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 37: Forget Me Not (II)

"Okay, and now look to the right," Kya gently ordered, shining a light underneath Korra's eyes. Asami forced herself to look away from Korra, silently telling herself that it was for the Avatar, knowing she normally doesn't like a lot of unwanted attention. Granted, this never stopped Korra's somewhat inflated ego to get in the way when it came to her competitiveness, which usually attracted an audience. Which, of course, was different to the current situation, since everyone on the trip was crowded into one room, waiting silently for the final verdict of her injuries.

"Is it bad?" Tenzin questioned, breaking the silence Jinora stood quietly beside him, nestled into her father's side, her arms wrapped around his waist.

"I don't think so," Kya finally answered. She turned off the small flashlight before placing it into her pocket. Kora blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting in the room of the airship. "While amnesia can be a sign of a concussion, I don't think she has one, but I suggest she doesn't go to sleep for the next few hours, just in case."

"So, she has amnesia?" Bumi asked. "Again?"

"Yes, and apparently a few months back."

"But she had amnesia before," Mako pointed out. "I didn't think she'd be able to get it again."

"Head injuries are a tricky business," Kya opened a flask of healing water and began to bend it, massaging the Avatar's temples. Korra graciously smiled up at her. "She probably didn't fully recover from her past injury when dealing with Unalaq."

"She was complaining about frequent headaches from time to time," Asami piped up. "Though, she would always take pain killers and they went away."

"How long will it last this time?" Kai questioned.

"Hey, little boy, how about you mind your own business?" Korra snapped when she spotted Kai. She quickly eyed him over before glancing over at Jinora. Her eyes shifted back and forth between the two.

"Isn't she normally good with kids?" Bolin asked, tilting his to the side.

"Only the ones she likes, apparently," Asami answered with a shrug. Bolin started to smile at her joke, but immediately stopped when he realized who said it. She looked at him sadly, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out phone, feigning that she received an important message.

"It's always worked for me," Lin answered with a smirk. Kya rolled her eyes, frowning at her in response.

Korra snickered. She reached up and rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand, before raising an eyebrow. She then broke into a smile, once again looking between Jinora and Kai. "Yeah, that's why I don't like him."

"Did her attitude have to come back too?" Mako dryly commented.

"Mako, she's hurt," Bolin answered. Kya bent the healing water back into a bottle and re-fastened the lid. "We should be focusing on taking care of her."

"I'm fine," Korra insisted. She moved to stand up, but ended up swing on her feet. She moved to place a hand on the wall but ending up stumbling, and leaning on Lin's side. The chief of police grunted, catching her balance at the sudden weight to her side. Korra muttered a quick apology before straightening up. Lin checked to make sure the Avatar was okay, before shrugging.

"What can we do to help?" Tenzin asked.

"Fortunately, amnesia can be cured on its own," Kya informed everyone. "Although, there are ways to potentially speed up the process."

"Well, how did she regain her memory last time?" Bumi wondered.

Asami looked up from her phone, clearing her throat. "She used her connection with the past Avatars and learned about Raava and Avatar Wan," she explained. Placing her phone back into her pocket, she clasped her hands together before gently rocking back and forth on her heels. Her voice was quiet, and she seemed unsure of herself, vast difference from her usual demeanor.

"Maybe she can do that again?" Kai suggested. "Jinora, you're the best person I know when it comes to mediation. How about you and Master Tenzin work on it with her?"

"Of course," Jinora nodded rapidly, her voice quiet. She looked more like her age than with the air of maturity she usually had. "I'll do anything to help."

"Amnesiacs can also regain their memories with familiar objects, pictures, smells and sounds," Asami suggested. "What if we tried that?"

"We're not in the South nor in Republic City anymore," Tenzin slowly shook her head, gently declining her idea. "Aside from all of us, nothing will be familiar to her."

"Not all of us," she muttered quietly, taking a small step back. Kya wiped her hand on her pant legs, glancing over in Asami direction. She moved to walk over towards the engineer to console her, but quickly found her path blocked with everyone else in the room.

"How about we try some meditation first and then we can move on from there," Tenzin said firmly. He placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "We'll go and set up a space." Jinora reached up and removed his hand before holding it tightly.

Bolin gasped loudly, grabbing his brother by the arm, shaking him it vigorously. "Mako, we could do some bending with her. Maybe bringing out her competitiveness will help."

"Sounds good to me," Korra said, making a show of cracking her knuckles. "I could use some exercise," she added, smiling brightly.

"You can help too, Kai. She likes fresh meat."

"Awesome," Kai said excitedly. "It'd be an honor."

"We should probably head to Zaofu," Lin suggested. "Su says the city is heavily guarded. If news got out that Korra can't retain her memory…it won't bode well."

"Zaofu?" Bolin perked up. Asami sighed quietly, once again bringing Kya's attention to her.

"Not now, Bolin," Mako said, scolding him lightly. "Korra's more important."

"…You're right." He nodded.

"If anything, the first thing we should do is have Korra spend some time with Naga," Asami said quietly. "They've been together since they were children. It may jump start her memory."

"Oh, Naga," Korra gasped. "I need to feed her." She shuffled forward, taking a few small steps, before walking confidently toward the door of the room. "Thank you, though, for your help, everyone."

"We'll come too," Bolin said. Asami and Mako moved to follow. Korra raised an eyebrow when she spotted Asami move to follow them as well. Bolin looked back and forth at the two of them before stepping to the side. Korra rolled her eyes before turning to face Mako.

"Does your groupie-friend have to come?" she demanded.

"Korra, she's your friend too," Mako insisted.

Korra glanced at Asami once more, before shrugging. "If you say so." With that she exited the room, Bolin and Maki quickly following after her. Asami pulled her lips into a thin line, refusing to make eye contact with anyone else.

Everyone began to file out of the room, except Kya. She walked over to the engineer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong, Asami?" she asked gently.

Asami sighed deeply, reaching up before dabbing at a stray tear that threatened to spill from the corner of her eye. "Korra's my best friend," she nearly whimpered. "Not having her remember me…"

"I understand." Kya pulled Asami into a hug, reaching up and rubbing the back of her head. Asami buried her face into the waterbender's chest "It's going to be hard, but she'll need you now more than ever. Just keep trying."

"It's all my fault." Asami sniffed.

"How so?"

"We had a fight," she answered, a shudder passing over her body. Kya pulled away before using the sleeve of her clothing to wipe away the tears and makeup that was spilling down Asami's cheeks. "Her, me, and Bolin. It all seems so stupid right now."

"Don't blame yourself," Kya instructed. "It was an accident."

"Funny thing is, I don't think it was an accident," Asami admitted. Kya paused, looking directly into the engineer's green-gold eyes.

"What do you mean?" she slowly asked.

"We were driving in a desert. Korra may not be the best driver in the word, but anyone would have spotted a boulder and easily dodged it." Asami brushed her hair out of her face, waving her hands in the air to fan at her eyes, trying to dry them up faster. "I don't know, part of me feels like it was just planted there."

Kya regarded her in silence for a long time. She reached up and cupped her chin with her hand. "…I need to call Tonraq," she said quietly.


AN: Many thanks to my beta, Rubiks

Next chapter title: Forget Me Not (III)