Book 1:Healing

Chapter 10: Connection

"Good morning, Zaheer," Korra said as she approached him.

"Good morning, Korra," he replied and opened his eyes. The sky was still dark at this early hour, but Korra looked bright and wide awake. "We are going to change your training today, but for now, please complete your exercises as normal."

Korra nodded and settled herself on a mat as she began her meditation. Zaheer watched her for a few moments and re-closed his eyes. The change would be welcome. As necessary as repetition and reinforcement was to guide and mould the Avatar's thought processes, it all became too familiar, too tedious. The girl's mastery of both water and earthbending was progressing as estimated; time to move on to other matters. He let his mind drift toward the spirit world while he waited, reaching its border as Korra roused herself from a sleep she kept hidden. She was watching him, pondering if she could dupe him. Korra decided against it and began running her laps of the compound. Good. Zaheer resisted the temptation to carry on into the spirit world; Korra would be back soon enough and then it would be time for breakfast.

The two of them ate alone today; the other members of the Red Lotus busy elsewhere. "Your pre-breakfast routine will remain the same," Zaheer said as he ate. "After breakfast you will learn world history and air nomad philosophy until lunch. From then until mid-afternoon you will run your waterbending drills. Earthbending drills are to commence immediately afterward. After dinner, P'Li will begin firebending basics until bedtime."

Korra frowned. "The whole morning is just going to be old stories?"

"Yes," Zaheer said. "A human being is her mind, her body and her spirit, Korra. You must train all of them."

"But," Korra replied, fidgeting. "I know how to read and write already. I know all the characters already. If I learn anything new I'll forget things."

"You will not forget them. When you learn a new waterbending or earthbending drill do you no longer know the ones you knew before?"

Korra's eyes narrowed. "No... But-"

Zaheer cut her off. "The same is true of mental growth. Reading hones both your literacy and your knowledge."

"But I want to see all these things, not just read about them," Korra looked grumpy.

"I was under the impression you liked reading your books," Zaheer said.

"I do... but, it's not the same."

Zaheer sighed. "I'm afraid it is not possible for you to see those things at present." He glanced at her. "Then again, if history is so objectionable, we could improve your mathematics."

"No, anything but that," Korra exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"It is also an important skill," Zaheer said.

Korra shook her head. "It's not. It doesn't do anything. Why do I need to know how to mulitply one number by another? Why are all the questions about the otter penguin population?"

"They are merely examples on how to apply the concepts. But - given your intense dislike - if you concentrate on your new lessons, we will be required to spend less time on arithmetic." Korra was staring down at her rice bowl. "You have a basic grounding in mathematics; now I will teach you about philosophy, the spirits and the human body." Zaheer smiled. "You might even grow to like meditation."

"I doubt it," Korra said, shovelling another mass of rice into her mouth. "I hate meditation."

"You have never really tried it," Zaheer said.

"You make me do it everyday. And I still have to do it," Korra muttered.

"Yes, and that will continue until you do meditate. Not just sleep through it."

"But I only do that because it's like going to sleep. Can't I do some more push-ups instead? Those actually make me feel stronger."

Zaheer scowled. "No. Meditation is of the upmost importance. If you refuse to meditate at any point, you will not be allowed to bend for the rest of the day."

Korra snorted. "Like you can stop me."

"Do not try my patience, Korra," Zaheer boomed. "While I am not able to bend, I am perfectly capable of ensuring that you cannot either."

Korra looked worried, and blinked at him. "Okay." She chewed her food, deep in thought. "But if I get so little time for earthbending, how am I ever going to learn lavabending?"

Zaheer sighed. "I had hoped to discuss this at another time, but Ghazan is unconvinced you have the ability." Korra looked away from him. "Korra?"

"What?" She sounded upset.

"This is nothing to be ashamed of. Not every bender is capable of every form of bending. P'Li's abilities are exceptionally rare; it is unlikely you could bend as she does. It does not diminish your skills; Ghazan is otherwise delighted with your earthbending progress."

"Maybe... maybe I just need more practice? If Ghazan could teach me more, I might be able to? And maybe I can firebend like P'Li as well?" She looked back, blinking, her eyes moist. "And I might even be able to heal, but how would we know since Ming can't? And how about lightningbending?"

"There are ways to find out if you are capable of healing; it is possible that you can. As for lightningbending; Korra-"

Korra sighed. "I know, I know. Only the Fire Nation royalty can do it."

"Not quite; though they are the only ones to hold the relevant knowledge. They alone know of the secret technique," Zaheer corrected her.

Korra's eyes widened. "So I might be able to learn it?"

"Perhaps."

"...this concludes the philosophies of Guru Ravi." Zaheer eyed Korra. "Could you please tell me of all the Gurus you know of?"

Korra paused for a moment. "Guru Meera, Guru Takaram and Guru Ravi."

"Very good. We have one final Guru to cover."

Korra sighed. "Another one?"

"There were many great Gurus over the years." Zaheer cleared his throat. "Our next subject is Guru Laghima. He is particularly note-worthy in the annals of the airbenders for being the first to achieve true flight."

Korra blinked. "He could fly? The airbenders could fly?"

"Yes," Zaheer smiled. "Though only a very few have ever achieved weightlessness as Laghima did. There is no record of any Avatar performing this feat; not even in the Avatars who arose from within the air nomads."

"I'm going to be the first Avatar to do it then," Korra said as she sat up straighter. Zaheer bit back his retort; the secret Laghima achieved would be impossible for an Avatar like her.

"Laghima lived thousands of years ago, before the founding of the four nations in our world. He began as an ordinary member of the air nomads until he lost his air bison at a young age."

"I thought that never happened?" Korra asked.

"It is rare admittedly. Typically it was due to the air bison falling ill or not surviving an attack by a predator. Laghima was unusual even then; unlike almost every other air nomad who suffered this misfortune, he did not choose a replacement. Instead he became the leader of a group of airbenders who dedicated their time to freeing the land from the warlords who overran the territories the air nomads favoured." Zaheer stared at Korra as he spoke, his student seemed fascinated. "Laghima and his band of followers learned to strike fear into hearts of their enemies. They attacked via stealth and subterfuge; often their enemies were eliminated as they slept in supposed safety." Korra's eyes were wide. "Over time they became fugitives; all hunted by the best assassins in the world."

Korra still looked interested, but she was fidgeting more and more as he spoke. "As time wore on, Laghima's friends passed away or were picked off by their enemies. Laghima himself vanished for many years; his whereabouts and destination have remained a mystery ever since. It was many years later when he is next recorded in history. He arrived at the Northern Air temple and demonstrated his ability to fly to the astonished air nomads. For the next forty years his feet again never touched the ground." Korra looked impatient. "His written legacy consisted of several volumes of poetry, though only fragments of this remain thanks to the Fire Nation. We are fortunate that among the remaining text containing are the two main tenats of his philosophy."

His pupil was squirming in her seat now, she wanted, no, needed to ask something. Was she engaged enough? But the next part was vital. "The first of Laghima's teachings is 'New growth cannot exist without first the destruction of the old'. Chaos is the natural state of our world; the organisations that developed during the settling of the four tribes were achieved through violence and subjugation, hidden behind the mask of peace. As soon as the concept of 'government' was introduced, the ability to reach spiritual enlightenment was destroyed in the same moment. One cannot exist in the presence of the other; the introduction of a rigid social system is unnatural and has contributed to every problem since. It affects everything in this world; why the world seeks to harm you and why there exists a rift between humanity and the spirits."

Korra sighed, and Zaheer fought back a scowl. "A problem, Korra?"

"How did he learn to fly?" she asked.

"It was not a quick act or something he found. Guru Laghima first sought to understand the world. Only when he achieved this first goal was he on the path to achieving flight. If you wish to equal his capability, you must study his teachings and understand as he did."

"But..." Korra frowned. "Laghima is a Guru like the others, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"So; his teachings would be like the others? They all say the same thing; people should be free, and people should be spiritual."

Zaheer repressed another sigh. "But do you understand his words? You must understand why Laghima decreed the old must be destroyed to make way for the new." Korra was silent. "Would you know what his second tenat means? The mantra he insisted was the key to his new-found ability?"

Korra sat up and smiled. "I... want to hear it."

"Very well; 'Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty and become wind'." Zaheer intoned the words with as much gravitas as he was able.

"That's it?" Korra looked incredulous. "What's an earthly tether?"

"If you wish to understand his meaning, you will have to study again tomorrow."

Korra chattered to Naga as she cooked her fish over the bonfire. The two appeared inseperable now; the polar bear dog helpful in catching additional food for her.

"Zaheer," she called. He paused as she wandered closer and she held out a skewered fish. "Do you want one?"

"No. Thank you, but no. I am a vegetarian," he said.

"Vegetarian?" Korra peered at the fish. "But, why? Fish is really tasty."

"I follow the ways of the air nomads, and strive to be as close to them as I can be."

"They didn't eat meat?" she asked.

Zaheer shook his head. "No. But, please, finish your meal." He strode away.

"Remember, Korra. You must not use bending. The only ability thing you should rely on is being able to strike the pressure points on my body. With that in mind, are you ready?" Korra nodded, her clothes still singed from P'Li's firebending drills. "Begin."

Korra dashed forward. Zaheer fended off her bare-handed strike without issue, her fingers not even close to the critical point on his shoulder. Korra had not yet proven adept at chiblocking; Zaheer first tried to introduce the concept to her two years earlier. Korra had not proven adept at the skill. A meeting of the Red Lotus concluded that there might be an issue due to her mental immaturity, though time did not seem to have improved her ability. Her strikes were still not accurate enough. Two years ago she flouted the rules and used bending to win a technical victory over Zaheer; always her first and last resort.

There was a sadistic pleasure in the scream of frustration as Zaheer stabbed at the first point on Korra's shoulder. Her arm went limp and she tried to counter-attack; waterbending as alwatys. Her still good arm clumped snow together close by. Too slow. Zaheer ducked and side-stepped the weakened projectiles Korra crafted. She scowled, becoming angrier. A wave of ice pillars erupted under Zaheer's feet. He braced himself and let them throw him up into the air. Up and over Korra. A sweep of his leg and Korra was face down in the snow.

She spluttered. "It's not fair," Korra scowled as she scrambled to her feet and kicked a fireball at Zaheer. It missed by a wide margin; he did not even have to move. "I'm the Avatar and I can't hit you at all."

"You are not a master in any of the elements you can access. As such, you cannot call yourself the Avatar yet," Zaheer said. She glared at him. "Would you like to explain what you did wrong in our fight?"

"My firebending; it's not as good as my earth or waterbending. I need to learn more."

Zaheer sighed. "While it is a possible solution, it is not a wise one. You do not use strategy; you do not compensate due to changes in the battle. You leave yourself open to an opponent who can outsmart you or use your attacks against you as I did." Korra pushed at her limp arm. "Korra; you must observe your opponents and what they do. You concentrate too much on yourself."

"I don't... What do you mean?" she asked.

"You wish to eliminate your weaknesses simply by being stronger. At no point have you tried to exploit my weaknesses. My inability to bend is only one of many. Second; you rely on the ability to bend elements rather than finding a strength in each. You are quick to apply earthbender methodology to your waterbending. This is unhelpful and counter-productive."

"But..." Korra looked annoyed. "But I like all the elements. I can use all the elements. It makes no sense to stick to just one."

Zaheer shook his head. "You miss my point, Korra. Concentrate on the weakness of your opponent. Then use the appropriate element to exploit that weakness."

Korra fidgeted. "That feels a bit like... cheating?"

"Cheating?"

"Yeah; I should defeat them at their strongest. That sounds better."

Zaheer sighed. "Korra; why do you persist in ignoring our advice? We have saved your life three times now; we know the best way to prepare you for the future. We have encountered and defeated hundres of opponents. You have experienced only four and defeated none."

"Shouldn't I do the same then? Leave here and fight stronger fighters?" Korra asked.

Zaheer tilted his head to one side. "That would be futile. The four of us are the best."

Korra looked skeptical. "Still; it's only four peoples. And what about your friends elsewhere? Are they all benders or chiblockers? Do I get to practice fighting with them?"

"You will only meet them when you are older. When you have need of them. At present you remain a child and thus stay here."

Korra stared down at the snow for a moment. "If I defeat you right now, then can I leave here?"

Zaheer frowned. "You cannot hope to defeat me at present. And it would not matter if you did; you are not allowed to leave. Here with myself, P'Li, Ghazan and Ming is the safest place in the world. I am surprised that you need to hear this so often."

With a scowl, Korra leapt forward. Her lust for combat was what they needed from the Avatar; her devotion to her cause made her easy to use. And yet; her interest in fighting was still more about proving her own strength than dispatching her enemies. In her drills, in her lessons, she used every method the Red Lotus taught. Yet as soon as she was in free combat she discarded her lessons and fought in her own, anarchic style. On the ground she was an earthbender, when she dodged she was a waterbender and in the air she bent fire. No improvisation, no dynamics. She remained nothing but a child and used each element only in specific cirumstances. Simple, easy, exploitable. Still young and inexperienced. Still moldable. Still perfect for their methods. But despite her desire to fight, her aggression was too slight. She was prepared to injure an opponent, but none of her attempted blows were close to lethal force. She needed be pushed further. But there was the risk and limitations they knew too well; push too far and they risked the activation of the Avatar State.

Zaheer's fingers stabbed into more pressure points on Korra's body; her arm and one leg. Now the other leg. Korra fell into a crumpled heap in the snow.

"You see now Korra?" Zaheer asked. "You are defeated without landing a single blow on me. I recommend you meditate on all that has happened and why." He turned and walked away.

"Zaheer," she called out. "I'm... cold. Don't leave me out here. Please?"

He turned back. "Korra; if I had been a real opponent you would now be dead. You are helpless and defenceless; remember this experience and seek to avoid it in future."

"At least let Naga warm her up." Zaheer glanced around. His co-conspirators had been watching and Ghazan looked worried.

"As you heard, Ghazan. If this was a real fight, she would now be dead," Ming said with a certain amount of glee. "Leave her in the cold; it is a mild fate in contrast."

Ghazan sighed. "I know. But-" He glanced at the shivering form. "It won't let her die that easily, will it?"

"Zaheer?" P'Li asked. "She is shaking pretty badly."

Zaheer raised an eyebrow. "Let her try to recover on her own." He sighed at her expression. "Very well; if she looks be in danger, than take her inside."

The water was almost scalding, the air hazy. Another new experience to add to the others since Korra arrived in Republic City. Had hot water always been so delicious to lie in? Or was it more because of the oils and dusts Asami insisted on adding to the water? Her back tensed at the thought of her. Asami. Asami Sato. That double name, the one she heard so long ago. There were too many coincidences now. Asami Sato whose father made Satomobiles. Asami Sato who lived in a huge home where you could see the statue of Avatar Aang. It was her. It had to be. Korra needed to talk to her.

Time seemed to drift in the water, the heat and warmth hard to pull away from. But it did not last; it took a long time, far longer than she would have expected, but the water began to cool. Would it be so terrible to replenish the heat? Asami topped up the bath just before she left, steaming water available with the twist of a tap. Korra resisted. She had spent enough time lying here relaxing. A few quick movements drew all the water from her hair and skin, and she picked through Asami's donated clothes. They were a little tight; bearable, but odd after the loosness of Bolin's clothing.

Okay. Now to find everyone else. To go out there again, face everyone and... what? Blurt out her theory about Asami? Try to get her on her own to talk without an audience? Reveal her nature as the Avatar? Maybe they could talk politics; how Asami could live in a place like this, with so much space and - if she understood right - so few people living here, while there were people like Bolin and Mako who had nothing. But it seemed, despite the luxurious home, Asami did care. She invited them here without a pause. And if Korra understood all the implications right, Asami's family were responsible for the shelters Mako mentioned. She was the embodiment of the nice rich person Bolin described. Pity she seemed to be in the minority. But if she was right about Asami, what then? Aang had guided her here for a reason. Asami was not the sole factor in her eagerness to leave her teachers, but neither had Korra been lead straight to the South Pole. If she was to find Katara it did not seem to be why she was here; something required her here. Wait. Katara was Aang's wife. Were there any children?

There was a knock on the door. "Korra?" She jumped at the sound of Asami's voice.

"Yes?"

"Are you decent- I mean," Asami sounded a little flustered. "Is it okay if I come in?"

Korra glanced at herself. She was still wearing clothes. Why did she check? "Yes," she replied, trying to keep her voice level.

Asami smiled as she opened the door. "Hi. Oh, wow; you look great, Korra. The clothes fit you okay?"

There was a half second desire to ask for something larger, but she dismissed it. "Yes, thank you."

Asami looked away, swaying on her feet. "I was wondering..." She glanced back. "Do you want to have a look around? Mako's still out like a light, and Bolin just wanted a little longer in his bath, so I thought...?"

"That sounds great," Korra said. Perfect.

"...and down here..." Asami trailed off. "Korra?" Korra ignored her for the moment and wandered onto the balcony. The sun was low on the horizon; she had seen both sunrise and sunset many times, but it felt different here. Warmer somehow. And in front of the darkening sun was the towering statue of Avatar Aang. "Korra?" Asami tried again. "Are you okay?"

Her heart thundered in her chest and Asami's clothes far too tight around her neck. But; there was no one around. No witnesses to a conversation that might prove embarassing. She needed to know, but somehow, even asking felt a huge hurdle. No. She could do this. "Asami, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Asami replied and leant back against the railing. Korra had the other girl's undivided attention.

"Before, where I used to live, I. No. When I was a kid, there was this time-" Korra sighed and took a deep breath. "Asami; I don't think today is the first time we've met. And..." Come on. "I think it was our destiny to meet like this."

Asami's eyes widened a fraction and her smile grew a little. She tilted her head to one side. "Destiny is it?" Asami did not seem fazed by her words; more intrigued. Maybe pleased? "And we met before?" She tilted her head to the other side. "I'm... I'm sorry, but I think I might need a hint?"

There was an odd warmth in her stomach at Asami's smile. Fear tempered the pleasant sensation; Asami had missed the point. "Let me start again. I used to live in the North. The real far North. And one day I met a girl named Asami Sato. She said her father made cars and lived in Republic City and-" She broke off. Asami's smile had vanished.

"Naga." Asami twisted around, and stared down off the balcony. "That's... that's Naga. She's... she's so big now. She's..." She turned back, her lips quirking back into a grin. Korra could not repress her own smile. "You. It was you. You kept me warm. You bent fire to keep me warm," she said, her voice growing louder as she spoke.

Korra let out a shuddering breath. "It is you," she breathed.

"Korra; you were the girl in the snow. You're the girl who wouldn't tell me her name." She darted forwards and before Korra could react, Asami's arms were wrapped around her. "I knew you were real," she whispered. "They never really believed me, but I knew I met someone out there." Korra was not sure how to react to this. After a delay she lifted her arms and let them settle around Asami. That seemed to be okay. "This is amazing."

"Yeah," Korra smiled into her shoulder. "I wanted to find you, but... I had no idea how to even start."

Asami pulled back. "I think you have to thank Naga."

Korra grinned. "That's true."

Asami stepped back and Korra let her arms drop a second too late. Asami did not seem to mind. "I kept wondering what happened to you. I wanted to see you again, but..." Asami bowed to her. "I'm sorry; I never kept my promise." She straightened and smiled again. "I got in so much trouble for getting lost. I was never allowed out on my own again. And we never went back the next year or ever again."

"I..." Korra glanced out to the darkening sky. "I figured it would be something like that. And... I got moved shortly after that anyway. But I found your research station - just not quick enough. So I have to apologise too; I never made it back the next day either."

"It's fine," Asami said waving; something seemed to catch her eye and she stared at Korra for a long moment. Korra felt her cheeks heat up. "And now you've left home and come here. I'm so glad we ran into each other."

"Yeah..." Korra tried to not let the lie catch in her throat as she scratched at her cheek. "Needed to get out and start a new life here."

"Okay; you were going to meet my dad anyway, but now I really have to introduce you to him." Asami sounded giddy.

"Your father?"

"Yeah; he was never convinced you were real. Something about lack of places to live, and how you vanished right before they arrived. And trying to tell him about Naga just made him more skeptical. But now; now I can introduce my 'imaginary' friend to him." Asami smiled. "I really am sorry I didn't recognise you at first. It's just... been too long." Asami curled a strand of hair around her finger. "When did you realize?"

"It wasn't immediate," Korra admitted. "I wondered when I heard your name."

"Oh, so that's why you asked," Asami interjected with a giggle.

"Yeah. But I wasn't sure until the gate; your name, the Satomobiles." Korra smirked. "You used to do a really good impression of them."

Asami blinked. "I talked about Satomobiles?"

Korra nodded. "And Republic City. And the Avatar statue." Korra gestured to it. "And you even mentioned this place." She glanced up to the bulk of the mansion.

Asami laughed. "I wish my memory was that good. I 've forgotten so much." A jolt ran through Korra at her words. Her precious memory of their meeting seemed so unimportant to Asami. "I am sorry though, Korra. That was right before my mom... passed away," she murmured. Korra tensed. She felt selfish; a chance meeting in the snow could not take precedence over the loss of her mother like that. Asami looked her. "I'm sorry Korra."

Korra shook her head. "No, I'm sorry."

Asami shook her head. "It's okay. Losing her was why we never went back North. The memories were just too painful for my Dad. It still gets to him and he works way too hard because of it. Wish she could have met you too. Oh," she added after a moment. She rummaged in her pocket and pulled something out. "Okay, Mom, this is my friend Korra - the one I told you about. Korra; my mother." Asami held out an opened locket. There was an image inside of what looked like an older Asami cradling a younger girl. The same young girl she met in the snow.

"She's beautiful... You look just like her." Asami smiled, but Korra was still distracted by the image. Why was that image so clear? There was no indication of any brushstrokes in the image. Just like all the images on the Sato's walls. How were they painted?

"This is also why we met," Asami said, closing the locket and slipping it back into her pocket. "Mako stole it from me. And because of that I wound up meeting you." Asami blinked. "Did you say... Are your parents dead too?" Korra nodded. "Sorry," Asami said. "I think I remember you saying that. Should have remembered." Asami coughed. "You should know..." She peered back through the doorway and lowered her voice. "I never completely forgot about you. I mean, I forgot what I said, but I remember what you did. I remember you waterbending and firebending." Korra felt a chill rip through her. "And when... when the Avatar never appeared, I wondered if..." Asami looked at her. "I wondered if I'd met her."

Korra shook her head. "No, no. I think..." Quick. "You must have gotten something mixed up. I'm just a firebender. I made a fire to keep you warm." Weak. If Asami pressed her based on her memory it would not be easy to cover.

Asami nodded and her shoulders relaxed. "That makes sense." She reached out to touch Korra's arm. "I was worried I knew where the Avatar was when the world needed her. I thought, what if I'm responsible for everything that went wrong after that because I never told anyone?" Asami smirked. "That'd make me a pretty terrible person right?"

This was more than a little awkward. "Hate to disappoint. Or is that less disappointing?" Korra said and tried to keep her tone light.

"Bit of both, I think," Asami replied. "Still; you never know. Are you from the water tribe?" Korra nodded. "So there's still a chance you could be the Avatar. Maybe you just haven't sussed out the other elements yet?"

"I... I tried and it didn't work. I thought I could be the Avatar once too," Korra said, the lie seeming transparent. Did she say that too fast? "Bet all the water tribe kids did."

"I was kidding Korra," Asami said with a laugh. Korra joined in a second later. "I mean it sounds great to be the Avatar, but all that responsibility, all those people looking up and depending on you; I'm not sure I could do it. If I could bend at all," she added. Both girls stared out at the sunset in silence. "So," Asami said after a long pause. "What are you plans for after this? Do you have anywhere to stay in the city?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead. Last night I slept at Mako and Bolin's place, and now that's gone. I'll figure something out." Korra sighed and shook her head. "Can I admit something?"

"Sure," Asami replied.

"I spent so long thinking about coming here, and then when I got my chance I ran with it without thinking about afterwards. Now I'm here, and I've done the thing I always wanted to do, but..."

"You don't know what to do now?" Asami offered.

"Exactly," Korra said with a nod. "I never thought I could get here like this. Or find you. After finding out A- the other person had passed away, you were all I was focused on."

Asami reached for Korra's hands. "You can stay here if you want."

"Asami... I..."

"It's fine. You've seen how much space we have here. You're new in the city. And," she said with a glint in her eye. "You are my oldest friend by a long-shot. So; I want to help."

If her guardians were indeed looking for her to drag her back to the North, how would they view Asami? Or Mako or Bolin? "Asami, thank you, but I-"

Asami shook her head. "I'm not going to force you or anything. You don't have to decide now. Just know there is a room for you here, and I know the city really well, and I would love to spend more time with you."

"Thank you."

Asami took Korra's hand and laced their fingers together. "Hungry?" Korra nodded, the physical sensation distracting her thoughts. "Let's sort out dinner then. And what a story to tell the other two." Asami let go of Korra's hand. There was a second of disappointment followed by surprise as Asami wrapped both arms around Korra's arm and squeezed. "It's great to finally meet you again, Korra."

Korra smiled. "And you, Asami."

"Wait, wait, wait," Bolin said, leaning forward. "You two met when you were just kids? And found each other again thanks to both of you meeting me and Mako?" He grinned at Mako who seemed less excited. "This is destiny. This is actual destiny stuff. And it would make a great radio serial plot; the watertribe firebender named Korra meets the Future Industries heiress Asami Sato when they were just kids. Years later thanks to the noble actions of their two new friends, the two find each other again." He looked exuberant. "We should write it down and send it to Aunt Tsaro. There's a chance they'll do the story as part of Do You Remember?" Bolin stared into space for a moment and frowned. "Wait... Would it come out as a romance?"

"Please don't," Korra said, picking at her food. "I'm not sure I want to be famous."

"Maybe we could change the names," Asami said. "Have you heard any of the Do You Remember? series" Korra shook her head. "I'll let you know next time it's on. It's really good. Pity there's no way to hear the best ones again unless they re-perform them. Like the one that starts out with the firebender boy and waterbender girl meeting in the pro-bending arena. And then..." Asami shook her head. "Don't want to spoil it in case it does come around again. That one really made me cry though."

"Oh," Bolin exclaimed. "That was one of my favorites too. Didn't like the love triangle though. I mean, it was so sad when he chose the waterbender and ditched the rich girl, but I wish they stopped doing that kind of thing."

Mako scowled. "It was badly written anyway."

Asami raised an eyebrow. "But you listened, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, its hard to ignore when he's tuned in." Mako flicked his thumb at Bolin. Asami stared at him and he flushed. "Fine," Mako added. "Once I've heard the start, I have to know the ending." He looked away as Bolin and Asami laughed.

"How did it end?" Korra asked.

"It's... Hard to summarize?" Bolin said. "I mean, we'd have to tell the whole story all over again. And it's best to hear it without knowing the ending."

"I don't mind," Korra said.

Bolin smiled. "It's still complicated. But the most important part was that the waterbender and the rich girl got together at the end and lived happily ever after."

Korra frowned. "Well, I'm not that fond of love stories," Korra said. "All the ones I read had one or other of them dying. And then the surviving partner just mourns them for the rest of their days. There was even one when he knew the girl two weeks and threw his entire life away and completely ignored his childhood sweetheart. He turned into a real jerk. And some of the first earthbender romances are just overly tragic."

"Thank you," Mako said with emphasis. "I don't want to relive that experience in a two-man show."

Asami and Bolin laughed. "I'm not sure I remember the whole script," Asami said.

"Me either," Bolin added.

"Now that's not true," Mako frowned. "I know you remember every word."

Bolin flushed and coughed. "Sorry Korra, but I still think your story would make a great drama."

"And you want to draw attention to her? Don't forget, the police were looking for her," Mako said.

"No problem," Bolin replied as he leant back. "We can change the names, make up some more fantasy sequences to add into it, not mention her fighting the police-" He broke off and sighed. "No, its no good. They'll definitely pick up on it if we tried that. Sorry Korra."

"It's fine. Maybe one day okay? When we know the rest of the story?" Korra offered.

Bolin grinned. "I like that idea."

Asami cleared her throat. "I would like to propose a toast." Asami lifted her glass up, the brothers following her action. Korra hesitated a moment before copying. "To the newest employee of Future Industries and forklift operator; Mako. To Bolin and Mako for their new home in the company dorms."

"This is going to be so awesome. Oh, wait. Where's Korra going to live?" Bolin asked.

"Well, I've offered to let her stay here," Asami said.

"And I've decided... I will," Korra replied in a rush, feeling her cheeks redden. Asami smiled at her.

"So to new jobs, new places to live and new friendships. Cheers," Asami said.

"Cheers," the others echoed, Korra a moment out of step. The wine was good; Zaheer let her drink some in the past. But this meal was so different to any other she had experienced; her teachers almost never ate together no matter how much time passed since they last saw each other. And there was never laughter like this, never this warm atmosphere. On the surface it was not that different; she was with an earthbender, a firebender and a non-bender who could chiblock. So why did it feel so different? Why did these people she had met just days ago want to spend time with her like this? Why was there no guilt? How could she be so comfortable here?

"And here's to Korra," Asami said after she topped up her glass. She looked a little flushed. "I bet she would be a much better Avatar than the real one. At least we know where she is."

Bolin laughed. "Oh, Korra would be such a cool Avatar. And it would be so awesome if she was." He grabbed Mako's arm. "Think about it; we'd actually be in Team Avatar. For real this time."

"I don't think it pays well. I think I'll stick with my new job," Mako replied.

"I'm not sure Team Avatar got paid at all," Asami clarified.

Korra took another too large gulp of her wine.

Thanks for the reviews!

On the earthbender who beat Mako:

Was she important? *shrugs*

On relationships:

We're pleased with the feedback! We aim to make them complex.

On Book 2 and 3 and possible storylines:

We love to hear your thoughts and predictions, but we can't tell ya what's gonna happen. I can just say I'm optimistic the story is going to be better as it goes on.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory."

- Leonard Nimoy (March 26, 1931 - February 27, 2015)

Rest in peace space man, you will be remembered.