...and we're back to longer looks at what's going on in peoples heads.

Talking About The Future

Asami sat back in the shadows and smiled.

The peace talks were being held in a hastily converted concert hall, as it was one of the few rooms in all of Republic City big enough to hold everyone. Representatives had gathered from all the major (and some of the minor) factions in the Earth Kingdom Civil War, including Suyin, representing Zaofu, the faction that had taken control of Ba Sing Se, the King of Omashu oldest son and the mayor of Gaoling. With them were President Raiko of the United Republic, Lord Zuko, who was acting as the official representative of the White Lotus Society, General Iroh, who had taken a leave of absence from the United Forces and was standing in for his mouther as representative of the Fire Nation, Tonraq, who was representing both of the Water Tribes, Tenzin, representing the newly reborn Air Nomads, and finally Korra, who as Avatar, was generally agreed to be the closest thing to a truly neutral party, and was thus acting as chairwoman. Then there were countless aids, assistance and advisories, and that was before you got to the press, other interested parties and general busy-bodies who just wanted to see what was going on. Asami was only thankful that Future Industries had a private box that was mostly used as a perk for the directors or to entertain important clients; that at least allowed her some privacy and a good view.

And it had been interesting, especially early on; the tensions that had been simmering under the surface of the Earth Kingdom since at least the time of Avatar Kyoshi had broken out into open warfare after the assassination of Queen Hou-Ting by Zaheer and his Red Lotus anarchists. Much of the Middle and Upper Rings of Ba Sing Se were in ruins, with order only maintained by a well armed and stern-handed militia. Much of the countryside was plagued by bandits, warlords and other miscreants, and famine was widespread, despite the fact that the Earth Kingdom being home to some of the richest, most productive farming land in the entire world. There had been so many competing voices arguing so many differing points of view and priorities that Asami had been worried that it was going to end in a riot, not a peace treaty. But then Korra had stood up, took a deep breath, and whistled so loud it actually shook the chandeliers high up in the rafters. All eyes turned to her, unsure what the notoriously implosive and short-tempered young woman would do next, no doubt some worried that they'd get to see the Avatar State up close and personal.

But Korra didn't even raise her voice, and Asami was sure that was why it had worked. Instead she had reminded them, calmly but compassionately, that their main concern should always be the people upon whom their power structures were built. She reminded them that even the most powerful Lord could be toppled if the people grew angry enough that rage overcame fear. She also made it clear that, as the Avatar, she would not stand by and allow anyone to be subjugated or repressed by those simply looking to maintain their grip on power. She wasn't suggesting some world-wide revolution where everyone would be equal; the world was simply too complicated a place for that to work, but she would not allow despotism and corruption to prosper at the expense of those unable to speak up for themselves. For all her youth and and inexperience, Korra was still the Avatar, and the battles she had fought and won were well known. Her voice carried far beyond that hall and Republic City; it was heard by the highest lord to the lowliest worker, and many in power took heed of the way the wind was blowing, less they invite her wrath. There would always be those who failed to listen, and Asami was sure that her wife would be called upon to impose the peace she was working so hard to create before the dust finally settled, but she knew she was more than up to the task.

There had been a light in Korra's eyes when Asami had first met her that had been all-but extinguished by Zaheer and his followers. Some of it had returned after their wedding and the birth of their daughters, but that day, Asami once again saw the woman she had fallen in love with without even realising it. The proud, confident Korra that had stood up against what anyone else would have seen as impossible odds and dared to defy them was back. Older, wise, more aware of her limits, but reforged into a new Avatar, tempered by failures and setbacks. This was the Korra that had stood at deaths door and pulled herself back from the brink, regaining the use of her body and powers thought sheer force of will, wile also claiming the heart and the hand of the woman she loved, no matter what the world had put in her way. Asami couldn't help but feel imminence pride over the next couple of weeks as Korra stood up against all those in the way of peace, abut rather than hammer them down, brought them around to her way of thinking. Far from dictating terms, Korra had sort out common ground, pointing out where interests met and finding a way to build on them. Many in the press compared her to Avatar Aang and his work in creating the United Republic of Nations, something that had actually made Korra somewhat uncomfortable, which Asami had taken advantage off to tease her wife by asking when she was going to shave her head.

Korra had found a way to get her back for that, the memory of exactly how always made Asami smile.

It hadn't been easy on their home life; Korra needed to be on-call round the clock, meaning that Asami was more often than not left to look after their daughters. The babies were at the stage when all they did was cry, sleep, eat and need their nappies changing, often more than one at the same time, and Asami was quickly at the point of physical and mental exhaustion. Fortunately, Senna made herself available to help out whenever Asami needed to go to the office, or just a quick nap to recharge. Mako also helped, having gotten himself a larger apartment with room for a small nursery so he could take the children over night. Asami and Korra had offered to buy him an entire house, but he had been too proud to accept. So instead they had signed the guarantee for the bank loan he needed, the Sato name meaning that he was able to get a far better deal than he otherwise would have. But unfortunately the Republic City Police Force was working overtime to provide security not only for the conference hall, but for all the diplomats and dignitaries attending, and he was often called in to work double shifts. Korra had been heartbroken when she saw the affect it was all having on her wife, and rashly considered pulling out entirely and handing over her responsibilities to Zuko or Tenzin. But Asami had put her foot down, reminding her that, as the Avatar, she had a responsibility to the word that had to come first, at least for the time being. The peace talks would end, hopefully with a treaty, and then they'd be free to spend some quality time together as a family.

And so the peace talks had draw on and on, most of the spectators drifting away the moment something new appeared in the headlines, but Asami attended every chance she got, often bring a picnic lunch she could share with Korra in the box during a break in the negotiations. She'd even sneaked Naga in a couple of times, allowing the Polar Bar Dog to see just what her life-long friend and often partner-in-crime was doing. Asami realised it must have been hard for her; while smart enough to understand that Korra often had to go places and do things without her, Naga wasn't able to ask why, or to understand an explanation if one had been forthcoming. This meant that she'd been spending a lot more time with Asami than she had Korra since the talks started, which was nice, because she'd taken to the two babies as if they were her own cubs, and it was brave reporter indeed who was willing to risk her anger just to get a close-up while they were just out for a walk in the park. Tonraq had, in a bid to blow off some steam after a particularly difficult day at the talks, disassembled one of the strollers that had been brought for his grandchildren and rebuilt it into something that could be securely fastened to Naga's saddle. Asami had been somewhat apprehensive about it at first, but her daughters seemed to love it almost as much as Naga did, so she had been forced to relent to the inevitable.

Not for the first time, Asami had wondered about just what kind of family she had married into.

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and still the talking went on, seemingly without end. And though it all, Korra had stood like a mountain before the crashing of the waves: ever calm but compassionate; steadfast, but always willing to find compromise. And while tired, Asami had been overjoyed to see that her wife had rediscovered her purpose as the Avatar; marriage and children had been what she'd need as Korra the woman, but this was what she needed as Avatar Korra, the Bringer of Balance. Asami had long ago accepted the duel nature of her wife's existence, and while she did feel a little jealous that Korra was spending so much time at work, she was at least able to talk about it with Pema and Senna, her friendship with the older women growing deeper and stronger than ever. One evening, after a particularly stressful day during which she'd been too busy to spend any time with Korra at all, Asami had broken down and wept openly on the floor of her home office. Senna had found her, and without a moments hesitation, had taken her in her arms and comforted her as if she was a young child again. Asami had felt such love and acceptance in those arms, as strong as she did with Korra, but distinctly different, that she had actually fallen asleep. Senna had sat there on the floor, cradling her daughter-in-law, for more than an hour before Korra had finally arrived home and carried her still sleeping wife to bed.

The next day, a shy and tearful Asami had asked Senna if it would be alright if she could call her 'mother' from then on. The older woman had looked at her for a moment, startled, then enveloped her in a fierce hug and the two woman had cried until they had no more tears. Senna had assured her that she would be honoured if Asami looked upon her as her mother, and that she had always looked upon Asami as a true daughter, not just as her daughters wife. This had led to another fierce hug, and the bond between the two women had only grown closer since.

Eventually, the peace talks did reach a conclusion; the agreed upon treaty was far from perfect, and there were parts that some people found difficult to accept, but all could agree that it was a good first step, and laid the ground work that could be built upon later. The official signing ceremony had been a grand event, and Asami had filled the Future Industries box with her friends and family so they could all watch. Their daughters were there, all be it asleep the entire time, but it felt right that they should be there none the less; Korra was as much their mother as Asami was, and the treaty was something that she would be remembered for for centuries to come. The reception after the ceremony had been even larger and went on late into the night, so Senna had taken her grandchildren home so her daughters could spend some much needed time together.

"So, now that's over with, how about that 'quality time' we talked about?" Korra had asked as she slipped an arm around Asami's waist and held her close, "I hear Ember Islands nice this time of year, and it'd be nice to revisit some parts of our honeymoon now I'm out of that blasted wheelchair."

"Hum; tempting, but I'm afraid no." Asami had giggled when she saw the dejected look on her wife's face, "It looks like we're going to be heading for Zaofu in a couple of weeks; there's a certain wedding coming up that we wouldn't want to miss."

To Be Continued...
(And yes, the next chapter will be Bolin and Opals wedding)