When Korra awoke the next morning before she even opened her eyes she was immediately hit with a pounding, earth shattering and mind-blowing migraine. The type of migraine one gets when they cry themselves beyond the point of dehydration, cry themselves past the point of eye pain, and throat soreness. As the glacial azure eyes fluttered closed taught beneath her eyelids she suppressed a roar, in part because her throat was still raw yet hoarse from the deep sobbing of the day prior and in partly because the movement of her eyeballs only added to throbbing pain occurring in her aching head.
Her dreams had been haunted by terrors of villains from her past. Korra watched helplessly as Amon stripped her of bending. Then before her eyes Unalaq appeared taunting her as he broke what remained of her avatarhood- the connection Korra shared with Ravaa. In this dream state she was less than a shadow of herself. Nothing that made Korra an avatar remained. She couldn't bend nor connect with her past lives, all she had was Asami. However, that was when Zaheer appeared and this time instead of taking her, he took Asami and left Korra alone and broken. It was just different spin on the reality she was left once the real events that occurred with Zaheer had transpired.
When Korra had awoke, she knew it was just another a night terror as she shook violently, while the sweat poured from her in addition to the migraine she had as stated prior. Yet, she couldn't help but let out a whimper out as the night terror felt so real that if she didn't feel Asami's body against her she would scream out in fear of being alone in bed and the terror being true. Once she caught her breath from the ordeal Korra started to slowly become aware of her surroundings.
Her mind was still heavy with emotions and raw feelings. Korra had opened herself up, made herself truly vulnerable to the one person who was her world, the center of her universe. Yet her world was still so messy and her mind was no clearer, it remained fuzzy and just as heavy prior to the confession. Sure, she had opened up completely, but even cracking the surface was a huge step for Korra with anyone, especially someone who meant so much to her.
It would have been easier for her to spill her guts to Asami had she not meant the world to her. That way, if Asami thought lesser of her fo it left it would not be such a heavy blow to her. But alas, Asami was her everything, therefore it was a delicate situation. Just like everything in her young life it was heavy with emotion and stress. There was that all too familiar feeling for Korra again, heavy. It seemed everything in her life was heavy. Heavy and complicated.
With her eyes closed she could detect no sunlight filtering into the room, and surmised that not only by that but by the fact she could feel the warmth of Asami's snuggled into her as she snored lightly into her. Normally, the sound of her girlfriend's snoring filled her heart with love and she would gladly listen to it all day, but today Korra fought the urge to shake her awake as her head pulsated and she silently screamed wanting to bury her head beneath Asami's unused pillows as she had decided to use Korra as a pillow.
Cautiously, Korra opened an eye and was meant by pitch darkness telling her it was still early morning or rather middle of the night. Stifling a groan, she hugged Asami's body close to her own and then rolled her over to the other side of the bed. The move was both successful yet disastrous. Korra had successfully rid herself of her snoring girlfriend, buying her the much-needed silence she needed to soothe the killer migraine her emotional day had created. On the other hand, the rapid movement had only increased the pain in her head causing her to bite her lip to keep from crying out, only serving to exacerbate an emotionally fragile and exhausted Korra further as she drew blood from the action.
She laid there for what felt like an eternity, an occasional tear falling from her eyes and a whimper left her quivering lips as the fear of her night terror overtook her. Sleep finally came to her once again but not before she was completely broken down and defeated. Korra had wanted to reach out to Asami for comfort, but thought that the truth of what happens to her at night might truly scare her girlfriend and only drive her away to learn that Korra's mind worked in such a manner when her subconscious took over.
The idea was ludicrous and Korra knew it somewhere in her core. She knew Asami was not a monster that would leave her because she had demons of her own, but instead a beautiful person who would only embrace her and strive to help Korra. Asami would in fact do anything for Korra, she would die to put a smile on those angelic lips and give her soul to make Korra happy. The idea of leaving Korra was the furthest thing from the tycoon's mind the only possible thing that could provoke such a response would be infidelity.
Little did Korra know, her move to reshuffle Asami had woken the raven haired woman and only served to worry her further about Korra as she laid there still and silent and watched Korra suffer silently. Once Korra had fallen asleep, Asami allowed a few silent tears of frustration to fall before her mind began to wonder.
She thought she had made progress with Korra. She thought she had gotten her to finally feel comfortable opening up. But, apparently Korra wasn't one hundred percent comfortable coming to her. The evidence was right in front of Asami's face. Korra would rather suffer silently at night, than to wake her up seek comfort. But this wasn't about how Asami felt, it was about how Korra brilliant CEO just needed to make her girlfriend understand she come to her whenever, no matter when or where for anything. Asami would never mind or judge- how could she, Korra was her everything.
With no specific idea how to make Korra feel comfortable, Asami rolled out of bed. She was just going to start the morning by pampering Korra. It was the last day of their first weekend alone together at the Sato Estate, and they hadn't discussed whether or not to bring the staff back or really any big decisions and she wanted the day to remain light for Korra's sake. Lazily, Asami sauntered over to her closet and pulled a silk robe over negligee that fell just about mid-thigh as she pulled it closed with a small shiver at the loss of Korra's warmth. It wasn't a particularly cold morning, but she had grown accustomed to staying in bed a little later snuggled into the warmth of Korra lately and her body seemed to begrudge her mind for depriving her of it.
Asami softly padded out of the hardwood floored bedroom and down the majestic staircase in the direction of the kitchen. She may not know how to win over Korra's complete trust, but if Asami knew one thing it was that the way to Korra's heart was through her stomach. Korra had both a large and healthy appetite. It was just a matter of what dish she was going to use her culinary skills to help solidify her place in the heart of her beloved. Asami wracked her brain thinking of all the meals the pair had shared over the years trying to think of the foods that Korra loved best, and what might be the most meaningful meal to show Korra, she loved her, listened, and remembered their time spent together.
Then, Asami remembered shortly after they first became a couple and stayed Zaofu, over the entire Commander Guan debacle, how Korra had devoured the pumpkin pancakes Suyin's chef had created for them in celebration of them becoming a couple, a celebration of love in general. Though Asami did not have the recipe she was familiar with making pancakes and knew how to cook with pumpkin. Combining the two could hardly be a far stretch for the inventor who was as creative in the kitchen as she was in the workshop and bedroom. To pair with it, she would make egg custard tarts and fresh brewed lychee tea.
Fortunately, the CEO had a fully stocked kitchen otherwise cooking such a wide-ranging meal would be an improbable task on short notice, but Asami's staff was fully aware of her whim to experiment culinarily when left alone, as well as her varying taste palate. With the tall task ahead of her, Asami dove headlong into chopping ingredients and measuring amounts as she hummed along and occasionally sang with the radio in the kitchen.
Asami's voice was ever in tune with whatever she chose to sing to as she swayed to the music, her feet tapping away happily as she went along happily picturing Korra's face when she brought her breakfast in mess in the kitchen quickly grew as Asami prepped the pancake batter ensuring to add extra pumpkin to enhance the flavor. Next came the process of creating the egg custard tarts, both an Air Nomad delicacy and an Earth Kingdom favorite, something Korra grew fond of living with Tenzin.
Meanwhile...
When Korra opened her eyes, she instantly knew she was having no ordinary dream- before stood the intimidating, statuesque Avatar Kyoshi who didn't seem to amused to see Korra.
"Kyoshi?" Korra half-questioned rubbing her bloodshot eyes unsure if it was spiritual vision or a tired hallucination- she still had no clue what was triggering the visions of Kyoshi and could not be sure if this was the real deal or her mind playing tricks on her in the vulnerable state she was in.
"Who else would I be Korra?" boomed the giant woman with mild amusement as she eyed Korra, taking in her run-down appearance and defeated aura.
Korra chuckled nervously as the dark eyes assessed her, making her feel vulnerable as she felt them penetrate all of the defensive barriers she had put up for the world in an instant.
"You look like hell by the way," Kyoshi tsked disapprovingly as she met Korra at eye level taking a seat beside the blue-eyed avatar, forcing her to meet her gaze.
Korra wanted to argue with the taller, fierce looking warrior of an avatar, but Kyoshi was just another version of herself. Therefore, if Kyoshi thought she looked like hell didn't it just mean she thought looked like hell? The entire existence of Kyoshi confused Korra, if it was just inner part of herself, it meant deep down she possesses all knowledge Kyoshi manifestes, the great avatar was just a means of bringing it to the surface, at least Korra suspected.
"Why- no -how are you are even here?" Korra half groaned, he emotions still running rampant and seeping through as she was becoming short with the one avatar who she should fear above all.
"Korra... I am here to guide you. I am here because you sought me out. You seek me when you are at emotionally extremes. When you experience things that make you the avatar you are. We have been through this," Kyoshi replied putting on a stern, impatient voice as she reminded Korra she was not here simply because she had nothing better to do.
"How can you help me? No avatar has gone through this before."
"Not this specifically. But Korra, do you think I did not suffer for my choices? That I didn't suffer regrets for letting the Earth King's dynasty remain? For creating the Dai Li and the corruption that occurred? The guilt I felt over the Yellow Necks? Or the grief I got over my personal and love life. My happiness came at a great personal cost. Putting the greater good of the world was emotionally draining, drove me to extremes and dark places. I sacrificed my mental health to do what I thought was best, and just for society because it was my duty," Kyoshi explained.
"How did you do it? How and for so many years did you do it? It is taking its toll on me, on my relationship, on my sanity," Korra started to explain as the tears fell and she couldn't help but feel weak and inferior before the great warrior Kyoshi.
"I let those who loved me help me. I let Rangi in. She loved me and wanted to help. I was like you, stubborn and pushed her away at first. But soon I came around and realized that with the good parts of love they accept the bad too, if the love is true. I see my Rangi in your Asami, just let her in," Kyoshi instructed the more stubborn reincarnated version of herself who looked on still skeptical as if the idea of the truth would send Asami bolting and the idea was so ludicrous that it made Kyoshi want to slap Korra.
"I don't know," Korra hesitated with a stammer as she rubbed the back of her neck with the palm of her hand nervously unsure if Kyoshi was just telling her what she wanted to hear.
After all, wouldn't Kyoshi just want to calm her inner turmoil so there was peace? That way Kyoshi could operate most efficiently... the whole scenario had Korra on edge and unsure of what to believe. Should she believe her past life or the nagging skepticism in her mind? Normally she would consult Asami, seek her help, but when the entire issue involved Asami it made things impossible.
"Korra, you and I know Asami is Rangi reincarnated. They are one in the same, the same soul. Tell me you don't feel the familiarity, the connection with her? Asami knows it, too," Kyoshi explained soothingly as she tried to comfort and increasingly panicking Korra who was on the verge of tears.
Korra considered the weighted words carefully, everything she knew about Asami pointed to her being a possible relative of Rangi. Afterall, the beautiful raven-haired woman with those gorgeous jade was a relative, no matter how distant or close to the prestigious Sei'naka clan of the Fire Nation as well as a very distant relative of the current royal family of the Fire Nation. If there was any part of Korra left that could detect Rangi's spirit it would be the piece that contained Kyoshi and her memories. There was denying there was a comfortable, familiar easiness between Asami and the current avatar. The duo shared an instant connection like neither had experienced in their lives before or since.
There was the fact that Korra and Asami had an easy relationship and instant attraction and companionship despite the rough and unconventional beginning. Perhaps, she should trust this dream Kyoshi based on this and not just the gut feeling that she wanted Asami to be right for her, to be her everything.
"I feel drawn to her. Like she is everything. My everything," Korra admitted, at least if this was just a conversation with herself, she was being honest.
"Rangi was everything to me. She had balanced me out in the end. If I had only listened to her soon her, I wouldn't have made so many decisions I regretted in my personal life. I was a just avatar, yes. But, in the long run it did harm and took its toll on me. But I held it all in, spirits know I tried to open up. But finally, I learned to trust Rangi and suddenly the toll, the burden was not mine alone. I learned she wanted to know how I felt and experience my feelings as I did hers because that was and is love," Kyoshi explained.
The words washed over the blue-eyed woman as she let them consume her. In all of her avatar training Korra was taught the history of the four nations, the arts of bending, the cultures of the world, but nowhere had anyone bothered to teach her about matter of the heart or the meaning of love. Yet, somehow, she knew what she had with Asami was love. How could it be, if she had not experienced the feeling in the past life? It only served to enforce Kyoshi's claim and her explanation of love, that she was able to so accurately describe the feelings she had for Asami that Korra had labeled as love.
The young avatar nodded to her past life in a sign of acceptance of her guidance and reasoning. Korra was every bit the hot head and stubborn woman Kyoshi had been so it was only just that Kyoshi was the one to communicate with Korra and attempt to stop her from path of self-sabotaging behavior and self-destruction that she was on.
As Asami was flipping the pancakes in the skillet on the stove she felt familiar muscular arms wrap around her slender frame and could not help but sink into the embrace as Korra's head came to rest on her shoulder whilst she nuzzled into her neck. Asami let a hum of approval while trying to focus on cooking on their breakfast but could not help but allow herself to indulge in the blissful feeling of Korra's muscular bare stomach against her flimsily clad body. Korra wore only boxers and her body bindings opting not for bra this morning and more of traditional Water Tribe vibe, not that Asami was complaining she loved whatever or however little her girlfriend chose to wear.
"Hey you," Korra mused huskily her voice reverberating in Asami's ears as her lips hovered over her earlobe before devouring it.
Asami spun in her girlfriend's muscular arms and jade eyes meet those oceans of azure blue ones, she could hardly believe the gleeful expression that had overtaken Korra's face. Gone were the early morning traces of sorrow and pain, in their place was Korra's contagious and infectious youthful joy and exuberance that she loved so much. It was that joy and happiness that had been one of those things that had first drawn Asami to the gorgeous woman whose arms she stood in at this very moment. She found it so pure and alluring, so natural and sexy. So very Korra.
"Korra I-" Asami started wanting to open the door to say so much about last night, to be there for her but the shorter woman shut her down pressing a seductive, long finger to her crimson lips.
Gone was the time for talking, Korra wanted something else for Asami. She craved the raven-haired seductress. Korra wanted her to no end, to show her she loved to show her, her most intimate parts through the art of love. Later there would be time to show her the private Korra, but now she needed to affirm her love, her desire for Asami.
The mood change was so unexpected yet so welcomed. It erased all the questions that were swirling around unanswered in Asami's mind, the only thing that was running through it currently was the urge to skip breakfast and devour Korra. Judging by the mischievous glint in her girlfriend's eyes Asami could tell Korra had the same idea, however she would be the stronger of the two and at least force Korra to enjoy breakfast, the labor of her swallowed a moan of delight as Korra closed the distant, her soft luscious lips devouring Asami's own plump inviting crimson ones as she nibbled softly on her lower lip trying to completely overtake the raven beauty.
Only when desperate for air did Asami release her grip from Korra's neck and allow their lips to part. Her grateful lungs greedily inhaled the fresh air, yet her body and hormones throbbed, no pulsed longingly for the return of Korra's lips and the warmth of her skin on her own. Gone from her mind was the idea of enjoying breakfast first, her body needed Korra now and food later. Impatiently, Asami pressed her body against Korra's, her slender yet curvaceous body pressed taught against Korra's muscular frame as she leaned down to envelope her lips in a deep passionate kiss. Embolden by passion Korra backed Asami against the counter as she leaned into the kiss, putting into it all of the emotions she couldn't vocalize to her girlfriend.
Typically, Korra was timid and shy, anything but dominate or bold when it came to romance or anything slightly sexual. It wasn't that she didn't want Asami because spirits she was in love with the woman and her impeccable body. No, for all the confidence she had as avatar and her abilities, this was where she lacked it. The one place where she felt awkward and shy, and the one place Asami loved more than anything to run the show.
A moan of pleasure escaped Asami's lips when Korra's hands meandered across her stomach, the thin material of her nightshirt allowing her girlfriend's warmth and gentle touch to work its magic as though her flesh were bare. The sound caused a guttural moan from Korra as her lips traveled to the exposed flesh of Asami's neck where she playfully nipped earning a deep, throaty moan of delight as her girlfriend shimmied onto the counter in response.
Long forgotten were the pumpkins pancakes that now slowly burned in the skillet on the stove as the two lovers passionately, furiously devoured each other's tongues as their hands feverishly explored one another's bodies. Korra wrapped her strong arms firmly around Asami's mid-section as the taller woman pulled her in closer, wrapping her own legs around Korra's middle as if trying to meddle into her. Korra shivered involuntarily as Asami grinded against her, her wetness rubbing firmly against Korra's exposed midriff creating much needed friction and only serving to increase both of their arousals.
"Spirits, I want you 'Sami," Korra moaned softly into the ebony haired goodness's neck, her voice devoid of its typical shyness, in its place was hunger and longing as she brought azure eyes to meet stunning jade ones.
Those jade eyes were filled with a longing and lust, Asami understood in that moment just how much Korra loved her. How much Korra trusted and needed her and how much that it meant that she had begun to open up and share her true self and inner most turmoil with Asami. To be honest the raven-haired beauty had never felt so honored or loved before, it seemed such a privilege yet so right in so many ways.
"Ko-rra," Asami purred breathing heavily as the mocha skinned woman kissed her neck with hands firmly planted on the taller woman's waist for leverage as she worked her magic.
This action only fed Korra's natural cockiness as she smiled into Asami's neck, gaining confidence in herself by the moment. Her new found confidence only served to further turn on her girlfriend- threatening to make Asami come undone right there in that moment with only the aid of the slightest touch of Korra's lips and the warmth of her body pressed firmly against her center.
"Hmm?" Korra hummed coaxing Asami to use words to described what she wanted and not just call out for her by name.
"I want you. I want to take you into the living room and devour you," Asami declared boldly, confidence oozing from her voice as there was no trace of embarrassment on her face that certainly would have betrayed Korra had she made the same declaration.
Those simple yet sensual words turned the blue-eyed woman's legs into jelly as she found herself suddenly struggling to remain upright. Korra tried to balance herself and Asami over the counter to little affect. Korra's insides literally melted as her center pulsed and dripped, her mouth became dry like cotton while her cheeks flushed, Asami's words indeed had their desired effect. Once she regained composure and the strength returned to her legs, Korra hoisted Asami up, whose legs were wrapped firmly around the avatar's middle, and obediently carried her into their living room placing them both on the sofa expectantly.
In the mere seconds after they both hit the couch, Korra found herself ruined, completely wetter than she had ever been in her inexperienced life. As she waited Asami's next move she was both obedient and anxious as she stilled beneath her. Asami's dominating presence soothed her nerves, Korra was always confident but here was another matter. In the bedroom she was obedient and eager to please as well as learn. And well Asami was ever patient and always the natural leader, took charge. The raven haired woman's inherited competitiveness and need for dominance certainly came out in the bedroom and even more so around Korra.
The avatar did not seem to mind as she was slowly becoming a natural bottom. Her taught, ripped tan abdomen was clenched tight every time Asami perched on top of her, this time was now different as firm yet perky, milky white breasts perched eagerly against Korra's stomach as Asami slowly, teasingly undid her lover's chest bindings. Korra gasped when the cool air hit her chest making her starved, hungry body react as her nipples instantly went hard without so much as touch from the raven-haired bombshell on top of her, which elicited an eager grin from the woman above.
With a tantalizingly and deliberately slow pace Asami took Korra's nipple in her warm inviting mouth and with a swift flick of her tongue the waterbender was coming undone as she moaned and squirmed under her touch. Asami fought off the curve of a smile forming around her lips as she gently tugged the pert nipple with her teeth before sucking it soft and slow as Korra gasped and wriggled beneath her, leaning into her touch. Though all that separated the duo were Korra's boxers and Asami's skimpy robe and equally skimpy negligee the pair quickly found that the layers were too vast and restricting as they were desperate for each other's touch as well intimate contact.
With one swift yet delicate movement of her fingers, Asami removed Korra's drenched boxers revealing the wet mound between her thighs calling out for the raven-haired woman. It sent a pulse straight to her own core as her clit throbbed, Asami bit back a cry of her own at the beautiful sight of a nude Korra- something she would never tire of.
The dominant top immediately felt weakened at the increasingly familiar sight, something she was uncertain she would ever get use to. Just as Asami thought of sensations she'd never get used to, Korra began to slowly lift the negligee over her head, the cool air causing Asami to release a hungry gasp as her pert nipples reacted the air. Her body also began to react to Korra's touch, her core throbbed as she felt her thighs becoming even more so drenched and the hunger and need with in her grew.
Once Korra freed her of the cumbersome garment, Asami could no longer control her need to touch Korra. Those luscious crimson lips ravenously enveloped the warm, inviting mocha ones in a hungry, ravenous kiss as Asami pinned Korra down on the couch with nothing separating their nude bodies as she shamelessly grinded against the smaller woman's leg trying to relieve some her need as she deepened the kiss. Korra obediently complied with Asami's silent request, parting her legs for the raven-haired woman to grind her center against as they both moaned at the contact of each other's warm, wet center against the their own cool leg. It created a sensation that sent added fuel to the raging inferno that burned whenever the two-woman happened to be in each other's orbit.
Asami playfully bit Korra's lower lips as her hands roamed the avatar's sculpted body coming to rest firmly on her ass as she pulled Korra impossibly closer to into her. This set of actions earned a husky moan of pure ecstasy from Korra as she obligingly tried to slot herself in with Asami, trying to make what was two become one.
The very action of Korra trying to make them one sent an idea Asami had been toying with since her and Korra's first time flying through her mind- the raven-haired CEO desperately wanted to fuck the avatar using a strap-on. However, the discovery just how inexperienced Korra was had pushed the idea out of the realm of possibilities for the meantime but it did not stop Asami from fantasizing just how good it would feel. Especially when Korra made motions like this... it made her wonder how soon she could broach the topic with her.
But then without fail Korra moved clumsily, her inexperience in bed showing and pushing the idea from Asami's head as her lips broke from Korra's to see if her lover was alright. A cruel person might have found amusement in Korra's awkwardness and experience, but it only made Asami fall harder and deeper in love with the girl as it reminded her that Korra was all hers, completely and truly.
Asami found it sweet, sexy, and endearing all at once at it brought about a look of pure love on her face- it instantly changed her attitude from wanting to dominate Korra to that of a tender one. The heiress began to gently kiss away the embarrassment from Korra's cheeks after confirming the only thing injured was her pride and confidence even after Asami had assured her everything was alright.
Korra moaned softly at the gesture, finding the weight of the world lifting of her shoulders as Asami masterfully navigated her body, making her the center of her world. As the more experienced woman's hands adeptly caressed her body whilst her mouth worked it's magic kissing her way down Korra's body, the avatar found the world's problems melt away, a new kind of problem driving her crazy.
Asami giggled against the toned abdomen of Korra as she felt the woman flex beneath her at her oral ministrations as she edged closer to Korra's mound. This action sent a blush over tanned flesh that Korra couldn't fight and Asami found absolutely delicious as her mouth moved lower, earning her a string of praise and expletives from the younger, frisky woman who used her hands to needily hasten Asami's head to its destination.
Asami slowly ran the broad side of her tongue through Korra's slick, moist folds earning a yelp of delight as muscular mocha digits coiled tightly in the raven hair urging her on as Asami diligently suckled and pleasured Korra. The avatar let out an uncharacteristically girly yelp when Asami dipped her tongue inside of her tight core. The CEO couldn't help but smiled as she delved deeper, savoring the flavor of Korra's essence. Nothing had ever tasted as good to her as her Korra. She worked Korra's tight, wetness in and out with just her tongue bringing the avatar to tortuously slow yet earth shattering orgasm with just her mouth.
Satisfied with her work, as she saw disheveled, sweaty and exhausted Korra splayed beneath her on the couch, a puddle of wetness seeping on the couch cushions between the poor woman's legs Asami cuddled beside Korra, resting her head cozily on Korra's bare chest her hands roaming the familiar toned stomach.
"Fuck 'Sami," Korra struggled to pant gratefully as she leaned down to join their lips, tasting herself on Asami's tongue and not hating the flavor she found.
Asami grinned a Cheshire grin, the sight of Korra savoring her own juices turned the CEO on even further, not to mention the fact a disheveled and thoroughly fucked Korra breathlessly calling out for her had an effect on her insides like molten lava. Ravenously, she leaned and captured those mocha lips for a devilish kiss, ensuring to leave a mark as to claim Korra as her own for the world to see. This left Korra a further mess as she gasped for air like a fish out of water, yet somehow managing to make it look sexy and seductive all at once.
Instead of having her way with her Korra bringing a release to Asami and allowing her senses to come to her so she could actually articulate words into sentences, it had the opposite effect and only served to ignite her libido further and make her crave Korra further. It didn't help the way Korra worried her lip as she regained her breath and fixated those glacial azure orbs squarely on Asami in wanting gaze, daring the heiress for more.
Normally, the CEO had impeccable self-control- it was something she prided herself. Hell, the Sato name was synonymous with self-control, hard work and determination- right now hard work and determination to devour Korra were winning out over her self-control of her impulses and desire.