Asami dressed in her sharpest skirt-suit combination and pulled her hair into a tight bun. She spent extra time on her makeup, careful to accentuate and not over-touch. The scent she touched to her neck was her father's old cologne; she pulled it out only for these high priority meetings.

She went over her notes when she arrived at the office, and by the time Ikken came to get her, she was poised and ready to lay her will down. Ikken shut her office door, studied her, and smiled as she walked up to him. "I was going to ask if you were ready, but I see that's a silly question."

The board room office was large, on one of the top floors, and offered a beautiful view of the surrounding city. This tower had been one of the first skyscrapers constructed by the new tube frame design, allowing more windows instead of the heavy concrete required for older, shorter buildings. There was ample sunlight splashed across the heavy wood table.

Asami walked in to hear quiet hubbub soften to silence. She studied the men and women around her, noting their age, wealth, and confidence. She would not thank them for coming, though she would have thanked lower ranking employees. She learned quickly she had to demand to retain the respect in this room.

"Good morning. I called you all here in regards to a few policy changes we will be implementing in the next few weeks."

Lee passed out papers, which the board members studied. Asami waited for each person to receive a packet before she said, "Shall we begin?"

There were few questions about the reaffirmation to protect their employees and employ a nondiscrimination policy. They discussed safety protocols, training, and safety equipment again, reaffirming once again the importance of safety among their workers. Then, finally, there were more than a few questions about the new direction of their lobbying department.

After all her consistency, they were still confused. "Excuse me, Ms. Sato, but we're lobbying against spirit vine research and for criminalization of that research?"

"Yes."

"Before there's even a bill?"

"Yes, though the efforts will be greater once we have a bill or date. I believe Tenzin is working with a few lawmakers on drafting a bill at this moment."

"Ms. Sato, this seems rather ill-informed. Why put money into something we'll gain nothing from?"

"It's simple. You're all quite concerned that our competitors will put forward innovations with spirit vines so I aim to make it illegal to do so."

One man, a senior who had stayed with Asami through her father's rebellion, asked, "We're concerned you're allowing your alliance with Avatar Korra to sway your business dealings."

'Alliance.' So politic. "Be concerned all you want. I will not allow spirit vine research, and if I have to close the doors of Future Industries to prevent that, I will. That is my ultimatum. So it certainly behooves this company to make sure no other company can perform spirit vine research."

There was stillness around the room, even a few wide eyes and cracked mouths. Asami looked around. "I still have majority share, a share enough to liquidate the company. I love Future Industries, and I'm proud of all the good we do. I feel responsible for our consumers and employees. But allowing spirit vine research will undo all of that good. I don't like to throw my weight around; I trust the majority in this room to guide decisions and policies in this company. But I will give an ultimatum in this. Are there any questions?"

"But…our employees, our projects, all the people who invest in us!"

Asami studied the man and nodded in agreement. "It would be ethically reprehensible to liquidate this company so consider how ethically reprehensible spirit vine research must be to make liquidation the preferred action."

There were no other takers. Asami took a long breath and adopted a lighter tone. "We're doing well. Our new line of automobiles is selling well into next year. Our project in Zaofu is still on-target. We're still busy with our civil engineering projects in the United Republic. We will win the government project on renewable energy."

"We have no project," their only female board member pointed out.

"I will personally oversee the process until we do, and I will personally present it to the Minister of Energy. Be assured that we will get that project—without using spirit vines."

The meeting continued on less confrontationally. Asami knew that no one was particularly happy, but there were enough good things going on with the company to keep them there. She released them from that meeting nearly eight hours later. Most of them took the elevator down to the garage, but she took one up to her office with Lee and Ikken in tow.

"That went well," Lee said lightly.

"Well enough for now," was Ikken's more subdued interpretation. "I wish you hadn't threatened that."

"Now they understand my stakes."

"You should always seem willing to compromise."

"I also have to be firm. You had far less issue with bigotry being punished."

"That's more concrete." He hesitated, and Asami could guess he'd been about to say it was in their contract. She shot him a look and retorted, "Not to those men that were fired."

"You made no one happy today, Asami."

Let them be unhappy. She knew best in this case. The hardest part would be introducing and passing legislation to regulate lobbying. There would be dander up about that, but her limit would limit all, not just Future Industries. There was little else to discuss regarding the meeting, but Ikken did accept a cup of tea. They shared the tea in quietness.

"How do you feel?" Ikken finally asked.

"Better. I have a plan. Now I can turn my energies into the renewable energy project." Having the plan was all she needed to settle her anxiety. The plan in question didn't have to be easy.

Ikken paused on his way out of her office. "Don't forget about the Fire Nation royal woman coming next month. She'll expect your personal attention."

She would forget even as she promised, "I won't."

The next week was full of the usual activities and very little Korra. Asami missed her and reveled in their few nights together, and their next night together became her life's focal point.

Asami's work life eventually spiraled to one issue: clean energy. It didn't feel like a fruitful use of her time, especially when she reached the end of the day and still had nothing. There were small projects, tweaks, and fixes, but she needed something big and novel to win this bid.

As she was pondering that dilemma one evening, Lee entered her office, his coat on his arm. "Korra's on the line."

Lee usually relayed messages. Asami wondered if Korra was cancelling on her. Korra had been running on fumes recently as she scrambled to get the White Lotus back together. As busy and stressed as Asami had been, Korra was even busier and even more stressed. It was wonder they didn't have more fights after that first miserable blow up. As Korra developed opinions on politics and economics, her views didn't often align with Asami's. It was friction, but not enough to cause another fire.

All things said, Asami had been looking forward to seeing her safe and happy and tucking her into bed early. She picked up her phone, already expecting disappointment. "Asami here."

"Hi, Asami. I'm going to be late. I had to bring Naga back to Air Temple Island. Your apartment building said she wasn't allowed inside anymore."

That was unexpected. "What? Did something happen?"

"No. Did something happen when you took her out before? I thought she responded to you."

"I've never had a problem with her, Korra. I'll sort it out. Are you going to come back?"

"Yeah. I can use my kite to get over faster. Skip the front door too."

"The balcony's locked."

"I'll just metalbend the lock."

"You're the Jhee of all Trades."

"I try. See you then."

What started as a puzzling development rapidly turned into one that provoked ire. There was no way this was anything but a personal snub—towards Korra or Asami. By the time Asami got to her apartment complex, she was fuming. She strode to the front desk and bypassed the short line. She leaned over the marble counter to speak to the concierge that stepped to the side to hear her complaint. He was visibly intimidated, and he should be.

"Why was Korra turned away from my home?"

The man behind the counter winced as if he'd expected her anger. "The HOA came down on us, Ms. Sato. They said Naga is breaking several clauses. They said I had to turn her away."

"Yet my neighbor's platypus bear is within regulations?"

He winced. "I'm sorry, truly. The Yamagos are the current head of the HOA. Here's their number and address." He handed her a slip of paper he'd already prepared. Then he stepped away. "Korra left some groceries with me. Let me grab them for you."

Korra probably was on first name basis with this man. He'd worked here since Asami moved in years ago, but she only knew his name by the tag on his chest. "Thank you, Jhee," she said as she took the paper bag from him.

Jhee tipped his hat politely.

When Asami was upstairs, she put away the groceries and unlocked her balcony. It would be too late for Korra to cook. When Korra stepped into her apartment from the balcony, Asami asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"Oh, my groceries!" Korra exclaimed.

"In my cooler. Let's order take-out."

Korra studied her for a moment before she opened her arms. Korra folded her in a strong hug, and they rocked for a moment. Asami released her anger from the day with a faint sigh, but she knew it was only temporary peace. She was going to come down on her damn HOA hard. Just when her professional life was finally organized, her personal one threw this at her.

"Let me cook, please. It'll make me feel better. I can do a variation on my egg drop soup." Korra's request was soft and pleading, and it was easiest to acquiesce.

"Can you add extra tomato?"

"Coming right up."

Korra fried cabbage and crab as she waited for the broth to boil, and they were both ready in just a few minutes. Asami admired the timing. "You're so efficient."

"I try." Korra spooned out soup and crab cabbage for both of them. Instead of the table, they sat on the couch and turned on the radio for background noise.

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault."

"I'll talk to my HOA's head tomorrow."

"I don't know if it will make much of a difference. I can just leave Naga on Air Temple Island."

"That's not okay. You're welcome here, and Naga is welcome here. Saying she isn't welcome is saying you aren't welcome. I own my apartment. I pay taxes on it. They can't bar my visitors that way."

"I won't stop coming to see you even if—"

"I know that. But how can I expect to have a future with you if Naga isn't allowed in my home?"

Korra put a hand on her thigh. "Calm down. It'll be okay. You can't do anything about it right now so don't worry."

"I just hate that you were turned away."

"I'm here, Asami."

Asami sighed. "I should visit you on Air Temple Island more."

"It's not practical," Korra pointed out. She crunched on a piece of cabbage definitively. "You can't fly like I can so getting to work adds a long time to your commute. Not to mention leaving your car overnight at the ferry dock. And the mattress hurts your back even with my cheat cover. Tenzin tried to give me crap about that, you know. I can't believe it. His bed is softer than yours, and he tries to pull the airbender principle of...discomfort or whatever."

Asami wasn't diverted by Korra's silly diatribe. "I want to give equally."

"You do. It's not equal because we sleep in each other's rooms equal times or commute equal distances or fix each other dinner equal times per week. It's equal because they're the things we want to do for each other. I would like you to stay over on Air Temple Island occasionally, as in once every few weeks. Meanwhile, I like the privacy of your apartment and your bath and your bedroom—and the your bed—and would rather stay here when we 'sleep over'." Korra supplied airquotes and winked.

"You want to be out in public more."

Korra lost her grin. "I do. But I also know there are reasons we need to wait. I'm okay with it now that I know it won't be forever. You've given me so much, Asami. I don't overlook those things. Planning your life around my 'maybe's is huge. And my stress."

Asami caught Korra's implication. "The fight was on both of us."

"I started it."

"Korra," Asami chided. "We work through all of that because we want to be with each other. You're being idealistic if you think we won't ever have another fight. I'm sorry I made you think I wanted to break up."

"We both said things we shouldn't have. Asami, I come here to save you the commute because I want to be with you."

Asami set down her bowl to nuzzle Korra's neck. "You're too good to me."

"Impossible."

Asami was sure she knew the answer, but she asked, "When I come out, do you want to come out as a couple at the same time? Or should we let them presume?"

"Do people really write the newspaper or hold a press conference to say, 'Yes, we're a couple'?"

"People like you and I do. I've…" Asami sat back and worried at her lip. "I've been working—very slowly—on an article that I want you to read. It's about my father and my sexuality and you. I want to have it published when I finish, but there's no going back if I do. I can plan something different if it's just going to be about my sexuality. We can let them draw their own conclusions."

"I'd like to read the article, but I only want to tell people if you're ready."

"There will be press. People taking our pictures maybe. But we can be out, we can kiss in public, and people will know we're together."

"Sounds like a marriage," Korra laughed.

That made Asami's heart skip a beat. "Yeah, I guess," she said, sounding strange to her own ears.

"If you want to do it, then let's do it. I love you, and I want people to know that."

"I love you too."

"Can I really read the article?"

"You can really read it when it's done. It could be a few months," she warned. "As soon as I've finished, I'll give it to you."

"How's work? Any headway on your project?"

"No. It's a roadblock, but I went around a roadblock with snowmobiles."

"Let me know if I can help."

Asami kissed her gently. "You are. I live for nights with you. How is your work?"

"Shiza and Han really have kept the organization together. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels, but we're getting everything moving again. There's been personnel shuffling, but we have a few local projects to keep everyone busy right now."

"Are Shiza and Han lovers?"

Korra shrugged. "They live together so I would guess. Does it matter?"

"You should consider if they have ulterior motive. They were in menial positions before and now lead the organization."

Korra's jaw clenched, a sure sign of rising temper. "A broke organization and no more political influence. So what if they sleep together? They're good people, and they want to do good. I know; I work with them."

She was so naive. Asami held to herself her appointment the following morning. She did ask, "Have you seen Zaheer?"

"Not in a while. I should go to check in. We need to figure out a timeline to withdraw White Lotus guards from his facility. And Kuvira's. And I need to figure out what the hell is going on with the vines."

"And petition lawmakers to criminalize spirit vine harvesting and research. I think you have more on your plate than I do."

"That's crazy." Korra sighed. "I'd say thinking about it makes me exhausted but I'm already exhausted. Did I tell you a White Lotus trainee beat me with waterbending sparring? We did some tests to name benders to lead practices, and he got me good!"

By Korra's grin, she was pleased by the man's prowess. Asami rubbed Korra's ear. "Only you would be happy to be beaten."

"More to learn. That's never a bad thing."

Asami was up early the next morning. She left Korra in bed while she showered and had breakfast. She toasted a piece of bread and salted slices of fresh tomato while her coffee brewed. Korra was good at restocking her pantry with things she liked.

As the sun began to rise, Asami opened her bedroom blinds and gently rubbed Korra's shoulder. Korra shifted into wakefulness. She stretched and grunted, snuggling against Asami's hip. "You smell good."

"I should hope so; I just showered. It's six-thirty. I'm headed out. You highlighted a history lecture at RU at nine in your planner."

"Ugh. I'm have a meeting with someone in the government this morning about a grant application instead. I'd rather sit in class."

"Whatever you do, don't be late." Asami pressed multiple kisses her neck, breathing in the scent of Korra's skin. That provoked a shiver and a laugh. "I'll see you in a few days."

She locked up and then asked the bellman to let her off four floors down. She didn't give a damn if she woke the occupants up. Sadly, Mr. Yamago opened his door like he expected her. He was fully dressed in a dapper suit; his spats were brilliantly white. "Come inside, Ms. Sato."

"I wasn't sure I would be welcome," she stated neutrally, refusing to take this exchange inside.

His smile was oily. It annoyed her that he was taller than she was. "You are welcome. A large wild animal is not. Polar bear dogs carry rabies."

"Naga is not rabid. She's vaccinated yearly for rabies. That's more than most dogs in the city can say."

"Dogs can't exactly speak, can they?"

Asami felt the red rise up her neck. "Do you usually treat your peers so rudely, Mr. Yamago?"

"I am the head of the Home Owner's Association of Tso Tower. We have always prided ourselves with keeping the home value and safety at the top of Republic City. Having a wild animal prowl around the property is not doing that. Residents don't deserve to see their home value drop because of your frequent guest."

That ludicrous assertion raised her temper sharply. "I own the largest and most valuable home in this tower, Mr. Yamago. The lease is in my name. I pay taxes on my home. I have the right to have any visitor or animal I so wish."

"No, you don't. You're a part of the Homeowner's Association, meaning you fall under our jurisdiction."

"Your silly alliance isn't a legal entity. Naga is allowed in all properties of Republic City—"

"Public properties, not private ones."

"The only aspects of Tso Tower that are considered private are within owners' homes. The lobby, elevator, and hallways are public property by the fact they are collectively owned by residents."

"An old claim. That argument was struck down last year in the second district court. Based on that judgment, the shared areas of an apartment building are under a jurisdiction of the HOA if the HOA exists."

So he was a lawyer. She knew when she could be out-argued. "Then I'll dissolve it."

Mr. Yamago's smile twisted into a sneer. "Don't wade into a legal battle you're unprepared to fight."

"I certainly will, with the aid of my attorney. Don't think I can't read between the lines. I see your bigotry for what it is."

"I don't know what I would be a bigot about. If that will be all, goodbye." Yamago smirked as he closed his door. Asami strode away, her temper flushing her face. She would have to call her attorney. This couldn't stand.

The new White Lotus office was in an old, rundown portion of downtown. It was only a few blocks from the Spirit Wilds, and the building was easily the one in the worst condition on the entire block. Asami was glad she didn't bring her convertible as she locked her car doors. She studied the shabby chained exterior of the first floor before she tested the door that was labeled to lead to the second and third floors.

The deadbolt wasn't engaged. It was the only lock on the door. She took a groaning staircase up one flight of steps, feeling claustrophobic by how narrow the stairway was. It smelled like musk; perhaps mold that had taken root in the building.

There was a door at the second-floor landing with only a number on it. It groaned when Asami tested it, and then it opened with a snick. There had once been a door threshold installed by the old nail holes in the floor, but now it was only naked wood a tone darker than the rest of the flooring.

The wood floor once might have been nice, but it was scuffed beyond repair, and it squeaked with Asami's every step.

There was one desk at the back wall, and it sat beside a narrow hallway. The wallpaper was peeling and faded. No one was here by the silence, not necessarily a surprising thing. Asami had arrived early to avoid Korra in particular.

"Master Shiza?"

"Just down the hall," came the polite reply.

The hallway was no better than the first room. There was a runner thrown down in the center of the hallway. When Asami pushed the rug up, she saw an old water stain below it.

Shiza's office was to the left. It was no better than the rest of the office. It was mismatched in every sense: the chairs, desks, bookcases, and cabinets were all different pieces, different colors, and different heights. One Fire Nation scroll had been mounted to the wall. It was the only thing in this office that could have been worth more than a yuan.

That Korra would have turned down an outfitted, modern office space in Future Industries Tower stung, especially seeing what she'd chosen instead. Korra had to know Asami would never ask anything of her. This destitution was not befitting of the Avatar.

"Ms. Sato."

Shiza finally caught her attention. She held out her hand for a firm shake. Instead of sitting behind her desk, she pulled a mismatched rickety wooden chair next to Asami's. She wore conservative modern clothing that was not as fine as Asami would think for such a rich woman. Only Shiza's glasses were a sign of her wealth: ivory frames with thin gold wiring melted into the ivory to give the impression of flames.

Shiza waited a moment before asking, "How can I help you?"

"This has all worked out well for you, hasn't it?"

Shiza's fake smile faded. She studied Asami for a long moment before a truer, quieter one softened her face. "I won't lie. After suffering Suntoq's chauvinistic attitudes for twenty years, it's satisfying to see him lose the one thing he values to Korra, the person he least respects. It's also a blessing to see the White Lotus steered to help people, not politicians."

"With you at the head. And likely receiving a salary increase." Seeing this office had taken some of the wind out of Asami's sails, and her retort was not as sharp as she'd practiced.

"I've given up my paycheck. I'm the last in my family with more money than my personal accountant can keep up with. I live comfortably off that. But I'm sure you know that."

"Why now? You had years to expose the White Lotus."

"To whom? Avatar Korra is the only person who holds more power and more loyalty than Suntoq in the White Lotus. And she wasn't ready until she came asking. She needed to grow up and heal. And Han and I needed to quietly continue to gather evidence until that moment. You're right, Ms. Sato: altruism didn't guide me. But my goals align with Avatar Korra's. I will not betray her. Speaking of, do you have an accounting firm to recommend to audit us regularly? The one we've contracted isn't working out."

Asami studied the woman for a moment. "My assistant will send over recommendations. Can you remark on your relationship with Han?"

"We've discussed our relationship with Korra. Han and I considered marriage, but we'll wait until the White Lotus is settled."

"You have work visas."

"My father invested in properties in Republic City. I'm a citizen."

So relocation wasn't a motivation. Shiza studied her. "I've dedicated my life to seeing the White Lotus do good under Avatar Korra. That's my motivation, perhaps only tainted by the selfish idea that I should shoulder the burden."

Asami didn't believe her. She didn't want to; it didn't seem possible Shiza's motives were good. She stood up, but Shiza's voice stopped her. "May I ask the reason for your interest? This seems overreaching for a friend."

Asami blushed despite herself. Shiza raised her eyebrows as understanding swept her face. "I see. Well, Avatar Korra is certainly blessed with concerned loved ones. Ms. Sato, I've been forthcoming about myself, my finances, and my motivations. What you may forget is that I raised Korra for nearly thirteen years. She's more than a paycheck or a power grab to me."

One question came to Asami. She turned at the doorway. "Why did you return the money after Korra left?"

Her brow wrinkled. "Money? Oh. Suntoq's attempt to make me part of his corrupt circle. He wanted me to keep Korra in the South. I declined both of those propositions. He said I was allowing 'foolish womanly emotion' cloud my better judgment."

"Why keep her there?"

"Suntoq's power was only as great as Korra's ignorance of the White Lotus. He also believed the longer he kept her segregated, the more valuable her time would become to world leaders. Or at least that's what his letters to the other masters lead us to believe. He's an ugly man."

Anger raised heat in Asami's face. "Where is he?"

"Probably plotting quietly in his corner. He is no longer allowed in the North, and the Northern Chieftains seized his wealth there too. I have no doubt he has accounts in the Earth Confederation. I've heard nothing concrete, but the man has many unsavory allies. I hope we can erase every negative thought he's put into Korra's head through the years."

"Have you purged the White Lotus of his loyal men?"

"Suntoq made no friends among the recruits. Han and I have poured over the finances to find well-compensated White Lotus members and gave them an ultimatum. Yes, we've purged them all." Shiza hesitated finally. "We haven't been forthcoming about that process with her. I suspect she would protest."

"Against better sense," Asami agreed. She hesitated when Shiza offered her a cup of tea. Asami sat again and accepted the cup. It was one of Korra's black tea blends. "Why didn't she escape sooner? I know she wanted to."

"Korra only left because Katara told her to go. She was obedient to a fault. She doesn't know her own power."

"Korra knows it. She's just afraid of using it."

Shiza smiled. "I see. Ms. Sato, please let me know if you need any more information. I will stand behind Korra at all times. I'll trust that you have her best interests at heart. I will take into consideration any criticism or suggestion."

"I would have housed you all," Asami had to say.

"We have to appear impartial, Ms. Sato. Paying no rent to be within Future Industries' best office floor does the opposite, even if no favor exists. We can't marry the White Lotus with your company, as much as your intentions remain good."

The word 'marry' made her pause, but she forged past that childish embarrassment. "And Future Industries' donations? I can spare enough to give you something better than this."

"Appearances are important. Shabby, mismatched, and poor. We need to contrast the old White Lotus. It may insult your tastes, but this is what we need now."

"And a living wage for the White Lotus trainees?"

Shiza considered her tea cup with a long sigh. "I'll discuss it with Han, but I suspect we'll decline a large contribution. Not that I don't appreciate the offer."

"You accepted a large contribution from Fire Lord Izumi."

Shiza hesitated. "Let me discuss it with Han."

"I assume you won't ask Korra what she thinks."

"Ask her yourself, Ms. Sato, but we may advise her against it. Korra has been adamant against taking large donations from corporations so far. As much as she may care for you, I don't see her compromising her strong principles even for you."

It was a fair assessment. She would work out a figure that Korra would find acceptable. Maybe she would take a donation from Asami Sato if not from Future Industries. If Korra wouldn't accept that, they would have to have a talk about consistency.

Asami found herself relieved as she walked down the rickety steps. Somehow this shabby scrapped together place fit Korra and her practicality. Shiza had satisfied some of her concerns too. Asami stepped out onto the street and glanced again at the shop that sat below the office. She couldn't help her smile. The chains had been lifted, displaying a few rustic tables inside the shop. The sign that had been set in front of the shabby boutique read: Republic City's First Tea Room.

She learned when she got home from work that night that the vote on criminalizing spirit vine research would be in less than a month. Her lobbying department would be able to sink their teeth into that. Reports suggested everyone in that department was worried about layoffs given their new directive. She should have led the meeting about that directly. She would meet with them to next day to assure them their jobs were safe. Asami had been internally considering how to fold them into the larger PR department or her legal team when the time came. She was still pondering if they would leave or stay when everything was said and done.

Traffic was thick that night. An accident on Fourth put her half an hour behind in her travel, but she managed to catch the last ferry despite not calling ahead to Korra about her visit. The White Lotus member was wearing khakis and a buttoned jacket with a blue and white cuff on his sleeve. He smiled, and it took Asami a moment to realize he transported her most weekdays. She couldn't remember his name, but she smiled and said, "Hello."

He touched his temple as if to tip a hat. "Ms. Sato. Climb in."

Air Temple Island wasn't its normal quietness of evening. Asami tucked her jacket closer around her and gathered her bag under her arm as she walked across the airbending platform to follow the sounds of 'ki's and grunts. She scented ozone and heat and knew there was firebending going on.

Instead of a probending practice, Asami came upon a dozen White Lotus trainees practicing firebending. They moved together in choreographed movements, led by a female White Lotus member who moved through the kata in time with Korra's claps.

Korra nodded and bowed, and the woman bowed back to her. "Kizu, lightning strike kata. Start on three." She clapped with her counts. "One. Two. Three."

At the third count, the man that had hastened forward took a step forward, opened his hand into a hard strike, and fire flickered off the motion of his hand in a swirling line. Well behind him, the White Lotus repeated his steps. They moved together in concentration with Korra clapping in a steady beat, moving her feet and watching her employees with a sharp eye.

"Li, crane cat form. You count; start on four."

Li dutifully took Kizu's place and began to count.

"Dhao," Korra called in the middle of the kata. Dhao was a young, thin man that peeled away from the edges of group. He approached Korra, panting hard and dripping sweat. Korra handed him water and patted his shoulder. "Sit and get your breath back. Watch the rest of the forms and cool down with us."

"I can do more."

"Not if you can't breathe. You did great tonight. No one gets an iron lung in two weeks."

Asami set her bag down and leaned on the walkway railing, studying the eerie beauty of fire fluttering out in synchrony and Korra's concentration as she prowled the edges of the White Lotus firebenders. After Li finished the next form, she clapped again.

"Awesome job. Fala, finish us up with stretching and breathing meditation. Dhao, you ready to get back in here?" Dhao was immediately back in his previous place.

Korra approached Asami, smiling as she leaned beside her against the railing. She spoke softly to avoid interrupting the cooldown. "Hey. I didn't know you were coming."

"A contact in the Capitol Building got in touch with me. Parliament is moving forward with a vote on criminalization of spirit vine research in less than a month. We need to prepare."

"So soon?"

Her lobbyists either had pushed too hard or detractors hoped to cut off their attempts to persuade lawmakers. "That's what I said. It will have implications on the renewable energy contract. I don't know if it's better or worse for the vote to fall before that."

"We'll figure it out," Korra said with more confidence than Asami felt. She took Asami's hand. "Come on. Put your stuff down and meditate with us."

"I'm not a firebender."

"Doesn't hurt to stretch the diaphragm. Come on."

Asami considered her skirt and felt part of her mourn how dirty it would become sitting on the dusty platform. Then she followed Korra and sat down in line with the last row of White Lotus members. She pulled off her heels and sat in seiza, listening to Fala's nearly hypnotizing voice. On command, she inhaled slow and steady. She felt a rush of giddiness with her chest full and her breath held for thirty seconds. When Fala whispered to release that breath, she let her breath go much faster than Korra, who exhaled twice as long as she did.

It felt good though, spreading heat and energy from her scalp to her toes. Asami stood up fifteen minutes later feeling refreshed and relaxed. She moved back to the walkway as Korra said, "We're trying to set up a time for sparring practice. Let us know if you're interested so we can get an idea of how many sessions we'll need. Shiza is helping me organize our first aid distribution in the Spirit Wilds so we'll be taking volunteers for that soon. We'll announce details by the end of the week. Thanks everyone. Have a good night."

"Thank you, Avatar," they recited in unison, something that seemed to startle Korra. She tapped her own shoulder in reply, giving an adorably shy smile.

"Avatar Korra!" It was Dhao, still sweaty but breathing much easier. He was probably their age, with an earnestness to him that was easy to see. Dhao paused when he saw Asami and bowed to her.

"Dhao, what's up?"

"I… I submitted an application to serve as your personal assistant. I just… I would appreciate your consideration."

"Yeah? I'll definitely look over your application. Thank you, Dhao. Great job tonight."

He bowed again before moving away with the others.

"You seem to be enjoying your new role," Asami pointed out as they walked together towards Tenzin's office.

"I kind of like teaching. I don't know if I'm any good, which is why I make them do all the teaching. Why do yourself what you can delegate?"

"You're being modest. It doesn't become you."

Korra snorted out a short laugh. "I'm the Avatar, and I'm awesome!"

"Better." Asami bumped shoulders with her.

Tenzin was eating dinner, and by Pema's sharp look of warning, Asami had to eat dinner with him before they could discuss tactics to help pass spirit vine criminalization. Dinner consisted of rice, pickled vegetables, and a strangely textured tofu that smelled a lot worse than it tasted. Korra tucked it away as if she hadn't eaten all day.

"Can I have your—?"

"Yes."

Korra plucked up Asami's pickled carrots with her chopsticks and crunched on them with definitive enjoyment.

They retired to Tenzin's office right after dinner. He poured them herbal tea. Asami didn't expect Jinora to enter the office, but she took the remaining cushion and accepted a cup of tea too.

"So I take it you heard," Tenzin told Asami.

She nodded. "I can get all of my lobbyists working on this more directly tomorrow."

"Your lobbyists?" Korra asked, her brow gathered.

Asami's lips pinched. "They research what each politician will likely do and offer incentive to vote our way. We've been putting feelers out, but it's time for less subtlety. Cabbage Corp will be doing the same for the opposite vote. It isn't bare money, Korra."

"This should pass because it's the right thing to do."

Tenzin sighed and pulled on his beard. "I admire your ethics, Korra, but that's highly unlikely. I'd say impossible even. Lobbying is within the law, so we should take every legal advantage we can to advance our views."

"I could go public about the risks of people being drained—"

"And incite panic and antagonism? There's a better way. Getting criminalization to pass is one important one."

"How hard will it be?" Jinora asked.

Tenzin glanced at Asami. He said, "Reception for criminalization is tepid at best."

They talked in more detail about certain lawmakers, the process of the vote, and the possible logistics of the bill itself. Tenzin was already deeply entrenched in the process, and Asami could only guess he and Korra would be visiting the Capitol Building to speak to lawmakers and discuss the fine print of the proposed legislation.

When Korra left the meeting to take a call from her parents, Jinora excused herself. Asami let her train of thought continue with Tenzin. "I've been considering sponsoring a bill myself."

"Oh?" Tenzin asked curiously.

"To end lobbying."

He took a long breath and studied her. "That is a… Well, it's ambitious. It will be hell to get introduced, let alone passed."

"Councilor Tong may be a good choice."

"Or Yun. Yun would love to punch a piece of legislature through like that."

It didn't surprise Asami that Tenzin would recommend him. Yun was a socialist, plain and simple, with roots in the Fire Nation. She didn't agree with most of his political views, but he would be most likely to take the risk and push forward a bill that would limit the ability of government employees to take campaign funds from any company or individual.

"Would it be inappropriate for me to meet with him?"

"I don't see how, at least to learn if he's interested in introducing the bill to Parliament."

"I can't imagine what he'll think when I ask to see him."

"Let me speak with him first," Tenzin told her. "He wouldn't see you unless I let him know why. We'll see if we can get a working bill together to put towards in Parliament. It may take months, but I think it can be done."

"Thank you, Tenzin."

He patted her shoulder awkwardly as she left his office. Korra saw her in the hall, and they wordlessly walked to Korra's room. They snuggled down together in Korra's tiny bed. Though Korra mentioned wanting to read a few pieces for work, she turned off the light without protest, and they were both asleep within a few minutes.

Asami didn't see Korra again for a few days. She set her lobbyists loose on the Capitol Building and put all other efforts into brainstorming for the renewable energy project.

Her work consumed her and irritated her in turn. She looked into the viability of using the heat from the sun for energy, but the only model she designed was inefficient. They'd given up on retooling the dam and were at a loss for anything but trying to increase the efficiency of lightningbender energy.

"So nothing," she told her creative team. They looked as frustrated as she felt. It was nearly lunchtime, and the weekend would follow. She sent them home (paying for their full day) to recharge and brainstorm. There were small projects, projects that weren't ambitious, but they needed something big and bold if they were to win over the efficiency of spirit resources.

The rest of the day was filled with what felt like endless meetings. Asami wished she had any excuse to get out of them. Her mind was less on safety standards and more considering what the hell her lobbying department would do when they didn't have to lobby for the criminalization of spirit vine research anymore. Though Korra had agreed ultimately that Future Industries could help them, Asami felt Korra's disapproval keenly. While it was legal, they would continue with their efforts for society.

She received a call that surprised her late in the afternoon. Tenzin was on the line. "Hello, Asami. I wanted to let you know I spoke to Yun. He's more than willing to speak with you. He has an opening tonight at six if you're interested."

She considered. She was supposed to meet her friends for dinner at eight, but it would most likely be enough time. "I'll be there."

All in all, Councilman Yun was surprisingly polite. Tenzin had been in a meeting with him when Asami arrived, and he smiled in greeting. "Hello, Asami. I'm glad you could come."

"Thank you, Tenzin."

She studied Yun, whose graying features and big smile made her think of him as a perpetual grandfather. Yun bowed to her, and she returned a neutral bow with her hands at her waist. They shook after.

"I'm glad to meet you, Ms. Sato. I'm also honestly surprised by your reason for approaching me, but I'm not displeased. Would you like tea?"

"Water, please."

His smile was crooked as he poured her a glass. "Now, let's get started, shall we?"

Those two hours were significantly more productive than her meetings that afternoon. She pledged to fund the staffers required to draft the bill with her personal finances, but Future Industries' lobbyists would have to work their magic to get the votes on their side. Even if they didn't, a failure to pass could be publicized enough to provoke public outcry and put more pressure on lawmakers.

It was going to be an uphill battle, that was for sure.

By the time evening came, she was more than ready to go out and drink. Korra's new car had been her transportation to the Capitol Building and now to Narook's in part because Korra had agreed to drive her home.

Asami was the first to get there for a change. Mako and Bolin trickled in, then Opal. June was last, looking harried. "My lab ran late," she said apologetically, leaning over to kiss Mako lightly.

"Where's Korra?" Bolin asked.

At that moment, Korra ducked from behind the curtain that blocked the kitchen. She grinned happily. "I was just helping the cook with a new dish."

Asami thought of the truth of Korra's cooking talents with a warm flush of intimacy. Or that could have been the whiskey she'd put away. Korra leaned across the table to kiss her cheek. It was a chaste gesture, and Asami couldn't find it in herself to be embarrassed.

Korra asked her, "Rough day?"

"You could say that."

They ate, drank, and talked. Probending, bending, politics, books, and classes all came up. June and Korra shared a class that trimester on trade relationships around the world, though Korra admitted that she'd only attended a third of the lectures at most. They talked about an assignment and their professor's recent cold.

A part of Asami wished she'd had the chance to attend college. She had audited some classes on civil engineering during the last four years, but she didn't have the time anymore. Asami wondered if she was stuck in this rut about renewable energy because she hadn't taken time for her own education.

"What's been going on at work?" Korra finally asked her.

"Oh, you don't want me to vent about that."

"The renewable energy project?"

"Yes. There's still a few protests about not using spirit vines in our energy schemes."

Bolin scratched his head. "So why experiment with spirit vines in the first place? Varrick wanted to make bombs."

"Bombs produce energy," Asami responded. "But this is for energy to power the city. Coal isn't going to last forever, and it's dirtying our air. Everyone wants a limitless energy source, but we're limited more by technology than our resources. That's the current aspiration for every inventor, every company, and every person in my field. The government has added to the fervor with their new renewable energy contract. There's a lot of money to be had for being selected for that."

"What about lightning?" Mako asked.

"Most people are pushing to automate what the union lightningbenders are doing. Truthfully, the issue is the scope of energy required to run the city. Firebenders help reduce the risk of brownouts, but the energy they provide is incredibly expensive." Asami saw that no one at the table was following. "The bulk of our energy comes from the dam and from coal. A small portion comes from lightning—from firebenders. Electricity costs a flat rate from the dam and coal, but more than that, the expense is significantly greater per household to offset the costs of calling in firebenders to keep up with quota." She glanced at Opal. "Driven by the market."

Opal rolled her eyes but smiled, offering no argument that night.

"Seems fair, I guess," Korra responded. "But why not use other elements?"

"Technically we use water—and that's without benders required; gravity is all we need."

"So lightning and water. Earth?"

"Coal," Asami responded. "The dirty part of our energy supply. We'll be breathing smog soon if we use any more. There will be a push for using more if we can't keep up with demand and start having brownouts."

"Air?"

She smiled, enjoying Korra's bending-oriented logic. "No easy way."

"Really? Couldn't you just use a windmill? I saw a farmer using one to grind up his oats when I was wandering. The mountain pass is super windy too. If he had one up there, he'd never have to hand-grind them."

"Wind turbines have been designed, but the system is largely inefficient. Again, the technology is our limit."

"Why?"

"Friction for one. Mechanical failure for another. Gearboxes were the last innovation to try to combat that, but they break so often the technology isn't profitable. It's nearly twenty percent of the cost of the turbine to replace a gearbox, and that must be done nearly ten times in the lifetime of the turbine. Installing one and keeping it up is more expensive that the energy it produces."

"Why do they break though?" Bolin asked.

"When wind velocity increases over a certain speed, parts fail. Translating the wind velocity from the rotor to the power grid is difficult. Wind velocity is continuously variable, meaning it requires a dynamic transition to continuously translate the rotation of the blades to a standard energy output…"

Asami looked up at Korra as her mind went over her last statement. "Oh. A dynamic system..."

Korra raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Wind creating movement of rotors, movement transferred into energy by turbines by her dynamic transmission model. That was it. It was unique, ambitious, and lit a spark of creativity in her that made her excited to work again. She could present this in front of the government bid if she had it done in time. Wind in place of spirit vines. Even if criminalization of spirit vine use wasn't successful, winning the bid with wind energy in place of the spirit vine research could have huge implications for their future.

She pulled Korra to her and kissed her hard on the mouth. "That's it. That's it! We've been sitting on the answer all along." She stood up and grabbed her jacket.

"Woah, there." Korra caught her shoulder. She had an imprint of Asami's lipstick over her mouth. Asami brushed at it as she explained, "I need to go to work. I need to talk this over with my P team. I have to get started."

"Asami. It's ten o'clock on Free Day night. No one will be at work."

"I'll call them in."

"You're drunk."

"I'm not drunk!"

"No one's going to take your idea. We can get you some napkins to draw on, and you can go into work at a normal time tomorrow and call people in. Let them have their Free Day night." Korra lowered her voice, and her smile was as gentle as her eyes. "I've been looking forward to sleeping in your bed again. No point if you won't be in it."

She was highly insulted that Korra thought her engineering schematics consisted of 'drawing'. "That isn't fair."

Korra wagged her eyebrows saucily.

Asami sat back down, but she covered their table with napkin notes. The engineers at work would raise their eyebrows to see these 'drawings'.

She compromised with Korra. She went into work with a hangover at six the next morning and called Lee in an hour later. He called her creative team back, and she gave them their goal: retool wind turbines by using her dynamic transmission.

"Change the dynamic transmission however you need. My original idea was using two cones. It may eliminate the risk of using a belt, but we have Moto Metalworking to help us design one if needed for this project." Asami spread out every schematic for her transmission and her notes, including those on napkins. "And I want this as big as we can go. Let's get to work."

She didn't make it back home until Moon Day, and that was just for a quick shower and to pack several changes of clothes. She slept in the workshop and dreamed of giant wind turbines, profiles visible from any of Republic City's districts, turning slow and steady in the hills east of the city. She dreamed of their clean energy replacing lightningbenders, eliminating the need for coal. She dreamed of great highways and railways winding through the mountains that ringed Republic City to connect it to the rest of the United Republic, of children sitting in the trains and cars and craning their heads to see the top of those great turbines, gawking at their towering height and alien beauty.

When she was awake, her thoughts were deep in equations. There were so many variables to work through. The research had already been done on wind turbines by other parties was extensive, and efficiency was the name of the game. Height, distance between units, positioning of units, blade number, maximum wind speed all had to be carefully calculated, but they all depended on each other. Asami thought in formulas, memorized every topographic map of the mountains to the east, could name the passes with the highest wind output outside Republic City, and saw numbers every time she closed her eyes. That didn't even take into account solving the dilemma of energy storage.

She'd wanted ambitious, and that was what she got.

Korra brought several boxes of beanbuns on Turn Day evening. Asami was surprised to see her. She'd already cancelled on her for the next week. She realized with a pang that she'd never gotten in touch with her lawyer over the HOA's unfair discrimination. She would have to ask Lee to schedule that meeting for her.

"Come home," Korra told her quietly. "You're about to fall on your face. So is everyone here. Come home, rest, and tackle it tomorrow morning. Please."

Asami was surprised when she heard herself say, "You'll have to drive me home."

"I can do that. Come on."

It wasn't nearly so hard to tear herself away from this project when Korra was coaxing her along. Her workers left, hopefully with rides of their own. They would be back at midday the next day after getting enough rest to be sharp.

"So how big are those windmills?"

"Turbines," Asami corrected absentmindedly. Her eyelids were heavy, and the gentle movements of the car made her feel like she was slowly spinning. "Big. Very big."

"Give me something in comparison."

She considered for a few moments. "Kuvira's mech."

"You're kidding."

"It's most efficient. Thank Kyoshi for Republic University's public records on wind velocity in the pass. This is as much about being a visible reminder to Republic City that we want clean, natural energy as it is about efficiency. And Raiko and most of the men in the government like big. We'll start with smaller units if need be, but these are the ones I want."

"How does it capture energy though?"

"Just like our dam. The wind turns the blades, and that movement becomes energy that can be pushed into Republic City's power supply."

"Does it do anything to the wind?"

"No. Wind is free. As long as we have solar energy and the planet rotates, we'll have it. If we don't, we'll be dead anyway. Our limitation is the efficiency of translating the kinetic energy of the wind through our rotor. Friction hurts us in that." She sighed and considered the scope of metalbending that would be required to construct the turbines. "I'll have to ask Suyin if she wants to partner on this."

"I can call over and ask."

"I may hold you to that, but I'll see if I can speak with her first."

"Is there some reason she wouldn't work with you?"

Asami bit her lip. "I know you like her, Korra, but I don't. We don't get along."

She fell asleep before she heard Korra's answer. Asami awakened briefly when Korra opened her car door. She was awake enough to walk to the elevator and let them into her apartment. Korra pushed her onto the bed, and she was asleep immediately.

Asami awoke in just her underwear. She rolled over and put her hand out to find Korra. Korra stirred as Asami snuggled up close to her and fell back asleep. She awoke a few hours later to an empty bed. After Asami showered, she came into the living room to find coffee and breakfast waiting for her. Korra was dressed. She'd started wearing her hair up again, and Asami tucked one of her forelocks behind her ear to get a few good kisses on her neck.

"You've been getting lipstick on my necklace. Good thing the ribbon isn't white or everyone would know my girlfriend's lipstick shade."

For that, Asami pressed a knuckle against Korra's ribcage, provoking a yelp. Korra turned around and backed Asami up against the counter. Her grin was pure joy, and Korra's eyes seemed to dance with her happiness. "Eat before you get us into trouble. Your plate is on the table. I can pour your coffee."

"What did I do to deserve you?"

"Made me love you. Are you going to stay?"

Asami hesitated. Korra smiled at her gently as she set Asami's coffee cup on the table. "Eat with me before you go back, okay?"

They ate quietly and quickly. After they finished, Korra said, "Can I ask you about something before you go?"

"Sure."

Korra opened her satchel and withdrew a few sheets of paper. "So, these are accounts of donations given to the White Lotus last year." She pointed to a large line item that was dated in autumn. "Does this contributor mean anything to you?"

"Yes, that the acronym for a military grant from the United Republic."

"Why would a military grant be awarded to the White Lotus?" Korra stared at the paper in her hands. "Right after we defeated Flesher and his army at the Reeducation Camp."

She withdrew an open letter from her bag and handed it to Asami.

Avatar Korra,

I am writing again in the hopes that my prior letters were misplaced by the White Lotus before they came to you. I am a reporter from Universal Press, and I specialize in cases of war crimes and humanitarian crises.

I have collected the accounts of several individuals who were part of the Reeducation Camp you discovered last year. I have attempted to publish this story only to be thwarted, but with your corroborating testimony about the conditions of the prisoners, I can go public, which may result in the case being heard at the Universal Human Rights Council.

My contact information is below.

Respectfully,
Fang Tso

"You think the donation was to make the White Lotus hide these letters."

"It makes sense. Makes me wonder what Raiko's donations were about. How many things did the White Lotus let go for money?"

"They may have colluded too. We may never know."

"We probably won't. There were thousands of pages of shredded paperwork in the White Lotus offices around the world. The other masters kept some things to paint Suntoq in a bad light, but I wonder what was covered up. Even this…" Korra shook her head. "I would have gone to him if I had known someone was trying to put a case together. Since I didn't know, I put it off."

"You know now. Make time and meet with him. It'll weigh on you if you don't."

Korra nodded. "I need to call Iroh. I wonder what he thinks of all of this."

"Bumi may have some insight."

"That's a good idea too."

"Korra, will the White Lotus accept a donation from me or from Future Industries?"

Korra seemed surprised. "Yes, I guess. You don't have to."

"I want to. Money is very little to me, but I know it would help you a lot. Please, talk with Shiza and Han, and let me know how much you're comfortable with me giving."

"What, a minimum? You don't have to give anything."

Oh, Korra… She had to know that wasn't what Asami meant. "A maximum."

"What were you thinking?"

She glibly said, "Five-hundred thousand yuans."

Korra's jaw actually dropped. She looked uncomfortable, which was what Asami expected. "No, Asami. That's way too much."

"How much do you need to break even and give your employees the raises they need?"

Korra scratched her scalp. "I'll talk to Han."

"I would never ask anything of you for this. This is me wanting to better the world, and bettering the world through the White Lotus isn't a bad thing."

"I'd never assume you were trying to…" Korra stilled, and her face opened in surprise. "I've sounded like a real asshole, haven't I?"

Asami kissed her hand. "Just let me know."

"Love you. Oh, let me pack you a lunch."

Asami kissed her on the doorstep a few minutes later, taking strength in Korra's love. She wished she could have this every day.

Asami had a productive day with her team. She slept in her office that night, but she got over four hours, which was saying something for her during a crunch time like this. The following afternoon, she ran out to lunch with her attorney. Lee had scheduled it for her at the last minute.

Icho was already at the little café when she arrived. He smiled and motioned her to follow him. There was a tiny back room behind a sliding door, and food was already waiting. Icho was her attorney probably only because of the man's loyalty to her late father. He was powerful, rich, and had reputation enough to pick and choose his cases. A part of Asami acknowledged that this sort of issue would be below his usual work, but he was her attorney, and he was the best. She would pay him all the same for it.

He was a polished man with the kind of face that screamed masculinity—strong jaw, heavy brow, and a haircut that emphasized the silver at his temples. He wore a wedding ring, gold shirt cuffs, and a bespoke suit, dressed as well for this lunch meeting as a man would for an interview for CEO.

She said, "Thank you for meeting with me."

"It's my pleasure. How have you been, Asami? It's been quite a while since we've met."

"It has. I've been busy. Incredibly busy."

He grinned. "I know that look. Your father sported it more than a few times. You're in the middle of a big project, aren't you?"

"Guilty."

They spooned out food for their lunch before he asked, "So what's the problem? Your note said there was issue with your HOA."

Asami outlined the situation. Icho frowned as he rubbed his chin. "Avatar Korra's polar bear dog is no longer allowed into your apartment building because the HOA has banned her. Did something precede this banning?"

"No. She's always well-behaved. She responds to my commands and Korra's, and she doesn't approach strangers. Naga was Roh-Tan in the Nuktuk series. It isn't like she hadn't interacted with the public before."

"You think this is a statement on Avatar Korra?"

"Or myself."

Icho furrowed his brow. "Is your HOA anti-Avatar?"

"I don't know."

He studied her in obvious perplexity. "So what are your aims?"

"I want this ban revoked. And an apology. If that can't happen, I want to dismantle the HOA."

Icho sipped his coffee and seemed to gather his thoughts. "Forgive me for this, but Asami, you seem more emotionally affected by this than I would expect. Did this person do anything to make you angry otherwise?"

"Korra is welcome in my home, and saying Naga isn't welcome is saying she isn't welcome."

"I see." But Icho didn't seem to. "This isn't something I would recommend taking to court. Aside from expense, the stakes seem quite low from my side of the table. Avatar Korra wasn't barred. Only her large, exotic predator was. I say this not to make you angry but so you understand the best action may be a compromise."

"Naga should be welcome."

"And we can reach that compromise, Asami. I'll reach out to Yamago to organize a meeting and establish dialogue with him." He paused. His amber eyes met hers in a direct curious look. "Is there anything else you want to tell me that could be pertinent to this situation?"

She hesitated, fearful at the very thought of exposing herself to this man. "No."

He nodded, shook her hand, and excused himself, likely already thinking of the next case on his list.