Author's note: Thank you all!
As instructed, Ikki and Bolin arrive at the back lot of City Streets Production's office building bleary-eyed, squinting at the early morning sun. Jon Yuen had arrived before them, looking surprisingly put together for five am. Bolin chalked it up to his nursing career and the odd hours that came with it. Bolin gave him a small wave. Jon Yuen acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Shey, Lan, and Izzy soon joined the three. Their arms full with folding chairs and stacks of paper. "Good morning, everyone. I figured this back alley would be a good place to start our rehearsals. Get us in the gritty mood."
Bolin scurries over to meet the girls and takes chairs from Izzi and Lan. "Can't wait. I was able to bring Ikki, by the way."
Shey looked around Bolin's broad form to see the young Airbender girl. Ikki gives her a shy wave. "Maybe just a few years older than I envisioned, but way more believable than Izzi."
Lan started towards Ikki. "I think she looks perfect. We just need to see how she can act."
Ikki's face pinked as the adults discussed her. "I promise I won't let you down."
Shey turned her attention to Jon Yuen. "And you were able to get the time off from work?"
"Yes, my boyfriend will be working a few doubles so I can be here."
"Tell him I appreciate that."
Jon Yeun's lips moved to make the tiniest smile. "He is very, very excited about this mover. Are you sure you wouldn't want him to audition?"
Shey held up her hand. "No, you're perfect for the role, and now that I have seen you, I cannot see your role played by anyone else."
Bolin watched Jon Yuen's shoulders slump a little. He was already a bit anxious about creating chemistry with him. It would be all the more difficult if Jon Yuen didn't want to even be doing the mover.
Lan and Izzi set up six chairs in a small circle, placing a script on each seat. They then take a seat, along with Shey. She waves the actors over to sit.
"So, it's just the main cast members today. My goal is to shoot this in order as much as possible. I want to harness the unfamiliarity between you two." Shey motioned to Bolin and Jon Yeun. "You only just became partners when you're assigned the case to solve what happened to little Chieko's parents." Shey points to Ikki.
"So don't worry if you feel awkward and unsure at first. Just remember that there is an immediate attraction. One you're not ready to put into words, or even trust that it's real, but it's there. Now, let's run some lines."
Around noon Shey has the group break for lunch in the office. About half an hour beforehand, Izzi left the rehearsal session to grab some takeout. She had all the containers and plates set out around the meeting table by the time everyone entered the production office.
"This is great. I'm starving!" Bolin moaned, grabbing the first container in front of him and cracking it open.
Ikki took the spot next to Shey at the table. After quietly selecting a few vegetarian items, she cleared her throat and mustered the courage to speak. "You dated Asami Sato."
Shey almost choked on her bite.
"She's a good friend of mine," Ikki adds.
Shey chewed her bite carefully then swallowed. "She spends a lot of time at Air Temple Island, right?"
Ikki nods. "She told me about you."
"We did date."
Ikki leans in. "How?"
"What do you mean?"
Ikki scoots her chair closer too. "How did it start?"
Shey smiles. "Oh, I see. It actually has a little to do with the start of this place." Shey waves her chopsticks over her head. "I had heard that Varrick was selling off a good amount of his mover equipment, among other assets, because he was moving out of Republic City for a while because... I'm sure you know about his business dealings and attempted kidnapping of the President.."
Ikki blinks.
"Anyway, he made it into an auction party, and I figured I'd go and try my luck at snagging at least a camera so I could get my company off the ground, start making my own movers."
Shey and Lan enter the lavish home of Varrick, which was to be auctioned off later in the week. Shey didn't understand how a person forced to sell off their assets would waste money on presentation, but Varrick was known to be an eccentric man.
Lan pulls on her sleeve excitedly and points to a couple admiring a marble statue. "That's President Raiko and his wife!"
Shey rolls her eyes. "Woo hoo..."
"I know you're here to get us a camera, but can I not enjoy why I came?"
"Celebrity stalking?"
"Exactly." Lan let go of her sleeve. "I'll leave you alone so I can geek out without feeling your judgment. If you happen to see Bolin, please come find me."
"I think today is your best shot at seeing him," Shey says, rotating her shoulders, easing the stiffness forming there, scanning the room as she adjusted herself. Shey's eyes locked on a beautiful woman standing alone by an open window. She had long dark hair held up by an ornate jade comb and was wearing a simple, form-fitting red dress.
"That's Asami Sato," Lan whispered in Shey's ear.
Shey jumps, thinking Lan has already departed. Lan giggles and takes a sip of her drink.
"Asami Sato of Future Industries?"
Lan nods and takes another sip. "I have a better chance of nabbing the currently taken Bolin than you do with her."
"And why is that?"
"Because at least Bolin and I play on the same team."
Shey snags a drink from a nearby waiter.
"Interesting fact," Lan says holding up a finger. "he dated Bolin's brother who dumped her for the Avatar."
"Avatar Korra is something, but I don't think I'd break it off with Asami Sato for her."
Lan shrugs. "Everyone's tastes are different."
"Do you know if she's seeing anyone now?"
"No one publicly at least," Lan replies, pausing for a moment to think. "I believe it's been a couple years."
As the two speak, Varrick appears beside Asami. The distant look on her face was replaced with sheer annoyance. He reaches out to pat her on the shoulder, but she coldly pulls it from his reach. Varrick says a few more words to her, then walks away unphased by her rebuttal.
"Oooh, Miss Sato is not happy with him."
"And that's my in," Shey says, passing her empty glass to Lan.
Lan smirks as she watches her business partner put on her best struts for one of the most influential women in Republic City. "Good luck, buddy."
"So," Shey starts, resting her free hand on the windowsill. "What's the best way to get the most from this sleazeball? I'm really hoping to screw him over."
"Join the club. What did Varrick do to you?" Asami asks dryly.
"Nothing personal. I just can't stand a warmonger. I'm hoping to snag one of his propaganda machines."
"Planning on making your own?"
Shey shakes her head. My partner and I just graduated from Yangchen University of Arts and Literature. We're hoping to start our own production company. Our focus will be on telling the stories that need to be heard. We're hoping this is our chance to get a camera on the cheap. You think anyone else is here for them?"
Asami looks around. "I doubt it. His erotic tapestries and remaining weaponry are what people are really here for." Asami gestures towards Raiko, who is no longer accompanied by his wife, but General Iroh. "Raiko's here for the weaponry, of course. It doesn't look as bad politically as if you're just buying weapons of mass destruction that already exist, to keep them out of the hands of the real bad guys."
"I see," Shey replies, thumbing her chin. "And what are you here for?"
Asami raised her glass. "The same."
"And what do you plan on doing with all that heavy artillery?"
"Metal is valuable and can be recycled," Asami looks up thoughtfully. "I have a vision for a more affordable Satomobile. One that a younger demographic can afford. Freedom comes from the ability to move..." Asami stops as if she suddenly recalled something important. Her eyes went wide and unfocused.
Shey cocks her head curiously. Pain flashed in Asami's eyes, just for a moment, and then Shey saw her attempt to recover.
"Anyways, whatever I can do to keep them out of the hands of other would-be warmongers."
A chiming sound ended the two women's conversation. "Let the games begin!" Varrick shouts, lifting a glass to the man ringing the bells at the entrance of the auction seating area.
Shey looks at the moving crowd and spies Lan. A few feet next to her was Bolin, who notices Asami and waves frantically.
"There you are!" He calls out.
"Good luck," Asami says, bowing her head and then making her way to Bolin.
"You too..." Shey murmurs as she watches Asami leave.
Lan hustles over to Shey and grabs her arm excitedly. "Did you see him? Ah! He is so handsome!"
Shey keeps her eyes on Asami. Now that she was facing away, Shey got a look at how little of Asami's back was covered by her red dress. Bolin holds out a gentlemanly arm to Asami, and she accepts it with familiar ease.
"Ooo, and now you have an in!"
"They aren't together, right?" Shey asks, feeling a slight pang of jealousy.
"No, but they'd make a handsome couple," Lan says as they watch Bolin and Asami head towards the action room, interacting with the comfort of two people who have known each other their whole lives. "Bolin's dating this Air Nation girl. Apparently, she's from a wealthy family in Zaofu, but not much is known about her."
The bells chime again, the last call warning.
"C'mon, let's get ourselves a camera!" Lan squeaks. "And maybe a seat behind our crushes."
Shey rolls her eyes and follows.
Shey looked at her bidding sheet and realized it was not reflecting the order in which the items were actually being auctioned off. Varrick must have cleverly determined what items people would get most excited about, put them first on this list, and ultimately save them until the end. Shey let her paper fall to the floor, accepting that trying to track when her camera would come up for sale was meaningless.
So far, the hottest bidding war was over a nude rendering of Avatar Kyoshi riding an elephant Koi.
"A little trinket I picked up on Kyoshi Island back in my fishing days," Varrick explained to the crowd. "But that was a long time ago, so now it's kind of kitschy and vintage."
The tapestry clearly wasn't anything special, likely from a souvenir shop, but the subject matter had a broad appeal to the group. Shey was half tempted to bid herself, but it quickly went out of her budget.
"Next, we have a mover camera that comes with a retractable tripod that is actually..." the auctioneer starts as he refers to his notes. A handwritten portion added by Varrick is scribbled in the margins. He reads that part quickly. "Really a two and a half pod, just use a little tape and a stick, and it should be good to go." The auctioneer then pauses and returns to his polished delivery. "And three rolls of film."
Shey passes her paddle eagerly back and forth between her hands.
"We'll start the bidding at one hundred Yuans."
Shey waits a moment to lift her paddle. She didn't want to give away her thirst for the item.
"Alright, one hundred Yuans to the young gentleman in the 6th row. Do I have one hundred and twenty Yuans?
Shey rolls her eyes. It wasn't uncommon with her short slicked-back hair that she got misgendered by a stranger.
Another paddle shoots into the air. The bidding starts to quickly take off. Before Shey could comprehend and lift her own paddle, the price was at two hundred and fifty.
Lan elbows her in the rib. "What's our cap again?"
"I really don't want to go over three hundred. After that, we might as well start looking at getting a new one with a tripod that has all three legs." Shey whispers back.
"He's a ridiculous bastard," Lan says with a snort for emphasis.
"Do I have three hundred Yuans?"
Shey raises her paddle.
"Three Fifty!" A deep male voice calls out.
Shey's head swiveled to spy on the man who so quickly took the camera from her. He was a thin man, almost gaunt, of Water Tribe descent, but it wasn't clear if he was southern or northern. As she was searching, her eyes found Asami. It appears she has turned around to gauge if Shey was still in the biddings at this price point. How did she know? Shey wonders.
Shey gives Asami a resigned nod. Asami's expression was unreadable as she turned to face the front. Shey leans back in her seat, accepting defeat.
Asami's paddle raises above her head. "Four hundred Yuans."
"I have four hundred from the lovely Miss Sato in the second row."
Bolin leans over to Asami as if to question her decision. Shey wishes she had sat behind them like Lan wanted to.
"Four hundred and ten," barks the man who had made the final bid out of Shey's reach. She could hear the annoyance in his voice at this new contender for the camera.
"Four hundred and fifty," Asami counters.
Shey looks at the water tribe, man. He chews his lip as he considers continuing.
The auctioneer gestures to the water tribe man. "Do I have four hundred and sixty?"
The man gasps his paddle, his hand wanting to raise it again, hating to lose, but his mind was screaming no more.
Varrick, who was not allowed to comment on the bidding, anxiously moves around in his seat at the front. "You remember what I paid for that darn camera? This is outrageous!" He mutters to Zhu Li in what you could barely consider a whisper.
"I've got four hundred and fifty going once." The auctioneer nods one last time to the water tribe man. He shakes his head. He was done.
"Four hundred and fifty going twice." The auctioneer raises his gavel slams it on the block. "Sold for four hundred and fifty yuans to Miss Asami Sato."
A small round of applause broke out, as it did every time a bid concluded. Asami turns around and motions towards Varrick with her head. Shey's eyes moved over the entrepreneur. His arms are crossed, and he is all bunched up in annoyance. At least part of her goal today was achieved.
A new bid begins. As Shey and Lan shuffle from their seats they hear a chorus of numbers on the way out. They pass by the small buffet table and take a few snacks for their troubles.
"I was worried I missed you," Asami says, a little out of breath. Shey turns around, mid-bite into a finger sandwich to meet Asami's gaze.
"The camera. It's yours."
Lan gasps.
Shey shakes her head and swallows her bite as quickly as her esophagus would allow. "We couldn't."
Asami smiles. "I insist. I want to see what kind of stories you have to tell. Ones that aren't mindless propaganda."
"At least take the money we were willing to pay. I've got three hundred," Shey starts fishing around in her inside jacket pocket. Asami very delicately places her hand on Shey's exposed wrist. Shey could feel the heat rise to her face.
Asami removes her hand and brings it to her other, holding a small clutch. She pops it open and pulls out a small notebook and pen. She passes it to the still flush Shey. "Write down where I can have it delivered."
Shey starts jotting down the address. She's grateful for securing a lease for their production office only a few days prior. Shey was about to return the pad and pen when a boldness overtook her. She quickly added her personal number.
"Since you won't let me pay you for the camera, let me buy you a drink sometime?" Shey asks as smoothly as she can muster. She saw Asami consider the offer carefully, giving no indication of her inner thoughts.
"Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer some time," Asami replies after what felt like a lifetime.
Asami holds Shey's gaze for a moment, then brakes it at the sound of the gavel.
"I better get back. There are a few more items I am interested in."
Lan bows. "Thank you so much."
Shey joins in with her own dip.
Asami gives the pair a little wave and leaves. Once she was gone behind the doors of the auction room, Lan grabs Shey's collar and starts tugging.
"Holy Cow-Pigs, you just asked out Asami frickin' Sato!"
Shey blushes and tries to free herself from Lan's grasp.
"And she bought us a mover camera!" Lan screeches. She drops her hold on Shey. "We can use the three hundred now on a decent tripod and maybe even a microphone!"
"Man, I sure hope she calls me," Shey sighs, smoothing her hair back.
Shey smiles, recalling how good that day had felt.
"And she called you, obviously.," Ikki says after a long moment of silence.
"Made me wait a month, but she did."
Ikki feels conflicted, she was fascinated about this tale of courtship between two women, but it was about Asami being with someone other than Korra. "So then what happened?"
Shey leans back in her seat to recall their sort-of first date.
"We got that drink and then another. We talked all night about Republic City politics and the state of things in the Earth Kingdom. A lot about Bolin," Shey gestures in Bolin's direction, but he wasn't paying any attention. "He had just recently left to go join Kuvira. Nothing much about Avatar Korra that night, but that would change. This or that would remind Asami of 'this one time with Korra'." Shey looks down at her hands. She rubs a finger over the lines on her left palm. So anyways, after a whole night of talking and walking around downtown, I dropped Asami off at her car and told her I'd like to see her again, but that next time I'd want it to be a date."
"You weren't already on a date?"
"Technically, no. I invited Asami out to thank her for the camera. It would have been awfully forward of me to consider it a date without her consenting. But I didn't want any question as to why I wanted to see her again moving forward."
"What did Asami say?"
"She thought for a moment. I think she was a little surprised, but not put off, obviously. Then she said she would like that. We kissed that next time." Shey turns away from Ikki, her face reddening. "It kinda inspired the location of the kiss in the script."
"You really liked her, huh?" Ikki asks.
Shey blew out a long breath. "Yeah, I did."
Ikki lowers her gaze. "I didn't know Asami liked Korra either. I don't think anyone did. So don't feel so bad."
"You know, I was supposed to meet you and your family about a year ago."
Ikki nods. "Well, we got to meet each other anyway."
"Guess we did. You're doing a great job, by the way. You've got the part."
Ikki's eyes widen. "Really?"
"It's going to be a lot of work, so I hope you are prepared."
Ikki's only response was an excited squeak.
Tenzin found himself sighing as he reached for the next stack of papers on his desk to be read. It was his first moment alone in several days, and the last thing he wanted to be doing was paperwork.
"You hear that sound?" An all too familiar voice asks. "It's the silence of your home when your children start growing up and going on their own adventures."
Tenzin turns to look at the door. Katara stands under the frame. A small smile on her lips.
"Mother."
"So," Katara starts, shuffling into the room. "Meelo has taken off with Bumi?"
"Yes."
Katara takes a seat in the empty chair beside Tenzin's desk. "That boy has a lot of your father in him when he was that age. Aang fled his own shame. Meelo will return when he is ready. Your brother is a good person to have at his side."
"I don't know how I feel about the idea of my son spending so much time around the military,"
"Your father felt the same about Bumi joining. Even though I had my reservations, it appeared to be the right environment for him. It helped Bumi channel all that wonderful, but unfocused energy."
Tenzin thought back to the day Bumi returned for his first visit home after enlisting. His posture had improved, and reactions weren't as big. "I suppose he was a lot more tolerable to be around when he returned home."
"Just be patient, and focus on the child that needs you now more than ever."
Tenzin leans back into his seat. "Do you feel it is possible to heal Rohan?"
"Healed," Katara pauses. "Should be considered an open-ended word in Rohan's case. Like with Korra, we will take it one day at a time and see where that takes us. Remember that a full life is possible, no matter the circumstance."
"Yes, mother."
Katara sought Tenzin's much larger hand and draped hers over his. "I will stay as long as he or you or anyone needs me. I know Kaya will do the same."
The midday sun warmed Jinora's face as she sat on a boulder overlooking the ocean. She took one last look at the blue expanse and then closed her eyes. They opened in the Spirit World beneath Wong Shi Tong's library. Jinora bounded up the tree and to the door. This time there weren't any Knowledge Seekers sunning themselves out front. Jinora 's hands found the giant door handle, and when she gave it a tug, it would not budge. Jinora tries again with two hands, but the door won't open.
Jinora spreads her arms and conjures a gust of wind to get her to the roof. She scrambles up to the big dome skylight and peers inside. The library was still inside. Wong Shi Tong himself stood speaking to a Knowledge Seeker.
The seeker looks up and cocks its head curiously. This caught Wong Shi Tong's attention. A black blur began to fly at her. Jinora backs away from the glass dome, fearing Wong Shi Tong will burst right through it.
A hatch to Jinora's left opens, and Wong Shi Tong emerges.
"The door was locked," Jinora says with as much courage as she could muster.
Wong Shi Tong cocks his head to the side. "Do locked doors not mean the same thing in the physical world? The library is closed."
"I just found it odd that you would be closed."
"We are and will be closed for quite some time to humans," Wong Shi Tong replies. He turns his head back upright and then flaps his wings a few times, adjusting them.
"Why?" Jinora presses.
"A very knowledgeable guest has requested private access to the library."
"I thought you didn't care much for human information anymore," Jinora's hands dive into her pockets, seeing if she had anything of value. "Please, I want to help my brother. I could probably get you as much information and more!"
"This guest is an exception. Please leave this place."
Jinora wills herself to take a step closer to the looming spirit. "Doesn't being Avatar Aang's grandchild give me any leniency?"
"Yes, it means you survive this encounter."
At those words, Jinora accepts Wong Shi Tong's position and allows her spirit to return to the physical world. She didn't want to chance another second in the Spirit World, just in case Wong Shi Tong had a sudden change of heart. It seemed to her that the Spirit World was becoming less welcoming to humans in all ways.
"I wonder if it's a reaction to the new Spirit Portal..." Jinora murmurs to herself as she rises from the rock. Her gaze turns to the mainland, the electric green and yellow portal towering over the skyscrapers. "I wonder if the tigerpillar spirit is still there."
Jinora took a few quick steps then launched herself into the sky. It was cooler in the air, but it was welcome after sitting in the direct sun. A little ways below here flew a pair of lemurs. They generally stayed on the island but were known to make journeys across the bay to forage on the mainland.
Two White Lotus guards stood outside the stone barricade surrounding Spirit Portal. Jinora touched down a few feet in front of them.
"I need to inspect the Spirit Portal. My name is Jinora. President Raiko should have my name on the list for approved access."
One of the guards pulled a small notepad from their jacket pocket and flipped through a few pages. On each page was a different picture taped in with a name below.
They carefully eyed the photo and Jinora. "Looks like we do have you, Master Jinora. Just shout when you're back out, and we can bring down the wall."
With a few swift movements of their arms, the wall came down and out pours the portal's electric glow. Jinora did not hesitate to pass through. She was blinded for a brief moment, and then it was dark. She stretches her hands out, and they collide with a cold surface. She swivels her head, looking all around, but her way was barricaded everywhere she turned.
"Guess he got tired of camping out," Jinora murmurs to herself as she walks back through the portal. "I'm finished!"
The walls come down.
"That was fast. The big grumpy spirit is still there?" Asks one of the guards in a playful tone.
Jinora shakes her head. "Worse, he's blocked us off with boulders."
"We could bend those away for you."
"But who knows what could be on the other side. I think it's best if we leave it for now, wait till Avatar Korra returns."
Asami had volunteered to collect Ikki and Bolin after their rehearsal on her way home from work. At this point, she and Bolin have committed to sleeping at the temple while their partners are away. Bolin's company made her feel better about the intrusion, along with the passenger seat holding a couple boxes full of Daifuku and red bean Taiyaki.
Bolin and Ikki sat waiting for her outside of the building.
"I got the part!" Ikki squeals as she bounds over and into the roofless satomobile taking the seat behind Asami.
Bolin takes the other free seat in the back. "She's a natural. Shey and the others can't get over how good she is."
Ikki's cheeks reddened at the compliment and then redder as she recalled her conversation with Shey. "Shey told me how you started dating."
Asami swerves the car, startled by Ikki's sudden confession.
"You know, even I don't know how that all started," Bolin ponders aloud.
"I hope that's okay."
"Of course," Asami says as she feels her cheeks burn. "It was at uh, Varrick's court-mandated auction."
Bolin thought for a moment, taking himself back a few years. A racy wall scroll stood out in his mind, but not much else.
Asami continues. "I bought them one of Varrick's mover cameras."
Bolin's face lit up. "That was why Shey seemed kinda familiar to me. Buying a girl a camera on the first date, pretty bold of you."
"That was not a date."
"But they did end up on one," Ikki squeaks cheekily.
"I can't believe you kept that relationship from me the whole time, and I didn't even notice!"
"You were in Ba Sing Se before it even started."
"Oh yeah," Bolin sighs, leaning back into his seat.
"Besides, it's not the easiest thing to admit to. I was scared of being out about my orientation and-"
Bolin cuts her off. "Korra finding out."
"Yes."
The three sat in silence as Asami's admission settled.
"Shey's cool and all," Bolin starts. "But you and Korra are perfect together."
"You don't have to-"
"No, really, I wish I had known how you felt sooner. Maybe I could have played matchmaker and expedited the whole love process."
Asami shakes her head. "Looking back, everything happened as it should. When Korra was healing, the last thing she needed was the burden of my feelings or a relationship. And I do value what my relationship with Shey showed me."
"I guess that's true. I probably would have blown it with Opal had she met me back when I was the person I was dating Eska or Ginger."
"But you grew a lot from those relationships."
"Hope you're taking notes, Ikki," Bolin says as he pretends to push glasses up his nose. "Your first boyfriend might not be your forever guy, but all relationships you have hold a value."
"Or first girlfriend," Asami adds.
Bolin blinks and looks at the younger girl. Ikki blushes and slumps into her seat.
"Girlfriend, boyfriend, whatever you want, Ikki. The world is your oyster-crab!"
Not long after Asami, Bolin, and Ikki entered the dining room at the temple, an acolyte appears in the doorway, points to Asami, and makes the phone gesture with her hand.
Asami's so excited she jogs to the phone room. She grabs the receiver from the table and quickly brings it to her ear. "Korra!"
"Asami!" Korra replies, sounding just as relieved. "Sorry I haven't called you till now. It's been kind of nutty here."
"It's okay. I figured it would be." Asami turns her wrist over and glances at her watch. "My goodness, it must be terribly late there."
Korra chuckles. "Like I said, a mess."
"It's good to hear your voice." Asami takes a seat on the chair in front of the phone.
"it's even better to hear yours. You know I can barely sleep without you?"
"Same, and I've been sleeping on your brick of a bed at the temple."
"Aww, Ikki wouldn't let you leave?" Korra coos.
"She's very insistent," Asami replies, shaking her head. "Which reminds me, she got a part in the mover with Bolin."
"Ikki's going to act?"
"Yeah, Bolin says she's a natural."
Asami waits for Korra to reply, but she is quiet for a moment.
"Did you..." Korra starts.
"I'm staying out the whole thing. Don't worry, I don't want to see Shey, and she doesn't want to see me."
Korra snorts. "How can she not want to see you?"
"Obviously because I dumped her for the world's strongest and sexiest woman."
"I'm not convinced." Korra lets out a big exaggerated sigh. "But I like the compliment."
"Your jealousy manifests in weird ways."
"I can be jealous and still want to show you off," Korra starts. "Speaking of showing off, were you aware of what you left on my neck?"
Asami's mind brought her back to the morning Korra left. A sleepy Korra sat on the bed while Asami forced herself to get up and ready. Korra groggily lifts her taught arms over her head to stretch. Only then does Asami notice the big dark splotch on her neck.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Asami!" Korra whines. "It was huge! Opal pointed it out to everyone. It's finally starting to fade. I'm lucky I normally wear a high collar."
"I'm sorry, but if someone hadn't been so good in bed, I wouldn't have had to muffle myself, so the whole temple didn't wake up."
"I see what you tried to do there." Korra let herself slide a bit down on the loveseat. She looks at her feet and is reminded of news she had to share, but at that moment decides to save it as a surprise. "Listen, I can't explain why I need this favor now, but could you loan me two hundred and forty yuans?"
"But that's so intriguing," Asami says, clutching the receiver closer. "Did you lose a bet or something?"
Korra lets out a groan. "Let's just say the bill was way higher than expected."
"I'll have some money wired to the First National Bank of Ba Sing Se. I believe they are fairly close to the palace."
"I'll pay you back, I promise."
"Korra, you don't have to pay me back."
"But-"
"I got you covered, Babe."
"Thank you." Korra lets out a long yawn.
"Why don't you try getting some sleep."
"Okay. I miss you."
"I miss you too." Asami held the receiver to her ear, waiting for the sound of Korra hanging up the phone. Once she was sure Korra was gone, she hung up. She sat in the room for a moment. Her heartfelt both a little fuller and achier. The phone call made her miss Korra all the more. Asami's stomach began to growl, reminding her to go back and get a little dinner.
*** Ba Sing Se ***
On the last day before the trial, Korra and the gang rose early and gathered at Wu's empty penthouse. Everyone was seated except for Suyin, who addressed the small group, and Zhou Rhen, who was sent to make some tea in Wu's kitchen.
"So, "Suyin starts, clasping her hands together. "This is how the trail is going to be formatted. There is no judge or jury. Just a forum of all representatives who wish to participate. The decision as to what to do with Kuvira will come down to a vote.
Mako raises his hand. "That guy last night said he was the lead prosecutor.
"Chin Gao will be leading the argument to execute her again," Suyin starts when a loud clanging breaks her concentration. "This is what my friends in-"
Suyin turns around to spy Zhou Rhen, with a tray holding an ornate teapot and cups, entering the room. She doesn't notice him shoving aside a broken cup with his foot.
"And is there someone arguing the contrary?" Korra asks.
Zhou Rhen places the tray on the small coffee table. He puts a cup near each person and then starts to pour.
Suyin shrugs and reaches for her cup." I guess we'll see tomorrow unless we can find out today.
"So this whole process is going to be a mess?" Opal asks.
"Yes, but I think we can use that to our advantage. We let Chin Gao bark for a bit, then swoop in with the information that this isn't even Kuvira."
"Great," Opal says sarcastically. "And who is going to be the one to do it?"
Suyin lays a hand on her chest. "I figured I could. I'm not too close to the issue."
"Uh, Mom, did you forget that you basically raised Kuvira?
Suyin near spits out her tea.
"We're all too close," Opal says. She then points to Zhou Rhen. " Accept Zhou Rhen, but then reps will be asking, who the heck is this guy?"
"We need someone on the outside," Mako starts, then pauses. "But not too on the outside."
Suyin lets out a long sigh. "Regrettably, yes."
"Maybe I could talk to Bingwen," Korra offers, looking around the group. "He seems to know what's going on with everyone around here."
Suyin gives Korra the thumbs up. "Good idea. When we get back to the palace, you go hunt him down."
"So we'll look to Bingwen to find someone who can lead the fight on Kuvira's behalf and then point to us to reveal the truth bomb."
"What about Wu?" Mako asks.
"If Kuvira is a fake, then the conspiracy against Wu should drop," Suyin says, looking around the room to see if anyone disagrees.
"Great," Korra replies.
Suyin motions to her daughter. "Opal and I will go visit Bataar Jr.; we can see if he's willing to be a witness."
"Can't we leave that poor man alone?" Opal whines.
"His ability to identify the real Kuvira could make all the difference in this case."
Mako raises his teacup. "Anything I should do?"
"Maybe keep an eye on the six? See if you can glean what they're up to?" Suyin claps her hands together. "Let's rondeau back here before dinner."
The gang walked to the palace gates together, then split up once inside. Korra and Zhou Rhen stood in the main hall pondering how they could track down Bingwen. They got lucky, and he found them first.
"Avatar Korra." Bingwen gives a little wave as he trots over to the two. "You were missed at breakfast this morning. There were quite a few reps with magazines walking back to their rooms with long faces."
Bingwen pauses and takes a step back. "You're standing?"
Korra nods. "Went to a bone specialist in the lower ring."
"Oh, dear." Bingwen places a hand on his chest. "You're fortunate you're not more broken. I'm sure we could have found you a healer in the Upper Ring."
"All good," Korra says with a shrug. "I doubt anyone here could have worked as strange of magic as that guy."
"The bill felt like we were in the Upper Ring." Zhou Rhen adds.
Korra snaps her fingers. "That reminds me I gotta go to the bank later and get your money." Korra gestures to Bingweng. "Did you know the job of being the Avatar comes with no pay?"
He smiles. "Of course, but your favor can buy you anything you want."
"I got my girlfriend for that, apparently."
Bingwen smiles. "That's all well and good for you, but I don't recommend advertising that. At least pretend to be open to other people's money and ideas, or they may consider you too deep in Miss Sato's back pocket to include you."
"Don't worry, Asami has a whole public relations team on this."
"So that's why Miss Sato isn't here with you."
Korra winks and shoots a pointer finger at him. "I'm glad I ran into you. You clearly have your thumb on the pulse of this place."
Bingwen leans in. "You have my interest."
"Who is Kuvria's defense lawyer?"
Bingwen taps a finger against his stubbly chin to consider Korra's question. "I don't believe she has one."
"That doesn't seem fair," Korra says, looking over to Zhou Rhen. He nods.
"Have you ever been to a trial at the palace?" Bingwen asks as he tries to hold back a big grin. "Let's just say ninety-nine percent of under Hou-Ting, were found guilty."
"She isn't queen anymore."
"And there hasn't been a trial since she was."
"Everyone deserves the right to defend themselves," Zhou Rhen counters.
"Believe me, I agree with both of you."
"Do you know anyone who would defend her?" Korra asks.
"I could," Bingwen says with a slight shrug. "I planned on just witnessing this historical event unfold, but I guess duty is calling me to participate."
Zhou Rhen gestures to Bingweng. "Are you a lawyer?"
"I am for the attorney for the state of Goaling. I'll have to get the Governor's blessings, of course. I'm sure if I tell him I'm doing this at the Avatar behest, he'll trip over himself finding ways Goaling can be at your service."
Korra beames. "That's great."
Bingwen holds up a finger. "Just one condition, I'd just like to know why."
Korra's stomach tightens. She wants to look at Zhou Rhen for some guidance but thinks better of it. They can't let on their secret to Bingwen just yet.
Korra thinks back to Kuvira's first trial. How did she justify her support for the first trial before everything got so complicated? Then it came to her. "Kuvira surrendered to me, so in a way, I feel responsible for her fate. I need to see her through to the end."
Korra could tell her answer wasn't entirely satisfactory for Bingwen, but he didn't press her.
"Okay," Bingwen replies casually. "Let me go speak with the boss-man, and I'll let you know by dinner."
Mako had been wandering the palace halls aimlessly for a little over an hour. So far, nothing he'd seen had stuck out to him. He was considering trying to sit in on some meetings instead when he turns a corner and is no longer alone. A woman is a little ways further ahead. She has a large duffle slung over her shoulder and appears to be checking the tag outside every room she passes.
Mako likes the look of her silhouette and is feeling bold enough to see if he could be of assistance to this fit-looking woman.
"Need help finding your room?" Mako calls out, jogging to catch up.
The woman lets out a relieved sigh. "Yes, this place is a maze." She turns around, and Mako's stomach drops.
"Yasmine?"
"Oh, come on." Yasmine lets her big ball fall to the ground with a thud. "I had this horrible feeling you might show."
"So you-"
"Are here for the trial, yes," Yasmine says, cutting him off. "The Dai Li showed up to my hotel in Vi, said they'd only ask me nicely once to come, and if I didn't make it to Ba Sing Se today, they would bring me here by force."
"I am so sorry."
"Please," Yasmine says, holding up a hand to his face. "Do they know?"
Mako grimaces. "We don't know."
"You don't know."
"It's not her."
Yasmine let out a long breath. "That's such a relief."
Mako grins. "I know, right?"
"But no one else knows this?" Yasmine asks, reaching down to pick up her bag. She then hoists the strap over her shoulder. "Just you and your shady Avatar crew?"
Mako meekly nods.
"Well, why don't you creeps stop keeping it a secret and let everyone know so I can get the hell out of here and away from the Dai Li."
"It's complicated."
"Everything with you, Mako, is complicated." Yasmine gestures around the hallway. "Where is room 247?"
Mako points to a door on the left, only a few feet away. Yasmine groans. She had walked right past the room only a moment ago. She shuffles over, hauling her duffle, and stops outside the door.
"Well, are you coming in?"
"Are you sure?"
"Come on." Yasmine reaches out with her free hand and pulls Mako by the sleeve. "Before someone overhears our conversation."
Yasmine plows into the room, chucking her bag onto the bed. Set up like a studio, the room holds just a bed, a small desk, and a loveseat. Yasmine sits down on the bed next to her bag. Mako closes the door and takes the loveseat.
"Nice room," Mako murmurs awkwardly.
"You sleeping a the foot of Wu's bed again? Must be hard with your boyfriend kidnapped." Yasmine confidently crosses her legs and leans back on her hands. "Think he'll squeal?"
Mako swallows, his mouth suddenly feeling like the Si Wong desert. Knowing his friend's intolerance for the slightest discomfort, he had been praying Wu was not interrogated. "He can be strong when it really counts. If you could have seen his handling of the evacuation of Republic City for the Kuvira invasion."
"Let's hope. Speaking of Republic City,"
"Here it comes, " Mako thought.
Yasmine smiles wickedly, wiggling her eyebrows. "I read quite the article from The Republic Magazine."
Mako closes his eyes as she speaks. "There it is."
Yasmine makes a satisfying little sound like she just bit into a sweet pastry. "Thinking about how it must bruise your ego. People in Republic City, they know, right?" Yasmine doesn't wait for Mako to respond. "And the pictures, they really do make a stunning couple. It almost made up for the moo-sow shit you put me through."
Mako's eyes open, he is hoping for a friendly face, but Yasmine's is expression is stone.
"Almost," she repeats.
Mako bows his head. "I'm so sorry about that night. I wish I could make it up to you somehow."
"I have an idea."
Yasmine's stocking feet appear in Mako's view. He raises his head, and she's standing in front of him. His eyes are level with her pelvis. Yasmine pushes a hand into Mako's chest, and he leans back into the loveseat. She then straddles herself on his lap and smashes their lips together.
After a moment of shock, Mako wraps his arms around her waist and pulls them down onto the cushions.
The streets of the Upper Ring were reasonably busy as Korra, and Zhou Rhen walked to the First National Bank of Ba Sing Se. Korra noted that the people's lives she passed likely changed very little during the past three years, and if they had, they bounced back quite swiftly.
Korra looks over at her traveling companion. Zhou Rhen's robes are simple in design but well crafted. His glasses had a few ornate stones pressed into the rosewood. "Does the White Lotus pay you?"
Zhou flinches and looks at Korra. "Why do you ask?"
"My highly esteemed Avatar position is unpaid, so I was curious if Avatar counselor was at least compensated for their time."
"The White Lotus takes care of my needs," Zhou Rhen replies. Korra continues to look at him as they talk, pressuring him to continue. "I come from a fairly profitable import business family."
Korra grins. "So that's it. I'm not judging. My family wasn't very well off until they discovered I was the Avatar, so I hear. I don't remember that time."
"The White Lotus used to be comprised mostly of wealthy or influential men. It's not an organization for profit but of balance."
"But usually only people in comfortable positions can volunteer their time that way."
"It's true.
"I don't really have the best concept of money. I never knew need, but it wasn't till I came to Republic City that I experienced excess."
"Are you referring to Miss Sato?"
The pair stops outside of the bank doors.
"Not just her wealth. That whole city seemed so posh." Korra looks down at her feet and kicks at a stone. "I wish that I didn't have to borrow money from someone to pay back somebody else every time I wanted something."
"You could look into merchandising, but that might cheapen your position."
"Yeah, nothing says esteemed like Avatar Korra breakfast porridge." Korra could see the advertisement in her mind. It seemed like a Varrick scheme. He probably would even want in on the action, make a rival porridge with Nuktuk.
"I'd probably be a big hit with children. Make them think if they eat their porridge, they'll grow up big and strong like you."
"I can barely stand seeing my face on a magazine." Korra pauses and then shakes her head. "Food packaging? Mortifying."
"Well, we could always consider investments. You would need to borrow initially, but if you make a return, you can pay your parents back and then start hopefully accruing interest you can keep."
"I don't hate that idea. When we get back to Republic City, we should look into that."
Zhou Rhen holds up a finger. "No Future Industries stock."
"I can't invest in cabbage corp," Korra replies as her body slumps at the thought.
"Maybe just stick out of the automotive industry altogether."
"Good call."
Korra moves to grab the handle, but it won't budge. "Are they closed?"
Zhou Rhen presses his face on the glass and cups his hand around the sides to shield the glare. Inside he sees a person on the floor with their hands tied behind his back. Standing over him are two men wearing dark green jackets covered in patches, tight leather pants, and big boots. One has a short mohawk, and the other's greasy black hair is in a small ponytail. They aren't paying any attention to the man on the floor but instead yelling at the bank teller trying to open the safe.
"I think they're getting robbed," Zhou Rhen says, his voice muffled by his hands.
Korra mimics Zhou Rhen and brings her face to the glass. She sees the gutter punk-looking pair, and then she looks down and sees they bent a cylinder of rock through the handles on the door to keep anyone from getting in.
"Step back," Korra commands, taking a few steps away from the door herself. Korra crouches, puts her fists together, rases them parallel with her eyes, and then after a moment, pulls them apart in a tearing motion. The rock locking the door shatters, and the pieces fall to the ground.
Korra moves quickly to the double doors and pulls them open. Now aware of Korra's presence, the two bandits scramble behind the counter for cover. Korra steps into the building, followed by Zhou Rhen. He runs over to the man on the floor and helps him stand. They both make a swift exit out of the room.
Korra swings her arms around a bit and rotates her shoulders. She then pulls one leg up, bringing her knee to her chest and the other. "Feels good to be up and bending again."
Korra high kicks out a flame torch from her leg to show off.
"Firebending too. I told you she's the Avatar!" Mohawk hisses to his companion.
"That's right!" Korra calls out. She thumps her hands on her chest a few times. "I'm the Avatar."
"Don't be a wuss, we can take her!" Ponytail shouts as he stands up from behind the counter and summons a stone pillar from the ground between Korra's legs.
Korra lifts her left leg up and pivots on her right. She spins and swaps her feet, then kicks a blast of fire at Ponytail. He ducks back down behind the counter.
The bank teller saw that the two robbers were occupied and took the opportunity to scurry out the front door.
Korra was happy to see him leave because now she could take care of the two men without any bystander casualties. Both Korra's feet rejoin the ground. She lowers her stance and begins to sweep her hands in circles like a conductor, summoning the air around her. Loose papers flutter on their surfaces and then lift into the air. The wind storm Korra is gathering grows stronger, collecting more loose items into the fray. The punks start to feel their bodies begin to lift. They desperately cling to the counter, but the wind is too strong.
Korra grins once they get sucked up into her mini-tornado. She shifts her stance to face the door, flicks a hand to blast some air to open it, and then bends the tornado and robbers out in one sweeping gesture. As they land, their bodies scrape along the cobble street.
Zhou Rhen, the bank teller, and customer take a few steps back from where they stand. Papers and rubble land by their feet.
Korra saunters out of the bank and inspects her work. Mohawk raises his hand to bend. But Korra quickly stamps some earth to encase it.
Someone must have noticed the commotion and called the police because two moss-colored Cabbage Corp vans with flashes pull up and park nearby.
After the punks were arrested and the witnesses gave their statements, Korra and Zhou Rhen were able to conduct their business at the bank. They stepped up to the counter, which was functioning, albeit a bit disorganized.
The teller bows as they approach. "Thank you so much for stopping those robbers."
"All in a day's work," Korra says, as she mimes brushing soot off her shoulders. "I do actually have some banking I need to do. Asami Sato should have wired me some money."
The teller nods and then flips through a large book. He reads with his finger and then stops on Asami's name and taps it for emphasis. "Now, Miss Avatar, if I could just see some identification."
Korra cocks her head to the side. "But you know who I am. I'm the Avatar."
"It's our company's policy to verify identification before making any withdrawals."
"Did you not bring your ID card?" Zhou Rhen whispers.
"I don't have one," Korra hisses back. "Can't I just bend all four elements, and we can call it good?"
"So you don't have any identification," the teller asks, tilting his head forward inquisitively.
"I'm the Avatar. I've never needed it."
The teller looks down at his book, then back to Korra and Zhou Rhen. He holds up a finger and goes into a backroom.
Zhou Rhen shakes his head. The motion causes his glasses to slip, so he moves to push them back up his nose. "You don't have any money or identification."
"Well, it's never really been a problem until now," Korra barks back, stamping her foot.
"We're really going to need to get you more established when we get back to Republic City."
Korra lets out a long breath. "Add it onto my long list of ways I can improve."
The teller returns with an envelope. "Normally, I shouldn't do this without confirming your identity, but you are the Avatar, and there is only one of those, so here is the money from Miss Sato." He places it on the counter, and Korra reaches for it. She opens it up, and it's filled with silver and copper pieces.
"Great," Korra says, sliding it off the counter and into her pocket. "You'll take silver and copper, right?"
Zhou Rhen shrugs. "Money's, money."
"If you could just sign for me," the teller asks, pushing a slip of paper and pen to Korra.
Zhou Rhen takes a step closer. Korra holds out a hand at his face, halting him from speaking. "I have a signature."
Zhou Rhen moves back and sheepishly puts his hands behind his back. "Just checking."
Korra opens the door into Wu's penthouse to find it empty. "I guess we were the only ones to finish early."
"Even after all that excitement," Zhou Rhen says as a slight shiver of leftover adrenaline passes through him.
The two go to the sitting room and take a seat opposite each other.
"Do you know what the real Kuvira is up to these days?" Zhou Rhen asks.
"Dunno," Korra says, leaning her head back on the loveseat cushion. She looks up at Wu's ornate patterned ceiling. "Hopefully, nothing that gets her recognized." Korra let out a groan. "We should probably check up on her. I don't even know how we really do that. Can't go walking around small villages in the Fire Nation asking if they've seen Kuvira. Lian being a look-alike answers the big questions we have here, but it doesn't truly give us assurance that Kuvira is where she should be."
"Had this not happened, would you have the same inclination to go and check up on her?"
"Maybe," Korra replies, thinking back to that time. "But not so soon. It wasn't really discussed, the long-term maintenance of this lie. There was so little time we had to act first and think on our feet."
"Should we stop by the Fire Nation before going home?"
"That'd be suspicious. Even if I went alone, I'd be shining a huge spotlight on her. Another Kuvira look alike I just so happen to be seen with?"
"Perhaps someone else could go?"
Korra's stomach starts to knot. "I could ask Asami to go. She's got the perfect cover, her business. She's not associated with Kuvira in any way."
Zhou Rhen nods his head a few times. "Your right."
"It's a big ask, though."
"She seems to be very committed to aiding you however she can."
"Kuvira she," Korra starts. She pauses, thinking back to the day. She had a feeling he was still inside the suit. Only one parachute was seen to be activated. She wouldn't confirm that detail until much later. "She killed Asami's father."
Zhou Rhen touches his chest. "Oh, dear."
"During the invasion, Hiroshi Sato was killed helping the fight."
"Miss Sato must be devastated."
Korra looks down at her lap. "She doesn't talk about it much. I think it's too painful. She's now lost both her parents."
"That's so unfortunate."
"I'm amazed by her strength, but do I really want to push her?"
"You could just ask."
Korra fidgets with her hands. "The problem is I know she won't say no." She looks to the small table beside the loveseat. A pale jade green phone sits atop it. "What time is it in Republic City?"
A little while after Korra hangs up with Asami, Opal and Suyin arrive. They join Korra and Zhou Rhen on the loveseats and catch up on the day's events.
It took a while for Suyin and Opal to see Bataar Jr. He had been sequestered to another prison area due to unrelenting harassment from his fellow inmates. It was so incessant that even the guards had heard enough.
Korra noticed that Suyin speaking about Bataar Jr. made Opal uncomfortable in her seat. It had been a long time since Opal had discussed her feelings regarding her brother with Korra. The Avatar was curious how Opal felt about him now.
After they had all shared, Suyin decided to address the elephant koi in the room. "So, when do we worry something happened to Mako?"
Korra and Opal exchange looks.
Suyin lets out a long sigh before muttering. "That's the problem with an odd-numbered group, not enough for everyone to have a buddy."
"Usually Mako has Wu," Opal says with a wicked smirk.
Suyin leans towards her daughter, who is across from her on the loveseat next to Korra. "Mako, does he..."
Opal's head flys back, and she lets out a cackle. "Mom!"
"What?"
"I'm starting to believe you think everyone is gay."
Suyin crosses her arms defensively. "I do not."
Opal nudges Korra with her elbow. "After Wei came out, she asked the rest of us if we were. She's still not convinced Huan isn't"
"Opal!"
"Honestly, I don't think he's into anyone that way, but Mom just thinks he's deeply closeted." Opal leans back in her seat and gives her mom a smirk.
"So..." Korra starts awkwardly, slapping her hands musically on her thighs. "We should probably go look for Mako, right?"
Opal throws up her hands. "Let's hope the dork hasn't been snatched up."
Mako's eyes start to sting. He'd been staring at the same spot on the ceiling of Yasmine's room, trying to figure out how to get out from under her sleeping body and what the heck he would tell everyone he did all day; It was Yasmine, on every piece of furniture in her palace studio.
Mako really wanted to savor his feeling of euphoria after they finally collapsed on the bed and cuddled, their naked bodies slick with sweat. It wasn't until Yasmine's lips crashed into his that what he really wanted after all that had happened was to be desired.
Mako knew Korra and Asami didn't reject him to be with each other. What grew between them had nothing to do with him. But just seeing his two exes at every turn happier together than they ever were with him just gnawed away at this little place inside him.
Yasmine helped highlight and satiated that need for a few hours. Then she fell asleep, and Mako was left alone with his memories of their last attempt at being a couple. They didn't work then, and they wouldn't work now either. Did Yasmine know that?
Yasmine starts to stir. She tenses her body and stretches her arms across Mako's chest. "Mmm, you're still here?"
"Hard to get away with you on top of me," Mako teases.
Yasmine slips off him and reaches for some blanket to cover her chest. She looks at her wrist to check. "Six already."
Mako tenses, remember his rondeau plans. "Almost dinner."
"You got reservations at The Sighing Lotus again?" Yasmine gets out of the bed and starts to scan the floor, searching for her scattered clothing. "Listen, Mako, I hope you know this doesn't mean anything."
Mako slides off the bed too. He finds his pants and shirt and tries to get dressed as quickly as possible. He is surprised to discover he is slightly disappointed but mostly relieved. "Of course."
"I was just feeling super tense, and it's been a while, and clearly been a while for you too," Yasmine pauses to pick up her skirt. "That was fun."
Mako smiles. "It was."
Yasmine shimmies her tight skirt up her toned thighs. "Try not to let anyone see you sneaking out of here."
Mako sighs and rushes to finish butting his top. He slips one shoe on then the other and heads to the door. "See ya, around."
"Byeee."
Mako opens the door a crack, and then all the way when he sees the hallway is clear. He dashes out and down the hall and turns a corner. Mako then feels comfortable enough to walk at an average pace to the dining hall. He hopes Korra and the rest assumed they could just meet up with him at dinner.
An attendant outside the hall gave him a slight bow and opened one of the two doors. Mako was relieved to spot his group at their usual table. Suyin sees him and waves her arm.
Suddenly there is a hand on Mako's shoulder. He whips around to see a grinning Bingwen.
"Easy there, just saying hello," Bingwen says, removing his hand from Mako and holding both out for him to see. "Feeling a little jumpy?"
"Yeah," Mako breaths out. "I mean, no. Not really."
Bingwen looks back to Korra's table. He sees the four of them peering back, their bodies slightly leaning forward with curiosity. He turns his attention back to Mako and inspects him more carefully.
Mako's usually greased, and combed hair looked haphazardly styled. His outfit was nice but a little wrinkled. His cheeks and lips were slightly flush.
"You got laid."
Mako's eyes bulged. "What?"
Bingwen smirks, puts an arm around Mako's shoulder, and walks them towards the table. "You got laid but are scared because you probably had a task you didn't finish."
Mako nervously waves as they get close.
"And here I thought you were the boring one of the group," Bingwen releases Mako and reaches for a free chair. "May I join your group for dinner?"
Korra gestures to the chair beside her. "Be our guest."
"Dinner with the Avatar, what an honor!" Bingwen exclaims louder than necessary, so much that most of the room likely heard. Once he settles, he leans close to Korra. She moves to meet him halfway.
"Okay, I got the blessing from the Gov, so now you can tell me why you're really pushing a convicted war criminal to have a defense team? Were you squeamish about her getting a death sentence and hoping to get her life instead?"
"We can't talk here, but you can come back to my suite, and we'll fill you in."
Bingwen rests his chin on his hands and bats his eyes at Korra. "My dear Avatar, are you propositioning me?"
Korra's face slams red, and she stiffens in her set. "No!"
"Hey!" Opal barks. "What are you two talking about over there?"
"Bingwen is in."
"Allll in," Bingwen dralls.
"We can't discuss details here, but return with us after dinner," Suyin repeats, missing the earlier conversation.
"Already there," Bingwen replies, reaching for the plate in front of him and pulling it closer.
Suyin lifts her chopsticks and then slides them to her plate to pick up a piece of fish. "I'd like to discuss where Mako was,"
Mako flitches at his name, losing the piece of food he had pinched between his own sticks.
"But that should also wait," Suyin finishes, purposefully avoiding Mako's eye.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor caught their attention. Chi Gao drags a chair into the center of the room and then ungracefully hoists his girth on top of it. Conversations die down in the room at the sound of a class clinking.
"Good Evening, everyone. I just wanted to introduce myself again for any new arrivals for the trial tomorrow. My name is Chi Gao presidential candidate and of Governer of Siaw Jong. I will be leading the prosecution tomorrow. Many say I have an easy job. Do we even need a trial? I want you to know I am committed to doing any job, no matter the difficulty or size." Chi Gao raises his flute and looks around the room to see if others will mirror his action. A grin spreads across his face as he watches glasses leave the tables. "Let's give the bitch the justice she deserves!"
The group's stomachs sink a little at the volume of the applause following Chi Gao's speech. Korra looks around the room of representatives. Even if it was the real Kuvira, this level of joy in punishing her made Korra uncomfortable. But not everyone was cheering. She spied whole tables that sat silently, glasses still on the table. This stoked Korra's ember of hope that maybe tomorrow would work out.
To be continued...