Model Behavior


Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami


Chapter 17: Equal Opportunity

"Hey, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Korra questioned. Asami tucked a shirt underneath her chin, folding the sleeves into the middle before folding it over in half. She looked over at The Avatar before turning away.

The two were seated in the apartment living, going through some of Korra's clothing in the few boxes she had brought with her. Naga slept peacefully in the corner of the room, her light snores echoing in the acoustics.

Clothes and various other items from the Southern Water Tribe spilled out of the boxes. Korra was playing with one of Naga's chew toys. She was tossing it up and down into the air, seeing how much higher she could throw it with each pass. Asami rolled her eyes before throwing a pair of jeans over at the Avatar. She laughed when the clothing struck her in the face. The chew toy clattered to the floor, squeaking with each bounce. Naga's ears fluttered at the sound.

"It was nothing," Asami answered lightly. "Forget about it."

Korra hummed in response before getting up from her seat on the floor. She walked over towards the kitchen, peering into Asami's room as she passed by the door. The Avatar paused when she noticed a red dress hanging off of the canopy above Asami's bed. "What's that dress sitting out for?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm wearing that to a party Councilman Tarrlok is throwing," the engineer answered before digging into another box. "As the head of Future Industries, I think it'd be a good idea to attend. There may be some people I can make connections with."

"I have to go to that too," Korra said. She entered the kitchen and pulled two bottles of water out of the refrigerator. Upon re-entering the living room, she took a seat on the couch next to Asami's, careful not to disturb the pile of clothing next to her. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and looked at a photo of an invitation. "Tenzin thinks it'd be a good way to get back into the good graces of Republic City."

"What do you mean?" Asami plucked the jeans off of the floor before folding them and placing them onto the pile.

"Let's just say I had a bit of a run in with the city's police force when I first got here," Korra said ambiguously. She half-smiled when Asami looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. "Plus, President Raiko isn't too happy with me. So, Tenzin believes me going will show Republic City as well as President Raiko that I am not…oh, what did he say…a menace to his city."

"Well, great," Asami said happily. "I will have someone to talk to when I need to distance myself from the uppity and pompous upper class citizens." She covered her mouth before yawning.

Korra threw her head back and laughed. She handed Asami one of the bottles of water before popping hers open. "Wow, Asami Sato actually has something bad to say about someone else."

Asami took a sip of her water before placing it into the table. "I've been to tons of these parties. Trust me when I say, you will be bored the minute you step through the door." She frowned over at Korra before looking in between her and the pile of clothing. "And why am I the only one folding your clothes?" she demanded.

"Because you're good at it," Korra said quickly. Asami grabbed a couch pillow before throwing it over at her. The Avatar blinked as the pillow hit her on the chest. She then glared down at the cushion before slowly placing her water bottle onto the table. Korra then shifted in her seat and half-smiled.

"That's not going to work," Asami said nonchalantly. Korra challenged her with a raised eyebrow before reaching over and dug her nails into the engineer's sides. Asami looked at her and blinked before smiling. "I told you."

"Really?" Korra's eyes widened. She poked the engineer in the neck, the side, and then the hip. She frowned with every pass. Asami playfully rolled her eyes before holding her arms out to the side, proving her point.

"It's all mind over matter," she answered with a shrug. Korra's frown deepened as she continued to poke and prod her way down the engineer's body. "The brain sends signals to our nerve endings alerting us of the tickling feeling in a way to let us know that something or someone is creating the disturbance. So, as long as I can see what you're doing, you can't make me-ahhhh!" Asami shrieked as Korra dug her thumb into the bottom of her right foot. She burst into hysterical laughter as the Avatar skirted her fingers lightly over her arches.

"Stop! Stop!" she begged. "I can't take it." Korra ignored her and continued to tickle the bottom of her foot. Asami let out a shout as the Avatar grabbed her by the ankle before tugging her off of the couch to the floor. The engineer turned onto her stomach and tried to pull her ankle out of the shorter girl's grip, which she quickly found was a futile attempt. Her arms shook with fatigue as she laughed harder. "Okay, okay, I give. I'll fold your clothes," she gasped.

"That's all you had to say," Korra said with a smile. She rubbed the top of Asami's foot as she slowly caught her breath, a smile still set on her face. Asami let out a loud yawn, blushing before covering her mouth. "You really should get some sleep," she added.

"I can't," Asami said quietly. "There are too many noises."

"Does Iroh even know you live here?" Korra asked.

Asami nodded slowly. "Yes, but I already changed the locks," she answered sleepily. "I used to hide a spare key outside the door," she muttered after a moment of silence.

"Take a nap before the party. I'll wake you up in time." Korra pulled her backpack off a nearby chair into her lap. She pulled out her laptop and booted it up before pulling up a music program. She pressed play and rocked back and forth a bit to the light piano filling the room.

"…Will you stay here with me?" Asami asked. She sat up and rubbed the back of her neck. Korra nodded in response before moving the piles of clothes off of the couch. She dropped them into a pile near the table before fluffing up one of the couch pillows, and patted it twice, indicating that she wanted the engineer to lie down. Asami nestled onto the couch before curling up into a ball. Korra took a seat at the other end, pulling the engineer's legs into her lap. She then placed her laptop on her knees, shifting carefully so as the electronic device wouldn't fall to the ground. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Korra mumbled. She turned up the music a bit and started to softly sing the words to Angel by Sara McLaughlin. Korra couldn't help but chuckle as Asami grabbed the pillow from behind her head and slap it onto the muscular girl's stomach. The Avatar moved her laptop to the table, before Asami moved her legs and placed her pillow onto Korra's lap before snuggling into it. She let out a light sigh as soon as she relaxed. "You just reminded me of Naga. Whenever I have something on my lap and she wants attention she pushes at it with her nose before I concede."

"I just want to hear you more," Asami muttered, breathing deeply. "You have a nice voice."

"Not as good as yours," Korra answered. She slipped her fingers into Asami's hair and began to lightly scratch her scalp. "Just go to sleep."

Asami smiled a bit as she felt the tingling sensation follow the path of Korra's nails. The song Angel by Sarah McLaughlin started to play. The soft music filled the room. She wrapped her arms around the pillow underneath her head before shutting her eyes. Korra continued to sing along with the music. She felt comforting warmth as Korra removed her fingers from her hair and onto her arm. Asami relaxed even more when the Avatar began to run a hand up and down her arm. She concentrated on the music, the piano strings gently lulling her closer to sleep.

"Korra?" she asked sleepily.

"Yeah?"

"Will you walk me to school?"

The Avatar's hand paused on her arm for the briefest of moments before beginning to move once more. "You lied before about Rika bothering you, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

"Is that what you wanted to ask me the other day?" Asami nodded. Korra chuckled, the tremors of her abdomen gently shaking the pillow in her lap. Asami's head moved a bit in synchronization. "Sure, I'll walk you."

"Thank you." Asami's eyes fluttered close and she took a deep breath. I always feel safe around you. You're like my guardian angel. You are my guardian angel.


"Man, Asami wasn't kidding," Korra groaned. "This is boring."

"Korra," Tenzin hissed. He grabbed Meelo by the arm and pulled him away from the dessert table. He had tried to shove a handful of chocolates into his pockets.

"It is, Tenzin," she said before popping a piece of shrimp into her mouth. She re-adjusted the strap around her waist that cinched her dress to her hips. "If I knew all I was going to do was talk to people about politics and eat these hors-d'oeuvres then I would have actually eaten dinner. I'm starving!"

"We won't be here that long," he answered. "Just try and stick it out. Ikki, it's rude to ask a woman how old she is," he called out. Tenzin gave Korra an apologetic look before rushing across the room, dragging Meelo by the arm. Jinora followed behind them, her nose buried in a book.

Korra sighed heavily as she scanned the room. She ate another piece of food from her palm before locking eyes on Asami. The raven-haired girl looked stunning in her red wrap dress. She smiled at whatever someone was saying to her before letting out a light laugh. "Looks like Asami is having a good time. I'd love to hang with her," she muttered.

"Avatar Korra, it is nice to finally meet you," a rough voice said from beside her. Korra quickly stuffed the rest of her food into her mouth before wiping her hands on the bottom of her dress. She chewed rapidly and swallowed before turning and gave him a smile. "I'm Councilman Tarrlok." He introduced himself and stuck out a hand.

"Oh, so you're the one who threw this shindig." Korra heartily shook his hand. He frowned a little bit at the food residue on his palm. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it away.

"In your honor of course," he added.

Korra blinked in confusion. "For me? Why?"

"I'm sure you've heard of the Equalist threat in the city," Tarrlok said simply. "I sure could use you on my Task Force. President Raiko isn't doing anything to help protect this city."

"Why do you need a Task Force?" she questioned. "The Equalists haven't done anything since their last movement and that was quickly subdued."

"Not yet, but something is bound to happen soon," he answered. " It would be great to have the Avatar on our side, showing them that their movement is futile."

"Sounds interesting."

"I'm surprised you haven't taken action before," Tarrlok said lightly "especially about what they've been saying about you."

Korra raised an eyebrow. She peered at him closely. "What do you mean?" she asked slowly.

"Just that a true Avatar would have been proving their worth instead of hiding."

"Hiding?" she spat. "Tenzin didn't even tell me about this new threat until recently." Korra felt her anger begin to bubble. "I want to help. If they really want Equality they wouldn't try and eradicate benders to make it an even playing field."

Before she could say anything else, she felt a hand on her shoulder. The Avatar turned and found herself face to face with Tenzin. She looked over at Tarrlok before fully turning to face him. "Korra, may I talk to you for a second?" Tenzin asked.

"Please excuse me," Korra directed to Tarrlok before following Tenzin to a secluded area. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to speak.

"Korra, please," Tenzin said gently. "I need you to think about this. You publicly announcing your intent to join this fight will bring everything out into the open." He looked over his shoulder and frowned at a photographer taking photos of a few people. "The press is here and will demand interviews or quotes if you mention anything near them."

"I'm not going to publicly announce anything," she answered with an eye roll. "I will tell Tarrlok in confidence that I will help join the fight. This city and those Equalists need to understand that the Avatar is here to keep everyone safe against any threat."

"You're old enough to make your own decisions," Tenzin answered stiffly. "And I'm not your father, but I hope you know what you're getting into. Violence isn't always the answer."

"But this time, it is," Korra said gruffly. "He's been calling me out at these various rallies and it's time to show him who the Avatar really is."

"What about school?"

"School will be fine," she answered confidentially. "I'll help Tarrlok at night when classes are over. Then, when the leader of the Equalists arrives, I will take him out."

"I hope you're sure about this," Tenzin said quietly.

"I am. I'm the Avatar, remember? I can handle it." She gave him one last lingering look before turning on her heel. She scanned the crowded floor, looking for Tarrlok before pushing her way past a group of people. Tenzin exhaled sharply through his nose before turning around. He cried out in shock as he almost bumped into a server.

"Sorry about that," Tenzin said with a swift bow. The waiter just shrugged before stepping around him. He lifted his tray of food high into the air, walking around the people in attendance. He beelined towards the back of the room, ignoring the shouts and glares of those who tried to pick some food off of the tray.

Upon exiting the room, he stepped into a dark hallway. Placing the tray onto a nearby table, he picked a few pieces of food off of it before popping them into his mouth. He looked over his shoulder a few times before pulling out a radio. After extending the antenna, he pressed the red button, static filling the quiet hall. "Amon, she has agreed to the offer. It's time to move in."

"Good job, Lieutenant. Get back to the base as soon as you can."


AN: Thanks to my new beta, Rubiks, for helping me edit this chapter.

So, I decided to have the first 25 chapters be the Fall semester of school and then the next 25 chapters be the Spring semester. I know, it may seem like a lot is happening in a few short months, but that tends to happen with schools. A lot of events and things happen in the Fall but then they're more spread out in the Spring, especially since the Fall semester has 4 months, and the Spring has 5 months, give or take for each.

Here is the next chapter's title: Team Avatar