A/N: I would have probably gotten this out sooner but I've been feeling kind of sick-ish the last couple of days. But either way, it has been done.
"Is everyone prepared to go to the prison, Uncle?"
Kuvira stepped next to Tonraq as Eska spoke, watching as Tonraq nodded.
"It shouldn't take us long to get to the prison." Tonraq said, more to Kuvira than anyone else as the twins headed out of the throne room.
When Tonraq moved forward, Kuvira fell instep alongside Izumi as they followed, making their way out of the palace. Kuvira winced at the sting of the wind as they stepped outside. She had never liked the cold, and the few times she'd visited the Southern Water Tribe with Korra, she'd been miserable.
"Are you not freezing with all that metal armor, Kuvira?" Izumi asked, casting a glance in her direction as they walked away from the palace.
"I'm fine," Kuvira shrugged. It was true enough, she knew she'd be cold either way. "I should ask you if you're cold. Aren't you Fire Nation, after all?"
Izumi chuckled, and Kuvira could see her eyes crinkling as she smiled. "My great-uncle Iroh taught me an old airbender trick. Breathing exercises to keep your body temperature stable, even in cold like this." She was still smiling as she held one hand out toward Kuvira and lit a flame in her palm. "It helps with the firebending, too. Sometimes it can get too cold to bend fire, but this helps. You should learn it sometime. I'm sure Tenzin would teach you."
"Is that why they kept the combustionbender here?" Kuvira asked, raising her eyebrow. "Because it's too cold to bend properly?"
"Ideally, yes." Tonraq replied from where he was several steps ahead of them. "She's in the coldest cell that could be given to her without her freezing to death. It hinders a firebender's ability to create heat, though it does not stop it completely. This just makes her…"
"Manageable." Izumi finished with a frown.
Tonraq nodded, and Kuvira heard him sigh as they arrived at the snowcat they would be driving to the prison. Tonraq climbed into the driver's seat, leaving the rest of them to climb into the back.
She let out a slow breath, watching her breath blow away on the wind as she waited for the twins and Izumi to climb in before her. Once the three of them were seated, Kuvira climbed inside, finding her seat beside Izumi. She folded her hands in her lap as Tonraq started the vehicle, and looked out the window to see the snow gently falling down around them
"So I have a question." Kuvira finally said when they started moving forward. "I just…why doesn't the White Lotus relocate her? Technically you could build a refrigeration system and make a cell cold enough anywhere in the world, right? I mean the Red Lotus know she's here, but if you sedated her and moved her…wouldn't that give the White Lotus more time?"
"That's a good idea," Tonraq huffed, "But try telling that to anyone in the Order—sorry, Izumi."
"Oh I agree with you," Izumi chuckled dryly. "They don't know what they're doing."
"Put her in a platinum cell…" Kuvira muttered under her breath, "Refrigerate the thing and guard it with an army. Red Lotus won't get her then…"
It seemed simple, really.
Why haven't they done this already?
When she glanced at Izumi a moment later, she noticed that Izumi was frowning, her face lined with an expression Kuvira couldn't read. She looked almost thoughtful, regardless.
They were silent for the rest of the journey, and when the snowcat eventually rumbled to a halt, Kuvira frowned as she looked out the window and saw the prison looming a short walk away.
They all climbed out of the vehicle, following Tonraq's lead as they marched together toward the prison itself. They were escorted inside only momentarily by a pair of guards, but once they were brought to the elevator they were left alone. The five of them stepped inside, and Kuvira stood at the front of the elevator, stiff as a statue, trying to ignore the aching cold of the prison as the elevator set into motion. She was on alert just by being there, something that Tonraq clearly noticed when he spoke.
"You know, Kuvira…If I wanted a bodyguard, I would have brought some more waterbenders."
"Watch it, Tonraq." Kuvira warned. "I can still kick your ass."
"Not surrounded by snow you can't."
"Want to go back outside and find out?" She asked, raising her eyebrow as she waited for his response.
Other than the creaking of the elevator as they continued their descent into the earth, the only thing that reached Kuvira's ears was the sound of Tonraq laughing. It died down quickly, but it had been a nice thing to hear, all things considered. It was loud and hearty like Korra's, and Kuvira enjoyed it while it lasted.
"Fire Lord Izumi," Desna spoke from behind Kuvira, though she kept her eyes on the passing floors in front of them. "What can you tell us about the combustionbender?"
"She's dangerous. Combustionbenders are rare, and they channel their energy through a tattoo on their forehead to create massive displays of firebending. The energy is heavily focused, and will explode on contact. My father knew one, when he was younger. Hired him to kill the Avatar." Kuvira lowered her brows, glancing over her shoulder at Izumi. "…didn't work."
"I'm glad it didn't," Kuvira shrugged after a pause. "People try to kill the Avatar too much as it is."
"On that," Izumi sighed, "We can agree."
By the time the elevator jerked to a halt, they were deep within the earth. There was little metal, outside of the few support beams, everything around them having been instead dug into the frozen earth. Despite the cold, Kuvira felt at home, though Izumi seemed to grow more uncomfortable at the chill that reached their bones at the base of the prison.
"She's way down here?" Izumi asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Yes." Tonraq replied. "I told you, she's in the coldest cell possible. This place is packed with centuries of ice. If we put her at surface level-."
"She'd be able to bend," Izumi finished. "Of course. I just…expected something a little more…guarded."
"There are guards down here at all times," Tonraq assured her as they turned down a long and narrow hallway.
There were guards. Two of them. Kuvira wouldn't exactly have called that guarded, and she didn't like it.
There should be more. Given the situation, knowing she might escape, there should be a dozen more.
They walked to where the guards were standing, which Kuvira recognized as a cell as she drew closer. She was more worried about the security of the thing, so once she was close enough, she traced over every inch of the small space with her eyes. She refused to let it be weak. They had to hold the last prisoner, no matter what. If Kuvira had to sedate her and carry her off herself, she would.
The others were talking behind her, but she barely heard them. It was background noise, as far as she was concerned. When Kuvira was satisfied that the cell at least looked like it could withstand anything, she let her eyes drift down until she found the woman it contained.
She'd heard many things about P'li, most of it from others. Kuvira hadn't expected her to be sitting in the floor, or to find the deep amber eyes staring back at her. She barely noticed the sheet of metal that had been chained to P'li's forehead, too distracted by the eyes boring into her. There was nothing Kuvira felt except hatred radiating off the woman. P'li took a deep breath, and when she exhaled the foggy breath poured around her face almost like a dragon breathing smoke. Kuvira scowled and shifted slightly in her armor, never taking her eyes off the woman.
Kuvira could hear the voice of one of the guards, followed by the low rumble that belonged to Tonraq, but she felt like an animal being stalked like a predator. It was silly, in its own way. She had no reason to fear the woman in front of her. Besides her clear containment, they were separated by metal, and Kuvira had the advantage. There was no threat.
Why am I still afraid?
She refused to let the fear show, however. She kept herself calm, holding herself with as much poise as she could muster. She walked around stiffly enough when doing important business around Zaofu, this was no different. She refused to show this woman any weakness. The sound of the chains shifting is what warned Kuvira that the woman was moving, though she was a little surprised when P'li stood and Kuvira found herself looking up. P'li hadn't broken their gaze the entire time she moved, though Kuvira saw a slight smirk turn up the corner of her mouth as she looked down at Kuvira.
"Boo." The voice escaped the woman like a hiss, and Kuvira heard the people around her grow silent. Kuvira only scowled.
You're harmless down here. You're harmless alone.
Still, she couldn't force herself to relax. Not in P'li's presence. She cursed herself for flinching a moment later when she felt something on her arm. She huffed when she saw it was Tonraq.
"Time to go. We have things to do upstairs."
Kuvira nodded, waiting until Desna, Eska and Izumi had gone on ahead. Tonraq lingered, waiting for her, and she cast one last look at P'li before she moved to follow.
P'li was grinning. Kuvira could have counted her teeth.
Lin frowned when she heard the laughter echoing from the courtyard. It was, undoubtedly, Meelo. That didn't bother her so much. The laughter meant he was safe, at least. But it was getting to be a little much, and it only grew louder with each moment that passed.
When she stepped into the courtyard, she sighed. Meelo was dancing around the courtyard like a monkey, with Shady Shin's prosthetic leg brandished above his head. Meelo had made a habit of stealing it when Shady Shin napped, and Lin knew she wouldn't have to look far to find him with the way Meelo was laughing.
Sure enough, when she looked around she saw that Shin was standing at one side of the courtyard, using the wall to support himself.
"Meelo!" Lin barked, causing Meelo to nearly jump out of his skin. "Give him his leg back this instant."
"But Lin," Meelo whined, "Shin ate my rice!"
"He eats your rice, and you take his leg." Lin raised her eyebrow. "Listen here you little shit, you don't go around crippling people when they eat your food."
"Korra would." Meelo countered.
"That's fair." Shady Shin laughed. "She's done worse."
"Not the point." Lin huffed. "Leg. Now."
Meelo huffed right back, but handed the leg over when Lin held her hand out for it. She took a few steps over to Shady Shin and returned it, only to turn around and see Meelo pouting.
"Did dad send you to babysit me?"
Sort of.
"No. But I did come to see what my idiot nephews are up to."
"They're in this closest tower, I think." Meelo replied, "I'll show you, if you want."
"Let's go then."
Meelo nodded, moving into the temple. Lin followed, barely keeping up as Meelo began to jog up the spiral staircase in one of the temple's towers. They continued climbing higher, and were almost at the top when Lin could hear Bataar Jr. and the twins. Bataar was humming, and as they rounded another bend in the staircase, Lin looked up and saw him.
Bataar was hanging by a harness from the ceiling, if you could call it that. It was made from four metal cables, two of each were attached to one of the twins. The twins were each standing on separate beams that served as rafters near the roof, and Bataar was hanging opposite the staircase, fixing a window.
"You're all three going to get killed." Lin growled. I would love explaining this to Su. "And how did you two get up there?"
"Ladder." Bataar replied without looking up from what he was doing. "They dropped me down. This is the third time today we've done this."
"Yeah, Aunt Lin," Wing called down, "We're fine. This was the only place he could hang from."
"And if the beams break?"
"We'll probably die."
"That's what I thought. I understand why you two are so calm, but that doesn't explain you, Bataar."
"Lin I've dealt with these all day. Honestly, let them drop me. I'd probably thank them."
"How long are you staying?" Wei asked, looking down at her.
"Couple days." Lin grunted. "Why?"
"We need help clearing the tunnels." Bataar grumbled.
"Everyone else is stupid, 'cept for Fariha." Wing laughed. "Bataar hasn't been able to get anything done without us."
"Sure, I can help with that." Lin shrugged. "If you three live that long." She looked at Meelo and sighed. "Come on kid, show me around."
Meelo nodded once and started the jog back down the stairs. Lin was exhausted just watching him. She'd always known he had too much energy. When they finally reached the bottom, he took her into the main sanctuary of the temple, where she had no doubt the original Air Nomads would have congregated. The place looked oddly welcoming, and Lin had to remind herself that acolytes still lived in the temples and tried to keep up the appearance of the buildings.
Too bad it needed so many repairs.
"So this is Master Meelo's domain, huh?" Lin asked, looking up at the large bells that hung from the ceiling.
"I guess," Meelo shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "I still let Uncle Shin take care of most stuff. He knows more."
"Don't kid yourself there, Meelo. Shin's an idiot." She meant well, but Meelo didn't smile.
"Dad sent you, didn't he?" Meelo repeated.
Lin sighed. What's the point in lying to him?
"He asked me to come visit. Yeah."
She saw his shoulders slump, and he kicked at the floor with one foot before he began muttering something about Tenzin under his breath.
"Speak up, kid." Lin scolded. "I'm old, you know I can't hear shit."
"I said he doesn't trust me." Meelo replied, though it was still barely a whisper.
You fool around too much. Lin didn't say it, she just sighed again. "Meelo."
"He doesn't. He lets Jinora and Ikki do everything but doesn't let me do anything. Except this. And he still doesn't think I can do that right."
"Meelo, your dad is just worried-."
She watched his eyes grow dark, a moment before he frowned. He shook his head rapidly, stepping past her.
"It doesn't matter." His voice sounded angry, and Lin didn't like it. Anger was something she rarely heard from Meelo. "Get Uncle Shin to show you around. I have to—I have to teach a lesson. Or…something."
Lin tried to follow him, but by the time she'd gotten outside again, he'd lifted himself well across the courtyard and over the wall on a large gust of air. Shady Shin was still standing nearby, having managed to put his leg back on, and he frowned when he saw Lin.
"What happened?"
"I told him I came because Tenzin asked me to."
"Oh no." His face immediately softened, and he looked in the direction Meelo had went. "I'll…I'll go talk to him."
"Good idea.
"What can you tell me about the oath of nonaggression?"
Opal looked up from her book to find Jun, the first airbender to join them, standing in the doorway. Opal hesitated, only to sigh and motion for her to sit down on the sofa next to her. Bolin and Korra were nearby teaching Sokka to play Pai Sho, but they didn't seem to be paying attention.
I'm not really the person to ask this question.
"Well, Jinora would probably be able to tell you more." Opal admitted, closing her book in her lap. "They'll probably want you to take the oath when you get to the Air Temple."
"We can't train if we don't?"
"Jinora might let you," Opal shrugged. "Tenzin won't."
"Well I've been reading about it, Master Opal-."
"Please don't call me that."
"Is that not what you are?"
"No."
"Opal." Her name came out as a warning from Korra, a tone she recognized, and she glanced over to see both Bolin and Korra watching her.
She sighed and shook her head. "It's…complicated. The oath is a good thing, don't get me wrong. The idea is that you'll not use your bending aggressively, and only fight to defend yourself, retaliating is only a last resort." Jun was nodding, and Opal crossed her arms. "Noble, right? Well, that's part of why the Air Nomad genocide happened. You can only evade fire for so long. The reason I'm not considered a master airbender is because I backed out. I won't hold myself to the oath anymore."
"Can I ask why?"
"That whole…last resort thing." Opal shrugged again, looking down at the book in her lap before glancing over at Bolin and Korra. "I want to be able to defend the people I love. I shouldn't be held back that way. I mean…I don't want to kill anyone or anything…nothing like that. But if someone tries to come after Bolin? They're going to have to go through me first. I'd do that for anyone in my family. I'm not going to hold back. And that's what airbending is, in a way…holding back. It's not bad…it's just…it's not for me."
Jun was frowning, and Opal swallowed the lump in her throat when Korra looked at her again. Bolin had gone back to the Pai Sho match, and Sokka was sitting in Korra's lap frowning down at the board. It was funny how much he looked like Korra, and yet his eyes were narrowed in thought, one hand cupping his chin. It was a habit he'd learned from Asami, he couldn't hide that.
Opal was protective of all of them, she couldn't deny it, and she didn't want to. Korra, Bolin, Asami, Sokka, they were all part of her family. She didn't understand what the point was in holding back as an airbender if she knew she could keep them and herself alive by simply retaliating. The peacefulness of the oath was an ideal, surely, but one that Opal didn't want for herself. She refused to do that. If she could protect her friends and family, she would do whatever she had to. Oath or not.
"So if we don't take the oath, Master Tenzin won't train us?"
"No, he won't." Opal replied, looking at Jun again, who had folded her hands in her lap. "Like I said, Jinora and Ikki might-."
"Would you?"
"Why?" Opal asked, raising her eyebrow. "Why me?"
"Because…I don't want to take the oath. I agree with you."
Tenzin is going to be so mad. But I would rather help her do this than send her back home. Why is the oath so important?
Opal took a deep breath, but eventually nodded.
"Okay. I'll do it."
"Thank you, Master Opal."
Opal wasn't used to hearing the title. She wasn't sure she ever would be. But she knew she didn't like it.
That's not what I am.
She was honestly more afraid of Tenzin kicking her out of the fold than anything, and hoped this wouldn't end badly. Jinora and Ikki would be more understanding, maybe even Meelo would be too, but Tenzin was the one with the final say. All she had left to worry about was Latika and whether or not she'd still be allowed to train her. Still, Opal wouldn't change her mind. She would have been betraying a part of herself if she did. It wasn't worth that. The only thing she wanted was to be able to defend herself and her family. If others wanted that too, who was she to tell them no?
"I refuse to take orders from an insignificant metalbender!"
The exclamation came from the leader of the White Lotus, who was shouting at Fire Lord Izumi from the end of the table. Kuvira had barely been paying attention to the conversation, more concerned with shoveling down more of the warm stew in front of her. She looked up from her bowl to see that Izumi was watching the man with narrowed eyes, her expression never wavering. Kuvira's eyes darted to Tonraq and the twins a moment later, only to see that Tonraq was watching the interaction with raised eyebrows, his own spoon halfway to his mouth. The twins seemed indifferent, but Tonraq was clearly surprised.
"And why not?" Izumi's voice was calm when she spoke again. "Haven't you heard a single thing I've suggested? Kuvira's quite intelligent. Though I cannot say the same for you, I'm afraid. Your indignation is going to doom us all if you aren't careful."
She really was listening to me earlier. Huh. Maybe this will get something done.
"The prison is perfectly secure!" He shouted, his face becoming flushed as he stared at Izumi. "What does she know about prison security? Has she ever been out of Zaofu before?"
"You know," Kuvira replied in a level tone before Izumi could respond, "If you had been in Republic City at any point in the last eight years to see Korra, you would have seen me too."
Tonraq snorted, his spoon finally making it to his lips a moment later. Kuvira thought she saw Izumi smile, but she didn't have time to be sure before Izumi had turned back to the Order's leader.
"If I remember correctly, you said all four of the prisons were secure. Something you've said for twenty-five years. And yet, remarkably, three of them have been broken out of in a short window of time. So I ask you again. Why will you not consider Captain Kuvira's suggestion?"
"She doesn't know what she's talking about! The combustionbender would escape within a day under her supervision!"
"Captain Kuvira's idea to sedate the prisoner and relocate her is a good idea." Izumi shrugged. "Once she is moved, we could hire a chi-blocker to ensure that she could not bend until we got her to a suitable location. But Kuvira is right. The Red Lotus know where she is. While we may or may not be equipped to handle the situation when it arises, at the moment we're sitting ducks."
"The prisoner is not to be moved, Fire Lord Izumi. I know your father and Chief Unalaq may have helped build this prison, but you have no authority over the prison itself or the woman inside it."
"You may be right," Izumi replied, narrowing her eyes further. "But as a Grand Lotus of the Order, I do have influence over the choices made here."
"Not over this you don't. I refuse to listen to the ideas of an unaffiliated metalbender from Zaofu. I don't understand why you even brought her."
Asked myself the same question a few times.
"And what if she joins the Order?" Izumi asked, undeterred. She turned her gaze back to Kuvira a moment later and raised her eyebrow. "Would that be something that interests you, Kuvira?"
That's what Korra wants.
"Sure." Kuvira shrugged one shoulder. It can't hurt, right? "If you think I should."
"Oh that's not a question." Izumi chuckled. "I know you should."
"I refuse to initiate her." The leader of the White Lotus was positively furious now, and he'd slammed his hand on the table to draw all of their attention.
"I'll do it myself." Izumi said simply. "That is something I can do."
The conversation died down a few minutes later, and once Kuvira was finished eating, she watched as Izumi pushed herself up from the table. Izumi looked to Tonraq, Desna and Eska, politely excusing herself. Kuvira cast a glance at Tonraq, who jerked his head quickly for Kuvira to follow Izumi on her way out of the dining hall.
Kuvira scrambled up from her seat, jogging out of the room and catching Izumi just as she was rounding the corner to head back to the room Desna and Eska had given her to sleep in.
"That was fast." Izumi chuckled once Kuvira was even with her.
"Do you really think I should join?" Kuvira asked again, the words tumbling over one another as she blurted it out. She didn't like the White Lotus, but Korra wanted her to join badly enough. A vote of confidence from Izumi would just make the decision more solid in Kuvira's mind.
"The White Lotus has spent too many years being disconnected from the personal life of the Avatar." Izumi admitted as they walked. "They need members who know Korra. Unfortunately none of us, not even myself, can truly say that we do. How can the Order know what's best for the Avatar when they don't know what's best for Korra? Her best friend, on the other hand…"
"I'll do it." Kuvira nodded once. Korra thought she could help the Order, and that would have to be enough. She had to try. Part of her knew Izumi was right, as much as she may have hated it.
"Good." Izumi smiled. "Why don't we take care of that now?"
"What—right now?"
"Of course. We have time, considering I'll make it short. I don't think there's any need for unnecessary length, do you? Not a grand event, considering the circumstances. Not even a ceremony, really."
Izumi raised her eyebrow when she finished, motioning for Kuvira to step into her bedroom. Once she had been ushered inside, Izumi stepped past her and moved over to the bag she had brought with her for the trip. She rummaged through it for a moment, eventually retrieving a Pai Sho tile. Kuivra could see the white lotus flower painted on the tile, and she watched Izumi carefully. When Izumi moved in front of her and cleared her throat, Kuvira immediately stiffened, straightening herself before she folded her arms behind her back.
"The White Lotus is a society dedicated to seeking knowledge, beauty, and truth." Izumi explained. "This Order transcends all political divides and stretches back for centuries. We are a society that provides aid to all the nations, in whatever way we are needed. As you have seen, we are also responsible for containing some of the world's most dangerous criminals. Protection and knowledge. Safety and truth. Do you agree with these ideals?"
"Yes."
"Following the Hundred Year War, the Order of the White Lotus was tasked with the burden of protecting and training the Avatar. We are responsible for the Avatar's safety, and ensuring they are able to master the four elements. The Avatar has a duty to the world, and we have a duty to the Avatar."
Too bad you're the only one who believes that in this godforsaken Order.
"Kuvira, do you pledge to defend and serve the Avatar, in all reincarnations, to the best of your abilities, even if doing so costs you your life?"
Anything to protect Korra, right?
"I do."
"Do you pledge to uphold the ideals of the White Lotus, to spread the knowledge of the Order around the world, while supporting its separate governments in whatever way you are asked?"
"I do."
The corner of Izumi's mouth twitched, and she held her hand out toward Kuvira. Kuvira took it, only to feel Izumi press the Pai Sho tile into her palm.
"The quest for truth above all else." Izumi nodded once. "That is the creed we live by. Welcome to the Order of the White Lotus, Kuvira."
"Thank you," Kuvira replied before bowing.
"No. Thank you, Kuvira. It's been a long time since we've had a member who cares as much about the Avatar as you do." Unless Asami joins, Kuvira thought to herself before Izumi continued. "I look forward to working alongside you to deal as we deal with the growing conflict."
Asami yawned, lightly brushing her fingers through Sokka's hair. He was curled up next to her, his head resting on his shoulder as he slept. He'd been asleep for half an hour at least, while Korra had gone outside to call Tonraq and Kuvira.
When Korra opened the door and stepped inside, Asami smiled at her tiredly. Korra grinned, moving to the side of the cot and bending at the waist so she could kiss the side of Sokka's head. She murmured an 'I love you' before she raised back up a little, only to press a kiss to Asami's lips a moment later.
"And I love you, sunshine."
"I love you too." Asami chuckled, lifting her hand up to cup Korra's cheek.
"What's on your mind?" Korra asked, cocking one eyebrow as she looked down at Asami.
"I've been thinking."
"Dangerous." Korra teased, backing up a few steps and sitting down on her own cot. "About what?"
Asami sighed. I might as well tell her. It's not like I'm going to change my mind.
"Joining the White Lotus."
"And?"
"I'll do it."
"Just like that?" Korra frowned a little, and Asami shrugged one shoulder.
"Yeah. I thought about it last night…this morning too. If you think I can help, then I should try. So I will."
It seemed like an easy decision, the longer Asami thought about it. Part of her understood it wouldn't just happen, but she had to try, for Korra. She knew that whether or not she actually helped or not, it would at least ease some of Korra's worries. That had to be enough for her. Korra had enough on her plate as it was, and Asami would join the White Lotus if only to make that easier for Korra. Any difference she could make in the Order would just be a bonus.
The relief that lit up Korra's eyes a moment later made it worth it. She grinned for a few seconds before she bit her lip and started laughing quietly.
"What?"
"Have you talked to Kuvira at all today?" Korra chuckled.
"No, I haven't. Why? Didn't you call her?"
"I did." Korra nodded, "And Kuvira joined the White Lotus this afternoon. I guess Fire Lord Izumi talked her into it."
Well at least I won't be doing this alone.
"I'm…I'm glad you guys are doing this." Korra added after a pause. "It means a lot to me."
"I know, sweetheart." Asami said softly. "I just hope we can help."
"I know you can." Korra boasted, "If anyone can get them to sort out their shit, it's you and Kuvira."
"The Avatar's keeper and the Avatar's protector, huh?" Asami asked playfully.
"I guess you could say that," Korra laughed. "Which one are you?"
"I'm not much of a protector."
"Are you kidding? You could kick anyone's ass, sunshine. Plus with your glove, you could put Kuvira down quick."
"All that metal she wears, right?"
"No contest." Korra replied proudly. "You'd win that one."
"I never want to find out," Asami shook her head with a smile as Korra laid down.
"Well if it ever happens," Korra yawned as she flopped against her pillow. "My money's on you."
"I'm sure Kuvira and Bataar don't spend their time wondering who would win in a fight." Asami rolled her eyes, only to find Korra grinning.
Korra snorted. "I think this is exactly what they talk about at night before they go to sleep. Why don't you ask Bataar sometime?"
"I'll make sure to put that at the top of my list of questions for him. I need to call him."
Korra yawned again, and Asami watched her get settled before she stretched out on the narrow cot and closed her eyes.
"Good. I'm sure he misses you." The words came out somewhat tiredly, and Asami only smiled.
"Goodnight, Korra."
"Mmm…night sunshine."
Asami let out a yawn of her own before she closed her eyes. She could feel Sokka breathing beside her in the narrow space, and after a few minutes she heard Korra's breathing too, becoming slowed by sleep. Her family was still safe, and she was comforted by the thought. The White Lotus were going to do their best to ensure they stayed that way, she had to trust in that.
Asami knew she'd made the right decision.