but Tenzin remained oblivious, it was clear that their love for one another would not be exposed until they were ready.
The harder task was making sure Jinora wouldn't say anything. Asami and Korra tried to keep their interactions to a minimum but regardless nothing to escape Jinora's sharp observative eyes. At first she was suspicious, but when she had caught them mid-kiss in a shadowed corner of the temple her smile cracked into one of excitement. Korra nearly had to beg Jinora not to go screaming the news to the world. The teenager reluctantly agreed but only just.
Sparring was always relaxing for Korra. The economy of movements, the rapid pulse, and the spike of adrenaline of mock combat all added to the addicting nature of one of her favorite activities. Her opponent was Asami who was as good if not better than Korra with hand to hand combat. The two of them moved in a blurring dance of strikes and parries. More than once Korra felt the brush of padded knuckles brush her cheek or a puff of wind as a strike just barely missed her.
Korra found it difficult not to be distracted. Asami's eyes were normally capitivating but, when it felt like she was trying to beat you into submission, her eyes became absolutely bewitching. Her normally vibrant green eyes appeared to take on a hard sheen similar to the look of jade. Spots of greys and yellows would appear as though rising to the surface of an emerald ocean. The change was even more evident when Asami was not wearing her usual makeup.
It wasn't just her eyes that Korra had a hard time looking away from. It was practically everything from the way that Asami's pale skin seemed to spark with energy as the sunlight caught tiny beads of sweat forming on her skin to the way her clothes hugged tightly to her already flawless body only further accentuating the curves that were normally hidden under a stiff jacket.
Korra was sent tumbling to the ground by a punch she swore came out of nowhere. Asami's gloved hand had caught her square in the face and, while the pads ensure that the strike was unlikely to leave a mark or even a bruise, it was surprising as a cold bucket of water on a hot day. Korra rolled across the flat stones that made up their impromptu sparring arena eventually slowing and stopping on her back.
"HA! Gotcha!" declared Asami as she grinned with satisfaction, "Jeez you make it hard to hit you."
Korra sat up from the ground, dusting herself off. "Well I'd hope so, I mean it would be pretty useless if I walked into a fight only to go down after the first punch."
"I guess… but you could at least go easy on me."
"And take a walloping from the girl who would unflinchingly face down a bender and come out on top? No thank you, I'd like to keep control of my facilities thanks."
"I'm not even using my gauntlet! The thing looks a bit worn down, probably needs fixing."
"Knowing you, the gauntlet is only going to get crazier."
"Not anytime soon, I don't have the resources I used to."
"And has that ever stopped you?"
Asami smiled, "No it hasn't."
"Exactly."
Asami walked up to Korra and extended her hand. With a stiff tug she pulled Korra up to her feet and for a moment they were very close, their bodies almost matching into one another. Suddenly Asami felt the tug of temptation as she found herself with a strong urge to taste her lips. She leaned in and felt the hot burst of Korra's breath tickle her own lips. Her vision seemed to brighten as a result. But before anything could happen a voice rang out across the arena.
"OOOOOOH AND AN UPSET VICTORY BY FORMER FUTURE INDUSTRIES PRESIDENT AND CEO ASAAAAAAAMIIIIIIII SAAAAAAAAAAAATOOOOOOOOO!"
Bolin had been watching on the sidelines unbeknownst to either Korra or Asami. They parted with a blush but quickly regained their composure before Bolin got close enough to notice.
"Man that was AWESOME. I mean have you guys ever seen yourselves fight? Wait scratch that, how could you? Oh wait I know… Mirrors. We gotta get some mirrors… or maybe a mover camera. Nah mirrors…"
"Bolin! What are you doing here?"
"Wha? Oh right. I came looking for Opal and got here a bit early. Finished the day's work and I was thinking 'why not gather up the old team and go out for food'? My treat."
"Bolin, I can't make you do that," protested Asami, "It's your hard earned money."
"Pshhh, What good is money if you don't spend it right? And besides, I think I'm technically still getting royalties from the ADVENTURES OF NUPTUCK movie."
Korra pulled Bolin and Asami into a tight hug drawing noticeably, though not to Bolin, closer to Asami. "We'd love to go. What time?"
"Well I was thinking soon as I find Opal." He looked around with a minor look of confusion on his face. "Where is she anyways?"
"I'll you find her," offered Korra, "I'll meet you at the baths Asami."
"Sure. Don't take too long."
They parted ways as Korra led Bolin on a trek around the grounds looking for Opal. The Beifong airbender was nowhere to be found. Eventually Bolin was distracted by the younger three quarters of the airbending children. Rohan especially took a liking to Pabu who, despite being a wonder around children, frantically tried to scramble away from Rohan. He only successfully escaped when Naga came to his rescue letting the fire ferret climb up onto the massive polarbear dog's head far from the reach of Rohan.
Korra bid Bolin an apologetic farewell, wished him luck in finding Opal, and headed towards the bath fully intent on washing the now dry sweat from her body. She slid the door to the bath atrium open and pulled off her sweaty clothes dropping them in a nearby basket and wrapping herself in a towel.
The bath was almost white with steam making it very difficult to see anything. The heat was comforting as always and as she descended into the heated water she caught sight of Asami and Opal staring at her. Opal looked as though she was expecting some sort of answer. Asami looked a bit abashed and looked to be asking for assistance.
"Um… what did I miss?"
"You're right… she does kind of just drop into her own world," said Opal with a wry smile. "I asked you, how long has it been since you two started dating?"
The water suddenly felt icy despite the steam actively rising off of it.
Thoughts raced through Korra's head. How did she find out? Were we that obvious? Did she spy on us? Has she told anyone? What about Bolin? Mako?
Asami kissed Korra on the cheek snapping her out of her trance. "The cat is out of the bag already, no avoiding it with Opal."
Korra felt the heat of the bath return and her racing heart calm down once again.
"So how long?"
"Depends on who you ask," replied Asami, saving Korra from having to say anything with her words still tangled in her throat. "But you already heard my part so let's give Korra a bit before you interrogate her alright?"
"Fine." Opal pouted, dissatisfied. As the three of them sat in silence in the pool of hot water Opal began to grow restless. First she fidgeted, then she started tugging at the edges of her towel, finally her foot started tapping underwater sending ripples across the steamy surface.
Korra took a deep breath steadying herself. "It all started after I was paralyzed by Zaheer's poison…"
"I was broken, in more ways than one. No connection to my past lives, pain everywhere in my body, I was exhausted both mentally and physically, I couldn't even access the Avatar state without crippling flashbacks, and to top it all off… I couldn't walk. I never felt so powerless in my life.
"And then there was Asami. While most people looked at me with pity she didn't. She just stood by me taking care of me even without ever being asked. Eventually when I left for healing down at the South Pole I knew I would have to leave her behind. It almost killed me.
"It was the letters, all of them. I must have read each letter a hundred times. I would sit up waiting for the next letter to arrive. I didn't know it at the time but I was already in love with Asami. The recovery was painful and I could barely keep my chin up much less walk. But each time I considered giving up, a letter would arrive as if Asami knew exactly when I would need it most.
"I would read the letter almost greedily drinking in every last word before sitting down and writing a response. And over the course of two and a half years those letters kept me going even when I couldn't find the strength in myself to do so.
"When I eventually left the South Pole I immediately knew it was going to be tough. I was cutting myself off from the one support line that really anchored me. As I wandered the world I grew more and more detached and well you should remember that I disappeared. For months I searched for a reason why I felt so helpless and fragile.
"My nights were haunted by the ghosts of the past, my days were hindered by my own failures. So whenever It felt like I couldn't go on much farther, I would pull out an old letter from my bag and read it. The words were familiar but it still brought me comfort.
"When I eventually returned to the city and saw Asami for the first time I almost lost it right there. She looked more beautiful than I had ever thought possible and it was only then that I realized just how much I missed her. I was still a little confused about my feelings but what I did know was that by then it didn't matter much of what my feelings were only that I was determined to make Asami happy one way or another."
Korra stopped, her heart now felt far lighter with everything out in the open, at least with Opal who wiped a tear from her smiling face.
"That was…," she sniffed, stalling her tears, "I knew something was going on. The signs were there. The secret glances. The way that you two turn towards each other. The way that you two are almost joined at the hip in everything you do and everywhere you go. Everything. It's good to finally know what I've suspected."
"You're not going to tell Bolin right?" asked Korra with a worried look. Asami's face held a matching concern.
Opal looked shocked, "Why not? It's wonderful news!"
"I don't know if he'll understand," added Asami, "I mean it's not exactly considered NORMAL for two women like us to be in love."
"Who cares? Normal is boring anyways. Love is love! Cut it a thousand ways and it is still love"
"Opal," Korra's eyes were serious, "I'm asking as a friend, please don't say anything. We'll tell everyone when we're ready."
Opal sensed the severity of Korra's voice and saw a hint of fear in her eyes. She sighed, "Okay fine, but don't keep it in for too long. It's going to be hard for you two to keep it a secret."
Opal got out of the bath and made her way towards the attached dressing room. The moment she slid the door open, Bolin crashed to the sodden wet floor at this girlfriend's feet. His face was wet with tears and now also with the water that had gathered on the floor.
"THAT WAS… *sniff* SO… *sniff* BEAUTIFUL!" He sobbed as he tried to scramble to his feet only to be pressed down by a furiously red Opal. The air around her seemed to whip into a miniature storm at her anger.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" she screamed at him. Air blasted out of her mouth and ruffled the fabrics of both Bolin's earthen green shirt as well as her own towel which suddenly became embarrassingly revealing. In her rage she didn't notice it in the slightest.
"I was looking for you after I escaped the kids. I heard your voice coming out of the baths and I pressed my ear up against the door to hear what was being said. I SWEAR I wasn't trying to sneak a peek. You know me! It's not the thing I would EVER try to do." Bolin professed his sincerity into the stone floor with Opal still furious and standing over him.
Her rage settled from a firestorm to a seethe and she took her foot off the back of Bolin's head. She shot a look over to Korra who shivered reflexively.
"TOWEL!" demanded Opal, to which Korra rushed over and dropped a nearby towel into her hand.
Opal wrapped the towel around Bolin's eyes and tied it tight behind his head.
"Ow!" he complained as the towel tugged at his black hair.
"Shut it!" snapped Opal, "I'm making sure you don't see anything I don't want you to see."
When she was satisfied that Bolin was unable to see anything she stepped back. By this point Bolin looked like he had a severe headwound; so severe that his head was more towel than head. Only his mouth seemed to be free to do anything.
"So why were you looking for me?"
"I wanted to take us all out to dinner."
Opal sighed putting her hand to her face in exasperation, "And you couldn't just wait until I was done?" She sighed again looking at Korra and Asami apologetically. "Bolin, it was a private conversation. Korra and Asami didn't want you to know yet."
Bolin hung his heavily toweled head, "Sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't have listened in."
Korra and Asami responded simultaneously, "It's okay Bolin, you would have found out eventually."
"I'm actually a little surprised that you're okay with our relationship," confessed Asami.
"Why wouldn't I be? I love both of you and want you to be happy." Bolin had turned towards the door as his toweled head made it difficult to locate the direction of sound. He gestured wildly at the door, "I'm overjoyed that you two are happy, Spirits know that you deserve it."
"Thanks Bolin," said Korra, "I'm glad you're so accepting. I just hope letting the rest of the people know will go as well as it did with you… though preferably without the eavesdropping."
"So are you going to tell my brother?" asked Bolin, now facing a decorative rock.
"We…," started Korra, she glanced at Asami who looked uncomfortable at the idea, "We're not sure… yet. We've been thinking of who to tell since we went on the vacation together. But we're still not sure how to tell Mako. He might still have feelings for one or both of us."
Bolin frowned turning now towards the towel basket. "I guess it does make sense. He hasn't told me much since he started guarding Prince Wu but I think you're right about the feelings. Maybe we should hold off on that for now. But it's not like I can un-invite him to dinner…" He paced around in a short back and forth pattern, once he almost fell into the bath but Opal managed to steer him away. He tried to rumple his hair in frustration which only succeeded in pushing the towel further down on his face. "Argh, this isn't working. I'll just invite him to dinner and we'll just roll with it!" He tried to walk out of the bath but ended up falling right into the bath before Opal, Korra, and Asami could stop him.
"Um… guys? Where is the door?" he asked after spitting out a stream of water. The heated water loosened the towel around his eyes and it slipped letting him see Opal. Bolin turned a brilliant shade of pink and quickly pushed the towel back over his eyes before he suffered her retribution. Thankfully Opal didn't seem to notice, or at least if she did she didn't particularly care at that point. Opal pulled Bolin out of the water and Korra bent all the water out of his clothes leaving them dry as they had been before the dip. They pushed Bolin out the doorway and out of the atrium before shutting the door with a click. The had unfortunately forgotten to take the towel off.
"BOLIN! WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN THERE!" roared Tenzin.
"Nothing. NOTHING I sweaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr…" Bolin's voice faded as the sliding door leading out of the bath rattled furiously as though a hurricane threatened to rip the door off its track.
"When Bolin said dinner I was thinking Narook's seaweed Noodlery… not Kwong's Cuisine," said Korra as she picked at her clothes, "I feel horribly underdressed." She glanced at Asami who, despite being penniless, still managed to make even her day clothes look regal.
"You look fine Korra," smiled Asami as she placed one hand on Korra's thigh. Korra blushed in response.
"Yeah, both of you look fantastic. Besides it's not like this place is currently super fancy or
anything."
Bolin was right. The restaurant, which had once been the premier dining place for the upper echelon of Republic City was anything but exclusive tonight. Nearly a third of the restaurant lay hidden behind large colorful tarps concealing the crumbled part of the restaurant that had suffered a stray footstep from Kuvira's mech. The patrons of the night were a better representation of those that still remained in Republic City than ever. Gone were the fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, replaced instead by simple yet elegant outfits that would have fit in a semi-formal gathering rather than a high-society dinner function.
Korra still felt rather unsettled being in the restaurant. A waiter with an impeccably clean and pressed uniform had pampered all four at the table. Asami and Opal had accepted the offerings of the waiter as though they belonged here. Bolin had gotten confused at the distribution of a steaming hot towel. Korra just kind of stared stunned at the opulence that the restaurant, despite being a third destroyed, still possessed.
They had all gotten settled around the silk covered table when Mako finally appeared. He wore his usual grey guardsman uniform but it was clear that he had either gotten a new one or had the old one laundered. His arm still hung in a sling wrapped tightly by the cast and bandages that tended to his broken bones and severe burns on his arm. Still he moved as though the arm hardly bothered him. His smile grew as he approached the table of his friends. He grabbed a seat next between Bolin and Korra.
The waiter reappeared bringing a final warmed towel for Mako and distributing a number of elaborate menus containing very few items and no prices. Korra shifted uneasily as she read the entries. Each item sounded incredibly expensive and she didn't want to burn all of Bolin's money in a single night of dinner. Asami noticed her discomfort and whispered a suggestion in her ear. Korra blushed at how close and warm her voice felt but quickly calmed down before Mako could notice.
The waiter appeared as though he had read the table's mind. The whipped out a small white notepad and began jotting down orders. He once again vanished like a shadow in bright sunlight.
The waiter returned with their dishes within minutes as though the dishes had already been ordered and prepared for their arrival. The nearly miraculous appearance of food made both Korra and Asami's stomachs growl in a rather unlady-like fashion. After days of eating nothing except vegetables on Air Temple Island, the two women had begun to crave the stronger flavors and textures of meat. Everyone began to dig in enthusiastically.
"You know," said Bolin through a mouthful of food, "I've always wanted to try this place."
"Don't speak with your mouth full," rebuked Opal with a light smack on his hand.
"Sorry." He swallowed the food in his mouth. "Anyways, this place always smelled so good, I hated walking by it every time I was out in the city proper."
"Now you can afford to eat here it seems," said Mako with a sly smile, "All hail Nuptuck eh?"
"It's all thanks to NUPTUCK HERO… OF THE SOUTH!" cried Bolin proudly pounding his own chest.
"You sure you can afford all this little bro? I can help out with the bill if you need it," offered Mako, "Prince Wu may be giving up rule of his kingdom but he's still paying me quite well."
"Nope, this is my treat to all of you. Besides, what's the point in worrying about the bill? Just enjoy the food and the company."
They continued to eat their wide variety of dishes and delicacies. When it was all finished the waiter appeared with his usual impeccable timing. It was as though he managed the flow of dishes for the entire restaurant and did it in such a way where no one table or group was waiting for longer than necessary. The waiter brought back a sweet red bean soup accented with citrus zest and sprinkled with powdered sugar in the pattern of the four bending elements but delicately detailed. He placed each bowl in front of his eager patrons and then left again.
Korra thoroughly enjoyed the simple dessert letting the hot contents of the bowl warm her body from the core outwards. The sweet flavors with the hints of citrus made for a delectable flavor that lingered on her tongue making the dessert seem to last much longer than it really did. Korra finished her dessert first, followed shortly by Asami. The two of them looked at each other exchanging silent words and coming to a wordless agreement.
"Mako, I have to tell you something."
Mako, Bolin, and Opal all raised their heads turning towards Korra. Bolin suddenly looked nervous. Opal stirred her dessert absentmindedly. Mako stopped eating all together.
"Mako, Asami and I…," Korra took a deep breath, "We're dating."
*clatter*
Mako's spoon fell into the bowl with a clatter that felt louder than it should have been. The dessert splashed slightly falling upon and staining the silk tablecloth below which no one noticed. Mako's face bleached white, then looked confused, then hurt, and finally settled for brooding.
"What do you mean?" he said, his voice even but barely in control.
"I mean…," Korra closed her eyes, this was not the reaction she had hoped for. She had expected some reaction and even prepared for Mako not to understand but his barely controlled voice, dark confused and hurt eyes, and his furrowed brow made it all the harder to say. "I…"
"It's okay Korra, I'll tell him," said Asami as she put a reassuring hand on Korra's hand and held it as though to comfort her. "Mako, Korra and I are in love. I don't know if you're going to understand it but we're asking that you find it in your heart to accept it."
"I… I…," Mako choked. Here he was at the end of a meal looking at the two women he had dated and feeling suddenly as though all doors to his life had been slammed shut in his face. He wasn't sure if he still had feelings for Asami but Korra was an entirely different story. He felt a sort of kinship with her that he just couldn't understand. When he had told her he would have her back no matter what at the wedding reception it was because he couldn't come out and say "I still love you" to her face. His mind raced as his carefully constructed world seemed to fall apart right around him.
"I… don't know if… I can…," he said shakily, "I… I need some time to breathe."
He stood up and slid away from the table walking as though someone had just taken a bat to his legs. He walked out the front door almost plowing right into it. After a moment Bolin stood up and gave Opal a quick kiss before saying, "I'll go see to him." Bolin dropped a thick stack of bills on the table making sure it would be enough for the dinner and tip before hurrying out after his brother.
Opal looked sad at the reaction. Asami stared almost unblinkingly at the door. Korra was shaking. She felt tears well up behind her eyes but refused to let them flow. I'm strong, she kept telling herself, I'm strong, and I don't need his approval. I love Asami. This isn't just a fling or a phase, I really need Asami. I can't live without her.
Then her thoughts were polluted by a vein of red anger. How could he be like that, why is he such a jerk? Can't he just be happy for us? How come Bolin was able to accept it and Mako couldn't.
Then the despair: What am I going to do? I may not love Mako anymore but I still want to be friends. I still care about his feelings. What have I done? What if I lose a friend over this? Can I make it up to him? Do I even owe him that? Don't I owe myself happiness more than I owe an explanation to Mako?
Bolin came in looking grim. His face was slightly red indicating he had been yelling. He sat down at the table with a resigned thud.
"He left."
"He what?"
"He's not coming back in. He said he needed time. But he looked mad. More angry than I have ever seen him." Bolin sighed, "I'm sorry Korra, sorry Asami. I really wish I could change things, make it work, but I don't know if Mako will come out of this. He was really mad. I don't think he understands even if he wanted to." Bolin rubbed his temple trying to alleviate his suddenly present headache. "We're just going to have to give him time."
Korra felt her world coming apart at the seams, not completely, but definitely weakening her foothold on reality. The room seemed to swirl and the colors seemed to flicker between bright and dull. Physically she was fine, rooted to her seat like a stone is to the earth. But her mind was in turmoil.
Korra left the restaurant thoroughly shaken. Asami was at her side making sure she was walking properly despite being severely shaken herself. What had happened was just about the worst case scenario she could have hoped for. The only worse outcome would have been Mako flying into an irrational rage and leveling the entire restaurant. But he was too controlled for that so what had happened was effectively the worst thing possible.
The bright colors of the night street seemed dull to her eyes. And the people that moved around her seemed grey and ghostlike their dull images seemed to smear and flow into the rest of the dark sullen evening. Suddenly a condescending voice rang out in the night.
"Watch where you're going Avatar," the voice spat.
"Oh no, not you," mumbled Asami.
"Why not me Miss Sato, just because you don't like me doesn't mean you should be rude?"
"I don't have time for this Zhan. I'm in no mood."
Korra's ears perked up upon hearing the name Zhan. Where have I heard that name before? she thought as her mind dragged itself from the mire of despair. Oh, Zhan, the bastard that hurt Asami. Her addled mind soon started growing clearer her despair being replaced by the rage she had felt at Asami's pain.
Korra shook her head clear leaving only the rage buzzing in the back of her mind. She interrupted Zhan's hypocritical diatribe about respect before he could rail even more into Asami who had gone from exasperated to completely annoyed at the arrogant man before her and Korra.
"Hey! You! Shut it for a second!" She stepped up to Zhan who, despite being a few inches taller than Korra, seemed to shrink away upon encountering resistance. "You're Zhan right?" Her eyes seemed to spark with the flames she wanted to use to scorch Zhan.
"Yeah and what's it to you Avatar?" The way Zhan used her title made her cringe. It wasn't said in fear or respect, it was said in contempt as if he was actually saying, "it doesn't matter if you have power I'm still better and you're lower than the trash below my feet."
"This." Korra shot a straight fist at Zhan's nose. The impact sounded a sickening crack as the contemptuous villain's nose broke. "Don't EVER talk to Asami, I don't want to see your dirty face or hear your irritating voice again. If I see you again a broken nose will be the least of your concerns." spat Korra venomously her eyes ablaze with the anger she had been holding back for Asami's sake.
Zhan howled as he tumbled back dust dirtying his disgustingly white outfit. His hands were on his bloodied face holding his nose as though Korra's punch had almost ripped it off. His eyes spat hatred at every angle. And his brow glistened with sweat brought on by pain.
"You'll pay for this Avatar," he snarled, "you and all your friends and family. I will have you strung up by your thumbs and whipped until you are bloody. You will learn what it means to cross Zhan Fang!" He scurried away like a wounded animal not looking back. If anyone had seen his eyes they would have seen terror and hatred rather than his usual confidence.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Asami quietly, "You don't know what he is capable of."
Korra smiled wryly, "Sure he could probably sue the pants off my legs but to be honest, I've never had much to begin with. My family lives comfortably and they'd probably have done the same… well at least my dad would have. He hates this kind of behavior." She paused and looked at Asami, smiling even wider. "And besides, it's not like you didn't enjoy him wailing like a child and scampering away like a scared rat."
"No… I guess I can't say that." Asami smiled and glanced around momentarily. Upon seeing no one in the immediate vicinity she gave Korra a kiss that made all of the terrible things that had happened that night seem almost meaningless. "Let's go home."
Hey readers, I hope the chapter was well worth the wait. I decided to pull the chapter out a little longer than usual. Slam packed with action and all sorts of good stuff. Sadly for how noble Mako is in the show I wanted to take my own spin on his acceptance (or in this case, rejection) of the Korrasami relationship. I do draw a lot of what I write from my own life experiences. One of the reasons the chapter took so long was because in writing this chapter I had to face some of the inequality of beliefs in my own mind (not easy btw).
Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter (as always) and I hope you all come back for more. I took out the Varrick portion because he really didn't fit with the overall serious tone of this chapter. I had a little offshoot portion after the ending scene where I was trying to replicate the Jack Sparrow/Pirates 1 scene where he sails in on a sinking ship, but it just didn't fit. The story is about Korrasami and their trials, tribulations, and most of all their triumphs. I may consider writing an offshoot comedy story involving The Zhurrick and Bopal pairings sometime later. Let me know what you think about that.
As for future plans I'm considering on releasing a new chapter every two weeks. Work has picked up quite a bit and it makes it somewhat difficult to write a good story when I spend most of my days working (sorry about that but man's gotta eat). I think I'm going to stick with slightly longer chapters to make up for the wait time but we'll have to see. I have plenty of books to read and life experiences to draw from in the meantime so I think my content should be consistently pleasing.
Oh current offshoot projects include the Korrasami Proposal and Korrasami Wedding (I know exciting right? vows are going to be interesting). I'm toying with the idea of a miniseries called Nuptuck and the Blackthorne: Tales of Madness.
As always please review if you have something to say. I appreciate every word. If you review as a guest I wont be able to respond to you. Also send me PMs if you wish to chat I'm always happy to flesh out stuff that may not have been properly addressed in the writing. Peace.