Finding an available apartment in the city proved to be more difficult than Asami had anticipated. Between the fact that huge sections of the city were still covered with spirit vines, and the influx of refugees escaping the turmoil in the Earth Kingdom, available housing units were few and far between.
Housing will have to be one of my priorities while redesigning the city. Asami thought to herself. Tenzin assured her that there was no rush, she was welcomed to stay on the Island for as long as she needed. Ikki and Meelo both begged her not to move at all. But her home search only made her more determined to understand the needs of the people living in the city.
In the end, Asami decided to retrofit some unused offices above one of Future Industries' smaller warehouses. It took a while but after putting up a few extra walls, changing the carpet, and importing wallpaper from the top designers in the fire nation, Asami had made herself a high-end loft that rivaled any apartment in Republic City. Windows overlooked the streets of the city on one side, and the warehouse floor on the other.
"Isn't it going to be weird working and sleeping in the same building?" Jinora asked, when Pema brought the girls over to deliver a housewarming pie.
"It's it going to be noisy?" Jinora added. "Are you going to be able to go to work in your pajamas? Why did you build two bedrooms when you're the only person living here?"
"This building is for overflow products, and is hardly ever used anymore," said Asami. "I'm thinking of completely locking it up and using the space as my private workshop. I'll still conduct most of my business at the head office."
"Are you sure you'll be alright living in the warehouse district?" Pema asked, she had the concerned look of a mother who was letting her child leave home for the first time. Once more Asami felt a rush of affection towards the family who took her in.
"Don't worry, this is a pretty quiet district. My father made sure none of his buildings were within Triad territory."
He learned that lesson the hard way. The memory of Triple Threats breaking into her home unceremoniously forced its way to the forefront of Asami's mind.
Shouting, pleading, hiding under her bed in her nightgown, the scent of burning wood, the scent of burning flesh….She banished the memories as if they were just bad dreams. That was a long time ago. She should be looking forward, not back.
"Did you make the second bedroom for when Korra comes back?" Jinora asked, pulling Asami back to reality.
Did I? Wondered Asami. She had decorated the spare bedroom in shades of blue, sharply contrasting the rest of the apartment, but it hadn't been a conscious decision.
"I just thought it might be useful to have a guest room." she said.
It will be convenient for Korra to have a place in the city to spend the night when she returns. Asami decided.
"Can we have a sleepover?" Ikki asked. "Please, please, please, please, please?"
"Not tonight," said Pema, firmly. "Don't forget, Ikki, you still have chores to do at home. This is just supposed to be a quick visit."
"Awe!" the girl complained loudly, slumping into a full body pout. Asami smiled and patted Ikki on her head.
"Maybe we can plan something for next week, but for now I have to draw up a proposal for the president. And I have a letter to write and send out before the next mail before the next mail ship leaves for the South Pole."
"Have you gotten any response from Korra yet?" Jinora asked hopefully.
Asami shook her head.
"She'll write back when she's ready," said Asami.
"It's already been two months." Ikki complained.
Pema put her hands on Ikki's shoulders.
"Tenzin received a letter from Katara the other day." Pema said. "She says Korra has started her healing sessions a few weeks ago."
"If anyone can make Korra better, it's Gran-Gran," said Jinora.
"Well, if you want to get a letter sent out today, you better get working on it." Pema said, looking at the clock on the wall. She hugged Asami; Pema gave great mom-hugs. "Remember, if you need anything at all, let us know. And you are always welcome to come have dinner with us. Our doors are always open."
"Thank you so much for all you've done for me." Asami said. She could never say it enough times. Ikki threw herself into the hug as well, and Jinora joined in. When the family left, Asami sat down to write. Even if she hadn't received any replies, she was confident that Korra was still reading every letter. She sent one out with every mail ship. She made sure to include personal updates, as well as updates on the city, politics, and general gossip. Anything she thought Korra would want to know as the avatar, as well as interesting stories to help stave off boredom.
In this week's letter, Asami told Korra all about her new apartment. She also mentioned that most citizens have started to accept the spirit wilds as part of the city, even if it was begrudgingly in many cases. The new season of Pro-Bending kicked off a few days ago as well. Even though the Fire Ferrets had disbanded, the new season promised to be interesting if nothing else. Referees were still trying to figure out how to incorporate airbenders into the game. Asami included a copy of the newspaper, some magazines, and a few other things that Korra wouldn't be able to get in the south.
When she was done, Asami headed to the post office.
"Good afternoon, Miss Sato." said the middle-aged woman who worked at the front desk every Friday.
"Good afternoon, Jun." Asami replied. "I just need to send this out and pick up my mail."
"You're just in time. They're loading the south bound ship now, I'll make sure this gets on there for you." Jun said. She took the package from Asami and went into the back. She returned a moment later with a stack of envelopes. "Here you are, dear."
"Thank you."
Asami took the letters and returned home. The mail was mostly invoices, a few inquiries, and of course a fair amount of bills, but at the bottom of the pile was a letter from the Republic City Penitentiary. Asami's whole body went cold. She froze, staring at the writing on the outside of the envelope. She recognized her father's handwriting. Her pain clutched her heart, but it quickly changed into fury. Who did he think he was, writing to her? What made him think he still had that right? He lost the privilege of being in her life the moment he turned his weapon on her.
"I see now there is no chance to save you!"
Asami lay trapped in a fallen mecha suit as her father loomed over her, his face illuminated by the raw electricity that his machine was producing. It had been so cold that day, the air was so dry that even from a distance Asami could feel the static affecting her body, causing every hair to stand on end. Was electricity or fear the thing paralysing her? The light burned her eyes. The look on her father's face was that of unbridled hatred and anger. She was looking up at the one person she had trusted to keep her safe her entire life, knowing with absolute certainty that he was about to kill her. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She knew she was moments from death.
Asami had to drag herself out of the memory, she noticed her hand was shaking. She closed her eyes and tried to remind herself that she was safe. There was nothing more her father could do to hurt her.
She opened her eyes again and opened the bottom drawer of her desk. She let the letter drop into it, then she slammed the drawer shut. This was a new beginning, and her father did not have any part in it.