The clicking of Asami's boots echoed throughout the main hall of Sato manner. The calling of Jinora's voice did nothing to rouse her from the blinding anger that burned in the forefront of her mind. Leaving her assistant behind in the corridor without a second thought to polite greeting.
Don't ever touch me again.
Asami's own words seeped its poison in her thoughts. She didn't mean to say them, though the past couldn't be changed. She saw the stinging hurt in the hunter's blue eyes which only ignited more anger. Anger towards herself and how it has come to this point. She couldn't help how she reacted to the news of her relocation with years of being chained to her duties of a noblewoman. All she wanted was a breath of fleeting hope that she can truly live how she wanted before she met her fate. Her mind twisted into dark places, knowing that she didn't deserve the affections of the southerner.
While lost her inner angst, Asami met a dead end in the manor, not realizing where she was taking herself. Eyes staring at the black iron door, the noblewoman felt a stab of horror strike her chest.
Why am I here?
With only the sound of hollowed air currents, Asami eyes glazed over as the rusting metal glowered before her. She never had the chance to actually admire the perfectly crafted insignia of a raven's form, talons gripping a sprig of ivy. There was no doubt that it was forged by her father's hands, but what really caught her attention was the stamping of her mother's name.
Yasuko.
The personal imprint left a hollow feeling within Asami's breast. She wondered if Hiroshi used the Raven's Bode to control her mother just as he did does to Asami now. But in her memory, even though Yasuko was headstrong, Hiroshi treated her with the utmost respect. Never once did Asami find her father show anything but undying love for his wife. It wasn't until Yasuko's death is when Hiroshi changed. He became colder, reserved and controlling.
And now as Asami stood before the Raven Bode door, more questions sprouted up in her mind. This place was built from the very beginning when Hiroshi built the manor after receiving the land with Yasuko's dowry. So why? Why would such a horrible place even existed? And why did she come here? It held nothing but horror for her, a punishment for being defiant.
The blood in Asami's veins turned cold when the sick thought of thinking that perhaps her subconscious had lead her here because in some way… Asami deserved it. Punishment for hurting Korra's feelings as well as her own. Her lips tightened as she choked back a sob. Yes. This is why she was here, she was sure of it now.
Her trembling hands wrapped around the cold bar of the door's latch and after a moment of hesitation, she pried the iron from the worn, squeaky hinges. With no torch, Asami had no means to see in the dark. Within an instant, fear boiled in the pit of her gut as she descended inside. She can make out the cage at the end of the platform by the light spilling in from the iron door. Eyes closed and gritted her teeth before cutting off the light with a slow push.
Her lungs increased the speed of her breathing as adrenaline shot through her system. The dark. Asami was always terrified by it. But her insanity drove her to punish herself for who she was. She felt her way into the blackness then gasped when her fingers found the metal bars then the latch to the door. She crawled in, feeling a wave of dizziness as the cage swung with the shifting of her weight. She tumbled to the floor, sobbing and clutching her knees to her chest as the fear over took her. Korra was her anchor before, but now that the wedge she laid between them had severed that connection.
I deserve this, she repeated over and over in her head. The inner chanting summoned the darkness to twist her mind in everything she has to suffer from. Korra's pain was the worse of it.
You deserve all the love in the world, Asami.
Korra's words stung as she rejected them. How could she deserve such a thing? She was a horrible person. If anyone deserves love, it was her housecarl. Korra was kind, loyal and nothing but a beacon of hope for Asami. She was destined for greatness with the power of Raava's light to guide her. Asami knew that Raava wouldn't have selected her as a champion if she did not have a compassionate heart. The legends of old told of stories of druids who saved the world with Raava's power. But the cost was great. It made Asami feel even worse at her selfish actions.
After waiting in the dark, Asami noticed tendrils of green light started to float around the cavern of the prison. Her eyes adjust slowly to the glowing sting from the dark to behold a figure floating just outside the birdcage. Rising to her feet, the cage swayed in response causing Asami to stumble over to a large pulsating source of light. Hands grasped onto the iron bars weakly in a haze of confusion. Within the light, the figure's form phased more solid, more recognizable.
"Mother?" Asami's brow pinched in concern at the face before her. She looked like her mother. Fair skin and curly black hair pinned up in a messy bun. The woman before her curved her black lips. Sultry curves dressed in black feathers, arranged like plated armor with a long black cloak.
"Not exactly," the woman answered with a dark chuckle, glowing green eyes flickering with amusement. She drifted in a casual manner, swirling her body more horizontal as if she was floating on water.
"Clearly another hallucination…" Asami sighed to herself fully prepared for something terrible to form out of it.
"On the contrary, little Sato." The woman corrected rolling her hand up to fiddle with her long black nails. "Actually, I'm the one that has been tormenting you every time you are here." She rolled over on her stomach propping her hand up on her chin with nothing but air underneath with a deconant smile. "Your father had mistaken this place to be a chamber of psychological torture. And it has served that purpose… but the Raven's Bode is meant to be a place of meditation. Your fears should be used as strength to overcome your greatest challenges." This woman's words only brought confusion to Asami, who showed her thoughts on her face with a creased brow.
The glowing green eyes read the consistent perplexion in the lady's eyes. Sighing in discontent, she lolled over to her. "Think of your mind like a piece of steel… heated and hammered with great torment until it becomes a beautiful weapon of destruction. Fear can be your greatest downfall, or your greatest glory. But now, I see that you have contorted your fear into anger. It does not have to be that way. I can show how to turn your aggression into delicious glory."
"Who are you?" Asami squared her jaw as she kept her front to the stranger as she circled around her like a shark.
"Oh!" She sang. "Some say I'm the Phantom Queen, bringing death to those in the clutches of fate. Or the Battle Crow, giving strength and courage to those who need it to protect their lands and people… But mostly… I'm an old friend of your dear mother… And with any luck, you and I can be very well acquainted."
"You must be Morrigan." Asami twisted again when the goddess floated behind her. "I didn't think my mother was the worshiping type."
"She wasn't… Yasuko didn't heed to anyone, including Hiroshi. But let's not talk about her. This is about you." The goddess flashed a knowing smile in her direction. "You are wondering why I'm coming to you now." Twisting back upright resting her forearms on the cage bars, Morrigan scraped her black claws on the iron playfully skimming.
"You have changed a lot since you were last put here. You were such a sweet little girl before, full of weakness and easy to crumple under the visions I showed you. Now you are sharp, stronger and your soul feels… different… special." She cocked her head to the side, parting her black tongue out to wet her upper lip with a hum in her throat. "It would be such a waste for it to be ripped apart by hungry gods of the underworld…"
"So you want it for yourself," Asami stated, noting the way Morrigan was looking at her with greedy, glowing eyes. "What makes you think I will give it to you?"
"Mmmm, we just happen to share a common enemy." The goddess's face morphed into an angry expression as venom slipped from her throat while craning. "Vlad Zar… He has been dipping his claws into my bounty of fallen soldiers thanks to that retched bloodsucking fiend, Amon. Your people are suffering, Asami. I can grant you power to save their souls. You do wish for glory on the battlefield, do you not?"
"What's the catch?" Asami sucked in her breath when Morrigan's body phased through the bars towards her. "There is always a price with power…"
"So intelligent… just like your mother." Morrigan extended a hand, gripping it onto the nobleman's shoulder. "I'm going to show you a vision, it's not a hallucination but a precursor to what will happen if you choose to take this path. Remember… the only thing to fear is fear itself." Asami's eyes glazed over as the sudden rush of Morrigan's vision flooded her senses. Within the cloud of haze, she could see her future flash before her eyes.
A single tear rolled down Asami's cheek as her eyes slipped back into focus. Morrigan drew her hand from her shoulder and cupped the side of her face. "If you choose this path, Asami… I will make sure your soul finds true destiny after you die. You have my word as a goddess."
"Korra won't be able to defeat him unless I do this?" With furrowed brows, Asami's words were confirmed with a nod of the goddess's head.
"Do accept the fate that is laid out for you?" Asami hesitated, but only to find that she didn't have much of a choice. No matter what Korra will do, she will not be successful without her influence. All the plans the council made and all the effort to protect the Republic from Amon and Vlad Zar will mean nothing in the end if she refused.
"I accept." With those words, Morrigan smiled with satisfaction and used her power to summon a black tome to be placed in the noblewoman's hands.
"You will require the study of this book in order to guide souls back to the Vail." Bound in black leather the tome bore the same sigil that was on the Raven's Bode door. More questions about her own mother rose up in her mind. Before Asami could ask them, Morrigan halted her thoughts with her final words. "Yasuko was my last champion," she explained. "I showed her your fate and she sacrificed her life so you may live to uphold it… Keep that in your mind until the end."
.
.
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A few days had past, Asami remained in the Sato Manor stubbornly insisting to wait until her father's return home. Mako's employment was severed to turn his attention in the guard force for which she was understanding in that plight. Korra was the only one able to stand outside her door to her discomfort but she felt safe nonetheless. She didn't speak to her with the few times they passed in the hallways. Only small glances of eye contact pursued with an underlining wave of guiltiness from both parties. Asami had been trying to come up with some means to make amends, but a simple apology didn't feel like would do much. She knew that it will take some time, but with any hope, Asami will be able to mend the bond she so desperately needed. She prayed to the spirits that her ego will not get in the way.
When Hiroshi returned, he was in a light mood, dodding on his daughter with smiles to Asami's relief. He even complimented on her less noble fashion. "Well, it seems that you have been a bit bolder in your clothing choices," He jested. "Your mother liked to spice it up once in a while too when she was younger."
"A lot has changed when you were gone, Father," Asami confessed standing with him in the foyer of their home. "Have you heard about Korra?"
"I certainly have," Hiroshi said twisting his brow. "Who would have thought?" His eyes drifted around. "I was also informed that the King has motioned you to be placed in the monastery for safekeeping. I know it's not what you want, but I couldn't agree more with this decision…" Hiroshi noticed something off about his house. Suddenly becoming alert with shock. "Asami… where is all the silver? There wasn't a raid when I was gone, was there?"
Asami pursed her lips, angling her chin up. "The guard force needs it for weapons against the ghouls… With the way things are right now, I sacrificed it so it won't affect the unstable economics of the people…"
"Oh…" Hiroshi all but gave her a smile, cupping his daughter's face. "Always thinking of others, you know… That's what I love about you." Asami was surprised at his reaction, she was sure that he would be angry. Something good must of happened while he was away in the Fire Nation.
"I thought you would be upset…" Asami confessed but Hiroshi gave her a low chuckle in response.
"My dear, we are rolling in riches," Hiroshi said. "And no doubt there will be an incredible amount of coin to do more for the Republic and the Fire Nation after you are wed. I trust you and I can work together with the Prince to make the world safer and evolve into great technological advancement. I signed a contract for a project that I will need your help on… We are going to give man the power of flight."
Asami's eyes widened. "Flight?" Her heart thumped with excitement. "...how?"
"Airships, my dear," He bellowed with his hands up. "Think about it… we can harness gases from Mt. Fukimara. They are lighter than air and with a proper system, it would be possible to construct propellers and wings to push and glide."
Asami's face brightened as the concept twirled in her brain. "Why this will change everything about transport."
"Exactly," Hiroshi smiled with a hand on her shoulder. "And while you are at the temple, I encourage you to help come up with some designs. Master Tenzin should be able to help with how the wind works to improve your sketches and scale models."
Asami embraced him warmly with a grin. "Thank you, I was worried my hands would grow too idle while being held up on that little island."
"I figured you should stay busy," Hiroshi's eyes suddenly grew cold, his face twisted into a sneer. "We can't have you tempted to do anything… dangerous." Asami immediately stepped back, staring at him within a moment's pause.
"Oh…" She twisted away. "Certainly, not." The news of the corn maze battle must have reached him before he stepped foot in manor. It didn't cause any concern for her now that she will be leaving for the monastery with her housecarl and not to mention that the Raven's Bode is no longer a way to control her. But Hiroshi didn't know that… Asami figured it would be best to keep him thinking that it was.
"If I find you doing anything you aren't supposed to be doing," he grumbled out unpleasantly. "There will be harsh consequences." A rush of anger swell in her breast as her hands fisted with tension. Before she had a chance to reply, a stern voice erupted in the foyer.
"Don't worry about the lady, my Lord," Korra suddenly appeared behind a corner, staring with her jaw squared. Both Hiroshi and Asami grunted in surprise at her sudden appearance. "I'll keep an eye on her at all times…"
"Princess Korra…" he choked, straightening his spine. "...I didn't know you were still here."
"I'm still in the service of your daughter," Korra said flashing a glance at the noblewoman. "I've been here in the evenings since Mako is now officially on the force. And now that you are here, I trust the lady will come willingly to the island?"
"Of course, Princess…" Asami muttered through clenched teeth then blew past her to retreat to her chambers to prepare for her time away. Korra's eyes followed her form until she was out of sight. She turned her head to the lord and approached, boots clicking.
"I have a question," Korra proclaimed, bringing her hands behind her back. "I need to know where the location of the Blade of Lunas is. We need to ensure that Amon won't find it."
"Ah," Hiroshi bobbed his head. "Of course, Princess. The blade is actually being kept with a dear friend of mine."
"Who?" Korra demanded the answer with a stoned stare. She wasn't in the mood to dance around subjects. "You know this is important."
"I think it's best for everyone if very few people know," he forced his words out. "You understand?"
"I do," Korra nodded. "But I still should know where it is. At least one person on the operation should know exactly where it is… for safety precautions. I will not tell anyone else, you have my word."
"Then you should be happy to know that one of the members on your task force is aware of its location," Hiroshi bowed his head. "That is all I can tell you." Korra took a moment to read his aura. She didn't find anything that would indicate him being dishonest so she moved on.
"I should go make sure Lady Asami has all of her affects in order," she said but added just one more thing before she left. "Lord Hiroshi… you should be certain that I will protect Lady Asami with my life. If I find anyone attempting to cause any harm to her… they will surely meet a terrible end." When she turned her back, Hiroshi's angry eyes bored into the back of her head. How dare she threaten him. Her status meant nothing. In his eyes, Korra was still just a dirty savage that his daughter scraped off the street. Now she is posing to be a threat to his control over his very own daughter. And Hiroshi was not about to let that happen.
"I'm counting on you, Princess…"
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Korra escorted the noblewoman to the island. There was no move for conversation as Asami followed her escort through the grounds that is until they stopped at the room she would be staying in. Korra slid open the privacy screen and gestured her in. The heiress's eyes looked about at the quaint accommodations she was granted with. A bed, desk, chair and a small wardrobe took home in her new quarters that was anything but luxurious.
"It's not much but it should suit your needs," Korra said. "The bathhouse is down the hall. It's communal so it's not uncommon to bathe with the other women. But usually it's empty after dark so if you want privacy, that's the best time to go."
"That'll be fine," Asami said twisting around to face her. "It's perfect. Thank you…" Korra gave her a slight smile, shuffling her boots a little with nervousness. The motion caught Asami's attention, feeling a swooning rush within her belly.
"For what it's worth… I'm sorry that it has to be this way…" she sighed. "If I didn't have to be here I would be fine with staying at the estate with you."
Asami ignored her apology with a snort of dismissal trying to indicate to her that an apology was not needed. But Asami's reaction did nothing but make her housecarl grit her teeth as the intent was misread as rejection. Korra has been trying her best to be patient with the noblewoman's spoiled mannerisms but her frustrations kept clawing at her insides.
"I can bring you some extra blankets if you get cold," Korra suggested, almost snarling out her words as she turned to exit the room.
"Where are you staying?" Asami asked sharply, surprising the hunter with the urgency.
"Right across the hall," she replied. "There shouldn't be a need for me to stand guard since this place is secluded… unless you want me to?"
"N-no…" Asami stammered looking around more and taking not of the small window, too small for someone to slip through yet alone moonlight. "I… will be fine." Despite all that she had went through, Asami was still nervous about sleeping in the dark, alone. She mentally scolded herself for feeling so childish over that, but the twisting in her gut was instinctual. Perhaps she would spend her nights crafting by candlelight and sleep during the day. It would give her more opportunity to being accustomed to roaming the night without getting tiresome.
"Well," Korra's voice brought her back to the current moment. "I should go train a bit. Do you want to come along?"
"I think I'll just get situated here and maybe explore for a while." Korra nodded, informing her that dinner would be a six then left the lady to her own devices. Asami let out a sigh, moving to her delivered luggage to unpack a few things. Not bothering to pack too many clothes, most of Asami's luggage were books, parchment, writing utensils and a few tools and materials to work on a few small scale projects. Looking about she settled that she would need to work from the floor since the small writing desk was too small for what she needed. In the near future she would probably request a few deliveries to aid in her crafting needs. When she moved some books over to the writing desk, her eyes fell on a wrapped bundle upon the top. Picking it up, she wondered if the previous occupant of the room had left it behind on accident, but when she unwrapped the fabric her eyes widened in surprise at a coil of blue string material laid.
"Water Dragon Whiskers…" she identified with a gasp. "Oh… Korra." Her face twisted with guilt but the squeezing in her heart caused her aura to flutter with gratitude. How in world did Korra find the time to get them? She held the parcel to her chest, biting her bottom lip as a tear spilled over her pale cheek. She rewrapped the package and laid it back on its place then took off her engagement ring to keep it company. Knowing she should wear it at all times, Asami couldn't help feel a burden lifted whenever she took it off. Given her current circumstances, she felt an odd sensation of liberation in doing so.
I suppose I can thank my mother for all this… Asami smiled to herself, taking a deep breath. She had a chance for glory now. True freedom from the ties that always have bound her. Now, she needed to scope out the entire island. If she was to fulfill her contract with Morrigan, she would need to find a way off the island during the night. There will be no doubt that Korra will have to leave on some nights to help the guard force with missions. Giving her the opportunity to escape on her own quests of valor.
Asami wandered the temple, familiarizing herself with her new temporary home. She's been here a few times but never had the opportunity to explore it thoroughly. Red wooden columns held up rafters with simple but skilled carpentry trimmed with gold paint. The feel of the entire place was of timeless charm. She noticed the design was very open, each major hallway was actually open to the outside with no walls for the corridors to speak of, letting the breeze flow freely. She passed a few acolytes along the way who greeted her with nothing but a friendly bow of the head. Everyone carried themselves with a calming peace. Quiet, with only the bustling of winds to be heard. Her eyes caught the stationed guards around the complex
"Lady Asami?" Asami turned and found Opal standing in the gardens just outside the walkway with a bright smile on her face. She met up with her with a friendly hug, receiving a soft smile in return.
"It's good to see you again, Opal. How's the training going? Are you a master yet?" Opal shook her head in the negative.
"I still have a long way to go." She answered as her eyes dragged over Asami's new outfit. Opals hands fell down to tug a little at the skirt of her tunic. "This is cute! It's not a color I would have picked for myself but it looks fantastic on you."
"Thank you," Asami blushed a little at the compliment. "I wasn't really going for cute, but I'm glad you like it."
"You know I was happy to hear that you were going to stay here for awhile…" Opal's expression turned a little sad. "I could use a familiar face around here." Asami was surprised at Opal's blue mood. She's never seen the lady in anything but cheerful spirits. She laid a warm hand on the short woman's shoulder, giving her a look of concern.
"Did something happen?" Opal sighed, her brows furrowed into a slight look of annoyance before answering.
"Can… I trust you to keep a secret?" When Asami nodded to confirm her discretion, Opal continued. "Kuvira and I… we were lovers until recently." Green eyes flashed in surprise at her confession. Asami knew that Kuvira had a liking to women but she had no idea that Opal was her lover. If anything, Asami thought that Opal only saw the general as an adoptive sister. "Before she left for Zaofu… she told me that she's accepted a betrothal proposal. I wouldn't mind carrying on as we were so as long as we were discreet about it… but then she told me she accepted the proposal from my eldest brother."
"Baatar the Second?" Asami gasped, her brows furrowed in thought on why Kuvira would ever want to marry him. He was a half-baked blacksmith at best but had a lot of influence to the defenses of Zaofu's military. It was probably a tactical move to gain more power…
"She insisted that we keep going on with our relationship," Opal's lips formed a tight line as a swell of emotion ran through her when her voice started to crack. "I'm just not strong enough to withstand seeing her with my brother while still carrying things on the way they were. I would be forced to just stay on the sidelines, pretending everything is okay… when it's not."
"Opal…" Asami pulled her into a warm hug. "I'm sorry that Kuvira is such an idiot. If I see her face again I'll hit her for you." The burst of laughter from the shorter girl raise the noblewoman's pride. "We should hang out today, do you have any training you need to do?"
"No, all my training is usually done in the morning," she said. "Actually, I was going to hit the bathhouse soon. You want to join me? It's rather nice since its a natural hot spring."
"Sounds great!" Asami beamed with genuine enthusiasm. "At least there is one thing I can enjoy in this place."
The two friends made their way to the bathhouse and was happy to find the facility empty for now. The bathing pool was of moderate size and formed a natural pond shape with rounded sections at edges. Opal surprised her childhood friend with a bottle of nomad rice wine as they settled down in the naturally hot water, soaking their bare bodies with blissful heat.
"Wow," Asami moaned with pleasant relief, accepting a small cup of rice wine from Opal's service. "Maybe I've been a bit too reluctant about this place. It's like a holiday… I should take holidays more often."
"You should," Opal agreed placing the bottle of wine on the ledge of the pool. "You work too damn much. I barely get to see you… I don't think we've spent any genuine time together since finishing school." Asami hummed in confirmation with a sip of the dry but sweet alcohol. "Remember Head Mistress Ida? Lord that woman was a nightmare!"
Asami breath hitched a little at the memories of her schooling youth flooded her brain. Then a giggle escaped her lips at the mention of the head mistress. "She wasn't that bad."
"Are you kidding me? Man, my rump hurts just thinking about her!" Opal's sudden outburst was nothing but amusing to her, triggering another laugh of nostalgia from her childhood friend. "You should know what I'm talking about! If I remember correctly, Ida whipped you the most. The chicken in the office? The curfew breaking? The chocolate cake! Spirits, you were the most unruly of all of us! Fearless to her authority like some demon child! We all thought you were crazy for purposely defying her."
Asami's laughter grew as Opal recanted all of the crimes of her youth. "Did you see the look on her face when I threw the feast goose in the swimming hole?" A gasping sigh escaped her lungs as she fought for air. "I received fifty lashes for that! I couldn't sit for days!" Opal shook her head with crooked brows as she refilled both of the wine cups.
"No matter how many times she hit you, you still were a troublemaker," Opal heaved a chuckle. "You weren't even sneaky about all of your transgressions like the other girls. They feared the lashes, but you? Spirits, Asami I never understood why you were so defiant."
"I…" Asami paused, carefully trying to select her words. "I wanted her to know that she had no power over me…" Opal gave her a suspicious brow raise, indicating that she knew her friend wasn't being completely honest. Asami sheepishly shrugged her shoulders, "I enjoyed that she couldn't keep her wits about her when I refused to comply to her authority. She nearly went mad during my last year and had to take a leave of absence for her shoulder injury from whipping me so hard."
"That was why?!" Opal eyes bulged in shock then couldn't help the bout of laughter that followed. She clinked her cup against Asami's own before adding, "Here is to Asami Sato, the woman who's spirit can not be broken."
The two of them laughed together in high spirits, drinking themselves to a good haze of drunkenness. The heat from the water was starting to become unbearable, they retreated to the dressing room. As Asami toweled herself off, she noticed her friend was quietly staring at her. Asami's brow quirked and Opal's face turned a bright red before she looked away.
"Something's troublesome?" the heiress asked with her words slightly slurred.
"Nothing," Opal giggled a little nervously. "I'm just at awe with such beauty before me… forgive me. It's been… a while." A smile flashed over Asami's flushed face, she turned to face her friend, baring her nakedness without shame.
"You can look," Asami's words filled Opal's ears with tenderness, inviting the younger woman to gander at her pale curves. While Opal's olive green eyes dragged over her friend's sultry body, Asami's own drunken lust drove her to look back. Opal's breasts were smaller than her own but held a desirable shape capped with brown peaks that reminded her of Korra's. She withheld a moan at the thought of pulling them into her mouth to suck on. Asami's core pulsed with desire as her eyes dragged further down to the black curls at Opal's junction. Finally, she willed herself to turn away, groaning quietly and closing her eyes as the memory of Korra's taste flooded into her senses. Her drunken thoughts twisted into questioning what would Opal would taste like. Get a hold on yourself, Asami… Drunk or not… have some dignity for once.
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable," Opal's words spilled out with concern but Asami waved her hand in dismissal.
"Not at all." Asami groaned, pulling her clothes out of the cabinet before her. "Opal… you have beauty too. Kuvira is surely an fool to ruin such a good thing." Opal smiled, retrieving her own robes to drape herself with. When Opal was dressed, her eyes watched Asami bend over to roll up her stockings. Curiousity drove her to approach and before Asami could straighten from her dressing, Opal's hand moved in a flash, coiling back and whipping down onto the heiress's backside with a loud crack. Asami sucked in a gasp, clutching onto the cabinet in front of her as her body trembled with a flood of heat from the sting causing her to moan out beautifully.
"Thought so," Opal celebrated at her findings with her suspicions. Asami Sato wasn't a juvenile delinquent just to defy authority but to find the thrill of being spanked. Asami's eyes widened as she found Opal smugly grinning at her from behind.
"Your deduction skills are impressive," Asami laughed out, sucking in a gasp before adding, "You need to do it harder though if you want to get a rise out of me…"
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Korra sighed in exhaustion, she worked up a good amount of sweat while training. She has had a good handle on three of the elements but had no success in producing a wind spell to her frustration. Meelo was even there to try to aid her in grasping the concept, but he wasn't much of a help. His hands swayed through the air, producing a small cyclone with his aura as his voice shouted out his instructions like a drill sergeant.
"Feel the power of wind! All you gotta do is push it!" He gruffed as he himself was getting frustrated with her feeble attempts to try to imitate his actions. Korra growled as her aura reached out but all she was grasping was nothing, the air didn't have the solid physical properties like the other elements, ironically she felt she was just grasping at the air, but it slipped away as the energy tendrils of her aura tried to harness it. She grew angry.
With a cry, Korra's hands formed fists and threw a fireball at a defenseless straw dummy. Meelo moaned in disappointment, pinching his brow. "No, no, no. You can't get angry! You have to be calm! The wind is calm! The air is calm! How do you expect it to bend to your will if you chase it away with your emotions?!"
Korra grumbled, knowing he had a point. Though, she has been frustrated not only with her training, but with everything. Especially, Asami… Just thinking about her ignited a fury inside the pit of her stomach. She ran a hand down her sweaty face with a growl. Clearly she has a long time to go before she can deal with her inner turmoil. She flayed her hands up in defeat.
"I'm done for the day!" Snapping her chops with anger as she stomped off to the dormitories ignoring Meelo's groaning protests that followed. She didn't get very far, however, because Tenzin was standing there with a stern frown of his own. Swallowing the thickness that was growing in her throat, Korra squared her jaw as he calmly approached her.
"Korra," he started. "I know this can't be easy for you, but you have to have patience with this." There was the word. Patience. The same word that only frustrated her more.
"How can I be patient when there are hoards of ghouls and a vampire threatening the capital?" She yelled. "I don't have the time, Tenzin! I can do without the wind element! I need to focus my training on the others."
"You already have a good understanding of the other elements, Korra," he countered. "The wind element can give you that extra boost to ensure victory. You are going to need all four in order to bring Amon and his forces down. The power of wind will help you against Amon's masses with little effort. Wind can carry fire further, guide the currents of the seas and turn mountains into dunes. If you can harness it, and I believe you can, you will be able to combine it with other elemental spells to your advantage."
Korra heaved out a heavy sigh. "I just don't understand why I haven't been able to even make a single leaf move. Raava has ensured me that I have the power, but it just doesn't come as easily to me." The southerner's bottom lip pouted out in discontent even with a squeeze of Tenzin's hand on her arm.
"I understand your feelings, Korra," Tenzin's voice was soft to try to ease her. "Though, Meelo is right. Ever since the council meeting you have been on edge and anger will not help you here… I think you should stop avoiding whatever is bothering you and deal with it before time runs out." Korra's lips pressed together with a deep inhale, the long sigh that followed after helped cool her nerves just a little as Tenzin's words began to set in.
"Okay," She surrendered, trying to sort out everything that she needed to deal with in order to get her emotions straight. First off, she needs to get laid. Her preference of a partner seems to hate her at the moment so Korra thought that maybe Opal's offer from before would still be open. No strings attached. She nodded in decision and left Tenzin at the training ground. First thing is to take a bath. She was sticky with sweat and she was certain that Opal wouldn't want to smell her in this condition.
When she entered the dressing room of the bathhouse, she stiffened when she saw Opal and Asami dressing. Opal was fully dressed but Asami was only had a pair of stockings on, bent over and pressed against the cabinet. Her eyes dragged over her bare bottom, seeing the red hand mark on one of the lady's cheeks.
Asami's already blushing face turned a beet red as she saw Korra gazing with bafflement. Could this situation get any worse? Yes, actually. Because her mutually drunken friend hadn't noticed that Korra was standing in the doorway behind her and was reeling back to give her another strike. Asami was too plastered, too stunned to react to what was about to happen. Opal was going to smack her ass in front of her housecarl. It was a good thing that Korra was quick to take action by ceasing Opal's wrist.
"Opal?" Korra questioning stare met with the eyes of the petite woman. "What is the meaning of this?" The halted action gave Asami enough time to twist around, fumbling to pull on her tunic ungracefully in her drunken daze.
"K-Korra!" Opal stumbled back shocked at the interruption of her attempt to turn Asami on in hopes to lay with her. But she couldn't just simply tell her that, because she was pursuing Korra all the while as well.
With patience growing thin, Korra rumbled in her throat. "I asked you a question!"
"Leave it be, housecarl!" Asami moved over quickly with her tunic barely secured on her form, grasping onto Korra's arm to steady her balance. "We were just playing around, Opal has no intent to harm me." A heavy sigh and a smile later, Asami had found Korra's sweaty condition pleasing. Coated with a film of moisture that enhanced her natural scent all but triggered more wetness to pool between Asami's thighs. Her glazed over eyes drunk in the unflitered scowl on Korra's face before letting her gaze drift down to find beats of sweat on her neck that she ached to lick up with her tongue. Asami's hands traveled to the belt at Korra's waist with a goal in mind. "Let me help you get undressed, Princess…" Asami's words were laced with drunken arousal, giggling as she jerked open the buckle to unwrap her prize. The sharp intake of air Korra drew in was nothing sort of shock and pleasure, further encouraging her to continue her task.
"I can help too," Opal giggled out pawing ungracefully at Korra's tunic to part it open. Asami's attention flashed over to her friend as she realized she had momentarily forgotten that Opal was in the dressing room as well. In a different situation, Asami would never consider sharing Korra but she was too drunk to care at this time. She needed feel Korra's body underneath her hands again.
Ragged panting drew out from Korra's lungs as she realized what was happening. Both Asami and Opal were making a move on her. And the smell of the wine coming from their breaths was the indicator of their actions. A selfish part of her wanted to let it happen, but her dignity would never allow it. Within the moment of her hesitation, Opal's lips started to nip at her neck and Asami's hands dragged across her exposed abdominals.
"Fok, tokimor feria don gafo mei…" Fuck, throw me in a volcano. Korra mumbled the curse in her native tongue before finally finding the strength to push both of the ladies off earning mutual moans of disappointment. "Pull yourselves together and sober up!" She barked as she pulled her tunic back in place and quickly found her escape back the way she came. Opal and Asami found eachother's gazes before erupting in drunken laughter.
.
.
.
The dinner hall of the temple was bustling with life. Long tables housed visitors and acolytes alike. To Korra's dismay, Opal sat right next to her while Asami was sitting right in front across the way with Jinora at her side. Korra ate her meal in awkward silence, darting her eyes up to the intense stare that Asami was sporting but it wasn't in her direction. Opal's shoulder was brushing along the housecarl's arm as she attempted to make small talk with her and Asami had taken notice. Korra could practically feel Asami's jealousy seeping from her aura, feeling trapped among the heavy energy.
Opal's not being too discreet… Maybe this is a bad idea.
Not having the stomach to finish her dinner, Korra rose from her seat and abandoned the communal meal. Asami let out a silent sigh as she returned to poking at the food on her plate. She couldn't bring herself to eat much knowing that Opal might steal Korra away from her. Forming a plan to get her back to eating out of her hand will be difficult but not impossible. She needed to keep her bond with Korra strong. Not only her fate depended on it, but it's the only thing she desperately wanted. And Asami Sato always gets what she wants. She rose from her seat.
"You haven't finished your dinner, Lady Asami," Jinora observed giving her a knowing look. Though that was hardly enough to deter Asami from leaving the dining hall to find Korra. Opal watched as Asami sauntered away before giving Jinora a quizzical look.
"Well… that certainly curious," Opal said turning to the woman in front of her. "Is there something going on between those two?"
"It's… complicated." Jinora announced. "Lady Asami practically forced her to work for her and now Korra has used her status to keep her here… it's kind of a battle of hierarchy since Korra now insists to stay in her service… so there is really no say on who is really in charge."
"Oh…" Opal paused in contemplation as she took a sip from her water glass. "I suppose that makes sense. If I did not know any better, I would guess it is to be a lovers quarrel." Opal eyes caught the spike of recognition in Jinora's expression but she was quick to retain it quickly.
"Nonsense, Opal," Jinora scoffed at her with a shrug. "Lady Asami knows the consequences of betraying her betrothal to the Fire Prince. She is wiser than that."
"Of course," Opal smiled softly. "Asami is more wise than your father, and that's saying something. Because of that, however… I'd say she would be wise to live a little before her duty calls her to rule the Fire Nation. If I was in her boots, I'd jump on that in a heartbeat."
Jinora's mouth fell open at the blasphemy that spilled from her friend's lips, unable to respond in her state of shock. Standing from her seat, Opal scooped up the abandoned plates along with her own then proceeded to the kitchen to help with the washing without another word.
Asami's boots clipped faster with each pace, dead set on hunting down the woman of her desires. She couldn't take it anymore. With Opal on Korra's heels, the bond that she shared with her could be lost forever. Her heart clenched painfully at the thought of Korra spending time in someone else's bed. She reached the women's dormitory, immediating honing on Korra's room. With a hard opening slide of the door, she found Naga laying at the end of the bed, head perking up at her arrival. Asami sighed heavily when she realized Korra was not there and immediately moved on.
Keep the bond strong.
She must, and she will. Her next guess was the bathhouse. Since Korra ended up skipping it from Asami's embarrassing drunken advances earlier. Though, she didn't let that bother her. She was too focused on her goal and willing to shove away every inch of pride she had left in her, to show Korra how much she wanted her, how much she needed her. Finally, she entered the bathing facility and lit up at the pile of noticeable clothes in the dressing room. She's here… and she's naked. She halted in hesitation, calculating her approach before the next move. Her tunic dropped to the floor in a matter of seconds, boots then stockings until she was completely bare. Everyone else was dinning right now so the likelihood of interruption was slim. She padded into the facility for the second time that day, catching her prey leaning back on the edge of the spring with a towel draped over her face.
With a quiet gasp, Asami didn't prepare herself for the peaks of Korra's breasts poking out of the water. Being in such a hurry, she forgot how the southern royal's body simply took her breath away. The throbbing in her core was instant, driving herself closer in hopes for salvation, forgiveness and the dire connection she needed. She halted at the pool's end nearby and purposely fluttered her aura gently in testing to see if Korra would feel it.
"What do you want?" Korra moaned in disgruntlement, rolling the towel off her face and onto her shoulders. Asami couldn't help but smirk a little when an immediate gasp came later. Korra's blue eyes widened as the noblewoman's nakedness was on display before her eyes. Shooting up immediately to her feet with a rush, Korra gulped in astonishment at the sight before her. The blood rushed heavily to her head with a deep blush.
Asami slowly dipped her feet into the water, sitting on the ledge and eased her thighs open. She craned her neck up and finally spoke.
"Is the wolf hungry?" Her words dripped like honey as the pulse of her aura came calling with a seductive pull. But Korra stubbornly stayed in her place.
"But… you said-"
"Do you always do what you are told?" Asami asked with a tilt of her head, drinking in the sculpted muscle before her. "I thought you were a beast of the wilds… or are you a trained little pup instead?"
"No," Korra growled out and took a step closer. "You're jealous that Opal is interested in me… that is the reason you came here." Asami blushed at the truth of the statement but she wasn't going to give up.
"Not the only reason," Asami confessed as her eyes softened. "I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I am aware that I'm not the most pleasant person to deal with. I'm spoiled, like you said. Please know that sometimes my words betray my true feelings." She saw Korra's resolve starting to break at her words, encouraging her to sink down into the water and crawl over in the shallows. Her green eyes peered up at her, nuzzling Korra's thigh, and earning a sharp gasp in the process. "Let me serve you, Princess." A light kiss was placed on Korra's skin, leading a trail of more featherlike kisses nearing closer to Asami's prize. Her lips stopped just over Korra's growing heat. "Please…"
AN: Next chapter contains smuuut. Also the next few will have more plot than anything as the fic is coming to an end. Check this fic out on AO3 to see an illustration at the end of this chapter. my screen name there is TwistedVixen.